Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Echinostoma hortense (Digenea: Echinostomatidae)

Ze-Xuan Liu,Yan Zhang,Yu-Ting Liu,Qiao-Cheng Chang,Xin Su,Xue Fu,Dong-Mei Yue,Yuan Gao,Chun-Ren Wang 대한기생충학열대의학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.54 No.2

Indole-3-propionic acid inhibits gut dysbiosis and endotoxin leakage to attenuate steatohepatitis in rats

Ze-Hua Zhao,Feng-Zhi Xin,Yaqian Xue,Zhimin Hu,Yamei Han,Fengguang Ma,Da Zhou,Xiao-Lin Liu,Aoyuan Cui,Zhengshuai Liu,Yuxiao Liu,Jing Gao,Qin Pan,Yu Li,Jian-Gao Fan 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

Microbial metabolites have emerged as critical components that mediate the metabolic effects of the gut microbiota. Here, we show that indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a tryptophan metabolite produced by gut bacteria, is a potent anti-non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) microbial metabolite. Here, we demonstrate that administration of IPA modulates the microbiota composition in the gut and inhibits microbial dysbiosis in rats fed a high-fat diet. IPA induces the expression of tight junction proteins, such as ZO-1 and Occludin, and maintains intestinal epithelium homeostasis, leading to a reduction in plasma endotoxin levels. Interestingly, IPA inhibits NF-κB signaling and reduces the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, in response to endotoxin in macrophages to repress hepatic inflammation and liver injury. Moreover, IPA is sufficient to inhibit the expression of fibrogenic and collagen genes and attenuate diet-induced NASH phenotypes. The beneficial effects of IPA on the liver are likely mediated through inhibiting the production of endotoxin in the gut. These findings suggest a protective role of IPA in the control of metabolism and uncover the gut microbiome and liver cross-talk in regulating the intestinal microenvironment and liver pathology via a novel dietary nutrient metabolite. IPA may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating NASH.

Comparison of Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Type I and Type II

Jia-Yu Lv,Ning-Ning Zhang,Ya-Wei Du,Ying Wu,Tian-Qiang Song,Ya-Min Zhang,Yan Qu,Yu-Xin Liu,Jie Gu,Ze-Yu Wang,Yi-Bo Qiu,Bing Yang,Da-Zhi Tian,Qing-Jun Guo,Li Zhang,Ji-San Sun,Yan Xie,Zheng-Lu Wang,Xin 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involvedand divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparedbefore and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR(p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longermedian RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335,respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion: LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels>200 ng/mL.

Effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula and its extraction on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs, porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain gene expression in myocytes

Yu, Qin Ping,Feng, Ding Yuan,He, Xiao Jun,Wu, Fan,Xia, Min Hao,Dong, Tao,Liu, Yi Hua,Tan, Hui Ze,Zou, Shi Geng,Zheng, Tao,Ou, Xian Hua,Zuo, Jian Jun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.11

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs and the effects of the formula's extract (distilled water, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extraction) on porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) gene expression in myocytes. Methods: In a completely randomized design, ninety pigs were assigned to three diets with five replications per treatment and six pigs per pen. The diets included the basal diet (control group), TCMF1 (basal diet+2.5 g/kg TCMF) and TCMF2 (basal diet+5 g/kg TCMF). The psoas major muscle was obtained from pigs at the end of the experiment. Muscle fiber characteristics in the psoas major muscle were analyzed using myosin ATPase staining. Cell proliferation was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye and cytometry. Isoforms of MyHC gene expression were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The final body weight and carcass weight of finishing pigs were increased by TCMF1 (p<0.05), while the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area was increased by TCMF (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and diameter of psoas major muscle fiber Ι, IIA, and IIB were increased by TCMF2 (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and fiber diameter of psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB were increased by diet supplementation with TCMF1 (p<0.05). Psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF1 diet and the type IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF2 diet were lower compared to pigs fed the control diet (p<0.05). Pigs fed TCMF2 had a higher composition of type Ι fiber and a lower percentage of type IIB fiber in the psoas major muscle (p<0.05). The expression levels of MyHC Ι, MyHC IIa, and MyHC IIx mRNA increased and the amount of MyHC IIb mRNA decreased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF2, whereas MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA increased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF1 (p<0.05). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ $coactivator-1{\alpha}$ and CaN mRNA expression in the psoas major muscle were up-regulated by TCMF (p<0.05). Porcine skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation was promoted by $4{\mu}g/mL$ and $20{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Both $1{\mu}g/mL$ and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of TCMF water extraction increased MyHC IIa, MyHC IIb, and MyHC IIx mRNA expression in porcine myocytes (p<0.05), while MyHC Ι mRNA expression in porcine myocytes was decreased by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Porcine myocyte MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA expression were increased, and MyHC IIa and MyHC IIb mRNA expression were down-regulated by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). MyHC Ι and MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were increased, and the MyHC IIb mRNA expression was decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). Four isoforms of MyHC mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were reduced by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes increased and MyHC IIb mRNA expression decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ in a TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that TCMF amplified the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area through changing muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs. This effect was confirmed as TCMF extraction promoted porcine cell proliferation and affected isoforms of MyHC gene expression in myocytes.

Mouse Nerve Growth Factor Facilitates the Growth of Interspinal Schwannoma Cells by Activating NGF Receptors

Liu, Shu Yi,Liu, Sheng Ze,Li, Yu,Chen, Shi The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2019 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.62 No.6

Objective : Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member of the neurotrophic factor family and plays a vital role in the physiological processes of organisms, especially in the nervous system. Many recent studies have reported that NGF is also involved in the regulation of tumourigenesis by either promoting or suppressing tumor growth, which depends on the location and type of tumor. However, little is known regarding the effect of NGF on interspinal schwannoma (IS). In the present study, we aimed to explored whether mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF), which is widely used in the clinic, can influence the growth of interspinal schwannoma cells (ISCs) isolated from IS in vitro. Methods : ISCs were isolated, cultured and identified by S-100 with immunofluorescence analysis. S-100-positive cells were divided into five groups, and separately cultured with various concentrations of mNGF (0 [phosphate buffered saline, PBS], 40, 80, 160, and 320 ng/mL) for 24 hours. Western blot and quantantive real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were applied to detect tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) receptor and p75 neurotrophin receptor ($p75^{NTR}$) in each group. Crystal violet staining was selected to assess the effect of mNGF (160 ng/mL) on ISCs growth. Results : ISCs growth was enhanced by mNGF in a dose-dependent manner. The result of crystal violet staining revealed that it was significantly strengthened the cells growth kinetics when cultured with 160 ng/mL mNGF compared to PBS group. Western blot and quantantive real time PCR discovered that TrkA receptor and mRNA expression were both up-regualated under the condition of mNGF, expecially in 160 ng/mL, while the exoression of $p75^{NTR}$ demonstrated no difference among groups. Conclusion : From these data, we conclude that exogenous mNGF can facilitate ISC growth by activating both TrkA receptor and $p75^{NTR}$. In addition, patients who are suffering from IS should not be administered mNGF in the clinic.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals B cell–related molecular biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease

Xiong Liu-Lin,Xue Lu-Lu,Du Ruo-Lan,Niu Rui-Ze,Chen Li,Chen Jie,Hu Qiao,Tan Ya-Xin,Shang Hui-Fang,Liu Jia,Yu Chang-Yin,Wang Ting-Hua 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

In recent years, biomarkers have been integrated into the diagnostic process and have become increasingly indispensable for obtaining knowledge of the neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in human blood have been reported to participate in a variety of neurodegenerative activities. Here, a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of PBMCs from 4 AD patients (2 in the early stage, 2 in the late stage) and 2 normal controls was performed to explore the differential cell subpopulations in PBMCs of AD patients. A significant decrease in B cells was detected in the blood of AD patients. Furthermore, we further examined PBMCs from 43 AD patients and 41 normal subjects by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), and combined with correlation analysis, we found that the reduction in B cells was closely correlated with the patients’ Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores. To confirm the role of B cells in AD progression, functional experiments were performed in early-stage AD mice in which fibrous plaques were beginning to appear; the results demonstrated that B cell depletion in the early stage of AD markedly accelerated and aggravated cognitive dysfunction and augmented the Aβ burden in AD mice. Importantly, the experiments revealed 18 genes that were specifically upregulated and 7 genes that were specifically downregulated in B cells as the disease progressed, and several of these genes exhibited close correlation with AD. These findings identified possible B cell-based AD severity, which are anticipated to be conducive to the clinical identification of AD progression.

Identification of differentially expressed genes from Trichoderma atroviride strain SS003 in the presence of cell wall of Cronartium ribicola

Nai‑Yong Liu,Ze‑Ran Bao,Jing Li,Xin‑Yu Ao,Jia‑Ying Zhu,Yu‑Hui Chen 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.5

The fungal genus Trichoderma has been extensively studied due to its role in the mycoparasitism, and thus developed as biocontrol agent against various plant pathogens. Although the mycoparasitic processes of several Trichoderma species have already been well understood, the information about the mycoparasitic mechanisms of Trichoderma strains resulted from different growth conditions or interacting with different phytopathogens is still limited. In this study, we utilized transcriptome sequencing to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 0, 24, 72 and 120 h from T. atroviride strain SS003, growing on an induced-medium with cell walls of Pinus armandii pathogen Cronartium ribicola (CRCW). In total, 86,155,316 reads were obtained with 43,077,658 clean reads. Further, 10,422 genes were identified from four transcriptomes and accounted for 93.89% of annotated genes in T. atroviride IMI 206040 genome, reflecting high-quality sequencing and assembly. In each pairwise comparison, a large number of DEGs were identified with different numbers of genes for up- and down-regulation, respectively. In the presence of CRCW, expression of two main glycoside hydrolase gene families (i.e. chitinase and glucosidase) was induced. Most of 14 secreted enzymes by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) analysis exhibited a consistent expression pattern with that by RNA-Seq data. This comparative study leads to the identification of phase-specific genes in the interactions of T. atroviride SS003 with C. ribicola, and provides potential molecular targets for improved biocontrol strategies.

Astragali Radix: comprehensive review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical application

Ya-Xiao Liu,Xiao-Mei Song,Lin-Wei Dan,Jia-Mei Tang,Yi Jiang,Chong Deng,Dong-Dong Zhang,Yu-Ze Li,Wei Wang 대한약학회 2024 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.47 No.3

Astragali Radix ( A. Radix ) is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bge) Hsiao or Astragalusmembranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., belonging to the family Leguminosae, which is mainly distributed in China. A. Radix hasbeen consumed as a tonic in China for more than 2000 years because of its medicinal eff ects of invigorating the spleenand replenishing qi. Currently, more than 400 natural compounds have been isolated and identifi ed from A. Radix , mainlyincluding saponins, fl avonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and others. Modern pharmacological studies have shown thatA. Radix has anti-tumor, anti-infl ammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-atherosclerotic, cardioprotective, anti-hypertensive,and anti-aging eff ects. It has been clinically used in the treatment of tumors, cardiovascular diseases, and cerebrovascularcomplications associated with diabetes with few side eff ects and high safety. This paper reviewed the progress of researchon its chemical constituents, pharmacological eff ects, clinical applications, developing applications, and toxicology, whichprovides a basis for the better development and utilization of A. Radix .

Studies on meat color, myoglobin content, enzyme activities, and genes associated with oxidative potential of pigs slaughtered at different growth stages

Qin Ping Yu,Ding Yuan Feng,Juan Xiao,Fan Wu,Xiao Jun He,Min Hao Xia,Tao Dong,Yi Hua Liu,Hui Ze Tan,Shi Geng Zou,Tao Zheng,Xian Hua Ou,Jian Jun Zuo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.12

Objective: This experiment investigated meat color, myoglobin content, enzyme activities, and expression of genes associated with oxidative potential of pigs slaughtered at different growth stages. Methods: Sixty 4-week-old Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire pigs were assigned to 6 replicate groups, each containing 10 pigs. One pig from each group was sacrificed at day 35, 63, 98, and 161 to isolate longissimus dorsi and triceps muscles. Results: Meat color scores were higher in pigs at 35 d than those at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05), and those at 98 d were lower than those at 161 d (p<0.05). The total myoglobin was higher on 161 d compared with those at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05). Increase in the proportions of metmyoglobin and deoxymyoglobin and a decrease in oxymyoglobin were observed between days 35 and 161 (p<0.05). Meat color scores were correlated to the proportion of oxymyoglobin (r = 0.59, p<0.01), and negatively correlated with deoxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin content (r = –0.48 and –0.62, p<0.05). Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity at 35 d and 98 d was higher than that at 161 d (p<0.05). The highest lactate dehydrogenase/MDH ratio was achieved at 161 d (p<0.05). Calcineurin mRNA expression decreased at 35 d compared to that at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05). Myocyte enhancer factor 2 mRNA results indicated a higher expression at 161 d than that at 63 d and 98 d (p<0.05). Conclusion: Porcine meat color, myoglobin content, enzyme activities, and genes associated with oxidative potential varied at different stages.

Molecular features and functional studies of transcription factor, Cap ‘n’ collar C, in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera Delphacidae)

Zeng Bin,Feng Ze-Rui,Liu Ya-Ting,Chen Fu-Rong,Wang Shuai,Wu Shun-Fan,Yu Zhi-Tao,Gao Cong-Fen 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.4

Cap ‘n’ collar C (CncC), a transcription factor, plays a vital role in the development of insect resistance by regulating the expression of multiple detoxifying genes. Clarifying the molecular characteristics of CncC and its pathway regulating insecticide resistance will aid the development of integrated pest control strategies. Here we cloned and identified the molecular feature of CncC genes from the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), (Hemiptera Delphacidae). The full-length open reading frame of NlCncC was 3015 nucleotides with 1005 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence has a high similarity with other insect homologs and contains the characteristic Cnc/bZip domain architecture. Functional studies showed that silencing NlCncC by RNA interference (RNAi) could downregulate the transcript expression of NlCYP6ER1, NlCYP6CW1, and NlCYP6AY1, which increase the susceptibility to imidacloprid in N. lugens. The identification of molecular characteristics of NlCncC and func tional studies in this paper will contribute to designing effective control strategies for N. lugens.