Molecular Cloning and Function Analysis of an Anthocyanidin Synthase Gene from Ginkgo biloba, and Its Expression in Abiotic Stress Responses

Feng Xu,Hua Cheng,Rong Cai,Lin Ling Li,Jie Chang,Jun Zhu,Feng Xia Zhang,Liu Ji Chen,Yan Wang,Shu Han Cheng,Shui Yuan Cheng 한국분자세포생물학회 2008 Molecules and cells Vol.26 No.6

Anthocyanidin synthase (ANS, leucoanthocyanidin oxygenase), a 2-oxoglutarate iron-dependent oxygenase, catalyzed the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of the anthocyanin class of flavonoids, from the colorless leucoanthocyanidins to the colored anthocyanidins. The full-length cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of ANS gene (designated as GbANS) were isolated from Ginkgo biloba for the first time. The full-length cDNA of GbANS contained a 1062-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 354-amino-acid protein. The genomic DNA analysis showed that GbANS gene had three exons and two introns. The deduced GbANS protein showed high identities to other plant ANSs. The conserved amino acids (H-X-D) ligating ferrous iron and residues (R-X-S) participating in 2-oxoglutarate binding were found in GbANS at the similar positions like other ANSs. Southern blot analysis indicated that GbANS belonged to a multi-gene family. The expression analysis by real-time PCR showed that GbANS expressed in a tissue-specific manner in G. biloba. GbANS was also found to be up-regulated by all of the six tested abiotic stresses, UV-B, abscisic acid, sucrose, salicylic acid, cold and ethylene, consistent with the promoter region analysis of GbANS. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli strain with pET-28a vector. The in vitro enzyme activity assay by HPLC indicated that recombinant GbANS protein could catalyze the formation the cyanidin from leucocyanidin and conversion of dihydroquercetin to quercetin, suggesting GbANS is a bifunctional enzyme within the anthocyanidin and flavonol biosynthetic pathway.

Enhancing the Anaerobic Digestion of Corn Stalks Using Composite Microbial Pretreatment

( Xu Feng Yuan ),( Pei Pei Li ),( Hui Wang ),( Xiao Fen Wang ),( Xu Cheng ),( Zong Jun Cui ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2011 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.21 No.7

A composite microbial system (XDC-2) was used to pretreat and hydrolyze corn stalk to enhance anaerobic digestion. The results of pretreatment indicated that sCOD concentrations of hydrolysate were highest (8,233 mg/l) at the fifth day. XDC-2 efficiently degraded the corn stalk by nearly 45%, decreasing the cellulose content by 22.7% and the hemicellulose content by 74.1%. Total levels of volatile products peaked on the fifth day. The six major compounds present were ethanol (0.29 g/l), acetic acid (0.55 g/l), 1,2-ethanediol (0.49 g/l), propionic acid (0.15 g/l), butyric acid (0.22 g/l), and glycerine (2.48 g/l). The results of anaerobic digestion showed that corn stalks treated by XDC-2 produced 68.3% more total biogas and 87.9% more total methane than untreated controls. The technical digestion time for the treated corn stalks was 35.7% shorter than without treatment. The composite microbial system pretreatment could be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly microbial method for efficient biological conversion of corn stalk into bioenergy.

OK-432 Suppresses Proliferation and Metastasis by Tumor Associated Macrophages in Bladder Cancer

Tian, Yuan-Feng,Tang, Kun,Guan, Wei,Yang, Tao,Xu, Hua,Zhuang, Qian-Yuan,Ye, Zhang-Qun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.11

OK-432, a Streptococcus-derived anticancer immunotherapeutic agent, has been applied in clinic for many years and achieved great progress in various cancers. In the present study, we investigated its anticancer effect on bladder cancer through tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). MTS assay validated OK-432 could inhibit proliferation in both T24 and EJ bladder cell lines. OK-432 also induced apoptosis of bladder cancer cells in vitro. Consequently, we demonstrated that OK-432 could suppress the bladder cancer cells migration and invasion by altering the EMT-related factors. Furthermore, using SD rat model, we revealed that OK-432 inhibited tumor growth, suppressed PCNA expression and inhibited metastasis in vivo. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that OK-432 inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis through inducing macrophages to secret cytokines in bladder cancer.

An analytical model for PVC-FRP confined reinforced concrete columns under low cyclic loading

Yuan Fang,Feng Yu,Anchun Chen,Shilong Wang,Guoshi Xu 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.77 No.2

Experimental investigations on the seismic behaviors of the PVC-FRP Confined Reinforced Concrete (PFCRC) columns under low cyclic loading are carried out and two variable parameters including CFRP strips spacing and axial compression ratio are considered. The PFCRC column finally fails by bending and is characterized by the crushing of concrete and yielding of the longitudinal reinforcement, and the column with a high axial compression ratio is also accompanied by the cracking of the PVC tube and the fracture of CFRP strips. The hysteretic curves and skeleton curves of the columns are obtained from the experimental data. With the increase of axial compression ratio, the stiffness degradation rate accelerates and the ductility decreases. With the decrease of CFRP strips spacing, the unloading sections of the skeleton curves become steep and the ductility reduces significantly. On the basis of fiber model method, a numerical analysis approach for predicting the skeleton curves of the PFCRC columns is developed. Additionally, a simplified skeleton curve including the elastic stage, strengthening stage and unloading stage is suggested depending on the geometric drawing method. Moreover, the loading and unloading rules of the PFCRC columns are revealed by analyzing the features of the skeleton curves. The quantitative expressions that are used to predict the unloading stiffness of the specimens in each stage are proposed. Eventually, an analytical model for the PFCRC columns under low cyclic loading is established and it agrees well with test data.

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) micro-crystals with rhombic dodecahedron

Xu, Tao,Yuan, Rui,Xu, Peng-Cheng,Pan, Dong-Jie,Yang, Woochul,Guo, Hai-Bo,Shen, Yu-Fang,Hu, Jian-Feng,Zhang, Zhi-Jun,Zhao, Jing-Tai Elsevier 2018 Journal of alloys and compounds Vol.762 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Uniform, monodisperse yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) rhombic dodecahedron micro-crystals were synthesized using coprecipitation and hydrothermal methods. The Na<SUB>2</SUB>SO<SUB>4</SUB> as a surfactant was helpful in improving the dispersity of the crystallites and forming well-faceted, micro-sized dodecahedral YAG crystallites. The effect of the reaction time and the solvent has also been studied. The crystal growth mechanism called dissolution/crystallization was determined by analyzing the experimental and simulated results. And the specific well-developed crystal facets in the {110} family have been demonstrated by the theoretical calculation. A higher integrated emission intensity can be achieved for the YAG:Ce crystallites by improving the phase purity, morphology with better developed dodecahedrons, and dispersion. Furthermore, a rather high luminous efficacy (LE = 104.14 lm/W) for the white LED fabricated using the YAG:Ce<SUP>3+</SUP> phosphor prepared in this work was realized. The correlation between the crystal growth, morphology and luminescence properties of YAG crystallites has been established, which exhibits a great importance for the synthesis and application of mono-dispersed YAG crystallites.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Uniform and monodisperse YAG rhombic dodecahedron micro-crystals were synthesized. </LI> <LI> The growth mechanism of YAG rhombic dodecahedron was studied through experimental and computational simulation. </LI> <LI> The correlation between the crystal growth, morphology and luminescence of YAG crystallites was established. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Improved oral bioavailability of capsaicin via liposomal nanoformulation: preparation, in vitro drug release and pharmacokinetics in rats

Yuan Zhu,Miaomiao Wang,Jiajia Zhang,Wei Peng,Caleb Kesse Firempong,Wenwen Deng,Qilong Wang,Shicheng Wang,Feng Shi,Jiangnan Yu,Ximing Xu,Weiming Zhang 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.4

This study innovatively prepared an effectivecapsaicin-loaded liposome, a nanoformulation with fewerirritants, for oral administration. The in vitro and in vivoproperties of the liposomal encapsulation were investigatedand the potential possibility of oral administration evaluated. The liposomal agent composed of phospholipid, cholesterol,sodium cholate and isopropyl myristate was prepared usingfilm-dispersion method. A level A in vitro–in vivo correlation(IVIVC) was established for the first time, which demonstratedan excellent IVIVC of both formulated and freecapsaicin in oral administration. Physicochemical characterizationsincluding mean particle size, zeta (f) potentialand average encapsulation efficiency of capsaicin-loadedliposome were found to be 52.2 ± 1.3 nm, -41.5 ±2.71 mv and 81.9 ± 2.43 %, respectively. In vivo, liposomalencapsulation allowed a 3.34-fold increase in relativebioavailability compared to free capsaicin. The gastricmucosa irritation studies indicated that the liposomal systemwas a safe carrier for oral administration. These resultssupport the fact that capsaicin, an effective drug for thetreatment of neuropathic pain, could be encapsulated inliposome for improved oral bioavailability. The excellentIVIVC of capsaicin-loaded liposome could also be a promisingtool in liposomal formulation development with anadded advantage of reduced animal testing.

A 3D Nitrate-bridging Heterometal-azido Inorganic Polymer Containing Cd_8 Cube: Synthesis, Structure, Topology and Fluorescence

Feng Luan,Yuan Gao,Ling Xu,Bing Liu 대한화학회 2011 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.32 No.5

no abstract

Hydraulic conductivity estimation by considering the existence of piles: A case study

Yuan, Yao,Xu, Ye-Shuang,Shen, Jack S.,Wang, Bruce Zhi-Feng Techno-Press 2018 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.14 No.5

Estimation of hydraulic parameters is a critical step during design of foundation dewatering works. When many piles are installed in an aquifer, estimation of the hydraulic conductivity should consider the blocking of groundwater seepage by the piles. Based on field observations during a dewatering project in Shanghai, hydraulic conductivities are back-calculated using a numerical model considering the actual position of each pile. However, it is difficult to apply the aforementioned model directly in field due to requirement to input each pile geometry into the model. To develop a simple numerical model and find the optimal hydraulic conductivity, three scenarios are examined, in which the soil mass containing the piles is considered to be a uniform porous media. In these three scenarios, different sub-regions with different hydraulic conductivities, based on either automatic inverted calculation, or on effective medium theory (EMT), are established. The results indicate that the error, in the case which determines the hydraulic conductivity based on EMT, is less than that determined in the automatic inversion case. With the application of EMT, only the hydraulic conductivity of the soil outside the pit should be inverted. The soil inside the pit with its piles is divided into sub-regions with different hydraulic conductivities, and the hydraulic conductivity is calculated according to the volume ratio of the piles. Thus, the use of EMT in numerical modelling makes it easier to consider the effect of piles installed in an aquifer.

Redox-responsive PAEFc-b-PDMAEMA amphiphilic block copolymer self-assembly micelles: Physicochemical properties and anticancer drug controlled release

Yuan Wang,Yan-Ling Luo,Feng Xu,Ya-Shao Chen,Wei Tang 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.48 No.-

Ferrocene-containing amphiphilic block copolymers, poly(2-acryloyloxyethyl ferrocenecarboxylate)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PAEFc-b-PDMAEMA), were synthesized via sequen-tial ATRP, and self-assembled into globular nanoscaled micelle aggregates. The copolymer micellesexhibited reversible redox on-off switch feature, which was mediated by using H2O2, KMnO4, NaClO andFeCl3 as a model of oxidants and ascorbic acid as a model of reductants. The micelle nanoparticles wereused to load and deliver anticancer drug, 10-hydroxycamptothecine,finding that the encapsulated drugwas rapidly delivered by selectively responding to redox environments in cancer cells. MTT assays wereperformed to uncover cytotoxicity of the developed copolymer micelles and potentiality used for cancertherapy.

Subsection Synchronous Current Harmonic Minimum Pulse Width Modulation for ANPC-5L Inverter

Feng, Jiuyi,Song, Wenxiang,Xu, Yuan,Wang, Fei The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2017 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.12 No.5

Medium voltage drive systems driven by high-power multi-level inverters operating at low switching frequency can reduce the switching losses of the power device and increase the output power. Employing subsection synchronous current harmonic minimum pulse width modulation (CHMPWM) technique can maintain the total harmonic distortion of current at a very low level. It can also reduce the losses of the system, improve the system control performance and increase the efficiency of DC-link voltage accordingly. This paper proposes a subsection synchronous CHMPWM approach of active neutral point clamped five-level (ANPC-5L) inverter under low switching frequency operation. The subsection synchronous scheme is obtained by theoretical calculation based on the allowed maximum switching frequency. The genetic algorithm (GA) is adopted to get the high-precision initial values. So the expected switching angles can be achieved with the help of sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm. The selection principle of multiple sets of the switching angles is also presented. Finally, the validity of the theoretical analysis and the superiority of the CHMPWM are verified through both the simulation results and experimental results.