Functional Characterization of Double Mutations T929I/K1774N in the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel of Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) Related to Pyrethroid Resistance.

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall), the main pest on legume vegetables, is controlled by pyrethroids in the field. Field strains of M. usitatus resistant to pyrethroids were collected from three areas in Hainan Province (Haikou, Ledong, and Sanya City), and two mutations, T929I and K1774N, were detected in the voltage-gated sodium channel. In this study, the sodium channel in M. usitatus was first subcloned and successfully expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The single mutation (T929I or K1774N) and double mutation (T929I/K1774N) shifted the voltage dependence of activation in the hyperpolarization direction. The three mutants all reduced the amplitude of tail currents induced by type I (permethrin and bifenthrin) and type II (deltamethrin and λ-cyhalothrin) pyrethroids. Homology modeling analysis of these two mutations shows that they may change the local hydrophobicity and positive charge of the sodium channel. Our data can be used to reveal the causes of the resistance of M. usitatus to pyrethroids and provide guidance for the comprehensive control of M. usitatus in the future.

Enhanced removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions by polymer-mediated nitrogen-rich reduced graphene oxide.

The efficient removal of heavy metal by rationally designed carbon-based adsorbents is a key challenge in the field of water purification. Herein, we report a nitrogen-enriched lignosulfonate exfoliated graphene oxide (N-LEGO) for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) removal from aqueous solution. The nitrogen content of N-LEGO reached 13.28%, and the ratio of N-bonding configurations (pyri-N:amine-N:pyrro-N:grap-N) was 2.3:1.6:1:2.3. For Cr(VI) with initial concentration of 70 mg L-1 under pH= 2, the residuary concentration after treated by N-LEGO was close to 0.004 mg L-1, which meets the industrial wastewater discharge standard. The Cr(VI) adsorption behavior on N-LEGO can be fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm model well. The adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI) on N-LEGO includes anions electrostatic attraction, reduction and surface chelation. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations showed that N atoms doping was feasible and thermodynamically stable, meanwhile the N-doped system was easier to adsorb Cr2O72- than HCrO4-. The findings of this work can provide a new idea for the development of N-doped carbon-based adsorbents for the removal of highly toxic Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.

MiR-101a-3p Attenuated Pilocarpine-Induced Epilepsy by Downregulating c-FOS.

This study aimed to explore the effects and function of microRNA-101a-3p (miR-101a-3p) in epilepsy. Rat model of pilocarpine-induced epilepsy was established and the seizure frequency was recorded. Expression of miR-101a-3p and c-Fos in hippocampus tissues of Rat models were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. Besides, we established a hippocampal neuronal culture model of acquired epilepsy using Mg2+ free medium to evaluate the effects of miR-101a-3p and c-Fos in vitro. Cells were transfected with miR-101a-3p mimic, si-c-FOS, miR-101a-3p + c-FOS and its corresponding controls. MTT assay was used to detect cell viability upon transfection. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the apoptosis rate. Western blot was performed to measure the protein expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3), autophagy-related proteins (LC3 and Beclin1) and c-FOS. The targeting relationship between miR-101a-3p and c-FOS was predicted and verified by TargetScan software and dual-luciferase reporter assay. The role of miR-101a-3p was validated using epilepsy rat models in vivo. Another Rat models of pilocarpine-induced epilepsy with miR-NC or miR-101a-3p injection were established to evaluate the effect of miR-101a-3p overexpression on epilepsy in vivo. MiR-101a-3p was downregulated while c-FOS was increased in hippocampus tissues of Rat model of pilocarpine-induced epilepsy. Overexpression of miR-101a-3p or c-FOS depletion promoted cell viability, inhibited cell apoptosis and autophagy. C-FOS was a target of miR-101a-3p and miR-101a-3p negatively regulated c-FOS expression to function in epilepsy. Overexpression of miR-101a-3p attenuated pilocarpine-induced epilepsy in Rats in vivo. This study indicated that miR-101a-3p could attenuate pilocarpine-induced epilepsy by repressing c-Fos expression.

Synthesis of nano-scale zero-valent iron-reduced graphene oxide-silica nano-composites for the efficient removal of arsenic from aqueous solutions.

Design and synthesis of arsenic adsorbents with high performance and excellent stability has been still a significant challenge. In this study, we anchored nano-zero-valent iron (NZVI) on the surface of graphene-silica composites (GS) with high specific surface area, forming the NZVI/GS nano-composite. The prepared nano-materials were used to remove As(III) and As(V) through adsorption from aqueous solutions. The results indicated that NZVI particles were dispersed well on the surface of GS, and the NZVI/GS showed great potential to remove As(III) and As(V). Adsorption performance of NZVI/GS for As(III) and As(V) highly depended on the pH of solutions. The experimental data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. The calculated maximum adsorption capacities of NZVI/GS for As(III) and As(V) were up to 45.57 mg/g and 45.12 mg/g at 298 K, respectively, and the adsorption equilibrium could be reached within 60 min. The residual concentrations of As(III) and As(V) after treatment with 0.4 g/L NZVI/GS can meet with the drinking water standard of WHO when the initial concentrations were below 4 mg/L and 3 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the as-prepared NZVI/GS had excellent anti-interference ability during the process of As removal in the presence of foreign ions. During the As removal process, As(III) was oxidized to As(V), which could be removed through adsorption by electrostatic attraction and complexation. These results indicated that the as-synthesized NZVI/GS composite is a promising adsorbent for the removal of arsenic from aqueous solutions.

LncRNA UCA1 inhibits epilepsy and seizure-induced brain injury by regulating miR-495/Nrf2-ARE signal pathway.

BACKGROUND: Both LncRNA UCA1 and miR-495 are crucial gene regulators in various disorders. This study aims to investigate their role in epilepsy and seizure-induced brain injury. METHODS: In this research, rat model of epilepsy was established by pilocarpine induction. The RNA and protein expression in hippocampal tissues and neurons were determined by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The hippocampal neurons were isolated from hippocampal tissues, and treated with magnesium-free (MGF) physiological solution for epileptiform activity induction. The endogenous expression of related genes was modulated by recombinant plasmids and cell transfection. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell apoptosis. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine the interaction between miR-495 and Nrf2 in HEK-293 cells. RESULTS: The lncRNA UCA1 and Nrf2 were down-regulated in epileptiform hippocampal tissues and neurons, while the miR-495 was up-regulated. Over-expression of UCA1 inhibited apoptosis of hippocampal neurons by suppressing miR-495. MiR-495 negatively regulated Nrf2. UCA1 inhibited apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through miR-495/Nrf2-ARE pathway. UCA1 suppressed pilocarpine-induced epilepsy in rat. CONCLUSION: LncRNA UCA1 suppressed pilocarpine-induced epilepsy by inhibiting apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through miR-495/Nrf2-ARE pathway, and thereby inhibiting brain injury induced by seizure.

Synthesis of graphene/SiO2@polypyrrole nanocomposites and their application for Cr(VI) removal in aqueous solution.

A novel hybrid nanocomposite, polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy) anchored on the graphene/silica nanosheets with the high specific surface area (polypyrrole-graphene/silica, GS-PPy), was synthesized by a facile in situ polymerization and shows great potential to remove hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in aqueous solutions. Characterizations by XRD, TEM, SEM, BET, FT-IR and XPS, have confirmed that the PPy nanoparticles were well-distributed on the surface of GS nanosheets. The effects of pH, contact time, the concentration of Cr(VI), temperature, coexisting ions and the number of adsorption-desorption cycles were studied. The maximum adsorption capacity of the GS-PPy for Cr(VI) was 429.2 mg g-1 at 298 K at pH 2, which was much higher than PPy nanoparticles and other related materials. The adsorption data fitted to the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm model. The removal mechanism involved in electrostatic attraction, ion exchange and reduction process that partial adsorbed Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III). And Cr(III) was still retained on the surface of GS-PPy. The GS-PPy nanocomposite will be a potential candidate for the removal of Cr(VI) from the industrial waste water.

Defective magnesium ferrite nano-platelets for the adsorption of As(V): The role of surface hydroxyl groups.

In this work, magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) nano-platelets with rich defects and abundant surface hydroxyl groups were synthesized, and used for the removal of low concentration As(V) in aqueous solution. Results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the as-synthesized MgFe2O4 nano-platelets were consisted of many individual nanospheres. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicated that the Mg2+ ions substituted the Fe3+ ions at both the octahedral and the tetrahedral sites of the crystal structure. Batch adsorption experiment showed that the equilibrium concentration of As(V) could be reduced down to 4.9 µg·L-1 when the initial concentration of As(V) is 1 mg·L-1, which complied with the drinking water standard of WHO (10 µg·L-1). The adsorption capacity of synthesized MgFe2O4 towards As(V) was higher than commonly used iron oxide adsorbents (Fe3O4, γ-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3). Mechanistic studies proved that the superior adsorption capacity was attributed to: (1) increased amount of surface hydroxyl groups that resulted from the surface defects. (2) formation of tridentate hexanuclear surface complexes instead of bidentate binuclear complexes, and (3) formation of excess Mg-OH surface hydroxyl groups and As-Mg monodentate mononuclear surface complexes. This work disclosed the correlation of the superior As(V) adsorption ability with the surface hydroxyl groups in defective MgFe2O4, and propose MgFe2O4 as a potential candidate for the remediation of As-contaminated water.

A novel modified graphene oxide/chitosan composite used as an adsorbent for Cr(VI) in aqueous solutions.

A novel adsorbent for removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solutions has been successfully prepared by modifying graphene oxide/chitosan composite with disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA-2Na) (GEC). This modified composite was characterized by various technologies; including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the adsorption of Cr(VI) by GEC under different conditions. The results indicate that the adsorption of Cr(VI) on GEC was highly pH-dependent, with the highest adsorption capacity (86.17mg/g) occurring at pH 2. The kinetics of adsorption exhibited pseudo-second-order behavior. The adsorption data were well described by the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption capacity increased with increasing temperature. The calculated thermodynamic parameters indicate that the adsorption is a spontaneous, endothermic and feasible process. The further regeneration experiments showed the adsorption capacity of GEC for Cr(VI) decreased 5% after 7 times reuse, indicating the potential of the as-prepared material for practical application.

Distribution, sources, and fluxes of heavy metals in the Pearl River Delta, South China.

Riverine samples were collected at various locations in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in time and space and to estimate the fluxes of heavy metals to the coastal waters off South China. Most of the elements exhibit clear temporal and spatial trends. Principal component analysis shows that surface erosion is the major factor affecting metal concentrations in particulates in the PRD. Natural geology is an important source of these heavy metals. The annual fluxes of Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Pb in upstream and downstream were 445, 256, 241, 3293, 1279, 12, and 317 t/year and 1823, 1144, 1786, 15,634, 6183, 74, and 2017 t/year, respectively. A comparison indicated that the annual fluxes of Mn accounted for 1.3% of the global river fluxes, whereas other elements contribute <1%.