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In this work, experiments and comprehensive insights into the proposed covering liquid method to intensify self-preservation effect for methane (CH4) storage are presented. The CH4 hydrate decomposition percentage was 17.6% with the pressure of 0.61 MPa after 12 h at 266.0 K without a covering liquid, which can be reduced to 12.4%, 13.8%, 13.0%, and 8.3% with the pressure of 0.26 MPa, 0.33 MPa, 0.51 MPa, and 0.37 MPa by covering with tetrahydrofuran (THF), cyclopentane (CP), cyclohexane, and n-tetradecane, respectively. When the temperature for CH4 hydrate decomposition was 274.2 K, covering with THF, CP, cyclohexane, and n-tetradecane failed to inhibit CH4 hydrate decomposition. The results suggested that the covering liquid may form a new solid layer (a hydrate layer or other solidified layer) around the CH4 hydrate, which inhibit CH4 transfer below the freezing point of water. However, the new solid layer cannot resist the fast transfer of CH4 from decomposed CH4 hydrate above the freezing point of water. The same phenomenon was also observed in a sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS)-dry solution CH4 hydrate formation system. Therefore, the covering method can only intensify the self-preservation effect below the freezing point of water, but cannot generate a self-preservation effect.

Herein, [As2IIIAsVMo8VIV4IVO40]2[CuICu2II(pz)4]2·9H2O/polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide (pz = pyrazine, abbreviated to As3Mo8V4/PANi/rGO) composite is first assembled, characterized and systematically explored for its supercapacitor performance. As3Mo8V4/PANi/rGO composite shows a exceptional specific capacitance (2351 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) and outstanding cyclic stability (96.9% after 5000 cycles). The symmetric supercapacitor exhibits high specific capacitance of 1295 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and excellent energy density of 88.1 Wh kg-1 at power density of 349.6 W kg-1, while maintaining a notable capacitance retention of 85.7% after 5000 cycles at 2 A g-1. The above results confirm the potential application of As3Mo8V4/PANi/rGO composite in energy storage devices.

In this study, D201 resin-hydrated iron oxide (HFO) nanocomposites were prepared for the first time for Cr(VI) removal in a high-gravity rotating packed bed (RPB), and then D201-HFO nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that HFO nanoparticles embedded in D201 resin exhibit an average particle size of 10.34 nm, a narrow particle size distribution and excellent dispersibility. The use of 0.05 g of D201-HFO nanocomposite prepared in the RPB (D201-HFO-R) leads to efficient removal of Cr(VI) from 10 mg/L to below 50 ppb, and it has a higher reaction rate constant (k = 0.959 h−1) than that prepared in a stirred tank reactor (STR). D201-HFO-R nanocomposites also exhibit higher competitive adsorption of Cr(VI) against CO32–, NO3– and SO42−. Notably, it still shows good removal efficiency for Cr(VI) after five adsorption-regeneration cycles. The removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by D201-HFO-R mainly involves complexation and electrostatic attraction. This study provides a simple and facile method to prepare D201-HFO nanocomposites in the RPB for wastewater treatment.

In this study, Cu–MnOX/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was first used for heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of nitrobenzene (NB) in a high-gravity rotating packed bed (RPB), as RPB could significantly improve the...

Excessive light exposure is a principal environmental factor, which can cause damage to photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and may accelerate the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy caused by light exposure were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Light exposure caused severe photo-oxidative stress and ER stress in photoreceptors (661W cells) and RPE cells (ARPE-19 cells). Suppressing either oxidative stress or ER stress was protective against light damage in 661W and ARPE-19 cells and N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment markedly inhibited the activation of ER stress caused by light exposure. Moreover, suppressing autophagy with 3-methyladenine significantly attenuated light-induced cell death. Additionally, inhibiting ER stress either by knocking down PERK signals or with GSK2606414 treatment remarkably suppressed prolonged autophagy and protected the cells against light injury. In vivo experiments verified neuroprotection via inhibiting ER stress-related autophagy in light-damaged retinas of mice. In conclusion, the above results suggest that light-induced photo-oxidative stress may trigger subsequent activation of ER stress and prolonged autophagy in photoreceptors and RPE cells. Suppressing ER stress may abrogate over-activated autophagy and protect the retina against light injury.

Cardiac fibroblast (CF) differentiation into myofibroblasts is a crucial cause of cardiac fibrosis, which increases in the extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness. The increased stiffness further promotes CF differentiation and fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. We used bioinformatics analysis to find new candidates that regulate the genes involved in stiffness-induced CF differentiation, and found that there were binding sites for the POU-domain transcription factor, POU2F1 (also known as Oct-1), in the promoters of 50 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CFs on the stiffer substrate. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting revealed that pathological stiffness upregulated POU2F1 expression and increased CF differentiation on polyacrylamide hydrogel substrates and in mouse myocardial infarction tissue. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that POU2F1 bound to the promoters of fibrosis repressors IL1R2, CD69, and TGIF2. The expression of these fibrosis repressors was inhibited on pathological substrate stiffness. Knockdown of POU2F1 upregulated these repressors and attenuated CF differentiation on pathological substrate stiffness (35 kPa). Whereas, overexpression of POU2F1 downregulated these repressors and enhanced CF differentiation. In conclusion, pathological stiffness upregulates the transcription factor POU2F1 to promote CF differentiation by inhibiting fibrosis repressors. Our work elucidated the crosstalk between CF differentiation and the ECM and provided a potential target for cardiac fibrosis treatment.

In this work, twenty-eight novel 17a-aza-D-homo-androster-17-one derivatives, which divided into two categories, were synthesized with commercial available starting material (dehydroepiandrosterone) via oximation reaction, Beckmann rearrangement, hydroxyl protection, N-alkylation and deprotection. All compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. The structure of 14 g was also identified by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The bioactivities, brine shrimp toxicity and cytotoxicity, of all derivatives were tested. The results indicated that compounds 11 h, 11i, 11 m, 11 s, 14 b and 14 g exhibited excellent toxicity against brine shrimp with LC50 values ranging from 5.34 to 16.89 μg/mL, and compounds 11 s and 14 g displayed significant cytotoxicity against HT29 cells and A549 cells with IC50 values of 9.70 μM and 8.85 μM, respectively. Structure-activity relationships are discussed based on the results obtained from our research, and some important determinants for further modification of steroids towards the development of novel drug candidates are identified.

Ni-, Co-, and Fe-based transition metal oxides have been extensively studied as heterogeneous electrocatalysts for water oxidation in alkaline media. Here, we investigated how metal composition aff...

Residual unreacted Cr(VI) incorporated in ferrous-sulfate-reduced chromite ore processing residue (rCOPR) can be slowly released during deposition, posing a significant threat to the environment. Recent studies indicate that such Cr(VI) mainly exists within the nano-sized ion channels of ettringite, forming Cr(VI)–ettringite. Therefore, efficient extraction and recovery of the incorporated Cr(VI) from rCOPR, especially from Cr(VI)–ettringite, are urgently needed in order to eliminate the long-term hazardous effects of rCOPR. In this work, NaHCO3 was used to extract Cr(VI) from rCOPR with or without hydrothermal treatment, and the process under hydrothermal conditions (up to 120 °C) was able to nearly completely (>98%) extract Cr(VI). The results of X-ray diffraction, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy analyses were combined to elucidate the underlying extraction mechanisms. First, CO32− exchanged with CrO42− in the ion channels of Cr(VI)–ettringite, transforming ettringite into nano-CaCO3. This transformation effectively destroyed the ion-channel structure of Cr(VI)–ettringite, causing the release of incorporated CrO42−. However, in this stage, some CrO42− ions were still strongly adsorbed onto the nano-CaCO3, leading to the incomplete extraction of Cr(VI). Furthermore, the hydrothermal treatment was demonstrated to be essential to the acceleration of the nano-CaCO3 crystal growth to achieve the full Cr(VI) extraction. This novel strategy provides a viable approach to eliminate the pollution associated with the slow release of Cr(VI) from rCOPR in a fast and cost-effective manner.

Rationale: Protein O-GlcNAcylation is dynamically regulated by 2 key enzymes, OGT (O-GlcNAc transferase) and OGA (O-GlcNAcase). Excessive protein O-GlcNAcylation contributes to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), but its regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. The PRMT5 (protein arginine methyltransferase 5) is the major type II arginine methyltransferase, which plays critical physiological roles by symmetrically dimethylating various downstream targets including proteins involved in RNA splicing. However, its function in regulating protein O-GlcNAcylation and DCM is unexplored. Objective: To elucidate the physiological function of PRMT5 and the mechanism underlying its role in regulating cardiac O-GlcNAcylation and homeostasis. Methods and Results: Conditional gene knockout was used to study the in vivo function of PRMT5 in regulating cardiac homeostasis. An integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles was performed to investigate the molecular mechanism. Adeno-associated virus 9-mediated gene delivery in the mouse was used to study the protein O-GlcNAcylation in Prmt5 deficiency-induced DCM. PRMT5 mRNA was decreased in human DCM hearts, and cardiomyocyte-specific Prmt5 deletion in mice resulted in DCM and heart failure. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling identified increased O-GlcNAcylation in the hearts of Prmt5 -knockout mice. Mechanistically, Prmt5 deletion suppressed OGA expression by inhibiting the transcription of Oga and triggering its aberrant splicing. Consistently, a positive correlation of PRMT5 and OGA was identified in human DCM hearts. Notably, gene therapy with adeno-associated virus 9 encoding the correctly spliced Oga normalized the cardiac protein O-GlcNAcylation levels and partially rescued the dilation and dysfunction of the hearts in Prmt5 -knockout mice. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate a novel function of PRMT5 in regulating protein O-GlcNAcylation to maintain cardiac homeostasis, suggesting that targeting the PRMT5-OGA axis could be a potential strategy for treating DCM.

In this study, benzyl alcohol was ozonized to benzoic acid in a rotating packed bed (RPB-O3) by a catalyst-free and highly efficient approach, which is the most significant transformations in synthetic organic chemistry, and the RPB-O3 process was compared with the process in a stirred tank reactor (STR-O3). The results show that the RPB-O3 process produces more benzoic acid (64%) than the STR-O3 process (28%) in 30 min. The effects of different operating conditions of high gravity factor, liquid flow rate, solvent and reaction time on the yield of benzoic acid in the RPB-O3 process were investigated. The results reveal that the optimal yield is obtained using ethyl acetate as the solvent at a high gravity factor of 40, a liquid flow rate of 120 L/h, and a reaction time of 60 min. Under the optimal conditions, p-substituted benzoic acid is obtained in good to excellent yields (82–98%) in 60 min. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was performed to characterize radical species formed by the self-decomposition of ozone in nonaqueous solvents, and DMPO-·OH, DMPO-O2·ˉ and DMPO-·CH(OH)Ph were found. The possible ozonization mechanism is proposed based on the EPR results.

Acute sympathetic stress causes excessive secretion of catecholamines and induces cardiac injuries, which are mainly mediated by β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs). However, α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-ARs) are also expressed in the heart and are activated upon acute sympathetic stress. In the present study, we investigated whether α1-AR activation induced cardiac inflammation and the underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were injected with a single dose of α1-AR agonist phenylephrine (PE, 5 or 10 mg/kg, s.c.) with or without pretreatment with α-AR antagonist prazosin (5 mg/kg, s.c.). PE injection caused cardiac dysfunction and cardiac inflammation, evidenced by the increased expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and chemokines MCP-1 and MCP-5, as well as macrophage infiltration in myocardium. These effects were blocked by prazosin pretreatment. Furthermore, PE injection significantly increased the expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and the cleavage of caspase-1 (p20) and interleukin-18 in the heart; similar results were observed in both Langendorff-perfused hearts and cultured cardiomyocytes following the treatment with PE (10 μM). Moreover, PE-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cardiac inflammation was blocked in Nlrp3-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, α1-AR overactivation induces cardiac inflammation by activating NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Despite the conservative DNA sequences among LuxI (Acyl Homoserine Lactones synthase gene) homologs, structure-product relationship of AHL synthase remains to be elucidated. In this study, through degenerate primers and in vitro expression methods, we collected the information of the gene sequences and AHL profiles from nine LuxIs among Ensifer adhaerens strains. The chromosome-encoded LuxI (C-LuxI) distinguished themselves from the plasmid-encoded ones (P-LuxI) not only in the DNA sequences, but also in AHL profiles. The C-LuxIs produced only C14-HSL, while the P-LuxIs produced predominantly C8-HSL and 3-oxo-C8-HSL. Sequence-product relationship analysis updated our recognition of the role of T140 (EsaI) in the 3-oxo-HSL production. Computational calculation based on 3D structures of these LuxIs revealed the linear relationship between the chain length and the affinity of amides to AHL synthase in C-LuxI, which was not found in the P-LuxI. We hereby proposed the linear docking affinity as a criterion for the prediction of long-chain AHL production by an AHL synthase. This study extends our understanding on the structure-product relationship of AHL synthases and revealed the distinct chromosome and plasmid origin of this enzyme among E. adhaerens .

Introduction To evaluate efficacy and safety data of dulaglutide in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycemic control with 1–2 oral antihyperglycemic medications (OAMs). Methods This is a subgroup analysis of a phase 3, open-label, randomized, parallel-arm, 52-week study in Chinese patients aged ≥ 18 years with T2DM who had inadequate glycemic control with OAMs (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥ 7.0% and ≤ 11.0%). The primary endpoint was assessment of the noninferiority of dulaglutide 1.5 mg as measured by change in HbA1c, compared with insulin glargine (glargine), using a 0.4% noninferiority margin at week 26. Results A total of 607 patients from China were randomized 1:1:1 to once-weekly dulaglutide 1.5 or 0.75 mg or once-daily glargine. At week 26, the least squares mean (LSM) change from baseline in HbA1c was greater with dulaglutide 1.5 mg (− 1.67%) and dulaglutide 0.75 mg (− 1.31%) compared with glargine (− 1.11%). The LSM (95% confidence interval) for the difference of dulaglutide 1.5 mg and 0.75 mg vs glargine was − 0.56% (− 0.75 to − 0.37) and − 0.20% (− 0.39 to − 0.01), respectively. Both doses of dulaglutide were noninferior and superior to glargine at 26 weeks and 52 weeks (two-sided P value

Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) has been researched as food packaging materials in recent years. However, WPC films own the drawbacks on the barrier ability to water vapor and mechanical properties. In the presented work, Transglutaminase (TGase) and different concentrations of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) (0–15% wt. of WPC) were incorporated into the WPC matrix to prepare WPC-NCC composite film, their transmittance, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability and microstructures were investigated and compared with that of WPC films. Results illustrated that NCC as fillers in the protein network blended with WPC markedly improved the mechanical properties. The tensile strength of composite film increased from 1.3 to 3.15 MPa as NCC increased to 15% wt. of WPC. Moreover, TGase took a promoted effect on mechanical properties. The composite film achieved a maximal elongation value of 86.7% when TGase was added at 9 U/g of WPC. SDS-PAGE confirmed that TGase positively facilitated the formation of the protein polymers. FTIR analysis observed conformational changes caused by TGase in the films and implied the interaction between WPC and NCC. Results suggest NCC and TGase have a synergy effect on mechanical properties of WPC based film, and TGase-crosslinked WPC-NCC composite film can be applied as an alternative packaging material.

Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) are an important group of components produced from the thermal conversion of cellulose. Through using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS) and ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy (UV-F), the information for the evolution of OPAHs is obtained in this study. The tar produced at low temperature mainly contains light components such as homologues of pyran and furan, while the components in the tars at 700 °C and 900 °C show high double bond equivalent (DBE) values, indicating the existence of large aromatic structures. High temperature promote condensation reactions during cellulose thermal conversion, thus leading to a higher percentage of OPAHs in the tar at higher temperature process. According to Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation, the energy barrier of Diels-Alder reaction (302.65 kJ/mol) is lower than the dehydration (583.26 kJ/mol), which means that Diels-Alder reaction could be the main route for OPAH formation rather than dehydration reaction. High reaction temperature is calculated to be favorable for the formation of naphthol during the cellulose thermal conversion because of the high energy barrier of dehydration between phenol and furan. It is consistent with the ESI FT-ICR MS result that there is a higher content of naphthol in the tar at 700 °C than that at 500 °C.

As an emerging micropollutant, organoarsenic has caused global ecosystem pollution, due to its degradation to highly toxic inorganic arsenic in the environment. Therefore, to remove the low-concentration organoarsenic from arsenic compounds from water, materials with high adsorption affinity are in urgent need. Herein, we reported an amino-modified metal–organic framework (MOF) with defects (UiO-66-D-NH2) to adsorb two typical organoarsenic forms p-arsanilic acid (p-ASA) and roxarsone (ROX). The adsorption affinity of UiO-66-D-NH2 was 3.8 and 3.0 times higher than that of original UiO-66 and defective UiO-66 without amino modification (UiO-66-D), while the removal rate exceeded 99.1% when the initial concentration of organoarsenic decreased to 1 mg L−1. UiO-66-D-NH2 also showed excellent adsorption behavior in simulated wastewater, with residual arsenic concentrations lower than 0.54 μg L−1. Mechanism studies showed a cooperation of the defects and –NH2 groups in UiO-66-D-NH2. The defects provided more Zr–OH sites in the metal node, leading to transformation of the As–O–Zr coordination from monodentate mononuclear to bidentate binuclear configuration, while –NH2 groups formed hydrogen bonds with both p-ASA and ROX as a secondary interaction to further reinforce the as-formed As–O–Zr complex. This work revealed that making cooperation by defect creation and amino modification could be an effective method to enhance the adsorption affinity of MOFs to low-concentration organoarsenic.

Photocatalytic conversion of diluted CO2 into solar fuel is highly appealing yet still in its infancy. Herein, we demonstrate the metal-node-dependent performance for photoreduction of diluted CO2 by constructing Ni metal-organic framework (MOF) monolayers (Ni MOLs). In diluted CO2 (10 %), Ni MOLs exhibit a highest apparent quantum yield of 1.96 % with a CO selectivity of 96.8 %, which not only exceeds reported systems in diluted CO2 but also is superior to most catalysts in pure CO2 . Whereas isostructural Co MOLs is almost inactive in diluted CO2 , indicating the performance is dependent on the metal nodes. Experimental and theoretical investigations show that strong CO2 binding affinity of Ni MOLs is the crucial factor, which stabilizes the Ni-CO2 adducts and facilitates CO2 -to-CO conversion.

Retinal degeneration is a major cause of severe vision loss and irreversible blindness and is characterized by progressive damage to retinal photoreceptor cells. Resveratrol (RSV) serves as an activator of the histone deacetylase, Sirt1, and has been shown to exert anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we mimicked retinal degeneration by subjecting photoreceptors (661 W cells) to glucose deprivation (GD) or light exposure. Under these conditions, we investigated the mechanisms underlying GD- or light exposure-induced cell death and the protective effect of RSV. We found that GD and light exposure resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and cell death. Treatment of injured cells with RSV decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), improved the ratio of reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG), mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology, and reduced apoptosis. We used the caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, and a lentiviral-mediated shRNA knockdown of PARP-1 to reveal that GD and light exposure-induced cell death have different underlying mechanisms; GD triggered a caspase-dependent cell death pathway, whereas light exposure triggered a PARP-dependent cell death pathway. The level of caspase-9 and caspase-3, upregulated following GD, were reduced by treatment with RSV. Similarly, the level of PARP-1 and AIF, upregulated following light exposure, were decreased by treatment with RSV. Additionally, treatment with RSV elevated the protein expression and enzymatic activity of Sirt1 and a Sirt1 inhibitor reduced the protective effect of RSV against insult-induced cellular injuries, indicating that RSV's protective effect may involve Sirt1 activation. Finally, we investigated the neuroprotection of RSV in vivo. Administration of RSV to mice under extreme light exposure led to a suppression of the light-induced thinning of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) detected by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and restored retinal function evaluated by electroretinography (ERG). Taken together, our findings provide evidence that treatment with RSV has neuroprotective effects on both GD and light exposure-induced cell death pathways in photoreceptor cells.

Hexavalent chromium contamination is a global environmental issue and usually reoccurs in alkaline reduced chromite ore processing residues (rCOPR). The oxidation of Cr(III) solids in rCOPR is one possible cause but as yet little studied. Herein, we investigated the oxidation of Cr(OH)3, a typical species of Cr(III) in rCOPR, at alkaline pH (9-11) with δ-MnO2 under oxic/anoxic conditions. Results revealed three pathways for Cr(III) oxidation under oxic conditions: (1) oxidation by oxygen, (2) oxidation by δ-MnO2, and (3) catalytic oxidation by Mn(II). Oxidations in the latter two were efficient, and oxidation via Pathway 3 was continuous and increased dramatically with increasing pH. XANES data indicated feitknechtite (β-MnOOH) and hausmannite (Mn3O4) were the reduction products and catalytic substances. Additionally, a kinetic model was established to describe the relative contributions of each pathway at a specific time. The simulation outcomes showed that Cr(VI) was mainly formed via Pathway 2 (>51%) over a short time frame (10 days), whereas in a longer-term (365 days), Pathway 3 predominated the oxidation (>78%) with an increasing proportion over time. These results suggest Cr(III) solids can be oxidized under alkaline oxic conditions even with a small amount of manganese oxides, providing new perspectives on Cr(VI) reoccurrence in rCOPR and emphasizing the environmental risks of Cr(III) solids in alkaline environments.

Retinal detachment refers to the separation of the retinal neuroepithelium and pigment epithelium, usually involving the death of photoreceptor cells. Severe detachment may lead to permanent visual impairment if not treated properly and promptly. According to the underlying causes, retinal detachment falls into one of three categories: exudative retinal detachment, traction detachment, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Like many other diseases, it is difficult to study the pathophysiology of retinal detachment directly in humans, because the human retinal tissues are precious, scarce and non-regenerative; thus, establishing experimental models that better mimic the disease is necessary. In this review, we summarize the existing models of the three categories of retinal detachment both in vivo and in vitro, along with an overview of their examination methods and the major strengths and weaknesses of each model.

Cardiac fibroblast (CF) differentiation plays a crucial role in cardiac fibrosis, which is a specific manifestation distinguishing pathological cardiac hypertrophy from physiological hypertrophy. The DNA-binding activity of paired box 6 (Pax6) has been shown to be oppositely regulated in physiological and pathological hypertrophy; however, it remains unclear whether Pax6 is involved in CF differentiation during cardiac fibrosis. We found that Pax6 is expressed in the heart of and CFs isolated from adult mice. Moreover, angiotensin II (Ang II) induced the downregulation of Pax6 mRNA and protein expression in fibrotic heart tissue and cardiac myofibroblasts. Pax6 knockdown in CFs promoted the expression of the myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins collagen I and fibronectin. Furthermore, we validated the ability of Pax6 to bind to the promoter regions of Cxcl10 and Il1r2 and the intronic region of Tgfb1. Pax6 knockdown in CFs decreased CXC chemokine 10 (CXCL10) and interleukin-1 receptor 2 (IL-1R2) expression and increased transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) expression, mimicking the effects of Ang II. In conclusion, Pax6 exerts an inhibitory effect on CF differentiation and ECM synthesis by transcriptionally activating the expression of the anti-fibrotic factors CXCL10 and IL-1R2 and repressing the expression of the pro-fibrotic factor TGFβ1. Therefore, maintaining Pax6 expression in CFs is essential for preventing CF differentiation, and provides a new therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

The HER activities of P-rich transition metal phosphides can be substantially boosted by N-induced lattice contraction., P-rich transition metal phosphides (TMPs) with abundant P sites have been predicted to be more favorable for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis. However, the actual activities of P-rich TMPs do not behave as expected, and the underlying essence especially at the atomic level is also ambiguous. Our structural analysis reveals the inferior activity could stem from the reduced overlap of atomic wave functions between metal and P with the increase in P contents, which consequently results in too strong P-H interaction. To this end, we used N-induced lattice contraction to generally boost the HER catalysis of P-rich TMPs including CoP2, FeP2, NiP2, and MoP2. Refined structural characterization and theoretical analysis indicate the N-P strong interaction could increase the atomic wave function overlap and eventually modulate the H adsorption strength. The concept of lattice engineering offers a new vision for tuning the catalytic activities of P-rich TMPs and beyond.

The work evaluated the algae cells removal efficiency using titanium salt coagulants with different degree of polymerization (PTCs), and the algae cells aggregates and extracellular organic matter (EOM) under chemical flocculation were investigated. The results indicated that PTCs performed well in algae cells flocculation and separation. The main mechanism using PTCs of low alkalisation degree for algae flocculation was associated with charge neutralization, while adsorption bridging and sweep flocculation was mainly responsible for algae removal by PTCs of high alkalisation degree treatment. In addition, the flocs formed by PTC1.0 showed the best filtration property, and EOM reached the minimum at this time, indicating the flocs formed by PTC1.0 were more compact than other PTCs, which can be confirmed by SEM analysis. Three-dimensional excitation emission matrix fluorescence (3D-EEM) and high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) revealed that the EOMs were removed under PTCs flocculation, which improved floc filterability.

Metal sulfides for hydrogen evolution catalysis typically suffer from unfavorable hydrogen desorption properties due to the strong interaction between the adsorbed H and the intensely electronegative sulfur. Here, we demonstrate a general strategy to improve the hydrogen evolution catalysis of metal sulfides by modulating the surface electron densities. The N modulated NiCo2S4 nanowire arrays exhibit an overpotential of 41 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 37 mV dec−1, which are very close to the performance of the benchmark Pt/C in alkaline condition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory studies consistently confirm the surface electron densities of NiCo2S4 have been effectively manipulated by N doping. The capability to modulate the electron densities of the catalytic sites could provide valuable insights for the rational design of highly efficient catalysts for hydrogen evolution and beyond. The hydrogen evolution reaction is a promising route to produce clean hydrogen fuel; however, its efficient electrolytic generation relies on expensive platinum. Here, the authors show how modulating electron density in a metal sulfide, NiCo2S4, boosts hydrogen desorption to achieve high catalytic activity.

Mutual interference is a severe issue that occurs during the electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions. This limitation presents a notable drawback for its high sensitivity to specific targets. Here, we present a high electrochemical sensitivity of ∼237.1 μA cm–2 μM–1 toward copper(II) [Cu(II)] based on oxygen-deficient titanium dioxide (TiO2–x) nanosheets. We fully demonstrated an atomic-level relationship between electrochemical behaviors and the key factors, including the high-energy (001) facet percentage, oxygen vacancy concentration, surface −OH content, and charge carrier density, is fully demonstrated. These four factors were quantified using Raman, electron spin resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra, and Mott–Schottky plots. In the mutual interference investigation, we selected cadmium(II) [Cd(II)] as the target ion because of the significant difference in its stripping potential (∼700 mV). The results show that the Cd(II) can enhance the sensitivity of TiO2–x nanosheets toward ...

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of tar destruction during volatile-char interactions at low temperature (400–700 °C). A bio-char was subjected to interactions with biomass volatiles at different temperatures (400–700 °C). The results indicate that tar is converted into gaseous and solid products (coke) during volatile-char interactions and the proportion of coke formed on the bio-char from the total converted tar steadily increases with increasing temperature. The non-aromatic structures (e.g. aliphatic and/or O-containing structures) in tar are mainly converted into gases by catalytic cracking and/or reforming reactions on char, while the aromatic structures in tar primarily go through condensation/polymerisation reactions to form coke on char surface. The UV-fluorescence spectroscopic results imply that the non-aromatic structures in tar are easier converted on char than aromatic structures at low temperature (e.g. 400–500 °C) and the conversion of aromatic structures through coke formation on char will be enhanced at higher temperature (e.g. 600–700 °C). The Raman spectroscopic results show that some O-containing species in tar molecules are transferred to the char and form additional O-containing structures into the entire char matrix during the volatile-char interactions.

The optical absorption and photoelectron spectra (PES) of neutral and anionic Ag8 clusters have been studied using the particle-swarm optimization technique and time-dependent density functional theory. The results demonstrate that the enigmatic optical-absorption spectrum of neutral Ag8 cluster is derived from the ground state structure with Td symmetry rather than the almost degenerate isomer with D2d symmetry. The transitions at 3.57–3.65 eV should be ascribed to the neutral fragment cluster Ag7. Meantime, the optical-absorption and PES of neutral and anionic Ag8 cluster are for the first time given a reasonable unified explanation.

In this work, both freezing/thawing method and hydrate-based method for chromium hydroxide sulfate removal with the temperature closing to melting point of ice have been conducted and compared in consideration of stirring speed, freezing time (or hydration-time), temperature, and chromium hydroxide sulfate concentration. The results suggested that chromium hydroxide sulfate removal efficiency of 93.9% was optimal with 85.6% of yield of melted water for freezing/thawing method. However, optimal chromium hydroxide sulfate removal efficiency and yield of melted water was 71.2% and 53.4% for hydrate-based method respectively. The optimal temperature for chromium hydroxide sulfate removal was different between the freezing/thawing method and the hydrate-based method. The optimal stirring speed freezing time, temperature, and chromium hydroxide sulfate concentration for freezing/thawing method were 800 r/min, 3 h, 271.6 K, and 100 ppm, respectively. However, the optimal stirring speed, hydration time, temperature, and chromium hydroxide sulfate concentration for hydrate-based method were 400 r/min, 1 h, 271.1 K, and 100 ppm, respectively. The results also suggested that the freezing/thawing method seems to be more effective than the hydrate-based method at 5.50 MPa for chromium hydroxide sulfate removal at the same temperature in this work. Therefore, the freezing/thawing method should be the first choice to remove chromium hydroxide sulfate at the temperature ranged from 269.2 K to 271.2 K when the concentration of chromium hydroxide sulfate was less than 800 ppm.

In this work, methane hydrate dissociation has been systematically studied in consideration of anti-agglomerant type, water cut, and anti-agglomerant dosage. The anti-agglomerant was sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20), rhamnolipid, and (Span 20 + esters polymer), respectively. Water cut ranged from 5 vol% to 30 vol%, and dosage of anti-agglomerant ranged from 0.5 wt% to 3.0 wt%. The results suggested that Span 20 may act as a dissociated kinetic inhibitor to prevent methane hydrate from dissociation, while rhamnolipid may act as a dissociated kinetic promoter to improve methane hydrate dissociation. 3.0 wt% of Span 20 decreased the maximum dissociation rate to 0.006 mol/min at 5 vol% water cut, while 3.0 wt% of rhamnolipid increased maximum dissociation rate to 0.029 mol/min at 10 vol% water cut. Water cut not only affected the amount of dissociated methane hydrate, but also affected maximum dissociation rate. The increase of water cut obviously increased maximum dissociation rate, and the maximum dissociation rate can reach 0.043 mol/min.

This study aims to investigate the structural features of nascent char. Two nascent chars were prepared from the pyrolysis of Loy Yang brown coal and Collie sub-bituminous coal in a wire-mesh reactor by heating at 1000 K s−1 to 600 °C. Structural changes in nascent chars were investigated by reheating the chars in N2 at low temperatures (≤600 °C) followed by subsequent gasification in O2/N2 mixtures at 370 °C. FT-Raman spectroscopy was applied to characterise the chemical structural features of the chars. Our results indicate that the nascent char from the brown coal is much less stable that from the sub-bituminous coal. The thermal treatment of Loy Yang brown coal nascent char even at ∼300 °C caused obvious changes to its aromatic ring systems while the corresponding changes to the Collie nascent char were insignificant. During the gasification of Loy Yang nascent char in O2, oxygenation might preferentially happen on the larger rings, which activates and breaks the aromatic rings (to form dangling structures). With the opening of aromatic ring systems, O2 might be much easier to access into the char matrix and to improve the dispersion of alkali and alkaline earth metallic (AAEM) species, which in turn enhances the gasification reactivity. Collie nascent char showed much less changes in char structure during gasification. Additionally, the preferential breakage of cross-linking structures in O2 would also loosen the char structure and enhance the gasification reactivity for both nascent chars.

Potassium (K+) is a major limiting element of plant growth, and crops often suffer from low-K+ (LK) stress. Although nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule involved in plant root adaptation to the environment, it remains unclear whether it participates in root growth regulated by LK conditions. Two tobacco cultivars (Nicotiana tabacum L.) exhibiting variant growth features under LK were used in this study. We investigate the effects of LK on root growth, NO accumulation, nitrate reductase (NR) activity and effects of a NO Donor (SNP and NONOate), NO scavenger (cPTIO), NR inhibitor (tungstate), and NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on elongation of first-order lateral roots (LR). Compared with control treatment, the LK-tolerant cultivar NC89 maintained plant growth under LK at 14 days, whereas the dry weight was reduced significantly in the LK-susceptible cultivar Yunyan1. Low-K+-inhibited root growth, mostly by impairing first-order LR formation and elongation was only recorded in cv. Yunyan1. NO accumulation increased in root tips even when cv. Yunyan1 was subjected to LK at day 1. LK-induced NO was generated by the NR pathway during early LK. Application of SNP and NONOate to control-treated plants decreased first-order LR elongation to levels similar to LK treatment in cv. Yunyan1, whereas cPTIO, L-NAME, and tungstate application had the opposite effect. Further results suggested that NO might be involved in auxin-mediated LR elongating as plants respond to LK. In conclusion, NO generated by the NR pathway may be involved in the inhibition by LK stress of first-order LR elongation in tobacco plants.

This study investigated the effects of thermal pretreatment and ex-situ grinding on the production of bio-oil and biochar from the pyrolysis of mallee wood cylinders in a fluidised-bed reactor. The wood cylinders were firstly pretreated at 150–380 °C and were then crushed into small particles before further pyrolysis at 500 °C. Thermal pretreatment alone for wood cylinders could not promote the bio-oil yield. Combined thermal pretreatment at low temperatures and subsequent grinding facilitated the formation of bio-oil and minimised the formation of biochar. This is because the thermal pretreatment and grinding partially destroyed the cell wall structure and improved the mass transfer of volatiles exiting from the particles during the subsequent pyrolysis. However, if the pretreatment temperature was above 260 °C, the biochar yields increased due to the cross-linking and charring reactions. These charring reactions compromised the beneficial effects of grinding, leading to decreases in the formation of bio-oil. The balance between thermal pretreatment and grinding needed to be delicately managed to maximise the formation of bio-oil. The pretreatment temperature would significantly affect the composition of bio-oil from the ex-situ grinding pyrolysis. The controlled pretreatment temperature could somewhat “activate” lignin or cause cross-linked bonds in biomass which was responsible for the formation of aromatics.

Intrinsically low conductivity and poor reactivity restrict many semiconductors from electrochemical detection. Usually, metal- and carbon-based modifications of semiconductors are necessary, making them complex, expensive, and unstable. Here, for the first time, we present a surface-electronic-state-modulation-based concept applied to semiconductors. This concept enables pure semiconductors to be directly available for ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of heavy-metal ions without any modifications. As an example, a defective single-crystalline (001) TiO2 nanosheet exhibits high electrochemical performance toward Hg(II), including a sensitivity of 270.83 μA μM–1 cm–2 and a detection limit of 0.017 μM, which is lower than the safety standard (0.03 μM) of drinking water established by the World Health Organization (WHO). It has been confirmed that the surface oxygen vacancy adsorbs an O2 molecule while the Ti3+ donates an electron, forming the O2•– species that facilitate adsorption of Hg(II) and ser...

Kindlin-2 plays an important role in the regulation of cardiac structure and function. Depletion of Kindlin-2 contributes to cardiac hypertrophy and progressive heart failure, however, the precise mechanisms involved in this process remain unclear. GATA4 is a critical transcription factor in regulating cardiogenesis. We found that Kindlin-2 suppresses the expression of GATA4 through binding to its promoter and prevents cardiomyocytes from hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol (ISO) treatment. Mechanistically, Kindlin-2 interacts with histone methyltransferase SUV39H1 and recruits it to GATA4 promoter leading to the occupancy of histone H3K9 di- and tri-methylation. Furthermore, to confirm the function of Kindlin-2 in vivo, we generated mice with targeted deletion of cardiac Kindlin-2. We found that 6-month-old Kindlin-2 cKO mice have developed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and that this pathological process can be accelerated by ISO-treatment. GATA4 expression was markedly activated in cardiac tissues of Kindlin-2 cKO mice compared to wild-type animals. Collectively, our data revealed that Kindlin-2 suppresses GATA4 expression by triggering histone H3K9 methylation in part and protects heart from pathological hypertrophy.

Pyrophosphate (PPi) is a significant biological anion, and its abnormal level in the human body is regarded as a signal of some diseases. Herein, we developed a method for the detection of PPi using a luminescent ZTMOF-1 via the luminescence turn-on effect. PPi formed hydrogen bonds with the phenyl and pyridine rings in the framework, and ZTMOF-1 could discriminately detect PPi among other phosphorus oxides in both an aqueous solution and a physiological environment. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of a regenerable MOF-based luminescent sensor for the detection of PPi. Moreover, ZTMOF-1 showed an excellent luminescence quenching response to nitrofurantoin (NFT) over other drugs with the detection limit of 0.175 μM. This study presents a dual-responsive regenerable luminescent probe for the detection of PPi and NFT.

The issue that the residual Cr(VI) in the reduced chromite ore processing residue (rCOPR) is slowly released during deposition has attracted increasing attention. However, the speciation and leaching behaviors of Cr(VI) in rCOPR are still not clear, which is essential for revealing the release mechanism of Cr(VI). In this study, ettringite was determined to be the host phase of Cr(VI) in ferrous sulfate-reduced COPR by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microfocus X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (Cs-STEM). This is because the channel structure of ettringite makes it relatively easy for sulfate to be replaced by chromate with similar structure and thermochemical radius. Furthermore, the investigation on the leaching behavior and mechanism of Cr(VI) in rCOPR eroded by environmental factors showed that carbonates, sulfates and acid can promote the release of Cr(VI). Among them, the erosion effect of HCl on rCOPR is weaker than that of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4 because rCOPR possesses a high buffering reserve of alkalinity. In addition, the erosion of rCOPR by Na2CO3 and Na2SO4 can change Cr(VI) speciation in rCOPR. The results implied that the environmental risk of Cr(VI) release during the deposition of rCOPR should deserve careful assessment.

s Some rhizosphere bacteria could colonize on the root surface of plants, or even form biofilm to promote plant growth, enhance plant resistance to harsh external environments and block the soil contamination. In this study, to explore the effects of pyrene-degrading bacterium on root surface on plant uptake of pyrene, a pyrene-degrading bacterium Mycolicibacterium sp. Pyr9 was isolated from the root surface of Eleusine indica L. Gaertn. in PAH-contaminated fields; after antibiotic labeling, it was colonized onto the root surface of white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and its distribution and performance were monitored under different levels of pyrene contamination. Strain Pyr9 could degrade 98% of pyrene (with an initial concentration of 50 mg L−1) in culture solution within 8 d; it also owns a variety of plant growth promoting characteristics and appreciable tolerance to harsh environments. The transcription of pyrene catabolic genes in Pyr9 enhanced obviously when induced by pyrene. Pyr9 colonized and grew well on the root surface of white clover via root inoculation; some cells could even enter into the root tissues and move to the shoots. Compared with the Pyr9-free treatment, the pyrene contents in the roots and shoots of Pyr9-inoculated white clover decreased by 25%–30% and 33%–42%, respectively. Correspondingly, the pyrene accumulation and translocation factors in white clover decreased as well. These results indicate that Pyr9 would be a good potential to circumvent plant pyrene pollution. This research may provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the safety of agricultural products and human health in PAH-contaminated sites.

Char is used directly as a catalyst for the catalytic reforming of tar during gasification. Experiments have been carried out to examine the effects of inorganics in char as a catalyst for the catalytic reforming of tar during the gasification of mallee wood, corn stalk and wheat straw in a pilot plant. The char catalyst was prepared from the pyrolysis of mallee wood at a fast heating rate. The catalytic activities of char and acid-washed char for tar reforming were compared under otherwise identical gasification conditions. For all biomass feedstocks tested for gasification, the tar contents in product gas could be drastically reduced by the catalyst, reaching a tar concentration level well below 100 mg/N m3. The acid-washed char also showed profound activity for tar reforming although its catalytic activity was definitely lower than the raw char. Both catalysts could effectively reform the aromatic ring systems (especially large aromatic ring systems with three or more fused benzene rings) in tars as is revealed using UV-fluorescence spectroscopy. The char itself was also partially gasified. After being used as a catalyst, the condensation of the aromatic rings and the accumulation of inorganic species led to drastic changes in char reactivity with O2 at 400 °C. The inorganic species in char tended to enhance the formation of H2 and CO during the reforming reactions in the catalytic reactor.

Triple TOF MS/MS was used to identify adducts between rosmarinic acid (RosA)-derived quinones and meat proteins in a gel model under oxidative stress. Seventy-five RosA-modified peptides responded to 67 proteins with adduction of RosA. RosA conjugated with different amino acids in proteins, and His, Arg, and Lys adducts with RosA were identified for the first time in meat. A total of 8 peptides containing Cys, 14 peptides containing His, 48 peptides containing Arg, 64 peptides containing Lys, and 5 peptides containing N-termini that which participated in adduction reaction with RosA were identified, respectively. Seventy-seven adduction sites were subdivided into all adducted proteins including 2 N-terminal adduction sites, 3 Cys adduction sites, 4 His adduction sites, 29 Arg adduction sites, and 39 Lys adduction sites. Site occupancy analyses showed that approximately 80.597% of the proteins carried a single RosA-modified site, 14.925% retained two sites, 1.492% contained three sites, and the rest 2.985% had four or more sites. Large-scale triple TOF MS/MS mapping of RosA-adducted sites reveals the adduction regulations of quinone and different amino acids as well as the adduction ratios, which clarify phenol-protein adductions and pave the way for industrial meat processing and preservation.

Aims The H19 lncRNA, a highly abundant and conserved imprinted gene, has been implicated in many essential biological processes and diseases. However, the function of H19 in the heart remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the function and underlying mechanism of H19 in regulating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Methods and results We first detected the expression of H19 and its encoded miR-675 in both normal and diseased hearts and verified their up-regulations in pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Adenovirus-mediated expression and a siRNA-mediated silence of H19 showed that H19 overexpression reduced cell size both at baseline and in response to phenylephrine, whereas knock-down of H19 induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Overexpression or knock-down of miR-675 in cardiomyocytes demonstrated that miR-675 also inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Moreover, inhibition of miR-675 reversed the reduction of cardiomyocyte size in H19-overexpressing cardiomyocytes, while infection with an adenovirus carrying H19 fragment without pre-miR-675 (H19-Tru) or with mutant sequences of pre-miR-675 (H19-Mut) failed to reduce cardiomyocyte size, indicating that miR-675 mediated the inhibitory effect of H19 on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We also identified that CaMKIIδ was a direct target of miR-675 and partially mediated the effect of H19 on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Furthermore, in vivo silencing of miR-675 using a specific antagomir in a pressure overload-induced mouse model of heart failure increased cardiac CaMKIIδ expression and exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy. Conclusion These findings reveal a novel function of H19-miR-675 axis targeting CaMKIIδ as a negative regulator of cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting its potential therapeutic role in cardiac diseases.

Coke formation during the esterification of bio-oil in alcohols and water over a solid acid catalyst Amberlyst 70 has been investigated. The amounts of coke formed from the acid-treatment of bio-oil in various alcohols are half of that in water. Alcohols stabilize the major components in bio-oil such as sugars, furans, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and phenolics. On the other hand, water promotes the polymerisation of these components. In addition, experimental parameters also affect the coke formation during acid-treatment of bio-oil in alcohols. The elevated reaction temperature, long residence time, and high dosage of catalyst significantly promoted coke formation. The soluble polymeric material and insoluble polymeric material was characterized with FI-IR and UV-florescence spectroscopies. The results show that the coke formed is highly aromatic. The aromatics in bio-oil have a significant contribution to the formation of coke during the esterification of bio-oil.

Biomass is one of the most abundant and cheap renewable energy sources, and gasification product gases from the pyrolysis process of biomass, such as mallee wood and wheat straw, contain typically 20–27% H2 and a small amount of CO and CH4 (8–13%). Here, preliminary results on the performance of Ni/Y2O3–ZrO2 cermet anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for the electricity generation from gasification product gases are presented. Two product gases derived from mallee wood and wheat straw are used as the fuels. The tubular SOFCs deliver a maximum power density over 576 mW cm–2 at 800 °C, close to the power density based on the equivalent amount of pure H2 or CH4 fuel. The power density is affected by the flow rate of product gas, but there are no significant differences of power output among the product gas sources used. However, the cell performance decreases gradually, and the degradation in the electricity generation performance of the tubular SOFC is most likely due to the presence of i...

Prevention of gas hydrate dissociation made potential application of gas storage and transportation by hydrate-based technology. In this work, a covering liquid method was proposed to prevent methane (CH4) hydrate dissociation when methane hydrate formed in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-dry solution system. The covering liquids were cyclopentane (CP), cyclohexane, and tetrahydrofuran (THF), respectively. The results showed that CP and THF can effectively prevent methane hydrate dissociation at 266.0 K, while cyclohexane failed to prevent methane hydrate dissociation at the same temperature. Methane hydrate dissociated percentage was 25.5% (0.61 MPa) after 12 h of dissociation at 266.0 K, which can be reduced to 20.0% (0.24 MPa) and 13.8% (0.30 MPa) by covering CP and THF, respectively. All three covering liquids can prevent methane hydrate dissociation at 272.2 K, and methane hydrate dissociated percentage decreased from 71.1% (1.33 MPa) without covering liquid to 49.1% (0.82 MPa), 36.4% (0.64 MPa), and 30.4% (0.63 MPa) by covering CP, cyclohexane, and THF, respectively. However, when methane hydrate dissociated temperature increased to 274.2 K, all three covering liquids failed to prevent initial methane hydrate dissociation, but suppressed later stage of methane hydrate dissociation by forming binary hydrate.

Background (Interleukin 17 Receptor Beta) IL17RB has been implicated in several malignancies. However, its role in the progression of and chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancer remains unknown. We aimed to determine the clinical significance of IL17RB expression in the prognosis of resectable pancreatic cancer and in the benefits from gemcitabine treatment. Materials and methods We used microarray and immunohistochemical staining techniques to evaluate IL17RB expression in 91 resectable pancreatic cancer tissues and their respective matched adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate IL17RB in human pancreatic cancer cell lines after gemcitabine treatment. The correlation between IL17RB expression and overall survival and disease-free survival times were analyzed. Results IL17RB expression correlated with lymph node metastasis and (Vascular endothelial growth factor) VEGF expression. Cox proportional model showed that high IL17RB expression is a significant negative prognostic factor for both (overall survival) OS and (disease-free survival) DFS. Kaplan–Meier survival curves confirmed significantly reduced median overall and DFS time in high IL17RB patients as compared with low IL17RB patients. Furthermore, Cox proportional model confirmed a correlation between adjuvant treatment with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and IL17RB expression. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that low IL17RB expression was associated with longer OS and DFS in patients than high IL17RB expression and gemcitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy. In human pancreatic cancer cell lines, the messenger RNA and protein levels of IL17RB were significantly enhanced after gemcitabine treatment. Conclusions IL17RB predicts the prognosis and benefit from gemcitabine in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural changes in nascent chars during the gasification of two low-rank coals in CO2 at 1000 °C and 1200 °C. Western Australian Collie sub-bituminous coal and Victorian Loy Yang brown coal were heated up at 1000 K s−1 in He/CO2 in a wire-mesh reactor. FT-Raman spectroscopy was applied to understand the key structural features of nascent chars. For comparison, the Raman data of the chars produced in a drop tube furnace in N2/CO2 at 1200 °C for Loy Yang coal were also included in this study. The results showed that the evolution of char structure was determined by the counteracting effects of thermal annealing and oxygenation during the initial holding at 1000 °C (

Sugars and furans are important intermediates during the conversion of non-food lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels and chemicals. In this study, polymerization of the sugars (glucose, fructose, xylose) and furans (5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural) during their acid-catalyzed conversion was investigated. The potential cross-polymerization between sugars and furans was explored. Sugars and furans have very different tendencies towards polymerization. Yields of solid polymer (weight basis) during the dehydration of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is ca. 7% while that from HMF to levulinic acid is ca. 17% at 190 °C with Amberlyst 70 as the catalyst. Dehydration of xylose to furfural forms negligible amounts of solid polymer, while furfural polymerized almost completely. Cross-polymerization between HMF and glucose is insignificant. However, HMF does cross-polymerize with fructose and furfural, producing more insoluble polymer and soluble polymers with different structures. The cross-polymerization between furfural and xylose, if any, does not have any appreciable impact on formation of the insoluble polymer or soluble polymer. Efforts should be devoted more to stabilize the furans to diminish their polymerization during acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass/sugars/furans to value-added chemicals or biofuels.