•A framework for assessing the embodied carbon impacts of buildings is proposed.•Work breakdown structure is used to facilitate the integration of process data.•Engineering quota is used to extract ...reliable material and energy consumption data.•Case study demonstrates the applicability of the proposed framework.
To improve the integrity and accuracy of methods for quantifying the embodied carbon impacts of residential buildings during early design stages, an assessment framework was developed in this study to analyze the embodied carbon impacts of buildings to support decision making in China. During the development of this framework, the carbon emission characteristics of pre-occupancy stages were modeled based on the work breakdown structure (WBS). Then, the bill of quantities (BOQ) and the engineering quota were used along with the established carbon footprint factor database (CFFD) to calculate the carbon footprints (CFs) of the buildings. The embodied carbon impacts of three types of residential buildings in China were assessed as a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework. The results showed that construction processes related to reinforced concrete, metal structures, and masonry materials are responsible for the majority of the CFs of residential buildings. Thus, enhancing the environmental performance of cement production and increasing the recycling rate of steel scraps in steel production are significant factors in reducing the total CFs of residential buildings in China. Furthermore, these results indicate that the proposed framework can effectively quantify the embodied carbon impacts of residential buildings at the design stage.
Nanotopographical cues of bone implant surface has direct influences on various cell types during the establishment of osseointegration, a prerequisite of implant bear-loading. Given the important ...roles of monocyte/macrophage lineage cells in bone regeneration and remodeling, the regulation of nanotopographies on macrophages and osteoclasts has arisen considerable attentions recently. However, compared to osteoblastic cells, how nanotopographies regulate macrophages and osteoclasts has not been properly summarized. In this review, the roles and interactions of macrophages, osteoclasts and osteoblasts at different stages of bone healing is firstly presented. Then, the diversity and preparation methods of nanotopographies are summarized. Special attentions are paid to the regulation characterizations of nanotopographies on macrophages polarization and osteoclast differentiation, as well as the focal adhesion-cytoskeleton mediated mechanism. Finally, an outlook is indicated of coordinating nanotopographies, macrophages and osteoclasts to achieve better osseointegration. These comprehensive discussions may not only help to guide the optimization of bone implant surface nanostructures, but also provide an enlightenment to the osteoimmune response to external implant.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of aluminum-based minerals, especially their surface Lewis acid sites (LASs), on the transformation and fate of chloroacetanilide herbicide ...contaminants when nucleophilic reagents are present.
Materials and methods
Batch experiments were used to study propachlor transformation processes under different reaction conditions. The surface bonding of aluminas before and after interacting with propachlor and dithionite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The LASs on different aluminas, acting as the key role for accelerating the propachlor transformation, were analyzed by pyridine adsorption/FTIR spectroscopic technique.
Results and discussion
Rates of dithionite-initiated propachlor dechlorination were increased in the presence of aluminas. Transformation efficiencies of propachlor on different aluminas were found to be as γ-Al
2
O
3
> γ-AlOOH > α-Al
2
O
3
. A higher reaction temperature, higher pH, and higher alumina dosage can further increase the propachlor dechlorination rate. The addition of citric acid may block the active sites on alumina and reduce propachlor transformation by dithionite. FTIR and pyridine adsorption/diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that Al–S and Al–O bonds on the LASs of alumna play a key role in accelerating propachlor transformation.
Conclusions
LASs on alumina surfaces can effectively accelerate the propachlor transformation by dithionite. The strong electron accepting ability of LASs gives dithionite a favorable affinity to form surface sulfur compounds, which are stronger reductants and nucleophilic reagents for propachlor dechlorination. The intensities of LASs on alumina surfaces can be used to control the rate of propachlor transformation by dithionite.
Systematic imaging can be broadly defined as the systematic identification and characterization of biological processes at multiple scales and levels. In contrast to “classical” diagnostic imaging, ...systematic imaging emphasizes on detecting the overall abnormalities including molecular, functional, and structural alterations occurring during disease course in a systematic manner, rather than just one aspect in a partial manner. Concomitant efforts including improvement of imaging instruments, development of novel imaging agents, and advancement of artificial intelligence are warranted for achievement of systematic imaging. It is undeniable that scientists and radiologists will play a predominant role in directing this burgeoning field. This article introduces several recent developments in imaging modalities and nanoparticles-based imaging agents, and discusses how systematic imaging can be achieved. In the near future, systematic imaging which combines multiple imaging modalities with multimodal imaging agents will pave a new avenue for comprehensive characterization of diseases, successful achievement of image-guided therapy, precise evaluation of therapeutic effects, and rapid development of novel pharmaceuticals, with the final goal of improving human health-related outcomes.
Normal brain aging is commonly associated with neural activity alteration, β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, and tau aggregation, driving a progressive cognitive decline in normal elderly individuals. ...Positron emission tomography (PET) with radiotracers targeting these age-related changes has been increasingly employed to clarify the sequence of their occurrence and the evolution of clinically cognitive deficits. Herein, we reviewed recent literature on PET-based imaging of normal human brain aging in terms of neural activity, Aβ, and tau. Neural hypoactivity reflected by decreased glucose utilization with PET imaging has been predominately reported in the frontal, cingulate, and temporal lobes of the normal aging brain. Aβ PET imaging uncovers the pathophysiological association of Aβ deposition with cognitive aging, as well as the potential mechanisms. Tau-associated cognitive changes in normal aging are likely independent of but facilitated by Aβ as indicated by tau and Aβ PET imaging. Future longitudinal studies using multi-radiotracer PET imaging combined with other neuroimaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphometry, functional MRI, and magnetoencephalography, are essential to elucidate the neuropathological underpinnings and interactions in normal brain aging.
The rise in pertussis incidence among infants in Guizhou, China underscores the need for maternal acellular pertussis vaccine (aP) immunization, a key strategy in protecting infants from severe ...health consequences. However, the willingness of pregnant women in Guizhou to receive this vaccine is not well-understood. This study aimed to explore pregnant women's intentions toward maternal pertussis vaccination in Guizhou and identify the associated factors. A questionnaire based on the health belief model, was administered in an exploratory cross-sectional study from January to February 2022. Data from 564 participants were collected and analyzed. The chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Poisson regression were used to identify potential factors associated with vaccination intentions. Participants' median age was 27 y (interquartile range (IQR): 24-31), and the median number of children per participant was one. The study found that only 36.0% of the participants intended to receive the aP vaccine while 64.0% were uncertain or negative in this regard. Significant factors associated with intentions to vaccinate included perceived barriers and cues for action and perceived benefits. The major barriers for low vaccination intentions were safety concerns for both the fetus and the mother, and family members' negative attitudes. Free vaccines, perceiving preventive benefits, observing other pregnant women getting vaccinated, and healthcare provider recommendations may facilitate vaccination intentions. Multiple immune strategies should be developed or optimized to cope with the resurgence of pertussis.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major public health problem worldwide since its outbreak in 2019. Currently, the spread of COVID-19 is far from over, and various complications have ...roused increasing awareness of the public, calling for novel techniques to aid at diagnosis and treatment. Based on the principle of molecular imaging, positron emission tomography (PET) is expected to offer pathophysiological alternations of COVID-19 in the molecular/cellular perspectives and facilitate the clinical management of patients. A number of PET-related cases and research have been reported on COVID-19 over the past one year. This article reviews the current studies of PET in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, and discusses potential applications of PET in the development of management strategy for COVID-19 patients in the pandemic era.
Purpose
To investigate the post-transplantation behaviour and therapeutic efficacy of human urinary-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hUiCMs) in infarcted heart.
Methods
We used ...clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology to integrate a triple-fusion (TF) reporter gene into the AAVS1 locus in human urine-derived hiPSCs (hUiPSCs) to generate TF-hUiPSCs that stably expressed monomeric red fluorescent protein for fluorescence imaging, firefly luciferase for bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
Results
Transplanted cardiomyocytes derived from TF-hUiPSCs (TF-hUiCMs) engrafted and proliferated in the infarcted heart as monitored by both BLI and PET imaging and significantly improved cardiac function. Under ischaemic conditions, TF-hUiCMs enhanced cardiomyocyte (CM) glucose metabolism and promoted angiogenic activity.
Conclusion
This study established a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated multimodality reporter gene imaging system that can determine the dynamics and function of TF-hUiCMs in myocardial infarction, which is helpful for investigating the application of stem cell therapy.
The natural product totarol, a phenolic diterpenoid and a major constituent isolated from the sap of Podocarpus totara, has been reported to have a potent antimicrobial activity. In this study, we ...determined whether totarol possessed an additional neuroprotective activity in vitro and in vivo. We found that totarol prevented glutamate- and oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced neuronal death in primary rat cerebellar granule neuronal cells and cerebral cortical neurons. Totarol increased Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation, Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expressions and suppressed oxidative stress by increasing GSH and SOD activities. The PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 prevented totarol neuroprotective effect by suppressing the totarol-induced changes in HO-1 expression and the activities of GSH and SOD. The HO-1 inhibitor ZnPPIX also prevented totarol-increased GSH and SOD activities. In a model of acute cerebral ischemic injury in Sprague–Dawley rats, produced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2h followed by 22h or 46h of reperfusion, totarol significantly reduced infarct volume and improved the neurological deficit. In this model, totarol increased HO-1 expression and the activities of GSH and SOD. These observations suggest that totarol may be a novel activator of the Akt/HO-1 pathway protecting against ischemic stroke through reduction of oxidative stress.
It is unknown whether the natural product totarol has neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. This study underscores that totarol prevents neuronal injury in vitro, not only by activating PI3K/Akt pathway, but also via induction of Nrf2, HO-1, GSH and SOD expressions. Totarol also ameliorated acute cerebral ischemic injury in a rat ischemic stroke model. The findings highlight that totarol may be exploited for protecting against ischemic stroke through Akt/HO-1 pathway. Display omitted
•Totarol protects glutamate- and OGD-induced neuronal injury in vitro.•Totarol activates PI3K/Akt pathway in neurons.•Totarol induces HO-1, GSH and SOD expression in vitro and in vivo.•Totarol exhibits neuroprotective effects in rat brain ischemic stroke model.
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A new Rhodamine B derivative (RBDPA), namely, N1-(2-(3′,6′-bis(diethylamino)-3-oxospiroisoindoline-1,9′-xanthen-2-yl)ethyl)-N4,N4-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)succinamide, was designed, ...synthesized and structurally characterized to develop a chemosensor. The studies show that RBDPA exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Al3+ among many other metal cations in an ethanol/H2O (1:1, v/v, pH=7.2, HEPES buffer, 0.1mM) solution. Fluorescence microscopy experiments further demonstrate that RBDPA can be used as a fluorescent probe to detect Al3+ in living cells.
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