Coagulation/co-catalytic membrane integrated system for fouling-resistant and efficient water purification.

Low-pressure catalytic membranes allow efficient rejection of particulates and simultaneously removing organics pollutant in water, but the accumulation of dissolved organic matters (DOM) on membrane surface, which cover the catalytic sites and cause membrane fouling, challenges their stable operation in practical wastewater treatment. Here we propose a ferric salt-based coagulation/co-catalytic membrane integrated system that can effectively mitigate the detrimental effects of DOM. Ferric salt (Fe) serving both as a DOM coagulant to lower the membrane fouling and as a co-catalyst with the membrane-embedded MoS nanosheets to drive perxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and pollutant degradation.

General requirements for the production of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells.

'General requirements for the production of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells' is the first guideline for stem cells derived extracellular vesicles in China, jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research. This standard specifies the general requirements, process requirements, packaging and labelling requirements and storage requirements for preparing extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells, which is applicable to the research and production of extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells. It was originally released by the China Society for Cell Biology on 30 August 2022.

Heavy-metal resistant bio-hybrid with biogenic ferrous sulfide nanoparticles: pH-regulated self-assembly and wastewater treatment application.

Self-assembled bio-hybrids with biogenic ferrous sulfide nanoparticles (bio-FeS) on the cell surface are attractive for reduction of toxic heavy metals due to higher activity than bare bacteria, but they still suffer from slow synthesis and regeneration of bio-FeS and bacterial activity decay for removal of high-concentration heavy metals. A further optimization of the bio-FeS synthesis process and properties is of vital importance to address this challenge. Herein, we present a simple pH-regulation strategy to enhance bio-FeS synthesis and elucidated the underlying regulatory mechanisms.

JAM-A facilitates hair follicle regeneration in alopecia areata through functioning as ceRNA to protect VCAN expression in dermal papilla cells.

The dermal papilla cells in hair follicles function as critical regulators of hair growth. In particular, alopecia areata (AA) is closely related to the malfunctioning of the human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Thus, identifying the regulatory mechanism of hDPCs is important in inducing hair follicle (HF) regeneration in AA patients.

Electron delocalization triggers nonradical Fenton-like catalysis over spinel oxides.

Nonradical Fenton-like catalysis offers opportunities to overcome the low efficiency and secondary pollution limitations of existing advanced oxidation decontamination technologies, but realizing this on transition metal spinel oxide catalysts remains challenging due to insufficient understanding of their catalytic mechanisms. Here, we explore the origins of catalytic selectivity of Fe-Mn spinel oxide and identify electron delocalization of the surface metal active site as the key driver of its nonradical catalysis. Through fine-tuning the crystal geometry to trigger Fe-Mn superexchange interaction at the spinel octahedra, ZnFeMnO with high-degree electron delocalization of the Mn-O unit was created to enable near 100% nonradical activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) at unprecedented utilization efficiency.

Impacts of shell structure on nitrate-reduction activity and air stability of nanoscale zero-valent iron.

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has been intensively studied for pollution control because of its high reductive activity and environmental benignity, but the poor reaction selectivity and the aging problem have limited its practical decontamination application. Here, we shed light on the impacts of nZVI shell structure on its reactivity and air stability by systematically comparing two nZVI materials with distinct iron oxide shells. The nZVI with highly crystalline and weakly hydrophilic shell exhibited ninefold higher intrinsic activity for nitrate reduction and significantly improved air stability than that with amorphous, hydrophilic iron hydroxide oxide shell.

Anaerobic self-assembly of a regenerable bacteria-quantum dot hybrid for solar hydrogen production.

Inorganic-biological hybrid systems (bio-hybrids), comprising fermentative bacteria and inorganic semiconductor photosensitizers for synergistic utilization of solar energy and organic wastes, offer opportunities for sustainable fuel biosynthesis, but the low quantum efficiency, photosensitizer biotoxicity and inability for self-regeneration are remaining hurdles to practical application. Here, we unveil a previously neglected role of oxygen in suppressing the biosynthesis of cadmium selenide quantum dots (CdSe QDs) and the metabolic activities of , and accordingly propose a simple oxygen-regulation strategy to enable the self-assembly of bacterial-QD hybrids for efficient solar hydrogen production. Shifting from aerobic to anaerobic biosynthesis significantly lowered the intracellular reactive oxygen species level and increased NADPH and thiol-protein production, enabling a two-order-of-magnitude higher bio-QD synthesis rate and resulting in CdSe-rich products.

Self-regenerable bio-hybrid with biogenic ferrous sulfide nanoparticles for treating high-concentration chromium-containing wastewater.

Biogenic ferrous sulfide nanoparticles (bio-FeS) as low-cost and green-synthesized nanomaterial are promising for heavy metals removal, but the need for complicated extraction, storage processes and the production of iron sludge still restrict their practical application. Here, a self-regenerable bio-hybrid consisting of bacterial cells and self-assembled bio-FeS was developed to efficiently remove chromium (Cr(VI)). A dense layer of bio-FeS was distributed on the cell surface and in the periplasmic space of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, endowing the bacterium with good Cr(VI) tolerance and unusual activity for bio-FeS-mediated Cr(VI) reduction.

Risk assessment concerning the heavy metals in sediment around Taihu Lake, China.

The present study sought to determine the systematic pollution status of the heavy metals (HMs) found in the sediment around Taihu Lake, China. The concentrations and speciations of the HMs in the sediment were measured. The Ni and Cr concentrations exceeded the probable effect level (PEL), while the concentrations of the other HMs (except Hg) were between the threshold effect level and the PEL.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban stream sediments of Suzhou Industrial Park, an emerging eco-industrial park in China: Occurrence, sources and potential risk.

In this study, urban stream sediment samples were collected in the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), one of the earliest national demonstration eco-industrial parks of China. PAHs were analyzed in these sediments, and concentrations of total PAHs were 180-81,000 ng g (5700 ± 14,000 ng g). Medium molecular weight (4- ring) PAHs were predominant (42 ± 12%), followed by high molecular weight (5- and 6- ring) PAHs (31 ± 10%).

Levels of metals in fish tissues of Liza haematocheila and Lateolabrax japonicus from the Yellow River Delta of China and risk assessment for consumers.

The Yellow River Delta (YRD) is an important spawning and nursery area for numerous fishes. The concentrations of Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Pb and Cd in muscle, liver, gills and skin of two broadly distributed commercial fish in the YRD were analyzed. The results demonstrated that liver and gills displayed higher accumulation ability of metals than other tissues, while muscle always accumulated the lowest concentrations of metals.

Long-term, selective production of caproate in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor.

Fermentative caproate production from wastewater is attractive but is currently limited by the low product purity and concentration. In this work, continuous, selective production of caproate from acetate and ethanol, the common products of wastewater anaerobic fermentation, was achieved in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). The reactor was continuously operated for over 522 days without need for chemical cleaning.

A single microbial electrochemical system for CO reduction and simultaneous biogas purification, upgrading and sulfur recovery.

In this work, a single microbial electrochemical system was developed for multiple goals simultaneously - CO reduction, biogas purification, upgrading and sulfur recovery. This system consists of a methanogen-inoculated biocathode for CO reduction and a ferrous ion (Fe)-mediated abiotic anode for hydrogen sulfide (HS) oxidation. In the cathodic chamber, methane production rate of 20.

The distributions, contamination status, and health risk assessments of mercury and arsenic in the soils from the Yellow River Delta of China.

The surface soils were collected from four areas in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), including three functional areas in the natural reserve of the YRD (the core area, buffer area, and experimental area) and a neighboring area of the natural reserve. The total concentrations, speciations, contamination status, and health risk assessments of the mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in surface soils of the YRD were investigated. The average Hg concentration was about three times that of the background value, while As was just slightly higher than the background.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Surface Soils from the Yellow River Delta Natural Reserve, China: Occurrence, Sources, and Potential Risk.

A total of 39 lower brominated PBDE congeners in surface soils from the Yellow River Delta Natural Reserve (YRDNR) were analyzed in the present study. The total concentrations of PBDEs (ΣPBDEs) ranged from "not detected" to 0.732 ng g, with a mean concentration of 0.

Optimizing operation of municipal wastewater treatment plants in China: The remaining barriers and future implications.

China's national development strategy now prioritizes environmental protection over economic growth, which has driven a rapid development of China's wastewater sector. In particular, the treatment capacity of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has been substantially strengthened and stricter effluent quality control enforced. However, the operating performance of most WWTPs is still poor and does not meet the sustainable development demands.

Occurrence and Potential Risk of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Surface Soils from the Yellow River Delta Natural Reserve, China.

A total of 28 PCB congeners were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in 46 surface soils collected from the Yellow River Delta Natural Reserve (YRDNR) and its adjacent area, China. The total concentrations of PCBs in the YRDNR ranged from 0.149 to 4.

BACE1-AS prevents BACE1 mRNA degradation through the sequestration of BACE1-targeting miRNAs.

Abnormal long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it remains unclear whether these two types of noncoding RNAs functionally interact and which factors mediate these interactions in AD. β-secretase 1 (BACE1) is the enzyme responsible for amyloid plaque formation, which is a central pathological feature of AD.

Differentiation of adult human retinal pigment epithelial cells into dopaminergic-like cells in vitro and in the recipient monkey brain.

Background: Cell therapy is proposed to be a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). Although fetal retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells have been tested in trials for treating PD patients, controversy has been raised over the issue of whether such cells can be reprogrammed into dopamine-producing cells for therapeutic efficacy. Here, we aim to investigate whether adult human RPE cells can be reprogrammed into dopamine-producing cells both in vitro and in the recipient monkey brain.

Occurrence, potential health risk of heavy metals in aquatic organisms from Laizhou Bay, China.

Heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental problem. Up to date, research regarding distribution, accumulation and potential risk assessment of metals in aquatic organisms in Laizhou Bay, China is scarce. This study aims to investigate metals in aquatic organisms in this region.

Interactions between chlorophenols and peroxymonosulfate: pH dependency and reaction pathways.

A non-radical reaction between peroxysulfates and phenolic compounds, as important structural moieties of natural organic matters, has been reported recently, implying new opportunities for environmental remediation without need for catalyst or energy input. However, this approach seems to be ineffective for halogenated aromatic compounds, an important disinfection by-products (DBPs). Here, we shed light on the interactions between peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and chlorophenols and the influential factors.

An 87-year sedimentary record of mercury contamination in the Old Yellow River Estuary of China.

A sediment core, spanning from the year 1925 ± 3.03 to 2012, was collected for analyzing historical distribution of mercury (Hg) in the Old Yellow River Estuary (OYRE), China. The Hg concentrations in the sediment core ranged from 14 to 351 ng g, with the high values occurred in the middle layers (1960-1996), which may be resulted from intensive human activities during this period, such as oil exploitation and booming of petrochemical industry, salt chemical industry and chlor-alkali plants.

Distribution of heavy metals, stable isotope ratios (δC and δN) and risk assessment of fish from the Yellow River Estuary, China.

This study measured the concentrations of eight heavy metals, including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni), and the stable isotope ratios of δC and δN in 129 fish samples collected from the Yellow River Estuary (YRE) of China. Accumulation characteristics and possible sources of these heavy metals (HMs) were analyzed. The levels of HMs presented high variations among sampling sites, higher concentrations of ∑HMs were observed at the sites closest to the estuary.

Recovery of high-concentration volatile fatty acids from wastewater using an acidogenesis-electrodialysis integrated system.

Recovery of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from wastewater is an important route for wastewater valorization. Selective acidogenic fermentation enables an efficient production of VFAs from wastewater, whereas electrodialysis (ED) provides an effective approach to concentrate VFAs. However, these two processes have not been coupled in one single system previously.

Presence of arsenic, mercury and vanadium in aquatic organisms of Laizhou Bay and their potential health risk.

This study aims at describing and interpreting concentrations of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and vanadium (V) in seven species of fish, three species of shellfish, one species of crab and two species of shrimp from the typical estuary-bay ecosystem. Arsenic, Hg and V differed among species, and the highest As, Hg and V were observed in shellfish. The stable nitrogen (δN) and carbon (δC) isotopes were determined to investigate the trophic interactions between fluctuating environment and aquatic species.