Mortise and Tenon-Chinese Zodiac

Xue Fei Zou 한국콘텐츠학회 2021 ICCC International Digital Design Invitation Exhib Vol.2021 No.8

In vitro Removal of Deoxynivalenol and T-2 Toxin by Lactic Acid Bacteria

Zhong-Yi Zou,Zhi-Fei He,Hong-Jun Li,Peng-Fei Han,Xiao Meng,Yu Zhang,Fang Zhou,Ke-Pei Ouyang,Xi-Yue Chen,Jun Tang 한국식품과학회 2012 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.21 No.6

Five strains of lactic acid bacteria were tested for their ability to remove deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2toxin from MRS broth. The ability of Lactobacillus plantarum strain 102 (LP102) was the strongest among 5strains after incubation at 37oC for 72 h. The mode of removal was physical binding, rather than biotransformation. The abilities were not significantly different between when removing single toxin and when removing mixed toxins by viable cells of LP102. DON and T-2 toxin released from LP102 viable cell-toxin complexes were 28.22±1.55 and 35.42±2.02% of total bound toxins respectively after 3times of wash with posphate buffered saline, respectively,those were 4.59±0.86 and 5.59±1.47% after incubation with simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at 37oC for 4 h, and 6.86±0.81 and 9.04±1.13% after incubation with simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) at 37oC for 4 h, respectively.

Advances in CRISPR-Cas systems for RNA targeting, tracking and editing

Wang, Fei,Wang, Lianrong,Zou, Xuan,Duan, Suling,Li, Zhiqiang,Deng, Zixin,Luo, Jie,Lee, Sang Yup,Chen, Shi Elsevier 2019 BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES Vol.37 No.5

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems, especially type II (Cas9) systems, have been widely used in gene/genome targeting. Modifications of Cas9 enable these systems to become platforms for precise DNA manipulations. However, the utilization of CRISPR-Cas systems in RNA targeting remains preliminary. The discovery of type VI CRISPR-Cas systems (Cas13) shed light on RNA-guided RNA targeting. Cas13d, the smallest Cas13 protein, with a length of only ~930 amino acids, is a promising platform for RNA targeting compatible with viral delivery systems. Much effort has also been made to develop Cas9, Cas13a and Cas13b applications for RNA-guided RNA targeting. The discovery of new RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems as well as the development of RNA-targeting platforms with Cas9 and Cas13 will promote RNA-targeting technology substantially. Here, we review new advances in RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems as well as advances in applications of these systems in RNA targeting, tracking and editing. We also compare these Cas protein-based technologies with traditional technologies for RNA targeting, tracking and editing. Finally, we discuss remaining questions and prospects for the future.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> RNA targeting and editing are becoming increasingly important </LI> <LI> CRISPR-Cas systems are advancing for RNA targeting, tracking and editing </LI> <LI> The type VI CRISPR-Cas systems are useful for RNA-guided RNA targeting </LI> <LI> Use of Cas9 and Cas13 will advance RNA-targeting technologies </LI> </UL> </P>

Crystal structure of the nicotinamidase/pyrazinamidase PncA from <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>

Shang, Fei,Chen, Jinli,Wang, Lulu,Jin, Liming,Zou, Linhai,Bu, Tingting,Dong, Yuesheng,Ha, Nam-Chul,Nam, Ki Hyun,Quan, Chunshan,Xu, Yongbin Elsevier 2018 Biochemical and biophysical research communication Vol.503 No.4

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The nicotinamidase/pyrazinamidase PncA is a member of a large family of hydrolase enzymes that catalyze the deamination of nicotinamide to nicotinic acid. PncA also functions as a pyrazinamidase in a wide variety of eubacteria and is an essential coenzyme in many cellular redox reactions in living systems. We report the crystal structure of substrate-free PncA from <I>Bacillus subtilis</I> (BsPncA) at 2.0 Å resolution to improve our understanding of the PncA family. The structure of BsPncA consists of an α/β domain and a subdomain. The subdomain of BsPncA has a different conformation than that of PncA enzymes from other organisms. The B-factor analysis revealed a rigid structure of the α/β domain, while the subdomain is highly flexible. Both dimers and tetramers were observed in BsPncA protein crystals, but only dimers were observed in solution. Our results provide useful information that will further enhance our understanding of the molecular functions of PncA family members.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Crystal structure of <I>B. Subtilis</I> PncA consists of an α/β domain and a subdomain. </LI> <LI> The metal-binding site of BsPncA is located at the bottom of a large cavity between the core and the subdomain. </LI> <LI> Zinc ion is pentahedrally coordinated within several highly conserved amino acid residues and one water molecule. </LI> <LI> Both dimers and tetramers were observed in BsPncA protein crystals, but only dimers were observed in solution. </LI> </UL> </P>

Influence of Porosity on Mechanical Behavior of Porous Cu Fabricated via De‑Alloying of Cu–Fe Alloy

Lijie Zou,Fei Chen,Hao Wang,Qiang Shen,Enrique J. Lavernia,Lianmeng Zhang 대한금속·재료학회 2019 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.25 No.1

We report on a study of the mechanical behavior of porous Cu containing micron-sized pores and fabricated by de-alloyingof a Cu–Fe precursor alloy. Our results show that the minimum volume fraction of pores that can be obtained by using anapproach that involves de-alloying of a Cu–Fe precursor alloy is approximately 40 vol%. Moreover, the average pore sizeformed by de-alloying Cu–Fe of varying compositions is in the range of 1.5–4.0 μm. Our mechanical behavior results revealthat the yield stress increases from 3.9 to 58.6 MPa as the volume fraction of porosity decreases from 78.9% to 39.3%. Moreover, our data shows that the influence of porosity on the relative yield stress and relative Young’s modulus conformsto the scaling equations of Gibson and Ashby as formulated for open-cell porous metals. The pore cell characteristics anddeformation modes of porous Cu produced by de-alloying Cu–Fe alloys were discussed in the context of the observed fluctuationsin the value of the constants C and n in the Gibson-Ashby scaling equation. The evolution of microstructure duringcompressive deformation of porous Cu was studied and the results reveal an increase in the fraction of low-angle grainboundaries, an increase in the number of twins and a decrease in the average grain size with increasing strain from 0% to 70%.

Relationship between the 13C chemical shifts of adsorbed mesityl oxide and acid strength of solid acid catalysts

Liu Fei,Liu Fengqing,Qin Qin,Zou Jing,Jiang Jizhou 한국탄소학회 2023 Carbon Letters Vol.33 No.3

The carbon-containing molecule can be used as an NMR probe to explore the acidic and structural features of various catalytic materials. Thereinto, although mesityl oxide (MO) has been extensively employed to determine the acidity of solution and ionic liquid systems, could it be utilized to characterize the acidic properties of solid acid catalysts? In this work, on the basis of a series of isolated Brønsted and Lewis acid models with varied acid strengths, the adsorption configurations and corresponding 13C chemical shifts of adsorbed MO molecules have been comprehensively studied by means of a theoretical investigation approach. Among them, both the 13C chemical shift difference between β and α carbon atoms (Δδ), and the 13C chemical shift of β carbon atoms (δ13Cβ) in adsorbed MO molecules were explicitly demonstrated to be closely related to the intrinsic acid strength of Brønsted acid sites. These correlations could be utilized to quantitatively scale the Brønsted acid strength of solid acid catalysts. Besides, a moderate relationship was theoretically derived for the relevant 13C NMR parameters and intrinsic Lewis acid strength.

A Novel Selenium- and Copper-Containing Peptide with Both Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase Activities

Xian Feng Zou,Yue Tong Ji,Gui Gao,Xue Jun Zhu,Shao Wu Lv,Fei Yan,Si Ping Han,Xing Chen,Chang Cheng Gao,Jun Qiu Liu,Gui Min Luo 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2010 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.20 No.1

Theoretical and experimental investigations of surface roughness, surface topography, and chip shape in ultrasonic vibration-assisted turning of Inconel 718

Yingshuai Xu,Fei Gao,Ping Zou,Qinjian Zhang,Fanglei Fan 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.9

When processing difficult-to-cut materials, conventional turning (CT) typically suffers from the problems of large cutting force, difficult chip removal, and serious tool wear, resulting in deteriorated processing quality, reduced processing efficiency, and increased processing costs. In addition, special-purpose machine tools used for ultrasonic machining exhibit disadvantages, such as narrow application scope, high manufacturing cost, and poor universality; thus, they are not conducive to being popular in actual production and processing. Accordingly, this study analyzed the characteristics of ultrasonic wave, the mechanism of ultrasonic vibration-assisted turning (UAT), and the formation of a machined surface in UAT. Moreover, the machining system of UAT was established. This system applied an ultrasonic wave vibration device to an engine lathe to meet the requirements of vibration cutting in actual production. Simultaneously, Inconel 718, a typical and widely used difficult-to-cut material, was selected for the experimental study. The machining effect of UAT was analyzed in detail, including surface roughness, surface topography, and chip shape. Results indicated that ultrasonic amplitude, cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate exert considerable influences on the machining effect. UAT can achieve this effect, which is difficult to realize via CT, under the condition of a reasonable selection of technological parameters. This research can provide theoretical support and experimental basis for the development and practical application of UAT.

Expression and Purification of a Functional Recombinant Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) from Escherichia coli

( Li Hui Zou ),( Hai Jian Zhao ),( Dag Uang Wang ),( Meng Wang ),( Chuan Bao Zhang ),( Fei Xiao ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.7

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST; E.C. 2.6.1.1), a vitamin B6-dependent enzyme, preferentially promotes the mutual transformation of aspartate and α-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate. It plays a key role in amino acid metabolism and has been widely recommended as a biomarker of liver and heart damage. Our study aimed to evaluate the extensive preparation of AST and its application in quality control in clinical laboratories. We describe a scheme to express and purify the 6His-AST fusion protein. An optimized sequence coding AST was synthesized and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) strain for protein expression. Ideally, the fusion protein has a volumetric productivity achieving 900 mg/l cultures. After affinity chromatography, the enzyme activity of purified AST reached 150,000 U/L. Commutability assessment between the engineered AST and standard AST from Roche suggested that the engineered AST was the better candidate for the reference material. Moreover, the AST showed high stability during long-term storage at -20ºC. In conclusion, the highly soluble 6His-tagged AST can become a convenient tool for supplying a much better and cheaper standard or reference material for the clinical laboratory.

Protection Against Helicobacter pylori Infection by a Trivalent Fusion Vaccine Based on a Fragment of Urease B-UreB414

Li Wang,Xiao-Fei Liu,Shi Yun,Xiao-Peng Yuan,Xu-Hu Mao,Chao Wu,Wei-Jun Zhang,Kai-Yun Liu,Gang Guo,Dong-Shui Lu,Wen-De Tong,Ai-Dong Wen,Quan-Ming Zou 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.2

A multivalent fusion vaccine is a promising option for protection against Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, UreB414 was identified as an antigenic fragment of urease B subunit (UreB) and it induced an antibody inhibiting urease activity. Immunization with UreB414 partially protected mice from H. pylori infection. Furthermore, a trivalent fusion vaccine was constructed by genetically linking heat shock protein A (HspA), H. pylori adhesin A (HpaA), and UreB414, resulting in recombinant HspA-HpaA-UreB414 (rHHU). Its protective effect against H. pylori infection was tested in BALB/c mice. Oral administration of rHHU significantly protected mice from H. pylori infection, which was associated with H. pylori-specific antibody production and Th1/Th2-type immune responses. The results show that a trivalent fusion vaccine efficiently combats H. pylori infection, and that an antigenic fragment of the protein can be used instead of the whole protein to construct a multivalent vaccine.