Complete genetic dissection and cell type-specific replication of old world alphaviruses, getah virus (GETV) and sagiyama virus (SAGV)

Zhang Yiwen,Yu Jinhan,Tan Lu,Wang Xingxing,Li Runsheng,Kim Dal Young 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.11

Getah virus (GETV), which was first isolated in Malaysia in 1955, and Sagiyama virus (SAGV), isolated in Japan in 1956, are members of the genus Alphavirus in the family Togaviridae. It is a consensus view that SAGV is a variant of GETV. In the present study, we determined the complete sequences of the prototype GETV MM2021 and SAGV M6-Mag132 genomic RNA extracted from plaque-purified viruses. The MM2021 genome was 11,692 nucleotides (nt) in length in the absence of 3 poly(A) tail, and the length of M6-Mag132 genome was 11,698 nt. Through sequence alignment of MM2021 and M6-Mag132, we located all the amino acid differences between these two strains, which were scattered in all the encoded proteins. Subsequently, we validated the close evolutionary relationship between GETV and SAGV by constructing phylogenetic trees based on either complete genomes or structural genomes. We eventually analyzed the growth kinetics of GETV and SAGV as well as other representative alphaviruses in various mammalian and insect cell lines. It was shown that human-oriented cell lines such as HEK-293T and Hela cells were relatively resistant to GETV and SAGV infection due to absence of proviral factors or species-specific barrier. On the other hand, both GETV and SAGV replicated efficiently in non-human cell lines. Our results provide essential genetic information for future epidemiological surveillance on Alphaviruses and lay the foundation for developing effective interventions against GETV and SAGV.

Voltage Distortion Suppression for Off-grid Inverters with an Improved Load Current Feedforward Control

Geng, Yiwen,Zhang, Xue,Li, Xiaoqiang,Wang, Kai,Yuan, Xibo The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2017 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.17 No.3

The output voltage of an off-grid inverter is influenced by load current, and the voltage harmonics especially the 5th and 7th are increased with nonlinear loads. In this paper, to attenuate the output voltage harmonics of off-grid inverters with nonlinear loads nearby, a load current feedforward is proposed. It is introduced to a voltage control loop based on the Positive and Negative Sequence Harmonic Regulator (PNSHR) compensation to modify the output impedance at selective frequencies. The parameters of the PNSHR are revised with the output impedance of the off-grid inverter, which minimizes the output impedance of the off-grid inverter. Experimental results verify the proposed method, showing that the output voltage harmonics caused by nonlinear loads can be effectively suppressed.

Observations on the ultrastructure of extrusomes in the hypotrichous ciliate Architricha indica (Protist, Ciliophora)

Xiaocui Zhang,Xinpeng Fan,Linying Yang,Yiwen Wang,Bing Ni,Saleh A. Al-Farraj,Fukang Gu 한국통합생물학회 2014 Animal cells and systems Vol.18 No.2

Extrusomes of different categories in ciliates have been suggested to have different structures and functions. To investigate the characteristics of extrusomes in the hypotrichous ciliate, we examined Architricha indicausing scanning and transmission electron microscopy and electron microscopic enzymo-cytochemistry. Theresults showed that the mature extrusomes were ellipsoidal vesicles with structureless cavities on their anteriorparts and arranged in rows beneath the pellicle; the extruded structures of extrusomes were cyathiform and canremain outside of the cell surface after extrusion. These findings differ distinctly from that of previouslyreported extrusomes in other ciliates and thus suggest a new type of extrusomes. These organelles originatedfrom endoplasmic reticulum in the deeper part of the cytoplasm, underwent a serious of development,gradually migrated to the cortical cytoplasm and finally positioned in their functional areas. In contrast withlower forms of ciliates, density, arrangement, and localization of extrusomes in A. indica showed obviousdifferences between the ventral and dorsal surface of cells. This may be in some way related to thedifferentiation of the dorsoventral cortex, and functional ciliature happened to the hypotrichous ciliates. Inaddition, the extrusomes may perform protective or defensive function, which associates with the activity ofmitochondria and contributes to the pellicle retrieval or renewal.

Graded-Three-Dimensional Cell-Encapsulating Hydrogel as a Potential Biologic Scaffold for Disc Tissue Engineering

Li Zhixiang,Zhang Yiwen,Zhao Yupeng,Gao Xubin,Zhu Zhonglian,Mao Yingji,Qian Taibao 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2022 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.19 No.5

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration, which can cause lower back pain, is a major predisposing factor for disability and can be managed through multiple approaches. However, there is no satisfactory strategy currently available to reconstruct and recover the natural properties of IVDs after degeneration. As tissue engineering develops, scaffolds with embedded cell cultures have proved critical for the successful regeneration of IVDs. METHODS: In this study, an integrated scaffold for IVD replacement was developed. Through scanning electron microscopy and other mechanical measurements, we characterized the physical properties of different hydrogels. In addition, we simulated the physiological structure of natural IVDs. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and annulus fibrosusderived stem cells (AFSCs) were seeded in gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel at different concentrations to evaluate cell viability and matrix expression. RESULTS: It was found that different concentrations of GelMA hydrogel can provide a suitable environment for cell survival. However, hydrogels with different mechanical properties influence cell adhesion and extracellular matrix component type I collagen, type II collagen, and aggrecan expression. CONCLUSION: This tissue-engineered IVD implant had a similar structure and function as the native IVD, with the inner area mimicking the NP tissue and the outer area mimicking the stratified annulus fibrosus tissue. The new integrated scaffold demonstrated a good simulation of disc structure. The preparation of efficient and regeneration-promoting tissueengineered scaffolds is an important issue that needs to be explored in the future. It is hoped that this work will provide new ideas and methods for the further construction of functional tissue replacement discs.

Lactate promotes vascular smooth muscle cell switch to a synthetic phenotype by inhibiting miR-23b expression

Hu Yanchao,Zhang Chunyan,Fan Yajie,Zhang Yan,Wang Yiwen,Wang Congxia 대한약리학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.26 No.6

Recent research indicates that lactate promotes the switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to a synthetic phenotype, which has been implicated in various vascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactate on the VSMC phenotype switch and the underlying mechanism. The CCK-8 method was used to assess cell viability. The microRNAs and mRNAs levels were evaluated using quantitative PCR. Targets of microRNA were predicted using online tools and confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay. We found that lactate promoted the switch of VSMCs to a synthetic phenotype, as evidenced by an increase in VSMC proliferation, mitochondrial activity, migration, and synthesis but a decrease in VSMC apoptosis. Lactate inhibited miR-23b expression in VSMCs, and miR-23b inhibited VSMC's switch to the synthetic phenotype. Lactate modulated the VSMC phenotype through downregulation of miR-23b expression, suggesting that overexpression of miR-23b using a miR-23b mimic attenuated the effects of lactate on VSMC phenotype modulation. Moreover, we discovered that SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) was the target of miR-23b in regulating VSMC phenotype. Further findings suggested that lactate promotes VSMC switch to synthetic phenotype by targeting SMAD3 and downregulating miR-23b. These findings suggest that correcting the dysregulation of miR-23b/ SMAD3 or lactate metabolism is a potential treatment for vascular diseases.

Adsorption behavior of α-tocopheryl succinate and α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate onto weakly basic anion exchange resins

Liyun Kong,Zhiguo Zhang,Huabin Xing,Qiwei Yang,Baogen Su,Zongbi Bao,Yiwen Yang,Qilong Ren 한국화학공학회 2015 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.32 No.3

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) esters are important, nontoxic and biodegradable non-ionic surfactants. A keyprocedure in producing PEG esters is their separation from unreacted or excess acids. We propose an adsorptionmethod using the weakly basic anion exchange resins for the separation of organic acids and PEG esters for the firsttime. With α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) and α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TS) as the examples ofPEG ester and organic acid, respectively, single-component equilibrium experiments revealed the great potential of thismethod. Studies on the adsorption equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics of α-TS onto a weakly basic anion exchangeresin were also carried out. This research is not only important for the production of TPGS, but also instructivefor the separation of other PEG-esters from the reaction mixtures.

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions: A Single-Center Retrospective Study of 173 Patients in China

( Zhongyi Xu ),( Jie Shen ),( Yiwen Yang ),( Ruoyue Yuan ),( Leihong Flora Xiang ),( Chengfeng Zhang ) 대한피부과학회 2019 Annals of Dermatology Vol.31 No.5

Background: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) to drugs are a crucial public health issue and the use of systemic corticosteroids in SCAR has been controversial. Objective: To analyze clinical features, causative drugs, treatment, outcomes, and prognostic factors of SCAR in the case-series of 173 patients, and add more information to the debate of using systemic corticosteroids in SCAR management. Methods: A retrospective study of 173 SCAR patients diagnosed with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) at a tertiary care institution in China between January 2014 and December 2017 was conducted. Results: Of 173 patients, allopurinol, carbamazepine, and antibiotics are the most frequently implicated drugs for DRESS (40.4%), SJS/TEN (26.0%), and AGEP (40.0%) respectively. Moreover, there is a strongly negative correlation between early corticosteroids use and the progression (p=0.000) and severity (p=0.01) of skin lesions. However, there is no association between early corticosteroids use and the mortality of SCAR (odds ratio: 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 0.95∼1.08). In addition, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, and interval from onset to corticosteroids treatment were correlated with SCAR prognosis. Conclusion: Prompt short-course systemic corticosteroids use is associated with early-stage skin lesions remission without influencing the disease mortality. Lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia were the independent poor prognostic factors of SCAR. (Ann Dermatol 31(5) 545∼ 554, 2019)

Ginsenosides Rg1 regulate lipid metabolism and temperature adaptation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Hao Shi,Jiamin Zhao,Yiwen Li,Junjie Li,Yunjia Li,Jia Zhang,Zhantu Qiu,Chaofeng Wu,Mengchen Qin,Chang Liu,Zhiyun Zeng,Chao Zhang,Lei Gao 고려인삼학회 2023 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.47 No.4

Expression of ethylene biosynthetic genes during flower senescence and in response to ethephon and silver nitrate treatments in Osmanthus fragrans

Qiu Hui,Chen Yiwen,Fu Jianxin,Zhang Chao 한국유전학회 2024 Genes & Genomics Vol.46 No.4

Background Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) is an ornamental evergreen tree species in China, whose flowers are sensitive to ethylene. The synthesis of ethylene is controlled by key enzymes and restriction enzymes, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO), which are encoded by multigene families. However, the key synthase responsible for ethylene regulation in O. fragrans is still unknown. Objective This study aims to screen the key ethylene synthase genes of sweet osmanthus flowers in response to ethylene regulation. Methods In this study, we used the ACO and ACS sequences of Arabidopsis thaliana to search for homologous genes in the O. fragrans petal transcriptome database. These genes were also analyzed bioinformatically. Finally, the expression levels of O. fragrans were compared before and after senescence, as well as after ethephon and silver nitrate treatments. Results The results showed that there are five ACO genes and one ACS gene in O. fragrans transcriptome database, and the phylogenetic tree revealed that the proteins encoded by these genes had high homology to the ACS and ACO proteins in plants. Sequence alignment shows that the OfACO1-5 proteins have the 2OG-Fe(II) oxygenase domain, while OfACS1 contains seven conserved domains, as well as conserved amino acids in transaminases and glutamate residues related to substrate specificity. Expression analysis revealed that the expression levels of OfACS1 and OfACO1-5 were significantly higher at the early senescence stage compared to the full flowering stage. The transcripts of the OfACS1, OfACO2, and OfACO5 genes were upregulated by treatment with ethephon. However, out of these three genes, only OfACO2 was significantly downregulated by treatment with AgNO3. Conclusion Our study found that OfACO2 is an important synthase gene in response to ethylene regulation in sweet osmanthus, which would provide valuable data for further investigation into the mechanisms of ethylene-induced senescence in sweet osmanthus flowers. Background Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) is an ornamental evergreen tree species in China, whose flowers are sensitive to ethylene. The synthesis of ethylene is controlled by key enzymes and restriction enzymes, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO), which are encoded by multigene families. However, the key synthase responsible for ethylene regulation in O. fragrans is still unknown. Objective This study aims to screen the key ethylene synthase genes of sweet osmanthus flowers in response to ethylene regulation. Methods In this study, we used the ACO and ACS sequences of Arabidopsis thaliana to search for homologous genes in the O. fragrans petal transcriptome database. These genes were also analyzed bioinformatically. Finally, the expression levels of O. fragrans were compared before and after senescence, as well as after ethephon and silver nitrate treatments. Results The results showed that there are five ACO genes and one ACS gene in O. fragrans transcriptome database, and the phylogenetic tree revealed that the proteins encoded by these genes had high homology to the ACS and ACO proteins in plants. Sequence alignment shows that the OfACO1-5 proteins have the 2OG-Fe(II) oxygenase domain, while OfACS1 contains seven conserved domains, as well as conserved amino acids in transaminases and glutamate residues related to substrate specificity. Expression analysis revealed that the expression levels of OfACS1 and OfACO1-5 were significantly higher at the early senescence stage compared to the full flowering stage. The transcripts of the OfACS1, OfACO2, and OfACO5 genes were upregulated by treatment with ethephon. However, out of these three genes, only OfACO2 was significantly downregulated by treatment with AgNO3. Conclusion Our study found that OfACO2 is an important synthase gene in response to ethylene regulation in sweet osmanthus, which would provide valuable data for further investigation into the mechanisms of ethylene-induced senescence in sweet osmanthus flowers.

Impact of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability with Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries on Biochemical Alterations in the Cartilage of the Subtalar and Midtarsal Joints Based on MRI T2 Mapping

Tao Hongyue,Hu Yiwen,Lu Rong,Zhang Yuyang,Xie Yuxue,Chen Tianwu,Chen Shuang 대한영상의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.22 No.3

Objective: To quantitatively assess biochemical alterations in the cartilage of the subtalar and midtarsal joints in chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) patients with isolated anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injuries and combined calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injuries using MRI T2 mapping. Materials and Methods: This study was performed according to regulations of the Committee for Human Research at our institution, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Forty CLAI patients (26 with isolated ATFL injuries and 14 with combined ATFL and CFL injuries) and 25 healthy subjects were recruited for this study. All participants underwent MRI scans with T2 mapping. Patients were assessed with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) rating system. The subtalar and midtarsal joints were segmented into 14 cartilage subregions. The T2 value of each subregion was measured from T2 mapping images. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, the Student’s t test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: T2 values of most subregions of the subtalar joint and the calcaneal facet of the calcaneocuboid joint in CLAI patients with combined CFL injuries were higher than those in healthy controls (all p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in T2 values in subtalar and midtarsal joints between patients with isolated ATFL injuries and healthy controls (all p > 0.05). Moreover, T2 values of the medial talar subregions of the posterior subtalar joint in patients with combined CFL injuries showed negative correlations with the AOFAS scores (r = -0.687, p = 0.007; r = -0.609, p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion: CLAI with combined CFL injuries can lead to cartilage degeneration in subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints, while an isolated ATFL injury might not have a significant impact on the cartilage in these joints.