Removal of Sb(V) from complex wastewater of Sb(V) and aniline aerofloat using Fe3O4-CeO2 absorbent enhanced by H2O2: Efficiency and mechanism.

Effective elimination of heavy metals from complex wastewater is of great significance for industrial wastewater treatment. Herein, bimetallic adsorbent Fe3O4-CeO2 was prepared, and H2O2 was added to enhance Sb(V) adsorption by Fe3O4-CeO2 in complex wastewater of Sb(V) and aniline aerofloat (AAF) for the first time. Fe3O4-CeO2 showed good adsorption performance and could be rapidly separated by external magnetic field. After five adsorption/desorption cycles, Fe3O4-CeO2 still maintained good stability. The maximum adsorption capacities of Fe3O4-CeO2 in single Sb(V), AAF + Sb(V), and H2O2+AAF + Sb(V) systems were 77.33, 70.14, and 80.59 mg/g, respectively. Coexisting AAF inhibited Sb(V) adsorption. Conversely, additional H2O2 promoted Sb(V) removal in AAF + Sb(V) binary system, and made the adsorption capacity of Fe3O4-CeO2 increase by 14.90%. H2O2 could not only accelerate the reaction rate, but also reduce the optimal amount of adsorbent from 2.0 g/L to 1.2 g/L. Meanwhile, coexisting anions had little effect on Sb(V) removal by Fe3O4-CeO2+H2O2 process. The adsorption behaviors of Sb(V) in three systems were better depicted by pseudo-second-order kinetics, implying that the chemisorption was dominant. The complexation of AAF with Sb(V) hindered the adsorption of Sb(V) by Fe3O4-CeO2. The complex Sb(V) was oxidized and decomposed into free state by hydroxyl radicals produced in Fe3O4-CeO2+H2O2 process. Then the free Sb(V) was adsorbed by Fe3O4-CeO2 mostly through outer-sphere complexation. This work provides a new tactic for the treatment of heavy metal-organics complex wastewater.

NMR-Based Chiral Discrimination of Bulky Amines with a 19F-Tagged NNO Pincer Complex.

Within pharmaceutical research, ensuring the enantiomeric purity of chiral compounds is critical. Specifically, chiral amines are a crucial category of compounds, due to their extensive therapeutic uses. However, the enantiomeric analysis of these compounds, particularly those with significant steric hindrance, remains a challenge. To address this issue, our research introduces a novel chiral 19F-tagged NNO palladium pincer probe, strategically engineered with an open binding site to accommodate bulky amines. This probe facilitates the enantiodifferentiation of such amines, as evidenced by the distinct 19F NMR signals generated by the enantiomers. Moreover, our findings highlight the probe's applicability in the chiral discrimination of various psychoactive substances, underscoring its potential for the identification of illegal stimulant use and contributing to forensic investigations.

Knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and associated factors among adults in Zhuhai, China: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the public knowledge regarding Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in Zhuhai, China, focusing on identifying knowledge gaps and the influence of demographic and health factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zhuhai, China, from October to November 2022. A total of 1986 residents from 18 communities were selected employing stratified multi-stage equi-proportional sampling. Questionnaires covering general information and the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) were investigated face-to-face. Ordinal multiclass logistic regression was applied to assess the relationship between AD awareness and demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS: The average ADKS score was 18.5 (SD = 3.36) in Zhuhai. The lowest awareness rates were observed in the "Symptoms" and "Caregiving" subdomains of ADKS, with rates of 51.01% and 43.78%, respectively. The correct rates for the 30 ADKS questions ranged from 16.62 to 92.6%, showing a bimodal pattern with clusters around 80% and 20%. Women (OR = 1.203, 95% CI: 1.009-1.435), individuals aged 60 years or older (OR = 2.073, 95% CI: 1.467-2.932), those living in urban areas (OR = 1.361, 95% CI: 1.117-1.662), higher average monthly household income per capita (OR = 1.641, 95% CI: 1.297-2.082), and without any neurological or mental disorders (OR = 1.810, 95% CI: 1.323-2.478) were more likely to have higher levels of awareness about Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Adults in Zhuhai show a limited knowledge of AD, particularly in the 'Symptoms' and 'Caregiving' subdomains. Upcoming health campaigns must focus on bridging the knowledge gaps in different subdomains of AD, especially among subgroups with lower awareness, as identified in our study.

Nicotine Enantioselectively Targets Myeloid Differentiation Protein 2 and Inhibits the Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling.

Psychoactive substances, including morphine and methamphetamine, have been shown to interact with the classic innate immune receptor Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its partner protein myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) in a nonenantioselective manner. (-)-Nicotine, the primary alkaloid in tobacco and a key component of highly addictive cigarettes, targets the TLR4/MD2, influencing TLR4 signaling pathways. Existing as two enantiomers, the stereoselective recognition of nicotine by TLR4/MD2 in the context of the innate immune response remains unclear. In this study, we synthesized (+)-nicotine and investigated its effects alongside (-)-nicotine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TLR4 signaling. (-)-Nicotine dose-dependently inhibited proinflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In contrast, (+)-nicotine showed no such inhibitory effects. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that (-)-nicotine exhibited a stronger affinity with the TLR4 coreceptor MD2 than (+)-nicotine. Additionally, in silico simulations revealed that both nicotine enantiomers initially attach to the entrance of the MD2 cavity, creating a metastable state before they fully enter the cavity. In the metastable state, (-)-nicotine established more stable interactions with the surrounding residues at the entrance of the MD2 cavity compared to those of (+)-nicotine. This highlights the crucial role of the MD2 cavity entrance in the chiral recognition of nicotine. These findings provide valuable insights into the distinct interactions between nicotine enantiomers and the TLR4 coreceptor MD2, underscoring the enantioselective effect of nicotine on modulating TLR4 signaling.

Identification of ARF Genes and Elucidation of the Regulatory Effects of PsARF16a on the Dormancy of Tree Peony Plantlets.

The low survival rate of transplanted plantlets, which has limited the utility of tissue-culture-based methods for the rapid propagation of tree peonies, is due to plantlet dormancy after rooting. We previously determined that the auxin response factor PsARF may be a key regulator of tree peony dormancy. To clarify the mechanism mediating tree peony plantlet dormancy, PsARF genes were systematically identified and analyzed. Additionally, PsARF16a was transiently expressed in the leaves of tree peony plantlets to examine its regulatory effects on a downstream gene network. Nineteen PsARF genes were identified and divided into four classes. All PsARF genes encoded proteins with conserved B3 and ARF domains. The number of motifs, exons, and introns varied between PsARF genes in different classes. The overexpression of PsARF16a altered the expression of NCED, ZEP, PYL, GA2ox1, GID1, and other key genes in abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) signal transduction pathways, thereby promoting ABA synthesis and decreasing GA synthesis. Significant changes to the expression of some key genes contributing to starch and sugar metabolism (e.g., AMY2A, BAM3, BGLU, STP, and SUS2) may be associated with the gradual conversion of sugar into starch. This study provides important insights into PsARF functions in tree peonies.

Dissecting the Role of the Hydroxyl Moiety at C14 in (+)-Opioid-Based TLR4 Antagonists via Wet-Lab Experiments and Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is pivotal as an innate immune receptor, playing a critical role in mediating neuropathic pain and drug addiction through its regulation of the neuroinflammatory response. The nonclassical (+)-opioid isomers represent a unique subset of TLR4 antagonists known for their effective blood-brain barrier permeability. Despite growing interest in the structure-activity relationship of these (+)-opioid-based TLR4 antagonists, the specific impact of heteroatoms on their TLR4 antagonistic activities has not been fully explored. This study investigated the influence of the hydroxyl group at C14 in six (+)-opioid TLR4 antagonists (1-6) using wet-lab experiments and in silico simulations. The corresponding C14-deoxy derivatives (7-12) were synthesized, and upon comparison with their corresponding counterparts (1-6), it was discovered that their TLR4 antagonistic activities were significantly diminished. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the (+)-opioid TLR4 antagonists (1-6) possessed more negative binding free energies to the TLR4 coreceptor MD2, which was responsible for ligand recognition. This was primarily attributed to the formation of a hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group at the C-14 position of the antagonists (1-6) and the R90 residue of MD2 during the binding process. Such an interaction facilitated the entry and subsequent binding of these molecules within the MD2 cavity. In contrast, the C14-deoxy derivatives (7-12), lacking the hydroxyl group at the C-14 position, missed this crucial hydrogen bond interaction with the R90 residue of MD2, leading to their egression from the MD2 cavity during simulations. This study underscores the significant role of the C14 hydroxyl moiety in enhancing the effectiveness of (+)-opioid TLR4 antagonists, which provides insightful guidance for designing future (+)-isomer opioid-derived TLR4 antagonists.

Influences of crop diversification on yield, resource use efficiency, and environmental footprint in farmland landscapes in intensive farming.

Enhancing crop diversification in intensive fields has the potential to increase crop yield and reduce environmental footprint. However, these relationships at the landscape scale remained unclear in intensive farming. Addressing this gap, this paper aims to elucidate how crop yield, resources use efficiency (RUE), and environmental footprint (EF) vary with crop diversification levels in the North China Plain. Management practices, including crop pattern, field size, and agronomic inputs, were collected for 421 landscapes of 1 × 1 km subplots using Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images and survey. The results showed that, at the landscape scale, energy and fertilizer contributed over 53 %, and 37 % of the carbon footprint, respectively. N fertilizer constituted >98 % of the nitrogen footprint. P fertilizer accounted for over 80 %, while electricity comprised >13 % of the phosphorus footprint. Compared with simplified landscapes, diversified landscapes exhibited several significant features: 1) 56 % reduction of the area ratio of winter wheat-summer maize double crop pattern (WM), 2) a significant decrease in field size, 3) the decreased use of total NPK fertilizers at 32 %, 30 %, and 30 %, respectively, 4) the increased inputs of irrigation water, diesel, electricity, pesticide and labour at 21 %, 19 %, 21 %, 77 %, and 92 %, respectively. Although yield could be reduced at 33 % when transforming simplified landscapes into moderately diversified ones, they increased with the further promotion of crop diversification. Thus, the diversified landscapes could achieve a balance in yield, RUE, and EF to enhance sustainability, whereas simplified landscapes can similarly achieve a balance to benefit productivity. We emphasize the viable potential of diversified landscapes to enhance sustainable agricultural development by optimizing crop composition. This analysis offers pioneering evidence of landscape-scale agronomic and environmental performances of crop diversification.

A highly malignant succinate dehydrogenase A­deficient renal cell carcinoma with bone metastasis misdiagnosed as hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma: A case report.

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an autosomal dominant syndrome caused by heterozygous pathogenic germline variants of the SDH gene. SDH mutations are associated with an increased risk of developing RCC, although studies describing SDH-deficient RCC are currently limited. The present study reported a case of SDH-deficient RCC with high malignancy and rare bone metastasis. The patient was diagnosed with a right renal mass through B-mode ultrasound imaging and showed a carcinoma embolus in the right renal vein and inferior vena cava through kidney contrast-enhanced computed tomography. A whole-body bone scan showed radionuclide accumulation in the upper end of the left humerus, which indicated possible pathological bone destruction. As a result, surgical resection was performed. The postoperative pathology indicated a high-grade RCC and although the specific classification remained uncertain, hereditary leiomyomatosis and RCC was suspected. Subsequently, a germline mutation of the succinate dehydrogenase complex flavoprotein subunit A gene was identified through high-throughput sequencing (c.1A>G, p. Met1?) and immunohistochemistry demonstrated the loss of succinate dehydrogenase complex flavoprotein subunit B expression. Postoperatively, the patient underwent radiotherapy and targeted therapy. After 6 months of follow-up treatment, there was no indication of recurrence or metastasis on thoracoabdominal CT and whole-body bone scintigraphy. Based on the present report, germline screening should potentially be encouraged in early-onset patients as family history or pathological results may not provide sufficient information for the early, differential diagnosis of SDH-deficient RCC.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation on Thickening and Solubility Properties of Novel Thickener in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.

Supercritical CO2 has wide application in enhancing oil recovery, but the low viscosity of liquid CO2 can lead to issues such as poor proppant-carrying ability and high filtration loss. Therefore, the addition of thickening agents to CO2 is vital. Hydrocarbon polymers, as a class of green and sustainable materials, hold tremendous potential for acting as thickeners in supercritical CO2 systems, and PVAc is one of the best-performing hydrocarbon thickeners. To further improve the viscosity enhancement and solubility of PVAc, here we designed a novel polymer structure, PVAO, by introducing CO2-affine functional groups to PVAc. Molecular dynamics simulations were adopted to analyze viscosity and relevant solubility parameters systematically. We found that PVAO exhibits superior performance, with a viscosity enhancement of 1.5 times that of PVAc in supercritical CO2. While in the meantime, PVAO maintains better solubility characteristics than PVAc. Our findings offer insights for the future design of other high-performance polymers.

O-glycosylation in viruses: A sweet tango.

O-glycosylation is an ancient yet underappreciated protein posttranslational modification, on which many bacteria and viruses heavily rely to perform critical biological functions involved in numerous infectious diseases or even cancer. But due to the innate complexity of O-glycosylation, research techniques have been limited to study its exact role in viral attachment and entry, assembly and exit, spreading in the host cells, and the innate and adaptive immunity of the host. Recently, the advent of many newly developed methodologies (e.g., mass spectrometry, chemical biology tools, and molecular dynamics simulations) has renewed and rekindled the interest in viral-related O-glycosylation in both viral proteins and host cells, which is further fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we summarize recent advances in viral-related O-glycosylation, with a particular emphasis on the mucin-type O-linked α-N-acetylgalactosamine (O-GalNAc) on viral proteins and the intracellular O-linked ß-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modifications on host proteins. We hope to provide valuable insights into the development of antiviral reagents or vaccines for better prevention or treatment of infectious diseases.

Identification of O-Methyltransferases Potentially Contributing to the Structural Diversity of 2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones in Agarwood.

2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones (PECs) are the primary constituents responsible for the promising pharmacological activities and unique fragrance of agarwood. However, the O-methyltransferases (OMTs) involved in the formation of diverse methylated PECs have not been reported. In this study, we identified one Mg2+-dependent caffeoyl-CoA-OMT subfamily enzyme (AsOMT1) and three caffeic acid-OMT subfamily enzymes (AsOMT2-4) from NaCl-treated Aquilaria sinensis calli. AsOMT1 not only converts caffeoyl-CoA to feruloyl-CoA but also performs nonregioselective methylation at either the 6-OH or 7-OH position of 6,7-dihydroxy-PEC. On the other hand, AsOMT2-4 preferentially utilizes PECs as substrates to produce structurally diverse methylated PECs. Additionally, AsOMT2-4 also accepts nonPEC-type substrates such as caffeic acid and apigenin to generate methylated products. Protein structure prediction and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that residues of L313 and I318 in AsOMT3, as well as S292 and F313 in AsOMT4 determine the distinct regioselectivity of these two OMTs toward apigenin. These findings provide important biochemical evidence of the remarkable structural diversity of PECs in agarwood.

Exploring the link: Systemic immune-inflammation index as a marker in endometriosis-Insights from the NHANES 2001-2006 cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The systemic immuno-inflammatory index (SII), a novel immune marker of inflammation, has not been previously associated with endometriosis. The objective of this research is to explore the link between SII and the occurrence of endometriosis. METHODS: Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2001 to 2006, we screened and extracted relevant information from the population. Participants missing data on either SII or endometriosis were excluded. We divided the remaining cohort into quartiles based on SII levels: Q1 (SII < 249, n = 848), Q2 (249 ≤ SII < 604.55, n = 847), Q3 (604.55 ≤ SII < 825.35, n = 847), and Q4 (SII ≥ 852.35, n = 848). Multiple linear regression and smooth curve fitting techniques, were to evaluate the non-linear association between SII and endometriosis. RESULTS: The study included 3,390 adults aged 20 to 55. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between SII and endometriosis [3.14, 95% CI (2.22, 4.45), P < 0.01]. This correlation was consistent across subgroups defined by marital status, poverty income ratio, BMI, alcohol consumption, and age at first menstrual period. However, the relationship between SII and endometriosis was significantly modified by age, education, and history of pregnancy in the stratified analyses. The curve fitting indicated an S-shaped curve, with an inflection point at SII = 1105.76. CONCLUSION: The SII may serve as a predictive marker for endometriosis risk among women in the United States, offering a potentially simple and cost-effective approach. However, given the cross-sectional design of this investigation, further validation in prospective studies is necessary.

UFMylation: An integral post-translational modification for the regulation of proteostasis and cellular functions.

Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1) is covalently conjugated to protein substrates via a cascade of enzymatic reactions, a process known as UFMylation. UFMylation orchestrates an array of vital biological functions, including maintaining endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, facilitating protein biogenesis, promoting cellular differentiation, regulating DNA damage response, and participating in cancer-associated signaling pathways. UFMylation has rapidly evolved into one of the forefront research areas within the last few years, yet much remains to be uncovered. In this review, first, UFMylation and its cellular functions associated with diseases are briefly introduced. Then, we summarize the proteomic approaches for identifying UFMylation substrates and explore the impact of UFMylation on gene transcription, protein translation, and maintenance of ER homeostasis. Next, we highlight the intricate regulation between UFMylation and two protein degradation pathways, the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the autophagy-lysosome pathway, and explore the potential of UFMylation system as a drug target. Finally, we discuss emerging perspectives in the UFMylation field. This review may provide valuable insights for drug discovery targeting the UFMylation system.

Novel prediction model combining PET/CT metabolic parameters, inflammation markers, and TNM stage: prospects for personalizing prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study aims to develop a novel prediction model and risk stratification system that could accurately predict progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Herein, we included 106 individuals diagnosed with NPC, who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning before treatment. They were divided into training (n = 76) and validation (n = 30) sets. The prediction model was constructed based on multivariate Cox regression analysis results and its predictive performance was evaluated. Risk factor stratification was performed based on the nomogram scores of each case, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate the model's discriminative ability for high- and low-risk groups. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that N stage, M stage, SUVmax, MTV, HI, and SIRI were independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients with NPC. In the training set, the model considerably outperformed the TNM stage in predicting PFS (AUCs of 0.931 vs. 0.841, 0.892 vs. 0.785, and 0.892 vs. 0.804 at 1-3 years, respectively). The calibration plots showed good agreement between actual observations and model predictions. The DCA curves further justified the effectiveness of the model in clinical practice. Between high- and low-risk group, 3-year PFS rates were significantly different (high- vs. low-risk group: 62.8% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001). Adjuvant chemotherapy was also effective for prolonging survival in high-risk patients (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Herein, a novel prediction model was successfully developed and validated to improve the accuracy of prognostic prediction for patients with NPC, with the aim of facilitating personalized treatment.

Exploring Dimethylsulfoniopropionate as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease: A study using the 3 × Tg-AD mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder, affects a broad spectrum of aging populations. AD is characterized by pathological amyloid-ß (Aß) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to neural degeneration and cognitive decline. The lack of effective treatments for AD highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents, particularly in the early stages. Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a natural marine compound with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. However, studies on the efficacy of DMSP in the treatment of AD and its associated mechanisms are limited. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of DMSP as an AD treatment using a preclinical 3 × Tg-AD mouse model. METHODS: The research involved administering DMSP (7 µg/mL and 11 µg/mL in drinking water) to four-month-old 3 × Tg-AD mice consecutively for three months. The Y-maze test, novel object recognition test, and Morris water maze test were used to assess memory and learning ability. The relative expression levels and distribution of proteins relevant to Aß and tau pathology, synapses, and glial cells were analyzed using western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. Additionally, proteomic and bioinformatics approaches were used to explore the potential targets of DMSP treatment. RESULTS: DMSP-treated AD mice showed significantly enhanced cognitive function, suggesting that DMSP mitigates memory and learning impairments in AD. Moreover, DMSP diminished the abnormal accumulation of Aß and phosphorylated tau in both the cortex and hippocampus, which are crucial hallmarks of AD pathology. In addition to its neuroprotective properties, DMSP restored synaptic density and the expression of synaptic and neuronal proteins, which are essential for proper brain function. DMSP displayed anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by its ability to suppress inflammatory astrocytes and maintain microglial homeostasis. Notably, DMSP facilitated the maturation of oligodendrocytes (OLs) from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), a critical process in the development of the brain myelination architecture. Proteomic analysis revealed that DMSP positively influenced biological processes crucial for oligodendrocyte development, myelination, and axonal ensheathment, which are often compromised in patients with AD. Protein validation and brain tissue staining supported the role of DMSP in preserving myelin enrichment and sheath integrity. These therapeutic effects were largely attributed to the enhanced expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein (Mag) and tetraspanin Cd9. CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings highlight DMSP as a promising novel therapeutic candidate for AD, offering multifaceted benefits in cognitive and memory enhancement, reduction of Aß and tau pathology, neuronal synapse protection, anti-inflammatory effects, and myelin sheath restoration as an innovative target compared to other studies. In addition to being a potentially effective treatment for AD, DMSP may also have the potential to address other neurodegenerative diseases that are closely associated with myelin impairment.

Global systematical and comprehensive overview of mountainous flood risk under climate change and human activities.

Snow-covered mountainous regions are crucial for the hydrologic cycle. Any changes in the cryosphere are critical and directly impact the hydrologic cycle and socio-environment of the downstream. It is likely to occur more extreme events of precipitations, raising the risk of flooding worldwide. Glacier melting is increasing, thus the formation of the moraine-dammed lake called glacial lake, whose outburst may be a catastrophic disaster. Due to steep topography, flash floods with high energy can sweep away infrastructure, electric power stations, property, and livelihood and even change the channel morphology, hence the whole environment. In this article, we present the causes of flooding in mountainous regions and historical trends of mountainous flooding and its management policies. Carbon emission is a driver to increase the temperature of the globe and which is triggering the flash floods in mountainous regions is illustrated using data from different sources. The discussion section includes how technology helps to achieve a climate-resilient environment. Understanding river morphology, mapping and monitoring risks, and simulating essential natural processes are necessary for reducing the cascading hazards in the mountains. There is still a gap in modern data collection techniques in mountainous regions. More advanced technology for regional and global collaborations, climate change adaption, and public awareness can build the climate resilience cryosphere.

Systematic Review of Solubility, Thickening Properties and Mechanisms of Thickener for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.

Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) has extremely important applications in the extraction of unconventional oil and gas, especially in fracturing and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies. It can not only relieve water resource wastage and environmental pollution caused by traditional mining methods, but also effectively store CO2 and mitigate the greenhouse effect. However, the low viscosity nature of supercritical CO2 gives rise to challenges such as viscosity fingering, limited sand-carrying capacity, high filtration loss, low oil and gas recovery efficiency, and potential rock adsorption. To overcome these challenges, low-rock-adsorption thickeners are required to enhance the viscosity of supercritical CO2. Through research into the literature, this article reviews the solubility and thickening characteristics of four types of polymer thickeners, namely surfactants, hydrocarbons, fluorinated polymers, and silicone polymers in supercritical CO2. The thickening mechanisms of polymer thickeners were also analyzed, including intermolecular interactions, LA-LB interactions, hydrogen bonding, and functionalized polymers, and so on.

Excessive load promotes temporomandibular joint chondrocyte apoptosis via Piezo1/endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

Excessive load on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a significant factor in the development of TMJ osteoarthritis, contributing to cartilage degeneration. The specific mechanism through which excessive load induces TMJ osteoarthritis is not fully understood; however, mechanically-activated (MA) ion channels play a crucial role. Among these channels, Piezo1 has been identified as a mediator of chondrocyte catabolic responses and is markedly increased in osteoarthritis. Our observations indicate that, under excessive load conditions, endoplasmic reticulum stress in chondrocytes results in apoptosis of the TMJ chondrocytes. Importantly, using the Piezo1 inhibitor GsMTx4 demonstrates its potential to alleviate this condition. Furthermore, Piezo1 mediates endoplasmic reticulum stress in chondrocytes by inducing calcium ion influx. Our research substantiates the role of Piezo1 as a pivotal ion channel in mediating chondrocyte overload. It elucidates the link between excessive load, cell apoptosis, and calcium ion influx through Piezo1. The findings underscore Piezo1 as a key player in the pathogenesis of TMJ osteoarthritis, shedding light on potential therapeutic interventions for this condition.

TGFß1-Induced Fibrotic Responses of Conjunctival Fibroblasts through the Wnt/ß-Catenin/CRYAB Signaling Pathway.

Conjunctival fibrosis is a common postoperative complication of glaucoma filtration surgery, resulting in uncontrolled intraocular pressure and surgery failure. Therefore, it is urgent to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying conjunctival fibrosis and to explore novel pharmacologic anti-fibrosis therapies for glaucoma filtration surgery. The 4D-DIA quantitative proteomic results, coupled with experimental data, revealed the activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-induced human conjunctival fibroblasts (HConFs). Treatment with ICG-001, a Wnt/ß-catenin inhibitor, effectively inhibited cell proliferation and migration in TGFß1-treated HConFs. ICG-001 treatment alleviated the increased generation of extracellular matrix proteins induced by TGFß1. In addition, ICG-001 reduced the expression level of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and inhibited cell contractility in TGFß1-treated HConFs. Proteomics data further suggested that αB-crystallin (CRYAB) was a downstream target of Wnt/ß-catenin, which was up-regulated by TGFß1 and down-regulated by ICG-001. Immunoblotting assay also indicated that ICG-001 reduced the expressions of ubiquitin and ß-catenin in TGFß1-treated HConFs, implying that CRYAB stabilized ß-catenin by inhibiting its ubiquitination degradation. Exogenous CRYAB promoted cell viability, increased extracellular matrix protein levels, and up-regulated α-SMA expression of HConFs under TGFß1 stimulation. CRYAB rescued TGFß1-induced fibrotic responses that were suppressed by ICG-001. In conclusion, this study elucidates the regulatory mechanism of the Wnt/ß-catenin/CRYAB pathway in conjunctival fibrosis, offering promising therapeutic targets for mitigating bleb scarring after glaucoma filtration surgery.