Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Antibiotic-Impregnated Shunt Catheters on Anti-Infective Effect of Hydrocephalus Shunt

Zhou, Wen-xiu,Hou, Wen-bo,Zhou, Chao,Yin, Yu-xia,Lu, Shou-tao,Liu, Guang,Fang, Yi,Li, Jian-wen,Wang, Yan,Liu, Ai-hua,Zhang, Hai-jun The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2021 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.64 No.2

Objective : Shunt infection is a common complication while treating hydrocephalus. The antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheter (AISC) was designed to reduce shunt infection rate. A meta-analysis was conducted to study the effectiveness of AISCs in reduction of shunt infection in terms of age, follow-up time and high-risk patient population. Methods : This study reviewed literature from three databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (from 2000 to March 2019). Clinical studies from controlled trials for shunt operation were included in this analysis. A subgroup analysis was performed based on the patient's age, follow-up time and high-risk population. The fixed effect in RevMan 5.3 software (Cochrane Collaboration) was used for this meta-analysis. Results : This study included 19 controlled clinical trials including 10105 operations. The analysis demonstrated that AISC could reduce the infection rate in shunt surgery compared to standard shunt catheter (non-AISC) from 8.13% to 4.09% (odds ratio [OR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.58; p=0.01; I2=46%). Subgroup analysis of different age groups showed that AISC had significant antimicrobial effects in all three groups (adult, infant, and adolescent). Follow-up time analysis showed that AISC was effective in preventing early shunt infections (within 6 months after implant). AISC is more effective in high-risk population (OR, 0.24;95% CI, 0.14-0.40; p=0.60; I2=0%) than in general patient population. Conclusion : The results of meta-analysis indicated that AISC is an effective method for reducing shunt infection. We recommend that AISC should be considered for use in infants and high-risk groups. For adult patients, the choice for AISC could be determined based on the treatment cost.

Study on a New Method for Forming Integral Curved-Hole Structures by Combining Drilling and Plastic Deformation

Yin Zhou,Tong Wen,Xia Chen,Longqin Liu,Fan Yang,Yu Zheng 한국정밀공학회 2022 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.23 No.8

Structures with curved-holes are of great value for industrial application, but how to realize the formation of integral curved hole is still a huge challenge. In the current study, a novel methodology, called Bulk Forming of Curved Hole (BFCH), was proposed to obtain integral structures with curved holes by combining traditional drilling and plastic forming processes. An analytic formula of cross-section distortion in BFCH was derived based on the upper bound method. The formula shows the influence of three factors, including the bending angle θ, billet thickness-to-hole diameter ratio h/d , and material properties index Øk related to material strength, on the wall collapse of the curved hole formed. Moreover, three types of curved holes were designed to verify the concept, and the results of experiments and fi nite element simulation using Al6061 specimens proved that the method is feasible to form integral structures with inside curved-holes. The oval-shaped distortion of the hole cross-sections is the main defect, which increases with the bending angle θ , as well as the value of h/d and Øk. In addition, proper initial temperature difference inside the billet can decrease the distortion of the formed holes.

RPTOR methylation in the peripheral blood and breast cancer in the Chinese population

Yin Yifei,Lei Shuifang,Li Lixi,Yang Xiaoqin,Yin Qiming,Xu Tian,Zhou Wenjie,Li Hong,Gu Wanjian,Ma Fei,Yang Rongxi,Zhang Zhengdong 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.4

Background: Altered regulatory-associated protein of mTOR, complex 1 (RPTOR) methylation levels in peripheral blood was originally discovered as breast cancer (BC)-associated risk factor in Caucasians. Objective: To explore the relationship between RPTOR methylation and BC in the Chinese population, we conducted two independent case-control studies. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from a total of 333 sporadic BC cases and 378 healthy female controls for the DNA extraction and bisulfite-specific PCR amplification. Mass spectrometry was applied to quantitatively measure the levels of methylation. The logistic regression, Spearman's rank correlation, and Non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analyses. Results: In our study, we found an association between BC and RPTOR_CpG_4 hypomethylation in the general population (per-10% of methylation, OR 1.29, P = 0.012), and a weak association between BC and RPTOR_CpG_8 hypomethylation in the women with older age (per-10% of methylation, OR 2.34, P = 0.006). We also identified age as a confounder for the change of RPTOR methylation patterns, especially at RPTOR_CpG_4, which represented differential methylation comparing age groups especially in the BC cases (age < 50 years vs age ≥ 50 years by Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.0001 for BC cases and P = 0.079 for controls). Conclusion: Our study validated the association between hypomethylation of RPTOR and BC risk in the Chinese population also with weak effect and mostly for postmenopausal women. In addition, our findings provided novel insight for the regulation of DNA methylation upon aging or the change of hormone levels.

Site-specific deletions in the tomato genome by the CinH-RS2 and ParA-MRS recombination systems

Yin Zhou,Ying Wang,Yuan-Yeu Yau,David W. Ow 한국식물생명공학회 2012 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.6 No.3

We have tested the CinH-RS2 and ParA-MRS site-specific deletion systems in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The ParA-MRS system is derived from the broad-host-range plasmid RK2, where the 222 aa ParA recombinase recognizes a 133 bp multimer resolution site (MRS). The CinH-RS2 system is derived from Acinetobacter plasmids pKLH2 and pKLH204, where the 188 amino acid CinH recombinase recognizes a 113-bp recombination site known as RS2. In this study, target lines containing a DNA segment flanked by recombination sites were crossed to recombinase-expressing lines producing CinH or ParA recombinase. CinH-mediated recombination of RS2 substrates was detected in 2 of 3 F1 plants that harbor both the target and recombinase loci. On the other hand, recombination mediated by ParA was not detected among F1 plants,but was found among 13 of 47 F2 plants. These data show that both systems can mediate site-specific DNA deletion in the tomato genome, and, upon further refinement, can provide additional molecular tools for tomato improvement through precise genome manipulation. As the target construct also contains additional recombination sites for sitespecific integration by other recombination systems, these tomato lines could be used for future testing of gene stacking through site-specific integration.

Functional characterization of the CfAOC and CfJMT gene promoters related to MeJA biosynthesis in Cymbidium faberi

Zhou Yin,Xu Zheng,Chen Xu,Zhou Junjiang,Wang Songtai,Xu Yanqin 한국식물생명공학회 2023 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.17 No.2

Oriental orchids of the genus Cymbidium are famous for their flower fragrance and have great value in the horticultural market. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of fragrance biosynthesis in Cymbidium faberi, the promoters of the CfAOC and CfJMT genes in the methyl jasmonate biosynthesis pathway were cloned and analyzed. Notably, the CfAOC promoter was transcriptionally active in all vegetative organs, which was not true for the CfJMT promoter, indicating that the latter is tissue-specific for the flowers of C. faberi. The dual-luciferase assay showed that the fragment between –629 and –1038 nt of the CfAOC promoter, as well as the fragment between –960 and –1121 nt of the CfJMT promoter, displayed specific interaction with the CfbHLH transcription factors. These results provide a theoretical basis for the genetic modification of the flower fragrance of Cymbidium based on specific CfbHLH transcription factors.

Flavonoid Glycosides and Potential Antivirus Activity of Isolated Compounds from the Leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora

Zhou, Zhong-Liu,Yin, Wen-Qing,Zou, Xiao-Peng,Huang, Dan-Ying,Zhou, Cui-Liu,Li, Lian-Mei,Chen, Ke-Cheng,Guo, Zi-Ying,Lin, San-Qing 한국응용생명화학회 2014 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.57 No.6

The extraction and solvent partition of the leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora, and repeated column chromatography for n-BuOH fraction yielded a new flavonoid glycoside, citrioside C (1), along with three known flavonoid glycosides (2-4). The latter were identified with kaempferol-3-O-${\beta}$-$\small{D}$-glucopyranosyl (12)-${\alpha}$-$\small{L}$-rhamnoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-${\alpha}$-$\small{L}$-rhamnoside (3), and quercetin-3-O-${\alpha}$-$\small{L}$-rhamnoside (4). Their chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses including NMR, MS, UV, and IR. All constitutents were isolated for the first time from the leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora. The potential antivirus activity of all the isolated compounds was evaluated. Compound 4 showed potent antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus with 50% inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of $1.9{\mu}g/mL$ and selective index value of 9.8.

Genetic Diversity and Natural Selection in 42 kDa Region of Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein-1 from China-Myanmar Endemic Border

Xia Zhou,Ernest Tambo,Jing Su,Qiang Fang,Wei Ruan,Jun-Hu Chen,Ming-Bo Yin,Xiao-Nong Zhou 대한기생충학열대의학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.55 No.5

The Prebiotic Lactosucrose Modulates Gut Metabolites and Microbiota in Intestinal Inflammatory Rats

Xiaoli Zhou,Zheng Ruan,Xiaoliu Huang,Yan Zhou,Shiqiang Liu,Yulong Yin 한국식품과학회 2014 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.23 No.1

The effect of lactosucrose on the short chainfatty acid (SCFA) content, the intestinal flora, the acidity,and the amino nitrogen (NH3-N) content of the intestine ininflammatory bowel disease (IBD) rats was investigated. Dietary lactosucose supplementation increased amounts ofbeneficial bacteria and diminished amounts of pathogenicbacteria. Lactosucrose decreased the NH3-N content in cecaland colonic digesta, compared to inflammatory rats. Lactosucrose increased the acidity in the intestinal lumen,and the acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acidcontents in cecal and colonic digesta, compared toinflammatory rats. The butyrate content in the lactosucrosegroup was higher than for the inflammatory, sulfasalazine,and normal groups. Lactosucrose promoted beneficialintestinal health and prevented intestinal inflammation.

Genetically Encoded Biosensor Engineering for Application in Directed Evolution

Mao Yin,Huang Chao,Zhou Xuan,Han Runhua,Deng Yu,Zhou Shenghu 한국미생물·생명공학회 2023 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.33 No.10

Although rational genetic engineering is nowadays the favored method for microbial strain improvement, building up mutant libraries based on directed evolution for improvement is still in many cases the better option. In this regard, the demand for precise and efficient screening methods for mutants with high performance has stimulated the development of biosensor-based highthroughput screening strategies. Genetically encoded biosensors provide powerful tools to couple the desired phenotype to a detectable signal, such as fluorescence and growth rate. Herein, we review recent advances in engineering several classes of biosensors and their applications in directed evolution. Furthermore, we compare and discuss the screening advantages and limitations of two-component biosensors, transcription-factor-based biosensors, and RNA-based biosensors. Engineering these biosensors has focused mainly on modifying the expression level or structure of the biosensor components to optimize the dynamic range, specificity, and detection range. Finally, the applications of biosensors in the evolution of proteins, metabolic pathways, and genome-scale metabolic networks are described. This review provides potential guidance in the design of biosensors and their applications in improving the bioproduction of microbial cell factories through directed evolution.

Rhynchophylline Down-regulates NR2B Expression in Cortex and Hippocampal CA1 Area of Amphetamine-induced Conditioned Place Preference Rat

Ji-Yin Zhou,Zhi-Xian Mo,Shi-Wen Zhou 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.4

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (NR2B) has an important role in the development of conditioned place preference (CPP) and psychostimulant abuse. Rhynchophylline is presently used to treat central nervous systems diseases and has a non-competitive antagonistic effect on NMDA receptors. In this study, amphetamine was administered in rats (2 mg/kg, s.c., once each day for 4 consecutive days), during which they were treated with rhynchophylline (60 mg/kg, i.p., once each day for the next 3 days). NR2B mRNA and protein expression were examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. CPP was induced by amphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) by 4th day in rats. Rhynchophylline effectively reversed the expression of amphetamine-induced CPP and itself did not produce a CPP. Amphetamine-CPP rats showed a significantly increased NR2B mRNA and protein expression in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 areas as compared to the control group. Rhynchophylline reversed NR2B mRNA and protein levels induced by amphetamine but rhynchophylline by itself had no effect on NR2B expression in control rats. These results indicate that rhynchophylline inhibits the expression of amphetamine-induced rewarding effect, and this action might be related to down-regulation of NR2B expression in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 area.