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To effectively manage the automated warehouse, aiming at the optimization of goods location assignment, an optimization function for the assignment of storage location was established with the shelf stability and access efficiency as the goal according to the principle of storage space allocation. To optimize the picking location of the roadway stacker when exiting the warehouse, a mathematical function model was established by analyzing the picking strategy of the warehouse delivery operation. The research results showed that the optimization of the cargo space and the optimization of the stacker crane operation route can improve the overall operating efficiency. It is concluded that the model can reduce the cost of goods handling and storage, the time lost in the storage process and handling process, thereby decreasing logistics costs and increasing revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Superior catalytic ability for PMS is achieved under a low metal loading level. • Hetero-single-atom dispersion reshapes electronic structure of the carbon carrier. • Metal sites mainly function as activity modulators rather than reactive sites. • The generation of HVMO depends on the electron densities around the metal atoms. • The ETP pathway ensures enduring oxidation efficiency in complex water matrices. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as competitive candidates for Fenton-like oxidation of micro-pollutants in water. However, the impact of metal insertion on the intrinsic catalytic activity of carrier materials has been commonly overlooked, and the environmental risk due to metal leaching still requires attention. In contrast to previous reports, where metal sites were conventionally considered as catalytic centers, our study investigates, for the first time, the crucial catalytic role of the carbon carrier modulated through hetero-single-atom dispersion and the regulation of Fenton-like oxidation pathways. The inherent differences in electronic properties between Fe and Co can effectively trigger long-range electron rearrangement in the sp2-carbon-conjugated structure, creating more electron-rich regions for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) complexation and initiating the electron transfer process (ETP) for pollutant degradation, which imparts the synthesized catalyst (FeCo-NCB) with exceptional catalytic efficiency despite its relatively low metal content. Moreover, the FeCo-NCB/PMS system exhibits enduring decontamination efficiency in complex water matrices, satisfactory catalytic stability, and low metal leaching, signifying promising practical applications. More impressively, the spatial relationship between metal sites and electron density clouds is revealed to determine whether high-valent metal-oxo species (HVMO) are involved during the decomposition of surface complexes. Unlike single-type single-atom dispersion, where metal sites are situated within electron-rich regions, hetero-single-atom dispersion can cause the deviation of electron density clouds from the metal sites, thus hindering the in-situ oxidation of metal within the complexes and minimizing the contribution of HVMO. These findings provide new insights into the development of carbon-based SACs and advance the understanding of nonradical mechanisms underpinning Fenton-like treatments. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An anaerobic-microaerobic two-stage EGSB and MBSBR system was constructed. • Impressive removal efficiencies for COD, NH 4 +-N, and TP were achieved. • Microaeration enhanced nitrogen removal capacity. • Microaeration promoted DHA and ETS activity. • Excessive aeration inhibits the metabolic activity of suspended sludge in MBSBR. To effectively treat actual ammonia-rich Chinese medicine residue (CMR) resource utilization wastewater, we optimized an anaerobic-microaerobic two-stage expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) and moving bed sequencing batch reactor (MBSBR) combined process. By controlling dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, impressive removal efficiencies were achieved. Microaeration, contrasting with anaerobic conditions, bolstered dehydrogenase activity, enhanced electron transfer, and enriched the functional microorganism community. The increased relative abundance of Synergistetes and Proteobacteria facilitated hydrolytic acidification and fostered nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Furthermore, we examined the impact of DO concentration in MBSBR on pollutant removal and microbial metabolic activity, pinpointing 2.5 mg/L as the optimal DO concentration for superior removal performance and energy conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeting energy metabolism holds the potential to effectively treat a variety of malignant diseases, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α) is a key regulator of energy metabolism. However, PGC1α′s role in cancer, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. In the present study, we reported that PGC1α was significantly downregulated in HCC cell lines and specimens. Moreover, reduced expression of PGC1α in tumor cells was correlated with poor prognosis. PGC1α overexpression substantially inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. On the contrary, the knockdown of PGC1α produced the opposite effect. The mechanism was at least partially due to the upregulation of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) caused by PGC1α, which promoted mitochondrial biogenesis by binding to nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1). Consequently, the production of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by mitochondrial oxidation was elevated above a critical threshold for survival. Furthermore, we found that PGC1α could enhance the antitumor activity of sorafenib and doxorubicin in HCC through ROS accumulation-mediated cell death. These results indicate that PGC1α/NRF1-MPC1 axis is involved in HCC progression and could be a promising target for HCC treatment. Image 1 • Low expression of PGC1α and MPC1 was associated with the poor prognosis of HCC. • PGC1α and MPC1 could inhibit HCC cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. • PGC1α/NRF1-MPC1 axis activates mitochondrial biogenesis and drives ROS production. • PGC1α/NRF1-MPC1 axis attenuates HCC progression. • PGC1α could enhance the sensitivity to sorafenib/doxorubicin treatment in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• UiO-66-NH 2 can effectively remove norfloxacin in water. • UiO-66-NH 2 can remove norfloxacin well in the neutral pH range. • The NH 2 and Zr O bonds play important role for norfloxacin removal. • Various adsorption mechanisms for norfloxacin removal are explored. Antibiotics abuse has been a significant threat to the environment and human health. In this study, we successfully synthesized highly stable amino-functionalized Zr-based metal–organic frameworks (UiO-66-NH 2) and studied the adsorption behaviors of norfloxacin (NOR) in water. The adsorption capacities of UiO-66-NH 2 reached a maximum of 222.5 mg/g for NOR, which were considerably higher than that of most reported adsorbents. Moreover, the equilibrium time (6 h) was less than that of several previously reported adsorbents. Ionic-strength-influenced experiments showed that NaCl and CaCl 2 aqueous solutions could improve the removal efficiency of NOR. The presence of humic acid could barely affect the adsorption amount. At a concentration of 10 mg/L, the highest partition coefficient of 20.9 mg/g/µM was obtained, and the removal rate of NOR was as high as 91.6%, implying that UiO-66-NH 2 offered considerable adsorption performance at a low concentration of NOR. In addition, UiO-66-NH 2 exhibited good regeneration efficiency, thus offering the possibility to remove norfloxacin from sewage. Finally, several credible adsorption mechanisms were proposed. The results will aid us to comprehend the surface interaction between organic micropollutants and UiO-66-NH 2 and prefigure the potential of UiO-66-NH 2 as a novel adsorbent for the removal of NOR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effects of hydroxytyrosol (HT) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Our results show that HT could inhibit proliferation, induce G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human HCC cells. Mechanically, we found that HT could suppress the activation of AKT and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. HT also significantly inhibited the tumor growth, angiogenesis and the activation of AKT and NF-κB pathways in an orthotopic model of human HCC in vivo. These data suggest that HT may be a promising candidate agent for the treatment of HCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] IFN-α regulates the LPS-induced expression of cytokines in the murine spleen. [•] IFN-α positively regulates the expression of KC and LIX in the LPS-activated spleen dependent on STAT-1. [•] IFN-α increases neutrophilic recruitment via the enhanced expression of KC and LIX in the spleen during LPS stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To assess the association of alcohol consumption with metabolic syndrome (Mets) in a Chinese population. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was performed in 19,215 participants aged 40 years or over in Shanghai of China during June 2008–April 2009. Information about the alcohol consumption including quantity and type of alcoholic beverage was obtained using a standard questionnaire. Physical examination was performed and fasting blood samples were obtained for the measurements of biochemical indicators. Results: In male wine-only consumers, after adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education levels, exercise and smoking habit, severe alcohol consumption (≥50.0g/d), compared with non-alcohol consumption, conferred 53% increased risk of having MetS. In women, alcohol consumption did not have relation to the prevalence of Mets. In the beer-only, liquor-only and mixed type consumers, no significant associations between MetS or its components and the quantity of alcohol consumption were detected. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that excessive wine consumption (alcohol ≥50.0g/d) is associated with higher prevalence of MetS in Chinese men. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Fetuin-A is an important player in the enhancement of insulin resistance. We aimed to investigate the association of serum fetuin-A and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a community based Chinese population. Methods: A total of 5469 subjects aged 40 years or above were recruited from two urban communities in Shanghai. Demographic, anthropometric and biochemical features were collected according to a standard protocol. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured using ELISA and the modified NCEP-ATP III criteria were adopted to diagnose MetS. Results: A higher level of serum fetuin-A was well associated with a variety of metabolic disorders and an increased prevalence of MetS. The relative risks for MetS were markedly elevated in a dose-dependent manner both before and after extended adjustment in total participants (adjusted odds ratios were 1.00, 1.11, 1.20 and 1.40 for fetuin-A quartiles 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively; P value for trend=0.0002). MetS risks were also significantly associated with serum fetuin-A in various subgroups of sex, age, body mass index and glycaemic status. Moreover, an elevated serum fetuin-A was also independently associated with MetS components including central obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose and high triglycerides. Stepwise regression analyses revealed fetuin-A as an independent determinant of insulin resistance measured by the index of homeostasis model (HOMA-IR) (β =0.064; P =0.009). Conclusion: Serum fetuin-A levels were strongly and independently associated with MetS and its components in community-dwelling Chinese adults. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A novel polysulfides-immobilized composite is presented for Li-S battery. • The TiO 2 @PANI@S composite exhibits a high electrochemical performance. • Strong adsorption between the composite and polysulfides is presented. • Enhanced electron transfer and ion diffusion are achievable. Li-S batteries are promising new energy-storage systems owing to their high theoretical energy density. However, the volume-change and poor conductivity of S, and shuttle effect severely restrict applications. Here, we present a novel semispherical composite consisting of sulfur and polyaniline (PANI) hydrogel coating on a bowl-shaped hollow TiO 2. The TiO 2 @PANI@S composites show an excellent performance with a high capacity of 1058 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 C, and a stable Columbic efficiency of 99.8%. The composites also possess a recoverable rate-performance under repeated tests. The Li+ ion diffusion co-efficiency is studied, which indicates that the semispherical composite enables a rapid Li+ ion transportation. In addition, the density functional theory calculations confirm a strong adsorption of TiO 2 towards polysulfides including for Li 2 S 4 , Li 2 S 6 , and Li 2 S 8 , which efficiently suppress the shuttle effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, lung cancer has the highest rates of mortality and morbidity, with the majority of its pathology attributable to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MicroRNAs are pivotal in the occurrence and development of cancer. However, the role of miRNA-593-5p in the progression of NSCLC is not clear. In this study, we investigate, in vitro, whether miRNA-593-5p inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation. To clarify its specific mechanism of inhibition, we used bioinformatics to predict its target genes and identified PLK1. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding of miR-593-5p to the PLK1 3′-UTR in a sequence-specific manner in NSCLC cells. Additionally, we also found through Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR that miR-593-5p down-regulates the expression of PLK1 protein. Finally, PLK1 overexpression was shown to disinhibit NSCLC cell proliferation. Taken together, this evidence suggests that miR-593-5p inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation by inhibiting PLK1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]