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Gang Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Gang Zhang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Thermal conductivity of nanotubes revisited: effects of chirality, isotope impurity, tube length, and temperature.

We study the dependence of the thermal conductivity of single-walled nanotubes on chirality, isotope impurity, tube length, and temperature by nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics method with accurate potentials. It is found that, contrary to electronic conductivity, the thermal conductivity is insensitive to the chirality. The isotope impurity, however, can reduce the thermal conductivity up to 60% and change the temperature dependence behavior. We also found that the tube length dependence of thermal conductivity is different for nanotubes of different radii at different temperatures.

Journal Article↗

Anomalous vibrational energy diffusion in carbon nanotubes.

We study the vibrational energy diffusion in single-walled carbon nanotubes by using the molecular-dynamics method. It is found that energy transports ballistically at low temperature and superdiffusively at room temperature. The velocity of energy transport along the axis in carbon nanotube at room temperature is about 0.10 A/fs. It is also found that energy transport in carbon nanotube is different from that one in one-dimensional carbon lattice with the same interaction potential.

Journal Article↗

Theoretical study on structures and aromaticities of P5(-) anion, [Ti (eta(5)-P5)]- and sandwich complex [Ti(eta(5)-P5)2]2-.

The equilibrium geometries, energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICSs) of the ground state of P5(-) (D(5h)) anion, the [Ti (eta(5)-P5)]- fragment (C(5v)), and the sandwich complex [Ti(eta(5)-P5)2]2- (D(5h) and D(5d)) are calculated by the three-parameter fit of the exchange-correlation potential suggested by Becke in conjunction with the LYP exchange potential (B3LYP) with basis sets 6-311+G(2d) (for P) and 6-311+G(2df) (for Ti). In each of the three molecules, the P-P and Ti-P bond distances are perfectly equal: five P atoms in block P5(-) lie in the same plane; the P-P bond distance increases and the Ti-P bond distance decreases with the order P5(-), [Ti(eta(5)-P5)2]2-, and [Ti (eta(5)-P5)]-. The binding energy analysis, which is carried out according to the energy change of hypothetic reactions of the three species, predicts that the three species are all very stable, and [Ti (eta(5)-P5)]- (C(5v)), more stable than P5(-) and [Ti(eta(5)-P5)2]2- synthesized in the experiment, could be synthesized. NICS values, computed for the anion and moiety of the three species with GIAO-B3LYP, reveal that the three species all have a larger aromaticity, and NICS (0) of moiety, NICS (1) of moiety, and minimum NICS of the inner side of ring P5 plane in magnitude increase with the order P5(-), [Ti(eta(5)-P5)2]2-, and [Ti (eta(5)-P5)]-. By analysis of the binding energetic and the molecular orbital (MO) and qualitative MO correlation diagram, and the dissection of total NICS, dissected as NICS contributions of various bonds, it is the main reason for P5(-) (D(5h)) having the larger aromaticity that the P-P sigma bonds, and pi bonds have the larger diatropic ring currents in which NICS contribution are negative, especially the P-P sigma bond. However, in [Ti (eta(5)-P5)]- (C(5v)) and [Ti(eta(5)-P5)2]2- (D(5h), and D(5d)), the reason is the larger and more negative diatropic ring currents in which the NICS contributions of P-P pi bonds and P5-Ti bonds including pi, delta, and sigma bonds, especially P5-Ti bonds, are much more negative and canceled the NICS contributions of P and Ti core and lone pair electrons.

Journal Article↗

The molecular structure and orientation of antiferroelectric liquid crystal using the density-functional theory and two-dimensional correlation-polarized infrared spectroscopy.

The structure and vibrational frequencies of the chiral antiferroelectric liquid-crystal molecule, 4-(1-methyheptyloxycarbonyl) phenyl-4-(4'-octyloxy) benzoate (MHOCPOOB), have been calculated using the density-functional theory (DFT) with the Becke-3 Lee-Yang-Parr/6-31G(d,p) level. The observed vibrational spectra have been resolved and assigned in detail by comparison to the computed values. The results indicate that the computed and observed spectra are in good agreement with each other. The stable molecular structure obtained with the DFT theory shows that the two hydrocarbon chains are all-trans zigzag conformer and nearly perpendicular to each other. The orientation of the mesogen part and the hydrocarbon chains for MHOCPOOB in the Sm-C*A phase are investigated by employing the polarization-angle-dependent infrared spectra in the electric-field induced and the two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy. After combining the experimental and theoretical results, it can be concluded that the azimuth of the achiral and chiral chains is opposite to each other, the orientation of the achiral chain is almost the same direction as the mesogen core, and the orientation of the chiral chain is nearly perpendicular to the mesogen part. The achiral and chiral CH2 chains are both a probable all-trans zigzag conformer.

Journal Article↗

Function of donor cell centrosome in intraspecies and interspecies nuclear transfer embryos.

Centrosomes, the main microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs) in most animal cells, are important for many cellular activities such as assembly of the mitotic spindle, establishment of cell polarity, and cell movement. In nuclear transfer (NT), MTOCs that are located at the poles of the meiotic spindle are removed from the recipient oocyte, while the centrosome of the donor cell is introduced. We used mouse MII oocytes as recipients, mouse fibroblasts, rat fibroblasts, or pig granulosa cells as donor cells to construct intraspecies and interspecies nuclear transfer embryos in order to observe centrosome dynamics and functions. Three antibodies against centrin, gamma-tubulin, and NuMA, respectively, were used to stain the centrosome. Centrin was not detected either at the poles of transient spindles or at the poles of first mitotic spindles. gamma-tubulin translocated into the two poles of the transient spindles, while no accumulated gamma-tubulin aggregates were detected in the area adjacent to the two pseudo-pronuclei. At first mitotic metaphase, gamma-tubulin was translocated to the spindle poles. The distribution of gamma-tubulin was similar in mouse intraspecies and rat-mouse interspecies embryos. The NuMA antibody that we used can recognize porcine but not murine NuMA protein, so it was used to trace the NuMA protein of donor cell in reconstructed embryos. In the pig-mouse interspecies reconstructed embryos, NuMA concentrated between the disarrayed chromosomes soon after activation and translocated to the transient spindle poles. NuMA then immigrated into pseudo-pronuclei. After pseudo-pronuclear envelope breakdown, NuMA was located between the chromosomes and then translocated to the spindle poles of first mitotic metaphase. gamma-tubulin antibody microinjection resulted in spindle disorganization and retardation of the first cell division. NuMA antibody microinjection also resulted in spindle disorganization. Our findings indicate that (1) the donor cell centrosome, defined as pericentriolar material surrounding a pair of centrioles, is degraded in the 1-cell reconstituted embryos after activation; (2) components of donor cell centrosomes contribute to the formation of the transient spindle and normal functional mitotic spindle, although the contribution of centrosomal material stored in the recipient ooplasm is not excluded; and (3) components of donor cell centrosomes involved in spindle assembly may not be species-specific.

Animals↗

Transplantation of male pronucleus derived from in vitro fertilization of enucleated oocyte into parthenogenetically activated oocyte results in live offspring in mouse.

In this study, inter-strain reconstructed embryos were produced by combining the female pronucleus of Kunming mouse (white) with male pronucleus of C57BL/6 strain (black). Metaphase II (MII) oocytes of Kunming mouse were enucleated and the zona pellucida was removed. Then, the enucleated oocytes were inseminated by capacitated sperm of C57BL/6 mouse in vitro. At the same time, MII oocytes of Kunming mouse were artificially activated using strontium chloride solution, which did not contain cytochalasin B. Finally, we removed the male pronucleus derived from C57BL/6 sperm and injected it into a parthenogenetically activated one-pronucleus oocyte by micromanipulation. The reconstructed 2-cell embryos were transplanted into the oviducts of 22 foster mother mice, each receiving about 20 embryos. In the end, seven healthy and live pups were born from one recipient.

Animals↗

Patterning microsphere surfaces by templating colloidal crystals.

By using the upper single or double layers in colloidal crystals as masks during Au vapor deposition, various Au patterns have been successfully constructed on the surfaces of the lower spheres. The dimension and geometry of the Au patterns obtained are dependent on the orientation of the colloidal crystal templates. Our patterning procedure is independent of the curvature and chemical composition of the surfaces, which definitely pave a promising way to pattern highly curved surfaces.

Journal Article↗

Anomalous heat conduction and anomalous diffusion in nonlinear lattices, single walled nanotubes, and billiard gas channels.

We study anomalous heat conduction and anomalous diffusion in low-dimensional systems ranging from nonlinear lattices, single walled carbon nanotubes, to billiard gas channels. We find that in all discussed systems, the anomalous heat conductivity can be connected with the anomalous diffusion, namely, if energy diffusion is sigma(2)(t)=2Dt(alpha) (0 1) implies an anomalous heat conduction with a divergent thermal conductivity (beta>0), and more interestingly, a subdiffusion (alpha<1) implies an anomalous heat conduction with a convergent thermal conductivity (beta<0), consequently, the system is a thermal insulator in the thermodynamic limit. Existing numerical data support our theoretical prediction.

Carbon↗

[Electrical impedance spectroscopy method for measuring cold hardiness of plants].

Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a method for measuring cold hardiness of plants. It has been widely used in the fields of agriculture, forestry and horticulture. In this paper the following aspects were introduced and discussed: (1) physical and physiological factors of impedance measurements in plants, (2) suitable models for measuring EIS, and (3) method for assessing cold hardiness by means of EIS. In traditional EIS analysis, after completion of the artificially controlled freezing tests, the extracellular resistance (r(e)) is the best parameter for determining cold hardiness of plants. It has been reported recently that cold hardiness might be determined just after sampling using EIS analysis without a controlled freezing test. The relaxation time (tau(1)) is the most suitable parameter: in the rapid hardening phase, differences in the hardening patterns of various provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) could be distinguished by the relaxation time with an accuracy of +/-2 degrees C without a controlled freezing test.

Cold Temperature↗

[Isolation and identification of huamn dental pulp stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify human dental pulp stem cells from third molars. METHODS: Dental pulps were dissected and digested by collagenase type I and dispase. The obtained single cell supernatant were harvested and cultured. Characterization of the phenotype of DPSCs was detected by immunohistochemical method and RT-PCR assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by FCM. Differentiation potential of DPSCs was evaluated. RESULTS: Colony-forming efficiency of cells derived from dental pulp tissue was 2 - 15 clones/10(3) cells plated. DPSCs were found to express many different markers, including vimentin, collagen type I, GFAP, nestin and osteocalcin, while they failed to react with MyoD and DSPP. About 64.1% of the cells were in G0/G1 phases, while only 35.8% in proliferation (S + G2 + M). Grown in an adipogenic cocktail medium for three weeks, some DPSCs expressed fat cell markers of PPARgamma and LPL, and formed oil red O-positive lipid clusters in five weeks. After culture with a myogenic-inductive medium, DPSCs were found to express MyoD, desmin and myosin, markers of myocyte. Long-term cultures of DPSCs grown in differentiation inductive medium demonstrated the capacity to form Von Kossa-positive condensed nodules with high levels of calcium. CONCLUSION: Cells isolated from adult human dental pulp are clonogenic, and have multipotent differentiation potential, satisfying the criteria of postnatal somatic stem cell.

Adult↗

[Chromosomal aberration in human keloid analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the genetic alteration in human keloid. METHODS: Comparative genomic hybridization was applied in 6 cases of keloid to investigate the genomic imbalance (the gain or loss of genetic material). RESULTS: The study showed that the loss of chromosome DNA copies included chromosome, 1,7,9,13,16,17,18,19,20,22. Among them, the frequently detected chromosome loss was chromosome 1 p(66.7%), 16 (83.3%), 20 (83.3%) and 22 (83.3%). The minimum overlapping regions were 1 pter-32.2,16p13.2p11.l,20q11.1-q13.2 and 16p13.2-p11.1. Frequent gain of DNA copy numbers was not found in the special regions. CONCLUSIONS: The mapping of DNA copy variation frequency in keloid showed that there may be inhibitory genes in chromosomes 1p,16,20,22. The loss of these genes may be involved in the development and progress of keloid.

Adult↗

[Enhancement of hypericin production and cell growth of Hypericum perforatum L. suspension cultures by nitric oxide].

Nitric oxide has emerged as a key signaling molecule in plants recently. The role of nitric oxide in elicitor-induced defense responses of plants has been extensively investigated. In this work, sodium nitroprusside was utilized as the donor of nitric oxide to investigate the effects of exogenous nitric oxide on hypericin production and cell growth of suspension cell cultures of Hypericum perforatum L.. Compared with the untreated Hypericum perforatum L. suspension cells, external application of 0.5 and 15.0 mmol/L sodium nitroprusside induced 1.4 and 0.5-fold dry cell weight, and 0.9 and 2.1-fold hypericin content respectively. The results showed that low concentration of sodium nitroprusside promoted the growth of Hypericum perforatum L. suspension cells, while high concentration of sodium nitroprusside enhanced hypericin biosynthesis in Hypericum perforatum L. suspension cells. The maximum hypericin production was achieved by adding 0.5 mmol/L and 15.0 mmol/L sodium nitroprusside to the culture at day 0 and day 14 respectively, increasing the total hypericin yield by nearly 3.2-fold. The effects of sodium nitroprusside on hypericin content and growth of Hypericum perforatum L. suspension cells were abolished by nitric oxide specific scavenger 2-4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, which indicated that the effects of the application of sodium nitroprusside were caused by nitric oxide released from sodium nitroprusside rather than sodium nitroprusside itself. The results also showed that 15.0 mmol/L sodium nitroprusside stimulated the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), one of the key enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathway, in suspension cells of Hypericum perforatum L., which suggested that the synthetic pathway of hypericin might be activated by NO through triggering the defense responses of Hypericum perforatum L. suspension cells.

Anthracenes↗

[Study on the extraction process for cannabinoids in hemp seed oil by orthogonal design].

OBJECTIVE: To select the optimum extracting procedure for cannabinoids from hemp seed oil. METHODS: The optimum extracting procedure was selected with the content of cannabinol and delta9-tetrehydrocannabinol from hemp seed oil by orthogonal test design. We have examined three factors that may influence the extraction rate: the time of extraction, the times of extraction and the amount of methanol. RESULTS: The optimum extraction condition was adding 5 ml, two times amount of methanol into hemp seed oil for 15 min. CONCLUSION: The above extraction process gave the most rational, stable, feasible and satisfactory results. The method is convenient.

Cannabinoids↗

Regular patterns generated by self-organization of ammonium-modified polymer nanospheres.

Macroscopic regular stripe-crack patterns have been observed in the course of drying the aqueous suspensions of ammonium-modified polymer nanospheres. These forms emerged because the evaporation of dispersed water and self-assembly of nanospheres originates shrinkage during drying the aqueous suspensions. The drying condition plays an important role as well as the nature of the ammonium-modified polymer nanospheres for the stripe-crack pattern formation. By means of the vertical deposition method, directional stripe-crack patterns have been achieved in the macroscopic scale. Surprisingly, we have still noted an interesting secondary stripe pattern occurred spontaneously on the stripes.

Journal Article↗

An anti-ganglioside antibody-secreting hybridoma induces neuropathy in mice.

Immune responses against gangliosides are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of some variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). For example, IgG antibodies against GM1, GD1a, and related gangliosides are frequently present in patients with post-Campylobacter acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) variant of GBS, and immunization of rabbits with GM1 has produced a model of AMAN. However, the role of anti-ganglioside antibodies in GBS continues to be debated because of lack of a passive transfer model. We recently have raised several monoclonal IgG anti-ganglioside antibodies. We passively transfer these antibodies by intraperitoneal hybridoma implantation and by systemic administration of purified anti-ganglioside antibodies in mice. Approximately half the animals implanted with an intraperitoneal clone of anti-ganglioside antibody-secreting hybridoma developed a patchy, predominantly axonal neuropathy affecting a small proportion of nerve fibers. In contrast to hybridoma implantation, passive transfer with systemically administered anti-ganglioside antibodies did not cause nerve fiber degeneration despite high titre circulating antibodies. Blood-nerve barrier studies indicate that animals implanted with hybridoma had leaky blood-nerve barrier compared to mice that received systemically administered anti-ganglioside antibodies. Our findings suggest that in addition to circulating antibodies, factors such as antibody accessibility and nerve fiber resistance to antibody-mediated injury play a role in the development of neuropathy.

Animals↗

Localization of gamma-tubulin in mouse eggs during meiotic maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development.

Gamma-tubulin, a member of the tubulin superfamily, is a peri-centriolar component which is considered to be essential for microtubule nucleation. The dynamics of gamma-tubulin during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation, fertilization, and early cleavage as well as the co-localization of gamma-tubulin and alpha-tubulin during the formation of the meiotic I spindle were studied by confocal microscopy. We found that gamma-tubulin was evenly distributed in the germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocyte. After germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) gamma-tubulin dots were localized in both the cytoplasm and the vicinity of the condensed chromosomes, and aligned at both poles of the meiotic spindle at prometaphase I and metaphase I. At anaphase I and telophase I, gamma-tubulin was detected between the separating chromosomes, while it was absent in the midbody. At the MII stage, gamma-tubulin was again accumulated at the spindle poles. Alpha-tubulin had a similar distribution pattern as gamma-tubulin in the cytoplasm and radiated from gamma-tubulin foci close to the chromosomes during the meiotic spindle formation. After fertilization, gamma-tubulin was translocated from spindle poles to the area between separating chromatids and distributed around the pronuclei. It aggregated into some dots during the interphase, but was distributed on the mitotic spindle poles in early embryos. Our results suggest that gamma-tubulin is essential for microtubule nucleation and spindle formation during mouse oocyte meiosis, fertilization, and early embryo cleavage.

Animals↗