Cytoprotective alginate microcapsule serves as a shield for microalgal encapsulation defensing sulfamethoxazole threats and safeguarding nutrient recovery.

Microalgal encapsulation technology is expected to broaden more possibilities for employing microalgae for upgrading conventional biological wastewater treatment. However, only limited and fragmented information is currently available on microalgal encapsulation and pollutant removal. It is ambiguous whether it hold potential for wastewater treatment. Particularly, it remains to be determined whether this technology can provide more possibilities in harsh sewage environments. Here, potential of encapsulated technology to recover nutrients from wastewater was examined, simultaneously compared with commonly adopted suspended system. Results indicate the encapsulated microalgal system showed outstanding advantages in nutrient recovery and defense against antibiotic threats. Moreover, by examining the cellular oxidative stress response and changes of the photosynthetic system, the encapsulated system exhibited potential cytoprotective advantages to microalgal cells for defensing antibiotic threats. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that the differences among superficial aggregation between the nutrients' ions and molecular sulfamethoxazole on the cross-linked alginate microcapsule surface dominated the nutrient recovery and cytoprotective functions. Ultimately, the molecular nature of pollutants was found to be the most critical aspect for predicting application of this microalgal microcapsule. Cytoprotective systems created with alginate microcapsules can potentially handle more diverse threats with a single type of surface charge in their outermost layer.

Revealing the role of microalgae-bacteria niche for boosting wastewater treatment and energy reclamation in response to temperature.

Conventional biological treatment usually cannot achieve the same high water quality as advanced treatment when conducted under varied temperatures. Here, satisfactory wastewater treatment efficiency was observed in a microalgae-bacteria consortia (MBC) over a wide temperature range because of the predominance of microalgae. Microalgae contributed more toward wastewater treatment at low temperature because of the unsatisfactory performance of the accompanying bacteria, which experienced cold stress (e.g., bacterial abundance below 3000 sequences) and executed defensive strategies (e.g., enrichment of cold-shock proteins). A low abundance of amoA-C and hao indicated that conventional nitrogen removal was replaced through the involvement of microalgae. Diverse heterotrophic bacteria for nitrogen removal were identified at medium and high temperatures, implying this microbial niche treatment contained diverse flexible consortia with temperature variation. Additionally, pathogenic bacteria were eliminated through microalgal photosynthesis. After fitting the neutral community model and calculating the ecological niche, microalgae achieved a maximum niche breadth of 5.21 and the lowest niche overlap of 0.38, while the accompanying bacterial community in the consortia were shaped through deterministic processes. Finally, the maximum energy yield of 87.4 kJ L-1 and lipid production of 1.9 g L-1 were achieved at medium temperature. Altogether, this study demonstrates that advanced treatment and energy reclamation can be achieved through microalgae-bacteria niche strategies.

Immobilized microalgal system: An achievable idea for upgrading current microalgal wastewater treatment.

Efficient wastewater treatment accompanied by sustainable "nutrients/pollutants waste-wastewater-resources/energy nexus" management is acting as a prominent and urgent global issue since severe pollution has occurred increasingly. Diverting wastes from wastewater into the value-added microalgal-biomass stream is a promising goal using biological wastewater treatment technologies. This review proposed an idea of upgrading the current microalgal wastewater treatment by using immobilized microalgal system. Firstly, a systematic analysis of microalgal immobilization technology is displayed through an in-depth discussion on why using immobilized microalgae for wastewater treatment. Subsequently, the main technical approaches employed for microalgal immobilization and pollutant removal mechanisms by immobilized microalgae are summarized. Furthermore, from high-tech technologies to promote large-scale production and application potentials in diverse wastewater and bioreactors to downstream applications lead upgradation closer, the feasibility of upgrading existing microalgal wastewater treatment into immobilized microalgal systems is thoroughly discussed. Eventually, several research directions are proposed toward the future immobilized microalgal system for microalgal wastewater treatment upgrading. Together, it appears that using immobilization for further upgrading the microalgae-based wastewater treatment can be recognized as an achievable alternative to make microalgal wastewater treatment more realistic. The information and perspectives provided in this review also offer a feasible reference for upgrading conventional microalgae-based wastewater treatment.

Overexpression of a Malus baccata CBF transcription factor gene, MbCBF1, Increases cold and salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

CBFs play a crucial role when plants are in adverse environmental conditions for growth. However, there are few reports on the role of CBF gene in stress responses of Malus plant. In this experiment, a new CBF TF was separated from M. baccata which was named MbCBF1. MbCBF1 protein was found to be localized in the nucleus after subcellular localization. Furthermore, the expression of MbCBF1 was highly accumulated in new leaves and roots due to the high influence of cold and high salt in M. baccata seedlings. After introducing MbCBF1 into A. thaliana, transgenic A. thaliana can better adapt to the living conditions of cold and high salt. The increased expression of MbCBF1 in A. thaliana also increased the contents of proline, remarkablely improved the activities of SOD, POD and CAT, but the content of MDA was decreased. Although the chlorophyll content also decreased, it decreased less in transgenic plants. In short, above date showed that MbCBF1 has a positive effect on improving A. thaliana cold and high salt tolerance. MbCBF1 can regulate the expression of its downstream gene in transgenic lines, up-regulate the expression of key genes COR15a, RD29a/bandCOR6.6/47 related to low temperature under cold conditions and NCED3, CAT1, P5CS1, RD22, DREB2A,PIF1/4, SOS1 and SnRK2.4 related to salt stress under high salt conditions, so as to further improve the adaptability and tolerance of the transgenic plants to low temperature and high salt environment.

Data-driven analysis on immobilized microalgae system: New upgrading trends for microalgal wastewater treatment.

Microalgal immobilization is receiving increasing attention as one of the most viable alternatives for upgrading conventional wastewater treatment. However, an in-depth discussion of the state-of-the-art and limitations of available technologies is currently lacking. More importantly, the reason for the hesitant development of immobilized microalgae for wastewater treatment remains unclear, which hinders its practical application. Thus, comprehensively understanding and evaluating details on immobilized microalgae is urgently needed, especially for the current advances of immobilization of microalgae in wastewater treatment over the last few decades. In this review, scientometric approach is used to explore research hotspots and visualize emerging trends. Data-driven analysis is used to scientifically and methodically determine hotspots in the current research on immobilized microalgal wastewater treatment, along with that the implicit inner connection underlying the frequent co-occurring terms was explored in depth. Four hotspots focusing on immobilized microalgae for wastewater treatment were identified, mainly demonstrating: (1) main factors including light, temperature and immobilization methods would majorly affect the treatment performance of immobilized microalgae; (2) immobilized microalgae membrane bioreactor, immobilized microalgae-based microbial fuel cell and immobilized microalgae-based bed reactor are three dominant treatment systems; (3) immobilized microalgae have a higher robustness and tolerance for treating various types of wastewater; and (4) a complete sustainable circle from wastewater treatment to resource conversion via the immobilized microalgae can be achieved. Finally, several new directions and new perspectives that expose the necessity for fulfilling further research and fundamental gaps are pointed out. Taken together, this review provides helpful information to facilitate the development of innovative and feasible immobilized microalgal technologies thus increasing their viability and sustainability.

Growth of two-dimensional formamidine lead halide perovskite single-crystalline sheets and their optoelectronic properties.

Formamidine-based hybrid perovskite is an excellent optoelectronic material; however, its intrinsic non-layered crystalline structure makes it hard to isolate the corresponding 2D counterparts. In this work, a unique liquid-epitaxy technique was introduced to grow micro-sized two-dimensional FAPbX3 perovskite sheets. Such ultrathin sheets exhibited excellent photo-induced carrier properties with high crystalline quality, as well as provided new opportunities for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

Efficient tuning the electronic structure of N-doped Ti-based MXene to enhance hydrogen evolution reaction.

The exploration of low cost electrocatalyst with comparable catalytic activity and kinetics to the expensive noble metal catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is still the most urgent challenge. Herein, a facile strategy to synthesize Ti3C2Tx MXene by ultrasonication with controlled N-doping is reported. The surface modification of MXene can be achieved by the formation of TiN chemical bonds at an optimized ultrasonic temperature, which will further enhance the HER activity. Specifically, at the ultrasonic temperature of 35 °C, the N-doped MXene (N-MXene-35) exhibits the highest concentration of TiN bond, delivering an extraordinary HER activity with an overpotential of 162 mV (vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) at the current density of 10 mA cm-2 in acid media, which is 3.5 times lower than that of the pristine MXene (578 mV vs. RHE). As expected, the obtained N-MXene-35 affords the best HER electrocatalytic performance among the MXene or N-doped MXene electrode as so far reported.

Graphitic nitride-catalyzed advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for landfill leachate treatment: A mini review.

Landfill leachate poses significant risks to public health via the release of high-toxicity contaminants, including refractory organic compounds, ammonia-nitrogen compounds, and heavy metals. Significant efforts have been made to develop useful methods for leachate disposition and treatment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are one of the most promising methods, because they can rapidly degrade diverse pollutants and significantly improve the biodegradability of leachate. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), a fascinating conjugated polymer, has become a hot topic in AOP research due to its metal-free benefits and high photosensitivity. Thus, combining AOPs with g-C3N4 achieves excellent degradation of refractory pollutants in leachate. Since the composition of leachate is complex in the practical conditions, the information reported by current studies of using g-C3N4 as a remediator is still incomplete and fragmented. Thus, in this review, the recent status of leachate treatment and approaches for its disposal has been summarized and some conclusions have been drawn. In addition, a brief introduction to g-C3N4 and its application in AOPs for leachate treatment have been critically discussed and with its future outlook assessed. Although the development of g-C3N4 in AOPs for leachate treatment is highly efficient and practical, comprehensive study about its application and technology expansion is urgently needed, based on the complex operating conditions. Perspectives on the treatment of leachate using g-C3N4-AOPs are also included. The information and perspectives provided in this review will provide guidance and novel understanding to accelerate the development of g-C3N4-based AOPs for leachate treatment.

Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study of Mangiferin in Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats after Oral and Intravenous Administration by UPLC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUNDS: Diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced morphological and/or functional complications may alter the pharmacokinetic profiles of mangiferin. This study aims to compare pharmacokinetic profiles of mangiferin in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats after oral and intravenous administration. METHODS: Mangiferin was administered orally (10 mg/kg) and intravenously (2 mg/kg) to normal and alloxan-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 8). Blood samples were collected at different time points post-dose. Mangiferin and esculentoside (internal standard)  were analyzed by Waters Acquity ultra-performance liquid chromatography system and TSQ Quantum Ultra triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). RESULTS: Mangiferin in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats experienced serious first-pass effect, which resulted in 1.71 and 0.80% of oral bioavailability respectively. Meanwhile, mangiferin was predominantly restricted to blood but not extensively distributed to organ tissues after intravenous administration. Compared with normal rats, the diabetic condition induced 53.26 and 50.90% decreases in Cmax and AUC0-t, respectively, for mangiferin after oral administration, and 63.08% decreases in Cmax after intravenous administration. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to normal rats, pharmacokinetic parameters of mangiferin were altered in diabetic condition induced by alloxan. The findings might help to provide useful evidence for modeling of diabetic rats and the clinical applications of mangiferin.

Nano-rod Ca-decorated sludge derived carbon for removal of phosphorus.

Recovering phosphorus (P) from waste streams takes the unique advantage in simultaneously addressing the crisis of eutrophication and the shortage of P resource. A novel calcium decorated sludge carbon (Ca-SC) was developed from dyeing industry wastewater treatment sludge by decorating calcium (Ca) to effectively adsorb phosphorus from solution. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used to characterize the Ca-SCs, followed by isotherm and kinetic sorption experiments. A preferred design with CaCO3 to sludge mass ratio of 1:2 was found to have a sorption capacity of 116.82 mg/g for phosphorus. This work reveals the crucial role of well-dispersed nano-rod calcium on the Ca-SC surface for the sorption of phosphorus. Moreover, the decoration of nano-rod calcium was found to further promote the uptake of phosphorus through the formation of hydroxylapatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH)). Thus, the development of decorated Ca-SC for sorption of phosphorus is very important in solving the P pollution and resource loss.