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Chemistry, An Asian Journal Jul 2024The introduction of phosphorous (P), and oxygen (O) heteroatoms in the natural honeydew chemical structure is one of the most effective, and practical approaches to...
The introduction of phosphorous (P), and oxygen (O) heteroatoms in the natural honeydew chemical structure is one of the most effective, and practical approaches to synthesizing activated carbon for possible high-performance energy storage applications. The performance metrics of supercapacitors depend on surface functional groups and high-surface-area electrodes that can play a dominant role in areas that require high-power applications. Here, we report a phosphorous and oxygen co-doped honeydew peel-derived activated carbon (HDP-AC) electrode with low surface area for supercapacitor via H3PO4 activation. This activator form phosphorylation with cellulose fibers in the HDP. The formation of heteroatoms stabilizes the cellulose structure by preventing the formation of levoglucosan (C6H10O5), a cellulose combustion product, which would otherwise offer a pathway for a substantial degradation of cellulose into volatile products. Therefore, heteroatom doping has proved effective, in improving the electrochemical properties. The improved performance is attributed to the high phosphorous doping with a hierarchical porous structure, which enables the transportation of ions at higher current rates. The high specific capacitance of 486, and 478 F/g at 0.6, and 1.3 A/g in 1M H2SO4 electrolyte with a prominent retention of 98% is observed for 2M H3PO4 having an impregnation ratio of 1:4.
PubMed: 38956831
DOI: 10.1002/asia.202400622 -
Environmental Science & Technology Jul 2024Transforming dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a crucial approach to alleviating the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in water treatment. Although catalytic...
Transforming dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a crucial approach to alleviating the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in water treatment. Although catalytic ozonation effectively transforms DOM, increases in DBP formation potential are often observed due to the accumulation of aldehydes, ketones, and nitro compound intermediates during DOM transformation. In this study, we propose a novel strategy for the sequential oxidation of DOM, effectively reducing the levels of accumulation of these intermediates. This is achieved through the development of a catalyst with a tailored surface and nanoconfined active sites for catalytic ozonation. The catalyst features a unique confinement structure, wherein Mn-N moieties are uniformly anchored on the catalyst surface and within nanopores (5-20 Å). This design enables the degradation of the large molecular weight fraction of DOM on the catalyst surface, while the transformed smaller molecular weight fraction enters the nanopores and undergoes rapid degradation due to the confinement effect. The generation of *O as the dominant reactive species is essential for effectively reducing these ozone refractory intermediates. This resulted in over 70% removal of carbonaceous and nitrogenous DBP precursors as well as brominated DBP precursors. This study highlights the importance of the nanoscale sequential reactor design and provides new insights into eliminating DBP precursors by the catalytic ozonation process.
PubMed: 38956762
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09295 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Jul 2024Nowadays, companion and working dogs hold significant social and economic importance. Dry eye, also known as dry keratoconjunctivitis (KCS), a common disease in...
BACKGROUND
Nowadays, companion and working dogs hold significant social and economic importance. Dry eye, also known as dry keratoconjunctivitis (KCS), a common disease in ophthalmology, can readily impact a dog's working capacity and lead to economic losses. Although there are several medications available for this disease, all of them only improve the symptoms on the surface of the eye, and they are irritating and not easy to use for long periods of time. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC) are promising candidates for tissue regeneration and disease treatment. However, long-term in vitro passaging leads to stemness loss of ADMSC. Here, we aimed to use ADMSC overexpressing Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) to treat 0.25% benzalkonium chloride-treated dogs with dry eye to verify its efficacy. For in vitro validation, we induced corneal epithelial cell (HCECs) damage using 1 µg/mL benzalkonium chloride.
METHODS
Fifteen male crossbred dogs were randomly divided into five groups: normal, dry eye self-healing control, cyclosporine-treated, ADMSC-CMV-treated and ADMSC-OESPARC-treated. HCECs were divided into four groups: normal control group, untreated model group, ADMSC-CMV supernatant culture group and ADMSC-OESRARC supernatant culture group.
RESULTS
SPARC-modified ADMSC had the most significant effect on canine ocular surface inflammation, corneal injury, and tear recovery, and the addition of ADMSC-OESPARC cell supernatant also had a salvage effect on HCECs cellular damage, such as cell viability and cell proliferation ability. Moreover, analysis of the co-transcriptome sequencing data showed that SPARC could promote corneal epithelial cell repair by enhancing the in vitro viability, migration and proliferation and immunosuppression of ADMSC.
CONCLUSION
The in vitro cell test and in vivo model totally suggest that the combination of SPARC and ADMSC has a promising future in novel dry eye therapy.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Benzalkonium Compounds; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Dry Eye Syndromes; Osteonectin; Male; Disease Models, Animal; Adipose Tissue; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 38956738
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03815-z -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Jul 2024The human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can generate all the cells composing the human body, theoretically. Therefore, hiPSCs are thought to be a candidate...
BACKGROUND
The human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can generate all the cells composing the human body, theoretically. Therefore, hiPSCs are thought to be a candidate source of stem cells for regenerative medicine. The major challenge of allogeneic hiPSC-derived cell products is their immunogenicity. The hypoimmunogenic cell strategy is allogenic cell therapy without using immune suppressants. Advances in gene engineering technology now permit the generation of hypoimmunogenic cells to avoid allogeneic immune rejection. In this study, we generated a hypoimmunogenic hiPSC (HyPSC) clone that had diminished expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class Ia and class II and expressed immune checkpoint molecules and a safety switch.
METHODS
First, we generated HLA class Ia and class II double knockout (HLA class Ia/II DKO) hiPSCs. Then, a HyPSC clone was generated by introducing exogenous β-2-microglobulin (B2M), HLA-G, PD-L1, and PD-L2 genes, and the Rapamycin-activated Caspase 9 (RapaCasp9)-based suicide gene as a safety switch into the HLA class Ia/II DKO hiPSCs. The characteristics and immunogenicity of the HyPSCs and their derivatives were analyzed.
RESULTS
We found that the expression of HLA-G on the cell surface can be enhanced by introducing the exogenous HLA-G gene along with B2M gene into HLA class Ia/II DKO hiPSCs. The HyPSCs retained a normal karyotype and had the characteristics of pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, the HyPSCs could differentiate into cells of all three germ layer lineages including CD45 hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), functional endothelial cells, and hepatocytes. The HyPSCs-derived HPCs exhibited the ability to evade innate and adaptive immunity. Further, we demonstrated that RapaCasp9 could be used as a safety switch in vitro and in vivo.
CONCLUSION
The HLA class Ia/II DKO hiPSCs armed with HLA-G, PD-L1, PD-L2, and RapaCasp9 molecules are a potential source of stem cells for allogeneic transplantation.
Topics: Humans; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; B7-H1 Antigen; Adaptive Immunity; Immunity, Innate; HLA-G Antigens; Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 2 Protein; Animals; Mice
PubMed: 38956724
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03810-4 -
Journal of Animal Science and... Jul 2024Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP; encoded by the ALPL gene) has a critical role in the postnatal regulation of phosphate homeostasis, yet how TNSALP...
BACKGROUND
Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP; encoded by the ALPL gene) has a critical role in the postnatal regulation of phosphate homeostasis, yet how TNSALP activity and expression are regulated during pregnancy remain largely unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that progesterone (P4) and/or interferon tau (IFNT) regulate TNSALP activity during pregnancy in sheep.
METHODS
In Exp. 1, ewes were bred and received daily intramuscular injections of either corn oil vehicle (CO) or 25 mg progesterone in CO (P4) for the first 8 days of pregnancy and were hysterectomized on either Day 9, 12, or 125 of gestation. In Exp. 2, ewes were fitted with intrauterine catheters on Day 7 of the estrous cycle and received daily intramuscular injections of 50 mg P4 in CO and/or 75 mg progesterone receptor antagonist (RU486) in CO from Days 8 to 15, and twice daily intrauterine injections of either control proteins (CX) or IFNT (25 µg/uterine horn/d) from Days 11 to 15 (treatment groups: P4 + CX; P4 + IFNT; RU486 + P4 + CX; and RU486 + P4 + IFNT) and were hysterectomized on Day 16.
RESULTS
In Exp. 1, endometria from ewes administered P4 had greater expression of ALPL mRNA than ewes administered CO on Day 12. TNSALP activity appeared greater in the epithelia, stratum compactum stroma, and endothelium of the blood vessels in the endometrium and myometrium from ewes administered P4 than ewes administered CO on Day 12. On Day 125, TNSALP activity localized to uterine epithelial and endothelial cells, independent of P4 treatment. TNSALP activity in placentomes appeared greater in P4 treated ewes and was detected in endothelial cells and caruncular tissue in P4 treated but not CO treated ewes. In Exp. 2, endometrial homogenates from ewes administered RU486 + P4 + CX had lower TNSALP activity those for P4 + CX and P4 + IFNT ewes. Immunoreactive TNSALP protein appeared greater in the mid- and deep-glandular epithelia in RU486 + P4 + CX treated ewes as compared to the other treatment groups. Enzymatic activity appeared greater on the apical surface of the deep glandular epithelia in endometria from ewes treated with RU486 + P4 + CX compared to the other treatment groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that P4, but not IFNT, regulates the expression and activity of TNSALP in utero-placental tissues and has the potential to contribute to the regulation of phosphate availability that is critical for conceptus development during pregnancy.
PubMed: 38956701
DOI: 10.1186/s40104-024-01048-x -
Journal of Translational Medicine Jul 2024The application of graphene-based nanocomposites for therapeutic and diagnostic reasons has advanced considerably in recent years due to advancements in the synthesis... (Review)
Review
The application of graphene-based nanocomposites for therapeutic and diagnostic reasons has advanced considerably in recent years due to advancements in the synthesis and design of graphene-based nanocomposites, giving rise to a new field of nano-cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nano-graphene is being utilized more often in the field of cancer therapy, where it is employed in conjunction with diagnostics and treatment to address the complex clinical obstacles and problems associated with this life-threatening illness. When compared to other nanomaterials, graphene derivatives stand out due to their remarkable structural, mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal capabilities. The high specific surface area of these materials makes them useful as carriers in controlled release systems that respond to external stimuli; these compounds include drugs and biomolecules like nucleic acid sequences (DNA and RNA). Furthermore, the presence of distinctive sheet-like nanostructures and the capacity for photothermal conversion have rendered graphene-based nanocomposites highly favorable for optical therapeutic applications, including photothermal treatment (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and theranostics. This review highlights the current state and benefits of using graphene-based nanocomposites in cancer diagnosis and therapy and discusses the obstacles and prospects of their future development. Then we focus on graphene-based nanocomposites applications in cancer treatment, including smart drug delivery systems, PTT, and PDT. Lastly, the biocompatibility of graphene-based nanocomposites is also discussed to provide a unique overview of the topic.
Topics: Graphite; Humans; Neoplasms; Nanocomposites; Animals
PubMed: 38956651
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05438-7 -
Microbial Cell Factories Jul 2024In this study, we isolated a cellulase-producing bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain elh, from rice peel. We employed two optimization methods to enhance the...
BACKGROUND
In this study, we isolated a cellulase-producing bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain elh, from rice peel. We employed two optimization methods to enhance the yield of cellulase. Firstly, we utilized a one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) approach to evaluate the impact of individual physical and chemical parameters. Subsequently, we employed response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the interactions among these factors. We heterologously expressed the cellulase encoding gene using a cloning vectorin E. coli DH5α. Moreover, we conducted in silico molecular docking analysis to analyze the interaction between cellulase and carboxymethyl cellulose as a substrate.
RESULTS
The bacterial isolate eh1 exhibited an initial cellulase activity of 0.141 ± 0.077 U/ml when cultured in a specific medium, namely Basic Liquid Media (BLM), with rice peel as a substrate. This strain was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain elh1 through 16S rRNA sequencing, assigned the accession number OR920278 in GenBank. The optimal incubation time was found to be 72 h of fermentation. Urea was identified as the most suitable nitrogen source, and dextrose as the optimal sugar, resulting in a production increase to 5.04 ± 0.120 U/ml. The peak activity of cellulase reached 14.04 ± 0.42 U/ml utilizing statistical optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). This process comprised an initial screening utilizing the Plackett-Burman design and further refinement employing the BOX -Behnken Design. The gene responsible for cellulase production, egl, was effectively cloned and expressed in E. coli DH5α. The transformed cells exhibited a cellulase activity of 22.3 ± 0.24 U/ml. The egl gene sequence was deposited in GenBank with the accession number PP194445. In silico molecular docking revealed that the two hydroxyl groups of carboxymethyl cellulose bind to the residues of Glu169 inside the binding pocket of the CMCase. This interaction forms two hydrogen bonds, with an affinity score of -5.71.
CONCLUSIONS
Optimization of cultural conditions significantly enhances the yield of cellulase enzyme when compared to unoptimized culturing conditions. Additionally, heterologous expression of egl gene showed that the recombinant form of the cellulase is active and that a valid expression system can contribute to a better yield of the enzyme.
Topics: Cellulase; Molecular Docking Simulation; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Cloning, Molecular; Oryza; Fermentation; Escherichia coli; Bacterial Proteins
PubMed: 38956640
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02454-6 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jul 2024Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a prevalent swine pathogen, which has caused adverse impact on the global swine industry for almost 30...
BACKGROUND
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a prevalent swine pathogen, which has caused adverse impact on the global swine industry for almost 30 years. However, due to the immune suppression caused by the virus and the genetic diversity in PRRSV, no virus-targeting broad neutralizing strategy has been successfully developed yet. Antiviral peptide and nanobody have attracted extensive attention with the ease in production and the efficacy in practice. In this study, four new fusion proteins named nanobody peptide conjugates (NPCs) were developed by combining PRRSV specific non-neutralizing nanobodies with CD163-derived peptides targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) of PRRSV proteins.
RESULTS
Four NPCs were successfully constructed using two nanobodies against PRRSV N and nsp9 individually, recombining with two antiviral peptides 4H7 or 8H2 from porcine CD163 respectively. All four NPCs demonstrated specific capability of binding to PRRSV and broad inhibitory effect against various lineages of PRRSV in a dose-dependent manner. NPCs interfere with the binding of the RBD of PRRSV proteins to CD163 in the PRRSV pre-attachment stage by CD163 epitope peptides in the assistance of Nb components. NPCs also suppress viral replication during the stage of post-attachment, and the inhibitory effects depend on the antiviral functions of Nb parts in NPCs, including the interference in long viral RNA synthesis, NF-κB and IFN-β activation. Moreover, an interaction was predicted between aa K31 and T32 sites of neutralizing domain 4H7 of NPC-N/nsp9-4H7 and the motif 171NLRLTG176 of PRRSV GP2a. The motif 28SSS30 of neutralizing domain 8H2 of NPC-N/nsp9-8H2 could also form hydrogens to bind with the motif 152NAFLP156 of PRRSV GP3. The study provides valuable insights into the structural characteristics and potential functional implications of the RBD of PRRSV proteins. Finally, as indicated in a mouse model, NPC intranasally inoculated in vivo for 12-24 h sustains the significant neutralizing activity against PRRSV. These findings inspire the potential of NPC as a preventive measure to reduce the transmission risk in the host population against respiratory infectious agents like PRRSV.
CONCLUSION
The aim of the current study was to develop a peptide based bioactive compound to neutralize various PRRSV strains. The new antiviral NPC (nanobody peptide conjugate) consists of a specific nanobody targeting the viral protein and a neutralizing CD163 epitope peptide for virus blocking and provides significant antiviral activity. The study will greatly promote the antiviral drug R&D against PRRSV and enlighten a new strategy against other viral diseases.
Topics: Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus; Animals; Single-Domain Antibodies; Swine; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Receptors, Cell Surface; Antigens, CD; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Peptides; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome; Mice; Virus Replication; Cell Line
PubMed: 38956618
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02662-7 -
Diagnostic Pathology Jul 2024Cerebral echinococcosis is relatively rare, and it is important to distinguish cerebral cystic echinococcosis (CCE) from cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (CAE) in terms... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Cerebral echinococcosis is relatively rare, and it is important to distinguish cerebral cystic echinococcosis (CCE) from cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (CAE) in terms of pathological diagnosis. We aim to describe the different clinicopathological features among patients with CCE and CAE.
METHODS
We collected 27 cases of cerebral echinococcosis which were diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 1, 2012, to June 30, 2023. We compared the patients' clinical characteristics, MRI features, and pathologic manifestations of CCE and CAE.
RESULTS
Among 27 cases of cerebral echinococcosis, 23 cases were CAE and 4 cases were CCE. The clinical manifestations of both CCE and CAE patients mainly included headache (21 patients, 77.78%), limb movement disorders (6 patients, 22.22%), epileptic seizures (4 patients, 14.81%) and visual disturbances (2 patients, 7.41%). The average onset age of CAE cases was 34.96 ± 11.11 years, which was 9.00 ± 7.26 years in CCE cases. All CAE patients presented with multiple involvements in the brain and extracranial organs while all CCE patients observed a solitary lesion in the brain and 3 CCE cases had no extracranial involvement. Lesions of CCE in MRI showed a single isolated circular, which was well demarcated from the surrounding tissues and with no obvious edema around the lesions, whereas CAE lesions presented as multiple intracranial lesions, with blurred edges and edema around the lesions, and multiple small vesicles could be observed in the lesions. The edge of CAE lesions could be enhanced, while CCE lesions have no obvious enhancement. CCE foci were clear cysts with a wall of about 0.1 cm. Microscopically, the walls of the cysts were characterized by an eosinophilic keratin layer, which was flanked on one side by basophilic germinal lamina cells, which were sometimes visible as protocephalic nodes. While the CAE lesion was a nodular structure with a rough and uneven nodule surface, and the cut section was cystic and solid; microscopically, the CAE lesion had areas of coagulative necrosis, and the proto-cephalic nodes were barely visible. Inflammatory cell areas consisting of macrophages, lymphocytes, epithelioid cells, plasma cells, eosinophils, and fibroblasts can be seen around the lesion. Brain tissues in the vicinity of the inflammatory cell areas may show apoptosis, degeneration, necrosis, and cellular edema, while brain tissues a little farther away from the lesion show a normal morphology.
CONCLUSIONS
With the low incidence of brain echinococcosis, the diagnosis of echinococcosis and the differential diagnosis of CAE and CCE are challenging for pathologists. Grasping the different clinical pathology characteristics of CAE and CCE is helpful for pathologists to make accurate diagnoses.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Male; Female; Middle Aged; China; Echinococcosis; Young Adult; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diagnosis, Differential; Brain Diseases; Adolescent; Brain
PubMed: 38956596
DOI: 10.1186/s13000-024-01500-6 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Jul 2024Ancient classic prescription play a crucial role in the preservation and advancement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories. They represent a significant...
BACKGROUND
Ancient classic prescription play a crucial role in the preservation and advancement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories. They represent a significant milestone in the ongoing development and transmission of TCM knowledge and practices and are considered one of the breakthroughs in the development of TCM inheritance. In the process of developing ancient classic prescriptions, many problems may still arise in ensuring quality consistency between traditional methods and modern production processes, among which the extraction process poses major challenges. This paper introduces a practical approach extracting an ancient classic prescription using a modern extraction process. The technique is demonstrated through the study of the extraction process of Shenshou Taiyi powder (STP).
METHODS
This study focuses on optimising the STP extraction process to ensure consistency in the quality of the product obtained through ancient and modern processes using the standard relation and fuzzy analytic hierarchical process (FAHP) and criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method integrated weights combined with the Box-Behnken response surface test. Using the contents of rosmarinic acid, isoimperatorin, puerarin, as well as the extract yield and fingerprint similarity as evaluation indexes of STP, the Box-Behnken response surface method was employed to examine the varying extraction parameters, including water addition ratio, extraction duration, and number of extractions. The weighted coefficients for each parameter were calculated by combining the benchmark correlation and FAHP-CRITIC method, deriving a comprehensive score.
RESULTS
The optimal extraction process for STP consisted of a two extractions, each using at a tenfold quantity of water, performed for one hour. Process verification across three separate batches yielded a comprehensive score of 94.7, with a relative standard deviation of 0.76%.
CONCLUSIONS
The application of the Box-Behnken response surface method combined with standard relation and FAHP-CRITIC approach proved to be stable and feasible for optimising the extraction process of STP.
Topics: Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Powders; Research Design; Humans; Fuzzy Logic
PubMed: 38956573
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04554-7