Organo-layered double hydroxides for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil washing effluents containing high concentrations of surfactants

Zhang, Ming,Zhao, Cheng,Li, Jinye,Xu, Liheng,Wei, Fang,Hou, Deyi,Sarkar, Binoy,Ok, Yong Sik Elsevier 2019 Journal of hazardous materials Vol.373 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Disposal of soil washing effluent (SWE) resulting from the surfactant-enhanced remediation of soil containing hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs)is complicated because of the presence of high levels of surfactants. The synthesized layered double hydroxides (LDHs), modified with sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) in different loading amounts (organo-LDHs),were evaluated in this study as sorbents for the removal of two typical HOCs, phenanthrene (PHE) and pyrene (PYR),from a simulative SWE. The results showed that the organo-LDHs can effectively sorb PHE and PYR from the SWE within an equilibrium time of 2 h. All isotherms were linear and the sorption capabilities of the organo-LDHs increased almost linearly with the increase in the amount of SDS loaded on the LDHs. Besides, the surface areas of the organo-LDHs decreased sharply with the increase in SDS loading owing to the hindrance of the exposed surface of the LDHs by the incorporated SDS. These findings indicated that partitioning dominated the sorption process rather than adsorption, and the strong affinity of HOCs towards the organic phase in LDHs assisted in the effective removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the SWE. Furthermore, the sorption capabilities of organo-LDHs towards PHE and PYR at the higher loading amounts of SDS were much greater than that of commercial activated carbon at the higher concentration ranges of PAHs.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Dodecyl sulfonate anion modified LDHs are employed for the removal of PHE and PYR in soil washing effluent (SWE). </LI> <LI> Organo-LDHs showed superior performance in PHE removal from SWE than that of commercial activated carbon. </LI> <LI> Partitioning of PHE and PYR in the organic fraction of the organo-LDHs was the main mechanism. </LI> <LI> Using organo-LDHs for the separation of HOCs from surfactants in SWE facilitated reuse of the surfactants. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Dietary exposure and human risk assessment of phthalate esters based on total diet study in Cambodia

Cheng, Zhang,Li, Han-Han,Wang, Hong-sheng,Zhu, Xue-Mei,Sthiannopkao, Suthipong,Kim, Kyoung-Woong,Yasin, Mohamed Salleh Mohamed,Hashim, Jamal Hisham,Wong, Ming-Hung Elsevier 2016 Environmental research Vol.150 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Phthalate esters are used in a wide variety of consumer products, and human exposure to this class of compounds is widespread. Nevertheless, studies on dietary exposure of human to phthalates are limited. In this study, to assess the daily intakes of phthalate esters and the possible adverse health impacts, different food samples were collected from three areas of Cambodia, one of the poorest countries in the world. The ∑phthalate ester concentrations in Kampong Cham, Kratie and Kandal provinces ranged from 0.05 to 2.34 (median 0.88) μgg<SUP>−1</SUP>, 0.19–1.65 (median 0.86) μgg<SUP>−1</SUP> and 0.24–3.05 (median 0.59) μgg<SUP>−1</SUP> wet weight (ww), respectively. Di-2-Ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were the predominant compounds among all foodstuffs. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of phthalate esters for the general population in Kampong Cham, Kratie and Kandal was 34.3, 35.6 and 35.8μgkg<SUP>−1</SUP> bw d<SUP>−1</SUP>, respectively. The dietary daily intake of DEHP, benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) in Kampong Cham, Kratie and Kandal were below the tolerable daily intakes (TDI) imposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and reference doses (RfD) imposed by The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Rice contributed the greatest quantity of DEHP to the daily intake in Cambodia so may deserve further exploration. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the occurrence and the daily intakes of phthalate esters in Cambodia.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Phthalate esters concentration in daily foodstuffs collected from Cambodia. </LI> <LI> Investigate the bioaccessbility of phthalate esters via the foodstuffs consumption. </LI> <LI> Health risk evaluation of dietary exposure to phthalate esters. </LI> </UL> </P>

Morphological Factors and Cardiac Doses in Whole Breast Radiation for Left-sided Breast Cancer

Guan, Hui,Dong, Yuan-Li,Ding, Li-Jie,Zhang, Zi-Cheng,Huang, Wei,Liu, Cheng-Xin,Fu, Cheng-Rui,Zhu, Jian,Li, Hong-Sheng,Li, Miao-Miao,Li, Bao-Sheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: To investigate the impact of the breast size, shape, maximum heart depth (MDH), and chest wall hypotenuse (the distance connecting middle point of the sternum and the length of lung draw on the selected transverse CT slice) on the volumetric dose to heart with whole breast irradiation (WBI) of left-sided breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three patients with left-sided breast cancer undergoing adjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were enrolled in the study. The primary breast size and shape, MHD and DCWH (chest wall hypotenuse) were contoured on radiotherapy (RT) planning CT slices. The dose data of hearts were obtained from the dose-volume histograms (DVHs). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student's t-test and linear regression analysis. Results: Breast size was independent of heart dose, whereas breast shape, MHD and DCWH were correlated with heart dose. The shapes of breasts were divided into four types, as the flap type, hemisphere type, cone type and pendulous type with heart mean dose being $491.8{\pm}234.6cGy$, $752.7{\pm}219.0cGy$, $620.2{\pm}275.7cGy$, and $666.1{\pm}238.0cGy$, respectively. The flap type of breasts shows a strong statistically reduction in heart dose, compared to others (p=0.008 for V30 of heart). DCWH and MHD were found to be the most important parameters correlating with heart dose in WBI. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to the heart dose of non-flap type patients. The MHD was found to be the most important parameter to correlate with heart dose in tangential WBI, closely followed by the DCWH, which could help radiation oncologists and physicsts evaluate heart dose and design RT plan in advance.

Highly efficient hydrogen evolution catalysis based on MoS₂/CdS/TiO₂ porous composites

Du, Jimin,Wang, Huiming,Yang, Mengke,Zhang, Fangfang,Wu, Haoran,Cheng, Xuechun,Yuan, Sijie,Zhang, Bing,Li, Kaidi,Wang, Yina,Lee, Hyoyoung Elsevier 2018 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.43 No.19

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Efficient production of hydrogen through visible-light-driven water splitting mechanism using semiconductor-based composites has been identified as a promising strategy for converting light into clean H<SUB>2</SUB> fuel. However, researchers are facing lots of challenges such as light absorption and electron-hole pair recombination and so on. Here, new sheet-shaped MoS<SUB>2</SUB> and pyramid-shaped CdS <I>in-situ</I> co-grown on porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photocatalysts (MoS<SUB>2</SUB> CdSTiO<SUB>2</SUB>) are successfully obtained <I>via</I> mild sulfuration of MoO<SUB>3</SUB> and CdO coexisted inside porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> monolith by a hydrothermal route. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results exhibit that the MoS<SUB>2</SUB> CdSTiO<SUB>2</SUB> composites have average pore size about 500 nm. The 3%MoS<SUB>2</SUB> 10%CdSTiO<SUB>2</SUB> demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity and high stability for a hydrogen production with a high H<SUB>2</SUB>-generation rate of 4146 μmol h<SUP>−1</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP> under visible light irradiation even without noble-metal co-catalysts. The super photocatalytic performance of the visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution is predominantly attributed to the synergistic effect. The conduction band of MoS<SUB>2</SUB> facilitates in transporting excited electrons from visible-light on CdS to the porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> for catalytic hydrogen production, and holes to MoS<SUB>2</SUB> for inhibiting the photocorrosion of CdS, respectively, leading to enhancing the efficient separation of electrons and holes.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> MoS<SUB>2</SUB>-CT photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized by two-step method. </LI> <LI> The porous structure can enhance photogenerated electron-hole pairs separation. </LI> <LI> The 3% MoS<SUB>2</SUB>-CT shows an excellent H<SUB>2</SUB> evolution rate of 4146 μmol h<SUP>−1</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP>. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ is essential for secretion of ANP induced by prostaglandin D₂ in the beating rat atrium

Zhang, Ying,Li, Xiang,Liu, Li-Ping,Hong, Lan,Liu, Xia,Zhang, Bo,Wu, Cheng-Zhe,Cui, Xun The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2017 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.21 No.3

Prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) may act against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and play an anti-inflammatory role in the heart. Although the effect of $PGD_2$ in regulation of ANP secretion of the atrium was reported, the mechanisms involved are not clearly identified. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether $PGD_2$ can regulate ANP secretion in the isolated perfused beating rat atrium, and its underlying mechanisms. $PGD_2$ (0.1 to $10{\mu}M$) significantly increased atrial ANP secretion concomitantly with positive inotropy in a dose-dependent manner. Effects of $PGD_2$ on atrial ANP secretion and mechanical dynamics were abolished by AH-6809 ($1.0{\mu}M$) and AL-8810 ($1.0{\mu}M$), $PGD_2$ and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ ($PGF2{\alpha}$) receptor antagonists, respectively. Moreover, $PGD_2$ clearly upregulated atrial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and the $PGD_2$ metabolite 15-deoxy-${\Delta}12$, 14-$PGJ_2$ (15d-$PGJ_2$, $0.1{\mu}M$) dramatically increased atrial ANP secretion. Increased ANP secretions induced by $PGD_2$ and 15d-$PGJ_2$ were completely blocked by the $PPAR{\gamma}$ antagonist GW9662 ($0.1{\mu}M$). PD98059 ($10.0{\mu}M$) and LY294002 ($1.0{\mu}M$), antagonists of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling, respectively, significantly attenuated the increase of atrial ANP secretion by $PGD_2$. These results indicated that $PGD_2$ stimulated atrial ANP secretion and promoted positive inotropy by activating $PPAR{\gamma}$ in beating rat atria. MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were each partially involved in regulating $PGD_2$-induced atrial ANP secretion.

K-doping effect of the superconductivity in K2xFeTe1-xSx (0.07 ≤ x ≤ 0.3)

Cheng Cheng,Zhenjie Feng,Qing Li,Tao Li,Qiang Hou,Fei Chen,Zhongmin Ou,Jun-Yi Ge,Shixun Cao,Jincang Zhang 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.4

Bulk samples of K doping K2xFeTe1-xSx with x=0.07, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 are successfully prepared by using easy-to-use stable compound K2S as the reactant. The lattice constant calculated from X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that K ions enter the Fe-Te-S layers. K doping is beneficial enhance the superconductivity transition temperature from the R-T curves. The apparent diamagnetic signal is observed in M-T curves when the content of K is smaller than 0.1. However, differential curves (dM/dT) in K-rich samples appear sharp slope mutations, which means that the Meissner effect signal is covered by the increased excess ferromagnetic ions. The number of excess Fe magnetic ions is proportional to K content, which may play an important role in determining the superconductivity.

Prediction of postoperative pancreatic fistula using a nomogram based on the updated definition

Cheng-Xiang Guo,Yi-Nan Shen,Qi Zhang,Xiao-Zhen Zhang,Jun-Li Wang,Shun-Liang Gao,Jian-Ying Lou,Ri-Sheng Que,Tao Ma,Ting-Bo Liang,Xue-Li Bai 대한외과학회 2020 Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research(ASRT) Vol.98 No.2

Purpose: The International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula’s definition of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has recently been updated. This study aimed to identify risk factors for POPF in patients having pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to generate a nomogram to predict POPF. Methods: Data on 298 patients who underwent PD from March 2012 to October 2017 was retrospectively reviewed and POPF statuses were redefined. A nomogram was constructed using data from 220 patients and validated using the remaining 78 patients. Independent risk factors for POPF were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. A predictive nomogram was established based on the independent risk factors and was compared with existing models. Results: Texture of the pancreas, size of the main pancreatic duct, portal vein invasion, and definitive pathology were the identified risk factors. The nomogram had a C-index of 0.793 and was internally validated. The nomogram performed better (C-index of 0.816) than the other most cited models (C-indexes of 0.728 and 0.735) in the validation cohort. In addition, the nomogram can assign patients into low- (less than 10%), intermediate- (10% to 30%), and high-risk (equal or higher than 30%) groups to facilitate personalized management. Conclusion: The nomogram accurately predicted POPF in patients having PD.

Study on economic performances of multi-span suspension bridges part 1: simple estimation formulas

Zhang, Li-Wen,Xiao, Ru-Cheng,Sun, Bin,Jiang, Yang,Zhang, Xue-Yi,Zhuang, Dong-Li,Zhou, Yun-Gang,Tu, Xue Techno-Press 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.47 No.2

A study on economic performances of consecutive multi-span suspension bridges is carried out. In this part of the study, material amount and structural cost estimation formulas of the bridges is derived based on the structural ultimate carrying capacity. The bridge cost includes the part of superstructure and the part of substructure. Three types of bridge foundations, bored piles, concrete caissons and floating foundations, are considered in substructure. These formulas are to be used for the parametric study of the bridge cost in order to define its more economical layout under different conditions in the part two of the study.

Elevated expression of WSB2 degrades p53 and activates the IGFBP3-AKT-mTOR-dependent pathway to drive hepatocellular carcinoma

Li Xun,Zhang Cheng-Cheng,Lin Xiao-Tong,Zhang Jie,Zhang Yu-Jun,Yu Hong-Qiang,Liu Ze-Yu,Gong Yi,Zhang Lei-Da,Xie Chuan-Ming 생화학분자생물학회 2024 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.56 No.-

Dysregulation of wild-type p53 turnover is a key cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet its mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we report that WD repeat and SOCS box containing protein 2 (WSB2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is an independent adverse prognostic factor in HCC patients. WSB2 drives HCC tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, WSB2 is a new p53 destabilizer that promotes K48-linked p53 polyubiquitination at the Lys291 and Lys292 sites in HCC cells, leading to p53 proteasomal degradation. Degradation of p53 causes IGFBP3-dependent AKT/mTOR signaling activation. Furthermore, WSB2 was found to bind to the p53 tetramerization domain via its SOCS box domain. Targeting mTOR with everolimus, an oral drug, significantly blocked WSB2-triggered HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. In clinical samples, high expression of WSB2 was associated with low wild-type p53 expression and high p-mTOR expression. These findings demonstrate that WSB2 is overexpressed and degrades wild-type p53 and then activates the IGFBP3-AKT/mTOR axis, leading to HCC tumorigenesis and lung metastasis, which indicates that targeting mTOR could be a new therapeutic strategy for HCC patients with high WSB2 expression and wild-type p53.

Influence of FeSe doping on superconducting properties of MgB2 by hybrid microwave method

Cheng Cheng,Zhenjie Feng,Qing Li,Xu Wang,Chuan Yu,Hao Chu,Ya Yang,Changqin Liu,Yiming Cao,Zhe Li,Jingzhe Chen,Chao Jing,Shixun Cao,Jincang Zhang 한국물리학회 2017 Current Applied Physics Vol.17 No.11

The effect of FeSe doping on the physical properties of MgB2 is studied. Bulk samples of the FeSe doped MgB2 with weight ratio x ðFeSe : MgB2Þ ¼ 0%; 3%; 7% and 10% were prepared by hybrid microwave method. It is proved that FeSe is not stable together with MgB2. Fe2þ enters into MgB2 lattice, some Mg2þ and Se2『 are combined into the new impurity compound MgSe. The superconducting transition temperature (Tc) slightly decreased with increasing doping content of FeSe from R-T and M-T curves, which results from the substitution of Mg2þ by Fe2þ in the MgB2 lattice. The Jc increase slightly with the FeSe doping content increasing from 3 wt % to 10 wt %, which results from the increasing MgSe impurity pinning centers.