Broad-specificity amino acid racemase, a novel non-antibiotic selectable marker for transgenic plants

Yi‑Chia Kuan,Venkatesan Thiruvengadam,Jia‑Shin Lin,Jia‑Hsin Liu,Tsan‑Jan Chen,Hsin‑Mao Wu,Wen‑Ching Wang,Liang‑Jwu Chen 한국식물생명공학회 2018 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.12 No.1

The broad-specificity amino acid racemase (Bsar) from Pseudomonas putida catalyzes the racemization of various amino acids, offering a flexible and feasible platform to develop a new non-antibiotic selectable marker system for plant transformation. In the present study, we demonstrated that a Bsar variant, Bsar-R174K, that is useful as a selectable marker gene in Arabidopsis and rice that were susceptible to l-lysine and D-alanine. The introduction of wild-type Bsar, Bsar-R174K or Bsar-R174A into E. coli lysine or asparagine auxotrophs was able to rescue the growth of these microorganisms in minimal media supplemented with selectable amino acid enantiomers. The transformation of Arabidopsis with Bsar or Bsar variants based on d-alanine selection revealed that Bsar-R174K had the greatest efficiency (2.40%), superior to kanamycin selectionbased transformation (1.10%). Whereas, l-lysine-based selection exhibited lower efficiency for Bsar-R174K (0.17%). The progenies of selected Bsar-R174K transgenic Arabidopsis revealed normal growth properties. In addition, Bsar-R174K transgenic rice was obtained on l-lysine medium with an efficiency of 0.9%, and the progenies of the transgenic rice revealed morphologically normal phenotypes comparable with their wild-type counterparts. This study presents the first report of broad range amino acid racemase Bsar-R174K as a non-antibiotic selectable marker system applied in transgenic plants.

Combined Assessment of Serum Alpha-Synuclein and Rab35 is a Better Biomarker for Parkinson’s Disease

Hung-Li Wang,Chin-Song Lu,Tu-Hsueh Yeh,Yu-Ming Shen,Yi-Hsin Weng,Ying-Zu Huang,Rou-Shayn Chen,Yu-Chuan Liu,Yi-Chuan Cheng,Hsiu-Chen Chang,Ying-Ling Chen,Yu-Jie Chen,Yan-Wei Lin,Chia Chen Hsu,Huang-Li 대한신경과학회 2019 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.15 No.4

Background and Purpose It is essential to develop a reliable predictive serum biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Te accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and up-regulated expression of Rab35 participate in the etiology of PD. Te purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a useful predictive biomarker for PD. Methods Serum levels of αSyn or Rab35 were determined in serum samples from 59 sporadic PD patients, 19 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients, 20 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients, and 60 normal controls (NC). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of αSyn or/and Rab35 in discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients. Results The levels of αSyn and Rab35 were increased in PD patients. The serum level of Rab35 was positively correlated with that of αSyn in PD patients. Compared to analyzing αSyn or Rab35 alone, the combined analysis of αSyn and Rab35 produced a larger area under the ROC curve and performed better in discriminating PD patients from NC, MSA patients, or PSP patients. When age was dichotomized at 55, 60, 65, or 70 years, the combined assessment of αSyn and Rab35 for classifying PD was better in the group below the cutof age than in the group above the cutof age. Conclusions Combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a better biomarker for discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients, and is a useful predictive biomarker for younger sporadic PD patients.

Risk Factors for Anxiety in Major Depressive Disorder Patients

Li-Min Xin,Lin Chen,Zhen-Peng Ji,Suo-Yuan Zhang,Jun Wang,Yan-Hong Liu,Da-Fang Chen,Fu-De Yang,Gang Wang,Yi-Ru Fang,Zheng Lu,Hai-Chen Yang,Jian Hu,Zhi-Yu Chen,Yi Huang,Jing Sun,Xiao-Ping Wang,Hui-Chun 대한정신약물학회 2015 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.13 No.3

Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic and clinical factors related to anxiety in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: This study involved a secondary analysis of data obtained from the Diagnostic Assessment Service for People with Bipolar Disorders in China (DASP), which was initiated by the Chinese Society of Psychiatry (CSP) and conducted from September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011. Based on the presence or absence of anxiety-related characteristics, 1,178 MDD patients were classified as suffering from anxious depression (n=915) or non-anxious depression (n=263), respectively. Results: Compared with the non-anxious group, the anxious-depression group had an older age at onset (t=−4.39, p<0.001), were older (t=−4.69, p<0.001), reported more lifetime depressive episodes (z=−3.24, p=0.001), were more likely to experience seasonal depressive episodes (χ2=6.896, p=0.009) and depressive episodes following stressful life events (χ2=59.350, p <0.001), and were more likely to have a family history of psychiatric disorders (χ2=6.091, p=0.014). Their positive and total scores on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and the 32-item Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32) (p<0.05) were also lower. The logistic regression analysis indicated that age (odds ratio [OR]=1.03, p<0.001), a lower total MDQ score (OR=0.94, p=0.011), depressive episodes following stressful life events (OR=3.04, p<0.001), and seasonal depressive episodes (OR=1.75, p=0.039) were significantly associated with anxious depression. Conclusion: These findings indicate that older age, fewer subclinical bipolar features, an increased number of depressive episodes following stressful life events, and seasonal depressive episodes may be risk factors for anxiety-related characteristics in patients with MDD.

Enhanced Performance of Solution‐Processed TESPE‐ADT Thin‐Film Transistors

Chen, Liang‐,Hsiang,Hu, Tarng‐,Shiang,Huang, Peng‐,Yi,Kim, Choongik,Yang, Ching‐,Hao,Wang, Juin‐,Jie,Yan, Jing‐,Yi,Ho, Jia‐,Chong,Lee, Cheng‐,Chung,Chen WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2013 Chemphyschem Vol.14 No.12

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>A solution‐processed anthradithiophene derivative, 5,11‐bis(4‐triethylsilylphenylethynyl)anthradithiophene (TESPE‐ADT), is studied for use as the semiconducting material in thin‐film transistors (TFTs). To enhance the electrical performance of the devices, two different kinds of solution processing (spin‐coating and drop‐casting) on various gate dielectrics as well as additional post‐treatment are employed on thin films of TESPE‐ADT, and <I>p</I>‐channel OTFT transport with hole mobilities as high as ∼0.12 cm<SUP>2</SUP> V<SUP>−1</SUP> s<SUP>−1</SUP> are achieved. The film morphologies and formed microstructures of the semiconductor films are characterized in terms of film processing conditions and are correlated with variations in device performance.</P>

Resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates

Yi-Jing Wang,Pan Zhao,Bing-Dong Sui,Nu Liu,Cheng-Hu Hu,Ji Chen,Chen-Xi Zheng,An-Qi Liu,Kun Xuan,Ya-Ping Pan,Yan Jin 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based regeneration, specifically cell aggregate or cell sheet engineering, is a promising approach for tissue reconstruction. Considering the advantages of ease of harvest and lack of immune rejection, the application of autologous MSCs (i.e., patients’ own MSCs) in regenerative medicine has developed considerable interest. However, the impaired cell viability and regenerative potential following MSCs impacted by disease remain a major challenge. Resveratrol (RSV) exhibits reliable and extensive rejuvenative activities that have received increasing clinical attention. Here, we uncovered that resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates. Periodontal ligament MSCs (PDLSCs) from normal control subjects (N-PDLSCs) and periodontitis patients (P-PDLSCs) were investigated. Compared to N-PDLSCs, P-PDLSCs were less capable of forming cell aggregates, and P-PDLSC aggregates showed impaired osteogenesis and regeneration. These functional declines could be mimicked in N-PDLSCs by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) treatment. Notably, a TNF-α-induced functional decline in N-PDLSC aggregates was rescued by RSV application. More importantly, in both N-PDLSCs and P-PDLSCs, RSV promoted cell aggregate formation and improved their osteogenic potential. Furthermore, as proven ectopically in vivo, the tissue regenerative capability of P-PDLSC aggregates was also enhanced after RSV treatment during aggregate formation in vitro. Finally, in a rat in situ regeneration model, we successfully applied both N-PDLSC aggregates and P-PDLSC aggregates to repair periodontal defects upon long-term functional improvements by RSV preconditioning. Together, our data unravel a novel methodology for using pharmacology (i.e., RSV)-based cell aggregate engineering to improve the functionality and facilitate the regeneration of MSCs from both healthy and inflammatory microenvironments, shedding light on improving the application of autologous MSC-mediated regenerative medicine.

Safety and antifatigue effect of Korean Red Ginseng capsule: A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial

Yi Yang,Hong Wang,Ming Zhang,Mengxue Shi,Cailing Yang,Qiang Ni,Qi Wang,Jing Li,Xuemei Wang,Chen Zhang,Zhi Li 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.4

Background: In physical activity or labor, the human body is in a state of high intensity stress, and allparts or physiological functions of the body respond positively to maintain or balance the need formovement. The human body has many physiological changes in the process of movement, and fatigue isthe external manifestation of various complex changes inside the human body. Fatigue is also a physiologicalmechanism of self-protection after the body reaches a certain level of activity, which can preventthe occurrence of life-threatening excessive functional failure. The generation of fatigue is a very complexprocess, and its mechanism has not been concluded yet. Therefore, it is an important work to search andscreen the effective components of natural plants that have anti-fatigue effect and to explore theirmechanism. Methods: This was a 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 110subjects who passed physical examination were included according to the scheme design, and randomlydivided into a test group which was given KRG and a placebo control group. The calculation is carried outaccording to the standard of sub-high-intensity exercise test. Results: There was no adverse effect on safety index of subjects after taking red ginseng capsule. AfterKRG treatment, subjective strength grade is significant lower than placebo treatment. Blood lactic acidcontent is significantly get lower after trial in KRG group, and significant lower than placebo group. Creatine phosphokinase(CK) content is significantly get lower after trial in KRG group, and significantlower than placebo group. Conclusion: According to the criterion in the test scheme, the result shows that KRG is helpful onrelieving physical fatigue.

Metagenomic Insight into Lignocellulose Degradation of the Thermophilic Microbial Consortium TMC7

( Yi Wang ),( Chen Wang ),( Yonglun Chen ),( Beibei Chen ),( Peng Guo ),( Zongjun Cui ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2021 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.31 No.8

Biodegradation is the key process involved in natural lignocellulose biotransformation and utilization. Microbial consortia represent promising candidates for applications in lignocellulose conversion strategies for biofuel production; however, cooperation among the enzymes and the labor division of microbes in the microbial consortia remains unclear. In this study, metagenomic analysis was performed to reveal the community structure and extremozyme systems of a lignocellulolytic microbial consortium, TMC7. The taxonomic affiliation of TMC7 metagenome included members of the genera Ruminiclostridium (42.85%), Thermoanaerobacterium (18.41%), Geobacillus (10.44%), unclassified_f__Bacillaceae (7.48%), Aeribacillus (2.65%), Symbiobacterium (2.47%), Desulfotomaculum (2.33%), Caldibacillus (1.56%), Clostridium (1.26%), and others (10.55%). The carbohydrate-active enzyme annotation revealed that TMC7 encoded a broad array of enzymes responsible for cellulose and hemicellulose degradation. Ten glycoside hydrolases (GHs) endoglucanase, 4 GHs exoglucanase, and 6 GHs β-glucosidase were identified for cellulose degradation; 6 GHs endo-β-1,4-xylanase, 9 GHs β-xylosidase, and 3 GHs β-mannanase were identified for degradation of the hemicellulose main chain; 6 GHs arabinofuranosidase, 2 GHs α-mannosidase, 11 GHs galactosidase, 3 GHs α-rhamnosidase, and 4 GHs α-fucosidase were identified as xylan debranching enzymes. Furthermore, by introducing a factor named as the contribution coefficient, we found that Ruminiclostridium and Thermoanaerobacterium may be the dominant contributors, whereas Symbiobacterium and Desulfotomaculum may serve as “sugar cheaters” in lignocellulose degradation by TMC7. Our findings provide mechanistic profiles of an array of enzymes that degrade complex lignocellulosic biomass in the microbial consortium TMC7 and provide a promising approach for studying the potential contribution of microbes in microbial consortia.

Effect of Country Distance on E-commerce Export: Focusing on the Moderating Effect of Entrepreneurship

Yi Chen Wang,Tae Hee Lee,Moon Gyu Bae,Keon Hee Lee 한국무역학회 2021 Journal of Korea trade Vol.25 No.4

Purpose - This study examines the role of e-commerce resulting from technological innovation as a new approach toward internationalization. We study the relationship between e-commerce export and country distance, measured in CAGE distance, which has hindered traditional internationalization. As a control variable, entrepreneurship was introduced to check the moderating effect on the relationship between country distance and e-commerce export. Design/methodology - Based on empirical analysis, e-commerce exports from the Republic of Korea to 96 countries were used as dependent variables. First, hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis about each country s distance, measured by CAGE distance, and each dimension of CAGE, on e-commerce exports. Next, the hypothesis was tested through the interaction term to examine the moderating effect of entrepreneurship. Findings - The analysis showed that the hypothesis, which postulated e-commerce exports as affected negatively by the country s distance, was supported but not that all CAGE dimensions affected it. Specifically, geographical distance and economic distance have negative effects, but cultural distance and administrative distance did not affect e-commerce exports. Thus, in contrast to the expectation that distance restrictions in e-commerce would not exist, this study confirmed that distance still matters to internationalization and that entrepreneurship can mitigate the adverse effects. Originality/value - Through these results, when export firms try to enter new markets and start internationalization through e-commerce, the entrepreneurship of the importing country should be considered.

A Study on the Effect of Chinese Firms’ Organizational Creativity on the Innovative Performance: Focused on the Mediating Effect of Cross-border Acquisition

Yi Chen Wang,Moon Gyu Bae(배문규) 한국무역학회 2022 무역학자 전국대회 발표논문집 Vol.2022 No.8

Temperature dependent development of black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Yangtze River Delta region of China

Wang Yinghui,Zhang Yanan,Wang Jiangfeng,Kang Chengtao,Hu Gengwang,Guo Yi,Chen Jie,Yang Lijun,Wang Yu 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.4

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), isomnivorous andwidely distributed in the world. Black soldier flies usually colonize corpse at a relatively late stage and have a longer developmental time compared to other flies. It can serve as a good supplementary indicator for estimating a longer minimum postmortem interval (PMI min ) in forensic investigations. In this paper, the development of H. illucens was investigated at six constant temperatures between 19 and 34 ◦ C. Under temperatures of 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 ◦ C, the mean developmental time from eggs to adults was 90.96, 58.29, 54.61, 42.33, 32.33 and 34.52 days, respectively. Developmental time and accumulated degree days results were used to construct thermal sum mation model and isomorphen diagram. The calculated values of lower developmental thresholds and thermal summation constant estimated by a linear model were 11.88 ◦ C and 650.89 degree days, respectively. Through a nonlinear model, the upper lethal developmental threshold temperature, intrinsic optimum temperature and lower developmental thresholds were estimated to be 35.18, 20.50 and 13.17 ◦ C, respectively. A growth curve, an equation and isomegalen diagram based on them show the relationship between developmental time and larval body length. The larval body length increased with increased developmental time and eventually pla teaued, revealing an S-shape growth curve. These results provide important basic developmental data for H. illucens, which can be used to estimate the PMI min .