Metal-phenolic network as precursor complex coating for forward osmosis membrane with enhanced antifouling property.

In this study, a multi-functional layer was developed based on the commercially available cellulose triacetate (CTA) forward osmosis (FO) membrane to improve its antifouling property. Tannic acid/ferric ion (TA/Fe3+) complexes were firstly coated as a precursor layer on the membrane surface via self-assembly. Afterwards, the tannic acid/diethylenetriamine (TA/DETA) hydrophilic functional layer was further coated, following Ag/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) anti-bacterial layer was formed in situ through the reducibility of TA to obtain TA/Fe3+-TA/DETA-Ag/PVP-modified membrane. The optimized precursor layer was acquired by adjusting the buffer solution pH to 8, TA/Fe3+ ratio to 4 and the number of self-assembled layers to 5. The permeability testing results illustrated that the functional layer had an insignificant effect on the membrane transport parameters. The TA/Fe3+-TA/DETA-Ag/PVP-modified membrane simultaneously exhibited excellent physical and chemical stability. The coated membrane also demonstrated enhanced anti-bacterial properties, achieving 98.63 and 97.30% inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Furthermore, the dynamic fouling experiment showed a 12% higher water flux decrease for the TA/Fe3+-TA/DETA-Ag/PVP CTA membrane compared to the nascent CTA membrane, which proved its excellent antifouling performance. This work provides a feasible strategy to heighten the antifouling property of the CTA FO membrane.

Effect of surface functional groups of polystyrene micro/nano plastics on the release of NOM from flocs during the aging process.

Currently, the hidden risk of microplastics in the coagulation process has attracted much attention. However, previous studies aimed at improving the removal efficiency of microplastics and ignored the importance of interactions between microplastics and natural organic matter (NOM). This study investigated how polystyrene micro/nano particles impact the release of NOM during the aging of flocs formed by aluminum-based coagulants Al13 and AlCl3. The results elucidated that nano-particles with small particle sizes and agglomerative states are more likely to interact with coagulants. After 7 years of floc aging, the DOC content of the nano system decreased by more than 40%, while the micron system did not change significantly. During coagulation, the benzene rings in polystyrene particles form complexes with electrophilic aluminum ions through π-bonding, creating new Al-O bonds. NOM tends to adsorb at micro/nano plastic interfaces due to hydrophobic interactions and conformational entropy. In the aging process, the structure of PS-Al13 or PS-AlCl3 flocs and the functional groups on the surface of micro/nano plastics control the absorption and release of organic matter through hydrophobic, van der Waals forces, hydration, and polymer bridging. In the system with the addition of nano plastics, several DBPs such as TCAA, DCAA, TBM, DBCM and nitrosamines were reduced by more than 50%. The reaction order of different morphological structures and surface functional groups of microplastics to Al13 and AlCl3 systems is aromatic C-H > C-OH > C-O > NH2 > aromatic CC > aliphatic C-H and C-O>H-CO> NH2 >C-OH> aliphatic C-H. The results provided a new sight to explore the effect of micro/nano plastics on the release of NOM during flocs aging.

The Molecular Biological Mechanism of Hydrogen Therapy and Its Application in Spinal Cord Injury.

Hydrogen, which is a novel biomedical molecule, is currently the subject of extensive research involving animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments, and it is gradually being applied in clinical settings. Hydrogen has been proven to possess anti-inflammatory, selective antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects, thus exhibiting considerable protective effects in various diseases. In recent years, several studies have provided preliminary evidence for the protective effects of hydrogen on spinal cord injury (SCI). This paper provides a comprehensive review of the potential molecular biology mechanisms of hydrogen therapy and its application in treating SCI, with an aim to better explore the medical value of hydrogen and provide new avenues for the adjuvant treatment of SCI.

Treatment of landfill leachate by coagulation: A review.

Landfill leachate is a seriously polluted and hazardous liquid, which contains a high concentration of refractory organics, ammonia nitrogen, heavy metals, inorganic salts, and various suspended solids. The favorable disposal of landfill leachate has always been a hot and challenging issue in wastewater treatment. As one of the best available technologies for landfill leachate disposal, coagulation has been studied extensively. However, there is an absence of a systematic review regarding coagulation in landfill leachate treatment. In this paper, a review focusing on the characteristics, mechanisms, and application of coagulation in landfill leachate treatment was provided. Different coagulants and factors influencing the coagulation effect were synthetically summarized. The performance of coagulation coupled with other processes and their complementary advantages were elucidated. Additionally, the economic analysis conducted in this study suggests the cost-effectiveness of the coagulation process. Based on previous studies, challenges and perspectives met by landfill leachate coagulation treatment were also put forward. Overall, this review will provide a reference for the coagulation treatment of landfill leachate and promote the development of efficient and eco-friendly leachate treatment technology.

Therapeutic Effects of Mechanical Stress-Induced C2C12-Derived Exosomes on Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Through miR-92a-3p/PTEN/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common bone disease in which the bone loses density and strength and is prone to fracture. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are important in bone-related diseases. Exosomes, as mediators of cell communication, have potential in cell processes. Previous studies have focused on muscle factors' regulation of bone remodeling, but research on exosomes is lacking. Methods:  In order to confirm the therapeutic effect of mechanically stimulated myocytes (C2C12) derived exosomes (Exosome-MS) on the Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis(GIOP) compared with unmechanically stimulated myocytes (C2C12) derived exosomes (Exosomes), we established a dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis model in vivo and in vitro. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using CCK8 and EDU assays. Osteogenic potential was evaluated through Western blotting, real-time PCR, alkaline phosphatase activity assay, and alizarin red staining. Differential expression of miRNAs was determined by high-throughput sequencing. The regulatory mechanism of miR-92a-3p on cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation via the PTEN/AKT pathway was investigated using real-time PCR, luciferase reporter gene assay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. The therapeutic effects of exosomes were evaluated in vivo using microCT, HE staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry. Results:  In this study, we found that exosomes derived from mechanical stress had a positive impact on the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Importantly, we demonstrated that miR-92a-3p mimics could reverse dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo, indicating that mechanical stress-induced mouse myoblast-derived exosomes could promote osteogenesis and prevent the occurrence and progression of osteoporosis in mice through miR-92a-3p/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion:  Exosomes derived from mechanical stress-induced myoblasts can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through miR-92a-3p/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway, and can have a therapeutic effect on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in mice in vivo.

Polydopamine modified cerium-based MOFs/ chitosan aerogel beads for the efficient phosphate removal.

The metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as the effective adsorbents for phosphate removal, while their ultrafine powders limit their practical application. In this study, we fabricate two chitosan (CS) gel beads added with different cerium-based MOFs and coated with PDA for phosphate adsorption. The MOFs doped in beads are CM1 and CM2, in which the Ce(III)/Ce(IV) ratio is 0.36 and 1.46, indicating CM2 is Ce(III) dominated and more suitable for phosphate removal. However, during the process of preparing gel beads, the mixture of chitosan and CM1/CM2 are added drop-by-drop to NaOH solution, leading to the decrease of Ce(III) contents in both of the two beads on account of oxidization. On this basis, in order to improve the phosphate uptake performance and enhance the mechanical strength, polydopamine (PDA) is applied to be coated on the outside. The adsorption capacities of CS-CM1 and CS-CM2 are no more than 20 mg/g higher than that of pure CS, which is also quite equal with the phosphate uptake of CS@PDA (63 mg/g). Due to the reduction of PDA, the content of Ce(III) increasing evidently in the two adsorbents. The maximum phosphate adsorption capacities are 146.8 mg/g and 114.8 mg/g for CS-CM1@PDA and CS-CM2@PDA, respectively. CS-CM2@PDA exhibits the largest treatment volume of ∼1166 BV in the fix-bed column study, much higher than that of CS-CM1@PDA (976 BV). The main reason is that Ce(III) could form binding with phosphate through ligand exchange and precipitation. Those inner-sphere interactions are much stronger than the electrostatic attraction between Ce(IV) and phosphate. Thus, due to this strong affinity, CS-CM2@PDA possessing a higher content of Ce(III) can capture phosphate more easier at low concentration. In summary, owing to reduction of PDA, the Cerium-based MOFs are successfully introduced in CS to realize excellent phosphate removal and exhibit a great prospect in application.

Comprehensive analysis of mitophagy-related genes in diagnosis and heterogeneous endothelial cells in chronic rhinosinusitis: based on bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex inflammatory disorder affecting the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Mitophagy, the process of selective mitochondrial degradation via autophagy, is crucial for maintaining cellular balance. However, the role of mitophagy in CRS is not well-studied. This research aims to examine the role of mitophagy-related genes (MRGs) in CRS, with a particular focus on the heterogeneity of endothelial cells (ECs). Methods: We employed both bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data to investigate the role of MRGs in CRS. We compiled a combined database of 92 CRS samples and 35 healthy control samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and we explored the differential expression of MRGs between them. A logistic regression model was built based on seven key genes identified through Random Forests and Support Vector Machines - Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE). Consensus cluster analysis was used to categorize CRS patients based on MRG expression patterns and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to find modules of highly correlated genes of the different clusters. Single-cell RNA sequencing data was utilized to analyze MRGs and EC heterogeneity in CRS. Results: Seven hub genes-SQSTM1, SRC, UBA52, MFN2, UBC, RPS27A, and ATG12-showed differential expression between two groups. A diagnostic model based on hub genes showed excellent prognostic accuracy. A strong positive correlation was found between the seven hub MRGs and resting dendritic cells, while a significant negative correlation was observed with mast cells and CD8+ T cells. CRS could be divided into two subclusters based on MRG expression patterns. WGCNA analysis identified modules of highly correlated genes of these two different subclusters. At the single-cell level, two types of venous ECs with different MRG scores were identified, suggesting their varying roles in CRS pathogenesis, especially in the non-eosinophilic CRS subtype. Conclusion: Our comprehensive study of CRS reveals the significant role of MRGs and underscores the heterogeneity of ECs. We highlighted the importance of Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and TGFb pathways in mediating the effects of mitophagy, particularly the MIF. Overall, our findings enhance the understanding of mitophagy in CRS, providing a foundation for future research and potential therapeutic developments.

Insight into the electron transfer regime of periodate activation on MnO2: The critical role of surface Mn(IV).

At present, the potential mechanism of manganese oxide (MnO2) activation of PI and the key active sites of PI activation are still unclear and controversial. To this end, three different crystal forms of MnO2 were prepared in this study and used to activate PI to degrade pollutants. The results showed that different crystal types of MnO2 showed different catalytic abilities, and the order was γ-MnO2 > α-MnO2 > ß-MnO2. Through quenching experiments, EPR tests, Raman experiments and in situ electrochemical experiments, it has been confirmed that electron transfer-mediated non-free radical process is the main mechanism of pollutant degradation, in which the active substance is the highly active metastable intermediate complex (MnO2/PI*). Hydroxyl radical (HO•), superoxide radical (O2•-), singlet oxygen (1O2) and iodine radical (IO3•) did not participate in pollutant degradation. The quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis confirmed that the catalytic performance of MnO2 was highly positively correlated with the surface Mn(IV) content, which indicated that the surface Mn(IV) site was the main active site. Overall, this study will be of great help to the design and application of manganese dioxide activation for periodate degradation of pollutants.

Significance of Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide in Auxiliary Diagnosis and Evaluation of Allergic Rhinitis.

Objective: The concentration of exhaled NO and CO is considered as a candidate marker of respiratory inflammatory disease. This report discusses the exhaled NO and CO in the auxiliary diagnosis and evaluation of allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: 60 AR patients from October 2017 to March 2019, compared with 30 healthy controls. The severity of AR disease was distinguished by symptom score. Both groups were tested for exhaled nitric oxide through the nose or mouth and exhale carbon monoxide through the mouth. AR patients received glucocorticoid nasal spray for 1 month and were tested again for nNO, eNO, eCO, and symptom score. Results: Before treatment, all the nNO, eNO, and eCO of the AR group were higher than the control group. There were differences in the severe and moderate subgroup: severe > moderate > mild. eCO was not significantly different between the mild and control groups. The nNO, eNO, and eCO levels were positively correlated with symptom score. After treatment, nNO decreased significantly in the three subgroups; eNO and eCO in the severe AR group decreased significantly. Drawing the ROC curve, the area under curve (AUC) of nNO is 0.978. The AUC of eNO and eCO was 0.786 and 0.577, respectively. Conclusion: The nNO, eNO, and eCO in the AR group are higher than healthy people, which positively correlated with the severity of AR symptoms. The detection of nNO, eNO, and eCO can monitor the changes of AR. The detection of nNO level as an indicator of AR auxiliary diagnosis has high accuracy.

Differential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in the normal nasal mucosa and in chronic sinusitis.

Human nasal mucosa is susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and serves as a reservoir for viral replication before spreading to other organs (e.g. the lung and brain) and transmission to other individuals. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common respiratory tract disease and there is evidence suggesting that susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection differs between the two known subtypes, eosinophilic CRS and non-ECRS (NECRS). However, the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human nasal mucosa and its association with CRS has not been experimentally validated. In this study, we investigated whether the human nasal mucosa is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and how different endotypes of CRS impact on viral infection and progression. Primary human nasal mucosa tissue culture revealed highly efficient SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and production, with particularly high susceptibility in the NECRS group. The gene expression differences suggested that human nasal mucosa is highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, presumably due to an increase in ACE2-expressing cells and a deficiency in antiviral immune response, especially for NECRS. Importantly, patients with NECRS may be at a particularly high risk of viral infection and transmission, and therefore, close monitoring should be considered.

[Adsorption Properties and Host-guest Effects of Porous Cyclodextrin Polymers for Dye Molecules in Water].

Cyclodextrin can form host-guest inclusion complexes with a variety of organic pollutants and has unique advantages in removing complex dye molecules from water. In this study, a porous cyclodextrin polymer (P-CDP) was prepared using a rigid crosslinking agent, and the structure of the P-CDP was characterized by FT-IR, XPS, SEM, BET, and other technologies. The P-CDP was studied using isothermal adsorption and kinetic adsorption experiments. The inclusion adsorption performance and host-guest effect of the P-CDP for dye molecules in water were studied using competitive experiments. The characterization results showed that the P-CDP had strong thermal stability. It had a microporous structure with a specific surface area of 108.745 m2·g-1. The Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model had a higher fitting degree for the adsorption process. The results of the competition experiments showed that the electrostatic effect was stronger than the host-guest effect in the adsorption process. Pollutants whose molecular configurations were highly matched with the cyclodextrin cavity could form inclusion complexes with high molecular stability. Contaminants with strong hydrophobicity were more likely to be encapsulated in the cyclodextrin cavity. After the P-CDP adsorbed the dyes, the removal efficiency after the fifth cycle of elution and regeneration remained above 80%. This study showed that P-CDP has potential application value in the treatment of dye wastewater.

Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1) accelerates osteoclast formation by regulating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling.

Osteoclasts (OCs), the main cause of bone resorption irregularities, may ultimately cause various bone diseases, including osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1) on OC formation induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and to further explore its underlying mechanism. IFIT1 expression in Raw264.7 cells treated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL was determined by qRT-PCR. OC formation was detected using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The effect of IFIT1 on STAT3 activation was detected using Western blotting. Additionally, Western blotting was used to measure the change in the expression of OC-specific proteins. IFIT1 was highly expressed in Raw264.7 cells after stimulation with M-CSF and RANKL. IFIT1 overexpression accelerated the formation of OCs, as evidenced by the increased number and size of multinuclear cells, and the upregulation of OC-specific proteins, and activated the STAT3 pathway, by inducing phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3. However, silencing of IFIT1 inhibited the formation of OCs and a STAT3 inhibitor Stattic weakened the effects of IFIT1. In conclusion, IFIT1 accelerates the formation of OCs, which is caused by RANKL by STAT3 pathway regulation. This study provides a potential basis for further research and for development of drugs for treating bone resorption-related diseases.

Visible-light induced activation of persulfate by self-assembled EHPDI/TiO2 photocatalyst toward efficient degradation of carbamazepine.

Removal of pharmaceutical and personal care products from wastewater is very important in water treatment process. Combining photocatalysis with persulfate (PS) could be a good solvent for this problem. Novel perylene diimide derivative (EHPDI) was designed and synthesized. Furthermore, self-assembled EHPDI/TiO2 composite photocatalyst (EPT) was prepared and applied in activating persulfate (PS) under visible light to enhance the photodegradation of pollutants. The presence of the alkyl side chain 2-ethylhexyl optimizes the self-assembly process, enabling the composite material to achieve high performance under low EHPDI loading. Various methods were used to detect the physical and chemical characteristics of EPT. Carbamazepine (CBZ) was chosen to be the model pollutant to study the removal efficiency of EPT/PS system under visible light. Within 30 min, 5.0 mg/L CBZ could be almost completely degraded, and the removal ratio of TOC was 75.2% within 60 min. The SO4-, OH, O2-, 1O2, and h+ were proved to be involved in the removal of CBZ by EPR and quenching experiments. Then, other typical pollutants were degraded by this EPT/PS system, demonstrating this system is suitable for degrading different pollutants. Besides, the degradation paths of CBZ were proposed by HPLC/MS. Finally, the EPT showed excellent recyclability and stability.

Application of magnetic fields to wastewater treatment and its mechanisms: A review.

Magnetic field (MF) has been applied widely and successfully as an efficient, low-cost and easy-to-use technique to enhance wastewater treatment (WWT) performance. Although the effects of MF on WWT were revealed and summarized by some works, they are still mysterious and complex. This review summarizes the application of MF in magnetic adsorption-separation of heavy metals and dyes, treatment of domestic wastewater and photo-magnetic coupling technology. Furthermore, the mechanisms of MF-enhanced WWT are critically elaborated from the perspective of magnetic physicochemical and biological effects, such as magnetoresistance, Lorentz force, and intracellular radical pair mechanism. At last, the challenges and opportunities for MF application in WWT are discussed. For overcoming the limitations and taking advantages of MFs in WWT, fundamental research of the mechanisms of the application of MFs should be carried out in the future.

Application of coagulation/flocculation in oily wastewater treatment: A review.

Volumes of oily wastewater are inevitably generated by every walk of life. The removal of oil particles from oil-contaminated wastewater which is characterized as huge amounts, intricate composition, and great threats to human health and the ecological environment is a research hotspot in water treatment fields. Due to high treatment costs and undesirable treatment efficiencies, oily wastewater treatment remains a topical and urgent issue. At present, coagulation/flocculation as an indispensable oily wastewater treatment technology receives much attention because it is very well established, economical, practical and relatively efficient. The influencing factors of oil wastewater treatment by coagulation/flocculation have also been summarized in-depth, like dosage, pH, etc. In consideration of its complex composition and treatment difficulty, this paper will also compare the treatment effects of different coagulants/flocculants used alone and combined effects in oily wastewater treatment: inorganic coagulants, organic synthetic polymeric flocculants, natural flocculants and modified polymeric flocculants. Additionally, in this review, the mechanisms of removing oily substance by coagulation/flocculation are emphasized. Given strict emission standards and the refractory nature of oily wastewater, the combination process with coagulation/flocculation, such as electrocoagulation, coagulation-membrane filtration hybrid process, and coagulation/flocculation-flotation can present better application potential and are discussed in this review. To provide a proper choice in practical application, the operating cost of coagulation and several conventional technologies are also compared. Finally, the existing challenges in the treatment of oily wastewater by coagulation are analyzed, and the feasible research direction is proposed.

What is the efficacy of gentamicin on the incidence of vertigo attacks and hearing in patients with Meniere's disease compared with steroids? A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of gentamicin and steroids in patients with Meniere's disease (MD). METHODS: The study protocol was structured in accordance with the Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO) framework. We used "Endnote" (Thomson ResearchSoft; Stanford, Connecticut, the United States) to retrieve database documents. A systematic literature search of Web of Science and PubMed Database through May 2020 was conducted using specific search terms. Inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, vertigo improvement, and exact hearing changes were defined. Review Manager 5.3 (Cochrane) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 80 articles were searched from Web of Science and 23 articles were searched from PubMed database. After further reviewing the specific points of the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, 9 papers were finally selected. Intratympanic gentamicin (ITG) was superior to intratympanic steroid (ITS) in reducing the number of vertigo attacks (odds ratio (OR) 3.08, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [2.05-3.65]), probability (P) < 0.01). As for hearing improvement, we did the analysis twice. With all the studies included, the odds of hearing improvement (by "x") was 0.31 among patients receiving gentamicin compared to those treated by steroids (OR 0.31, 95% CI [0.16-0.61]). But after removing one study with outlying results from the analysis, this effect disappeared. Hearing loss of ITG and ITS was not statistically significant (P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: ITG is superior to ITS in reducing the number of vertigo attacks in the treatment of MD (P < 0.01); the impact on hearing is more heterogeneous in the studies. Overall, there was no clear difference between ITG and ITS on hearing improvement and on hearing loss.

Enhanced adsorption/photocatalytic removal of Cu(â ¡) from wastewater by a novel magnetic chitosan@ bismuth tungstate coated by silver (MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6) composite.

An easily separation composite, magnetic chitosan@bismuth tungstate coated by silver (MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6), was successfully synthesized by the simple hydrothermal method. Moreover, the MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6 demonstrated excellent adsorption/photocatalytic removal of Cu(II) in aqueous solution. Adsorption played a leading role in the synergistic reaction. The catalysts were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects on adsorption of Cu(II) were investigated, which included illumination, pH, and initial concentration. The experimental results showed that the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) (181.8 mg/g) was achieved under simulated solar light irradiation with the optimal pH value of 6.0, indicating that illumination could enhance the adsorption of Cu(II) by MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6. Meanwhile, the composite exhibited desirable adsorption ability of Cu(II) after 5 cycles. The copper ion adsorption fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model and its isotherm followed Freundlich model.

Targeting ferroptosis for cancer therapy: exploring novel strategies from its mechanisms and role in cancers.

Ferroptosis is a novel form of non-apoptotic regulated cell death (RCD), with distinct characteristics and functions in physical conditions and multiple diseases such as cancers. Unlike apoptosis and autophagy, this new RCD is an iron-dependent cell death with features of lethal accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and over production of lipid peroxidation. Excessive iron from aberrant iron metabolisms or the maladjustment of the two main redox systems thiols and lipid peroxidation role as the major causes of ROS generation, and the redox-acrive ferrous (intracellular labile iron) is a crucial factor for the lipid peroxidation. Regulation of ferrroptosis also involves different pathways such as mevalonate pathway, P53 pathway and p62-Keap1-Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Ferroptosis roles as a double-edged sword either suppressing or promoting tumor progression with the release of multiple signaling molecules in the tumor microenvironment. Emerging evidence suggests ferroptosis as a potential target for cancer therapy and ferroptosis inducers including small molecules and nanomaterials have been developed. The application of ferroptosis inducers also relates to overcoming drug resistance and preventing tumor metastasis, and may become a promising strategy combined with other anti-cancer therapies. Here, we summarize the ferroptosis characters from its underlying basis and role in cancer, followed by its possible applications in cancer therapies and challenges maintained.

Novel cationic polymer modified magnetic chitosan beads for efficient adsorption of heavy metals and dyes over a wide pH range.

Wastewater containing highly toxic and non-biodegradable heavy metals and organic dyes poses a serious threat to ecological environment and human health. Adsorption has been regarded as a promising technology to purify this kind of wastewater. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop efficient adsorbents. Herein, a magnetically recyclable adsorbent Fe3O4-CS/PDAC was facilely fabricated by coating poly(acryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride)-modified chitosan on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The morphology, physical-chemical and magnetic properties of as-prepared Fe3O4-CS/PDAC was fully characterized by various techniques. Its adsorption behaviors towards heavy metal Cr(VI) and organic dye sunset yellow (SY) were systematically investigated. Evidently, Fe3O4-CS/PDAC exhibited adsorption capacities of 163.93 and 769.23 mg/g for Cr(VI) and SY respectively, much higher than other reported adsorbents. Besides, batch experiment results showed that adsorption capacities decreased slightly with pH increasing from 2.0 to 10.0. Furthermore, Fe3O4-CS/PDAC could be easily separated and effectively regenerated after adsorption. The superior adsorption performance of Fe3O4-CS/PDAC could be attributed to the electrostatic interaction and ion exchange between target pollutants and the grafted cationic polymer. Owing to its high adsorption capacity over a wide pH range, rapid separation, easy regeneration and good reusability, Fe3O4-CS/PDAC has great potential for practical application in water treatment.

Exosomes Derived From Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit Complement Activation In Rats With Spinal Cord Injury.

PURPOSE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a relatively common, devastating traumatic condition resulting in permanent disability. In this study, the use of exosomes derived from bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs-Exo) as a cell-free therapy for the treatment of SCI in rats was investigated to gain insights into their mechanisms of action. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into three groups, Sham (treated with PBS), SCI (SCI injury + PBS) and SCI + Exo (SCI injury + BMSCs-Exo). Changes in the complement system between the three groups were assessed with the use of proteomics. The proteomic data were verified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the distributions of BMSCs-Exo in rats with SCI were detected by immunofluorescence. Moreover, SCI-activated NF-κB levels were determined using Western blot. RESULTS: SCI insult increased complement levels, including C4, C5, C6, C4 binding protein alpha and complement factor H. In contrast, the SCI + BMSCs-Exo group exhibited attenuated SCI-induced complement levels. Immunofluorescence assay results revealed that BMSCs-Exo mainly accumulated at the spinal cord injury site and were bound to microglia cells. Western blot analysis of tissue lysates showed that BMSCs-Exo treatment also inhibited SCI-activated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). CONCLUSION: BMSCs-Exo play a protective role in spinal cord injury by inhibiting complement mRNA synthesis and release and by inhibiting SCI-activated NF-κB by binding to microglia.