Impacts of micron-sized aeration bubble on sludge properties and hydraulic dynamics in relation to membrane fouling alleviation.

This investigation elucidates the influence of micron-scale aeration bubbles on the improvement of anti-fouling characteristics within submerged membrane bioreactors (sMBRs). A systematic examination of sludge properties, hydraulic dynamics, and fouling tendencies revealed that the application of microbubble aeration, specifically at dimensions of 100 µm, 80 µm, and 30 µm, significantly reduced sludge electrostatic repulsion and augmented particle size distribution, as opposed to the utilization of coarse bubble aeration of 1 mm. Notably, the employment of 100 µm bubbles achieved a significant reduction in the proportion of smaller particles (<10 µm) and sludge viscosity, thereby facilitating a more homogenous and vigorous turbulence at the membrane interface. These optimized conditions were instrumental in the substantial reduction of membrane fouling, which was corroborated by the diminished rate of fouling, reduced resistance accumulation, and lesser foulant deposition. The investigation identified sludge particle size, turbulent kinetic energy, and shear stress as the predominant factors influencing the development of membrane fouling. The findings underscore the pronounced advantages of employing 100 µm-sized bubbles in aeration strategies, providing enhanced understanding for the optimization of aeration parameters to improve sMBR efficiency and maintenance.

CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS-DERIVED PLASMA EXOSOMAL HMGB1 CONTRIBUTES TO ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL CELL NECROPTOSIS VIA mtDNA/CGAS/STING PATHWAY.

ABSTRACT: Our previous study confirmed that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to acute lung injury (ALI) via inducing high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release. Recent research showed that HMGB1 promotes pulmonary injury mainly via exosomes transport. Currently, alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) necroptosis has been demonstrated to be involved in ALI. However, it is unknown whether exosomal inflammatory cytokine HMGB1 promotes ALI by inducing AEC necroptosis, and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, a prospective cohort study was carried out, in which plasma samples from 21 CPB patients were isolated at four specific time points: pre-CPB, 2, 12, and 24 h after initiation of CPB. Plasma exosomes were extracted via ultra-high-speed centrifugation and cocultured with AEC cell line-A549 cells at increasing concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 µg/mL. Then, HMGB1 antagonist-Box A and mtDNA deficiency ethidium bromide (EtBr) were applied to explore the underlying role of exosomal HMGB1 and cytoplasm mitochondrial DNA in AEC. Western blot analysis showed that plasma exosomal HMGB1 expression gradually increased and peaked at 24 h after CPB. Twenty-four-hour treatment of CPB-derived exosomes at 150 µg/mL for 24 h could induce necroptosis by promoting mitochondrial fission and further elevating cytoplasm mtDNA levels in A549 cells, which was successfully blocked by Box A or EtBr. Most importantly, EtBr significantly inhibited cytoplasm mtDNA downstream guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon gene (STING) signal pathway. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CPB-derived plasma exosomal HMGB1 contributes to AEC necroptosis through the mtDNA/cGAS/STING pathway.

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (Propolis Extract) Ameliorates Insulin Resistance by Inhibiting JNK and NF-κB Inflammatory Pathways in Diabetic Mice and HepG2 Cell Models.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), extracted from propolis, was evaluated for the ameliorative effects on insulin resistance and the mechanisms were identified, using non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) model mice and insulin resistance (IR) model cells. After 5 weeks of CAPE supplementation, insulin sensitivity, hyperlipidemia, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) levels were improved in mice. Proinflammatory cytokines in serum and the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA in tissues were markedly downregulated from CAPE-treated mice. In vitro, CAPE supplement significantly improved glucose consumption, glucose uptake, glycogen content, and oxidative stress and decreased expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) mRNA in cells. Both in vivo and in vitro, CAPE enhanced p-Akt (Ser473) and p-insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 (Tyr612), but inhibited p-JNK (Thr183/Tyr185), p-NF-κB p65 (Ser536), and nuclear translocation of p-NF-κB p65 (Ser536). In summary, CAPE can ameliorate insulin resistance through modulation of JNK and NF-κB signaling pathway in mice and HepG2 cells.

Molecular characterization of lysyl oxidase-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling during mouse decidualization.

The establishment of decidualization is a prerequisite of successful pregnancy. Lysyl oxidase (Lox) is a copper-containing amine oxidase which catalyzes cross-linking of collagen and elastin in the ECM. Lox is expressed in the subluminal stroma surrounding the implanting blastocyst on day 5 of pregnancy. From days 6 to 8, the signals for Lox mRNA and protein are strongly detected in the decidual cells. The expression of Lox is under the control of estrogen via the GSK-3ß/ß-catenin/c-myc pathway. Dtprp is decreased by the inhibition of Lox activity. Furthermore, the inhibition of Lox activity decreases stromal cell migration and embryo adhesion. Our findings highlight the crucial role of Lox in endometrial stromal cells and deepen our understanding of decidualization.

Impaired receptivity and decidualization in DHEA-induced PCOS mice.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a complex endocrine disorder, is a leading cause of female infertility. An obvious reason for infertility in PCOS women is anovulation. However, success rate with high quality embryos selected by assisted reproduction techniques in PCOS patients still remain low with a high rate of early clinical pregnancy loss, suggesting a problem in uterine receptivity. Using a dehydroepiandrosterone-induced mouse model of PCOS, some potential causes of decreased fertility in PCOS patients were explored. In our study, ovulation problem also causes sterility in PCOS mice. After blastocysts from normal mice are transferred into uterine lumen of pseudopregnant PCOS mice, the rate of embryo implantation was reduced. In PCOS mouse uteri, the implantation-related genes are also dysregulated. Additionally, artificial decidualization is severely impaired in PCOS mice. The serum estrogen level is significantly higher in PCOS mice than vehicle control. The high level of estrogen and potentially impaired LIF-STAT3 pathway may lead to embryo implantation failure in PCOS mice. Although there are many studies about effects of PCOS on endometrium, both embryo transfer and artificial decidualization are applied to exclude the effects from ovulation and embryos in our study.