Chinoketides A and B, Two New Antimicrobial Polyketides from the Endophytes of Distylium chinense with the "Black-Box" Co-culture Method

Meng-Meng Lv,Ming-Hui Tan,Li-Wen Lu,Rong-Hua Zhang,Zhi-Yong Guo,Cheng-Xiong Liu,Jin Yang,Kun Zou,Peter Proksch 한국생약학회 2018 Natural Product Sciences Vol.24 No.3

Two new polyketides, chinoketides A and B (1 - 2) with a known compound xylarphthalide A (3), were isolated from the solid medium of the endophytes from the leaves of the relic plant Distylium chinense with the "black-box" co-culture method, and the structures of two new compounds were elucidated by NMR, MS and CD spectra. And the absolute configurations of chinoketides A (1) and B (2) were determined as 2R,3R,8S and 5R,6S by calculating their ECD spectra to compare with the experimental CD spectra. Finally, the antimicrobial activities were evaluated to Erwinia carotovora sub sp. Carotovora (Jones) Bersey et al, and the results showed that compounds 1 - 3 displayed the antimicrobial activities with MIC value at 20.5, 30.4 and 10.2 mg/mL.

Study on the Correlation between Extracellular Matrix Protein-1 and the Growth, Metastasis and Angiogenesis of Laryngeal Carcinoma

Meng, Xin-Yu,Liu, Juan,Lv, Feng,Liu, Ming-Qiu,Wan, Jing-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Objective: To investigate the correlation between extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM1) and the growth, metastasis and angiogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Forty-five samples with laryngeal benign and malignant tumors confirmed by pathology in Laiwu City People's Hospital from March 2006 to March 2011 were collected, in which there were 29 cases with laryngeal carcinoma and 16 with benign tumors. The expression of ECM1 and factor VIII-related antigens in patients with laryngeal carcinoma and those with benign tumors was respectively detected using immunohistochemical method, and the correlation between ECM1 staining grade and microvessel density (MVD) was analyzed. Results: In laryngeal carcinoma tissue, ECM1 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm, less in cytomembrane or intercellular substance. With abundant expression in the tissue of laryngeal benign tumors (benign mesenchymoma and hemangioma), ECM1 was primarily expressed in the connective tissue, which was different from the expression in laryngeal carcinoma tissue. The proportion of positive ECM1 staining (++) in patients with laryngeal carcinoma was dramatically higher than those with benign tumors (p<0.05), and that of strongly-positive ECM1 staining (+++) slightly higher. The results of Spearman nonparametric correlation analysis revealed that ECM1 staining grade in laryngeal carcinoma tissue had a significantly-positive correlation with MVD (r=0.866, p=0.000). Conclusions: ECM1 expression in laryngeal carcinoma is closely associated with tumor cell growth, metastasis and angiogenesis, which can be considered as an effective predictor in the occurrence and postoperative recurrence of laryngeal carcinoma.

Revascularization of Concurrent Renal and Cerebral Artery Stenosis in a 14-Year-Old Girl with Takayasu Arteritis and Moyamoya Syndrome

Meng-Luen Lee,Ming-Yuh Chang,Tung-Ming Chang,Rei-Cheng Yang,Ming-Che Chang,Albert D. Yang 대한의학회 2018 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.33 No.10

Concurrent involvement of bilateral renal and cerebral arteries, usually incurred as stenosis is rare in childhood-onset Takayasu arteritis (c-TA). We report the case of a 14-year-old girl, with c-TA, presenting with transient ischemic attack after endovascular revascularization for renal artery stenosis and cerebrovascular stroke after surgical revascularization for cerebral artery stenosis associated with childhood-onset moyamoya syndrome. We deem th decrease of blood pressure by endovascular revascularization and improvement of cerebral perfusion by surgical revascularization may have jeopardized the cerebral deep watershed zone to cerebral ischemia followed by cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome and caused transient ischemic attack and cerebrovascular stroke in our patient. Revascularization could be a double-edge sword for c-TA patients presenting with concomitant renal artery stenosis and cerebral artery stenosis, and should be performed with caution. Quantitative analysis of cerebral blood flow by brain magnetic resonance imaging and angiography should be performed within 48 hours after surgical revascularization in c-TA.

Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitory and Anti-inflammatory Components from the Leaves of <i>Eucommia ulmoides</i> Oliver (Duzhong)

Bai, Meng-Meng,Shi, Wei,Tian, Jun-Mian,Lei, Ming,Kim, Jang Hoon,Sun, Ya Nan,Kim, Young Ho,Gao, Jin-Ming American Chemical Society 2015 Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol.63 No.8

<P><I>Eucommia ulmoides</I> leaves have been used as a functional food and drink in China. The purpose of this study was to identify the bioactive constituents with soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory activity and anti-inflammatory properties. Twenty-seven known compounds (<B>1</B>–<B>27</B>) were isolated from the leaves of <I>E. ulmoides</I> Oliver, and their structures were identified by NMR and ESIMS analysis; three of these, 2,5-dimethoxy-3-glucopyranosyl cinnamic alcohol (<B>11</B>), foliasalacioside E<SUB>2</SUB> (<B>26</B>), and icariside F<SUB>2</SUB> (<B>27</B>), were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compounds <B>1</B>–<B>7</B> exhibited soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory activity at 100 μM; among them, quercetin (<B>1</B>) and kaempferol (<B>5</B>) displayed potential activities with IC<SUB>50</SUB> values of 22.5 ± 0.9 and 31.3 ± 2.6 μM, respectively, with noncompetitive inhibition mode. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated by the NF-κB liciferase assay in HepG2 cells. Compounds <B>1</B>, <B>9</B>, <B>20</B>, and <B>27</B> displayed potent NF-κB inhibitory effects, with IC<SUB>50</SUB> values of 15.14 ± 2.29, 15.23 ± 2.34, 16.88 ± 2.17, and 16.25 ± 2.19 μM, respectively, whereas other compounds showed weak inhibition of NF-κB transcriptional activity ranging from 17.54 to 92.6 μM. A structure–activity relationship of flavonoids <B>1</B>–<B>9</B> was also discussed. The results obtained in this work might contribute to the understanding of pharmacological activities of <I>E. ulmoides</I> leaves and further investigation on its potential application values for food and drug.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jafcau/2015/jafcau.2015.63.issue-8/acs.jafc.5b00055/production/images/medium/jf-2015-00055j_0004.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/jf5b00055'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF CARBONATE SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS IN A CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM, SOUTHERN TAIWAN

Pei-Jie Meng,Ming-Yih Leu,Cheng-Hao Tang,Chung-Chi Chen,Kwee-Siong Tew,Chia-Ming Chang 한국수산과학회 양식분과 2015 한국수산과학회 양식분과 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.5

Roadway Engineering Mechanical Properties and Roadway Structural Instability Mechanisms in Deep Wells

Xiang-Rui Meng,Rui Peng,Guang-Ming Zhao,Ying-Ming Li 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.5

We proposed a new classification method for stress-bearing structures in very-deep roadways. We conducted tests for roadwayengineeringmechanical properties, including rock mechanical tests and ground stress measurement of two caverns in very-deepwells. We suggested a classification method for stress-bearing structures based on shear stress. Tests revealed that rock strength in theshear direction was the lowest; the stress distributions of acoustic emission and hollow inclusion were highly similar. Based on theroadway-engineering mechanical properties of two caverns and numerical simulation and in-situ tests, the key bearing structureswere classified based on the concentrated shear stress. In deep caverns, shear stress was more concentrated on the softer surroundingrock, the key bearing structure areas, and the more seriously fractured surrounding rocks. Using the loose circle in-situ test, wecompared the classification method of the key bearing structures with other classification methods. The results revealed agreementwith the classification methods used for the key bearing structures. The deformation in-situ test showed that the strata convergence ofconcentrated shear stress areas developed quickly. Therefore, the phenomena of concentrated shear stress and the expanded range ofkey bearing structures are the structural instability mechanisms of deep roadways.

Development of a 2-Chamber Culture System for Impedimetric Monitoring of Cell-cell Interaction

Kin Fong Lei,Meng-Tsan Tsai,Ming-Hong Zhong,Chia-Hao Huang,Ngan-Ming Tsang,Ming-Yih Lee 한국바이오칩학회 2017 BioChip Journal Vol.11 No.2

In cancer research, study of cell-cell interaction is important to understand tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Conventionally, transwell system was adopted and cell proliferation was quantified by end-point bio-assays. The operations are labor-intensive and time-consuming while studying of the dynamic cellular responses of cell-cell interaction. Although impedance measurement was suggested to be a promising technique to monitor cellular responses, electrodes cannot be integrated into the transwell for the measurement purpose. In this work, a 2-chamber culture system incorporated with impedance measurement technique was developed to quantitatively study cell-cell interaction. The chamber was composed of 2 sub-chambers separated with a barrier. By this design, two types of cells could be independently cultured and concurrently monitored under common medium supplied. Cell-cell interaction was demonstrated by aberrant cell proliferation induced by the EGF secreted from the transfected cells cultured on another sub-chamber. Real-time and non-invasive monitoring of cell-cell interaction was successfully demonstrated. This work provides a practical solution for monitoring the dynamic cellular responses of cellcell interaction during the culture course. It is a reliable and convenient platform and facilitate more quantitative assessments in cancer research.

Genetic variations in the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 are related to cigarette smoking behavior in Han Chinese smokers

Qi Fei-Yan,Zhu Zhou-Hai,Li Meng,Guan Ying,Peng Qi-Yuan,Lu She-Ming,Liu Zhi-Hua,Wang Ming-Feng,Miao Ming-Ming,Chen Zhang-Yu,Li Xue-Mei,Bai Jie,Yao Jian-Hua 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.11

Background: Smoking behavior is influenced by multiple genes, including the bitter taste gene TAS2R38. It has been reported that the correlation between TAS2R38 and smoking behavior has ethnicity-based differences. However, the TAS2R38 status in Chinese smokers is still unclear. Objective: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between genetic variations in TAS2R38 (A49P, V262A and I296V) and smoking behaviors in the Han Chinese population. Methods: The haplotype analyses were performed and smoking behavior questionnaire was completed by 1271 individuals. Genetic association analyses for smoking behavior were analyzed using chi-square test. Further, for investigating the molecular mechanism of TAS2R38 variants effect on smoking behavior, we conducted TAS2R38-PAV and TAS2R38-AVI expression plasmids and tested the cellular calcium assay by cigarette smoke compounds stimulus in HEK293. Results: Significant associations of genetic variants within TAS2R38 were identified with smoking behavior. We found a higher PAV/PAV frequency than AVI/AVI in moderate and high nicotine dependence (FTND ≥ 4; X2 = 4.611, 1 df, p = 0.032) and strong cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference (X2 = 4.5383, 1 df, p = 0.033) in participants. Furthermore, in the in vitro cellular calcium assay, total particle matter (TPM), N-formylnornicotine and cotinine, existing in cigarette smoke, activated TAS2R38-PAV but not TAS2R38-AVI-transfected cells. Conclusion: Our data highlights that genetic variations in TAS2R38 are related to smoking behavior, especially nicotine dependence and cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference. Our findings may encourage further consideration of the taste process to identify individuals susceptible to nicotine dependence, particularly Han Chinese smokers.

Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes in rabbits’ ovaries by digital gene-expression profiling

Tao Huang,Ya‑dong Wang,Ming‑ming Xue,Xue Feng,Cai‑Xia Sun,An‑si Wang,Shu‑yu Xie,Meng Zhang,Gui‑Rong Sun,Ming Li 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.7

Reproduction is a complex physiological process that is regulated by multiple genes and pathways. Compared with studies of common livestock, fewer studies of genes related to the fertility of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been reported, and the molecular mechanism of their high productivity is still poorly understood. To identify candidate genes associated with development and prolificacy in rabbits, we analyzed gene expression differences among the ovaries of mature Californian rabbit (LC), and mature (HH) and immature Harbin white rabbit (IH) using digital gene expression technology. We detected 885 and 321 genes that were significantly differentially expressed in comparisons between HH/IH and HH/LC, respectively. The functions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined by GO classification and KEGG pathway analysis. The results suggest that most of the DEGs between the mature and immature developmental stages were predominantly associated with DNA replication, cell cycle, and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and most were up-regulated in the IH group compared with the HH group. The DEGs involved in disparate fecundities between HH and LC were associated with reproduction, fructose and mannose metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism. Our results will contribute to a better understanding of changes in the regulatory network in ovary at different developmental stages and in different fertility of rabbit.

Research on Flame Retardant Formaldehyde-Free Plywood Glued by Aqueous Polymer Isocyanate Adhesive

( Ming-yu Wen ),( Jia-zhi Zhu ),( Meng Zhu ),( Yao-xing Sun ),( Hee-jun Park ),( Junyou Shi ) 한국목재공학회 2020 목재공학 Vol.48 No.5

Due to pronounced mechanical performance and being environmental friendly, aqueous polymer isocyanate adhesive (API) has been widely applied in the production of formaldehyde-free wood products. In this study, flame retardant formaldehyde-free plywood was prepared by incorporation of flame retardants into the API adhesive. Partially phosphorylated poly (vinyl alcohol) (PPVA) which was prepared by reacting poly (vinyl alcohol) with phosphoric acid was used to replace PVA in API formula. In addition, Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) was chosen as additive flame retardant, replacing traditional filler CaCO₃ in API adhesive formula. And then, the flame retardant API adhesive with main agent (PPVA replacing PVA70wt.%, SBR emulsion 30wt.%), curing agent 10wt.% (accounts for of the main agent), and 20wt.% LDHs (accounts of the main agent) was used to prepare flame retardant plywood. The effect of application of PPVA and Mg-Al LDH on bonding strength of plywood was investigated. The flammability characteristics of the plywood were determined by cone calorimeter test (CCT). The results revealed that compared with the plywood prepared with API adhesive, the use of PPVA and LDH enhanced the flame retardancy of plywood without negatively affecting bonding strength. The CCT tests indicated that the heat release and smoke production flame retardant API plywood were lower than those of the ordinary API glued plywood. Promising developments for flame retardant API adhesive were expected in future applications of flame retardant formaldehyde-free plywood.