Processing and characterization of sol-gel deposited (100)-oriented CSBTi thick films on Pt (111)/Ti/SiO2/Si (100) substrate

Feng-Qing Zhang 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2014 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.15 No.6

Predominantly (100)-oriented Ca0.4Sr0.6Bi4Ti4O15 (CSBTi) thick films were deposited on Pt (111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates using a novel powder-gel method combined with annealed procedure. In this method, surface-modified fine CSBTi crystalline particles are well dispersed in a sol-gel precursor solution to have an uniform slurry which is then spin-coated onto a substrate. The thick films were then annealed at 750 o C for the annealing times ranging from 0 h to 4 h. The film annealed for 2 h exhibits a well saturated hysteresis loop with a remanent polarization (Pr) of 28.7 µC/cm2 , much larger than the reported values Furthermore, no discernible fatigue effect can be observed after 1010 switching cycles.

Effect of sintering atmosphere on ferroelectric properties of SBT ferroelectric ceramics

Feng-Qing Zhang,Chunzhen Li,Haiwen Li,Xiaodong Guo,Suhua Fan 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2018 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.19 No.2

The effect of sintering atmosphere on the properties of SBT ferroelectric ceramics was studied by sol-gel method and interlayerannealing process. It was found that the sintered samples in oxygen atmosphere had more a-axis-oriented grains and moregrains which are perpendicular to the plane than those in air atmosphere. The Curie temperature of the samples obtained bysintering in oxygen and air atmosphere is Tc = 273 oC and Tc = 265 oC, and the conductivating energy Ea = 0.94 eV and Ea =0.66 eV, respectively. The residual polarization intensity of the samples sintered in air atmosphere is 2Pr = 15.3 μC/cm2, thecorresponding coercive field is Ec = 51 kV/cm; the residual polarization intensity of the sample sintered in oxygen atmosphereis 2Pr = 16.6 μC/cm2, and the corresponding coercive field is about Ec = 45 kV/cm. That is because the samples sintered in theoxygen atmosphere has larger lattice distortion, lower oxygen vacancy concentration and larger a-axis oriented grains, whichare favorable for the increase of the remnant polarization and reduction of the coercive field.

Increased accumulation of anthocyanins in transgenic potato tubers by overexpressing the 3GT gene

Qing Wei,Qing Yang,Quan-Yi Wang,Zhi-Hang Feng,Bing Wang,Yun-Feng Zhang 한국식물생명공학회 2012 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.6 No.1

In order to explore a biotechnological method for improving potato tuber color and creating plants with increased anthocyanin contents, a potato UDP-glucose: flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase (3GT) gene was inserted behind the GBSSI promoter of pBin19, and this construct was introduced into Solanum tuberosum L. cultivar De´sire´e plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Six independent transgenic lines overexpressing the 3GT gene were identified by PCR and Southern blot analysis from 18 kanamycin-resistant plants. Due to the expression of 3GT gene, the tuber color and the anthocyanin content were enhanced noticeably in the transgenic plants compared to the wild-type control plants. This result suggests that the 3GT gene can potentially be used to improve potato color and enhance levels of antioxidants in the diet.

Electrical properties of predominantly (100)-oriented of Ca2+ modified SrBi4Ti4O15 thin film deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates

Feng-Qing Zhang,Pengchao Dong,Suhua Fan 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2015 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.16 No.5

The predominantly (100)-oriented of Ca2+ modified SrBi4Ti4O15 (Ca0.4Sr0.6Bi4Ti4O15) thin films were fabricated by optimizing the annealing treatment using the metal organic decomposition method. We studied the capacitance-voltage (C-V) curve, the dielectric constant (ε) and the dissipation fcator (tanδ), when the thin film exhibits preferred orientation, especially. The C-V curve shows a typical butterfly loop, and the ε, tanδ are about 235 and 0.033, respectively. Meanwhile, the P-E hysteresis loop as the important characteristic was characterized. The thin film displays a well-saturated P-E hysteresis loop with remanent polarization 20.3 µC/cm2 and coercive field 132 kV/cm.

<i>Haloactinopolyspora alkaliphila</i> sp. nov., and emended description of the genus <i>Haloactinopolyspora</i>

Zhang, Yong-Guang,Liu, Qing,Wang, Hong-Fei,Zhang, Dao-Feng,Zhang, Yuan-Ming,Park, Dong-Jin,Kim, Chang-Jin,Li, Wen-Jun International Union of Microbiological Societies 2014 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.64 No.6

<P>A facultatively alkaliphilic actinomycete strain, designated EGI 80088<SUP>T</SUP>, was isolated from a saline-alkali soil sample from Xinjiang province, north-west China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Strain EGI 80088<SUP>T</SUP> formed fragmented aerial hyphae and short spore chains, and rod-like spores aggregated at maturity. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the isolate contained <SMALL>ll</SMALL>-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, and glucosamine, mannose, galactose, glucose and rhamnose as the marker sugars. The major fatty acids identified (>5 %) were anteiso-C<SUB>15 : 0</SUB>, iso-C<SUB>15 : 0</SUB>, summed feature 4 (iso-C<SUB>17 : 1</SUB>I/anteiso-C<SUB>17 : 1</SUB>B), iso-C<SUB>16 : 0</SUB> and anteiso-C<SUB>17 : 0</SUB>. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H<SUB>4</SUB>). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain EGI 80088<SUP>T</SUP> was 70.6 mol%. EGI 80088<SUP>T</SUP> showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to its closest phylogenetic neighbour <I>Haloactinopolyspora alba</I> YIM 93246<SUP>T</SUP> (98.5 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness value of the strain EGI 80088<SUP>T</SUP> and <I>H. alba</I> YIM 93246<SUP>T</SUP> was 59.3±5.2 %. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain EGI 80088<SUP>T</SUP> represents a novel species of the genus <I>Haloactinopolyspora</I>, for which the name <I>Haloactinopolyspora alkaliphila</I> sp. nov. (type strain EGI 80088<SUP>T</SUP> = BCRC 16946<SUP>T</SUP> = JCM 19128<SUP>T</SUP>) is proposed. The description of the genus <I>Haloactinopolyspora</I> has also been emended.</P>

Rapid and Visual Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Aquatic Foods Using blaC_ARB-17 Gene-Based Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification with Lateral Flow Dipstick (LAMP-LFD)

( Yuan-qing Hu ),( Xian-hui Huang ),( Li-qing Guo ),( Zi-chen Shen ),( Lin-xue Lv ),( Feng-xia Li ),( Zan-hu Zhou ),( Dan-feng Zhang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2021 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.31 No.12

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is recognized as one of the most important foodborne pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis in humans. The bla_CARB-17 gene is an intrinsic β-lactamase gene and a novel species-specific genetic marker of V. parahaemolyticus. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay combined with a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) was developed targeting this bla_CARB-17 gene. The specificity of LAMP-LFD was ascertained by detecting V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 and seven other non-V. parahaemolyticus strains. Finally, the practicability of LAMP-LFD was confirmed by detection with V. parahaemolyticus-contaminated samples and natural food samples. The results showed that the optimized reaction parameters of LAMP are as follows: 2.4 mmol/l Mg²⁺, 0.96 mmol/l dNTPs, 4.8 U Bst DNA polymerase, and an 8:1 ratio of inner primer to outer primer, at 63℃ for 40 min. The optimized reaction time of the LFD assay is 60 min. Cross-reactivity analysis with the seven non-V. parahaemolyticus strains showed that LAMP-LFD was exclusively specific for V. parahaemolyticus. The detection limit of LAMP-LFD for V. parahaemolyticus genomic DNA was 2.1 × 10^-4 ng/μl, corresponding to 630 fg/reaction and displaying a sensitivity that is 100-fold higher than that of conventional PCR. LAMP-LFD in a spiking study revealed a detection limit of approximately 6 CFU/ml, which was similar with conventional PCR. The developed LAMP-LFD specifically identified the 10 V. parahaemolyticus isolates from 30 seafood samples, suggesting that this LAMP-LFD may be a suitable diagnostic method for detecting V. parahaemolyticus in aquatic foods.

Analysis of Small Fragment Deletions of the APC gene in Chinese Patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, a Precancerous Condition

Chen, Qing-Wei,Zhang, Xiao-Mei,Zhou, Jian-Nong,Zhou, Xin,Ma, Guo-Jian,Zhu, Ming,Zhang, Yuan-Ying,Yu, Jun,Feng, Ji-Feng,Chen, Sen-Qing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.12

Background: : Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease mainly caused by mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene with almost complete penetrance. These colorectal polyps are precancerous lesions that will inevitable develop into colorectal cancer at the median age of 40-year old if total proctocolectomy is not performed. So identification of APC germline mutations has great implications for genetic counseling and management of FAP patients. In this study, we screened APC germline mutations in Chinese FAP patients, in order to find novel mutations and the APC gene germline mutation characteristics of Chinese FAP patients. Materials and Methods: The FAP patients were diagnosed by clinical manifestations, family histories, endoscope and biopsy. Then patients peripheral blood samples were collected, afterwards, genomic DNA was extracted. The mutation analysis of the APC gene was conducted by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing for micromutations and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large duplications and/or deletions. Results: We found 6 micromutations out of 14 FAP pedigrees, while there were no large duplications and/or deletions found. These germline mutations are c.5432C>T(p. Ser1811Leu), two c.3926_3930delAAAAG (p.Glu1309AspfsX4), c.3921_3924delAAAA (p.Ile1307MetfsX13), c3184_3187delCAAA(p.Gln1061AspfsX59) and c4127_4126delAT (p.Tyr1376LysfsX9), respectively, and all deletion mutations resulted in a premature stop codon. At the same time, we found c.3921_3924delAAAA and two c.3926_3930delAAAAG are located in AAAAG short tandem repeats, c3184_3187delCAAA is located in the CAAA interrupted direct repeats, and c4127_4128 del AT is located in the 5'-CCTGAACA-3', 3'-ACAAGTCC-5 palindromes (inverted repeats) of the APC gene. Furthermore, deletion mutations are mostly located at condon 1309. Conclusions: Though there were no novel mutations found as the pathogenic gene of FAP in this study, we found nucleotide sequence containing short tandem repeats and palindromes (inverted repeats), especially the 5 bp base deletion at codon 1309, are mutations in high incidence area in APC gene,.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the GnRHR Gene Associated with Reproductive Traits of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

He, Feng,Wen, Hai-Shen,Li, Ji-Fang,Yu, Da-Hui,Ma, Rui-Qin,Shi, Dan,Mu, Wei-Jie,Zhang, Yuan-Qing,Hu, Jian,Liu, Miao,Han, Wei-Guo,Zhang, Jia-Nan,Wang, Qing-Qing,Yuan, Yu-Ren,Liu, Qun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.4

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.

IL-33 promotes IL-10 production in macrophages: a role for IL-33 in macrophage foam cell formation

Hai-Feng Zhang,Mao-Xiong Wu,Yong-Qing Lin,Shuang-Lun Xie,Tu-Cheng Huang,Pin-Ming Liu,Ru-Qiong Nie,Qin-Qi Meng,Nian-Sang Luo,Yang-Xin Chen,Jing-Feng Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

We evaluated the role of IL-10- in IL-33-mediated cholesterol reduction in macrophage-derived foam cells (MFCs) and the mechanism by which IL-33 upregulates IL-10. Serum IL-33 and IL-10 levels in coronary artery disease patients were measured. The effects of IL-33 on intra-MFC cholesterol level, IL-10, ABCA1 and CD36 expression, ERK 1/2, Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4 activation, and IL-10 promoter activity were determined. Core sequences were identified using bioinformatic analysis and sitespecific mutagenesis. The serum IL-33 levels positively correlated with those of IL-10. IL-33 decreased cellular cholesterol level and upregulated IL-10 and ABCA1 but had no effect on CD36 expression. siRNA-IL-10 partially abolished cellular cholesterol reduction and ABCA1 elevation by IL-33 but did not reverse the decreased CD36 levels. IL-33 increased IL-10 mRNA production but had little effect on its stability. IL-33 induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and increased the luciferase expression driven by the IL-10 promoter, with the highest extent within the − 2000 to − 1752 bp segment of the 5′-flank of the transcription start site; these effects were counteracted by U0126. IL-33 activated Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4, but only the STAT3 binding site was predicted in the above segment. Site-directed mutagenesis of the predicted STAT3-binding sites (CTGCTTCCTGGCAGCAGAA→CTGCCTGGCAGCAGAA) reduced luciferase activity, and a STAT3 inhibitor blocked the regulatory effects of IL-33 on IL-10 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) confirmed the STAT3-binding sequences within the − 1997 to − 1700 and − 1091 to − 811 bp locus regions. IL-33 increased IL-10 expression in MFCs via activating ERK 1/2 and STAT3, which subsequently promoted IL-10 transcription and thus contributed to the beneficial effects of IL-33 on MFCs.

A New Lathyrane Diterpenoid from the Whole Plant of Euphorbia altotibetica

Zhang, Zhan-Xin,Qi, Feng-Ming,Li, Hui-Hong,Dong, Le-Le,Hai, Yang,Fan, Gai-Xia,Fei, Dong-Qing Korean Chemical Society 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.2