Characterization and expression analysis of BcAMT1;4, an ammonium transporter gene in flowering Chinese cabbage

Lihua Zhong,Xinmin Huang,Yunna Zhu,Erfeng Kou,Houcheng Liu,Guangwen Sun,Riyuan Chen,Shiwei Song 한국원예학회 2019 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.60 No.4

Ammonium (NH 4+ ) is generated during many endogenous metabolic processes in the leaves of plants, and there is increasing evidence that ammonium transporters (AMTs) play important roles in NH 4 + transmembrane transport and distribution. However, the expression of diff erent AMT genes is tissue-type specifi c and their functions diff er. Information about AMT genes and their expression under diff erent environmental conditions in fl owering Chinese cabbage ( Brassica campestris L.) is currently limited. Here, we isolated and characterized an AMT gene, BcAMT1;4 , in fl owering Chinese cabbage. BcAMT1;4 was localized to the plasma membrane and complemented NH 4+ transport in NH 4+ uptake-defi cient yeast. The highest expression levels of BcAMT1;4 were detected in the fl owers and leaves of fl owering Chinese cabbage. The expression of BcAMT1;4 was induced by nitrogen defi ciency and signifi cantly inhibited by the reapplication of NH 4+ (NH 4 Cl or NH 4 NO 3 ). In contrast, when plants pre-cultured in nitrate were transferred to an NH 4+ nutrient solution, BcAMT1;4 expression was signifi cantly enhanced. BcAMT1;4 exhibited a diurnal expression pattern, with higher expression levels during the light period than during the dark period, and a peak expression at the later stage of the light period. Knowledge of AMT genes in fl owering Chinese cabbage will lay a foundation for enhancing our understanding of the functional roles of diff erent AMT members in the regulation of its growth by NH 4+ , as BcAMT1;4 seems to play an important role in leaf NH 4+ transport.

The Feasibility Analysis of Recycled Aggregates from Construction and Demolition Waste for Permeable Pavement

Lihua Li,Xuanyu Shen,Jiabei Liu,Wentao Li,Chuheng Zhong,Xinlong Zhou 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.27 No.2

For reusing the construction and demolition waste (C&DW) materials and solving waterloggingproblems, the feasibility of applying C&DW to the permeable pavement (PP) was investigated. The recycled brick aggregate (RBA) and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) were used as PPbase materials under different mixing ratios and grades. Geotextiles were also used in thisstudy as filter contaminants. Modified compaction tests, rainfall model tests, and columnleaching tests were conducted on a total of 15 samples with three gradations and five RBA andRCA mix ratios. The specimens for the rainfall model test were compacted at around optimummoisture content, and the degree of compaction was 97%. Using the sub-layer compactionmethod, each group of samples is compacted in five layers in strict accordance with thespecifications. In general, C&DW has the potential to be used underground without pollutionto the groundwater. The heavy metal concentrations in C&DW are less than in the local soiland related to material resources. The water yield performance was the best when 100%concrete was used to build PP, and the total water storage was the most when 100% of brickswere chosen to make PP. Due to the excellent permeability, C&DW can be selected forpavement fillers. The geotextile reduces the permeability by about 13% but effectively filtersout more than 50% of the fine particles in the rainfall. The permeability performance ofconcrete aggregates may be better than that of bricks, and fine particles can reduce thepermeability.

New evaluation methods for conceptual design selection using computational intelligence techniques†

Hong-Zhong Huang,Yu Liu,Yanfeng Li,Lihua Xue,Zhonglai Wang 대한기계학회 2013 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.27 No.3

The conceptual design selection, which aims at choosing the best or most desirable design scheme among several candidates for the subsequent detailed design stage, oftentimes requires a set of tools to conduct design evaluation. Using computational intelligence techniques, such as fuzzy logic, neural network, genetic algorithm, and physical programming, several design evaluation methods are put forth in this paper to realize the conceptual design selection under different scenarios. Depending on whether an evaluation crite-rion can be quantified or not, the linear physical programming (LPP) model and the RAOGA-based fuzzy neural network (FNN) model can be utilized to evaluate design alternatives in conceptual design stage. Furthermore, on the basis of Vanegas and Labib’s work, a multi-level conceptual design evaluation model based on the new fuzzy weighted average (NFWA) and the fuzzy compromise decision-making method is developed to solve the design evaluation problem consisting of many hierarchical criteria. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated via several illustrative examples.

Accurate delivery of pristimerin and paclitaxel by folic acid-linked nano-micelles for enhancing chemosensitivity in cancer therapy

Chen Chao,Du Shiyu,Zhong Wu,Liu Kunguo,Qu Lihua,Chu Feiyi,Yang Jingjing,Han Xin 나노기술연구협의회 2022 Nano Convergence Vol.9 No.52

Chemoresistance remains a huge challenge for effective treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previous studies have shown Chinese herbal extracts possess great potential in ameliorating tumor chemoresistance, however, the efficacy is clinically limited mainly because of the poor tumor-targeting and in vivo stability. The construction of nano-delivery systems for herbal extracts has been shown to improve drug targeting, enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxic and side effects. In this study, a folic acid (FA)-modified nano-herb micelle was developed for codelivery of pristimerin (PRI) and paclitaxel (PTX) to enhance chemosensitivity of NSCLC, in which PRI could synergistically enhance PTX-induced growth inhibition of A549 cancer cell. PTX was firstly grafted with the FA-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) and then encapsulated with PRI to construct the PRI@FA-PEG-PTX (P@FPP) nano-micelles (NMs), which exhibited improved tumor-targeting and in vivo stability. This active-targeting P@FPP NMs displayed excellent tumor-targeting characteristics without obvious toxicity. Moreover, inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis induced by P@FPP NMs were significantly enhanced compared with the combined effects of the two drugs (PRI in combination of PTX), which associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition inhibition to some extent. Overall, this active-targeting NMs provides a versatile nano-herb strategy for improving tumor-targeting of Chinese herbal extracts, which may help in the promotion of enhancing chemosensitivity of NSCLC in clinical applications.

Cloning and Characterization of the Ammonium Transporter Genes BaAMT1;1 and BaAMT1;3 from Chinese Kale

Shiwei Song,Riyuan Chen,Zhenhua He,Xinmin Huang,Lihua Zhong,Houcheng Liu,Guangwen Sun 한국원예학회 2017 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.58 No.2

Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra L.) is a popular vegetable rich in important nutrients. Fertilization withappropriate ammonium:nitrate ratios enhances biomass production and quality. AMT-type ammonium transporters havebeen shown to mediate ammonium uptake across the plasma membrane. However, very little is known about themolecular regulation of growth and development by ammonium in Chinese kale, including how ammonium regulatesthe expression of AMT1 genes. In this study, we identified and characterized two AMT1 genes from B. alboglabra,BaAMT1;1 and BaAMT1;3. The full-length open reading frames of BaAMT1;1 and BaAMT1;3 were 1512 bp and1515 bp, respectively. Transient expression of the fusion proteins pBE-EGFP-BaAMT1;1 and pBE-EGFP-BaAMT1;3 inonion epidermal cells indicated that these transporters are located on the plasma membrane. BaAMT1;1 and BaAMT1;3were functional in yeast and complemented a mutant defective in ammonium transport. BaAMT1;1 was expressed invegetative organs and at high levels in roots, while BaAMT1;3 expression was root specific. In addition, we observedopposite responses of BaAMT1;1 and BaAMT1;3 expression to nitrogen starvation and ammonium resupply in roots. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ammonium absorption in Chinese kale.

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits HepG2.2.15 proliferation by inducing cellular senescence and autophagy

( Jiang Zou ),( Qiang Ma ),( Ru Sun ),( Jiajing Cai ),( Hebin Liao ),( Lei Xu ),( Jingruo Xia ),( Guangcheng Huang ),( Lihua Yao ),( Yan Cai ),( Xiaowu Zhong ),( Xiaolan Guo ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2019 BMB Reports Vol.52 No.8

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been reported to possess anti-cancer activity against many cancers. However, the pharmacologic effect of DHA on HBV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine whether DHA could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells and uncover the underlying mechanisms involved in the effect of DHA on HepG2.2.15 cells. We found that DHA effectively inhibited HepG2.2.15 HCC cell proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. DHA also reduced the migration and tumorigenicity capacity of HepG2.2.15 cells. Regarding the underlying mechanisms, results showed that DHA induced cellular senescence by up-regulating expression levels of proteins such as p-ATM, p-ATR, γ-H₂AX, P53, and P21 involved in DNA damage response. DHA also induced autophagy (green LC3 puncta gathered together and LC3II/LC3I ratio increased through AKT-mTOR pathway suppression). Results also revealed that DHA-induced autophagy was not linked to senescence or cell death. TPP1 (telomere shelterin) overexpression could not rescue DHA-induced anticancer activity (cell proliferation). Moreover, DHA down-regulated TPP1 expression. Gene knockdown of TPP1 caused similar phenotypes and mechanisms as DHA induced phenotypes and mechanisms in HepG2.2.15 cells. These results demonstrate that DHA might inhibit HepG2.2.15 cells proliferation through inducing cellular senescence and autophagy. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(8): 520-525]

Nematicidal activity against Aphelenchoides besseyi and Ditylenchus destructor of three biflavonoids, isolated from roots of Stellera chamaejasme

Hui Jin,Haiyan Cui,Xiaoyan Yang,Lihong Xu,Xudong Li,Rentao Liu,Zhiqiang Yan,Xiuzhuang Li,Weili Zheng,Yuhui Zhao,Xiaoxia Song,Lihua Zhong,Anxiang Su,Bo Qin 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.4

Aphelenchoides besseyi and Ditylenchus destructor can cause serious problems for a number of important agricultural crops and vegetables. In this study, the ethanol extract of Stellera chamaejasme L. roots showed strong nematicidal activity against Aphelenchoides besseyi and Ditylenchus destructor. By using a bioactivity-driven fractionation, three biflavonoids were isolated from the extract and their structures were identified by mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data. Nematicidal activity bioassays revealed that isoneochamaejasmin A had the strongest nematicidal activity against A. besseyi and D. destructor with LC 50 values of 2.32 and 0.18 mM at 72 h, respectively. Chamaejasmenin B displayed weaker nematicidal activity against A. besseyi with an LC 50 value of 3.94 mM at 72 h. Neochamaejasmin B induced the lowest mortality against D. destructor with an LC 50 values of 15.6 mM at 72 h. These results suggested that the kind and position of substitutions and the relative configuration of 2-H/3-H and 2”-H/3”-H could be considered as important factors responsible for the nematicidal activity of these purified C-3/C-3″ biflavonoids.