The impacts of resveratrol on the retinal degeneration in a rat model of retinitis pigmentosa induced by alkylation: an in-vivo study

Weiming Yan,Yan Sun,Yutong Wang,Wangjiao Liang,Yuxin Xia,Weihua Yan,Meizhu Chen,Tao Chen,Dongliang Li 한국통합생물학회 2023 Animal cells and systems Vol.27 No.1

Upregulation of Sirtuin Type 1 (SIRT1), a nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide (NAD+)-dependentdeacetylase, has been proved to protect against ample ocular diseases, while its effect onretinitis pigmentosa (RP) has not been illustrated. The study was aimed to explore the impactsof resveratrol (RSV), a SIRT1 activator, on the photoreceptor degeneration in a rat model of RPinduced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), an alkylation. The rats were induced RP phenotypesvia the intraperitoneal injection of MNU. The electroretinogram was conducted and revealedthat RSV could not prevent the decline of retinal function in the RP rats. The optical coherencetomography (OCT) and the retinal histological examination were performed and showed thatthe reduced thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was not preserved by RSV intervention. The immunostaining technique was applied. Afther the MNU administration, the number of theapoptotic photoreceptors in the ONL throughout the retinasand the number of microglia cellspresent among the outer part throughout the retinas were not significantly reduced by RSV. Western blotting was also performed. The data showed that the level of SIRT1 protein wasdecreased after MNU administration, while RSV was not able to obviously alleviate thedownregulation. Our data together indicated that RSV was not able to rescue thephotoreceptor degeneration in the MNU-induced RP rats, which might be due to the MNUinducedconsumption of the NAD+.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Common Red Apollo, Parnassius epaphus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Parnassiinae)

Yun-liangWang,Yan-hong Chen,Chen-chen Xia,Xue-qin Xia,Rui-song Tao,Jia-sheng Hao 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.2

The complete mitochondrial genome of Parnassius epaphus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Parnassiinae) was 15, 458 bp in length, harboring typical 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transferRNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and a non-coding control region (AT-rich region), with an 81.4% A + T content. The gene orientation and arrangement are the same as those of other sequenced lepidopterans. All PCGs startwith the typical ATN codon, with the exception of the COI gene that utilizes CGA as its initial codon. In addition, all PCGs terminate at the common stop codon TAA or TAG, except for the COII genewhich uses single T as its stop codon. All tRNAs possess the typical clover-leaf structure, except for tRNAser(AGN), inwhich the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm forms a simple loop. The predicted lrRNA and srRNA secondary structures harbor six domainswith 49 helices and three domains with 33 helices, respectively. In total, P. epaphus mitogenome harbors 12 intergenic spacers. The 122 bp longest one located between tRNAser(AGN) and tRNAGlu is characterized by the multiple duplications of TTTTTCTTTTT and TTTATCTATTTCTTTmotifs, and this sequence is the largest intergenic spacer among all butterflies detected to date. The 496 bp AT-rich region is located between srRNA and tRNAMet, containing some conserved structural characteristic of lepidopterans, such as the motif ATAGA followed by an 18-bp poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)9 element preceded by the ATTTA motif. Moreover, two tRNA-like sequences (tRNATrp-like, tRNALeu(UUR)-like) and two sequence stretches potential to form stem-loop structures are also found in the AT-rich region.

Antifungal activity of 3-acetylbenzamide produced by actinomycete WA23-4-4 from the intestinal tract of Periplaneta americana

Xia Fang,Juan Shen,Jie Wang,Zhi-li Chen,Pei-bin lin,Zhi-yu Chen,Lin-yan Liu,Huan-xiong Zeng,Xiao-bao Jin 한국미생물학회 2018 The journal of microbiology Vol.56 No.7

Actinomycetes are well-known for producing numerous bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, primary screening by antifungal activity assay found one actinomycete strain WA23-4-4 isolated from the intestinal tract of Periplaneta americana that exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activity. 16S rDNA gene analysis of strain WA23-4-4 revealed close similarity to Streptomyces nogalater (AB045886) with 86.6% sequence similarity. Strain WA23-4-4 was considered as a novel Streptomyces and the 16s rDNA sequence has been submitted to GenBank (accession no. KX291006). The maximum antifungal activity of WA23-4-4 was achieved when culture conditions were optimized to pH 8.0, with 12% inoculum concentration and 210 ml ISP2 medium, which remained stable between the 5th and the 9th day. 3-Acetyl benzoyl amide was isolated by ethyl acetate extraction of WA23- 4-4 fermentation broth, and its molecular formula was determined as C9H9NO2 based on MS, IR, 1H, and 13C NMR analyses. The compound showed significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (MIC: 31.25 μg/ml) and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 (MIC: 31.25 μg/ml). However, the compound had higher MIC values against Trichophyton rubrum ATCC 60836 (MIC: 500 μg/ml) and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 96918 (MIC: 1,000 μg/ml). SEM analysis showed damage to the cell membrane of Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and to the mycelium of Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 after being treatment with 3-acetyl benzoyl amide. In conclusion, this is the first time that 3-acetyl benzoyl amide has been identified from an actinomycete and this compound exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404.

The Gender-Sensitive Social Risk Factors for Internet Addiction in College Undergraduate Students

Xia Lin,Jing-yan Gu,Wan-jun Guo,Ya-jing Meng,Hui-yao Wang,Xiao-jing Li,Wei Deng,Lian-sheng Zhao,Xiao-hong Ma,Ming-li Li,Ting Chen,S,K,Cheng,Tao Li 대한신경정신의학회 2021 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.18 No.7

Objective The current study aims to explore precipitating and social risk factors for internet addiction (IA) in university undergraduate students, and to provide evidence for interventions and the early prevention of IA in different genders. Methods Four thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight college sophomores completed an online survey on their internet use-related behaviours and social risk factors. Results We found that more male (8.3%) than female students (5.4%) had moderate and severe IA. The main online activity in the moderate and severe IA groups was online gaming in males and online streaming in females. Roommates engaging in similar internetbased entertainment was a risk factor of IA only for males, while not being in a romantic relationship was a risk factor of IA for females only. Infatuation with the internet before college and adjustment problems for college life were shared risk factors for both genders in the mild and moderate IA groups. Conclusion IA was a common phenomenon in college students with shared and unique precipitating and social risk factors in males and females. The gender-sensitive risk factors for IA warranted earlier and individualized intervention and prevention strategies for IA in this population.

Associations of racial and ethnic discrimination with adverse changes in exercise and screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

Xia Tong,Gee Gilbert C.,Jian Li,Liu Xinyue,Dai Jin,Shi Lu,Zhang Donglan,Chen Zhuo,Han Xuesong,Li Yan,Li Hongmei,Wen Ming,Su Dejun,Chen Liwei 한국역학회 2023 Epidemiology and Health Vol.45 No.-

Objectives: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a growing prevalence of racial and ethnic discrimination occurred when many Americans struggled to maintain healthy lifestyles. This study investigated the associations of racial and ethnic discrimination with changes in exercise and screen time during the pandemic in the United States (US). Methods: We included 2,613 adults who self-identified as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, or Hispanic from the Health, Ethnicity, and Pandemic (HEAP) study, a cross-sectional survey conducted among a nationally representative sample of US adults between October and November 2020. We assessed self-reported racial and ethnic discrimination by measuring COVID-19-related racial and ethnic bias and examined its associations with changes in exercise and screen time using multivariable logistic regression models. We analyzed data between September 2021 and March 2022.Results: COVID-19-related racial and ethnic bias was associated with decreased exercise time among non-Hispanic Asian (odds ratio [OR]=1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.89) and Hispanic people (OR=1.91; 95% CI, 1.32–2.77), and with increased screen time among non-Hispanic Black people (OR=1.94; 95% CI, 1.33–2.85), adjusting for age, gender, education, marital status, annual household income, insurance, and employment status. Conclusions: Racial and ethnic discrimination may have adversely influenced exercise and screen time changes among racial and ethnic minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms through which racial and ethnic discrimination can impact lifestyles and to develop potential strategies to address racial and ethnic discrimination as a barrier to healthy lifestyles.

Oridonin Suppresses Proliferation of Human Ovarian Cancer Cells via Blockage of mTOR Signaling

Xia, Rong,Chen, Sun-Xiao,Qin, Qin,Chen, Yan,Zhang, Wei-Wei,Zhu, Rong-Rong,Deng, An-Mei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.2

Oridonin, an ent-kaurane diterpenoid compound isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Rabdosia rubescens, has shown various pharmacological and physiological effects such as anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of oridonin on human ovarian cancer cell lines has not been determined. In this study, we demonstrated that oridonin inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we showed oridonin inhibited tumor growth of ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3) in vivo. We then assessed mechanisms and found that oridonin specifically abrogated the phosphorylation/activation of mTOR signaling. In summary, our results indicate that oridonin is a potential inhibitor of ovarian cancer by blocking the mTOR signaling pathway.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon graphite composites reinforced by carbon nanofibers

Chen Yixing,Tu Chuanjun,Liu Yanli,Liu Ping,Gong Pei,Wu Guangning,Huang Xia,Chen Jian,Liu Tianhua,Jiang Jizhou 한국탄소학회 2023 Carbon Letters Vol.33 No.2

Renewed interest in the reinforced carbon graphite composites has intrigued the community in the advanced materials fields. In this work, we present a simple carbon nanofibers reinforced carbon graphite composites synthetic method by incorporating mixture of coal tar pitch, synthetic graphite, pitch coke and the dispersion liquid of carbon nanofibers via liquid-phase mixing process. The impact of carbon nanofiber utilization on the microstructures and mechanical properties of carbon graphite composites are studied systematically. The covalent surface modification of carbon nanofibers effectively improves its microstructure and thereby promotes the carbon graphite composites’ dispersion behavior. We propose that a small amount of carbon nanofibers could promote the carbonization process of carbon graphite composites, facilitating the densification of carbon graphite composites and reducing the undesired open porosity. The amount of 0.7 wt % of carbon nanofiber concentration allows the enhancement of bend and compressive strength of carbon graphite composites up to 36.50 MPa and 60.46 MPa, increased by 167.9% and 146.9% compared with the pure carbon graphite composite, respectively. Our findings can be rationalized due to the improvement in the mechanical strength of carbon graphite composites could be attributed due to pull-out of carbon nanofibers from the matrix and bridging effect across the crack pores within the matrix.

The Inheritance of Seed Color in a Resynthesized Brassica Napus Line No. 2117-17 Including a New Epistatic Locus

Yan Zhang,Xia Li,Chao Zhi Ma,Jin Xiong Shen,Bao Yuan Chen,Jin Xing Tu,Ting Dong Fu 한국유전학회 2009 Genes & Genomics Vol.31 No.6

A Novel Role of Classical Swine Fever Virus E(rns) Glycoprotein in Counteracting the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV)-mediated IFN-β Induction

( Yan Hua Xia ),( Liu Chen ),( Zi Shu Pan ),( Chu Yu Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2007 BMB Reports Vol.40 No.5

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Active Gold Nanoparticles Decorated on a Porous Polymer Filter

Chen, Lei,Yan, Huiying,Xue, Xiangxin,Jiang, Dayu,Cai, Yuxi,Liang, Dongmei,Jung, Young Mee,Han, Xiao Xia,Zhao, Bing SAGE Publications 2017 APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY Vol.71 No.7

<P>In this work, we designed a process to assemble gold nanoparticles onto a three-dimensional (3D) polymer surface, which can then be monitored using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This work is the first demonstration of the assembly of gold nanoparticles on a filter film and in situ measurement with Raman spectroscopy. Herein, a polyhexamethylene adipamide (Nylon66) film embedded in the organic filter film was used as a template to fabricate a tunable SERS-active substrate. A 'hotspot''-rich gold-nanoparticle-decorated polymer substrate for SERS was prepared; this substrate exhibited high sensitivity in trace detection of targets. The study was conducted using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid as a probe molecule with the aim of comparing the scattering efficiency and the homogeneity of the Raman signal on selected substrates. In addition, we used the gold-decorated polymer film to detect a biotin-avidin complex. The most powerful advantage of the proposed microanalytical device is the in situ SERS application. The 3D nanoporous structures described in this work hold strong potential for use in various applications such as environmental monitoring and biomolecule detection.</P>