Sodium Sulfate Research Articles

Regulation of Colonic Inflammation and Macrophage Homeostasis of IFN-γ-Primed Canine AMSCs in Experimental Colitis in Mice

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown potential in treating immune-mediated diseases due to their immunomodulatory properties, which can be enhanced by priming with inflammatory cytokines like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of IFN-γ-primed canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AMSCs) in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Canine AMSCs were primed with 50 ng/mL recombinant canine IFN-γ for 48 h, and the effects were compared to those seen in naïve (unprimed) AMSCs. IBD was induced in mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), and AMSCs were injected intraperitoneally on days 1 and 3. The mice treated with IFN-γ-primed AMSCs showed improved clinical outcomes, including a reduced disease activity index (DAI), less body weight loss, and longer colon length compared to the mice treated with naïve AMSCs. A histological analysis revealed less damage to the intestinal structures and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. IFN-γ priming led to a shift in the immune cell balance in the gut, decreasing pro-inflammatory macrophages (Ly6Chi) and increasing anti-inflammatory macrophages (Ly6Clo/MHC-IIhi). This was associated with the reduced expression of inflammatory cytokine genes (Il-1β, Il-6, and Il-18) and increased expression of the intestinal stem cell marker Lgr5. These findings suggest that IFN-γ-primed AMSCs offer enhanced therapeutic potential for treating CE in veterinary medicine.

Reduction of limonite ore from South Sulawesi with additive Na2SO4 using carbon monoxide

ABSTRACT This study utilised a selective reduction method to generate ferronickel from limonitic ore, followed by a magnetic separation stage. The research explored the kinetics and the influence of time and temperature on nickel content and recovery. Sodium sulfate was incorporated as an additive, and carbon monoxide (CO) gas served as the reductant in a vertical tube furnace. Magnetic separation employed a permanent magnet set at 500 G. Reduction took place at temperatures of 900°C, 1000°C, and 1100°C, with varying durations from 30 min to 180 min. Optimal recovery and nickel grade were achieved at 1100°C for 180 min, reaching 70.07% and 8.49%, respectively. Increasing the reduction temperature and time correlated with enhanced recovery and nickel grade.

The Use of Phosphonates to Inhibit Salt Crystallization: A Laboratory Study for the Sustainable Conservation of Mural Paintings in the Hypogea Context

This research is focused on the laboratory study of salt crystallization inhibitor products as new materials for conservation treatments which can be applied to mortars and painted plasters; as is well known, salt crystallization is one of the most frequent causes of decay processes on decorated architectural surfaces in a wide range of environments. Specifically, the study targets the field of the preventive conservation of mural paintings within rupestrian heritage sites. For the first time, systematic investigations were performed on mock-ups made of plaster painted with two different pigments: yellow ochre and carbon black. Two types of phosphonate inhibitors, PBTC (2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid) and ATMP (aminotris (methylene phosphonic acid)), were chosen and applied at two different concentrations. Given the limited literature available, and the presence of pigments potentially sensitive to treatment with salt inhibitors, preliminary tests were required. Their effects on the chromatic features of the pigments were evaluated visually and using colorimetry. The changes in the behaviour of water circulation in the mortar resulting from the treatments were evaluated through water vapour permeability and absorption tests. Accelerated crystallization experiments were carried out to assess how inhibitors could influence the growth of salts and the resulting material damage. The latter was carried out by employing sodium sulphate and calcium sulphate solutions, quantifying the damage to the specimens through material loss in weight and the percentage of painted surface loss. Based on the overall results, the product with the best performance was identified was ATMP 0.1% (by volume) in deionized water. The obtained results show that salt inhibitor treatments are promising for in situ application and could represent an innovative approach to promote the sustainable conservation of mural painting, particularly those located in hypogeal contexts, where the salt supply cannot be removed and slowing the growth of salts and/or changing their crystalline habitus may be effective in limiting their damage.

Boosting MgO hydration through sodium bicarbonate: Enhancing the strength of MgO-calcined clay cementitious materials

The slow early strength development of MgO-calcined clay cementitious materials poses significant challenges in meeting industrial requirements, thereby limiting their large-scale application. To address this issue, this study employed 1 wt% of sodium bicarbonate to activate the MgO-calcined clay cementitious materials and compared its effectiveness with that of two commonly used early strength agents: calcium chloride and sodium sulfate. The results demonstrated that sodium bicarbonate promoted strength development more effectively than both calcium chloride and sodium sulfate. This enhanced performance was attributed to the superior ability of sodium bicarbonate to facilitate the dissolution of the Mg(OH)2 surface layer formed during the hydration of MgO. Consequently, the reactivity of MgO was improved, leading to the formation of more hydration products. This study provides a pathway for the activation and application of MgO-calcined clay cementitious materials.

Earliest Ancient Maya salt production in southern Belize: excavations at Jay-yi Nah

Salt works along the Yucatan coasts of Mexico and Belize provide a record of salt production for inland trade during the height of Late Classic Maya civilisation (AD 550–800). At the Paynes Creek Salt Works in Belize, production focused on the creation of salt cakes by boiling brine in pots supported over fires in dedicated salt kitchens. Underwater excavations at the Early Classic (AD 250–550) site of Jay-yi Nah now indicate there was a longer and evolving tradition of salt making in the area, one that initially employed large, incurved bowls to meet local or down-the-line trade needs before inland demand for salt soared.

Effect of alkali metal sulfates on hydration properties of alpha-calcium sulfate hemihydrate for 3D printing

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology is an important means of achieving decorative convenience, personalization, and functional integration for future building construction. However, the setting time and hydration process of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (HH) present chanllenges for the 3DP application. This study aims to investigate the accelerating effect of alkali metal sulfates accelerators on the hydration transformation of HH into calcium sulfate dihydrate (DH). The setting time, conductivity, Ca2+ ion concentration, size distribution, and zeta (ζ) potential of gypsum slurries with different accelerators were measured. The results demonstrated that the accelerators significantly enhanced the hydration process of αlpha-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-HH). On the effect of accelerators, the setting times of gypsum slurries containing 30 wt% lithium sulfate (LS), sodium sulfate (NS) and potassium sulfate (KS) were accelerated by 82.56 %, 86.06 % and 97.13 %, respectively, compared to the control sample. The crystal particle sizes of hydration products decreased, and the absolute values of ζ potential increased to 1.85 mV, 3.1 mV, and 5.3 mV, respectively. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed a shift in the peak values of the hardened specimens towards higher electric fields. This was accompanied by improved ion dispersion within the slurry, resulting in enhanced supersaturation of calcium sulfate dihydrate and crystallization of the crystal nuclei. Thus, the suitable accelerators can effectively achieve rapid solidification and hardening of high-fluidity gypsum slurries.

The gut microbiota is essential for Trichinella spiralis-evoked suppression of colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases the risk of colorectal cancer, and it has the potential to diminish the quality of life. Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrate protective aspects of parasitic helminth infection against IBD. However, studies on the inhibition of inflammation by helminth infection have overlooked a key determinant of health: the gut microbiota. Although infection with helminths induces alterations in the host microbiota composition, the potential influence and mechanism of helminth infections induced changes in the gut microbiota on the development of IBD has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the intersection of helminth Trichinella spiralis and gut bacteria in the regulation of colitis and related mechanisms. T. spiralis infected mice were treated with antibiotics or cohoused with wild type mice, then challenged with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-colitis and disease severity, immune responses and goblet cells assessed. Gut bacteria composition was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured. We found that protection against disease by infection with T. spiralis was abrogated by antibiotic treatment, and cohousing with T. spiralis- infected mice suppressed DSS-colitis in wild type mice. Bacterial community profiling revealed an increase in the abundance of the bacterial genus Muribaculum and unclassified_Muribaculaceae in mice with T. spiralis infection or mice cohoused with T. spiralis- infected mice. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated significantly increased propionic acid in feces from T. spiralis- infected mice. Data also showed that the gut microbiome modulated by T. spiralis exhibited enhanced goblet cell differentiation and elevated IL-10 levels in mice. These findings identify the gut microbiome as a critical component of the anti- colitic effect of T. spiralis and gives beneficial insights into the processes by which helminth alleviates colitis.

Cyclomodulins-harboring Escherichia coli isolated from obese and normal-weight subjects induces intestinal dysplasia in a mouse model.

Recently, cyclomodulins have been identified in Escherichia coli (E. coli), which can induce dysplastic damage. This work aimed to determine the dysplastic activity of cyclomodulin-harboring E. coli isolated from CRC patients, obese and normal-weight subjects in a mouse model. Forty-two mice were pretreated with streptomycin, azoxymethane, and dextran sodium sulfate. Mice were infected with E. coli pks + isolated from a CRC patient, with E. coli pks + cif + isolated from obese or normal-weight subjects, or with E. coli HB101. The presence of cyclomodulin-harboring E. coli in the feces, weight loss, changes in fecal consistency, and the presence of blood in the feces were monitored and used to assess the disease activity index (DAI). After 62 days, the mice were sacrificed to evaluate the presence of intestinal polyps and dysplastic damage by histologic sections. Cyclomodulin-harboring E. coli colonized the mice; these mice exhibited weight loss and watery diarrhea, and isolated normal-weight E. coli had a higher DAI. Polyps were observed in mice infected with cyclomodulin-harboring E. coli in the ileum but to a greater extent in obese isolates. E. coli isolated from CRC showed more significant endothelial damage associated with dysplasia in the ileum in equal proportions from obese and normal-weight isolates. In conclusion, E. coli harboring cyclomodulins isolated from CRC, obesity, or normal weight can cause dysplastic damage in the ileum of mice and may be a risk factor for CRC development.

Mechanical Properties and Microscopic Mechanism of Steel Slag, Sodium Sulfate and Cement Stabilized Road Demolition Waste

When recycled aggregate (RA) from road demolition waste is used as a road base, its engineering performance tends to be poor and requires stabilization. Cement is the most commonly used stabilizer, but it is a high energy consuming product. Therefore, in this article, steel slag powder (SP) and sodium sulfate (SS) are used to replace part of cement to stabilize crushed stone (RCS). The effects of SP content, SS content and curing age on the mechanical properties and microstructure of cement stabilized aggregates were studied using unconfined compression, triaxial shear, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. The results show that appropriate SP and SS adding improve the compressive strength of RCS, and the RCS strength reaches its maximum when the SP content was 10%. Moreover, the SS addition can further enhance the strength of cement+SP stabilized RA, a maximum strength was obtained when the SS content is 1.5%. The shear strength of specimen was enhanced by SP and SS its increasing its cohesion. SP promote the hydration reaction and fills the pores in the RCS specimen, while SS can stimulate SP to accelerate the SP hydration reaction in the SP stabilized RCS specimen, thus further improving the strength of the stabilized RA, and generating gels such as C-S-H gel, C-A-H gel, C-A-S-H gel in the cement stabilized RA with SP+SS powder.

Microstructural evolution and high temperature hot corrosion behaviour of AlCoCrFeNiTi high-entropy alloy coatings

The fuels used contain undesirable impurities such as Na, V, K, S, and Mg in gas turbine engines. These impurities react with hot components under service conditions, leading to the deterioration of the thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) structure and the formation of hot corrosion damage. In this study, metallic powders containing CoNiCrAlY were deposited as bond coat on Inconel 718 superalloy material using high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coating technique. High entropy alloy (HEA) powder containing AlCoCrFeNiTi was synthesized as coating material using mechanical alloying (MA) method. AlCoCrFeNiTi powders were produced using atmospheric plasma spray (APS) coating technique. The produced coating system was subjected to hot corrosion tests at 700 °C and 800 °C temperatures for different time periods in corrosive environment conditions containing Na2SO4 (sodium sulfate) and V2O5 (vanadium pentoxide). Hot corrosion behavior of the coating system was determined, damage formations and degradation processes were investigated in detail. As a result of the determination and synthesis of HEA powder materials, production of coatings, experimental studies and hot corrosion test studies under service conditions, it was seen that the Ti-containing AlCoCrFeNi HEA coating system has usable qualities without any damage such as cracking, buckling or spalling.

Distribution and Evaporation Characteristics of Rb and Cs in Complex Salt Brine Systems

The brine in salt lakes is rich in resources, including not only K, Mg, and B, but also valuable trace elements. During the enrichment and extraction of trace elements (Rb, Cs) from sodium sulfate subtype salt lake brines, the process is significantly influenced by the presence of other coexisting ions such as Li+, K+, and Mg2+.The physical and chemical properties of K+ are extremely similar to those of Rb+ and Cs+, and its impact on the extraction of Rb+ and Cs+ is particularly significant. When K+, Rb+, and Cs+ coexist, they can form solid solutions such as [(K, Rb)2SO4], [(K, Cs)2SO4], and [(Rb, Cs)2SO4]. The formation of these solid solutions can lead to severe losses of Rb and Cs during the evaporation process of the brine, resulting in low yield. In response to the aforementioned issues regarding the evaporation process of Rb and Cs, this paper uses the aqueous-salt system phase diagram as a guide and combines experimental research with simulation calculations to study the enrichment patterns of trace elements Rb and Cs in the Na+, K+//Cl-, CO32-, SO42--H2O aqueous-salt system, as well as the migration mechanism of Rb and Cs.

Diallyl trisulfide alleviates dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via ROS/Trx-1 pathway.

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a sulphur-containing compound isolated from the medicinal food plant garlic, has been previously reported to attenuate experimental colitis induced by either dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be identified. In this study, we deciphered the key mechanism by which DATS alleviates ulcerative colitis (UC). We showed that oral administration of DATS for 10 consecutive days greatly restrained the infiltration of macrophages and the pathological changes in colonic tissues of mice with DSS-induced colitis. DATS treatment notably dampened the content of IL-1β and IL-18 and suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in colon. Mechanistically, DATS effectively diminished the generation of ROS in macrophages. The suppressive effect of DATS on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and downregulation of IL-18 and IL-1β levels was blunted by xanthine oxidase. Further studies revealed that DATS inhibited NF-κB pathway activation by suppressing the expression of Trx-1, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Trx-1 overexpression and interference in macrophages promoted and diminished NLRP3 inflammasome activation, respectively. In summary, garlic and its main active ingredient DATS have potentials to prevent and treat UC, and DATS functions by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via Trx-1/ROS pathway.

Effects of water-insoluble wheat bran-fraction powder on disease activity and caecal microbiota in dextran sodium sulphate-induced inflammatory bowel disease mouse model.

Water-soluble arabinoxylan exerts anti-colitic effect and exhibits ameliorative activity in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse model. Water soluble fibre from wheat bran (WB) also exhibits anti-colitic effect. However, arabinoxylan is a primary compound of insoluble polysaccharide (hemicellulose) in WB. This study aimed to clarify the anti-IBD effects of the WB water-soluble (WBS) and water-insoluble (WBI) fractions. WB suspension was autoclaved and fractionated to WBS and WBI. C57BL/6 mice were divided into control (CT), dextran sodium sulphate (DSS), WBI, and WBS groups. They were fed as follows from day 1: CT, standard diet and distilled water; DSS and WBI, 3% (w/v) DSS in drinking water; WBI, 8% (w/w) WBI diet; and WBS, 50% (v/v) WBS and 3% (w/v) DSS in water. DSS group mice showed diarrhoea, body weight reduction, and blood in faeces by day 5 and colon tissue damage by day 6. These inflammatory indices were significantly inhibited by treatment with WBI. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rDNA (V4) gene of the caecal contents of the CT, DSS, and WBI groups showed that the abundances of Escherichia, Allobaculum, and Bacteroidaceae increased and that of Faecalibaculum decreased in the DSS group. KEGG pathway prediction showed that amino acid metabolism and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis decreased and increased, respectively, in the DSS group. However, WBI treatment tended to suppress these effects. WBI, rather than WBS, reduces inflammation and maintains the gut microbiota. However, further studies are warranted to elucidate the properties of the WBI active components and efficacy of WBI metabolites on gut microbiota, particularly on Faecalibaculum.

Unveiling the therapeutic potential and mechanism of inulin in DSS-induced colitis mice

Inulin has been reported to alleviate colitis. In this study, colitis patients' feces were used to simulate fermentation to demonstrate changes in the microbiota profile in the presence of inulin. We found inulin can reshape the gut microbiota profile of colitis patients, especially by altering the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Blautia. Interestingly, the subsequent co-culture with inulin demonstrated that inulin promoted the growth of these two strains of bacteria. The dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse model was used to examine the effect of inulin and its combination with two probiotics on colitis. Results showed that all three treatments can alleviate the clinical symptoms, including weight-losing, colon-shortening, and the Disease Activity Index (DAI) score. Further investigations showed that the administrations regulate colitis mice's pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17. Also, they alter the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Blautia, change the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profile in the cecum and colon, and improve the intestinal barrier; specifically, the intervention increased the expressions of Claudin, Occludin, Zonula Occludens (ZO)-1, and Mucin (MUC)-2 in colonic tissues, thus restoring the colonic tissue structure and morphology of colitis mice. Collectively, our results confirm that inulin can alter the colitis patients' characteristic microbial community, and they can ameliorate experimental colitis by inhibiting the TRL4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway—improving the inflammatory response and enhancing the intestinal barrier. In conclusion, we propose that inulin may hold promise as a functional food therapeutic approach for the treatment of colitis.

Glycyrrhizic acid and patchouli alcohol in Huoxiang Zhengqi attenuate intestinal inflammation and barrier injury via regulating endogenous corticosterone metabolism mediated by 11β-HSD1

Ethnopharmacological relevanceUlcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, has become a significant public health challenge due to the limited effectiveness of available therapies. Huoxiang Zhengqi (HXZQ), a well-established traditional Chinese formula, shows potential in managing UC, as suggested by clinical and pharmacological studies. However, the active components and mechanisms responsible for its effects remain unclear. Aim of studyThis study aimed to identify the bioactive components of HXZQ responsible for its therapeutic effects on UC and to elucidate their underlying mechanisms. Materials and methodsThe effect of HXZQ against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) -induced colitis was investigated. Ingredients in HXZQ were characterized and analyzed in colitic mice using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In vitro, biological activity of compounds was assessed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Ana-1 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced Caco-2 cells, and isolated intestinal crypts from colitic mice. These results were confirmed in vivo. The targets of the components were identified through bioinformatics analysis and validated via molecular docking, enzyme inhibition assays, and in vivo experiments. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were employed to confirm the pharmaceutical effects. ResultsA clinical equivalent dose of HXZQ (2.5 mL/kg) effectively treated DSS-induced colitis. 113 compounds were identified in HXZQ, with 35 compounds detected in colitic mice. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and patchouli alcohol (PA) emerged as key contributors to the anti-colitic effects of HXZQ. Further investigation revealed that HXZQ and its active components decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in colon, likely by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. This inhibition indirectly activated the intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling pathway, correcting bile acid imbalances caused by colitis. Additionally, these components significantly enhanced the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin, as well as the adhesion protein E-cadherin, and reduced goblet cell loss, thereby repairing intestinal barrier injury. Mechanistically, GA and PA were found to inhibit 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) activity, leading to increased local active corticosterone levels in the intestine to exert anti-inflammatory effects. Notably, the inhibition of 11β-HSD1 with the selective inhibitor BVT ameliorated colitis in mice. ConclusionsHXZQ exhibits therapeutic effects on UC, primarily through GA and PA inhibiting 11β-HSD1. This suggests new natural therapy approaches for UC and positions 11β-HSD1 as a potential target for colitis treatment.

The combination of FLCWK with 5-FU inhibits colon cancer and multidrug resistance by activating PXR to suppress the IL-6/STAT3 pathway.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a preferred chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of colon cancer. Nonetheless, its clinical effectiveness is frequently hampered by suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and the emergence of drug resistance. Therefore, there exists a pressing demand for novel therapeutic agents to circumvent chemoresistance. The pregnane X receptor (PXR) exerts a pivotal regulatory influence on the proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance mechanisms in colon cancer. Activation of PXR drives up the transcription of the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1), thus prompting the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) responsible for conferring tumour resistance. This study scrutinized the potential of Fengliao Changweikang (FLCWK) in augmenting the efficacy of 5-FU in the management of colon cancer. To this end, we engineered colon cancer cells with varied levels of PXR expression via lentiviral transfection, subsequently validating the findings in nude mice. By means of MTT assays, flow cytometry apoptosis analysis, Western blotting and immunofluorescence, we probed into the prospective impacts of FLCWK and 5-FU on cellular viability and resistance. Our results revealed that while upregulation of PXR amplified the therapeutic benefits in colon cancer treatment, it concurrently heightened resistance levels. FLCWK demonstrated a capacity to reduce P-gp expression, with the combined administration of FLCWK and 5-FU effectively reversing resistance mechanisms. Furthermore, activation of PXR was found to impede the IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway. In an effort to mimic the development of colon cancer, we established an azomethane oxide (AOM)/ dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse model, showing that FLCWK bolstered the inhibitory effects of 5-FU, impeding the progression of colon cancer. In summation, our findings point towards the potential of FLCWK in the treatment of colon cancer, particularly in strengthening the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU in the prevention and control of the disease.

The MicroRNA miR-223 Constrains Colitis-associated Tumorigenesis by Limiting Myeloid Cell Infiltration and Chemokine Expression.

Aberrant intestinal inflammation plays a critical role in the development of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), yet the mechanisms controlling tumor development by the myeloid immune compartment are not fully understood. Although altered microRNA expression is observed in CAC, it is also unclear how myeloid-specific microRNAs impact the inflammatory process that underpins the continuum from ulcerative colitis to tumorigenesis. In this study, we report that miR-223 acts to limit myeloid-driven inflammation in the azoxymethane (AOM)-dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model of CAC in mice. In this model, miR-223-/y mice present with significantly larger tumors with an enhanced proliferative signature. Immunoprofiling showed that miR-223-/y mice have significantly increased colonic myeloid immune infiltrate (neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages) following AOM-DSS. This was accompanied by an increased inflammatory chemokine and cytokine signature for monocytes and neutrophils. Bone marrow chimera studies demonstrate that myeloid-expressed miR-223 is responsible for the enhanced tumor proliferation and inflammatory response. RNA sequencing identified several pathways that could be contributing to the development of CAC in miR-223-/y mice, including the IL-6/IL-17a cytokine family and STAT3 signaling. Lastly, neutrophil depletion with an anti-GR1 Ab (Ly6G/Ly6C) during the initial phase of the AOM-DSS model reduced the tumor burden in miR-223-/y mice. Collectively, our data indicate that miR-223 is an important regulator of mucosal inflammation and acts to constrain the progression from ulcerative colitis to CAC by limiting myeloid-associated inflammation.

Study on the electrochemical oxidation mechanism of sulfamethoxazole using three-dimensional boron-doped diamond

In this study, we prepared a novel three-dimensional boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. Subsequently, we systematically conducted an electrochemical oxidation reaction on sulfamethoxazole (SMX) using a BDD anode and a platinum plate (Pt) cathode. The effects of initial concentration, current density, initial pH, and carrier electrolyte on SMX degradation were investigated. The SMX was completely removed after 4 h of electrolysis at a current density of 30 mA/cm2, 0.1 mol sodium sulphate as the supporting electrolyte, and a pH of 7. Additionally, the COD removal rate was 65.6 %, while the energy consumption was 40.1 %. Compared with two-dimensional BDD electrode degradation, the energy saving was 54 %. Density functional theory (DFT) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to analyse the SMX degradation mechanism. Three possible degradation pathways were proposed: ·OH substitution of the amino group in the aromatic ring, oxidation of the amino group to nitrogen dioxide, and addition of ·OH to the isoxazole ring. The active sites detected in the reaction corresponded closely with the calculated results using DFT. Moreover, ECOSAR toxicity analysis was applied to evaluate the toxicity of the intermediates produced during electrolysis. We discovered that the toxicity of SMX and its intermediates decreased significantly during electrolysis.

Exploring the impacts of liquid accelerators on sulfate resistance and calcium leaching behavior of wet-mixed shotcrete

The performance of shotcrete used in underground tunnel construction is often compromised by the challenging service environment, causing severe deterioration and structural integrity concerns. Developing high-quality accelerating agents can be a viable approach to mitigate this effect. This study formulates alkali-free fluorine-free (AF-I); alkali-free fluorine-containing (AF-II); and low-alkaline (AC) liquid accelerators and explores their impacts on sulfate resistance and calcium leaching behavior of shotcrete, utilizing semi-immersion and short-term tank water testing protocols on a time-resolved basis. Microstructural analysis of eroded shotcrete was conducted employing XRD, TGA and SEM to reveal underlying mechanisms. Additionally, ionic analyses of simulated leaching systems, including groundwater and 5% sodium sulfate solution were performed using ICP-OES to monitor calcium activity and assess leaching behaviors. Results indicate that shotcrete accelerated with AF-II exhibits the strongest resistance, whereas shotcrete with AC suffers the severest deterioration. The primary deterioration mechanism of shotcrete with AC was majorly due to high ettringite and gypsum corrosion, whereas AF-I and AF-II induces little ettringite corrosion. In terms of leaching behavior, AF-II demonstrates superior calcium leaching mitigation, with leachability indices in groundwater and sodium sulfate solution measuring 0.06 and 0.19, and 0.02 and 0.16 higher values, respectively, compared to AF-I and AC. Findings of this study provide valuable insights into the application and performance of shotcrete in sulfate-prone environments, aiming to mitigate potential deterioration through optimal accelerator selection.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus 1.0320 Postbiotics Ameliorate Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colonic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Regulating the Intestinal Barrier and Gut Microbiota.

Probiotics are increasingly being used as an adjunctive therapy for ulcerative colitis. However, some safety issues have been found in the clinical use of probiotics. Postbiotics have attracted much attention due to their storage stability, safety, and potential functions, but the dose required to exert a significant protective effect is unknown. Therefore, this study evaluated the potential mechanisms of different doses (200, 400, 600 mg/kg) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 1.0320 postbiotics (1.0320P) in alleviating dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. The study revealed that 1.0320P could mitigate DSS-induced colitis with signs of reductions in the disease activity index, amelioration of colon tissue damage, decreased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, reduced oxidative stress levels, and lower bone marrow peroxidase activity. Furthermore, high dose of 1.0320P could upregulated the expression of key proteins in the Nrf2/ARE pathway (NQO1, Nrf2, and HO-1) and downregulated the expression of key proteins in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway (TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65). In addition, high dose of 1.0320P could upregulate the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins including ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1, contributing to the restoration of the intestinal mucosal barrier function. Additionally, 1.0320P was found to effectively correct imbalances in the intestinal microbiota and enhance the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), thereby regulating homeostasis in the intestinal internal environment. Overall, our findings suggest that postbiotics could ameliorate colonic inflammation while being somewhat dose-dependent. This study provides new insights into postbiotics as a next-generation biotherapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and even other diseases.