Profiling Gene Expression During Gland Morphogenesis of a Glanded and a Glandless Upland Cotton

Ying-Fan Cai,Min Chen,Quan Sun,Yong-Fang Xie,Sheng-Wei Li,Jian-Chuan Mo,Ming-Feng Jiang,You-Lu Yuan,Yu-Zhen Shi,Huai-Zhong Jiang,Zheng Pan,Yun-Ling Gao,Peng-Sheng Ye,Hua-Lan Zeng 한국식물학회 2009 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.52 No.6

The pigment gland is an important character of the Gossypium plant. With the aim of identifying genes involved in pigment gland morphogenesis in cotton, gene expression during pigment gland morphogenesis in Chuan 2802, which is glanded both in seed and plant, and a glandless line N5 was profiled using Affymetrix Cotton microarray. The results showed that there were 564 differentially expressed genes greater than twofold during gland morphogenesis. About 60.2% of these genes shares similarity with known genes on GenBank and about 39.8% with no functional description in the database. These described genes may play roles in defense response, response to oxidative stress, peroxidase activity, and the other metabolic pathways. The KEGG Orthology-Based Annotation System indicated that these above twofold expressed genes involved seven biochemical pathways on KEGG. These findings suggest that a complicated regulation is associated with pigment gland morphogenesis and the associated defense response including gossypol biosynthesis in cotton.

Anti-allergic Effect of Fructus amomi on Ovalbumin-induced Asthma Mice Model

Chun Hua Piao,Yan Jing Fan,Thi Van Nguyen,Zhen Nan Yu,Hee Soon Shin,Chang Ho Song,Ok Hee Chai 대한체질인류학회 2021 대한체질인류학회지 Vol.34 No.2

Despite studies on the anti-inflammatory effect of Fructus amomi, mature fruit of Amomum villosum Lour, have been getting increasing extensively, it remains unknown about the detailed effects of F. amomi on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse asthma model. In this study, we examined the effect of F. amomi on OVA-induced asthma by analyzing Th1/Th2 cytokine production, histopathologic changes, and focusing on the NF-κB signaling. Oral administration of F. amomi reduced the number of inflammatory cells especially eosinophils and improved airway and pulmonary inflammation in the lungs of OVA-challenged mice. In addition, F. amomi significantly downregulated the overproduction of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5 and the levels of OVA-specific both IgE and IgG1 and increased the secretion of interferon-γ and OVA-specific IgG2a. Moreover, F. amomi suppressed the increase of total NF-κB level and the phosphorylation of IκB-α and NF-κB by OVA. F. amomi may have therapeutic effect for allergic asthma by modulating Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance and inhibiting NF-κB signaling activation.

Classification of rose petal colors based on optical spectrum and pigment content analyses

Wang Hua,Fan Youwei,Yang Yuan,Zhang Hui,Li Maofu,Sun Pei,Zhang Xinzhu,Xue Zhen,Jin Wanmei 한국원예학회 2023 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.64 No.2

Roses ( Rosa sp.) are an important ornamental crop worldwide. Their colorful fl owers mainly refl ect an accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids. Developing a reliable method to classify rose petal color and identifying relationships between pigment contents and color space values may off er better evaluation criteria for rose varieties. In this study, we classifi ed 60 rose varieties into three groups based on their color parameters, corresponding to red varieties, white and yellow varie- ties, and pink and dark pink varieties. We measured the total pigment contents and identifi ed the underlying anthocyanins and carotenoids using both UV spectrophotometry and ultraperformance convergence chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Flower petals of white roses contained the lowest pigment levels, while those of yellow roses contained only carotenoids (40.65–244.42 μg/g) and mainly in the form of β-carotene and violaxanthin. The petals of pink and dark pink roses only accumulated anthocyanins (91.72–1703.93 μg/g) and mainly as cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin 3- O-glu- coside. The petals of red roses contained both large amounts of anthocyanins (1484.8–3806.22 μg/g) and small amounts of carotenoids (1.81–18.77 μg/g). We divided the 60 rose varieties tested here into fi ve color groups based on optical spectrum and pigment content analyses. We also explored the relationships between anthocyanin contents, carotenoid contents, and fl ower color space values using principal component analysis, Pearson’s correlations, and non-linear models. In addition to providing a more accurate system of rose petal color classifi cation, our results can be used to predict pigment contents based on color parameters.

Anti-allergic Effects of Caffeine in an Allergic Rhinitis Mouse Model

Yan Jing Fan,Chun Hua Piao,Thi Van Nguyen,Zhen Nan Yu,Ok Hee Chai,Chang Ho Song 대한체질인류학회 2020 대한체질인류학회지 Vol.33 No.1

Caffeine (1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine) is one of the most widely consumed pharmacologically active products worldwide. Caffeine exhibits various pharmacological activities in central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Additionally, caffeine exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide-challenged rats. However, to our knowledge, the potential anti-inflammatory activity of caffeine in allergic rhinitis (AR) has not yet been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine the anti-allergic effects of caffeine in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR in mice. We showed that caffeine attenuated the nasal symptoms, including rubbing and sneezing. It reduced the thickness of the nasal mucosa and alleviated goblet cell hyperplasia in the nasal mucosa. In addition, caffeine ameliorated the inflammation in the lungs and decreased OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG1 levels in the serum. It also reduced T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5) levels and elevated Th1 cytokine (IL-12 and IFN-γ) levels in the nasal lavage fluid. Collectively, we suggest that caffeine might have therapeutic effects in AR owing to its anti-inflammatory activities.

Nanocomposite Ni–TiN coatings prepared by ultrasonic electrodeposition

Fa-feng Xia,Meng-hua Wu,Fan Wang,Zhen-yuan Jia,Ai-leng Wang 한국물리학회 2009 Current Applied Physics Vol.9 No.1

Nanocomposite Ni–TiN coatings were prepared by ultrasonic electrodeposition and the effects of ultrasonication on the coatings were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis was utilized to detect the crystalline and amorphous characteristics of the composite coatings. The surface morphology and metallurgical structure were observed by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy. The results showed that ultrasonication had great effects on TiN nanoparticles in composite coatings. The moderate ultrasonication conduced to homogeneous dispersion of TiN particles in the coatings. Moreover, the TiN nanoparticles that entered and homogeneously dispersed in the composite coating led to an increase in the number of nuclei for nucleation of nickel grains and inhibition of grain growth. Therefore, the introduction of ultrasonication and TiN nanoparticles resulted in the formation of smaller nickel grains. The average grain diameter of TiN particles was 33 nm, while Ni grains measured approximately 53 nm. Nanocomposite Ni–TiN coatings were prepared by ultrasonic electrodeposition and the effects of ultrasonication on the coatings were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis was utilized to detect the crystalline and amorphous characteristics of the composite coatings. The surface morphology and metallurgical structure were observed by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy. The results showed that ultrasonication had great effects on TiN nanoparticles in composite coatings. The moderate ultrasonication conduced to homogeneous dispersion of TiN particles in the coatings. Moreover, the TiN nanoparticles that entered and homogeneously dispersed in the composite coating led to an increase in the number of nuclei for nucleation of nickel grains and inhibition of grain growth. Therefore, the introduction of ultrasonication and TiN nanoparticles resulted in the formation of smaller nickel grains. The average grain diameter of TiN particles was 33 nm, while Ni grains measured approximately 53 nm.

In vitro evaluation of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine ester analogues, a series of anti-HBV structures with improved plasma stability and liver release

Sha Liao,Shi-Yong Fan,Qin Liu,Chang-Kun L,Jia Chen,Jing-Lai Li,Zhi-Wei Zhang,Zhen-Qing Zhang,Bo-Hua Zhong,Jian-Wei Xie 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.11

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection maylead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, butfew drugs are available for its treatment. Acyclic nucleosidephosphonates (ANPs) have remarkable antivirusactivities but are not easily absorbed from the gastrointestinaltract and accumulate in the kidneys, resulting innephrotoxicity. Therefore, there is a need to find effectiveliver site-specific prodrugs. The dipivaloyloxymethyl esterof 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA)—adefovirdipivoxil (ADV)—is a first-line therapy drug forchronic hepatitis B with a low therapeutic index because ofrenal toxicity and low hepatic uptake. In this study, a seriesof PMEA derivatives were synthesized to enhance plasmastability and liver release. The metabolic stability of ADV(Chemical I) and its two analogues (Chemicals II and III)was evaluated in rat plasma and liver homogenate in vitro. An ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC–UV method and a hybridion trap and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry(LC-IT-TOF-MS) were used to evaluate the degradationrate of the analogues and to identify their intermediatemetabolites, respectively. Chemicals I and II were hydrolyzedby cleavage of the C–O bond to give monoesters. Sufficient enzymatic activation in the liver homogenatethrough a relatively simple metabolic pathway, in additionto a favorable stability profile in rat plasma, made ChemicalII an optimal candidate. Next, six analogues based onthe structure of Chemical II were synthesized and evaluatedin plasma and liver homogenate. Compared toChemical II, these compounds generated less active PMEAlevels in rat liver homogenate. Therefore, chemical modificationof Chemical II may lead to new promising PMEAderivatives with enhanced plasma stability and liveractivation.

DEPTOR Expression Negatively Correlates with mTORC1 Activity and Tumor Progression in Colorectal Cancer

Lai, Er-Yong,Chen, Zhen-Guo,Zhou, Xuan,Fan, Xiao-Rong,Wang, Hua,Lai, Ping-Lin,Su, Yong-Chun,Zhang, Bai-Yu,Bai, Xiao-Chun,Li, Yun-Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is upregulated in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). DEPTOR is an mTOR inhibitor whose expression is negatively regulated by mTOR. However, the role of DEPTOR in the development of CRC is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DEPTOR and mTORC1 activity (P-S6) in a subset of CRC patients and determine their relation to tumor differentiation, invasion, nodal metastasis and disease-free survival. Here, Immunohistochemical expression of P-S6 (S235/236) and DEPTOR were evaluated in 1.5 mm tumor cores from 90 CRC patients and in 90 samples of adjacent normal mucosa by tissue microarray. The expression of P-S6 (S235/236) was upregulated in CRC, with the positive rate of P-S6 (S235/236) in CRC (63.3%) significantly higher than that in control tissues (36.7%, 30%) (p<0.05). P-S6 (S235/236) also correlated with high tumor histologic grade (p=0.002), and positive nodal metastasis (p=0.002). In contrast, the expression level of DEPTOR was correlated with low tumor histological grade (p=0.006), and negative nodal metastasis (p=0.001). Interestingly, P-S6 (S235/236) expression showed a significant negative association with the expression of DEPTOR in CRC (p=0.011, R= -0.279). However, upregulation of P-S6 (S235/236) (p=0.693) and downregulation of DEPTOR (p=0.331) in CRC were not significantly associated with overall survival. Thus, we conclude that expression of DEPTOR negatively correlates with mTORC1 activity and tumor progression in CRC. DEPTOR is a potential marker for prognostic evaluation and a target for the treatment of CRC.

Probability Hypothesis Density Filter Based on Strong Tracking MIE for Multiple Maneuvering Target Tracking

Jin-Long Yang,Hong-Bing Ji,Zhen-Hua Fan 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2013 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.11 No.2

Taking into account the difficulties of multiple maneuvering target tracking due to the unknown target number and the uncertain acceleration, a novel multiple maneuvering target tracking algorithm based on the Probability Hypothesis Density (PHD) filter and Modified Input Estimation (MIE) technique is proposed in this paper. First, the unknown acceleration vector is added to the target state to form a new augmented state vector. Then, strong tracking filter multiple fading factors are introduced to the MIE method which can adjust the prediction covariance and the corresponding filter gain at different rates in real time, so that the MIE method can adaptively track high maneuvering targets well. Finally, we combine this adaptive MIE method with the PHD filter, which can effectively track multiple maneuvering targets without much prior information. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has a higher tracking precision and a better real-time performance than the conventional maneuvering target tracking algorithms.

Monophosphine-Cyclopalladated Ferrocenylpyrimidine Complex: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Reusable Catalytic System for Coupling Reaction of Aryl Chlorides in PEG-400

Chen Xu,Lu-Meng Duan,Zhen Li,Xin-Hua Lou,Zhi-Qiang Wang,Yao-Ting Fan 대한화학회 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.4

A Novel Non-phosgene Approach to the Synthesis of Methyl N-phenyl Carbamate by a Reaction of Methanol with Phenylurea

Wang, Xin-kui,Yan, Shi-run,Li, Zhen-hua,Fan, Kang-nian,Kang, Mao-qing,Peng, Shao-yi 한국화학공학회 2004 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.21 No.2

A novel non-phosgene process for the synthesis of methyl N-phenyl carbamate (MPC) by a reaction of phenylurea with methanol was studied. The reaction between phenylurea and methanol was found to be a spontaneous reaction that took place in the absence of catalyst and gave MPC as the main product. Addition of a catalyst markedly influenced the reaction behavior. A basic catalyst greatly enhanced the yield of MPC, whereas an acidic catalyst promoted the formation of aniline and methyl carbamate. Moderate strength of basicity showed the best catalytic performance in the cases studied. The mechanism of reaction and catalyst functioning was discussed.