Inhibitory effect of StCYP707A1 gene on tuberization in transgenic potato

Lu Liu,Rui-Jie Zhang,Wen-jiao Zhu,Xin-Ru Liu,Ke Shi,Min Chen,Qing Yang 한국식물생명공학회 2017 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.11 No.4

Tuber formation of potato is a complex biological process and is regulated by many factors including phytochrome, hormones, transcription factors, RNAs, microRNAs, etc. In our previous study, CYP707A1, an ABA 80-hydroxylase gene, was down-regulated in the StCOL antisense transgenic potato stolons, but its relation with potato tuberization has not been studied yet. In this study, to investigate the role of this gene in potato tuberization, we cloned a CYP707A1 gene from potato cultivar De ´sire ´e and constructed the StCYP707A1 over-expression and anti-sense potato lines by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In total, four over-expression transgenic lines and nine anti-sense transgenic lines were confirmed by PCR analysis. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and qRTPCR analysis showed that the level of StCYP707A1 transcripts was significantly higher in the over-expression lines (A7 and A9) and lower in the anti-sense lines (F2 and F8), compared to the wild-type control. We further analyzed tuber formation in the transgenic lines and the wild-type control. The result showed that tuber yield per plant and average tuber weight were decreased in A7 and A9 and increased in F2. We also measured the content of ABA and GA3 in transgenic lines. ABA level was reduced in A7 and A9 and increased in F2. Contrariwise, the concentration of GA3 was higher in A7 and A9, and lower in F2 than in wild-type control. These results indicate that StCYP707A1 negatively affects potato tuberization through ABA regulation on gibberellic acid concentration.

Failure Mechanism of Single-layer Steel Reticular Domes with Reinforced Concrete Substructure Subjected to Severe Earthquakes

Chen Lu,Zhiwei Yu,Shuiming Li,Dagang Lu,Jian Liu 한국강구조학회 2016 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.16 No.4

This paper performs the research on failure mechanism of single-layer steel reticulated domes with the reinforced concrete substructure subjected to sever earthquakes. Based on ABAQUS, this paper built user-defined material subroutines of the steel and the reinforced concrete, which took material non-linearity and the material damage accumulation into consideration. The failure mechanism of reticulated domes with reinforced concrete substructures under severe earthquakes is studied by the nonlinear dynamic response analysis. Three different failure modes of single-layer reticular domes with different sizes of reinforced concrete substructure are illustrated. Failure criterion is put forward to discriminate the failure modes and to estimate the critical load strength for single-layer reticular domes based on the structural damage theory. It has been found that reinforced concrete substructure has significant impact on the failure behaviors and the critical load of reticulated domes under seismic loads. It is essential to consider the influence of the reinforced concrete substructure upon the failure behaviors in the structural analysis and design process of reticular domes.

Fenofibrate Increases Radiosensitivity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Inducing G2/M Arrest and Apoptosis

Liu, Jia,Ge, Yang-Yang,Zhu, Hong-Cheng,Yang, Xi,Cai, Jing,Zhang, Chi,Lu, Jing,Zhan, Liang-Liang,Qin, Qin,Yang, Yan,Yang, Yue-Hua,Zhang, Hao,Chen, Xiao-Chen,Liu, Zhe-Ming,Ma, Jian-Xin,Cheng, Hong-Yan,S Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Radiation therapy is an important treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, how to promote radiation sensitivity in HNSCC remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of fenofibrate on HNSCC and explore the underlying mechanisms. HNSCC cell lines CNE-2 and KB were subjected to ionizing radiation (IR), in the presence or absence of fenofibrate treatment. Cell growth and survival, apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated. In addition, CNE-2 cells were xenografted into nude mice and subjected to IR and/or fenofibrate treatment. The expression of cyclinB and CDK1 was detected by Western blotting. Our results showed that fenofibrate efficiently radiosensitized HNSCC cells and xenografts in mice, and induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest via reducing the activity of the CDK1/cyclinB1 kinase complex. These data suggest that fenofibrate could be a promising radiosensitizer for HNSCC radiotherapy.

Identification of DNA methylation and genetic alteration simultaneously from a single blood biopsy

Chen Xiaomin,Liu Jiahui,Li Jun,Xie Yinpeng,Yu Zichen,Shen Lu,Liu Qingfeng,Wu Wei,Zhao Qiang,Lin Haoxiang,Liu Gaotong,Luo Qiuping,Yang Ling,Huang Yi,Zhao Meiru,Yi Xin,Xia Xuefeng 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.5

Background High-throughput sequencing of blood cell-free DNA (cfDNA) techniques offer an opportunity to characterize and monitor cancer rapidly in a non-invasive and real-time manner. Nonetheless, there lacks a tool within therapeutic arsenal to identify multi-omics alterations simultaneously from a single biopsy. In current times, bisulfite-based sequencing detects 5mC and 5hmC at single-base resolution is the golden standard of DNA methylation, while the degradation of DNA and biased sequencing data are the problems of this method. Objective To identify the consistency analysis of methylation and genetic variation with single library, we presented a platform detecting multi-omics data simultaneously from a single blood biopsy using bisulfite-free method of genomic methylation sequencing (GM-seq) mediated by TET enzyme. Methods We detected methylomic and genetic changes simultaneously from a single blood biopsy in NA12878 and randomly chose ten blood biopsies from colorectal cancer or lung cancer patients to validate the ability of GM-seq. Results Similar cytosine methylation level between whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and GM-seq were identified in NA12878. Moreover, longer insert size, CpGs coverage and GC distribution were outperformed than WGBS. In addition, the comparison of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), insertion-deletion (Indel) and copy number variation (CNV) in NA12878 or ctDNA from liver cancer between GM-seq and whole genome sequencing (WGS) show a good consistency, indicating that this method is feasible for detecting genetic variation in blood. Conclusion In conclusion, our work demonstrated a method for identification of the methylated modification and genetic variations simultaneously from a single blood biopsy.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy after Breast Conserving Treatment for Breast Cancer:A Dosimetric Comparison between Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy

Liu, Zhe-Ming,Ge, Xiao-Lin,Chen, Jia-Yan,Wang, Pei-Pei,Zhang, Chi,Yang, Xi,Zhu, Hong-Cheng,Liu, Jia,Qin, Qin,Xu, Li-Ping,Lu, Jing,Zhan, Liang-Liang,Cheng, Hong-Yan,Sun, Xin-Chen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Radiotherapy is an important treatment of choice for breast cancer patients after breast-conserving surgery, and we compare the feasibility of using dual arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT2), single arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT1) and Multi-beam Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (M-IMRT) on patients after breast-conserving surgery. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with breast cancer (half right-sided and half left-sided) treated by conservative lumpectomy and requiring whole breast radiotherapy with tumor bed boost were planned with three different radiotherapy techniques: 1) VMAT1; 2) VMAT2; 3) M-IMRT. The distributions for the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) were compared. Dosimetries for all the techniques were compared. Results: All three techniques satisfied the dose constraint well. VMAT2 showed no obvious difference in the homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) of the PTV with respect to M-IMRT and VMAT1. VMAT2 clearly improved the treatment efficiency and can also decrease the mean dose and V5Gy of the contralateral lung. The mean dose and maximum dose of the spinal cord and contralateral breast were lower for VMAT2 than the other two techniques. The very low dose distribution (V1Gy) of the contralateral breast also showed great reduction in VMAT2 compared with the other two techniques. For the ipsilateral lung of right-sided breast cancer, the mean dose was decreased significantly in VMAT2 compared with VMAT1 and M-IMRT. The V20Gy and V30Gy of the ipsilateral lung of the left-sided breast cancer for VMAT2 showed obvious reduction compared with the other two techniques. The heart statistics of VMAT2 also decreased considerably compared to VMAT1 and M-IMRT. Conclusions: Compared to the other two techniques, the dual arc volumetric modulated arc therapy technique reduced radiation dose exposure to the organs at risk and maintained a reasonable target dose distribution.

Colonic Transit Disorder Mediated by Downregulation of Interstitial Cells of Cajal/Anoctamin-1 in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-induced Colitis Mice

Chen Lu,Hongli Lu,Xu Huang,Shaohua Liu,Jingyu Zang,Yujia Li,Jie Chen,Wenxie Xu 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2019 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.25 No.2

Background/Aims Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and their special calcium-activated chloride channel, anoctamin-1 (ANO1) play pivotal roles in regulating colonic transit. This study is designed to investigate the role of ICC and the ANO1 channel in colonic transit disorder in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated colitis mice. Methods Colonic transit experiment, colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs), smooth muscle spontaneous contractile experiments, intracellular electrical recordings, western blotting analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were applied in this study. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of c-KIT and ANO1 channels were significantly decreased in the colons of DSS-colitis mice. The colonic artificial fecal-pellet transit experiment in vitro was significantly delayed in DSS-colitis mice. The CMMCs and smooth muscle spontaneous contractions were significantly decreased by 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB), an ANO1 channel blocker, and NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase activity, in DSS-colitis mice compared with that of control mice. Intracellular electrical recordings showed that the amplitude of NPPB-induced hyperpolarization was more positive in DSS-colitis mice. The electric field stimulation-elicited nitric-dependent slow inhibitory junctional potentials were also more positive in DSS-colitis mice than those of control mice. Conclusion The results suggest that colonic transit disorder is mediated via downregulation of the nitric oxide/ICC/ANO1 signalling pathway in DSS-colitis mice.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals B cell–related molecular biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease

Xiong Liu-Lin,Xue Lu-Lu,Du Ruo-Lan,Niu Rui-Ze,Chen Li,Chen Jie,Hu Qiao,Tan Ya-Xin,Shang Hui-Fang,Liu Jia,Yu Chang-Yin,Wang Ting-Hua 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

In recent years, biomarkers have been integrated into the diagnostic process and have become increasingly indispensable for obtaining knowledge of the neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in human blood have been reported to participate in a variety of neurodegenerative activities. Here, a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of PBMCs from 4 AD patients (2 in the early stage, 2 in the late stage) and 2 normal controls was performed to explore the differential cell subpopulations in PBMCs of AD patients. A significant decrease in B cells was detected in the blood of AD patients. Furthermore, we further examined PBMCs from 43 AD patients and 41 normal subjects by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), and combined with correlation analysis, we found that the reduction in B cells was closely correlated with the patients’ Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores. To confirm the role of B cells in AD progression, functional experiments were performed in early-stage AD mice in which fibrous plaques were beginning to appear; the results demonstrated that B cell depletion in the early stage of AD markedly accelerated and aggravated cognitive dysfunction and augmented the Aβ burden in AD mice. Importantly, the experiments revealed 18 genes that were specifically upregulated and 7 genes that were specifically downregulated in B cells as the disease progressed, and several of these genes exhibited close correlation with AD. These findings identified possible B cell-based AD severity, which are anticipated to be conducive to the clinical identification of AD progression.

Discovery of Chitin Deacetylase Inhibitors through Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Biological Assays

( Yaodong Liu ),( Sibtain Ahmed ),( Yaowei Fang ),( Meng Chen ),( Jia An ),( Guang Yang ),( Xiaoyue Hou ),( Jing Lu ),( Qinwen Ye ),( Rongjun Zhu ),( Qitong Liu ),( Shu Liu ) 한국미생물생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.4

Chitin deacetylase (CDA) inhibitors were developed as novel antifungal agents because CDA participates in critical fungal physiological and metabolic processes and increases virulence in soil-borne fungal pathogens. However, few CDA inhibitors have been reported. In this study, 150 candidate CDA inhibitors were selected from the commercial Chemdiv compound library through structure-based virtual screening. The top-ranked 25 compounds were further evaluated for biological activity. The compound J075-4187 had an IC50 of 4.24 ± 0.16 μM for AnCDA. Molecular docking calculations predicted that compound J075-4187 binds to the amino acid residues, including active sites (H101, D48). Furthermore, compound J075-4187 inhibited food spoilage fungi and plant pathogenic fungi, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 260 μg/ml and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) at 520 μg/ml. Therefore, compound J075-4187 is a good candidate for use in developing antifungal agents for fungi control.

Compressive behavior of concrete under high strain rates after freeze-thaw cycles

Xudong Chen,Chen Chen,Zhiheng Liu,Jun Lu,Xiangqian Fan 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2018 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.21 No.2

The dynamic compressive behavior of concrete after freezing and thawing tests are investigated by using the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique. The stress-strain curves of concrete under dynamic loading are measured and analyzed. The setting numbers of freeze-thaw cycles are 0, 25, 50, and 75 cycles. Test results show that the dynamic strength decreases and peak strain increases with the increasing of freeze-thaw cycles. Based on theWeibull distribution model, statistical damage constitutive model for dynamic stress-strain response of concrete after freeze-thaw cycles was proposed. At last, the fragmentation test of concrete subjected to dynamic loading and freeze-thaw cycles is carried out using sieving statistics. The distributions of the fragment sizes are analyzed based on fractal theory. The fractal dimensions of concrete increase with the increasing of both freeze-thaw cycle and strain rate. The relations among the fractal dimension, strain rates and freeze-thawing cycles are developed.

Combination of Tumor Volume and Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Improved Prognostic Stratification of Stage II Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Era: A Large-Scale Cohort Study

Qiu-Yan Chen,Shao-Yan Guo,Lin-Quan Tang,Tong-Yu Lu,Bo-Lin Chen,Qi-Yu Zhong,Meng-Sha Zou,Qing-Nan Tang,Wen-Hui Chen,Shan-Shan Guo,Li-Ting Liu,Yang Li,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Rui Sun,Dong-Hua Luo,Chong Zha 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

Purpose Little is known about combination of the circulating Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) DNA and tumor volume in prognosis of stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in the intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. We conducted this cohort study to evaluate the prognostic values of combining these two factors. Materials and Methods By Kaplan-Meier, we compare the differences of survival curves between 385 patients with different EBV DNA or tumor volume levels, or with the combination of two biomarkers mentioned above. Results Gross tumor volume of cervical lymph nodes (GTVnd, p < 0.001) and total tumor volume (GTVtotal, p < 0.001) were both closely related to pretreatment EBV DNA, while gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (GTVnx, p=0.047) was weakly related to EBV DNA. EBV DNA was significantly correlated with progress-free survival (PFS, p=0.005), locoregional-free survival (LRFS, p=0.039), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, p=0.017), while GTVtotal, regardless of GTVnx and GTVnd, had a significant correlation with PFS and LRFS. The p-values of GTVtotal for PFS and LRFS were 0.008 and 0.001, respectively. According to GTVtotal and pretreatment EBV DNA level, patients were divided into a low-risk group (EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm3; EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal  30 cm3; or EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm3) and a high-risk group (EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal  30 cm3). When patients in the low-risk group were compared with those in the high-risk group, 3-year PFS (p=0.003), LRFS (p=0.010), and DMFS (p=0.031) rates were statistically significant. Conclusion Pretreatment plasma EBV DNA and tumor volume were both closely correlated with prognosis of stage II NPC patients in the IMRT era. Combination of EBV DNA and tumor volume can refine prognosis and indicate for clinical therapy.