Bioinformatic prediction and analysis of glucolipid metabolic regulation by miR-34a in Megalobrama amblycephala

Ling‑Hong Miao,Wen‑Jing Pan,Yan Lin,Bo Liu,Ming‑Chun Ren,Qun‑Lan Zhou,Xian‑Ping Ge 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.12

The objective of this study was to analyze the target genes and regulatory function of miR-34a in Megalobrama amblycephala using second-generation highthroughput sequencing and bioinformatic tools. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by gene ontology. MiR- 34a and target gene expression levels were measured in M. amblycephala fed normal and high-carbohydrate diets. The results revealed that miR-34a was highly conserved in several species, and miR-34a of M. amblycephala has a close evolutionary relationship to that of zebrafish and common carp. miRanda, TargetScan, RNAhybrid predicted 5,185, 6,282 and 2,168 target genes, respectively, and 645 target genes were in common. According to annotation information, the target genes were enriched in phosphate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, Golgi vesicle transport, cell division, and other biological processes (P < 0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these target genes were mainly enriched in alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, VEGF signaling pathway, Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway (P < 0.05). The regulatory role of miR-34a was more significant in the liver than in the brain of M. amblycephala. MiR-34a regulates glucose lipid homeostasis induced by high glucose diets by upregulating hepatic PI3K/Akt, FOXO, and TOR signaling pathways.

Hypoxia Mediates Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 Expression via Induction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Manjing Deng,Qian Xu,Zhihua Liu1,Ling Guo,Rui Liu,Rulei Li,Xiang Chu,Jiajia Yang,Jia Luo,Faming Chen 한국분자세포생물학회 2019 Molecules and cells Vol.42 No.11

Periodontitis is characterized by the loss of periodontal tissues, especially alveolar bone. Common therapies cannot satisfactorily recover lost alveolar bone. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) possess the capacity of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation and are likely to recover lost alveolar bone. In addition, periodontitis is accompanied by hypoxia, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a master transcription factor in the response to hypoxia. Thus, we aimed to ascertain how hypoxia affects runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), a key osteogenic marker, in the osteogenesis of PDLSCs. In this study, we found that hypoxia enhanced the protein expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and RUNX2 ex vivo and in situ. VEGF is a target gene of HIF-1α, and the increased expression of VEGF and RUNX2 proteins was enhanced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2, 100 μmol/L), an agonist of HIF-1α, and suppressed by 3-(5′-hydroxymethyl-2′-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1, 10 μmol/L), an antagonist of HIF-1α. In addition, VEGF could regulate the expression of RUNX2, as RUNX2 expression was enhanced by human VEGF (hVEGF165) and suppressed by VEGF siRNA. In addition, knocking down VEGF could decrease the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, i.e., RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and type I collagen (COL1), and hypoxia could enhance the expression of ALP, COL1, and osteocalcin (OCN) in the early stage of osteogenesis of PDLSCs. Taken together, our results showed that hypoxia could mediate the expression of RUNX2 in PDLSCs via HIF-1α-induced VEGF and play a positive role in the early stage of osteogenesis of PDLSCs

In Vitro Evaluation and Monitoring of the Expression Level and Localization of Aldose Reductase Using Functionalized Quantum Dots and EGFP

Xiaomin Liu,Chengbin Yang,Jing Liu,Jianwei Liu,Rui Hu,Hongwei Lian,Guimiao Lin,Liwei Liu,Ken-Tye Yong,Ling Ye 한국생물공학회 2015 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.20 No.4

The optimization of aldose reductase (AR) expression levels and tracking of the AR expression sites within the cell is an essential step in developing a platform for the effective production of aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs). In this study, we have demonstrated the use of both immunocytochemistry and quantum dots-based immunofluorescence techniques for observing and detecting the expression level and localization of AR in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of a eukaryotic cell model with high levels of AR protein expression. Our results show that high expression levels of human AR can be achieved using the eukaryotic cell model that we have developed. The overexpressed AR can be used for translational studies of hAR and the screening of ARIs. More importantly, the use of the established quantum dots-based immunofluorescence technique in the intracellular labeling of AR allows the determination of the expression and distribution of the AR gene. Overall, the use of the interdisciplinary approach of both genetic engineering and quantum dot-based immunofluorescence allows not only the effective production of a desired protein, but also the determination of the cellular localization of such an expressed protein.

The comparison and optimization of zirconia, alumina, and zirconia-alumina supported PtSnIn trimetallic catalysts for propane dehydrogenation reaction

Liu-Liu Long,Ke Xia,Wan-Zhong Lang,Li-Ling Shen,Qiang Yang,Xi Yan,Ya-Jun Guo 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.51 No.-

The zirconia, alumina, and zirconia-alumina (xZr-Al) supported PtSnIn catalysts were prepared andcomparatively studied for propane dehydrogenation reaction. The structure–function relationships ofthe resultant catalysts are well elucidated upon several state-of-art physico-chemical characterizations. The results show that xZr-Al used as support for trimetallic PtSnIn catalysts exhibits the significantcatalytic performances. The PtSnIn/08Zr-Al catalyst has the highest Pt dispersion accompanied with thesmallest average Pt particles, and it presents the initial propane conversion and propylene selectivityabove 55.0% and 98.0% respectively. The initial propane conversions afterfive reaction–regenerationcycles are all above 55.0% and only decrease little ( 3%).

Medium Supplementation with Rare Earth Elements Reduces Hyperhydricity during Adventitious Shoot Multiplication In Vitro of Carnation

Liu, Bo Ling,Wei, Hao,Park, Ji Eun,Jeong, Byoung Ryong Korean Society for Floricultural Science 2018 화훼연구 Vol.26 No.1

Carbon Storage of Exotic Slash Pine Plantations in Subtropical China

Ling Jin,Yuanqiu Liu,Jinkui Ning,Liangying Liu,Xiaodong Li 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2019 Journal of Forest Science Vol.35 No.3

Exotic conifer trees have been extensively planted in southern China because of their high apparent growth and yield. These fast-growing plantations are expected to persist as a considerable potential for temporary and long-term carbon sink to offset greenhouse gas emissions. However, information on the carbon storage across different age ranges in exotic pine plantations is often lacking. We first estimated the ecosystem carbon storage across different age ranges of exotic pine plantations in China by quantifying above- and below-ground ecosystem carbon pools. The carbon storage of each tree component of exotic pine (Pinus elliottii) increased significantly with increasing age in Duchang and Yiyang areas. The stem carbon storage except <10 years in Ji’an areas was the largest component among all other components, which accounts for about 50% of the total carbon storage followed by roots (∼28%), branches (∼18%), and foliage (∼9%). The mean total tree carbon storage of slash pine plantations for <10, 10-20 and 20-30 years across three study areas was 3.69, 13.91 and 20.57 Mg ha-1, respectively. The carbon stocks in understory and forest floor were age-independent. Total tree and soil were two dominant carbon pools in slash pine plantations at all age sequences. The carbon contribution of aboveground ecosystem increased with increasing age, while that of belowground ecosystem declined. The mean total ecosystem carbon storage of slash pine plantations for <10, 10-20 and 20-30 years across China was 30.26, 98.66 and 98.89 Mg ha-1, respectively. Although subtropical climate in China was suitable for slash pine growth, the mean total carbon stocks in slash pine plantations at all age sequences from China were lower than that values reported in American slash pine plantations.

Structural, photoluminescent, and dielectric properties of Eu3+-doped Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 thin films

Ling Liu,Ni Qin,Dinghua Bao 한국물리학회 2015 Current Applied Physics Vol.15 No.6

Eu3+-doped Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 thin films were prepared by a chemical solution deposition method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence and dielectric measurements. The thin films were well crystallized with a pure perovskite structure. A contraction of the unit cell was observed upon incorporation of Eu3+ ions below 2 mol%, while an expansion occurred as the Eu3+ concentration was further increased above 2 mol%, indicating that Eu3+ ions with different concentrations occupied different lattice sites. Photoluminescence spectra showed two prominent transitions of Eu3+ ions at 594 nm (5D0→7F1) and 618 nm (5D0→7F2) upon excitation at 395 nm (7F0→5L6). There existed two quenching concentrations at 2 mol% and 4 mol% due to different lattice sites of the Eu3+ ions. We also investigated the dielectric properties of the thin films. Our study suggests that Eu3+-doped Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 thin films have potential applications in multifunctional optoelectronic devices.

Early gut microbiota in very low and extremely low birth weight preterm infants with feeding intolerance: a prospective case-control study

Liu Ling,Ao Dang,Cai Xiangsheng,Huang Peiyi,Cai Nali,Lin Shaozhu,Wu Benqing 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.10

The potential role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of feeding intolerance (FI) remains unclear. Understanding the role of the gut microbiota could provide a new avenue for microbiota-targeted therapeutics. This study aimed to explore the associations between aberrant gut microbiota and FI in very low or extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) preterm infants. In this observational case-control study, VLBW/ ELBW infants were divided into two groups: FI group and feeding tolerance (FT) group. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to analyze the gut microbial diversity and composition of the infants. The differences in the gut microbiota of the two groups were compared. In total, 165 stool samples were obtained from 44 infants, among which, 31 developed FI and 13 served as controls. Alpha diversity was the highest in the meconium samples of the two groups. LEfSe analysis revealed that the abundances of Peptostreptococcaceae, Clostridiales and Clostridia in the FT group were significantly higher than in the FI group. At the phylum level, the FI group was dominated by Proteobacteria, and the FT group was dominated by Firmicutes. The meconium samples of the FI group had higher proportions of γ-proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella and a lower proportion of Bacteroides compared with the FT group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis demonstrated that aberrant gut bacteria in the FI group were strongly associated with dysregulation of C5-Brancheddibasic- acid-metabolism, protein kinases, and sporulation. These findings reveal candidate microbial markers to prevent FI. Increased relative abundances of γ-proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella and decreased abundance of Bacteroides in meconium were associated with an increased risk of FI, while Peptostreptococcaceae, Clostridiales and Clostridia reduced the risk of FI in VLBW/ELBW infants.

Research on the Discrimination of Hatching Eggs Activity Based on Thermal Imaging : A Food Nondestructive Testing Practice

Liu Hai-ling,Cai Jian-rong,Sun Li,Yuan Lei-ming,Liu Meng-lei 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.10 No.2

The hatching eggs in 4-16 days incubation were from incubator of 38.5℃ to 22℃ for natural cooling and the time series images were acquired by thermal imaging technology. Analyzing the cooling curve and the cooling area and region growing, ellipse fitting, morphological processing and other methods were used to extract eggs region of interest; time series images superposition and contrast enhancement were used to raise the temperature close to the different categories of eggs gray differences; the ratio of gray value≦150 and entire ROI area was seen as characteristic parameters and the decision threshold was set according to minimum error rate Bayes rule. The non-fertilized eggs in incubating 4 days was 89.6% overall recognition and the dead embryo eggs in incubating 16 days was 96.3% overall recognition. Research showed that thermal imaging technology combined image processing technology can achieve non-destructive testing of hatching eggs activity.

New Insights into mTOR Signal Pathways in Ovarian-Related Diseases: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Ovarian Cancer

Liu, Ai Ling,Liao, Hong Qing,Li, Zhi Liang,Liu, Jun,Zhou, Cui Lan,Guo, Zi Fen,Xie, Hong Yan,Peng, Cui Ying Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.12

mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin, is a conserved serine/threonine kinase which belongs to the phosphatidyl-linositol kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family. It has two complexes called mTORC1 and mTORC2. It is well established that mTOR plays important roles in cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Over-activation of the mTOR pathway is considered to have a relationship with the development of many types of diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer (OC). mTOR pathway inhibitors, such as rapamycin and its derivatives, can directly or indirectly treat or relieve the symptoms of patients suffering from PCOS or OC. Moreover, mTOR inhibitors in combination with other chemical-molecular agents may have extraordinary efficacy. This paper will discuss links between mTOR signaling and PCOS and OC, and explore the mechanisms of mTOR inhibitors in treating these two diseases, with conclusions regarding the most effective therapeutic approaches.