Function of Global Regulator CodY in Bacillus thuringiensis BMB171 by Comparative Proteomic Analysis

( Ming Xia Qi ),( Fei Mei ),( Hui Wang ),( Ming Sun ),( Ge Jiao Wang ),( Ziniu Yu ),( Yeon Ho Je ),( Ming Shun Li ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.2

CodY is a highly conserved protein in low G+C gram-positive bacteria that regulates genes involved in sporulation and stationary-phase adaptation. Bacillus thuringiensis is a grampositive bacterium that forms spores and parasporal crystals during the stationary phase. To our knowledge, the regulatory mechanism of CodY in B. thuringiensis is unknown. To study the function of CodY protein in B. thuringiensis, BMB171codY- was constructed in a BMB171 strain. A shuttle vector containing the ORF of cry1Ac10 was transformed into BMB171 and BMB171codY-, named BMB171cry1Ac and BMB171codY-cry1Ac, respectively. Some morphological and physiological changes of codY mutant BMB171codY-cry1Ac were observed. A comparative proteomic analysis was conducted for both BMB171codY-cry1Ac and BMB171cry1Ac through two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-MS/MS analysis. The results showed that the proteins regulated by CodY are involved in microbial metabolism, including branched-chain amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. Furthermore, we found CodY to be involved in sporulation, biosynthesis of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, growth, genetic competence, and translation. According to the analysis of differentially expressed proteins, and physiological characterization of the codY mutant, we performed bacterial one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments and confirmed the direct regulation of genes by CodY, specifically those involved in metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, ribosomal recycling factor FRR, and the late competence protein ComER. Our data establish the foundation for in-depth study of the regulation of CodY in B. thuringiensis, and also offer a potential biocatalyst for functions of CodY in other bacteria.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Awareness, Acceptability, and Decision-Making Factors among Chinese College Students

Wang, Shao-Ming,Zhang, Shao-Kai,Pan, Xiong-Fei,Ren, Ze-Fang,Yang, Chun-Xia,Wang, Zeng-Zhen,Gao, Xiao-Hong,Li, Man,Zheng, Quan-Qing,Ma, Wei,Zhao, Fang-Hui,Qiao, You-Lin,Sivasubramaniam, Priya Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Background: College students are recommended as the target groups for catch-up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Systematical exploration of awareness, acceptability, and decision-making factors of HPV vaccination among Chinese college students has been limited. Materials and Methods: A multi-center survey was conducted in mainland China between November 2011 and May 2012. College students aged 18-22 years were stratified by their grade, gender, and major for sampling. Socio-demographic and HPV-related information such as knowledge, perceptions, acceptability, and attitudes were collected through a questionnaire. Results: A total of 3,497 undergraduates completed the questionnaire, among which 1,686 were males. The acceptability of the HPV vaccine was high (70.8%). Undergraduates from high-level universities, at lower grade, or with greater prior knowledge of HPV vaccines showed higher acceptability of HPV vaccination ($p_{trend}$ <0.001). Additionally, undergraduates with vaccination experience outside the National Expanded Program on Immunization (OR=1.29; 95%CI: 1.10-1.51) or fear of HPV-related diseases (OR=2.79; 95%CI: 2.28-3.41) were more willing to accept HPV vaccination. General knowledge of HPV vaccine was low among undergraduates, and safety was a major concern (71.05%). The majority of students wished to pay less than 300RMB for HPV vaccine and chose the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention as the most appropriate venue for vaccination. Conclusions: Although most undergraduates demonstrate positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination, challenges pertaining to introduction exist in China. Corresponding proactive education and governmental subsidy to do so are urgently needed by this age-group population. Suggestions and potential strategies indicated may help shape the future HPV vaccination program in China.

An Iris Localization Algorithm based on Geometric Features of the Circle

Ming Fei Wang,RuiYun Xie,BenZhai Hai 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.8 No.7

An iris localization algorithm with the fast speed is proposed based on geometric features of the circle combing coarse localization with fine localization to avoid the problem of the slow speed of the classical iris localization algorithm. First, the row and column scanning method is employed to find four strings in the pupil. Four couples of tangency points are located by using the perpendicular bisector of strings and the threshold of the pupil boundary. The mean value of the coordinate parameters of the tangency points is regarded as the parameters for inner edge rough localization parameters. Then the calculus method is used for precise localization of the inner edge. The priori knowledge of the close distance between inner and outer edge centers of the circle is used to narrow the search range of the calculus method localizing outside edge, to significantly improving the speed of iris localization. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can improve the speed of iris localization with the high localizing accuracy.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in a Chinese Population-Based Sample

Fei Han,Fei-Fei Zhai,Quan Wang,Li-Xin Zhou,Jun Ni,Ming Yao,Ming-Li Li,Shu-Yang Zhang,Li-Ying Cui,Zheng-Yu Jin,Yi-Cheng Zhu 대한뇌졸중학회 2018 Journal of stroke Vol.20 No.2

Background and Purpose Epidemiological data of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in the general population of China are lacking. We report on the prevalence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in a community-based sample in China and compare the results with those of other studies. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of the population-based Shunyi Study in China. A total of 1,211 stroke-free participants (mean age, 55.6±9.3 years; 37.4% men) with available 3 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance images were included in this analysis. Demographic information and risk factor data were assessed. The overall and age-specific prevalence of lacunes, WMH, and CMBs was evaluated. Associations between cardiovascular risk factors and the presence of these lesions were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Results Our study showed a prevalence of 14.5% for lacunes, 72.1% for periventricular hyperintensity (PVH), 65.4% for deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH), and 10.6% for CMBs. When compared with other community-based samples, individuals in the same age group showed a higher burden of lacunes and a relatively lower prevalence of CMBs. Advanced age was independently associated with the prevalence of these CSVD markers, while the presence of hypertension increased the risk of lacunes, PVH/DWMH, and CMBs in deep or infratentorial locations. Conclusions A higher burden of lacunes but a relatively lower prevalence of CMBs was observed in this Chinese population. This notable result highlights the challenge of CSVD prevention in China. Chinese have a risk factor profile for CSVD similar to those in other populations.

Geometric Optimization of a Mathematical Model of Radiofrequency Ablation in Hepatic Carcinoma

Wang, Kai-Feng,Pan, Wei,Wang, Fei,Wang, Gao-Feng,Madhava, Pai,Pan, Hong-Ming,Kong, De-Xing,Liu, Xiang-Guan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Radio frequency ablation (RFA) is an effective means of achieving local control of liver cancer. It is a particularly suitable mode of therapy for small and favorably located tumors. However, local progression rates are substantially higher for large tumors (>3.0 cm). In the current study, we report on a mathematical model based on geometric optimization to treat large liver tumors. A database of mathematical models relevant to the configuration of liver cancer was also established. The specific placement of electrodes and the frequency of ablation were also optimized. In addition, three types of liver cancer lesion were simulated by computer guidance incorporating mathematical models. This approach can be expected to provide a more effective and rationale mechanism for employing RFA in the therapy of hepatic carcinoma.

Genetic variations in the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 are related to cigarette smoking behavior in Han Chinese smokers

Qi Fei-Yan,Zhu Zhou-Hai,Li Meng,Guan Ying,Peng Qi-Yuan,Lu She-Ming,Liu Zhi-Hua,Wang Ming-Feng,Miao Ming-Ming,Chen Zhang-Yu,Li Xue-Mei,Bai Jie,Yao Jian-Hua 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.11

Background: Smoking behavior is influenced by multiple genes, including the bitter taste gene TAS2R38. It has been reported that the correlation between TAS2R38 and smoking behavior has ethnicity-based differences. However, the TAS2R38 status in Chinese smokers is still unclear. Objective: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between genetic variations in TAS2R38 (A49P, V262A and I296V) and smoking behaviors in the Han Chinese population. Methods: The haplotype analyses were performed and smoking behavior questionnaire was completed by 1271 individuals. Genetic association analyses for smoking behavior were analyzed using chi-square test. Further, for investigating the molecular mechanism of TAS2R38 variants effect on smoking behavior, we conducted TAS2R38-PAV and TAS2R38-AVI expression plasmids and tested the cellular calcium assay by cigarette smoke compounds stimulus in HEK293. Results: Significant associations of genetic variants within TAS2R38 were identified with smoking behavior. We found a higher PAV/PAV frequency than AVI/AVI in moderate and high nicotine dependence (FTND ≥ 4; X2 = 4.611, 1 df, p = 0.032) and strong cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference (X2 = 4.5383, 1 df, p = 0.033) in participants. Furthermore, in the in vitro cellular calcium assay, total particle matter (TPM), N-formylnornicotine and cotinine, existing in cigarette smoke, activated TAS2R38-PAV but not TAS2R38-AVI-transfected cells. Conclusion: Our data highlights that genetic variations in TAS2R38 are related to smoking behavior, especially nicotine dependence and cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference. Our findings may encourage further consideration of the taste process to identify individuals susceptible to nicotine dependence, particularly Han Chinese smokers.

Anticancer, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Anemone (Anemone cathayensis)

Jun-li Wang,Kun Liu,Wei-zhen Gong,Qian Wang,Dong-ting Xu,Ming-fei Liu,Kai-li Bi,Yun-fei Song 한국식품과학회 2012 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.21 No.2

This study was performed to evaluate the anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of fractions and isolated compounds from anemone (Anemone cathayensis). Fourteen compounds were isolated from extracts. Anticancer activities of fractions and compounds were determined by MTT assay, and all tested fractions showed inhibition activity on human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). The fraction 6 displayed the strongest anticancer activity, and inhibition percent was 50.32%. The antioxidant effect of fractions was evaluated by using DPPH scavenging assays. Fraction 5 had a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity with low IC50 value of 30.578μg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the fractions was evaluated against 3 microorganisms using the agar well diffusion method. The fractions also showed moderate antimicrobial activity. These results suggest that anemone could hold a good potential source for human health.

Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis Among Adults in Urban and Rural Areas of China: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Ming Zheng,Xiangdong Wang,Mingyu Bo,Kuiji Wang,Yan Zhao,Fei He,Feifei Cao,Luo Zhang,Claus Bachert 대한천식알레르기학회 2015 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.7 No.2

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of self-reported and confirmable allergic rhinitis (AR) with positive skin pricktest (SPT) results among adults living in urban and rural areas of China. Methods: Adults from a community in Beijing and a village in Baoding wereselected as representative urban and rural dwellers, respectively. All eligible residents were enrolled from the population register and received aface-to-face interview using modified validated questionnaires. Equal sets of randomly selected self-reporting AR-positive and AR-negative participantswho responded to the questionnaires were also investigated using skin prick tests. Results: A total of 803 participants in the rural area and atotal of 1,499 participants in the urban area completed the questionnaires, with response rates being 75.9% and 81.5% respectively. The prevalenceof self-reported AR of the rural area (19.1%) was significantly higher than that of the urban area (13.5%). The elementary school of educational levelincreased the risk of having AR (adjusted OR=2.198, 95% CI=1.072-2.236) .The positive SPT rates among subjects with self-reported AR in therural and urban areas were 32.5% and 53.3%, respectively; the confirmable AR prevalence of 6.2% and 7.2% among the rural and urban adults, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of confirmable AR is similar between rural and urban areas in China, although there is a higher prevalenceof self-reported AR in the former. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of self-reported and confirmable allergic rhinitis (AR) with positive skin prick test (SPT) results among adults living in urban and rural areas of China. Methods: Adults from a community in Beijing and a village in Baoding were selected as representative urban and rural dwellers, respectively. All eligible residents were enrolled from the population register and received a face-to-face interview using modified validated questionnaires. Equal sets of randomly selected self-reporting AR-positive and AR-negative participants who responded to the questionnaires were also investigated using skin prick tests. Results: A total of 803 participants in the rural area and a total of 1,499 participants in the urban area completed the questionnaires, with response rates being 75.9% and 81.5% respectively. The prevalence of self-reported AR of the rural area (19.1%) was significantly higher than that of the urban area (13.5%). The elementary school of educational level increased the risk of having AR (adjusted OR=2.198, 95% CI=1.072-2.236) .The positive SPT rates among subjects with self-reported AR in the rural and urban areas were 32.5% and 53.3%, respectively; the confirmable AR prevalence of 6.2% and 7.2% among the rural and urban adults, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of confirmable AR is similar between rural and urban areas in China, although there is a higher prevalence of self-reported AR in the former.

Port-Site Metastases and Chimney Effect of B-Ultrasound-Guided and Laparoscopically-Assisted Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Perfusion Chemotherapy

Ming-Chen Ba,Hui Long,Xiang-Liang Zhang,Yuan-Feng Gong,Zhao-Fei Yan,Shuai Wang,Yun-Qiang Tang,Shu-Zhong Cui 연세대학교의과대학 2017 Yonsei medical journal Vol.58 No.3

Purpose: CO2 leakage along the trocar (chimney effect) has been proposed to be an important factor underlying port-site metastasisafter laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by comparing the incidence of port-site metastasis betweenB-ultrasound-guided and laparoscopically-assisted hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy (HIPPC). Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients with malignant ascites induced by gastrointestinal or ovarian cancer were divided into two groups to receive either B-ultrasound-guided or laparoscopically-assisted HIPPC. Clinical efficacy was assessed from the objective remission rate (ORR), the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, and overall survival. The incidence of port-site metastasis was compared between the two groups. Results: Patients in the B-ultrasound (n=32) and laparoscopy (n=30) groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, primary diseasetype, volume of ascites, and free cancer cell (FCC)-positive ascites. After HIPPC, there were no significant differences between the B-ultrasound and laparoscopy groups in the KPS score change, ORR, and median survival time. The incidence of port-site metastasis after HIPPC was not significantly different between the B-ultrasound (3 of 32, 9.36%) and laparoscopy (3 of 30, 10%) groups, but significantly different among pancreatic, gastric, ovarian, and colorectal cancer (33.33, 15.79, 10.00, and 0.00%, p<0.001). Conclusion: The chimney effect may not be the key reason for port-site metastasis after laparoscopy. Other factors may play a role, including the local microenvironment at the trocar site and the delivery of viable FCCs (from the tumor or malignant ascites) to the trauma site during laparoscopic surgery.

Electronic and Optical Properties of Noble Metal Oxides M2O (M = Cu, Ag and Au): First-principles Study

Fei Pei,Song Wu,Gang Wang,Ming Xu,Liang-Yao Chen,Yu Jia,Song-You Wang 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.55 No.3

In this work, first-principles calculations for the structural, electronic, and optical properties of noble metal oxides M2O (M = Cu, Ag, Au) with the cuprite structure are performed by using a plane wave pseudopotential method in the framework of density functional theory (DFT) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The structural, electronic, and optical properties are investigated and discussed. For Cu2O and Ag2O, good agreement was achieved between calculated and experimental results. Within the same framework, Au2O is predicted to be a semiconductor. In comparison with the copper and the silver oxides, the gold oxide has less ionic bonding between Au and O, and the intra-atomic hybridization is expected to be more evident as the depletion of the Au 5d shell appears to be more profound than it is for the Cu 3d and the Ag 4d shells. In this work, first-principles calculations for the structural, electronic, and optical properties of noble metal oxides M2O (M = Cu, Ag, Au) with the cuprite structure are performed by using a plane wave pseudopotential method in the framework of density functional theory (DFT) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The structural, electronic, and optical properties are investigated and discussed. For Cu2O and Ag2O, good agreement was achieved between calculated and experimental results. Within the same framework, Au2O is predicted to be a semiconductor. In comparison with the copper and the silver oxides, the gold oxide has less ionic bonding between Au and O, and the intra-atomic hybridization is expected to be more evident as the depletion of the Au 5d shell appears to be more profound than it is for the Cu 3d and the Ag 4d shells.