Different Catabolism Pathways Triggered by Various Methylxanthines in Caffeine-Tolerant Bacterium Pseudomonas putida CT25 Isolated from Tea Garden Soil

( Yi-xiao Ma ),( Xiao-han Wu ),( Hui-shi Wu ),( Zhan-bo Dong ),( Jian-hui Ye ),( Xin-qiang Zheng ),( Yue-rong Liang ),( Jian-liang Lu ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2018 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.28 No.7

The degradation efficiency and catabolism pathways of the different methylxanthines (MXs) in isolated caffeine-tolerant strain Pseudomonas putida CT25 were comprehensively studied. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of various MXs varied with the number and position of the methyl groups on the molecule (i.e., xanthine > 7-methylxanthine ≈ theobromine > caffeine > theophylline > 1-methylxanthine). Multiple MX catabolism pathways coexisted in strain CT25, and a different pathway would be triggered by various MXs. Demethylation dominated in the degradation of N-7-methylated MXs (such as 7- methylxanthine, theobromine, and caffeine), where C-8 oxidation was the major pathway in the catabolism of 1-methylxanthine, whereas demethylation and C-8 oxidation are likely both involved in the degradation of theophylline. Enzymes responsible for MX degradation were located inside the cell. Both cell culture and cell-free enzyme assays revealed that N-1 demethylation might be a rate-limiting step for the catabolism of the MXs. Surprisingly, accumulation of uric acid was observed in a cell-free reaction system, which might be attributed to the lack of activity of uricase, a cytochrome c-coupled membrane integral enzyme.

Clinical Study on Fluvoxamine Combined with Oxycodone Prolonged-Release Tablets in Treating Patients with Moderate to Severe Cancer Pain

Xiao, Yang,Liu, Jun,Huang, Xin-En,Ca, Li-Hua,Ma, Yi-Min,Wei, Wei,Zhang, Rong-Xia,Huang, Xiao-Hong,Chang, Juan,Wu, Yi-Jia Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Objective: To observe treatment effects and safety of fluvoxamine combined with oxycodone prolonged-release tablets in treating patients with moderate to severe cancer pain. Methods: Patients confirmed pathologically with cancer and complicated with moderate to severe pain, were divided into control and experimental groups. Oxycodone prolonged-release tablets, with or without fluvoxamine, were administrated to all study patients until pain relief. Degree of pain relief, dose of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets, side effects and quality of life were compared before and after treatment. Results: In total, 120 patients were recruited. No statistically significant difference was detected regarding age, gender, types of cancer, KPS between two groups of patients (P>0.05). Baseline pain score of patients with moderate pain in treatment and control group was $4.9{\pm}0.8$ and $5.1{\pm}0.8$, respectively; and decreased to $1.8{\pm}1.1$ and $1.2{\pm}1.1$ after treatment, respectively. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in the treatment group (P=0.028). Average daily consumption of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets was ($54.0{\pm}19.6$) mg and ($44.7{\pm}18.7$) mg respectively, which is lower in treatment grpup than in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.065). Baseline pain score of patients with severe pain in treatment and control groups were $8.3{\pm}1.1$ and $8.3{\pm}1.1$, respectively; and pain intensity after treatment decreased to $2.9{\pm}1.0$ and $2.3{\pm}1.0$. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in the treatment group, with statistical significance (P=0.026). Average daily consumption of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets was ($132.0{\pm}42.2$) mg and ($110.7{\pm}33.9$) mg, respectively, which is lower in treatment group than in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.035). In terms of quality of life, patients in treatment group had better performance status, daily activity, mood, and sleep than that in control group (P < 0.05). Patients in two groups had similar side effects, eg., constipation, nausea/vomiting, lethargy, dizziness, itchy skin, dysuria, and ataxia. Lower incidence of nausea/vomiting, lethargy, was obtained from patients in treatment than in control group, while significant low constipation was observed in treatment than in control group (35.0% vs 49.2%, P=0.026). Conclusion: Fluvoxamine combined with oxycodone prolonged-release tablets could be more effective in treating patients with cancer pain, and could reduce the dosage of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets and thus be associated with lower side effects, and improved quality of life.

Pu-Erh Tea Hot-Water Extract Activates Akt and Induces Insulin-Independent Glucose Transport in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Xiao Ma,Satoshi Tsuda,Xin Yang,Ning Gu,Hiroko Tanabe,Rieko Oshima,Tetsuya Matsushita,Tatsuro Egawa,Ai-Jun Dong,Bei-Wei Zhu,Tatsuya Hayashi 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.3

Skeletal muscle is a major organ that is important for whole-body glucose metabolism. We found that when isolated rat epitrochlearis muscle was incubated with a Pu-erh tea hot-water extract (PTE) for 30 min, the rate of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3MG) transport increased in the absence of insulin. This activation was associated with an increase in Ser473 phosphorylation of Akt, a signaling intermediary leading to insulin-dependent glucose transport, but not Tyr458 phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase p85, an upstream molecule of Akt. PTE-stimulated 3MG transport was also not accompanied by Thr172 phosphorylation of the catalytic α-subunit of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Gallic acid, a water-soluble ingredient in Pu-erh tea, stimulated Akt phosphorylation, but not AMPK phosphorylation. These results suggest that Pu-erh tea potentially promotes skeletal muscle glucose transport at least in part by activating Akt.

Molecular cloning and characterization of two novel DREB genes encoding dehydration-responsive element binding proteins in halophyte Suaeda salsa

Xiao-Bo Sun,Hong-Xiang Ma,Xin-Ping Jia,Yu Chen,Xiao-Qing Ye 한국유전학회 2015 Genes & Genomics Vol.37 No.2

The dehydration-responsive element-binding(DREB) proteins play an important role in regulatingexpression of stress-inducible genes under abiotic stresses. In this study, two genes encoding putative DREB proteins,named SsDREBa and SsDREBb, were cloned from halophyteSuaeda salsa L. using RACE method. The deducedSsDREBa and SsDREBb proteins contain a typical AP2/ERF domain. Multiple sequence alignments and phylogeneticanalysis revealed that the two SsDREB genes of S. salsa were highly similar in AP2/ERF domains at thenucleotide and amino acid levels and belong to the A-6subgroup of the DREB transcription factor subfamily. Asubcellular localization assay showed that both SsDREBslocalized to the nucleus. Yeast one-hybrid experimentstestified that both proteins were able to specifically bind tothe DRE sequence and activate the expression of the downstreamHIS reporter gene in yeast. Quantitative real-timePCR analysis demonstrated that under normal conditions,the expression level of SsDREBa was the most high in theroots and no SsDREBa mRNAs were detected in the stems;SsDREBb expressed at relatively higher levels in the leavesthan in the roots and stems. The expression of SsDREa andSsDREBb genes in S. salsa roots and leaves was remarkablyinduced by high-salt and dehydration treatments, butnot by cold and ABA, and exhibited stronger induction inroots and leaves, respectively. These results indicate thatthe SsDREBa and SsDREBb are novel stress-responsivetranscription factors, which are involved in the drought andhigh-salt stress responses through ABA-independent pathwaysand could be used for production of stress-toleranttransgenic crops.

Prevalence and Genotype Distribution of Human Papillomavirus among Women from Henan, China

Wang, Xiao-Chuan,Sun, Liang-Qi,Ma, Li,Li, Hua-Xin,Wang, Xiu-Li,Wang, Xin,Yun, Tian,Meng, Nian-Long,Lv, Da-Le Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.17

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been implicated as a causative of cervical cancer. In the present study, a total of 578 samples from females attending the gynecological outpatient clinic in Henan province, China, were collected and the HPV genotypes were detected by gene chip and flow-through hybridization. Overall, 44.5% (257/578) females were found to be HPV DNA positive, and the high risk HPV (HR-HPV) rate was 35.1% (203/578). The first peak of HR-HPV infection appeared in the >60 year-old group (55.0%), and the second was within the 51-55 year-old group (50.0%) (${\chi}^2$=19.497, p<0.05). HPV 16 was the most prevalent genotype (9.2%), followed by HPV 52 (7.8%), HPV 6 (6.9%), HPV 11 (5.9%) and HPV 42 (5.0%). The single type HPV infection was 30.4%, with the five majority prevalent genotype HPV 16 (16.5%), HPV 52 (14.3%), HPV 6 (12.6%), HPV 42 (8.6%), HPV 31 (5.1%). The multiple-type HPV infections were 14.0%, and HPV 16 was the most prevalent type (29.6%), followed by HPV 52 (24.7%), HPV 6 (22.2%), HPV 11 (22.2%), HPV 42 (17.3%) and HPV 39 (17.3%).

Risk factors for cancer-specific survival in elderly gastric cancer patients after curative gastrectomy

Liu Xiao,Xue Zhigang,Yu Jianchun,Ma Zhiqiang,Kang Weiming,Ye Xin,Li Zijian 한국영양학회 2022 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.16 No.5

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Previous studies have reported that protein supplementation contributes to the attenuation of inflammation. Serious trauma such as burn injury usually results in the excessive release of inflammatory factors and organs dysfunction. However, a few reports continued to focus on the function of protein ingestion in regulating burn-induced inflammation and organ dysfunction. MATERIALS/METHODS This study established the rat model of 30% total body surface area burn injury, and evaluated the function of blended protein (mixture of whey and soybean proteins). Blood routine examination, inflammatory factors, blood biochemistry, and immunohistochemical assays were employed to analyze the samples from different treatment groups. RESULTS Our results indicated a decrease in the numbers of white blood cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in the burn injury group administered with the blended protein nutritional support (Burn+BP), as compared to the burn injury group administered normal saline supplementation (Burn+S). Expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor, and C-C motif chemokine 11) were dramatically decreased, whereas anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were significantly increased in the Burn+BP group. Kidney function related markers blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the liver function related markers alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were remarkably reduced, whereas albumin levels were elevated in the Burn+BP group as compared to levels obtained in the Burn+S group. Furthermore, inflammatory cells infiltration of the kidney and liver was also attenuated after burn injury administered with blended protein supplementation. CONCLUSIONS In summary, nutritional support with blended proteins dramatically attenuates the burn-induced inflammatory reaction and protects organ functions. We believe this is a new insight into a potential therapeutic strategy for nutritional support of burn patients.

Comparison of the efficacy of robotic-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopy and traditional retroperitoneal laparoscopy in partial nephrectomy among patients with renal tumors: A retrospective cohort study

Chengsheng Xiao,Xin Ma 대한비뇨의학회 2023 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.64 No.6

Purpose: The efficacy of robotic-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopy (RARL) and traditional retroperitoneal laparoscopy (TRL) in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for treatment of a renal tumor were compared in this study. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study reviewed patients with renal tumors who underwent partial nephrectomy in our hospital between January 2020 and February 2022. According to different surgical methods, the patients were enrolled into the RARL (experimental group, n=65) or the TRL (control group, n=63) partial nephrectomy group. Results: One hundred twenty-eight patients were reviewed. The number of patients with collecting system injuries in the experimental group (19 cases) was significantly less than in the control group (32 cases; p<0.05). The operative time (115.7±48.2 min vs. 143.1±25.5 min) and heat ischemia time (18.7±4.9 min vs. 26.4±5.2 min) were significantly shorter in the experimental group than in the control group. The intraoperative blood loss (35.4±13.2 mL vs. 96.1±34.3 mL) and postoperative drainage volume (55.9±26.4 mL vs. 75.2±32.6 mL) were significantly less in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). The change in postoperative glomerular filtration rate decrease in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). The change level in postoperative creatinine increase in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). There were no considerable differences in other clinical indicators or follow-up results between the two groups. Conclusions: RARL was superior to TRL for renal tumor treatment with respect to operative time, intraoperative blood loss, warm ischemia time, and postoperative renal function recovery.

OPE molecular junction as a hydrogen gas sensor

Jian-Guo Xin,Chuan-Lu Yang,Mei-Shan Wang,Xiao-Guang Ma 한국물리학회 2018 Current Applied Physics Vol.18 No.3

Oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) molecular junction has been suggested as a H2 molecule sensor based on calculations using the first principles of density–functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function. The electronic transport properties of the OPE molecule between two Au electrodes with or without adsorbed H2 molecules are investigated. Results show that the adsorbed H2 molecule significantly changes the characteristics of the current–voltage curve of the OPE molecular junction. The pure OPE molecular junction exhibits a significant negative differential resistance, but this kind of phenomenon will disappear or weaken after hydrogen molecules are adsorbed. The conductance of the junction also obviously decreases in the bias range of [−0.4, 0.4] V after adsorbing H2 molecules. These effects can be used to design a H2 molecule sensor.

Wettability contrast on the surface of CuO nanostructures for highly efficient fog harvesting

He Wen-xin,Jin Lian-lian,Ma Xiu-jia,Li Xiao,Li Jia,Wang Xue-wei 한국물리학회 2023 Current Applied Physics Vol.53 No.-

Fog collection can provide a sustainable and efficient method for solving the shortage of water resources. In this article, CuO nanostructures were designed and synthesized on the Cu mesh by a one-step oxidation method and used to collect water from fog. Their morphology and surface wettability are characterized through scanning electron microscopy and dynamic contact angle measuring device, while the process of fog collection is investigated by a high-speed camera. The fog collection efficiency depends on the microstructure of the sample surface, which could be well controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature. Compared with CuO nanoneedles and CuO nanowire clusters, CuO nanosheets promote the rapid falling of liquid droplets, improving the fog harvesting efficiency, which can achieve 3168 mg/cm2 within 120 s. CuO nanosheets have ultra-low adhesion due to high roughness and high air restraint ability, accelerating the transport of water droplets and reducing the re-evaporation of water droplets.

Synthesis and High Expression of Chitin Deacetylase from Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in Pichia pastoris GS115

( Kang Li Xin ),( Xiao Mei Chen ),( Chao Zhai ),( Li Xin Ma ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2012 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.22 No.9

A gene, ClCDA, encoding chitin deacetylase from Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, was optimized according to the codon usage bias of Pichia pastoris and synthesized in vitro by overlap extension PCR. It was secretorily expressed in P. pastoris GS115 using the constitutive expression vector pHMB905A, The expression level reached the highest with 110 mg/l culture supernatant after 72 h of methanol induction, which comprised 77.27 U/mg chitin deacetylase activity, SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, and deglycosylation assays demonstrated that partial recombinant protein was glycosylated with an apparent molecular mass of 33kDa, The amino acid sequences of recombinant proteins were confirmed by mass spectrometry.