Attenuating Atherosclerosis through Inhibition of the NF-B/NLRP3/IL-1 Pathway-Mediated Pyroptosis in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs).

Objective: We investigated the effects of resveratrol (Res) and MCC950 on the pyroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the potential pathway.

Methods And Results: Compared with the control (Con) group, the atherosclerosis (AS) group showed calcified nodules, which suggested that the calcification medium induced the calcification of VSMCs. VSMCs showed proliferative activity and significantly attenuated calcification under treatment with 10 mol/L Res.

Mitotic spindle positioning protein serves as prognostic biomarker in patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most aggressive types of cancer globally. Currently, clinical tumor prognostic biomarkers still lack accuracy. Mitotic spindle positioning (MISP) protein connects microtubules to the actin cytoskeleton and adhesive plaques, playing a critical role in spindle positioning, orientation, and the process of cell division.

Hematite tailings to high-purity silica: Mechanistic studies and life cycle assessment analysis.

This study aimed to recover high-purity silica from hematite tailings (HTs) using superconducting high-gradient magnetic separation (S-HGMS) technology. This process involved converting silica into a silicone-rich concentrate and subsequently employing a fluorine-free mixed acid to leach the silicon-rich concentrate to remove impurities and achieve refinement and purification. The optimization of the S-HGMS process was conducted using the "Box-Behnken Design" method, resulting in the following optimal conditions: a pulp concentration of 50 g/L, a magnetic velocity ratio of 0.

Target analysis and identification of curcumin against vascular calcification.

To investigate the mechanism of curcumin (CUR) on vascular calcification (VC), we screen for common targets of CUR and atherosclerosis and verify the targets genes in vivo and in vitro experiments. The common targets of CUR and AS were screened and obtained using different databases. These target genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.

Enhancing Electrochemical Performance of Aluminum-Ion Batteries with Fluorinated Graphene Cathode.

In pursuit of high-performance aluminum-ion batteries, the selection of a suitable positive electrode material assumes paramount importance, and fluorinated graphene (FG) nanostructures have emerged as an exceptional candidate. In the scope of this study, a flexible tantalum foil is coated with FG to serve as the positive electrode for aluminum-ion batteries. FG positive electrode demonstrates a remarkable discharge capacity of 109 mA h g at a current density of 200 mA g, underscoring its tremendous potential for energy storage applications.

Preparation of high-purity SiO by S-HGMS coupled with mixed-acid leaching: A case study on hematite tailings from Ansteel, China.

Hematite tailings (HTs) are rich in silica and are used as replacements for fine aggregates in the preparation of construction materials. However, there is scope for a more effective utilization of the valuable elements present in HTs. In this paper, a process for preparing high-purity SiO using HTs procured from Ansteel (China) is proposed.

Recycling lead from copper plant residue (CPR) using brine leaching - Precipitation - Calcination process.

Copper plant residue (CPR) is a hazardous industrial by-product possessing both high toxicity and valuable metal content, necessitating its high value-added utilization. Traditional practices in smelters involve stockpiling and landfilling of CPR, leading to substantial land occupation and water contamination. This study focused on the preparation of PbO and PbO using the HCl-NaCl leaching-conversion-thermal decomposition process, employing CPR as the primary raw material.

Co-utilization of iron ore tailings and coal fly ash for porous ceramsite preparation: Optimization, mechanism, and assessment.

Maximizing the utilization of industrial by-products, such as iron ore tailings (IOTs) and coal fly ash (CFA), is crucial toward sustainable development. This study provides a meticulous insight into the optimization, mechanism, and assessment of the co-utilization of IOTs and CFA for the preparation of porous ceramsite. Micro-CT results revealed that the prepared ceramsite exhibited an exceptional porosity, peaking at 56.

Repurposing of steel rolling sludge: Solvent-free preparation of α-FeO nanoparticles and its application for As(III/V)-containing wastewater treatment.

Steel rolling sludge (SRS) is the by-product of metallurgical industry with abundant iron content, which needs to be utilized for producing high value-added products. Herein, cost-effective and highly adsorbent α-FeO nanoparticles were prepared from SRS via a novel solvent-free method and applied to treat As(III/V)-containing wastewater. The structure of the prepared nanoparticles was observed to be spherical with a small crystal size (12.

Identification of key genes and pathways in atherosclerosis using integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that might induce severe cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. These risk factors in the pathogenesis of AS remain uncertain and further research is needed. This study aims to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of AS by bioinformatics analyses.

Eco-friendly strategy for preparation of high-purity silica from high-silica IOTs using S-HGMS coupling with ultrasound-assisted fluorine-free acid leaching technology.

Iron ore tailings (IOTs), a typical hazardous solid waste, seriously threaten human health and the ecological environment. However, the abundance of quartz, particularly in high-silica IOTs, renders them useful. Yet, state-of-the-art technologies have rarely reported the preparation of high-purity silica from high-silicon IOTs.

Increased Neuromedin B is Associated with a Favorable Prognosis in Glioblastoma.

Background: Neuromedin B (NMB) is a neuropeptide that plays a key role in many physiological processes and is involved in the pathology of various diseases. Increased levels of NMB have been reported in solid tumors. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic value of NMB in glioblastoma (GBM).

Intra-muscular extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the thigh: a case report.

Soft tissue sarcomas are mesenchymal tumors that account for about 1% of all malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed a rare case of a painful intra-muscular extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma in the thigh of a 35-year-old man, that had undergone excision. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the mass revealed extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.

Investigation of scale inhibition effect and mechanism of S-HGMF in the clean recirculating cooling water system.

The formation of scales in a recirculating water system is a common problem in industrial water treatment; it seriously affects the production in various industries and pollutes the environment. Although conventional scale inhibition methods are effective, they are expensive and harm the environment. Herein, an advanced method is proposed to solve the scaling issue in recirculating cooling water systems using the superconducting high-gradient magnetic field (S-HGMF) treatment.

Enhanced storage behavior of quasi-solid-state aluminum-selenium battery.

The current aluminum batteries with selenium positive electrodes have been suffering from dramatic capacity loss owing to the dissolution of SeCl products on the Se positive electrodes in the ionic liquid electrolyte. For addressing this critical issue and achieving better electrochemical performances of rechargeable aluminum-selenium batteries, here a gel-polymer electrolyte which has a stable and strongly integrated electrode/electrolyte interface was adopted. Quite intriguingly, such a gel-polymer electrolyte enables the solid-state aluminum-selenium battery to present a lower self-discharge and obvious discharging platforms.

Insights into Antiperovskite Ni In Cu N Multi-Crystalline Nanoplates and Bulk Cubic Particles as Efficient Electrocatalysts on Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Intrinsic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and the mechanism of antiperovskite Ni In Cu N bulk cubic particles and multi-crystalline nanoplates are thoroughly investigated. Stoichiometric Ni In Cu N reaches the best HER performance, with an overpotential of 102 mV in its multi-crystalline nanoplates obtained from the LDH-derived method, and 143 mV in its bulk cubic particles from the citric method. DFT calculation reveals that Ni-In or Ni-Cu paired on the (100) plane serve as primary active sites.

Construction of a Carbon/Lignosulfonate Adsorbent to Remove Pb and Cu.

Removing heavy metal ions from water is an important issue to improve water quality. However, using cost-effective and more environmentally friendly adsorbents to achieve efficient adsorption capacity remains a challenge. Carbon spheres were prepared by the hydrothermal method and then combined with sodium lignosulfonate to form a lignosulfonate carbon (C/SL) adsorbent.

TUBB3 Promotes Growth and Invasion of Gallbladder Cancer Cells by Akt/mTOR Signal Pathway.

Aberrant expression of β-tubulin-III (TUBB3) is known that related to aggressive tumor features and poor clinical outcomes. However, there is limited research about TUBB3 expression and its role in the outcomes and the progression of gallbladder cancer. We have measured TUBB3 level in gallbladder cancer samples and cell lines from 2012 to 2016, and tested the effects of TUBB3 in cancer cell growth, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by using appropriate methods.

[Expression and significance of NF-κB and MIF in lung tissue of silicon-stained rats].

Objective: To investigate the distribution and expression of nuclear transcription factor(NF-κB) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) in the lung tissue of rats exposed to silica.

Methods: Atotal of sixty-four adult rats aged 10 to 12 weeks(cleaning grade) were randomly divided into control group and silica dust group(32 rats each). At day 3, 7, 14, and 28 after modeling, 8 rats were randomly sacrificed in each group.

Impact of different scanners and acquisition parameters on robustness of MR radiomics features based on women's cervix.

MR Radiomics based on cervical lesions from one single scanner has achieved promising results. However, it is a challenge to achieve clinical translation. Considering multi-scanners and non-uniform scanning parameters from different centers in a real-world medical scenario, we should first identify the influence of such conditions on the robustness of MR radiomics features (RFs) based on the female cervix.

Treatment of coking wastewater in biofilm-based bioaugmentation process: Biofilm formation and microbial community analysis.

Coking wastewater (CWW) containing complicated organic compositions and strong toxicity cause potential hazards to natural water bodies as well as human health. The aim of this study was integrating newly isolated Comamonas sp. ZF-3, biofilm-based bioaugmentation and fluidized bed reactor into an anoxic filter-fluidized bed reactor (AF-FBR) system to treat actual CWW.

Synthesis of ZSM-5 Microspheres Made of Nanocrystals from Iron Ore Tailings by the Solid-Phase Conversion Method.

ZSM-5 microspheres made of nanocrystals are successfully synthesized from iron ore tailings (IOTs) using a novel and environmentally friendly method, which have a well-defined microporous and mesoporous structure with a large surface area and high acidic strength. In the absence of the liquid water phase during the solid-phase conversion, the phase separation between the surfactant and the solid silica phase is able to be bypassed. Compared to conventional methods, such as hydrothermal and steam-assisted conversion methods, this approach enhances the utilization of autoclaves, considerably reduces pollutants, and simplifies the synthetic process, which saves both energy and time.

The feasibility of differentiating colorectal cancer from normal and inflammatory thickening colon wall using CT texture analysis.

To investigate the diagnostic value of texture analysis (TA) for differentiating between colorectal cancer (CRC), colonic lesions caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and normal thickened colon wall (NTC) on computed tomography (CT) and assess which scanning phase has the highest differential diagnostic value. In all, 107 patients with CRC, 113 IBD patients with colonic lesions, and 96 participants with NTC were retrospectively enrolled. All subjects underwent multiphase CT examination, including pre-contrast phase (PCP), arterial phase (AP), and portal venous phase (PVP) scans.

Captopril Attenuates the Upregulated Connexin 43 Expression in Artery Calcification.

Objective: Vascular calcification is commonly observed in atherosclerosis and diabetes. The renin-angiotensin II system is associated with the regulation of arterial stiffening. The aim of this study was to examine whether the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors captopril attenuates artery calcification.

Characterization of a newly isolated strain Comamonas sp. ZF-3 involved in typical organics degradation in coking wastewater.

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristic of a newly isolated strain Comamonas sp. ZF-3 involved in typical organics degradation in coking wastewater (CWW). The results showed that the isolated strain had efficient biodegradability of phenolic compounds and heterocyclic compounds in CWW, meanwhile, phenol and indole could be respectively used as sole carbon source for its growth, which demonstrated the bioaugmentation potential of the isolated strain in CWW treatment.