The Literary Embodiment of “Womanism” in Alice Walker’s Novels

( Yao Zhong Ping ),( Il-soo Lee ) 미국소설학회(구 한국호손학회) 2019 미국소설 Vol.26 No.3

Alice Walker is a prominent contemporary African-American novelist who coined “womanist” to inspire black women to strive to achieve their liberty and identities against the sexual and racial oppression upon themselves. This paper aims to analyze and explore Walker’s three representative novels to understand black women’s resistance against the double domination and their journey towards self-independence, through which the spirit of “womanism” is vividly embodied. As regards to the double oppression of black women, Walker advocates building up “women’s league,” which ushers in their path of liberation. In the league, women and men compose together the hymn of the harmonious co-existence with love and understanding.

Effects of lycopene on number and function of human peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells cultivated with high glucose

Yao-Chi Zeng,Gui-Ping Mu,Shu-Fen Huang,Xue-Hui Zeng,Hong Cheng,Zhong-Xin Li 한국영양학회 2014 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.8 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of lycopene on the migration, adhesion, tube formation capacity, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) cultivated with high glucose (HG) and as well as explore the mechanism behind the protective effects of lycopene on peripheral blood EPCs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified after induction of cellular differentiation. Third generation EPCs were incubated with HG (33 mmol/L) or 10, 30, and 50 μg/mL of lycopene plus HG. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess proliferation and apoptosis of EPCs. EPC migration was assessed by MTT assay with a modified boyden chamber. Adhesion assay was performed by replating EPCs on fibronectin-coated dishes, after which adherent cells were counted. In vitro vasculogenesis activity was assayed by Madrigal network formation assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze protein expression of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated p38 MAPK. RESULTS: The proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity of EPCs treated with 10, 30, and 50 μg/mL of lycopene plus HG were all significantly higher comapred to the HG group (P < 0.05). Rates of apoptosis were also significantly lower than that of the HG group. Moreover, lycopene blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in EPCs (P < 0.05). To confirm the causal relationship between MAPK inhibition and the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced cellular injury, we treated cells with SB203580, a phosphorylation inhibitor. The inhibitor significantly inhibited HG-induced EPC injury. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity as well as reduces apoptosis of EPCs. Further, the underlying molecular mechanism of the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced EPC injury may involve the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway. Specifically, lycopene was shown to inhibit HG-induced EPC injury by inhibiting p38 MAPKs.

Cloning and Characterization of 6-Phosphogluconolactonase Gene in Silkworm Bombyx mori

Hua Jun Yang,Ke Ping Chen,Qin Yao,Zhong Jian Guo 한국잠사학회 2007 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.14 No.2

Enzymatic Synthesis of Theanine with L-glutamine-Zn(II) Complexes

Hao-Qi Wang,Zhong Yao,Zhi Zhou,Yun Sun,Ping Wei,Ping-Kai Ouyang 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.6

Theanine, a unique amino acid found in tea plants, has many important physiological functions. Theanine can be enzymatically synthesized via the γ-glutamyltranspeptidation reaction. In this study, we described a new method of theanine synthesis using the L-glutamine-Zn(II)(Zn(Gln)2) complex instead of glutamine as the donor,which successfully reduced the side autotranspeptidation reaction and led to higher yield of theanine. We prepared the Zn(Gln)2 complexes and showed that they are stable in liquid bulk under 9.0 pH. After using the Zn(Gln)2 in the γ-glutamyltranspeptidation reaction, we utilized HPLC and Mass spectrometry analysis to demonstrated that Zn(Gln)2was an more effective γ-glutamyl donor than glutamine. The autotranspeptidation reaction was restrained effectively. As a result, the theanine yield and the conversion rate for glutamine were vastly improved. In a reaction mixture containing 48 mM of Zn(Gln)2, 1.6 M ethylamine, and 0.5 U/mL GGT, the final concentration of theanine obtained was 61.3 mM after incubation at 37oC for three hours. The conversion rate for glutamine was 63.8%, which showed a 16.9% increase as compared to when using glutamine alone as the donor substrate.

Rapid Expression of Bm46 in Bombyx mori Cell Lines, Larvae and Pupae

Hai Yan Wang,Ke Ping Chen,Zhong Jian Guo,Qin Yao,Qiang Wang,Run Hong Mu 한국잠사학회 2007 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.15 No.1

Comparative Genomics Profiling of Clinical Isolates of Helicobacter pylori in Chinese Populations Using DNA Microarray

Yue-Hua Han,Wen-Zhong Liu,Yao-Zhou Shi,Li-Qiong Lu,Shudong Xiao,Qing-Hua Zhang,Guo-Ping Zhao 한국미생물학회 2007 The journal of microbiology Vol.45 No.1

In order to search for specific genotypes related to this unique phenotype, we used whole genomic DNA microarray to characterize the genomic diversity of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains isolated from clinical patients in China.The open reading frame (ORF) fragments on our microarray were generated by PCR using gene-specific primers. Genomic DNA of H. pylori 26695 and J99 were used as templates. Thirty-four H. pylori isolates were obtained from patients in Shanghai. Results were judged based on ln(x) transformed and normalized Cy3/Cy5 ratios. Our microarray included 1882 DNA fragments corresponding to 1636 ORFs of both sequenced H. pylori strains. Cluster analysis, revealed two diverse regions in the H. pylori genome that were not present in other isolates. Among the 1636 genes, 1091 (66.7%) were common to all H. pylori strains, representing the functional core of the genome. Most of the genes found in the H. pylori functional core were responsible for metabolism, cellular processes, transcription and biosynthesis of amino acids, functions that are essential to H. pylori’s growth and colonization in its host. In contrast, 522(31.9%) genes were strain-specific genes that were missing from at least one strain of H. pylori. Strainspecific genes primarily included restriction modification system components, transposase genes, hypothetical proteins and outer membrane proteins. These strain-specific genes may aid the bacteria under specific circumstances during their long-term infection in genetically diverse hosts. Our results suggest 34 H. pylori clinical strains have extensive genomic diversity. Core genes and strain-specific genes both play essential roles in H. pylori propagation and pathogenesis. Our microarray experiment may help select relatively significant genes for further research on the pathogenicity of H. pylori and development of a vaccine for H. pylori.

Characterization of the Open Reading Frame 35 of Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus

Ying Min Zhu,Guo Hui Li,Qin Yao,Ke Ping Chen,Zhong Jian Guo 한국잠사학회 2010 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.21 No.2

Open reading frame 35 (bm35) of the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a special gene whose homologues are only found in some group-I nucleopolyhedroviruses, suggesting that bm35 plays a specific role in the viral life cycle. This paper described the characterization of BmNPV bm35. Computerassisted sequence analysis shows that a putative RING finger motif is observed in the protein, Bm35 encoded by bm35. The coding sequence of bm35 was amplified and subcloned into the vector pET30a(+) and the (His)6-tagged fusion protein His-Bm35 was expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) LysS cells. The bm35 transcript and Bm35 protein were detected in BmNPV-infected BmN cells at 12~48 h post infection (p.i.) by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis using the polyclonal antibody generated by immunizing a rabbit with purified (His)6-tagged Bm35, suggesting that bm35 is synthesized in the late stage of BmNPV infection cycle. Bm35 was not a structural component associated with budded virus (BV) and occlusion derived virus (ODV). These data indicated that bm35 is a functional gene in the BmNPV life cycle.

Comparative Genomics Profiling of Clinical Isolates of Helicobacter pylori in Chinese Populations Using DNA Microarray

Han, Yue-Hua,Liu, Wen-Zhong,Shi, Yao-Zhou,Lu, Li-Qiong,Xiao, Shudong,Zhang, Qing-Hua,Zhao, Guo-Ping The Microbiological Society of Korea 2007 The journal of microbiology Vol.45 No.1

In order to search for specific genotypes related to this unique phenotype, we used whole genomic DNA microarray to characterize the genomic diversity of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains isolated from clinical patients in China. The open reading frame (ORF) fragments on our microarray were generated by PCR using gene-specific primers. Genomic DNA of H. pylori 26695 and J99 were used as templates. Thirty-four H. pylori isolates were obtained from patients in Shanghai. Results were judged based on In(x) transformed and normalized Cy3/Cy5 ratios. Our microarray included 1882 DNA fragments corresponding to 1636 ORFs of both sequenced H. pylori strains. Cluster analysis, revealed two diverse regions in the H. pylori genome that were not present in other isolates. Among the 1636 genes, 1091 (66.7%) were common to all H. pylori strains, representing the functional core of the genome. Most of the genes found in the H. pylori functional core were responsible for metabolism, cellular processes, transcription and biosynthesis of amino acids, functions that are essential to H. pylori's growth and colonization in its host. In contrast, 522 (31.9%) genes were strain-specific genes that were missing from at least one strain of H. pylori. Strain-specific genes primarily included restriction modification system components, transposase genes, hypothetical proteins and outer membrane proteins. These strain-specific genes may aid the bacteria under specific circumstances during their long-term infection in genetically diverse hosts. Our results suggest 34 H. pylori clinical strains have extensive genomic diversity. Core genes and strain-specific genes both play essential roles in H. pylori propagation and pathogenesis. Our microarray experiment may help select relatively significant genes for further research on the pathogenicity of H. pylori and development of a vaccine for H. pylori.

An Analytical Solution for Voltage Stability Studies Incorporating Wind Power

Yu-Zhang Lin,Li-Bao Shi,Liang-Zhong Yao,Yi-Xin Ni,Shi-Yao Qin,Rui-Ming Wang,Jin-Ping Zhang 대한전기학회 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.3

Voltage stability is one of the most critical security issues which has not yet been well resolved to date. In this paper, an analytical method called PQ plane analysis with consideration of the reactive power capability of wind turbine generator and the wake effect of wind farm is proposed for voltage stability study. Two voltage stability indices based on the proposed PQ plane analysis method incorporating the uncertainties of load-increasing direction and wind generation are designed and implemented. Cases studies are conducted to investigate the impacts of wind power incorporation with different control modes. Simulation results demonstrate that the constant voltage control based on reactive power capability significantly enhances voltage stability in comparison of the conventional constant power factor control. Some meaningful conclusions are obtained.

Pemetrexed is Mildly Active with Good Tolerability for Treatment of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Zhang, Hui-Qing,Lian, Chang-Hong,Ping, Yao-Dong,Song, Wen-Bin,Lu, Qing-Pu,Xie, Shu-Zhe,Lin, Tao,Cheng, Lin-Zhong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Purpose: This systematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based salvage chemotherapy for treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based regimens on response and safety for patients with colorectal cancer were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rates (RRs) were calculated. Results: For pemetrexed based regimens, 4 clinical studies including 201 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were considered eligible for inclusion. The analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 20.4% (41/201). Major adverse effects were neutropenia, anorexia, fatigue, and anemia. No treatment related death occurred with pemetrexed based treatment. Conclusion: This systematic analysis suggests that pemetrexed based regimens are associated with mild activity with good tolerability in treating patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.