Structural Basis of Emi2 Recognition by Polo-Box Domain of Polo-like Kinase 1 and Effects of Structure-Derived Antagonist in Oocyte Maturation and Fertillization

Jia-Jia Lin,Young-Hyun Han,Jung-Woo Kwon,Yong-Nan Xu,Yi-Bo Luo,Yu-Jin Jo,Chang-Eun Park,Jung-Kyu Baang,Suk Namgoong,Nam-Hyung Kim 한국동물생명공학회(구 한국동물번식학회) 2014 Reproductive & Developmental Biology(Supplement) Vol.38 No.2s

In meiosis, Emi2 plays important role as CSF (Cytostatic Factor) to make the oocyte arrested in mII stage by the inhibition of APC/C (anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome). Once the oocyte fertilized, Emi2 was destabilized and degraded. For the degradation of Emi2, calcium signaling activate calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) and phosphorylate emi2. Phosphorylated emi2 is recognized by polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) and further degradated by ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. But recognition of Plk1 and emi2 is unknown. In this works, we determined the high-resolution crystal structure of polo-box domain of Plk1 and phosphorylated emi2 peptide at 1.90Å. Determined structure revealed that several unique features, including binding of Phe169 in the tyrosin-rich hydrophobic pocket. This is the first report of crystallization that Plk1-emi2 complex. Based on the complex structure, we designed the peptide analogs which pontentially inhibits recognition of Emi2 by Plk1 and assessed its biological activity in oocyte maturation and pathernogenetic activation. Injection of AB103-8, the inhibitor of Plk1 Polo-box domain, in mouse oocytes, induced the maturation arrest in GV stage and the delay in mII parthenogenetic activation. Further investigations of the mechanism that Plk1 involved into the Emi2 mII arrest are underway.

Distinctions Between Clinicopathological Factors and Prognosis of Alpha-fetoprotein Negative and Positive Hepatocelluar Carcinoma Patients

Xu, Jia,Liu, Chang,Zhou, Lei,Tian, Feng,Tai, Ming-Hui,Wei, Ji-Chao,Qu, Kai,Meng, Fan-Di,Zhang, Ling-Qiang,Wang, Zhi-Xin,Zhang, Jing-Yao,Chang, Hu-Lin,Liu, Si-Nan,Xu, Xin-Shen,Song, Yan-Zhou,Liu, Jun,Z Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a significant marker for clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, some proportion of liver cancer patients are AFP-negative (AFP ${\leq}$20ng/ml). In order to study the differences between clinicopathological factors and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein negative and positive patients, a total of 114 cases (41 AFP-negative and 73 AFP-positive) were selected for our research. By systematically statistical analysis, the results demonstrated that compared with AFP-negative patients, AFP-positive examples were more likely to feature cirrhosis nodules, non-complete neoplasm capsules, and a poor Edmondson-steiner grade. Furthermore, AFP-negative patients demonstrated a favorable long-term prognosis. By univariate analysis and multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazards model, multiple tumors were found to be independent risk factors for worse survival of AFP negative patients; however, less tumor-free margins, multiple tumors and Edmondson-steiner grades III/IV, proved to be independent risk factors leading to a poor prognosis of AFP positive cases. Finally, we can infer that high levels of AFP signify a highly malignant tumor and unfavorable prognosis.

Ginsenoside Rh2 reduces depression in offspring of mice with maternal toxoplasma infection during pregnancy by inhibiting microglial activation via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway

Xiang Xu,Yu-Nan Lu,Jia-Hui Cheng,Hui-Wen Lan,Jing-Mei Lu,Guang-Nan Jin,Guang-Hua Xu,Cheng-Hua Jin,Juan Ma,Hu-Nan Piao,Xuejun Jin,Lian-Xun Piao 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.1

Background: Maternal Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection during pregnancy has been associated with various mental illnesses in the offspring. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is a major bioactive compound obtained from ginseng that has an anti-T. gondii effect and attenuates microglial activation through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway. GRh2 also alleviated tumor-associated or lipopolysaccharide-induced depression. However, the effects and potential mechanisms of GRh2 on depression-like behavior in mouse offspring caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy have not been investigated. Methods: We examined GRh2 effects on the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring, caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy, by measuring depression-like behaviors and assaying parameters at the neuronal and molecular level. Results: We showed that GRh2 significantly improved behavioral measures: sucrose consumption, forced swim time and tail suspended immobility time of their offspring. These corresponded with increased tissue concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine, and attenuated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase or enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the prefrontal cortex. GRh2 ameliorated neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex. Molecular docking results revealed that GRh2 binds strongly to both TLR4 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that GRh2 ameliorated the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring of maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy by attenuating the excessive activation of microglia and neuroinflammation through the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway. It suggests that GRh2 could be considered a potential therapy in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders in the offspring mice of mothers with prenatal exposure to T. gondii infection.

Betulin Targets Lipin1/2-Meidated P2X7 Receptor as a Therapeutic Approach to Attenuate Lipid Accumulation and Metaflammation

( Jia-yi Dou ),( Yu-chen Jiang ),( Zhong-he Hu ),( Kun-chen Yao ),( Ming-hui Yuan ),( Xiao-xue Bao ),( Mei-jie Zhou ),( Yue Liu ),( Zhao-xu Li ),( Li-hua Lian ),( Ji-xing Nan ),( Yan-ling Wu ) 한국응용약물학회 2022 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.30 No.3

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 μM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7r-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

The structure optimization of tracked ambulance nonlinear vibration reduction system

Xinxi Xu,Meng Yang,Nan Jia,Deguang Duan 대한기계학회 2017 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.31 No.2

Our aim was to improve the performance of tracked ambulance nonlinear vibration reduction system by structure optimization design. The structure optimization focuses on the stretcher base. Two structure optimization schemes are proposed based on the mechanism of Dynamic vibration absorber (DVA): Linear and nonlinear structure. The linear structure optimization scheme is finally adopted by comparison of the two schemes under random vibration, and the performance of linear scheme is also verified under shock vibration. Then the global sensitivity analysis method is applied to calculate the parameter sensitivity of nonlinear vibration reduction system. Finally, the Nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is used to optimize the performance of the nonlinear vibration reduction system. It shows that the vibration energy of the supine human body on a stretcher is reduced after above studies, which proves the validity and feasibility of the structure optimization schemes proposed and the optimization studies applied in this paper.

Application of Lobaplatin in Trans-catheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Primary Hepatic Carcinoma

Wang, Nan,Lv, Yin-Zhang,Xu, An-Hui,Huang, Yan-Rong,Peng, Ling,Li, Jia-Rui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: To explore the efficiency of single application of lobaplatin in tran-scatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with a primary hepatic carcinoma who were unable or unwilling to undergo surgery. Methods: 173 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma diagnosed by imaging or pathology were randomly divided into experimental and control groups and respectively treated with lobaplatin and pirarubicin hydrochloride as chemotherapeutic drugs for TACE. The amount of iodipin was regulated according to the tumor number and size, and then gelatin sponge or polyvinyl alcohol particles were applied for embolisms. The efficiency of treatment in the two groups was compared with reference to survival time and therapeutic response. Results: The experimental group (single lobaplatin as chemotherapy drug) was superior to control group (single pirarubicin hydrochloride as chemotherapy drug) in the aspects of survival time and therapeutic response, with statistical significance. Conclusions: Single lobaplatin can be as a chemotherapy drug in TACE and has better efficiency in the aspects of mean survival time and therapeutic response, deserving to be popularized in the clinic.

Surface oxidation and thermoelectric properties of indium-doped tin telluride nanowires

Li, Zhen,Xu, Enzhi,Losovyj, Yaroslav,Li, Nan,Chen, Aiping,Swartzentruber, Brian,Sinitsyn, Nikolai,Yoo, Jinkyoung,Jia, Quanxi,Zhang, Shixiong The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017 Nanoscale Vol.9 No.35

<P>The recent discovery of excellent thermoelectric properties and topological surface states in SnTe-based compounds has attracted extensive attention in various research areas. Indium doped SnTe is of particular interest because, depending on the doping level, it can either generate resonant states in the bulk valence band leading to enhanced thermoelectric properties, or induce superconductivity that coexists with topological states. Here we report on the vapor deposition of In-doped SnTe nanowires and the study of their surface oxidation and thermoelectric properties. The nanowire growth is assisted by Au catalysts, and their morphologies vary as a function of substrate position and temperature. Transmission electron microscopy characterization reveals the formation of an amorphous surface in single crystalline nanowires. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies suggest that the nanowire surface is composed of In2O3, SnO2, Te and TeO2which can be readily removed by argon ion sputtering. Exposure of the cleaned nanowires to atmosphere leads to rapid oxidation of the surface within only one minute. Characterization of electrical conductivity<I>σ</I>, thermopower<I>S</I>, and thermal conductivity<I>κ</I>was performed on the same In-doped nanowire which shows suppressed<I>σ</I>and<I>κ</I>but enhanced<I>S</I>yielding an improved thermoelectric figure of merit<I>ZT</I>compared to the undoped SnTe.</P>

Preparation of Flame Retardant and Antibacterial Wood with Composite Membrane Coating

( Jun-xian Xu ),( Yang Liu ),( Ming-yu Wen ),( Hee-jun Park ),( Jia-zhi Zhu ),( Yu-nan Liu ) 한국목재공학회 2021 목재공학 Vol.49 No.6

A novel flame retardant and antibacterial composite membrane coating for wood surfaces was prepared by adding POSS-based phosphorous nitrogen flame retardant (later referred to as NH₂-POSS) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to chitosan (CS). The effects of NH₂-POSS content (mass fractions of CS 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) on the structure and properties of the composite membrane coating on wood were investigated. The composite film was prepared by the method of blending and ducting. Contact angle, tensile property and antibacterial effects of the composite film were measured, and infrared spectroscopy was used. The results show that the addition of NH₂-POSS can not only improve the toughness of the membrane, but also the flame retardancy of the membrane, which improves the application of the membrane in wood products. However, with the addition of NH₂-POSS, the transparency of the composite membrane was weakened. The inhibitory effect of the composite membrane on the growth of Escherichia coli was enhanced with the increase in Ag NPs. This research provides a foundation for the application of functional wood.

Research on Flame Retardant Plywood with Different Flame Retardants

( Yang Liu ),( Jun-xian Xu ),( Ming-yu Wen ),( Hee-jun Park ),( Jia-zhi Zhu ),( Yu-nan Liu ) 한국목재공학회 2021 목재공학 Vol.49 No.6

The flame retardancy of plywood should be improved as much as possible while minimizing the impact on the bonding strength of plywood. Six commercial flame retardants and three laboratory synthesized phosphorous nitrogen flame retardants were selected. E₀, E₁ and E₂ grade commercial formaldehyde resins (UF) were applied in this study to evaluate the effect of different flame retardants on the curing time of resin, bonding strength, flame retardant performance, and formaldehyde emission of plywood. The results show that the effect of the addition of different flame retardants on the bonding strength of plywood gradually decreased with the increase of the formaldehyde molar ratio of the resin. The effect of flame retardants on the curing time of UF gradually decreased as the mole ratio of formaldehyde increasing, while the amount of formaldehyde emission varied according to the content of formaldehyde in the flame retardant. Compared with plywood without flame retardant, flame retardant of plywood added with phosphorous nitrogen flame retardant was improved.

A Novel Molecular Grading Model: Combination of Ki67 and VEGF in Predicting Tumor Recurrence and Progression in Non-invasive Urothelial Bladder Cancer

Chen, Jun-Xing,Deng, Nan,Chen, Xu,Chen, Ling-Wu,Qiu, Shao-Peng,Li, Xiao-Fei,Li, Jia-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Purpose: To assess efficacy of Ki67 combined with VEGF as a molecular grading model to predict outcomes with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Materials: 72 NMIBC patients who underwent transurethral resection (TUR) followed by routine intravesical instillations were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to confirm the prognostic values of the Ki67 labeling index (LI) and VEGF scoring for tumor recurrence and progression. Results: The novel molecular grading model for NMIBC contained three molecular grades including mG1 (Ki67 $LI{\leq}25%$, VEGF $scoring{\leq}8$), mG2 (Ki67 LI>25%, VEGF $scoring{\leq}8$; or Ki67 $LI{\leq}25%$, VEGF scoring > 8), and mG3 (Ki67 LI > 25%, VEGF scoring > 8), which can indicate favorable, intermediate and poor prognosis, respectively. Conclusions: The described novel molecular grading model utilizing Ki67 LI and VEGF scoring is helpful to effectively and accurately predict outcomes and optimize personal therapy.