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Zhiyong Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to Zhiyong Zhou.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Pyrosequencing, a high-throughput method for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms in the dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthetase genes of Plasmodium falciparum.

A pyrosequencing protocol was developed as a rapid and reliable method to identify the mutations of the dhfr and dhps genes of Plasmodium falciparum that are associated with antifolate resistance. The accuracy and specificity of this method were tested using six laboratory-cultured P. falciparum isolates harboring known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes dhfr (codons 50, 51, 59, 108, and 164) and dhps (codons 436, 437, 540, 581, and 613). The lowest threshold for detection of all the SNPs tested by pyrosequencing was the equivalent of two to four parasite genomes. Also, this method was highly specific for P. falciparum, as it did not amplify any DNA products from the other species of human malaria parasites. We also mixed wild-type and mutant-type parasite DNAs in various proportions to determine how pyrosequencing, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and direct conventional sequencing (for dhfr) compared with each other in detecting different SNPs in the mixture. In general, pyrosequencing and RFLP showed comparable sensitivities in detecting most of the SNPs in dhfr except for the 164L mutation, which required at least twice the amount of DNA for pyroseqencing as for RFLP. For detecting SNPs in dhps, pyrosequencing was slightly more sensitive than RFLP and direct sequencing. Overall, pyrosequencing was faster and less expensive than either RFLP or direct sequencing. Thus, pyrosequencing is a practical alternative method that can be used in a high-throughput format for molecular surveillance of antimalarial-drug resistance.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Antifolate resistance in Plasmodium falciparum: multiple origins and identification of novel dhfr alleles.

BACKGROUND: Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been widely used as first-line therapy for uncomplicated malaria throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Recent studies conducted in Asia and Africa suggest the triple-mutant dhfr genotype (51I/59R/108N) may have been generated as a single event in Southeast Asia, with subsequent spread of the single lineage to the African continent, but this hypothesis needs further validation. METHODS: Direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products, pyrosequencing, and cloning of PCR products were utilized to identify mutations in dhfr. To investigate the evolutionary history of dhfr alleles, we assayed microsatellite loci flanking dhfr along chromosome 4. RESULTS: A total of 15 of 479 samples from western Kenya showed the presence of I164L, in 5 different genotypes. We document C50R in 2 of our samples. Using microsatellite markers, we show 2 haplotypes for both the 51I/108N/164L and 51I/59R/108N/164L genotypes. Our results also show multiple lineages for the triple-mutant dhfr genotype in Africa. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of local characterization of alleles before molecular surveillance of drug-resistant alleles is considered in different endemic settings and populations.

Alleles↗
PubMed2006

Development, characterization and immunogenicity of a multi-stage, multi-valent Plasmodium falciparum vaccine antigen (FALVAC-1A) expressed in Escherichia coli.

A synthetic multistage, multi-epitope Plasmodium falciparum malaria antigen (FALVAC-1A) was designed and evaluated in silico, and then the gene was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The FALVAC-1A protein was purified by inclusion body isolation, followed by affinity and ion exchange chromatography. Although FALVAC-1A was a synthetic antigen, it folded to a specific, but as yet incompletely defined, molecular conformation that was stable and comparable from lot to lot. When formulated with four different adjuvants, FALVAC-1A was highly immunogenic in rabbits, inducing not only ELISA reactivity to the cognate antigen and most of its component epitopes, but also in vitro activity against P. falciparum parasites as demonstrated by inhibition of sporozoite invasion, antibody dependent cellular inhibition and the immunofluorescence assay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Clinical and virological characteristics of lamivudine resistance in chronic hepatitis B patients: a single center experience.

We have investigated the characteristics of lamivudine-resistant strains in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Guangdong, China, where the predominant genotypes are B and C. Two hundred forty-seven patients treated with lamivudine in Nanfang Hospital were followed-up. Patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA levels over 7.5 x 10(6) copies/ml at baseline had a shorter time to the selection of YMDD mutant (P = 0.02 and 0.00, respectively). The detection of YMDD mutant precedes HBV-DNA breakthrough and alanine transaminase (ALT) flare in about 2 and 3 months, respectively. The ALT flare after the appearance of YMDD mutants was more evident in HBeAg positive patients than HBeAg negative patients (P = 0.02). After emergence of YMDD mutant, the HBV-DNA level was significantly higher in genotype C patients compared with genotype B patients (P = 0.02). No significant difference of YMDD mutant pattern was found between patients with genotype B and C. Four kinds of new mutants were found in over two patients including rtL80I, rtG172E, rtG174C, and rtG172E/rtG174C. In vitro transfection and real-time analysis showed that rtG172E, rtG174C, and rtG172E/rtG174C mutants had a decreased replication competence compared with wild type (33%, 27%, and 15% of the wild type HBV, respectively). Our result suggest that genotypic monitoring of YMDD mutant is important for the management of patients treated with lamivudine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Placental malaria diminishes development of antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum epitopes in infants residing in an area of western Kenya where P. falciparum is endemic.

To determine the effect of placental malaria (PM) infection on the development of antibody responses to malaria in infants, we measured immunoglobulin G levels to seven different Plasmodium falciparum epitopes by using plasma samples collected at monthly intervals from infants born to mothers with and without PM. Overall, PM was associated with diminished antibody levels to all of the epitopes tested, especially with infants aged >or=4 to 12 months, and the difference was statistically significant for four of the seven epitopes (P<0.0035). These findings suggest that PM can negatively influence the development of immune responses to malaria in infants.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Reversible surface oxidation and efficient luminescence quenching in semiconductor single-wall carbon nanotubes.

We have investigated reversible single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) oxidation by quantitative analysis of the oxide-induced absorption bleaching and luminescence quenching at low pH. These data, in combination with DFT structure calculations, suggest that the nanotube oxide is a 1,4-endoperoxide. At low pH, the endoperoxide protonates to create a hydroperoxide carbocation, introducing a hole in the SWNT valence band. Nanotube luminescence is extremely sensitive to quenching by hole-doping, while the absorption is relatively robust.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Electronic structure of tubular aromatic molecules derived from the metallic (5,5) armchair single wall carbon nanotube.

All-electron static and time-dependent DFT electronic calculations, with complete geometrical optimization, are performed on tubular molecules up to C(210)H(20) that are finite sections of the (5,5) metallic single wall carbon nanotube with hydrogen termination at the open ends. We find pronounced C-C bond reconstruction at the tube ends; this initiates bond alternation that propagates into the tube centers. For the especially low band gap molecules C(120)H(20), C(150)H(20), and C(180)H(20), alternation increases, and a second nearly isoenergic structural isomer of different alternation is found. A small residual C-C bond alternation and band gap may be present in the infinite tube. The van Hove band gap forms quickly with length, while the metallic Fermi point (at the crossing of linear bands) forms very slowly with length. There are no end-localized states at energies near the Fermi energy. The HOMO-LUMO gap and the lowest singlet excited state, whose energies show a periodicity with length as previously calculated, are optically forbidden. However, each molecule shows an intense visible "charge transfer" transition, not present in the infinite tube, whose energy varies smoothly with length; this transition should be an identifying signature for these molecules. The static axial polarizability per unit length increases rapidly with N as the "charge transfer" transition moves into the infrared; this indicates increasing metallic character. However, the ionization potential, electron affinity, chemical hardness, and relative energetic stability all show the length periodicity seen in the HOMO-LUMO gap, in contrast to the optical "charge transfer" transition and the static axial polarizability. These periodicities, due to a one-dimensional quantum size effect as originally modeled by Coulson in 1938, nevertheless cancel in the calculated Fermi energy, which varies smoothly toward a predicted bulk work function near 3.9 eV. A detailed study of C(190)H(20) with up to eight extra electrons or holes shows the total energy is closely fit by a simple classical charging model, as is commonly applied to metallic clusters.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Enhanced expression of a recombinant malaria candidate vaccine in Escherichia coli by codon optimization.

This study was conducted to compare the expression of three constructs of a multistage candidate vaccine (FALVAC-1) against Plasmodium falciparum in an Escherichia coli system: a synthetic gene with P. falciparum codons, a synthetic gene with optimized E. coli codons, and a synthetic gene with P. falciparum codons co-transformed with a RIG plasmid, which encodes three tRNAs (AG(A/G), ATA, GGA) that recognize rare E. coli codons. The expression of the protein increased at least threefold with codon optimization. The presence of the RIG plasmid in the co-transforming cells did not significantly increase the expression level of the gene with P. falciparum codons. The growth of cells transformed by the construct with P. falciparum codons was significantly slower than that of cells transformed by the construct with optimized E. coli codons after induction of protein expression with IPTG. The cells containing the non-codon optimized gene co-expressed with RIG plasmid had the slowest growth at all time points in culture. Thus, codon optimization significantly increases the yield of P. falciparum candidate vaccines in the E. coli expression system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Electronic structure of 1 to 2 nm diameter silicon core/shell nanocrystals: surface chemistry, optical spectra, charge transfer, and doping.

Static and time-dependent density functional calculations, geometrically optimized and including all electrons, are described for silicon nanocrystals as large as Si(87)H(76), which contains 163 atoms. We explore and predict the effect that different sp(3) passivation schemes-F or H termination, thin oxide shell, or alkane termination-have on the HOMO and LUMO, on the optical spectra, and on electron transfer properties. Electronegativity comparisons are a useful guide in understanding the observed deviation from the simple quantum size effect model. Nanocrystals containing Al or P impurity atoms, either on the surface or in the interior, are explored to understand electrical doping in strongly quantum-confined nanocrystals. Surface dangling bonds are found to participate in internal charge transfer with P atom dopant electrons.

Journal Article↗