Determination of toxic α-dicarbonyl compounds in sesame oils using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and diacetyl are toxic α-dicarbonyl compounds found in heat-processed foods, including edible oils. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was combined with gas chromatography mass spectrometry to determine the glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and diacetyl contents in sesame oil. Chloroform and methanol were selected as the optimal extraction and dispersive solvents, respectively. The maximum derivatization efficiency was obtained using 500 µg of the derivatization agent, o-phenylenediamine. The derivatization of glyoxal was completed in 1 h, whereas those of methylglyoxal and diacetyl were completed immediately. The optimized method was validated, and was found to exhibit a good linearity, recovery, intraday repeatability, and interday reproducibility. The α-dicarbonyl compound concentrations in the oils were dependent on the roasting temperature. The sesame oil concentrates contained 0-175.4, 0-990.5, and 0-220.9 ng g-1 of glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and diacetyl, respectively. For the perilla oils, the respective concentrations were 0-96.4, 0-410.8, and 0-197.5 ng g-1.

Hydroethanolic extract of Cirsium setidens ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by AMPK-PGC-1α-SOD-mediated mitochondrial protection.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anticancer agent. However, the clinical outcomes of DOX-based therapies are severely hampered by their significant cardiotoxicity. PURPOSE: We investigated the beneficial effects of an ethanol extract of Cirsium setidens (CSE) on DOX-induced cardiomyotoxicity (DICT). METHODS: UPLC-TQ/MS analysis was used to identify CSE metabolite profiles. H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were used to evaluate the effects of CSE on DICT-induced cell death. To elucidate the mechanism underlying it, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator l-alpha (PGC1-α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), NRF2, superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and SOD2 expression was detected using western blot analysis. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR), cellular ROS, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. Finally, we confirmed the cardioprotective effect of CSE against DICT in both C57BL/6 mice and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSCCMs) by observing various parameters, such as electrophysiological changes, cardiac fibrosis, and cardiac cell death. RESULTS: Chlorogenic acid and nicotiflorin were the major compounds in CSE. Our data demonstrated that CSE blocked DOX-induced cell death of H9c2 cells without hindrance of its apoptotic effects on MDA-MB-231 cells. DOX-induced defects of OCR and mitochondrial membrane potential were recovered in a CSE through upregulation of the AMPK-PGC1-α-NRF1 signaling pathway. CSE accelerated NRF1 translocation to the nucleus, increased SOD activity, and consequently blocked apoptosis in H9c2 cells. In mice treated with 400 mg/kg CSE for 4 weeks, electrocardiogram data, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the serum, and cardiac fibrosis, were improved. Moreover, various electrophysiological features indicative of cardiac function were significantly enhanced following the CSE treatment of hiPSCCMs. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate CSE that ameliorates DICT by protecting mitochondrial dysfunction via the AMP- PGC1α-NRF1 axis, underscoring the therapeutic potential of CSE and its underlying molecular pathways, setting the stage for future investigations into its clinical applications.

Mercury monitoring in the coastal areas of the Republic of Korea using the black-tailed gull egg as an indicator.

In the southeast and east coasts of the Republic of Korea, it is essential to monitor mercury accumulation in coastal organisms in view of the higher mercury distribution in sediments and human samples. However, mercury pollution monitoring in organisms, especially higher trophic-level organisms that can exhibit high mercury accumulation, is limited. Here, we examined the applicability of the eggs of the black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris), which belongs to a high trophic level, for mercury monitoring in coastal areas. Breeding sites were selected in West, Southeast, and East Seas with different mercury concentrations in other matrices (sediment and biological samples of residents). The 5-year mean total mercury concentration in eggs collected during the breeding seasons from 2016 to 2020 was lower in Baengnyeongdo (705 ± 81 ng/g dry weight (dry), West Sea) than in Hongdo (1,207 ± 214 ng/g dry, Southeast Sea) and Ulleungdo (1,095 ± 95 ng/g dry, East Sea). The different patterns of mercury concentration in gull eggs among the breeding sites was consistent with those in the other matrices among the coastal areas. These results support the applicability of the black-tailed gull egg as an indicator for establishing a monitoring framework in the coastal areas of the Republic of Korea.

Actinidia arguta Extract Containing Myo-Inositol Suppresses TNF-α-Induced VCAM-1 Expression and Monocyte Adhesion to Endothelial Cells via Inhibition of the PTEN/Akt/GSK-3ß and NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

The primary inflammatory process in atherosclerosis, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, begins with monocyte adhering to vascular endothelial cells. Actinidia arguta (kiwiberry) is an edible fruit that contains various bioactive components. While A. arguta extract (AAE) has been recognized for its anti-inflammatory characteristics, its specific inhibitory effect on early atherogenic events has not been clarified. We used tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for an in vitro model. AAE effectively hindered the attachment of THP-1 monocytes and reduced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in HUVECs. Transcriptome analysis revealed that AAE treatment upregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), subsequently inhibiting phosphorylation of AKT and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) in HUVECs. AAE further hindered phosphorylation of AKT downstream of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, leading to suppression of target gene expression. Oral administration of AAE suppressed TNF-α-stimulated VCAM-1 expression, monocyte-derived macrophage infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine expression in C57BL/6 mouse aortas. Myo-inositol, identified as the major compound in AAE, played a key role in suppressing THP-1 monocyte adhesion in HUVECs. These findings suggest that AAE could serve as a nutraceutical for preventing atherosclerosis by inhibiting its initial pathogenesis.

Pennogenin 3-O-ß-Chacotrioside Attenuates Hypertrophied Lipid Accumulation by Enhancing Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity.

Excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes is a primary contributor to the development of metabolic disorders, including obesity. The consumption of bioactive compounds derived from natural sources has been recognized as being safe and effective in preventing and alleviating obesity. Therefore, we aimed to explore the antilipidemic effects of pennogenin 3-O-ß-chacotrioside (P3C), a steroid glycoside, on hypertrophied 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oil Red O and Nile red staining demonstrated a P3C-induced reduction in lipid droplet accumulation. Additionally, the increased expression of adipogenic and lipogenic factors, including PPARγ and C/EBPα, during the differentiation process was significantly decreased by P3C treatment at both the protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, P3C treatment upregulated the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes such as PGC1α and CPT1a. Moreover, mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation increased following P3C treatment, as determined using the Seahorse XF analyzer. P3C treatment also increased the protein expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in hypertrophied adipocytes. Our findings suggest that P3C could serve as a natural lipid-lowering agent, reducing lipogenesis and enhancing mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Therefore, P3C may be a promising candidate as a therapeutic agent for obesity-related diseases.

Comammox and unknown ammonia oxidizers contribute to nitrite accumulation in an integrated A-B stage process that incorporates side-stream EBPR (S2EBPR).

A novel integrated pilot-scale A-stage high rate activated sludge, B-stage short-cut biological nitrogen removal and side-stream enhanced biological phosphorus removal (A/B-shortcut N-S2EBPR) process for treating municipal wastewater was demonstrated with the aim to achieve simultaneous and carbon- and energy-efficient N and P removal. In this studied period, an average of 7.62 ± 2.17 mg-N/L nitrite accumulation was achieved through atypical partial nitrification without canonical known NOB out-selection. Network analysis confirms the central hub of microbial community as Nitrospira, which was one to two orders of magnitude higher than canonical aerobic oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in a B-stage nitrification tank. The contribution of comammox Nitrospira as AOB was evidenced by the increased amoB/nxr ratio and higher ammonia oxidation activity. Furthermore, oligotyping analysis of Nitrospira revealed two dominant sub-clusters (microdiveristy) within the Nitrospira. The relative abundance of oligotype II, which is phylogenetically close to Nitrospira_midas_s_31566, exhibited a positive correlation with nitrite accumulation in the same operational period, suggesting its role as comammox Nitrospira. Additionally, the phylogenetic investigation suggested that heterotrophic organisms from the family Comamonadacea and the order Rhodocyclaceae embedding ammonia monooxygenase and hydroxylamine oxidase may function as heterotrophic nitrifiers. This is the first study that elucidated the impact of integrating the S2EBPR on nitrifying populations with implications on short-cut N removal. The unique conditions in the side-stream reactor, such as low ORP, favorable VFA concentrations and composition, seemed to exert different selective forces on nitrifying populations from those in conventional biological nutrient removal processes. The results provide new insights for integrating EBPR with short-cut N removal process for mainstream wastewater treatment.

Robinetin Alleviates Metabolic Failure in Liver through Suppression of p300-CD38 Axis.

Metabolic abnormalities in the liver are closely associated with diverse metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorating effect of robinetin (RBN) on the significant pathogenic features of metabolic failure in the liver and to identify the underlying molecular mechanism. RBN significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) accumulation by downregulating lipogenesis-related transcription factors in AML-12 murine hepatocyte cell line. In addition, mice fed with Western diet (WD) containing 0.025% or 0.05% RBN showed reduced liver mass and lipid droplet size, as well as improved plasma insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values. CD38 was identified as a target of RBN using the BioAssay database, and its expression was increased in OPA-treated AML-12 cells and liver tissues of WD-fed mice. Furthermore, RBN elicited these effects through its anti-histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity. Computational simulation revealed that RBN can dock into the HAT domain pocket of p300, a histone acetyltransferase, which leads to the abrogation of its catalytic activity. Additionally, knock-down of p300 using siRNA reduced CD38 expression. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that p300 occupancy on the promoter region of CD38 was significantly decreased, and H3K9 acetylation levels were diminished in lipid-accumulated AML-12 cells treated with RBN. RBN improves the pathogenic features of metabolic failure by suppressing the p300-CD38 axis through its anti-HAT activity, which suggests that RBN can be used as a new phytoceutical candidate for preventing or improving this condition.

Revisiting the role of Acinetobacter spp. in side-stream enhanced biological phosphorus removal (S2EBPR) systems.

We piloted the incorporation of side-stream enhanced biological phosphorus removal (S2EBPR) with A/B stage short-cut nitrogen removal processes to enable simultaneous carbon-energy-efficient nutrients removal. This unique configuration and system conditions exerted selective force on microbial populations distinct from those in conventional EBPR. Interestingly, effective P removal was achieved with the predominance of Acinetobacter (21.5 ± 0.1 %) with nearly negligible level of known conical PAOs (Ca. Accumulibacter and Tetrasphaera were 0.04 ± 0.10 % and 0.47 ± 0.32 %, respectively). Using a combination of techniques, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) coupled with single cell Raman spectroscopy (SCRS), the metabolic tracing of Acinetobacter-like cells exerted PAO-like phenotypic profiling. In addition, comparative metagenomics analysis of the closely related Acinetobacter spp. revealed the EBPR relevant metabolic pathways. Further oligotyping analysis of 16s rRNA V4 region revealed sub-clusters (microdiversity) of the Acinetobacter and revealed that the sub-group (oligo type 1, identical (100 % alignment identity) hits from Acinetobacter_midas_s_49494, and Acinetobacter_midas_s_55652) correlated with EBPR activities parameters, provided strong evidence that the identified Acinetobacter most likely contributed to the overall P removal in our A/B-shortcut N-S2EBPR system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to confirm the in situ EBPR activity of Acinetobacter using combined genomics and SCRS Raman techniques. Further research is needed to identify the specific taxon, and phenotype of the Acinetobacter that are responsible for the P-removal.

Side-Stream Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (S2EBPR) enables effective phosphorus removal in a pilot-scale A-B stage shortcut nitrogen removal system for mainstream municipal wastewater treatment.

While the adsorption/bio-oxidation (A/B) process has been widely studied for carbon capture and shortcut nitrogen (N) removal, its integration with enhanced biological phosphorus (P) removal (EBPR) has been considered challenging and thus unexplored. Here, full-scale pilot testing with an integrated system combining A-stage high-rate activated sludge with B-stage partial (de)nitrification/anammox and side-stream EBPR (HRAS-P(D)N/A-S2EBPR) was conducted treating real municipal wastewater. The results demonstrated that, despite the relatively low influent carbon load, the B-stage P(D)N-S2EBPR system could achieve effective P removal performance, with the carbon supplement and redirection of the A-stage sludge fermentate to the S2EBPR. The novel process configuration design enabled a system shift in carbon flux and distribution for efficient EBPR, and provided unique selective factors for ecological niche partitioning among different key functionally relevant microorganisms including polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs). The combined nitrite from B-stage to S2EBPR and aerobic-anoxic conditions in our HRAS-P(D)N/A-S2EBPR system promoted DPAOs for simultaneous internal carbon-driven denitrification via nitrite and P removal. 16S rRNA gene-based oligotyping analysis revealed high phylogenetic microdiversity within the Accumulibacter population and discovered coexistence of certain oligotypes of Accumulibacter and Competibacter correlated with efficient P removal. Single-cell Raman micro-spectroscopy-based phenotypic profiling showed high phenotypic microdiversity in the active PAO community and the involvement of unidentified PAOs and internal carbon-accumulating organisms that potentially played an important role in system performance. This is the first pilot study to demonstrate that the P(D)N-S2EBPR system could achieve shortcut N removal and influent carbon-independent EBPR simultaneously, and the results provided insights into the effects of incorporating S2EBPR into A/B process on metabolic activities, microbial ecology, and resulted system performance.

Integrated approach for the isotope trophic position of black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) eggs over a decade: Combining stable isotopes of amino acids and fatty acids composition.

Recently, compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) using the amino acid nitrogen stable isotope ratio (δ15NAAs) has been widely used for accurate estimation of trophic position (TP). In addition, a quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) offers insights into diet sources. In this study, we used these techniques to estimate the TP for seabirds that rely on diverse food sources across multiple ecosystems. This allows for the proper combination of factors used in TP calculation which are different for each ecosystem. The approach involved the application of a multi-mixing trophic discrimination factor (TDF) and mixing ß which is a Δδ15N between trophic and source amino acid of primary producer. Since the black-tailed gulls (BTGs) are income-breeding seabirds, which rely on energy sources obtained around their breeding sites, they and their eggs could be useful bioindicators for environmental monitoring. However, the ecological properties of BTGs such as habitats, diets, and TP are not well known due to their large migration range for wintering or breeding and their feeding habits on both aquatic and terrestrial prey. In this study, the eggs were used for estimating TP and for predicting TP of mother birds to overcome difficulties such as capturing birds and collecting non-invasive tissue samples. Eggs, sampled over a decade from three Korean islands, showed spatial differences in diet origin. Considering both the food chain and physiology of BTG, the TP of eggs was estimated to be 3.3-4.0. Notably, the TP was significantly higher at site H (3.8 ± 0.1) than at site B (3.5 ± 0.2), which indicated a higher contribution of marine diet as confirmed by QFASA. Using a reproductive shift of δ15NAAs, the TP of the mother birds was predicted to be 3.6-4.3, positioning them as the top predator in the food web. The advanced integration of multiple approaches provides valuable insights into bird ecology.

Epigenetic Profiling of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Epigenome-Wide Association Study of DNA Methylation in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Diabetes is characterized by persistently high blood glucose levels and severe complications and affects millions of people worldwide. In this study, we explored the epigenetic landscape of diabetes using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), specifically the Ansung-Ansan (AS-AS) cohort. Using epigenome-wide association studies, we investigated DNA methylation patterns in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and those with normal glucose regulation. Differential methylation analysis revealed 106 differentially methylated probes (DMPs), with the 10 top DMPs prominently associated with TXNIP, PDK4, NBPF20, ARRDC4, UFM1, PFKFB2, C7orf50, and ABCG1, indicating significant changes in methylation. Correlation analysis highlighted the association between the leading DMPs (e.g., cg19693031 and cg26974062 for TXNIP and cg26823705 for NBPF20) and key glycemic markers (fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c), confirming their relevance in T2DM. Moreover, we identified 62 significantly differentially methylated regions (DMRs) spanning 61 genes. A DMR associated with PDE1C showed hypermethylation, whereas DMRs associated with DIP2C, FLJ90757, PRSS50, and TDRD9 showed hypomethylation. PDE1C and TDRD9 showed a strong positive correlation between the CpG sites included in each DMR, which have previously been implicated in T2DM-related processes. This study contributes to the understanding of epigenetic modifications in T2DM. These valuable insights can be utilized in identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for effective management and prevention of diabetes.

Poncirus trifoliata Aqueous Extract Protects Cardiomyocytes against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity through Upregulation of NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase Quinone Acceptor Oxidoreductase 1.

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline-based chemotherapeutic agent, is widely used to treat various types of cancer; however, prolonged treatment induces cardiomyotoxicity. Although studies have been performed to overcome DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT), no effective method is currently available. This study investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of Poncirus trifoliata aqueous extract (PTA) in DICT. Changes in cell survival were assessed in H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The C57BL/6 mice were treated with DOX to induce DICT in vivo, and alterations in electrophysiological characteristics, serum biomarkers, and histological features were examined. The PTA treatment inhibited DOX-induced decrease in H9c2 cell viability but did not affect the MDA-MB-231 cell viability. Additionally, the PTA restored the abnormal heart rate, R-R interval, QT interval, and ST segment and inhibited the decrease in serum cardiac and hepatic toxicity indicators in the DICT model. Moreover, the PTA administration protected against myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis in the heart tissue of mice with DICT. PTA treatment restored DOX-induced decrease in the expression of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1 in a PTA concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, the PTA inhibitory effect on DICT is attributable to its antioxidant properties, suggesting the potential of PTA as a phytotherapeutic agent for DICT.

Water Extract of Capsella bursa-pastoris Mitigates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Upregulating Antioxidant Enzymes.

Doxorubicin (DOX), an effective chemotherapeutic drug, causes cardiotoxicity in a cumulative and dose-dependent manner. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hot-water extract of Capsella bursa-pastoris (CBW) on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT). We utilized H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells to evaluate the effects of CBW on DOX-induced cell death. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and oxygen consumption rate were measured in H9c2 cells. C57BL/6 mice were treated with DOX and CBW to assess their impact on various cardiac parameters. Human-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes were also used to investigate DOX-induced electrophysiological changes and the potential ameliorative effects of CBW. UPLC-TQ/MS analysis identified seven flavonoids in CBW, with luteolin-7-O-glucoside and isoorientin as the major compounds. CBW inhibited DOX-induced death of H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes but did not affect DOX-induced death of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. CBW increased SOD levels in a dose-dependent manner, reducing ROS production and increasing the oxygen consumption rate in H9c2 cells. The heart rate, RR interval, QT, and ST prolongation remarkably recovered in C57BL/6 mice treated with the combination of DOX and CBW compared to those in mice treated with DOX alone. Administration of CBW with DOX effectively alleviated collagen accumulation, cell death in mouse heart tissues, and reduced the levels of creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum. Furthermore, DOX-induced pathological electrophysiological features in human-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes were ameliorated by CBW. CBW may prevent DICT by stabilizing SOD and scavenging ROS. The presence of flavonoids, particularly luteolin-7-O-glucoside and isoorientin, in CBW may contribute to its protective effects. These results suggest the potential of CBW as a traditional therapeutic option to mitigate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Patulin Ameliorates Hypertrophied Lipid Accumulation and Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response by Modulating Mitochondrial Respiration.

Patulin (PAT) is a natural mycotoxin found in decaying pome fruits. Although some toxicological studies have been conducted on PAT, recent research has highlighted its anticancer and antifungal effects. However, studies have yet to examine the effects and molecular mechanisms of PAT in other metabolic diseases. Obesity is a chronic disease caused by excessive food intake and abnormal lifestyle, leading to low-grade inflammation. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the effect of PAT on obesity at the cellular level. PAT treatment reduced lipid accumulation, suppressed glucose and LDL uptake, inhibited lipid deposition and triglyceride synthesis, upregulated fatty acid oxidation-related genes (Pgc1α), and downregulated adipogenic/lipogenic genes (Pparγ and C/ebpα) in hypertrophied 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, PAT treatment enhanced mitochondrial respiration and mass in differentiated adipocytes and alleviated inflammatory response in activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, PAT treatment downregulated pro-inflammatory genes (il-6, Tnf-α, Cox-2, and inos), suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced increase in inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α, and NO), and restored mitochondrial oxidative function in LPS-stimulated macrophages by improving oxygen consumption and mitochondrial integrity and suppressing ROS generation. Overall, these findings suggest a potential for PAT in the prevention of lipid accumulation and inflammation-related disorders.

Future Temperature-Related Deaths in the U.S.: The Impact of Climate Change, Demographics, and Adaptation.

Mortality due to extreme temperatures is one of the most worrying impacts of climate change. In this analysis, we use historic mortality and temperature data from 106 cities in the United States to develop a model that predicts deaths attributable to temperature. With this model and projections of future temperature from climate models, we estimate temperature-related deaths in the United States due to climate change, changing demographics, and adaptation. We find that temperature-related deaths increase rapidly as the climate warms, but this is mainly due to an expanding and aging population. For global average warming below 3°C above pre-industrial levels, we find that climate change slightly reduces temperature-related mortality in the U.S. because the reduction of cold-related mortality exceeds the increase in heat-related deaths. Above 3°C warming, whether the increase in heat-related deaths exceeds the decrease in cold-related deaths depends on the level of adaptation. Southern U.S. cities are already well adapted to hot temperatures and the reduction of cold-related mortality drives overall lower mortality. Cities in the Northern U.S. are not well adapted to high temperatures, so the increase in heat-related mortality exceeds the reduction in cold-related mortality. Thus, while the total number of climate-related mortality may not change much, climate change will shift mortality in the U.S. to higher latitudes.

Toward Integrating EBPR and the Short-Cut Nitrogen Removal Process in a One-Stage System for Treating High-Strength Wastewater.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is an economical and sustainable process for phosphorus removal from wastewater. Despite the widespread application of EBPR for low-strength domestic wastewater treatment, limited investigations have been conducted to apply EBPR to the high-strength wastewaters, particularly, the integration of EBPR and the short-cut nitrogen removal process in the one-stage system remains challenging. Herein, we reported a novel proof-of-concept demonstration of integrating EBPR and nitritation (oxidation of ammonium to nitrite) in a one-stage sequencing batch reactor to achieve simultaneous high-strength phosphorus and short-cut nitrogen removal. Excellent EBPR performance of effluent 0.8 ± 1.0 mg P/L and >99% removal efficiency was achieved fed with synthetic high-strength phosphorus wastewater. Long-term sludge acclimation proved that the dominant polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs), Candidatus Accumulibacter, could evolve to a specific subtype that can tolerate the nitrite inhibition as revealed by operational taxonomic unit (OTU)-based oligotyping analysis. The EBPR kinetic and stoichiometric evaluations combined with the amplicon sequencing proved that the Candidatus Competibacter, as the dominant glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs), could well coexist with PAOs (15.3-24.9% and 14.2-33.1%, respectively) and did not deteriorate the EBPR performance. The nitrification activity assessment, amplicon sequencing, and functional-based gene marker quantification verified that the unexpected nitrite accumulation (10.7-21.0 mg N/L) in the high-strength EBPR system was likely caused by the nitritation process, in which the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were successfully out-selected (<0.1% relative abundance). We hypothesized that the introduction of the anaerobic phase with high VFA concentrations could be the potential selection force for achieving nitritation based on the literature review and our preliminary batch tests. This study sheds light on developing a new feasible technical route for integrating EBPR with short-cut nitrogen removal for efficient high-strength wastewater treatment.

Review of Patents for Anticancer Agents Targeting Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase.

Cancer, caused by abnormal and excessive cellular proliferation, can invade and destroy surrounding tissues and organs through the spreading of cancer cells. A general strategy for developing anticancer agents is to identify biomarkers that, if targeted, can produce a robust cytotoxic effect with minimal side effects. Cell-cycle regulators, checkpoint regulatory genes, and apoptosis-related genes are well-known biomarkers that inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Several compounds that target such biomarkers have been patented and more are being developed as novel therapies. Recent additions to this list include anticancer drugs that target signaling pathway proteins, such as 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a vital role in cancer and normal cell metabolism. Herein, we have reviewed recent patents related to AMPK-targeting anticancer drugs and discussed the mechanisms of action of these drugs. We conclude that these recently published patents include several attractive compounds and methods for targeting AMPK. Further research and clinical trials are required to elucidate the comprehensive role of AMPK in cancer cell metabolism, identify its associated signal transduction systems, and develop novel activators that may find applications in cancer therapy. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT01904123.

Patulin alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating lipogenesis and mitochondrial respiration.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of patulin on hepatic lipid metabolism and mitochondrial oxidative function and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. MAIN METHODS: The effects of patulin on hepatic lipid accumulation were evaluated in free fatty acid-treated AML12 or HepG2 cells through oil red O staining, triglyceride assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. Alteration of mitochondrial oxidative capacity by patulin treatment was determined using Seahorse analysis to measure the oxygen consumption rate. KEY FINDINGS: The increased amounts of lipid droplets induced by free fatty acids were significantly reduced by patulin treatment. Patulin markedly activated the CaMKII/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α signaling pathway in hepatocytes, reduced the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and lipogenic genes, and increased the expression of genes related to mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. In addition, patulin treatment enhanced the mitochondrial consumption rate and increased the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation proteins in HepG2 hepatocytes. The effects of patulin on anti-lipid accumulation; SREBP-1c, PGC-1α, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 expression; and mitochondrial oxidative capacity were significantly prevented by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. SIGNIFICANCE: Patulin is a potent inducer of the AMPK pathway, and AMPK-mediated mitochondrial activation is required for the efficacy of patulin to inhibit hepatic lipid accumulation. This study is the first to report that patulin is a promising bioactive compound that prevents the development and worsening of fatty liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, by improving mitochondrial quality and lipid metabolism.

Dnmt1/Tet2-mediated changes in Cmip methylation regulate the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by controlling the Gbp2-Pparγ-CD36 axis.

Dynamic alteration of DNA methylation leads to various human diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although C-Maf-inducing protein (Cmip) has been reported to be associated with NAFLD, its exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate this mechanism in NAFLD in vitro and in vivo. We first identified alterations in the methylation status of the Cmip intron 1 region in mouse liver tissues with high-fat high-sucrose diet-induced NAFLD. Knockdown of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) 1 significantly increased Cmip expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays of AML12 cells treated with oleic and palmitic acid (OPA) revealed that Dnmt1 was dissociated and that methylation of H3K27me3 was significantly decreased in the Cmip intron 1 region. Conversely, the knockdown of Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (Tet2) decreased Cmip expression. Following OPA treatment, the CCCTC-binding factor (Ctcf) was recruited, and H3K4me3 was significantly hypermethylated. Intravenous Cmip siRNA injection ameliorated NAFLD pathogenic features in ob/ob mice. Additionally, Pparγ and Cd36 expression levels were dramatically decreased in the livers of ob/ob mice administered siCmip, and RNA sequencing revealed that Gbp2 was involved. Gbp2 knockdown also induced a decrease in Pparγ and Cd36 expression, resulting in the abrogation of fatty acid uptake into cells. Our data demonstrate that Cmip and Gbp2 expression levels are enhanced in human liver tissues bearing NAFLD features. We also show that Dnmt1-Trt2/Ctcf-mediated reversible modulation of Cmip methylation regulates the Gbp2-Pparγ-Cd36 signaling pathway, indicating the potential of Cmip as a novel therapeutic target for NAFLD.

An integrated leachate bed reactor - anaerobic membrane bioreactor system (LBR-AnMBR) for food waste stabilization and biogas recovery.

This study developed an integrated LBR - AnMBR system for efficient stabilization and biogas recovery from food waste (FW) at room temperatures (21-22 °C). First, the leachate recirculation rate (4.4-13.2 L/h) was optimized to maximize hydrolysis and acidification yields. The maximum hydrolysis yield of 551 gSCOD/kg VSadded was achieved at recirculation rate of 13.2 L/h. The VFA concentrations in the FW leachate was as high as 12.5-16.0 g/L, resulting in a high acidification of 468 g CODVFA/kg VS. The solubilized FW was further stabilized by feeding the leachate to AnMBR. Different hydraulic (HRT) and solids retention times (SRT) were tested to achieve high COD removal and methane yields. High COD removal of 86 ± 3% was obtained in the AnMBR at HRT of 13 and SRT of 75 days. High biogas recovery of about 850 kWh per ton FWtreated was achieved along with high quality of AnMBR permeates containing low COD concentration but advantageously high concentration of nutrients (NH4+-N 317-403 mg/L, total phosphate 23-213 mg/L) without any particulates, which can be reused for landscape or liquid fertilizer.