MSC p43 required for axonal development in motor neurons.

Zhu, Xiaodong,Liu, Yang,Yin, Yanqing,Shao, Aiyun,Zhang, Bo,Kim, Sunghoon,Zhou, Jiawei National Academy of Sciences 2009 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF Vol.106 No.37

<P>Neuron connectivity and correct neural function largely depend on axonal integrity. Neurofilaments (NFs) constitute the main cytoskeletal network maintaining the structural integrity of neurons and exhibit dynamic changes during axonal and dendritic growth. However, the mechanisms underlying axonal development and maintenance remain poorly understood. Here, we identify that multisynthetase complex p43 (MSC p43) is essential for NF assembly and axon maintenance. The MSC p43 protein was predominantly expressed in central neurons and interacted with NF light subunit in vivo. Mice lacking MSC p43 exhibited axon degeneration in motor neurons, defective neuromuscular junctions, muscular atrophy, and motor dysfunction. Furthermore, MSC p43 depletion in mice caused disorganization of the axonal NF network. Mechanistically, MSC p43 is required for maintaining normal phosphorylation levels of NFs. Thus, MSC p43 is indispensable in maintaining axonal integrity. Its dysfunction may underlie the NF disorganization and axon degeneration associated with motor neuron degenerative diseases.</P>

Mechanical properties of reinforced-concrete rocking columns based on damage resistance

Chunyang Zhu,Yanqing Cui,Li Sun,Shiwei Du,Xinhui Wang,Haochuan Yu 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.80 No.6

The objective of seismic resilience is to maintain or rapidly restore the function of a building after an earthquake. An efficient tilt mechanism at the member level is crucial for the restoration of the main structure function; however, the damage resistance of the members should be the main focus. In this study, through a comparison with the classical Flamant theory of local loading in the elastic half-space, an elastomechanical solution for the axial-stress distribution of a reinforced-concrete (RC) rocking column was derived. Furthermore, assuming that the lateral displacement of the rocking column is determined by the contact surface rotation angle of the column end and bending and shear deformation of the column body, the load–lateral displacement mechanical model of the RC rocking column was established and validated through a comparison with finiteelement simulation results. The axial-compression ratio and column-end strength were analyzed, and the results indicated that on the premise of column damage resistance, simply increasing the axial-compression ratio increases the lateral loading capacity of the column but is ineffective for improving the lateral-displacement capacity. The lateral loading and displacement of the column are significantly improved as the strength of the column end material increases. Therefore, it is feasible to improve the working performance of RC rocking columns via local reinforcement of the column end.

Low-Temperature Synthesis of Highly Efficient, Deep-Red Zn-Cu-In-Se/ZnSe Fluorescence Quantum Dots

Juan Yang,Jingling Li,Yanqing Zhu,Xueqing Xu,Xiudi Xiao,Bing Deng,Kaili Qin,Zhuoneng Bi,Shuaijun Chen,Gang Xu 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2019 NANO Vol.14 No.6

We report a facile synthesis method on CuInSe2 (CISe)-based quantum dots (QDs) by using tri-n-octylphosphine selenium (TOPSe) as selenide precursor, with assistance of oleylamine (OAm) and n-dodecanethiol (DDT). We demonstrate that the OAm and DDT jointly contribute to the formation of the low-temperature-decomposable metal-sulfide clusters, and promote the QD nucleation at relatively low temperature range of 180–200 ℃. Furthermore, to improve fluorescence property, Zn-doping and ZnSe coating are simultaneously carried out. The obtained deep-red ZnCISe/ZnSe QDs possess higher quantum yield of 65% at wavelength of 670 nm, which is in the best performance range ever reported. Then, we investigate the improvement mechanism, where the sufficient Zn replacement of In sites is the crucial factor. This modified core–shell structure provides two benefits, on the one hand, the enhancement on intrinsic defect-related recombination, and the other hand, the improved core–shell interface that reduces the nonradiative recombination.

Crystal Structure Control of ZnxCd1-xS Alloyed Nanocrystals and Structural Dependent Fluorescence Properties

Kaili Qin,Jingling Li,Yanqing Zhu,Xueqing Xu,Xiudi Xiao,Bing Deng,Juan Yang,Zhuoneng Bi,Shuaijun Chen,Gang Xu 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2019 NANO Vol.14 No.8

Crystal structure control is so important to the fluorescence properties that each element should be considered carefully. In conventional synthesis of ZnxCd1-xS alloyed nanocrystals (NCs), most of studies focus on ligand–surface interaction on the formation of either zinc blende or wurtzite ZnxCd1-xS nanocrystals, instead of the reactant source. In this work, mixed crystal phase was found easily in ZnxCd1-xS alloyed NCs when reaction proceeded at high Zn/Cd source ratio condition. Therefore, we regulate the Zn/Cd ratio to obtain relative pure zinc-blende structure, and study the influence of structure change on the fluorescence properties. Further, we have proposed a two-step ZnS coating method to acquire ZnxCd1-xS/ZnS NCs with separated crystal-phase between core and shell. Compared with maximum QY of 81% for ZnxCd1-xS/ZnS NCs synthesized by conventional one-step coating method, the performance of the optimized NCs has significantly improved with maximum QY of 93%.

Preparation of biomass-based yam solar absorber for enhanced solar evaporation application

Ting Li,Juan Jia,Yanqing Wang,Hanxue Sun,Jiyan Li,Zhaoqi Zhu,Weidong Liang 한국화학공학회 2023 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.40 No.11

The solar evaporation system has become a research hotspot in the field of photothermal conversion technology in recent years because of its high photothermal conversion efficiency and practicality of promotion. Biomass solar absorbers have excellent solar absorption properties and high solar-water vapor conversion, but they have the limitations of long feedstock production cycle and high carbonization temperature. As a kind of biomass materials, yam is not only inexpensive, but also has a short production cycle and rich pore structures. Therefore, in this paper, a yam based solar absorber with rich pore structure was prepared, and the photothermal conversion efficiency of the absorber was further investigated. The yam was treated with freeze-dried method and carbonized at different temperatures to obtain yam solar absorbers. Then the thermal stability and porosity of solar absorber was found to gradually rise as the treatment temperature increased. The solar absorption rate of the carbonized yam was close to 90% in the near UV-visible region. Solar-water vapor control experiments with different treatments of the solar absorber of the yam were carried out in simulated solar-driven interface steam generation system (SISGS). An absorber treated at 200 °C in the sun was found to have the best performance with a solar-water vapor conversion of about 90% and a water evaporation rate of 1.3164 kg m−2 h−1.

Early Plasma Circulating Tumor DNA as a Potential Biomarker of Disease Recurrence in Non-metastatic Prostate Cancer

Xiaochen Fei,Xinxing Du,Yiming Gong,Jiazhou Liu,Liancheng Fan,Jiayi Wang,Yanqing Wang,Yinjie Zhu,Jiahua Pan,Baijun Dong,Wei Xue 대한암학회 2023 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.55 No.3

Purpose In non-metastatic prostate cancer (nmPCa) setting, it is important to early identify the patients at risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) for immediate postoperative intervention. Our study aimed to evaluate the potential clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for predicting disease recurrence.Materials and Methods This real-world observational study evaluated 161 cases of nmPCa undergoing next-generation sequencing at our institution. A total of 139 ctDNA samples and 31 biopsied tumor tissue underwent genomic profiling. The study endpoint was BCR after radical prostatectomy. Relationships between the ctDNA status and the biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) were analyzed by log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression.Results Of 161 enrolled patients, 19 (11.8%) harbored deleterious alterations in <i>NCOR2</i>, followed by <i>BRCA2</i> (3.7%), <i>ATR</i> (2.5%), and <i>CDK12</i> (2.5%). Of available pre-operative blood samples (n=139), ctDNA was detectable in 91 (65.5%). Until last follow-up, 56 of 68 patients (85.3%) with detectable ctDNA had achieved BCR, whereas only eight of 39 patients (20.5%) with undetectable ctDNA had achieved BCR. Patients who had undetectable ctDNA experienced significantly longer bPFS compared with those who had detectable ctDNA (not available vs. 8.2 months; hazard ratio, 0.14; p < 0.01). Pre-operative ctDNA status was a significant prognostic factor of disease recurrence.Conclusion Pre-operative ctDNA detection could identify patients at high risk of recurrence and has the potential to inform immediate postoperative interventions, but these approaches remain to be validated in prospective studies. ctDNA studies can provide insights into accurate monitoring and precise treatment rather than simply following routine clinical care.

Integrated proteomic and metabolomic analyses reveal significant changes in chloroplasts and mitochondria of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) during Sclerotium rolfsii infection

Liao Hongdong,Wen Xiangyu,Deng Xuelei,Wu Yonghong,Xu Jianping,Li Xin,Zhou Shudong,Li Xuefeng,Zhu Chunhui,Luo Feng,Ma Yanqing,Zheng Jingyuan 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.5

Infection by Sclerotium rolfsii will cause serious disease and lead to significant economic losses in chili pepper. In this study, the response of pepper during S. rolfsii infection was explored by electron microscopy, physiological determination and integrated proteome and metabolome analyses. Our results showed that the stomata of pepper stems were important portals for S. rolfsii infection. The plant cell morphology was significantly changed at the time of the fungal hyphae just contacting (T1) or surrounding (T2) the pepper. The chlorophyll, carotenoid, and MDA contents and the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT were markedly upregulated at T1 and T2. Approximately 4129 proteins and 823 metabolites were clearly identified in proteome and metabolome analyses, respectively. A change in 396 proteins and 54 metabolites in pepper stem tissues was observed at T1 compared with 438 proteins and 53 metabolites at T2. The proteins and metabolites related to photosynthesis and antioxidant systems in chloroplasts and mitochondria were disproportionally affected by S. rolfsii infection, impacting carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. This study provided new insights into the response mechanism in pepper stems during S. rolfsii infection, which can guide future work on fungal disease resistance breeding in pepper.