Identification of Petriella setifera LH and Characterization of Its Crude Carboxymethyl Cellulase for Application in Denim Biostoning

Xi-Hua Zhao,Wei Wang,Dong-Zhi Wei 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.1

The phylogenetic tree of the partial elongation factor-1 alpha gene fits better than the partial 18S rDNA for generic classification. From the results of the molecular tree and analysis of morphological characters, Petriella setifera LH was identified. It can be induced to produce carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase). The crude CMCase only shows a 44.1-kDa band by activity staining after SDS-PAGE. It is optimally active at 55°C and pH 6.0, and is stable from pH 5.0–8.0 and at 45°C or below. The crude CMCase, which is not affected by Co2+, is strongly activated in the presence of 10 mM Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, EDTA, and Mn2+. It is strongly inhibited by 10 mM Fe2+, Pb2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Ag+, Fe3+, and Cu2+. When compared with denim treatment by Novoprime A800 (a commercial neutral cellulase), crude CMCase exhibits a similar fabric weight loss and indigo dye removal. These results indicate that crude CMCase has potential application in denim biostoning.

Lack of Association of the Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene 8473T>C Polymorphism with Breast Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

Yang, Xi,Zhao, Fen,Li, Yue-Hua,Huang, Min,Huang, Ying,Yi, Cheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Background: Associations between the 8473T>C polymorphism (rs5275) in the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene and breast cancer (BC) risk are still inconclusive and ambiguous. The aim of this meta-analysis was to comprehensively estimate the genetic risk of 8473T>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene for BC. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Chinese biomedical (CBM), Weipu, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases, covering all publications (last search was updated on Aug 17, 2014). Statistical analyses were performed using Revman 5.3 and STATA 10.0 software. Results: A total of 6,720 cases and 9,794 controls in 12 studies were included in this study. The results indicated no significant associations between the 8473T>C polymorphism of the COX-2 gene and BC risk for the CC+TC vs TT model (pooled odds ratio (OR)=0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.90-1.03, and p=0.29). On subgroup analysis, we also found that subdivision on ethnicity among Caucasians, Asians and others also revealed no relationship with BC susceptibility. With the study design (CC+TC vs TT), no significant associations were found in either population-based case-control studies (PCC), or hospital-based case-control studies (HCC). Conclusions: This present meta-analysis suggests that the 8473T>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene is not a conspicuous low-penetrant risk factor for developing BC.

Interaction and micellar behavior of ternary mixture of amphoteric amino sulfonate surfactant with traditional anionic and nonionic surfactants: Effect of hydrophilicity

Qing Hua Zhang,Rui Sheng,Zhao Hua Ren,Jing Huang,Yun Xiao Wang,Ben Ru Wang,Xi Lei Huang,Qin Cheng,Xue Mei Wu,Tong Bo Wang 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.120 No.-

The micellization and the molecular interaction behaviors for two ternary mixtures constituted by anamphoteric sodium 3-(n-dodecyl ethylenediamino)-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonate (C12AS), an anionicsodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and a nonionic octylphenol polyoxyethylated ether with thenumber (n) of oxyethylene glycol ethers OP-n (n = 10 or 7) in aqueous solution were investigated usingthe tensiometry and the effect of hydrophilicity on them was also discussed. In the framework of pseudophaseseparation model and based on the regular solution theory, the related micellization parametersincluding the mixed critical micelle concentration (cmc) values in the ideal and real cases, the activitycoefficients and the compositions in mixed micelle, etc. and thermodynamic parameters were estimatedby the Clint’s model and the Rubingh’ model. The mixed cmc value is dependent on the composition inaqueous solution and influenced by the hydrophilicity of nonionic surfactant. With increasing the nonionicin ternary mixture, the mixed cmc value is initially decreased and then slightly rise. An increasingin the hydrophilicity of nonionic will make the minimum value of mixed cmc be increased from1.299 mM to 1.705 mM. The resulting phenomena can be explained reasonably by the electrostatic effect,the steric hindrance, the hydrogen bonding, etc. Thermodynamic data indicate that the contribution ofentropy or enthalpy plays a vital role on the spontaneous process of micellization and the share ofentropy or enthalpy in free energy change is dependent largely on the amount of nonionic surfactantand the hydrophilicity. In ternary mixtures of C12AS/SDBS/OP-10, an increase in an amount of OP-10 willinduce the change from the enthalpy-driven micellization process to the entropically favorable process. Once an abundant amount of OP-7 is added, while, the enthalpy will make a main contribution on themicellization process, which can be described by the drop in the share of entropy at the composition(0.6970/0.0000/0.3030) of ternary mixture from 0.6478 to 0.4901. These findings will help with understandingthe molecular interaction behavior for the ternary surfactant mixture and the effect of the additionof nonionic surfactant and its hydrophilicity.

Identification of Serum MicroRNA-21 as a Biomarker for Early Detection and Prognosis in Human Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Xu, Yun-Zhao,Xi, Qing-Hua,Ge, Wen-Liang,Zhang, Xiao-Qian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Recent investigations have confirmed up-regulation of serum miR-21 and its diagnostic and prognostic value in several human malignancies. In this study, we examined serum miR-21 levels in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients, and explored its association with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. The results showed significantly higher serum miR-21 levels in EOC patients than in healthy controls. In addition, increased serum miR-21 expression was correlated with advanced FIGO stage, high tumor grade, and shortened overall survival. These findings indicate that serum miR-21 may serve as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker, and be used as a therapeutic target for the treatment of EOC.

Association of Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Antigen-4 Polymorphisms with Malignant Bone Tumors Risk: A Meta-analysis

Zhang, Chao,Hou, Wei-Hua,Ding, Xuan-Xi,Wang, Xiong,Zhao, Hui,Han, Xing-Wen,Wang, Wen-Ji Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.8

Background: Previous studies have assessed the association between the Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Antigen-4(CTLA-4) polymorphism with the risk of malignant bone tumor, but the conclusions were inconsistent. We aimed to clarify association of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 polymorphisms with malignant bone tumors risk by performing a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The databases including PubMed, EMBase databases and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify the eligible studies prior to January 30 2016. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to estimate the strengths of the association between the CTLA-4 polymorphism and the malignant bone tumor risks. The meta-analysis was performed by STATA 12.0. Results: Four individual studies with a total of 1003 cases with malignant bone tumor and 1162 controls were included in our meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis on those data demonstrated that CTLA-4 +49G>A polymorphism was associated with the risk of Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma strongly (A vs. G: OR=1.36, 95%CI:1.20-1.54, p=0.000; AA+AG vs. GG: OR=1.35, 95%CI:1.14-1.61, p=0.001; AA vs. GG: OR=2.24, 95%CI:1.67-2.99, p=0.000; AA vs. AG+GG: OR=2.00, 95%CI:1.53-2.62, p=0.000), but CTLA-4 -318C/T polymorphism was not associated with the risk of malignant bone tumor (C vs. T: OR=0.76, 95%CI:0.76-1.08, p= 0.262; CC+CT vs. TT: OR=0.70, 95%CI:0.41-1.20, p= 0.198; CC vs. TT: OR=0.69, 95%CI:0.40-1.19, p= 0.183; CC vs. CT+TT: OR=0.92, 95%CI:0.75-1.13, p= 0.419). Subgroup analysis showed that there are significantly positive correlations between CTLA-4 +49G>A polymorphism and increased risks of malignant bone tumors in large size of sample (A vs. G: OR=1.347, 95%CI: 1.172,1.548, p=0.000; AA vs. GG: OR=2.228, 95%CI: 1.608,3.085, p=0.000), Ewing's Sarcoma or Osteosarcoma (A vs. G: OR=1.361, 95%CI: 1.201,1.540, p=0.000; AA vs. GG: OR=2.236, 95%CI: 1.674,2.986, p=0.000), and PCR-RFLP or Sequencing(A vs. G: OR=1.361, 95%CI: 1.201,1.540, p=0.000; AA vs. GG: OR=2.236, 95%CI: 1.674,2.986, p=0.000), but CTLA-4 -318C/T polymorphism was not associated with the risk of malignant bone tumors in diagnosis, genotype method, and sample size (all p>0.05). Conclusions: CTLA-4 +49A/G variant was associated with an increased risk of developing the malignant bone tumors, such as Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma. However, it failed to show the association between CTLA-4 -318C/T polymorphism and the risk of malignant bone tumors. Future large-scale studies remain to be done to confirm our conclusions.

Apatinib Combined with Local Irradiation Leads to Systemic Tumor Control via Reversal of Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Lung Cancer

Li-jun Liang,Chen-xi Hu,Yi-xuan Wen,Xiao-wei Geng,Ting Chen,Guo-qing Gu,Lei Wang,You-you Xia,Yong Liu,Jia-yan Fei,Jie Dong,Feng-hua Zhao,Yiliyar Ahongjiang,Kai-yuan Hui,Xiao-dong Jiang 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.2

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the potential systemic antitumor effects of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and apatinib (a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor) via reversing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment for lung carcinoma. Materials and Methods Lewis lung cancer cells were injected into C57BL/6 mice in the left hindlimb (primary tumor; irradiated) and in the right flank (secondary tumor; nonirradiated). When both tumors grew to the touchable size, mice were randomly divided into eight treatment groups. These groups received normal saline or three distinct doses of apatinib (50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) daily for 7 days, in combination with a single dose of 15 Gy radiotherapy or not to the primary tumor. The further tumor growth/regression of mice were followed and observed. Results For the single 15 Gy modality, tumor growth delay could only be observed at the primary tumor. When combining SABR and apatinib 200 mg/kg, significant retardation of both primary and secondary tumor growth could be observed, indicated an abscopal effect was induced. Mechanism analysis suggested that programmed death-ligand 1 expression increased with SABR was counteract by additional apatinib therapy. Furthermore, when apatinib was combined with SABR, the composition of immune cells could be changed. More importantly, this two-pronged approach evoked tumor antigen–specific immune responses and the mice were resistant to another tumor rechallenge, finally, long-term survival was improved. Conclusion Our results suggested that the tumor microenvironment could be managed with apatinib, which was effective in eliciting an abscopal effect induced by SABR.

Deformation analyses during subway shield excavation considering stiffness influences of underground structures

Zhang, Zhi-guo,Zhao, Qi-hua,Zhang, Meng-xi Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.11 No.1

Previous studies for soil movements induced by tunneling have primarily focused on the free soil displacements. However, the stiffness of existing structures is expected to alter tunneling-induced ground movements, the sheltering influences for underground structures should be included. Furthermore, minimal attention has been given to the settings for the shield machine's operation parameters during the process of tunnels crossing above and below existing tunnels. Based on the Shanghai railway project, the soil movements induced by an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield considering the sheltering effects of existing tunnels are presented by the simplified theoretical method, the three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) simulation method, and the in-situ monitoring method. The deformation prediction of existing tunnels during complex traversing process is also presented. In addition, the deformation controlling safety measurements are carried out simultaneously to obtain the settings for the shield propulsion parameters, including earth pressure for cutting open, synchronized grouting, propulsion speed, and cutter head torque. It appears that the sheltering effects of underground structures have a great influence on ground movements caused by tunneling. The error obtained by the previous simplified methods based on the free soil displacements cannot be dismissed when encountering many existing structures.

Phase separation phenomena and thermodynamics of octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether in micellar solutions: Effect of high concentration of inorganic salts and linear correlation

Dan Ni Li,Jing Huang,Zhao Hua Ren,Rui Sheng,Zheng Bo Qian,Bei Bei Li,Xiao Feng Quan,Ye Xi Zhang,Jun Ru Wang,Huan Tian 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.99 No.-

The phase separationphenomena or cloud points (CP) behaviorof nonionic octylphenol polyoxyethylene etherwith oxyethylene glycol ether unit of 15 (OP-15) were investigated in aqueous micellar solutions containinghigh concentrations of inorganic salts including NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, BaCl2, AlCl3, FeCl3, Na2SO4and Na2SiO3. The change in CP induced by salts and its mechanism are discussed theoretically. In aqueous solutionscontaining high concentration of salt, for thefirst time the linear relationship between CP and saltconcentrationiswellestablishedtocharacterizethedepressionofCP.Basedonpseudophaseseparationmodel,thermodynamic parameters are estimated and adopted to further describe the phase separation process andthe interactions between OP-15 molecules or the OP-15/water interactions. Thermodynamic parametersincluding standard Gibbs energy change (DG0CP), enthalpy change (DH0CP) and entropy change (DS0CP)indicate that the additions of different salts result in the change in entropy-driven nonspontaneousprocess of phase separation. These data, which are from the compensation temperatures and the changeof molar heat capacity, also prove that different ions induce the change in the interactions betweensurfactant molecules or the surfactant–water interaction and thus affect the depression of CP. Thesefindings help with understanding the effect of inorganic salts, especially the high concentration of salt, onCP of nonionic surfactant and then broadening the application of nonionic surfactant based on CP such asthe extraction of biomaterials in biological samples derived from animals or plants, etc.

D-Galactose Induces a Mitochondrial Complex I Deficiency in Mouse Skeletal Muscle: Potential Benefits of Nutrient Combination in Ameliorating Muscle Impairment

Liao Chang,Xin Liu,Jing Liu,Hua Li,Yanshen Yang,Jia Liu,Zihao Guo,Ke Xiao,Chen Zhang,Jiankang Liu,Xi Zhao-Wilson,Jiangang Long 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.3

Accumulating research has shown that chronic D-galactose (D-gal) exposure induces symptoms similar to natural aging in animals. Therefore, rodents chronically exposed to D-gal are increasingly used as a model for aging and delay-of-aging pharmacological research. Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a vital role in aging and age-related diseases; however, whether mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in mice exposed to D-gal remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated cognitive dysfunction, locomotor activity, and mitochondrial dysfunction involved in D-gal exposure in mice. We found that D-gal exposure (125 mg/kg/day, 8 weeks) resulted in a serious impairment in grip strength in mice, whereas spatial memory and locomotor coordination remained intact. Interestingly, muscular mitochondrial complex I deficiency occurred in the skeletal muscle of mice exposed to D-gal. Mitochondrial ultrastructure abnormality was implicated as a contributing factor in D-gal-induced muscular impairment. Moreover, three combinations (A, B, and C) of nutrients applied in this study effectively reversed D-gal-induced muscular impairment. Nutrient formulas B and C were especially effective in reversing complex I dysfunction in both skeletal muscle and heart muscle. These findings suggest the following: (1) chronic exposure to D-gal first results in specific muscular impairment in mice, rather than causing general, premature aging; (2) poor skeletal muscle strength induced by D-gal might be due to the mitochondrial dysfunction caused by complex I deficiency; and (3) the nutrient complexes applied in the study attenuated the skeletal muscle impairment, most likely by improving mitochondrial function.

Identification and Mapping of a Thermo-Sensitive Genic Self-Incompatibility Gene in Maize

Xin Ge Lin,Hui Ling Xie,Zhang Ying Xi,Yan Min Hu,Guang Yuan Zhao,Liu Jing Duan,Zong You Hao,Zong Hua Liu,Ji Hua Tang 한국유전학회 2009 Genes & Genomics Vol.31 No.3

In this study, we describe a novel ecological self-incompatibility (SI) line HE97 in maize. The main environmental factors influencing the inbred line characteristics were identified through field sowing trials during a two-year study period (2001 and 2002). The results showed that daily minimum temperature had the greatest effect on floral morphology and breeding system of the SI line. In staminate floret differentiation, when the daily minimum temperature exceeded 24℃, the line exhibited complete self-compatibility; however SI was observed when the daily minimum temperature was below 20℃. Therefore, we characterized the line as exhibiting thermo-sensitive genic self-incompatibility (TGSI). A set of F2 and F2:3 populations, derived from the inbred lines HE97 and Z58, were evaluated for two years to elucidate the TGSI line patterns of inheritance. Classical genetic analyses and QTL mapping results revealed that HE97 self-incompatibility was governed by a single allele, named here as tgsi1. The tgsi1 gene was mapped to chromosome 2 between SSR markers nc131 and bnlg1633, with a distance of 2.40 cM from nc131 and 2.44 cM from bnlg1633.