Publications by authors named "MingLiang Zhang"

The input of macroalgal biomass into the deep sea is a crucial process for macroalgal carbon sequestration, but this process may be affected by anoxia. We compared the breakdown of kelp biomass in both normoxic (>4 mg/L O) and anoxic (<2 mg/L O) environments. Following 240 days of decomposition experiment, complete degradation of the kelp biomass occurred in normoxic conditions, whereas under anoxic conditions, relatively 13.

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Background: Multiple methods have been used to treat hypertrophic scarring; however, an optimal treatment method remains to be established. We aimed to research and compare the effects of cell-free fat extract (CEFFE) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on hypertrophic scar formation based on histomorphological analysis in this study.

Methods: Twelve rabbits were divided into four groups randomly.

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The transformation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released by macroalgae into refractory dissolved organic carbon (RDOC) through microbial carbon pump (MCP) represents a crucial carbon sequestration process. This process mainly takes place in coastal areas, where it is likely affected by marine anoxia. The interactions between the components of DOC released by kelp and the community structure of heterotrophic bacteria both under normoxic and anoxic conditions were studied by three-dimensional fluorescence parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), Fourier Transform-Ion Cyclotron Resonance-Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing.

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Introduction: Drug discovery research targeting SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens remains critically important. Active compounds derived from plants frequently serve as lead compounds for further drug discovery; however, numerous unrelated chemical constituents in crude extracts may obscure the effective ingredients in LC-MS analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study is to construct a biolayer interferometry (BLI)-based system for recognizing active ingredients that inhibit the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 and to identify the active chemical components binding to Mpro from herbal medicines.

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2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones (PECs), the pivotal constituents responsible for the distinctive aroma and pharmacological potential of agarwood, are primarily obtained through extraction from natural materials. The restricted availability of agarwood has, however, hindered a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of their biological properties. In this study, we have chemically synthesized a total of 38 PEC derivatives, including 23 new compounds that had not been previously isolated from agarwood.

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Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions are a kind of chronic inflammatory diseases initiated by antigens and antigen-specific T cells. Currently, the therapy of DTH reactions is limited by the poor curative effects and serious adverse reactions of existing agents. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of tanshinone Ⅰ, a natural compound isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, on the functions of multiple immune cells and its therapeutic effects on DNFB-induced DTH reaction, and then explored its immunosuppressive mechanisms.

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Kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is characterized by a metabolic disorder stemming from neuroendocrine dysregulation, often associated with hepatic dysfunction. In traditional Chinese medicine, Linn. (BGZ) is commonly utilized for treating KYDS.

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  • This study focuses on understanding how sulfonamides (SAs) are broken down in the environment by investigating the microbial strain Microbacterium sp. HA-8 that has specific genes for SAs degradation.
  • It identifies SadR as a new regulatory protein that negatively controls the expression of the degradation genes sadAB by binding to their promoter region, but SAs can prevent this binding, thus promoting their own degradation.
  • Additionally, the researchers created a biosensor using E. coli to detect SAs, which showed a reliable response to different concentrations of SAs, paving the way for future environmental monitoring techniques.
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  • A new metabolite, γ-glutamyl-4-aminophenol (γ-G4AP), was identified during APAP degradation, alongside two amidases that convert APAP to 4-aminophenol, with ApaH1 being crucial for this process.
  • The study revealed a conserved gene cluster for 4-aminophenol metabolism in strain AP-1 and other related Pseudomonas strains, offering insights into AP
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  • - The study examines how different substrates like quartz sand, steel residue, biochar, and peanut shell affect the performance of a sulfate reducing packed-bed bioreactor (SRPB) in treating acid mine drainage (AMD).
  • - Steel residue and biochar significantly improved sulfate reduction efficiency at 61% and 49%, respectively, while peanut shell hindered the process due to acetic acid buildup, resulting in only 19% efficiency.
  • - Effective immobilization of metals, especially Al and Cd, occurred in the bioreactors, which supported the symbiotic relationship between sulfate reducing and sulfide oxidizing bacteria, revealing important insights into microbial behavior based on substrate environment.
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Atrial arrhythmias occur in 20-40% of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and are associated with an increased risk of sustained ventricular arrhythmias and inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks. The pathophysiology of atrial arrhythmias in ARVC remains unclear. Most cases of gene-positive ARVC are linked to pathogenic variants in the desmosomal gene plakophilin-2 (PKP2).

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Continued daily exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is linked to increasing risks of ocular surface diseases. However, further study is needed to understand how real-ambient PM disrupts the barrier function of the corneal epithelial layers and its underlying mechanism. In our study, we utilized a real-ambient PM exposure system to investigate its effects on the corneal epithelial barrier in C57BL/6Jmice over 4 and 8 weeks.

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  • - Nitrogen (N) is crucial for plant health, acting as both a nutrient and a signaling molecule, and understanding its metabolism is key to improving maize N use efficiency.
  • - Two maize lines, B73 and Ki11, have different responses to low nitrogen and chlorate, with transcriptomic analysis showing varied expression patterns of nitrogen usage genes (NUGs) between them.
  • - Unique transcription factors (TFs) were identified, with 23 in B73 and 41 in Ki11; specifically, MADS26 in B73 significantly influences nitrate sensitivity, offering insights for breeding maize that uses nitrogen more efficiently.
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Phosphatidylinositol (PI) and its phosphorylated derivatives are of paramount importance in cellular functions and diseases. Understanding their diverse roles is, however, challenged by difficulties in synthesis and labeling techniques. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that PI can be straightforwardly de novo-synthesized and deuterium (H)-labeled in by genomic insertion of PI synthase from under constitutive synthetic promoter proD.

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The development of new treatments for ocular diseases often requires investigating eyes similar in size and structure to human eyes. Such studies are challenging because analyzing the histopathology of large, human-sized eyes can be technically difficult. In particular, obtaining high-quality frozen sections is almost impossible due to the formation of ice crystals in the vitreous, which causes crush artifacts during the procedures of section and post sectioning manipulations.

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Paper-based relics is an important carrier for recording and preserving information, however, it faces irreversible UV-induced damage, including photocleavage, oxidation, acidification and discoloration, which seriously affects its value and lifespan. Carbon dots (CDs) possess excellent UV absorption and good chemical stability, making them suitable for UV protection. Herein, we propose a high-security and efficient method utilizing CDs films (CDFs) for preventive protection of paper against UV damage.

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Random matrix series are a significant component of random matrix theory, offering rich theoretical content and broad application prospects. In this paper, we propose modified versions of tail bounds for random matrix series, including matrix Gaussian (or Rademacher) and sub-Gaussian and infinitely divisible (i.d.

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  • - Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a harmful mycotoxin, and a bacterial consortium named HS-1 was discovered to effectively degrade and detoxify it through multi-omics and cultivation-based approaches.
  • - Key bacterial groups involved in AFB1 biotransformation were identified primarily from the phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, with Paracoccus-related bacteria showing the highest activity in the consortium.
  • - A novel strain, Paracoccus sp. XF-30, containing a unique peroxidase enzyme that degrades AFB1 was isolated, indicating a potential resource for further research and application in bioremediation efforts.
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The successful germination of pollen is essential for double fertilization in flowering plants. Mechanosensitive channels of small conductance (MscS-like, MSL) inhibit pollen germination and maintains cellular integrity of pollen during this process. Therefore, it is vital to carefully regulate the expression of MSL to promote successful pollen germination.

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  • Psoraleae fructus (PF) is linked to liver toxicity, while licorice and its active compound Licochalcone B (LCB) might offer protective benefits against this toxicity.
  • The study investigates how LCB can reduce liver damage caused by harmful chemicals in PF using human liver cells and mice.
  • Results show that LCB effectively lessens liver injury and inflammation by regulating specific inflammatory cytokines, indicating its potential therapeutic role in treating herb-induced liver injuries.
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  • Isoprocarb (IPC) is a type of insecticide that can harm the environment and non-target organisms, but its breakdown process hasn't been studied until now.
  • Researchers isolated a new strain called D-6 from the Rhodococcus genus, which can degrade IPC, and identified a unique enzyme, IpcH, responsible for breaking down IPC into a less harmful compound, 2-isopropylphenol (IPP).
  • The study highlights IpcH's effectiveness against various carbamate insecticides and suggests that strain D-6 could be useful for cleaning up IPC-contaminated environments by reducing its toxicity.
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The widely used phenylurea herbicide isoproturon (IPU) and its residues can inhibit the growth of subsequently planted crops. However, reports on bioremediation of IPU-contaminated soil are scarce. In this study, Sphingobium sp.

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  • Atmospheric pollution, particularly from diesel exhaust, is linked to ocular surface diseases that damage corneal epithelial function in mice.
  • A study showed that exposure to diesel exhaust caused increased corneal thickness, disrupted barrier functions, and led to abnormal cell growth (squamous metaplasia).
  • The research identified the activation of the yes-associated protein (YAP) as a key mechanism in this process, suggesting a specific pathway through which air pollution harms corneal health.
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Acute myocardial infarction is mainly caused by a lack of blood flood in the coronary artery. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) induces platelet activation and thrombus formation in vitro through binding with immunoglobulin-like receptor B, an immunoglobulin superfamily receptor. However, the mechanism by which it regulates platelet function in vivo remains unclear.

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  • 2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones (PECs) are key compounds in agarwood that contribute to its pharmaceutical benefits and distinctive aroma, but the enzymes responsible for their methylation had not been previously identified.
  • Researchers discovered different enzymes (AsOMT1, AsOMT2-4) that are involved in the methylation of PECs and found that AsOMT1 can convert caffeoyl-CoA while AsOMT2-4 can produce various methylated PECs from PEC substrates as well as other compounds like caffeic acid.
  • The study also pinpointed specific amino acid residues that influence the regioselectivity of AsOMT3 and AsOMT4, highlighting the complex biochemical
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