Inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa by the Extracellular Substances from an Aeromonas sp

( Yu Mei Liu ),( Ming Jun Chen ),( Meng Hui Wang1 ),( Rui Bao Jia ),( Li Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.9

Growth of Microcystis aeruginosa could be inhibited significantly within 24 h by the extracellular substances prepared from Aeromonas sp. strain FM. During the treatment, the concentration of extracellular soluble carbohydrates increased significantly in algal culture. Morphological and ultrastructural changes in M. aeruginosa cells, including breakage of the cell surface, secretion of mucilage, and intracellular disorganization of thylakoids, were observed. HPLC-MS analysis showed that the extracellular substances of Aeromonas sp. strain FM were a mixture of free amino acids, tripeptides, and clavulanate. Among these, the algaelysis effects of lysine and clavulanate were confirmed.

Electrochemical Cr(VI) reduction using a sacrificial Fe anode: Impacts of solution chemistry and stoichiometry

Chuang, Sheng-Ming,Ya, Vinh,Feng, Chiao-Lin,Lee, Shou-Jen,Choo, Kwang-Ho,Li, Chi-Wang Elsevier 2018 Separation and purification technology Vol.191 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A systematic investigation of Cr(VI) reduction using electrochemical reduction revealed that the Cr(VI) reduction was extremely fast with reaction kinetics limited by the anodic generation of Fe(II). The Cr(VI) reduction rate increased with decreasing pH at the initial stage of reaction but the time to reach complete Cr(VI) reduction is pH independent. The amount of Fe(II) generated per mole of Cr(VI) reduced was calculated and compared with the stoichiometric value, i.e., 3mole of Fe(II) needed per mole of Cr(VI) reduced. The values are 11.1% higher than the stoichiometric value for pH 7 and 9, but are 32.0% less for pH 3 and 5. The spontaneous reduction of Cr(VI) by Fe<SUP>0</SUP> and adsorption of Cr(VI) to Fe(OH)<SUB>3</SUB> precipitates might contribute the additional Cr(VI) removal. Effect of DO was investigated under various mixing schemes. Under N<SUB>2</SUB> purging, Fe(II) generated for one mole of Cr(VI) reduced is 3.67% higher than the stoichiometric value, while mechanic mixing and aeration mixing show 15% and 19%, respectively, higher than stoichiometric value, indicating that DO does impact Cr(VI) reduction. The electrochemical Cr(VI) reduction process was also employed to treat electroplating wastewater with and without pH pre-adjustment, achieving 100% total Cr and Ni removal for both cases. ORP can be used as a controlling parameter when electrochemical reduction is implemented for Cr(VI) reduction.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Effect of current on Cr(VI) reduction under same current density was studied. </LI> <LI> Effects of initial and fixed pH on Cr(VI) reduction were investigated. </LI> <LI> Effect of DO on Cr(VI) reduction was explored. </LI> <LI> Electrochemical reduction was applied for treating electroplating wastewater. </LI> <LI> ORP is an ideal parameter for controlling electrochemical Cr(VI) reduction. </LI> </UL> </P>

Scrap iron packed in a Ti mesh cage as a sacrificial anode for electrochemical Cr(VI) reduction to treat electroplating wastewater

Ya, Vinh,Guillou, Esther Le,Chen, Yi-Ming,Yu, Jui-Hsuan,Choo, Kwang-Ho,Chuang, Sheng-Ming,Lee, Shou-Jen,Li, Chi-Wang Elsevier 2018 JOURNAL- TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS Vol.87 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A novel sacrificial anode comprised of scrap iron packed inside a cage made of titanium mesh was developed for Cr(VI) reduction. With electric currents applied, the surface passivation of scrap iron electrode could be avoided. Due to the large surface area with open structures provided, the applied current densities (1.18–3.54 mA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>) were low, resulting in low operating voltage and energy consumption. Complete Cr(VI) removal was achieved with electric currents applied, whereas only 20% of the Cr(VI) was removed without electricity. Direct Cr(VI) reduction on the iron surface was a dominant mechanism for the system operated at low (0.25 A) or no current. Acidic pH levels were more effective in Cr(VI) removal, due to more adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the precipitated Fe hydroxide. The trend in total Cr removal was almost the same as that of Cr(VI) removal, but time required to complete total Cr removal was extended. With intermittent electricity supply at a high electric current intensity, the energy consumption of the system was more efficient. Using scrap iron as a sacrificial anode under the intermittent current condition can save 72–77% of the total operational costs required by the conventional plate electrode.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A novel anode packed with scrap iron inside a Ti mesh was used for reducing Cr(VI). </LI> <LI> Electroplating wastewater containing Cr(VI) and Ni(II) was treated. </LI> <LI> Current intensity and initial pH affect the Cr(VI) reduction pattern significantly. </LI> <LI> Intermittent but high electric current supply saved 72–77% of the operating costs. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Curdione Inhibits Proliferation of MCF-7 Cells by Inducing Apoptosis

Li, Juan,Bian, Wei-He,Wan, Juan,Zhou, Jing,Lin, Yan,Wang, Ji-Rong,Wang, Zhao-Xia,Shen, Qun,Wang, Ke-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Background: Curdione, one of the major components of Curcuma zedoaria, has been reported to possess various biological activities. It thus might be a candidate anti-flammatory and cancer chemopreventive agent. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of action of curdione on cancer cells are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of curdione on breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Xenograft nude mice were used to detect the effect of curdione on breast cancer in vivo; we also tested the effect of curdione on breast cancer in vitro by MTT, Flow cytometry, JC-I assay, and western blot. Results: Firstly, we found that curdione significantly suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft nude mouse breast tumor model in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, curdione treatment inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, after curdione treatment, increase of impaired mitochondrial membrane potential occurred in a concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins including cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax was increased in curdione treatment groups, while the expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased. Inhibitors of caspase-3 were used to confirm that curdione induced apoptosis. Conclusions: Overall, our observations first suggested that curdione inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. These results might provide some molecular basis for the anti-cancer activity of curdione.

Transiting Exoplanet Monitoring Project (TEMP). IV. Refined System Parameters, Transit Timing Variations, and Orbital Stability of the Transiting Planetary System HAT-P-25

Wang, Xian-Yu,Wang, Songhu,Hinse, Tobias C.,Li, Kai,Wang, Yong-Hao,Laughlin, Gregory,Liu, Hui-Gen,Zhang, Hui,Wu, Zhen-Yu,Zhou, Xu,Zhou, Ji-Lin,Hu, Shao-Ming,Wu, Dong-Hong,Peng, Xi-Yan,Chen, Yuan-Yuan Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2018 Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pa Vol.130 No.988

Dysregulated Fatty Acid Metabolism in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

( Ming-da Wang ),( Jun Han ),( Hao Xing ),( Han Zhang ),( Zheng Wang ),( Zhen-li Li ),( Liang Lei ),( Chao Li ),( Feng Shen ),( Tian Yang ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: Studies are urgently needed on it molecular pathogenesis and biological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Dysregulation of fatty acid (FA) metabolism, in which aberrant activation of oncogenic signaling pathways alters the expression and activity of lipid-metabolizing enzymes, is an emerging hallmark of cancer cells, and it may be involved in HCC development and progression. Methods: We summarize the characteristics of FA metabolism in HCC, focusing on the pathways of FA synthesis, oxidation, uptake and transport. We also provide a brief review of the relationship between NAFLD and HCC development. Results: The current review summarizes the dysregulated FA metabolism in HCC and pathways through which this dysregulation may regulate HCC survival and growth. Aberrant activation of oncogenic signaling pathways regulates the expression and activity of lipid-metabolizing enzymes, thus reprogramming FA metabolism to promote HCC development and progression. Intracellular FAs are required for biosynthesis of most biological membrane lipids and signaling molecules, and are also used to provide energy to support HCCs survival and proliferation, when necessary, through β-oxidation process. HCC cells can employ appropriate metabolic pathways as different situation demands. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and HCC exhibits differential requirement for de novo lipogenesis and distinct response to therapeutic approaches focusing on inhibition of exogenous FA uptake. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease related obesity and diabetes have increasingly emerged as two major factors responsible for the rise in prevalent of HCC. Conclusions: Our understanding of dysregulated FA metabolism and associated signaling pathways may contribute to the development of novel and efficient anti-tumor approaches for patients with HCC.

Function of Global Regulator CodY in Bacillus thuringiensis BMB171 by Comparative Proteomic Analysis

( Ming Xia Qi ),( Fei Mei ),( Hui Wang ),( Ming Sun ),( Ge Jiao Wang ),( Ziniu Yu ),( Yeon Ho Je ),( Ming Shun Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.2

CodY is a highly conserved protein in low G+C gram-positive bacteria that regulates genes involved in sporulation and stationary-phase adaptation. Bacillus thuringiensis is a grampositive bacterium that forms spores and parasporal crystals during the stationary phase. To our knowledge, the regulatory mechanism of CodY in B. thuringiensis is unknown. To study the function of CodY protein in B. thuringiensis, BMB171codY- was constructed in a BMB171 strain. A shuttle vector containing the ORF of cry1Ac10 was transformed into BMB171 and BMB171codY-, named BMB171cry1Ac and BMB171codY-cry1Ac, respectively. Some morphological and physiological changes of codY mutant BMB171codY-cry1Ac were observed. A comparative proteomic analysis was conducted for both BMB171codY-cry1Ac and BMB171cry1Ac through two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-MS/MS analysis. The results showed that the proteins regulated by CodY are involved in microbial metabolism, including branched-chain amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. Furthermore, we found CodY to be involved in sporulation, biosynthesis of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, growth, genetic competence, and translation. According to the analysis of differentially expressed proteins, and physiological characterization of the codY mutant, we performed bacterial one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments and confirmed the direct regulation of genes by CodY, specifically those involved in metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, ribosomal recycling factor FRR, and the late competence protein ComER. Our data establish the foundation for in-depth study of the regulation of CodY in B. thuringiensis, and also offer a potential biocatalyst for functions of CodY in other bacteria.

Pre-treatment Metabolic Tumor Volume and Total Lesion Glycolysis are Useful Prognostic Factors for Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer Patients

Li, Yi-Min,Lin, Qin,Zhao, Long,Wang, Li-Chen,Sun, Long,Dai, Ming-Ming,Luo, Zuo-Ming,Zheng, Hua,Wu, Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.3

Objectives: To study application of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) with $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT for predicting prognosis of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESC) patients. Methods: Eighty-six patients with ESC staged from I to IV were prospectively enrolled. Cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or palliative chemoradiotherapy were the main treatment methods and none received surgery. $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT scans were performed before the treatment. SUVmax, MTV, and TLG were measured for the primary esophageal lesion and regional lymph nodes. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) were generated to calculate the P value of the predictive ability and the optimal threshold. Results: MTV and TLG proved to be good indexes in the prediction of outcome for the ESC patients. An MTV value of 15.6 ml and a TLG value of 183.5 were optimal threshold to predict the overall survival (OS). The areas under the curve (AUC) for MTV and TLG were 0.74 and 0.70, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed an MTV less than 15.6 ml and a TLG less than 183.5 to indicate good media survival time (p value <0.05). In the stage III-IV patient group, MTV could better predict the OS (P < 0.001), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.80 and 0.67, respectively. Conclusions: Pre-treatment MTV and TLG are useful prognostic factors in nonsurgical ESC.

Relationship between EGFR Over-expression and Clinicopathologic Characteristics in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Meta-analysis

Wang, Jun,Yu, Jin-Ming,Jing, Shao-Wu,Guo, Yin,Wu, Ya-Jing,Li, Na,Jiao, Wen-Peng,Wang, Li,Zhang, Yan-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been identified as a common feature associated with clinical outcome in many types of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus (SCCO). However, the clinical importance of EGFR over-expression in SCCO remains unsettled as conflicting results exist. Therefore we carried out the present meta-analysis of published studies for clarification. A total of 13 studies including 1, 150 patients were enrolled. EGFR over-expression was positive in 722 of these cases. With EGFR over-expression, patients had higher depth of invasion, vascular invasion, and poor prognosis. However, expression had no relation with degree of differentiation, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage or lymphatic invasion. EGFR over-expression is probably a valuable predictor for the T stage, vascular invasion and OS, and it could be used as a poor prognosis indicator for the esophageal SCC patients. Targeting therapy to EFGR should be considered to the combined treatment in SCCO.

Genome‑wide identification and expression analysis of the StSWEET family genes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Ming Li,Haijuan Xie,Miaomiao He,Wang Su,Yongzhi Yang,Jian Wang,Guangji Ye,Yun Zhou 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.2

Background The sugar will eventually be exported transporter (SWEET) family is a novel type of membrane-embedded sugar transporter that contains seven transmembrane helices with two MtN3/saliva domains. The SWEET family plays crucial roles in multiple processes, including carbohydrate transportation, development, environmental adaptability and host–pathogen interactions. Although SWEET genes, especially those involved in response to biotic stresses, have been extensively characterized in many plants, they have not yet been studied in potato. Objective The identification of StSWEET genes provides important candidates for further functional analysis and lays the foundation for the production of good quality and high yield potatoes through molecular breeding. Methods In this study, StSWEET genes were identified using a genome-wide search method. A comprehensive analysis of StSWEET family through bioinformatics methods, such as phylogenetic tree, gene structure and promoter prediction analysis. The expression profiles of StSWEET genes in different potato tissues and under P. infestans attack and sugar stress were studied using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results Phylogenetic analysis classified 33 StSWEET genes into four groups containing 12, 5, 12 and 4 genes. Furthermore, the gene structures and conserved motifs found that the StSWEET genes are very conservative during evolution. The chromosomal localization pattern showed that the distribution and density of the StSWEETs on 10 potato chromosomes were uneven and basically clustered. Predictive promoter analysis indicated that StSWEET proteins are associated with cell growth, development, secondary metabolism, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Finally, the expression patterns of the StSWEET genes in different tissues and the induction of P. infestans and the process of the sugar stress were investigated to obtain the tissue-specific and stress-responsive candidates. Conclusion This study systematically identifies the SWEET gene family in potato at the genome-wide level, providing important candidates for further functional analysis and contributing to a better understanding of the molecular basis of development and tolerance in potato.