1,205 research outputs found
Angiotensin II induces soluble fms-Like tyrosine kinase-1 release via calcineurin signaling pathway in pregnancy
No full textMaternal endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia is associated with increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), a circulating antagonist of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a potent vasoconstrictor that increases concomitant with sFlt-1 during pregnancy. Therefore, we speculated that Ang II may promote the expression of sFlt-1 in pregnancy. Here we report that infusion of Ang II significantly increases circulating levels of sFlt-1 in pregnant mice, thereby demonstrating that Ang II is a regulator of sFlt-1 secretion in vivo. Furthermore, Ang II stimulated sFlt-1 production in a dose- and time-dependent manner from human villous explants and cultured trophoblasts but not from endothelial cells, suggesting that trophoblasts are the primary source of sFlt-1 during pregnancy. As expected, Ang II-induced sFlt-1 secretion resulted in the inhibition of endothelial cell migration and in vitro tube formation. In vitro and in vivo studies with losartan, small interfering RNA specific for calcineurin and FK506 demonstrated that Ang II-mediated sFlt-1 release was via Ang II type 1 receptor activation and calcineurin signaling, respectively. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized regulatory role for Ang II on sFlt-1 expression in murine and human pregnancy and suggest that elevated sFlt-1 levels in preeclampsia may be caused by a dysregulation of the local renin/angiotensin system
Hong Kong cinema 1982-2002 : the quest for identity during transition
No full textElectronic redacted version excludes material for which permission has not been granted by the rights holderThis thesis seeks to interpret the cinematic representations of Hong Kongers’ identity quest during a transitional state/stage related to the sovereignty transfer. The Handover transition considered is an ideological one, rather than the overnight polity change on the Handover day. This research approaches contemporary Hong Kong cinema on two fronts and the thesis is structured accordingly: Upon an initial review of the existing Hong Kong film scholarship in the Introduction, and its 1997-related allegorical readings, Part I sees new angles (previously undeveloped or underdeveloped) for researching Hong Kong films made during 1982-2002. Arguments are built along the ideas of Hong Kongers’ situational, diasporic consciousness, and transformed ‘Chineseness’ because Hong Kong has lacked a cultural/national centrality. This part of research is informed by the ideas of Jacques Derrida, Homi Bhabha and Stuart Hall, and the diasporic experiences of Ien Ang, Rey Chow and Ackbar Abbas. With these new research angles and references to the circumstances, Part II reads critically the text of eight Hong Kong films made during the Handover transition. In chronological order, they are Boat People (Hui, 1982), Song of the Exile (Hui, 1990), Days of Being Wild (Wong, 1990), Happy Together (Wong, 1997), Made in Hong Kong (Chan, 1997), Ordinary Heroes (Hui, 1999), Durian Durian (Chan, 2000), and Hollywood Hong Kong (Chan, 2002). They meet several criteria related to the undeveloped / underdeveloped areas in the existing Hong Kong film scholarship. Hamid Naficy’s ‘accented cinema’ paradigm gives the guidelines to the film analysis in Part II. This part shows that Hong Kongers’ self-transformation during transition is alterable, indeterminate, and interminable, due to the people’s situational, diasporic consciousness, and transformed ‘Chineseness’. This thesis thus contributes to Hong Kong cinema scholarship in interpreting films with new research angles, and generating new insights into this cinematic tradition and its wider context
Raw data for sheep population in Ujimuqin grassland, Inner Mongolia
No full textThis dataset is the raw data for the article titled "density dependence underpins decoupling of livestock population and plant biomass in intensive grazing systems". This paper is accepted by Ecological Applications on May 15, 2021. The corresponding author is Ang Li, an ecologist in the Institute of Botany, China Academy of Sciences. The Email of Ang Li is [email protected]; [email protected].
After finished this study, we have founded by the China Academy of Sciences to collect the nomadic livestock data for all the China rangeland area. We will finish the project in 2025. Then, we will update this dataset, if we get the permission of China government.
Data description can be found in the method section of the article.
Table head means:
local : The sumu (three village) name in Chinese.
No.: The sumu id in this study.
Year: The data year from 1961-2005.
Nt: The population number in the t year.
Nt-1: The population in the t-1 year.
Mort: Mortality of sheep population in the t year.
Br: Brith rate of sheep population in the t year.
Area: The area of the given sumu.
Wi: Winter harshness index of t year.
Gr: Growth rate of sheep population in the t year.
Den: Sheep density in the t year.
Morts: Standardized mortality of sheep population in the t year.
Brs: Standardized birthrate of sheep population in the t year.
Grs: Standardized growth rate of sheep population in the t year.
Dens: Standardized population density of sheep in the t year
Related Data for: Profiles of antisocial behavior in school based and at risk adolescents in Singapore: A latent class analysis
No full textThis study used latent class analysis to examine whether multiple subgroups can be identified based on rule-breaking and aggressive behavior in school-based and at-risk adolescent samples. These groups were tested for differences in behavioral, emotional, personality and interpersonal correlates. Rule breaking and aggressive behavior co-occurred across all classes. School-based adolescents were classified as having minimal, minor or moderate antisocial problems. At-risk adolescents were classified as having mild, medium or severe antisocial problems. Generally, at-risk adolescents had higher levels of antisocial behavior, and greater severity of antisocial behavior was associated with more problems in various domains. Results differed however, for the school-based and at-risk samples with respect to emotional problems, sensation-seeking and peer conformity pressure. There is a need to jointly consider both non-aggressive rule-breaking behavior and aggressive behavior in prevention and intervention work, as it is insufficient to address isolated symptoms and problems in children and adolescents
The influences of basic physical properties of clayey silt and silty sand on its laboratory electrical resistivity value in loose and dense conditions
No full textNon-destructive test which refers to electrical resistivity method is recently popular in engineering, environmental, archaeological and mining studies. Based on the previous studies, the results on electrical resistivity interpretation were often debated due to lack of clarification and evidences in quantitative perspective. Traditionally, most of the previous result interpretations were depending on qualitative point of view which is risky to produce unreliable outcomes. In order to minimise those problems, this study has performed a laboratory experiment on soil box electrical resistivity test which was supported by an additional basic physical properties of soil test like particle size distribution test (d), moisture content test (w), density test (ρbulk) and Atterberg limit test (LL, PL and PI). The test was performed to establish a series of electrical resistivity value (ERV) with different quantity of water content for clayey silt and silty sand in loose and dense condition. Apparently, the soil resistivity value was different under loose (L) and dense (C) conditions with moisture content and density variations (silty SAND = ERVLoose: 600 - 7300 Ωm & ERVDense: 490 - 7900 Ωm while Clayey SILT = ERVLoose: 13 - 7700 Ωm & ERVDense: 14 - 8400 Ωm) due to several factors. Moreover, correlation of moisture content (w) and density (ρbulk) due to the ERV was established as follows; Silty SAND: w(L) = 638.8ρ-0.418, w(D) = 1397.1ρ-0.574, ρBulk(L) = 2.6188e-6E-05ρ, ρBulk(D) = 4.099ρ-0.07 while Clayey SILT: w(L) = 109.98ρ-0.268, w(D) = 121.88ρ-0.363, ρBulk(L) = -0.111ln(ρ) + 1.7605, ρBulk(D) = 2.5991ρ-0.037 with determination coefficients, R2 that varied from 0.5643 – 0.8927. This study was successfully demonstrated that the consistency of ERV was greatly influenced by the variation of soil basic physical properties (d, w, ρBulk, LL, PL and PI). Finally, the reliability of the ERV result interpretation can be enhanced due to its ability to produce a meaningful outcome based on supported data from basic geotechnical properties
MINIATURIZED TWO-PHOTON MICROSCOPES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
No full textTwo-photon microscopy (TPM) has been widely accepted owing to its high resolution, 3D imaging capability, resistance to tissue scattering hence deeper penetration, and the ability to simultaneously excite multiple fluorophores with a single source. However, the application of tabletop TPM is hindered by its bulky size. In this dissertation, two different strategies were explored in miniaturizing TPM for their respective applications. One is a two-photon fiberscope for neuroimaging of freely walking rodents, the other is a handheld two-photon rigid probe for optical biopsy.
In case of the two-photon fiberscope, this dissertation reports our twist-free two-photon fiberscope imaging system for enabling neuroimaging on freely rotating/walking mice. The system includes an optoelectrical commutator (OEC) with active rotational tracking and compensation capabilities to allow the animal to rotate and walk in arbitrary patterns during two-photon fluorescence imaging of neural activities. The OEC provides excellent optical coupling stability (<±1% fluctuation during rotation) and an extremely high torque sensitivity (<8 mN·m). In addition, the system is equipped with a custom GRISM (grating and prism) to effectively manage the temporal properties of the femtosecond excitation pulses through the fiber-optic system, which improves neuroimaging signal by ~2X. Furthermore, to allow two-photon fiberscope imaging of deep neurons through GRIN lens implants, we have completely redesigned our fiberscope based on the concept of composite fiber cantilever. Our new fiberscope (type II) is compatible with GRIN lens implants, allowing for the first time two-photon imaging of deep neurons on freely behaving mice. The type II fiberscope also offers a 6X improvement in field of view (FOV), enabling simultaneous imaging of more than 50 cortical neurons on freely behaving mice. The abovementioned technical advancements greatly extend the functionality and robustness of our fiberscope system, giving the neuroscience community a useful research tool that allows twist-free, high quality, and large FOV imaging of both superficial and deep neurons on freely behaving mice.
This dissertation also reports an advanced biopsy-needle compatible varifocal two-photon handheld rigid probe for depth-resolved optical biopsy of unlabeled biological tissues in vivo and in situ. The probe is able to perform two-photon autofluorescence (TPAF) imaging near histopathological resolution with a good SNR. It is compatible with the 14-gauge biopsy needle protocol, with a 1.75-mm outer diameter and 15-cm probe length. The probe is also capable of 3D imaging at a maximum speed of 10 FPS, with a 120 μm field of view and a 200 μm focus scanning range. With our rigid probe, depth-resolved optical biopsy of internal organ has been demonstrated on mouse kidney for the first time through a biopsy needle. This rigid probe marks an important step towards clinical translation of TPM
Myeloid ACE2 protects against septic hypotension and vascular dysfunction through Ang-(1–7)-Mas-mediated macrophage polarization
No full textAngiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a new identified member of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that cleaves angiotensin II (Ang II) to Ang (1–7), which exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities via binding with Mas receptor (MasR). However, the functional role of ACE2 in sepsis-related hypotension remains unknown. Our results indicated that sepsis significantly reduced blood pressure and led to disruption between ACE-Ang II and ACE2-Ang (1–7) balance. ACE2 knock-in mice exhibited improved sepsis-induced mortality, hypotension and vascular dysfunction, while ACE2 knockout mice exhibited the opposite effects. Bone marrow transplantation and in vitro experiments confirmed that myeloid ACE2 exerted a protective role by suppressing oxidative stress, NO production and macrophage polarization via the Ang (1–7)-MasR–NF–κB and STAT1 pathways. Thus, ACE2 on myeloid cells could protect against sepsis-mediated hypotension and vascular dysfunction, and upregulating ACE2 may represent a promising therapeutic option for septic patients with hypotension
A study on the writings of "Political Females" in Ping Lu and Li Ang''s novels
No full text摘要
本論文以解嚴後兩位書寫女性的女性小說家平路和李昂為對象，針對她們書寫「政治女性」的作品：平路《行道天涯》──宋慶齡、《百齡箋》──宋美齡、《何日君再來》──鄧麗君以及李昂〈北港香爐人人插〉──林麗姿、《自傳の小說》──謝雪紅進行研究。
平路與李昂的書寫策略有所異同，她們皆探索了女性的情慾、及其與政治權力的關係。在書寫對象的選擇上，外省籍的平路選擇外省籍的女性，本省籍的李昂則選擇本省籍的女性；且平路所書寫的對象為較具知名度、長期被平板化的女人，李昂《自傳の小說》的謝雪紅較不為一般人知，《北港香爐人人插》則未言明指涉何人，需要讀者自行對位。在情慾的著墨上，平路的筆法較為曲折含蓄，似乎替女性保留一絲純真，李昂則毫無顧忌地搬演赤裸裸的性愛場面。
本文欲借重新歷史主義對時代背景與文本本身同步重視的研究方法，透過深入分析、比較平路與李昂這兩位女性作家，瞭解她們為何選擇女性作為書寫對象？又為什麼是這些女性？達到了什麼目的？
故此，本論文在第一章說明以「平路、李昂小說中的『政治女性』書寫研究」為論文的研究動機與目的，並於第二章「政治女性的童年書寫」就這些作品皆關注政治女性的童年經驗進行分析，第三章「政治女性的情與慾」就這些政治女性的愛情、母性與慾望進行分析，第四章「政治女性的生命『新』歷史」試圖結合新歷史主義，分析作者為政治女性呈現的歷史定位與價值，並於第五章總括以上做出結論。Abstract
This thesis is based on two female novelists: Ping Lu(平路) and Li Ang(李昂), and their writings on “political females” after the abolishing of martial law, including: Ping Lu’s Love and Revolution (行道天涯) on Soong Ching-ling(宋慶齡), Bai ling jian (百齡箋) on Soong May-ling(宋美齡), When Will You Come Again? (何日君再來) on Teresa Teng(鄧麗君) and Li Ang’s Beigang xiang lu ren ren cha (北港香爐人人插) on Lin Li-Tzu（林麗姿）, Autobiography: a novel (自傳の小說) on Hsieh Hsueh-hung (謝雪紅).
There are differences and similarities amidst the writing strategies of the two novelists. They both explored the relation between female desire and political power. Meanwhile, on the choice of their heroines, Ping Lu chose those who have their family roots in China as she does, and LI Ang chose hers'' with roots in Taiwan like her. Ping writes about women with high profile yet long been stereotyped, while Hsieh Hsueh-hung in LI''s Autobiography: a novel is less acknowledged and Beigang xiang lu ren ren cha has even kept its heroine anonymous, calling for readers to recognize. On the sensual descriptions, Ping seems to try to keep a last shred of innocence for these women by implicit and indirect techniques; while Li does not hesitate to perform the sexual plays explicitly.
This thesis aims to utilize the approach of neo-historicism, namely the equal emphasis of the historical background and the text itself, throughout the analysis and comparison of the two female writers, in order to realize the reason why they chose women to be the subject of their writing, why these women are chosen, and what purposes being achieved.
Therefore, chapter 1 “Introduction” explains the motives and purposes of the subject “ A study on the writings of ‘Political Females’ in PING Lu and LI Ang''s novels”. Chapter 2 “Writings on the childhood of political females” analyses the reason which makes these novels focus on childhood experiences of the political females. Chapter 3 “Love and lust of political females” analyses their love, motherhood and desire. Chapter 4 “The ''new'' life story of political females” tries to analyze with neo-historicism the place and value in history prepared by the novelists for these political females. Chapter 5 concludes the research.目次
第一章 緒論--------------------------------------------- 1
第一節 研究動機與目的---------------------------------- 1
第二節 研究範圍及方法------ ----------------------------4
第三節 文獻回顧與探討------- ---------------------------6
第四節 章節架構安排---------- -------------------------10
第二章 政治女性的童年書寫--------------------------------13
第一節 童年受難經驗------------- ----------------------- 15
第二節 童年烏托邦---------------- ----------------------25
小 結 ---------------------------- --------------------31
第三章 政治女性的情與慾--------------------------------- 32
第一節 現實政治下的真情流露-----------------------------33
第二節 母性的壓抑與移轉---------------------------------39
第三節 未竟的慾望與死亡--------------------------------44
小 結 ----------------------------- -------------------53
第四章 政治女性的生命「新」歷史------------------------- 55
第一節 女性政治人物的出場方式---------------------------57
第二節 歷史「真實」的呈現方式--------------------------68
小 結 -------------------------------------------------75
第五章 結論----------------------------------------------76
參考書目-------------------------------------------------7
PHASE II STUDY OF CONCOMITANT THALIDOMIDE DURING RADIOTHERAPY FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
No full textPurpose: Thalidomide has been demonstrated to possess antitumor activity in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the combined treatment of thalidomide with radiotherapy (RI) is associated with acceptable toxicity and an improved clinical outcome in FICC patients.
Methods and Materials: A total of 24 patients were enrolled to receive RT combined with thalidomide. A total dose of 50 Gy was delivered in 2-Gy fractions within 5 weeks. Thalidomide was administered 1100 mg twice daily starting 3 days before RT until the development of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after treatment to measure the levels of angiogenic factors and cytokines. The results of patients receiving the combined therapy were compared with those from 18 HCC patients receiving RT only.
Results: No significant difference in the clinical parameters was noted between the two groups, except for the baseline interleukin-6 level, which was greater in the concomitant group (p = .05). The most common toxicities related to thalidomide use were skin rash (54.2%), somnolence (37.5%), and constipation (33.3%). No significant differences were seen in the response rate (55.6% vs. 58.3%,p = .48), median progression-free survival (182 +/- 48.9 vs. 148 +/- 6.2 days, p = .15), or median overall survival (258 +/- 45.6 vs. 241 +/- 38.6, p = .16) between those who received. concomitant therapy and those who received RT alone. Thalidomide suppressed the serum basic fibroblast growth. factor level significantly during RT (p = .03) and, to a lesser extent, the interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. After adjusting for other potential prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis, only the baseline interleukin-6 level and stem cell-derived factor-1 during RT independently predicted the progression-free survival.. A decreased serum stem cell-derived factor-1. level 1 month after RI completion was a significant predictor of the overall survival of HCC patients receiving RT.
Conclusions: Despite the acceptable toxicity, thalidomide provided no additional benefit for HCC patients undergoing RT. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Microvesicles Attenuate Acute Lung Injury in Mice Partly Mediated by <i>Ang-1</i> mRNA
No full textAbstract
Microvesicles (MVs) derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC MVs) were demonstrated to ameliorate inflammation in lungs. We have found their content of mRNA for keratinocyte growth factor was partly involved in their therapeutic effects. As MSC MVs also contained a substantial quantity of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) mRNA, which plays an essential role in vascular stabilization and resolving inflammation, we hypothesized that Ang-1 mRNA might similarly account for a part of their therapeutic effects. We downregulated Ang-1 mRNA expression in MVs, using a lentivirus vector carrying Ang-1 short hairpin RNA to transfect MSCs. A mouse model of lipopolysaccharide induced acute lung injury (ALI) was used in vivo. We also studied in vitro interactions between Ang-1 mRNA deficient MVs on macrophages and human lung microvascular endothelial cells. Compared with negative control, Ang-1 mRNA deficient MVs increased the influx of neutrophils and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by 136% and 105%, respectively, suggesting a deteriorative lung inflammation and a failure to restore pulmonary capillary permeability assessed by Evan’s blue dye and bronchoalveolar lavage albumin level. In vitro, the addition of Ang-1 mRNA deficient MVs failed to maintain the integrity of endotoxin-stimulated microvascular endothelial cells and abrogated the decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α level and the increase in interleukin-10 level mediated by negative control in RAW 264.7 cells. In summary, the therapeutic effects of MVs in ALI, and their immunomodulatory properties on macrophages were partly mediated through their content of Ang-1 mRNA.</jats:p
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