Comparative proteomic analysis of parasitic loranthus seeds exposed to dehydration stress

Limei Pan,Lingyun Wan,Lili He,Lisha Song,Hairong Long,Xiaowen Ji,Ni Jiang,Juan Huo,Shugen Wei,Jine Fu 한국식물생명공학회 2021 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.15 No.1

Parasitic loranthus [Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser] is an important medicinal plant that produces recalcitrant seeds that are sensitive to dehydration. Desiccation tolerance is critical for the survival of recalcitrant seeds in low-moisture environments. Clarifying how these seeds respond to desiccation is important for long-term conservation. Thus, the viability, germination, microstructure, and antioxidant enzyme activities of dehydrated parasitic loranthus seeds were investigated. Diverse organelles were degraded or deformed during dehydration treatments. Additionally, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities gradually decreased in response to desiccation stress. A proteomic analysis involving TMT-labeling and LC–MS/ MS were performed. A total of 1479 proteins were identifed, of which 141 were diferentially expressed proteins (DEPs) at 16 and 36 h after initiating the dehydration treatments. A functional annotation based on gene ontology revealed that the DEPs were mainly localized in chloroplasts and were related to energy metabolism, responses to stimuli, and the regulation of biological processes. A KEGG pathway enrichment analysis determined that several of the identifed proteins were associated with signal transductions, photosynthesis, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. The results suggest that the efcient removal of excessive ROS amounts may be crucial for promoting parasitic loranthus seed germination under dehydration stress conditions. A series of candidate dehydration stress-related proteins were identifed and may be relevant for enhancing the dehydration tolerance of the recalcitrant seeds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the frst study to elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the sensitivity of recalcitrant parasitic loranthus seeds to dehydration via a proteomic analysis involving TMT-labeling.

A multi-scale model linking microstructure and macro electric behaviors of ferroelectric field effect transistor

Limei Jiang,Xin Feng,Hao Ming,Qiong Yang,Jie Jiang,Min Liao 한국물리학회 2020 Current Applied Physics Vol.20 No.3

A multi-scale model linking microstructure and macro electric properties of ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) is established based on the phase field method and Maxwell's total current law. The simulation results confirm that the channel current of FeFET is modulated by local interface ferroelectric domains which are easily affected by the microstructure. Using the developed transistor model, we investigate the effects of location of dislocation sites on hysteresis behavior of ferroelectric film and electric behavior of FeFET. Interfacial dislocations have strong effects on hysteresis behavior than internal dislocations since the former can induce imprint behavior while the latter only reduce the coercive field. However, due to the c-domains at the interface, the effects of interfacial and internal dislocations on FeFET electrical properties are the exact opposite. The interfacial dislocations just increase the voltage required to toggle the channel while the internal dislocations can induce disappearance of the FeFET memory window.

Three-Month Follow-Up Study of Survivors of Coronavirus Disease 2019 after Discharge

Liang Limei,Yang Bohan,Jiang Nanchuan,Fu Wei,He Xinliang,Zhou Yaya,Ma Wan-Li,Wang Xiaorong 대한의학회 2020 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.35 No.47

Background: Most patients including health care workers (HCWs) survived the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), however, knowledge about the sequelae of COVID-19 after discharge remains limited. Methods: A prospectively observational 3-month follow-up study evaluated symptoms, dynamic changes of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG and IgM, lung function, and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of survivors of COVID-19 after discharge at Wuhan Union Hospital, China. Results: Seventy-six survivors (55 females) with a mean age of 41.3 ± 13.8 years were enrolled, and 65 (86%) were HCWs. A total of 69 (91%) patients had returned to their original work at 3-months after discharge. Most of the survivors had symptoms including fever, sputum production, fatigue, diarrhea, dyspnea, cough, chest tightness on exertion and palpitations in the three months after discharge. The serum troponin-I levels during the acute illness showed high correlation with the symptom of fatigue after hospital discharge (r = 0.782; P = 0.008) and lymphopenia was correlated with the symptoms of chest tightness and palpitations on exertion of patients after hospital discharge (r = −0.285, P = 0.027; r = −0.363, P = 0.004, respectively). The mean values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, total lung capacity and diffusion capacity were all normal (> 80% predicted) and lung HRCTs returned to normal in most of the patients (82%), however, 42% of survivors had mild pulmonary function abnormalities at 3-months after discharge. SARS-CoV-2 IgG turned negative in 11% (6 of 57 patients), 8% (4 of 52 patients) and 13% (7 of 55 patients), and SARS-CoV-2 IgM turned negative in 72% (41 of 57 patients), 85% (44 of 52 patients) and 87% (48 of 55 patients) at 1-month, 2-months and 3-months after discharge, respectively. Conclusion: Infection by SARS-CoV-2 caused some mild impairments of survivors within the first three months of their discharge and the duration of SARS-CoV-2 antibody was limited, which indicates the necessity of long-term follow-up of survivors of COVID-19.

Efficient Bioreduction of Ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate to (S)-chloro-3-hydrobutanoate by Whole Cells of Candida magnoliae in Water/n-Butyl Acetate Two-phase System

Zhinan Xu,Limei Fang,Jianping Lin,Xiaoxia Jiang 한국생물공학회 2006 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.11 No.1

The asymmetric biosynthesis of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydrobutanoate from ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate was investigated by using whole cells of Candida magnoliae JX120-3 without the addition of glucose dehydrogenase or NADP+/NADPH. In a one-phase system, the bioconversion yield was seriously affected on the addition of 12.1 g/L ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate. In order to reduce this substrate inhibition, a water/n-butyl acetate two-phase system was developed, and the bioreduction conditions optimized with regard to the yield and product enantiometric excess value. The optimal conditions were as following: water to n-butyl acetate volume ratio of 1:1, 4.0 g DCW/L active cells, 50 g/L glucose and 35°C. By adopting a dropwise substrate feeding strategy, high concentration of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (60 g/L) could be asymmetrically reduced to ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydrobutanoate with high yield (93.8%) and high enantiometric excess value (92.7%).

Enhanced anticorrosion of methyl acrylate by covalent bonded N-alkylpyridinium bromide for X70 steel in 5 M HCl

Guangqiang Xia,Xiaohui Jiang,Limei Zhou,Yinwen Liao,Ming Duan,Hu Wang,Qiang Pu,Jie Zhou 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.27 No.-

Methyl acrylate connects covalently with alkylpyridinium bromide to build N-alkyl-3-(2-methox-ycarbonyl-vinyl)pyridinium bromide (MPA-n, n = 8–14). MPA-n inhibited X70 steel from corrosion in5 M HCl with inhibition efficiency of 98% and the inhibition capacity was in the order of MPA-14 > MPA-12 > MPA-10 > MPA-8. Quantum chemical calculation unveiled that MPA-n adsorbed on iron surface byO atom in MA moiety offering electrons to d orbital of iron and by p* orbital of pyridinium acceptingelectrons from iron, and MPA-n with longer alkylchain possessed higher EHOMO, lower DE, largermolecular volume and dipole moment, all suggesting the same corrosion inhibition order as that inexperiments

Efficient Bioreduction of Ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate to (S)4-chloro-3-hydrobutanoate by Whole Cells of Candida magnoliae in Water/ n-Butyl Acetate Two-phase System

Xua Zhinan,Fang Limei,Lin Jianping,Jiang Xiaoxia,Liu Ying,Cen Peilin The Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengine 2006 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.11 No.1

The asymmetric biosynthesis of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydrobutanoate from ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate was investigated by using whole cells of Candida magnoliae JX120-3 without the addition of glucose dehydrogenase or $NADP^+/NADPH$. In a one-phase system, the bioconversion yield was seriously affected on the addition of 12.1 g/L ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate. In order to reduce this substrate inhibition, a water/ n-butyl acetate two-phase system was developed, and the bioreduction conditions optimized with regard to the yield and product enantiometric excess value. The optimal conditions were as following: water to n-butyl acetate volume ratio of 1:1, 4.0 g DCW/L active cells, 50 g/L glucose and $35^{\circ}C$. By adopting a dropwise substrate feeding strategy, high concentration of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (60 g/L) could be asymmetrically reduced to ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydrobutanoate with high yield (93.8%) and high enantiometric excess value (92.7%).

Isolation, Screening, and Identification of Actinomycetes with Antifungal and Enzyme Activity Assays against Colletotrichum dematium of Sarcandra glabra

( Lisha Song ),( Ni Jiang ),( Shugen Wei ),( Zuzai Lan ),( Limei Pan ) 한국균학회 2020 Mycobiology Vol.48 No.1

A serious leaf disease caused by Colletotrichum dematium was found during the cultivation of Sarcandra glabra in Jingxi, Rong’an, and Donglan Counties in Guangxi Province, which inflicted huge losses to plant productivity. Biological control gradually became an effective control method for plant pathogens. Many studies showed that the application of actinomycetes in biological control has been effective. Therefore, it may be of great significance to study the application of actinomycetes on controlling the diseases caused by S. glabra. Strains of antifungal actinomycetes capable of inhibiting C. dematium were identified, isolated and screened from healthy plants tissues and the rhizospheres in soils containing S. glabra. In this study, 15 actinomycetes strains were isolated and among these, strains JT-2F, DT-3F, and JJ-3F, appeared to show antagonistic effects against anthracnose of S. glabra. The strains JT-2F and DT-3F were isolated from soil, while JJ-3F was isolated from plant stems. The antagonism rate of strain JT-2F was 86.75%, which was the highest value among the three strains. Additionally, the JT-2F strain also had the strongest antagonistic activity when the antagonistic activities were tested against seven plant pathogens. Strain JT-2F is able to produce proteases and cellulase to degrade the protein and cellulose components of cell walls of C. dematium, respectively. This results in mycelia damage which leads to inhibition of the growth of C. dematium. Strain JT-2F was identified as Streptomyces tsukiyonensis based on morphological traits and 16S rDNA sequence analysis.

Lineage conversion of mouse fibroblasts to pancreatic α-cells

Lijian Hui,Liangliang Sun,Beige Jiang,Limei Li,Jin Cen,Xiaotao Chen,Zhaoyun Zhang,Qinghua Wang,Xin Cheng,Yongquan Shi,Lijian Hui 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

α-cells, which synthesize glucagon, also support β-cell survival and have the capacity to transdifferentiate into β-cells. However, the role of α-cells in pathological conditions and their putative clinical applications remain elusive due in large part to the lack of mature α-cells. Here, we present a new technique to generate functional α-like cells. α-like cells (iAlpha cells) were generated from mouse fibroblasts by transduction of transcription factors, including Hhex, Foxa3, Gata4, Pdx1 and Pax4, which induce α-cell-specific gene expression and glucagon secretion in response to KCl and Arg stimulation. The cell functions in vivo and in vitro were evaluated. Lineage-specific and functional-related gene expression was tested by realtime PCR, insulin tolerance test (ITT), glucose tolerance test (GTT), Ki67 and glucagon immunohistochemistry analysis were done in iAlpha cells transplanted nude mice. iAlpha cells possess α-cell function in vitro and alter blood glucose levels in vivo. Transplantation of iAlpha cells into nude mice resulted in insulin resistance and increased β-cell proliferation. Taken together, we present a novel strategy to generate functional α-like cells for the purposes of disease modeling and regenerative medicine.

Glaucocalyxin A Activates FasL and Induces Apoptosis Through Activation of the JNK Pathway in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Li, Mei,Jiang, Xiao-Gang,Gu, Zhen-Lun,Zhang, Zu-Bin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

This study was conducted to analyze the molecular mechanisms responsible for anti-proliferation effects of glaucocalyxin A in cultured MCF-7 and Hs578T breast cancer cells. The concentration that reduced cell viability to 50% (IC50) after 72 h treatment was derived and potential molecular mechanisms of anti-proliferation using the IC50 were investigated as changes in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Gene and protein expression changes related to apoptosis were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Involvement of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases and JNK signaling in regulation of these molecules was characterized by western blotting. Cell viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner and the IC50 was determined as $1{\mu}M$ in MCF-7 and $4{\mu}M$ in Hs578T cell. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the GLA-induced MCF-7 and Hst578T cell death was due to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M transition and was associated with activation of the c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. We conclude that GLA has the potential to inhibit the proliferation of human breast cancer cells through the JNK pathway and suggest its application forthe effective therapy for patients with breast cancer.

Differential Embryo Development among Tibetan Chicken, DRW and Shouguang Chicken Exposed to Chronic Hypoxia

Li, Mei,Zhao, Chun-Jiang,Wu, Chang-Xin Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.3

Avian embryos at high altitude are independent of maternal protection against hypoxia, which is contrary to mammals. It is well known that chronic hypoxic exposure at key points can significantly impact on avian development. Tibetan Chicken, a Chinese indigenous breed, living in Tibetan areas with an altitude of 2.2 to 4.1 thousand meters, has an adaptive mechanism to hypoxia. In the present study, fertilized eggs of Tibetan Chicken were incubated under 13% and 21% oxygen concentration. Two lowland chicken breeds, Shouguang Chicken, an indigenous chicken breed in Shandong Province of China, and Dwarf Recessive White Chicken, an imported breed in Beijing, were used as control groups. The embryo mass and some organs such as brain, heart, liver, stomach and eye weight in the three species were measured at Hamburger-Hamilton stage 39, 41, 43 and 45 under hypoxic and normal conditions. The results showed that in hypoxia Tibetan Chicken significantly differed from the two lowland chicken breeds in embryo mass at Hamburger-Hamilton stage 41, 43 and 45 (p<0.01). In particular, Dwarf Recessive White Chicken and Shouguang Chicken showed retarded growth in hypoxic incubation (p<0.01), whereas Tibetan Chicken showed no significant difference between hypoxic and normal conditions (p>0.05). In addition, heart and the other organs showed different susceptibility to hypoxia at the studied stages. In conclusion, chronic hypoxia induced a change in the embryo development of the three different species and Tibetan Chicken showed adaptation to hypoxia. Of note, the embryo developmental physiology of Tibetan Chicken in response to hypoxia will shed light on the process of physiological acclimation or evolutionary adaptation as well as the study of clinical disease.