| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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| 3. |
- Wang, Mengmeng, et al.
(author)
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Statistical analysis of whistler precursors upstream of foreshock transient shocks : MMS observations
- 2024
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In: Geophysical Research Letters. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 51:8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using the high-time-resolution data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, precursor waves upstream of foreshock transient (FT) shocks are statistically investigated using the four-spacecraft timing method. The wave frequencies and wave vectors determined in the plasma rest frame (PRF) are shown to follow the cold plasma dispersion relation for whistler waves. Combining with the feature of the right-hand polarization in the PRF, the precursors are identified as whistler-mode waves around the lower hybrid frequency. The occurrence of whistler precursors is independent of the Alfvén Mach number and the FT shock normal angle. More importantly, all the whistler precursors have group velocities pointing upstream in the shock frame, suggesting the dispersive radiation to be a possible generation mechanism. The study improves the understanding of not only the whistler precursors but also the overall FT shock dynamics.
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| 4. |
- Duan, Yongchang, et al.
(author)
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Swimming exercise ameliorates hypertension-induced kidney dysfunction via alleviating renal interstitial fibrosis and apoptosis
- 2021
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In: Kidney and Blood Pressure Research. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0143 .- 1420-4096. ; 46:2, s. 219-228
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Hypertensive nephropathy is one of the major causes of ESRD. Exercise has been considered a nonpathological therapy for hypertension and its complications, yet mechanisms remain unclear. We sought to investigate whether periodic swimming could ameliorate hypertension-induced kidney dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Four-week male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly divided into the hypertension group (SHR, n = 8) and exercise group (SE, n = 8, 60 min swimming/day, 6 days per week, for 8 weeks). Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 8) were served as a sedentary normotensive group. Bodyweight and blood pressure (BP) were recorded weekly. After 8-week sedentary or swimming exercise, lipids profile, BUN, and Cr were measured. The renal interstitial fibrosis was examined by the histopathological analysis using Masson's trichrome staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The kidney cell apoptosis was tested by TUNEL staining. The expressions of critical proteins responsible for the TGF-β1/Smad signaling of fibrosis, that is, TGF-β1, Smad2/3, and Smad7, as well as apoptosis related proteins, Bax and Bcl-2 in kidney cortex tissues were measured. Results: The 8-week swimming exercise reduced BP and bodyweight, lowered concentrations of BUN, and serum Cr, compared with SHR. Exercise remarkably inhibited hypertension-induced tubular degeneration, cellular cluster, and tubular cell swelling as well as glomerular degeneration in the kidney cortical tissues, attenuated renal interstitial fibrosis, and renal cell apoptosis. Moreover, expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, and Bax were higher in the SHR than the WKY, which were significantly suppressed by the exercise. In contrast, hypertension-reduced expressions of Smad7 and Bcl-2 were enhanced by the swimming exercise. Strong correlations were found between kidney function indices, blood lipids, and key protein expressions. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate beneficial effects of the periodic swimming on ameliorating hypertension-induced kidney dysfunction highlighting the potential of swimming exercise as a nonpathological therapy for early prevention of hypertension-caused kidney diseases.
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| 5. |
- Guo, Han, et al.
(author)
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Transition metal-catalysed molecular n-doping of organic semiconductors
- 2021
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In: Nature. - London, United Kingdom : Nature Publishing Group. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 599:7883, s. 67-73
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Electron doping of organic semiconductors is typically inefficient, but here a precursor molecular dopant is used to deliver higher n-doping efficiency in a much shorter doping time. Chemical doping is a key process for investigating charge transport in organic semiconductors and improving certain (opto)electronic devices(1-9). N(electron)-doping is fundamentally more challenging than p(hole)-doping and typically achieves a very low doping efficiency (eta) of less than 10%(1,10). An efficient molecular n-dopant should simultaneously exhibit a high reducing power and air stability for broad applicability(1,5,6,9,11), which is very challenging. Here we show a general concept of catalysed n-doping of organic semiconductors using air-stable precursor-type molecular dopants. Incorporation of a transition metal (for example, Pt, Au, Pd) as vapour-deposited nanoparticles or solution-processable organometallic complexes (for example, Pd-2(dba)(3)) catalyses the reaction, as assessed by experimental and theoretical evidence, enabling greatly increased eta in a much shorter doping time and high electrical conductivities (above 100 S cm(-1); ref. (12)). This methodology has technological implications for realizing improved semiconductor devices and offers a broad exploration space of ternary systems comprising catalysts, molecular dopants and semiconductors, thus opening new opportunities in n-doping research and applications(12, 13).
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| 6. |
- He, Kun, et al.
(author)
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Experimental study on flame characteristics of double fires in a naturally ventilated tunnel : Flame merging, flame tilt angle and flame height
- 2021
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In: Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0886-7798 .- 1878-4364. ; 114
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A series of fire tests was carried out to investigate the diffusion flame characteristics of double fires generated from separated burners in a naturally ventilated tunnel, considering different heat release rates and fire separation distances. The results show that the flame tilt angle, as well as the horizontal projected flame length, first increases with fire separation distance and then remains constant, but the vertical flame length first decreases and then remains constant, which is different from two fires in free spaces where flames do not tilt when the separation distance is relatively long. This difference is caused by the non-dimensional fire induced air flow velocity in the tunnel, which is mainly related to the tunnel cross-section dimensions and burner radius. Three regions can be identified, i.e. flame vertical merging, plume vertical merging and non-merging with flame tilted. The critical flame merging separation distance, estimated by the flame merging probability, is greater than that of two fires in an open environment due to the fire-induced air flows. The merging flame height is lower than that of a single fire with a same heat release rate. A correlation was proposed to estimate flame height of two fires in a tunnel by the modified non-dimensional heat release rate using an air entrainment perimeter as the characteristic length. This work enhances the understanding of diffusion flame behaviors of double fires in naturally ventilated tunnels.
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| 7. |
- He, Kun, et al.
(author)
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Experimental study on the maximum ceiling gas temperature driven by double fires in a tunnel with natural ventilation
- 2024
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In: Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0886-7798 .- 1878-4364. ; 144
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The maximum gas temperature below the ceiling is an important parameter for tunnel safety. The present study analyzed the characteristics of the maximum excess ceiling gas temperature driven by double fire sources in a naturally ventilated tunnel. A series of small-scale tunnel fire experiments were carried out with different fire separation distances and heat release rates. Theoretical analysis based on the equivalent virtual origin was also performed. The results showed that there exists only one peak gas temperature when the two fire plumes are merged before reaching the ceiling, while two peak gas temperatures can be observed when the two fire plumes are completely separated. The maximum excess gas temperature below the tunnel ceiling gradually decreases with an increasing fire separation distance in the plume merging region (S < Scp). When the fire separation distance increases further (S > Scp), the effect of the fire separation distance on the maximum gas temperature below the ceiling is very limited. Furthermore, a model using an equivalent fire source was proposed to predict the maximum excess gas temperature below the ceiling, considering different plume merging states. The present study contributes to the understanding of the maximum excess gas temperature characteristics of the smoke flow driven by double fires with an equal heat release rate in naturally ventilated tunnels.
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| 8. |
- He, Yafang, et al.
(author)
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Metabolomic Changes Upon Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation and Predictions of Body Composition Responsiveness
- 2022
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 107:9, s. 2606-2615
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may optimize body composition, yet mechanisms underlining its benefits are not clear in humans. Objective We aimed to reveal the CLA-induced changes in the plasma metabolome associated with body composition improvement and the predictive performance of baseline metabolome on intervention responsiveness. Methods Plasma metabolome from overnight fasted samples at pre- and post-intervention of 65 participants in a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial (3.2 g/day CLA vs 3.2 g/day sunflower oil) were analyzed using untargeted LC-MS metabolomics. Mixed linear model and machine learning were applied to assess differential metabolites between treatments, and to identify optimal panel (based on baseline conventional variables vs metabolites) predicting responders of CLA-derived body composition improvement (increased muscle variables or decreased adiposity variables) based on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results Compared with placebo, CLA altered 57 metabolites (P
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| 9. |
- Liu, Jinyang, et al.
(author)
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Fabrication of Graphene Nanomesh and Improved Chemical Enhancement for Raman Spectroscopy
- 2012
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 116:29, s. 15741-15746
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We propose a new approach to fabricate the graphene nanomesh through the local catalytic hydrogenation of carbon by Cu nanoparticles. It allows to tune the size and density of the holes in the nanomesh as well as the total edge length of the holes through the control of the thickness of the Cu film. The upshift of both G and 2D peaks in Raman spectra of the graphene nanomeshes indicates that the nanomesh is spontaneously p-type doped. Moreover, the split of G peak reveals that the doping is localized near the edge region of the hole in the nanomesh. Importantly, the nanomesh shows improved chemical enhancement for Raman spectra of absorbed RhB molecules as compared to the graphene. The edges in the nanomesh can enhance Raman spectroscopy via increasing both the local charge transfer and the ability to absorb RhB molecules. The results show that the graphene nanomesh has a great potential for the rapid and sensitive detection for the environmental monitoring and food security.
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| 10. |
- Pan, Junxiu, et al.
(author)
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pi-Extended Nonfullerene Acceptors for Efficient Organic Solar Cells with a High Open-Circuit Voltage of 0.94 V and a Low Energy Loss of 0.49 eV
- 2021
-
In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 13:19, s. 22531-22539
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A combination of high open-circuit voltage (V-oc) and short-circuit current density (J(sc)) typically creates effective organic solar cells (OSCs). Y5, a member of the Y-series acceptors, can achieve high V-oc of 0.94 V with PM6 but low J(sc) of 12.8 mA cm(-2). To maintain the high V-oc while increasing the J(sc) of devices, we developed a new nonfullerene acceptor, namely, BTP-C2C4-N, by extending the conjugation of a Y5 molecule with a naphthalenebased end acceptor. In comparison with Y5-based devices, PM6:BTP-C2C4-N-based devices exhibited significantly higher J(sc) of 18.2 mA cm(-2) followed by a high V-oc. To further increase the photovoltaic properties of BTP-C2C4-N analogues, BTP-C4C6-N and BTP-C6C8-N molecules with better processability and film morphology are obtained by adjusting the alkyl branched chain length. The optimized OSCs based on BTP-C4C6-N with a moderate alkyl branched chain length exhibited the best PCE of 12.4% with a high V-oc of 0.94 V and J(sc) of 20.7 mA cm(-2). Notably, the devices achieved a low energy loss of 0.49 eV (0.51 eV for Y5 system) accompanied by a small nonradiative energy loss. The results indicate that nonfullerene acceptors with extended terminal motifs and optimized branched chain lengths can effectively enhance the performance of OSCs and reduce energy loss.
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| 11. |
- Shi, Yanan, et al.
(author)
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Optimizing the Charge Carrier and Light Management of Nonfullerene Acceptors for Efficient Organic Solar Cells with Small Nonradiative Energy Losses
- 2021
-
In: Solar RRL. - : WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH. - 2367-198X. ; 5:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The photovoltaic properties and energy losses of organic solar cells (OSCs) based on nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) are highly dependent on their molecular structures and aggregation morphologies. Charge carrier and light managements are important to optimize NFA molecules. Herein, four NFAs with different alkyl substituents and end groups, named BTP-C11-N2F, BTP-C9-N2F, BTP-C9-IC4F, and BTP-C9-N4F, are designed and synthesized by side-chain shortening, end-acceptor pi-extension, and fluorination. As a result, a favorable morphology is achieved in BTP-C9-N4F-based OSCs by using typical high bandgap polymer PM6 as a donor, and this system obtains the highest power conversion efficiency of 17.0% with a short circuit current (J(sc)) of 26.3 mA cm(-2), an open circuit current (V-oc) of 0.85 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 75.7%. In addition, its light (J(sc)) and charge carrier (V-oc x FF) managements relative to the Shockley-Queisser limit are also increased. Extending the conjugation of the end groups increased the energy levels of NFAs and enabled an E-loss of 0.50 eV with a nonradiative recombination loss of as low as 0.20 eV in BTP-C11-N2F-based OSCs. This work provides an efficient strategy to optimize the molecular structures of nonfullerene acceptors and further improve the properties of OSCs.
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| 12. |
- Wan, Lu Ming, et al.
(author)
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Heparanase Facilitates PMA-Induced Megakaryocytic Differentiation in K562 Cells via Interleukin 6/STAT3 Pathway
- 2020
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In: Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG. - 0340-6245 .- 2567-689X. ; 120:4, s. 647-657
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Heparanase (HPSE) is an endo-beta-D-glucuronidase that cleaves heparan sulfate and hence participates in remodeling of the extracellular matrix, leading to release of cytokines that are immobilized by binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), and consequently activating signaling pathways. This function of HPSE is correlated to its expression level that is normally very low in majority of the tissues. Exceptionally, human platelets express high level of HPSE, suggesting a unique physiological role in this cell. Using K562 cell line, we found a progressive increase of HPSE during the megakaryocytic differentiation. Analysis of a series of megakaryocytic differentiation-related heparin-binding proteins (HBPs) in the cell culture medium revealed an exclusive positive correlation between the level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and HPSE expression. IL-6 modulated megakaryocytic differentiation through activation of STAT3. Further, we demonstrated that overexpression of HPSE potentiates megakaryocytic differentiation, whereas elimination of HPSE led to a delayed differentiation. This function of HPSE is associated with its activity, as overexpression of inactive HPSE had no effect on IL-6 production and megakaryocytic differentiation. The role of HPSE is further supported by the observation in an umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells megakaryocytic differentiation model. Our data propose a novel role for HPSE in platelets production by a HPSE/IL-6/STAT3 positive feedback loop that specifically regulates megakaryocytes maturation.
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| 13. |
- Wang, Hao, et al.
(author)
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Preparation and Properties of Microporous Nickel with High Porosity
- 2023
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In: Rare Metal Materials and Engineering. - : Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research. - 1002-185X. ; 52:3, s. 876-882
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The strategy of sintered closed-hole followed by reopening was proposed to prepare the microporous nickel material with high porosity through the powder metallurgy and subsequential treatments. The carbonyl nickel powder with particle size of 1 mu m was used as raw material, and the effects of sintering process parameters on the pore properties and mechanical properties of microporous nickel were studied. Results show that the porosity measured by mercury injection method of microporous nickel is 53.7%, and the average pore diameter is 612.25 nm at the sintering temperature of 400 degrees C. After machining, the porosity measured by mercury injection method is 54.0%, and the average pore diameter is 511.37 nm, which still satisfies the requirements of engineering application. The strategy provides providing a new approach for the preparation of microporous nickel and other porous metal materials.
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| 14. |
- Wang, Tao, et al.
(author)
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A Co3O4-embedded porous ZnO rhombic dodecahedron prepared using zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as precursors for CO2 photoreduction
- 2016
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In: Nanoscale. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2040-3364 .- 2040-3372. ; 8:12, s. 6712-6720
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are attracting considerable attention for their use as both the precursor and the template to prepare metal oxides or carbon-based materials. For the first time in this paper, the core-shell ZIF-8@ZIF-67 crystals are thermally converted into porous ZnO@Co3O4 composites by combining a seed-mediated growth process with a two-step calcination. The designed porous ZnO@Co3O4 composites exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity with an excellent stability for the reduction of CO2 among the commonly reported composite photocatalysts. Their superior photocatalytic performance is demonstrated to be resulting from the unique porous structure of ZnO@Co3O4 and the co-catalytic function of Co3O4 which can effectively suppress the photocorrosion of ZnO.
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| 15. |
- Wang, Ze-Kun, et al.
(author)
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Assembly of Discrete Chalcogenolate Clusters into a One-Dimensional Coordination Polymer with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Stability
- 2020
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In: Inorganic Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0020-1669 .- 1520-510X. ; 59:4, s. 2121-2126
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Interlinking discrete supertetrahedral chalcogenolate clusters with conjugated bipyridine linkers form a one-dimensional coordination polymer, [Cd6Ag4(SPh)16(DMF)(H2O)(bpe)]n (1a), displaying a broader visible-light absorption and a narrower band gap than those of the discrete cluster. More importantly, the coordination polymer demonstrates enhanced activity and stability for the photocatalytic degradation of organic dye in water.
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| 16. |
- Xia, Jianyang, et al.
(author)
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Terrestrial ecosystem model performance in simulating productivity and its vulnerability to climate change in the northern permafrost region
- 2017
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research - Biogeosciences. - 2169-8953. ; 122:2, s. 430-446
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Realistic projection of future climate-carbon (C) cycle feedbacks requires better understanding and an improved representation of the C cycle in permafrost regions in the current generation of Earth system models. Here we evaluated 10 terrestrial ecosystem models for their estimates of net primary productivity (NPP) and responses to historical climate change in permafrost regions in the Northern Hemisphere. In comparison with the satellite estimate from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS; 246±6gCm-2yr-1), most models produced higher NPP (309±12gCm-2yr-1) over the permafrost region during 2000-2009. By comparing the simulated gross primary productivity (GPP) with a flux tower-based database, we found that although mean GPP among the models was only overestimated by 10% over 1982-2009, there was a twofold discrepancy among models (380 to 800gCm-2yr-1), which mainly resulted from differences in simulated maximum monthly GPP (GPPmax). Most models overestimated C use efficiency (CUE) as compared to observations at both regional and site levels. Further analysis shows that model variability of GPP and CUE are nonlinearly correlated to variability in specific leaf area and the maximum rate of carboxylation by the enzyme Rubisco at 25°C (Vcmax_25), respectively. The models also varied in their sensitivities of NPP, GPP, and CUE to historical changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 concentration. These results indicate that model predictive ability of the C cycle in permafrost regions can be improved by better representation of the processes controlling CUE and GPPmax as well as their sensitivity to climate change.
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| 17. |
- Xu, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Radio Frequency Exposure Compliance of Multiple Antennas for Cellular Equipment Based on Semidefinite Relaxation
- 2019
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In: IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility. - : IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC. - 0018-9375 .- 1558-187X. ; 61:2, s. 327-336
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields should not exceed the exposure limits set by the relevant regulatory guidelines. In this paper, we provide approaches to determine upper bounds of maximum exposure from multiple antennas. When the total transmitted power is fixed, the maximum exposure can be determined by an eigenvalue decomposition. If an individual antenna has additional power constraint, the exposure maximization problem can be relaxed to a semidefinite program. Two case studies are given to demonstrate the approaches to the maximum exposure of cellular equipment using multiple antennas. The methods and the obtained results provide valuable insights into RF compliance procedures of cellular equipment.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Yan, Tao, et al.
(author)
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Habitual intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages associated with gut microbiota-related metabolites and metabolic health outcomes in young Chinese adults
- 2023
-
In: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. - : Elsevier BV. - 0939-4753 .- 1590-3729. ; 33:2, s. 359-368
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims: Reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is a global public health priority because of their limited nutritional value and associations with increased risk of obesity and metabolic diseases. Gut microbiota-related metabolites emerged as quintessential effectors that may mediate impacts of dietary exposures on the modulation of host commensal microbiome and physiological status. Methods and results: This study assessed the associations among SSBs, circulating microbial metabolites, and gut microbiota–host co-metabolites, as well as metabolic health outcomes in young Chinese adults (n = 86), from the Carbohydrate Alternatives and Metabolic Phenotypes study in Shaanxi Province. Five principal component analysis-derived beverage drinking patterns were determined on self-reported SSB intakes, which were to a varying degree associated with 143 plasma levels of gut microbiota-related metabolites profiled by untargeted metabolomics. Moreover, carbonated beverages, fruit juice, energy drinks, and bubble tea exhibited positive associations with obesity-related markers and blood lipids, which were further validated in an independent cohort of 16,851 participants from the Regional Ethnic Cohort Study in Northwest China in Shaanxi Province. In contrast, presweetened coffee was negatively associated with the obesity-related traits. A total of 79 metabolites were associated with both SSBs and metabolic markers, particularly obesity markers. Pathway enrichment analysis identified the branched-chain amino acid catabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis as linking SSB intake with metabolic health outcomes. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the associations between habitual intakes of SSBs and several metabolic markers relevant to noncommunicable diseases, and highlight the critical involvement of gut microbiota-related metabolites in mediating such associations.
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| 20. |
- Zhang, Shuangshuang, et al.
(author)
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Discovery of carbon-based strongest and hardest amorphous material
- 2022
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In: National Science Review. - : Oxford University Press. - 2095-5138 .- 2053-714X. ; 9:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Carbon is one of the most fascinating elements due to its structurally diverse allotropic forms stemming from its bonding varieties (sp, sp2, and sp3). Exploring new forms of carbon has always been the eternal theme of scientific research. Herein, we report the amorphous (AM) carbon materials with high fraction of sp3 bonding recovered from compression of fullerene C60 under high pressure and high temperature previously unexplored. Analysis of photoluminescence and absorption spectra demonstrates that they are semiconducting with a bandgap range of 1.5–2.2 eV, comparable to that of widely used amorphous silicon. Comprehensive mechanical tests demonstrate that the synthesized AM-III carbon is the hardest and strongest amorphous material known so far, which can scratch diamond crystal and approach its strength. The produced AM carbon materials combine outstanding mechanical and electronic properties, and may potentially be used in photovoltaic applications that require ultrahigh strength and wear resistance.
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| 21. |
- Zhou, Yongqiang, et al.
(author)
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Inflow rate-driven changes in the composition and dynamics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in a large drinking water lake
- 2016
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In: Water Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0043-1354 .- 1879-2448. ; 100, s. 211-221
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Drinking water lakes are threatened globally and therefore in need of protection. To date, few studies have been carried out to investigate how the composition and dynamics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in drinking water lakes are influenced by inflow rate. Such CDOM can lead to unpleasant taste and odor of the water and produce undesirable disinfection byproducts during drinking water treatment. We studied the drinking water Lake Qiandao, China, and found that the concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the lake increased significantly with inflow rate (p
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| 22. |
- Zhou, Yongqiang, et al.
(author)
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Rainstorm events shift the molecular composition and export of dissolved organic matter in a large drinking water reservoir in China : High frequency buoys and field observations
- 2020
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In: Water Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0043-1354 .- 1879-2448. ; 187
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rainstorm events can flush large amounts of terrestrial organic-rich material into lakes that are used for drinking water. To date, few studies have been carried out to investigate how rainstorm events change the molecular composition, bio-lability, and flux of upstream-imported dissolved organic matter (DOM), which can impact the odor and taste of drinking water as well as the efficiency of wastewater treatment. We undertook high-frequency buoy monitoring and point sample collection (n = 495), during high, moderate, and low inflow discharge, in Lake Qiandao, a key drinking water source for about 10 million people. Data from two online fluorescent DOM sensors deployed and field samples collected at the river site, Jiekou, and the lake site, Xiaojinshan, showed that rainstorm events increased the specific UV absorbance (SUVA254), humification index (HIX), humic-like components (C1-C2), and FT-ICR MS derived condensed aromatic and polyphenolic compounds (p < 0.001) and decreased the spectral slope of DOM (S275–295), spectral slope ratio (SR), biological index (BIX), and highly bio-degradable peptide-like and aliphatic substances (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that rainstorm events enhanced the export to the lake of colored, hydrophobic, and aromatic DOM. Upstream-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations decreased (p < 0.001), while DOC bio-availability (BDOC) increased only slightly (p < 0.05) during rainstorm events. The loss rate of DOC in Lake Qiandao is 0.82 × 104 t C yr−1, of which 0.30 × 104 t C yr−1 is highly bio-labile, and higher occurrences of both ≥ 25 mm d − 1 and ≥ 50 mm d − 1 rainfall events are anticipated by linear fittings for this region in the future. The application of in situ fluorescence sensors provides an early warning of DOC surge incidents caused by rainstorm events and may be useful in advising drinking water treatment plant managers of changes in raw water DOM quality and treatability.
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| 23. |
- Zhuang, Ting, et al.
(author)
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SHARPIN stabilizes estrogen receptor a and promotes breast cancer cell proliferation
- 2017
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In: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 8:44, s. 77137-77151
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Estrogen receptor a is expressed in the majority of breast cancers and promotes estrogen-dependent cancer progression. In our study, we identified the novel E3 ubiquitin ligase SHARPIN function to facilitate ERα signaling. SHARPIN is highly expressed in human breast cancer and correlates with ERα protein level by immunohistochemistry. SHARPIN expression level correlates with poor prognosis in ERα positive breast cancer patients. SHARPIN depletion based RNA-sequence data shows that ERα signaling is a potential SHARPIN target. SHARPIN depletion significantly decreases ERα protein level, ERα target genes expression and estrogen response element activity in breast cancer cells, while SHARPIN overexpression could reverse these effects. SHARPIN depletion significantly decreases estrogen stimulated cell proliferation in breast cancer cells, which effect could be further rescued by ERα overexpression. Further mechanistic study reveals that SHARPIN mainly localizes in the cytosol and interacts with ERα both in the cytosol and the nuclear. SHARPIN regulates ERα signaling through protein stability, not through gene expression. SHARPIN stabilizes ERα protein via prohibiting ERα protein poly-ubiquitination. Further study shows that SHARPIN could facilitate the mono-ubiquitinaiton of ERα at K302/303 sites and facilitate ERE luciferase activity. Together, our findings propose a novel ERα modulation mechanism in supporting breast cancer cell growth, in which SHARPIN could be one suitable target for development of novel therapy for ERα positive breast cancer.
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