Effects of Antioxidant Tempol on Systematic Inflammation and Endothelial Apoptosis in Emphysematous Rats Exposed to Intermittent Hypoxia

Haiyan Zhao,Yaping Zhao,Xin Li,Leiqian Xu,Fangxin Jiang,Wanju Hou,Lixia Dong,Jie Cao 연세대학교의과대학 2018 Yonsei medical journal Vol.59 No.9

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are independent risk factors of cardiovascular disease(CVD), and their coexistence is known as overlap syndrome (OS). Endothelial dysfunction is the initial stage of CVD; however,underlying mechanisms linking OS and CVD are not well understood. The aim of this study was to explore whether OS canlead to more severe inflammation and endothelial apoptosis by promoting endothelial dysfunction, and to assess the interventioneffects of antioxidant tempol. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=66) were exposed to normal oxygen [normal control (NC) group], intermittent hypoxia(IH group), cigarette smoke (CH group), as well as cigarette smoke and IH (OS group). Tempol intervention was assessed inOS group treated with tempol (OST group) or NaCl (OSN group). After an 8-week challenge, lung tissues, serum, and fresh bloodwere harvested for analysis of endothelial markers and apoptosis. Results: The levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, and apoptosis in circulating epithelialcells were the highest in OS group and the lowest in NC group. These levels were all greater in IH group than in CH group,and were lower in OST group than in OS and OSN groups (all p<0.001). Conclusion: Synergistic effects of IH with cigarette smoke-induced emphysema produce a greater inflammatory status and endothelialapoptosis. OS-related inflammation and endothelial cell apoptosis may play important roles in promoting cardiovasculardysfunction, and antioxidant tempol could achieve a partial protective effect.

A novel protein extracted from Hemerocallis citrina Borani inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation by regulating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and aerobic glycolysis

Min You,Lixia Zhao,Li Song 한국식품과학회 2024 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.33 No.2

Hemerocallis citrina Borani is a commonly consumed food in Asia and possesses many biologically active ingredients. In this study, a protein named Hemerocallis citrina Borani protein (HcBP) was purified using ammonium sulfate fractionation and anion exchange chromatography. Protease assays revealed that HcBP has peroxidase activity. Meanwhile, the UV absorption spectrum showed that HcBP contains heme. Notably, HcBP showed significant inhibitory effects on human hepatoma cancer cell proliferation. Mechanism investigations indicated that HcBP treatment resulted in overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human hepatoma cancer cells. Furthermore, we found HcBP not only downregulated pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) activity but also decreased the expression and nuclear levels of PKM2. The inhibition of PKM2 led to the downregulation of GLUT1, LDHA and PDK, and thus caused the suppression of glycolysis. In summary, our results suggested that HcBP has potential anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity.

A New Modified Method to Obtain a High Melt Index of PLA Polymer and Preparation of Melt-Blown Nonwoven Cloth

Qian Lin,Jianyong Feng,Lixia Zhao 한국섬유공학회 2023 Fibers and polymers Vol.24 No.10

Due to the low melt index of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer, it is difficult to melt-blown processing. Here, a new modified method to obtain a high melt index of PLA polymer and melt-blown nonwoven cloth was studied. PLA polymers are modified by the thermally degraded method of stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)2) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to obtain a high melt index (1054 g/10 min) in comparison with a low melt index (23 g/10 min) of original unmodified PLA polymer. The fiber of modified PLA polymer melt-blown cloth is obviously thinner, having sub-micron fibers, the smallest fiber is about 200 nm. From our test, modified PLA polymer melt-blown cloth has good oil absorption, oil–water separation, and potential air filtration property. In terms of degradation, the modified PLA polymer melt-blown cloth showed excellent degradation performance in basic aqueous solutions at 55 °C at pH 12, reaching a degradation rate of around 95% at 60 h.

An Inter-Ethnic Comparison Study of Ziprasidone Plasma Levels, Dosage and Clinical Response in Patients with Schizophrenia

Dongsheng Lv,Meirong Zhao,Lixia Chen,Dongsheng Yu,Xiaobin Yun,Qing Yang,Xiaojun Huang 대한신경정신의학회 2017 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.14 No.3

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate ziprasidone plasma concentration, daily dose and clinical efficacy and safety in Han Chinese and Mongolian patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 123 inpatients affected by schizophrenia were recruited from the Mental Health Center of Inner Mongolia in China. Ziprasidone plasma concentration, clinical efficacy and side effects were systematically evaluated at baseline, and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Metabolic measures such as changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides, and cholesterol, were also recorded. Results: 90 patients completed the study. Compared with Han patients, on average, Mongolian patients received a significantly higher ziprasidone dosage for adequate symptom control during the 6-week period and had a lower plasma concentration-to-dose ratio. The Mongolian patients also experienced greater increases in weight and BMI. No significant differences between the two ethnic groups were found in the rate of reduction in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score, Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) total score, FBG, triglycerides, cholesterol or Q-Tc interval. Conclusion: Compared to Han Chinese patients, Mongolian patients appeared to have increased ziprasidone clearance and require higher doses to achieve effective treatment for schizophrenia.

An Efficient Catalyst for Restoration of Large Volume Effluent Containing 4-Nitrophenol at Room Temperature

Hao Yan,Mengru Xue,Xiangqing Li,Lixia Qin,Shi-Zhao Kang 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2018 NANO Vol.13 No.09

An efficient and stable catalyst was prepared utilizing reduced graphene oxide, Ag nanoparticles and melamine sponge for the restoration of large volume effluent containing 4-nitrophenol at room temperature. And the as-prepared sample is suitable for continuous flow system. Almost 99% 4-nitrophenol (1.0 x 10 -4 mol L -1, 100 mL) can be removed within 4 min in the presence of the aforementioned sample. Moreover, it also exhibits remarkable stability in continuous flow system. This may offer a new route to the fabrication of efficient flowing catalytic system.

Characterization of a Thermostable Lichenase from Bacillus subtilis B110 and Its Effects on β-Glucan Hydrolysis

( Zhen Huang ),( Guorong Ni ),( Fei Wang ),( Xiaoyan Zhao ),( Yunda Chen ),( Lixia Zhang ),( Mingren Qu ) 한국미생물생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.4

Lichenase is an enzyme mainly implicated in the degradation of polysaccharides in the cell walls of grains. Emerging evidence shows that a highly efficient expression of a thermostable recombinant lichenase holds considerable promise for application in the beer-brewing and animal feed industries. Herein, we cloned a lichenase gene (CelA203) from Bacillus subtilis B110 and expressed it in E. coli. This gene contains an ORF of 729 bp, encoding a protein with 242 amino acids and a calculated molecular mass of 27.3 kDa. According to the zymogram results, purified CelA203 existed in two forms, a monomer, and a tetramer, but only the tetramer had potent enzymatic activity. CelA203 remained stable over a broad pH and temperature range and retained 40% activity at 70℃ for 1 h. The K_m and V_max of CelA203 towards barley β-glucan and lichenan were 3.98 mg/ml, 1017.17 U/mg, and 2.78 mg/ml, 198.24 U/mg, respectively. Furthermore, trisaccharide and tetrasaccharide were the main products obtained from CelA203-mediated hydrolysis of deactivated oat bran. These findings demonstrate a promising role for CelA203 in the production of oligosaccharides in animal feed and brewing industries.

UBE2W Interacts with FANCL and Regulates the Monoubiquitination of Fanconi Anemia Protein FANCD2

Yingying Zhang,Peitang Huang,Xiaowei Zhou,Lixia Zhao,Chao Li,Hengqi Zhu,Long Xu,Liran Shan,Xiang Liao,Zekun Guo 한국분자세포생물학회 2011 Molecules and cells Vol.31 No.2

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare cancer-predisposing ge-netic disease mostly caused by improper regulation of the monoubiquitination of Fanconi anemia complementation group D2 (FANCD2). Genetic studies have indicated that ubiquitin conjugating enzyme UBE2T and HHR6 could regulate FANCD2 monoubiquitination through distinct mechanisms. However, the exact regulation mechanisms of FANCD2 monoubiquitination in response to different DNA damages remain unclear. Here we report that UBE2W, a new ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, could regulate FANCD2 monoubiquitination by mechanisms different from UBE2T or HHR6. Indeed, UBE2W exhibits ubiquitin conjugating enzyme activity and catalyzes the monoubiquitination of PHD domain of Fanconi anemia complementation group L (FANCL) in vitro. UBE2W binds to FANCL, and the PHD domain is both necessary and sufficient for this interaction in mammalian cells. In addition, over-expression of UBE2W in cells promotes the monoubiquitination of FANCD2 and down-regulated UBE2W markedly reduces the UV irradia-tion-induced but not MMC-induced FANCD2 monoubiquiti-nation. These results indicate that UBE2W regulates FANCD2 monoubiquitination by mechanisms different from UBE2T and HRR6. It may provide an additional regulatory step in the activation of the FA pathway.

Testicular Characteristics and the Block to Spermatogenesis in Mature Hinny

Han, Hongmei,Wang, Aihong,Liu, Liming,Zhao, Gaoping,Su, Jie,Wang, Biao,Li, Yunxia,Zhang, Jindun,Wu, Baojiang,Sun, Wei,Hu, Shuxiang,Li, Shuyu,Zhao, Lixia,Li, Xihe Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.6

Most hinnies (female donkey${\times}$male horse) and mules (female horse${\times}$male donkey) are sterile with few reports of equine fertile hybrids. The main cause of this sterility is thought to be a meiotic block to spermatogenesis and oogenesis. This study compared the developmental features of the testes and a histological analyses of spermatogenesis in a male hinny with those of a normal, fertile stallion and Jack donkey. Hinny testes showed a thicker tunica albuginea, fewer blood vessels and more connective tissue in the testis parenchyma than those of the stallion and Jack donkey. Although the mean number of seminiferous tubules was significantly higher in stallion and hinny than Jack donkey (p<0.01), the mean proportion of seminiferous tubules was lower in the hinny (p<0.01) which resulted in a smaller diameter of seminiferous tubules. The mean number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes per unit area were significantly lower in hinny testis (p<0.01) and no spermatids or mature spermatozoa cells were found during immunofluorescent analyses. These results indicated that defects in seminiferous tubule development and structure occur in the testis of hinnies. Furthermore, most spermatogonia and spermatocytes cease development in synapsis during mid-meiosis of spermatocytes, which results in a block to spermatogenesis that prevents the formation of spermatids and matured spermatozoa during meiosis in male hinnies.

The type II histidine triad protein HtpsC facilitates invasion of epithelial cells by highly virulent Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Lu Yunjun,Li Shu,Shen Xiaodong,Zhao Yan,Zhou Dongming,Hu Dan,Cai Xushen,Lu Lixia,Xiong Xiaohui,Li Ming,Cao Min 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.10

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S. suis 2) is an important zoonotic pathogen that presents a significant threat both to pigs and to workers in the pork industry. The initial steps of S. suis 2 pathogenesis are unclear. In this study, we found that the type II histidine triad protein HtpsC from the highly virulent Chinese isolate 05ZYH33 is structurally similar to internalin A (InlA) from Listeria monocytogenes, which plays an important role in mediating listerial invasion of epithelial cells. To determine if HtpsC and InlA function similarly, an isogenic htpsC mutant (ΔhtpsC) was generated in S. suis by homologous recombination. The htpsC deletion strain exhibited a diminished ability to adhere to and invade epithelial cells from different sources. Double immunofluorescence microscopy also revealed reduced survival of the ΔhtpsC mutant after cocultivation with epithelium. Adhesion to epithelium and invasion by the wild type strain was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against E-cadherin. In contrast, the htpsC-deficient mutant was unaffected by the same treatment, suggesting that E-cadherin is the host-cell receptor that interacts with HtpsC and facilitates bacterial internalization. Based on these results, we propose that HtpsC is involved in the process by which S. suis 2 penetrates host epithelial cells, and that this protein is an important virulence factor associated with cell adhesion and invasion.

Role of IFNLR1 gene in PRRSV infection of PAM cells

Ming Qin,Wei Chen,Zhixin Lin,Lixue Wang,Lixia Ma,Jinhong Geng,Yu Zhang,Jing Zhao,Yong-Qing Zeng 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.3

Background: Interferon lambda receptor 1 (IFNLR1) is a type II cytokine receptor that clings to interleukins IL-28A, IL29B, and IL-29 referred to as type III IFNs (IFN-λs). IFN-λs act through the JAK-STAT signaling pathway to exert antiviral effects related to preventing and curing an infection. Although the immune function of IFN-λs in virus invasion has been described, the molecular mechanism of IFNLR1 in that process is unclear. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of IFNLR1 in the pathogenesis and treatment of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Methods: The effects of IFNLR1 on the proliferation of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) during PRRSV infection were investigated using interference and overexpression methods. Results: In this study, the expressions of the IFNLR1 gene in the liver, large intestine, small intestine, kidney, and lung tissues of Dapulian pigs were significantly higher than those in Landrace pigs. It was determined that porcine IFNLR1 overexpression suppresses PRRSV replication. The qRT-PCR results revealed that overexpression of IFNLR1 upregulated antiviral and IFN-stimulated genes. IFNLR1 overexpression inhibits the proliferation of PAMs and upregulation of p-STAT1. By contrast, knockdown of IFNLR1 expression promotes PAMs proliferation. The G0/G1 phase proportion in IFNLR1-overexpressing cells increased, and the opposite change was observed in IFNLR1-underexpressing cells. After inhibition of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, the G2/M phase proportion in the IFNLR1-overexpressing cells showed a significant increasing trend. In conclusion, overexpression of IFNLR1 induces activation of the JAK/STAT pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of PAMs infected with PRRSV. Conclusion: Expression of the IFNLR1 gene has an important regulatory role in PRRSV-infected PAMs, indicating it has potential as a molecular target in developing a new strategy for the treatment of PRRSV.