Preparation of PBAT microplastics and their potential toxicity to zebrafish embryos and juveniles.

The extensive use of traditional non-biodegradable plastics results in the generation of microplastics (MPs), forming a new pollutant that can pose significant environmental risks. Biodegradable plastics (BP) possess degradation properties and can partially replace conventional plastics, thereby reducing pollution. However, further investigation is needed into the toxicity of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) on aquatic organisms.

Earthworms alleviate microplastics stress on soil microbial and protist communities.

Microplastic (MP) pollution can exert significant pressure on soil ecosystems, however, the interactive effects of MPs on soil bacterial, fungal and protist communities remains poorly understood. Soil macrofauna, such as earthworms, can be directly affected by MPs, potentially leading to a range of feedbacks on the soil microbial community. To address this, we conducted a microcosm experiment to examine the effects of conventional (i.

Carbon Nanofiber Membranes Loaded with MXene@g-CN: Preparation and Photocatalytic Property.

In this study, a TiC MXene@g-CN composite powder (TM-CN) was prepared by the ultrasonic self-assembly method and then loaded onto a carbon nanofiber membrane by the self-assembly properties of MXene for the treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater. The characterization of the TM-CN and the C-TM-CN was conducted via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) to ascertain the successful modification. The organic dye degradation experiments demonstrated that introducing an appropriate amount of TiC MXene resulted in the complete degradation of RhB within 60 min, three times the photocatalytic efficiency of a pure g-CN.

Pollution characteristics and human health risks of PM-bound heavy metals: a 3-year observation in Suzhou, China.

This study aimed to analyze the temporal trends, pollution levels, and health risks associated with eleven PM-bound heavy metals (Sb, Al, As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Tl). A total of 504 PM samples were collected in Suzhou from January 2019 to December 2021. The pollution levels were estimated based on enrichment factors (EFs) which can be used to calculate the enrichment of heavy metals in PM and determine whether the concentrations of PM-bound heavy metals are influenced by the crustal or anthropogenic sources, and the health risk of PM-bound heavy metals via inhalation was assessed following US EPA's Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS).

Licochalcone A alleviates laser-induced choroidal neovascularization by inhibiting the endothelial-mesenchymal transition via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a hallmark of wet age-related macular degeneration, which severely impairs central vision. Studies have shown that endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is involved in the pathogenesis of CNV. Licochalcone A (lico A), a flavonoid extracted from the root of licorice, shows the inhibition on EndMT, but it remains unclear whether it can suppress the formation of CNV.

Multifunctional carboxymethyl chitosan/oxidized dextran/sodium alginate hydrogels as dressing for hemostasis and closure of infected wounds.

Massive bleeding is a great threat to the life safety of patients, which is a challenging clinical problem. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a kind of multifunctional dressing material with hemostatic ability and antibacterial performance to promote wound healing and repair. To resolve this issue, in this study, a carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/sodium alginate (SA)/oxidized dextran (ODE) (CSO) multifunctional hydrogel was developed.

Modification of substrate and product transport systems in Klebsiella pneumoniae to improve 1,3-propanediol production.

Substrate uptake and product export are important for microbial growth and product synthesis. Here, the glycerol uptake facilitator (GlpF) and the members of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) type efflux system were overexpressed in Klebsiella pneumoniae to promote 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) production. Overexpression of the endogenous K.

Degradation of methylene blue through Fenton-like reaction catalyzed by MoS-doped sodium alginate/Fe hydrogel.

In this study, a low-cost and high-performance MoS/sodium alginate (SA)/Fe (MSF) hydrogel catalyst was prepared. It was found that the MSF hydrogel could efficiently catalyze the degradation of methylene blue (MB) through the Fenton reaction without the addition of Fe. The reaction was initiated by Fe which was derived from the cyclic redox reaction between MoS and Fe and produced large quantities of ·OH to degrade the MB.

Synthesis of iridium-based nanocomposite with catalase activity for cancer phototherapy.

The combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted attention due to its enhanced tumor therapy effect. This study proposes a novel nanoenzyme-based theranostic nanoplatform, IrO@MSN@PDA-BSA(Ce6), for the combined PTT and PDT of tumors. IrO was prepared by a simple hydrolysis method and coated with a thin layer of mesoporous silica (MSN) to facilitate the physical adsorption of Chlorin e6 (Ce6).

Synergistic effect of hypocrellin B and curcumin on photodynamic inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus.

Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) serves as a new approach to control the growth of foodborne bacteria. It remains elusive if the photodynamic efficacy of hypocrellin B (HB) can be potentiated by joint action with curcumin. In this study, we measured the survival rate of Staphylococcus aureus strains under the varying photodynamic conditions.

Effects of interstitial carbon atoms on texture structure and mechanical properties of FeMnCoCr alloys.

In this paper, a (Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10)100-xCx high-entropy alloy (HEA) was successfully prepared by using the vacuum arc melting method. The peak shape analysis of the X-ray diffraction patterns, the EBSD observations, and the EDS spectra of the alloys with different compositions show that the characteristics of the dendrites and the hard phase, Cr23C6, into the initial single-phase face-centered cubic (FCC) matrix becomes gradually visible as the carbon content increases from 0 to 4%. The crystal phase variations lead to a non-linear orientation of the microstructure, to a refinement of the grains, and to a higher elastic modulus.

Strengthening the TCA cycle to alleviate metabolic stress due to blocking by-products synthesis pathway in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) is an important synthetic monomer for the production of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). Here, we engineered Klebsiella pneumoniae by a multi-strategy to improve 1,3-PDO production and reduce by-products synthesis. First, the 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) synthesis pathway was blocked by deleting the budB gene, resulting in a 74% decrease of 2,3-BDO titer.

EGCG ameliorates neuronal and behavioral defects by remodeling gut microbiota and TotM expression in Drosophila models of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Eigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol in green tea, is known to exert a beneficial effect on PD patients. Although some mechanisms were suggested to underlie this intervention, it remains unknown if the EGCG-mediated protection was achieved by remodeling gut microbiota.

A novel freeze-dried storage and preparation method for the determination of mycophenolic acid in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Plasma samples were conventionally stored at freezing conditions until the time of detection. Such a technique, when carried out over an extended period, is energy consuming; in addition, preparation and transportation of stored samples is inconvenient. In this study, a freeze-dried storage and preparation method was proposed to determine the presence of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in plasma.

Facile construction of near-monodisperse and dual responsive polycarbonate mixed micelles with the ability of pH-induced charge reversal for intracellular delivery of antitumor drugs.

A mixed strategy was used to construct size-adjustable, pH and redox dual-responsive, near-monodisperse and charge-conversional core-shell polycarbonate carriers. First, two kinds of random polycarbonates (PC(Arss-N2CH)) with different ratios of hydrophobic disulfide (Arss) and hydrophilic dimethylamine functional groups (N2CH) (relatively hydrophobic polycarbonate (BPC) with more disulfide groups and relatively hydrophilic polycarbonate (LPC) with more dimethylamine groups) were used to construct near-monodisperse core micelles in pH 7.4 PBS.

An effective and economical method for the storage of plasma samples using a novel freeze-drying device.

Biological samples, especially plasma samples, are conventionally stored under freezing conditions to maintain sample integrity prior to the detections of analytes. However, the storage of samples in a low-temperature environment is electric energy consuming, and the preparation of samples prior to analytes detection may be complicated. In this work, an effective and economical method was proposed to freeze-dry the samples using a novel device to allow subsequent storage of samples at ambient temperature.

Ketogenic diet effects on neurobehavioral development of children with intractable epilepsy: A prospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the impact of a ketogenic diet (KD) on neurobehavioral development when used to treat children with intractable epilepsy, confirming the efficacy of the KD, as well as the correlation between early electroencephalography (EEG) changes in the early stage with treatment efficacy.

Methods: We enrolled 42 children who were starting treatment for intractable epilepsy with the classic KD protocol. The total development quotient as well as the development quotients for adaptability, gross motor movements, fine motor movements, language, and individual-social interaction on the Gesell developmental scales were assessed before and after 3, 6, 12, and 18 months of KD treatment.

Sex hormones regulate cerebral drug metabolism via brain miRNAs: down-regulation of brain CYP2D by androgens reduces the analgesic effects of tramadol.

Background And Purpose: Brain cytochrome P450 2D (CYP2D) metabolises exogenous neurotoxins, endogenous substances and neurotransmitters. Brain CYP2D can be regulated in an organ-specific manner, but the possible regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. We investigated the involvement of miRNAs in the selective regulation of brain CYP2D by testosterone and the corresponding alteration of the pharmacological profiles of tramadol by testosterone.

[Therapeutic effect of ketogenic diet for refractory epilepsy in children: a prospective observational study].

Objective: To study the clinical efficiency, electroencephalogram (EEG) changes and cognitive improvements of ketogenic diet (KD) in children with refractory epilepsy.

Methods: Twenty pediatric patients (7-61 months in age) with refractory epilepsy were recruited between August 2012 and August 2013. KD therapy was performed on all participants for at least 3 months based on a fasting initiation protocol with the lipid-to-nonlipid ratio being gradually increased to 4 : 1.