Diverse Structural Conversion and Aggregation Pathways of Alzheimerʼs Amyloid-β (1-40)

Lin, Yuxi,Sahoo, Bikash R.,Ozawa, Daisaku,Kinoshita, Misaki,Kang, Juhye,Lim, Mi Hee,Okumura, Masaki,Huh, Yang Hoon,Moon, Eunyoung,Jang, Jae Hyuck,Lee, Hyun-Ju,Ryu, Ka-Young,Ham, Sihyun,Won, Hyung-Sik American Chemical Society 2019 ACS NANO Vol.13 No.8

<P>Complex amyloid aggregation of amyloid-β (1-40) (Aβ<SUB>1-40</SUB>) in terms of monomer structures has not been fully understood. Herein, we report the microscopic mechanism and pathways of Aβ<SUB>1-40</SUB> aggregation with macroscopic viewpoints through tuning its initial structure and solubility. Partial helical structures of Aβ<SUB>1-40</SUB> induced by low solvent polarity accelerated cytotoxic Aβ<SUB>1-40</SUB> amyloid fibrillation, while predominantly helical folds did not aggregate. Changes in the solvent polarity caused a rapid formation of β-structure-rich protofibrils or oligomers <I>via</I> aggregation-prone helical structures. Modulation of the pH and salt concentration transformed oligomers to protofibrils, which proceeded to amyloid formation. We reveal diverse molecular mechanisms underlying Aβ<SUB>1-40</SUB> aggregation with conceptual energy diagrams and propose that aggregation-prone partial helical structures are key to inducing amyloidogenesis. We demonstrate that context-dependent protein aggregation is comprehensively understood using the macroscopic phase diagram, which provides general insights into differentiation of amyloid formation and phase separation from unfolded and folded structures.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Metal-organic framework MIL-53(Cr) as a superior adsorbent: Highly efficient separation of xylene isomers in liquid phase

Zhenjiang He,Yuxi Yang,Peng Bai,Xianghai Guo 한국공업화학회 2019 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.77 No.-

Selective adsorption and separation of three xylene isomers of seven stable metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) were investigated, where MIL-53(Cr) manifested the highest adsorption capacity and apparentpreference for o-xylene. Further detailed studies with MIL-53(Cr) showed that pseudo-second-ordermodelfit best with adsorption kinetics of xylene isomers, and the isotherms were perfectlyfitted byLangmuir isotherm model. The adsorption was proved to be a quick process, and both the changes ofentropy and enthalpy contributed to the o-xylene selectivity, but which mainly resulted from the entropyeffect. The adsorption capacity of preferable isomer o-xylene, on account of better packing efficiency, wasrecord-breaking 8.19 mmol/g, and selectivity of OX/PX, OX/MX and MX/PX were 13.75, 8.01 and 1.72,respectively. Both the adsorption capacity and OX selectivity on MIL-53(Cr) in liquid phase adsorptionand breakthrough experiments were super high, which discriminated it from zeolites and other materialsreported so far. Combined with extremely short equilibrium time and high stability, MIL-53(Cr) can be apromising adsorbent for separation of xylenes in industrial process.

Comparison of the Prognostic Value of Platelet-Related Indices in Biliary Tract Cancer Undergoing Surgical Resection

Lejia Sun,Yuxi Wei,Yang Chen,Wenmo Hu,Xin Ji,Haifeng Xu,Shunda Du,Haitao Zhao,Xin Lu,Xinting Sang,Shouxian Zhong,Huayu Yang,Yilei Mao 대한암학회 2021 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.53 No.2

Purpose Platelet-related indices, including mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletocrit (PCT), have been reported as new prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) in many cancers, but not yet in biliary tract cancer (BTC). We intended to assess these indices in predicting OS in BTC patients with the aim to build a new prognostic model for patients with BTC after surgical resection. Materials and Methods Survival analysis and time receiver operating characteristic analysis were applied to screen the platelet indices. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors and develop a new prognostic model. Harrell’s C-statistics, calibration curves, and decisive curve analysis were used to assess the model. Results MPV and platelet distribution width (PDW)/PCT showed the best prognostic accuracy among the platelet indices. In multivariable analysis, factors predictive of poor OS were presence of nodal involvement, Non-radical surgery, poor tumor differentiation, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 > 100 U/mL, MPV > 8.1 fl, and PDW/PCT > 190. The new model was found to be superior to the TNM staging system and our new staging system showed higher discriminative power.Conclusion MPV and PDW/PCT have high prognostic value in BTC patients, and the novel staging system based on these two indices showed good discrimination and accuracy compared with the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th TNM staging system.

Catalpol Inhibits Tregs-to-Th17 Cell Transdifferentiation by Up-Regulating Let-7g-5p to Reduce STAT3 Protein Levels

Lingling Zhou,Yuxi Di,Mingfei Zhang,Yichang Chen,Ruonan Sun,Meiyu Shen,Fengxiang Tian,Pei Yang,Feiya Qian 연세대학교의과대학 2022 Yonsei medical journal Vol.63 No.1

Purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, and Th17 cells are key factors in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory conditions, such as RA. Catalpol (CAT), a component in Rehmanniae Radix (RR), has been found to regulate human immunity. However, the effects of CAT on Th17 cell differentiation and improvement of RA are not clear. Materials and Methods: Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were constructed to detect the effects of CAT on arthritis and Th17 cells. The effect of CAT on Th17 differentiation was evaluated with let-7g-5p transfection experiments. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cells after CAT treatment. Levels of interleukin-17 and RORγt were assessed by qRT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results: We found that the proportion of Th17 cells was negatively associated with let-7g-5p expression in CIA mice. In in vitro experiments, CAT suppressed traditional differentiation of Th17 cells. Simultaneously, CAT significantly decreased Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation. Our results demonstrated that CAT inhibited Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation by up-regulating let-7g-5p and that the suppressive effect of CAT on traditional differentiation of Th17 cells is not related with let-7-5p. Conclusion: Our data indicate that CAT may be a potential modulator of Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation by up-regulating let-7g-5p to reduce the expression of STAT3. These results provide new directions for research into RA treatment.

In vitro ruminal fermentation of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) produced less methane than that of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Niu Huaxin,Xu Zhongjun,Yang Hee Eun,McAllister Tim A,Acharya Surya,Wang Yuxi 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.4

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare fenugreek (FG) with alfalfa (Alf) in ruminal fermentation and methane (CH4) production in vitro. Methods: Whole-plant FG harvested at 11- and 15-wk and Alf harvested at early and mid-bloom maturities, alone or as 50:50 mixture of FG and Alf at the respective maturity, were assessed in a series of 48-h in vitro batch culture incubations. Total fermentation gas and methane gas production, dry matter (DM) disappearance, volatile fatty acids, microbial protein and 16S RNA gene copy numbers of total bacteria and methanogens were determined. Results: Compared to early bloom Alf, FG harvested at 11-wk exhibited higher (p<0.05) in vitro DM and neutral detergent fibre disappearance, but this difference was not observed between the mid-bloom Alf and 15-wk FG. Regardless plant maturity, in vitro ruminal fermentation of FG produced less (p<0.001) CH4 either on DM incubated or on DM disappeared basis than that of Alf during 48-h incubation. In vitro ruminal fermentation of FG yielded similar amount of total volatile fatty acids with higher (p<0.05) propionate percentage as compared to fermentation of Alf irrespective of plant maturity. Microbial protein synthesis was greater (p<0.001) with 11-wk FG than early bloom Alf as substrate and 16S RNA gene copies of total bacteria was higher (p<0.01) with 15-wk FG than mid-bloom Alf as substrate. Compared to mid-bloom Alf, 15-wk FG had lower (p<0.05 to 0.001) amount of 16S RNA methanogen gene copies in the whole culture during 48-h incubation. Conclusion: In comparison to Alf, FG emerges as a high quality forage that can not only improve rumen fermentation in vitro, but can also remarkably mitigate CH4 emissions likely due to being rich in saponins. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare fenugreek (FG) with alfalfa (Alf) in ruminal fermentation and methane (CH₄) production <i>in vitro</i>.Methods: Whole-plant FG harvested at 11- and 15-wk and Alf harvested at early and mid-bloom maturities, alone or as 50:50 mixture of FG and Alf at the respective maturity, were assessed in a series of 48-h <i>in vitro</i> batch culture incubations. Total fermentation gas and methane gas production, dry matter (DM) disappearance, volatile fatty acids, microbial protein and 16S RNA gene copy numbers of total bacteria and methanogens were determined.Results: Compared to early bloom Alf, FG harvested at 11-wk exhibited higher (p<0.05) <i>in vitro</i> DM and neutral detergent fibre disappearance, but this difference was not observed between the mid-bloom Alf and 15-wk FG. Regardless plant maturity, <i>in vitro</i> ruminal fermentation of FG produced less (p<0.001) CH₄ either on DM incubated or on DM disappeared basis than that of Alf during 48-h incubation. <i>In vitro</i> ruminal fermentation of FG yielded similar amount of total volatile fatty acids with higher (p<0.05) propionate percentage as compared to fermentation of Alf irrespective of plant maturity. Microbial protein synthesis was greater (p<0.001) with 11-wk FG than early bloom Alf as substrate and 16S RNA gene copies of total bacteria was higher (p<0.01) with 15-wk FG than mid-bloom Alf as substrate. Compared to mid-bloom Alf, 15-wk FG had lower (p<0.05 to 0.001) amount of 16S RNA methanogen gene copies in the whole culture during 48-h incubation.Conclusion: In comparison to Alf, FG emerges as a high quality forage that can not only improve rumen fermentation <i>in vitro</i>, but can also remarkably mitigate CH₄ emissions likely due to being rich in saponins.

Phytoremediation of Pb Polluted Soil by Kenaf Assisted with Pgpr

Yanmei Chen,Jun Bai,Yuxi Yang,Shizhong Wang,Xiuhong Yang,Rongliang Qiu 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

TGF-β1 induces VEGF expression in human granulosa-lutein cells: a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Lanlan Fang,Yiran Li,Sijia Wang,Yuxi Li,Hsun-Ming Chang,Yuyin Yi,Yang-yang Sun,Avinash Thakur,Peter C. K. Leung,Jung-Chien Cheng,Ying-Pu Sun 생화학분자생물학회 2020 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.52 No.-

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most serious and iatrogenic complications that can occur during in vitro fertilization treatment. Although the pathogenesis of OHSS is not fully understood, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been recognized as an important mediator of the development of OHSS. Transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) is known to regulate various ovarian functions. However, whether VEGF can be regulated by TGF-β1 in human granulosa cells has not been determined. In addition, the role of TGF-β1 in the pathogenesis of OHSS remains unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate that TGF-β1 stimulates VEGF expression in and secretion from both immortalized human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells and primary hGL cells. Our results demonstrate that the SMAD2/3, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways are involved in TGF-β1-induced VEGF expression and secretion. Using a mouse OHSS model, we show that the expression levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF are increased in the ovaries of OHSS mice. Blocking TGF-β1 signaling inhibits the development of OHSS by attenuating VEGF expression. Moreover, clinical results reveal that the protein levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF are increased in the follicular fluid of patients with OHSS, and that the levels of these two proteins in the follicular fluid are positively correlated. The results of this study help to elucidate the mechanisms by which VEGF expression is regulated in hGL cells, which could lead to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for treating OHSS.

Zein–sodium alginate based microcapsules for essence controlled releasing coating as leather finishes

Qunna Xu,Zhongxue Bai,Jianzhong Ma,Yuxi Yang,Mengchen Huang 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.100 No.-

Currently the development and application of leather are strongly limited by the peculiar smells of theleather itself and the chemical residues in the leather. However, traditionalfinishing materials containingessences have a short release period, but also weaken the mechanical properties of the coating. Herein,wefirst report a route of crafting essence controlled releasing coatings as leatherfinishes comprisingzein–sodium alginate microcapsules loaded with Artemisia argyi essence (AAE@Z-SMs) and caseinmodified by caprolactam (Ca-Cpl), of which AAE@Z-SMs was prepared by anti-solvent precipitationtechnique before physically blended with Ca-Cpl to prepare composite coating. The results showed thatthe average particle size of AAE@Z-SMs was about 5.7 mm, and the accumulative release rate of essence inAAE@Z-SMs was 48.3% after continuous release for 120 h. Besides, the AAE@Z-SMs+Ca-Cplfilm istransparent and has goodflexibility, with pores and microspheres uniformly distributed inside. Moreover, the inhibition zones of the leather samplesfinished by AAE@Z-SMs+Ca-Cpl against Escherichiacoli (E. coli) (1st d) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (2nd d) were 2.6 cm and 4.2 cm respectively,which hardly changed after continuing culture for 2 days. Moreover, expected sanitary, mechanical andantibacterial properties of the leatherfinished could be given by AAE@Z-SMs based composites. Thisstudy provides a feasible way to prepare composite coating materials with functionality based on naturalprotein, polysaccharide and plant essence.

Elevated TRAF4 expression impaired LPS-induced autophagy in mesenchymal stem cells from ankylosing spondylitis patients

Jinteng Li,Peng Wang,Zhongyu Xie,Rui Yang,Yuxi Li,Xiaohua Wu,Hongjun Su,Wen Deng,Shan Wang,Zhenhua Liu,Shuizhong Cen,Yi Ouyang,Yanfeng Wu,Huiyong Shen 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of autoimmune disease that predominantly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. However, the pathogenesis of AS remains unclear. Some evidence indicates that infection with bacteria, especially Gram-negative bacteria, may have an important role in the onset and progression of AS. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of many rheumatic diseases. We previously demonstrated that MSCs from AS patients exhibited markedly enhanced osteogenic differentiation capacity in vitro under non-inflammatory conditions. However, the properties of MSCs from AS patients in an inflammatory environment have never been explored. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a proinflammatory substance derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, can alter the status and function of MSCs. However, whether MSCs from AS patients exhibit abnormal responses to LPS stimulation has not been reported. Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated catabolic process that participates in many physiological and pathological processes. The link between autophagy and AS remains largely unknown. The level of autophagy in ASMSCs after LPS stimulation remains to be addressed. In this study, we demonstrated that although the basal level of autophagy did not differ between MSCs from healthy donors (HDMSCs) and ASMSCs, LPS-induced autophagy was weaker in ASMSCs than in HDMSCs. Specifically, increased TRAF4 expression in ASMSCs impaired LPS-induced autophagy, potentially by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Beclin-1. These data may provide further insight into ASMSC dysfunction and the precise mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of AS.

Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of Urban Aerosol Pollution Processes in Beijing, China

Yizhen Chen,Fahe Chai,Xin Yang,Yuxi Zhao,Ge Zhang 한국대기환경학회 2015 한국대기환경학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2015 No.11