Green algae dominance quickly switches to cyanobacteria dominance after nutrient enrichment in greenhouse with high temperature

Xiaodong Wang,Xingguo Liu1,Boqiang Qin,Zhaojun Gu,Hao Xu,Hao Zhu,Guofeng Cheng,Huang Liu 한국생태학회 2015 Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol.38 No.3

In order to understand the mechanisms of conversion between different algal dominance, an experiment was performed in a greenhouse from 22 June to 10 July 2011. The experiment included a treatment group subjected to three instances of nutrient enrichment and a control with no nutrient enrichment. The initial water was dominated by Ankistrodesmus of Chlorophyta. The average water temperature at 08:30 h and 14:00 h during the experiment was 31.6°C and 34.6°C, respec¬tively. The results showed that the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), dissolved total phosphorus (DTP), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations in the treatment were significantly higher than in the control (P < 0.05). However, the TN/TP and DTN/DTP in the control was higher than in the treatment (P < 0.05). The dominant algae in the control did not change during the experiment, while the dominant algae in the treat¬ment switched to Planktothrix of Cyanophyta on day 9. The chlorophyll a (Chl-a), wet weight of all algae, wet weight of Cyanophyta, and percentage of Cyanophyta in the control were all significantly lower than in the treatment (P < 0.05). Amounts of zooplankton, especially rotifers, were present at the end of the experimental period. The density of rotifers between the control and treatment was not significantly different (P > 0.05), while the copepod density in the treatment was higher than in the control (P < 0.05). We conclude that green algae dominance quickly switches to cyanobacteria dominance after nutrient enrichment in a greenhouse with elevated temperature

The mediating role of atrial fibrillation in causal associations between risk factors and stroke: a Mendelian randomization study

Shanmei Qin(Shanmei Qin),Mengmeng Wang(Mengmeng Wang),Dipender Gill(Dipender Gill ),Zhizhong Zhang(Zhizhong Zhang),Xinfeng Liu(Xinfeng Liu) 한국역학회 2024 Epidemiology and Health Vol.46 No.-

Construction of a Transposon-mediated Baculovirus Vector Hanpvid and a New Cell Line for Expressing Barnase

Qin, Qin,Liu, Ying-Le,Zhu, Ying,Li, Shun-Yi,Qi, Yi-Peng Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2005 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.38 No.1

In this study we developed the transposon-mediated shuttle vector 'Hanpvid', which composed of HaNPV (Heliothis armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus) genomic DNA and a transposon cassette from Bacmid of Bac-to-Bac system. Hanpvid replicates in E. coli in the same way as Bacmid and retains infective function in cotton bollworm cells (Hz-AM1). Using Hanpvid we constructed a recombinant virus, which could infect Hz-AM1 cells and generate recombinant HaNPV (rHa-Bar) containing the barnase gene, a ribonuclease gene from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Since the expression vector carrying barnase gene cannot replicate in the absence of barstar, a specific inhibitor of barnase, we constructed a new cotton bollworm cell line (AM1-NB) using the marker rescue method. In AM1-NB barstar was integrated into the cellular chromosome to sustain the replication of rHa-Bar. To screen out recombinant HaNPV for potential use as biopesticide, Hz-AM1 and AM1-NB cell lines were infected with rHa-Bar, respectively. The results obtained indicate that Viral progenies in AM1-NB were 23 and 160 times greater than those in Hz-AM1 48 h and 72 h after infection, respectively. With additional insertion of the polyhedron gene from AcNPV (Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus) into the Hanpvid genome, rHa-Bar regained the polyhedron phenotype and its pest-killing rate greatly improved. Toxic analysis showed that the lethal dosages ($LD_{50}$) and the lethal time(s) ($LT_{50}$) of rHa-Bar were reduced by 20% and 30%, respectively, compared to wt-HaNPV in the third instar larvae of cotton bollworm. This study shows that in AM1-NB barnase can be effectively produced and used as pest-killing agent for the biological control of cotton pests.

A silver niobate photocatalyst AgNb₇O₁₈ with perovskite-like structure

Liu, XuanXuan,Qin, Chuanxiang,Cao, Lei,Feng, Yongyi,Huang, Yanlin,Qin, Lin,Seo, Hyo Jin Elsevier 2017 Journal of Alloys and Compounds Vol.724 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Silver-containing niobate AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> nanoparticles were prepared via sol-gel polymerized complex synthesis. The sample was given a good XRD Rietveld refinement in a typical perovskite-like structure. The detailed surface properties of AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> nanoparticles were tested by SEM, EDS, TEM, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and XPS measurements. AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> is characterized via a direct transition and the band energy is 2.76 eV. The hybridization between O 2p and Ag 3d states in valence band contributes to the narrowed band gap. The first principles electronic structure elucidation supports the narrow band gap of AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB>. The sample shows an efficient degradation of methylene blue dye (MB) solutions. The trapping tests were performed to elucidate the real active species in the photocatalytic reactions. The results indicate that the superoxide radical is the main active species in the photocatalytic system, and the photocatalyst also shows a good stability and durability.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A new semiconductor nanoparticle AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> was prepared. </LI> <LI> The silver niobate has a typical perovskite-like structure. </LI> <LI> AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> shows an efficient absorption with a narrow gap 2.76 eV. </LI> <LI> AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> has an efficient photocatalytic activity on MB photo-degradation. </LI> <LI> The photocatalysis mechanism and stabilities were discussed. </LI> </UL> </P>

Molecular characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis serovar mogi (flagellar serotype 3a3b3d), a novel serogroup with mosquitocidal activity

Qin Liu,Jong Yul Roh,Yong Wang,Jae Young Choi,Xueying Tao,Jong Bin Park,Byung Rae Jin,Yeon Ho Je 한국응용곤충학회 2010 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2010 No.10

The Bacillus thuringiensis strain K4 was isolated from fallen leaves, sampled in a forest region of the city of Mungyeong, Korea. The flagellated vegetative cells of B. thuringiensis strain K4 were agglutinated with the H3 reference antiserum and further, agglutinated with 3b and 3d monospecific antisera but non-reactive for 3c and 3e factor sera. These results create a new serogroup with flagellar antigenic structure of 3a3b3d, designated serovar mogi. The strain K4 showed high activity against dipteran larvae, Anopheles sinensis and Culex pipiens pallens while no lepidopteran toxicity. It produced a single ovoidal-shaped parasporal crystal whose SDS-PAGE protein profile consisted of several bands ranging from 75 to 30 kDa. Through the protein identification by nano-LC-ESI-IT MS analysis, the putative peptides of Cry19Ba, Cry40ORF2, Cry27Aa and Cry20Aa were detected. In contrast to the plasmid profile of B. thuringiensis H3 serotype strains, the strain K4 contained only a large plasmid (~100 kb) and we cloned partial cry27Aa, cry19Ba and cry40ORF2 genes from it by thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. Sequencing analysis showed 87%, 88% and 88% homologous with known cry27Aa, cry19Ba and cry40ORF2 genes, respectively. The new type strain, B. thuringiensis subsp. mogi (H3a3b3d) will be a good resource for new mosquitocidal cry genes.

Photo-induced environmental depletion processes of b-blockers in river waters

Liu, Qin-Tao,Cumming, Rob I.,Sharpe, Alan D. Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.6

In order to improve the understanding of the fate and behaviour of pharmaceuticals in the environment there is a need to investigate in-stream depletion mechanisms, e.g. phototransformation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in natural surface waters. In this study, abiotic and biotic degradation of selected $\beta$-blockers was measured simultaneously in non-sterilised and sterilised river waters and deionised water (DIW) under simulated sunlight ($\lambda$: 295.800 nm) and dark conditions, and at environmentally relevant concentrations, i.e. $\leq$ ppb levels. Results suggested that the overall degradation followed pseudo first order kinetics under the solar simulation conditions and was between two and ten times faster in river waters than in DIW. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.07) between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and overall first order degradation rate constants for the tested b-blockers (n = 4-6), suggesting coloured DOC triplet-induced or reactive transient mediated oxidation mechanisms in river waters. Phototransformation was the main depletion mechanism for the b-blockers tested over a 2 to 7 day period. Slow hydrolysis was observed for metoprolol only. Loss due to biodegradation in river waters was not observed for propranolol but was found for metoprolol and atenolol at a very slow rate within the study period. However, biodegradation of metoprolol was accelerated under the light conditions, implying that photo-induced intermediates could be more easily biodegraded in river waters.

C₂H <i>N</i> = 1 − 0 and N₂H⁺<i>J</i> = 1 − 0 observations of <i>Planck</i> Galactic cold clumps

Liu, X.-C.,Wu, Y.,Zhang, C.,Liu, T.,Yuan, J.,Qin, S.-L.,Ju, B.-G.,Li, L.-X. EDP Sciences 2019 Astronomy and astrophysics Vol.622 No.-

<P>A survey of C2H <I>N</I> = 1 − 0 and N2H<SUP>+</SUP><I>J</I> = 1 − 0 toward <I>Planck</I> Galactic cold clumps (PGCCs) was performed using the Purple Mountain Observatory’s 13.7 m telescope. C2H and N2H<SUP>+</SUP> were chosen to study the chemical evolutionary states of PGCCs. Among 121 observed molecular cores associated with PGCCs, 71 and 58 are detected with C2H <I>N</I> = 1 − 0 and N2H<SUP>+</SUP><I>J</I> = 1 − 0, respectively. The detected lines of most sources can be fitted with a single component with compatible <I>V</I>LSR and line widths, which confirms that these PGCC cores are very cold (with gas temperatures 9-21 K) and quiescent while still dominanted by turbulence. The ratio between the column densities of C2H and N2H<SUP>+</SUP> (<I>N</I>(C2H)/<I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>)) is found to be a good tracer for the evolutionary states of PGCC cores. Gas-grain chemical model can reproduce the decreasing trend of <I>N</I>(C2H)/<I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>) as a function of time. The cores with the lowest abundances of N2H<SUP>+</SUP> (<I>X</I>[N2H<SUP>+</SUP>] < 10<SUP>−10</SUP>) are the youngest, and have nearly constant abundances of C2H. In evolved cores with <I>X</I>[N2H<SUP>+</SUP>] ~10<SUP>−9</SUP>, abundances of C2H drop quickly as the exhaustion of carbon atoms. Although these PGCC cores are in different evolutionary states, they are all quite young (< 5 × 10<SUP>5</SUP> yr) with <I>N</I>(C2H) > <I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>). Mapping observations are carried out toward 20 PGCC cores. The PGCC cores in Cepheus have lower <I>N</I>(C2H)/<I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>) and larger line widths compared with those in Taurus. This implies that PGCC cores in Taurus are less chemically evolved than those in Cepheus.</P>

Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-induced Protein 8 in Pancreas Tissues and its Correlation with Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor Levels

Liu, Ke,Qin, Cheng-Kun,Wang, Zhi-Yi,Liu, Su-Xia,Cui, Xian-Ping,Zhang, Dong-Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8 or TIPE) is a recently identified protein considered to be associated with carcinogenesis. To investigate its expression pattern in pancreatic cancer patients and to analyse its correlation with clinicopathological significance and the expression levels of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the TNFAIP8 and EGFR proteins in pancreatic cancers, pancreatitis tissues, and healthy controls. The results showed stronger staining of TNFAIP8 protein in pancreatic cancer tissues compared with normal pancreas tissue. Furthermore, in 56 patients with pancreatic cancer, the expression levels of TNFAIP8 in patients with low tumor stage was higher than that with high tumor stage, and correlated with tumor staging and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Furthermore, TNFAIP8 expression positively correlated with EGFR levels (r=0.671135, P<0.05). These results indicate that TNFAIP8 may play important roles in the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Improved photochemical properties of Aurivillius Bi₅Ti₃FeO₁₅ with partial substitution of Ti⁴⁺ with Fe³⁺

Liu, Xuanxuan,Xu, Lei,Huang, Yanlin,Qin, Chuanxiang,Qin, Lin,Seo, Hyo Jin Elsevier 2017 CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL Vol.43 No.15

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This work improved the optical absorption and photocatalytic ability of four-layered Aurivillius Bi<SUB>5</SUB>Ti<SUB>3</SUB>FeO<SUB>15</SUB> through microstructural modification via partial substitution of Ti<SUP>4+</SUP> with Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>. Bi<SUB>5</SUB>Ti<SUB>3−x</SUB>Fe<SUB>1+x</SUB>O<SUB>15</SUB> (x = 0–0.6) photocatalysts were prepared through sol-gel citrate-complexation synthesis. The sample crystallized into plate-like nanoparticles with [001] facets. Phase formation and crystal structure were confirmed via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) Rietveld refinements. Bi<SUB>5</SUB>Ti<SUB>3−x</SUB>Fe<SUB>1+x</SUB>O<SUB>15</SUB> (x = 0–0.6) maintained its structural characteristic, i.e., a perovskite unit of (Bi<SUB>3</SUB>Ti<SUB>3−x</SUB>Fe<SUB>1+x</SUB>O<SUB>13</SUB>)<SUP>2–</SUP> sandwiched by two (Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB>)<SUP>2+</SUP> layers along <I>c</I> axis. The samples were investigated via scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and specific surface area analyses. The band gap showed characteristic transitions from the valence band (VB) of (O2p+Fe<I>t</I> <SUB>2g</SUB>+Bi6s) to the conduction band (CB) of (Ti-3d+Fe-<I>e</I> <SUB>g</SUB>). With increasing substitution of Ti<SUP>4+</SUP> with Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>, the sample greatly red shifted its absorption edges. The d–d transitions in FeO<SUB>6</SUB> greatly contribute to the narrow band-gap. Aurivillius is a potential photocatalyst and demonstrated photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420nm). Such photocatalytic activities were attributed to the special structural layer and the catalytic mediators of multivalent Ti<SUP>4+/3+</SUP> and Fe<SUP>3+/2+</SUP> ions in the perovskite slabs as confirmed by XPS measurements. Results suggested that substitution of Ti<SUP>4+</SUP> with Fe<SUP>3+</SUP> in an Aurivillius phase was an efficient method to modify the bandwidth and structure of Aurivillius phase. This phenomenon can be used as a strategy to improve the photochemical properties of Ti/Fe-containing Aurivillius phases.</P>

Fenofibrate Increases Radiosensitivity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Inducing G2/M Arrest and Apoptosis

Liu, Jia,Ge, Yang-Yang,Zhu, Hong-Cheng,Yang, Xi,Cai, Jing,Zhang, Chi,Lu, Jing,Zhan, Liang-Liang,Qin, Qin,Yang, Yan,Yang, Yue-Hua,Zhang, Hao,Chen, Xiao-Chen,Liu, Zhe-Ming,Ma, Jian-Xin,Cheng, Hong-Yan,S Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Radiation therapy is an important treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, how to promote radiation sensitivity in HNSCC remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of fenofibrate on HNSCC and explore the underlying mechanisms. HNSCC cell lines CNE-2 and KB were subjected to ionizing radiation (IR), in the presence or absence of fenofibrate treatment. Cell growth and survival, apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated. In addition, CNE-2 cells were xenografted into nude mice and subjected to IR and/or fenofibrate treatment. The expression of cyclinB and CDK1 was detected by Western blotting. Our results showed that fenofibrate efficiently radiosensitized HNSCC cells and xenografts in mice, and induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest via reducing the activity of the CDK1/cyclinB1 kinase complex. These data suggest that fenofibrate could be a promising radiosensitizer for HNSCC radiotherapy.