Knockout of the EgriBLOS2 gene results in the transparent integuments of Ectropis grisescens larvae

Li Jia-Li,Zhuang Xiang-Lin,Yuan Ting-Ting,Cai Xiao-Ming,Luo Zong-Xiu,Bian Lei,Chen Zong-Mao,Li Zhao-Qun,Liu Nai-Yong 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.1

The body colors of insects have evolved specialized roles in body protection, signaling and physiology. In some case, the larvae can camouflage their body colors to adapt the habitants and protect themselves. However, the genetic and molecular basis on larval body colors of the tea geometrid, Ectropis grisescens, remains poorly known. Here, we reported an effect of the lysosome-related organelles complex-1, subunit 2 (EgriBLOS2) gene knockout on larval integuments of E. grisescens, by using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system. Combining transcriptomic data and PCR approaches, we first identified the EgriBLOS2 gene from E. grisescens, which encoded 137 amino acids and comprised 3 introns. In the phylogenetic analysis, EgriBLOS2 clustered in the Lepidoptera clade with high conservation to members in other lepidopteran species. Developmental expression profiles revealed that EgriBLOS2 was constantly tran scribed at each stage, in which its expression was significantly lower in 2nd instar larvae than that of other instars. After injecting EgriBLOS2-specific guide RNA and Cas9 messenger RNA into eggs, 70% of larvae showed the translucent integuments in G0 generation, with an emphasis on black splayed patterns in the 2nd and 8th segments of abdomens. However, some typical characteristics of larvae were not obviously changed in mutant instars, such as ocelli, mouthparts and other appendants. This study has unraveled the roles of EgriBLOS2 in the formation of larval integument colors, and provides an alternative strategy for pest management based on the colors in this species.

Properties of an AlGaN/AlN Distributed-Bragg-reflector Structure

Li-Li Zhang,Zhan-Hui Liu,Xiao-Gu Huang,Qing-Fang Li,Rong Zhang,Zi-Li Xie,Xiang-Qian Xiu 한국물리학회 2014 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.65 No.7

An AlGaN/AlN distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) structure with a high Al content was grown byusing plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). The properties of the sample were characterizedby using the transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, atomicforce microscopy, and reflectivity spectrum measurements. The reciprocal space mapping analysisindicated that the strain in the AlGaN layers was partially relaxed. The morphology of the DBRexhibited a surface covered by grains (average size of about 130 nm), and the surface roughness wasabout 2 nm. The spectral measurements showed that the DBR structure presented a peak reflectivityof 68.8% at the center wavelength of 247 nm, which indicated that this DBR structure couldwork in the deep solar-blind UV region with acceptable reflectivity. However, the optical propertiesof the DBR structure were deteriorated by the fluctuation of the Al composition, non-uniformity ofthe layer thickness, the blurry, rough interface in the DBR structure, and so on.

Flavor Components Comparison between the Neck Meat of Donkey, Swine, Bovine, and Sheep

Xiu Li,Issoufou Amadou,Guang-Yun Zhou,Li-Yan Qian,Jian-Ling Zhang,Dong-Liang Wang,Xiang-Rong Cheng 한국축산식품학회 2020 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.40 No.4

Donkey in China is well known for its draft purpose and transportation; however, donkey meat has attracted more and more consumers in recent years, yet it lacks sufficient information on its flavor components compared to other main meats. Therefore, in this study, volatile flavor compounds in neck meat of donkey, swine, bovine, and sheep were classified by electronic nose, then confirmed and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography were used to quantify free fatty acid, amino acid, and flavor nucleotide. A total of 73 volatile compounds were identified, and aldehydes were identified as the characteristic flavor compounds in neck meat of donkey, bovine, swine and sheep in proportion of 76.39%, 46.62%, 31.64%, and 35.83%, respectively. Particularly, hexanal was the most abundant volatile flavor. Compared with other neck meat, much higher unsaturated free fatty acids were present in donkeys. Furthermore, neck meat of donkeys showed essential amino acid with highest content. Thus, special flavor and nutrition in donkey neck meat make it probably a candidate for consumers in other regions besides Asia.

Properties of a CdZnO/ZnO Multiple Quantum-Well Light-Emitting Diode

Zhan-Hui Liu,Li-Li Zhang,Qing-Fang Li,Rong Zhang,Zi-Li Xie,Xiang-Qian Xiu,Bin Liu 한국물리학회 2016 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.69 No.7

A CdZnO/ZnO multiple quantum-well light-emitting diode (LED) structure was successfully grown by using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on a p-GaN template that had been grown by using metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition on a c-sapphire substrate. The properties of the sample were characterized by using high-resolution X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements. The light output performance of the CdZnO/ZnO QW LED device was also investigated in detail by using I-V and electroluminescence spectral measurements. The characterization showed that our CdZnO/ZnO QW LED structure had good crystalline quality and weaker carrier localization. Owing to the heterojunction structure, the I-V curve indicated that the LED device had a higher turn-on voltage and series resistance. The EL measurement demonstrated that for our LED device’s optoelectronic characteristic, the carrier-screening effect played the dominant role in the emission-energy blue-shift mechanism, and the broadening of the emission energy width was mainly ascribed to the band-filling effect. Without a special heat sinking, the L-I curve exhibited slight efficiency droop after 30 mA.

Prognostic Factors on Overall Survival of Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Li, Jia-Xin,Huang, Shao-Min,Wen, Bi-Xiu,Lu, Tai-Xiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Background: To investigate factors associated with overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and two consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma with distant metastasis at diagnosis seen between December 2007 and May 2011 were reviewed. Patient, tumor and treatment factors were analyzed for their significance regarding overall survival. Results: The median follow-up time was 22 months. At the time of this report, 116 patients had died. For 112 patients, cause of death was nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The 1, 2, 3, and 4-year overall survival rates were 75.6%, 50.2%, 39.2%, and 28.2%, respectively. Cox regression multivariate analysis showed that T-stage (p=0.045), N-stage (p=0.014), metastasis number (p<0.001) and radiotherapy for nasopharynx and neck (p<0.001) were significant factors for overall survival. Conclusions: Early T-stage and N-stage, solitary metastasis in a single organ were good prognostic factors for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Radiotherapy should be strongly recommended in systemic treatment.

Overexpression of ENA1 from Yeast Increases Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis

( Xiang Qiang Kong ),( Xiu Hua Gao ),( Wei Huan Li ),( Ji Qiang Zhao ),( Yan Xiu Zhao ),( Hui Zhang ) 한국식물학회 2008 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.51 No.2

In yeast, the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter and Na+ -ATPase are key enzymes for salt tolerance. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Na+ -ATPase (Ena1p ATPase) is encoded by the ENA1/PMR2A gene; expression of ENA1 is tightly regulated by Na+ and depends on ambient pH. Although Ena1p is active mainly at alkaline pH values in S. cerevisiae, no Na+ -ATPase has been found in flowering plants. To test whether this yeast enzyme would improve salt tolerance in plants, we introduced ENA1 into Arabidopsis (cv. Columbia) under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Transformants were selected for their ability to grow on a medium containing kanamyin. Southern blot analyses confirmed that ENA1 was transferred into the Arabidopsis genome and northern blot analyses showed that ENA1 was expressed in the transformants. Several transgenic homozygous lines and wild-type (WT) plants were evaluated for salt tolerance. No obvious morphological or developmental differences existed between the transgenic and WT plants in the absence of stress. However, overexpression of ENA1 in Arabidopsis improved seed germination rates and salt tolerance in seedlings. Under saline conditions, transgenic plants accumulated a lower amount of Na+ than did the wild type, and fresh and dry weights of the former were higher. Other experiments revealed that expression of ENA1 promoted salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis under both acidic and alkaline conditions.

H∞ Control with Multiple Packets Compensation Scheme for T-S Fuzzy Systems Subject to Cyber Attacks

Xiu-Ying Li,Bao-Jun Wang,Lei Zhang,Xiang-Hua Ma 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2021 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.19 No.1

This paper is concerned with the H∞ controller design problem for a class of network-based nonlinearsystems (NCSs) represented by the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. A multiple packets compensation schemeis developed which uses all the data stored in a finite memory buffer to compensate the negative effects of packetdropouts. This model contains the medium access constraint problem as a special case. The time-multiplexingmechanism may be used for such a case so that there are multiple packets arrive at the receiver side. By taking thestochastic cyber attacks into account, the desired controller in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is designedby using fuzzy-rule-dependent Lyapunov method. The sufficient condition is obtained which makes the closed-loopsystem be asymptotically mean-square stable and achieve the prescribed H∞ disturbance-rejection-attenuation level. Finally, a mass-spring-damping system is given to show the effectiveness of the algorithm.

Effects of Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide on Apoptosis Proteins and Oxidative Stress in the Hippocampus of Rats Undergoing Heroin Withdrawal

Li-he Jiang,Xuan Luo,Wen ai He,Xiu-xiang Huang,Ting-ting Cheng 대한약학회 2011 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.34 No.12

In this study, the mechanism of H_2S protection in the hippocampus of heroin-treated rats was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a saline group, a heroin and saline group, and a heroin and sodium hydrosulfide group. According to the principle of increasing heroin dosage daily, heroin withdrawal was precipitated on day 9with an injection of naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.), and withdrawal symptoms were scored. The levels of cystathionine-β-synthase, H_2S, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, as well as the levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were assayed in the hippocampus. The results showed that exogenous H_2S alleviated heroin withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, exogenous H_2S not only increased cellular H_2S and the cystathionine-β-synthase protein level activity but also significantly improved heroin-induced oxidative stress. Protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax decreased, whereas Bcl-2 protein levels in hippocampus increased with exogenous H_2S. Exogenous H_2S alleviated heroin-induced rat hippocampal damage through antioxidant and antiapoptosis effects.

CCNG2 Suppressor Biological Effects on Thyroid Cancer Cell through Promotion of CDK2 Degradation

Li, Wei-Juan,Liu, Ge-Ling,Yu, Fang,Xiang, Xiu-Xiu,Lu, Yi-Fang,Xiao, Hong-Zhen,Shi, Yan-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

This study aimed to analyze the expression and clinical significance of cyclin G2 (CCNG2) in thyroid carcinoma and the biological effects of CCNG2 overexpression in a cell line. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze CCNG2 protein expression in 63 cases of thyroid cancer and normal tissues to allow the relationship with clinical factors to be assessed. CCNG2 lentiviral and empty vectors were transfected into the thyroid cancer K1 cell line. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were applied to detect the mRNA and protein levels of CCNG2. MTT assay and cell cycle were also conducted to assess the influence of up-regulated expression of CCNG2 on K1 cell biology. The level of CCNG2 protein expression was found to be significantly lower in thyroid cancer tissue than normal tissues (P<0.05). Western blot: The relative amount of CCNG2 protein in thyroid cancer tissue was respectively found to be significantly lower than in normal tissues (P<0.05), correlating with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage and histological grade (P<0.05), but not gender, age or tumor size (P>0.05). Loss of CCNG2 expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival time on Kaplan-Meier analysis (P<0.05). The results for biological functions showed that K1 cell transfected CCNG2 had a lower survival fraction, a greater percentage in the G0/G1 phases, and lower cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) protein expression compared with K1 cells non-transfected with CCNG2 (P<0.05). CCNG2 expression decreased in thyroid cancer and correlated significantly lymph node metastasis, clinic stage, histological grade and poor overall survival, suggesting that CCNG2 may play important roles as a negative regulator in thyroid cancer K1 cells by promoting degradation of CDK2.

Probiotic supplements alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus by restoring the diversity of gut microbiota: a study based on 16S rRNA sequencing

Zheng Qing-Xiang,Jiang Xiu-Min,Wang Hai-Wei,Ge Li,Lai Yu-Ting,Jiang Xin-Yong,Chen Fan,Huang Ping-Ping 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.9

Probiotics effectively prevent and improve metabolic diseases such as diabetes by regulating the intestinal microenvironment and gut microbiota. However, the effects of probiotics in gestational diabetes mellitus are not clear. Here, we showed that probiotic supplements significantly improved fasting blood glucose in a gestational diabetes mellitus rat model. To further understand the mechanisms of probiotics in gestational diabetes mellitus, the gut microbiota were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that compared with the normal pregnant group, the gestational diabetes mellitus rats had decreased diversity of gut microbiota. Moreover, probiotic supplementation restored the diversity of the gut microbiota in gestational diabetes mellitus rats, and the gut microbiota structure tended to be similar to that of normal pregnant rats. In particular, compared with gestational diabetes mellitus rats, the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria was higher after probiotic supplementation. Furthermore, activating carbohydrate metabolism and membrane transport pathways may be involved in the potential mechanisms by which probiotic supplements alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus. Overall, our results suggested that probiotic supplementation might be a novel approach to restore the gut microbiota of gestational diabetes mellitus rats and provided an experimental evidence for the use of probiotic supplements to treat gestational diabetes melitus.