Reusable and Efficient Polystryrene-supported Acidic Ionic Liquid Catalyst for Mononitration of Aromatic Compounds

Li, Li Xia,Ling, Qi Long,Liu, Zu Liang,Xing, Xiao Dong,Zhu, Xiao Qin,Meng, Xiao Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.10

A series of polystyrene-supported 1-(propyl-3-sulfonate)-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrosulfate acidic ionic liquid (PS-$[SO_3H-PMIM][HSO_4]$) catalysts were prepared and tested for mononitration of simple aromatics compounds with nitric acid. It was found that the reactivity of the catalysts increased with increasing $[SO_3H-PMIM][HSO_4]$ content. The para-selectivity was not only related to the $[SO_3H-PMIM][HSO_4]$ content but also the substituent groups in aromatics. A reaction mechanism of nitration over this new catalyst was proposed. The catalytic activity of this catalyst decreased slightly after fifth runs in the synthesis of nitrotoluene.

Chinese herbal injections for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A narrative review

Xiao-Bin Zhu,Meng Guo,Zhi-Hui Zhang,Li-Hua Sun,Lei Liu,Li-Juan Zhou,Chun-Lei Shan,Yi Yang,Lian-Di Kan,Liu-Cheng Li 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.4

Background The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 180 million infections and 3.9 million deaths. To date, emerging clinical evidence has shown the synergetic benefits of Chinese herbal injections in treating this contagious respiratory disease. This review aims to summarize and analyze the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal injections in the therapy of COVID-19. Methods The literature from 3 electronic databases, PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science, were searched using the search terms “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “traditional Chinese medicine”, “herb”, “herbal”, and “injection”. Then the identified articles were comprehensively evaluated. Results Limited data demonstrated that Chinese herbal injections could significantly improve the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients, especially in combination with conventional treatment strategies. The benefits of which were mainly associated with the relief of symptoms, prevention of secondary infection, regulation of inflammation and immune function. There was also evidence showing the inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Nevertheless, available real-world data suggested the increased risk of adverse event. Furthermore, the defects of existing researches and the insights for discovering novel antiviral drugs were prospectively discussed. Conclusion Evidence-based advances revealed that Chinese herbal injections such as XueBiJing injection and ShenMai injection, exerted potent effects against COVID-19. Further laboratory researches and clinical evaluation are needed to gather scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety.

Proteomic Analysis of Erythritol-Producing Yarrowia lipolytica from Glycerol in Response to Osmotic Pressure(s)

( Li Bo Yang ),( Xiao Meng Dai ),( Zhi Yong Zheng ),( Li Zhu ),( Xiao Bei Zhan ),( Chi Chung Lin ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.7

Osmotic pressure is a critical factor for erythritol production with osmophilic yeast. Protein expression patterns of an erythritol-producing yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, were analyzed toidentify differentially-expressed proteins in response to osmotic pressure. In order to analyze intracellular protein levels quantitatively, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was performed to separate and visualize the differential expression of the intracellular proteins extracted from Y. lipolytica cultured under low (3.17 osmol/kg) and high (4.21 osmol/kg) osmotic pressures. Proteomic analyses allowed identification of 54 differentially-expressed proteins among the proteins distributed in the range of pI 3-10 and 14.4-97.4 kDa molecular mass between the osmotic stress conditions. Remarkably, the main proteins were involved in the pathway of energy, metabolism, cell rescue, and stress response. The expression of such enzymes related to protein and nucleotide biosynthesis was inhibited drastically, reflecting the growth arrest of Y. lipolytica under hyperosmotic stress. The improvement of erythritol production under highosmotic stress was due to the significant induction of a range of crucial enzymes related to polyols biosynthesis, such as transketolase and triosephosphate isomerase, and the osmotic stress responsive proteins like pyridoxine-4-dehydrogenase and the AKRs family. The polyols biosynthesis was really related to an osmotic response and a protection mechanism against hyperosmotic stress in Y. lipolytica. Additionally, the high osmotic stress could also induce other cell stress responses as with heat shock and oxidation stress responses, and these responsive proteins, such as the HSPs family, catalase T, and superoxide dismutase, also had drastically increased expression levels under hyperosmotic pressure.

Bacterial and Fungal Diversity in the Starter Production Process of Fen Liquor, a Traditional Chinese Liquor

Xiao-Ran Li,En-Bo Ma,Liang-Zhen Yan,Han Meng,Xiao-Wei Du,Zhe-Xue Quan 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.4

Fermented foods and beverages are important parts of human diet. Fen liquor, a Chinese liquor is a fermented beverage that uses a traditional fermentation process. Starters are the main microbial source and also provide nutrients for microorganisms during fermentation. In this study, starters of Fen liquor were produced through a complex traditional fermentation process. To investigate the community structure and the composition of microorganisms in the starter production process, bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were sequenced using clone libraries and pyrosequencing, respectively. There was much higher diversity among the bacteria than among the fungi in the starter production process. Bacteria on the surface of the starters belonged mostly to the Lactobacillaceae family,while members of the Bacillacae family were dominant in the interior of the samples that lacked access to air and water. In the fungi population, diversity was high only in the raw material. In all other samples, nearly all of the fungal sequences were from Pichia kudriavzevii, a member of the Saccharomycetaceae family. Nearly all samples showed similar fungal community structures, indicating that there was little change in the fungal community. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to reveal the whole process of the starter production of Chinese traditional liquor. The findings obtained in this study provide new insights into understanding the composition of the microbial community during the traditional Chinese liquor starter production process and information about the production process control and monitoring.

Rapid Screening of Maize Inbred Lines Based on NIR-MIR Spectral Characteristics and Small-molecule Metabolites

Meng Ting Li,Ren Jie Yang,Hai Xue Liu,Yang Liu,Xiao Qian Zhang,Xiao Dong Xie 한국작물학회 2018 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.21 No.4

Near-infrared (NIR), Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy and Gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with principal component analysis (PCA) were used to preliminarily select suitable maize parents that can be further employed in future breeding process. Especially, a new matrix was innovatively developed in terms of metabolic components, and used for PCA. Firstly, the quality maize seeds were selected based on the score plots from PCA of NIR, MIR, fusion of NIR and MIR, and GC-MS. Then, the potential biomarkers, including phenol, propionic acid, DL-malic acid, L-valine, which have great influence on the selection of quality maize seeds, were confirmed based on the loading plots from PCA of GC-MS and MIR spectral data. Finally, the quantitative analysis of partial biomarkers for selected parents was carried based on GC-MS method. The selected suitable maize parents were further confirmed by the difference of biomarkers contents. The results showed that NIR, MIR, and GC-MS combined with PCA are as rapid, convenient analysis methods, and can be thus employed for future maize breeding process.

The Damage Criterion Affecting Life Prediction of Fiber-Reinforced Al–Li Alloy Laminates Under Spectrum Loading

Meng Weiying,Li Yupeng,Zhang Xiaochen,Shi Huaitao,Zhang Yu,Lv Xiao 한국항공우주학회 2020 International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sc Vol.21 No.4

Fiber metal laminates, as the new generation of aircraft structural materials, are widely concerned by material researcher. This paper presents a study on the life prediction problems of fiber-reinforced Al–Li alloy laminates under spectrum loading by applying the cumulative damage and residual strength models. Firstly, fatigue life performance of the laminate materials is tested under different loading cases. Then, the most advanced damage accumulation and residual strength models are summarized, which is applied to composite laminates. Some models are directly abandoned because the data needed for fitting model cannot be obtained by this experiment or the model formulation is prevented directly to the application for the spectrum blocks with free loading. Meanwhile, a cumulative damage model considering residual strength is modified accordingly based on the characteristics of life prediction under spectrum loading. To study the impacts of these models on the fatigue life prediction for fiber reinforced Al–Li alloy laminate under spectrum loading, the predicted accuracy of these models will be compared by applying them to life prediction problems of 2/1 laminate and 3/2 laminate. Results show that compared with other models, modified model improves the prediction accuracy especially for 3/2 laminate.

Copigmentation effects and thermal degradation kinetics of purple sweet potato anthocyanins with metal ions and sugars

Xiao-Ding Li,Jie Li,Meng Wang,Hong Jiang 한국응용생명화학회 2016 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.59 No.1

he copigmentation effects of purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPAs) with metal ions and sugars were investigated in model solutions at pH 4. The thermal stability of PSPAs was also explored in the presence of sugars and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). Copigmentation are characterized by hyperchromic effect and bathochromic shift. The hyperchromic effect of Fe3+ reached 25.15 % even at a very low concentration 0.005 mol L−1, while the values of the other metal ions at 0.05 mol L−1 were ranked in the following ascending order: K+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+ < Zn2+ < Cu2+ < Fe2+ < Al3+. The bathochromic shift was not observed in all sugar reaction solutions; glucose showed the highest values of hyperchromic effect at the concentration range 150–300 g L−1, followed by fructose and sucrose; konjac glucomannan showed the highest effect even at a much lower concentration among the macromolecular sugars. Especially, the konjac glucomannan exhibited a much better color enhancement than glucose. Small molecular sugars accelerated the thermal degradation of PSPAs, whereas macromolecular sugars showed a protective effect particularly at high temperatures. Moreover, 5-HMF resulted in the deterioration of the thermal stability of PSPAs and was suggested to be an important labile factor for copigmented PSPA solutions.

Reusable and Efficient Polystryrene-supported Acidic Ionic Liquid Catalyst for Mononitration of Aromatic Compounds

Li Xia Li,Qi Long Ling,Zu Liang Liu,Xiao Dong Xing,Xiao Qin Zhu,Xiao Meng 대한화학회 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.10

A series of polystyrene-supported 1-(propyl-3-sulfonate)-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrosulfate acidic ionic liquid (PS-[SO3H-PMIM][HSO4]) catalysts were prepared and tested for mononitration of simple aromatics compounds with nitric acid. It was found that the reactivity of the catalysts increased with increasing [SO3HPMIM][ HSO4] content. The para-selectivity was not only related to the [SO3H-PMIM][HSO4] content but also the substituent groups in aromatics. A reaction mechanism of nitration over this new catalyst was proposed. The catalytic activity of this catalyst decreased slightly after fifth runs in the synthesis of nitrotoluene.

Robust Optimization Dispatch Method for Distribution Network Considering Four-Quadrant Power Output of Energy Storage Devices

Li Yue,Xiao Xiao-Bing,He Xiao-Meng,Huang Bo-Yang,Fang Yang,He Xin-Yi 대한전기학회 2024 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.19 No.2

This paper describes a technique for improving distribution network dispatch by using the four-quadrant power output of distributed energy storage systems to address voltage deviation and grid loss problems resulting from the large integration of distributed generation into the distribution network. The approach creates an optimization dispatch model for an active distribution network. The objective function aims to minimize power purchase costs, network loss costs, and voltage deviation penalties. In addition, the method employs an interval robust optimization technique to handle uncertainties related to solar turbine output and load demand. To solve the optimal power fow problem for AC in the distribution network, this paper implements the second-order cone relaxation technique to convert it into a solvable second-order cone programming problem. Moreover, the Big-M method is used to handle the nonlinear terms in the objective function. Finally, simulation experiments are conducted on the IEEE33 node system to verify the efectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. The simulation results indicate that the system's operating cost can be signifcantly reduced. Additionally, it has a positive impact on reducing voltage deviation and system loss, ultimately improving the operation of the distribution network system.

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.