Efficacy and safety of a noninvasive, home-based radiofrequency device for facial rejuvenation: An open-label, intraindividual controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Wrinkle formation is the most visible characteristic of facial aging. Radiofrequency (RF) technology is currently utilized to reduce facial wrinkles and contribute to skin rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and safety of a noninvasive, home-based RF device applied for facial rejuvenation in Chinese people. METHODS: A single-center, open-label, intraindividual controlled trial was performed on subjects who received an 8-week treatment of the RF device. A total of 22 female individuals aged 25-60 years with Fitzpatrick skin type III-IV were enrolled. Efficacy of treatment was subjectively evaluated using the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Classification Scale (FWCS) assessed by physician or overall satisfaction of subject with a 10-point VAS, and objectively using the skin ultrasound examination as well as the 3D skin analysis system. Adverse event was recorded at each visit. RESULTS: In comparison with the baseline, evaluator-assessed FWCS scores showed significant improvement at 4 weeks (p < 0.005) and 8 weeks (p < 0.005) after treatment. All subjects reported different degrees of improvement in facial wrinkles after 8 weeks of treatment. The results of skin ultrasound examination revealed significant increase of the dermal thickness at week 8 (p < 0.05) as compared to the baseline. In addition, a significant decrease in the proportion and density of perioral wrinkles evaluated by the 3D skin analysis system was observed from baseline to week 4. The treatment was well-tolerated, and no serious adverse event was observed. CONCLUSION: This noninvasive, home-based RF device was effective in improving skin texture and elasticity with a safe and well-tolerated treating procedure.

Enhanced activation of peroxymonosulfate by a floating FeMo3Ox/C3N4 photocatalyst under visible-light assistance for oxytetracycline degradation: Performance, mechanisms and comparison with H2O2 activation.

In this study, a floating FeMo3Ox/C3N4-EP (FM-C-P) composite with highly stability and reusability was synthesized by an impregnation/calcination process and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for oxytetracycline (OTC) degradation under visible light irradiation. The results demonstrated that 98.1% of OTC (50 mg/L) removal can be achieved by the activation of PMS (5 mM) using FM-C-P (1 g/L) in 30 min under visible light irradiation. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was calculated to be 0.181 min-1. The degradation process with PMS was hardly affected by pH (3-11) and co-existing substance. ·SO4-, ·OH, ·O2- and 1O2 were produced in the Vis/PMS/FM-C-P system and 1O2 was determined to be the main reactive oxygen species (ROSs). The high efficiency of ROSs production mainly contributed to two mechanisms. Firstly, via the combination of ≡Fe (II)-·SO5- and free state ·SO5-, 1O2 could be generated on the Fe-Nx site. Secondly, photo-induced electrons in the FeMo3Ox/g-C3N4 heterojunction could react with Fe (III) and Mo (VI) to form catalytically active species Fe (II) and Mo (IV). Moreover, the proposed degradation pathway and the toxicity of intermediated products was analyzed. Overall, this study was expected to deepen the understanding of the photo-assisted PMS activation and the generation of 1O2 with the presence of metal-oxide/C3N4 heterojunction.

Regulating donor-acceptor system toward highly efficient dual-state emission for sensitive response of nitroaromatic explosives.

Dual-state emission luminogens (DSEgens) as fluorophores emit efficiently in solution and solid forms have gained increasing concern in the field of chemical sensing. Recent efforts by our group led to the identification of DSEgens as an easy-to-visualize nitroaromatic explosives (NAEs) detection platform. However, none of the previously studied NAEs probes show effective improvement in sensitivity. Here, we designed a series of benzoxazole-based DSEgens through multiple strategies driven by theoretical calculations, revealing their improved detecting performance on NAEs. Compounds 4a-4e exhibit thermal- and photo-stability, large Stokes shift as well as sensitivity solvatochromism (except for 4a and 4b). A subtle balance between rigid conjugation and distorted conformation endows these D-A type fluorophores 4a-4e with DSE properties. Furthermore, 4d and 4e show aggregation-induced emission phenomenon caused by distorted molecular conformation and restricted intramolecular rotation. Interestingly, DSEgen 4e displays anti-interference and sensitivity towards NAEs with a detection limit of 10-8 M. It can be applied for expedient and distinct visual identification of NAEs not only in solution but also on filter paper and film, supporting this new DSEgen as reliable NAEs chemoprobe.

Anti-galectin-3 antibodies induce skin vascular inflammation via promoting local production of IL-1ß in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Vascular inflammation could occur in all organs and tissues in patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), of which skin is the most frequent one. Our previous research identified anti-galectin-3 (Gal3) antibodies (Abs) as an important mediator of lupus cutaneous vasculopathy. Herein, we showed that anti-Gal3 Abs dysregulated the function of vascular endothelial cells with higher transcript levels of IL-1ß and increased expression of mature IL-1ß. The enhanced production of IL-1ß secreted by endothelial cells was dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome. Intradermal injection of anti-Gal3 Abs in mice induced local inflammation with perivascular infiltration of T cells and neutrophils, which was inhibited by IL-1ß blockade. Induction of anti-Gal3 Abs in circulation by immunization of Gal3 antigen not only led to histopathologic changes in the skin, including focal keratinocytes vacuolization and thickening of blood vessels, but also a systemic autoimmune phenotype that involves autoantibody production and kidney damage. Intriguingly, local overexpression of IL-1ß was primarily associated with skin lesions but not with other internal organs in mice. Finally, we showed that the serum levels of IL-1ß were comparable between SLE patients and healthy donors. Whilst the expression of IL-1ß was enriched in local area with perivascular inflammation in lupus skin lesion compared to healthy normal skin. The results strongly suggest that IL-1ß plays an important role in mediating anti-Gal3 Ab-induced skin vascular inflammation and raised the prospect for using IL-1ß blocking therapies to treat lupus cutaneous damage.

Fractal characteristics of shale pore structure and its influence on seepage flow.

The migration law of shale gas has a significant influence on the seepage characteristics of shale, and the flow of the gas is closely related to the pore structure. To explore the influence of shale pore parameters on permeability in different diffusion zones, the pore structure of the shale in the Niutitang Formation in Guizhou, China, was analysed based on liquid nitrogen adsorption experiments and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. The relationship among fractal dimension, organic carbon content (TOC) and BET-specific surface area was analysed based on the fractal dimension of shale pores calculated using the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill model. Shale permeability was calculated using the Knudsen number (Kn) and permeability equation, and the influence of the fractal dimension and porosity in different diffusion zones on shale permeability was analysed. Previous studies have shown that: (i) the pores of shale in the Niutitang Formation, Guizhou are mainly distributed within 1-100 nm, with a small total pore volume per unit mass, average pore diameter, large BET specific surface area and porosity; (ii) fractal dimension has a negative correlation with average pore diameter and TOC content and a quadratic relationship with BET specific surface area; and (iii) permeability has a positive correlation with Kn, porosity and fractal dimension. In the transitional diffusion zone, fractal dimension and porosity have a significant impact on permeability. In the Knudsen diffusion zone, porosity has no obvious effect on permeability. The methodologies and results presented will enable more accurate characterization of the complexity of pore structures of porous media and allow further understanding of the seepage law of shale gas.

Fouling characterization and aeration performance recovery of fine-pore diffusers operated for 10 years in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant.

Fouling characterization and aeration performance recovery of fine-pore diffusers operated for 10 years in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant were investigated to elucidate fouling mechanisms and develop cleaning strategy. The performance decline of diffusers was observed with dynamic wet pressure increased by 3.2 times and standard oxygen transfer efficiency dropped to 73%, which contributed to 15.0% increase in total energy consumption. Oxygen-affinity, filamentous and extracellular polymeric substances secreting bacteria tended to accumulate on the diffuser surface. External (mainly biofilm growth), internal (organic and inorganic matters) and irrecoverable (mainly material aging) foulants accounted for 34.1%, 45.4% and 20.1% of total fouling, respectively. HCl cleaning failed to restore aeration efficiency because it eliminated structural support formed by inorganics, leaving organic foulants broken into smaller fragments and distributed more dispersed. NaClO showed better cleaning efficiency by effectively removing organic foulants. Sequential cleaning by NaClO and HCl, which achieved the best recovery, was recommended.

Insight into the roles of packing carriers and ultrasonication in anaerobic side-stream reactor coupled membrane bioreactors: Sludge reduction performance and mechanism.

The sludge in situ reduction process by inserting an anaerobic side-stream reactor (ASSR) in a sludge return line provides a cost-effective approach to reduce sludge production in activated sludge systems. In this study, four pilot-scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs), including an AO-MBR for control, ASSR coupled MBR (ASSR-MBR), a MBR with ASSR packed with carriers (AP-MBR) and an AP-MBR with part of sludge ultrasonicated before fed into ASSR (AUP-MBR) were operated in parallel to investigate enhancing effects of ultrasonication and packing carriers on sludge reduction and pollutants removal performance under both normal and low temperature. Low temperature showed negligible impact on COD removal, deteriorated NH4+N and TN removal from 98.3% to 69.7% at 21.6 °C to 92.5% and 48.8% at 2.6 °C, and decreased sludge reduction efficiency (SRE) in ASSR-MBR. Packing carriers and ultrasonication both enhanced sludge reduction, especially under low temperature with SRE values increased from 8.2% of ASSR-MBR to 17.1% of AP-MBR and 32.6% of AUP-MBR at 4.5 ±â€¯2.5 °C. Packing carriers and ultrasonication increased cell rupture by 11.1% and 14.5% in aerobic MBR, enhanced protease activity in ASSR by 60.0% and 116.3%, and reduced ATP content for heterotrophic metabolism by 31.4% and 7.3%, respectively. MiSeq sequencing results showed that packing carriers enriched hydrolytic bacteria (Terrimonas, Dechloromonas and Woodsholea), slow growers (Sulfuritalea, Thauera and Azospira) and predatory bacteria (Bdellovibrio and norank_Saprospiraceae), while ultrasonication further enriched hydrolytic bacteria (norank_Saccharibacteria and Ferruginibacter). Packing carriers is more cost-effective than ultrasonication to enhance sludge reduction by partial damage to bacterial cells and promoting better interaction between bacteria, enzymes and substrates to favor particles hydrolysis.

Identifying microbial community evolution in membrane bioreactors coupled with anaerobic side-stream reactor, packing carriers and ultrasonication for sludge reduction by linear discriminant analysis.

An anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (AO-MBR), an anaerobic side-stream reactor (ASSR) coupled MBRs (A-MBRs), an A-MBR with carriers packed in ASSR (AP-MBR) and an AP-MBR with sludge ultrasonicated before ASSR (AUP-MBR) were operated for 261 d to investigate effects of ASSR, packing carriers and ultrasonication on sludge reduction and microbial population. Sludge reduction efficiencies of A-MBR, AP-MBR and AUP-MBR were 36.2%, 46.4% and 51.4%, respectively. Packing carriers and ultrasonication both enhanced hydrolysis by stimulating activities of α-glucosidase and protease, while uncoupling metabolism was enhanced greatly by packing carriers but slightly by ultrasonication. Linear discriminant analysis of effect size (LEfSe) results showed that packing carriers promoted the growth of hydrolytic and fermentative bacteria in bulk sludge, and enriched anaerobes and fermentative bacteria on the surface of carriers. Ultrasonication screened ultrasonication-resistant bacteria, and created an anaerobic environment beneficial to hydrolytic and fermentative bacteria.

Correlation of microbial community structure with pollutants removal, sludge reduction and sludge characteristics in micro-aerobic side-stream reactor coupled membrane bioreactors under different hydraulic retention times.

A micro-aerobic side-stream reactor (MSSR) was inserted in returned sludge line of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for sludge reduction. Three MSSR coupled MBRs (M-MBRs) and an anoxic/oxic MBR (AO-MBR) were operated in parallel to investigate effects of micro-aerobic condition and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of MSSR (HRTM) on process performance. M-MBRs and AO-MBR were equally effective in COD and NH4-N removal. Rising HRTM from 3.3 to 6.7 h increased sludge reduction from 10.8% to 47.5%, and promoted dissolved organic matters release and utilization by enriching hydrolytic, fermentative and predatory bacteria. M-MBR at HRTM of 3.3 h obtained the highest nitrogen removal, and enriched denitrifiers (Thauera and Hyphomicrobium) in the MSSR. The highest relative abundance of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms was observed in M-MBR at HRTM of 5.0 h, which achieved the highest phosphorus removal. Prolonging HRTM to 6.7 h improved sludge dewaterability by enriching floc-formation bacteria (Nannocystis) and inhibiting filamentous bacteria (Candidatus_Alysiosphaera).