The establishment and severity assessment of ultrasound-guided prenatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia model in rat.

To study a new method for establishing animal models of prenatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), we used lung ultrasound score (LUS) to semi-quantitatively assess the severity of lung lesions in model rats. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into the right lung of the fetus of the rat under ultrasound-guided, and the right lung of the neonates were scanning for LUS. Specimens were collected for pathological scoring and detection of pulmonary surfactant-associated glycoprotein (SP)-C and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression quantity. The correlation between LUS and pathological scores was analyzed. (1) The animal models were consistent with the pathological manifestations of BPD. (2) It showed a strong positive correlation between LUS and pathological scores in animal models (r = 0.84, P < 0.005), and the expression quantity of SP-C and VEGF in lung tissue were decreased (both P < 0.05). Animal models established by ultrasound-guided puncture of the lung of rats and injection of LPS were consistent with the manifestation of BPD. This method could be used to establish animal models of BPD before birth, and the severity of BPD could be assessed by using LUS.

A novel role of AURKA kinase in erythroblast enucleation.

Generation of mammalian red blood cells requires the expulsion of polarized nuclei late in terminal erythroid differentiation. However, the mechanisms by which spherical erythroblasts determine the direction of nuclear polarization and maintain asymmetry during nuclear expulsion are poorly understood. Given the analogy of erythroblast enucleation to asymmetric cell division and the key role of Aurora kinases in mitosis, we sought to investigate the function of Aurora kinases in erythroblast enucleation. We found that AURKA (Aurora kinase A) is abundantly expressed in orthochromatic erythroblasts. Intriguingly, high-resolution confocal microscopy analyses revealed that AURKA co-localized with the centrosome on the side of the nucleus opposite its membrane contact point during polarization and subsequently translocated to the anterior end of the protrusive nucleus upon nuclear exit. Mechanistically, AURKA regulated centrosome maturation and localization via interaction with i-tubulin to provide polarization orientation for the nucleus. Furthermore, we identified ECT2 (epithelial cell transforming 2), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, as a new interacting protein and ubiquitination substrate of AURKA. After forming the nuclear protrusion, AURKA translocated to the anterior end of the protrusive nucleus to directly degrade ECT2, which is partly dependent on kinase activity of AURKA. Moreover, knockdown of ECT2 rescued impaired enucleation caused by AURKA inhibition. Our findings have uncovered a previously unrecognized role of Aurora kinases in the establishment of nuclear polarization and eventual nuclear extrusion and provide new mechanistic insights into erythroblast enucleation.

The effect of probiotics supplementation on cancer-treatment complications: a critical umbrella review of interventional meta-analyses.

Cancer-related complications pose significant challenges in the management and treatment of patients with malignancies. Several meta-analyses have indicated improving effects of probiotics on cancer complications, while some studies have reported contentious findings. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in addressing cancer complications, including diarrhea, mucositis, and infections, following chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Relevant studies were searched in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science databases and Google Scholar up to September 2023. All meta-analyses addressing the effects of probiotics on all cancer treatments-induced complications including infection, diarrhea and oral mucositis were included. The pooled results were calculated using a random-effects model. Analyses of subgroups, sensitivity and publication bias were also conducted. The results revealed that the probiotics supplementation was effective on reduction of total cancer complications (OR:0.53; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.62, p < 0.001; I2=79.0%, p < 0.001), total infection rate (OR:0.47; 95%CI: 0.41, 0.52, p < 0.001; I2= 48.8%, p < 0.001); diarrhea (OR:0.50; 95%CI: 0.44, 0.57, p < 0.001; I2=44.4%, p = 0.023) and severe diarrhea (OR: 0.4; 95%CI: 0.27, 0.56, p < 0.001; I2=31.3%, p = 0.178), oral mucositis (OR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.58, 0.94, p < 0.001; I2=95.5%, p < 0.001) and severe oral mucositis (OR:0.65, 95%CI: 0.58, 0.72 p < 0.001; I2=22.1%, p = 0.274). Multi strain probiotic (OR:0.49; 95%CI: 0.32, 0.65, p < 0.001; I2=90.7%, p < 0.001) were more efficacious than single strain (OR:0.73; 95%CI: 0.66, 0.81, p < 0.001; I2=0.00%, p = 0.786). The findings of the current umbrella meta-analysis provide strong evidence that probiotic supplementation can reduce cancer complications.

An ultra-efficient pretreatment method adopted LPUV/CoFe2O4/PMS-based photolysis for accurate detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in water via SWASV.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a widely occurring substance in rivers that can strongly complex with heavy metal ions (HMIs), severely interfering with the electrochemical signal of anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) and reducing the detection accuracy of HMIs in water. In this study, we investigated a novel advanced oxidation process (AOP) that involves the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) using low-pressure ultraviolet (LPUV) radiation and CoFe2O4 photocatalysis. This novel AOP was used for the first time as an effective pretreatment method to break or weaken the complexation between HMIs and DOM, thereby restoring the electrochemical signals of HMIs. The key parameters, including the PMS concentration, CoFe2O4 concentration, and photolysis time, were optimized to be 6 mg/L, 12 mg/L, and 30 s for eliminating DOM interference during the electrochemical analysis of HMIs via LPUV/CoFe2O4-based photolysis. Investigations of the microstructure, surface morphology, specific surface area, and pore volume of CoFe2O4 were conducted to reveal the exceptional signal recovery capability of LPUV/CoFe2O4/PMS-based photolysis in mitigating interference from DOM during HMIs analysis. The PMS activation mechanism, which is critical to the signal recovery process, was elucidated by analyzing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the surface elemental composition of CoFe2O4. Additionally, the degradation and transformation behavior of humus-HMIs complexes were analyzed to study the mechanism of ASV signal recovery further. Notably, the detection results of HMIs in actual water samples obtained using the proposed pretreatment method were compared with those obtained from ICP-MS, yielding an RMSE less than 0.04 µg/L, which indicated the satisfactory performance of the proposed pretreatment method for the ASV detection of HMIs in complex actual samples.

A Comparative Analysis of Bacterial and Fungal Communities in Coastal and Inland Pecan Plantations.

Pecan forests (Carya illinoinensis) are significant contributors to both food and oil production, and thrive in diverse soil environments, including coastal regions. However, the interplay between soil microbes and pecan forest health in coastal environments remains understudied. Therefore, we investigated soil bacterial and fungal diversity in coastal (Dafeng, DF) and inland (Guomei, GM) pecan plantations using high-throughput sequencing. The results revealed a higher microbial diversity in the DF plantation than in the GM plantation, significantly influenced by pH and edaphic factors. The dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota and Bacteroidota in the DF plantation, and Acidobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobiota in the GM plantation. Bacillus, Nitrospira and UTCFX1 were significantly more abundant bacterial genera in DF soil, whereas Candidatus Udaeobacter, HSB_OF53-F07 and ADurbBin063-1 were more prevalent in GM soil. Basidiomycota dominated fungal sequences in the GM plantation, with a higher relative abundance of Ascomycota in the DF plantation. Significant differences in fungal genus composition were observed between plantations, with Scleroderma, Hebeloma, and Naucoria being more abundant in DF soil, and Clavulina, Russula, and Inocybe in GM soil. A functional analysis revealed greater carbohydrate metabolism potential in GM plantation bacteria and a higher ectomycorrhizal fungi abundance in DF soil. Significantly positive correlations were detected between certain bacterial and fungal genera and pH and total soluble salt content, suggesting their role in pecan adaptation to coastal environments and saline-alkali stress mitigation. These findings enhance our understanding of soil microbiomes in coastal pecan plantations, and are anticipated to foster ecologically sustainable agroforestry practices and contribute to coastal marshland ecosystem management.

Melatonin attenuates scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction through SIRT1/IRE1α/XBP1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of dementia around the world is increasing, and these patients are more likely to have cognitive impairments, mood and anxiety disorders (depression, anxiety, and panic disorder), and attention deficit disorders over their lifetime. Previous studies have proven that melatonin could improve memory loss, but its specific mechanism is still confused. METHODS: In this study, we used in vivo and in vitro models to examine the neuroprotective effect of melatonin on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced cognitive dysfunction. The behavioral tests were performed. 18F-FDG PET imaging was used to assess the metabolism of the brain. Protein expressions were determined through kit detection, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Nissl staining was conducted to reflect neurodegeneration. MTT assay and RNAi transfection were applied to perform the in vitro experiments. RESULTS: We found that melatonin could ameliorate SCOP-induced cognitive dysfunction and relieve anxious-like behaviors or HT22 cell damage. 18F-FDG PET-CT results showed that melatonin could improve cerebral glucose uptake in SCOP-treated mice. Melatonin restored the cholinergic function, increased the expressions of neurotrophic factors, and ameliorated oxidative stress in the brain of SCOP-treated mice. In addition, melatonin upregulated the expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), which further relieved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by decreasing the expression of phosphorylate inositol-requiring enzyme (p-IRE1α) and its downstream, X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that melatonin could ameliorate SCOP-induced cognitive dysfunction through the SIRT1/IRE1α/XBP1 pathway. SIRT1 might be the critical target of melatonin in the treatment of dementia.

Metformin improves cognitive dysfunction through SIRT1/NLRP3 pathway-mediated neuroinflammation in db/db mice.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), an important public health problem, aggravates the global economic burden. Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is a serious complication of DM in the central nervous system. Metformin has been proven to improve DE. However, the mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the db/db mice, a common model used for DE, were employed to explore and study the neuroprotective effect of metformin and related mechanisms. Behavioral tests indicated that metformin (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities of db/db mice. The outcomes from the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) demonstrate that metformin effectively modulates glucose and insulin signaling pathways in db/db mice. The results of body weight and blood lipid panel (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) show that metformin promotes the level of lipid metabolism in db/db mice. Furthermore, data from oxidative stress assays, which measured levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, suggest that metformin suppresses oxidative stress-induced brain damage in db/db mice. In addition, western blot, Nissl staining, and immunofluorescence results showed that metformin increased the expressions of nerve growth factor and postsynaptic density 95 and repaired neuronal structural damage. For the mechanism study, metformin activated SIRT1 and inhibited the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18) and inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-6). In conclusion, metformin could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction through the SIRT1/NLRP3 pathway, which might be a promising mechanism for DE treatment.

Immune-mediated disruption of the blood-brain barrier after intracerebral hemorrhage: Insights and potential therapeutic targets.

AIMS: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a condition that arises due to the rupture of cerebral blood vessels, leading to the flow of blood into the brain tissue. One of the pathological alterations that occurs during an acute ICH is an impairment of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which leads to severe perihematomal edema and an immune response. DISCUSSION: A complex interplay between the cells of the BBB, for example, pericytes, astrocytes, and brain endothelial cells, with resident and infiltrating immune cells, such as microglia, monocytes, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and others accounts for both damaging and protective mechanisms at the BBB following ICH. However, the precise immunological influence of BBB disruption has yet to be richly ascertained, especially at various stages of ICH. CONCLUSION: This review summarizes the changes in different cell types and molecular components of the BBB associated with immune-inflammatory responses during ICH. Furthermore, it highlights promising immunoregulatory therapies to protect the integrity of the BBB after ICH. By offering a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms behind BBB damage linked to cellular and molecular immunoinflammatory responses after ICH, this article aimed to accelerate the identification of potential therapeutic targets and expedite further translational research.

Anatomical Changes during Chestnut (Castanea mollissima BL.) Gall Development Stages Induced by the Gall Wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae).

This study delved into the larval development and the morphological and anatomical transformations that occur in the galls of chestnut trees (Castanea mollissima BL.) and are induced by the chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (GWDK) across various stages: initial, growth, differentiation, maturity, and lignification. Chestnut galls in the five development stages were collected. Gall structural characteristics were observed with an anatomical stereomicroscope, and anatomical changes in galls were analyzed with staining and scanning electron microscope techniques. The chestnut gall wasp laid its eggs on young leaves and buds. Chestnut gall wasp parasitism caused plant tissues to form a gall chamber, with parenchyma, protective, and epidermal layers. The development of the gall structure caused by the infestation of the GWDK gall led to the weakening of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) elimination ability of the host. The accumulation of ROS led to cell wall peroxidation, resulting in structural damage and diminished host resistance, and the parenchyma layer exhibited significant nutrient supply and thickening. The thickness of the protective and epidermal layers varied notably across different growth stages. The oviposition of the chestnut gall wasp induced modifications in the original plant tissues, with gall formation being most favorable in young tissues, correlating with the maturity level of the host plant tissues. Variances in the internal structures of the galls primarily stemmed from nutrient supplementation, while those in the external structure were attributed to defensive characteristics. This research contributes a foundational understanding of gall development induced by the chestnut gall wasp in Chinese chestnut, offering valuable insights into the intricate interplay between insect infestation and plant physiology.

Netrin­4 promotes VE­cadherin expression in endothelial cells through the NF­κB signaling pathway.

Netrin-4 (NTN4), a secreted protein from the Netrin family, has been recognized for its role in vascular development, endothelial homeostasis and angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is a specialized adhesion protein located at the intercellular junctions of endothelial cells (ECs), and regulates migration, proliferation and permeability. To date, the relationship between NTN4 and VE-cadherin in ECs remains unclear. In the present study, human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) were transfected with NTN4 overexpression plasmid, resulting in NTN4 overexpression. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to determine gene and protein expression. CCK8, wound healing, and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, migration and permeability. NTN4 overexpression decreased HUVEC viability and migration. In addition, NTN4 overexpression increased the expression of VE-cadherin and decreased the permeability of HUVECs. Subsequent studies showed that NTN4 overexpression increased the NF-κB protein level and decreased IκB-α protein expression in HUVECs. In HUVECs treated with NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, the expression of VE-cadherin failed to increase with NTN4 overexpression. Taken together, the results indicated that NTN4 overexpression increased VE-cadherin expression through the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in HUVECs. The present findings revealed a novel regulatory mechanism for VE-cadherin expression and suggested a novel avenue for future research on the role of NTN4 in endothelial barrier-related diseases.

Intermittent and mild cold stimulation enhances immune function of broilers via co-regulation of CIRP and TRPM8 on NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Improving immune function is an important indicator for establishing cold adaptation in broilers. In the study, to explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of intermittent and mild cold stimulation (IMCS) on the immune function of broilers, CIRP and TRPM8, induced by cold stimulation, as well as the NF-κB and MAPK pathways which play an important role in immune response, were selected to investigate. A total of 192 one-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were selected and randomly divided into the control group (CC) and the cold stimulation group (CS). The broilers in CC were raised at normal feeding temperature from d 1 to 43, while the broilers in CS were subjected to cold stimulation from day 15 to 35, with a temperature 3 °C below that of the CC group for 5 h, at 1 d intervals. The results showed that IMCS had little effect on the broiler hearts, and the myocardial structure was not damaged. On d 22, IMCS significantly increased the mRNA levels of CIRP, TRPM8, P65, P38, COX-2, TNF-α, IFN- γ, IL-6, IL-10, and the protein levels of CIRP, P65, P38, IL-1ß and iNOS in the hearts, and the levels of CIRP and all cytokines in the serum (P ≤ 0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of IκB-α were significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05). On d 36, the mRNA levels of TRPM8, P65, ERK, and IL-10 in the hearts and the content of COX-2 in the serum in CS were increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), while the mRNA levels of IκB-α, P38, and IL-1ß were decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05). On d 43, IMCS significantly upregulated the mRNA levels of TRPM8, IFN- γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and the protein levels of IκB-α, P38, and the levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL6 and IL10 in the serum (P ≤ 0.05); whereas it significantly downregulated CIRP, JNK, P38, iNOS, TNF-α mRNA levels, and CIRP, P65, ERK, JNK, IL1ß and iNOS protein levels (P ≤ 0.05). Therefore, IMCS can enhance broiler immune function through co-regulation of CIRP and TRPM8 on the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, which facilitate the cold adaptation in broilers.

Preparation of composites with MgAl-LDH-modified commercial activated carbon for the quick removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.

The problem of soil and water contamination caused by Cr(VI) discharged from the dyeing, electroplating, and metallurgical industries is becoming increasingly serious, posing a potentially great threat to the environment and public health. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a fast, efficient, and cost-effective adsorbent for remediating Cr-contaminated wastewater. In this work, MgAl-LDH/commercial-activated carbon nanocomposites (LDH-CACs) are prepared with hydrothermal. The effects of preparation and reaction conditions on the composite properties are first investigated, and then its adsorption behavior is thoroughly explored. Finally, a potential adsorption mechanism is proposed by several characterizations like SEM-EDS, XRD, FTIR, and XPS. The removal of Cr(VI) reaches 72.47% at optimal conditions, and the adsorption study demonstrates that LDH-CAC@1 has an extremely rapid adsorption rate and a maximum adsorption capacity of 116.7 mg/g. The primary removal mechanisms include adsorption-coupled reduction, ion exchange, surface precipitation, and electrostatic attraction. The reusability experiment illustrates that LDH-CAC@1 exhibits promising reusability. This study provides an effective adsorbent with a remarkably fast reaction, which has positive environmental significance for the treatment of Cr(VI) wastewater.

Taohong Siwu decoction alleviates cognitive impairment by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis signaling pathway in vascular dementia rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used for the treatment of vascular diseases, including vascular dementia (VD). However, the mechanisms remain unclear. AIM OF STUDY: This study aimed to investigate whether TSD has a positive effect on cognitive impairment in VD rats and to confirm that the mechanism of action is related to the Endoplasmic Reticulum stress (ERs) and cell apoptosis signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated group (Sham), the two-vessel occlusion group (2VO), the 2VO treated with 4.5 g/kg/d TSD group (2VO + TSD-L), the 2VO treated with 13.5 g/kg/d TSD group (2VO + TSD-H). The rats underwent either 2VO surgery or sham surgery. Postoperative TSD treatment was given for 4 consecutive weeks. Behavioral tests were initiated at the end of gastrulation. Open-field test (OFT) was used to detect the activity level. The New Object Recognition test (NOR) was used to test long-term memory. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to examine the foundation of spatial learning and memory. As a final step, the hippocampus was taken for molecular testing. The protein levels of GRP78 (Bip), p-PERK, PERK, IRE1α, p-IRE1α, ATF6, eIF2α, p-eIF2α, ATF4, XBP1, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. Immunofluorescence visualizes molecular expression. RESULTS: In the OFT, residence time in the central area was significantly longer in both TSD treatment groups compared to the 2VO group. In the NOR, the recognition index was obviously elevated in both TSD treatment groups. The 2VO group had a significantly longer escape latency and fewer times in crossing the location of the platform compared with the Sham group in MWM. TSD treatment reversed this notion. Pathologically, staining observations confirmed that TSD inhibited hippocampal neuronal loss and alleviated the abnormal reduction of the Nissl body. In parallel, TUNEL staining illustrated that TSD decelerated neuronal apoptosis. Western Blot demonstrated that TSD reduces the expression of ERs and apoptotic proteins. CONCLUSION: In this study, the significant ameliorative effect on cognitive impairment of TSD has been determined by comparing the behavioral data of the 4 groups of rats. Furthermore, it was confirmed that this effect of TSD was achieved by suppressing the ERs-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway.

Multi-Omics Insights into Disulfidptosis-Related Genes Reveal RPN1 as a Therapeutic Target for Liver Cancer.

Disulfidptosis, a newly identified mode of programmed cell death, is yet to be comprehensively elucidated with respect to its multi-omics characteristics in tumors, specific pathogenic mechanisms, and antitumor functions in liver cancer. This study included 10,327 tumor and normal tissue samples from 33 cancer types. In-depth analyses using various bioinformatics tools revealed widespread dysregulation of disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) in pan-cancer and significant associations with prognosis, genetic variations, tumor stemness, methylation levels, and drug sensitivity. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression and LASSO regression were used to screen and construct prognosis-related hub DRGs and predictive models in the context of liver cancer. Subsequently, single cell analysis was conducted to investigate the subcellular localization of RPN1, a hub DRG, in various solid tumors. Western blotting was performed to validate the expression of RPN1 at both cellular and tissue levels. Additionally, functional experiments, including CCK8, EdU, clone, and transwell assays, indicated that RPN1 knockdown promoted the proliferative and invasive capacities of liver cancer cells. Therefore, this study elucidated the multi-omics characteristics of DRGs in pan-cancer and established a prognostic model for liver cancer. Additionally, this study revealed the molecular functions of RPN1 in liver cancer, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for this disease.

Performance characteristics allow for confinement of a CRISPR toxin-antidote gene drive for population suppression in a reaction-diffusion model.

Gene drive alleles that can bias their own inheritance could engineer populations for control of disease vectors, invasive species and agricultural pests. There are successful examples of suppression drives and confined modification drives, but developing confined suppression drives has proven more difficult. However, CRISPR-based toxin-antidote dominant embryo (TADE) suppression drive may fill this niche. It works by targeting and disrupting a haplolethal target gene in the germline with its gRNAs while rescuing this target. It also disrupts a female fertility gene by driving insertion or additional gRNAs. Here, we used a reaction-diffusion model to assess drive performance in continuous space, where outcomes can be substantially different from those in panmictic populations. We measured drive wave speed and found that moderate fitness costs or target gene disruption in the early embryo from maternally deposited nuclease can eliminate the drive's ability to form a wave of advance. We assessed the required release size, and finally we investigated migration corridor scenarios. It is often possible for the drive to suppress one population and then persist in the corridor without invading the second population, a potentially desirable outcome. Thus, even imperfect variants of TADE suppression drive may be excellent candidates for confined population suppression.

Efficient photocatalytic nitrogen fixation via oxygen vacancies in Zr-MOFs at ambient conditions.

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation is seen to be a potential technology for nitrogen reduction due to its eco-friendliness, low energy consumption, and environmental protection. In this study, photocatalysts with abundant oxygen vacancies (Zr-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (Zr-NDC) and Zr-phthalic acid (Zr-BDC)) were designed using 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (H2NDC) and 1,4-phthalic acid (H2BDC) as ligands. Since the structure of H2NDC includes one extra benzene ring than H2BDC, the charge density differential of the organic ligand is probably altered. The hypothesis is proved by density function theory (DFT) calculation. The abundant oxygen vacancies of the catalyst offer numerous active sites for nitrogen fixation. Concurrently, the process of ligand-metal charge transfer facilitates photo-electron transfer, creating an active center for nitrogen reduction. Additionally, the functionalization of ligand amplifies another pathway for charge transfer, broadening the light absorption range of Metal-organic framework (MOF) and increasing its capacity for nitrogen reduction. In contrast to H2BDC, the benzene ring added in H2NDC structure acts as an electron energy storage tank with a stronger electron density difference favorable for photogenerated electron-hole separation resulting in higher photocatalytic activity in Zr-NDC. The experimental results show that the nitrogen fixation efficiency of Zr-NDC is 163.7 µmol g-1h-1, which is significantly better than that of Zr-BDC (29.3 µmol g-1h-1). This work utilizes cost-effective and non-toxic ingredients to design highly efficient photocatalysts, thereby significantly contributing to the practical implementation of green chemistry principles.

Synergistic effects of hydrophilic function group and micropores on water evaporation in a novel carbon hydrogels for efficient solar steam generation.

Solar steam generation (SSG) using hydrogels is emerging as a promising technology for clean water production. Herein, a novel oxygen-doped microporous carbon hydrogel (OPCH), rich in hydrophilic groups and micropores, has been synthesized from microalgae to optimize SSG. OPCH outperforms hydrogels with hydrophobic porous carbon or nonporous hydrophilic biochar, significantly reducing water's evaporation enthalpy from 2216.06 to 1107.88 J g-1 and activating 42.3 g of water per 100 g for evaporation, resulting in an impressive evaporation rate of 2.44 kg m-2 h-1 under one sun. A detailed investigation into the synergistic effects of hydrophilic groups and micropores on evaporation via a second derivative thermogravimetry method revealed two types of bonded water contributing to enthalpy reduction. Molecular dynamics simulations provided further insights, revealing that the hydrophilic micropores considerably decrease both the number and the lifetime of hydrogen bonds among water molecules. This dual effect not only reduces the energy barrier for evaporation but also enhances the kinetic energy needed for the phase transition, significantly boosting the water evaporation process. The sustained high evaporation rates of OPCH, observed across multiple cycles and under varying salinity conditions, underscore its potential as a highly efficient and sustainable solution for SSG applications.

The Effect of Acid Hydrolysis on the Pickering Emulsifying Capacity of Tartary Buckwheat Flour.

The effect of sulfuric acid hydrolysis on the Pickering emulsifying capacity of Tartary buckwheat flour (TBF) rich in starch was evaluated for the first time. The results indicate that the sulfuric acid concentration and hydrolysis time had a significant impact on the Pickering emulsifying capacity of acid-hydrolyzed Tartary buckwheat flour (HTBF). A low sulfuric acid concentration (1-2 mol/L) could reduce the particle size of HTBF, but it also decreased the Pickering emulsifying ability. At a sulfuric acid concentration of 3 mol/L, appropriate treatment time (2 and 3 days) led to particle aggregation but significantly improved wettability, thereby resulting in a rapid enhancement in emulsifying capacity. Under these conditions, the obtained HTBF (HTBF-D2-C3 and HTBF-D3-C3) could stabilize medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)-based Pickering high-internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) with an oil-phase volume fraction of 80% at the addition amounts (c) of ≥1.0% and ≥1.5%, respectively. Its performance was significantly superior to that of TBF (c ≥ 2.0%). Furthermore, at the same addition amount, the droplet size of HIPEs constructed by HTBF-D3-C3 was smaller than that of HTBF-D2-C3, and its gel strength and microrheological performance were also superior to those of HTBF-D2-C3, which was attributed to the higher wettability of HTBF-D3-C3. The findings of this study can facilitate the in-depth application of Tartary buckwheat and provide references for the development of novel Pickering emulsifiers.

Ganlu formula ethyl acetate extract (GLEE) blocked the development of experimental arthritis by inhibiting NLRP3 activation and reducing M1 type macrophage polarization.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Tibetan medicine Ganlu Formula, as a classic prescription, is widely used across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau area of China, which has a significant effect on relieving the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the active compounds and underlying mechanisms of Ganlu Formula in RA treatment remain largely unexplored. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to elucidate the active substances and potential mechanisms of the ethyl acetate extract of Ganlu Formula ethyl acetate extract (GLEE) in the treatment of RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was utilized to analyze and identify the chemical constituents within GLEE. Discovery Studio molecular virtual docking technology was utilized to dock the interaction of GLEE with inflammation-related pathway proteins. The GLEE gene library was obtained by transcriptome sequencing. Collagen-induced arthritic（CIA) rats were utilized to assess the antiarthritic efficacy of GLEE. Micro-CT imaging was employed to visualize the rat paw, and ultrasound imaging revealed knee joint effusion. Evaluation of synovial tissue pathological changes was conducted through hematoxylin-eosin staining and saffranine solid green staining, while immunohistochemical staining was employed to assess NLRP3 expression along with inflammatory markers. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to identify M1 macrophages. RESULTS: Metabolomic analysis via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 28 potentially bioactive compounds in GLEE, which interacted with the active sites of key proteins such as NLRP3, NF-κB, and STAT3 through hydrogen bonds, C-H bonds, and electrostatic attractions. In vitro analyses demonstrated that GLEE significantly attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inhibited the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) towards the M1 phenotype. In vivo, GLEE not only prevented bone mineral density (BMD) loss but also reduced ankle swelling in CIA rats. Furthermore, it decreased the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and curtailed the release of inflammatory mediators within the knee joint. CONCLUSION: GLEE effectively mitigated inflammatory responses in both blood and knee synovial membranes of CIA rats, potentially through the down-regulation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1ß signaling pathway and reduction in M1 macrophage polarization.

EGC enhances tumor antigen presentation and CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity via targeting oncoprotein SND1.

The Staphylococcal nuclease and Tudor domain containing 1 (SND1) has been identified as an oncoprotein. Our previous study demonstrated that SND1 impedes the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) assembly by hijacking the nascent heavy chain of MHC-I to endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation. Herein, we aimed to identify inhibitors to block SND1-MHC-I binding, to facilitate the MHC-I presentation and tumor immunotherapy. Our findings validated the importance of the K490-containing sites in SND1-MHC-I complex. Through structure-based virtual screening and docking analysis, (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC) exhibited the highest docking score to prevent the binding of MHC-I to SND1 by altering the spatial conformation of SND1. Additionally, EGC treatment resulted in increased expression levels of membrane-presented MHC-I in tumor cells. The C57BL/6J murine orthotopic melanoma model validated that EGC increases infiltration and activity of CD8+ T cells in both the tumor and spleen. Furthermore, the combination of EGC with programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody demonstrated a superior antitumor effect. In summary, we identified EGC as a novel inhibitor of SND1-MHC-I interaction, prompting MHC-I presentation to improve CD8+ T cell response within the tumor microenvironment. This discovery presents a promising immunotherapeutic candidate for tumors.