Effect of Template Removal on Synthesis of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Mesoporous MCM-48

Zhao, Ya Nan,Li, San Xi,Han, Chong-Soo Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.10

Post-synthesis is used to synthesize organic hybrid inorganic mesoporous sieves. In this method, the activity and structure of the base sieve are crucial to obtain the definable hybrid materials. The chemical and physical properties of the base can be largely changed either by the final step of its synthesizing processes, by template removal which is accomplished with the oxidative thermal decomposition (burning) method or by solvent extraction method. In this paper we compared two methods for the post-synthesis of organic hybrid MCM-48. When the template was extracted with HCl/alcohol mixture, the final product showed larger pore size, larger pore volume and better crystallinity compared to the case of the thermal decomposition. The reactivity of the surface silanol group of template free MCM-48 was also checked with an alkylsilylation reagent $CH_2=CHSi(OC_2H_5)_3$. Raman and $^{29}Si$ NMR spectra of MCM-48 in the test reaction indicated that more of the organic group was grafted to the surface of the sample after the template was removed with the solvent extraction method. Direct synthesis of vinyl-MCM-48 was also investigated and its characteristics were compared with the case of post-synthesis. From the results, it was suggested that the structure and chemical reactivity can be maintained in the solvent extraction method and that organic grafting after the solvent extraction can be a good candidate to synthesize a definable hybrid porous material.

Effect of Template Removal on Synthesis of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Mesoporous MCM-48

Ya Nan Zhao, San Xi Li,Chong Soo Han,San Xi Li 대한화학회 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.10

Post-synthesis is used to synthesize organic hybrid inorganic mesoporous sieves. In this method, the activity and structure of the base sieve are crucial to obtain the definable hybrid materials. The chemical and physical properties of the base can be largely changed either by the final step of its synthesizing processes, by template removal which is accomplished with the oxidative thermal decomposition (burning) method or by solvent extraction method. In this paper we compared two methods for the post-synthesis of organic hybrid MCM-48. When the template was extracted with HCl/alcohol mixture, the final product showed larger pore size, larger pore volume and better crystallinity compared to the case of the thermal decomposition. The reactivity of the surface silanol group of template free MCM-48 was also checked with an alkylsilylation reagent CH2=CHSi(OC2H5)3. Raman and 29Si NMR spectra of MCM-48 in the test reaction indicated that more of the organic group was grafted to the surface of the sample after the template was removed with the solvent extraction method. Direct synthesis of vinyl-MCM-48 was also investigated and its characteristics were compared with the case of post-synthesis. From the results, it was suggested that the structure and chemical reactivity can be maintained in the solvent extraction method and that organic grafting after the solvent extraction can be a good candidate to synthesize a definable hybrid porous material.

Identification and tissue distribution of carboxylesterase (CXE) genes in Athetis lepigone (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by RNA-seq

Ya-Nan Zhang,Zhao-Qun Li,Xiu-Yun Zhu,Jia-Li Qian,Zhi-Ping Dong,Lu Xue,Peng He 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.4

Some of the metabolic enzyme carboxylesterases (CXEs) belong to the odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) family in insect species, and these play a key role in the degradation of acetate sex pheromones and host plant volatiles. Athetis lepigone is one of the most important agricultural insect pests in the world, can damage> 30 species of host plants, and has caused serious declines in the yield of summer corn in North China since 2011. According to our previous studies, the sex pheromone component of the pest is a binary blend of Z7–12:OAc and Z9–14:OAc at a ratio of 3:7. However, there are no reports regarding the degradation mechanism for these two sex pheromones. Herein, we firstly identified 20 candidate CXE genes in A. lepigone using our previous adult antennal RNA-seq data. Then, we constructed a phylogenetic tree and further conducted tissue distribution analyses to determine the possible functions of these genes. Our results showed that some AlepCXEs displayed adult antennae- predominant, male antennae-biased, or leg/wing-biased expression, indicating these AlepCXEs may have distinct physiological functions and play distinct roles in the degradation of sex pheromones, host plant volatiles, and/or other xenobiotics. These findings will help us to elucidate the exact functions of these genes in the future, and also provide possible target genes for the prevention and control of A. lepigone.

Effect of Minor Sc Addition on the Microstructure Evolution of Al–Cu–Li–Mg Alloy During Homogenization with Different Cooling Modes

Ya Tang,Daihong Xiao,Lanping Huang,Renxuan You,Xinyue Zhao,Nan Lin,Yunzhu Ma,Wensheng Liu 대한금속·재료학회 2022 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.28 No.10

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Al–3.92Cu–1.10Li–0.68Mg–0.32Ag–0.23Mn–0.35Zn–0.11Zrand Al–3.92Cu–1.12Li–0.76Mg–0.29Ag–0.24Mn–0.24Zn–0.12Zr–0.083Sc (wt%) alloys during homogenization with differentcooling modes were comprehensively studied. It was clearly revealed that the minor Sc addition refined the grainsof as-cast Al–Cu–Li–Mg alloys through the formation of primary Al3(Sc, Zr) phases during the solidification process, andinduced Sc enrichment in the θ (Al2Cu) eutectic. After the homogenization treatment, the majority of coarse nonequilibriumeutectic phases at the grain boundaries dissolved into the α-Al matrix, leading to the relatively uniform distribution ofeach element. Sc-added alloy after homogenization treatments possessed more superior strength and ductility than Sc-freealloy. Compared to the furnace cooling mode, the air cooling mode could inhibit the precipitation of micron-sized coarse T1(Al2CuLi) phase and improve the mechanical properties of the alloys. After homogenization, the continuous Al2Cuphase inthe as-cast Sc-added alloy dissolved and transformed to an array of W-(Al, Cu, Sc) ternary phase, which was identified asAl6Cu6Scwith the body-centered tetragonal structure. The appearance of spherical Al6Cu6Scparticle could not damage themechanical properties of Al–Cu–Li–Mg alloys after the homogenization treatment. The tensile strength, yield strength andelongation of Sc-added alloy after the homogenization by air cooling were 390 MPa, 265 MPa and 10.8%, respectively. Theinvestigation of Al6Cu6Scphase offered a potential avenue to produce high-quality Sc-added 2xxx series alloys.

Molecular identification and sex distribution of two chemosensory receptor families in Athetis lepigone by antennal transcriptome analysis

Ya-Nan Zhang,Ji-FangMa,Liang Sun,Zhi-PingDong,Zhao-Qun Li,Xiu-Yun Zhu,YiWang,LuWang,Dao-Gui Deng,Jin-Bu Li 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.3

Chemosensory receptors play central roles in insect behavior and can potentially be used as new targets for pest control. Athetis lepigoneMöschler (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous insect pest found in many countries in Europe and Asia. However, systemic identification of the chemosensory receptors in the antennae has not been reported. In the present study, we obtained the antennal transcriptome of A. lepigone using Illumina sequencing technology and identified 80 candidate chemosensory receptors, including 61 transcripts encoding for odorant receptors (ORs) and 19 for ionotropic receptors (IRs). This result is similar to that reported for other lepidopteran species, suggesting that our approach successfully identified ORs and IRs of A. lepigone. RT-PCR was used to determine the sex distribution patterns of all OR and IR genes. Some OR and IR genes showed male- or femalespecific/ predominant expression. Our results help understand the functions of chemosensory receptor genes in A. lepigone as well as other insects, and suggest that these genes could be potential targets for developing environment-friendly behavioral antagonists and pesticides against A. lepigone.

Molecular identification and expression patterns of carboxylesterase genes based on transcriptome analysis of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Ya Nan Zhang,Jin-Bu Li,Peng He,Liang Sun,Zhao-Qun Li,Li-Ping Fang,Zhan-Feng Ye,Dao-Gui Deng,Xiu-Yun Zhu 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.4

Carboxylesterases (CXEs) belong to a family of metabolic enzymes that are widely distributed in insects and other organisms and can rapidly degrade the components of sex pheromones and plant volatiles with an acetate functional group. The common cutworm, Spodoptera litura, is an important agricultural pest around the world, causing vast economic losses every year. The female sex pheromones of S. litura comprise four acetates, Z9, E11-14:OAc; Z9, E12-14:OAc; Z9-14:OAc; and E11-14:OAc, but the degradation mechanisms of these components are not well understood. By analysing previously obtained transcriptomic data of the sex pheromone glands,we identified a total of 24 putative CXE genes in S. litura. Gene expression patterns and phylogenetic analysis revealed 5 genes with antennae-specific or biased expression, and clusteredwith genes showed involvement in the degradation of sex pheromones or other detoxification in other insects. SlitCXE10was expressed specifically in the antennae of both sexes, and SlitCXE14, 17, 19, and 21 had high antenna biased expression. Interestingly, RT-PCR and qPCR tests indicated that SlitCXE24 had significantly higher expression in PG than in other tissue, and that it could be a potential candidate gene for sex pheromone degradation in PG. This study is the first to provide solid background information for the further elucidation of sex pheromone degradation, and ultimately provides potential targets for the disruption of sexual communication in S. litura for new pest management.

XIAP Associated Factor 1 (XAF1) Represses Expression of X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP) and Regulates Invasion, Cell Cycle, Apoptosis, and Cisplatin Sensitivity of Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

Zhao, Wen-Jing,Deng, Bo-Ya,Wang, Xue-Mei,Miao, Yuan,Wang, Jian-Nan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Background: X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) associated factor 1 (XAF1) exhibits aberrantly low or absent expression in various human malignancies, closely associated with anti-apoptosis and overgrowth of cancer cells. However, limited attention has been directed towards the contribution of XAF1 to invasion, apoptosis, and cisplatin (DDP)-resistance of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of XAF1 on invasion, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cisplatin-resistance by overexpressing XAF1 in SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Methods and Results: The pEGFP-C1-XAF1 plasmid was transfected into SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells, and the expression of XAF1 at both mRNA and protein levels was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. Overexpression of XAF1 suppressed XIAP expression in both SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Transwell invasion assays demonstrated that XAF1 exerted a strong anti-invasive effect in XAF1-overexpressing cells. Moreover, flow cytometry analysis revealed that XAF1 overexpression arrested the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, and cell apoptosis analysis showed that overexpression of XAF1 enhanced apoptosis of SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells apparently by activating caspase-9 and caspase-3. Furthermore, MTT assay confirmed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of cisplatin in the tested tumor cells, and overexpression of XAF1 increased the sensitivity of SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells to cisplatin-mediated antiproliferative effects. Conclusions: In summary, our data indicated that overexpression of XAF1 could suppress XIAP expression, inhibit invasion, arrest cell cycle, promote apoptosis, and confer cisplatin-sensitivity in SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Therefore, XAF1 may be further assessed as a potential target for the treatment of both cisplatin-resistant and non-resistant EOCs.

Clinical Determinants of Weight Loss in Patients with Esophageal Carcinoma During Radiotherapy: a Prospective Longitudinal View

Jiang, Nan,Zhao, Jin-Zhi,Chen, Xiao-Cen,Li, Li-Ya,Zhang, Li-Juan,Zhao, Yue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.5

Purpose: The prevalence of weight loss in esophageal carcinoma patients is high and associated with impairment of physical function, increased psychological distress and low quality of life. It is not known which factors may contribute to weight loss in patients with esophageal carcinoma during radiotherapy in China. The objective of this study was to identify the associated demographic and clinical factors influencing weight loss. Methods: We evaluated 159 esophageal carcinoma patients between August 2010 and August 2013 in a crosssectional, descriptive study. Patient characteristics, tumor and treatment details, psychological status, adverse effects, and dietary intake were evaluated at baseline and during radiotherapy. A multivariate logistic regression analyss was performed to identify the potential factors leading to weight loss. Results: 64 (40.3%) patients had weight loss ${\geq}5%$ during radiotherapy. According to logistic regression analysis, depression, esophagitis, and loss of appetite were adverse factors linked to weight loss. Dietary counseling, early stage disease and total energy intake ${\geq}1441.3$ (kcal/d) were protective factors. Conclusions It was found that dietary counseling, TNM stage, total energy intake, depression, esophagitis, and loss of appetite were the most important factors for weight loss. The results underline the importance of maintaining energy intake and providing dietary advice in EC patients during RT. At the same time, by identifying associated factors, medical staff can provide appropriate medical care to reduce weight loss. Further studies should determine the effect of these factors on weight loss and propose a predictive model.

Prognostic Value of Serum AFP, AFP-L3, and GP73 in Monitoring Short-term Treatment Response and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Radiofrequency Ablation

Wang, Nan-Ya,Wang, Cong,Li, Wei,Wang, Guan-Jun,Cui, Guo-Zhen,He, Hua,Zhao, Heng-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Purpose: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of AFP (AFP-L3), and Golgi protein 73 (GP73) levels have been widely used as tumor markers for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether these tumor markers could be used to monitor short-term treatment response and recurrence of HCC in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods: Between July 2012 and July 2013, 53 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively enrolled in this study. Among these, 32 patients underwent RFA, after which they were followed up prospectively at the First Hospital of Jilin University in China. Results: AFP, AFP-L3, and GP-73 values pre-RFA were not associated with tumor size, whereas AFP and GP-73 levels tended to be associated with tumor number, the presence of vascular invasion, deterioration of liver function, advanced-stage disease, and a poor performance status. GP-73 levels were dramatically elevated in the patients with hepatitis C-associated HCC. Neither pre-RFA nor 1-month post-RFA tumor marker values were associated with short-term outcome. The short-term recurrence rate of AFP-positive patients measured 1 month post-RFA was obviously higher than that of AFP-negative patients. Conclusions: AFP and GP-73 values were associated with clinical variables representing tumor growth and invasiveness, and the AFP value measured 1 month post-RFA was a strong predictor of short-term recurrence in patients with HCC.

Pu-erh Tea Powder Preventive Effects on Cisplatin-Induced Liver Oxidative Damage in Wistar Rats

Zheng, Xiao-Nan,Wang, Xiao-Wen,Li, Li-Ya,Xu, Zi-Wei,Huang, Hsin-Yi,Zhao, Jin-Sheng,Zhang, Duo,Yin, Xu,Sheng, Jun,Tang, Jin-Tian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.17

Background: Chemotherapy is one of the major means for control of malignancies, with cisplatin (CDDP) as one of the main agents, widely used for the treatment of various malignant solid tumors. However, prevention of hepatotoxicity from cisplatin is one of the urgent issues in cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of pu-erh tea on hepatotoxicity through body weight and tissue antioxidant parameters like, liver coefficient, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and light microscopic evaluation by histological findings. Materials and Methods: The rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control (n=10), cisplatin (3 mg/kg p.i., n=10), cisplatin+pu-erh (0.32 g/kg/day i.g., n=10), cisplatin+pu-erh (0.8 g/kg/day i.g., n=10) and cisplatin+pu-erh (1.6 g/kg/day i.g., n=10). Pu-erh tea powder was administrated for 31 consecutive days. The rats were sacrificed at the end on the second day after a single dose of cisplatin treatment for measuring indices. Results: Pu-erh tea powder exhibited a protective effect by decreasing MDA and GSH and increasing the SOD and GSH-PX levels and GSH-PX/MDA ratio in camparison with the control group. Besides, pu-erh tea was also able to alleviate the pathological damage to some extent. Conclusion: Pu-erh tea powder is protective against cisplatin-induced liver oxidative damages, especially at the medium dosage (0.8 g/kg/d).