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Scientific Reports Apr 2024The main challenge in the large-scale application of MICP lies in its low efficiency and promoting biofilm growth can effectively address this problem. In the present...
The main challenge in the large-scale application of MICP lies in its low efficiency and promoting biofilm growth can effectively address this problem. In the present study, a prediction model was proposed using the response surface method. With the prediction model, optimum concentrations of nutrients in the medium can be obtained. Moreover, the optimized medium was compared with other media via bio-cementation tests. The results show that this prediction model was accurate and effective, and the predicted results were close to the measured results. By using the prediction model, the optimized culture media was determined (20.0 g/l yeast extract, 10.0 g/l polypeptone, 5.0 g/l ammonium sulfate, and 10.0 g/l NaCl). Furthermore, the optimized medium significantly promoted the growth of biofilm compared to other media. In the medium, the effect of polypeptone on biofilm growth was smaller than the effect of yeast extract and increasing the concentration of polypeptone was not beneficial in promoting biofilm growth. In addition, the sand column solidified with the optimized medium had the highest strength and the largest calcium carbonate contents. The prediction model represents a platform technology that leverages culture medium to impart novel sensing, adjustive, and responsive multifunctionality to structural materials in the civil engineering and material engineering fields.
Topics: Cementation; Calcium Carbonate; Sand; Chemical Precipitation
PubMed: 38627410
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58063-1 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Salinity is an environmental stress that severely impacts rice grain yield and quality. However, limited information is available on the molecular mechanism by which...
Salinity is an environmental stress that severely impacts rice grain yield and quality. However, limited information is available on the molecular mechanism by which salinity reduces grain quality. In this study, we investigated the milling, appearance, eating and cooking, and nutritional quality among three japonica rice cultivars grown either under moderate salinity with an electrical conductivity of 4 dS/m or under non-saline conditions in a paddy field in Dongying, Shandong, China. Moderate salinity affected rice appearance quality predominantly by increasing chalkiness rate and chalkiness degree and affected rice eating and cooking and nutritional quality predominantly by decreasing amylose content and increasing protein content. We compared the expression levels of genes determining grain chalkiness, amylose content, and protein content in developing seeds (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 days after flowering) of plants grown under saline or non-saline conditions. The chalkiness-related gene was up-regulated and was repressed. The genes and which determine amylose content, were downregulated, while protein-content-associated genes and were upregulated by salinity in the developing seeds. These findings suggest some target genes that may be utilized to improve the grain quality under salinity stress conditions via gene-pyramiding breeding approaches.
Topics: Oryza; Amylose; Plant Breeding; Salt Stress; Seeds; Calcium Carbonate; Edible Grain; Methamphetamine
PubMed: 38612852
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074042 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Alkaline earth metal oxide (MgO, CaO, SrO) catalysts supported on BEA zeolite were prepared by a wet impregnation method and tested in the transesterification reaction...
Biodiesel Production by Methanolysis of Rapeseed Oil-Influence of SiO/AlO Ratio in BEA Zeolite Structure on Physicochemical and Catalytic Properties of Zeolite Systems with Alkaline Earth Oxides (MgO, CaO, SrO).
Alkaline earth metal oxide (MgO, CaO, SrO) catalysts supported on BEA zeolite were prepared by a wet impregnation method and tested in the transesterification reaction of rapeseed oil with methanol towards the formation of biodiesel (FAMEs-fatty acid methyl esters). To assess the influence of the SiO/AlO ratio on the catalytic activity in the tested reaction, a BEA zeolite carrier material with different Si/Al ratios was used. The prepared catalysts were tested in the transesterification reaction at temperatures of 180 °C and 220 °C using a molar ratio of methanol/oil reagents of 9:1. The transesterification process was carried out for 2 h with the catalyst mass of 0.5 g. The oil conversion value and efficiency towards FAME formation were determined using the HPLC technique. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were determined using the following research techniques: CO-TPD, XRD, BET, FTIR, and SEM-EDS. The results of the catalytic activity showed that higher activity in the tested process was confirmed for the catalysts supported on the BEA zeolite characterized by the highest silica/alumina ratio for the reaction carried out at a temperature of 220 °C. The most active zeolite catalyst was the 10% CaO/BEA system (Si/Al = 300), which showed the highest triglyceride (TG) conversion of 90.5% and the second highest FAME yield of 94.6% in the transesterification reaction carried out at 220 °C. The high activity of this system is associated with its alkalinity, high value of the specific surface area, the size of the active phase crystallites, and its characteristic sorption properties in relation to methanol.
Topics: Biofuels; Magnesium Oxide; Methanol; Rapeseed Oil; Silicon Dioxide; Zeolites; Fatty Acids; Oxides
PubMed: 38612389
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073570 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024α-Dicarbonyls are significant degradation products resulting from the Maillard reaction during food processing. Their presence in foods can indicate the extent of heat...
α-Dicarbonyls are significant degradation products resulting from the Maillard reaction during food processing. Their presence in foods can indicate the extent of heat exposure, processing treatments, and storage conditions. Moreover, they may be useful in providing insights into the potential antibacterial and antioxidant activity of U.S. honey. Despite their importance, the occurrence of α-dicarbonyls in honey produced in the United States has not been extensively studied. This study aims to assess the concentrations of α-dicarbonyls in honey samples from different regions across the United States. The identification and quantification of α-dicarbonyls were conducted using reverse-phase liquid chromatography after derivatization with o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and detected using ultraviolet (UV) and mass spectrometry methods. This study investigated the effects of pH, color, and derivatization reagent on the presence of α-dicarbonyls in honey. The quantification method was validated by estimating the linearity, precision, recovery, method limit of detection, and quantification using known standards for GO, MGO, and 3-DG, respectively. Three major OPD-derivatized α-dicarbonyls including methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal (GO), and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), were quantified in all the honey samples. 3-Deoxyglucosone (3-DG) was identified as the predominant α-dicarbonyl in all the U.S. honey samples, with concentrations ranging from 10.80 to 50.24 mg/kg. The total α-dicarbonyl content ranged from 16.81 to 55.74 mg/kg, with the highest concentration measured for Southern California honey. Our results showed no significant correlation between the total α-dicarbonyl content and the measured pH solutions. Similarly, we found that lower amounts of the OPD reagent are optimal for efficient derivatization of MGO, GO, and 3-DG in honey. Our results also indicated that darker types of honey may contain higher α-dicarbonyl content compared with lighter ones. The method validation results yielded excellent recovery rates for 3-DG (82.5%), MGO (75.8%), and GO (67.0%). The method demonstrated high linearity with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) ranging from 0.0015 to 0.002 mg/kg and 0.005 to 0.008 mg/kg, respectively. Our results provide insights into the occurrence and concentrations of α-dicarbonyl compounds in U.S. honey varieties, offering valuable information on their quality and susceptibility to thermal processing effects.
Topics: Honey; Magnesium Oxide; Glyoxal; Pyruvaldehyde; Phenylenediamines
PubMed: 38611866
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071588 -
BMC Gastroenterology Apr 2024To compare the potential efficacy and safety of dual therapy and quadruple therapy with vonoprazan (VPZ) as well as the standard quadruple therapy of proton pump... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of vonoprazan dual therapy, quadruple therapy and standard quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in Hainan: a single-center, open-label, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the potential efficacy and safety of dual therapy and quadruple therapy with vonoprazan (VPZ) as well as the standard quadruple therapy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in Hainan province.
METHODS
A single-centre, non-blinded, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial was conducted at the outpatient department of gastroenterology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from June 2022 to February 2023. 135 patients aged 18-75 years with Hp infection were enrolled and randomized into three different groups (group V1: VPZ 20 mg twice a day and amoxicillin 1.0 g three times a day for 14 days V2: vonoprazan 20 mg, amoxicillin capsules 1.0 g, furazolidone 0.1 g and bismuth potassiulm citrate 240 mg, twice daily for 14 days;; group V3: ilaprazole 5 mg, Amoxicillin 1.0 g, Furazolidone 100 mg, bismuth potassiulm citrate 240 mg, twice a day for 14 days). Four weeks after the end of treatment, Hp eradication was confirmed by rechecking C-urea breath test (UBT).
RESULTS
The eradication efficacy of V1 and V3 was non-inferior to that of V2, which is consistent with the results obtained from the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The eradication rate by intentional analysis was 84.4% (38/45, 95%CI 73.4%-95.5%, P>0.05) for all the three groups. If analyzed by per-protocol, the eradication rates were 88.4% (38/43, 95%CI 78.4%-98.4%), 92.7% (38/41, 95%CI 84.4%-101.0%),88.4% (38/43,95%CI 78.4%-98.4%) in groups V1, V2 and V3, respectively, which did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05). The incidence of adverse effects was significantly lower in VPZ dual therapy compared to the other two treatment regimens (P < 0.05). VPZ dual therapy or quadruple therapy was also relatively less costly than standard quadruple therapy.
CONCLUSION
VPZ dual therapy and quadruple therapy shows promise of not being worse than the standard quadruple therapy by a clinically relevant margin. More studies might be needed to definitively determine if the new therapy is equally effective or even superior.
Topics: Humans; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Bismuth; Furazolidone; Amoxicillin; Citrates; Pyrroles; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 38609893
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03225-8 -
JOR Spine Jun 2024The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of S100-A8 protein as a diagnostic marker for spinal tuberculosis and to explore its role in the potential...
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of S100-A8 protein as a diagnostic marker for spinal tuberculosis and to explore its role in the potential pathogenesis of spinal tuberculosis (STB).
METHODS
The peripheral blood of 100 spinal tuberculosis patients admitted to the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2018 to June 2021 were collected as the observation group, and the peripheral blood of 30 healthy medical examiners were collected as the control group. Three samples from the observation group and three samples from the control group were selected for proteomics detection and screening of differential proteins. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes (KEGG) was used to enrich and analyze related signaling pathways to confirm the target protein. The serum expression levels of the target proteins were determined and compared between the two groups using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical methods were used to evaluate the value of target protein as a diagnostic marker for STB. A macrophage model of infection was constructed and S100-A8 small interfering RNA was used to investigate the molecular mechanism of the target protein.
RESULTS
S100-A8 protein has the value of diagnosing spinal tuberculosis (AUC = 0.931, < 0.001), and the expression level in the peripheral blood of the observation group (59.04 ± 19.37 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that of the control group (43.16 ± 10.07 ng/mL) ( < 0.05). S100-A8 protein expression showed a significant positive correlation with both CRP and ESR values ( < 0.01). Its AUCs for combined bacteriological detection, T-SPOT results, diagnostic imaging, antacid staining results, and pathological results were 0.705 ( < 0.05), 0.754 ( < 0.01), 0.716 ( < 0.01), 0.656 ( < 0.05), and 0.681 ( < 0.01), respectively. Lack of S100-A8 leads to a significant decrease in the expression levels of TLR4 and IL-17A in infected macrophages.
CONCLUSION
S100-A8 protein is differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with spinal tuberculosis and healthy individuals and may be a novel candidate biomarker for the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. The feedback loop on the S100-A8-TLR4-IL-17A axis may play an important role in the inflammatory mechanism of spinal tuberculosis.
PubMed: 38606423
DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1331 -
Cureus Mar 2024As the global incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is on the rise, there is a need for better diagnostic criteria, better treatment options, early and... (Review)
Review
As the global incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is on the rise, there is a need for better diagnostic criteria, better treatment options, early and appropriate diagnosis, adequate care, and a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients. This systematic review explores the role of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in IPF and answers the question, "Does proton pump inhibitor improve only the prognosis of gastroesophageal associated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or for other types of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis too?" We used PubMed (PMC) and Google Scholar for data collection for this systematic review and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for conducting this review. After in-depth literature screening and quality appraisal, 12 articles were selected for this systematic review. On the one hand, the efficacy of PPI therapy is supported by research such as the CAPACITY and ASCEND trials, a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) investigating the role of omeprazole in IPF and a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study, respectively. On the other hand, a systematic review and meta-analysis on antacid and antireflux surgery in IPF negate these results and show no statistical significance. Questions regarding the efficacy of PPI therapy must be dealt with in an adequately powered multicenter and double-blinded randomized control trial. The anti-inflammatory properties of antacids can serve as the cornerstone for future trials. In the following systematic review, antacid, antireflux therapy, omeprazole, and proton pump therapy are synonymous with stomach acid suppression therapy.
PubMed: 38606271
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55980 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2024The thorough redox alteration of a lava flow is an undescribed feature in intraplate basaltic provinces. The Early Cretaceous (134.5 Ma) Paraná Province displays that...
The thorough redox alteration of a lava flow is an undescribed feature in intraplate basaltic provinces. The Early Cretaceous (134.5 Ma) Paraná Province displays that alteration in the major Muralha Flow. This oxidized and reduced flow from the southern part of the province was studied with satellite images, field surveying, petrography, and published whole rock geochemistry. The 100 x 100 km flow from the Cuesta de Haedo presents two hydrothermal tiers - lower Tier 1 is gray to white, upper Tier 2 is red. Iron oxyhydroxides characterize Tier 2. Tier 1 contains clay minerals, zeolites, pyrite and calcite, and agate (possibly amethyst) geodes. In a first event, the upper Tier 2 was oxidized by hot water from the underlying Guarani Paleoaquifer. The high water/rock ratio decreased due to porosity clogging by precipitation of secondary minerals, and the fluid became reducing. Lowering of Eh and pH was caused by reaction of water with reducing particles (calcite, organic molecules) present in the paleoerg sandstones and with fresh rock surfaces. A lower Tier 1 was then formed during slow, hot water percolation. Reduction was interrupted below 30 °C (calcite formation). Large scale, similar alteration occurred in all studied oceanic ridges and only rarely in continental environments.
Topics: Minerals; Calcium Carbonate; Water; Oxidation-Reduction; Brazil
PubMed: 38597494
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202420231088 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024The ability of nanomaterials to induce osteogenic differentiation is limited, which seriously imped the repair of craniomaxillofacial bone defect. Magnetic graphene...
BACKGROUND
The ability of nanomaterials to induce osteogenic differentiation is limited, which seriously imped the repair of craniomaxillofacial bone defect. Magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) nanocomposites with the excellent physicochemical properties have great potential in bone tissue engineering. In this study, we aim to explore the craniomaxillofacial bone defect repairment effect of MGO nanocomposites and its underlying mechanism.
METHODS
The biocompatibility of MGO nanocomposites was verified by CCK8, live/dead staining and cytoskeleton staining. The function of MGO nanocomposites induced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was investigated by ALP activity detection, mineralized nodules staining, detection of osteogenic genes and proteins, and immune-histochemical staining. BMSCs with or without MGO osteogenic differentiation induction were collected and subjected to high-throughput circular ribonucleic acids (circRNAs) sequencing, and then crucial circRNA circAars was screened and identified. Bioinformatics analysis, Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and osteogenic-related examinations were used to further explore the ability of circAars to participate in MGO nanocomposites regulation of osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and its potential mechanism. Furthermore, critical-sized calvarial defects were constructed and were performed to verify the osteogenic differentiation induction effects and its potential mechanism induced by MGO nanocomposites.
RESULTS
We verify the good biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation improvement effects of BMSCs mediated by MGO nanocomposites. Furthermore, a new circRNA-circAars, we find and identify, is obviously upregulated in BMSCs mediated by MGO nanocomposites. Silencing circAars could significantly decrease the osteogenic ability of MGO nanocomposites. The underlying mechanism involved circAars sponging miR-128-3p to regulate the expression of SMAD5, which played an important role in the repair craniomaxillofacial bone defects mediated by MGO nanocomposites.
CONCLUSION
We found that MGO nanocomposites regulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via the circAars/miR-128-3p/SMAD5 pathway, which provided a feasible and effective strategy for the treatment of craniomaxillofacial bone defects.
Topics: MicroRNAs; Osteogenesis; RNA, Circular; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Magnesium Oxide; Cells, Cultured; Bone Regeneration; Nanocomposites; Magnetic Phenomena; Cell Differentiation; Graphite
PubMed: 38585472
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S454718 -
Oncology Reports May 2024Cancer cells are characterized by increased glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect, which leads to increased production of cytotoxic methylglyoxal (MGO) and apoptotic...
Cancer cells are characterized by increased glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect, which leads to increased production of cytotoxic methylglyoxal (MGO) and apoptotic cell death. Cancer cells often activate the protective nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor2 (Nrf2)/glyoxalase1 (Glo1) system to detoxify MGO. The effects of sodium butyrate (NaB), a product of gut microbiota, on Nrf2/Glos/MGO pathway and the underlying mechanisms in prostate cancer (PCa) cells were investigated in the present study. Treatment with NaB induced the cell death and reduced the proliferation of PCa cells (DU145 and LNCap). Moreover, the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/Nrf2/Glo1 pathway was greatly inhibited by NaB, thereby accumulating MGO-derived adduct hydroimidazolone (MG-H1). In response to a high amount of MGO, the expression of Nrf2 and Glo1 was attenuated, coinciding with an increased cellular death. NaB also markedly inhibited the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) pathway. Conversely, co‑treatment with Colivelin, a Stat3 activator, significantly reversed the effects of NaB on Glo1 expression, MG-H1 production, and the cell migration and viability. As expected, overexpression of Stat3 or Glo1 reduced NaB‑induced cell death. The activation of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II gamma and reactive oxygen species production also contributed to the anticancer effect of NaB. The present study, for the first time, demonstrated that NaB greatly increases MGO production through suppression of the JAK2/Stat3/Nrf2/Glo1 pathway in DU145 cells, a cell line mimicking castration‑resistant PCa (CRPC), suggesting that NaB may be a potential agent for PCa therapy.
Topics: Humans; Male; Butyric Acid; Janus Kinase 2; Magnesium Oxide; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Pyruvaldehyde; STAT3 Transcription Factor
PubMed: 38577936
DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8730