Analysis of methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism in different cotton accessions under salt stress based on capillary electrophoresis

Baohua Wang,Rong Fu,Mi Zhang,Zhenqian Ding,Lei Chang,Xinyu Zhu,Yafeng Wang,Baoxiang Fan,Wuwei Ye,Youlu Yuan 한국유전학회 2015 Genes & Genomics Vol.37 No.8

A methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism method based on capillary electrophoresis was used to analyze DNA methylation levels in three cotton accessions, two salt-tolerant accessions CCRI 35 and Zhong 07 and one salt-sensitive accession CCRI 12. Many categories of DNA methylation happened in the three cotton accessions under salt treatment, including hypermethylation, hypomethylation, and other patterns. Hypermethylation happened at a significantly higher rate than that of hypomethylation in salt-tolerant accessions CCRI 35 and Zhong 07. On the contrary, in salt-sensitive accession CCRI 12, hypomethylation happened at a significantly higher rate than that of hypermethylation. In general, the global DNA methylation level significantly increased under salt stress in both salt-tolerant accessions CCRI 35 and Zhong 07, whereas there was no significant difference in the salt-sensitive accessions CCRI 12. Our results suggested that salt-tolerant cotton might have a mechanism of increasing the methylation level when responding to salt stress; the increase of the global level of DNA methylation and also different methylation patterns might play important roles in tolerance to salt stress in cotton. Some interesting genes were found through cloning and analysis of differently methylated DNA sequences, which might contribute to salt tolerance in cotton.

Feasibility of Three-Dimensional Balanced Steady-State Free Precession Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Combined with an Image Denoising Technique to Evaluate Cardiac Function in Children with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Peng YaFeng,Su XinYu,Hu LiWei,Wang Qian,Ouyang RongZhen,Sun AiMin,Guo Chen,Yao XiaoFen,Zhang Yong,Wang LiJia,Zhong YuMin 대한영상의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.22 No.9

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of cine three-dimensional (3D) balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) imaging combined with a non-local means (NLM) algorithm for image denoising in evaluating cardiac function in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with rTOF (mean age, 12 years; range, 7–18 years) were enrolled to undergo cardiac cine image acquisition, including two-dimensional (2D) b-SSFP, 3D b-SSFP, and 3D b-SSFP combined with NLM. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) of the two ventricles were measured and indexed by body surface index. Acquisition time and image quality were recorded and compared among the three imaging sequences. Results: 3D b-SSFP with denoising vs. 2D b-SSFP had high correlation coefficients for EDV, ESV, SV, and EF of the left (0.959– 0.991; p < 0.001) as well as right (0.755–0.965; p < 0.001) ventricular metrics. The image acquisition time ± standard deviation (SD) was 25.1 ± 2.4 seconds for 3D b-SSFP compared with 277.6 ± 0.7 seconds for 2D b-SSFP, indicating a significantly shorter time with the 3D than the 2D sequence (p < 0.001). Image quality score was better with 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than with 3D b-SSFP (mean ± SD, 3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.5 ± 0.6; p = 0.005). Signal-to-noise ratios for blood and myocardium as well as contrast between blood and myocardium were higher for 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than for 3D b-SSFP (p < 0.05 for all but septal myocardium). Conclusion: The 3D b-SSFP sequence can significantly reduce acquisition time compared to the 2D b-SSFP sequence for cine imaging in the evaluation of ventricular function in children with rTOF, and its quality can be further improved by combining it with an NLM denoising method.

Bacthing Auditing of Data in Multicloud Storage

Zhihua Xia,Xinhui Wang,Xingming Sun,Yafeng Zhu,Peng Ji,Jin Wang 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Database Theory and Appli Vol.7 No.6

Cloud storage enables users to outsource their data to cloud servers and enjoy the on-demand services. However, this new paradigm also introduces integrity threats toward user’ outsourced data. This paper develops an efficient auditing mechanism, which support batch auditing for multiple data files in multi-cloud environment. By constructing a sequence-enforced Merkle Hash Tree, the proposed protocol can resist the replace attack. By using the bilinear map, the proposed protocol achieves stateless and transparent verification. By putting the computation of intermediate values of the verification on cloud servers, our method can greatly reduce the computing burden of the auditor. The performance analysis proves the good efficiency of the proposed protocol.

Estimation of remaining energy and available power for Li‑Ion battery packs considering energy consumption by heat convection

Yafeng Zheng,Chunyu Wang,Shijie Sang,Suoqing Yu 전력전자학회 2023 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.23 No.1

To realize the efficient use of battery residual energy, this paper attempts to estimate both the state of energy (SoE) and the state of available power (SoAP) for li-ion battery packs. First, the parameters of a 1st-order equivalent circuit model are identified online where the charging and discharging resistances are separately modeled. Then a state of energy estimator, considering the energy dissipation by heat convection, is designed using an unscented particle filter. Afterwards, multiple constraints in terms of cut-off voltages, recommended residual energy, extreme currents, and powers are incorporated to aid in SoAP prediction. Experiments on a 4-cell battery pack using a high-dynamic load profile show that the SoE estimator is reliable against various working conditions. The predicted SoAP with different time horizons and at different temperatures can avoid the conflicts with the preset constraints while giving reliable predictions.

MiR-204 acts as a potential therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia by increasing BIRC6-mediated apoptosis

( Zhiguo Wang ),( Hong Luo ),( Zehui Fang ),( Yanling Fan ),( Xiaojuan Liu ),( Yujing Zhang ),( Shuping Rui ),( Yafeng Chen ),( Luojia Hong ),( Jincheng Gao ),( Mei Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2018 BMB Reports Vol.51 No.9

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematological malignancies all around the world. MicroRNAs have been determined to contribute various cancers initiation and progression, including AML. Although microRNA-204 (miR-204) exerts anti-tumor effects in several kinds of cancers, its function in AML remains unknown. In the present study, we assessed miR-204 expression in AML blood samples and cell lines. We also investigated the effects of miR-204 on cellular function of AML cells and the underlying mechanisms of the action of miR-204. Our results showed that miR-204 expression was significantly downregulated in AML tissues and cell lines. In addition, overexpression of miR-204 induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in AML cells, including AML5, HL-60, Kasumi-1 and U937 cells. Cell cycle analysis further confirmed an augmentation in theapoptotic subG1 population by miR-204 overexpression. Mechanistically, baculoviral inhibition of apoptosis protein repeat containing 6 (BIRC6) was identified as a direct target of miR-204. Enforcing miR-204 expression increased the luciferase activity and expression of BIRC6, as well as p53 and Bax expression. Moreover, restoration of BIRC6 reversed the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-204 overexpression in AML cells. Taken together, this study demonstrates that miR-204 causes AML cell apoptosis by targeting BIRC6, suggesting miR-204 may play an anti-carcinogenic role in AML and function as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease. [BMB Reports 2018; 51(9): 444-449]

Indoor feeding combined with restricted grazing time improves body health, slaughter performance, and meat quality in Huang-huai sheep

Huang Yafeng,Zhao Mengyu,Zhang Xiaoan,Wei Huiqing,Liu Lumeng,Zhang Zi Jun,Cheng Xiao,Wang Guanjun,Ren Chunhuan 아세아·태평양축산학회 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.11

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three feeding systems, i.e., indoor feeding (CON), indoor feeding with 4-h daily access to grazing artificial pasture (ITGP), and indoor feeding with 8-h daily access to grazing artificial pasture (IEGP), on the plasma antioxidant and immunological capacity, slaughter characteristics, meat quality and economic efficiency of Huang-huai lambs. Methods: Thirty-three healthy Huang-huai rams with similar body weight (approximately 5 mo of age, 28.96±1.01 kg) were assigned equally to three experimental groups. When finished fattening, six lambs from each group were collect blood samples for plasma analyses and then slaughtered to determine slaughter characteristics and obtain biceps brachii muscle for further analysis of meat quality and fatty acid profile. Results: Compared to CON group, animals submitted to ITGP and IEGP groups resulted in greater contents of serum glutathione peroxidase, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n-6 PUFA, and PUFA/saturated fatty acid (FA) ratio and lower palmitic /oleic acid ratio (p<0.05). Moreover, animals in ITGP group exhibited a higher (p<0.05) loin eye area, content of meat crude protein (CP), and eicosetrienoic acid compared to CON group, while slaughter performance was superior (p<0.05) to that of the IEGP group. The economic efficiency of ITGP group was 70.12% higher than that of CON group, while the IEGP group exhibited a decrease of 92.54% in economic efficiency compared to the CON group. Conclusion: Restricted grazing time combined with indoor feeding was more effective in conferring superior body health, carcass traits and economic efficiency in Huang-huai lambs, as well as higher CP content and healthier FA composition in the resulting meat.

Synthesis of high-performance Ni/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst via co-nanocasting method for ethanol dry reforming

Guangyu Shi,Yuanhao Wang,Yafeng Cao,Weijie Cai,Fengzhi Tan 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.12

A Ni/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst (NiCeZr-N) was synthesized by a facile co-nanocasting technique for syngas production from ethanol dry reforming. In addition, a series of characterization techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductive coupled plasma Emission Spectrometer (ICP), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman and hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) were selected to evaluate the physicochemical features of the as-prepared catalysts. Indeed, the results indicated that NiCeZr-N catalyst prepared by co-nanocasting method had a smaller particle size (<5 nm), relatively higher specific surface area (39m2/g) and stronger metal-support interaction in comparison with another model catalyst obtained from conventional co-precipitation method (NiCeZr-P). Expectedly, these positive factors enabled NiCeZr-N catalyst to exhibit better activity and stability. Typically, ethanol is completely converted by using NiCeZr-N as catalyst and heating to 700 oC, and CO2 conversion was as high as 65.3%. Interestingly, H2/CO was close to 1.1 at 650 oC, which could be used as feedstocks of Fischer-Tropsch process. Particularly, no obvious fluctuation of ethanol conversion and the product selectivity was observed during 40 h time-on-stream stability test.

Highly antibacterial electrospun double-layer mats for preventing secondary wound damage and promoting unidirectional water conduction in wound dressings

Runnan Xu,MING ZHANG,Juming Yao,YAN WANG,Yafeng Ge,Dana Kremenakova,Jiri Militky,Guocheng Zhu 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.119 No.-

The efficient absorption of wound exudate and the prevention of soft tissue infection are major concernsin wound repair. Good antibacterial agents and unique wound dressing structures can effectively reducewound infection, thereby accelerating wound healing. In some double-layer asymmetric wound dressings,antimicrobial agents are incorporated in the hydrophilic layer, and only a small fraction of theantimicrobial agent penetrates the hydrophobic fibre layer towards the interior of the wound. Therefore, in this study, we chose curcumin (Cur.)/cellulose acetate (CA) as the hydrophobic inner layer. Not only does this effectively allow Cur. to make contact with the lining of the wound but it also preventsthe wound from sticking. However, the mechanical properties of a single CA/Cur. layer are not ideal. Using polyacrylonitrile as the outer hydrophilic substrate improves the fibre mat mechanical properties. In addition, to further improve the hydrophilicity, the water contact angle was reduced by introducing ahydrophilic group (2-hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin, b-CD) and changing the fibre roughness (nano-TiO2). Thus, wound dressings with high biocompatibility, excellent antibacterial properties, and unidirectionalwater conduction were constructed for preventing secondary wound damage. In terms of performance, ittook 40 minutes for water to enter the hydrophilic fibre layer from the hydrophobic fibre layer (the watercontact angle decreased from 121.24 to 85.42), and it took 25 minutes for water to completely enter thefibre mats (the water contact angle decreased from 85.42-0), which is effective for draining wound exudate. In terms of antibacterial properties, the antibacterial rates of Cur. (8 wt%) against Escherichia coliand Staphylococcus aureus were 82.4% and 92.57%, respectively. The Cur./CA@PAN/b-CD/TiO2 bilayerasymmetric nanofibrous mats mimic the semipermeability of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and havehigh biocompatibility, which is effective for preventing secondary wound damage. It can be used as alow-cost, high-performance wound dressing with medical material potential.

Selective flotation of brucite from calcite using HEDP-4Na as an inhibitor in a SDS system

Xiufeng Gong,Jin Yao,Bin Yang,Yafeng Fu,Yulian Wang,Wanzhong Yin 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.125 No.-

In this study, the selective adsorption of (1-hydroxyethylidene) bis-phosphonic acid tetrasodium salt(HEDP-4Na) on a calcite surface and its impact on the separation of brucite were examined using amicroflotation test, contact angle measurement, zeta potential measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The microflotation test revealed that HEDP-4Naselectively inhibited calcite from brucite at pH 10.5 in the sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) system. Under the dosage condition of 180-mg/L HEDP-4Na, a single-mineral floating difference of 73.79% wasachieved between brucite and calcite. The contact angle measurement revealed that HEDP-4Na considerablyreduced the contact angle of calcite in the SDS system but only weakly affected the contact angleof brucite. Zeta potential analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that theHEDP-4Na adsorption interfered with the SDS adsorption on the surface of calcite; however, theHEDP-4Na adsorption had little effect on the SDS adsorption on the surface of brucite. XPS and AFM analysesdemonstrated that the selectivity and effect of HEDP-4Na on calcite were considerably stronger thanthose on brucite and the HEDP-4Na adsorption on the calcite surface was significant and strong.

Efficiently targeted therapy of glioblastoma xenograft via multifunctional biomimetic nanodrugs

Zhipeng Yao,Xiaochun Jiang,Hong Yao,Yafeng Wu,Fan Zhang,Cheng Wang,Chenxue Qi,Chenhui Zhao,Zeyu Wu,Min Qi,Jia Zhang,Xiaoxiang Cao,Zhichun Wang,Fei Wu,Chengyun Yao,Songqin Liu,Shizhang Ling,Hongping Xi 한국생체재료학회 2022 생체재료학회지 Vol.26 No.4

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fatal malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs is limited due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), poor drug targeting, and short biological half-lives. Multifunctional biomimetic nanodrugs have great potential to overcome these limitations of chemotherapeutic drugs. Methods: We synthesized and characterized a biomimetic nanodrug CMS/PEG-DOX-M. The CMS/PEG-DOX-M effectively and rapidly released DOX in U87 MG cells. Cell proliferation and apoptosis assays were examined by the MTT and TUNEL assays. The penetration of nanodrugs through the BBB and anti-tumor efficacy were investigated in the orthotopic glioblastoma xenograft models. Results: We showed that CMS/PEG-DOX-M inhibited cell proliferation of U87 MG cells and effectively induced cell apoptosis of U87 MG cells. Intracranial antitumor experiments showed that free DOX hardly penetrated the BBB, but CMS/PEG-DOX-M effectively reached the orthotopic ntracranial tumor through the BBB and significantly inhibited tumor growth. Immunofluorescence staining of orthotopic tumor tissue sections confirmed that nanodrugs promoted apoptosis of tumor cells. This study developed a multimodal nanodrug treatment system with the enhanced abilities of tumor-targeting, BBB penetration, and cancer-specific accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs by combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. It can be used as a flexible and effective GBM treatment system and it may also be used for the treatment of other central nervous systems (CNS) tumors and extracranial tumors.