Transcriptome profiling of indole-3-butyric acid-induced adventitious root formation in softwood cuttings of the Catalpa bungei variety ‘YU-1’ at different developmental stages

Peng Wang,Ya Li,Lingling Ma,Shu’an Wang,Linfang Li,Rutong Yang,Yuzhu Ma,Qing Wang 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.2

Catalpa bungei is a deciduous tree native to China. It is characterized as fast growing, being highly adaptable, and having excellent wood qualities. To better understand potential mechanisms involved in adventitious root (AR) formation, we performed transcriptome analysis of softwood cuttings of C. bungei ‘Yu-1’ at three stages of AR formation using the Illumina sequencing method. Following de novo assembly, 62,955 unigenes were obtained, 31,646 (50.26 %) of which were annotated. A total of 11,100 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 10,200 unique and 900 common, were identified in four comparisons. Based on the all GO enrichment networks, 46 common and 7 unique GO categories were identified. Cytoskeleton was only significantly enriched in the activation period, while DNA metabolic process was only significantly enriched in the callus formation. Functional annotation analysis revealed that many of these genes were involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, glycolysis, and plant hormone metabolism, suggesting potential contributions to AR formation. Interestingly, the number of DEGs involved in glycolysis decreased while the number of DEGs involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis increased following the AR formative process. Overall, our comprehensive transcriptional overview will prove useful, not only in the understanding of molecular networks that regulate AR formation in C. bungei, but also for exploring genes that may improve rooting rates of other trees.

Prognostic Significance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-based Parameters in Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Treatment of Esophageal Carcinoma

Ma, Jin-Bo,Chen, Er-Cheng,Song, Yi-Peng,Liu, Peng,Jiang, Wei,Li, Ming-Huan,Yu, Jin-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

Aims and Background: The purpose of the research was to study the prognostic value of tumor 18F-FDG PET-based parameters in neoadjuvant chemoradiation for patients with squamous esophageal carcinoma. Methods: Sixty patients received chemoradiation therapy followed by esophagectomy and two 18FDG-PET examinations at pre- and post-radiation therapy. PET-based metabolic-response parameters were calculated based on histopathologic response. Linear regression correlation and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine prognostic value of all PET-based parameters with reference to overall survival. Results: Sensitivity (88.2%) and specificity (86.5%) of a percentage decrease of SUVmax were better than other PET-based parameters for prediction of histopathologic response. Only percentage decrease of SUVmax and tumor length correlated with overall survival time (linear regression coefficient ${\beta}$: 0.704 and 0.684, P<0.05). The Cox proportional hazards model indicated higher hazard ratio (HR=0.897, P=0.002) with decrease of SUVmax compared with decrease of tumor size (HR=0.813, P=0.009). Conclusion: Decrease of SUVmax and tumor size are significant prognostic factors in chemoradiation of esophageal carcinoma.

Enhanced electrical conductivity of nanocomposites containing hybrid fillers of carbon nanotubes and carbon black.

Ma, Peng-Cheng,Liu, Ming-Yang,Zhang, Hao,Wang, Sheng-Qi,Wang, Rui,Wang, Kai,Wong, Yiu-Kei,Tang, Ben-Zhong,Hong, Soon-Hyung,Paik, Kyung-Wook,Kim, Jang-Kyo American Chemical Society 2009 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.1 No.5

<P>Nanocomposites reinforced with hybrid fillers of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) are developed, aiming at enhancing the electrical conductivity of composites with balanced mechanical properties while lowering the cost of the final product. Epoxy-based nanocomposites were prepared with varying combinations of CNTs and CB as conducting fillers, and their electrical and mechanical properties were evaluated. It was shown that the addition of CNTs in CB composites enhanced the electrical conductivity of composites: a low percolation threshold was achieved with 0.2 wt % CNTs and 0.2 wt % CB particles. The CB particles also enhanced the ductility and fracture toughness of nanocomposites, confirming the synergistic effect of CB as a multifunctional filler. The novelty of this work lies in the synergy arising from the combination of two conducting fillers with unique geometric shapes and aspect ratios as well as different dispersion characteristics, which have not been specifically considered previously.</P>

CDH17 nanobodies facilitate rapid imaging of gastric cancer and efficient delivery of immunotoxin

Jingbo Ma,Xiaolong Xu,Chunjin Fu,Peng Xia,Ming Tian,Liuhai Zheng,Kun Chen,Xiaolian Liu,Yilei Li,Le Yu,Qinchang Zhu,Yangyang Yu,Rongrong Fan,Haibo Jiang,Zhifen Li,Chuanbin Yang,Chengchao Xu,Ying Long,J 한국생체재료학회 2022 생체재료학회지 Vol.26 No.4

Background: It is highly desirable to develop new therapeutic strategies for gastric cancer given the low survival rate despite improvement in the past decades. Cadherin 17 (CDH17) is a membrane protein highly expressed in cancers of digestive system. Nanobody represents a novel antibody format for cancer targeted imaging and drug delivery. Nanobody targeting CHD17 as an imaging probe and a delivery vehicle of toxin remains to be explored for its theragnostic potential in gastric cancer. Methods: Naïve nanobody phage library was screened against CDH17 Domain 1-3 and identified nanobodies were extensively characterized with various assays. Nanobodies labeled with imaging probe were tested in vitro and in vivo for gastric cancer detection. A CDH17 Nanobody fused with toxin PE38 was evaluated for gastric cancer inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Results: Two nanobodies (A1 and E8) against human CDH17 with high affinity and high specificity were successfully obtained. These nanobodies could specifically bind to CDH17 protein and CDH17-positive gastric cancer cells. E8 nanobody as a lead was extensively determined for tumor imaging and drug delivery. It could efficiently co-localize with CDH17-positive gastric cancer cells in zebrafish embryos and rapidly visualize the tumor mass in mice within 3 h when conjugated with imaging dyes. E8 nanobody fused with toxin PE38 showed excellent anti-tumor effect and remarkably improved the mice survival in cell-derived (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. The immunotoxin also enhanced the anti-tumor effect of clinical drug 5-Fluorouracil. Conclusions: The study presents a novel imaging and drug delivery strategy by targeting CDH17. CDH17 nanobodybased immunotoxin is potentially a promising therapeutic modality for clinical translation against gastric cancer.

Improvement of Microstructure, Mechanical Property and Corrosion Resistance of Mg–9Li–3Al–1Ca Alloy Through Centrifugal Casting

Zhenduo Ma,Qiang Peng,Guobing Wei,Yan Yang,Tiancai Xu,Weidong Xie,Gang Liu,Xiaodong Peng 대한금속·재료학회 2021 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.27 No.11

The microstructure, mechanical property and corrosion behavior of gravity casting and centrifugal casting Mg–9Li–3Al–1Ca alloy were investigated. The results indicate that the Mg–9Li–3Al–1Ca alloy is mainly composed of α-Mg phases, β-Liphases and Al2Caphases. After centrifugal casting, the blocky and elongated α-Mg phases of the gravity casting alloy canbe refined and spheroidized. Meanwhile, the amount of α-Mg and AlLi phases increases, however, the number of Al2Caphases decreases. Besides, a strong texture of β-Li phase on the (200) plane can be formed. The microstructure refinementand the decrease of Al2Caphases lead to the improvement of comprehensive property. The property of centrifugal alloyshas gradient along radius direction because the strength of centrifugal force varies with the centrifugal radius. The centrifugalcasting Mg–9Li–3Al–1Ca alloy at outside exhibits excellent comprehensive properties. The ultimate tensile strengthand elongation of centrifugal casting alloy achieve the value of 198.3 MPa and 6.0%, corresponding to 83.6% and 300.0%increments compared with gravity casting ones, respectively. The corrosion current also decreases to 89.4 μA/cm2, whichattributes to the weakening of galvanic corrosion attributing to the decrease of number of Al2Caphases and the transformationof corrosion pattern caused by grain refinement.

Teacher receptivity to system-wide curriculum reform in the initiation stage: a Chinese perspective

Yun-peng Ma,Hong-biao Yin,Li-fang Tang,Li-yan Liu 서울대학교 교육연구소 2009 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.10 No.3

Few studies deal with teachers' receptivity in the initiation stage of educational change, especially in a non-western cultural context like Mainland China. This study aims at investigating teachers' receptivity to the system-wide curriculum reform of the senior secondary education in the initiation stage and understanding the factors influencing teachers' receptivity in Mainland China. Questionnaire survey with open-ended question (n = 763) is employed to explore teachers' receptivity in four selected experimental provinces, i.e., the first group of provinces which are selected by Ministry of Education to implement the curriculum reform. Results indicate teachers have positive attitudes and behavioral intentions toward promoting the curriculum reform of senior secondary education, and they consider the reform is valuable but difficult to carry out. The existing theoretical model can explain teachers' behavioral intentions quite well, but its predicting ability to teachers' general attitudes is limited, which indicates some new variables that need to be considered, too. Implications of this study and suggestions for future research are also discussed in the article.

Knockdown of HMGN5 Expression by RNA Interference Induces Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Chen, Peng,Wang, Xiu-Li,Ma, Zhong-Sen,Xu, Zhong,Jia, Bo,Ren, Jin,Hu, Yu-Xin,Zhang, Qing-Hua,Ma, Tian-Gang,Yan, Bing-Di,Yan, Qing-Zhu,Li, Yan-Lei,Li, Zhen,Yu, Jin-Yan,Gao, Rong,Fan, Na,Li, Bo,Yang, Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

HMGN5 is a typical member of the HMGN (high mobility group nucleosome-binding protein) family which may function as a nucleosomal binding and transcriptional activating protein. Overexpression of HMGN5 has been observed in several human tumors but its role in tumorigenesis has not been fully clarified. To investigate its significance for human lung cancer progression, we successfully constructed a shRNA expression lentiviral vector in which sense and antisense sequences targeting the human HMGN5 were linked with a 9-nucleotide loop. Inhibitory effects of siRNA on endogenous HMGN5 gene expression and protein synthesis were demonstrated via real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. We found HMGN5 silencing to significantly inhibit A549 and H1299 cell proliferation assessed by MTT, BrdU incorporation and colony formation assays. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that specific knockdown of HMGN5 slowed down the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and decreased the populations of A549 and H1299 cells at the S and G2/M phases. Taken together, these results suggest that HMGN5 is directly involved in regulation cell proliferation in A549 and H1299 cells by influencing signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression. Thus, our finding suggests that targeting HMGN5 may be an effective strategy for human lung cancer treatment.

The hydrogen storage nanomaterial MgH2 improves irradiation-induced male fertility impairment by suppressing oxidative stress

Jing Ma,Suhe Dong,Hongtao Lu,Zhongmin Chen,Huijie Yu,Xuejun Sun,Renjun Peng,Wei Li,Sinian Wang,Qisheng Jiang,Fengsheng Li,Li Ma 한국생체재료학회 2022 생체재료학회지 Vol.26 No.2

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the protective effect of hydrogen storage nanomaterial MgH2 on radiationinduced male fertility impairment. Methods: The characterization of MgH2 were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analyzer. The safety of MgH2 were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. The radioprotective effect of MgH2 on the reproductive system were analyzed in mice, including sperm quality, genetic effect, spermatogenesis, and hormone secretion. ESR, flow cytometry and western blotting assay were used to reveal the underlying mechanisms. Results: MgH2 had an irregular spherical morphology and a particle size of approximately 463.2 nm, and the content of Mg reached 71.46%. MgH2 was safe and nontoxic in mice and cells. After irradiation, MgH2 treatment significantly protected testicular structure, increased sperm density, improved sperm motility, reduced deformity rates, and reduced the genetic toxicity. Particularly, the sperm motility were consistent with those in MH mice and human semen samples. Furthermore, MgH2 treatment could maintain hormone secretion and testicular spermatogenesis, especially the generation of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and round sperm cells. In vitro, MgH2 eliminated the [·OH], suppressed the irradiation-induced increase in ROS production, and effectively alleviated the increase in MDA contents. Moreover, MgH2 significantly ameliorated apoptosis in testes and cells and reversed the G2/M phase cell cycle arrest induced by irradiation. In addition, MgH2 inhibited the activation of radiation-induced inflammation and pyroptosis. Conclusion: MgH2 improved irradiation-induced male fertility impairment by eliminating hydroxyl free radicals.

A newly characterized exopolysaccharide from Sanghuangporus sanghuang

Xiao-kui Ma,Xu She,Eric Charles Peterson,Yu Zhen Wang,Peng Zheng,Hongyan Ma,Kexin Zhang,Jian Liang 한국미생물학회 2019 The journal of microbiology Vol.57 No.9

Sanghuangporus sanghuang is a well-known pharmacodynamic and economically important edible fungus associated with mulberry (Morus spp.). A distinctly new exopolysaccharide (EPS), designated SHP-2 was obtained from S. sanghuang P0988 broth, and its structure and anti-aging prosperity were characterized. SHP-2 was found to be composed of a backbone of 4)-β-Manp-(1 4)-α-Araf-(1 3,4)-α-Glcp(1 3,4)-α-Glcp-(1 3,4)-α-Glcp-(1 3,4)-α-Glcp-(1 3,4)-α- Glcp-(1 6)-α-Galp-(1 4)-β-Manp-(1 and five branches, including four α-D-Glcp-(1 and one α-D-Manp-(1 SHP-2 was shown to increase antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as trolox equivalent antioxidant (TEAC) capacity in serum of mice pre-treated with D-Gal, while reducing lipofuscin levels. SHP-2 exerted a favorable influence on immune organ coefficients and ameliorated the histopathological hepatic lesions and apoptosis in hepatocytes of Dgalactose- aged mice almost in a dose-dependent manner. Using the same analytical methods, on comparison with previously studied EPS compounds (i.e. SHP-1), SHP-2 was found to have more complex structure, larger molecule weight, and different anti-aging properties. The results presented here suggest that not only does EPS bioactivity vary with respect to molecular structures and molecule weight, but that multiple structures with different activity can be expressed by a single fungal strain. These results may help understanding the antiaging prosperity of these polysaccharides for use in health foods or dietary supplements.

Synthesis of Tailed Metalloporphyrins Modified with 2-Chloronicotinic Acid and Interactions with Human Serum Albumin

Shu-Jun Wang,Yu-Ling Peng,Cheng-Gen Zhang,Qi Peng Ma,Xiao Xia Peng,Li Lei Ren 대한화학회 2017 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.38 No.7

Two kinds of free-base tailed porphyrins modified with 2-chloronicotinic acid and the corresponding Zn porphyrins have been synthesized. They have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR, UV/Vis, fluorescence spectra, and infrared spectroscopies. Their configurations have been optimized through theoretical calculations. The fluorescence quantum yields were determined by a comparative method. The interactions between the Zn porphyrins and human serum albumin have been studied by means of fluorescence spectra. The experimental results showed that the interaction mechanism involved a combined fluorescence quenching process (static and dynamic quenching) and that the main driving force was hydrophobic in nature. Quenching constants, binding constants, thermodynamic parameters, and binding distances have been determined.