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[Display omitted] Ce-based three-dimensional (3D) mesoporous microspheres with Mn homogeneous incorporation were synthesized. The CeMn-0.4, characterized by a Ce/Mn molar ratio of 6:4, demonstrated exceptional catalytic activity and stability. The formation of CeMn solid solution strengthened the Ce-Mn interaction, yielding higher concentrations of Ce3+ and Mn4+. Mn4+ initiated toluene preliminary activation owing to its robust oxidative properties, while Ce3+ contributed to oxygen vacancy generation, enhancing the activation of gaseous oxygen and lattice oxygen mobility. Integrating experiments and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations elucidated the oxygen reaction mechanisms. A portion of oxygen was converted into surface reactive oxygen species (O ads) that directly oxidized toluene. Additionally, the presence of oxygen vacancies promoted the participation of oxygen in toluene oxidation by converting it into lattice oxygen, which was crucial for the deep oxidation of toluene. Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) indicated the accumulation of benzene-ring intermediates on the catalyst surface hindered continuous toluene oxidation. Thus, the abundant oxygen vacancies in CeMn-0.4 played a pivotal role in sustaining the oxidation process by bolstering the activation of gaseous oxygen and the mobility of lattice oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the complicated process of using the discrete element method (DEM) to simulate the interaction between straw and machinery, existing straw models do not exhibit failure properties. This affects simulation accuracy because some of the interaction processes are not being simulated. To solve these problems, a mechanical model of wheat straw with failure characteristics was developed based on the Hertz–Mindlin (no-slip) contact model and bonded-particle model (BPM). In this model, two types of bonding keys with different bonding parameters were used to bond straw stems. The bonding parameters of the straw model were calibrated using tension, compression, three-point bending, and shear tests, and response surface method. By calculating and solving the regression equation of the Box–Behnken design, the bond parameters (normal and tangential stiffness per unit area, and critical normal and tangential stresses) were calibrated as Bond1 and Bond2. The model can simulate the breaking, fracture, flexural, and shear behaviours of straw during tension, compression, bending, and shearing. The simulated tensile strength, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and shear strength of the model were 9.84%, 1.99%, 10.21% and 15.57% different from their respective experimental average values. The results show that the straw model can accurately reflect the mechanical properties of wheat straw with failure properties, which not only helps to improve the accuracy of straw simulation but also provides a reference for modelling the interaction between straw, or other crops, and mechanical equipment. • An innovative mechanical model of wheat straw with destructibility was constructed. • Two bonding keys with different parameters were newly used to bond the straw unit. • Bonding parameters were calibrated by tension, compression, bending and shear tests. • Tensile, compressive and shear strength, and modulus of elasticity were verified. • Model can reflect the mechanical properties while having destructive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poisoning effect of PbO and PbCl 2 on CeO 2 -TiO 2 catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH 3 was investigated and compared. Both Pb species could deactivate the CeO 2 -TiO 2 catalyst and PbO had a stronger poisoning effect than PbCl 2 . From the characterization results of BET, XRD, XPS, NH 3 -TPD and H 2 -TPR, it was concluded that the more serious deactivation by PbO could be ascribed to smaller BET surface area, fewer surface Ce 3+ and chemisorbed oxygen, stronger interaction between PbO and CeO 2 -TiO 2 catalyst, lower redox properties and surface acidity. The in situ DRIFT study results revealed that the NH 3 -SCR reaction over CeO 2 -TiO 2 catalyst was governed by both E-R and L-H mechanisms, which wasn’t changed over the Pb-poisoned samples. The greater loss of Brønsted acid sites attributed to fewer surface Ce 3+ and more serious inhibition of NO oxidation to NO 2 due to fewer surface chemisorbed oxygen were two key factors responsible for more serious deactivation by PbO. Furthermore, the presence of Pb species inhibited the NH 3 adsorption on the Lewis acid sites, aggravating the deactivation of CeO 2 -TiO 2 catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-cost biochemical fulvic acid-derived amorphous carbon (BFAC) is employed to modify the natural microcrystalline graphite (MG) by a simple mixed carbonization strategy. The BFAC smooths split-layer and fold on the surface of MG and builds the heteroatom-doped composite structure, which effectively alleviates the volume expansion together with improving electrochemical reaction kinetics, leading to a superior potassium storage capacity. [Display omitted] Graphite anode has great potential toward potassium ion storage for abundant reserves, yet it suffers from the large volume expansion and slow diffusion rate. Herein, the low-cost biochemical fulvic acid-derived amorphous carbon (BFAC) is employed to modify the natural microcrystalline graphite (BFAC@MG) by a simple mixed carbonization strategy. The BFAC smooths the split layer and folds on the surface of microcrystalline graphite and builds the heteroatom-doped composite structure, which effectively alleviates the volume expansion caused by K+ electrochemical de-intercalation processes, together with improving electrochemical reaction kinetics. As expected, the optimized BFAC@MG-0.5 exhibits superior potassium-ion storage performance, which delivers a high reversible capacity (623.8 mAh g−1), excellent rate performance (147.8 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1), and remarkable cycling stability (100.8 mAh g−1 after 1200 cycles). As a practical device application, the potassium-ion capacitors are assembled using the BFAC@MG-0.5 anode and commercial activated carbon cathode, which exhibits a maximum energy density of 126.48 Wh kg−1 and superior cycle stability. Significantly, this work demonstrates the potential of microcrystalline graphite as the host anode material for potassium-ion storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play essential role in the progression of many tumors. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is crucial in maintaining the stemness of CSCs. (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major bioactive component in green tea, has been shown to possess anti-cancer activity. To date, the interventional effect of EGCG on lung CSCs has not been elucidated yet. In the present study, tumorsphere formation assay was used to enrich lung CSCs from A549 and H1299 cells. We revealed that Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated in lung CSCs, and downregulation of β-catenin, abolished lung CSCs traits. Our study further illustrated that EGCG effectively diminished lung CSCs activity by inhibiting tumorsphere formation, decreasing lung CSCs markers, suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, We showed that EGCG downregulated Wnt/β-catenin activation, while upregulation of Wnt/β-catenin dampened the inhibitory effects of EGCG on lung CSCs. Taken together, these results demonstrated the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in regulating lung CSCs traits and EGCG intervention of lung CSCs. Findings from this study could provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of lung CSCs intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have shown that residential greenness positively correlates with enhanced health. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects about a quarter of the population while lacking specific treatments. Given that the association between green space and MAFLD is still unknown, we explored the association between residential greenness and MAFLD as well as the potential mechanisms based on the baseline survey of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC). Residential greenness was expressed as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI). MAFLD was assessed through hepatic steatosis, the presence of overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and evidence of metabolic dysregulation. We used logistic regression to examine the association between NDVI/EVI and the prevalence of MAFLD. Moreover, we utilized causal mediation analyses to explore the role of physical activity and ambient particulate matters (PM 1 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10) on the association between residential greenness and MAFLD. We included 72,368 participants from the CMEC and found that residential greenness was negatively associated with the prevalence of MAFLD. For an interquartile range (IQR) increase in NDVI 500 m and EVI 500 m , the odds ratio (OR) of MAFLD were 0.78 (95 %CI: 0.75, 0.81) and 0.81 (95 %CI: 0.78, 0.84), respectively. Greater association between residential greenness and MAFLD was observed among males. Air pollutants and physical activity could mediate a partial effect (8.5–22.9 %) of residential greenness on MAFLD. Higher residential greenness was associated with decreased risk of MAFLD. Moreover, the association was greater among males. The protective effects of residential greenness may be achieved by mitigating the hazardous effects of air pollutants and encouraging physical activity. • First study to investigate associations between greenness and fatty liver disease. • Negative associations between greenness and fatty liver disease were observed. • Air pollutants and physical activity mediate the associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural runoff is an important antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) dissemination pathway from farmlands to water environment, however few studies have focused on the influence of agricultural land-use change on the pattern of ARGs in runoff and assess the health risk to public. Lake Tai Basin which experiences agricultural land-use change was selected to elucidate this concern. Our findings revealed that the pattern of ARGs was more diverse and the gene abundance was higher in orchard runoffs by comparison with conventional cropland runoffs. Co-occurrence network analysis between mobile genetic elements and ARGs demonstrated that after agricultural land-use change, ARG dissemination via runoffs became more threatened. In addition, this study illustrated the correlations between the antibiotic resistome and microbiome in runoffs, finding that non-dominant microbial taxa were the limiting factor which determined the pattern of ARGs in surface runoffs. In summary, the pattern and dissemination risk of ARGs in the surface runoff after agricultural land-use change in Lake Tai Basin were clarified via this study. [Display omitted] • Orchard runoffs harbor more diverse and abundant ARGs than traditional cropland runoffs. • After land-use change, runoffs possess a strong ability for disseminating ARGs in Lake Tai Basin. • Non-dominant bacterial taxa are closely correlated with the antibiotic resistome in runoffs. • The effect of agricultural land-use change on the ARG contamination in Lake Tai Basin should not be underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are types of transcriptional and post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression that play crucial roles in response to diverse stresses. Although significant progress on the miRNA-mediated gene regulation has been made recently in plant-nematode interactions, none has been reported on root-knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.) infection in Cucumis metuliferus , which is a relative of cucumber with resistance to M. incognita. To gain insights into the regulatory roles of miRNAs for resistance to RKN in C. metuliferus , it is necessary to create expression profiles for miRNAs and their targets. In this study, ten miRNAs were identified from our miRNAs sequencing data of C. metuliferus for expression analysis through quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed that RKN infection had a significant effect on both miRNAs expression and their corresponding targets in either resistant or susceptible plants but with differential expression. Moreover, four out of ten selected miRNA-target pairs, miR156-SBP, miR390-ARF3, ath-miR159a-MYB104 and aly-miR827-3p-PTI, exhibited inverse expression patterns between miRNAs and their targets, which laid a foundation for investigating resistance mechanisms induced in C. metuliferus by M. incognita infection. Additionally, the possible roles of these miRNAs have been discussed during C. metuliferus -RKN interactions. • This study characterized the molecular basis involved in Cucumis metuliferus - Meloidogyne incognita interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) is accompanied by massive lymphocyte infiltration, but therapy resistance and tumor progression still occur in patients with EBVaGC. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are reported to possess immunomodulatory ability that allows them to resist immune-mediated rejection for many tumor types. However, whether and how CSCs in EBVaGC exhibit immunosuppression has not yet been elucidated. We isolated CSC-like sphere-forming cells (SFCs) from EBVaGC cell line SNU-719 using the cancer sphere method. We validated their CSC-associated properties in the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, the ability to form colonies, and resistance to chemotherapy drug-induced apoptosis and explored their immunomodulatory ability using the coculture system with PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell). These CSC-like SFCs were CD44+CD24-/low and were more tumorigenic than the parental SNU-719 cells in the xenograft mouse model. Remarkably, in the tumor-PBMC co-culturing experiments, these EBVaGC SFCs demonstrated profound immunosuppression by inhibiting the proliferation of PBMCs and T cell activation as well as inducing the generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Furthermore, the induction of Tregs was partially dependent on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) produced from SFCs. Moreover, the presence of high CD44+CD24-/low cells in tumor tissues predicted a decreased disease-free survival in patients with EBVaGC. Our study collectively confirmed the existence and immune resistance of CSCs in EBVaGC and offers new insights into the development of novel anti-EBVaGC strategies by targeting CSCs. • CSC-like cells from EBVaGC cell line SNU-719 were CD44+CD24-/low phenotype. • CD44+CD24-/low expression predicted a worse disease-free survival in patients with EBVaGC. • CSC-like cells from EBVaGC cell line SNU-719 showed immunosuppressive effects. • PGE2 played an important role in Treg cells induction by CSC-like cells from EBVaGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of blindness in elderly individuals. As a metabolic regulator, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) has been proven indicated to have an effect on wet AMD, but whether this cytokine has a therapeutic effect on dry AMD is unclear. The current study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of FGF-21 against retinal degeneration in mice and provide mechanistic insights. FGF-21−/− mice were raised to 10 months of age. Then, the morphological changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid of the mice were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and iTRAQ was used to detect the variations in the protein profile. Next, FGF-21−/− and wild-type mice of the same age were fed hydroquinone to generate a dry AMD mouse model to examine whether exogenous FGF-21 can interfere with the occurrence and development of dry AMD. In vivo studies revealed that following FGF-21 knockout, there was an increase in the expression of complement in the RPE/choroid concomitant with the occurrence of dry AMD-like pathological changes. Furthermore, exogenous FGF-21 administration effectively reversed this phenomenon. FGF-21 also demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory effects in the RPE/choroid by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that FGF-21 treatment presents a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and development of dry AMD by reducing complement. • Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Deficiency Induces Dry AMD in Mice by Elevating Complement in the Eye. • FGF-21 has a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention of dry AMD development via reducing inflammatory process induced by NF-kB pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]