Structural and photoelectrochemical characterization of TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes by electrochemical etching

Jing Ya,Li An,Zhifeng Liu,Lei E,Wei Zhao,Dan Zhao,Chengcheng Liu 한국화학공학회 2012 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.29 No.6

TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes were synthesized by anodization of titanium foils in ethylene glycol solution containing 0.5 wt% NH4F and 1 wt% water at 60 V for 6 h. The microstructure and morphology of the asprepared electrodes were investigated by XRD and SEM. A possible formation mechanism and oxidation parameters of nanocomposite structure were discussed. The relationship between structural characteristics of TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes and its photoelectrochemical characterization were evaluated by electrochemical analyzer and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution. Furthermore, these TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes promoted the photoelectrochemical characterization due to the larger surface areas, enhanced light harvesting and electron transport rate. The results show that photocurrent density of 1.44mA/cm2 and photocatalytic degradation of 95.51% was achieved for TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes, which were 0.55mA/cm2 and 20.52% higher than the TiO2 nanotube electrodes under a similar condition, respectively.

Clinical Study of Thalidomide Combined with Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Chen, Hai-Fei,Li, Zheng-Yang,Tang, Jie-Qing,Shen, Hong-Shi,Cui, Qing-Ya,Ren, Yong-Ya,Qin, Long-Mei,Jin, Ling-Juan,Zhu, Jing-Jing,Wang, Jing,Ding, Jie,Wang, Ke-Yuan,Yu, Zi-Qiang,Wang, Zhao-Yue,Wu, Tian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the efficacy and safety of different doses of thalidomide (Thal) plus dexamethasone (Dex) as the initial therapy in elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Clinical data of 28 elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM who underwent the TD regimen as the initial therapy were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the maximal sustained dose of Thal: lower dose (group A) and higher dose (group B). The overall response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AES) were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 28 patients were followed up with a median of 18 months. The ORR was 60.1%. The median response time and PFS were 2.0 and 17.0 months, respectively. The mean sustained dose of Thal in group B was significantly higher than group A (292.9 mg v 180.4 mg, P=0.01). There was no significantly difference in ORR (57.1% v 64.3%, P=1.00) and PFS (9.63months v 17.66 months, P=0.73) between groups A and B. During the follow up, only five patients died (<40%) and, therefore, median OS values were not available. It is estimated, however, that the mean survival time in the two groups was 35.6 and 33.4 months (P>0.05), respectively. All of the patients tolerated the treatment well. The incidence of AES in patients with a grading above 3 in group B was significantly higher than in group A (P=0.033). Conclusions: The TD regimen results in a high response rate and manageable AES as the initial therapy in elderly patients with MM. TD should be considered as the front line regimen for the treatment of elderly patients with MM in areas with financial constraints. The clinical response can be achieved at a low dose Thal with minimal toxicity.

Transcriptome profiling identifies immune response genes against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Haemophilus parasuis co-infection in the lungs of piglets

Jing Zhang,Jing Wang,Xiong Zhang,Chunping Zhao,Sixuan Zhou,Chunlin Du,Ya Tan,Yu Zhang,Kaizhi Shi 대한수의학회 2022 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.23 No.1

Background: Co-infections of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and the Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) are severe in Chinese pigs, but the immune response genes against co-infected with 2 pathogens in the lungs have not been reported. Objectives: To understand the effect of PRRSV and/or HPS infection on the genes expression associated with lung immune function. Methods: The expression of the immune-related genes was analyzed using RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting assays. Results: All experimental pigs showed clinical symptoms and lung lesions. RNA-seq analysis showed that 922 DEGs in co-challenged pigs were more than in the HPS group (709 DEGs) and the PRRSV group (676 DEGs). Eleven DEGs validated by qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA sequencing results. Eleven common Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways related to infection and immune were found in single-infected and co-challenged pigs, including autophagy, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and antigen processing and presentation, involving different DEGs. A model of immune response to infection with PRRSV and HPS was predicted among the DEGs in the co-challenged pigs. Dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) and interleukin-21 (IL21) were detected by IHC and western blot and showed significant differences between the co-challenged pigs and the controls. Conclusions: These findings elucidated the transcriptome changes in the lungs after PRRSV and/or HPS infections, providing ideas for further study to inhibit ROS production and promote pulmonary fibrosis caused by co-challenging with PRRSV and HPS.

XIAP Associated Factor 1 (XAF1) Represses Expression of X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP) and Regulates Invasion, Cell Cycle, Apoptosis, and Cisplatin Sensitivity of Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

Zhao, Wen-Jing,Deng, Bo-Ya,Wang, Xue-Mei,Miao, Yuan,Wang, Jian-Nan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Background: X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) associated factor 1 (XAF1) exhibits aberrantly low or absent expression in various human malignancies, closely associated with anti-apoptosis and overgrowth of cancer cells. However, limited attention has been directed towards the contribution of XAF1 to invasion, apoptosis, and cisplatin (DDP)-resistance of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of XAF1 on invasion, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cisplatin-resistance by overexpressing XAF1 in SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Methods and Results: The pEGFP-C1-XAF1 plasmid was transfected into SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells, and the expression of XAF1 at both mRNA and protein levels was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. Overexpression of XAF1 suppressed XIAP expression in both SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Transwell invasion assays demonstrated that XAF1 exerted a strong anti-invasive effect in XAF1-overexpressing cells. Moreover, flow cytometry analysis revealed that XAF1 overexpression arrested the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, and cell apoptosis analysis showed that overexpression of XAF1 enhanced apoptosis of SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells apparently by activating caspase-9 and caspase-3. Furthermore, MTT assay confirmed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of cisplatin in the tested tumor cells, and overexpression of XAF1 increased the sensitivity of SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells to cisplatin-mediated antiproliferative effects. Conclusions: In summary, our data indicated that overexpression of XAF1 could suppress XIAP expression, inhibit invasion, arrest cell cycle, promote apoptosis, and confer cisplatin-sensitivity in SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Therefore, XAF1 may be further assessed as a potential target for the treatment of both cisplatin-resistant and non-resistant EOCs.

Metabolic engineering of erythritol production from glycerol by Yarrowia lipolytica

Ya-Ting Wang,Ling-Xuan Zhao,Liu-Jing Wei,Jun Chen,Zhijie Liu,Feng Liu,Qiang Hua 한국생물공학회 2024 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.29 No.1

Erythritol as a four-carbon polyol has been widely used in food, pharmaceutical and daily chemical industries with characteristics of low caloric value and high chemical stability. Here, a system metabolic engineering strategy was used to increase the yield of erythritol from glycerol in Yarrowia lipolytica by enhancing the substrate transformation and restricting the by-product synthesis. Specifi cally, we determined that over-expression of a newly identifi ed erythrose reductase YPR1 was able to improve the erythritol production as same as the well-known erythrose reductase ER27. Instead of its up-regulation, knockout of erythrose reductase ER10 was eff ective to improve erythritol synthesis. Moreover, both over-expression of YPR1 and deletion of ER10 signifi cantly accelerated the glycerol utilization in response to high osmotic stress. To further decrease the by-product accumulation, a restriction and recycling strategy was implemented by knockout of mannitol dehydrogenase MDH2 and enhancement of arabitol dehydrogenase ADH1 and fructokinase HXK1. The engineered strain YL13 produced a titer of 25 g/L erythritol and less than 0.5 g/L mannitol and arabitol. By over-expression of transketolase TKL1, the fi nal strain YL14 produced 28.5 g/L erythritol and none of mannitol and arabitol. This study provides a new idea for reducing the production of by-products and improving the glycerol conversion to erythritol.

Synthesis of High-Aspect-Ratio BaTiO₃ Platelets by Topochemical Conversion and Fabrication of Textured Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-32.5PbTiO₃ Ceramics

Zhao, Wei,E, Lei,Ya, Jing,Liu, Zhifeng,Zhou, Heping Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.7

Perovskite structured barium titanate particles ($BaTiO_3$) platelets were synthesized by molten salt synthesis and topochemical microcrystal conversion. As the precursors of $BaTiO_3$, plate-like $BaBi_4Ti_4O_{15}$ particles were first synthesized by the reaction of $Bi_4Ti_3O_{12}$, $BaCO_3$, and $TiO_2$ at $1080^{\circ}C$ for 3 h in $BaCl_2$-KCl molten salt. After the topochemical reactions, layer-structured $BaBi_4Ti_4O_{15}$ particles transformed to the perovskite $BaTiO_3$ platelets. $BaTiO_3$ particles with thickness of approximately $0.5{\mu}m$ and a length of $10-15{\mu}m$ retained the morphology feature of the $BaBi_4Ti_4O_{15}$ precursor. For <001> $Pb(Mg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3-32.5PbTiO_3$ (PMNT)-5 wt % PbO piezoelectric ceramics textured with 5 vol % of $BaTiO_3$ templates, the Lotgering factor reached 0.82, and $d_{33}$ was 870 pC/N.

Smads, p38 and ERK1,2 are involved in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1,2 mesenchymal stem cells

( Dao Jing Xu ),( Ying Ze Zhao ),( Jin Wang ),( Juan Wen He ),( Ya Guang Weng ),( Jin Yong Luo ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2012 BMB Reports Vol.45 No.4

Although previous studies have demonstrated that BMP9 is highly capable of inducing osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, the molecular mechanism involved remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we showed that BMP9 simultaneously promotes the activation of Smad1/5/8, p38 and ERK1/2 in C3H10T1/2 cells. Knockdown of Smad4 with RNA interference reduced nuclear translocation of Smad1/5/8, and disrupted BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation. BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation was blocked by p38 inhibitor SB203580, whereas enhanced by ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059. SB203580 decreased BMP9-activated Smads singling, and yet PD98059 stimulated Smads singling in C3H10T1/2 cells. The effects of inhibitor were reproduced with adenovirus expressing siRNA targeted p38 and ERK1/2, respectively. Taken together, our findings revealed that Smads, p38 and ERK1/2 are involved in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation. Also, it is noteworthy that p38 and ERK1/2 may play opposing regulatory roles in mediating BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells. [BMB reports 2012; 45(4): 247-252]

Resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates

Yi-Jing Wang,Pan Zhao,Bing-Dong Sui,Nu Liu,Cheng-Hu Hu,Ji Chen,Chen-Xi Zheng,An-Qi Liu,Kun Xuan,Ya-Ping Pan,Yan Jin 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based regeneration, specifically cell aggregate or cell sheet engineering, is a promising approach for tissue reconstruction. Considering the advantages of ease of harvest and lack of immune rejection, the application of autologous MSCs (i.e., patients’ own MSCs) in regenerative medicine has developed considerable interest. However, the impaired cell viability and regenerative potential following MSCs impacted by disease remain a major challenge. Resveratrol (RSV) exhibits reliable and extensive rejuvenative activities that have received increasing clinical attention. Here, we uncovered that resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates. Periodontal ligament MSCs (PDLSCs) from normal control subjects (N-PDLSCs) and periodontitis patients (P-PDLSCs) were investigated. Compared to N-PDLSCs, P-PDLSCs were less capable of forming cell aggregates, and P-PDLSC aggregates showed impaired osteogenesis and regeneration. These functional declines could be mimicked in N-PDLSCs by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) treatment. Notably, a TNF-α-induced functional decline in N-PDLSC aggregates was rescued by RSV application. More importantly, in both N-PDLSCs and P-PDLSCs, RSV promoted cell aggregate formation and improved their osteogenic potential. Furthermore, as proven ectopically in vivo, the tissue regenerative capability of P-PDLSC aggregates was also enhanced after RSV treatment during aggregate formation in vitro. Finally, in a rat in situ regeneration model, we successfully applied both N-PDLSC aggregates and P-PDLSC aggregates to repair periodontal defects upon long-term functional improvements by RSV preconditioning. Together, our data unravel a novel methodology for using pharmacology (i.e., RSV)-based cell aggregate engineering to improve the functionality and facilitate the regeneration of MSCs from both healthy and inflammatory microenvironments, shedding light on improving the application of autologous MSC-mediated regenerative medicine.

THE MAGNETIC SEPARATION OF Nd - Fe - B POWDERS

Li-Ya Cui,Da-Li Zheng,Jing-Han Zhu,Wei-Hong Zhao,Shu-Lin Ding 한국자기학회 1995 韓國磁氣學會誌 Vol.5 No.5

The magnetic separation of Nd-Fe-B powders prepared by melt-spun and HDDR processes was investigated. The experiments show that the ununiform melt-spun powders can be separated into various standards by means of magnetic separation method. The magnetic powders with higher properties were obtained by the use of suitable separating field. For example, the properties of ununiform melt-spun powders are Br=7.95 kG, iHc=9.93 kOe and (BH)max=10.2 MGOe before separating. Through separating in different magnetic fields, the powders obtained with a separating field of 780 Oe has the optimum properties of Br=7.7 kG, iHc=11.0 kOe and (BH)max=15.3 MGOe. The magnetic properties of the HDDR magnetic powder are hardly separated by the magnetic separation method.

Silencing of PDK1 Gene Expression by RNA Interference Suppresses Growth of Esophageal Cancer

Yu, Jing,Chen, Kui-Sheng,Li, Ya-Nan,Yang, Juan,Zhao, Lu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

The current study was conducted to explore the inhibitory effects of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) on 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) expression in esophageal cancer 9706 (EC9706) cells and the influence on their biological behavior. After transfection of a synthesized PDK1 siRNA, PDK1 mRNA and protein expression and the phosphorylation level of the downstream Akt protein were assessed using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Proliferation, apoptosis, cell invasion and in vivo tumor formation capacity were also investigated using MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell invasion trials, and nude mouse tumor transplantion, respectively. PDK1 siRNA effectively suppressed PDK1 mRNA and protein expression, and down-regulated the phosphorylation level of the Akt protein in the EC9706 cells (P < 0.05). It also inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, and promoted apoptosis; such effects were particularly obvious at 48 h and 72 h after transfection (P < 0.05). Growth of transplanted tumors was inhibited in nude mice, with decreased PDK1 expression in tumor tissues. PDK1 may be closely correlated with proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of esophageal cancer cells and thus may serve as an effective target for gene therapy.