Biodegradable cross-linked poly(L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) networks for ureteral stent formed by gamma irradiation under vacuum

Xiliang Liu,Song Liu,Youkun Fan,Jin Qi,Xin Wang,Wei Bai,Dongliang Chen,Chengdong Xiong,Lifang Zhang 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.104 No.-

The poly(L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) (PLCL) ureteral stent creeps and loses shape stability, increasingthe risk of stent tube dislocation. The rubbery biodegradable cross-linked PLCL networks were preparedthrough gamma irradiation under vacuum in the presence of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA),pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PET4A), and pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA). At a standard sterilizationdose of 25 kGy, the gel content and network density of PLCL networks increased with increasingcrosslinking agent content (1, 3, 5, 7 wt%), and crosslinking efficiency decreased in the order ofPETA > PET4A > TMPTA. The average molecular weight (Mc ) between two crosslinks ranged from 2000to 105 g/mol. To perform the beneficial semi-interpenetrated polymer network and characterized bythe principle, the networks were processed in several doses (25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 kGy). In place ofthe Charlesby-Pinner equation, the irradiation cross-linking followed the Chen-Liu-Tang equation. ThePLCL network with 7 wt% PETA had a gel fraction of 83%, tensile strength of 34.7 MPa, and tensile setvalue as low as 5%. Furthermore, degradation in vitro was slowed down. Thus, PLCL networks with appropriateelasticity and flexibility, inherent biodegradability, and excellent biocompatibility can provide apromising alternative method for soft tissue repair engineering, such as ureteral stents.

Enhanced Performance of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-\delta (LSCF) Cathodes with Graded Microstructure Fabricated by Tape Casting

Nie, Lifang,Liu, Ze,Liu, Mingfei,Yang, Lei,Zhang, Yujun,Liu, Meilin The Korean Electrochemical Society 2010 Journal of electrochemical science and technology Vol.1 No.1

$La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}Co_{0.2}Fe_{0.8}O_{3-\delta}$ (LSCF) powders with different particle sizes, synthesized through a citrate complexation method and a gel-casting technique, are used to fabricate porous LSCF cathodes with graded microstructures via tape casting. To create porous electrodes with desired porosity and pore structures, graphite and starch are used as pore former for different layers of the graded cathode. Examination of the microstructures of the as-prepared LSCF cathode using an SEM revealed that both grain size and porosity changed gradually from the catalytically active layer (near the electrodeelectrolyte interface) to the current collection layer (near the electrode-interconnect interface). Impedance analysis showed that a 3-layer LSCF cathode with graded microstructures exhibited much-improved performance compared to that of a single-layer LSCF cathode, corresponding to interfacial resistance of 0.053, 0.11, and 0.27 $\Omega{\cdot}cm^2$ at 800, 750, and $700^{\circ}C$ respectively.

Strategy for the Environmental Service Quality Assessment and Improvement of the Parks Based on Fuzzy-IPA- A Case Study of the Park in Xinxiang Economic Development Zone

Lifang Qiao,Yanpu Liu,Yichuan Zhang,Jiangping Wang 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.8 No.5

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of YTH domaincontaining RNA-binding protein family in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Yong Zhou,Lifang Hu,Lunwei Jiang,Shiqiang Liu 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.6

YTH domain-containing RNA-binding proteins are involved in post-transcriptional regulation and play important roles in the growth and development as well as abiotic stress responses of plants. However, YTH genes have not been previously studied in cucumber (Cucumis sativus). In this study, a total of five YTH genes (CsYTH1–CsYTH5) were identified in cucumber, which could be mapped on three out of the seven cucumber chromosomes. All CsYTH proteins had highly conserved C-terminal YTH domains, and two of them (CsYTH1 and CsYTH4) harbored extra CCCH and P/Q/N-rich domains. The phylogenesis, conserved motifs and exon–intron structure of YTH genes from cucumber, Arabidopsis and rice were also analyzed. The phylogenetically closely clustered YTHs shared similar gene structures and conserved motifs. An analysis of the cis-acting regulatory elements in the upstream region of these genes resulted in the identification of many cis-elements related to stress, hormone and development. Expression analysis based on the transcriptome data showed that some CsYTHs had development- or tissue-specific expression. In addition, their expression levels were altered under various stresses such as salt, drought, cold, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. These findings lay the foundation for the functional analysis of CsYTHs in the future.

Flavonoids in Resina Draconis protect against pulmonary fibrosis via the TGF‑β1/NOTCH1 pathway

Liteng Yang,Xin Liu,Ning Zhang,Gaohui Wu,Lifang Chen,Jingyi Xu,Xi Ren,Xiaoming Jiang,Zhijing Huang 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2020 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.16 No.2

Background It is known that flavonoids in Resina Draconis (FRD) have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, but the function and mechanisms of FRD against pulmonary fibrosis remain unknown. Objective The study aimed to study the effect and mechanism of FRD on pulmonary fibrosis. Methods Pulmonary fibroblasts were isolated and identified. After treatment with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and FRD-containing serum, expressions of TGF-β1, Jagged1, Notch1, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and collagen I were examined using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Besides, the related proteins were verified in rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Results We successfully isolated and identified pulmonary fibroblasts and proved that FRD-containing serum inhibits proliferation and downregulates Notch1 expression in TGF-β1-induced fibroblasts. Moreover, our results indicate that FRD might alleviate pulmonary fibrosis via the Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathways in vivo. Conclusion Flavonoids in Resina Draconis might play a key role in pulmonary fibrosis via critical pathways, especially the TGF-β1 and NOTCH1 signaling pathways.

Association of microRNA-3144 variant with the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma

Jun Zhang,Yi Liu,Jie Liu,Rui Wang,Min Cai,Shunji Yu,Yanyun Ma,Weihong Xu,Chunfang Gao,Jiucun Wang,Lifang Hou 한국유전학회 2014 Genes & Genomics Vol.36 No.6

Increasing studies suggest that microRNAs, anew group of small non-coding molecules, regulate theexpression of their target genes and play some roles in cancers. Thus, it is hypothesized that the genetic variants ofmicroRNAs could contribute to the susceptibility to cancers. In this study, the association between rs67106263 in microRNA-3144 and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)was explored in a large-scaled case–control population basedon MassARRAY technology. It was discovered that comparedwith the carriers of wide-type GG genotype and heterozygoteGA genotype of microRNA-3144, thesignificantly increased risk of HCC was observed in thesubjects with the homozygote variant AA (adjusted oddsratio = 1.285, 95 % confidence interval = 1.004–1.643,P = 0.046). Additionally, the variant was also associatedwith the expression of alpha fetoprotein (AFP), which is thediagnostic marker for HCC. Our findings suggest for the firsttime that rs67106263 may play some roles in the risk of HCC,expecting future molecular researches to elucidate the possiblemechanisms behind these results.

Microwave hydrothermal synthesis and temperature sensing behavior of Lu2Ti2O7:Yb3þ/Er3þ nanophosphors

Jinsheng Liao,Qi Wang,Lifang Lan,Jiangfei Guo,Liling Nie,Suijun Liu,He-Rui Wen 한국물리학회 2017 Current Applied Physics Vol.17 No.3

Lu2Ti2O7:Yb3þ/Er3þ (LTO:Yb3þ/Er3þ) nanophosphors codoped with Yb3þ (8e20 at%) and Er3þ ions (0.5 e4 at%) were synthesized by a microwave hydrothermal process. Under the 980 nm excitation, the sample gives a set of upconversion light: very strong red emissions near 661 nm (4F9/2 / 4I15/2), weak green around 523 nm and 545 nm (2H11/2/4I15/2 and 4S3/2/4I15/2, respectively). The optimum doping concentrations of Er3þ and Yb3þ for the highest emission intensity were determined by photoluminescence (PL) analyses. Concentration dependent studies revealed that the optimal composition was realized for the 12 at% Yb3þ and 2.0 at% Er3þ-doping concentration with a strong emission. A possible UC mechanism for LTO:Yb3þ/Er3þ is discussed via the change of the pump power. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence intensity ratios (FIR) for the two green UC emission bands peaked at 523 and 545 nm was studied in the range of 298e573 K under excitation by a 980 nm diode laser and the maximum sensitivity was approximately 0.00313 K『1 at 536 K. This indicates that LTO:Yb3þ/Er3þ nanophosphors are potential candidates for optical temperature sensors with high sensitivity.

Investigation of a Widely Applicable Process for Extracting Carboxyl-rich Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC)

Shuai Jiang,Amjad Farooq,Fuyi Han,Lifang Liu 한국섬유공학회 2021 Fibers and polymers Vol.22 No.3

Herein, carboxyl-rich cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were obtained through a designed TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) mediated oxidation process without any subsequent mechanical treatment, which was provedto be widely suitable for commonly used cellulosic sources, including fibril-like fibers and lignocellulose biomasses. CNCprepared from the acid-free process showed better dispersion stability, less aggregation, higher aqueous UV transmittanceand crystallinity compared with that from sulfuric acid hydrolysis process. Furthermore, the residuals in the insolubleprecipitate were further conducted ultrasonic treatment and extra CNC was obtained from the oxidized cotton and ramiecellulose while cellulose nanofibril (CNF) was extracted from rice straw and pine powder, attributing to their different nativestructures. The total yields of nanocelluloses (NCs) were up to 63.2-68.3 %, improving the utilization ratio of the rawmaterials. This work provided a widely applicable acid- and mechanic-free route in fabricating CNC with inherent carboxylgroups and described an understanding of the relationship between the native structure of raw materials and their products,which is beneficial for improving the application of NCs.

Tizoxanide induces autophagy by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/ mTOR pathway in RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Jiaoqin Shou,Mi Wang,Xiaolei Cheng,Xiaoyang Wang,Lifang Zhang,Yingchun Liu,Chenzhong Fei,Chunmei Wang,Feng Gu,Feiqun Xue,Juan Li,Keyu Zhang 대한약학회 2020 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.43 No.2

As the main metabolite of nitazoxanide, tizoxanide(TIZ) has a broad-spectrum anti-infective effect againstparasites, bacteria, and virus. In this study, we investigatedthe effects of TIZ on autophagy by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. RAW264.7 macrophage cellswere treated with various TIZ concentrations. Cell viabilityassay, transmission electron microscope, and immunofluorescencestaining were used to detect the biological functionof the macrophage cells, and the expression levels of theautophagy pathway-related proteins were measured by Westernblot. Results revealed that TIZ promoted the conversionof LC3-I to LC3-II, the formation of autophagy vacuoles,and the degradation of SQSTM1/p62 in a concentration- andtime-dependent manner in RAW264.7 cells. Treatment withTIZ increased the Beclin-1 expression level and inhibitedPI3K, Akt, mTOR, and ULK1 activation. These effects wereenhanced by pretreatment with rapamycin but attenuated bypretreatment with LY294002. In addition, the conversion ofLC3-I to LC3-II was observed in Vero, 293T, and HepG2cells treated with TIZ. These data suggested that TIZ mayinduce autophagy by inhibiting the Akt/mTOR/ULK1 signalingpathway in macrophages and other cells.

An Eco-friendly Route to Prepare Cellulose Based Multifunctional Lyocell Fabrics Using Zinc Oxide and Cellulose Nanofibrils Network

Amjad Farooq,Mohammed Kayes Patoary,Yanjiao Zhao,Shuai Jiang,Meiling Zhang,Lifang Liu 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.5

Inspired by functioned textile materials, in this research a one-step technique is implemented for the preparation ofsuper antibacterial and ultra-voilet (UV) blocking surface properties of lyocell fabrics by a specific amount of zinc oxidenanoparticles (ZnONPs) and various fractions of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). The combination of cellulose nanofibrils andzinc oxide nanoparticles caused a transformation of pristine lyocell fabric into functional fabric by enhancing its mechanical,antibacterial, and ultra-voilet blocking properties. In the first portion of this research cellulose nanofirbils were extracted froma cellulose rich biomass Ficus natalensis barkcloth through chemical treatments and catalytic oxidation of cellulose using2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) combined with mechanical homogenization. Secondly coating ofcellulose nanofibrils and zinc oxide nanoparticles was done on lyocell fabrics. Based on the morphological analysis, equaldistribution of CNF andf ZnONPs on the lyocell fabrics’ surfaces was tremendously improved leading to a much moreuniform rough structure. However, with the increase of cellulose nanofibrils content, coating was unsmooth and crackes onthe fabric surface were cleared due to accumulation of CNF at higher concentration. Results demonstrated an obviousincrease of mechanical properties of lyocell fabrics with the addition of cellulose nanofibrils till 0.5 wt%. Similarly washingfastness studies showed that the fabric UV blocking properties were stable, whereas antibacterial characteristics of lyocellfabrics were significantly increased after CNF and zinc oxide nanoparticles coating.