Selective extraction of thorium to directly form self-assembly solid from HNO3 solution

Fang Zhang,Qiang Wu,Lei-Tao Sha,Yang Li,Xu-Xin Li,Ze-Yang Wang,Xuan Fu,Qing-Gang Huang,Bin Liu,Ze-Yi Yan 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.123 No.-

Based on ions exchange between [DMDSA]+[Cl]- (Dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride) and N,Ndialkyl-succinamide acid (SCA), three novel bifunctional [DMDSA]+[SCA]- ionic liquids (ILs) were firstlysynthesized for extraction of thorium (IV) by self-assembly strategy. The simultaneous extraction andsolidification of Th(IV) were unexpectedly realized in one-step operation using the present ILs in HNO3solution, and more than 99% thorium (IV) was enriched and immediately aggregated into selfassemblysolid at the biphasic interface. The self-assembly solid was further identified by FT-IR, SEM withelement mapping EDS and XPS analysis, and revealing that the self-assembly extraction (SAE) was triggeredby the amphiphilic [DMDSA]+ cations. A three-step extraction mechanism dominated by [SCATh(NO3)4]- was proposed based on the slope analysis method and HRMS analysis. The self-assembly extractionof Th(IV) exhibited the extremely excellent selectivity in the presence of U(VI) and typical lanthanideelements including La(III), Eu(III) and Lu(III), and the separation factors reached 2516 for Th/U, 1885 forTh/La, 1512 for Th/Eu and 558 for Th/Lu, respectively. The proposed SAE strategy was proved to be anefficient method for one-step separation and solidification of thorium ions from U(VI) and/or lanthanides.

A Novel Esterase from a Marine Metagenomic Library Exhibiting Salt Tolerance Ability

( Ze Ming Fang ),( Jing Jing Li ),( Quan Wang ),( Wei Fang ),( Hui Peng ),( Xue Cheng Zhang ),( Ya Zhong Xiao ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.6

A putative lipolytic enzyme gene, named as est9x, was obtained from a marine microbial metagenome of the South China Sea. Sequence analysis showed that Est9X shares lower than 27% sequence identities with the characterized lipolytic enzymes, but possesses a catalytic triad highly conserved in lipolytic enzymes of the α/β hydrolase superfamily. By phylogenetic tree construction, Est9X was grouped into a new lipase/esterase family. To understand Est9X protein in depth, it was recombinantly expressed, purified, and biochemically characterized. Within potential hydrolytic activities, only lipase/esterase activity was detected for Est9X, confirming its identity as a lipolytic enzyme. When using p-nitrophenol esters with varying lengths of fatty acid as substrates, Est9X exhibited the highest activity to the C2 substrate, indicating it is an esterase. The optimal activity of Est9X occurred at a temperature of 65°C, and Est9X was pretty stable below the optimum temperature. Distinguished from other salttolerant esterases, Est9X``s activity was tolerant to and even promoted by as high as 4 M NaCl. Our results imply that Est9X is a unique esterase and could be a potential candidate for industrial application under extreme conditions.

Staged Improvement in Awareness of Disease for Elderly Cancer Patients in Southern China

Li, Xing,Dong, Min,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Deng, Yun,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wang, Tian-Tian,Wu, Dong-Hao,Liu, Xu,Hu, Hai-Tao,Lin, Jia-Yu,Li, Zhu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.

Electrochemical Polymerization of Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol Acrylate on Carbon Fiber for Improved Interfacial Properties

Qiu Li,Ai-ling Zhang,Meng Zhang,Fang-fang Li,Song Wang,San-xi Li,Yong-jiang Li,Ze-fei Sun 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.12

Methoxy polyethylene glycol acrylate (MPGA) was electrochemical polymerized on carbon fiber (CF) by usingcyclic voltammetry (CV) to enhance the surface properties of CF. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanningelectron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) investigations confirmed that MPGA electropolymerizedon CF (MPGA-CF) was obtained. The low frequency capacitance of MPGA-CF (CLF=5.85 mF·cm-2) was higher thanCF(CLF=4.75 mF·cm-2) based on the result of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) and the data obtained fitted withan R(Q(R(Q(R(CR))))) equivalent circuit model. Contact angle experiment showed that the contact angle between water andMPGA-CF is significantly lower than that between water and CF. Mechanical experimental results indicated that theinterlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of MPGA-CF/epoxy resin composites (32.24 MPa) has improved by 134.81 % comparewith the CF/epoxy resin composites (13.73 MPa), which significantly enhanced interfacial properties of epoxy resincomposites.

Efficacy of Prophylactic Entecavir for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Li, Xing,Zhong, Xiang,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Wang, Tian-Tian,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Wu, Dong-Hao,Dong, Min,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Wu, Xiang-Yuan,Lin, Qu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Background and Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation was reported to be induced by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinonma (HCC) patients with a high incidence. The effective strategy to reduce hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation in this specific group of patients was limited to lamivudine. This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic entecavir in HCC patients receiving TACE. Methods: A consecutive series of 191 HBV-related HCC patients receiving TACE were analyzed including 44 patients received prophylactic entecavir. Virologic events, defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA level to more than 1 log10 copies/ml higher than nadir the level, and hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation were the main endpoints. Results: Patients with or without prophylactic were similar in host factors and the majorities of characteristics regarding to tumor factors, HBV status, liver function and LMR. Notably, cycles of TACE were parallel between the groups. Ten (22.7%) patients receiving prophylactic entecavir reached virologic response. The patients receiving prophylactic entecavir presented significantly reduced virologic events (6.8% vs 54.4%, p=0.000) and hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation (0.0% vs 11.6%, p=0.039) compared with patients without prophylaxis. Kaplan-Meier analysis illustrated that the patients in the entecavir group presented significantly improved virologic events free survival (p=0.000) and hepatitis flare free survival (p=0.017). Female and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 2 was the only significant predictors for virological events in patients without prophylactic antiviral. Rescue antiviral therapy did not reduce the incidence of hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation. Conclusion: Prophylactic entecavir presented promising efficacy in HBV-related cancer patients receiving TACE. Lower performance status and female gender might be the predictors for HBV reactivation in these patients.

Hepatitis B Virus DNA Negativity Acts as a Favorable Prognostic Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Li, Xing,Zhong, Xiang,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Xing, Yan-Fang,Wu, Dong-Hao,Chen, Jie,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Lin, Qu,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Wang, Tian-Tian,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wu, Xiang-Yuan,Dong, Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Background: This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving TACE and compare the difference between lamivudine and entecavir. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 203 HBV-related HCC patients receiving TACE were analyzed including 91 patients given prophylactic agents. Virologic events, defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA level to more than 1 log10 IU/ml higher than the nadir level, hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation and progression free survival (PFS) were the main endpoints. Results: Some 48 (69.6%) reached virologic response. Prophylaxis significantly reduced virologic events (8.8% vs 58.0%, p=0.000) and hepatitis flares (1.1% vs 13.4%, p=0.001). Patients presenting undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significantly improved PFS as compared to those who never achieved undetectable HBV DNA. Prophylaxis and e-antigen positivity were the only significant variables associated with virologic events. In addition, prophylaxis was the only independent protective factor for hepatitis flares. Liver cirrhosis, more cycles of TACE, HBV DNA negativity, a lower Cancer of the Liver Italian Program score, non-metastasis and no hepatitis flares were protective factors for PFS. Prophylactic lamivudine demonstrated similar efficacy as entecavir. Conclusions: Prophylactic agents are efficacious for prevention of HBV reactivation in HCC patients receiving TACE. Achievement of undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significant capability in improving PFS. Moreover, persistent tumor residual lesions, positive HBV DNA and hepatitis B flares might be causes of tumor progression in these patients.

The circadian rhythm in intervertebral disc degeneration: an autophagy connection

Li-Bo Jiang,Tai-Wei Zhang,Ze-Fang Li,Jian Dong 생화학분자생물학회 2020 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.52 No.-

There is one circadian clock in the central nervous system and another in the peripheral organs, and the latter is driven by an autoregulatory molecular clock composed of several core clock genes. The height, water content, osmotic pressure and mechanical characteristics of intervertebral discs (IVDs) have been demonstrated to exhibit a circadian rhythm (CR). Recently, a molecular clock has been shown to exist in IVDs, abolition of which can lead to stress in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), contributing to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process in eukaryotes and is essential for individual cells or organs to respond and adapt to changing environments; it has also been demonstrated to occur in human NPCs. Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that autophagy is associated with CR. Thus, we review the connection between CR and autophagy and the roles of these mechanisms in IDD.

Dietary inflammatory index and risk of gynecological cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Ze-ying Liu,Xu-ping Gao,Sui Zhu,Yan-hua Liu,Li-jun Wang,Chun-xia Jing,Fang-fang Zeng 대한부인종양학회 2019 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.30 No.3

Objective: There has been growing body of literatures showing that chronic inflammation might play an important role in cancer development. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between the dietary inflammation index (DII) score and gynecological cancers. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science up until October 20, 2018 was carried out to retrieve all related cohort and case-control studies. The summary risk assessments were pooled using random-effects models. The dose-response relationship was estimated by linear relationship model. Results: Twelve case-control studies (10,774 cases/15,958 controls) and six prospective cohort studies (330,363 participants/23,133 incident cases) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled adjusted relative risk (RR) of gynecological cancers for the highest DII category compared to the lowest category was 1.38, (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.21–1.56, p<0.001]. A positive dose-response relationship was also noticed. Stratified by study design indicated that, the pooled RRs was significantly higher for case-control studies than cohort studies (p for interaction<0.001), for studies conducted among participants with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 than participants with BMI <25 kg/m2 (p for interaction=0.026), among participants with ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer than participants with breast cancer (p for interaction = 0.038). Meta-regression analysis further confirmed that study design significantly contributed to inter-study heterogeneity (p<0.001). Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that elevated DII is independently associated with a higher risk of gynecological cancers, especially patients with ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer and among obese participants.

Patient and Care Delays of Breast Cancer in China

Yue-Lin Li,Ya-Chao Qin,Lu-Ying Tang,Yu-Huang Liao,Wei Zhang,Xiao-Ming Xie,Qiang Liu,Ying Lin,Ze-Fang Ren 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.3

Purpose This study differentiates patient and care delays of breast cancer and explores the related factors as well as the associations with the prognosis in Guangzhou, a southern city of China. Materials and Methods A cohort of female incident breast cancer patients (n=1,551) was recruited from October 2008 to March 2012 and followed up until January 1, 2016 (n=1,374) in the affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University. The factors associated with patient and care delays were analyzed with multivariable logistic models. Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to estimate the impacts of the delays on the prognosis. Results There were 40.4% patient delay (! 3 months) and 15.5% care delay (! 1 month). The patient delay, but not the care delay, was significantly related to the clinical stage and consequently worsened the prognosis of breast cancer (hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 1.91 for progression-free survival). The factors related to an increased patient delay included premenopausal status, history of benign breast disease, and less physical examination. Conclusion Patient delay was the main type of delay in Guangzhou and resulted in higher clinical stage and poor prognosis of breast cancer. Screening for breast cancer among premenopausal women may be an effective way to reduce this delay.

Bioethanol from Fermentation of Cassava Pulp in a Fibrous-bed Bioreactor Using Immobilized Δldh, a Genetically Engineered Thermoanaerobacterium aotearoense

You-Hua Cai,Ze-Xin Liang,Shuang Li,Ming-Jun Zhu,Zhenqiang Wu,Shang-Tian Yang,Ju-Fang Wang 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.6

There is an increasing worldwide interest in bioethanol production from agricultural, industrial, and urban residues for both ecological and economic reasons. The acid hydrolysis of cassava pulp to reducing sugars and their fermentation to ethanol were evaluated in a fibrousbed bioreactor with immobilized Δldh, a genetically engineered Thermoanaerobacterium aotearoense. A maximum yield of total reducing sugars of 53.5% was obtained after 8 h of hydrolysis at 85oC in 0.4 mol/L hydrochloric acid with a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:20, which was optimized by using an orthogonal design based on preliminary experiments. In the FBB, the fed-batch fermentation, using glucose as the sole carbon source, gave a maximum ethanol production of 38.3 g/L with a yield of 0.364 g/g in 100 h; whereas the fed-batch fermentation, using xylose as the sole carbon source, gave 34.1 g/L ethanol with a yield of 0.342 g/g in 135 h. When cassava pulp hydrolysate was used as a carbon source, 39.1 g/L ethanol with a yield of 0.123 g/g cassava pulp in185 h was observed, using the fed-batch fermentation model. In addition, for repeated batch fermentation of cassava pulp hydrolysate carried out in the fibrous-bed bioreactor, long-term operation with high ethanol yield and volumetric productivity were achieved. The above results show that the acid hydrolysate of cassava pulp can be used for ethanol production in a fibrous-bed bioreactor, although some inhibition phenomena were observed during the process of fermentation.