An Improved Method for Extracting Bacteria from Soil for High Molecular Weight DNA Recovery and BAC Library Construction

Juan Liu,Jingquan Li,Li Feng,Hui Cao,Zhongli Cui 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.6

Separation of bacterial cells from soil is a key step in the construction of metagenomic BAC libraries with large DNA inserts. Our results showed that when combined with sodium pyro-phosphate and homogenization for soil dispersion, sucrose density gradient centrifugation (SDGC) was more effective at separating bacteria from soil than was low speed centrifugation (LSC). More than 70% of the cells, along with some soil colloids,were recovered with one round of centrifugation. A solution of 0.8% NaCl was used to resuspend these cell and soil pellets for purification with nycodenz density gradient centrifugation (NDGC). After purification,more than 30% of the bacterial cells in the primary soil were extracted. This procedure effectively removed soil contamination and yielded sufficient cells for high molecular weight (HMW) DNA isolation. Ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) showed that the microbial community structure of the extracted cells was similar to that of the primary soil, suggesting that this extraction procedure did not significantly change the the soil bacteria community structure. HMW DNA was isolated from bacterial cells extracted from red soil for metagenomic BAC library construction. This library contained DNA inserts of more than 200 Mb with an average size of 75 kb.

Association of UDP-galactose-4-epimerase with milk protein concentration in the Chinese Holstein population

Li Cong,Cai Wentao,Liu Shuli,Zhou Chenghao,Cao Mingyue,Yin Hongwei,Sun Dong-Xiao,Zhang Shengli,Loor Juan J. 아세아·태평양축산학회 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.11

Objective: An initial RNA-Sequencing study revealed that UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (GALE) was one of the most promising candidates for milk protein concentration in Chinese Holstein cattle. This enzyme catalyzes the interconversion of UDP-galactose and UDP-glucose, an important step in galactose catabolism. To further validate the genetic effect of GALE on milk protein traits, genetic variations were identified, and genotypes-phenotypes associations were performed. Methods: The entire coding region and the 5’-regulatory region (5’-UTR) of GALE were re-sequenced using pooled DNA of 17 unrelated sires. Association studies for five milk production traits were performed using a mixed linear animal model with a population encompassing 1,027 Chinese Holstein cows. Results: A total of three variants in GALE were identified, including two novel variants (g.2114 A>G and g.2037 G>A) in the 5’-UTR and one previously reported variant (g.3836 G>C) in an intron. All three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with milk yield (p<0.0001), fat yield (p = 0.0006 to <0.0001), protein yield (p = 0.0232 to <0.0001) and protein percentage (p<0.0001), while no significant associations were detected between the SNPs and fat percentage. A strong linkage disequilibrium (D’ = 0.96 to 1.00) was observed among all three SNPs, and a 5 Kb haplotype block involving three main haplotypes with GAG, AGC, and AGG was formed. The results of haplotype association analyses were consistent with the results of single locus association analysis (p<0.0001). The phenotypic variance ratio above 3.00% was observed for milk protein yield that was explained by SNP-g.3836G >C. Conclusion: Overall, our findings provided new insights into the polymorphic variations in bovine GALE gene and their associations with milk protein concentration. The data indicate their potential uses for marker-assisted breeding or genetic selection schemes.

Silencing of COX-2 by RNAi Modulates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer Cells Partially Dependent on the PGE₂ Cascade

Cao, Juan,Yang, Xiao,Li, Wen-Tong,Zhao, Chun-Ling,Lv, Shi-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

In order to prove whether downregulation of COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) could modulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer, celecoxib and siRNA were respectively used to inhibit COX-2 function and expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. The EMT reversal effect in the RNAi treated group was better than that of the celecoxib group while there were no obvious differences in the medium $PGE_2$ levels between the two groups. The results show that COX-2 pathways may contribute considerably to EMT of breast cancer cells, partially dependent on the PGE2 cascade. Akt2, ZEB2 and Snail were measured to clarify the underlying mechanisms of COX-2 on EMT; COX-2 may modulate EMT of breast cancer by regulating these factors. This finding may be helpful to elucidate the mechanisms of selective COX-2 inhibitor action in EMT modulation in breast cancer.

Bond Behavior of Spiral Ribbed Ultra-high Strength Steel Rebar Embedded in Plain and Steel Fiber Reinforced High-Strength Concrete

Xiangyu Li,Jianwei Zhang,Juan Liu,Wanlin Cao 대한토목학회 2019 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.23 No.10

The bond behavior of spiral ribbed ultra-high strength (SRUHS) steel rebar embedded in plain high strength concrete (HSC) and steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete (SFRHSC) is experimentally studied using pull-out tests. The influencing factors of concrete type, embedded length, cover thickness and stirrup ratio are considered and the bond failure characteristics as well as the whole process of stress-slip behavior are analyzed. The research shows good anchorage ductility between SRUHS steel rebar and HSC. Since SRUHS steel rebars have continuous spiral bite teeth with concrete, the concrete in the rib dales is not easily sheared off, thereby leading to a reliable bond strength. Compared to specimens without steel fibers, steel fiber reinforcement can increase the ultimate bond strength, bond stiffness and residual strength. Meanwhile, it will also reduce the influence of cover thickness, stirrup ratio on the specimens with steel fibers. Finally, a prediction calculation for ultimate bond stress and an analytical model for bond stress-slip relation are proposed, which match well with test results.

Zoster sine herpete: a review

( Junli Zhou ),( Juan Li ),( Lulin Ma ),( Song Cao ) 대한통증학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.33 No.3

Zoster sine herpete (ZSH) is one of the atypical clinical manifestations of herpes zoster (HZ), which stems from infection and reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the cranial nerve, spinal nerve, viscera, or autonomic nerve. Patients with ZSH display variable symptoms, such as neuralgia, however, different from HZ, ZSH show no zoster, which makes clinical diagnosis difficult. ZSH not only causes initial symptoms, such as neuropathic pain in the affected nerve, Bell palsy, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, but also postherpetic neuralgia and fatal complications such as VZV encephalitis and stroke. The misdiagnosis of ZSH and tardy antiviral treatment may lead to severe ZSH sequelae. We review the publications related to ZSH, especially its diagnosis with VZV DNA and/or anti-VZV immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM). More work about ZSH, especially ZSH epidemiological survey and guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment, are needed because most of the present studies are case reports.

Toward Predicting Changes in the Land Monsoon Rainfall a Decade in Advance

Wang, Bin,Li, Juan,Cane, Mark A.,Liu, Jian,Webster, Peter J.,Xiang, Baoqiang,Kim, Hye-Mi,Cao, Jian,Ha, Kyung-Ja American Meteorological Society 2018 Journal of climate Vol.31 No.7

Chinese herbal medicine (Rupi Sanjie capsule) for the treatment of breast pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Bao-yong Lai,Li-yan Jia,Bo-Wen Yu,Shi-Bing Liang,Ai-Jing Chu,Hui-juan Cao,Jian-ping Liu,Xiao-Hua Pei 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.2

Background: Breast pain is one of the most common breast disorders, affecting 41%–69% women in the clinical populations. Chinese herbal medicine (Rupi Sanjie, RPSJ) capsule has been recommended to be commonly used for breast pain in China. This review aimed to systematically collect latest evidence and critically evaluate the eff ;ectiveness and safety of RPSJ capsule for breast pain. Methods: We searched 6 databases from their inception to June 1, 2020 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing RPSJ capsule with conventional drug therapies, placebo or no treatment. Primary outcomes were breast pain relief, reduction of breast mass and clinical cure rate. Results: Seventeen RCTs were included in total, involving 2899 participants with breast pain. RPSJ capsule showed a significant effects in shortening duration of the breast pain (MD-6.51 days, 95%CI [-8.57, -4.45], n = 82, 1 trial), shortening the duration of breast mass (MD-5.17 days, 95%CI [-7.56, -2.78], n = 82, 1 trial), improving clinical cure rate (RR 1.55, 95% CI [1.21, 2.00], I² = 64%, n = 1398, 10 trials) and total effective rate (RR 1.08, 95% CI [1.03, 1.14], I² = 71%, n = 2170, 14 trials) compared to Tamoxifen (TAM). The meta-analysis showed that the incidence of total adverse events was higher in TAM group than the RPSJ capsule group (RR 0.30, 95%CI [0.21, 0.42], I² = 49%, n = 2122, 13 trials). Conclusions: RPSJ capsule appears to be a potentially effective in treating breast pain and seems generally safe for clinical application. However, this potential benefit is inconclusive due to generally weak evidence, and the findings should be further confirmed in large and rigorous trials.

Calcination and sintering effects on the microstructure and dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics

Peng Liu,Lei Cao,Jian-Ping Zhou,Ya-Juan Wang,Li-Na Su,Cheng Liu,Huai-Wu Zhang 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2010 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.11 No.4

CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) ceramics were fabricated by a conventional solid-state reaction at various calcination and sintering temperatures. Depending on the relative dielectric constant (εr) at 1 kHz, the specimens can be categorized into three types:type A (εr < 5 × 104), type B (5 × 104 < εr < 105) and type C (εr > 105). The value of εr is closely related to the microstructure:type-A specimens show a morphology with large grains embedded in a small-grained matrix, type-B specimens present a network structure and type-C specimens display a core-shell structure. Different dielectric loss variation tendencies are observed in the type-A specimens, which can be well explained by impedance spectroscopy analysis and further confirmed by the EDX results. Also, the proper calcination and sintering temperature ranges needed to achieve good comprehensive properties are given.

Enhanced Strength–Corrosion Synergy of 6061Al Casting Alloy Through Erbium Addition

Guilan Xie,Puli Cao,Daibo Zhu,Jingxin Li,Chaohua Jiang,Juan Li,Yang Liu,Jirong Liu,Yulong Zhu 대한금속·재료학회 2023 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.29 No.12

The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of Er on mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of 6061 alloys. Thetensile strength and corrosion resistance of the 6061 alloys first enhanced and then declined synergistically with the increaseof Er content. Microstructure analysis revealed that the morphology, composition, and potential of secondary phases changedsignificantly as Er content changed. When the Er content is 0.6 wt%, the needle-like β-AlFeSi phases transformed into thegranular AlFeSiEr phases, which led to an increase in the tensile strength of the 6061 alloys. At the same time, compared withthe acicular β-AlFeSi phases, the granular AlFeSiEr phases own a lower potential difference with α-Al, which weakened thecorrosion of the micro-galvanic couples. However, as the Er content is higher than 0.6 wt%, the granular AlFeSiEr phaseschanged to block-shaped, which can adversely affect the tensile strength and corrosion resistance of the 6061 alloys. EISresults show that, compared with the acicular β-AlFeSi phases, the 6061 alloys with granular AlFeSiEr phases form moreuniform oxide films and exhibit better corrosion resistance. This study indicates that through appropriate Er addition, thesynergistic enhancement of tensile strength and corrosion resistance of the 6061 alloys can be obtained, which is of greatsignificance for the strengthening and long-term service of aluminum alloys.

Acupuncture for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bao-yong Lai,Hui-juan Cao,Guo-yan Yang,Li-yan Jia,Suzanne Grant,Yu-tong Fei,Emma Wong,Xin-lin Li,Xiao-ying Yang,Jian-ping Liu 대한남성과학회 2019 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.37 No.3

ChinaPurpose: To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction (ED).Materials and Methods: We searched six major English and Chinese databases included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing acupuncture alone or in combination for ED. Dichotomous data were presented as risk ratio (RR) and continuous data were presented as mean difference (MD) both with 95% confidence interval (CI). The Revman (v.5.3) was used for data analyses. Quality of evidence across studies was assessed by the online GRADEpro tool.Results: We identified 22 RCTs, fourteen of them involving psychogenic ED. Most of the included RCTs had high or unclear risk of bias. There was no difference between electro-acupuncture and sham acupuncture with electrical stimulation on the rate of satisfaction and self-assessment (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.71–3.16; 1 trial). Acupuncture combined with tadalafil appeared to have better effect on increasing cure rate (RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.00–1.71; 2 trials), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 scores (MD, 5.38; 95% CI, 4.46–6.29; 2 trials). When acupuncture plus herbal medicine compared with herbal medicine alone, the combination therapy showed significant better improvement in erectile function (RR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.31–2.15; 7 trials). Only two trials reported facial red and dizziness cases, and needle sticking and pruritus cases in acupuncture group. Conclusions: Low quality evidence shows beneficial effect of acupuncture as adjunctive treatment for people mainly with psychogenic ED. Safety of acupuncture was insufficiently reported. The findings should be confirmed in large, rigorously designed and well-reported trials.