Hyperbranched polyethyleneimine-functionalised chitosan aerogel for highly efficient removal of melanoidins from wastewater.

Melanoidins are hazardous dark-coloured substances contained in molasses-based distillery wastewater. Adsorption is an effective approach to eliminate melanoidins from wastewater. However, melanoidin adsorption capacities of available adsorbents are unsatisfactory, which seriously limits their practical application. A hyperbranched polyethyleneimine-functionalised chitosan aerogel (HPCA) was fabricated as an effective adsorbent for melanoidin scavenging. HPCA demonstrated superior melanoidin adsorption efficiency because of its high specific surface area, abundant amino functional groups, and high hydrophilicity. Melanoidin removal rate of HPCA was 94.95%, which remained at 91.45% after 5 cycles. Notably, using the Langmuir isothermal model, the maximum melanoidin adsorption capacity of HPCA was determined to be 868.36 mg/g, surpassing those of most of previously reported adsorbents. Toxicity experiments indicated that HPCA can be considered a safe adsorbent with excellent biocompatibility that hardly threatens aquatic organisms. The efficient melanoidin removal of HPCA was attributed to electrostatic attraction, H-bonding, and van der Waals force. However, the adsorption might be predominantly controlled by electrovalent interaction between protonated amino groups of HPCA and carboxyl/carboxylate groups of melanoidins. Two novel models, namely, external diffusion resistance-internal diffusion resistance mixed model and adsorption on active site model, were employed to describe the dynamic mass transfer characteristics of melanoidin adsorption by HPCA.

(3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride and polyethyleneimine co-modified pomelo peel cellulose-derived aerogel for remelt syrup decolorization in sugar refining.

The crucial need for quality refined sugar has led to the development of advanced adsorbents, with a focus on the decolorization of remelt syrup. In this study, (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride and polyethyleneimine co-modified pomelo peel cellulose-derived aerogel (CP-PPA) was fabricated, and synthetic melanoidins were used as model colorants of remelt syrup to evaluate the validity and practicality of CP-PPA for eliminating colored impurities. Integrating abundant amine-functionalized groups (quaternary ammonium and protonated amine) within the pomelo peel-derived aerogel directionally captured electronegative melanoidins via electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, the active sites, types, and relative strength of the weak interactions between CP-PPA and melanoidins were determined using density functional theory simulations. CP-PPA exhibited an excellent equilibration adsorbing capacity for capturing melanoidins of 749.51 mg/g, and a removal efficiency of 93.69 %. Additionally, the adsorption mechanism was thoroughly examined in an effort to improve the economy of the sugar refinement industry.

Biochemical Features and Physiological Roles of hNP22 in the Central Nervous System.

hNP22, a novel neuron-specific protein that interacts with both actin filaments and microtubules, was found to be highly homologous to the smooth muscle cell cytoskeleton-associated proteins human SM22α and rat acidic calponin. In recent years, functions of hNP22 such as the promotion of neural differentiation and enhancement of neural plasticity, have been described, as well as potential roles of hNP22 in schizophrenia and alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD). Because of the potential roles of hNP22 in neuronal processes and its potential implications in diseases, hNP22 has emerged as a research target. In this paper, we review the gene structure, possible modifications, and functions of the hNP22 protein, as well as its potential clinical significance. Based on its physical structure and previous studies, we speculate that hNP22 has potential biological functions in neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia and ARBD.

HPV 16 E6/E7 Promote the Glucose Uptake of GLUT1 in Lung Cancer Through Downregulation of TXNIP Due to Inhibition of PTEN Phosphorylation.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection play an important role in the development of lung cancer. Our previously study showed that E6 and E7 in HPV16 upregulated the expression of GLUT1 in lung cancer cells. However, whether they can promote the glucose uptake by GLUT1 and the underlying molecular mechanism has not been identified. It has been reported that thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) regulates both the expression of GLUT1 and its glucose uptake. We speculate that high risk HPV16 infection may be closely related to TXNIP expression. Therefore, we associate HPV16 with TXNIP to explore the potential molecular mechanism of their regulation of GLUT1 expression and glucose uptake. Using double directional genetic manipulation in lung cancer cells, we showed that HPV16 E6/E7 proteins downregulated the expression of p-PTEN in lung cancer cells, the knockdown of PTEN further inhibited the expression of TXNIP, the inhibition of TXNIP further promoted the accumulation of HIF-1α by inhibiting the translocation of nuclear HIF-1α to the cytoplasm, and subsequently upregulated the expression of GLUT1 at the protein and mRNA levels. More interestingly, we found that the knockdown of TXNIP played a decisive role to promote the glucose uptake by GLUT1. Together, these findings suggested that the PTEN-TXNIP-HIF-1α axis might be related to the E6/E7-mediated expression of GLUT1 and its glucose uptake.

[Repair of finger pulp defect with the homodigital spiral neurovascular island flap].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method and clinical outcome of reconstructing large pulp defects of the fingertips with a homodigital neurovascular island flap. METHODS: Form June 2007 to October 2009, 16 patients with the defects of pulp were repaired by the spiral flap that was a homodigital neurovascular island flap with a unique spiral advancement and transposition design allowed pulp reconstruction using sensate glabrous skin while restricting donor morbidity to the injured digit. There were 12 males and 4 females with an average age of 37 years ranging from 18 to 49 years. The defect were caused by machine crush injury 11 cases, pressure injury by heavy objects in 2 cases, crush injury by door of car 1 case, injury by saw in 2 cases. The defect was located in the index finger in 5 cases, the middle finger in 9 cases,the ring finger in 2 cases. All injuries had large pulp defects averaging 1.6 cm (long) x 1.2 cm (wide) to 2.5 cm (long) x 1.7 cm (wide). Short-term results for all patients were reviewed. Outcome measures included static 2-point discrimination, total active motion, and hypersensitivity or cold intolerance. RESULTS: All flaps achieved primary healing with no complications. Sensory recovery was excellent with an average 2-point discrimination of 5.1 mm. All patients were followed-up for 8 to 20 months (averaged 12 months) with highly satisfactory with both aesthetic and functional outcome. There was no hypersensitivity or cold intolerance. According to the evaluation of total active motion (TAM) scales, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 8 cases (9 lesions) and fair in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The spiral advancement-transposition flap is suitable for resurfacing large pulp defects with excellent short-term functional and aesthetic results and high patient satisfaction.