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This study presents a novel approach to extracting rare earth elements (REE) from fly ash (FA) using environmentally adapted microbial consortia, highlighting a sustainable alternative to traditional extraction methods. Through comprehensive geochemical characterization of FA obtained from a power plant in China, a complex matrix rich in REE was identified. Microbial consortia isolated from both sludge and FA demonstrated distinct and interactive communities with specialized adaptations for REE bioweathering, as revealed by metagenomic analysis and molecular ecological network assessments. These communities exhibited diverse metabolic profiles, emphasizing ion transport, energy production, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism tailored to their specific environmental contexts. Enzymatic profiling further elucidated the critical roles of siderophore production and redox reactions in the bioweathering process. Ex-situ bioweathering experiments showcased the consortia's capability to efficiently mobilize specific REE. Notably, under optimized conditions (10 % inoculum of Sludge_LB at 30 °C), significant extraction efficiencies were observed, such as 0.119 mg/g for Sc and 0.068 mg/g for Y; similarly, 10 % inoculum of FA_M9 at 30 °C showed an extraction efficiency of 0.036 mg/g for La. Recovery rates for various REE ranged from 29 % to 83 %, were obtained in a short time (48 hours) demonstrates the effectiveness of this method. These results demonstrate the sustainability of microbial consortia for REE extraction, offering reduced environmental impact compared to conventional methods. This research not only provides a viable method for REE recovery from industrial waste but also contributes to broader goals of sustainable resource utilization and environmental protection. [Display omitted] • Novel microbial consortia extract REE from fly ash. • Interactive microbial communities specialized in bioweathering. • Bioredox and siderophore production functions are key players. • Effective REE mobilization advances sustainable recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal exposure is associated with vascular endothelial inflammation, an early pathological phenotype of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. However, the underlying mechanism linking exposure, metabolic changes, and outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the metabolic changes underlying the associations of chronic exposure to metal mixtures with vascular endothelial inflammation. We recruited 960 adults aged 20–75 years from residential areas surrounding rivers near abandoned lead–zinc mine and classified them into river area and non-river area exposure groups. Urine levels of 25 metals, Framingham risk score (FRS), and serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), as biomarkers of vascular endothelial inflammation, were assessed. A "meet-in-the-middle" approach was applied to identify causal intermediate metabolites and metabolic pathways linking metal exposure to vascular endothelial inflammation in representative metabolic samples from 64 participants. Compared to the non-river area exposure group, the river area exposure group had significantly greater urine concentrations of chromium, copper, cadmium, and lead; lower urine concentrations of selenium; elevated FRS; and increased concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. In total, 38 differentially abundant metabolites were identified between the river area and non-river area exposure groups. Among them, 25 metabolites were significantly associated with FRS, 8 metabolites with ICAM-1 expression, and 10 metabolites with VCAM-1 expression. Furthermore, fructose, ornithine, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, urea, and cytidine monophosphate, are potential mediators of the relationship between metal exposure and vascular endothelial inflammation. Additionally, the metabolic changes underlying these effects included changes in arginine and proline metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, suggesting the disturbance of amino acid metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, nucleotide metabolism, and glycolysis. Overall, our results reveal biomechanisms that may link chronic exposure to multiple metals with vascular endothelial inflammation and elevated cardiovascular risk. [Display omitted] • River area residents had higher metal levels, cardiovascular risk, and inflammation. • "Meet-in-the-middle" method reveals metabolite biomechanisms. • Metabolites reveal links between metal exposure and vascular inflammation. • Urgent need to protect cardiovascular health near abandoned lead-zinc mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used the GAL4-UAS expression system to increase the level of expression of the Drosophila gene decapentaplegic (dpp) in a pattern approximating its normal pattern in leg and wing imaginal discs. Intermediate increases of dpp expression have little effect in wing discs but high levels of dpp overexpression lead to reduction of the scutellum and duplication of posterior wing structures. In leg discs intermediate increases cause supernumerary outgrowths of ventral leg structures in the anterior-ventral region. Greater increases of dpp expression cause the loss of ventral leg structures with the concomitant fusion of left and fight dorsal forelegs. The defects observed in both legs and wings appear to arise through dose-dependent effects of dpp on wingless (wg) expression. A high level of dpp overexpression in the wing disc causes reduction of wg expression in the presumptive scutellar region, consistent with the subsequent reduction of the scutellum. An intermediate increase of dpp expression in leg discs induces the expansion of wg expression into the ventral outgrowths. At higher dpp expression levels, ventral wg expression in leg discs is eliminated, consistent with the loss of ventral leg cuticle. In the leg disc end knob and in the wing margin primordium, where wg and dpp cooperate in producing distal outgrowth, dpp overexpression has no detectable effect either on patterning or on wg expression. We propose that a critical role for dpp in other regions of the leg and wing discs is to reduce or block the expression of wg. This role of dpp is supported by the observation that ectopic wg expression is detected in imaginal discs where dpp signaling is compromised by lowering the activity of one of its receptors, tkv. This antagonism between dpp and wg expression may be critical to assigning only one disc region as the distal organizer.

Decapentaplegic (dpp) receptor signaling requires regulation of Brk25D and Brk43E receptors in Drosophila. Brk43E arises from the sax gene that reacts with the dpp protein. Impairment of Brk25D receptor function and reduced expression of dpp gene result in mutant phenotypes in the embryo and adults. The dpp protein and bone morphogenetic protein 2 binding of Brk25D exhibit high affinity. The Drosophila sequences expressed during morphogenesis belong to chromosomal positions 25D and 43E and are identical to the TGF beta type I receptor serine/threonine kinases.

Grain production agglomeration (GPA) is the development trend of grain production all over the world, and it is also an important way to promote grain growth and low-carbon development of agriculture. However, in-depth research on whether the GPA can increase the agricultural environmental efficiency and the influencing mechanisms is still lacking. Based on China's provincial data from 1990 to 2019 and the superefficiency DEA model, this study measures the level of GPA and the environmental efficiency of grain production (EEGP) in different grain production functional areas of China. An econometric methods are also used to empirically analyse the impact GPA on the EEGP. The results shows that the level of GPA in China is steadily increasing, and the impact of GPA on EEGP follows a U-shaped trend of initially declining and then rising. China's GPA has exceeded the minimum value of the U-shaped curve and is currently in the stage of promoting the EEGP. Specifically, the level of GPA in China's main grain-producing areas is higher than that in main grain-marketing areas and grain production-marketing balanced areas, and the GPA in main grain-marketing areas and grain production-marketing balanced areas have not yet crossed minimum value of the U-shaped curve. The GPA affects EEGP through farmland scale management and agricultural technology spillover. This study offers a new perspective to explain the changes in China's EEGP, and also provides reference for the EEGP in different regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of (adeno)tonsillectomy (AT) for uncomplicated pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) across different age groups. Four electronic databases were searched until April 2022, and 93 studies (9087 participants) were selected, including before-after studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials. It has been suggested that age, disease severity, and length of follow-up are associated with surgical effects. Compared with older children (>7 years), patients receiving AT surgery before the age of 7 exhibited a significantly greater release of disease severity, as well as a greater decrease in hypoxemic burden, improvement in sleep quality, and better cardiovascular function. Cognitive/behavioral performance also improved after AT, although it was more related to the length of follow-up than the age at surgery. Notably, the surgical complication rate was considerably higher in patients younger than 3 years old. Overall, we suggest that the age of 3–7 years might be optimal for AT in polysomnography-diagnosed uncomplicated OSA to maximize potential benefits for both disease and comorbidities and balance the risks of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Unlike the traditional methodology that compares all firms that are included to the index with those that are not, the innovative use of RD utilizes small changes in rank which makes "apples to apples"comparison available. • China's stock markets have suffered dramatic uprush several times in recent years, and the regulations of stock indices is now criticized by some scholars and investors. Regarding policy implications, our work provides policymakers with new insights into the consequences of stock index adjustment in China. • Our work on the price effects provides a good direction for answering whether the investor structure have a significant but different impact on China's stock market, thus expanding the existing theoretical. In this study, we used regression discontinuity and difference-in-differences methods to verify whether price effects exist in the China Securities Index (CSI 300). Results suggest that the stocks included in this index had an extra abnormal rate of return of approximately 15% compared with the control group. Furthermore, the excluded stocks had a negative abnormal return of approximately 10% before the exclusion announcement, which reversed after the announcement. However, the price effects of the excluded stocks were not significant. Overall, the results indicate that price effects in the CSI 300 are asymmetrical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to outline the fertility features of non-obese diabetic (NOD)/LtSz-scid/scid (NOD/SCID [severe combined immunodeficiency] for short) mice, and to evaluate the effects of NK cell subsets on the pregnancy outcomes of the syngeneic NOD/SCID×NOD/SCID mating combination. Firstly, lymphocyte phenotyping was performed with flow cytometry to confirm the multiple immunodeficits in NOD/SCID mice. Fertility features were assessed in NOD/SCID×NOD/SCID mice and compared with non-immunodeficiency control BALB/c×BALB/c mice. Although the presence of NK cell deficit is apparent in NOD/SCID mice, a certain level of remnant NK activity could be observed in these mice. The remnant NK cell activity was stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyIC), or inhibited with anti-asialo GM1 (ASGM1) anti-serum, respectively. The effects of these factors on pregnancy outcomes were evaluated after administration. Roughly normal fertility could be observed in NOD/SCID×NOD/SCID mice. However, a slightly larger sized litter was observed in polyIC-treated NOD/SCID×NOD/SCID mice compared with control NOD/SCID mice. In contrast, embryo resorption was boosted after ASGM1 injection, and correlated subsequently with a smaller litter size. It indicates that the remnant NK cell activity in NOD/SCID mice may be beneficial to feto-maternal tolerance during pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three functional zones, namely the industrial (IND), the agricultural (AGR), and the grassland (GRA) areas from Inner Mongolia (a remote province in northern China), were selected to evaluate the levels and distributions of PBDEs and the risks posed to local humans. PBDEs concentrations in surface soils and tree bark were detected and the air levels were estimated based on bark measurements. The total concentrations (∑ 8 PBDEs) of BDE-28, -47, −100, −99, −154, −153, −183, and −209 in soils were 1.71–64.9 ng/g dry weight (d.w.), 0.720–4.08 ng/g d.w., and 0.604–3.76 ng/g d.w. in the IND, AGR and GRA areas respectively. The average total concentrations in bark and air were 0.792 ng/g d.w. and 0.125 ng/m³ in the AGR areas respectively, which were lower than those (1.69 ng/g d.w. in the bark and 0.476 ng/m³ in the air) in the IND areas. BDE-209 was the dominant congener, consistent with DeBDE being the dominant commercial products used in China. However, except for BDE-209, BDE-28 and BDE-47 in the AGR and GRA areas averagely contributed about half of the total PBDEs concentrations in soils. BDE-28 concentrations in the bark samples of the AGR areas were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the IND areas, and the average total hazard quotients (∑ 8 PBDEs) were higher for humans in the AGR areas (0.12) than in the IND areas (0.08). Degradation of higher-brominated congeners (e.g., BDE-209) and migration of lower-brominated congeners (mainly BDE-28 and BDE-47) may increase the risks to humans in pristine areas. • PBDEs pollution is widespread in Inner Mongolia. • BDE-28 concentrations in bark of AGR areas were significantly higher than in IND areas. • The exposure risk in pristine areas can be higher than in polluted areas due to LRAT of lower-brominated congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports a microwave heating method for synthesis of a VO x /g-C 3 N 4 complex for applications in photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light illumination. The facile strategy allows the fabrication of the VO x /g-C 3 N 4 composite in 40 min with NH 4 VO 3 and melamine as precursors. A thorough investigation was performed to investigate the structure, morphology, photoabsorption performance and charge separation capability of the VO x /g-C 3 N 4 composite. XRD, FT-IR, XPS and TEM experiments proved that VO x nanoparticles which have the mixed valence state of V5+ and V4+ were dispersed in the g-C 3 N 4. DRS experiment demonstrated that these introduced VO x nanoparticles improved the light absorption property for visible light. N 2 -adsorption analysis showed that the surface area of VO x /g-C 3 N 4 sample was enhanced with increasing VO x content. Although the improved photoabsorpion performance and surface area are beneficial to the photocatalytic RhB degradation, the mostly important reason of the enhanced photoactivity was ascribed to the formed heterojunction structure of g-C 3 N 4 and VO x , which triggers electrons migration via a type-II mechanism and elevates the charge separation. This improved charge separation was confirmed by the PL, EIS, and PC experiments, while the type-II mechanism was verified by reactive species trapping experiment and photocatalytic H 2 evolution test. Due to the improved efficiency in separating charge carriers, the VO x /g-C 3 N 4 worked very well in RhB degradation via photocatalysis. The best VO x /g-C 3 N 4 sample displayed a RhB degradation velocity of 0.079 min−1 under visible light, which is 3.6 folds faster than that of neat g-C 3 N 4. Image 1 • VO x /g-C 3 N 4 was prepared via microwave heating for 40 min. • VO x /g-C 3 N 4 presented much better performance in RhB degradation than g-C 3 N 4. • The improved charge separation was the origin of the high photoactivity. • Type-II mechanism worked in the VO x /g-C 3 N 4 composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multifunctional silicon carbide (6H–SiC) material with efficient wicking and evaporative cooling performances in a temperature range of 23–180 °C is created through hierarchical surface nano/microstructuring by a femtosecond laser. The elaborated hierarchical surface structure is an array of nanotextured microgrooves that includes structural features in a range between about 15 nm and 140 μm, integrating benefits from micro- and nanoscale physics of capillarity and thermodynamics. The spatiotemporal dynamics of both water spreading and temperature field obtained by optical and infrared imaging show the excellent wicking and evaporative cooling functionalities of the created material. The range of applications of the developed multifunctional 6H–SiC material includes the technologies for enhancing power generation efficiency, waste heat recovery, and cooling high-heat-flux Si- and SiC-based electronic devices. The application of the created material in cooling technologies for power generation can result in substantial fuel savings and global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new-type flame retardant and toxic substance, triphenyl phosphate (TPP) is a ubiquitous pollutant present even in human blood. TPP is transformed by human CYP enzymes to oxidized/dealkylated metabolites. The impact of TPP metabolism on its toxicity, however, remains unclear. In this study, the genotoxicity of TPP in several mammalian cell lines and its relevance to CYP/sulfortransferase (SULT) activities were investigated. The results indicated that TPP induced micronucleus formation at ≥1 μM concentrations in a human hepatoma (C3A, endogenous CYPs being substantial) cell line, which was abolished by 1-aminobenzotriazole (CYPs inhibitor). In cell line HepG2 (parental to C3A with lower CYP expression) TPP was inactive up to 10 μM, while pretreatment with ethanol (CYP2E1 inducer), PCB 126 (CYP1A inducer), or rifampicin (CYP3A inducer) led to micronucleus formation by TPP. In V79-Mz and V79-derived cells expressing human CYP1A1 TPP was inactive (up to 32 μM), and in cells expressing human CYP1B1, 2B6 and 3A4 it induced micronucleus weakly (positive only at 32 μM). However, TPP induced micronucleus potently in V79-derived cells expressing human CYP1A2, while this effect was drastically reduced by human SULT1A1 co-expression; likewise, TPP was inactive in cells expressing both human CYP2E1 and SULT1A1, but became positive with pentachlorophenol (inhibitor of SULT1) co-exposure. Moreover, in C3A cells TPP selectively induced centromere-free micronucleus (immunofluorescent assay), and TPP increased γ-H2AX (by Western blot, indicating double-strand DNA breaks). In conclusion, this study suggests that TPP is potently clastogenic, human CYP1A2 and 2E1 being major activating enzymes while SULT1A1 involved in detoxification. • Triphenyl phosphate (TPP) induced genotoxic effect in mammalian cells. • The genotoxicity of TPP depended on metabolic activation by human CYP enzymes. • Human CYP1A2 and 2E1 were the major metabolic enzymes involved in activating TPP. • The mode of TPP-induced chromosome damage appeared to be purely clastogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the female reproductive system worldwide, and its molecular mechanisms remain complex and poorly understood. Various techniques, including transcriptome sequencing, RT-qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence, Western blot, CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, and xenograft models, were employed to investigate gene/miRNA expression, cellular proliferation, migration, and the interactions between miR-30c-5p, METTL3, and KRAS. Our transcriptome sequencing results demonstrated a significant downregulation of miR-30c-5p in cervical cancer cells. Further investigations using RNA pull-down, dual-luciferase reporter assay, Me-RIP, and PAR-CLIP confirmed METTL3 as one of the downstream targets of miR-30c-5p, while KRAS was identified as an iron-death suppressor gene susceptible to m6A modification. Notably, our Me-RIP analysis demonstrated the involvement of METTL3 in m6A modification of KRAS. In vitro experiments revealed that miR-30c-5p facilitated ferroptosis in cervical cancer cells by inhibiting the METTL3/KRAS axis, thus suppressing proliferation and migration. Additionally, in vivo studies demonstrated that miR-30c-5p repressed the growth and metastasis of cervical cancer xenografts through the inhibition of the METTL3/KRAS axis. Overall, this study highlights the critical role of miR-30c-5p in modulating cervical cancer progression by targeting the METTL3/KRAS axis, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cervical cancer growth and metastasis. • This study used transcriptome sequencing to reveal the role of miR-30c-5p in cervical cancer. • This study found that miR-30c-5p targets METTL3 and affects m6A modification. • This study proves the key role of the METTL3/KRAS axis in ferroptosis. • This study reveals the inhibitory effect of miR-30c-5p on the growth of cervical cancer cells. • This study provides new molecular targets for cervical cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Strategies of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation with or without previous toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) blocking were pursued to investigate the mechanism of LPS-induced preterm delivery in syngeneically impregnated BALB/c and non-obese diabetic (NOD)/LtSz-scid/scid (NOD/SCID [severe combined immunodeficiency] for short) mice. The LPS-stimulated mice were killed at the beginning of preterm labor and pooled placentas were collected in each mouse. Cell surface expression of TLR4, CD80, and intracellular TNF-α in placenta CD45+ cell population was determined by flow cytometry. It displayed that preterm delivery could be induced by LPS in BALB/c, while the NOD/SCID seemed to be resistant to LPS induction. TLR4 expression was not changed in either BALB/c or NOD/SCID mice upon LPS-stimulation, but the CD45+CD80+ cell percentage was elevated in both groups. The CD45+TNF-α+ cell percentage was increased merely in BALB/c after the stimulation, while no such trend was observed in NOD/SCID mice. In BALB/c, the effect of LPS on CD80 and TNF-α expression could be abrogated by previous TLR4 blocking, subsequently prevent LPS-induced preterm delivery. In another design, NK cell blocking was performed at earlier stage of gestation by injections of anti-asialo GM1 antiserum (ASGM1). It appeared that LPS-induced preterm delivery could be partially prevented by this blocking in BALB/c mice. Such data, together with the diversity of sensitivity to LPS induction observed in BALB/c and NOD/SCID mice, imply that LPS interacts with TLR4, triggers the mobilization of CD45+CD80+ cells, results in elevated production of inflammatory cytokines, and finally results in preterm delivery. In addition, NK cells may be involved in the signaling cascade, and the lack of functional NK cells in the NOD/SCID may be why these mice appeared to be less sensitive to LPS-induced premature labor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The remediation of water polluted by fluroquinolones antibiotics remains an important issue. Although zero-valent copper (ZVC) coupled with molecular oxygen can destruct refractory organic pollutants, the activation efficiency still needs to be further improved. In this study, the introduction of ascorbic acid (AA) in ZVC/air process maintained a high-concentration of Cu(Ⅰ), which can efficiently activate molecular oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species (ROSs). Superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals coexisted in nZVC/AA/air system. The former contributed to the yield of H 2 O 2 and also acted as a mediator for Cu(Ⅱ)/Cu(Ⅰ) redox cycles, the latter was the pivotal ROSs for ciprofloxacin (CIP) destruction. The CIP degradation decelerated through the addition of excessive nZVC and AA, and the optimum dosages of nZVC and AA were determined to be 0.2 g/L and 1 mM, respectively. The developed nZVC/AA/air process could efficiently operate in a relative broad pH range of 3.0–7.0, which was due to the fact that AA prevented the precipitation of copper ions in solution via forming stable chelates. The coexistence of Cl− severely retarded the CIP removal. According to the results of UPLC-MS/MS analysis and density functional theory calculations, the plausible degradation pathways including the decarboxylation, defluorination, hydroxylation and cleavage of C–C bond in piperazine ring were proposed. [Display omitted] • The introduction of AA in nZVC/air system greatly accelerated CIP degradation. • AA maintained a high-concentration of Cu(Ⅰ), which efficiently activated molecular oxygen to generate ROSs. • Hydroxyl radicals mainly contributed to CIP destruction, while superoxide radical functioned as the mediator for copper cycles. • Several key affecting factors including ZVC dosage, AA concentration, solution pH and chlorine were examined. • The transformation route of CIP in nZVC/AA/air system was put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable evaporative energy from atmospheric air is a recently emerged research field that demonstrates the great potential for significant energy savings in the air conditioning of buildings, data/big-data/integrated-big-data centers, agricultural storage facilities, and greenhouses. Here, we develop a method for an essential increase in the harvesting efficiency of renewable air evaporative energy by enhancing the water evaporation rate through the shaping of the air-water interface (AWI) by the menisci formed in superhydrophilic hierarchical surface nano/microstructures. Using this method, we achieve a 10-fold rise in the evaporation rate for the microscale AWI shaping. For the first time, we discover the superevaporation effect that provides an unprecedented 130-fold rise in the evaporation rate at the hierarchical nano/microscale AWI shaping. Furthermore, based on these findings, for the first time, we elaborate a novel material with an engineered AWI for a significant increase in the harvesting of renewable air evaporative energy in the dew point (Maisotsenko cycle) indirect evaporative air conditioning systems whose operation is fundamentally based on utilizing renewable air evaporative energy. The dew point cooling device fabricated using this novel material shows significantly superior cooling performance, validating the substantially enhanced harvesting of the air's evaporative energy. Our findings can essentially advance the emerging field of renewable air evaporative energy and, besides the air conditioning technology, can provide significant efficiency enhancements in water purification/desalination, thermal management, gas turbine power generation, and waste heat recovery technologies. • A method for efficient harvesting renewable air evaporative energy is proposed. • The proposed method is based on the shaping of the air-water interface to enhance evaporation. • A 10-fold rise in the evaporation rate for microscale AWI shaping is achieved. • Superevaporation from nano/microshaped air-water interface was found. • A proof-of-concept dew-point evaporative cooler validates the efficiency of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A sample-in-answer-out assay is developed for detection of sub-nanomolar Ag+. • It only requires a cheap timer to realize instrument-free quantitative measurement. • A target-triggered autocatalysis strategy is proposed for signal amplification. • Nanopore membrane-integrated paper devices serve as portable testing platforms. Abstract This work initially describes a sample-in-answer-out paper-based assay for simple, rapid, sensitive, specific, and low-cost detection of silver (I) (Ag+) ions. It combines Ag+-triggered in situ autocatalysis for signal amplification with an instrument-free, timing readout in 3D origami paper-based analytical devices integrated with nanopore membranes (NMs). The autocatalytic amplification is based on the oxidability of Ag+ towards 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) loaded in the NMs. The Ag+ ions are rapidly reduced by the TMB to form silver nanoparticles that further act as nanocatalysts to catalyse the oxidation of more TMB molecules to their derivatives by Ag+ ions for producing bigger (and more) metal particles. The NM's pores are thus partially blocked by these metal particles to adjust (prolong) the flowing time of a coloured reagent in the paper device. Under optimized conditions, this developed point-of-need method could quantitatively detect the Ag+ ions in a linear concentration range of 1.9–62.5 nM within 4 min, by simply using a ubiquitous phone (or a timer). Its detection limit was estimated to be ˜0.91 nM according to the 3σ rule. The recoveries of analyzing real water examples (i.e., pond water, tap water, drinking water, and soil water) were from ˜95.2 to ˜103.9%, and the corresponding relative standard deviations ranged from 3.3 to 8.1% (n = 6). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • MoS 2 /YVO 4 composite was prepared by a hydrothermal method. • MoS 2 /YVO 4 showed high efficiency in photocatalytic H 2 generation and MO degradation. • The H 2 generation rate of MoS 2 /YVO 4 is 11.3 times faster than that of YVO 4. • The MO degradation rate constant of MoS 2 /YVO 4 is 4.4 times higher than that of YVO 4. • The influence factors on the photoactivity of MoS 2 /YVO 4 were investigated. Abstract This work was designed to ameliorate the photocatalytic performance of YVO 4 by using MoS 2 as a co-catalyst. MoS 2 was in-situ decorated on the surface of YVO 4 nanoparticles through a simple hydrothermal process. The synthesized MoS 2 /YVO 4 composite was characterized by various techniques, including XRD, Raman, XPS, SEM, TEM, DRS, PL, EIS and PC. Results indicate that MoS 2 acts as an electron trapper in the binary system, which hinders the recombination of charge carriers and enhances the utilization of the photogenerated charge carriers in the photocatalytic reaction. Therefore, MoS 2 /YVO 4 composite presents high activity in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and the generation of H 2 under simulated sunlight irradiation. 2.5% MoS 2 /YVO 4 sample has the best performance in H 2 generation with a H 2 -evolution rate of 134 μmol g−1 h−1, which is 11.2 times higher than that of pure YVO 4. For photocatalytic degradation of MO, 10%MoS 2 /YVO 4 shows the best efficiency. The degradation rate constant is 4.4 times larger than that of pure YVO 4. The different optimal content of MoS 2 can be ascribed to that the two reactions are performed in different ways. This work may provide some valuable information for the future design of high efficient photocatalysts by using MoS 2 as a co-catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A temperature-based relationship between protein oxidation and structure is modeled. • The first study of oxidative modifications of SPI heated by proteomics method. • The modifications of amino acids with varied properties are described for the first time. • Possible conversion of cysteine to methionine with SPI heating was found. • The structural state of SPI under electron microscopy after dry heat was studied. Spatial structure and amino acid residue side-chain oxidative modification of soybean isolated protein (SPI) at different dry heating temperatures (70, 100, 130, 160 and 190 °C) were investigated, respectively in this study. The results showed that the dry heating promoted the formation of disulfide bonds and oxidative modification of SPI, such as carboxylation and hydroxylation under the below 160 °C. With increasing temperature, β-sheet and α-helix shifted to random coil and β-turn. The conformation of SPI changed, the solubility decreased and the particle size became smaller resulting from the combination of protein oxidation and chemical bond redistribution, but the structural integrity of SPI was better ensured below 130 °C. SPI was severely hydrolyzed at 190 °C. These results provide a theoretical basis for the study of protein modification by dry heating, which is a guideline for controlling the degree of protein denaturation in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in nonobese diabetic/severely compromised immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice and investigate the potential role of these cells in pregnancy tolerance. Design: An animal model–based study. Setting: Academic research center in a university. Animal(s): Syngeneic pregnant NOD/SCID mice were compared with non-immunodeficient BALB/c mice. Intervention(s): Induction of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. Main Outcome Measure(s): Flow cytometric analysis was performed to detect the percentage of cell subsets, and standard 51Cr release assay was performed to determine cytotoxicity. Result(s): The dominant subset of uNK cells in NOD/SCID mice is DX5 (CD49b)+, asialo ganglio-N-tetraosylceramide+, CD25+, CD122+, Thy-1 (CD90)hi, c-kit (CD117)hi, and interleukin-10+. In addition, the percentage of interferon-γ+ subset was slightly increased in response to selected TLR agonists in the NOD/SCID mice, whereas the corresponding percentage in BALB/c mice could be increased dramatically. Such an effect could be abrogated by inhibitors, including LY294002, SP600125, and PD98059. The significant increase of interferon-γ+ NK cell percentage in BALB/c mice was concomitant with the increase of the embryo resorption rate. In contrast, the resorption rate in NOD/SCID mice was not significantly increased upon the induction of polyinosinic polycytidylic acid or lipopolysaccharide. As expected, the NK cells from NOD/SCID mice display a detectable but lower cytotoxicity than BALB/c, as determined by standard 51Cr release assay. In addition, the uNK cells from NOD/SCID mice also display a hyposensitivity to lipopolysaccharide-induced production of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Conclusion(s): A considerable percentage of immature NK cells were detected at the fetomaternal interface in NOD/SCID mice. These cells were hyposensitive to the stimulation of selected TLR agonists. Such a status seemed to be beneficial for the maintenance of pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]