Assessing the causal effect of genetically predicted metabolites and metabolic pathways on vitiligo: Evidence from Mendelian randomization and animal experiments.

Vitiligo is a common chronic skin depigmentation disorder that seriously decreases the patients' overall quality of life. Human blood metabolites could contribute to unraveling the underlying biological mechanisms of vitiligo. We used GWAS summary statistics to assess the causal association between genetically predicted 1,400 serum metabolites and vitiligo risk by Mendelian randomization (MR).

Prescribed burning effects on carbon and nutrient cycling processes in peatlands of Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China.

Peatlands are significant global carbon sinks; however, their carbon storage functions are vulnerable to human activities. In the Greater Khingan Mountains of Northeast China, where forest and peatland ecosystems are interspersed extensively, prescribed burning is conducted annually on peatlands to prevent major forest fires. To investigate the effect of prescribed burning on carbon and nutrient cycling processes in peatlands, we conducted a three-year experiment in the Greater Khingan Mountains.

Aflatoxin B1 impairs the growth and development of chicken PGCs through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Aflatoxins harm the reproductive system and gamete development in animals. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in chickens, as ancestral cells of gametes, are essential for genetic transmission, yet the impact and mechanisms of aflatoxins on them remain elusive. This study systematically investigated the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on chicken PGCs and their potential mechanisms using an in vitro culture model.

Impact of residual aluminum on nanofiltration gypsum scaling: Mitigation roles played by different species.

Residual aluminum (Al) is a growing pollutant in nanofiltration (NF) membrane-based drinking water treatment. To investigate the impact of distinct Al species fouling layers on gypsum scaling during NF, gypsum scaling tests were conducted on bare and three Al-conditioned (AlCl-, Al, and Al-) membranes. The morphology of gypsum, the role of Al species on Ca adsorption during gypsum scaling, and the interactions between gypsum crystals and Al-conditioned membranes were investigated.

Solvent Mediated Interfacial Microenvironment Design for High-Performance Electrochemical CO Reduction to C Products.

Electrochemical CO reduction (CORR) in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) represents a viable strategy for converting CO into value-added multi-carbon (C) compounds. Therefore, the microstructure of the catalyst layer (CL) affects local gas transport, charge conduction, and proton supply at three-phase interfaces, which is significantly determined by the solvent environment. However, the microenvironment of the CLs and the mechanism of the solvent effect on C selectivity remains elusive.