Subcellular Characterization of Porcine Oocytes with Different Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Activities

Fu, Bo,Ren, Liang,Liu, Di,Ma, Jian-Zhang,An, Tie-Zhu,Yang, Xiu-Qin,Ma, Hong,Zhang, Dong-Jie,Guo, Zhen-Hua,Guo, Yun-Yun,Zhu, Meng,Bai, Jing Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.12

The in vitro maturation (IVM) efficiency of porcine embryos is still low because of poor oocyte quality. Although brilliant cresyl blue positive (BCB+) oocytes with low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity have shown superior quality than BCB negative (-) oocytes with high G6PDH activity, the use of a BCB staining test before IVM is still controversial. This study aimed to shed more light on the subcellular characteristics of porcine oocytes after selection using BCB staining. We assessed germinal vesicle chromatin configuration, cortical granule (CG) migration, mitochondrial distribution, the levels of acetylated lysine 9 of histone H3 (AcH3K9) and nuclear apoptosis features to investigate the correlation between G6PDH activity and these developmentally related features. A pattern of chromatin surrounding the nucleoli was seen in 53.0% of BCB+ oocytes and 77.6% of BCB+ oocytes showed peripherally distributed CGs. After IVM, 48.7% of BCB+ oocytes had a diffused mitochondrial distribution pattern. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of AcH3K9 in the nuclei of blastocysts derived from BCB+ and BCB- oocytes; at the same time, we observed a similar incidence of apoptosis in the BCB+ and control groups. Although this study indicated that G6PDH activity in porcine oocytes was correlated with several subcellular characteristics such as germinal vesicle chromatin configuration, CG migration and mitochondrial distribution, other features such as AcH3K9 level and nuclear apoptotic features were not associated with G6PDH activity and did not validate the BCB staining test. In using this test for selecting porcine oocytes, subcellular characteristics such as the AcH3K9 level and apoptotic nuclear features should also be considered. Adding histone deacetylase inhibitors or apoptosis inhibitors into the culture medium used might improve the efficiency of IVM of BCB+ oocytes.

Study on the Magnetic Rate Sensitivity and Shear Properties of Magnetorheological Shear Thickening Fluid

Guo-Jun Yu,Shao-Jie Zhu,Cheng-Bin Du,Ling-Yun Wang,Jun-Chi Huang 한국자기학회 2023 Journal of Magnetics Vol.28 No.3

This paper studies magnetic field control and velocity-activated magnetorheological shear thickening fluid (MR-STF). High-concentration STF is composed of nano-sized silica particles suspended in a solvent polyethylene glycol (PEG), and then micron-sized carbonyl iron particles of different mass fractions are added to the STF to manufacture different MR-STF. The rheometer is used to study the viscoelasticity of all four samples. The correlation between dynamic behavior and shear rate, angular frequency, and external magnetic field is studied and discussed. In the lower angular frequency range, the loss modulus is slightly larger than the storage modulus, and MR-STF behaves as a viscoelastic state. After the critical angular frequency, the storage modulus decreases sharply, well below the loss modulus. MR-STF appears in a viscous state and a liquid state. With the start of external field excitation, MR-STF is more inclined to MRF. Finally, the apparent viscosity and shear rate of MR-STF are fitted. The results show that with the increase of magnetic induction strength, the plastic viscosity coefficient of MR fluid increases, the flow characteristic index decreases, and the shear thinning effect becomes more significant.

Dimethyl Cardamonin Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Effects via Interfering with the PI3K-PDK1-PKCα Signaling Pathway

( Wan-guo Yu ),( Hao He ),( Jing-yun Yao ),( Yi-xiang Zhu ),( Yan-hua Lu ) 한국응용약물학회 2015 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.23 No.6

Consumption of herbal tea [flower buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr. et Perry (Myrtaceae)] is associated with health beneficial effects against multiple diseases including diabetes, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Emerging evidences have reported that High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is considered as a key late proinflammatory factor by its unique secretion pattern in aforementioned diseases. Dimethyl cardamonin (2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone, DMC) is a major ingredient of C. operculatus flower buds. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of DMC and its underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. DMC notably suppressed the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and HMGB1, and also markedly decreased their productions in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Intriguingly, DMC could notably reduce LPS-stimulated HMGB1 secretion and its nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation. Furthermore, DMC dose-dependently inhibited the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), and protein kinase C alpha (PKCα). All these data demonstrated that DMC had anti-inflammatory effects through reducing both early (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and late (HMGB1) cytokines expressions via interfering with the PI3K-PDK1-PKCα signaling pathway.

Influences of Pd precursors and preparation method on the catalytic performances of Pd-only close-coupled catalysts

Zengzan Zhu,Yun Guo,Yanglong Guo,Zhigang Zhang,Yanqin Wang,Guanzhong Lu 한국공업화학회 2012 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.18 No.6

The properties and stabilities of Pd/Al2O3 close-coupled catalysts prepared with different methods and Pd precursors (PdCl2, Pd(NO3)2, and Pd(NH3)2(NO2)2) have been investigated, and characterized by N2adsorption at low temperature, H2 chemical adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), H2 temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and three-way catalytic activity testing. The results show that the catalyst prepared by a prefabricate method with Pd(NH3)2(NO2)2 precursor behaves higher catalytic activity and thermal stability for removing HC, CO and NOx, due to its higher BET surface area, higher Pd dispersion, smaller Pd particle sizes. And the prefabricate method can lead to stronger interaction between the Pd active species and the support by means of a strong electrostatic attraction and ion/ligand-exchange between the Pd complexes and the support surface, which restrict the remotion and sintering of Pd active particles at high temperature. Therefore, a prefabricate method is more suited to preparing close-coupled catalysts than a traditional impregnation method.

Dimethyl Cardamonin Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Effects via Interfering with the PI3K-PDK1-PKCα Signaling Pathway

Yu, Wan-Guo,He, Hao,Yao, Jing-Yun,Zhu, Yi-Xiang,Lu, Yan-Hua The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology 2015 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.23 No.6

Consumption of herbal tea [flower buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr. et Perry (Myrtaceae)] is associated with health beneficial effects against multiple diseases including diabetes, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Emerging evidences have reported that High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is considered as a key "late" proinflammatory factor by its unique secretion pattern in aforementioned diseases. Dimethyl cardamonin (2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone, DMC) is a major ingredient of C. operculatus flower buds. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of DMC and its underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. DMC notably suppressed the mRNA expressions of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and HMGB1, and also markedly decreased their productions in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Intriguingly, DMC could notably reduce LPS-stimulated HMGB1 secretion and its nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation. Furthermore, DMC dose-dependently inhibited the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), and protein kinase C alpha (PKC${\alpha}$). All these data demonstrated that DMC had anti-inflammatory effects through reducing both early (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6) and late (HMGB1) cytokines expressions via interfering with the PI3K-PDK1-PKC${\alpha}$ signaling pathway.

Improvement of Fumigaclavine C Production in a Two-stage Culture of Aspergillus fumigatus with Molasses as a Cost-effective Ingredient

Yi-Xiang Zhu,WEIWEI HUAN,Ling-yun Yao,Wan-Guo Yu,Ruihua Jiao,Yan-Hua Lu,Renxiang Tan 한국생물공학회 2015 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.20 No.6

Fumigaclavine C (FC), which is produced by Aspergillus fumigatus, is a conidiation-associated ergot alkaloid with significant medical benefits. However, its application is restricted by low yields from submerged cultures. In this study, the technical feasibility of using molasses as a cost-effective ingredient for FC production in a two-stage culture of A. fumigatus was evaluated. The results indicated that molasses supplementation significantly enhanced FC accumulation by promoting conidiation and up-regulating hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity. Via the optimization of the two-stage process in the presence of molasses, FC production in shake flasks reached 226.9 mg/L, which was approximately three times that in the original medium (75.9 mg/L). The use of molasses as a cost-effective ingredient for FC fermentation was also successfully reproduced in a lab-scale bioreactor system in which the maximum FC production reached 215.0 mg/L. The FC production obtained in this study is the highest ever reported. This increased efficiency will enable large-scale production of FC and extend the application of molasses as a low-cost substrate for producing other conidiation-related secondary metabolites.

Experimental and theoretical studies of drug-polymer interactions to control the drug distributions in dissolving microneedles

Jing Ling Liu,Yun Hao Feng,Xiao Peng Zhang,Dan Dan Zhu,Li Qin Zhang,Xin Dong Guo 한국공업화학회 2020 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.84 No.-

Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) have attracted extensive attention for transdermal drug delivery inrecent years. Generally, the skin elasticity impedes DMNs to fully insert into skin thus optimizedfabrication methods are needed to improve delivery efficiency. Here, we investigated the formulations ofDMNs as the main influencing factors during the microneedle preparation process. Through the selectionof the matrix materials and the optimization of the ratio and formulae, the DMNs can meet therequirements of convenient and effective drug delivery. For DMNs prepared with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)as matrix material, the 25 wt% concentration of PVA was beneficial to prepare MNs, which MNs was ableto focus drug on the part of MN tips. However, for DMNs fabricated with hyaluronic acid (HA), theincreasing material concentration had a weaker ability to concentrate drug in MNs and increasedthe difficulty of preparing MNs. The computer simulation analysis was consistent with the results of theexperiment, indicating the feasibility of modelling to investigate the preparation technology of DMNsthat offer appropriate, convenient and highly efficient drug delivery.

Mycena subpiligera sp. nov., a Symbiotic Species from China Associated with the Seed Germination of Gastrodia elata

Li-na Liu,Guo-ying Zhou,Ai-rong Shen,Bao-ming Shen,Yun Tan,Zhu-ming Tan 한국균학회 2022 Mycobiology Vol.50 No.5

Mycena subpiligera, a new taxon in sect. Fragilipedes that can strongly enhance the germin- ation efficiency of Gastrodia elata seeds, was discovered in subtropical areas of China. As revealed by a morphological comparison with related Mycena species as well as maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the internal tran- scribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA, the new taxon can be distinguished from phenotypically similar and phylogenetically related species. Optimal cultural conditions for M. subpiligera basidiomata are reported, and the germination rate of the new species is compared with that of M. citrinomarginata.

World Health Organization survey on the level of integration of traditional Chinese medicine in Chinese health system rehabilitation services

Lei Fang,Ran-ran Zhu,Zhen Sang,Xiao-ting Xu,Lin-yun Zheng,Yanwei Xiang,Chaoyang Guo,Zhenrui Li,Stephane Alexandre Espinosa,Qi Zhang,Chunlei Shan 한국한의학연구원 2023 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.12 No.2

Background: To meet the growing global demand for rehabilitation services, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched Rehabilitation 2030. This study was commissioned by the WHO to investigate the integration degree of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Chinese health system rehabilitation services and the demand for TCM rehabilitation in China. Methods: Twenty TCM rehabilitation experts and relevant government administrators were invited to complete the questionnaire between September 2019 and January 2022. The development of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCI) rehabilitation in China was assessed primarily based on six different health system components. Results: 26 policies, regulations, and national strategic plans related to TCI rehabilitation were issued by relevant government departments since 2002; notably, 14 policies related to TCI rehabilitation development were intensively introduced from 2016 to 2021. These policies cover the three main areas of financing, infrastructure development, and service delivery. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's investment in TCM clinical capacity infrastructure and scientific research in 2019–2021 increased by 66% compared to 2010–2012, and the average number of TCM hospitals with rehabilitation departments in 2020 increased by 6.5% compared to 2018. The proportion of community health service centers providing TCM services in primary medical and health institutions has increased by 30.8% over the past 10 years. Conclusion: Long-term continuous policies, substantial financial investment, and expansion of the scope of TCI rehabilitation services in primary care institutions have effectively contributed to the rapid development of TCI rehabilitation. However, human resources and financing mechanisms for TCI rehabilitation need further improvement.

Glucose-derived acetate and ACSS2 as key players in cisplatin resistance in bladder cancer

Wen, He,Lee, Sujin,Zhu, Wei-Guo,Lee, Ok-Jun,Yun, Seok Joong,Kim, Jayoung,Park, Sunghyouk Elsevier 2019 Biochimica et biophysica acta, Molecular and cell Vol.1864 No.3

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Cisplatin is an important chemotherapeutic agent against metastatic bladder cancer, but resistance often limits its usage. With the recent recognition of lipid metabolic alterations in bladder cancers, we studied the metabolic implications of cisplatin resistance using cisplatin-sensitive (T24S) and resistant (T24R) bladder cancer cells. Real-time live metabolomics revealed that T24R cells consume more glucose, leading to higher production of glucose-derived acetate and fatty acids. Along with the activation of general metabolic regulators, enzymes involved in acetate usage (ACSS2) and fatty acid synthesis (ACC) and a precursor for fatty acid synthesis (acetyl-CoA) were elevated in T24R cells. Consistently, metabolic analysis with <SUP>13</SUP>C isotope revealed that T24R cells preferred glucose to acetate as the exogenous carbon source for the increased fatty acid synthesis, contrary to T24S cells. In addition, ACSS2, rather than the well-established ACLY, was the key enzyme that supplies acetyl-CoA in T24R cells through glucose-derived endogenous acetate. The relevance of ACSS2 in cisplatin resistance was further confirmed by the abrogation of resistance by an ACSS2 inhibitor and, finally, by the higher expression of ACSS2 in the patient tissues with cisplatin resistance. Our results may help improve the treatment options for chemoresistant bladder cancer patients and provide possible vulnerability targets to overcome the resistance.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> New metabolic phenotypes of cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells </LI> <LI> Glucose-derived acetate for the fatty acid synthesis through ACSS2 </LI> <LI> High ACSS2 expression observed in cisplatin-resistant patient tissues </LI> </UL> </P>