Statistical Optimization of Medium Components for Milk-Clotting Enzyme Production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D4 Using Wheat Bran-an Agro-Industry Waste

( Wei Bing Zhang ),( Xiao Ling He ),( Hong Na Liu ),( Hui Yuan Guo ),( Fa Zheng Ren ),( Wei Dong Gao ),( Peng Cheng Wen ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.8

In this paper, two statistical methods were applied to optimize medium components to improve the production of the milk-clotting enzyme by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D4. First, wheat bran juice, skim milk powder, and Na2HPO4 were shown to have significant effects on D4 enzyme production using the Plackett?Burman experimental design. Subsequently, an optimal medium was obtained using the Box?Behnken method, which consisted of 3.31 g/l of skim milk powder, 5.0 g/l of sucrose, 0.1 g/l of FeSO4?7H2O, 0.1 g/l of MgSO4?7H2O, 0.1 g/l of MnSO4?2H2O, 0.1 g/l of ZnSO4?7H2O, 1.52 g/l of Na2HPO4, and 172.45 g/l of wheat bran juice. With this optimal medium, the milk-clotting enzyme production was remarkably enhanced. The milk-clotting enzyme activity reached 3,326.7 SU/ml after incubation of 48 h, which was 1.76-fold higher than that of the basic medium, showing that the Plackett?Burman design and Box?Behnken response surface method are effective to optimize medium components, and B. amyloliquefaciens D4 possessed a high rennet-producing capacity in the optimal medium.

Improving the Stability of High-Performance Multilayer MoS₂ Field-Effect Transistors

Liu, Na,Baek, Jongyeol,Kim, Seung Min,Hong, Seongin,Hong, Young Ki,Kim, Yang Soo,Kim, Hyun-Suk,Kim, Sunkook,Park, Jozeph American Chemical Society 2017 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.9 No.49

<P>In this study, we propose a method for improving the stability of multilayer MoS<SUB>2</SUB> field-effect transistors (FETs) by O<SUB>2</SUB> plasma treatment and Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> passivation while sustaining the high performance of bulk MoS<SUB>2</SUB> FET. The MoS<SUB>2</SUB> FETs were exposed to O<SUB>2</SUB> plasma for 30 s before Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> encapsulation to achieve a relatively small hysteresis and high electrical performance. A MoO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> layer formed during the plasma treatment was found between MoS<SUB>2</SUB> and the top passivation layer. The MoO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> interlayer prevents the generation of excess electron carriers in the channel, owing to Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> passivation, thereby minimizing the shift in the threshold voltage (<I>V</I><SUB>th</SUB>) and increase of the off-current leakage. However, prolonged exposure of the MoS<SUB>2</SUB> surface to O<SUB>2</SUB> plasma (90 and 120 s) was found to introduce excess oxygen into the MoO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> interlayer, leading to more pronounced hysteresis and a high off-current. The stable MoS<SUB>2</SUB> FETs were also subjected to gate-bias stress tests under different conditions. The MoS<SUB>2</SUB> transistors exhibited negligible decline in performance under positive bias stress, positive bias illumination stress, and negative bias stress, but large negative shifts in <I>V</I><SUB>th</SUB> were observed under negative bias illumination stress, which is attributed to the presence of sulfur vacancies. This simple approach can be applied to other transition metal dichalcogenide materials to understand their FET properties and reliability, and the resulting high-performance hysteresis-free MoS<SUB>2</SUB> transistors are expected to open up new opportunities for the development of sophisticated electronic applications.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Susceptibility Loci Associations with Prostate Cancer Risk in Northern Chinese Men

Wang, Na-Na,Xu, Yong,Yang, Kuo,Wei, Dong,Zhang, Yao-Guang,Liu, Ming,Shi, Xiao-Hong,Liang, Si-Ying,Sun, Liang,Zhu, Xiao-Quan,Yang, Yi-Ge,Tang, Lei,Zhao, Cheng-Xiao,Wang, Xin,Chen, Xin,Hui, Juan,Zhang, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Background: KLK3 gene products, like human prostate-specific antigen (PSA), are important biomarkers in the clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). G protein-coupled receptor RFX6, C2orf43 and FOXP4 signaling plays important roles in the development of PCa. However, associations of these genes with PCa in northern Chinese men remain to be detailed. This study aimed to investigate their impact on occurrence and level of malignancy. Methods: All subjects were from Beijing and Tianjin, including 266 cases with prostate cancer and 288 normal individuals as controls. We evaluated associations between clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate specific antigen, Gleason score, tumor stage and aggressive) and 6 candidate PCa risk loci, genotyped by PCR- high resolution melting curve and sequencing methods. Results: Case-control analysis of allelic frequency of PCa associated with PCa showed that one of the 6 candidate risk loci, rs339331 in the RFX6 gene, was associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.57-0.94, P = 0.013) in northern Chinese men. In addition, subjects with CX (CC+TC) genotypes had a decreased risk for prostrate cancer compared to those carrying the TT homozygote (OR =0.64, 95% CI = 0.45- 0.90, P = 0.008). The TT genotype of 13q22 (rs9600079, T) was associated with tumor stage (P=0.044, OR=2.34, 95% CI=0.94-5.87). Other SNPs were not significantly associated with clinical covariates in prostate cancer (P > 0.05). Conclusions. rs339331 in the RFX6 gene may be associated with prostate cancer as a susceptibility locus in northern Chinese men.

p38 MAPK Signaling Mediates Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Cancer Cells Induced by Oleanolic Acid

Liu, Jia,Wu, Ning,Ma, Lei-Na,Zhong, Jia-Teng,Liu, Ge,Zheng, Lan-Hong,Lin, Xiu-Kun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a nutritional component widely distributed in various vegetables. Although it has been well recognized for decades that OA exerts certain anti-tumor activity by inducing mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, it is still unclear that what molecular signaling is responsible for this effect. In this study, we employed cancer cell lines, A549, BXPC-3, PANC-1 and U2OS to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying OA anti-tumor activity. We found that activation of MAPK pathways, including p-38 MAPK, JNK and ERK, was triggered by OA in both a dose and time-dependent fashion in all the tested cancer cells. Activation was accompanied by cleavage of caspases and PARP as well as cytochrome C release. SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), but not SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) and U0126 (ERK inhibitor), rescued the pro-apoptotic effect of OA on A549 and BXPC-3 cells. OA induced p38 MAPK activation promoted mitochondrial translocation of Bax and Bim, and inhibited Bcl-2 function by enhancing their phosphorylation. OA can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent ASK1 activation, and this event was indispensable for p38 MAPK-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells. In vivo, p38 MAPK knockdown A549 tumors proved resistant to the growth-inhibitory effect of OA. Collectively, we elucidated that activation of ROS/ASK1/p38 MAPK pathways is responsible for the apoptosis stimulated by OA in cancer cells. Our finding can contribute to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of nutritional components.

Current Evidence on the Association between rs3757318 of C6orf97 and Breast Cancer Risk: a Meta-Analysis

Hong, Yuan,Chen, Xue-Qin,Li, Jiao-Yuan,Liu, Cheng,Shen, Na,Zhu, Bei-Bei,Gong, Jing,Chen, Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Background: A common genetic variant rs3757318, located in intron of C6orf97, was firstly identified to be associated with breast cancer (BC) risk by a genome-wide association (GWA) study. However, subsequent validation studies with different ethnicities have yielded conflicting results. Materials and Methods: We performed a meta-analysis to synthesize all available data for evaluating the precise effect of this variant on BC susceptibility. Results: A total of 8 articles containing 11 studies with 62,891 cases and 65,635 controls were included in this meta-analysis. When compared to the G allele, the rs3757318-A allele was significantly associated with BC risk with the pooled OR of 1.21 (95% CI=1.15 - 1.29, P<0.001) but with obvious between-study heterogeneity (P=0.040). Stratified analysis suggested that diversity of ethnicity along with control source may explain part of the heterogeneity. Similarly, significant associations were also identified in heterozygote, homozygote, dominant and recessive genetic models. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses indicated robust stability of our results. Conclusions: Our present meta-analysis demonstrated that the variant rs3757318 is associated with increased BC risk. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms.

Recent progress in high-mobility thin-film transistors based on multilayer 2D materials

Hong, Young Ki,Liu, Na,Yin, Demin,Hong, Seongin,Kim, Dong Hak,Kim, Sunkook,Choi, Woong,Yoon, Youngki IOP 2017 Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics Vol.50 No.16

<P>Two-dimensional (2D) layered semiconductors are emerging as promising candidates for next-generation thin-film electronics because of their high mobility, relatively large bandgap, low-power switching, and the availability of large-area growth methods. Thin-film transistors (TFTs) based on multilayer transition metal dichalcogenides or black phosphorus offer unique opportunities for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we review recent progress in high-mobility transistors based on multilayer 2D semiconductors. We describe the theoretical background on characterizing methods of TFT performance and material properties, followed by their applications in flexible, transparent, and optoelectronic devices. Finally, we highlight some of the methods used in metal-semiconductor contacts, hybrid structures, heterostructures, and chemical doping to improve device performance.</P>

ATAD2 is Highly Expressed in Ovarian Carcinomas and Indicates Poor Prognosis

Wan, Wei-Na,Zhang, Yi-Xia,Wang, Xue-Mei,Liu, Yan-Jun,Zhang, Yu-Qin,Que, Yan-Hong,Zhao, Wen-Jing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

The purpose of this study was to explore the expression of ATAD2 in ovarian tumor tissue as well as its relationship with degree of malignancy. Tumor tissue from 110 cases of ovarian cancer was collected in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki for evaluation of ATAD2 expression iimmunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. The correlation between the ATAD2 expression and and the prognosis of ovarian cancer was evaluated by Cox regression model. In addition, HO-8910 and OVCAR-3 cells were transfected with two siRNAs targeting ATAD2. Cell viability was evaluated with MTT assay, and cell migration by transwell migration assay. ATAD2 was shown to be highly expressed in 65.5% (72/110) of ovarian cancer cases, both at transcriptional and protein levels. Moreover, highly expression was positively correlated with degree of malignancy. Knock-down of ATAD2 in HO-8910 and OVCAR-3 cells was found to reduce cell migration. In addition, follow-up visits of the patients demonstrated that the 5-year survival rate was lower in patients with high expression of ATAD2. Our study suggested that ovarian tumor tissue may have highly expressed ATAD2, which is associated with tumor stage, omentum-metastasis, ascites and CA-125. Increased ATAD2 may play important roles in tumor proliferation and migration. ATAD2 could serve in particular as a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Improved lithium storage performance of CeO2-decorated SrLi2Ti6O14 material as an anode for Li-ion battery

Ying Li,Hong-Yan Liu,Ling-Na Shi,Yan-Rong Zhu,Ting-Feng Yi 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.101 No.-

In this work, the CeO2-decorated SrLi2Ti6O14 anode was successfully prepared through a solid-state process. The space-charge effect induced by the internal adsorption of ions on the CeO2 surface can easilyresult in a formation of an excellent conductive interfacial layer between CeO2 and SrLi2Ti6O14. The goodelectrical contact between CeO2 and SrLi2Ti6O14 offers more active sites for the electrolyte storage andredox reaction, and promotes the intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions, and thus improves therate performance and cycle stability. Due to its unique structure and composition, the CeO2-decoratedSrLi2Ti6O14 composites exhibit high reversible capacities, good cycle performance and outstanding rateperformance. Especially, the CeO2 (5 wt%)-decorated SrLi2Ti6O14 anode shows the most excellent electrochemicalperformance, which delivers a large charge capacity of 121.3 mAh g 1 and a capacity retentionof 94.48% after 100 cycles at 0.5 A g 1. However, the corresponding charge capacity and capacity retentionof pristine SrLi2Ti6O14 are 100.5 mAh g 1 and 86.77%, respectively. The CeO2(5 wt%)-decoratedSrLi2Ti6O14 with enhanced rate capacity, cycle stability and structural stability is a potential electrodematerial candidate for Li-ion battery.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Police Dogs in Shenyang, Northeastern China

Cheng-Wu Liu,Na Yang,Jian-Bin He,Ming-Yang Mu,Min Yang,Ning Sun,Hong-Kui Li 대한기생충학열대의학회 2013 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.51 No.5

High frequency plant regeneration system for Nymphoides coreana via somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryo-derived embryogenic cell suspension cultures

Oh, Myung-Jin,Na, Hye-Ryun,Choi, Hong-Keun,Liu, Jang Ryol,Kim, Suk-Weon The Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology 2010 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.4 No.2

Culture conditions were established for high frequency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from cell suspension cultures of Nymphoides coreana. Zygotic embryos formed pale-yellow globular structures and calluses at a frequency of 85.6% when cultured on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.3 $mg\;l^{-1}$ of 2,4-D. However, the frequency of pale-yellow globular structures and white callus formation decreased slightly with an increasing concentration of 2,4-D up to 10 $mg\;l^{-1}$ with the frequency rate falling to 16.7%. Cell suspension cultures were established from zygotic embryo-derived calluses using half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.3 $mg\;l^{-1}$ of 2,4-D. Upon plating onto half-strength MS basal medium, over 92.3% of cell aggregates gave rise to numerous somatic embryos and developed into plantlets. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transplanted into potting soil and achieved full growth to an adult plant in a growth chamber. The high frequency plant regeneration system for Nymphoides coreana established in this study will be useful for genetic manipulation and cryopreservation of this species.