Publications by authors named "Zhiying Zhu"

Selectins are a group of Ca-dependent, transmembrane type I glycoproteins which attract cell adhesion and migration. E-selectin is exclusively expressed in endothelial cells, and its expression is strongly enhanced upon activation by pro-inflammatory cytokines. The interaction of E-selectin with its ligands on circulating leukocytes captures and slows them down, further facilitating integrin activation, firm adhesion to endothelial cells and transmigration to tissues.

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Netrin-4 (NTN4), a secreted protein from the Netrin family, has been recognized for its role in vascular development, endothelial homeostasis and angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is a specialized adhesion protein located at the intercellular junctions of endothelial cells (ECs), and regulates migration, proliferation and permeability. To date, the relationship between NTN4 and VE-cadherin in ECs remains unclear.

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Spermatogenesis is critical for insect reproduction and the process is regulated by multiple genes. Glycosyltransferases have been shown to participate in the development of Drosophila melanogaster; however, their role in spermatogenesis is still unclear. In this study, we found that α1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (α4GT1) was expressed at a significantly higher level in the testis than in the ovary of Drosophila.

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Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), a leading sugar and energy crop, is seriously impacted by drought stress. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying sugarcane drought resistance, especially the functions of epigenetic regulators, remain elusive.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive, and lethal lung disease with few treatments. Formononetin (FMN) is a clinical preparation extract with extensive pharmacological actions. However, its effect on COPD remains unknown.

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Background: Pre-exposing plants to abiotic stresses can induce stress memory, which is crucial for adapting to subsequent stress exposure. Although numerous genes involved in salt stress response have been identified, the understanding of memory responses to salt stress remains limited.

Results: In this study, we conducted physiological and transcriptional assays on maize plants subjected to recurrent salt stress to characterize salt stress memory.

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Oxidative stress induces a prothrombotic state through enhancement of adhesion properties of the endothelium. E-selectin, an endothelial cell adhesion molecule, becomes a therapeutic target for venous thrombosis, whereas the regulatory mechanisms of its expression have not been fully understood. In the present study, we report that H2O2 treatment increases expression of E-selectin but decreases expression of the endothelial transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) in HUVECs in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

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The characterization of cis-regulatory DNA elements (CREs) is essential for deciphering the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Although there have been endeavors to identify CREs in plants, the properties of CREs in polyploid genomes are still largely unknown. Here, we conducted the genome-wide identification of DNase I-hypersensitive sites (DHSs) in leaf and stem tissues of the auto-octoploid species Saccharum officinarum.

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Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is known to participate in the molecular etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, its role in granulosa cell (GC) pyroptosis remains unclear. This study sought to investigate the mechanism of HDAC1 in PCOS-induced GC pyroptosis through histone modification.

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A new lignan .

Nat Prod Res

November 2022

A new lignan, named (8, 8')-2,2',3,3'-tetramethoxy-4'-hydroxy-epoxylignan-4---D-glucoside (), together with eight known compounds (-), was isolated from the leaves of . . Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral characteristics and comparison with the data of literatures.

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Twelve undescribed sesquiterpenoids, named chlomultiols A-L, involving three lindenane sesquiterpenoid dimers, three eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, three guaiane sesquiterpenoids, and three cadinane sesquiterpenoids, along with four known compounds, were obtained from the whole plant of Chloranthus multistachys. Their structures were determined through spectroscopic techniques (HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). In addition, the absolute and relative configurations of the undescribed compounds were established by using single crystal X-ray crystallography, NOESY and CD spectroscopy.

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T-regulatory (Treg)/T-helper 17 (Th17) imbalance is associated with preeclampsia (PE). Herein, we aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of lncRNA NEAT1 on the Treg/Th17 balance. The levels of nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), miR-485-5p, and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) in CD4 T cells were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

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Several widely recognized metabolites play a role in regulating the pathophysiological processes of various disorders. Nonetheless, the lack of effective biomarkers for the early diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian failure (POF) has led to the discovery of serum-based metabolic biomarkers for these disorders. We aimed to identify various differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) through serum-based metabolic profiling in patients with PCOS and POF and in healthy individuals by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

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Background: A number of studies have investigated the association between reproductive factors and lung cancer risk, however findings are inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between female reproductive factors and lung cancer risk.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic search to identify relevant and eligible studies published before 18th December 2019.

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In the U.S. and Canada, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use has become increasingly common; Chinese immigrants have particularly high rates of TCM use.

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A series of fentanyl analogues modified at the phenyl group of the phenethyl with alkyl and/or hydroxyl and alkoxy, and the phenyl group in the anilido moiety replaced with benzyl or substituted benzyl, were synthesized. The in vitro opioid receptor functional activity of these compounds was evaluated by assessment of their ability to modulate forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation and by their ability to induce β-arrestin2 recruitment. Compound 12 is a potent μ-opioid (MOP) receptor agonist, a potent κ-opioid (KOP) receptor antagonist with weak β-arrestin2 recruitment activity.

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We aimed to assess a key risk factor for lung cancer, smoking, in a vulnerable group, Chinese livery drivers in New York City (NYC). This is a nested cohort study conducted in the summer/fall of 2014 within a larger NIMHD-funded R24 program, the Taxi Network. The Taxi Network Needs Assessment (TNNA) survey was administered to a broad demographic of drivers.

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Background: To investigate the hospital-based incidence of FT1D in Chinese children and compare the clinical feature with classical T1DM.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with sixteen hospitals involved. We obtained 23 FT1D cases as group 1, acute-onset T1DM as group 2, and typical T1DM as group 3.

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Background/aims: To investigate the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on expression of nm23-H1 and TIMP-2 in the tumor tissue and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methodology: Seventy-two patients with resectable HCC were randomized into two equal groups with 36 patients in each: TACE before surgical resection of HCC (Group A) and direct surgical resection of HCC (Group B). All samples were subjected to pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining using nm23-H1 and TIMP-2 antibodies.

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Background/aims: To study liver function damage after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with use of low-dose versus conventional-dose anticancer drugs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methodology: One hundred and twelve patients with unresectable HCC were randomly divided into two groups to receive superselective TACE. Patients in group A (n=52) received low-dose anticancer drugs: mitomycin C (MMC) 2-8 mg, epirubicin (EPI) 5-10 mg and carboplatin (CBP) 100mg were used.

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