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Solid state fermentation with different lignocellulolytic materials as inducers was used for lignocellulolytic enzyme production in this study. Pleurotus ostreatus strains were assessed by measuring laccase, CMCase, and xylanase activities. The secretion potential of the lignocellulolytic enzymes by wild and cultivated strains was analyzed for the first time. The wild and cultivated strain showed their unique capacities for secreting lignocellulolytic enzymes on solid-state fermentation with different lignocellulosic materials. The wild P. ostreatus strain preferred corncob for the secretion of laccase and xylanase activity, but the cultivated strain preferred poplar sawdust. The wild strain and cultivated strain showed a consistent preference for poplar sawdust for the secretion of CMCase activity. The wild strain was advantageous because it achieved the maximum hydrolytic enzyme activities within a short time period. Poplar sawdust and corncob were conducive to laccase secretion by the wild or cultivated strains and the rapid accumulation of laccase on solid-state fermentation. Additionally, continuous, stable laccase production was an extremely important advantage by solid-state fermentation of poplar sawdust, particularly in the wild strain. These findings are helpful in selecting the appropriate strain that corresponds to suitable lignocellulosic materials. The optimization of integrated industrial lignocellulolytic enzyme production can also be achieved.

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) materials are often modified or functionalized, and then the crystal size and morphology of MOF materials are changed. In the process of preparing UiO-66 confined phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) composites (PU), the TiF4-modified PU (PMA + UiO-66) composite catalyst (TiF4-PU) was successfully synthesized by adding titanium tetrafluoride, and the catalytic desulfurization activity was excellent. Similarly, the reaction mechanism was investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The results show that the addition of TiF4 not only changes the appearance and color of the catalyst, but also changes the valence distribution of the elements in the catalyst. The number of oxygen vacancies in the MOF increases due to the addition of TiF4, and more electrons are transferred from the Zr-MOF to PMA to form more Mo5+, which improved the performance of oxidative desulfurization in comparison. Thus, a stronger strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) effect is observed for TiF4-modified PU catalysts. In addition, the quenching experiment of free radicals shows that &middot, OH radical is the main active substance in the oxidative desulfurization reaction over TiF4-PU catalyst.

Electronic structure of active sites plays a crucial role in redox catalysts. Herein, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) decorated with metallic MoO2 heterojunction nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a facile calcination route. XPS, UPS, UV–vis and PL spectra results suggest electron transfer from the conduction band (CB) of g-C3N4 to unfilled π* band of metallic MoO2 in the metal-semiconductor heterojunction. The electron transfer ensures high intrinsic oxidative desulfurization activity for MoO2/g-C3N4 composites. Radical scavenger experiments indicate that the electron transfer facilitates the enrichment of electron density around Mo active sites and control the rate-determining step of oxidative desulfurization. The approach can be extended to other low valent transition metal oxides possessing d electrons for enhanced catalytic activity in redox reactions.

Carbon trading policy, as an important1 approach to energy conservation and emission reduction, is being applied by an increasing number of cities at home and abroad with a certain effect. Meanwhile, traffic is a major source of energy consumption and carbon emission in cities and thus a main field of energy conservation and carbon emission and a carbon emission trading object in cities. Globally, the carbon trading policy is rarely adopted in the traffic sector. Emission monitoring and quota allocation are challenging tasks due to several characteristics, such as the mobility and dispersibility of vehicles and non-profitability of certain sectors. Therefore, the inclusion of the transportation sector in the carbon emission trading policy framework remains an issue. On the basis of the definition of the carbon emission trading policy framework, this study draws certain elements of applicability of carbon emission trading policy and conducts an empirical analysis of the applicability of the participation of the transportation sector in carbon emission trading.

In the present work, a highly efficient artificial light-harvesting system with a two-step sequential energy transfer process based on host-guest interactions between cyano-substituted p-phenylenevinylene derivative (PPTA) and cucurbit [7]uril (CB [7]) has been constructed in an aqueous media, in which the molecular assemblies was employed as energy donors, two dyes including eosin Y (EY) and sulforhodamine (SR101) were used as energy acceptors. The obtained PPTA-CB [7] supramolecular assemblies have aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect and can be used as an ideal donor to transfer energy to EY. Then, inspired by the multi-step energy transfer in nature, the PPTA-CB [7]+EY system was chosen as the energy donor while SR101 was selected as the energy acceptor to construct an efficient light-harvesting system with a two-step sequential energy transfer, which demonstrated high FRET efficiencies of 38% and 33% in the two-step process, respectively. The light-harvesting systems also exhibit high antenna efficiencies of 23.7 and 20.1 with a 100:1 donor/acceptor ratio, respectively. More importantly, the PPTA-CB [7]+EY + SR101 system exhibited high activity for the photocatalytic dehalogenation of 2-bromo-1-phenylethanone with a yield of up to 86% in an aqueous solution.

In the present work, TiO2-graphite-phase-carbon-nitride (TiO2/g-C3N4) was prepared through a hydrothermal method to obtain a new photocatalytic material. This material was characterized by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray energy spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Solid-state UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrometry (UV–Vis-DRS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The synthesized TiO2/g-C3N4 exhibited homogeneous morphology, in which TiO2 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the g-C3N4 nanosheets. Regarding its potential use as photocatalytic material in the treatment of mineral processing wastewater, 18% TiO2/g-C3N4 showed superior photodegradation performance than TiO2 and g-C3N4, to give 97.1% degradation rate under 100 min of simulated light irradiation. The experimental results showed that the successful incorporation of TiO2 on g-C3N4 nanosheets enhanced the spectral response range of TiO2/g-C3N4, and the photocatalytic activity was improved. In view of that, it can be considered that this kind of photocatalytic material has a good prospect in the treatment of mineral processing wastewater, which would have clearly environmental relevance.

The inflammatory response plays an important role in carcinogenesis. However, the functional role and mechanism of the UCHL3-associated inflammatory response in ovarian cancer remain to be characterized. Here, we report that increased expression of UCHL3 facilitates tumourigenesis by targeting TRAF2 protein, thereby enhancing the inflammatory response. The expression of UCHL3 is elevated in ovarian cancer patients and is associated with an unfavourable prognosis. Genetic ablation of UCHL3 was found to markedly block ovarian cancer cell proliferation, viability and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, luciferase pathway screening results show that NF-κB signalling is clearly activated compared with other pathways. UCHL3 was found to activate NF-κB signalling by deubiquitinating and stabilizing TRAF2, leading to tumourigenesis. Our results indicate that highly expressed UCHL3 enhances inflammation by stabilizing TRAF2, which in turn facilitates tumourigenesis in ovarian cancer, and that UCHL3 is a potential target for ovarian cancer patients with increased inflammation.

Nutrient additions can stimulate petroleum hydrocarbon degradation, but little is known about how these additions affect the microbial community involved in that degradation. A microcosm study was conducted to assess the impact of bioaugmentation with Acinetobacter SZ-1 strain KF453955 and biostimulation with nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus on petroleum hydrocarbon degradation efficiency and microbial community dynamics during bioremediation of an oil-contaminated soil. Soils were incubated without shaking at room temperature for 10 weeks, and petroleum hydrocarbon degradation efficiency, catalase activity, petroleum hydrocarbon degrader population, and bacterial community diversity were determined. Results showed biostimulation and bioaugmentation, respectively, promoted 60% and 34% degradation of the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) after six weeks of incubation. A degradation plateau occurred in the seventh week. Catalase activity and the populations of oil degraders in soil were generally greater for biostimulation than for bioaugmentation. The inoculants survived into the seventh week for the bioaugmentation treatment, and bacterial diversity did not increase by biostimulation. The populations of TPH-degraders in soil were positively related to TPH degradation efficiency during bioremediation of petroleum-polluted soils.

The Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) are effective catalysts for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) and confining these POMs in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is a promising strategy to improve their performances. Herein, postsynthetic modification of POMs confined in MOFs by adding thiourea creates more unsaturated metal sites as defects, promoting ODS catalytic activity. Additional modification by confining 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium POMs in MOFs is performed to obtain higher ODS activity, owing to the affinity between electron-rich thiophene-based compounds and electrophilic imidazolium compounds. The ODS catalytic activities of four Zr-MOF-based composites (bottle around ship) including phosphomolybdate acid (PMA)/UiO-66, [Bmim]3 PMo12 O40 /UiO-66, PMA/Thiourea/UiO-66, and [Bmim]3 PMo12 O40 /Thiourea/UiO-66 are therefore investigated in detail. In order to explore the catalytic mechanism of these MOF composites, their microstructures and electronic structures are probed by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, BET, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, EPR, UV-vis, NMR spectra, and H2 -temperature-programmed reduction. The results reveal that phosphomolybdate blues and imidazolium phosphomolybdate blues with different Mo5+ /Mo6+ ratios with the Keggin structure are confined in defected UiO-66 for all four composites. This approach can be applied to design and synthesize other POMs/MOFs composites as efficient catalysts.

This study aimed to explore the feasible effect of ezetimibe for postprandial hyperlipidemia (PPHP). Sixty participants were included in this study. Of these, 30 subjects in the intervention group received ezetimibe, while the remaining 30 participants in the control group did not undergo ezetimibe. All patients in intervention group were treated for a total of 2 weeks. Primary endpoints consisted of serum levels of total cholesterol (Total-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG). Secondary endpoints included apoB-48, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C), blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP). All outcomes were measured before and after 2-week treatment. After 2-week treatment, participants in the intervention group did not show better outcomes in primary endpoints of Total-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG; and secondary endpoints of apoB-48, RLP-C, blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and MCP, compared with subjects in the control group. The results of this study showed that ezetimibe may be not efficacious for participants with PPHP after 2-week treatment.

Synergistic effects between active metal species and carriers show vital importance to redox catalysts. For this study, a successful synthetic strategy is obtained from hybrid materials involving the combination of phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) and Zr-MOF. The electronic structures of the PMA/UiO-66 composites are elucidated by FTIR, Raman, XPS, UV–vis and NMR spectra. The results suggest that Mo5+ species are newly created on the composites due to the electron transfer from the conduction band of Zr-MOF to PMA. The formed Mo5+ species contribute to a high intrinsic oxidative desulfurization activity for the PMA/UiO-66 composites. Radical scavenger experiments and DFT calculations indicate that Mo5+ with rich electron density facilitates the generation of OH reactive species. The approach can be employed to design other transition metal composite catalysts providing d electrons with unique MOF structures for enhanced catalytic activities of the redox reactions.

Graphene is one of the most promising new electrochemical materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its superior electronic properties. In this work, we describe the patent map on graphene-based LIBs. We discuss the time-line for the amount of patent applications on LIBs, the nation and applicant distribution of the patent applications. We analysis the technology distribution in this field, which shows that applications about graphene-based cathode increase really fast. According to the analyse result, the Chinese patents have occupied the leading position in this new field but the applications are mostly submitted by colleges and research institutes, which suggests that few inventions have been implemented. In order to hold the market trends and improve competitiveness, it is necessary to keep eyes on worldwide patent application situations and build effective patent strategy, therefore, we also raise some advices and countermeasures about the graphene-based LIBs.

the moisture distribution in untreated and esterified poplar with Maleic anhydride was studied in the present paper employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results show that relaxation times decrease with the the fall of moisture content, and there is a linear equation between the moisture content and transverse relaxation time in esterified wood. The content of bonding water and free water in the esterified wood decreased simultaneously during the drying.

Two-step for wood esterification with oxalic acid and cetyl alcohol is developed in this study. The esterified wood powder was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that ester groups substituted parts of the original alcoholic hydroxyl groups, and crystallization occurred during the modification. In addition, surface wettability, moisture adsorption and water absorption tests for wood specimen have showed that the modification improves the moisture and water resistance.

Two high porous thioindates with 1,6-diaminohexane (DAH), DAH-InS-1 and DAH-InS-2, were prepared by solvothermal reaction. Though the same T3 supertetrahedral frameworks were reported, the cations are different. DAH is a non-cyclic diamine and also an economical reagent for synthesis. Because of the structural difference of the structural directing agents, the dimensions of crystal cells of DAH-InS-1 and DAH-InS-2 are elongated and the total volumes for the cation and solvent are 74.6 and 72.1 % (Platon) larger relative to those reported previously. The two compounds were obtained in one reaction system by controlling the reaction time. Their structures are briefly discussed and the correlativity of crystal shape with the parameters of microstructure is discussed.

Two thioindates [M(en)3]0.5InS2 [en = ethylenediamine; M = Ni (1), Co (2)] were prepared by the reaction of In2S3, Ni (or Co) and S under solvothermal conditions, and their crystal structures have been determined. Both compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm. The crystal structures consist of a new type of 1-D sinusoidal chain, which complements the reported I - III types of 1-D [InQ2 −]n (Q = S, Te) anions built from InQ4 tetrahedra. The band gaps of 3.47 eV for I and 3.31 eV for 2 have been derived from optical absorption spectra.

Most metal-1,10-phenanthroline-complex-sensitized inorganic semiconductors are multicomponent materials. This fundamental study was devoted to the single-phase materials fused with moieties of the phen complex and inorganic chalcogenide. Compounds 1 and 2 are new types of cubic clusters with cluster-to-ligand charge transfer.

The title compound, [Dy2(en)6(μ2-OH)2]Ga4S8 (en = ethylenediamine), contains 1D infinite sinusoidal [ GaS 2 - ] n anions and hydroxy bridged dinuclear dysprosium complex cations. Two bridging hydroxy ions connect two inversion-related Dy3+ ions to form a centrosymmetric dimer, in which a Dy2O2 rhomboidal core is formed. The title compound is the only example of the thiogallates with lanthanide-containing counter cation.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a common pathway that leads to kidney failure, and persistent tubulointerstitial inflammation is a key event in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The new immunosuppressive drug FTY720 modifies lymphocyte migration into injured tissues by sequestering lymphocytes within secondary lymphoid organs. However, its therapeutic effect on tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis had not been well understood. This study was designed to explore the effect of FTY720 on tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis in subtotally nephrectomized (SNX) rats. In total, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Seven days after 5/6 nephrectomy, rats were randomized to FTY720 (1 mg/kg/d) and placebo-treated groups. Sham-operated rats served as controls. FTY720 significantly attenuated the rise in proteinuria, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity in SNX rats, and reduced the count of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocytes in SNX rats. Morphological analysis revealed that there was severe tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis in SNX group and much more tubulointerstitial infiltrating inflammatory cells with high expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, CD163 and CCR-7 in SNX group, as compared with the controls, but the lesions were attenuated significantly by treatment with FTY720. Furthermore, the expressions of proinflammatory molecules (IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1), profibrotic molecule (TGF-β1) and production of extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin and types I and III collagens were upregulated in SNX rats. FTY720 administration significantly reduced these abnormalities. In summary, FTY720 exerts therapeutic effects on tubulointerstitial fibrosis in SNX rats by inhibiting the tubulointerstitial inflammatory response.

In the anion of the title compound, NH4+·C16H13O3−·2H2O, the benzene rings are twisted with respect to each other by 73.56 (10)°. In the crystal, extensive N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the cations, anions and lattice water molecules into a three dimensional supramolecular structure.

Recent studies have shown that chronic endothelial dysfunction can impair multiple aspects of renal physiology and, in turn, contribute to renal fibrosis. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) has been highlighted as an endothelial barrier-stabilizing mediator. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of FTY720, an S1P analog, on the progression of renal fibrosis by inhibiting renal microvasculature endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of chronic kidney disease. Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were used in this study. Seven days after surgery, we placed the animals into three groups: sham surgery; 5/6 nephrectomized (Nx) rats; and 5/6Nx + FTY720 (1 mg/kg/day). All of the animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after surgery. We obtained and analyzed blood and kidney tissue samples from all of the groups. Glomerular capillary density and peritubular capillary (PTC) density were determined by CD31 immunostaining. The expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), collagen IV, fibronectin, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The 5/6Nx group exhibited increased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, visible renal histological changes, pro-fibrotic molecule (TGF-β1) and production of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen IV and fibronectin and decreased glomerular and PTC density, compared to the sham controls (P < 0.01). We observed that treatment with FTY720 reduced these abnormalities. Furthermore, the level of NO, the expression levels of eNOS and VEGF were downregulated in the kidney tissue in 5/6Nx rats, FTY720 treatment significantly attenuated this decrease. FTY720 prevents the progression of renal fibrosis by inhibiting renal microvasculature endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

Dysfunctional mitochondria participate in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Pirfenidone is a newly identified anti-fibrotic drug. However, its mechanism remains unclear. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an early event that occurs prior to the onset of renal fibrosis. In this context, we investigated the protective effect of pirfenidone on mitochondria and its relevance to apoptosis and oxidative stress in renal proximal tubular cells. A remnant kidney rat model was established. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK2) using rotenone, a mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ι inhibitor were further investigated in vitro to examine the mitochondrial protective effect of pirfenidone. Pirfenidone protected mitochondrial structures and functions by stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane potential, maintaining ATP production and improving the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. Pirfenidone decreased tubular cell apoptosis by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway. Pirfenidone also reduced oxidative stress by enhancing manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which suggested that the anti-oxidant effects occurred at least partially via the mitochondrial pathway. Pirfenidone may be effective prior to the onset of renal fibrosis because this drug exerts its anti-fibrotic effect by protection of mitochondria in renal proximal tubular cells.

Tn clusters are usually connected into frameworks by sulfur bridges. A new type of T4 compounds in which the clusters are linked by both sulfur bridges and transition metal complexes are described.

Two high porous thioindates with 1,6-diaminohexane (DAH), DAH-InS-1 and DAH-InS-2, were prepared by solvothermal reaction. Though the same T3 supertetrahedral frameworks were reported, the cations are different. DAH is a non-cyclic diamine and also an economical reagent for synthesis. Because of the structural difference of the structural directing agents, the dimensions of crystal cells of DAH-InS-1 and DAH-InS-2 are elongated and the total volumes for the cation and solvent are 74.6 and 72.1 % (Platon) larger relative to those reported previously. The two compounds were obtained in one reaction system by controlling the reaction time. Their structures are briefly discussed and the correlativity of crystal shape with the parameters of microstructure is discussed.

In the title complex, [Cu(NO3)2(C10H8N2)], the CuIIcation is chelated by two nitrate anions and by one 2,2′-bipyridine ligand in a distorted N2O4octahedral geometry. The dihedral angle between the pyridine rings is 1.92 (11)°. In the crystal, π–π stacking between parallel pyridine rings of adjacent complex molecules is observed, the centroid–centroid distance being 3.6788 (19) Å. Weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds further link the molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.