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In this study, the nanocomposites from biomass (soybean straw) and layered double hydroxides (LDHs), denoted as B/LDHs, were fabricated using the mechanical-hydrothermal method. The obtained B/LDHs nanocomposites were characterized by TEM, SEM, FT-IR, and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. Adsorption of the heavy-metal ions Pb(ii) on the B/LDHs was determined at 25°C and pH 6.0 using a batch technique. The experimental results demonstrated that biomass contributed to the sorption process. The pseudo-second-order, Langmuir, and Freundlich models well fitted the sorption process, indicating chemisorption and monolayer adsorption were the main adsorption mechanisms. Meanwhile, it is found that there is an obvious effect of adsorbent concentration in the studied adsorption system. In comparison with soybean straw and Mg–Al LDHs, the B/LDHs nanocomposites exhibit significantly enhanced sorption capacities. It is evident from this study that the construction of B/LDHs nanocomposites is an effective strategy for improving the sorption capacity of LDHs, and the modified LDH-based adsorbent shows a good potential in the removal of heavy metals from water. More importantly, it solves the problem of a large number of agricultural waste disposals. And, it achieved the goal of a win-win situation.

Plant protein‐based adhesives, particularly those derived from soybean meal (SM), have been available for various product applications. However, the high cost of SM has limited large‐scale manufacturing, despite sufficient production capacity. Peony seed meal (PSM) is abundant in proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, the protein in PSM contains highly hydrophobic amino acids, resulting in low water solubility and water holding capacity. It is worth investigating whether the unique composition of hydrophobic amino acids in PSM protein can enhance the water resistance of PSM‐based adhesives. Additionally, the lower price of PSM, which is approximately two‐thirds of the cost of SM, makes it a more valuable raw material for adhesives. Herein, we report a simple and practical approach for preparing PSM‐based wood adhesives by utilizing the highly active cross‐linking agent of polyamidoamine‐epichlorohydrin (PAE). The results showed PSM‐based adhesives possessed excellent adhesion, especially the adhesive of "PSM‐36%", with the wet bond strength and the aged bond strength reaching 1.60 and 0.83 MPa, respectively, meeting the standards outlined for indoor‐use plywood (≥0.98 MPa). Mechanistic studies indicated that the adhesion mechanism of such PSM‐based adhesives might involve high solid content, low viscosity, high thermal stability, and the formulation of covalent bonds and hydrogen bond networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHCD) on vascular endothelial injury in septic rats. Methods Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced sepsis group (model group), low dose PHCD (0.3 mg/kg) group, medium dose PHCD (1.0 mg/kg) group and high dose PHCD (3.0 mg/kg) groups, ten mice for each group. Normal saline was injected into the tail vein of the control group, and 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into the tail vein of the rats in other groups to prepare the sepsis rat models. After the models were successfully established, low, medium and high doses (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 mg/kg) of PHCD solution were injected into the tail vein of the rats of corresponding groups. Wet/dry mass ratio (W/D) of lung tissue of rats in each group was measured, and ELISA was used to assay interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6 content and rat plasma angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of Ang2 in the right lung tissues. Western blot analysis was performed to detect Ang2 and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) protein in lung tissues. Results Compared with the control group, the W/D ratio of the lung tissues of rats in the model group and the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were significantly increased; the lung tissues showed obvious pathological damage, with up-regulation of Ang2 expression and down-regulation of VE-Cadherin expression. Compared with the model group, the W/D ratio of the lung tissues of rats in three PHCD treatment groups and the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were significantly reduced; the pathological damage of lung tissue was significantly reduced, with down-regulation of Ang2 expression and up-regulation of VE-cadherin expression. Conclusion PHCD can reduce LPS-induced lung inflammation in rats with sepsis by regulating the Ang2/VE-Cadherin pathway, thereby improving vascular endothelial injury.