Evaluation of the anti-Toxoplasma gondii Activity of Hederagenin in vitro and in vivo

Run-Hui Zhang,Runhao Jin,Hao Deng,Qing-Kun Shen,Zhe-Shan Quan,Chun-Mei Jin 대한기생충학열대의학회 2021 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.59 No.3

Toxoplasma gondii infection is widespread worldwide, not only posing a serious threat to human food safety and animal husbandry, but also endangering human health. The selectivity index was employed to measure anti-T. gondii activity. Hederagenin (HE) exhibited potent anti-T. gondii activity and low cytotoxicity. For this reason, HE was selected for in vivo experiments. HE showed 64.8%±13.1% inhibition for peritoneal tachyzoites in mice, higher than spiramycin 56.8%±6.0%. Biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutathione, and malondialdehyde, illustrated that HE was a good inhibitor of T. gondii in vivo. This compound was also effective in relieving T. gondii-induced liver damage. Collectively, it was demonstrated that HE had potential as an anti-T. gondii agent.

A New Adamantane-like Tetranuclear Manganese(III) Complex Based on Flexible Schiff-base Ligand: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Magnetic Property

Zhang, Ran,Ni, Zhong-Hai,Zhang, Li-Fang,Kou, Hui-Zhong Korean Chemical Society 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.7

A new tetranuclear Mn(III) complex $[Mn^{III}{_4}(sae)_4({\mu}_3-O)({\mu}_{1,1}-N_3)(OH)(H_2O)_2]{\cdot}H_2O$ (1) ($H_2sae$ = 2-salicylideneamino-1-ethanol) has been synthesized by the reaction of $MnCl_2{\cdot}4H_2O$, $H_2sae$ and sodium azide in the mixed solvent of methanol, acetonitrile and water. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the four Mn(III) ions in complex 1 have a unique adamantine arrangement, whereas the coordination environment of each Mn(III) ions is different. Magnetic studies indicate that complex 1 manifests antiferromagnetic behaviors. The magnetic susceptibilities of complex 1 have been fitted by two magnetic models based on the suitable analysis of its magnetic structural topology.

A New Adamantane-like Tetranuclear Manganese(III) Complex Based on Flexible Schiff-base Ligand: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Magnetic Property

Ran Zhang,Zhong-Hai Ni,Li-Fang Zhang,Hui-Zhong Kou 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.7

A new tetranuclear Mn(III) complex [MnIII 4(sae)4(μ3-O)(μ1,1-N3)(OH)(H2O)2]·H2O (1) (H2sae = 2-salicylideneamino- 1-ethanol) has been synthesized by the reaction of MnCl2·4H2O, H2sae and sodium azide in the mixed solvent of methanol, acetonitrile and water. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the four Mn(III) ions in complex 1 have a unique adamantine arrangement, whereas the coordination environment of each Mn(III) ions is different. Magnetic studies indicate that complex 1 manifests antiferromagnetic behaviors. The magnetic susceptibilities of complex 1 have been fitted by two magnetic models based on the suitable analysis of its magnetic structural topology.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Psychological Effects of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis in Chinese Young Adults

Hui Jie Hu,Zhen Wei Zhang,Yu Liang,Yan Yan Luo,Qi Feng Dou,Cui Ping Song,Hui Min Zhang,Ying Zhao,Guang Run Tian,Ke Zhang,Qiu Fang Mao,Jing Gui Song,Soren Rittig,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2021 International Neurourology Journal Vol.25 No.1

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and effects of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) on physical and mental health in young adults in mainland China. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information including the sociodemographic characteristics, history of PNE, family history, daytime voiding symptoms, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 22,500 university students from 23 provinces and 368 cities in mainland China were included. Results: In total, 21,082 questionnaires were collected, and 20,345 of them qualified for statistical analysis. The PNE prevalence was 1.17%, and the distribution of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE) was 66.1% and 33.9%, respectively. In total, 28% of respondents with PNE reported bedwetting daily, 31.6% between 1 and 7 times weekly, and 40.4% between 1 and 4 times monthly; 80% of PNE cases had no history of treatment. The prevalence of PNE in patients with a family history, frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections was significantly higher than in those without these conditions (P<0.001). PNE was significantly correlated with the PSQI total score (sleep quality) (P=0.011). The SES score was lower and the SDS was higher (P<0.001) in the PNE group than in those without PNE. Conclusions: In mainland China, the PNE prevalence among young adults was found to be high, and PNE had significant effects on physical and mental health. Risk factors included a family history, daytime voiding symptoms, and lack of treatment.

Predictive Current Control of a PMSM Three-Level Dual-Vector Model Based on Self-Anti-Disturbance Techniques

Zhang Xiao,Tao Ran,Xu Xiaoming,Wang Tingjie,Zhang Hui 대한전기학회 2022 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.17 No.6

Finite control set-model predictive control (FCS-MPC) has become a hotspot for power electronics applications and research in recent years due to its conceptual simplicity, ease of handling system constraints and excellent multivariable control capability. However, the traditional FCS-MPC vector selection direction is more fi xed and the steady-state performance of the system is poor, while the speed outer loop uses PI control and the speed regulation eff ect is easily infl uenced by the motor parameters and cannot solve the problem of fast and overshoot free at the same time. To address these problems, a threelevel two-vector model predictive current control method for permanent magnet synchronous motors is proposed based on a self-anti-disturbance technique. For the speed outer loop, a fi rst-order linear active disturbance rejection control is used instead of the traditional PI control, which solves the problem of overshooting and speed incompatibility and improves the robustness of the system; for the current inner loop, the idea of dual-vector model prediction is introduced to expand the selection range of the voltage vector, making the selection of the voltage vector more accurate, while a vector partitioning strategy is used to reduce the computational burden. The control system is modelled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink. Simulation and test results show that the method has good parameter robustness, fast dynamic response and satisfactory steady-state performance.

MondoA Is Required for Normal Myogenesis and Regulation of the Skeletal Muscle Glycogen Content in Mice

Hui Ran,Yao Lu,Qi Zhang,Qiuyue Hu,Junmei Zhao,Kai Wang,Xuemei Tong,Qing Su 대한당뇨병학회 2021 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.45 No.3

Background: Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in the human body, and it plays a major role in exerting force and maintaining metabolism homeostasis. The role of muscle transcription factors in the regulation of metabolism is not fully understood. MondoA is a glucose-sensing transcription factor that is highly expressed in skeletal muscle. Previous studies suggest that MondoA can influence systemic metabolism homeostasis. However, the function of MondoA in the skeletal muscle remains unclear. Methods: We generated muscle-specific MondoA knockout (MAKO) mice and analyzed the skeletal muscle morphology and glycogen content. Along with skeletal muscle from MAKO mice, C2C12 myocytes transfected with small interfering RNA against MondoA were also used to investigate the role and potential mechanism of MondoA in the development and glycogen metabolism of skeletal muscle. Results: MAKO caused muscle fiber atrophy, reduced the proportion of type II fibers compared to type I fibers, and increased the muscle glycogen level. MondoA knockdown inhibited myoblast proliferation, migration, and differentiation by inhibiting the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Further mechanistic experiments revealed that the increased muscle glycogen in MAKO mice was caused by thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) downregulation, which led to upregulation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), potentially increasing glucose uptake. Conclusion: MondoA appears to mediate mouse myofiber development, and MondoA decreases the muscle glycogen level. The findings indicate the potential function of MondoA in skeletal muscle, linking the glucose-related transcription factor to myogenesis and skeletal myofiber glycogen metabolism.

Test Study on Axial Compression Behavior of GCFST Columns Under Unidirectional Repeated Load

Cun Hui,Yongbo Zhang,Yangguang Wang,Ran Hai 한국강구조학회 2023 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.23 No.4

Geopolymer concrete is one of the directions of green development in the construction industry, and casting geopolymer concrete inside steel tubes can effectively play the respective advantages of both. In order to study the axial compression performance and failure mechanism of geopolymer concrete-filled steel tubular (GCFST) columns, two hollow steel tubular columns were designed as the control group and eight geopolymer concrete-filled steel tubular columns were tested in axial compression with concrete strength grade, length-to-diameter ratio, and steel tube wall thickness as parameters. The load–displacement curve, skeleton curve, and stiffness degradation curve of each specimen were obtained by observing the force process and failure mode of each specimen, analyzing the characteristic load, and characteristic displacement, stiffness degradation, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity, and deriving the method of calculating the axial compression load-bearing capacity of GCFST columns, and comparing with several codes commonly used in the world. The results show that the length-diameter ratio has a significant effect on the failure mode of GCFST columns. The peak load and initial stiffness of each group of specimens are different, but their load–displacement curves, skeleton curves, and stiffness degradation trend are the same. The increase of geopolymer concrete strength and steel tube wall thickness can improve the ultimate load-bearing capacity, average compression capacity, and energy dissipation capacity of GCFST columns. The axial compression load-bearing capacity calculation formula proposed in this paper is in good agreement with the test results, and the calculated values of the formula are compared with the calculation results of the international codes to verify the accuracy and applicability of the axial compression load calculation formula proposed in this paper, and the results of the study can provide reference for the theoretical research and engineering application of geopolymer concrete-filled steel tube composite structure.

Gut microbiota metabolic characteristics in coronary artery disease patients with hyperhomocysteine

Tian Ran,Liu Hong-Hong,Feng Si-Qin,Wang Yi-Fei,Wang Yi-Yang,Chen Yu-Xiong,Wang Hui,Zhang Shu-Yang 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.4

Hyperhomocysteine (HHcy) is known as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite the knowledge that gut microbiota related metabolism pathway shares metabolites with that of Hcy, little has been shown concerning the association between HHcy and gut microbiota. To explore their relationship in the context of CAD, 105 patients and 14 healthy controls were recruited from one single medical center located in Beijing, China. Their serum and fecal samples were collected, with multi-omics analyses performed via LC/MS/ MS and 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region sequencing, respectively. Participants from the prospective cohort were divided into CAD, CAD & HHcy and healthy controls (HC) groups based on the diagnosis and serum Hcy concentration. The results revealed significant different metabolic signatures between CAD and CAD & HHcy groups. CAD patients with HHcy suffered a heavier atherosclerotic burden compared to CAD patients, and the difference was closely associated to betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT)-related metabolites and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-related metabolites. Dimethylglycine (DMG) exhibited a strong positive correlation with serum total Hcy (tHcy), and TMAO and trimethylysine (TML) were associated with heavier atherosclerotic burden. Multiple other metabolites were also identified to be related to distinct cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, Clostridium cluster IV and Butyricimonas were enriched in CAD patients with elevated tHcy. Our study suggested that CAD patients with elevated tHcy were correlated with higher atherosclerotic burden, and the impaired Hcy metabolism and cardiovascular risk were closely associated with BHMT-related metabolites, TMAO-related metabolites and impaired gut microbiota homeostasis.

Research on the Compression Behavior of Steel Reinforced Concrete Columns With Built-in Steel Tubes

Cun Hui,Fan Zhang,Zhizeng Zhang,Xiaoli Liu,Ran Hai,John J. Myers 한국강구조학회 2020 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.20 No.4

In order to study the compression behavior of rectangular steel reinforced concrete columns with built-in steel tubes under diff erent eccentric loads, three 1/10 scale specimens were designed and monotonic loading tests were carried out on them. The dimensions, steel bars and steel tube of the three specimens were the same except for the location of the loading point. The eccentricity ratios of the three specimens were 0, 0.25 and 0.5, respectively. The failure modes, load-bearing capacity and displacement characteristics of the test specimens were analyzed. According to the Chinese code, the load-bearing capacity calculation principles and methods of steel reinforced concrete columns with built-in steel tube were investigated for the comparison. The study shows that the peak vertical loads of specimens decrease and the corresponding vertical and horizontal peak displacement increase as the eccentricity increases. The load-bearing capacity calculation results from Chinese code are slightly smaller than the test result because of the unconsidered sleeve eff ect of the internal steel tube. The errors between them are small, and the calculation methods are benefi cial to ensure the structural safety.

Sensitive and Extraction-Free Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus through Ag + Aptamer-Based Color Reaction

Cao Hongli,Zhang Guosheng,Ma Hui,Xue Zhongwen,Huo Ran,Wang Kun,Liu Zijin 한국미생물·생명공학회 2024 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.34 No.1

Refractory infections, such as hospital-acquired pneumonia, can be better diagnosed with the assistance of precise methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) testing. However, traditional methods necessitate high-tech tools, rigorous temperature cycling, and the extraction of genetic material from MRSA cells. Herein, we propose a sensitive, specific, and extraction-free strategy for MRSA detection by integrating allosteric probe-based target recognition and exonuclease-III (ExoIII)-enhanced color reaction. The penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) aptamer in the allosteric probe binds with MRSA to convert protein signals to nucleic acid signals. This is followed by the DNA polymerase-assisted target recycle and the production of numerous single-strand DNA (ssDNA) chains which bind with silver ion (Ag+ ) aptamer to form a blunt terminus that can be identified by Exo-III. As a result, the Ag+ aptamer pre-coupled to magnetic nanoparticles is digested. After magnetic separation, the Ag+ in liquid supernatant catalyzes 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) for a color reaction. In addition, a concentration of 54 cfu/mL is predicted to be the lowest detectable value. Based on this, our assay has a wide linear detection range, covering 5 orders of magnitude and demonstrating a high specificity, which allows it to accurately distinguish the target MRSA from other microorganisms.