Cysteine improves boar sperm quality via glutathione biosynthesis during the liquid storage

Zhu Zhendong,Zeng Yao,Zeng Wenxian 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.2

Objective: Sperm is particularly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress. Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant that regulates sperm redox homeostasis. However, it is not clear whether boar sperm could utilize cysteine for synthesis GSH to protect sperm quality from ROS damage. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of how cysteine is involved in protecting boar sperm quality during liquid storage. Methods: Sperm motility, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxyIlonenal (4- HNE) modifications, mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as the levels of ROS, GSH, and, ATP were evaluated. Moreover, the enzymes (GCLC: glutamate cysteine ligase; GSS: glutathione synthetase) that are involved in glutathione synthesis from cysteine precursor were detected by western blotting. Results: Compared to the control, addition of 1.25 mM cysteine to the liquid storage significantly increased boar sperm progressive motility, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, beat-cross frequency, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, acrosome integrity, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and GSH level, while reducing the ROS level, lipid peroxidation and 4-HNE modifications. It was also observed that the GCLC and GSS were expressed in boar sperm. Interestingly, when we used menadione to induce sperm with ROS stress, the menadione associated damages were observed to be reduced by the cysteine supplementation. Moreover, compared to the cysteine treatment, the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) activity, GSH level, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, membrane integrity and progressive motility in boar sperm were decreased by supplementing with an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, buthionine sulfoximine. Conclusion: These data suggest that boar sperm could biosynthesize the GSH from cysteine in vitro. Therefore, during storage, addition of cysteine improves boar sperm quality via enhancing the GSH synthesis to resist ROS stress. Objective: Sperm is particularly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress. Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant that regulates sperm redox homeostasis. However, it is not clear whether boar sperm could utilize cysteine for synthesis GSH to protect sperm quality from ROS damage. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of how cysteine is involved in protecting boar sperm quality during liquid storage.Methods: Sperm motility, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxyIlonenal (4-HNE) modifications, mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as the levels of ROS, GSH, and, ATP were evaluated. Moreover, the enzymes (GCLC: glutamate cysteine ligase; GSS: glutathione synthetase) that are involved in glutathione synthesis from cysteine precursor were detected by western blotting.Results: Compared to the control, addition of 1.25 mM cysteine to the liquid storage significantly increased boar sperm progressive motility, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, beat-cross frequency, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, acrosome integrity, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and GSH level, while reducing the ROS level, lipid peroxidation and 4-HNE modifications. It was also observed that the GCLC and GSS were expressed in boar sperm. Interestingly, when we used menadione to induce sperm with ROS stress, the menadione associated damages were observed to be reduced by the cysteine supplementation. Moreover, compared to the cysteine treatment, the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) activity, GSH level, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, membrane integrity and progressive motility in boar sperm were decreased by supplementing with an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, buthionine sulfoximine.Conclusion: These data suggest that boar sperm could biosynthesize the GSH from cysteine in vitro. Therefore, during storage, addition of cysteine improves boar sperm quality via enhancing the GSH synthesis to resist ROS stress.

Joint Decision and Control Strategy for a Class of Nonhomogeneous Markovian Jump Systems with Input Constraints

Zhendong Wang,Jin Zhu,Wanqing Xie,박준홍 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2014 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.12 No.5

This paper is concerned with the joint decision and control strategy for a class of nonhomogeneous Markovian jump systems subject to input constraints. By assuming the mode transition rate matrix (MTRM) of Markovian jump systems is piecewise homogeneous instead of homogeneous, a higher-level Markov chain represented by the higher-level mode transition rate matrix (HMTRM) is introduced to describe the variation of MTRM. Based on this, taking into account the minimization of system cost, a novel joint decision and control strategy is proposed in the presence of input constraints. This strategy consists of two sections: decisions are applied to the HMTRM such that the occurrence probability of subsystems is adjusted ultimately; next on the basis of altered HMTRM, controller is designed in view of input constraints. In comparison with conventional control method, this strategy not only guarantees the stability of the considered system well, but also decreases the system cost effectively. Numeral examples along with comparisons are put forward to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Fault-Tolerant Control of Cascaded H-Bridge Converters Using Double Zero-Sequence Voltage Injection and DC Voltage Optimization

Zhendong Ji,Jianfeng Zhao,Yichao Sun,Xiaojun Yao,Zean Zhu 전력전자학회 2014 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.14 No.5

Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) converters can be directly connected to medium-voltage grids without using transformers and they possess the advantages of large capacity and low harmonics. They are significant tools for providing grid connections in large-capacity renewable energy systems. However, the reliability of a grid-connected CHB converter can be seriously influenced by the number of power switching devices that exist in the structure. This paper proposes a fault-tolerant control strategy based on double zero-sequence voltage injection and DC voltage optimization to improve the reliability of star-connected CHB converters after one or more power units have been bypassed. By injecting double zero-sequence voltages into each phase cluster, the DC voltages of the healthy units can be rapidly balanced after the faulty units are bypassed. In addition, optimizing the DC voltage increases the number of faulty units that can be tolerated and improves the reliability of the converter. Simulations and experimental results are shown for a seven-level three-phase CHB converter to validate the efficiency and feasibility of this strategy.

Fault-Tolerant Control of Cascaded H-Bridge Converters Using Double Zero-Sequence Voltage Injection and DC Voltage Optimization

Ji, Zhendong,Zhao, Jianfeng,Sun, Yichao,Yao, Xiaojun,Zhu, Zean The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2014 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.14 No.5

Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) converters can be directly connected to medium-voltage grids without using transformers and they possess the advantages of large capacity and low harmonics. They are significant tools for providing grid connections in large-capacity renewable energy systems. However, the reliability of a grid-connected CHB converter can be seriously influenced by the number of power switching devices that exist in the structure. This paper proposes a fault-tolerant control strategy based on double zero-sequence voltage injection and DC voltage optimization to improve the reliability of star-connected CHB converters after one or more power units have been bypassed. By injecting double zero-sequence voltages into each phase cluster, the DC voltages of the healthy units can be rapidly balanced after the faulty units are bypassed. In addition, optimizing the DC voltage increases the number of faulty units that can be tolerated and improves the reliability of the converter. Simulations and experimental results are shown for a seven-level three-phase CHB converter to validate the efficiency and feasibility of this strategy.

A Trust Game Model and Algorithm for Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks

Wang Zhendong,Wang Huiqiang,Zhu Qiang 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Future Generation Communi Vol.8 No.3

The existence of malicious secondary users will bring damage to the performance of cooperative spectrum sensing and spectrum access in cognitive radio networks, so effectively curbing malicious behavior of secondary users become the key to success for cooperative spectrum sensing mechanism. Inspired by economics of repeated game theory, a trust game model and algorithm of distributed cooperative spectrum sensing oriented to malicious secondary users named FRTrust is proposed. In FRTrust, the reputation status is used to describe the performance of a secondary user in cooperative spectrum sensing process. It encourages secondary users to choose positive and honest behavior strategies for greater and long term benefits. Simultaneously, a ‘differentiation’ punishment mechanism is presented to respond malicious behaviors of secondary users. By this way, the ‘first offender’ secondary users and the ‘recidivist' secondary users can be distinguished effectively. If a secondary user departs from the normal times in its life period, it will be punished superimposed. Simulation results show that the FRTrust algorithm can encourage secondary users to participate in spectrum sensing in a cooperative attitude, improve the transaction success ratio of cooperative spectrum sensing, and guarantee the fairness and spectrum access performance for cognitive radio networks.

Coat colour phenotype of Qingyu pig is associated with polymorphisms of melanocortin receptor 1 gene

Xiaoqian Wu,Zhendong Tan,Linyuan Shen,Qiong Yang,Xiao Cheng,Kun Liao,Lin Bai,Surong Shuai,Mingzhou Li,Xuewei Li,Shunhua Zhang,Li Zhu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.7

Objective: Qingyu pig, a Chinese indigenous pig breed, exhibits two types of coat colour phenotypes, including pure black and white with black spotting respectively. Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) and agouti signaling protein (ASIP) are two widely reported pivotal genes that significantly affect the regulation of coat colour. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether the polymorphisms of these two genes are associated with coat colour and analyze the molecular mechanism of the coat colour separation in Qingyu pig. Methods: We studied the phenotype segregation and used polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing to investigate the polymorphism of MC1R and ASIP in 121 Qingyu pigs, consisting of 115 black and 6 white with black spotted pigs. Results: Coat colour of Qingyu pig is associated with the polymorphisms of MC1R but not ASIP. We only found 2 haplotypes, EQY and Eqy, based on the 13 observed mutations from MC1R gene. Among which, Eqy presented a recessive inheritance mode in black spotted Qingyu pigs. Further analysis revealed a g.462-463CC insertion that caused a frameshift mutation and a premature stop codon, thus changed the first transmembrane domain completely and lost the remaining six transmembrane domains. Altogether, our results strongly support that the variety of Qingyu pig’s coat colour is related to MC1R. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that black coat colour in Qingyu pig was dominant to white with black spotted phenotype and MC1R gene polymorphism was associated with coat colour separation in Qingyu pig.

5-Aminolevulinic acid improves chicken sperm motility

Taniguchi Shin,Zhu Zhendong,Matsuzaki Mei,Tsudzuki Masaoki,Maeda Teruo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.12

Objective: This study investigated the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) on the motility parameters, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and ATP levels in chicken sperm. Methods: The pooled semen from Barred Plymouth Rock males was used. In the first experiment, the semen was diluted 4-times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS (-)) containing various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mM) of 5-ALA, and then the sperm motility parameters after incubation were evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). In the second experiment, the semen was diluted 4-times with PBS (-) containing 0.05 mM 5-ALA, and then sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ATP levels after 1.5 h of incubation were analyzed with the MitoPT® JC-1 Assay and ATP Assay kits, respectively. In the third experiment, the semen was removed from the seminal plasma and resuspended with the mediums of PBS (-), PBS (-) supplemented with CaCl2 and MgCl2 (PBS (+)) + 5-ALA, PBS (+) + caffeine, and PBS (+) + caffeine + 5-ALA. Then, the sperm motility parameters after incubation were evaluated by CASA. In the last experiment, the semen was treated with the mediums of PBS (-), PBS (-) + 5-ALA, 5.7% glucose, 5.7% glucose + 5-ALA after removing the seminal plasma, and then the sperm motility parameters were evaluated by CASA. Results: The addition of 0.05 mM 5-ALA significantly increased the chicken sperm motility, progressive motility, linearity, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and the wobble. The sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization was also increased by the 5-ALA treatment. The 5-ALA treatment decreased the sperm ATP levels. Both the caffeine treatment and glucose treatment decreased the sperm motility during incubation period. Conclusion: 5-ALA might increase sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization to utilize the ATP for enhancing sperm movement. Objective: This study investigated the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) on the motility parameters, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and ATP levels in chicken sperm.Methods: The pooled semen from Barred Plymouth Rock males was used. In the first experiment, the semen was diluted 4-times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS (-)) containing various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mM) of 5-ALA, and then the sperm motility parameters after incubation were evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). In the second experiment, the semen was diluted 4-times with PBS (-) containing 0.05 mM 5-ALA, and then sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ATP levels after 1.5 h of incubation were analyzed with the MitoPT^® JC-1 Assay and ATP Assay kits, respectively. In the third experiment, the semen was removed from the seminal plasma and resuspended with the mediums of PBS (-), PBS (-) supplemented with CaCl2 and MgCl2 (PBS (+)) + 5-ALA, PBS (+) + caffeine, and PBS (+) + caffeine + 5-ALA. Then, the sperm motility parameters after incubation were evaluated by CASA. In the last experiment, the semen was treated with the mediums of PBS (-), PBS (-) + 5-ALA, 5.7% glucose, 5.7% glucose + 5-ALA after removing the seminal plasma, and then the sperm motility parameters were evaluated by CASA.Results: The addition of 0.05 mM 5-ALA significantly increased the chicken sperm motility, progressive motility, linearity, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and the wobble. The sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization was also increased by the 5-ALA treatment. The 5-ALA treatment decreased the sperm ATP levels. Both the caffeine treatment and glucose treatment decreased the sperm motility during incubation period.Conclusion: 5-ALA might increase sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization to utilize the ATP for enhancing sperm movement.

Effect of EGR Combined with Intense Tumble Flow on a Well-Calibrated Commercial Turbocharged GDI Engine

Yin Congbo,Pan Hao,Zhang Zhendong,Zhu Haibing,Shen Kai 한국자동차공학회 2021 International journal of automotive technology Vol.22 No.5

A turbocharged GDI engine with variable intake tumble is used to study the effects of EGRcombined with enhanced tumble on the engine’s economy, power, and emissions characteristics. The effects of EGR with enhanced intake tumble flow, on the combustion phase, combustion duration, knock index and combustion cycle variation of the engine, were studied at two speeds of 1500 r/min and 2000 r/min from low to medium and to full load. The research shows that although the commercial engine has been well calibrated and optimized, the optimization of EGR and enhanced tumble flow together with the optimization of the ignition angle can improve the engine’s economy and emission characteristics, while maintaining relatively fast burning speed and low combustion cycle variation. From medium to heavy load, the economy can be improved by 2.6 ~ 10 %, and the minimum fuel consumption can be reduced to 213 g/kW.h (ƞe = 36.8 %). At the same time, the increase of the combustion cycle variation is controlled within 5 %, but as the load and the EGR ratio increase, the power loss cannot be compensated by the advance of the ignition angle. The 6 ~ 21 % EGR ratio brings 3.5 ~ 9 % power loss.

Associations between the 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase gene and aroma in different grapevine varieties

Xiaoxu Yang,Yinshan Guo,Junchi Zhu,Guangli Shi,Zaozhu Niu,Zhendong Liu,Kun Li,Xiuwu Guo 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.10

Linalool, α-terpineol, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, and geraniol acid are the main monoterpenes in the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) with the concentrations of these substances differing in different varieties. This research performed association analyses using a core collection of 92 grape accessions to identify causal SNPs in the gene 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (VvDXS), a regulator of monoterpene metabolism. We evaluated the free linalool, α-terpineol, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, and geraniol acid content of 92 grape varieties in two consecutive years (2014 and 2015). Twenty-two SNPs were found in the VvDXS coding region and were used in an association analysis. We found that the linalool, α-terpineol, nerol, and geraniol acid levels were higher in varieties with a G/T genotype at P852 than in varieties with other genotypes at this site. Additionally, we found a novel polymorphism site P1678 (A/G) with a functional effect on terpenoid content that was related to the regulation of gene transcription. This study revealed the relationship between VvDXS and aroma, with the identified polymorphism site potentially assisting in the screening of aroma compounds at early stages in fruit development in grapevines.

Stem Rot on Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis) Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 HGI in China

Suli Sun,Changjian Xia,Jiqing Zhang,Canxing Duan,Xiaoming Wang,Xiaofei Wu,이석하,Zhendong Zhu 한국식물병리학회 2015 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.31 No.1

During late August and early September 2011, stem rotsymptoms were observed on adzuki bean plants (Vignaangularis) growing in fields located in Beijing and HebeiProvince, China, respectively. In this study, four isolateswere obtained from infected stems of adzuki beanplants. Based on their morphology, and sequence andpolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lengthpolymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analyses of the ribosomalDNA internal transcribed spacers (rDNA-ITS) region,the four isolates were identified as Rhizoctonia solaniin anastomosis group (AG) 4 HGI. Pathogenicity testsshowed that all isolates were strongly pathogenic to adzukibean and resulted in serious wilt symptoms whichwas similar to observations in the fields. Additionally,the isolates infected several other crops and inducedrelated rot on the roots and basal stems. To our knowledge,this is the first report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 4HGI causing stem rot on adzuki bean.