Integration of Metabolomics, Lipidomics, and Proteomics Reveals the Metabolic Characterization of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Metabolic dysfunction is associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) development. However, omics studies investigating metabolic changes in NASH patients are limited. In this study, metabolomics and lipidomics in plasma, as well as proteomics in the liver, were performed to characterize the metabolic profiles of NASH patients. Moreover, the accumulation of bile acids (BAs) in NASH patients prompted us to investigate the protective effect of cholestyramine on NASH. The liver expression of essential proteins involved in FA transport and lipid droplets was significantly elevated in patients with NASH. Furthermore, we observed a distinct lipidomic remodeling in patients with NASH. We also report a novel finding suggesting an increase in the expression of critical proteins responsible for glycolysis and the level of glycolytic output (pyruvic acid) in patients with NASH. Furthermore, the accumulation of branched chain amino acids, aromatic amino acids, purines, and BAs was observed in NASH patients. Similarly, a dramatic metabolic disorder was also observed in a NASH mouse model. Cholestyramine not only significantly alleviated liver steatosis and fibrosis but also reversed NASH-induced accumulation of BAs and steroid hormones. In conclusion, NASH patients were characterized by perturbations in FA uptake, lipid droplet formation, glycolysis, and accumulation of BAs and other metabolites.

A Novel Schiff Base-Modified Dialdehyde Cellulose-Based Fluorescent Probe for Al3+ and Its Application in Environmental Analysis.

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer with good biodegradability and biocompatibility. In this paper, a novel fluorescent probe DAC-SD-NA for aluminum (Al3+ ) detection is successfully synthesized based on dialdehyde cellulose (DAC). DAC-SD-NA exhibited a remarkable "turn-on" fluorescence response to Al3+ in a wide pH range, and the fluorescence color of DAC-SD-NA solution turned from colorless to bright blue at the presence of Al3+ . The detection limit for Al3+ is computed to be 6.06×10-7 m. The reaction mechanism of DAC-SD-NA towards Al3+ is confirmed by Job's plot, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In view of DAC-SD-NA exhibited good sensitivity and selectivity, it is applied to detect Al3+ in real water. What's more, DAC-SD-NA-loaded fluorescent hydrogel can serve as a convenient tool for the detection of Al3+ .

A novel ratiometric fluorescent sensor from modified coumarin-grafted cellulose for precise pH detection in strongly alkaline conditions.

Accurate and convenient monitoring of pH under extreme alkaline conditions is still a challenge. In this work, 4-(3-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)benzamide (HCB), a coumarin derivative, was grafted onto dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) to obtain a sensor DAC-HCB, which exhibited a ratiometric fluorescent response to the pH of alkaline solutions, resulting in a significant fluorescent color change from yellow to blue (FI459 nm/FI577 nm) at pH 7.5-14. The structure of DAC-HCB was characterized through FT-IR, XRD, XPS, SEM. The pKa of sensor DAC-HCB was 13.16, and the fluorescent intensity ratio FI459 nm/FI577 nm possessed an excellent linear characteristic with pH in the scope of 9.0-13.0. Meanwhile, sensor DAC-HCB showed good selectivity, anti-interference, and fast response time to basic pH, which is an effective fluorescent sensor for examination of pH in alkali circumstance. The recognition mechanism of DAC-HCB to OH- was elucidated with HRMS and density-functional theory (DFT) computational analyses. Sensor DAC-HCB was successfully used for precise detection of environmental water samples pH. This work furnished a new protocol for test strips as a convenient and highly efficient pH detection tool for the high pH environment, and it has great potential for application in environmental monitoring.

Rational design of a highly effective cellulose-based macromolecular fluorescent probe for real-time recognition of palladium ion in environmental samples and its applications in plant and zebrafish.

Palladium ion (Pd2+) plays an important role in our daily life, but poses a great threat to the environment and human health. Thus, it is desirable to exploit a rapid and sensitive approach to realize the detection of Pd2+. In this study, a cellulose acetate-based macromolecular fluorescent probe CA-NA-PA was successfully prepared for tracking amounts of Pd2+. CA-NA-PA showed an obvious "on-off" fluorescence response to Pd2+, accompanied by the fluorescence color changed from bright yellow to colorless. CA-NA-PA had some outstanding detection performances such as low detection limit (26 nM), extremely short response time (1 min), good selectivity and anti-interference ability. Based on the advantages of probe mentioned above, CA-NA-PA could realize recognition of Pd2+ concentration in environmental water and soil samples. What's more, the probe CA-NA-PA was applied to image Pd2+ in zebrafish as well as in live onion tissue due to the good biocompatibility and cell membrane permeability of cellulose, suggesting its wide application prospect in biosystems.

A novel colormetric and light-up fluorescent sensor from flavonol derivative grafted cellulose for rapid and sensitive detection of Hg2+ and its applications in biological and environmental system.

Mercury ion (Hg2+) is one of harmful heavy metal ions that can accumulate inside the human organism and cause some health problems. In the article, a highly effective fluorescent probe named EC-T-PCBM was prepared by grafting flavonol derivatives onto ethyl cellulose for the specific recognition of Hg2+. EC-T-PCBM exhibited a remarkable fluorescence light-up response toward Hg2+ with excellent sensitivity. EC-T-PCBM possessed several prominent sensing properties for Hg2+, such as low detection limit (43.9 nM), short response time (5 min), and wide detection pH range (6-9). The response mechanism of EC-T-PCBM to Hg2+ has been verified through 1H NMR titration and DFT computation. Additionally, EC-T-PCBM not only can be used for accurately determining trace amount of Hg2+ in actual environmental water samples, but also can serve as a portable and rapid device by loading it on test strips for sensitive and selective visualization of Hg2+. More importantly, the confocal fluorescence imaging of onion cells suggested the favorable cell membrane permeability of EC-T-PCBM and its prominent ability to continuously monitor the enrichment from Hg2+ within fresh plant tissues.

An ultrasensitive cellulose-based fluorescent sensor for Al3+ detection and its applications in plant tissue and food samples.

Fluorescent sensors available for metal ions detection have been extensively developed in recent years. However, developing an ultrasensitive fluorescent sensor for highly selectively detecting Al3+ based on cellulose remains a challenge. In this study, an ethylcellulose-based flavonol fluorescent sensor named EC-BHA was synthesized by the esterification of ethylcellulose (EC) with a new flavonol derivative 4-(2-(2,3-bis(ethoxymeothy)phenyl)-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-4-H-chromen-7-yl) benzoic acid (BHA). The fluorescence intensity of EC-BHA exhibited a 180-fold increase at 490 nm after binding with Al3+ and provided an ultralow detection limit of 13.0 nM. The sensor showed some exceptional sensing properties including a broad pH range (4-10), large Stokes shifts (190 nm), and a short response time (3 min). This sensor was successfully applied for determining trace Al3+ in food samples as well as in plant tissue. Moreover, the electrostatic spun film EBP was fabricated by blending EC-BHA with PS (polystyrene) via electrostatic spinning technique and utilized for selective detection of Al3+ as soon as possible.

An efficient ethylcellulose fluorescent probe for rapid detection of Fe3+ and its multi-functional applications.

Fe3+ is the most abundant essential transition metal ion in the human body, plays a vital role in biological and environmental systems. Ethyl cellulose is one of the derivatives of cellulose. Herein, a novel ethylcellulose fluorescent probe EC-HPCB for detecting Fe3+ was prepared by grafting a flavonol derivative as both fluorophore and selective recognition group. The probe exhibited a highly specific "turn-off" fluorescence response to Fe3+, and the fluorescence color changed from yellow to colorless in the presence of Fe3+. The detection limit of EC-HPCB for Fe3+ was 2.65 × 10-7 mol/L, and the response time was as quick as 2 min. The detection mechanism was confirmed by 1H NMR and DFT calculations. Based on the good solubility and processability in organic solvent, EC-HPCB was made into coating and film with favorable fluorescent performances. Furthermore, EC-HPCB probe was successfully applied to monitor Fe3+ in real water samples, and the EC-HPCB-loaded filter paper provided a solid-state platform for detecting Fe3+ by naked eye and fluorescence method.

An efficient tetrahydroquinazolin-2-amine derivative-grafted cellulose fluorescent probe for detection of Cu2+ and Zn2.

Cu2+ and Zn2+ play crucial roles in many physiological processes, and their disorder will cause harm to human health. An efficient difunctional fluorescent probe CMC-GE-PQA for simultaneous detection of Cu2+ and Zn2+ was synthesized based on carboxymethyl cellulose. The probe CMC-GE-PQA exhibited a moderate blue fluorescence color. Interestingly, this probe showed a distinct fluorescence enhancement response toward Zn2+, while it displayed a significant fluorescence quenching response toward Cu2+. The detection limits of CMC-GE-PQA for Cu2+ and Zn2+ were calculated as low as 5.0 × 10-8 M and 1.0 × 10-7 M, respectively. The detection mechanisms of CMC-GE-PQA for Cu2+ and Zn2+ were fully verified by Job's plot, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The probe CMC-GE-PQA was applied to determine the trace amounts of Cu2+ and Zn2+ in environmental water samples. In addition, the probe CMC-GE-PQA-based fluorescent film and hydrogel were manufactured to achieve the portable detection of Cu2+ and Zn2+.

A highly specific chalcone derivative grafted ethylcellulose fluorescent probe for rapid and sensitive detection of Al3+ in actual environmental and food samples.

Al3+ is commonly utilized in daily life, however, the excessive accumulation of Al3+ within organisms can result in severe health problems. Herein, a highly efficient fluorescent probe EC-HTC for Al3+ was synthesized through chemical modification of ethyl cellulose. This probe exhibited a significant fluorescence enhancement response to Al3+, and it interestingly also possessed an obvious aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. The detection limit of probe EC-HTC for Al3+ was as low as 0.23 µM, and its pH usage range was as wide as 5-10. The complexation ratio of EC-HTC with Al3+ was determined to be 1:1 based on Job's plot, which was further confirmed by 1H NMR titration and HRMS analysis. Moreover, the probe EC-HTC was successfully employed for the determination of Al3+ in environmental and food samples. In addition, the probe EC-HTC compositing PS (polystyrene) electrostatic spun fiber membranes EHP with high specific surface area were prepared to achieve the rapid and portable detection of Al3+.

Current understanding and optimization strategies for efficient lignin-enzyme interaction: A review.

From energy perspective, with abundant polysaccharides (45-85%), the renewable lignocellulosic is recognized as the 2nd generation feedstock for bioethanol and bio-based products production. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a critical pathway to yield fermentable monosaccharides from pretreated substrates of lignocellulose. Nevertheless, the lignin presence in lignocellulosic substrates leads to the low substrate enzymatic digestibility ascribed to the nonproductive adsorption. It has been reported that the water-soluble lignin (low molecular weight, sulfonated/sulfomethylated and graft polymer) enhance the rate of enzymatic digestibility, however, the catalytic mechanism of lignin-enzyme interaction remains elusive. In this review, optimization strategies for enzymatic hydrolysis based on the lignin structural modification, enzyme engineering, and different additives are critically reviewed. Lignin-enzyme interaction mechanism is also discussed (lignin and various cellulases). In addition, the mathematical models and simulation of lignin, cellulose and enzyme aims for promoting an integrated biomass-conversion process for sustainable production of value-added biofuels.

Grafting polycaprolactone onto alkaline lignin for improved compatibility and processability.

Industrial lignin has a lower compatibility and processability than other polymers during the preparation of composites. To valorize the industrial lignin from spent liquor of alkaline pulping mills, polycaprolactone was grafted onto alkaline lignin to improve its compatibility and processability in this investigation. The lignin-g-polycaprolactone copolymer was prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of the ε-caprolactone monomer under anhydrous conditions and was catalyzed by n-butyl titanate. The techniques of FTIR, 31P NMR and 1H NMR were employed to investigate the reaction mechanisms, including the reaction preference of hydroxyl groups and the average length of the PCL arms. Eventually, the composites of lignin-g-PCL and PCL were prepared by melt blending, and the results demonstrated that the compatibility and processability of lignin was significantly improved by the grafting modification, and that the fracture surface of composite, as well as the mechanical properties, was strongly affected by the average length of the PCL arms grafted on lignin. The best mechanical performance of the composite with tensile strength and bending strength of 1.22 ±â€¯0.05 MPa and 2.23 ±â€¯0.10 MPa, respectively, was achieved by the lignin-g-PCL sample with averaged PCL arm length about 19. This study paves the way for a wider utilization of lignin in composites and biomaterials.

Improving cellulose nanofibrillation of waste wheat straw using the combined methods of prewashing, p-toluenesulfonic acid hydrolysis, disk grinding, and endoglucanase post-treatment.

Here we established a new approach for improving the cellulose nanofibrillation of high ash content waste wheat straw (WWS). The results were comprehensively elucidated from the ash removal, delignification, mechanical fibrillation and endoglucanase post-treatment. When water dosage was increased from 50 to 500 times of the WWS weight, the ash content gradually decreased during prewashing process, which facilitated lignin solubilization in subsequent p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) hydrolysis. Approximately 80% of lignin in prewashed WWS could be dissolved during acid hydrolysis to result in a relatively higher crystallinity of 59.1%. Compared with the lignocellulosic nanofibrils (LCNF) directly obtained using acid hydrolysis and disk grinding, prewashing-assisted acid hydrolyzed WWS was fibrillated into LCNF with smaller height of 57.0 nm. Mild endoglucanase post-treatment could further produce less entangled LCNF with thinner diameters. In short, this study presented a promising and green pathway to achieve an efficient utilization of agricultural residue wastes to cellulose nanomaterials.

Influence of lignin addition on the enzymatic digestibility of pretreated lignocellulosic biomasses.

The presence of lignin in lignocellulosic biomass is correlated with its enzymatic digestibility. Their correlation and mechanism have been investigated widely but have not been elucidated clearly. In this study, hydrophilic sulfonated lignin and hydrophobic kraft lignin were introduced into the enzymatic hydrolysis process to investigate their effects on the enzymatic digestibility of different pretreated lignocellulose. The influence of lignin addition on the enzymatic digestibility varied with both introduced lignin type and the pretreatment methods of substrates. Slight enhancement of enzymatic hydrolysis was observed for all substrates by adding kraft lignin. The addition of sulfonated lignin could effectively improve the enzymatic digestibility of green liquor and acidic bisulfite pretreated materials, but had little effect on sulfite-formaldehyde pretreated samples. The enzymatic digestibility of green liquor pretreated masson pine increased from 42% without lignin addition to 75% with 0.3g/g-substrate sulfonated lignin addition.

Properties of novel polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose nanocrystals/silver nanoparticles blend membranes.

Novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend membranes containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared via a simple method. CNs were prepared by sulfuric acid treatment of microcrystalline cellulose. AgNO3 aqueous solution mixed with the CNs aqueous suspension and was reduced by NaBH4 at room temperature. Purified CNs/AgNPs nanocomposites as functional fillers mixed with polyvinyl alcohol to prepare blend membrane. The morphology, mechanical properties, and antibacterial activities of PVA/CNs/AgNPs composite films were investigated. The PVA/CNs/AgNPs composite films were stable and homogeneous. The tensile strength of PVA was increased from 57.02 MPa to 81.21 MPa when filled with CNs/AgNPs. Antibacterial ratio of PVA/CNs/AgNPs composite against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus was 96.9% and 88.2%, respectively. The CNs/AgNPs nanocomposites could be applied as bi-functional nanofillers within PVA to improve the mechanical properties and antibacterial activities.