Molecular Cloning and Characterization of the Yew Gene Encoding Squalene Synthase from Taxus cuspidata

( Zhuo Shi Huang ),( Ke Ji Jiang ),( Yan Pi ),( Rong Hou ),( Zhi Hua Liao ),( Ying Cao ),( Xu Han ),( Qian Wang ),( Xiao Fen Sun ),( Ke Xuan Tang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2007 BMB Reports Vol.40 No.5

Effect of ZnO on the microstructures and piezoelectric properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics

Zhuo Li,Xiangbang Cheng,Zhonghua Yao,Yang Liu,Hanxin Liu,Minghe Cao 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2009 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.10 No.5

Lead-free ZnO added K0.5Na0.5NbO3 piezoelectric ceramics have been prepared by a conventional solid state process. The XRD results show that all the K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics with various ZnO contents are single phase with an orthorhombic perovskite structure. The bulk density obtained by the Archimedes method indicates that the addition of ZnO improves the density of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics under the same sintering conditions. Especially, at a level of 1 mol% ZnO, the sample sintered at 1100 oC for 1h exhibits the highest bulk density (ρ = 4.28 g/㎤) and shows optimal piezoelectric properties, d33 = 135 pC/N and kp = 0.40. Lead-free ZnO added K0.5Na0.5NbO3 piezoelectric ceramics have been prepared by a conventional solid state process. The XRD results show that all the K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics with various ZnO contents are single phase with an orthorhombic perovskite structure. The bulk density obtained by the Archimedes method indicates that the addition of ZnO improves the density of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics under the same sintering conditions. Especially, at a level of 1 mol% ZnO, the sample sintered at 1100 oC for 1h exhibits the highest bulk density (ρ = 4.28 g/㎤) and shows optimal piezoelectric properties, d33 = 135 pC/N and kp = 0.40.

Ganodermanontriol Suppresses the Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Activating CES2 to Enhance the Metabolism of Mycophenolate Mofetil

( Qingfeng Xie ),( Zhuo Cao ),( Weiling You ),( Xiaoping Cai ),( Mei Shen ),( Zhangyong Yin ),( Yiwei Jiang ),( Xin Wang ),( Siyu Ye ) 한국미생물생명공학회 2024 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.34 No.2

New anti-lung cancer therapies are urgently required to improve clinical outcomes. Since ganodermanontriol (GDNT) has been identified as a potential antineoplastic agent, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is investigated in this study. Concretely, lung cancer cells were treated with GDNT and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), after which MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blot were conducted. Following bioinformatics analysis, carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) was knocked down and rescue assays were carried out in vitro. Xenograft experiment was performed on mice, followed by drug administration, measurement of tumor growth and determination of CES2, IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 expressions. As a result, the viability of lung cancer cells was reduced by GDNT or MMF. GDNT enhanced the effects of MMF on suppressing viability, promoting apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells. GDNT up-regulated CES2 level, and strengthened the effects of MMF on down-regulating IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 levels in the cells. IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 were highly expressed in LUAD samples. CES2 was a potential target for GDNT. CES2 knockdown reversed the synergistic effect of GDNT and MMF against lung cancer in vitro. GDNT potentiated the role of MMF in inhibiting tumor growth and expressions of CES2 and IMPDH1/2 in lung cancer in vivo. Collectively, GDNT suppresses the progression of LUAD by activating CES2 to enhance the metabolism of MMF.

Protectin DX increases alveolar fluid clearance in rats with lipopolysaccharideinduced acute lung injury

Xiao-Jun Zhuo,Yu Hao,Fei Cao,Song-Fan Yan,Hui Li,Qian Wang,Bi-Huan Cheng,Bin-Yu Ying,Bin-Yu Ying,Sheng-Wei Jin 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening critical syndrome resulting largely from the accumulation of and the inability to clear pulmonary edema. Protectin DX, an endogenously produced lipid mediator, is believed to exert anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects. Protectin DX (5 μg/kg) was injected i.v. 8 h after LPS (14 mg/kg) administration, and alveolar fluid clearance was measured in live rats (n = 8). In primary rat ATII epithelial cells, protectin DX (3.605 × 10−3 mg/l) was added to the culture medium with LPS for 6 h. Protectin DX improved alveolar fluid clearance (9.65 ± 1.60 vs. 15.85 ± 1.49, p < 0.0001) and decreased pulmonary edema and lung injury in LPSinduced lung injury in rats. Protectin DX markedly regulated alveolar fluid clearance by upregulating sodium channel and Na, K-ATPase protein expression levels in vivo and in vitro. Protectin DX also increased the activity of Na, K-ATPase and upregulated P-Akt via inhibiting Nedd4–2 in vivo. In addition, protectin DX enhanced the subcellular distribution of sodium channels and Na, K-ATPase, which were specifically localized to the apical and basal membranes of primary rat ATII cells. Furthermore, BOC-2, Rp-cAMP, and LY294002 blocked the increased alveolar fluid clearance in response to protectin DX. Protectin DX stimulates alveolar fluid clearance through a mechanism partly dependent on alveolar epithelial sodium channel and Na, K-ATPase activation via the ALX/PI3K/Nedd4–2 signaling pathway.

Diversity and geographic variation of endosymbiotic bacteria in natural populations of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) in China

Zhang Li,Cao Ya,Zhang Li-Jun,Wang Meng-Yao,Wang Xiao-Tong,Yang Xing-Zhuo,Duan Ting-Yu,Yuan Ming-Long 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

Bacterial symbionts in aphids are known to benefit the insect host and associated with aphid’s ecological adaptation. The pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), an important legume pest worldwide, carries at least eight endosymbionts, providing a model system to study insect–bacteria interactions. However, species diversity and geographic variations of endosymbionts are unknown in Chinese populations; therefore, we characterized symbiont communities and diversity of 27 pea aphid samples from 13 geographic populations of China. Via amplicon high-throughput sequencing and diagnostic PCR, we found that bacterial communities of Chinese populations were dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Among eight known endosymbionts, five (Buchnera, Serratia, Hamiltonella, Regiella, and Rickettsia) were detected by both methods, with a specific geographical distribution. The obligate symbiont, Buchnera, was present in all aphid samples, while the four facultative symbionts showed a significant geographic variation. Each population was randomly infected with distinct endosymbionts, ranging from three to five species. Serratia and Rickettsia showed relatively higher abundance in central regions of China, Regiella was predominant in eastern and western China, whereas Ham iltonella showed an extremely low abundance and was absent in four populations. Samples grouped by altitudes showed a significant diversity difference, whereas there was no significant difference between red and green body colors. Bacterial community structures of the Chinese pea aphid populations were mainly influenced by environmental factors, other than body colors. These data can guide the development of potential biocontrol techniques against this aphid.

Synthesis and characterization of Ba(TI1-xZRx)O₃ nanopowders by an aqueous coprecipitation method

Xiangbang Cheng,Zhuo Li,Zhonghua Yao,Yang Liu,Zhiyong Yu,Minghe Cao,Hanxing Liu 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.6

In this study, single phase Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 (0 ≤ × ≤ 0.15) nanopowders have been synthesized successfully by an aqueous coprecipitation method at 85 oC without any further heat treatment. The lattice strain calculated by the Hall-Williamson method indicates that the broadening of the XRD peaks is primarily due to the size of particles not to the lattice strain. The increase of the lattice parameter indicates that Zr ions have entered the lattice and a solid solution was successfully obtained. Furthermore, the particle sizes calculated by the Sherrer formula from the XRD patterns are in agreement with the results of SEM and TEM images. The nanopowders obtained can be used to prepare Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 ceramics with a tailored grain size and homogeneous composition, and this is significant to investigate the size effect in Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 ceramics and understand the relaxor behavior thoroughly. In this study, single phase Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 (0 ≤ × ≤ 0.15) nanopowders have been synthesized successfully by an aqueous coprecipitation method at 85 oC without any further heat treatment. The lattice strain calculated by the Hall-Williamson method indicates that the broadening of the XRD peaks is primarily due to the size of particles not to the lattice strain. The increase of the lattice parameter indicates that Zr ions have entered the lattice and a solid solution was successfully obtained. Furthermore, the particle sizes calculated by the Sherrer formula from the XRD patterns are in agreement with the results of SEM and TEM images. The nanopowders obtained can be used to prepare Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 ceramics with a tailored grain size and homogeneous composition, and this is significant to investigate the size effect in Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 ceramics and understand the relaxor behavior thoroughly.

High Resolution Melting Analysis for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations in Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue and Plasma Free DNA from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Jing, Chang-Wen,Wang, Zhuo,Cao, Hai-Xia,Ma, Rong,Wu, Jian-Zhong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Background:The aim of the research was to explore a cost effective, fast, easy to perform, and sensitive method for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing. Methods: High resolution melting analysis (HRM) was introduced to evaluate the efficacy of the analysis for dectecting EGFR mutations in exons 18 to 21 using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues and plasma free DNA from 120 patients. Results: The total EGFR mutation rate was 37.5% (45/120) detected by direct sequencing. There were 48 mutations in 120 FFPE tissues assessed by HRM. For plasma free DNA, the EGFR mutation rate was 25.8% (31/120). The sensitivity of HRM assays in FFPE samples was 100% by HRM. There was a low false-positive mutation rate but a high false-negative rate in plasma free DNA detected by HRM. Conclusions: Our results show that HRM analysis has the advantage of small tumor sample need. HRM applied with plasma free DNA showed a high false-negative rate but a low false-positive rate. Further research into appropriate methods and analysis needs to be performed before HRM for plasma free DNA could be accepted as an option in diagnostic or screening settings.

Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin Matrix Composites upon Multi-scale Synergistic Strengthening and Toughening

Keshan Liang,Xin Li,Zhuo Wang,Li Tang,Yujun Cao 한국고분자학회 2023 폴리머 Vol.47 No.2

A multi-scale synergistic modification technology is proposed to strengthen and toughen epoxy resin matrix composites, which can be used in the direct extrusion fabrication process. The toughness performance of epoxy resin matrix composites can be improved without compromising other advantages by adding micrometer- and nanometer-scale fillers to the matrix and optimizing the content of fillers, surface treatment process, dispersion method, and other parameters. We analyzed and discussed the mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites with micrometer-scale fillers, nanometer-scale fillers, and mixed multi-scale fillers. When 15 phr carbon fibers (15CFs), 6 phr rubber nanoparticles (6RNPs), and 1 phr carbon nanotubes (1CNTs) are added to epoxy resins (EPs), the tensile strength reached 91.6 MPa, 28.8% higher than that of the pure EPs; the achieved elastic modulus 4.72 GPa, 77.4% higher than the pure EPs; the fracture toughness was 2.97 MPa m1/2, 241.4% of the pure EPs, while the impact strength reached 63.4 kJ/m2, 369.6% higher than the pure EPs. The results show that the multi-scale reinforcements exhibit a synergistic effect on the strength and toughness of the composites.

A sigma class glutathione S-transferase gene regulated by the CncC pathway is required for phytochemical tolerance in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Gao Shan-shan,Li Dong-yu,Huo Zhuang-kun,Zhang Yong-lei,Cao Yi-zhuo,Tan Yue-yao,Guo Xin-long,Zhang Jia-hao,Zhang Kun-peng,Li Rui-min 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.4

Insect glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play a crucial role in the detoxification of exogenous compounds, especially insecticides and plant allelochemicals. A sigma class GST gene, TcGSTS7, mediates the response to eugenol in Tribolium castaneum. However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains largely unknown. In this study, TcGSTS7, which exhibits a structural motif and domain organization characteristic of GSTs, was cloned from the T. castaneum genome. Spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that TcGSTS7 was most highly expressed at the late larva stage and was mainly expressed in the fat body and epidermis of larvae and adults, suggesting that TcGSTS7 may play a potential role in the protection against toxic xenobiotics in T. castaneum. Furthermore, the expression of TcGSTS7 was significantly induced after exposure to eugenol, while RNA inter ference (RNAi) targeting TcGSTS7 enhanced the sensitivity of the beetle to eugenol, indicating that TcGSTS7 is involved in the tolerance of T. castaneum to this insecticide. Interestingly, the depletion of TcCncC, which encodes a transcription factor of the CncC pathway that has been associated with the regulation of detoxification-related genes in insects, led to a reduction in the TcGSTS7 transcript level following exposure to eugenol, which suggests that TcGSTS7 acts downstream of the CncC pathway. Combined, these results indicated that TcGSTS7 partici pates in the tolerance of T. castaneum to phytochemicals in a CncC pathway-dependent manner. These findings have implications for the development of novel drugs for use in pest control.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Jun Wang,Xufeng Guo,Jixiang Zhang,Jia Song,Mengyao Ji,Shijie Yu,Jing Wang,Zhuo Cao,Weiguo Dong 연세대학교의과대학 2013 Yonsei medical journal Vol.54 No.6

Purpose: Four polymorphisms, -765G>C, -1195G>A, 8473T>C, and Val511Ala, in the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene were identified to be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, the results are inconsistent. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between these four polymorphisms and the risk of CRC. Materials and Methods: All eligible case-control studies published up to December 2012 on the association between the four polymorphisms of COX-2 and CRC risk were identified by searching PubMed and Web of Science. The CRC risk associated with the four polymorphisms of the COX-2 gene was estimated for each study by odds ratio (OR) together with its 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. Results: A total of 15 case-control studies were included. Overall, no evidence has indicated that the -1195A allele, -765C allele, 8473C allele, and 511Ala allele are associated with susceptibility to CRC (-1195G>A: OR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.82-1.51, p=0.78; -765G>C: OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.96-1.21, p=0.07; 8473T>C: OR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.89-1.18, p=0.91; Val511Ala:OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.46-1.09, p=0.94). However, stratified analysis with ethnicity indicated that individuals with -765GC or GC/CC genotypes had an increased risk of CRC among Asian populations (GC vs. GG: OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.87-1.28, p=0.03; GC+CC vs. GG: OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.96-1.21, p=0.07). Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that -765G>C polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to CRC in Asian populations.