Genome-wide identification of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and conservation of their xenobiotic transporter function in the monogonont rotifer (Brachionus koreanus)

Jeong, C.B.,Kim, H.S.,Kang, H.M.,Lee, Y.H.,Zhou, B.,Choe, J.,Lee, J.S. Elsevier 2017 Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part D, G Vol.21 No.-

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family is one of the largest gene family in animals, and members of this family are known to be involved in various biological processes due to their ability to transport a wide range of substrates across membranes using ATP cleavage-derived energy. We identified 61 ABC transporters in the genome of the monogonont rotifer Brachionus koreanus, and classified these into eight distinct subfamilies (A-H) by phylogenetic analysis. ABC transporters in the rotifer B. koreanus are comprised of 11 ABCA genes, 19 ABCB genes, 14 ABCC genes, 3 ABCD genes, 1 ABCE gene, 3 ABCF genes, 8 ABCG genes, and 2 ABCH genes. Extensive gene duplication and loss events in synteny were observed in several subfamilies. In particular, massive gene duplications of P-glycoproteins (P-gps), multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs), and Bk-Abcg-like proteins were observed. The ability of these B. koreanus proteins to function as multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) ABC transporters was validated using specific fluorescence substrates/inhibitors. The ABC transporter superfamily members identified in this study will be useful in future toxicological studies, and will facilitate comparative studies of the evolution of the ABC transporter superfamily in invertebrates.

Influence of geology and human activity on the genetic structure and demography of the Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis)

Fong, J.J.,Li, P.P.,Yang, B.T.,Zhou, Z.Y.,Leache, A.D.,Min, M.S.,Waldman, B. Academic Press 2016 Molecular phylogenetics and evolution Vol.97 No.-

The Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) is a commonly used study organism, but knowledge of its evolutionary history is incomplete. We analyze sequence data from four genetic markers (mtDNA genes encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, cytochrome b, and 12S-16S rRNA; nuDNA gene encoding recombination activating gene 2) from 188 individuals across its range in Northeast Asia to elucidate phylogeographic patterns and to identify the historic events that shaped its evolutionary history. Although morphologically similar across its range, B. orientalis exhibits phylogeographic structure, which we infer was shaped by geologic, climatic, and anthropogenic events. Phylogenetic and divergence-dating analyses recover four genetically distinct groups of B. orientalis: Lineage 1-Shandong Province and Beijing (China); Lineage 2-Bukhan Mountain (Korea); Lineage 3-Russia, Northeast China, and northern South Korea; and Lineage 4-South Korea. Lineage 2 was previously unknown. Additionally, we discover an area of secondary contact on the Korean Peninsula, and infer a single dispersal event as the origin of the insular Jeju population. Skyline plots estimate different population histories for the four lineages: Lineages 1 and 2 experienced population decreases, Lineage 3 remained stable, while Lineage 4 experienced a sharp increase during the Holocene. The timing of the population expansion of Lineage 4 coincides with the advent of rice cultivation, which may have facilitated the increase in population size by providing additional breeding habitat.

Alluaudite Na₂Co₂Fe(PO₄)₃ as an electroactive material for sodium ion batteries

Essehli, R.,Belharouak, I.,Ben Yahia, H.,Maher, K.,Abouimrane, A.,Orayech, B.,Calder, S.,Zhou, X. L.,Zhou, Z.,Sun, Y-K. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015 Dalton Transactions Vol.44 No.17

<P>The electroactive orthophosphate Na<SUB>2</SUB>Co<SUB>2</SUB>Fe(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB> was synthesized using a solid state reaction. Its crystal structure was solved using the combination of powder X-ray- and neutron-diffraction data. This material crystallizes according to the alluaudite structure (S.G. <I>C</I>2/<I>c</I>). The structure consists of edge sharing [MO<SUB>6</SUB>] octahedra (M = Fe, Co) resulting in chains parallel to [−101]. These chains are linked together <I>via</I> the [PO<SUB>4</SUB>] tetrahedra to form two distinct tunnels in which sodium cations are located. The electrochemical properties of Na<SUB>2</SUB>Co<SUB>2</SUB>Fe(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB> were evaluated by galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling. During the first discharge to 0.03 V, Na<SUB>2</SUB>Co<SUB>2</SUB>Fe(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB> delivers a specific capacity of 604 mA h g<SUP>−1</SUP>. This capacity is equivalent to the reaction of more than seven sodium ions per formula unit. Hence, this is a strong indication of a conversion-type reaction with the formation of metallic Fe and Co. The subsequent charge and discharge involved the reaction of fewer Na ions as expected for a conversion reaction. When discharged to 0.9 V, the material intercalated only one Na<SUP>+</SUP>-ion leading to the formation of a new phase Na<SUB>3</SUB>Co<SUB>2</SUB>Fe(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB>. This phase could then be cycled reversibly with an average voltage of 3.6 V <I>vs.</I> Na<SUP>+</SUP>/Na and a capacity of 110 mA h g<SUP>−1</SUP>. This result is in good agreement with the theoretical capacity expected from the extraction/insertion of two sodium atoms in Na<SUB>3</SUB>Co<SUB>2</SUB>Fe(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB>.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Na<SUB>2</SUB>Co<SUB>2</SUB>Fe(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB> crystallizes with the alluaudite-type structure (S.G. <I>C</I>2/<I>c</I>) and plays a dual anode/cathode behavior in sodium ion batteries. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c5dt00971e'> </P>

Study on antidiabetic activity of wheat and barley starch using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation coupled with multiangle light scattering

Dou, H.,Zhou, B.,Jang, H. D.,Lee, S. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. 2014 Journal of chromatography A Vol.1340 No.-

<P>The ability of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled online with multiangle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index detector (RI) (AF4-MALS-RI) for monitoring of change in molecular conformation of wheat and barley starch during germination process was evaluated. AF4 provides separation of starch molecules based on their hydrodynamic sizes, and MALS yields the molar mass and molecular size (radius of gyration, R-g). In vitro and in vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of germinated wheat and barley was studied. The relationship between antidiabetic activity and molecular conformation was, for the first time, investigated. The ratio of Rg to the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and the apparent density were proven to be important parameters as they offer an insight into molecular conformation. Results showed that, when geminated, the apparent density and the antidiabetic activity of barley were significantly increased, suggesting germination makes the molecules more compact which could contribute to enhancement of their antidiabetic activity. The information obtained by AF4-MALS-RI is valuable for understanding of germination mechanism, and thus for developing functional foods. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Association of genetic variation in <i>FTO</i> with risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes with data from 96,551 East and South Asians

Li, H.,Kilpelä,inen, T. O.,Liu, C.,Zhu, J.,Liu, Y.,Hu, C.,Yang, Z.,Zhang, W.,Bao, W.,Cha, S.,Wu, Y.,Yang, T.,Sekine, A.,Choi, B. Y.,Yajnik, C. S.,Zhou, D.,Takeuchi, F.,Yamamoto, K.,Chan, J. C.,Man Springer-Verlag 2012 Diabetologia Vol.55 No.4

<P><B>Aims/hypothesis</B></P><P><I>FTO</I> harbours the strongest known obesity-susceptibility locus in Europeans. While there is growing evidence for a role for <I>FTO</I> in obesity risk in Asians, its association with type 2 diabetes, independently of BMI, remains inconsistent. To test whether there is an association of the <I>FTO</I> locus with obesity and type 2 diabetes, we conducted a meta-analysis of 32 populations including 96,551 East and South Asians.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>All studies published on the association between <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 (or proxy [<I>r</I><SUP>2</SUP> > 0.98]) and BMI, obesity or type 2 diabetes in East or South Asians were invited. Each study group analysed their data according to a standardised analysis plan. Association with type 2 diabetes was also adjusted for BMI. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to pool all effect sizes.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 minor allele increased risk of obesity by 1.25-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 9.0 × 10<SUP>−19</SUP>), overweight by 1.13-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 1.0 × 10<SUP>−11</SUP>) and type 2 diabetes by 1.15-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 5.5 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>). The association with type 2 diabetes was attenuated after adjustment for BMI (OR 1.10-fold/allele, <I>p</I> = 6.6 × 10<SUP>−5</SUP>). The <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 minor allele increased BMI by 0.26 kg/m<SUP>2</SUP> per allele (<I>p</I> = 2.8 × 10<SUP>−17</SUP>), WHR by 0.003/allele (<I>p</I> = 1.2 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP>), and body fat percentage by 0.31%/allele (<I>p</I> = 0.0005). Associations were similar using dominant models. While the minor allele is less common in East Asians (12–20%) than South Asians (30–33%), the effect of <I>FTO</I> variation on obesity-related traits and type 2 diabetes was similar in the two populations.</P><P><B>Conclusions/interpretation</B></P><P><I>FTO</I> is associated with increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, with effect sizes similar in East and South Asians and similar to those observed in Europeans. Furthermore, <I>FTO</I> is also associated with type 2 diabetes independently of BMI.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-011-2370-7) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.</P>

Dynamic Threshold Switching Behavior of Ge[sub 2]Sb[sub 2]Te[sub 5] and Sb-doped Ge[sub 2]Sb[sub 2]Te[sub 5] Thin Films Using Scanning Electrical Nanoprobe

Zhou, P.,Shin, Y. C.,Choi, B. J.,Choi, S.,Hwang, C. S.,Lin, Y. Y.,Lv, H. B.,Yan, X. J.,Tang, T. A.,Chen, L. Y.,Chen, B. M. The Electrochemical Society 2007 Electrochemical and solid-state letters Vol.10 No.9

Design of Neutron Targets with the 4 MeV Cyclotron for BNCT

B. N. Lee,J. A. Park,Y. S. Lee,H. S. Song,H. W. Kim,T. Zhou,S. H. Lee,H. J. Choi,J. H. Oh,Y. H. Yeon,야신카디,채종서 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

For more than 40 years Boron neutron capture therapy(BNCT) has been studied by thermalneutrons at nuclear reactor facilities. There are many advantages in using accelerator for BNCT as safety, adjustment of both energy and beams. In this paper the development of thin neutron target with cooling fin for 4 MeV proton beams and target with water cooling system was carried out. For testing new target system, we have used not only FLUKA based MCNP for the etermination of target thickness but also CFD and CTA for thermal analysis. The R & D has been undertaken to enhance the use of the high current solid targets for p-n reaction. Wide distribution and variation of the incident angle is required to obtain higher yields of neutrons comparable to previous one. The goal of this research aims to improve the target technology to intensify the production capability of epithermal neutrons. The commercial code, ANSYS, was used for the thermal dynamic simulation. The expected irradiating beam current is 2 mA at 2.5 MeV. The application of this neutron source has prominent significance in nuclear technology research, biology, physics, chemistry and industries including neutron radiography.

Rapid and selective extraction of multiple macrolide antibiotics in foodstuff samples based on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers

Zhou, Y.,Zhou, T.,Jin, H.,Jing, T.,Song, B.,Zhou, Y.,Mei, S.,Lee, Y.I. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2015 Talanta Vol.137 No.-

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) were prepared based on surface molecular imprinting using erythromycin (ERY) as template molecule and Fe<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB> nanoparticles as support substrate. The MMIPs possessed high adsorption capacity of 94.1mg/g for ERY and the imprinting factor was 11.9 indicating good imprinted effect for ERY. Selective evaluation demonstrated favorable selectivity of MMIPs for multiple macrolide antibiotics (MACs). Using MMIPs as adsorptive material, a rapid and convenient magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) procedure was established for simultaneous and selective separation of six MACs in pork, fish and shrimp samples, then the MACs was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) analysis. At different fortified concentrations, the extraction recoveries could reach 89.1% and the relative standard deviations were lower than 12.4%. Chromatogram revealed the response signals of MACs in spiked samples were greatly enhanced and matrix interferences were effectively eliminated after treatment with MSPE. The proposed MSPE procedure coupled with HPLC-UV realized selective and sensitive determination of multiple MACs in foodstuff samples.

Anti-inflammatory activity of 21(α, β)-methylmelianodiols, novel compounds from Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesque

Zhou, H.Y.,Shin, E.M.,Guo, L.Y.,Zou, L.B.,Xu, G.H.,Lee, S.H.,Ze, K.R.,Kim, E.K.,Kang, S.S.,Kim, Y.S. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2007 european journal of pharmacology Vol.572 No.2

The fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) are widely used in Oriental medicine as a remedy for allergic inflammation. As a part of our program to screen medicinal plants for potential anti-inflammatory compounds, 21α-methylmelianodiol (21α-MMD) and 21β-methylmelianodiol (21β-MMD), which are two isomers of 21-methylmelianodiol isolated from the fruits of P. trifoliata for the first time, were found to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 21α-MMD and 21β-MMD attenuated LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expressions as well as the mRNA levels of iNOS, COX-2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). To investigate the mechanism involved, we examined the effect of 21α-MMD and 21β-MMD on LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Both 21α-MMD and 21β-MMD significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of 21α-MMD was examined in two mouse models of acute inflammation. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, administration of 21α-MMD (20 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced paw swelling. In addition, 21α-MMD significantly inhibited the dye leakage in an acetic acid-induced vascular permeability assay. Taken together, our data indicate that 21-methylmelianodiol is an important constituent of the fruit of P. trifoliata, and that the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression by 21α-MMD and 21β-MMD might be one of the mechanisms responsible for their anti-inflammatory effects.

Electrotribological Behavior of Cu-Ag-Zr Contact Wire against Copper-Base Strip

S. G. Jia,P. Liu,F. Z. Ren,B. H. Tian,M. S. Zheng,G. S. Zhou 대한금속학회 2005 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.11 No.1