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•Amino-MIL-101(Al/Fe) MOFs was applied in high strength phosphate adsorption.•Fast kinetics, high sorption capacity and strong selectivity were demonstrated.•Electrostatic attraction ...and ligand exchange were identified as the main mechanisms.
Although adsorbents for phosphate removal from eutrophic water have been widely explored, it remains a critical challenge to develop robust and highly selective phosphate adsorbents featuring abundant binding sites and high affinity. In this work, two stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of amine functionalized MIL-101 based on trivalent metal aluminum and iron were synthesized by simple solvothermal methods and applied as adsorbents to capture phosphate ions of high strength. Phosphate adsorption kinetics, isotherm behavior, and solution matrix effects (eg. solution pH, coexisting ions and ionic strength) were reported. Results showed that trivalent metal based NH2-MIL-101 MOFs outperformed most adsorbents ever reported, exhibiting fast kinetics and high maximal adsorption capacity above 79.414 mg P/g at 298 K, pH independence in the range from 3 to 11, less sensitivity to ion strength, strong selectivity for phosphate in presence of competing ions and could be easily regenerated and re-applied for phosphate removal. It was noticeable that phosphate adsorption performance varied on the two kinds of trivalent metals based MOFs due to their difference in morphology, surface and interface properties including zeta potential, chemical affinity toward target anion and the types of complexation formed with phosphate. NH2-MIL-101(Al) showed faster kinetics, while NH2-MIL-101(Fe) has higher affinity toward phosphate. Furthermore, based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra and zeta potential analysis, electrostatic attraction and ligand exchange were identified as the main phosphate adsorption mechanisms by NH2-MIL-101(Al/Fe). Besides, the functionalized adsorbents with amine group further enhanced the phosphate removal capacities by providing extra surficial positive charges. These findings demonstrate that trivalent metal based NH2-MIL-101 is a promising candidate for phosphate adsorption from aqueous solution with high efficiency and selectivity.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women at reproductive age. However, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms have not been completely understood. ...Hyperandrogenism is an important clinic feature in patients with PCOS, suggesting its pathologic role in the development and progression of PCOS. However, the actual role of androgen and the related signals in PCOS and PCOS‐related complications have not yet been clarified. In this review, we surveyed the origin and effects of androgen on PCOS and the related complications, highlighted the cellular signals affecting androgen synthesis and summarized the pathological processes caused by hyperandrogenism. Our review well reveals the important mechanisms referring the pathogenesis of PCOS and provides important clues to the clinic strategies in patients with PCOS.
This study examined whether working memory performance for arm and leg movements differed when encoding in the same or opposite direction (relative to the observed direction) and which direction was ...better for encoding these two kinds of movements. The results showed that encoding direction regulated the comparison between arm and leg movements in working memory performance. In the same-direction encoding condition, arm movements performed better than leg movements, whereas in the opposite-direction encoding condition, arm movements performed worse. In addition, arm movements performed better when they were encoded in the same direction, while encoding leg movements in the same direction did not differ from encoding them in the opposite direction. Therefore, we should move appropriate body parts for the same and opposite learning directions. The same direction is suitable for learning arm movements but not leg movements; the opposite direction is suitable for learning leg movements but not arm movements. We should also consider the appropriate learning direction for arm movements rather than leg movements. Arm movements are encoded more effectively in the same direction than in the opposite direction.
For patients with diabetes mellitus, excessive and long-lasting inflammatory reactions at the wound site commonly lead to the delayed refractory wound healing. The polarization of macrophages in ...terms of M1 and M2 phenotypes is closely related to the production of inflammatory cytokines. Quercetin is traditionally recognized to have anti-inflammatory effect; however, whether quercetin modulates macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 and thus promotes diabetic wound healing remain unknown.
Wounded male diabetic rats were equally divided into five groups: model group, solvent control group (10% DMSO), and three drug groups treated with quercetin (Q) at concentrations of 10 mg/mL (Q-LD low dose), 20 mg/mL (Q-MD medium dose), and 40 mg/mL (Q-HD high dose), respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect of quercetin on diabetic wounds was observed. Immunohistochemistry and quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction were applied to test the changes in macrophage polarization and inflammatory responses.
The wound contraction was fastest in Q-HD group. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining revealed that fibroblast distribution and collagen deposition in quercetin-treated groups were significantly higher than those in the model group. Immunohistochemistry tests showed more CD206-positive cells and less iNOS-positive cells in quercetin-treated groups. Furthermore, the levels of proinflammatory factors in quercetin-treated groups were lower than those in the model group, whereas the levels of the anti-inflammatory factors and angiogenesis-related factors were relatively higher.
In short, quercetin inhibits inflammatory reactions via modulating macrophage polarization switching from M1 to M2 phenotype, thereby accelerating the diabetic wound repair.
Asphalt binders modified with bio-oils derived from various biomasses have been developed for addressing pavement sustainability and environmental concerns. This study evaluated the bio-binders ...modified with bio-oils derived from waste cooking oil, and was aimed for the chemical and rheological characterization under different oxidative aging conditions and the aging susceptibility of the bio-binders. The chemical analysis was based on saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) fractionation, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The rheological characterization consisted of multiple stress creep recovery, linear amplitude sweep, and elastic recovery tests. The results indicated that aging caused shift from the light components to the asphaltenes or heavy molecules. The bio-oil modification balanced the effect of aging by producing relatively well-dispersed asphalt systems in comparison to the petroleum control. According to the SARA and GPC analyses, the petroleum asphalt was less susceptible to aging. The TGA results suggested that once aged the bio-binders were less stable under high temperatures presumably due to thermal degradation of the bio-oil molecules. The addition of bio-oil lowered the rutting resistance and marginally reduced the elastic recovery potential; according to the corresponding evaluation parameters, the aging resistance of the bio-binders was similar or slightly lower as compared to the control. The bio-oil modification improved the fatigue cracking performance and also reduced the aging susceptibility within the context of fatigue resistance. The correlation between the chemical and rheological properties of the bio-binders were in line with the implications based on the colloidal model for petroleum asphalts.
The Taklimakan Desert（TD） and Gobi Desert（GD） are two of the most important dust sources in East Asia, and have important impact on energy budgets, ecosystems and water cycles at regional and even ...global scales. To investigate the contribution of the TD and the GD to dust concentrations in East Asia as a whole, dust emissions, transport, and deposition over the TD and the GD in different seasons from 2007 to 2011 were systematically compared, based on the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry（WRF-Chem）. Dust emissions, uplift, and long-range transport related to these two dust source regions were markedly different due to differences in topography, elevation, thermal conditions, and atmospheric circulation. Specifically,the topography of the GD is relatively flat, and at a high elevation, and the area is under the influence of two jet streams at high altitudes, resulting in high wind speeds in the upper atmosphere. Deep convective mixing enables the descending branch of jet streams to continuously transport momentum downward to the mid-troposphere, leading to enhanced wind speeds in the lower troposphere over the GD which favors the vertical uplift of the GD dust particles. Therefore, the GD dust was very likely to be transported under the effect of strong westerly jets, and thus played the most important role in contributing to dust concentrations in East Asia. Approximately 35% and 31% of dust emitted from the GD transported to remote areas in East Asia in spring and summer, respectively. The TD has the highest dust emission capabilities in East Asia, with emissions of about 70.54 Tg yr.1 in spring, accounting for 42% of the total dust emissions in East Asia. However, the TD is located in the Tarim Basin and surrounded by mountains on three sides. Furthermore, the dominant surface wind direction is eastward and the average wind speed at high altitudes is relatively small over the TD. As a result, the TD dust particles are not easily transported outside the Tarim Basin, such that most of the dust particles are re-deposited after uplift, at a total deposition rate of about 40 g m.2. It is only when the TD dust particles are uplifted above 4 km, and entrained in westerlies that they begin to undergo a long-range transport. Therefore,the contribution of the TD dust to East Asian dust concentrations was relatively small. Only 25% and 23% of the TD dust was transported to remote areas over East Asia in spring and summer, respectively.
The association between pandemic experience and immediate mental health risks, such as depression, is well-documented, yet the long-term effects remain unclear. This study examines the impact of ...early childhood exposure to the 2003 SARS pandemic on adulthood mental health after 17 years in China, using data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The analysis included 6289 participants, aged 3 to 30 years during the SARS outbreak, with an average age of 35.3 years at the time of survey. Adulthood mental health was assessed using Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) and an indicator of clinical depression. The severity of local SARS outbreaks was assessed by cumulative cases per 10,000 population. Results show that each additional case per 10,000 population was linked to a 1.617-fold (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.425-1.836) increase in odds of depression after 17 years for younger children (aged 3-12 years in 2003) relative to older cohorts (aged 13-30). This risk was higher in children from rural areas (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.64; 95% CI 2.92-4.55), with poor physical health (1.98; 1.59-2.48), and from low-income families (2.87; 2.03-4.05). The childhood pandemic experience elevated the probability of developing depression-prone personality traits, which contributes to the enduring impact of childhood pandemic experiences on adulthood mental health. These findings highlight the long-lasting psychological impact of early-childhood pandemic exposure, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to mitigate its effects on the younger generation and emphasizing the importance of monitoring long-term mental health and personality development in children post-pandemics, particularly in light of COVID-19.
Fiber materials as an asphalt mixture additive and stabilizer can effectively improve the performance index of asphalt pavement. In this study, lignin and carbon fiber were used as modifiers to study ...their effects on the road performance of asphalt mastic. Based on the frequency sweep, linear amplitude sweep (LAS) and multi-stress creep recovery (MSCR) experiments were conducted to test the high-temperature rutting and medium-temperature fatigue resistance of asphalt mastic with different fiber incorporation and low-temperature performance tests based on bending beam rheometer (BBR). The results indicate that adding fibers increased the stiffness of the asphalt mastic, and the modification effect of lignin fibers was better than that of carbon fibers. Meanwhile, the characteristic flow index of the asphalt mastic gradually increased with the increase in temperature, indicating that it gradually became a near-Newtonian fluid at higher temperatures. The addition of fibers also improved the high temperature rutting resistance of the asphalt mastic but did not have an advantageous effect on fatigue and low temperature cracking resistance. Additionally, the fitting results of the four-parameter Burgers model show that the use of fiber modification decreases the proportion of elasticity and viscous creep compliance but increases the delayed elasticity part.
Reaumuria soongorica is an important biological barrier for ecological protection in the Gobi Desert in northwestern China, where soil nitrogen availability is low. N deposition has recently ...increased significantly in Gobi Desert, and the responses of R. soongorica to N enrichment may become a problem for ecological restoration and protection. However, little is known about the effects of N addition on the biomass, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), and carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry of R. soongorica in this region. Here, we examined changes in biomass, NSC and C:N:P ratios of different organs of R. soongorica seedlings in four N addition treatments: 0 (N
), 4.6 (N
), 9.2 (N
), and 13.8 (N
) g m
year
. N addition up to 9.2 g m
year
significantly increased the biomass of different organs, simultaneously increasing the belowground: aboveground ratio of R. soongorica seedlings. Root NSC concentrations significantly increased under all N addition treatments, but leaf and stem NSC concentrations only increased under the N
and N
addition treatments. Nitrogen addition enhanced the soluble sugar concentrations (SSC) of leaves and roots, and reduced starch concentrations (SC) of all organs. Stem and root N concentrations significantly increased under the N
and N
treatments, and leaf N concentrations only increased under the N
treatment, but N addition had no significant effect on plant C and P concentrations. Leaf and stem C:N ratios decreased significantly under the N
and N
treatments, but root C:N decreased significantly in all N addition treatments. The N
treatment significantly increased the N:P ratio of all organs. N addition significantly enhanced available N (AN), available P (AP) and total phosphorus (TP) in rhizosphere soil. Our results suggest that N addition alters the biomass, NSC, N concentrations, C:N and N:P ratios of all plant organs, but roots responded more strongly than stems or leaves to N addition, potentially allowing the plants to absorb more water from the arid soil in this region ensuring the survival of R. soongorica seedlings. Rhizosphere soil AP, AN and TP concentrations were important factors affecting the NSC concentrations and stoichiometric characteristics of R. soongorica.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring environmental toxicant, chronic exposure to arsenic can cause multiorgan damage, except for typical skin lesions, liver damage is the main problem for health concern ...in population with arsenic poisoning. Abnormal apoptosis is closely related to liver-related diseases, and p53 is one of the important hallmark proteins in apoptosis progression. This study was to investigate whether arsenic poisoning-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and the underlying role of p53 signaling pathway. A rat model of arsenic poisoning was established by feeding corn powder for 90 days, which was baked with high arsenic coal, then were treated with Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) for 45 days by gavage. The results showed that arsenic induced liver damage, increased hepatocyte apoptosis and elevated the expression level of Chk1 and the ratios of p-p53/p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 in liver tissues, which were significantly attenuated by GBE. Additionally, to further demonstrate the potential apoptosis-associated mechanism, L-02 cells were pre-incubated with p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α (PFTα), ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)/ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibitor (CGK733) or GBE, then treated with sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) for 24 h. The results showed that GBE, PFTα or CGK733 significantly reduced arsenic-induced Chk1 expression and the ratios of p-p53/p53 and Bax/Bcl-2. In conclusion, Chk1-p53 pathway was involved in arsenic poisoning-induced hepatotoxicity, and inhibiting of Chk1-p53 pathway ameliorated hepatocyte apoptosis caused by coal-burning arsenic poisoning. The study provides a pivotal clue for understanding of the mechanism of arsenic poisoning-induced liver damage, and possible intervention strategies.
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