Flame-retardant bamboo fiber-based films for high-performance fire sensors.

Natural polymers play a non-negligible role in the development of green and sustainable sensors. However, their poor flame retardancy and deficient thermal stability inevitably restrict their application in sensors for monitoring the fire full-process. In this work, a facile and eco-friendly method for the large-scale preparation of flexible films composed of bamboo fiber (BF), carboxymethyl cellulose (CC), and graphene (GN) by solution casting was put forward.

Procedures from samples to sulfur isotopic data: A review.

Rationale: Sulfur isotopes have been widely used to solve some key scientific questions, especially in the last two decades with advanced instruments and analytical schemes. Different sulfur speciation and multiple isotopes analyzed in laboratories worldwide and in situ microanalysis have also been reported in many articles. However, methods of sampling to measurements are multifarious, and occasionally some inaccuracies are present in published papers.

Effects of Cu(II)-DOM complexation on DOM degradation: Insights from spectroscopic evidence.

The fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is primarily governed by its sources, degradation, and transformation processes within the environment. However, the influence of metal-DOM complexation on DOM degradation remains ambiguous. In this study, controlled laboratory experiments were conducted using Cu(II) and natural water from the Duliujian River and the Beidagang Wetland to examine the effects of metal-DOM binding on the degradation pathway of DOM.

Multiple Sulfur Isotopic Evidence for Sulfate Formation in Haze Pollution.

The mechanism of sulfate formation during winter haze events in North China remains largely elusive. In this study, the multiple sulfur isotopic composition of sulfate in different grain-size aerosol fractions collected seasonally from sampling sites in rural, suburban, urban, industrial, and coastal areas of North China are used to constrain the mechanism of SO oxidation at different levels of air pollution. The ΔS values of sulfate in aerosols show an obvious seasonal variation, except for those samples collected in the rural area.

Tremella polysaccharide-based conductive hydrogel with anti-freezing and self-healing ability for motion monitoring and intelligent interaction.

The application of conductive hydrogels in flexible wearable devices has garnered significant attention. In this study, a self-healing, anti-freezing, and fire-resistant hydrogel strain sensor is successfully synthesized by incorporating sustainable natural biological materials, viz. Tremella polysaccharide and silk fiber, into a polyvinyl alcohol matrix with borax cross-linking.

Triple Silicon, Phosphorous, and Nitrogen-Grafted Lignin-Based Flame Retardant and Its Vulcanization Promotion for Styrene Butadiene Rubber.

In this study, we present an innovative environmental silicon-, phosphorus-, and nitrogen-triple lignin-based flame retardant (Lig-K-DOPO). Lig-K-DOPO was successfully prepared by condensation of lignin with flame retardant intermediate DOPO-KH550 synthesized via Atherton-Todd reaction between 9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (KH550A). The presence of silicon, phosphate, and nitrogen groups was characterized by FTIR, XPS, and P NMR spectroscopy.

Multi-functional bio-film based on sisal cellulose nanofibres and carboxymethyl chitosan with flame retardancy, water resistance, and self-cleaning for fire alarm sensors.

Flexible and environmentally friendly bio-based films have attracted significant attention as next-generation fire-responsive sensors. However, the low structural stability, durability, and flame retardancy of pure bio-based films limit their application in outdoor and extreme environments. Here, we report the design of a sustainable bio-based composite film assembled from carboxymethyl-modified sisal fibre microcrystals (C-MSF), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), graphene nanosheets (GNs), phytic acid (PA), and trivalent iron ions (Fe).

Differences in the spectral characteristics of dissolved organic matter binding to Cu(II) in wetland soils with moisture gradients.

The environmental behavior of heavy metals in soil is significantly regulated by their binding with dissolved organic matter (DOM), which is affected by soil moisture contents. However, the mechanism of this interaction in soils with varying moisture is still not well understood. Using a combination of ultrafiltration, Cu(II) titration, and multispectral (ultraviolet-visible absorption, 3D fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared) analysis techniques, we studied the differences in the spectral characteristics and Cu(II) binding properties of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its different molecular weight (MW) fractions with moisture gradients.

Slight transition in Chinese atmospheric Pb isotopic fingerprinting due to increasing foreign Pb.

Atmospheric lead (Pb) pollution negatively affects human health and ecosystem, and extensive research is required to identify its sources and develop robust mitigation methods. In this study, the concentration and isotopic composition of Pb in fine particulate matter (PM) at five sites in the China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region were analyzed. The results showed that the Pb concentration in the BTH region declined along the northwest direction in winter owing to the East Asian monsoon.

Role of molecular weight-dependent spectral properties in regulating Cu(II) binding by dissolved organic matter from different sources.

The complexation of metals with dissolved organic matter (DOM) under different compositions and molecular weights (MWs) will result in different environmental fate and toxicity, but the specific role and impact of DOM MWs remain less well understood. This study explored the metal binding characteristics by DOM with different MWs from different sources, including sea, river, and wetland waters. The results of fluorescence characterization showed that the >1 kDa high-molecular-weight (HMW)-DOM were mainly from terrestrial sources while the low-molecular-weight (LMW)-DOM fractions were mostly from microbial sources.

Multifunctional bio-films based on silk nanofibres/peach gum polysaccharide for highly sensitive temperature, flame, and water detection.

Given their environment friendliness, light weight, and availability, bio-films have attracted wide interest for various applications in sensor materials. However, obtaining sensors with good environmental stability, excellent flame retardancy, and high wet strength remains a challenge. Herein, we prepared sensitive water, temperature and flame-responsive multi-function bio-films (named as PSCG bio-films) by combining peach gum polysaccharide, silk nanofibres, citric acid, and graphene.

Sulfate concentrations affect sulfate reduction pathways and methane consumption in coastal wetlands.

Coastal wetlands are an important source of methane emissions, and understanding the mechanisms that control methane emissions from coastal wetlands is of great significance to global warming. Anaerobic oxidation of methane driven by sulfate is an important process to prevent methane emissions from coastal wetlands. The effects of environmental changes on this process and the function of the sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) are poorly understood.

A modified high-yield method for primary culture of rat retinal microglial cells.

Microglial cells are the main immune cells of the retina. The primary culture of the retinal microglia is critically important in investigating the cells' properties and behaviors in neurodegenerative and inflammatory retinal disease. Here, we described a modified protocol of a microglial cell culture from the neonatal rat retina.

The isotopic patterns and source apportionment of nitrate and ammonium in atmospheric aerosol.

Nitrate (NO) and ammonium (NH) are the major components in inorganic aerosol. However, their sources and formation processes remain unclear. This study conducted a year-round field measurement of TSP, PM and PM in five different sites in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region to determine the concentrations of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and the isotopic compositions of inorganic nitrogen (δN-NH, δN-NO, and δO-NO).

Differences in the spectroscopic characteristics of wetland dissolved organic matter binding with Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr and Zn.

Understanding of the binding characteristics of wetland dissolved organic matter (DOM) and different metals is important for the quantitative assessment of the environmental behavior of metals in wetlands. In this study, different types of spectroscopy including ultraviolet-visible absorption, Fourier transform infrared, and fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the binding characteristics of Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Zn with DOM from wetland water. Differential absorption spectra identified binding sites for these five metals in this wetland DOM at 210 nm, 280 nm, 335 nm, and > 400 nm regions.

Atmospheric lead pollution in a typical megacity: Evidence from lead isotopes.

Atmospheric lead (Pb) pollution has adverse health effects on humans, while the sources and atmospheric process of Pb are key scientific problems. In this study, the concentrations and isotopic composition of Pb in fine particulate matter (PM), coal and street dust samples collected from a typical megacity Beijing were analyzed to identify the sources of atmospheric Pb. Results showed that the Pb concentrations in PM were high in winter (168.

Exosomes derived from retinoblastoma cells enhance tumour deterioration by infiltrating the microenvironment.

The survival of young children (under 5 years of age) with malignant retinoblastoma remains poor, and clarification of the mechanism underlying tumour development is urgently needed. The present study aimed to reveal the role of exosomes (EXOs) from retinoblastoma cells in tumour development. The in vitro data indicated that EXOs derived from WERI‑Rb1 cells significantly inhibited the antitumour activity of macrophages and induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to promote tumour growth via an increase in monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (also known as C‑C motif chemokine ligand 2) levels.

Temporal and spatial variations in stable isotopic compositions of precipitation during the typhoon Lekima (2019), China.

A clear understanding of factors governing stable isotopic variations in precipitation of tropical cyclones is critical for constraining atmospheric hydrological model simulations. The temporal and spatial variations in stable isotopic compositions of precipitation during the typhoon Lekima (2019) were investigated, based on rainwater samples collected at four sampling sites along its track between August 10 and August 12, 2019. Results showed that the δO and δD values of rainwater samples varied from -15.

The abatement of acid rain in Guizhou province, southwestern China: Implication from sulfur and oxygen isotopes.

The high frequency of acid rain in southern China has captured public and official concern since 1980s. Subsequently, gas emission reduction measures have been implemented to improve the air quality. Variations in SO emission intensities can influence the sulfur and oxygen isotopic compositions of sulfate in rainwater, since atmospheric sulfate is mainly formed via the oxidation of sulfur gases from natural and anthropogenic sources.

Tetramethylpyrazine attenuates endotoxin-induced retinal inflammation by inhibiting microglial activation via the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway.

Ocular inflammation is a common pathological condition of a series of retinal degenerative diseases. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a Chinese herbal extraction, is widely used in the treatment of several ocular diseases in Eastern countries. However, the exact mechanisms correlating the vision protective effects of TMP have not been elucidated.

Seasonal and long-term trends of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium in PM in Beijing: implication for air pollution control.

Particulate matter pollution in Beijing is a serious environmental problem. In response to this, the Beijing government has implemented comprehensive emission reduction measures in recent years. To assess the effectiveness of these measures, the seasonal and long-term trends in chemical compositions of PM in Beijing have been studied based on daily samples collected from July 2015 to April 2016 and literature investigation (2000-2014).

Histone deacetylase inhibitors differentially regulate c-Myc expression in retinoblastoma cells.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most prevalent childhood intraocular cancer type. Previous studies have demonstrated that (a proto-oncogene) is associated with tumorigenesis. However, at present, the influence of the expression profile and bioactivity of c-Myc on RB occurrence and progression is yet to be characterised.

Tetramethylpyrazine downregulates transcription of the CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4) via nuclear respiratory factor‑1 (Nrf‑1) in WERI‑Rb1 retinoblastoma cells.

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP; an extract of the Chinese herbal medicine, Chuanxiong) has been shown to exert remarkable antiretinoblastoma (RB) effects. Based on our previous study, the target gene was found to be C‑X‑C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4). CXCR4 is a prognostic marker in various types of cancer, but the exact mechanisms underlying the regulation of CXCR4 expression by TMP in WERI‑Rb1 cells have yet to be fully elucidated.

Enhancing Retinal Endothelial Glycolysis by Inhibiting UCP2 Promotes Physiologic Retinal Vascular Development in a Model of Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Purpose: We address the hypothesis that uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), a cellular glucose regulator, delays physiologic retinal vascular development (PRVD) by interfering with glucose uptake through glucose transporter 1 (Glut1).

Methods: In the rat 50/10 oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model, retinal Glut1 and UCP2 were measured and compared to room air (RA)-raised pups at postnatal day 14 (p14). Pups in OIR and RA received intraperitoneal genipin, an UCP2 inhibitor, or control every other day from p3 until p13.

[Comparative study of processed autogenous tooth bone and xenogeneic bovine bone in repairing an alveolar bone defect].

Objective: This study was conducted to counter the osteogenesis effects of processed autogenous tooth bone and xenogeneic bovine bone following tooth extraction and to provide an experimental basis for clinical applications.

Methods: Central incisors were extracted with general anesthesia on both sides of a maxillary arch in 12 rabbits, which were randomly divided into three groups, thereby containing four rabbits in each group. Three rabbits were assigned to the experimental groups and one was for the control group.