Simultaneous removal of sulphide and nickel by the compound of Chitosan Schiff Base from crude oil under microwave irradiation

Lei Wang,Quanming Peng,Shuzhen Li,Liucheng Du,Haijun Cai 한국공업화학회 2013 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.19 No.2

A study has been carried out for simultaneous desulfurization and demetalization by electric desalting from crude oil based on the oxidation of alkyl thiophene and nickel compounds with the compound of Chitosan Schiff Base under the condition of microwave irradiation (SDDM). Besides, an investigation has been made about the influence of Chitosan Schiff Base compound dose, initial temperature, and microwave time on desulfurization and demetalization. By using the optimized conditions for SDDM, up to 56% of sulfur and 82% of nickel removal rates were achieved for model compounds in crude oil samples. With the same conditions but without microwave the removal efficiency was lower than 56%for sulfur model compound and than 82% for nickel porphyrin in crude oil samples. Additionally, in order to develop a fundamental understanding of the SDDM mechanism of sulfides, a molecular simulation of sulfur compounds was performed with both the Hartree–Fock (HF) and second-order Moller–Plesset (MP2) levels of theory for the calculation of reaction kinetic rate by using Gaussian 03 program package. In comparison with conventional desulfurization and demetalization technology, the proposed SDDM process can accomplish the simultaneous removal of sulfur and nickel compounds from crude oil under relatively mild conditions.

Feasibility of Free-Breathing, Non-ECG-Gated, Black-Blood Cine Magnetic Resonance Images With Multitasking in Measuring Left Ventricular Function Indices

Peng Pengfei,Yue Xun,Tang Lu,Wu Xi,Deng Qiao,Wu Tao,Cai Lei,Liu Qi,Xu Jian,Huang Xiaoqi,Chen Yucheng,Diao Kaiyue,Sun Jiayu 대한영상의학회 2023 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.24 No.12

Objective: To clinically validate the feasibility and accuracy of cine images acquired through the multitasking method, with no electrocardiogram gating and free-breathing, in measuring left ventricular (LV) function indices by comparing them with those acquired through the balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) method, with multiple breath-holds and electrocardiogram gating. Materials and Methods: Forty-three healthy volunteers (female:male, 30:13; mean age, 23.1 ± 2.3 years) and 36 patients requiring an assessment of LV function for various clinical indications (female:male, 22:14; 57.8 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. Each participant underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the multiple breath-hold bSSFP method and free-breathing multitasking method. LV function parameters were measured for both MRI methods. Image quality was assessed through subjective image quality scores (1 to 5) and calculation of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the myocardium and blood pool. Differences between the two MRI methods were analyzed using the Bland–Altman plot, paired t-test, or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as appropriate. Results: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was not significantly different between the two MRI methods (P = 0.222 in healthy volunteers and P = 0.343 in patients). LV end-diastolic mass was slightly overestimated with multitasking in both healthy volunteers (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 60.5 ± 10.7 g vs. 58.0 ± 10.4 g, respectively; P < 0.001) and patients (69.4 ± 18.1 g vs. 66.8 ± 18.0 g, respectively; P = 0.003). Acceptable and comparable image quality was achieved for both MRI methods (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6, respectively; P = 0.203). The CNR between the myocardium and blood pool showed no significant differences between the two MRI methods (18.89 ± 6.65 vs. 18.19 ± 5.83, respectively; P = 0.480). Conclusion: Multitasking-derived cine images obtained without electrocardiogram gating and breath-holding achieved similar image quality and accurate quantification of LVEF in healthy volunteers and patients.

Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of corn stover during field exposure and the fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with microbial additives

Jun Lei Gao,Peng Wang,Chang-Hai Zhou,Ping Li,Hong Yu Tang,Jiabao Zhang,Yimin Cai 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.12

Objective: To effectively use corn stover resources as animal feed, we explored the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of corn stover during field exposure and the fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and cellulase. Methods: Corn ears including the cobs and shucks were harvested at the ripe stage. The corn stover was exposed in the field under natural weather conditions. Silages were prepared after 0, 2, 4, 7, 15, 30, and 60 d of exposure. Corn stover was chopped into approximately 1 to 2 cm lengths and then packed into 5 liter plastic silos. The ensiling density was 550.1±20.0 g/L of fresh matter, and the silos were kept at room temperature (10°C to 25°C). Silage treatments were designed as follows: without additives (control), with LAB, with cellulase, and with LAB+ cellulase. After 45 d of fermentation, the silos were opened for chemical composition, fermentation quality and in vitro digestion analyses. Results: After harvest, corn stover contained 78.19% moisture, 9.01% crude protein (CP) and 64.54% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on a dry matter (DM) basis. During field exposure, the DM, NDF, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of corn stover increased, whereas the CP and water-soluble carbohydrate contents and in vitro digestibility of the DM and CP decreased (p<0.05). Compared to the control silage, cellulase-treated silage had lower (p<0.05) NDF and ADF contents. The pH values were lower in silage treated with LAB, cellulase, or LAB+cellulase, and lactic acid contents were higher (p<0.05) than those of the control. Silage treated with cellulase or LAB+cellulase improved (p<0.05) the in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) compared to that of the control or LAB-treated silage. Conclusion: Corn stover silage should be prepared using fresh materials since stover nutrients are lost during field exposure, and LAB and cellulase can improve silage fermentation and IVDMD.

Silica-based cerium (III) chloride nanoparticles prevent the fructose-induced glycation of ${\alpha}$-crystallin and $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in human lens epithelial cells

Yang, Jin,Cai, Lei,Zhang, Sen,Zhu, Xiangjia,Zhou, Peng,Lu, Yi 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.3

This study aimed to investigate whether silicacerium (III) chloride ($CeCl_3$) nanoparticles could inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and reduce oxidative stress. Silica-$CeCl_3$ nanoparticles were synthesised by adsorption and embedment with micro-silica materials, forming uniform nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 130 nm. Chaperone activity assays and AGEs formation assays, and intracellular reactive assays were adopted in this study to evaluate $CeCl_3$ nanoparticles effect. UV-visible spectrometry showed that silica-$CeCl_3$ nanoparticles at low concentrations rapidly formed tentatively stable conjugations with ${\alpha}$-crystallin, greatly enhancing the chaperone activity of ${\alpha}$-crystallin. Moreover, silica-$CeCl_3$ nanoparticles markedly inhibited the fructose-induced glycation of ${\alpha}$-crystallin, showing an advantage over the control drugs aminoguanidine and carnosine. Silica-$CeCl_3$ nanoparticles also reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species production and restored glutathione levels in $H_2O_2$-treated human lens epithelial cells. These findings suggest that silica-$CeCl_3$ may be used as a novel agent for the prevention of cataractogenesis.

Silica-based cerium (III) chloride nanoparticles prevent the fructose-induced glycation of a-crystallin and H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human lens epithelial cells

Jin Yang,Lei Cai,Sen Zhang,Xiangjia Zhu,Peng Zhou,Yi Lu 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.3

This study aimed to investigate whether silicacerium(III) chloride (CeCl3) nanoparticles could inhibitthe formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)and reduce oxidative stress. Silica-CeCl3 nanoparticleswere synthesised by adsorption and embedment withmicro-silica materials, forming uniform nanoparticles witha diameter of approximately 130 nm. Chaperone activityassays and AGEs formation assays, and intracellular reactiveassays were adopted in this study to evaluate CeCl3nanoparticles effect. UV–visible spectrometry showed thatsilica-CeCl3 nanoparticles at low concentrations rapidlyformed tentatively stable conjugations with a-crystallin,greatly enhancing the chaperone activity of a-crystallin. Moreover, silica-CeCl3 nanoparticles markedly inhibitedthe fructose-induced glycation of a-crystallin, showing anadvantage over the control drugs aminoguanidine andcarnosine. Silica-CeCl3 nanoparticles also reduced intracellularreactive oxygen species production and restoredglutathione levels in H2O2-treated human lens epithelialcells. These findings suggest that silica-CeCl3 may be usedas a novel agent for the prevention of cataractogenesis.

Distinct mutations in MLH1 and MSH2 genes in Hereditary Non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) families from China

( Wen Qian Wei ),( Fang Qi Liu ),( Lei Liu ),( Zuo Feng Li ),( Xiao Yan Zhang ),( Fan Jiang ),( Qu Shi ),( Xiao Yan Zhou ),( Wei Qi Sheng ),( San Jun Cai ),( Xuan Li ),( Ye Xu ),( Peng Nan ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2011 BMB Reports Vol.44 No.5

Hereditary non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant inheritance syndrome. HNPCC is the most common hereditary variant of colorectal cancer (CRC), which accounts for 2-5% CRCs, mainly due to hMLH1 and hMSH2 mutations that impair DNA repair functions. Our study aimed to identify the patterns of hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutations in Chinese HNPCC patients. Ninety-eight unrelated families from China meeting Amsterdam or Bethesda criteria were included in our study. Germline mutations in MLH1 and MSH2 genes, located in the exons and the splice-site junctions, were screened in the 98 probands by direct sequencing. Eleven mutations were found in ten patients (11%), with six in MLH1 (54.5%) and five in MSH2 (45.5%) genes. One patient had mutations in both MLH1 and MSH2 genes. Three novel mutations in MLH1 gene (c.157_160delGAGG, c.2157dupT and c.-64G>T) were found for the first time, and one suspected hotspot in MSH2 (c.1168C>T) was revealed. [BMB reports 2011; 44(5): 317-322]

Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Promotes Preinvasive and Invasive Estrogen Receptor-Positive Tumor Development in MMTV-erbB2 Mice

Chun Ling Zhao,Guang Ping Zhang,Zheng Zheng Xiao,Zhi Kun Ma,Cai Peng Lei,Shi Yuan Song,Ying Ying Feng,Ya Chao Zhao,Xiao Shan Feng 한국유방암학회 2015 Journal of breast cancer Vol.18 No.2

Purpose: We investigated whether recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) could promote the development of preinvasive and invasive breast cancer in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV-erbB2) mice with estrogen receptor- positive tumors. Methods: MMTV-erbB2 mice were randomly divided into three experimental groups with 20 mice in each group. MMTV-erbB2 mice were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of vehicle or rhG-CSF (low-rhG-CSF group, rhG-CSF 0.125 μg; vehicle-rhG-CSF group, normal saline 0.25 μg; and high-rhG-CSF group, rhG-CSF 0.25 μg) at 3 months of age. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of G-CSF action in mammary glands were investigated via immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Low, but not high, rhG-CSF doses significantly accelerated mammary tumorigenesis in MMTV-erbB2 mice. Short-term treatment with rhG-CSF could significantly promote the development of preinvasive mammary lesions. The cancer prevention effect was associated with reduced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cluster of differentiation 34, and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 in mammary glands by >80%. Conclusion: We found that G-CSF was regulated by rhG-CSF both in vitro and in vivo. Identification of G-CSF genes helped us further understand the mechanism by which G-CSF promotes cancer. Low doses of rhG-CSF could significantly increase tumor latency and increase tumor multiplicity and burden. Moreover, rhG-CSF effectively promotes development of both malignant and premalignant mammary lesions in MMTV-erbB2 mice.