Biomedical subjects

Ping Zheng

Publications and source records attributed to Ping Zheng.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

The application of the CRISPR-Cas system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Due to the extensive drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), it is still a great clinical challenge. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) system has become a promising strategy against this pathogen. This review critically evaluates the multifaceted applications of CRISPR-Cas technology in P. aeruginosa, including its role in antimicrobial resistance, diagnostics, genome editing, and emerging therapeutic and vaccine strategies. In addition to conducting a comprehensive analysis of various studies, we also compared the performance and limitations of various CRISPR platforms, and discussed the main technologies and transformation obstacles in this field. Finally, we look forward to the direction of applying these experimental tools to clinical research in the future.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa↗

PubMed2006

Osmotic stress on nitrification in an airlift bioreactor.

The effect of osmotic pressure on nitrification was studied in a lab-scale internal-loop airlift-nitrifying reactor. The reactor slowly adapted to the escalating osmotic pressure during 270 days operation. The conditions were reversed to the initial stage upon full inhibition of the process. Keeping influent ammonium concentration constant at 420 mg N L(-1) and hydraulic retention time at 20.7h, with gradual increase in osmotic pressure from 4.3 to 18.8x10(5) Pa by adding sodium sulphate, the ammonium removal efficiencies of the nitrifying bioreactor were maintained at 93-100%. Further increase in osmotic pressure up to 19.2x10(5) Pa resulted in drop of the ammonium conversion to 69.2%. The osmotic pressure caused abrupt inhibition of nitrification without any alarm and the critical osmotic pressure value causing inhibition remained between 18.8 and 19.2x10(5) Pa. Nitrite oxidizers were found more sensitive to osmotic stress as compared with ammonia oxidizers, leading to nitrite accumulation up to 61.7% in the reactor. The performance of bioreactor recovered gradually upon lowering the osmotic pressure. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy indicated that osmotic stress resulted in simplification of the nitrifying bacterial populations in the activated sludge as the cellular size reduced; the inner membrane became thinner and some unknown inclusions appeared within the cells. The microbial morphology and cellular structure restored upon relieving the osmotic pressure. Addition of potassium relieved the effect of osmotic pressure upon nitrification. Results demonstrate that the nitrifying reactor possesses the potential to treat ammonium-rich brines after acclimatization.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2006

Inhibition of evoked glutamate release by neurosteroid allopregnanolone via inhibition of L-type calcium channels in rat medial prefrontal cortex.

Allopregnanolone is one of the most important neurosteroids in the brain. We studied the effect and mechanism of allopregnanolone on spontaneous and evoked glutamate release in the medial prefrontal cortex using electrophysiological and biochemical methods combined with pharmacological approaches. The results showed that allopregnanolone had no effects on the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSCs), but inhibited the depolarizing agent veratridine-evoked increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and inhibited the first of the two responses evoked by a pair of electrical pulses more effectively than the second, resulting in increased paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and thus suggesting a presynaptic inhibitory effect on electrical pulse-evoked glutamate release. A similar effect was also obtained for the effect of allopregnanolone on protein kinase A (PKA) activation, an upstream event of presynaptic glutamate release. Interestingly, allopregnanolone had none of these effects in the striatum. In the study of the upstream mechanism of the PKA inhibition by allopregnanolone, we found that allopregnanolone inhibited extracellular calcium influx-evoked PKA activation, but had no effects on intracellular calcium store release-evoked PKA activation; L-type calcium channel antagonists, but not N- and P/Q-type calcium channel antagonist, blocked the effect of allopregnanolone; allopregnanolone inhibited L-type calcium channel agonist-evoked increase in the PKA activity, intrasynaptosomal calcium concentration and frequency of sEPSCs. These results suggest that allopregnanolone inhibits evoked glutamate release via the inhibition of L-type calcium channels in the medial prefrontal cortex, but does not in the striatum.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate enhances spontaneous glutamate release in rat prelimbic cortex through activation of dopamine D1 and sigma-1 receptor.

This paper studied the effect of neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on spontaneous glutamate release in the prelimbic cortex by using electrophysiological and biochemical methods combined with a pharmacological approach and made some comparisons with those in the hippocampus. The results showed that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate increased the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in the prelimbic cortex and hippocampus; sigma-1 receptor antagonist partially blocked the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the prelimbic cortex, but completely blocked it in the hippocampus; D1 receptor antagonist, adenylyl cyclase inhibitor and protein kinase A inhibitor completely blocked the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the prelimbic cortex; dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate increased the activity of protein kinase A in the prelimbic cortex and hippocampus; the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on protein kinase A was completely blocked by sigma-1 receptor antagonist in the hippocampus, but was partially blocked in the prelimbic cortex; interestingly, here again, the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on protein kinase A was completely blocked by D1 receptor antagonist in the prelimbic cortex. These results suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate promotes presynaptic glutamate release in the prelimbic cortex via activation of D1 and sigma-1 receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Neutrophils induce the maturation and activation of immature dendritic cells during adaptive immune responses].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leucocyte (PMN) can induce the maturation and activation of immature dendritic cells, thus promoting the Th1 immunity to microbial pathogens in vitro. METHODS: PMN isolated from mouse bone marrow were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and were cultured with immature DC (imDCs) isolated from mouse bone marrow for 18 hours. Then the analysis of DC surface markers CD40 and CD86 was done by flow cytometry, and ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-12. Purified DC cocultured with LPS-PMN (PMN-DC) and imDC were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated OVA (FITC-OVA), and the phagocytic capacity of PMN-DC and imDC was assessed by flow cytometry. Splenic CD4(+) T cells from DO11.10 x C57BL/6 F1 hybrid mice were obtained, and then cultured with PMN-DC or imDC in the presence of OVA (323 - 339). The cells were double stained with anti-CD4-PE and 7-amino-actinomycin D. The cellular data were acquired for 56s with a flow cytometer and the assay of IFN-gamma and IL-4 was done by intracellular staining. RESULTS: LPS-PMN induced strong up-regulation of CD40 and CD86, and this capacity was remarkably inhibited after being neutralized by anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody. LPS-PMN also stimulated imDCs to produce IL-12 and TNF-alpha. PMN-DCs demonstrated decreased phagocytic capacity compared with that of imDCs. Furthermore, the PMN-DC induced considerable DO11.10 T cell proliferation, and stimulated DO11.10 T cell to produce a large amount of IFN-gamma, but a relatively low amount of IL-4. CONCLUSION: LPS-PMN can induce the maturation and activation of imDCs, including the cytokine secretion, specific antigen presentation and Th1 differentiation, thus promoting the type I immunity to microbial pathogens.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Ubiquitin hydrolase Uch-L1 rescues beta-amyloid-induced decreases in synaptic function and contextual memory.

The neuronal ubiquitin/proteasomal pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We now show that a component of the pathway, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (Uch-L1), is required for normal synaptic and cognitive function. Transduction of Uch-L1 protein fused to the transduction domain of HIV-transactivator protein (TAT) restores normal enzymatic activity and synaptic function both in hippocampal slices treated with oligomeric Abeta and in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Moreover, intraperitoneal injections with the fusion protein improve the retention of contextual learning in APP/PS1 mice over time. The beneficial effect of the Uch-L1 fusion protein is associated with restoration of normal levels of the PKA-regulatory subunit IIalpha, PKA activity, and CREB phosphorylation.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed2006

Dynamics of nascent mRNA folding and RNA-protein interactions: an alternative TAR RNA structure is involved in the control of HIV-1 mRNA transcription.

HIV-1 Tat protein regulates transcription elongation by binding to the 59 nt TAR RNA stem-loop structure transcribed from the HIV-1 5' long terminal repeat (5'-LTR). This established Tat-TAR interaction was used to investigate mRNA folding and RNA-protein interactions during early transcription elongation from the HIV-1 5'-LTR. Employing a new site-specific photo-cross-linking strategy to isolate transcription elongation complexes at early steps of elongation, we found that Tat interacts with HIV-1 transcripts before the formation of full-length TAR (TAR59). Analysis of RNA secondary structure by free energy profiling and ribonuclease digestion indicated that nascent transcripts folded into an alternative TAR RNA structure (TAR31), which requires only 31 nt to form and includes an analogous Tat-binding bulge structure. Functionally, TAR31, similar to TAR59, acts as a transcriptional terminator in vitro, and mRNA expression from TAR31-deficient HIV-1 5'-LTR mutant promoters is significantly decreased. Our results support a role for TAR31 in the control of HIV-1 mRNA transcription and we propose that this structure is important to stabilize the short early transcripts before the transcription complex commits for processive elongation. Overall, this study demonstrates that RNA folding during HIV-1 transcription is dynamic and that as the nascent RNA chain grows during transcription, it folds into a number of conformations that function to regulate gene expression. Finally, our results provide a new experimental strategy for studying mRNA conformation changes during transcription that can be applied to investigate the folding and function of nascent RNA structures transcribed from other promoters.

Gene Products, tat↗

PubMed2006

Impaired clearance of apoptotic cardiocytes is linked to anti-SSA/Ro and -SSB/La antibodies in the pathogenesis of congenital heart block.

The role of cardiocytes in physiologic removal of apoptotic cells and the subsequent effect of surface binding by anti-SSA/Ro and -SSB/La antibodies was addressed. Initial experiments evaluated induction of apoptosis by extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Nuclear injury and the translocation of SSA/Ro and SSB/La antigens to the fetal cardiocyte plasma membrane were common downstream events of Fas and TNF receptor ligation, requiring caspase activation. As assessed by phase-contrast and confirmed by confocal microscopy, coculturing of healthy cardiocytes with cardiocytes rendered apoptotic via extrinsic pathways revealed a clearance mechanism that to our knowledge has not previously been described. Cultured fetal cardiocytes expressed phosphatidylserine receptors (PSRs), as did cardiac tissue from a fetus with congenital heart block (CHB) and an age-matched control. Phagocytic uptake was blocked by anti-PSR antibodies and was significantly inhibited following preincubation of apoptotic cardiocytes with chicken and murine anti-SSA/Ro and -SSB/La antibodies, with IgG from an anti-SSA/Ro- and -SSB/La-positive mother of a CHB child, but not with anti-HLA class I antibody. In a murine model, anti-Ro60 bound and inhibited uptake of apoptotic cardiocytes from wild-type but not Ro60-knockout mice. Our results suggest that resident cardiocytes participate in physiologic clearance of apoptotic cardiocytes but that clearance is inhibited by opsonization via maternal autoantibodies, resulting in accumulation of apoptotic cells, promoting inflammation and subsequent scarring.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Determination of quinolones residues in prawn using high-performance liquid chromatography with Ce(IV)-Ru(bpy)(3)2+-HNO3 chemiluminescence detection.

A novel method was developed for the determination of quinolone (QN) residues such as ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and lomefloxacin by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with chemiluminescence (CL) detection. The procedure was based on the chemiluminescent enhancement by QNs of the Ce(SO(4))(2)-Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-HNO(3) system. The separation was carried out with an isocratic elution using the mobile phase of 3:15:82 (v/v/v) acetonitrile-methanol-ammonium acetate buffer (containing 7.5 x 10(-4)M TBAB, 0.8% (v/v) TEA and 1.0 x 10(-4)M ammonium acetate, pH 3.65) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. For the four QNs, the detection limits at a signal-to-noise of 3 ranged from 0.36 to 2.4 ng/ml. The relative standard deviations for the determination of QNs ranged from 1.6 to 4.5% within a day (n=11) and from 3.7 to 6.2% in three days (n=15), respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of QNs in prawn samples. The possible mechanism of the CL reaction was also discussed briefly.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Determination of aflatoxins in high-pigment content samples by matrix solid-phase dispersion and high-performance liquid chromatography.

A fast, efficient, and cost-effective method was developed for the analysis of aflatoxins in farm commodities with high-pigment content, such as chili powder, green bean, and black sesame. The proposed method involved matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescence detection (FLD) with postcolumn electrochemical derivatization in a Kobra cell. The MSPD procedure combined the extraction with neutral alumina and pigment cleanup with graphitic carbon black (GCB) in a single step. The recoveries of aflatoxins ranged from 88% to 95% with the relative standard deviations (RSD) less than 6% (n = 6). The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.25 ng/g aflatoxin B1, G1, and 0.10 ng/g aflatoxin B2, G2, respectively. The analytical results obtained by MSPD were compared to those of the immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup method. No significant differences were found between the two methods by t-test at the 95% confidence level.

Aflatoxins↗

PubMed2006

Discovery and investigation of a new, second triose phosphate isomerase in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In this study, a tpi1 gene encoding for the enzyme triose phosphate isomerase in Klebsiella pneumoniae DSM2026 was knocked out in an effort to metabolically engineer this strain as a model system for the production of 1,3-propanediol. Investigations of the tpi1 knockout mutant led to the discovery of a second tpi gene (tpi2) in this organism. The new tpi2 gene was cloned and sequenced. The coding region of the tpi2 gene contains 795bp (base pairs) and the deduced protein consists of 265 amino acids. Sequence comparison of TPI2 proteins in different organisms revealed the presence of a highly conserved signature A-Y-E-P-V-W-A-I-G-[EDVS]-[GKNASH], which is nearly the same as the reported TPI consensus signature. The tpi1 gene of K. pneumoniae DSM2026 shows a high sequence similarity to that of E. coli, whereas, the tpi2 gene resembles more its relatives in the alpha-proteobacteria, suggesting that they evolve from different ancestors. The overexpression of the tpi2 gene restores the growth deficiency of tpi1 knockout mutant on the minimal medium containing glucose or glycerol. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of this new triose phosphate isomerase was confirmed in both tpi1 knockout mutant and tpi2 over-expressing strain by enzyme assays. For the first time, the co-existence of two tpi genes in an enteric bacterium is experimentally confirmed.

3' Flanking Region↗

PubMed2006

Expression and downregulation of WNT signaling pathway genes in rhesus monkey oocytes and embryos.

Mammalian WNT genes encode secreted glycoproteins that are conserved homologues of the Drosophila Wingless gene, which plays a crucial role in Drosophila development. Recently, WNT pathway signaling has been implicated in ovarian development, oogenesis, and early development. We sought to evaluate whether these genes may contribute to the formation of healthy human oocytes or embryos, and whether the expression of these genes could provide informative markers of human oocyte and embryo quality. To do this, we employed the primate embryo gene expression resource (PREGER; www.preger.org) to examine expression of mRNAs encoding 38 components of the WNT signaling pathway in rhesus monkey oocytes and embryos as a nonhuman primate model. We observed considerable conservation between rhesus monkey and mouse of expression of WNT, FZD, and effector gene mRNAs, and a generalized downregulation of genes encoding key components of the WNT signaling pathway during preimplantation development. Our results support a role for WNT signaling during oocyte growth or maturation, but not during preimplantation development. Additionally, we observed differences between in vitro cultured and in vivo developing blastocysts, indicating possible effects of culture on WNT signaling during the peri-implantation period.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Identification of a denitrifying bacterium and verification of its anaerobic ammonium oxidation ability.

A strain D3 of denitrifying bacterium was isolated from an anammox reactor, and identified as Pseudomonas mendocina based on the morphological and physiological assay, Vitek test, Biolog test, (G + C) mol% content, and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis. As a typical denitrifying bacterium, strain D3 achieved the maximal nitrate reduction rate of 26.2 mg/(L x d) at the nitrate concentration of 88.5 mg N/L. The optimal pH and growth temperature were 7.84 and 34.9 degrees C, respectively. Strain D3 was able to oxidize ammonia under anaerobic condition. The maximum nitrate and ammonium utilization rates were 6.37 mg/(L x d) and 3.34 mg/(L x d), respectively, and the consumption ratio of ammonia to nitrate was 1:1.91. Electron microscopic observation revealed peculiar cell inclusions in strain D3. Because of its relation to anammox activity, strain D3 was presumed to be anammoxosome. The present investigation proved that denitrifying bacteria have the anammox ability, and the results have engorged the range of anammox populations.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2006

[Effect of osmotic pressure on nitrification].

The effect of osmotic pressure on nitrification was investigated in the internal-loop air-lift nitrifying reactor. When influent ammonia concentration is kept at 420mg x L(-1) and influent osmotic pressure is increased from 4.3 to 18.8 x 10(5) Pa, the ammonia conversion of the nitrifying bioreactor is maintained between 93% and 100%. After influent osmotic pressure is further increased to 19.2 x 10(5)Pa, the ammonia conversion goes down to 69.2%. The influence of osmotic pressure on nitrification takes place without any alarm and the critical osmotic pressure is between 18.8 x 10(5) and 19.2 x 10(5) Pa. During osmotic stress, the nitrifying bacterial populations in the activated sludge become simplified, the cell size becomes smaller, the inner membrane becomes less and some unknown inclusion particles are formed. The cell structure is restored as soon as the osmotic pressure is removed. Addition of potassium is able to relieve the effect of osmotic pressure on nitrification. The nitrifying activity of the activated sludge is stimulated by the osmotic stress, and the specific ammonia conversion is increased from 0.083 kg x kg(-1) x d(-1) to 0.509 kg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 2.569 kg x kg(-1) x d(-1), respectively.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2006

[Determination of aflatoxins in hot chilli products by matrix solid-phase dispersion and liquid chromatography].

A new method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction with neutral alumina and co-column purification with graphitized carbon black has been developed to determine aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 in hot chilli products. The method includes liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection with on-line post-column derivatization with bromine. Optimization of different parameters, such as the type of solid supports for matrix dispersion and co-column clean-up was carried out. The recoveries of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were 95.4%, 87.3%, 91.5% and 92.6%, respectively, with relative standard deviations ranging from 3.3% to 6.1%. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.10 ng/g (B2, G2) to 0.25 ng/g (B1, G1). In addition, the comparison of the extraction and purification effect of MSPD with immunity affinity column showed that, MSPD is a valid method to analyze aflatoxins in hot chilli products.

Aflatoxin B1↗

PubMed2006

[Study of shear rate in modified airlift nitrifying bioreactor].

The characteristics of shear rate in an airlift nitrifying bioreactor and its influencing factors were studied. The results showed that the shear rate was different in different sections of the bioreactor. With inlet gas flowrate at 430 approximately 2700 L x h(-1), the overall shear rate was (0.702 approximately 3.13) x 10(5) s(-1), shear rate in riser was (1.07 approximately 31.3) x 10(5) s(-1) and in gas-liquid separator was (1.12 approximately 25.0) x 10(5) s(-1), respectively. It indicates that the highest shear rates prevailed in the riser part of bioreactor. The operational variables and the bioreactor configurations exerted a significant influence on the shear level of the bioreactor. When inlet gas flowrate was raised from 1300 to 2700 L x h(-1), shear rate in riser and separator ascended first and then descended subsequently. The diameter of draft tube (d) was negatively correlated with shear rate. When the draft tube with diameter of 5.5 cm was installed, the shear rates in riser, separator and overall shear rate were 85.5%, 82.3% and 80.6%, respectively less as compared with that with diameter of 4.0 cm. The number of static mixers (N) was positively correlated with the shear rate. When d was set at 4.0 cm, with N of 10 and 39, the shear rates in riser were 6.14 and 7.97 times higher respectively, than that of conventional bioreactor. The ratio of maximum local shear rate to overall shear rate was 3.68 approximately 7.66, and the homogeneity of the shear field in airlift bioreactors could be improved if d and N were set at 5.5 cm and 10 approximately 13, respectively.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2006

[Study of organosulfur compounds in fresh garlic by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry incorporated with temperature-programmable cold on-column injection].

For the analysis of organosulfur compounds in fresh garlic, a gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method is proposed using temperature-programmable cold on-column injection and cold solvent extraction of the fresh garlic. This was carried out under the conditions of cryogenic process from extraction to column separation. Hence, a valid identification can be achieved about the primary components in garlic extract before thermo-degradation. The obtained results showed that 3-vinyl-4H-1, 2-dithiin and 2-vinyl-4H-1, 3-dithiin were the major compounds in the garlic extract with minor amounts of S-methyl methanethiosulfinate, diallyl disulfide, trisulfide-di-2-propenyl. A comparative study of chemical compounds was performed between garlic extract by cold solvent and garlic oil by stream distillation. The degradation and formation of major organosulfur compounds in the garlic extract were also explored.

Allyl Compounds↗

PubMed2006

[Process performance of simultaneous anaerobic sulfide and nitrate removal].

The process performance of simultaneous anaerobic sulfide and nitrate removal was studied. The results showed that the process held a high sulfide and nitrate removal loading rate of 3.73kg/(m3 x d) and 0.80kg/(m3 x d), respectively, under steady state. It was capable of tolerating high influent substrate concentration (580mg/L and 110mg/L) with the optimum substrate concentration of 280mg/L and 67.5mg/L. It was capable of tolerating short hydraulic retention time (HRT) with the optimum HRT of 0.13d. Careful operation was needed when HRT was shortened because the process performance was deteriorated abruptly.

Anaerobiosis↗