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Paraquat (PQ) poisoning leads to irreversible fibrosis in the lungs with high mortality and no known antidote. In this study, we investigated the effect of the SET and MYND domain containing 2 (SMYD2) on PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and its potential mechanisms. We established an in vivo PQ-induced PF mouse model by intraperitoneal injection of PQ (20 mg/kg) and in vitro PQ (25 μM)-injured MLE-12 cell model. On the 15th day of administration, tissue injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice were evaluated using various methods including routine blood counts, blood biochemistry, blood gas analysis, western blotting, H&E staining, ELISA, Masson staining, and immunofluorescence. The findings indicated that AZ505 administration mitigated tissue damage, inflammation, and collagen deposition in PQ-poisoned mice. Mechanistically, both in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that AZ505 treatment suppressed the PQ-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by downregulating GLI pathogenesis related 2 (GLIPR2) and ERK/p38 pathway. Further investigations demonstrated that SMYD2 inhibition decreased GLIPR2 methylation and facilitated GLIPR2 ubiquitination, leading to GLIPR2 destabilization in PQ-exposed MLE-12 cells. Moreover, rescue experiments conducted in vitro demonstrated that GLIPR2 overexpression eliminated the inhibitory effect of AZ505 on the ERK/p38 pathway and EMT. Our results reveal that the SMYD2 inhibitor AZ505 may act as a novel therapeutic candidate to suppress the EMT process by modulating the GLIPR2/ERK/p38 axis in PQ-induced PF. [Display omitted] • SMYD2 inhibition ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis in mice after PQ intoxication. • SMYD2 inhibition reverses EMT process in vivo and in vitro. • GLIPR2 is a novel non-histone target of SMYD2. • SMYD2 inhibition alleviates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting GLIPR2/ERK/p38 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laccase mediator system (LMS) with a broad substrate range has attracted much attention as an efficient approach for water remediation. However, the practical application of LMS is limited due to their high solubility, poor stability and low reusability. Herein, the bimetallic Cu/ZIFs encapsulated laccase was in-situ grown in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer matrix. The PVA-Lac@Cu/ZIFs hydrogel was formed via one freeze-thawing cycle, and its catalytic stability was significantly improved. The mediator was further co-immobilized on the hydrogel, and this hierarchically co-immobilized ABTS/PVA-Lac@Cu/ZIFs hydrogel could avoid the continuous oxidation reaction between laccase and redox mediators. The co-immobilized LMS biocatalyst was used to degrade malachite green (MG), and the degradation rate was up to 100 % within 4 h. More importantly, the LMS could be recycled synchronously from the dye solutions and reused to degrade MG multiple times. The degradation rate remained above 69.4 % after five cycles. Furthermore, the intermediate products were detected via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the potential degradation pathways were proposed. This study demonstrated the significant potential of utilizing the MOF nanocrystals and hydrogel as a carrier for co-immobilized LMS, and the effective reuse of both laccase and mediator was promising for laccase application in wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • Cu/ZIFs encapsulated laccase was in-situ grown in the PVA polymer matrix. • The LMS was co-immobilized by MOF/hydrogel, enhancing catalytic stability. • PVA-Lac@Cu/ZIFs exhibit over 80 % of initial activity after 8 reaction cycles. • The PVA/ABTS-Lac@Cu/ZIFs was efficient for MG dye degradation practically 100 %. • The co-immobilized LMS could recycle synchronously from dye solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The G4 helicase BsPif1 possesses independent binding sites for both ssDNA and G4. • ssDNA translocation driven by ATP hydrolysis, exerts a pulling force on G4 unwinding. • There is a distinct G4 binding region that play a critical role in G4 unwinding. • A novel theoretical framework for the G4 development mechanism within Pif1 helicases. The G-quadruplex (G4) is a distinct geometric and electrophysical structure compared to classical double-stranded DNA, and its stability can impede essential cellular processes such as replication, transcription, and translation. This study focuses on the Bs Pif1 helicase, revealing its ability to bind independently to both single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and G4 structures. The unfolding activity of Bs Pif1 on G4 relies on the presence of a single tail chain, and the covalent continuity between the single tail chain and the G4′s main chain is necessary for efficient G4 unwinding. This suggests that ATP hydrolysis-driven ssDNA translocation exerts a pull force on G4 unwinding. Molecular dynamics simulations identified a specific region within Bs Pif1 that contains five crucial amino acid sites responsible for G4 binding and unwinding. A "molecular wire stripper" model is proposed to explain Bs Pif1′s mechanism of G4 unwinding. These findings provide a new theoretical foundation for further exploration of the G4 development mechanism in Pif1 family helicases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of molybdenum in the form of CoMoO 4 nanoparticles has led to the success of M 0.3 NCP@NF as an excellent multifunctional self-supported electrocatalyst for HER, OER and UOR. [Display omitted] The sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and substantial barriers in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) significantly impede its application in hydrogen production. To address this issue and enhance energy efficiency in hydrogen generation, we explored a high-activity alkaline HER catalyst while concurrently coupling it with the urea oxidation reaction (UOR). In this work, we designed and synthesized porous molybdenum (Mo)-modulated nickel-cobalt bimetallic phosphide nanoarrays (M 0.3 NCP@NF). This multifunctional self-supported electrocatalyst demonstrates superior performance in HER, OER, and UOR. The introduction of Mo, in the form of CoMoO 4 nanoparticles, promotes interfacial electron transfer to reduce the electron density around the cations in phosphides, enhancing the kinetics and intrinsic activity. Furthermore, the morphological changes induced by Mo accelerate both electron and mass transfer processes. Density functional theory and operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that Mo introduction optimizes the interaction with HER intermediate H*, facilitating the conversion to a high-valent active intermediate for OER and accelerating UOR kinetics. Benefiting from dual optimization of morphology and structure, the as-prepared M 0.3 NCP@NF electrocatalyst demonstrates outstanding HER, OER, and UOR performances. Notably, a full urea electrolysis device powered by M 0.3 NCP@NF operates with a cell voltage of only 1.53 V to achieve a current density of 100 mA cm−2. which is 240 mV lower than that of conventional water electrolysis, demonstrating the competitive potential of our approach for efficient and energy-saving hydrogen production, along with simultaneous urea wastewater remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dewatering is the first step in the subsequent treatment and disposal of food waste digestate (FWD). However, FWD is difficult to dewatering. In this study, persulfate was synergistic oxidized by ozone to improve digestate dewaterability. The optimal conditions was at pH = 3, O 3 ＝40 mg/g TS and PDS＝0.1 g/g TS, under which the reductions in the normalized capillary suction time (NCST) and bound moisture (BM) of the FWD were 89.97% and 65.79%, respectively. Hydrophilic functional groups (oxygen- and nitrogen-containing groups) and hydrophilic protein molecular structures were decomposed by the reactive species of sulfate radical (SO 4 ·-) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated in the ozone-persulfate oxidation process, disrupting the binding between EPS and water molecules. The contributions of SO 4 ·- and ·OH to digestate dewaterability were 42.51% and 28.55%. In addition, the introduction of H+ reduced electrostatic repulsion and contributed to the condensation of digestate flocs. The environmental implication assessment and economic analysis suggested that the O 3 /PDS oxidation process was cost-effective and has a low environmental implication when applied to the FWD dewaterability improvement process. These results can serve as a reference for the management of FWD and further improvement of FWD treatment and disposal efficiency. [Display omitted] • Ozone was effective in PDS activation for digestate dewaterability improvement. • Protein in ECPS were effectively decomposed at the presence of active radicals. • SO 4 ·- was the dominated radical species in ozone-persulfate oxidation process. • Acidic conditions can accelerate the formation of SO 4 ·-. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NiFe(OH)F@NiFe 1-x S, NiCo(OH)F@NiCo 1-x S, CoFe(OH)F@CoFe 1-x S autogenous heterostructure on Ni foam are constructed through hydrothermal and the following electrodeposition route. This work authenticates the feasibility of developing autogenous heterostructure electrocatalysts for the production of hydrogen and oxygen in alkaline and seawater. [Display omitted] • The M I M II (OH)F@M I M II1-x S autogenous heterostructure on Ni foam are constructed successfully. • The heterostructure modulates local electronic environment and generates hydroxyl oxides with high electrocatalytic activity. • The core–shell structure and the neat morphology favors the exposure of more active sites. • The M I M II (OH)F@M I M II1-x S demonstrate outstanding overpotential for HER and OER in alkaline and simulated seawater. • This work develops autogenous heterostructured electrocatalysts for the production of hydrogen and oxygen. Constructing heterostructure is considered as one of the most promising strategies to reveal high efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Nevertheless, it is highly challenging to obtain stable interfaces and sufficient active sites via conventional method. In addition, Ni, Co and Fe elements share the valence electron structures of 3d6-84s2, the appropriate integration of these metals to induce synergistic effect in multicomponent electrocatalysts can enhance electrochemical activity. Herein, in this work, the M I M II (OH)F@M I M II1-x S (NiFe(OH)F@NiFe 1-x S, NiCo(OH)F@NiCo 1-x S, CoFe(OH)F@CoFe 1-x S) autogenous heterostructure on nickel foam are constructed. As a result, NiFe(OH)F@NiFe 1-x S-0.05, NiCo(OH)F@NiCo 1-x S-0.05, and CoFe(OH)F@CoFe 1-x S-0.05 demonstrate outstanding overpotential for HER (70 mV, 90 mV, 81 mV at −10 mA cm−2) and OER (370 mV, 470 mV, 370 mV at 10 mA cm−2) in alkaline electrolyte, while the overpotential for HER is 176 mV, 189 mV, 167 mV at −10 mA cm−2 and corresponding OER is 290 mV, 390 mV, 300 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in simulated seawater, respectively. In addition, the NiFe, NiCo, CoFe-based electrolyzer acquire favorable overall water splitting activity in alkaline (1.72 V, 1.87 V, 1.66 V) and simulated seawater (1.73 V, 1.75 V, 1.69 V) at 10 mA cm−2. Overall, the above results authenticate the feasibility of developing autogenous heterostructure electrocatalysts for providing hydrogen and oxygen in alkaline and simulated seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For Hamiltonian systems with high-order degenerate perturbation, we study the persistence of resonant invariant tori, where the resonant tori might be elliptic, hyperbolic or mixed types. As a consequence, we prove a quasiperiodic Poincaré theorem at high degeneracy. This answers a long standing conjecture on the persistence of resonant invariant tori in general situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afforestation plays a crucial role in environmental management for many countries. Yet, frequently extreme high temperature (EHT) events in arid and semi-arid regions easily cause the death of artificially planted saplings. To address this, we present a new in-situ supplementary irrigation device (SID) consisting of a rainwater catching board, a storage tank, and ceramic emitters. A continuous EHT experiment combined with the HYDRUS-2D model in North China is further conducted to investigate the soil water-heat properties of the in-situ SID and the growth performance of the planted saplings (Platycladus orientalis) under EHT. The results show that in-situ SID keeps a stable and suitable soil water-heat status in the root layer of the planted saplings under EHT. Especially, the in-situ SID with one ceramic emitter maintains the soil water moisture in a narrow and suitable range from 0.149 cm3 cm−3 to 0.153 cm3 cm−3, and reduces the maximum soil temperature by 2.7 °C compared to the traditional irrigation method. Furthermore, the in-situ SID with one ceramic emitter presents the highest average leaf water content (66.9%), new shoot (35.0 mm), and tree height (62.0 mm). The economic benefit analysis finds that the in-situ SID provides a shorter time to recover high funds and saves a large amount of irrigation water resources. Overall, this study provides an effective irrigation device for forest managers to improve the ecological service effectiveness of afforestation in areas with frequent EHT events and scarce water resources. [Display omitted] • A new supplemental irrigation device (SID) using the ceramic emitter is presented. • A HYDRUS-2D model for assessing soil water-heat status is proposed and verified. • SID creates a suitable soil water-heat status under extreme high temperature events. • SID using one ceramic emitter is recommended to promote growth of the young forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the nonequilibrium dynamics of ring dark solitons in a two-dimensional binary Bose–Einstein condensate with tunable Rydberg interactions by numerical simulation of the time-dependent Gross–Pitaevskii equation. Our results show that both the vortex dynamics and self-structured pattern formation show strong dependence on the periodic modulation of Rydberg interactions. For the cases without periodic modulation of the interactions, or the periodic modulation part is almost equal to the fixed part, the system exhibits exotic vortex dynamics without self-structured pattern formation. Finally, the effect of periodically varying Rydberg interactions on the lifetime of ring dark soliton is also considered. • The dynamics of ring dark soliton with tunable nonlocal Rydberg interaction is considered. • The vortex dynamics and self-structured pattern formation are predicted. • The effect of periodically varying Rydberg interactions on the lifetime of ring dark soliton is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansion of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and abnormal glucose metabolism are present in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is one of the key glycolytic enzymes, and the underlying mechanism of PKM2-mediated Tfh cell glycolysis in SLE pathogenesis remains elusive. We analyzed the percentage of Tfh cells and glycolysis in CD4+ T cells from SLE patients and healthy donors and performed RNA sequencing analysis of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and differentiated Tfh cells from SLE patients. Following Tfh cell development in vitro and following treatment with PKM2 activator TEPP-46, PKM2 expression, glycolysis, and signaling pathway proteins were analyzed. Finally, diseased MRL/lpr mice were treated with TEPP-46 and assessed for treatment effects. We found that Tfh cell percentage and glycolysis levels were increased in SLE patients and MRL/lpr mice. TEPP-46 induced PKM2 tetramerization, thereby inhibiting Tfh cell glycolysis levels. On the one hand, TEPP-46 reduced the dimeric PKM2 entering the nucleus and reduced binding to the transcription factor BCL6. On the other hand, TEPP-46 inhibited the AKT/GSK-3β pathway and glycolysis during Tfh cell differentiation. Finally, we confirmed that TEPP-46 effectively alleviated inflammatory damage in lupus-prone mice and reduced the expansion of Tfh cells in vivo. Our results demonstrate the involvement of PKM2-mediated glycolysis in Tfh cell differentiation and SLE pathogenesis, and PKM2 could be a key therapeutic target for the treatment of SLE. • Tfh cell glycolysis can be reduced by modulating the tetramerization of PKM2, thereby inhibiting Tfh cell differentiation. • The PKM2 activator TEPP-46 reduced the interaction between PKM2 and BCL6 in the nucleus and decreased glycolysis by inhibiting the AKT/GSK-3β pathway. • TEPP-46 effectively alleviated inflammatory damage in lupus-prone mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs, less than 5 mm in size) are widely distributed in surroundings in various forms and ways, and threaten ecosystems security and human health. Its environmental behavior as pollutants carrier and the after-effects exposed to MPs has been extensively exploited; whereas, current knowledge on technologies for the separation and degradation of MPs is relatively limited. It is essential to isolate MPs from surroundings and/or degrade to safe levels. This in-depth review details the origin and distribution of MPs. Provides a comprehensive summary of currently available MPs separation and degradation technologies, and discusses the mechanisms, challenges, and application prospects of these technologies. Comparison of the contribution of various separation methods to the separation of NPs and MPs. Furthermore, the latest research trends and direction in bio-degradation technology are outlooked. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]