The effects of codon usage on the formation of secondary structures of nucleocapsid protein of peste des petits ruminants virus

Xiao‑xia Ma,Yi‑ning Wang,Xiao‑an Cao,Xue‑rui Li,Yong‑sheng Liu,Jian‑hua Zhou,Xue‑peng Cai 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.9

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) with a conserved amino acid usage pattern plays an important role in viral replication. The primary objective of this study was to estimate roles of synonymous codon usages of PPRV N gene and tRNA abundances of host in the formation of secondary structure of N protein. The potential effects of synonymous codon usages of N gene and tRNA abundances of host on shaping different folding units (α-helix, β-strand and the coil) in N protein were estimated, based on the information about the modeling secondary structure of PPRV N protein. The synonymous codon usage bias was found in different folding units in PPRV N protein. To better understand the role of translation speed caused by variant tRNA abundances in shaping the specific folding unit in N protein, we modeled the changing trends of tRNA abundance at the transition boundaries from one folding unit to another folding unit (β-strand → coil, coil → β-strand, α-helix → coil, coil → α-helix). The obvious fluctuations of tRNA abundance were identified at the two transition boundaries (β-strand → coil and coil → β-strand) in PPRV N protein. Our findings suggested that viral synonymous codon usage bias and cellular tRNA abundance variation might have potential effects on the formation of secondary structure of PPRV N protein.

Treatment of fever with traditional Chinese medicine according to Zheng on cancer patients (based on case reports)

Peng Cao,Lan-Ying Liu,Xue-Ting Cai,Xiao-Ning Wang,Jie-Ge Huo,Zhong-Ying Zhou 셀메드 세포교정의약학회 2012 셀메드 (CellMed) Vol.2 No.2

Fever in cancer patients is often due to the following causes: evil qi and toxity stagnancy, disorders of qi and blood, deficiencies of zang and fu organs, and the disorder of yin and yang. The treatments given to cancer patients with a fever are according to five: (a) Excessive inner heat and toxicants: remove heat and the toxicant, induce purgation. We use Cheng-Qi-Tang plus Qing-Wen-Bai-Du-Yin. (b) Tangle of damp and heat, and qi stagnancy: remove damp and heat, smooth the qi channel. We use Gan-Lu-Xiao-Du-Dan or San-Ren-Tang. (c) Obvious blood and heat stagnancy: remove heat and blood stasis. We use Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu-Tang. (d) Deficiency of spleen qi, inner heat caused by a yin deficiency: nourish spleen qi and yin to remove the inner heat. We use Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang or Xiao-Jian-Zhong-Tang. (e) Prominent yin deficiency and hectic fever: replenish yin and remove inner heat. We use Qing-Hao-Bie-Jia-Tang or Chai-Qian-Mei-Lian-San. The pathogenesis of fever in cancer patients is complicated. We can see both deficiency and excess in one differentiation. Therefore, we must make sure of it, then we can get the most effective treatment.

Expression and Preliminary Functional Profiling of the let-7 Family during Porcine Ovary Follicle Atresia

Cao, Rui,Wu, Wang Jun,Zhou, Xiao Long,Xiao, Peng,Wang, Yi,Liu, Hong Lin Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2015 Molecules and cells Vol.38 No.4

Most follicles in the mammalian ovary undergo atresia. Granulosa cell apoptosis is a hallmark of follicle atresia. Our previous study using a microRNA (miRNA) microarray showed that the let-7 microRNA family was differentially expressed during follicular atresia. However, whether the let-7 miRNA family members are related to porcine (Sus scrofa) ovary follicular apoptosis is unclear. In the current study, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression levels of let-7 family members in follicles and granulosa cells were similar to our microarray data, in which miRNAs let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, and let-7i were significantly decreased in early atretic and progressively atretic porcine ovary follicles compared with healthy follicles, while let-7g was highly expressed during follicle atresia. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis and Hoechst33342 staining demonstrated that let-7g increased the apoptotic rate of cultured granulosa cells. In addition, let-7 target genes were predicted and annotated by TargetScan, PicTar, gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. Our data provide new insight into the association between the let-7 miRNA family in granulosa cell programmed death.

Fabrication and Performance of Silver Coated Copper Powder

Xiao Guo Cao,Hai Yan Zhang 대한금속·재료학회 2012 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.8 No.4

Electroless silver coating on copper powder and its effects on oxidation resistance were investigated by varying the fabrication parameters. Using acetylacetone (C5H8O2) as chelating reagent, silver-coated copper powder was fabricated by displacement reaction method. In the process, acetylacetone forms chelating compound with Cu 2+, which prevent the formation of [Cu (NH3)4]2+. Therefore, Ag +can be reduced continully and deposited on the surface of copper particles. As-coated copper particles were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The oxidation resistance of silver coated copper powder was investigated by gravimetric method. It was found that a fairly continuous silver layer was formed on the surface of copper powder by the electroless type of substitution plating. When the silver content reached 10 wt. %, silver was homogeneously distributed around the copper particles and few free silver particles were detected. The results showed that the silver coated copper powder with the best oxidation resistance was prepared at 40°C and the C5H8O2/AgNO3 molar ratio was 1:1.

Preparation and Electrochemical Performances of Rod-Like LiV3O8/Carbon Composites Using Polyaniline as Carbon Source

Xiao-Yu Cao,Limin Zhu,Hailian Wu 대한금속·재료학회 2015 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.11 No.4

Rod-like LiV3O8/carbon composites were successfully prepared by the polymer graphitization of LiV3O8/polyaniline composites, which were synthesized through the in-situ oxidative polymerization method. The crystal phases of as-prepared samples, confirmed by X-ray diffraction, show that the interlayer spacing in LiV3O8/ carbon composites is much wider than that of the pristine LiV3O8. Compared to the bare LiV3O8, the longer and smoother rod-like LiV3O8/carbon composites, investigated by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, were covered by a continuously thin layer of fluffy carbon with a thickness of approximate 20 nm. The optimal LiV3O8/carbon composite delivered a discharge capacity of 219.37 mAh g−1 in the initial cycle, and maintained a high capacity of 263.538 mAh g−1 at the 30th cycle, which was much higher than that of the pristine LiV3O8 (227.645 mAh g−1). Cyclic voltammetry measurements disclose that, after the carbon coating treatment, the phase transition of the optimal LiV3O8/carbon composite proceeds more reversibly and smoothly during charging/discharging. The improved cyclability of the optimal LiV3O8/carbon composite should be attributed to the confinement from thin carbon layer, the structural stability, the good interfacial compatibility, and the well-preserved electrode morphology after prolonged cycles.

Stereo-digital image correlation in the behavior investigation of CFRP-steel composite members

Xiao-Yuan He,Yun-Tong Dai,Hai-Tao Wang,Tian-Yuan Ge,Gang Wu,Jian-Xiao Wan,Shuang-Yin Cao,Fu-Jun Yang 국제구조공학회 2017 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.23 No.6

The application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in steel structures primarily includes two categories, i.e., the bond-critical application and the contact-critical application. Debonding failure and buckling failure are the main failure modes for these two applications. Conventional electrometric techniques may not provide precise results because of the limitations associated with single-point contact measurements. A nondestructive full-field measurement technique is a valuable alternative to conventional methods. In this study, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique was adopted to investigate the bond behavior and buckling behavior of CFRP-steel composite members. The CFRP-to-steel bonded joint and the CFRPstrengthened square hollow section (SHS) steel column were tested to verify the suitability of the DIC technique. The stereo- DIC technique was utilized to measure continuous deformation. The bond-slip relationship of the CFRP-to-steel interface was derived using the DIC data. Additionally, a multi-camera DIC system consisting of four stereo-DIC subsystems was proposed and applied to the compressive test of CFRP-strengthened SHS steel column. The precise buckling location and CFRP delamination of the CFRP-strengthened SHS steel column were identified. The experimental results confirm that the stereo-DIC technique can provide effective measurements for investigating the behaviors of CFRP-steel composite members.

The Lymphatic Drainage Pattern of Internal Mammary Sentinel Lymph Node Identified by Small Particle Radiotracer (99mTc-Dextran 40) in Breast

Xiao-Shan Cao,Guo-Ren Yang,Bin-Bin Cong,Peng-Fei Qiu,Yong-Sheng Wang 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.2

Purpose The purpose of this study was to detect the lymphatic drainage pattern of internal mammary area and verify the concept of internal mammary sentinel lymph node (IM-SLN) in breast. Materials and Methods A small particle radiotracer (99mTc-Dextran 40) was prepared and tested. 99mTc-Dextran 40 was injected into intraparenchyma at the sound breast by a modified radiotracer injection technique. Subsequently, dynamic single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computed tomography (CT), and SPECT/CT combination images were performed to identify the radioactive lymph vessels and internal mammary lymph nodes (IMLNs). The direction of lymph drainage and the location of the IMLNs were identified in the SPECT/CT imaging. Results The radiochemical purity of 99mTc-Dextran 40 was > 95%. 99mTc-Dextran 40 could drainage into first, second, and third lymph node and the radioactive lymph node could be detected by the  detector in the animal experiment. After 99mTc-Dextran 40 injecting into intraparenchyma, 50.0% cases (15/30) were identified the drainage lymphatic vessels and radioactive IMLNs by SPECT. The drainage lymphatic vessel was found from injection point to the first IMLN (IM-SLN) after 10.5±0.35 minutes radiotracer injection, and then 99mTc-Dextran 40 was accumulated into the IM-SLN. The combination imaging of SPECT/CT showed the second IMLN received the lymph drainage from the IM-SLN. The lymphatic drainage was step by step in the internal mammary area. Conclusion The lymph was identified to drain from different regions of the breast to IM-SLN, and then outward from IM-SLN to other IMLN consecutively. It demonstrated the concept of the IM-SLN and provided more evidences for the application of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Cinnamaldehyde Derivatives Inhibit Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Viral Myocarditis

( Xiao-qiang Li ),( Xiao-xiao Liu ),( Xue-ying Wang ),( Yan-hua Xie ),( Qian Yang ),( Xin-xin Liu ),( Yuan-yuan Ding ),( Wei Cao ),( Si-wang Wang ) 한국응용약물학회 2017 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.25 No.3

The chemical property of cinnamaldehyde is unstable in vivo, although early experiments have shown its obvious therapeutic effects on viral myocarditis (VMC). To overcome this problem, we used cinnamaldehyde as a leading compound to synthesize derivatives. Five derivatives of cinnamaldehyde were synthesized: 4-methylcinnamaldehyde (1), 4-chlorocinnamaldehyde (2), 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde (3), α-bromo-4-methylcinnamaldehyde (4), and α-bromo-4-chlorocinnamaldehyde (5). Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and HeLa cells infected by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) were used to evaluate their antiviral and cytotoxic effects. In vivo BALB/c mice were infected with CVB3 for establishing VMC models. Among the derivatives, compound 4 and 5 inhibited the CVB3 in HeLa cells with the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations values of 11.38 ± 2.22 μM and 2.12 ± 0.37 μM, respectively. The 50% toxic concentrations of compound 4 and 5-treated cells were 39-fold and 87-fold higher than in the cinnamaldehyde group. Compound 4 and 5 effectively reduced the viral titers and cardiac pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, compound 4 and 5 significantly inhibited the secretion, mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in CVB3-infected cardiomyocytes, indicating that brominated cinnamaldehyde not only improved the anti-vital activities for VMC, but also had potent anti-inflammatory effects in cardiomyocytes induced by CVB3.

Expression profiles of circular RNAs in sheep skeletal muscle

Cao, Yang,You, Shuang,Yao, Yang,Liu, Zhi-Jin,Hazi, Wureli,Li, Cun-Yuan,Zhang, Xiang-Yu,Hou, Xiao-Xu,Wei, Jun-Chang,Li, Xiao-Yue,Wang, Da-Wei,Chen, Chuang-Fu,Zhang, Yun-Feng,Ni, Wei,Hu, Sheng-Wei Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.10

Objective: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newfound class of non-coding RNA in animals and plants. Recent studies have revealed that circRNAs play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, autophagy and apoptosis during development. However, there are few reports about muscle development-related circRNAs in livestock. Methods: RNA sequencing analysis was employed to identify and annotate circRNAs from longissimus dorsi of sheep. Reverse transcription followed by real-time quantitative (q) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis verified the presence of these circRNAs. Targetscan7.0 and miRanda were used to analyse the interaction of circRNA-microRNA (miRNA). To investigate the function of circRNAs, an experiment was conducted to perform enrichment analysis hosting genes of circRNAs using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways. Results: About 75.5 million sequences were obtained from RNA libraries of sheep skeletal muscle. These sequences were mapped to 729 genes in the sheep reference genome. We identified 886 circRNAs, including numerous circular intronic RNAs and exonic circRNAs. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and DNA sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of several circRNAs. Real-Time RT-PCR analysis exhibited resistance of sheep circRNAs to RNase R digestion. We found that many circRNAs interacted with muscle-specific miRNAs involved in growth and development of muscle, especially circ776. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that hosting genes of circRNAs was involved in muscle cell development and signaling pathway. Conclusion: The study provides comprehensive expression profiles of circRNAs in sheep skeletal muscle. Our study offers a large number of circRNAs to facilitate a better understanding of their roles in muscle growth. Meanwhile, we suggested that circ776 could be analyzed in future study.

Porous Carbon Particles Derived from Natural Peanut Shells as Lithium Ion Battery Anode and Its Electrochemical Properties

Xiao-Yu Cao,Shuangqiang Chen,왕과시우 대한금속·재료학회 2014 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.10 No.4

Abandoned peanut shells, a common farm waste, have caused tremendous environmental pollution and huge waste deposits through burned and buried disposal approaches. In targeting to enhance the potential value of peanut shells and discover a new alternative candidate for lithium ion batteries, we adopted an easy to scale-up and highly repeated method to treat fresh and dry peanut shells via acid-treatment and pyrolysis, making porous structures on carbonized peanut shells. The pyrolysis process transformed the peanut shells to porous carbon (PC) materials in a quartz tube furnace at a series of temperatures from 500°C to 700°C in N2 under the condition of 40°C gradient temperatures with a heating rate of 2°C min−1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the irregular porous structures and hundreds of micropores are distributed on the PC materials. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) test and particle size analysis are employed to investigate their characteristics of voltammetry and particle size distribution. PC material obtained at 620°C (PC-620) exhibited good particle distribution, porous structure and less agglomerated particles. When applied as anode materials in lithium ion batteries, the PC-620 electrode displayed the high reversible capacity of 608 mAh g–1. Moreover, the cycling performance of PC-620 was the most stable, with a high Coulombic efficiency of 98.9% at the 20th cycle, demonstrating a reversible capacity of 418 mAh g–1, which is higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite. Most importantly, the PC materials harvested from the wastes of natural resources are turned into valuable electrode materials for the high demand energy storage devices, which can significantly reduce severe environmental pollution and alleviate an energy shortage.