Separation of arenols from a low-temperature coal tar by liquid-liquid extraction

Hua-Shuai Gao,Zhi-Min Zong,Zheng Yang,Dao-Guang Teng,Xiu-Hua Sun,Li Yan,Xian-Yong Wei,Qing-Jie Guo,Tian-Sheng Zhao,Hong-Cun Bai 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.5

Low-temperature coal tar (LTCT) is a sticky liquid mixture produced mainly from coal pyrolysis, which contains various value-added chemicals (VACs). Liquid-liquid extraction is considered as one of the green and effective ways to explore the organic composition and separate the VACs from LTCT. Herein, petroleum ether, methanol, and carbon disulfide were used to extract arenols from a LTCT. As a result, the relative content and absolute content of arenols extracted from the LTCT are ca. 96.3% and 85.9%, respectively. Among them, p-cresol is predominant, accounting for 22.2%. The isolated contents of arenols are up to 84.6%. Moreover, a kilogram-scale operation was carried out under the same conditions, which offers a potential application in industrial production.

Concomitant EGFR Inhibitors Combined with Radiation for Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Zheng, De-Jie,Yu, Guo-Hua,Gao, Jian-Feng,Gu, Jun-Dong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is considered to be one of the key driver genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several clinical trials have shown great promise of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the first-line treatment of NSCLC. Many advances have been made in the understanding of EGFR signal transduction network and the interaction between EGFR and tumor microenvironment in mediating cancer survival and development. The concomitant targeted therapy and radiation is a new strategy in the treatment of NSCLC. A number of preclinical studies have demonstrated synergistic anti-tumor activity in the combination of EGFR inhibitors and radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo. In the present review, we discuss the rationale of the combination of EGFR inhibitors and radiotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC.

In Vivo Detection of Lipid-Core Plaques by Coronary CT Angiography: A Head-to-Head Comparison with Histologic Findings

Wei-hua Yin,Yan Zhang,Xiang-nan Li,Hong-yue Wang,Yun-qiang An,Yang Sun,Zhi-hui Hou,Yang Gao,Bin Lu,Zhe Zheng 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.2

Objective: We sought to distinguish lipid plaques using a CT quantitative pixel density histogram, based on the pathological diagnosis of lipid cores as the gold standard. Materials and Methods: Eight patients awaiting heart transplantation due to end-stage coronary heart disease underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) spectroscopy prior to heart transplantation; coronary artery pathological analysis was performed for all patients. Lipid-core plaques were defined pathologically as manifesting a lipid core diameter > 200 μm, a circumference > 60 degrees, and a cap thickness < 450 μm. The percentage distributions of CT pixel attenuation ≤ 20, 30, 40, and 50 HU were calculated using quantitative histogram analysis. Results: A total of 271 transverse sections were co-registered between CCTA and pathological analysis. Overall, 26 lipid cores and 16 fibrous plaques were identified by pathological analysis. There was no significant difference in median CT attenuation between the lipid and fibrous plaques (51 HU [interquartile range, 46–63] vs. 57 HU [interquartile range, 50–64], p = 0.659). The median percentage of CT pixel attenuation ≤ 30 HU accounted for 11% (5–17) of lipid-core plaques and 0% (0–2) of fibrous plaques (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the method for diagnosing lipid plaques by the average CT pixel attenuation ≤ 30 HU were 80.8% and 87.5%, respectively. The area under the receiver operator characteristics curve was 0.898 (95% confidence interval: 0.765–0.970; 3.0% was the best cut-off value). The diagnostic performance was significantly higher than those of the average pixel CT attenuation percentages ≤ 20, 40, and 50 HU and the mean CT attenuation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In in vivo conditions, with the pathological lipid core as the gold standard, quantification of the percentage of average CT pixel attenuation ≤ 30 HU in the histogram can be useful for accurate identification of lipid plaques.

Brain Metabolic Network Redistribution in Patients with White Matter Hyperintensities on MRI Analyzed with an Individualized Index Derived from 18F-FDG-PET/MRI

Ma Jie,Hua Xu-Yun,Zheng Mou-Xiong,Wu Jia-Jia,Huo Bei-Bei,Xing Xiang-Xin,Gao Xin,Zhang Han,Xu Jian-Guang 대한영상의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.23 No.10

Objective: Whether metabolic redistribution occurs in patients with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unknown. This study aimed 1) to propose a measure of the brain metabolic network for an individual patient and preliminarily apply it to identify impaired metabolic networks in patients with WMHs, and 2) to explore the clinical and imaging features of metabolic redistribution in patients with WMHs. Materials and Methods: This study included 50 patients with WMHs and 70 healthy controls (HCs) who underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/MRI. Various global property parameters according to graph theory and an individual parameter of brain metabolic network called “individual contribution index” were obtained. Parameter values were compared between the WMH and HC groups. The performance of the parameters in discriminating between the two groups was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The correlation between the individual contribution index and Fazekas score was assessed, and the interaction between age and individual contribution index was determined. A generalized linear model was fitted with the individual contribution index as the dependent variable and the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) of nodes in the whole-brain network or seven classic functional networks as independent variables to determine their association. Results: The means ± standard deviations of the individual contribution index were (0.697 ± 10.9) x 10-3 and (0.0967 ± 0.0545) x 10-3 in the WMH and HC groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The AUC of the individual contribution index was 0.864 (95% confidence interval, 0.785–0.943). A positive correlation was identified between the individual contribution index and the Fazekas scores in patients with WMHs (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Age and individual contribution index demonstrated a significant interaction effect on the Fazekas score. A significant direct association was observed between the individual contribution index and the SUVmean of the limbic network (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The individual contribution index may demonstrate the redistribution of the brain metabolic network in patients with WMHs.

Photonic spin Hall effect by the spin-orbit interaction in a metasurface with elliptical nano-structures

Wang, Ying-Hua,Jin, Ren-Chao,Li, Jia-Qi,Zhong, Fan,Liu, Hui,Kim, Inki,Jo, Yongjoon,Rho, Junsuk,Dong, Zheng-Gao American Institute of Physics 2017 Applied Physics Letters Vol.110 No.10

Chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Melandrium firmum

Chang Hao Zhang,Gao Li,Jie Luo,Tian Li,Yong Cui,Mei Jin,Da Lei Yao,Ming Shan Zheng,Zhen-Hua Lin,Jiong Mo Cui 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.10

Two new anthraquinones, melrubiellin C (1) andmelrubiellin D (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Melandriumfirmum Rohrbach, together with eight known compounds(3–10). The structures of these compounds wereelucidated using 1Dand 2DNMR(COSY,HMQC,HMBCandNOESY) experiments. All isolated compounds were tested fortheir cytotoxicity against NCI-H460, Hep G2, MKN-28 andA-549 cells.Of these 10 compounds,1 and 2 exhibitedmoderatecytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 9.54 to 32.41 lM.

Structure and bioactivity of triterpenoids from the stems of Schisandra sphenanthera

Cheng-Qin Liang,Rong-Hua Luo,Ju-Ming Yan,Yan Li,Xiao-Nian Li,Yi-Ming Shi,Shan-Zhai Shang,Zhong-Hua Gao,Liu-Meng Yang,Yong-Tang Zheng,Wei-Lie Xiao,Hong-Bin Zhang,Han Dong Sun 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.2

Two new triterpenoids, schisphendilactoneA and B (1 and 2), together with three known triterpenoids,were isolated from the stems of Schisandra sphenanthera. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods,and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined bysingle-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 showedmoderate inhibitory activity against SW480 cancer cellline, and compound 5 exhibited promising anti-HIV-1activity with EC50 value of 0.52 lg ml-1 and therapeuticindex value of 117.12.

Exogenous Local Hyperthermia at 41℃ Is Effective to Eliminate Mouse Model of Sporotrichosis, Independent of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation

( Ya-lan Wang ),( Rui-qun Qi ),( Jing Lan ),( Zheng-xiu Li ),( Xing-hua Gao ) 대한피부과학회 2021 Annals of Dermatology Vol.33 No.1

Background: Local hyperthermia is recommended for the treatment of patients with fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis, though the effectiveness and mechanisms of action remain elusive. While neutrophils represent the main inflammatory cells associated with sporotrichosis lesions, the issue of whether hyperthermia is involved with interactions between neutrophils and Sporothrix globosa remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effect of local hyperthermia on sporotrichosis and determine whether local hyperthermia involves effects of neutrophils against Sporothrix. Methods: For the in vivo study, mice were infected with yeast cells of S. globosa followed by treatment with local hyperthermia. In vitro, an isolated Sporothrix strain was co-cultured with or without neutrophils and subjected under different temperatures. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the formation of neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) were formed under these different culture conditions and the number of fungi colony forming units were compared. Results: Hyperthermia was significantly more effective in clearing the lesions in the mouse model, as compared to sham treatment. Neutrophils failed to exert any fungicidal effects against S. globosa in response to hyperthermia. Moreover, NETs were formed after interaction with S. globosa, and the percentage of NETs formed was not significantly different at 41℃ or 37℃. Conclusion: While hyperthermia could serve as an effective therapy for fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis, this ability does not involve the formation of NETs. (Ann Dermatol 33(1) 37∼45, 2021)

Luciferase Assay to Screen Tumour-specific Promoters in Lung Cancer

Xu, Rong,Guo, Long-Jiang,Xin, Jun,Li, Wen-Mao,Gao, Yan,Zheng, You-Xian,Guo, You-Hong,Lin, Yang-Jun,Xie, Yong-Hua,Wu, Ya-Qing,Xu, Rui-An Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Objective: Specific promoters could improve efficiency and ensure the safety of gene therapy. The aim of our study was to screen examples for lung cancer. Methods: The firefly luciferase gene was used as a reporter, and promoters based on serum markers of lung cancer were cloned. The activity and specificity of seven promoters, comprising CEACAM5 (carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA), GRP (Gastrin-Releasing Peptide), KRT19 (cytokeratin 19, KRT), SFTPB (surfactant protein B, SP-B), SERPINB3 (Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen, SCCA), SELP (Selectin P, Granule Membrane Protein 140kDa, Antigen CD62, GMP) and DKK1 (Dickkopf-1) promoters were compared in lung cancer cells to obtain cancer-specific examples with strong activity. Results: The CEACAM5, DKK1, GRP, SELP, KRT19, SERPINB3 and SFTPB promoters were cloned. Furthermore, we successfully constructed recombinant vector pGL-CEACAM5 (DKK1, GRP, SELP, KRT19, SERPINB3 and SFTPB) contained the target gene. After cells were transfectedwith recombinant plasmids, we found that the order of promoter activity from high to low was SERPINB3, DKK1, SFTPB, KRT19, CEACAM5, SELP and GRP and the order for promoters regarding specificity and high potential were SERPINB3, DKK1, SELP, SFTPB, CEACAM5, KRT19 and GRP. Conclusion: The approach adopted is feasible to screen for new tumour specific promoters with biomarkers. In addition, the screened lung-specific promoters might have potential for use in lung cancer targeted gene therapy research.

Dynamic and Damage Characteristics of Mortar Composite under Impact Load

Qing Li,Tong-de Zhao,Chen Huang,Bing-bing Yu,Zheng-Hua Gao,Kai Wang 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.3

In the process of underground construction, it is common to spray concrete on the working surface, which will form a concrete-rock composite structure, to achieve the expected reinforcement effect. Compared with pure concrete or rock structures, composite structures have different mechanical properties, energy evolution and damage characteristics. Understanding the dynamic mechanics and damage characteristics of composite structures under impact loads is important to the safety of underground engineering construction. First, dynamic compression tests on different grades of mortar-sandstone composite specimens were carried out by using a Hopkinson pressure bar system to discuss the effect of impact velocities on the mechanical properties and failure modes of composite specimens. The results show that the dynamic peak stress, strain energy density and fragmentation block of the mortar-sandstone composite have an obvious strain rate effect. With an increase in impact velocity, the internal cracks of the sample do not have sufficient time to expand, and the energy absorbed by the sample leads to the continuous initiation of new cracks in the sample, resulting in an increasing damage degree of composite specimens. The increase in mortar strength can significantly increase the peak stress, improve the load-bearing capacity of the sample, and reduce the degree of sample damage. At the same impact velocity, the fragmentation degree of the mortar sample is more severe than that of sandstone, and the mortar sample is broken into powder debris, while the sandstone is broken into fragments. In addition, according to the failure properties of the composite sample, the mortar and sandstone samples are described by different damage models, and the dynamic damage constitutive model of the mortar-sandstone composite is established based on the overlay principle. The dynamic test results were fitted. The research shows that the fitting curves of the model are well fitted with the test curves and that the model accurately reflects the changes in the mechanical parameters of the composite specimens.