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Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an important regulator of the formation and development of intracranial aneurysms. This study explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of MCP-1 and related inflammatory factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under hemodynamic conditions. A modified T chamber was used to simulate fluid flow at the bifurcation of the artery and wall shear stress on HUVECs in vitro. Changes in HUVECs were analyzed in response to impinging flow. And HUVECs without impinging flow were used as the control group. Protein expression levels of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, activator protein-1, and MCP-1 were detected by Western blot, and the messenger RNA expression levels of MCP-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Under impinging flow, the phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK, and p38, as well as the protein levels of MCP-1, c-Jun, and c-Fos, increased. The messenger RNA expression of MCP-1, IL-1β, and IL-6 also increased in HUVECs. Pretreatment of the HUVECs with inhibitors of JNK and p38 significantly attenuated the increased expression of MCP-1, IL-1β, and IL-6, while ERK inhibitors had no obvious effect. Under impinging flow, MCP-1 and inflammatory factors are regulated through the JNK/c-Jun/p38/c-Fos pathway and participate in EC inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Denitrification rates are significantly enhanced by nanoplastics in wetland soils. • NirS bacterial community regulates the denitrification response of nanoplastic group. • Nanoplastics induce denser denitrifier networks and cause shifts in keystone species. • Nanoplastics may be a more potent driver of denitrification than microplastics. With the widespread presence of plastic waste in ecosystems, it is imperative to understand the response of natural processes to micro- and nanoplastic pollution pressures. However, the effects of nanoplastics on biogeochemical cycles are still overlooked and controversial. This study investigated the effects of three particle sizes (100 μm, 7 μm, and 80 nm) of polystyrene (PS) micro/nanoplastics (0.08 % of mass concentration) on denitrification processes and nirS / nirK denitrifying bacterial communities in wetland soils. The results indicated that PS nanoplastics were found to significantly enhance denitrification rates from 21.30 to 54.73 μmol N 2 ·h−1·kg−1, increasing by 1.57 times compared to the control. Exposure to nanoplastics caused shifts in the composition and structure of the nirS -type denitrifier community. LEfSe analysis, random forest, and Mantel tests revealed that nirS denitrifying bacteria, especially Sideroxydans , played a pivotal role in driving denitrification rates (Mantel's R = 0.24, p = 0.002), likely due to the faster release of organic substrates from nanoplastics. Microbial co-occurrence networks demonstrated that nanoplastic amendments fostered a denser denitrifier network and led to shifts in keystone species. Sideroxydans appeared more likely to cooperate with other bacteria, such as Burkholderiales , to complete denitrification processes. This study suggests that nanoplastics are a potentially stronger driver of denitrification than microplastics, providing insight into the impact of plastic pollutants on biogeochemical cycling in natural wetland ecosystems. Given the widespread distribution of wetlands, the potential increase in gaseous nitrogen emissions due to nanoplastics pollution warrants attention. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the remarkable beneficial effects of gastric bypass surgery is important for the development of non-surgical therapies or less invasive surgeries in the fight against obesity and metabolic disease. Although the intestinal L-cell hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine–tyrosine (PYY) have attracted the most attention, direct tests in humans and rodents with pharmacological blockade or genetic deletion of either the GLP1-receptor (GLP1R) or the Y2-receptor (Y2R) were unable to confirm their critical roles in the beneficial effects gastric bypass surgery on body weight and glucose homeostasis. However, new awareness of the power of combinatorial therapies in the treatment of metabolic disease would suggest that combined blockade of more than one signaling pathway may be necessary to reverse the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery. The metabolic effects of high-fat diet and the ability of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery to lower food intake and body weight, as well as improve glucose handling, was tested in GLP1R and Y2R-double knockout (GLP1RKO/Y2RKO) and C57BL6J wildtype (WT) mice. GLP1RKO/Y2RKO and WT mice responded similarly for up to 20 weeks on high-fat diet and 16 weeks after RYGB. There were no significant differences in loss of body and liver weight, fat mass, reduced food intake, relative increase in energy expenditure, improved fasting insulin, glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance between WT and GLP1RKO/Y2RKO mice after RYGB. Combined loss of GLP1R and Y2R-signaling was not able to negate or attenuate the beneficial effects of RYGB on body weight and glucose homeostasis in mice, suggesting that a larger number of signaling pathways is involved or that the critical pathway has not yet been identified. Image 1 • Mice with combined deletion of GLP1R and PYY receptor Y2R gain weight normally on chow or high-fat diet. • GLP1RKO/Y2RKO double knockout mice also respond normally to RYGB. • Compensatory mechanisms such as GLP2R up-regulation may be responsible for the negative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The loading of La can substantially enhance the adsorption capability of drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) for better recycling. Normally, the modification was based on incubation of DWTR and La solution at a certain ratio, following by solid-liquid separation and drying processes. This study attempted to simplify La loading procedures by adopting high ratio of DWTR and La solution to eliminate the solid-liquid separation, aiming to promote the potential actual production. According to the results of the short- (2 d) and long-term (30 d) P adsorption tests, the N 2 gas sorption and desorption analysis, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, and the metal fractionation, the substantial enhanced adsorption capability of the modified DWTR was maintained and the La loading mechanisms to DWTR changed little after eliminating solid-liquid separation processes during modification; typically, La loading increased the initial P adsorption rates from 1.00 (raw DWTR) to 6.08 and 6.03 mg g−1 d−1 for the modified DWTR with and without the separation processes. Furthermore, the DWTR before and after modification had little unfavorable effect on the survival of snail Bellamya aeruginosa , while eliminating the separation processes tended to reduce the bioavailability of Al, Fe, and La in the modified DWTR. These results demonstrated that solid-liquid separation was not the key step for DWTR modification and that the developed simple modification method was feasible for La loading to DWTR, promoting the beneficial recycling in environmental remediation. Highlights • This study simplified a normal La loading process for DWTR modification. • The substantial enhanced initial adsorption by modified DWTR was still achieved. • The La loading mechanisms to DWTR by the simple method changed little. • The Al, Fe and La bioavailability decreased in DWTR modified by the simple method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic biochar had been used for the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated sediments. However, the long-term remediation pattern of vertical stratification driven by the application of magnetic biochar and the assembly of microbes had received little attention. In this study, magnetic loofah sponge biochar (MagLsBC), magnetic iron oxide (MagOx) and magnetic coconut shell activated carbon (MagCoAC) were applied for the 900-day remediation of contaminated sediments. Significant (p < 0.05) PAH biodegradation was observed in both the surface and subsurface sediments with MagLsBC addition. However, enhanced PAH biodegradation was observed only in the surface sediments with MagOx and MagCoAC treatments. Magnetotactic bacteria (Magnetococcus) was dominant genera in surface sediments and indigenous PAH degradation bacteria were more abundant in subsurface sediments of MagLsBC relative to other bacterial communities. The network interaction between microbes in surface and subsurface sediments with MagLsBC treatments was a less complex and tighter than those with MagCoAC, MagOx or Control treatments. Long-distance electron transfer rates could be enhanced through cooperation between magnetotactic bacteria and indigenous degradation bacteria, thus accelerating PAH degradation in sediment with MagLsBC treatment, especially in the underlying sediment. [Display omitted] • MagLsBC significantly improved PAHs removal in surface and subsurface sediments. • Magnetotactic bacteria (magnetococcus) was dominant genera in sediments of MagLsBC. • MagLsBC facilitates microbial interspecies cooperation in sediments. • Cooperation with magnetococcus and degradation bacteria is essential for PAH removal. • Microbial network interactions of MagLsBC was a less complex and tighter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The separation and recovery of pollutant-loaded magnetic carbon materials from organic contaminated environment is recently concerned, but the change of sorption ability and mechanism of activated carbon and biochar caused by magnetic particles modification still need to be explored. Here, the magnetic modification of two coconut shell-, coal-derived activated carbon and one biochar, and its effect on the removal of phenol from water were investigated. Magnetic activated carbon (MAC) and magnetic biochar (MBC) were prepared by co-precipitation. The increase of mass magnetic susceptibilities and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis showed that magnetic particles were successfully coated on the surface of virgin carbonaceous materials (VCMs). Magnetic modification enhanced the surface area and pore volume of activated carbon, and preserved those structure properties of biochar. Magnetic activated carbon had lower adsorption rates (10.641 g mg−1·min−1) than virgin activated carbon (20.575 g mg−1·min−1) while magnetic biochar exhibited higher adsorption rate (0.618 g mg−1·min−1) compared with virgin biochar (0.040 g mg−1·min−1), which were related to mass transport process. Data from Langmuir model results suggested that maximum adsorption capacities of three carbon adsorbents were increased by magnetic modification. The enhanced removal of phenol after magnetizing process may attribute to the increase of specific surface area and pore volume. Among VCMs/MCCs, magnetic coconut shell-derived carbon material with 951.84 m2/g surface area exhibited the most organic contaminant sorption performance. This finding gives insight into the adsorption mechanism of magnetic AC/BC for phenol, and provides a guidance to choose the appropriate magnetic composites to remove the organic contaminant effectively. Highlights • Magnetic particles were successfully coated on carbon materials surface. • Magnetic modification retained/increased BET surface area of adsorbents. • Magnetic coconut shell activated carbon had phenol removal efficiency of 93.9%. • The sorption capacities of carbons were promoted by magnetic modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though bladder urothelial carcinoma is the most common form of bladder cancer, advances in its diagnosis and treatment have been modest in the past few decades. To evaluate miRNAs as putative disease markers for bladder urothelial carcinoma, this study develops a process to identify dysregulated miRNAs in cancer patients and potentially stratify patients based on the association of their microRNAome phenotype to genomic alterations. Using RNA sequencing data for 409 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas, we examined miRNA differential expression between cancer and normal tissues and associated differentially expressed miRNAs with patient survival and clinical variables. We then correlated miRNA expressions with genomic alterations using the Wilcoxon test and REVEALER. We found a panel of six miRNAs dysregulated in bladder cancer and exhibited correlations to patient survival. We also performed differential expression analysis and clinical variable correlations to identify miRNAs associated with tobacco smoking, the most important risk factor for bladder cancer. Two miRNAs, miR- 323a and miR-431, were differentially expressed in smoking patients compared to nonsmoking patients and were associated with primary tumor size. Functional studies of these miRNAs and the genomic features we identified for potential stratification may reveal underlying mechanisms of bladder cancer carcinogenesis and further diagnosis and treatment methods for urothelial bladder carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Heterophyllin B (HB) has been proved to be a potential drug in cancer treatment. In the current study, GC cells were treated with 0, 10, 25, or 50 μM of HB. Cell viability was determined by utilizing MTT assay. Flow cytometry was carried out for cell apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. The expression levels of IRE1, CHOP, GRP78 and Bcl-2 in cells and tumors were measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Our data uncovered that HB administration significantly suppressed GC cell viability, but facilitated GC cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. The effects of HB on GC cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle showed dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, expression of ER stress-associated proteins like IRE1, CHOP and GRP78 was markedly upregulated, while anti-apoptosis protein Bcl2 expression was inhibited by HB treatment in a dosage-dependent manner. Our data indicated that HB treatment facilitated caspase-3 expression in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on caspase-8 expression. Importantly, the inhibition of HB to GC cell apoptosis and cell cycle process and the promotion of HB to GC cell proliferation were partly rescued by inhibition of ER stress utilizing 4-PBA. In animal experiments, HB administration suppressed GC tumor growth, boosted IRE1, CHOP and GRP78 expression and inhibited Bcl-2 expression. All in all, HB treatment could effectively suppress GC cells proliferation and tumors growth and facilitate GC cells apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through activating ER stress. Our data indicated that HB may be a potential drug for GC treatment. • Heterophyllin B suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. • Heterophyllin B facilitates gastric cancer apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. • Heterophyllin B treatment activates the ER stress in gastric cancer cells. • Heterophyllin B regulates gastric cancer development via activating ER stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freezing method for underground construction has been attracting attention owing to its non-polluting characteristics. This method requires precise forecasting of freezing behavior and countermeasure technology against frost expansion. To improve this method, it is necessary to know the expansion characteristics in a transverse direction to heat flow as well as in the heat flow direction. In this study, we developed a new apparatus for frost heave experiments that can measure the pressure due to expansion in the transverse direction. As a conclusion, we successfully evaluated the characteristics of frost heave pressure in the transverse direction to heat flow through experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar dissolved in solution is found to stabilize native structure of proteins and notably decrease their denaturation. To better utilization of this unique performance, we herein studied the preparation and application of a novel isoporous membrane with dual sugar and temperature responsiveness that offered both decreased protein denaturation and improved separation efficiency. New block copolymers (BCPs) with poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-acrylamidophenyl boronic acid) P(NIPAM- co -APBA) as pore forming blocks were synthesized and adopted to prepare isoporous membranes via the SNIPS method. The boronic acid moieties in P(NIPAM- co -APBA) were found to endow membranes with adoptive changes of pore size with the variation of sugar concentrations. The microphase separation of BCPs in concentrated solutions and thin film were carefully studied, observing that APBA attached to pore-forming segment greatly increased the phase separation strength for BCPs. Composition analysis indicated that membranes with uniform pore structures showing higher contents of APBA groups on surface, uncovering an interesting structure-composition relationship that segments with higher fractions of APBA moieties segregated much stronger to pores and surface. Sugar dependent permeability and protein sieving were also determined, observing that the separation coefficient increased sharply from 4.2 to 11 for protein mixture of Hemoglobin/Lysozyme, suggesting that prepared isoporous membranes had enabled a faster separation of proteins in the presence of sugars. It was finally found that sugar in solution simultaneously reduced membrane fouling as it decreased protein denaturation during the separation. Our results demonstrate that novel isoporous membranes fabricated from bio-responsive BCPs with specifically designed functionality will enable protein separation with reduced denaturation, decreased membrane fouling and higher separation selectivity, which remain a big challenge for traditional isoporous membranes produced from well-explored BCPs. [Display omitted] • Molecular level design of novel BCPs bearing boronic moiety as pore forming were described. • Isoporous membranes with uniform pore size were successfully prepared from above BCPs. • Stronger microphase separation was observed for membranes produced from BCPs with higher contents of boronic groups. • Sugar and temperature dependent permeability and protein sieving was fully studied. • Protein denaturation and fouling was obviously reduced by the glucose guided separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The mechanisms by which bariatric surgeries so effectively and lastingly reduce body weight and normalize metabolic dysfunction are not well understood. Fibroblast growth fator-21 (FGF21) is a key regulator of metabolism and is currently considered for treatment of obesity. Although elevated by acute food deprivation, it is downregulated after weight loss induced by chronic calorie restriction but not after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to assess the role of FGF21-signaling in the beneficial effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB). Methods High-fat diet-induced obese FGF21-deficient (FGF21 −/− ) and wildtype (WT) mice were subjected to RYGB, sham surgery, or caloric restriction to match body weight of RYGB mice. Body weight, body composition, food intake, energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity, as well as plasma levels and hepatic mRNA expression of FGF21 were measured. Results Hepatic expression and plasma levels of FGF21 are higher after RYGB compared with similar weight loss induced by caloric restriction, suggesting that elevated FGF21 might play a role in preventing increased hunger and weight regain after RYGB. However, although the body weight differential between RYGB and sham surgery was significantly reduced in FGF21 −/− mice, RYGB induced similarly sustained body weight and fat mass loss, initial reduction of food intake, increased energy expenditure, and improvements in glycemic control in FGF21 −/− and WT mice. Conclusions FGF21 signaling is not a critical single factor for the beneficial metabolic effects of RYGB. This may open up the possibility to use FGF21 as adjuvant therapy in patients with ineffective bariatric surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]