The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a model organism known for its unique combination of highly desirable molecular genetic, physiological and morphological characteristics, was employed in the ...The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a model organism known for its unique combination of highly desirable molecular genetic, physiological and morphological characteristics, was employed in the present study. The species was cultured in BG11 liquid medium contained various initial concentrations of Pb^2+ and Cd〉 (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/L). The experiment was conducted for six days and the metal induced alterations in the ultrastructure, growth and pigment contents were assessed. Alterations in the ultrastructure of the Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells became evident with the increased (〉4 mg/L Pb^2+) metal concentration. The photosynthetic apparatus (thylakoid membranes) were found to be the worst affected. Deteriorated or completely destroyed thylakoid membranes have made large empty spaces in the cell interior. In addition, at the highest concentration (8 mg/L pb^2+), the polyphosphate granules became more prominent both in size and number. Despite the initial slight stimulations (0.2, 3.8 and 6.5% respectively at 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L pb^2+), both metals inhibited the growth in a dose-dependent manner as incubation progressed. Pigment contents (chlorophyll a, 13 carotene and phycocyanin) were also decreased with increasing metal concentration. Cells exposed to 6 mg/L Pb^2+, resulted in 36.56, 37.39 and 29.34% reductions of chlorophyll a, 13 carotene and phycocyanin respectively over the control. Corresponding reductions for the same CdZ+concentrations were 57.83, 48.94 and 56.90%. Lethal concentration (96 h LC50) values (3.47 mg/L Cd^2+ and 12.11 mg/L Pb^2+) indicated that Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is more vulnerable to Cd^2+ than Pb^2+.展开更多
Investigating the microstructures and properties of gradient materials has been regarded as a promising way to accelerate the identification of optimal compositions for applications. Herein, a supergravity method is a...Investigating the microstructures and properties of gradient materials has been regarded as a promising way to accelerate the identification of optimal compositions for applications. Herein, a supergravity method is applied to prepare the graded entropic alloys Al-Zn-Li-Mg-Cu. Through carefully optimizing the experimental conditions, the graded microstructures and hardness values appear after the supergravity technique. The morphology of the alloy significantly changes from the bulk intermetallics to eutectic structures along the supergravity force direction, which results from the crushed and graded aluminum oxide combined with the extremelystrong force. The results show that with this supergravity method, a performance-enhanced alloy can potentially be achieved through the centrifugation in a short time span and thus it paves the way for designing and synthesizing entropic alloys with intriguing properties.展开更多
文摘The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a model organism known for its unique combination of highly desirable molecular genetic, physiological and morphological characteristics, was employed in the present study. The species was cultured in BG11 liquid medium contained various initial concentrations of Pb^2+ and Cd〉 (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/L). The experiment was conducted for six days and the metal induced alterations in the ultrastructure, growth and pigment contents were assessed. Alterations in the ultrastructure of the Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells became evident with the increased (〉4 mg/L Pb^2+) metal concentration. The photosynthetic apparatus (thylakoid membranes) were found to be the worst affected. Deteriorated or completely destroyed thylakoid membranes have made large empty spaces in the cell interior. In addition, at the highest concentration (8 mg/L pb^2+), the polyphosphate granules became more prominent both in size and number. Despite the initial slight stimulations (0.2, 3.8 and 6.5% respectively at 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L pb^2+), both metals inhibited the growth in a dose-dependent manner as incubation progressed. Pigment contents (chlorophyll a, 13 carotene and phycocyanin) were also decreased with increasing metal concentration. Cells exposed to 6 mg/L Pb^2+, resulted in 36.56, 37.39 and 29.34% reductions of chlorophyll a, 13 carotene and phycocyanin respectively over the control. Corresponding reductions for the same CdZ+concentrations were 57.83, 48.94 and 56.90%. Lethal concentration (96 h LC50) values (3.47 mg/L Cd^2+ and 12.11 mg/L Pb^2+) indicated that Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is more vulnerable to Cd^2+ than Pb^2+.
基金the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, 51471025 and 51671020)
文摘Investigating the microstructures and properties of gradient materials has been regarded as a promising way to accelerate the identification of optimal compositions for applications. Herein, a supergravity method is applied to prepare the graded entropic alloys Al-Zn-Li-Mg-Cu. Through carefully optimizing the experimental conditions, the graded microstructures and hardness values appear after the supergravity technique. The morphology of the alloy significantly changes from the bulk intermetallics to eutectic structures along the supergravity force direction, which results from the crushed and graded aluminum oxide combined with the extremelystrong force. The results show that with this supergravity method, a performance-enhanced alloy can potentially be achieved through the centrifugation in a short time span and thus it paves the way for designing and synthesizing entropic alloys with intriguing properties.