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Sufu, a traditional fermented soybean product, known for its cheese-like texture, has not been extensively studied regarding the mechanisms responsible for the formation of this unique texture in sufu gels. In order to explore this phenomenon, an analysis was conducted on the texture, physicochemical properties, and microstructure of sufu gels fermented by mucor racemosus at different intervals. The findings indicated no significant difference in water holding capacity (WHC) of sufu gel at 0 h, 24 h, and 48 h, but a notable increase in WHC was observed at 72 h and 96 h (p<0.05). The hardness of sufu gel at 72 h and 96 h was found to be low, with values of 4.8 ± 0.56 N and 4.99 ± 0.54 N, respectively, indicating a soft texture of sufu. The peak of protease activity at 48 h was 38.19 U/g. Following fermentation for 24 h and 48 h, the secondary structure of sufu gel was predominantly composed of β-sheet, while α-helix was the primary secondary structure at 72 h and 96 h. Analysis using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis revealed the network-like structures present in sufu gel. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing gel properties and sensory characteristics. • Protease activity reached the peak value at 48 h. • Mucor racemosus fermentation changed the secondary structure of sufu gels. • Sufu gels fermented at 48 h possessing the smoothest and flattest surface. • The density of sufu gels were gradually increasing from 0 h to 96 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of NO 3 −-N to N 2 is of great significance for zero discharge of industrial wastewater. Pd–Cu hydrogenation catalysis has high application prospects for the reduction of NO 3 −-N to N 2 , but the existing form of Pd–Cu, the Pd–Cu mass ratio and the H 2 evolution rate can affect the coverage of active hydrogen (*H) on the surface of Pd, thereby affecting N 2 selectivity. In this work, mesoporous carbon (MC) is used as support to disperse Pd–Cu catalyst and is applied in an in-situ electrocatalytic H 2 evolution system for NO 3 −-N removal. The Pd–Cu particles with the average size of 6 nm are uniformly encapsulated in the mesopores of MC. Electrochemical in-situ H 2 evolution can not only reduce the amount of H 2 used, but the H 2 bubbles can also be efficiently dispersed when PPy coated nickel foam (PPy/NF) is used as cathode. Moreover, the mesoporous structure of MC can further split H 2 bubbles, reducing the coverage of *H on Pd. The highest 77% N 2 selectivity and a relatively faster NO 3 −-N removal rate constant (0.10362 min−1) can be achieved under the optimal conditions, which is superior to most reported Pd–Cu catalytic systems. The prepared catalyst is further applied to the denitrification of actual deplating wastewater. NO 3 −-N with the initial concentration of 650 mg L−1 can be completely removed after 180 min of treatment, and the TN removal can be maintained at 72%. [Display omitted] • Pd–Cu nanoparticles are uniformly encapsulated in mesoporous carbon. • The catalyst is combined with in-situ electrochemical H 2 evolution for NO 3 −-N removal. • Mesoporous structure is beneficial for reducing *H coverage on the surface of Pd. • The possibility of N–N coupling increases and 77% N 2 selectivity is finally achieved. • The system has been successfully applied to the TN removal of deplating wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a prevalent chronic microvascular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Understanding the progressive etiology of DN is critical for the development of effective health policies and interventions. Recent research indicated that polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) contaminate our diets and accumulate in various organs, including the liver, kidneys, and muscles. In this study, ten-week-old db/db mice and db/m mice were fed. Besides, db/db mice were divided into two groups: PS-MPs group (oral administration of 0.5 µm PS-MPs) and an H 2 O group, and they were fed for three months. A type II diabetes model was established using db/db mice to investigate the effects of PS-MPs on body weight, blood glucose level, renal function, and renal fibrosis. The results demonstrated that PS-MPs significantly exacerbated various biochemical indicators of renal tissue damage, including fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and blood uric acid. Additionally, PS-MPs worsened the pathological alterations and degree of fibrosis in renal tissue. An increased oxidative stress state and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were identified. Furthermore, PS-MPs significantly enhanced renal fibrosis by inhibiting the transition from epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells, specifically through the inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. The expression levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, and cleaved Caspase-1, which are inflammasome proteins, were significantly elevated in the PS-MPs group. The findings suggested that PS-MPs could aggravate kidney injury and renal fibrosis in db/db mice by promoting NLRP3/Caspase-1 and TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathways. These findings had implications for elucidating the role of PS-MPs in DN progression, underscoring the necessity for additional research and public health interventions. [Display omitted] • Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exacerbate renal fibrosis and kidney damage in mice with diabetes. • Polystyrene microplastics contribute to the EMT process in diabetic mice by activating the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. • Polystyrene microplastics trigger pyroptosis through the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in diabetic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are limited population studies on the neurodevelopmental effects of bisphenol F (BPF), a substitute for bisphenol A. Furthermore, the role of placental estradiol as a potential mediator linking these two factors remains unclear. To examine the association between maternal prenatal BPF exposure and infant neurodevelopment in a prospective cohort study and to explore the mediating effects of placental estradiol between BPF exposure and neurodevelopment in a nested case-control study. The prospective cohort study included 1077 mother-neonate pairs from the Wuhu city cohort study in China. Maternal BPF was determined using the liquid/liquid extraction and Ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Children's neurodevelopment was assessed at ages 3, 6, and 12 months using Ages and Stages Questionnaires. The nested case-control study included 150 neurodevelopmental delay cases and 150 healthy controls. Placental estradiol levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Generalized estimating equation models and robust Poisson regression models were used to examine the associations between BPF exposure and children's neurodevelopment. In the nested case-control study, causal mediation analysis was conducted to assess the role of placental estradiol as a mediator in multivariate models. In the prospective cohort study, the pregnancy-average BPF concentration was positively associated with developmental delays in gross-motor, fine-motor, and problem-solving (OR total ASQ : 1.14(1.05, 1.25), OR gross-motor : 1.22(1.10, 1.36), OR fine-motor : 1.19(1.07, 1.31), OR problem-solving : 1.11(1.01, 1.23)). After sex-stratified analyses, pregnancy-average BPF concentration was associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delays in the gross-motor (OR gross-motor :1.30(1.12, 1.51)) and fine-motor (OR fine-motor : 1.22(1.06, 1.40)) domains in boys. In the nested case-control study, placental estradiol mediated 16.6% (95%CI: 4.4%, 35.0%) of the effects of prenatal BPF exposure on developmental delay. Our study supports an inverse relationship between prenatal BPF exposure and child neurodevelopment in infancy, particularly in boys. Decreased placental estradiol may be an underlying biological pathway linking prenatal BPF exposure to neurodevelopmental delay in offspring. [Display omitted] ● Prenatal BPF exposure was associated with infant neurodevelopmental delays. ● Prenatal BPF exposure was associated with neurodevelopmental delays in boys. ● Placental estradiol mediated the effects of BPF exposure on neurodevelopment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The luminescent properties of main-group metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can usually be modulated by organic ligands, and thus realizing temperature sensing over a wide range. Herein, a step-by-step decoration of hydroxyl groups on terephthalic acid (BDC) ligand was involved to regulate the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process of the ligands and thus the temperature sensing performance. Accordingly, the OH groups located on these ligands effectively regulate their luminescence sensing property with the absolute temperature sensing sensitivity following the order: DHBDC (0.62% K−1) > OHBDC (0.26% K−1) > BDC (no obvious linear relationship). Luminescent main-group MOFs with these ligands, namely MIL-53-Al-BDC/OHBDC/DHBDC and SNNU-301-Mg-DHBDC, were further selected to explore the temperature sensing performance. Thanks to the unique fluorescence characteristics of the DHBDC ligand, MIL-53-Al-DHBDC and SNNU-301-Mg-DHBDC both demonstrate excellent temperature sensing ability over a wide range (80–480 K) with the absolute temperature sensing sensitivity of 0.32% K−1 and 0.35% K−1, respectively. The compared luminescent spectra show that the stronger electron-donating ability of the substituents on the benzene ring can lead to the higher the electron cloud density in the MOF structure, and thus bring a higher temperature sensing sensitivity. This paper pays a new way for the exploration of practical wide-range MOF thermometers. [Display omitted] • Step-by-step regulation of ESIPT process by hydroxyl groups. • Main-group MOFs with ESIPT ligands. • MOFs with excellent wide-range temperature sensing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Constructing an anode with fast electron transport and high cycling stability is important but challenging for large-scale applications of sodium-ion batteries (SIB). In this study, hierarchical flower-like MXene structures were synthesized using poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microsphere as templates. Subsequently, a straightforward hydrothermal reaction was utilized to anchor small-sized MoS 2 nanosheets. The resulting MXene@MoS 2 heterostructure exhibits a distinctive three-dimensional (3D) porous hollow architecture. This structure effectively addresses challenges related to self-aggregation of MoS 2 nanosheets and volume expansion of the electrode material during Na+ insertion/extraction processes. Furthermore, the robust hetero-interface supports fast and stable electron transfer, thereby enhancing electrochemical reaction kinetics. The prepared MXene@MoS 2 electrode demonstrates the specific capacity of 682.1 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A/g and the reversible capacity of 494.4 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5 A/g. It is noteworthy that the full battery assembled with the composite material as the anode can still maintain the capacity of 456.2 mA h g−1 after 80 cycles at 0.5 A/g. This outstanding reversible capacity and sustained stability over numerous cycles highlights its potential for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Electrical bioadhesive interfaces (EBIs) are standing out in various applications, including medical diagnostics, prosthetic devices, rehabilitation, and human–machine interactions. Nonetheless, crafting a reliable and advanced EBI with comprehensive properties spanning electrochemical, electrical, mechanical, and self-healing capabilities remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we develop a self-healing EBI by thoughtfully integrating conducting polymer nanofibers and a typical bioadhesive within a robust hydrogel matrix. The accomplished EBI demonstrates extraordinary adhesion (lap shear strength of 197 kPa), exceptional electrical conductivity (2.18 S m−1), and outstanding self-healing performance. Taking advantage of these attributes, we integrated the EBI into flexible skin electrodes for surface electromyography (sEMG) signal recording from forearm muscles. The engineered skin electrodes exhibit robust adhesion to the skin even when sweating, rapid self-healing from damage, and seamless real-time signal recording with a higher signal-to-noise ratio (39 dB). Our EBI, along with its skin electrodes, offers a promising platform for tissue-device integration, health monitoring, and an array of bioelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental exposure is widely recognized as the primary sources of Cadmium (Cd) in the human body, and exposure to Cd is associated with kidney damage in adults. Nevertheless, the role of DNA methylation in Cd-induced kidney damage remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the epigenome-wide association of environmental Cd-related DNA methylation changes with kidney damage. We included 300 non-smoking adults from the China in 2019. DNA methylation profiles were measured with Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip array. Linear mixed-effect model was employed to estimate the effects of urinary Cd with DNA methylation. Differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with urinary Cd were then tested for the association with kidney damage indicators. The mediation analysis was further applied to explore the potential DNA methylation based mediators. The prediction model was developed using a logistic regression model, and used 1000 bootstrap resampling for the internal validation. We identified 27 Cd-related DMPs mapped to 20 genes after the adjustment of false-discovery-rate for multiple testing among non-smoking adults. 17 DMPs were found to be associated with both urinary Cd and kidney damage, and 14 of these DMPs were newly identified within the Chinese. Mediation analysis revealed that DNA methylation of cg26907612 and cg16848624 mediated the Cd-related reduced kidney damage. In addition, ten variables were selected using the LASSO regression analysis and were utilized to develop the prediction model. It found that the nomogram model predicted the risk of kidney damage caused by environmental Cd with a corrected C-index of 0.779. Our findings revealed novel DMPs associated with both environmental Cd exposure and kidney damage among non-smoking adults, and developed an easy-to-use nomogram-illustrated model using these novel DMPs. These findings could provide a theoretical basis for formulating prevention and control strategies for kidney damage from the perspective of environmental pollution and epigenetic regulation. [Display omitted] • First study focus on environmental Cd-related DNA methylation with kidney damage. • Identify intervention targets for preventing kidney damage caused by environmental Cd. • Urinary Cd affected kidney damage by mediating the levels of DNA methylation. • Develop prediction models using DMPs to predict the kidney damage risk caused by Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]