Microfibrillar Polysaccharide-Derived Biochars as Sodium Benzoate Adsorbents

Microfibrillar biochars of chitin (CTF), chitosan (CSF), and cellulose (CLF) were fabricated via green homogenization and a pyrolysis process, and were subsequently explored as adsorbents for removing over-released sodium benzoate (SB) in aqueous systems. The structure, composition, morphology, and adsorption behavior of the as-fabricated biochars were characterized. Results suggest that all biochars, with a microscaled fibrillar structure and foam-like network morphology, underwent severe chemical transition during the pyrolysis process, thereby causing an enhancement of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, pore volume, and aromatic and carbonaceous composition. Consequently, N-doped porous CTF/CSF microfibrillar biochars displayed a distinguished capture capacity toward SB compared to that of their fibrillar precursors. Tailoring the chemical composition, porous structure, and sorption mechanism constitutes a possible strategy to achieve adequate structural effects of polysaccharide microfibrillar chars for potential application in environmental treatment or bioenergy

Data_Sheet_1_FIP1 Plays an Important Role in Nitrate Signaling and Regulates CIPK8 and CIPK23 Expression in Arabidopsis.DOCX

<p>Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of nitrate regulation and deciphering the underlying genetic network is vital for elucidating nitrate uptake and utilization in plants. Such knowledge could lead to the improvement of nitrogen-use efficiency in agriculture. Here, we report that the FIP1 gene (factor interacting with poly(A) polymerase 1) plays an important role in nitrate signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. FIP1 encodes a putative core component of the polyadenylation factor complex. We found that FIP1 interacts with the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 30-L (CPSF30-L), which is also an essential player in nitrate signaling. The induction of nitrate-responsive genes following nitrate treatment was inhibited in the fip1 mutant. The nitrate content was also reduced in fip1 seedlings due to their decreased nitrate uptake activity. Furthermore, the nitrate content was higher in the roots but lower in the roots of fip1, which may result from the downregulation of NRT1.8 and the upregulation of the nitrate assimilation genes. In addition, qPCR analyses revealed that FIP1 negatively regulated the expression of CIPK8 and CIPK23, two protein kinases involved in nitrate signaling. In the fip1 mutant, the increased expression of CIPK23 may affect nitrate uptake, resulting in its lower nitrate content. Genetic and molecular evidence suggests that FIP1 and CPSF30-L function in the same nitrate-signaling pathway, with FIP1 mediating signaling through its interaction with CPSF30-L and its regulation of CIPK8 and CIPK23. Analysis of the 3′-UTR of NRT1.1 showed that the pattern of polyadenylation sites was altered in the fip1 mutant. These findings add a novel component to the nitrate regulation network and enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms for nitrate signaling.</p

DataSheet1_Andrographolide contributes to spinal cord injury repair via inhibition of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation.ZIP

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common disorder of the central nervous system with considerable socio-economic burden. Andrographolide (Andro), the main active component of Andrographis paniculata, has exhibited neuroprotective effects in different models of neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Andro against SCI and explore the related mechanisms.Methods: SCI was induced in rats by the Allen method, and the modeled animals were randomly divided into sham-operated, SCI, SCI + normal saline (NS) and SCI + Andro groups. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with Andro (1 mg/kg) or the same volume of NS starting day one after the establishment of the SCI model for 28 consecutive days. Post-SCI tissue repair and functional recovery were evaluated by measuring the spinal cord water content, footprint tests, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining. Apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as axonal regeneration and remyelination were analyzed using suitable markers. The in vitro model of SCI was established by treating cortical neurons with H2O2. The effects of Andro on apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated as indicated.Results: Andro treatment significantly improved tissue repair and functional recovery after SCI by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation through the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf-2/HO-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, Andro treatment promoted M2 polarization of the microglial cells and contributed to axonal regeneration and remyelination to improve functional recovery after SCI. In addition, Andro also attenuated apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in H2O2-stimulated cortical neurons in vitro.Conclusion: Andro treatment alleviated SCI by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in the injured tissues and cortical neurons, and promoted axonal regeneration and remyelination for functional recovery.</p

Cobalt Single Atoms Immobilized N‑Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Bifunctional Catalysis toward Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Novel Co atoms immobilized carbon nanotubes (CoSAs@CNTs) are synthesized by structural engineering of the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) upon treatment with dicyandiamide (DCD). A unique morphology and promising electrochemical performance are shown by the Co atoms immobilized CNTs. The electrocatalyst remarkably exhibits a highly positive onset potential of 0.99 V and half-wave potential of 0.86 V, both even more positive than the commercial Pt/C catalyst, and the current density is also greater than that of the Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media. A decent performance is observed in acidic media also. The electrocatalyst is extraordinarily stable to harsh environments. A promising performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is demonstrated by the electrocatalyst, while for bifunctional electrocatalysis a small overvoltage of 0.78 V is observed with onset potential at the lower overpotential of 300 mV announcing the advantage of its usage for practical energy conversion and storage systems. This novel study may provide a new road map for fuel cell technology