Silver nanoparticles cause complications in pregnant mice

Zhang, Xi-Feng,Park, Jung-Hyun,Choi, Yun-Jung,Kang, Min-Hee,Gurunathan, Sangiliyandi,Kim, Jin-Hoi Dove Medical Press 2015 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE Vol.10 No.-

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted much interest and have been used for antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antiangiogenic applications because of their unique properties. The increased usage of AgNPs leads to a potential hazard to human health. However, the potential effects of AgNPs on animal models are not clear. This study was designed to investigate the potential impact of AgNPs on pregnant mice.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>The synthesis of AgNPs was performed using culture extracts of <I>Bacillus cereus</I>. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. AgNPs were administrated into pregnant mice via intravenous infusion at 1.0 mg/kg doses at 6.5 days postcoitum (dpc). At 13.5, 15.5, and 17.5 dpc, the pregnant mice were euthanized, and the embryo and placenta were isolated. The meiotic status of oocytes was evaluated. DNA methylation studies were performed, and aberrant imprinting disrupted fetal, placental, and postnatal development. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and Western blot were used to analyze various gene expressions.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The synthesized AgNPs were uniformly distributed and were spherical in shape with an average size of 8 nm. AgNPs exposure increased the meiotic progression of female germ cells in the fetal mouse ovaries, and maternal AgNP exposure significantly disrupted imprinted gene expression in 15.5 dpc embryos and placentas, such as <I>Ascl2</I>, <I>Snrpn</I>, <I>Kcnq1ot1</I>, <I>Peg3</I>, <I>Zac1</I>, <I>H19</I>, <I>Igf2r</I>, and <I>Igf2</I>; DNA methylation studies revealed that AgNPs exposure significantly altered the methylation levels of differentially methylated regions of <I>Zac1</I>.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>The results from this study indicated that early exposure to AgNPs has the potential to disrupt fetal and postnatal health through epigenetic changes in the embryo and abnormal development of the placenta. These results can contribute to research involved in the safe use of various biomedical applications of AgNPs and improves the understanding of the development of AgNPs in biomedical applications.</P>

Differential nanoreprotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in male somatic cells and spermatogonial stem cells

Zhang, Xi-Feng,Choi, Yun-Jung,Han, Jae Woong,Kim, Eunsu,Park, Jung Hyun,Gurunathan, Sangiliyandi,Kim, Jin-Hoi Dove Medical Press 2015 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE Vol.10 No.-

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. AgNPs have been increasingly used as anticancer, antiangiogenic, and antibacterial agents for the treatment of bacterial infections in open wounds as well as in ointments, bandages, and wound dressings. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of two different sizes of AgNPs (10 nm and 20 nm) in male somatic Leydig (TM3) and Sertoli (TM4) cells and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Here, we demonstrate a green and simple method for the synthesis of AgNPs using <I>Bacillus cereus</I> culture supernatants. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The toxicity of the synthesized AgNPs was evaluated by the effects on cell viability, metabolic activity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and expression of genes encoding steroidogenic and tight junction proteins.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>AgNPs inhibited the viability and proliferation of TM3 and TM4 cells in a dose- and size-dependent manner by damaging cell membranes and inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species, which in turn affected SSC growth on TM3 and TM4 as feeder cells. Small AgNPs (10 nm) were more cytotoxic than medium-sized nanoparticles (20 nm). TEM revealed the presence of AgNPs in the cell cytoplasm and nucleus, and detected mitochondrial damage and enhanced formation of autosomes and autolysosomes in the AgNP-treated cells. Flow cytometry analysis using Annexin V/propidium iodide staining showed massive cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses indicated that in TM3 and TM4 cells, AgNPs activated the p53, p38, and pErk1/2 signaling pathways and significantly downregulated the expression of genes related to testosterone synthesis (TM3) and tight junctions (TM4). Furthermore, the exposure of TM3 and TM4 cells to AgNPs inhibited proliferation and self-renewal of SSCs.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Our results suggest that AgNPs exhibit size-dependent nanoreprotoxicity in male somatic cells and SSCs, strongly suggesting that applications of AgNPs in commercial products must be carefully evaluated. Further studies of AgNPs-induced nanoreprotoxicity in animal models are required.</P>

Effects of silver nanoparticles on neonatal testis development in mice

Zhang, Xi-Feng,Gurunathan, Sangiliyandi,Kim, Jin-Hoi Dove Medical Press 2015 International journal of nanomedicine Vol.10 No.-

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) play an important role in consumer products. An increasing use of MNPs has raised concerns about potential risks for human health. Therefore, in vivo tests of MNPs are urgently required. Using mice as a model animal, the aim of the present study was designed to investigate the effect of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on spermatogenesis in neonatal mice.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>AgNPs were synthesized using <I>Bacillus funiculus</I>. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical techniques such as UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared AgNPs were used to investigate testis development in neonatal mice. Institute of Cancer Research neonatal male mice were used in all experiments and were treated with different doses (0, 1, and 5 mg/kg) of AgNPs five times (interval of 3 days from postnatal day [PND] 8–21) by abdominal subcutaneous injection.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The results showed that the sperm abnormalities such as quality and quantity were significantly increased by the synthesized AgNPs. The diameter of the convoluted tubules shrank significantly in mice treated with AgNPs on PND28 and PND42. The results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that the <I>E1f1ay</I>, <I>Gsta4</I>, and <I>Fdx1</I> genes were up-regulated, and the <I>Amh</I>, <I>Cx43</I>, and <I>Claudin-11</I> genes were down-regulated in response to AgNPs exposure on PND28; however, these genes recovered at PND60. AgNPs had no effect on the recombination levels of chromosomes in germ cells.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>These results demonstrated the adverse effects of AgNPs on the male reproductive tract, particularly spermatogenesis and the quality of sperm. This study suggests that the development of nanomaterials should be safer and non-toxic to the living organisms and the potential reprotoxicity of AgNPs should be investigated more carefully.</P>

Pd Nanoparticles Self-Assembled on Fluorine-Modified MWCNTs as Electro-Catalysts for Methanol Electro-Oxidation

Xiao-Feng Zhang,Peng Dong,Ying-Jie Zhang,Xi-Kun Yang,Shu-Biao Xia,Zhen-Hua Jin,Ming-Li Xu 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.3

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a simple method. With the help of fluorine, Pd nanoparticles (3.9 nm) synthesized by a one-step photochemical reduction were uniformly self-assembled on the active sites of functionalized MWCNTs and a new catalyst (Pd/HF-MWCNT) was obtained. UV–Vis absorption spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used. The results demonstrated that –F groups were introduced onto the surface of MWCNTs and C–F chemical bonds were formed. In addition, the electronic structure of Pd was changed. Pd–F coordination bond maybe formed between F atom and Pd atom. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry tests indicated that electrocatalytic activity of Pd/HF-MWCNTs catalyst for methanol in alkaline medium was about 1.6 times higher than that of the commercial Pd/C (JM) catalyst at the same condition. This new functionalized method has the advantages of simple step and safe operation. It is very significant to improve the wide application of MWCNTs and the commercial development of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).

ODV-Associated Proteins of the <i>Pieris rapae</i> Granulovirus

Wang, Xiao-Feng,Zhang, Bao-Qin,Xu, Hai-Jun,Cui, Ying-Jun,Xu, Yi-Peng,Zhang, Min-Juan,Han, Yeon Soo,Lee, Yong Seok,Bao, Yan-Yuan,Zhang, Chuan-Xi American Chemical Society 2011 JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH Vol.10 No.6

<P><I>Alphabaculovirus</I> (lepidopteran-specific nucleopolyhedroviruses, NPV) and <I>Betabaculovirus</I> (granuloviruses, GV) are two main genera of the family Baculoviridae. The virion proteomes of <I>Alphabaculovirus</I> have been well studied; however, the <I>Betabaculovirus</I> virion compositions remain unclear. <I>Pieris rapae</I> granulovirus (PrGV) can kill larvae of <I>P. rapae</I>, a worldwide and important pest of mustard family crops. In this study, the occlusion-derived virus (ODV)-associated proteins of PrGV were identified using three mass spectrometry (MS) approaches. The MS analyses demonstrated that 47 proteins were present in PrGV-ODV. Of the 47 PrGV-ODV proteins, 33 have homologues identified previously in other baculovirus ODV/BVs, whereas 14 (P10, Pr21, Pr29, Pr35, Pr42, Pr54, P45/48, Pr83, Pr84, Pr89, Pr92, Pr111, Pr114 and FGF3) were newly identified ODV proteins. Seven of the 14 newly identified ODV proteins are specific to <I>Betabaculovirus</I>, including Pr35, Pr42, Pr54, Pr83, Pr84, Pr111 and Pr114. Furthermore, the data derived from these MS approaches were validated by immunoblotting analysis using antisera prepared from 11 randomly selected recombinant PrGV-ODV proteins (including 5 <I>Betabaculovirus</I>-unique proteins). Comparison analyses revealed the similar and different compositions between <I>Betabaculovirus</I> and <I>Alphabaculovirus</I> virions, which deepen our understanding of the baculovirus virion structure and provide helpful information on <I>Betabaculovirus</I>–host interaction studies.</P><P>We used three mass spectrometry (MS) approaches to identify the occlusion-derived virus (ODV)-associated proteins of the <I>Pieris rapae</I> Granulovirus. A total of 47 proteins were identified; 14 of them were first identified in the ODV, and 7 are specific to Granulovirus.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jprobs/2011/jprobs.2011.10.issue-6/pr2000804/production/images/medium/pr-2011-000804_0002.gif'></P>

Selective miRNA Expression Profile in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cell-derived Exosomes

Feng, Dan-Qin,Huang, Bo,Li, Jing,Liu, Jing,Chen, Xi-Min,Xu, Yan-Mei,Chen, Xin,Zhang, Hai-Bin,Hu, Long-Hua,Wang, Xiao-Zhong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder of hematopoietic stem cell scarrying the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome and an oncogenic BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of BCR-ABL1 kinase is a treatment of choice for control of CML. Objective: Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs within exosomes from cancer cells play crucial roles in initiation and progression. This study was performed to assess miRNAs within exosomes of K562 cells. Methods: miRNA microarray analysis of K562 cells and K562 cell-derived exosomes was conducted with the 6th generation miRCURYTM LNA Array (v.16.0). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were also carried out. GO terms and signaling pathways were categorized into 66 classes (including homophilic cell adhesion, negative regulation of apoptotic process, cell adhesion) and 26 signaling pathways (such as Wnt). Results: In exosomes, 49 miRNAs were up regulated as compared to K562 cells, and two of them were further confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. There are differentially expressed miRNAs between K562 cell derived-exosomes and K562 cells. Conclusion: Selectively expressed miRNAs in exosomes may promote the development of CML via effects on interactions (e.g. adhesion) of CML cells with their microenvironment.

Empirical Study of the Influence of Consumer Relationship Proneness on Customer Loyalty in Service Context

Xi Feng,Mingli Zhang,Jianhua Ye 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of u- and e- Service, Scienc Vol.8 No.4

Consumer relationship proneness (CRP) reflects a consumer’s relatively stable and conscious tendency to engage in relationships. This study takes CRP as an important consumer individual trait and examines the influence of CRP on customer loyalty in service environment from perspective of relational benefits (i.e. confidence benefits, social benefits, special treatment benefits). Concept model is proposed to explain the influence. Then SEM (structural equation modeling) is used to analyze the data collected from online survey to test the proposed model. Empirical results show that CRP has direct influence on customer loyalty. The results also show that CRP indirectly relates to customer loyalty via its impact on perceived confidence benefits and social benefits. This study deepens the understanding about the importance of CRP and provides insights into development and implement of customer relationship management and relationship marketing for service enterprises.

Ethylene/propylene separation using mixed matrix membranes of poly (ether block amide)/nano-zeolite (NaY or NaA)

Xi Zhang,Mengyu Yan,Xianshe Feng,Xiaodong Wang,Wei Huang 한국화학공학회 2021 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.38 No.3

Generally, the energy and capital intensive cryogenic distillation process is applied to separate light olefins. To lower the cost of light olefin production, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) incorporating nano-zeolite (NaY or NaA) into a rubbery poly (ether block amide) (PEBA 2533) were fabricated to separate a propylene/ethylene mixture. The effect of additive content and kind, MMM thickness, and operating temperature and pressure on the separation performance of the synthesized membranes for a propylene/ethylene mixture were investigated. As an additive, NaY was found to be more effective than NaA. Interestingly, the result of pure gas adsorption was consistent with the permeation performance of the membranes. Membranes with 6 wt% NaY showed the highest C3H6/C2H4 selectivity in all synthesized membranes (3 wt%-10 wt%), on which, the C3H6/C2H4 selectivity was increased from 2.3 to 13.1, the permeability of propylene increased from 194 barrer to 262 barrer and the permeability of ethylene decreased from 85 barrer to 19.8 barrer when the propylene concentration in feed mixture increased from 10 mol% to 80 mol% at 35 o C and 0.2 MPa. This membrane has the potential to separate propylene and ethylene in industry, and this work will push forward the membrane separation process for olefin production.

Influence of Spatial Distribution of Pores on NMR Transverse Relaxation Time in Pebbly Sandstone

Feng Wu,Yanping Xi,Qicheng Fan,Cong Yao,Linlin Cong,Fengsheng Zhang,Yan Kuang 한국자기학회 2019 Journal of Magnetics Vol.24 No.4

The relationship between transverse relaxation time (T₂) and pore size distribution is the basis of NMR applications for rocks. However, the equations for T₂ are not accurate enough in rocks with complicated pore structures. Taking pebbly sandstone from the northwestern Junggar Basin in China as an example, the aim of this study is to discover the spatial distribution of pores and its influence on T₂. Porosity, permeability, micro-images and T₂ distributions were acquired from rock samples, and pore structure parameters were obtained from binarized thin section images. The results show that as the grain size increases, the proportion of dissolution pores increases and the spatial distribution of pores changes from a random to a clustered pattern. The relaxation of a hydrogen atom takes longer and T₂ is higher in dissolution pores compared with those in intergranular pores. New equations for T₂ that consider the spatial distribution of pores are proposed.

Research Articles : The Influence of Challenge on Cathepsin B and D Expression Patterns in the Silkworm Bombyx mori L

( Feng Yao Wu ),( Feng Ming Zou ),( Jun Qiang Jia ),( Sheng Peng Wang ),( Guo Zheng Zhang ),( Xi Jie Guo ),( Zhong Zheng Gui ) 한국잠사학회 2011 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.23 No.1

Cathepsins are well-characterized proteases that are ubiquitously expressed in lysosomes. Previous work revealed that Bombyx mori cathepsins B and D are expressed in the fat body and undergo decomposition during larval-pupal metamorphosis. Quantitative RTPCR was performed to detect cathepsin gene expression at the transcription level when challenged by B. mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV), temperature and hormones (20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone analogue (JHA)). mRNAs encoding cathepsins B and D were significantly enhanced after the larvae were infected with BmNPV, and the peak of the induction appeared at 1 day before spinning. This attenuated the inducing effect on cathepsin expression caused by infection. Temperature shock induced cathepsin expression at the later stage of the 5th instar, and transcription levels varied with development stage and temperature. Cathepsin B and D mRNA expression in the fat body were significantly induced by JHA at the day before spinning, and with 20E, the expression reached a peak at the last day of the 5th instar. Cathepsin B and D mRNA expression exhibited detectable changes post-treatment, without significant differences between or among the hormone concentrations.