Biochar-supported nZVI (nZVI/BC) for contaminant removal from soil and water: A critical review

Wang, Shengsen,Zhao, Mingyue,Zhou, Min,Li, Yuncong C.,Wang, Jun,Gao, Bin,Sato, Shinjiro,Feng, Ke,Yin, Weiqin,Igalavithana, Avanthi Deshani,Oleszczuk, Patryk,Wang, Xiaozhi,Ok, Yong Sik Elsevier 2019 Journal of hazardous materials Vol.373 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The promising characteristics of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) have not been fully exploited owing to intrinsic limitations. Carbon-enriched biochar (BC) has been widely used to overcome the limitations of nZVI and improve its reaction with environmental pollutants. This work reviews the preparation of nZVI/BC nanocomposites; the effects of BC as a supporting matrix on the nZVI crystallite size, dispersion, and oxidation and electron transfer capacity; and its interaction mechanisms with contaminants. The literature review suggests that the properties and preparation conditions of BC (e.g., pore structure, functional groups, feedstock composition, and pyrogenic temperature) play important roles in the manipulation of nZVI properties. This review discusses the interactions of nZVI/BC composites with heavy metals, nitrates, and organic compounds in soil and water. Overall, BC contributes to the removal of contaminants because it can attenuate contaminants on the surface of nZVI/BC; it also enhances electron transfer from nZVI to target contaminants owing to its good electrical conductivity and improves the crystallite size and dispersion of nZVI. This review is intended to provide insights into methods of optimizing nZVI/BC synthesis and maximizing the efficiency of nZVI in environmental cleanup.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Aggregation and passivation of nZVI can be alleviated by surfactants and doping methods. </LI> <LI> BC hinders corrosion and improves the dispersion and electron transfer of nZVI. </LI> <LI> Properties of nZVI depend on those of the BC, feedstock and pyrogenic temperature. </LI> <LI> BC enhances electron transfer from nZVI to the contaminants due to the presence of quinone and graphene moieties. </LI> <LI> nZVI/BC shows strong ability to remove HMs, nitrates, and organic contaminants in soil and water. </LI> </UL> </P>

Stathmin is a Marker of Progression and Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Carcinoma

Wang, Feng,Xuan, Xiao-Yan,Yang, Xuan,Cao, Lei,Pang, Li-Na,Zhou, Ran,Fan, Qin-Xia,Wang, Liu-Xing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.8

Stathmin, also called oncoprotein 18, is a founding member of the family of microtubule-destabilizing proteins that play a critical role in the regulation of mitosis. At the same time stathmin has been recognized as one of responsible factors in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to assess stathmin status, its correlations with clinicopathological parameters and its role as a progosnostic marker in EC patients. The protein and mRNA levels of stathmin were examined byimmunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization in 100EC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues. mRNA and protein expression of stathmin in three EC cell lines(EC9706, ECa109, EC1 commonly used in research) were also analyzed using immunocytochemistry, western blot and in situ hybridization. The prognostic value of Stathmin expression within the tumor tissues were assessed by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. We showed that stathmin expression was significantly higher in EC tissues than in adjacent noncancerous tissues. High stathmin immunostaining score in the EC was positively correlated with tumor differentiation, Tumor invasion, Lymph node metastases, and TNM stage. In addition, we demonstrated that three EC cell lines examined, were constitutively expressing a high level of stathmin. Of those, EC-1 showed the strongest mRNA and protein expression for the stathmin analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that significantly longer 5-year survival rate was seen in EC patients with high Stathmin expression, compared to those with low expression of Stathmin expression. Furthermore, multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses revealed that Stathmin was an independent factors affecting the overall survival probability. In conclusion, our data provide a basis for the concept that stathmin might be associated with EC development and progression. High levels of Stathmin expression in the tumor tissues may be a good prognostic marker for patients with EC.

Security Threats among DICOM Imaging Communications in Public Networks

Feng Zhou,Zhongqi Zhang,Jin Wang,Bin Li,Jeong-Uk Kim 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Future Generation Communi Vol.7 No.6

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) require high-speed networks to transmit large image files between components. Image-data transmission from one site to another through public network is usually characterized in term of privacy, authenticity, and integrity. However, public network’s security issues had always been the significant problems. Recent years, IPv6 brings significant improvements in mechanisms for assuring a higher level of security and confidentiality of the transmitted information. Thus, it is still necessary to take care of some particular aspects. In this paper, we first analyzes how actual security threats and different types of attacks affect IPv6 networks while transmitting Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files through the public Internet. Second, illustrate some shortcomings of IPv6 and IPv6’s traffic loads. Finally, some possible solutions against a number of security threats in IPv6 DICOM files transmitting networks have been given.

Erythropoietin-Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Anti-fibrosis Efficacy in Mouse Liver Fibrosis Model

Wang Xianyao,Wang Huizhen,Lu Junhou,Feng Zhanhui,Liu Zhongshan,Song Hailiang,Wang Heng,Zhou Yanhua,Xu Jianwei 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2020 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.17 No.5

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based cell transplantation is an effective means of treating chronic liver injury, fibrosis and end-stage liver disease. However, extensive studies have found that only a small number of transplanted cells migrate to the site of injury or lesion, and repair efficacy is very limited. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) were generated that overexpressed the erythropoietin (EPO) gene using a lentivirus. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect the viability of BM-MSCs after overexpressing EPO. Cell migration and apoptosis were verified using Boyden chamber and flow cytometry, respectively. Finally, the anti-fibrosis efficacy of EPO-MSCs was evaluated in vivo using immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: EPO overexpression promoted cell viability and migration of BM-MSCs without inducing apoptosis, and EPO-MSC treatment significantly alleviated liver fibrosis in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced mouse liver fibrosis model. CONCLUSION: EPO-MSCs enhance anti-fibrotic efficacy, with higher cell viability and stronger migration ability compared with treatment with BM-MSCs only. These findings support improving the efficiency of MSCs transplantation as a potential therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.

Prevalence and Age, Gender and Geographical Area Distribution of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas in North China from 1985 to 2006

Feng, Xiao-Shan,Yang, Yan-Tong,Gao, She-Gan,Ru, Yi,Wang, Gong-Ping,Zhou, Bo,Wang, Yu-Feng,Zhang, Peng-Fei,Li, Pu-Yu,Liu, Yong-Xuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.5

Objective: To establish the prevalence and distribution profile of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) over a 22-yr period in North China. Methods: Using endoscopy for primary diagnosis and histological analysis for the further confirmation, a total of 74,854 ESCC patients aged 20-89 between January 1985 and December 2006 were investigated to analyze the epidemiological profile including prevalence rates, distribution of age-of-onset, gender and geographical area of ESCC in Luoyang, the highest incidence area of North China. Results: A total of 4092 cases of ESCC were finally diagnosed among 74,854 patients who had their first endoscopies. The prevalence among males was higher than that among females (p<0.01), resulting in an overall male:female OR of 1.2 (95%CI, 1.2-1.3). The prevalence in rural areas was higher than in urban areas (p<0.01), resulting in an overall rural:urban OR of 2.6 (95%CI, 2.4-2.9). The rural:urban ORs and the 95% CI increased continuously from 2.6, 2.3-3.0 to 2.7, 2.2-3.3, respectively, for 4 consecutive periods during the 22-yr study period. Moreover, the median age of onset among females was higher than that among males (p<0.01). For both sexes and in both areas, the prevalence rates declined and the median age of onset rose for 4 consecutive periods in the 22-yrs time frame (p<0.01). Conculsions: These data reveal the epidemiological profile of ESCC in the area of North China, and suggest that urban areas and rural people account for a growing proportion of the ESCC patients although the prevalence of ESCC significantly declined and the median age-of-onset postponed over the 22-yrs period. Moreover, the prevalence status of ESCC in rural areas also underlines the need for public health initiatives aimed at reducing risk factors of this fatal disease.

Human Intersectin 2 (ITSN2) binds to Eps8 protein and enhances its degradation

( Xiao Feng Ding ),( Zijian Yang ),( Fang Liang Zhou ),( Xiang Huchang ),( Zhou Chang Luo ),( Zhi Cheng He ),( Qian Liu ),( Hong Li ),( Feng Yan ),( Fang Mei Wang ),( Shuang Lin Xiang ),( Jian Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2012 BMB Reports Vol.45 No.3

Participates in actin remodeling through Rac and receptor endocytosis via Rab5. Here, we used yeast two-hybrid system with Eps8 as bait to screen a human brain cDNA library. ITSN2 was identified as the novel binding factor of Eps8. The interaction between ITSN2 and Eps8 was demonstrated by the in vivo co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization assays and the in vitro GST pull-down assays. Furthermore, we mapped the interaction domains to the region between amino acids 260-306 of Eps8 and the coiled-coil domain of ITSN2. In addition, protein stability assays and immunofluorescence analysis showed ITSN2 overexpression induced the degradation of Eps8 proteins, which was markedly alleviated with the lysosome inhibitor NH4Cl treatment. Taken together, our results suggested ITSN2 interacts with Eps8 and stimulates the degradation of Eps8 proteins. [BMB reports 2012; 45(3): 183-188]

Temporary Shear Brace Design Method for Steel Box Girder Viaduct in Transverse Block Construction

Jin-feng Wang,Min-quan Wang,Yu-bing Zhou,Xi Wu 한국강구조학회 2018 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.18 No.3

Transverse block of a steel box girder viaduct can decrease the shear connection between the upper part and the lower part. As a consequence, defl ection and defl ection diff erence between blocks are signifi cant, and the performance of weld seams and fi nished viaduct can be aff ected. To decrease the defl ection of steel box blocks with an open section after transverse discretization, a piecewise uniform arrangement of temporary shear braces is proposed on condition that the total shear stiff - ness of the shear braces remains unchanged. First, the formulas for slip, axial force and defl ection with a piecewise uniform arrangement of temporary shear braces are given, and the accuracy is verifi ed by comparing the results with fi nite element method. The proposed formulas are applied to two fi eld studies and the results show good agreement with measured data. Finally, the optimal arrangement of temporary shear braces was explored by the sequential quadratic programming optimization method. The defl ection and the defl ection diff erence at welding position are reduced signifi cantly after bracing, and the optimal shear braces arrangement is to arrange the braces more at the ends of the blocks.

Alum sludge conditioning with ferrous iron/peroxymonosulfate oxidation: Characterization and mechanism

Xu Zhou,Wenbiao Jin,Lan Wang,Lin Che,Chuan Chen,Shao-feng Li,Xue-Ting Wang,Renjie Tu,Song-fang Han,Xiaochi Feng,Nan-Qi Ren 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.4

Alum sludge produced by drinking water plants needs to be conditioned and dewatered before final disposal. In this study, a novel ferrous iron/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidation process was employed to enhance alum sludge dewaterability. The effect of oxidative sulfate radicals generated by Fe2+ activated HSO5  on alum sludge was studied. The results showed that the optimal conditioning conditions for addition of Fe2+ and PMS were 0.5 g/g and 0.1 g/g TSS, respectively. Meanwhile, the capillary suction time (CST) and specific resistance to filtration (SRF) of alum sludge was reduced by 66% and 88%. Also found was that the absolute value of the zeta potential increased and the particle size decreased in alum sludge after Fe2+-PMS conditioning, which indicated that oxidative sulfate radicals destroyed the floc structure of alum sludge and smaller particles were generated. At the same time, the water contained in sludge flocs was released and enhanced sludge dewaterability, while leaching of aluminum ions also characterized decomposition of alum sludge.

A putative plastidial adenine nucleotide transporter, BRITTLE1-3, plays an essential role in regulating chloroplast development in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Jia Lyu,Yihua Wang,Linglong Liu,Chunming Wang,Yulong Ren,Cheng Peng,Feng Liu,Yunlong Wang,Mei Niu,Di Wang,Ming Zheng,Kunneng Zhou,Shaolu Zhao,Fuqing Wu,Haiyang Wang,Jianmin Wan 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.5

Differentiation from proplastids into chloroplasts isa light- and energy-dependent process. How this process isregulated is still poorly understood at the molecular level. We herein report a new putative plastidial adenine nucleotidetransporter, BRITTLE1-3 (referred to as OsBT1-3), encoded bythe rice (Oryza sativa) White Stripe Leaf 2 (WSL2) gene. Loss of OsBT1-3 function results in defective chloroplastbiogenesis, severely reduced photosynthetic efficiency, andfinally a white stripe leaf phenotype in the first four leaves. The expression levels of genes related to chlorophyllbiosynthesis and photosynthesis are drastically reduced,accompanied with over accumulation of reactive oxygenspecies (ROS) in the wsl2 mutant. OsBT1-3 is targeted tothe chloroplasts and it expresses in almost all tissues inplants, especially in young leaves. OsBT1-3 consists of 419amino acids and exhibits features of all mitochondrialcarrier proteins, including a typical transmembrane-spanningdomain and a highly conserved sequence motif designatedas the ‘mitochondrial energy transfer signatures’. Phylogeneticanalysis shows that OsBT1-3 is a putative plastidialadenine nucleotide transporter and is most closely relatedto ZmBT1-2. Together, these observations suggest that thenew putative adenine nucleotide transporter, OsBT1-3,plays an essential role in regulating chloroplast biogenesisand maintenance of ROS homeostasis during rice seedlingde-etiolation.

IL-34 Aggravates Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head via Promoting Osteoclast Differentiation

Wang Feng,Min Hong Sung,Shan Haojie,Yin Fuli,Jiang Chaolai,Zong Yang,Ma Xin,Lin Yiwei,Zhou Zubin,Yu Xiaowei 대한면역학회 2022 Immune Network Vol.22 No.3

IL-34 can promote osteoclast differentiation and activation, which may contribute to steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Animal model was constructed in both BALB/c and IL-34 deficient mice to detect the relative expression of inflammation cytokines. Micro-CT was utilized to reveal the internal structure. In vitro differentiated osteoclast was induced by culturing bone marrow-derived macrophages with IL-34 conditioned medium or M-CSF. The relative expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, osteoclast marker genes, and relevant pathways molecules was detected with quantitative real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Up-regulated IL-34 expression could be detected in the serum of ONFH patients and femoral heads of ONFH mice. IL-34 deficient mice showed the resistance to ONFH induction with the up-regulated trabecular number, trabecular thickness, bone value fraction, and down-regulated trabecular separation. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-2, and IL-17A, showed diminished expression in IL-34 deficient ONFH induced mice. IL-34 alone or works in coordination with M-CSF to promote osteoclastogenesis and activate ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. These data demonstrate that IL-34 can promote the differentiation of osteoclast through ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways to aggravate steroid-induced ONFH, and IL-34 can be considered as a treatment target.