Innovative cation exchange-driven carbon migration and recovery patterns in anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge.

Despite numerous treatments have been developed to enhance anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge, the innovative cation exchange (CE) approach has been rarely reported, little attempt was conducted to revealcarbon source fate. The interphase carbon balance was illustrated to clarify endogenous carbon dissolution, biotransformation,and recovery patterns. By CE-mediated divalent cation removal, almost 34.72 % of particulate carbon sources were dissolved in 2-day treatment, corresponding to soluble carbon content of 1165.58 mg C/L. Most of the originally dissolved carbon sources (58.01-66.81 %) were bio-transformed to volatile fatty acids with high bioavailability, while the further transformation to biogas was inhibited, contributing to recoverable carbon source accumulation. Overall, 21.38 % of total solid carbon sources were recovered through 8-day fermentation, the carbon extraction was implemented by solid-liquid separation with carbon loss of 14.21-22.91 %, manifesting the valid carbon recovery of 85.05-87.96 mg C/g VSS. Such CE-driven carbon recovery provided negentropy benefits in sustainable cycle economy.

Exosomal circRNAs in gastrointestinal cancer: Role in occurrence, development, diagnosis and clinical application (Review).

Gastrointestinal cancer is frequently detected at an advanced stage and has an undesirable prognosis due to the absence of efficient and precise biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Exosomes are small, living­cell­derived vesicles that serve a critical role in facilitating intercellular communication by transporting molecules from donor cells to receiver cells. circular RNAs (circRNAs) are mis­expressed in a variety of diseases, including gastrointestinal cancer, and are promising as diagnostic biomarkers and tumor therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal cancer. The main features of exosomes and circRNAs are discussed in the present review, along with research on the biological function of exosomal circRNAs in the development and progression of gastrointestinal cancer. It also assesses the advantages and disadvantages of implementing these findings in clinical applications.

Non-coding RNAs' function in cancer development, diagnosis and therapy.

While previous research on cancer biology has focused on genes that code for proteins, in recent years it has been discovered that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)play key regulatory roles in cell biological functions. NcRNAs account for more than 95% of human transcripts and are an important entry point for the study of the mechanism of cancer development. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that ncRNAs can act as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes to regulate tumor development at the epigenetic level, transcriptional level, as well as post-transcriptional level. Because of the importance of ncRNAs in cancer, most clinical trials have focused on ncRNAs to explore whether ncRNAs can be used as new biomarkers or therapies. In this review, we focus on recent studies of ncRNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), circle RNAs (circRNAs), PIWI interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA in different types of cancer and explore the application of these ncRNAs in the development of cancer and the identification of relevant therapeutic targets and tumor biomarkers. Graphical abstract drawn by Fidraw.

Endogenous biopolymer hydrolysis for enhancing short-chain fatty acids recovery from excess sludge: Combination of lysozyme-catalyzing and cation exchange resin-mediated metal regulation.

In decades, anaerobic fermentation with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) recovery from excess sludge have attained rising attention. However, rigid particulate organic matter (POMs) structure with slow hydrolysis limited anaerobic fermentation performance of excess sludge. Remarkable sludge hydrolysis performance was supposed to be achievable by the synchronous EPS repture and microbial cell lysis. This study clarified the improvement of overall anaerobic fermentation performance by combination treatment of lysozyme (Lyso) catalysis and metal regulation (MR). The Lyso + MR treatment triggered EPS rupture by protein structure deflocculation while catalyzing microbial cell lysis, which promoted massive extracellular and intracellular POMs hydrolysis. As a result, a significant amount of SCOD (5646.67 mg/L) was produced. Such endogenous organic matters hydrolysis led to considerable SCFAs accumulation (3651.14 mg COD/L) through 48-h anaerobic fermentation at 1.75 g/g SS cation-exchange resin and Lyso dosage of 10% (w/w), which was 5.945 times higher than that in the control. Additionally, it suggested that most of the recovered SCFAs remained in fermentative liquid after chemical conditioning and mechanical dewatering towards solid-liquid separation, which provided considerable economic benefit of 363.6-1059.1 CNY/ton SS.

The effect of phytochemicals in N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine promoting the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract, with a low early diagnosis rate. N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG) is one of the main risk factors for gastric cancer. Phytochemicals are healthy active substances derived from vegetables, fruits, nuts, tea, herbal medicines and other plants. Taking phytochemicals is a very promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer. Many studies have proved that phytochemicals have protective effects on MNNG induced gastric cancer via inhibiting cell proliferation, enhancing immunity, suppressing cell invasion and migration, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, blocking angiogenesis, inhibiting Helicobacter pylori infection as well as regulating metabolism and microbiota. The intervention and therapeutic effects of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer have attracted more and more attention. In order to better study and explore the role, advantages and challenges of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer, we summarized the intervention and therapeutic effects of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer. This review may help to further promote the research and clinical application of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer, and provide some new insights.

Perovskite Films Regulation via Hydrogen-Bonded Polymer Network for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered as a promising photovoltaic technology due to their high efficiency and low cost. However, their long-term stability, mechanical durability, and environmental risks are still unable to meet practical needs. To overcome these issues, we designed a multifunctional elastomer with abundant hydrogen bonds and carbonyl groups. The chemical bonding between polymer and perovskite could increase the growth activation energy of perovskite film and promote the preferential growth of high-quality perovskite film. Owing to the low defect density and gradient energy-level alignment, the corresponding device exhibited a champion efficiency of 23.10 %. Furthermore, due to the formation of the hydrogen-bonded polymer network in the perovskite film, the target devices demonstrated excellent air stability and enhanced flexibility for the flexible PSCs. More importantly, the polymer network could coordinate with Pb2+ ions, immobilizing lead atoms to reduce their release into the environment. This strategy paves the way for the industrialization of high-performance flexible PSCs.

Cigarette Smoke-Induced Gastric Cancer Cell Exosomes Affected the Fate of Surrounding Normal Cells via the Circ0000670/Wnt/ß-Catenin Axis.

Cigarette smoke is a major risk factor for gastric cancer. Exosomes are an important part of intercellular and intra-organ communication systems and can carry circRNA and other components to play a regulatory role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. However, it is unclear whether cigarette smoke can affect exosomes and exosomal circRNA to promote the development of gastric cancer. Exosomes secreted by cancer cells promote cancer development by affecting surrounding normal cells. Herein, we aimed to clarify whether the exosomes secreted by cigarette smoke-induced gastric cancer cells can promote the development of gastric cancer by affecting the surrounding gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1). In the present study, we treated gastric cancer cells with cigarette smoke extract for 4 days and demonstrated that cigarette smoke promotes the stemness and EMT of gastric cancer cells and cigarette smoke-induced exosomes promote stemness gene expression, EMT processes and the proliferation of GES-1 cells. We further found that circ0000670 was up-regulated in tissues of gastric cancer patients with smoking history, cigarette smoke-induced gastric cancer cells and their exosomes. Functional assays showed that circ0000670 knockdown inhibited the promoting effects of cigarette smoke-induced exosomes on the stemness and EMT characteristic of GES-1 cells, whereas its overexpression had the opposite effect. In addition, exosomal circ0000670 was found to promote the development of gastric cancer by regulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Our findings indicated that exosomal circ0000670 promotes cigarette smoke-induced gastric cancer development, which might provide a new basis for the treatment of cigarette smoke-related gastric cancer.

Understanding the relative contributions of fungi and bacteria led nitrous oxide emissions in an acidic soil amended with industrial waste.

Amendment of fertilized arable soil with alkaline industrial waste has the potential to ameliorate soil acidification whilst also improving crop yield. Another co-benefit is nitrous oxide (N2O) emission abatement but the contribution of fungi and bacteria involved in this process remains unclear. Two incubation experiments were conducted to: 1) examine how amendment of acidic soils with a mixture of phosphorus tailings mixture and insoluble potassium-containing rocks (PT) affect N2O emissions and 2) understand the microbial mechanisms and relative contributions of fungi and bacteria responsible for N2O emissions. In the first incubation experiment, the four treatments consisted of: i) the study control, ii) urea, iii) PT amendment and iv) PT amendment plus urea. Results showed that the PT amendment significantly increased soil pH from 4.8 to above 6.0, and reduced N2O emissions by 65.7%. PT-amended soils had higher N2 emissions and faster O2 consumption. The PT amendment significantly increased extracellular enzyme activities of leucine aminopeptidase and N-Acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase, while it significantly decreased activities of ß-1, 4-glucosidase and ß-cellobiosidase. Two antibiotics (cycloheximide and streptomycin) combined with substrate-induced respiration method were used in the second incubation experiment. Compared to soil with urea, urea with PT amendment raised soil bacteria-related N2O from 9.2% to 18.8% while decreasing fungi-related N2O from 50.5% to 43.2%. These findings suggest that the N2O emissions from acidic soils can be considerably mitigated by the application of alkaline industrial wastes. The contribution of fungi should be considered when designing and applying N2O mitigation strategies in acidic soils. DATA AVAILABILITY: Data will be made available on request.

Hesperidin inhibits tobacco smoke-induced pulmonary cell proliferation and EMT in mouse lung tissues via the p38 signaling pathway.

Tobacco smoke (TS) is the major cause of lung cancer. The abnormal proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lung cells promote occurrence and development of lung cancer. The p38 pathway intervenes in this cancer development. Hesperidin also serves a role in human health and disease prevention. The roles of p38 in TS-mediated abnormal cell proliferation and EMT, and the hesperidin intervention thereof are not yet understood. In the present study, it was demonstrated that TS upregulated proliferating cell nuclear antigen, vimentin and N-cadherin expression, whereas it downregulated E-cadherin expression, as assessed using western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Furthermore, it was observed that inhibition of the p38 pathway inhibit TS-induced proliferation and EMT. Hesperidin treatment prevented the TS-induced activation of the p38 pathway, EMT and cell proliferation in mouse lungs. The findings of the present study may provide insights into the pathogenesis of TS-related lung cancer.

Mechanochemical modified nitrogen-rich biochar derived from shrimp shell: Dominant mechanism in pyridinic-N for aquatic methylene blue removal.

N-doping for the preparation of functional carbon materials is a trending research topic. In this study, N-rich biochar (BC) was prepared by calcining naturally N rich shrimp shells under oxygen-limiting environment, and the calcining temperatures were controlled. BC were activated with 5% hydrochloric acid solutions and then post-modified with ball-milling to obtain a series of novel adsorbents (MBCs). All samples were characterized by SEM, BET, FT-IR, XRD, XPS, TG, and element analysis. Surface area, pore volume, and other surface functional groups were significantly improved after acidizing and ball-milling. The adsorption capacities for MB were MBC350 > MBC500 > MBC650 >BC350 > BC650 > BC500, and the equilibrium adsorption capacities were 575.01 mg/g, 506.52 mg/g, 424.59 mg/g, 113.31 mg/g, 93.53 mg/g and 86.25 mg/g, respectively. The excellent adsorption performance of MBCs for MB was ascribed to Lewis acid-base interaction, π-π interaction, electrostatic interaction and van der Waals, and the quinone group and pyridinic-N on the surface of the MBCs are identified as the major active sites. Taken together, ball-milled shrimp shell biochar is a promising material for cation dye adsorption.

Synergistic Effect of Surface p-Doping and Passivation Improves the Efficiency, Stability, and Reduces Lead Leakage in All-Inorganic CsPbIBr2 -Based Perovskite Solar Cells.

Wide-bandgap inorganic cesium lead halide CsPbIBr2 is a popular optoelectronic material that researchers are interested in because of the character that balances the power conversion efficiency and stability of solar cells. It also has great potential in semitransparent solar cells, indoor photovoltaics, and as a subcell for tandem solar cells. Although CsPbIBr2 -based devices have achieved good performance, the open-circuit voltage (Voc ) of CsPbIBr2 -based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is still lower, and it is critical to further reduce large energy losses (Eloss ). Herein, a strategy is proposed for achieving surface p-type doping for CsPbIBr2 -based perovskite for the first time, using 1,5-Diaminopentane dihydroiodide at the perovskite surface to improve hole extraction efficiency. Meanwhile, the adjusted energy levels reduce Eloss and improve Voc of the CsPbIBr2 PSCs. Furthermore, the Cs- and Br-vacancies at the interface are filled, reducing structural disorder and defect states and thus improving the quality of the perovskite film. As a result, the target device achieves a high efficiency of 11.02% with a Voc of 1.33 V, which is among the best values. In addition to the improved performance, the stability of the target device under various conditions is enhanced, and the lead leakage is effectively suppressed.

Hesperidin Reversed Long-Term N-methyl-N-nitro-N-Nitroguanidine Exposure Induced EMT and Cell Proliferation by Activating Autophagy in Gastric Tissues of Rats.

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor worldwide. N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG) is one of the most important inducing factors of gastric cancer. Autophagy can affect the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, but the mechanism is not clear. Chemoprevention has been shown to be a rational and very promising approach to the prevention of gastric cancer. Hesperidin is a citrus flavone, an abundant polyphenol in citrus fruits and traditional Chinese medicine. It has an excellent phytochemistry that plays an intervention role in gastric cancer. However, it is unclear whether long-term exposure to MNNG will affect the occurrence of gastric cancer by regulating autophagy and whether hesperidin can play an intervention role in this process. In the present study, we demonstrated that long-term MNNG exposure inhibits autophagy in stomach tissues of rats, promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and cell proliferation and suppresses the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway. We further found that after rapamycin-activated autophagy, long-term MNNG exposure promoted cell proliferation and EMT were inhibited. In addition, hesperidin promotes autophagy and the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway, as well as the suppression of proliferation and EMT in the stomach tissues of rats. Our findings indicate that hesperidin reverses MNNG-induced gastric cancer by activating autophagy and the PI3K/AKT pathway, which may provide a new basis for the early prevention and treatment of MNNG-induced gastric cancer.

Role of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related non-coding RNAs in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant cancer of the digestive tract and is a life-threatening disease worldwide. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of regulated cell death, which involves the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides. It has been found that ferroptosis plays an important regulatory role in the occurrence, development, drug resistance, and prognosis of GC. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a critical role in the occurrence and progression of a variety of diseases including GC. In recent years, the role of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ncRNAs (miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA) in the occurrence, development, drug resistance, and prognosis of GC has attracted more and more attention. Herein, we briefly summarize the roles and functions of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ncRNAs in GC tumorigenesis, development, and prognosis. We also prospected the future research direction and challenges of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ncRNAs in GC.

Primary malignant tumours and malignant transformation of cysts in the retrorectal space: MRI diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Background: There are no clear guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant retrorectal tumours. The purpose of this study was to increase preoperative diagnostic knowledge and to describe the outcomes of treatment for these patients. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent complete retrorectal tumour resection between May 2006 and July 2018, and had confirmed post-operative pathology reports. Demographic and clinical data (including imaging, perioperative, pathological, and prognostic data) were collected and analysed. Results: Malignant lesions were identified in 15 (9 [60%], female) patients. The median age of the patients was 59 years (range, 34-72 years). Primary malignant tumours were identified in seven patients with solid tumours, in which gastrointestinal stromal tumours accounted for 71.4% (five of seven) and the remainder were chordoma or mucinous adenocarcinoma. Malignant transformation of cysts occurred in another eight patients with heterogeneous tumours, while histopathological features were present in 75% (six of eight) of patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma, and the remainder were squamous-cell carcinoma or neuroendocrine tumour (Grade 2). The malignant characteristics of the solid portions observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were as follows: the cyst wall of the tumour was irregularly thickened; the surface was convex or lobed; the solid tumour had no capsule, or the capsule was destroyed; and the surface had a gyrus-like morphology. At a median follow-up time of 52 months (range, 13-100 months), the overall recurrence-free survival rate was 40.0% and the survival rate was 46.7%. Conclusion: Some MRI features can be used to distinguish malignant retrorectal tumours from benign retrorectal tumours. The survival rate of patients with malignant retrorectal tumours is poor.

Autophagy Related Noncoding RNAs: Emerging Regulatory Factors of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant cancers that seriously affect human health. Autophagy is a highly conserved self-defense mechanism found to plays an important role in the occurrence, progression, drug resistance, and prognosis of GC. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a critical role in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases including GC. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to research on autophagy-related ncRNAs, such as miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in GC. Herein, we briefly summarize the roles, functions, and the research progress of autophagy and autophagy-related ncRNAs in GC with a focus on the potential application in GC tumorigenesis, development, prognosis, and drug resistance. We also discussed prospects of clinical application, future research direction, and challenges in future research of autophagy-related ncRNAs.

A Novel Nomogram Based on a Competing Risk Model Predicting Cardiovascular Death Risk in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than develop renal failure. This study aimed to develop a new nomogram for predicting the risk of cardiovascular death in CKD patients. Methods: This study enrolled 1656 CKD patients from NHANES 2003 to 2006 survey. Data sets from 2005 to 2006 survey population were used to build a nomogram for predicting the risk of cardiovascular death, and the nomogram was validated using data from 2003 to 2004 survey population. To identify the main determinants of cardiovascular death, we performed univariate analysis and backward-stepwise regression to select the key factors. The probability of cardiovascular death for each patient in 5, 7, and 9 years was calculated using a nomogram based on the predictors. To assess the nomogram's performance, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the calibration curve with 1,000 bootstraps resamples were utilized. The prediction model's discrimination was examined using cumulative incidence function (CIF). Results: Age, homocysteine, potassium levels, CKD stage, and anemia were included in the nomogram after screening risk factors using univariate analysis and backward-stepwise regression. Internal validation revealed that this nomogram possesses high discrimination and calibration (AUC values of 5-, 7-, and 9-years were 0.79, 0.81, and 0.81, respectively). External validation confirmed the same findings (AUC values of 5-, 7- and 9-years were 0.76, 0.73, and 0.73, respectively). According to CIF, the established nomogram effectively differentiates patients at a high risk of cardiovascular death from those at low risk. Conclusion: This work develops a novel nomogram that integrates age, homocysteine, potassium levels, CKD stage, and anemia and can be used to more easily predict cardiovascular death in CKD patients, highlighting its potential value in clinical application.

The Association Between Serum Palmitic Acid and Thyroid Function.

Aim: Emerging evidence indicates that palmitic acid (PA) can regulate the progression and development of many diseases. However, the studies examining the association between PA and thyroid function remain sparse. We aimed to investigate the association between serum PA (sPA) and thyroid function in the US population. Methods: In this retrospective study, a cross-sectional analysis was performed using the data pooled from the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2012. The thyroid parameters investigated were mainly free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), total T3 (TT3), TT4, thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb). The central sensitivity to thyroid function was evaluated by the thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), thyrotrophin thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI), and thyrotropin index (TSHI). The FT3 to FT4 ratio (FT3/FT4) was employed to evaluate peripheral sensitivity to thyroid hormones. Multiple imputation was applied to handle the missing data, and weighted multivariable linear regression, subgroup, and interaction analyses were then employed to estimate the association between sPA and thyroid parameters. Results: In the 737 adults, after adjusting covariates, we demonstrated a significant negative association between sPA and FT4 [ß = -1.078, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.729 to -0.427], as well as a positive relationship between sPA and FT3/FT4 ratio (ß = 0.073, 95% CI: 0.044 to 0.102). These results did not change on multiple imputations. In the subgroup analyses, the associations were more significant in male and obese subjects. Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated the significant correlation between sPA and thyroid dysfunction, which suggested the close relationship between lipotoxicity and hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism. Future research is required to confirm these findings.

Circular RNA and Its Roles in the Occurrence, Development, Diagnosis of Cancer.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding single-stranded covalently closed circular RNA, mainly produced by reverse splicing of exons of precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs). The characteristics of high abundance, strong specificity, and good stability of circRNAs have been discovered. A large number of studies have reported its various functions and mechanisms in biological events, such as the occurrence and development of cancer. In this review, we focus on the classification, characterization, biogenesis, functions of circRNAs, and the latest advances in cancer research. The development of circRNAs as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and treatment also provides new ideas for studying circRNAs research.

Recent Progress of Electrode Materials for Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) have attracted enormous interest in wearable and portable electronics due to their high power-per-weight and low cost. Flexible and efficient perovskite solar cells require the development of flexible electrodes compatible with the optoelectronic properties of perovskite. In this review, the recent progress of flexible electrodes used in FPSCs is comprehensively reviewed. The major features of flexible transparent electrodes, including transparent conductive oxides, conductive polymer, carbon nanomaterials and nanostructured metallic materials are systematically compared. And the corresponding modification strategies and device performance are summarized. Moreover, flexible opaque electrodes including metal films, opaque carbon materials and metal foils are critically assessed. Finally, the development directions and difficulties of flexible electrodes are given.

Anticancer applications of phytochemicals in gastric cancer: Effects and molecular mechanism.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common malignant cancer and is a life-threatening disease worldwide. Phytochemicals have been shown to be a rational, safe, non-toxic, and very promising approach to the prevention and treatment of cancer. It has been found that phytochemicals have protective effects against GC through inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, suppressing cell invasion and migration, anti-angiogenesis, inhibit Helicobacter pylori infection, regulating the microenvironment. In recent years, the role of phytochemicals in the occurrence, development, drug resistance and prognosis of GC has attracted more and more attention. In order to better understand the relationship between phytochemicals and gastric cancer, we briefly summarize the roles and functions of phytochemicals in GC tumorigenesis, development and prognosis. This review will probably help guide the public to prevent the occurrence and development of GC through phytochemicals, and develop functional foods or drugs for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.