Double-Spiral Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Shear Strained Coalescence Boundary

Park, Hyo Ju,Tay, Roland Yingjie,Wang, Xiao,Zhao, Wen,Kim, Jung Hwa,Ruoff, Rodney S.,Ding, Feng,Teo, Edwin Hang Tong,Lee, Zonghoon American Chemical Society 2019 NANO LETTERS Vol.19 No.7

<P>Among the different growth mechanisms for two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) synthesized using chemical vapor deposition, spiraling growth of h-BN has not been reported. Here we report the formation of intertwined double-spiral few-layer h-BN that is driven by screw dislocations located at the antiphase boundaries of monolayer domains. The microstructure and stacking configurations were studied using a combination of dark-field and atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy. Distinct from other 2D materials with single-spiral structures, the double-spiral structure enables the intertwined h-BN layers to preserve the most stable AA′ stacking configuration. We also found that the occurrence of shear strains at the boundaries of merged spiral islands is dependent on the propagation directions of encountering screw dislocations and presented the strained features by density functional theory calculations and atomic image simulations. This study unveils the double-spiral growth of 2D h-BN multilayers and the creation of a shear strain band at the coalescence boundary of two h-BN spiral clusters.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

The USP21/YY1/SNHG16 axis contributes to tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer

Pei Xu,Haibo Xiao,Qi Yang,Rui Hu,Lianyong Jiang,Rui Bi,Xueyan Jiang,Lei Wang,Ju Mei,Fangbao Ding,Jianbing Huang 생화학분자생물학회 2020 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.52 No.-

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) and noncoding RNAs have been the subjects of recent extensive studies regarding their roles in lung cancer, but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. In our study, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas data set and bioinformatics analyses and identified USP21, a DUB, as a potential contributor to oncogenesis in nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We further demonstrated that USP21 was highly expressed in NSCLCs. We then conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo assays to explore the effect of USP21 on NSCLC progression and the underlying mechanism involved. USP21 promoted NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and in vivo tumor growth by stabilizing a well-known oncogene, Yin Yang-1 (YY1), via mediating its deubiquitination. Furthermore, YY1 transcriptionally regulates the expression of SNHG16. Moreover, StarBase bioinformatics analyses predicted that miR4500 targets SNHG16 and USP21. A series of in vitro experiments indicated that SNHG16 increased the expression of USP21 through miR-4500. In summary, the USP21/YY1/SNHG16 axis plays a role in promoting the progression of NSCLC. Therefore, the USP21/YY1/SNHG16/miR-4500 axis may be a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC treatment.

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Cordyceps sinensis Populations from Extensive Geographical Regions in China as Revealed by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

Hong-Hui Liang,Zhou Cheng,Xiao-Ling Yang,Shan Li,Zu-Quan Ding,Tong-Shui Zhou,Wen-Ju Zhang,Jia-Kuan Chen 한국미생물학회 2008 The journal of microbiology Vol.46 No.5

Cordyceps sinensis is one of the most valuable medicinal caterpillar fungi native to China. However, its productivity is extremely limited and the species is becoming endangered. The genetic diversity of eighteen C. sinensis populations across its major distributing regions in China was evaluated by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 141 markers were produced in 180 individuals from the 18 populations, of which 99.3% were polymorphic. The low average of Shannon (0.104) and Nei index (0.07) of the 18 populations indicates that there are little genetic variations within populations. For all 18 populations, estimates of total gene diversity (HT), gene diversity within populations (HS), coefficient of genetic differentiation (GST), and gene flow (Nm) were 0.170, 0.071, 0.583, and 0.357, respectively. This pattern suggests that the genetic diversity of C. sinensis is low and most of the ISSR variations are found among populations with little gene exchange. The 18 populations are divided into five groups based on the genetic distance and the grouping pattern matches with the geographic distribution along the latitudinal gradient. The five groups show obvious difference in the GST and Nm values. Therefore, the genetic diversification of C. sinensis populations may be determined by geographic isolation and the combined effects of life history characters and the interaction with host insect species. The information illustrated by this study is useful for selecting in situ conservation sites of C. sinensis.

A Novel Bi-directional Promoter Cloned from Melon and Its Activity in Cucumber and Tobacco

( Cui Yan Wang ),( Dong Feng Ding ),( Rui Xiang Yan ),( Xiao Ju Yu ),( Wei Dong Li ),( Ming Gang Li ) 한국식물학회 2008 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.51 No.2

A bi-directional promoter, DP, was cloned by PCR amplification using the genomic DNA of melon as template. Analysis of its cis-acting elements in both directions revealed a series of inducible regulatory elements and some enhancer elements. To evaluate its transcriptional activity, DP in both directions was then cloned into vector pBI121 to replace the CaMV 35S promoter. DP in both directions also was inserted downstream of CaMV 35S to investigate whether the double promoter might affect expression of the uidA reporter gene at higher levels. Transient expression in cucumber leaves, stems, and fruits as well as in tobacco leaves and stems showed that DP in both directions drove transcription to much higher levels than did the single promoter CaMV 35S. However, activity of the double promoter was lower than the corresponding activity of the single promoter DP in both directions. These results demonstrate that DP is a natural bi-directional promoter, with much more activity than is found with the CaMV 35S promoter. Furthermore, in cucumber and tobacco, it is not suitable to insert DP in either direction downstream of the CaMV 35S promoter to form a double promoter.

Icariside II Promotes the Differentiation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells to Schwann Cells to Preserve Erectile Function after Cavernous Nerve Injury

Zheng, Tao,Zhang, Tian-biao,Wang, Chao-liang,Zhang, Wei-xing,Jia, Dong-hui,Yang, Fan,Sun, Yang-yang,Ding, Xiao-ju,Wang, Rui Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2018 Molecules and cells Vol.41 No.6

Icariside II (ICA II) is used in erectile dysfunction treatment. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are efficient at improving erectile function. This study aimed to explore the action mechanism of ADSCs in improving erectile function. ADSCs were isolated from the adipose tissues of rats. Cell proliferation was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The expressions of mRNA and protein were determined separately through qRT-PCR and western blot. The endogenous expressions of related genes were regulated using recombinant plasmids and cell transfection. A Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay was performed to determine the interaction between miR-34a and STAT3. Rat models with bilateral cavernous nerve injuries (BCNIs) were used to assess erectile function through the detection of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intracavernosal pressure (ICP). ICA II promoted ADSCs' proliferation and differentiation to Schwann cells (SCs) through the inhibition of miR-34a. Suppressed miR-34a promoted the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs by upregulating STAT3. ICA II promoted the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs through the miR-34a/STAT3 pathway. The combination of ICA II and ADSCs preserved the erectile function of the BCNI model rats. ADSCs treated with ICA II markedly preserved the erectile function of the BCNI model rats, which was reversed through miR-34a overexpression. ICA II promotes the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs through the miR34a/STAT3 pathway, contributing to erectile function preservation after the occurrence of a cavernous nerve injury.

Icariside II Promotes the Differentiation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells to Schwann Cells to Preserve Erectile Function after Cavernous Nerve Injury

Tao Zheng,Tian-biao Zhang,Chao-liang Wang,Wei-xing Zhang,Dong-hui Jia,Fan Yang,Yang-yang Sun,Xiao-ju Ding,Rui Wang 한국분자세포생물학회 2018 Molecules and cells Vol.41 No.6

Icariside II (ICA II) is used in erectile dysfunction treatment. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are efficient at improving erectile function. This study aimed to explore the action mechanism of ADSCs in improving erectile function. ADSCs were isolated from the adipose tissues of rats. Cell proliferation was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The expressions of mRNA and protein were determined separately through qRT-PCR and western blot. The endogenous expressions of related genes were regulated using recombinant plasmids and cell transfection. A Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay was performed to determine the interaction between miR-34a and STAT3. Rat models with bilateral cavernous nerve injuries (BCNIs) were used to assess erectile function through the detection of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intracavernosal pressure (ICP). ICA II promoted ADSCs’ proliferation and differentiation to Schwann cells (SCs) through the inhibition of miR-34a. Suppressed miR-34a promoted the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs by up-regulating STAT3. ICA II promoted the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs through the miR-34a/STAT3 pathway. The combination of ICA II and ADSCs preserved the erectile function of the BCNI model rats. ADSCs treated with ICA II markedly preserved the erectile function of the BCNI model rats, which was reversed through miR-34a overexpression. ICA II pro-motes the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs through the miR-34a/STAT3 pathway, contributing to erectile function preservation after the occurrence of a cavernous nerve injury.