• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.68
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• pp.173-208
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• 2017

This study sorted out the political methods of the typical shell-and-bone inscriptions during early Western Zhou, the shapes and arrangements of Chan, Chak, and Jak, and the characteristics and description methods of shell-and-bone characters and also investigated the formation backgrounds and changing patterns of shell-and-bone inscriptions with a focus on the transmitted literature and actual shell-and-bone inscriptions. First, the transmitted literature contained records saying that Gogongdanbu told fortunes by burning tortoise shells during Proto-Zhou, but no Bokgap from those days had been excavated yet. The content of the divination focused on the periods of Kings Wen, Wu, and Cheng of Zhou, and the shell-and-bone characters of Juwon contained much content about Jugong those days. Second, there were some differences in the processing methods between Bokgap and Bokgol, but their origin could basically be found in the Joyeongjang form during middle Shang. In addition, it was found that they directly accepted the Bukchon type of Seomseo during late Shang and the divination method of the Proto-Zhou culture. Third, all of Bokgaps had a set of square Chan and rectangular Chak installed on the back, whereas all of Bokgols had a set of circular Chan and vertically thin Chak and were in the shape of a cat's eye. In terms of the Chan, Chak, and Jak arrangement, the Bokgaps were similar to those of Yinxu during late Shang, whereas the Bokgols had the characteristics of the Joyeongjang type during middle Shang. Finally, there were differences in the description methods of shell-and-bone characters according to the arrangement methods of shell-and-bone inscriptions. Some rules were found according to each of the parts. Bokgaps were placed horizontally so that Gapsu would face sideways. The middle sections of Bokgols were mostly placed horizontally with the Byeongbu and Seonbu facing downwards at Golgu to write downwards from right to left. This method was estimated to have something to do with "Sigo" in the divination process in The Rites of Zhou. It was inferred that the perceptions of divination changed in the process of arranging the rites and music institutions during early Western Zhou.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.86-107
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• 2014

The large stone cist tomb 8501 of Lingcheng prefecture Xiaoheishigou, according to Chinese chronology, was built during the late Western Zhou period. However in this tomb not only Chinese Zhongyuan style bronze ceremonial vessels but also indigenous style bronze ceremonial vessels and instruments and hybrid bronze ceremonial vessels with a mixture of both indigenous and Chinese styles were excavated in large numbers. The bronze ceremonial vessel assemblage of Xiaoheishigou, in comparison with the decorum regulations and bronze cauldron and coffer system of the Chinese Zhongyuan region of the same time period, belong to that of the lowest status category. However, in contrast to the lowest class category tombs of the Chinese Zhongyuan region, in this tomb, with the exception of cauldrons and coffers, the remaining food and wine vessels of the assemblage match the standard of emperors and feudal rulers of vassal states. This is reinforced by the burial of musical instruments. Of the bronze ceremonial vessels of Xiaoheishigou large stone cist tomb 8501, the indigenous and hybrid styles, in consideration of manufacture technology seem to have been manufactured locally. However, the form, pattern and also the standards of the Western Zhou style bronze ceremonial vessels are identical to those of the Chinese Zhongyuan region and therefore it is clear that they were manufactured in Western Zhou. The reason for these precious ceremonial vessels which were manufactured and used in the many individual vassal states of the Chinese Zhongyuan region being buried in Xiaoheishigou, seems to have been the result of economic exchange and friendly political relations between the Xiaoheishigou and other groups rather than these vessels having been plundered by the Xiaoheishigou group. A distinct cultural sphere existed between the Upper Xiajiadian culture and Western Zhou which interacted frequently with both sides.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.438-447
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to explore the role of IL-6-miR-210 in the regulation of Tregs function and atrial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation (AF). The levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in AF patients were detected by using ELISA. Proportions of Treg cells were detected by fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis in AF patients. The expression of Foxp3, α-SMA, collagen I and collagen III were determined by western blot. The atrial mechanocytes were authenticated by vimentin immunostaining. The expression of miR-210 was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). TargetScan was used to predict potential targets of miR-210. The cardiomyocyte transverse sections in AF model group were observed by H&E staining. The myocardial filaments were observed by masson staining. The level of IL-6 was highly increased while the level of IL-10 (Tregs) was significantly decreased in AF patients as compared to normal control subjects, and IL-6 suppressed Tregs function and promoted the expression of α-SMA, collagen I and collagen III. Furthermore, miR-210 regulated Tregs function by targeting Foxp3, and IL-6 promoted expression of miR-210 via regulating hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). IL-6-miR-210 suppresses regulatory T cell function and promotes atrial fibrosis by targeting Foxp3.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.46
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• pp.227-251
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• 2017

This article is designed to study the conceptualization process of one of the ancient Chinese classical literature heritages, the so-called, the Triple Virtue(三達尊). By showing the principle meanings and the newly embodied symbolism of this Triple Virtue, this article is prepared to encourage revitalization of the moral virtues and self-identical pride among the elderly and to promote the young people's social consciousness of respecting the elderly. The author identifies the philosophical origins of the Triple Virtue, implying that the virtuous trinity is composed of morality, position and age, by analyzing poems in "Daya(大雅)", "Xiaoya(小雅)" of the Book of Odes and archives in "Zhoushu(周書)" of the Book of Documents(尙書). The author especially emphasizes that the concept of Triple Virtue was created by governing classes for meeting the political needs in the Zhou Dynasty. Moreover, by regarding King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty as the symbolic representation in the beginning era of the Western Zhou Dynasty and Shao BoHu as the embodiness representation in the end of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the author performs an in-depth study related to the above two great men. Finally, the author sheds lights on how symbolic and embodiness representations had played significant roles in formulating a typical model of the Triple Virtue in the following generations.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2023

Extensive research supported the therapeutic potential of curcumin, a naturally occurring compound, as a promising cytokine-suppressive anti-inflammatory drug. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic anti-inflammatory and anti-cytokine activities by combining 6-shogaol and 10-shogaol to curcumin, and associated mechanisms in modulating lipopolysaccharides and interferon-γ-induced proinflammatory signaling pathways. Our results showed that the combination of 6-shogaol-10-shogaolcurcumin synergistically reduced the production of nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor and interlukin-6 in lipopolysaccharides and interferon-γ-induced RAW 264.7 and THP-1 cells assessed by the combination index model. 6-shogaol-10-shogaol-curcumin also showed greater inhibition of cytokine profiling compared to that of 6-shogaol-10-shogaol or curcumin alone. The synergistic anti-inflammatory activity was associated with supressed NFκB translocation and downregulated TLR4-TRAF6-MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, SC also inhibited microRNA-155 expression which may be relevant to the inhibited NFκB translocation. Although 6-shogaol-10-shogaol-curcumin synergistically increased Nrf2 activity, the anti-inflammatory mechanism appeared to be independent from the induction of Nrf2. 6-shogaol-10-shogaol-curcumin provides a more potent therapeutic agent than curcumin alone in synergistically inhibiting lipopolysaccharides and interferon-γ induced proinflammatory mediators and cytokine array in macrophages. The action was mediated by the downregulation of TLR4/TRAF6/MAPK pathway and NFκB translocation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.2535-2538
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• 2013

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8631-8635
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• 2014

Glutathione S-transferase A1 (GSTA1) appears to be primarily involved in detoxification processes, but possible roles in lung cancer remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and function of GSTA1 in lung cancer cells. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to assess expression in cancer cell lines and the normal lung cells, then verify the A549 cells line with stable overexpression. Localization of GSTA1 proteins was assessed by cytoimmunofluorescence. Three double-strand DNA oligoRNAs (SiRNAs) were synthesized prior to being transfected into A549 cells with Lipofectamine 2000, and then the most efficient SiRNA was selected. Expression of the GSTA1 gene in the transfected cells was determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The viability of the transfected cells were assessed by MTT. Results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of A549 cancer cells was higher than in MRC-5 normal cells. Cytoimmunofluorescence demonstrated GSTA1 localization in the cell cytoplasm and/or membranes. Transfection into A549 cells demonstrated that down-regulated expression could inhibit cell viability. Our data indicated that GSTA1 expression may be a target molecule in early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7355-7358
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• 2013

Several lines of evidence support the notion that MUC1 is often aberrantly expressed in gastric cancer, and it is a ligand for Helicobacter pylori. Genetic variation in MUC1 gene may confer susceptibility to H. pylori infection and gastric cancer. We assessed the association of common polymorphisms in MUC1 gene with H. pylori infection and non-cardia gastric cancer using an LD-based tag SNP approach in north-western Chinese Han population. A total of four SNPs were successfully genotyped among 288 patients with non-cardia gastric cancer and 281 age- and sex-matched controls. None of the tested SNPs was associated with H. pylori infection. SNP rs9426886 was associated with a decreased risk of non-cardia gastric cancer, but lost significance after adjustment for multiple testing. Overall, our data indicated that common genetic variations in MUC1 gene might not make a major contribution to the risk of H. pylori infection and non-cardia gastric cancer in our studied population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7601-7605
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• 2013

Background: Gambogenic acid is a major active compound of gamboge which exudes from the Garcinia hanburyi tree. Gambogenic acid anti-cancer activity in vitro has been reported in several studies, including an A549 nude mouse model. However, the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Methods: We used nude mouse models to detect the effect of gambogenic acid on breast tumors, analyzing expression of apoptosis-related proteins in vivo by Western blotting. Effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins in MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by MTT, flow cytometry and Western blotting. Inhibitors of caspase-3,-8,-9 were also used to detect effects on caspase family members. Results: We found that gambogenic acid suppressed breast tumor growth in vivo, in association with increased expression of Fas and cleaved caspase-3,-8,-9 and bax, as well as decrease in the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. Gambogenic acid inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our observations suggested that Gambogenic acid suppressed breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell growth by mediating apoptosis through death receptor and mitochondrial pathways in vivo and in vitro.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.299-310
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• 2022

Environmental protection has been infused into the development of numerous fields by the Chinese government. The government's implementation of green development has also shifted its focus to green transformation and governance of highpolluting companies. In the context of green and sustainable development, this study employs DEA data envelopment analysis to compare the operating efficiency of listed firms that implemented Green Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in China in 2018. The conclusions of this study are as follows: First, China's green M&A enterprises are unevenly dispersed among the country's east, middle, and western regions. Second, compared to before the implementation of Green M&A, operational efficiency has improved in most industries. Third, the difference in Green M&A across industries is generally favorable, showing that most organizations have improved their operational performance as a result of Green M&A implementation. In 2018, however, the gap in operating efficiency is more negative. Fourth, whereas the eastern and western areas' operational efficiency has improved as a result of Green M&A, the central region's has not. Based on this conclusion, this study makes recommendations for China's future sustainable development of heavily polluted firms.