The Onset of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Triggers Nucleus Pulposus Cell Pyroptosis to Exacerbate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Purpose: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder marked by immune system dysregulation and autoantibodies production, causing widespread inflammation and damage across various body systems. Despite the prevalent back pain in SLE patients, the link between SLE and intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, a primary contributor to back pain, remains inadequately understood. This study explored the impact of SLE on IVD degeneration using the MRL/ mouse model, which effectively replicates human SLE manifestations.

: a potential herb for treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic skeletal disorder characterized by a decline in bone mass, bone mineral density, and deterioration of bone microstructure. It is prevalent among the elderly, particularly postmenopausal women, and poses a substantial burden to patients and society due to the high incidence of fragility fractures. Kidney-tonifying Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been utilized for OP prevention and treatment.

Biosorption of Cu(II) on extracellular polymers from Bacillus sp. F19.

Biosorption can be an effective process for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution on the extracellular polymers (EPS) from Bacillus sp. (named MBFF19) with respect to pH, incubation time, concentration of initial Cu(II), and biosorbent dose was studied.

Emergency membrane contactor based absorption system for ammonia leaks in water treatment plants.

Abstract Because of the suspected health risks of trihalomethanes (THMs), more and more water treatment plants have replaced traditional chlorine disinfection process with chloramines but often without the proper absorption system installed in the case of ammonia leaks in the storage room. A pilot plant membrane absorption system was developed and installed in a water treatment plant for this purpose. Experimentally determined contact angle, surface tension, and corrosion tests indicated that the sulfuric acid was the proper choice as the absorbent for leaking ammonia using polypropylene hollow fiber membrane contactor.