Ji Group Research Articles

Research on the Effects of the Juncus Inflexus Subsp. Inflexus Extract on Low Dose Thioacetamide‐Induced Liver Damage: A Novel Antioxidant

AbstractIn this study was investigated the effects of extract of the Juncus inflexus subsp. inflexus (JI) plant on thioacetimide (TAA)‐induced liver damage. Six experimental groups were formed using 42 8–12‐weeks old Sprague dawley male rats, with seven experimental animals per group. Liver tissue sections were examined by staining with hematoxylin eosin (H‐E), periodic acid schiff (PAS) and caspase‐3. On the other hand, the tissue homogenates were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). Compared to other groups, it was observed that the MDA rose significantly in the TAA group and that the GSH fell and that the expression of the caspase‐3 was significantly increased. On the other hand, it was found that lipid peroxidation decreased significantly in the TAA + JI group when compared to JI + TAA group. Also, to see the antioxidant properties of the plant in detail, molecular dynamic simulations were done. The antioxidant property of 59.16% in extract compounds of JI was theoretically demonstrated. The antioxidant activity of the 10‐methoxy‐nb‐alpha‐methylcorynantheol molecule, which is found at the highest rate in the relevant plant, has been theoretically revealed for the first time. In conclusion, this study has revealed that the extraction obtained from the Juncus inflexus plant has protective and therapeutic properties for the liver.

Is the Indonesian Government Islamophobic? Studies Using Social Network Analysis

This study aims to map the narratives, networks, and influential figures on social media Twitter after the arrest of suspected terrorists (Farid Okbah cs and Sunardi) by Detachment 88 anti-terror in Indonesia. We use the social network and content analysis methods in collecting and analyzing research data. The results of this study show that the anti-Islamic political group with government (opposition) is currently trying to make a narrative that the Indonesian government is Islamophobic, by utilizing the momentum of suspected terrorist arrests in Farid Okbah and Sunardi by Detachment 88 by shifting the issue of terrorist arrests from the JI group who are also members of MUI with the demand for dissolving the Government Institution Detachment 88 Anti-terror. The social network map shows that there were three groups engaged in the arrest of suspected terrorists Farid Okbah and Sunardi, 1) Muslim Group Cyber Army (MCA); 2) Pro-government buzzer group through Denny Siregar’s account; 3) The provocateurs group. The arrest of Farid Okbah and Sunardi turned into political issues, Islamic groups (MUI) vs. Government (Detachment). The arrest of Farid Okbah by Detachment 88 was dominated by #saminawaathonaibhrs and #Islamophobia, while the dominant narrative after the suspected arrest of Sunardi’s is #PKItangkapulama (PKI Arrest Ulama) and #dukungMUI (Support MUI), both of these things showed an effort to accompany the issue to the political narrative of the opposition group to weaken the government with the narrative that discriminated government of Islamic groups.
 Keywords: Islamophobia, social network analysis, narrative analysis, social media

Investigating the use of local nerve blocks and general anaesthesia in reducing pain during and after disbudding procedure in goat kids

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the pain responses (as measured by noise and movement) during administration of local anaesthetic and during and after disbudding in goat kids. Eighty, seven- to ten-day-old, Saanen goat kids from one farm were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of four different methods of pain relief. Twenty kids had local anaesthetic (LA) applied at two sites per horn bud (LA group), 20 kids had LA applied to the two locations using a jet injector (JI group) and 20 kids were given a general anaesthetic (GA) using a combination of 0.02 mg/kg medetomidine and 2 mg/kg ketamine followed by a horn bud block applied as per the LA group (GA group). The remaining 20 kids had no treatment other than meloxicam (control group). Although responses between goat kids and at different time periods were variable, in comparison to the control group, GA eliminated the responses associated with injection of lignocaine and the responses during the period of disbudding, and provided a reduction in head scratches and shakes across multiple time periods.

Uncut interposed jejunum pouch versus esophago-gastrostomy and double anastomoses of jejunum to the esophagus and residual stomach: An innovative method of digestive tract reconstruction following proximal gastrectomy

AimAn innovative method of digestive tract reconstruction following proximal gastrectomy, the uncut interposed jejunum pouch, esophagus and residual stomach double anastomosis(Uncut-D), was established in recent years. In order to fully clarify the superiority of the procedure, this study has conducted a systematic analysis and thorough discussion. Methods118 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who underwent proximal gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. According to the methods of digestive tract reconstruction, these patients were divided into three groups: Uncut-D(n = 43), esophagogastrostomy (EG, n = 36), jejunal interposition (JI, n = 39).The preoperative indicators, surgical complications and related indicators of postoperative quality of life were analyzed. ResultsThere were no significant differences in preoperative data among all groups (P > 0.05); The digestive tract reconstruction time in Uncut-D group was more than that in EG group, and less than that in JI group (P < 0.05). The incidence of esophageal anastomotic stenosis in Uncut-D group was significantly lower than that in EG group (P < 0.05); In Uncut-D group, the incidence of reflux esophagitis, postoperative nutrition index(PNI), weight recovery and Visick classification were significantly better than those in EG group (P < 0.05), furthermore, the incidence of delayed gastric emptying,PNI and weight recovery were better than those in JI group (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe Uncut-D procedure gave full play to jejunal continuity and the advantages of pouch, and played a valuable role in gastric and cardiac replacement, which significantly reduced long-term complications, improved postoperative nutritional status of patients and long-term quality of life.

A mixed methods pilot study of a 6 month weekly Tai Ji (Tai Chi) group for survivors of acquired brain injury.

Physical and psychological benefits of tai chi (TJ) have been demonstrated for survivors of acquired brain injury (ABI). However investigators have framed TJ primarily as a physical intervention, with an absent underlying theoretical framework to conceptualise psychological gains from the practice. Traditional sampling strategies have optimised homogenous samples in many studies, in contrast to ABI groups with diverse physical, cognitive and emotional needs that commonly use community-based ABI services. This study aims to use both qualitative and quantitative methods to highlight both shared gains and diversity in responses to a standard TJ group intervention in a typical ABI community service sample. These preliminary findings will be used to develop a rationale for bespoke adaptation of TJ learning/practice to optimise psychological gains across survivors. 9 Survivors of ABI using community services were recruited to attend a weekly class of TJ over six months. The instructor offered some physical adaptations to learning and practice. Questionnaire measures of anxiety/depression, fatigue and QoL were administered at baseline, repeated every 4 sessions and at the end of the last session. A focus group was held half-way and at the end of the intervention. Quantitative data was analysed using single-case pre-post comparisons (RCI), and a thematic analysis was performed on the qualitative data. While clinical gains in reduced anxiety, depression and fatigue and improved QoL was observed for some participants, no changes or deterioration on some measures were evident in others. Focus group data highlighted shared gains in increased energy, relaxation and social group identification, alongside idiosyncratic challenges for each participation from the class environment, cognitive and physical demands of learning TJ. This study has provided both quantitative and qualitative data which highlight diverse experiences and challenges for survivors of ABI when learning and practicing TJ, although there are also indications of shared benefits in fatigue management and social group membership.

Variable Weight-Projection Gray Target Evaluation Model of Degree of Protection of Protective Layer Mining

In order to quantitatively evaluate the degree of protection in protective layer mining and provide guidance for the design of a secondary outburst elimination scheme, a variable weight-projection gray target dynamic evaluation model for the effectiveness of protective layer mining is established. The improved order relation analysis method was used to determine the subjective weight of each index toward the decision-making goal based on numerical diversity characteristics, and the initial fixed-weight calculation for mixed multi-attribute metrics was processed through the degree of index action. The variable weight function was used to dynamically adjust the fixed weight through the penalty and incentive index methods. Four indexes (gas content, gas pressure, coal seam permeability coefficient, and expansion deformation) were selected, the outburst elimination and anti-reflection were taken as the guide, and the critical value of each index for eliminating burst and the critical value of pressure relief were taken as the positive and negative bullseyes. Based on the variable weight-projection gray target decision model, the distance between the two target centers of each scheme was calculated; at the same time, the variable weight vector changed dynamically with the evaluation scheme to achieve the dynamic quantitative evaluation of the degree of protection. Additionally, compared with the calculation results of fixed weights, it was found that the variable weight-projection bullseye distance can more accurately reflect the dynamic control effect of differences in numerical combinations of multi-attribute indexes in different decision schemes based on the degree of protection of protective layer mining. Taking a mine in PingMei as the engineering background, Ding protected the Wu area, and the degree of protection in the Wu group coal seam reached 116.29%, eliminating the outburst risk of the coal seam. The Wu protected the Ji group coal seam, with the degree of outburst risk in the Ji group being reduced by 14.27, and the Ding + Wu group protected the Ji group coal seam, with the degree of outburst risk of the Ji group being reduced by 20.71%, but not eliminated. The evaluation model quantifies the degree of protection of protective layer mining, and provides a theoretical basis for further assessing whether the working face should strengthen the enhancing permeability or whether it needs to be used in tandem with high-strength outburst elimination methods.

日本語使用の日韓ビジネスコミュニケーションに おける日本人の問題意識 - 日本人の韓国語能力の差に注目して -

The current study investigated the awareness of issues on Korean-Japanese businesses communication conducted in Japanese language among JC group(Japanese Competent in Korean language) and JI group (Japanese Incompetent in Korean language). Two groups answered the survey with free-form answer. The study found that the awareness of communication problems can be put into two top categories, ‘the prime factors of the problems’ and ‘the opinion about the problems’. Within ‘the prime factors of the problems’, there are four lower categories (1) ‘the prime factor in Korean's consciousness’, (2) ‘the prime factor in Korean's behavior’, (3) ‘the prime factor in Japanese common sense’ and (4) ‘the prime factor in bilateral language competency’, and in ‘the opinion about the problems’ there are two categories as (5) ‘emotional perception about the problems’ and (6) ‘opinion with suggestions about the problems’. In the medium category of (1)(2)(3) and (6), JC group showed higher appearance rate, while in (4) and (5) JI group did. Especially, JI group showed dominantly high appearance in (4), which the range of language competency appears to have a large impact. Furthermore, (5) and ‘emotional’ in (1) has shown JI>JC, which explains that JI has higher level of awareness on emotions and heavier mental burden. Moreover, the lower categories ‘business related’ and ‘business factor’ within (2) and (3) showed JC>JI and ‘business skill’ within (6) was 0% in JI. This further explains that JC group has higher level of awareness on business related factors.

Energy Evolution of Coal at Different Depths Under Unloading Conditions

To explore the differences in deformation failure and energy evolution and simulate the real excavation conditions of coal masses at different depths during the coal-mining process, an unloading failure experiment was conducted. The experiment included coal samples at different depths from the no. 15 coal seam of the Ji group in the Pingmei coal-mining area. The sample depths were 300, 600, 700, 850, and 1050 m. The in situ stress environment, physical rock properties, and excavation disturbance influence were considered in the analysis. The results show that as the depth increases, the peak strength and residual strength of coal samples increase nonlinearly and that the deformation capacity simultaneously increases. The elastic strain energy stored before the unloading of coal, the total energy input, the accumulated elastic energy, and the dissipated energy generated during failure all increase with increasing depth, and the ratios of these results for the 1050–300 m samples were 10.79, 3.75, 3.78, and 4.67, respectively. A prepeak stage energy evolution model was established for coal samples from different depths, and the energy transformation trends of the deformation and failure of coal were explored from the perspective of the energy evolution rate. The energy dissipation efficiency (ued) was defined to represent the energy dissipation generated per unit of energy input. When the energy input is mainly transformed to dissipation energy, the failure of coal occurs (ued > 0.5), and the energy is predominantly associated with crack growth at this point, so the coal is quickly destroyed. This conversion occurs earlier as the depth increases. The AE energy release trend exhibited a good correspondence with the increases in the energy dissipation, dissipation rate, and dissipation efficiency with depth during coal unloading failure, which indicates a more intense failure of the coal body at deeper depths.

Effect of acupuncture plus Tai Ji Quan on the recovery of neurological function and depression state in post-stroke depression patients

To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) in recovering the neurological function and treating depression state in post-stroke depression patients, together with a 12-month follow-up. A total of 105 eligible post-stroke depression patients were randomized into an acupuncture plus Tai Ji group (53 cases) and a control group (52 cases) based on their visiting sequence. The patients all received routine treatment and rehabilitation training for stroke. In addition, the control group was given oral administration of citalopram hydrobromide tablets, 1 month as a course of treatment, for 3 courses in total. Meanwhile, the acupuncture plus Tai Ji group received acupuncture and practiced Tai Ji Quan, for 1 month and 12 months respectively. Before the intervention, after 1-month intervention and 12 months later, the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) were adopted for efficacy evaluation. Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in HAMD, NIHSS and BI scores between the two groups (all P>0.05); after 1-month intervention, there were significant between-group differences in NIHSS, BI and HAMD scores (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the 12-month follow-up revealed significant between-group differences in NIHSS, BI and HAMD scores (all P<0.01). In the treatment of stroke, the total effective rate was 84.4% in the acupuncture plus Tai Ji group, significantly higher than 68.9% in the control group (P<0.05); in the treatment of depression, the total effective rate was 86.7% in the acupuncture plus Tai Ji group, significantly higher than 77.8% in the control group (P<0.05). Acupuncture plus Tai Ji Quan can produce a significant efficacy in improving the limb motor function and depression in post-stroke depression patients.

Differential Effects on Intestinal Adaptation Following Exogenous Glucagon-Like Peptide 2 Therapy With and Without Enteral Nutrition in Neonatal Short Bowel Syndrome [Formula: see text

We aim to study the efficacy of exogenously administered glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) on intestinal adaptation in 2 preclinical models of neonatal short bowel syndrome (SBS) according to remnant intestinal anatomy, with and without ileum. Furthermore, we aim to determine if this adaptive effect was potentiated with enteral nutrition (EN). Neonatal piglets were block-randomized to 75% mid-intestinal (JI group, retains ileum) or distal-intestinal (JC group, has no ileum) resection or no resection (sham control) and GLP-2 treatment (11 nmol/kg/d) or saline control for 7 days. Piglets received nutrition support, either 100% parenteral nutrition (PN; 0% EN, n = 32 in total) or 80% PN + 40% EN (n = 28 in total). Adaptation was assessed by morphological and histological changes, as well as RT quantitative polymerase chain reaction of nutrient transporters and tight junctional proteins and fat absorption. Data are analyzed by 3-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 2-way ANOVA per EN level. GLP-2 treatment lengthened villi, deepened crypts, and improved intestinal weight in the remnant intestine of JC piglets. EN was a more potent adaptive stimulus for JI piglets. Small intestinal lengthening occurred only in the JI group, when given EN. There was no difference in total fat absorption and messenger RNA expression of nutrient transporters and tight junctional proteins. GLP-2 administration augmented structural adaptation in JC piglets with distal intestinal resection. Given JI anatomy, further stimulation by GLP-2 treatment over innate adaptation and stimulation by EN was modest and restricted to ileum. The differential effect of GLP-2 in neonatal SBS, depending on remnant anatomy, has important implications for clinical translation and planning of clinical trials.

Effects of resistance and Tai Ji training on mobility and symptoms in knee osteoarthritis patients

BackgroundNo studies have compared effectiveness of resistance training and Tai Ji exercise on relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of the study was to evaluate effects of a 10-week Tai Ji and resistance training intervention on improving OA symptoms and mobility in seniors with knee OA. MethodsThirty-one seniors (60–85 years) were randomly assigned to a Tai Ji program (n = 12), a resistance training program (n = 13), and a control group (n = 6). All participants completed the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and performed three physical performance tests (6-min walk, timed-up-and-go, and timed stair climb and descent) before and after the 10-week intervention. ResultsThe participants in the resistance training group significantly improved on the timed-up-and-go test (p = 0.001), the WOMAC pain sub-score (p = 0.006), WOMAC stiffness sub-score (p < 0.001), and WOMAC physical function sub-score (p = 0.011). The Tai Ji group significantly improved on the timed-up-and-go test (p < 0.001), but not on the WOMAC scores. ConclusionResistance training was effective for improving mobility and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Tai Ji was also effective for improving mobility, but did not improve knee OA symptoms.

In vivo mechanical condition plays an important role for appearance of cartilage tissue in ES cell transplanted joint

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the mechanical environment on the formation of cartilage tissue in transplanted embryonic stem (ES) cells. Full-thickness osteochondral defects were created on the patella groove of SD rats, and ES cells (CCE ES cells obtained from 129/Sv/Ev mice and Green ES FM260 ES cells obtained from 129SV [D3] - Tg [NCAG-EGFP] CZ-001-FM260Osb mice) were transplanted into the defects embedded in collagen gel. The animals were randomly divided into either the joint-free group (JF group) or the joint-immobilized group (JI group) for 3 weeks after a week postoperatively. The results showed that cartilage-like tissue formed in the defects of the JF group whereas large teratomatous masses developed in the defects of the JI group. Some parts of the cartilage-like tissue and the teratomatous masses were positively stained with immunostain for GFP when the Green ES FM260 ES cells were transplanted. It is suggested that the environment plays an important role for ES cells in the process of repairing cartilage tissue in vivo.

Subjective and Functional Results after a Proximal Gastrectomy: Prospective Study for Comparison of Reconstruction Procedures

Purpose: A proximal gastrectomy is performed for gastric cancer in the upper part of the stomach to preserve the function of the stomach after surgery. An esophagogastrostomy is one of the common reconstruction methods for a proximal gastrectomy, but this method results in a high incidence of reflux esophagitis. This study was undertaken to compare subjective and functional results between esophagogastrostomy and jejunal interposition reconstructions. Materials and Methods: From June 1998 to December 2002, proximal gastrectomies were performed in 33 patients with tumors in the upper third of the stomach; 8 had reconstruction using jejunal interposition between the esophagus and the remnant stomach (JI group) while 25 had reconstruction using esophagogastrostomy (EG group). The postroperative courses of the patients were reviewed in terms of symptoms, weight changes, and endoscopic findings. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59 years; 26 were men and 7 were women. There were no significant differences in general complications, operating times, or histologic features between the two groups. Fifty-two percent (52%) of the EG group complained of dysphagia, and 16% them experienced heartburn and acid belching. Twelve percent (12%) of the JI group complained of dysphagia, but heartburn and acid belching did not occur. Incidences of reflux esphagitis (36%) and balloon dilatation for anastomotic stricture (16%) were more common in the EG group than in the JI group (0% and 12%). Conclusion: To prevent or minimize complications, such as reflux esophagitis and postoperative symptoms, a proximal gastrectomy with a jejunal interposition is an alternative method as an organ-preserving surgical strategy to improve quality of life for patients.

Effects of two methods of reconstruction of digestive tract after total gastrectomy on gastrointestinal motility in rats

To compare the effects of Roux-en-Y and jejunum interposition reconstruction procedures after total gastrectomy on intestinal motility. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group (C), the laparotomy group (L), the jejunal transection group (JT) where the jejunum was transected 10 cm distal from the Treitz ligament and anastomosed, the Roux-en-Y group (RY) and the jejunal interposition group (JI) after total gastrectomy. To evaluate intestinal transit, the animals were given 0.1 ml Evans Blue solution through an orogastric tube. The rats were executed by CO(2) inhalation 30 minutes later and the intestinal transmit was determined as the distance between the site of esophageojejunal anastomosis and the most distal site of small intestine colored with blue. One month after operation, the body weight of rats among JI and RY were almost identical (274.6+/-9.5 vs 270.4+/-10.6, P>0.05), but were significantly lighter than those of JT and L group. Four months after the operation, the body weight in the JI group increased compared to the preoperative level (345.2+/-15.7 g vs 299.5+/-8.3 g, P<0.01). However, the body weight of RY group decreased compared to preoperative (255.1+/-11.3 g vs 295.0+/-12.0 g, P<0.01). The difference was more significant at six months postoperative. Small bowel transmit time in RY was slower than that in JI group and C group (P<0.01). Changes of body weight and intestinal motility in JI group are less influenced than in RY group.