Spatial dynamics and risk assessment of phosphorus in the river sediment continuum (Qinhuai River basin, China).

This study investigated the concentration and fractionation of phosphorus (P) using sequential P extraction and their influencing factors by introducing the PLS-SEM model (partial least squares structural equation model) along this continuum from the Qinhuai River. The results showed that the average concentrations of inorganic P (IP) occurred in the following order: urban sediment (1499.1 mg/kg) > suburban sediment (846.1-911.9 mg/kg) > rural sediment (661.1 mg/kg) > natural sediment (179.9 mg/kg), and makes up to 53.9-87.1% of total P (TP). The same as the pattern of IP, OP nearly increased dramatically with increasing the urbanization gradient. This spatial heterogenicity of P along a river was attributed mainly to land use patterns and environmental factors (relative contribution affecting the P fractions: sediment nutrients > metals > grain size). In addition, the highest values of TP (2876.5 mg/kg), BAP (biologically active P, avg, 675.7 mg/kg), and PPI (P pollution index, ≥ 2.0) were found in urban sediments among four regions, indicating a higher environmental risk of P release, which may increase the risk of eutrophication in overlying water bodies. Collectively, this work improves the understanding of the spatial dynamics of P in the natural-rural-urban river sediment continuum, highlights the need to control P pollution in urban sediments, and provides a scientific basis for the future usage and disposal of P in sediments.

Contribution of 1O2 in the efficient degradation of organic pollutants with Cu0/Cu2O/CuO@N-C activated peroxymonosulfate: A Case study with tetracycline.

Peroxymonosulfate-mediated advanced oxidation processes (PMS-AOPs) degrading organic pollutants (Tetracycline (TC) as an example) in water with singlet oxygen (1O2) as the main reactive oxygen has received more and more attention. However, the generation mechanism of 1O2 is still unclear. Consequently, this study investigates the 1O2 formation mechanism during the activated PMS process using a nitrogen-copper-loaded carbon-based material (Cu0/Cu2O/CuO@N-C), synthesized by thermally decomposing organobase-modified HKUST-1 via a one-pot method. It was discovered that incorporating an organobase (Benzylamine) into the metal organic framework (MOF) precursor directs the MOF's self-assembly process and supplements its nitrogen content. This modification modulates the Nx-Cu-Oy active site formation in the material, selectively producing 1O2. Additionally, 1O2 was identified as the dominant reactive oxygen species in the Cu0/Cu2O/CuO@N-C-PMS system, contributing to TC degradation with a rate of 70.82%. The TC degradation efficiency remained high in the pH range of 3-11 and sustained its efficacy after five consecutive uses. Finally, based on the intermediates of TC degradation, three possible degradation pathways were postulated, and a reduction in the ecotoxicity of the degradation products was predicted. This work presents a novel and general strategy for constructing nitrogen-copper-loaded carbon-based materials for use in PMS-AOPs.

Effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract Plus Rosiglitazone on Serum Leptin and Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract (MOLE) plus rosiglitazone (RSG) on glucose and lipid metabolism, serum leptin, and the Akt/GSK3ß/ß-Catenin signaling pathway in type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal group, the model group, the RSG group, the low- and high-dose MOLE group, and the MOLE+RSG group. The normal group was fed a standard rat diet, while the other groups were given a single intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozomycin (STZ) (35 mg/kg) and fed a high-sugar and high-fat diet. After 8 weeks, the treatment outcomes were evaluated by measuring key parameters of blood glucose and lipid metabolism and the protein kinase B (AKT) / Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3ß) /ß-Catenin signaling pathway in the T2D rats. Results: Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of blood glucose, blood lipids, serum leptin, free fatty acid (FFA), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Compared with the model group, the RSG, low-dose MOLE, and high-dose MOLE groups displayed effective control of blood glucose, blood lipids, serum leptin, FFA, and TNF-α. The MOLE+RSG group surpassed the RSG group in regulating glucose, lipid metabolism, and serum leptin levels in T2D rats. In addition, the MOLE+RSG group also had superiority over the RSG group in activating the AKT/GSK3ß/ß-Catenin pathway. Conclusion: MOLE plus RSG can effectively reduce blood glucose and blood lipids in T2DM rats.

Spinel ferrites materials for sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation process: A review.

In the past decade, the sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) have been increasingly investigated because of their excellent performance and ubiquity in the degradation of emerging contaminants. Generally, sulfate radicals can be generated by activating peroxodisulfate (PDS) or peroxymonosulfate (PMS). To date, spinel ferrites (SF) materials have been greatly favored by researchers in activating PMS/PDS for their capability and unique superiorities. This article reviewed the recent advances in various pure SF, modified SF, and SF composites for PDS/PMS activation. In addition, synthesis methods, mechanisms, and potential applications of SF-based SR-AOPs were also examined and discussed in detail. Finally, we present future research directions and challenges for the application of SF materials in SR-AOPs.

[Effects of spicy leaves on cognitive function and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in diabetic rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Moringa leaves on the cognitive dysfunction and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Methods: Fifty male SD rats were selected, and 10 rats were randomly selected as the control group. The other 40 rats were treated with STZ at the dose of 25 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection. The 40 diabetic rats were randomly divided into model group, Moringa oleifera low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose group. The rats in Moringa oleifera groups were treated with Moringa oleifera at the doses of 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 g/kg by gavage, the control group and model group were treated with the same amount of normal saline once a day, for 8 weeks. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of rats. Pathological changes of hippocampal neurons and expressions of Bax, caspase-3 and bcl-2 protein in each group were observed by the sections were stained with HE staining and immunohistochemistry. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rat. Results: compared with the control group, the blood glucose of the model group was increased significantly (P＜0.01), and the blood insulin level was decreased significantly (P＜0.05); compared with the model group, the blood glucose values of Moringa oleifera groups were decreased significantly (P＜0.05, P＜0.01), and the blood insulin levels of middle and high dose Moringa oleifera group were increased significantly (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). There was no significant difference in FBG and INS among the three groups (P＞0.05). In Morris water maze test, compared with the model group, the latency of Moringa oleifera groups was significantly shorter (P＜0.05); the residence time in target quadrant of Moringa oleifera groups with different doses was significantly prolonged (P＜0.05). Compared with the model group, the contents of TNF - α, IL-6 and protein expression in low, medium and high dose groups of Moringa oleifera were decreased significantly (P＜0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemical staining results showed that Moringa oleifera medium dose group was positive, brown yellow, fine granular, compared with the model group. The number of neuronal apoptosis was significantly reduced in the middle dose group (53.21±7.19,P＜0.01); the protein expressions of Bax, caspase-3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in hippocampus were significantly decreased in the middle dose group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: The mechanisms of Moringa leaves on the cognitive dysfunction and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons may be related to regulating the protein expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3, reducing the contents of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6.

[Effects of Moringa flavone on cognitive function and neuropathological indexes in diabetic encephalopathy rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Moringa flavone on cognitive impairment and neuropathological indexes in diabetic encephalopathy (DE) rats. METHODS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control group, model group, positive drug group, Moringa low-dose and high-dose groups according to the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. Diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) after continuous feeding of high fat and high sugar diet for one week. Blood was collected from the tail vein after 72 hours, the mean value of twice random blood glucose was ≥ 16.67 mmol/L, and the continuous positive urine glucose showed that the diabetes model was successfully prepared. The control group was fed with conventional feed. After successful model establishment, the rats in the Moringa low and high dose groups were given 4.0 g/kg and 8.0 g/kg Moringa extract (Moringa flavone) by gavage everyday, the rats in the positive drug group were given piracetam 0.48 g/kg, and the rats in the model group and control group were given the same amount of normal saline once a day for 30 days. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the cognitive impairment of the rats. The hippocampus of the rats was harvested 12 hours after the last administration, and the advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The contents of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), advanced glycation end product (AGE) and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the escape latency and the exploration distance in model group were extended, target quadrant stay time was shortened, the levels of AChE and AGE in brain tissue were significantly increased, and ChAT level was significantly decreased. Morris water maze experiment showed that compared with the model group, in the Moringa low and high dose groups from the 3rd day, the escape latency (s: 35.07±7.21, 33.14±5.35 vs. 43.09±9.83, both P < 0.05) and the exploration distance (m: 8.32±4.23, 8.10±4.97 vs. 13.02±3.67) were significantly shortened (both P < 0.05). The target qauadrant stay time was extended (s: 35.12±3.12, 41.53±8.37 vs. 23.15±4.89, both P < 0.01). The results of ELISA showed that compared with the model group, the levels of AChE and AGE in brain tissue of the Moringa low and high dose groups were significantly decreased [AChE (U/L): 180.22±12.03, 142.67±20.56 vs. 205.27±25.14, AGE (µg/L): 439.10±25.19, 428.27±19.14 vs. 501.28±21.53, all P < 0.05], and the levels of ChAT were significantly increased (U/L: 51.95±5.27, 53.13±5.04 vs. 37.91±5.10, both P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in AChE, AGE or ChAT between the Moringa low and high dose groups. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the number of RAGE and NF-κB positive cells in DG area of hippocampus increased significantly, and the average gray values of RAGE and NF-κB decreased significantly. Compared with the model group, the RAGE and NF-κB positive cells in the Moringa low and high dose groups were significantly reduced, and the average gray values of RAGE and NF-κB in hippocampus were significantly increased [RAGE (gray value): 110.46±10.04, 117.76±8.64 vs. 92.19±8.76, NF-κB (gray value): 109.40±8.93, 116.59±7.26 vs. 90.74±13.27, all P < 0.05]. There were no significant differences in the expressions of RAGE or NF-κB between the Moringa low and high dose groups. CONCLUSIONS: Moringa flavonoids could obviously improve the cognitive dysfunction and memory ability of DE model rats, improve the pathological changes of hippocampus, and have a certain protective effect on brain.