The concept of carbon neutrality is much emphasized in IPCC Spatial Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C in order to achieve the long-term temperature goals as reflected in Paris Agreement. To keep ...these goals within reach, peaking the global carbon emissions as soon as possible and achieving carbon neutrality are urgently needed. However, global CO2 emissions continued to grow up to a record high of 43.1 Gt CO2 during 2019, with fossil CO2 emissions of 36.5 Gt CO2 and land-use change emissions of 6.6 Gt CO2. In such case, the global carbon emissions must drop 32 Gt CO2 (7.6% per year) from 2020 to 2030 for the 1.5 °C warming limit, which is even larger than the COVID-induced reduction (6.4%) in global CO2 emissions during 2020. Recently, China has announced scaling up its national commitments, aiming to peak its CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Achieving these goals requires rapid and far-reaching transitions in the whole society. On the one hand, deeper emissions reduction in all sectors includes decarbonization of energy, electrification, increasing share of renewables, energy efficiency, sustainable land management, decarbonization of transport, reducing food loss and waste, as well as behavior and lifestyles changes. On the other hand, possible actions by removing CO2 from the atmosphere involves enlarging land and ocean net carbon sink, CO2 removal technologies (such as Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage), and CO2 capture, utilization and storage technologies, but should be caution for their scales and tradeoffs.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging technology that can be applied to processing of wide range of food products. The aim of this paper was to assess the printability of brown rice and ...evaluate the effects of the three variables: nozzle size (0.84 mm, 1.20 mm, 1.56 mm), perimeters (3, 5, 7), and infill densities (15%, 45%, 75%) on the quality attributes of 3D printed samples. The dimensional properties, height and diameter, were used to evaluate the printing precision, and the texture properties were assessed as hardness and gumminess. Results indicated that the printed samples matched the designed one reasonably well with some deviations in dimension induced by the three variables. The nozzle size and perimeters both have effects on the dimensional properties of 3D printed samples, and the infill density has no effect on that. With the decrease of nozzle size from 1.56 to 0.84 mm, both height and diameter of printed samples are more closely to the designed ones, which means smaller size of nozzle has a good performance on the dimensional properties of 3D printed samples. The texture properties (hardness and gumminess) were strongly related to infill density, followed by perimeters and nozzle size, while the nozzle size was thought to not only change the void rate, but also change the number of layers deposited which indirectly affected the texture characteristics. Besides, the printing time can be reduced a lot due to the decrease of void rate, which suggests a good way to improve the efficiency of printing and reduce the hardness through creating internal structure.
Compelling evidence supports a tight link between oxidative stress and protein aggregation processes, which are noticeably involved in the development of proteinopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease, ...Parkinson's disease, and prion disease. The literature is tremendously rich in studies that establish a functional link between both processes, revealing that oxidative stress can be either causative, or consecutive, to protein aggregation. Because oxidative stress monitoring is highly challenging and may often lead to artefactual results, cutting-edge technical tools have been developed recently in the redox field, improving the ability to measure oxidative perturbations in biological systems. This review aims at providing an update of the previously known functional links between oxidative stress and protein aggregation, thereby revisiting the long-established relationship between both processes.
Rechargeable aqueous Zn‐based batteries, benefiting from their good reliability, low cost, high energy/power densities, and ecofriendliness, show great potential in energy storage systems. However, ...the poor cycling performance due to the formation of Zn dendrites greatly hinders their practical applications. In this work, a trilayer 3D CC‐ZnO@C‐Zn anode is obtained by in situ growing ZIFs (zeolitic‐imidazolate frameworks) derived ZnO@C core–shell nanorods on carbon cloth followed by Zn deposition, which exhibits excellent antidendrite performance. Using CC‐ZnO@C‐Zn as the anode and a branch‐like Co(CO3)0.5(OH)x·0.11H2O@CoMoO4 (CC‐CCH@CMO) as the cathode, a Zn–Co battery is rationally designed, displaying excellent energy/power densities (235 Wh kg−1, 12.6 kW kg−1) and remarkable cycling performance (71.1% after 5000 cycles). Impressively, when using a gel electrolyte, a highly customizable, fiber‐shaped flexible all‐solid‐state Zn–Co battery is assembled for the first time, which presents a high energy density of 4.6 mWh cm−3, peak power density of 0.42 W cm−3, and long durability (82% capacity retention after 1600 cycles) as well as excellent flexibility. The unique 3D electrode design in this study provides a novel approach to achieve high‐performance Zn‐based batteries, showing promising applications in flexible and portable energy‐storage systems.
A new type of all‐solid‐state flexible fiber‐shaped Zn‐Co battery with high performance is successfully assembled for the first time using a trilayer Zn anode and a branch‐like Co‐based cathode. Benefiting from a finely crafted 3D skeleton in the anode which effectively inhibits the growth of zinc dendrites, the Zn‐Co battery exhibits a great potential in flexible and wearable energy‐storage devices.
Background
To identify reliable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that can differentiate confluent fibrosis (CF) from infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods
A retrospective ...analysis was conducted on Twenty CF patients and 28 infiltrative HCC patients who underwent upper abdomen MRI scans. The imaging features of lesions were analyzed, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of lesions were measured. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CF were calculated for each category individually and combined.
Results
Compared to infiltrative HCC, hepatic capsular retraction at the site of lesion, hepatic volume loss at the site of lesion and “nodular surround sign” were more common in patients with CF (all
P
< 0.001). Hepatic volume loss at the site of lesion, no or mild enhancement in arterial phase, and hyper-enhancing in delayed phase to the background parenchyma showed superior diagnostic accuracy (83.3%, 85.4%, 97.9%, respectively). When the lesion exhibited hepatic volume loss at the site of lesion or no or mild enhancement in arterial phase or hyper-enhancing in delayed phase, a sensitivity of 100.0% for the diagnosis of CF was achieved. When the lesion was positive for any two of three categories, or positive for all three categories, a specificity of 100.0% was achieved. The ADC values of CF were higher than those of infiltrative HCC (
P
< 0.001).
Conclusion
The combination of the hepatic volume loss at the site of lesion, no or mild enhancement in arterial phase, and hyper-enhancing in delayed phase to the background parenchyma can be considered reliable MR features for the diagnosis of CF, as they allow differentiation from infiltrative HCC.
Graphical abstract
► The lettuce plants were hydroponically cultured under RB LED, RBW LED, and a fluorescent lamp. ► Better growth, development, nutrition, appearance, and edible quality of the plants grown under RBW ...lights. ► The nitrate content in plants treated with RBW LED was significantly lower compared to RB LED. ► The sugar content of lettuce leaves under RBW lights showed significantly higher compared to RB lights. ► The chl, car, and protein contents of leaves showed no significant differences among treatments.
Previous studies demonstrated that the combination of red (R) and blue (B) LED light was an effective light source for plant growth and development, and the light spectra, intensities, and durations can easily be controlled by growers in artificial growing environments. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the influences of three different qualities of light on plant biomass and accumulation of chlorophylls (chl), carotenoids (car), soluble proteins and sugars, and nitrates in the leaves of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata). The marketable sensory characteristics (crispness, sweetness, shape, and color) of fresh plants were also evaluated. Plants were hydroponically cultured with a 16-h photoperiod at 24/20°C (day/night), 75% relative humidity, 900μmolmol−1 CO2 level, and 210μmolm−2s−1 photon flux density under RB LED, RB and white (RBW) LED, and a fluorescent lamp (FL, as a control) inside growth chambers for 20 days (15 days after sowing). The shoot and root fresh and dry weights as well as the crispness, sweetness, and shape of the plants treated with RBW and FL were higher than those of plants treated with RB. The soluble sugar and nitrate contents in plants grown under RBW treatment were significantly higher and lower, respectively, compared to those under RB treatment. However, the chl, car, and soluble protein contents of lettuce leaves showed no significant differences among treatments. These results demonstrate that supplemental light quality can be strategically used to enhance the nutritional value and growth of lettuce plants grown under RBW LED lights. Precise management of the irradiance and wavelength may hold promise in maximizing the economic efficiency of plant production, quality, and nutrition potential of vegetables grown in controlled environments.
We address the occurrence of the warm anomaly, known as the Blob, that developed from late 2013 to 2015 in the northeast Pacific and its connection with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) ...variability. The warm Blob results from the enhanced second ocean-atmosphere (O-A) coupled mode of variability in the tropical and North Pacific, representing a small part of the Victoria mode (VM) in the northeast Pacific forced by the strengthened North Pacific Oscillation-like atmospheric pattern since 2013. We also show that this second O-A mode reflects the meridional variability through the tropical-extratropical teleconnection and is an important precursor to the ENSO variability. The process is confirmed by the coupled patterns that evolved from late 2013 to 2016 and the multi-year persistence of the warm Blob. We emphasize the role of evolving basin-scale VM but not the warm Blob itself prior to the ENSO variability. Hence, the Blob and the most recent 2015/16 El Niño, which differs significantly from the other large El Niños in terms of the triggering hemisphere, are actually linked rather than independent phenomena.
False positives in a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) can be effectively controlled by a fixed effect and random effect Mixed Linear Model (MLM) that incorporates population structure and kinship ...among individuals to adjust association tests on markers; however, the adjustment also compromises true positives. The modified MLM method, Multiple Loci Linear Mixed Model (MLMM), incorporates multiple markers simultaneously as covariates in a stepwise MLM to partially remove the confounding between testing markers and kinship. To completely eliminate the confounding, we divided MLMM into two parts: Fixed Effect Model (FEM) and a Random Effect Model (REM) and use them iteratively. FEM contains testing markers, one at a time, and multiple associated markers as covariates to control false positives. To avoid model over-fitting problem in FEM, the associated markers are estimated in REM by using them to define kinship. The P values of testing markers and the associated markers are unified at each iteration. We named the new method as Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU). Both real and simulated data analyses demonstrated that FarmCPU improves statistical power compared to current methods. Additional benefits include an efficient computing time that is linear to both number of individuals and number of markers. Now, a dataset with half million individuals and half million markers can be analyzed within three days.
Glutathione is the most abundant antioxidant molecule in living organisms and has multiple functions. Intracellular glutathione homeostasis, through its synthesis, consumption, and degradation, is an ...intricately balanced process. Glutathione levels are often high in tumor cells before treatment, and there is a strong correlation between elevated levels of intracellular glutathione/sustained glutathione-mediated redox activity and resistance to pro-oxidant anticancer therapy. Recent Advances: Ample evidence demonstrates that glutathione and glutathione-based systems are particularly relevant in cancer initiation, progression, and the development of anticancer drug resistance.
This review highlights the multifaceted roles of glutathione and glutathione-based systems in carcinogenesis, anticancer drug resistance, and clinical applications.
The evidence summarized here underscores the important role played by glutathione and the glutathione-based systems in carcinogenesis and anticancer drug resistance. Future studies should address mechanistic questions regarding the distinct roles of glutathione in different stages of cancer development and cancer cell death. It will be important to study how metabolic alterations in cancer cells can influence glutathione homeostasis. Sensitive approaches to monitor glutathione dynamics in subcellular compartments will be an indispensible step. Therapeutic perspectives should focus on mechanism-based rational drug combinations that are directed against multiple redox targets using effective, specific, and clinically safe inhibitors. This new strategy is expected to produce a synergistic effect, prevent drug resistance, and diminish doses of single drugs. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 1217-1234.
Abstract
Background
Cancer cells from different origins exhibit various basal redox statuses and thus respond differently to intrinsic or extrinsic oxidative stress. These intricate characteristics ...condition the success of redox-based anticancer therapies that capitalize on the ability of reactive oxygen species to achieve selective and efficient cancer cell killing.
Methods
Redox biology methods, stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based proteomics, and bioinformatics pattern comparisons were used to decipher the underlying mechanisms for differential response of lung and breast cancer cell models to redox-modulating molecule auranofin (AUF) and to combinations of AUF and vitamin C (VC). The in vivo effect of AUF, VC, and two AUF/VC combinations on mice bearing MDA-MB-231 xenografts (n = 5 mice per group) was also evaluated. All statistical tests were two-sided.
Results
AUF targeted simultaneously the thioredoxin and glutathione antioxidant systems. AUF/VC combinations exerted a synergistic and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cytotoxicity toward MDA-MB-231 cells and other breast cancer cell lines. The anticancer potential of AUF/VC combinations was validated in vivo on MDA-MB-231 xenografts in mice without notable side effects. On day 14 of treatments, mean (SD) tumor volumes for the vehicle-treated control group and the two AUF/VC combination–treated groups (A/V1 and A/V2) were 197.67 (24.28) mm3, 15.66 (10.90) mm3, and 10.23 (7.30)mm3, respectively; adjusted P values of the differences between mean tumor volumes of vehicle vs A/V1 groups and vehicle vs A/V2 groups were both less than .001. SILAC proteomics, bioinformatics analysis, and functional experiments linked prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1) expression levels with breast cancer cell sensitivity to AUF/VC combinations.
Conclusion
The combination of AUF and VC, two commonly available drugs, could be efficient against triple-negative breast cancer and potentially other cancers with similar redox properties and PTGR1 expression levels. The redox-based anticancer activity of this combination and the discriminatory potential of PTGR1 expression are worth further assessment in preclinical and clinical studies.
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