Mycobacterium vaccae induces a strong Th1 response that subsequently declines in C57BL/6 mice

Lijiao Zhang,Yanlong Jiang,Ziyin Cui,Wentao Yang,Limin Yue,Yingcong Ma,Shaohua Shi,Chun-fang Wang,Chun-feng Wang,Aidong Qian 대한수의학회 2016 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.17 No.4

Mycobacterium (M.) vaccae is a fast-growing species of saprophytic bacteria that is widely distributed. To understand the host immuneresponses induced by M. vaccae isolated from bovine submaxillary lymph nodes, C57BL/6 mice were infected with reference strain M. bovisBacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and isolated M. vaccae using intraperitoneal injections. Comparison of the bacterial replication and organpathology between M. vaccae and M. bovis BCG revealed that M. vaccae was more malignant than M. bovis in mice. We also demonstratedthat serum from the M. vaccae-infected mice contained a higher expression level of gamma-interferon (IFN-), tumor necrosis factor alpha,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta than did the other groups, especiallyafter week 4. Furthermore, when the numbers of CD3+CD4+IFN-+ and CD3+CD4+IL4+ cells in the infected mice were observed by flowcytometry, we found that a powerful T helper 1 (Th1) response was induced by M. vaccae infection, which was associated with the emergenceof CD3+CD4+IFN-+ cells. However, the Th1 response declined over time, which was associated with appearance of the CD4+CD25+FoxP3+and CD4+CD25+CD152+Treg cell reaction. In addition, a strong Th2 response was found. Finally, we found that M. vaccae infection increasedthe production of type I IFNs, which was associated with a reduced Th1 response.

A field determination method of D-T neutron source yields based on oxygen prompt gamma rays

Xiongjie Zhang,Bin Tang,Geng Nian,Haitao Wang,Lijiao Zhang,Yan Zhang,Rui Chen,Zhifeng Liu,Jinhui Qu Korean Nuclear Society 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.7

A field determination method for small D-T neutron source yield based on the oxygen prompt gamma rays was established. A neutron-gamma transport equation of the determination device was developed. Two yield field determination devices with a thickness of 20 mm and 50 mm were made. The count rates of the oxygen prompt gamma rays were calculated using three energy spectra processing approaches, which were the characteristic peak of 6.13 MeV, the overlapping peak of 6.92 MeV and 7.12 MeV, and the total energy area. The R-square of the calibration curve is better than 94% and the maximum error of the yield test is 5.21%, demonstrating that it is feasible to measure the yield of D-T neutron source by oxygen prompt gamma rays. Additionally, the results meet the requirements for field determination of the conventional D-T neutron source yield.

Inhibition of miR-128 Abates Aβ-Mediated Cytotoxicity by Targeting PPAR-γ via NF-κB Inactivation in Primary Mouse Cortical Neurons and Neuro2a Cells

Lijiao Geng,Tao Zhang,Wei Liu,Yong Chen 연세대학교의과대학 2018 Yonsei medical journal Vol.59 No.9

Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the sixth most common cause of death in the United States. MicroRNAs have been identifiedas vital players in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. microRNA-128 (miR-128) has been shown to be dysregulated inAD. This study aimed to explore the roles and molecular mechanisms of miR-128 in AD progression. Materials and Methods: Expression patterns of miR-128 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) messengerRNA in clinical samples and cells were measured using RT-qPCR assay. PPAR-γ protein levels were determined by Westernblot assay. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry via double-stainingof Annexin V-FITC/PI. Caspase 3 and NF-κB activity was determined by a Caspase 3 Activity Assay Kit or NF-κB p65 TranscriptionFactor Assay Kit, respectively. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay were used to investigate interactions betweenmiR-128 and PPAR-γ 3'UTR. Results: MiR-128 expression was upregulated and PPAR-γ expression was downregulated in plasma from AD patients andamyloid-β (Aβ)-treated primary mouse cortical neurons (MCN) and Neuro2a (N2a) cells. Inhibition of miR-128 decreased Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity through inactivation of NF-κB in MCN and N2a cells. Moreover, PPAR-γ was a target of miR-128. PPAR-γupregulation attenuated Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity by inactivating NF-κB in MCN and N2a cells. Furthermore, PPAR-γ downregulationwas able to abolish the effect of anti-miR-128 on cytotoxicity and NF-κB activity in MCN and N2a cells. Conclusion: MiR-128 inhibitor decreased Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity by upregulating PPAR-γ via inactivation of NF-κB in MCNand N2a cells, providing a new potential target in AD treatment.

Synthesis of core–shell structure UiO-66-NH2@Ni-MOF composite for the effective removal of uranium (VI)

Qin Zhang,Lijiao Fan,Wenbin Liu,Yuming Xie,Jiangang Li,Guolin Huang 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.124 No.-

The core–shell structure UiO-66-NH2@Ni-MOF was prepared by in-diffusion growth of 2D Ni-MOF onUiO-66-NH2 using PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) as a structural guide. It was applied to the adsorption ofU(VI) in aqueous solution. The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The UiO-66-NH2@Ni-MOF adsorptionto U(VI) was investigated experimentally. The study showed that the adsorption of U(VI) onto UiO-66-NH2@Ni-MOF was endothermic and spontaneous. At pH 5.00 and 308 K, the adsorption capacity was581.40 mg/g according to Langmuir model. In addition, the adsorption process can be described by thepseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption capacity was kept at 83.83% of its original one afterfive sorption–desorption cycles, a promising indication for repetitive usage.

The detection efficiency study of NaI(Tl) scintillation detector with the different numbers of SiPMs

Wang Bao,Zhang Xiongjie,Wang Qingshan,Wang Dongyang,Li Dong,Xiahou Mingdong,Zhou Pengfei,Ye Hao,Hu Bin,Zhang Lijiao 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.7

SiPMs are generally coupled into whole columns in gamma energy spectrum measurement, but the relationship between the distribution of whole SiPM columns and the energy resolution of the measured energy spectra is rarely reported. In this work, ∅ 3 3 inch NaI scintillator is placed on an 8 8 SiPM array, and the energy resolution of the 137Cs peak at 662 keV corresponding to the g-ray is selected as a reference. Each SiPM is switched to explore the influence of the number of SiPM arrays, distribution position, and reflective layer on the energy resolution of SiPMs. Results show that without coupling, the energy resolution is greatly improved when the number of SiPMs ranges from 4 to 32. However, after 32 slices (the area covered by SiPMs relative to the scintillator reaches 25.9%), the improvement in energy resolution and total pulse count is not obvious. In addition, the position of SiPMs relative to the scintillator does not exert much impact on the energy resolution. Results also indicate that by adding a reflective film (ESR), the energy resolution of the tested group increases by 10.38% on average. This work can provide a reference for the design and application of miniaturized SiPM gamma spectrometers

Structural Characterization and Antioxidant and Immunomodulation Activities of Polysaccharides from the Spent Rice Substrate of Cordyceps militaris

Yan Zeng,Ying Zhang,Lijiao Zhang,Shimao Cui,Yuanxia Sun 한국식품과학회 2015 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.24 No.5

P20, P40, P60, and P80 polysaccharide fractions were isolated from the spent rice substrate of Cordyceps militaris and structure and antioxidant and immunomodulation activities were studied. P20 contained mainly starch from rice. Purified P40 was an α-1, 4-glucan with some α-1, 4, 6 l ink ed branches. P60 containing t-Galp and 1, 2-Manp had the highest FRAP value of 78.4 μmol Fe2+/g. P80 containing t-Galp, 1,6-Galp, and 1, 2-Manp had the highest TEAC and ORACFL values and the lowest IC50 value of 0.32 mg/mL against DPPH radicals. All polysaccharides showed good biosafety in an MTT assay. P40, P60, and P80 stimulated NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Polysaccharides from the spent substrate of C. militaris can be used as safe antioxidants and immunomodulators and can be used for new applications in the food industry.

Gamma spectrum denoising method based on improved wavelet threshold

Xie Bo,Xiong Zhangqiang,Wang Zhijian,Zhang Lijiao,Zhang Dazhou,Li Fusheng 한국원자력학회 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.8

Adverse effects in the measured gamma spectrum caused by radioactive statistical fluctuations, gamma ray scattering, and electronic noise can be reduced by energy spectrum denoising. Wavelet threshold denoising can be used to perform multi-scale and multi-resolution analysis on noisy signals with small root mean square errors and high signal-to-noise ratios. However, in traditional wavelet threshold denoising methods, there are signal oscillations in hard threshold denoising and constant deviations in soft threshold denoising. An improved wavelet threshold calculation method and threshold processing function are proposed in this paper. The improved threshold calculation method takes into account the influence of the number of wavelet decomposition layers and reduces the deviation caused by the inaccuracy of the threshold. The improved threshold processing function can be continuously guided, which solves the discontinuity of the traditional hard threshold function, avoids the constant deviation caused by the traditional soft threshold method. The examples show that the proposed method can accurately denoise and preserves the characteristic signals well in the gamma energy spectrum

Identification of determinants that mediate binding between Tembusu virus and the cellular receptor heat shock protein A9

Dongmin Zhao,Qing Tao Liu,Xinmei Huang,Huili Wang,Kaikai Han,,Jing Yang,Keran Bi,Yuzhuo Liu,Lijiao Zhang,Yin Li 대한수의학회 2018 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.19 No.4

Heat shock protein A9 (HSPA9), a member of the heat shock protein family, is a putative receptor for Tembusu virus (TMUV). By using Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation assays, E protein domains I and II were identified as the functional domains that facilitate HSPA9 binding. Twenty-five overlapping peptides covering domain I and domain II sequences were synthesized and analyzed by using an HSPA9 binding assay. Two peptides showed the capability of binding to HSPA9. Dot blot assay of truncated peptides indicated that amino acid residues 19 to 22 and 245 to 252 of E protein constitute the minimal motifs required for TMUV binding to HSPA9. Importantly, peptides harboring those two minimal motifs could effectively inhibit TMUV infection. Our results provide insight into TMUV–receptor interaction, thereby creating opportunities for elucidating the mechanism of TMUV entry.

Association of CAST Gene Polymorphisms with Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Chinese Commercial Cattle Herds

Li, Jiao,Zhang, Lu-Pei,Gan, Qian-Fu,Li, Jun-Ya,Gao, Hui-Jiang,Yuan, Zheng-Rong,Gao, Xue,Chen, Jin-Bao,Xu, Shang-Zhong Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.11

Calpastatin (CAST), an endogenous inhibitor of the calpains, plays an important role in post-mortem tenderization of meat. The objectives of this study were to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the bovine CAST gene and association with carcass and meat quality traits. A total of 212 cattle from commercial herds were tested in this study including 2 pure introduced breeds, 4 cross populations, and 3 pure Chinese native breeds. Five SNPs were identified at position 2959 (A/G), 2870 (G/A), 3088 (C/T), 3029 (G/A) and 2857 (C/T) in the CAST gene (GenBank Accession No. AF159246). Allele frequencies of SNP2959 and SNP2870 were 0.701 (A) and 0.462 (A), respectively. A general linear model was used to evaluate the associations between the two markers and 7 traits. The results showed that both SNP2959 and SNP2870 were significantly (p<0.01) associated with the Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), while they had no significant association with the other 6 traits in the whole population. However, in Chinese native pure breeds, only SNP2870 had significant association with WBSF (p<0.05). The simultaneous analysis of two-marker genotype effects indicated animals containing the A/G haplotype (A for SNP2959 and G for SNP2870) tended to have lower shear force than those containing the G/A haplotype, and, especially, animals homozygous for the A/G haplotype had approximately 2 kg lower shear force than those homozygous for the G/A haplotype (p<0.01). These results suggested that both markers may be effective for the marker-assisted selection of meat quality traits in Chinese commercial herds, especially SNP2870 which can be used for Chinese native cattle.