C1q complement/tumor necrosis factor-associated proteins in cardiovascular disease and covid-19

With continually improving treatment strategies and patient care, the overall mortality of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been significantly reduced. However, this success is a double-edged sword, as many patients who survive cardiovascular complications will progress towards a chronic disorder over time. A family of adiponectin paralogs designated as C1q complement/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-associated proteins (CTRPs) has been found to play a role in the development of CVD. CTRPs, which are comprised of 15 members, CTRP1 to CTRP15, are secreted from different organs/tissues and exhibit diverse functions, have attracted increasing attention because of their roles in maintaining inner homeostasis by regulating metabolism, inflammation, and immune surveillance. In particular, studies indicate that CTRPs participate in the progression of CVD, influencing its prognosis. This review aims to improve understanding of the role of CTRPs in the cardiovascular system by analyzing current knowledge. In particular, we examine the association of CTRPs with endothelial cell dysfunction, inflammation, and diabetes, which are the basis for development of CVD. Additionally, the recently emerged novel coronavirus (COVID-19), officially known as severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been found to trigger severe cardiovascular injury in some patients, and evidence indicates that the mortality of COVID-19 is much higher in patients with CVD than without CVD. Understanding the relationship of CTRPs and the SARS-CoV-2-related damage to the cardiovascular system, as well as the potential mechanisms, will achieve a profound insight into a therapeutic strategy to effectively control CVD and reduce the mortality rate

Nicotine aggravates vascular adiponectin resistance via ubiquitin-mediated adiponectin receptor degradation in diabetic Apolipoprotein E knockout mouse

There is limited and discordant evidence on the role of nicotine in diabetic vascular disease. Exacerbated endothelial cell dysregulation in smokers with diabetes is associated with the disrupted adipose function. Adipokines possess vascular protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. However, whether and how nicotine primes and aggravates diabetic vascular disorders remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the alteration of adiponectin (APN) level in high-fat diet (HFD) mice with nicotine (NIC) administration. The vascular pathophysiological response was evaluated with vascular ring assay. Confocal and co-immunoprecipitation analysis were applied to identify the signal interaction and transduction. These results indicated that the circulating APN level in nicotine-administrated diabetic Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice was elevated in advance of 2 weeks of diabetic ApoE−/− mice. NIC and NIC addition in HFD groups (NIC + HFD) reduced the vascular relaxation and signaling response to APN at 6 weeks. Mechanistically, APN receptor 1 (AdipoR1) level was decreased in NIC and further significantly reduced in NIC + HFD group at 6 weeks, while elevated suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression was induced by NIC and further augmented in NIC + HFD group. Additionally, nicotine provoked SOCS3, degraded AdipoR1, and attenuated APN-activated ERK1/2 in the presence of high glucose and high lipid (HG/HL) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). MG132 (proteasome inhibitor) administration manifested that AdipoR1 was ubiquitinated, while inhibited SOCS3 rescued the reduced AdipoR1. In summary, this study demonstrated for the first time that nicotine primed vascular APN resistance via SOCS3-mediated degradation of ubiquitinated AdipoR1, accelerating diabetic endothelial dysfunction. This discovery provides a potential therapeutic target for preventing nicotine-accelerated diabetic vascular dysfunction

Erratum: Comparison of flotation performances of intruded and conventional coals in the absence of collectors (Fuel (2016) 164 (186-190))

The authors regret to inform readers that there is an error in 2.1. Materials Section. The original test “In this investigation, 0.125–0.074 mm size fraction was used as experimental samples in order to ensure the accurate comparison of surface properties of two coal samples using BET, SEM, FTIR, and flotation tests.” is changed to “In this investigation, 0.125–0.074 mm size fraction was used for BET measurement. Lager particle size fraction

Recent advances in beneficiation for low rank coals

Coal beneficiation is one of the most effective methods for removing minerals (such as gangues and pyrite) and pollutants (such as sulfur) before the burning of coal. In general, the beneficiation process of low rank coals is more difficult to achieve than that of bituminous and/or anthracite coals. However, about 50% of the world's total coal deposits are low rank coals. It is urgently required to develop effective beneficiation technologies for low rank coals. This review highlights recent advances in beneficiation technologies for low rank coals. Physical (gravity and magnetic separation), chemical (leaching), physico-chemical (flotation and oil agglomeration) and bio-beneficiation technologies are summarized in detail. Effective beneficiation technologies for low rank coals in the future are also suggested throughout this paper

Comparison of flotation performances of intruded and conventional coals in the absence of collectors

Magmatic intrusion creates many intruded coals whose properties are different from the conventional coals. It is well known that the surface hydrophobicity and wettability of coal surface are the primarily factors determining the flotation behavior of fine coal particles in coal preparation industry. This paper was to investigate the difference in the flotation behavior between intruded and conventional coals from Yongcheng Coalfield. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to indicate the surface properties of intruded and conventional coals. The results showed that magmatic intrusion not only changed the functional groups on coal surface but also changed the pore structure of coal particles. The flotation performance of conventional coal was better than that of intruded coal in the absence of collectors. Magmatic intrusion has a negative effect on the natural floatability of coal particles. The natural floatability of coal particle is not only determined by the types of functional groups on coal surface but also affected by the surface morphology of coal particles

Flotation optimization of ultrafine microcrystalline graphite using a Box-Behnken design

In this investigation, emulsified kerosene and high-shear agitation were used to improve flotation performance of microcrystalline graphite. The flotation conditions were determined first and then optimized through a Box-Behnken design to minimize the concentrate ash content and to maximize the concentrate yield. Two quadratic models were developed to correlate the flotation variables, including agitation speed, agitation time, and collector dosage. As a result, both responses and the predicted optimal results were obtained. The lowest ash content of 7.81% and the highest yield of 91.00% were achieved by using an agitation speed of 27,173 rpm, an agitation time of 20 min, and a collector dosage of 79 kg/t. The analysis of variance indicated that the models of concentrate ash content and concentrate yield were significant terms to both responses

Effect of slimes on the flotation recovery and kinetics of coal particles

To investigate the effect of slimes on the flotation recovery and kinetics of coal particles, batch flotation and flotation rate tests were carried out using flotation mixtures including slime particles and coal particles within 0.5-0.25 mm, 0.25-0.125 mm and 0.125-0.074 mm size ranges, respectively. Six flotation kinetic models were applied to fit all the flotation test results. It was found that both the flotation recovery and rate of coal particles decreased with the increase in the mass proportion of slime particles under the mixed flotation conditions, especially coarse coal particles. Compared with the flotation performance of coal particles in the individual flotation, slimes enhanced the flotation recovery of coal particles at a low mass proportion of slime particles. In contrast, slimes decreased the flotation recovery of coal particles at a high mass proportion of slime particles. Furthermore, for the coal particles in 0.5-0.25 mm size range, slimes increased its flotation rate at a low mass proportion of slime particles, otherwise slimes decreased its flotation rate. Slimes mainly improved the flotation rate of coal particles in 0.25-0.125 mm size range, while it primarily reduced flotation rate of coal particles in 0.125-0.074 mm size range

Effects of ultrasonic treatment on the particle size, shape and ash content of fine coal

The effects of ultrasonic treatment of different time on the particle size, morphology, ash content, and elementary composition of fine coal particles (74-45 μm) were investigated in this paper. The size reduction of coal particles induced by ultrasonic treatment was analyzed through the Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM) and the variation of mechanical pulverization mechanism was discussed. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) measurements showed that the sharp corners on coal particles was ground to round ones after ultrasonic treatment. This may be not conducive to coal flotation. It was also found that the ash content of 74-45 μm coal particles was increased gradually with the increase of ultrasonic time, while the ash content of -45 μm fraction was decreased. This was supported by the EDS measurements, indicating that the carbon content on the surfaces of 74-45 μm coal was reduced while the aluminium and silicon contents were increased after ultrasonic treatment

Stability theories of nanobubbles at solid-liquid interface: A review

As nanobubbles are of far-reaching application in interface science, mining science, medical treatment, sewage treatment and other fields, researchers have carried out considerable research on the properties and influencing factors of nanobubbles. However, the abnormal lifetime of nanobubbles-super stability is still an open question. According to the classical thermodynamic theories, bubbles at the nanoscale in water should be dissolved quickly, but a great number of research results in recent years indicate that nanobubbles can exist at the solid-liquid interface stably. The thorough understanding and mastery of the underlying stability mechanism of nanobubbles is the premise of the research and applications of nanobubbles. In this paper, the interfacial nanobubbles stability theories and models in recent ten years are reviewed, including contamination (impurity) theory, dynamic equilibrium theory and its extension theory, contact line pinning effect and nanobubbles internal pressure theory, etc. Furthermore, some suggestions for the future research on stability theories are proposed and the research focuses and development directions of nanobubbles in the future are also prospected

The role of polyaluminum chloride in kaolinite aggregation in the sequent coagulation and flocculation process

The role of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) in kaolinite aggregation is studied in this paper by the aggregation of kaolinite with the single and combined use of PAC and polyethylene oxide (PEO). The sequent coagulation and flocculation pattern with the combined use of PAC and PEO shows higher aggregation efficiency than that with the single use of PAC or PEO. In the sequent coagulation and flocculation pattern, the settling velocity and the Zeta potential of kaolinite steadily increase with the PAC concentration, which indicates that the role of PAC is to render the interaction between kaolinite and PEO rather than charge neutralization. This conclusion is supported by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, which shows steady increase of Al-OH group on kaolinite with the PAC concentration