Evaluation of insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Allium chinense G. Don and its major constituents against Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel

Xin Chao Liu,Xiao Nan Lu,Qi Zhi Liu,Zhi Long Liu 한국응용곤충학회 2014 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.17 No.4

Water-distilled essential oil from the dried bulbs of Allium chinense (Liliaceae) was analyzed by gaschromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Eighteen compounds, accounting for 98.4% of the total oil,were identified and the main components of the essential oil of A. chinense were methyl allyl trisulfide(30.7%), dimethyl trisulfide (24.1%), methyl propyl disulfide (12.8%) and dimethyl disulfide (9.6%) followed bymethyl allyl disulfide (3.4%) and methyl propyl trisulfide (3.6%). The essential oil exhibited contact toxicityagainst the booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila) with an LC50 value of 441.8 μg/cm2 while the two major constituents,dimethyl trisulfide and methyl propyl disulfide had LC50 values of 153.0 μg/cm2 and 738.0 μg/cm2 againstthe booklice, respectively. The essential oil of A. chinense possessed strong fumigant toxicity against the booklicewith an LC50 value of 186.5 μg/l while methyl allyl trisulfide (LC50=90.4 μg/l) and dimethyl trisulfide (LC50=114.2 μg/l) exhibited stronger fumigant toxicity than methyl propyl disulfide (LC50= 243.4 μg/l) and dimethyldisulfide (LC50= 340.8 μg/l) against the booklice. The results indicated that the essential oil and itsmajor constituentshave potential for development into natural insecticides or fumigants for control of insects in stored grains.

Towards high-accuracy data modelling, uncertainty quantification and correlation analysis for SHM measurements during typhoon events using an improved most likely heteroscedastic Gaussian process

Qi’ang Wang,Zhi-Jun Liu,Hao-Bo Wang,Zhanguo Ma,Yi-Qing Ni,Jian Jiang,Rui Sun,Hao-Wei Zhu 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.32 No.4

Data modelling and interpretation for structural health monitoring (SHM) field data are critical for evaluating structural performance and quantifying the vulnerability of infrastructure systems. In order to improve the data modelling accuracy, and extend the application range from data regression analysis to out-of-sample forecasting analysis, an improved most likely heteroscedastic Gaussian process (iMLHGP) methodology is proposed in this study by the incorporation of the outof- sample forecasting algorithm. The proposed iMLHGP method overcomes this limitation of constant variance of Gaussian process (GP), and can be used for estimating non-stationary typhoon-induced response statistics with high volatility. The first attempt at performing data regression and forecasting analysis on structural responses using the proposed iMLHGP method has been presented by applying it to real-world filed SHM data from an instrumented cable-stay bridge during typhoon events. Uncertainty quantification and correlation analysis were also carried out to investigate the influence of typhoons on bridge strain data. Results show that the iMLHGP method has high accuracy in both regression and out-of-sample forecasting. The iMLHGP framework takes both data heteroscedasticity and accurate analytical processing of noise variance (replace with a point estimation on the most likely value) into account to avoid the intensive computational effort. According to uncertainty quantification and correlation analysis results, the uncertainties of strain measurements are affected by both traffic and wind speed. The overall change of bridge strain is affected by temperature, and the local fluctuation is greatly affected by wind speed in typhoon conditions.

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.

Energy efficiency characteristic analysis of tri‑coil PT symmetric MC‑WPT systems

Zhi-Juan Liao,Qi-Wei Zhu,Wen Ren,Chen-Yang Xia,Xu Liu 전력전자학회 2023 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.23 No.9

The parity-time (PT) symmetric magnetic coupling wireless power transfer (MC-WPT) system has received a great deal of attention since it was proposed. Its transmission efficiency has been greatly improved when compared with previous research. The operational amplifier (OA) is a typical construction method for PT symmetric MC-WPT systems. On this basis, to achieve a higher transmission efficiency and a longer effective power transmission distance at the same time, this paper constructs an OA-based tri-coil PT symmetric MC-WPT system. The analytical expressions of its singularity, PT symmetric state, and PT symmetric broken state are obtained. Then a complete set of parameter design criteria for the tri-coil PT symmetric system is derived. The transmission efficiency and resonant frequency of two-coil and tri-coil system are simulated on MATLAB software, and the simulation results are consistent with the theoretical analysis results. Finally, an experimental device is constructed to further verify the correctness of the theory. This paper demonstrates that the effective power transmission distance of the tri-coil PT symmetric MC-WPT system is more than twice that of the two-coil PT symmetric MC-WPT system, which can achieve a good balance between transmission efficiency and transmission distance.

Resveratrol suppresses the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in PC-3 cells by down-regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Zhi Wang,Longxiang Wu,Shiyu Tong,Xiheng Hu,Xiongbing Zu,Yuan Li,Wei He,Longfei Liu,Minfeng Chen,Lin Qi 한국통합생물학회 2016 Animal cells and systems Vol.20 No.2

Resveratrol possesses a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties and has been an ideal alternative drug for the treatment of different cancers, including prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms by which resveratrol inhibits the growth of prostate cancer are still not fully elucidated. To understand the effect of resveratrol on the apoptosis and the epithelial-tomesenchymal transition (EMT) of prostate cancer as well as its related mechanism, we investigated the potential use of resveratrol in PC-3 prostate cancer cells in vitro using real-time PCR, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, Western blotting, etc. Resveratrol suppresses the PC-3 prostate cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis. Resveratrol also influences the expression of EMT-related proteins (increased E-cadherin and decreased Vimentin expression). Finally, resveratrol also suppressed Akt phosphorylation in PC-3 cells. This study indicates that resveratrol may be a potential anti-cancer treatment for prostate cancer; moreover, it provides new evidence that resveratrol suppresses prostate cancer growth and metastasis.

Inhibition by Imatinib of Expression of O-glycan-related Glycosyltransferases and Tumor-associated Carbohydrate Antigens in the K562 Human Leukemia Cell Line

Sun, Qi-Chang,Liu, Mi-Bo,Shen, Hong-Jie,Jiang, Zhi,Xu, Lan,Gao, Li-Ping,Ni, Jian-Long,Wu, Shi-Liang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

Objective: To study changes of tumor associated carbohydrate antigen (TACAs) expression and mRNA levels for tumor associated glycosyltransferases, and assess subcellular localizations of N-acetyl galactosyltransferases (GalNAc-Ts) in the K562 leukemia cell line after imatinib treatment. Methods: RT-PCR was performed to analyze the expression of glycosyltransferases which synthesize O-glycan in tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TCTAs). The expression of Tn antigen, T antigen and sialyl T antigen on K562 cell membranes was measured by flow cytometry after treatment with different concentrations of imatinib. Co-localization of GalNAc-Ts and ER (endoplasmic reticulum) was determined by confocal laser scanning microcopy. Results: Transcript expression levels of several glycosyltransferases related to TCTAs were decreased after imatinib ($0-0.3{\mu}M$) treatment. Expression of Tn antigen and T antigen was increased while that of sialyl T antigen was decreased. Co-localization of GalNAc-Ts and ER was reduced by $0.2{\mu}M$ of imatinib. Conclusion: Imatinib inhibited the expression of O-glycan related TACAs and several related glycosyltransferases, while decreasing the co-localization of GalNAc-Ts and ER and normalizing O-glycosylation in the K562 human leukemia cell.

Ginseng berry polysaccharides on infl ammation-associated colon cancer: inhibiting T-cell differentiation, promoting apoptosis, and enhancing the effects of 5-fl uorouracil

Chong-Zhi Wang,Lifei Hou,Jin-Yi Wan,Haiqiang Yao,Jinbin Yuan,Jinxiang Zeng,Chan Woong Park,Su Hwan Kim,Dae Bang Seo,Kwang-Soon Shin,Chun-Feng Zhang,Lina Chen,Qi-Hui Zhang,Zhi Liu,Clara Sava-Segal,Chun 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.2

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In thisproject, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC andrelated immune regulation mechanisms. Methods: Ginseng berry polysaccharide extract (GBPE) and purified ginseng berry polysaccharideportion (GBPP) were used to evaluate their activities on human HCT-116 and HT-29 CRC cell proliferation. Interleukin-8 secretion analysis was performed on HT-29 cells. Naive CD4 cell isolation and T-helper celldifferentiation were performed and determined using flow cytometry for Th1 and Treg in addition to cellcycle and apoptotic investigation. Results: GBPE and GBPP significantly inhibited interleukin-8 secretion and cancer cell proliferation,inhibited CD4þIFN-gþ cell (Th1) differentiation, and decreased CD4þFoxP3þ cell (Treg) differentiation. Compared to the GBPE, GBPP showed more potent antiinflammatory activities on the malignant cells. This is consistent with the observation that GBPP can also inhibit Th1-cell differentiation better, suggestingthat it has an important role in antiinflammation, whereas Treg cells hinder the body’s immuneresponse against malignancies. Supported by cell cycle and apoptosis data, GBPE and GBPP, at variousdegrees, remarkably enhanced the anticancer activities of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Data from this project suggested that Asian ginseng berry potentially has clinical utility inmanaging enteric inflammation and suppressing CRC through immunomodulation mechanisms.

Microbial Floral Dynamics of Chinese Traditional Soybean Paste (Doujiang) and Commercial Soybean Paste

( Xiu Zhi Gao ),( Hui Liu ),( Xin Xin Yi ),( Yi Qian Liu ),( Xiao Dong Wang ),( Wen Sheng Xu ),( Qi Gen Tong ),( Zong Jun Cui ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.12

Traditional soybean paste from Shandong Liangshan and Tianyuan Jiangyuan commercial soybean paste were chosen for analysis and comparison of their bacterial and fungal dynamics using denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis and 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. The bacterial diversity results showed that more than 20 types of bacteria were present in traditional Shandong soybean paste during its fermentation process, whereas only six types of bacteria were present in the commercial soybean paste. The predominant bacteria in the Shandong soybean paste were most closely related to Leuconostoc spp., an uncultured bacterium, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus spp., and Citrobacter freundii. The predominant bacteria in the Tianyuan Jiangyuan soybean paste were most closely related to an uncultured bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis, and an uncultured Leuconostoc spp. The fungal diversity results showed that 10 types of fungi were present in the Shandong soybean paste during the fermentation process, with the predominant fungi being most closely related to Geotrichum spp., an uncultured fungal clone, Aspergillus oryzae, and yeast species. The predominant fungus in the commercial soybean paste was Aspergillus oryzae.

Tumor Inhibition Effects and Mechanisms of Angelica sinensis and Sophorae flavescentis ait Decoction Combined with Cisplatin in Xenograft Mice

Yan, De-Qi,Liu, Yong-Qi,Li, Ying-Dong,Li, Dou,Cheng, Xiao-Li,Wu, Zhi-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

Background: To investigate tumor inhibition effects and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis and Sophorae flavescentis ait decoction (ASSF) combined with diamine-dichloroplatinum (DDP). Materials and Methods: Bodyweight, tumor inhibition rate and q value were calculated for single ASSF or ASSF combined with DDP on H22 carcinoma xenograft KM mice. Biochemical methods for serum LDH, AST, ALT, and AKP, ELISA method for serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$, pathological assessemnt of thymus, immunohistochemistry detection of tumor tissue caspase3 and mutant p53 protein, and qRT-PCR detection of bax/ bcl-2 mRNA were applied. Results: Compared with DDP control group, the bodyweight increased in ASSF-DDP group (p<0.01). Tumor inhibition rates for DDP, ASSF, ASSF-DDP were 62.7%. 43.7% and 71.0% respectively, with a q value of 0.90. Compared with other groups, thymus of DDP control group had obvious pathological injury (p<0.01), serum LDH, AST, ALT, AKP increased significantly in DDP control group (p<0.01), while serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$ was increased in the model control group. Compared with this latter, the expression of mutant p53 protein and bcl-2 mRNA were decreased in all treatment groups (p<0.01), but there were no statistical difference between DDP control p and ASSF-DDP groups. The expression of caspase3 protein and bax mRNA was increased in all treatment groups, with statistical differences between the DDP and ASSF-DDP groups (p<0.01). Conclusions: ASSF can inhibit bodyweight decrease caused by DDP, can inhibit tumor growth synergistically with DDP mainly through increasing serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and pro-apoptotic molecules such as caspase 3 and bax, rather than through decreasing anti-apoptotic mutant p53 and bcl-2. ASSF can reduce DDP toxicity due to decreasing the release of LDH, AST, ALT, AKP into blood and enhancing thymus protection.

Asparagine Residue at Position 71 is Responsible for Alkali - Tolerance of the Xylanase from Bacillus pumilus A - 30

(Xiang Mei Liu),(Meng Qi),(Jian Qiang Lin),(Zhi Hong Wu),(Yin Bo Qu) 한국미생물생명공학회 2001 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.11 No.3

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