The N545S and K717N substitution at the N-glycosylation sites of the S2 subunit of avian infectious bronchitis virus can significantly enhance viral pathogenicity.

The S2 subunit of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a heavily glycosylated protein that can impact various characteristics of the virus. It is currently known that N-glycosylation modifications are predominantly located on the S2 subunit. However, the exact role of their N-glycosylation modification remains undisclosed. To elucidate the function of these N-glycosylation sites, we identified 14 common sites distributed on the S2 subunit of the 5 genotypes of IBV in present study. Subsequently, we selected 7 sites to generate mutants and assessed their impact on viral virulence, replication ability, and antigenicity. Our finding revealed that only 2 substitutions, N545S and K717N, increased the viral replication titer and antigenicity, and ultimately the pathogenicity in chicks. To delve into the mechanisms underlying this increased pathogenicity, we discovered that K717N can change the structure of antigenic epitopes. The N545S substitution not only influenced antigenic epitope structure, but also enhanced the ability of the virus to enter CEKs during the early stages of viral replication. These results suggest that the enhanced viral pathogenicity associated with N545S and K717N substitutions is multifaceted, with acceleration of the viral membrane fusion process and alterations in epitope structure representing crucial factors in the capability of N-glycosylation modifications to boost viral virulence. These insights provide valuable guidance for the efficient development of live attenuated vaccines.

Impact and migration behavior of triclosan on waste-activated sludge anaerobic digestion.

Triclosan (TCS), a hydrophobic antibacterial agent, is extensive application in daily life. Despite a low biodegradability rate, its hydrophobicity results in its accumulation in waste-activated sludge (WAS) during domestic and industrial wastewater treatment. While anaerobic digestion is the foremost strategy for WAS treatment, limited research has explored the interphase migration behavior and impacts of TCS on WAS degradation during anaerobic digestion. This study revealed TCS migration between solid- and liquid-phase in WAS digestion. The solid-liquid distribution coefficients of TCS were negative for proteins and polysaccharides and positive for ammonium. High TCS levels promoted volatile-fatty-acid accumulation and reduced methane production. Enzyme activity tests and functional prediction indicated that TCS increased enzyme activity associated with acid production, in contrast to the inhibition of key methanogenic enzymes. The findings of the TCS migration behavior and its impacts on WAS anaerobic digestion provide an in-depth understanding of the evolution of enhanced TCS-removing technology.

Constructing Stiff ß-Sheet for Self-Reinforced Alginate Fibers.

The application of alginate fibers is limited by relatively low mechanical properties. Herein, a self-reinforcing strategy inspired by nature is proposed to fabricate alginate fibers with minimal changes in the wet-spinning process. By adapting a coagulation bath composing of CaCl2 and ethanol, the secondary structure of sodium alginate (SA) was regulated during the fibrous formation. Ethanol mainly increased the content of ß-sheet in SA. Rheological analysis revealed a reinforcing mechanism of stiff ß-sheet for enhanced modulus and strength. In combination with Ca2+ crosslinking, the self-reinforced alginate fibers exhibited an increment of 39.0% in tensile strength and 71.9% in toughness. This work provides fundamental understanding for ß-sheet structures in polysaccharides and a subsequent self-reinforcing mechanism. It is significant for synthesizing strong and tough materials. The self-reinforcing strategy involved no extra additives and preserved the degradability of the alginate. The reinforced alginate fibers exhibited promising potentials for biological applications.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid and azole antifungals on two distinct LC-MS/MS instruments.

Background: As an active metabolite of a commonly prescribed immunosuppressant, mycophenolic acid (MPA) levels are often monitored to prevent organ rejection following a transplant. Triazoles are often prescribed for treatment of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Due to the variability in individual pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended for triazole antifungals. A multiplex LC-MS/MS assay has been developed that can quantify both MPA and triazole drugs in serum. Methods: A sample preparation procedure was established to spike in internal standard compounds and precipitate proteins. Reversed-phase chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column with an analysis time of five minutes per sample. The mass spectrometer was operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated on two HPLC systems interfaced with either a Triple Quad 6500 or an API 4000 instrument. Results: The multiplex assay was linear over a wide dynamic range with analyte measurable ranges of 0.4-48 µg/mL for MPA, 0.1-12 µg/mL for posaconazole, and 0.2-24 µg/mL for voriconazole, itraconazole, hydroxyitraconazole, and isavuconazole. The between-day and intraday imprecisions were less than 10 %. Limits of detection were below 0.04 ug/mL with limits of quantitation below 0.2 µg/mL. Method comparison studies against the current in-house method met acceptance criteria. The instrument comparison study demonstrated a strong correlation between data collected from the two systems. Conclusion: A robust multiplex LC-MS/MS assay was developed and validated for monitoring MPA and triazoles drug levels in a clinical laboratory. The assay performance on two distinct instruments was acceptable and comparable.

Rupatadine inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation through the PIP5K1A/Akt/CDK2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase type 1 alpha (PIP5K1A) acts upstream of the Akt regulatory pathway and is abnormally expressed in many types of malignancies. However, the role and mechanism of PIP5K1A in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not yet been reported. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between PIP5K1A and progression of CRC and assess the efficacy and mechanism by which rupatadine targets PIP5K1A. METHODS: Firstly, expression and function of PIP5K1A in CRC were investigated by human colon cancer tissue chip analysis and cell proliferation assay. Next, rupatadine was screened by computational screening and cytotoxicity assay and interactions between PIP5K1A and rupatadine assessed by kinase activity detection assay and bio-layer interferometry analysis. Next, rupatadine's anti-tumor effect was evaluated by in vivo and in vitro pharmacodynamic assays. Finally, rupatadine's anti-tumor mechanism was explored by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: We found that PIP5K1A exerts tumor-promoting effects as a proto-oncogene in CRC and aberrant PIP5K1A expression correlates with CRC malignancy. We also found that rupatadine down-regulates cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and cyclin D1 protein expression by inhibiting the PIP5K1A/Akt/GSK-3ß pathway, induces cell cycle arrest, and inhibits CRC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: PIP5K1A is a potential drug target for treating CRC. Rupatadine, which targets PIP5K1A, could serve as a new option for treating CRC, its therapeutic mechanism being related to regulation of the Akt/GSK-3ß signaling pathway.

Graphdiyne-Induced CoN/CoS2 Heterojunction: Boosting Efficiency for Bifunctional Oxygen Electrochemistry in Zinc-Air Batteries.

The performance of zinc-air battery is constrained by the sluggish rate of oxygen electrode reaction, particularly under high current discharge conditions where the kinetic process of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) decelerates significantly. To address this challenge, we present a novel phase transition strategy that facilitates the creation of a heteroatom-doped heterointerface (CoN/CoS2). The meticulously engineered CoN/CoS2/NC electrocatalyst displays a superior ORR half-wave potential of 0.87 V and an OER overpotential of 320 mV at 10 mA cm-2. Experimental and computational analysis confirm that the CoN/CoS2 heterostructure optimizes local charge distribution, accelerates electron transfer, and tunes active sites for enhanced catalysis. Notably, this heterojunction improves stability by resisting corrosion and degradation under harsh alkaline conditions, thus demonstrating superior performance and longevity in a custom-made liquid zinc-air battery. This research provides valuable practical and theoretical foundations for designing efficient heterointerfaces in electrocatalysis applications.

Advancements in osteosarcoma management: integrating immune microenvironment insights with immunotherapeutic strategies.

Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor predominantly affecting children and adolescents, presents significant therapeutic challenges, particularly in metastatic or recurrent cases. Conventional surgical and chemotherapeutic approaches have achieved partial therapeutic efficacy; however, the prognosis for long-term survival remains bleak. Recent studies have highlighted the imperative for a comprehensive exploration of the osteosarcoma immune microenvironment, focusing on the integration of diverse immunotherapeutic strategies-including immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor microenvironment modulators, cytokine therapies, tumor antigen-specific interventions, cancer vaccines, cellular therapies, and antibody-based treatments-that are directly pertinent to modulating this intricate microenvironment. By targeting tumor cells, modulating the tumor microenvironment, and activating host immune responses, these innovative approaches have demonstrated substantial potential in enhancing the effectiveness of osteosarcoma treatments. Although most of these novel strategies are still in research or clinical trial phases, they have already demonstrated significant potential for individuals with osteosarcoma, suggesting the possibility of developing new, more personalized and effective treatment options. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current advancements in osteosarcoma immunotherapy, emphasizing the significance of integrating various immunotherapeutic methods to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, it underscores the imperative for subsequent research to further investigate the intricate interactions between the tumor microenvironment and the immune system, aiming to devise more effective treatment strategies. The present review comprehensively addresses the landscape of osteosarcoma immunotherapy, delineating crucial scientific concerns and clinical challenges, thereby outlining potential research directions.

Selective Activation of G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor 1 (GPER1) Reduces ER Stress and Pyroptosis via AMPK Signaling Pathway in Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Neuroinflammation is a critical pathogenic event following hemorrhagic stroke. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis and nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)-associated pyroptosis can contribute to the escalation of neuroinflammatory responses, leading to increased brain damage. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1(GPER1), as the most extensively characterized brain-derived estrogen, was reported to trigger neuroprotective effects. However, the anti-apoptotic and anti-pyroptotic effect of GPER1 activation and the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. We established the experimental SAH model by intravascular perforation. The GPER1 selective agonist G1 was intravenously administered 1 h following SAH. For mechanistic exploration, the selective inhibitor of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), dorsomorphin, was administered via intracerebroventricular injection 30 min prior to SAH induction. Post-SAH assessments included SAH grade, the short-term and long-term neurological outcomes, brain edema, cerebral blood flow, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blot (WB), ELISA, TUNEL staining, Fluoro-Jade C staining (FJC), and immunofluorescence staining. The expression of GPER1 was observed to elevate at 6 h and peaked at 24 h subsequent to SAH, predominantly co-localized with neurons. Post-treatment with G1 markedly ameliorated both the short-term and long-term neurological deficits of SAH mouse, as well as inhibiting the expression of neuronal ER stress-associated apoptotic proteins (i.e., CHOP, GRP78, Caspase-12, Cleaved Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl2) and pyroptosis-associated proteins (i.e., NLRP3, ASC, Cleaved Caspase-1). Additionally, our research revealed that inhibition of AMPK with dorsomorphin attenuated the neuroprotective effects of G1. This was accompanied by modifications in the molecular pathways associated with ER stress-induced apoptosis and pyroptosis. These data herein elucidated that GPER1 exerted neuroprotective effects by mitigating neuroinflammation in an AMPK-dependent manner, which modulates neuronal ER stress-associated apoptosis and pyroptosis. Boosting the anti-apoptotic and anti-pyroptotic effect by activating GPER1 may be an efficient treatment strategy for SAH patients.

TLR9 promotes monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell induction during JEV infection.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a group of heterologous populations of immature bone marrow cells consisting of progenitor cells of macrophages, dendritic cells and granulocytes. Recent studies have revealed that the accumulation of MDSCs in the mouse spleen plays a pivotal role in suppressing the immune response following JEV infection. However, the mechanisms by which JEV induces MDSCs are poorly understood. Here, it was found that JEV infection induces mitochondrial damage and the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which further leads to the activation of TLR9. TLR9 deficiency decreases the M-MDSCs population and their suppressive function both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the increase of MHCⅡ expression on antigen-presenting cells and CD28 expression on T cells in TLR9-/- mice was positively correlated with M-MDSCs reduction. Accordingly, the survival rate of TLR9-/- mice dramatically increased after JEV infection. These findings reveal the connections of mitochondrial damage and TLR9 activation to the induction of M-MDSCs during JEV infection.

Self-Assembly Reinforced Alginate Fibers for Enhanced Strength, Toughness, and Bone Regeneration.

Material reinforcement commonly exists in a contradiction between strength and toughness enhancement. Herein, a reinforced strategy through self-assembly is proposed for alginate fibers. Sodium alginate (SA) microstructures with regulated secondary structures are assembled in acidic and ethanol as reinforcing units for alginate fibers. Acidity increases the flexibility of the helix and contributes to enhanced extendibility. Ethanol is responsible for formation of a stiff ß-sheet, which enhances the modulus and strength. The structurally engineered SA assembly exhibits robust mechanical compatibility, and thus reinforced alginate fibers possess an improved tensile strength of 2.1 times, a prolonged elongation of 1.5 times, and an enhanced toughness of 3.0 times compared with SA fibers without reinforcement. The reinforcement through self-assembly provides an understanding of strengthening and toughening mechanism based on secondary structures. Due to a similar modulus with bones, reinforced alginate fibers exhibit good efficacy in accelerating bone regeneration in vivo.

Ultrasound combined with urokinase under key-shaped bone window enhances blood clot lysis in an in vitro model of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is impeded by inadequate lysis of the target blood clot. Ultrasound is thought to expedite intravascular thrombolysis, thereby facilitating vascular recanalization. However, the impact of ultrasound on intracerebral blood clot lysis remains uncertain. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of combining ultrasound with urokinase to enhance blood clot lysis in an in vitro model of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: The blood clots were divided into four groups: control group, ultrasound group, urokinase group, and ultrasound + urokinase group. Using our experimental setup, which included a key-shaped bone window, we simulated a minimally invasive puncture and drainage procedure for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The blood clot was then irradiated using ultrasound. Blood clot lysis was assessed by weighing the blood clot before and after the experiment. Potential adverse effects were evaluated by measuring the temperature variation around the blood clot in the ultrasound + urokinase group. RESULTS: A total of 40 blood clots were observed, with 10 in each experimental group. The blood clot lysis rate in the ultrasound group, urokinase group, and ultrasound + urokinase group (24.83 ± 4.67%, 47.85 ± 7.09%, 61.13 ± 4.06%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (16.11 ± 3.42%) (p = 0.02, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The blood clot lysis rate in the ultrasound + urokinase group (61.13 ± 4.06%) was significantly higher than that in the ultrasound group (24.83 ± 4.67%) (p < 0.001) or urokinase group (47.85 ± 7.09%) (p < 0.001). In the ultrasound + urokinase group, the mean increase in temperature around the blood clot was 0.26 ± 0.15°C, with a maximum increase of 0.38 ± 0.09°C. There was no significant difference in the increase in temperature regarding the main effect of time interval (F = 0.705, p = 0.620), the main effect of distance (F = 0.788, p = 0.563), or the multiplication interaction between time interval and distance (F = 1.100, p = 0.342). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence supporting the enhancement of blood clot lysis in an in vitro model of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage through the combined use of ultrasound and urokinase. Further animal experiments are necessary to validate the experimental methods and results.

Injectable polyamide-amine dendrimer-crosslinked meloxicam-containing poly-γ-glutamic acid hydrogel for prevention of postoperative tissue adhesion through inhibiting inflammatory responses and balancing the fibrinolytic system.

Establishing a physical barrier between the peritoneum and the cecum is an effective method to reduce the risk of postoperative abdominal adhesions. Meloxicam (MX), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug has also been applied to prevent postoperative adhesions. However, its poor water solubility has led to low bioavailability. Herein, we developed an injectable hydrogel as a barrier and drug carrier for simultaneous postoperative adhesion prevention and treatment. A third-generation polyamide-amine dendrimer (G3) was exploited to dynamically combine with MX to increase the solubility and the bioavailability. The formed G3@MX was further used to crosslink with poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) to prepare a hydrogel (GP@MX hydrogel) through the amide bonding. In vitro and in vivo experiments evidenced that the hydrogel had good biosafety and biodegradability. More importantly, the prepared hydrogel could control the release of MX, and the released MX is able to inhibit inflammatory responses and balance the fibrinolytic system in the injury tissues in vivo. The tunable rheological and mechanical properties (compressive moduli: from âˆ¼ 57.31 kPa to âˆ¼ 98.68 kPa;) and high anti-oxidant capacity (total free radical scavenging rate of âˆ¼ 94.56 %), in conjunction with their syringeability and biocompatibility, indicate possible opportunities for the development of advanced hydrogels for postoperative tissue adhesions management.

New insights into the influences of firework combustion on molecular composition and formation of sulfur- and halogen-containing organic compounds.

Firework (FW) events occur during various festivals worldwide and substantially negatively influence both air quality and human health. However, the effects of FWs on the chemical properties and formation of organic aerosols are far from clear. In this study, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected in a suburban area in Qingdao, China during the Chinese Spring Festival. The concentrations of chemical species (especially carbonaceous components) in PM2.5 were measured using a combination of several state-of-the-art techniques. Our results showed that mass concentrations of water-soluble sulfate, potassium and chloride ions, and organic carbon drastically increased and became the predominant components in PM2.5 during FW events. Correspondingly, both the number and fractional contributions of sulfur (S)-containing subgroups (e.g., CHOS and CHONS compounds) and some chlorine (Cl)-containing organic (e.g., CHOSCl and CHONSCl) compounds identified using ultrahigh-resolution Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) increased. The S- and Cl-containing compounds unique to the FW display period were identified, and their chemical characterization, sources, and formation mechanisms were elucidated by combining FT-ICR MS and quantum chemical calculations. Our results suggest that FW emissions play notable roles in both primary and secondary organic aerosol formation, especially for CHOS- and Cl-containing organic compounds.

Defects and Defect Passivation in Perovskite Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells have made significant strides in recent years. However, there are still challenges in terms of photoelectric conversion efficiency and long-term stability associated with perovskite solar cells. The presence of defects in perovskite materials is one of the important influencing factors leading to subpar film quality. Adopting additives to passivate defects within perovskite materials is an effective approach. Therefore, we first discuss the types of defects that occur in perovskite materials and the mechanisms of their effect on performance. Then, several types of additives used in perovskite solar cells are discussed, including ionic compounds, organic molecules, polymers, etc. This review provides guidance for the future development of more sustainable and effective additives to improve the performance of solar cells.

Radiofrequency regulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion in managing herpes zoster ophthalmicus neuralgia: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Trigeminal herpes zoster, which comprises 10% to 20% of cases of herpes zoster, often leads to severe pain in the ophthalmic branches. Current treatments, including drug therapy and minimally invasive interventions, have limitations; accordingly, there is a need to explore alternative approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of computerized tomography (CT)-guided pulsed radiofrequency of the sphenopalatine ganglion in patients with intractable trigeminal herpetic pain. PATIENT CONCERNS: Three patients with intractable trigeminal ophthalmic zoster neuralgia were studied. All patients complained of bursts of headache, which occurred at least 10 times a day, usually in the periorbital and frontal regions. Conventional treatments, including oral medications and radiofrequency therapy targeting the trigeminal-semilunar ganglion and supraorbital nerve, could not sufficiently provide relief. DIAGNOSIS: Two patients were diagnosed with herpes zoster in the ocular branch of the trigeminal nerve with conjunctivitis, while one patient was diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia in the ocular branch of the trigeminal nerve. INTERVENTIONS: This study employed a novel approach that involved CT-guided radiofrequency regulation of the pterygopalatine fossa sphenopalatine ganglion. OUTCOMES: In all three patients, pain relief was achieved within 1 to 3 days after treatment. During the follow-up, one patient had pain recurrence; however, its severity was ≈ 40% lower than the pretreatment pain severity. The second patient had sustained and effective pain relief. However, the pain of the third patient worsened again after 2 months. The average follow-up duration was 3 months. None of the enrolled patients showed treatment-related adverse reactions or complications. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that CT-guided radiofrequency regulation of the pterygopalatine fossa sphenopalatine ganglion was a safe and effective intervention for pain in patients with trigeminal ophthalmic zoster neuralgia, suggesting that it may be a therapeutic option if other treatments fail.

Development and Application of a High-Precision Portable Digital Compass System for Improving Combined Navigation Performance.

There are not many high-precision, portable digital compass solutions available right now that can enhance combined navigation systems' overall functionality. Additionally, there is a dearth of writing about these products. This is why a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor-based high-precision portable digital compass system is designed. First, the least-squares method is used to compensate for compass inaccuracy once the ellipsoid fitting method has corrected manufacturing and installation errors in the digital compass system. Second, the digital compass's direction angle data is utilized to offset the combined navigation system's mistake. The final objective is to create a high-performing portable TMR digital compass system that will enhance the accuracy and stability of the combined navigation system (abbreviated as CNS). According to the experimental results, the digital compass's azimuth accuracy was 4.1824° before error compensation and 0.4580° after it was applied. The combined navigation system's path is now more accurate overall and is closer to the reference route than it was before the digital compass was added. Furthermore, compared to the combined navigation route without the digital compass, the combined navigation route with the digital compass included is more stable while traveling through the tunnel. It is evident that the digital compass system's design can raise the integrated navigation system's accuracy and stability. The integrated navigation system's overall performance may be somewhat enhanced by this approach.

Growth and physiological responses of submerged macrophytes to linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS).

The potential toxic effects of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), widely used in commercial detergents and cleaners, on submerged macrophytes remain unclear. We conducted a two-week exposure experiment to investigate LAS toxicity on five submerged macrophytes (four native and one exotic), focusing on their growth and physiological responses. The results showed that lower concentrations of LAS (< 5 mg/L) slightly stimulated the growth of submerged macrophytes, while higher doses inhibited it. Increasing LAS concentration resulted in decreased chlorophyll content, increased MDA content and POD activity, and initially increased SOD and CAT activities before declining. Moreover, Elodea nuttallii required a higher effective concentration for growth compared to native macrophytes. These findings suggest that different species of submerged macrophytes exhibited specific responses to LAS, with high doses (exceeding 5 ∼ 10 mg/L) inhibited plant growth and physiology. However, LAS may promote the dominance of surfactant-tolerant exotic submerged macrophytes in polluted aquatic environments.

Electrical stress and acid orange 7 synergistically clear the blockage of electron flow in the methanogenesis of low-strength wastewater.

Energy recovery from low-strength wastewater through anaerobic methanogenesis is constrained by limited substrate availability. The development of efficient methanogenic communities is critical but challenging. Here we develop a strategy to acclimate methanogenic communities using conductive carrier (CC), electrical stress (ES), and Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in a modified biofilter. The synergistic integration of CC, ES, and AO7 precipitated a remarkable 72-fold surge in methane production rate compared to the baseline. This increase was attributed to an altered methanogenic community function, independent of the continuous presence of AO7 and ES. AO7 acted as an external electron acceptor, accelerating acetogenesis from fermentation intermediates, restructuring the bacterial community, and enriching electroactive bacteria (EAB). Meanwhile, CC and ES orchestrated the assembly of the archaeal community and promoted electrotrophic methanogens, enhancing acetotrophic methanogenesis electron flow via a mechanism distinct from direct electrochemical interactions. The collective application of CC, ES, and AO7 effectively mitigated electron flow impediments in low-strength wastewater methanogenesis, achieving an additional 34% electron recovery from the substrate. This study proposes a new method of amending anaerobic digestion systems with conductive materials to advance wastewater treatment, sustainability, and energy self-sufficiency.

H*ads dynamics engineering via bimetallic Pd-Cu@MXene catalyst for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination.

Electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination (EHDC) is a promising approach to safely remove halogenated emerging contaminants (HECs) pollutants. However, sluggish production dynamics of adsorbed atomic H (H*ads) limit the applicability of this green process. In this study, bimetallic Pd-Cu@MXene catalysts were synthesized to achieve highly efficient removal of HECs. The alloy electrode (Pd-Cu@MX/CC) exhibited better EHDC performance in comparison to Pd@MX/CC electrode, resulting in diclofenac degradation efficiency of 93.3 ± 0.1%. The characterization analysis revealed that the Pd0/PdII ratio decreased by forming bimetallic Pd-Cu alloy. Density functional theory calculations further demonstrated the electronic configuration modulation of the Pd-Cu@MXene catalysts, optimizing binging energies for H* and thereby facilitating H*ads production and tuning the reduction capability of H*ads. Noteably, the amounts and reduction potential of H*ads for Pd-Cu@MXene catalysts were 1.5 times higher and 0.37 eV lower than those observed for the mono Pd electrode. Hence, the introduction of Cu into the Pd catalyst optimized the dynamics of H*ads production, thereby conferring significant advantages to EHDC reactions. This augmentation was underscored by the successful application of the alloy catalysts supported by MXene in EHDC experiments involving other HECs, which represented a new paradigm for EHDC for efficient recalcitrant pollutant removal by H*ads.