Transcriptome profiling of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) discovers candidate regulators of the cold stress respo

Xiao‑Xiao Gong,Bing‑Yu Yan,Jin Hu,Cui‑Ping Yang,Yi‑Jian Li,Jin‑Ping Liu,Wen‑Bin Liao 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.11

Tropical plant rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is the sole source of commercial natural rubber and low-temperature stress is the most important limiting factor for its cultivation. To characterize the gene expression profiles of H. brasiliensis under the cold stress and discover the key cold stress-induced genes. Three cDNA libraries, CT (control), LT2 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 2 h) and LT24 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 24 h) were constructed for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and gene expression profiling. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to validate the RNA-Seq and gene differentially expression results. A total of 1457 and 2328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LT2 and LT24 compared with CT were respectively detected. Most significantly enriched KEGG pathways included flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, Pentose and glucuronate interconversions, phenylalanine metabolism and starch and sucrose metabolism. A total of 239 transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed following 2 h or/and 24 h of cold treatment. Cold-response transcription factor families included ARR-B, B3, BES1, bHLH, C2H, CO-like, Dof, ERF, FAR1, G2-like, GRAS, GRF, HD-ZIP, HSF, LBD, MIKC-MADS, M-type MADS, MYB, MYB-related, NAC, RAV, SRS, TALE, TCP, Trihelix, WOX, WRKY, YABBY and ZF-HD. The genome-wide transcriptional response of rubber tree to the cold treatments were determined and a large number of DEGs were characterized including 239 transcription factors, providing important clues for further elucidation of the mechanisms of cold stress responses in rubber tree.

Protective effects of vitamins C and E on dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-induced genotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in human liver cells

Xiao Ting Jin,Li Song,Xiang Yuan Liu,Hang Qing Li,Long Cheng,Zhuo Yu Li1,,Z. Y. Li 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2017 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.13 No.2

Dichlorodiphenoxytrichloroethane (DDT), a persistent organic pollutant and hepatotoxicant, is used to control the malaria. However, scarce information exists on relevant effective inhibitors of DDT’ toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate protective effects of natural antioxidants vitamin C (VC) or/and vitamin E (VE) on p,pʹ-DDT-induced genotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in human liver cells. p,pʹ-DDT exposure increased levels of chromatin condensation, comet parameter, micronucleus induction and DPC coefficient of HL-7702 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Also, an increase in mRNA levels of CYP1A1 as well as CYP3A4, and a decrease in UGT along with GST were observed. Interestingly, supplementation with VC or/and VE prevented p,pʹ-DDT-caused alterations in DNA damage and phase metabolism gene expressions, and the combination of VC and VE had a more protective effect than VC or VE alone. These findings illustrated that VC or/and VE could be beneficial for the alleviation of p,pʹ-DDT-incurred toxicity in human liver cells.

Comparison of volatile organic compounds from uninfested and Monochamus alternatus Hope infested Pinus massoniana Lamb.

Xiao‐Juan Li,Guang-Ping DONG,Jian-Min FANG,Hong-Jian LIU,Wan-Lin GUO 한국곤충학회 2017 Entomological Research Vol.47 No.3

Monochamus alternatus is a destructive stem‐boring herbivore of Pinus massoniana, and the principal vector of pine wood nematode. To investigate the impacts of boring by M. alternatus larvae on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from their host trees, the VOCs from uninfested and M. alternatus larvae infested P. massoniana trees were observed using a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer. We detected 12, 9, 18 and 14 volatile organic compounds from infested xylem, infested phloem, uninfested xylem and uninfested phloem, respectively. In P. massoniana xylem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced cyclosativene, and inhibited 4‐carene, humulene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene and γ‐terpinene. The relative amounts of camphene, copacamphene, longicyclene, longifolene, tricyclene and α‐longipinene were significantly increased, and the relative amounts of α‐pinene and β‐pinene were significantly decreased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. In P. massoniana phloem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced 2‐bornanone, copacamphene, longicyclene and α‐longipinene, and inhibited 2‐carene, 4‐carene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene, β‐pinene, γ‐terpinene and ο‐cymene. The relative amounts of camphene, caryophyllene and longifolene were significantly increased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. The results indicate that the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae changed both the sorts and contents of the VOCs from P. massoniana trees.

The effects of codon usage on the formation of secondary structures of nucleocapsid protein of peste des petits ruminants virus

Xiao‑xia Ma,Yi‑ning Wang,Xiao‑an Cao,Xue‑rui Li,Yong‑sheng Liu,Jian‑hua Zhou,Xue‑peng Cai 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.9

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) with a conserved amino acid usage pattern plays an important role in viral replication. The primary objective of this study was to estimate roles of synonymous codon usages of PPRV N gene and tRNA abundances of host in the formation of secondary structure of N protein. The potential effects of synonymous codon usages of N gene and tRNA abundances of host on shaping different folding units (α-helix, β-strand and the coil) in N protein were estimated, based on the information about the modeling secondary structure of PPRV N protein. The synonymous codon usage bias was found in different folding units in PPRV N protein. To better understand the role of translation speed caused by variant tRNA abundances in shaping the specific folding unit in N protein, we modeled the changing trends of tRNA abundance at the transition boundaries from one folding unit to another folding unit (β-strand → coil, coil → β-strand, α-helix → coil, coil → α-helix). The obvious fluctuations of tRNA abundance were identified at the two transition boundaries (β-strand → coil and coil → β-strand) in PPRV N protein. Our findings suggested that viral synonymous codon usage bias and cellular tRNA abundance variation might have potential effects on the formation of secondary structure of PPRV N protein.

Identification of differentially expressed immunity‐related genes in Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) larvae parasitized by Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae)

Xiao‐Juan Li,Guang-Ping DONG,Jian-Min FANG,Hong-Jian LIU,Wan-Lin GUO 한국곤충학회 2018 Entomological Research Vol.48 No.4

The pine sawyer Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a serious pest of several Pinus species, and the ectoparasitoid larvae of Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae) is an important natural enemy of this pest. The transcriptome of M. alternatus larvae was sequenced using the Illumina platform and immunity‐related genes were specifically analyzed. De novo assembly resulted in the identification of 24 241 unigenes, with a mean length of 1122 bp, in unparasitized M. alternatus larvae and 23 807 unigenes, with a mean length of 1140 bp, for parasitized larvae. Removal of redundant unigenes resulted in 26 095 all‐unigenes, of which 16 959 (64.99%) showed clear homology with some of the known genes in the National Center for Biotechnology Information nr database. Parasitization had notable effects on the transcriptome profile of M. alternatus larvae. In all, 2702 genes were differentially expressed in M. alternatus larvae after parasitization, with 1491 (55.18%) upregulated and 1211 (44.82%) downregulated. Moreover, expression levels of immunity‐related genes in M. alternatus larvae were markedly altered in response to parasitization by D. helophoroides. In conclusion, the transcriptome profiling data, especially the discovered of immunity‐related genes, help illustrate the molecular mechanisms of parasitism between D. helophoroides and M. alternatus and provide new insights into developing immunity regulation‐mediated control methods of M. alternatus.

Joint Remote State Preparation of Arbitrary Two- and Three-Particle States

Liu, Hong-Hui,Cheng, Liu-Yong,Shao, Xiao-Qiang,Sun, Li-Li,Zhang, Shou,Yeon, Kyu-Hwang Springer-Verlag 2011 International journal of theoretical physics Vol.50 No.10

Factors Predicting the Effi cacy of Adefovir Dipivoxil on Treatment-Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at 48 Weeks

Li-Chun Wang,En-Qiang Chen,Xiao-Feng Zhu,Zhong-Hua Xiong,Li Liu,Lu Xu,Xue-Zhong Lei,Cong Liu,Hong Tang 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.4

Background/Aims: To reveal possible factors predicting the effect of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and optimize the utilization of ADV. Methods:In total, 168 treatment-naïve CHB patients were enrolled,including 117 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients and 51 HBeAg-negative patients who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with ADV 10 mg per day for 48 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate baseline factors, and responses at weeks 12and 24 were analyzed as predictive values. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that baseline HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels signifi cantly affected the virological response (VR) (p<0.05), baseline ALT levels were an independent predictor of serological response (SR) (p<0.05) and the body mass index (BMI) may affect the biochemical response (BR)(p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the VR and SR between patients with a primary nonresponse (PNR) at week 12 and those with a VR at week 12 (p<0.01). Additionally, the VR was significantly different between patients with HBV DNA lower than 10^3 copies/mL at week 24 and those with greater than 10^3 copies/mL (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with negative HBeAg, lower HBV DNA levels and higher ALT values at baseline are more suitable for ADV treatment, whereas patients with lower BMIs may be more amenable to ALT normalization. Adjustments for treatment strategy should be considered if PNR at week 12 or HBV DNA ≥103 copies/mL at week 24 is observed.

Knockout of the EgriBLOS2 gene results in the transparent integuments of Ectropis grisescens larvae

Li Jia-Li,Zhuang Xiang-Lin,Yuan Ting-Ting,Cai Xiao-Ming,Luo Zong-Xiu,Bian Lei,Chen Zong-Mao,Li Zhao-Qun,Liu Nai-Yong 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.1

The body colors of insects have evolved specialized roles in body protection, signaling and physiology. In some case, the larvae can camouflage their body colors to adapt the habitants and protect themselves. However, the genetic and molecular basis on larval body colors of the tea geometrid, Ectropis grisescens, remains poorly known. Here, we reported an effect of the lysosome-related organelles complex-1, subunit 2 (EgriBLOS2) gene knockout on larval integuments of E. grisescens, by using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system. Combining transcriptomic data and PCR approaches, we first identified the EgriBLOS2 gene from E. grisescens, which encoded 137 amino acids and comprised 3 introns. In the phylogenetic analysis, EgriBLOS2 clustered in the Lepidoptera clade with high conservation to members in other lepidopteran species. Developmental expression profiles revealed that EgriBLOS2 was constantly tran scribed at each stage, in which its expression was significantly lower in 2nd instar larvae than that of other instars. After injecting EgriBLOS2-specific guide RNA and Cas9 messenger RNA into eggs, 70% of larvae showed the translucent integuments in G0 generation, with an emphasis on black splayed patterns in the 2nd and 8th segments of abdomens. However, some typical characteristics of larvae were not obviously changed in mutant instars, such as ocelli, mouthparts and other appendants. This study has unraveled the roles of EgriBLOS2 in the formation of larval integument colors, and provides an alternative strategy for pest management based on the colors in this species.

Staged Improvement in Awareness of Disease for Elderly Cancer Patients in Southern China

Li, Xing,Dong, Min,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Deng, Yun,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wang, Tian-Tian,Wu, Dong-Hao,Liu, Xu,Hu, Hai-Tao,Lin, Jia-Yu,Li, Zhu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.

Cinnamaldehyde Derivatives Inhibit Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Viral Myocarditis

Li, Xiao-Qiang,Liu, Xiao-Xiao,Wang, Xue-Ying,Xie, Yan-Hua,Yang, Qian,Liu, Xin-Xin,Ding, Yuan-Yuan,Cao, Wei,Wang, Si-Wang The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology 2017 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.25 No.3

The chemical property of cinnamaldehyde is unstable in vivo, although early experiments have shown its obvious therapeutic effects on viral myocarditis (VMC). To overcome this problem, we used cinnamaldehyde as a leading compound to synthesize derivatives. Five derivatives of cinnamaldehyde were synthesized: 4-methylcinnamaldehyde (1), 4-chlorocinnamaldehyde (2), 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde (3), ${\alpha}$-bromo-4-methylcinnamaldehyde (4), and ${\alpha}$-bromo-4-chlorocinnamaldehyde (5). Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and HeLa cells infected by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) were used to evaluate their antiviral and cytotoxic effects. In vivo BALB/c mice were infected with CVB3 for establishing VMC models. Among the derivatives, compound 4 and 5 inhibited the CVB3 in HeLa cells with the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations values of $11.38{\pm}2.22{\mu}M$ and $2.12{\pm}0.37{\mu}M$, respectively. The 50% toxic concentrations of compound 4 and 5-treated cells were 39-fold and 87-fold higher than in the cinnamaldehyde group. Compound 4 and 5 effectively reduced the viral titers and cardiac pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, compound 4 and 5 significantly inhibited the secretion, mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in CVB3-infected cardiomyocytes, indicating that brominated cinnamaldehyde not only improved the anti-vital activities for VMC, but also had potent anti-inflammatory effects in cardiomyocytes induced by CVB3.