Feng Zhang

Bio: Feng Zhang is an academic researcher from Fudan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Materials science. The author has an hindex of 172, co-authored 1278 publications receiving 181865 citations. Previous affiliations of Feng Zhang include Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center & Nanjing Medical University.

Growth of Hexagonal Columnar Nanograin Structured SiC Thin Films on Silicon Substrates with Graphene–Graphitic Carbon Nanoflakes Templates from Solid Carbon Sources

Abstract: We report a new method for growing hexagonal columnar nanograin structured silicon carbide (SiC) thin films on silicon substrates by using graphene-graphitic carbon nanoflakes (GGNs) templates from solid carbon sources. The growth was carried out in a conventional low pressure chemical vapor deposition system (LPCVD). The GGNs are small plates with lateral sizes of around 100 nm and overlap each other, and are made up of nanosized multilayer graphene and graphitic carbon matrix (GCM). Long and straight SiC nanograins with hexagonal shapes, and with lateral sizes of around 200-400 nm are synthesized on the GGNs, which form compact SiC thin films.

Genome-Wide Differentially Methylated Region Analysis to Reveal Epigenetic Differences of Articular Cartilage in Kashin-Beck Disease and Osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a degenerative osteoarticular disorder, and displays the significant differences with osteoarthritis (OA) regarding the etiology and molecular changes in articular cartilage. However, the underlying dysfunctions of molecular mechanisms in KBD and OA remain unclear. Here, we primarily performed the various genome-wide differential methylation analyses to reveal the distinct differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in conjunction with corresponding differentially methylated genes (DMGs), and enriched functional pathways in KBD and OA. We identified a total of 131 DMRs in KBD vs. Control, and 58 DMRs in OA vs. Controls, and the results demonstrate that many interesting DMRs are linked to DMGs, such as SMOC2 and HOXD3, which are all key genes to regulate cartilage/skeletal physiologic and pathologic process, and are further enriched in skeletal system and limb-associated pathways. Our DMR analysis indicates that KBD-associated DMRs has higher proportion than OA-associated DMRs in gene body regions. KBD-associated DMGs were enriched in wounding and coagulation-related functional pathways that may be stimulated by trace elements. The identified molecular features provide novel clues for understanding the pathogenetic and therapeutic studies of both KBD and OA.

Efficient room temperature catalytic synthesis of alternating conjugated copolymers via C-S bond activation

Abstract: Structural defects in conjugated copolymers are severely detrimental to the optoelectronic properties and the performance of the resulting electronic devices fabricated from them. Therefore, the much-desired precision synthesis of conjugated copolymers with highly regular repeat units is important, but presents a significant challenge to synthetic materials chemists. To this end, aryl sulfides are naturally abundant substances and offer unrealized potential in cross-coupling reactions. Here we report an efficient room temperature polycondensation protocol which implements aryl disulfide C-S activation to produce defect-minimized semiconducting conjugated copolymers with broad scope and applicability. Thus, a broad series of arylstannanes and thioethers are employed via the present protocol to afford copolymers with number-average molecular weights (Mns) of 10.0-45.0 kDa. MALDI and NMR analysis of selected copolymers reveals minimal structural defects. Moreover, the polymer trap density here is smaller and the field effect mobility higher than that in the analogous polymer synthesized through thermal-activation Stille coupling.

Bisphenol A epoxy resin modified room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber and preparation method thereof

Abstract: The invention discloses bisphenol A epoxy resin modified room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber and a preparation method thereof and relates to the field of organic silicon rubber. The room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber is prepared from, by mass, 100 parts of hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane polymers, 10-40 parts of bisphenol A epoxy resin, 20-50 parts of miscible agents, 60-100 parts of nano calcium carbonate, 6-14 parts of cross-linking agents, 10-30 parts of curing agents, 1.7-4 parts of silane coupling agents and 0.3-3 parts of pigment. According to the prepared bisphenol A epoxy resin modified room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber, the tensile strength reaches 3.9-4.6 MPa, the bonding strength for aluminum sheets and steel sheets reaches 2.9-3.3 MPa, the tensile strength and the bonding strength are increased by 40%-50% compared with existing tensile strength and existing bonding strength, and the elongation at break reaches 306%-345%. The cohesion of the room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber can be improved, the tensile strength and the bonding strength of the room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber are enhanced, and the application fields of the room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber are widened.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

2013 ESH/ESC Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension: The Task Force for the management of arterial hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Abstract: ABCD : Appropriate Blood pressure Control in Diabetes ABI : ankle–brachial index ABPM : ambulatory blood pressure monitoring ACCESS : Acute Candesartan Cilexetil Therapy in Stroke Survival ACCOMPLISH : Avoiding Cardiovascular Events in Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension ACCORD : Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes ACE : angiotensin-converting enzyme ACTIVE I : Atrial Fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for Prevention of Vascular Events ADVANCE : Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron-MR Controlled Evaluation AHEAD : Action for HEAlth in Diabetes ALLHAT : Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart ATtack ALTITUDE : ALiskiren Trial In Type 2 Diabetes Using Cardio-renal Endpoints ANTIPAF : ANgioTensin II Antagonist In Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation APOLLO : A Randomized Controlled Trial of Aliskiren in the Prevention of Major Cardiovascular Events in Elderly People ARB : angiotensin receptor blocker ARIC : Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ARR : aldosterone renin ratio ASCOT : Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial ASCOT-LLA : Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial—Lipid Lowering Arm ASTRAL : Angioplasty and STenting for Renal Artery Lesions A-V : atrioventricular BB : beta-blocker BMI : body mass index BP : blood pressure BSA : body surface area CA : calcium antagonist CABG : coronary artery bypass graft CAPPP : CAPtopril Prevention Project CAPRAF : CAndesartan in the Prevention of Relapsing Atrial Fibrillation CHD : coronary heart disease CHHIPS : Controlling Hypertension and Hypertension Immediately Post-Stroke CKD : chronic kidney disease CKD-EPI : Chronic Kidney Disease—EPIdemiology collaboration CONVINCE : Controlled ONset Verapamil INvestigation of CV Endpoints CT : computed tomography CV : cardiovascular CVD : cardiovascular disease D : diuretic DASH : Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DBP : diastolic blood pressure DCCT : Diabetes Control and Complications Study DIRECT : DIabetic REtinopathy Candesartan Trials DM : diabetes mellitus DPP-4 : dipeptidyl peptidase 4 EAS : European Atherosclerosis Society EASD : European Association for the Study of Diabetes ECG : electrocardiogram EF : ejection fraction eGFR : estimated glomerular filtration rate ELSA : European Lacidipine Study on Atherosclerosis ESC : European Society of Cardiology ESH : European Society of Hypertension ESRD : end-stage renal disease EXPLOR : Amlodipine–Valsartan Combination Decreases Central Systolic Blood Pressure more Effectively than the Amlodipine–Atenolol Combination FDA : U.S. Food and Drug Administration FEVER : Felodipine EVent Reduction study GISSI-AF : Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Infarto Miocardico-Atrial Fibrillation HbA1c : glycated haemoglobin HBPM : home blood pressure monitoring HOPE : Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation HOT : Hypertension Optimal Treatment HRT : hormone replacement therapy HT : hypertension HYVET : HYpertension in the Very Elderly Trial IMT : intima-media thickness I-PRESERVE : Irbesartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Systolic Function INTERHEART : Effect of Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors associated with Myocardial Infarction in 52 Countries INVEST : INternational VErapamil SR/T Trandolapril ISH : Isolated systolic hypertension JNC : Joint National Committee JUPITER : Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin LAVi : left atrial volume index LIFE : Losartan Intervention For Endpoint Reduction in Hypertensives LV : left ventricle/left ventricular LVH : left ventricular hypertrophy LVM : left ventricular mass MDRD : Modification of Diet in Renal Disease MRFIT : Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial MRI : magnetic resonance imaging NORDIL : The Nordic Diltiazem Intervention study OC : oral contraceptive OD : organ damage ONTARGET : ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial PAD : peripheral artery disease PATHS : Prevention And Treatment of Hypertension Study PCI : percutaneous coronary intervention PPAR : peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor PREVEND : Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENdstage Disease PROFESS : Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Secondary Strokes PROGRESS : Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study PWV : pulse wave velocity QALY : Quality adjusted life years RAA : renin-angiotensin-aldosterone RAS : renin-angiotensin system RCT : randomized controlled trials RF : risk factor ROADMAP : Randomized Olmesartan And Diabetes MicroAlbuminuria Prevention SBP : systolic blood pressure SCAST : Angiotensin-Receptor Blocker Candesartan for Treatment of Acute STroke SCOPE : Study on COgnition and Prognosis in the Elderly SCORE : Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation SHEP : Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program STOP : Swedish Trials in Old Patients with Hypertension STOP-2 : The second Swedish Trial in Old Patients with Hypertension SYSTCHINA : SYSTolic Hypertension in the Elderly: Chinese trial SYSTEUR : SYSTolic Hypertension in Europe TIA : transient ischaemic attack TOHP : Trials Of Hypertension Prevention TRANSCEND : Telmisartan Randomised AssessmeNt Study in ACE iNtolerant subjects with cardiovascular Disease UKPDS : United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study VADT : Veterans' Affairs Diabetes Trial VALUE : Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation WHO : World Health Organization ### 1.1 Principles The 2013 guidelines on hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and the European Society of Cardiology …

A programmable dual-RNA-guided DNA endonuclease in adaptive bacterial immunity.

Abstract: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems provide bacteria and archaea with adaptive immunity against viruses and plasmids by using CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) to guide the silencing of invading nucleic acids. We show here that in a subset of these systems, the mature crRNA that is base-paired to trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA) forms a two-RNA structure that directs the CRISPR-associated protein Cas9 to introduce double-stranded (ds) breaks in target DNA. At sites complementary to the crRNA-guide sequence, the Cas9 HNH nuclease domain cleaves the complementary strand, whereas the Cas9 RuvC-like domain cleaves the noncomplementary strand. The dual-tracrRNA:crRNA, when engineered as a single RNA chimera, also directs sequence-specific Cas9 dsDNA cleavage. Our study reveals a family of endonucleases that use dual-RNAs for site-specific DNA cleavage and highlights the potential to exploit the system for RNA-programmable genome editing.