The microRNA Let-7 and its exosomal form: Epigenetic regulators of gynecological cancers.

Many types of gynecological cancer (GC) are often silent until they reach an advanced stage, and are therefore often diagnosed too late for effective treatment. Hence, there is a real need for more efficient diagnosis and treatment for patients with GC. During recent years, researchers have increasingly studied the impact of microRNAs cancer development, leading to a number of applications in detection and treatment. MicroRNAs are a particular group of tiny RNA molecules that regulate regular gene expression by affecting the translation process. The downregulation of numerous miRNAs has been observed in human malignancies. Let-7 is an example of a miRNA that controls cellular processes as well as signaling cascades to affect post-transcriptional gene expression. Recent research supports the hypothesis that enhancing let-7 expression in those cancers where it is downregulated may be a potential treatment option. Exosomes are tiny vesicles that move through body fluids and can include components like miRNAs (including let-7) that are important for communication between cells. Studies proved that exosomes are able to enhance tumor growth, angiogenesis, chemoresistance, metastasis, and immune evasion, thus suggesting their importance in GC management.

Enhancing Fenton-like reaction through a multifunctional molybdenum disulfide film coating on nano zero valent iron surface (MoS2@nZVI): Collaboration of radical and non-radical pathways.

In this study, we synthesized nano zero-valent iron incorporated with a multifunctional molybdenum disulfide film (MoS2@nZVI). The material exhibited a 100.00 % removal efficiency for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and achieved a kobs of 0.4485 min-1 within 10 min. The excellent degradation performance can be attributed to the incorporation of the MoS2 film, which facilitated Fe2+ regeneration. Simultaneously, the MoS2 film assisted in proton accumulation and electron transfer, thereby amplifying the efficiency of SMX degradation across a wide pH range. Comprehensive experimental examinations and characterizations confirmed the selectivity and stability of the MoS2@nZVI catalysts, encompassing both degradation efficiency and structural stability. Interestingly, the MoS2@nZVI/PMS system for SMX degradation significantly involved a non-radical mechanism (1O2), along with radicals (SO4·-, ·OH, and O2·-). The direct oxidation of PMS by Fe2+ not only facilitated the generation of ·OH and SO4·- but also actively engaged in a reaction with O2, leading to the production of O2·-. The primary pathway for 1O2 production was established through the interplay between Mo6+ and O2·-, in conjunction with the direct electron transfer (DET) mechanism between PMS and SMX. The contributions of these active species to SMX degradation occurred in the following precedence: SO4·- > 1O2 > ·OH > O2·-. Notably, the primary pathways for radicals and non-radicals were studied during separate reaction periods. This investigation proposed a promising approach for mitigating pharmaceutical pollutants using a transition metal sulfide-modified nZVI catalyst.

Insights into the electron activation mechanisms at the micro level by nano zero-valent iron supported by molybdenum disulfide (nZVI@MD) from preparation to application.

Both molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) exhibit excellent adsorption abilities. However, the constrained conductivity of MoS2 and the lack of selectivity of nZVI for electron transfer still pose challenges. In this study, we designed a series of novel nano zero-valent iron supported by molybdenum disulfide composites (nZVI@MD) with multiple electron-rich active sites, including iron dopant replacement, iron atom intercalation and exposed Mo4+, for effective removal of Cr(VI). Results showed that preparation temperature and the amount of MoS2 added were identified as the two most significant factors affecting the reduction properties of nZVI@MD. Systematic experiments revealed that the nZVI@MD exhibited good anti-interference performance, stability and reusability due to its excellent electron selectivity. Characterization results exhibited that iron atoms replaced the sulfur vacancies in MoS2 and inserted into an intercalation of MoS2 during the preparation process. The mechanisms underlying the uptake of Cr(VI) by nZVI@MD can be proposed as follows: (i) electrostatic interactions, (ii) reduction reaction, and (iii) co-precipitation involving Fe-O-Cr. Furthermore, nZVI@MD exhibited excellent electron activity, hydrophilicity and oxidation resistance, confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This work provided new strategies and mechanistic insights for the rational design of adsorbents.

Characterization of degradation products of carrageenan by LC-QTOF/MS with a hypothetical database.

Carrageenan (CGN) belongs to the sulfated polysaccharides family that is commonly used in the food industry. For oligosaccharide analysis, a liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry strategy was developed using a hypothetical database. There are 2100 structures in the developed hypothetical κ-CGN database. To eliminate false-positive results, three approaches were used, including size exclusion chromatography with mass spectrometry, which differentiates the loss of sulfated groups caused by the hydrolysis process or the ionization process. Profiling of acidic hydrolysis products of κ-CGN was found that after 12 h of HCl cultivation, the κ-CGN was hydrolyzed to oligosaccharides lower than the degree of polymerization 10, breaking the α-1,3-glycoside linkage and producing even-numbered oligosaccharides. Another finding was that the pH at which acidic hydrolysis is terminated affects the generation of even and odd oligosaccharides. Peeling reaction occurs at the reduction end 4-linked-3,6-anhydrous-d-galactose when adjusted to alkaline conditions, thus generating odd oligosaccharides.

Enhancing As(V) and As(III) adsorption performance of low alumina fly ash with ferric citrate modification: Role of FeSiO3 and monosodium citrate.

Fly ash and arsenic species have been regarded as contaminants that pollute the environment. Herein, low alumina fly ash (LAFA) was utilized to fabricate the As(V) and As(III) adsorbent via combining the routes of alkali fusion and incipient-wetness impregnation. The characterization results suggested that the grafted ferric citrate was coordinated to LAFA by substituting a Si4+ to a Fe3+, and the compound monosodium citrate was observed. Based on the XPS analysis, the C-O and -COO- groups of monosodium citrate played the significant role in uptaking As(V) and As(III) species by chemical complexation, the FeOOH adsorbed As(V) and As(III) species via ion-exchange, and the Fe2O3 oxidize As(III) into As(V). Additionally, it was observed that the As(V) removal performance by adsorbent prepared with different modifiers was in the order of FeC6H5O7 (ca. 93.7%) > C6H8O7 (84%) > HCl (73%). And then, the optimal adsorbent synthesis condition for As(V) uptake was explored at ferric citrate loaded LAFA with 1:1 mass ratio (fly ash to NaOH) under temperature 923 K. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of the optimal adsorbent were 2725.0 µgAs(V)/g and 2281.9 µgAs(III)/g, and the removal efficiency of As(V) and As(III) was near 100% for their initial concentrations below 500 ppb, where the residual arsenic concentration met the required standard in drinking water (lower than 10 ppb).