Two New Species of Placolecis (Lichenized Ascomycota) from China

( An Cheng Yin ),( Xin Yu Wang ),( Dong Liu ),( Yan Yun Zhang ),( Mei Xia Yang ),( Li Juan Li ),( Li Song Wang ) 한국균학회 2019 Mycobiology Vol.47 No.4

Two new species of the lichen genus Placolecis are discovered in China, namely P. kunmingensis An. C. Yin & Li S. Wang and P. sublaevis An. C. Yin & Li S. Wang. The new combination P. loekoesiana (S.Y. Kondr., Farkas, J.J. Woo & Hur) An. C. Yin is proposed. Placolecis kunmingensis is characterized by having simple, spherical or ellipsoid, hyaline spores, and pear-shaped pycnidia; while P. sublaevis can be distinguished by its thallus forming larger aggregations with slightly flattened lobes at the thallus margin, and urn-shaped pycnidia. Descriptions, a phylogenetic tree and a key are provided for all the known Placolecis species in China.

Impact of electrolyte additives (alkali metal salts) on the capacitive behavior of NiO-based capacitors

Yong Zhang,Lizhen Wang,Aiqin Zhang,Yanhua Song,Xiaofeng Li,Xingbing Wu,Peipei Du,Lv Yan 한국화학공학회 2011 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.28 No.2

To improve the specific capacitance and energy density of electrochemical capacitor, nanostructured NiO was prepared by high temperature solid-state method as electrode material. The crystal structure and morphology of as-parepared NiO samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement was applied to investigate the specific capacitance of the NiO electrode. Furthermore,a novel mixed electrolyte consisting of NaOH, KOH, LiOH and Li_2CO_3 was prepared for the NiO capacitor,and the component and concentration of the four different electrolytes was examined by orthogonal test. The results showed that the NiO sample has cubic structure with nano-size particles, and the optimal composition of the electrolyte was: NaOH 2 mol L^(−1), KOH 3 mol L^(−1), LiOH 0.05 mol L^(−1), and Li_2CO_3 0.05 mol L^−1. At a scan rate of 10 mV s^(−1), the fabricated capacitor exhibits excellent electrochemical capacitive performance, while the specific capacitance and the energy density were 239 F g^(−1) and 85 Wh kg^(−1), which was higher than one-component electrolyte.

Cathode Materials LaNi1−xCuxO3 for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Juncai Sun,Chengli Wang,Song Li,Shijun Ji 한국세라믹학회 2008 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.45 No.12

New cathode materials LaNi1−xCuxO3 (typically LaNi0.8Cu0.2O3) were synthesized using a co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composite material [Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-ä(SDC) and carbonate (Na2CO3,Li2CO3)], NiO and LaNi1−xCuxO3 were used as the electrolyte, anode and cathode, respectively. The electrochemical performance of La-Ni-Cu-O perovskite oxide at low temperatures (400~550oC) was studied. The results showed that LaNi0.8Cu0.2O3 precursor powder prepared through a co-precipitation method and calcined at 860oC for 2 h formed uniform grains with diameters in the range of 400~500 nm. The maximum power density and the short circuit current density of the single cell unit at 550oC were found to be 390 mW/cm2 and 968 mA/cm2, respectively. New cathode materials LaNi1−xCuxO3 (typically LaNi0.8Cu0.2O3) were synthesized using a co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composite material [Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-ä(SDC) and carbonate (Na2CO3,Li2CO3)], NiO and LaNi1−xCuxO3 were used as the electrolyte, anode and cathode, respectively. The electrochemical performance of La-Ni-Cu-O perovskite oxide at low temperatures (400~550oC) was studied. The results showed that LaNi0.8Cu0.2O3 precursor powder prepared through a co-precipitation method and calcined at 860oC for 2 h formed uniform grains with diameters in the range of 400~500 nm. The maximum power density and the short circuit current density of the single cell unit at 550oC were found to be 390 mW/cm2 and 968 mA/cm2, respectively.

lncRNA Epigenetic Landscape Analysis Identifies <i>EPIC1</i> as an Oncogenic lncRNA that Interacts with MYC and Promotes Cell-Cycle Progression in Cancer

Wang, Zehua,Yang, Bo,Zhang, Min,Guo, Weiwei,Wu, Zhiyuan,Wang, Yue,Jia, Lin,Li, Song,Caesar-Johnson, Samantha J.,Demchok, John A.,Felau, Ina,Kasapi, Melpomeni,Ferguson, Martin L.,Hutter, Carolyn M.,Sof Cell Press 2018 Cancer Cell Vol. No.

<P><B>Summary</B></P> <P>We characterized the epigenetic landscape of genes encoding long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) across 6,475 tumors and 455 cancer cell lines. In stark contrast to the CpG island hypermethylation phenotype in cancer, we observed a recurrent hypomethylation of 1,006 lncRNA genes in cancer, including <I>EPIC1</I> (epigenetically-induced lncRNA1). Overexpression of <I>EPIC1</I> is associated with poor prognosis in luminal B breast cancer patients and enhances tumor growth <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo.</I> Mechanistically, <I>EPIC1</I> promotes cell-cycle progression by interacting with MYC through <I>EPIC1</I>'s 129–283 nt region. <I>EPIC1</I> knockdown reduces the occupancy of MYC to its target genes (e.g., <I>CDKN1A</I>, <I>CCNA2</I>, <I>CDC20</I>, and <I>CDC45</I>). MYC depletion abolishes <I>EPIC1</I>'s regulation of MYC target and luminal breast cancer tumorigenesis <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I>.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> LncRNAs show a hypomethylation phenotype, in contrast to a CIMP phenotype in cancer </LI> <LI> <I>EPIC1</I> promotes breast tumorigenesis through regulating cancer cell-cycle progression </LI> <LI> <I>EPIC1</I> directly interacts with MYC protein through <I>EPIC1</I>'s 129–283 nt region </LI> <LI> <I>EPIC1</I> regulates MYC targets by enhancing MYC occupancy on its target promoters </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Activation of formyl CH and hydroxyl OH bonds in HMF by the CuO(1 1 1) and Co₃O₄(1 1 0) surfaces: A DFT study

Ren, Jun,Song, Kai-he,Li, Zhenhuan,Wang, Qiang,Li, Jun,Wang, Yingxiong,Li, Debao,Kim, Chan Kyung Elsevier 2018 APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE - Vol.456 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The first principle calculations with on-site Coulomb repulsion U terms were carried out to investigate the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) adsorption on the CuO(1 1 1) and Co<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB>(1 1 0) surfaces, two widely used oxidation catalysts. The adsorption of HMF molecule is energetically favoured in both cases, and HMF is more inclined to bridge adsorption via hydroxyl and formyl groups binding with surface O and metal sites. Moreover, the adsorption energy relies on both the coordination type of surface lattice oxygen to which the H atom binds and the formation of H-bond involving hydroxyl and formyl groups on the adsorbed HMF. Also, the hydroxyl OH bond breaking is very easy and is likely to be the first step in HMF oxidation, and then the OH insertion reaction to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The corresponding experimental results also show that the CuO and Co<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB> surfaces are promising candidate catalysts.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CuO(1 1 1) and Co<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB>(1 1 0) surfaces catalyze the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). </LI> <LI> Initial binding was formed through bridged-adsorption with O atoms in HMF. </LI> <LI> Oxidation reaction proceeds through the OH bond breaking pathway. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Schematic potential energy diagram for the formyl CH and hydroxyl OH bonds of HMF dissociation on CuO(1 1 1) and Co<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB>(1 1 0) surfaces. Obviously, the hydroxyl OH bond breaking is easier than that of the formyl CH bond on the two surfaces, which indicates the first step of oxidation of HMF to FDCA should be hydroxyl OH bond breaking.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Impact of high-temperature-water cooling damage on the mechanical properties of concrete

Zhai, Yue,Li, Yan,Li, Yubai,Wang, Siwei,Liu, Yi,Song, Ki-Il Elsevier 2019 Construction & building materials Vol.215 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A series of impact tests were conducted on split Hopkinson pressure bar equipment to study the influence of high-temperature-cooling damage on the mechanical properties of concrete. The experimental investigation showed the influence on the peak stress, peak strain, and fracture mode. The results indicate that the strain rate is directly related to the loading rate and heating temperature. The test results of natural cooling and water immersion cooling treatment were compared, which showed that the strength of water-cooled specimens is higher than that of naturally cooled specimens before the heating temperature reaches 400 °C and becomes much lower when the heating temperature is higher than 400 °C. Based on the experimental study, a dynamic non-linear elastic constitutive equation was established using a particle swarm optimization algorithm and an inversion analysis method. These results could provide theoretical references for the design of the ultimate strength of concrete materials for practical applications, such as fire and explosion prevention.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> High temperature-cooling damage on mechanical properties for concrete is tested. </LI> <LI> The strain rate is directly related to the loading rate and heating temperature. </LI> <LI> 400 °C can be considered as the threshold of high temperature-water cooling damage. </LI> <LI> Dynamic non-linear elastic constitutive equation is established. </LI> </UL> </P>

Phase transformation processes in karst-type bauxite deposit from Yunnan area, China

Zhang, Li,Park, Changyun,Wang, Genhou,Wu, Chunjiao,Santosh, M.,Chung, Donghoon,Song, Yungoo Elsevier 2017 Ore geology reviews Vol.89 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Bauxite is the only resource of aluminum metal and forms through weathering, leaching, and deposition (i.e., bauxitization processes). Here we characterize the bauxite deposit in Yunnan area, China, through mineralogical and textural characteristics using XRD, SEM-EDX, and micro-Raman analyses. The Al-oxyhydroxide polymorphs (AlO(OH)) such as diaspore and boehmite are the dominant phases in most of the samples. Gibbsite (Al(OH)<SUB>3</SUB>) is the main mineral in two samples from Quaternary bauxite, and these three Al-rich minerals mixed with goethite, hematite, kaolinite, and small amounts of TiO<SUB>2</SUB> polymorphs (anatase and rutile). Considering the textural characteristics and the stratigraphy of the bauxite deposit, some of the Al-oxyhydroxides and Ti-oxides are inferred to be products of the bauxitization in the lateritic soil during late Permian weathering. In the subsequent transgression stage, the earlier formed (Al-rich minerals and anatase) phases were transformed to diaspore or boehmite as spherulitic form and to rutile, respectively, with the processes of diagenesis, burial metamorphism, tectonic movements and magmatic activity. Following crustal uplift in the Yunnan Province after the late Triassic, diaspore was transformed into boehmite and the bauxite deposit formed earlier was exposed again to weathering resulting in the formation of gibbsite, hematite, goethite, kaolinite, and anatase, with diaspore, boehmite, and rutile remaining as relics. Our study provides insights into phase transformation during bauxitization and subsequent processes.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Al-, Fe-, and Ti-minerals were identified mineralogically and texturally in a karst-type bauxite deposit. </LI> <LI> Phase transformation of Al-, Fe-, and Ti-minerals were defined by textural characteristics. </LI> <LI> The phase transformation processes were caused by Dongwu movement and Indosinian movement since Permian after bauxitization. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Competitive neutrophil elastase inhibitory isoflavones from the roots of <i>Flemingia philippinensis</i>

Kim, Jeong Yoon,Wang, Yan,Uddin, Zia,Song, Yeong Hun,Li, Zuo Peng,Jenis, Janar,Park, Ki Hun Elsevier 2018 Bioorganic chemistry Vol.78 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P> <I>Flemingia philippinensis</I> has been used throughout history to cure rheumatism associated with neutrophil elastase (NE). In this study, we isolated sixteen NE inhibitory flavonoids (<B>1</B>–<B>16</B>), including the most potent and abundant prenyl isoflavones (<B>1</B>–<B>9</B>), from the <I>F. philippinensis</I> plant. These prenyl isoflavones (<B>2</B>, <B>3</B>, <B>5</B>, <B>7</B>, and <B>9</B>) competitively inhibited NE, with IC<SUB>50</SUB> values of 1.3–12.0 μM. In addition, they were reversible, simple, slow-binding inhibitors according to their respective parameters. Representative compound <B>3</B> had an IC<SUB>50</SUB> = 1.3 μM, <I>k</I> <SUB>3</SUB> = 0.04172 μM<SUP>−1</SUP> min<SUP>−1</SUP>, <I>k</I> <SUB>4</SUB> = 0.0064 min<SUP>−1</SUP>, and <I>K</I> <SUB>i</SUB> <SUP>app</SUP> = 0.1534 μM. The <I>K</I> <SUB>ik</SUB>/<I>K</I> <SUB>iv</SUB> ratios (18.5 ∼ 24.6) for compound <B>3</B> were consistent with typical competitive inhibitors. The prenyl functionality of isoflavones significantly affected inhibitory potencies and mechanistic behavior by shifting the competitive mode to a noncompetitive one. The remaining flavonoids (<B>10</B>–<B>16</B>) were confirmed as mixed type I inhibitors that preferred to bind free enzyme rather than the enzyme-substrate complex. Fluorescence quenching analyses indicated that the inhibitory potency (IC<SUB>50</SUB>) closely followed the binding affinity (<I>K</I> <SUB>SV</SUB>).</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Phenolic isolates from <I>Flemingia philippinensis</I>. </LI> <LI> <I>In vitro</I> neutrophil elastase inhibitory activity. </LI> <LI> Characterization of kinetics based on structure. </LI> <LI> Binding affinity between inhibitor and enzyme. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Implantation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Small Intestinal Submucosa Improves Bile Duct Injury in Rabbits

Li Ying,Wang Piao,Hu Xiao-dong,Zeng Jing-da,Fang Cheng,Gan Yu,Peng Fang-yi,Yang Xiao-li,Luo De,Li Bo,Su Song 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2021 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.18 No.5

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI), which may occur during cholecystectomy procedures and living-donor liver transplantation, leads to life-altering complications and significantly increased mortality and morbidity. Tissue engineering, as an emerging method, has shown great potential to treat BDI. Here, we aimed to explore the application of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) matrix composites with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to treat BDI in a rabbit model. METHODS: Rabbit-derived BMSCs were used as seed cells. Porcine SIS was used as the support material. Five centimetres of the common bile duct was dissected, and 1/3–1/2 of the anterior wall diameter was transversely incised to construct the rabbit BDI model. Then, SIS materials without/with BMSCs were inserted into the common bile duct of the BDI rabbits. After 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of implantation, the common bile duct was removed. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess pathological alterations in the common bile duct, while immunohistochemical staining and western blotting were used to detect expression of the epithelial cell markers CK19 and E-cadherin. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate BMSC growth. RESULTS: Compared with BMSCs alone, SIS-attached BMSCs had increased growth. HE staining showed that the injured bile duct healed well and that the complex gradually degraded as the time from implantation increased. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the in vivo complex group had significantly elevated expression levels of CK19 and E-cadherin. CONCLUSION: BMSC implantation into SIS could improve BDI in rabbits, which might have clinical value for BDI treatment. BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI), which may occur during cholecystectomy procedures and living-donor liver transplantation, leads to life-altering complications and significantly increased mortality and morbidity. Tissue engineering, as an emerging method, has shown great potential to treat BDI. Here, we aimed to explore the application of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) matrix composites with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to treat BDI in a rabbit model. METHODS: Rabbit-derived BMSCs were used as seed cells. Porcine SIS was used as the support material. Five centimetres of the common bile duct was dissected, and 1/3–1/2 of the anterior wall diameter was transversely incised to construct the rabbit BDI model. Then, SIS materials without/with BMSCs were inserted into the common bile duct of the BDI rabbits. After 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of implantation, the common bile duct was removed. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess pathological alterations in the common bile duct, while immunohistochemical staining and western blotting were used to detect expression of the epithelial cell markers CK19 and E-cadherin. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate BMSC growth. RESULTS: Compared with BMSCs alone, SIS-attached BMSCs had increased growth. HE staining showed that the injured bile duct healed well and that the complex gradually degraded as the time from implantation increased. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the in vivo complex group had significantly elevated expression levels of CK19 and E-cadherin. CONCLUSION: BMSC implantation into SIS could improve BDI in rabbits, which might have clinical value for BDI treatment.

Bioinformatic Prediction of SNPs within miRNA Binding Sites of Inflammatory Genes Associated with Gastric Cancer

Song, Chuan-Qing,Zhang, Jun-Hui,Shi, Jia-Chen,Cao, Xiao-Qin,Song, Chun-Hua,Hassan, Adil,Wang, Peng,Dai, Li-Ping,Zhang, Jian-Ying,Wang, Kai-Juan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Polymorphisms in miRNA binding sites have been shown to affect miRNA binding to target genes, resulting in differential mRNA and protein expression and susceptibility to common diseases. Our purpose was to predict SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) within miRNA binding sites of inflammatory genes in relation to gastric cancer. A complete list of SNPs in the 3'UTR regions of all inflammatory genes associated with gastric cancer was obtained from Pubmed. miRNA target prediction databases (MirSNP, Targetscan Human 6.2, PolymiRTS 3.0, miRNASNP 2.0, and Patrocles) were used to predict miRNA target sites. There were 99 SNPs with MAF>0.05 within the miRNA binding sites of 41 genes among 72 inflammation-related genes associated with gastric cancer. NF-${\kappa}B$ and JAK-STAT are the two most important signaling pathways. 47 SNPs of 25 genes with 95 miRNAs were predicted. CCL2 and IL1F5 were found to be the shared target genes of hsa-miRNA-624-3p. Bioinformatic methods could identify a set of SNPs within miRNA binding sites of inflammatory genes, and provide data and direction for subsequent functional verification research.