Tongji University

About: Tongji University is a education organization based out in Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 76116 authors who have published 81176 publications receiving 1248911 citations. The organization is also known as: Tongji & Tóngjì Dàxué.

Nuclear or cytoplasmic expression of survivin: what is the significance?

Abstract: Growing evidence suggests that survivin expression in cancer cell nuclei may represent an important prognostic marker to predict disease outcome for cancer patients. Current reports in this research area, however, are inconsistent and propose opposing conclusions regarding the significance and prognostic value of survivin nuclear expression. The aim of our study is to review and discuss the data reported in the original publications. We have also provided new experimental data to support our view regarding the possible reasons for the observed inconsistencies in the literature. This would alert researchers to pay attention to potential pitfalls in the determination of nuclear or cytoplasmic expression of survivin for the future.

Reprogramming of H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin during mammalian embryo development

Abstract: H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin is a major barrier of cell fate changes that must be reprogrammed after fertilization. However, the molecular details of these events are lacking in early embryos. Here, we map the genome-wide distribution of H3K9me3 modifications in mouse early embryos. We find that H3K9me3 exhibits distinct dynamic features in promoters and long terminal repeats (LTRs). Both parental genomes undergo large-scale H3K9me3 reestablishment after fertilization, and the imbalance in parental H3K9me3 signals lasts until blastocyst. The rebuilding of H3K9me3 on LTRs is involved in silencing their active transcription triggered by DNA demethylation. We identify that Chaf1a is essential for the establishment of H3K9me3 on LTRs and subsequent transcriptional repression. Finally, we find that lineage-specific H3K9me3 is established in post-implantation embryos. In summary, our data demonstrate that H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin undergoes dramatic reprogramming during early embryonic development and provide valuable resources for further exploration of the epigenetic mechanism in early embryos.

Dynamic behaviour of the East Antarctic ice sheet during Pliocene warmth

Abstract: Warm intervals within the Pliocene epoch (5.33–2.58 million years ago) were characterized by global temperatures comparable to those predicted for the end of this century1 and atmospheric CO2 concentrations similar to today2, 3, 4. Estimates for global sea level highstands during these times5 imply possible retreat of the East Antarctic ice sheet, but ice-proximal evidence from the Antarctic margin is scarce. Here we present new data from Pliocene marine sediments recovered offshore of Adelie Land, East Antarctica, that reveal dynamic behaviour of the East Antarctic ice sheet in the vicinity of the low-lying Wilkes Subglacial Basin during times of past climatic warmth. Sedimentary sequences deposited between 5.3 and 3.3 million years ago indicate increases in Southern Ocean surface water productivity, associated with elevated circum-Antarctic temperatures. The geochemical provenance of detrital material deposited during these warm intervals suggests active erosion of continental bedrock from within the Wilkes Subglacial Basin, an area today buried beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet. We interpret this erosion to be associated with retreat of the ice sheet margin several hundreds of kilometres inland and conclude that the East Antarctic ice sheet was sensitive to climatic warmth during the Pliocene.

Thermoelectric Fabrics: Toward Power Generating Clothing

Abstract: Herein, we demonstrate that a flexible, air-permeable, thermoelectric (TE) power generator can be prepared by applying a TE polymer (e.g. poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate)) coated commercial fabric and subsequently by linking the coated strips with a conductive connection (e.g. using fine metal wires). The poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) coated fabric shows very stable TE properties from 300 K to 390 K. The fabric device can generate a TE voltage output (V) of 4.3 mV at a temperature difference (ΔT) of 75.2 K. The potential for using fabric TE devices to harvest body temperature energy has been discussed. Fabric-based TE devices may be useful for the development of new power generating clothing and self-powered wearable electronics.