Site-directed Mutagenesis of the Toxin from the Chinese Scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch (BmKAS): Insight into Sites Related to Analgesic Activity

Yong Cui,Yong-Bo Song,Lin Ma,Yan-Feng Liu,Guo-Dong Li,Chun-Fu Wu,Jing-Hai Zhang 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.10

This study utilized the E. coli expression system to investigate the role of amino acid residues in toxin from the Chinese scorpion - Buthus martensii Karsch (BmKAS). To evaluate the extent to which residues of the toxin core contribute to its analgesic activity, ten mutants of BmKAS were obtained by PCR. Using site-directed mutagenesis, all of these residues were substituted with different amino acids. This study represents a thorough mapping and elucidation of the epitopes that form the molecular basis of the toxin’s analgesic activity. Our results showed large mutant-dependent differences that emphasize the important roles of the studied residues.

Autophagy and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis may not be involved in the degradation of spermatozoon mitochondria in mouse and porcine early embryos

Jin, Yong-Xun,Zheng, Zhong,Yu, Xian-Feng,Zhang, Jia-Bao,Namgoong, Suk,Cui, Xiang-Shun,Hyun, Sang-Hwan,Kim, Nam-Hyung Cambridge University Press 2016 Zygote Vol.24 No.1

<B>Summary</B><P>The mitochondrial genome is maternally inherited in animals, despite the fact that paternal mitochondria enter oocytes during fertilization. Autophagy and ubiquitin-mediated degradation are responsible for the elimination of paternal mitochondria in <I>Caenorhabditis elegans</I>; however, the involvement of these two processes in the degradation of paternal mitochondria in mammals is not well understood. We investigated the localization patterns of light chain 3 (LC3) and ubiquitin in mouse and porcine embryos during preimplantation development. We found that LC3 and ubiquitin localized to the spermatozoon midpiece at 3 h post-fertilization, and that both proteins were colocalized with paternal mitochondria and removed upon fertilization during the 4-cell stage in mouse and the zygote stage in porcine embryos. Sporadic paternal mitochondria were present beyond the morula stage in the mouse, and paternal mitochondria were restricted to one blastomere of 4-cell embryos. An autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), did not affect the distribution of paternal mitochondria compared with the positive control, while an autophagy inducer, rapamycin, accelerated the removal of paternal mitochondria compared with the control. After the intracytoplasmic injection of intact spermatozoon into mouse oocytes, LC3 and ubiquitin localized to the spermatozoon midpiece, but remnants of undegraded paternal mitochondria were retained until the blastocyst stage. Our results show that paternal mitochondria colocalize with autophagy receptors and ubiquitin and are removed after <I>in vitro</I> fertilization, but some remnants of sperm mitochondrial sheath may persist up to morula stage after intracytoplasmic spermatozoon injection (ICSI).</P>

Docetaxel microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability: Preparation and <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> evaluation

Yin, Yong-Mei,Cui, Fu-De,Mu, Chao-Feng,Choi, Min-Koo,Kim, Jung Sun,Chung, Suk-Jae,Shim, Chang-Koo,Kim, Dae-Duk Elsevier 2009 Journal of controlled release Vol.140 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>A microemulsion system of docetaxel was prepared and evaluated for its solubilization capacity and oral bioavailability improvement. Based on a solubility study and pseudo ternary phase diagrams, microemulsions of about 30?nm in mean diameter were formulated with improved solubilization capacity towards the hydrophobic drug, docetaxel. The o/w microemulsion formulation (M-3) composed of Capryol 90 (oil), Cremophor EL (surfactant) and Transcutol (co-surfactant) enhanced the solubility of docetaxel up to 30?mg/mL, which maintained solubilization capacity for 24?h even after it was diluted 20 times with normal saline. The three formulations did not show significant difference in the <I>in vitro</I> lipid digestion study. Both the ultrafiltration and dialysis studies revealed that the release of 80% of docetaxel was released from the microemulsions within 12?h <I>in vitro</I>. Compared to the commercial product Taxotere<SUP>®</SUP> (0.025?µg/cm<SUP>2</SUP>), the apical to basolateral transport of docetaxel across the Caco-2 cell monolayer from the M-3 formulation (Capryol 90/Cremophor EL/Transcutol=29.4:24.9:12.4, w/w) was significantly improved (0.624?µg/cm<SUP>2</SUP>, <I>p</I><0.01). Moreover, the oral bioavailability of the M-3 formulation in rats (34.42%) rose dramatically compared to that of the orally administered Taxotere<SUP>®</SUP> (6.63%). This increase in bioavailability was probably due to the combined effect of the enhancement in solubility, the inhibition of P-gp efflux system and the increase in permeability. These results encourage further development of docetaxel microemulsions as an oral drug delivery system.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P><P>Increased oral bioavailability of docetaxel in the microemulsions was observed by the combined effects of enhanced solubility, P-gp inhibition and permeability enhancing effects.</P><ce:figure></ce:figure>

Cat fertilization by mouse sperm injection

Jin, Yong-Xun,Cui, Xiang-Shun,Yu, Xian-Feng,Lee, Sung-Hyun,Wang, Qing-Ling,Gao, Wei-Wei,Xu, Yong-Nan,Sun, Shao-Chen,Kong, IL-Keun,Kim, Nam-Hyung Cambridge University Press 2012 Zygote Vol.20 No.4

<B>Summary</B><P>Interspecies intracytoplasmic sperm injection has been carried out to understand species-specific differences in oocyte environments and sperm components during fertilization. While sperm aster organization during cat fertilization requires a paternally derived centriole, mouse and hamster fertilization occur within the maternal centrosomal components. To address the questions of where sperm aster assembly occurs and whether complete fertilization is achieved in cat oocytes by interspecies sperm, we studied the fertilization processes of cat oocytes following the injection of cat, mouse, or hamster sperm. Male and female pronuclear formations were not different in the cat oocytes at 6 h following cat, mouse or hamster sperm injection. Microtubule asters were seen in all oocytes following intracytoplasmic injection of cat, mouse or hamster sperm. Immunocytochemical staining with a histone H3-m2K9 antibody revealed that mouse sperm chromatin is incorporated normally with cat egg chromatin, and that the cat eggs fertilized with mouse sperm enter metaphase and become normal 2-cell stage embryos. These results suggest that sperm aster formation is maternally dependent, and that fertilization processes and cleavage occur in a non-species specific manner in cat oocytes.</P>

Information Systems Security Assessment Based on System Dynamics

Liu Wei,Cui Yong-feng,Li Ya 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Security and Its Applicat Vol.9 No.2

With the rapid development of information technology, information systems security becomes more and more important for both national economics and people’s everyday life. Therefore, in this paper, we study on the problem of information systems security assessment. However, existing traditional methods has two major issues. First, it is unclear that whether there remains severe potential risks unrecognized, and thus the reliability is limited. Second, the assessment results deviate from the real one due to the time and environmental restrictions, the subjective reasons of the researchers, or biased observed data, etc. To this end, we propose to leverage system dynamics (SD) for information systems security assessment. Specifically, based on the analysis of casual loops and positive and negative feedbacks among factors, we explore potential risks and capture those who are impossible to be measured using traditional methods.

ODV-Associated Proteins of the <i>Pieris rapae</i> Granulovirus

Wang, Xiao-Feng,Zhang, Bao-Qin,Xu, Hai-Jun,Cui, Ying-Jun,Xu, Yi-Peng,Zhang, Min-Juan,Han, Yeon Soo,Lee, Yong Seok,Bao, Yan-Yuan,Zhang, Chuan-Xi American Chemical Society 2011 JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH Vol.10 No.6

<P><I>Alphabaculovirus</I> (lepidopteran-specific nucleopolyhedroviruses, NPV) and <I>Betabaculovirus</I> (granuloviruses, GV) are two main genera of the family Baculoviridae. The virion proteomes of <I>Alphabaculovirus</I> have been well studied; however, the <I>Betabaculovirus</I> virion compositions remain unclear. <I>Pieris rapae</I> granulovirus (PrGV) can kill larvae of <I>P. rapae</I>, a worldwide and important pest of mustard family crops. In this study, the occlusion-derived virus (ODV)-associated proteins of PrGV were identified using three mass spectrometry (MS) approaches. The MS analyses demonstrated that 47 proteins were present in PrGV-ODV. Of the 47 PrGV-ODV proteins, 33 have homologues identified previously in other baculovirus ODV/BVs, whereas 14 (P10, Pr21, Pr29, Pr35, Pr42, Pr54, P45/48, Pr83, Pr84, Pr89, Pr92, Pr111, Pr114 and FGF3) were newly identified ODV proteins. Seven of the 14 newly identified ODV proteins are specific to <I>Betabaculovirus</I>, including Pr35, Pr42, Pr54, Pr83, Pr84, Pr111 and Pr114. Furthermore, the data derived from these MS approaches were validated by immunoblotting analysis using antisera prepared from 11 randomly selected recombinant PrGV-ODV proteins (including 5 <I>Betabaculovirus</I>-unique proteins). Comparison analyses revealed the similar and different compositions between <I>Betabaculovirus</I> and <I>Alphabaculovirus</I> virions, which deepen our understanding of the baculovirus virion structure and provide helpful information on <I>Betabaculovirus</I>–host interaction studies.</P><P>We used three mass spectrometry (MS) approaches to identify the occlusion-derived virus (ODV)-associated proteins of the <I>Pieris rapae</I> Granulovirus. A total of 47 proteins were identified; 14 of them were first identified in the ODV, and 7 are specific to Granulovirus.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jprobs/2011/jprobs.2011.10.issue-6/pr2000804/production/images/medium/pr-2011-000804_0002.gif'></P>

Theoretical and Numerical Analysis of 1 : 1 Main Parametric Resonance of Stayed Cable Considering Cable-Beam Coupling

Zhang, Li-Na,Li, Feng-Chen,Wang, Xiao-Yong,Cui, Peng-Fei Hindawi Limited 2017 Advances In Materials Science And Engineering Vol.2017 No.1

<P>For the 1 : 1 main parametric resonances problems of cable-bridge coupling vibration, a main parametric resonances model considering cable-beam coupling is developed and dimensionless parametric resonances differential equations are derived. The main parametric resonances characteristics are discussed by means of multiscale approximation solution methods. Using an actual cable of cable-stayed bridge project for research object, numerical simulation analysis under a variety of conditions is illustrated. The results show that when the coupling system causes 1 : 1 parametric resonance, nonlinear main parametric resonances in response are unrelated to initial displacement of the cable, but with the increase of deck beam end vertical initial displacement increases, accompanied with a considerable “beat” vibration. When the vertical initial displacement of deck beam end is 10−6 m order of magnitude or even smaller, “beat” vibration phenomenon of cable and beam appears. Displacement amplitude of the cable is small and considerable amplitude vibration may not occur at this time, only making a slight stable “beat” vibration in the vicinity of the equilibrium position, which is different from 2 : 1 parametric resonance condition of cable-bridge coupling system. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the initial displacement excitation amplitude of beam end and prevent the occurrence of amplitude main parametric excitation resonances.</P>

An Improvement of Task Scheduling Algorithms and Hardware Scheduler of Real-time Operating System

Yue-hua Li,Xue Liu,Yun-feng Ding,Hao-xin Cui,Yong-bin Du,Yan Li 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Hybrid Information Techno Vol.7 No.3

Binary Structured Polypropylene/Polyethylene Glycol Micronanofibrous Membranes with Enhanced Water and Air Permeability

Heng Zhang,Qi Zhen,Jing-Qiang Cui,Huan-Wei Sun,Rang-Tong Liu,Yi-Feng Zhang,Yong Liu 한국섬유공학회 2021 Fibers and polymers Vol.22 No.1

As a stable chemical material, polypropylene (PP) micro-nanofibrous membranes are widely used in medical andhealth care. However, PP fibrous membranes with single nano scale diameter are conducive to high packing density, whichresults in large flow resistance across the membrane. Therefore, to improve the material’s water and air permeability,polyethylene glycol (PEG), an incompatible polymer with PP, was introduced by blending in a modified method using a meltblowing process. This proposed approach allows large 10 μm diameter fibers to be entangled with fine 300 nm diameterfibers to produce highly porous binary structured fibrous membranes with small pore size. Because of its binary structure, theair permeability in the material reached 569.56 mm/s and the water vertical velocity was 70.15 mm/s. Additionally, the threedimensionalnumerical calculations suggested that the high porosity and binary structure were key to enhancing waterpermeability in the fibrous membranes. These binary structured micro-nanofibrous membranes are expected to be used forfiltration, separation, health care, oil/water separation, medical wound dressings, and other applications.

Intravenous Tenecteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke Within 4.5–24 Hours of Onset (ROSE-TNK): A Phase 2, Randomized, Multicenter Study

Wang Lu,Dai Ying-Jie,Cui Yu,Zhang Hong,Jiang Chang-Hao,Duan Ying-Jie,Zhao Yong,Feng Ye-Fang,Geng Shi-Mei,Zhang Zai-Hui,Lu Jiang,Zhang Ping,Zhao Li-Wei,Zhao Hang,Ma Yu-Tong,Song Cheng-Guang,Zhang Yi,Ch 대한뇌졸중학회 2023 Journal of stroke Vol.25 No.3

Background and Purpose Intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) efficacy has not been well demonstrated in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) beyond 4.5 hours after onset. This study aimed to determine the effect of intravenous TNK for AIS within 4.5 to 24 hours of onset. Methods In this pilot trial, eligible AIS patients with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch were randomly allocated to intravenous TNK (0.25 mg/kg) or standard care within 4.5–24 hours of onset. The primary endpoint was excellent functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of 0–1). The primary safety endpoint was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Results Of the randomly assigned 80 patients, the primary endpoint occurred in 52.5% (21/40) of TNK group and 50.0% (20/40) of control group, with no significant difference (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval 0.46–2.66; <i>P</i>=0.82). More early neurological improvement occurred in TNK group than in control group (11 vs. 3, <i>P</i>=0.03), but no significant differences were found in other secondary endpoints, such as mRS 0–2 at 90 days, shift analysis of mRS at 90 days, and change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours and 7 days. There were no cases of sICH in this trial; however, asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 3 of the 40 patients (7.5%) in the TNK group. Conclusion This phase 2, randomized, multicenter study suggests that intravenous TNK within 4.5–24 hours of onset may be safe and feasible in AIS patients with a DWI-FLAIR mismatch.