Identification and Enumeration of Microcystis Using a Sandwich Hybridization Assay

Jing Ping Zhu,Xian Li,Shi Du 한국미생물학회 2012 The journal of microbiology Vol.50 No.2

Based on sequence analyses of phycocyanin intergenic spacers (PC-IGS) from Microcystis, Anabaena, Aphanizomenon,and Planktothrix (Oscillatoria) strains, a genus-specific probe pair TF/TR was designed, and a sandwich hybridization assay was established to quantitatively detect Microcystis. Through BLAST and cyanobacterial culture tests, TF/TR was demonstrated to be specific for Microcystis. A calibration curve for the sandwich hybridization assay was established, and the lowest detected concentration was 100 cell/ml. Laboratory and field samples were analyzed with both sandwich hybridization assay and microscopy. The biotic and abiotic components of the samples were of little disturbance to the sandwich hybridization assay. The results showed no distinct difference between the two methods. In this study, a sandwich hybridization assay was established to detect Microcystis,providing an alternative to traditional microscopic, morphology-based methods.

Physiological oxygen level is critical for modeling neuronal metabolism in vitro

Zhu, Jing,Aja, Susan,Kim, Eun‐,Kyoung,Park, Min Jung,Ramamurthy, Santosh,Jia, Junling,Hu, Xueying,Geng, Ping,Ronnett, Gabriele V. Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2012 Journal of neuroscience research Vol.90 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>In vitro models are important tools for studying the mechanisms that govern neuronal responses to injury. Most neuronal culture methods employ nonphysiological conditions with regard to metabolic parameters. Standard neuronal cell culture is performed at ambient (21%) oxygen levels, whereas actual tissue oxygen levels in the mammalian brain range from 1% to 5%. In this study, we examined the consequences of oxygen level on the viability and metabolism of primary cultures of cortical neurons. Our results indicate that physiological oxygen level (5% O<SUB>2</SUB>) has a beneficial effect on cortical neuronal survival and mitochondrial function in vitro. Moreover, oxygen level affects metabolic fluxes: glucose uptake and glycolysis was enhanced at physiological oxygen level, whereas glucose oxidation and fatty acid oxidation were reduced. Adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) was more activated in 5% O<SUB>2</SUB> and appears to play a role in these metabolic effects. Inhibiting AMPK activity with compound C decreased glucose uptake, intracellular ATP level, and viability in neurons cultured in 5% O<SUB>2</SUB>. These data indicate that oxygen level is an important parameter to consider when modeling neuronal responses to stress in vitro. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</P>

Developing brittle transparent materials with 3D fractures and experimental study

Jing Wang,Shucai Li,Weishen Zhu,Li-Ping Li 국제구조공학회 2016 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.22 No.2

The fracture propagation mechanism and fractured rock mass failure mechanism were important research in geotechnical engineering field. Many failures and instability in geotechnical engineering were related on fractures propagation, coalescence and interaction in rock mass under the external force. Most of the current research were limited to two-dimensional for the brittleness and transparency of three-dimensional fracture materials couldn't meet the requirements of the experiment. New materials with good transparent and brittleness were developed by authors. The making method of multi fracture specimens were established and made molds that could be reused. The tension-compression ratio of the material reached above 1/6 in normal temperature. Uniaxial and biaxial loading tests of single and double fracture specimens were carried out. Four new fractures were not found in the experiment of two-dimensional fractures such as the fin shaped crack, wrapping wing crack and petal crack and anti-wing crack. The relationship between stress and strain of the specimens were studied. The specimens with the load had experienced four stages of deformation and the process of the fracture propagation was clearly seen in each stage. The expansion characteristics of the fractured specimens were more obvious than the previous research.

Structures, biomimetic synthesis, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of two pairs of enantiomeric phenylpropanoid-conjugated protoberberine alkaloids from the rhizomes of Corydalis decumbens

Jing-Guang Lu,Yingwei Wang,Ming-Rong Yang,Cai-Yun Wang,Jieru Meng,Jiazheng Liu,Zifeng Yang,Kongsong Wu,Li-Ping Bai,Guo-Yuan Zhu,Zhi-Hong Jiang 대한약학회 2022 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.45 No.9

(±)-Decumicorine A ( 1 ) and (±)- epi -decumicorine A ( 2 ), two pairs of enantiomeric isoquinoline alkaloids featuring a novel phenylpropanoid-conjugated protoberberine skeleton, were isolated and purifi ed from the rhizomes of Corydalis decumbens . The separation of (±)- 1 and (±)- 2 was achieved by chiral HPLC to produce four optically pure enantiomers. The structures and absolute confi gurations of compounds (−)- 1 , (+)- 1 , (−)- 2 , and (+)- 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, ECD calculations, and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The two racemates were generated from a Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition between jatrorrhizine and ferulic acid in the proposed biosynthetic pathways, which were fully verifi ed by a biomimetic synthesis. Moreover, compound (+)- 1 exhibited an antiviral entry eff ect on SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus by blocking spike binding to the ACE2 receptor on HEK-293T-ACE2 h host cells.

Study on anchorage effect on fractured rock

Jing Wang,Shucai Li,Li-Ping Li,Weishen Zhu,Qian-qing Zhang,Shu-Guang Song 국제구조공학회 2014 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.17 No.6

The effects of anchor on fractured specimens in splitting test are simulated by DDARF method, the results of which are compared with laboratory test results. They agree well with each other. The paper contents also use the laboratory model test. The main research objects are three kinds of specimens, namely intact specimens, jointed specimens and anchored-jointed specimens. The results showed that with the joint angle increased, the weakening effects of jointed rock mass are more obvious. At these points, the rock bolts' strengthening effects on the specimens have become more significant. There is a significant impact on the failure modes of rock mass by the joint and the anchorage.

ORiginal Article : The Expression of Programmed Death-1 in Circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells during Hepatitis B Virus Infection Progression and Its Correlation with Clinical Baseline Characteristics

( Ping Xu ),( Yong Jing Chen ),( Hui Chen ),( Xiao Yan Zhu ),( Hua Feng Song ),( Li Juan Cao ),( Xue Feng Wang ) The Editorial Office of Gut and Liver 2014 Gut and Liver Vol.8 No.2

Background/Aims: Programmed death-1 (PD-1) expression was investigated in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients at the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stages. Methods: PD-1 expression in circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was detected by flow cytometry. The correla-tions between PD-1 expression and HBV viral load, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels and aspartate aminotrans-ferase (AST) levels were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 5.0. Results: PD-1 expression in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly increased in both the CHB group and advanced-stage group (LC plus HCC). In the CHB group, PD-1 expres-sion in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was positively correlated with the HBV viral load, ALT, and AST levels. However, in the LC plus HCC group, significant correlations between PD-1 expression and the clinical parameters were nearly absent. Conclusions: PD-1 expression in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is dynamic, changes with HBV infection progression, and is related to HBV viral load and liver function, especially in CHB. PD-1 expression could be utilized as a potential clini-cal indicator to determine the extent of virus replication and liver injury. (Gut Liver 2014;8:186-195)

Molecular Characteristics and Resistant Mechanisms of Imipenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates in Shenyang, China

Jing Ping Zhang,Wan Zhu,Su Fei Tian,Yun Zhuo Chu,Bai Yi Chen 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.5

The investigation was carried out to elucidate the molecular characteristics and resistant mechanisms of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Thirty-seven isolates were collected from January 2007 to December 2007. The homology of the isolates was analyzed by both pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The genes of β-lactamases, adeB, and class 1 integron were polymerase chain reaction amplified. Genotype analysis of the 37 A. baumannii isolates by PFGE revealed the circulation of four PFGE types (A-D) ; the A- and B-type accounted for 48.6% and 40.5%, respectively. MLST showed the existence of three allelic profiles. The agar dilution method was carried out to determine the MIC of imipenem, in the absence or presence of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP, 10 μg/ml). The MICs of the strains to imipenem were between 16 μg/ml and 128 μg/ml. When CCCP was added, a MIC decrease of at least four-fold was observed in 20 isolates, which belonged to the A- or C-type. AdeB and blaPER-1 genes were each detected in 35 isolates, blaOXA-23 gene in 34 isolates and blaOXA-58-like gene in 24 isolates. All isolates harbored blaOXA-51-like genes. No isolates carried the blaIMP-1 gene. Integron was detected in 25 isolates, which mediated the resistance to aminoglycosides and rifampin. The epidemiologic data suggested that the increasing infection of A. baumannii in our hospital was mainly caused by the inter-hospital spread of two epidemic clones. The AdeABC efflux system may be the important factor that leads to the high level of imipenem-resistance in PFGE A-type.

Quality of Life of Male Spouse Caregivers for Breast Cancer Patients in China

Zhu, Ping,Fu, Ju-Fang,Wang, Bo,Lin, Jing,Wang, Yan,Fang, Ning-Ning,Wang, Dan-Dan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.10

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of male spouse caregivers of breast cancer patients in China, assess their quality of life (QOL), and investigate the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 243 breast cancer patient-spouse caregiver dyads were recruited from four hospitals in Shanxi and Anhui province of China. A cross-sectional design was applied to collect data and the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) was used to measure caregivers' QOL, and the Chinese version of M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C) was applied to measure patient symptom severity and interference. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the correlations between caregiver burden and QOL. The multiple regression analysis was used to determine the most predictive factors influencing QOL. Results: The scores of all SF-36 scales were above 50.0, which were much lower than that of general mainland Chinese males. Mental QOL was significantly worse than physical QOL. Spouses demographic characteristics, caregiving-related variables and patient symptoms were related to spouse QOL. Caregiver burden has a negative relationship with QOL. Conclusions: A decrease in life events and patient symptoms, as well as increase in spouse sleeping time and family income, ought to improve QOL.

Foxl2 of the Hong Kong catfish (Clarias fuscus): cDNA cloning, tissue distribution and changes in gene expression towards methyltestosterone, estradiol and letrozole exposure of the fries during gonadal differentiation

Si-ping Deng,Chun-hua Zhu,Jing Sun,Wen-da Wang,Tian-li Wu,Hua-pu Chen,Shang-li Shi,Guang-li Li 한국유전학회 2015 Genes & Genomics Vol.37 No.8

Winged helix/forkhead transcription factor gene 2 (Foxl2) plays a crucial role during early ovarian development in fish. Sex steroids and aromatase inhibitors can regulate gonadal differentiation in teleosts. To address the role of Foxl2 in gonadal differentiation, foxl2 was isolated and characterized from the Hong Kong catfish, Clarias fuscus. Tissue distribution analysis by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) showed that the foxl2 mRNA was highest in the ovaries; moderate in the female pituitary and hypothalamus; but weak in the forebrain, liver, testis and male pituitary, with a sexually dimorphic pattern in which there was higher expression overall in females versus males. Treatment of the fries during the period of gonadal differentiation [2–30 days post hatching (dph)] with 17amethyltestosterone (MT), an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) and 17b-estradiol (E2) affected the expression of foxl2. The expression of foxl2 was highest before gonadal differentiation (12 dph), but decreased significantly after gonadal differentiation (18-30 dph). In addition, MT and letrozole were able to down-regulate foxl2, but E2 up-regulated foxl2 during gonadal morphological differentiation. These results indicate the significant roles of Foxl2 in the gonadal differentiation of C. fuscus.

Effects of early commercial milk supplement on the mucosal morphology, bacterial community and bacterial metabolites in jejunum of the pre- and post-weaning piglets

Hu, Ping,Niu, Qingyan,Zhu, Yizhi,Shi, Chao,Wang, Jing,Zhu, Weiyun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.3

Objective: Sow milk (SM) may not be able to meet the piglet's nutritional needs in late lactation. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of early commercial milk (CM) supplement on the mucosal morphology, bacterial community and bacterial metabolites in jejunum of piglets. Methods: Ten litters of newborn piglets ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) were randomly divided into 2 groups of 5 litters. The piglets in the control group were suckled by the sow (SM), while the piglets in the treatment group (CM supplement) were supplemented with a CM supplement along with suckling from d 4 to d 28 of age. Results: No significant differences were observed about jejunal mucosal morphology on d 28 and d 35 between two groups. On d 28, the activity of lactase in the jejunum was significantly decreased in the CM group, while the activity of sucrase and the ratio of maltase to lactase were significantly increased (p<0.05). On d 35, the activity of maltase in the jejunum was significantly increased in the CM group (p<0.05), and maltase to lactase ratio tended to increase in the CM group (p = 0.065). In addition, piglets in the CM group had a higher abundance of Clostridium XI, Tuicibater, and Moraxella in the jejunum on d 28, while the abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly increased on d 35 (p<0.05). Conclusion: The early CM supplement improved the maturation of the jejunum to some extent by enhancing the maltase and sucrase activities. Moreover, the early CM supplement could help maintain the homeostasis of internal environment in jejunum by increasing the microbial-derived metabolites.