Abstract The primary goals of this study are to compare the efficiency of multiple oxidants that are produced using different commercially available anodes and separators and to optimize the reaction conditions for the recovery of multiple oxidants from brine. The brine produced in the desalination plants in Taiwan is the concentrated seawater that is recovered after the reverse osmosis process. The main component in the solution is NaCl. On average, chlorine concentration is approximately 3–5% by weight, which is slightly higher than the concentration for normal seawater. This concentrated brine can be used as raw material for the electrolyte to extract mixed disinfectant solutions. This study uses different catalytic electrolyzers to compare the efficiency with which multiple oxidants are produced using anodes that are coated in precious metal. A ruthenium-coated titanium anode generates the largest amount of active chlorine (chlorine dioxide). In terms of the diaphragms that are tested, the DuPont Nafion NE-2030 ion film produces active chlorine most efficiently. If no other chemicals are added to the brine (salinity 11.3%), Cl2 (302–376 mg L−1) is the primary oxidant generated from the original brine, and ClO2 (3.7–7.2 mg L−1) is the minor product in batch electrolysis. This article has been made Open Access thanks to the kind support of CAWQ/ACQE (https://www.cawq.ca).
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension, characterized by vascular remodeling, currently lacks curative therapeutic options. The dysfunction of pulmonary artery endothelial cells plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH). ErbB3 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 3), also recognized as HER3, is a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. METHODS: Microarray, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting analyses were conducted to investigate the pathological role of ErbB3. Blood samples were collected for biomarker examination from healthy donors or patients with hypoxic PH. The pathological functions of ErbB3 were further validated in rodents subjected to chronic hypoxia- and Sugen-induced PH, with or without adeno-associated virus-mediated ErbB3 overexpression, systemic deletion, or endothelial cell–specific ErbB3 knockdown. Primary human pulmonary artery endothelial cells and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: ErbB3 exhibited significant upregulation in the serum, lungs, distal pulmonary arteries, and pulmonary artery endothelial cells isolated from patients with PH compared with those from healthy donors. ErbB3 overexpression stimulated hypoxia-induced endothelial cell proliferation, exacerbated pulmonary artery remodeling, elevated systolic pressure in the right ventricle, and promoted right ventricular hypertrophy in murine models of PH. Conversely, systemic deletion or endothelial cell–specific knockout of ErbB3 yielded opposite effects. Coimmunoprecipitation and proteomic analysis identified YB-1 (Y-box binding protein 1) as a downstream target of ErbB3. ErbB3 induced nuclear translocation of YB-1 and subsequently promoted hypoxia-inducible factor 1/2α transcription. A positive loop involving ErbB3-periostin-hypoxia–inducible factor 1/2α was identified to mediate the progressive development of this disease. MM-121, a human anti-ErbB3 monoclonal antibody, exhibited both preventive and therapeutic effects against hypoxia-induced PH. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals, for the first time, that ErbB3 serves as a novel biomarker and a promising target for the treatment of PH.
The insect fat body is comparable to the liver and adipose tissue in vertebrates, and plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism, nutrient storage, and reproduction. During metamorphosis, the fat body is disassembled via programmed cell death and cell dissociation. After adult eclosion, the fat body is reconstructed either by repopulation from the remaining juvenile fat body cells or by differentiation from adult progenitor cells. This reconstruction is a prerequisite for initiating the extensive synthesis of vitellogenin (Vg), which is necessary for the maturation of eggs. Despite its significance, the underlying mechanisms of this reconstruction remain inadequately understood. Transcriptome analysis of the fat bodies from migratory locusts at 0-5 days post adult emergence revealed 79 genes associated with chromatin remodeling. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis indicated a positive correlation between chromatin remodeling and fat body reconstitution. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed that brahma, which encodes the catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is crucial for post-adult-eclosion fat body development. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the levels of brahma mRNA in the fat body are progressively increased during the previtellogenic stage, then reach the peak and remain elevated in the vitellogenic phase. Furthermore, brahma is expressed in response to gonadotropic juvenile hormone (JH). Knockdown of brahma led to a marked reduction in Vg expression within the fat body, along with arrested ovarian growth. These findings shed light on the involvement of brahma-mediated chromatin remodeling in JH-stimulated fat body reconstruction and reproduction of adult female locusts.
BACKGROUND Autologous saphenous vein is the most common choice for coronary artery bypass grafting. This study was conducted to identify and characterize differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by overexpressing DEPTOR in human saphenous vein endothelial cells (hsVECs) that might play roles in restenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS hsVECs isolated from the saphenous veins were transfected with DEPTOR overexpression vector and analyzed for mTOR expression. RNA was prepared from the cells and sequenced using high-throughput sequencing technology (RNA-Seq). The DEGs were analyzed based on enrichment scores in GO terms and KEGG pathways. RESULTS The cells had typical hsVEC morphology and characteristics based on the HE staining and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence assays. The expression of mTOR increased, and 102 genes were upregulated, and 409 genes were downregulated after DEPTOR overexpression. KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in 20 signal pathways, such as Focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction pathways. The DEGs were enriched in GO terms such as integrin binding and glycosaminoglycan binding. For cellular components, GO analysis revealed that the DEGs were enriched in main axon, plasma membrane part, cell junction, and proteinaceous extracellular matrix. DEGs included many cytokines, such as bone morphogenetic protein-7, interleukin-8, interleukin-1ß, and inhibin, which have important effects on vascular growth and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS The overexpression of DEPTOR in hsVECs results in DEGs that are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, intercellular junction, and extracellular matrix receptor. These findings may provide valuable molecular information for improving venous permeability through manipulation of DEPTOR and related mTOR pathways.
To present an accurate prenatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta with ventricular septal defect and to illustrate how early diagnosis in prenatal period with proper referral and counseling can optimize management. A case with coarctation of the aorta with ventricle septal defect was found to have an abnormal three vessel view at 12 weeks, and with close follow-ups, coarctation of the aorta with ventricle septal defect was diagnosed at 24 weeks. Following the support from a multidisciplinary team that provided counseling, diagnosis, and follow-ups, the pregnant woman decided to continue with the pregnancy and had a vaginal delivery at a medical center. The newborn made an uneventful recovery after undergoing cardiac surgery on day 9. The case demonstrates the role a fetal medicine team plays in diagnosing, supporting, and seamlessly transferring the congenital heart disease case from the first line obstetrician to the cardiac surgeon. A multi-disciplinary team approach was able to lead to improved perinatal outcome of the congenital heart disease case.
Abstract Objective Pseudomoans plecoglossicida has been identified as a fish pathogen since 2000 and has caused serious infections in cultured Large Yellow Croakers Larimiththys crocea in coastal eastern China during recent years. Methods Published literatures of this pathogen have been reviewed. Result Several strains with high genomic similarity have been isolated and identified; the bacteria induce natural infection at lower water temperatures (12.0–25.5°C) and induce numerous granulomas and nodules in the visceral organs of croakers. Researchers have investigated the epidemiology of P. plecoglossicida infection, identified major virulence factors, searched for pathogenic genes, analyzed host-pathogen interactions, and endeavored to develop efficient vaccines. Conclusion This paper provides an overview of these research advances to elucidate the virulence mechanisms of the pathogen and to promote vaccine development against infection.
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