Knockout of the EgriBLOS2 gene results in the transparent integuments of Ectropis grisescens larvae

Li Jia-Li,Zhuang Xiang-Lin,Yuan Ting-Ting,Cai Xiao-Ming,Luo Zong-Xiu,Bian Lei,Chen Zong-Mao,Li Zhao-Qun,Liu Nai-Yong 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.1

The body colors of insects have evolved specialized roles in body protection, signaling and physiology. In some case, the larvae can camouflage their body colors to adapt the habitants and protect themselves. However, the genetic and molecular basis on larval body colors of the tea geometrid, Ectropis grisescens, remains poorly known. Here, we reported an effect of the lysosome-related organelles complex-1, subunit 2 (EgriBLOS2) gene knockout on larval integuments of E. grisescens, by using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system. Combining transcriptomic data and PCR approaches, we first identified the EgriBLOS2 gene from E. grisescens, which encoded 137 amino acids and comprised 3 introns. In the phylogenetic analysis, EgriBLOS2 clustered in the Lepidoptera clade with high conservation to members in other lepidopteran species. Developmental expression profiles revealed that EgriBLOS2 was constantly tran scribed at each stage, in which its expression was significantly lower in 2nd instar larvae than that of other instars. After injecting EgriBLOS2-specific guide RNA and Cas9 messenger RNA into eggs, 70% of larvae showed the translucent integuments in G0 generation, with an emphasis on black splayed patterns in the 2nd and 8th segments of abdomens. However, some typical characteristics of larvae were not obviously changed in mutant instars, such as ocelli, mouthparts and other appendants. This study has unraveled the roles of EgriBLOS2 in the formation of larval integument colors, and provides an alternative strategy for pest management based on the colors in this species.

cAMP induction by ouabain promotes endothelin-1 secretion via MAPK/ERK signaling in beating rabbit atria

Li-qun Peng,Ping Li,Qiu-li Zhang,Lan Hong,Li-ping Liu,Xun Cui,Bai-ri Cui 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.20 No.1

Adenosine 3 ,5 -cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) participates in the regulation of numerous cellular functions, including the Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase (sodium pump). Ouabain, used in the treatment of several heart diseases, is known to increase cAMP levels but its effects on the atrium are not understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of ouabain on the regulation of atrial cAMP production and its roles in atrial endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria. Our results showed that ouabain (3.0 μmol/L) significantly increased atrial dynamics and cAMP levels during recovery period. The ouabainincreased atrial dynamics was blocked by KB-R7943 (3.0 μmol/L), an inhibitor for reverse mode of Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchangers (NCX), but did not by L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker nifedipine (1.0 μmol/L) or protein kinase A (PKA) selective inhibitor H-89 (3.0 μmol/L). Ouabain also enhanced atrial intracellular cAMP production in response to forskolin and theophyline (100.0 μmol/L), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, potentiated the ouabain-induced increase in cAMP. Ouabain and 8-Bromo-cAMP (0.5 μmol/L) markedly increased atrial ET-1 secretion, which was blocked by H-89 and by PD98059 (30 μmol/L), an inhibitor of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) without changing ouabain-induced atrial dynamics. Our results demonstrated that ouabain increases atrial cAMP levels and promotes atrial ET-1 secretion via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling pathway. These findings may explain the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to digitalis-like compounds.

The Breed and Sex Effect on the Carcass Size Performance and Meat Quality of Yak in Different Muscles

Li Zhang,Baozhong Sun,Qun-li Yu,Qiumei Ji,Peng Xie,Haipeng Li,Li Wang,Yuchun Zhou,Yongpeng Li,Caixia Huang,Xuan Liu 한국축산식품학회 2016 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.36 No.2

The carcass size performances and the meat quality of Gannan and Sibu yak were determined using M. supraspinatus (SU), M. longissimus thoracis (LT) and M.quadriceps femoris (QF). It is found that Sibu yak had significantly higher carcass weight (CW) than Gannan yak with difference of nearly 40 kg, as well as significantly higher eye muscle area (EMA), carcass thorax depth (CTD), round perimeter (RP), etc. The carcass performances of steer yak were significantly higher than heifer yak except meat thickness at round (MTR) (p<0.05). The results show that both yak breed and gender had significant effects on carcass performances. It could be seen that the variation of carcass size performances from breeds is as large as from gender (50.22% and 46.25% of total variation, respectively) through principal component analysis (PCA). Sibu yak had significantly higher L*, b*, WBSF, cooking loss and Fat content, while Gannan yak had significantly higher a*, press loss, protein content and moisture (p<0.05). Yak gender and muscle had insignificant effects on meat colour and water holding capacity (p>0.05). The variation of meat quality of yak from breed is up to 59.46% of total variation according to PCA. It is shown that the difference between breeds, for Gannan yak and Sibu yak, plays an important role in carcass size performance and meat quality.

cAMP induction by ouabain promotes endothelin-1 secretion via MAPK/ERK signaling in beating rabbit atria

Peng, Li-qun,Li, Ping,Zhang, Qiu-li,Hong, Lan,Liu, Li-ping,Cui, Xun,Cui, Bai-ri The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2016 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.20 No.1

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) participates in the regulation of numerous cellular functions, including the $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase (sodium pump). Ouabain, used in the treatment of several heart diseases, is known to increase cAMP levels but its effects on the atrium are not understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of ouabain on the regulation of atrial cAMP production and its roles in atrial endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria. Our results showed that ouabain ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$) significantly increased atrial dynamics and cAMP levels during recovery period. The ouabain-increased atrial dynamics was blocked by KB-R7943 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor for reverse mode of $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchangers (NCX), but did not by L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker nifedipine ($1.0{\mu}mol/L$) or protein kinase A (PKA) selective inhibitor H-89 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$). Ouabain also enhanced atrial intracellular cAMP production in response to forskolin and theophyline ($100.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, potentiated the ouabain-induced increase in cAMP. Ouabain and 8-Bromo-cAMP ($0.5{\mu}mol/L$) markedly increased atrial ET-1 secretion, which was blocked by H-89 and by PD98059 ($30{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) without changing ouabain-induced atrial dynamics. Our results demonstrated that ouabain increases atrial cAMP levels and promotes atrial ET-1 secretion via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling pathway. These findings may explain the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to digitalis-like compounds.

The Breed and Sex Effect on the Carcass Size Performance and Meat Quality of Yak in Different Muscles

Zhang, Li,Sun, Baozhong,Yu, Qunli,Ji, Qiumei,Xie, Peng,Li, Haipeng,Wang, Li,Zhou, Yuchun,Li, Yongpeng,Huang, Caixia,Liu, Xuan Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resource 2016 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.36 No.2

The carcass size performances and the meat quality of Gannan and Sibu yak were determined using M. supraspinatus (SU), M. longissimus thoracis (LT) and M.quadriceps femoris (QF). It is found that Sibu yak had significantly higher carcass weight (CW) than Gannan yak with difference of nearly 40 kg, as well as significantly higher eye muscle area (EMA), carcass thorax depth (CTD), round perimeter (RP), etc. The carcass performances of steer yak were significantly higher than heifer yak except meat thickness at round (MTR) (p<0.05). The results show that both yak breed and gender had significant effects on carcass performances. It could be seen that the variation of carcass size performances from breeds is as large as from gender (50.22% and 46.25% of total variation, respectively) through principal component analysis (PCA). Sibu yak had significantly higher L*, b*, WBSF, cooking loss and Fat content, while Gannan yak had significantly higher a*, press loss, protein content and moisture (p<0.05). Yak gender and muscle had insignificant effects on meat colour and water holding capacity (p>0.05). The variation of meat quality of yak from breed is up to 59.46% of total variation according to PCA. It is shown that the difference between breeds, for Gannan yak and Sibu yak, plays an important role in carcass size performance and meat quality.

Metabolomics reveals abundant flavonoids in edible insect Antheraea pernyi

Fu Xin,Chai Chun-Li,Li Yu-Ping,Li Peng,Luo Shi-Hong,Li Qun,Li Muwang,Liu Yan-Qun 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

The natural flavonoids in foods of plant origin have been well-characterized due to their beneficial biological properties. However, the information regarding the flavonoid compounds in edible insects remains severely limited. In the present study, we used a metabolomics approach to identify the flavonoid compounds in the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi Guérin-Méneville (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), an traditional edible insect. Our study identified over 200 flavonoid metabolites in the larval midgut of A. pernyi with LC-ESI-MS/MS system. These flavonoid metabolites come from eight subclasses, including flavones (1 0 3), flavonols (34), flavonoids (28), flavanones (20), polyphenols (19), isoflavones (9), anthocyanins (9), and proanthocyanidins (4). The relative content of the flavones is the most abundant, with a value of 36.74% of the total. The top five flavonoid components in A. pernyi are hyperoside, isoquercitroside, tricin 7-O-hexoside, hesperetin 5-O-glucoside and protocatechuic acid, accounting for 51.17% of the total flavonoids. Hyperoside is the most abundant flavonoid compound (18.07% of the total) in A. pernyi. Our findings indicated targeted metabolomics is a useful approach to identify flavonoids in edible insects which contain abundant flavonoids than we already knew.

A Fast Gamma-Ray Dose Rate Assessment Method for Complex Geometries Based on Stylized Model Reconstruction

Li-qun Yang,Yong-kuo Liu,Min-jun Peng,Meng-kun Li,Nan Chao 한국원자력학회 2019 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.51 No.5

A fast gamma-ray dose rate assessment method for complex geometries based on stylized modelreconstruction and point-kernel method is proposed in this paper. The complex three-dimensional (3D)geometries are imported as a 3DS format file from 3dsMax software with material and radiometric attributes. Based on 3D stylized model reconstruction of solid mesh, the 3D-geometrical solids are automaticallyconverted into stylized models. In point-kernel calculation, the stylized source models aredivided into point kernels and the mean free paths (mfp) are calculated by the intersections betweenshield stylized models and tracing ray. Compared with MCNP, the proposed method can implementcomplex 3D geometries visually, and the dose rate calculation is accurate and fast.

Orthogonal Array Design for Antidepressant Compatibility of Polysaccharides from Banxia-Houpu Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Herb Prescription in the Mouse Models of Depression

Li-TaoYi,Li Zhang,An-Wei Ding,Qun Xu,Qin Zhu,Ling-Dong Kong 대한약학회 2009 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.32 No.10

The present study investigated antidepressant-like interaction of five herb polysaccharide fractions from Banxia-Houpu decoction, composed of rhizome pinelliae (PRP), magnolia bark (PMB), poria (PPO), ginger rhizome (PGR) and folium perillae (PFP) by a L16(25) orthogonal array design with a two-factor interaction in the tail suspension and forced swimming and tests (TST, FST) in mice. Serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) levels in whole mouse brain were simultaneously examined after the FST exposure. Polysaccharides PMB, PPO, PFP, and interactions of PRP × PGR, PMB × PFP, PPO × PFP reduced immobility in the mouse FST. Furthermore, PMB and PPO were two principal components of polysaccharides elevating brain 5-HT levels. PFP was an adjuvant component elevating brain DA levels. These results demonstrated that ineffective PRP exhibited antidepressant-like effects when combined with another ineffective PGR, and PFP played a role in assisting effects of PMB and PPO. Therefore, PMB × PFP and PPO × PFP interactions on antidepressant-like effects were the cores in compatibility of polysaccharides from Banxia-Houpu decoction by attenuating abnormalities in the serotonergic and dopaminergic system functions in animal models of depression.

Changes of Shoulder, Elbow, and Wrist Stiffness Matrix Post Stroke

Li-Qun Zhang,Jongsang Son,Hyung-Soon Park,Sang Hoon Kang,Yunju Lee,Yupeng Ren IEEE 2017 IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilita Vol.25 No.7

<P>Stroke affects multiple joints in the arm with stereotypical patterns of arm deformity involving the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand and with disrupted coordination of multiple joints in active movements. However, there is a lack of systematicmethods to evaluatemulti-joints and multi-degree of freedoms (DOF) neuro-mechanical changes, especially for complex systemswith three ormore joints/ DOFs involved. This paper used a novel systematic method to characterize dynamics and control of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist of the human arm individually and simultaneously, including the couplings across themultiple joints during controlled movements. A novel method was developed to decompose the complex system into manageable single-joint level for more reliable characterizations. The method was used in clinical studies to characterize the multi-joint changes associated with spastic impaired arm of 11 patients post stroke and 12 healthy controls. It was found that stroke survivors showed not only increased stiffness at the individual joints locally but also significantly higher couplings across the joints. The relative increases in couplings are often higher than that of the local joint stiffness. The multi-joint characterization provided a tool to characterize impairment of individual patients, which would allow more focused impairment-specific treatment. In general, the decomposition method can be used for even more complex systems, making characterization of intractable system dynamics of three or more joints/DOFs manageable.</P>

Crocetin Induces Cytotoxicity in Colon Cancer Cells Via p53-independent Mechanisms

Li, Cai-Yan,Huang, Wen-Feng,Wang, Qun-Li,Wang, Fan,Cai, E.,Hu, Bing,Du, Jia-Cheng,Wang, Jing,Chen, Rong,Cai, Xiao-Jing,Feng, Jing,Li, Hui-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: Crocin has been proposed as a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the chemopreventive action and the possible mechanisms of crocin against human colon cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Cell proliferation was examined using MTT assay and the cell cycle distribution fractions were analyzed using fow cytometric analysis after propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was detected using theTUNEL Apoptosis Detection Kit with laser scanning confocal microscope. DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, while expression levels of p53, cdk2, cyclinA and P21 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: Treatment of SW480 cells with crocetin (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mmol/L) for 48 h signifcantly inhibited their proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) signifcantly induced cell cycle arrest through p53-independent mechanisms accompanied by P21 induction. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) caused cytotoxicity in the SW480 cells by enhancing apoptosis and decreasing DNA repair capacity in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: This report provides evidence that crocetin is a potential anticancer agent, which may be used as a chemotherapeutic drug.