Protein Corona Formation on Cadmium-Bearing Nanoparticles: Important Role of Facet-Dependent Binding of Cysteine-Rich Proteins.

Cadmium-bearing nanoparticles, such as nanoparticulate cadmium selenide (CdSe) and cadmium sulfide (CdS), widely exist in the environment and originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Risk assessment of these nanoparticles cannot be accurate without taking into account the properties of the protein corona that is acquired by the nanoparticles upon biouptake. Here, we show that the compositions of the protein corona on CdSe/CdS nanoparticles are regulated collectively by the surface atomic arrangement of the nanoparticles and the abundance and distribution of cysteine moieties of the proteins in contact with the nanoparticles.

Sulfur-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides Minimize Microbial Mercury Methylation: Implications for Remediation of Mercury-Contaminated Sites.

Conventional approaches for in situ remediation of mercury (Hg)-contaminated soils and sediments rely mostly on precipitation or adsorption. However, this can generate Hg-rich surfaces that facilitate microbial production of methylmercury (MeHg), a potent, bioaccumulative neurotoxin. Herein, we prove the concept that the risk of mercury methylation can be effectively minimized by adding sulfur-intercalated layered double hydroxide (S-LDH) to Hg-contaminated soils.

Crystalline Phase Regulates Microbial Methylation Potential of Mercury Bound to MoS Nanosheets: Implications for Safe Design of Mercury Removal Materials.

Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have shown great promise as selective and high-capacity sorbents for Hg(II) removal from water. Yet, their design should consider safe disposal of spent materials, particularly the subsequent formation of methylmercury (MeHg), a highly potent and bioaccumulative neurotoxin. Here, we show that microbial methylation of mercury bound to MoS nanosheets (a representative TMD material) is significant under anoxic conditions commonly encountered in landfills.

An Examination of Students' Perspectives of Medical English Course Quality in Guangdong Medical Universities.

In China, medical English courses are critical to medical education, equipping Chinese students with the linguistic tools necessary for international medical practice and collaboration. However, a disconnect persists between the pedagogical approaches of medical practitioners and language educators, leading to a curriculum that emphasizes grammatical accuracy over practical communication skills. This misalignment results in student disengagement and falls short of addressing the real-world demands of the medical profession.

Effects of Extracellular Polymeric Substances on the Formation and Methylation of Mercury Sulfide Nanoparticles.

Growing evidence has suggested that microbial biofilms are potential environmental "hotspots" for the production and accumulation of a bioaccumulative neurotoxin, methylmercury. Here, we demonstrate that extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the main components of biofilm matrices, significantly interfere with mercury sulfide precipitation and lead to the formation of nanoparticulate metacinnabar available for microbial methylation, a natural process predominantly responsible for the environmental occurrence of methylmercury. EPS derived from mercury methylating bacteria, particularly ND132, substantially increase the methylation potential of nanoparticulate mercury.

Understanding mercury methylation in the changing environment: Recent advances in assessing microbial methylators and mercury bioavailability.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a neurotoxin, mainly derived from microbial mercury methylation in natural aquatic environments, and poses threats to human health. Polar regions and paddy soils are potential hotspots of mercury methylation and represent environmental settings that are susceptible to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. The effects of changing environmental conditions on the methylating microorganisms and mercury speciation due to global climate change and farming practices aimed for sustainable agriculture were discussed for polar regions and paddy soils, respectively.