Flower cultivation regimes aff ect apocarotenoid accumulation and gene expression during the development of saff ron stigma

Gui-Fen Zhou,Li-Qin Li,Jiemiao Lu,Jing Li,Chong Yao,Peng Sun,Kaohua Liu,Yan Dong,Luping Qin,Xiao-Dong Qian 한국원예학회 2020 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.61 No.3

The quality of commercial saff ron largely depends on apocarotenoid levels. Whether they are aff ected by diff erent fl owercultivation regimes remains unknown. In present study, apocarotenoid levels and the expression profi les of 12 genes relatedto apocarotenoid biosynthesis between fi eld- and indoor-cultivated Crocus sativus L. were analyzed during stigma development. Under both cultivation regimes, apocarotenoid accumulation and gene expression showed similar profi les, fi rstsharply increasing and then gradually decreasing with stigma development, which suggested the coordinated function ofgene expression and apocarotenoid accumulation. However, the rate of increase/decrease varied widely between two blossomregimes at diff erent developmental stages. Based on correlation analysis, βCH1 and ZDS seemed to play a more crucial rolein apocarotenoid accumulation under both cultivation regimes. At anthesis, the total apocarotenoid level in saff ron cultivatedin the fi eld was higher than that cultivated indoors. This may be due to lower gene expression levels in the apocarotenoidpathway, especially βCH1 , ZDS , and CCD2 , and higher CCD4a and NCED expression in the competitive pathway in saff roncultivated indoors than that in the fi eld, which indicated higher conversion in apocarotenoid biosynthesis fl ux from crocinsand picrocrocin synthesis to β-ionone and the ABA biosynthetic branch in saff ron cultivated indoors. These results providevaluable information for modifying planting mode to enhance saff ron quality.

Kinetic Changes and Antihypertensive Effect of Aqueous Extract of Danggui (Angelica sinensis Radix) after Stir-fry Processing

Gui-Fen Zhou,Xiao-Yan Dai,Chen-Huan Yu,Jie Fang 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.3

Danggui (Angelica sinensis Radix) in East Asia for its unique pleasant flavor is usually cooked before utilizing to enhance its tonic effect. To evaluate the quality and bioactivity changes, heat treatments were carried out at 250oC for 0-45 min. 5-Hydroxymaltol, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural,Z-ligustilide, and ferulic acid in aqueous extract of processed danggui (APD) were determined by HPLC while antihypertensive effects were studied after oral administration of APD (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 3 days in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Compared with aqueous extract of danggui (AD), contents of ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide in APD were significantly decreased but 5-hydroxymaltol and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were increased. APD could lower blood pressures, plasma renin activities, and angiotensin II levels of SHR, but AD failed to do those. APD exhibited hypotensive effects by regulating renin-angiotensin system and may warrant further evaluation as a potential antihypertensive agent.

Prognostic Value of MAC30 Expression in Human Pure Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Lung

Ding, Hui,Gui, Xian-Hua,Lin, Xu-Bo,Chen, Ru-Hua,Cai, Hou-Rong,Fen, Yan,Sheng, Yun-Lu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.5

Recent evidence haas indicated that meningioma-associate protein (MAC30) exhibits different expression patterns in various tumors. However, little is known about the value of MAC30 in human squamous cell carcinoma of lung (SQCLC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the expression of MAC30 and to explore its clinical significance in SQCLC patients. A total of 156 Chinese patients diagnosed with SQCLC were selected for this study. The expression of MAC30 in all tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to analyze MAC30 mRNA expression in 32 cases of SQCLC patients with corresponding non-tumor lung tissues. We observed enhanced mRNA expression of MAC30 in SQCLC as compared to control samples. Further, elevated MAC30 protein expression was strongly associated with poor tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. In addition, we observed that patients with increased MAC30 expression demonstrated poor overall survival. Multivariate analysis explicated that increased MAC30 expression was a valuable independent predictable factor for poor tumor differentiation and short survival in SQCLC patients. Our present study suggests that MAC30 may serve as a biomarker for poor tumor differentiation and outcomes of patients with SQCLC.

Effects of lycopene on number and function of human peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells cultivated with high glucose

Yao-Chi Zeng,Gui-Ping Mu,Shu-Fen Huang,Xue-Hui Zeng,Hong Cheng,Zhong-Xin Li 한국영양학회 2014 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.8 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of lycopene on the migration, adhesion, tube formation capacity, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) cultivated with high glucose (HG) and as well as explore the mechanism behind the protective effects of lycopene on peripheral blood EPCs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified after induction of cellular differentiation. Third generation EPCs were incubated with HG (33 mmol/L) or 10, 30, and 50 μg/mL of lycopene plus HG. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess proliferation and apoptosis of EPCs. EPC migration was assessed by MTT assay with a modified boyden chamber. Adhesion assay was performed by replating EPCs on fibronectin-coated dishes, after which adherent cells were counted. In vitro vasculogenesis activity was assayed by Madrigal network formation assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze protein expression of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated p38 MAPK. RESULTS: The proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity of EPCs treated with 10, 30, and 50 μg/mL of lycopene plus HG were all significantly higher comapred to the HG group (P < 0.05). Rates of apoptosis were also significantly lower than that of the HG group. Moreover, lycopene blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in EPCs (P < 0.05). To confirm the causal relationship between MAPK inhibition and the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced cellular injury, we treated cells with SB203580, a phosphorylation inhibitor. The inhibitor significantly inhibited HG-induced EPC injury. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity as well as reduces apoptosis of EPCs. Further, the underlying molecular mechanism of the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced EPC injury may involve the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway. Specifically, lycopene was shown to inhibit HG-induced EPC injury by inhibiting p38 MAPKs.

New Compounds from Euphorbia helioscopia and Absolute Configuration Determination by Computational Methods

He, Jiang-Bo,Zhu, Hua-Jie,Luo, Gui-Fen,Liu, Guang-Ming,Chen, Hao,Li, Yan,Chen, Shaopeng,Lu, Xin,Zhou, Guochun,Cheng, Yong-Xian Korean Chemical Society 2010 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.31 No.8

The whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia is an important traditional Chinese medicine. Fom its BuOH soluble extract, one new lactam (1), three new terpenoids (2-4) including a new naturally occurring compound, and three known compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic evidences. In particular, the absolute configurations of side chain of compounds 1 and 2 were determined using computational methods.

Tissue distribution of sialic acid-linked influenza virus receptors in beagle dogs

Zhang-Yong Ning,Xin-Tao Wu,Yan-Fen Cheng,Wen-Bao Qi,Yu-Fu An,Heng Wang,Gui-Hong Zhang,Shou-Jun Li 대한수의학회 2012 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.13 No.3

Reports of influenza A virus infections in dogs has received considerable attention from veterinarians, virologists, and epidemiologists. Interaction between influenza viral hemagglutinin and cell oligosaccharides containing sialic acid residues results in infection. Sialic acids have an α-2,3-linkage to the penultimate galactose in the avian influenza virus receptor and an α-2,6-linkage in the human receptor. To date,there are no detailed data on the tissue distribution or histological features of either type of sialic acid-linked influenza virus receptors in beagle dogs, which are common laboratory animals and pets. We conducted the current study to visualize the in situ tissue distribution of both sialic acid-linked influenza virus receptors in various organs of beagle dogs using Maackia amurensis lectin II and Sambucus nigra agglutinin. Both α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialic acid-linked receptors were detected in the endothelial cells of the respiratory tract and other organs. Endothelial cells of most gastrointestinal organs were negative for α-2,3-sialic acid-linked receptors in the dogs. Our results suggested that these canine organs may be affected by influenza virus infection. The findings from our study will also help evaluate the occurrence and development of influenza virus infections in dogs.

Self-assembled wide bandgap nanocoatings enabled outstanding dielectric characteristics in the sandwich-like structure polymer composites

Wang Tian-Yu,Li Xiao-Fen,Liu Shu-Ming,Liu Bai-Xin,Liang Xi-Dong,Li Shunning,Zhang Gui-Xin,Liu Jian-Bo,Dang Zhi-Min 나노기술연구협의회 2022 Nano Convergence Vol.9 No.55

Polymer dielectrics are insulators or energy storage materials widely used in electrical and electronic devices. Polymer dielectrics are needed with outstanding dielectric characteristics than current technologies. In this study, the self-assembly of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) was applied to form an inorganic–organic nanocoating on various common polymer dielectrics. It is inexpensive and easy to fabricate this thin coating on a large scale. The coating has a wide bandgap and thus can significantly improve the breakdown strength of polymer dielectrics. The charge characteristics and trapping parameters of nano-domains on the surfaces of polymer dielectrics were measured, and the coating had shallow trap levels. This facilitated the dissipation of surface charges and thus greatly increased the flashover voltage. The coating also effectively improved the temperature stability and dielectric constant of the polymer dielectric. This nanocoating shows potential as a method to effectively improve the dielectric characteristics of polymer dielectrics and outperform existing composite polymer dielectrics, which are crucial for large-scale applications in energy storage and power and electronic devices.

New Compounds from Euphorbia helioscopia and Absolute Configuration Determination by Computational Methods

Jiangbo He,Hua-Jie Zhu,Gui-Fen Luo,Guang-Ming Liu,Yan Li,Hao Chen,Shaopeng Chen,Xin Lu,Guochun Zhou,Yong-Xian Cheng 대한화학회 2010 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.31 No.8

The whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia is an important traditional Chinese medicine. Fom its BuOH soluble extract,one new lactam (1), three new terpenoids (2-4) including a new naturally occurring compound, and three known compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic evidences. In particular, the absolute configurations of side chain of compounds 1 and 2 were determined using computational methods.

A comprehensive analysis and comparison between vacuum and electric oven drying methods on Chinese saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Chong Yao,Xiao-Dong Qian,Gui-Fen Zhou,Shu-Wei Zhang,Li-Qin Li,Qiaosheng Guo 한국식품과학회 2019 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.28 No.2

The red stigmas of saffron are one of the mostexpensive spices in the world and serve as a traditionalChinese medicine. More saffron has been cultivated inChina, and different drying technologies have been studied. However, a comprehensive and comparative analysis ofdifferent drying approaches has not been well studied. Inthis study, we compared electric oven and vacuum ovendrying approaches on saffron. We found saffron was driedquicker under high vacuum drying mode with high temperatureand the quicker drying rate provided, the moreopen microstructural interstices on the saffron surface. Both methods were best fit to Midilli and Kucuk model. Besides, the coloring, aroma and bitterness strength afterdrying showed the similar results. In sum, our data suggestedthe optimal drying temperature was 100 C for20 min for two evaluated methods, however consideringthe machine cost, the electric oven drying would be the firstchoice.