Bioinformatic prediction and analysis of glucolipid metabolic regulation by miR-34a in Megalobrama amblycephala

Ling‑Hong Miao,Wen‑Jing Pan,Yan Lin,Bo Liu,Ming‑Chun Ren,Qun‑Lan Zhou,Xian‑Ping Ge 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.12

The objective of this study was to analyze the target genes and regulatory function of miR-34a in Megalobrama amblycephala using second-generation highthroughput sequencing and bioinformatic tools. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by gene ontology. MiR- 34a and target gene expression levels were measured in M. amblycephala fed normal and high-carbohydrate diets. The results revealed that miR-34a was highly conserved in several species, and miR-34a of M. amblycephala has a close evolutionary relationship to that of zebrafish and common carp. miRanda, TargetScan, RNAhybrid predicted 5,185, 6,282 and 2,168 target genes, respectively, and 645 target genes were in common. According to annotation information, the target genes were enriched in phosphate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, Golgi vesicle transport, cell division, and other biological processes (P < 0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these target genes were mainly enriched in alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, VEGF signaling pathway, Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway (P < 0.05). The regulatory role of miR-34a was more significant in the liver than in the brain of M. amblycephala. MiR-34a regulates glucose lipid homeostasis induced by high glucose diets by upregulating hepatic PI3K/Akt, FOXO, and TOR signaling pathways.

Hypoxia Mediates Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 Expression via Induction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Manjing Deng,Qian Xu,Zhihua Liu1,Ling Guo,Rui Liu,Rulei Li,Xiang Chu,Jiajia Yang,Jia Luo,Faming Chen 한국분자세포생물학회 2019 Molecules and cells Vol.42 No.11

Periodontitis is characterized by the loss of periodontal tissues, especially alveolar bone. Common therapies cannot satisfactorily recover lost alveolar bone. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) possess the capacity of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation and are likely to recover lost alveolar bone. In addition, periodontitis is accompanied by hypoxia, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a master transcription factor in the response to hypoxia. Thus, we aimed to ascertain how hypoxia affects runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), a key osteogenic marker, in the osteogenesis of PDLSCs. In this study, we found that hypoxia enhanced the protein expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and RUNX2 ex vivo and in situ. VEGF is a target gene of HIF-1α, and the increased expression of VEGF and RUNX2 proteins was enhanced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2, 100 μmol/L), an agonist of HIF-1α, and suppressed by 3-(5′-hydroxymethyl-2′-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1, 10 μmol/L), an antagonist of HIF-1α. In addition, VEGF could regulate the expression of RUNX2, as RUNX2 expression was enhanced by human VEGF (hVEGF165) and suppressed by VEGF siRNA. In addition, knocking down VEGF could decrease the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, i.e., RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and type I collagen (COL1), and hypoxia could enhance the expression of ALP, COL1, and osteocalcin (OCN) in the early stage of osteogenesis of PDLSCs. Taken together, our results showed that hypoxia could mediate the expression of RUNX2 in PDLSCs via HIF-1α-induced VEGF and play a positive role in the early stage of osteogenesis of PDLSCs

In Vitro Evaluation and Monitoring of the Expression Level and Localization of Aldose Reductase Using Functionalized Quantum Dots and EGFP

Xiaomin Liu,Chengbin Yang,Jing Liu,Jianwei Liu,Rui Hu,Hongwei Lian,Guimiao Lin,Liwei Liu,Ken-Tye Yong,Ling Ye 한국생물공학회 2015 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.20 No.4

The optimization of aldose reductase (AR) expression levels and tracking of the AR expression sites within the cell is an essential step in developing a platform for the effective production of aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs). In this study, we have demonstrated the use of both immunocytochemistry and quantum dots-based immunofluorescence techniques for observing and detecting the expression level and localization of AR in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of a eukaryotic cell model with high levels of AR protein expression. Our results show that high expression levels of human AR can be achieved using the eukaryotic cell model that we have developed. The overexpressed AR can be used for translational studies of hAR and the screening of ARIs. More importantly, the use of the established quantum dots-based immunofluorescence technique in the intracellular labeling of AR allows the determination of the expression and distribution of the AR gene. Overall, the use of the interdisciplinary approach of both genetic engineering and quantum dot-based immunofluorescence allows not only the effective production of a desired protein, but also the determination of the cellular localization of such an expressed protein.

Monosized core-shell Fe3O4(Fe)/Au multifunctional nanocrystals.

Liu, Hong-Ling,Wu, Jun-Hua,Min, Ji Hyun,Lee, Ju Hun,Kim, Young Keun American Scientific Publishers 2009 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.9 No.2

<P>We have synthesized highly crystalline, monosized Fe3O4(Fe)/Au magnetic-optic multifunctional nanocrystals using a modified polyol process. The formation of the core-shell structure was achieved in two consecutive steps, seeding the Fe3O4(Fe) core followed by coating the gold shell. The characterization demonstrates the core-shell nanostructure and provides particle size and distribution of the nanocrystals. The spectroscopic analysis gives three Fe oxidation states (Fe0, Fe+2 and Fe+3) in the core and the surface plasmon characteristic of the Au nanoshell, while the magnetic measurements show excellent susceptibility of the nanocrystals.</P>

The Components of Cacalia tangutica

Liu, Zhen-Ling,Tian, Xuan Korean Chemical Society 2004 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.25 No.7

Effect of plant polyphenols on the formation of advanced glycation end products from β-lactoglobulin

Ling Liu,Rikke V. Hedegaard,Leif H. Skibsted 한국식품과학회 2017 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.26 No.2

Dietary exposure to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formed from proteins and reducing sugars is of increasing concern to human health. AGEs may form in protein-based powders containing sugars for instant beverages during drying and storage of the product. Chlorogenic acid, a plant phenol characteristic of coffee, was found to protect against the formation of AGEs at a concentration of 50mM during heating of β-lactoglobulin in the presence of glucose as a reducing sugar in 30% aqueous ethanol at 70oC. Epicatechin, a plant phenol characteristic of green tea, had no similar effect for the equivalent concentration of phenol on the formation of AGEs. Immunochemical detection (ELISA) using polyclonal antibodies raised against AGEs showed a dose-dependent effect of protection by chlorogenic acid on AGE formation and is recommended for routine quality control of sugar containing milk-based powders for instant beverages.

New Insights into mTOR Signal Pathways in Ovarian-Related Diseases: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Ovarian Cancer

Liu, Ai Ling,Liao, Hong Qing,Li, Zhi Liang,Liu, Jun,Zhou, Cui Lan,Guo, Zi Fen,Xie, Hong Yan,Peng, Cui Ying Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.12

mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin, is a conserved serine/threonine kinase which belongs to the phosphatidyl-linositol kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family. It has two complexes called mTORC1 and mTORC2. It is well established that mTOR plays important roles in cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Over-activation of the mTOR pathway is considered to have a relationship with the development of many types of diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer (OC). mTOR pathway inhibitors, such as rapamycin and its derivatives, can directly or indirectly treat or relieve the symptoms of patients suffering from PCOS or OC. Moreover, mTOR inhibitors in combination with other chemical-molecular agents may have extraordinary efficacy. This paper will discuss links between mTOR signaling and PCOS and OC, and explore the mechanisms of mTOR inhibitors in treating these two diseases, with conclusions regarding the most effective therapeutic approaches.

Autonomous EFL Learners’ Use of Language Learning Strategies and its Relationship with their Writing Proficiency

Liu Ling, Young Woo Cho 培材大學校 人文科學硏究所 2021 人文論叢 Vol.38 No.-

This study investigated whether Korean EFL learners’ use of language learning strategies is correlated with their English writing proficiency. The participants in this study were 106 Korean university students. They were asked to complete the writing part of the English Speaking and Writing Test (ESWT) and an adapted version of the Strategy Inventory Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire. The learners were also asked to report any additional LLSs that they had previously used but not included in the SILL. The data were analyzed focusing on their correlations. The analysis revealed significant positive correlations between their LLS use patterns and their levels of writing proficiency. Many of the subcategories of the writing test and the SILL were found to be correlated as well. Metacognitive LLSs were found to be strongly correlated with writing proficiency, in particular. These findings suggest that more focused research into LLSs may open a new door to training L2 learners as effective autonomous learners. 본 연구는 한국 EFL학습자의 언어학습 전략 사용과 영어 쓰기 숙련도 사이에 상관관계가 존재하는지 여부를 조사하였다. 본 연구를 위해 106명의 한국 대학생이 English Speaking and Writing Test (ESWT) 시험을 보고 Strategy Inventory Language Learning (SILL) 설문지를 작성하였다. 학생들은 또한 설문지에 포함되지 않았지만 스스로 사용하고 있는 언어학습 전략들을 기록하도록 하였다. 통계분석 결과 학습자들의 LLS 사용과 영어 쓰기 시험 점수 간의 유의미한 정적 상관관계가 발견되었다. 학습전략의 세부항목과 쓰기 시험의 세부항목 간에도 다수의 강한 정적 상관관계가 발견되었다. 그중에서도 메타인지 전략과 영어 쓰기 숙련도와 강한 상관관계가 주목되었다. 사용된 전략의 유형이 쓰기 숙련도 수준에 따라 다르다는 점도 발견되었다. 이는 언어학습 전략에 대한 좀 더 집중된 연구를 통해 EFL학습자들을 효과적인 자율적 학습자로 훈련시키는 방안을 모색할 수 있음을 시사한다.

The Sesquiterpenes from Cacalia tangutica

Liu, Zhen Ling,Liu, Qing,Tian, Xuan Korean Chemical Society 2007 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.28 No.2

Evolution of Tensile Properties of Compacted Red Clay under Wet and Dry Cycles

Ling Zeng,Hui-Cong Yu,Qian-Feng Gao,Jie Liu,Zi-Han Liu 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.26 No.2

Tensile strength is an important soil parameter that affects the stability of structures built on clayey soils. This paper presents an experimental study of the change of tensile properties of red clay during wet-dry cycles. Cyclic wet-dry tests were performed on compacted red clay specimens with different initial water contents and dry densities. Direct tensile tests and Brazilian split tests were then conducted on these specimens to determine the soil strengths. The effects of initial water content, initial dry density, number of wet-dry cycles, and crack rate on the tensile properties of red clay were investigated. The results demonstrate that the tensile strength of red clay is generally 1.566 times the splitting strength. Both the tensile strength and splitting strength are negatively correlated with the initial water content but are positively correlated with the initial dry density. Because of the presence of desiccation cracks, the tensile strength goes on reducing under wet-dry cycles. The tensile strength can be expressed by a power function of the initial water content, initial dry density, and crack rate. The proposed equation is useful to evaluate the tensile strength of cracked soils subjected to wet-dry cycles.