Preparation and photocatalytic activity of a novel BiOCl/g‑C3N4 thin film prepared via spin coating

Wei‑Qin Cai,De‑Fang Zhang,Feng‑Jun Zhang,Won‑Chun Oh 한국세라믹학회 2020 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.57 No.3

Novel BiOCl/g-C3N4 thin film photocatalysts were synthesized via a simple two-step spin coating method. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the thin films for the degradation of rhodamine B under visible light (λ ≥ 400 nm) was investigated. The results showed that the BiOCl/g-C3N4 thin film photocatalysts exhibited significantly improved visible light absorption compared to the pure BiOCl thin film. The BiOCl/g-C3N4 film showed a rhodamine B degradation efficiency of 81.0% under visible light, which is 23.8 times higher than that of the pure BiOCl thin film. This excellent photocatalytic activity of the BiOCl/g-C3N4 film can be attributed to its efficient electron–hole separation due to the presence of g-C3N4.

Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction over g-C3N4 Based Materials

Wei-Qin Cai,Feng-Jun Zhang,Cui Kong,Chun-Mei Kai,Won-Chun Oh 한국재료학회 2020 한국재료학회지 Vol.30 No.11

Reducing CO2 into high value fuels and chemicals is considered a great challenge in the 21st century. Efficiently activating CO2 will lead to an important way to utilize it as a resource. This article reviews the latest progress of g-C3N4 based catalysts for CO2 reduction. The different synthetic methods of g-C3N4 are briefly discussed. Article mainly introduces methods of g-C3N4 shape control, element doping, and use of oxide compounds to modify g-C3N4. Modified g-C3N4 has more reactive sites, which can significantly reduce the probability of photogenerated electron hole recombination and improve the performance of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Considering the literature, the hydrothermal method is widely used because of its simple equipment and process and easy control of reaction conditions. It is foreseeable that hydrothermal technology will continue to innovate and usher in a new period of development. Finally, the prospect of a future reduction of CO2 by g-C3N4-based catalysts is predicted.

Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light using noble metalfree ZnS NPs/Ni@Trimellitic acid porous microsphere heterojunction

Wei-Qin Cai,Feng-Jun Zhang,Ying-Rui Wang,Dong-Cai Li 한국화학공학회 2022 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.39 No.5

The construction of late-model non-noble metal catalysts with above average performance and stability isthe best choice to implement visible light decomposition of water for hydrogen production and solve the problem ofclean energy. Herein, novel ZnS nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) grown in situ on the surface of porous Ni@Trimellitic acid(Ni-TA) microspheres were successfully synthesized. The structure, optical properties, element composition and othersof ZnS/Ni-TA composites were systematically analyzed by experimental characterization. The experimental resultsshowed that pure ZnS showed very weak photocatalytic performance. However, the photocatalytic performance wasgreatly increased with the addition of Ni-TA. The yield of the best sample (3% ZnS/Ni-TA) reached 1,098 mol/g/h,about 12 times higher than that of ZnS. Among them, Ni-TA not only can be used as the main body of exotic metalnanoparticles, but also the porous channels can prevent the agglomeration of nanoparticles. The enhanced H2 yield ismainly attributed to the resulting tight interface contact and well-matched band position which are conducive to effectivecarrier separation; moreover, the electrons quickly diverted to the exposed edge of Ni-TA for reducing to producehydrogen. The combination of inorganic and new organic semiconductors provides an idea for hydrogen productionunder visible light.

Common genetic determinants of breast-cancer risk in East Asian women: a collaborative study of 23 637 breast cancer cases and 25 579 controls

Zheng, Wei,Zhang, Ben,Cai, Qiuyin,Sung, Hyuna,Michailidou, Kyriaki,Shi, Jiajun,Choi, Ji-Yeob,Long, Jirong,Dennis, Joe,Humphreys, Manjeet K.,Wang, Qin,Lu, Wei,Gao, Yu-Tang,Li, Chun,Cai, Hui,Park, Sue K Oxford University Press 2013 Human Molecular Genetics Vol.22 No.12

<P>In a consortium including 23 637 breast cancer patients and 25 579 controls of East Asian ancestry, we investigated 70 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 67 independent breast cancer susceptibility loci recently identified by genome-wide association studies (GWASs) conducted primarily in European-ancestry populations. SNPs in 31 loci showed an association with breast cancer risk at <I>P</I> < 0.05 in a direction consistent with that reported previously. Twenty-one of them remained statistically significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons with the Bonferroni-corrected significance level of <0.0015. Eight of the 70 SNPs showed a significantly different association with breast cancer risk by estrogen receptor (ER) status at <I>P</I> < 0.05. With the exception of rs2046210 at 6q25.1, the seven other SNPs showed a stronger association with ER-positive than ER-negative cancer. This study replicated all five genetic risk variants initially identified in Asians and provided evidence for associations of breast cancer risk in the East Asian population with nearly half of the genetic risk variants initially reported in GWASs conducted in European descendants. Taken together, these common genetic risk variants explain ∼10% of excess familial risk of breast cancer in Asian populations.</P>

Rapid and Efficient Detection of 16SrI Group Areca Palm Yellow Leaf Phytoplasma in China by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Shao-shuai Yu,Hai-yan Che,Sheng-jie Wang,Cai-li Lin,Ming-xing Lin,Wei-wei Song,Qing-hua Tang,Wei Yan,Wei-quan Qin 한국식물병리학회 2020 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.36 No.5

Areca palm yellow leaf (AYL) disease caused by the 16SrI group phytoplasma is a serious threat to the development of the Areca palm industry in China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was utilized to establish a rapid and efficient detection system efficient for the 16SrI-B subgroup AYL phytoplasma in China by loopmediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The results showed that two sets of LAMP detection primers, 16SrDNA-2 and 16SrDNA-3, were efficient for 16SrIB subgroup AYL phytoplasma in China, with positive results appearing under reaction conditions of 64oC for 40 min. The lowest detection limit for the two LAMP detection assays was the same at 200 ag/μl, namely approximately 53 copies/μl of the target fragments. Phytoplasma was detected in all AYL disease samples from Baoting, Tunchang, and Wanning counties in Hainan province using the two sets of LAMP primers 16SrDNA-2 and 16SrDNA-3, whereas no phytoplasma was detected in the negative control. The LAMP method established in this study with comparatively high sensitivity and stability, provides reliable results that could be visually detected, making it suitable for application and research in rapid diagnosis of AYL disease, detection of seedlings with the pathogen and breeding of diseaseresistant Areca palm varieties.

Up-regulation of NICE-3 as a Novel EDC Gene Could Contribute to Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Wei, Yuan-Jiang,Hu, Qin-Qin,Gu, Cheng-Yu,Wang, Yu-Ping,Han, Ze-Guang,Cai, Bing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

The epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) contains a large number of gene products which are crucial for the maturation of the human epidermis and can contribute to skin diseases, even carcinogenesis. It is generally accepted that activation of oncogenes and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes play pivotal roles in the process of carcinogenesis. Here, NICE-3, a novel EDC gene, was found to be up-regulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, overexpression of exogenous NICE-3 by recombinant plasmids could significantly promote cell proliferation, colony formation and soft agar colony formation in Focus and WRL-68 HCC cell lines. Reversely, NICE-3 silencing by RNA interference could markedly inhibit these malignant phenotypes in YY-8103 and MHCC-97H cells. Moreover, cell cycle analysis of MHCC-97H transfected with siRNA by flow cytometry showed that NICE-3 knockdown may inhibit cell growth via arrest in G0/G1 phase and hindering entry of cells into S phase. All data of our findings indicate that NICE-3 may contribute to human hepatocellular carcinoma by promoting cell proliferation.

Biodegradation of Di-n-Butyl Phthalate by Rhodococcus sp. JDC-11 and Molecular Detection of 3,4-Phthalate Dioxygenase Gene

( De Cai Jin ),( Ren Xing Liang ),( Qin Yun Dai ),( Rui Yong Zhang ),( Xue Liu Wu ),( Wei Liang Chao ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2010 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.20 No.10

Rhodococcus sp. JDC-11, capable of utilizing di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) as the sole source of carbon and energy, was isolated from sewage sludge and confirmed mainly based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The optimum pH, temperature, and agitation rate for DBP degradation by Rhodococcus sp. JDC-11 were 8.0, 30oC, and 175 rpm, respectively. In addition, low concentrations of glucose were found to inhibit the degradation of DBP, whereas high concentrations of glucose increased its degradation. Meanwhile, a substrate utilization test showed that JDC- 11 was also able to utilize other phthalates. The major metabolites of DBP degradation were identified as monobutyl phthalate and phthalic acid by gas chromatographymass spectrometry, allowing speculation on the tentative metabolic pathway of DBP degradation by Rhodococcus sp. JDC-11. Using a set of new degenerate primers, a partial sequence of the 3,4-phthalate dioxygenase gene was obtained from JDC-11. Moreover, a sequence analysis revealed that the phthalate dioxygenase gene of JDC-11 was highly homologous to the large subunit of the phthalate dioxygenase from Rhodococcus coprophilus strain G9.

Association Between Dyadic Coping and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients and Their Spouses: An Actor-partner Interdependence Mediation Model

Chen Wei,Li Hui,Cai Jian-Zheng,Qin Nan 한국간호과학회 2024 Asian Nursing Research Vol.18 No.1

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between dyadic coping (DC), intimate relationship, and quality of life (QOL), and to explore the mediating role of intimate relationship in patients with breast cancer (BC) and their spouses from a dyadic perspective. Methods A cross-sectional design was used in this present study, and 205 dyads of BC patients and their spouses who completed a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and self-reported measures assessing their DC, intimate relationship, and QOL were recruited. The actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) was adopted for dyadic distinguished data analysis. The paired t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and the structural equation model were employed for data analysis by using SPSS 22.0 and Amos 24.0. Results The current study revealed that, for BC patients and their spouses, intimate relationship mediates completely the actor effect of DC on QOL. That is to say, DC was positively related to intimate relationship and then improved QOL. It was interesting to find that, for both patients and their spouses, the intimate relationship could exert a partner-actor complete mediation effect between DC and QOL. Conclusions The DC perceived by both BC patients and their spouses has significant actor effects on QOL by improving the level of an intimate relationship. Furthermore, intimate relationship has significant actor-actor and partner-actor complete mediation effects for both patients and their spouses. Given the vital role of patient-spouse dyads, nursing staff should take patients’ spouses into account when conducting related psychosocial interventions aiming to improve the QOL of BC patients and their spouses.

Mitochondria-mediated Apoptosis in Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells by 4-Methylsulfinyl-3-butenyl Isothiocyanate from Radish Seeds

Wang, Nan,Wang, Wei,Huo, Po,Liu, Cai-Qin,Jin, Jian-Chang,Shen, Lian-Qing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.5

4-Methylsulfinyl-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC) found in the radish (Raphanus sativus L.), is a wellknown anticancer agent. In this study, the mechanisms of the MTBITC induction of cell apoptosis in human A549 lung cancer cells were investigated. Our PI staining results showed that MTBITC treatment significantly increased the apoptotic sub-G1 fraction in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism of apoptosis induced by MTBITC was investigated by testing the change of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$), the expression of mRNAs of apoptosis-related genes by RT-PCR, and the activities of caspase-3 and -9 by caspase colorimetric assay. MTBITC treatment decreased mitochondrial membrane potential by down-regulating the rate of Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xL/Bax, and activation of caspase-3 and -9. Therefore, mitochondrial pathway and Bcl-2 gene family could be involved in the mechanisms of A549 cell apoptosis induced by MTBITC.

Experimental study on reaction characteristics of NO in (NH4)2SO3 solution

Yongheng Xiong,Yiqing Zeng,Wei Cai,Shule Zhang,Jie Ding,Qin Zhong 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.65 No.-

The effects of various factors on the NO removal activity in the (NH4)2SO3 solution were investigated to explore more details and characteristics of the related reactions using full infrared sensor flue gas analyzer (FISFGA). It was found that the conversion yield of NO (9.0%–29.0%) was obviously improved with the increase of gas–liquid contact area, NO residence time and (NH4)2SO3 concentration as well as the adding of CuSO4. However, it was mainly limited by gas–liquid mass transfer rate and slightly inhibited by the gas velocity. Moreover, the FISFGA analysis revealed that two nitric oxide (NO) conversion route with different reduction product of N2O and N2 existed simultaneously upon the existence form of SO32−. It was confirmed by the calculations and the experiments of pH factor that the NO reduction steps were based on the following equation: (1) NO + HSO3− ⇋ N2O + SO42− + H+; (2) NO + SO32− ⇋ N2 + SO42−. In this system, Eq. (1) with N2O product was the major pathway, but the ratio of Eqs. (2) to (1) was intensified in the presence of CuSO4. It is believed that the suitable additives could promote the NO reduction to N2 furtherly.