Effects of Dietary Glutamine and Glutamate Supplementation on Small Intestinal Structure, Active Absorption and DNA, RNA Concentrations in Skeletal Muscle Tissue of Weaned Piglets during d 28 to 42 of Age

Liu, Tao,Peng, Jian,Xiong, Yuanzhu,Zhou, Shiqi,Cheng, Xuehui Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.2

Seventy-four piglets were used to investigate the effects of dietary glutamine (Gln) and glutamate (Glu) on the mucosal structure and active absorption of small intestinal, DNA and RNA concentrations of skeletal muscle tissue in piglets during d 28 to 42 of age. Postweaning piglets were fed for 14 d corn- and soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 0.0 or 1.0% L-Gln or L-Glu. On d 7 and 14 postweaning, pigs' small intestinal sections and longissimus dorsi were collected, at the same time, the D-xylose absorption test was conducted. The results suggested that in comparison to control piglets, jejunal atrophy during the first week postweaning was prevented by the glutamine and glutamate supplementation (1%) and the capability of small intestine to absorb Dxylose was improved. Furthermore the RNA concentration in skeletal muscle tissue was increased. These results provide an experimental basis for use of glutamine and glutamate on alleviating the weaning stresses and improving piglets' growth performance.

Rapid preparation and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles for oligonucleotide

Mu-hua Cheng,Yao-xiong Huang,Han-jian Zhou,Zhi Liu,Jian-fang Li 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.3

Chitosan is regarded as one of the potential candidates as a gene carrier. However, the poor solubility of chitosan is the major limiting factor in its utilization as a gene carrier. The purpose of this study was to simplify the method of preparing the nanoparticles of chitosan linked with antisense oligonucleotide (asON). The main step was preparing the derivatives of chitosan phosphate (CSP) in order to easily dissolve in aqueous solution. The nanoparticles were formed using a simple mixed method for CSP and asON, and the nanoparticle’s forming condition was optimized so that the nanoparticle’s characterization could be examined. Results showed that it was simple to make the nanoparticles under the optimal condition of 2:1 M proportion of CSP and asON. The size of the nanoparticles was 102.6 ± 12.0 nm, its zeta potential was 1.45 ± 1.75, and the encapsulated ratio of the chitosan crosslinked the asON was 87.6 ± 3.5%. The infrared spectra and electron microscope displayed that chitosan may combine with the asON to form equirotal nanoparticles. In conclusion, it was simple and feasible to form chitosan nanoparticles for asON using the CSP, and the CSP can efficiently encapsulate asON.

Dynamics of Microbial Community Structure, Function and Assembly Mechanism with Increasing Stand Age of Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) Plantations in Houtian Sandy Area, South China

Zhang Xiaoyang,Xiong Si-Yi,Wu Xiukun,Zeng Bei-Bei,Mo Yang-Mei,Deng Zhi-Cheng,Wei Qi,Gao Yang,Cui Licao,Liu Jianping,Long Haozhi 한국미생물학회 2023 The journal of microbiology Vol.61 No.11

Establishing slash pine plantations is the primary method for restoring sandification land in the Houtian area of South China. However, the microbial variation pattern with increasing stand age remains unclear. In this study, we investigated microbial community structure and function in bare sandy land and four stand age gradients, exploring ecological processes that determine their assembly. We did not observe a significant increase in the absolute abundance of bacteria or fungi with stand age. Bacterial communities were dominated by Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria; the relative abundance of Chloroflexi significantly declined while Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria significantly increased with stand age. Fungal communities showed succession at the genus level, with Pisolithus most abundant in soils of younger stands (1- and 6-year-old). Turnover of fungal communities was primarily driven by stochastic processes; both deterministic and stochastic processes influenced the assembly of bacterial communities, with the relative importance of stochastic processes gradually increasing with stand age. Bacterial and fungal communities showed the strongest correlation with the diameter at breast height, followed by soil available phosphorus and water content. Notably, there was a significant increase in the relative abundance of functional groups involved in nitrogen fixation and uptake as stand age increased. Overall, this study highlights the important effects of slash pine stand age on microbial communities in sandy lands and suggests attention to the nitrogen and phosphorus requirements of slash pine plantations in the later stages of sandy management.

A new small molecule acceptor based on indaceno[2,1-b:6,5-b’]dithiophene and thiophene-fused ending group for fullerene-free organic solar cells

Xie, Dongjun,Liu, Tao,Lee, Tack Ho,Gao, Wei,Zhong, Cheng,Huo, Lijun,Luo, Zhenghui,Wu, Kailong,Xiong, Wentao,Kim, Jin Young,Choi, Hyosung,Sun, Yanming,Yang, Chuluo Elsevier 2018 Dyes and pigments Vol.148 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A new small molecule acceptor of IDTCN with indaceno[2,1-b:6,5-b’]dithiophene as electron-donating core and CPTCN (2-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-4H-cyclopenta[<I>c</I>]thiophen-4-lidene)malononitrile) as electron-withdrawing end-capping group was synthesized and investigated in organic solar cells. The IDTCN shows strong and broad absorption with a high extinction coefficient and appropriate energy levels matching with wide bandgap donor polymer. The best device based on PBT1-EH:IDTCN exhibits an open circuit voltage (<I>V</I> <SUB>oc</SUB>) of 0.93 V, a short circuit current (<I>J</I> <SUB>sc</SUB>) of 13.31 mA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>, a FF of 0.702, achieving a PCE of 8.69%.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A thiophene-fused electron-withdrawing group is used as end group for small molecule acceptors. </LI> <LI> The OPV devices achieve high power conversion efficiencies of up to 8.69% with a high fill factor of 0.702. </LI> <LI> IDTCN in neat film tend to form unusual isotropic orientation instead of face-on orientation. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

RhoA-mediated MLC2 regulates actin dynamics for cytokinesis in meiosis

Duan, Xing,Liu, Jun,Zhu, Cheng-Cheng,Wang, Qiao-Chu,Cui, Xiang-Shun,Kim, Nam-Hyung,Xiong, Bo,Sun, Shao-Chen Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2016 Cell Cycle Vol.15 No.3

<P>During oocyte meiosis, the bipolar spindle forms in the central cytoplasm and then migrates to the cortex. Subsequently, the oocyte extrudes the polar body through two successive asymmetric divisions, which are regulated primarily by actin filaments. Myosin light chain2 (MLC2) phosphorylation plays pivotal roles in smooth muscle contraction, stress fiber formation, cell motility and cytokinesis. However, whether MLC2 phosphorylation participates in the oocyte polarization and asymmetric division has not been clarified. The present study investigated the expression and functions of MLC2 during mouse oocyte meiosis. Our result showed that p-MLC2 was localized in the oocyte cortex, with a thickened cap above the chromosomes. Meanwhile, p-MLC2 was also localized in the poles of spindle. Disruption of MLC2 activity by MLC2 knock down (K-D) caused the failure of polar body extrusion. Immunofluorescent staining showed that a large proportion of oocytes arrested in telophase stage and failed to undergo cytokinesis after culturing for 12hours. In the meantime, actin filament staining at oocyte membrane and cytoplasm were reduced in MLC2K(D) oocytes. Finally, we found that the phosphorylation of MLC2 protein levels was decreased after disruption of RhoA activity. Above all, our data indicated that the RhoA-mediated MLC2 regulates the actin organization for cytokinesis during mouse oocyte maturation.</P>

Screening Peptides Binding Specifically to Colorectal Cancer Cells from a Phage Random Peptide Library

Wang, Jun-Jiang,Liu, Ying,Zheng, Yang,Liao, Kang-Xiong,Lin, Feng,Wu, Cheng-Tang,Cai, Guan-Fu,Yao, Xue-Qing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

The aim of this study was to screen for polypeptides binding specifically to LoVo human colorectal cancer cells using a phage-displayed peptide library as a targeting vector for colorectal cancer therapy. Human normal colorectal mucous epithelial cells were applied as absorber cells for subtraction biopanning with a c7c phage display peptide library. Positive phage clones were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence detection; amino acid sequences were deduced by DNA sequencing. After 3 rounds of screening, 5 of 20 phage clones screened positive, showing specific binding to LoVo cells and a conserved RPM motif. Specific peptides against colorectal cancer cells could be obtained from a phage display peptide library and may be used as potential vectors for targeting therapy for colorectal cancer.

IL-33 promotes IL-10 production in macrophages: a role for IL-33 in macrophage foam cell formation

Hai-Feng Zhang,Mao-Xiong Wu,Yong-Qing Lin,Shuang-Lun Xie,Tu-Cheng Huang,Pin-Ming Liu,Ru-Qiong Nie,Qin-Qi Meng,Nian-Sang Luo,Yang-Xin Chen,Jing-Feng Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

We evaluated the role of IL-10- in IL-33-mediated cholesterol reduction in macrophage-derived foam cells (MFCs) and the mechanism by which IL-33 upregulates IL-10. Serum IL-33 and IL-10 levels in coronary artery disease patients were measured. The effects of IL-33 on intra-MFC cholesterol level, IL-10, ABCA1 and CD36 expression, ERK 1/2, Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4 activation, and IL-10 promoter activity were determined. Core sequences were identified using bioinformatic analysis and sitespecific mutagenesis. The serum IL-33 levels positively correlated with those of IL-10. IL-33 decreased cellular cholesterol level and upregulated IL-10 and ABCA1 but had no effect on CD36 expression. siRNA-IL-10 partially abolished cellular cholesterol reduction and ABCA1 elevation by IL-33 but did not reverse the decreased CD36 levels. IL-33 increased IL-10 mRNA production but had little effect on its stability. IL-33 induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and increased the luciferase expression driven by the IL-10 promoter, with the highest extent within the − 2000 to − 1752 bp segment of the 5′-flank of the transcription start site; these effects were counteracted by U0126. IL-33 activated Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4, but only the STAT3 binding site was predicted in the above segment. Site-directed mutagenesis of the predicted STAT3-binding sites (CTGCTTCCTGGCAGCAGAA→CTGCCTGGCAGCAGAA) reduced luciferase activity, and a STAT3 inhibitor blocked the regulatory effects of IL-33 on IL-10 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) confirmed the STAT3-binding sequences within the − 1997 to − 1700 and − 1091 to − 811 bp locus regions. IL-33 increased IL-10 expression in MFCs via activating ERK 1/2 and STAT3, which subsequently promoted IL-10 transcription and thus contributed to the beneficial effects of IL-33 on MFCs.

Xylaroisopimaranin A, a New Isopimarane Derivative from an Endophytic Fungus Xylaralyce sp.

Shang-Song Bao,Hui-Hui Liu,Xue-Qing Zhang,Cheng-Xiong Liu,Xiao-Cong Li,Zhi-Yong Guo 한국생약학회 2019 Natural Product Sciences Vol.25 No.3

Five secondary metabolites, including a new isopimarane derivative xylaroisopimaranin A (1), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Xylaralyce sp. (HM-1), and their structures were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR, MS and CD spectra. Their bioactivities were performed to antibacterial, Hep G2 cells cytotoxicity and brine shrimp inhibition. The biological evaluation results showed that the xylaroisopimaranin A (1), xylabisboein B (2), griseofulvin (3) , 5-methylmellein (4) and mellein-5-carboxlic acid (5) displayed no significant Hep G2 cells cytotoxicity and antibacterial acitivity, but they inhibited the brine shrimp with IC50 from 0.5 to 25 μmol/mL.

Sanshool from Zanthoxylum L. Induces Apoptosis in Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cells

Yuming You,Min Zhou,Hongjia Lu,Gasper Gerald Shirima,Yajiao Cheng,Xiong Liu 한국식품과학회 2015 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.24 No.6

Anti-proliferation and apoptosis induction activities of sanshool isolated from Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Rutaceae) in HepG2 cells were investigated. Cell proliferation was analyzed using MTT assays. Apoptotic bodies were observed under scanning electron microscopy. Nucleus staining using dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DAPI) was performed and the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) using rhodamine-123 was observed under laser confocal microscopy. Sanshool inhibited cell proliferation in both a dose and time-dependent manner. The anti-proliferation activity was stimulated with apoptosis induction based on an increase in the sub-G1 cell population, DNA fragmentation, and typical apoptotic morphological changes. Sanshool also disrupted ΔΨm and up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of p53 and caspase-3. Sanshool induced apoptosis via a mitochondrion-dependent pathway. Thus, sanshool is a potential anticancer medicine.

The Synthesis and Preliminary Activity Assay In Vitro of Peptide-like Derivatives as APN Inhibitors

Li, Shao-Hua,Li, Gang,Huang, Hui-Ming,Xiong, Fang,Liu, Cheng-Mei,Tu, Guo-Gang 대한약학회 2008 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.31 No.10

Both the aminopeptidase N (APN) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) are essential metallopeptidases in the development of tumor invasion and angiogenesis. A series of novel peptide-like derivatives were designed and synthesized as antitumor agents. Their structures were confirmed by IR, MS, and $^1H$-NMR. These compounds exhibited potent inhibitory activities against APN and low activity against MMP in vitro. The derivatives with methoxy group show better activities than those with other substituted group and could be used as lead compounds for exploring new APN inhibitors in the future.