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Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a disease with increasing incidence worldwide that leads to deformity and death. In OSCC, fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) is an oncogene involved in the tumorigenesis process. However, the functions and potential mechanisms of FSCN1 in the OSCC tumorigenesis process have not been reported thus far. Methods We used qRT‒PCR to detect the expression of FSCN1 in 40 paired OSCC tumor tissues (tumor) and neighboring noncancerous tissues. The role of FSCN1 was also assessed in vitro through colony formation, CCK-8, and transwell assays. Moreover, glucose consumption was detected. Western blotting was used to confirm the interaction of FSCN1, IRF4 and AKT. Results FSCN1 was remarkably overexpressed in OSCC tissues and cell lines compared to corresponding controls. In addition, colony formation, CCK-8, and transwell assays revealed a notable reduction in OSCC growth and invasion when FSCN1 was silenced. FSCN1 silencing remarkably suppressed OSCC glycolysis. Mechanistic studies showed that FSCN1 achieves its function partially by activating interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and the AKT pathway in OSCC. Conclusion In conclusion, our study investigated the functions and mechanisms of the FSCN1/IRF4/AKT pathway in OSCC progression. In OSCC, FSCN1 is likely to be a biomarker and therapeutic target.

Graphdiyne (GDY) is considered a very attractive support for metal nanocatalysts due to its unique structure and superior properties. The metal–GDY interaction can significantly affect the performance of catalysts. Herein, GDY nanotubes abundant in in situ formed Cu quantum dots (QDs) (Cu-GDYNT) are prepared using the electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers collected on the surface of electrolytic Cu foil as templates. The diameter of the Cu-GDYNT is controllable and the uniform size of the embedded Cu QDs is about 2.2 nm. And then, the uniformly dispersed and highly active supported catalysts of ruthenium nanoparticles (Rux/Cu-GDYNT) are produced using the Cu-GDYNT as the support. Among them, the Ru3/Cu-GDYNT exhibit outstanding HER performance at all pH levels. Only 17, 67 and 83 mV overpotential is required to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH, 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1.0 M neutral PBS solutions, respectively. The sample exhibits 3000 CV cycle stability and 20 h continuous electrolysis without performance degradation in an alkaline medium. This work provides a new idea for constructing the GDY-supported metal nanocatalysts.

Abstract Objective In our previous study, tantalum nanoparticle (Ta-NPs) was demonstrated to promote osteoblast proliferation via autophagy induction, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we will explore the potential mechanism. Methods Ta-NPs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and BET specific surface area test. MC3T3-E1 were treated with 0 or 20 μg/mL Ta-NPs with or without pretreatment with 10 μM LY294002, Triciribine, Rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors) for 1 h respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of pathway proteins and LC3B. CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle. Results After pretreatment with LY294002, Triciribine and Rapamycin, the p-Akt/Akt ratio of pathway protein in Triciribine and Rapamycin groups decreased (P

Fenghuang Dancong, Tieguanyin, and Dahongpao teas are belonged to semi-fermented oolong teas and are famous for their unique aroma. However, reports regarding the systematic comparison, differentiation, and classification of the volatile components of these three types of oolong teas are lacking. In this study, we aimed to establish a method for distinguishing these three types of oolong teas. The volatile components in a total of 21 tea samples of these three types of oolong teas were extracted, determined, and identified by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, chemometric methods such as hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used for distinguishing and classifying the three types of oolong teas on the basis of the similarities and differences in the volatile components. The results showed that 125 volatile components were extracted and identified from the three types of oolong teas, among which 53 volatile components overlapped among the samples. The results of HCA indicated that the samples of each of the three types of oolong teas could be placed in one category when the t value was 220. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed that the volatile components such as dehydrolinalool, linalool oxide II, linalool, α-farnesene, linalool oxide I, β-ocimene, nerolidol, cis-3-butyric acid folate, myrcene, and (Z)-hexanoic acid-3-hexenyl ester are the characteristic components, which can be used to distinguish the three types of oolong teas. We developed a simple, fast, and efficient method for distinguishing three types of oolong teas and provided a feasible technique for the identification of oolong tea types.

Fenghuang Dancong tea covers the oolong tea category and is widely acknowledged for its unique floral and honey flavor. In order to characterize the volatile components in nine different aroma types of Fenghuang Dancong tea, the Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC- MS) were employed. In addition, the similarity analysis and cluster analysis (CA) were performed to compare the aroma characteristics and establish the correlation between the nine types of teas. The principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) method were employed to determine the volatile components with a high contribution to the overall aroma of each type of tea. The results presented a total of 122 volatile aroma components including 24 kinds of alcohol, 23 kinds of esters, 15 kinds of olefins, 12 kinds of aldehydes, 12 kinds of ketones, 13 kinds of alkanes and 23 kinds of other components from the nine types of Fenghuang Dancong tea. Of these volatile aroma components, 22 types were common with linalool, dehydrolinalool, linalool oxide I, linalool oxide II, etc. The similarity of the nine types of Fenghuang Dancong tea was found between 46.79% and 95.94%. The CA indicated that the nine types of Fenghuang Dancong tea could be clustered into four categories when the ordinate distance reached to 10. The PCA demonstrated that decane, octadecane, 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethylheptane, dehydrolinalool, geraniol and nerol were the important aroma components to Fenghuang Dancong Tea. OPLS-DA proved that 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethylheptane, dehydrolinalool, phenylacetaldehyde, nerolidol, linalool oxide I and hexanal were the key differential compounds between the various types of tea samples. This study provides a theoretical basis for characterizing the volatile aroma components in the main types of Fenghuang Dancong tea as well as the similarity and correlation between various types of Fenghuang Dancong tea.

Applying chemical enhancements may improve the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. This pot experiment study assessed the ability of Amaranthus hybridus L. to bioaccumulate Cd, both alone and with the addition of chelators. Ethylenediamine triacetic acid (EDTA) was added at concentrations of 1.5 and 3.0 mmol·kg-1; and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) was added at concentrations of 2.5 and 5.0 mmol·kg-1 to assess the plant's ability to uptake Cd when the soil was contaminated at concentrations of 5 to 40 mg kg-1 Cd. Adding EDTA and NTA enhanced the accumulation capacity of Cd in the plant shoots. Cd concentrations in the plant shoots were higher with the EDTA treatment than with the NTA treatment. This indicates that EDTA treatments enhanced Cd phytoremediation in this species more than NTA. Applying 1.5 and 3.0 mmol·kg-1 EDTA for the soil contaminated with 40 mg kg-1 Cd resulted in up to 100 mg·kg-1 Cd in the plant shoots, exceeding the critical content (100 mg·kg-1) for Cd-hyperaccumulators. The total Cd uptake in plants was higher in EDTA treatment than in NTA treatment, suggesting that EDTA more effectively enhanced Cd accumulation in A. hybridus. The most Cd accumulation in shoots, 1181.57μg·pot-1, was seen when 1.5 mmol·kg-1 EDTA was used with soils contaminated with 40 mg Cd kg-1. In conclusion, A. hybridus may be an attractive candidate for phytoremediation through Cd-hyperaccumulation, with the application of EDTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remediating soils with heavy metals contamination is a significant challenge. This study investigated the co-remediation effect when paired soil amendment mixtures were used to treat soil contaminated by Pb, Cd, and Zn. The three mixed amendments are: 1) micro particle hydroxyapatite (mHAP) and humic acid 2) nano particle hydroxyapatite (nHAP) and humic acid 3) sepiolite and humic acid. Co-remediation with these amendment pairs was compared with remediation using mHAP, nHAP, sepiolite, and humic acid on their own. Using pot experiments, the Pb, Cd, and Zn fractions of sequential extraction in the contaminated soil and the concentration of Pb, Cd, and Zn in shoots and roots of pakchoi were measured by the use of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mixed and single treatments were applied to investigate the differences in remediation effects for the three metals. Study results showed that the co-application of amendments more effectively reduced Pb, Cd, and Zn in pakchoi shoots and roots than with single amendments alone. Co-remediation with the amendment mixtures reduced non-residual fractions of Pb, Cd, and Zn in the contaminated soil more than single amendment supplements. Furthermore, the co-application of 30 g·kg-1 micro particle hydroxyapatite with 20 g·kg-1 humic acid was most effective in reducing the amount of Pb, Cd, and Zn absorbed by the pakchoi and the non-residual fraction of Pb, Cd, and Zn in the contaminated soil. Results suggest that co-remediation using 30 g·kg-1 micro particle hydroxyapatite with 20 g·kg-1 humic acid may be an efficient method to remediate Pb, Cd, and Zn in heavy metals-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have suggested that natural minerals and humic acids each have positive effects on the remediation of metals contaminated soil. However, co-remediation of the two materials, where they are used together to address metals contamination, has not been investigated. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate coremediation effects, using hydroxyapatite, zeolite, and limestone with humic acid, to treat multiple heavy metals contaminated soil. This co-remediation effect was compared with remediation using hydroxyapatite, zeolite, and limestone with humic acid on their own. The metal contaminants used were Pb (lead),Cd (cadmium), and Zn (zinc). These metals were studied both in the soil, and their accumulation in the shoots and roots of pakchoi. Results showed that the co-application of the treatments decreased Pb, Cd, and Zn concentrations in pakchoi shoots and roots more than the single treatments. Furthermore, the co-remediation of natural minerals and humic acid reduced the nonresidual fraction of Pb, Cd and Zn, and enhanced the residual fraction compared to the single treatments. The co-remediation of 30g-kg-1 hydroxyapatite with 20g-kg-1 humic acid showed the best effect both in increasing pakchoi shoot and root biomass and reducing the amount of Pb, Cd and Zn taken up by the plant. In addition, co-remediation of 30g-kg-1 hydroxyapatite with 20g-kg-1 humic acid was most effective in decreasing the acid solution fraction and enhanced the residual fraction of Pb, Cd and Zn. Results suggest that co-remediation, using both natural minerals and humic acid, may be an efficient way to remediate Pb, Cd, and Zn contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nanoscale particle hydroxyapatite (nHAP) on biomass, Cd uptake, the level of chlorophyll, vitamin C, malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, CAT, and POD in pakchoi in Cd-contaminated soil, were evaluated by conducting pot experiment. Results showed that, by application of the 5 g·kg-1, 10g·kg-1, 20g·kg-1, and 30g·kg-1 nHAP in 10mg·kg-1 Cd-contaminated soil, the biomass of plant increased by 7.97%, 13.21%, 19.53%, and 20.23%, respectively. In addition, the reduction of Cd in shoots was 27.12%, 44.20%, 50.91%, and 62.36% compared to control samples. It was found that the supplement of the nHAP can increase the level of chlorophyll and vitamin C and decrease the level of MDA in plant shoots. Furthermore, the increment activities of SOD, CAT, and PODcan be observed after addition of nHAP in Cd-contaminated soil.The results confirmed that nHAPcanbe applied to reduce theplant uptake of Cd andresist theCd stress in theplant inCd-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was believed that when hydroxyapatite (HAP) was used to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soils, its effectiveness seemed likely to be affected by its particle size. In this study, a pot trial was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of two particle sizes of HAP: nanometer particle size ofHAP (nHAP) and micrometer particle size ofHAP (mHAP) induced metal immobilization in soils. Both mHAP and nHAP were assessed for their ability to reduce lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) bioavailability in an artificially metal-contaminated soil. The pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) uptake and soil sequential extraction method were used to determine the immobilization and bioavailability of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr. The results indicated that both mHAP and nHAP had significant effect on reducing the uptake of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr by pakchoi. Furthermore, both mHAP and nHAP were efficient in covering Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr from nonresidual into residual forms. However, mHAP was superior to nHAP in immobilization of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr in metal-contaminated soil and reducing the Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr utilized by pakchoi. The results suggested that mHAP had the better effect on remediation multiple metal-contaminated soils than nHAP and was more suitable for applying in in situ remediation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]