Effect of pyrolysis temperature on the binding characteristics of DOM derived from livestock manure biochar with Cu(II).

Biochar-derived dissolved organic matter (BDOM) has the potential to influence the environmental application of biochar and the behavior of heavy metals. In this study, the binding properties of BDOM derived from livestock manure biochar at different pyrolysis temperatures with Cu(II) were investigated based on a multi-analytical approach. The results showed that the DOC concentration, aromatics, and humification degree of BDOM were higher in the process of low pyrolysis of biochar. The pyrolysis temperature changed the composition of BDOM functional groups, which affected the binding mechanism of BDOM-Cu(II). Briefly, humic-like and protein-like substances dominated BDOM-Cu(II) binding at low and high pyrolysis temperatures, respectively. The higher binding capacity for Cu(II) was exhibited by BDOM derived from the lower pyrolysis temperature, due to the carboxyl as the main binding site in humic acid had high content and binding ability at low-temperature. The amide in proteins only participated in the BDOM-Cu(II) binding at high pyrolysis temperature, and polysaccharides also played an important role in the binding process. Moreover, the biochar underwent the secondary reaction at certain high temperatures, which led to condensation reaction of the aromatic structure and the conversion of large molecules into small molecules, affecting the BDOM-Cu(II) binding sites.

New advances in clinical application of neostigmine: no longer focusing solely on increasing skeletal muscle strength.

Neostigmine is a clinical cholinesterase inhibitor, that is, commonly used to enhance the function of the cholinergic neuromuscular junction. Recent studies have shown that neostigmine regulates the immune-inflammatory response through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, affecting perioperative neurocognitive function. This article reviews the relevant research evidence over the past 20 years, intending to provide new perspectives and strategies for the clinical application of neostigmine.

Electrochemical sensing mechanism of ammonium ions over an Ag/TiO2 composite electrode modified by hematite.

Here, we demonstrate a new electrochemical sensing mechanism of ammonium ions (NH4+) involving a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and a hydrazine reaction. The NH4+ are electrooxidized to hydrazine by H2O2 derived from the ORR over a self-supporting Ag/TiO2 nanotube array composite electrode modified by hematite (Ag/Fe2O3/TNTs). The Ag/Fe2O3/TNT sensor exhibits a high sensitivity of 1876 µA mM-1 cm-2 with a detection limit of 0.18 µM under non-alkaline conditions, a short response time of 3 s, good reproducibility, and fine selectivity among various interferents, and is also successfully used in real water bodies to display high accuracy. Furthermore, this new mechanism has a certain universality in a range of Ag (main catalyst)/transition metal oxide (cocatalyst)/TNT sensing systems. This work offers a new design basis for the urgently needed electrochemical ammonia nitrogen sensors.

Interfacial Chemical Bond Modulation of Co3(PO4)2-MoO3-x Heterostructures for Alkaline Water/Seawater Splitting.

The development of a high current density with high energy conversion efficiency electrocatalyst is vital for large-scale industrial application of alkaline water splitting, particularly seawater splitting. Herein, we design a self-supporting Co3(PO4)2-MoO3-x/CoMoO4/NF superaerophobic electrode with a three-dimensional structure for high-performance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by a reasonable devise of possible "Co-O-Mo hybridization" on the interface. The "Co-O-Mo hybridization" interfaces induce charge transfer and generation of fresh oxygen vacancy active sites. Consequently, the unique heterostructures greatly facilitate the dissociation process of H2O molecules and enable efficient hydrogen spillover, leading to excellent HER performance with ultralow overpotentials (76 and 130 mV at 100 and 500 mA cm-2) and long-term durability of 100 h in an alkaline electrolyte. Theoretical calculations reveal that the Co3(PO4)2-MoO3-x/CoMoO4/NF promotes the adsorption/dissociation process of H2O molecules to play a crucial role in improving the stability and activity of HER. Our results exhibit that the HER activity of non-noble metal electrocatalysts can be greatly enhanced by rational interfacial chemical bonding to modulate the heterostructures.

Network pharmacology study of Citrus reticulata and Pinellia ternata in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

It has been recognized that Citrus reticulata and Pinellia ternata have a good therapeutic effect on NSCLC. However, the potential mechanism of C. reticulata and P. ternata in the treatment of NSCLC based on network pharmacology analysis is not clear. The "Drug-Component-Target-Disease" network was constructed by Cytoscape, and the protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING. Our study indicated that 18 active ingredients of C. reticulata and P. Ternata were screened from the TCMSP database, and 56 target genes of C. reticulata and P. Ternata for the treatment of NSCLC were identified, and we constructed the "Drug-Component-Target-Disease" network. In this study, we screened 56 PPI core genes to establish a PPI network. We concluded that the network pharmacology mechanism of the effect of C. reticulata and P. Ternata  on NSCLC may be closely related to the protein expressed by TP53, ESR1, FOS, NCOA3 and MAPK8, and these may play the therapeutic roles by regulating the IL-17 signaling pathway, antigen processing and presentation, microRNAs in cancer and endocrine resistance.

The comfort assessment in healthy adults during constant-flow mode in noninvasive ventilator.

BACKGROUND: From the point of view of machine construction and hydrodynamics, this paper innovatively proposes that the essence of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a constant-flow mode in noninvasive ventilator (NIVCFM). This study enrolled healthy adults as study subjects to assess the subjective comfort assessed by visual analog scoring scale of NIVCFM/HFNC and objective comfort measured by the noise level generated by NIVCFM/HFNC, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the rational clinical application of NIVCFM/HFNC. METHODS: Forty-four healthy adults participated in this study. The noise generated by NIVCFM/HFNC is measured, and the comfort is evaluated during NIVCFM delivery at flow rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 L/min. RESULTS: When the ventilator flow rate is 60 L/min, the maximum noise is 65.9 dB, increasing noise by 23.7 dB from a baseline of 42.2 dB at the flow rate of 0 L/min. There was a strong nonlinear positive correlation between the noise level and the flow rates. The median score for dry mouth, nose or throat, dysphagia, sore throat, and other discomfort was 0. The median score for dyspnea was 0 at 0-30 L/min, 1 at 35-55 L/min, and 2 at 60 L/min. CONCLUSIONS: The grater the flow rate, the greater the noise generated by NIVCFM/HFNC (<65.9 dB). The maximum flow rate that most healthy adults can able to tolerate is 30 L/min, and the main discomfort is dyspnea.

Use of polarized light microscopy is essential in the efficient diagnosis of respiratory amyloidosis and could decrease disease prevalence.

INTRODUCTION: Primary tracheobronchial amyloidosis (TBA) is a rare disease of unknown etiology, with a high misdiagnosis rate. The current gold standard diagnostic criteria require double-positive results for Congo red staining and polarized light microscopy examination. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present report was to examine the diagnostic value of polarized light microscopy in TBA diagnosis in China. METHODS: Thirteen cases from the Shandong University Qilu Hospital were reviewed. Polarized light microscopic examination was conducted after searching for cases with positive Congo red staining. RESULTS: Among the 13 patients, eight displayed yellow-green birefringence body with polarized light microscopic examination. This result indicated a false-positive rate of 38.5% with Congo red staining used as the single criteria for TBA diagnosis. After reviewing the Chinese literature and selecting 104 reported cases of TBA in China, we found that diagnosis with the gold standard was confirmed in <30% patients, which may lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. CONCLUSION: The universal use of polarized light microscopy in China is currently limited, and there is a big gap from the international diagnosis standards. There is a need to include polarized light microscopy in routine TBA diagnosis to reduce the misdiagnosis rate, and achieve optimal treatment.

A Biocompatible Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein Nano-System as a Probe for Lung Cancer Detection.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of cancer is critical and is expected to contribute significantly to the success of cancer therapy and improvement of patient survival rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A biocompatible, reconstituted, high-density lipoprotein (rHDL)-based nano-system containing calcium carbonate and near-infrared fluorescence dye (NIRF), methylene blue (MB), was fabricated and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, and morphology observation. The safety profile was confirmed by bovine serum albumin (BSA) challenge assay, hemolysis test, MTT assay, and in vivo long-term toxicity assay. The tumor targetability was assessed by cellular uptake, competitive inhibition experiments, and in vivo imaging assay. RESULTS: The self-assembled rHDL/MB/CCPs exhibited desirable and homogenous particle size, neutral surface charges, high bovine serum albumin stability, low hemolytic activity, and negligible cytotoxicity in vitro. The results obtained from confocal scanning laser microscopy and flow cytometry indicated that SR-BI coating exerted tumor-targeting function, which induced high and specific cellular uptake of rHDL/MB/CCPs. In vivo investigation in an A549 tumor xenografts-bearing mouse model revealed that rHDL/MB/CCPs possessed strong tumor targetability. CONCLUSIONS: rHDL/MB/CCPs could be a safe tumor-targeting probe for cancer detection.

Developing an effective therapeutic by delivery of synthetic microRNA-520e in lung cancer treatment.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can function as tumor suppressors and might provide an efficient strategy for annihilating cancer. Specific miRNAs can be reintroduced into tumor cells to complement the loss of tumor suppression activities. The "miRNA replacement therapy" is based on the concept that the reintroduction of miRNAs depleted in cancer cells reactivates cellular pathways that lead to therapeutic responses. Here, we report the development of miRNA delivery formulation using synthesized miR-520e. This formulation proved to be effective either locally or systematically. MiR-520e accumulation becomes evident in tumor cells and then exerts anti-proliferative function. Meanwhile, intravenous delivery of formulated miR-520e does not induce any deregulation in cytokine levels and liver enzymes. Taken together, our results shed new lights on the concept that systematic delivery of synthetic mimics for tumor suppressor miR-520e and provide potential implications for miRNA therapy in clinic.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome accompanied by pleural effusion: a case report and literature review.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the infiltration of lymphocytes in exocrine glands, specifically the salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in the typical symptoms of xerophthalmia and xerostomia. SS may be accompanied by pleural effusion when the lung is involved, but this occurrence has been reported in only 10 cases in the literature. We report the case of a 42 year-old woman with severe bilateral pleural effusion for eight years. Primary Sjögren's Syndrome was finally diagnosed based on the presence of xerophthalmia and xerostomia, biopsy of the minor salivary glands, and positive anti-SS-A antibody in the serum and pleural effusion. Biopsy of the parietal pleura through video-assisted thoracoscopy revealed infiltration of lymphocytes. The patient had a long history of pleural effusion without clear etiology. Malignant disease was first suspected because of abnormal density lesion on the left lung and malignant cells found on cytology, but PET-CT revealed no malignant lesion. Examinations did not support infection, malignant tumor, pulmonary sarcoidosis, or other connective tissue diseases. This data could be useful for the future study of pleural effusion in SS.

Mechanical loading promotes Lewis lung cancer cell growth through periostin.

Mechanical loading is known to trigger proliferation of tumor cells. Periostin is a new molecule found to increase in many cancers. To determine how mechanical strain modulates tumor growth and its possible mediation by periostin through TGF-beta1, Lewis lung cancer cells were cultured on flexible-bottomed culture plates and cyclically strained using Flexercell Strain Unit. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify periostin and TGF-beta1 mRNA levels at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h of loading. In addition, periostin and TGF-beta1 neutralizing antibodies were added to the medium. We showed that the proliferative ability of Lewis cancer cells was significantly increased by cyclical strain. This change can be blocked by 5 microg/ml of periostin neutralizing antibody. Periostin mRNA increased by 1.1-, 3.2-, 4.7-, and 9.2-fold while TGF-beta1 mRNA increased by 5.3-, 10.3-, 7.1-, and 6.5-fold at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h, respectively. Periostin protein in medium increased after cyclical strain. Expression of periostin mRNA in response to mechanical loading was completely blocked by 2.5 microg/ml of TGF-beta1 neutralizing antibody. In addition, overexpression of periostin in Lewis cells can promote cell proliferation. Our results suggest that periostin is a potent positive regulator of tumor growth in response to mechanical loading and is possibly a downstream factor of TGF-beta1.