Mechanism Of Activation Research Articles

Co-doped Zr-UiO-66-NH2@carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals/PAN membrane for oil/water separation with photocatalysis-PMS synergistic self-cleaning and antibacterial activity

The development of superwetting membranes is a promising approach for separating emulsified oily wastewater. However, challenges such as low flux without external pressure and membrane fouling have hindered membrane performance. Herein, we fabricated a novel nanofibrous membrane by grafting Co-doped Zr-UiO-66-NH2 (UiO(Zr/Co)) nanoparticles onto carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CCNC)-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) mixed matrix electrospinning membrane via chemical bonds through EDC/NHS reaction. CCNC served a dual purpose by enhancing membrane hydrophilicity and providing connection points for UiO(Zr/Co). The as-prepared UiO(Zr/Co)@CCNC/PAN exhibited superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic and anti-fouling properties. The membrane demonstrated excellent demulsification and gravity-driven separation capabilities for various oil-in-water emulsions, with superior permeation flux (1588–2557 L m−2 h−1) and separation efficiency (above 99 %). Furthermore, UiO (Zr/Co)@CCNC/PAN could activate peroxomonosulfate (PMS) under visible light to remove both high viscous crude oil-fouling and bio-fouling, exhibiting impressive photocatalytic self-cleaning and antibacterial activity. The generation of reactive radicals (O2−, OH and SO4−) and non-radical (1O2) species in UiO(Zr/Co)@CCNC/PAN+PMS system through multiple pathways was confirmed. Additionally, the band structure of UiO(Zr/Co) and synergistic photocatalytic-PMS activation mechanism were investigated. This work provides new insights into the design and fabrication of MOF modified superwetting nanofibrous membrane with inherent bonding, high permeation flux, anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties.

The neurotrophic factor artemin and its receptor GFRα3 mediate migraine-like pain via the ion channel TRPM8

Background Migraine has a strong genetic foundation, including both monogenic and polygenic types. The former are rare, with most migraine considered polygenic, supported by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identifying numerous genetic variants linked with migraine risk. Surprisingly, some of the most common mutations are associated with transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a non-selective cation channel that is the primary sensor of cold temperatures in cutaneous primary afferents of the somatosensory system. However, it is unlikely that the temperature sensitivity of TRPM8 is relevant in migraine-related tissues, such as the meninges, suggesting other activation mechanisms underly its role in migraine pathogenesis. Thus, to define the basis of the channel's involvement, we reasoned that cellular processes that increase cold sensitivity in the skin, such as the neurotrophic factor artemin, via its receptor glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha-3 (GFRα3), also mediate TRPM8-associated migraine-like pain in the meninges. Methods To investigate the role of artemin and GFRα3 in preclinical rodent migraine models, we infused nitroglycerin acutely and chronically, and measured changes in periorbital and hind paw mechanical sensitivity in male and female mice lacking GFRα3, after neutralization of free artemin with specific monoclonal antibodies, or by systemic treatment with a TRPM8-specific antagonist. Further, in mice lacking GFRα3 we tested the effects of supradural infusions of a mix of inflammatory mediators, as well as tested if dura stimulation with artemin or a TRPM8-specific agonist induce migraine-related pain in mice. Results We find that mechanical allodynia induced by systemic nitroglycerin, or supradural infusion of inflammatory mediators, involves GFRα3. In addition, neutralization of circulating artemin reduces the nitroglycerin phenotype, demonstrating the importance of this neurotrophic pathway in headaches. Further, we show TRPM8 expression in the meninges, and that direct supradural infusion of either a TRPM8-specific agonist or artemin itself produces mechanical allodynia, with the latter dependent on TRPM8 and ameliorated by concurrent treatment with sumatriptan. Conclusions These results indicate that neuroinflammatory events in the meninges can produce migraine-like pain in mice via artemin and GFRα3, likely acting upstream of TRPM8, providing a novel pathway that may contribute to headaches or migraine pathogenesis.

Study on the mechanism of methane activation on Co-based catalysts with variable valence

Methane is an important hydrocarbon gas that plays a key role in energy production and utilization. In this study, the mechanism of methane activation on Co (100), CoO (100), and Co3O4 (110) surfaces is thoroughly analyzed using density functional theory, revealing the performance differences in methane activation due to different valence states of cobalt. On the Co (100) surface, methane dehydrogenation mainly proceeds through direct dehydrogenation and O-assisted dehydrogenation, with the O-assisted dehydrogenation having a higher energy barrier. The energy barrier on the CoO (100) surface is significantly higher than that on the Co (100) surface, thus it is not favorable for methane activation. In contrast, the energy barrier for methane dissociation and dehydrogenation on Co3O4 (110) is the lowest, with Co3+ exhibiting the best catalytic performance. Additionally, the activation effect of Co2+ sites on methane is similar to that on the CoO (100) surface, and is less effective than Co0 and Co3+, indicating that the Co2+ and Co3+ on the Co3O4 (110) surface do not show a significant synergistic effect in catalytic reactions. These research findings help to reveal the mechanistic role of different cobalt valence states in methane activation at the atomic level, providing important guidance for the design of efficient methane catalytic conversion catalysts.

Severe chronic spontaneous urticaria responding and not responding to omalizumab: analysis of the prognostic value of known and novel in-vitro variables.

Background. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) response to anti-IgE treatment can be rapid, late or absent. Recently, potential mechanisms of activation of mast cells alternative to FceRI, including mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), activation of coagulation cascade, and activation of eosinophils have been described. We measured several potential in-vitro markers, including well-known MRGPRX2 activators, in sera of patients CSU both responding and not responding to omalizumab. Methods. D-dimer, substance P (SP), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), soluble MRGPRX2, IgE anti-FceRI, IgE anti-FceRII, IgG anti-FceRI and IgG anti-FceRII were measured in 32 patients with severe CSU at baseline and one week after the start of omalizumab therapy, and in 20 healthy controls. Results. At baseline CSU patients showed significantly higher levels of D-dimer, IgE anti-FceRI, IgG anti-FceRI, and ECP (p < 0.001 in all cases), and significantly lower levels of soluble MRGPRX2 (p = 0.009) than controls. The two groups showed similar levels of IgG and IgE to FceRII and SP. One week after the first omalizumab administration there was a significant drop of IgE anti-FceRI (p < 0.001) and D-dimer (p = 0.028), in early responders. SP increased in all CSU patients (p < 0.001) irrespective of the final response to omalizumab. IgE anti-FceRI response at one week was associated with the final response to omalizumab (OR:0.12 [95%CI 0.01-1.06]). Conclusions. Severe CSU is associated with high plasma levels of several biomarkers including D-dimer, IgE anti-FceRI, IgG anti-FceRI and ECP and low levels of soluble MRGPRX2. IgE anti-FceRI response at one week may predict the final response to omalizumab.

Study on High-Temperature Activated Products and Hydration Properties of Aga Soil in Tibet for Cement Concrete.

In order to impart the properties of cementitious material to the Tibetan Agar soil, two high-temperature activation mechanisms (HTMA, HTMB) were designed in this study, and the products and hydration-hardening properties of Tibetan Agar soil high-temperature activation mechanism were analyzed by means of SEM, XRD, and XRF. The results show that the main components of Tibetan Aga soil are calcite and quartz; Aga soil is activated by HTMA high-temperature activation, forming the main products of CaO, C2S, CaSiO3, and CaAl2Si2O8, and its products have both air-hardening and water-hardening characteristics; Aga soil is activated by HTMB high-temperature activation, and when the temperature reaches 1250 °C when the clinker is not found in the CaO, the generation of C2S, C3S, C3A, C4AF, and Mg2SiO4 minerals with good water-hardening cementitious properties occurs when the temperature rises to 1350 °C, although the formation of some inert minerals that do not have the cementitious properties, but this temperature activation products of the thermodynamic properties of the best; Enhancing the value of lime saturation degree (KH) and silicon rate (SM) can promote the formation of the products of the C2S and C3S, increase the reactivity of the Aga soil activation products, and increase the hydration heat as well as compressive and flexural strength, combined with the results of the hydration heat and mechanical test, KH is recommended to be 0.9~0.94, SM is recommended to be 1.8~2.4, and alumina ratio (IM) is recommended to be 1.8~2.4 when Aga soil is used with raw materials.

Vertical Alveolar Ridge Regeneration by Means of Periosteal Activation-A Proof-of-Principle Study.

To assess the possibility of vertical alveolar ridge augmentation by means of activation of the periosteum. Six adult male Beagle dogs were used for the study. All premolars and first molars were extracted, and one vertical saucer-shaped bony defect was created on each side of the mandible. After 3 months of healing, full-thickness muco-periosteal flaps were elevated, and one distraction device was placed on each side of the mandible. The distraction plate was left submerged, and the activation mechanism connected to the distraction rod was exposed intra-orally. The protocol of periosteal activation (PP: periosteal 'pumping') was initiated after a latency of 7 days. The alternation of activation and relaxation at the rate of 0.35 mm/12 h during 5 days was followed by the sole activation of 0.35 mm/12 h for 5 days (PP group). Devices were left inactivated on the contralateral control side of the mandible (C group). All animals were euthanized after 8 weeks of consolidation. Samples were analysed histologically and by means of micro-CT. New mature lamellar bone was formed over the pristine bone in all groups. More intensive signs of bone modelling and remodelling were observed in the PP group compared to the C group. Mean new bone, bone marrow, connective tissue and total volumetric densities were greater in the PP group (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). No differences were observed in the relative area parameters. Total tissue volume and bone volume were higher in the PP group (p = 0.031 and p = 0.076, respectively), while the bone mineral densities were higher in the C group (p = 0.041 and p = 0.003, respectively). Trabecular number, trabecular thickness and trabecular separation values were similar between the two groups. Regeneration of vertical alveolar bone ridge defects may be enhanced by activation of the periosteum, without the application of bone grafting materials.

Insights into sulfamethazine degradation by peroxymonosulfate activation using H2 reduced hematite in high-salinity wastewater: Performances and mechanisms

Sulfamethazine (SMT) is recognized as a persistent, bioaccumulate, and toxic antibiotic pollutant that is difficult to be completely eliminated through traditional wastewater treatment methods. Although advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) have demonstrated potential in degrading SMT, the lack of inexpensive and efficient PMS activators remains a significant obstacle for its practical application. In this study, we present the synthesis of a highly effective PMS activator, the naturally-occurring minerals-based material − H2– reduced hematite (HRH), on an industrial scale using a fluidized bed reactor. Impressively, within the PMS AOPs system, the synthesized HRH catalyst not only achieves 99.3 % degradation of SMT within 20 min, demonstrating a remarkable 10-fold increase in the degradation rate compared to pristine hematite, but also showcases excellent recyclability and durability. Additionally, this HRH/PMS system were proved to effectively remove SMT under high-salinity conditions. More importantly, through systematic characterization and theoretical calculations, an in-depth investigation into the primary activation mechanism and degradation pathway in this reaction process is provided. This work provided a highly feasible strategy for the application of natural mineral-based catalyst for the degradation of pollutants via PMS activation in high-salinity wastewater.

Targeting adhesion G protein-coupled receptors. Current status and future perspectives.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) orchestrate many physiological functions and are a crucial target in drug discovery. Adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs), the second largest family within this superfamily, are promising yet underexplored targets for treating various diseases, including obesity, psychiatric disorders, and cancer. However, the receptors' unique and complex structure and miscellaneous interactions complicate comprehensive pharmacological studies. Despite recent progress in determining structures and elucidation of the activation mechanism, the function of many receptors remains to be determined. This review consolidates current knowledge on aGPCR ligands, focusing on small molecule orthosteric ligands and allosteric modulators identified for the ADGRGs subfamily (subfamily VIII), (GPR56/ADGRG1, GPR64/ADGRG2, GPR97/ADGRG3, GPR114/ADGRG5, GPR126/ADGRG6, and GPR128/ADGRG7). We discuss challenges in hit identification, target validation, and drug discovery, highlighting molecular compositions and recent structural breakthroughs. ADGRG ligands can offer new insights into aGPCR modulation and have significant potential for novel therapeutic interventions targeting various diseases.

PANoptosis in autoimmune diseases interplay between apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis.

PANoptosis is a newly identified inflammatory programmed cell death (PCD) that involves the interplay of apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis. However, its overall biological effects cannot be attributed to any one type of PCD alone. PANoptosis is regulated by a signaling cascade triggered by the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by various sensors. This triggers the assembly of the PANoptosome, which integrates key components from other PCD pathways via adapters and ultimately activates downstream execution molecules, resulting in cell death with necrotic, apoptotic, and pyroptotic features. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by reduced immune tolerance to self-antigens, leading to abnormal immune responses, often accompanied by systemic chronic inflammation. Consequently, PANoptosis, as a unique innate immune-inflammatory PCD pathway, has significant pathophysiological relevance to inflammation and autoimmunity. However, most previous research on PANoptosis has focused on tumors and infectious diseases, leaving its activation and role in autoimmune diseases unclear. This review briefly outlines the characteristics of PANoptosis and summarizes several newly identified PANoptosome complexes, their activation mechanisms, and key components. We also explored the dual role of PANoptosis in diseases and potential therapeutic approaches targeting PANoptosis. Additionally, we review the existing evidence for PANoptosis in several autoimmune diseases and explore the potential regulatory mechanisms involved.

Recent Advances in the Development of Targeted Activation Strategies for Organoboron Prodrugs

AbstractElevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a hallmark of varieties of diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. Inspired by the discrepancy of ROS concentrations between pathological tissues and the normal counterparts, an increasing number of ROS‐responsive theragnostic prodrugs are developed in past years, with particularly high proportions of organoboron‐based prodrugs that can respond to H2O2. Unfortunately, increasing studies have demonstrated that the intrinsic ROS (H2O2) levels in most pathological tissue are only slightly higher than normal tissues and are not adequate to activate organoboron prodrugs; in contrast, several organoboron compounds have been clinically approved in which boronic acid acts as electrophilic warhead. To this end, developing more robust and universal approaches for boronic acid‐prodrug activation becomes highly attractive. In this context, we discuss the recently reported activation strategies for boron‐caged prodrugs with a particular focus on their design principles and activation mechanisms. The perspectives on the future directions for this important research area are discussed as well.

Enhanced removal of phenolic pollutants over MnO2 initiated by peracetic acid: In situ generation of a heterogeneous Mn(III)-hydroperoxo complex

Widely distributed manganese oxides are among the strongest oxidants in nature and effectively enhance the water decontamination by peracetic acid (PAA) activation. However, the precise mechanism requires further investigation. In this work, the intrinsic mechanism of PAA activation by MnO2 was systematically studied. Through in situ diffuse-reflectance UV–vis spectra and resonance Raman spectra, the active species was identified as a non-radical heterogenous Mn(III)-hydroperoxo complex. During the process, PAA drastically converted Mn(IV) in MnO2 into homogeneous Mn(II), which subsequently generated the active Mn(III) species in the aid of PAA on the surface of MnO2. By interacting with pollutants, the peroxide bond in Mn(III)-hydroperoxo broke, accompanied by the regeneration of Mn(IV). Eight phenolic compounds having para-substituent of –CH3, −H, −Cl, –COCH3, –CHO, –COOH, –COOCH3, and –NO2 were selected for degradation. Due to the electrophilic character of Mn(III)-hydroperoxo, the removal rates were 100 %, 100 %, 98.8 %, 69.8 %, 49.6 %, 30.2 %, 28.1 %, and 3.0 % respectively at the 45 min of experiment. The MnO2/PAA system was also readily coupled with a filtration membrane for continuous treatment of phenol in nearly 100 % removal efficiency. This study not only offered an efficient non-radical PAA activation protocol for water decontamination, but also elucidated the catalytic mechanism and redox cycle of MnO2 in PAA solution in the selective oxidation process.

Co-pyrolyzed biochar derived from microplastics and microalgae as peroxymonosulfate activator: Influence of microplastic types and analysis of systemic causes

This work investigated the catalytic activity of co-pyrolyzed biochar (MP-SBC) from microplastic (MP) and Spirulina biomass and its activation mechanism for peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Given that different types of MPs had varied effects on the properties of biochar, polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid (PLA) were chosen as MP feedstocks. The results showed that the four kinds of MP-SBCs activated PMS more efficiently than the pristine algal-based biochar (SBC), with 100 % of the acetaminophen (ACT) degraded within 20 min. Based on the reaction mechanism analysis, the main pathways for the degradation of ACT by SBC and MP-SBC activated PMS were both non-radical pathways, and ACT was also efficiently degraded by the synergistic effect of 1O2 and electron transport pathway (ETP). Moreover, it was found that the microplastic modification could significantly enhance the efficacy of SBCs in triggering the non-radical pathway. Establishing the correlation between the structural features of BC and the degradation mechanism (active species contribution) revealed that the persistent free radicals (PFRs), defective structures, CO, and graphite N are all potential active sites. Thereinto, PFRs are the active sites for radicals, defects are the active sites for 1O2 production, and CO, defects, and graphitic N are the active sites for ETP. Overall, this work provides an innovative approach for designing efficient biochar-based catalysts for environmental remediation.

Engineered odorant receptors illuminate the basis of odour discrimination.

How the olfactory system detects and distinguishes odorants with diverse physicochemical properties and molecular configurations remains poorly understood. Vertebrate animals perceive odours through G protein-coupled odorant receptors (ORs)1. In humans, around 400 ORs enable the sense of smell. The OR family comprises two main classes: class I ORs are tuned to carboxylic acids whereas class II ORs, which represent most of the human repertoire, respond to a wide variety of odorants2. A fundamental challenge in understanding olfaction is the inability to visualize odorant binding to ORs. Here we uncover molecular properties of odorant-OR interactions by using engineered ORs crafted using a consensus protein design strategy3. Because such consensus ORs (consORs) are derived from the 17 major subfamilies of human ORs, they provide a template for modelling individual native ORs with high sequence and structural homology. The biochemical tractability of consORs enabled the determination of four cryogenic electron microscopy structures of distinct consORs with specific ligand recognition properties. The structure of a class I consOR, consOR51, showed high structural similarity to the native human receptor OR51E2 and generated a homology model of a related member of the human OR51 family with high predictive power. Structures of three class II consORs revealed distinct modes of odorant-binding and activation mechanisms between class I and class II ORs. Thus, the structures of consORs lay the groundwork for understanding molecular recognition of odorants by the OR superfamily.

Surface Structure and Chemistry of CeO2 Powder Catalysts Determined by Surface-Ligand Infrared Spectroscopy (SLIR).

ConspectusCerium is the most abundant rare earth element in the Earth's crust. Its most stable oxide, cerium dioxide (CeO2, ceria), is increasingly utilized in the field of catalysis. It can catalyze redox and acid-base reactions, and serve as a component of electrocatalysts and even photocatalysts. As one of the most commonly used in situ/operando characterization methods in catalysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy is routinely employed to monitor reaction intermediates on the surface of solid catalysts, offering profound insight into reaction mechanisms. Additionally, IR vibrational frequencies of probe molecules adsorbed on solid catalysts provide detailed information about their structure and chemical states. Numerous studies in the literature have utilized carbon monoxide and methanol as IR probe molecules on ceria particles. However, assigning their vibrational frequencies is often highly controversial due to the great complexity of the actual surface of ceria particles, which include differently oriented crystal facets, reconstructions, defects, and other structural variations. In our laboratory, taking bulk ceria single crystals with distinct orientations as model systems, we employed a highly sensitive ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) infrared spectroscopy system (THEO) to study the adsorption of CO and methanol. It turns out that the theoretical calculations adopting hybrid functionals (HSE06) can bring the theoretical predictions into agreement with the experimental results for the CO frequencies on ceria single crystal surfaces. The obtained frequencies serve as reliable references to resolve the long-standing controversial assignments for the IR bands of CO and methanol adsorbed on ceria particles. Furthermore, these characteristic frequencies allow for the determination of orientations, oxidation states and restructuring of exposed crystal facets of ceria nanoparticles, which is applicable from UHV conditions to industrially relevant pressures of up to 1 bar, and from low temperatures (∼65 K) to high temperatures (∼1000 K). We also used molecular oxygen as a probe molecule to investigate its interaction with the ceria surface, crucial for understanding ceria's redox properties. Our findings reveal that the localization of oxygen vacancies and the mechanism of dioxygen activation are highly sensitive to surface orientations. We provided the first spectroscopic evidence showing that the oxygen vacancies on ceria (111) surfaces tend to localize in deep layers. In addition, we employed N2O as a probe molecule to elucidate the origin of the photocatalytic activity of ceria and showed that the photocatalytic activity is highly sensitive to the surface orientation (i.e., surface coordination structure). This Account shows that probe-molecule infrared spectroscopy serves as a powerful in situ/operando tool for studying the surface structure and chemistry of solid catalysts, and the knowledge gained through the "Surface Science" approach is essential as a crucial benchmark.

Influence of surface properties of transition metal oxides for permanganate activation: Key role of Lewis acid sites

Permanganate (PM) activation to remove contaminants in aqueous solution has gained increasing interest, and effective approaches to enhance its oxidation ability are becoming one of the hot spots. Transition metal oxides (TMOs) stand out as the most potential catalysts, but have received little attention in this area until now. Their mechanism towards PM activation also remains controversial. In this study, a series of TMOs with diverse surface properties were synthesized, and their effectiveness was compared. It was observed that α-MnO2, NiO and Co3O4 exhibited significantly higher rates of degrading sulfadiazine, levofloxacin and phenol through PM activation than CeO2, α-Fe2O3 and CuO. A performance evolution depended on the surface Lewis acid (LA) strength was established, while a less consistent correlation was observed between the degradation rate and other surface properties. Based on electrochemical analysis and density functional theory calculations, the spontaneous adsorption of MnO4- anions on LA sites in TMOs with an increase in oxidation potential of PM was further confirmed. This research would deepen the understanding of PM activation mechanism, and offer new guidance in the design of more efficient catalysts.

Improved activation of malachite sulfurization flotation by thiourea's (CS(NH2)2): Performance and mechanism study

In this study, thiourea (CS(NH2)2) was an effective activator for promoting the sulfurization flotation of malachite. The flotation behavior of malachite in the presence of this activator was investigated. Experimental results revealed that thiourea is a superior activator for malachite sulfurization, achieving a recovery rate of over 89 % at appropriate dosages. Thiourea-sulfurized malachite forms a surface layer of copper(I) thiocyanate, which facilitates the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) species, leading to the generation of more Cu(I)−S species. These species adsorb more readily onto the malachite surface compared to Cu(II)−S species. The robust layers consist of SCN¯ ligands that combine with copper(I) complexes to form CuSCN species during sulfurization. This enhances malachite surface sulfurization, resulting in higher flotation recovery. Further analysis using ToF−SIMS, FESEM−EDS, and XPS confirmed that thiourea likely chemisorbs onto the malachite surface through sulfurized malachite. The activation mechanisms and the presence of N-atoms in the XPS spectra verified that N−H, C−N, and Cu−N bonds were chemisorbed and formed on the surface, significantly improving the hydrophobicity of sulfurized malachite. This work has important implications for the future application of thiourea activation in flotation processes and could contribute to developing environmentally friendly solutions to meet consumer demand.

Activation of peroxomonosulfate by manganese-containing non-homogeneous catalysts prepared via a soft template calcination strategy for efficient degradation of carbamazepine

Manganese (Mn)-containing inhomogeneous catalysts have demonstrated potential to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS), but may be constrained by low efficiency and poor resistance to environmental disturbances. According to the soft template calcination strategy, g-C3N4 with Mn doping was synthesized to improve PMS activation through an effective Mn(II)/Mn(III)/Mn(IV) cycle. The constructed Mn25@CN/PMS system achieved complete and rapid removal of carbamazepine (CBZ) at 0.3 g/L catalyst and 2 mM PMS. Its corresponding rate constant of pseudo-first-order was 0.3424 min−1, and it was 3424 and 16.15 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4/PMS system and CN/PMS system, respectively. More strikingly, the catalysts exhibited excellent resistance to environmental impacts, with CBZ removal rates exceeding 95% under the influence of different anions, cations, aqueous pH values, and humic acid (HA) concentrations. Subsequently, it was proposed a reliable catalytic mechanism for CBZ removal and PMS activation derived from electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests and quenching experiments. The O2·- and 1O2 played a major role in the CBZ removal process. This research provides a perspective soft template strategy for PMS activation using highly efficient catalysts with high resistance to environmental impacts, which provides new ideas to alleviate environmental issues.

Metabolic pathways fueling the suppressive activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are considered an aberrant population of immature myeloid cells that have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their potent immunosuppressive activity. These cells are typically absent or present in very low numbers in healthy individuals but become abundant under pathological conditions such as chronic infection, chronic inflammation and cancer. The immunosuppressive activity of MDSC helps to control excessive immune responses that might otherwise lead to tissue damage. This same immunosuppressive activity can be detrimental, particularly in cancer and chronic infection. In the cancer setting, tumors can secrete factors that promote the expansion and recruitment of MDSC, thereby creating a local environment that favors tumor progression by inhibiting the effective immune responses against cancer cells. This has made MDSC a target of interest in cancer therapy, with researchers exploring strategies to inhibit their function or reduce their numbers to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. In the context of chronic infections, MDSC can lead to persistent infections by suppressing protective immune responses thereby preventing the clearance of pathogens. Therefore, targeting MDSC may provide a novel approach to improve pathogen clearance during chronic infections. Ongoing research on MDSC aims to elucidate the exact processes behind their expansion, recruitment, activation and suppressive mechanisms. In this context, it is becoming increasingly clear that the metabolism of MDSC is closely linked to their immunosuppressive function. For example, MDSC exhibit high rates of glycolysis, which not only provides energy but also generates metabolites that facilitate their immunosuppressive activity. In addition, fatty acid metabolic pathways, such as fatty acid oxidation (FAO), have been implicated in the regulation of MDSC suppressive activity. Furthermore, amino acid metabolism, particularly arginine metabolism mediated by enzymes such as arginase-1, plays a critical role in MDSC-mediated immunosuppression. In this review, we discuss the metabolic signature of MDSC and highlight the therapeutic implications of targeting MDSC metabolism as a novel approach to modulate their immunosuppressive functions.

Enhanced Ornidazole Degradation via Peroxymonosulfate Activation Using Nano CoFe2O4‐Decorated Halloysite Nanotubes: A High‐Efficiency and Stable Catalyst Approach

AbstractThis study proposes a novel, cost‐effective nano CoFe2O4‐decorated halloysite nanotubes (CoFe2O4/HNT) catalyst, which effectively degrades the antibiotic ornidazole (ONZ) through peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. By using a simple and economical preparation method, ultra‐low amounts of CoFe2O4 are uniformly loaded onto HNTs, significantly improving the activity and stability of the catalyst. The experimental results show that the CoFe2O4/HNT+PMS system can almost completely degrade ONZ within 1 h, with good pH adaptability and resistance to anion interference. The simple synthesis process and low cost of CoFe2O4/HNT make it highly practical for large‐scale applications. Mechanism studies have shown that the synergistic effect between Co and Fe greatly improves the activation efficiency of PMS, generating reactive oxygen species (such as 1O2) that play a key role in ONZ degradation. This work not only elucidates the activation mechanism, but also provides insightful information for advanced oxidation processes (AOP). The results indicate the practicality and importance of CoFe2O4/HNT catalyst in treating harmful pollutants in water, supporting effective and sustainable water purification technologies. In addition, the study emphasizes the elasticity and adaptability of this innovative catalyst system in managing various pollutants, indicating its broad potential for environmental applications.

High-resolution snapshots of the talin auto-inhibitory states suggest roles in cell adhesion and signaling

Talin regulates crucial cellular functions, including cell adhesion and motility, and affects human diseases. Triggered by mechanical forces, talin plays crucial roles in facilitating the formation of focal adhesions and recruiting essential focal adhesion regulatory elements such as vinculin. The structural flexibility allows talin to fine-tune its signaling responses. This study presents our 2.7 Å cryoEM structures of talin, which surprisingly uncovers several auto-inhibitory states. Contrary to previous suggestions, our structures reveal that (1) the first and last three domains are not involved in maintaining talin in its closed state and are mobile, (2) the talin F-actin and membrane binding domain are loosely attached and thus available for binding, and (3) the main force-sensing domain is oriented with its vinculin binding sites ready for release. These structural snapshots offer insights and advancements in understanding the dynamic talin activation mechanism, which is crucial for mediating cell adhesion.