miRNA-124 regulates palmitic acid-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell migration in human retinal pigment epithelial cells by targeting LIN7C.

The present study revealed that palmitic acid (PA) treatment induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which are involved in the progression of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). ARPE-19 cells were treated with PA followed by miRNA screening and EMT marker detection using qRT-PCR. Then, miR-124 mimic or inhibitor was transfected into ARPE-19 cells to explore the role of miR-124 on the EMT of ARPE-19 cells using transwell assay. The underlying mechanism of miRNA were predicted by bioinformatics method and confirmed by luciferase activity reporter assay. Furthermore, gain-of-function strategy was also used to explore the role of LIN7C in the EMT of ARPE-19 cells. The expression of miRNA or mRNA expression was determined by qRT-PCR and the protein expression was determined using western blot assay. The result presented that PA reduced the expression of E-cadherin/ZO-1 whilst increasing the expression of fibronectin/α-SMA. In addition, PA treatment enhanced the expression of microRNA (miR)-124 in ARPE-19 cells. Overexpression of miR-124 enhanced PA-induced upregulation of E-cadherin and ZO-1 expression and downregulation of fibronectin and α-SMA. Moreover, miR-124 mimic also enhanced the migration of ARPE-19 cells induced by PA treatment. Inversely, miR-124 inhibitor presented opposite effect on PA-induced EMT and cell migration in ARPE-19 cells. Luciferase activity reporter assay confirmed that Lin-7 homolog C (LIN7C) was a direct target of miR-124 in ARPE-19 cells. Overexpression of LIN7C was found to suppress the migration ability and expression of fibronectin and α-SMA, while increasing expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1; miR-124 mimic abrogated the inhibitive effect of LIN7C on the EMT of ARPE-19 cells and PA further enhanced this abolishment. Collectively, these findings suggest that miR-124/LIN7C can modulate EMT and cell migration in RPE cells, which may have therapeutic implications in the management of PVR diseases.

Astragaloside IV ameliorates 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis implicating regulation of energy metabolism.

Dysfunction of energy metabolism is involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study was designed to investigate the potential of astragaloside IV (ASIV), an active ingredient of Radix Astragalus, to ameliorate colonic mucosal injury, with focusing on the implication of energy restoration in the underlying mechanism. Experimental colitis model was established in rats by injecting 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) through anus. After 24 hours, ASIV was administrated once daily by gavage for 6 days. On day 1 and day 7, colon tissue was collected for macroscopic and histological examination, ELISA, Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. TNBS impaired colonic mucosa with an injured epithelial architecture, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased colonic blood flow. Lgr5 positive cell number in crypt and ß-catenin nuclear translocation were down-regulated by TNBS treatment. TNBS induced epithelial F-actin disruption and junctional protein degradation. Furthermore, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and ATP synthase subunit ß expression in the colon tissue were significantly decreased after TNBS stimulation. All of the aforementioned alterations were relieved by ASIV post-treatment. The present study revealed that ASIV promoted mucosal healing process in TNBS-induced colitis, which was most likely attributed to regulating energy metabolism.

Inhibition of PCDD/F by adding sulphur compounds to the feed of a hazardous waste incinerator.

Sulphur compounds, including (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and pyrite, were tested as suppressants in a hazardous waste incineration facility. The test results suggested that adding sulphur compounds only slightly reduced PCDD/F stack emissions; this restricted effect was attributed to the release of fly ash in large amounts during the sulphur adding experiments, i.e., it was due to a malfunctioning of the baghouse filter. Nevertheless, for the combined flow of flue gas+fly ash a reduction of more than 50% was achieved for the total PCDD/F concentrations and the total toxic concentrations, and an even higher inhibition capability was observed for PCDD. Also, a simulation of the thermodynamic equilibrium conditions by sulphur dioxide was conducted in the domain of experimental interest. Deactivation of catalysts, which promote PCDD/F formation, was found to be the dominant inhibition mechanism in low temperature PCDD/F formation. SO(2) could also inhibit the formation of molecular Cl(2) via the Deacon reaction, but that was not the main reason for inhibition.

Pyrolysis characteristics of organic components of municipal solid waste at high heating rates.

The pyrolysis characteristics of six representative organic components of municipal solid waste (MSW) and their mixtures were studied in a specially designed thermogravimetric analysis apparatus with a maximum recorded heating rate of 864.8 degrees Cmin(-1). The pyrolysis behavior of individual components was described by the Avrami-Erofeev equation. The influence of final temperature on individual components was studied, and it was concluded that final temperature was a factor in reaction speed and intensity, but that it played only a limited role in determining the reaction mechanism. The interactions between different components were evaluated, and it was concluded that the interaction between homogeneous materials was minimal, whereas the interaction between polyethylene and biomass was significant.

[Thermal analysis and the distribution rule of heavy metals during electroplating sludge combustion].

A representative hazardous waste containing heavy metal is electroplating sludge, Thermal characteristic and the distribution of different heavy metal elements (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni and Mn) was studied. The results of experiment show that from thermal analysis, in the process of experiment of thermal gravity there are some peaks of weight loss as 100 degrees C, 150 degrees C and 600 degrees C among these peaks, the peaks of 100 degrees C and 150 degrees C is caused by that the volatile separated out and organic matter combusted and pyrolysed at the same time, the peak of 600 degrees C is produced by the carbonate decomposed. From EDS analysis, electroplating sludge is composed by these main elements which are O, S, Al, Ca, Cr and Fe, and other secondary elements such as Mg, Cu, Zn, P, Cl and C. In the process of temperature promoted, the quantity of nonmetal such as C and Cl is decreased, and the quantity of Cr, Fe, and Mg is steady within 900 degrees C. From the experiment of distribution rule, the quantity of Mn, Pb, Ni and Cu decreased in the process of combustion while the furnace temperature raised,among these heavy metal the quantity of Ni decrease most obviously,and on the contrary the quantity of Cd enrich obviously in this process.

[Gasification characteristics of waste tires in laboratory-scale fluidized-bed gasifier].

A laboratory-scale fluidized-bed gasifier was designed and used to investigate the characteristics of waste tires gasification. Granulated tires were gasified with different excessive air ratios at a temperature range of 400-700 degrees C. The gasification efficiency, carbon conversion efficiency, heating value, yield and components of syngas were analyzed. Results showed that the optimum operation conditions were achieved when the gasification temperature was 700 degrees C and the excessive air radio (EAR) was 0.4. A gaseous product, mainly containing CH4, CO, H2, C2H6, and longer-chain hydrocarbon with a lower heating value (LHV) of about 4804 kJ/m3, can be generated at the highest gasification efficiency of 47.96% under the optimum operation conditions.