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- Hu, Hai-Xi, et al.
(author)
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Structural insights into HetR-PatS interaction involved in cyanobacterial pattern formation
- 2015
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The one-dimensional pattern of heterocyst in the model cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is coordinated by the transcription factor HetR and PatS peptide. Here we report the complex structures of HetR binding to DNA, and its hood domain (HetR(Hood)) binding to a PatS-derived hexapeptide (PatS6) at 2.80 and 2.10 angstrom, respectively. The intertwined HetR dimer possesses a couple of novel HTH motifs, each of which consists of two canonical alpha-helices in the DNA-binding domain and an auxiliary alpha-helix from the flap domain of the neighboring subunit. Two PatS6 peptides bind to the lateral clefts of HetR(Hood), and trigger significant conformational changes of the flap domain, resulting in dissociation of the auxiliary alpha-helix and eventually release of HetR from the DNA major grove. These findings provide the structural insights into a prokaryotic example of Turing model.
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- Lou, Xinyuan, et al.
(author)
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A study on human perception in aircraft cabins and its association with volatile organic compounds
- 2022
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In: Building and Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0360-1323 .- 1873-684X. ; 219
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- More than 8 million people fly on commercial aircraft each day with approximately 5% having a pre-existing respiratory disease. Thus it is necessary to provide high air quality in aircraft to protect public health. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in aircraft cabins are suspected to contribute to the reported complaints. We investigated concentrations of VOCs, air temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentrations in a total of 46 flights, including 26 Chinese domestic flights and 20 international flights. We focused on the data from the cruising phase without meal serving in which the air supply and air recirculation were steady. A total of 284 passengers (i.e., 101 on international flights and 183 on Chinese domestic flights) were invited to participate in questionnaire surveys in this phase. We performed a linear mixed model analysis by controlling for potential confounders (age, gender, smoke habits, and history of allergy) to study associations between VOCs exposures and passengers' complaints. Xylene was significantly associated with irritations of the eyes, nose, and throat on both international and domestic flights, with antilog beta values from 1.12 to 1.28 (p < 0.05). The association of some aldehydes (i.e., nonanal, decanal, and heptanal), which are potential oxidation products with ozone, with passengers' sensory irritations was also significant, especially during international flights (antilog beta values: 1.19-1.22). It indicates that VOCs, especially xylene and aldehydes, in aircraft cabins may influence the perceived indoor air quality and complaints among passengers.
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- Luo, Yifei, et al.
(author)
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Technology Roadmap for Flexible Sensors
- 2023
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In: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society. - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 17:6, s. 5211-5295
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited. To ease and to expedite their deployment, here, we identify bottlenecks hindering the maturation of flexible sensors and propose promising solutions. We first analyze challenges in achieving satisfactory sensing performance for real-world applications and then summarize issues in compatible sensor-biology interfaces, followed by brief discussions on powering and connecting sensor networks. Issues en route to commercialization and for sustainable growth of the sector are also analyzed, highlighting environmental concerns and emphasizing nontechnical issues such as business, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Additionally, we look at future intelligent flexible sensors. In proposing a comprehensive roadmap, we hope to steer research efforts towards common goals and to guide coordinated development strategies from disparate communities. Through such collaborative efforts, scientific breakthroughs can be made sooner and capitalized for the betterment of humanity.
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- Xu, Jian, et al.
(author)
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Sediment PAH source apportionment in the Liaohe River using the ME2approach : A comparison to the PMF model
- 2016
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 553, s. 164-171
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Environmental contaminant source apportionment is essential for pollution management and control. This study analysed surface sediment samples for 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAH sources were identified by two receptor models, which included positive matrix factorization (PMF) and multilinear engine 2 (ME2). Three PAH sources in the Liaohe River sediments were identified by PM', including traffic, coke oven and coal combustion. The ME2 model apportioned one additional source. The two models yielded excellent correlation coefficients between the measured and predicted PAH concentrations. Traffic emission was the primary PAH source associated with the Liaohe River sediments, with estimated PMF contributions of 58% in May and 63' in September. Coke oven (19%-25%) and coal combustion (13%-18,0) were the other two major PAH sources. For ME2, gasoline and diesel were separated: accounted for 14% in May and 16% in September; and 53' in May and 48% in September. This study marks the first application of the ME2 model to study sediment contaminant source apportionment. The methodology can potentially be applied to other aquatic environment contaminants.
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- Yin, Qingqing, et al.
(author)
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Targetting Exosomes as a New Biomarker and Therapeutic Approach for Alzheimer's Disease
- 2020
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In: Clinical Interventions in Aging. - 1176-9092 .- 1178-1998. ; 15, s. 195-205
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that mainly occurs in old age and involves progressive cognitive impairment. AD has become a major global issue for public health, with approximately 24 million people currently affected by the disease. Estimates indicted that this number will quadruple by 2050. Because of the high incidence of AD, there is an urgent need to develop new strategies to diagnose and treat AD. Many recent studies have indicated the multiple, yet somewhat controversial, roles of exosomes in AD. Although the underlying mechanisms by which exosomes play a role in AD are still unknown, current evidence suggests that exosomes can carry and spread toxic amyloid-beta, and hyperphosphorylated tau, between cells, and then induce apoptosis, thus contributing to the loss of neurons. In addition, exosomes appear to possess the ability to reduce brain amyloid-beta, and tau hyperphosphorylation, and transfer neuroprotective substances between neural cells. The accumulating data brings hope that the application of exosomes may be helpful for early diagnostics and the identification of new therapeutic targets for AD. Here, we summarized the various roles of exosomes, and how they might relate to the pathogenesis of AD. We also highlight the potential application of exosomes as a therapeutic option in AD therapy.
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- Zhou, Xiaohong, et al.
(author)
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Global Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes and Proteins in the Wheat Callus Infected by Agrobacterium tumefaciens
- 2013
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:11, s. e79390-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation is an extremely complex and evolved process involving genetic determinants of both the bacteria and the host plant cells. However, the mechanism of the determinants remains obscure, especially in some cereal crops such as wheat, which is recalcitrant for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were analyzed in wheat callus cells co-cultured with Agrobacterium by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in conjunction with mass spectrometry (MS). A set of 4,889 DEGs and 90 DEPs were identified, respectively. Most of them are related to metabolism, chromatin assembly or disassembly and immune defense. After comparative analysis, 24 of the 90 DEPs were detected in RNA-seq and proteomics datasets simultaneously. In addition, real-time RT-PCR experiments were performed to check the differential expression of the 24 genes, and the results were consistent with the RNA-seq data. According to gene ontology (GO) analysis, we found that a big part of these differentially expressed genes were related to the process of stress or immunity response. Several putative determinants and candidate effectors responsive to Agrobacterium mediated transformation of wheat cells were discussed. We speculate that some of these genes are possibly related to Agrobacterium infection. Our results will help to understand the interaction between Agrobacterium and host cells, and may facilitate developing efficient transformation strategies in cereal crops.
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