The Contribution of Functional Groups in Carbon Nanotube Electrodes to the Electrochemical Performance

Song-Can Wang,Juan Yang,Xiang-Yang Zhou,Jing Xie 대한금속·재료학회 2014 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.10 No.1

In this paper, carboxylic acid functionalized and aminated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared via mixacid treatment and further amination. In comparison with pristine CNTs, the effect of functional groups on the electrochemical properties was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) suggested that the highly tangled long ropes of CNT were cut into short, open-ended pipes with the corresponding functional groups grafted successfully onto their surfaces. The amount of functional groups was further determined by acid-base titration. Charge-discharge testing and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the electrochemical behaviors of the samples. It is found that the as-received functional groups, especially the carboxylic groups evidently improved the capacities of the electrodes due to the reversible Faradic reaction. Therefore, functionalized CNTs may be the promising material used in lithium ion batteries to deliver both high reversible capacity and high power capability.

Realgar transforming solution-induced differentiation of NB4 cell by the degradation of PML/RARa partially through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway

Yang Hai,Xin Wang,Peng Song,Jian-yin Li,Longhe Zhao,Fei Xie,Xiang-min Tan,Qin-Jian Xie,Lan Yu,Yang Li,Zhengrong Wu,Hong Yu Li 대한약학회 2019 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.42 No.8

PML/retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARa), as ahallmark of acute promyeloid leukemia (APL), is directlyrelated to the outcome of clinical APL remedy. It isreported that arsenicals can effectively degrade PML/RARa, such as arsenic trioxide and realgar. However, thehigh toxicity or insolubility have hampered their clinicalapplications. Realgar transforming solution (RTS) wasproduced from realgar by bioleaching process in our lab. Previous studies demonstrated that RTS had a significantanti-cancer ability on chronic myeloid leukemia throughoncoprotein degradation. The capacity of RTS on treatingAPL is what is focused on in this study. The results showedthat RTS had a noticeable sensitivity in NB4 cell, and RTSremarkably down-regulated PML/RARa expression andinduced cell differentiation. Further, RTS could accumulatePML/RARa into the nuclear bodies and then executedegradation, which could be reversed by proteasomeinhibitor MG132. The results also exhibited that thereduction of RTS-induced PML/RARa expression accompaniedby the elevation of ubiquitin and SUMO-1 proteinexpression. Finally, PML and SUMO-1 had been demonstratedto be co-localized after RTS treatment byimmunofluorescence co-localization assay and immunoprecipitationassay. In conclusion, these results suggestedthat RTS-induced cell differentiation may attribute to thePML/RARa degradation partially through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway.

Quantitative Analysis of Thyroid Blood Flow and Static Imaging in the Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

Song, Li-Ping,Zhang, Wen-Hong,Xiang, Yang,Zhao, Na Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Objective:To evaluate the performance of combined quantitative analysis of thyroid blood flow and static imaging data in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Method: Thyroid blood flow and static imaging were performed in 165 patients with thyroid nodules. Patients were divided into a benign thyroid nodule group (BTN, n=135) and a malignant thyroid nodule group (MTN, n=30) based on the results of post-surgical pathologic examination. Carotid artery thyroid transit times (CTTT), perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/thyroid blood (TNB/TB), and perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/carotid artery blood (TNB/CAB) were measured using thyroid blood flow imaging. The ratios between thyroid nodule and ipsilateral submandibular gland (TN/SG) and thyroid nodule and normal thyroid tissue (TN/T) were measured from thyroid static imaging. The differences between the BTN and MTN groups were compared. Results: 1) CTTT was markedly lower in the MTN group than the BTN group, the difference being statistically significant. 2) TNB/TB and TNB/CAB were both significantly higher in MTN than BTN groups. 3) TN/T was significantly lower in MTN group than BTN group. 4) TN/SG was lower in MTN group than BTN group, but the difference was not statistically significant. 5) Using the combination of CTTT and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 93.1%, 95.3% and 94.9% respectively for the diagnosis of MTN. Using the combination of CTTT, TNB/TB and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy changed to 89.7%, 100%, and 98.1% respectively. 6) Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between TN/T and TNB/TB (r=-0.384, P=0.036) and TNB/CAB (r=-0.466, P=0.009) in the MTN group. Conclusion: The combination of quantitative markers from thyroid blood flow and thyroid static imaging had high specificity and accuracy in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, thus providing an important imaging diagnostic approach.

Long non-coding RNA RP11-6O2.4 indicates poor prognosis and suppresses cell cycle progression through the p38-MAPK signaling pathway in gastric cancer

Yang Feng,Zhiming Fu,Yajun Luo,Wang Tan,Zilin Liu,Pengcheng Ye,Fei Lu,Wanping Xiang,Linghan Tang,Lin Yao,Mengyun Song,Qingmei Huang,Yilun Liu,Jiangwei Xiao 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2019 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.15 No.3

Backgrounds: The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) in gastric cancer (GC) has been highlighted in studies conducted over the past decade. However, the potential clinical value and the mechanisms of action of RP11-6O2.4 in GC have not been thoroughly elucidated to date. The specific aim of the present study was to assess RP11-6O2.4 and to explore its role in human GC. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to analyze the expression levels of RP11-6O2.4 in GC tissues, paired adjacent noncancerous tissues (ANTs) and GC cell lines. In addition, the correlation between RP11-6O2.4 expression and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with GC was statistically analyzed. The effects of RP11- 6O2.4 on the GC cell cycle transformation through the p38-MAPK signaling pathway were explored by flow cytometry, qPCR and Western blot analysis after treatment with SB203580, a p38MAPK specific inhibitor, in vitro. Results: The expression levels of RP11-6O2.4 in GC tissues were significantly lower than the paired ANTs (P<0.05). In addition, RP11-6O2.4 expression was significantly lower in cases with older age, longer maximum tumor diameter, higher ASA grade and deeper invasive depth (P<0.05). RP11-6O2.4 expression was significantly higher in cases with well/middle differentiation than poor/no differentiation; higher in cases without lymph node metastasis than in lymph node metastasis; and higher in cases in stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ than in stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ. An in vitro assay showed that RP11-6O2.4 induced G0/ G1 phase cell cycle arrest, likely by regulating the p38- MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion: The above mentioned data suggested that RP11-6O2.4 was a tumor-suppressor gene in GC. RP11- 6O2.4 might play an important role in the cell cycle transformation by regulating the p38-MAPK signaling pathway, thereby representing a specific biomarker and a potential molecular target for the treatment of GC.

Genome-wide analysis of the PHB gene family in Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Min Song,Xiangyong Peng,Caifu Du,Lei Lei,Tao Zhang,Yang Xiang 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.10

Prohibitins (PHBs) have one SPFH domain in common and present in species ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. Although a number of researches on PHBs were performed in different plant species, a systematic analysis of the PHB family in soybean is still remains uncharacterized. In the present study, 24 putative PHB genes have been first systemically identified in soybean. According to phylogenetic analysis, these GmPHBs could be classified into four groups. Gene structures and motif patterns showed high levels of conservation within the phylogenetic subgroups. Several members of this family have undergone purifying selection based on Ka/Ks analysis on duplicated PHB genes in soybean. We performed microsynteny analysis across four legume species based on the comparisons among the specific regions contained in PHB genes. As a result, numerous microsyntenic gene pairs among soybean, Medicago, Lotus and Phaseolus were identified. Most soybean PHB genes exhibited different expression levels in various tissues and developmental stages through expression analysis using publicly available RNA-seq datasets. The 11 GmPHB genes from III_B subgroup were examined by qPCR for their expression in two soybean cultivar after infection by Phytophthora sojae. Besides three GmPHB genes previous reported by us, here other four genes also were rapidly induced by P. sojae infection in the resistant genotype, while induction was very weak in the susceptible genotype. The comprehensive overview of the PHB gene family in soybean genome will provide useful information for further functional analysis of the PHB gene family in soybean.

Whole Cell-mediated Biocatalytic Synthesis of Helicid Cinnamylate and Its Biological Evaluation as a Novel Tyrosinase Inhibitor

Rong-ling Yang,Xi Chen,Yu-ye Song,Qian-lin Zhu,Muhammad Bilal,Yu Wang,Zheng Tong,Ting-ting Wu,Zhao-Yu Wang,Hong-zhen Luo,Xiang-jie Zhao,Ting-ting He 한국생물공학회 2022 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.27 No.3

Tyrosinase inhibitors are clinically effective for treating some dermatological disorders related to melanin hyperpigmentation. Accordingly, the discovery and development of tyrosinase inhibitors have great value in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Here, a novel tyrosinase inhibitor, 6′-O-cinnamoyl-helicid (helicid cinnamylate) was successfully synthesized by a simple and effective biocatalytic approach with Aspergillus oryzae cells. Investigation of the effects of several key variables on helicid cinnamylate synthesis found that the reaction conversion, reaction rate and regioselectivity reached 99%, 9.40 mM/h and > 99%, respectively, at the optimal conditions with anhydrous acetone as the solvent, whole-cell concentration of 40 mg/mL, and the molar ratio of vinyl cinnamate to helicid of 10 at 45°C. The whole-cells retained 68.87% of its initial activity after reusing for seven batches, indicating a potent application potential in non-aqueous biocatalytic systems. It was worth noting that helicid cinnamylate demonstrated a more potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 3.55 mM than helicid (IC50 = 4.48 mM) and arbutin (IC50 = 5.48 mM), which suggest that helicid cinnamylate could be developed as a more potential tyrosinase inhibitor. In conclusion, this study provides a novel whole-cell catalytic approach for the synthesis of helicid cinnamylate and insight into its application as a tyrosinase inhibitor.

Suppressive Effect of Sinomenine Combined with 5-Fluorouracil on Colon Carcinoma Cell Growth

Zhang, Ji-Xiang,Yang, Zi-Rong,Wu, Dan-Dan,Song, Jia,Guo, Xu-Feng,Wang, Jing,Dong, Wei-Guo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

It is reported that sinomenine (SIN) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) both are effective for colon cancer, but their cooperative suppressive effects and toxicity remain to be clarified in detail. This study aimed to determine suppressive effects and toxicity of sinomenine (SIN) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on LoVo colon carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8, Hoechst 33258 staining and an annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis kit were used to detect suppressive effects. Western blotting was applied to investigate the essential mechanism underlying SIN and 5-FU-induced apoptosis. SIN or 5-FU or both were injected into nude mice, and then suppressive effects and side effects were observed. SIN plus 5-FU apparently inhibited the proliferation of LoVo cells and induced apoptosis. Moreover the united effects were stronger than individually (p<0.05). The results of annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by SIN and 5-FU combined or alone was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was up-regulated and down-regulated respectively. SIN or 5-FU significantly inhibited effects on the volume of tumour xenografts and their combined suppressive effects were stronger (p<0.05). No obvious side effects were observed. It was apparent that the united effects of SIN and 5-FU on the growth of colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells in vitro and in vivo were superior to those using them individually, and it did not markedly increase the side effects of chemotherapy.

Progress in Preparation of Cellulase from Lignocellulose Using Fungi

Hui Jiao,Xiang-Yang Song,Chenhuan Lai,Hao Fang,Yuqi Song,Junjun Zhu 한국생물공학회 2021 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.26 No.6

Lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and forestry waste is the most abundant renewable organic carbon source on earth and can be used to produce source of clean energy such as ethanol. One of the disadvantages of the preparation of ethanol using lignocellulose as raw material is the high cost of production of cellulase. Fungi are capable of effectively degrading lignocellulose and secreting a large amount of cellulase, and have the advantages of ease of preparation, high yield, and full enzyme systems. Therefore, this paper reviews sources of lignocellulose and the biodegradation properties which limit the production of cellulase, proposes micro-organisms capable of degrading lignocellulose and explains the types of cellulase, and the mechanism of action, methods of fermentation optimization, and control are analyzed, and ways to increase the yield of cellulase are described. Finally, research on the effects of inducers on the production of cellulase by fungi is reviewed. The aims of this review are to provide a reference for the efficient production and industrial application of cellulase.

Cytotoxic triterpenoids from Saussurea phyllocephala

Jiang Hu,Yan Song,Benshou Yang,Xiang Zuo,Xiao Mao,Xiaodong Shi 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.12

Three new triterpenoids, 11a-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene-3b-palmitate (1), 28-hydroxy-20-oxo-30-norlupane-3b-palmitate (2), and 1b,11a,28-tyrihydroxy oleana-9(11),12-dien-3b-palmitate (3), together with threeknown compounds were isolated from the 95 % EtOHextract of Saussurea phyllocephala. The structures of thenew compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2DNMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) analyses. Allthe triterpenoids were in vitro evaluated for their cytotoxicactivities. Compound 1–3 exhibited the significant cytotoxicactivities with low IC50 values (IC50\4.0 lM)against six tumor cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, HepG2, SGC-7901, NCI-H460 and BGC-823).

Compound heterozygous mutations of NDUFV1 identified in a child with mitochondrial complex I deficiency

Tang Xiaojun,Xu Wuhen,Song Xiaozhen,Ye Haiyun,Ren Xiang,Yang Yongchen,Zhang Hong,Wu Shengnan,Lan Xiaoping 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.6

Background: Mitochondrial complex I deficiency (MCID) is the most common biochemical defect identified in childhood with mitochondrial diseases, mainly including Leigh syndrome, encephalopathy, macrocephaly with progressive leukodystrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and myopathy. Objective: To identify genetic cause in a patient with early onset autosomal recessive MCID. Methods: Trio whole-exome sequencing was performed and phenotype-related data analyses were conducted. All candidate mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results: Here we report a child of Leigh syndrome presented with global developmental delay, progressive muscular hypotonia and myocardial damage. A missense mutation c.118C > T (p.Arg40Trp) and a previously reported mutation c.1157G > A (p.Arg386His) in NDUFV1 have been identified as compound heterozygous in the patient. The mutation p.Arg386His is closely associated with the impairment of 4Fe-4S domain and this mutation has been reported pathogenic. The c.118C > T mutation has not been reported in ClinVar and HGMD database. In silico protein analyses showed that p.Arg40 is highly conserved in a wide range of species, and the amino acid substitution p.Trp40 largely decreases the stability of NDUFV1. In addition, the mutation has not been detected in the Asian populations and it was predicted to be deleterious by numerous prediction tools. Conclusion: This research expands the mutation spectrum of NDUFV1 and substantially provides an early and accurate diagnosis basis of MCID, which would benefit subsequently effective genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for future reproduction of the family.