Preparation and drug release behavior of pH-responsive bovine serum albumin-loaded chitosan microspheres

Xue Zou,Xiaowen Zhao,Lin Ye,Qi Wang,Hao Li 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.21 No.1

A novel inverse emulsion-ionic crosslinking approach was adopted to prepare pH-responsive chitosanmicrospheres and effect of preparation technique, such as chitosan concentration, emulsifierconcentration, water/oil ratio and homogenization speed, on the morphology and property of themicrospheres were investigated. The chitosan microspheres with spherical in shape, smooth surface,high productivity and promising pH responsiveness were obtained. On this basis, bovine serum albumin(BSA)-loaded chitosan microspheres was prepared to test the drug release behavior in buffers withdifferent pH values. BSA-chitosan microspheres with particle sizes in range from 5 to 10mmreleased BSAslowly in neutral medium and released rapidly in acidic medium, and exhibited obviously pH-responsiverelease behavior. Korsmeyer–Peppas model can be used for describing BSA release kinetics from chitosanmicrospheres, which corresponded with a Fickian release behavior, and the diffusion through theswelling of chitosan microspheres was the main factor in controlling BSA release.

Identification of seven novel virulence genes from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri by Tn5-based random mutagenesis

Xue Song,Jing Guo,Wen-xiu Ma,Zhi-yuan Ji,Li-fang Zou,Gong-you Chen,Hua-song Zou 한국미생물학회 2015 The journal of microbiology Vol.53 No.5

To identify novel virulence genes, a mutant library of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri 29-1 was produced using EZ-Tn5 transposon and the mutants were inoculated into susceptible grapefruit. Forty mutants with altered virulence phenotypes were identified. Nine of the mutants showed a complete loss of citrus canker induction, and the other 31 mutants resulted in attenuated canker symptoms. Southern blot analysis revealed that each of the mutants carried a single copy of Tn5. The flanking sequence was identified by plasmid rescue and 18 different ORFs were identified in the genome sequence. Of these 18 ORFs, seven had not been previously associated with the virulence of X. citri subsp. citri and were therefore confirmed by complementation analysis. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the seven genes were upregulated when the bacteria were grown in citrus plants, suggesting that the expression of these genes was essential for canker development.

Mortise and Tenon-Chinese Zodiac

Xue Fei Zou 한국콘텐츠학회 2021 ICCC International Digital Design Invitation Exhib Vol.2021 No.8

Baicalin attenuates TNBS-induced colitis in rats by modulating the Th17/Treg paradigm

Ying Zou,Shi-Xue Dai,Hong-Gang Chi,Tao Li,Zhi-Wei He,Jian Wang,Cai-Guo Ye,Guo-Liang Huang,Bing Zhao,Wen-Yang Li,Zheng Wan,Jin-Shan Feng,Xue-Bao Zheng 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.10

Baicalin, a flavonoid, has a wide range ofpharmacological properties, including immunomodulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect ofbaicalin on the balance of T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatoryT (Treg) cells in a colitis model. The rat colitis modelwas induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS). Baicalin (10 ml/kg, each) or mesalazine (positivecontrol) was then administered orally for 7 days. Inflammatoryand immunological responses were evaluated bypathology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-timepolymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, and flowcytometry. Our study showed that baicalin not only significantlyattenuated TNBS-induced colitis by reducing thedisease activity index as well as macroscopic and microscopicscores, but it also improved the weight loss andshortening of the colon. Baicalin treatment also induced asignificant decrease in the levels of inflammatory mediators,including the myeloperoxidase activity, the levels oftumor necrosis factor a, IL-1b, and Th1-related cytokinesIL-12 and IFN-c. Furthermore, the beneficial effects ofbaicalin seem to be associated with regulation of the Th17and Treg paradigm. We found that administration ofbaicalin significantly downregulated the number of Th17cells and the levels of Th17-related cytokines (IL-17 andIL-6) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor ct. In contrast, there was an increase in Treg cells numbers,Treg-related cytokines transforming growth factor-b andIL-10, and forkhead box P3. Our results suggest that theanti-inflammatory effect of baicalin may be linked tomodulation of the balance between Th17 and Treg cells inTNBS-induced ulcerative colitis.

Synthesis and Characterization of Polypropylene Alloys

Xue Quan Zhang,Chun Yu Zhang,Hong Guang Cai,Yu Xin Gao,Xiao Mei Lang,En Guang Zou,Lin Mei Wu 한국고분자학회 2009 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.2009 No.10

Identification of genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens

Xue Qian,Li Guohui,Cao Yuxia,Yin Jianmei,Zhu Yunfen,Zhang Huiyong,Zhou Chenghao,Shen Haiyu,Dou Xinhong,Su Yijun,Wang Kehua,Zou Jianmin,Han Wei 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.6

Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens. Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction. Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources. Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens.Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq).Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction.Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources.

Prognostic Significance of Hes-1, a Downstream Target of Notch Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Zou, Jing-Huai,Xue, Tong-Chun,Sun, Chun,Li, Yan,Liu, Bin-Bin,Sun, Rui-Xia,Chen, Jie,Ren, Zheng-Gang,Ye, Sheng-Long Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Background: Hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes-1) protein is a downstream target of Notch signaling and is a basic helix-loop-helix transcriptional repressor. However, definitive evidence for a role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells has not been reported. Here, Hes-1 was revealed to an important component of the Notch signaling cascade in HCC cell lines possessing different potential for lung metastasis. Materials and Methods: RNAi mediated by plasmid constructs was used to analyze the role of Hes-1 in MHCC-97L HCC cells by assessing proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and matrigel invasion following transfection. Hes-1 protein expression analysis in HCC tissue was also conducted by immunohistochemistry. Results: Our studies revealed that Hes-1 was decreased in HCC cell lines with higher lung metastasis potential at both the mRNA and protein levels. Down-regulation of the Hes-1 gene in MHCC-97L cells resulted in increased cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis and increased migration and invasion. Conclusions: Hes-1 has potential prognostic value in post-surgical HCC patients and may be an independent prognostic indicator for overall survival and tumor recurrence. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms by which Hes-1 participates in tumor proliferation and invasion.

Curcumin Induces Apoptosis in SGC-7901 Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells via Regulation of Mitochondrial Signaling Pathways

Xue, Xia,Yu, Jin-Long,Sun, De-Qing,Kong, Feng,Qu, Xian-Jun,Zou, Wen,Wu, Jing,Wang, Rong-Mei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.9

Curcumin, a polyphenol compound derived from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa L. has been verified as an anticancer compound against several types of cancer. However, understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which it induces apoptosis is limited. In this study, the anticancer efficacy of curcumin was investigated in human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC-7901 cells. The results demonstrated that curcumin induced morphological changes and decreased cell viability. Apoptosis triggered by curcumin was visualized using Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD staining. Curcumin-induced apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells was associated with the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Furthermore, the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax that led to the cleavage of caspase-3 and increased cleaved PARP was observed in SGC-7901 cells treated with curcumin. Therefore, curcumin-induced apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells might be mediated through the mitochondria pathway, which gives the rationale for in vivo studies on the utilization of curcumin as a potential cancer therapeutic compound.

Protective effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg2 on atherosclerosis

Qianqian Xue,Tao Yu,Zhibin Wang,Xiuxiu Fu,Xiaoxin Li,Lu Zou,Min Li,Jae Youl Cho,Yanyan Yang The Korean Society of Ginseng 2023 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.47 No.2

Background: Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis. Methods: We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo. Results: Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

Preparation of ZnO Nanoparticles by Combustion Method and Their Gas Sensing Properties

Xiao-xue Lian,Yan Li,Tan Lv,Yun-ling Zou,Dongmin An,Nan Zhang 대한금속·재료학회 2016 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.12 No.1

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were fabricated using a simpleand novel combustion method without calcination. The sensormaterial was structurally and morphologically characterizedusing simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thesample containing 3 mol tartaric acid (ZTC-3) exhibitedexcellent ethanol sensing properties at the optimum temperatureof 330°C. The relationships among the gas response, temperature,response time (recovery time), concentration, and gas specieswere investigated. The ZTC-3 exhibited response and recoverytimes of 7 and 38 s to 100 ppm ethanol, as well as excellentresponse and good selectivity to ethanol gas. Such a ZnOnanoparticle structure could be potentially use for fabricatingethanol sensors.