Effect of Bacillus subtilis Natto on Meat Quality and Skatole Content in TOPIGS Pigs

Sheng, Q.K.,Zhou, K.F.,Hu, H.M.,Zhao, H.B.,Zhang, Y.,Ying, W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.5

This study investigated the effect of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) natto on meat quality and skatole in TOPIGS pigs. Sixty TOPIGS pigs were randomly assigned to 3 groups (including 5 pens per group, with 4 pigs in each pen) and fed with basic diet (control group), basic diet plus 0.1% B. subtilis natto (B group), and basic diet plus 0.1% B. subtilis natto plus 0.1% B. coagulans (BB group), respectively. All pigs were sacrificed at 100 kg. Growth performance, meat quality, serum parameters and oxidation status in the three groups were assessed and compared. Most parameters regarding growth performance and meat quality were not significantly different among the three groups. However, compared with the control group, meat $pH_{24}$, fat and feces skatole and the content of Escherichia coli (E. Coli), Clostridium, $NH_3$-N were significantly reduced in the B and BB groups, while serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, the levels of liver P450, CYP2A6, and CYP2E1, total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase and Lactobacilli in feces were significantly increased in the B and BB groups. Further, the combined supplementation of B. subtilis natto and B. coagulans showed more significant effects on the parameters above compared with B. subtilis, and Clostridium, and $NH_3$-N. Our results indicate that the supplementation of pig feed with B. subtilis natto significantly improves meat quality and flavor, while its combination with B. coagulans enhanced these effects.

Study on antidiabetic activity of wheat and barley starch using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation coupled with multiangle light scattering

Dou, H.,Zhou, B.,Jang, H. D.,Lee, S. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. 2014 Journal of chromatography A Vol.1340 No.-

<P>The ability of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled online with multiangle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index detector (RI) (AF4-MALS-RI) for monitoring of change in molecular conformation of wheat and barley starch during germination process was evaluated. AF4 provides separation of starch molecules based on their hydrodynamic sizes, and MALS yields the molar mass and molecular size (radius of gyration, R-g). In vitro and in vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of germinated wheat and barley was studied. The relationship between antidiabetic activity and molecular conformation was, for the first time, investigated. The ratio of Rg to the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and the apparent density were proven to be important parameters as they offer an insight into molecular conformation. Results showed that, when geminated, the apparent density and the antidiabetic activity of barley were significantly increased, suggesting germination makes the molecules more compact which could contribute to enhancement of their antidiabetic activity. The information obtained by AF4-MALS-RI is valuable for understanding of germination mechanism, and thus for developing functional foods. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Genome-wide identification of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and conservation of their xenobiotic transporter function in the monogonont rotifer (Brachionus koreanus)

Jeong, C.B.,Kim, H.S.,Kang, H.M.,Lee, Y.H.,Zhou, B.,Choe, J.,Lee, J.S. Elsevier 2017 Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part D, G Vol.21 No.-

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family is one of the largest gene family in animals, and members of this family are known to be involved in various biological processes due to their ability to transport a wide range of substrates across membranes using ATP cleavage-derived energy. We identified 61 ABC transporters in the genome of the monogonont rotifer Brachionus koreanus, and classified these into eight distinct subfamilies (A-H) by phylogenetic analysis. ABC transporters in the rotifer B. koreanus are comprised of 11 ABCA genes, 19 ABCB genes, 14 ABCC genes, 3 ABCD genes, 1 ABCE gene, 3 ABCF genes, 8 ABCG genes, and 2 ABCH genes. Extensive gene duplication and loss events in synteny were observed in several subfamilies. In particular, massive gene duplications of P-glycoproteins (P-gps), multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs), and Bk-Abcg-like proteins were observed. The ability of these B. koreanus proteins to function as multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) ABC transporters was validated using specific fluorescence substrates/inhibitors. The ABC transporter superfamily members identified in this study will be useful in future toxicological studies, and will facilitate comparative studies of the evolution of the ABC transporter superfamily in invertebrates.

Differential contribution of the mitochondrial translation pathway to the survival of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subsets

Norberg, Erik,Lako, Ana,Chen, Pei-Hsuan,Stanley, Illana A,Zhou, Feng,Ficarro, Scott B,Chapuy, Bjoern,Chen, Linfeng,Rodig, Scott,Shin, Donghyuk,Choi, Dong Wook,Lee, Sangho,Shipp, Margaret A,Marto, Jarr Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nat 2017 CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION Vol.24 No.2

<P>Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are a highly heterogeneous group of tumors in which subsets share molecular features revealed by gene expression profiles and metabolic fingerprints. While B-cell receptor (BCR)-dependent DLBCLs are glycolytic, OxPhos-DLBCLs rely on mitochondrial energy transduction and nutrient utilization pathways that provide pro-survival benefits independent of BCR signaling. Integral to these metabolic distinctions is elevated mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activity in OxPhos-DLBCLs compared with BCR-DLBCLs, which is linked to greater protein abundance of ETC components. To gain insights into molecular determinants of the selective increase in ETC activity and dependence on mitochondrial energy metabolism in OxPhos-DLBCLs, we examined the mitochondrial translation pathway in charge of the synthesis of mitochondrial DNA encoded ETC subunits. Quantitative mass spectrometry identified increased expression of mitochondrial translation factors in OxPhos-DLBCL as compared with the BCR subtype. Biochemical and functional assays indicate that the mitochondrial translation pathway is required for increased ETC activity and mitochondrial energy reserves in OxPhos-DLBCL. Importantly, molecular depletion of several mitochondrial translation proteins using RNA interference or pharmacological perturbation of the mitochondrial translation pathway with the FDA-approved inhibitor tigecycline (Tigecyl) is selectively toxic to OxPhos-DLBCL cell lines and primary tumors. These findings provide additional molecular insights into the metabolic characteristics of OxPhos-DLBCLs, and mark the mitochondrial translation pathway as a potential therapeutic target in these tumors.</P>

Influence of geology and human activity on the genetic structure and demography of the Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis)

Fong, J.J.,Li, P.P.,Yang, B.T.,Zhou, Z.Y.,Leache, A.D.,Min, M.S.,Waldman, B. Academic Press 2016 Molecular phylogenetics and evolution Vol.97 No.-

The Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) is a commonly used study organism, but knowledge of its evolutionary history is incomplete. We analyze sequence data from four genetic markers (mtDNA genes encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, cytochrome b, and 12S-16S rRNA; nuDNA gene encoding recombination activating gene 2) from 188 individuals across its range in Northeast Asia to elucidate phylogeographic patterns and to identify the historic events that shaped its evolutionary history. Although morphologically similar across its range, B. orientalis exhibits phylogeographic structure, which we infer was shaped by geologic, climatic, and anthropogenic events. Phylogenetic and divergence-dating analyses recover four genetically distinct groups of B. orientalis: Lineage 1-Shandong Province and Beijing (China); Lineage 2-Bukhan Mountain (Korea); Lineage 3-Russia, Northeast China, and northern South Korea; and Lineage 4-South Korea. Lineage 2 was previously unknown. Additionally, we discover an area of secondary contact on the Korean Peninsula, and infer a single dispersal event as the origin of the insular Jeju population. Skyline plots estimate different population histories for the four lineages: Lineages 1 and 2 experienced population decreases, Lineage 3 remained stable, while Lineage 4 experienced a sharp increase during the Holocene. The timing of the population expansion of Lineage 4 coincides with the advent of rice cultivation, which may have facilitated the increase in population size by providing additional breeding habitat.

Large-scale dataset from China gives new insights into leaf margin-temperature relationships

Chen, Wen-Yun,Su, Tao,Adams, Jonathan M.,Jacques, Fré,dé,ric M.B.,Ferguson, David K.,Zhou, Zhe-Kun Elsevier 2014 Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology Vol.402 No.-

Leaf margin analysis (LMA) is an important method of estimating paleotemperatures from fossil leaf floras or modern floras. Although some calibration has been carried out based upon large-scale studies of modern forests, most of this research has been in North America and Europe, with relatively little calibration work in East Asia. In the present study, we used species range maps of 3116 native dicot trees of China to derive synthetic local floras for each county from the Chinese humid region, and compared the percentage of untoothed leaf margined species with several temperature and precipitation related parameters. The results confirm the generally strong relationship between the proportion of species with untoothed leaf margins and climatic parameters within China. Leaf habit (deciduous vs. evergreen) does not strongly affect this relationship. The transfer function obtained from China, while not identical, is similar to those obtained from other regions, and is affected by regional restrictions, such as complex topography and relic taxa. As such it clarifies the potential range of error inherent in the LMA method as applied to paleodimate reconstruction. It is possible, however, that with the close similarity of the modern Chinese tree floras to Neogene floras in the Northern Hemisphere, the present estimate offers a better transfer function for reconstructing the Neogene paleoclimate in various regions without extremely cold conditions across the Northern Hemisphere. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Improvement of lower hybrid current drive systems for high-power and long-pulse operation on EAST

Wang M.,Liu L.,Zhao L.M.,Li M.H.,Ma W.D.,Hu H.C.,Wu Z.G.,Feng J.Q.,Yang Y.,Zhu L.,Chen M.,Zhou T.A.,Jia H.,Zhang J.,Cao L.,Zhang L.,Liang R.R.,Ding B.J.,Zhang X.J.,Shan J.F.,Liu F.K.,Ekedahl A.,Gonich 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.11

Aiming at high-power and long-pulse operation up to 1000 s, some improvements have been made for both 2.45 GHz and 4.6 GHz lower hybrid (LH) systems during the recent 5 years. At first, the guard limiters of the LH antennas with graphite tiles were upgraded to tungsten, the most promising material for plasma facing components in nuclear fusion devices. These new guard limiters can operate at a peak power density of 12.9 MW/m2 . Strong hot spots were usually observed on the old graphite limiters when 4.6 GHz system operated with power >2.0 MW [B. N. Wan et al., Nucl. Fusion 57 (2017) 102019], leading to a reduction of the maximum power capability. With the new limiters, 4.6 GHz LH system, the main current drive (CD) and electron heating tool for EAST, can be operated with power >2.5 MW routinely. Long-pulse operation up to 100 s with 4.6 GHz LH power of 2.4 MW was achieved in 2021 and the maximal temperature on the guard limiters measured by an infrared (IR) camera was about 540 C, much below the permissible value of tungsten material (~1200 C). A discharge with a duration of 1056 s was achieved and the 4.6 GHz LH energy injected into the plasma was up to 1.05 GJ. Secondly, the fully-activemultijunction (FAM) launcher of 2.45 GHz system was upgraded to a passive-active-multijunction (PAM), for which the density of optimum coupling was relatively low (below the cut-off value). Good coupling with reflection coefficient ~3% has been achieved with plasma-antenna distance up to 11 cm for the new PAM. Finally, in order to eliminate the effect of ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) wave on 4.6 GHz LH wave coupling, the location of the ICRF launcher was changed to a port that is located 157.5 toroidally from the 4.6 GHz LH system and is not magnetically connected

Physciosporin suppresses the proliferation, motility and tumourigenesis of colorectal cancer cells

Taş,, İ,sa,Han, Jin,Park, So-Yeon,Yang, Yi,Zhou, Rui,Gamage, Chathurika D.B.,Van Nguyen, Tru,Lee, Ji-Yoon,Choi, Yong Jae,Yu, Young Hyun,Moon, Kyung-Sub,Kim, Kyung Keun,Ha, Hyung-Ho,Kim, Sang Elsevier 2019 Phytomedicine Vol.56 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Background</B></P> <P>Lichens, which represent symbiotic associations of fungi and algae, are potential sources of numerous natural products. Physciosporin (PHY) is a potent secondary metabolite found in lichens and was recently reported to inhibit the motility of lung cancer cells via novel mechanisms.</P> <P><B>Purpose</B></P> <P>The present study investigated the anticancer potential of PHY on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>PHY was isolated from lichen extract by preparative TLC. The effect of PHY on cell viability, motility and tumourigenicity was elucidated by MTT assay, hoechst staining, flow cytometric analysis, transwell invasion and migration assay, soft agar colony formation assay, Western blotting, qRT-PCR and PCR array <I>in vitro</I> as well as tumorigenicity study <I>in vivo</I>.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>PHY decreased the viability of various CRC cell lines (Caco2, CT26, DLD1, HCT116 and SW620). Moreover, PHY elicited cytotoxic effects by inducing apoptosis at toxic concentrations. At non-toxic concentrations, PHY dose-dependently suppressed the invasion, migration and colony formation of CRC cells. PHY inhibited the motility of CRC cells by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and downregulating actin-based motility markers. In addition, PHY downregulated β-catenin and its downstream target genes cyclin-D1 and c-Myc. Moreover, PHY modulated KAI1 C-terminal-interacting tetraspanin and KAI1 expression, and downregulated the downstream transcription factors c-jun and c-fos. Finally, PHY administration showed considerable bioavailability and effectively decreased the growth of CRC xenografts in mice without causing toxicity.</P> <P><B>Conclusion</B></P> <P>PHY suppresses the growth and motility of CRC cells via novel mechanisms.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Association of genetic variation in <i>FTO</i> with risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes with data from 96,551 East and South Asians

Li, H.,Kilpelä,inen, T. O.,Liu, C.,Zhu, J.,Liu, Y.,Hu, C.,Yang, Z.,Zhang, W.,Bao, W.,Cha, S.,Wu, Y.,Yang, T.,Sekine, A.,Choi, B. Y.,Yajnik, C. S.,Zhou, D.,Takeuchi, F.,Yamamoto, K.,Chan, J. C.,Man Springer-Verlag 2012 Diabetologia Vol.55 No.4

<P><B>Aims/hypothesis</B></P><P><I>FTO</I> harbours the strongest known obesity-susceptibility locus in Europeans. While there is growing evidence for a role for <I>FTO</I> in obesity risk in Asians, its association with type 2 diabetes, independently of BMI, remains inconsistent. To test whether there is an association of the <I>FTO</I> locus with obesity and type 2 diabetes, we conducted a meta-analysis of 32 populations including 96,551 East and South Asians.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>All studies published on the association between <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 (or proxy [<I>r</I><SUP>2</SUP> > 0.98]) and BMI, obesity or type 2 diabetes in East or South Asians were invited. Each study group analysed their data according to a standardised analysis plan. Association with type 2 diabetes was also adjusted for BMI. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to pool all effect sizes.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 minor allele increased risk of obesity by 1.25-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 9.0 × 10<SUP>−19</SUP>), overweight by 1.13-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 1.0 × 10<SUP>−11</SUP>) and type 2 diabetes by 1.15-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 5.5 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>). The association with type 2 diabetes was attenuated after adjustment for BMI (OR 1.10-fold/allele, <I>p</I> = 6.6 × 10<SUP>−5</SUP>). The <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 minor allele increased BMI by 0.26 kg/m<SUP>2</SUP> per allele (<I>p</I> = 2.8 × 10<SUP>−17</SUP>), WHR by 0.003/allele (<I>p</I> = 1.2 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP>), and body fat percentage by 0.31%/allele (<I>p</I> = 0.0005). Associations were similar using dominant models. While the minor allele is less common in East Asians (12–20%) than South Asians (30–33%), the effect of <I>FTO</I> variation on obesity-related traits and type 2 diabetes was similar in the two populations.</P><P><B>Conclusions/interpretation</B></P><P><I>FTO</I> is associated with increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, with effect sizes similar in East and South Asians and similar to those observed in Europeans. Furthermore, <I>FTO</I> is also associated with type 2 diabetes independently of BMI.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-011-2370-7) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.</P>

ARID1B, a molecular suppressor of erythropoiesis, is essential for the prevention of Monge’s disease

Azad Priti,Caldwell Andrew B.,Ramachandran Srinivasan,Spann Nathanael J.,Akbari Ali,Villafuerte Francisco C.,Bermudez Daniela,Zhao Helen,Poulsen Orit,Zhou Dan,Bafna Vineet,Subramaniam Shankar,Haddad G 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

At high altitude Andean region, hypoxia-induced excessive erythrocytosis (EE) is the defining feature of Monge’s disease or chronic mountain sickness (CMS). At the same altitude, resides a population that has developed adaptive mechanism(s) to constrain this hypoxic response (non-CMS). In this study, we utilized an in vitro induced pluripotent stem cell model system to study both populations using genomic and molecular approaches. Our whole genome analysis of the two groups identified differential SNPs between the CMS and non-CMS subjects in the ARID1B region. Under hypoxia, the expression levels of ARID1B significantly increased in the non-CMS cells but decreased in the CMS cells. At the molecular level, ARID1B knockdown (KD) in non-CMS cells increased the levels of the transcriptional regulator GATA1 by 3-fold and RBC levels by 100-fold under hypoxia. ARID1B KD in nonCMS cells led to increased proliferation and EPO sensitivity by lowering p53 levels and decreasing apoptosis through GATA1 mediation. Interestingly, under hypoxia ARID1B showed an epigenetic role, altering the chromatin states of erythroid genes. Indeed, combined Real-time PCR and ATAC-Seq results showed that ARID1B modulates the expression of GATA1 and p53 and chromatin accessibility at GATA1/p53 target genes. We conclude that ARID1B is a novel erythroid regulator under hypoxia that controls various aspects of erythropoiesis in high-altitude dwellers.