Search Results (19)

Green-synthesized gel materials can efficiently absorb and remove organic dyes from wastewater. This investigation designed and synthesized a novel modification method of sodium alginate gel beads based on the protein glycosylation reaction (Maillard reaction) using green chemistry principles. The prepared gel beads were subsequently applied to examine their efficacy in adsorbing the organic dye methylene blue. The adsorption process and mechanism were characterized and analyzed. At an adsorption equilibrium of 300 K, the adsorption value can reach 908 mg/g. The dry casein glycosylated gel beads synthesized in this study demonstrate the potential for further development as a novel adsorbent for organic dyes in wastewater. Full article

A high degree of hydrolysis can reduce the allergenicity of milk, while lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation can further enhance the antioxidant ability of enzymatic milk. LAB with a strong antioxidant ability was screened, and the effects of LAB on the bitterness, taste and flavor of enzymatic skim milk (ESM) with a high degree of hydrolysis were investigated in this paper, in addition to the response surface methodology optimized the conditions of the LAB fermentation of ESM. The results indicate that the skim milk hydrolyzed by Protamex has a higher degree of hydrolysis and lower bitterness. The scavenging rate of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, the inhibition rate of hydroxyl radical (·OH) and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 16 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis m16 are significantly higher than those of other strains (p < 0.05), while the improvement effect of L. plantarum 16 on the bitterness and flavor of ESM is better than that of L. lactis subsp. lactis m16. The fermented ESM has a strong antioxidant ability and low bitterness when the inoculum quantity of L. plantarum 16 is 5%, fermentation at 37 °C for 18 h and the pH of the ESM is 6.5, for which the DPPH free radical scavenging rate is 61.32%, the ·OH inhibition rate is 83.35%, the SOD activity rate is 14.58 and the sensory evaluation is 4.25. The contents of amino acids related to bitterness and antioxidants were reduced and increased, respectively. The ESM fermented by L. plantarum 16 has a good flavor, antioxidant ability and low bitterness. Full article

The escalating threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi underscores an urgent need for new antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate the antimicrobial activities of two series of 3-alkylidene-2-indolone derivatives. We synthesized 32 target compounds, among which 25 exhibited moderate to high antibacterial or antifungal activities. Notably, compounds 10f, 10g, and 10h demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.5 μg/mL, matching the activity of the positive control gatifloxacin against three Gram-positive bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, 4220, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300. Moreover, the three most active compounds 10f, 10g, and 10h were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity in the HepG2 cancer cell line and L-02; only compound 10h was found to exert some level of cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that the synthesized 3-alkylidene-2-indolone derivatives hold potential for further development as antibacterial agents. Full article

Epidermal transplantation is a common and widely used surgical technique in clinical medicine. Derivatives of embryonic stem cells have the potential to serve as a source of transplantable cells. However, allograft rejection is one of the main challenges. To investigate the immunogenicity of keratinocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells (ESKCs), we conducted a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results showed that ESKCs have low HLA molecule expression, limited antigen presentation capabilities, and a weak ability to stimulate the proliferation and secretion of inflammatory factors in allogeneic PBMCs in vitro. In humanized immune mouse models, ESKCs elicited weak transplant rejection responses in the host. Overall, we found that ESKCs have low immunogenicity and may have potential applications in the field of regenerative medicine. Full article

Understanding the hydrological processes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the surface karst zone is crucial for the utilization and safety of groundwater resources. However, research on DOM in drip water from karst caves is limited. In this study, continuous monitoring was conducted for four years at four drip water monitoring sites (MP1, MP2, MP3, and MP9) in Furong Cave, Southwest China. The three-dimensional fluorescence excitation–emission spectroscopy (3D-EEM) and fluorescence region integration (FRI) methods were employed, along with correlation analysis, to investigate the spectral characteristics, composition, sources, and influencing factors of the DOM in the drip water of Furong Cave. The results indicated that (1) the three-dimensional fluorescence peaks in the drip water were classified into six categories: A, B, C, T, T_i, and M. (2) The dominant source of the drip water DOM is endogenous organic matter. (3) The FRI analysis indicates a relatively high proportion of Type II substances in the drip water, predominantly composed of tryptophan-like substances. (4) The DOM in the drip water of Furong Cave was influenced by various factors, including the mixing effect of “new” and “old” water, water residence time in karst systems, and water–rock interactions (WRI), resulting in the complex responses of drip rates and DOM to surface precipitation and temperature at different drip water sites. This study provides a reference for comparative research on DOM in cave drip water in karst regions, which contributes to a better understanding of the migration mechanism of DOM in karst aquifers under different climate and karst ecological conditions. Full article

β-sitosterol, a natural plant steroid, has been shown to promote anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in the body. In this study, β-sitosterol was used to protect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell damage in bovine mammary epithelial cells, which are commonly studied as a cell model of mammary inflammatory response and lipogenesis. Results showed that treatment with a combination of LPS and β-sitosterol significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, while increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activating the hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1α)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway to inhibit apoptosis and improve lipid synthesis-related gene expression. Our finding suggests that β-sitosterol has the potential to alleviate inflammation in the mammary gland. Full article

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins. Generally studied for their regulatory potential in model insects, relatively little is known about their immunoregulatory functions in different castes of eusocial insects, including Solenopsis invicta, a notoriously invasive insect pest. In the current study, we used Metarhizium anisopliae, an entomopathogenic fungus, to infect the polymorphic worker castes (Major and Minor Workers) and subjected them to RNA sequencing at different intervals (6, 24, and 48 h post-infection (hpi)). Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis identified 5719 (1869 known and 3850 novel) lncRNAs in all libraries. Genomic characteristics analysis showed that S. invicta lncRNAs exhibited structural similarities with lncRNAs from other eusocial insects, including lower exon numbers, shorter intron and exon lengths, and a lower expression profile. A comparison of lncRNAs in major and minor worker ants revealed that several lncRNAs were exclusively expressed in one worker caste and remained absent in the other. LncRNAs such as MSTRG.12029.1, XR_005575440.1 (6 h), MSTRG.16728.1, XR_005575440.1 (24 h), MSTRG.20263.41, and MSTRG.11994.5 (48 h) were only present in major worker ants, while lncRNAs such as MSTRG.8896.1, XR_005574239.1 (6 h), MSTRG.20289.8, XR_005575051.1 (24 h), MSTRG.20289.8, and MSTRG.6682.1 (48 h) were only detected in minor workers. Additionally, we performed real-time quantitative PCR and experimentally validated these findings. Functional annotation of cis-acting lncRNAs in major worker ants showed that lncRNAs targeted genes such as serine protease, trypsin, melanization protease-1, spaetzle-3, etc. In contrast, apoptosis and autophagy-related genes were identified as targets of lncRNAs in minor ants. Lastly, we identified several lncRNAs as precursors of microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-8, miR-14, miR-210, miR-6038, etc., indicating a regulatory relationship between lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in antifungal immunity. These findings will serve as a genetic resource for lncRNAs in polymorphic eusocial ants and provide a theoretical basis for exploring the function of lncRNAs from a unique and novel perspective. Full article

The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972) is a globally significant invasive species, causing extensive agricultural, human health, and biodiversity damage amounting to billions of dollars worldwide. The pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin (1883), widely distributed in natural environments, has been used to control S. invicta populations. However, the interaction between M. anisopliae and the immune system of the social insect S. invicta remains poorly understood. In this study, we employed RNA-seq to investigate the effects of M. anisopliae on the immune systems of S. invicta at different time points (0, 6, 24, and 48 h). A total of 1313 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and classified into 12 expression profiles using short time-series expression miner (STEM) for analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to partition all genes into 21 gene modules. Upon analyzing the statistically significant WGCNA model and conducting Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis on the modules, we identified key immune pathways, including the Toll and Imd signaling pathways, lysosomes, autophagy, and phagosomes, which may collectively contribute to S. invicta defense against M. anisopliae infection. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive scan of all differentially expressed genes and identified 33 immune-related genes, encompassing various aspects such as recognition, signal transduction, and effector gene expression. Furthermore, by integrating the significant gene modules derived from the WGCNA analysis, we constructed illustrative pathway diagrams depicting the Toll and Imd signaling pathways. Overall, our research findings demonstrated that M. anisopliae suppressed the immune response of S. invicta during the early stages while stimulating its immune response at later stages, making it a potential biopesticide for controlling S. invicta populations. These discoveries lay the foundation for further understanding the immune mechanisms of S. invicta and the molecular mechanisms underlying its response to M. anisopliae. Full article

The development of an efficient and straightforward method for cyanation of alcohols is of great value. However, the cyanation of alcohols always requires toxic cyanide sources. Herein, an unprecedented synthetic application of an isonitrile as a safer cyanide source in B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed direct cyanation of alcohols is reported. With this approach, a wide range of valuable α-aryl nitriles was synthesized in good to excellent yields (up to 98%). The reaction can be scaled up and the practicability of this approach is further manifested in the synthesis of an anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen. Moreover, experimental studies were performed to illustrate the reaction mechanism. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease, is one of the most intractable illnesses which affects the elderly. Clinically manifested as various impairments in memory, language, cognition, visuospatial skills, executive function, etc., the symptoms gradually aggravated over time. The drugs currently used clinically can slow down the deterioration of AD and relieve symptoms but cannot completely cure them. The drugs are mainly acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) and non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NDMAR) antagonists. The pathogenesis of AD is inconclusive, but it is often associated with the expression of beta-amyloid. Abnormal deposition of amyloid and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the brain have been key targets for past, current, and future drug development for the disease. At present, researchers are paying more and more attention to excavate natural compounds which can be effective against Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative pathologies. Marine natural products have been demonstrated to be the most prospective candidates of these compounds, and some have presented significant neuroprotection functions. Consequently, we intend to describe the potential effect of bioactive compounds derived from marine organisms, including polysaccharides, carotenoids, polyphenols, sterols and alkaloids as drug candidates, to further discover novel and efficacious drug compounds which are effective against AD. Full article

Here we systematically investigate the crystallographic orientation relationship (OR) between MC-type precipitates (M, metal; C, carbon) and ferrite matrix in the Ti-Mo microalloyed steel with different processing. In the specimens without austenite deformation, the interphase precipitation can be obtained, and the precipitates obey Baker–Nutting (BN) OR with ferrite matrix. By contrast, in the specimens with austenite deformation, the supersaturated precipitates were formed in ferrite grains, which can obey BN, Nishiyama–Wasserman (NW), Kurdjumov–Sachs (KS) and Pitsch (P) ORs simultaneously. The cooling rate after austenite deformation can influence the OR between carbides and ferrite in the MC/ferrite system. At the cooling rate of 80 °C/s, carbides and ferrite can roughly satisfy these OR with the deviation ≥ 10°, while at the cooling rate of 20 °C/s, carbides and ferrite can strictly obey the specific OR. The energy accumulated in the deformation process and maintained in the fast-cooling process (80 °C/s) can offset the formation energy of the carbides. Thus, the carbides formed in the specimen with the cooling rate of 80 °C/s do not strictly satisfy the specific ORs to meet the rule of lowest energy, and then deviate by a small angle based on the specific ORs. Full article

A method for batch preparation of fucoxanthin from brown algae was established, which possessed the advantages of high yield and high purity. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction method was used to obtain a crude extract from Sargassum fusiforme as the separation sample. Then the crude extract was separated by elution-extrusion countercurrent chromatography. The optimum preparation conditions of fucoxanthin were determined as follows: n-hexane-ethanol-water (20:9:11, v:v:v) as a two-phase solvent system, the mobile phase flow rate was 5 mL min⁻¹, the revolution speed was 800 r min⁻¹, the loading capacity was 60 mg 10 mL⁻¹ and the temperature was 25 °C. By this method, 12.8 mg fucoxanthin with a purity of 94.72% was obtained from the crude extract of Sargassum fusiforme. In addition, when the loading capacity was 50 mg 10 mL⁻¹, the purity of fucoxanthin reached 96.01%. Two types of by-products, chlorophyll and pheophytin, could also be obtained during the process of separation. This optimal method was further applied to separate fucoxanthin from Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida, and 6.0 mg and 9.7 mg fucoxanthin with a purity of 96.24% and 92.62% were acquired, respectively. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the preparation method of fucoxanthin established in this study had an applicability to brown algae, which improved the utilization value of raw materials. Full article

In conventional oxidation technologies for treatment of contaminated waters, secondary pollution of the aqueous environment often occurs because of the additional oxidants generated during the process. To avoid this problem, Fe/NG catalyst composites without additives were developed in this study for decontamination of methylene blue (MB) from waters. The Fe/NG catalyst, composed of carbon nitride and iron chloride (FeCl₃·6H₂O), was prepared by high temperature pyrolysis. It is an exceptionally efficient, recoverable, and sustainable catalyst for degradation of organic matter. The morphological characteristics, chemical structure, and surface properties of the catalyst composites were investigated. The catalyst exhibited high MB removal efficiency (100%) within 30 min under ambient temperature and dark conditions. The experiments indicated that an MB degradation effect was also applicable under most acid–base conditions (pH = 2–10). The characterization results using electron spin resonance and analysis of intermediate products demonstrated that free radicals such as ·OH and ·O₂⁻ were produced from the Fe/NG composites in the heterogeneous system, which resulted in the high MB degradation efficiency. Moreover, the catalysis reaction generated reducing substances, triggering iron carbon micro-electrolysis to spontaneously develop a microcurrent, which assisted the degradation of MB. This study demonstrates the feasibility of Fe/NG catalysts that spontaneously generate active species for degrading pollutants in an aqueous environment at normal temperature, providing an attractive approach for treating organic-contaminated waters. Full article

In this work, we introduce the Architecture Tech for High-Pressure Experiments Net Assembly (ATHENA) package based on diamond anvil cells, combining both the deposition of specimens as well as the detection of probes on anvils layer by layer. The specimens are typically ~1 μm in thickness and very hard to manipulate with traditional hand skills. ATHENA represents an all-in-one package by accurately synergizing chip-like networks prepared using magnetic sputtering methods and guaranteeing well-designed dimensions, positions and perfect electric contacts. We apply ATHENA successfully to the study of lanthanum metal above 60 GPa, showing very sharp pressure-enhanced superconductivity and parabolic critical temperature (Tc) evolution as a function of pressure with pressure-enhanced itinerant behavior at normal state. Full article

A large amount of wind turbine power and photovoltaic power is abandoned in many areas with abundant renewable energy due to thermal-electric coupling, inadequate local consumption capacity, and limited capacity of transmission lines, etc. To solve the above problems, a coordinated dispatching method for integrated energy systems is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the spatiotemporal characteristics of diversified loads in multiple functional areas are introduced, including the inertia and elasticity of heating/cooling loads, the spatiotemporal distribution of electric vehicles, and the optimum transmission distance of diversified loads, etc. Secondly, a coordinated dispatching model of integrated energy systems is proposed, which considers the differences of multiple functional areas and various forms of energy systems. Finally, an actual distribution system in Jianshan District, Haining, Zhejiang Province of China is investigated for demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results illustrate that the proposed model could effectively improve the consumption rate of renewable energy and reduce the volatility of renewable energy by considering the coordination of electric vehicles, tie lines, and heating/cooling systems in multiple functional areas. Full article