Effect of ferrate pre-oxidation on algae-laden water ultrafiltration: Attenuating membrane fouling and decreasing formation potential of disinfection byproducts.

Effect of ferrate [Fe(VI)] pre-oxidation on improving FeCl/ultrafiltration (UF) of algae-laden source water was investigated. Fe(VI) disrupted algae cells and the in situ formed ferric (hydr)oxides aggregated with cell debris. Particle size and zeta potential of algae increased by 20% and 55% on average, respectively, after treatment with 0.

MeCP2 in cholinergic interneurons of nucleus accumbens regulates fear learning.

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) encoded by the gene is a transcriptional regulator whose mutations cause Rett syndrome (RTT). -deficient mice show fear regulation impairment; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this abnormal behavior are largely uncharacterized. Here, we showed that gene deficiency in cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) dramatically impaired fear learning.

Enhanced Permanganate Oxidation of Sulfamethoxazole and Removal of Dissolved Organics with Biochar: Formation of Highly Oxidative Manganese Intermediate Species and in Situ Activation of Biochar.

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and was largely used in breeding industry. The reaction rate of SMX with KMnO is slow, and the adsorption efficiency of biochar for SMX was inferior (less than 11% in 30 min). By adding biochar powder into SMX solution with the addition of permanganate, the oxidation ratio of SMX surged to 97% in 30 min, and over 58% of the total organic carbon (TOC) was simultaneously removed.

Fluorescent Recognition of 4-Amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene by a Cerium-Based Metal-Organic Tetrahedron.

A cerium-based metal-organic tetrahedron has been developed as a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence sensor for the recognition of 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT). The redox-active tetrahedron could encapsulate 4-ADNT through weak interaction and spatial stereoselectivity, resulting in an enhanced fluorescence. The tetrahedral sensor Ce-ZPS is capable of realizing fluorescent sensing in urine and in cells and thus has the potential to detect 4-ADNT in organisms.

ErbB4 deletion in noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus induces mania-like behavior via elevated catecholamines.

Dysfunction of the noradrenergic (NE) neurons is implicated in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BPD). ErbB4 is highly expressed in NE neurons, and its genetic variation has been linked to BPD; however, how ErbB4 regulates NE neuronal function and contributes to BPD pathogenesis is unclear. Here we find that conditional deletion of ErbB4 in locus coeruleus (LC) NE neurons increases neuronal spontaneous firing through NMDA receptor hyperfunction, and elevates catecholamines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Sodium chloride exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by tuning proinflammatory and antiinflammatory lamina propria mononuclear cells through p38/MAPK pathway in mice.

Aim: To investigate the influence of high salt on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms of this effect.

Methods: DSS and NaCl were used to establish the proinflammatory animal model. We evaluated the colitis severity.

Development of a human rotavirus induced diarrhea model in Chinese mini-pigs.

Aim: To establish a new animal model for the research of human rotavirus (HRV) infection, its pathogenesis and immunity and evaluation of potential vaccines.

Methods: 5-d, 30-d and 60-d-old Chinese mini-pigs, Guizhou and Bamma, were inoculated with a single oral dose of attenuated strain Wa, G1, G3 of HRV, and PBS (control), respectively, and fecal samples of pigs from 0 to 7 d post infection (DPI) were collected individually. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect HRV antigen in feces.

Loss of MeCP2 in cholinergic neurons causes part of RTT-like phenotypes via α7 receptor in hippocampus.

Mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene cause Rett syndrome (RTT), an autism spectrum disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, motor abnormalities, cognitive defects and a high risk of epilepsy. Here, we showed that conditional deletion of Mecp2 in cholinergic neurons caused part of RTT-like phenotypes, which could be rescued by re-expressing Mecp2 in the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons rather than in the caudate putamen of conditional knockout (Chat-Mecp2(-/y)) mice. We found that choline acetyltransferase expression was decreased in the BF and that α7 nicotine acetylcholine receptor signaling was strongly impaired in the hippocampus of Chat-Mecp2(-/y) mice, which is sufficient to produce neuronal hyperexcitation and increase seizure susceptibility.

Effect of thymosin alpha-1 on subpopulations of Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro.

Thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) has been shown to have beneficial effects on numerous immune system parameters, but little is known about the effects of Tα1 on patients with gastric carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Tα1 on subpopulations of Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro, and to evaluate its efficacy as an immunoregulatory factor in patients with gastric carcinoma. We compared the effect of Tα1 on the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, especially the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from gastric carcinoma patients (N = 35) and healthy donors (N = 22).

Induction of specific immune response and suppression of fertility by B-cell-epitope-based mimovirus vaccine.

SPINLW1 (previously known as eppin (epididymal protease inhibitor)) is a target under intense scrutiny in the study of male contraceptive vaccines. B-cell-dominant epitopes are now recognized as key parts of the induction of humoral immune responses against target antigens. The generation of robust humoral responses in vivo has become a crucial problem in the development of modern vaccines.

Immunogenicity of a plant-derived edible rotavirus subunit vaccine transformed over fifty generations.

Major efforts have been put forth for the development of effective rotavirus vaccines including transgenic plant vaccines. Previous studies have reported that rotavirus VP7 maintains its neutralizing immunity when it is transformed into the potato genome. The present study was aimed at investigating the hereditary stability of VP7-transformed potatoes over fifty generations.