Syntrophic Propionate Degradation Response to Temperature Decrease and Microbial Community Shift in an UASB Reactor

( Qiao Ying Ban ),( Jian Zheng Li ),( Li Guo Zhang ),( Ajay Kumar Jha ),( Yu Peng Zhang ),( Bin Ling Ai ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.3

Propionate is an important intermediate product during the methane fermentation of organic matter, and its degradation is crucial for maintaining the performance of an anaerobic digester. In order to understand the effect of temperature on propionate degradation, an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor with synthetic wastewater containing propionate as a sole carbon source was introduced. Under the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 h and influent propionate of 2,000 mg/l condition, propionate removal was above 94% at 30-35ºC, whereas propionate conversion was inhibited when temperature was suddenly decreased stepwise from 30ºC to 25ºC, to 20ºC, and then to 18ºC. After a long-term operation, the propionate removal at 25ºC resumed to the value at 30- 35ºC, whereas that at 20ºC and 18ºC was still lower than the value at 35ºC by 8.1% and 20.7%, respectively. Microbial community composition analysis showed that Syntrophobacter and Pelotomaculum were the major propionate-oxidizing bacteria (POB), and most POB had not changed with temperature decrease in the UASB. However, two POB were enriched at 18ºC, indicating they were low temperature tolerant. Methanosaeta and Methanospirillum were the dominant methanogens in this UASB and remained constant during temperature decrease. Although the POB and methanogenic composition hardly changed with temperature decrease, the specific CODPro removal rate of anaerobic sludge (SCRR) was reduced by 21.4%-46.4% compared with the control (35ºC) in this system.

Cultivation of Nostoc flagelliforme on Solid Medium

( Jian Yu Su ),( Shi Ru Jia ),( Chang Sheng Qiao ),( Jung Gyu Kim ),( Wan Hae Hong ),( Ki An Cho ),( Du Bok Choi ) 한국환경생물학회 2005 환경생물 : 환경생물학회지 Vol.23 No.2

N/A In order to construct an artificial cultivation of Nostoc flagelliforme on solid medium, we attempted to assess the viability of approaches, which utilized either BG -11 agar or sand medium using both sterile and non-sterile algal segments. In the trial in which the BG-11 agar medium was inoculated with the non-sterile algal segments, the algae exhibited the rapid growth in the initial 4 days of cultivation. However, after 4 days of cultivation, the growth rate of the algae slowed, and the algal growth was completely stopped by 7 days of cultivation. When the BG-11 medium was inoculated with the sterile algal segments, the algae exhibited the rapid growth for a longer period of 8 days, reaching a length of 24.9 mm. The growth rate during this period was measured to be 24.5%. After the 8 days of cultivation, the algal growth rate began to slow and had almost stopped by the 13 days of cultivation. On the other hand, when the sterile algal segments were inoculated onto a sand plate, the algal segments decomposed, reaching total decomposition after 11 days of cultivation. By way of contrast, the desiccation treatment samples continued to grow for 14 days of cultivation. After 14 days of cultivation, the algae achieved a length of 26.1 mm, with a growth rate of 30.6%. Our results indicate that periodic desiccation may constitute an effective strategy for the prevention of algal decomposition.

Branched polymeric prodrug/programmed cell death 4 complexes for combinational cancer therapy

Yu‑Jing He,Lei Xing,Peng‑Fei Cui,Jia‑Liang Zhang,Jian‑Bin Qiao,Cheng‑Qiong Luo,Ge Jiang,Hu‑Lin Jiang 한국약제학회 2017 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.47 No.2

Here, we demonstrate a co-delivery system constructed by integrating chemotherapeutic molecules into branched polymeric prodrug which can condense nucleic acids. Demethylcantharidate (DCA) was chosen as a model drug and premodified through nucleophilic substitution reaction by its two carboxylic groups with allyl chloride. The synthesized intermediate (DCA-dially) was then used to polymerize with tris (2-aminoethyl) amine (TAEA) through progressively ammonolysis reaction. The obtained poly (DCA-alt-TAEA) (DCAT) was used to pack PDCD4 into spherical-like nanoparticles through electrostatic interaction. Gel retardation assays implied that DCAT could integrate DNA at the weight ratio of 1 and protect it from digestion by nuclease. Acid-base titration experiments showed that DCAT obtained preferable buffering capability which was beneficial for the endosomal escape of DCAT/PDCD4 complexes. Cellular tests involving gene transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity indicated that DCA and PDCD4 co-delivered by the complexes significantly and synergistically suppressed the viability of SMMC-7721 cells. These results suggest that integrating chemotherapeutic molecules into nucleic acid-packing polymeric prodrug as cationic polymer/PDCD4 complexes is a highly efficient way to co-deliver chemotherapeutic drugs and nucleic acids for cancer therapy.

Performance of the R-way Colposcopic Evaluation System in Cervical Cancer Screening

Zhao, Jian,Zhang, Xi,Chen, Rui,Zhao, Yu-Qian,Wang, Ting-Ting,He, Shan,Qiao, You-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.10

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of the R-way colposcopic evaluation system (R-way system) in cervical cancer screening. Materials and Methods: Between August 2013 and August 2014, a total of 1,059 cases referred to colposcopy in Peking University First Hospital were studied using both the R-way system and conventional colposcopy. Our study evaluated and compared the diagnostic ability of the two methods in detecting high-grade lesions and cervical cancer (hereinafter called CIN2+). Evaluation indicators including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Youden index and the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were calculated. Results: The R-way system had a slightly lower specificity (94.5%) than conventional colposcopy (96.0%) for CIN2+ detection (P=0.181). However, the sensitivity (77.8%) was significantly higher than with the conventional colposcopic method (46.6%) (${\chi}^2=64.351$, P<0.001). In addition, the AUC of the ROC for CIN2+ detection using the R-way system (0.839) was larger than that with conventional colposcopy (0.731) (Z=4.348, P<0.001). If preliminary result had been drawn from cervical exfoliated cytology before colposcopy referral, combination of the R-way system with cytology could increase the sensitivity to 93.9% for CIN2+ detection (excluding ASCUS\LSIL), confirmed by multipoint biopsy or ECC. Conclusions: The diagnostic value of the R-way evaluation system is higher than that of conventional colposcopic evaluation in cervical cancer screening. Moreover, taking the ease of use and standardized quality control management into account, the R-way system is highly preferable.

Inhibitory Effect of Electroacupuncture on Murine Collagen Arthritis and its Possible Mechanisms

Fang, Jian-Qiao,Aoki, Eri,Yu, Ying,Sohma, Toshimitsu,Kasahara, Takako,Hisamitsu, Tadashi KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2001 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.4 No.1

The influence of electroacupuncture (EA), a traditional Chinese medical treatment, on type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was examined in DBA/1J mice in vivo. Mice were immunized intradermally twice at the 3-week interval with bovine type Ⅱ collagen(C Ⅱ). EA stimulation, begun on the 21 simultaneously with the second immunization, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to GV4 three times a week for 3 weeks. The results showed that EA delayed the onset, attenuated the severity of arthritis, and reduced the anti-collagen antibody level. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of EA on the productions of endogenous $interleukin-1{\Beta}$ (IL-1 beta) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the levels of IL-1 beta mRNA in splenocytes and synovial tissues from C Ⅱ immunized mice on the 45 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages of normal mice by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EA stimulation significant inhibited the concentrations of splenic endogenous IL-1 beta and serum PGE2. The expression of IL-1 beta mRNA in spleen cells was obviously down-regulated and that in synovial tissues was modestly affected by EA. COX-2 mRNA was highly expressed in cultured peritoneal macrophages when stimulated with LPS. Previous treatment with EA also reduced LPS-stimulated induction of COX-2 mRNA. These data suggest that EA has an inhibitory effect on murine CIA, and the partial mechanism of its therapeutic result may be attributed to inhibiting the productions of IL-1 beta and PGE2 by suppression the IL-1 beta and COX-2 gene activations.

Fusion Between TMPRSS2 and ETS Family Members (ERG, ETV1, ETV4) in Prostate Cancers from Northern China

Wang, Jian-Jiang,Liu, Yue-Xin,Wang, Wei,Yan, Wei,Zheng, Yu-Peng,Qiao, Lu-Dong,Liu, Dan,Chen, Shan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

In this study we evaluated the frequency of fusion between TMPRSS2 and ETS family members (ERG, ETV1, ETV4) in prostate cancers in patients from northern China in order to explore differences in fusion rates among regions in northern and southern China, other parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. We examined 100 prostate cancer patients, diagnosed by means of prostate biopsy; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the expression of TMPRSS2, ERG, ETV1 and ETV4 in cancer tissue. Differences in gene fusion rates among different ethnics groups were also analyzed. Of the 100 prostate cancer patients, 55 (55%) had the fusion gene. Among the patients with the fusion gene, 46 (83.6%) patients had the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion product, 8 (14.8%) patients had TMPRSS2:ETV1 fusion, 1 (1.6%) patient had TMPRSS2:ETV4.

Investigation of flexural strength and porosity of porous Si₃N₄ ceramics through orthogonal experimental design

Juanli Yu,Jianmei Hou,Jian Zhang,Guanjun Qiao,Zhihao Jin,Hongjie Wang 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.6

Porous Si3N4 ceramics by a gel casting preparation route have received considerable attention because of their excellent performance. In this paper, orthogonal experimental design L16(45) was used to investigate the preparation of porous Si3N4 ceramics by a gelcasting technique. Three variables including solid loading, monomer content and the ratio of monomers were studied. Through range analysis and variance analysis, the results suggest that the ratio of monomers has a significant influence on both the flexural strength and porosity of Si3N4 sintered bodies. For the flexural strength of a Si3N4 sintered body, the order of significance levels was as follows: the ratio of monomers, solid loading and monomer content. For the porosity of a Si3N4 sintered body, the order of significance levels was as follows: the ratio of monomers, monomer content and solid loading. The experimental results suggest also that solid loading has an optimum value where the flexural strength can achieve a maximum value. Porous Si3N4 ceramics by a gel casting preparation route have received considerable attention because of their excellent performance. In this paper, orthogonal experimental design L16(45) was used to investigate the preparation of porous Si3N4 ceramics by a gelcasting technique. Three variables including solid loading, monomer content and the ratio of monomers were studied. Through range analysis and variance analysis, the results suggest that the ratio of monomers has a significant influence on both the flexural strength and porosity of Si3N4 sintered bodies. For the flexural strength of a Si3N4 sintered body, the order of significance levels was as follows: the ratio of monomers, solid loading and monomer content. For the porosity of a Si3N4 sintered body, the order of significance levels was as follows: the ratio of monomers, monomer content and solid loading. The experimental results suggest also that solid loading has an optimum value where the flexural strength can achieve a maximum value.

Influence of moxibustion on collagen-induced arthritis in mice

Fang, Jian-Qiao,Aoki, Eri,Seto, Akira,Yu, Ying,Kasahara, Takako,Hisamitsu, Tadashi KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2000 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.3 No.2

The influence of moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medical treatment, on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was examined in DBA/1J mice in vivo. Mice were immunized intradermally twice at the 3-week interval with bovine type II collagen (C Il). The main incidence of arthritis started about on day 30 and lasted to day 60 after the first immunization. Moxibustion with three different regimens, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to GV 4 every other day. Moxibustion, from day 0 to day 30 after the first immunization, suppressed the onset and development of arthritis, as well as anti-collagen antibody level. Treatment with moxibustion, from the day 31 to day 60, also resulted in a significant inhibition of progression of arthritis and production of anti-C II antibody. Thirdly we examined the influence of moxibustion on the established arthritis. Moxibustion given from day 61 to day 120, significantly but mildly decreased the anti-C II antibody level in diseased mice, while the bone erosion and joint destruction were not affected. These results indicate that moxibustion could prevent the incidence and attenuates the development of murine CIA.

Reference gene selection for transcriptional profiling by RT-qPCR in the 28-spotted larger potato ladybird

Zhang Yu-Xing,Tan Qiao,Shen Chen-Hui,Wu Jian-Jian,Wu Yi-Kuan,Li Wen-Ze,Jin Lin,Li Guo-Qing 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.2

Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata is one of the most serious defoliates attacking potatoes. However, studies on functional genes have greatly been limited due to the insufficiency of effective and stable endogenous references to normalize RT-qPCR data. In this report, nine housekeeping genes (RPL4, RPL6, RPL13, RPL32, RPS18, ACT, EF1α, GAPDH and α-TUB) involved in different biological processes were selected. Their expression levels under diverse experimental conditions including developmental stages, tissues, temperatures and host plants were determined using RT-qPCR technology. The tested candidate genes were comprehensively ranked based on five alternative stability analysis methods (Ct value, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ReFinder). The results revealed that the optimal internal reference genes varied under different experimental conditions. Any gene pair among the five candidates (RPL4, RPL13, RPL32, RPS18 and EF1α) was a suitable reference gene set under different temperatures and on different host plants. A combination of RPL6 and RPL13 was recommended as the best reference gene set across different developmental stages. A pair of RPS18 and EF1α was ranked as the optimal reference gene combination within different tissues. The most suitable reference genes were RPS18 and RPL13 under four different experimental conditions. Our findings not only establish an accurate and reliable normalization of RT-qPCR data, but also lay a solid foundation for further functional gene researches in H. vigintioctomaculata

Moving Mass Actuated Reentry Vehicle Control Based on Trajectory Linearization

Xiao-Long Su,Jian-Qiao Yu,Ya-Fei Wang,Lin-lin Wang 한국항공우주학회 2013 International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sc Vol.14 No.3

The flight control of re-entry vehicles poses a challenge to conventional gain-scheduled flight controllers due to the widely spread aerodynamic coefficients. In addition, a wide range of uncertainties in disturbances must be accommodated by the control system. This paper presents the design of a roll channel controller for a non-axisymmetric reentry vehicle model using the trajectory linearization control (TLC) method. The dynamic equations of a moving mass system and roll control model are established using the Lagrange method. Nonlinear tracking and decoupling control by trajectory linearization can be viewed as the ideal gain-scheduling controller designed at every point along the flight trajectory. It provides robust stability and performance at all stages of the flight without adjusting controller gains. It is this “plug-and-play” feature that is highly preferred for developing, testing and routine operating of the re-entry vehicles. Although the controller is designed only for nominal aerodynamic coefficients, excellent performance is verified by simulation for wind disturbances and variations from -30% to +30% of the aerodynamic coefficients.