pH-Responsive Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent: An Environmental Alternative for the Sustainable Extraction of Petroleum Hydrocarbons from Oil Sands.

The reversible shift in polarity or hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of switchable solvents greatly simplifies the recovery capacity in extraction applications. However, the environmental and economical advantages of switchable solvents are not significant. In this work, we designed three pH-responsive natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) by combining the pH-switchable solvent fatty acids with the nonswitchable solvent ethyl lactate (EL), followed by the exploration of the solubilization and separation performance of these NADESs for petroleum hydrocarbons.

Strategy for treating MAFLD: Electroacupuncture alleviates hepatic steatosis and fibrosis by enhancing AMPK mediated glycolipid metabolism and autophagy in T2DM rats.

Background: Recent studies have highlighted type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as a significant risk factor for the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This investigation aimed to assess electroacupuncture's (EA) impact on liver morphology and function in T2DM rats, furnishing experimental substantiation for its potential to stall MAFLD progression in T2DM.

Methods: T2DM rats were induced by a high-fat diet and a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and then randomly assigned to five groups: the T2DM group, the electroacupuncture group, the metformin group, combination group of electroacupuncture and metformin, combination group of electroacupuncture and Compound C.

Enhancing strategies of photosynthetic hydrogen production from microalgae: Differences in hydrogen production between prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae.

Hydrogen production through the metabolic bypass of microalgae photosynthesis is an environmentally friendly method. This review examines the genetic differences in hydrogen production between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microalgae. Additionally, the pathways for enhancing microalgae-based photosynthetic hydrogen generation are summarized.

[Mechanism of electroacupuncture regulating nuclear factor-κB pathway to improve the dedifferentiation of pancreatic β-cells in rats with T2DM].

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the pancreatic nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats, and to explore the possible mechanism by which EA improving the dedifferentiation of pancreatic β-cells in the treatment of T2DM.

Methods: Among 18 SPF-grade male Wistar rats, 6 rats were randomly selected as the control group, and the remaining 12 rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozotocin solution (35 mg/kg) to establish T2DM model. After successful modeling, the 12 rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 6 rats in each group.

Monitoring CaCO Content in Recycled Polypropylene with Raman Spectrometry.

As a commonly used filler, CaCO frequently finds its way into recycled polypropylene (rPP) as a contaminant during the mechanical recycling process. Given the substantial impact of CaCO on the properties of PP materials, close monitoring of their content is important to ensure the quality of rPP. In the present work, Raman spectrometry was employed to develop a rapid, accurate, and convenient method for determining CaCO content in rPP.

Potential role of quorum quenching activity of silver nanoparticles in controlling non-filamentous bulking within activated sludge process.

The effective prevention and control of non-filamentous bulking is a significant challenge. In this study, the underlying effect of quorum sensing (QS) on inducing non-filamentous bulking and the maintenance effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on sludge floc stability, aggregation and settleability based on the quorum quenching (QQ) activity during non-filamentous bulking were investigated. The results showed that the concentration of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) increased significantly in the activated sludge system at a high organic load rate (OLR), triggering the AHL-mediated QS.

Silver nanoparticles induced with aqueous black carpenter ant extract selectively inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aqueous black carpenter ant extract (ABCAE) was used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The ABCAE was rich in water-soluble compounds such as hydrophilic polypeptides that behaved as both reducing and stabilizing agents for generating AgNPs from Ag ion precursors. The diameter of the observed AgNPs was mostly in the range of 20-60 nm.

Reactive Blending of Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Recycled Polypropylene: Kinetics Modeling of Non-Isothermal Crystallization.

Plastics were developed to change our world for the better. However, plastic pollution has become a serious global environmental crisis. Thermoplastic polyesters and polyolefins are among the most abundant plastic waste.

Synthesis and Characterization of Quercetin-Iron Complex Nanoparticles for Overcoming Drug Resistance.

Quercetin, one of the major natural flavonoids, has demonstrated great pharmacological potential as an antioxidant and in overcoming drug resistance. However, its low aqueous solubility and poor stability limit its potential applications. Previous studies suggest that the formation of quercetin-metal complexes could increase quercetin stability and biological activity.

Mechanisms of survival mediated by the stringent response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa under environmental stress in drinking water systems: Nitrogen deficiency and bacterial competition.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes public health problems in drinking water systems. This study investigated the potential role of the stringent response in regulating the adaptive physiological metabolic behaviors of P. aeruginosa to low nitrogen stress and bacterial competition in drinking water systems.

A high-calorie diet aggravates LPS-induced pneumonia by disturbing the gut microbiota and Th17/Treg balance.

The intestinal flora plays an important role in the inflammatory response to the systemic or local infections in the host. A high-calorie diet has been shown to aggravate pneumonia and delay recovery, especially in children. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

New insight into filamentous sludge bulking: Potential role of AHL-mediated quorum sensing in deteriorating sludge floc stability and structure.

The microcosmic mechanisms underlying filamentous bulking remain unclear. The role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) governed by quorum sensing (QS) in deteriorating sludge floc stability and structure during filamentous bulking and the feasibility of using quorum quenching (QQ) to maintain sludge floc stability and structure and sludge settling were investigated in this study. The results indicated that the concentration of CHSL increased from 22.

Biodegradable and Reusable Cellulose-Based Nanofiber Membrane Preparation for Mask Filter by Electrospinning.

Environmentally friendly face masks with high filtration efficiency are in urgent need to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other airborne viruses, bacteria and particulate matters. In this study, coaxial electrospinning was employed to fabricate a lithium chloride enhanced cellulose acetate/thermoplastic polyurethanes (CA/TPU-LiCl) face mask nanofiber filtration membrane, which was biodegradable and reusable. The analysis results show that the CA/TPU-LiCl membrane had an excellent filtration performance: when the filtration efficiency reached 99.

Research on Chemically Deuterated Cellulose Macroperformance and Fast Identification.

Chemically deuterated cellulose fiber was expected to provide novel applications due to its spectral, biological, and kinetic isotope effect. In this research, the performance of the chemically deuterated cotton fibers, including their mechanical property, enzymatic degradation performance, effect on bacterial treatment, and fast identification (near-infrared modeling) was investigated. The breaking tenacity of the deuterated cotton fibers was slightly lower, which might be attributed to the structural damage during the chemical deuteration.

MicroRNA-140-5p represses chondrocyte pyroptosis and relieves cartilage injury in osteoarthritis by inhibiting cathepsin B/Nod-like receptor protein 3.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease. Dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expressions are implicated in OA progression. Consequently, the current study set out to investigate the mechanism of miR-140-5p in OA cartilage injury.

[Q-marker prediction of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex before and after "sweating"].

Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, a common Chinese medicinal in clinic, should undergo "sweating" process in producing area according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which affects its genuineness and quality. In light of the concept and research mode of quality marker(Q-marker) for decoction pieces, the active components of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex pieces which altered significantly before and after "sweating" were identified in this study. The main pharmacodynamic material basis was clarified by pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and drug property research, followed by the prediction of Q-markers of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex before and after "sweating", for better improving its quality standard.

Comparison of nanostructure and nanomechanical properties of cast and air sides of polyimide films from different manufacturers.

Polyimide films are widely applied in harsh environments because of their outstanding performance. High-quality polyimide films are often manufactured through a two-step process. The complicated procedure results in different properties on the two sides, i.

Deciphering the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction against COVID-19 through Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Exploration.

The outbreak of new infectious pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed a significant threat to public health, but specific medicines and vaccines are still being developed. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has thousands of years of experience in facing the epidemic disease, such as influenza and viral pneumonia. In this study, we revealed the efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of Ma Xing Shi Gan (MXSG) Decoction against COVID-19.

[Textual research on Xilei Powder].

Xilei Powder is a commonly used prescription for the treatment of oral ulcers, and is originally used to treat scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is a warm-toxin disease from the perspective of the theory of warm disease. It is a warm infectious disease caused by epidemic.

Analysis of volatile compounds causing undesirable odors in a polypropylene - high-density polyethylene recycled plastic resin with solid-phase microextraction.

Although recycled plastics provide a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative for many applications, their desirability is significantly limited by the presence of unpleasant odors from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this work, a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was optimized to analyze volatile compounds from an odorous recycled plastic resin which was roughly composed of 85-90% polypropylene (PP) and 15-10% high-density polyethylene (HDPE). A large variety of aliphatic hydrocarbons and 13 additive residues were detected.

Study on the mechanisms of "Xiaoerhuashi Pill, XP" in intervening the health status of high-calorie diet animals.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: "Xiaoerhuashi Pill, XP", with a history of 30 years in China, was included in the first part of the 2015 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is widely used in the treatment for pediatric diseases in clinical application. Its main indications include the accumulation of heat caused by food stagnation in children, which has the effect of digestive stagnation and purge heat to relax the bowels.

Aim Of The Study: High-calorie diet, closely related to the occurrence and development of multiple diseases, is an unhealthy status of life.

CAR-T Cell Therapy in Cancer: Tribulations and Road Ahead.

Chimeric antigen receptor- (CAR-) T cell therapy is one of the most recent innovative immunotherapies and is rapidly evolving. Like other technologies, CAR-T cell therapy has undergone a long development process, and persistent explorations of the actions of the intracellular signaling domain and make several improvements have led to the superior efficacy when anti-CD19 CAR-T cell treatments in B cell cancers. At present, CAR-T cell therapy is developing rapidly, and many clinical trials have been established on a global scale, which has great commercial potential.

Effect of High Calorie Diet on Intestinal Flora in LPS-Induced Pneumonia Rats.

Intestinal flora plays an important role in inflammatory response to systemic or local organs of its host. High calorie diet has been shown to aggravate the condition of pneumonia and delay recovery, especially in children. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.