Analytical and Design Method for the Global Stability of Modular Steel Buildings

Zhi-Hua Chen,Xu Zhong,Yang Liu,Jiadi Liu 한국강구조학회 2021 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.21 No.5

Modular steel buildings (MSBs) are an innovative form of prefabricated buildings with many advantages related to the factory-manufactured construction process. However, technical issues in the global stability design remain ambiguous and induce either unsuitable or uneconomical results without understanding the eff ect of intermodule connections appropriately. In this study, one practical theoretical equation to determine the buckling length factor for the sway-permitted MSB was derived from a sub-assembly considering pinned or rigid inter-module connections. A large number of fi nite element models were then used to numerically validate the eff ectiveness of the theoretical equation and explore the main infl uencing factors including both intermodule connections and height-to-width ratios. Results indicated that the intermodule connections should be carefully considered when the fl oor beams are obviously larger than ceiling beams, and theoretical results can be accurate enough when the height-to-width ratios remain within 3.0. Moreover, the second-order analysis method for MSB was also performed by using nonlinear buckling analyses and then compared with the buckling length method to verify the previous fi ndings. Finally, the criterion in selecting the proper stability design procedure for MSB was discussed in depth.

Remarkable impact of amino acids on ginsenoside transformation from fresh ginseng to red ginseng

Liu, Zhi,Wen, Xin,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Li, Wei,Huang, Wei-Hua,Xia, Juan,Ruan, Chang-Chun,Yuan, Chun-Su The Korean Society of Ginseng 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.3

Background: Amino acids are one of the major constituents in Panax ginseng, including neutral amino acid, acidic amino acid, and basic amino acid. However, whether these amino acids play a role in ginsenoside conversion during the steaming process has not yet been elucidated. Methods: In the present study, to elucidate the role of amino acids in ginsenoside transformation from fresh ginseng to red ginseng, an amino acids impregnation pretreatment was applied during the steaming process at 120℃. Acidic glutamic acid and basic arginine were used for the acid impregnation treatment during the root steaming. The ginsenosides contents, pH, browning intensity, and free amino acids contents in untreated and amino acid-treated P. ginseng samples were determined. Results: After 2 h of steaming, the concentration of less polar ginsenosides in glutamic acid-treated P. ginseng was significantly higher than that in untreated P. ginseng during the steaming process. However, the less polar ginsenosides in arginine-treated P. ginseng increased slightly. Meanwhile, free amino acids contents in fresh P. ginseng, glutamic acid-treated P. ginseng, and arginine-treated P. ginseng significantly decreased during steaming from 0 to 2h. The pH also decreased in P. ginseng samples at high temperatures. The pH decrease in red ginseng was closely related to the decrease in basic amino acids levels during the steaming process. Conclusion: Amino acids can remarkably affect the acidity of P. ginseng sample by altering the pH value. They were the main influential factors for the ginsenoside transformation. These results are useful in elucidating why and how steaming induces the structural change of ginsenoside inP. ginseng and also provides an effective and green approach to regulate the ginsenoside conversion using amino acids during the steaming process.

Multiple Sexual Partners as a Potential Independent Risk Factor for Cervical Cancer: a Meta-analysis of Epidemiological Studies

Liu, Zhi-Chang,Liu, Wei-Dong,Liu, Yan-Hui,Ye, Xiao-Hua,Chen, Si-Dong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

It's known that having multiple sexual partners is one of the risk factors of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection which is a major cause of cervical cancer. However, it is not clear whether the number of sexual partners is an independent risk factor for cervical cancer. We identified relevant studies by searching the databases of MEDLINE, PubMed and ScienceDirect published in English from January 1980 to January 2014. We analyzed those studies by combining the study-specific odds ratios (ORs) using random-effects models. Forty-one studies were included in this meta-analysis. We observed that the number of sexual partners was associated with the occurrence of non-malignant cervical disease (OR=1.82, 95%CI 1.63-2.00) and invasive cervical carcinoma (OR=1.77, 95%CI 1.50-2.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the association remained significant after controlling for HPV infection (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.21-1.83 for non-malignant disease; OR=1.53, 95%CI 1.30-1.76 for invasive cervical carcinoma). We found that there was a non-linear relation of the number of sexual partners with both non-malignant cervical disease and invasive cervical carcinoma. The risk of both malignant and non-malignant disease is relatively stable in women with more than 4-7 sexual partners. Furthermore, the frequency-risk of disease remained significant after controlling for HPV infection.The study suggested that h aving multiple sexual partners, with or without HPV infection, is a potential risk factor of cervical cancer.

Two 3D Cd^II and Zn^II Complexes Based on Flexible Dicarboxylate Ligand and Nitrogen-containing Pillar: Synthesis, Structure, and Luminescent Properties

Liu, Liu,Fan, Yan-Hua,Wu, Lan-Zhi,Zhang, Huai-Min,Yang, Li-Rong Korean Chemical Society 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.12

Two 3D isomorphous and isostructural complexes, namely, $[Zn(BDOA)(bpy)(H_2O)_2]_n$ (1) and $[Cd(BDOA)-(bpy)(H_2O)_2]_n$ (2); (BDOA = Benzene-1,4-dioxyacetic acid, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by means of elemental analyses, thermogravimetric (TG), infrared spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P-1 and each metal ion in the complexes are six-coordinated with the same coordination environment. In the as-synthesized complexes, $BDOA^{2-}$ anions link central metal ions to form a 1D zigzag chain $[-BDOA^{2-}-Zn(Cd)-BDOA^{2-}-Zn(Cd)-]_{\infty}$, whereas bpy pillars connect metal ions to generate a 1D linear chain $[-bpy-Zn(Cd)-bpy-Zn(Cd)-]_{\infty}$. Both infinite chains are interweaved into 2D grid-like layers which are further constructed into a 3D open framework, where hydrogen bonds play as the bridges between the adjacent 2D layers. Luminescent properties of complex 1 showed selectivity for $Hg^{2+}$ ion.

Sputum Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Metabolic Pathways and Signatures Associated With Inflammatory Phenotypes in Patients With Asthma

Liu Ying,Zhang Xin,Zhang Li,Oliver Brian G,Wang Hong Guang,Liu Zhi Peng,Chen Zhi Hong,Wood Lisa,Hsu Alan Chen-Yu,Xie Min,McDonald Vanessa,Wan Hua Jing,Luo Feng Ming,Liu Dan,Li Wei Min,Wang Gang 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.4

Purpose: The molecular links between metabolism and inflammation that drive different inflammatory phenotypes in asthma are poorly understood. We aimed to identify the metabolic signatures and underlying molecular pathways of different inflammatory asthma phenotypes. Methods: In the discovery set (n = 119), untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied to characterize the induced sputum metabolic profiles of asthmatic patients with different inflammatory phenotypes using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway topology enrichment analysis. In the validation set (n = 114), differential metabolites were selected to perform targeted quantification. Correlations between targeted metabolites and clinical indices in asthmatic patients were analyzed. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were established to assess the association between metabolites and severe asthma exacerbations. Results: Seventy-seven differential metabolites were identified in the discovery set. Pathway topology analysis uncovered that histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis were involved in the pathogenesis of different asthma phenotypes. In the validation set, 24 targeted quantification metabolites were significantly expressed between asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Finally, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (adjusted relative risk [adj RR] = 1.000; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.050), allantoin (adj RR = 1.000; 95% CI = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.043) and nicotinamide (adj RR = 1.001; 95% CI = 1.000–1.002; P = 0.021) were demonstrated to predict severe asthma exacerbation rates. Conclusions: Different inflammatory asthma phenotypes have specific metabolic profiles in induced sputum. The potential metabolic signatures may identify therapeutic targets in different inflammatory asthma phenotypes.

Colorimetric Probe Coupled to Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for Determination of Dopamine in Serum

Zhi-gang Tai,Yi-ren Zhu,Yi-bo Yuan,Jin Liu,Zhen-jie Li,Zhi-hua Liu,Kun-miao Wang 대한화학회 2020 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.41 No.3

In this work, a highly sensitive method using a colorimetric probe coupled to dispersive liquid?liquid microextraction (DLLME) was developed for the quantitative determination of dopamine (DA) in serum. The DA in serum was concentrated by DLLME to increase the detection sensitivity and reduce the matrix effects. After the DLLME process, a colorimetric probe of silver triangular nanoparticles (AgTNPs) was used to detect DA, which was based on the plasma transformation of AgTNPs caused by strong interactions with melamine (MA). The results showed that DA could inhibit the aggregation of AgTNPs induced by MA, resulting in the recovery of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of AgTNPs. Thus, the DLLME method followed by colorimetric probe detection of DA can be achieved. The parameters affecting the proposed method were optimized, under the optimal conditions, a linear calibration curve was obtained over a concentration range of 5 to 250?nM with a recovery from 94.4 to 101.3%. The detection limit was 1.6 nM (at an S/N ratio of 3). The present method was successfully applied to determine DA in human serum.

Two 3D CdII and ZnII Complexes Based on Flexible Dicarboxylate Ligand and Nitrogen-containing Pillar: Synthesis, Structure, and Luminescent Properties

Liu Liu,Yan-hua Fan,Lan-zhi Wu,Huai-min Zhang,Li-rong Yang 대한화학회 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.12

Two 3D isomorphous and isostructural complexes, namely, [Zn(BDOA)(bpy)(H2O)2]n (1) and [Cd(BDOA)- (bpy)(H2O)2]n (2); (BDOA = Benzene-1,4-dioxyacetic acid, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by means of elemental analyses, thermogravimetric (TG), infrared spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P-1 and each metal ion in the complexes are six-coordinated with the same coordination environment. In the as-synthesized complexes, BDOA2− anions link central metal ions to form a 1D zigzag chain [-BDOA2− -Zn(Cd)-BDOA2−-Zn(Cd)-]∞, whereas bpy pillars connect metal ions to generate a 1D linear chain [-bpy- Zn(Cd)-bpy-Zn(Cd)-]∞. Both infinite chains are interweaved into 2D grid-like layers which are further constructed into a 3D open framework, where hydrogen bonds play as the bridges between the adjacent 2D layers. Luminescent properties of complex 1 showed selectivity for Hg2+ ion.

Remarkable impact of amino acids on ginsenoside transformation from fresh ginseng to red ginseng

Zhi Liu,Xin Wen,Chong-Zhi Wang,Wei Li,Wei-Hua Huang,Juan Xia,Chang-Chun Ruan,Chun-Su Yuan 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.3

Background: Amino acids are one of the major constituents in Panax ginseng, including neutral aminoacid, acidic amino acid, and basic amino acid. However, whether these amino acids play a role in ginsenosideconversion during the steaming process has not yet been elucidated. Methods: In the present study, to elucidate the role of amino acids in ginsenoside transformation fromfresh ginseng to red ginseng, an amino acids impregnation pretreatment was applied during thesteaming process at 120 C. Acidic glutamic acid and basic arginine were used for the acid impregnationtreatment during the root steaming. The ginsenosides contents, pH, browning intensity, and free aminoacids contents in untreated and amino acidetreated P. ginseng samples were determined. Results: After 2 h of steaming, the concentration of less polar ginsenosides in glutamic acidetreatedP. ginseng was significantly higher than that in untreated P. ginseng during the steaming process. However,the less polar ginsenosides in arginine-treated P. ginseng increased slightly. Meanwhile, free aminoacids contents in fresh P. ginseng, glutamic acid-treated P. ginseng, and arginine-treated P. ginsengsignificantly decreased during steaming from 0 to 2h. The pH also decreased in P. ginseng samples at hightemperatures. The pH decrease in red ginseng was closely related to the decrease in basic amino acidslevels during the steaming process. Conclusion: Amino acids can remarkably affect the acidity of P. ginseng sample by altering the pH value. Theywere the main influential factors for the ginsenoside transformation. These results are useful in elucidatingwhy andhowsteaming induces the structural change of ginsenoside in P. ginseng and also provides an effectiveand green approach to regulate the ginsenoside conversion using amino acids during the steaming process.

Transmembrane Helix of Novel Oncogene with Kinase-Domain (NOK) Influences Its Oligomerization and Limits the Activation of RAS/MAPK Signaling

Ying-Hua Li,Yin-Yin Wang,Shan Zhong,Zhi-Li Rong,Yong-Ming Ren,Zhi-Yong Li,Shu-Ping Zhang,Zhi-Jie Chang,Li Liu 한국분자세포생물학회 2009 Molecules and cells Vol.27 No.1

Ligand-dependent or independent oligomerization of receptor protein tyrosine kinase (RPTK) is often an essential step for receptor activation and intracellular signaling. The novel oncogene with kinase-domain (NOK) is a unique RPTK that almost completely lacks an ectodomain, expresses intracellularly and activates constitutively. However, it is unknown whether NOK can form oligomer or what function oligomerization would have. In this study, two NOK deletion mutants were generated by either removing the ectodomain (NOKECD) or including the endodomain (NOK-ICD). Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the transmembrane (TM) domain of NOK was essential for its intermolecular interaction. The results further showed that NOK aggregated more closely as lower order oligomers (the dimer- and trimer-sized) than either deletion mutant did since NOK could be cross-linked by both Sulfo-EGS and formaldehyde, whereas either deletion mutant was only sensitive to Sulfo-EGS. Removing the NOK TM domain (NOK-ICD) not only markedly promoted higher order oligomerization, but also altered the subcellular localization of NOK and dramatically elevated the NOK-mediated constitutive activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, NOK-ICD but not NOK or NOKECD was co-localized with the upstream signaling molecule RAS on cell membrane. Thus, TM-mediated intermolecular contacting may be mainly responsible for the constitutive activation of NOK and contribute to the autoinhibitory effect on RAS/MAPK signaling.

Indole-3-propionic acid inhibits gut dysbiosis and endotoxin leakage to attenuate steatohepatitis in rats

Ze-Hua Zhao,Feng-Zhi Xin,Yaqian Xue,Zhimin Hu,Yamei Han,Fengguang Ma,Da Zhou,Xiao-Lin Liu,Aoyuan Cui,Zhengshuai Liu,Yuxiao Liu,Jing Gao,Qin Pan,Yu Li,Jian-Gao Fan 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

Microbial metabolites have emerged as critical components that mediate the metabolic effects of the gut microbiota. Here, we show that indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a tryptophan metabolite produced by gut bacteria, is a potent anti-non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) microbial metabolite. Here, we demonstrate that administration of IPA modulates the microbiota composition in the gut and inhibits microbial dysbiosis in rats fed a high-fat diet. IPA induces the expression of tight junction proteins, such as ZO-1 and Occludin, and maintains intestinal epithelium homeostasis, leading to a reduction in plasma endotoxin levels. Interestingly, IPA inhibits NF-κB signaling and reduces the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, in response to endotoxin in macrophages to repress hepatic inflammation and liver injury. Moreover, IPA is sufficient to inhibit the expression of fibrogenic and collagen genes and attenuate diet-induced NASH phenotypes. The beneficial effects of IPA on the liver are likely mediated through inhibiting the production of endotoxin in the gut. These findings suggest a protective role of IPA in the control of metabolism and uncover the gut microbiome and liver cross-talk in regulating the intestinal microenvironment and liver pathology via a novel dietary nutrient metabolite. IPA may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating NASH.