Exploration of the potential association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidal or self-injurious behaviors: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database.

BACKGROUND: Establishing whether there is a potential relationship between glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and suicidal or self-injurious behaviors (SSIBs) is crucial for public safety. This study investigated the potential association between GLP-1RAs and SSIBs by exploring the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. METHODS: A disproportionality analysis was conducted using post-marketing data from the FAERS repository (2018 Q1 to 2022 Q4). SSIB cases associated with GLP-1RAs were identified and analyzed through disproportionality analysis using the information component. The parametric distribution with a goodness-of-fit test was employed to analyze the time-to-onset, and the Ω shrinkage was used to evaluate the potential effect of co-medication on the occurrence of SSIBs. RESULTS: In total, 204 cases of SSIBs associated with GLP-1RAs, including semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and albiglutide, were identified in the FAERS database. Time-of-onset analysis revealed no consistent mechanism for the latency of SSIBs in patients receiving GLP-1RAs. The disproportionality analysis did not indicate an association between GLP-1RAs and SSIBs. Co-medication analysis revealed 81 cases with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines, which may be proxies of mental health comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: We found no signal of disproportionate reporting of an association between GLP-1RA use and SSIBs. Clinicians need to maintain heightened vigilance on patients premedicated with neuropsychotropic drugs. This contributes to the greater acceptance of GLP-1RAs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity.

Decreasing of serine/threonine kinase 39 has tumour inhibiting effects on acute myeloid leukaemia by impacting the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/ß-catenin signalling cascades.

Serine/threonine kinase 39 (STK39) has been identified as a key regulator of tumour progression. However, whether STK39 plays a role in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains undetermined. This work explored the expression and functions of STK39 in AML. STK39 was found to be overexpressed in AML and was negatively correlated with overall survival. Functionally, silencing STK39 inhibited cell proliferation, promoted cell differentiation and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The tumour inhibiting effects of STK39 downregulation were also verified by an in vivo xenograft tumour assay. Mechanistically, STK39 was closely related to the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/ß-catenin signalling cascades in AML. Silencing of STK39 had suppressive effects on the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/ß-catenin signalling cascades. The suppressive effect of STK39 silencing on the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling cascade was significantly reversed when PI3K/AKT was reactivated. When ß-catenin was re-expressed, the tumour-inhibiting effects caused by STK39 silencing were significantly eliminated. Therefore, STK39 plays a crucial role in AML and could be targeted for potential therapeutic purposes in treating AML.

Effects of straw returning combined with blended controlled-release urea fertilizer on crop yields, greenhouse gas emissions, and net ecosystem economic benefits: A nine-year field trial.

Although straw returning combined with blended controlled-release urea fertilizer (BUFS) has been shown to improve wheat-maize rotation system productivity, their effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon footprints (CF), and net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB) are still unknown. Life cycle assessment was used to investigate a long-term (2013-2022) wheat-maize rotation experiment that included straw combined with two N fertilizer types [BUFS and (conventional urea fertilizer) CUFS] and straw-free treatments (BUF and CUF). The results showed that BUFS and CUFS treatments increased the annual yield by 13.8% and 11.5%, respectively, compared to BUF and CUF treatments. The BUFS treatment increased the yearly yield by 13.8% compared to the CUFS treatment. Since BUFS and CUFS treatments increased soil organic carbon (SOC) sink sequestration by 25.0% and 27.0% compared to BUF and CUF treatments, they reduced annual GHG emissions by 7.1% and 4.7% and CF per unit of yield (CFY) by 13.7% and 9.6%, respectively. BUFS treatment also increased SOC sink sequestration by 20.3%, reduced GHG emissions by 10.7% and CFY by 23.0% compared to CUFS treatment. It is worth noting that the BUFS and CUFS treatments increased the annual ecological costs by 41.6%, 26.9%, and health costs by 70.1% and 46.7% compared to the BUF and CUF treatments, but also increased the net yield benefits by 9.8%, 6.8%, and the soil nutrient cycling values by 29.2%, 27.3%, and finally improved the NEEB by 10.1%, 7.3%, respectively. Similar results were obtained for the BUFS treatment compared to the CUFS treatment, ultimately improving the NEEB by 23.1%. Based on assessing yield, GHG emissions, CF, and NEEB indicators, the BUFS treatment is recommended as an ideal agricultural fertilization model to promote sustainable and clean production in the wheat-maize rotation system and to protect the agroecological environment.

CaMKK2 alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation via the action on the AMPK-AKT-GSK-3ß/Nrf2 signaling cascade.

OBJECTIVE: Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) can regulate numerous biological processes and is implicated in diverse pathological processes. Yet its role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury remains unknown. This project explored the possible functions and mechanisms of CaMKK2 in MI/R injury. METHODS: A rat model of MI/R in vivo was established using the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation method. Rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in vitro to establish a cell model. Overexpression of CaMKK2 was achieved by infecting recombinant adeno-associated virus or adenovirus expressing CaMKK2. Real-time quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, TTC staining, TUNEL assay, ELISA, oxidative stress detection assays, flow cytometry, and CCK-8 assay were carried out. RESULTS: A decline in CaMKK2 levels was induced by MI/R in vivo or H/R in vitro. Up-modulation of CaMKK2 in rats ameliorated the cardiac injury evoked by MI/R injury accompanied by suppression of cardiac apoptosis, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory response. Rat cardiomyocytes with CaMKK2 overexpression were also protected from H/R damage by inhibiting apoptosis, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory response. CaMKK2 overexpression led to increased phosphorylation of AMPK, AKT, and GSK-3ß, and enhanced activation of Nrf2 under MI/R or H/R conditions. Inhibition of AMPK abolished CaMKK2-mediated Nrf2 activation and relevant cardioprotective effect. Restraint of Nrf2 also diminished CaMKK2-mediated relevant cardioprotective effect. CONCLUSIONS: Up-regulation of CaMKK2 provides a therapeutic benefit in the rat model of MI/R injury by boosting the Nrf2 pathway through regulation of AMPK/AKT/GSK-3ß, which suggests CaMKK2 as a new molecular target for the treatment of MI/R injury.

New insights into the function of lipid droplet-related proteins and lipid metabolism of salt-stimulated porcine biceps femoris: label-free quantitative phosphoproteomics, morphometry and bioinformatics.

BACKGROUND: Lipid droplets (LDs) are important multifunctional organelles responsible for lipid metabolism of postmortem muscle. However, the dynamics in their building blocks (cores and layers) and phosphorylation of lipid droplet-related proteins (LDRPs) regulating meat lipolysis remain unknown at salt-stimulated conditions. RESULTS: LDRPs extracted from cured porcine biceps femoris (1% and 3% salt) were subjected to label-free quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis and LDs morphological validation. Results indicated that 3% salt curing significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) content with increase in glycerol and decrease in LDs fluorescence compared to 1% salt curing. Comparative phosphoproteomics showed that there were significant changes in phosphorylation at 386 sites on 174 LDRPs between assayed groups (P < 0.05). These differential proteins were mainly involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Curing of 3% salt induced more site-specific phosphorylation of perilipin 1 (PLIN1, at Ser81) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL, at Ser399) than 1%, whereas the phosphorylation (at Ser600) of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was up-regulated. Ultrastructure imaging showed that LDs were mostly associated with mitochondria, and the average diameter of LDs decreased from 2.34 µm (1% salt) to 1.73 µm (3% salt). CONCLUSION: Phosphoproteomics unraveled salt-stimulated LDRPs phosphorylation of cured porcine meat provoked intensified lipolysis. Curing of 3% salt allowed an enhanced lipolysis than 1% by up-regulating the phosphorylation sites of LDRPs and recruited lipases. The visible splitting of LDs, together with sarcoplasmic disorganization, supported the lipolysis robustness following 3% salt curing. The finding provides optimization ideas for high-quality production of cured meat products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 contributes to hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress of cardiomyocytes via miR-130a-3p/ZNF791 axis.

It has been reported that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) played an important role in myocardial infarction (MI). However, the regulatory network behind KCNQ1OT1 in MI is largely unknown. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to detect the enrichment of KCNQ1OT1, microRNA-130a-3p (miR-130a-3p) and zinc finger 791 (ZNF791). The viability and apoptosis of AC16 cells were measured by (4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to assess the inflammation and oxidative stress status of AC16 cells. The targeted relationship between miR-130a-3p and KCNQ1OT1 or ZNF791 was predicted by StarBase bioinformatic database, and dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were carried out to verify these predictions. Hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) stimulation caused a significant upregulation in the expression of KCNQ1OT1, while the level of miR-130a-3p showed an opposite phenomenon. KCNQ1OT1 was a crucial downstream component in H2 O2 -mediated toxic effects, and KCNQ1OT1 accelerated H2 O2 -induced toxic effects in AC16 cells. KCNQ1OT1 could sponge miR-130a-3p and down-regulate its expression. MiR-130a-3p exerted opposite effects to KCNQ1OT1, and the depletion of miR-130a-3p attenuated the protective effects of KCNQ1OT1 intervention on AC16 cells exposed to H2 O2 . MiR-130a-3p could bind to ZNF791, and ZNF791 served as the target of miR-130a-3p to promote H2 O2 -induced injury of AC16 cells. ZNF791 was modulated by KCNQ1OT1/miR-130a-3p signaling in H2 O2 -treated AC16 cells. In all, lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 deteriorated H2 O2 -mediated injury in cardiomyocytes through upregulating ZNF791 via serving as a molecular sponge for miR-130a-3p.

Circ_CHFR Promotes Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB-Induced Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via the miR-149-5p/NRP2 Axis.

ABSTRACT: Circular RNA checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (circ_CHFR) were reported to regulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction during atherosclerosis (AS). However, the molecule mechanism of circ_CHFR in AS remains largely unclear. Human VSMCs (HVSMCs) were exposed to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) in vitro. Levels of circ_CHFR, microRNA (miR)-149-5p, and neuropilin 2 (NRP2) were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were analyzed using cell counting kit-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays. The binding interaction between miR-149-5p and circ_CHFR or NRP2 was investigated using the dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Circ_CHFR was elevated in PDGF-BB-induced HVSMCs in a dose-independent manner. Silencing of circ_CHFR reversed PDGF-BB-evoked promotion of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as suppression of cell apoptosis in HVSMCs. Mechanistically, circ_CHFR directly bound to miR-149-5p, and miR-149-5p inhibition attenuated the effects of circ_CHFR knockdown on PDGF-BB-induced HVSMCs. Besides, NRP2 was confirmed to be a target of miR-149-5p, and circ_CHFR could regulate NRP2 expression through sponging miR-149-5p. Moreover, miR-149-5p overexpression abolished PDGF-BB-triggered enhancement of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting NRP2. Circ_CHFR promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PDGF-BB-induced HVSMCs through miR-149-5p/NRP2 axis, providing a new insight into the pathogenesis of AS and a potential therapeutic target for AS treatment.

SOSTDC1 acts as a tumor inhibitor in acute myeloid leukemia by downregulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Sclerostin domain-containing 1 (SOSTDC1) has been documented as a key tumor-associated protein that is differentially expressed in multiple malignancies. However, the function of SOSTDC1 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is unexplored. The goal of this work was to assess the possible role of SOSTDC1 in AML. Our data showed decreased SOSTDC1 level in bone marrow from AML patients, and patients with low levels of SOSTDC1 had a reduced survival rate. SOSTC1 upregulation restrained the proliferative ability and promoted the apoptotic rate of AML cells. SOSTDC1 suppressed the activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in AML cells. Reactivation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway reversed SOSTDC1-mediated antitumor effects. SOSTDC1 upregulation weakened the tumorigenicity of AML cells in vivo. Collectively, our work demonstrates that SOSTDC1 has a tumor-inhibiting role in AML via downregulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. This work underscores a key function for the SOSTDC1/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in AML.

LncRNA SNHG1 contributes to the regulation of acute myeloid leukemia cell growth by modulating miR-489-3p/SOX12/Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) is a critical regulator for the development and progression of multiple tumors. Yet, the role of SNHG1 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is unknown. The present study demonstrated that SNHG1 expression was upregulated in AML. SNHG1 silencing markedly repressed AML cell growth, whereas SNHG1 overexpression had the opposite effect. MicroRNA-489-3p (miR-489-3p) was identified as a SNHG1-targeting miRNA. SNHG1 knockdown increased miR-489-3p expression. Low expression of miR-489-3p was correlated with high expression of SNHG1 in AML tissues. miR-489-3p overexpression restricted AML cell growth, and SRY-related high-mobility-group box 12 (SOX12) was identified as a miR-489-3p-targeting gene. SNHG1 inhibition or miR-489-3p overexpression inactivated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling through downregulation of SOX12. SOX12 overexpression partially reversed the SNHG1 knockdown- or miR-489-3p overexpression-mediated effects. Taken together, these data indicate that suppression of SNHG1 downregulates AML cell growth by inactivating SOX12/Wnt/ß-catenin signaling via upregulating miR-489-3p.

Optomechanical design and simulation of a cryogenic infrared spectrometer.

To continuously monitor, identify, and classify a wide range of areas all day and satisfy the hyperspectral remote sensing requirements in disaster reduction, environment, agriculture, forestry, marine, and resource areas, the authors participated in a pre-research program for full spectrum hyperspectral detection in geostationary orbit. As part of the program, the authors designed a cryogenic infrared spectrometer working at the diffraction limit. Such spectrometer complied with prism dispersion, exhibiting a 120 mm long slit, 2.5-5 µm band range, and 50 nm minimum spectral resolution. The spectrometer should overtake a temperature variation of 143 K for its assembly temperature at 293 K and the working temperature at 150 K. Low-temperature invar and carbon fiber were adopted as the framework material. The spectrometer was composed of two reflective Zerodur mirrors and one CaF2 Fery prism. Compensation mounts were developed for the reflective mirrors, while a spring-loaded autocentering cryogenic lens mount was designed for a CaF2 prism. CaF2 material exhibits a large linear expansion coefficient, making its mount difficult to design. The alignment requirements of the system were described, and the calculations that ensure the lenses undergo both appropriate stresses and temperature differences were presented. Structural thermal optical performance analysis was also conducted to assess the degradation in optical performance caused by temperature variation to verify the overall optomechanical design.

Design of a compact hyperspectral imaging spectrometer with a freeform surface based on anastigmatism.

Hyperspectral imaging spectrometers with a wide field of view (FoV) have significant application values. However, enhancing the FoV will increase the volume of the imaging spectrometer and reduce the imaging quality, so a wide-FoV spectrometer system is difficult to design. Based on the theory of off-axis astigmatism, we present a method that includes a "prism box," "partial anastigmatism," and a partial differential equation to solve the parameters of a freeform surface. In this method, a compact wide-FoV imaging spectrometer with a freeform surface is designed. The spectrometer is an Offner structure with two curved prisms as the dispersion elements. The primary mirror and tertiary mirror of the Offner spectrometer are an aspheric surface and a freeform surface, respectively, to correct the off-axis aberration of a wide FoV. The ratio of the slit length to the total length of the spectrometer is close to 0.4. In comparison to conventional spectrometers of the same specifications, the total length of the spectrometer is reduced by 40% and the volume by 70%. The compact imaging spectrometer has potential application in the field of space remote sensing. In addition, the design method of the spectrometer provides a reference for the design of other optical systems with freeform surfaces.

Stage-specific functional relationships between Tub1 and Tub2 beta-tubulins in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum.

The filamentous ascomycete Fusarium graminearum contains two ß-tubulin genes TUB1 and TUB2 that differ in functions during vegetative growth and sexual reproduction. To further characterize their functional relationship, in this study we determined the co-localization of Tub1 and Tub2 and assayed their expression levels in different mutants and roles in DON production. Tub1 co-localized with Tub2 to the same regions of microtubules in conidia, hyphae, and ascospores. Whereas deletion of TUB1 had no obvious effect on the transcription of TUB2 and two α-tubulin genes (TUB4 and TUB5), the tub2 mutant was up-regulated in TUB1 transcription. To assay their protein expression levels, polyclonal antibodies that could specifically detect four α- and ß-tubulin proteins were generated. Western blot analyses showed that the abundance of Tub1 proteins was increased in tub2 but reduced in tub4 and tub5 mutants. Interestingly, protein expression of Tub4 and Tub5 was decreased in the tub1 mutant in comparison with the wild type, despite a lack of obvious changes in their transcription. In contrast, deletion of TUB2 had no effect on translation of TUB4 and TUB5. Ectopic expression of Tub2-mCherry partially recovered the growth defect of the tub1 mutant but did not rescue its defect in sexual reproduction. Expression of Tub1-GFP in the tub2 mutant also partially rescued its defects in vegetative growth, suggesting that disturbance in the balance of α- and ß-tubulins contributes to mutant defects. The tub2 but not tub1 mutant was almost blocked in DON biosynthesis. Expression of TRI genes, toxisome formation, and DON-related cellular differentiation were significantly reduced in the tub2 mutant. Overall, our results showed that Tub1 and Tub2 share similar subcellular localization and have overlapping functions during vegetative growth but they differ in functions in DON production and ascosporogenesis in F. graminearum.

Effect of the Modifications on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of ß-Glucan-A Critical Review.

ß-Glucan exhibits many biological activities and functions such as stimulation of the immune system and anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-infective, anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-coagulant, cholesterol-lowering, radio protective, and wound healing effects. It has a wide variety of uses in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical industries as well as in food processing units. However, due to its dense triple helix structure, formed by the interaction of polyhydroxy groups in the ß-d-glucan molecule, it features poor solubility, which not only constrains its applications, but also inhibits its physiological function in vivo. One aim is to expand the applications for modified ß-glucan with potential to prevent disease, various therapeutic purposes and as health-improving ingredients in functional foods and cosmetics. This review introduces the major modification methods required to understand the bioactivity of ß-glucan and critically provides a literature survey on the structural features of this molecule and reported biological activity. We also discuss a new method to create novel opportunities to exploit maximally various properties of ß-glucan, namely ultrasound-assisted enzymatic modification.

Investigation of a novel biomarker, neuropilin-1, and its application for poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia patients.

According to the previous studies, numerous biomarkers impact on the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the prediction for AML had been improved tremendously in the past decades. However, accurate risk-stratification at diagnosis or prognosis remained difficult. In order to further investigate the prognosis evaluation biomarker, the transcription or expression of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) in 87 AML patients and 32 non-malignant controls were examined. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the NRP-1 expression. Clinical data were collected and analyzed for the 87 AML patients. The results indicated that high NRP-1 expression discriminated the complete remission (CR) rate of AML patients (22.12 % vs. 68.04 % for AML, P < 0.01). De novo AML patients tended to express higher NRP-1 proteins than relapsed AML patients. The overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate of the high NRP-1 expression patients decreased significantly compared with the low NRP-1 expression patients (P < 0.001). NRP-1 was revealed to be an independent risk factor for OS in AML (P = 0.003). In conclusion, NRP-1 could predict the shorter OS and RFS rate, and also related with the CR response in AML. Therefore, NRP-1 may act as a more aggressive and promising predictor for the poor prognosis of AML.

Acute effects of athletic taping on arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to explore the acute effects of athletic taping techniques on foot arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot (FFT). METHODS: Twenty young female adults with FFT were recruited in the current study. Each participant was randomly divided into two taping groups, namely, augmented low-dye (ALD) and modified low-dye (MLD). The foot arch deformity and plantar pressure were measured at baseline, after taping and after 20 min of walking. The foot arch deformity was determined based on navicular drop distance (NDD) and resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP). RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the NDD values were significantly lower after taping. After 20 min of walking, ALD taping resulted in a lower NDD value than MLD (p < 0.001). ALD maintained a higher RCSP than baseline after 20 min of walking (p = 0.004). Furthermore, compared with baseline, medial midfoot force-time integration (p = 0.013) and contact area (p = 0.022) increased after taping with MLD, and peak pressure in the medial midfoot increased after walking for 20 min with MLD (p = 0.026). Peak pressure in the second to fifth toes significantly decreased after 20 min of walking with ALD compared with that after taping immediately (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: ALD and MLD taping could improve FFT arch deformity and plantar pressure distribution, prospectively changing peak pressure of the second to fifth toe area and medial midfoot after 20 min of walking, integrated contact area and force-time integration medial midfoot during walking in young female adults. Furthermore, ALD taping could improve FFT deformity more than using MLD after 20 min of walking. Thus, when treating FFT in young female adults, ALD taping should be considered adaptively to guide arch support production and correct midfoot pronation.

From Polyester Plastics to Diverse Monomers via Low-Energy Upcycling.

Polyester plastics, constituting over 10% of the total plastic production, are widely used in packaging, fiber, single-use beverage bottles, etc. However, their current depolymerization processes face challenges such as non-broad spectrum recyclability, lack of diversified high-value-added depolymerization products, and crucially high energy consumption. Herein, an efficient strategy is developed for dismantling the compact structure of polyester plastics to achieve diverse monomer recovery. Polyester plastics undergo swelling and decrystallization with a low depolymerization energy barrier via synergistic effects of polyfluorine/hydrogen bonding, which is further demonstrated via density functional theory calculations. The swelling process is elucidated through scanning electron microscopy analysis. Obvious destruction of the crystalline region is demonstrated through X-ray crystal diffractometry curves. PET undergoes different aminolysis efficiently, yielding nine corresponding high-value-added monomers via low-energy upcycling. Furthermore, four types of polyester plastics and five types of blended polyester plastics are closed-loop recycled, affording diverse monomers with exceeding 90% yields. Kilogram-scale depolymerization of real polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste plastics is successfully achieved with a 96% yield.

Adsorption of phosphate onto agricultural waste biochars with ferrite/manganese modified-ball-milled treatment and its reuse in saline soil.

Agricultural waste biochar was widely used to absorb phosphorus (P) from eutrophicated water and soil remediation. However, the research on the reuse of the sorbed P on biochar in infertile saline soil is insufficient. Biochars derived from four kinds of agricultural wastes (cotton straws from two origins, maize stalk, and rice husk) were modified and applied to adsorb phosphate in waste water and then be reused in saline soil in this study. The co-modified method combining ball milling and metal coated treatment obtained the higher specific surface area (SSA) of ferrite/manganese modified-ball-milled biochars (Fe/Mn-BMBCs) (226.5-331.5 m2 g-1) than that of pristine biochars (14.02-30.35 m2 g-1) and ferrite/manganese modified biochar (Fe/Mn-BC) (223.7 m2 g-1), which could improve the pore structure of metal modified biochar. The phosphate adsorption capacity (qmax) of Fe/Mn-BMBCs with rich functional groups and high SSA were 44.0-53.8 mg g-1, which was 4.47-5.82 times higher than that of pristine biochars. Fe/Mn-BMBCs showed efficiently adsorption performance at low pH and high temperature. The application of BC to saline soil could promote the availability of P in saline soil. P-loaded biochars could afford P as a nutrient to promote the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in saline soil. The lettuce fresh weight in Fe/Mn-BMBC-P2 treated soil was 8.21 times higher than that grew in control check (CK) treatment. As a P element provider, P-loaded biochars not only improve saline soil fertility and crop productivity, but also convert the agricultural wastes and P in eutrophicated waters to the sustainable resource.

Excessive free radical grafting interferes with the macromolecular association and crystallization of brined porcine myofibrils during heat-set gelatinization.

Free radical grafting and oxidative modification show superiority in myofibrillar protein (MP) aggregation patterns during salting process, but their consequent formation mechanisms of protein hydration network require further evaluation. Herein, we explored the effect of salt-curing (0, 1, 3 and 5 %) on MP protein polymer substrate, water-protein interaction, crystallization events and thermal stability under H2O2/ascorbate-based hydroxyl radical (•OH)-generating system (HRGS) (1, 10, 20 mM H2O2). Results showed that moderate salting (≤3%) favored the water binding of MP gels during the oxidation course. Accordingly, the maximum thermal stability (Tm) of MP gels was obtained at 3 % salting could be greatly attributed to the protein chain solubilization and refolding process. However, 5 % salt synergized with •OH oxidation intensified diffraction peak 2 (the most striking diffraction feature). Microstructural analysis validated a maximum compactness of MP gel following brining with 5 % salt at potent oxidation strength (20 mM H2O2). This study maybe promises efficient strategy to the myogenetic fibril products and biomaterials.

Efficient adsorption of short-chain perfluoroalkyl substances by pristine and Fe/Cu-loaded reed straw biochars.

As the substitutes of legacy long-chain per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), short-chain PFASs have been widely detected in the environment. Compared to long-chain PFASs, short-chain PFASs have smaller molecules and are more hydrophilic. Therefore, they are more likely to experience long-distance transport and pose lasting environmental impacts. In this study, Fe-doped (R-Fe) and Cu-doped biochars (R-Cu) were prepared using reed straw biochar (R). The results showed that the PFBA and PFPeA sorption capacities of R-Fe were 25.81 and 43.59 mg g-1, 1.65 and 1.55 times higher than those of R, respectively. The PFBA and PFPeA sorption capacities of R-Cu were 19.34 and 33.69 mg g-1, 1.24 and 1.20 times higher than those of R, respectively. In addition, R, R-Fe, and R-Cu exhibited higher PFBA and PFPeA sorption capacities than the biochars previously reported. The excellent PFAS sorption performances of the biochars were attributed to the highly porous structure of R, which provided rich adsorption sites. Ion-pair sorption, pore filling, electrostatic interaction between the Fe/Cu and cationic groups on biochar and the anionic groups of PFASs, and hydrophobic interaction between the hydrophobic surface of biochar and the fluorinated tails of PFASs were the underlying sorption mechanisms. The biochars presented high removal rates (>86 %) of multiple PFASs (∑PFAS: 350 µg L-1) from synthetic wastewaters, including legacy and emerging PFASs of different chain lengths and with different functional groups. The biochars reported in this study are promising candidate adsorbents for treating waters contaminated with short-chain PFASs.

Automatic detection of the third molar and mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs based on deep learning.

PURPOSE: This study aims to develop a deep learning framework for the automatic detection of the position relationship between the mandibular third molar (M3) and the mandibular canal (MC) on panoramic radiographs (PRs), to assist doctors in assessing and planning appropriate surgical interventions. METHODS: Datasets D1 and D2 were obtained by collecting 253 PRs from a hospitals and 197 PRs from online platforms. The RPIFormer model proposed in this study was trained and validated on D1 to create a segmentation model. The CycleGAN model was trained and validated on both D1 and D2 to develop an image enhancement model. Ultimately, the segmentation and enhancement models were integrated with an object detection model to create a fully automated framework for M3 and MC detection in PRs. Experimental evaluation included calculating Dice coefficient, IoU, Recall, and Precision during the process. RESULTS: The RPIFormer model proposed in this study achieved an average Dice coefficient of 92.56 % for segmenting M3 and MC, representing a 3.06 % improvement over the previous best study. The deep learning framework developed in this research enables automatic detection of M3 and MC in PRs without manual cropping, demonstrating superior detection accuracy and generalization capability. CONCLUSION: The framework developed in this study can be applied to PRs captured in different hospitals without the need for model fine-tuning. This feature is significant for aiding doctors in accurately assessing the spatial relationship between M3 and MC, thereby determining the optimal treatment plan to ensure patients' oral health and surgical safety.