Ocean as source or sink for legacy persistent organic pollutants.

With the phase-out of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the ocean's role is evolving, potentially acting as both a reservoir and a source. This study investigates the air-sea fluxes of the first banned POPs, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), using literature from Web of Science up to 2023. OCP and PCB concentrations in air and seawater show significant spatiotemporal variability.

Porkolor: A deep learning framework for pork color classification.

Pork color is crucial for assessing its safety and freshness, and traditional methods of observing through human eyes are inefficient and subjective. In recent years, several methods have been proposed based on computer vision and deep learning have been proposed, which can provide objective and stable evaluations. However, these methods suffer from a lack of standardized data collection methods and large-scale datasets for training, leading to poor model performance and limited generalization capabilities.

Integrating spatial transcriptomics and single-nucleus RNA-seq revealed the specific inhibitory effects of TGF-β on intramuscular fat deposition.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a complex adipose tissue within skeletal muscle, appearing specially tissue heterogeneous, and the factors influencing its formation remain unclear. In conditions such as diabetes, aging, and muscle wasting, IMF was deposited in abnormal locations in skeletal muscle, damaged the normal physiological functions of skeletal muscle. Here, we used Longissimus dorsi muscles from pigs with different IMF contents as samples and adopted a method combining spatial transcriptome (ST) and single-nucleus RNA-seq to identify the spatial heterogeneity of IMF.

Hepatic FXR-FGF4 is required for bile acid homeostasis via an FGFR4-LRH-1 signal node under cholestatic stress.

Bile acid (BA) homeostasis is vital for various physiological processes, whereas its disruption underlies cholestasis. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a master regulator of BA homeostasis via the ileal fibroblast growth factor (FGF)15/19 endocrine pathway, responding to postprandial or abnormal transintestinal BA flux. However, the de novo paracrine signal mediator of hepatic FXR, which governs the extent of BA synthesis within the liver in non-postprandial or intrahepatic cholestatic conditions, remains unknown.

Advances of carbon-based materials for activating peracetic acid in advanced oxidation processes: A review.

In recent years, the peracetic acid (PAA)-based advanced oxidation process (AOPs) has garnered significant attention in the field of water treatment due to rapid response time and environmentally-friendliness. The activation of PAA systems by diverse carbon-based materials plays a crucial role in addressing emerging environmental contaminants, including various types, structures, and modified forms of carbon materials. However, the structural characteristics and structure-activity relationship of carbon-based materials in the activation of PAA are intricate, while the degradation pathways and dominant active species exhibit diversity.

Unveiling the Presence of Short- and Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in the Hadal Trenches of the Western Pacific Ocean.

This study delves into the unexplored distribution and accumulation of chlorinated paraffins (CPs), pervasive industrial contaminants used as flame retardants and plasticizers, within the hadal trenches, some of Earth's most isolated marine ecosystems. Analysis of sediments from the Mussau (MS) and Mariana trench (MT) reveals notably high total CP concentrations (∑SCCPs + ∑MCCPs) of 10,963 and 14,554 ng g dw, respectively, surpassing those in a reference site in the western Pacific abyssal plain (8533 ng g dw). In contrast, the New Britain Trench (NBT) exhibits the lowest concentrations (2213-5880 ng g dw), where CP distribution correlates with clay content, δC and δN values, but little with total organic carbon and depth.

DHODH Alleviates Heart Failure via the Modulation of CoQ-Related Ferroptotic Inhibition.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that seriously endangers human health and quality of life as the terminal stage of cardiovascular diseases. Ferroptosis as a new iron-dependent programmed cell death mode that is closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) has been found to play a crucial role in inhibiting ferroptosis and improving mitochondrial function, and its expression can be upregulated by estradiol (E2).

Unveiling the fate of metal leaching in bimetal-catalyzed Fenton-like systems: pivotal role of aqueous matrices and machine learning prediction.

Metal-based catalytic materials exhibit exceptional properties in degrading emerging pollutants within Fenton-like systems. However, the potential risk of metal leaching has become pressing environmental concern. This study addressed scientific issues pertaining to the leaching behavior and control strategies for metal-based catalytic materials.

Sequential bio-treatment of ammonia-rich wastewater from Chinese medicine residue utilization: Regulation of dissolved oxygen.

To effectively treat actual ammonia-rich Chinese medicine residue (CMR) resource utilization wastewater, we optimized an anaerobic-microaerobic two-stage expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) and moving bed sequencing batch reactor (MBSBR) combined process. By controlling dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, impressive removal efficiencies were achieved. Microaeration, contrasting with anaerobic conditions, bolstered dehydrogenase activity, enhanced electron transfer, and enriched the functional microorganism community.

Cost-effectiveness uncertainty may bias the decision of coal power transitions in China.

A transition away from coal power always maintains a high level of complexity as there are several overlapping considerations such as technical feasibility, economic costs, and environmental and health impacts. Here, we explore the cost-effectiveness uncertainty brought by policy implementation disturbances of different coal power phaseout and new-built strategies (i.e.

Tracing Organophosphate Ester Pollutants in Hadal Trenches─Distribution, Possible Origins, and Transport Mechanisms.

Unraveling the mysterious pathways of pollutants to the deepest oceanic realms holds critical importance for assessing the integrity of remote marine ecosystems. This study tracks the transport of pollutants into the depths of the oceans, a key step in protecting the sanctity of these least explored ecosystems. By analyzing hadal trench samples from the Mariana, Mussau, and New Britain trenches, we found the widespread distribution of organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants but a complex transport pattern for the OPE in these regions.

Hidden dangers: High levels of organic pollutants in hadal trenches.

The "V"-shaped structure of hadal trenches acts as a natural collector of organic pollutants, drawing attention to the need for extensive research in these areas. Our review identifies significant concentrations of organic pollutants, including persistent organic pollutants, black carbon, antibiotic-resistant genes, and plastics, which often match those in industrialized regions. They may trace back to both human activities and natural sources, underscoring the trenches' critical role in ocean biogeochemical cycles.

Co-drivers of Air Pollutant and CO Emissions from On-Road Transportation in China 2010-2020.

Co-controlling the emissions of air pollutants and CO from automobiles is crucial for addressing the intertwined challenges of air pollution and climate change in China. Here, we analyze the synergetic characteristics of air pollutant and CO emissions from China's on-road transportation and identify the co-drivers influencing these trends. Using detailed emission inventories and employing index decomposition analysis, we found that despite notable progress in pollution control, minimizing on-road CO emissions remains a formidable task.

Mechanically strong, hydrostable, and biodegradable all-biobased transparent wood films with UV-blocking performance.

Petroleum-based plastics are useful but they pose a great threat to the environment and human health. It is highly desirable yet challenging to develop sustainable structural materials with excellent mechanical and optical properties for plastic replacement. Here, we report a simple and efficient method to manufacture high-performance all-biobased structural materials from cellulosic wood skeleton (WS) and gelatin via oxidation and densification.

Trophodynamics of halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) in aquatic food webs.

Halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) represent hazardous and persistent compounds characterized by their capacity to accumulate within organisms and endure in the environment. These substances are frequently transmitted through aquatic food webs, engendering potential hazards to ecosystems and human well-being. The trophodynamics of HOPs in aquatic food webs has garnered worldwide attention within the scientific community.

Efficient ultraviolet blocking film on the lignin-rich lignocellulosic nanofibril from bamboo.

The ultraviolet (UV) blocking performance of current bio-based devices is always limited by delignification and exploited chemical treatment. Lignocellulosic nanofibril (LCNF) is a promising green alternative that could efficiently impede UV radiation. Herein, we proposed a robust LCNF film that achieved 99.

Muscle-inspired anisotropic carboxymethyl cellulose-based double-network conductive hydrogels for flexible strain sensors.

Conductive hydrogels are considered one of the most promising materials for preparing flexible sensors due to their flexible and extensible properties. However, conventional hydrogels' weak mechanical and isotropic properties are greatly limited in practical applications. Here, the internal structure of the hydrogel was regulated by pre-stretching synergistic ion crosslinking to construct a carboxymethyl cellulose-based double network-oriented hydrogel similar to muscle.

Insulative Biobased Glaze from Wood Laminates Obtained by Self-Adhesion.

The combination of optical transparency and mechanical strength is a highly desirable attribute of wood-based glazing materials. However, such properties are typically obtained by impregnation of the highly anisotropic wood with index-matching fossil-based polymers. In addition, the presence of hydrophilic cellulose leads to a limited water resistance.

Construction of strong and tough carboxymethyl cellulose-based oriented hydrogels by phase separation.

Anisotropic hydrogels have attracted extensive attention because they are similar to natural hydrogel-like materials and exhibit superiority and new functions that isotropic hydrogels cannot. Here, we fabricated strong and tough carboxymethyl cellulose-based conductive hydrogels with oriented hierarchical structures through pre-stretching, solvent displacement induced phase separation, and subsequent ionic crosslinking immobilization. Solvent displacement made the pre-stretched carboxymethyl cellulose-based polymer network more dense and linear, while the toughness of the hydrogel was further improved under the effect of phase separation.

Mechanically strong all-chitin filaments: Wet-spinning of β-chitin nanofibers in aqueous NaOH.

Herein, a facile wet-spinning strategy was used for the fabrication of mechanically strong all-chitin filaments from an aqueous NaOH solution using β-chitin nanofibers (β-ChNFs). It is hypothesized that to reach high mechanical performance it is important to preserve the crystalline structure of chitin during fabrication. To explore this possibility, β-ChNFs were disintegrated from squid pens by a mild procedure and showed a uniform diameter of 10-25 nm, length of a few microns, and a high aspect ratio of more than 200.

A non-mitogenic FGF4 analog alleviates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis through an AMPK-dependent pathway.

Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a major liver disease increasingly in association with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there are currently no approved therapies for treating NAFLD and NASH. Fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) has recently been shown as a promising drug candidate for several metabolic diseases.

Preparation of antifouling and highly hydrophobic cellulose nanofibers/alginate aerogels by bidirectional freeze-drying for water-oil separation in the ocean environment.

Oil spills frequently occur in the ocean, and adsorption is one of the effective ways to deal with oil spills. Compared with other adsorbent materials, biomass aerogel has superior selective adsorption capacity. CNF/SA aerogels with good mechanical properties (340 kPa at 90 % strain) and high adsorption capacity (88.