Co-Reactive Ligand In Situ Engineered Gold Nanoclusters with Ultra-Bright Near-Infrared Electrochemiluminescence for Ultrasensitive and Label-Free Detection of Carboxylesterase Activity.

Ultrasensitive and accurate monitoring of carboxylesterase (CE) activity is extremely crucial for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is still a considerable challenge. Herein, using a co-reactive ligand engineering strategy, ultra-bright near-infrared (λmax = 830 nm) and self-enhanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) Au nanoclusters (NCs) were in situ prepared with 2-(diethylamino) ethanethiol (DEAET) as a co-reactive ligand. Remarkably, the co-reactive ligand not only acts as a stabilizer like traditional ligands but also plays a crucial role as a co-reactant to ensure a confinement effect to shorten the charge transfer distance and increase the local concentration, significantly improving the collision efficiency between the electrogenerated free radicals. Consequently, the DEAET Au NCs exhibited a record and stable anodal ECL without the addition of an exogenous co-reactant, dramatically superior to classical Au NCs and Ru(bpy)32+ with a certain amount of the co-reactant. As a proof of concept, a convenient and label-free CE biosensor was innovatively constructed using 1-naphthyl acetate as a selective substrate, achieving ultrasensitive detection for CE activity with a low limit of detection of 9.1 × 10-7 U/L. Therefore, this work not only paves a co-reactive ligand engineering strategy for in situ preparation of high-efficiency metal NCs but also provides an ultrasensitive and convenient platform for the early diagnosis of HCC.

Dysregulated mir-76 mediated a protective response to nanopolystyrene by modulating heme homeostasis related molecular signaling in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

The underlying mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating nanoplastic toxicity are still largely unclear in organisms. In nanopolystyrene (NPS) exposed Caenorhabditis elegans, the expression of mir-76 (a neuronal miRNA) was significantly decreased, and the mir-76 mutant was resistant to the toxicity of NPS. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular basis of mir-76 in controlling NPS toxicity in nematodes. The mir-76 mutation increased expression of glb-10 encoding a globin protein in NPS (1 µg/L) exposed nematodes. Exposure to NPS (1-100 µg/L) increased the glb-10 expression, and the glb-10(RNAi) worm was susceptible to NPS toxicity in inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and in decreasing locomotion behavior. Using ROS production and locomotion behavior as endpoints, mutation of glb-10 inhibited resistance of mir-76 mutant to NPS toxicity, and neuronal overexpression of mir-76 inhibited the resistance to NPS toxicity in nematodes overexpressing neuronal glb-10 containing 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). Thus, GLB-10 functioned as a target of mir-76 in the neurons to regulate the NPS toxicity. Moreover, a signaling cascade of HRG-7-HRG-5 required for the control of heme homeostasis was identified to function downstream of neuronal GLB-10 to regulate the NPS toxicity. In this signaling cascade, the neuronal HRG-7 regulated the NPS toxicity by antagonizing function of intestinal HRG-5. Furthermore, in the intestine, HRG-5 controlled NPS toxicity by inhibiting functions of hypoxia-inducible transcriptional factor HIF-1 and transcriptional factor ELT-2. Our results highlight the crucial function of heme homeostasis related signaling in regulating the NPS toxicity in organisms.

Induction of protective response to polystyrene nanoparticles associated with dysregulation of intestinal long non-coding RNAs in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Intestinal barrier plays a crucial function during the response to polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the control of various biological processes, including stress response. We here used C. elegans to determine intestinal lncRNAs dysregulated by PS-NPs (1-100 µg/L). In intestine of PS-NPs exposed worms, we found four lncRNAs (linc-61, linc-50, linc-9, and linc-2) in response to PS-NPs and with the function in controlling PS-NPs toxicity. The alteration in expressions of these four intestinal lncRNAs reflected a protective response to PS-NPs exposure. During the response to PS-NPs, limited number of transcriptional factors functioned as the downstream targets of these four lncRNAs. linc-2 acted upstream of DAF-16, linc-9 acted upstream of NHR-77, linc-50 functioned upstream of DAF-16, and linc-61 regulated the functions of DAF-16, DVE-1, and FKH-2 to control PS-NPs toxicity. The obtained data demonstrated the important role of lncRNAs in intestinal barrier to mediate a protective response to PS-NPs exposure at low concentrations.

Molecular basis of intestinal canonical Wnt/ß-catenin BAR-1 in response to simulated microgravity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

In nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, an intestinal signaling cascade in canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, including ß-catenin transcriptional factor BAR-1, has been identified to be involved in the control of response to simulated microgravity. However, the downstream target(s) of BAR-1 in regulating the response to simulated microgravity are still unclear. In this study, we found that BAR-1 and its direct target of Wnt effector POP-1 functioned upstream of a Meis TALE-class transcription factor UNC-62 to regulate the response to simulated microgravity. Moreover, UNC-62 regulated the response to simulated microgravity by suppressing the function of FOXO transcriptional factor DAF-16 and its target (mitochondrial Mn-SOD/SOD-3) in insulin signaling pathway. Therefore, canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling mediates a protective intestinal response to simulated microgravity by inducing a nucleus-mitochondria communication. Our results provide an important molecular basis for intestinal Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in response to simulated microgravity in organisms.

Hierarchical Graphene-Scaffolded Silicon/Graphite Composites as High Performance Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

To better couple with commercial cathodes, such as LiCoO2 and LiFePO4 , graphite-based composites containing a small proportion of silicon are recognized as promising anodes for practical application in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the prepared Si/C composite still suffers from either rapid capacity fading or the high cost up to now. Here, the facile preparation of hierarchical graphene-scaffolded silicon/graphite composite is reported. In this designed 3D structure, Si nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed on commercial graphites and then uniformly encapsulated in the hierarchical graphene scaffold. This hierarchical structure is also well characterized by the synchrotron X-ray computed nanotomography technique. When evaluated as anodes for LIBs, the hierarchical composite, with the Si weight ratio of 5 wt%, exhibits a reversible capacity of 559 mA h g-1 at 75 mA g-1 , suggesting an unprecedented utilization of Si up to 95%. Even at 372 mA g-1 , the composite can still maintain a high capacity retention of 90% after 100 cycles. Coupled with the LiFePO4 cathode, the full cell shows the high capacity of 114 mA h g-1 at 170 mA g-1 . The excellent Li-storage properties can be ascribed to the unique designed hierarchical structure.

The impact on Cd bioavailability and accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) induced by dry direct-seeding cultivation method in field-scale experiments.

Dry direct-seeded rice cultivation has gained popularity and expanded its cultivated area due to reduced labor requirements and water consumption. However, the impact of this cultivation method on cadmium (Cd) bioavailability in soil and the accumulation levels in grains remains uncertain. Field experiments were conducted in acidic soils at two locations in southern China to compare rice varieties and evaluate the dry direct-seeding method alongside the wet direct-seeding and traditional transplanting methods. Dry direct-seeded rice reached significantly higher Cd concentrations in its tissues starting from the heading stage than transplanted rice. Cd accumulation levels by the maturation stage in the brown rice of dry direct-seeded rice were 18.33 %-150.69 % higher than those of wet direct-seeded and transplanted rice, with a considerable ability to translocate Cd into brown rice. Furthermore, dry direct seeding decreased iron plaque formation, particularly in the amorphous Fe form; it resulted in high soil temperature and low moisture content during tillering, elevating Cd availability in the soil. Additionally, the proportion of ions and more labile forms of Cd in the soil solution was high. Moreover, the soil under dry direct seeding had high urease and acid phosphatase enzyme activities. However, low richness and diversity in the bacterial community were characterized by a significant increase in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria at the class level, while exhibiting decreased relative abundances of Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and KD4-96, along with fewer biomarkers. Nonetheless, these differences are gradually reduced during the maturation stage. Overall, although dry direct seeding offers several advantages, it is crucial to implement additional measures to mitigate the increased health risks linked to rice cultivation through this approach in Cd-contaminated areas.

Exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes causes suppression in octopamine signal associated with transgenerational toxicity induction in C.elegans.

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), a kind of carbon-based nanomaterials, has been extensively utilized in a variety of fields. In Caenorhabditis elegans, MWCNT exposure can result in toxicity not only at parental generation (P0-G) but also in the offspring. However, the underlying mechanisms remain still largely unknown. DAF-12, a transcriptional factor (TF), was previously found to be activated and involved in transgenerational toxicity control after MWCNT exposure. In this study, we observed that exposure to 0.1-10 µg/L MWCNTs caused the significant decrease in expression of tbh-1 encoding a tyramine beta-hydroxylase with the function to govern the octopamine synthesis, suggesting the inhibition in octopamine signal. After exposure to 0.1 µg/L MWCNT, the decrease in tbh-1 expression could be also detected in F1-G and F2-G. Moreover, in germline cells, the TF DAF-12 regulated transgenerational MWCNT toxicity by suppressing expression and function of TBH-1. Meanwhile, exposure to 0.1-10 µg/L MWCNTs induced the increase in octr-1 expression and the decrease in ser-6 expression. After exposure to 0.1 µg/L MWCNT, the increased octr-1 expression and the decreased ser-6 expression were further observed in F1-G and F2-G. Germline TBH-1 controlled transgenerational MWCNT toxicity by regulating the activity of octopamine receptors (SER-6 and OCTR-1) in offspring. Furthermore, in the offspring, SER-6 and OCTR-1 affected the induction of MWCNT toxicity by upregulating or downregulating the level of ELT-2, a GATA TF. Taken together, these findings suggested possible link between alteration in octopamine related signals and MWCNT toxicity induction in offspring in organisms.

Cadmium accumulation in brown rice (Oryza sativa L.) depends on environmental factors and nutrient transport: A three-year field study.

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in brown rice is a complex process in agroecosystems and is influenced by multiple factors, such as climate, soil properties, and nutrient transport. However, during the Cd transport process (soil-root-straw-brown rice), it remains unclear how Cd concentration in brown rice (BCd) is causal relationship to environmental factors and nutrient transport. The differences in precipitation, soil properties, nutrient transport, and Cd transport were studied through a three-year fixed-point field trial and linked them to the standard of Cd and nutrient absorption and transport processes. The results showed that the available Cd concentration (ACd), and BCd in 2020 were lower than those in 2019 and 2021, but monthly precipitation (MP) was higher in 2020 than in 2019 and 2021. The MP and niche metrics were significantly negatively associated with ACd and BCd. However, the relationship between the form and location of different nutrient elements and Cd in roots, Cd in straws, and BCd also varied during the transport of nutrient elements and Cd from soil to root to straw to brown rice. Structural equation modelling analysis showed that nitrogen (N 15.5 %), phosphorus (P 14.1 %), silicon (Si 4.2 %), and iron (Fe 7.6 %) transport were more closely related to BCd than to potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn). The increase in MP significantly inhibited the increase in BCd, whereas the MP led to a decrease in BCd by affecting the transport of N and Fe. Among them, Si, Fe, and BCd had indirect causal relationships, whereas N, P, and BCd had direct causal relationships. Particularly, P is a crucial nutrient in reducing BCd in the Cd transport process. Our results highlight a strong causal relationship between environmental factors and nutrient transport and BCd, and provide a theoretical basis for fertiliser application in Cd-contaminated agroecosystems.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes induce transgenerational toxicity associated with activation of germline long non-coding RNA linc-7 in C.elegans.

With the increase in application, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are potentially bioavailable to environmental organisms. However, the potential transgenerational effect of MWCNTs and underlying mechanisms remains still unclear. Here, we examined transgenerational MWCNT toxicity and the underlying mechanism mediated by germline long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to 0.1-10 µg/L MWCNT caused transgenerational toxicity reflected by endpoints of brood size and locomotion behavior. Meanwhile, among germline lncRNAs, expression of 5 lncRNAs were dysregulated by MWCNT exposure. Among these 5 dysregulated lncRNAs, only germline RNAi of linc-7 affected MWCNT toxicity. Increase in germline linc-7 expression was observed transgenerationally, and transgenerational MWCNT toxicity was prevented in linc-7(RNAi) nematodes. Moreover, germline linc-7 controlled transgenerational MWCNT toxicity by activating downstream DAF-12, a transcriptional factor. Therefore, our data indicated the association between induction of transgenerational MWCNT toxicity and increase in germline linc-7 expression in organisms.

Toxicity induction of nanopolystyrene under microgravity stress condition in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful animal model for assessing adverse effects of environmental toxicants or stresses. C. elegans was used as an assay system to investigate the effects of exposure to nanopolystyrene (30 nm) on wild-type and sod-3 mutant animals under microgravity stress condition. Using brood size and locomotion behaviors as endpoints, we found that nanopolystyrene exposure enhanced the toxicity of microgravity stress on nematodes, and this toxicity enhancement could be further strengthened by mutation of sod-3 encoding a Mn-SOD protein. Induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activation of mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mt UPR) were associated with this toxicity enhancement. In sod-3 mutant nematodes, the enhancement in toxicity of microgravity stress by exposure to nanopolystyrene (10 µg/L) was detected. Our data will be helpful for understanding the potential effects of nanopolystyrene exposure on nematodes under the microgravity stress condition.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with histopathologic manifestations of pulmonary capillaritis: Three case reports.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a multicause pulmonary capillary hemorrhage or pulmonary vascular small vessel injury (mainly capillaries, including arteries and veins), causing pulmonary microcirculation blood to accumulate in the alveolar space. DAH is classified by the histological absence or presence of pulmonary capillaritis (PC) and is rarely reported in the literature. CASE SUMMARY: This is a report of three girls aged 6-11 years with DAH and PC. Two patients had decreased hemoglobin and one had increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. High-resolution computed tomography showed bilateral diffuse pulmonary infiltrate, and diagnosis of PC was confirmed by lung biopsy. Immunofluorescence test in one case showed granular IgG and a small amount of granular IgA deposit on the alveolar walls, and was negative in the other two cases, describing isolated pauci-immune PC. Treatment was with glucocorticoid alone or combination with immunosuppressants, and the symptoms resolved in all patients. CONCLUSION: PC is classified as isolated and immune-mediated PC associated with systemic disease. It can be controlled in most children with glucocorticoid alone or combined with immunosuppressants.

Identification of long non-coding RNAs in response to nanopolystyrene in Caenorhabditis elegans after long-term and low-dose exposure.

The potential adverse effects of nanoplastics, such as nanopolystyrene, have received the great attention recently. However, the molecular response of organisms to nanoplastics is still largely unknown. In this study, we employed Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model to investigate the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in response to long-term exposure to low-dose nanopolystyrene (100 nm). Based on Hiseq 2000 sequencing and qRT-PCR confirmation, we identified 36 lncRNAs (21 down-regulated lncRNAs and 15 up-regulated lncRNAs) in response to nanopolystyrene (1 µg/L). Using intestinal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and locomotion behavior as endpoints, we found that RNAi knockdown of linc-2, linc-9, or linc-61 induced a susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, and RNAi knockdown of linc-18 or linc-50 induced a resistance to nanopolystyrene toxicity. Meanwhile, nanopolystyrene (1 µg/L) increased expressions of linc-2, linc-9, linc-18, and linc-61 and decreased linc-50 expression, suggesting that these 5 lncRNAs mediated two different responses to nanopolystyrene exposure. Bioinformatical analysis implied that these 5 lncRNAs were associated with multiple biological processes and signaling pathways. Our results demonstrated the crucial roles of lncRNAs in response to long-term exposure to low-dose nanopolystyrene in organisms.

Mesoporous germanium nanoparticles synthesized in molten zinc chloride at low temperature as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries.

In a simple and convenient way, mesoporous germanium nanoparticles (mp-Ge NPs) are prepared by a "metathesis" reaction of magnesium germanide (Mg2Ge) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) in an autoclave at 300 °C. Investigated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the prepared mp-Ge NPs exhibit a high capacity retention of 1048 mA h g-1 at 1 C after 1000 cycles and a high rate capacity of 727.1 mA h g-1 at 10 C in Li-Ge half cells. Additionally, a 3.4 V lithium-ion full cell (Ge-LiCoO2) with an energy retention of 85% (∼268.8 W h kg-1) over 100 cycles is achieved.