126 results on '"An, Ming‐Hui"'
Search Results
2. AMPKα2 regulates fasting-induced hyperketonemia by suppressing SCOT ubiquitination and degradation
- Author
-
Lingxue Zhang, Yanqiao Lu, Junqing An, Yin Wu, Zhixue Liu, and Ming-Hui Zou
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Ketone bodies serve as an energy source, especially in the absence of carbohydrates or in the extended exercise. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a crucial energy sensor that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism. However, whether AMPK regulates ketone metabolism in whole body is unclear even though AMPK regulates ketogenesis in liver. Prolonged resulted in a significant increase in blood and urine levels of ketone bodies in wild-type (WT) mice. Interestingly, fasting AMPKα2–/– and AMPKα1–/– mice exhibited significantly higher levels of ketone bodies in both blood and urine compared to fasting WT mice. BHB tolerance assays revealed that both AMPKα2–/– and AMPKα1–/– mice exhibited slower ketone consumption compared to WT mice, as indicated by higher blood BHB or urine BHB levels in the AMPKα2–/– and AMPKα1–/– mice even after the peak. Interestingly, fasting AMPKα2–/– and AMPKα1–/– mice exhibited significantly higher levels of ketone bodies in both blood and urine compared to fasting WT mice. . Specifically, AMPKα2ΔMusc mice showed approximately a twofold increase in blood BHB levels, and AMPKα2ΔMyo mice exhibited a 1.5-fold increase compared to their WT littermates after a 48-h fasting. However, blood BHB levels in AMPKα1ΔMusc and AMPKα1ΔMyo mice were as same as in WT mice. Notably, AMPKα2ΔMusc mice demonstrated a slower rate of BHB consumption in the BHB tolerance assay, whereas AMPKα1ΔMusc mice did not show such an effect. Declining rates of body weights and blood glucoses were similar among all the mice. Protein levels of SCOT, the rate-limiting enzyme of ketolysis, decreased in skeletal muscle of AMPKα2–/– mice. Moreover, SCOT protein ubiquitination increased in C2C12 cells either transfected with kinase-dead AMPKα2 or subjected to AMPKα2 inhibition. AMPKα2 physiologically binds and stabilizes SCOT, which is dependent on AMPKα2 activity.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Gankyrin inhibits ferroptosis through the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis in triple-negative breast cancer cells
- Author
-
Ming Lei, Yun-Long Zhang, Feng-Ying Huang, Heng-Yu Chen, Ming-Hui Chen, Ri-Hong Wu, Shu-Zhen Dai, Gui-Sheng He, Guang-Hong Tan, and Wu-Ping Zheng
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Gankyrin is found in high levels in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and has been established to form a complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 and p53, resulting in the degradation of p53 in hepatocarcinoma cells. Therefore, this study sought to determine whether gankyrin could inhibit ferroptosis through this mechanism in TNBC cells. The expression of gankyrin was investigated in relation to the prognosis of TNBC using bioinformatics. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays were then conducted to determine the presence of a gankyrin and MDM2 complex. RT-qPCR and immunoblotting were used to examine molecules related to ferroptosis, such as gankyrin, p53, MDM2, SLC7A11, and GPX4. Additionally, cell death was evaluated using flow cytometry detection of 7-AAD and a lactate dehydrogenase release assay, as well as lipid peroxide C11-BODIPY. Results showed that the expression of gankyrin is significantly higher in TNBC tissues and cell lines, and is associated with a poor prognosis for patients. Subsequent studies revealed that inhibiting gankyrin activity triggered ferroptosis in TNBC cells. Additionally, silencing gankyrin caused an increase in the expression of the p53 protein, without altering its mRNA expression. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down experiments indicated that gankyrin and MDM2 form a complex. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking both MDM2 and p53, this gankyrin/MDM2 complex was observed to ubiquitinate p53, thus raising the expression of molecules inhibited by ferroptosis, such as SLC7A11 and GPX4. Furthermore, silencing gankyrin in TNBC cells disrupted the formation of the gankyrin/MDM2 complex, hindered the degradation of p53, increased SLC7A11 expression, impeded cysteine uptake, and decreased GPX4 production. Our findings suggest that TNBC cells are able to prevent cell ferroptosis through the gankyrin/p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, indicating that gankyrin may be a useful biomarker for predicting TNBC prognosis or a potential therapeutic target.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Gankyrin inhibits ferroptosis through the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis in triple-negative breast cancer cells
- Author
-
Lei, Ming, Zhang, Yun-Long, Huang, Feng-Ying, Chen, Heng-Yu, Chen, Ming-Hui, Wu, Ri-Hong, Dai, Shu-Zhen, He, Gui-Sheng, Tan, Guang-Hong, and Zheng, Wu-Ping
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Exploring the mechanism of active components from ginseng to manage diabetes mellitus based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
- Author
-
Li, Ming-han, Jin, Ming-hui, Hu, Rui-yi, Tang, Shan, Li, Ke-ke, Gong, Xiao-Jie, Sun, Yin-shi, Wang, Ying-ping, Wang, Zi, and Li, Wei
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Exploring the mechanism of active components from ginseng to manage diabetes mellitus based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
- Author
-
Ming-han Li, Ming-hui Jin, Rui-yi Hu, Shan Tang, Ke-ke Li, Xiao-Jie Gong, Yin-shi Sun, Ying-ping Wang, Zi Wang, and Wei Li
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract A large body of literature has shown that ginseng had a role in diabetes mellitus management. Ginsenosides are the main active components of ginseng. But what ginsenosides can manage in diabetic are not systematic. The targets of these ginsenosides are still incomplete. Our aim was to identify which ginsenosides can manage diabetes mellitus through network pharmacology and molecular docking. To identify the targets of these ginsenosides. In this work, we retrieved and screened ginsenosides and corresponding diabetes mellitus targets across multiple databases. PPI networks of the genes were constructed using STRING, and the core targets were screened out through topological analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed by using the R language. Finally, molecular docking was performed after bioinformatics analysis for verification. Our research results showed that 28 ginsenosides in ginseng might be against diabetes mellitus by modulating related proteins such as VEGFA, Caspase 3, and TNF-α. Among the 28 ginsenosides, 20(R)-Protopanaxatriol, 20(R)-Protopanaxadiol, and Ginsenoside Rg1 might play a significant role. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that the management of diabetes mellitus by ginsenosides may be related to the positive regulation of reactive oxygen metabolic processes, associated with the insulin signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and AMPK signaling pathway. Molecular docking results and molecular dynamics simulation showed that most ginsenosides could stably bind to the core target, mainly hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic bond. This study suggests the management of ginseng on diabetes mellitus. We believe that our results can contribute to the systematic study of the mechanism of ginsenosides for the management of diabetes mellitus. At the same time, it can provide a theoretical basis for subsequent studies on the management of ginsenosides in diabetes mellitus.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Modernization, collectivism, and gender equality predict love experiences in 45 countries
- Author
-
Piotr Sorokowski, Marta Kowal, Robert J. Sternberg, Toivo Aavik, Grace Akello, Mohammad Madallh Alhabahba, Charlotte Alm, Naumana Amjad, Afifa Anjum, Kelly Asao, Chiemezie S. Atama, Derya Atamtürk Duyar, Richard Ayebare, Daniel Conroy-Beam, Mons Bendixen, Aicha Bensafia, Boris Bizumic, Mahmoud Boussena, David M. Buss, Marina Butovskaya, Seda Can, Antonin Carrier, Hakan Cetinkaya, Ilona Croy, Rosa María Cueto, Marcin Czub, Daria Dronova, Seda Dural, Izzet Duyar, Berna Ertugrul, Agustín Espinosa, Ignacio Estevan, Carla Sofia Esteves, Tomasz Frackowiak, Jorge Contreras Garduño, Karina Ugalde González, Farida Guemaz, Mária Halamová, Iskra Herak, Marina Horvat, Ivana Hromatko, Chin-Ming Hui, Jas Laile Jaafar, Feng Jiang, Konstantinos Kafetsios, Tina Kavčič, Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, Nicolas Kervyn, Truong Thi Khanh Ha, Imran Ahmed Khilji, Nils C. Köbis, Aleksandra Kostic, Hoang Moc Lan, András Láng, Georgina R. Lennard, Ernesto León, Torun Lindholm, Trinh Thi Linh, Giulia Lopez, Nguyen Van Luot, Alvaro Mailhos, Zoi Manesi, Rocio Martinez, Sarah L. McKerchar, Norbert Meskó, Marija Pejičić, Girishwar Misra, Conal Monaghan, Emanuel C. Mora, Alba Moya-Garófano, Bojan Musil, Jean Carlos Natividade, George Nizharadze, Elisabeth Oberzaucher, Anna Oleszkiewicz, Mohd Sofian Omar-Fauzee, Ike E. Onyishi, Baris Özener, Ariela Francesca Pagani, Vilmante Pakalniskiene, Miriam Parise, Farid Pazhoohi, Annette Pisanski, Katarzyna Pisanski, Edna Ponciano, Camelia Popa, Pavol Prokop, Muhammad Rizwan, Mario Sainz, Svjetlana Salkičević, Ruta Sargautyte, Ivan Sarmány-Schuller, Susanne Schmehl, Anam Shahid, Shivantika Sharad, Razi Sultan Siddiqui, Franco Simonetti, Meri Tadinac, Christin-Melanie Vauclair, Luis Diego Vega, Kathryn V. Walter, Dwi Ajeng Widarini, Gyesook Yoo, Marta Zaťková, Maja Zupančič, and Agnieszka Sorokowska
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Recent cross-cultural and neuro-hormonal investigations have suggested that love is a near universal phenomenon that has a biological background. Therefore, the remaining important question is not whether love exists worldwide but which cultural, social, or environmental factors influence experiences and expressions of love. In the present study, we explored whether countries’ modernization indexes are related to love experiences measured by three subscales (passion, intimacy, commitment) of the Triangular Love Scale. Analyzing data from 9474 individuals from 45 countries, we tested for relationships with country-level predictors, namely, modernization proxies (i.e., Human Development Index, World Modernization Index, Gender Inequality Index), collectivism, and average annual temperatures. We found that mean levels of love (especially intimacy) were higher in countries with higher modernization proxies, collectivism, and average annual temperatures. In conclusion, our results grant some support to the hypothesis that modernization processes might influence love experiences.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Characterizations of botanical attractant of Halyomorpha halys and selection of relevant deorphanization candidates via computational approach
- Author
-
Zhong, Yong-Zhi, Xie, Ming-Hui, Huang, Cong, Zhang, Xue, Cao, Li, Chen, Hao-Liang, Zhang, Feng, Wan, Fang-Hao, Han, Ri-Chou, and Tang, Rui
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Feasibility of substituting old corrugated carton pulp with thermal alkali and enzyme pretreated semichemical mechanical rice straw pulp
- Author
-
Lai, Yu-Hsun, Sun, Hao-Chen, Chang, Ming-Hui, Li, Ching-Chin, Shyu, Jiann-Gwo, and Perng, Yuan-Shing
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Feasibility of substituting old corrugated carton pulp with thermal alkali and enzyme pretreated semichemical mechanical rice straw pulp
- Author
-
Yu-Hsun Lai, Hao-Chen Sun, Ming-Hui Chang, Ching-Chin Li, Jiann-Gwo Shyu, and Yuan-Shing Perng
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract In this study, we separately used a laboratory Hollander beater, a pilot scale 12″ single-disc refiner and an expanded trial with a commercial paper mold mill to investigate the feasibility of using thermal-alkali/enzyme pretreated rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulp to substitute portions of old corrugated carton board (OCC) pulp in the paper industry. In the laboratory plan, sequential treatments of NaOH at a 5–10% dosage and enzymes at a 0.2–4% dosage were applied to rice straw, followed by beating using a Hollander beater for 1–2 h to complete the rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulping process. When the NaOH dosage, enzyme dosage and refining time were 10%, 0.2% and 1 h, the best quality rice straw pulp was obtained. Along with the increase in NaOH dosage, the pulp freeness decreased significantly, and the pulp accepted rate increased. Enzymatic treatment enhanced rice straw quality only after NaOH dosage treatment, which then reacted with rice straw to increase the quality of pulp. In the expanded trial, the rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulp was blended with OCC pulp (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) to form handsheets. Along with an increase in rice straw proportions, the tensile index, burst index, and ring-crush index increased by 109–200%, 13–196%, and 124–187%, respectively. In an online commercial paper mold mill trial, blending rice straw pulp with OCC could successfully make paper-mold egg cartons, with both mill operation and product smoothness appearance being highly acceptable.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Characterizations of botanical attractant of Halyomorpha halys and selection of relevant deorphanization candidates via computational approach
- Author
-
Yong-Zhi Zhong, Ming-Hui Xie, Cong Huang, Xue Zhang, Li Cao, Hao-Liang Chen, Feng Zhang, Fang-Hao Wan, Ri-Chou Han, and Rui Tang
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Halyomorpha halys has been recognized as a global cross-border pest species. Along with well-established pheromone trapping approaches, there have been many attempts to utilize botanical odorant baits for field monitoring. Due to sensitivity, ecological friendliness, and cost-effectiveness for large-scale implementation, the selection of botanical volatiles as luring ingredients and/or synergists for H. halys is needed. In the current work, botanical volatiles were tested by olfactometer and electrophysiological tests. Results showed that linalool oxide was a potential candidate for application as a behavioral modifying chemical. It drove remarkable attractiveness toward H. halys adults in Y-tube assays, as well as eliciting robust electroantennographic responsiveness towards antennae. A computational pipeline was carried out to screen olfactory proteins related to the reception of linalool oxide. Simulated docking activities of four H. halys odorant receptors and two odorant binding proteins to linalool oxide and nerolidol were performed. Results showed that all tested olfactory genes were likely to be involved in plant volatile-sensing pathways, and they tuned broadly to tested components. The current work provides insights into the later development of field demonstration strategies using linalool oxide and its molecular targets.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Susceptibility of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates to vancomycin, ceftazidime, and amikacin
- Author
-
Kuan-Jen Chen, Ming-Hui Sun, Chiun-Ho Hou, Hung-Chi Chen, Yen-Po Chen, Nan-Kai Wang, Laura Liu, Wei-Chi Wu, Hung-Da Chou, Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang, and Chi-Chun Lai
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Bacterial endophthalmitis is a rare intraocular infection, and prompt administration of intravitreal antibiotics is crucial for preventing severe vision loss. The retrospective study is to investigate the in vitro susceptibility to the antibiotics vancomycin, amikacin, and ceftazidime of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates in specimens at a tertiary referral center from January 1996 to April 2019 in Taiwan. Overall, 450 (49.9%) isolates were Gram positive, 447 (49.6%) were Gram negative, and 4 (0.4%) were Gram variable. In Gram-positive isolates, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly cultured bacteria (158, 35.1%), followed by Streptococci (100, 22.2%), Enterococci (75, 16.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus (70, 15.6%). In Gram-negative isolates, they were Klebsiella pneumoniae (166, 37.1%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (131, 29.3%). All Gram-positive organisms were susceptible to vancomycin, with the exception of one Enterococcus faecium isolate (1/450, 0.2%). Of the Gram-negative isolates, 96.9% and 93.7% were susceptible to ceftazidime and amikacin, respectively. Nine isolates (9/447, 2.0%) were multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, comprising K. pneumoniae (4/164, 2.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (2/3, 67%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (3/18, 17%). In conclusion, in vitro susceptibility testing revealed that vancomycin remains the suitable antibiotic treatment for Gram-positive endophthalmitis. Ceftazidime and amikacin provide approximately the same degree of Gram-negative coverage. Multidrug-resistant bacterial endophthalmitis was uncommon.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Low cardiac dose and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict overall survival in inoperable esophageal squamous cell cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy
- Author
-
Yu-Chieh Ho, Yuan-Chun Lai, Hsuan-Yu Lin, Ming-Hui Ko, Sheng-Hung Wang, Shan-Jun Yang, Po-Ju Lin, Tsai-Wei Chou, Li-Chung Hung, Chia-Chun Huang, Tung-Hao Chang, Jhen-Bin Lin, and Jin-Ching Lin
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract We aimed to determine the prognostic significance of cardiac dose and hematological immunity parameters in esophageal cancer patients after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). During 2010–2015, we identified 101 newly diagnosed esophageal squamous cell cancer patients who had completed definitive CCRT. Patients' clinical, dosimetric, and hematological data, including absolute neutrophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), at baseline, during, and post-CCRT were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards were calculated to identify potential risk factors for overall survival (OS). Median OS was 13 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.38–15.63). Univariate analysis revealed that male sex, poor performance status, advanced nodal stage, higher percentage of heart receiving 10 Gy (heart V10), and higher NLR (baseline and follow-up) were significantly associated with worse OS. In multivariate analysis, performance status (ECOG 0 & 1 vs. 2; hazard ratio [HR] 3.12, 95% CI 1.30–7.48), heart V10 (> 84% vs. ≤ 84%; HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.26–3.95), baseline NLR (> 3.56 vs. ≤ 3.56; HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.39–4.00), and follow-up NLR (> 7.4 vs. ≤ 7.4; HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.12–3.41) correlated with worse OS. Volume of low cardiac dose and NLR (baseline and follow-up) were associated with worse patient survival.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis: clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes
- Author
-
Kuan-Jen Chen, Ying-Jiun Chong, Ming-Hui Sun, Hung-Chi Chen, Laura Liu, Yen-Po Chen, Wei-Chi Wu, Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang, and Chi-Chun Lai
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis is clinically more severe, more difficult to treat, and carry a higher risk of vision loss, evisceration, or enucleation. This study is to investigate the clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes of S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis was diagnosed in 38 eyes of 38 patients. The main clinical features were postcataract endophthalmitis (n = 13, 34%) and endophthalmitis associated with corneal ulcer (n = 12, 32%), trauma (n = 6, 16%), endogenous etiology (n = 4, 11%), trabeculectomy (n = 2, 5%), and pterygium excision-related scleral ulcer (n = 1, 3%). Presenting visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to no light perception. Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics was performed in 17 eyes (39%) in primary or secondary treatments. S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (38/38, 100%), penicillin (37/38, 97%), ceftriaxone (37/38, 97%), cefuroxime (12/15, 80%), levofloxacin (13/15 ,87%), and moxifloxacin (15/17, 88%). Final visual acuity was better than 20/400 in 3 of 38 eyes (8%), 5/200 to hand motions in 3 eyes (8%), and light perception to no light perception in 32 eyes (84%). Ten eyes (26%) underwent evisceration or enucleation. Although S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis had a very poor visual prognosis.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis: clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes
- Author
-
Chen, Kuan-Jen, Chong, Ying-Jiun, Sun, Ming-Hui, Chen, Hung-Chi, Liu, Laura, Chen, Yen-Po, Wu, Wei-Chi, Kang, Eugene Yu-Chuan, and Lai, Chi-Chun
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Low cardiac dose and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict overall survival in inoperable esophageal squamous cell cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy
- Author
-
Ho, Yu-Chieh, Lai, Yuan-Chun, Lin, Hsuan-Yu, Ko, Ming-Hui, Wang, Sheng-Hung, Yang, Shan-Jun, Lin, Po-Ju, Chou, Tsai-Wei, Hung, Li-Chung, Huang, Chia-Chun, Chang, Tung-Hao, Lin, Jhen-Bin, and Lin, Jin-Ching
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Susceptibility of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates to vancomycin, ceftazidime, and amikacin
- Author
-
Chen, Kuan-Jen, Sun, Ming-Hui, Hou, Chiun-Ho, Chen, Hung-Chi, Chen, Yen-Po, Wang, Nan-Kai, Liu, Laura, Wu, Wei-Chi, Chou, Hung-Da, Kang, Eugene Yu-Chuan, and Lai, Chi-Chun
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Hepatitis E virus infection in 6-month-old pigs in Taiwan
- Author
-
Liao, Ming-Hui, Wu, Fang-Tzy, Bai, Huimin, Doan, Yen Hai, Yang, Jyh-Yuan, Takeda, Naokazu, Muramatsu, Masamichi, and Li, Tian-Cheng
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Proteasome inhibition disrupts the metabolism of fumarate hydratase- deficient tumors by downregulating p62 and c-Myc
- Author
-
Sourbier, Carole, Ricketts, Christopher J., Liao, Pei-Jyun, Matsumoto, Shingo, Wei, Darmood, Lang, Martin, Railkar, Reema, Yang, Youfeng, Wei, Ming-Hui, Agarwal, Piyush, Krishna, Murali, Mitchell, James B., Trepel, Jane B., Neckers, Len, and Linehan, W. Marston
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Broadband All-angle Negative Refraction by Optimized Phononic Crystals
- Author
-
Yang Fan Li, Fei Meng, Shiwei Zhou, Ming-Hui Lu, and Xiaodong Huang
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract All-angle negative refraction (AANR) of phononic crystals and its frequency range are dependent on mechanical properties of constituent materials and their spatial distribution. So far, it is impossible to achieve the maximum operation frequency range of AANR theoretically. In this paper, we will present a numerical approach for designing a two-dimensional phononic crystal with broadband AANR without negative index. Through analyzing the mechanism of AANR, a topology optimization problem aiming at broadband AANR is established and solved by bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization method. The optimal steel/air phononic crystal exhibits a record AANR range over 20% and its refractive properties and focusing effects are further investigated. The results demonstrate the multifunctionality of a flat phononic slab including superlensing effect near upper AANR frequencies and self-collimation at lower AANR frequencies.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. The possible molecular mechanisms of bisphenol A action on porcine early embryonic development
- Author
-
Jing Guo, Ming-Hui Zhao, Kyung-Tae Shin, Ying-Jie Niu, Yong-Dae Ahn, Nam-Hyung Kim, and Xiang-Shun Cui
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental contaminant widely used in the plastic industry. BPA has been demonstrated to be an endocrine disruptor and has an adverse effect on the embryonic development of mammals. However, the mechanism of action of BPA is limited. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of BPA in porcine embryonic development. First, the parthenotes were treated with different concentrations of BPA. We found that blastocyst formation was impaired and the parthenotes were arrested at the 4-cell stage after treatment with 100 μm BPA. Second, ROS increased following the addition of BPA, which further caused mitochondrial damage, and cytochrome c was released from the mitochondria to induce apoptosis. The adaptive response was demonstrated through LC3 immunofluorescence staining and by assessing autophagy-related gene expression. In addition, BPA caused DNA damage through the p53-p21 signaling pathway. Thus, our results indicate that BPA displays an adverse effect on porcine early embryonic development through mitochondrial and DNA damage.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Lymph node ratio is associated with adverse clinicopathological features and is a crucial nodal parameter for oral and oropharyngeal cancer
- Author
-
Zhien Feng, Qiao Shi Xu, Chong Wang, Jin Zhong Li, Ming Hui Mao, Hua Li, Li Zheng Qin, and Zhengxue Han
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The lymph node ratio(LNR) has been described as a novel predictor of the survival of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(O/OPSCC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether LNR is better at predicting survival and the need for adjuvant treatment than traditional tumour-nodal-metastasis(TNM) staging. Eight hundred nine patients with O/OPSCC and positive lymph node disease were retrospectively enrolled in this study. LNR equal to 0.075 is the best cut-off value for stratifying 5-year disease-free survival(DFS). High LNR is closely associated with more advanced T stage, higher N stage, more severe pathological grade, the presence of diffuse infiltration and extracapsular spread(ECS). LNR is better for evaluating prognosis than the pathological N stage. Patients with high LNR coupled with high number of positive lymph nodes who received adjuvant concurrent chemo-radiotherapy(CCRT) had a better 5-year DFS than patients who received surgery alone. Multivariate analyses revealed that T stage, ECS and LNR are independent prognostic factors of 5-year DFS and disease-specific survival(DSS). Therefore, high LNR is closely correlated with adverse parameters that markedly hinder prognosis. LNR is superior to traditional TNM staging for the evaluation of prognosis,and the combination of the LNR with the number of positive lymph nodes can predict the benefits of adjuvant CCRT.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Characterization of the Adult Head Transcriptome and Identification of Migration and Olfaction Genes in the Oriental Armyworm Mythimna separate
- Author
-
Hai-Xu Bian, Hong-Fang Ma, Xi-Xi Zheng, Ming-Hui Peng, Yu-Ping Li, Jun-Fang Su, Huan Wang, Qun Li, Run-Xi Xia, Yan-Qun Liu, and Xing-Fu Jiang
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The oriental armyworm Mythimna separate is an economically important insect with a wide distribution and strong migratory activity. However, knowledge about the molecular mechanisms regulating the physiological and behavioural responses of the oriental armyworm is scarce. In the present study, we took a transcriptomic approach to characterize the gene network in the adult head of M. separate. The sequencing and de novo assembly yielded 63,499 transcripts, which were further assembled into 46,459 unigenes with an N50 of 1,153 bp. In the head transcriptome data, unigenes involved in the ‘signal transduction mechanism’ are the most abundant. In total, 937 signal transduction unigenes were assigned to 22 signalling pathways. The circadian clock, melanin synthesis, and non-receptor protein of olfactory gene families were then identified, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with these M. separate genes, the model insect Bombyx mori and other insects. Furthermore, 1,372 simple sequence repeats of 2–6 bp in unit length were identified. The transcriptome data represent a comprehensive molecular resource for the adult head of M. separate, and these identified genes can be valid targets for further gene function research to address the molecular mechanisms regulating the migratory and olfaction genes of the oriental armyworm.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Somatic mutations of PREX2 gene in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
- Author
-
Yang, Ming-Hui, Yen, Chia-Hung, Chen, Yen-Fu, Fang, Cheng-Chieh, Li, Chung-Hsien, Lee, Kuo-Jui, Lin, Yi-Hsiung, Weng, Chien-Hui, Liu, Tze-Tze, Huang, Shiu-Feng, Teh, Bin Tean, and Chen, Yi-Ming Arthur
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Susceptibility of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates to vancomycin, ceftazidime, and amikacin
- Author
-
Hung-Chi Chen, Kuan-Jen Chen, Wei-Chi Wu, Laura Liu, Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang, Yen-Po Chen, Nan-Kai Wang, Chi-Chun Lai, Chiun-Ho Hou, Hung-Da Chou, and Ming-Hui Sun
- Subjects
Science ,Ceftazidime ,Diseases ,Microbial Sensitivity Tests ,Gram-Positive Bacteria ,Article ,Eye Infections, Bacterial ,law.invention ,Microbiology ,Medical research ,Endophthalmitis ,Vancomycin ,law ,Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ,Gram-Negative Bacteria ,medicine ,Humans ,Amikacin ,Retrospective Studies ,Multidisciplinary ,Bacteria ,biology ,Antimicrobials ,business.industry ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Acinetobacter baumannii ,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ,Gram staining ,Medicine ,business ,medicine.drug ,Enterococcus faecium - Abstract
Bacterial endophthalmitis is a rare intraocular infection, and prompt administration of intravitreal antibiotics is crucial for preventing severe vision loss. The retrospective study is to investigate the in vitro susceptibility to the antibiotics vancomycin, amikacin, and ceftazidime of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates in specimens at a tertiary referral center from January 1996 to April 2019 in Taiwan. Overall, 450 (49.9%) isolates were gram positive, 447 (49.6%) were gram negative, and 4 (0.4%) were gram variable. In gram-positive isolates, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly cultured bacteria (158, 35.1%), followed by streptococci (100, 22.2%), enterococci (75, 16.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus (70, 15.6%). In gram-negative isolates, they were Klebsiella pneumoniae (166, 37.1%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (131, 29.3%). All gram-positive organisms were susceptible to vancomycin, with the exception of one Enterococcus faecium isolate (1/450, 0.2%). Of the gram-negative isolates, 96.9% and 93.7% were susceptible to ceftazidime and amikacin, respectively. Nine isolates (9/447, 2.0%) were multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, comprising Klebsiella pneumoniae (4/164, 2.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (2/3, 67%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (3/18, 17%). In conclusion, in vitro susceptibility testing revealed that vancomycin remains the suitable antibiotic treatment for gram-positive endophthalmitis. Ceftazidime and amikacin provide approximately the same degree of gram-negative coverage. Multidrug-resistant bacterial endophthalmitis was uncommon.
- Published
- 2021
26. Assessing the augmentation of Amblydromalus limonicus with the supplementation of pollen, thread, and substrates to combat greenhouse whitefly populations
- Author
-
Lee, Ming Hui and Zhang, Zhi-Qiang
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis: clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes
- Author
-
Ying-Jiun Chong, Kuan-Jen Chen, Ming-Hui Sun, Hung-Chi Chen, Laura Liu, Wei-Chi Wu, Yen-Po Chen, Chi-Chun Lai, and Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang
- Subjects
Male ,Visual acuity ,genetic structures ,Epidemiology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Moxifloxacin ,Levofloxacin ,medicine.disease_cause ,Severity of Illness Index ,Tertiary Care Centers ,Eye Injuries ,0302 clinical medicine ,Endophthalmitis ,Vitrectomy ,Evisceration (ophthalmology) ,Aged, 80 and over ,Multidisciplinary ,Ceftriaxone ,Middle Aged ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Streptococcus pneumoniae ,Treatment Outcome ,Outcomes research ,Medicine ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,medicine.drug ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Science ,030231 tropical medicine ,Taiwan ,Trabeculectomy ,Cataract Extraction ,Microbial Sensitivity Tests ,Penicillins ,Article ,Cataract ,Eye Enucleation ,Pneumococcal Infections ,03 medical and health sciences ,Vancomycin ,Ophthalmology ,medicine ,Humans ,Corneal Ulcer ,Aged ,Retrospective Studies ,Cefuroxime ,business.industry ,corneal ulcer ,medicine.disease ,eye diseases ,030221 ophthalmology & optometry ,sense organs ,business - Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis is clinically more severe, more difficult to treat, and carry a higher risk of vision loss, evisceration, or enucleation. This study is to investigate the clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes of S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis was diagnosed in 38 eyes of 38 patients. The main clinical features were postcataract endophthalmitis (n = 13, 34%) and endophthalmitis associated with corneal ulcer (n = 12, 32%), trauma (n = 6, 16%), endogenous etiology (n = 4, 11%), trabeculectomy (n = 2, 5%), and pterygium excision-related scleral ulcer (n = 1, 3%). Presenting visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to no light perception. Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics was performed in 17 eyes (39%) in primary or secondary treatments. S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (38/38, 100%), penicillin (37/38, 97%), ceftriaxone (37/38, 97%), cefuroxime (12/15, 80%), levofloxacin (13/15 ,87%), and moxifloxacin (15/17, 88%). Final visual acuity was better than 20/400 in 3 of 38 eyes (8%), 5/200 to hand motions in 3 eyes (8%), and light perception to no light perception in 32 eyes (84%). Ten eyes (26%) underwent evisceration or enucleation. Although S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis had a very poor visual prognosis.
- Published
- 2021
28. Low cardiac dose and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict overall survival in inoperable esophageal squamous cell cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy
- Author
-
Chia-Chun Huang, Li-Chung Hung, Yu-Chieh Ho, Tsai-Wei Chou, Shan-Jun Yang, Jin-Ching Lin, Yuan-Chun Lai, Ming-Hui Ko, Po-Ju Lin, Hsuan-Yu Lin, Sheng-Hung Wang, Jhen-Bin Lin, and Tung-Hao Chang
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Esophageal Neoplasms ,Science ,Kaplan-Meier Estimate ,Gastroenterology ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Gastrointestinal cancer ,Leukocyte Count ,0302 clinical medicine ,Internal medicine ,Medicine ,Humans ,Lymphocyte Count ,Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio ,Cancer ,Neoplasm Staging ,Proportional Hazards Models ,Univariate analysis ,Multidisciplinary ,Performance status ,business.industry ,Proportional hazards model ,Oesophageal cancer ,Hazard ratio ,Heart ,Chemoradiotherapy ,Esophageal cancer ,medicine.disease ,Prognosis ,030104 developmental biology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Absolute neutrophil count ,Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ,Female ,Neoplasm Grading ,business ,Biomarkers - Abstract
We aimed to determine the prognostic significance of cardiac dose and hematological immunity parameters in esophageal cancer patients after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). During 2010–2015, we identified 101 newly diagnosed esophageal squamous cell cancer patients who had completed definitive CCRT. Patients' clinical, dosimetric, and hematological data, including absolute neutrophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), at baseline, during, and post-CCRT were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards were calculated to identify potential risk factors for overall survival (OS). Median OS was 13 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.38–15.63). Univariate analysis revealed that male sex, poor performance status, advanced nodal stage, higher percentage of heart receiving 10 Gy (heart V10), and higher NLR (baseline and follow-up) were significantly associated with worse OS. In multivariate analysis, performance status (ECOG 0 & 1 vs. 2; hazard ratio [HR] 3.12, 95% CI 1.30–7.48), heart V10 (> 84% vs. ≤ 84%; HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.26–3.95), baseline NLR (> 3.56 vs. ≤ 3.56; HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.39–4.00), and follow-up NLR (> 7.4 vs. ≤ 7.4; HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.12–3.41) correlated with worse OS. Volume of low cardiac dose and NLR (baseline and follow-up) were associated with worse patient survival.
- Published
- 2021
29. Characterizations of botanical attractant of Halyomorpha halys and selection of relevant deorphanization candidates via computational approach
- Author
-
Yong-Zhi Zhong, Ming-Hui Xie, Cong Huang, Xue Zhang, Li Cao, Hao-Liang Chen, Feng Zhang, Fang-Hao Wan, Ri-Chou Han, and Rui Tang
- Subjects
Heteroptera ,Smell ,Multidisciplinary ,Odorants ,Animals ,Pheromones - Abstract
Halyomorpha halys has been recognized as a global cross-border pest species. Along with well-established pheromone trapping approaches, there have been many attempts to utilize botanical odorant baits for field monitoring. Due to sensitivity, ecological friendliness, and cost-effectiveness for large-scale implementation, the selection of botanical volatiles as luring ingredients and/or synergists for H. halys is needed. In the current work, botanical volatiles were tested by olfactometer and electrophysiological tests. Results showed that linalool oxide was a potential candidate for application as a behavioral modifying chemical. It drove remarkable attractiveness toward H. halys adults in Y-tube assays, as well as eliciting robust electroantennographic responsiveness towards antennae. A computational pipeline was carried out to screen olfactory proteins related to the reception of linalool oxide. Simulated docking activities of four H. halys odorant receptors and two odorant binding proteins to linalool oxide and nerolidol were performed. Results showed that all tested olfactory genes were likely to be involved in plant volatile-sensing pathways, and they tuned broadly to tested components. The current work provides insights into the later development of field demonstration strategies using linalool oxide and its molecular targets.
- Published
- 2021
30. Hepatitis E virus infection in 6-month-old pigs in Taiwan
- Author
-
Huimin Bai, Tian-Cheng Li, Jyh-Yuan Yang, Masamichi Muramatsu, Naokazu Takeda, Yen Hai Doan, Ming-Hui Liao, and Fang-Tzy Wu
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Swine ,viruses ,030106 microbiology ,Taiwan ,lcsh:Medicine ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Hepatitis E virus ,Frequency detection ,Genotype ,Genetics ,medicine ,Animals ,Cooking ,lcsh:Science ,Feces ,Swine Diseases ,Multidisciplinary ,Phylogenetic tree ,Acute hepatitis E ,lcsh:R ,Age Factors ,virus diseases ,Virology ,digestive system diseases ,Hepatitis E ,030104 developmental biology ,Pork meat ,Pork Meat ,RNA, Viral ,lcsh:Q ,Zoology ,Hepatitis E virus infection - Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of acute hepatitis E. Genotype 3 (G3) and 4 (G4) HEV have recently been identified in and isolated from swine as the main HEV genotypes worldwide. However, there is limited information on HEV infection status among pigs in Taiwan, especially pigs in the stage before transportation to the slaughterhouse. To determine the frequency of HEV infection among pigs in Taiwan, we detected and quantified HEV RNA contained in 295 fecal specimens collected from 6-month-old pigs bred in 30 pig farms located in 8 counties. We found that 25.1% (74/295) of the fecal specimens were positive for HEV RNA by a quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the copy number ranged from 2.3 × 103 to 2.08 × 107 copies/g. Amplification of a 338 bp sequence in ORF2 was achieved in 16 of 74 HEV RNA-positive samples, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Two HEV sequences appeared to belong to subtype 3a of G3 and the remaining 14 HEV sequences belonged to subtype 4b of G4 (G4b). The entire genome sequence of two G4b HEVs was obtained by next-generation sequence analyses, and the phylogenetic analyses indicated that unique G4b HEVs were circulating in pig farms in Taiwan. In the present study, we found that both G3 and G4 HEVs were circulating in Taiwanese pig farms and G4b was the predominant subtype. In addition, the relatively high detection frequency of HEV RNA in the 6-month-old pigs indicated that Taiwanese pigs just before transportation to the slaughterhouse are at risk of carrying HEVs, and thus thorough cooking or heating of pork meat or organs is needed before consumption in Taiwan and possibly in other countries as well.
- Published
- 2020
31. Assessing the augmentation of Amblydromalus limonicus with the supplementation of pollen, thread, and substrates to combat greenhouse whitefly populations
- Author
-
Ming Hui Lee and Zhi-Qiang Zhang
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Oviposition ,Biological pest control ,lcsh:Medicine ,Whitefly ,medicine.disease_cause ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Predation ,Toxicology ,Hemiptera ,Pollen ,Pepper ,medicine ,Mite ,Animals ,Solanum melongena ,Pest Control, Biological ,lcsh:Science ,Mites ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,Pest control ,food and beverages ,Greenhouse whitefly ,biology.organism_classification ,010602 entomology ,Predatory Behavior ,lcsh:Q ,business ,Capsicum - Abstract
Due to issues with establishment and persistence of natural enemies in biological control, the provision of alternative food sources and oviposition sites are important factors to enhance pest control. In this study, three different supplementation treatments were examined for their ability to increase the populations of the predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus, and its implications for greenhouse whitefly control on peppers and eggplants. These were: (1) pollen (Typha orientalis), (2) pollen and thread, (3) pollen, thread, and a substrate mixture of buckwheat, gorse, and rice husks, which were compared to a control treatment that had no supplementation. Significant treatment effects were found on pepper for A. limonicus (mite eggs p = 0.008, mobile mites p =
- Published
- 2018
32. Characterization of the Adult Head Transcriptome and Identification of Migration and Olfaction Genes in the Oriental Armyworm Mythimna separate
- Author
-
Hong-Fang Ma, Xi-Xi Zheng, Huan Wang, Yan-Qun Liu, Run-Xi Xia, Xing-Fu Jiang, Yu-Ping Li, Qun Li, Hai-Xu Bian, Ming-Hui Peng, and Jun-Fang Su
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Sequence analysis ,Science ,Gene regulatory network ,Sequence assembly ,Biology ,Moths ,Bioinformatics ,Article ,Transcriptome ,03 medical and health sciences ,Phylogenetics ,Gene family ,Animals ,Gene ,Phylogeny ,Genetics ,Regulation of gene expression ,Multidisciplinary ,Computational Biology ,High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ,Molecular Sequence Annotation ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,Smell ,030104 developmental biology ,Gene Expression Regulation ,Medicine ,Animal Migration ,Head ,Microsatellite Repeats - Abstract
The oriental armyworm Mythimna separate is an economically important insect with a wide distribution and strong migratory activity. However, knowledge about the molecular mechanisms regulating the physiological and behavioural responses of the oriental armyworm is scarce. In the present study, we took a transcriptomic approach to characterize the gene network in the adult head of M. separate. The sequencing and de novo assembly yielded 63,499 transcripts, which were further assembled into 46,459 unigenes with an N50 of 1,153 bp. In the head transcriptome data, unigenes involved in the ‘signal transduction mechanism’ are the most abundant. In total, 937 signal transduction unigenes were assigned to 22 signalling pathways. The circadian clock, melanin synthesis, and non-receptor protein of olfactory gene families were then identified, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with these M. separate genes, the model insect Bombyxmori and other insects. Furthermore, 1,372 simple sequence repeats of 2–6 bp in unit length were identified. The transcriptome data represent a comprehensive molecular resource for the adult head of M. separate, and these identified genes can be valid targets for further gene function research to address the molecular mechanisms regulating the migratory and olfaction genes of the oriental armyworm.
- Published
- 2017
33. Proteasome inhibition disrupts the metabolism of fumarate hydratase- deficient tumors by downregulating p62 and c-Myc
- Author
-
Martin Lang, Piyush K. Agarwal, Darmood Wei, Pei-Jyun Liao, Ming-Hui Wei, W. Marston Linehan, James Mitchell, Youfeng Yang, Reema Railkar, Carole Sourbier, Shingo Matsumoto, Christopher J. Ricketts, Jane B. Trepel, Murali Krishna, and Len Neckers
- Subjects
Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ,Skin Neoplasms ,Lactate dehydrogenase A ,lcsh:Medicine ,Mice, Nude ,urologic and male genital diseases ,Article ,Fumarate Hydratase ,Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ,Lactones ,Mice ,Downregulation and upregulation ,Glutaminase ,Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary ,Cell Line, Tumor ,Leiomyomatosis ,Sequestosome-1 Protein ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Pyrroles ,lcsh:Science ,education ,Carcinoma, Renal Cell ,Germ-Line Mutation ,education.field_of_study ,Multidisciplinary ,Chemistry ,lcsh:R ,Metabolism ,Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ,Cancer metabolism ,Kidney Neoplasms ,Renal cell carcinoma ,Citric acid cycle ,Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ,Proteasome ,Fumarase ,Uterine Neoplasms ,Cancer research ,Proteasome inhibitor ,lcsh:Q ,Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma ,Female ,Lactate Dehydrogenase 5 ,Glycolysis ,Proteasome Inhibitors ,medicine.drug ,Signal Transduction - Abstract
Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) is characterized by germline mutations of the FH gene that encodes for the TCA cycle enzyme, fumarate hydratase. HLRCC patients are at risk for the development of an aggressive form of type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma. By studying the mechanism of action of marizomib, a proteasome inhibitor able to cross the blood-brain barrier, we found that it modulates the metabolism of HLRCC cells. Marizomib decreased glycolysis in vitro and in vivo by downregulating p62 and c-Myc. C-Myc downregulation decreased the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A, the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of pyruvate to lactate. In addition, proteasomal inhibition lowered the expression of the glutaminases GLS and GLS2, which support glutamine metabolism and the maintenance of the redox balance. Thus, in HLRCC cells, proteasome inhibition disrupts glucose and glutamine metabolism, restricting nutrients and lowering the cells’ anti-oxidant response capacity. Although the cytotoxicity induced by proteasome inhibitors is complex, the understanding of their metabolic effects in HLRCC may lead to the development of effective therapeutic strategies or to the development of markers of efficacy.
- Published
- 2019
34. Somatic mutations of PREX2 gene in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
- Author
-
Yi Ming Arthur Chen, Yi Hsiung Lin, Chung Hsien Li, Yen Fu Chen, Tze Tze Liu, Ming Hui Yang, Bin Tean Teh, Kuo Jui Lee, Chia-Hung Yen, Chien Hui Weng, Cheng Chieh Fang, and Shiu Feng Huang
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Adult ,Male ,Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ,Somatic cell ,Mutant ,lcsh:Medicine ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Hepatitis Viruses ,medicine ,Carcinoma ,Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors ,Humans ,lcsh:Science ,PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway ,Aged ,Cell Proliferation ,Mutation ,Multidisciplinary ,Point mutation ,Melanoma ,lcsh:R ,Liver Neoplasms ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,digestive system diseases ,030104 developmental biology ,Hepatocellular carcinoma ,Cancer research ,lcsh:Q ,Female ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Characterized with a high recurrence rate and low detection rate, prevention is the best approach to reduce mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The overexpression of Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-Trisphosphate Dependent Rac Exchange Factor 2 (PREX2) is observed in various tumors, including HCC; and the frequent PREX2 mutations in melanoma are associated with invasiveness. We sought to identify somatic mutations and the functional changes in mutational signatures of PREX2. Genomic DNA sequencing was performed in 68 HCC samples with three types of hepatitis viral infection status: HBs Ag-positive, anti-HCV Ab-positive, and negative for any hepatitis B or C markers. Stabilities and interactions of proteins as well as cell proliferation and migration were evaluated. Fourteen non-silent point mutations in PREX2 were detected, with 16 of 68 HCC patients harboring at least one non-silent mutation. All mutant forms of PREX2, except for K400f, had an extended half-life compared with wild-type PREX2. Moreover, only the half-life of S1113R was twice that of the wild-type. PREX2 mutant-S1113R also promoted migration and activated the AKT pathway as well as impaired HectH9-mediated ubiquitination. Our study identified a gain-of-function mutation of PREX2 – S1113R in HCC. Such mutation enhanced PREX2 protein stability, promoted cell proliferation, and was associated with aggressiveness of HCC.
- Published
- 2019
35. Sodium fluoride exposure exerts toxic effects on porcine oocyte maturation
- Author
-
Zheng-Wen Nie, Kyung-Tae Shin, Ming-Hui Zhao, Xiang-Shun Cui, Ying-Jie Niu, and Shuang Liang
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Swine ,lcsh:Medicine ,Apoptosis ,medicine.disease_cause ,Article ,Cathepsin B ,Histones ,Andrology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Polar body ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Oogenesis ,0302 clinical medicine ,Chromosome Segregation ,Sodium fluoride ,medicine ,Animals ,Blastocyst ,lcsh:Science ,Chromosome separation ,Cumulus Cells ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Multidisciplinary ,Cell growth ,lcsh:R ,Aneuploidy ,Oocyte ,Glutathione ,Meiosis ,Oxidative Stress ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Oocytes ,Sodium Fluoride ,lcsh:Q ,Female ,Reactive Oxygen Species ,Oxidative stress ,DNA Damage - Abstract
Excessive long-term fluoride intake is associated with several health problems, including infertility. However, limited information is available on the toxic effects of fluoride exposure on the female reproductive system, especially oocyte maturation. In this study, we investigated the toxic effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure on porcine oocyte maturation and its possible underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that NaF exposure during porcine oocyte maturation inhibited cumulus cell expansion and impaired polar body extrusion. Cell cycle analysis showed that NaF exposure blocked meiotic resumption, disturbed spindle dynamics, disrupted chromosome separation, and increased aneuploidy in porcine oocytes. Moreover, NaF exposure disturbed mitochondrial function, triggered DNA damage response, and induced early apoptosis in porcine oocytes. NaF exposure also induced oxidative stress, decreased GSH level, and increased cathepsin B activity in and impaired the further development potential of porcine oocytes, as indicated by a decrease in blastocyst formation rate, increase in apoptosis, and inhibition of cell proliferation. Together, these results indicate that NaF exposure impairs the maturation capacity of porcine oocytes by inhibiting cumulus cell expansion, disturbing cytoskeletal dynamics, and blocking nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, thus decreasing the quality and affecting the subsequent embryonic development potential of porcine oocytes.
- Published
- 2017
36. Preferential sensing and response to microenvironment stiffness of human dermal fibroblast cultured on protein micropatterns fabricated by 3D multiphoton biofabrication
- Author
-
Alfonso H.W. Ngan, Yanan Du, Barbara P. Chan, Ming Hui Tong, and Nan Huang
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Cell Culture Techniques ,lcsh:Medicine ,Cell Communication ,02 engineering and technology ,Matrix (biology) ,Article ,Focal adhesion ,Dermal fibroblast ,03 medical and health sciences ,Elastic Modulus ,Sense (molecular biology) ,medicine ,Humans ,lcsh:Science ,Elastic modulus ,Cells, Cultured ,Skin ,Focal Adhesions ,Multidisciplinary ,Chemistry ,Integrin beta1 ,lcsh:R ,technology, industry, and agriculture ,Proteins ,Stiffness ,Fibroblasts ,Integrin alphaV ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Actins ,030104 developmental biology ,Cellular Microenvironment ,Cluster size ,Biophysics ,lcsh:Q ,Paxillin ,medicine.symptom ,0210 nano-technology ,Biofabrication - Abstract
While cells are known to sense and respond to their niche including the matrix and the mechanical microenvironment, whether they preferentially sense and react to the stiffness of their microenvironment regardless of its intrinsic material properties is unknown. In this work, protein micropillar arrays with independently controllable stiffness via alterations in pillar height and elastic modulus via laser power used during photochemical cross-linking, were fabricated using a recently developed multiphoton-based 3D protein micro-patterning technology. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on these micropillar arrays and the specific interactions between cells and the protein micropatterns particularly on the formation and maturation of the cell-matrix adhesions, were investigated via immunofluorescence staining of the major molecular markers of the adhesions and the measurement of their cluster size, respectively. Our results showed that the cluster size of focal adhesions increased as the stiffness of the micropillar arrays increased, but it was insensitive to the elastic modulus of the protein micropillars that is one of the intrinsic material properties. This finding provides evidence to the notion that cells preferentially sense and react to the stiffness, but not the elastic modulus of their microenvironment.
- Published
- 2017
37. Dipstick proteinuria and risk of myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality in diabetes or pre-diabetes: a population-based cohort study
- Author
-
Shuohua Chen, Junjuan Li, Xiuhua Guo, Jianli Wang, Shouling Wu, Jinwei Wang, Lu-Xia Zhang, Ming-hui Zhao, Yao-Zheng Yang, and Anxin Wang
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Population ,Myocardial Infarction ,lcsh:Medicine ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Urinalysis ,urologic and male genital diseases ,Risk Assessment ,Article ,Cohort Studies ,Diabetes Complications ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Diabetes mellitus ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Diabetes Mellitus ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Myocardial infarction ,lcsh:Science ,education ,Immunoassay ,education.field_of_study ,Multidisciplinary ,Proteinuria ,business.industry ,Proportional hazards model ,lcsh:R ,Hazard ratio ,Dipstick ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Survival Analysis ,3. Good health ,Surgery ,lcsh:Q ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Cohort study - Abstract
To evaluate the association between dipstick proteinuria and myocardial infarction (MI) or all-cause mortality, a cohort study was conducted among 16,573 general Chinese population with diabetes or pre-diabetes, which were defined as self-reported history of diabetes or fasting blood glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L or under blood glucose lowering therapy. Proteinuria was detected biennially during 2006–2013 by dipstick test. MI and all-cause mortality were recorded through the end of 2014. Mean age (standard deviation) of study participants was 51.16 (10.63) years, with 82.24% of male. During a median follow-up of 8.03 years, 211 MI and 403 all-cause mortality occurred. Multivariable Cox regression revealed occasional or persistent detection of trace or higher in proteinuria increased the risk of all-cause mortality, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.42 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.10, 1.83) and 2.23 (95% CI: 1.66, 3.01), respectively, compared to sustained negative in proteinuria. A time-dependent analysis also revealed the association between degree of proteinuria and all-cause mortality, with HRs of 1.80 (95% CI: 1.31, 2.48) for trace and 3.34 (95% CI: 2.40, 4.65) for one plus or higher in proteinuria, compared to negative. The associations regarding MI lost statistical significance after multivariable adjustment. In conclusion, dipstick proteinuria was associated with an increased risk of MI and all-cause mortality among a general population with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Published
- 2017
38. The possible molecular mechanisms of bisphenol A action on porcine early embryonic development
- Author
-
Xiang-Shun Cui, Jing Guo, Kyung-Tae Shin, Ming-Hui Zhao, Yong-Dae Ahn, Ying-Jie Niu, and Nam-Hyung Kim
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,endocrine system ,Swine ,DNA damage ,Science ,Embryonic Development ,Gene Expression ,Apoptosis ,Biology ,Mitochondrion ,Article ,Toxicology ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Phenols ,Autophagy ,medicine ,Animals ,Estrogens, Non-Steroidal ,Blastocyst ,Benzhydryl Compounds ,Multidisciplinary ,Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ,urogenital system ,Embryogenesis ,Cytochromes c ,Mitochondria ,Cell biology ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Endocrine disruptor ,Mechanism of action ,Medicine ,Signal transduction ,medicine.symptom ,Reactive Oxygen Species ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Signal Transduction - Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental contaminant widely used in the plastic industry. BPA has been demonstrated to be an endocrine disruptor and has an adverse effect on the embryonic development of mammals. However, the mechanism of action of BPA is limited. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of BPA in porcine embryonic development. First, the parthenotes were treated with different concentrations of BPA. We found that blastocyst formation was impaired and the parthenotes were arrested at the 4-cell stage after treatment with 100 μm BPA. Second, ROS increased following the addition of BPA, which further caused mitochondrial damage, and cytochrome c was released from the mitochondria to induce apoptosis. The adaptive response was demonstrated through LC3 immunofluorescence staining and by assessing autophagy-related gene expression. In addition, BPA caused DNA damage through the p53-p21 signaling pathway. Thus, our results indicate that BPA displays an adverse effect on porcine early embryonic development through mitochondrial and DNA damage.
- Published
- 2017
39. Lymph node ratio is associated with adverse clinicopathological features and is a crucial nodal parameter for oral and oropharyngeal cancer
- Author
-
Ming Hui Mao, Jin Zhong Li, Zhien Feng, Li Zheng Qin, Zhengxue Han, Chong Wang, Hua Li, and Qiao Shi Xu
- Subjects
Male ,Oncology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Science ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Carcinoma ,Humans ,Lymph node ,Survival analysis ,Aged ,Neoplasm Staging ,Retrospective Studies ,Multidisciplinary ,business.industry ,Cancer ,Retrospective cohort study ,Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant ,030206 dentistry ,Middle Aged ,Prognosis ,medicine.disease ,Survival Analysis ,Surgery ,Oropharyngeal Neoplasms ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Lymphatic Metastasis ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Multivariate Analysis ,Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ,Medicine ,T-stage ,Female ,Mouth Neoplasms ,Lymph Nodes ,Lymph ,Neoplasm Grading ,business ,Chemoradiotherapy - Abstract
The lymph node ratio(LNR) has been described as a novel predictor of the survival of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(O/OPSCC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether LNR is better at predicting survival and the need for adjuvant treatment than traditional tumour-nodal-metastasis(TNM) staging. Eight hundred nine patients with O/OPSCC and positive lymph node disease were retrospectively enrolled in this study. LNR equal to 0.075 is the best cut-off value for stratifying 5-year disease-free survival(DFS). High LNR is closely associated with more advanced T stage, higher N stage, more severe pathological grade, the presence of diffuse infiltration and extracapsular spread(ECS). LNR is better for evaluating prognosis than the pathological N stage. Patients with high LNR coupled with high number of positive lymph nodes who received adjuvant concurrent chemo-radiotherapy(CCRT) had a better 5-year DFS than patients who received surgery alone. Multivariate analyses revealed that T stage, ECS and LNR are independent prognostic factors of 5-year DFS and disease-specific survival(DSS). Therefore, high LNR is closely correlated with adverse parameters that markedly hinder prognosis. LNR is superior to traditional TNM staging for the evaluation of prognosis,and the combination of the LNR with the number of positive lymph nodes can predict the benefits of adjuvant CCRT.
- Published
- 2017
40. Broadband All-angle Negative Refraction by Optimized Phononic Crystals
- Author
-
Shiwei Zhou, Xiaodong Huang, Yang Fan Li, Fei Meng, and Ming-Hui Lu
- Subjects
Materials science ,Science ,Physics::Optics ,02 engineering and technology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,law.invention ,Crystal ,Optics ,Negative refraction ,law ,0103 physical sciences ,Broadband ,Acoustic metamaterials ,010306 general physics ,Photonic crystal ,Multidisciplinary ,business.industry ,Metamaterial ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Lens (optics) ,Slab ,Medicine ,0210 nano-technology ,business - Abstract
All-angle negative refraction (AANR) of phononic crystals and its frequency range are dependent on mechanical properties of constituent materials and their spatial distribution. So far, it is impossible to achieve the maximum operation frequency range of AANR theoretically. In this paper, we will present a numerical approach for designing a two-dimensional phononic crystal with broadband AANR without negative index. Through analyzing the mechanism of AANR, a topology optimization problem aiming at broadband AANR is established and solved by bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization method. The optimal steel/air phononic crystal exhibits a record AANR range over 20% and its refractive properties and focusing effects are further investigated. The results demonstrate the multifunctionality of a flat phononic slab including superlensing effect near upper AANR frequencies and self-collimation at lower AANR frequencies.
- Published
- 2017
41. Comparative Subcellular Proteomics Analysis of Susceptible and Near-isogenic Resistant Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) Larval Midgut Response to BmNPV infection
- Author
-
Hai-Zhong Yu, Xue-yang Wang, Ming-hui Liu, Shang-Zhi Zhang, Lin-ling Wang, Dong Yu, and Jia-Ping Xu
- Subjects
Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ,Proteomics ,0301 basic medicine ,Protein metabolism ,Mitochondrion ,Article ,Mitochondrial Proteins ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Bombyx mori ,Animals ,Protein Interaction Maps ,Gel electrophoresis ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,fungi ,Midgut ,Bombyx ,biology.organism_classification ,Nucleopolyhedroviruses ,Gastrointestinal Tract ,Cytosol ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,Biochemistry ,Larva ,Host-Pathogen Interactions ,Insect Proteins ,Cell fractionation - Abstract
The molecular mechanism of silkworm resistance to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection remains largely unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that subcellular fractionation combined with proteomics is an ideal technique to analyse host antiviral mechanisms. To clarify the anti-BmNPV mechanism of the silkworm, the near-isogenic line BC9 (resistant strain) and the recurrent parent P50 (susceptible strain) were used in a comparative subcellular proteomics study. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) was conducted on proteins extracted from the cytosol, mitochondria, and microsomes of BmNPV-infected and control larval midguts. A total of 87 proteins were successfully identified from the three subcellular fractions. These proteins were primarily involved in energy metabolism, protein metabolism, signalling pathways, disease, and transport. In particular, disease-relevant proteins were especially changed in microsomes. After infection with BmNPV, differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) primarily appeared in the cytosolic and microsomal fractions, which indicated that these two fractions might play a more important role in the response to BmNPV infection. After removing genetic background and individual immune stress response proteins, 16 proteins were identified as potentially involved in repressing BmNPV infection. Of these proteins, the differential expression patterns of 8 proteins according to reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses were consistent with the 2-DE results.
- Published
- 2017
42. Composition and temperature-dependent phase transition in miscible Mo1−xWxTe2 single crystals
- Author
-
Kang Wang, Ligang Ma, Yu-Lei Chen, Yang-Yang Lv, Dajun Lin, Bin Pang, Ming-Hui Lu, Yulin Chen, Song-Tao Dong, Shu-Hua Yao, Xiao Li, Lin Cao, Jian Zhou, Yan-Feng Chen, W. C. Liu, and Bin-Bin Zhang
- Subjects
Phase transition ,Multidisciplinary ,Materials science ,Weyl semimetal ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Semimetal ,symbols.namesake ,Chemical physics ,Phase (matter) ,0103 physical sciences ,symbols ,Orthorhombic crystal system ,010306 general physics ,0210 nano-technology ,Raman spectroscopy ,Phase diagram ,Monoclinic crystal system - Abstract
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) WTe2 and MoTe2 with orthorhombic Td phase, being potential candidates as type-II Weyl semimetals, are attracted much attention recently. Here we synthesized a series of miscible Mo1−xWxTe2 single crystals by bromine vapor transport method. Composition-dependent X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, as well as composition and temperature-dependent resistivity prove that the tunable crystal structure (from hexagonal (2H), monoclinic (β) to orthorhombic (Td) phase) can be realized by increasing W content in Mo1−xWxTe2. Simultaneously the electrical property gradually evolves from semiconductor to semimetal behavior. Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy proves that temperature also can induce the structural phase transition from β to Td phase in Mo1−xWxTe2 crystals. Based on aforementioned characterizations, we map out the temperature and composition dependent phase diagram of Mo1−xWxTe2 system. In addition, a series of electrical parameters, such as carrier type, carrier concentration and mobility, have also been presented. This work offers a scheme to accurately control structural phase in Mo1−xWxTe2 system, which can be used to explore type-II Weyl semimetal, as well as temperature/composition controlled topological phase transition therein.
- Published
- 2017
43. Broadband gradient impedance matching using an acoustic metamaterial for ultrasonic transducers
- Author
-
Zheng Li, Xin Long Wang, Yan-Feng Chen, Si-Yuan Yu, Shan Tao Zhang, Ming-Hui Lu, Shi Lei Liu, Dan Qing Yang, Xiasheng Guo, Jie Zhu, Hao Dong Wu, and Ming Wei Zhu
- Subjects
Materials science ,Optical fiber ,Acoustics ,Transducers ,Physics::Medical Physics ,Second-harmonic imaging microscopy ,Impedance matching ,Physics::Optics ,02 engineering and technology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,law.invention ,law ,0103 physical sciences ,Electric Impedance ,010306 general physics ,Ultrasonography ,Multidisciplinary ,Metamaterial ,Equipment Design ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Piezoelectricity ,Computer Science::Other ,Transducer ,Ultrasonic sensor ,sense organs ,0210 nano-technology ,Acoustic impedance - Abstract
High-quality broadband ultrasound transducers yield superior imaging performance in biomedical ultrasonography. However, proper design to perfectly bridge the energy between the active piezoelectric material and the target medium over the operating spectrum is still lacking. Here, we demonstrate a new anisotropic cone-structured acoustic metamaterial matching layer that acts as an inhomogeneous material with gradient acoustic impedance along the ultrasound propagation direction. When sandwiched between the piezoelectric material unit and the target medium, the acoustic metamaterial matching layer provides a broadband window to support extraordinary transmission of ultrasound over a wide frequency range. We fabricated the matching layer by etching the peeled silica optical fibre bundles with hydrofluoric acid solution. The experimental measurement of an ultrasound transducer equipped with this acoustic metamaterial matching layer shows that the corresponding −6 dB bandwidth is able to reach over 100%. This new material fully enables new high-end piezoelectric materials in the construction of high-performance ultrasound transducers and probes, leading to considerably improved resolutions in biomedical ultrasonography and compact harmonic imaging systems.
- Published
- 2017
44. Evaluation of 10 SLE susceptibility loci in Asian populations, which were initially identified in European populations
- Author
-
Hong Zhang, Ming-Hui Zhao, Swapan K. Nath, Yue-miao Zhang, Celi Sun, and Xu-jie Zhou
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,0301 basic medicine ,Population ,Single-nucleotide polymorphism ,Locus (genetics) ,Disease ,Biology ,Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ,White People ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Asian People ,Gene Frequency ,Risk Factors ,IL12A ,Odds Ratio ,Humans ,Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ,Genetic Predisposition to Disease ,Allele ,education ,Alleles ,030203 arthritis & rheumatology ,Genetics ,education.field_of_study ,Multidisciplinary ,Molecular Sequence Annotation ,030104 developmental biology ,Genetic Loci ,Cohort ,Susceptibility locus ,Female - Abstract
Ten novel loci have been found to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility by a recent genome-wide association study conducted in Europeans. To test their disease associations and genetic similarities/differences in Asians and Europeans, we genotyped the 10 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and performed an association study. A Chinese cohort from Northern China was recruited as the discovery population, and three East Asian cohorts were included for independent replication. The 10 SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan allele discrimination assays. To prioritize the associated SNPs, different layers of the public functional data were integrated. Among the 10 SNPs, rs564799 in IL12A was shared in both ethnicities (Padjust = 5.91 × 10−4; odds ratio = 1.22, 1.10–1.35). We also confirmed the reported polymorphism rs7726414 in TCF7 in the current study (Padjust = 4.12 × 10−8; odds ratio = 1.46, 1.28–1.66). The directions and magnitudes of the allelic effects for most of the 10 SNPs were comparable between Europeans and Asians. However, higher risk allele frequencies and population-attributable risk percentages were observed in Asians than in Europeans. We also identified the most likely functional SNPs at each locus. In conclusion, both genetic similarities and differences across ethnicities have been observed, providing further evidence for a genetic basis of the high incidence of SLE in Asian ancestry.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Novel G9 rotavirus strains co-circulate in children and pigs, Taiwan
- Author
-
Li-Min Huang, Chao A. Hsiung, Yhu Chering Huang, Krisztián Bányai, Ming Hui Liao, Baoming Jiang, Szilvia Marton, Luke Tzu Chi Liu, and Fang Tzy Wu
- Subjects
Rotavirus ,0301 basic medicine ,Genotype ,Swine ,viruses ,Amino Acid Motifs ,Taiwan ,Genetic relationship ,Genome, Viral ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Article ,Rotavirus Infections ,03 medical and health sciences ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Amino Acid Sequence ,Geography, Medical ,Phylogeny ,Recombination, Genetic ,Swine Diseases ,Whole genome sequencing ,Multidisciplinary ,Phylogenetic tree ,Transmission (medicine) ,Strain (biology) ,Infant ,virus diseases ,Virology ,Diarrhea ,030104 developmental biology ,Amino Acid Substitution ,Child, Preschool ,medicine.symptom - Abstract
Molecular epidemiologic studies collecting information of the spatiotemporal distribution of rotavirus VP7 (G) and VP4 (P) genotypes have shown evidence for the increasing global importance of genotype G9 rotaviruses in humans and pigs. Sequence comparison of the VP7 gene of G9 strains identified different lineages to prevail in the respective host species although some of these lineages appear to be shared among heterologous hosts providing evidence of interspecies transmission events. The majority of these events indicates the pig-to-human spillover, although a reverse route of transmission cannot be excluded either. In this study, new variants of G9 rotaviruses were identified in two children with diarrhea and numerous pigs in Taiwan. Whole genome sequence and phylogenetic analyses of selected strains showed close genetic relationship among porcine and human strains suggesting zoonotic origin of Taiwanese human G9 strains detected in 2014–2015. Although the identified human G9P[19] and G9P[13] rotaviruses represented minority strains, the repeated detection of porcine-like rotavirus strains in Taiwanese children over time justifies the continuation of synchronized strain surveillance in humans and domestic animals.
- Published
- 2017
46. Tyrosine Hydroxylase is crucial for maintaining pupal tanning and immunity in Anopheles sinensis
- Author
-
Ming-Hui Du, Bin Chen, Xin Liang, You-Jin Hao, Feng-Ling Si, Xiu He, Liang Qiao, and Ting Mei
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ,ved/biology.organism_classification_rank.species ,Article ,Melanin ,Anopheles sinensis ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,RNA interference ,Botany ,Anopheles ,Cuticle pigmentation ,Animals ,Amino Acid Sequence ,Tyrosine ,Phylogeny ,Melanins ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Tyrosine hydroxylase ,Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ,ved/biology ,Pigmentation ,Gene Expression Profiling ,Pupa ,biology.organism_classification ,Cell biology ,030104 developmental biology ,Insect Proteins ,RNA Interference ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the initial enzyme in the melanin pathway, catalyzes tyrosine conversion into Dopa. Although expression and regulation of TH have been shown to affect cuticle pigmentation in insects, no direct functional studies to date have focused on the specific physiological processes involving the enzyme during mosquito development. In the current study, silencing of AsTH during the time period of continuous high expression in Anopheles sinensis pupae led to significant impairment of cuticle tanning and thickness, imposing a severe obstacle to eclosion in adults. Meanwhile, deficiency of melanin in interference individuals led to suppression of melanization, compared to control individuals. Consequently, the ability to defend exogenous microorganisms declined sharply. Accompanying down-regulation of the basal expression of five antimicrobial peptide genes resulted in further significant weakening of immunity. TH homologs as well as the composition of upstream transcription factor binding sites at the pupal stage are highly conserved in the Anopheles genus, implying that the TH-mediated functions are crucial in Anopheles. The collective evidence strongly suggests that TH is essential for Anopheles pupae tanning and immunity and provides a reference for further studies to validate the utility of the key genes involved in the melanization pathway in controlling mosquito development.
- Published
- 2016
47. Dramatically decreased magnetoresistance in non-stoichiometric WTe2 crystals
- Author
-
Yulin Chen, Fan Zhang, Yan-Feng Chen, Yuhong Chen, Xiao Li, Yang-Yang Lv, Dajun Lin, Bin Pang, Shu-Hua Yao, Jian Zhou, Zhongkai Liu, Bin-Bin Zhang, Shan-Tao Zhang, and Ming-Hui Lu
- Subjects
Electron mobility ,Multidisciplinary ,Materials science ,Condensed matter physics ,Spintronics ,Magnetoresistance ,Giant magnetoresistance ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Semimetal ,Article ,Magnetic field ,0103 physical sciences ,Magnetic memory ,010306 general physics ,0210 nano-technology ,Stoichiometry - Abstract
Recently, the layered semimetal WTe2 has attracted renewed interest owing to the observation of a non-saturating and giant positive magnetoresistance (~105%), which can be useful for magnetic memory and spintronic devices. However, the underlying mechanisms of the giant magnetoresistance are still under hot debate. Herein, we grew the stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric WTe2 crystals to test the robustness of giant magnetoresistance. The stoichiometric WTe2 crystals have magnetoresistance as large as 3100% at 2 K and 9-Tesla magnetic field. However, only 71% and 13% magnetoresistance in the most non-stoichiometry (WTe1.80) and the highest Mo isovalent substitution samples (W0.7Mo0.3Te2) are observed, respectively. Analysis of the magnetic-field dependent magnetoresistance of non-stoichiometric WTe2 crystals substantiates that both the large electron-hole concentration asymmetry and decreased carrier mobility, induced by non-stoichiometry, synergistically lead to the decreased magnetoresistance. This work sheds more light on the origin of giant magnetoresistance observed in WTe2.
- Published
- 2016
48. Manipulating one-way space wave and its refraction by time-reversal and parity symmetry breaking
- Author
-
Chao Xiao, Rui-Xin Wu, Cheng He, Yan-Feng Chen, Ming-Hui Lu, and Yin Poo
- Subjects
Physics ,Multidisciplinary ,business.industry ,Cloaking ,Physics::Optics ,Parity (physics) ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Optics ,Negative refraction ,0103 physical sciences ,Homogeneous space ,Symmetry breaking ,Photonics ,010306 general physics ,0210 nano-technology ,business ,Microwave ,Photonic crystal - Abstract
One-way transmission and negative refraction are the exotic wave properties founded in photonic crystals which attract a great attention due to their promising applications in photonic devices. How to integrate such two phenomena in one material or device is interesting and valuable. In this work, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that one-way electromagnetic space wave can be realized by means of two-dimensional magnetic photonic crystals. Simultaneously breaking the time-reversal and parity symmetries of the magnetic photonic crystals designed, we observe oblique incident space wave propagating one-way in the magnetic photonic crystals with positive or negative refraction occurring at interfaces, which can be manipulated upon the incident angle and operating frequency. Our work may offer a potential platform to realize some exotic photoelectronic and microwave devices such as one-way imaging and one-way cloaking.
- Published
- 2016
49. Preferential sensing and response to microenvironment stiffness of human dermal fibroblast cultured on protein micropatterns fabricated by 3D multiphoton biofabrication
- Author
-
Tong, Ming Hui, primary, Huang, Nan, additional, Ngan, Alfonso Hing Wan, additional, Du, Yanan, additional, and Chan, Barbara Pui, additional
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. The possible molecular mechanisms of bisphenol A action on porcine early embryonic development
- Author
-
Guo, Jing, primary, Zhao, Ming-Hui, additional, Shin, Kyung-Tae, additional, Niu, Ying-Jie, additional, Ahn, Yong-Dae, additional, Kim, Nam-Hyung, additional, and Cui, Xiang-Shun, additional
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.