Knockdown of regulator of Calcineurin 2 promotes transcription factor EB-mediated lipophagy to prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease. The present work aimed to explore the function of regulator of Calcineurin 2 (RCAN2) in NAFLD and its related mechanisms. Mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) to construct NAFLD model.

Integrated microbial activities and isotope analysis unveil the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on straw decomposition in agricultural soil.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely applied across multiple industries and ultimately accumulate in water and soil environments, raising significant concern about their toxicity to organisms in various ecosystems. While the effects of ZnONPs on microflora have been reported, their ecotoxicity to specific biogeochemical process and microbial activities and metabolic functions remains relatively unclear. In this study, a 56-day microcosmic experiment was conducted to explore the toxicity mechanism of ZnONPs (1000 mg kg soil) on straw decomposition, soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization, and changes in microbial activities and functions in agricultural soil with general wheat straw incorporation using the C isotope tracer technique.

The combined contamination of nano-polystyrene and nanoAg: Uptake, translocation and ecotoxicity effects on willow saplings.

Nanoplastics (NPLs) and nanoAg (AgNPs) are emerging contaminants commonly detected in aquatic and terrestrial environments due to their widespread use in various domains. However, their uptake, translocation, and toxic effects on plants in cooccurrence environments remain largely unexplored. Therefore, a hydroponic experiment was conducted using 100 nm NPLs (1 mg/L and 10 mg/L), AgNPs (100 μg/L and 1000 μg/L) and saplings of willow (Salix matsudana 'J172') to investigate absorption, translocation and the physio-biochemical responses of the plants.

Unveiling the nitrogen removal performance from microbial network establishment in vertical flow constructed wetlands.

The combined effects of substrate types (natural zeolite or shale ceramsite) and hydraulic retention time (HRT, 3-day or 6-day) on nutrient removal and microbial co-occurrence networks in vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) remains to be elucidated. In this study, zeolite-packed VFCWs demonstrated superior removal rates, achieving 93.65% removal of NH-N and 83.

Reveal molecular mechanism on the effects of silver nanoparticles on nitrogen transformation and related functional microorganisms in an agricultural soil.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely present in aquatic and soil environment, raising significant concerns about their impacts on creatures in ecosystem. While the toxicity of AgNPs on microorganisms has been reported, their effects on biogeochemical processes and specific functional microorganisms remain relatively unexplored. In this study, a 28-day microcosmic experiment was conducted to investigate the dose-dependent effects of AgNPs (10 mg and 100 mg Ag kg soil) on nitrogen transformation and functional microorganisms in agricultural soils.

Simultaneous removal of antibiotics and nitrogen by microbial fuel cell-constructed wetlands: Microbial response and carbon-nitrogen metabolism pathways.

Microbial fuel cell-constructed wetlands (MFC-CWs) are attracted extensive attention due to their simultaneous removal performance during the co-occurrence of various pollutants in wastewater. This study explored the performance and mechanisms on the simultaneous removal of antibiotics and nitrogen from MFC-CWs which packed with coke (MFC-CW (C)) and quartz sand (MFC-CW (Q)) substrate. Results showed that removal of sulfamethoxazole (93.

Metal tolerance capacity and antioxidant responses of new clones in a combined Cd-Pb polluted system.

To investigate the physiochemical characteristics of two new clones, 'J172' (A7) and 'Yankang1' (A64) in combined Cd-Pb contaminated systems, a hydroponic experiment was designed. The plant biomass, photosynthesis, antioxidant responses and the accumulation of metals in different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) were measured after 35-day treatments with Cd (15, 30 µM) and Pb (250, 500 µM). The results showed that exposure to Cd-Pb decreased the biomass but increased the net photosynthetic rate for both A7 and A64, demonstrating that photosynthesis may be one of the metabolic processes used to resist Cd-Pb stress.

Improving the removal efficiency of nitrogen and organics in vertical-flow constructed wetlands: the correlation of substrate, aeration and microbial activity.

Four vertical-flow CWs (VFCWs) with different substrates and aeration conditions were studied on nutrient-removal capacity from synthetic wastewater. Zeolite substrate VFCWs (none-aerated: VFCW-1, aerated: VFCW-3) paralleled with ceramsite (none-aerated:VFCW-2, aerated: VFCW-4) were used to study the removal efficiencies of N and organics, the bacterial community, and the related functional genes. The results indicated that the pollutant removal efficiency was significantly enhanced by intermittent aeration.

TRPM2 regulates autophagy to participate in hepatitis B virus replication.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects over 300 million people across the world and is further associated with the self-digesting process of autophagy. Accordingly, the current study set out to explore the role of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 2 (TRPM2) in HBV replication. Firstly, Huh-7 cells were transfected with the pHBV1.

The individual and combined effects of polystyrene and silver nanoparticles on nitrogen transformation and bacterial communities in an agricultural soil.

The effects of emerging contaminants micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on health have attracted universal concern throughout the world. However, it is unclear on the combined effects of MPs/NPs and Ag NPs on the biogeochemistry cycle such as nitrogen transformation and functional microorganism in the soil. In the present study, we conducted a 45-day soil microcosm experiment with polystyrene (PS) MPs/NPs and Ag NPs to investigate their combined impact on nitrogen cycling and the bacterial community.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi enhance the tolerance of phytotoxicity and cadmium accumulation in oak (Quercus acutissima Carruth.) seedlings: modulation of growth properties and the antioxidant defense responses.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF), which form symbiotic ectomycorrhiza with tree roots, mediate heavy metal tolerance of host plants. To investigate the roles of EMF in the growth, modulation of oxidative stress, and cadmium (Cd) accumulation and translocation in Quercus acutissima seedlings, ectomycorrhizal seedlings inoculated with Suillus luteus were treated with different Cd concentrations (0.1, and 5 mg kg) for 14 days.

Enhanced nitrogen removal in filled-and-drained vertical flow constructed wetlands: microbial responses to aeration mode and carbon source.

For the purpose of enhancing the removal rate of nitrogen (N) and organic matters, intermittent aeration and carbon source were used in filled-and-drained vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs). The results showed that the best removal of COD (74.16%), NH-N (93.

The simultaneous antibiotics and nitrogen removal in vertical flow constructed wetlands: Effects of substrates and responses of microbial functions.

A vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) packed with the different substrates was designed to remediate the antibiotics in the wastewater. Zeolite (CW-Z) paralleled with Manganese (Mn) ore (CW-M) and biochar (CW-C) were used to enhance the synchronous removal of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIPH), sulfamethazine (SMZ) and nitrogen (N) from the wastewater. The result indicated that CW-M had a significant potential to remove CIPH (93%), SMZ (69%), TN (71%), NH-N (94%) and NO-N (94%) across all the treatments.

Enhanced optimal removal of nitrogen and organics from intermittently aerated vertical flow constructed wetlands: Relative COD/N ratios and microbial responses.

Carbon source and dissolved oxygen are the critical factors which sustain the stable redox environment for the microbes to implement the removal of nitrogen and organics in vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs). The effect mechanisms of the COD/N ratios in intermittently aerated VFCWs are needed to be investigated in order to increase the synchronous removal efficiency of pollutants. In this study, the combined effects of COD/N ratios (3, 6, 12) and intermittent aeration in VFCWs on pollutant removal, microbial communities and related function genes were studied.

The microRNA-155 mediates hepatitis B virus replication by reinforcing SOCS1 signalling-induced autophagy.

As small conserved RNAs without a coding function, microRNAs are expressed in multicellular organisms and contribute to the modulation of multiple cellular reactions, such as viral replication, as well as autophagy. microRNAs can regulate host gene expression and inhibit or reinforce hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Hepatic cells express miR-155 noticeably.

Composition and function of soil fungal community during the establishment of Quercus acutissima (Carruth.) seedlings in a Cd-contaminated soil.

This study was designed to explore the functions of soil fungal communities in the Cd tolerance of Q. acutissima seedling. Three Cd levels of 15, 30, and 40 mg kg were set up using the soils collected from Q.

Growth, accumulation, and antioxidative responses of two Salix genotypes exposed to cadmium and lead in hydroponic culture.

Cd and Pb are a toxic environmental pollutant, and their elevated concentrations in the waters and soils could exert detriment effects on human health by food chain. In order to evaluate the capacity to heavy metal accumulation and the physiochemical responses of two Salix genotypes, a 35-day hydroponic seedling experiment was implemented with Salix matsudana Koidz. 'Shidi1' (A42) and Salix psammophila C.

Dual effects of biochar and hyperaccumulator L. on the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.

Biochar was widely developed for the soil amendment and remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil. The Cd hyperaccumulator, L., has been paid much more attention with the wide application of phytoremediation.

Combing δN and δO to identify the distribution and the potential sources of nitrate in human-impacted watersheds, Shandong, China.

Identifying the anthropogenic and natural sources of nitrate emissions contributing to surface water continues to be an enormous challenge. It is necessary to control the water quality in the watershed impacted by human disturbance. In this study, water chemical parameters including nitrate (NO ) concentrations, δN-NO , δO-NO , and δO-HO were analyzed to investigate the contamination and sources of NO in two watershed rivers (Jinyun, JYN and Jinyang, JYA), Jinan, Shandong, China.

Deep Source Localization with Magnetoencephalography Based on Sensor Array Decomposition and Beamforming.

In recent years, the source localization technique of magnetoencephalography (MEG) has played a prominent role in cognitive neuroscience and in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychological disorders. However, locating deep brain activities such as in the mesial temporal structures, especially in preoperative evaluation of epilepsy patients, may be more challenging. In this work we have proposed a modified beamforming approach for finding deep sources.

Wheat straw biochar amendments on the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated soil.

Soil amendments of wheat straw biochar (BC), lignocellulosic substrate (LS), BC+LS, and BC+LS+BR (surfactant Brij30) were investigated for the first time in order to remedy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-polluted soil using pilot scale microcosm incubation. We hypothesized that the removal of PAHs could be inhibited due to the adsorption and immobilization of biochar and the inhibition depends on the molecular-weight of PAHs. The removal rates of phenanthrene (PHE) and Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) ranked as C=BC>LS=LS+BC=LS+BC+BR and C=BC=LS+BC+BR>LS=LS+BC.

The therapeutic effect of CORM-3 on acute liver failure induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine in mice.

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe and life-threatening clinical syndrome resulting in a high mortality and extremely poor prognosis. Recently, a water-soluble CO-releasing molecule (CORM-3) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effect. The present study was to investigate the effect of CORM-3 on ALF and elucidate its underlying mechanism.

Promotion of mitochondrial energy metabolism during hepatocyte apoptosis in a rat model of acute liver failure.

Hepatocyte apoptosis and energy metabolism in mitochondria have an important role in the mechanism of acute liver failure (ALF). However, data on the association between apoptosis and the energy metabolism of hepatocytes are lacking. The current study assessed the activity of several key enzymes in mitochondria during ALF, including citrate synthase (CS), carnitine palmitoyltransferase‑1 (CPT‑1) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX), which are involved in hepatocyte energy metabolism.

Responses of soil ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms to repeated exposure of single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

The impacts of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) including single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on soil microbial biomass and microbial community composition (especially on ammonium oxidizing microorganisms) have been evaluated. The first exposure of CNTs lowered the microbial biomass immediately, but the values recovered to the level of the control at the end of the experiment despite the repeated addition of CNTs. The abundance and diversity of ammonium-oxidizing archaea (AOA) were higher than that of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) under the exposure of CNTs.

[Mitochondrial activities of citrate synthase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 and cytochrome C oxidase are increased during the apoptotic process in hepatocytes of a rat model of acute liver failure].

Objective: To determine the roles of mitochondrial apoptosis and energy metabolism in hepatocytes during the pathogenic process of acute renal failure (ALF) by assessing disease-related differential activities of several key mitochondrial enzymes, including citrate synthase (CS), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX).

Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were given D-galactosamine followed by and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce acute liver failure and sacrificed after 4 (4 h group), 8 (8 h group) 12 (12 h group) and 24 hours (24 h group) of treatment. Eight unmodeled rats served as controls.