The Antihydrolytic Effect and Properties of Crosslinked Polyurethane Containing Natural Dimer Fatty Acids Building Blocks

Xin Liu,Kai Xu,Huan Liu,Hualun Cai,Zien Fu,Ying Guo,Mingcai Chen 한국고분자학회 2012 Macromolecular Research Vol.20 No.6

Four series of cross-linked polyurethanes with polyester polyols as soft segments were prepared by selfcuring of isocyanate-terminated polyurethanes. Polyester polyols herein were derived from different dimer fatty acids weight content, such as dicarboxylic acid leading to various hydrophobicity and steric hindrance. The structure of cross-linked polyurethane was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface properties and mechanical and thermal properties of cross-linked polyurethane were investigated using contact meter, tensile tester, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicated that with increasing dimer fatty acid weight content from 0% to 100%, the cross-linked polyurethanes exhibited increased hydrophobicity (water contact angle increased from 91o to 96o), improved water resistance (water uptake decreased from 1.41% to 0.34%), toluene resistance (weight loss decreased from 33.2% to 22.7%), and hydrolytic resistance (weight loss decreased from 0.60% to 0.27%), enhanced mechanical properties (tensile strength increased from 1.3 to 4.8 MPa), and thermal stability (decomposition temperature of 50% weight loss increased from 425 to 462 oC).

Influence of oxygen equivalent on molten salt oxidation efficiency of mixed resin in Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 melt

Xin Liu,Zi-Yu Liu,Yang-Hai Zheng,Yong-De Yan,Wen-Da Xu,Yun Xue,Yue-Lin Wang,Fu-Qiu Ma,Kai Zhu,Yu-Sheng Yang 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.120 No.-

The disposal of spent radioactive ion exchange resin generated during the operation of nuclear facilitieshas always been a conundrum. The molten salt oxidation (MSO) for the treatment of mixed resin (MR)shows obvious superiority. In this work, ternary carbonate (Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3) and MR was usedas the molten salt system and the oxidation target, respectively. The oxidation behavior of MR was analyzedby varying the temperature and oxygen equivalent during the MSO process. By studying the effectof different oxygen equivalents on the oxidation efficiency, the oxygen equivalent of 125% could make theoxidation efficiency of MR reach 99.99% at 800 C. The composition of C, N and S containing exhaust gasproduced through MSO process of MR with temperature were almost consistent with the simulationresults. The exhaust gas was successfully adsorbed by molten carbonate to produce nitrate and sulfurcompounds. The carbonate has good absorption to harmful gases such as SO2, CO, NO, etc. The contentof SO2 from the highest 0.32% to 0, and 71.23% of sulfur in MR was trapped by molten carbonate asthe form of sulfate. This work has important implications for reducing the potential harm of radioactivewaste resin to the environment.

Distinctions Between Clinicopathological Factors and Prognosis of Alpha-fetoprotein Negative and Positive Hepatocelluar Carcinoma Patients

Xu, Jia,Liu, Chang,Zhou, Lei,Tian, Feng,Tai, Ming-Hui,Wei, Ji-Chao,Qu, Kai,Meng, Fan-Di,Zhang, Ling-Qiang,Wang, Zhi-Xin,Zhang, Jing-Yao,Chang, Hu-Lin,Liu, Si-Nan,Xu, Xin-Shen,Song, Yan-Zhou,Liu, Jun,Z Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a significant marker for clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, some proportion of liver cancer patients are AFP-negative (AFP ${\leq}$20ng/ml). In order to study the differences between clinicopathological factors and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein negative and positive patients, a total of 114 cases (41 AFP-negative and 73 AFP-positive) were selected for our research. By systematically statistical analysis, the results demonstrated that compared with AFP-negative patients, AFP-positive examples were more likely to feature cirrhosis nodules, non-complete neoplasm capsules, and a poor Edmondson-steiner grade. Furthermore, AFP-negative patients demonstrated a favorable long-term prognosis. By univariate analysis and multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazards model, multiple tumors were found to be independent risk factors for worse survival of AFP negative patients; however, less tumor-free margins, multiple tumors and Edmondson-steiner grades III/IV, proved to be independent risk factors leading to a poor prognosis of AFP positive cases. Finally, we can infer that high levels of AFP signify a highly malignant tumor and unfavorable prognosis.

Preparation of minor ginsenosides C-Mc, C-Y, F2, and C-K from American ginseng PPD-ginsenoside using special ginsenosidase type-I from Aspergillus niger g.848

Liu, Chun-Ying,Zhou, Rui-Xin,Sun, Chang-Kai,Jin, Ying-Hua,Yu, Hong-Shan,Zhang, Tian-Yang,Xu, Long-Quan,Jin, Feng-Xie The Korean Society of Ginseng 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.3

Background: Minor ginsenosides, those having low content in ginseng, have higher pharmacological activities. To obtain minor ginsenosides, the biotransformation of American ginseng protopanaxadiol (PPD)-ginsenoside was studied using special ginsenosidase type-I from Aspergillus niger g.848. Methods: DEAE (diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used in enzyme purification, thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used in enzyme hydrolysis and kinetics; crude enzyme was used in minor ginsenoside preparation from PPD-ginsenoside; the products were separated with silica-gel-column, and recognized by HPLC and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). Results: The enzyme molecular weight was 75 kDa; the enzyme firstly hydrolyzed the C-20 position 20-O-${\beta}$-D-Glc of ginsenoside Rb1, then the C-3 position 3-O-${\beta}$-D-Glc with the pathway $Rb1{\rightarrow}Rd{\rightarrow}F2{\rightarrow}C-K$. However, the enzyme firstly hydrolyzed C-3 position 3-O-${\beta}$-D-Glc of ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc, finally hydrolyzed 20-O-L-Ara with the pathway $Rb2{\rightarrow}C-O{\rightarrow}C-Y{\rightarrow}C-K$, and $Rc{\rightarrow}C-Mc1{\rightarrow}C-Mc{\rightarrow}C-K$. According to enzyme kinetics, $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ of Michaelis-Menten equation, the enzyme reaction velocities on ginsenosides were Rb1 > Rb2 > Rc > Rd. However, the pure enzyme yield was only 3.1%, so crude enzyme was used for minor ginsenoside preparation. When the crude enzyme was reacted in 3% American ginseng PPD-ginsenoside (containing Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd) at $45^{\circ}C$ and pH 5.0 for 18 h, the main products were minor ginsenosides C-Mc, C-Y, F2, and C-K; average molar yields were 43.7% for C-Mc from Rc, 42.4% for C-Y from Rb2, and 69.5% for F2 and C-K from Rb1 and Rd. Conclusion: Four monomer minor ginsenosides were successfully produced (at low-cost) from the PPD-ginsenosides using crude enzyme.

Preliminary Application of High-Definition CT Gemstone Spectral Imaging in Hand and Foot Tendons

Kai Deng,Cheng-Qi Zhang,Wei Li,Jun-Jun Wang,Xin-Yi Wang,Tao Pang,Guang-Li Wang,Cheng Liu 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.6

Objective: To assess the feasibility of visualizing hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders by Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) high-definition CT (HDCT). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients who suffered from hand or foot pain were scanned with GSI mode HDCT and MRI. Spectrum analysis was used to select the monochromatic images that provide the optimal contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for tendons. The image quality at the best selected monochromatic level and the conventional polychromatic images were compared. Tendon anatomy and disease were also analyzed at GSI and MRI. Results: The monochromatic images at about 65 keV (mean 65.09 ± 2.98) provided the optimal CNR for hand and foot tendons. The image quality at the optimal selected monochromatic level was superior to conventional polychromatic images (p = 0.005, p < 0.05). GSI was useful in visualizing hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders. There were no statistical differences between GSI and MRI with regard to tendon thickening (χ2 = 0, p > 0.05), compression (χ2 = 0.5, p > 0.05), absence (χ2 = 0, p > 0.05) and rupture (χ2 = 0, p > 0.05). GSI was significantly less sensitive than MRI in displaying tendon adhesion (χ2 = 4.17, p < 0.05), degeneration (χ2 = 4.17, p < 0.05), and tendinous sheath disease (χ2 = 10.08, p < 0.05). Conclusion: GSI with monochromatic images at 65 keV displays clearly the most hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders with image quality improved, as compared with conventional polychromatic images. It may be used solely or combined with MRI in clinical work, depending on individual patient disease condition. Objective: To assess the feasibility of visualizing hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders by Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) high-definition CT (HDCT). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients who suffered from hand or foot pain were scanned with GSI mode HDCT and MRI. Spectrum analysis was used to select the monochromatic images that provide the optimal contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for tendons. The image quality at the best selected monochromatic level and the conventional polychromatic images were compared. Tendon anatomy and disease were also analyzed at GSI and MRI. Results: The monochromatic images at about 65 keV (mean 65.09 ± 2.98) provided the optimal CNR for hand and foot tendons. The image quality at the optimal selected monochromatic level was superior to conventional polychromatic images (p = 0.005, p < 0.05). GSI was useful in visualizing hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders. There were no statistical differences between GSI and MRI with regard to tendon thickening (χ2 = 0, p > 0.05), compression (χ2 = 0.5, p > 0.05), absence (χ2 = 0, p > 0.05) and rupture (χ2 = 0, p > 0.05). GSI was significantly less sensitive than MRI in displaying tendon adhesion (χ2 = 4.17, p < 0.05), degeneration (χ2 = 4.17, p < 0.05), and tendinous sheath disease (χ2 = 10.08, p < 0.05). Conclusion: GSI with monochromatic images at 65 keV displays clearly the most hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders with image quality improved, as compared with conventional polychromatic images. It may be used solely or combined with MRI in clinical work, depending on individual patient disease condition.

Comparative microbiome analysis reveals bacterial communities associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus infection in the Huanglongbing insect vector Diaphorina citri

Liu Kai,Pang Rui,Guan Zi-ying,Zhong Ming-zhao,He Jia-wei,Han Qun-xin 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.2

The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is a major pest of the citrus industry and is also the vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), a destructive Huanglongbing (HLB) disease of citrus trees. Insect endosymbionts and gut bacteria play important roles in vector-pathogen interactions and host immunity. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the correlation between CLas infection and the microbiome in D. citri by conducting 16S rRNA amplification sequencing on insects successfully and unsuccessfully infected with CLas (CLas-infected and noninfected). Genera Candidatus Profftella, Wolbachia, and Candidatus Carsonella were highly abundant genera in all tested samples. Compared with the non-infected and control groups, CLas-infected samples harboured more observed OTUs and showed higher alpha diversity metrics. Principal coordinate analysis based on beta-diversity metrics indicated two distinct clusters between the CLas-infected samples and non-infected/control samples. Subsequent LEfSe analysis revealed that Candidatus Profftella was more abundant in the non-infected group than in the control and CLas-infected groups. The interaction network also indicated a co-exclusion relationship be tween Candidatus Profftella and CLas, while CLas co-existed with Wolbachia, several Enterobacteriaceae spp., and multiple other bacteria. Our study provides insight into the interaction between the microbiome community in D. citri and CLas, which can facilitate the management of this pest and its associated pathogen.

Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide by Single-Atom Clusters Pd Anchored on t-BaTiO3 for Piezoelectric Degradation of Tetracycline

Xin Ni,Yuan Liang,Quanzi Pan,Hengjie Guo,Kai Chen,Bo Zhang,Shaocong Ni,Bin Sheng,Zeda Meng,Shouqing Liu,오원춘 한국재료학회 2023 한국재료학회지 Vol.33 No.11

Single-atom Pd clusters anchored on t-BaTiO3 material was synthesized using hydrothermal and ultrasonic methods for the effective piezoelectric catalytic degradation of pollutants using vibration energy. XRD patterns of BaTiO3 loaded with monoatomic Pd were obtained before and after calcining, and showed typical cubic-phase BTO. TEM and HAADF-STEM images indicated single-atom Pd clusters were successfully introduced into the BaTiO3. The piezoelectric current density of the prepared Pd-BaTiO3 binary composite was significantly higher than that of the pristine BaTiO3. Under mechanical vibration, the nanomaterial exhibited a tetracycline decomposition rate of ~95 % within 7 h, which is much higher than the degradation rate of 56.7 % observed with pure BaTiO3. Many of the piezo-induced electrons escaped to the Pd-doped BaTiO3 interface because of Pd’s excellent conductivity. Single-atom Pd clusters help promote the separation of the piezo-induced electrons, thereby achieving synergistic catalysis. This work demonstrates the feasibility of combining ultrasonic technology with the piezoelectric effect and provides a promising strategy for the development of ultrasonic and piezoelectric materials.

Stability Analysis of Discrete-Time Piecewise-Linear Systems: A Generating Function Approach

Kai Liu,Jianghai Hu,Yu Yao,Baoqing Yang,Xin Huo 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2014 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.12 No.5

This paper studies the exponential stability of a class of discrete-time piecewise-linear systems (DPLS). Some basic properties of the proposed DPLS are established, which enables the generating function approach to be used for the system stability analysis. By introducing the generating functions of DPLS and showing their properties, a sufficient and necessary condition for the exponential stability of DPLS is derived. Furthermore, the maximum exponential growth rate of system trajectories can be obtained exactly by computing the radii of convergence of the generating functions. The algorithm for computing the generating functions is developed and two examples are given to demonstrate the proposed approach.

Covered Stenting Is an Effective Option for Traumatic Carotid Pseudoaneurysm with Promising Long-Term Outcome

Kai Wang,Xiao-xin Peng,Ao-fei Liu,Ying-ying Zhang,Jin Lv,Li Xiang,Yun-e Liu,Wei-jian Jiang 대한신경외과학회 2020 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.63 No.5

Objective : Covered stenting is an optional strategy for traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm, especially in malignant conditions of potential rupture, but the long-term outcomes are not clear. Our aim was to determine if covered stenting is an effective option for traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm with promising long-term outcomes. Methods : Self-expanding Viabahn and balloon-expandable Willis covered stents were separately implanted for extra- and intracranial traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm. The covered stent was placed across the distal and proximal pseudoaneurysm leakage under roadmap guidance. Procedural success was defined as technical success (complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and patency of the parent artery) without a primary end point (any stroke or death within 30 days after the procedure). Longterm outcomes were evaluated as ischemic stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery by clinical follow-up through outpatient or telephone consultation and as the exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and patency of the parent artery by imaging follow-up through angiography. Results : Five patients with traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm who underwent covered stenting were enrolled. The procedural success rate was 100%. No ischemic stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery was recorded in any of the five patients during a mean clinical follow-up of 44±16 months. Complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and patency of the parent artery were maintained in all five patients during a mean imaging follow-up of 39±16 months. Conclusion : Satisfactory procedural and long-term outcomes were obtained, suggesting that covered stenting is an effective option for traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm.

Effect of enzymolytic soybean meal supplementation on performance, nitrogen excretion, serum biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology in broilers fed low-protein diets

Zhu Xin,Gao Kai,Zhang Ziyi,Liu Haiying,Yang Guiqin 아세아·태평양축산학회 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.11

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with enzymolytic soybean meal (ESBM) on broilers fed low crude protein (CP) diets. Methods: A total of 360 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to six treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 10 chicks per replicate for a period of 42 days. Chicks were fed a basal standard high-CP diet as a positive control (PC), a low-CP diet (reducing 10 g/kg CP from the PC) as a negative control (NC), or an NC + 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2.0% ESBM diet. Results: Compared to chicks fed the PC, chicks fed the NC had a decreased body weight gain (BWG, p<0.05) from 1 to 42 days, but supplementation with 2.0% ESBM restored BWG (p<0.05) and even linearly improved the feed conversion rate (FCR, p<0.05). Digestibility of CP and ether extract was increased (p<0.05) in chicks fed a 1.0% ESBM diet compared to the PC. With increasing levels of ESBM, nitrogen (N) excretion decreased (p<0.05). The addition of ESBM to the diet did not affect (p>0.05) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and total cholesterol but led to a descending trend in triglycerides and an ascending trend in calcium and urea N at 42 days (p<0.10). There were no differences (p>0.05) in villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), and VH/CD (V/C) of the duodenum and jejunum between the PC and NC at both 21 days and 42 days, while increasing dietary ESBM levels linearly (p<0.05) decreased CD and increased V/C of the duodenum and jejunum at both 21 days and 42 days. Conclusion: The findings indicated that ESBM could be used in broiler low-CP diets to improve production performance, decrease N excretion, and enhance intestinal health.