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• Titanium Silicalite-1 rapidly adsorbs 85.17 mg/g 1,4-dioxane within 2 min. • Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding are main adsorption driving forces. • Hydrogen bonds are primarily water linked. • Titanium Silicalite-1 can be successfully regenerated by microbial cultures. 1,4-Dioxane is a probable carcinogen and trace contaminant that is difficult to remove from water because of its high solubility and low volatility. Removal of 1,4-dioxane from aqueous solutions by a set of potential adsorbents was investigated using batch experiments that revealed Titanium Silicate-1 (TS-1) as a high-capacity adsorbent (85.17 mg/g) with rapid kinetics (2 min equilibration time). The specific adsorption mechanisms at the molecular level were investigated using multiple approaches including FTIR spectra and molecular dynamics simulation of 1,4-dioxane adsorption on TS-1, which imply that the shape and size of 1,4-dioxane fits tightly into the hydrophobic straight channels of TS-1 with a diameter of 0.56 nm, and thus TS-1 provides strong van der Waals attraction within the channels. Additionally, 1,4-dioxane-water complexation was observed to connect to the frame oxygens of TS-1 via hydrogen bonds inside the channels. The calculated adsorption free energy of 1,4-dioxane was between −24.59 and −27.17 kJ/mol, which was consistent with the value of −24.89 kJ/mol derived from the adsorption isotherms at 298 K. The strong adsorption competition from nonpolar compounds 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and benzene onto TS-1 further confirmed that the adsorption was attributed to a combined mechanism of host-guest interactions including van der Waals interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, 1,4-dioxane-loaded TS-1 was found to be efficiently regenerated by an enriched bacterial consortium (BD1) with recovery efficiencies for three cycles of 88.2%, 96.47% and nearly 100%, suggesting that TS-1 holds promise as a cost-effective renewable absorbent for eliminating hydrophilic organics from contaminated water supplies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Metal ions and fiber are common compounds in the livestock and poultry manure, which will affect the fate of organic compounds in aqueous environment. However, limited research has addressed the effect of coexisting metal ions and fiber on the biodegradation of sulfonamide antibiotics. Accordingly, a compositing study was performed to assess the effect of metal ions (Fe3 + and Cu2 +) on the biodegradation of sulfadimethoxine sodium salt (SDM) in the presence of fiber. The enhanced adsorption of SDM onto fiber in the presence of metal ions can be attributed to the π+–π electron donor acceptor (EDA) interaction. The microbial (Phanerochaete chrysosprium) could easily attach onto fiber forming attached microbial, and the degradation rates of SDM of immobilized bacteria in the presence of Fe3 + were 100%, which were significantly higher than those of free bacteria (45%). This study indicates that Fe3 + and fiber could enhance the biodegradation of SDM. Fiber acts as adsorbent, carrier, and substrate which enhanced the removal of SDM. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The neural stem cell marker CD133 is reported to identify cells within glioblastoma (GBM) that can initiate neurosphere growth and tumor formation; however, instances of CD133− cells exhibiting similar properties have also been reported. Here, we show that some PTEN-deficient GBM tumors produce a series of CD133+ and CD133− self-renewing tumor-initiating cell types and provide evidence that these cell types constitute a lineage hierarchy. Our results show that the capacities for self-renewal and tumor initiation in GBM need not be restricted to a uniform population of stemlike cells, but can be shared by a lineage of self-renewing cell types expressing a range of markers of forebrain lineage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study used integrated omics technologies to investigate the potential novel pathways and enzymes for 1,4-dioxane degradation by a consortium enriched from activated sludge of a domestic wastewater treatment plant. An unclassified genus belonging to Xanthobacteraceae increased significantly after magnetic nanoparticle-mediated isolation for 1,4-dioxane degraders. Species with relatively higher abundance (> 0.3%) were identified to present high metabolic activities in the biodegradation process through shotgun sequencing. The functional gene investigations revealed that Xanthobacter sp. 91, Xanthobacter sp. 126, and a Rhizobiales strain carried novel 1,4-dioxane-hydroxylating monooxygenase genes. Xanthobacter sp. 126 contained the genes coding for glycolate oxidase, which was the main enzyme responsible for utilization of 1,4-dioxane intermediates through the TCA cycle, and further proven by the specific glycolate oxidase inhibitor, α-hydroxy-2-pyridinemethanesulfonic acid. An expanded and detailed degradation pathway of 1,4-dioxane was proposed on the basis of the three major intermediates (2-hydroxy-1,4-dioxane, ethylene glycol, and oxalic acid) confirmed by metabolomics. These findings of microbial community and function as well as the novel pathway will be valuable in predicting natural attenuation or reconstruction of a bacterial consortium for enhanced remediation of 1,4-dioxane-contaminated sites as well as wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • 1,4-Dioxane degradation by a complex consortium was studied using integrated omics. • Key dioxane degraders in the consortium belonged to Xanthobacter and Rhizobiales. • YHS and 4-hydroxyphenylacetate 3-hydroxylase enriched in 1,4-dioxane hydroxylation. • 1,4-Dioxane biodegradation pathway and enzymes and hosts in consortium was proposed. • The role of etherase in 1,4-dioxane degradation was a novel result in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Previously undescribed prognostic subclasses of high-grade astrocytoma are identified and discovered to resemble stages in neurogenesis. One tumor class displaying neuronal lineage markers shows longer survival, while two tumor classes enriched for neural stem cell markers display equally short survival. Poor prognosis subclasses exhibit markers either of proliferation or of angiogenesis and mesenchyme. Upon recurrence, tumors frequently shift toward the mesenchymal subclass. Chromosomal locations of genes distinguishing tumor subclass parallel DNA copy number differences between subclasses. Functional relevance of tumor subtype molecular signatures is suggested by the ability of cell line signatures to predict neurosphere growth. A robust two-gene prognostic model utilizing PTEN and DLL3 expression suggests that Akt and Notch signaling are hallmarks of poor prognosis versus better prognosis gliomas, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vimentin, an intermediate filament protein, crucially contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by interacting with genetic risk factors, facilitating pathogen infection, and modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. This study aimed to demonstrate preclinical proof-of-concept for targeting vimentin therapeutically in IBD across diverse etiologies. The small molecule compound ALD-R491 was assessed for vimentin binding using microscale thermophoresis, off-target effects via Eurofins screening, and therapeutic effects in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis and in IL-10 KO with spontaneous colitis. Parameters measured included body weight, survival, disease activity, colon length, and histology. The study analyzed intestinal proinflammatory cytokines, Th17/Treg cells, and epithelial barrier molecules, along with gut microbiota profiling. ALD-R491 specifically bound vimentin with a dissociation constant (KD) of 328 ± 12.66 nM and no off-target effects. In the DSS model, orally administered ALD-R491 exhibited dose-dependent therapeutic effects, superior to 5-ASA and Tofacitinib. In the IL-10 KO model, ALD-R491 significantly delayed colitis onset and progression, with near-zero disease activity index scores over a 15-week treatment. ALD-R491 consistently showed in both models a reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-22, a rebalanced Th17/Treg axis by reducing RORγt while enhancing FoxP3 expression, and an improved epithelial barrier integrity by increasing intestinal expressions of Mucin-2, ZO-1 and Claudin5. The intestinal dysbiosis was restored with enriched presence of probiotics. Targeting vimentin exhibits significant therapeutic effects on various facets of IBD pathogenesis, representing a compelling approach for the development of highly effective treatments in IBD. [Display omitted] • Novel compound ALD-R491 specifically binds to vimentin with no off-target effects. • ALD-R491 is significantly more effective than 5-ASA and Tofacitinib in DSS model. • ALD-R491 blocks the onset and progression of spontaneous colitis in IL-10 KO mice. • ALD-R491 impacts Th17/Treg, intestinal barrier, tissue fibrosis and gut microbiome. • Targeting vimentin by ALD-R491 represents a first-in-class MOA in treating IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treating high-strength nitrate wastewater effectively and economically has been a major challenge for some manufacturing industries. In this study, we fabricated a membrane-less two-phase bio-cathode microbial fuel cell (TPBC-MFC) by dividing the bio-cathode into a solid part (S-cathode, above the water surface) and a liquid part (L-cathode, below the water surface), on which performances and mechanisms for the treatment of pickling wastewater containing more than 1000 mg/L NO- 3-N (electron acceptor) by watermelon rind extracts (WMREs, electron donor) were explored. Results showed that the TPBC-MFC presented an excellent performance since the maximum power density, the greatest nitrate removal rate and the highest COD removal efficiency reached 16.6 mW/m2, 780 g/m3·d and 94.8%, respectively. There were identical microorganisms (unclassified- Chitinophagaceae and Comamonadaceae) predominating on all electrodes owing to WMREs as carbon sources. In addition, some special functional species were also enriched, including Anaeroarcus (3.48%, fermentation bacterium) and Desulfovibrio (12.57%, electricigen) for the anode, Thauera (5.02%, denitrifier) for the L-cathode and Chryseolinea (12.13%, denitrifier) for the S-cathode. The detection of denitrifying genes of narG, narK/S, norB and nosZ, as well as function prediction demonstrated that the anode degraded WMREs to release H+ and e− that were subsequently utilized by the cathode to reduce NO- 3-N to N 2. All these results proved that the membrane-less TPBC-MFC has a good capability in electricity generation, nitrate removal and WMREs degradation, most likely because the S-cathode benefits the promotion of mass transfer. [Display omitted] • TPBC-MFC consisting of S-cathode and L-cathode was developed. • Watermelon rinds fueled TPBC-MFC for sustainable pickling wastewater treatment. • S-cathode was vital for TPBC-MFC due to its role in promoting mass transfer. • Each of bio-electrodes possessed its own specific functional microorganisms. • Reduction of nitrate to N 2 was mainly carried out by S-cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we describe the design, synthesis and structure−activity relationships of a series of novel s-triazine compounds can induce methuotic phenotype in various types of cancer cells. (E)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(4-((4-morpholino-6-styryl-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)amino)phenyl)urea, compound V6 , exhibited a striking methuotic phenotype with a minimal effective concentration of less than 10 nM in U87 glioblastoma cells. Based on structure−activity relationship studies, we designed and synthesized an active probe P1 that retained the full potential of V6 in inducing the methuotic phenotype in U87 glioblastoma cells. Using this probe following affinity-based proteomic profiling strategy, we identified vimentin as the specific target protein of compound V6. Molecular docking revealed that V6 can form hydrogen bonds with vimentin at 273R and 276Y in its rod domain. Image 1 • Design and synthesis of a series of novel s-triazine compounds inducing methuotic phenotype are reported. • Compound V6 exhibited a striking methuotic phenotype with <10 nM in U87 glioblastoma cells. • Probe (P1) of the most interesting compound V6 was designed and synthesized. • Vimentin was identified as the specific target protein of V6 following affinity-based proteomic profiling strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overuse of antibiotics and subsequent enrichment of antibiotic resistant microbes in the natural and built environments is a severe threat to global public health. In this study, a Phanerochaete chrysosporium fungal-luffa fiber system was found to efficiently biodegrade two sulfonamides, sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and sulfadizine (SDZ), in cow urine wastewater. Biodegradation pathways were proposed on the basis of key metabolites identified using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QqTOF-MS). Transcriptomic, metabolomic, and free radical analyses were performed to explore the functional groups and detailed molecular mechanisms of SDM and SDZ degradation. A total of 27 UniGene clusters showed significant differences between luffa fiber and luffa fiber-free systems, which were significantly correlated to cellulose catabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and oxidoreductase activity. Carbohydrate-active enzymes and oxidoreductases appear to play particularly important roles in SDM and SDZ degradation. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy revealed the generation and evolution of OH and R during the biodegradation of SDM and SDZ, suggesting that beyond enzymatic degradation, SDM and SDZ were also transformed through a free radical pathway. Luffa fiber also acts as a co-substrate to improve the activity of enzymes for the degradation of SDM and SDZ. This research provides a potential strategy for removing SDM and SDZ from agricultural and industrial wastewater using fungal-luffa fiber systems. Image 1 • The synergistic system was efficient in removing sulfonamides. • Transcriptomic, metabolites and free radical analyses were performed. • Enzymatic reactions and OH are important in sulfonamides degradation. • Luffa can improve the activity of enzymes and sulfonamides degradation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]