In this study, municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (IBA) was reused as fine aggregates to prepare ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). The effects of IBA on the mechanical properties, ...workability, hydration, volume stability and microstructure of UHPC were investigated. The experimental results showed that the incorporation of an appropriate amount of IBA could improve the compressive strength of UHPC due to the internal curing effect. While the addition of excessive amount of IBA would reduce the strength significantly. From the microstructure analysis, the hydration of UHPC was promoted by adding IBA, leading to a higher hydration degree and denser microstructure of the paste compared to reference sample. The use of IBA in UHPC could effectively restrict the expansion due to the presence of metallic Al, glass, gypsum in the IBA as the UHPC matrix acted as a barrier in the vicinity of the IBA particles, which prevented the formation and propagation of cracks. Also, the highly impermeable UHPC cement paste, the use of supplementary cementitious materials and the high self-desiccation of UHPC further prevent the expansive chemical reactions from occurring. Thus, it was practicable to apply IBA in UHPC without considering the expansive risks and with easy pre-treatment, and it was demonstrated that the utilization of IBA in UHPC is a feasible solution for recycling IBA.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, UL, UPCLJ, UPUK
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•Central Composite Design method was effective in designing novel lightweight ultra high-performance concrete (L-UHPC).•The L-UHPC prepared with micro-sized glass microsphere and ...lightweight aggregates had ultra high strength (>120 MPa) and low density (<1950 kg/m3).•The developed L-UHPC had excellent structural efficiency, superior functional and durability properties.•The high strength lightweight microspheres and high rigidity of paste matrix contributed to great performances of L-UHPC.
The inferior mechanical properties and durability of conventional lightweight concrete restrict its wider application. This study intended to design a novel lightweight ultra high-performance concrete (L-UHPC) using a mathematical approach, with a view to achieving low density and excellent performance. Two lightweight materials (i.e. micro-sized glass microsphere and expanded shale aggregates) were introduced in the mix design of L-UHPC. The statistical optimization via Central Composite Design was proved to be an effective method to produce the L-UHPC. The designed L-UHPC showed comparable or even superior functional and durability properties than normal-weight UHPC and high-performance cement mortar. The use of specified lightweight materials played prominent roles in ensuring the mechanical properties of L-UHPC. The high microhardness of paste matrix and the internal curing of lightweight aggregates contributed to the great durability of L-UHPC. The development of L-UHPC can provide a new solution for constructing high-performance lightweight structures and composites.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In this work, a two-step wet carbonation process was developed to synthesize amorphous nano-silica by extracting the silicon phase from recycled cement fines (RCF), aiming to convert RCF into ...value-added products and sequester CO2. The phases evolution and their microstructure during carbonation were investigated. The results indicated that the RCF was carbonated rapidly to form a mixture of calcite and amorphous silica gel, followed by the formation of silica bearing gel containing aluminosilicate gel and silica gel after two-step wet carbonation. An amorphous silica with a purity of 98.8% and in the form of aggregated nanoparticles (<10 nm) was successfully prepared, and another calcium carbonate-rich material was produced as a by-product. The proposed approach tackled several issues such as sequestration of CO2 (0.27 g CO2 per 1 g RCF), converting RCF into value-added nano-silica and promoting the recycling of RCF, which has good potential to be industrialized.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A novel carbon capture (CC) coating was developed using CO2-activated dicalcium silicate, aiming to enhance the durability of concrete structures and sequestrate CO2. The carbonation products, ...microstructure and effects validation of the CC coating were investigated. The results showed that the CC coating could achieve a relatively high carbonation degree of 23.3% after 30-min carbonation. The moisture-saturated environment in the CC coating facilitated the formation of a gradient structure with relatively homogeneous carbonation products, i.e. small CaCO3 crystals (calcite, aragonite, and amorphous CaCO3) and highly polymerized silica gel, thereby rapidly densifying the microstructure. The CC coating with a thickness of approximately 200 μm significantly improved the concrete durability (decreasing the capillary water absorption by 20.5% after 30-min carbonation) and exhibited a satisfactory bonding strength (2.74 MPa after 30-min carbonation), which has a promising application scenario in extending the service life of concrete structures and reducing the carbon emissions.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The direct use of both seawater and sea sand in concrete production has been becoming attractive for some marine and coastal engineering where the availabilities of freshwater and river sand are ...limited. To further expand the use of seawater (e.g., using seawater as both mixing and curing water), this work provided fundamental research regarding the effects of using seawater as the mixing and curing water on the physicochemical properties of Portland cement pastes. The sub-samples at different depths of the seawater mixing and curing samples were extracted and separately analyzed. The chemical changes were quantitatively investigated, and the relation between the physical behaviors and the chemical changes was studied. The results showed that in the outer region of the samples, the ettringite content was significantly increased, but the content of Friedel’s salt was slightly reduced. Moreover, a large amount of calcium hydroxide was dissolved, but correspondingly, magnesium hydroxide (MH) crystals with various particle sizes were formed. Also, the sodium ions in the seawater were incorporated into the structure of calcium silicate hydrate gel, resulting in the formation of silica dimers with a shorter silica chain and the increase of nanopore volume (increasing by 22% in the inner region and 36% in the outer region). In addition, seawater increased the ion transport rate, but the blocking effect of the MH crystals on the samples largely decreased the rate. The changes in the crystalline and amorphous hydration products potentially influenced the strength development.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
It is proposed to use dredged marine sediments as fill material in marine reclamation engineering by stabilisation/solidification (S/S) technology with sustainable binding materials, which can help ...the soft soil gain strength to solve the engineering geological problem of its insufficient bearing capacity. In this work, lime and two types of industrial wastes, i.e., incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), were selected as the binding materials. Hong Kong marine deposits (HKMD) slurry with a high initial water content of 110% was mixed with 30% binders (30% lime and 70% (ISSA+GGBS) with ISSA: GGBS = 3). The seawater (SW) with salinity of 3.6% was employed as mixing solution in S/S treatment of HKMD. To detect the effect of each main composition in SW on the performance of S/S HKMD, the pure solutions of NaCl, MgCl2 and Na2SO4 were adopted in this study.
The results show that the use of SW in the lime-activated ISSA and GGBS treated dredged HKMD slurry is effective in improving its strength. The X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy observations present the formation of calcium/magnesium silicate hydrate (C/M-S-H), Friedel's salt and ettringite, which fill into the pores and interlock the particles in the mixture increasing the strength of the treated HKMD. The chemical compositions of SW have significant and different impacts on the performance of treated HKMD samples. Na+ can help the samples gain higher strength and result in the cracking development in the S/S samples. Mg2+ will lead to the formation of M-S-H, which reduces the porosity of treated HKMD samples. However, the contribution of M-S-H to the soil strength is less than that of C-S-H. Cl− in the mixture would slow down the reaction speed and show slight impacts on the modulus. SO42− accelerates the reactions in the treated samples and has a more significant effect on nano-size porosity of bulk sample. Consequently, the seawater has positive effect on the S/S performance of HKMD slurry, suggesting potential application in the practical projects.
•Seawater facilitates strength gain of lime-activated ISSA-GGBS treated HKMD sample.•Formations of C/M-S-H, Friedel salt, and ettringite were detected in the mixture.•Na+ plays a positive role in the strength gain for the S/S treated HKMD.•Mg2+ will lead to the formation of M-S-H that reduces the porosity of treated HKMD.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background:
Si-Ni-San (SNS), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has potency against liver diseases, such as hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, ...the therapeutic efficacy and pharmacological mechanisms of action of SNS against liver fibrosis remain largely unclear.
Methods:
A carbon tetrachloride (CCl
4
)-induced liver fibrosis mouse model was adopted for the first time to investigate the beneficial effects of SNS on liver fibrosis. The potential mechanisms of action of SNS were explored using the network pharmacology-based strategy and validated with the aid of diverse assays.
Results:
SNS treatment reduced collagen and ECM deposition, downregulated fibrosis-related factor (hyaluronic acid and laminin) contents in serum, maintained the morphological structure of liver tissue, and improved liver function in the liver fibrosis model. Based on network pharmacology results, apoptosis, inflammation and angiogenesis, together with the associated pathways (including VEGF, TNF, caspase, PPAR-γ and NF-κB), were identified as the mechanisms underlying the effects of SNS on liver fibrosis. Further
in vivo
experiments validated the significant mitigatory effects of SNS on inflammatory infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine contents (IFNγ, IL-1β and TGF-β1) in liver tissues of mice with liver fibrosis. SNS suppressed pathologic neovascularization as well as levels of VEGFR1, VEGF and VEGFR2 in liver tissues. SNS treatment additionally inhibited hepatic parenchyma cell apoptosis in liver tissues of mice with liver fibrosis and regulated apoptin expression while protecting L02 cells against apoptosis induced by TNF-α and Act D
in vitro
. Activation of hepatic stellate cells was suppressed and the balance between MMP13 and TIMP1 maintained
in vitro
by SNS. These activities may be associated with SNS-induced NF-κB suppression and PPAR-γ activation.
Conclusion:
SNS effectively impedes liver fibrosis progression through alleviating inflammation, ECM accumulation, aberrant angiogenesis and apoptosis of hepatic parenchymal cells along with inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells through effects on multiple targets and may thus serve as a novel therapeutic regimen for this condition.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
9.
TRPM8: a potential target for cancer treatment Liu, Zhaoguo; Wu, Hongyan; Wei, Zhonghong ...
Journal of Cancer Research & Clinical Oncology,
09/2016, Volume:
142, Issue:
9
Journal Article, Book Review
Peer reviewed
Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel superfamily plays critical roles in variety of processes, including temperature perception, pain transduction, vasorelaxation, male fertility, and ...tumorigenesis. One of seven families within the TRP superfamily of ion channels, the melastatin, or TRPM family comprises a group of eight structurally and functionally diverse channels. Of all the members of TRPM subfamily, TRPM8 is the most notable one. A lot of literatures have demonstrated that transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) could perform a myriad of functions in vertebrates and invertebrates alike. In addition to its well-known function in cold sensation, TRPM8 has an emerging role in a variety of biological systems, including thermoregulation, cancer, bladder function, and asthma. Recent studies have shown that TRPM8 is necessary to the initiation and progression of tumors, and the aberrant expression of TRPM8 was found in varieties of tumors, such as prostate tumor, melanoma, breast adenocarcinoma, bladder cancer, and colorectal cancer, making it a novel molecular target potentially useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This review outlines our current understanding on the role of TRPM8 in occurrence and development of different kinds of tumor and also includes discussion about the regulation of TRPM8 during carcinogenesis as well as therapeutic potential of targeting TRPM8 in tumor, which may be utilized for a potential pharmacological use as a target for anti-cancer therapy.
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EMUNI, FZAB, GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Tumor cell extravasation across endothelial barrier has been recognized as a pivotal event in orchestrating metastasis formation. This event is initiated by the interactions of extravasating tumor ...cells with endothelial cells (ECs). Therefore, targeting the crosstalk between tumor cells and ECs might be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent metastasis. In this study, we demonstrated that Rh1, one of the main ingredients of ginseng, hindered the invasion of breast cancer (BC) cells as well as diminished the permeability of ECs both in vitro and in vivo, which was responsible for the attenuated tumor cell extravasation across endothelium. Noteworthily, we showed that ECs were capable of inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invadopodia of BC cells that are essential for tumor cell migration and invasion through limiting the nuclear translocation of hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX). The decreased nuclear HHEX paved the way for initiating the CCL20/CCR6 signaling axis, which in turn contributed to damaged endothelial junctions, uncovering a new crosstalk mode between tumor cells and ECs. Intriguingly, Rh1 inhibited the kinase activity of casein kinase II subunit alpha (CK2α) and further promoted the nuclear translocation of HHEX in the BC cells, which resulted in the disrupted crosstalk between chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) in the BC cells and chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 6 (CCR6) in the ECs. The prohibited CCL20-CCR6 axis by Rh1 enhanced vascular integrity and diminished tumor cell motility. Taken together, our data suggest that Rh1 serves as an effective natural CK2α inhibitor that can be further optimized to be a therapeutic agent for reducing tumor cell extravasation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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