Green algae dominance quickly switches to cyanobacteria dominance after nutrient enrichment in greenhouse with high temperature

Xiaodong Wang,Xingguo Liu1,Boqiang Qin,Zhaojun Gu,Hao Xu,Hao Zhu,Guofeng Cheng,Huang Liu 한국생태학회 2015 Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol.38 No.3

In order to understand the mechanisms of conversion between different algal dominance, an experiment was performed in a greenhouse from 22 June to 10 July 2011. The experiment included a treatment group subjected to three instances of nutrient enrichment and a control with no nutrient enrichment. The initial water was dominated by Ankistrodesmus of Chlorophyta. The average water temperature at 08:30 h and 14:00 h during the experiment was 31.6°C and 34.6°C, respec¬tively. The results showed that the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), dissolved total phosphorus (DTP), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations in the treatment were significantly higher than in the control (P < 0.05). However, the TN/TP and DTN/DTP in the control was higher than in the treatment (P < 0.05). The dominant algae in the control did not change during the experiment, while the dominant algae in the treat¬ment switched to Planktothrix of Cyanophyta on day 9. The chlorophyll a (Chl-a), wet weight of all algae, wet weight of Cyanophyta, and percentage of Cyanophyta in the control were all significantly lower than in the treatment (P < 0.05). Amounts of zooplankton, especially rotifers, were present at the end of the experimental period. The density of rotifers between the control and treatment was not significantly different (P > 0.05), while the copepod density in the treatment was higher than in the control (P < 0.05). We conclude that green algae dominance quickly switches to cyanobacteria dominance after nutrient enrichment in a greenhouse with elevated temperature

The mediating role of atrial fibrillation in causal associations between risk factors and stroke: a Mendelian randomization study

Shanmei Qin(Shanmei Qin),Mengmeng Wang(Mengmeng Wang),Dipender Gill(Dipender Gill ),Zhizhong Zhang(Zhizhong Zhang),Xinfeng Liu(Xinfeng Liu) 한국역학회 2024 Epidemiology and Health Vol.46 No.-

Polymorphisms in Epigenetic and Meat Quality Related Genes in Fourteen Cattle Breeds and Association with Beef Quality and Carcass Traits

Liu, Xuan,Usman, Tahir,Wang, Yachun,Wang, Zezhao,Xu, Xianzhou,Wu, Meng,Zhang, Yi,Zhang, Xu,Li, Qiang,Liu, Lin,Shi, Wanhai,Qin, Chunhua,Geng, Fanjun,Wang, Congyong,Tan, Rui,Huang, Xixia,Liu, Airong,Wu, Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.4

Improvement for carcass traits related to beef quality is the key concern in beef production. Recent reports found that epigenetics mediates the interaction of individuals with environment and nutrition. The present study was designed to analyze the genetic effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven epigenetic-related genes (DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, DNMT3L, Ago1, Ago2, and HDAC5) and two meat quality candidate genes (CAPN1 and PRKAG3) on fourteen carcass traits related to beef quality in a Snow Dragon beef population, and also to identify SNPs in a total of fourteen cattle populations. Sixteen SNPs were identified and genotyped in 383 individuals sampled from the 14 cattle breeds, which included 147 samples from the Snow Dragon beef population. Data analysis showed significant association of 8 SNPs within 4 genes related to carcass and/or meat quality traits in the beef populations. SNP1 (13154420A>G) in exon 17 of DNMT1 was significantly associated with rib-eye width and lean meat color score (p<0.05). A novel SNP (SNP4, 76198537A>G) of DNMT3a was significantly associated with six beef quality traits. Those individuals with the wild-type genotype AA of DNMT3a showed an increase in carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, flank thicknesses, chuck short rib thickness, chuck short rib score and in chuck flap weight in contrast to the GG genotype. Five out of six SNPs in DNMT3b gene were significantly associated with three beef quality traits. SNP15 (45219258C>T) in CAPN1 was significantly associated with chuck short rib thickness and lean meat color score (p<0.05). The significant effect of SNP15 on lean meat color score individually and in combination with each of other 14 SNPs qualify this SNP to be used as potential marker for improving the trait. In addition, the frequencies of most wild-type alleles were higher than those of the mutant alleles in the native and foreign cattle breeds. Seven SNPs were identified in the epigenetic-related genes. The SNP15 in CAPN1 could be used as a powerful genetic marker in selection programs for beef quality improvement in the Snow Dragon Beef population.

Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-induced Protein 8 in Pancreas Tissues and its Correlation with Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor Levels

Liu, Ke,Qin, Cheng-Kun,Wang, Zhi-Yi,Liu, Su-Xia,Cui, Xian-Ping,Zhang, Dong-Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8 or TIPE) is a recently identified protein considered to be associated with carcinogenesis. To investigate its expression pattern in pancreatic cancer patients and to analyse its correlation with clinicopathological significance and the expression levels of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the TNFAIP8 and EGFR proteins in pancreatic cancers, pancreatitis tissues, and healthy controls. The results showed stronger staining of TNFAIP8 protein in pancreatic cancer tissues compared with normal pancreas tissue. Furthermore, in 56 patients with pancreatic cancer, the expression levels of TNFAIP8 in patients with low tumor stage was higher than that with high tumor stage, and correlated with tumor staging and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Furthermore, TNFAIP8 expression positively correlated with EGFR levels (r=0.671135, P<0.05). These results indicate that TNFAIP8 may play important roles in the progression of pancreatic cancer.

On the forced vibration of high-order functionally graded nanotubes under the rotation via intelligent modeling

Liu, Yang,Wang, Xiaofeng,Liu Li,Wu, Bin,Yang, Qin Techno-Press 2022 Advances in nano research Vol.13 No.1

The present research investigates the dynamic behavior of a rotating functionally graded (FG) nonlocal cylindrical beam. The cylindrical beam is mathematically modeled via third-order beam theory linked with nonlocal strain gradient theory. The tube structure is made of functionally graded materials composed of Aluminum oxide coated on the Nickel, which the mechanical properties vary in the tube radius direction according to the power law. The bending harmonic force is applied in the tube length middle. The nonlocal spinning equations of the tube are derived via the energy method of the Hamilton principle, and they are solved via a robust numerical procedure for different boundary conditions. The main application of the rotating nanostructures is for the production of small-scale motors and devices and the drug-delivery application, the presented results can help the researcher have a better view regarding the different conditions.

A new silver niobate photocatalyst AgNb₁₃O₃₃: Synthesis, structure and photochemical properties

Liu, Xuanxuan,Qin, Chuanxiang,Huang, Yanlin,Qin, Lin,Seo, Hyo Jin Elsevier 2017 JOURNAL- TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS Vol.78 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Ag-containing niobate AgNb<SUB>13</SUB>O<SUB>33</SUB> has been prepared by the sol–gel polymerized complex method. The structure was investigated via a good XRD Rietveld refinement in a typical perovskite-like framework. The morphological properties of the AgNb<SUB>13</SUB>O<SUB>33</SUB> nanoparticles were tested via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectra (EDS) measurements. AgNb<SUB>13</SUB>O<SUB>33</SUB> is a typical direct allowed semiconductor with band energy of 2.81 eV, which is much narrower than 3.4 eV of Nb<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>5</SUB>. This silver niobate can harvest both UV and near UV light, which is benefited from the (O-2p/Ag-4d) hybridization in the valence band. The photocatalytic abilities of AgNb<SUB>13</SUB>O<SUB>33</SUB> nanoparticles were reported. The sample presents more efficient photocatalytic effects on photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye solutions than that of Nb<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>5</SUB>. The photocatalytic mechanism was discussed on band energy levels, trapping experiments, photoluminescence and the decay lifetime.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A new silver-containing niobate nanoparticle AgNb<SUB>13</SUB>O<SUB>33</SUB> was prepared. </LI> <LI> Typical perovskite-like structure was verified by Rietveld refinements. </LI> <LI> AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> shows an efficient absorption with a narrow gap 2.81 eV. </LI> <LI> AgNb<SUB>7</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB> has an efficient photocatalytic activity on MB photo-degradation. </LI> <LI> AgNb<SUB>13</SUB>O<SUB>33</SUB> has more advanced photocatalytic activities than Nb<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>5</SUB>. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Photo-induced environmental depletion processes of b-blockers in river waters

Liu, Qin-Tao,Cumming, Rob I.,Sharpe, Alan D. Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.6

In order to improve the understanding of the fate and behaviour of pharmaceuticals in the environment there is a need to investigate in-stream depletion mechanisms, e.g. phototransformation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in natural surface waters. In this study, abiotic and biotic degradation of selected $\beta$-blockers was measured simultaneously in non-sterilised and sterilised river waters and deionised water (DIW) under simulated sunlight ($\lambda$: 295.800 nm) and dark conditions, and at environmentally relevant concentrations, i.e. $\leq$ ppb levels. Results suggested that the overall degradation followed pseudo first order kinetics under the solar simulation conditions and was between two and ten times faster in river waters than in DIW. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.07) between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and overall first order degradation rate constants for the tested b-blockers (n = 4-6), suggesting coloured DOC triplet-induced or reactive transient mediated oxidation mechanisms in river waters. Phototransformation was the main depletion mechanism for the b-blockers tested over a 2 to 7 day period. Slow hydrolysis was observed for metoprolol only. Loss due to biodegradation in river waters was not observed for propranolol but was found for metoprolol and atenolol at a very slow rate within the study period. However, biodegradation of metoprolol was accelerated under the light conditions, implying that photo-induced intermediates could be more easily biodegraded in river waters.

Construction of a Transposon-mediated Baculovirus Vector Hanpvid and a New Cell Line for Expressing Barnase

Qin, Qin,Liu, Ying-Le,Zhu, Ying,Li, Shun-Yi,Qi, Yi-Peng Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2005 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.38 No.1

In this study we developed the transposon-mediated shuttle vector 'Hanpvid', which composed of HaNPV (Heliothis armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus) genomic DNA and a transposon cassette from Bacmid of Bac-to-Bac system. Hanpvid replicates in E. coli in the same way as Bacmid and retains infective function in cotton bollworm cells (Hz-AM1). Using Hanpvid we constructed a recombinant virus, which could infect Hz-AM1 cells and generate recombinant HaNPV (rHa-Bar) containing the barnase gene, a ribonuclease gene from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Since the expression vector carrying barnase gene cannot replicate in the absence of barstar, a specific inhibitor of barnase, we constructed a new cotton bollworm cell line (AM1-NB) using the marker rescue method. In AM1-NB barstar was integrated into the cellular chromosome to sustain the replication of rHa-Bar. To screen out recombinant HaNPV for potential use as biopesticide, Hz-AM1 and AM1-NB cell lines were infected with rHa-Bar, respectively. The results obtained indicate that Viral progenies in AM1-NB were 23 and 160 times greater than those in Hz-AM1 48 h and 72 h after infection, respectively. With additional insertion of the polyhedron gene from AcNPV (Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus) into the Hanpvid genome, rHa-Bar regained the polyhedron phenotype and its pest-killing rate greatly improved. Toxic analysis showed that the lethal dosages ($LD_{50}$) and the lethal time(s) ($LT_{50}$) of rHa-Bar were reduced by 20% and 30%, respectively, compared to wt-HaNPV in the third instar larvae of cotton bollworm. This study shows that in AM1-NB barnase can be effectively produced and used as pest-killing agent for the biological control of cotton pests.

Compressed Magnetic Field in the Magnetically Regulated Global Collapsing Clump of G9.62+0.19

Liu, Tie,Kim, Kee-Tae,Liu, Sheng-Yuan,Juvela, Mika,Zhang, Qizhou,Wu, Yuefang,Li, Pak Shing,Parsons, Harriet,Soam, Archana,Goldsmith, Paul F.,Su, Yu-Nung,Tatematsu, Ken’ichi,Qin, Sheng-Li,Garay, Guido American Astronomical Society 2018 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.869 No.1

Improved photochemical properties of Aurivillius Bi₅Ti₃FeO₁₅ with partial substitution of Ti⁴⁺ with Fe³⁺

Liu, Xuanxuan,Xu, Lei,Huang, Yanlin,Qin, Chuanxiang,Qin, Lin,Seo, Hyo Jin Elsevier 2017 CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL Vol.43 No.15

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This work improved the optical absorption and photocatalytic ability of four-layered Aurivillius Bi<SUB>5</SUB>Ti<SUB>3</SUB>FeO<SUB>15</SUB> through microstructural modification via partial substitution of Ti<SUP>4+</SUP> with Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>. Bi<SUB>5</SUB>Ti<SUB>3−x</SUB>Fe<SUB>1+x</SUB>O<SUB>15</SUB> (x = 0–0.6) photocatalysts were prepared through sol-gel citrate-complexation synthesis. The sample crystallized into plate-like nanoparticles with [001] facets. Phase formation and crystal structure were confirmed via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) Rietveld refinements. Bi<SUB>5</SUB>Ti<SUB>3−x</SUB>Fe<SUB>1+x</SUB>O<SUB>15</SUB> (x = 0–0.6) maintained its structural characteristic, i.e., a perovskite unit of (Bi<SUB>3</SUB>Ti<SUB>3−x</SUB>Fe<SUB>1+x</SUB>O<SUB>13</SUB>)<SUP>2–</SUP> sandwiched by two (Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB>)<SUP>2+</SUP> layers along <I>c</I> axis. The samples were investigated via scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and specific surface area analyses. The band gap showed characteristic transitions from the valence band (VB) of (O2p+Fe<I>t</I> <SUB>2g</SUB>+Bi6s) to the conduction band (CB) of (Ti-3d+Fe-<I>e</I> <SUB>g</SUB>). With increasing substitution of Ti<SUP>4+</SUP> with Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>, the sample greatly red shifted its absorption edges. The d–d transitions in FeO<SUB>6</SUB> greatly contribute to the narrow band-gap. Aurivillius is a potential photocatalyst and demonstrated photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420nm). Such photocatalytic activities were attributed to the special structural layer and the catalytic mediators of multivalent Ti<SUP>4+/3+</SUP> and Fe<SUP>3+/2+</SUP> ions in the perovskite slabs as confirmed by XPS measurements. Results suggested that substitution of Ti<SUP>4+</SUP> with Fe<SUP>3+</SUP> in an Aurivillius phase was an efficient method to modify the bandwidth and structure of Aurivillius phase. This phenomenon can be used as a strategy to improve the photochemical properties of Ti/Fe-containing Aurivillius phases.</P>