Comparison of Microbial Diversity and Composition in the Jejunum and Colon of Alcohol-Dependent Rats

( Yang Fan ),( Zhao Ya-e ),( Wei Ji-dong ),( Lu Yu-fan ),( Zhang Ying ),( Sun Ya-lun ),( Ma Meng-yu ),( Zhang Rui-ling ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2018 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.28 No.11

Alcohol dependence is a global public health problem, yet the mechanisms of alcohol dependence are incompletely understood. The traditional view has been that ethanol alters various neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain and causes the addiction. However, an increasing amount of experimental evidence suggests that gut microbiota also influence brain functions via gut-to-brain interactions, and may therefore induce the development of alcohol use disorders. In this study, a rat model of alcohol dependence and withdrawal was employed, the gut microbiota composition was analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the metagenome function was predicted by PICRUSt software. The results suggested that chronic alcohol consumption did not significantly alter the diversity and richness of gut microbiota in the jejunum and colon, but rather markedly changed the microbiota composition structure in the colon. The phyla Bacteroidetes and eight genera including Bacteroidales S24-7, Ruminococcaceae, Parabacteroides, Butyricimonas, et al were drastically increased, however the genus Lactobacillus and gauvreauii in the colon were significantly decreased in the alcohol dependence group compared with the withdrawal and control groups. The microbial functional prediction analysis revealed that the proportions of amino acid metabolism, polyketide sugar unit biosynthesis and peroxisome were significantly increased in the AD group. This study demonstrated that chronic alcohol consumption has a dramatic effect on the microbiota composition structure in the colon but few effects on the jejunum. Inducement of colonic microbiota dysbiosis due to alcohol abuse seems to be a factor of alcohol dependence, which suggests that modulating colonic microbiota composition might be a potentially new target for treating alcohol addiction.

Growth of InGaN Films on c-plane Sapphire Substrates with an AlN Nucleation Layer by Using Metal-organic Chemical-Vapor Deposition

Dang-Hui Wang,Sheng-Rui Xu,Jin-Cheng Zhang,Ke Chen,Zhi-Wei Bi,Lin-Xia Zhang,Fan-Na Meng,Shan Ai,Yue Hao 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.61 No.4

In this study, we report on the crystal quality of InGaN epifilms with different indium fractions grown at different growth temperatures on c-plane sapphire substrates with an AlN nucleation layer by using low-pressure metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition (MOCVD). High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), atom force microscopy (AFM), photoluminescence (PL) and Raman scattering measurements were employed to study the crystal quality, optical properties and strain condition of InGaN epifilms with increasing indium fraction (from 4.36% to 15.36%). Results show that InGaN epitaxial layers can be realized with a higher indium fraction at a lower temperature by inserting an AlN nucleation layer between the sapphire substrate and the GaN buffer layer and that the obtained InGaN epifilms have an improved crystal quality and a lower threading dislocation density.

Long-term Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients after Hepatectomy

Zhou, Lei,Liu, Chang,Meng, Fan-Di,Qu, Kai,Tian, Feng,Tai, Ming-Hui,Wei, Ji-Chao,Wang, Rui-Tao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Background: The hepatocellular carcinoma is very common in China. Our aim in this report was to investigate clinical and pathological factors based on the current decade data that could influence prognosis of HCC patients after hepatectomy. Methods: Between 2002 and 2009, all patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC were followed up and reviewed retrospectively. Prognostic factors were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis, with Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate survival analyses. Results: Complete clinicopathologic and follow-up data were available for 114 patients. The estimated cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 yr were 84.6%, 60.2% and 51.8%, respectively. On univariate analysis, key prognostic factors were AFP level, GGT level, tumor size, number of tumors, portal vein invasion, liver cirrhosis status and TNM stage. In the multivariate analysis, tumor size, GGT level, liver cirrhosis status and portal vein invasion were significantly associated with patients' prognosis. Conclusion: Through follow-up of a relatively large cohort of Chinese patients, tumor size, GGT level, liver cirrhosis status, portal vein invasion were revealed as important factors for long-term survival after hepatectomy. Early diagnosis for tumor and the improvement of liver function before surgery are important ways to improve the prognosis.

Template‑Free Hydrothermal Synthesis, Mechanism, and Photocatalytic Properties of Core–Shell CeO2 Nanospheres

Huijie Li,Fanming Meng,Jinfeng Gong,Zhenghua Fan,Rui Qin 대한금속·재료학회 2018 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.14 No.4

CeO2 nanospheres with the core–shell nanostructure have been successfully synthesized by a template-free hydrothermalmethod. The structures, morphologies and optical properties of core–shell CeO2nanospheres were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD), TG, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XRD, EDS, SAED, scanning electron microscopy and transmissionelectron microscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, Raman analyses. The degradation efficiencies of core–shell CeO2nanospheres for methyl orange were as high as 93.49, 95.67 and 98.28% within 160 min, and the rates of photo degradationof methyl orange by core–shell CeO2nanospheres under UV-light were 0.01693, 0.01782 and 0.02375 min−1. Methyl orangewas degraded in photocatalytic oxidation processes, which mainly gave the credit to a large number of reactive species includingh+,surface superoxide species ·O2−, and ·OH radicals. The core–shell structure, small crystallite size and the conversionbetween Ce3+and Ce4+of CeO2nanospheres were of importance for its catalytic activity. These results demonstrated thepossibility of improving the efficient catalysts of the earth abundant CeO2catalysts.

Genome editing in potato plants by agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of transcription activator-like effector nucleases

Jin Ma,Heng Xiang,Danielle J. Donnelly,Fan-Rui Meng,Huimin Xu,Dion Durnford,Xiu-Qing Li 한국식물생명공학회 2017 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.11 No.5

Genome editing (also known as targeted mutation) has promise for molecular breeding. Compared with the CRISPR/Cas9 system, the transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) have likely a lesser off-target rate in genome editing. Both a rapid test system for the functionality of designed TALENs and an effective delivery system for introducing the TALENs to plants are critical for successful target mutation. TALENs have usually been tested in protoplasts or introduced to plants with viral vectors. However, plant regeneration from protoplast culture can generate extensive somatic variation. Viral vectors are not always available, and plants edited by these vectors usually require virus elimination. Here, we used a nonviral, Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression approach, to serve both rapid test and effective delivery of TALENs into two vegetatively propagated potato cultivars, Solanum tuberosum Russet Burbank and Shepody. Two TALENs with different molecular weights (22 and 27 aarepeat modules) were expressed to target two endogenous genes (starch branching enzyme and an acid invertase) by Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration (agroinfiltration) into leaves of potato plants. The infiltrated leaf DNA was analyzed using restriction site loss assay and subsequent DNA sequencing. Deep sequencing of these tetraploid cultivars was also conducted to determine the zygosity at the targeted chromosomal loci. TALENs, with different molecular weights, successfully agroinfiltrated and induced mutations at both targeted loci.

Prognosis and Management for Gallbladder Cancer with Hepatic Invasion: Long-term Results of 139 Patients from a Single Center in China

Qu, Kai,Chang, Hu-Lin,Liu, Si-Nan,Liu, Chang,Xu, Xin-Sen,Wang, Rui-Tao,Zhou, Lei,Tian, Feng,Wei, Ji-Chao,Tai, Ming-Hui,Meng, Fan-Di Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Objective: To improve the diagnosis of primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) with/without hepatic metastases by analyzing our experience of different GBC treatment in our patients. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of the 139 patients with GBC who underwent hepatic resection in our unit from January 2003 to December 2007. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they demonstrated hepatic invasion. Tumor presentation, surgical modes, and prognosis of each patient were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were employed to compare the survival rates of those patients undergoing different surgical procedures. Results: Of the 139 patients, 46 were men and 93 were women with the male to female ratio of 1:2.0. Their ages were ranged from 35 to 86 years with a mean age of $62.8{\pm}10.4$ years. There were 73 patients complicated with hepatic invasion (group A), and no hepatic invasion occurred in the other 66 patients (group B). Compared with the group B, the patients with hepatic invasion suffered lower differentiation of tumor (p=0.000), more advanced Nevin staging (p=0.008) and poorer prognosis (p=0.013). Radical resection were more frequently performed in group B (75.76%) than in group A (45.20%) with better outcomes (p=0.000). Conclusion: GBC patients complicated with hepatic invasion had poorer prognosis than those without invasion in long-term follow-ups. Radical resection might result in a satisfied prognosis in patients without hepatic invasion, but appears less favorable than palliative resection in those who were complicated with hepatic invasion.

Gallbladder Cancer: a Subtype of Biliary Tract Cancer Which is a Current Challenge in China

Qu, Kai,Liu, Si-Nan,Chang, Hu-Lin,Liu, Chang,Xu, Xin-Sen,Wang, Rui-Tao,Zhou, Lei,Tian, Feng,Wei, Ji-Chao,Tai, Ming-Hui,Meng, Fan-Di Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Biliary tract cancers, broadly described as malignancies that arise from the biliary tract epithelia, are usually divided into two major clinical phenotypes: cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, differing in etiopathogenesis, risk factors, and perhaps molecular and genetic signatures. Atypical symptoms and lack of tumor biomarkers make it difficult to diagnose in early stages. At the time of presentation, few patients are candidates for potentially curative surgical resection. We here assessed and compared features of a total of 150 cases divided into extra- and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and gallbladder cancers (GBC). Althought there were no significant differences in serum tumour marker levels, GBC patients had the poorest prognosis. Furthermore, gallbladder cancer respond poorly to chemotherapy or radiation therapy and approximately half of untreated patients died within 10 months. Therefore, treatment for patients with gallbladder cancer is still in challenge. Outcomes and survival of these patients had improved little over the past three decades - a period in which new successful treatments have greatly contributed to the prolonged patient survival for many other cancers.