Identification and characterization of heat shock proteins in a parasitic wasp Chouioia cuneae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Li‐Na Pan,Feng-ZhuWANG,Xin-Yue ZHANG,Yan-Ni ZHAO,Geng-Ping ZHU,Min LI 한국곤충학회 2018 Entomological Research Vol.48 No.3

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are known to be induced in response to various stress factors. Although HSPs have been studied in a number of insects, not much is known about HSPs in the natural enemies of insects, especially parasitoids. In this study, we identified and characterized five full‐length HSP genes (Cchsp40, Cchsp60, Cchsp70, Cchsp83, and Cchsp90) from an endoparasitic chalcid wasp, Chouioia cunea, which parasitizes the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea pupae, a worldwide pest. The expression of Cchsps in response to temperature, pesticide stresses and UV radiation were also investigated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). The results showed that all five Cchsps were induced in response to hot and cold temperatures. Four pesticides induced the abundant expression of Cchsp70, Cchsp83 and Cchsp90 while ultraviolet radiation up‐regulated Cchsp40, Cchsp70, Cchsp83 and Cchsp90. These results indicate the different transcriptional profiles of the five different Cchsps in response to various abiotic stresses. The findings of this study provide insights into the response of C. cunea to abiotic stresses and insight into the use of this parasitoid in biological control strategies.

Hypoglycemic triterpenes from <i>Gynostemma pentaphyllum</i>

Wang, Jun,Ha, Thi Kim Quy,Shi, Yan-Ping,Oh, Won Keun,Yang, Jun-Li Elsevier 2018 Phytochemistry Vol.155 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>To search for bioactive gypenosides and their analogues, a saponin enriched fraction and its hydrolyzate from <I>Gynostemma pentaphyllum</I> were phytochemically investigated. Fractionation by diverse chromatographic methods, including HPLC, Sephadex LH-20, silica gel, and C18 reverse phase silica gel, led to the isolation and purification of twelve triterpenes, including five undescribed and seven known. The chemical structures of all compounds were determined as analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), infrared spectrum (IR), optical rotation, and chemical transformations. Among all isolates, nine compounds possessed a rare dammarane triterpenoid framework with A-ring modified. The relative configurations of three compounds were determined by 2D NMR for the first time. The absolute configurations of four compounds were determined by the modified Mosher's method. Two of all isolated compounds significantly enhanced 2-deoxy-2-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]-D-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake and Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation via activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling pathway. This study provided the potential candidates for the development of antidiabetic agents.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> <I>Gynostemma pentaphyllum</I> is a traditional medicinal and edible plant in China. </LI> <LI> Five undescribed triterpenes were isolated. </LI> <LI> The modified Mosher's method was used to determine the absolute configurations. </LI> <LI> Their hypoglycemic activity was evaluated in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. </LI> <LI> This study provided the potential candidates for antidiabetic agents. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Five undescribed and nine known triterpenes were isolated from the hydrolyzate and extract of <I>Gynostemma pentaphyllum.</I> Their hypoglycemic activity was evaluated.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Development of Origanum vulgare Cell Suspension Culture to Produce Polyphenols and the Stimulation Effect of Salicylic Acid Elicitation and Phenylalanine Feeding

Yan-Ping Li,Dao-Bang Tang,Xiao-Qiang Wang,Meng Wang,Qing-Feng Zhang,Yuan Liu,Bei-Yun Shen,Jiguang Chen,Zhongping Yin 한국생물공학회 2021 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.26 No.3

Three types of calli were induced from Origanum vulgare (O. vulgare) aseptic seedlings, and the friable calli with white appearance and high growth rate were further screened and used to develop cell suspension culture to produce polyphenols. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3.0 mg/L Kinetin (KT) and 0.5 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) was suitable for both O. vulgare cells growth and polyphenols accumulation. To further enhance the polyphenols accumulation, O. vulgare cells were treated by phenylalanine (Phe) feeding and salicylic acid (SA) elicitation. Compared with the individual Phe feeding and SA elicitation, SA elicitation combined with Phe feeding showed a much better promotion effect on the polyphenols synthesis in O. vulgare cells, especially rosmarinic acid (RosA) accumulation. With the combined treatment of 200 μM SA and 100 μM Phe, total polyphenols content and yield were 41.36 mg/g and 752.93 mg/L, respectively. RosA content and yield reached 31.25 mg/g and 570.37 mg/L, which were 5.44 and 5.47 times that of the control. Furthermore, the total polyphenols extracted from the cultured cells treated by SA elicitation combined with Phe feeding displayed a much higher antioxidant capacity than that of untreated cells, meanwhile its 1,1-diphenyl-2- trinitrophenyl hydrazine (DPPH) and superoxide anion radical-scavenging activity were much stronger than that of vitamin C. What’s more, our results also showed that RosA was the principal contributor to the fine antioxidant capacity of the total polyphenols extracted from the SA and Phe treated cells. Our research indicated that SA elicitation combined with Phe feeding significantly improved the polyphenols yield and antioxidant capacity of the cultured O. vulgare cells, and therefore has a promising application prospect in natural polyphenols production.

Development of self-centring energy-dissipative rocking columns equipped with SMA tension braces

Yan-Wen Li,Michael C.H. Yam,Ping Zhang,Ke Ke,Yan-Bo Wang 국제구조공학회 2022 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.82 No.5

Energy-dissipative rocking (EDR) columns are a class of seismic mitigation device capable of dissipating seismic energy and preventing weak-story failure of moment resisting frames (MRFs). An EDR consists of two hinge-supported steel columns interconnected by steel dampers along its height. Under earthquakes, the input seismic energy can be dissipated by plastic energy of the steel dampers in the EDR column. However, the unrecoverable plastic deformation of steel dampers generally results in residual drifts in the structural system. This paper presents a proof-of-concept study on an innovative device, namely self-centring energy-dissipative rocking (SC-EDR) column, aiming at enabling self-centring capability of the EDR column by installing a set of shape memory alloy (SMA) tension braces. The working mechanism of the SC-EDR column is presented in detail, and the feasibility of the new device is carefully examined via experimental and numerical studies considering the parameters of the SMA bar diameter and the steel damper plate thickness. The seismic responses including load carrying capacities, stress distributions, base rocking behaviour, source of residual deformation, and energy dissipation are discussed in detail. A rational combination of the steel damper and the SMA tension braces can achieve excellent energy dissipation and self-centring performance.

Effect of Blending Modifications for Phenylethynyl-terminated Polyimides

Ping Yu,Min-zhao Xue,Yan-gang Liu,Xue Yang,Li-jing Pan,Yan-li Zhang,Wei Wang 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.2

A reactive diluent (ODA-PEPA) and a flexible phenylethynyl-terminated imide oligomer (PEI-PEPA) were designed and synthesized based on the 2,3,3',4'-diphenyl ether tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (a-ODPA), 3,4'-oxydianiline(3,4'-ODA), and 4-phenylethynylphthalic anhydride (PEPA). Solution blended systems with the addition of 5, 10, and 15 wt% ODA-PEPA to PEI-PEPA oligomer and their cured resin systems were prepared. Results showed that ODA-PEPA is semi-crystalline in nature. The Tg values of cured resins were improved from 273 oC to 280 oC by the addition of ODA-PEPA, due to the higher crosslink densities. In addition, rheological properties of blends showed lower melt viscosity and wider processing window, revealing improved melt processabilities for potential application in making advanced composites. The isothermal viscosity in 280 oC of PEI-PEPA containing 15 wt% ODA-PEPA reactive diluent decreased by two thirds, due to the low molecular weight of ODA-PEPA. The cured blends demonstrated high thermal stability and heat resistance. 5 wt% thermal decomposition temperatures (Td5) of the cured blends were above 549 oC and 547 oC in N2 and air atmosphere, respectively. The char yield reported at 800 oC in N2 atmosphere increased from 58.8% to 63.7 % with the addition of ODAPEPA. Meanwhile, the cured polyimides blends possessed good bond strength (> 9.3 MPa).

JCAD deficiency attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells and cholestatic fibrosis

Li Xie,Hui Chen,Li Zhang,Yue Ma,Yuan Zhou,Yong-Yu Yang,Chang Liu,Yu-Li Wang,Ya-Jun Yan,Jia Ding,Xiao Teng,Qiang Yang,Xiu-Ping Liu,Jian Wu 대한간학회 2024 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.30 No.2

Background/Aims: Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which ultimately progresses to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main fibrogenic effectors in response to cholangiocyte damage. JCAD regulates cell proliferation and malignant transformation in nonalcoholic steatoheaptitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). However, its participation in cholestatic fibrosis has not been explored yet. Methods: Serial sections of liver tissue of PBC patients were stained with immunofluorescence. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in wild-type (WT), global JCAD knockout mice (JCAD-KO) and HSC-specific JCAD knockout mice (HSC-JCAD-KO), and evaluated by histopathology and biochemical tests. In situ-activated HSCs isolated from BDL mice were used to determine effects of JCAD on HSC activation. Results: In consistence with staining of liver sections from PBC patients, immunofluorescent staining revealed that JCAD expression was identified in smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblast-like cells and was significantly up-regulated in WT mice with BDL. JCAD deficiency remarkably ameliorated BDL-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis, as documented by liver hydroxyproline content, when compared to WT mice with BDL. Histopathologically, collagen deposition was dramatically reduced in both JCAD-KO and HSC-JCAD-KO mice compared to WT mice, as visualized by Trichrome staining and semi-quantitative scores. Moreover, JCAD deprivation significantly attenuated in situ HSC activation and reduced expression of fibrotic genes after BDL. Conclusions: JCAD deficiency effectively suppressed hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in mice, and the underlying mechanisms are largely through suppressed Hippo-YAP signaling activity in HSCs.

Red, green, and blue fluorescent folate-receptor-targeting carbon dots for cervical cancer cellular and tissue imaging

Li, Shihao,Jiang, Jie,Yan, Yinan,Wang, Ping,Huang, Gang,Kim, Nam hoon,Lee, Joong Hee,He, Dannong Elsevier 2018 Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for Vol.93 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Folate receptor targeted photo-luminescent quantum carbon dots (Fr-CDs) were successfully prepared from folic acid and phenylenediamine isomers through hydrothermal approaches. Fr-CDs were spherical particles smaller than 10 nm, and emit stable green, blue and red luminescence under ultraviolet region excitation (λex = 365 nm) with maximum emissive lengths at 530, 429, and 612 nm. And the corresponding photoluminescence quantum yield as 15.4%, 12.6% and 16.2% respectively. Up-converted photoluminescent properties in near infrared 800 nm spectral region located in green, blue and yellow region. In-vitro studies showed Fr-CDs had almost none cytotoxicity (cell viability over 80%) and high affinitive to the Hela celline highly-expressed-folate-receptor membranes, and lighted on cytoplasm as the fluorescent marker. It displayed long luminescent-stability with PL intensity above 90% in ultraviolet illuminant exposure over 24 h. In in-vivo studies, Fr-CDs were internalized and accumulated in targeted cancer tissues of cervical carcinoma and the emitting fluorescence maintains over 30 min.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Multicolor carbon dots was prepared from folic acid and phenylenediamin isomers. </LI> <LI> These carbon dots exhibit targeting abilities with high affinity to ovarian cancer cells and tissues. </LI> <LI> Ultra-violet and near-infrared light excited photo-luminescent spectrums were investigated, and related quantum yield was calculated. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>FA-doped CDs can effectively target ovarian cancer cells and aggregate in ovarian tumor tissue in a short 15 min.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Applicability Analysis of Microseismic Technology in Tunnel Water Inrush Monitoring

Yan-hao Chen,Shuai Cheng,Li-Ping Li,Jun-yan Yang,Hong-liang Liu,Wen-feng Tu 대한토목학회 2021 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.25 No.7

Water inrush disaster is one of the most serious geological disasters in tunnel construction. There are still some problems in the existing researches, such as the activity information of surrounding rock is difficult to obtain, the mechanism of water inrush disaster is unclear, the correlation between water inrush disaster and microseismic (MS) information is missing, which have caused the water inrush disaster to be passively controlled. Combining with the practical experience of tunnel engineering, the application problems of MS technology in tunnel engineering is summarized, which provides ideas for monitoring of surrounding rock activity. The formation mechanism of water inrush disaster caused by rock mass fracturing and filling medium instability has been revealed. The MS characteristics of the water inrush channel in different water inrush disasters have also been revealed. The MS response characteristics of water inrush and rockburst disasters are compared, which provides guidance for the improvement of MS monitoring technology and the analysis of effective MS information. The compression failure test of limestone under saturated and natural conditions is carried out. The results show that the presence of water weakens the ability of rock to store energy. The acoustic emission (AE) phenomenon is weaker in the process of saturated limestone failure, which increases the difficulty of AE monitoring. The number of AE events of natural limestone and saturated limestone shows a slow increase to a sudden increase in the process stress loading, which can be regarded as an important precursor of rock failure.

Relation between Ki-67, ER, PR, Her2/neu, p21, EGFR, and TOP II-α Expression in Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer Patients and Correlations with Prognosis

Yan, Jian,Liu, Xiao-Long,Han, Lu-Zhe,Xiao, Gang,Li, Ning-Lei,Deng, Yi-Nan,Yin, Liang-Chun,Ling, Li-Juan,Yu, Xiao-Yuan,Tan, Can-Liang,Huang, Xiao-Ping,Liu, Li-Xin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.2

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of the transcription factor Ki-67, ER, PR, Her2/neu, p21, EGFR, and TOP II-${\alpha}$ in the tumor tissue of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC); in addition, we examined correlations between these markers. Two hundred and sixteen IDC patients, who were not previously been treated with chemo- or radiotherapy, were included in the study. All tumors were grade I-III. Expression of molecular markers was determined by immunohistochemical analysis on paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Follow-up data were collected for 3 months to 10 years and analyzed for tumor recurrence, survival time, and prognostic risk factors. We determined Ki-67 expression correlates with the expression of ER, PR, HER-2, EGFR, and TOP-${\alpha}$, as well as lymph node involvement, high tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, high tumor stage, and high TNM stage in IDC. Positive Ki-67 expression was a risk factor for rapid tumor recurrence and may help tumor progression, leading to poor prognosis in IDC. Ki-67 was directly correlated with EGFR, TOP II-${\alpha}$, lymph node involvement, high tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, high tumor stage, and high TNM stage in the hormone receptor subtypes of breast cancer. In triple negative breast cancer, Ki-67 correlated with TOP II-${\alpha}$. Expression of Ki-67 correlated with that of ER, PR, HER-2, EGFR, TOP II-${\alpha}$, and p21. In addition, the biomarker Ki-67 has a role as a prognostic factor and indicates a poor prognosis in IDC.

No Association Between the USP7 Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer in the Chinese Han Population

Li, Xin,Wang, Yang,Li, Xing-Wang,Liu, Bao-Cheng,Zhao, Qing-Zhu,Li, Wei-Dong,Chen, Shi-Qing,Huang, Xiao-Ye,Yang, Feng-Ping,Wang, Quan,Wang, Jin-Fen,Xiao, Yan-Zeng,Xu, Yi-Feng,Feng, Guo-Yin,Peng, Zhi-Ha Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Colorectal cancer (CRC), now the third most common cancer across the world, is known to aggregate in families. USP7 is a very important protein with an important role in regulating the p53 pathway, which is critical for genomic stability and tumor suppression. We here genotyped eight SNPs within the USP7 gene and conducted a case-control study in 312 CRC patients and 270 healthy subjects in the Chinese Han population. No significant associations were found for any single SNP and CRC risk. Our data eliminate USP7 as a potential candidate gene towards for CRC in the Han Chinese population.