Combined Effects of Blood Plasma Powder, Agar, and Microbial Transglutaminase on Physicochemical and Textural Properties of Pork Muscle Gels

Xia Yu,Conggui Chen,Kezhou Cai,Cunliu Zhou,Daorong Mao,Gaojun Sun 한국식품과학회 2012 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.21 No.4

The effects of blood plasma (BP, 0-2.5%), agar (0-1.0%), and microbial transglutaminase (MTG, 0-0.5%)on water-binding capacity, color (L*, a*, and b* values)and textural properties of pork muscle gels (PMG) were investigated with response surface methodology. The potential interaction among these ingredients was evaluated by DSC, SEM, and FT-IR. The results shown that the addition of BP into PMG could result in decreased cooking loss (CL) and L* (p<0.01), as well as increased a*, springiness,and chewiness of the gels (p<0.05), while the treatment with MTG led to increased CL (p<0.01). Agar could obviously improve CL of PMG, but lead to inferior springiness and cohesiveness (p<0.05). Moreover, the synergism among muscle proteins, BP, MTG, and agar implied that there were some kinds of interactions among these ingredients, thus influencing the properties of PMG.

Cordblood-Based High-Throughput Screening for Deafness Gene of 646 Newborns in Jinan Area of China

Shou-Xia Li,Ding-Li Chen,Su-Bin Zhao,Li-Li Guo,Hai-Qin Feng,Xiao-Fang Zhang,Li-Li Ping,Zhi-Ming Yang,Cai-Xia Sun,Gen-Dong Yao 대한이비인후과학회 2015 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.8 No.3

Objectives. Infants with slight/mild or late-onset hearing impairment might be missed in universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS). We identified the mutation hot spot of common deaf gene in the newborns in Jinan area population by screening the mutation spot with neonate cord blood, in order to make clear whether the neonate cord blood for screening is feasible. Methods. Six hundred and forty-six newborns were subjected to both UNHS and genetic screening for deafness by using neonate cord blood. The newborn genetic screening targeted four deafness-associated genes, which were commonly found in the Chinese population including gap junction beta-2 protein (GJB2), gap junction beta-3 protein (GJB3), solute carrier family 26 member 4 (SLC26A4), and mtDNA 12S rRNA. The most common 20 spot mutations in 4 deaf genes were detected by MassARRAY iPLEX platform and mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G and C1494T mutations were sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Results. Among the 646 newborns, 635 cases passed the UNHS and the other 11 cases (1.7%) did not. Of the 11 failures, two cases were found to carry homozygous GJB2 p.R143W pathogenic mutation, one case was found to have heterozygous GJB2 235delC mutation, and another one case carried heterozygous GJB3 p.R180X pathogenic mutation. Six hundred and thirty-five babies passed the newborn hearing screening, in which 25 babies were identified to carry pathogenic mutations, including 12 heterozygotes (1.9%) for GJB2 235delC, eight heterozygotes (1.3%) for SLC26A4 IVS7-2A>G, one heterozygote (0.2%) for p.R409H, two homozygotes (0.3%) for m.1494C>T, and two homozygotes (0.3%) for m.1555A>G. Conclusion. Newborn genetic screening through the umbilical cord blood for common deafness-associated mutations may identify carriers sensitive to aminoglycoside antibiotic, and can effectively prevent or delay hearing loss occurs.

Model Test and Numerical Simulation Study on Bearing Characteristics of Pervious Concrete Pile Composite Foundation

Jun Cai,Guangyin Du,Han Xia,Changshen Sun 대한토목학회 2021 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.25 No.10

When pervious concrete is used as pile material, both high strength and water permeability will be available. By comparing the strength and permeability of pervious concrete with different aggregate size (3 − 5 mm and 4 − 6 mm) and porosity (20%, 25%, 30% and 35%), the recommended aggregate size (3 − 5 mm) and porosity (30%) can be achieved. To investigate the installation effect and bearing characteristics of the pervious concrete pile composite foundation, the excess pore water pressure, settlement, pile-soil stress ratio and skin friction were recorded in the model test. Results show that, compared with the impervious pile, the pervious pile can significantly accelerate the dissipation of excess pore water pressure after pile installation, and in the loading test can shorten the consolidation time by 30.3%, increase the skin friction 0.12 kPa averagely, reduce the peak value of excess pore water pressure by 30.2%, and increase the characteristic value of bearing capacity by 43.2%. When the linear penalty method is applied, and the friction coefficient is 0.6, compared with the test, the deviation of simulated skin friction is the largest, being about 15%, so in general the model test results are reliable.

RALY RNA Binding Protein-like Reduced Expression is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Cui, Zhi-Wen,Xia, Ye,Ye, Yi-Wang,Jiang, Zhi-Mao,Wang, Ya-Dong,Wu, Jian-Ting,Sun, Liang,Zhao, Jun,Fa, Ping-Ping,Sun, Xiao-Juan,Gui, Yao-Ting,Cai, Zhi-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

The molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs) are still unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between expression of RALYL and clinical characteristics. In 41 paired samples of ccRCCs and adjacent normal tissues, we used real-time qPCR to evaluate the expression of RALYL mRNA. RALYL protein levels were determined in 146 samples of ccRCC and 37 adjacent normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was used to explore the relationships between expression of RALYL and the clinical characteristics (gender, age, tumor size, T stage, N stage, M stage, survival times and survival outcome) in ccRCC. In addition, these patients were follow-up period 64 months (range: 4~116months) to investigate the influence on prognosis. We found significantly differences between ccRCC tissues and normal tissues (p<0.001, paired-sample t test) in mRNA levels of RALYL. Immunohistochemistry analyses in 146 ccRCC samples and 37 adjacent normal tissues showed significantly lower RALYL protein levels in ccRCC samples (${\chi}^2$-test, p<0.001), inversely correlating with tumour size (p=0.024), T stage (0.005), N stage (p<0.001) as well as M stage (p=0.019), but not age (p=0.357) and gender (p=0.348). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that people with lower level of RALYL expression had a poorer survival rate than those with a higher level of RALYL expression, significantly different by the log-rank test (p=0.011). Cox regression analysis indicated that RALYL expression (p=0.039), N stage (p=0.008) and distant metastasis (p<0.001) were independent prognosis factors for the overall survival of ccRCC patients. We demonstrated that the expression of RALYL was significantly low in ccRCC and correlated with a poor prognosis in a large number of clinical samples. Our findings showed that RALYL may be a potential therapeutic target as well as a poor prognostic factor.

Characterization of the first tuber mustard calmodulin-like gene, BjAAR1, and its functions in responses to abiotic stress and abscisic acid in Arabidopsis

Liuxin Xiang,Yuxian Xia,Ying-Fan Cai,Jijun Liu,Xiaohong He,Quan Sun,Xiaoyan Wang,Yuyin Fu,Yonghong Fan,Daiwen Dong,Guanfan Zhou,Jinjuan Shen,Yihua Liu 한국식물학회 2013 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.56 No.3

The first tuber mustard calmodulin-like (CML) gene BjAAR1 (Brassica juncea var. tumida Tsen et Lee Abiotic stress and Abscisic acid (ABA) Responsive gene 1) was cloned and characterized. The protein encoded by BjAAR1 contains four predicted Ca2+ binding sites (EF-hand motif) and its recombinant protein can bind Ca2+ in vitro. qRT-PCR showed that the expression level of BjAAR1 was rather high in non-swollen stem of tuber mustard and largely reduced in swollen stem. Expression of BjAAR1 enhanced ABA- and stress-induced gene expression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Transgenic plants also exhibited hypersensitivity to NaCl, mannitol, and ABA during the seed germination and post-germination stages. ABA biosynthesis inhibitor, norflurazon (NF), rescued hypersensitivity phenotype of transgenic plants to NaCl and mannitol, indicating that BjAAR1 functions in multiple abiotic stresses response through ABA-dependent process.

Surfactant-stripped naphthalocyanines for multimodal tumor theranostics with upconversion guidance cream

Zhang, Yumiao,Hong, Hao,Sun, Boyang,Carter, Kevin,Qin, Yiru,Wei,Wang, Depeng,Jeon, Mansik,Geng, Jumin,Nickles, Robert J.,Chen, Guanying,Prasad, Paras N.,Kim, Chulhong,Xia, Jun,Cai, Weibo,Lovell, Jonat The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017 Nanoscale Vol.9 No.10

<P>Surfactant-stripped, nanoformulated naphthalocyanines (nanonaps) can be formed with Pluronic F127 and low temperature membrane processing, resulting in dispersed frozen micelles with extreme contrast in the near infrared region. Here, we demonstrate that nanonaps can be used for multifunctional cancer theranostics. This includes lymphatic mapping and whole tumor photoacoustic imaging following intradermal or intravenous injection in rodents. Without further modification, pre-formed nanonaps were used for positron emission tomography and passively accumulated in subcutaneous murine tumors. Because the nanonaps used absorb light beyond the visible range, a topical upconversion skin cream was developed for anti-tumor photothermal therapy with laser placement that can be guided by the naked eye.</P>

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits HepG2.2.15 proliferation by inducing cellular senescence and autophagy

( Jiang Zou ),( Qiang Ma ),( Ru Sun ),( Jiajing Cai ),( Hebin Liao ),( Lei Xu ),( Jingruo Xia ),( Guangcheng Huang ),( Lihua Yao ),( Yan Cai ),( Xiaowu Zhong ),( Xiaolan Guo ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2019 BMB Reports Vol.52 No.8

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been reported to possess anti-cancer activity against many cancers. However, the pharmacologic effect of DHA on HBV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine whether DHA could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells and uncover the underlying mechanisms involved in the effect of DHA on HepG2.2.15 cells. We found that DHA effectively inhibited HepG2.2.15 HCC cell proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. DHA also reduced the migration and tumorigenicity capacity of HepG2.2.15 cells. Regarding the underlying mechanisms, results showed that DHA induced cellular senescence by up-regulating expression levels of proteins such as p-ATM, p-ATR, γ-H₂AX, P53, and P21 involved in DNA damage response. DHA also induced autophagy (green LC3 puncta gathered together and LC3II/LC3I ratio increased through AKT-mTOR pathway suppression). Results also revealed that DHA-induced autophagy was not linked to senescence or cell death. TPP1 (telomere shelterin) overexpression could not rescue DHA-induced anticancer activity (cell proliferation). Moreover, DHA down-regulated TPP1 expression. Gene knockdown of TPP1 caused similar phenotypes and mechanisms as DHA induced phenotypes and mechanisms in HepG2.2.15 cells. These results demonstrate that DHA might inhibit HepG2.2.15 cells proliferation through inducing cellular senescence and autophagy. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(8): 520-525]

Establishment of Paclitaxel-resistant Breast Cancer Cell Line and Nude Mice Models, and Underlying Multidrug Resistance Mechanisms in Vitro and in Vivo

Chen, Si-Ying,Hu, Sa-Sa,Dong, Qian,Cai, Jiang-Xia,Zhang, Wei-Peng,Sun, Jin-Yao,Wang, Tao-Tao,Xie, Jiao,He, Hai-Rong,Xing, Jian-Feng,Lu, Jun,Dong, Ya-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Background: Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor which affects health of women and multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main factors leading to failure of chemotherapy. This study was conducted to establish paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer cell line and nude mice models to explore underlying mechanisms of MDR. Methods: The breast cancer drug-sensitive cell line MCF-7 (MCF-7/S) was exposed in stepwise escalating paclitaxel (TAX) to induce a resistant cell line MCF-7/TAX. Cell sensitivity to drugs and growth curves were measured by MTT assay. Changes of cell morphology and ultrastructure were examined by optical and electron microscopy. The cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, expression of proteins related to breast cancer occurrence and MDR was tested by immunocytochemistry. In Vivo, nude mice were injected with MCF-7/S and MCF-7/TAX cells and weights and tumor sizes were observed after paclitaxel treatment. In addition, proteins involved breast cancer and MDR were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared to MCF-7/S, MCF-7/TAX cells had a higher resistance to paclitaxel, cross-resistance and prolonged doubling time. Moreover, MCF-7/TAX showed obvious alterations of ultrastructure. Estrogen receptor (ER) expression was low in drug resistant cells and tumors while expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and Ki-67 was up-regulated. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), lung resistance-related protein (LRP) and glutathione-S-transferase-${\pi}$ (GST-${\pi}$) involved in the MDR phenotype of resistant cells and tumors were all overexpressed. Conclusion: The underlying MDR mechanism of breast cancer may involve increased expression of P-gp, LRP and GST-${\pi}$.

Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes in rabbits’ ovaries by digital gene-expression profiling

Tao Huang,Ya‑dong Wang,Ming‑ming Xue,Xue Feng,Cai‑Xia Sun,An‑si Wang,Shu‑yu Xie,Meng Zhang,Gui‑Rong Sun,Ming Li 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.7

Reproduction is a complex physiological process that is regulated by multiple genes and pathways. Compared with studies of common livestock, fewer studies of genes related to the fertility of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been reported, and the molecular mechanism of their high productivity is still poorly understood. To identify candidate genes associated with development and prolificacy in rabbits, we analyzed gene expression differences among the ovaries of mature Californian rabbit (LC), and mature (HH) and immature Harbin white rabbit (IH) using digital gene expression technology. We detected 885 and 321 genes that were significantly differentially expressed in comparisons between HH/IH and HH/LC, respectively. The functions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined by GO classification and KEGG pathway analysis. The results suggest that most of the DEGs between the mature and immature developmental stages were predominantly associated with DNA replication, cell cycle, and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and most were up-regulated in the IH group compared with the HH group. The DEGs involved in disparate fecundities between HH and LC were associated with reproduction, fructose and mannose metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism. Our results will contribute to a better understanding of changes in the regulatory network in ovary at different developmental stages and in different fertility of rabbit.