Soluble expression, purification and the role of C-terminal glycine residues in scorpion toxin BmK AGP-SYPU2

( Rong Zhang ),( Yong Cui ),( Xi Zhang ),( Zhuo Yang ),( Yong Shan Zhao ),( Yong Bo Song ),( Chun Fu Wu ),( Jing Hai Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.12

The existence of glycine residues in long-chain scorpion toxins has been well documented. However, their role as analgesics has not been evaluated. To address this issue, we investigated the functional role of glycines in the C-terminal end of Chinese-scorpion toxin from Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK AGP-SYPU2) using site-directed mutagenesis and analgesic activity assays. Recombinant BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants were efficiently expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and cation exchange chromatography. The mouse-twisting test was used to detect the analgesic activity of BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants. As a result, we identified glycines at the C-terminal end that, when altered, significantly affected analgesic activity. Also, Mut6566 was significantly decreased compared to BmK AGP-SYPU2. These data indicate that the glycines at the C-terminal end are important for the analgesic activity of BmK AGP-SYPU2. [BMB reports 2010; 43(12): 801-806]

Glulathione-S-transferases Gene Polymorphism in Prediction of Gastric Cancer Risk by Smoking and Helicobacter Pylori Infection Status

Jing, Chen,Huang, Zhi-Jie,Duan, Yu-Qin,Wang, Pei-Hong,Zhang, Ru,Luo, Ke-Shu,Xiao, Xin-Rong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Aim: To evaluate the association of glutathione S-transferases gene polymorphisms with the risk of gastric cancer, with reference to smoking and Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: We conducted a 1:1 matched case-control study with 410 gastric cancer cases and 410 cancer-free controls. Polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 were determined using PCR-CTPP. Results: The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were significantly associated with the risk of gastric cancer after adjusting for potential confounding factors (OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.32-2.23 for null GSTM1, OR=1.73; 95% CI=1.24-2.13 for null GSTT1). The combination of null GSTM1 and null GSTT1 conferred an elevated risk (OR=2.54, 95% CI=1.55-3.39). However, no association was found for GSTP1 polymorphism The smoking modified the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes with the risk of gastric cancer. Conclusion: GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are associated with increased risk of gastric cancer, and smoking modifies the association.

Suppressive Effect of Sinomenine Combined with 5-Fluorouracil on Colon Carcinoma Cell Growth

Zhang, Ji-Xiang,Yang, Zi-Rong,Wu, Dan-Dan,Song, Jia,Guo, Xu-Feng,Wang, Jing,Dong, Wei-Guo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

It is reported that sinomenine (SIN) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) both are effective for colon cancer, but their cooperative suppressive effects and toxicity remain to be clarified in detail. This study aimed to determine suppressive effects and toxicity of sinomenine (SIN) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on LoVo colon carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8, Hoechst 33258 staining and an annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis kit were used to detect suppressive effects. Western blotting was applied to investigate the essential mechanism underlying SIN and 5-FU-induced apoptosis. SIN or 5-FU or both were injected into nude mice, and then suppressive effects and side effects were observed. SIN plus 5-FU apparently inhibited the proliferation of LoVo cells and induced apoptosis. Moreover the united effects were stronger than individually (p<0.05). The results of annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by SIN and 5-FU combined or alone was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was up-regulated and down-regulated respectively. SIN or 5-FU significantly inhibited effects on the volume of tumour xenografts and their combined suppressive effects were stronger (p<0.05). No obvious side effects were observed. It was apparent that the united effects of SIN and 5-FU on the growth of colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells in vitro and in vivo were superior to those using them individually, and it did not markedly increase the side effects of chemotherapy.

"Sandwich" Chemotherapy (CT) with Radiotherapy (RT) Improves Outcomes in Patients with Stage I_E/II_E Extranodal Natural Killer (NK)/T-cell Lymphomas

Zhang, Jing,Zhu, Meng-Yuan,Wang, Liang,Wang, Hua,Wang, Wei-Da,Geng, Qi-Rong,Lu, Yue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

The extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) shows high local or systemic failure rates when radiotherapy (RT) is taken as the primary treatment, suggesting a role for chemotherapy (CT) added to RT for this disease. However, the appropriate mode of combined modality therapy (CMT) has not been fully defined. A total of one hundred and twenty-one patients with ENKTL receiving sandwich CT with RT were reviewed between January 2003 and August 2012. The primary endpoints were the response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the relapse rate. After the initial CT, there were 84 (69.4%) patients in CR, 22 (18.2%) patients in PR, 9 (7.4%) patients in SD, and 6 (5%) patients in PD, respectively. At the end of RT, the CR, PR, SD, and PD rates for all patients were 90.9% (n=110), 1.7% (n=2), 4.1% (n=5), and 3.3% (n=4), respectively. After a median follow-up of 42.3 months (3.5~112.3 months), the 5-year PFS was 74.7% (95% CI 70.4%~79.0%), and 5-year OS was 77.3% (95% CI 67.9%~86.7%). Disease progression was documented in 25 (20.7%) patients. The rates of systemic failure, local failure, and regional failure were 18.2%, 5.8%, 1.7%, respectively. Twenty death events (16.5%) were observed for the entire group of patients (18 deaths related to PD). Furthermore, CR to the initial CT and low Korean Prognostic Index (KPI) can independently predict long PFS and OS. The sandwich CMT achieved an excellent outcome for localized ENKTL with acceptable toxicity. We recommend it can be applied as the optimal choice for localized ENKTL.

MIXED INTEGER PROGRAMMING MODELS FOR DISPATCHING VEHICLES AT A CONTAINER TERMINAL

ZHANG, LI WEI,YE, RONG,HUANG, SHELL YING,HSU, WEN JING 한국전산응용수학회 2005 Journal of applied mathematics & informatics Vol.17 No.1

This paper presents scheduling models for dispatching vehicles to accomplish a sequence of container jobs at the container terminal, in which the starting times as well as the order of vehicles for carrying out these jobs need to be determined. To deal with this scheduling problem, three mixed 0-1 integer programming models, Model 1, Model 2 and Model 3 are provided. We present interesting techniques to reformulate the two mixed integer programming models, Model 1 and Model 2, as pure 0-1 integer programming problems with simple constraint sets and present a lower bound for the optimal value of Model 1. Model 3 is a complicated mixed integer programming model because it involves a set of non-smooth constraints, but it can be proved that its solutions may be obtained by the so-called greedy algorithm. We present numerical results showing that Model 3 is the best among these three models and the greedy algorithm is capable of solving large scale problems.

The evaluation of online course of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery international students during the COVID-19 epidemic period

Zhang Qing,He Yi-Jing,Zhu Yu-Hang,Dai Min-Chen,Pan Man-Man,Wu Jia-Qi,Zhang Xian,Gu Ying-Er,Wang Fang-Fang,Xu Xiang-Rong,Qu Fan 한국한의학연구원 2020 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.9 No.3

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic period, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course for international students of Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in Zhejiang University has shifted from traditional classroom to online environment. This study aimed to investigate MBBS international students’ perception on online TCM course, and to assess the online learning efficacy. Methods: A total of 84 MBBS international students attending course of “Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine” during 2020 academic years at Zhejiang University were enrolled in this study. A quantitative questionnaire was respectively completed before and after the TCM course using a pretest–post-test design. By means of two online learning platforms, Learning in ZJU and DingTalk, TCM course was broadcast in both live and archived format to students. Results: A total of 48 participants completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. The majority of participants preferred face-to-face classroom learning (26, 54.17% of total) when compared with online learning. Students felt that the course had brought in much benefits (mean 3.88, SD 0.87), and they were satisfied with the course content (mean 3.83, SD 0.95). Students’ TCM related knowledge and their behaviors of discussion and consulting were significantly improved by online TCM course (all P < 0.001). Students’ awareness of the necessity of TCM education and their feeling of difficulty in learning TCM were significantly strengthened (P = 0.042, 0.025, respectively). Conclusion: Online learning is a good alternative for TCM course of MBBS international students when classroom learning is suspended, whereas it cannot replace the need for onsite and face-to-face learning.

The delamination of carbon fiber reinforced composites during cutting by flexible linear shaped charge

Jing Sun,Zhiguo Ma,Zhifeng Zhang,Fei Weng,Rong Chen 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.4

The delamination is a typical phenomenon when the carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRC) undergoes blasting impact loading and the delamination will reduce both the strength and stiffness of the laminates, which can lead to catastrophic consequences while used as rocket skin. In this paper, the response of CFRC laminate is cut by flexible linear shaped charge (FLSC) and the delamination behavior of the CFRC is analyzed and discussed. The displacement interferometer system for any reflector (DISAR) is used to monitor the velocity of characteristic points of the laminate subjected to FLSC. Finite element analysis has been conducted to explain the mechanisms of delamination. Based on the numerical simulation, the influences of structural design parameters on the delamination effect of the CFRC after cutting are investigated. The results show that a large number of debris are produced at the center of the explosion and a small amount of large debris is produced at weakening groove on both sides. The delamination effect is greatly affected by the inter-laminar tensile strength and thickness of composite laminate, but it is not significantly affected by the linear density of the FLSC and stand-off.

Sphingolipid composition and metabolism differ in three auchenorrhynchous pests of rice

Zhang Min-Jing,Shi Xiao-Xiao,Bai Yue-Liang,Zhou Wen-Wu,Zhu Zeng-Rong 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

Sphingolipids (SPLs), a group of membrane and intracellular lipids, mediate numerous cellular processes. The composition and metabolism of sphingolipids varies according to species and the sphingolipid studies of insects, as compared to mammals, are not yet clear. In the current study, we subjected three auchenorrhynchous insects, including whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus, and green rice leafhopper (GRLH), Nephotettix cincticeps, as representative rice pests for sphingolipid analysis. We performed sphingolipid species profiling using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and isolated sphingolipid metabolic genes from their transcriptomic data. C14-, C16-, C18- and C20-sphingoid base were detected in both planthoppers, but no C14- sphingoid base was found in GRLH. The planthoppers had more abundant sphingosine-1-phosphates (Sph-1-P) and ceramides than leafhopper. A total of 14, 13 and 16 sphingomyelin species were found in SBPH, WBPH and GRLH, respectively. The composition of sphingomyelin species varied in three insects. Coordinated with the abundance in sphingomyelin species, the leafhopper possessed more sphin gomyelinase (SMase) gene isoforms for metabolism of different sphingomyelins than planthoppers. The phylo genetic analysis showed the three tested insects all possessed one potential neutral-SMase homologue, whereas SBPH and GRLH both had another potential acid-SMase homologue. This study is a comprehensive sphingoli pidomic analysis, suggesting that sphingolipid profiles significantly differed among the three insects. By providing information of sphingolipid metabolic gene homologues of these three insects, our findings will contribute to the further sphingolipid studies of auchenorrhynchous insects and provide a research foundation for rice pest management.

Studies on Chemical Composition of Light Sensitive Albino Tea Cultivars

Kai-Rong Wang,Xin-Qiang Zheng,Ming Li,Long-Jie Zhang,Jing Jin 한국차학회 2015 한국차학회지 Vol.- No.S

Tea quality depends on chemical composition in tea leaves, which varies with genetic factors or tea cultivars, resulting in differences in sensory quality between tea cultivars. To investigate the chemical bases of sensory quality of albino tea cultivars, chemical compositions of light sensitive albino tea cultivars ‘Huangjinya’ and ‘Yujinxiang’ were tested in the present paper. It showed that water soluble extracts were 46.3% and 45.4% on dry base in albino tea cultivars ‘Yujinxiang’ and ‘Huangjinya’. Contents of total amino acids in ‘Yujinxiang’ and ‘Huangjinya’were 5.08% and 5.19%, being 50% higher than ‘Fudingdabai’. However, content of catechins in the albino tea cultivars was significantly lower than ‘Fudingdabai’. It is considered that high levels of water soluble extracts and amino acids, but medium level of polyphenols were the chemical factors leading to the brisk and mellow taste of the albino tea cultivars.

Study on the Transmission Error Prediction for a Spur Gear Pair

Qi Zhang(장기),Jing Zhang(장정),Zhong Gang Zhu(주충강),Zhen Rong Wang(왕진영),Zhe-zhu Xu(허철수),Sung Ki Lyu(류성기) Korean Society for Precision Engineering 2016 한국정밀공학회지 Vol.33 No.2