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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and severe complication of sepsis and is characterized by significant mortality and morbidity. However, the pathogenesis of septic acute kidney injury (S-AKI) remains elusive. Metabolic reprogramming, which was originally referred to as the Warburg effect in cancer, is strongly related to S-AKI. At the onset of sepsis, both inflammatory cells and renal parenchymal cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils and renal tubular epithelial cells, undergo metabolic shifts toward aerobic glycolysis to amplify proinflammatory responses and fortify cellular resilience to septic stimuli. As the disease progresses, these cells revert to oxidative phosphorylation, thus promoting anti-inflammatory reactions and enhancing functional restoration. Alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming are central to the energetic changes that occur during S-AKI. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of metabolic reprogramming in S-AKI, with a focus on each cell type involved. By identifying relevant key regulatory factors, we also explored potential metabolic reprogramming-related therapeutic targets for the management of S-AKI. [Display omitted] • S-AKI is a frequent complication for critically ill patients with high mortality, leading to severe medical burden. • We summarized immune cells and renal tubular epithelia cells undergoing metabolic reprogramming during S-AKI. • Mitochondrial balance for energy metabolism in the setting of S-AKI was discussed. • We revealed potential novel therapeutic targets for S-AKI when exploring the signal pathways engaged in S-AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonium salt vanadium precipitation is the main method of vanadium metallurgy at home and abroad, but the traditional ammonium precipitation of vanadium can only obtain high valence of V 2 O 5 , and the NH 3 produced in the calcination process cannot be fully utilized. And the preparation of low-valence vanadium oxide V 2 O 3 is long and costly. Self-reduction of thermal decomposition of nitrogen-containing precipitation products to produce V 2 O 3 is a novel and short process method that can achieve full utilization of ammonia. NaVO 3 was used as the vanadium source, choline chloride (C 5 H 14 ClNO (ChCl)) was used as the vanadium precipitation reagent, and the vanadium concentration was 30 g/L, n(ChCl)/n(V) = 1.5, the initial pH was 1.5, the temperature was 85°C, the time was 2 h, and the vanadium precipitation efficiency could reach 97.05%. V 2 O 3 with purity of 97.98% can be obtained by calcination at 550°C for 3 h in an argon atmosphere. XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDS were used to characterize the product, which further proved that the final product was V 2 O 3. The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of V 2 O 3 in acidic media showed high stability after 1000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles, with a low Tafel slope of 88.5 mVdec−1. The electrochemical double layer capacitance (EDLC) was measured by CV at different scan rates, and the EDLC of V 2 O 3 was 1.104 mFcm−2. This study provides a short-flow preparation method for V 2 O 3 and can provide predictions for the application of V 2 O 3 in HER and supercapacitors. [Display omitted] • High purity V 2 O 3 prepared by water bath and self-reduction. • V 2 O 3 has good stability in acidic media and can be used as a HER electrocatalyst and supercapacitor. • This method not only fully utilizes the ammonia nitrogen in vanadium precipitation, but also shortens the preparation of V 2 O 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled low-dimensional organic nanomaterials have great application prospects in the field of optoelectronics. However, it is difficult to obtain the controlled synthesis method for organic microstructure, because the interaction of the organic molecules is easy to be affected by the external environment. In this paper, we reported that the ultra-long microwires of the ethyl modified soft@rigid 2D Triazatruxene core with large planar π configuration were prepared by external environment. During the optical waveguide process, this prepared microwires displayed low propagation loss with 0.0632 dB/μm at 425 nm, which is lower than most of organic aggregations. This microstructure preparation method will provide beneficial enlightenment for the development of miniaturized devices of photonic integrated circuits. The overlength microwires of the ethyl modified soft@rigid 2D Triazatruxene core with large planar π configuration were prepared, which displayed low propagation loss during the light propagation process. The results may give some useful enlightenment for future integrated photonic circuits. Image 1 • Ultra-long microwires were prepared by soft@rigid extend 2D Triazatruxene building blocks. • Prepared ultra-longmicrowires displayed low propagation loss with 0.0632 dB/μm at 425 nm than most of organic aggregations. • Ultra-long microwires is beneficial for the development of miniaturized devices of photonic integrated circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence has shown that tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is neuroprotective in different animal models of neurological diseases. However, whether TGR5 agonist TUDCA can improve lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive impairment in mice is less clear. Using a model of cognitive impairment with LPS (2.0 μg) we investigated the effects of TUDCA (200 or 400 μg) on cognitive dysfunction and neurotoxicity in mice. Both Morris water maze and Y-maze avoidance tests showed that TUDCA treatment significantly alleviated LPS-induced behavioral impairments. More importantly, we found that TUDCA treatment reversed TGR5 down-regulation, prevented neuroinflammation via inhibiting NF-κB signaling in the hippocampus of LPS-treated mice. Additionally, TUDCA treatment decreased LPS-induced apoptosis through decreasing TUNEL-positive cells and the overexpression of caspase-3, increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. TUDCA treatment also ameliorated synaptic plasticity impairments by increasing the ratio of mBDNF/proBDNF, the number of dendritic spines and the expression of synapse-associated proteins in the hippocampus. Our results indicated that TUDCA can improve cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity induced by LPS in mice, which is involved in TGR5-mediated NF-κB signaling. • TUDCA ameliorates LPS-induced cognitive impairment in mice. • LPS exposure causes a significant decrease in the expression of TGR5 in the mouse hippocampus. • TUDCA prevents hippocampal neuroinflammation, neuroapoptosis and synaptic disorder induced by LPS, which is involved in TGR5-mediated NF-κB signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is partly characterized as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related airflow limitation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play crucial roles in the crosstalk between cells, affecting many diseases including COPD. Up to now, the roles of EVs in COPD are still debated. As we found in this investigation, COPD patients have higher miR-21 level in total serum EVs. EMT occurs in lungs of COPD mice. Furthermore, bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) could generate EVs with less miR-21 when treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE), impacting less on the M2-directed macrophage polarization than the control-EVs (PBS-treated) according to EVs miR-21 level. Furthermore, the EMT processes in BEAS-2B cells were enhanced with the M2 macrophages proportion when co-cultured. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CSE-treated BEAS-2B cells could alleviate M2 macrophages polarization by modulated EVs, and eventually relieve the EMT process of BEAS-2B cells themselves under COPD pathogenesis, revealing a novel compensatory role of them in COPD. Cigarette smoking was previously proved to be able to promote the M2 macrophage polarization in lungs of COPD patients. M2 macrophages could give rise to the EMT process of bronchial epithelial cells and eventually cause small airway remodeling. Bronchial epithelial cells were shown to indirectly modulate the EMT process in the COPD pathogenesis by alleviating the polarization of M2 macrophages via reducing their EVs miR-21 level, revealing a novel compensatory role of EVs in COPD. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Biochar loaded with nanoparticles was prepared for Cr(VI) adsorption. • EDTA intercalated LDH significantly improved sorption capacity of Cr(VI). • Adsorption process obeys chemisorption and monolayer adsorption. Abstract In this study, the bamboo biomass loaded with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) intercalated Mg/Al-layered double hydroxides (LDH) was calcined to obtain a novel nano-adsorbent (BC@EDTA-LDH), and BC@EDTA-LDH was used to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in aqueous solutions. The results showed that the interaction between LDH and Cr(VI) on biochar played a dominant part in adsorption. The LDH of Cr(VI) intercalation was successfully reconstructed after adsorption. Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the reconstruction of Mg/Al-LDH. LDH had sustained release effect on the solution. As the pH values increased, the electrostatic repulsion between Cr 2 O 7 2− and OH– increased, and there existed competition for adsorption sites. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was 38 mg/g. The data was well-fitted with pseudo second-order model and Langmuir-Freundlich model. BC@EDTA-LDH showed a high adsorption capacity and was potentially suitable for removing heavy metals in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the high toxicity and mobility, the removal of arsenite (As(III)) is significantly more difficult than arsenate (As(V)), thus representing a major challenge in arsenite-contaminated water treatment. For efficient elimination of As(III), we successfully fabricated a novel Ti-Mn binary oxide via a simultaneous oxidation and coprecipitation process. The amorphous oxide was aggregated from nanosized particles with a high specific surface area of 349.5 m 2 /g. It could effectively oxidize As(III) to As(V) and had a high As(III) sorption capacity of 107.0 mg/g. As(III) sorption occurred rapidly and equilibrium was achieved within 24 h. The kinetic data was well fitted by the pseudo-second-order equation, indicating a chemical sorption process. The material was almost independent upon the presence of competitive ions. The As(III) removal by the sorbent is a combined process coupled oxidation with sorption, where the MnO 2 content is mainly responsible for oxidizing As(III) to As(V) and the formed As(V) is then adsorbed onto the surface of amorphous TiO 2 content, through replacing the surface hydroxyl group or the adsorbed As(III) and forming inner-sphere surface complexes. Furthermore, the arsenic-containing oxide could be effectively regenerated and reused. The bi-functional sorbent could be used as a potentially attractive sorbent for As(III) removal in drinking water treatment and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium ion capacitors (LICs) have the potential to combine the high energy density of lithium ion batteries and the high power density of supercapacitors into one device. In this study, we have investigated surface functionalization of activated carbon (AC) powder as the cathode for LICs with non-aqueous electrolytes. It is found that solution chemistry treatment is an effective way to impart pseudocapacitance and thus increase the specific capacitance of the AC powder. The surface functionalization has led to increases in the specific capacitance from 18 – 35 F/g to 80–140 F/g, while the areal specific capacitance per BET surface area has increased from 3.6 μF/cm 2 to 74.8 μF/cm 2 . The latter is 3.5 times the theorectical electrical double layer value for graphene, indicating the existence of redox reactions and their great potential in enhancing the capacitance for LICs. The mechanism of capacitance improvement has been diagnosed and attributed mainly to the pseudocapacitive redox reaction on the C O sites. In addition, the enhancement in the specific capacitance is found to vary with the composition of electrolytes, likely due to the change in wetting behavior and the size of solvated ions. This work has opened up a new route to increase the specific capacitance of low cost and widely used AC powder for LICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the rapid adoption of intelligent and digital manufacturing among the current business environment, emerging mobile information technology (MIT) becomes an ever more important factor, driving innovations in manufacturing sectors. This paper analyzes the impact of MIT on innovation service performance in manufacturing firms and builds a model structuring the mechanisms of this information technology. This paper proposes a theoretical model and derives a set of hypotheses based on the dynamic capability theory and innovation diffusion theory. Data used in this paper is collected via surveying 462 manufacturing firms in China using valid questionnaires. Statistical analysis, such as the AMOS method, is then carried out using the data collected to investigate and identify influencing factors upon which to build the model and test the hypotheses. This paper presents findings that indicate MIT having a direct impact on a firm's service innovation capabilities (SIC) and service innovation performance (SIP). In particular, SIC continuously drives the growth of SIP in a firm, and hence acts as a mediating factor. Moreover, results indicate that both SIC and SIP varies with the strength of innovation network in each firm, while the moderated mediating effect of SIC remains constant. In other words, the performance of service innovation was not to be impacted by certain basic conditions of firms. This paper is the first attempt to investigate the relationship between the manufacturing industry and advanced technology adoption of enterprise innovation networks and service innovation capabilities. Results are application for adaptation in firms within the manufacturing industry regarding adoption of such advanced technology, such as MIT, and are supportive of these firms constructing enterprise innovation networks and investing in efforts to shape service innovation capabilities. Findings suggests that initiatives associated with adoption of advanced technology are likely to improve service transformation abilities and service innovation performance. • Analyze the impact of MIT on innovation service performance in manufacturing firms to build a model using dynamic capability theory and innovation diffusion theory. • First attempt to investigate the relationship between the manufacturing industry and adoption of enterprise innovation networks and service innovation capabilities. • Applicable for adaptation in manufacturing firms to construct enterprise innovation networks and invest in efforts that shape service innovation capabilities. • Findings suggest that initiatives associated with adoption of advanced technology are likely to improve service transformation abilities and service innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Dopamine-triggered codeposition of zwitterionic surfactants were developed for UF membrane modification. • The membrane modification imparts notable anti-fouling properties without compromising transport. • Modification with low zwitterion concentration possessed the optimal antifouling efficacy. • The modified membranes show reduced irreversible fouling and AB interactions with BSA. We report a facile ultrafiltration (UF) membrane modification strategy to impart anti-fouling properties to a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane via a simple codeposition of polydopamine (PDA) and the zwitterionic surfactant, 3-(N, N-Dimethylmyristylammonio) propane sulfonate (SB3-14). The effect of SB3-14 concentration (from 0.5, 1 to 2 mM) was also studied. The proposed modification notably increased membrane anti-fouling property without compromising membrane transport properties. As demonstrated by dynamic fouling experiments using BSA as a model foulant, the modified membranes presented significantly alleviated flux decline and decreased fouling resistance compared to the pristine membrane. Especially, the membrane modified with low SB3-14 concentration (i.e., 0.5 mM) possessed the optimal antifouling performance compared to those modified with higher concentrations, which may be attributed to reduced efficiency in PDA/SB3-14 aggregates functionalization on membrane surface in the presence of excessive zwitterions. Furthermore, the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) results illustrate that Lewis acid-base (AB) played a dominant role during the fouling construction, and the presence of SB3-14 could tremendously decrease AB energy. This codeposition of PDA and non-polymer zwitterionic surfactant could be applied to prepare anti-fouling PES membranes with low reversible and irreversible fouling, which provides a new scope for post modification of UF membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhanced piezoelectric and piezo-phototronic performance of ZnO-based thin film devices has been achieved by interface engineering. The piezoelectric performance of ZnO thin film is significantly boosted due to the formation of CuI/ZnO heterojunction, which effectively reduce the unfavorable piezopotential screening effect induced by free electrons in n-type ZnO. Furthermore, taking the advantage of the piezo-phototronic effect, the mechanically generated piezocharges lowers the barrier height which largely facilitates the charge transport across the CuI/ZnO heterojunction/interface and the performance of as-fabricated device were further enhanced by external strains. The photosensing behaviors of the CuI/ZnO photodetector are systematically investigated under different strain and illumination conditions. Under compressive strain, the optimum performance of flexible CuI/ZnO thin film as UV photodetector is attributed to the formation of pn heterojunction, which further modulated through the piezo-phototronic effect and improves the efficiency of charge separation as a result. Our works demonstrate merits of piezoelectric and piezo-phototronic effects for the design of energy harvesting and optoelectronic nanodevices by engineering piezoelectric/semiconductor materials interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrated a forward osmosis-membrane distillation (FO-MD) hybrid system for real human urine treatment. A series of NaCl solutions at different concentrations were adopted for draw solutions in FO process, which were also the feed solutions of MD process. To establish a stable and continuous integrated FO-MD system, individual FO process with different NaCl concentrations and individual direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process with different feed temperatures were firstly investigated separately. Four stable equilibrium conditions were obtained from matching the water transfer rates of individual FO and MD processes. It was found that the integrated system is stable and sustainable when the water transfer rate of FO subsystem is equal to that of MD subsystem. The rejections to main contaminants in human urine were also investigated. Although individual FO process had relatively high rejection to Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Nitrogen (TN) and Ammonium Nitrogen (NH 4 + -N) in human urine, these contaminants could also accumulate in draw solution after long term performance. The MD process provided an effective rejection to contaminants in draw solution after FO process and the integrated system revealed nearly complete rejection to TOC, TN and NH 4 + -N. This work provided a potential treatment process for human urine in some fields such as water regeneration in space station and water or nutrient recovery from source-separated urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate whether Lactobacillus plantarum P-8 may be used as an alternative to antibiotics in the broiler chicken diet, we compared P-8 and antibiotics for their immunobiotic properties and their effect on growth performance of broiler chickens in a 42-day trial. The results showed that P-8 provided similar benefits in weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency as antibiotics did. Importantly, P-8 activated protective immune responses of the broilers while antibiotics lacked this effect. P-8 induced higher fecal secretory IgA (sIgA) levels on day 42 ( P ≤ 0.027) and IgA + lymphocytes in the jejunum and Peyer's patches (PP) ( P < 0.001) compared to antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics reduced the IgA + lymphocytes in jejunum and PP on day 42 compared to the control. P-8 increased CD3 + T cells in the small intestinal tissues in most test situations whereas antibiotics had fewer CD3 + cells in PP and cecal tonsil compared with the control broilers at the end of the trial. In addition, P-8 increased CD4 + T cells significantly in the intestinal tissues compared to both antibiotics and the control ( P < 0.0052). Both Th1 and Th2 cytokine expression were enhanced by P-8 on day 14, consistent with the clinical trial results showing probiotic benefits in diseases. Antibiotics up- and down-regulated interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-10 transcripts in an age-dependent manner, and showed anti-inflammatory potential. These data indicate that P-8 may provide protective immune response to broilers while maintaining similar growth performance and may be a potential alternative to antibiotics supplemented in chicken feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electroless deposition of CuNPs integrates PDA coating for RO membrane modification. • A stable PDA-CuNPs layer with high loadings of dispersed nanoparticles was obtained. • The functionalization imparted simultaneous anti-adhesive and anti-microbial properties. • The combination of PDA and CuNPs led to a substantial alleviated biofouling propensity. In this study, highly antimicrobial CuNPs were integrated into a hydrophilic polydopamine (PDA) coating and immobilized on a RO TFC membrane via a mild and facile reduction approach to form a stable and durable dual-functional layer. Based on the XDLVO analysis, the introduction of PDA increased the membrane-foulant total interaction energy (Δ G mwf) to 14.13 mJ/m2, resulting in improved anti-adhesive properties as demonstrated by a 37% decrease in BSA adsorption for the modified membranes. The well dispersed and high loadings of CuNPs induced by PDA conferred strong bacterial toxicity to the modified membranes, reducing the viability of E. coli by 76%. Furthermore, the presence of catechol groups on PDA favors the formation of covalent bond with CuNPs, thus prolonging the durability of the copper-based anti-biofouling membranes. The combination of PDA coating and CuNPs functionalization imparts the membrane with simultaneous anti-adhesive and anti-microbial properties, leading to a substantial reduction in biofouling propensity in dynamic biofouling experiments. Specifically, the flux decline due to biofouling observed for the modified membranes significantly decreased from 65% to 39%, and biofilm thickness and TOC biomass were 58%, and 55% lower, respectively. This study provides a facile and versatile strategy to construct high performance RO membranes with excellent anti-biofouling functionality. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]