A large-area free-standing graphene oxide multilayer membrane with high stability for nanofiltration applications

Chen, Long,Li, Yanhui,Chen, Lina,Li, Na,Dong, Chenglong,Chen, Qiong,Liu, Beibei,Ai, Qing,Si, Pengchao,Feng, Jinkui,Zhang, Lin,Suhr, Jonghwan,Lou, Jun,Ci, Lijie Elsevier 2018 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL -LAUSANNE- Vol.345 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A flexible and free-standing graphene oxide and nylon 6 (GO@nylon 6) multilayer nanofiltration membrane was prepared by a layer-by-layer assembly process. The combination of electrospinning and electrospraying technique was employed, which can facilely prepare large-area membrane with size of 20 × 30 cm. The mechanical stability of multilayer membrane has enhanced significantly due to the tightly locked structure achieved by nylon 6 nanofibers network. The novel GO@nylon 6–13 multilayer nanofiltration membrane demonstrated a pure water flux up to 11.15 L m<SUP>−2</SUP> h<SUP>−1</SUP> bar<SUP>−1</SUP>, while keeping high organic dye rejection rate (>95% for methylene blue, and >99% for methyl orange). The rejections rate of the Na<SUB>2</SUB>SO<SUB>4</SUB>, NaCl, CuSO<SUB>4</SUB>, and Pb(NO<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> were 56.5%, 27.6%, 36.7%, and 18.9%, respectively. Furthermore, GO@nylon 6–13 multilayer nanofiltration membrane also demonstrated a high flux of some common organic solvents (8.4, 5.3, and 0.8 L m<SUP>−2</SUP> h<SUP>−1</SUP> bar<SUP>−1</SUP> for methanol, ethanol, and NMP, respectively), showing excellent chemical stability for separation process in those solvents.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Large-area GO@nylon 6 multilayer nanofiltration membrane was prepared. </LI> <LI> The multilayer structure enhances the mechanical stability. </LI> <LI> The multilayer membrane demonstrates a high water flux. </LI> <LI> The multilayer membrane shows high rejection rate for organic dyes. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Photograph and cross-section SEM image of GO@nylon 6 multilayer nanofiltration membrane, the inset shows the water contact angle.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Expression and Detection of Retinol-Binding Protein-4 Gene of Pig in E. coli

LiNa Sun,WanHong Li,ShuXiong Chen,Chao Chen,XiaoFeng Hou,Yun Zhao,Lu Chen,ChunJin Li,Xu Zhou 한국동물생명공학회(구 한국동물번식학회) 2014 한국동물번식학회 한중일 심포지엄 Vol.2014 No.1

Retinol-Binding Protein-4 (RBP-4) is a low molecular weight lipocalin, which mainly functions as a carrier for vitamin A. Though liver is the main machinery for synthesis of this protein, it is also detectable in other extrahepatic tissues, for example, ovary, uterus, and placenta. Recent evidences have shown that RBP-4 plays important roles in animal reproduction, for example, promoting the development of uterus and embryo. To the best of our knowledge, our laboratory firstly reported that high level of RBP-4 existed in follicular fluid from follicular cysts in sows. Moreover, we have also found that RBP-4 could be secreted by granulosa cells, and RBP-4 receptor was detected in granulosa cells. However, there is no any evidence on the role of RBP-4 in regulating the follicular development. Therefore, cloning and expression of RBP-4 and preparation of polyclonal antibody could help us to explore the role of RBP-4 in follicular development. The aim of this work was to construct prokaryotic expression system of swine RBP-4 gene. The total RNA was extracted from swine’s normal ovarian tissue. The sequence including the whole length of RBP-4 was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted into pEASY-E1.Then transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS after gene sequencing. Three hours later, adding IPTG with the final concentration of 1mmol/L and inducing five hours. After centrifugation, the supernatant was discarded. By adding Glucose to Luria-Bertani broth, the expressions of protein were increased. SDS-PAGE showed that the RBP-4 gene expressed in the form of inclusion body with a molecular weight of 21KD. Western-Blot results showed that the target protein could be specifically recognized by mouse anti-human monoclonal antibody. Prokaryotic expression vector of RBP-4 gene was successfully established, and the gene was successfully expressed n E. coli, which is ready for purification and RBP-4 polyclone antibody. Meanwhile, these results were beneficial to investigate the function of RBP-4 in follicular development.

A New Strategy for Secretory Expression and Mixed Fermentation of Recombinant Human Collagen α1 (III) Chain in Pichia pastoris

Lina Wang,Dai Di Fan,Jing He,Zhongcheng Lv,Chen-Hui Zhu 한국생물공학회 2014 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.19 No.5

Recombinant human full-length mature collagenα1 (III) chain (rhCOL3A1) was secreted by Pichia pastorisGS115, using the Saccharmyces cerevisiae á-mating factorprepro signal, and the theoretical molecular weight ofrhCOL3A1 was 95.344 kDa. The gene cloned from humanplacenta, was designed and cloned into expression vectorpPIC9K under the control of a strong inducible promoterAOX1.The expression stage of rhCOL3A1 was sensitiveto different carbon ratios through mixed fermentation. LCMS/MS analysis and western blotting demonstrated thatthe recombinant human full-length mature collagen α1(III) gene was successfully expressed in P. pastoris GS115during the methanol induction stage. Furthermore, aneffective strategy of mixed fermentation was established toexpress rhCOL3A1 in shake flash. Compared to singlecarbon induction, when induced with mixed carbon at theration of 0.8 (glycerol/methanol), the time corresponding tothe highest yield of rhCOL3A1 (1.27 g/L) was drasticallyreduced by 50%. The same conclusion was observed fromRT-qPCR. Consequently, a new strategy which was moretime-saving and effective was provided for the large-scaleproducing the full-length mature rhCOL3A1.

Cloning and analysis of the molecularly characterized chitinase genes of Daphnia carinata and Simocephalus vetulus

Lina Li,Yaling Chen,Jinsong Bao,Shaonan Li 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.12

Daphniidae plays an important role in maintaining the integrity and sustainability of food chains of freshwater ecosystems. However, studies on the intact genes of chitinase in Daphniidae have not been carried out till date. In this study, we obtained the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) from Daphnia carinata and Simocephalus vetulus, members of the Family Daphniidae, by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and polymerase chain reaction. The two cDNAs were named DcChi and SvChi, respectively. The result showed that DcChi and SvChi were 1404 and 1319 bp in length and they encoded 383 and 382 amino acids, respectively. Based on their cDNA sequences, the genomic structures of the two chitinases were characterized. Sequence analysis revealed that DcChi was composed of three exons and two introns, while SvChi had four exons and three introns. Based on the presence of conserved catalytic domain sequences, the two chitinases could be clustered within the same phylogenetic group. Homology analysis showed that the two deduced proteins had a high similarity (65–88%) to those from published species in Family Daphniidae and a low similarity to those from the species in Class Malacostraca Subclass Copepoda (38–42%) and those from the species in Class Insecta Order Diptera (33–38%). Based on the results of multiple alignments of chitinases, we designed peptides that were specific to chitinases from the Family Daphniidae. The quantitative real time PCR analysis indicated that the transcript level of the chitinase gene increased with the growth of the two species.

Self-Supported Bi2MoO6 Nanosheet Arrays as Advanced Integrated Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries with Super High Capacity and Long Cycle Life

Weibin Chen,Lina Zhang,Zhi-jing Ji,Ya-dan Zheng,Shuang Yuan,QIANG WANG 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2018 NANO Vol.13 No.6

Hierarchical Bi2MoO6 nanosheet arrays (BNAs) growing on three-dimensional (3D) Ni foam are synthesized by one-step template-free route. The obtained BNAs are used as binder-free integrated electrode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) directly. The electrode exhibits a super high reversible discharge capacity of 2311.7 μAh·cm-2 (1741.4 mAhg-1), and an excellent cycle stability. The outstanding electrochemical properties are reasonable from the self-supported integrated electrode in which the electrolyte is easy to infiltrate active materials, electrons and ions are readily transported along the 3D conductive substrate and the stable electrode structure.

Streptozotocin Diabetes Attenuates the Effects of Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Relaxants on Rat Muscles

Huang, Lina,Chen, Dan,Li, Shitong The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2014 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.18 No.6

The hypothesis of this study was that diabetes-induced desensitization of rat soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (NDMRs) depends on the stage of diabetes and on the kind of NDMRs. We tested the different magnitude of resistance to vecuronium, cisatracurium, and rocuronium at different stages of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes by the EDL sciatic nerve-muscle preparations, and the SOL sciatic nerve-muscle preparations from rats after 4 and 16 weeks of STZ treatment. The concentration-twitch tension curves were significantly shifted from those of the control group to the right in the diabetic groups. Concentration giving 50% of maximal inhibition ($IC_{50}$) was larger in the diabetic groups for all the NDMRs. For rocuronium and cisatracurium in both SOL and EDL, $IC_{50}$ was significantly larger in diabetic 16 weeks group than those in the diabetic 4 weeks group. For SOL/EDL, the $IC_{50}$ ratios were significantly largest in the diabetic 16 weeks group, second largest in the diabetic 4 weeks group, and smallest for the control group. Diabetes-induced desensitization to NDMRs depended on the stage of diabetes and on the different kind of muscles observed while was independent on different kind of NDMRs. The resistance to NDMRs was stronger in the later stage of diabetes (16 versus 4 weeks after STZ treatment). Additionally, when monitoring in SOL, diabetes attenuated the actions of neuromuscular blockade more intensely than that in EDL. Nonetheless, the hyposensitivity to NDMRs in diabetes was not relevant for the kind of NDMRs.

Characterization and Environmental Risk Assessment of Coal-based Solid Waste towards Underground Backfilling

Yaoping Chen,Duiyu Wang,Zhaojing Li,Hao Wen,Ke Yang,Lina Zhang 대한토목학회 2024 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.28 No.4

This study evaluated the feasibility of coal-based solid waste as a subsurface fill material based on its physicochemical properties and potential environmental risks. The results show that the special physical structure and the chemical composition of coal-based solid wastes are advantageous as filling materials. In terms of physical structure, the spheres improve the flowability and mixing homogeneity of the mixture, while lumps give stabilizing support; the special chemical compositions also improve the strength, durability and corrosion resistance of the filler. The contents of Cd, As, Cr, Cu, Ni and Co in coal-based solid waste are less directly harmful to the environment, but arsenic showed a relatively strong enrichment. Cd in coal gangue and desulfurized gypsum were medium or very high risk due to strong migration and bioavailability, respectively, while Co in desulfurized gypsum present a medium risk. Both coal gangue and desulfurized gypsum may contaminate the underground environment, the other materials pose less threat to the environmental. In engineering applications, attention should be paid to the main contaminant As, as well as Cd and Co because of their mobility and high bioactive fraction, to reduce potential environmental risk.

Variations of microbial community in Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. rhizosphere soilin a short-term continuous cropping system

Fei Xia,Lina Wang,Jiayang Chen,Meng Fu,Guodong Wang,Yaping Yan,Langjun Cui 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.5

Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. (Ranunculaceae) is a potential source of an important herbal drug named “Fuzi”, which is derived from the lateral root of the plant. Increased therapeutic usage resulted in the great demand for artificial cultivation of A. carmichaeli, however, the obstacles caused by continuous cropping is a serious problem. Continuous cropping has shown to affect the soil biological and non-biological factors. The current study attempted to discover the variations of microbial communities and soil properties in shortterm continuous cropping of A. carmichaeli. An experimental procedure with A. carmichaeli planted two years continuously was established. The variation of the soil microbial community, disease incidence, soil properties, and the correlation between soil microbe and disease incidence were investigated. The disease incidence increased during the continuous cropping of A. carmichaeli. The PCoA and LefSe results indicated that fungal communities in rhizosphere soil were altered during the short-term continuous croppingand the bacterial community was disturbed by the cultivation of A. carmichaeli, however, in the following two years of continuous cropping period, the soil bacterial community has not changed obviously. Proportions of some fungal and bacterial genera were varied significantly (p < 0.05), and some genera of microflora showed a significant correlation with adisease incidence of A. carmichaeli. Microorganisms contributing to community composition discrepancy were also elucidated. Continuous cropping of A. carmichaeli disturbed the rhizosphere soil microbial community and altered the soil chemical parameters and soil pH. These variations in soil may be related to the occurrence of plant diseases. The current study will not only provide theoretical and experimental evidence for the A. carmichaeli continuous cropping obstacles but will also contribute to A. carmichaeli agricultural production and soil improvement.

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 promotes lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by regulating miR-424-5p/MAPK14 axis

Rui Zhang,Lina Chen,Fei Huang,Xiaorong Wang,Cuihong Li 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.7

Background Many long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested to play critical roles in acute lung injury (ALI) pathogenesis, including lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1). Objective We aimed to further elucidate the functions and molecular mechanism of NEAT1 in ALI. Methods Human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were served as a cellular model of ALI. Cell viability and cell apoptosis were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and fow cytometry, respectively. The expression of NEAT1, microRNA-424-5p (miR-424-5p), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot analysis. Caspase activity was determined by caspase activity kit. The infammatory responses were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The oxidative stress factors were analyzed by corresponding kits. Results NEAT1 was upregulated in LPS-stimulated HPAEpiCs. NEAT1 knockdown weakened LPS-induced injury by inhibiting apoptosis, infammation and oxidative stress in HPAEpiCs. Moreover, miR-424-5p was a direct target of NEAT1, and its knockdown reversed the efects caused by NEAT1 knockdown in LPS-induced HPAEpiCs. Furthermore, MAPK14 was a downstream target of miR-424-5p, and its overexpression attenuated the efects of miR-424-5p on reduction of LPSinduced injury in HPAEpiCs. Besides, NEAT1 acted as a sponge of miR-424-5p to regulate MAPK14 expression. Conclusion NEAT1 knockdown alleviated LPS-induced injury of HPAEpiCs by regulating miR-424-5p/MAPK14 axis, which provided a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ALI.

Effects of maternal dietary energy restriction on laying performance, embryonic development, and lipid metabolism in broilers

Sun, Hao,Chen, Zhihui,Ma, Chengzhan,Lian, Lina,Zhao, Zeyu,Niu, Shupeng,Xu, Liangmei,Sun, Jinhua Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.5

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different degrees of maternal dietary energy restriction on lipid deposition in embryonic tissues during the medium laying period (37 to 39 weeks) in Arbor Acres (AA) broiler breeders. Methods: A single factor design was adopted, and 400 AA broiler breeders (20 weeks of age) with a similar weight were randomly allocated into four groups. The birds in the control group were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet, and those in trial groups were fed diets with 80%, 70%, and 50% energy levels of the basal diet. Incubated eggs from the medium laying period were collected. Samples of developing embryos at various stages were prepared for composition analysis. Results: The embryo weight in the 80% energy group was higher than those of the other groups on embryonic day (E) 13, but at 21 E, they were significantly decreased with decreasing energy intake of the broiler breeders (p<0.05). Additionally, the levels of crude fat in tissues in the restriction groups were significantly decreased (p<0.05). The long axis and area of adipocytes in breast muscle, thigh muscle and the liver were significantly decreased (p<0.05) at 21 E in the 80%, 70%, and 50% energy groups. Conclusion: The effects of the 80% maternal dietary energy restriction energy affects egg production performance, egg quality, and nutrient deposition in egg weights, which then directly impacts on the developmental process of embryos, especially on fat utilization and deposition.