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Heavy metal pollution has been a magnificent concern for a long period. A novel magnetic material, MnO2/PDA@Fe3O4, was prepared in this paper. With the assistance of multiple characterization methods, it was confirmed that polydopamine coated the magnetic nucleus and acted as a dense intermediate layer for MnO2 attachment. Having superior adsorption performance, MnO2/PDA@Fe3O4 could remove heavy metal cations efficiently no matter in single or mixed systems. The maximum adsorption capacities calculated by the Langmuir model for Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) were 295.01 mg/g, 130.30 mg/g, and 115.16 mg/g, respectively. In mixed systems, the adsorbent showed obvious selectivity for Pb(II). And the variation of Cu(II) concentration was more responsible for Pb(II) adsorption than that of Cd(II). The kinetic and thermodynamic data revealed that the polluted ions immobilizations by MnO2/PDA@Fe3O4 were chemisorption and were endothermic, entropy increase, spontaneous process. The presence of humic acid and coexisting ions induced only a very limited interference. In addition, MnO2/PDA@Fe3O4 maintained excellent adsorption performance and stability after five cycles of adsorption and removed 98.33% Pb(II) and 71.24% Cu(II) from actual water, respectively. This study confirmed that the MnO2/PDA@Fe3O4 had great potential and broad prospects to remediate the heavy metal contaminants in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To explore the molecular mechanism of the Cinnamomi ramulus and Paris polyphylla Sm. (C-P) drug pair in the treatment of adenomyosis (AM) based on network pharmacology and animal experiments. Methods. Via a network pharmacology strategy, a drug-component-target-disease network (D-C-T-D) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed to explore the core components and key targets of C-P drug pair therapy for AM, and the core components and key targets were verified by molecular docking. Based on the results of network pharmacology, animal experiments were performed for further verification. The therapeutic effect of the C-P drug pair on uterine ectopic lesions was evaluated in a constructed AM rat model. Results. A total of 30 components and 45 corresponding targets of C-P in the treatment of AM were obtained through network pharmacology. In the D-C-T-D network and PPI network, 5 core components and 10 key targets were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that the PI3K signaling pathway was the most significantly enriched nontumor pathway. Molecular docking showed that most of the core components and key targets docked completely. Animal experiments showed that the C-P drug pair significantly ameliorated the pathological changes of endometriotic lesions in AM model rats and inhibited PI3K and Akt gene expression, and PI3K and Akt protein phosphorylation. In addition, treatment with the C-P drug pair promoted AM cell apoptosis; upregulated the protein expression of Bax, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-9; and restrained Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions. We propose that the pharmacological mechanism of the C-P drug pair in the treatment of AM is related to inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway and promotion of apoptosis in AM ectopic lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, new adsorbents with high mechanical strength chitosan-graphene oxide (CS-GO) and chitosan-titanium dioxide (CS–TiO 2) were synthesized by using glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent, and the adsorption behavior of Pb (II) and V (V) on them were investigated. The materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of initial metal ion concentration and contact time on the removal of V (V) and Pb (II) by CS-GO and CS-TiO 2 were investigated. Characterization results showed that the hydroxyl group of GO/TiO 2 reacted with the amino group of chitosan. A comparison of the kinetic models against experimental data showed that the kinetics react system was best described by the pseudo-second-order model. indicating that chemical adsorption was the main adsorption force. the Langmuir adsorption model and Freundlich model agreed well with the experimental data. The removal capacity of Pb (II) by CS-GO and CS-TiO 2 were lower than those of V (V). The uncross-linked –OH and C O were the main adsorptive sites for Pb (II) removal, while uncross-linked –OH and –NH 2 played an important role in removing V (V). These findings provided insights on the removing lead and vanadium pollution. [Display omitted] • CS-GO and CS-TiO 2 were synthesized to remove Pb (II) and V (V) from aqueous solution. • The materials before and after adsorption of heavy metals were characterized by SEM-EDS, FTIR, and XPS analyses. • Adsorption of Pb (II) and V (V) by CS-GO and CS-TiO 2 followed pseudo-second-order model. • The thermodynamic parameters exhibited that the sorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process. • The main functional groups for adsorption of Pb (II) were C O and –OH groups, while for V (V) were –OH and –NH 2 groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the viewpoint of sustainability, graphene-like metal-free 2D nanomaterials (GMFs) hold great potential in different photocatalytic fields due to their distinct structures and properties. Although their lattice structures are highly similar, the properties of these nanomaterials are in vast diversity owing to the uniqueness of particular atomic arrangement, thus giving rise to their multi-faceted functionalities in photocatalytic process. In this review, we summarize the latest progress of GMFs and their hybrid composites in photocatalytic field, including graphene and its derivatives, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4), black phosphorus (BP) and emerging 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Their unique 2D structure and key photocatalytic properties are firstly briefly introduced. Then a critical discussion on their multiple roles in the activity enhancement of composite photocatalysts is emphasized, which in turn points out the direction of maximizing their functions and guides our efficient construction of hybrid photocatalysts based on above 2D nanomaterials. On this basis, a summary about the hybridization of above 2D metal-free materials is presented, and the merits of 2D/2D hybrid systems are elaborated. Last, we wrap up this review with some summative remarks, covering understanding their own unique strengths and weaknesses by comparison and proposing the major challenges and perspectives in this emerging field. [Display omitted] • GMFs differ in mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical and catalytic properties. • The roles of GMFs in the enhancement of photocatalytic activity are multifarious. • There exist obvious merits in the 2D/2D hybrid systems based on GMFs. • Major challenges and perspectives of GMFs in photocatalytic field are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• WMPAE inhibited the growth of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. • WMPAE decreased the cell viability promptly, induced cell shape and caused the intracellular structural damage. • WMPAE increased the activities of intracellular antioxidant enzymes, caused lipid peroxidation. • WMPAE exerted detrimental effects on photosynthetic efficiency. • Our results presented multiple physiological responses of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae to WMPAE. Natural algaecides are more likely to be specific and biodegradable, and may offer an environmentally friendly method for control of cyanobacterial blooms. We explored, for the first time, the potential for watermelon peel aqueous extract (WMPAE) to control the growth of the harmful blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. The growth inhibition and several physiological parameters of A. flos-aquae , in response to WMPAE, were analyzed. Results showed that WMPAE significantly inhibited the growth of A. flos-aquae in a concentration-dependent way. The highest inhibition reached 94 % after 3 days' treatment with 6 g L−1 of WMPAE and a significant effect was obtained with lower doses and shorter times as well. The cell viability decreased quickly, cell shape changed, and intracellular structural damage occurred. At the same time, the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT and peroxidase POD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels all increased significantly, indicating that WMPAE between 2–6 g L−1 induced severe oxidative stress and damage to A. flos-aquae. Moreover, production of the four pigments chlorophyll a (Chl a), carotenoids, phycocyanin (PC), and allophycocyanin (APC) were all stimulated, though photosynthesis of A. flos-aquae was clearly inhibited. The maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F v / F m) and the effective quantum yield of photosystem II ( F v ' / F m ') declined sharply, suggesting the decreased photosystem capacity of A. flos-aquae to convert light energy into chemical energy. In addition, non-photochemical quenching (N P Q) of A. flos-aquae increased after a very short time exposure to WMPAE, and decreased significantly with prolonged exposure time, which indicated the failure of photo protection mechanisms. These results suggest that the loss of cell viability, and increases in oxidative stress, and damage to intracellular structure and photosynthetic systems might be the mechanisms for the inhibitory effects. Our results suggested that WMPAE could be a novel and effective approach for controlling the growth of A. flos-aquae in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours, arising mainly from the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) of the gastrointestinal tract. As radiotherapy and chemotherapy are generally ineffective for GISTs, the current primary treatment is surgical resection. However, surgical resection is not choice for most patients. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Targeted therapy, represented by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy (CAR-T), offer new therapeutic options in GISTs and have shown promising treatment responses. In this review, we summarize the molecular classification and immune microenvironment of GISTs and discuss the corresponding targeted therapy and immunotherapy options. This updated knowledge may provide more options for future therapeutic strategies and applications in GISTs., Competing Interests: Author MY was employed by the company Guangzhou KingMed Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Yu, Yu, Luo, Zhang, Zeng, Chen, Lin, Chen and Wang.)