The influence of ultrasound and adenosine 5’-monophosphate marination on tenderness and structure of myofibrillar proteins of beef

Ye Zou,Heng Yang,Muhan Zhang,Xinxiao Zhang,Weimin Xu,Daoying Wang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.10

Objective: The aim was to investigate the influence of ultrasound and adenosine 5’-monophosphate (AMP) marination (UAMP) on tenderness and structure of myofibrillar proteins of beef. Methods: Five groups, the untreated meat (Control), deionized water marination (DW), ultrasound followed by DW (UDW), AMP marination (AMP), and ultrasound followed by AMP (UAMP) were studied. Myofibrillar fragmentation, cooking loss, shear force, thermograms, histological observation of meats and myofibrillar proteins properties were investigated in these different treatments. Results: The results showed that UAMP significantly increased myofibrillar fragmentation index from 152 (Control), 231 (AMP), and 307 (UDW) to 355 (p<0.05), respectively. The lowest cooking loss, shear force and peak denaturation temperature were observed in UAMP. In histological observation, UDW and UAMP had more fragmented muscular bundles than the others. Furthermore, a drastic increase in α-helix and decrease in β-sheet of myofibrillar proteins was observed in UAMP, implying the disaggregation of protein samples. The synchronous fluorescence spectra of myofibrillar proteins in UAMP suggested the combination of ultrasound and AMP could accelerate the unfolding molecular structure and destroying hydrophobic interactions. The results of circular dichroism and synchronous fluorescence spectra for myofibrillar proteins coincided with the microstructures of beef. Conclusion: The results indicate that ultrasound combined with AMP improved meat tenderness not only by disruption in muscle integrity, increasing water retention, but also altering their spatial structure of myofibrillar proteins.

Prognostic Significance of Hes-1, a Downstream Target of Notch Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Zou, Jing-Huai,Xue, Tong-Chun,Sun, Chun,Li, Yan,Liu, Bin-Bin,Sun, Rui-Xia,Chen, Jie,Ren, Zheng-Gang,Ye, Sheng-Long Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Background: Hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes-1) protein is a downstream target of Notch signaling and is a basic helix-loop-helix transcriptional repressor. However, definitive evidence for a role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells has not been reported. Here, Hes-1 was revealed to an important component of the Notch signaling cascade in HCC cell lines possessing different potential for lung metastasis. Materials and Methods: RNAi mediated by plasmid constructs was used to analyze the role of Hes-1 in MHCC-97L HCC cells by assessing proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and matrigel invasion following transfection. Hes-1 protein expression analysis in HCC tissue was also conducted by immunohistochemistry. Results: Our studies revealed that Hes-1 was decreased in HCC cell lines with higher lung metastasis potential at both the mRNA and protein levels. Down-regulation of the Hes-1 gene in MHCC-97L cells resulted in increased cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis and increased migration and invasion. Conclusions: Hes-1 has potential prognostic value in post-surgical HCC patients and may be an independent prognostic indicator for overall survival and tumor recurrence. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms by which Hes-1 participates in tumor proliferation and invasion.

A novel Fabry-Perot fiber optic temperature sensor for early age hydration heat study in Portland cement concrete

Zou, Xiaotian,Chao, Alice,Wu, Nan,Tian, Ye,Yu, Tzu-Yang,Wang, Xingwei Techno-Press 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.12 No.1

Concrete is known as a heterogeneous product which is composed of complex chemical composition and reaction. The development of concrete thermal effect during early age is critical on its future structural health and long term durability. When cement is mixed with water, the exothermic chemical reaction generates hydration heat, which raises the temperature within the concrete. Consequently, cracking may occur if the concrete temperature rises too high or if there is a large temperature difference between the interior and the exterior of concrete structures during early age hydration. This paper describes the contribution of novel Fabry-Perot (FP) fiber optic temperature sensors to investigate the thermal effects of concrete hydration process. Concrete specimens were manufactured under various water-to-cement (w/c) ratios from 0.40 to 0.60. During the first 24 hours of concreting, two FP fiber optic temperature sensors were inserted into concrete specimens with the protection of copper tubing to monitor the surface and core temperature change. The experimental results revealed effects of w/c ratios on surface and core temperature developments during early age hydration, as well as demonstrating that FP fiber optic sensors are capable of capturing temperature variation in the concrete with reliable performance. Temperature profiles are used for calculating the apparent activation energy ($E_a$) and the heat of hydration (H(t)) of concrete, which can help us to better understand cement hydration.

Purification and Characterization of an Acid Deoxyribonuclease from the Cultured Mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis

Ye, Maoqing,Hu, Zheng,Fan, Ying,He, Ling,Xia, Fubao,Zou, Guolin Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2004 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.37 No.4

A new acid deoxyribonuclease (DNase) was purified from the cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis, and designated CSDNase. CSDNase was purified by $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ precipitation, Sephacryl S-100 HR gel filtration, weak anion-exchange HPLC, and gel filtration HPLC. The protein was single-chained, with an apparent molecular mass of ca. 34 kDa, as revealed by SDS-PAGE, and an isoelectric point of 7.05, as estimated by isoelectric focusing. CSDNase acted on both double-stranded (ds) and single- stranded (ss) DNA, but preferentially on dsDNA. The optimum pH of CSDNase was pH 5.5 and its optimum temperature 55. The activity of CSDNase was not dependent on divalent cations, but its enzymic activity was inhibited by high concentration of the cation: $MgCl_2$ above 150 mM, $MnCl_2$ above 200 mM, $ZnCl_2$ above 150 mM, $CaCl_2$ above 200 mM, NaCl above 300 mM, and KCl above 300 mM. CSDNase was found to hydrolyze DNA, and to generate 3-phosphate and 5-OH termini. These results indicate that the nucleolytic properties of CSDNase are essentially the same as those of other well-characterized acid DNases, and that CSDNase is a member of the acid DNase family. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an acid DNase in a fungus.

Baicalin attenuates TNBS-induced colitis in rats by modulating the Th17/Treg paradigm

Ying Zou,Shi-Xue Dai,Hong-Gang Chi,Tao Li,Zhi-Wei He,Jian Wang,Cai-Guo Ye,Guo-Liang Huang,Bing Zhao,Wen-Yang Li,Zheng Wan,Jin-Shan Feng,Xue-Bao Zheng 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.10

Baicalin, a flavonoid, has a wide range ofpharmacological properties, including immunomodulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect ofbaicalin on the balance of T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatoryT (Treg) cells in a colitis model. The rat colitis modelwas induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS). Baicalin (10 ml/kg, each) or mesalazine (positivecontrol) was then administered orally for 7 days. Inflammatoryand immunological responses were evaluated bypathology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-timepolymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, and flowcytometry. Our study showed that baicalin not only significantlyattenuated TNBS-induced colitis by reducing thedisease activity index as well as macroscopic and microscopicscores, but it also improved the weight loss andshortening of the colon. Baicalin treatment also induced asignificant decrease in the levels of inflammatory mediators,including the myeloperoxidase activity, the levels oftumor necrosis factor a, IL-1b, and Th1-related cytokinesIL-12 and IFN-c. Furthermore, the beneficial effects ofbaicalin seem to be associated with regulation of the Th17and Treg paradigm. We found that administration ofbaicalin significantly downregulated the number of Th17cells and the levels of Th17-related cytokines (IL-17 andIL-6) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor ct. In contrast, there was an increase in Treg cells numbers,Treg-related cytokines transforming growth factor-b andIL-10, and forkhead box P3. Our results suggest that theanti-inflammatory effect of baicalin may be linked tomodulation of the balance between Th17 and Treg cells inTNBS-induced ulcerative colitis.

Preparation and drug release behavior of pH-responsive bovine serum albumin-loaded chitosan microspheres

Xue Zou,Xiaowen Zhao,Lin Ye,Qi Wang,Hao Li 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.21 No.1

A novel inverse emulsion-ionic crosslinking approach was adopted to prepare pH-responsive chitosanmicrospheres and effect of preparation technique, such as chitosan concentration, emulsifierconcentration, water/oil ratio and homogenization speed, on the morphology and property of themicrospheres were investigated. The chitosan microspheres with spherical in shape, smooth surface,high productivity and promising pH responsiveness were obtained. On this basis, bovine serum albumin(BSA)-loaded chitosan microspheres was prepared to test the drug release behavior in buffers withdifferent pH values. BSA-chitosan microspheres with particle sizes in range from 5 to 10mmreleased BSAslowly in neutral medium and released rapidly in acidic medium, and exhibited obviously pH-responsiverelease behavior. Korsmeyer–Peppas model can be used for describing BSA release kinetics from chitosanmicrospheres, which corresponded with a Fickian release behavior, and the diffusion through theswelling of chitosan microspheres was the main factor in controlling BSA release.

In situ formation of NbSi₂/Nb₂O<SUB>5</SUB>-SiO₂/HfC multilayer oxidation protective coating by HAPC combined with PEO-assisted particle deposition and sintering

Zhiyun Ye,Shuqi Wang,Yongchun Zou,Guoliang Chen,Yaming Wang 한국표면공학회 2023 한국표면공학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2023 No.11-1

Genetic Relationships Among Panicle Characteristics of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Using Unconditional and Conditional QTL Analyses

Zihong Ye,Junmin Wang,Qian Liu,Minzhou Zhang,Keqin Zou,Xianshu Fu 한국식물학회 2009 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.52 No.3

Using mixed-model-based composite interval mapping and conditional statistical methods, we studied quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with epistatic effects and QTLs by environment interaction effects for rice seed set percent (SSP), filled grain number per plant (FGP), and panicle length (PL). A population of 241 recombinant inbred lines was used which was derived from a cross between “Zhenshan 97” and “Minghui 63.” Its linkage map included 221 molecular markers. Our QTL analysis detected 28, 25, and 32 QTLs for SSP, FGP, and PL, respectively. Each QTL explained 1.37%∼13.19% of the mean phenotypic variation. A comparison of conventional and conditional mapping provided information about the genetic control system involved in the synthetic process of SSP, FGP, and PL at the level of individual QTLs. Conditional QTLs with reduced (or increased) effects were identified for SSP, which were significantly influenced by FGP or PL. Some QTLs could express independently for the given traits, thereby providing possibilities for simultaneous improvement of SSR and PL, and SSR and FGP. Epistasis was more sensitive to environmental conditions than were additive effects.

Biomechanical Evaluation of 2 Endoscopic Spine Surgery Methods for Treating Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Finite Element Study

Yang Zou,Shuo Ji,Hui Wen Yang,Tao Ma,Yue Kun Fang,Zhi Cheng Wang,Miao Miao Liu,Ping Hui Zhou,Zheng Qi Bao,Chang Chun Zhang,Yu Chen Ye 대한척추신경외과학회 2024 Neurospine Vol.21 No.1

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion: In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.

Cascaded Residual Densely Connected Network for Image Super-Resolution

Changjun Zou,Lintao Ye 한국인터넷정보학회 2022 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.16 No.9

Image super-resolution (SR) processing is of great value in the fields of digital image processing, intelligent security, film and television production and so on. This paper proposed a densely connected deep learning network based on cascade architecture, which can be used to solve the problem of super-resolution in the field of image quality enhancement. We proposed a more efficient residual scaling dense block (RSDB) and the multi-channel cascade architecture to realize more efficient feature reuse. Also we proposed a hybrid loss function based on L1 error and L∞ error to achieve better L∞ error performance. The experimental results show that the overall performance of the network is effectively improved on cascade architecture and residual scaling. Compared with the residual dense net (RDN), the PSNR / SSIM of the new method is improved by 2.24% / 1.44% respectively, and the L∞ performance is improved by 3.64%. It shows that the cascade connection and residual scaling method can effectively realize feature reuse, improving the residual convergence speed and learning efficiency of our network. The L∞ performance is improved by 11.09% with only a minimal loses of 1.14% / 0.60% on PSNR / SSIM performance after adopting the new loss function. That is to say, the L∞ performance can be improved greatly on the new loss function with a minor loss of PSNR / SSIM performance, which is of great value in L∞ error sensitive tasks.