Publications by authors named "Cai Lu"

Cyanobacterial blooms are prevalent globally and present a significant threat to water security. Titanium salt coagulants have garnered considerable attention due to their superior coagulation properties and the absence of metal residue risks. This paper explored the influencing factors in the coagulation process of titanium xerogel coagulant (TXC), the alterations in cell activity during floc storage, and the release of cyanobacterial organic matters, thereby determining the application scope of TXC for cyanobacterial water treatment.

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  • - The global epidemic has increased the use of disposable polypropylene (PP) medical suits, creating environmental concerns, which emphasizes the need for reusable, antibacterial options.
  • - This research introduces a multifunctional PP nonwoven material that can kill and release bacteria, showing impressive results by eliminating over 99% of common bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in just 30 minutes.
  • - The modified PP nonwoven is effective at preventing bacterial attachment, remains stable after washing, and has potential for use in sustainable medical protective gear.
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In order to avoid damaging viscera during poultry evisceration and enhance the economic value of poultry products, this paper proposes a predictive method for poultry carcass visceral dimensions based on 3D point cloud and a Genetic Algorithm-based Wavelet Neural Network (GA-WNN). In this study, a data set of poultry carcasses was obtained through the use of 3D point cloud scanning equipment combined with reverse engineering software. The inputs and predicted targets of the model were determined through correlation analysis of various carcass dimensions.

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Background: Inflammation is associated with adverse outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or chronic heart failure (CHF), but few large data exist. We aimed to explore the clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of inflammation-based scores in patients with CKD and CHF.

Methods: This work was a retrospective cohort study.

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Enhancing energy density and efficiency in laser processing hinges on precise beam focusing, yet this often causes severe heat absorption and focus shifts in optical lenses. Traditional cooling methods increase cost and complexity, severely limiting versatility. Here, monolithic silicon carbide (SiC) metalens is introduced, which shows unparalleled thermal stability, integrated with a high-power laser.

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In this editorial, we comment on the article by He , specifically in relation to the efficacy of bariatric surgery glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery has now also been shown to be safe and effective in pre-teens and teenagers with obesity and T2D, but information on newer GLP-1RAs in these groups is predictably limited. In older individuals (age > 65 years), both bariatric surgery and GLP-1RA therapy improve cardiovascular outcomes.

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  • * A study was conducted on rats to see how Cr accumulates in various brain regions after a 90-day exposure to drinking water with Cr(VI) at regulated levels, focusing on age and sex differences.
  • * Findings revealed that Cr accumulated primarily in the hippocampus of older female rats, highlighting significant changes in essential metals in the brain, indicating a targeted effect of Cr(VI) on brain tissue and possible health implications.
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Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease caused by . Pectin lyase, a pectinase, acts on the α-1,4-glycosidic linkage of galacturonic acid primarily by β-elimination. In this study, three pectin lyase genes (, , ) in were selected, and deletion mutants (Δ, , ) were constructed by homologous recombination for functional characterization.

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  • Diabetes and its complications, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), are linked to the death of cardiovascular cells, with increasing focus on ferroptosis (iron-dependent) and cuproptosis (copper-dependent) as key processes in this pathogenesis.
  • Cadmium exposure, an environmental metal, heightens oxidative stress in diabetic heart cells, leading to iron buildup and lipid peroxidation, ultimately worsening ferroptosis and heart function.
  • The review discusses recent findings on how cadmium-related hyperglycemia raises levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which may enhance copper accumulation in heart cells and contribute to further complications in diabetes-associated CVDs.
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  • * Researchers explored the potential shared mechanisms between IgAN, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and asthma, finding that the Th17 immune pathway may play a significant role in the development of IgAN.
  • * A total of seven novel genetic loci were identified, including one related to a long noncoding RNA, with some loci showing connections to IBD and asthma, highlighting the importance of mucosal immunity in IgAN.
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Ubiquitin (Ub) is a post-translational modification that largely controls proteostasis through mechanisms spanning transcription, translation, and notably, protein degradation. Ub conjugation occurs through a hierarchical cascade of three enzyme classes (E1, E2, and E3s) involving >1000 proteins that regulate the ubiquitination of proteins. The E2 Ub-conjugating enzymes are the midpoint, yet their cellular roles remain under-characterized, partly due to a lack of inhibitors.

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Soil moisture is a key factor for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid regions. Clarifying the vertical characteristics of soil moisture in artificial forests on a regional scale and its response mechanisms can benefit for land use management in water-deficient areas such as the Loess Plateau. The study targets Robinia pseudoacacia on the Loess Plateau with a meta-analysis based on 790 soil moisture data points abstracted from 35 published papers.

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Recently, the roles of pyroptosis, a form of cell death induced by activated NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) have been extensively investigated. However, most studies have focused mainly on whether diabetes increases the NLRP3 inflammasome and associated pyroptosis in the heart of type 1 or type 2 diabetic rodent models, and whether various medications and natural products prevent the development of DCM, associated with decreased levels of cardiac NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. The direct link of NLRP3 inflammasome and associated pyroptosis to the pathogenesis of DCM remains unclear based on the limited evidence derived from the available studies, with the approaches of gene silencing or pharmaceutical application of specific inhibitors.

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Micro/nano-plastics (MNPs) are emerging non-point source pollutants that have garnered increasing attention owing to their threat to ecosystems. Studies on the effects of MNPs on horticultural crops are scarce. Specifically, whether MNPs can be absorbed and transported by grapevines have not been reported.

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Military activities and the production or disposal of ammunition often lead to soil contamination with energetic compounds (ECs) such as dinitrotoluene, trinitrotoluene, and hexogen, posing significant threats to human health and the ecosystem. Biochar has emerged as a cost-effective and widely available solution for remediating contaminated sites characterized by its capacity for pollutant removal through adsorption and conversion process, along with minimal secondary pollution. This paper provides a comprehensive review of relevant literature on biochar's efficacy in eliminating ECs, including an analysis of the underlying mechanisms.

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  • Researchers used in situ electron microscopy to observe how low-melting-point metal nanorods can stretch significantly—up to 786%—without breaking, especially at a temperature close to their melting point.
  • They found that even very small nanorods, around 143 nm in diameter, display unique mechanical properties, including notable size-related differences in stress before breaking.
  • By combining experiments with simulations, they developed a model explaining these behaviors, which could help in designing and processing metals for use in high-temperature situations.
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We are facing a rapidly growing geriatric population (65+) that will live for multiple decades and are challenged with environmental pollution far exceeding that of previous generations. Consequently, we currently have a poor understanding of how environmental pollution will impact geriatric health distinctly from younger populations. Few toxicology studies have considered age differences with geriatric individuals.

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Hypoxia can cause a variety of diseases, including ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Within a certain range of partial pressure of oxygen, cells can respond to changes in oxygen. Changes in oxygen concentration beyond a threshold will cause damage or even necrosis of tissues and organs, especially for the central nervous system.

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Manganese is an essential element but can be neurotoxic if overexposed. Our previous study found that a higher level of manganese in nail biomarkers from children living near coal ash storage sites was associated with poorer neurobehavioral function. Children living near this type of pollution may be exposed to other metal neurotoxicants and a better understanding of manganese in the context of multiple exposures is needed.

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  • A new photocatalyst, g-CN/CoFeO/BiMoO, was developed for purifying water contaminated with tetracycline antibiotics, showing effective removal and rapid recycling using magnets.
  • After four uses, the photocatalyst maintained high efficiency in degrading tetracycline and stable magnetic separation capabilities.
  • The degradation mechanism involved a double Z-type process that allows better separation of electrons and holes, resulting in lower ecotoxicity of degradation products, as confirmed by toxicity evaluations and seed cultivation tests.
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