Purification and Characterization of Extracellular Inulinase from a Marine Yeast Pichia guilliermondii and Inulin Hydrolysis by the Purified Inulinase

Fang Gong,Tong Zhang,Jun Sheng,Jing Li,Xianghong Wang,Zhenming Chi 한국생물공학회 2008 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.13 No.5

The extracellular inulinase of the marine yeast Pichia guilliermondii strain 1 was purified to homogeneity resulting in a 7.2-fold increase in specific inulinase activity. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 50.0 kDa. The op-timal pH and temperature for the purified enzyme were 6.0 and 60C, respectively. The enzyme was activated by Mn²+, Ca²+, K+, Li+, Na+, Fe³+, Fe²+, Cu²+, and Co²+, but Mg²+, Hg²+, and Ag+ inhibited activity. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), iodoacetic acid, EDTA, and 1, 10-phenanthroline. The Km and Vmax values of the purified inulinase for inulin were 21.1 mg/mL and 0.08 mg/min, respectively. A large number of monosaccharides were de-tected after the hydrolysis of inulin. The deduced protein sequence from the cloned P. guilliermondii strain 1 inulinase gene contained the consensus motifs R-D-P-K-V-F-W-H and W-M-N-D-P-N-G, which are conserved among the inulinases from other microorganisms.

Preparation of lithium-doped NaV6O15 thin film cathodes with high cycling performance in SIBs

Xu Hai-Yan,Ruan Jun Hai,Liu Fang Lin,Li Dong-Cai,Zhang Feng-Jun,Wang Ai-Guo,Sun Dao-Sheng,오원춘 한국세라믹학회 2022 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.59 No.3

Lithium ions-doped NaV6O15 thin films have been prepared using a simple low temperature liquid phase deposition method and subsequent annealing process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning elec- tron microscopy (SEM), and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to study the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the NaV6O15 film. The films were grown on the FTO conductive glass and used directly as an electrode of sodium ion batteries. The prepared lithium ions-doped NaV6O15 thin film electrodes showed an excellent cycling stability and discharge capacity, which may be attributed to the stability of the Li+ embedded into the gap between the V–O layers to maintain the structure and its stable β-phase structure transformed after the first cycle. The cycling stability greatly improved with increasing annealing temperature, while the discharge capacity decreased. The capacities of the film electrodes annealed at 400 °C and 450 °C maintained above 97% after 100 cycles. The lithium-doped NaV6O15 underwent a phase transition dur- ing the first charge/discharge cycle. The new transformed phase has perfect crystal structure stability undergoing insertion and deinsertion of Na+. Therefore, the lithium-doped NaV6O15 thin film possesses good cycling stability and is expected to be a promising thin film cathode for sodium-ion batteries.

An Ångström-level <i>d</i>-spacing controlling synthetic route for MoS₂ towards stable intercalation of sodium ions

Zhang, Kan,Li, Ping,Guo, Shiying,Jeong, Jong Yeob,Jin, Bingjun,Li, Xiaoming,Zhang, Shengli,Zeng, Haibo,Park, Jong Hyeok The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.6 No.45

<P>In this paper, we precisely controlled the <I>d</I>-spacing of vertically aligned MoS2 arrays ranging from 6.2 to 10 Å <I>via</I> heating-controlled deintercalation of NH4<SUP>+</SUP> ions. The finely controllable interlayer nanoarchitecture resulted in an optimal <I>d</I>-spacing of 7.3 Å, which on nitrogenous reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) delivered a reversible capacity of 295 mA h g<SUP>−1</SUP> after 2000 cycles at 1 A g<SUP>−1</SUP> for Na<SUP>+</SUP> intercalation.</P>

Evaluation of the Geometric Accuracy of Anatomic Landmarks as Surrogates for Intrapulmonary Tumors in Image-guided Radiotherapy

Li, Hong-Sheng,Kong, Ling-Ling,Zhang, Jian,Li, Bao-Sheng,Chen, Jin-Hu,Zhu, Jian,Liu, Tong-Hai,Yin, Yong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the geometric accuracy of thoracic anatomic landmarks as target surrogates of intrapulmonary tumors for manual rigid registration during image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). Methods: Kilovolt cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images acquired during IGRT for 29 lung cancer patients with 33 tumors, including 16 central and 17 peripheral lesions, were analyzed. We selected the "vertebrae", "carina", and "large bronchi" as the candidate surrogates for central targets, and the "vertebrae", "carina", and "ribs" as the candidate surrogates for peripheral lesions. Three to six pairs of small identifiable markers were noted in the tumors for the planning CT and Day 1 CBCT. The accuracy of the candidate surrogates was evaluated by comparing the distances of the corresponding markers after manual rigid matching based on the "tumor" and a particular surrogate. Differences between the surrogates were assessed using 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc least-significant-difference tests. Results: For central targets, the residual errors increased in the following ascending order: "tumor", "bronchi", "carina", and "vertebrae"; there was a significant difference between "tumor" and "vertebrae" (p = 0.010). For peripheral diseases, the residual errors increased in the following ascending order: "tumor", "rib", "vertebrae", and "carina"; There was a significant difference between "tumor" and "carina" (p = 0.005). Conclusions: The "bronchi" and "carina" are the optimal surrogates for central lung targets, while "rib" and "vertebrae" are the optimal surrogates for peripheral lung targets for manual matching of online and planned tumors.

Influence of Intravenous Contrast Medium on Dose Calculation Using CT in Treatment Planning for Oesophageal Cancer

Li, Hong-Sheng,Chen, Jin-Hu,Zhang, Wei,Shang, Dong-Ping,Li, Bao-Sheng,Sun, Tao,Lin, Xiu-Tong,Yin, Yong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intravenous contrast on dose calculation in radiation treatment planning for oesophageal cancer. Methods: A total of 22 intravein-contrasted patients with oesophageal cancer were included. The Hounsfield unit (HU) value of the enhanced blood stream in thoracic great vessels and heart was overridden with 45 HU to simulate the non-contrast CT image, and 145 HU, 245 HU, 345 HU, and 445 HU to model the different contrast-enhanced scenarios. 1000 HU and -1000 HU were used to evaluate two non-physiologic extreme scenarios. Variation in dose distribution of the different scenarios was calculated to quantify the effect of contrast enhancement. Results: In the contrast-enhanced scenarios, the mean variation in dose for planning target volume (PTV) was less than 1.0%, and those for the total lung and spinal cord were less than 0.5%. When the HU value of the blood stream exceeded 245 the average variation exceeded 1.0% for the heart V40. In the non-physiologic extreme scenarios, the dose variation of PTV was less than 1.0%, while the dose calculations of the organs at risk were greater than 2.0%. Conclusions: The use of contrast agent does not significantly influence dose calculation of PTV, lung and spinal cord. However, it does have influence on dose accuracy for heart.

Evaluating an Academic Writing Course-based on an Integrated Model

Li Zhang,Yue Sheng,Lan Li 아시아영어교육학회 2014 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.11 No.1

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>

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Characteristics of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in Chinese Patients: A Retrospective Study

Li, Chun-Yan,Zhang, Sheng,Zhang, Xiao-Bei,Wang, Pei,Hou, Guo-Fang,Zhang, Jin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Aims: To determine the clinical, pathological and prognostic features associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods: Clinical and histologic data of 21,749 breast cancer patients who were treated at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between July 2002 and December 2011 were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: those with TNBC and those with other types of breast cancer. Patients and tumor characteristics were compared between the two groups using the Chi-square test. The prognostic results of 9,823 patients in the study population were also analyzed to determine long-term survival rates in the two groups of breast cancer patients. Results: Among the breast cancer patients treated in our hospital between 2003 and 2011, 10.4%-13.5% of them had triple-negative breast cancers. Data analyses revealed significant differences in disease onset age, family history of breast cancer, tumor size, tumor histologic grade, lymph note positivity and metastatic status between TNBC and non-TNBC patients. There were also significant differences in 5-year, 7-year and 9-year disease-free and 7-year and 9-year overall survival probability between the groups. Conclusions:TNBC are associated with younger disease onset age, larger tumor size, higher rate of axillary lymph node positivity, and higher tumor histologic grade. TNBC is also related to family history of breast cancer, increased metastatic risk and poor prognosis.

Experimental and Numerical Modeling of the Freeze-thaw Response of U-Shaped Channel Lining on Sulfate Saline Soil Foundation

Sheng Li,Hongbo Li,Juncang Tian,Hao Sun,Yongfa Ding,Xuanshuo Zhang 대한토목학회 2024 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.28 No.4

Under the influence of seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, the concrete lining of channels situated on saline soil foundations is highly vulnerable to an array of deleterious phenomena, such as frost heave, salt expansion, and corrosion. To investigate the synergistic interplay among saline soil substrates, U-shaped channel lining structures, and ambient temperatures during freeze-thaw cycles, a novel Hydraulic-Thermal-Salt-Mechanical (HTSM) model is established in this study. The HTSM model elucidates the migration of moisture and salt solute, ice-water phase transitions, and sodium sulfate crystallization within unsaturated saline soils throughout the freeze-thaw cycles. It considers the variations in volume and pore solution volume before and after the phase transition of sodium sulfate. Temperature and salt frost heaving force measurements obtained from outdoor freeze-thaw cycles are compared with numerical simulation results to validate the efficacy of the HTSM model and investigate the distribution patterns of salt frost heaving force (frost swelling force) along the channel. The results showed that the frost swelling force and depth exhibit a great linear relationship and the maximum stress of the U-shaped channel appears at the bottom of the channel, highlighting the good arching force characteristics of the U-shaped structure which prove that bottom of the channel is also the most prone to fracture. Significantly, the initial water content significantly impacts the frost swelling force—it increases by 4% while the frost swelling force increases by 76%. Comparing the numerical simulation results of temperature variations, moisture changes, and salt-frost heaving forces with the outdoor experimental data, it is evident that the proposed HTSM model effectively simulates the salt-frost heaving patterns observed in U-shaped channel linings.

Studies of the microbial metabolism of flavonoids extracted from the leaves of Diospyros kaki by intestinal bacteria

Sheng-hai Zhang,Ying-zi Wang,Fan-yun Meng,You-lin Li,Cai-xia Li,Fei-peng Duan,Qing Wang,Xiu-ting Zhang,Chun-ni Zhang 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.5

Flavonoid glycosides are metabolized byintestinal bacteria, giving rise to a wide range of phenolicacids that may exert systemic effects in the body. Themicrobial metabolism of flavonoids extracted from theleaves of Diospyros kaki (FLDK) by intestinal bacteria wasinvestigated in vitro. High-performance liquid chromatography/linear trap quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometrywas performed to analyze the metabolites of flavonoidsin vivo using Xcalibur2.1 software. The results showed thatthe levels of flavonoid glycosides and flavonoid aglyconesdecreased rapidly in the process of microbial metabolismby intestinal bacteria in vitro, and the metabolic rate maybe related to the concentration of intestinal bacteria in theculture solution. In vivo metabolites of FLDK weredetected in rat plasma and urine after oral administration ofFLDK. Eight flavonoids were identified in the urine, andthree were identified in the plasma; however, flavonoidaglycones were not found in the plasma.