What are the different biomolecules involved in the selective recovery of REEs from mining wastewater using FeNPs synthesized from two plant extracts?

Extracting rare earth elements (REEs) from wastewater is crucial for saving the environment, sustainable use of natural resources and economic growth. Reported here is a simple, low cost and one-step synthesis of Fe nanoparticles (FeNPs) based on two plant extracts having the ability to recover REEs. The synthesis of FeNPs using Excoecaria cochinchinensis leaves extract (Ec-FeNPs) exhibited high selectivity for heavy rare earth due to unique biomolecules, achieving separation coefficients (Kd) of 3.16 × 103-4.04 × 106 mL/g and recovery efficiencies ranging from 71.7 to 100 %. Conversely, the synthesis of FeNPs using Pinus massoniana lamb extract (PML-FeNPs) revealed poorer REE recovery efficiencies of 7.2-86.7 %. To understand the differences between Ec-FeNPs and PML-FeNPs in terms of selectivity and efficiency, LC-QTOF-MS served to analyze the biomolecules differences of two plant extracts. In addition, various types of characterization were carried out to identify the different functional groups encapsulated on the surface of FeNPs. These results reveal the source of the difference in the selectivity of Ec-FeNPs and PML-FeNPs for REEs. Furthermore, during DFT calculations, it was found that biomolecules with varying affinities for the surface of FeNPs interact with each other, leading to the formation of structures that exhibit high reactivity towards REEs. Finally, incorporating Spearman correlation analysis demonstrates that the selective removal efficiency of REEs was closely linked to surface complexation, ion exchange, and electrostatic adsorption. Consequently, this work strongly highlights the potential for the practical application of novel adsorbents in this field.

Microgripper Robot with End Electropermanent Magnet Collaborative Actuation.

Magnetic microgrippers, with their miniaturized size, flexible movement, untethered actuation, and programmable deformation, can perform tasks such as cell manipulation, targeted drug delivery, biopsy, and minimally invasive surgery in hard-to-reach regions. However, common external magnetic-field-driving devices suffer from low efficiency and utilization due to the significant size disparity with magnetic microgrippers. Here, we introduce a microgripper robot (MGR) driven by end electromagnetic and permanent magnet collaboration. The magnetic field generated by the microcoils can be amplified by the permanent magnets and the direction can be controlled by changing the current, allowing for precise control over the opening and closing of the magnetic microgripper and enhancing its operational range. Experimental results demonstrate that the MGR can be flexibly controlled in complex constrained environments and is highly adaptable for manipulating objects. Furthermore, the MGR can achieve planar and antigravity object grasping and transportation within complex simulated human cavity pathways. The MGR's grasping capabilities can also be extended to specialized tasks, such as circuit connection in confined spaces. The MGR combines the required safety and controllability for in vivo operations, making it suitable for potential clinical applications such as tumor or abnormal tissue sampling and surgical assistance.

Octopus-Inspired Soft Robot for Slow Drug Release.

Octopus tentacles are equipped with numerous suckers, wherein the muscles contract and expel air, creating a pressure difference. Subsequently, when the muscular tension is released, objects can be securely adhered to. This mechanism has been widely employed in the development of adhesive systems. However, most existing octopus-inspired structures are passive and static, lacking dynamic and controllable adhesive switching capabilities and excellent locomotion performance. Here, we present an octopus-inspired soft robot (OISR). Attracted by the magnetic gradient field, the suction cup structure inside the OISR can generate a strong adsorption force, producing dynamically controllable adsorption and separation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The experimental results show that the OISR has a variety of controllable locomotion behaviors, including quick scrolling and rolling motions, generating fast locomotion responses, rolling over gastric folds, and tumbling and swimming inside liquids. By carrying drugs that are absorbable by GI epithelial cells to target areas, the OISR enables continuous drug delivery at lesions or inflamed regions of the GI tract. This research may be a potential approach for achieving localized slow drug release within the GI tract.

Enhanced removal of Pb(II) from acid mine drainage using green reduced graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles.

Mining activities can potentially release high levels of Pb(II) in acid mine drainage (AMD), which thereafter poses a significant threat to ecological security. In this study, green reduced graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles (rGO/Ag NPs) were successfully synthesized via a one-step approach using a green tea extract and subsequently used as a cost-effective absorbent to remove Pb(II) from AMD. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that organic functional groups in the green tea extracts, such as C=O-C, CO, and CC, acted both as reductants and stabilizers in the synthesis of rGO/Ag NPs. In addition, the removal efficiency of Pb(II) by rGO/Ag NPs (84.2 %) was much better than either rGO (75.4 %) or Ag NPs (12.3 %) alone. Also, in real AMD, the distribution coefficient (Kd) of Pb(II) (4528 mL/g), was much higher than other heavy metal indicating the adsorbent had a high selective affinity for Pb(II). Interestingly, after five cycles of use, the removal efficiency of Pb(II) by rGO/Ag NPs from AMD actually increased from 46.4 to 65.2 % due to iron oxides (i.e., Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) being generated when rGO/Ag NPs was exposed to AMD. The removal of Pb(II) via adsorption on the rGO/Ag NPs surface involved formation of hexagonal rod-like precipitates. This work demonstrated the potential of rGO/Ag NPs to be continuously used for the removal of Pb(II) from AMD.

Kinetic and reactivity of gas-phase reaction of acyclic dienes with hydroxyl radical in the 273-318 K temperature range.

As dienes contain two C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds, theoretically, they are much more chemically reactive with hydroxyl radical (˙OH) than alkenes and alkanes, and the reaction with ˙OH is one of the main atmospheric degradation routes of dienes during the daytime. In our work, rate coefficients of three types of acyclic dienes: conjugated as 3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene (3M13PD), isolated as 1,4-hexadiene (14HD), and cumulated as 1,2-pentadiene (12PD) reaction with ˙OH were measured in the temperature range of 273-318 K and 1 atm using the relative rate method. At 298 ± 3 K, the rate coefficients for those reactions were determined to be k3M13PD+OH = (15.09 ± 0.72) × 10-11, k14HD+OH = (9.13 ± 0.62) × 10-11, k12PD+OH = (3.34 ± 0.40) × 10-11 (as units of cm3 per molecule per s), in the excellent agreement with values of previously reported. The first measured temperature dependence for 3M13PD, 14HD and 12PD reaction with ˙OH can be expressed by the following Arrhenius expressions in units of cm3 per molecule per s: k3M13PD+OH = (8.10 ± 2.23) × 10-11 exp[(173 ± 71)/T]; k14HD+OH = (9.82 ± 5.10) × 10-12 exp[(666 ± 123)/T]; k12PD+OH = (1.13 ± 0.87) × 10-12 exp[(1038 ± 167)/T] (as units of cm3 per molecule per s). The kinetic discussion revealed that the relative position between these two C[double bond, length as m-dash]C could significantly affect the reactivity of acyclic dienes toward ˙OH. A simple structure-activity relationship (SAR) method was proposed to estimate the reaction rate coefficients of acyclic dienes with ˙OH.

Clinical characteristics of adolescent-onset gout in Chinese: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescent-onset gout has a greater impact on the lives and health of patients than adult-onset gout. However, there is a relative lack of clinical information on adolescent-onset gout. Hence, we analyzed a Chinese cohort. METHODS: We studied clinical features of 9,003 Chinese patients. Gout onset age of 12 - 19 years is defined as adolescent-onset group (AG), 20 - 40 years as early-onset group (EG), and 41 - 64 years as late-onset group (LG). Multivariable regression analysis evaluated factors associated with recurrent flares, serum urate (SU) levels, and underexcretion type in AG. RESULTS: Compared with EG and LG, the AG had higher SU levels [AG: 9.5 (2.2) mg/dL, EG: 8.6 (2.1) mg/dL, LG: 7.73 (2.0) mg/dL, P < 0.001], higher percentage of positive family history of gout (AG: 41.8 %, EG: 29.6 %, LG: 24.6 %, P < 0.001), underexcretion type (AG: 62.4 %, EG: 62.5 %, LG: 58.8 %, P = 0.04), recurrent flares (AG: 78.1 %, EG: 70.3 %, LG: 68.9 %, P = 0.01). Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) initiated [OR 6.58 (95 % CI 1.35 - 32.00)] and hypercholesterolemia [OR 4.16 (95 % CI 1.28 - 13.53)] were associated with recurrent flares. eGFR was identified to be a significant variable of increasing SU levels [beta -0.24 (95 % CI -0.04 to -0.01)]. Hypertriglyceridemia [OR 0.35 (95 % CI 0.17 - 0.71)] was related to underexcretion type. CONCLUSION: Adolescent-onset gout patients had clinically distinctive features with higher SU levels, BMI, positive gout family history, underexcretion type and recurrent flares. These specific populations were less likely to achieve ULT target, requiring more clinical attention.

Changed mercury speciation in clouds driven by changing cloud water chemistry and impacts on photoreduction: Field evidence at Mt. Tai in eastern China.

Chemical speciation of mercury (Hg) in clouds largely determines the photochemistry of Hg in the atmosphere and consequently influences Hg deposition on the surface through precipitation. Cloud water chemistry has notably changed over the last decade in response to global changes, however, the effects on Hg speciation remain poorly understood. During summer 2021, we collected sixty cloud water samples at Mt. Tai in eastern China and compared the cloud chemistry and Hg speciation with our previous findings during summer 2015. The results showed that although there were no statistically significant differences in the concentrations of total Hg (THg), dissolved Hg (DHg), and particulate Hg (PHg), there was a distinct shift in DHg species from the predominated Hg-DOM (78.6% in 2015 campaign) to the more homogeneously distributed Hg(OH)2 (28.4% in 2021 campaign), HgBr2 (26.5%), Hg-DOM (17.3%) and HgBrOH (17.0%). Changes in cloud water chemistry, particularly the significant increase in pH values to 6.49 ± 0.27 and unexpectedly high levels of bromide ions (Br-, 0.19 ± 0.22 mg L-1), were found to drive the changing of Hg speciation by enhancing Hg(II) hydrolysis and binding by Br-. Elevated Br- originating primarily from the continent likely caused noticeable differences in the dominating DHg species between cloud water sourced from marine and continental regions. The changes in chemical speciation of DHg were estimated to result in a 2.6-fold decrease in Hg(II) photoreduction rate between 2015 and 2021 campaigns (0.178 ± 0.054 h-1 vs. 0.067 ± 0.027 h-1), implying a shortened lifetime of atmospheric Hg and increased ecological risks associated with Hg wet deposition.

Colchicine prophylaxis is associated with fewer gout flares after COVID-19 vaccination.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 vaccination often triggers a constellation of transitory inflammatory symptoms. Gout is associated with several comorbidities linked to poor outcomes in COVID-19, and gout flares can be triggered by some vaccinations. We analysed the risk of gout flares in the first 3 months after COVID-19 vaccination with inactivated virus, and whether colchicine can prevent gout flares following post-COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: A clinical delivery population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gout Clinic at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between February and October 2021. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique among follow-up patients with gout. We collected data, including vaccinations and potential risk factors, using a combination of interviews, health QR codes and medical records. Logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates. RESULTS: We enrolled 549 gout participants (median age 39 years, 84.2% vaccinated). For the 462 patients who received COVID-19 vaccine, 203 (43.9%) developed at least one gout flare in the 3 months after vaccination. Most of these flares were experienced within 1 month after the first (99/119 (83.2%)) or second (70/115 (60.9%)) dose of vaccine. Compared with unvaccinated participants, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with higher odds of gout flare within 3 months (adjusted OR 6.02; 95% CI 3.00 to 12.08). Colchicine use was associated with 47% less likelihood of postvaccine gout flare. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccination was associated with increased odds of gout flare, which developed mainly in month 1 after each vaccine dose, and was negatively associated with colchicine prophylaxis.

Dual-responsive drug release and fluorescence imaging based on disulfide-pillar[4]arene aggregate in cancer cells.

The construction of multistimuli-responsive nanoaggregate has become one of the increasingly significant research topics in supramolecular chemistry. We herein reported the pH- and glutathione dual-responsive supramolecular assemblies fabricated by the disulfide-containing pillar[4]arene and tetraphenylethylene derivatives possessing different alkyl chains in length. Morphological characterization experiments showed the binary supramolecular assemblies formed well-defined nanoparticles, which could facilitate their endocytosis in cells. More remarkably, due to the compact nanostructures and the existence of acidifiable carboxyl group and bioreducible disulfide linkage in pillar[4]arene, the obtained nanoaggregates presented high drug-loading efficiency and sustained drug release behaviors, as well as the targeted fluorescence imaging ability in cancer cells. Thus, it can be envisioned that such microenvironment-adaptable supramolecular nanoassemblies featuring dual stimuli-responsiveness and fluorescence-imaging abilities may be developed as more appealing nanosystems for the therapy of refractory disease.

Mutational Analysis of Mitochondrial tRNA Genes in 200 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies showed that variants in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the relationships between mitochondrial tRNA (mt-tRNA) variants and T2DM remain poorly understood. METHODS: In this study, we performed a mutational screening of 22 mt-tRNA genes in a cohort of 200 Han Chinese subjects with T2DM and 200 control subjects through PCR-Sanger sequencing. The identified mt-tRNA variants were assessed for their pathogenicity via the phylogenetic approach, structural and functional analysis. Furthermore, two Han Chinese pedigrees with maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) were reported by clinical and genetic assessments. RESULTS: A total of 49 genetic variants in mt-tRNA genes were identified; among them, 31 variants (17 pathogenic/likely pathogenic) were absent in controls, located at extremely conserved nucleotides, may have potential structural and functional significance, thereby considered to be T2DM-associated variants. In addition, sequence analysis of entire mitochondrial genomes of the matrilineal relatives from two MIDD pedigrees revealed the occurrence of tRNALeu(UUR) A3243G and T3290C mutations, as well as sets of polymorphisms belonging to mitochondrial haplogroups F2 and D4. However, the lack of any functional variants in connexin 26 gene (GJB2) and tRNA 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridylate (TRMU) suggested that nuclear genes may not play active roles in clinical expression of MIDD in these pedigrees. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that mt-tRNA variants were associated with T2DM, screening for mt-tRNA pathogenic mutations was recommended for early detection and prevention of mitochondrial diabetes.

Preparation, optimization and reusability of immobilized petroleum-degrading bacteria.

In the remediation of marine pollution, it is important to effectively degrade pollutants and reuse petroleum-degrading bacteria. In order to obtain more effective biodegradability and reusability, an immobilized bacteria combination with petroleum-degrading bacteria, sodium alginate (SA) and biochar by adsorption-embedding method was systematically analysed. The results indicated that the immobilized bacteria had good mechanical properties and the degradation rate was 51% when the straw (CS) was 3%, the SA and CaCl2 were 4.5% and 6%, respectively. Besides, SA-CS-DM-PVA has the highest degradation rate and the lowest broken rate, above 51% and below 6.1% respectively. The optimum dosage of the modified immobilized bacteria was 132, degradation time was 5d, and reuse frequency was 4 times. Moreover, immobilized bacteria characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), results showed that there were more pores on the surface after degradation, and the carrier was exposed. Therefore, the modified immobilized bacteria with good degradability and reusability, have good application prospects in the treatment of marine oil pollution.

LncRNA MEG3 has anti-activity effects of cervical cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explain the lncRNA MEG3 had anti-cancer effects to suppress cervical carcinoma biological activity. METHODS: The Hela cell were divided into three groups (NC group,BL group and lncRNA group). The cells of lncRNA or BL groups were transfered with lncRNA MEG3 or blank carrier. Evaluating the cell proliferation rate of difference groups by MTT assay; measuring the cell apoptosis and cell cycle of difference groups' cell by flow-cytometry; the cell invasion activity of difference groups were measured by transwell assay, the cell migration ability of difference groups were evaluated by wound healing testing. Measuring the relative gene expressions (PI3K, AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9, Bcl-2, Bax and P21) and protein expressions (PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9, Bcl-2, Bax and P21) by RT-PCR or WB assay. RESULTS: Compared with NC group, The cell proliferation rate of lncRNA group was significantly reduced (P<0.05) and the cell apoptosis and G1 phase were significantly increased (P<0.05, respectively). The invasion cell of lncRNA MEG3 group were significantly difference compared with NC group (P<0.05), and the wound healing rate of lncRNA MEG3 group was significantly shorter than NC group (P<0.05). The PI3K, AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Bcl-2 gene expression of lncRNA group were significanlty down-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively), and Bax and P21 gene expression of lncRNA group were significantly up-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively) by RT-PCR testing. The PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Bcl-2 protein expression of lncRNA group were significanlty down-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively), and Bax and P21 protein expression of lncRNA group were significantly up-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively) by WB assay. CONCLUSION: The lncRNA MEG3 had effects to supress cervical cancer by regulation PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2/Bax/P21 and PI3K/AKT/MMP-2/9 signaling pathway.

Cultivation of Scenedesmus dimorphus for C/N/P removal and lipid production

Background CO2 emission, water pollution and petroleum shortage are the issues coming with the development of industry. A cost effective system was constructed to fix the CO2 in flue gas (15% CO2), remove nitrogen and phosphorus from manure wastewater and produce biofuels at the same time. The significant cultivation conditions were selected by Plackett-Burman design, and then optimized with central composite design. Results Optimum culture condition was predicted at light intensity of 238 µmol·m- 2·s- 1, TN of 152 mg·L- 1, inoculum density of 0.3 g·L- 1, under which the measured CO2 fixation rate, total nitrogen and phosphorus removing rate, and lipid content were 638.13 mg·L- 1·d- 1, 88.16%, 73.98% and 11.9%, respectively. The lipid content was then enhanced to 24.2% by a nitrogen starvation strategy. Conclusion A cultivation strategy was suggested to achieve effective C/N/P removal from flue gas and manure wastewater, and meanwhile obtained high lipid content from microalgal biomass.

Baicaleininhibits VSMCs proliferation via regulating LncRNAAK021954 gene expression.

Atherosclerosis is responsible for the global medical burden of cardiovascular diseases, of which the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a key role in the development. Recent evidences demonstrated that baicalein could attenuate the proliferation of VSMCs and had no influence on VSMCs migration. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of baicalein inhibiting the proliferation of VSMCs were not clear. In this study, we investigated the viability and apoptosis behaviour of VSMCs and its downstream molecular changes with exposed to different dose of baicalein. Firstly, we observed significant reducing in the VSMCs proliferation and decreasing of FGF18 expression in a dose dependent manner after addition of baicalein for 24 h and 72 h. Moreover, the mRNA expression profile of VSMCs after treatments was evaluated by microarray analysis. Microarray analysis showed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AK021954 gene expression was significantly increased in the baicalein treated group compared with the control group. Inversely, the VSMCs proliferation showed a notable increase after small silent RNA of lncRNAAK021954 treatment. These results indicated that lncRNAAK021954 gene and FGF18 involved in baicalein inhibiting the proliferation of VSMCs. It may provide a promising method in treatment of atherosclerosis.

Rs5498 polymorphism may be a risk factor for coronary heart disease in Chinese population: evidence from a meta-analysis involving 5537 subjects.

Despite large numbers of studies from Chinese population related to the association between rs5498 polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, the results are inconsistent probably due to the difference in the nationalities. To further evaluate the impact of the rs5498 polymorphism on CHD risk of different nationalities population, we performed this meta-analysis. We comprehensively searched the eligible studies for the present meta-analysis through China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, EMBASE databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained to evaluate the strength of the association between rs5498 polymorphism and CHD risk. Finally, a total of 18 studies including 5537 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The pooled result showed that the rs5498 polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of CHD in allele comparison model (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.17-1.73, P=0.000), homozygote model (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.03-1.46, P=0.000), heterozygote model (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.03-1.46, P=0.018), dominant model (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.21-1.74, P=0.001) and recessive model (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.70-2.77, P=0.002). But subgroup analysis only supported the results from data of Han and Zhuang population in South China and North China. We did not find any evidences revealing some relationship between them in the Uygur population of Northwest China. Totally, the results of our meta-analysis indicate that the rs5498 polymorphism may be associated with coronary heart disease in Han and Zhuang population but not in Uyghur population. A large number of well-designed and multiracial studies should be conducted to re-evaluate the relationship.

Adsorption of surfactants on a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain and the effect on cell surface lypohydrophilic property.

The adsorption behavior of five surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), Triton X-100, Tween 80, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and rhamnolipid, on a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain and the effect of temperature and ionic strength (IS) on the adsorption were studied. The change of cell surface lypohydrophilic property caused by surfactant adsorption was also investigated. The results showed that the adsorption kinetics of the surfactants on the cell followed the second-order law. CTAB adsorption was the fastest one under the experimental conditions, and it took longest for SDS adsorption to equilibrate because of electric repulsion. The adsorption of Triton X-100 and Tween 80 was characterized by short equilibration time, and rhamnolipid adsorption reached equilibrium in about 90 min. The adsorption isotherms of all the surfactants on the bacterium fitted Freundlich equation well, but the adsorption capacity and mode were variations for the surfactants as indicated by k and n parameters in the equations. The adsorption mode for all the surfactants except SDS is probably hydrophilic interaction because the adsorption totally turned the cell surface to be more hydrophobic. Neither the temperature nor the IS had significant effect on CTAB adsorption, but higher IS significantly enhanced SDS adsorption and modestly strengthened adsorption of Triton X-100, Tween 80, and rhamnolipid. Higher temperature strengthened adsorption of SDS but weakened the adsorption of Triton X-100, Tween 80, and rhamnolipid.