Inhibitory effects of piceatannol on human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) in vitro

Wang San-Ying,Zhang Jing,Xu Xiao-Gang,Su Hui-Li,Xing Wen-Min,Zhang Zhong-Shan,Jin Wei-Hua,Dai Ji-Huan,Wang Ya-Zhen,He Xin-Yue,Sun Chuan,Yan Jing,Mao Gen-Xiang 한국미생물학회 2020 The journal of microbiology Vol.58 No.8

Human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus, which results in the establishment of a latent infection that persists throughout the life of the host and can be reactivated when the immunity is low. Currently, there is no vaccine for hCMV infection, and the licensed antiviral drugs mainly target the viral enzymes and have obvious adverse reactions. Thus, it is important to search for compounds with antihCMV properties. The present study aimed to investigate the suppressive effects of piceatannol on hCMV Towne strain infection and the putative underlying mechanisms using human diploid fibroblast WI-38 cells. Piceatannol supplementation prevented the lytic changes induced by hCMV infection in WI-38 cells. Furthermore, piceatannol suppressed the expression of hCMV immediate-early (IE) and early (E) proteins as well as the replication of hCMV DNA in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, hCMV-induced cellular senescence was suppressed by piceatannol, as shown by a decline in the senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity and decreased production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). p16INK4a, a major senescence-associated molecule, was dramatically elevated by current hCMV infection that was attenuated by pre-incubation with piceatannol in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrated that piceatannol suppressed the hCMV infection via inhibition of the activation of p16INK4a and cellular senescence induced by hCMV. Together, these findings indicate piceatannol as a novel and potent anti-hCMV agent with the potential to be developed as an effective treatment for chronic hCMV infection.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the GnRHR Gene Associated with Reproductive Traits of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

He, Feng,Wen, Hai-Shen,Li, Ji-Fang,Yu, Da-Hui,Ma, Rui-Qin,Shi, Dan,Mu, Wei-Jie,Zhang, Yuan-Qing,Hu, Jian,Liu, Miao,Han, Wei-Guo,Zhang, Jia-Nan,Wang, Qing-Qing,Yuan, Yu-Ren,Liu, Qun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.4

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.

Synergistic Anti-tumor Effect of KLF4 and Curcumin in Human Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line

Ji, Jun,Wang, He-Shuang,Gao, Yan-Yan,Sang, Li-Min,Zhang, Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Kr$\ddot{u}$ppel-like factor 4 is a transcription factor which plays an important role in development and progression of various carcinomas. Curcumin characterized by excellent anti-cancer properties is regarded as a serviceable natural compound used in carcinoma therapy. This study aimed at exploring the impact of KLF4 overexpression in cooperation with curcumin on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells. Flow cytometry analysis, CCK-8 assays, transwell assays and Western blot results showed that KLF4 overexpression combined with curcumin had significant anti-proliferation, pro-apoptosis and anti-invasion effects on BGC-823 cells. We also found that KLF4 had synergistic effects with curcumin, better promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation and invasion of gastric carcinona cells. These results indicate that KLF4 could be used as a potential therapeutic target; curcumin could act as an auxiliary and provide a promising therapeutic strategy in stomach cancer.

Pannonibacter tanglangensis sp. nov., a New Species Isolated from Pond Sediment

Wang Lei,Cheng Yanpeng,Yang Panpan,Zhang Jinjin,Zhang Gui,Zhang Sihui,Yang Jing,Zhang Zhen,Hu Lulu,Pu Ji,Yang Yanying,Lai Xin-He,Xu Jianguo,Li Yinghui,Hu Qinghua 한국미생물학회 2024 The journal of microbiology Vol.62 No.9

Two bacterial strains (XCT-34T and XCT-53) isolated from sediment samples of an artificial freshwater reservoir were analyzed using a polyphasic approach. The two isolates are aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, motile with polar flagella, rod-shaped, and approximately 1.4–3.4 × 0.4–0.9 μm in size. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences showed that the two strains formed a distinct branch within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Pannonibacter, closest to Pannonibacter carbonis Q4.6T (KCTC 52466). Furthermore, lower than threshold average nucleotide identity values (ANI, 85.7–86.4%) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values (dDDH, 22.3–30.5%) of the two strains compared to the nearest type strains also confirmed that they represented a novel species. Genomic analyses, including annotation of the KEGG pathways, prediction of the secondary metabolism biosynthetic gene clusters and PHI phenotypes, supported functional inference and differentiation of the strains from the closely related taxa. Results of chemotaxonomic and physiological studies revealed that their distinct phenotypic characteristics distinguished them from existing Pannonibacter species. Thus, the two strains are considered to represent a novel species of Pannonibacter, for which the name of Pannonibacter tanglangensis sp. nov. is proposed, with XCT-34T (= KCTC 82332T = GDMCC 1.1947T) as the respective type strain.

The antimicrobial activity of as-prepared silver-loaded phosphate glasses and zirconium phosphate

Wang Jing,Ji Zhi Jiang,Shui Zhong He,Yang Yang,Zhao Chun Yan,Wang Xiao Yan 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.3

The antimicrobial activities of silver-loaded zirconium phosphate (JDG) and silver-loaded phosphate glasses (ZZB) against Escherichia coli were studied. Although the silver content in JDG was higher than that in ZZB, ZZB suspensions showed better antimicrobial property than JDG suspensions, especially at low concentrations. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed using minimum inhibitory concentrations, bacterial inhibition ring tests, and detection of silver ions in the suspensions. Furthermore, the amounts of silver ions in suspensions with/without bacterial cells were analyzed. Results revealed that only a portion of released silver ions could be adsorbed by E. coli cells, which are critical to cell death. The damaged microstructures of E. coli cells observed by transmission electron microscopy may further prove that the adsorbed silver ions play an important role in the antimicrobial process.

Mutations in AP22.65 Accelerate Flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana

Ji Hong Xing,Feng Ru Wang,Jiao Jia,Jing Zhang,Li Li,Zhan Chen,Qiao Yun Weng,Ping Yang,Ye Zhang,Bin Zhao,He Long Si,Jin Gao Dong,Jian Min Han 한국식물학회 2013 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.56 No.1

Identification of the gene(s) responsible for floweringtime in Arabidopsis has significant implications. We used theT-DNA insertion library of Arabidopsis thaliana to screen anearly-flowering mutant that exhibits accelerated floweringunder short-day conditions. AP22.65, a novel flowering-timegene in that species, was isolated and identified via genomewalkingand bioinformatics analysis. The flowering time ofAP22.65-complementing plants was similar to that of theCol-0 wild type (WT). Conversely, its overexpression delayedflowering. Consistent with this phenotype, expression ofAP22.65 was decreased in the ap22.65-1 mutant, recoveredin AP22.65-complementing plants, and increased in AP22.65-overexpressing plants. Compared with the WT, expressionlevels of critical genes in different flowering pathways, i.e.,SPY, FLC, GI, CO, FT, and LFY, were down-regulated inloss-of-function mutants. Expression of AP22.65 was distributedin flowers, siliques, rosette leaves, and whole seedlings. Therefore, this gene may be a negative regulator of Arabidopsisflowering.

Deletion of Superoxide Dismutase Gene of Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Affects Viral DNA Replication

Wang, Wenbing,Song, Zhixiu,Ji, Ping,Wu, Jun,Zhang, Zhifang,He, Jialu,Wu, Xiangfu Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2004 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.9 No.2

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an important enzyme which catalyzes superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide. A Cu, Zn sod-like gene was found in Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus encoding 151 amino acids. To demonstrate its function, a recombinant virus named dsBmNPV with deleted sod gene was constructed. It was discovered that the sod gene was not essential for viral replication. Studies on growth of budded virus in BmN cells and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in vivo after dsBmNPV infection showed that the titer of dsBmNPV decreased obviously comparing to wild type BmNPV, the sod gene was effective on genomic DNA replication of baculovirus, the peak of SOD activity of silkworm infected with wt-BmNPV appeared between 36 and 48 hrs post infection, and with dsBmNPV, it did not appear. And the changes of CAT activity after infection were similar to SOD activity.

For The Master

Roh, Ji Eun,Kim, Min Jung,Wang, Yi Tian,Piao, He Ying,Kim, You Bin 한국콘텐츠학회 2022 ICCC International Digital Design Invitation Exhib Vol.2022 No.07

United Electromagnetic Characteristics and Online Monitoring Method of Static Air-gap Eccentricity of Turbo-Generator

Gui-Ji Tang,Meng-Qiang Ke,Yu-Ling He,Fa-Lin Wang 대한전기학회 2016 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.11 No.6

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the united Electromagnetic characteristics for the effective monitoring on the static air-gap eccentricity (SAGE) of turbo-generator. Different from other studies, this paper not only studies on the unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) and the vibration characteristics of the stator and the rotor, but also investigates the harmonic features of the magnetic flux density and the circulating current inside the parallel branches (CCPB). The theoretical calculation, together with the finite-element-method (FEM) simulation and the experiment verification, is taken for a SDF-9 type non-salient generator. It is shown that, when SAGE occurs, apparent doublefrequency UMP and vibrations will be produced both on the stator and the rotor, while the CCPB will have an obvious increment at the 1<SUP>st</SUP> harmonic component. In addition, the amplitude of the magnetic flux density will be of cosine distribution in the circumferential position of the air-gap, while in normal condition it is a constant. Moreover, the pass-band amplitude, together with the 1<SUP>st</SUP> harmonic of the magnetic flux density, will be enlarged as well. These united electromagnetic characteristics can be used as the diagnosis and monitoring criterion for SAGE.

The effects of substrate temperatures on the electrical properties of CaZrO3 thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering

Qiao He,Yi Zhang,Xiaoyang Chen,Zhi Wang,Hang Ji,Mingjian Ding,Bin Xie,Ping Yu 한국물리학회 2020 Current Applied Physics Vol.20 No.4

The radio frequency magnetron sputtering technology (RFMS) was employed to deposit perovskite structure orthogonal phase CaZrO3 thin films on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates. The effects of substrate temperatures on structure and electrical properties of these films were investigated in detail. The CaZrO3 thin films were systematically characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Multifrequency LCR meter (HP4294A) and Radiant Precision Workstation to study the phase structure, cross-section morphology, dielectric and ferroelectric properties at different substrate temperatures. The result indicates that these films can withstand 80 V DC Bias voltage and have excellent stability of frequency, voltage and temperature. The CaZrO3 thin film prepared at 550 °C turned out to be mainly orthorhombic CaZrO3 phase with high permittivity, low dielectric loss, extremely low leakage current (at 1 MHz, the dielectric constant is 39.42, the dielectric loss is 0.00455, the quality factor is 220 and the leakage current density is 9.11 × 10−7A/cm2 at 80 V applied voltage.). This work demonstrates that higher substrate temperature can boost the formation of orthorhombic CaZrO3 phase and the CaZrO3 thin film prepared by RF magnetron sputtering is a very promising paraelectric material in the application of thin film capacitor.