Emulsion-directed liquid/liquid interfacial fabrication of lanthanide ion-doped block copolymer composite thin films

Hong, Ming,Geng, Yuanyuan,Liu, Mei,Xu, Yuan,Lee, Yong-Ill,Hao, Jingcheng,Liu, Hong-Guo Elsevier 2015 JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE - Vol.438 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>An emulsion-directed assembly and adsorption approach has been used to fabricate composite films of polystyrene-b-poly(acryl acid)-b-polystyrene (PS-b-PAA-b-PS) and Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> and La<SUP>3+</SUP> ions at the planar liquid/liquid interface of the polymer DMF/chloroform (1:1, v/v) mixed solution (lower phase) and aqueous solutions of the corresponding salts (upper phase). The lower phase gradually transformed to a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion via spontaneous emulsification due to the “ouzo effect”. Polymer molecules and the metal ions assembled around emulsion droplets that adsorbed at the planar liquid/liquid interface at last, resulting in formation of composite films. The film morphologies and structures depend on Ln<SUP>3+</SUP> ions: polymer/Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> composite films were foam films composed of microcapsules ranging in size from several hundreds of nanometers to micrometers, while polymer/La<SUP>3+</SUP> composite films were composed of hollow spheres several tens of nanometers in size. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the coordination modes of carboxyl groups to Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> and La<SUP>3+</SUP> were bridging bidentate and ionic, respectively, in the two types of composites. These results indicate that stable microcapsules can be fabricated around droplets for polymer/Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> systems, while microcapsules of polymer/La<SUP>3+</SUP> are unstable. This leads to different film morphologies and structures. Compositions of these films were characterized using energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, foam films of polymer/Eu<SUP>3+</SUP>/2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) were fabricated using this approach, and their photoluminescence properties were investigated.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Composite films of block copolymer/Ln<SUP>3+</SUP> were fabricated at liquid/liquid interfaces. </LI> <LI> Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> and La<SUP>3+</SUP> have great effects on morphologies and microstructures of the films. </LI> <LI> Polymer/Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> and polymer/Eu<SUP>3+</SUP>/bpy films exhibit good luminescent properties. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Formation and Characterization of Two-Dimensional Arrays of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles under Langmuir Monolayers of n-Hexadecyl Dihydrogen Phosphate

Hong-Guo Liu,Fei Xiao,Hong-Guo Liu 대한화학회 2008 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.29 No.12

Two-dimensional arrays of silver oxide nanoparticles were prepared by oxidation of silver nanoparticle arrays in air. The silver nanoparticle arrays were formed by illuminating the composite Langmuir monolayers of nhexadecyl dihydrogen phosphate (n-HDP)/ethyl stearate (ES)/Ag+ at the air-water interface by daylight. The average diameters of the nanoclusters is found to be 2.32 ± 0.89, 2.97 ± 0.78, and 4.94 ± 0.57 nm, respectively, depending on the experimental conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigations indicate the formation of silver oxide nanoparticles. The possible formation mechanism of the 2D arrays should be attributed to the templating effect of parallel aligned linear supramolecular rows of n-HDP formed at the air-water interface.

New Insights into mTOR Signal Pathways in Ovarian-Related Diseases: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Ovarian Cancer

Liu, Ai Ling,Liao, Hong Qing,Li, Zhi Liang,Liu, Jun,Zhou, Cui Lan,Guo, Zi Fen,Xie, Hong Yan,Peng, Cui Ying Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.12

mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin, is a conserved serine/threonine kinase which belongs to the phosphatidyl-linositol kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family. It has two complexes called mTORC1 and mTORC2. It is well established that mTOR plays important roles in cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Over-activation of the mTOR pathway is considered to have a relationship with the development of many types of diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer (OC). mTOR pathway inhibitors, such as rapamycin and its derivatives, can directly or indirectly treat or relieve the symptoms of patients suffering from PCOS or OC. Moreover, mTOR inhibitors in combination with other chemical-molecular agents may have extraordinary efficacy. This paper will discuss links between mTOR signaling and PCOS and OC, and explore the mechanisms of mTOR inhibitors in treating these two diseases, with conclusions regarding the most effective therapeutic approaches.

Photoluminescent Properties of Eu(III) in the Composite Heterocyclic Ligands/Crown Ether Systems

Liu, Hong Guo,Jang, Ki-Wan,Feng, Xu Sheng,Kim, Chang-Dae,Yoo, Young-Jae,Lee, Yong-Ill Korean Chemical Society 2005 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.26 No.12

Composite systems of $Eu(phen)_2Cl_3{(H_2O)}_2$, Eu(DN-bpy)$(phen)Cl_3{(H_2O)}_2$ and Eu(DB-bpy)$(phen)Cl_3{(H_2O)}_2$ (DNbpy: $4,4^\prime$-Dinonyl-$2,2^\prime$-dipyridyl; DB-bpy: $4,4^\prime$-Di-tert-butyl-$2,2^\prime$-dipyridyl) with crown ethers of Benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5), Benzo-18-crown-6 (B18C6), 18-crown-6 (18C6), Dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) and Dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) were fabricated successfully and characterized by using photoluminescent spectroscopy and luminescent lifetime measurements. All composites formed show high luminescence mainly in red region. It was found that the heterocyclic ligands such as phen, DN-bpy and DB-bpy as well as the crown ethers have great influences on the photoluminescent properties of $Eu^{3+}$ ion. The environment around $Eu^{3+}$ ion in the composite systems changes greatly,presumably the variation of the first coordination sphere. The $Eu^{3+}$ ion occupies higher symmetrical environment and in more than one kind of symmetrical site in the composite systems studied in this work.

Activating Transcription Factor 1 is a Prognostic Marker of Colorectal Cancer

Huang, Guo-Liang,Guo, Hong-Qiang,Yang, Feng,Liu, Ou-Fei,Li, Bin-Bin,Liu, Xing-Yan,Lu, Yan,He, Zhi-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Objective: Identifying cancer-related genes or proteins is critical in preventing and controlling colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic value of activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1) in CRC. Methods: Protein expression of ATF1 was detected using immunohistochemistry in 66 CRC tissues. Clinicopathological association of ATF1 in CRC was analyzed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The prognostic value of ATF1 in CRC is estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models. Results: The ATF1 protein expression was significantly lower in tumor tissues than corresponding normal tissues (51.5% and 71.1%, respectively, P = 0.038). No correlation was found between ATF1 expression and the investigated clinicopathological parameters, including gender, age, depth of invasion, lymph node status, metastasis, pathological stage, vascular tumoral emboli, peritumoral deposits, chemotherapy and original tumor site (all with P > 0.05). Patients with higher ATF1 expression levels have a significantly higher survival rate than that with lower expression (P = 0.026 for overall survival, P = 0.008 for progress free survival). Multivariate Cox regression model revealed that ATF1 expression and depth of invasion were the predictors of the overall survival (P = 0.008 and P = 0.028) and progress free survival (P = 0.002 and P = 0.005) in CRC. Conclusions: Higher ATF1 expression is a predictor of a favorable outcome for the overall survival and progress free survival in CRC.

Structural and Ferromagnetic Properties SnO2/TiO2 Nanotubes Obtained by Electrospinning

JIAN-GUO ZHAO,Yan-Hong Gu,Hong Jia,Zhuan Hu,Shuqian Qiao,Mengjing Jin,Panting Ge,WEI-YING ZHANG,Shijiang Liu,ZHAO-JUN LIU 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.10

SnO2/TiO2 (Sn/Ti = 5/1) nanotubes were prepared by the electrospinning method. The morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that the inner diameter of prepared materials was about 100 nm and the wall thickness was about 10 nm. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) showed that SnO2/TiO2 nanotubes had a mixed phase of SnO2 rutile and TiO2 anatase structures and no impurity phases. The magnetic properties of the SnO2/TiO2 nanotubes were characterized by a superconducting quantum interferometer (SQUID). The results indicated that the samples exhibited room temperature ferromagnetism which may be attributed to the interface between TiO2 and SnO2 phases.

The Prognostic Value of Treatment-Related Lymphopenia in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Li-Ting Liu,Qiu-Yan Chen,Lin-Quan Tang,Shan-Shan Guo,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Ming-Yuan Chen,Chong Zhao,Xiang Guo,Chao-Nan Qian,Mu-Sheng Zeng,Jin-Xin Bei,Jing Tan,Shuai Chen,Ming-Huang Hong,Jian-Yong Shao 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.1

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related lymphopenia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods A total of 413 consecutive stage II-IVb NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were enrolled. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Results A minimum (mini)–absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of < 390 cells/μL or ALC after 3 months of CCRT (post3m-ALC) < 705 cells/μL was significantly associated with worse outcome than mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL (OS, p=0.002; PFS, p=0.005; DMFS, p=0.004) or post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p=0.001). Patients with lymphopenia (mini-ALC < 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC < 705 cells/μL) had a worse prognosis than those without lymphopenia (mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL) (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that post3m-ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.78; p=0.015), PFS (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.82; p=0.003), and DMFS (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.08; p=0.014). Multivariate analysis also revealed that patients with lymphopenia had a high risk of death (HR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.75 to 8.19; p=0.001), disease progression (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.59 to 5.41; p=0.001), and distant metastasis (HR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.67 to 9.10; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis performed with time dependent Cox regression demonstrated ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.991 to 0.999; p=0.025) and PFS (HR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.988 to 0.998; p=0.006). Conclusion Treatment-related lymphopenia was a poor prognostic factor in NPC patients.

Role of miR-511 in the Regulation of OATP1B1 Expression by Free Fatty Acid

Peng, Jin Fu,Liu, Li,Guo, Cheng Xian,Liu, Shi Kun,Chen, Xiao Ping,Huang, Li Hua,Xiang, Hong,Huang, Zhi Jun,Yuan, Hong,Yang, Guo Ping The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology 2015 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.23 No.5

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of non-coding RNA that are able to adjust the expression of many proteins, including ATP-binding cassette transporter and organic cation transporter. We sought to evaluate the effect of miR-511 on the regulation of OATP1B1 expression by free fatty acids. When using free fatty acids to stimulate Chang liver cells, we found that the expression of miR-511 increased significantly while the expression of OATP1B1 decreased. We also proved that SLCO1B1 is the target gene of miR-511 with a bioinformatics analysis and using the dual luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, the expressions of SLCO1B1 and OATP1B1 decreased if transfecting Chang liver cells with miR-511, but did not increase when transfecting the inhibitors of miR-511 into steatosis cells. Our study indicates that miR-511 may play an important role in the regulation of OATP1B1 expression by free fatty acids.

Role of miR-511 in the Regulation of OATP1B1 Expression by Free Fatty Acid

( Jin Fu Peng ),( Li Liu ),( Cheng Xian Guo ),( Shi Kun Liu ),( Xiao Ping Chen ),( Li Hua Huang ),( Hong Xiang ),( Zhi Jun Huang ),( Hong Yuan ),( Guo Ping Yang ) 한국응용약물학회 2015 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.23 No.5

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of non-coding RNA that are able to adjust the expression of many proteins, including ATPbinding cassette transporter and organic cation transporter. We sought to evaluate the effect of miR-511 on the regulation of OATP1B1 expression by free fatty acids. When using free fatty acids to stimulate Chang liver cells, we found that the expression of miR-511 increased significantly while the expression of OATP1B1 decreased. We also proved that SLCO1B1 is the target gene of miR-511 with a bioinformatics analysis and using the dual luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, the expressions of SLCO1B1 and OATP1B1 decreased if transfecting Chang liver cells with miR-511, but did not increase when transfecting the inhibitors of miR-511 into steatosis cells. Our study indicates that miR-511 may play an important role in the regulation of OATP1B1 expression by free fatty acids.

Purification and Characterization of a β-Glucosidase from Aspergillus niger and Its Application in the Hydrolysis of Geniposide to Genipin

( Guo Hong Gong ),( Zhi Ming Zheng ),( Hui Liu,Li Wang ),( Jin Shan Diao ),( Peng Wang ),( Gen Hai Zhao ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.6

An extracellular β-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger Au0847 was purified to homogeneity by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, anion exchange, and gel filtration. The purified protein was composed of two subunits with molecular masses of 110 and 120 kDa. Au0847 β-glucosidase exhibited relatively high thermostability and pH stability, and its highest activity was obtained at 65°C and pH 4.6, respectively. As a potential metalloprotein, its enzymatic activity was potently stimulated by manganese ion and DTT. The β-glucosidase displayed avid affinity and high catalytic efficiency for geniposide. Au0847 β-glucosidase has potential value as an industrial enzyme for the hydrolysis of geniposide to genipin.