Food search and transport in red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) under wet conditions

Lin Jintao,Yang Xinya,Lyu Hailong,Chen Xuan,Wang Lei,Wang Cai,Wen Xiujun 한국응용곤충학회 2024 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.27 No.1

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, has invaded various wetlands such as beaches, swamps, and mangrove forests. We hypothesize that S. invicta can effectively forage food in these habitats. Here, the food searching and transport by S. invicta on each substrate (sand or soil with freshwater or artificial seawater) at different saturation levels (70%, 100%, 130%, or 160%) were evaluated. Ants walked on unsubmerged substrates (70%- and 100%-saturated) to search for food, and surprisingly, they swam and passed 130%- or 160%-saturated substrates that were submerged with thin layers of water. Saturation level may significantly affect duration of food search and/or transport, depending on substrate types. The number of foraging ants rapidly increased and decreased on the food-releasing platform located on the 70%-saturated substrate and remained stable on the platform located on the 100%-saturated substrate. However, only a few ants were found on the platform located on waterlogged substrates throughout the experiment. In addition, no food was successfully transported passing the waterlogged substrate. We also compared food search and transport among four substrates (sand or soil with freshwater or seawater) at the 70%- or 100%-saturation level. Ants spent similar time searching for food and transporting food on the platform, but minimal food was transported passing the soil with freshwater or seawater. Our results showed that S. invicta can successfully search for food but fail to transport food on waterlogged substrates. In addition, both substrate types and saturation level affected food transport under unsubmerged conditions.

Polymorphisms in Epigenetic and Meat Quality Related Genes in Fourteen Cattle Breeds and Association with Beef Quality and Carcass Traits

Xuan Liu,Tahir Usman,Yachun Wang,Zezhao Wang,Xianzhou Xu,Meng Wu,Yi Zhang,Xu Zhang,Qiang Li,Lin Liu,Wanhai Shi,Chunhua Qin,Fanjun Geng,Congyong Wang,Rui Tan,Xixia Huang,Airong Liu,Hongjun Wu,Shixin Ta 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.4

Improvement for carcass traits related to beef quality is the key concern in beef production. Recent reports found that epigenetics mediates the interaction of individuals with environment and nutrition. The present study was designed to analyze the genetic effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven epigenetic-related genes (DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, DNMT3L, Ago1, Ago2, and HDAC5) and two meat quality candidate genes (CAPN1 and PRKAG3) on fourteen carcass traits related to beef quality in a Snow Dragon beef population, and also to identify SNPs in a total of fourteen cattle populations. Sixteen SNPs were identified and genotyped in 383 individuals sampled from the 14 cattle breeds, which included 147 samples from the Snow Dragon beef population. Data analysis showed significant association of 8 SNPs within 4 genes related to carcass and/or meat quality traits in the beef populations. SNP1 (13154420A>G) in exon 17 of DNMT1 was significantly associated with rib-eye width and lean meat color score (p<0.05). A novel SNP (SNP4, 76198537A>G) of DNMT3a was significantly associated with six beef quality traits. Those individuals with the wild-type genotype AA of DNMT3a showed an increase in carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, flank thicknesses, chuck short rib thickness, chuck short rib score and in chuck flap weight in contrast to the GG genotype. Five out of six SNPs in DNMT3b gene were significantly associated with three beef quality traits. SNP15 (45219258C>T) in CAPN1 was significantly associated with chuck short rib thickness and lean meat color score (p<0.05). The significant effect of SNP15 on lean meat color score individually and in combination with each of other 14 SNPs qualify this SNP to be used as potential marker for improving the trait. In addition, the frequencies of most wild-type alleles were higher than those of the mutant alleles in the native and foreign cattle breeds. Seven SNPs were identified in the epigenetic-related genes. The SNP15 in CAPN1 could be used as a powerful genetic marker in selection programs for beef quality improvement in the Snow Dragon Beef population.

Effects of Electric Filed on Electrospray Process: Experimental and Simulation Study

Xuan Dong,Yuansheng Zheng,Binjie Xin,Huaiyuan Liu,Lantian Lin 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.11

At present, there exists a widely-held view that electric field plays an extremely important role in the electrosprayprocess. Aimed at investigating into the effects of electric field distribution and intensity on the electrospray process andresultant microsphere diameter, a variety of necessary and relevant tests were performed in this study by inviting an auxiliaryelectrode ring. The three-dimensional electric fields of the electrospray system were simulated, in addition, high-speedphotography was adopted to recognize the electrospray modes. The results of a series of electrospray experiments demonstratedthat not only electrospray mode but also resultant microsphere diameters are influenced, to a considerable degree, by the electricfield. Such simulation results were verified by above-mentioned experiments that from higher electric field intensity comessmaller microsphere diameter, due to the fission caused by the surface charge, and besides, more uniform electric fielddistribution produces more uniform microsphere diameter.

Effects of L-malic acid on alpha-glucosidase: inhibition kinetics and computational molecular dynamics simulations.

Gou, Lin,Zhan, Yi,Lee, Jinhyuk,Li, Xuan,Lü,, Zhi-Rong,Zhou, Hai-Meng,Lu, Hang,Wang, Xi-Yao,Park, Yong-Doo,Yang, Jun-Mo Humana Press 2015 Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol.175 No.4

<P>The inhibitory effect of L-malic acid (MA) on alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) was investigated by combination study between inhibition kinetics and computational simulations. The results from the serial kinetics demonstrated that MA could directly inactivate the enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner and a typical non-competitive type, as well as in a fast inactivate process without detectable time course. The tertiary conformation study with an application of spectrofluorimetry showed that MA modulated the tertiary structural conformation of alpha-glucosidase both on the overall and on regional active site pocket, which monitored by red-shift intrinsic fluorescence peak with decreases intensities, and the significant intensity increasing of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS)-binding fluorescence, respectively. To have more insight, we also adapted the computational molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results showed that MA was located in the entrance of active pocket for the catalytic reaction and blocked the passage of substrate. It confirmed that MA inhibits as a non-competitive type, not direct docking to the glucose binding site. Our study provides important molecular mechanisms to figure out alpha-glucosidase inhibition that might associate to development of type 2 diabetes mellitus drug.</P>

Polymorphisms in Epigenetic and Meat Quality Related Genes in Fourteen Cattle Breeds and Association with Beef Quality and Carcass Traits

Liu, Xuan,Usman, Tahir,Wang, Yachun,Wang, Zezhao,Xu, Xianzhou,Wu, Meng,Zhang, Yi,Zhang, Xu,Li, Qiang,Liu, Lin,Shi, Wanhai,Qin, Chunhua,Geng, Fanjun,Wang, Congyong,Tan, Rui,Huang, Xixia,Liu, Airong,Wu, Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.4

Improvement for carcass traits related to beef quality is the key concern in beef production. Recent reports found that epigenetics mediates the interaction of individuals with environment and nutrition. The present study was designed to analyze the genetic effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven epigenetic-related genes (DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, DNMT3L, Ago1, Ago2, and HDAC5) and two meat quality candidate genes (CAPN1 and PRKAG3) on fourteen carcass traits related to beef quality in a Snow Dragon beef population, and also to identify SNPs in a total of fourteen cattle populations. Sixteen SNPs were identified and genotyped in 383 individuals sampled from the 14 cattle breeds, which included 147 samples from the Snow Dragon beef population. Data analysis showed significant association of 8 SNPs within 4 genes related to carcass and/or meat quality traits in the beef populations. SNP1 (13154420A>G) in exon 17 of DNMT1 was significantly associated with rib-eye width and lean meat color score (p<0.05). A novel SNP (SNP4, 76198537A>G) of DNMT3a was significantly associated with six beef quality traits. Those individuals with the wild-type genotype AA of DNMT3a showed an increase in carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, flank thicknesses, chuck short rib thickness, chuck short rib score and in chuck flap weight in contrast to the GG genotype. Five out of six SNPs in DNMT3b gene were significantly associated with three beef quality traits. SNP15 (45219258C>T) in CAPN1 was significantly associated with chuck short rib thickness and lean meat color score (p<0.05). The significant effect of SNP15 on lean meat color score individually and in combination with each of other 14 SNPs qualify this SNP to be used as potential marker for improving the trait. In addition, the frequencies of most wild-type alleles were higher than those of the mutant alleles in the native and foreign cattle breeds. Seven SNPs were identified in the epigenetic-related genes. The SNP15 in CAPN1 could be used as a powerful genetic marker in selection programs for beef quality improvement in the Snow Dragon Beef population.

Induction of Apoptosis in Human Hepatoma SMMC-7721 Cells using 2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone, a Chalcone from Buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus

Chun-Lin Ye,Xuan-Gan Liu,Qi Huang,Xian-Liang Zhao 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.5

The molecular mechanism to induce apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells was investigated using 2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) isolated from the buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus. Typical morphological changes in apoptotic body formation after DMC treatment were observed using acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) staining. After 48 h of incubation with 0, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 μM of DMC, the percentages of annexin V-FITC-positive/PI negative cells were 1.51, 9.33, 33.84, and 61.32%, respectively. Apoptosis induced by DMC was blocked by z-VAD-fmk, a caspase inhibitor. Analysis of fluorescence intensities of rhodamine 123 in cells showed that DMC induced a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Western blot results showed that DMC decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio,suggesting that the Bcl-2 family is involved in control of apoptosis. All of these signal transduction pathways are involved in initiating apoptosis. DMC is a potential anticancer agent that deserves further exploration.

Wave propagation in a FG circular plate via the physical neutral surface concept

Gui-Lin She,Hao-Xuan Ding,Yi-Wen Zhang 국제구조공학회 2022 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.82 No.2

In this paper, the physical neutral surface concept is applied to study the wave propagation of functionally graded (FG) circular plate, the wave equation is derived by Hamiltonian variational principle and the first-order shear deformation plate model. Then, we convert the equations to dimensionless equations. The exact solution of wave propagation problem is obtained by Laplace integral transformation, the first order Hankel integral transformation and the zero order Hankel integral transformation. The results obtained by the current model are very close to those obtained in the existing literature, which indicates the correctness and reliability of this study. Moreover, the effects of the functionally graded index parameters and pore volume fraction on the wave propagation are also discussed in detail.

Structure and Electrical Performance of Na₂C₆O₆ under High Pressure

Wang, Xuan,Zhang, Peijie,Tang, Xingyu,Guan, Junjie,Lin, Xiaohuan,Wang, Yajie,Dong, Xiao,Yue, Binbin,Yan, Jinyuan,Li, Kuo,Zheng, Haiyan,Mao, Ho-kwang American Chemical Society 2019 The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C Vol. No.

<P>Sodium rhodizonate (Na<SUB>2</SUB>C<SUB>6</SUB>O<SUB>6</SUB>) has very high theoretical capacity as a positive electrode material of sodium-ion batteries, but it still has problems such as low actual capacity and poor electronic/ionic conductivity. In order to improve its conductivity, we investigated its structure and electrical properties under high pressure. By performing in situ X-ray diffraction, Raman, infrared absorption, and alternating current impedance spectroscopy in the range of 0-30 GPa at room temperature, we observed a phase transition at ∼11 GPa, with the conductivity increasing by an order of magnitude. Above ∼20 GPa, Na<SUB>2</SUB>C<SUB>6</SUB>O<SUB>6</SUB> gradually amorphized. During the decompression process, the pressure regulation of the structure and properties of the material are reversible. Our study shows that applying external pressure is an effective tool to improve the conductivity of molecular battery materials. The investigation will help to obtain next-generation electrode materials.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

A higher-order beam model for the snap-buckling analysis of FG pipes conveying fluid

Hao-Xuan Ding,Gui-Lin She 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.80 No.1

The snap buckling of the FG curved pipes conveying fluid has not been reported due to the existing research on the snap-buckling problem. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore this issue. First, we adopt a new high-order shear theory model and consider the thermal and geometric nonlinearity effects, and assume that the density and modulus of elasticity of the liquid are independent of temperature. Based on the generalized variational principle, the governing equation of the FG curved pipes conveying fluid is derived. Then, we assume that the FG curved pipes conveying fluid has simply supported boundary or fixed supported boundary conditions, and use the two step perturbation method to obtain the expression of the relationship between load and deflection. Then, we investigate the influence of boundary conditions, shear deformation, temperature variation, functional gradient index parameters, liquid flow velocity and geometry size on the snap buckling problems of the FG curved pipes conveying fluid. The results show that these factors have significant influence on the fluidstructure interaction problems.

Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate inhibits L-type Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ transients, and contractility but not hERG K+ channels

Yue Lin,Yuanyuan Zhang,Qiongtao Song,Tao Song,Xue Han,Ying Zhang,Xuan Zhang,Xi Chu,Fenghua Zhang,Li Chu,Jianping Zhang 대한약학회 2017 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.40 No.10

To explore the cardiovascular protective effectsof Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MI), especially theunderlying cellular mechanisms related to L-type calciumchannels and myocardial contractility, and to examine theeffects of MI on hERG K? current expressed in HEK293cells. We used the whole-cell patch clamp technique,video-based edge detection and dual excitation fluorescencephotomultiplier systems to explore the effect of MIon L-type Ca2? currents (ICa-L) and cell contraction in ratcardiomyocytes. We also examined the rapidly activatingdelayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) expressed inHEK293 cells using a perforated patch clamp. MI inhibitedICa-L in a dose-dependent manner, with a half-maximalinhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.22 mg/ml, and themaximal inhibitory effect was 61.10 ± 0.59%. MI at aconcentration of 0.3 mg/ml reduced cell shortening by24.12 ± 3.97% and the peak value of the Ca2? transient by36.54 ± 4.96%. MI had no significant influence on hERGK? channels expressed in HEK293 cells at all testpotentials. MI exerts protective effects on the heart via theinhibition of ICa-L and cell shortening in rat cardiomyocytes. However, MI had no significant influence on IKr;thus, MI may exert cardioprotective effects without causingdrug-induced long QT syndrome.