Reproductive toxicity of cadmium in pubertal male rats induced by cell apoptosis.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is widely present in modern industrial production. It is a known, highly toxic environmental endocrine disruptor. Long-term exposure to Cd can cause varying degrees of damage to the liver, kidney, and reproductive system of organisms, especially the male reproductive system. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Cd toxicity in the male reproductive system during puberty. Eighteen healthy 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (control group, low-dose group, and high-dose group) according to their body weight, with six in each group. Cd (0, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day) was given by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that Cd exposure to each dose group caused a decrease in the testicular organ coefficient and sperm count, compared with the control group. Cd exposure resulted in significant changes in testicular morphology in the 3 mg/kg/day Cd group. In the 1 and 3 mg/kg/day Cd groups, serum testosterone decreased and apoptosis of testicular cells increased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in each Cd exposure dose group decreased, but the content of malondialdehyde in the high-dose, 3 mg/kg/day Cd treatment group significantly increased (p < 0.05). Although Cd exposure caused an increase in the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in the testicular tissues (p < 0.05), Bcl-2 expression was unchanged (p > 0.05). The expression level of Akt mRNA in testicular tissue of rats in the high-dose 3 mg/kg/day Cd group was increased (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that Cd affected testosterone levels, and apoptosis was observed in spermatids.

Enhanced Capacitive Performance of N-Doped Activated Carbon from Petroleum Coke by Combining Ammoxidation with KOH Activation.

Low cost with high specific capacitance and energy density is the critical and main requirement for practical supercapacitors. A novel N-doped activated carbon was fabricated by KOH activation of petroleum coke and ammonia treatment. The as-prepared carbon exhibits a high specific surface area (1875 m(2) g(-1)), excellent conductivity (57 S m(-1)), and rich nitrogen level (4.0 wt%). Those outstanding characters result in this porous carbon a hopeful electrode material for electrochemical supercapacitors. It shows high specific capacitance (up to 299 F g(-1)) and superior rate capability (76 % retention ratio at 20 A g(-1)) in 30 wt% KOH aqueous electrolyte. This efficient treatment method ensures its prosperous application in energy storage systems.

Functionalization of Petroleum Coke-Derived Carbon for Synergistically Enhanced Capacitive Performance.

Petroleum coke is a valuable and potential source for clean energy storage if it could be modified legitimately and facilely. In the present study, porous carbon with high surface area and abundant oxygen-containing groups was prepared from petroleum coke by chemical activation and modification processes. The as-prepared carbon exhibits a high surface area (1129 m(2) · g(-1)) and stable micrographic structure. It presents a high specific capacitance and excellent rate performance in KOH electrolyte. Even at an ultrahigh current density of 50 A · g(-1), the specific capacitance of the prepared carbon can still reach up to an unprecedented value of 261 F · g(-1) with a superhigh retention rate of 81 %. In addition, the energy density of this material in aqueous electrolyte can be as high as 13.9 Wh · kg(-1). The high energy density and excellent rate performance ensure its prosperous application in high-power energy storage system.