Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer in Rural Areas of Wuhan China: a Matched Case-control Study

Zhang, Bin,Zhou, Ai-Fen,Zhu, Chang-Cai,Zhang, Ling,Xiang, Bing,Chen, Zhong,Hu, Rong-Hua,Zhang, Ya-Qi,Qiu, Lin,Zhang, Yi-Ming,Xiong, Chao-Du,Du, Yu-Kai,Shi, Yu-Qin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem in developing countries. We investigated possible risk factors for cervical cancer in rural areas of Wuhan China using a matched case-control study with 33 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 132 healthy women selected from the same area as matched controls. A questionnaire, which included questions about general demography conditions, environmental and genetic factors, the first sexual intercourse, first marriage age, age at first pregnancy, pregnancy first child's age, female personal health history, social psychological factors, dietary habits, smoking and alcohol status and other living habits was presented to all participants. At the same time, HPV infection of every participant was examined in laboratory testing. Results showed HPV infection (P<0.000, OR=23.4) and pregnancy first child's age (P<0.000, OR=13.1) to be risk factors for cervical cancer. Menopause (P=0.003, OR=0.073) was a protective factor against cervical cancer. However, there was no indication of associations of environmental (drinking water, insecticide, disinfectant) genetic (cancer family history), or life-style factors (smoking status, alcohol status, physical training, sleep quality), including dietary habits (intake of fruit and vegetable, meat, fried food, bean products and pickled food) or social psychological factors with cervical cancer. The results suggest that the risk of cervical cancer in Chinese rural women may be associated with HPV infection, menopause and the pregnancy first child's age.

Soluble expression, purification and the role of C-terminal glycine residues in scorpion toxin BmK AGP-SYPU2

( Rong Zhang ),( Yong Cui ),( Xi Zhang ),( Zhuo Yang ),( Yong Shan Zhao ),( Yong Bo Song ),( Chun Fu Wu ),( Jing Hai Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.12

The existence of glycine residues in long-chain scorpion toxins has been well documented. However, their role as analgesics has not been evaluated. To address this issue, we investigated the functional role of glycines in the C-terminal end of Chinese-scorpion toxin from Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK AGP-SYPU2) using site-directed mutagenesis and analgesic activity assays. Recombinant BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants were efficiently expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and cation exchange chromatography. The mouse-twisting test was used to detect the analgesic activity of BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants. As a result, we identified glycines at the C-terminal end that, when altered, significantly affected analgesic activity. Also, Mut6566 was significantly decreased compared to BmK AGP-SYPU2. These data indicate that the glycines at the C-terminal end are important for the analgesic activity of BmK AGP-SYPU2. [BMB reports 2010; 43(12): 801-806]

Supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid and rumen-protected methionine increased growth performance and meat quality of Tan lambs

Zhang Jian Hao,Li Hai Hai,Zhang Gui Jie,Zhang Ying Hui,Liu Bo,Huang Shuai,Guyader Jessie,Zhong Rong Zhen 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.10

Objective: Tan lambs (n = 36, 3 mo old, 19.1±0.53 kg) were used to assess effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum parameters. Methods: Lambs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with 6 pens per group and 2 lambs per pen. Dietary treatments were: basal diet alone (I); basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM (II); and basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.08% RPM (III). Diets were provided three times a day for 90 d. Intake per pen was recorded daily and individual lamb body weight (BW) was measured monthly. Carcass traits were measured after slaughter and meat quality at the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken on a subgroup of lambs for analysis of indicators mostly related to protein metabolism. Results: Final BW and average daily gain for the first and second month, and for the entire experiment were greater in Treatment II compared to Treatment I (p<0.05), whereas feed to gain ratio was lower (p<0.05). Treatment II had the optimal dressing percentage and net meat weight proportion, as well as crude protein and intramuscular fat concentrations in muscles. Treatment II improved meat quality, as indicated by the greater water holding capacity, pH after 45 min and 48 h, and lower shear force and cooking loss. Dietary supplementation of GAA and RPM also increased the meat color a* and b* values at 24 h. Finally, Treatment II increased total protein, and serum concentrations of albumin and creatinine, but decreased serum urea nitrogen concentrations, indicating improved protein efficiency. Conclusion: In this study, 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM supplementation improved growth performance and meat quality of Tan lambs. Objective: Tan lambs (n = 36, 3 mo old, 19.1±0.53 kg) were used to assess effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum parameters.Methods: Lambs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with 6 pens per group and 2 lambs per pen. Dietary treatments were: basal diet alone (I); basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM (II); and basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.08% RPM (III). Diets were provided three times a day for 90 d. Intake per pen was recorded daily and individual lamb body weight (BW) was measured monthly. Carcass traits were measured after slaughter and meat quality at the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken on a subgroup of lambs for analysis of indicators mostly related to protein metabolism.Results: Final BW and average daily gain for the first and second month, and for the entire experiment were greater in Treatment II compared to Treatment I (p<0.05), whereas feed to gain ratio was lower (p<0.05). Treatment II had the optimal dressing percentage and net meat weight proportion, as well as crude protein and intramuscular fat concentrations in muscles. Treatment II improved meat quality, as indicated by the greater water holding capacity, pH after 45 min and 48 h, and lower shear force and cooking loss. Dietary supplementation of GAA and RPM also increased the meat color a* and b* values at 24 h. Finally, Treatment II increased total protein, and serum concentrations of albumin and creatinine, but decreased serum urea nitrogen concentrations, indicating improved protein efficiency.Conclusion: In this study, 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM supplementation improved growth performance and meat quality of Tan lambs.

Übersetzen und Interpretieren : Anmerkungen zur Chinesischen Übersetzung von Goethes Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre

Zhang, Rong Chang 한독문학번역연구소 2000 번역연구 Vol.8 No.-

Identification and Functional Analysis of the Chain Length Determinant Gene ste8 Involved in the Biosynthesis of Ebosin by Streptomyces sp.139

( Zhang Yang ),( Xiao Hua Li ),( Xiao Qaing Qi ),( Jun Jie Shan ),( Rong Jiang ),( Lian Hong Guo ),( Ren Zhang ),( Yuan Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.11

Ebosin, a novel exopolysaccharide produced by Streptomyces sp. 139, has obvious antirheumatic arthritis activity in vivo, and its biosynthesis gene cluster (ste), consisting of 27 open reading frames, has been identified. This paper reports our study of the gene functionality of ste8, the predicted protein product of which is homologous to some bacterial chain length determinant Wzz proteins. For characterization of Ste8, ste8 was cloned and expressed in the mutant strain E. coli 086:H2 (Δwzz). The functional complementation of wzz by ste8 was demonstrated by the restoration of wild-type lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and increased levels of serum resistance of E. coli 086:H2 (Δwzz) (pET30a-ste8). To examine the function of ste8 in ebosin biosynthesis, the gene was knocked out with a double crossover via homologous recombination. The molecular weight of the ebosin derivative EPS-8m produced by the mutant Streptomyces sp. 139 (ste8-) was much lower than that of ebosin, and the binding activity of EPS-8m for IL-1R decreased significantly compared with ebosin. These results demonstrate that ste8 encodes a chain length determinant (Wzz) that functions in ebosin biosynthesis.

The evaluation of online course of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery international students during the COVID-19 epidemic period

Zhang Qing,He Yi-Jing,Zhu Yu-Hang,Dai Min-Chen,Pan Man-Man,Wu Jia-Qi,Zhang Xian,Gu Ying-Er,Wang Fang-Fang,Xu Xiang-Rong,Qu Fan 한국한의학연구원 2020 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.9 No.3

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic period, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course for international students of Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in Zhejiang University has shifted from traditional classroom to online environment. This study aimed to investigate MBBS international students’ perception on online TCM course, and to assess the online learning efficacy. Methods: A total of 84 MBBS international students attending course of “Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine” during 2020 academic years at Zhejiang University were enrolled in this study. A quantitative questionnaire was respectively completed before and after the TCM course using a pretest–post-test design. By means of two online learning platforms, Learning in ZJU and DingTalk, TCM course was broadcast in both live and archived format to students. Results: A total of 48 participants completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. The majority of participants preferred face-to-face classroom learning (26, 54.17% of total) when compared with online learning. Students felt that the course had brought in much benefits (mean 3.88, SD 0.87), and they were satisfied with the course content (mean 3.83, SD 0.95). Students’ TCM related knowledge and their behaviors of discussion and consulting were significantly improved by online TCM course (all P < 0.001). Students’ awareness of the necessity of TCM education and their feeling of difficulty in learning TCM were significantly strengthened (P = 0.042, 0.025, respectively). Conclusion: Online learning is a good alternative for TCM course of MBBS international students when classroom learning is suspended, whereas it cannot replace the need for onsite and face-to-face learning.

Heterologous expression of ZmNF-YA12 confers tolerance to drought and salt stress in Arabidopsis

Zhang Tongtong,Zheng Dengyu,Zhang Chun,Wu Zhongyi,Yu Rong,Zhang Zhongbao 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.4

Drought and salinity are serious environmental factors limiting the growth and productivity of plants worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to develop ways to improve drought and salinity stress tolerance in plants. In this study, a drought-responsive nuclear factor Y subunit A gene, ZmNF-YA12, was cloned from maize. qPCR revealed ZmNF-YA12 transcript in all vegeta- tive and reproductive tissues, with higher levels in young roots. Expression analyses of maize revealed that ZmNF-YA12 was induced by abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abiotic stresses, including dehydration, high salinity, cold, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. The heterologous expression of ZmNF-YA12 in Arabidopsis plants resulted in increased root length and better plant growth than in wild-type (WT) plants under conditions of mannitol, salt, and JA stress on 1/2 MS medium. Transgenic Arabidopsis showed improved tolerance to drought and salt stresses in soil, and higher proline content and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content than WT controls. The transgenic plants also maintained higher peroxidase (POD) activities than WT plants under conditions of NaCl stress. A yeast two-hybrid experiment demonstrated that ZmNF-YA12 interacted with ZmNF-YC1 and ZmNF-YC15. Moreover, the transcript levels of stress-responsive genes (RD29A, RD29B, RAB18, and RD22) were markedly increased in transgenic lines under conditions of drought and salt stress. These observa- tions suggested that the ZmNF-YA12 gene may confers drought and salt stress tolerance by regulating stress-related genes or interacting with ZmNF-YC1 and ZmNF-YC15, and has potential applications in molecular breeding with maintenance of production under conditions of stress.

Study of upfront surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery for patients with stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer, SGOG SUNNY (SOC-2) trial concept

Rong Jiang,Jianqing Zhu,김재원,Jihong Liu,Kazuyoshi Kato,김희승,Yuqin Zhang,Ping Zhang,Tao Zhu,Daisuke Aoki,Aijun Yu,Xiaojun Chen,Xipeng Wang,Ding Zhu,Wei Zhang,Huixun Jia,Ting-Yan Shi,Wen Gao,Sheng Yin,Yan 대한부인종양학회 2020 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.31 No.5

Background: Two randomized phase III trials (EORTC55971 and CHORUS) showed similarprogression-free and overall survival in primary or interval debulking surgery in ovariancancer, however both studies had limitations with lower rate of complete resection and lack ofsurgical qualifications for participating centers. There is no consensus on whether neoadjuvantchemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS) could be a preferred approachin the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the clinical practice. Methods: The Asian SUNNY study is an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled,phase III trial to compare the effect of primary debulking surgery (PDS) to NACT-IDS instages IIIC and IV EOC, fallopian tube cancer (FTC) or primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC). The hypothesis is that PDS enhances the survivorship when compared with NACT-IDS inadvanced ovarian cancer. The primary objective is to clarify the role of PDS and NACT-IDS inthe treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Surgical quality assures include at least 50% of nogross residual (NGR) in PDS group in all centers and participating centers should be nationalcancer centers or designed ovarian cancer section or those with the experience participatingsurgical trials of ovarian cancer. Any participating center should be monitored evaluatingthe proportions of NGR by a training set. The aim of the surgery in both arms is maximalcytoreduction. Tumor burden of the disease is evaluated by diagnostic laparoscopy orpositron emission tomography/computed tomography scan. Patients assigned to PDS groupwill undergo upfront maximal cytoreductive surgery within 3 weeks after biopsy, followed by6 cycles of standard adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients assigned to NACT group will undergo 3cycles of NACT-IDS, and subsequently 3 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The maximal timeinterval between IDS and the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy is 8 weeks. Major inclusioncriteria are pathologic confirmed stage IIIC and IV EOC, FTC or PPC; ECOG performancestatus of 0 to 2; ASA score of 1 to 2. Major exclusion criteria are non-epithelial tumors as wellas borderline tumors; low-grade carcinoma; mucinous ovarian cancer. The sample size is 456subjects. Primary endpoint is overall survival. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02859038

Development of a Transient ihpRNA-induced Gene Silencing System for Functional Analysis in Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.)

Rongli Mo,Na Zhang,Sichao Yang,Qinglin Zhang,Zhengrong Luo 한국원예학회 2016 원예과학기술지 Vol.34 No.2

A transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing system based on Agrobacterium-mediated injection infiltration has been established to evaluate candidate genes involved in proanthocyanidin (PAs) biosynthesis in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). We chose DkPDS (phytoene desaturase) as a gene-silencing target to evaluate the newly developed transient gene silencing system. Our qRT-PCR analysis indicated that two ihpRNA constructs (pHG-PDS5’ and pHG-PDS3’) targeted DkPDS, which also led to significantly reduce expression of DkPDS in ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon leaves. To further confirm the reliability of the system, we successfully utilized it for DkLAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase) gene silencing. The expression levels of DkLAR in ‘Mopanshi’ and ‘Eshi 1’ leaves were ca. 6-fold and ca. 5-fold lower than those in leaves harboring empty vector (pHG-GFP), respectively. DMACA (4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde) staining and the Folin-Ciocalteau assay showed that the accumulation of PAs was markedly inhibited in ‘Mopanshi’, ‘Eshi 1’ and ‘Youhou’ leaves. These results indicate that DkLAR plays an important role in the accumulation of PAs in persimmon. The transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing method developed in this study is a highly efficient and useful tool for functional analysis of persimmon genes involved in PA biosynthesis.

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals Grown by Using a SiOx/SiO2 Superlattice Approach

Rong-Jun Zhang,Wei-Jie Lu,Qing-Yuan Cai,Wei-Xi Zhou,Yu-Xiang Zheng,Liang-Yao Chen,Hui Zhou,Shi-Xiong Qian,Se-Young Seo 한국물리학회 2010 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.56 No.4

The nonlinear optical properties have been studied using the Z-scan technique for silicon nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 matrix formed by high-temperature annealing of SiOx/SiO2 superlattices grown by thermal evaporation. A mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser system producing 140-fs-long pulses at 800 nm was used as the optical source for the Z-scan measurements. The nonlinear refractive index and the nonlinear absorption coefficient of the silicon nanocrystals were found to be 1.2 × 10−13 cm2/W and 1.5 × 10−9 cm/W, respectively, and to be strongly enhanced compared to those of bulk silicon. Such enhancement of the nonlinear optical properties is considered to be due to the quantum confinement effect of silicon nanocrystals.