Inhibitory effects of armepavine against hepatic fibrosis in rats

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a crucial role in liver fibrogenesis. armepavine (Arm, C19H23O3N), an active compound from Nelumbo nucifera, has been shown to exert immunosuppressive effects on T lymphocytes and on lupus nephritic mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Arm could exert anti-hepatic fibrogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. A cell line of rat HSCs (HSC-T6) was stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Arm. An in vivo therapeutic study was conducted in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats. BDL rats were given Arm (3 or 10 mg/kg) by gavage twice daily for 3 weeks starting from the onset of BDL. Liver sections were taken for fibrosis scoring, immuno-fluorescence staining and quantitative real-time mRNA measurements. In vitro, Arm (1-10 μM) concentration-dependently attenuated TNF-α- and LPS-stimulated α-SMA protein expression and AP-1 activation by HSC-T6 cells without adverse cytotoxicity. Arm also suppressed TNF-α-induced collagen collagen deposition, NFκB activation and MAPK (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK) phosphorylations. In vivo, Arm treatment significantly reduced plasma AST and ALT levels, hepatic α-SMA expression and collagen contents, and fibrosis scores of BDL rats as compared with vehicle treatment. Moreover, Arm attenuated the mRNA expression levels of col 1α2, TGF-β1, TIMP-1, ICAM-1, iNOS, and IL-6 genes, but up-regulated metallothionein genes. Our study results showed that Arm exerted both in vitro and in vivo antifibrotic effects in rats, possibly through anti-NF-κB activation pathways

Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia in Swine Associated with Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Infection

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a chronic respiratory disease. Although the pathogenesis of BOOP is still incompletely understood, BOOP is responsive to steroids and has a good prognosis. In our five pigs with chronic postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), typical BOOP lesions were revealed. All five porcine lungs showed typical intraluminal plugs, and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) was identified. They also exhibited similar pathologic findings such as proliferation of type II pneumocytes and myofibroblasts (MFBs), extracellular collagen matrix (ECM) deposition, and fragmentation of elastic fibers. MFBs migration correlative molecules, for instance, gelatinase A, B and osteopontin, appeared strongly in the progressing marginal area of polypoid intraluminal plugs of fibrotic lesion. These molecules colocalized with the active MFBs. Both gelatinase activity and intercellular level of active MFBs were significantly increased (P < .05). Porcine chronic bronchopneumonia leads to BOOP and it is associated with PCV2 persistent infection. Swine BOOP demonstrates similar cellular constituents with human BOOP. Perhaps their molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis operate in a similar way. Thus we infer that the swine BOOP can be considered as a potential animal model for human BOOP associated with natural viral infection. Moreover, it is more convenient to obtain samples

Effects of mycophenolate mofetil on cutaneous lupus erythematosus in (NZB × NZW) F1 mice

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have evaluated the effects and precise molecular mechanism of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of human cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Our findings shed light on the therapeutic effects of MMF in a UVB-induced NZB × NZW (NZBW) F1 CLE mouse model.MethodsContinuous MMF treatment (60 mg/kg/day) was administered up to Day 50 from the beginning of UVB induction (Day 0; 20 weeks old), as the pathologic features of CLE are present after 50 days. The therapeutic effects of MMF treatment in NZBW lupus mice were examined by comparing histopathological changes, lupus band test (deposition of immune complexes at the dermal–epidermal junction) and colocalization of autoantibodies with a dermal autoantigen Dsg3, and by evaluating the associations of local matrix metalloprotease activities.ResultsMMF improved survival in the NZBW lupus mice from 35.7% to 81.8%. The proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen, and interleukin 6 levels were significantly reduced after MMF treatment. The dermal lymphocytic infiltration, deposition of immune complexes at the dermal–epidermal junction, colocalized autoantibodies with Dsg3, and epidermal matrix metalloprotease activity were also attenuated in MMF-treated NZBW F1 mice.ConclusionThe results confirmed that MMF could substantially attenuate skin damage due to CLE in the NZBW F1 mouse model

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Methanol Extract from Pogostemon cablin

Pogostemon cablin (PC) is a herbal medicine traditionally applied to treat not only common cold, nausea and diarrhea but also headache and fever. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of standardized PC methanol extract (PCMeOH) in vivo. Investigations were performed in mice with two analgesic models. One was acetic acid-induced writhing response and the other formalin-induced paw licking. The anti-inflammatory effect was tested by λ-carrageenan (Carr)-induced mice paw edema. These analgesic experimental results indicated that PCMeOH (1.0 g/kg) decreased the acetic acid-induced writhing responses and PCMeOH (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg) decreased the licking time in the second phase of the formalin test. Moreover, Carr-induced paw edema inflammation was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner when PCMeOH (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg) was administered 3 and 4 h after the Carr injection. Mechanistic studies showed that PCMeOH decreased the levels of malondialdehyde in the edema paw by increasing the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, in the liver and decreasing the cyclooxygenase 2 and tumor necrosis factor-α activities in the edema paw. This study has demonstrated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of PCMeOH, thus verifying its popular use in traditional medicine

Effect of P to A Mutation of the N-Terminal Residue Adjacent to the Rgd Motif on Rhodostomin: Importance of Dynamics in Integrin Recognition

Rhodostomin (Rho) is an RGD protein that specifically inhibits integrins. We found that Rho mutants with the P48A mutation 4.4–11.5 times more actively inhibited integrin α5β1. Structural analysis showed that they have a similar 3D conformation for the RGD loop. Docking analysis also showed no difference between their interactions with integrin α5β1. However, the backbone dynamics of RGD residues were different. The values of the R2 relaxation parameter for Rho residues R49 and D51 were 39% and 54% higher than those of the P48A mutant, which caused differences in S2, Rex, and τe. The S2 values of the P48A mutant residues R49, G50, and D51 were 29%, 14%, and 28% lower than those of Rho. The Rex values of Rho residues R49 and D51 were 0.91 s−1 and 1.42 s−1; however, no Rex was found for those of the P48A mutant. The τe values of Rho residues R49 and D51 were 9.5 and 5.1 times lower than those of P48A mutant. Mutational study showed that integrin α5β1 prefers its ligands to contain (G/A)RGD but not PRGD sequences for binding. These results demonstrate that the N-terminal proline residue adjacent to the RGD motif affect its function and dynamics, which suggests that the dynamic properties of the RGD motif may be important in Rho's interaction with integrin α5β1

A Study on Energy Performance Indicators of ISO 50001 Energy Management System

近年來隨著氣候極端變遷與能源匱乏且價格攀升，各國政府與企業積極開發新能源技術與提升能源使用效率。國際標準組織(ISO)於2011年6月15日公告ISO 50001 能源管理系統標準，企業亦將面對如何能有效提升能源使用效率、建立能源績效指標等課題。 由於全球電腦資訊科技技術進步快速，帶動電子零組件與網路通訊產品需求數量與製造所需使用能源皆相對大幅增加。本研究採用專家評估法探討某電子零組件與網路通訊產品公司案例，結合專家評估意見與實務整合能源實務流程之導入，提升ISO 50001能源管理系統之能源使用效率並進行ISO 50001能源管理系統國際認證。根據本研究案例某電子零組件公司之結果，應用本流程發展出多項節能實務解決方案，建立整合能源實務流程導入ISO 50001能源管理系統，提供空調、照明和綠能等等能源解決方案與智慧資料庫，成功提升該公司於2011年度能源績效指標之整體能源密集度，相較於基準年(2010)，2011年上半年導入期間階段與下半年執行實施階段分別下降18.5%與21.5% 並通過第三方公正單位之ISO 50001能源管理系統國際認證。 另研究案例某網路通訊公司之結果，採用專家評估法推展並有效提升ISO 50001 能源管理系統之能源績效指標，相較於基準年(2010)能源使用效率提升,年度能源密集度平均下降21.5%。導入ISO 50001能源管理系統對能源績效指標之能源密集度下降率，追蹤2011年下半年執行實施階段(20.21%)高於上半年導入期間階段(19.95%)，實施執行ISO 50001能源管理系統持續改善提升效益所致。對於採用能源服務產業ESCO履約保證有效完成ISO 50001能源管理系統與驗證，有利企業或組織成功完成節能目標並建置ISO 50001能源管理系統標準化並降低無法達成目標之風險，但對於合理計算節能效益結果反饋支付ESCO費用與投資改善設備之資金借貸融資仍需更多探討。由於ISO 50001能源管理系統之條文與要求架構於ISO 9001品質管理系統，隨著ISO 9001品質管理系統即將於2015年進行大幅度改版，ISO 50001可能將受到相關影響與變動，特別是績效管理與風險管理及相關評估影響更大。未來對其他不同產品或高能耗企業值得更多相關性研究。Global energy sources are gradually becoming scarce and prices are continually rising. Governments and businesses in various countries are actively developing technologies for energy management and developing new sources of energy. On 15 June 2011, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) announced the ISO 50001 standard for energy management systems. Organizations and enterprises are confronted with challenges associated with enhancing energy performance indicators, continuing to improve energy consumption efficiency, and managing third-party international certifications. The rapid development of and computer information technologies has spurred high demand for electrical components and networking products, thereby substantially increasing energy consumption involving the production of their products. This research conducted the modified experts assessment method on the case studies of the electrical components and networking-product manufacturing companies, which develops an integration-energy-practice (IEP) process to improve energy efficiency in ISO 50001 energy management system and underwent ISO 50001 certification. According to the study results, the IEP process provides the energy-saving total solutions to improve the energy efficiency, as represented by the overall company energy use intensity (EUI) of the annual energy performance indicators (EnPIs) for the company, reducing this measure by 18.8% and 21.5% compared with the base year respectively. Using the IEP process to implement ISO 50001 energy management systems effectively facilitates electrical components and networking enterprises in improving energy efficiency, identifying energy-saving total solutions, and obtaining ISO 50001 energy management system international certification by third-party. This study conducted cases studies of businesses that have introduced an ISO 50001 energy management system by using an integration-energy-practice model to improve energy performance indicators and to complete the international auditing and certification procedures for ISO 50001 energy management systems. The integration-energy-practice process efficiently provides enterprises with methods for developing sustainable energy management. Regarding the networking-product company study amount of reduction in energy intensity attributable to ISO 50001 energy management system implementation, the energy performance during the execution period of ISO 50001 (20.21%) was slightly superior to that of the period of implementation ISO 50001 (19.95%). This might be because the ISO 50001 energy management system continued to improve and provide benefits. Future studies are necessary to conduct long-term tracking of this trend. This result indicates that implementing the ESCO process effectively assists businesses in enhancing energy technology and improving energy efficiency. It integrates internal and external technical resources to establish energy technology think tanks, for promoting successful technology and experiences to various sectors, thereby allowing enterprises to integrate energy management, increase energy efficiency, and meet the ISO 50001 international standard for energy management systems.目 錄 口試委員審定書 ………………………………………………………I 誌謝……………………………………………………………………II 摘 要 …………………………………………………………………III Abstract ………………………………………………………………V 目 錄 …………………………………………………………………VII 表 目 錄 ……………………………………………………………IX 圖 目 錄 ………………………………………………………………X 第一章 緒 論 …………………………………………………………1 1.1 前言 ……………………………………………………………1 1.2 研究動機 ………………………………………………………2 1.3 研究目的 ………………………………………………………3 第二章 文獻回顧………………………………………………………4 2.1 全球能源發展趨勢與問題 ………………………………………………4 2.2 企業發展與提升能源效率 ………………………………………………7 2.3 ISO 50001能源管理系統發展與國際認證趨勢 ………………………8 2.4 美國能源部 ISO 50001 能源管理系統參考導入程 …………………13 2.5 財團法人綠基會輔導ISO 50001能源管理系統流程…………………18 2.6 能源服務產業ESCO流程導入ISO 50001能源管理系統 ……………20 第三章 研究方法………………………………………………………22 3.1 專家評估法 ………………………………………………………………22 3.2 研究架構 …………………………………………………………………23 3.3 研究流程與限制 …………………………………………………………24 3.4 內外部專家資格與學經歷條件 …………………………………………26 3.5 研究案例(1)某電子零組件公司…………………………………………27 3.6 研究案例(2)某網路通訊公司……………………………………………34 3.7 能源服務產業ESCO與導入ISO 50001能源管理系統…………………40 第四章 結果與討論……………………………………………………55 4.1整合能源實務管理平台與其他導入流程比較 …………………………55 4.2企業或組織導入ISO 50001能源管理系統之評估 ……………………56 4.3能源管理推行委員會與能源管理實務管理平台 ………………………56 4.4能源管理實務解決方案與智慧資料庫 …………………………………57 4.5研究案例(1)某電子零組件公司…………………………………………57 4.6研究案例(2)某網路通訊公司……………………………………………63 4.7能源服務產業ESCO與ISO 50001能源管理系統………………………68 第五章 結論與建議……………………………………………………69 5.1 結論 ………………………………………………………………………69 5.2 建議 ………………………………………………………………………71 參考文獻 ………………………………………………………………72 附錄 ……………………………………………………………………7

Establishing an Integration-Energy-Practice Model for Improving Energy Performance Indicators in ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems

Global energy sources are gradually becoming scarce and prices are continually rising. Governments and businesses in various countries are actively developing technologies for energy management and developing new sources of energy. On 15 June 2011, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) announced the ISO 50001 standard for energy management systems. Organizations and enterprises are confronted with challenges associated with enhancing energy performance indicators, continuing to improve energy consumption efficiency, and managing third-party international certifications. This study conducted cases studies of businesses that have introduced an ISO 50001 energy management system by using an integration-energy-practice model to improve energy performance indicators and to complete the international auditing and certification procedures for ISO 50001 energy management systems. Based on case study results, the achievement rates for annual energy performance indicators increased, thereby enhancing the energy intensity efficiency. Establishing an integration-energy-practice model for introducing an ISO 50001 energy management system can efficiently meet demands for energy performance indicators and pass the international certification for ISO 50001 energy management systems. The proposed model efficiently provides enterprises with methods for developing sustainable energy management. It integrates internal and external technical resources to establish energy technology think tanks, for promoting successful technology and experiences to various sectors, thereby allowing enterprises to integrate energy management, increase energy efficiency, and meet the ISO 50001 international standard for energy management systems