Genistein Improves the Major Depression through Suppressing the Expression of miR-221/222 by Targeting Connexin 43

Fang Shen,Wan-li Huang,Bao-ping Xing,Xiang Fang,Mei Feng,Chun-ming Jiang 대한신경정신의학회 2018 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.15 No.10

Objective: Recent studies have indicated the possibility that genistein may improve depression via regulating the expression of miR-221/222. This study is to explore whether genistein could improve depression by altering miR-221/222 levels and investigate the possible mechanisms involved in the improvement effect of genistein. Methods: The animal model of depression was established through unpredictable chronic mild stress. Nest building test and splash test were adapted to evaluate the effects of genistein on depressive symptoms in mice. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of miR-221/222 and connexin 43 (Cx43) in the prefrontal cortex of the mice. In vitro, U87-MG astrocytes were treated with genistein and the expression of miR-221/222 and Cx43 was measured. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify whether Cx43 was a direct target of miR-221/222. Results: The behavioral tests showed that genistein could significantly reduce depression symptoms of mice, and this remission was not affected by gender. Genistein in vivo and in vitro could reduce increased levels of miR-221 and miR-222 in the prefrontal cortex of depressed mice, while upregulate Cx43 expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay suggested Cx43 was directly regulated by miR-221/222 in astrocytes. Conclusion: Genistein can play its antidepressant effect through down-regulating miR-221/222 by targeting Cx43.

Second order effects of external prestress on frequencies of simply supported beam by energy method

Fang, De-Ping Techno-Press 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.52 No.4

Based on the energy method considering the second order effects, the natural frequencies of externally prestressed simply supported beam and the compression softening effect of external prestress force were analyzed. It is concluded that the compression softening effect depends on the loss of external tendon eccentricity. As the number of deviators increases from zero to a large number, the compression softening effect of external prestress force decreases from the effect of axial compression to almost zero, which is consistent with the conclusion mathematically rigorously proven. The frequencies calculated by the energy method conform well to the frequencies by FEM which can simulate the frictionless slide between the external tendon and deviator, the accuracy of the energy method is validated. The calculation results show that the compression softening effect of external prestress force is negligible for the beam with 2 or more deviators due to slight loss of external tendon eccentricity. As the eccentricity and area of tendon increase, the first natural frequency of the simply supported beams noticeably increases, however the effect of the external tendon on other frequencies is negligible.

Genistein Improves the Major Depression through Suppressing the Expression of miR-221/222 by Targeting Connexin 43

Fang Shen,Wan-li Huang,Bao-ping Xing,Xiang Fang,Mei Feng,Chun-ming Jiang 대한신경정신의학회 2018 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.15 No.11

Objective Recent studies have indicated the possibility that genistein may improve depression via regulating the expression of miR- 221/222. This study is to explore whether genistein could improve depression by altering miR-221/222 levels and investigate the possible mechanisms involved in the improvement effect of genistein. Methods The animal model of depression was established through unpredictable chronic mild stress. Nest building test and splash test were adapted to evaluate the effects of genistein on depressive symptoms in mice. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of miR-221/222 and connexin 43 (Cx43) in the prefrontal cortex of the mice. In vitro, U87-MG astrocytes were treated with genistein and the expression of miR-221/222 and Cx43 was measured. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify whether Cx43 was a direct target of miR-221/222. Results The behavioral tests showed that genistein could significantly reduce depression symptoms of mice, and this remission was not affected by gender. Genistein in vivo and in vitro could reduce increased levels of miR-221 and miR-222 in the prefrontal cortex of depressed mice, while upregulate Cx43 expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay suggested Cx43 was directly regulated by miR-221/222 in astrocytes. Conclusion Genistein can play its antidepressant effect through down-regulating miR-221/222 by targeting Cx43.

SOME APPLICATIONS OF q-DIFFERENTIAL OPERATOR

Fang, Jian-Ping Korean Mathematical Society 2010 대한수학회지 Vol.47 No.2

In this paper, we use q-differential operator to recover the finite Heine $_2\Phi_1$ transformations given in [3]. Applying that, we also obtain some terminating q-series transformation formulas.

SOME APPLICATIONS OF q-DIFFERENTIAL OPERATOR

Jian-Ping Fang 대한수학회 2010 대한수학회지 Vol.47 No.2

In this paper, we use q-differential operator to recover the finite Heine 2Φ1 transformations given in [3]. Applying that, we also obtain some terminating q-series transformation formulas.

Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals That the 20K and 38K Prophages in Listeria monocytogenes Serovar 4a Strains Lm850658 and M7 Contribute to Genetic Diversity but Not to Virulence

( Chun Fang ),( Tong Cao ),( Ying Shan ),( Ye Xia ),( Yong Ping Xin ),( Chang Yong Cheng ),( Houhui Song ),( John Bowman ),( Xiao Liang Li ),( Xiang Yang Zhou ),( Wei Huan Fang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.1

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of considerable genetic diversity with varying pathogenicity. Initially, we found that the strain M7 was far less pathogenic than the strain Lm850658 though both are serovar 4a strains belonging to the lineage III. Comparative genomic approaches were then attempted to decipher the genetic basis that might govern the strain-dependent pathotypes. There are 2,761 coding sequences of 100% nucleotide identity between the two strains, accounting for 95.7% of the total genes in Lm850658 and 92.7% in M7. Lm850658 contains 33 specific genes, including a novel 20K prophage whereas strain M7 has 130 specific genes, including two large prophages (38K and 44K). To examine the roles of these specific prophages in pathogenicity, the 20K and 38K prophages were deleted from their respective strains. There were virtually no differences of pathogenicity between the deletion mutants and their parent strains, although some putative virulent factors like VirB4 are present in the 20K region or holin-lysin in the 38K region. In silico PCR analysis of 29 listeria genomes show that only strain SLCC2540 has the same 18 bp integration hotspot as Lm850658, whereas the sequence identity of their 20K prophages is very low (21.3%). The 38K and 44K prophages are located in two other different hotspots and are conserved in low virulent strains M7, HCC23, and L99. In conclusion, the 20K and 38K prophages of L. monocytogenes serovar 4a strains Lm850658 and M7 are not related to virulence but contribute to genetic diversity.

Second order effects of external prestress on frequencies of simply supported beam by energy method

De-Ping Fang 국제구조공학회 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.52 No.4

Based on the energy method considering the second order effects, the natural frequencies of externally prestressed simply supported beam and the compression softening effect of external prestress force were analyzed. It is concluded that the compression softening effect depends on the loss of external tendon eccentricity. As the number of deviators increases from zero to a large number, the compression softening effect of external prestress force decreases from the effect of axial compression to almost zero, which is consistent with the conclusion mathematically rigorously proven. The frequencies calculated by the energy method conform well to the frequencies by FEM which can simulate the frictionless slide between the external tendon and deviator, the accuracy of the energy method is validated. The calculation results show that the compression softening effect of external prestress force is negligible for the beam with 2 or more deviators due to slight loss of external tendon eccentricity. As the eccentricity and area of tendon increase, the first natural frequency of the simply supported beams noticeably increases, however the effect of the external tendon on other frequencies is negligible.

Quality of Life of Male Spouse Caregivers for Breast Cancer Patients in China

Zhu, Ping,Fu, Ju-Fang,Wang, Bo,Lin, Jing,Wang, Yan,Fang, Ning-Ning,Wang, Dan-Dan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.10

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of male spouse caregivers of breast cancer patients in China, assess their quality of life (QOL), and investigate the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 243 breast cancer patient-spouse caregiver dyads were recruited from four hospitals in Shanxi and Anhui province of China. A cross-sectional design was applied to collect data and the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) was used to measure caregivers' QOL, and the Chinese version of M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C) was applied to measure patient symptom severity and interference. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the correlations between caregiver burden and QOL. The multiple regression analysis was used to determine the most predictive factors influencing QOL. Results: The scores of all SF-36 scales were above 50.0, which were much lower than that of general mainland Chinese males. Mental QOL was significantly worse than physical QOL. Spouses demographic characteristics, caregiving-related variables and patient symptoms were related to spouse QOL. Caregiver burden has a negative relationship with QOL. Conclusions: A decrease in life events and patient symptoms, as well as increase in spouse sleeping time and family income, ought to improve QOL.

Knockdown of GCF2/LRRFIP1 by RNAi Causes Cell Growth Inhibition and Increased Apoptosis in Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells

Li, Jing-Ping,Cao, Nai-Xia,Jiang, Ri-Ting,He, Shao-Jian,Huang, Tian-Ming,Wu, Bo,Chen, De-Feng,Ma, Ping,Chen, Li,Zhou, Su-Fang,Xie, Xiao-Xun,Luo, Guo-Rong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Background: GC-binding factor 2 (GCF2) is a transcriptional regulator that represses transcriptional activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by binding to a specific GC-rich sequence in the EGFR gene promoter. In addition to this function, GCF2 has also been identified as a tumor-associated antigen and regarded as a potentially valuable serum biomarker for early human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis. GCF2 is high expressed in most HCC tissues and cell lines including HepG2. This study focused on the influence of GCF2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods: GCF2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in HepG2 cells was detected with reverse transcription (RT) PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to knock down GCF2 mRNA and protein expression. Afterwards, cell viability was analyzed with a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and cell apoptosis and caspase 3 activity by flow cytometry and with a Caspase 3 Activity Kit, respectively. Results: Specific down-regulation of GCF2 expression caused cell growth inhibition, and increased apoptosis and caspase 3 activity in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: These primary results suggest that GCF2 may influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and also provides a molecular basis for further investigation into the possible mechanism at proliferation and apoptosis in HCC.

FaesPI, a Fagopyrum esculentum PISTILLATA ortholog, is involved only in stamen development

Zheng-Wu Fang,Xue-Ping Li,Xiao-Fang Li,Zhi-Xiong Liu 한국식물학회 2015 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.58 No.2

Arabidopsis thaliana PISTILLATA (PI) and Antirrhinum majus GLOBOSA (GLO), encoding B function MADS-box transcription factors specifying petal and stamen identity, have been intensively studied. To identify the possible roles of GLO/PI-like genes in regulating floral development in species without petals, we isolated and identified a PI ortholog from Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat, Polygonaceae), a multi-food-use pseudocereal with healing benefits. Protein sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis grouped FaesPI into the GLO/PI lineage. Expression analysis suggested that FaesPI was expressed only in developing stamens, distinguishing it from PI and GLO that were expressed in developing petals and stamens. Moreover, ectopic expression of FaesPI rescued stamen development without complementation of petal development in an Arabidopsis pi mutant. Our results suggest that FaesPI is involved only in stamen development in buckwheat. These results also suggest that FaesPI holds potential application for biotechnical engineering to establish a male sterile line of F. esculentum.