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[Display omitted] Super-hydrophilic/underwater super-oleophobic materials composed of biomass show great advantages for the treatment of oily wastewater due to their inherent fouling resistance. However, the development of three-dimensional materials from biomass for oil–water separation is still a challenge. It is universally acknowledged that constructing a rough structure on the surface of hydrophilic substrates would significantly improve the underwater oleophobicity and oil–water separation performance. In this work, a three-dimensional lignin/cellulose aerogel (LCA) was developed through sol–gel method with freeze-drying. The rough microstructure and 3D interconnected network composed of lignin and cellulose impart excellent underwater superoleophobicity to LCA for efficient oil–water separation. The introduction of lignin to cellulose aerogel could effectively enhance its surface roughness, water permeation speed and underwater oil contact angle. Especially, the swelling properties of the hydrogel could be regulated by modulating the content of lignin, which could further control the pore size of aerogels to optimize the separation flux. The as-prepared aerogel showed remarkable performance in separating various oil–water mixtures and oil-in-water emulsions, with a separation flux of 7646 ± 167 L·m−2·h−1 and oil rejection rate >99 %. These excellent properties combined with its facile fabrication make LCA a promising candidate for the treatment of oily wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Recent progress in high spatial and energy resolution characterization techniques of water molecules on metal surfaces under ultra-high vacuum condition. • In-situ spectroscopic characterization of interfacial water during electrochemical processes. • Various discoveries on how interfacial water participate in electrocatalytic reactions. Water is a fundamental substance in the natural world, playing a central role in various fields such as energy, catalysis and the environment. Broadly speaking, the diverse applications of water in different domains are all reliant on its interactions at surfaces. This mini-review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of advanced characterization techniques employed in the examination of interfacial water. Through the presentation of recent findings regarding water's behavior on various surfaces, we elucidate how these newly developed characterization methods enable precise determination of the physical and chemical properties of interfacial water. Additionally, we delve into how these discoveries enhance our comprehension of the physical and chemical processes involving water. Of particular interest is the intricate relationship between interfacial water and catalytic activity in electrocatalytic reactions. Furthermore, we offer insights into the challenges and prospects within this captivating field of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theophylline as a naturally alkaloid is commonly employed to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Herein, a facile theophylline-assisted green approach was firstly developed for synthesis of PtAu nanospheres/reduced graphene oxide (PtAu NSs/rGO), without any surfactant, polymer, or seed involved. The obtained nanocomposites were applied for the catalytic reduction and removal of highly toxic chromium (VI) using formic acid as a model reductant at 50 °C, showing the significantly enhanced catalytic activity and improved recyclability when compared with commercial Pt/C (50%) and home-made Au nanocrystals supported rGO (Au NCs/rGO). It demonstrates great potential applications of the catalyst in wastewater treatment and environmental protection. The eco-friendly route provides a new platform to fabricate other catalysts with enhanced catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The fate of enniatins A, A1, B, B1 and beauvericin during the malting and brewing process was investigated. Three batches of barley grains were used as starting material, one was naturally contaminated, two were artificially inoculated with Fusarium fungi. Samples were taken from each key step of the malting and brewing procedure, the levels of the toxins were determined with stable isotope dilution assays using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry detection. Significant increases of the toxins were found during germination of two batches of barley grains, resulting in green malts contamination up to a factor of 3.5 compared to grains before germination. Quantitative PCR analyses of fungal DNA revealed in all batches growth of Fusarium avenaceum during germination. After kilning, only 41–72% of the total amounts of the toxins in green malts remained in kilned malts. In subsequent mashing stage, the toxins in kilned malts predominantly were removed with spent grains. In the final beer, only one batch still contained 74 and 14 μg/kg of enniatin B and B1, respectively. Therefore, the carryover of these enniatins from the initial barley to final beer was less than 0.2% with the main amounts remaining in the spent grains and the malt rootlets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) (ABCC2) is an ATP-binding cassette membrane protein located primarily on apical surface of hepatocytes that mediates transport of conjugated xenobiotics and endogenous compounds into bile. MRP2 is highly expressed in hepatocytes, and at lower levels in small intestines, stomach and kidney. Previous reports have characterized mammalian MRP2 promoters, but none have established the molecular mechanism(s) involved in liver enriched expression. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of hepatic MRP2 regulation. A 2130 bp of MRP2 promoter was cloned from PAC-1 clone P108G1–7, to identify putative liver specific/hormone responsive functional DNA binding sites. Using deletion analysis, site specific mutagenesis and co-transfection studies, liver specific expression was determined. MRP2 promoter-LUC constructs were highly expressed in liver cell lines compared to non-liver cells. The region extending from −3 to+458 bp of MRP2 promoter starting from AUG contained the potential binding sites for CAAATT box enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), hepatocytes nuclear factor 1, 3 and 4 (HNF1, HNF3, and HNF4. Only HNF1 and HNF4 co-transfection with MRP2 luciferase increased expression. Site specific mutational analysis of HNF1 binding site indicated an important role for HNF1α. HNF4α induction of MRP2 was independent of HNF1 binding site. C/EBP, HNF3, and HNF6 inhibited HNF1α while HNF4α induced MRP2 luciferase expression and glucocorticoids stimulated MRP2 expression. This study emphasizes the complex regulation of MRP2 with HNF1α and HNF4α playing a central role. The coordinated regulation of xenobiotic transporters and oxidative conjugation may determine the adaptive responses to cellular detoxification processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper is concerned with boundary value problems for systems of nonlinear second-order differential equations. Under the suitable conditions, the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions are established by using abstract fixed-point theorems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have investigated putative single amino-acid InDel variants with human ESTs. Examination of the formation process for single amino-acid InDel variants indicates a possible splicing mechanism in addition to the genomic insertion/deletion events as would be expected. The wobble-splicing transcripts were often generated around the intron–exon boundaries by selecting an alternative neighboring splice signal sequence, in particular the tandem agNAG or GTNgt sequence at the splice-acceptor or -donor site, thus creating single amino-acid InDel isoforms. Another category of variants was identified with one altered amino-acid plus one amino-acid InDel, under divergent coding-frame usage. We demonstrate that such minute distance of splice site choice generates an even greater level of transcriptome diversity, and suggest that non-functional synonymous or intronic SNPs could be converted to functionally significant InDel alterations through this process. This subtle alteration in mRNA and protein-coding sequence may elicit a great impact upon human genome and proteome diversity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Enzymatic browning is one of important factor causing quality deterioration of Goji berries (GB). To understand the enzymatic browning process of GB and its mechanism, changes of L*, a*, b* values, and the total color difference and whiteness index during the air contact storage were evaluated. Then changes of moisture content, total phenolics and the activities of the key browning enzymes, peroxidase (POD), Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD), were determined during storage. Finally, the chemical constituents of GB were determined by targeted metabolomics and HPLC, and the possibility that these constituents were endogenous substrates of key enzymes for browning were evaluated. The results show that brightness and reddish-yellowness diminished are the general characteristics of GB discoloration. The activity of browning related enzymes (POD, PPO, PAL) was consistent with that of phenolics and flavonoids, which increased first and then decreased during storage. The content of chlorogenic acid decreased most rapidly under the action of the enzyme, which degraded 75% within 5min, followed by ferulic acid and rutin. Therefore, it is suggested that chlorogenic acid is the main endogenous substrate of GB enzymatic browning. In conclusion, these studies provide experimental basis for the browning mechanism of GB. • Reveal the mechanism of enzymatic browning of GB. • GB discoloration characterized by bright loss, and reddish-yellow degree weakening. • PPO, POD and PAL are the key enzymes of GB browning. • Phenolics biosynthesis involved in the enzymatic browning of GB. • Chlorogenic acid is the primary component for enzymatic browning of GB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Ultrathin Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanosheets (NS) with the thickness about 3.9 nm were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method and were used as a photocatalyst for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA) to benzaldehyde (BAD). The photocatalytic performance of NS is about 8 times higher than that of bulk Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12. In-situ FTIR of pyridine adsorption and NH 3 -TPD reveal that NS has more surface Lewis acid sites (Ti4+) for the adsorption and activation of BA. The photogenerated electrons (e-) and holes (h+) of NS can be fully used to produce the superoxide radicals and carbon-centered radicals, respectively. The monolayer nanosheet structure of NS not only greatly promotes the separation of photogenerated carriers, but also achieves the efficient activation of BA molecules via the C O⋯Ti coordination. This work successfully reveals the surface/interface interactions between the surface active sites of a photocatalyst and the reactive molecules via using ultrathin nanosheet as a molecular platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Au@RuO x core–shell nanostructures are fabricated to amplify the Raman signals. • Electroreduction of RuO x is in-situ studied using the borrowing SERS strategy. • Direct evidences of OH intermediate are obtained during RuO x electroreduction. • A two-step molecular pathway is proposed for RuO 2 electroreduction. RuO 2 is one of the most promising catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a key reaction in water electrolysis. However, the fundamental insights about the structural evolution of RuO 2 under different electrochemical environments remain unclear. Herein, the molecular reaction pathways of the electroreduction of RuO x in alkaline and neutral conditions are identified using in-situ electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Au@RuO 2 core–shell nanostructures are fabricated to amplify the Raman signals of species adsorbed on RuO x surfaces. Using such core–shell nanostructures, direct spectroscopic evidences of OH intermediate during the RuO 2 electroreduction process are obtained, which is further confirmed by D 2 O isotopic substitution experiments. A molecular pathway that RuO 2 is reduced to Ru through a two-step reduction process has been proposed. This work provides insightful information on the structural evolution of RuO x with electrochemical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although melanoma can elicit robust tumor antigen-specific immune responses, advanced melanoma is associated with immune tolerance. We have previously described several mechanisms of melanoma-induced immunosuppression, including the skewing of the immune response towards a Th2 cytokine profile and the induction of regulatory T cells. Since dendritic cells (DCs) are potentially important players that can direct other cells of the immune system towards a cytotoxic, humoral, or regulatory phenotype, we hypothesized that melanoma-produced factors directly affect the maturation and function of DCs, influencing the nature and magnitude of the resulting immune response. Materials and Methods: To test this hypothesis, immature myeloid-derived DCs (mdDCs) were derived with cytokines from CD14+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and exposed to 20% melanoma-conditioned media (MCM). After 2 d, the expression of maturation markers and the function of these mdDCs, measured by cytokine production, the amount of endocytosis, expression of the inhibitory molecule indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and the ability to stimulate T cells were determined. Results: We found that incubation with MCM did not inhibit the expression of maturation markers or IDO, the production of cytokines, the amount of antigen uptake, or the ability to induce T cell proliferation in mixed-lymphocyte reactions by mdDC. Conclusions: These results suggest that the immunosuppressive effects of melanoma-produced factors are independent of directly measurable changes in mdDC function or maturation in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent years, the exploration of natural compounds possessing both immunostimulatory and antiviral activities has attracted growing attention in aquaculture research. Consequently, the pursuit of identifying natural products exhibiting anti-SVCV potential as immunostimulants holds significant promise, offering a pathway to mitigate the economic ramifications inflicted by SVCV outbreaks in aquaculture settings. Among them, rhein emerges as a particularly compelling contender. Boasting a widespread distribution, well-established extraction methods, and multiple biological activities, it has exhibited the capacity to enhance the antiviral activity of host cells in vitro by blocking the viral internalization process, with a peak inhibition rate of 44.0%. Based on this intervention, rhein inhibited apoptosis and mitochondrial damage triggered by SVCV infection, ultimately producing a significant antiviral effect. Moving beyond the laboratory setting, rhein's efficacy translates effectively into in vivo scenarios. It has demonstrated substantial antiviral potency by increasing the expression of antiviral-related genes, most notably, retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), interferon-φ (IFN-φ) and IFN-stimulated gene product 15 (ISG15). In concert with this genetic modulation, rhein efficiently reduces the viral load, precipitating a consequential enhancement in the survival rate of SVCV-infected fish, elevating it to an encouraging 16%. In conclusion, the outcomes of our investigation offer a compelling testament to rhein's potential as a valuable immunomodulator in the battle against SVCV infections in aquaculture, and the remarkable attributes exhibited by rhein underscore its viability for future commercial deployment. • Rhein exhibits anti-SVCV activities both in vitro and in vivo. • Rhein blocks the viral internalization process in vitro. • Rhein reduces mortality and viral load in SVCV-infected zebrafish. • Rhein enhances the expression of antiviral-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desert lakes are among the world's most threatened ecosystems, but they are clearly less studied when compared to lakes in more moist regions. The Badain Jaran desert is an exceptional desert due to the presence of numerous megadunes and over hundred small lakes which exhibit large variation in pH and salinity. These lakes have received surprisingly small attention in terms of aquatic ecology and only few biota groups have been studied so far. Here, we present results on the cladoceran communities based on the study of 40 lakes in the Badain Jaran desert. Surface sediment samples were analysed in order to obtain species inventories as complete as possible. Unsurprisingly, we found the most saline lakes devoid of cladocerans, but the subsaline lakes harbor few salt tolerant species. The most interesting finding is the ability of these species to thrive in highly alkaline conditions. The Badain Jaran desert lakes should be studied in more detail (e.g. complete zooplankton and phytoplankton inventories) in order to understand these interesting ecosystems. • 40 lakes were sampled for cladocerans using surface sediment samples. • Saline lakes were devoid of cladocerans, whereas in subsaline lakes cladocerans were detected. • The richest cladoceran communities were found in most alkaline lakes pH > 10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The normal microbiota plays a key role in the health of host, but little is known of how the fish immune system recognizes and responds to indigenous bacteria/probiotics. Our previous studies have showed that heat-inactivated indigenous Bacillus pumilus SE5 activate the TLR2 signaling pathways and modulate the intestinal microbiota in grouper (Epinephelus coioides), suggesting microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) involved. In this study, whole cell wall (CW) and two possible MAMPs, peptidoglycan (PG) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) have been extracted from B. pumilus SE5 and their effects on intestinal immune related genes expression and microbiota were evaluated in a 60 days feeding trial. Significantly elevated expression of TLR1, TLR2, TLR5 and MyD88 was observed in fish fed the CW, PG and LTA containing diets, and the highest expression was observed in groups PG and LTA. At the same time, significantly upregulated expression of antimicrobial effectors, such as antimicrobial peptides (epinecidin-1, hepcidin-1 and β-defensin), C-type Lectin and IgM was observed in fish fed PG and LTA containing diets. This induced activation of intestinal immunity was consistent with the microbiota data showing that CW, PG and LTA originated from SE5 modulated the overall structure of intestinal microbiota, and the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic Vibrio decreased significantly while beneficial Lactobacillus increased significantly in fish fed PG and LTA. In conclusion, both the PG and LTA originated from B. pumilus SE5 could activate TLRs/MyD88 signaling and expression of wide-ranging antibacterial effectors, and therefore shape the intestinal microbiota in grouper. Highlights • Both the PG and LTA originated from B. pumilus SE5 shape the intestinal microbiota. • TLRs/MyD88 signaling involved in probiotic PG and LTA recognition. • PG and LTA shape intestinal immunity and microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the direct characterization of coke information in the clearly resolved (0 1 0) and (1 0 0) planes of various anisotropic MFI zeolites using EELS techniques, in a model reaction of methanol to hydrocarbons. For the first time, we found that the main coke species varied between different planes and depended on the crystal structure. The coke species was graphite carbon and polyaromatic hydrocarbon over MFI nanosheets and MFI with b -axis length 60 nm, respectively. The diffusion of aromatics out of conventional MFI zeolites was found only through the straight channels, while small molecules randomly diffused through both channels, resulting in different coke deposition on the (0 1 0) plane and the (1 0 0) plane from different precursors. As all product molecules diffused only through the straight channels, the MFI nanosheet showed a distinct crystal-plane selective effect of coke deposition, in contrast to nearly uniform coke distribution throughout the entire external surface for conventional zeolites. This anisotropic diffusion behavior influenced the gaseous and liquid products significantly, providing deep insight into the MFI catalyst for the selective control of products via crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a proinflammatory cytokine, mainly produced by Th17 cells, participates in both innate and adaptive immune responses and is involved in various diseases, including infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders and cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that IL-17 not only has an oncogenic role in tumorigenesis by regulating tumor angiogenesis and enhancing tumor immune evasion but also exerts anti-tumor functions by enhancing natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) activation and through the recruitment of neutrophils, NK cells and CD4 + and CD8 + T cells to tumor tissue. In this review, we provide an overview on the basic biology of IL-17 and recent findings regarding its enigmatic double-edged features in tumorigenesis, with special attention to the roles of IL-17 produced by tumor cells interacting with other factors in the tumor microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the freshness indicator protein of Coregonus peled and the effects of oxidation on the quality of fish during 4 °C storage. Samples were stored at 4 °C after oxidation treatment and analyzed for changes in proteins, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). A total of 382 differential proteins were identified, of which 20 proteins were quantified and studied including 12 proteins related to oxidation. The analysis of differential proteins was related to quality postmortem. Moreover, creatine kinase, malate dehydrogenase, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase were identified as potential biomarkers for protein oxidative damage. Actin can be used to represent the softening of fish in postmortem storage. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the changes in protein structure and biomarkers were influenced by oxidation. Bioinformatics suggested that differentially expressed proteins participated in the metabolic pathway via oxidation during 4 °C storage. The results of this study can contribute to a further understanding of the changes in fish quality during storage and the use of differential proteins as indicators of fish freshness. • In total, 382 differential proteins were identified in oxidative C. peled muscle. • 20 proteins were selected as freshness indicator proteins of oxidative C. peled. • Analysis on oxidative proteins in C. peled highlighted energy metabolism pathways. • Energy metabolism and proteolysis were prominent with increasing in storage time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Published data on the association between miR-196a2 T/C polymorphism and cancer susceptibility are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. A total of 21 studies including 10,441 cases and 12,353 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, significantly elevated cancer risk was associated with miR-196a2 C allele when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (TC vs. TT: OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.11–1.36; CC vs. TT: OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.14–1.48; dominant model: OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.13–1.38). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly increased risks were found in Asains (TC vs. TT: OR=1.24, 95% CI=1.10–1.40; CC vs. TT: OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.13–1.52; dominant model: OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.12–1.41) but with bordline statistical significance in Caucasians (TC vs. TT: OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.00–1.31). In the subgroup analysis by cancer type, statistically significantly increased risks were found for breast cancer (TC vs. TT: OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.01–1.31; CC vs. TT: OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.01–1.68; dominant model: OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.00–1.50; and recessive model: OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.01–1.23) and lung cancer (CC vs. TT: OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.10–1.54; and recessive model: OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.02–1.36). When stratified by study design, statistically significantly elevated risk was found in hospital-based studies (TC vs. TT: OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.13–1.49; CC vs. TT: OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.14–1.66; dominant model: OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.15–1.53) and population-based studies (CC vs. TT: OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06–1.35; dominant model: OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.01–1.25). Despite some limitations, this meta-analysis suggests that the miR-196a2 C allele is a low-penetrant risk factor for cancer development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the only lagomorph animal of which the genome has been sequenced. Establishing a rabbit miRNA resource will benefit subsequent functional genomic studies in mammals. We have generated small RNA sequence reads with SOLiD and Solexa platforms to identify rabbit miRNAs, where we identified 464 pre-miRNAs and 886 mature miRNAs. The brain and heart miRNA libraries were used for further in-depth analysis of isomiR distributions. There are several intriguing findings. First, several rabbit pre-miRNAs form highly conserved clusters. Second, there is a preference in selecting one strand as mature miRNA, resulting in an arm selection preference. Third, we analyzed the isomiR expression and validated the expression of isomiR types in different rabbit tissues. Moreover, we further performed additional small RNA libraries and defined miRNAs differentially expressed between brain and heart. We conclude also that isomiR distribution profiles could vary between brain and heart tissues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine cerebral metabolic profile changes in response to electric stimulation to the right dorsal hippocampus (HPC) for the establishment of an epileptic rat model. Electroencephalogram measurements and behavioral results indicated that the experimental rats were in an early stage of epilepsy. Metabolites were determined by high-resolution magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy of the following intact brain tissue: bilateral hippocampi, entorhinal cortices (ECs), and temporal lobes (TLs). The NMR data was statistically analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Results demonstrated that metabolic profiles were significantly different between the experimental and sham rats in the bilateral hippocampi and the ipsilateral EC. Significant increases in total creatine in the ipsilateral HPC and alanine in the ipsilateral TL were measured (p <0.05). Some metabolite levels were disturbed in the bilateral HPC-EC loops. In the sham group, glutamate and choline concentrations were significantly higher or lower in the ipsilateral EC than bilateral hippocampi, respectively (p <0.01). However, such differences were not observed in the experimental group. In addition, N-acetylaspartate levels in the experimental group were significantly less in the ipsilateral HPC than in bilateral ECs (p <0.05). The level of myo-inositol in the ipsilateral EC significantly increased in the experimental group, compared to the contralateral EC (p <0.05). These results may provide metabolic information about temporal lobe structures to provide more knowledge about epileptic abnormalities at the early stage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]