Biochemical Characterization of a GDSL-Motif Esterase from Bacillus sp. K91 with a New Putative Catalytic Mechanism

( Jun Mei Ding ),( Ting Ting Yu ),( Lian Ming Liang ),( Zhen Rong Xie ),( Yun Juan Yang ),( Jun Pei Zhou ),( Bo Xu ),( Jun Jun Li ),( Zun Xi Huang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.11

The esterase gene Est8 from the thermophilic bacterium Bacillus sp. K91 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The monomeric enzyme exhibited a theoretical molecular mass of 24.5 kDa and an optimal activity around 50°C at pH 9.0. A model of Est8 was constructed using a hypothetical YxiM precursor structure (2O14_A) from Bacillus subtilis as template. The structure showed an α/β-hydrolase fold and indicated the presence of a typical catalytic triad consisting of Ser-11, Asp-182, and His-185, which were investigated by site directed replacements coupled with kinetic characterization. Asp-182 and His-185 residues were more critical than the Ser-11 residue in the catalytic activity of Est8. A comparison of the amino acid sequence showed that Est8 could be grouped into the GDSL family and further classified as an SGNH hydrolase. Est8 is a new member of the SGNH hydrolase subfamily and may employ a different catalytic mechanism.

Sentinel lymph Node mapping versus systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy on the prognosis for patients with intermediate-high-risk Endometrial Cancer confined to the uterus before surgery: trial protocol for a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial (SNE

Jun Guan,Yu Xue,Rong-yu Zang,Ji-hong Liu,Jian-qing Zhu,Ying Zheng,Bo Wang,Hua-ying Wang,Xiao-jun Chen 대한부인종양학회 2021 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.32 No.4

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has been recommended as an alternative staging approach to lymphadenectomy for apparent uterine-confined endometrial cancer (EC). However, the prognostic value of SLN mapping alone instead of systematic lymphadenectomy on EC patients remains unclear. Methods: A multi-center, open label, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial has been designed to identify if SLN mapping alone is not inferior to pelvic lymphadenectomy on prognosis of patients with intermediate-high-risk EC clinically confined to uterus. Eligible patients will be 1:1 randomly assigned to accept SLN mapping or pelvic lymphadenectomy. The primary endpoint is the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS). The second points are the 5-year PFS, 5-year overall survival, surgery-related adverse events and life quality. A total of 780 patients will be enrolled from 6 hospitals in China within 3-year period and followed up for 5 years. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04276532

Prevalence of Spina Bifida Occulta and Its Relationship With Overactive Bladder in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese People

Jun Wei Wu,Yu Rong Xing,Yi Bo Wen,Tian Fang Li,Quan De Feng,Xiao Ping Shang,Yun Long Li,Jin Jin Feng,Xin Xin Wang,Rong Qun Zhai,Xiang Fei He,Tao Chen,Xin Jian Liu,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2016 International Neurourology Journal Vol.20 No.2

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of spina bifida occulta (SBO) and its relationship with the presence of overactive bladder (OAB) in middle-aged and elderly people in China. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was carried out at 7 communities in Zhengzhou City, China from December 15, 2013 to June 10, 2014, where residents aged over 40 years were randomly selected to participate. All of the participants underwent lumbosacral radiographic analysis and relevant laboratory tests. A questionnaire including basic information, past medical history and present illness, and the OAB symptom score was filled out by all participants. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used for data analysis with a P-value of <0.05 denoting statistical significance. Results: A total of 1,061 subjects were qualified for the final statistical analysis (58.8±11.7 years; male, 471 [44.4%]; female, 590 [55.6%]). The overall prevalence of SBO was 15.1% (160 of 1,061): 18.3% (86 of 471) in men and 12.5% (74 of 590) in women. Among these subjects, 13.7% (145 of 1,061) had OAB: 13.2% (62 of 471) in men and 14.1% (83 of 590) in women. The results of logistic regression showed that age, SBO, history of cerebral infarction (HCI), and constipation were risk factors for OAB (P<0.05), while sex, history of childhood enuresis (HCE), body mass index (BMI), and diabetes mellitus (DM) were not (P>0.05). In men, age, SBO, and constipation were risk factors for OAB (P<0.05), while HCE, BMI, DM, HCI, and benign prostate hyperplasia were not (P>0.05). In women, age, SBO, and HCI were risk factors for OAB (P<0.05), while HCE, BMI, DM, vaginal delivery, and constipation were not (P>0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of SBO is high and it is related to OAB in middle-aged and elderly people in China.

Study of the Optical Properties of Bi3:15Nd0:85Ti3O12 Ferroelectric Thin Films

Rong-Jun Zhang,Yi-Ming Chen,Yu-Xiang Zheng,Peng-Hui Mao,Wei-Jie Lu,Liang-Yao Chen 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.4

The optical properties of Bi3:15Nd0:85Ti3O12 (BNdT) feroelectric thin films were studied. The BNdT thin lms were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by using a sol-gel technique. The elipsometric spectra of the BNdT thin film were measured and investigated in the photon energy range of 1.5 - 4.5 eV. The elipsometric spectral data were fited by using the four-phase layer structure model and the Forouhi-Bloomer (FB) model, which was used to describe the optical dispersion relation of the sample. The optical constants of the sample were obtained by using a data analysis based on Tauc's principle and showed that the direct band gap of the BNdT sample existed at 3.89 eV.

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals Grown by Using a SiOx/SiO2 Superlattice Approach

Rong-Jun Zhang,Wei-Jie Lu,Qing-Yuan Cai,Wei-Xi Zhou,Yu-Xiang Zheng,Liang-Yao Chen,Hui Zhou,Shi-Xiong Qian,Se-Young Seo 한국물리학회 2010 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.56 No.4

The nonlinear optical properties have been studied using the Z-scan technique for silicon nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 matrix formed by high-temperature annealing of SiOx/SiO2 superlattices grown by thermal evaporation. A mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser system producing 140-fs-long pulses at 800 nm was used as the optical source for the Z-scan measurements. The nonlinear refractive index and the nonlinear absorption coefficient of the silicon nanocrystals were found to be 1.2 × 10−13 cm2/W and 1.5 × 10−9 cm/W, respectively, and to be strongly enhanced compared to those of bulk silicon. Such enhancement of the nonlinear optical properties is considered to be due to the quantum confinement effect of silicon nanocrystals.

Impact of 21-Gene Recurrence Score on Chemotherapy Decision in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Breast with Nodal Micrometastases

Wei-Rong Chen,Jia-Peng Deng,Jun Wang,Jia-Yuan Sun,Zhen-Yu He,San-Gang Wu 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.4

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 21-gene recurrence score (RS) on predicting prognosis and chemotherapy decision in node micrometastases (N1mi) breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Materials and Methods Patients with stage T1-2N1mi and estrogen receptor-positive IDC diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 were included. The associations of 21-gene RS with breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), chemotherapy decision, and benefit of chemotherapy were analyzed. Results We identified 4,758 patients including 1,403 patients (29.5%) treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. In the traditional RS cutoffs, 2,831 (59.5%), 1,634 (34.3%), and 293 (6.2%) patients were in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk RS groups, respectively. In 3,853 patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status available, most patients were HER2-negative disease (98.3%). A higher RS was independently related to chemotherapy receipt, and 14.0%, 47.7%, and 77.8% of patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk RS groups received chemotherapy, respectively. The multivariate analysis indicated that a higher RS was related to worse BCSS (p < 0.001). The 5-year BCSS rates were 99.3%, 97.4%, and 91.9% in patients with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk RS groups, respectively (p < 0.001). However, chemotherapy receipt did not correlate with better BCSS in low-, intermediate-, or high-risk RS groups. There were similar trends using Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment RS cutoffs. Conclusion The 21-gene RS does predict outcome and impact on chemotherapy decision of N1mi breast IDC. Large cohort and long-term outcomes studies are needed to identify the effects of chemotherapy in N1mi patients by different 21-gene RS groups.

Analysis of Esophageal Cancer Time Trends in China, 1989-2008

Zhao, Jun,He, Yu-Tong,Zheng, Rong-Shou,Zhang, Si-Wei,Chen, Wan-Qing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

National cancer incidence data were utilized to analyze trends in esophageal cancer incidence in China in order to provide basic information for making cancer control strategy. We retrieved and re-sorted valid esophageal cancer incidence data from National Central Cancer Registry Database over 20 years period from 1989 to 2008. Crude incidence and age-standardized incidence rates were calculated for analysis, with annual percent change estimated by Joinpoint software for long term trend analysis. The crude incidence rate of esophageal cancer was found to have remained relatively stable in both urban and rural areas over the 20 year period. Age standardized incidence rate (ASR) in cancer registration areas decreased from 39.5/100,000 in 1989 to 23.0/100,000 in 2008 in all areas (AAPC=-3.3%, 95% CI:-2.8~-3.7). The trend was no change in urban areas and 2.1% average annual decrease observed in rural aras. Before the year of 2000, esophageal cancer incidence rates significant decreased with 2.8% annually and then the rates kept stable. Over 20 years from 1989 to 2008, esophageal cancer age standardized incidence rate in cancer registration areas decreased with time. However, esophageal cancer is still a big issue and efforts for control should be continuously enhanced. Cancer registration is playing an important role in cancer control with the number of registries increasing and data quality improving in China.

Reports : Aurora-A kinase-inactive mutants disrupt the interaction with Ajuba and cause defects in mitotic spindle formation and G2/M phase arrest in HeLa cells

( Mei Rong Bai ),( Jun Ni ),( Su Qin Shen ),( Qiang Huang ),( Jia Xue Wu ),( Yi Chen Le ),( Long Yu ) 생화학분자생물학회 2014 BMB Reports Vol.47 No.11

Aurora-A is a centrosome-localized serine/threonine kinase that is overexpressed in multiple human cancers. We previously reported an intramolecular inhibitory regulation of Aurora-A between its N-terminal regulatory domain (Nt, amino acids [aa] 1-128) and the C-terminal catalytic domain (Cd, aa 129-403). Here, we demonstrate that although both Aurora-A mutants (AurA-K250G and AurA-D294G/Y295G) lacked interactions between the Nt and Cd, they also failed to interact with Ajuba, an essential activator of Aurora-A, leading to loss of kinase activity. Additionally, overexpression of either of the mutants resulted in centrosome amplification and mitotic spindle formation defects. Both mutants were also able to cause G2/M arrest and apoptosis. These results indicate that both K250 and D294/Y295 are critical for direct interaction between Aurora-A and Ajuba and the function of the Aurora-A complex in cell cycle progression. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(11): 631-636]

Curcumin Induces Apoptosis in SGC-7901 Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells via Regulation of Mitochondrial Signaling Pathways

Xue, Xia,Yu, Jin-Long,Sun, De-Qing,Kong, Feng,Qu, Xian-Jun,Zou, Wen,Wu, Jing,Wang, Rong-Mei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.9

Curcumin, a polyphenol compound derived from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa L. has been verified as an anticancer compound against several types of cancer. However, understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which it induces apoptosis is limited. In this study, the anticancer efficacy of curcumin was investigated in human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC-7901 cells. The results demonstrated that curcumin induced morphological changes and decreased cell viability. Apoptosis triggered by curcumin was visualized using Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD staining. Curcumin-induced apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells was associated with the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Furthermore, the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax that led to the cleavage of caspase-3 and increased cleaved PARP was observed in SGC-7901 cells treated with curcumin. Therefore, curcumin-induced apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells might be mediated through the mitochondria pathway, which gives the rationale for in vivo studies on the utilization of curcumin as a potential cancer therapeutic compound.

Rhizosphere Inhibition of Cucumber Fusarium Wilt by Different Surfactinexcreting Strains of Bacillus subtilis

Ke Jia,Yu-Han Gao,Xiao-Qin Huang,Rong-Jun Guo,Shi-Dong Li 한국식물병리학회 2015 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.31 No.2

Bacillus subtilis B006 strain effectively suppresses the cucumber fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (Foc). The population dynamics of Foc, strain B006 and its surfactin over-producing mutant B841 and surfactin-deficient mutant B1020, in the rhizosphere were determined under greenhouse conditions to elucidate the importance of the lipopeptides excreted by these strains in suppressing Foc. Results showed that B. subtilis strain B006 effectively suppressed the disease in natural soil by 42.9%, five weeks after transplanting, whereas B841 and B1020 suppressed the disease by only 22.6% and 7.1%, respectively. Quantitative PCR assays showed that effective colonization of strain B006 in the rhizosphere suppressed Foc propagation by more than 10 times both in nursery substrate and in field-infected soil. Reduction of Foc population at the cucumber stems in a range of 0.96 log10 ng/g to 2.39 log10 ng/g was attained at the third and the fifth weeks of B006 treatment in nursery substrate. In field-infected soil, all three treatments with B. subtilis suppressed Foc infection, indicated by the reduction of Foc population at a range of 2.91 log10 ng/g to 3.36 log10 ng/g at the stem base, one week after transplanting. This study reveals that the suppression of fusarium wilt disease is affected by the effective colonization of the surfactin-producing B. subtilis strain in the rhizosphere. These results improved our understanding of the biocontrol mechanism of the B. subtilis strain B006 in the natural soil and facilitate its application as biocontrol agent in the field.