Effect of Exogenous Nitric Oxide on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Oriental Lily ‘Siberia’

Meng Wang,Bin Li,Yong-Chao Zhu,Li-Juan Niu,Xin Jin,Qing-Qing Xu,Wei-Biao Liao 한국원예학회 2015 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.56 No.5

Recent studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in diverse plant developmental processes as an important signal molecule. However, the effects of NO on vegetative and reproductive growth of intact plants are not fully understood. In our study, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 μM was used to characterize the roles of NO in vegetative and reproductive growth of “Siberia” lily. The results showed that the effects of NO on growth in “Siberia” lily were dose-dependent. Compared with the control (distilled water treatment), 3,000 μM SNP caused a significant increase in plant height and internode length. Significant differences were recorded in flowering period, lifetime of individual flowers, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, and bud length with 6,000 μM SNP. However, 9,000 μM SNP resulted in negative effects on these parameters as compared to the control. Moreover, 3,000 μM SNP caused a significant increase in the contents of leaf chlorophyll, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), starch, total carbohydrate, total soluble protein, and total nitrogen, all of which were decreased by high levels of SNP (9,000 μM). Together, these results indicated that NO treatments at the proper dosage can promote vegetative and reproductive growth, possibly by improving the levels of leaf chlorophyll, WSC, starch, total carbohydrate, total soluble protein and total nitrogen.

Identification of growth trait related genes in a Yorkshire purebred pig population by genome-wide association studies

Qingli Meng,Kejun Wang,Xiallei Liu,Haishen Zhou,Li Xu,Zhaojun Wang,Meiying Fang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.4

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify genomic regions or genes controlling growth traits in pigs. Methods: Using a panel of 54,148 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we performed a genome-wide Association (GWA) study in 562 pure Yorshire pigs with four growth traits: average daily gain from 30 kg to 100 kg or 115 kg, and days to 100 kg or 115 kg. Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification method was used to identify the associations between 54,148 SNPs and these four traits. SNP annotations were performed through the Sus scrofa data set from Ensembl. Bioinformatics analysis, including gene ontology analysis, pathway analysis and network analysis, was used to identify the candidate genes. Results: We detected 6 significant and 12 suggestive SNPs, and identified 9 candidate genes in close proximity to them (suppressor of glucose by autophagy [SOGA1], R-Spondin 2 [RSPO2], mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 6 [MAP2K6], phospholipase C beta 1 [PLCB1], rho GTPASE activating protein 24 [ARHGAP24], cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 [CPEB4], GLI family zinc finger 2 [GLI2], neuronal tyrosine-phosphorylated phosphoinositide-3-kinase adaptor 2 [NYAP2], and zinc finger protein multitype 2 [ZFPM2]). Gene ontology analysis and literature mining indicated that the candidate genes are involved in bone, muscle, fat, and lung development. Pathway analysis revealed that PLCB1 and MAP2K6 participate in the gonadotropin signaling pathway and suggests that these two genes contribute to growth at the onset of puberty. Conclusion: Our results provide new clues for understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying growth traits, and may help improve these traits in future breeding programs.

Influencing Factors Analysis of Degradation and Damage and the Effect on Steel Frame

Meng Wang,Yong-Jiu Shi,Yuan-Qing Wang,Wei Guo Yang 한국강구조학회 2015 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.15 No.1

In order to discuss the influencing factors of damage and degradation and the effect on steel frame subject to strongearthquakes, firstly, a constitutive model was proposed for 3D finite element models to calculate the seismic behaviors of steelframe more accurately. The model was proved correct and applicable due to typical quasi-static tests. Then, based on theverified model, the damage and degradation factors were discussed by parametric analyses, including the panel zone, loadinghistory, loading amplitude, the width to thickness ratio and yield strength. The cumulative damage phenomena of steel frameconnections were further studied and the degradation distribution curve was obtained. Finally, the traditional beam elementmodel and proposed shell element model of structure were established by ABAQUS for time history analysis. The effect ofdamage and degradation on seismic behaviors of steel frames were compared and discussed. The tests and analysis resultsrevealed that: panel zone strength, loading amplitude and width-thickness ratios of plates had significant impact on damage anddegradation behaviors and failure modes of connections. Premature weld cracking would lead to earlier damage and degradationunder “strong to weak” earthquake, which would seriously affect the overall mechanical properties of the structure. Once localbuckling caused damage, the results of the beam element model and accurate shell element model were remarkably different. Beam element model without considering damage and degradation underestimated the structural deformations, which shouldbe paid more attention for design safety.

Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in China

Qing-Feng Meng,Wei-Lin Wang,Xiao-Ting Ni,Hai-Bin Li,Gui-Zhe Yao,Xiao-Lin Sun,Wei-Li Wang,Wei Cong 대한기생충학열대의학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.53 No.6

The breeding of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for human consumption has a long tradition in China. Infections that can affect the production of meat or even be transmitted from animals to humans are important to monitor, especially for public health reasons as well as for their impact on animal health. Thus, a total of 1,132 domestic rabbit sera from 4 regions in China were collected for serological screening for Encephalitozoon cuniculi and for Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA and modified agglutination test (MAT), respectively. Antibodies to E. cuniculi were detected in 248/1,132 (21.9%) sera tested while antibodies against T. gondii revealed a seroprevalence of 51/1,132 (4.5%). We believe that the present results are of epidemiological implications and public health importance due to the acknowledged susceptibility of humans to E. cuniculi and T. gondii infections. Therefore, routine screening tests of domestic rabbits are proposed considering the zoonotic potential of these parasites.

Comparison of Psychological Influence on Breast Cancer Patients Between Breast-conserving Surgery and Modified Radical Mastectomy

Sun, Meng-Qing,Meng, Ai-Feng,Huang, Xin-En,Wang, Mei-Xiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Objective: To compare the influence of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and modified radical mastectomy (MRM) on the psychological state of breast cancer patients. Methods: Patients receiving MRM or BCS, and fulfilling the study criteria, were recruited. Patients were required to complete a self-reporting inventory (SCL-90) on admission and 6 months after surgery and a self-rating depression scale (SDS) when discharged from hospital and 6 months after surgery. Results: A total of 70 patients received MRM and 50 BCS. Compared with the national standard, patients suffered to some extent psychological problems on admission, at discharge from hospital and at 6 months after surgery. Patients received BCS had a higher score of SDS compared with those with MRM when discharged from hospital. However, 6 months after surgery, SDS score increased in MRM and decreased in the BCS group, so the difference was significant. Conclusion: The short-term psychological state of patients receiving BCS is worse than that with MRM but superior to MRM 6 months postoperatively. BCS imposed less influence on long term psychological state of breast cancer patients compared with MRM.

Sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to Antimalarial Drugs in Hainan Island, China

Shan-Qing Wang,Guang-Ze Wang,Yu-Chun Li,Feng Meng,Shi-Gan Lin,Zhen-Hu Zhu,Ding-Wei Sun,Chang-Hua He,Xi-Min Hu,Jian-Wei Du 대한기생충학열대의학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.53 No.1

The MDM2 SNP309T>G Polymorphism Increases Bladder Cancer Risk among Caucasians: a Meta-analysis

Wang, Huai-Gao,Wu, Qing-Yun,Zhou, Hui,Peng, Xin-Sheng,Shi, Meng-Jie,Li, Jie-Mei,Zhou, Yan-Fang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Published studies have evaluated associations between the MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism and bladder cancer susceptibility. However, these generated inconsistent results. The aim of the present investigation was to quantify the strength of association between MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism and bladder cancer risk by conducting a meta-analysis. We searched PubMed and Embase for related studies that had been published in English before April 1, 2014 and associations were assessed by summarizing the odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Five case-control studies with a total of 972 cases and 1,012 controls were finally identified to be eligible for the meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that there was no significant association between the MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism and bladder cancer risk (for the allele model G vs. T: OR=1.08, 95% CI 0.85-1.36, p=0.54; for the co-dominant model GG vs. TT: OR=1.20, 95% CI 0.74-1.93, p=0.46; for the dominant model GG+GT vs. TT: OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.80-1.20, p=0.83; for the recessive model GG vs. GT+TT: OR=1.20, 95% CI 0.83-1.74, p=0.33). However, on subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant associations were found in Caucasians in three models (for the allele model G vs. T: OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.10-1.81, p=0.006; for the co-dominant model GG vs. TT: OR=2.16, 95% CI 1.28-3.63, p=0.004; for the recessive model GG vs. GT+TT: OR=2.06, 95% CI 1.31-3.22, p=0.002). In summary, the present meta-analysis provides evidence that the genotype for the MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism may be associated with genetic susceptibility to bladder cancer among Caucasians.

β-Adrenergic Receptors : New Target in Breast Cancer

Wang, Ting,Li, Yu,Lu, Hai-Ling,Meng, Qing-Wei,Cai, Li,Chen, Xue-Song Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Background: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor antagonists could improve the prognosis of breast cancer. However, the conclusions of clinical and pharmacoepidemiological studies have been inconsistent. This review was conducted to re-assess the relationship between beta-adrenoceptor blockers and breast cancer prognosis. Materials and Methods: The literature was searched from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Nature (Thompson Reuters) databases through using key terms, such as breast cancer and beta-adrenoceptor blockers. Results: Ten publications met the inclusion criteria. Six suggested that receiving beta-adrenoceptor blockers reduced the risk of breast cancer-specific mortality, and three of them had statistical significance (hazard ratio (HR)=0.42; 95% CI=0.18-0.97; p=0.042). Two studies reported that risk of recurrence and distant metastasis (DM) were both significantly reduced. One study demonstrated that the risk of relapse-free survival (RFS) was raised significantly with beta-blockers (BBS) (HR= 0.30; 95% CI=0.10-0.87; p=0.027). One reported longer disease-free interval (Log Rank (LR)=6.658; p=0.011) in BBS users, but there was no significant association between overall survival (OS) and BBS (HR= 0.35; 95% CI=0.12-1.0; p=0.05) in five studies. Conclusions: Through careful consideration, it is suggested that beta-adrenoceptor blockers use may be associated with improved prognosis in breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, larger size studies are needed to further explore the relationship between beta-blocker drug use and breast cancer prognosis.

Overexpression of Tbx3 Predicts Poor Prognosis of Patients with Resectable Pancreatic Carcinoma

Wang, Hong-Cheng,Meng, Qing-Cai,Shan, Ze-Zhi,Yuan, Zhou,Huang, Xin-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.4

Background: To determine the expressions of Tbx3, a member of subgroup belonging to T-box family, and its prognostic value in pancreatic carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We determined the expression levels of Tbx3 on both mRNA and protein levels in 30 pairs of fresh tumor tissues and paratumor tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. In addition, protein level of Tbx3 were identified using immunochemistry in 80 pairs of paraffin-embedded specimen. The correlations between Tbx3 expression and various clinicopathological parameters as well as overall survival were evaluated. Results: Tbx3 mRNA and protein levels in tumor tissues were significantly higher than in the paratumor tissues by qRT-PCR ($0.05{\pm}0.007$ vs. $0.087{\pm}0.001$, p<0.001) and western blotting ($1.134{\pm}0.043$ vs. $0.287{\pm}0.017$, p<0.001). The statistical analysis based on immunohistochemical evaluation suggested that Tbx3 aberrant expression was significantly associated with several conventional clinicopathological variables, such as gender, age, tumor position, preoperative CA19-9 level, pathological T staging and N staging. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that Tbx3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (<0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that overexpression of Tbx3 is associated with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. However, additional clinical trials are needed to accurately validate this observation.

Synthesis, Antibacterial Activity, and Structure–Activity Relationship of Fusaric Acid Analogs

Qing-Yan Zhang,Yang Fei‐Yu,Liao Shang‐Gao,Wang Bing,Li Rui,Dong Yong‐Xi,Zhou Meng,Yang Yuan‐Yong,Xu Guo‐Bo 대한화학회 2021 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.42 No.4

Forty-one fusaric acid analogs possessing a pyridine carboxylic acid scaffold have been synthesized. The antibacterial activity results demonstrated that compounds 5b, 7b, 8c, and 8d displayed strong antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 4–16 μg/mL. Molecular docking study indicated that these compounds have strong hydrogen-bonding interactions with TyrRS. Meanwhile, 8c and 8d showed promising antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027. Compound 4 exhibited pronounced antibacterial activities against a clinically isolated multidrug-resistant strain of Escherichia coli (MIC: 64 μg/mL as compared 64 μg/mL of levofloxacin and 1024 μg/mL of ceftriaxone sodium). Moreover, compound 17e displayed strong synergistic antibacterial effect with levofloxacin against the multidrug-resistant strain, decreasing the MIC value of levofloxacin to 1/16 of its original MIC. No obvious cytotoxic activities against LO2 was observed for compounds 4, 5b, 8c, 8d, 17d, and 17e at 50 μM. The preliminary structure–activity relationship of fusaric acid analogs was also discussed.