Celastrol, produced by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. enhances defense response in cucumber seedlings against diverse environmental stresses

Li-jun Zhu,Xing-guang Deng,Li-juan Zou,Peng-xu Li,Jun-qiang Wu,Da-wei Zhang,Honghui Lin 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.1

Celastrol is an active triterpenoid compound isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F.. Many reports have highlighted that celastrol is an effective, safe and desirable approach to the treatment of cancers. However, their biological function during environmental stresses in plants is rarely reported. In the present study, the effects of celastrol on the tolerance against high light (HL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cold stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Celastrol pretreatment could enhance cucumber seedlings stress tolerance at a concentration of 1 μg ml–1. The results showed that pretreatment with 1 μg ml–1 celastrol clearly induced the activities of antioxidative enzymes, which subsequently alleviated stress-induced oxidative damage in plant cells. We also provided evidence that celastrol upregulated ABA biosynthetic gene NCED2 expression and ABA accumulation in cucumber seedlings, which resulted to the enhanced tolerance in response to environmental stresses. Furthermore, the celastrol-pretreated seedlings showed less photosystem damaged caused by the stress conditions, when compared with the control. Therefore, our findings provide a novel role of celastrol in plant against environmental stresses and indicate that the celastrol-induced activities of antioxidative enzymes and ABA content might contribute to the stress tolerance.

Evaluation of Anterior Ethmoidal Artery by 320-Slice CT Angiography with Comparison to Three-Dimensional Spin Digital Subtraction Angiography: Initial Experiences

Juan Ding,Gang Sun,Yang Lu,Bing-bing Yu,Min Li,Li Li,Guo-ying Li,Zhao-hui Peng,Xu-Ping Zhang 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.6

Objective: To explore the usefulness of 320-slice CT angiography (CTA) for evaluating the course of the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) and its relationship with adjacent structures by using three-dimensional (3D) spin digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as standard reference. Materials and Methods: From December 2008 to December 2010, 32 patients with cerebrovascular disease, who underwent both cranial 3D spin DSA and 320-slice CTA within a 30 day period from each other, were retrospectively reviewed. AEA course in ethmoid was analyzed in DSA and CTA. In addition, adjacent bony landmarks (bony notch in medial orbital wall, anterior ethmoidal canal, and anterior ethmoidal sulcus) were evaluated with CTA using the MPR technique oriented along the axial, coronal and oblique coronal planes in all patients. The dose length product (DLP) for CTA and the dose-area product (DAP) for 3D spin DSA were recorded. Effective dose (ED) was calculated. Results: The entire course of the AEA was seen in all 32 cases (100%) with 3D spine DSA and in 29 of 32 cases (90.1%) with 320-slice CTA, with no significant difference (p = 0.24). In three cases where AEA was not visualized on 320-slice CTA, two were due to the dominant posterior ethmoidal artery, while the remaining case was due to diminutive AEA. On MPR images of 320-slice CT, a bony notch in the orbital medial walls was detected in all cases (100%, 64 of 64); anterior ethmoidal canal was seen in 28 of 64 cases (43.8%), and the anterior ethmoidal sulcus was seen in 63 of 64 cases (98.4%). The mean effective dose in CTA was 0.6 ± 0.25 mSv, which was significantly lower than for 3D spin DSA (1.3 ± 0.01 mSv) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: 320-slice CTA has a similar detection rate for AEA to that of 3D spin DSA; however, it is noninvasive, and may be preferentially used for the evaluation of AEA and its adjacent bony variations and pathologic changes in preoperative patients with paranasal sinus diseases. Objective: To explore the usefulness of 320-slice CT angiography (CTA) for evaluating the course of the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) and its relationship with adjacent structures by using three-dimensional (3D) spin digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as standard reference. Materials and Methods: From December 2008 to December 2010, 32 patients with cerebrovascular disease, who underwent both cranial 3D spin DSA and 320-slice CTA within a 30 day period from each other, were retrospectively reviewed. AEA course in ethmoid was analyzed in DSA and CTA. In addition, adjacent bony landmarks (bony notch in medial orbital wall, anterior ethmoidal canal, and anterior ethmoidal sulcus) were evaluated with CTA using the MPR technique oriented along the axial, coronal and oblique coronal planes in all patients. The dose length product (DLP) for CTA and the dose-area product (DAP) for 3D spin DSA were recorded. Effective dose (ED) was calculated. Results: The entire course of the AEA was seen in all 32 cases (100%) with 3D spine DSA and in 29 of 32 cases (90.1%) with 320-slice CTA, with no significant difference (p = 0.24). In three cases where AEA was not visualized on 320-slice CTA, two were due to the dominant posterior ethmoidal artery, while the remaining case was due to diminutive AEA. On MPR images of 320-slice CT, a bony notch in the orbital medial walls was detected in all cases (100%, 64 of 64); anterior ethmoidal canal was seen in 28 of 64 cases (43.8%), and the anterior ethmoidal sulcus was seen in 63 of 64 cases (98.4%). The mean effective dose in CTA was 0.6 ± 0.25 mSv, which was significantly lower than for 3D spin DSA (1.3 ± 0.01 mSv) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: 320-slice CTA has a similar detection rate for AEA to that of 3D spin DSA; however, it is noninvasive, and may be preferentially used for the evaluation of AEA and its adjacent bony variations and pathologic changes in preoperative patients with paranasal sinus diseases.

Multiple Gene Genealogical Analyses of a Nematophagous Fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus from China

Juan Li,Heng Li,Xiaoxu Bi,Ke-Qin Zhang 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.4

Paecilomyces lilacinus is a geographically widespread nematophagous fungus and a promising biological control agent against plant parasitic nematodes. However, relatively little is known about its patterns of genetic variation through its broad geographic and ecological contexts. In this study, we analyzed the genetic variation of 2 virulence-associated genes (PLS and PLC) and 4 housekeeping gene fragments (ITS,RPB1, RPB2, and β-tubulin) among 80 P. lilacinus specimens collected from 7 locations in China. Various degrees of polymorphism and haplotype diversity were observed among the six gene fragments. However, no genetic differentiation was observed among the geographic populations, consistent with extensive gene flow among these geographic populations of P. lilacinus in China. Our analysis also suggested that clonal reproduction was the predominant mode of reproduction in natural populations of P. lilacinus.

Significance of Thrombocytosis in Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognosis of Gastric Cancer

Li, Fang-Xuan,Wei, Li-Juan,Zhang, Huan,Li, Shi-Xia,Liu, Jun-Tian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Purpose: We aimed to study the relationship between thrombocytosis and clinical features of gastric cancerfocussing on platelet counts and gastric cancer progression through different TNM stages. Methods: According to the normal range of platelet count in our institution, 1,596 patients were divided to two groups: a thrombocytosis group (120 patients, > $400{\times}1000/{\mu}L$) and a control group (1,476 patients, ${\leq}400{\times}1000/{\mu}L$). Results: The incidence of thrombocytosis was 7.5%. Higher platelet counts were observed in patients with older age, larger tumor size, deeper invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and advanced TNM stage. In multivariate logistic regression, tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage were independent risk factors for thrombocytosis of gastric cancer patients. On prognostic analysis, age, tumor size, tumor location, histologic type, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and TNM stage and platelet count were important factors. Tumor size, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and the platelet count were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: Thrombocytosis is associated with clinical features of gastric cancer patients and correlates with a poor prognosis.

In vitro Antioxidant Activities of Proanthocyanidins Extracted from the Lotus Seedpod and Ameliorative Effects on Learning and Memory Impairment in Scopolamine-induced Amnesia Mice

Juan Xiao,Shuyi Li,Yong Sui,Xiaopeng Li,Qian Wu,Ruifen Zhang,Mingwei Zhang,Bijun Xie,Zhida Sun 한국식품과학회 2015 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.24 No.4

The antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins extracted from the lotus seedpods (LSPC) in vitro and ameliorative effects on memory impairment induced using scopolamine in mice were studied. 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and cellular antioxidant activity assays revealed a potent LSPC antioxidant activity. Y-maze and step-down avoidance testing showed that LSPC administration at 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg ameliorated memory impairment. LSPC improved glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, inhibited activities of monoamine oxidase-B, total nitric oxide synthase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and acetylcholinesterase, and had no influence on inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide levels in the brain. LSPC ameliorated scopolamineinduced memory impairment based on improvement of the antioxidant system and cholinergic activity, which may be associated with potent antioxidant ability.

Tumor-Derived Transforming Growth Factor-β is Critical for Tumor Progression and Evasion from Immune Surveillance

Li, Zheng,Zhang, Li-Juan,Zhang, Hong-Ru,Tian, Gao-Fei,Tian, Jun,Mao, Xiao-Li,Jia, Zheng-Hu,Meng, Zi-Yu,Zhao, Li-Qing,Yin, Zhi-Nan,Wu, Zhen-Zhou Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Tumors have evolved numerous mechanisms by which they can escape from immune surveillance. One of these is to produce immunosuppressive cytokines. Transforming growth factor-${\beta}$(TGF-${\beta}$) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a crucial function in mediating immune suppression, especially in the tumor microenvironment. TGF-${\beta}$ produced by T cells has been demonstrated as an important factor for suppressing antitumor immune responses, but the role of tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ in this process is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that knockdown of tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ using shRNA resulted in dramatically reduced tumor size, slowing tumor formation, prolonging survival rate of tumor-bearing mice and inhibiting metastasis. We revealed possible underlying mechanisms as reducing the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Treg cells, and consequently enhanced IFN-${\gamma}$ production by CTLs. Knockdown of tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ also significantly reduced the conversion of na$\ddot{i}$ve $CD4^+$ T cells into Treg cells in vitro. Finally, we found that knockdown of TGF-${\beta}$ suppressed cell migration, but did not change the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells in vitro. In summary, our study provided evidence that tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ is a critical factor for tumor progression and evasion of immune surveillance, and blocking tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer.

Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Intraocular Cysticercosis

Juan-Juan Li,Li-Wei Zhang,Hua Li,Zhu-Lin Hu 대한기생충학열대의학회 2013 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.51 No.2

Schisandrin B Improves the Hypothermic Preservation of Celsior Solution in Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Zhang Ying,Wang Peng,Jin Mei-xian,Zhou Ying-qi,Ye Liang,Zhu Xiao-juan,Li Hui-fang,Zhou Ming,Li Yang,Li Shao,Liang Kang-yan,Wang Yi,Gao Yi,Pan Ming-xin,Zhou Shu-qin,Peng Qing 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2023 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.20 No.3

BACKGROUND: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have emerged as promising therapy for immune and inflammatory diseases. However, how to maintain the activity and unique properties during cold storage and transportation is one of the key factors affecting the therapeutic efficiency of hUCMSCs. Schisandrin B (SchB) has many functions in cell protection as a natural medicine. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of SchB on the hypothermic preservation of hUCMSCs. METHODS: hUCMSCs were isolated from Wharton’s jelly. Subsequently, hUCMSCs were exposed to cold storage (4 C) and 24-h re-warming. After that, cells viability, surface markers, immunomodulatory effects, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial integrity, apoptosis-related and antioxidant proteins expression level were evaluated. RESULTS: SchB significantly alleviated the cells injury and maintained unique properties such as differentiation potential, level of surface markers and immunomodulatory effects of hUCMSCs. The protective effects of SchB on hUCMSCs after hypothermic storage seemed associated with its inhibition of apoptosis and the anti-oxidative stress effect mediated by nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 signaling. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate SchB could be used as an agent for hypothermic preservation of hUCMSCs.

Preparation and In Vitro Release of Ramose Chitosan-Based-5-Fluorouracil Microspheres

Li, He-Ping,Li, Hui,Wang, Zhou-Dong,Zhang, Juan-Juan,Deng, Man-Feng,Chen, San-Long Korean Chemical Society 2013 대한화학회지 Vol.57 No.1

In order to construct a controlled release system of drugs and to reduce toxic side effects of 5-fluorouracil, the novel ramose chitosan-based-5-fluorouracil microspheres (CS-FU-MS) were prepared. Firstly, using chitosan (CS) as carriers and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a model drug, ramose chitosan-based-5-fluorouracil (CS-FU) was efciently synthesized by chemical crosslinking method through microwave irradiation, drug loading was 10.6%; Secondly, CS-FU-MS were prepared by CS-FU self-assembled under the dialysis conditions and the free 5-FU was encapsulated further at the same time. The size dispersivity of particles is uniform, and the average diameter of the CS-FU-MS was $4{\mu}m$. The drug encapsulation efficiency was 76.1%, and the drug loading was increased to 26.22%. CS-FU-MS maintain the zero-order release time in PBS (pH = 7.4) and HCl/KCl (pH = 1.2) dialysis medium was 40h and 34h respectively, and the cumulative release were 58.89% and 79.33% in 182 h. The results showed that CS-FU-MS have excellent sustained release properties.

OsMSR15 encoding a rice C2H2-type zinc finger protein confers enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

Xin Zhang,Bin Zhang,Ming Juan Li,Xu Ming Yin,Li Fang Huang,Yan Chun Cui,Man Ling Wang,Xin Jie Xia 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.3

Zinc nger proteins (ZFPs) play important roles in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Through microarray analysis, an Oryza sativa L. multi-stress-responsive gene, OsMSR15, was identied and subsequently cloned from rice Pei’ai 64S (Oryza sativa L.). Expression of OsMSR15 was strongly up-regulated by cold, drought and heat stresses in different tissues at different developmental stages of rice. OsMSR15 contains two C2H2-type zinc nger motifs, a nuclear localization signal (B box), a Leu-rich domain (L-box) and a conserved EAR-motif close to its C-terminus. The OsMSR15-GFP fusion protein was localized to the nucleus. Yeast-one hybrid assay showed that OsMSR15 possesses transcriptional activation ability. Expression of OsMSR15 in Arabidopsis conferred drought tolerance, and transgenic plants showed hypersensitivity to exogenous ABA during the seed germination and post-germination stages. Transgenic plants also showed higher levels of free proline, less electrolyte leakage and increased expressions of a number of stress-responsive genes, including LEA3, RD29A, DREB1A and P5CS1 under drought stress. The obtained results indicate that OsMSR15 is an important regulator involved in plant response to drought stress.