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In this work, the effects of cold atmospheric‐pressure plasma (CAP) on glioblastoma are evaluated comprehensively. After CAP treatment, U251 cell viability, migration, and invasion functions were inhibited, while an appropriate dose of CAP had no inhibitory effect on human brain glial cell line cells. Western blots indicated that expression of caspase‐3 was upregulated with ki‐67 expression downregulated. Moreover, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, and energy metabolisms of U251 cells were influenced afterward. TUNEL assays and comet assays suggested the DNA damage of U251 cells after CAP treatment. Furthermore, as one of the DNA damage responses associated pathways, the AKT (AKT8 virus oncogene cellular homolog) signaling pathway was also indicated in the work. The findings raise great promise for clinical applications of CAP in glioblastoma treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional textile degumming process produces abundant wastewater, which contains a lot of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides. It is of great economic and environmental significance to utilize these carbohydrates in high value. In this study, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the carbohydrate components in kenaf degumming wastewater, and then the production of C-dots using the wastewater was explored. The results showed that the types and content in the degumming wastewater were monosaccharides (glucose, xylose and arabinose) and oligosaccharides (dextran, xylan and araban). The carbohydrate (mainly glucan and xylan) content in wastewater accounted for 91.16 % of the total carbohydrates weight loss in kenaf degumming process. By using hydrolysis and hydrothermal reaction on kenaf degumming wastewater, blue-green carbon dots (C-dots) with good performance were prepared and successfully applied to anti-counterfeiting printing. In particular, the as-prepared C-dots prepared from kenaf degumming wastewater with urea added (WUC-dots) showed an excitation-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and quantum yield (QY) of 2.4 % in aqueous solution. The fluorescent code exhibited a clear outline, excitation-tunable color and good stability, showing a great potential for anti-counterfeiting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed a novel method to prepare chemical fibers by plasticizing cotton with 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl) under high temperature and pressure. Cotton was homogeneously mixed with AMIMCl by kneading in a certain mass proportion. It would be a sheet after hot-pressing and this process could be repeated several times. The morphologies of chemical fibers showed that cotton was successfully plasticized by AMIMCl with the crystallinity of the chemical fibers increased by about 15%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the glass transition temperature (T g) occurred in chemical fibers and we could further verify cotton was plasticized by AMIMCl. This simple and green method will be helpful to modify and broaden the application field of cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioma is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system, with EZH2 playing a crucial regulatory role. This study further explores the abnormal expression of EZH2 and its mechanisms in regulating glioma progression. Additionally, it was found that IHMT-337 can potentially be a therapeutic agent for glioma. The prognosis, expression, and localization of EZH2 were determined using bioinformatics, IHC staining, Western blot (WB) analysis, and immunofluorescence (IF) localization. The effects of EZH2 on cell function were assessed using CCK-8 assays, Transwell assays, and wound healing assays. Public databases and RT-qPCR were utilized to identify downstream targets. The mechanisms regulating these downstream targets were elucidated using MS-PCR and WB analysis. The efficacy of IHMT-337 was demonstrated through IC50 measurements, WB analysis, and RT-qPCR. The effects of IHMT-337 on glioma cells in vitro were evaluated using Transwell assays, EdU incorporation assays, and flow cytometry. The potential of IHMT-337 as a treatment for glioma was assessed using a blood–brain barrier (BBB) model and an orthotopic glioma model. Our research confirms significantly elevated EZH2 expression in gliomas, correlating with patient prognosis. EZH2 facilitates glioma proliferation, migration, and invasion alongside promoting SLC12A5 DNA methylation. By regulating SLC12A5 expression, EZH2 activates the WNK1-OSR1-NKCC1 pathway, enhancing its interaction with ERM to promote glioma migration. IHMT-337 targets EZH2 in vitro to inhibit WNK1 activation, thereby suppressing glioma cell migration. Additionally, it inhibits cell proliferation and arrests the cell cycle. IHMT-337 has the potential to cross the BBB and has successfully inhibited glioma progression in vivo. This study expands our understanding of the EZH2-SLC12A5 axis in gliomas, laying a new foundation for the clinical translation of IHMT-337 and offering new insights for precision glioma therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal carbon dots (C-dots) have excellent optical properties and they have been widely used for various types of applications. Compared to the C-dots prepared using chemicals, the Biomass-derived C-dots have attracted a great of attention because of their environmental friendliness and biocompatibility. However, currently obtained C-dots using biomass have low quantum yield. In this work, we demonstrated an efficient precursor of Magnolia flower for synthesizing high-quantum yield C-dots via hydrothermal approach. High performance liquid chromatography and Bradford assay were used to analyze the compositions of the Magnolia flower, which determine the quality of the C-dots. The typical emission bands of the as-prepared C-dots cover from 400 to 550 nm at different excitation wavelengths. The C-dots synthesized using violet Magnolia flower have the QY as high as 11.9%, which is higher than that of 10.4% (white Magnolia flower), because the violet color gives the higher content of the N. The as-obtained C-dots have excitation-dependent color and high quantum yield, showing a great potential for the use of the anti-counterfeiting system. • The components of carbon and nitrogen in the two colors of Magnolia flowers were briefly analyzed. • The synthesized self-doped carbon dots of violet one had a higher quantum yield and the luminescence could reach in the green region. • The carbon dots had good efficacy for anti-counterfeiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional degumming methods of bast fibers are largely limited due to long procedures, high energy consumption, serious environmental pollution, or low efficiency. In this study, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) synthesized with hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and three representative hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) were applied to kenaf bast degumming. The morphologies, chemical compositions, crystallinities, polymerization degrees and physical properties of the kenaf fibers were determined. The effects and mechanisms of different DESs on dispersing kenaf bast were discussed. The results showed that alkalinity amide DES (ChCl-urea, CU) showed the best degumming effect. The optimal processing temperature is 160 °C and the processing time is 2 h. Due to competition from chloride ions, DES first weakens the hydrogen bond interaction in kenaf fibers. Then, the alkalinity amide DES removed lignin by deprotonation of phenolic hydroxyl groups and breakage of β-O-4 bonds for different lignin units. Finally, the solvent can be reused at least 3 times. The results showed that CU degumming treatment could effectively remove the gummy components in kenaf bast and had the potential to prepare refined dry kenaf fibers. This study provided a simple and green degumming method for kenaf bast. [Display omitted] • A facile and greener DES degumming method for preparation of kenaf fibers. • Recycable and reusable DES degumming waste. • The mechanisms of kenaf bast degumming by three kind of DESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]