| 1. |
- Geng, Xiumei, et al.
(author)
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Bioinspired Ultrastable Lignin Cathode via Graphene Reconfiguration for Energy Storage
- 2017
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In: ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2168-0485. ; 5:4, s. 3553-3561
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lignin extracted from trees is one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth. Quinone, a sub-structure in lignin, can be used for energy storage via reversible redox reactions through absorbing and releasing electrons and protons. However, these efforts have encountered hindrances, such as short life cycle, low cycling efficiency, and a high self-discharge rate. All of these issues are related to electrode dissolution by electrolyte solvents and the insulating nature of lignin. Addressing these critical challenges, for the first time we use a reconfigurable and hierarchical graphene cage to capture the lignin by mimicking the prey-trapping of venus flytraps. The reconfigurable graphene confines the lignin within the electrode to prevent its dissolution, while acting as a three-dimensional current collector to provide efficient electron transport pathways during the electrochemical reactions. This bioinspired design enables the best cycling performance of lignin reported so far at 88% capacitance retention for 15000 cycles and 211 F g-1 capacitance at a current density of 1.0 A g-1. This study demonstrates a feasible and effective strategy for solving the long-term cycling difficulties of lignin-based electrochemically active species, and makes it possible to utilize lignin as an efficient, cheap, and renewable energy storage material.
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| 2. |
- Guo, Haoyu, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of starvation status in the early developmental stages of black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) based on morphological and histological characteristics
- 2023
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In: Journal of Fish Biology. - 0022-1112 .- 1095-8649.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Assessing the nutritional status and identifying major causes of mortality in larvae experiencing varying degrees of starvation are crucial for establishing appropriate feeding protocols and enhancing the welfare of hatchery-reared fish. The black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii is an important species in aquaculture and stock enhancement efforts in China, Japan, and Korea. This study aimed to identify optimal diagnostic morphometric indicators of starvation in newly hatched (0–6 days post-hatch, DPH) and postlarval stages (27–37 DPH) of this valuable fish species through histological analyses. Our findings revealed that certain morphometric parameters, including body length, the ratios of eye diameter to head height, body height to body length, and abdomen height to body height, exhibit sensitivity to starvation during both larval and postlarval stages. Particularly, the ratios of body height to body length and abdomen height to body height emerged as the most sensitive morphometric indicators of starvation. Histological examinations of the digestive system revealed rapid alterations in the morphology of hepatic parenchymal cells, accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of lipid cells in the liver during episodes of food deprivation. Starvation induced cellular degeneration in the digestive organs, manifested by reduced heights of epithelial cells and mucosal layers in the intestine, oesophagus, and stomach, along with degeneration and separation of muscle fibers. Among these variables, the height of the intestinal submucosa and muscle layer emerged as the most sensitive indicators reflecting nutritional conditions in newly hatched larvae. In contrast, the height of intestinal striated borders and mucosal folds proved to be the most sensitive indicators in the postlarval stage. Furthermore, the height of intestinal epithelial cells and the number of lipid vacuoles in enterocytes exhibited high sensitivity to food deprivation in both newly hatched larvae and postlarvae. These findings underscore the varying resilience of fish to starvation during different developmental phases and highlight the utility of morphological sensitivity characteristics as reliable diagnostic indices for assessing nutritional status in relation to starvation or suboptimal feeding during the early developmental stages of black rockfish in hatchery-reared processes.
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| 3. |
- Luo, Xiumei, et al.
(author)
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Glycolytic enzyme Enolase-1 regulates insulin gene expression in pancreatic β-cell
- 2024
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In: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. - 0006-291X. ; 706
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Enolase-1 (Eno1) plays a critical role in regulating glucose metabolism; however, its specific impact on pancreatic islet β-cells remains elusive. This study aimed to provide a preliminary exploration of Eno1 function in pancreatic islet β-cells. The findings revealed that the expression of ENO1 mRNA in type 2 diabetes donors was significantly increased and positively correlated with HbA1C and negatively correlated with insulin gene expression. A high level of Eno1 in human insulin-secreting rat INS-1832/13 cells with co-localization with intracellular insulin proteins was accordingly observed. Silencing of Eno1 using siRNA or inhibiting Eno1 protein activity with an Eno1 antagonist significantly reduced insulin secretion and insulin content in β-cells, while the proinsulin/insulin content ratio remained unchanged. This reduction in β-cells function was accompanied by a notable decrease in intracellular ATP and mitochondrial cytochrome C levels. Overall, our findings confirm that Eno1 regulates the insulin secretion process, particularly glucose metabolism and ATP production in the β-cells. The mechanism primarily involves its influence on insulin production, suggesting that Eno1 represents a potential target for β-cell protection and diabetes treatment.
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| 4. |
- Wang, Xiaoyan, et al.
(author)
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PAHs and PCBs residues and consumption risk assessment in farmed yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) from the East China Sea, China.
- 2019
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In: Marine pollution bulletin. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-3363 .- 0025-326X. ; 140, s. 294-300
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) purchased from five different farming sites in Zhoushan Archipelago and Xiangshan Harbor in the East China Sea, China were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentrations of PAHs and PCBs in the edible muscle of L. crocea ranged from 83.14 to 174.68ng/g wet weight (or 266.89 to 695.24ng/g dry weight) and 3.89 to 17.40ng/g wet weight (or 15.50 to 54.25ng/g dry weight), respectively. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) associated with the dietary intake of PAHs and PCBs in L. crocea was assessed. Results showed that levels of PAHs in L. crocea were high enough to cause potential carcinogenic risks for human consumption, while, levels of PCBs in fish samples were of low significant carcinogenic risk.
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| 5. |
- Lu, Weifeng, et al.
(author)
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β cell function and insulin resistance have gender-specific correlations with carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes
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In: International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries. - 0973-3930.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveThe relationships between carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and β cell function and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have not been fully elucidated. This study is to investigate whether impaired glucose metabolism is etiologically associated with C-IMT in patients with T2D.MethodsThe study group consisted of 490 (284 men, 206 women) participants. Venous blood specimens were obtained from all subjects for biochemical profiles after an >8-h overnight fast. C-IMT was measured as the distance between the luminal-intimal leading edge (I-line) and the medial-adventitial leading edge (M-line) on the far wall. Insulin resistance was estimated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The acute insulin response to arginine was calculated as the mean of the three plasma insulin levels obtained within 2, 4, and 6 min after the arginine bolus minus the pre-stimulus plasma insulin levels.ResultsThere was a graded increase in C-IMT values according to tertiles of HOMA-IR in men; the values of C-IMT were significantly decreased across the tertiles of acute insulin and C-peptide responses in women. Multivariate analysis revealed that HOMA-IR and age were positively associated with C-IMT among men participants, and acute insulin response and current smoking were the independent determinants of C-IMT in women.ConclusionEarly insulin response stimulated by arginine is independently associated with C-IMT in women T2D individuals, whereas insulin resistance is positively correlated with C-IMT in men T2D subjects.
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