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Background. Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is one of the most common types of lung carcinoma and has specific clinicopathologic characteristics. In this study, we screened novel molecular biomarkers relevant to the prognosis of LUSC to explore new diagnostic and treatment approaches for this disease. Methods. We downloaded GSE73402 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GSE73402 contains 62 samples, which could be classified as four subtypes according to their pathology and stages. Via weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), the main module was identified and was further analyzed using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis. Then, by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), hub genes were screened for potential biomarkers of LUSC. Results. Via WGCNA, the yellow module containing 349 genes was identified, and it is strongly related to the subtype of CIS (carcinoma in situ). DEGs analysis detected 180 genes that expressed differentially between the subtype of CIS and subtype of early-stage carcinoma (Stage I and Stage II). A PPI network of DEGs was constructed, and the top 20 genes with the highest correlations were selected for GEPIA database to explore their effect on LUSC survival prognosis. Finally, ITGA5, TUBB3, SCNN1B, and SERPINE1 were screened as hub genes in LUSC. Conclusions. ITGA5, TUBB3, SCNN1B, and SERPINE1 may have great diagnostic and prognostic significance for LUSC and have great potential to be new treatment targets for LUSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the colloidal solution combustion approach, a three-dimensional mesoporous 5%Ni-CeO2-M catalyst was developed, with Ni incorporated into the pores, and applied in the dry reforming of methane. Comprehensive characterization revealed that the 5%Ni-CeO2-M catalyst had a large specific surface area and a three-dimensional mesoporous structure. A rich Ni-CeO2 interface was formed by closely spaced tiny CeO2 and NiO nanoparticles within the spherical pore wall. With very little carbon deposition over a 100 h period at 700 °C, the catalyst showed excellent activity and stability. The tiny Ni nanoparticles, along with the substantial Ni-CeO2 interfaces that make up this three-dimensional in-form mesoporous catalyst, are responsible for the outstanding effectiveness of this 5%Ni-CeO2-M catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered Fe II –Fe III hydroxides (green rusts, GRs) are efficient reducing agents against oxidizing contaminants such as chromate, nitrate, selenite, and nitroaromatic compounds and chlorinated solvents. In this study, we adopted a buffered precipitation approach where glycine (GLY) was used in the synthesis of sulfate-interlayered GR (GR SO4 ) by aerial oxidation of Fe II or co-precipitation by adding Fe III salt to an aqueous solution of Fe II at constant pH. In both the oxidation and the co-precipitation methods pure crystalline GR SO4 was precipitated in the presence of 70 mM GLY (pH 8.0), whereas in the absence of GLY, synthesis failed under similar conditions. Gycine functions as both a pH buffer and a ligand; Fe II -GLY complexes serve as a source of base (Fe II -GLY + H 2 O → Fe II + H-GLY + OH − ) during GR formation, supplying about 45% of the total base required for the synthesis. The GLY buffer decreases pH fluctuations during base addition and hence allows for fast GR SO4 precipitation, minimizing byproduct formation. The use of other pH buffers [4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid and 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol] was also tested but failed. Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, and Fe II measurements confirmed the purity, stoichiometry, and pyroaurite-type structure of the obtained GR SO4 . The formula of GR SO4 was found to be Fe II 4.08 Fe III 1.98 (OH) 11.6 (SO 4 ) 1.00 , and the tabular GR crystals had a lateral size of 100–500 nm and a thickness of about 40 nm. Upscaling of the synthesis by either 25 times in volume or 20 times in Fe II concentration resulted in pure GR SO4 products. Compared with the conventional unbuffered GR SO4 synthesis method, the present method can provide pure products with a controllable, fast, and low-cost process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermally synthesized H-[Al,B]-MWW zeolite was dealuminated with oxalic, nitric and citric acids. The obtained samples were characterized with XRD, ICP-AES, FT-IR, NH 3 -TPD, pyridine-adsorption IR, 27 Al MAS NMR techniques and nitrogen sorption experiment. Citric acid mainly removed the acid sites located on the external surface pockets with small amounts of extraframework Al species retained in the interlayer void space, while nitric acid leached both the internal (sinusoidal channels and supercages) and the external surface (side pockets) acid sites although significant amounts of extraframework Al species were generated in the sinusoidal channels. As for the oxalic acid, it primarily eliminated the acid sites in the supercages and side pockets without generation of considerable amounts of extraframework Al species in the internal channels, consequently greatly increasing the catalytic stability of the sample in methylation of ethene by methanol. The sample dealuminated with oxalic acid for 24 h showed a catalytic life of 300 h as a result of a reduction in coking rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the photocatalytic degradation of dyeing wastewater by iron-rich montmorillonite (MMt) under a 25 W low-pressure mercury lamp (λ = 254 nm, I = 48.4 μW/cm2). Exposing MMt to UV irradiation worked to catalyze the photobleaching of wastewater used in the dyeing process. COD removal efficiencies of 65.0% and 74.0% were achieved in 1 g/L MMt suspensions at a pH of 3 in the absence and presence of 30 min of UV irradiation, respectively. A decolorization efficiency of 71.4% was reached with 1 g/L MMt suspensions at a pH of 3 after 30 min of UV irradiation, while only 4.9% decolorization was attained in darkness. These results indicate that iron-rich MMt is a good photocatalyst for decolorization and COD removal in wastewater from dyeing processes. A low pH value is beneficial to the decolorization of dyeing wastewater. A preliminary photocatalytic mechanism is proposed: the iron in the MMt is responsible for the decolorization of the wastewater because it produces a highly oxidative species of hydroxyl radicals (•OH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesized CGG exhibits a green profile, is non-toxic, and demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, which enabling efficient in-situ harvesting of microalgae. [Display omitted] • An environmentally friendly bioflocculant (CGG) was successfully prepared. • CGG was deemed to possess the capability for in-situ microalgae harvesting. • The flocculation mechanism of CGG was predominantly governed by multiple forces. • The flocculation capacity of CGG achieved an impressive 23.5 g/g. • The ecological safety of CGG was evaluated from biological multidimensional. Addressing the drawbacks of traditional flocculants on microalgae biomass harvesting is crucial for large-scale industrial applications of microalgae production. In this study, cationic bioflocculant was successfully prepared by introducing cationic groups into the side chain of guar gum, achieving in-situ algae flocculation efficiency of 83.5 % with the dosage of 18.0 mg/L under pH = 10.0. Through a harmonious integration of predictive modelling and practical experimentation, a superior cell flocculation capacity of 23.5 g/g was achieved. In addition, the environmental safety and biocompatibility of cationic guar gum was assessed, using the typical suspension quantitative bacteriostatic method and the fluorescent double-staining technique. The results showed that the inhibition efficiency of Staphylococcus aureus in the system containing 60.0 mg/L cationic guar gum was only 12.0 % and there was no inhibition against Escherichia coli colonies. These findings provide a safe and green flocculant for efficient microalgae harvesting and spent medium treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the growth characteristics of microalgae cultured with different carbon sources were analyzed, and the flocculation characteristics under the influence of carbon sources were evaluated using three typical flocculants. The results showed that the organic carbon sources could significantly increase the content of extracellular proteins in microalgae. Specifically, the extracellular protein concentrations of microalgae cultured with pure BG-11, ethanol, sodium acetate and glucose were 18.2 29.2, 97.3, and 34.7 mg/g, respectively. During the flocculation process, microalgae cultured with sodium acetate exhibited a weak response to the flocculant because of excessive extracellular proteins inhibited flocculation. In addition, the flocculation efficiency was also less than 50.0% cultured with sodium acetate in all pH test ranges when alum and chitosan were used as flocculants. It could be inferred that the flocculant initially happened to charge neutralization with the negatively charged proteins in the solution and then bridged the charges with the microalgae. These findings provide insights into the effects of different carbon sources on microalgal flocculation, promising organic integration of microalgae wastewater treatment and harvesting. [Display omitted] • Three typical flocculants were utilized to assess the flocculation of microalgae. • An additional carbon source can enhance the production of EPS in microalgae. • EEMs-PARAFAC was utilized to analyze the composition of EPS. • CH 3 COONa inhibited flocculation of microalgae due to excess extracellular protein. • Ethanol has been identified as a promising carbon source for flocculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Urea addition enhanced the activity of enzymes related to petroleum degradation. • Petroleum hydrocarbons negatively affected microbial community succession. • Microorganisms in urea composts showed strong interconnections. • Urea compost products could be used for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Alterations in microbial community succession patterns and enzyme activities by petroleum pollutants during co-composting of straw and swine manure with the supplementary nitrogen source are unclear. In this study, urea was added into co-composting systems, and the removal performance of petroleum, microbial enzyme activity and community changes were investigated. Results showed that the polyphenol oxidase and catalase activities which were both related to the degradation of petroleum contaminants were accordingly increased from 20.65 to 30.31 U/g and from 171.87 to 231.86 U/g due to urea addition. The removal efficiency of petroleum contaminants in composting with urea increased from 45.06% to 82.29%. The addition of urea increased the diversity and abundance of petroleum-degrading microorganisms, and enhanced microbial linkages. This study provides a novel strategy for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon as well as a new insight into the effect of urea on both microbial processes and composting phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are extensively released into the environment by petroleum refining activities, predominantly affecting soil as a major reservoir. This study focuses on an active petroleum refinery in central China and employs a multi-faceted approach, combining geo-statistics, the absolute principal component-multiple linear regression model, and the Monte Carlo simulation, to comprehensively unravel the sources and risks associated with 12 PAHs. The analysis reveals a wide range of PAH concentrations, spanning from 60.23 to 1678.00 μg·kg−1, with an average of 278.91 μg·kg−1. Strikingly elevated PAH levels are primarily concentrated in construction and transportation lands, whereas woodland and grasslands exhibit lower PAH concentrations. In terms of ecological impact, the risk arising from oil-coal combustion significantly surpasses that linked to biomass combustion. meticulous assessments indicate negligible carcinogenic risks for both children and adults within the study area. An innovative hybrid model, which seamlessly integrates risk assessments with source identification, emerges as a pivotal advancement. This hybrid model not only quantifies PAH emission levels from refining activities but also effectively quantifies potential risks from distinct sources. Consequently, this study furnishes a robust theoretical foundation for strategizing PAH pollution risk mitigation. In essence, our research not only contributes a comprehensive understanding of PAH distribution around an active petroleum refinery but also introduces an advanced hybrid model, culminating in valuable insights for devising measures to curtail PAH-related environmental risks. [Display omitted] • PAHs in soils near an active refinery were systematically investigated. • The improved hybrid model identified two sources of PAHs in the study area. • Oil-coal combustion posed a higher ecological risk than biomass combustion. • Effects of anthropogenic activities in different land use types were obvious. • Carcinogenic risk assessments indicated minimal dangers for all ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cyclophilins (CYPs), belonging to the peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) superfamily, play important roles during plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Results: Here, a total of 79 CYPs were identified in the genome of Gossypium hirsutum. Of which, 65 GhCYPs only contained one cyclophilin type PPIase domain, others 14 GhCYPs contain additional domains. A number of cis-acting elements related to phytohormone signaling were predicated in the upstream of GhCYPs ORF. The expression analysis revealed that GhCYPs were induced in response to cold, hot, salt, PEG and Verticillium dahliae infection. In addition, the functional importance of GhCYP-3 in Verticillium wilt resistance was also presented in this study. GhCYP-3 showed both cytoplasmic and nuclear localization. Overexpression of GhCYP-3 in Arabidopsis significantly improved Verticillium wilt resistance of the plants. Recombinant GhCYP-3 displayed PPIase activity and evident inhibitory effects on V. dahliae in vitro. Moreover, the extracts from GhCYP-3 transgenic Arabidopsis displayed significantly inhibit activity to conidia germinating and hyphal growth of V. dahliae. Conclusions: Our study identified the family members of cotton CYP genes using bioinformatics tools. Differential expression patterns of GhCYPs under various abiotic stress and V. dahliae infection conditions provide a comprehensive understanding of the biological functions of candidate genes. Moreover, GhCYP-3 involved in the resistance of cotton to V. dahliae infection presumably through antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]