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Biomedical subjects

Mingzhu Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Mingzhu Liu.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PLNMFG: Pseudo-label guided non-negative matrix factorization model with graph constraint for single-cell multi-omics data clustering.

The development of single-cell multi-omics sequencing technologies has enabled the simultaneous analysis of multi-omics data within the same cell. Accurate clustering of these cells is crucial for downstream analyses of complex biological functions. Despite significant advances in multi-omics integration approaches, current methodologies exhibit two major limitations. First, they inadequately incorporate prior biological knowledge from various omic layers. Second, these methods often conduct independent dimensionality reduction on individual omic datasets, thereby failing to capture the intrinsic complementary information and potentially overlooking crucial cross-platform interactions. Motivated by these, this study investigates a non-negative matrix factorization model called PLNMFG, which integrates the unified latent representation learning that retains the features between and within omics and the cluster structure learning that retains the intrinsic structure of the data into one joint framework. Specially, PLNMFG performs adaptive imputation to handle dropout events and uses prior pseudo-labels as constraints during the process of collective non-negative matrix factorization, as a result, a more robust latent representation that preserves the double similarity information is obtained. Graph Laplacian constraint is applied during clustering which further preserves structure characteristic of multi-omics data. In addition, the weight of each omic is adaptively learned based on the omic contribution. A series of experiments on 8 benchmark datasets show that our model performs well in terms of clustering accuracy and computational efficiency.

Single-Cell Analysis↗

Preparation, characterization and controlled release investigation of interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(acrylic acid)/triazole modified poly(vinyl alcohol).

A series of interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/triazole modified poly(vinyl alcohol) (TMIPNs) were synthesized by radical polymerization in methanol at room temperature with l-ascorbic acid (Vc) and peroxide hydrogen (H2O2) as initiators and trihydroxymethyl propane glycidol ether (6360) as a crosslinker. The structures of the gels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The swelling/deswelling behavior of hydrogels was studied in different pH and different concentrations of NaCl aqueous solutions. The results showed that the TMIPNs hydrogels had excellent pH- and salt-sensitivity in the range of the investigation. The mechanism of the swelling and the deswelling was discussed and the results were confirmed further by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the controlled release behavior of TMIPNs in vitro was also studied. The effects of physical stimulus (ultraviolet ray and ultrasonic wave), salt concentration, pH value and the swelling/deswelling on the controlled released behavior were also explored.

Acrylic Resins↗

DeltaNp63 protein expression in uterine cervical and endometrial cancers.

PURPOSE: To investigate the significance of p63 expression in uterine cervical and endometrial cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DeltaNp63 protein expression was studied in a variety of 127 cases of uterine cervical lesions (20 non-neoplastic cervices, 43 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN], 54 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), 40 adenocarcinomas, and 13 other histologic types) and 30 endometrioid type of endometrial adenocarcinomas by using immunohistochemistry. One SCC cell line (ME-180) and one adenocarcinoma cell line (HeLa) were also included. RESULTS: In uterine cervix, the expression of DeltaNp63 was increased with progression of CIN, and positive in all SCCs, transitional cell carcinomas, and adenoid basal carcinoma, but negative in all adenocarcinomas. Adenosquamous cell carcinoma and mixed neuroendocrine and squamous cell carcinoma were positive in squamous component, but not in adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma components. ME-180 cell line was positive, whereas HeLa cell line was negative. Endometrioid type of endometrial adenocarcinomas showed a positive staining in glandular (26.7%) and squamous component. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemical staining for DeltaNp63 is a powerful marker for squamous differentiation and useful in exclusion of glandular and neuroendocrine differentiation in uterine cervical cancers, but not always in endometrial cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Preparation and properties of a double-coated slow-release and water-retention urea fertilizer.

A double-coated, slow-release, and water-retention urea fertilizer (DSWU) was prepared by cross-linked poly(acrylic acid)-containing urea (PAAU) (the outer coating), polystyrene (PS) (the inner coating), and urea granule (the core). Elemental analysis results showed that the nitrogen content of the product was 33.6 wt %. The outer coating (PAAU) regulated the nitrogen release rate and protected the inner coating from damage. The slow-release property of the product was investigated in water and in soil. The possible mechanism of nitrogen release was proposed. The influences of PS coating percentage, temperature, water absorbency, and pH on the release of nitrogen were also investigated. It was found that PS coating percentage, temperature, and water absorbency had a significant influence on the release of nitrogen. However, the pH had no effect. The water-retention property of the product was also investigated. The results showed that the product not only had a good slow-release property but also excellent water-retention capacity, which could effectively improve the utilization of fertilizer and water resources. The results of the present work indicated that the DSWU would find good application in agriculture and horticulture, especially in drought-prone areas where the availability of water is insufficient.

Chemical Phenomena↗

IscR-dependent gene expression links iron-sulphur cluster assembly to the control of O2-regulated genes in Escherichia coli.

IscR is an iron-sulphur (Fe-S) cluster-containing transcription factor that represses transcription of the operon containing its own gene and the iscSUA-hscBA-fdx genes, whose products are involved in Fe-S cluster biogenesis. In this study, global transcriptional profiling of Escherichia coli IscR(+) and IscR(-) strains grown under aerobic and anaerobic conditions indicated that 40 genes in 20 predicted operons were regulated by IscR. DNase I footprinting and/or in vitro transcription reactions identified seven new promoters under direct IscR control. Among these were genes encoding known or proposed functions in Fe-S cluster biogenesis (sufABCDSE, yadR and yhgI) and Fe-S cluster-containing anaerobic respiratory enzymes (hyaABCDEF, hybOABCDEFG and napFDAGHBC). The finding that IscR repressed expression of the hyaA, hybO and napF promoters specifically under aerobic growth conditions suggests a new mechanism to explain their upregulation under anaerobic growth conditions. Phylogenetic footprinting of the DNase I protected regions of seven promoters implies that there are at least two different classes of IscR binding sites conserved among many bacteria. The findings presented here indicate a more general role of IscR in the regulation of Fe-S cluster biogenesis and that IscR contributes to the O(2) regulation of several promoters controlling the expression of anaerobic Fe-S proteins.

Anaerobiosis↗

The global transcriptional response of Escherichia coli to induced sigma 32 protein involves sigma 32 regulon activation followed by inactivation and degradation of sigma 32 in vivo.

sigma(32) is the first alternative sigma factor discovered in Escherichia coli and can direct transcription of many genes in response to heat shock stress. To define the physiological role of sigma(32), we have used transcription profiling experiments to identify, on a genome-wide basis, genes under the control of sigma(32) in E. coli by moderate induction of a plasmid-borne rpoH gene under defined, steady-state growth conditions. Together with a bioinformatics approach, we successfully confirmed genes known previously to be directly under the control of sigma(32) and also assigned many additional genes to the sigma(32) regulon. In addition, to understand better the functional relevance of the increased amount of sigma(32) to changes in the transcriptional level of sigma(32)-dependent genes, we measured the protein level of sigma(32) both before and after induction by a newly developed quantitative Western blot method. At a normal constant growth temperature (37 degrees C), we found that the sigma(32) protein level rapidly increased, plateaued, and then gradually decreased after induction, indicating sigma(32) can be regulated by genes in its regulon and that the mechanisms of sigma(32) synthesis, inactivation, and degradation are not strictly temperature-dependent. The decrease in the transcriptional level of sigma(32)-dependent genes occurs earlier than the decrease in full-length sigma(32) in the wild type strain, and the decrease in the transcriptional level of sigma(32)-dependent genes is greatly diminished in a DeltaDnaK strain, suggesting that DnaK can act as an anti-sigma factor to functionally inactivate sigma(32) and thus reduce sigma(32)-dependent transcription in vivo.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Global transcriptional programs reveal a carbon source foraging strategy by Escherichia coli.

By exploring global gene expression of Escherichia coli growing on six different carbon sources, we discovered a striking genome transcription pattern: as carbon substrate quality declines, cells systematically increase the number of genes expressed. Gene induction occurs in a hierarchical manner and includes many factors for uptake and metabolism of better but currently unavailable carbon sources. Concomitantly, cells also increase their motility. Thus, as the growth potential of the environment decreases, cells appear to devote progressively more energy on the mere possibility of improving conditions. This adaptation is not what would be predicated by classic regulatory models alone. We also observe an inverse correlation between gene activation and rRNA synthesis suggesting that reapportioning RNA polymerase (RNAP) contributes to the expanded genome activation. Significant differences in RNAP distribution in vivo, monitored using an RNAP-green fluorescent protein fusion, from energy-rich and energy-poor carbon source cultures support this hypothesis. Together, these findings represent the integration of both substrate-specific and global regulatory systems, and may be a bacterial approximation to metazoan risk-prone foraging behavior.

Acetic Acid↗

Fluorescence probe studies on the complexation between poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(N, N-diethylacrylamide).

The complexation between poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(N, N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEAM) in aqueous phase was studied by UV-vis and fluorescence probe techniques. It was demonstrated that the complexation of PMAA with PDEAM occurs within a pH range of 1-6.5 and along with the complexation, the conformation of PMAA changed from a hypercoiled to a loose coiled form. The complex ratio between the two polymers is 1:1 (PMAA:PDEAM, in monomer unit). Salt effect studies showed that the complexation occurred due to formation of hydrogen bonds between the two polymers. Based upon these conclusions and the "compact micelle-like structure" for PMAA at low pH, a "ladder" model was proposed for the structure of PMAA-PDEAM complex formed at low pH.

Acrylamides↗

Predicting bacterial transcription units using sequence and expression data.

MOTIVATION: A key aspect of elucidating gene regulation in bacterial genomes is identifying the basic units of transcription. We present a method, based on probabilistic language models, that we apply to predict operons, promoters and terminators in the genome of Escherichia coli K-12. Our approach has two key properties: (i) it provides a coherent set of predictions for related regulatory elements of various types and (ii) it takes advantage of both DNA sequence and gene expression data, including expression measurements from inter-genic probes. RESULTS: Our experimental results show that we are able to predict operons and localize promoters and terminators with high accuracy. Moreover, our models that use both sequence and expression data are more accurate than those that use only one of these two data sources.

Algorithms↗

Genome-scale analysis of the uses of the Escherichia coli genome: model-driven analysis of heterogeneous data sets.

The recent availability of heterogeneous high-throughput data types has increased the need for scalable in silico methods with which to integrate data related to the processes of regulation, protein synthesis, and metabolism. A sequence-based framework for modeling transcription and translation in prokaryotes has been established and has been extended to study the expression state of the entire Escherichia coli genome. The resulting in silico analysis of the expression state highlighted three facets of gene expression in E. coli: (i) the metabolic resources required for genome expression and protein synthesis were found to be relatively invariant under the conditions tested; (ii) effective promoter strengths were estimated at the genome scale by using global mRNA abundance and half-life data, revealing genes subject to regulation under the experimental conditions tested; and (iii) large-scale genome location-dependent expression patterns with approximately 600-kb periodicity were detected in the E. coli genome based on the 49 expression data sets analyzed. These results support the notion that a structured model-driven analysis of expression data yields additional information that can be subjected to commonly used statistical analyses. The integration of heterogeneous genome-scale data (i.e., sequence, expression data, and mRNA half-life data) is readily achieved in the context of an in silico model.

Bacterial Proteins↗