Biomedical subjects

Jing Cheng

Publications and source records attributed to Jing Cheng.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Time-resolved mapping in calves reveals bovine herpesvirus 1 shift from mucosal replication to trigeminal ganglion neuroinvasion with promyelocytic leukemia protein-centered host-virus antagonism.

Although bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) causes massive losses of cattle, the transition from mucosal replication to neuroinvasion remains poorly understood. Using a controlled calf model, we integrated quantitative virology and transcriptomics to map its pathogenesis and define the role of promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML). Calves inoculated intranasally and ocularly (1.4 × 106 plaque-forming units/head) were sampled daily (1-14 days post-infection, dpi) for glycoprotein B (gB) qPCR. Tissues were analyzed at 4 and 14 dpi to measure viral DNA via gB-specific qPCR, and for mRNA-seq of trigeminal ganglia (TG). Shedding peaked at 3-6 dpi, being highest in nasal samples, lower in ocular samples, and substantially lower in rectal samples, and declined by 10-14 dpi. At 4 dpi, among the tissues sampled, the tonsils exhibited the highest viral burden. TG exhibited low viral levels at 4 dpi, although they remained detectable at 14 dpi, indicating neuroinvasion. The TG program shifted from early proteostasis priming (4 dpi) to immune/extracellular matrix activation with synaptic repression (14 dpi). In MDBK/Vero cells, IFN-α resulted in higher bovine PML (bPML) levels and enlarged PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), reducing very early viral DNA levels, whereas BoHV-1 disrupted PML-NB integrity. The different bPML isoforms exerted different effects on viral infection. STRING analysis revealed a conserved PML-SUMO1-UBE2I-DAXX-SP100 core. These findings delineate the mucosal-to-neuronal trajectory, establish PML as both an effector and viral target in complementary in vitro systems, and identify SUMO/ubiquitin-linked proteostasis as a tractable target for antiviral intervention.IMPORTANCEAlthough bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) remains a major challenge to cattle health, the early transition from mucosal replication to trigeminal neuroinvasion has not been clearly mapped in natural-host calves. By integrating daily shedding kinetics, tissue viral DNA profiling, and time-resolved trigeminal ganglion transcriptomics, we delineate when and how BoHV-1 reaches the sensory neurons. Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is identified as a key intrinsic antiviral factor that is upregulated by IFN-α and restricts very early viral genome accumulation, while viral BoHV-1-encoded infected cell protein 0 actively dismantles PML nuclear bodies. The discovery of opposing isoform-specific PML functions and a conserved PML-SUMO proteostasis hub provides mechanistic insight into BoHV-1 immune evasion. These findings refine our understanding of the mucosal-to-neuronal trajectory of infection and highlight proteostasis-linked antiviral pathways as promising targets for intervention.

Animals↗

PubMed2024

Genotype-phenotype spectrum and correlation of PHARC Syndrome due to pathogenic ABHD12 variants.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of rare diseases and their regulatory mechanisms is essential for human molecular genetics. However, the genetic mutant spectrum of pathogenic genes within the Chinese population remains underrepresented. Here, we reported previously unreported functional ABHD12 variants in two Chinese families and explored the correlation between genetic polymorphisms and phenotypes linked to PHARC syndrome. METHODS: Participants with biallelic pathogenic ABHD12 variants were recruited from the Chinese Deafness Genetics Cohort. These participants underwent whole-genome sequencing. Subsequently, a comprehensive literature review was conducted. RESULTS: Two Han Chinese families were identified, one with a compound heterozygous variant and the other with a novel homozygous variant in ABHD12. Among 65 PHARC patients, including 62 from the literature and 3 from this study, approximately 90% (57 out of 63) exhibited hearing loss, 82% (50 out of 61) had cataracts, 82% (46 out of 56) presented with retinitis pigmentosa, 79% (42 out of 53) experienced polyneuropathy, and 63% (36 out of 57) displayed ataxia. Seventeen different patterns were observed in the five main phenotypes of PHARC syndrome. A total of 33 pathogenic variants were identified in the ABHD12. Compared with other genotypes, individuals with biallelic truncating variants showed a higher incidence of polyneuropathy (p = 0.006), but no statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of hearing loss, ataxia, retinitis pigmentosa and cataracts. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of PHARC syndrome is challenging because of its genetic heterogeneity. Therefore, exploring novel variants and establishing genotype-phenotype correlations can significantly enhance gene diagnosis and genetic counseling for this complex disease.

Humans↗

PubMed2007

Serial nuclear transfer improves the developmental potential of mouse embryos cloned from oocytes matured in a protein-free medium.

Germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes matured in vitro are an alternative source for cytoplasmic recipients of nuclear transfer (NT). However, the developmental potential of oocytes matured in vitro is limited. In this study, we developed a protein-free maturation medium for mouse GV oocytes. Following parthenogenetic activation, the oocytes matured in the protein-free medium develop to blastocyst stage with a high efficiency, even up to the rate obtained from in vivo MII-oocytes (90.6% vs. 92.8%). Using the oocytes matured in the protein-free medium as the recipient, NT embryos develop to the blastocyst stage (17.6%). To further improve the developmental potential of NT embryos, we performed serial NT and compared the effect of three different activated cytoplasm samples derived from in vitro matured oocytes as the second recipient, that is, the effect of in vitro fertilized (IVF) zygote, the preactivated cytoplast and the IVF cytoplast, on the development of NT embryos. We found that when the pronucleus of NT zygote was transferred into the cytoplasm of the IVF zygote, the blastocyst formation increased to 39.4%. This is the first report to demonstrate the IVF zygote from oocytes matured in protein-free medium can be used successfully as the recipient for serial NT to enhance the developmental potential of mouse NT embryos from oocytes matured in the protein-free medium.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Differentially expressed genes between primary cancer and paired lymph node metastases predict clinical outcome of node-positive breast cancer patients.

The axillary lymph node status remains the most valuable prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. However, approximately 20-30% of node-positive patients remain free of distant metastases within 15-30 years. It is important to develop molecular markers that are able to predict for the risk of distant metastasis and to develop patient-tailored therapy strategies. We hypothesize that the lymph node metastases may represent the most metastatic fraction of the primary cancers. Therefore, we sought to identify the differentially expressed genes by microarray between the primary tumors and their paired lymph node metastases samples collected from 26 patients. A set of 79 differentially expressed genes between primary cancers and metastasis samples was identified to correctly separate most of primary cancers from lymph node metastases. And decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2, fibronectin, osteoblast specific factor 2, collagen type XI alpha 1 in lymph node metastases were further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR performed on 30 specimen pairs. This set of genes also classified 35 primary cancers into two groups with different prognosis: "high risk group" and "low risk group." Patients in "high risk group" had a 4.65-fold hazard ratio (95% CI 1.02-21.13, P = 0.047) to develop a distant metastasis within 43 months comparing with the "low risk group." This suggested that the gene signature consisting of 79 differentially expressed genes between primary cancers and lymph node metastases could also predict clinical outcome of node-positive patients, and that the molecular classification based on the gene signature could guide patient-tailored therapy.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2006

Microelectrode array-based system for neuropharmacological applications with cortical neurons cultured in vitro.

Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) provide a means to investigate the electrophysiological behavior of neuronal systems through the measurements from neuronal culture preparations. Changes in activity patterns of neuronal networks are usually detected by applying neural chemicals. Because of the difficulties of fabricating the arrays, and the delicate and less reliable properties of cortical neurons, MEA-based systems with cortical neuronal networks for neurophamacological applications are technically difficult, therefore restricting their utility. Here, we report a new approach to the development of such MEA-based system with sensitive and durable MEAs conveniently fabricated and the culture conditions optimized. Upon growth differentiation, cortical neurons, cultured directly on MEAs, reach a developmentally stable and reliable activity state. With this system, we monitored the global spontaneous activities of neuronal networks and demonstrated the fine discrimination for specific substances and unique property of cortical neurons, which validated both the applicability and necessity of such system in pharmacological bioassay.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2006

Transport of ions through the oil phase of W(1)/O/W(2) double emulsions.

Using a capillary video microscopy technique, the ion transport at liquid-liquid interfaces and through a surfactant-containing emulsion liquid membrane was visually studied by preparing a double emulsion globule within the confined space of a thin-walled, transparent, cylindrical microtube. NaCl and AgNO(3) were selected as the model reactants and were prepared to form a NaCl/AgNO(3) pair across the oil film. By observing and measuring the formed AgCl deposition, it was found that both Cl(-) and Ag(+) could transport through a thick oil film and Ag(+) was transported faster than Cl(-). Interestingly, the ion transport was significantly retarded when the oil film became extremely thin (<1 microm). The results suggested that the transport of ions mainly depends on the "reverse micelle transport" mechanism, in which reverse micelles with entrapped ions and water molecules can be formed in a thick oil film and their construction will get impeded if the oil film becomes extremely thin, leading to different ion transport rates in these two cases. The direction of ion transport depends on the direction of the osmotic pressure gradient across the oil film and the ion transport is independent of the oil film thickness in the investigated thick range. Ions with smaller Pauling radii are more easily entrapped into the formed reverse micelles and therefore will be transported faster through the oil film than bigger ions. Oil-soluble surfactants facilitate ion transport; however, too much surfactant in the oil film will slow down the ion migration. In addition, this study showed no support for the "molecular diffusion" mechanism of ion transport through oils.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Cyclooxygenase-independent effects of aspirin on HT-29 human colon cancer cells, revealed by oligonucleotide microarrays.

Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit proliferation of human colon cancer cells in vitro. Transmission electron microscope detected morphological features of apoptosis in the aspirin-treated (5 mM, 72 h) HT-29 cells in which cyclooxygenoase-2 is catalytically inactive. We investigated aspirin-induced genome-wide expression changes in HT-29 cells and further studied the time- and concentration-dependent expression changes in 374 apoptosis-related genes, which is the first to show stimulation of genome-wide expression of HT-29 cells by aspirin. The most marked effects of aspirin are on ribosome assembly and rRNA metabolism, which could explain why the quasi-apoptotic morphological changes are not accompanied by a classical DNA ladder. These findings demonstrate that aspirin induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells, bolstering the hypothesis that apoptosis may be a mechanism by which NSAIDs inhibit colon carcinogenesis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed2006

Selective photoelectrochemical detection of DNA with high-affinity metallointercalator and tin oxide nanoparticle electrode.

Selective detection of double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) in solution was achieved by photoelectrochemistry using a high-affinity DNA intercalator, Ru(bpy)2dppz (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) as the signal indicator and tin oxide nanoparticle as electrode material. When Ru(bpy)2dppz alone was irradiated with 470-nm light, anodic photocurrent was detected on the semiconductor electrode due to electron injection from its excited state into the conduction band of the electrode. The current was sustained in the presence of oxalate in solution, which acted as a sacrificial electron donor to regenerate the ground-state metal complex. After addition of double-stranded calf thymus DNA into the solution, photocurrent dropped substantially. The drop was attributed to the intercalation of Ru(bpy)2dppz into DNA and, consequently, the reduced mass diffusion of the indicator to the electrode, as well as electrostatic repulsion between oxalate anion and negative charges on DNA. The degree of signal reduction was a function of the DNA concentration, thus forming the basis for real-time DNA detection. The signal reduction was selective for ds-DNA, as no such effect was observed for single-stranded polynucleotides such as poly-G, poly-C, poly-A, and poly-U. The detection limit of calf thymus ds-DNA reached 1.8 x 10(-10) M in solution.

DNA↗

PubMed2006

Random effects logistic models for analysing efficacy of a longitudinal randomized treatment with non-adherence.

We present a random effects logistic approach for estimating the efficacy of treatment for compliers in a randomized trial with treatment non-adherence and longitudinal binary outcomes. We use our approach to analyse a primary care depression intervention trial. The use of a random effects model to estimate efficacy supplements intent-to-treat longitudinal analyses based on random effects logistic models that are commonly used in primary care depression research. Our estimation approach is an extension of Nagelkerke et al.'s instrumental variables approximation for cross-sectional binary outcomes. Our approach is easily implementable with standard random effects logistic regression software. We show through a simulation study that our approach provides reasonably accurate inferences for the setting of the depression trial under model assumptions. We also evaluate the sensitivity of our approach to model assumptions for the depression trial.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Initial study of two-phase laminar flow extraction chip for sample preparation for gas chromatography.

A sample preparation method for gas chromatography using a two-phase, laminar flow extraction PDMS/glass chip has been developed. A stable two-phase laminar interface was obtained by surface modification, and the organic extraction phase and the aqueous sample phase were separated effectively when the two-phase laminar flows exit the chip. Experiments were conducted on the chip to extract ephedrine from aqueous solution. Good reproducibility was obtained over the entire range of ephedrine concentration using the extraction chips (CV range 2.7%-4.5%). Effects of salt and solvent on extraction efficiency were studied.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed2006

Live offspring produced by mouse oocytes derived from premeiotic fetal germ cells.

Mature mouse oocytes currently can be generated in vitro from the primary oocytes of primordial follicles but not from premeiotic fetal germ cells. In this study we established a simple, efficient method that can be used to obtain mature oocytes from the premeiotic germ cells of a fetal mouse 12.5 days postcoitum (dpc). Mouse 12.5-dpc fetal ovaries were transplanted under the kidney capsule of recipient mice to initiate oocyte growth from the premeiotic germ cell stage, and they were recovered after 14 days. Subsequently, the primary and early secondary follicles generated in the ovarian grafts were isolated and cultured for 16 days in vitro. The mature oocytes ovulated from these follicles were able to fertilize in vitro to produce live offspring. We further show that the in vitro fertilization offspring were normal and able to successfully mate with both females and males, and the patterns of the methylated sites of the in vitro mature oocytes were similar to those of normal mice. This is the first report describing premeiotic fetal germ cells able to enter a second meiosis and support embryonic development to term by a combination of in vivo transplantation and in vitro culture. In addition, we have shown that the whole process of oogenesis, from premeiotic germ cells to germinal vesicle (GV)-stage oocytes, can be carried out under the kidney capsule.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Delta-sarcoglycan is necessary for early heart and muscle development in zebrafish.

Delta-sarcoglycan, one member of the sarcoglycan complex, is a very conservative muscle-specific protein exclusively expressed in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of vertebrates. Mutations in sarcoglycans are known to be involved in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in humans. To address the role of delta-sarcoglycan gene in zebrafish development, we have studied expression pattern of delta-sarcoglycan in zebrafish embryos and examined the role of delta-sarcoglycan in zebrafish embryonic development by morpholino. Strong expression of delta-sarcoglycan was observed in various muscles including those of the segment, heart, eye, jaw, pectoral fin, branchial arches, and swim bladder in zebrafish embryo. Delta-sarcoglycan was also expressed in midbrain and retina. Knockdown of delta-sarcoglycan resulted in severe abnormality in both the cardiac and skeletal muscles. Some severe ones displayed serious morphological abnormality such as hypoplastic head, linear heart, very weak heartbeats, and runtish trunk, all dead within 5 dpf. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis showed that adaxial cells and muscle pioneers were affected in delta-sarcoglycan knockdown embryos. In addition, absence of delta-sarcoglycan protein severely delayed the cardiac development and influenced the differentiation of cardiac muscle, and the cardiac left-right asymmetry was dramatically changed in morpholino-treated embryos. These data together suggest that delta-sarcoglycan plays an important role in early heart and muscle development.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Transcriptome profiling, molecular biological, and physiological studies reveal a major role for ethylene in cotton fiber cell elongation.

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) produces the most widely used natural fibers, yet the regulatory mechanisms governing fiber cell elongation are not well understood. Through sequencing of a cotton fiber cDNA library and subsequent microarray analysis, we found that ethylene biosynthesis is one of the most significantly upregulated biochemical pathways during fiber elongation. The 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Oxidase1-3 (ACO1-3) genes responsible for ethylene production were expressed at significantly higher levels during this growth stage. The amount of ethylene released from cultured ovules correlated with ACO expression and the rate of fiber growth. Exogenously applied ethylene promoted robust fiber cell expansion, whereas its biosynthetic inhibitor l-(2-aminoethoxyvinyl)-glycine (AVG) specifically suppressed fiber growth. The brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthetic pathway was modestly upregulated during this growth stage, and treatment with BR or its biosynthetic inhibitor brassinazole (BRZ) also promoted or inhibited, respectively, fiber growth. However, the effect of ethylene treatment was much stronger than that of BR, and the inhibitory effect of BRZ on fiber cells could be overcome by ethylene, but the AVG effect was much less reversed by BR. These results indicate that ethylene plays a major role in promoting cotton fiber elongation. Furthermore, ethylene may promote cell elongation by increasing the expression of sucrose synthase, tubulin, and expansin genes.

Amino Acids, Cyclic↗

PubMed2006

Genome-wide analysis of the expression profile of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in response to treatment with the plant isoflavone, wighteone, as a potential antifungal agent.

The limitations of currently available antifungal agents and the rapid emergence of drug-resistant strains necessitate more efficient approaches to screening and developing novel antifungal drugs. The antifungal activity of the natural products of a series of plants was evaluated and wighteone, 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-6-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)isoflavone showed excellent anti-yeast activity (MIC against Saccharomyces cerevisiae was 4 microg/ml). Transcriptome profiling of wighteone-treated S. cerevisiae indicated that wighteone is different from commonly used antifungal compounds in its mode of action.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed2006

The MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC) project shows inter- and intraplatform reproducibility of gene expression measurements.

Over the last decade, the introduction of microarray technology has had a profound impact on gene expression research. The publication of studies with dissimilar or altogether contradictory results, obtained using different microarray platforms to analyze identical RNA samples, has raised concerns about the reliability of this technology. The MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC) project was initiated to address these concerns, as well as other performance and data analysis issues. Expression data on four titration pools from two distinct reference RNA samples were generated at multiple test sites using a variety of microarray-based and alternative technology platforms. Here we describe the experimental design and probe mapping efforts behind the MAQC project. We show intraplatform consistency across test sites as well as a high level of interplatform concordance in terms of genes identified as differentially expressed. This study provides a resource that represents an important first step toward establishing a framework for the use of microarrays in clinical and regulatory settings.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed2006

Asthma numeracy skill and health literacy.

To assess understanding of numerical concepts in asthma self-management instructions, a 4-item Asthma Numeracy Questionnaire (ANQ) was developed and read to 73 adults with persistent asthma. Participants completed the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (STOFHLA), 12(16%) answered all 4 numeracy items correctly; 6(8%) answered none correctly. Participants were least likely to understand items involving risk and percentages. Low numeracy but not STOFHLA score was associated with a history of hospitalization for asthma. At higher STOFHLA levels there was a wide range of the total number of correct numeracy responses. Numeracy is a unique and important component of health literacy.

Asthma↗

PubMed2006

[Mapping of gene underlying autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss(DFNA)].

Hereditary non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss is a genetically highly heterogeneous group of disorders. To date, at least 50 loci for autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (DFNA) have been identified by linkage analysis. Here we report a huge family with late onset autosomal dominant hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss. In this family, 73 of 170 family members have been conducted physical examination, pure-tone audiometry, immittance testing and auditory brainstem response testing (ABR). The results indicated that 39 of 73 tested family members have sensorineural hearing loss in various degrees. No associated visible abnormalities in other systems were found in this family. After exclusion of the 14 known DFNA loci with markers from the Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage (URL: http://dnalab-www.uia.ac.be/dnalab/hhh), a genome wide scan was carried out using 382 highly informative microsatellite markers at approximately 9.2 cM intervals throughout the genome. Linkage analysis was carried out under a fully penetrant autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with no phenocopies. A maximum two-point LOD score of 6.69 at theta=0 was obtained for marker D14S1040. Haplotype analysis placed the locus within a 7.6 cM genetic interval defined by marker D14S1021 and D14S70, overlapping with the DFNA9 locus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Protein chips for high-throughput doping screening in athletes.

Sport and doping are a contradiction in terms, however, doping abuse in sports has been a serious problem for many years. The systematic screening of every athlete for all prohibited drugs should be an indispensable feature of the Olympic Games. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry method is reserved as a reference method, but is limited by its low throughput. The advent of protein chip technology may enable the screening of all athletes for any illegal use of drugs.

Doping in Sports↗