A Network-Based Multi-Target Computational Estimation Scheme for Anticoagulant Activities of Compounds

BACKGROUND: Traditional virtual screening method pays more attention on predicted binding affinity between drug molecule and target related to a certain disease instead of phenotypic data of drug molecule against disease system, as is often less effective on discovery of the drug which is used to treat many types of complex diseases. Virtual screening against a complex disease by general network estimation has become feasible with the development of network biology and system biology. More effective methods of computational estimation for the whole efficacy of a compound in a complex disease system are needed, given the distinct weightiness of the different target in a biological process and the standpoint that partial inhibition of several targets can be more efficient than the complete inhibition of a single target. METHODOLOGY: We developed a novel approach by integrating the affinity predictions from multi-target docking studies with biological network efficiency analysis to estimate the anticoagulant activities of compounds. From results of network efficiency calculation for human clotting cascade, factor Xa and thrombin were identified as the two most fragile enzymes, while the catalytic reaction mediated by complex IXa:VIIIa and the formation of the complex VIIIa:IXa were recognized as the two most fragile biological matter in the human clotting cascade system. Furthermore, the method which combined network efficiency with molecular docking scores was applied to estimate the anticoagulant activities of a serial of argatroban intermediates and eight natural products respectively. The better correlation (r = 0.671) between the experimental data and the decrease of the network deficiency suggests that the approach could be a promising computational systems biology tool to aid identification of anticoagulant activities of compounds in drug discovery. CONCLUSIONS: This article proposes a network-based multi-target computational estimation method for anticoagulant activities of compounds by combining network efficiency analysis with scoring function from molecular docking

Optimization of asymmetric hollow fiber membranes for natural gas separation

Compared to the conventional amine adsorption process to separate CO₂ from natural gas, the membrane separation technology has exhibited advantages in easy operation and lower capital cost. However, the high CO₂ partial pressure in natural gas can plasticize the membranes, which can lead to the loss of CH₄ and low CO₂/CH₄ separation efficiency. Crosslinking of polymer membranes have been proven effective to increase the CO₂ induced plasticization resistance by controlling the degree of swelling and segmental chain mobility in the polymer. This thesis focuses on extending the success of crosslinking to more productive asymmetric hollow fibers. In this work, the productivity of asymmetric hollow fibers was optimized by reducing the effective selective skin layer thickness. Thermal crosslinking and catalyst assisted crosslinking were performed on the defect-free thin skin hollow fibers to stabilize the fibers against plasticization. The natural gas separation performance of hollow fibers was evaluated by feeding CO₂/CH₄ gas mixture with high CO₂ content and pressure.MSCommittee Chair: Koros, Williams; Committee Member: Carr, Wallace; Committee Member: Deng, Yuli

Highly productive ester crosslinkable composite hollow fiber membranes for aggressive natural gas separations

Despite intrinsically high separation performance, conventional polymeric membranes suffer from CO₂ induced plasticization, which reduces CO₂/CH₄ separation efficiency significantly. Covalent ester-crosslinking can improve the plasticization resistance by controlling the segmental chain mobility in the polymer; however, only relatively thick selective skin layers and lower separation productivity have been reported to date. On the other hand, the high cost of crosslinkable polymers makes the approach challenging, especially for large-scale gas separations which require large membrane areas with high feed pressures. Dual-layer hollow fiber spinning can be used to reduce the cost of membrane production by integrating a low-cost supporting core polymer with the expensive crosslinkable sheath polymer. However, the complexity of interfacial interaction between the sheath/core layers and subsequent crosslinking required can delaminate the sheath/core layers and collapse the core layer polymer. This can reduce mechanical strength and the separation productivity significantly. This work aimed to develop thin-skinned high-performing ester-crosslinked hollow fiber membranes with improved CO₂ plasticization resistance. The skin layer thickness of hollow fibers was first optimized by simultaneous optimization of the polymer dope and spinning process variables. Moreover, this study also addresses the solutions of challenging in transitioning the monolithic hollow fiber to composite hollow fiber format. The ester-crosslinked hollow fibers were subjected to high feed pressures and high-level contaminants to probe their CO₂ plasticization and hydrocarbon antiplasticization resistance, respectively. The resultant ester-crosslinked monolithic hollow fibers show significantly reduced skin layer thickness and improved separation productivity under extremely challenging operation conditions. They also demonstrate strong stability under high feed pressures and reversibility after contaminant exposure. Moreover, this study presents a newly discovered core layer material, Torlon®, which demonstrates excellent compatibility with the crosslinkable polymer and superior thermal stability during crosslinking without sheath/core layer delamination or collapse. The characterization under aggressive feed conditions clearly suggests that ester-crosslinked composite hollow fibers can achieve high separation performance and reduce membrane cost simultaneously. This provides a significant advance in state of the art for natural gas separations under realistic operation environmentsPh.D

Enhanced CO2 Capture and Hydrogen Purification by Hydroxy Metal-Organic Framework/Polyimide Mixed Matrix Membranes.

Membrane separation technology provides substantial savings in energy and cost for molecular separations in chemical industry, ideally complementing conventional thermally driven separation approaches. However, current membranes are subject to limitations, primarily lying in the Robeson permeability-selectivity upper bound limits. In this study, hydroxy metal-organic framework (MOF)/polyimide mixed-matrix membranes are found to enable high separation performance for applications including CO2 capture and hydrogen purification while offering enhanced compatibility with state-of-the-art membrane-manufacturing processes. The mixed-matrix membranes exceed the present Robeson upper bounds with H2 and CO2 permeabilities of 907 and 650 Barrers, respectively and H2 /CH4 and CO2 /CH4 selectivities of 45 and 32, respectively. The unparalleled performance results from intimate interactions at the boundary of the hydroxy MOFs and carboxylic polymers through strong hydrogen bonds. The principle of design opens the door to highly permeable membranes with synergistic compatibility with established membrane manufacturing platforms for energy-efficient molecular separations

Pyrazine-Fused Porous Graphitic Framework-Based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Enhanced Gas Separations.

Membrane-based separations can mitigate the capital- and energy-intensive challenges associated with traditional thermally driven processes. To further push the boundary of gas separations, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have been extensively exploited; however, identifying an optimal nanofiller to boost the separation performance of MMMs beyond Robeson permeability-selectivity upper bounds remains an ongoing challenge. Here, a new class of MMMs based on pyrazine-fused crystalline porous graphitic frameworks (PGFs) is reported. At a loading of 6 wt % PGFs, the MMMs surpass the current H2/CH4 Robeson upper bound, ideally suited for applications such as H2 regeneration. In addition, the fabricated MMMs exhibit appealing CO2 separation performance, closely approaching the current Robeson upper bounds for CO2 separation. Compared with the pristine polymeric membranes, the PGF-based MMMs display a record-high enhancement of gas permeability over 120% while maintaining intrinsic gas selectivities. Highlighting the crucial role of the crystallinity of nanofillers, this study demonstrates a facile and effective approach in formulating high-performance MMMs, complementing state-of-the-art membrane formation processes. The design principles open the door to energy-efficient separations of gas mixtures with enhanced productivity compatible with the current membrane manufacturing

Inhibitory Mechanisms of DHA/CQ on pH and Iron Homeostasis of Erythrocytic Stage Growth of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium group. The mechanisms of antimalarial drugs DHA/CQ are still unclear today. The inhibitory effects (IC50) of single treatments with DHA/CQ or V-ATPase inhibitor Baf-A1 or combination treatments by DHA/CQ combined with Baf-A1 on the growth of Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 was investigated. Intracellular cytoplasmic pH and labile iron pool (LIP) were labeled by pH probe BCECF, AM and iron probe calcein, AM, the fluorescence of the probes was measured by FCM. The effects of low doses of DHA (0.2 nM, 0.4 nM, 0.8 nM) on gene expression of V-ATPases (vapE, vapA, vapG) located in the membrane of DV were tested by RT-qPCR. DHA combined with Baf-A1 showed a synergism effect (CI = 0.524) on the parasite growth in the concentration of IC50. Intracellular pH and irons were effected significantly by different doses of DHA/Baf-A1. Intracellular pH was decreased by CQ combined with Baf-A1 in the concentration of IC50. Intracellular LIP was increased by DHA combined with Baf-A1 in the concentration of 20 IC50. The expression of gene vapA was down-regulated by all low doses of DHA (0.2/0.4/0.8 nM) significantly (p &lt; 0.001) and the expression of vapG/vapE were up-regulated by 0.8 nM DHA significantly (p &lt; 0.001). Interacting with ferrous irons, affecting the DV membrane proton pumping and acidic pH or cytoplasmic irons homeostasis may be the antimalarial mechanism of DHA while CQ showed an effect on cytoplasmic pH of parasite in vitro. Lastly, this article provides us preliminary results and a new idea for antimalarial drugs combination and new potential antimalarial combination therapies

Hydrogen-bonded hybrid membranes based on hydroxylated metal-organic frameworks and PIM-1 for ultrafast hydrogen separation

Membrane separation technology provides an alternative to traditional thermally driven separations, owing to its advantages including low cost, energy-savings and environmental friendliness. However, the current membrane technology for gas separations using polymeric materials suffers the challenge of gas permeability-selectivity trade-offs. To overcome this hurdle, high-separation performance hybrid membranes are developed herein using microporous UiO-66-(OH)2 and PIM-1. Due to the stable interfacial hydrogen bonding, the MOF loading crosses the percolation threshold in hybrid membranes, and dual-path transport mechanisms govern the gas diffusion. Accordingly, the hybrid membranes with 40 wt% MOF loading exhibit a H2 permeability up to 9167.6 Barrer, transcending the 2008 H2/CH4 and H2/N2 Robeson upper bounds. Compared to neat PIM-1 membranes with a H2 permeability of 2378.3 Barrer, the H2 permeability of hybrid membranes increases over 285%, demonstrating ultra-high gas permeability. The design approach of hybrid membranes provides a viable pathway for the manufacture of hydrogen-bonded hybrid membranes with potential applications for hydrogen separation and CO2 capture

Amidoxime Modified UiO-66@PIM-1 Mixed-Matrix Membranes to Enhance CO₂ Separation and Anti-Aging Performance

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) generally have some fatal defects, such as poor compatibility between the two phases leading to non-selective pores. In this work, PIM-1 was chosen as the polymer matrix, and UiO-66 modified with amidoxime (UiO-66-AO) was used as the filler to prepare the MMMs. In the MMMs, the amino and hydroxyl groups on UO-66-AO form a rich hydrogen bond network with the N and O atoms in the polymer PIM-1 chain to improve the compatibility between the polymer matrix and the filler. In addition, the selective adsorption of CO2 by the amidoxime group can promote the transport of CO2 in the membrane, which enhances the gas selectivity. The CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity of UiO-66-AO@PIM-1 MMMs are increased by 35.2% and 45.2% compared to pure PIM-1 membranes, reaching 7535.5 Barrer and 26.9, surpassing the Robeson Upper Bound (2008) and close to the 2019 Upper Bound. After 38 days of the aging experiment, the CO2 permeability is approximately 74% of the original. The results show that the addition of UiO-66-AO has an obvious effect on improving the aging properties of the membrane. The UiO-66-AO@PIM-1 MMMs have a bright prospect for CO2 separation in the future