Next-Generation Desalination Membranes Empowered by Novel Materials: Where Are We Now?

Membrane desalination is an economical and energy-efficient method to meet the current worldwide water scarcity. However, state-of-the-art reverse osmosis membranes are gradually being replaced by novel membrane materials as a result of ongoing technological advancements. These novel materials possess intrinsic pore structures or can be assembled to form lamellar membrane channels for selective transport of water or solutes (e.

An Improved pH-Driven Method for Upcycling Polyphenols from Plants or Byproducts into Foods.

The incorporation of polyphenols into food systems provides various health benefits, yet their stability and bioactivity are often compromised by processing conditions. In this study, we advanced the pH-driven method for processing highly pH-sensitive polyphenols, such as quercetin, by optimizing operating conditions, including minimizing oxygen exposure and reducing operating times. As a result, an improved post-pH-driven (PPD) method was developed to encapsulate pH-sensitive quercetin into nanoemulsions with an encapsulation efficiency exceeding 95%, indicating that this method could be broadly applicable for incorporating various polyphenols.

The promoting effect of Balanus albicostatus cement protein 19k (Balcp19k) on wound healing by regulating fibroblast migration and relieving early-stage inflammation responses.

The high incidence of skin wounds (e.g., burns, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, pressure sores, and radiation injuries) remains a significant challenge in clinical settings.

A Force-Thermal-Magnetic Trimodal Flexible Sensor for Ultrafine Recognition of Metallic Materials.

Humans possess the remarkable ability to perceive the intricate world by integrating multiple senses. However, the challenge of enabling humanoid robots to achieve multimodal sensing and fine recognition of metallic materials persists. In this study, we propose a flexible tactile sensor that mimics the sensory patterns of human skin, which is assembled by a flexible electromagnetic coil that is engraved on the surface of a polyimide substrate and porous MXene/CNT aerogel.

Association between ambient particulate matter and latent tuberculosis infection among 198 275 students.

Background: Numerous studies have estimated the impact of outdoor particulate matter (PM) on tuberculosis risk. Nevertheless, whether there is an association between ambient PM and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) risk remains uncertain.

Methods: We collected the basic information and LTBI test results of students who underwent freshmen enrolment physical examinations in 68 middle schools from six prefecture-level cities located in eastern China between 2018 and 2021.

A stable zeolite with atomically ordered and interconnected mesopore channel.

Zeolites are crystalline microporous materials constructed by corner-sharing tetrahedra (SiO and AlO), with many industrial applications as ion exchangers, adsorbents and heterogeneous catalysts. However, the presence of micropores impedes the use of zeolites in areas dealing with bulky substrates. Introducing extrinsic mesopores, that is, intercrystal/intracrystal mesopores, in zeolites is a solution to overcome the diffusion barrier.

A plant growth-promoting bacterium supports cadmium detoxification of rice by inducing phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis.

Cadmium (Cd) is easily absorbed by rice and enters the food chain, posing a health risk to humans. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) can help the plant respond to Cd stress, but the mechanism of PGPB for Cd reduction is unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted and found inoculation with a newly isolated Pseudomonas koreensis promoted the growth of rice and reduced its Cd content.

Identification of a novel subtilisin-derived peptide, SC-(1-31), with cytotoxic activity.

Subtilisins are alkaline serine proteases secreted by various species of Bacillus and can produce peptides by autolysis. A peptide from subtilisin NAT was found to disrupt the membrane of Streptococcus pneumoniae and to be cytotoxic only against tumor cell lines was found from subtilisin NAT. However, there has been little research on peptides derived from subtilisin Carlsberg, another famous subtilisin variant.

N-butylphthalide (NBP) ameliorated ischemia/reperfusion-induced skeletal muscle injury in male mice via activating Sirt1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

N-butylphthalide (NBP) has been reported to have potential protective effects in ischemic stroke via its antioxidative properties. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of NBP on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced skeletal muscle injury. Mouse model of I/R-induced skeletal muscle injury and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced C2C12 myotube injury model were constructed to test the protective effects of NBP both in vivo and in vitro.

Efficacy and safety of Neurocognitive Adaptive Training for Depression combined with SSRIs for treating cognitive impairment among patients with late-life depression: a 12-week, randomized controlled study.

Background: This randomized, open-label study examined the therapeutic effects of Neurocognitive Adaptive Training for Depression (NCAT-D) combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on cognitive impairment among patients with late-life depression (LLD).

Method: Study data were collected from May 5, 2021, to April 21, 2023. Outpatients who met the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder according to the fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (i.

Liquid-liquid phase separation in viral infection: From the occurrence and function to treatment potentials.

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomacromolecules, as a widespread cellular functional mechanism, is closely related to life processes, and is also commonly present in the lifecycle of viruses. Viral infection often leads to the recombination and redistribution of intracellular components to form biomacromolecule condensates assembled from viral replication-related proteins and intracellular components, which plays an important role in the process of viral infection. In this review, the key and influencing factors of LLPS are generalized, which mainly depend on various molecular interactions and environmental conditions in solution.

Exploring synergistic effects of Blume and Pall. on hypertension with liver yang hyperactivity using the multidisciplinary integrative strategy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations serve as a multi-component pharmacological combination therapy with various potential targets and have collected extensive knowledge regarding the in vivo efficacy of treating cardiovascular disorders in clinical practice for thousands of years. However, the obscurity of the chemicals and the molecular mechanisms are impediments to their continued growth and globalization. Therefore, new modern medications based on the combination of beneficial TCM components with precise clinical efficacy are required.

Manipulation in root-associated microbiome via carbon nanosol for plant growth improvements.

Background: Modulating the microbiome with nanomaterials has been proposed to improve plant growth, and reduce reliance on external inputs. Carbon Nanosol (CNS) was attracted for its potential to improve plant productivity. However, the mechanism between CNS and rhizosphere microorganisms remained largely elusive.

Circulating mtNFPs Are Associated with ARDS after CPB and Regulate Endothelial Barrier through FPR2.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction. However, the specific role of mitochondrial N-formyl peptides (mtNFPs) in ARDS following CPB remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the differential expression of circulating mtNFPs in patients after CPB, focusing on the novel role of FPR2 in ECs.

A Proprioceptive Janus Fiber with Controllable Multistage Segments for Bionic Soft Robots.

Smart fibers capable of integrating the multifunctionality of actuation and self-sensation into a single proprioceptive device have significant applications in soft robots and biomedicine. Especially, the achievement of self-sensing the movement patterns of different actuating segments in one fiber is still a great challenge. Herein, in this study, a fiber with the controllable Janus architecture is successfully proposed via an artful centrifugation-driven hierarchical gradient self-assembly strategy, which couples two functional components of piezoresistive carbon nanotubes and magnetic NdFeB nanoparticles into the upper and lower layers of this flexible fibrous framework with the porous sponge structure partially, respectively.

Correlation between hyperlipidemia and serum vitamin D levels in an adult Chinese cohort.

Vitamin D deficiency has emerged as a significant concern in public health due to its potential association with various metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the susceptibility to hyperlipidemia among adults. Using a multi-stage sampling approach, we recruited a cohort of 2072 eligible individuals aged over 18 years.

Effect of CD4 count on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection rates in people living with HIV: a comparative study in prison and community.

To evaluate the impact of the CD4 count on ESAT6-CFP10 (EC) skin test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube test (QFT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) in a large prison and communities in Jiangsu Province among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Participants in communities were tested with the QFT and EC skin test and in prison were tested with the QFT, TST and EC skin test. A 4-knotted restricted cubic spline fitted for Logistic models was used to explore the cutoff point of CD4 count and the associations between changes in CD4 count and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.

MiR-126 accelerates renal injury induced by UUO via inhibition PI3K/ IRS-1/ FAK signaling induced M2 polarization and endocytosis in macrophages.

To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of miR-126 in unilateral ureteral occlusion (UUO). We used bioinformatics to analyse miRNAs specifically expressed in UUO. The mouse model of UUO was established using RAW264.

Hydrophobic bio-based foam prepared from recycled pulp fiber and its properties.

Compared with traditional petroleum-based foam materials, cellulosic foam materials have significant advantages in terms of economy and environmental protection. However, the traditional cellulose-based foams have some problems such as high energy consumption in the preparation process. In this study, the recycled pulp foam (RPF) with ultra-light density (12.

Suppressing Static and Dynamic Disorder for High-Efficiency and Stable Thick-Film Organic Solar Cells via Synergistic Dilution Strategy.

Developing stable and highly efficient thick-film organic solar cells (OSCs) is crucial for the large-scale commercial application of organic photovoltaics. A novel synergistic dilution strategy to address this issue, using Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) -modified zinc oxide (ZnO) as the interfacial layer, is introduced. This strategy effectively mitigates oxygen defects in ZnO while also regulating the self-assembly process of the active layer to achieve an ordered distribution of donors and acceptors.