Simulation of coastal resource and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River delta coastal zone based on shared socioeconomic pathways

Study of resource and environmental carrying capacity is an important research content of sustainable development science and the theoretical support for land space optimization. Existing research theories need to be deepened, and spatial simulation studies are relatively lacking. This study aimed to assess the current and future resource and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Delta region’s coastal zone and enhance sustainable development by exploring the application of shared socioeconomic pathway (SSPs) scenarios at the spatial pattern scale in regional resource and environmental carrying capacity simulation studies. Based on the FLUS and InVEST models, this study introduced the Coastal Resource and Environmental Carrying Capacity Index (CRECC) from the dimensions of “pressure” and “support” using land use remote sensing monitoring data and SSPs scenario data. A CRECC evaluation index system and quantitative evaluation method for the Yangtze River Delta were constructed. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the CRECC of the Yangtze River Delta coastal zone increased, the carrying capacity decreased, and the spatial distribution was low in the north and high in the south. The carrying capacity under the five SSP scenarios did not improve. The mismatch between natural ecological conditions and the intensity of human activities in the shoreline area was more prominent than in the study area, with the SSP1 and SSP5 scenarios being the most obvious. The supporting indicators have a more significant influence on improving CRECC than the pressure indicators, among which the supply capacity of water resources, land resources, and atmospheric environmental quality are the main limiting factors in the process of future sustainable economic-ecological development. This study provides ideas and examples for exploring spatial and temporal predictions of resources and environmental carrying capacity in coastal zones

The Acute Toxicity and Hematological Characterization of the Effects of Tentacle-Only Extract from the Jellyfish Cyanea capillata

To investigate the hematologic changes and the activities of jellyfish venoms other than hemolytic and cardiovascular toxicities, the acute toxicity of tentacle-only extract (TOE) from the jellyfish Cyanea capillata was observed in mice, and hematological indexes were examined in rats. The median lethal dose (LD50) of TOE was 4.25 mg/kg, and the acute toxicity involved both heart- and nervous system-related symptoms. Arterial blood gas indexes, including pH, PCO2, HCO3−, HCO3std, TCO2, BEecf and BE (B), decreased significantly. PO2 showed a slight increase, while SO2c (%) had no change at any time. Na+ and Ca2+ decreased, but K+ increased. Biochemical indexes, including LDH, CK, CK-MB, ALT, AST and sCr, significantly increased. Other biochemical indexes, including BUN and hemodiastase, remained normal. Lactic acid significantly increased, while glucose, Hct% and THbc showed slight temporary increases and then returned to normal. These results on the acute toxicity and hematological changes should improve our understanding of the in vivo pathophysiological effects of TOE from C. capillata and indicate that it may also have neurotoxicity, liver toxicity and muscular toxicity in addition to hemolytic and cardiovascular toxicities, but no kidney or pancreatic toxicity

‘Green’ fabrication of PVC UF membranes with robust hydrophilicity and improved pore uniformity

Hydrophilicity and pore uniformity are the key parameters for ultrafiltration (UF) membranes to avoid fouling and ensure separation effectiveness. In this paper, a simple ‘green’ in-situ chemical reaction assisted phase separation method was studied, in which amine molecules bearing hydrophilic hydroxyl groups were grafted onto polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chains in dissolution process without initiator. The influence of modifier concentration on the structure, separation and anti-fouling performance of the PVC membranes was studied. The results indicated that the robust hydrophilicity, and high pore size uniformity and porosity of were achieved by properly anchoring preferable amine molecules. The pure water flux of the modified membrane was 261.5 L·m−2·h−1, BSA rejection was 99.1 % when 10 wt% SRN was added. Approximately 27 % increase of rejection to BSA, and 10-fold pure water flux that of the pristine PVC membrane. Due to the stable existence of modifiers in the membrane, the improved membrane hydrophilicity was maintained through 320 h filtration and acid/alkali soaking tests. This study provides a simple modification approach to enhance PVC UF membrane hydrophilicity and pore uniformity

Toward ultrahigh thermal conductivity graphene films

With increasing demands of high-performance and functionality, electronics devices generate a great amount of heat. Thus, efficient heat dissipation is crucially needed. Owing to its extremely good thermal conductivity, graphene is an interesting candidate for this purpose. In this paper, a two-step temperature-annealing process to fabricate ultrahigh thermal conductive graphene assembled films (GFs) is proposed. The thermal conductivity of the obtained GFs was as high as 3826 +/- 47 W m(-1) K-1. Extending the time of high-temperature annealing significantly improved the thermal performance of the GF. Structural analyses confirmed that the high thermal conductivity is caused by the large grain size, defect-free stacking, and high flatness, which are beneficial for phonon transmission in the carbon lattice. The turbostratic stacking degree decreased with increasing heat treatment time. However, the increase in the grain size after long heat treatment had a more pronounced effect on the phonon transfer of the GF than that of turbostratic stacking. The developed GFs show great potential for efficient thermal management in electronics devices

Salvianolic acid B plays an anti-obesity role in high fat diet-induced obese mice by regulating the expression of mRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA

Background Adipose tissue plays a central role in obesity-related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a water-soluble ingredient derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been shown to reduce obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases by suppressing adipogenesis. However, the role of Sal B in white adipose tissue (WAT) is not yet clear. Methods Illumina Hiseq 4000 was used to study the effects of Sal B on the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) in epididymal white adipose tissue induced by a high fat diet in obese mice. Results RNA-Seq data showed that 234 lncRNAs, 19 circRNAs, and 132 mRNAs were differentially expressed in WAT under Sal B treatment. The up-regulated protein-coding genes in WAT of the Sal B-treated group were involved in the insulin resistance pathway, while the down-regulated genes mainly participated in the IL-17 signaling pathway. Other pathways may play an important role in the formation and differentiation of adipose tissue, such as B cell receptor signaling. Analysis of the lncRNA–mRNA network provides potential targets for lncRNAs in energy metabolism. We speculate that Sal B may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for obesity

Secondary Production of Gaseous Nitrated Phenols in Polluted Urban Environments

Nitrated phenols (NPs) are important atmospheric pollutants that affect air quality, radiation, and health. The recent development of the time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometer (ToF-CIMS) allows quantitative online measurements of NPs for a better understanding of their sources and environmental impacts. Herein, we deployed nitrate ions as reagent ions in the ToF-CIMS and quantified six classes of gaseous NPs in Beijing. The concentrations of NPs are in the range of 1 to 520 ng m(-3). Nitrophenol (NPh) has the greatest mean concentration. Dinitrophenol (DNP) shows the greatest haze-to-clean concentration ratio, which may be associated with aqueous production. The high concentrations and distinct diurnal profiles of NPs indicate a strong secondary formation to overweigh losses, driven by high emissions of precursors, strong oxidative capacity, and high NOx levels. The budget analysis on the basis of our measurements and box-model calculations suggest a minor role of the photolysis of NPs (Peer reviewe

Anti-diabetic effect of loganin by inhibiting FOXO1 nuclear translocation via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in INS-1 cell

Objective(s): JiangTangXiaoKe (JTXK) granule, a Chinese traditional herbal formula, has been clinically used and demonstrated to be beneficial in controlling high glucose and to relieve the symptoms of  Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients for decades. In this study, we explored how loganin, one of the components in JTXK granule, mediated the anti-diabetic effect.Materials and Methods: We generate a cell model with the dysfunction of insulin secretion by over-expression FOXO1 in INS-1 cells. MTT method was used to detect cytotoxicity after treated with Loganin. ELISA analysis was used to examine insulin secretion. The expression levels of FOXO1 and Akt were evaluated by Western blot.Results: Treatment with Loganin did not change the expression level of FOXO1 in INS-1 cells, but increased phosphorylation of FOXO1 and inhibited the nuclear translocation and accumulation of FOXO1, which improved the insulin secretion of the cells. Mechanistically, we found PI3K/Akt signaling pathway involved in these effects, which were blocked by an Akt inhibitor, LY294002.Conclusion: Loganin mediated the subcellular distribution of FOXO1 via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which protected the function of insulin secretion in islet INS-1 cells

Aqueous Extract of Mori Folium Exerts Bone Protective Effect Through Regulation of Calcium and Redox Homeostasis via PTH/VDR/CaBP and AGEs/RAGE/Nox4/NF-κB Signaling in Diabetic Rats

Purpose: The present study is aimed to explore whether the aqueous extract of Mori Folium (MF) exhibits bone protective effect by regulating calcium and redox homeostasis in diabetic rats, and to identify the signaling pathways involved in this process.Methods: Diabetic rats were established using high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days). The serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], parathormone (PTH), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA or biochemical assays. Histopathological alterations in the femurs were evaluated by the stainings of hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and alizarin red S. In addition, femoral strength was detected by a three-point bending assay, bone microstructure was detected with micro-computer tomography. Bone material properties were examined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the expressions of IGF-1, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), cathepsin K, AGEs, receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE), NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the femurs and tibias, and the alterations in the levels of calcium-binding protein-28k (CaBP-28k), transient receptor potential V6 (TRPV6), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the kidneys and duodenums were determined by western blot and immunohistochemical analysis.Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with MF aqueous extract induces an increase in the levels of OC and IGF-1 as well as a decrease in TRAP level in serum. MF treatment also upregulates the expression of OPG, downregulates the expressions of AGEs, RAGE, Nox4, NF-κB, and RANKL, which leads to improve bone microstructure and strength exhibited by an increase in cortical area ratio, cortical thickness, and trabecular area ratio as well as ultimate load, elastic modulus, and bending stress in the femurs and tibias of diabetic rats. In addition, MF aqueous extract preserves bone material properties by decreasing the ratio of fatty acid/collagen and increasing the ratio of mineral/matrix in the femurs of diabetic rats. Moreover, MF treatment increases the levels of P, Ca, and 1,25(OH)2D3, and decreases the level of PTH in the serum, as well as upregulates the expressions of TRPV6 and VDR in the duodenums and CaBP-28k in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Additionally, MF has ability of rebuilding redox homeostasis and eliminating inflammatory stress by increasing the levels of SOD and TAC as well as decreasing the levels of IL-6, AGEs, MDA, and 8-OH-dG.Conclusions: MF treatment may improve bone quality through maintenance of calcium homeostasis via regulating the PTH/VDR/CaBP signaling, and elimination of oxidative stress via regulating the AGEs/RAGE/Nox4/NF-κB signaling. These results may suggest the potential of MF in preventing the development of diabetic osteoporosis