Genome-wide analysis of chemosensory protein genes in the small white butterfly Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Mao-Ye Li,Xiu-Yun Jiang,Xi-Ya Liu,Yuan-Jie Huang,Shi-Guang Li,Su Liu 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.3

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play a crucial role in olfactory recognition in insects. The small white butterfly Pieris rapae—a major pest of Brassicaceae vegetables, which causes enormous economic losses—uses olfaction to locate its host plants. However, the molecular mechanism of olfaction in this species remains unknown. Herein, we performed a genome-wide and transcriptome-wide analysis of CSP genes in P. rapae and identified 21 CSPs (PrapCSP1 to PrapCSP21). Proteins encoded by these genes showed typical characteristics of CSPs—an Nterminal signal peptide and four positionally conserved cysteine residues. BLASTX analysis indicated that most P. rapae CSPs showed high amino acid identity with their respective orthologs in other lepidopterans. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most P. rapae CSPs were well segregated and were clustered into different branches. The 21 genes were located on six genomic scaffolds, and most genes were tandemly arrayed. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that PrapCSP3, 4, 16 and 21 had the highest expression level in the antennae; PrapCSP7 and PrapCSP18 were mainly expressed in the ovaries, and PrapCSP9 and PrapCSP17 were leg-enriched. PrapCSP11 and PrapCSP20 were found mainly in the heads and testes, respectively. Our findings provide a solid foundation for studying the function of these genes.

Identification of six heat shock protein 70 genes in Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) and their responses to temperature stress

Li Mao-Ye,Huang Yan,Lei Xiao,Xu Chuan-Tao,Li Bin,Chen De-Xin,Liu Su 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play essential roles in stress tolerance in insects, such as the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne, which is an important pest of stored products. However, the function of HSPs in envi ronmental stress response in L. serricorne is poorly understood. In this study, six cDNAs encoding putative HSP70s were identified in L. serricorne (LsHSP70-1 to LsHSP70-6). The LsHSP70 proteins identified have signature motifs of insect HSP70s and exhibit high amino-acid identity with their respective orthologs from other insect species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these LsHSP70s fall into three major clans: HSP70 in the cytosol (four genes), endoplasmic reticulum (one gene), and mitochondria (one gene). LsHSP70 genes are differentially expressed in different developmental stages. LsHSP70-4 and LsHSP70-5 are mainly expressed at the larval stage, while LsHSP70-3 shows the highest level at the pupal stage. The other genes are ubiquitously expressed. Furthermore, the expression levels of LsHSP70-1 and LsHSP70-4 are significantly upregulated upon exposure to temperatures of both 0 and 15 ◦ C, while LsHSP70-3 is inducible at 15 ◦ C and LsHSP70-6 at 0 ◦ C. In addition, treatment at 0 ◦ C causes significant downregulation of LsHSP70-2 and LsHSP70-3. Exposure to a temperature of 30 ◦ C upregulates LsHSP70-1 expression, while 35 and 40 ◦ C treatments result in significantly enhanced transcription of all the LsHSP70 genes. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on the sequence characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, and expression profiles of HSP70 genes in L. serricorne. The cold- and heat-inducible regulation of LsHSP70s suggests that these genes are related to tolerance of abnormal temperatures.

A κ-Carrageenase from a Newly Isolated Pseudoalteromonas-like Bacterium, WZUC10

Mao-hong Zhou,Jian-she Ma,Jun Li,Hai-ren Ye,Ke-xin Huang,Xiao-wei Zhao 한국생물공학회 2008 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.13 No.5

A bacterial strain able to produce k-carrageenase, designated WZUC10, was isolated from a live specimen of the red alga Plocamium telfairiae collected in the East China Sea. The phylogenetic evidence and phenotypic features indicate that this strain belongs to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. WZUC10 requires NaCl for growth and k-carrageenan to induce k-carrageenase synthesis; galactose and lactose do not induce it. The optimal growth temperature is 23~27°C. The secreted enzyme, which has a molecular mass of 45 kDa, breaks down k-carrageenan into k-neocarratetraose sulfate and larger oli-gosaccharides with a repeating β-D-Galp4S-(1→4)-α-D-AnGalp structure, but cannot degrade k-neocarratetraose sulfate or k-neocarrahexaose sulfate into k-neocarrabiose sulfate. The enzyme retains 90% of its activity after 2 h at 40°C and is com-pletely inactivated after 7.5 min at 70°C. The enzyme’s optimal temperature is 30°C and its optimal pH is 7.5. The enzyme-catalyzed reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with the Michaelis constant (Km) and the turnover number (k) being 0.015 mM and 125 s-¹, respectively. WZUC10 produces 50 U/mL k-carrageenase after cultivation at 25°C for 35 h on a me-dium containing 80 g/L glucose, 5 g/L corn steep liquor, 3 g/L k-carrageenan, and 15 g/L NaCl. k-Neocarratetraose sulfate was prepared simply with precipitation by ethanol:water (5:1, v/v).

Genetic Diversity and Geographical Differentiation of Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC. in South China Revealed by AFLP Markers

Mao-feng Yue,Ren-chao Zhou,Ye-lin Huang,Guo-rong Xin,Su-hua Shi,Li Feng 한국식물학회 2010 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.53 No.2

High levels of genetic variation enable species to adapt to changing environments and provide plant breeders with the raw materials necessary for artificial selection. In the present study, six AFLP primer pairs were used to assess the genetic diversity of Desmodium triflorum (L.)DC. from 12 populations in South China. A high percentage of polymorphic loci (P=76.16%) and high total gene diversity (HT=0.310) were found, indicating that the genetic diversity of D. triflorum is high at the species level. Genetic diversity was also relatively high at the population level (P=55.85%, He=0.230). The coefficient of gene differentiation among populations (GST) was 0.255, indicating that while most genetic diversity resided within populations, there was also considerable differentiation among populations. AMOVA also indicated 24.29% of the total variation to be partitioned among populations (ΦST=0.243). UPGMA clustering analysis based on genetic distances showed that the 12 populations could be separated into three subgroups: an eastern, a western, and a central-southern subgroup. However, a Mantel test revealed no significant correlation (r=0.286, p=0.983)between the geographical distances and genetic distances separating these populations; mountain barriers to gene flow and human disturbance may have confounded these correlations. The present study has provided some fundamental genetic data that will be of use in the exploitation of D. triflorum.

An Efficient Fire Detection Method Based on Orientation Feature

Mao Ye,Tao Li,Feng Pang,Haiyang Wang,Jian Ding 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2013 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.11 No.5

This paper proposes a novel method for reliable fire detection. The burning fire usually causes rich moving features in terms of directions, which can offer the best chance to distinguish between the fire region and the non-fire one. Motivated by this observation, we design a novel orientation feature to represent this characteristic. Based on this feature, a method is proposed to detect the fire efficiently. First, fire color is utilized to extract the fire candidate areas from the surveillance video. Then, the direction is obtained by computing the optical flow for each pixel in the candidate area. The directions are discretized to four parts. By counting the percentage of pixels whose moving directions fall into these four parts in a period of time, and combining with the two parameters, i.e., both of the number of frames without the moving directions and the number of consecutive frames in the candidate area, we use these six parameters as the fire orientation feature. In the end, by training a support vector machine (SVM) classifier with the input of our fire orientation feature, the candidate area is judged whether it is a fire. Our main contribution is that we design the novel fire orientation feature. The fea-ture can not only characterize the fire intrinsic dynamic properties accurately but also is very efficient. Compared with the art-of-state methods, the experimental results confirm that our approach signifi-cantly improves the accuracy of fire detection and impressively decreases the false alarm rate. The de-tection speed of our approach is also very competitive with the art-of-state fire detection methods.

Ultrasonic Osteotome Assisted Posterior Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy in the Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy Due to Osseous Foraminal Stenosis

Ye Jiang,Chen Li,Lutao Yuan,Cong Luo,Yuhang Mao,Yong Yu 대한신경외과학회 2023 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.66 No.4

Objective : To investigate the efficacy and safety of the posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (PECF) using ultrasonic osteotome for the treatment of cervical osseous foraminal stenosis,focusing on introduction of the advantages of ultrasonic osteotome in partial pediculectomy and ventral osteophyte resection in PECF. Methods : Nineteen patients with cervical osseous foraminal stenosis who underwent PECF using ultrasonic osteotome in our institution between April 2018 and April 2021 were enrolled in this study. All the patients were followed up more than 12 months. The patients’ medical data, as well as pre- and postoperative radiologic findings were thoroughly investigated. The visual analogue score (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical dysfunction index (Neck disability index, NDI), and modified MacNab criteria were used to assess the surgical efficacy. Results : All the patients were successfully treated with PECF using ultrasonic osteotome. The pre- and postoperative VAS, NDI, and JOA scores were significantly improved (p<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 17 patients were assessed as “excellent”, two patients were assessed as “good” at the last follow-up. There was no dura tear, nerve root damage, incision infection, neck deformity, or other complications. Conclusion : Adequate nerve root decompression can be accomplished successfully with the help of ultrasonic osteotome in PECF, which has the advantage of reducing the probability of damage to the nerve root and dura mater, in addition to the original merits of endoscopic surgery.

Prostate Cancer Risk in Relation to a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Protein-3 (IGFBP3) Gene: a Meta-analysis

Mao, Ye-Qing,Xu, Xin,Lin, Yi-Wei,Chen, Hong,Hu, Zheng-Hui,Xu, Xiang-Lai,Zhu, Yi,Wu, Jian,Zheng, Xiang-Yi,Qin, Jie,Xie, Li-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) has been identified as a putative tumor suppressor with multifunctional roles in the IGF axis. Recently, there have been a growing body of studies investigating the relation between the IGFBP3 A-202C polymorphism, circulating IGFBP3 and prostate cancer risk, but their outcomes varied leading to controversy. Hence, it is necessary to perform a meta-analysis covering all eligible studies to shed a light on the association of IGFBP3 A-202C and cancer risk. Finally, we included a total of 11 relevant articles between 2003 and 2010 covering 14 case-control studies including 9,238 cases and 8,741 controls for our analysis. Our results showed that A-202C was a marginal risk factor of prostate cancer (allele contrast: OR=1.08, 95% CI :1.01-1.16; dominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI :1.01-1.22; heterozygote codominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI :1.03-1.18; homozygote contrast: OR=1.19, 95% CI :1.03-1.37). Stratification analysis revealed that sample size and control source were two major heterogeneous meta-factors especially in the recessive model (source: Population-based control group :p=0.30,I2=16.7%, Hospital-based control group: p=0.20, I2=30.3%; sample size: Small: p=0.22,I2= 32.8%, Medium: p=0.09,I2=48%, Large p=0.60,I2=0.0%); However, contrary to previous findings, no significance was found in racial subgroups. No significant publication bias was found in our analysis. Considering the robustness of the results and the discrepancy among some studies, there might be some unsolved confounding factors, and further more critical large studies are needed for confirmation.

A Genetic Variant in MiR-146a Modifies Digestive System Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

Li, Ying-Jun,Zhang, Zhen-Yu,Mao, Ying-Ying,Jin, Ming-Juan,Jing, Fang-Yuan,Ye, Zhen-Hua,Chen, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression and act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes in oncogenesis. The association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in miR-146a rs2910164 and susceptibility to digestive system cancers was inconsistent in previous studies. In this study, we conducted a literature search of PubMed to identify all relevant studies published before August 31, 2013. A total of 21 independent case-control studies were included in this updated meta-analysis with 9,558 cases and 10,614 controls. We found that the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased risk of digestive system cancers in an allele model (OR=0.90, 95%CI 0.87-0.94), homozygote model (OR=0.84, 95%CI 0.77-0.91), dominant model (OR=0.90, 95%CI 0.84-0.96), and recessive model (OR=0.85, 95%CI 0.79-0.91), while in a heterozygous model (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.89-1.11) the association showed marginal significance. Subgroup analysis by cancer site revealed decreased risk in colorectal cancer above allele model (OR=0.90, 95%CI 0.83-0.97) and homozygote model (OR=0.85, 95%CI 0.72-1.00). Similarly, decreased cancer risk was observed when compared with allele model (OR=0.87, 95%CI 0.81-0.93) and recessive model (OR=0.81, 95%CI 0.72-0.90) in gastric cancer. When stratified by ethnicity, genotyping methods and quality score, decreased cancer risks were also observed. This current meta-analysis indicated that miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism may decrease the susceptibility to digestive system cancers, especially in Asian populations.

The Indosinian collision-extension event between the South China Block and the Palaeo-Pacific plate: Evidence from Indosinian alkaline granitic rocks in Dashuang, eastern Zhejiang, South China

Mao, J.,Ye, H.,Liu, K.,Li, Z.,Takahashi, Y.,Zhao, X.,Kee, W.S. Universitetsforlaget ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2013 Lithos Vol.172 No.-

This study reports on the first comprehensive analysis of the geology, petrology and origin of the Dashuang pluton in Jinhua, eastern Zhejiang, South China, which is predominantly composed of quartz monzonite and subordinate quartz syenite that includes variable amounts of aegirine-augite. The quartz monzonite has a porphyritic texture defined by K-feldspar phenocrysts, whereas the quartz syenite shows considerable variation in grain size and is categorised into fine- and coarse-grained types. Zircons from the quartz monzonite and fine-grained quartz syenite yield LA-MC-ICP-MS (laser ablation-multi-collector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) U-Pb ages of 231.60+/-0.86Ma and 231.7+/-1.1Ma, respectively, indicating crystallisation in the Middle Triassic. The chemistry of the quartz monzonite indicates a calc-alkaline to alkaline evolutionary trend, which may reflect partial melting of upper mantle contaminated by Proterozoic basement rocks, subjected to fractional crystallisation during ascent. Both the fine- and coarse-grained quartz syenites are alkaline and have high rare earth element (REE) concentrations, especially light rare earth elements (LREE), and are relatively enriched in large ion lithosphere elements (LILE). The Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> and NaO<SUB>2</SUB> contents of the quartz syenite increase proportionally with SiO<SUB>2</SUB>, owing to greater amounts of aegirine-augite and feldspar. The fine-grained quartz syenite has the lowest initial <SUP>87</SUP>Sr/<SUP>86</SUP>Sr ratio and lowest Nd model age, and the highest ε<SUB>Nd</SUB> value compared with the quartz monzonite. The quartz syenite compositions are best explained by fractional crystallisation of an enriched mantle-derived alkaline magma. Slight chemical variations result from source heterogeneities, as well as the spatially variable degrees of melting, assimilation, and other factors. Our new age and geochemical data for the alkaline rocks in eastern Zhejiang, considered together with collisional granites from South Korea, support a history of collision and extension between the Palaeo-Pacific plate and the South China Block during the Indosinian. We use these data to refine the geodynamic model for Indosinian multi-plate convergence in South China.

rs12904 Polymorphism in the 3'UTR of EFNA1 is Associated with Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility in a Chinese Population

Mao, Ying-Ying,Jing, Fang-Yuan,Jin, Ming-Juan,Li, Ying-Jun,Ding, Ye,Guo, Jing,Wang, Fen-Juan,Jiang, Long-Fang,Chen, Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

Accumulated evidence has indicated that Ephrin A1 (EFNA1) is associated with angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In the current study, we performed an online search using the public microarray database to investigate whether EFNA1 expression might be altered in CRC tissues. We then conducted a case-control study including 306 subjects (102 cases and 204 well-matched controls) in Xiaoshan County to assess any association between genetic polymorphisms in EFNA1 and CRC susceptibility. Searches in the Oncomine expression profiling database revealed EFNA1 to be overexpressed in CRC tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue. The rs12904 G-A variant located in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of EFNA1 was observed to be associated with CRC susceptibility. Compared with the AA homozygous genotype, those carrying GA genotype had a decreased risk of developing CRC (odds ratio (OR)=0.469, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.225-0.977, and P=0.043). The association was stronger among smokers and tea drinkers, however, no statistical evidence of interaction between rs12904 polymorphism and smoking or tea drinking on CRC risk was found. Our results suggest that EFNA1 is involved in colorectal tumorigenesis, and rs12904 A>G polymorphism in the 3' UTR of EFNA1 is associated with CRC susceptibility. Larger studies and further mechanistic investigations are warranted to confirm our findings.