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Background Dcf1 has been demonstrated to play vital roles in many CNS diseases, it also has a destructive role on cell mitochondria in glioma cells and promotes the autophagy. Hitherto, it is unclear whether the viability of glioblastoma cells is affected by Dcf1, in particular Dcf1 possesses broad localization on different organelles, and the organelles interaction frequently implicated in cancer cells survival. Methods Surgically excised WHO grade IV human glioblastoma tissues were collected and cells isolated for culturing. RT‐PCR and DNA sequencing assay to estimate the abundance and mutation of Dcf1. iTRAQ sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were performed. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation assay to evaluate the degradation of HistoneH2A isomers by UBA52 ubiquitylation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was applied to observe the structure change of mitochondria and autophagosome. Organelle isolated assay to determine the distribution of protein. Cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometric assays. Results Dcf1 was downregulated in WHO grade IV tumor without mutation, and overexpression of Dcf1 was found to significantly regulate glioblastoma cells. One hundred and seventy‐six differentially expressed proteins were identified by iTRAQ sequencing. Furthermore, we confirmed that overexpression of Dcf1 destabilized the structure of the nucleosome via UBA52 ubiquitination to downregulate HistoneH2A.X but not macroH2A or HistoneH2A.Z, decreased the mitochondrial DNA copy number and inhibited the mitochondrial biogenesis, thus causing mitochondrial destruction and dysfunction in order to supply cellular energy and induce mitophagy preferentially but not apoptosis. Dcf1 also has disrupted the integrity of lysosomes to block autolysosome degradation and autophagy and to increase the release of Cathepsin B and D from lysosomes into cytosol. These proteins cleaved and activated BID to induce glioblastoma cells apoptosis. Conclusions In this study, we demonstrated that unmutated Dcf1 expression is negatively related to the malignancy of glioblastoma, Dcf1 overexpression causes nucleosomes destabilization, mitochondria destruction and dysfunction to induce mitophagy preferentially, and block autophagy by impairing lysosomes to induce apoptosis in glioblastoma., Dcf1 destabilized the structure of the nucleosome via downregulating HistoneH2A.X and the binding to UBA52 but not macroH2A or HistoneH2A.Z, which induced DNA damage and inhibit the recruitment of DNA repair complex. Dcf1 overexpression decreased the mitochondrial DNA copy number, inhibited the mitochondrial biogenesis and induced mitochondrial destruction and dysfunction, thus causing the inhibition of cellular energy generation and inducing mitophagy preferentially but not apoptosis. Dcf1 disrupt the integrality and function of lysosomes to block autophagy and induce apoptosis in glioblastoma.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a metabolic hormone with pleiotropic effects on glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, alleviates the process of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, its mechanism remains elusive. The pathological and physiological characteristics of FGF21 are observed in both patients with AP and cerulein‐induced AP models, and the mechanisms of FGF21 in response to AP are investigated by evaluating the impact of autophagy in FGF21‐treated mice and cultured pancreatic cells. Circulating levels of FGF21 significantly increase in both AP patients and cerulein‐induced AP mice, which is accompanied by the change of pathology in pancreatic injury. Replenishment of FGF21 distinctly reverses cerulein‐induced pancreatic injury and improves cerulein‐induced autophagy damage in vivo and in vitro. Mechanically, FGF21 acts on pancreatic acinar cells to up‐regulate Sirtuin‐1 (Sirt1) expression, which in turn repairs impaired autophagy and removes damaged organs. In addition, blockage of Sirt1 accelerates cerulein‐induced pancreatic injury and weakens the regulative effect in FGF21‐activated autophagy in mice. These results showed that FGF21 protects against cerulein‐induced AP by activation of Sirtuin‐1‐autophagy axis.

Wooden and plastic pallets are used extensively in global trade to transport finished goods and products. This article compares the life cycle performance of treated wooden and plastic pallets through a detailed cradle‐to‐grave life cycle assessment (LCA), and conducts an analysis of the various phytosanitary treatments. The LCA investigates and evaluates the environmental impacts due to the resources consumed and emissions of the product throughout its life cycle. The environmental impacts of the pallets are compared on a one‐trip basis and a 100,000‐trips basis. Impact categories are chosen with respect to environmental concerns. The results show that on a one‐trip basis, wooden pallets with conventional and radio frequency (RF) heat treatment incur an overall carbon footprint of 71.8% and 80.3% lower, respectively, than plastic pallets during their life cycle; and in comparison with wooden pallets treated with methyl bromide fumigation, they incur 20% and 30% less overall carbon footprint. Theoretical calculations of the resource consumption and emissions of RF treatment of pallets suggest that dielectric technology may provide a lower‐carbon alternative to both current ISPM 15‐approved treatments and to plastic pallets. Methyl bromide fumigation (15.95 kg CO2 equivalent [eq.]) has a larger carbon footprint than conventional heat treatment (12.69 kg CO2 eq.) of pallets. For the 100,000‐trips basis, the differences are even more significant. The results recommend that wooden pallets are more environmentally friendly than plastic pallets, and conventional and RF heat treatment for wooden pallets is more sustainable than methyl bromide fumigation treatment.

Background Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have normal or elevated High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL‐C), however, the function of HDL, partly mediated by the HDL proteome, may be impaired. Metformin can be used as an adjunct therapy in youth with T1D, but its effects on the HDL proteome are unknown. Objective To determine the effect of metformin on the HDL proteome. Subjects Youth (12–20 years old) with T1D who had a BMI > 90th percentile, HbA1c > 8.0% and Tanner stage 5. Methods Double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled randomized sub‐study. We examined the effects of metformin (n = 25) or placebo (n = 10) after 6 months on HDL proteome. Changes in HDL proteins were measured by data‐independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry and compared between treatment groups. As a secondary outcome, associations between proteins of interest and the most studied function of HDL, the cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), was examined. Results The relative abundance of 84 HDL‐associated proteins were measured. Two proteins were significantly affected by metformin treatment, peptidoglycan recognition protein 2 (PGRP2; +23.4%, p = .0058) and alpha‐2‐macroglobulin (A2MG; +29.8%, p = .049). Metformin did not significantly affect CEC. Changes in affected HDL proteins did not correlate with CEC. Conclusions Despite having little effect on HDL‐C, metformin increased PGRP2 and A2MG protein on HDL in youth with T1D, but had no significant effect on CEC. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of PGRP2 and A2MG on other HDL functions., We hypothesized that metformin could change the protein cargo on HDL and subsequently improve HDL function in youth with T1D. We analysed samples from a large RCT metformin‐placebo trial and we found that despite having little effect on HDL‐C, metformin increased PGRP2 and A2MG protein on HDL in youth with T1D, but had no significant effect on cholesterol efflux. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of PGRP2 and A2MG on other HDL functions.

O-Glycosylation is one of the most common protein post-translational modifications (PTM) and plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of diseases. However, the complexity of O-glycosylation and the lack of specific enzymes for the processing of O-glycans and their O-glycopeptides make O-glycosylation analysis challenging. Recently, research on O-glycosylation has received attention owing to technological innovation and emerging O-glycoproteases. Several serine/threonine endoproteases have been found to specifically cleave O-glycosylated serine or threonine, allowing for the systematic analysis of O-glycoproteins. In this review, we first assessed the field of protein O-glycosylation over the past decade and used bibliometric analysis to identify keywords and emerging trends. We then summarized recent advances in O-glycosylation, covering several aspects: O-glycan release, site-specific elucidation of intact O-glycopeptides, identification of O-glycosites, characterization of different O-glycoproteases, mass spectrometry (MS) fragmentation methods for site-specific O-glycosylation assignment, and O-glycosylation data analysis. Finally, the role of O-glycosylation in health and disease was discussed.

The analysis of melamine and its analogs is of increasing research interest. Owing to their high nitrogen content and low price, they were deliberately added to artificially enhance protein concentration in a number of different types of human and animal food sources. In addition, environmental water might also be contaminated by melamine due to its use in the chemical industry and the degradation of the pesticide cyromazine. Herein we provide a detailed overview of recently developed materials and techniques for the analysis of melamine and its analogs in complex matrices, especially in dairy products (e.g., milk and powdered milk) and environmental water.

In this work, an ampholine-functionalized hybrid organic-inorganic silica sorbent was successfully used to extract melamine from a milk formula sample by a hydrophilic interaction solid-phase extraction protocol. Primary factors affecting the extraction efficiency of the material such as extraction solvent, elution solvent, sample loading volume, and elution volume have been thoroughly optimized. Under the optimized hydrophilic solid-phase extraction conditions, the recoveries of melamine spiked in milk formula samples ranged from 86.2 to 101.8% with relative standard deviations of 4.1-9.4% (n = 3). The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.32 μg/g. The adsorption capacity toward melamine was 30 μg of melamine per grams of sorbent. Due to its simplicity, rapidity and cost effectiveness, the newly developed hydrophilic solid-phase extraction method should provide a promising tool for daily monitoring of doped melamine in milk formula.

an spe cartridge based on an ampholine-functionalized hybrid organic-inorganic silica sorbent has been adopted for the analysis of aromatic amines including 4-aminobiphenyl, benzidine, 2-naphthylamine, p-chloroaniline, 2,4,5-trimethylaniline, and 3,3-dichlorobenzidine. crucial variables governing the extraction efficiency of the material such as the ph of sample, sample loading volume, solvent used for elution, and elution volume have been thoroughly optimized. the adsorption capacities for the six aromatic amines ranged from 0.17 to 1.82 g/mg. the recoveries of aromatic amines spiked in textile samples ranged from 78.9 to 103.0%, with rsds of 1.1-11.9% (n = 3). moreover, the extraction efficiency of the ampholine-functionalized hybrid organic-inorganic silica sorbent was at least comparable with that of oasis wcx.

Nanocrystalline Bi 12 TiO 20 powders were successfully synthesized using an electrochemical method, where Bi and Ti plates were used as the anode and the cathode. Their crystallization and dispersion strongly rely on the H 3 PO 4 amount in the electrolytic solution. Only large-sized Bi 12 TiO 20 microspheres can be obtained without H 3 P0 4 , while adding H 3 PO 4 in an electrolytic solution will destroy the dense microspheres and weaken the adhesion among primary particles, forming well-dispersed nanocrystalline Bi 12 TiO 20 . XRD and HRTEM evidenced the coexistence of body-centered cubic phase Bi 12 TiO 20 with the face-centered cubic phase in nanocrystalline samples, and ultraviolet-Vis absorption and photodegradation data verified their good response to visible light and excellent photocatalytic ability.

A novel method for the separation and detection of low molecular weight (LMW) acids was developed using monolithic immobilized pH gradient-based capillary isoelectric focusing coupled with mass spectrometry. Two main parameters, focusing conditions and delivery buffer conditions, which might affect separation efficiency, were optimized with the focusing time of 7 min at 350 V/cm and the delivery buffer of 50% (v/v) acetonitrile in 10 mmol/L ammonium formate (pH 3.0). Under these conditions, the linear correlation between the volume of delivery solvent and the pK(a) of the model components was observed. In addition, the separation mechanism of LMW acids was proposed as well. We suppose that this method may provide a useful tool for the characterization of LMW components (e.g. natural organic matter of different origins).

An integrated platform consisting of protein separation by CIEF with monolithic immobilized pH gradient (M-IPG), on-line digestion by trypsin-based immobilized enzyme microreactor (trypsin-IMER), and peptide separation by CZE was established. In such a platform, a tee unit was used not only to connect M-IPG CIEF column and trypsin-IMER, but also to supply adjustment buffer to improve the compatibility of protein separation and digestion. Another interface was made by a Teflon tube with a nick to couple IMER and CZE via a short capillary, which was immerged in a centrifuge tube filled with 20 mmol/L glutamic acid, to exchange protein digests buffer and keep electric contact for peptide separation. By such a platform, under the optimal conditions, a mixture of ribonuclease A, myoglobin and BSA was separated into 12 fractions by M-IPG CIEF, followed by on-line digestion by trypsin-IMER and peptide separation by CZE. Many peaks of tryptic peptides, corresponding to different proteins, were observed with high UV signals, indicating the excellent performance of such an integrated system. We hope that the CE-based on-line platform developed herein would provide another powerful alternative for an integrated analysis of proteins.

Yttrium orthovanadate (YVO4) nanoparticles with nearly spherical shape were successfully synthesized via a molten salt method at a low temperature of 200°C. The as-prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy, respectively. The results show that increasing salt amount and/or elevating calcining temperature can greatly promote the crystallization and growth of YVO4 phase. UV-Vis absorption spectra suggested that YVO4 nanoparticles with the smaller particle size have the stronger UV absorption, and the sequent photocatalytic degradation data also confirmed their higher photocatalytic activity.

Barium tungstate crystallites with different sizes and morphologies were successfully synthesized using a simple electro-chemical technique by varying the components of electrolyte solutions. XRD analysis evidenced that the as-prepared samples were a pure tetragonal-phase of BaWO(4) with a scheelite structure. Scanning electron microscopy images and PL spectra of BaWO(4) crystallites revealed that the presence of OH(-) ions and the incorporation of absolute ethanol into the electrolyte solution would have important effects on their particle sizes, morphologies, and optical properties.

Barium tungstate (BaWO4) crystallites were successfully synthesized at room temperature via an easily-manipulated electrochemical method, using tungsten plates as electrodes and Ba(OH)2 solution as electrolyte. Effects of electric current value and reaction time on the crystallization and development of BaWO4 crystallites were initially studied and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescent (PL) spectra technique, respectively. Experimental results showed that well-crystallized BaWO4 crystallites with ca. 2 μm in diameter could be obtained at 0.5 A and a short reaction time of 10 min. XRD analysis showed that the as-prepared sample was a pure tetragonal phase of BaWO4 with scheelite structure. PL spectra revealed that BaWO4 crystallites displayed a very strong PL peak at 448 nm with the 380 nm excitation wavelength.

Microcolumn RPLC (microRPLC) is one of the optimum separation modes for shotgun proteomic analysis. To identify as many proteins as possible by MS/MS, the improvement on separation efficiency and peak capacity of muRPLC is indispensable. Although the increase in column length is one of the effective solutions, the preparation of a long microcolumn is rather difficult due to the high backpressure generated during the packing procedure. In our recent work, through connecting microcolumns of 5, 10, and 15 cm length via unions with minimal dead volume, long microcolumns with length up to 30 cm were obtained, with which 318 proteins were identified from proteins extracted from Escherichia coli by microRPLC-ESI MS/MS, and similar distributions of M(w) and pI were found with single and various coupled microcolumns. Furthermore, by using MS/MS with improved sensitivity, with such a serially coupled 30 cm long microcolumn, 1692 proteins were identified within 7 h from rat brain tissue, with false positive rate (FPR)

The myotubularin (MTM) enzymes are phosphotidylinositol-3-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate phosphatases. Mutation of MTM1, the founder member of this family, is responsible for X-linked myotubular myopathy in humans. Here, we have isolated and characterized a Caenorhabditis elegans homology of the enzymes designated ceMTM3. ceMTM3 preferably dephosphorylates phosphotidylinositol-3-phosphate and contains a FYVE lipid-binding domain at its C-terminus which binds phosphotidylinositol-3-phosphate. Immunoblotting analyses revealed that the enzyme is expressed during the early development and adulthood of the animal. Immunofluorescent staining revealed predominant expression of the enzyme in eggs and muscles. Knockdown of the enzyme by using feeding-based RNA interference resulted in an increased level of phosphotidylinositol-3-phosphate and caused severe impairment of body movement of the worms at their post-reproductive ages and significantly shortened their lifespan. This study thus reveals an important role of the MTM phosphatases in maintaining muscle function, which may have clinical implications in prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.

Uniform Bi2S3 whiskers were synthesized via a template-free hydrothermal route using bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O), thiourea (CS(NH2)2), and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) as starting materials. The resultant powders were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescent spectra techniques (PL), respectively. It was found that Bi2S3 whiskers could be easily synthesized in the presence of LiOH, whereas only irregular and aggregated particles were obtained without adding LiOH, and that elevating hydrothermal reaction temperature in a certain range would promote the preferred orientation growth of Bi2S3 crystallites. The PL spectra results evidenced that the optical properties of Bi2S3 crystallites were obviously influenced by their size and morphology.

CdMoO4 powders with well-controlled shapes, including sphere, cake, cubic sugar, flake, and floccule have been successfully synthesized by a low-temperature (≤90°C) hydrothermal method. The effects of pH, reaction time, and temperature on the crystalline size and shape were explored by using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of the as-synthesized CdMoO4 crystallites were also investigated, which showed that their optical properties obviously relied on the particle size and morphology of CdMoO4 powders.

Well-crystallized bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) powders with different morphologies were successfully synthesized via a low-temperature molten salt method. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-Vis, respectively. It was found that the variation of morphology of the obtained Bi2WO6 powder mainly depends on the different reaction temperatures and the weight ratio of LiNO3–NaNO3 salt to precursor. In addition, the UV-Visible absorption spectra showed that the synthesized powders had strong light absorption properties not only in the ultraviolet light but also in the visible light region.

Nano-crystalline LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 with a unique powder characterization has been successfully synthesized by a soft combustion reaction method, using lithium nitrate, manganese nitrate, and nickel nitrate as the starting materials, and no organic materials being introduced in the whole process. The LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 powders synthesized by the soft combustion reaction method were investigated by differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry, X-ray diffractometer, and transmission electron microscopy. The resultant product was a pure phase of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 without any other impurities. Electrochemical measurements were also performed.

Nanostructured Sr 2 Nb 2 O 7 powders with different morphologies were synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction at 200°C for 24 h in a Sr2 + -Nb 2 O 5 . nH 2 O-KOH system. X-ray powder diffraction characterization indicated that 0.3-5M KOH solutions favored the formation of a Sr 2 Nb 2 0 7 pure phase. On increasing the concentration of KOH from 0.3 to 5M, the morphology of Sr 2 Nb 2 0 7 samples changed from nanoneedles to nanorods, nanosheets, and finally nano-sized flakes, and their aspect ratios gradually reduced. Ultraviolet-Visible diffuse reflectance spectra analyses showed that the nanostructured Sr 2 Nb 2 O 7 powders had good light absorption properties in the ultraviolet light region.

CdMoO4 nano-particles were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal process at a low temperature of 90°C, and the powders were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescent spectra techniques (PL), respectively. CdMoO4 particles could be obtained under the hydrothermal condition from micrometer to nanometer sizes by varying their precursors. The PL spectra results showed that the optical properties of CdMoO4 crystallites obviously relied on their particle sizes.

Small strontium titanate (SrTiO3) particles with an average particle size of about 100 nm have been successfully synthesized by a simple and fast electrochemical route, in which Ti metal plates are used as electrodes and an aqueous solution of KOH and Sr(OH)2 as an electrolyte. Anodic sparks played a key role, and KOH concentration was one of the most significant factors that affected the appearance of anodic sparks in this method. XRD patterns indicated that the powders obtained in our study were a pure perovskite phase SrTiO3 with a cubic structure, whose size and morphology were subsequently studied by transmission electron microscopy. UV-VIS result showed that the products had better UV absorption and visible light response than TiO2-P25.

Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal process and characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope techniques. The effects of reaction temperature, holding time, and RH ratio (isopropyl alcohol/water) were discussed. The NiFe2O4 nanoparticles could be obtained at 60°C within 3 h. The crystallization of the spinel ferrites was promoted by the increase in reaction temperature, holding time, and RH ratio.

A newly developed molten salt method was applied at a temperature as low as 350°C to successfully synthesize an inverse spinel LiNiVO4 cathode by reacting lithium nitrate, nickel nitrate, and ammonium vanadate. As shown in XRD and TEM, the resultant product was a pure phase of LiNiVO4 without any other impurities. The powders showed a narrow particle size distribution with an average particle size of about 80 nm. No organic materials were introduced in the whole process.

Bi3NbO7 nanoparticles with a hollow structure can be easily prepared by a facile molten-salt technique, where an active precursor is firstly synthesized, and then calcined in KNO3. The crystallization and development of Bi3NbO7 nanoparticles can be effectively controlled by adjusting such processing parameters as calcining temperature, holding time, and incorporated salt quantity. Without adding KNO3, only large-sized and irregular particles can be obtained, having lower crystallinity. Introduction of KNO3 will densify their microstructure and reduce their particle size, enhancing their crystallinity. At a low temperature (400 °C), Bi3NbO7 nanoparticles with a hollow structure can be obtained, exhibiting much better photocatalytic activity under visible light than its normal ones, but the hollow structure is sensitive to calcining temperature; at 500 °C, it completely disappears.

Nanocrystalline title solid solutions (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20) are prepared by precipitation from aqueous solutions of NaVO3, La(NO3)3, and Fe(NO3)3 with NH3 followed by calcination of a mixture of the precipitate and LiNO3 (alumina crucible, 450 °C, 6 h).

Cadmium tungstate (CdWO4) nanorods were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal process at as low a temperature as 70°C. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescent spectra techniques. The results showed that the morphology of nanocrystallites significantly varied with the reaction temperature, and CdWO4 nanorods exhibited a better luminescent property than nanofibers.

Manganese sulfide (MnS) crystallites with varying morphology and polymorph can be synthesized via a solvothermal process assisted by mineralizers. It was found that KOH or KNO 3 as a mineralizer played a key role in the crystallization and development of different kinds of MnS crystallites. Adding KOH in the solvothermal process resulted in the formation of α-MnS crystallites, but γ-MnS could be produced by introducing KNO 3 as a mineralizer. The morphology control was also available.