An improved method for assessing environmental impacts caused by chemical pollutants: A case study in textiles production.

The use of chemicals in the textile industry has been widely investigated. This study used an improved method with the USEtox model to assess the environmental impacts of chemical pollutants discharged by the textile industry. The environmental impacts attributed to the discharged chemical pollutants were ranked using a quantity analysis method and a toxicity analysis method. The rankings of the two methods were compared by calculating Spearman's correlation coefficients and outliers. The results showed that the human health and ecological hazards potential were mainly caused by heavy metals. The rankings of the environmental impacts calculated with the quantity analysis method were different from those calculated with the toxicity analysis method. Cadmium, hexachlorobenzene and mercury caused severe human and ecological hazards with a small volume of emissions. Zinc and hexavalent chromium were highly toxic chemical pollutants, which could cause severe human health and ecological hazards potential. These five kinds of chemical pollutants should be preferentially controlled to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by chemical pollutants discharged from the textile industry.

Bioinspired Soft Electrostatic Accordion-Fold Actuators.

Increasing interests have been directed toward the exploitation of origami techniques in developing biomimetic soft robots. There is a need for effective design solutions to exploit the properties of origami structure with simplified assembly and improved robotic mobility. In this study, inspired by human long-standing jumps, we present a soft electrostatically driven legged accordion fold actuator made by turning a flat paper into hollow polyhedron structure with a spring like rear and capable of electrostatic pad-assisted steering and carrying loads. Without the need for integration of external actuators, the actuator is composed of the electrostatic origami actuator itself supported by a single-fold leg with fast response, easy fabrication process, and low cost. Initiated by periodic deformation around the folding hinges caused by alternating current voltage and ground reaction forces, the actuators exhibit a unique jump-slide movement outperforming other existing soft electrostatic actuators/robots in terms of relative speed. We examined the effect of different geometric and external factors on the relative speed and highlighted the significance of body scale and short-edge panels as the elastic elements, as well as operating at resonance frequency in producing effective performances. Theoretical locomotion models and finite element analysis were carried out to interpret the working principle and validate experimental results.

Electroacupuncture Promotes Nerve Regeneration and Functional Recovery Through Regulating lncRNA GAS5 Targeting miR-21 After Sciatic Nerve Injury.

Although the benefits of electroacupuncture (EA) for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) are well accepted in clinical practice, the underlying mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. In our study, we observed that EA intervention led to a reduction in the expression of the long non-coding RNA growth-arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) and an increased in miR-21 levels within the injured nerve, effectively promoting functional recovery and nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve injury (SNI). In contrast, administration of adeno-associated virus expressing GAS5 (AAV-GAS5) weakened the therapeutic effect of EA. On the other hand, both silencing GAS5 and introducing a miR-21 mimic prominently enhanced the proliferation activity and migration ability of Schwann cells (SCs), while also inhibiting SCs apoptosis. On the contrary, inhibition of SCs apoptosis was found to be mediated by miR-21. Additionally, overexpression of GAS5 counteracted the effects of the miR-21 mimic on SCs. Moreover, SCs that transfected with the miR-21 mimic promoted neurite growth in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced neurons, which might be prevented by overexpressing GAS5. Furthermore, GAS5 was found to be widely distributed in the cytoplasm and was negatively regulated by miR-21. Consequently, the targeting of GAS5 by miR-21 represents a potential mechanism through which EA enhances reinnervation and functional restoration following SNI. Mechanistically, the GAS5/miR-21 axis can modulate the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of SCs while potentially influencing the neurite growth of neurons.

Relationship between Circulating 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults: A Large Nationwide Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association of circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in adults. METHODS: This nationwide cohort involved 23,810 Chinese adults attending annual health evaluations. Serum 25(OH)D levels, MetS status, and covariates were determined at each examination. Among them, 8146, 3310, and 1971 completed two, three, and more than three evaluations, respectively. A hybrid mixed-effects and Cox regression model was employed to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships. RESULTS: The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MetS were significantly lower in individuals within quartile 4 (vs. 1) of serum 25(OH)D for both between-individual (0.43 [0.35, 0.52]) and within-individual comparisons (0.60 [0.50, 0.73]), respectively (all p-trends < 0.001). Among the MetS components, the corresponding ORs (95% CI) in between- and within-individual comparisons were 0.40 (0.29, 0.54) and 0.26 (0.19, 0.36) for abdominal obesity, 0.49 (0.41, 0.58) and 0.78 (0.66, 0.93) for high triglycerides, 0.70 (0.59, 0.82) and 0.75 (0.64, 0.87) for hypertriglyceridemia, 0.48 (0.39, 0.59) and 0.87 (0.71, 1.07) for low HDL cholesterol, and 0.92 (0.76, 1.12) and 0.49 (0.41, 0.59) for hypertension, respectively. Decreased hazard ratios (95% CIs) in quartile 4 (vs. 1) of 25(OH)D were found for MetS (0.80 [0.65, 1.00]), high triglycerides (0.76 [0.62, 0.92]), abdominal obesity (0.77 [0.63, 0.96]), and low HDL cholesterol (0.64 [0.50, 0.81]). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased concentrations of serum 25(OH)D correlate significantly to a heightened MetS risk and specific components. Our findings underscore the potential preventive function of circulating vitamin D concerning metabolic disorders.

Bio-Mimic, Fast-Moving, and Flippable Soft Piezoelectric Robots.

Cheetahs achieve high-speed movement and unique athletic gaits through the contraction and expansion of their limbs during the gallop. However, few soft robots can mimic their gaits and achieve the same speed of movement. Inspired by the motion gait of cheetahs, here the resonance of double spiral structure for amplified motion performance and environmental adaptability in a soft-bodied hopping micro-robot is exploited. The 0.058 g, 10 mm long tethered soft robot is capable of achieving a maximum motion speed of 42.8 body lengths per second (BL/s) and a maximum average turning speed of 482° s-1 . In addition, this robot can maintain high speed movement even after flipping. The soft robot's ability to move over complex terrain, climb hills, and carry heavy loads as well as temperature sensors is demonstrated. This research opens a new structural design for soft robots: a double spiral configuration that efficiently translates the deformation of soft actuators into swift motion of the robot with high environmental adaptability.

A Dual-Function Wearable Electrochemical Sensor for Uric Acid and Glucose Sensing in Sweat.

Simultaneous detection of uric acid and glucose using a non-invasive approach can be a promising strategy for related diseases, e.g., diabetes, gout, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we have proposed a dual-function wearable electrochemical sensor for uric acid and glucose detection in sweat. The sensor with a four-electrode system was prepared by printing the ink on a common rubber glove. CV and chronoamperometry were used to characterize the prepared sensor's electrochemical sensing performance. The sensors exhibited the linear range from 0 to 1.6 mM and 0 to 3.7 mM towards uric acid and glucose electrochemical sensing in phosphate-buffered solution, with the corresponding limit of detection of 3.58 µM and 9.10 µM obtained, respectively. Moreover, the sensors had shown their feasibility of real sample sensing in sweat. The linear detection range for uric acid (0 to 40 µM) and glucose (0 to 1.6 mM) in the sweat can well cover their concentration range in physiological conditions. The prepared dual-function wearable electrochemical sensor features easy preparation, fast detection, high sensitivity, high selectivity, and the practical application potential in uric acid and glucose sensing.

[Construction and application of an appraisement system of oral surgery difficulty by Delphi method].

PURPOSE: To build an appraisement system of oral surgery difficulty by Delphi method in order to provide basis for evaluation of oral surgery level and performance appraisal methods. METHODS: Delphi method was used to perform two rounds of expert selection, combination of critical value method and synthetical index method was used to select the index, and the weight of the index system was determined by superiority chart. RESULTS: The final evaluation index system of oral surgery difficulty included 4 first-level indexes and 20 second-level indexes. Index evaluation, index meaning and index weight were included in the index system. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation index system of oral surgery difficulty has its particularity compared with traditional operation index system.

Exosome-Mediated miR-21 Was Involved in the Promotion of Structural and Functional Recovery Effect Produced by Electroacupuncture in Sciatic Nerve Injury.

PURPOSE: Our study is aimed at investigating the mechanism by which electroacupuncture (EA) promoted nerve regeneration by regulating the release of exosomes and exosome-mediated miRNA-21 (miR-21) transmission. Furthermore, the effects of Schwann cells- (SC-) derived exosomes on the overexpression of miR-21 for the treatment of PNI were investigated. METHODS: A sciatic nerve injury model of rat was constructed, and the expression of miR-21 in serum exosomes and damaged local nerves was detected using RT-qPCR after EA treatment. The exosomes were identified under a transmission electron microscope and using western blotting analysis. Then, the exosome release inhibitor, GW4869, and the miR-21-5p-sponge used for the knockdown of miR-21 were used to clarify the effects of exosomal miR-21 on nerve regeneration promoted by EA. The nerve conduction velocity recovery rate, sciatic nerve function index, and wet weight ratio of gastrocnemius muscle were determined to evaluate sciatic nerve function recovery. SC proliferation and the level of neurotrophic factors were assessed using immunofluorescence staining, and the expression levels of SPRY2 and miR-21 were detected using RT-qPCR analysis. Subsequently, the transmission of exosomal miR-21 from SC to the axon was verified in vitro. Finally, the exosomes derived from the SC infected with the miR-21 overexpression lentivirus were collected and used to treat the rat SNI model to explore the therapeutic role of SC-derived exosomes overexpressing miR-21. RESULTS: We found that EA inhibited the release of serum exosomal miR-21 in a PNI model of rats during the early stage of PNI, while it promoted its release during later stages. EA enhanced the accumulation of miR-21 in the injured nerve and effectively promoted the recovery of nerve function after PNI. The treatment effect of EA was attenuated when the release of circulating exosomes was inhibited or when miR-21 was downregulated in local injury tissue via the miR-21-5p-sponge. Normal exosomes secreted by SC exhibited the ability to promote the recovery of nerve function, while the overexpression of miR-21 enhanced the effects of the exosomes. In addition, exosomal miR-21 secreted by SC could promote neurite outgrowth in vitro. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the mechanism of EA on PNI from the perspective of exosome-mediated miR-21 transport and provided a theoretical basis for the use of exosomal miR-21 as a novel strategy for the treatment of PNI.

Schwann cells-derived exosomal miR-21 participates in high glucose regulation of neurite outgrowth.

As a common complication of diabetes, the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is closely related to high glucose but has not been clarified. Exosomes can mediate crosstalk between Schwann cells (SC) and neurons in the peripheral nerve. Herein, we found that miR-21 in serum exosomes from DPN rats was decreased. SC proliferation was inhibited, cell apoptosis was increased, and the expression of miR-21 in cells and exosomes was downregulated when cultured in high glucose. Increasing miR-21 expression reversed these changes, while knockdown of miR-21 led to the opposite results. When co-cultured with exosomes derived from SC exposed to high glucose, neurite outgrowth was inhibited. On the contrary, neurite outgrowth was accelerated when incubated with exosomes rich in miR-21. We further demonstrated that the SC-derived exosomal miR-21 participates in neurite outgrowth probably through the AKT signaling pathway. Thus, SC-derived exosomal miR-21 contributes to high glucose regulation of neurite outgrowth.

Assessing environmental impact of textile production with water alkalization footprint.

The dyeing process contributes most to the water consumption and wastewater emission associated with the textile industry, leading to water depletion and degradation. The water footprint is an effective concept for evaluating the environmental impact of textile production processes on water bodies, and serves as a reference for practitioners seeking to develop suitable water management strategies. Water degradation can be quantified in terms of several sub-indicators, such as aquatic eutrophication, acidification, and ecotoxicity. However, some processes (such as the production of viscose fiber and dyeing) produce significant quantities of alkaline wastewater that can alkalize the receiving water bodies. In this study, we proposed the concept of water alkalization footprint to assess the potential impact of water alkalization caused by textile production. To achieve this, we constructed an evaluation framework and calculated the relevant characterization factors by considering the mechanisms of chemical reaction. A dyeing mill was selected as a case study to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. The results indicate that the dyeing of 1 ton of viscose fabric produces a water alkalization footprint of 15.478 kg OH- equiv, and that NaOH in the wastewater from the desizing and dyeing phases was the largest contributor at 97.23%.