Genome-wide identification and evolution of TC1/Mariner in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) genome

Li‑Qin Xie,Ping‑Lan Wang,Shen‑Hua Jiang,Ze Zhang,Hua‑Hao Zhang 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.5

TC1/Mariner transposons belong to class II transposable elements (TEs) that use DNA-mediated “cut and paste” mechanism to transpose, and they have been identified in almost all organisms. Although silkworm (Bombyx mori) has a large amount of TC1/Mariner elements, the genome wide information of this superfamily in the silkworm is unknown. In this study, we have identified 2670 TC1/Mariner (Bmmar) elements in the silkworm genome. All the TEs were classified into 22 families by means of fgclust, a tool of repetitive sequence classification, seven of which was first reported in this study. Phylogenetic and structure analyses based on the catalytic domain (DDxD/E) of transposase sequences indicated that all members of TC1/Mariner were grouped into five subgroups: Mariner, Tc1, maT, DD40D and DD41D/E. Of these five subgroups, maT rather than Mariner possessed most members of TC1/Mariner (51.23%) in the silkworm genome. In particular, phylogenetic analysis and structure analysis revealed that Bmmar15 (DD40D) formed a new basal subgroup of TC1/Mariner element in insects, which was referred to as bmori. Furthermore, we concluded that DD40D appeared to intermediate between mariner and Tc1. Finally, we estimated the insertion time for each copy of TC1/Mariner in the silkworm and found that most of members were dramatically amplified during a period from 0 to 1 mya. Moreover, the detailed functional data analysis showed that Bmmar1, Bmmar6 and Bmmar9 had EST evidence and intact transposases. These implied that TC1/Mariner might have potential transpositional activity. In conclusion, this study provides some new insights into the landscape, origin and evolution of TC1/Mariner in the insect genomes.

Membrane technologies for Li+/Mg2+ separation from salt-lake brines and seawater: A comprehensive review

Ye Zhang,Li Wang,Wei Sun,Yue-hua Hu,Honghu Tang 한국공업화학회 2020 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.81 No.-

Recent years have seen rapid improvement of technology and large-scale applications of lithium-ionbatteries, which leads to an increasing market demand for lithium. Since the land lithium resources arediminishing drastically, the sources of lithium extraction have shifted to the large amount of waterresources containing salt-lake brines and seawater. Among the varieties of aqueous recovery approaches,membrane technology seems to have huge development potential and good application prospect. This isbecause the membrane technologies exhibit excellent Li/Mg separation selectivity, with low energyconsumption and green process owing to no addition of chemicals. The present work reviews the latestadvances in various membrane technologies, including nanofiltration membrane, electrodialysis,membrane capacitive deionization approaches, solid electrolyte electrolysis-based technology, etc. Therecent developments in positively charged nanofiltration membrane are discussed in terms of thepreparation methods, membrane properties, and Li/Mg separation coefficient. In addition, the effects ofseveral factors on electrodialysis for lithium extraction and relevant mechanisms in both simple andactual saline systems are discussed, including applied voltage, VC/VD, and coexisting ions. Theapplications of electrodialysis with novel selective membrane involving nanofiltration membrane as wellas solid electrolyte membrane and perspectives for further investigation are proposed.

Structure and Performances of xLiFePO4/C·(1 − x)Li3V2(PO4)3/C Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries by Using Poly(vinyl alcohol) as Carbon Source

Chang-ling Fan,Wei-hua Zhang,Tao-tao Zeng,Ling-fang Li,Xiang Zhang,Shao-chang Han 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.11

Poly(vinyl alcohol), whose pyrolysis carbon possesses high conductivity of 8.88 × 10−1 S/cm, was used to synthesize xLiFePO4/C·(1 − x)Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode. It was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge and discharge experiments. Results show that LiFePO4/C and Li3V2(PO4)3/C coexists in the cathode. The particles sizes of 0.75LiFePO4/C·0.25Li3V2(PO4)3/C (x = 0.75) are much smaller than 100 nm due to the role of poly(vinyl alcohol). Its conductivity is 8.79 × 10−2 S/cm. The oxidative and reductive peaks in cyclic voltammetry are sharp and symmetrical. Their low potential gaps indicate that the extractions and insertions of lithium ion possess excellent reversibility. Its discharge capacities at 1 and 5 C are 141.1 and 100.1 mAh/g. The more Li3V2(PO4)3/C in cathode results in the deterioration of electrochemical performances due to its low theoretical capacity. It is concluded that poly(vinyl alcohol) is an effective carbon source in the preparation of xLiFePO4/C·(1 − x)Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite cathode with excellent performances.

The chemistry of two-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheets

Chhowalla, Manish,Shin, Hyeon Suk,Eda, Goki,Li, Lain-Jong,Loh, Kian Ping,Zhang, Hua Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan P 2013 Nature chemistry Vol.5 No.4

Ultrathin two-dimensional nanosheets of layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are fundamentally and technologically intriguing. In contrast to the graphene sheet, they are chemically versatile. Mono- or few-layered TMDs — obtained either through exfoliation of bulk materials or bottom-up syntheses — are direct-gap semiconductors whose bandgap energy, as well as carrier type (n- or p-type), varies between compounds depending on their composition, structure and dimensionality. In this Review, we describe how the tunable electronic structure of TMDs makes them attractive for a variety of applications. They have been investigated as chemically active electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and hydrosulfurization, as well as electrically active materials in opto-electronics. Their morphologies and properties are also useful for energy storage applications such as electrodes for Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors.

Disruption of endothelial barrier function is linked with hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in salivary glands of Sjögren's syndrome

Cong, Xin,Zhang, Xue-Ming,Zhang, Yan,Wei, Tai,He, Qi-Hua,Zhang, Li-Wei,Hua, Hong,Lee, Sang-Woo,Park, Kyungpyo,Yu, Guang-Yan,Wu, Li-Ling Elsevier 2018 Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of Vol.1864 No.10

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes hyposecretion in salivary glands. Endothelial tight junctions (TJs) play crucial roles in salivation and barrier function of blood vessels. However, whether the alteration of endothelial TJs were involved in pathogenesis of SS was still unknown. Here, the ultrastructure and function of endothelial TJs in submandibular glands (SMGs) were detected by transmission electron microscopy and in vivo paracellular permeability assay in different aged NOD mouse model for SS. CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were injected into tail vein to trace the infiltration, while claudin-5 expression and distribution were detected by immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Results showed that the stimulated salivary flow rate was gradually decreased and lymphocytic infiltration was found as age increased in 12- and 21-week-old NOD mice, but not 7-week-old NOD mice. Blood vessels were dilated, while endothelial TJ width and paracellular tracer transport were increased in 12-week-old NOD mice. Moreover, the injected CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were observed in SMGs of 12-week-old NOD mice. Claudin-5 level was increased and relocalized from the apical portion of neighboring endothelial cells to lateral membranes and cytoplasm in 12-week-old NOD mice. Additionally, the alteration of claudin-5 expression and distribution was further confirmed in labial salivary glands and bilateral parotid glands from SS patients. In cultured human microvessel endothelial cell line (HMEC-1), IFN-γ stimulation significantly increased claudin-5 expression. Taken together, we identified that the endothelial TJ barrier was disrupted and contributed to the development of salivary hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in SS.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Endothelial tight junction barrier is disrupted in hyposecretory submandibular glands from Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The disrupted salivary endothelial barrier is linked with lymphocytic infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The redistribution of claudin-5 is responsible for disrupted endothelial barrier in salivary glands from Sjögren's syndrome </LI> </UL> </P>

A high performance of BPhen-based white organic light-emitting devices with a dual-emitting layer and its electroluminescent spectral property

Hua-Ping Lin,Fan Zhou,Jun Li,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Dong-Bin Yu,Liang Zhang,Xue-Yin Jiang,Zhi-Lin Zhang 한국공업화학회 2011 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.17 No.4

This work demonstrated the fabrication of white organic light-emitting devices (WOLEDs) using a dual emitting layer (d-EML) consisting of blue and ‘white’ emitters. In this d-EML system, the blue emitter not only emits but also assists the incomplete energy transfer. More importantly, it behaves as an effective trapping site for holes, which contributes to the efficient recombination of electron–hole pairs. The d-EML was constructed between the hole-transmitting layer (HTL) and the electron-transmitting layer (ETL) of Alq3 and BPhen. The thickness of the blue emitter used in the d-EML devices has an important effect on chromaticity and efficiency. Through the optimization of device structure, the reasonable white emission with Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE) color coordinates of (0.33, 0.33) and little color shift was obtained. The device showed an applicable luminance with its maximum luminance of 22,874 cd/m2 at a driving voltage of 16 V. The maximum luminance efficiency was achieved 8.10 cd/A,and the maximum power efficiency was reached 5.07 Lm/W. The result is explained with the help of the excitons generation and diffusion theory. According to the theory of excitons generation and diffusion,an equation has been set up which concerns electroluminescent spectra to the thickness of the two emitters and to the exciton diffusion length.

The Up-Regulation of miR-199b-5p in Erythroid Differentiation Is Associated with GATA-1 and NF-E2

Li, Yuxia,Bai, Hua,Zhang, Zhongzu,li, Weihua,Dong, Lei,Wei, Xueju,Ma, Yanni,Zhang, Junwu,Yu, Jia,Sun, Guotao,Wang, Fang Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2014 Molecules and cells Vol.37 No.3

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs that play important roles in normal hematopoiesis, including erythropoiesis. Although studies have identified several miRNAs that regulate erythroid commitment and differentiation, we do not understand the mechanism by which the crucial erythroid transcription factors, GATA-1and NF-E2 directly regulate and control differentiation via miRNA pathways. In this study, we identified miR-199b-5p as a key regulator of human erythropoiesis, and its expression was up-regulated during the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. Furthermore, the increase of miR-199b-5p in erythroid cells occurred in a GATA-1- and NF-E2-dependent manner during erythrocyte maturation. Both GATA-1 and NF-E2 bound upstream of the miR-199b gene locus and activated its transcription. Forced expression of miRNA-199b-5p in K562 cells affected erythroid cell proliferation and maturation. Moreover, we identified c-Kit as a direct target of miR-199b-5p in erythroid cells. Taken together, our results establish a functional link among the erythroid transcription factors GATA-1/NF-E2, miR-199b-5p and c-Kit, and provide new insights into the coupling of transcription and post-transcription regulation in erythroid differentiation.

Effects of 1-MCP on Peel Browning of Pomegranates

Li-Hua Zhang,Yuan-Hu Zhang,Ling-Ling Li,Yang-Xin Li 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Efficient hole injection in blue organic light-emitting devices by using a double hole injection layer to improve chromaticity and electrical characteristics

Hua-Ping Lin,Fan Zhou,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Dong-Bin Yu,Jun Li,Liang Zhang,Xue-Yin Jiang,Zhi-Lin Zhang 한국물리학회 2011 Current Applied Physics Vol.11 No.3

A double hole injection layer consisting of Ag_2O//MoO_x was applied to a 4,40-bis (2,2-diphenylvinyl)-1,10-biphenyl-based blue organic light-emitting device (OLED). The hole current injection of the devicewas improved and the performance of the blue OLED was enhanced. We have observed that the insertion of such double layer leads to a striking improvement in chromaticity and electrical characteristics. This device showed much better chromaticity and less current-induced color shift as compared to the corresponding single hole injection layer counterparts. Using this strategy, a striking improvement in the electrical properties with lower driving voltage, higher power efficiency and a weak current-induced fluorescence quenching was achieved. This could be explained by the fact that an interlayer of Ag_2O//MoO_x provided a stepped energy level which greatly facilitated hole injection and hence enhanced injection current. The result is verified by using the J―V curves of ‘only’ devices and further explained with the help of Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling theory.

ABO Blood Group, Epstein-Barr virus Infection and Prognosis of Patients with Non-metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Zhang, Ya-Xiong,Kang, Shi-Yang,Chen, Gang,Fang, Wen-Feng,Wu, Xuan,You, Hua-Jing,He, Da-Cheng,Cao, Ya-Lin,Liang, Wen-Hua,Zhang, Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.17

Background: A prior study showed blood type A/AB to be associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to subjects with blood type O. However, the relationship between ABO blood groups and prognosis of NPC patients is still questionable. In addition, whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with prognosis of NPC patients with different ABO blood groups is unclear. Materials and Methods: We conducted univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses based on a consecutive cohort of 1,601 patients to investigate the above issues. Results: There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between different ABO blood groups (p=0.629), neither between A vs. non-A blood groups (p=0.895) nor AB vs. non-AB blood group (p=0.309) in univariate analyses and after adjusting for other factors. Interaction tests revealed that high immunoglobulin A against Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen (VcA-IgA) level was associated with a favorable prognosis in male patients with UICC stage II disease who had an A blood type (p=0.008), compared with those with non-A blood type. In addition, male patients with an A blood group with a high blood lymphocyte level showeda tendency towards better survival in UICC stage III (p=0.096). Conclusions: ABO blood group status is not associated with the prognosis of patients with NPC. Additionally, blood group A male NPC patients with high VcA-IgA level or high blood lymphocyte counts might be correlated with a favorable prognosis in UICC stage II or III, respectively.