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Hui Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Hui Zhang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2025

Proteomic Analysis of 442 Clinical Plasma Samples From Individuals With Symptom Records Revealed Subtypes of Convalescent Patients Who Had COVID-19.

After the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the postacute effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have gradually attracted attention. To precisely evaluate the health status of convalescent patients with COVID-19, we analyzed symptom and proteome data of 442 plasma samples from healthy controls, hospitalized patients, and convalescent patients 6 or 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms analysis revealed distinct relationships in convalescent patients. Results of plasma protein expression levels showed that C1QA, C1QB, C2, CFH, CFHR1, and F10, which regulate the complement system and coagulation, remained highly expressed even at the 12-month follow-up compared with their levels in healthy individuals. By combining symptom and proteome data, 442 plasma samples were categorized into three subtypes: S1 (metabolism-healthy), S2 (COVID-19 retention), and S3 (long COVID). We speculated that convalescent patients reporting hair loss could have a better health status than those experiencing headaches and dyspnea. Compared to other convalescent patients, those reporting sleep disorders, appetite decrease, and muscle weakness may need more attention because they were classified into the S2 subtype, which had the most samples from hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Subtyping convalescent patients with COVID-19 may enable personalized treatments tailored to individual needs. This study provides valuable plasma proteomic datasets for further studies associated with long COVID.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

TaLAC129 is a negative regulator of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis but enhanced the growth and yield of bread wheat.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis enhances nutrient acquisition and stress resilience in plants, yet the genetic mechanisms regulating this interaction in wheat remain poorly understood. This study explores the variation in AM colonization rates across a diverse set of wheat varieties and aims to identify key genes that regulate the wheat-AM symbiosis. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for improving nutrient uptake efficiency and stress resistance in wheat breeding programs. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 291 wheat varieties and integrated transcriptomic data to identify TaLAC129, a laccase (LAC)-encoding gene, as a critical negative regulator of AM colonization in wheat roots. Overexpression of TaLAC129 significantly increased root LAC activity and lignin content, concurrently suppressing AM colonization. While this suppression reduced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake in stems, leaves, and glumes, it markedly enhanced nutrient utilization efficiency (NUE) in grains. Furthermore, TaLAC129 overexpression improved agronomic traits, including grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight, and overall yield. Our findings reveal the dual role of TaLAC129 in balancing AM symbiosis and nutrient allocation, offering a novel genetic target for breeding wheat varieties with improved yield and nutrient efficiency. This study provides critical insights into the molecular coordination between symbiotic trade-offs and agricultural productivity in cereal crops.

Triticum↗
PubMed2025

A six-repeat PPR protein WPR directly binds target RNAs and coordinates chloroplast RNA processing via dual recruitment of MORF1, MORF8b, and CAF2 proteins in rice.

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are key regulators of organelle RNA metabolism in plants, yet their precise mechanisms in chloroplast RNA processing remain unclear. Here, we identify WPR, a unique P-type PPR protein in rice (Oryza sativa L.), as a critical factor in chloroplast RNA splicing and editing. A ~112-kb chromosomal inversion upstream of WPR causes an albino panicle rachis phenotype (wpr mutant), while complete loss of WPR function leads to seedling lethality. WPR deficiency disrupts the splicing of multiple group II introns (atpF, ndhA, ndhB, petB, rpl2, and rps12) and impairs RNA editing in transcripts such as ndhA, ndhB, ndhG, rps14, and ycf3. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) data confirm that WPR directly binds to precursor mRNAs of atpF, ndhA, petB, rpl2, and rps12. Strikingly, WPR interacts with both RNA editing factors (MORF1, MORF8b) and the splicing factor CAF2, but not with other PPR proteins targeting the same transcripts. Unlike most PPR proteins, WPR contains only six PPR repeats, which is the fewest among all functionally characterized rice PPR proteins. With few informative repeats, WPR likely possesses a broad, low-specificity RNA-binding activity. Moreover, WPR may act on chloroplast RNA maturation by recruiting MORFs and CAF2 rather than other PPR proteins, highlighting a novel regulatory mode in which P-type PPR protein may act as an RNA-binding scaffold to integrate diverse RNA-processing machineries. This study advances the understanding of PPR protein diversity and provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast RNA processing in rice.

Oryza↗
PubMed2024

Mutant KRAS in Circulating Tumor DNA as a Biomarker in Localized Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to determine the prognostic significance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). BACKGROUND: Increasingly, ctDNA is being used for clinical decision-making in a variety of solid malignancies. However, the detection and prognostic value of KRAS ctDNA as assessed by ddPCR during NAC for PDAC has yet to be characterized. METHODS: Patients with localized PDAC eligible to receive NAC were prospectively enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were obtained at diagnosis, after NAC, and after resection and analyzed for ctDNA using ddPCR. Log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess for associations with OS. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included in the analysis. Mutant KRAS ctDNA was detected in 49.3% of patients at diagnosis, 69.6% of patients after NAC, and 69.7% of patients after resection, respectively. There were 15 (17.9%) patients who cleared mutational ctDNA over the course of treatment. Clearance of ctDNA during NAC was associated with improved overall survival (OS) (18.4&#xa0;mo. vs NR, P <0.05). Detection of mutant KRAS G12V after NAC and resection was associated with shorter OS (18.0&#xa0;mo vs NR, P <0.031). Detection of the KRAS G12V mutation after resection was associated with reduced OS (aHR 36.75, 95% CI: 2.93-461.38). CONCLUSIONS: Throughout treatment, KRAS ctDNA is detectable by ddPCR in patients with localized PDAC treated with NAC. Detection of mutant KRAS G12V after resection was associated with reduced OS.

Humans↗
PubMed2024

Novel Genetic Loci in Early-Onset Gout Derived From Whole-Genome Sequencing of an Adolescent Gout Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanisms underlying the adolescent-onset and early-onset gout are unclear. This study aimed to discover variants associated with early-onset gout. METHODS: We conducted whole-genome sequencing in a discovery adolescent-onset gout cohort of 905 individuals (gout onset 12 to 19 years) to discover common and low-frequency single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with gout. Candidate common SNVs were genotyped in an early-onset gout cohort of 2,834 individuals (gout onset &#x2264;30 years old), and meta-analysis was performed with the discovery and replication cohorts to identify loci associated with early-onset gout. Transcriptome and epigenomic analyses, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and RNA sequencing in human peripheral blood leukocytes, and knock-down experiments in human THP-1 macrophage cells investigated the regulation and function of candidate gene RCOR1. RESULTS: In addition to ABCG2, a urate transporter previously linked to pediatric-onset and early-onset gout, we identified two novel loci (Pmeta < 5.0 &#xd7; 10-8): rs12887440 (RCOR1) and rs35213808 (FSTL5-MIR4454). Additionally, we found associations at ABCG2 and SLC22A12 that were driven by low-frequency SNVs. SNVs in RCOR1 were linked to elevated blood leukocyte messenger RNA levels. THP-1 macrophage culture studies revealed the potential of decreased RCOR1 to suppress gouty inflammation. CONCLUSION: This is the first comprehensive genetic characterization of adolescent-onset gout. The identified risk loci of early-onset gout mediate inflammatory responsiveness to crystals that could mediate gouty arthritis. This study will contribute to risk prediction and therapeutic interventions to prevent adolescent-onset gout.

Humans↗
PubMed2019

Profiling the long noncoding RNA interaction network in the regulatory elements of target genes by chromatin in situ reverse transcription sequencing.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate the activity of target genes by participating in the organization of chromatin architecture. We have devised a "chromatin-RNA in situ reverse transcription sequencing" (CRIST-seq) approach to profile the lncRNA interaction network in gene regulatory elements by combining the simplicity of RNA biotin labeling with the specificity of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Using gene-specific gRNAs, we describe a pluripotency-specific lncRNA interacting network in the promoters of Sox2 and Pou5f1, two critical stem cell factors that are required for the maintenance of pluripotency. The promoter-interacting lncRNAs were specifically activated during reprogramming into pluripotency. Knockdown of these lncRNAs caused the stem cells to exit from pluripotency. In contrast, overexpression of the pluripotency-associated lncRNA activated the promoters of core stem cell factor genes and enhanced fibroblast reprogramming into pluripotency. These CRIST-seq data suggest that the Sox2 and Pou5f1 promoters are organized within a unique lncRNA interaction network that determines the fate of pluripotency during reprogramming. This CRIST approach may be broadly used to map lncRNA interaction networks at target loci across the genome.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Camera calibration from images of spheres.

This paper introduces a novel approach for solving the problem of camera calibration from spheres. By exploiting the relationship between the dual images of spheres and the dual image of the absolute conic (IAC), it is shown that the common pole and polar with regard to the conic images of two spheres are also the pole and polar with regard to the IAC. This provides two constraints for estimating the IAC and, hence, allows a camera to be calibrated from an image of at least three spheres. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed approach.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2007

Arthroscopic single-bundle reconstruction of posterior cruciate ligament with quadrupled hamstring tendon.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technique and outcome of arthroscopic single-bundle reconstruction of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with quadrupled hamstring tendon. METHODS: From April 2001 to October 2004, 49 knees with PCL tears in 49 patients were verified with arthroscope in this department. Of them, 13 were combined with anterior cruciate ligament tears, 14 with disruptions of the posterolateral corner, 6 with ruptures of the posteromedial corner and medial collateral ligament, 9 with lateral meniscus tears, 5 with medial meniscus tears and 2 with popliteal vascular tears. All the damaged PCLs were reconstructed with single-bundle of autogenous quadrupled hamstring tendons under arthroscope. Biodegradable interference screws or blunt titanium interference screws were used for direct anatomic fixation of the reconstructed ligament. RESULTS: After operation, no severe complications occurred at early stage in the 49 patients. All of them were followed up for 10-52 months with an average of 22.0 months+/-10.7 months. Lysholm score was remarkably improved from 30-60 (mean: 47.96+/-8.16) preoperatively to 70-95 (mean: 89.08+/-6.10) at the last postoperative follow-up (P less than 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score from abnormal (Grade C) in 10 knees and severely abnormal (Grade D) in 39 preoperatively to normal (Grade A) in 20, nearly normal (Grade B) in 24 and abnormal in 5 at the last follow-up. Of the 49 patients, 40 returned to the same activity level as before and 9 were under the level. CONCLUSIONS: Single-bundle reconstruction of PCL with quadrupled hamstring tendons has the advantage of minimal trauma in surgery and satisfactory outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Small heat-shock proteins select deltaF508-CFTR for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation.

Secreted proteins that fail to achieve their native conformations, such as cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and particularly the DeltaF508-CFTR variant can be selected for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) by molecular chaperones. Because the message corresponding to HSP26, which encodes a small heat-shock protein (sHsp) in yeast was up-regulated in response to CFTR expression, we examined the impact of sHsps on ERAD. First, we observed that CFTR was completely stabilized in cells lacking two partially redundant sHsps, Hsp26p and Hsp42p. Interestingly, the ERAD of a soluble and a related integral membrane protein were unaffected in yeast deleted for the genes encoding these sHsps, and CFTR polyubiquitination was also unaltered, suggesting that Hsp26p/Hsp42p are not essential for polyubiquitination. Next, we discovered that DeltaF508-CFTR degradation was enhanced when a mammalian sHsp, alphaA-crystallin, was overexpressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, but wild-type CFTR biogenesis was unchanged. Because alphaA-crystallin interacted preferentially with DeltaF508-CFTR and because purified alphaA-crystallin suppressed the aggregation of the first nucleotide-binding domain of CFTR, we suggest that sHsps maintain the solubility of DeltaF508-CFTR during the ERAD of this polypeptide.

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulato↗
PubMed2006

Phenylarsine oxide inhibited beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated IL-6 secretion: inhibition of cAMP accumulation and CREB activation in cardiac fibroblasts.

As we previously reported, cAMP and p38 MAPK instead of protein kinase A were involved in beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR)-mediated interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. Besides kinases, phosphatases may also be involved in IL-6 gene regulation. To study the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in beta-AR-mediated IL-6 production, we selected the most widely used PTP inhibitor, phenylarsine oxide (PAO). We found that PAO dose-dependently inhibited the IL-6 release in response to beta-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO) in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. This effect was probably due to the inhibition of PTPs, resulting in increased tyrosine phosphorylation, since genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases further potentiated ISO-induced IL-6 production and could partially reverse the inhibitory effect of PAO. PAO also significantly inhibited the IL-6 production by forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase (AC) activator. Furthermore, PAO dose-dependently inhibited the increased cAMP accumulation by either ISO or forskolin and suppressed the phosphorylation of CREB, an important transcriptional factor for IL-6 gene expression. But PAO did not affect the activation of p38 MAPK by ISO. Although PAO was also reported to inhibit NADPH oxidase, the inhibition of NADPH oxidase by its specific inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium (DPI) could not suppress beta-AR-mediated IL-6 production, suggesting that NADPH oxidase may not contribute to the inhibitory effect of PAO on IL-6 production. To our knowledge, this is the first report that PAO can inhibit ISO-induced IL-6 expression and CREB phosphorylation, demonstrating that PTPs may negatively regulate beta-AR-mediated IL-6 production. This study may also further our understanding of beta-AR signaling and provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of heart diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Improved photoluminescence properties of ternary terbium complexes in mesoporous molecule sieves.

Ternary terbium complexes were fully encapsulated and uniformly distributed into the channels of unmodified and modified mesoporous molecule sieves of SBA-15 and characterized by transmission electron micrographs (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and elemental analysis. The luminescent properties for the encapsulated complexes were systematically studied in contrast to the pure complexes, including excitation and emission spectra, fluorescence dynamics, photostability under UV exposure, and the temperature dependence of intensity and lifetime. The results indicate that the excitation bands assigned to the pi-pi* electron transition of the ligands for Tb complexes encapsulated in SBA-15 were split into different components due to decreased symmetry and disappeared at long wavelengths. Owing to suppressed vibration transitions, the outer quantum efficiency of the 5D4-7FJ (J = 0-5) emissions was enhanced largely in comparison to the pure complexes. In addition, the photostability and thermostability of the emissions were also improved considerably.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Degradation of 4-nitrophenol in aqueous medium by electro-Fenton method.

The degradation of 4-nitrophenol by electro-Fenton (E-Fenton) method was carried out in batch recirculation mode. The effect of operating conditions such as electrical current, Fenton's reagent dosage, Fe(II) to H(2)O(2) molar ratio, and H(2)O(2) feeding time on the efficiency of E-Fenton process was investigated. It was found that E-Fenton method showed the synergetic effect on COD removal. The increase of Fenton's reagent dosage, Fe(II) to H(2)O(2) molar ratio, and the electrical current would lead to the increase of COD removal efficiency. Continuous addition of hydrogen peroxide was more effective than the addition of hydrogen peroxide in a single step and there existed an optimal H(2)O(2) feeding time for COD removal. The reaction system was modeled as a plug flow reactor (PFR) in series with a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), and the pseudo-first order rate constant of COD removal was determined from the model based on the experimental data.

Electrochemistry↗
PubMed2006

Deletion of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 increases sensitivity to salt loading and angiotensin II infusion.

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), a membrane-associated protein, is critically involved in the inflammatory response and may be involved in physiological processes as well. The present study examined the role of mPGES-1 in regulation of sodium balance and blood pressure in the settings of salt loading and angiotensin II infusion. mPGES-1 -/- mice developed severe and progressive hypertension associated with an inappropriate increase in sodium balance when fed a high-salt diet. These mice exhibited a significantly impaired ability to excrete an acute enteral load of NaCl. Under these 2 settings of salt loading, urinary excretion of prostaglandin E(2) and nitrate/nitrite were remarkably increased in wild-type animals but not in mPGES-1 -/- mice. The changes of urinary cGMP paralleled that of urinary nitrate/nitrite. mPGES-1 -/- mice exhibited a remarkable inhibition of high salt-induced increase in gene expression of all 3 NO synthase isoforms, whereas these mice had upregulated expression of NO synthase III but not NO synthase I and NO synthase II at basal state. Chronic salt loading remarkably induced mPGES-1 protein expression exclusively in the distal nephron. In primary cultures of CD cells, mPGES-1 expression was significantly increased following exposure to hypertonic NaCl, in parallel with increased prostaglandin E(2) release. These findings have revealed a mPGES-1/prostaglandin E(2)/NO/cGMP pathway that appears to be critically important for salt adaptation. In addition, we provide evidence that mPGES-1 deficiency sensitized the hypertensive effect of angiotensin II. Overall, this study has characterized the natriuretic and antihypertensive role of mPGES-1 that likely contributes to blood pressure homeostasis.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2006

Absorption kinetics of ozone in water with ultrasonic radiation.

A mathematical model was proposed to depict classical unsteady state method that was used to determine volumetric mass transfer coefficient of ozone from gaseous phase to aqueous phase during sonolysis. The rate constant of ozone self-decomposition with ultrasonic radiation, which was one of the parameters in the model, was determined with separate experiments. The results showed that self-decomposition rate constants of ozone were enhanced by ultrasound. The self-decomposition rate constant of ozone is linearly dependent on ultrasonic power, but the increase of the decomposition rate could not enhance ozone mass transfer coefficient. The volumetric mass transfer coefficients of ozone were also enhanced by ultrasonic radiation, while ultrasonic power had little effect on volumetric mass transfer coefficient of ozone. The degassing effect of ozone due to ultrasonic radiation was insignificant in the sparged system when ozone was bubbled during sonolysis.

Absorption↗
PubMed2006

A pivotal role for endogenous TGF-beta-activated kinase-1 in the LKB1/AMP-activated protein kinase energy-sensor pathway.

TGF-beta-activated kinase-1 (TAK1), also known as MAPKK kinase-7 (MAP3K7), is a candidate effector of multiple circuits in cardiac biology and disease. Here, we show that inhibition of TAK1 in mice by a cardiac-specific dominant-negative mutation evokes electrophysiological and biochemical properties reminiscent of human Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, arising from mutations in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), most notably, accelerated atrioventricular conduction and impaired AMPK activation. To test conclusively the biochemical connection from TAK1 to AMPK suggested by this phenotype, we disrupted TAK1 in mouse embryos and embryonic fibroblasts by Cre-mediated recombination. In TAK1-null embryos, the activating phosphorylation of AMPK at T172 was blocked, accompanied by defective AMPK activity. However, loss of endogenous TAK1 causes midgestation lethality, with defective yolk sac and intraembryonic vasculature. To preclude confounding lethal defects, we acutely ablated floxed TAK1 in culture by viral delivery of Cre. In culture, endogenous TAK1 was activated by oligomycin, the antidiabetic drug metformin, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), and ischemia, well established triggers of AMPK activity. Loss of TAK1 in culture blocked T172 phosphorylation induced by all three agents, interfered with AMPK activation, impaired phosphorylation of the endogenous AMPK substrate acetyl CoA carboxylase, and also interfered with activation of the AMPK kinase LKB1. Thus, by disrupting the endogenous TAK1 locus, we prove a pivotal role for TAK1 in the LKB1/AMPK signaling axis, an essential governor of cell metabolism.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗
PubMed2006

Solvent effects on infrared spectra of progesterone in CHCl3/cyclo-C6H12 binary solvent systems.

The infrared spectroscopy studies of the C3 and C20 carbonyl stretching vibrations (upsilon(C=O)) of progesterone in CHCl3/cyclo-C6H12 binary solvent systems were undertaken to investigate the solute-solvent interactions. With the mole fraction of CHC13 in the binary solvent mixtures increase, three types of C3 and C20 carbonyl stretching vibration band of progesterone are observed, respectively. The assignments of upsilon(C=O) of progesterone are discussed in detail. In the CHCl3-rich binary solvent systems or pure CHCl3 solvent, two kinds of solute-solvent hydrogen bonding interactions coexist for C20 C=O. Comparisons are drawn for the solvent sensitivities of upsilon(C=O) for acetophenone and 5alpha-androstan-3,17-dione, respectively.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed2006

Increased infiltration of intrahepatic DC subsets closely correlate with viral control and liver injury in immune active pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis B.

The roles of functionally impaired dendritic cells (DCs) in natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are unknown. We therefore characterized circulating DC subsets in 15 immune tolerant (IT) and 31 immune active (IA) HBV-infected children. Additionally, intrahepatic DC subsets were also analyzed in 4 IT and 9 IA individuals. The results showed that circulating DC subset numbers were decreased, but the intrahepatic DC counts were concomitantly increased in IA patients versus IT patients or healthy children. This results in the reduction of overall IFN-alpha but not IL-12 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of IA patients, although the capacity of single DC in producing cytokines was unchanged in these children. Moreover, there is a significantly inverse correlation of intrahepatic DC subsets with plasma HBV load and a positive correlation with serum ALT levels. These findings suggest that the increased infiltration of intrahepatic DC subsets may participate in the local antiviral immune response in pediatric patients with CHB.

Adolescent↗