• Title/Summary/Keyword: Provincial University

Search Result 2,593, Processing Time 0.04 seconds

Ginseng-derived type I rhamnogalacturonan polysaccharide binds to galectin-8 and antagonizes its function

  • Yi Zheng;Yunlong Si;Xuejiao Xu;Hongming Gu;Zhen He;Zihan Zhao;Zhangkai Feng;Jiyong Su;Kevin H. Mayo;Yifa Zhou;Guihua Tai
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
    • /
    • v.48 no.2
    • /
    • pp.202-210
    • /
    • 2024
  • Background: Panax ginseng Meyer polysaccharides exhibit various biological functions, like antagonizing galectin-3-mediated cell adhesion and migration. Galectin-8 (Gal-8), with its linker-joined N- and C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs), is also crucial to these biological processes, and thus plays a role in various pathological disorders. Yet the effect of ginseng-derived polysaccharides in modulating Gal-8 function has remained unclear. Methods: P. ginseng-derived pectin was chromatographically isolated and enzymatically digested to obtain a series of polysaccharides. Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) quantified their binding affinity to Gal-8, and their inhibitory effects on Gal-8 was assessed by hemagglutination, cell migration and T-cell apoptosis. Results: Our ginseng-derived pectin polysaccharides consist mostly of rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) and homogalacturonan (HG). BLI shows that Gal-8 binding rests primarily in RG-I and its β-1,4-galactan side chains, with sub-micromolar KD values. Both N- and C-terminal Gal-8 CRDs bind RG-I, with binding correlated with Gal-8-mediated function. Conclusion: P. ginseng RG-I pectin β-1,4-galactan side chains are crucial to binding Gal-8 and antagonizing its function. This study enhances our understanding of galectin-sugar interactions, information that may be used in the development of pharmaceutical agents targeting Gal-8.

Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of Echinostoma revolutum from Red-Crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

  • Ran, Rongkun;Zhao, Qi;Abuzeid, Asmaa M.I.;Huang, Yue;Liu, Yunqiu;Sun, Yongxiang;He, Long;Li, Xiu;Liu, Jumei;Li, Guoqing
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
    • /
    • v.58 no.1
    • /
    • pp.73-79
    • /
    • 2020
  • Echinostoma revolutum is a zoonotic food-borne intestinal trematode that can cause intestinal bleeding, enteritis, and diarrhea in human and birds. To identify a suspected E. revolutum trematode from a red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) and to reveal the genetic characteristics of its mitochondrial (mt) genome, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and complete mt genome sequence of this trematode were amplified. The results identified the trematode as E. revolutum. Its entire mt genome sequence was 15,714 bp in length, including 12 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and one non-coding region (NCR), with 61.73% A+T base content and a significant AT preference. The length of the 22 tRNA genes ranged from 59 bp to 70 bp, and their secondary structure showed the typical cloverleaf and D-loop structure. The length of the large subunit of rRNA (rrnL) and the small subunit of rRNA (rrnS) gene was 1,011 bp and 742 bp, respectively. Phylogenetic trees showed that E. revolutum and E. miyagawai clustered together, belonging to Echinostomatidae with Hypoderaeum conoideum. This study may enrich the mitochondrial gene database of Echinostoma trematodes and provide valuable data for studying the molecular identification and phylogeny of some digenean trematodes.

Relative Abundance of a Vector of Scrub Typhus, Leptotrombidium sialkotense, in Southern Yunnan Province, China

  • Lv, Yan;Guo, Xian-Guo;Jin, Dao-Chao;Song, Wen-Yu;Fan, Rong;Zhao, Cheng-Fu;Zhang, Zhi-Wei;Mao, Ke-Yu;Zou, Yun-Ji;Yang, Zhi-Hua
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
    • /
    • v.58 no.2
    • /
    • pp.153-159
    • /
    • 2020
  • The chigger mite Leptotrombidium sialkotense is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. Before present study, L. sialkotense was found in some parts of Hunan province, China with a narrow geographical distribution. During field investigation 2016-2017, we found L. sialkotense in Jingha, southern Yunnan, China. Of 15 small mammal host species, L. sialkotense were collected from 6 species of the hosts. Rattus brunneusculus was a dominant host of L. sialkotense, from which 98.3% of the mites were collected. The chigger mite showed a relatively high infestation prevalence (PM =11.7%) and mean abundance (MA=0.5) in comparison with the rest 5 host species. These results reveal a certain host specificity of L. sialkotense to a rat R. brunneusculus. The mite L. sialkotense showed an aggregated distribution on the host (P<0.05). A positive correlation observed between L. sialkotense and the body length of hosts. There was a positive interspecific association between L. sialkotense and 2 other dominant vectors, L. deliense and L. scutellare.

Immunomodulatory Properties of Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 Expressing an Anti-CD11c Single-Chain Fv Fragment

  • Liu, Jing;Yang, Guilian;Gao, Xing;Zhang, Zan;Liu, Yang;Yang, Xin;Shi, Chunwei;Liu, Qiong;Jiang, Yanlong;Wang, Chunfeng
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • /
    • v.29 no.1
    • /
    • pp.160-170
    • /
    • 2019
  • The lactic acid bacteria species Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) has been used extensively for vaccine delivery. Considering to the critical role of dendritic cells in stimulating host immune response, in this study, we constructed a novel CD11c-targeting L. plantarum strain with surface-displayed variable fragments of anti-CD11c, single-chain antibody (scFv-CD11c). The newly designed L. plantarum strain, named 409-aCD11c, could adhere and invade more efficiently to bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) in vitro due to the specific interaction between scFv-CD11c and CD11c located on the surface of BMDCs. After incubation with BMDCs, the 409-aCD11c strain harboring a eukaryotic vector pValac-GFP could lead to more efficient expression of GFP compared with wild-type strains shown by flow cytometry analysis, indicating the enhanced translocation of pValac-GFP from L. plantarum to BMDCs. Similar results were also observed in an in vivo study, which showed that oral administration resulted in efficient expression of GFP in both Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) within 7 days after the last administration. In addition, the CD11c-targeting strain significantly promoted the differentiation and maturation of DCs, the differentiation of $IL-4^+$ and $IL-17A^+$ T helper (Th) cells in MLNs, as well as production of $B220^+$ $IgA^+$ B cells in the PP. In conclusion, this study developed a novel DC-targeting L. plantarum strain which could increase the ability to deliver eukaryotic expression plasmid to host cells, indicating a promising approach for vaccine study.

Relationship among porcine lncRNA TCONS_00010987, miR-323, and leptin receptor based on dual luciferase reporter gene assays and expression patterns

  • Ding, Yueyun;Qian, Li;Wang, Li;Wu, Chaodong;Li, DengTao;Zhang, Xiaodong;Yin, Zongjun;Wang, Yuanlang;Zhang, Wei;Wu, Xudong;Ding, Jian;Yang, Min;Zhang, Liang;Shang, Jinnan;Wang, Chonglong;Gao, Yafei
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.33 no.2
    • /
    • pp.219-229
    • /
    • 2020
  • Objective: Considering the physiological and clinical importance of leptin receptor (LEPR) in regulating obesity and the fact that porcine LEPR expression is not known to be controlled by lncRNAs and miRNAs, we aim to characterize this gene as a potential target of SSC-miR-323 and the lncRNA TCONS_00010987. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses revealed that lncRNA TCONS_00010987 and LEPR have SSC-miR-323-binding sites and that LEPR might be a target of lncRNA TCONS_00010987 based on cis prediction. Wild-type and mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence fragments and wild-type and mutant LEPR 3'-UTR fragments were generated and cloned into pmiRRB-REPORTTM-Control vectors to construct respective recombinant plasmids. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the SSC-miR-323 mimics or a negative control with constructs harboring the corresponding binding sites and relative luciferase activities were determined. Tissue expression patterns of lncRNA TCONS_00010987, SSC-miR-323, and LEPR in Anqing six-end-white (AQ, the obese breed) and Large White (LW, the lean breed) pigs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; backfat expression of LEPR protein was detected by western blotting. Results: Target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the four recombinant vectors were constructed. Compared to the negative control, SSC-miR-323 mimics significantly inhibited luciferase activity from the wild-type TCONS_00010987-target sequence and wild-type LEPR-3'-UTR (p<0.01 for both) but not from the mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence and mutant LEPR-3'-UTR (p>0.05 for both). Backfat expression levels of TCONS_00010987 and LEPR in AQ pigs were significantly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01), whereas levels of SSC-miR-323 in AQ pigs were significantly lower than those in LW pigs (p<0.05). LEPR protein levels in the backfat tissues of AQ pigs were markedly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01). Conclusion: LEPR is a potential target of SSC-miR-323, and TCONS_00010987 might act as a sponge for SSC-miR-323 to regulate LEPR expression.

Study on the Development of Uniform Designs of Nurses in Korea - Focus on Uniform Design of Nurses at the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center - (국내 간호의료인 유니폼 디자인 개발에 위한 연구 - 경기도 의료원 간호 유니폼을 중심으로 -)

  • Han, Yeon-Hee;Nam, Mi-Hyun;Park, Myung-Hee
    • Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
    • /
    • v.14 no.1
    • /
    • pp.31-42
    • /
    • 2012
  • This study focuses on the establishment of the medical practitioners' brand image through uniforms design developments and the need for recognition, which follows the globalization and evolution of the medical industry. It also embodies public healthcare management services, as well as works to develop a unified design for nurse uniforms at the Gyeonggi provincial medical center in order to place it as a foothold hospital in the region. The results of the study are as follows: First, the symbols of nurse uniforms were divided into external and internal definitions. However, when comparing the uniforms of university hospitals and Gyeonggi provincial medical center, the nurses of the Gyeonggi provincial medical center preferred a uniform that had a strong symbolic meaning. Second, the functionality of nurse uniforms included management of uniforms, sewing, and measurements as important elements. Also, it was found that medical center nurses prefer materials with high functionality. Third, the aesthetics of nurse uniforms and decoration, which includes the external shape and popular influences, were displayed. Also, medical center nurses have a higher preference in external aesthetics than university hospital employees. The results of this study were used as the basis for the development of the design for the Gyeonggi provincial medical center nurse uniforms, which are as follows. First, in terms of symbolism, active application of the Gyeonggi provincial medical center's brand image and medical practitioners such as the Gyeonggi provincial medical center's logo were applied to establish a unified image. Second, in terms of functionality, consideration of the special working conditions and activities were taken into place through the use of functional materials and details to create superior application and efficient work performance. Third, in terms of beauty, bright and neat colors as well as pleasantries were emphasized to create a professional image that will reel in confidence from the patients.

  • PDF

Association between RASSF1A Promoter Hypermethylation and Oncogenic HPV Infection Status in Invasive Cervical Cancer: a Meta-analysis

  • Li, Jin-Yun;Huang, Tao;Zhang, Cheng;Jiang, Dan-Jie;Hong, Qing-Xiao;Ji, Hui-Hui;Ye, Meng;Duan, Shi-Wei
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.16 no.14
    • /
    • pp.5749-5754
    • /
    • 2015
  • Cervical carcinoma is the main cause of cancer-related mortality in women and is correlated with more than 15 risk cofactors, including infection of cervical cells with high-risk types of HPV (hrHPV). Indeed, both aberrant methylation of the RASSF1A promoter and hrHPV infection are often observed in cervical carcinomas. The purpose of our meta-analysis was to evaluate the role of RASSF1A promoter methylation and hrHPV infection in cervical cancer. Our meta-analysis involved 895 cervical cancer patients and 454 control patients from 15 studies. Our results suggested that RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation increased the risk of cervical cancer (OR=9.77, 95%CI=[3.06, 31.26], P=0.0001, $I^2=78%$). By grouping cases according to cancer subtypes, we found that HPV infection was higher in cervical squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) than in cervical adenocarcinomas/adenosquamous cancers (ACs/ASCs) (OR=4.00, 95%CI=[1.41, 11.30], P=0.009, $I^2=55%$). Interestingly, HPV infection tended to occur in cervical cancers with relatively low levels of RASSF1A promoter methylation (OR=0.59, 95%CI=[0.36, 0.99], P=0.05, I2=0%). Our study provides evidence of a possible interaction between HPV infection and RASSF1A promoter methylation in the development of cervical cancers.

Interleukin-18 Synergism with Interleukin-2 in Cytotoxicity and NKG2D Expression of Human Natural Killer Cells

  • Qi, Yuan-Ying;Lu, Chao;Ju, Ying;Wang, Zi-E;Li, Yuan-Tang;Shen, Ya-Juan;Lu, Zhi-Ming
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.15 no.18
    • /
    • pp.7857-7861
    • /
    • 2014
  • Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in anti-tumor immunity. Interleukin (IL)-18 is an immunoregulatory cytokine that induces potent NK cell-dependent anti-tumor responses when administrated with other cytokines. In this study, we explored the effects of combining IL-18 and IL-2 on NK cytotoxicity as well as expression levels of the NK cell receptor NKG2D in vitro. Freshly isolated PBMCs were incubated for 48 h with IL-18 and IL-2, then CD107a expression on $CD3^-CD56^+$ NK cells was determined by three-colour flow cytometry to evaluate the cytotoxicity of NK cells against human erythroleukemia K562 cells and human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. Flow cytometric analysis was also employed to determine NKG2D expression on NK cells. The combined use of IL-18 and IL-2 significantly increased CD107a expression on NK cells compared with using IL-18 or IL-2 alone, suggesting that the combination of these two cytokines exerted synergistic enhancement of NK cytotoxicity. IL-18 also enhanced NKG2D expression on NK cells when administered with IL-2. In addition, blockade of NKG2D signaling with NKG2D-blocking antibody attenuated the up-regulatory effect of combining IL-18 and IL-2 on NK cytolysis. Our data revealed that IL-18 synergized with IL-2 to dramatically enhance the cytolytic activity of human NK cells in a NKG2D-dependent manner. The results appear encouraging for the use of combined IL-18 and IL-2 in tumor immunotherapy.

A Solar Stationary Type IV Radio Burst and Its Radiation Mechanism

  • Liu, Hongyu;Chen, Yao;Cho, Kyungsuk;Feng, Shiwei;Vasanth, Veluchamy;Koval, Artem;Du, Guohui;Wu, Zhao;Li, Chuanyang
    • The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
    • /
    • v.43 no.1
    • /
    • pp.52.2-53
    • /
    • 2018
  • A stationary Type IV (IVs) radio burst was observed on September 24, 2011. Observations from the Nançay RadioHeliograph (NRH) show that the brightness temperature (TB ) of this burst is extremely high, over 10^11K at 150 MHz and over 10^8K in general. The degree of circular polarization (q ) is between -60%~-100%, which means that it is highly left-handed circularly polarized. The flux-frequency spectrum follows a power-law distribution, and the spectral index is considered to be roughly -3~-4 throughout the IVs. Radio sources of this event are located in the wake of the coronal mass ejection and are spatially dispersed. They line up to present a formation in which lower-frequency sources are higher. Based on these observations, it is suggested that the IVs was generated through electron cyclotron maser emission.

  • PDF