Enhanced photocatalytic mechanism of Ag₃PO₄ nano-sheets using MS₂ (M = Mo, W)/rGO hybrids as co-catalysts for 4-nitrophenol degradation in water

Zhang, Weiping,Li, Guiying,Wang, Wanjun,Qin, Yaxin,An, Taicheng,Xiao, Xinyan,Choi, Wonyong Elsevier 2018 Applied Catalysis B Vol.232 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A chemically modified Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB>@MS<SUB>2</SUB>(M = Mo, W)/rGO composite was firstly synthesized via a liquid-exfoliation solvothermal method. The structure, morphology, optical properties and composition were characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The characterization results indicated that compact structure could be obtained by using this typical method due to in-situ chemical modification, which could also control the sizes of Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB> nano-sheets by adding MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO hybrids. More importantly, the resultant Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB>@MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO composite exhibited higher photocatalytic activity and stability toward the degradation of 4-nitrophenol than pure Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB> under sunlight irradiation. The stable structure of Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB>@MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO was closely related with Z-scheme electronic structure and electrical conductivity of MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO hybrids, leading to a higher consumption and transfer of photogenerated electrons. However, by controlling the amounts of MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO hybrids, more stable but lower photocatalytic activity composites could be obtained. Further analysis found that the holes and O<SUB>2</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP> were the main reactive species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol. In addition, possible photocatalytic degradation pathways of 4-nitrophenol were also proposed based on the identified intermediates. The findings of this work may provide a new method to design efficient composites for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB>@MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO catalyst was fabricated via a liquid-exfoliation solvothermal method. </LI> <LI> Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB>@MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO has high photocatalytic activity and stability under sunlight. </LI> <LI> The stability of Ag<SUB>3</SUB>PO<SUB>4</SUB>@MS<SUB>2</SUB>/rGO was due to its rapid transfer of photogenerated e<SUP>−</SUP>. </LI> <LI> h<SUP>+</SUP> and O<SUB>2</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP> were the main RSs in photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Colorectal Cancer Concealment Predicts a Poor Survival: A Retrospective Study

Li, Xiao-Pan,Xie, Zhen-Yu,Fu, Yi-Fei,Yang, Chen,Hao, Li-Peng,Yang, Li-Ming,Zhang, Mei-Yu,Li, Xiao-Li,Feng, Li-Li,Yan, Bei,Sun, Qiao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Objectives: Understanding the situation of cancer awareness which doctors give to patients might lead to prognostic prediction in cases of of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Subsets of 10,779 CRC patients were used to screen the risk factors from the Cancer Registry in Pudong New Area in cancer awareness, age, TNM stage, and gender. Survival of the patients was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and assessed by Cox regression analysis. The views of cancer awareness in doctors and patients were surveyed by telephone or household. Results: After a median observation time of 1,616 days (ranging from 0 to 4,083 days) of 10,779 available patients, 2,596 of the 4,561 patients with cancer awareness survived, whereas 2,258 of the 5,469 patients without cancer awareness and 406 of the 749 patients without information on cancer awareness died of the disease. All-cause and cancer-specific survival were poorer for the patients without cancer awareness than those with (P < 0.001 for each, log-rank test). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that cancer concealment cases had significantly lower cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.299; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.200-1.407)and all-cause survival (HR = 1.324; 95 % CI: 1.227-1.428). Furthermore, attitudes of cancer awareness between doctors and patients were significantly different (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Cancer concealment, not only late-stage tumor and age, is associated with a poor survival of CRC patients.

Electrical Conductivity Enhancement of Epoxy by Hybrid Carbon Nanotubes and Self-made Silver Nanoparticles

Xiao Min Zhang,Xiao-Li Yang,Kun-yan Wang 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.7

Flexibility electrode with high stretchability, electrical conductivity, and good mechanical properties are desirable,owing to their promising applications in electronic circuit and human motion monitoring systems. In this paper, a highperformance flexibility electrode was prepared based on printable and electrically conductive adhesive (ECA). Thisflexibility electrode is fabricated by mixing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), carbon nanotube (CNT) and epoxy resin andscreen-printed to a required shape. The spherical AgNPs were prepared by DC arc plasma method. The Ag NPs present apolycrystalline crystal structure, the particle’s diameter range from 20 to 150 nm, with an average of 80 nm. Simultaneously,this flexibility electrode provides the advantages of simple, scalable fabrication, robust mechanical properties and versatilityin applications. Based on these performance characteristics, its applications in flexible printed electrodes are demonstrated,revealing its tremendous potential for applications in flexible and wearable electronics. The flexibility sensor prepared byECA exhibits fascinating comprehensive performances. The ECA filled with 65 % Ag NPs and 0.8 % CNT shows anexcellent electrical conductivity (9×10-4 Ω·cm) and bonding strength (9.2 MPa).

Physical properties and chemical composition of the cores in the California molecular cloud

Zhang, Guo-Yin,Xu, Jin-Long,Vasyunin, A. I.,Semenov, D. A.,Wang, Jun-Jie,Dib, Sami,Liu, Tie,Liu, Sheng-Yuan,Zhang, Chuan-Peng,Liu, Xiao-Lan,Wang, Ke,Li, Di,Wu, Zhong-Zu,Yuan, Jing-Hua,Li, Da-Lei,Gao, Springer-Verlag 2018 Astronomy and astrophysics Vol.620 No.-

<P><I>Aims.</I> We aim to reveal the physical properties and chemical composition of the cores in the California molecular cloud (CMC), so as to better understand the initial conditions of star formation.</P><P><I>Methods.</I> We made a high-resolution column density map (18.2′′) with <I>Herschel</I> data, and extracted a complete sample of the cores in the CMC with the fellwalker algorithm. We performed new single-pointing observations of molecular lines near 90 GHz with the IRAM 30m telescope along the main filament of the CMC. In addition, we also performed a numerical modeling of chemical evolution for the cores under the physical conditions.</P><P><I>Results.</I> We extracted 300 cores, of which 33 are protostellar and 267 are starless cores. About 51% (137 of 267) of the starless cores are prestellar cores. Three cores have the potential to evolve into high-mass stars. The prestellar core mass function (CMF) can be well fit by a log-normal form. The high-mass end of the prestellar CMF shows a power-law form with an index <I>α</I> = −0.9 ± 0.1 that is shallower than that of the Galactic field stellar mass function. Combining the mass transformation efficiency (<I>ε</I>) from the prestellar core to the star of 15 ± 1% and the core formation efficiency (CFE) of 5.5%, we suggest an overall star formation efficiency of about 1% in the CMC. In the single-pointing observations with the IRAM 30m telescope, we find that 6 cores show blue-skewed profile, while 4 cores show red-skewed profile. [HCO<SUP>+</SUP>]/[HNC] and [HCO<SUP>+</SUP>]/[N2H<SUP>+</SUP>] in protostellar cores are higher than those in prestellar cores; this can be used as chemical clocks. The best-fit chemical age of the cores with line observations is ~5 × 10<SUP>4</SUP> yr.</P>

Schisandrin B Improves the Hypothermic Preservation of Celsior Solution in Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Zhang Ying,Wang Peng,Jin Mei-xian,Zhou Ying-qi,Ye Liang,Zhu Xiao-juan,Li Hui-fang,Zhou Ming,Li Yang,Li Shao,Liang Kang-yan,Wang Yi,Gao Yi,Pan Ming-xin,Zhou Shu-qin,Peng Qing 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2023 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.20 No.3

BACKGROUND: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have emerged as promising therapy for immune and inflammatory diseases. However, how to maintain the activity and unique properties during cold storage and transportation is one of the key factors affecting the therapeutic efficiency of hUCMSCs. Schisandrin B (SchB) has many functions in cell protection as a natural medicine. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of SchB on the hypothermic preservation of hUCMSCs. METHODS: hUCMSCs were isolated from Wharton’s jelly. Subsequently, hUCMSCs were exposed to cold storage (4 C) and 24-h re-warming. After that, cells viability, surface markers, immunomodulatory effects, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial integrity, apoptosis-related and antioxidant proteins expression level were evaluated. RESULTS: SchB significantly alleviated the cells injury and maintained unique properties such as differentiation potential, level of surface markers and immunomodulatory effects of hUCMSCs. The protective effects of SchB on hUCMSCs after hypothermic storage seemed associated with its inhibition of apoptosis and the anti-oxidative stress effect mediated by nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 signaling. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate SchB could be used as an agent for hypothermic preservation of hUCMSCs.

SPON2 Promotes M1-like Macrophage Recruitment and Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Distinct Integrin–Rho GTPase–Hippo Pathways

Zhang, Yan-Li,Li, Qing,Yang, Xiao-Mei,Fang, Fang,Li, Jun,Wang, Ya-Hui,Yang, Qin,Zhu, Lei,Nie, Hui-Zhen,Zhang, Xue-Li,Feng, Ming-Xuan,Jiang, Shu-Heng,Tian, Guang-Ang,Hu, Li-Peng,Lee, Ho-Young,Lee, Su-J American Association for Cancer Research 2018 Cancer research Vol.78 No.9

<P>Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P>Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) represent key regulators of the complex interplay between cancer and the immune microenvironment. Matricellular protein SPON2 is essential for recruiting lymphocytes and initiating immune responses. Recent studies have shown that SPON2 has complicated roles in cell migration and tumor progression. Here we report that, in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), SPON2 not only promotes infiltration of M1-like macrophages but also inhibits tumor metastasis. SPON2-α4β1 integrin signaling activated RhoA and Rac1, increased F-actin reorganization, and promoted M1-like macrophage recruitment. F-Actin accumulation also activated the Hippo pathway by suppressing LATS1 phosphorylation, promoting YAP nuclear translocation, and initiating downstream gene expression. However, SPON2-α5β1 integrin signaling inactivated RhoA and prevented F-actin assembly, thereby inhibiting HCC cell migration; the Hippo pathway was not noticeably involved in SPON2-mediated HCC cell migration. In HCC patients, SPON2 levels correlated positively with prognosis. Overall, our findings provide evidence that SPON2 is a critical factor in mediating the immune response against tumor cell growth and migration in HCC.</P><P><B>Significance:</B> Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract:</B> http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/9/2305/F1.large.jpg. <I>Cancer Res; 78(9); 2305–17. ©2018 AACR</I>.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P><P> [Figure]</P>

Breastfeeding and Ovarian Cancer Risk: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 40 Epidemiological Studies

Li, Da-Peng,Du, Chen,Zhang, Zuo-Ming,Li, Guang-Xiao,Yu, Zhi-Fu,Wang, Xin,Li, Peng-Fei,Cheng, Cheng,Liu, Yu-Peng,Zhao, Ya-Shuang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess any association between breastfeeding and the risk of ovarian cancer. A systematic search of published studies was performed in PUBMED and EMBASE and by reviewing reference lists from retrieved articles through March 2013. Data extraction was conducted independently by two authors. Pooled relative risk ratios were calculated using random-effect models. Totals of 5 cohort studies and 35 case-control studies including 17,139 women with ovarian cancer showed a 30% reduced risk of ovarian cancer when comparing the women who had breastfed with those who had never breastfed (pooled RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.64-0.76; p = 0.00), with significant heterogeneity in the studies (p = 0.00; I2 = 76.29%). A significant decreasd in risk of epithelial ovarian cancer was also observed (pooled RR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61-0.76). When the participants were restricted to only parous women, there was a slightly attenuated but still significant risk reduction of ovarian cancer (pooled RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69-0.83). For total breastfeeding duration, the pooled RRs in the < 6 months, 6-12 months and > 12 months of breastfeeding subgroups were 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77-0.93), 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.82) and 0.64 (95%CI: 0.56-0.73), respectively. Meta-regression of total breastfeeding duration indicated an increasing linear trend of risk reduction of ovarian cancer with the increasing total breastfeeding duration (p = 0.00). Breastfeeding was inversely associated with the risk of ovarian cancer, especially long-term breastfeeding duration that demonstrated a stronger protective effect.

RNA silencing-mediated resistance is related to biotic/abiotic stresses and cellular RdRp expression in transgenic tobacco plants

( Xiao Liang Wu ),( Wen Cui Hou ),( Mei Mei Wang ),( Xiao Ping Zhu ),( Fang Li ),( Jie Dao Zhang ),( Xin Zheng Li ),( Xing Qi Guo ) 생화학분자생물학회 2008 BMB Reports Vol.41 No.5

Tumor-Derived Transforming Growth Factor-β is Critical for Tumor Progression and Evasion from Immune Surveillance

Li, Zheng,Zhang, Li-Juan,Zhang, Hong-Ru,Tian, Gao-Fei,Tian, Jun,Mao, Xiao-Li,Jia, Zheng-Hu,Meng, Zi-Yu,Zhao, Li-Qing,Yin, Zhi-Nan,Wu, Zhen-Zhou Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Tumors have evolved numerous mechanisms by which they can escape from immune surveillance. One of these is to produce immunosuppressive cytokines. Transforming growth factor-${\beta}$(TGF-${\beta}$) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a crucial function in mediating immune suppression, especially in the tumor microenvironment. TGF-${\beta}$ produced by T cells has been demonstrated as an important factor for suppressing antitumor immune responses, but the role of tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ in this process is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that knockdown of tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ using shRNA resulted in dramatically reduced tumor size, slowing tumor formation, prolonging survival rate of tumor-bearing mice and inhibiting metastasis. We revealed possible underlying mechanisms as reducing the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Treg cells, and consequently enhanced IFN-${\gamma}$ production by CTLs. Knockdown of tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ also significantly reduced the conversion of na$\ddot{i}$ve $CD4^+$ T cells into Treg cells in vitro. Finally, we found that knockdown of TGF-${\beta}$ suppressed cell migration, but did not change the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells in vitro. In summary, our study provided evidence that tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ is a critical factor for tumor progression and evasion of immune surveillance, and blocking tumor-derived TGF-${\beta}$ may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer.

HTMAC: High Throughput TDMA MAC Protocol for Real-time Sensor Networks

Xiao Li Zhang,Ji Yuan Jing,Ho-Jun Kim,Kyung Sup Kwak 한국통신학회 2014 한국통신학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2014 No.1