Sodium Sulfate Research Articles

The m6A methyltransferase METTL3 modifies Kcnk6 promoting on inflammation associated carcinogenesis is essential for colon homeostasis and defense system through histone lactylation dependent YTHDF2 binding

Inflammation induces tumor formation and plays a crucial role in tumor progression and prognosis. KCNK6, by regulating K(+) efflux to reduce NLRP3 Inflammasome-induced lung injury, relaxes the aorta. This study aims to elucidate the effects and biological mechanism of KCNK6 in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis, which may be essential for colon homeostasis and the defense system. To induce colitis, mice were given 3.0% Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) in their drinking water for 7 days. The Azoxymethane (AOM) +DSS method was used to induce colon cancer in the mice model. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from Kcnk6-/- mice, AW264.7 cells, and human colon cancer HCT116 and Caco2 cells were used as in vitro models. The loss of Kcnk6 prevented spontaneous colitis and restored mucosal integrity and homeostatic molecules. Additionally, the loss of Kcnk6 reduced the severity of AOM/DSS-induced carcinogenesis. Kcnk6 promoted cell viability and proliferation in HCT-116 or Caco-2 cells. The loss of Kcnk6 inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors in BMDM cells. Kcnk6 accelerated potassium channel activity, inducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. METTL3-mediated m6A modification increased Kcnk6 stability in a YTHDF2-dependent manner. Histone lactylation activated the transcription of YTHDF2/Kcnk6. Our study revealed the important role of Kcnk6 in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis progression. The m6A methyltransferase METTL3 and histone lactylation increased Kcnk6 stability in a YTHDF2-dependent manner, providing a potential strategy for inflammation-associated carcinogenesis or colorectal cancer therapy.

Optimal bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

There is robust evidence to indicate a strong correlation between the bowel preparation status and adenoma detection rate (ADR), which directly impacts the incidence and mortality rate of postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer. Therefore, improving bowel preparation has been of increasing interest. In Japan, commercially available bowel preparation agents include polyethylene glycol, oral sodium sulfate, sodium picosulfate-magnesium citrate, magnesium citrate, and oral sodium phosphate; each has its own strengths and limitations. The timing of administration can also influence the efficacy of bowel preparation and patient tolerability. Furthermore, meta-analyses have suggested predictive factors for inadequate bowel preparation. A detailed understanding of these factors could contribute to reducing the need for repeat colonoscopy within 1 year, as recommended for patients with inadequate bowel preparation. Recent advancements, such as oral sulfate tablets, present promising alternatives with higher patient satisfaction and ADRs than traditional methods. Achieving optimal bowel preparation requires enhanced instructions, individualized regimens, and a comprehensive understanding of patient backgrounds and the characteristics of various bowel preparation agents. This article provides a concise overview of the current status and advancements in bowel preparation for enhancing the quality and safety of colonoscopy.

The Mechanism of Sodium Sulfate Coupled with Anaerobic Methane Oxidation Mitigating Methane Production in Beef Cattle.

The aim of this experiment is to explore the effect of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) on methane reduction in the rumen, and its impact on anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME). Using mixed rumen fluid from four Angus cattle fistulas, this study conducted an in vitro fermentation. Adding Na2SO4 to the fermentation substrate resulted in sulfur concentrations in the substrate of 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2%, 1.4%, 1.6%, 1.8%, 2.0%, 2.2%, and 2.4%. The gas production rate and methane yield were measured using an in vitro gas production method. Subsequently, the fermentation fluid was collected to determine the fermentation parameters. The presence of ANME in the fermentation broth, as well as the relationship between the number of bacteria, archaea, sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), ANME, and the amount of Na2SO4 added to the substrate, were measured using qPCR. The results showed that: (1) the addition of Na2SO4 could significantly reduce CH4 production and was negatively correlated with CO2 production; (2) ANME-1 and ANME-2c did exist in the fermentation broth; (3) the total number of archaea, SRB, ANME-1, and ANME-2c increased with the elevation of Na2SO4. The above results indicated that Na2SO4 could mitigate methane production via sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (S-DAMO) in the rumen. In the future management of beef cattle, including sodium sulfate in their diet can stimulate S-DAMO activity, thereby promoting a reduction in methane emissions.

PARP1 inactivation increases regulatory T / Th17 cell proportion in intestinal inflammation. Role of HMGB1

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing disorders with increasing prevalence. Knowledge gaps still limit the possibility to develop more specific and effective therapies. Using a dextran sodium sulfate colitis mouse model, we found that inflammation increased the total number and altered the frequencies of leukocytes within colon mesenteric lymph nodes (cMLNs). Although the inflammation reduced the frequency of regulatory T (Treg) cells, their absolute numbers were increased. Increased frequency of colitogenic Th17 cells was also observed. Noteworthy, untreated mice lacking Poly(ADP-ribose)-Polimerase-1 functional gene (PARP-1KO) displayed higher frequency of Treg cells and lower percentage of Th17 cells in cMLNs. In colitic PARP-1KO mice the inflammation driven expansion of the Foxp3 Treg population was more pronounced than in WT mice. Conversely, colitis increased Th17 cells to a lower extent in PARP-1KO mice compared with WT mice, resulting in a more protective Treg/Th17 cell ratio. Consequently PARP-1KO mice developed less severe colitis with reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines. In ex vivo experiments PARP-1KO and WT CD11c dendritic cells (DCs) promoted naïve CD4 T cell differentiation differently, the former sustaining more efficiently the generation of Treg cells, the latter that of Th17 cells. Addition of HMGB1 B box or of dipotassium glycyrrhizate, which sequesters extracellular HMGB1, revealed a role for this alarmin in the regulation exerted by PARP-1 on the stimulating vs. tolerogenic function of DCs during colitis. Moreover, a higher percentage of CD11c DC from PARP-1KO mice expressed CD103, a marker associated with the ability of DC to induce Treg cells, compared with WT DC. Conversely, PARP-1KO DC were including a reduced percentage of CX3CR1+ DC, described to induce Th17 cells. These findings were observed in both splenic and colon lamina propria DC.

Inhibition of colorectal cancer in Alzheimer’s disease is mediated by gut microbiota via induction of inflammatory tolerance

Epidemiological studies have revealed an inverse relationship between the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to determine whether the incidence of CRC is reduced in AD-like mice and whether gut microbiota confers resistance to tumorigenesis through inducing inflammatory tolerance using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). AD-like mice experienced a significantly decreased incidence of CRC tumorigenesis induced by azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate as evidenced by suppressed intestinal inflammation compared with control mice. However, FMT from age-matched control mice reversed the inhibitory effects on the tumorigenesis of CRC and inflammatory response in AD-like mice. The key bacterial genera in gut microbiota, including Prevotella, were increased in both the AD-like mice and in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) but were decreased in patients with CRC. Pretreatment with low-dose Prevotella-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced inflammatory tolerance both in vivo and in vitro and inhibited CRC tumorigenesis in mice. Imbalanced gut microbiota increased intestinal barrier permeability, which facilitated LPS absorption from the gut into the blood, causing cognitive decline in AD-like mice and patients with aMCI. These data reveal that intestinal Prevotella-derived LPS exerts a resistant effect to CRC tumorigenesis via inducing inflammatory tolerance in the presence of AD. These findings provide biological evidence demonstrating the inverse relationship between the incidence of AD and CRC.

Destabilization of the D2 domain of Thermotoga maritima arginine binding protein induced by guanidinium thiocyanate and its counteraction by stabilizing agents.

D2 is a structural and cooperative domain of Thermotoga maritima Arginine Binding Protein, that possesses a remarkable conformational stability, with a denaturation temperature of 102.6°C, at pH 7.4. The addition of potassium thiocyanate causes a significant decrease in the D2 denaturation temperature. The interactions of thiocyanate ions with D2 have been studied by means of isothermal titration calorimetry measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. It emerged that: (a) 20-30 thiocyanate ions interact with the D2 surface and are present in its first solvation shell; (b) each of them makes several contacts with protein groups, both polar and nonpolar ones. The addition of guanidinium thiocyanate causes a marked destabilization of the D2 native state, because both the ions are denaturing agents. However, on adding to the solution containing D2 and guanidinium thiocyanate a stabilizing agent, such as TMAO, sucrose or sodium sulfate, a significant increase in denaturation temperature occurs. The present results confirm that counteraction is a general phenomenon for globular proteins.

Effect of inorganic salt impurities on seeded precipitation of silica hydrate from sodium silicate solution

To clarify the precipitation of silica hydrate from the real desilication solutions of aluminosilicate solid wastes by adding seeds and improve integrated waste utilization, the seeded precipitation was studied using synthesized sodium silicate solution containing different inorganic salt impurities. The results show that sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, or calcium chloride can change the siloxy group structure. The number of high-polymeric siloxy groups decreases with increasing sodium chloride or sodium sulfate concentration, which is detrimental to seeded precipitation. Calcium chloride favors the polymerization of silicate ions, and even the chain groups precipitate with the precipitation of high-polymeric sheet and cage-like siloxy groups. The introduced sodium cations in sodium carbonate render a more open network structure of high-polymeric siloxy groups, although the carbonate ions favor the polymerization of siloxy groups. No matter how the four impurities affect the siloxy group structure, the precipitates are always amorphous opal-A silica hydrate.

Study on Strength Characteristics of Sodium Sulfate Saline Sand Based on Homogenization Theory

Study on Strength Characteristics of Sodium Sulfate Saline Sand Based on Homogenization Theory

Phase evolution and performance of sodium sulfate-activated slag cement pastes

This study evaluates the reaction kinetics, phase assemblage, and microstructure evolution of Na2SO4-activated slag cements produced with three commercial slags. The main reaction products identified are ettringite and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates, alongside a poorly crystalline SO42- intercalated Mg-Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) phase. Results revealed that the Al2O3 slag content alone does not correlate with the cement performance. While pastes made with a higher Al2O3 content slag exhibit faster reaction kinetics, those made with a slag with a higher Mg/Al ratio developed superior compressive strength and reduced porosity over extended curing periods. Thermodynamic modelling simulations indicate that sulfate consumption occurs via ettringite and LDH phase formation, influencing the slag reaction degree, pH value, and porosity reduction in these cements. This research highlights the critical role of slag composition in controlling microstructure and, consequently, performance of sodium sulfate activated slag cement pastes.

Analysis of thermal stability and enthalpy in SSD systems with various thickening agents

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) play a vital role in the improvement of efficiency of cold storage air conditioning for demand side management of electrical power. To enhance the thermal stability and the enthalpy of the system, the separation of Sodium Sulfate Decahydrate (SSD) hydrate crystals from their aqueous solution is a significant factor that needs to be addressed. The melt blending technique has been used to explore the effect of various thickening agents, namely Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), Xanthan Gum (XG), and Sodium Alginate (SA) on the thermal stability and enthalpy of the system. The choice of the best thickening agent and its optimum concentration led to the enhancement in the thermal stability and enthalpy of the system. Experimentally, among the three thickeners, CMC proved to be the best thickening agent that remarkably improved the thermal physical properties of the SSD formulation. The paper described the detailed experimental procedures, including melt blending set-up, thermal characterization unit, and cyclic stability test unit. The experimental results showed that the formulation, SSD-CMC at 2 wt% CMC and 50% SSD significant, improved in their thermal physical performance, wherein the enthalpy decreased from 104.23 kJ/kg to 83.71 kJ/kg over fifty cycles, which are the 19.69% of the decay for such a long cycling. It was then concluded that the results would improve the effectiveness of thermal energy storage materials and that phase change materials should be optimized to be used in sustainable and efficient cooling applications and useful for the improvement of the storage capacity of thermal energy storage solutions.

Optimization of Na2SO4•10H2O composites for cold storage by D-optimal mixture design

This study delved into the creation of a composite phase-change material (PCM), named SBNSC, for potential application in cold storage air-conditioning systems (8–16°C). The composite PCM was formulated using sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4·10H2O) as the primary PCM, borax as a nucleating agent, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as a temperature control additive, sodium hexametaphosphate as a crystal modifier and carboxymethylcellulose as a thickening agent. The D-optimal mixture design was employed to optimize the composition, and this resulted in the identification of an optimal formulation characterized by the most desirable properties. The thermal properties were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry and revealed a phase-change temperature of 15.40°C. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the composite PCM. After 100 cooling and heating cycles, the crystallization temperature was 9.50°C, the melting temperature was 15.50°C and the supercooling degree was 0.70°C. The enthalpy values showed an 11.22% decrease, indicating reliable thermal performance. The study concluded that the optimal formulation (SBNSC) exhibits commendable thermophysical properties, demonstrating its potential for effective application in phase-change cold storage air-conditioning systems.

Structural characteristics of phenylboronic acid-modified astaxanthin ester and its effect on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by blocking reactive oxygen species and maintaining intestinal homeostasis

A novel and reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive astaxanthin phenylboronic acid derivative (AstaD-PBA) was constructed by grafting phenylboronic acid (PBA) onto astaxanthin succinate diester (AstaD), and its chemical structure and physicochemical property were identified. AstaD-PBA could effectively improve the ROS quenching ability in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model. Then, the bioactivity of AstaD-PBA was studied by 4 zebrafish ROS-responsive inflammatory models induced by LPS, copper (Cu2+), high-fat diet, and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The results suggest that AstaD-PBA might have high biosafety and the best effect on ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by DSS. Furtherly, AstaD-PBA significantly alleviated and treated weight loss and colonic shrinkage, inhibited inflammatory cytokines, and maintained microbiota homeostasis to improve UC in C57BL/6J mice. Alistipes and Oscillibacter were expected to be considered UC marker flora according to the Metastats analysis and Pearson correlation Mantel test (P < 0.01) of 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. In conclusion, AstaD-PBA has been promised to be a functional compound to improve UC and maintain intestinal microbiota homeostasis.

Heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment cell groups in inflammatory and adenomatous polyposis coli mutant colorectal cancer based on single cell sequencing.

The prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is known to vary across different etiologies. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often identified as a factor contributing to poorer outcomes. However, the mechanisms that link IBD to a worse CRC prognosis remain to be elucidated. We aim to reveal the complex tumor microenvironment of inflammatory CRC and provide a weak theoretical basis for the treatment of different subtypes of CRC. We conducted a bioinformatics analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 8,494 individual CRC cells derived from azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutant datasets. The expression of implicated genes in both tumor and adjacent normal tissues was examined via immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. CRC from AOM/DSS treatment contained fewer immune cells relative to APC-mutant CRC. However, a macrophage subcluster enriched for inflammatory factors was more prevalent in AOM/DSS datasets. This subcluster exhibited elevated expression of APOE and BNIP3. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry of patient samples confirmed that the expression of APOE and BNIP3 was higher in adjacent normal tissues compared to tumors. Our findings shed light on the heterogeneous microenvironments in IBD and APC-mutant CRC. Furthermore, we identify APOE as a potential biomarker for CRC recurrence.

Shenqi Sanjie Granules induce Hmox1-mediated ferroptosis to inhibit colorectal cancer

BackgroundBecause adverse reactions or drug resistance are often found after current chemotherapies for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), new treatments are still in demand. Shenqi Sanjie Granules (SSG), an antitumor compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, has been recognized for its ability in clinical practice of oncotherapy. Nevertheless, the precise effects of SSG in colorectal cancer (CRC) and underlying mechanisms through which SSG inhibits CRC remain uncertain. The current study aimed to evaluate the anti-CRC activity of the Chinese herbal compound preparation SSG and investigate the underlying mechanisms of action. Materials and methodsInitially, nine distinct cancer cell lines, including five CRC cell lines, one breast cancer cell line, two lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and one cervical cancer cell line, were used to evaluate the antitumor activity of SSG, and the mouse CRC cell line CT26 were used for further research. In vitro experiments utilizing diverse assays were conducted to assess the inhibitory effects of the SSG on CT26. Furthermore, subcutaneous syngeneic mouse model and AOM (azoxymethane)/DSS (dextran sodium sulfate) induced in-situ colitis-related mouse CRC model were used to evaluate the antitumor potential and biotoxicity of SSG in vivo. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, transcriptome sequencing and network pharmacology analysis were performed. Meanwhile, verification is carried out with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. ResultsOur in vitro inhibition study showed that SSG could effectively inhibit CRC cell line CT26 growth and metastasis, and induce cell death. Neither of apoptosis inhibitor, necroptosis inhibitor, ferroptosis inhibitor, but the combination of the three diminished SSG-induced cell death, suggesting that multiple cell death pathways were involved. Both the syngeneic CRC model and the in-situ CRC model indicated SSG inhibited CRC in vivo with few toxic side effects. Further mechanistic study suggested SSG treatment activated the ferroptosis pathway, particularly mediated by Hmox1, which was upregulated scores of times. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the active ingredients of SSG, including Quercetin, Luteolin and Kaempferol were potential components directly upregulated Hmox1 expression. ConclusionsCollectively, our findings indicate that the administration of SSG has the potential to inhibit CRC both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism by which this compound preparation exerts its action is, at least partly, the induction of ferroptosis through upregulating Hmox-1 by its three active ingredients Quercetin, Luteolin and Kaempferol.

Recovery of ferronickel by green selective reduction of nickel laterite

Abstract The conversion of nickel laterite into ferronickel is commonly done through a high-temperature pyrometallurgical process that utilizes fossil fuels, which leads to environmental emissions. In order to deal with this, a biomass-based selective reduction process is proposed that uses palm shell charcoal (PSC) as the reductant. In this study, we investigate how to selectively reduce saprolytic nickel ore in various conditions, including pelletization, reduction at 1150°C for one hour, and wet magnetic separation. The optimal conditions, determined with 0.3 stoichiometric carbon, yielded a nickel content and recovery of 22.778 wt.% and 27.541 wt.%, respectively. Phases identified in the reduced pellet include forsterite, diopside, ferronickel, troilite, and olivine. Adjusting stoichiometry influences nickel concentration, resulting in increased recovery; however, excessive stoichiometry intensifies iron metallization, reducing nickel content. The addition of sodium sulfate affects nickel and iron recovery by promoting FeS phase formation, resulting in reduced iron recovery.

Effect of additional Al sources on early-age strength of fly ash-based geopolymer containing calcium carbide residue and Glauber’s salt as activators

Alkali-activated materials are more environmentally friendly than cementitious composites and are used in the construction and building sector. However, their intrinsic low early strength under ambient temperatures hinders their practical applicability. More research is needed on the possibilities of increasing early strength at ambient temperatures. In this study, aluminum sulfate (AS) was used as an additional aluminum source to improve the early-age properties of fly ash (FA)-based geopolymers incorporating calcium carbide residue (CCR) and Glauber’s salt (GS) as activators. XRD, TG, SEM, ICP and isothermal calorimetry analyses were carried out to characterize the phase composition, microstructure and hydration process of the prepared materials. The results showed that the 1d strength of AS1-CCR10 was increased by 260.7 % compared with the control material, and the effect on the late strength was negligible. The relative content of AFt increased by 2.97 %, creating a more compact microstructure. During the extraction process, insufficient dissolved Al3+ in the composite led to a decrease in initial strength. In the hydration process, the induction period of AS1-CCR10 was advanced by 40.92 % and that of t50 was advanced by 57.74 %, which accelerated the early reaction rate. However, the Krstulovic-Dabic model could not accurately describe the initial stage of the hydration reaction of composite materials. This study is helpful to broaden the utilization of geopolymer composites and provide a theoretical basis for the preparation and reaction mechanism of alkali-activated materials.

FGF20 modulates gut microbiota to mitigate dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in mouse models

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a prevalent form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), presents a significant clinical challenge due to the lack of optimal therapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) may play a crucial role in mitigating UC symptoms, though the mechanistic underpinnings remain elusive. In this study, a mouse model of UC was established using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to investigate the potential role of FGF20. Our findings revealed a marked reduction in FGF20 expression in the serum and colonic tissues of DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, FGF20 knockout did not exacerbate colonic damage in these mice. Conversely, overexpression of FGF20 via adeno-associated virus (AAV) significantly alleviated UC-associated symptoms. This alleviation was evidenced by attenuated intestinal shortening, mitigated weight loss, increased colonic goblet cell density and crypt formation, reduced inflammation severity and inflammatory cell infiltration, and enhanced expression of tight junction and mucin proteins. Moreover, FGF20 significantly ameliorated the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in DSS-treated mice by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria. The beneficial effects of FGF20 were notably attenuated following gut microbiota depletion with an antibiotic regimen. Fecal microbiota transplantation experiments further supported the critical role of gut microbiota in mediating the effects of FGF20 on DSS-treated mice. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential involvement of gut microbiota in the therapeutic effects of FGF20 in UC.

Experimental study on the impact of sulfate attack on the performance of shaft lining concrete under sustained compressive load

To investigate the impact of sulfate corrosion on the performance of shaft lining concrete under sustained compressive loads, this study immersed samples in a 10 % sodium sulfate solution after subjecting to sustained compressive loads of 0.2fcand 0.4fc. The variation in compressive strength, ultrasonic velocity, and dynamic elasticity modulus with corrosion age were examined. The corrosion mechanisms were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer. The impact tendency of concrete was also evaluated. The results indicated that under sustained compressive loads of 0.2fcand 0.4fc, the compressive strength, ultrasonic velocity, and dynamic elasticity modulus are all increased with age, in the order of 0.2fc> 0.4fc>no-load. When exposed to a 10 % sodium sulfate solution under sustained compressive loads, these properties initially increased and then decreased, peaking at 90 days of corrosion age, and the order was 0.2fc> no-load > 0.4fc when the corrosion age was longer than 240 days.The shaft lining concrete exhibited weak impact tendency, with the brittleness index increasing as the corrosion age progressed. The outcome of this work might provide a reference for the further research on the design of shaft lining concrete materials.

Identification and molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of sea cucumber peptides: Network pharmacology, molecular docking and animal experiments

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease for which there is currently no efficacious therapeutic drug with fewer side effects. Therefore, the development of approaches for the prevention of UC from natural food sources is urgently needed. In this study, mice were pre-fed with sea cucumber peptides prior to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induction. Results showed that sea cucumber peptides decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4 and IL-10) levels and remissions of main clinic symptoms in a dose-dependent manner. The composition of peptides was identified, and the anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism was evaluated by silico prediction. The molecular weight of the peptides was 243–1800 Da and composed of 3–18 amino acid residues. Online activity assessment and molecular docking prediction revealed that tripeptides of FGI, FLI, FLL, GFL, GFM, IGF and LDF exhibited strong anti-inflammatory activity. Particularly, LDF showed the highest potency, with a binding energy of −5.37 kJ/mol. Network pharmacology analysis of UC related diseases indicated that active peptides interact with colitis disease targets, primarily proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC), E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase XIAP (XIAP) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The results suggest that sea cucumber peptides have potential as a novel nutraceutical option for colitis relief.

Experimental investigation of metakaolin ingredients on bonding of steel fibers to cement in paste of steel fiber concrete under sulfate and sulfate–chloride attack

The present study aimed to produce specimens made from steel fibers/metakaolin (SFs/MK) composite concrete that would achieve superior strength characteristics and controlled cracking behavior under aggressive media (i.e. sodium sulfate and sodium chloride). The composite of SF and concrete is full of porosity, creating weak zone in the specimens. Therefore, the use of clay materials is required to reduce the porosity. In this context, the general physical and chemical properties of clay, including structure and the percentage of alumina and quartz, play a significant role in forming composites with suitable mechanical properties. The changes in weight of SFs, effects of the aging period in terms of strength, and effect of aggressive solution are investigated and compared with SF reinforced concrete. The findings from N2 adsorption-desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and compressive strength tests indicate that MK with disordered stacking and higher percentage of alumina, and lower quartz content provides better bonding in the concrete composite. According to the experiments conducted in this study, a 15.0 % MK and 2.0 % SF replacement of cement increased the sulfate and chloride resistance due to porosity, and water absorption values, respectively.