Genetic Variants in ASCT2 Gene are Associated with the Prognosis of Transarterial Chemoembolisation-Treated Early-Stage Hepatocelluar Carcinoma

Ge, Nai-Jian,Shi, Zhi-Yong,Yu, Xiao-He,Huang, Xiao-Jun,Wu, You-Sheng,Chen, Yuan-Yuan,Zhang, Jin,Yang, Ye-Fa Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is the standardized therapy for intermediate stage HCC. However, the prognosis for HCC patients treated by TACE greatly varies. Thus, there is a critical need for finding biomarkers to predict the prognosis of HCC patients. The amino acid transporter-2 (ASCT2) is involved in tumorigenesis and progression of many malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive role of two single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs, rs3826793 and rs2070246) in the ASCT2 gene in HCC patients treated by TACE. Materials and Methods: Two functional SNPs (rs3826793 and rs2070246) in the ASCT2 gene were selected and genotyped using the Sequenom iPLEX genotyping system in a cohort of 448 unresectable Chinese HCC patients treated by TACE. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used for the prognosis analyses. Results: There was no significant association between two SNPs (rs3826793 and rs2070246) in the ASCT2 gene and overall survival of TACE treated HCC patients. However, we demonstrated that patients with early stage HCC carrying T genotype in rs2070246 showed better OS than those carrying CC genotype (P=0.023). Conclusions: We demonstrated that patients with early stage HCC carrying T genotype in rs2070246 showed better OS than those carrying CC genotype.

Selective Detection of Trace Metronidazole by Using a Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-based Fluorescent Probe

Nai-Di Tan,Chengwu Lan,Jian-Hang Yin,Lei Meng,Na Xu 대한화학회 2020 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.41 No.1

A magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer-based fluorescent (MIP-FL) probe has been synthesized by embedding glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters (GSH-AuNCs) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) into silica composites. The Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV?Vis absorption spectroscopy. The results show that the spherical Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs contain a core-shell structure with GSH-AuNCs anchored on the surface of silica-protected Fe3O4NPs. As a fluorescence probe (excitation: 360?nm, emission: 615?nm), Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs can selectively detect metronidazole (MNZ) among other nitroimidazoles (ronidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole). During the detection, the fluorescence intensity of the MIP-FL probe drops gradually with increasing MNZ concentration. The sensitive linear range of the fluorescence probe is from 0 to 5 ?M, and the limit of detection is 4.2 nM. After the recognition sites interact with the template, the occurrence of charge transfer from the GSH-AuNCs to MNZ results in fluorescence quenching. Finally, a real sample test has been performed in spiked milk. Satisfactory recoveries spanning from 96% to 102% indicate that Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs enable highly sensitive detection of MNZ based on fluorescence signal output, while the MIPs also have enrichment potential for the target from complex samples due to the magnetic properties.

Quenching of Salicylaldehyde-based Luminescence Probe via Dakin Reaction: Approach for Highly Selective Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

Nai-Di Tan,Yaqing Yuan,Jian-Hang Yin,Na Xu 대한화학회 2017 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.38 No.8

A novel assay for H2O2 based on luminescence quenching is developed from the Dakin reaction between deprotonated salicylaldehyde (D-SA) and H2O2. Under alkaline condition, the phenolic hydroxyl group of SA is deprotonated, exhibiting good luminescence emission ability (λex = 433 nm, λem = 508 nm). Luminescence of D-SA is quenched by H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Good linearity is obtained with a regression coefficient of 0.9989 in the range of 0.3 ~ 150 μM and a detection limit (LOD) is 30 nM. In addition, D-SA luminescence probe shows good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity to HeLa cells through MTT assay. The feasibility for in vitro applications is demonstrated through confocal laser scanning microscopy.

One‐Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent Polyethyleneimine‐capped Copper Nanoclusters for Specific Detection of Rifampicin

Nai-Di Tan,Jian-Hang Yin,Yaqing Yuan,Lei Meng,Na Xu 대한화학회 2018 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.39 No.5

Herein, a novel bright?green and highly fluorescent polyethyleneimine capped copper nanoclusters (CuNCs@PEI) has been hydrothermally synthesized, which is employed as a fluorescence probe to determine rifampicin. Under optimum synthetic conditions, the morphology, surface chemistry and optical features of resulting CuNCs@PEI are well characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV?Vis absorption spectra, transient and steady?state fluorescence. In comparison to previous reports, the new species with a larger diameter of approximately 3 nm exhibit higher fluorescence quantum yield (QY) up to nearly 10.7%, and demonstrate tolerability to extreme pH, high ionic strengths as well as long?term UV irradiation. These excellent optical properties ascribe to unique grain size and surface chemical features of products, which are further discussed in this work. In addition, we employed as?prepared CuNCs@PEI to detect rifampicin based on fluorescence quenching phenomenon. The fluorescence intensity of probe is linearly proportional to rifampicin over the concentration rage from 0 to 20??M, where the limit of detection (LOD) is 50?nM. Besides, this probe can be also used to assay rifampicin in serum samples with satisfactory recoveries.

Food Microbiology and Biotechnology : Potential Probiotic Characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains Isolated from Inner Mongolia “Hurood” Cheese

( Jian Zhang ),( Xue Zhang ),( Li Zhang ),( Yu Juan Zhao ),( Chun Hua Niu ),( Zhen Nai Yang ),( Sheng Yu Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.2

Total 121 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from homemade Inner Mongolia extra hard Hurood cheese. Seven of these strains, identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, were studied for probiotic characteristics. All seven strains survived at pH 3.0 for 3 h, or in the presence of oxgall at 0.3% or 0.6% for 4 h, but their viabilities were affected to different extents at pH 2.0 for 3 h. Strains C37 and C51 showed better adherence to Caco-2 cells, and higher hydrophobicity. The seven L. plantarum strains were different in in vitro free radical scavenging activities and cholesterolreducing ability. In vivo evaluation of the influence of L. plantarum C37 on the intestinal flora in a mouse model showed strain C37 could increase the viable counts of lactobacilli in feces of mice and decrease the viable counts of enterococci. When L. plantarum C37 was used to prepare probiotic Hurood cheese, it was able to maintain high viable counts (>7.8 log CFU/g) during the whole storage period, but the composition of the cheese was not changed. These results indicate that L. plantarum C37 could be considered as a promising probiotic strain.

Analysis of ICU Treatment on Resection of Giant Tumors in the Mediastinum of the Thoracic Cavity

Kang, Nai-Min,Xiao, Ning,Sun, Xiao-Jun,Han, Yi,Luo, Bao-Jian,Liu, Zhi-Dong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess prognosis after resection of giant tumors (including lobectomy or pneumonectomy) in the mediastinum. Materials and Methods: Patients with resection of a giant tumor in the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity received ICU treatment including dynamic monitoring of vital signs, arterial blood pressure and CVP detection, determination of hemorrhage, pulmonary function and blood gas assay, treatment of relevant complications, examination and treatment with fiber optic bronchoscopy, transfusion and hemostasis as well as postoperative removal of ventilators by invasive and non-invasive sequential mechanical ventilation technologies. Results: Six patients were rehabilitated successfully after ICU treatment with controlled postoperative errhysis and pulmonary infection by examination and treatment with fiber optic bronchoscopy without second application of ventilators and tubes after sequential mechanical ventilation technology. One patient died from multiple organ failure under ICU treatment due to postoperative active hemorrhage after second operative hemostasis. Conclusions: During peri-operative period of resection of giant tumor (including lobectomy or pneumonectomy) in mediastinum ofthe thoracic cavity, the ICU plays an important role in dynamic monitoring of vital signs, treatment of postoperative stress state, postoperative hemostasis and successful removal of ventilators after sequential mechanical ventilation.

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of the Exopolysaccharide Produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GSBa-1

( Wen Zhao ),( Jian Zhang ),( Yun-yun Jiang ),( Xiao Zhao ),( Xiao-na Hao ),( Liu Li ),( Zhen-nai Yang ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2018 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.28 No.8

The exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GSBa-1 was isolated and purified by ethanol precipitation, and DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B chromatographies. The molecular mass of the purified EPS was determined to be 54 kDa. Monosaccharide analysis showed that the EPS was composed of predominantly glucose, and it was further confirmed by NMR spectroscopy to be α-glucan that consisted of a trisaccharide repeating unit with possible presence of two α-(1→3) and one α-(1→6) glucosidic linkages. Microstructural analysis showed that the EPS appeared as ellipsoid or globose with a smooth surface. The EPS had a degradation temperature at 240℃. Furthermore, the EPS had strong DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, and moderate superoxidant anion scavenging and metal ion-chelating activities. This is the first characterization of a glucan produced by B. amyloliquefaciens with strong antioxidant activity. The results of this study suggest the potential of the EPS from B. amyloliquefaciens GSBa-1 to serve as a natural antioxidant for application in functional products.

Knockdown of GCF2/LRRFIP1 by RNAi Causes Cell Growth Inhibition and Increased Apoptosis in Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells

Li, Jing-Ping,Cao, Nai-Xia,Jiang, Ri-Ting,He, Shao-Jian,Huang, Tian-Ming,Wu, Bo,Chen, De-Feng,Ma, Ping,Chen, Li,Zhou, Su-Fang,Xie, Xiao-Xun,Luo, Guo-Rong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Background: GC-binding factor 2 (GCF2) is a transcriptional regulator that represses transcriptional activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by binding to a specific GC-rich sequence in the EGFR gene promoter. In addition to this function, GCF2 has also been identified as a tumor-associated antigen and regarded as a potentially valuable serum biomarker for early human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis. GCF2 is high expressed in most HCC tissues and cell lines including HepG2. This study focused on the influence of GCF2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods: GCF2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in HepG2 cells was detected with reverse transcription (RT) PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to knock down GCF2 mRNA and protein expression. Afterwards, cell viability was analyzed with a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and cell apoptosis and caspase 3 activity by flow cytometry and with a Caspase 3 Activity Kit, respectively. Results: Specific down-regulation of GCF2 expression caused cell growth inhibition, and increased apoptosis and caspase 3 activity in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: These primary results suggest that GCF2 may influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and also provides a molecular basis for further investigation into the possible mechanism at proliferation and apoptosis in HCC.

Production, purification and characterization of a milk clotting enzyme from Bacillus methanolicus LB-1

Liu Li,Zhe Zheng,Xiao Zhao,Fengyu Wu,Jian Zhang,Zhen-Nai Yang 한국식품과학회 2019 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.28 No.4

Bacillus methanolicus LB-1 isolated from traditionalrice wine was found to produce a milk clottingenzyme (MCE), and its fermentation conditions wereoptimized using response surface methodology. Then theMCE was produced by ethanol precipitation, and furtherchromatography separation resulted in a 10.46-fold purificationwith a 59.28% recovery. The MCA (milk clottingactivity) of the purified MCE reached 597,310 ± 0.13 SU/g. The optimal temperature of the MCE was determined tobe 50 C and it was stable in the low temperature range of40–45 C. The MCE had an optimum pH of 6.5, and it wasstable under neutral conditions. Calcium chloride at theconcentration of 25 mM was found to be the most effectivestimulus. The MCE was identified by LC–MS to be aputative protein (ID I3EB99) containing 759 amino acidswith a molecular weight of 80.37 kDa and a pI of 9.23.

Cold-Stress Response of Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum K25 by iTRAQ Proteomic Analysis

Shaoli Liu,Yimiao Ma,Yi Zheng,Wen Zhao,Xiao Zhao,Tianqi Luo,Jian Zhang,Zhen-Nai Yang 한국미생물·생명공학회 2020 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.30 No.2

To understand the molecular mechanism involved in the survivability of cold-tolerant lactic acid bacteria was of great significance in food processing, since these bacteria play a key role in a variety of low-temperature fermented foods. In this study, the cold-stress response of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum K25 isolated from Tibetan kefir grains was analyzed by iTRAQ proteomic method. By comparing differentially expressed (DE) protein profiles of the strain incubated at 10oC and 37oC, 506 DE proteins were identified. The DE proteins involved in carbohydrate, amino acid and fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism were significantly down-regulated, leading to a specific energy conservation survival mode. The DE proteins related to DNA repair, transcription and translation were up-regulated, implicating change of gene expression and more protein biosynthesis needed in response to cold stress. In addition, two-component system, quorum sensing and ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters also participated in cell cold-adaptation process. These findings provide novel insight into the cold-resistance mechanism in L. plantarum with potential application in low temperature fermented or preserved foods.