Oxidative modification of caspase-9 facilitates its activation via disulfide-mediated interaction with Apaf-1

Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） are known to regulate apoptosis. Activation of caspase-9, the initial caspase in the mitochondrial apoptotic cascade, is closely associated with ROS, but it is unclear whether ROS regulate caspase-9 via direct oxidative modification. The present study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which ROS mediate caspase-9 activation. Our results show that the cellular oxidative state facilitates caspase-9 activation. Hydrogen peroxide treatment causes the activation of caspase-9 and apoptosis, and promotes an interac- tion between easpase-9 and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 （Apaf-1） via disulfide formation. In addition, in an in vitro mitochondria-free system, the thiol-oxidant diamide promotes auto-cleavage of caspase-9 and the caspase-9/ Apaf-1 interaction by facilitating the formation of disulfide-linked complexes. Finally, a point mutation at C403 of caspase-9 impairs both H2O2-promoted caspase-9 activation and interaction with Apaf-1 through the abolition of disulfide formation. The association between cytochrome c and the C403S mutant is significantly weaker than that between cytochrome c and wild-type caspase-9, indicating that oxidative modification of caspase-9 contributes to apoptosome formation under oxidative stress. Taken together, oxidative modification of caspase-9 by ROS can medi- ate its interaction with Apaf-1, and can thus promote its auto-cleavage and activation. This mechanism may facilitate apoptosome formation and caspase-9 activation under oxidative stress.

Oxidation Modification of Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber and Its Electro-Chemical Performance as Marine Electrode for Electric Field Test

A novel sensor for ocean electric field testing has been fabricated by polyacrylonitrile-based on carbon fibers with electro-chemical oxidation.The surface profile characteristics of the carbon fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope,Fourier transform infrared spectra and contact angle.Cyclic voltammetry and Tafel curves have been used to study its electro-chemical performances.Two identical electrodes in sea water as the electric field sensor will swiftly respond to applied electric field which causes positive and negative ions to move in opposite direction,resulting in a electric potential difference(ΔE).Test result indicates that the offset potential is typically below 1 m V with a drift of 60-170μVd^-1.Typical self noise level is 1.07 nV√Hz^(1/2)@1 Hz.The electric field response indicates that the modified electrode pair shows better response to AC sine signal of amplitude and frequency(5 mV and 1 mHz)respectively than its blank.The electric field response model of the modified electrodes is creatively presented according to its electric double layer capacitance and Faraday pseudo-capacitance.Many advantages of the carbon fiber electric field electrode will make it have potential application prospect.

Compounded Surface Modification of ZK60 Mg Alloy by High Current Pulsed Electron Beam+Micro-plasma Oxidation

In this study, compounded surface modification technology-high current pulsed electron beam （HCPEB） ＋ micro-plasma oxidation （MPO） was applied to treat ZK60 Mg alloys. The characteristics of the microstructure of ZK60 Mg alloy after single MPO and HCPEB＋MPO compounded treatment were investigated by SEM. The results showed that the density of the ceramic layer of HCPEB＋MPO-treated ZK60 Mg alloy was improved and defects were reduced compared to that under MPO treatment alone. Surface modified layer of ZK60 Mg alloys treated by HCPEB＋MPO was divided into three zones, namely the top loose ceramic zone, middle compact zone and inside HCPEB-induced melted zone. Corrosion resistance of ZK60 Mg alloy before and after the compounded surface modification was measured in a solution of 3.5% NaCl by potentiodynamic polarization curves. It was found that the corrosion current density of ZK60 Mg alloys could be reduced by about three orders of magnitude, from 311μA/cm^2 of the original sample to 0.2μA/cm^2 of the HCPEB＋MPO-treated sample. This indicates the great application potential of the HCPEB＋MPO compounded surface modification technology in improving the corrosion resistance of ZK60 Mg alloys in the future.

Oxidative coupling of methane:MO_x-modified (M=Ti,Mg,Ga,Zr) Mn_2O_3-Na_2WO_4/SiO_2 catalysts and effect of MO_x modification

Mn_2O_3-Na_2WO_4/SiO_2 is considered as the most promising catalyst for the oxidative coupling of methane（OCM） process; however, it only has a better catalytic performance over 800 °C. To improve its low-temperature performance, an attempt has been made to modify the Mn_2O_3-Na_2WO_4/SiO_2 catalyst using TiO_2, MgO, Ga_2O_3, and ZrO_2. Among the synthesized catalysts, the TiO_2-modified Mn_2O_3-Na_2WO_4/SiO_2 catalyst shows markedly improved low-temperature OCM performance,achieving a high CH_4 conversion of ~23% and a good C_2-C_3 selectivity of ~73% at 700 °C（the catalyst bed temperature）, along with promising stability for at least 300 h without signs of deactivation.In comparison with the unmodified Mn_2O_3-Na_2WO_4/SiO_2 catalyst, the TiO_2 modification results in significant improvement in the low-temperature activity/selectivity, whereas the MgO modification has almost no impact and the Ga_2O_3 and ZrO_2 modifications have a negative effect. The X-ray diffraction（XRD） and Raman results reveal that the formation of a MnTiO_3 phase and a MnTiO_3-dominated catalyst surface is crucial for the improvement of the low-temperature activity/selectivity in the OCM process.

Effects of Metal Oxide Modifications on Photoelectrochemical Properties of Mesoporous TiO2 Nanoparticles Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Mesoporous TiO2 （m-TiO2） nanoparticles were used to prepare the porous film electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells, and a second metal oxide （MgO, ZnO, A1203, or NiO） modifi- cation was carried out by dipping the m-TiO2 electrode into their respective nitrate solution followed by annealing at 500 ℃. Experimental results indicated that the above second metal oxide modifications on m-TiO2 electrode are shown in all cases to act as barrier layer for the interracial charge transfer processes, but film electron transport and interfacial charge recombination characteristics under applied bias voltage were dependent significantly on the existing states and kinds of these second metal oxides. Those changes based on sec- ond metal oxide modifications showed good correlation with the current-voltage analyses of dye-sensitized solar cell, and all modifications were found to increase the open-circuit photo- voltage in various degrees, while the MgO, ZnO, and NiO modifications result in 23%, 13%, and 6% improvement in cell conversion efficiency, respectively. The above observations indi- cate that controlling the charge transport and recombination is very important to improve the photovoltaic performance of TiO2-based solar cell.

Oxidative modification of high density lipoprotein induced by cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells

Objective: To observe the oxidative modification of high density lipoprotein (HDL) induced by cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Methods: HDL cocultured with SMCs at 37℃ in 48 h was subjected, and native HDL (N-HDL) served as control. Oxidative modification of HDL was identified by using agarose gel electrophoresis. Absorbances of conjugated diene (CD) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) were measured with ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 234 and 560 nm respectively, and fluorescence intensity of thiobarbuturic acid reaction substance (TBARS) with fluorescence spectrophotometry at 550 nm emission wavelength with excitation at 515 nm. Results: In comparison with N-HDL, the electrophoretic mobility of SMCs-cocultured HDL was increased, and the contents of CD, LOOH and TBARS HDL were very significantly higher than those of the control HDL (P<0.01). Conclusion: Oxidative modification of HDL can be induced by human arterial SMCs.

Study on Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Temperature Swing Adsorption of Benzene and Formaldehyde

Adsorption can be used to recover effectively the volatile organic gases(VOCs)in the exhaust gas from factories through using an appropriate adsorption bed.Due to form a physical or chemical bond,adsorption occurs between the porous solid medium and the liquid or gas multi component fluid mixture.The regeneration capa-city of the adsorbent is as important as the adsorption capacity and it determines the economics of the adsorption system.The regeneration of adsorbent can be realized through changing the pressure or temperature of the system.Here,activated carbon samples from coconut shell were prepared and characterized.Benzene or formal-dehyde in the mixed air was used as the adsorption object,and the adsorption experiment was carried out in a U-shaped bed.Discussed how adsorption was affected by activated carbon type,adsorbate and temperature.The results show that oxidation modifed activated carbon can increase the adsorption effect of form aldehyde,but will reduce the ad sorption effect of benzene,because their ad sorption mechanism is different.At 30℃,the saturated adsorption apacity of AC-0 for benzene is 437.0 mg/g.and that of AC-1 for formaldehyde is 670.5 mg/g.In the experimental range,it is found that the adsorption capacity increases with the decrease of temperature,and their changes are very consistent with the ftted ExpDecay1 function.

Oxidatively Modified Very Low Density Lipoprotein Enhances Monocyte Adhesion to Endothelial Cells

Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was incubated with CuCl2(10 μmol/L) at room temperature for 24 hours.The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) was much higher and the electrophoretic mobility was much faster in VLDL after incubation with CuCl2 than that in VLDL without incubation with CuCl2.It demonstrated that VLDL was oxidatively modified by Cu2+. Endothelial cells were pretreated with normal VLDL ( N-VLDL ) and oxidatively modified VLDL (OVLDL) and then the adhesion of monocyte to endothelial cells was assayed. We observed that O-VLDL at all the concentrations used enhanced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells significantly. The results suggest that oxidative modification of VLDL may play a role in the early stage of atherogenesis by increasing monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells.

FERONIA-mediated TIR1/AFB2 oxidation stimulates auxin signaling in Arabidopsis

The phytohormone auxin plays a pivotal role in governing plant growth and development.Although the TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX(TIR1/AFB)receptors function in both the nucleus and cytoplasm,the mechanism governing the distribution of TIR1/AFBs between these cellular compartments remains unknown.In this study,we demonstrate that auxin-mediated oxidation of TIR1/AFB2 is essential for their targeting to the nucleus.We showed that small active molecules,reactive oxygen species(ROS)and nitric oxide(NO),are indispensable for the nucleo-cytoplasmic distribution of TIR1/AFB2 in trichoblasts and root hairs.Further studies revealed that this process is regulated by the FERONIA receptor kinase–NADPH oxidase signaling pathway.Interestingly,ROS and NO initiate oxidative modifications in TIR1C140/516 and AFB2C135/511,facilitating their subsequent nuclear import.The oxidized forms of TIR1C140/516 and AFB2C135/511 play a crucial role in enhancing the function of TIR1 and AFB2 in transcriptional auxin responses.Collectively,our study reveals a novel mechanism by which auxin stimulates the transport of TIR1/AFB2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus,orchestrated by the FERONIA–ROS signaling pathway.

Magnetic modification of diamagnetic agglomerate forming powder materials

A simple method for the magnetic modification of various types of powdered agglomerate forming dia- magnetic materials was developed. Magnetic iron oxide particles were prepared from ferrous sulfate by microwave assisted synthesis. A suspension of the magnetic particles in water soluble organic solvent （methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, or acetone） was mixed with the material to be modified and then completely dried at elevated temperature. The magnetically modified materials were found to be stable in water suspension at least for 2 months.

Dihydrotanshinone I preconditions myocardium against ischemic injury via PKM2 glutathionylation sensitive to ROS

Ischemic preconditioning(IPC)is a potential intervention known to protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury,but its role in the no-reflow phenomenon that follows reperfusion is unclear.Dihydrotanshinone I(DT)is a natural compound and this study illustrates its role in cardiac ischemic injury from the aspect of IPC.Pretreatment with DT induced modest ROS production and protected cardiomyocytes against oxygen and glucose deprivation(OGD),but the protection was prevented by a ROS scavenger.In addition,DT administration protected the heart against isoprenaline challenge.Mechanistically,PKM2 reacted to transient ROS via oxidization at Cys423/Cys424,leading to glutathionylation and nuclear translocation in dimer form.In the nucleus,PKM2 served as a co-factor to promote HIF-1a-dependent gene induction,contributing to adaptive responses.In mice subjected to permanent coronary ligation,cardiac-specific knockdown of Pkm2 blocked DT-mediated preconditioning protection,which was rescued by overexpression of wild-type Pkm2,rather than Cys423/424-mutated Pkm2.In conclusion,PKM2 is sensitive to oxidation,and subsequent glutathionylation promotes its nuclear translocation.Although IPC has been viewed as a protective means against reperfusion injury,our study reveals its potential role in protection of the heart from no-reflow ischemia.

Influence of high-temperature oxidation of SiC powders on curing properties of SiC slurry for digital light processing

Fabrication of silicon carbide(SiC)ceramics by digital light processing(DLP)technology is difficult owing to high refractive index and high ultraviolet(UV)absorptivity of SiC powders.The surface of the SiC powders can be coated with silicon oxide(SiO_(2))with low refractive index and low UV absorptivity via high-temperature oxidation,reducing the loss of UV energy in the DLP process and realizing the DLP preparation of the SiC ceramics.However,it is necessary to explore a high-temperature modification process to obtain a better modification effect of the SiC powders.Therefore,the high-temperature modification behavior of the SiC powders is thoroughly investigated in this paper.The results show that nano-scale oxide film is formed on the surface of the SiC powders by short-time high-temperature oxidation,effectively reducing the UV absorptivity and the surface refractive index(nʹ)of the SiC powders.When the oxidation temperature is 1300℃,compared with that of unoxidized SiC powders,the UV absorptivity of oxidized SiC powders decreases from 0.5065 to 0.4654,and a curing depth of SiC slurry increases from 22±4 to 59±4μm.Finally,SiC green bodies are successfully prepared by the DLP with the the oxidized powders,and flexural strength of SiC sintered parts reaches 47.9±2.3 MPa after 3 h of atmospheric sintering at 2000℃without any sintering aid.

Resource utilization of flue gas calcium-based desulfurization ash:a comprehensive review

Calcium-based desulfurization ash(CDA)is mainly produced in dry and semi-dry flue gas desulfurization processes.The property of CDA is extremely unstable because its main component,calcium sulfite,makes it difficult to be directly applied to the field of building materials.The modification of desulfurization ash can be realized by high-temperature oxidation and wet oxidation.After modification,CDA can be widely used in building materials.Hydrothermal oxidation has broad development prospects because it can complete the oxidation of CDA and the removal of impurity elements at the same time.CDA can be used to prepare high value-added products of calcium sulfate whiskers and ecological rubber fillers.

Tailoring biochar by PHP towards the oxygenated functional groups(OFGs)-rich surface to improve adsorption performance

In this work,a modification method of H_(3)PO_(4)plus H_(2)O_(2)(PHP)was introduced to targetedly form abundant oxygenated functional groups(OFGs)on biochar,and methylene blue(MB)was employed as a model pollutant for adsorption to reflect the modification performance.Results indicated that parent biochars,especially derived from lower temperatures,substantially underwent oxidative modification by PHP,and OFGs were targetedly produced.Correspondingly,approximately 21.5-fold MB adsorption capacity was achieved by PHP-modified biochar comparing with its parent biochar.To evaluate the compatibility of PHP-modification,coefficient of variation(CV)based on MB adsorption capacity by the biochar from various precursors was calculated,in which the CV of PHP-modified biochars was 0.0038 comparing to0.64 of the corresponding parent biochars.These results suggested that the PHP method displayed the excellent feedstock compatibility on biochar modification.The maximum MB adsorption capacity was454.1 mg/g when the H_(3)PO_(4)and H_(2)O_(2)fraction in PHP were 65.2%and 7.0%;the modification was further intensified by promoting temperature and duration.Besides,average 94.5%H_(3)PO_(4)was recovered after 10-batch modification,implying 1.0 kg H_(3)PO_(4)(85%)in PHP can maximally modify 2.37 kg biochar.Overall,this work offered a novel method to tailor biochar towards OFGs-rich surface for efficient adsorption.

The Potential Effect of Puerarin in Preventing Atherosclerosis

Objective To study the activity of Puerarin (Pue) in scavenging oxygen free radical (OFR) and its inhibitory effect on the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Methods Riboflavin-light system was used to generate superoxide anion, and Fenton reaction to generate hydroxyl free radical to study the activity of Pue in scavenging OFR. Hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis was used to study the effect of Pue on erythrocyte hemolysis and malondialdehyde (MDA) production. And ultraviolet ray and cupric sulfate were used to cause the oxidative modification of LDL for studying the inhibitory effect of Pue on LDL oxidative modification. Results (1) Pue could, at concentration of 0. 01 – 1.0 mmol/L, scavenge superoxide anion radical and at concentration of 7.5–75μmol/L scavenge hydroxyl radical in a concentration dependent manner. (2) Pue could, at concentration of 0.1–10 mmol/L, inhibit significantly oxidative hemolysis and MDA production of erythrocyte induced by hydrogen peroxide. (3) Pue of 0.01–1.0 mmol/L could inhibit the oxidative modification of LDL in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion Pue has an anti-peroxidation effect and shows a potential effect in preventing atherosclerosis.

Cerium based shells with palladium cores encapsulated:an efficient catalyst for carbon monoxide oxidation

Pd@Zr/Ce O2 core-shell catalyst prepared by hydrothermal method was applied in CO oxidation reaction, exhibiting high CO oxidation activity at low temperature.XRD（X-ray diffraction） analysis demonstrated that the remarkable enhancement of catalytic performance was found to depend on the presence of more oxygen vacancies in the core-shell structure, which contributed higher content of and ready release of active oxygen species at low temperature, confirmed by H2-TPR（temperature programed reduction） results.Interestingly, introducing a small amount of zirconium（0.5 wt.%） exhibited a significant improvement of catalytic activity because the introduction of Zr further improved the amount of crystal defects and promoted the migration of oxygen species.

Plasticityimprovement of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass by micro-arc oxidation

Mciro-arc oxidation（MAO）was used to coat porous films on the surface of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass sample.The compressive test results indicated that,compared with the as-cast sample,the MAO treated one exhibited higher deformation capacity,associated with multiple shear bands with higher density on the side surface and well-developed vein patterns with smaller size on the fractured surface.The pore in the MAOed film and the matrix/coating interface initiated the shear bands and impeded the rapid propagation of shear bands,thus favoring the enhanced plasticity of the MAO treated sample.The obtained results demonstrated that MAO can be considered as an effective method to finely tune the mechanical performance of monolithic bulk metallic glasses.