Biomedical subjects

Zhiqiang Zheng

Publications and source records attributed to Zhiqiang Zheng.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

RDMAS: a web server for RNA deleterious mutation analysis.

BACKGROUND: The diverse functions of ncRNAs critically depend on their structures. Mutations in ncRNAs disrupting the structures of functional sites are expected to be deleterious. RNA deleterious mutations have attracted wide attentions because some of them in cells result in serious disease, and some others in microbes influence their fitness. RESULTS: The RDMAS web server we describe here is an online tool for evaluating structural deleteriousness of single nucleotide mutation in RNA genes. Several structure comparison methods have been integrated; sub-optimal structures predicted can be optionally involved to mitigate the uncertainty of secondary structure prediction. With a user-friendly interface, the web application is easy to use. Intuitive illustrations are provided along with the original computational results to facilitate quick analysis. CONCLUSION: RDMAS can be used to explore the structure alterations which cause mutations pathogenic, and to predict deleterious mutations which may help to determine the functionally critical regions. RDMAS is freely accessed via http://biosrv1.bmi.ac.cn/rdmas.

Databases, Nucleic Acid↗

PubMed2005

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid impairment of early host resistance against Listeria monocytogenes infection is independent of neutrophil infiltration and function.

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the n-3 PUFA-mediated changes in host response to a Listeria monocytogenes infection (e.g., cytokine production and bacterial clearance) were dependent upon neutrophils. Balb/c mice were fed one of two semi-purified diets that contained either 0 or 41 g of n-3 PUFA/kg. After 4 week, mice were injected with a neutrophil-depleting (RB6-8C5) or isotype-control antibody 24 h prior to infection. Bacterial clearance from the liver and spleen at 3 days post-challenge was measured and the concentration of five pro-inflammatory cytokines in sera 24 h post-infection were determined using a novel protein multiplexing kit. We found that neutrophil depletion impaired bacterial clearance independent of the effect of n-3 PUFA. Interestingly, we observed a rather complex interaction between neutrophil-depletion and n-3 PUFA intake on in vivo pro-inflammatory cytokine production. For example, neutrophil depletion elevated circulating IL-6 and MCP-1 (2- to 5-fold; p<0.05) in n-3 PUFA-fed mice, but less so or not at all in mice fed the control diet. In summary, our data suggest that n-3 PUFA-mediated reduction of host resistance to L. monocytogenes is independent of neutrophil activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Optical amplification of Eu(DBM)3Phen-doped polymer optical fiber.

A preform technique is used to prepare a step-index (SI) polymer optical fiber (POF) doped with Eu(DBM)3Phen. The gain (5.7 dB) at 613 nm of the doped SI POF with Eu3+ content of 4000 in 10(6) wt., 0.4-mm core diameter, and 30-cm fiber length is observed at ambient temperature by end pumping with a YAG at 355 nm. The input signal light is approximately 0.2 W. The results show the possibility of signal gain in a rare-earth-doped POF amplifier and the potential of a polymer doped with rare-earth ions as an active optical device.

Journal Article↗