Heterologous expression of ZmNF-YA12 confers tolerance to drought and salt stress in Arabidopsis

Zhang Tongtong,Zheng Dengyu,Zhang Chun,Wu Zhongyi,Yu Rong,Zhang Zhongbao 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.4

Drought and salinity are serious environmental factors limiting the growth and productivity of plants worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to develop ways to improve drought and salinity stress tolerance in plants. In this study, a drought-responsive nuclear factor Y subunit A gene, ZmNF-YA12, was cloned from maize. qPCR revealed ZmNF-YA12 transcript in all vegeta- tive and reproductive tissues, with higher levels in young roots. Expression analyses of maize revealed that ZmNF-YA12 was induced by abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abiotic stresses, including dehydration, high salinity, cold, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. The heterologous expression of ZmNF-YA12 in Arabidopsis plants resulted in increased root length and better plant growth than in wild-type (WT) plants under conditions of mannitol, salt, and JA stress on 1/2 MS medium. Transgenic Arabidopsis showed improved tolerance to drought and salt stresses in soil, and higher proline content and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content than WT controls. The transgenic plants also maintained higher peroxidase (POD) activities than WT plants under conditions of NaCl stress. A yeast two-hybrid experiment demonstrated that ZmNF-YA12 interacted with ZmNF-YC1 and ZmNF-YC15. Moreover, the transcript levels of stress-responsive genes (RD29A, RD29B, RAB18, and RD22) were markedly increased in transgenic lines under conditions of drought and salt stress. These observa- tions suggested that the ZmNF-YA12 gene may confers drought and salt stress tolerance by regulating stress-related genes or interacting with ZmNF-YC1 and ZmNF-YC15, and has potential applications in molecular breeding with maintenance of production under conditions of stress.

Gadolinium- and lead-containing functional terpolymers for low energy X-ray protection

Yu-Juan Zhang,Xin-Tao Guo,Chun-Hong Wang,Xiang An Lu,De-Feng Wu,Ming Zhang 한국원자력학회 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.12

By polymerization of gadolinium methacrylate (Gd (MAA)3), lead methacrylate (Pb(MAA)2) and methylmethacrylate (MMA), Gd and Pb were chemically bonded into polymers. The X-ray shielding performance was evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation method, and the results showed that the more metalfunctional organic monomer, the better the shielding performance of terpolymers. When the X-rayenergy is 65 keV, Gd (MAA)3-containing polymers have better shielding performance than Pb(MAA)2-containing polymers. Gd could compensate for the weak absorption region of Pb. Therefore, polymerscontaining both Gd and Pb enhanced shielding efficiency against X-ray in various low-energy ranges. Forobtaining terpolymers with uniform monomer compositions, the relationship between the monomercomposition of the terpolymers and the conversion level was optimized by calculating the reactivityratios. The value of reactivity ratios of r (Gd (MAA)3/Pb(MAA)2), r (Pb(MAA)2/Gd (MAA)3), r (Gd (MAA)3/MMA), r (MMA/Gd (MAA)3), r (Pb(MAA)2/MMA) and r (MMA/Pb(MAA)2) was 0.483, 0.004, 0.338, 2.508,0.255, 0.029. The terpolymers with uniform monomer composition could be obtained by controlling themonomer compositions or conversion levels. The results can provide new radiation protection materialsand contribute to the improvement in nuclear safety.

A Saliency Detection Method Based on Global Contrast

Chun-yan Yu,Wei-shi Zhang,Chun-li Wang 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.8 No.7

To highlight the saliency object clearly from the foreground, we propose a saliency detection method based on global contrast with cluster. Due to the fact that background pixels usually have similar patches, we use cluster analysis to merge the background regions. By using mean shift filter, the background pixels with similar color level are clustered and the saliency calculation can be decreased a lot. In the method, we use the contrast of color feature with all the other pixels to compute the saliency map. A weight coefficient is utilized to improve the detection accuracy in global contrast differences evaluation. The results of extensive experiments on public dataset show that our method perform well and can highlight the salient object clearly against the other five state-of-the-art methods. Besides, we demonstrate that the applications in image segmentation and fusion with our saliency map can get satisfactory results.

American ginseng significantly reduced the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced colon carcinogenesis in Apc^Min/+ mice

Yu, Chunhao,Wen, Xiao-Dong,Zhang, Zhiyu,Zhang, Chun-Feng,Wu, Xiaohui,He, Xin,Liao, Yang,Wu, Ningning,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Du, Wei,He, Tong-Chuan,Yuan, Chun-Su The Korean Society of Ginseng 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.3

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West. Methods: A genetically engineered $Apc^{Min/+}$ mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis. Results: After oral ginseng administration (10-20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.

Prognostic Values of VEGF and Endostatin with Malignant Pleural Effusions in Patients with Lung Cancer

Zhang, Yu,Yu, Li-Ke,Lu, Guo-Jun,Xia, Ning,Xie, Hai-Yan,Hu, Wei,Hao, Ke-Ke,Xu, Chun-Hua,Qian, Qian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Aims: Angiogenesis is important in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) formation and it is regulated by a number of pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin in lung cancer patients with MPE, and investigate the relationship between these two kinds of agent. Methods: Using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, the concentrations of VEGF and endostatin were measured in pleural effusions (PE) and serum from a total of 70 lung cancer patients with MPE and 20 patients with tuberculosis. Results: Compared to patients with tuberculosis, the levels of VEGF and endostatin in both PE and serum were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer. There were statistically significant correlations between VEGF levels in PE and serum (r=0.696, p<0.001), endostatin levels in PE and serum (r=0.310, p=0.022), and VEGF and endostatin levels in PE (r=0.287, p=0.019). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that elevated pleural VEGF and endostatin levels and serum endostatin level were independent predictors of shorter overall survival. Conclusion: Both pro- and anti-angiogenic factors are likely contributors to PE formation. Our results suggest that the levels of VEGF and endostatin in PE, together with endostatin in serum, may be potential prognostic parameters for lung cancer patients with MPE.

American ginseng attenuates azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced colon carcinogenesis in mice

Yu, Chunhao,Wen, Xiao-Dong,Zhang, Zhiyu,Zhang, Chun-Feng,Wu, Xiao-Hui,Martin, Adiba,Du, Wei,He, Tong-Chuan,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Yuan, Chun-Su The Korean Society of Ginseng 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.1

Background: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and inflammatory bowel disease is a risk factor for this malignancy. We previously reported colon cancer chemoprevention potential using American ginseng (AG) in a xenograft mice model. However, the nude mouse model is not a gut-specific colon carcinogenesis animal model. Methods: In this study, an experimental colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis mouse model, chemically induced by azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was established and the effects of oral AG were evaluated. The contents of representative ginseng saponins in the extract were determined. Results: AG significantly reduced experimental colitis measured by the disease activity index scores. This suppression of the experimental colitis was not only evident during DSS treatment, but also very obvious after the cessation of DSS, suggesting that the ginseng significantly promoted recovery from the colitis. Consistent with the anti-inflammation data, we showed that ginseng very significantly attenuated azoxymethane/DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis by reducing the colon tumor number and tumor load. The ginseng also effectively suppressed DSS-induced proinflammatory cytokines activation using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay array, in which 12 proinflammatory cytokine levels were assessed, and this effect was supported subsequently by real-time polymerase chain reaction data. Conclusion: AG, as a candidate of botanical-based colon cancer chemoprevention, should be further investigated for its potential clinical utility.

American ginseng attenuates azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced colon carcinogenesis in mice

Chunhao Yu,Xiao-Dong Wen,Zhiyu Zhang,Chun-Feng Zhang,Xiao-Hui Wu,Adiba Martin,Wei Du,Tong-Chuan He,Chong-Zhi Wang,Chun-Su Yuan 고려인삼학회 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.3

Background: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and inflammatory bowel disease is a risk factor for this malignancy. We previously reported colon cancer chemoprevention potential using American ginseng (AG) in a xenograft mice model. However, the nude mouse model is not a gutspecific colon carcinogenesis animal model. Methods: In this study, an experimental colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis mouse model, chemically induced by azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was established and the effects of oral AG were evaluated. The contents of representative ginseng saponins in the extract were determined. Results: AG significantly reduced experimental colitis measured by the disease activity index scores. This suppression of the experimental colitis was not only evident during DSS treatment, but also very obvious after the cessation of DSS, suggesting that the ginseng significantly promoted recovery from the colitis. Consistent with the anti-inflammation data, we showed that ginseng very significantly attenuated azoxymethane/DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis by reducing the colon tumor number and tumor load. The ginseng also effectively suppressed DSS-induced proinflammatory cytokines activation using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay array, in which 12 proinflammatory cytokine levels were assessed, and this effect was supported subsequently by real-time polymerase chain reaction data. Conclusion: AG, as a candidate of botanical-based colon cancer chemoprevention, should be further investigated for its potential clinical utility.

American ginseng attenuates azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced colon carcinogenesis in mice

Chunhao Yu,Xiao-Dong Wen,Zhiyu Zhang,Chun-Feng Zhang,Xiao-Hui Wu,Adiba Martin,Wei Du,Tong-Chuan He,Chong-Zhi Wang,Chun-Su Yuan 고려인삼학회 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.1

Background: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and inflammatory bowel diseaseis a risk factor for this malignancy. We previously reported colon cancer chemoprevention potentialusing American ginseng (AG) in a xenograft mice model. However, the nude mouse model is not a gutspecificcolon carcinogenesis animal model. Methods: In this study, an experimental colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis mousemodel, chemically induced by azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was established and theeffects of oral AG were evaluated. The contents of representative ginseng saponins in the extract weredetermined. Results: AG significantly reduced experimental colitis measured by the disease activity index scores. Thissuppression of the experimental colitis was not only evident during DSS treatment, but also very obviousafter the cessation of DSS, suggesting that the ginseng significantly promoted recovery from the colitis. Consistent with the anti-inflammation data, we showed that ginseng very significantly attenuatedazoxymethane/DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis by reducing the colon tumor number and tumor load. The ginseng also effectively suppressed DSS-induced proinflammatory cytokines activation using anenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay array, in which 12 proinflammatory cytokine levels were assessed,and this effect was supported subsequently by real-time polymerase chain reaction data. Conclusion: AG, as a candidate of botanical-based colon cancer chemoprevention, should be furtherinvestigated for its potential clinical utility.

American ginseng significantly reduced the progression of high-fatdiet-enhanced colon carcinogenesis in ApcMin/þmice

Chunhao Yu,Xiao-Dong Wen,Zhiyu Zhang,Chun-Feng Zhang,Xiaohui Wu,Xin He,Yang Liao,Ningning Wu,Chong-Zhi Wang,Wei Du,Tong-Chuan He,Chun-Su Yuan 고려인삼학회 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.3

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West. Methods: A genetically engineered ApcMin/þ mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis. Results: After oral ginseng administration (10e20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1a (IL-1a), IL-1b, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.

Food Microbiology and Biotechnology : Potential Probiotic Characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains Isolated from Inner Mongolia “Hurood” Cheese

( Jian Zhang ),( Xue Zhang ),( Li Zhang ),( Yu Juan Zhao ),( Chun Hua Niu ),( Zhen Nai Yang ),( Sheng Yu Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.2

Total 121 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from homemade Inner Mongolia extra hard Hurood cheese. Seven of these strains, identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, were studied for probiotic characteristics. All seven strains survived at pH 3.0 for 3 h, or in the presence of oxgall at 0.3% or 0.6% for 4 h, but their viabilities were affected to different extents at pH 2.0 for 3 h. Strains C37 and C51 showed better adherence to Caco-2 cells, and higher hydrophobicity. The seven L. plantarum strains were different in in vitro free radical scavenging activities and cholesterolreducing ability. In vivo evaluation of the influence of L. plantarum C37 on the intestinal flora in a mouse model showed strain C37 could increase the viable counts of lactobacilli in feces of mice and decrease the viable counts of enterococci. When L. plantarum C37 was used to prepare probiotic Hurood cheese, it was able to maintain high viable counts (>7.8 log CFU/g) during the whole storage period, but the composition of the cheese was not changed. These results indicate that L. plantarum C37 could be considered as a promising probiotic strain.