Life cycle assessment of heavy metal contaminated sites: phytoremediation and soil excavation.

Phytoextraction by native Taiwanese chenopod (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) for heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) was reported first. Maximum bioconcentration factors of Cu and Cr were 8.8 and 12.5 by Taiwanese chenopod. Napier grass cultivar Taishi No.4 plants demonstrated higher survivals than that of Taiwanese chenopod, under heavy metal stress in soils. All heavy metal accumulation and biomass data were employed, as well as historical engineering data were collected for conventional excavation-and-refill remediation of two sites. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for comparing environmental performances of phytoextraction and conventional remediation for two contaminated sites. Assuming one-year growth, three harvests were done and biomass was collected and sent to the nearest municipal incinerators, phytoextraction by both plants demonstrated superior environmental performances than conventional methods for contaminated site remediation. High quantities of fuels to haul the soils of conventional methods mainly contributed to the greenhouse gas emission. Phytoextraction has the most advantages for sites with lesser extents of pollution and time restraints. Environmental performances of phytoremediation were even better if energy recovered from biomass incineration is counted. Novelty statement Phytoextraction by native Taiwanese chenopod and Napier grass was firstly reported. Life cycle assessment was conducted for comparing the phytoextraction and conventional remediation. Phytoextraction demonstrated superior environmental performances. Energy reutilization of biomass recovered made phytoremediation more sustainable.

Effect of Paenibacillus cellulase pretreatment for fiber surface.

Refining is the major process of paper formation. This study focuses on the impact of a specific enzyme (Paenibacillus cellulase) for fibers on the surfaces, the roughness and height of the fibers are also investigated. Effects of enzyme dosages and the mechanical refining action (PFI revolution) on fiber physical properties were also analyzed. The fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), their roughness and height were analyzed by Atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results show that the Paenibacillus cellulase pretreatment increased the drainability of both kinds of pulp at the same level of refining energy. In other words, enzymatic treatment on pulp refining consumed less refining revolutions to reach the same drainability compared to the untreated pulp. Although the viscosity of both kinds of pulp was degraded with the enzymatic treatment, the physical properties of paper had no significantly negative influence on them. The results indicated the treatment with cellulase swelled the fibers in the absence of refining, and there were better fibrillation on the fibers treated with cellulase after refining. Furthermore, the statistical analysis of AFM suggested that both kinds of pulp treated with low cellulase dosage with PFI refining had higher roughness.

Target Identification of Kinase Inhibitor Alisertib (MLN8237) by Using DNA-Programmed Affinity Labeling.

Accurate identification of the molecular targets of bioactive small molecules is a highly important yet challenging task in biomedical research. Previously, a method named DPAL (DNA-programmed affinity labeling) for labeling and identifying the cellular targets of small molecules and nucleic acids was developed. Herein, DPAL is applied for the target identification of Alisertib (MLN8237), which is a highly specific aurora kinase A (AKA) inhibitor and a drug candidate being tested in clinical trials for cancer treatment. Apart from the well-established target of AKA, several potential new targets of MLN8237 were identified. Among them, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) and laminin receptor (LAMR) were validated to be implicated in the anticancer activities of MLN8237. Interestingly, these new targets were not identified with non-DNA-based affinity probes. This work may facilitate an understanding of the molecular basis of the efficacy and side effects of MLN8237 as a clinical drug candidate. On the other hand, this work has also demonstrated that the method of DPAL could be a useful tool for target identification of bioactive small molecules.

Identification of a ligand for tumor necrosis factor receptor from Chinese herbs by combination of surface plasmon resonance biosensor and UPLC-MS.

Identification of bioactive compounds directly from complex herbal extracts is a key issue in the study of Chinese herbs. The present study describes the establishment and application of a sensitive, efficient, and convenient method based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors for screening active ingredients targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNF-R1) from Chinese herbs. Concentration-adjusted herbal extracts were subjected to SPR binding assay, and a remarkable response signal was observed in Rheum officinale extract. Then, the TNF-R1-bound ingredients were recovered, enriched, and analyzed by UPLC-QTOF/MS. As a result, physcion-8-O-ß-D-monoglucoside (PMG) was identified as a bioactive compound, and the affinity constant of PMG to TNF-R1 was determined by SPR affinity analysis (K D = 376 nM). Pharmacological assays revealed that PMG inhibited TNF-α-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in L929 cells via TNF-R1. Although PMG was a trace component in the chemical constituents of the R. officinale extract, it had considerable anti-inflammatory activities. It was found for the first time that PMG was a ligand for TNF receptor from herbal medicines. The proposed SPR-based screening method may prove to be an effective solution to analyzing bioactive components of Chinese herbs and other complex drug systems. Graphical abstract Scheme of the method based on SPR biosensor for screening and recovering active ingredients from complex herbal extracts and UPLC-MS for identifying them. Scheme of the method based on SPR biosensor for screening and recovering active ingredients from complex herbal extracts and UPLC-MS for identifying them.

Biomechanical and tissue reaction: the effects of varying sutures size on canine abdominal wall stitching.

Objective: Larger diameter sutures can provide sufficient tensile strength to surgical incisions but may exacerbate the inflammatory response caused by the amount of implanted foreign material. This experiment aims to investigate the differences in biomechanical stability and tissue reactivity after suturing canine midline abdominal incisions with different suture sizes. Method: Assessing the biomechanical differences between USP 2-0, 3-0, and 4-0 PGA sutures using uniaxial tensile testing on ex vivo canine midline skin and fascial muscle tissues using either a simple continuous or simple interrupted technique. mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory factors were measured through RT-PCR and ELISA. Tissue reactivity was evaluated using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Result: For strains below 30% in skin and below 50% in muscle, there were no significant differences among groups. The results of skin biomechanical testing showed that the USP 4-0 PGA suture group demonstrated significantly lower maximum tensile strength compared to the USP 2-0 PGA or USP 3-0 PGA suture groups. However, it remained capable of providing at least 56.3 N (1.03 MPa) tensile strength for canine skin incisions, matching the tensile strength requirements of general canine abdominal wall surgical incisions. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences observed in the maximum tensile strength among different size of sutures according to the data of biomechanical testing in muscle. Larger diameter sutures led to increased levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-ɑ) and tissue reactivity. Simple interrupted sutures caused higher levels of inflammatory factors in muscular tissue compared to simple continuous sutures. Conclusion: USP 4-0 PGA sutures provide sufficient biomechanical stability for suturing canine abdominal skin and linea alba. Suture size significantly influences tissue reactivity after suturing, with smaller gauge sutures reducing early tissue inflammatory response. Thus, USP 4-0 PGA suture has more advantages to suturing canine abdominal surgical incisions.

Magnolol as STAT3 inhibitor for treating multiple sclerosis by restricting Th17 cells.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune disease in the central nervous system (CNS) associated with Th17 cells. Moreover, STAT3 initiates Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17A expression through facilitating RORγt in MS. Here, we reported that magnolol, isolated from Magnolia officinalis Rehd. Et Wils, was regarded as a candidate for MS treatment verified by both in vitro and in vivo studies. METHODS: In vivo, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in mice was employed to evaluate the alleviation of magnolol on myeloencephalitis. In vitro, FACS assay was employed to evaluate the effect of magnolol on Th17 and Treg cell differentiation and IL-17A expression; network pharmacology-based study was applied to probe the involved mechanisms; western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and luciferase reporter assay was used to further confirm the regulation of magnolol on JAK/STATs signaling pathway; surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay and molecular docking were applied to manifest affinity with STAT3 and binding sites; overexpression of STAT3 was employed to verify whether magnolol attenuates IL-17A through STAT3 signaling pathway. RESULTS: In vivo, magnolol alleviated loss of body weight and severity of EAE mice; magnolol improved lesions in spinal cords and attenuated CD45 infiltration, and serum cytokines levels; correspondingly, magnolol focused on inhibiting Th17 differentiation and IL-17A expression in splenocyte of EAE mice; moreover, magnolol selectively inhibited p-STAT3(Y705) and p-STAT4(Y693) of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in splenocyte of EAE mice. In vitro, magnolol selectively inhibited Th17 differentiation and IL-17A expression without impact on Treg cells; network pharmacology-based study revealed that magnolol perhaps diminished Th17 cell differentiation through regulating STAT family members; western blotting further confirmed that magnolol inhibited p-JAK2(Y1007) and selectively antagonized p-STAT3(Y705) and slightly decreased p-STAT4(Y693); magnolol antagonized both STAT3 nucleus location and transcription activity; magnolol had a high affinity with STAT3 and the specific binding site perhaps to be at SH2 domain; overexpression of STAT3 resulted in failed inhibition of magnolol on IL-17A. CONCLUSION: Magnolol selectively inhibited Th17 differentiation and cytokine expression through selectively blocking of STAT3 resulting in decreased the ratio of Th17/Treg cells for treating MS, suggesting that the potential of magnolol for treating MS as novel STAT3 inhibitor.

Satisfaction as a Mediator and Its Interaction With Adherence to Labor Analgesia Protocols: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Chinese Medical Personnel.

Background: Although the Chinese promotion of labor analgesia began in 2018 to improve maternal health, high-quality medical care is difficult to provide to pregnant women when medical staff cannot implement standard labor analgesia procedures. This study aims to examine medical personnel's adherence to labor analgesia protocols and to explore the relationships among adherence, satisfaction, and other factors. Methods: The data were from a national cross-sectional dataset (N = 13,944) of the 2020 Chinese Labor Analgesia Pilot Evaluation Project. Mediating and moderating effects analyses were used to examine the role of satisfaction as a mediator between support measures and adherence. Results: There were differences in adherence between different types of medical personnel. Support measures and satisfaction had a positive association with adherence to labor analgesia protocols. Satisfaction had a significant mediating and moderating effect on the relationship between support measures and adherence to labor analgesia standards. Moderating effects of professional titles and attitudes were also observed. Conclusion: Primary health care policies worth considering include comprehensive incentives for medical institutions to improve the use of labor analgesia by medical personnel. It is also worth considering providing more training opportunities for the staff in anesthesiology departments.

Mapping Maternal Health in the New Media Environment: A Scientometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The new media provides a convenient platform to access, use and exchange health information. And as a special group of health care, maternal health care is still of international concern due to their high mortality rate. Scientific research is a good way to provide advice on how to improve maternal health through stringent reasoning and accurate data. However, the dramatic increase of publications, the diversity of themes, and the dispersion of researchers may reduce the quality of information and increase the difficulty of selection. Thus, this study aims to analyze the research progress on maternal health under the global new media environment, exploring the current research hotspots and frontiers. METHODS: A scientometric analysis was carried out by CiteSpace5.7.R1. In total, 2270 articles have been further analyzed to explore top countries and institutions, potential articles, research frontiers, and hotspots. RESULTS: The publications ascended markedly, from 29 in 2008 to 472 publications by 2020. But there is still a lot of room to grow, and the growth rate does not conform to the Price's Law. Research centers concentrated in Latin America, such as the University of Toronto and the University of California. The work of Larsson M, Lagan BM and Tiedje L had high potential influence. Most of the research subjects were maternal and newborn babies, and the research frontiers were distributed in health education and psychological problems. Maternal mental health, nutrition, weight, production technology, and equipment were seemingly hotspots. CONCLUSION: The new media has almost brought a new era for maternal health, mainly characterized by psychological qualities, healthy and reasonable physical conditions and advanced technology.

High-solid mesophilic methane fermentation of food waste with an emphasis on Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel requirements.

The effect of trace metals on the mesophilic methane fermentation of high-solid food waste was investigated using both batch and continuous experiments. The continuous experiment was conducted by using a CSTR-type reactor with three run. During the first run, the HRT of the reactor was stepwise decreased from 100 days to 30 days. From operation day 50, the reactor efficiency deteriorated due to the lack of trace metals. The batch experiment showed that iron, cobalt, and nickel combinations had a significant effect on food waste. According to the results of the batch experiment, a combination of iron, cobalt, and nickel was added into the CSTR reactor by two different methods at run II, and III. Based on experimental results and theoretical calculations, the most suitable values of Fe/COD, Co/COD, and Ni/COD in the substrate were identified as 200, 6.0, and 5.7 mg/kg COD, respectively.