Effects of alkali-borosilicate glass additions on the microstructure and dielectric properties of Ba0.88(Nd1.40Bi0.42La0.30)Ti₄O12

Chang-Lun Liao,Kuan-Hong Lin,Shun-Tian Lin 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.6

The microstructures and dielectric properties of Ba0.88(Nd1.40Bi0.42La0.30)Ti4O12/ alkali-borosilicate glass composites were investigated in this study, with the volume percentage of the glass phase in the composite being either 50, 55, or 60 vol.%. Sintered density measurements indicated that the density increased with an increase in the sintering temperature for the composites with 50 and 55 vol.% glass additions, but, at a sintering temperature higher than 800 oC, the density decreased for the composite with a 60 vol.% glass addition. XRD patterns revealed that the peak of the highest intensity in the B(NBL)T crystal belongs to the (401) crystal plane, while that in the B(NBL)T/glass composites to the (320) crystal plane. Along with the change in crystalline preferred orientation, the lattice constants of the crystal also changed. SEM micrographs indicated that the B(NBL)T phase developed into columnar grains at sintering temperatures higher than 1260 oC. Moreover, when glass was added, the grain morphology changed, especially at sintering temperatures higher than 850 oC. When sintered at 950 oC for 2 hours, the composite with 55 vol.% glass yielded the highest dielectric constant (εr= 23.2), the lowest dielectric loss (tanδ = 4.1 × 10-3), and a high Q×f value (Q × f = 1,620 GHz, Q = 1/tanδ, f = 6.67 GHz). The microstructures and dielectric properties of Ba0.88(Nd1.40Bi0.42La0.30)Ti4O12/ alkali-borosilicate glass composites were investigated in this study, with the volume percentage of the glass phase in the composite being either 50, 55, or 60 vol.%. Sintered density measurements indicated that the density increased with an increase in the sintering temperature for the composites with 50 and 55 vol.% glass additions, but, at a sintering temperature higher than 800 oC, the density decreased for the composite with a 60 vol.% glass addition. XRD patterns revealed that the peak of the highest intensity in the B(NBL)T crystal belongs to the (401) crystal plane, while that in the B(NBL)T/glass composites to the (320) crystal plane. Along with the change in crystalline preferred orientation, the lattice constants of the crystal also changed. SEM micrographs indicated that the B(NBL)T phase developed into columnar grains at sintering temperatures higher than 1260 oC. Moreover, when glass was added, the grain morphology changed, especially at sintering temperatures higher than 850 oC. When sintered at 950 oC for 2 hours, the composite with 55 vol.% glass yielded the highest dielectric constant (εr= 23.2), the lowest dielectric loss (tanδ = 4.1 × 10-3), and a high Q×f value (Q × f = 1,620 GHz, Q = 1/tanδ, f = 6.67 GHz).

ENERGY TRANSDUCTION IN MOLECULAR MACHINES

CHENG-HUNG CHANG,TIAN YOW TSONG 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2007 NANO Vol.2 No.5

An applied force may cause the conformation and thus, the activity of a biological molecule to change. Here we consider a system in which an oscillating or fluctuating electric field is used to actuate membrane protein activities. Most proteins have electric dipoles and net charges in the structure and their conformations are susceptible to the electric and magnetic perturbation. The shape of a cell may also amplify an electric field across its plasma membrane. Therefore, a membrane integral protein such as an ion channel, an ion pump, or a molecular motor, is especially amenable to electric perturbation. The theory of electroconformational coupling addresses the functional implication of this field effect. When an alternating electric field or a fluctuating electric field is employed to actuate a two-state protein oscillator, the dynamics of the conformational change of the protein can be synchronized with the applied field. Through this two-state protein oscillator, we construct a four-state catalytic wheel by coupling an energy transducer mechanism to the two-state protein oscillator. Analysis shows that the catalytic wheel can extract energy from a disordered external energy source, be it electrical, mechanical, or chemical, and convert this stochastic energy source to a usable energy format. The catalytic wheel is tested with the experimental data on the electric field-stimulated cation pumping of Na, K-ATPase. A dipole ratchet model based on the electroconformational coupling concept will also be discussed and compared with the ATP-dependent rotation of a rotary motor F1-ATPase. Since the working principle of this model is simpler than that of F1-ATPase, it provides an easier way to realize a nanoscale rotary motor than artificially reconstructing a F1-ATPase.

Role of folP1 and folP2 Genes in the Action of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Against Mycobacteria

( Tian Zhou Liu ),( Bang Xing Wang ),( Jin Tao Guo ),( Yang Zhou ),( Mugweru Julius ),( Moses Njire ),( Yuan Yuan Cao ),( Tian Wu ),( Zhi Yong Liu ),( Chang Wei Wang ),( Yong Xu ),( Tian Yu Zhang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.9

The combination of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) has been shown to be active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in clinical tuberculosis (TB) treatment. However, the mechanism of action of TMP-SMX against Mtb is still unknown. To unravel this, we have studied the effect of TMP and SMX by deleting the folP2 gene in Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msm), and overexpressing the Mtb and Msm folP1/2 genes in Msm. Knocking out of the folP2 gene in Msm reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration of SMX 8-fold compared with wild type. Overexpression of the folP1 genes from Mtb and Msm increased the MICs by 4- and 2-fold in Msm for SMX and TMP, respectively. We show a strong correlation between the expression of folP1 and folP2 genes and TMP-SMX resistance in mycobacteria. This suggests that a combination of FolP2 inhibitor and SMX could be used for TB treatment with a better outcome.

Magnetically Recyclable Wool/Fe3O4@TiO2/UiO-66 Core-Shell Structured Composite for Photocatalytic Removal of Methylene Blue, Congo Red, Tetracycline Hydrochloride and Cr(VI) Ions

Chang Tian,Hui Zhang,Pei Chen,Yueyue Song,Jinyuan Zhang 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.10

To efficiently remove pollutants such as dyes, antibiotics and heavy metal ions from wastewater without causingsecond polluting, it is imperative and challenging to prepare the omnipotence photocatalysis materials. In this study, wool/Fe3O4@TiO2/UiO-66 composite was prepared by a facile one-step solvothermal method. The morphology, composition,structure, chemical bonding states, magnetism, specific surface area, and optical properties of the resultant composite weresystematically examined. Experiment results suggested that the specific surface area of the wool/Fe3O4@TiO2/UiO-66increased from 370.48 to 465.06 m2/g when wool particles were incorporated into Fe3O4@TiO2/UiO-66. Both the compositesexhibited the superior photocatalytic degradation and reduction capabilities toward cationic methylene blue (MB) and anionicCongo red (CR) dyes, tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) and Cr(VI) ions under visible lights. For organic dyes and heavymetal ions, the wool/Fe3O4@TiO2/UiO-66 composite behaved much better than the Fe3O4@TiO2/UiO-66 one, however, itwas contrary for TC-HCl. The magnetic wool/Fe3O4 core imparted the composite with the easily recyclable ability because ofthe ferromagnetic and superparamagnetism behaviors of Fe3O4. The TiO2/UiO-66 hybrid shell endowed the photocatalyticproperty of the composite. The wools had a strong adsorption ability toward MB and CR dyes and Cr(VI) ions. The wool/Fe3O4@TiO2/UiO-66 composite possessed good stability and repeatability to MB photodegradation and Cr(VI)photoreduction. The holes and singlet oxygen radicals were the main reactive species, while the superoxide and hydroxylradicals were also involved.

Connection the Rhizomicrobiome and Plant MAPK Gene Expression Response to Pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum in Wild and Cultivated Soybean

Chang, Chunling,Xu, Shangqi,Tian, Lei,Shi, Shaohua,Nasir, Fahad,Chen, Deguo,Li, Xiujun,Tian, Chunjie The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2019 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.35 No.6

Little known the connections between soybeans mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene expression and the rhizomicrobiome upon invasion of the root pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. To address this lack of knowledge, we assessed the rhizomicrobiome and root transcriptome sequencing of wild and cultivated soybean during the invasion of F. oxysporum. Results indicated F. oxysporum infection enriched Bradyrhizobium spp. and Glomus spp. and induced the expression of more MAPKs in the wild soybean than cultivated soybean. MAPK gene expression was positively correlated with Pseudomonadaceae but negatively correlated with Sphingomonadaceae and Glomeraceae in both cultivated and wild soybean. Specifically, correlation profiles revealed that Pseudomonadaceae was especially correlated with the induced expression of GmMAKKK13-2 (Glyma.14G195300) and GmMAPK3-2 (Glyma.12G073000) in wild and cultivated soybean during F. oxysporum invasion. Main fungal group Glomeraceae was positively correlated with GmMAPKKK14-1 (Glyma.18G060900) and negatively correlated with GmRaf6-4 (Glyma.02G215300) in the wild soybean response to pathogen infection; while there were positive correlations between Hypocreaceae and GmMAPK3-2 (Glyma.12G073000) and between Glomeraceae and GmRaf49-3 (Glyma.06G055300) in the wild soybean response, these correlations were strongly negative in the response of cultivated soybean to F. oxysporum. Taken together, MAPKs correlated with different rhizomicrobiomes indicating the host plant modulated by the host self-immune systems in response to F. oxysporum.

Connection the Rhizomicrobiome and Plant MAPK Gene Expression Response to Pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum in Wild and Cultivated Soybean

Chunling Chang,Shangqi Xu,Lei Tian,Shaohua Shi,Fahad Nasir,Deguo Chen,Xiujun Li,Chunjie Tian 한국식물병리학회 2019 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.35 No.6

Little known the connections between soybeans mitogen- activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene expression and the rhizomicrobiome upon invasion of the root pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. To address this lack of knowledge, we assessed the rhizomicrobiome and root transcriptome sequencing of wild and cultivated soybean during the invasion of F. oxysporum. Results indicated F. oxysporum infection enriched Bradyrhizobium spp. and Glomus spp. and induced the expression of more MAPKs in the wild soybean than cultivated soybean. MAPK gene expression was positively correlated with Pseudomonadaceae but negatively correlated with Sphingomonadaceae and Glomeraceae in both cultivated and wild soybean. Specifically, correlation profiles revealed that Pseudomonadaceae was especially correlated with the induced expression of GmMAKKK13-2 (Glyma.14G195300) and GmMAPK3-2 (Glyma.12G073000) in wild and cultivated soybean during F. oxysporum invasion. Main fungal group Glomeraceae was positively correlated with GmMAPKKK14-1 (Glyma.18G060900) and negatively correlated with GmRaf6-4 (Glyma.02G215300) in the wild soybean response to pathogen infection; while there were positive correlations between Hypocreaceae and GmMAPK3-2 (Glyma.12G073000) and between Glomeraceae and GmRaf49-3 (Glyma.06G055300) in the wild soybean response, these correlations were strongly negative in the response of cultivated soybean to F. oxysporum. Taken together, MAPKs correlated with different rhizomicrobiomes indicating the host plant modulated by the host self-immune systems in response to F. oxysporum.

Staged development of long-lived T-cell receptor αβ T_H17 resident memory T-cell population to <i>Candida albicans</i> after skin infection

Park, Chang Ook,Fu, Xiujun,Jiang, Xiaodong,Pan, Youdong,Teague, Jessica E.,Collins, Nicholas,Tian, Tian,O'Malley, John T.,Emerson, Ryan O.,Kim, Ji Hye,Jung, Yookyung,Watanabe, Rei,Fuhlbrigge, Robert C Elsevier 2018 The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol.142 No.2

<P><B>Background</B></P> <P> <I>Candida albicans</I> is a dimorphic fungus to which human subjects are exposed early in life, and by adulthood, it is part of the mycobiome of skin and other tissues. Neonatal skin lacks resident memory T (T<SUB>RM</SUB>) cells, but in adults the <I>C albicans</I> skin test is a surrogate for immunocompetence. Young adult mice raised under specific pathogen-free conditions are naive to <I>C albicans</I> and have been shown recently to have an immune system resembling that of neonatal human subjects.</P> <P><B>Objective</B></P> <P>We studied the evolution of the adaptive cutaneous immune response to <I>Candida</I> species.</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>We examined both human skin T cells and the <I>de novo</I> and memory immune responses in a mouse model of <I>C albicans</I> skin infection.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>In mice the initial IL-17–producing cells after <I>C albicans</I> infection were dermal γδ T cells, but by day 7, αβ T<SUB>H</SUB>17 effector T cells were predominant. By day 30, the majority of <I>C albicans</I>–reactive IL-17–producing T cells were CD4 T<SUB>RM</SUB> cells. Intravital microscopy showed that CD4 effector T cells were recruited to the site of primary infection and were highly motile 10 days after infection. Between 30 and 90 days after infection, these CD4 T cells became increasingly sessile, acquired expression of CD69 and CD103, and localized to the papillary dermis. These established T<SUB>RM</SUB> cells produced IL-17 on challenge, whereas motile migratory memory T cells did not. T<SUB>RM</SUB> cells rapidly clear an infectious challenge with <I>C albicans</I> more effectively than recirculating T cells, although both populations participate. We found that in normal human skin IL-17–producing CD4<SUP>+</SUP> T<SUB>RM</SUB> cells that responded to <I>C albicans</I> in an MHC class II–restricted fashion could be identified readily.</P> <P><B>Conclusions</B></P> <P>These studies demonstrate that <I>C albicans</I> infection of skin preferentially generates CD4<SUP>+</SUP> IL-17–producing T<SUB>RM</SUB> cells, which mediate durable protective immunity.</P>

Metabolite Changes during the Transition from Hyperthyroidism to Euthyroidism in Patients with Graves’ Disease

Ho Yeop Lee,Byeong Chang Sim,Ha Thi Nga,Ji Sun Moon,Jingwen Tian,Nguyen Thi Linh,Sang Hyeon Ju,Dong Wook Choi,Daiki Setoyama,이현승 대한내분비학회 2022 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.37 No.6

Background: An excess of thyroid hormones in Graves’ disease (GD) has profound effects on systemic energy metabolism that are currently partially understood. In this study, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the metabolite changes that occur when patients with GD transition from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism with methimazole treatment. Methods: Eighteen patients (mean age, 38.6±14.7 years; 66.7% female) with newly diagnosed or relapsed GD attending the endocrinology outpatient clinics in a single institution were recruited between January 2019 and July 2020. All subjects were treated with methimazole to achieve euthyroidism. We explored metabolomics by performing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of plasma samples of these patients and then performed multivariate statistical analysis of the metabolomics data. Results: Two hundred metabolites were measured before and after 12 weeks of methimazole treatment in patients with GD. The levels of 61 metabolites, including palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1), were elevated in methimazole-naïve patients with GD, and these levels were decreased by methimazole treatment. The levels of another 15 metabolites, including glycine and creatinine,were increased after recovery of euthyroidism upon methimazole treatment in patients with GD. Pathway analysis of metabolomics data showed that hyperthyroidism was closely related to aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid biosynthesis and branched-chain aminoacid biosynthesis pathways. Conclusion: In this study, significant variations of plasma metabolomic patterns that occur during the transition from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism were detected in patients with GD via untargeted metabolomics analysis.

A Population-based Case-control Study on Risk Factors for Gastric Cardia Cancer in Rural Areas of Linzhou

Sun, Chang-Qing,Chang, Yu-Bo,Cui, Ling-Ling,Chen, Jia-Jun,Sun, Nan,Zhang, Wei-Jie,Jia, Xiao-Can,Tian, Yuan,Dai, Li-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Although certain dietary factors and lifestyles have been suggested to be associated with gastric carcinogenesis, there have been few investigations focusing on rural areas. A case-control study was therefore carried out to investigate the risk factors of gastric cardia cancer (GCC) in rural areas of Linzhou. A total of 470 newly diagnosed cases of GCC and 470 healthy controls were included. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, using a uniform questionnaire containing questions on demographics, per capita income, living habits, dietary habits and family history of tumors. The relationship between putative risk factors and GCC was assessed by odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) derived from conditional logistic regression model by the COXREG command using SPSS 12.00. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate simultaneously the effects of multiple factors and other potential confounding factors. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that smoking (OR=1.939, 95%CI:1.097-3.426), alcohol drinking (OR=2.360, 95%CI: 1.292-4.311), hot food consumption (OR=2.034, 95%CI: 1.507-2.745), fast eating (OR=1.616, 95%CI: 1.171-2.230), mouldy food (OR=4.564, 95%CI: 2.682-7.767), leftover food (OR=1.881. 95%CI: 1.324-2.671), and family history of tumor (OR=2.831, 95%CI: 1.588-5.050) were risk factors for GCC. High per capita income (OR=0.709, 95%CI: 0.533-0.942), high education level (OR=0.354, 95%CI: 0.163-0.765), consumption of fresh fruits (OR=0.186, 95%CI: 0.111-0.311) and vegetables (OR=0.243, 95%CI: 0.142-0.415), and high BMI (OR=0.367, 95%CI: 0.242-0.557) were protective factors for GCC. Our data indicate that unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits might be important contributors to GCC in this population.

Thermus amyloliquefaciens sp. nov., isolated from a hot spring sediment sample.

Yu, Tian-Tian,Ming, Hong,Yao, Ji-Cheng,Zhou, En-Min,Park, Dong-Jin,Hozzein, Wael N,Kim, Chang-Jin,Wadaan, Mohammed A M,Li, Wen-Jun Society for General Microbiology 2015 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.65 No.8

<P>A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain YIM 77409T, was isolated from the Niujie hot spring in the Eryuan county of Dali, Yunnan province, south-west China. Cells of the strain were rod-shaped and colonies were yellow and circular. The strain grew at pH?6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH?7.0) and 50-70C (optimum, 60-65C). The predominant menaquinone was MK-8 and the DNA G+C content was 66.4?mol%. Major fatty acids (>10?%) were iso-C15?:?0 and iso-C17?:?0.The polar lipids consisted of one aminophospholipid, one phospholipid and two glycolipids. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM 77409T formed a cluster with Thermus scotoductus DSM 8553T, Thermus antranikianii DSM 12462T, Thermus caliditerrae YIM 77925T and Thermus tengchongensis YIM 77924T, with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to T. scotoductus DSM 8553T (97.57?%). However, DNA-DNA hybridization indicated that strain YIM 77409T should be viewed as a representative of a novel species, as there was only 30.6??1.6?% reassociation with T. scotoductus DSM 8553T. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as the genotypic data, it is proposed that strain YIM 77409T represents a novel species of the genus Thermus, with the name Thermus amyloliquefaciens sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 77409T (?=?DSM 25898T?=?KCTC 32024T).</P>