Ionic liquids tailored amine aqueous solution for pre-combustion CO2 capture: Role of imidazolium-based ionic liquids

The desirable properties of room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) with low heat capacity, low corrosive, nonvolatile and good CO2 solubility make it possible to tailor the amine aqueous solution for capture of CO2 with low energy consumption. However, the detailed thermal analysis, which is helpful for understanding deeply the energy saving potential for ionic liquids (ILs)-based solvent, is scant. In this work, three different ILs with the same cation, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([Bmim]), and different anions, including tetrafluoroborate ([BF4]), nitrate ([NO3]), chloride ([Cl]), are used to tailor the N-methyldieth anolamine/piperazine (MDEA/PZ) aqueous solution to assess their role in CO2 capture performance. The results showed that the investigated ILs affect the physical solubility of CO2. Adding [Bmim][BE4] into MDEA/PZ showed the largest CO2 cyclic capacities, whereas, it is the smallest for MDEA/PZ/[Bmim][NO3], which indicates that anion species of the ILs could tune the sensible heat. Based on the calorimeter measured results and modeling estimated results, the reaction enthalpy changes with the addition of different ILs were also observed. The addition of [Bmim][BF4] could reduce the average enthalpy of CO2 dissolution and the sensible heat at 313 K by 30.1% and 20.3%, respectively. Finally, the studies revealed that not only the latent heat of vaporization but also the sensible heat and reaction heat of CO2 capture can be tailored by the choice of ILs. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p

Expression levels of INHBA are increased in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Objective To explore the expression and significance of INHBA in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and western blot methods were used to measure the expression levels of INHBA in 17 cases of normal skin (NS), 30 cases of actinic keratosis (AK) and 30 cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Results The immunohistochemical staining indicated that the positive staining of INHBA was brown-yellow particles in the cytoplasm/nucleus, with positive rates of 23.53%, 66.67% and 86.67%, respectively, in NS, AK and cSCC (χ2=27.10,P=0.001). The relative expression levels of INHBA mRNA in NS, AK and cSCC were 1.097±0.083, 1.328±0.041, 1.731±0.064, respectively (F=48.53, P<0.001). Moreover, expression levels of INHBA mRNA were higher in AK and cSCC groups than in NS group(P<0.05), while expression levels of INHBA mRNA in cSCC group were higher than that in AK group (P=0.002). The relative expression levels of INHBA protein in NS, AK and cSCC groups were 0.850±0.011, 0.925±0.020, 1.050±0.013, respectively (F=86.62,P<0.001 among groups). Similarly, the relative expression levels of INHBA protein in AK and cSCC groups were higher than that in NS group (both P<0.05), and expression levels of INHBA protein were higher in cSCC group than in AK group (P<0.001). Conclusion cSCC tissue exhibits higher expression levels of INHBA, which may be associated with the development of cSCC

Comprehensive Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Asparagus Germplasm Accessions (Asparagus officinalis L.) at Different Growth Stages

The screening and cultivation of salt-tolerant crops are becoming more and more important owing to the constant increase in the saline soil area worldwide. Asparagus (A. officinalis L.) is a highly nutritious vegetable crop and widely consumed globally for a long time; however, little research has been done on asparagus. In this study, the salt tolerance of 95 asparagus germplasm accessions was evaluated at three growth stages (germination, seedling, and adult stages) under both salt-stressed and control conditions. Results showed that the growth parameters of most germplasm accessions were obviously inhibited by salt stress. The mean value of the seed germination rate at the germination stage decreased by half under salt-stressed conditions, the mean salt-injury index at the seedling stage reached 57.68%, and the fresh weight of the aboveground part (FWA) and the dry weight of the aboveground part (DWA) decreased the most among the traits determined at the adult stage by more than 60%. Our study screened out 30, 19, and 18 tolerant germplasm accessions (including highly salt-tolerant and salt-tolerant germplasm accessions) at the germination stage, seedling stage, and adult stage, respectively. Among them, two germplasm accessions (Ji08-2 and Jx1502) were simultaneously identified to be tolerant in all three growth stages, while other germplasm accessions were tolerant only at one or two stages. Thus, the salt tolerance of asparagus has periodic characteristics and changes throughout the lifecycle, and the identification of salt tolerance at all the main growth stages facilitates adequate assessment and application of tolerant germplasm accessions

Highly efficient carbon dioxide capture by a novel amine solvent containing multiple amino groups

BACKGROUNDAqueous solutions of amine are considered to be effective absorbents for CO2 capture. Special attention is increasingly being given to developing efficient solvents with both high absorption rate and absorption loading for CO2 capture

Ionic degradation inhibitors and kinetic models for CO2 capture with aqueous monoethanolamine

The degradation of monoethanolamine (MEA) solution was to be around 10% of the total cost of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, thus, it is critically important to develop high efficient inhibitors. In this study, two novel ionic degradation inhibitors, monoethanolamine tartrate (MTA) and mercaptoethylamine tartrate (HTA) were synthesized. The results indicated that the inhibitive extent is in the order: MTA &gt; KNaC4H4O6 &gt; HTA &gt; Na2SO3. The degradation kinetics of MEA solution with MTA was studied under conditions typical of the CO2 absorption process considering key factors, such as degradation temperature and aqueous phase concentrations of MEA, O-2, SO2, CO2, MTA and Fe2+. The degradation rate increases with the increases of temperature and concentrations of MEA, O-2 and SO2, whereas decreases with increasing concentrations of CO2 and ionic degradation inhibitor. The degradation kinetic model of MEA solution which firstly introduces the influences of the components of ionic degradation inhibitor and Fe2+ was proposed by fitting the experimental data. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Feasible ionic liquid-amine hybrid solvents for carbon dioxide capture

Ionic liquid (IL)-amine hybrid solvents have been proved to be an energy-saving system for CO2 capture. Lack of experimental information on the diffusivity and heat of CO2 absorption in IL-amine hybrid solvents hampers the wide application of IL in CO2 capture. In this work, the effects of IL on absorption rate, solubility, diffusivity and heat of CO2 absorption in feasible hybrids of 1-butyl-3-methyl- imidazolium nitrate ([Bmim][NO3]) and monoethanolamine (MEA) have been elaborated using weight method, vapor liquid equilibrium and calorimetric measurement. The results showed that the addition of IL slightly decreases CO2 loading under atmospheric pressure. Based on the measured solubility and calorimeter results, IL is beneficial to improve the physical absorption of CO2 and reduce the heat of absorption in IL-amine hybrids. The diffusivity of CO2 can be maintained at an acceptable level by controlling the concentration of IL. Considering CO2 capacity, kinetics and heat of absorption, the hybrids of 30% MEA + 10% [Bmim][ NO3]+ 60% H2O were recommended. Our work gives the meaningful insights on designing novel IL-amine hybrids for CO2 capture.</p

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Provides Insights into the Fruit Quality and Yield Improvement in Tomato under Soilless Substrate-Based Cultivation

The effects of soilless substrate-based versus soil cultivation on overall fruit quality and yield in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were studied using the tomato cv. Zhonghua Lvbao. Experiments for tomato soilless cultivation were carried out under greenhouse conditions. Plant growth, fruit quality and yield, and physiologic traits were observed. RNA-seq and RT-PCR, as well as metabolomic analyses were performed to examine the expressed genes and metabolites under soilless substrate cultivation. The results showed that the plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll contents of tomato under substrate-based cultivation were increased by 37.3%, 19.8%, and 15.3%, respectively, compared with soil cultivation system. Leaf photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and root vitality of tomato, under substrate-based cultivation, increased by 29.0%, 21.2%, 43.9%, and 84.5%, respectively, compared with soil cultivation. The yield reached 7177.5 kg/667 m2, and the relative yield increased by 10.1%, compared with soil cultivation. The contents of total soluble sugar, soluble solids, and vitamin C increased by 35.7%, 19.7%, and 18.2%, respectively, higher than those of soil cultivation in tomato fruits, while nitrate content and titratable acid decreased by 29.4% and 11.8%, respectively. Therefore, substrate-based-cultivation can increase production and improve tomato fruit quality and taste. We examined the expressed genes and metabolites to explore the molecular mechanism of plant growth and overall fruit quality improvement in substrate-based cultivation. A total of 476 differentially expressed genes were identified by transcriptomes profiling, of which 321 and 155 were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively. The results of metabolomics analysis showed that 441 metabolites were detected, where 24 and 36 metabolites were up- and down-regulated, respectively. By combining analyses of transcriptomic and metabolic groups, genes and metabolites related to the fruit quality were mainly concentrated in the vitamin B6/ascorbic acid/aldonic acidmetabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways. Therefore, substrate-based cultivation can elevate vitamin and soluble sugar contents and the expression of fruit flavor related genes, which lays an initial background for exploring the mechanism of substrate-based cultivation, in order to improve the quality of tomato in the future

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Provides Insights into the Fruit Quality and Yield Improvement in Tomato under Soilless Substrate-Based Cultivation

The effects of soilless substrate-based versus soil cultivation on overall fruit quality and yield in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were studied using the tomato cv. Zhonghua Lvbao. Experiments for tomato soilless cultivation were carried out under greenhouse conditions. Plant growth, fruit quality and yield, and physiologic traits were observed. RNA-seq and RT-PCR, as well as metabolomic analyses were performed to examine the expressed genes and metabolites under soilless substrate cultivation. The results showed that the plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll contents of tomato under substrate-based cultivation were increased by 37.3%, 19.8%, and 15.3%, respectively, compared with soil cultivation system. Leaf photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and root vitality of tomato, under substrate-based cultivation, increased by 29.0%, 21.2%, 43.9%, and 84.5%, respectively, compared with soil cultivation. The yield reached 7177.5 kg/667 m2, and the relative yield increased by 10.1%, compared with soil cultivation. The contents of total soluble sugar, soluble solids, and vitamin C increased by 35.7%, 19.7%, and 18.2%, respectively, higher than those of soil cultivation in tomato fruits, while nitrate content and titratable acid decreased by 29.4% and 11.8%, respectively. Therefore, substrate-based-cultivation can increase production and improve tomato fruit quality and taste. We examined the expressed genes and metabolites to explore the molecular mechanism of plant growth and overall fruit quality improvement in substrate-based cultivation. A total of 476 differentially expressed genes were identified by transcriptomes profiling, of which 321 and 155 were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively. The results of metabolomics analysis showed that 441 metabolites were detected, where 24 and 36 metabolites were up- and down-regulated, respectively. By combining analyses of transcriptomic and metabolic groups, genes and metabolites related to the fruit quality were mainly concentrated in the vitamin B6/ascorbic acid/aldonic acidmetabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways. Therefore, substrate-based cultivation can elevate vitamin and soluble sugar contents and the expression of fruit flavor related genes, which lays an initial background for exploring the mechanism of substrate-based cultivation, in order to improve the quality of tomato in the future

Genetic diversity and association mapping of mineral element concentrations in spinach leaves

Abstract Background Spinach is a useful source of dietary vitamins and mineral elements. Breeding new spinach cultivars with high nutritional value is one of the main goals in spinach breeding programs worldwide, and identification of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for mineral element concentrations is necessary to support spinach molecular breeding. The purpose of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and to identify SNP markers associated with mineral elements in the USDA-GRIN spinach germplasm collection. Results A total of 14 mineral elements: boron (B), calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) were evaluated in 292 spinach accessions originally collected from 29 countries. Significant genetic variations were found among the tested genotypes as evidenced by the 2 to 42 times difference in mineral concentrations. A total of 2402 SNPs identified from genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach were used for genetic diversity and GWAS. Six statistical methods were used for association analysis. Forty-five SNP markers were identified to be strongly associated with the concentrations of 13 mineral elements. Only two weakly associated SNP markers were associated with K concentration. Co-localized SNPs for different elemental concentrations were discovered in this research. Three SNP markers, AYZV02017731_40, AYZV02094133_57, and AYZV02281036_185 were identified to be associated with concentrations of four mineral components, Co, Mn, S, and Zn. There is a high validating correlation coefficient with r > 0.7 among concentrations of the four elements. Thirty-one spinach accessions, which rank in the top three highest concentrations in each of the 14 mineral elements, were identified as potential parents for spinach breeding programs in the future. Conclusions The 45 SNP markers strongly associated with the concentrations of the 13 mineral elements: B, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, S, and Zn could be used in breeding programs to improve the nutritional quality of spinach through marker-assisted selection (MAS). The 31 spinach accessions with high concentrations of one to several mineral elements can be used as potential parents for spinach breeding programs

Hepatic deletion of Smad7 in mouse leads to spontaneous liver dysfunction and aggravates alcoholic liver injury.

BACKGROUND: TGF-β has been known to play an important role in various liver diseases including fibrosis and alcohol-induced fatty liver. Smad7 is an intracellular negative regulator of TGF-β signaling. It is currently unclear whether endogenous Smad7 has an effect on liver function and alcoholic liver damage. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used Cre/loxP system by crossing Alb-Cre mice with Smad7(loxP/loxP) mice to generate liver-specific deletion of Smad7 with loss of the indispensable MH2 domain. Alcoholic liver injury was achieved by feeding mice with a liquid diet containing 5% ethanol for 6 weeks, followed by a single dose of ethanol gavage. Deletion of Smad7 in the liver was associated with increased Smad2/3 phosphorylation in the liver or upon TGF-β treatment in primary hepatocytes. The majority of mice with liver specific deletion of Smad7 (Smad7(liver-KO)) were viable and phenotypically normal, accompanied by only slight or no reduction of Smad7 expression in the liver. However, about 30% of Smad7(liver-KO) mice with high efficiency of Smad7 deletion had spontaneous liver dysfunction, demonstrated as low body weight, overall deterioration, and increased serum levels of AST and ALT. Degeneration and elevated apoptosis of liver cells were observed with these mice. TGF-β-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) was accelerated in Smad7-deleted primary hepatocytes. In addition, alcohol-induced liver injury and steatosis were profoundly aggravated in Smad7 deficient mice, associated with upregulation of critical genes involved in lipogenesis and inflammation. Furthermore, alcohol-induced ADH1 expression was significantly abrogated by Smad7 deletion in hepatocytes. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we provided in vivo evidence revealing that endogenous Smad7 plays an important role in liver function and alcohol-induced liver injury