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High-pressure proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis for hydrogen production is a crucial method to achieve low energy consumption, high efficiency, minimal pollution, and seamless integration with storage systems. Despite its potential, the current application of high-pressure PEM water electrolysis faces several challenges. This paper provides a concise analysis of the research advancements in high-pressure PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production, focusing on technical bottlenecks within high-pressure devices. It explores key issues such as gas cross-permeability, membrane degradation, membrane shedding, and hydrogen embrittlement encountered during high-pressure PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Furthermore, this paper summarizes the latest research directions and proposed solutions based on existing findings, aiming to offer effective references for enhancing the safety, scalability, and industrial application of high-pressure PEM water electrolysis technology. [Display omitted] • State-of-art technology of high-pressure PEMWE for hydrogen production was discussed. • Gas cross-permeability, membrane degradation and hydrogen embrittlement of PEMWE were analyzed. • The latest research directions and proposed solutions for the PEMWE were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Our purpose was to clarify the effect of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on the start‐up period, particle formation, and treatment efficiency of an aerobic granular sludge system. Methods and Results: We compared an R1 granular sequencing batch reactor (GSBR) started with 5 μg L−1 SMX and an R2 GSBR started without SMX, as a control, to investigate the impact of a trace amount of SMX (5 μg L−1) on aerobic granular sludge (AGS) characteristics and the removal of conventional contaminants. AGS granulation in the R1 system was not inhibited by SMX, but the granule particle size was smaller than that in the R2 system. Both systems had good performance removing conventional pollutants. Extracellular polymeric substance secretion in the R1 system was lower than that in the R2 system. After stabilizing reactor operations, the SMX removal efficiency in the R1 system (~73.93%) was higher than that in the R2 system (~70.66%). The start‐up modes also determined the differences in the microbial community structure of the AGS systems. Conclusions: SMX‐activated AGS performed better than AGS without SMX. Significance and Impact of Study: The study can help engineers determine start‐up modes with varieties of antibiotics in AGS processes and provide references for the optimization of water treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Hypoxia‐induced damage is one of the key factors associated with islet graft dysfunction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be used to enhance the therapeutic effect of islet transplantation due to their paracrine potential such as exosomes. In this study, we investigated whether exosomes from human umbilical cord‐derived MSC‐conditioned medium (hu‐MSC‐CM) could increase the survival and function of neonatal porcine islet cell clusters (NICCs) exposed to hypoxia. Methods: Neonatal porcine islet cell clusters were cultured with hu‐MSC‐CM, with or without exosomes, and native medium RPMI‐1640 (Control) under hypoxic conditions (1% O2). The effects of exosomes on NICCs viability and function in vitro were examined by FACS, the Loops system, and the Extracellular Flux assay, respectively. Results: Compared with NICCs cultured in RPMI‐1640 medium and hu‐MSC‐CM without exosomes, the survival ratio, viability, and function increased in NICCs cultured in hu‐MSC‐CM with exosomes. Conclusions: This study found that hu‐MSC‐CM could protect NICCs from hypoxia‐induced dysfunction, and exosomes played an important role in hypoxic resistance, suggesting a potential strategy to improve islet transplantation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: 5-ethylamino-9-diethylaminobenzo[a]phenoselenazinium (EtNBSe) is a novel synthetic bipolar photosensitizer with many promising applications. This study investigated the impact of EtNBSe-mediated photodynamic therapy (EtNBSe-PDT) on the autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of squamous carcinoma cells (A-431 cells), as well as the related molecular mechanisms. Methods: The potency of EtNBSe-PDT against squamous cell carcinoma was evaluated in BALB/c nude mice. Cell viability was evaluated using MTT. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression levels of ER stress- and autophagy-related proteins. Results: Both morphological and microscopic findings showed that the tumor on the xenograft mice exhibited an apparent reduction in volume and was replaced with fibrosis 20 days after EtNBSe-PDT. Additionally, in an in vitro study using A-431 cells, EtNBSe-PDT was found to inhibit A-431 cell survival in an EtNBSe concentration- and light dose- dependent manner, and to induce ER stress via the PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway. Additionally, EtNBSe-PDT could also induce autophagy of A-431 cells. Furthermore, the ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA and the eIF2αinhibitor salubrinal were found to inhibit the autophagy induced by EtNBSe-PDT. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway was involved in the ER stress induced by EtNBSe-PDT. Meanwhile, the ER stress via the PERK-eIF2α pathway promoted the occurrence of autophagy in A-431 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural sustainability has important value for boosting regional growth. In recent years, the unprecedented expansion of rice–crayfish field (RCF) in the rural areas of mid-China has raised great concerns in terms of its spatiotemporal dynamics and socioeconomic impact. With Jianli City in mid-China as a case, this study aimed to (1) comprehensively investigate the land-use change in RCF with combined remote sensing and geospatial data analysis, (2) delineate the variations of RCF and socioeconomic benefits from 2010 to 2019 and (3) explore the influencing factors and driving mechanism by using a multiscale geographically weighted regression model. Results illustrated that the RCF development in Jianli City showed an overall uptrend between 2000 and 2019. The area of RCF in 2019 expanded by 599.95% from 2015 levels (from 10,350 ha to 72,445 ha). These extensively expanded RCFs were mainly converted from paddy fields and are distributed around the water area. In terms of socioeconomic benefits, the economic income of villagers increased, whilst the number of out-migrant workers decreased. RCF development effectively contributed to regional economic growth and reduced rural depopulation, thereby facilitating rural transformation from traditional agricultural to characteristic agriculture. The findings clearly showed the spatiotemporal dynamics of RCF and its positive impact on the socioeconomic development of rural areas, thus providing evidence for formulating targeted rural revitalisation policies to achieve rural sustainability. • The spatiotemporal dynamics of rice–crayfish field (RCF) in mid-China is explored. • The positive relationship between RCF and socioeconomic is illustrated. • Multiscale geographically weighted regression uncovers the scale effect and spatial heterogeneity of influencing factors. • RCF injects vitality into sustainable agriculture and rural revitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The dysfunction of islet grafts is generally attributed to hypoxia‐induced damage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently thought to effectively protect cells from various risk factors via regulating autophagy. In our study, we investigated if human umbilical cord‐derived MSCs could ameliorate hypoxia‐induced apoptosis in porcine islets by modulating autophagy, and we explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Neonatal porcine islet cell clusters (NICCs) were cultured with human umbilical cord‐derived MSC conditioned medium (huc‐MSC‐CM) and RPMI‐1640 medium (control) under hypoxic conditions (1% O2) in vitro. NICCs were treated with 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) and chloroquine (CQ) to examine the role of huc‐MSC‐CM in regulating autophagy. Finally, the levels of several cytokines secreted by huc‐MSCs were detected by ELISAs, and the corresponding inhibitors were applied to investigate which cytokine mediates the protective effects of huc‐MSC‐CM. The effects of huc‐MSC‐CM on NICCs viability and autophagy were examined using AO/PI staining, flow cytometry analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal fluorescence microscopy analysis. The insulin secretion of NICCs was tested with an insulin immunoradiometric assay kit. Results: Compared to the control, the huc‐MSC‐CM treatment improved the viability of NICCs, inhibited apoptosis, increased autophagic activity and the levels of PI3K class III and phosphorylated Akt, while the ratio of phosphorylated mTOR/mTOR was reduced. These changes were reversed by CQ and 3‐MA treatments. High concentrations of IL‐6 were detected in hu‐MSC‐CM. Furthermore, recombinant IL‐6 pre‐treatment exerted similar effects as huc‐MSC‐CM, and these effects were reversed by a specific inhibitor of IL‐6 (Sarilumab). Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that huc‐MSC‐CM improved islet viability and function by increasing autophagy through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, IL‐6 plays an important role in the function of huc‐MSC‐CM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]