Search

Water-soluble fluorescent probes for conveniently and rapidly monitoring the hazardous uranyl ions (UO 2 2+) in nuclear wastewater are crucial for public nuclear security. Herein, we demonstrated a water-soluble CdSe/CdS/ZnS QDs probe by substituting hydrophilic dodecyl sodium sulfate (SDS) ligands for the original hydrophobic oleic acid ligands toward the rapid and accurate detection of trace UO 2 2+ in aqueous environments. From this simple ligand exchange mothed, the as-prepared QDs probe exhibited a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 53 nm with an emission peak at 666 nm. Benefiting from dynamic and static fluorescence quenching interaction, this probe represented a high sensitivity (a detect limit of 15.4 nM), a high selectivity with comparison of presettable eight metal ions), a high environmental stability (a recovery rate of 81–94 %) and a rapid inspection ability (on the order of a few minutes). Therefore, this work provided a new approach for the determination of UO 2 2+ in aqueous environments and then for the assurance of public nuclear security. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon offset potentials of rooftop PV in 31 provinces in China are assessed. • Beijing possesses the highest carbon offset potential while Tibet has the lowest. • Most provinces are projected to have shrinking carbon offset potential. • Targeted policies are needed for rooftop PV development in different areas. As a promising tool for mitigating carbon emission, rooftop photovoltaics have attracted worldwide attention. This study examines the carbon offset potential of rooftop photovoltaics in 31 provinces in China. The future trends of carbon offset potentials over the lifetime of rooftop photovoltaic systems are investigated. The findings reveal that the carbon offset potentials vary significantly across different regions in China due to the combined effects of variations in climate conditions and the energy mix for electricity generation. The northern regions possess significantly higher carbon offset potentials than the southwestern areas. In 2021, the annual total carbon offset potential ranged from the lowest at −2.0 kg CO 2 /m2 in Tibet to the highest at 169.3 kg CO 2 /m2 in Beijing. The projected future trends indicate that Beijing and Tibet will respectively maintain their highest and lowest carbon offset potential rankings. Most provinces are projected to witness decreasing carbon offset potentials. In terms of the carbon offset potential over the lifetime of rooftop photovoltaics, the northern regions − Beijing, Tianjin and Inner Mongolia − rank the top three. Not only can these findings serve as reference for developing targeted policies for carbon mitigation in China, the methodology of this study can also be applied in other places to determine their carbon offset potentials of rooftop photovoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been associated with various adverse health conditions. Herein we explored the associations of PCBs with dyslipidemia and further assessed the modification effect of genetic susceptibility and lifestyle factors. Six serum PCBs (PCB-28, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were determined in 3845 participants from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. Dyslipidemia, including hyper-total cholesterol (HyperTC), hyper-triglyceride (HyperTG), hyper-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HyperLDL-C), and hypo-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HypoHDL-C) were determined, and lipid-specific polygenic risk scores (PRS) and healthy lifestyle score were constructed. We found that all six PCB congeners were positively associated with the prevalence of dyslipidemias, and ΣPCB level was associated with HyperTC, HyperTG, and HyperLDL-C in dose-response manners. Compared with the lowest tertiles of ΣPCB, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) in the highest tertiles were 1.490 (1.258, 1.765) for HyperTC, 1.957 (1.623, 2.365) for HyperTG, and 1.569 (1.316, 1.873) for HyperLDL-C, respectively. Compared with those with low ΣPCB, healthy lifestyle, and low genetic risk, participants with high ΣPCB, unfavorable lifestyle, and high genetic risk had the highest odds of HyperTC, HyperTG, and HyperLDL-C. Our study provided evidence that high PCB exposure exacerbated the association of genetic risk and unhealthy lifestyle with dyslipidemia. [Display omitted] ● Total and specific PCBs exposure were associated with increased prevalence of dyslipidemias. ● Individuals with higher genetic risk, higher PCB exposure, and unhealthier lifestyle have higher risk of dyslipidemia. ● High PCB exposure exacerbated the association of genetic risk and unhealthy lifestyle with dyslipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Probiotic-fermented tomato (FT) reduced body weight gain and dyslipidemia in mice. • FT was associated with obesity-alleviating effects compared with unfermented tomato. • FT was associated with improved greater diversity and richness in gut microbiota. • Live probiotic-fermented tomato (LFT) was associated with growth of genera linked to a normal weight. • LFT was associated with more regulated lipid and amino acid metabolism pathways. Probiotic-fermented plant-based foods are associated with weight loss. Here, we hypothesized probiotic-fermented tomato (FT) as a functional food with potential to alleviate obesity, thus the obesity-alleviating effects and mechanisms of FT on high-fat diet-induced obese mice were explored via biochemical, gut microbiome, and serum metabolomics analysis. The results showed that FT performed better than unfermented tomato in reducing body weight gain and fat accumulation, improving dyslipidemia and glucose homeostasis, and relieving inflammation and adipocytokine dysregulation. Particularly, live probiotic-fermented tomato (LFT) was associated with improved diversity, composition, and structure of gut microbiota, suppressed obesity-related genera growth (e.g., Clostridium , Olsenella , and Mucispirillum), and promoted beneficial genera growth (e.g., Roseburia , Coprococcus , and Oscillospira), which were associated negatively with body weight, TC, TG, and TNF-α levels. Additionally, LFT was associated with positive changes in glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, unsaturated fatty acids, and amino acids levels. Collectively, as a functional food, LFT possessed potential for obesity alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Cardiac fibrosis is pivotal in the progression of numerous cardiovascular diseases. This phenomenon is hallmarked by an excessive deposition of ECM protein secreted by myofibroblasts, leading to increased myocardial stiffness. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that belongs to the proprotein-converting enzyme family. It has emerged as a viable therapeutic target for reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, the exact mechanism via which PCSK9 impacts cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. In the present research, an increase in circulating PCSK9 protein levels was observed in individuals with myocardial infarction and rat models of myocardial infarction. Moreover, the inhibition of circulating PCSK9 in rats was found to reduce post-infarction fibrosis. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that overexpression of PCSK9 or stimulation by extracellular PCSK9 recombinant protein enhanced the transformation of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. This process also elevated collagen Ⅰ, and Ⅲ, as well as α-SMA protein levels. However, these effects were countered when co-incubated with the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201. This study suggests that PCSK9 may function as a novel regulator of myocardial fibrosis, primarily via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica particles are commonly encountered in natural and industrial activities. Long-term environmental exposure to silica can result in silicosis, which is characterized by chronic inflammation and abnormal tissue repair in lung. To uncover the role of m6A modification in silica-induced pulmonary inflammation, we conducted this study using established mouse and macrophage models. In this study, the aerodynamic diameter of silica particles was approximately 1–2 µm. We demonstrated that silica exposure in mice caused pulmonary inflammation and increased global m6A modification levels, the downregulation of alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) might contribute to this alteration. Besides, we found that F4/80, a macrophage-specific biomarker, was co-expressed with ALKBH5 through dual immunofluorescent staining. In vitro studies using MeRIP assays suggested that Slamf7 was a target gene regulated by m6A modification, and specific inhibition of ALKBH5 increased Slamf7 expression. Mechanistically, ALKBH5 promoted m6A modification of Slamf7, which decreased Slamf7 mRNA stability in an m6A-dependent manner, ultimately regulating Slamf7 expression. In addition, silica exposure activated PI3K/AKT and induced macrophage autophagy. Inhibition of Slamf7 promoted autophagy, reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improved silica-induced pulmonary inflammation. In summary, ALKBH5 can regulate silica-induced pulmonary inflammation by modulating Slamf7 m6A modification and affecting the function of macrophage autophagy. [Display omitted] • Silica-caused pulmonary inflammation was accompanied by increased m6A modification. • ALKBH5 regulated the alteration of m6A modification induced by silica exposure. • Slamf7 was a target gene in silica-induced inflammation modulated by ALKBH5. • Macrophage autophagy regulated by Slamf7 was associated with pulmonary inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]