Hydrogen Bonding Analysis of Hydroxyl Groups in Glucose Aqueous Solutions by a Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Chen, Cong,Li, Wei Zhong,Song, Yong Chen,Weng, Lin Dong,Zhang, Ning Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.7

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate hydrogen bonding characteristics of hydroxyl groups in glucose aqueous solutions with different concentrations. The hydrogen bonding abilities and strength of different O and H atom types have been calculated and compared. The acceptor/donor efficiencies have been predicted and it has been found that: (1) O2-HO2 and O3-HO3 are more efficient intramolecular hydrogen bonding acceptors than donors; (2) O1-HO1, O4-HO4 and O6-HO6 are more efficient intramolecular hydrogen bonding donors than acceptors; (5) O1-HO1 and O6-HO6 are more efficient intermolecular hydrogen bonding acceptors than donors while hydroxyl groups O2-HO2 and O4-HO4 are more efficient intermolecular hydrogen bonding donors than acceptors. The hydrogen bonding abilities of hydroxyl groups revealed that: (1) the hydrogen bonding ability of OH2-$H_w$ is larger than that of hydroxyl groups in glucose; (2) among the hydroxyl groups in glucose, the hydrogen bonding ability of O6-HO6 is the largest and the hydrogen bonding ability of O4-HO4 is the smallest; (3) the intermolecular hydrogen bonding ability of O6-HO6 is the largest; (4) the order for intramolecular hydrogen bonding abilities (from large to small) is O2-HO2, O1-HO1, O3-HO3, O6-HO6 and O4-HO4.

Identification and evaluation of reference genes for gene expression analysis in the weevil pest Pagiophloeus tsushimanus using RT-qPCR

Chen Cong,Li Shouyin,Zhu Han,Fan Binqi,Wang Yan,Hao Dejun 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.2

Pagiophloeus tsushimanus is a newly and specialist wood-boring beetle of Cinnamomum camphora in China. RTqPCR is an accurate quantitative method to quantify target genes expression, which relies on suitable reference genes for data normalization. Reference genes must to be stably expressed under specific experimental conditions. No suitable reference genes of P. tsushimanus have been reported so far. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and evaluate suitable reference genes for the study of functional genes of this pest. In this research, the expression stability of eight candidate reference genes (RPS3, 18S rRNA, GAPDH, TBP, RPL10, UBQ, GST, and RPS27A) were systematically evaluated in P. tsushimanus by five algorithms (geNorm, BestKeeper, NormFinder, delta C q , and RefFinder) under different developmental stages, various tissues, and insects reared on different plants, and validated by the olfactory key gene odorant binding protein 33 (PtsuOBP33). The results showed that three stable reference genes combination were necessary for quantitative analysis of target gene. RPS3, RPL10, and UBQ were the optimal reference genes combination for gene expression analysis of developmental stages, while RPL10, RPS3, and 18S rRNA were recommended for different tissues, and 18S rRNA, TBP, and RPS3 were recommended for insects reared on different plants. The results indicated that suitable reference genes should be screened out for gene expression analysis under different conditions. This paper systematically analyzed and obtained suitable reference genes in P. tsushimanus for the first time, which would contribute to the functional analysis of genes and the in-depth mining of genetic resources in it.

Hydrogen Bonding Analysis of Hydroxyl Groups in Glucose Aqueous Solutions by a Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Cong Chen,Wei Zhong Li,Yongchen Song,Lin Dong Weng,Ning Zhang 대한화학회 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.7

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate hydrogen bonding characteristics of hydroxyl groups in glucose aqueous solutions with different concentrations. The hydrogen bonding abilities and strength of different O and H atom types have been calculated and compared. The acceptor/donor efficiencies have been predicted and it has been found that: (1) O2-HO2 and O3-HO3 are more efficient intramolecular hydrogen bonding acceptors than donors; (2) O1-HO1, O4-HO4 and O6-HO6 are more efficient intramolecular hydrogen bonding donors than acceptors; (5) O1-HO1 and O6-HO6 are more efficient intermolecular hydrogen bonding acceptors than donors while hydroxyl groups O2-HO2 and O4-HO4 are more efficient intermolecular hydrogen bonding donors than acceptors. The hydrogen bonding abilities of hydroxyl groups revealed that: (1) the hydrogen bonding ability of OH2-Hw is larger than that of hydroxyl groups in glucose; (2) among the hydroxyl groups in glucose, the hydrogen bonding ability of O6-HO6 is the largest and the hydrogen bonding ability of O4-HO4 is the smallest; (3) the intermolecular hydrogen bonding ability of O6-HO6 is the largest; (4) the order for intramolecular hydrogen bonding abilities (from large to small) is O2-HO2, O1-HO1, O3-HO3, O6-HO6 and O4-HO4.

Risk factors for and delayed recognition of genitourinary fistula following radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer: a population-based analysis

Cong Liang,Ping Liu,Shan Kang,Weili Li,BiLiang Chen,Mei Ji,Chunlin Chen 대한부인종양학회 2023 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.34 No.2

Objective: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for genitourinary fistulas and delayed fistula recognition after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of data collected in the Major Surgical complications of Cervical Cancer in China (MSCCCC) database from 2004–2016. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and hospital characteristics were extracted. Differences in the odds of genitourinary fistula development were investigated with multivariate logistic regression analyses, and differences in the time to recognition of genitourinary fistula were assessed by Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: In this study, 23,404 patients met the inclusion criteria. Surgery in a cancer center, a women’s and children’s hospital, a facility in a first-tier city, or southwest region, stage IIA, type C1 hysterectomy, laparoscopic surgery and ureteral injury were associated with a higher risk of ureterovaginal fistula (UVF) (p<0.050). Surgery in southwest region, bladder injury and laparoscopic surgery were associated with greater odds of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) (p<0.050). Surgery at cancer centers and high-volume hospitals was associated with an increase in the median time to UVF recognition (p=0.016; p=0.005). International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIA1-IIB was associated with delayed recognition of VVF (p=0.040). Conclusion: Intraoperative urinary tract injury and surgical approach were associated with differences in the development of UVFs and VVFs. Patients who underwent surgery in cancer centers and high-volume hospitals were more likely to experience delayed recognition of UVF. Patients with FIGO stage IIA1-IIB disease were more likely to experience delayed recognition of VVF.

Structural insights into the dual substrate specificities of mammalian and <i>Dictyostelium</i> dihydropteridine reductases toward two stereoisomers of quinonoid dihydrobiopterin

Chen, Cong,Kim, Hye Lim,Zhuang, Ningning,Seo, Kyung Hye,Park, Ki Hun,Han, Chang-deok,Park, Young Shik,Lee, Kon Ho Elsevier 2011 FEBS letters Vol.585 No.17

<P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>► The binary structure of <I>Dic</I>DHPR-NAD<SUP>+</SUP> has been solved in 2.16Å resolution. ► Structural changes in NADH binding site result in a higher <I>K</I><SUB>m</SUB> for NADH than mammals. ► A mammalian DHPR carries a dual substrate activity verified by in vitro assay. ► We built structural models of the ratDHPR and <I>Dic</I>DHPR in complex with two substrates.</P> <P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Up to now, <SMALL>D</SMALL>-<I>threo</I>-tetrahydrobiopterin (DH<SUB>4</SUB>, dictyopterin) was detected only in <I>Dictyostelium discoideum</I>, while the isomer <SMALL>L</SMALL>-<I>erythro</I>-tetrahydrobioterin (BH<SUB>4</SUB>) is common in mammals. To elucidate the mechanism of DH<SUB>4</SUB> regeneration by <I>D. discoideum</I> dihydropteridine reductase (<I>Dic</I>DHPR), we have determined the crystal structure of <I>Dic</I>DHPR complexed with NAD<SUP>+</SUP> at 2.16Å resolution. Significant structural differences from mammalian DHPRs are found around the coenzyme binding site, resulting in a higher <I>K</I><SUB>m</SUB> value for NADH (<I>K</I><SUB>m</SUB>=46.51±0.4μM) than mammals. In addition, we have found that rat DHPR as well as <I>Dic</I>DHPR could bind to both substrates quinonoid-BH<SUB>2</SUB> and quinonoid-DH<SUB>2</SUB> by docking calculations and have confirmed their catalytic activity by in vitro assay.</P><P><B>Structured summary of protein interactions</B></P><P><B>DHPR</B>bindsto<B>DHPR</B> by X-ray crystallography(View interaction)</P>

Prognostic Significance of Annexin A1 Expression in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Chen, Cong-Ying,Shen, Jia-Qing,Wang, Feng,Wan, Rong,Wang, Xing-Peng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Annexin A1 is a 37-kDa calcium- and phospholipid-binding protein of the annexin superfamily considered to play an important role in tumorigenesis. However, associations with clinicopathological features in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases have yet to be fully defined. We therefore investigated the prognostic value of annexin A1 protein as a PDAC biomarker in 83 tumor and matched non-cancerous tissues or normal pancreas tissues. Expression was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In non-tumor tissue, myoepithelial cells showed no or weak expression of annexin A1 while expression was strong and sometimes even located in the nuclei of endothelial cells in tumor tissue. High expression was significantly associated with advanced stage (P <0.05) and a worse overall survival (P <0.05). These results provide new insights to better understand the role of annexin A1 in PDAC survival, and might be relevant to prediction of prognosis and development of more effective therapeutic strategies aimed at improving survival.

Unsteady galloping of sharp-edged bluff bodies: experimental observations on the effect of the wind angle of attack

Cong Chen,Bingyu Dai,Niccolo Wieczorek,Julian Unglaub,Klaus Thiele 한국풍공학회 2022 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.35 No.4

Light-weight or low-damped structures may encounter the unsteady galloping instability that occurs at low reduced wind speeds, where the classical quasi-steady assumption is invalid. Although this unsteady phenomenon has been widely studied for rectangular cross sections with one side perpendicular to the incidence flow, the effect of the mean wind angle of attack has not been paid enough attention yet. With four sectional models of different side ratios and geometric shapes, the presented research focuses on the effect of the wind angle of attack on unsteady galloping instability. In static tests, comparatively strong vortex shedding force was noticed in the middle of the range of flow incidence where the lift coefficient shows a negative slope. In aeroelastic tests with a low Scruton number, the typical unsteady galloping, which is due to an interaction with vortex-induced vibration and results in unrestricted oscillation initiating at the Kármán vortex resonance wind speed, was observed for the wind angles of attack that characterize relatively strong vortex shedding force. In contrast, for the wind angles of attack with relatively weak shedding force, an “atypical” unsteady galloping was found to occur at a reduced wind speed clearly higher than the Kármán-vortex resonance one. These observations are valid for all four wind tunnel models. One of the wind tunnel models (with a bridge deck cross section) was also tested in a turbulent flow with an intensity about 9%, showing only the atypical unsteady galloping. However, the wind angle of attack with the comparatively strong vortex shedding force remains the most unfavorable one with respect to the instability threshold in low Scruton number conditions.

Effects of High Pressure on pH, Water-binding Capacity and Textural Properties of Pork Muscle Gels Containing Various Levels of Sodium Alginate

Chen, Cong-Gui,Borjigin, Gerelt,Jiang, Shao-Tong,Tadayuki, Nishiumi,Atsushi, Suzuki Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.11

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium alginate (SA) and pressurization levels on pH, water-binding and textural properties of pork muscle gels (PMG) containing salt. Ground lean pork with 1.0% NaCl and a given amount of SA (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0%, respectively), was pressurized to 100, 200 or 300 MPa and subsequently gelled by heating. Results showed that addition of SA into pork muscle enhanced water-holding capacity (WHC) of PMG (p<0.05) as SA increased from 0.25% to 1.0%, with pH slightly increased (p>0.05). A decrease (p<0.05) was observed in all textural parameters (hardness, cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness). Pressurization had no effect on the tendency of WHC to increase or the decrease of the textural parameters. However, the effectiveness of pressurization to enhance textural properties of PMG was significant at some SA levels, especially ${\geq}200MPa$ and at ${\leq}0.75%$ SA levels. Different combinations of pressure and SA levels could bring about variation in textural properties of PMG while SA enhanced WHC of pork muscle. The multiformity of the texture will open up a wide range of technological possibilities for the manufacture of pork-based restructured low-fat products.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of myocardial damage and cardiac dysfunction in acute coronary syndrome patients

Chen Chen,Bai Lin Cong,Min Wang,Muhammad Abdullah,Xiao Long Wang,Yin Hua Zhang,Shun Ji Xu,Lan Cui 한국한의학연구원 2018 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.7 No.2

Background: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood is established to correlate with the morbidity and mortality of heart disease patients. We aimed to define the severity of inflammation (NLR) by observing the association of NLR with cardiac functions or myocardial damage parameters in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Data from 715 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 72 hours of incidence in 2016 were analysed retrospectively. Results: The NLR ranges from 0.50 to 46 (medium ± SD, 2.76 ± 2.96) in 715 patients. NLR positively correlated with myocardial damage (NLR vs. CK-mB: p < 0.0001) but negatively correlated with myocardial function (NLR vs. EF: p < 0.0001; NLR vs. FS: p < 0.0001). Myocardial damage markers (CK, CK-mB, ASL, LDH) were significantly increased, and cardiac contractile parameters (EF and FS) were reduced at NLR > 2.76 compared to those of NLR < 2.76. ELISA analysis has shown that IL-10 was significantly increased when NLR ≥ 4.6 and TGF-β was increased at NLR > 4. The correlation was diminished between NLR and CK-mB at NLR > 2.76 or at NLR > 4, but that of NLR and EF or FS was maintained in NLR > 2.76 and at NLR > 4. EF and FS were comparable between NLR > 2.76 and NLR > 4. But myocardial damage parameters increased significantly at NLR > 4 compared to those of NLR > 2.76. Conclusion: NLR is a strong predictor of myocardial damage in acute myocardial patients. High NLR are associated with myocardial dysfunction in all the patients. Severe inflammation (NLR) can predict the consequence of the heart in patients with coronary syndrome.

Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis and Implications for Honey Bee Health

Chen, Yan Ping,Pettis, Jeffery S.,Corona, Miguel,Chen, Wei Ping,Li, Cong Jun,Spivak, Marla,Visscher, P. Kirk,DeGrandi-Hoffman, Gloria,Boncristiani, Humberto,Zhao, Yan,vanEngelsdorp, Dennis,Delaplane, Public Library of Science 2014 PLoS pathogens Vol.10 No.7

<▼1><P><I>Israeli acute paralysis virus</I> (IAPV) is a widespread RNA virus of honey bees that has been linked with colony losses. Here we describe the transmission, prevalence, and genetic traits of this virus, along with host transcriptional responses to infections. Further, we present RNAi-based strategies for limiting an important mechanism used by IAPV to subvert host defenses. Our study shows that IAPV is established as a persistent infection in honey bee populations, likely enabled by both horizontal and vertical transmission pathways. The phenotypic differences in pathology among different strains of IAPV found globally may be due to high levels of standing genetic variation. Microarray profiles of host responses to IAPV infection revealed that mitochondrial function is the most significantly affected biological process, suggesting that viral infection causes significant disturbance in energy-related host processes. The expression of genes involved in immune pathways in adult bees indicates that IAPV infection triggers active immune responses. The evidence that silencing an IAPV-encoded putative suppressor of RNAi reduces IAPV replication suggests a functional assignment for a particular genomic region of IAPV and closely related viruses from the Family <I>Dicistroviridae</I>, and indicates a novel therapeutic strategy for limiting multiple honey bee viruses simultaneously and reducing colony losses due to viral diseases. We believe that the knowledge and insights gained from this study will provide a new platform for continuing studies of the IAPV–host interactions and have positive implications for disease management that will lead to mitigation of escalating honey bee colony losses worldwide.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>The mysterious outbreak of honey bee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in the US in 2006–2007 has attracted massive media attention and created great concerns over the effects of various risk factors on bee health. Understanding the factors that are linked to the honey bee colony declines may provide insights for managing similar incidents in the future. We conducted this study to elucidate traits of a key honey bee virus, Israeli acute paralysis virus. We then developed an innovative strategy to control virus levels. The knowledge and insights gained from this study will have positive implications for bee disease management, helping to mitigate worldwide colony losses.</P></▼2>