The main issue related to the deployment of the amine-based absorption process for CO2 capture from flue gas is its intensive energy penalty. Therefore, this study screened a novel biphasic solvent, ...comprising a primary amine e.g., triethylenetetramine (TETA) and a tertiary amine e.g., N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCA), to reduce the energy consumption. The TETA-DMCA blend exhibited high cyclic capacity of CO2 absorption, favorable phase separation behavior, and low regeneration heat. Kinetic analysis showed that the gas- and liquid-side mass transfer resistances were comparable in the lean solution of TETA-DMCA at 40 °C, whereas the liquid-side mass transfer resistance became dominant in the rich solution. The rate of CO2 absorption into TETA-DMCA (4 M, 1:3) solution was comparable to 5 M benchmark monoethanolamine (MEA) solution. Based on a preliminary estimation, the regeneration heat with TETA-DMCA could be reduced by approximately 40% compared with that of MEA. 13C NMR analysis revealed that the CO2 absorption into TETA-DMCA was initiated by the reaction between CO2 and TETA via the zwitterion mechanism, and DMCA served as a CO2 sinker to regenerate TETA, resulting in the transfer of DMCA from the upper to lower phase. The proposed TETA-DMCA solvent may be a suitable candidate for CO2 capture.
Background Autoantibodies against the second extracellular loop of the β1‐adrenoceptor (β1‐AA) act similarly to agonist of β1‐adrenergic receptor, which plays an important role in the ...pathophysiological characteristics of ventricular remodeling. Recently, considerable lines of evidence have suggested that CTRP9 (C1q tumor necrosis factor–related protein 9) is a potent cardioprotective cardiokine and protects the heart from ventricular remodeling. The aim of this study was to determine the role of CTRP9 in ventricular remodeling induced by β1‐AA. Methods and Results Blood samples were collected from 131 patients with coronary heart disease and 131 healthy subjects. The serum levels of β1‐AA and CTRP9 were detected using ELISA. The results revealed that CTRP9 levels in β1‐AA–positive patients were lower than those in β1‐AA–negative patients, and serum CTRP9 concentrations were inversely correlated with β1‐AA. β1‐AA monoclonal antibodies (β1‐AAmAbs) were administered in mice with and without rAAV9‐cTnT‐Full Ctrp9‐FLAG virus for 8 weeks. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction/Western analysis showed that cardiomyocyte CTRP9 expression was significantly reduced in β1‐AAmAb–treated mice. Moreover, compared with the β1‐AAmAb alone group, cardiac‐specific CTRP9 overexpression improved cardiac function, attenuated adverse remodeling, and ameliorated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and fibrosis. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that CTRP9 overexpression decreased the levels of G‐protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 and promoted the activation of AMP‐dependent kinase pathway. However, cardiac‐specific overexpression of CTRP9 had no effect on the levels of cAMP and protein kinase A activity elevated by β1‐AAmAb. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that the long‐term existence of β1‐AAmAb suppresses cardiac CTRP9 expression and exaggerates cardiac remodeling, suggesting that CTRP9 may be a novel therapeutic target against pathologic remodeling in β1‐AA–positive patients with coronary heart disease.
Abstract
Background
Pleuropulmonary blastomas (PPB) are rare aggressive paediatric lung malignancies and are among the most common
DICER1
-related disorders: it is estimated that 75–80% of children ...with a PPB have the
DICER1
mutation.
DICER1
mutations are responsible for familial tumour susceptibility syndrome with an increased risk of tumours. In approximately 35% of families with children manifesting PPB, further malignancies may be observed. Symptoms of
DICER1
syndrome may vary, even within monozygotic twins. Preventive screening of carriers with
DICER1
mutations is important and follow-up is undertaken as recommended by the 2016 International PPB Register.
Case presentation
We present two pairs of monozygotic twins. In one pair of 4-year, 2-month old girls, both with
DICER1
mutation, one developed PPB(II) and her identical sibling had acute transient hepatitis. In the other pair of 19-month-old female babies, one had a history of bronchopulmonary hypoplasia and developed PPB(III) without
DICER1
mutation, and her identical sibling had allergic asthma. Both patients with PPB were treated with R0 resection and received 12 cycles of postoperative chemotherapy. At the most recent review, the twins had been followed up for six and eight years, respectively, and they all remained healthy. However, the height and weight of the patients with PPB were lower than those of their respective identical sister.
Conclusions
PPB is rare, especially in monozygotic twins. We emphasise the importance of genetic testing and follow-up in monozygotic twins with PPB. During the follow-up, children surviving PPB should be monitored closely for growth and development disorders which caused by chemotherapy.
While adiponectin (APN) was known to significantly abolish the diabetic endothelial inflammatory response, the specific mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Aortic vascular tissues from mice fed ...normal and high-fat diets (HFD) were analyzed by transcriptome analysis. GO functional annotation showed that APN inhibited vascular endothelial inflammation in an APPL1-dependent manner. We confirmed that activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a key role in APN-mediated anti-inflammation. Mechanistically, APN promoted APPL1/reptin complex formation and β-catenin nuclear translocation. Simultaneously, we identified APN promoted the expression of CD44 by activating TCF/LEF in an APPL1-mediated manner. Clinically, the serum levels of APN and CD44 were decreased in diabetes; the levels of these two proteins were positively correlated. Functionally, treatment with CD44 C-terminal polypeptides protected diabetes-induced vascular endothelial inflammation in vivo. Collectively, we provided a roadmap for APN-inhibited vascular inflammatory effects and CD44 might represent potential targets against the diabetic endothelial inflammatory effect.
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•APN inhibited vascular inflammation via the APPL1/Wnt/β-catenin/CD44 signaling axis•APN-mediated promotion of CD44 as a new mechanism suppresses vascular inflammation•CD44 represents a therapeutic target against vascular inflammation in diabetes
Immune response; Diabetology; Transcriptomics
We report two children with hepatoblastoma (HB) with a history of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Case 1 was diagnosed with HB at 5 months of age. Liver enlargement was found during the NEC ...operation at 3 months of age and then was clinically diagnosed by imaging. After six chemotherapy courses, a partial hepatectomy was performed. Three months after ceasing the chemotherapy, a chest computed tomography scan suggested that distant metastasis of the tumor should be considered, and the lesion was removed. However, 9 months after the operation, alpha‐fetoprotein concentrations were increased, and abdominal imaging showed a recurrence of the tumor in situ, resulting in a hepatectomy. Case 2 was diagnosed with NEC shortly after birth and underwent an intestinal resection and anastomosis 1 month later. He was diagnosed with HB at 3 years of age. Hepatectomy was performed after five courses of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was stopped after 10 courses, and alpha‐fetoprotein concentrations were normal. At present, both children have survived and are in a healthy condition. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of HB and a history of NEC in children. Premature birth and low birth weight are common factors leading to the pathogenesis of HB and NEC. The association between these two diseases requires further study.
Two children with hepatoblastoma (HB) with a history of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We found that premature birth and low birth weight are common factors leading to the pathogenesis of HB and NEC. The correlation between these two diseases deserves further study.
In the situation of mass vaccination against COVID-19, few studies have reported on the early kinetics of specific antibodies (IgG/IgM/IgA) of vaccine breakthrough cases. There is still a lack of ...epidemiological evidence about the value of serological indicators in the auxiliary diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, especially when the nucleic acid results were undetectable. Omicron breakthrough cases post-inactivated vaccination (
= 456) and COVID-19-naive individuals with two doses of inactivated vaccination (
= 693) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels based on the magnetic chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. Among Omicron breakthrough cases, the serum IgG antibody level was 36.34 Sample/CutOff (S/CO) (95% confidence interval CI, 31.89 to 40.79) in the acute phase and 88.45 S/CO (95% CI, 82.79 to 94.12) in the recovery phase. Serum IgA can be detected in the first week post-symptom onset (PSO) and showed an almost linear increase within 5 weeks PSO. Compared with those of breakthrough cases, IgG and IgA titers of the postimmune group were much lower (4.70 S/CO and 0.46 S/CO, respectively). Multivariate regression showed that serum IgG and IgA levels in Omicron breakthrough cases were mainly affected by the weeks PSO (
< 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic ROC0 curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.744 and 0.806 when the cutoff values of IgA and IgG were 1 S/CO and 15 S/CO, respectively. Omicron breakthrough infection can lead to a further increase in IgG and IgA levels relative to those of the immunized population. When nucleic acid real-time PCR was negative, we would use the kinetics of IgG and IgA levels to distinguish the breakthrough cases from the immunized population.
This study fills a gap in the epidemiological evidence by investigating the value of serological indicators, particularly IgG and IgA levels, in the auxiliary diagnosis of COVID-19 infections when nucleic acid results are undetectable. The findings reveal that among Omicron breakthrough cases, both IgG and IgA antibody levels exhibit significant changes. Serum IgG levels increase during the acute phase and rise further in the recovery phase. Serum IgA can be detected as early as the first week post-symptom onset (PSO), showing a consistent linear increase within 5 weeks PSO. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrates the potential of IgG and IgA cutoff values as diagnostic markers. The study's conclusion underscores the importance of monitoring IgG and IgA kinetics in distinguishing Omicron breakthrough cases from vaccinated individuals. These findings contribute to the development of more accurate diagnostic approaches and help inform public health strategies during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
•Mechanism and pathway of the VOCs removal by BESs were discussed.•Enhancement of the VOCs removal by BESs was demonstrated.•Factors resulting in low coulombic efficiency of VOCs degradation in MFC ...were explored.•Challenges and future perspectives of gaseous VOCs removal by BESs were proposed.
The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) impose severe environmental issues such as haze, photochemical smog, ozone depletion, and global warming. The degradation of VOCs in the gas phase is determined by the gas-liquid mass transfer and/or the microbial activity depending on the properties of the VOCs such as solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), integrating microbial–electro-chemical removal mechanisms, have been intensively investigated for the organic compound removal in wastewater. In BESs, the interaction between the microbes and electrodes facilitates the electron transfer rate during the organic compound degradation and hence have a great potential to enhance the microbial activity. Currently, BESs are also under development for the refractory VOCs removal both in the liquid phase and gas phase. This review summarizes the current advances of the VOCs removal by BESs in terms of the mechanisms, pathway, removal efficiency, and coulombic efficiency. Furthermore, the challenges and future perspectives on the development of the efficient BESs for VOCs removal with a high coulombic efficiency are briefly discussed. It is believed that this review provides a new insight into the biological removal of VOCs.
A novel phase splitter, namely, sulfolane, was proposed to advance the traditional monoethanolamine (MEA) absorption technology for CO2 capture by simultaneously promoting the absorption rate and ...lowering heat duty. The phase-splitting phenomenon was observed after the CO2 loading level had exceeded 0.73 mol CO2/L, thereby generating a CO2-rich MEA upper layer and a lower layer containing sulfolane. Sulfolane facilitated CO2 absorption because of its strong affinity with acid gases, which resulted in an absorption rate 2.7 times higher than that of the conventional MEA process. The process simulation using Aspen Plus indicated that the regeneration heat with the MEA/sulfolane mixture as a solvent substantially decreased to 2.67 GJ/t-CO2, which was 31% lower than that of the conventional MEA process (3.85 GJ/t-CO2). Moreover, the sensible heat and vaporization heat of MEA/sulfolane were markedly decreased by 62.4% and 47.9%, which could be ascribed to the decreased stripping volume and relatively high CO2 partial pressure caused by liquid–liquid phase separation. The proposed system is proved to be a promising candidate for the advancement of CO2 capture techniques with high CO2 absorption capacity, rapid absorption rate, and low-energy penalty.
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•1-propanol was used as physical solvent and phase splitter for MEA absorbent.•Phase separation occurred in MEA/1-propanol absorbent upon CO2 absorption.•The transfer coefficient was ...facilitated from 1.83 to 2.36 × 10−10 mol cm−2 s−1 Pa−1.•39.85% reduction in regeneration energy was achieved than 30 wt% MEA.
A monoethanolamine/1-propanol aqueous biphasic absorbent with rapid absorption rate and low regeneration energy was proposed to enhance the CO2 capture technology. 1-propanol was used as a physical solvent and phase splitter, which increased the mass transfer coefficient from 1.83 to 2.36 × 10−10 mol cm−2 s−1 Pa−1 and triggered the liquid–liquid phase separation due to the salting-out effect. CO2 capture process was modeled using an Aspen plus simulator by incorporating a decanter according to experimental results of phase separation. Energy consumption was analyzed considering the solvent circulation rate, lean loading, operating pressure, and biphasic solvent concentration. Because only the CO2-rich phase was required to be regenerated, a decreased stripping volume and high mCO2/mH2O were achieved. Sensible and vaporization heats substantially decreased by 80% and 75%, respectively, and the total regeneration energy decreased by 39.85%. Moreover, the cyclic capacity was increased from 1.01 to 2.51 mol/kg, which substantially reduced the equipment footprint. This study provides new insights into biphasic solvents with considerable energy saving for CO2 capture.
Carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme-based absorption technology for CO2 capture has been intensively investigated. The main issue related to this novel technology is the activity and stability of the CA ...enzyme under the typical flue gas conditions. To address this issue, CA enzymes were embedded into zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-L) nanoparticles to synthesize a novel CA/ZIF-L-1 composite. The composite exhibited a superior apparent catalytic activity (1.5 times higher) for CO2 absorption compared with their free counterparts, which was due to the synergistic enhancement of CO2 adsorption by support ZIF-L and enzymatic catalysis. The analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism revealed that the CA enzyme’s secondary structure was not significantly varied during the CA/ZIF-L-1 preparation, resulting in a high enzyme activity retention. Moreover, the CA/ZIF-L-1 possessed a high thermal stability and reusability due to the structural rigidity and confinement of ZIF-L scaffolds. Compared with the free enzyme, its thermal stability was improved by approximately 100% at 40 °C. After six cycles of reuse, CA/ZIF-L-1 still retained a relative activity of 134%. Therefore, the CA/ZIF-L-1 can be a good candidate to promote the CO2 capture in industrial application.
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