Crystal facet engineering induced anisotropic transport of charge carriers in a perovskite

Yang, Hewei,Zhou, Yunzhan,Yang, Yijun,Yi, Ding,Ye, Tao,Lam, Tran Dai,Golberg, Dmitri,Bao, Bate,Yao, Jiannian,Wang, Xi The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Journal of Materials Chemistry C Vol.6 No.43

<P>Precise control of crystal orientations and macroscopic morphology of a perovskite crystal is crucial for various optoelectronic applications relying on charge carrier transport tuning along exposed crystal facets. Here, taking methylammonium lead bromide (CH3NH3PbBr3) as an example, and employing a novel crystal facet engineering method, we successfully construct two kinds of perovskite crystals with exposed {001} and {110} facets. We find that the free carriers’ photoluminescence lifetime on the {001} facets can be 3 times longer than that on {110} facets. The related mechanisms are investigated <I>via</I> fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and <I>in situ</I> transmission electron microscopy. These indicate that the different trap state density of exposed facets and crystal structure changing of CH3NH3PbBr3 under light and electron beam irradiation lead to the differences in carrier transport along different facets. By distinguishing the charge carrier transport on different CH3NH3PbBr3 exposed facets, micro-photodetectors have been constructed. A device fabricated with the {001} exposed facets exhibited two orders of magnitude higher photocurrent and half as much dark current as a {110} facet-based device. Thus, the crystal facet engineering of perovskites can be widely adopted for understanding physical/chemical properties of perovskite crystals and provides great potential for novel perovskite optoelectronic device applications.</P>

Molecular Cloning and Expression of a Cu/Zn-Containing Superoxide Dismutase from Thellungiella halophila

Xu Xiaojing,Zhou Yijun,Wei Shanjun,Ren Dongtao,Yang Min,Bu Huahu,Kang Mingming,Wang Junli,Feng Jinchao 한국분자세포생물학회 2009 Molecules and cells Vol.27 No.4

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) constitute the first line of cellular defense against oxidative stress in plants. SODs generally occur in three different forms with Cu/Zn, Fe, or Mn as prosthetic metals. We cloned the full-length cDNA of the Thellungiella halophila Cu/Zn-SOD gene ThCSD using degenerate RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Sequence analysis indicated that the ThCSD gene (GenBank accession number EF405867) had an open reading frame of 456 bp. The deduced 152-amino acid polypeptide had a predicted molecular weight of 15.1 kDa, an estimated pI of 5.4, and a putative Cu/Zn-binding site. Recombinant ThCSD protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and assayed for SOD enzymatic activity in a native polyacrylamide gel. The SOD activity of ThCSD was inactivated by potassium cyanide and hydrogen peroxide but not by sodium azide, confirming that ThCSD is a Cu/Zn-SOD. Northern blotting demonstrated that ThCSD is expressed in roots, stems, and leaves. ThCSD mRNA levels increased by about 30-fold when plants were treated with sodium chloride (NaCl), abscisic acid (ABA), and indole-acetic acid (IAA) and by about 50-fold when treated with UVB light. These results indicate that ThCSD is involved in physiological pathways activated by a variety of environmental conditions.

Study on Volatility of Palm Oil Biodiesel/-10 Petrodiesel by Thermogravimetric Analysis Technique

Yongbin Lai,Peng Wang,Xiu Chen,Yinnan Yuan,Junfen Rong,Guang Wu,Yijun Zhou,Lei Zhong,Yuqi Zhang 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of u- and e- Service, Scienc Vol.9 No.2

Palm methyl ester (PME) was prepared from palm oil through transesterification using NaOH as catalyst. Chemical composition of the PME and -10 petrodiesel (-10PD) was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The PME and -10PD were characterized for their fuel properties including density, kinematic viscosity, and flash point, cold filter plugging point, sulfur content, copper strip corrosion and oxidative stability. Volatility was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Volatile index was proposed to describe PME/-10PD volatility. A good correlation model was put forward for calculating the PME/-10PD volatility by PME blending ratio. The study showed that PME was mainly composed of long chain fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs): C14:0-C24:0, C16:1-C22:1, C18:2 and C18:3. -10PD was mainly composed of long chain alkanes: C8-C26. The fuel properties of PME were within the limits prescribed in the GB/T 20828-2007 standards for biodiesel. With respect to -10PD, volatilization of PME was stronger and quicker, but volatilization onset at higher temperature. The volatilization onset temperatures of PME and -10PD were 448.9 and 361.7 K respectively; and the volatile indexes were 1.76E-04 and 3.64E-05 respectively. The PME/-10PD volatility had relation to PME blending ratio. The volatility of B0-B20 was very close to the -10PD. The volatility of B20-B100 was better with increasing the PME blending ratio.

Carbon disulfide induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in Sertoli-germ cells coculture

Wei Wang,Zhen Zhang,Yinsheng Guo,Yu Dong,Xiaoyu Huang1,Yijun Zhou,Guoyuan Chen 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2015 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.11 No.2

Carbon disulfide (CS2), a common organic solvent, induces a variety of adverse effects in the male reproductive system. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity, ultrastructural changes, and potential apoptotic induction mechanisms of CS2 in mixed cultures of Sertoli and germ cells. Sertoli and germ cells were cocultured and treated with CS2 for 24 h. Growth rates were noted, and apoptotic cells were identified by Hoechst 33258 staining. Ultrastructure changes were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mitochondrial membrane potential and expressions of apoptosis-related factors (cytochrome c, Bax, Bcl- 2, caspase-3 and caspase-9) were examined by JC-1 staining, western blot, and real-time PCR. The results showed that CS2 treatment was associated with reduced growth rates of Sertoli-germ cells. Ultrastructure changes in Sertoli-germ cells treated with CS2 were typical of apoptosis. In addition, CS2 treatment depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated Bax levels and downregulated Bcl-2 levels, released cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space to the cytosol, and triggered mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Subsequently, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were activated, resulting in Sertoli-germ cells apoptosis. The above data suggest that CS2 has adverse effect on the viability of Sertoli-germ cells and induces apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.

Identification of genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens

Xue Qian,Li Guohui,Cao Yuxia,Yin Jianmei,Zhu Yunfen,Zhang Huiyong,Zhou Chenghao,Shen Haiyu,Dou Xinhong,Su Yijun,Wang Kehua,Zou Jianmin,Han Wei 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.6

Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens. Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction. Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources. Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens.Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq).Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction.Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources.

Overexpression of the ABC transporter gene TsABCG11 increases cuticle lipids and abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis

Ningmei Chen,Buerbatu Song,Shuai Tang,Junqing He,Yijun Zhou,Jinchao Feng,Sha Shi,Xiaojing Xu 한국식물생명공학회 2018 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.12 No.5

The cuticle, composed primarily of wax and cutin, covers most plant aerial surfaces and plays a vital role in interactions between plants and their environment. Some ATP-binding cassette G subfamily (ABCG) members are involved in cuticular lipid molecule exportation to outside in the plant surface. Thellungiella salsugineum, a relative of Arabidopsis thaliana with a heavy cuticle, has extreme stress tolerance. TsABCG11, an ABCG transporter was cloned (GenBank accession number JQ389853), and its structure was studied. qRT-PCR showed that TsABCG11 expression varied in different organs of T. salsugineum and was upregulated under ABA, NaCl, drought and cold conditions. The rosette leaves from 4-week-old TsABCG11 overexpressed (OE) Arabidopsis plants displayed lower rates of water loss and decreased chlorophyll-extracted rates compared to wild-type plants. TsABCG11-OE plants also exhibited significantly increased total cuticular wax and cutin monomer amounts, mainly due to prominent changes in the C29, C31, and C33 alkanes in the wax and C18:2 dioic in cutin monomers, respectively. TsABCG11-OE seedlings exhibit lower root growth inhibition under 100 mM of NaCl or 1 μM of ABA than the wild type. Four-week-old TsABCG11-OE plants exhibited higher photosynthetic rates and water-use efficiency under cold stress (4 °C) than control plants. These results indicate that TsABCG11 plays an important role in cuticle lipid exportation and is involved in abiotic stresses, probably having a close relationship with extreme stress tolerance in T. salsugineum.