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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The application of organic fertilizers is one of the most important agricultural measures aimed at improving the flavor and productivity of , with the granulation and...
The application of organic fertilizers is one of the most important agricultural measures aimed at improving the flavor and productivity of , with the granulation and coating of organic fertilizers, which can reduce seepage losses of great significance to the ecosystem. In this study, Jingcai 8 tomato was selected as the test material. Headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) methods were used to investigate the effects of different pelletized organic fertilizers and various coating materials on the flavor profile of the tomatoes. The results indicated that 67 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified in the tomato fruits and 62 volatile compounds were identified in the leaves under different fertilizer treatments. The volatile compound content of the fruits in the BP treatment group was 35.38 μg/g, which was higher than that in other treatment groups, and the volatile compound content of the leaves was lower. A differential compound analysis with log|fold change| ≥ 1 and variable important in projection (VIP) > 1 highlighted styrene, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and (E, E)-2,4-hexadienal as the major up-regulated compounds and methyl salicylate as the major down-regulated compound in the tomato fruit BCK (control) vs. BP. Moreover, the α-phellandrene content decreased in the tomato leaves. In addition, an analysis of the tomato fruit differential compounds and compounds with odor activity values (OAV) of ≥ 1, considering the OAV values of characteristic aroma compounds, identified key compounds affecting the flavor of the tomato fruits under the BP treatment. These included 2-nonenal, (E)-2-pentylfuran, trans-β-ionone, 1-penten-3-one, (E, E)-2,4-hexadienal, and 3-hexenol (fruity, floral, and herbaceous odors), (E, E)-2,4-heptadienal (fatty odor), and hexanal (green odor). The combined results analysis of the volatile compound content, differential compounds, and OAV values of characteristic aroma compounds aimed to clarify that the BP treatment group, which applied pelletized, large-grain organic fertilizer with polyurethane (pozzolanic + small-grain oil-coated + 2% paraffinic + 4% polyurethane) as a coating material, proved to be most effective in influencing the flavor of the tomato fruits. This finding lays the foundation for its potential commercial application in artificial orchards.
PubMed: 38890880
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111653 -
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS Jun 2024Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling is involved in joint development and inflammation in Osteoarthritis (OA), while the biochemical mechanism remains unclarified. This...
OBJECTIVE
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling is involved in joint development and inflammation in Osteoarthritis (OA), while the biochemical mechanism remains unclarified. This study aims to investigate downstream molecular events of KOR activation, to provide novel perspectives in OA pathology.
METHODS
U50,488H, a selective KOR agonist, was intra-articularly injected in mice upon destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) as OA models, with PBS injection as control. The behavioral and histological evaluation was assessed by hot plate test and red solid green staining, respectively. Alterations in mRNA and protein expression were assessed by RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry and western blotting (WB) in chondrocytes treated with TNF-α or TNF-α + U50,488H. Proteins interacted with KOR were explored using proximity labeling followed by mass spectrometry and then testified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay and immunofluorescence (IF).
RESULTS
OA-induced pain was reduced and cartilage degeneration was alleviated upon KOR activation in DMM mice. In chondrocytes, activation of KOR reversed the upregulation of MMPs, IL-6, IL-1β and phosphorylated(p-) STAT3, stimulated by TNF-α, while the expression of NF-κB, MAPKs and AKT signaling weren't reversed. RNA-seq and IF results presented that KOR activation evidently reduced STAT3 nuclear translocation in chondrocytes upon TNF-α stimuli. The reduction may be resulted from the binding of KOR and STAT3 in the plasma membrane, revealed by proximity labeling and Co-IP results.
CONCLUSIONS
KOR activation protects cartilage from OA, and this protective effect is mainly exerted via sequestering STAT3 on the plasma membrane, resulting in inactivation of STAT3-dependent immune responses which otherwise contributes to OA.
Topics: Animals; Male; Mice; 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Cell Membrane; Chondrocytes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Osteoarthritis; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Signal Transduction; STAT3 Transcription Factor
PubMed: 38890746
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01709-4 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024Photoreduction of CO with water into chemical feedstocks of fuels provides a green way to help solve both the energy crisis and carbon emission issues. Metal-organic...
Photoreduction of CO with water into chemical feedstocks of fuels provides a green way to help solve both the energy crisis and carbon emission issues. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show great potential for CO photoreduction. However, poor water stability and sluggish charge transfer could limit their application. Herein, three water-stable MOFs functionalized with electron-donating methyl groups and/or electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl groups are obtained for the CO photoreduction. Compared with UiO-67--CF-CH and UiO-67--(CF), UiO-67--(CH) achieves excellent performance with an average CO generation rate of 178.0 μmol g h without using any organic solvent or sacrificial reagent. The superior photocatalytic activity of UiO-67--(CH) is attributed to the fact that compared with trifluoromethyl groups, methyl groups could not only elevate CO adsorption capacity and reduction potential but also promote photoinduced charge separation and migration. These are evidenced by gas physisorption, photoluminescence, time-resolved photoluminescence, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, transient photocurrent characteristics, and density functional theory calculations. The possible working mechanisms of electron-donating methyl groups are also proposed. Moreover, UiO-67--(CH) demonstrates excellent reusability for the CO reduction. Based on these results, it could be affirmed that the strategy of modulating substituent electronegativity could provide guidance for designing highly efficient photocatalysts.
PubMed: 38889009
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c06191 -
ACS Omega Jun 2024Oligo(azomethine)s bearing phosphate and silane moieties were the subject of an investigation within this study. The initial stage involved the synthesis of two Schiff...
Oligo(azomethine)s bearing phosphate and silane moieties were the subject of an investigation within this study. The initial stage involved the synthesis of two Schiff base monomers, denoted as SCH-1 and SCH-2 (SCHs), each possessing a pair of hydroxyl functional groups. This was achieved through a loss of water between the aldehyde and diamine precursors. Subsequently, the Schiff base entities were subjected to oligomerization through HCl-mediated elimination due to the interaction between the hydroxyl groups of the Schiff bases and the chlorine moieties of dichlorodiethylsilane (Si) or phenyl dichlorophosphate (P). This procedure yielded distinct P-oligo(azomethine) (P1-P, P2-P) and Si-oligo(azomethine) (P1-Si and P2-Si) structures corresponding to each precursor. The molecular structures of the synthesized Schiff base monomers and oligo(azomethine)s were elucidated employing Fourier transform infrared, H NMR, and C NMR techniques. Thermal properties of the resulting products were assessed by utilizing thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG/DTA and DSC) techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to acquire high-resolution images and detailed surface information on the samples. Additionally, X-ray diffraction was employed to analyze the phase properties of the solid samples. Furthermore, the optical band gap ( ) values of the resulting P-oligo(azomethine)s and Si-oligo(azomethine)s were determined utilizing UV-vis spectrophotometer. The relatively low band gap values exhibited by the synthesized oligo(azomethine)s were indicative of their potential suitability as semiconductive materials in the realm of electronic and optoelectronic device fabrication. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements disclosed a green emission profile upon excitation by blue light. The oligo(azomethine)s incorporating methoxy groups demonstrated a red shift in comparison to their counterparts with methyl groups. Remarkably, no discernible fluctuations in fluorescence were observed over a 3600 s interval under consistent conditions. This observation underscored the inherent stability of the PL emission across the spectral range of exciting light. Thermal analyses unveiled high thermal stability of the synthesized oligo(azomethine)s, sustaining their structural integrity up to 220 °C. The char % of P-oligo(azomethine)s and Si-oligo(azomethine)s were observed to fall within the range of 29.45-55.47% at 1000 °C. SEM images revealed the absence of pores on the surface of P2-Si, which exhibited the highest limiting oxygen index and thermal heat release index ( ) values.
PubMed: 38882123
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01403 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jun 2024CsPbBr@CsPbBr hexagonal NCs with a bright photoluminescence (PL) peak of 456 nm are created through the dissolution-recrystallization of CsPbBr nanoplatelets. Small...
CsPbBr@CsPbBr hexagonal NCs with a bright photoluminescence (PL) peak of 456 nm are created through the dissolution-recrystallization of CsPbBr nanoplatelets. Small CsPbBr nanocrystals are encapsulated in hexagonal CsPbBr during recrystallization to form a core-shell structure and keep high brightness and stability. The recrystallization kinetics is systematically investigated to explore the roles of methyl acetate, oleylamine, and n-hexane. Result further indicates that core/shell NCs remained high PL under a variety of harsh conditions (e.g., light irradiation and heat treatment) because of CsPbX shell and the controlling of recrystallization. Their initial PL intensity is remained after 4 months of storage under ambient conditions and continuous exposure to UV lamp for 180 min. The bright PL is also maintained even treatment at 120 °C. To indicate the universality of this synthesis method, CsPbX@CsPbX hexagonal NCs with different emission colors are fabricated by changing temperature, solvent viscosity, and precursors (e,g, oleylamine and halogens). These core-shell samples reveal bright and stable green, orange, and red PL. Because of its high stability, the core/shell NCs are dispersed in flexible films to create diverse patterns. The films also exhibit high brightness and excellent stability. This strategy opens a novel avenue for the application of perovskite nanomaterials in the display field.
PubMed: 38881372
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403648 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Aug 2024Nanofiltration (NF) is a promising technology in the treatment of microelectronic wastewater. However, the treatment of concentrate derived from NF system remains a...
Nanofiltration (NF) is a promising technology in the treatment of microelectronic wastewater. However, the treatment of concentrate derived from NF system remains a substantial technical challenge, impeding the achievement of the zero liquid discharge (ZLD) goal in microelectronic wastewater industries. Herein, a ZLD system, coupling a two-stage NF technology with anaerobic biotechnology was proposed for the treatment of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)-contained microelectronic wastewater. The two-stage NF system exhibited favorable efficacy in the removal of conductivity (96 %), total organic carbon (TOC, 90 %), and TMAH (96 %) from microelectronic wastewater. The membrane fouling of this system was dominated by organic fouling, with the second stage NF membrane experiencing a more serious fouling compared to the first stage membrane. The anaerobic biotechnology achieved a near-complete removal of TMAH and an 80 % reduction in TOC for the first stage NF concentrate. Methyloversatilis was the key genus involved in the anaerobic treatment of the microelectronic wastewater concentrate. Specific genes, including dmd-tmd, mtbA, mttB and mttC were identified as significant players in mediating the dehydrogenase and methyl transfer pathways during the process of TMAH biodegradation. This study highlights the potential of anaerobic biodegradation to achieve ZLD in the treatment of TMAH-contained microelectronic wastewater by NF system.
Topics: Wastewater; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Anaerobiosis; Filtration; Biodegradation, Environmental; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Membranes, Artificial; Water Purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Bioreactors; Electronic Waste; Nanotechnology
PubMed: 38880045
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134924 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024The release of organic dyes into water systems, mainly textile industries, poses a significant threat to human and animal health. This approach shows great potential for...
A facile green synthesis of manganese oxide nanoparticles using gum karaya polymer as a bioreductant for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and antibacterial activity.
The release of organic dyes into water systems, mainly textile industries, poses a significant threat to human and animal health. This approach shows great potential for effectively removing harmful dyes and microorganisms from wastewater treatment for environmental remediation. This study utilized gum karaya polymer bio-reductant to synthesize manganese oxide (MnO) nanoparticles through a green approach. The synthesized MnO nanoparticles were characterized and confirmed by various analytical techniques. These results revealed their nanoscale dimensions, morphology, chemical purity, crystal nature, decolorized intermediate, and band gap. The photocatalytic degradation of hazardous Congo red and methyl orange dyes using KRG-MnO nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that Congo red dye degradation efficiency of 93.34 % was achieved. The dye concentration (8 to 16 mg/L), pH concentration, and radical trapping were studied. This suggests that holes and hydroxyl radicals play a crucial role in degrading the Congo red dye and demonstrate superior recyclability after three successive cycles and good stability. The possible intermediates from the Congo red dye degradation were identified through LC-MS analysis. The polymer composite MnO NPs have displayed notable antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The research indicates that MnO nanoparticles functionalized with polymers can efficiently remove pathogens and organic dyes from diverse industrial water treatment processes.
PubMed: 38878933
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133123 -
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.) Jun 2024The removal of volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) from landfill biogas is crucial for clean energy utilization. VMS are usually found together with aromatic compounds in...
The removal of volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) from landfill biogas is crucial for clean energy utilization. VMS are usually found together with aromatic compounds in landfill biogas of which toluene is the major representative. In the present study, two biofilters (BFs) packed with either woodchips and compost (WC) or perlite (PER) were used to study the (co-) removal of octamethyltrisiloxane (L3) and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) from gas in presence and absence of toluene, used as a representative aromatic compound. The presence of low inlet toluene concentrations (315 ± 19 - 635 ± 80 mg toluene m) enhanced the VMS elimination capacity (EC) in both BFs by a factor of 1.8 to 12.6. The highest removal efficiencies for D4 (57.1 ± 1.1 %; EC = 0.12 ± 0.01 gD4 m h) and L3 (52.0 ± 0.6 %; EC = 0.23 ± 0.01 gL3 m h) were observed in the BF packed with WC. The first section of the BFs (EBRT = 9 min), where toluene was (almost) completely removed, accounted for the majority (87.7 ± 0.6 %) of the total VMS removal. Microbial analysis revealed the impact of VMS and toluene in the activated sludge, showing a clear selection for certain genera in samples influenced by VMS in the presence (X) or absence (X) of toluene, such as Pseudomonas (X = 0.91 and X = 12.0 %), Sphingobium (X = 0.09 and X = 4.04 %), Rhodococcus (X = 0.42 and X = 3.91 %), and Bacillus (X = 7.15 and X = 3.84 %). The significant maximum EC values obtained by the BFs (0.58 gVMS m h) hold notable significance in a combined system framework as they could enhance the longevity of traditional physicochemical methods to remove VMS like activated carbon in diverse environmental scenarios.
PubMed: 38875913
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.06.002 -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Jun 2024Several compounds with taste-modulating properties have been investigated, improving the taste impression without having a pronounced intrinsic taste. The best-known...
Several compounds with taste-modulating properties have been investigated, improving the taste impression without having a pronounced intrinsic taste. The best-known representatives of umami taste-modulating compounds are ribonucleotides and their derivatives. Especially the thio derivatives showed high taste-modulating potential in structure-activity relationship investigations. Therefore, this study focuses on the formation of guanosine 5'-monophosphate derivatives consisting of Maillard-type generated compounds like the aroma-active thiols (2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 3-mercapto-2-pentanone, 2-furfurylthiol) and formaldehyde to gain insights into the potential of combinations of taste and aroma-active compounds. One literature-known (-(furfurylthiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate) and three new derivatives (-(2-methyl-1-furylthiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate, -((5-hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-1-furylthiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate, -((2-pentanon-1-yl)thiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate) were successfully produced using green natural deep eutectic solvents and isolated, and their structures were completely elucidated. Besides the intrinsic taste properties, the kokumi and umami taste-modulating effects of the four derivatives were evaluated via psychophysical investigations, ranging from 19 to 22 μmol/L.
Topics: Maillard Reaction; Guanosine Monophosphate; Taste; Humans; Flavoring Agents; Male; Female; Molecular Structure; Adult; Young Adult
PubMed: 38869215
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c03485 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024Visible-light-driven conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable compounds and fuels is an important but challenging task due to the inherent stability of the CO molecules....
Visible-light-driven conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable compounds and fuels is an important but challenging task due to the inherent stability of the CO molecules. Herein, we report a series of cobalt-based polymerized porphyrinic network (PPN) photocatalysts for CO reduction with high activity. The introduction of organic groups results in the addition of more conjugated electrons to the networks, thereby altering the molecular orbital levels within the networks. This integration of functional groups effectively adjusts the levels of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). The PPN(Co)-NO exhibits outstanding performance, with a CO evolution rate of 12 268 μmol/g/h and 85.8% selectivity, surpassing most similar photocatalyst systems. The performance of PPN(Co)-NO is also excellent in terms of apparent quantum yield (AQY) for CO production (5.7% at 420 nm). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), and electrochemical tests reveal that the introduction of methyl and nitro groups leads to a narrower energy gap, facilitating a faster charge transfer. The coupling reaction in this study enables the formation of stable C-C bonds, enhancing the structural regulation, active site diversity, and stability of the catalysts for photocatalytic CO reduction. This work offers a facile strategy to develop reliable catalysts for efficient CO conversion.
PubMed: 38868898
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04487