Antimicrobial ion-imprinted chitosan-derived hydrogel with quaternary ammonium and thermoresponsive components for UO22+ adsorption.

Uranium recovery from wastewater or seawater is important for both pollution control and uranium supply. Due to the complexity of the water body, it requires that the adsorbent should not only be highly efficient for selective adsorption but also have good antimicrobial properties. In this study, an antimicrobial thermosensitive hydrogel (UITAC) for uranium adsorption was prepared by one-step ion-imprinted polymerization using chitosan as a substrate and allyl trimethylammonium chloride as the antimicrobial modifier. UITAC showed excellent antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, being 98.8 % and 89.1 %, respectively. Endothermic and exothermic peaks respectively showed up at 36.3-38.5 °C and 30.5-34.1 °C in the DSC curves. UITAC quickly achieved its adsorption equilibrium in 30.0 min at 50 °C, pH 5.0 in the 0.8 mg/mL UO22+ solution, with an adsorption capacity of 81.2 mg/g. The adsorption capacity could remain at 80 % after 5 cycles of repeated use. UITAC showed better adsorption selectivity to UO22+ than vanadium and other metal ions, with selectivity coefficients α(UO22+/Mn+) being 1.4-10.3. The pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption model had a better fit for UO22+ adsorption by UITAC. The adsorption was a spontaneous process. The Gibbs Free Energy change, enthalpy change, and entropy change at 323.2 K were - 16.0 kJ/mol, 64.3 kJ/mol, and 248.4 J/mol·K, respectively. UITAC showed high potential in practical application environment.

An innovative EEG-based emotion recognition using a single channel-specific feature from the brain rhythm code method.

Introduction: Efficiently recognizing emotions is a critical pursuit in brain-computer interface (BCI), as it has many applications for intelligent healthcare services. In this work, an innovative approach inspired by the genetic code in bioinformatics, which utilizes brain rhythm code features consisting of δ, θ, α, ß, or γ, is proposed for electroencephalography (EEG)-based emotion recognition. Methods: These features are first extracted from the sequencing technique. After evaluating them using four conventional machine learning classifiers, an optimal channel-specific feature that produces the highest accuracy in each emotional case is identified, so emotion recognition through minimal data is realized. By doing so, the complexity of emotion recognition can be significantly reduced, making it more achievable for practical hardware setups. Results: The best classification accuracies achieved for the DEAP and MAHNOB datasets range from 83-92%, and for the SEED dataset, it is 78%. The experimental results are impressive, considering the minimal data employed. Further investigation of the optimal features shows that their representative channels are primarily on the frontal region, and associated rhythmic characteristics are typical of multiple kinds. Additionally, individual differences are found, as the optimal feature varies with subjects. Discussion: Compared to previous studies, this work provides insights into designing portable devices, as only one electrode is appropriate to generate satisfactory performances. Consequently, it would advance the understanding of brain rhythms, which offers an innovative solution for classifying EEG signals in diverse BCI applications, including emotion recognition.

Regulation of Soil Microbial Community Structure and Biomass to Mitigate Soil Greenhouse Gas Emission.

Sustainable reduction of fertilization with technology acquisition for improving soil quality and realizing green food production is a major strategic demand for global agricultural production. Introducing legume (LCCs) and/or non-legume cover crops (NLCCs) during the fallow period before planting main crops such as wheat and corn increases surface coverage, retains soil moisture content, and absorbs excess mineral nutrients, thus reducing pollution. In addition, the cover crops (CCs) supplement the soil nutrients upon decomposition and have a green manure effect. Compared to the traditional bare land, the introduction of CCs systems has multiple ecological benefits, such as improving soil structure, promoting nutrient cycling, improving soil fertility and microbial activity, controlling soil erosion, and inhibiting weed growth, pests, and diseases. The residual decomposition process of cultivated crops after being pressed into the soil will directly change the soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycle and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and thus affect the soil microbial activities. This key ecological process determines the realization of various ecological and environmental benefits of the cultivated system. Understanding the mechanism of these ecological environmental benefits provides a scientific basis for the restoration and promotion of cultivated crops in dry farming areas of the world. These findings provide an important contribution for understanding the mutual interrelationships and the research in this area, as well as increasing the use of CCs in the soil for better soil fertility, GHGs mitigation, and improving soil microbial community structure. This literature review studies the effects of crop biomass and quality on soil GHGs emissions, microbial biomass, and community structure of the crop cultivation system, aiming to clarify crop cultivation in theory.

Low irrigation water minimizes the nitrate nitrogen losses without compromising the soil fertility, enzymatic activities and maize growth.

Nitrate nitrogen (NO3-_N) leaching increased with nitrogen (N) fertilization under high water supply to the field negatively affected the maize growth and performance. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms of NO3-_N leaching on a biochemical basis and its relationship with plant performance with 5 different doses (0, 200, 250, 300, 350 kg N ha- 1) of N fertilizers under low (60%; LW) and high (80%; HW) water holding capacity. Soil and plant enzymes were observed at different growth stages (V9, R1, R3, and R6) of the maize, whereas the leachates were collected at 10-days intervals from the sowing date. The LW had 10.15% lower NO3-_N leachate than HW, with correspondence increases in grain yield (25.57%), shoot (17.57%) and root (28.67%) dry matter. Irrespective of the irrigation water, RubisCo, glutamine synthase (GS), nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activities increased with increasing N fertilizer up to the V9 growth stage and decreased with approaching the maturity stage (R6) in maize. In HW irrigation, soil total N, GOGAT, soil nitrate (NO3-_N), leached nitrate (LNO3-_N), root N (RN), leaf N (LN) were positively correlated with N factors suggesting the higher losses of N through leaching (11.3%) compared to LW irrigation. However, the malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O2-), and proline were negatively correlated with the other enzymatic activities both under LW and HW irrigation. Thus, minimizing the NO3-_N leaching is possibly correlated with the LW and N300 combination without compromising the yield benefit and improving enzyme activities.

miR­187­3p inhibitor attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating Seipin­mediated autophagic flux.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been reported to affect ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)­induced cerebral damage. miRNAs cause post­transcriptional gene silencing by binding to the protein­coding sequence (CDS) of mRNAs. Seipin has a potential role in regulating autophagic flux. The present study investigated the involvement of miR­187­3p in Seipin expression, autophagic flux and apoptosis in vitro, as well as the underlying mechanism, using PC12 cells exposed to oxygen­glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), which mimicked the process of I/R. In comparison with control PC12 cells, OGD/R caused an increase in the level of miR­187­3p and a decrease in Seipin protein levels without changes in the level of Seipin mRNA. Using bioinformatics analysis, it was identified that miR­187­3p could bind to the CDS of Seipin. miR­187­3p inhibitor attenuated the reduction in Seipin protein expression in OGD/R­treated PC12 cells. Following OGD/R, autophagic flux was reduced and apoptosis was enhanced, which were attenuated by inhibition of miR­187­3p. Compared with OGD/R­treated PC12 cells, Seipin knockdown further impaired autophagic flux and promoted neuronal apoptosis, which were insensitive to inhibition of miR­187­3p. Furthermore, treatment with miR­187­3p inhibitor could decrease the infarction volume in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion. The present findings indicated that miR­187­3p inhibitor attenuated ischemia­induced cerebral damage by rescuing Seipin expression to improve autophagic flux.

PNU282987 inhibits amyloid­ß aggregation by upregulating astrocytic endogenous αB­crystallin and HSP­70 via regulation of the α7AChR, PI3K/Akt/HSF­1 signaling axis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. Abnormal aggregation of the neurotoxic amyloid­ß (Aß) peptide is an early event in AD. The activation of astrocytic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) can inhibit Aß aggregation; thus, the molecular mechanism between α7 nAChR activation and Aß aggregation warrants further investigation. In the present study, Aß oligomer levels were assessed in astrocytic cell lysates after treatment with PNU282987 (a potent agonist of α7 nAChRs) or co­treatment with LY294002, a p­Akt inhibitor. The levels of heat shock factor­1 (HSF­1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP­70), and αB­crystallin (Cryab) in astrocytes treated with PNU282987 at various time­points or co­treated with methyllycaconitine (MLA), a selective α7 nAChR antagonist, as well as co­incubated with LY294002 were determined by western blotting. HSP­70 and Cryab levels were determined after HSF­1 knockdown (KD) in astrocytes. PNU282987 markedly inhibited Aß aggregation and upregulated HSF­1, Cryab, and HSP­70 in primary astrocytes, while the PNU282987­mediated neuroprotective effect was reversed by pre­treatment with MLA or LY294002. Moreover, the HSF­1 KD in astrocytes effectively decreased Cryab, but not HSP­70 expression. HSF­1 is necessary for the upregulation of Cryab expression, but not for that of HSP­70. HSF­1 and HSP­70 have a neuroprotective effect. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effect of PNU282987 against Aß aggregation was mediated by the canonical PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation.

Berberine Ameliorates Oxygen-glucose Deprivation/Reperfusion-induced Apoptosis by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy in PC12 Cells.

This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which berberine protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) PC12 model was established. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the toxicity of berberine and the viability of PC12 cells. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry were used to observe the nuclear morphology, and changes of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS), respectively. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were employed to detect autophagy-related proteins [microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3), P62/SQSTM-1, Beclin-1] and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related markers [glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3]. The GFP-RFP-LC3 adenovirus was used to assay the change of autophagic flux. Our results showed that berberine could increase the viability of PC12 cells, decrease the concentrations of ROS after OGD/R treatment, and suppress OGD/R-induced ER stress and autophagy. Moreover, the results revealed the involvement of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the induction of autophagy, and berberine could activate the phosphorylation of mTOR and thus mitigate autophagy. In conclusion, our study suggested that berberine may protect against OGD/R-induced apoptosis by regulating ER stress and autophagy, and it holds promises in the treatment of cerebral I/R injury.

[AdipoRon for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in mice and its possible mechanism of the liver].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of AdipoRon for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM)in mice and its effect on the liver. METHODS: Forty male C57/BL6 mice (SPF) were randomly divided to normal control (NC) group and the experimental group. To establish the T2DM mice model, mice in the experimental group were fed with high fat and high glucose, combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in small doses, and mice were further subdivided into model control (DM) group, model control with low AdipoRon (DM+L) group and model control with high AdipoRon (DM+H) group (n=10). Serum indexes, such as levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were detected biochemically and the morphological changes of liver cells were observed with HE staining and expression of liver carbohydrate related gene (PEPCK) were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (real time FQ-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with mice in the DM group, levels of ALT, AST, ALP, triglyceride (TG), glucose (GLU) reduced in DM+L and DM+H group (P<0.05). Concentrations of serum free fatty acids (FFA) in DM+L and DM+H group reduced significantly (P<0.05). Besides, concentrations of liver glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-P) in the mice of DM+L group reduced significantly, while there was no significant difference in the content of G-6-P between the mice of DM+H group and the mice of DM group. Furthermore, the expression of the liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK) in the DM+H group reduced significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the DM group no significant change was found in the PEPCK expression between DM+L and DM group. CONCLUSIONS: The serum indexes such as levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TG, Glu, G-6-P and PEPCK were all reduced in DM mice treated with AdipoRon, indicating the obvious protecting effect of AdipoRon on the liver in DM mice.

Integrin αvß3 is required for cathepsin B-induced hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

The cysteine protease cathepsin B (Cat B) is important in the progression of tumor cells, however, the function and molecular mechanisms of Cat B in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated. Our previous study demonstrated that integrin αvß3 regulated the biological behavior of HCC. The present study demonstrated that Cat B was also important in cell proliferation and apoptosis in HCC. Notably, Cat B was observed to activate the phosphoinositide 3­kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway to promote HCC proliferation. Furthermore, inhibition of integrin αvß3 significantly prevented Cat B­induced activation of PI3K/Akt and the progression of HCC. Thus, the results of the present study suggested the presence of a Cat B/integrin αvß3/PI3K/Akt axis in the regulation of the progression of HCC.

Chromosomal abnormalities and adverse pregnancy outcome with maternal serum second trimester triple screening test for fetal Down syndrome in 4,860 Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of maternal serum triple screening for the genetic abnormality in second-trimester and the morbidity of adverse pregnancy outcome in false positive results of the test. METHODS: A total of 4,680 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies assigned in Obs & Gyn Hospital, Fudan University, underwent triple screening test (alpha fetoprotein, AFP; human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG and unconjugated estriol, uE3) by fluorescence enzyme immunoassay between 2003 and 2005. The valid MoM (Multiples of Median) value of mid-trimester serum AFP, uE3, and hCG and risk assessments was provided by Beckman Coulter Co. when applied in the prenatal Down syndrome screening service. The study compares the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities with Down syndrome in screen positive women and compares to the MoM value established in the literature. The risks of having a fetus with congenital abnormalities or of developing obstetric complications in the screen positive women with their matched controls. RESULTS: The MoM values for the triple tests of our study are similar to established values of literature. Only 51.01% women with pregnancies agree to receive screening. Amniocentesis utilization rate was 55.12% in the screen-positive pregnancies. The false positive rate was 6.89% and the median of maternal age of the women was 28.13 (range 19 to 49) years old. Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 21 pregnancies, including 9 cases of trisomy 21. The detection rate was 77.77%. Pregnancies with positive screening results had a significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes than those with negative results (P< 0.05). Whereas there was no difference in the incidences of fetal congenital appearance or skeleton abnormality. CONCLUSION: Adjusting MoM values of local unaffected populations is limited to increasing the detection rate. Because chromosomal defects have variable exhibitions, amniocentesis utilization is still a choice for screen-positive pregnancies. Screen-positive pregnancies had increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities.