Optimization of Enzymatic Synthesis of L-ascorbyl Palmitate by Solvent Engineering and Statistical Experimental Designs

Xiang-Jun Jiang,Yi Hu,Ling Jiang,Bin Zou,Ping Song,He Huang 한국생물공학회 2013 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.18 No.2

Statistical experimental designs combined with solvent engineering for optimization of enzymatic synthesis of L-ascorbyl palmitate were developed. First, the composition of the solvent for co-dissolving polar and apolar substrates was determined. The co-solvent mixture of tert-pentanol:DMSO at a ratio of 9:1 (v/v) and the optimal biocatalyst were obtained. Then, the Plackett-Burman design was implemented to screen the variables that significantly influence the conversion. The method of steepest ascent was used to approach the proximity of optimum. After determining the Plackett-Burman and steepest ascent designs, the optimum values were determined by central composite design under response surface methodology. The statistical analysis showed that the optimum reaction conditions (temperature 50oC, enzyme concentration 5.8 g/L,and substrate molar ratio 11:1, stirring rate 160 rpm, amount of molecular sieve 50 g/L, time 18 h) led to the maximum conversion (66.44%) and production concentration (20.63 g/L). A very satisfactory conversion (64.74%) and production concentration (20.13 g/L) could be achieved in short time (6 h).

Silencing of long noncoding RNA HOXA11-AS inhibits the Wnt signaling pathway via the upregulation of HOXA11 and thereby inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and self-renewal of hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells

Jun-Cheng Guo,Yi-Jun Yang,Jin-Fang Zheng,Jian-Quan Zhang,Min Guo,Xiang Yang,Xiang-Ling Jiang,Li Xiang,You Li,Huang Ping,Liu Zhuo 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths, but its molecular mechanisms are not yet well characterized. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in tumorigenesis, including that of HCC. However, the role of homeobox A11 antisense (HOXA11-AS) in determining HCC stem cell characteristics remains to be explained; hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of HOXA11-AS on HCC stem cell characteristics. Initially, the expression patterns of HOXA11-AS and HOXA11 in HCC tissues, cells, and stem cells were determined. HCC stem cells, successfully sorted from Hep3B and Huh7 cells, were transfected with short hairpin or overexpression plasmids for HOXA11-AS or HOXA11 overexpression and depletion, with an aim to study the influences of these mediators on the self-renewal, proliferation, migration, and tumorigenicity of HCC stem cells in vivo. Additionally, the potential relationship and the regulatory mechanisms that link HOXA11-AS, HOXA11, and the Wnt signaling pathway were explored through treatment with Dickkopf-1 (a Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor). HCC stem cells showed high expression of HOXA11-AS and low expression of HOXA11. Both HOXA11-AS silencing and HOXA11 overexpression suppressed the self-renewal, proliferation, migration, and tumorigenicity of HCC stem cells in vivo, as evidenced by the decreased expression of cancer stem cell surface markers (CD133 and CD44) and stemness-related transcription factors (Nanog, Sox2, and Oct4). Moreover, silencing HOXA11-AS inactivated the Wnt signaling pathway by decreasing the methylation level of the HOXA11 promoter, thereby inhibiting HCC stem cell characteristics. Collectively, this study suggested that HOXA11-AS silencing exerts an antitumor effect, suppressing HCC development via Wnt signaling pathway inactivation by decreasing the methylation level of the HOXA11 promoter.

Comparative Study on Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization, Portal Vein Embolization and High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Sequential Therapy for Patients

Cui, Lin,Liu, Xing-Xiang,Jiang, Yong,Wu, Xing-Jun,Liu, Jian-Jun,Zhou, Xiang-Rong,He, Xue-Jun,Huang, Xin-En Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), combined with portal vein embolization (PVE), and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) sequential therapy in treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Patients with inoperative HCC were treated by two methods: in the study group with TACE first, then PVE a week later, and then TACE+PVE every two months as a cycle, after 2~3 cycles finally HIFU was given; in the control group only TACE+PVE was given. Response (CR+PR), and disease control rate (CR+PR+SD), side effects, overall survival and time to progress were calculated. Results: Main side effects of both groups were nausea and vomiting. No treatment related death occurred. In the study group, 32 patients received TACE for overall 67 times, PVE 64 times, and HIFU 99 times; on average 2.1, 2 and 3.1 times for each patient, respectively. In the control group, 36 patients were given TACE 78 times and PVE 74 times, averaging 2.2 and 2.1 times per patient. Effective rate: 25.0% in study group and 8.3% in control group (p>0.05). Disease control rates were 71.9% and 44.4%, respectively (p<0.05). In patients with portal vein tumor thrombus, the rate reduced over 1/2 after treatment was 69.2%(9/13) in the study and 21.4%(3/14) in the control group (p<0.05). Rate of AFP reversion or decrease over 1/2 was 66.7%(16/24) in study and 37%(10/27) (p<0.05) in control group. Median survival time: 16 months in study and 10 months in control group. PFS was 7months in study and 3 months in control group. Log-rank test suggested that statistically significant difference exists between two groups (p=0.024). 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 56.3%, 18.8% and 9.3% in study, while 30.6%, 5.6% and 0 in control group, respectively, with statistically significant difference between two groups (by Log-rank, p = 0.014). Conclusions: The treatment of TACE+PVE+HIFU sequential therapy for HCC increases response rate, prolong survival, and could thus be a safe and effective treatment for advanced cases.

Human Liver Specific Transcriptional Factor TCP10L Binds to MAD4

Jiang, Dao-Jun,Yu, Hong-Xiu,Hexige, Sa-Yin,Guo, Ze-Kun,Wang, Xiang,Ma, Li-Jie,Chen, Zheng,Zhao, Shou-Yuan,Yu, Long Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2004 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.37 No.4

A human gene T-complex protein 10 like (TCP10L) was cloned in our lab. A previous study showed that it expressed specifically in the liver and testis. A transcription experiment revealed that TCP10L was a transcription factor with transcription inhibition activity. In this study, the human MAD4 was identified to interact with TCP10L by a yeast two-hybrid screen. This finding was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and subcellular localization experiments. As MAD4 is a member of the MAD family, which antagonizes the functions of MYC and promotes cell differentiation, the biological function of the interaction between TCP10L and MAD4 may be to maintain the differentiation state in liver cells. Also, we propose that the up-regulation of Myc is caused by the down-regulation of TCP10L in human hepatocarcinomas.

Fermentation Optimization and Industrialization of Recombinant Saccharopolyspora erythraea Strains for Improved Erythromycin A Production

Xiang Zou,Chang-fa Chen,Xia-chang Qi,Jiang-chao Qian,Ju Chu,Ying-ping Zhuang,Si-liang Zhang,Wei Zeng,Wan-jun Li 한국생물공학회 2010 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.15 No.6

Improvement of Erythromycin A (Er-A) production and purity by metabolic engineering of the industrial erythromycin-producing strains Saccharopolyspora erythraea strians ZL1004 and ZL1007, in which the amounts of tailoring enzymes EryK (a P450 hydroxylase)and EryG (an S-adenosylmethionine-dependent O-methyltransferase)for biotransformation of Erythromycin D to Er-A were modulated, was performed in a 50 L fermentor. Addition of 15 g/L of corn steep liquor to the medium increased Er-A production; maximum Er-A production was 8,196 U/mL at 191 h, which was 81.8% higher than that of control (4,507 U/mL at 184 h). Er-B impurities were completely eliminated, whereas Er-C impurities were only 153 U/mL at 191 h. Analysis of intra- and extracellular metabolites and key enzyme activities in central carbon metabolism revealed that the pool of TCA cycle intermediates was enhanced by the addition of corn steep liquor and induced an increase in erythromycin biosynthesis. There were no significant differences between strains ZL1004 and ZL1007 regarding Er-A production and impurity accumulation. Compared to wild type strain,Er-A production was improved by 23.9% while Er-C was reduced by 83.9% and Er-B was completely eliminated. Furthermore, fermentation of recombinant strain ZL1004was successfully scaled up from laboratory scale (50 L fermentor) to industrial scale (25 and 132 m3), with similar levels of Er-A production and purity obtained.

First-principles study on the electronic structure and optical properties of La0.75Sr0.25MnO3-σ materials with oxygen vacancies defects

Jun Jiang,Qing-Ming Chen,Xiang Liu 한국물리학회 2018 Current Applied Physics Vol.18 No.2

The electronic structure and optical properties of La0.75Sr0.25MnO3-σ (LSMO3-σ) materials with 1 × 1 × 4 orthorhombic perovskite structure were performed by first-principles calculation. The structural changing of LSMO3 (ideal structure, σ = 0) was not obvious under generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and GGA + U arithmetic. On the contrary, the structural changing of LSMO3-σ (σ = 0.25, with oxygen vacancies defects in the z = 0, c/8, c/6, c/4, and c/2) with GGA + U were more obvious than the result of ideal. This structural distortion induced distinct changing in density of states (DOS) for LSMO3-σ materials. Oxygen vacancy defects caused a shift of the total density of states (TDOS) features toward low binding energies and LSMO3-σ keep half-metal properties as well as LSMO3 ideal structure. In addition, the hybridization between the Mn-eg and O-2p orbital was weakened and the partial density of states (PDOS) of Mn indicated a strong d-d orbital interaction. By the result of oxygen vacancy formation energy, oxygen vacancy defects can be more easily formed in La-O layers (z = 0 and c/6) to compare with other layers (z = c/8, c/4 and c/2). The calculation result of optical properties suggested that the ideal LSMO could be produced strong absorption in the range of ultraviolet and visible light, while the LSMO3-σ with oxygen vacancies defects were presented weak absorption in the range of visible light.

Ginsenoside Rh2 attenuates microglial activation against toxoplasmic encephalitis via TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway

Xiang Xu,Lan Jin,Tong Jiang,Ying Lu,Fumie Aosai,Hu-Nan Piao,Guang-Hua Xu,Cheng-Hua Jin,Xue-Jun Jin,Juan Ma,Lian-Xun Piao 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.5

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is a characterized component in red ginseng widely used in Korea and China. GRh2 exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, its effects on Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection have not been clarified yet. Methods: The effect of GRh2 against T. gondii was assessed under in vitro and in vivo experiments. The BV2 cells were infected with tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain, and the effects of GRh2 were evaluated by MTT assay, morphological observations, immunofluorescence staining, a trypan blue exclusion assay, reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot analyses. The in vivo experiment was conducted with BALB/c mice inoculated with lethal amounts of tachyzoites with or without GRh2 treatment. Results and conclusion: The GRh2 treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of T. gondii under in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, GRh2 blocked the activation of microglia and specifically decreased the release of inflammatory mediators in response to T. gondii infection through TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway. In mice, GRh2 conferred modest protection from a lethal dose of T. gondii. After the treatment, the proliferation of tachyzoites in the peritoneal cavity of infected mice markedly decreased. Moreover, GRh2 also significantly decreased the T. gondii burden in mouse brain tissues. These findings indicate that GRh2 exhibits an antieT. gondii effect and inhibits the microglial activation through TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway, providing the basic pharmacological basis for the development of new drugs to treat toxoplasmic encephalitis.

Kocuria subflava sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment from the Indian Ocean

Jiang, Zhao,Zhang, Wei-Hua,Yuan, Chang-Guo,Chen, Jia-Yang,Cao, Li-Xiang,Park, Dong-Jin,Xiao, Min,Kim, Chang-Jin,Li, Wen-Jun Springer-Verlag 2015 Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Vol.108 No.6

Case Report : Pancreatic Panniculitis Associated with Acinar Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas: A Case Report

( Zhen Jiang Zheng ),( Jun Gong ),( Guang Ming Xiang ),( Gang Mai ),( Xu Bao Liu ) 대한피부과학회 2011 Annals of Dermatology Vol.23 No.2

Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare type of disorder associated with pancreatic diseases. We describe here a case of 54-year-old man who was admitted to the Department of Dermatology with the diagnosis of erythema nodosum. The patient presented with a 9-month history of painful erythematous nodules on the extremities, joint pain and swelling, and weight loss. A highly elevated level of pancreatic lipase was found on the laboratory examinations. The biopsy specimens from the skin lesions showed subcutaneous fat necrosis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a large mass with central necrosis in the body and tail of the pancreas. Distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy and partial transverse colectomy were successfully performed on day 17 of the hospitalization. The histopathologic findings supported the diagnosis of acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas (ACCP). Postoperatively, the level of serum lipase returned to normal, and the skin lesions and joint manifestations gradually regressed. However, the swelling did not significantly resolve in the left knee. In view of the non-specific clinical presentation of this disease, clinicians should be alert and have a high index of suspicion for pancreatic panniculitis. (Ann Dermatol 23(2) 225∼228, 2011)

Human Liver Specific Transcriptional Factor TCP10L Binds to MAD4

( Dao Jun Jiang ),( Hong Xiu Yu ),( Sa Yin Hexige ),( Ze Kun Guo ),( Xiang Wang ),( Li Jie Ma ),( Zheng Chen ),( Shou Yuan Zhao ),( Long Yu ) 생화학분자생물학회 2004 BMB Reports Vol.37 No.4

A human gene T-complex protein 10 like (TCP10L) was cloned in our lab. A previous study showed that it expressed specifically in the liver and testis. A transcription experiment revealed that TCP10L was a transcription factor with transcription inhibition activity. In this study, the human MAD4 was identified to interact with TCP10L by a yeast two-hybrid screen. This finding was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and subcellular localization experiments. As MAD4 is a member of the MAD family, which antagonizes the functions of MYC and promotes cell differentiation, the biological function of the interaction between TCP10L and MAD4 may be to maintain the differentiation state in liver cells. Also, we propose that the up-regulation of Myc is caused by the down-regulation of TCPIOL in human hepatocarcinomas.