The extraction rate of organic acid components was used as an indicator to investigate the effects of extraction process parameters, namely, extraction temperature, extraction time, solid-liquid ratio, and particle size on the extraction results using the water extraction method. A response surface model was established using a Box-Behnken design to optimize the extraction process parameters for organic acid components from Lonicera japonica Thunb. with temperature, time, and solid-liquid ratio as factors. Results show that the optimal extraction process for organic acid components from Lonicera japonica Thunb. comprise an extraction temperature of 72 ℃, an extraction time of 90 min, and a solid-liquid ratio of 1 g∶40 mL. Under these conditions, the extraction rate of organic acid components can reach 5.16% with a relative error of 0.96% compared to the theoretical value.

The chemical compositions of Dioscorea spongiosa were investigated using macroporous resin, MCI column chromatography, gel column chromatography and preparative liquid chromatography. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, ESI-MS. Ten compounds were isolated from Dioscorea spongiosa, which were identified as three aromatic compounds: diosniponol C (1), 3,5-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybibenzyl (9), P-hydroxyphenyl butanone (10);two saponin analogues: methyl protodioscin (2), protogracillin (6); three diarylheptanoids: (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxy-1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-heptane 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane 3-β-D-glucopyranoside (5); one alkaloid: cyclo(l-Pro-l-Leu)(7); one sterols: β-sitosterol(8), of which compounds (3~5),(7),(9) were isolated from Dioscorea spongiosa for the first time. In this study, the chemical constituents of 70% ethanol extract of Dioscorea spongiosa were systematically isolated, which enriched the chemical composition and laid the foundation for the comprehensive development of Dioscorea spongiosa.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most common adverse drug reactions. Therefore, using computational biology and artificial intelligence modeling to explore the material basis and mechanisms underlying adverse drug reactions from traditional Chinese medicine compounds is of great significance in enhancing the safety of clinical medication. In this study, we retrieved the chemical composition and target information of Compound Polygonum multiflorum and Rehmannia glutinosa Pills (CPRP), along with DILI-related targets. A CPRP-DILI protein-protein interaction network containing 362 nodes and 1 518 interactions was constructed based on this information. Gene ontology analysis indicated that in terms of molecular function CPRP-DILI primarily involves reactions to chemical substances, chemical stimuli, and organic compounds. Cellular components are primarily localized to the extracellular region, plasma membrane, and cell surface. The biological processes of CPRP-DILI involve the binding of enzymes, proteins, small molecules, and signaling receptors. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes signaling pathway analysis revealed the involvement of the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. The key miRNAs in the miRNA regulatory network include hsa-mir-34a-5p and has-mir-155-5p. The HubGenes of the two core subnetworks include AKT1, CTNNB1, MAPK3, HIF1A, JUN, TP53, and STAT3. The clinical drugs associated with DILI include antitumor drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and immunosuppressants. Fourteen high-risk DILI compounds were predicted to be present in CPRP, including emodin, rhein, and gallic acid. The chemical components in CPRP may affect certain biological pathways in susceptible populations, interfering with hepatic angiogenesis and autophagy balance, thereby impeding liver repair processes and exacerbating liver injury. The chemical compounds may also exhibit cross-hepatotoxicity with pyrimidine-containing antitumor drugs, NSAIDs, and immunosuppressants, suggesting that caution is needed when co-administering CPRP with the aforementioned drugs in clinical settings.

In order to study the role and mechanism of soluble dietary fiber in alleviating constipation, this study utilized 16S rRNA sequencing, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunoblotting methods in a mouse model of constipation. From various aspects of intestinal microecology, such as the distribution of the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acid metabolites, and the intestinal epithelial barrier, this study explored the role and molecular mechanism of soluble dietary fiber in alleviating constipation in mice. The alleviating effect of soluble dietary fiber on constipation was further confirmed in human trials. This study found that soluble dietary fiber significantly alleviated the symptoms of constipation in mice and humans. The mechanisms of action are as follows: increasing the number of probiotics such as Parabacteroides and Ligilactobacillus in the intestinal tract of mice; promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids such as acetic acid; and significantly improving the expression of genes encoding the production of intestinal tight junction proteins, along with proteins themselves, which are involved in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The results indicate that soluble dietary fiber has good alleviating effects on constipation in mice and humans, which is achieved through the production of short-chain fatty acids, the improvement of the gut microbiota, and the enhancement of the intestinal barrier. This study further confirms the value of soluble dietary fiber for application in constipated populations, providing a scientific basis for intestinal research and product development.

To investigate the mechanism of the cilia assembly in choanoflagellates, this study focused on a colony-forming choanoflagellate, Salpingoeca rosetta. For the first time, the cilia of Salpingoeca rosetta were disassembled viamechanical shearing, and a LiCl (lithium chloride)-induced ciliaelongation experiment was conducted to investigate mechanisms underlying the disassembly, regeneration, and assembly of the cilia of Salpingoeca rosetta. In the LiCl-induced ciliaelongation experiment, a final molarity of 250 mmol/L was used. In the cilia disassembly and regeneration experiments, the mechanical shearing conditions were determined. Experimental results show that the cilia of Salpingoeca rosetta were restored to their original lengths after a mechanical force was applied on them for 120 min; moreover, LiCl-induced a ciliaelongation by more than 60% after 180 min of LiCl treatment.Compared with the cold-stress-induced disassembly of the cilia of Salpingoeca rosetta, the mechanical shearing method was faster, more efficient, and simpler with higher repeatability. This study provides a fundamental method for investigating the molecular mechanism of the cilia assembly in Salpingoeca rosetta.

Southern blight is a key disease that harms the growth of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. To identify the pathogenic fungi that cause southern blight in H. cordata, tissue isolation was conducted on H. cordata samples infected with southern blight from Dangyang, Hubei province, China. Furthermore, screening was conducted to determine the morphology and molecular biology of the infected plant, and the isolated pathogens were screened against the antagonist Trichoderma. The results identified Athelia rolfsii as isolated pathogenic fungi. Three Trichoderma strains with fungal inhibition rate greater than 95% were screened through a plate confrontation assay. Among them, Trichoderma asperellum QT21918 exhibited the effects of hyphal hyperparasitism and fungal lysis on A. rolfsii and its inhibitory rates for volatile and nonvolatile metabolites were 38.21% and 50.54%, respectively. In vitro leaf tests demonstrated that this strain had a fungal inhibitory rate of 67.7% against the spread of the lesions associated with southern blight disease. A pot-based experiment showed that optimal control effect was achieved by simultaneously inoculating T. asperellum QT 21918 and the pathogen as well as by first inoculating T. asperellum QT21918 for 7 days and then inoculating the pathogen, both methods achieving a control effect of 100%. The above results indicate that T. asperellum QT21918 has potential as a biocontrol agent against southern blight in H. cordata.

Ginger root rot is a soil-borne disease in ginger planting, which is mainly caused by Fusarium spp. and can induce serious reduction or even extinction of ginger yield. Thirty-four Trichoderma strains with antifungal activity were isolated from the soil collected from representative ginger planting areas in Shandong province. Based on their antibiotic properties, antagonistic coefficients, and spore production capabilities, three highly effective Trichoderma strains were selected for their antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. zingiberi (Foz): TW20111, TW20321, and TW20323. Morphological observations and molecular biological identifications classified strain TW20111 as Trichoderma atroviride and strains TW20321 and TW20323 as Trichoderma harzianum. The efficacy of these three Trichoderma strains in controlling ginger root rot was assessed under greenhouse and field conditions. Under greenhouse conditions, T. harzianum TW20321 showed the highest control efficacy of 86.33%, significantly promoted ginger plant height, and moderately increased ginger yield compared to carbendazim treatment. Field experiments revealed that the control efficacy of any two combined Trichoderma strains was significantly higher than that of a single strain, with the combination of TW20111 and TW20321 achieving the highest control efficacy of 68.90%. This combination also resulted in the greatest increases in plant height and single plant yield, which rose by 19.31% and 27.43%, respectively, compared to the control group.This study provided a basis for the development of new bio-pesticides for the effective control of ginger root rot.

In order to explore effective biological control resources for the cultivation of American ginseng, identification of pathogen species and screening of highly effective biocontrol Trichoderma were carried out for the root rot of American ginseng in Weihai. Through tissue isolation, morphological analysis, and dual-gene (ITS/TEF1-α) phylogenetic analysis, the pathogens responsible for root rot were isolated and identified. The pathogenicity was confirmed using Koch's postulates, and the abundance of key pathogens in the rhizosphere soils of diseased and healthy plants was analyzed through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Finally, biocontrol Trichoderma strains were screened through plate antagonism assays and pot experiments. The results showed that 125 fungal strains were isolated from the rotten roots of American ginseng, with Fusarium being the dominant genus, accounting for 70.91%. Four pathogenic strains were identified: F. solani (XYS-1), F. oxysporum (XYS-2), F. proliferatum (XYS-33), and Alternaria alternata (XYS-44). qPCR analysis revealed that the abundance of F. solani, F. oxysporum, and A. alternata in the rhizosphere soils of diseased plants was 42.35%, 13.80%, and 33.44% higher, respectively, than healthy plants. Three Trichoderma strains showed significant inhibitory effects against these pathogens. Specifically, strain HB20111 inhibited F. solani by 66.94%, strain KZ23651 inhibited F. oxysporum by 76.00%, and strain QT20747 inhibited A. alternata by 65.20%. Greenhouse pot experiments showed that Trichoderma inoculation increased plant height, root fresh weight, chlorophyll content in the leaf, and root activity of American ginseng while reducing the incidence of root rot. In this study, we identified the pathogens causing the root rot of American ginseng in Weihai and screened biocontrol Trichoderma strains, which provided a foundation for sustainable control of the root rot of American ginseng in this region.

To enhance the microalgae lipid content, Chlorella sp. was subjected to ultrasonic mutagenesis. Mutagenesis was performed for 20 minutes under conditions of 40 kHz and 100 W, resulting in the cultivation of 10 mutant strains (M1-M10). Further screening led to the selection of three stable high-lipid-producing strains, namely M2, M5, and M7. These strains were analyzed to determine their biomass concentration and lipid, chlorophyll, and protein mass concentration and percentage. The results indicated that the biomass mass concentrations of M2, M5, and M7 were 0.384, 0.379, and 0.443 g/L, respectively. The lipid yields of M2, M5, and M7 were 14.70, 13.34, and 25.11 mg/L, respectively, all of which were higher than that of the wild type (WT) strain, which had a recorded yield of 9.38 mg/L.Compared to the WT, the chlorophyll yield of the mutant strains increased by 14.41%, 3.01%, and 10.24%, respectively, while the protein content of the mutant strains increased by 7.30%, 10.52%, and 13.66%, respectively. This study is of great significance to the industrialized production of biodiesel.

As a common flame retardant, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) can considerably improve the flame retardancy of rubber, but the molecular structure of APP shows that it contains a large number of ammonium phosphate groups, rendering it highly hygroscopic. To address this hygroscopic issue of APP, microencapsulated APP (MF201) was obtained by coating APP microcapsules with melamine resin. Although MF201 can solve the hygroscopic issue of APP, the presence of microencapsulated shells may affect the properties of rubber. To study the difference between the two flame retardants, APP and MF201 were introduced into a natural rubber/butadiene rubber (NR/BR) composite to investigate their impacts on the hardness, flame retardancy, wear resistance, and other physical and mechanical properties of NR/BR composites. The results show that the addition of APP and MF201 can improve the flame retardancy, hardness, mechanical properties, and wear resistance of NR/BR composites. Due to the plasticizing effect of the melamine resin shell, the hardness of NR/BR composites decreases slightly when MF201 is added. Furthermore, APP and MF201 improve the flame retardancy of NR/BR composites to the same extend. For example, 45 phr APP and MF201 increase the limiting oxygen index of NR/BR composites to 25.5% and their UL-94 combustion rating to HB. In addition, the effects of APP and MF201 on wear resistance are basically the same. The NR/BR composites with MF201 added have lower hardness and higher elongation at break. Therefore, the microencapsulated shell did not change the flame retardant and wear resistance of APP to NR/BR composites, but increased the elongation at break and reduced the hardness.

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) and microalgae are widely distributed in water and MNPs that adhere to the surface of microalgae or enter their internal structures will enter the food chain in large quantities, posing a great threat to aquatic ecosystems. The physiological effects of MNPs on algae vary depending on their particle sizes. In this study, polystyrene micro/nanoplastics(PS-MNPs) particles were selected as target pollutants to investigate their toxicological effects on Microcystis aeruginosa (FACHB 905) at different concentrations (5, 10, 50 and 250 mg/L) and particle sizes (100 μm and 80 nm). Results showed that the inhibition effect of 80 nm PS-MNPs exerted a more potent inhibitory effect on the growth of algal, chlorophyll a and phycobiliprotein synthesis than 100 μm PS-MNPs, and the inhibitory effect was more obvious with the increase of PS concentration. In addition, the activities of catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde dehydrogenase (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in microalgae cells were significantly increased under the stress of high concentration of PS-MNPs, indicating that high concentration of PS-MNPs caused oxidative damage to algal cells, and smaller PS-MNPs particles can lead to more severe oxidative damage. The toxicity of PS-MNPs with different particle sizes toward M. aeruviosa mainly led to cell destruction through surface adsorption, which affected photosynthesis and energy metabolism of algal cells, hindering normal physiological and biochemical reactions in algal cells. This study, by exploring the toxicity mechanism of PS-MNPs to microcystis aeruginosa, is of great significance for the risk assessment of PS-MNPs, and provides a theoretical basis for the prevention of M. aeruginosa bloom.

Fouling is a common problem in the efficient conversion and utilization of energy as it significantly reduces heat transfer efficiency and jeopardizes the operational safety of equipment. In recent years, with the application of polymer oil drive technology in recent years, the fouling problem caused by HPAM in the recovered fluid has gradually attracted attention. Scaling processes are more complex and fouling is more stubborn in HPAM-containing environments than in HPAM-free environments. Herein, to address the fouling of polymer-bearing wastewater on the surface of heat-exchanger equipment, we experimentally investigated the impacts of factors such as heat-exchanger surface temperature, HPAM mass concentration, hydrolysis degree, fluid salinity, and surface roughness on the fouling rate and identified the fouling patterns of polymer-bearing wastewater on such surfaces. It was found that polymer concentration is the most important factor affecting the fouling rate of polymer-bearing wastewater. The fouling rate decreases and then increases with increasing HPAM mass concentration, and HPAM exerts an antagonistic effect on the fouling rate. The fouling rate increases with increasing heat-exchanger surface temperature, and boiling accelerates the surface fouling rate. In addition, there is a critical degree of HPAM hydrolysis at which the fouling rate is the highest, while the surface roughness has no significant effect on scaling rate.

To address the energy shortages problem, in addition to developing new and renewable energy sources, the recovery and utilization of waste heat resources have gained increasing attention, particularly low-grade industrial waste heat. Traditional integrated waste heat adsorption beds suffer from slow heat transfer and uneven temperature distribution, severely limiting the efficiency of waste heat storage. This study proposes a staggered adsorption bed that utilizes thermochemical hydration salts for low-grade waste heat recovery. Results show that the heat-storage rate of this adsorption bed is three times that of traditional adsorption beds. In terms of the heat transfer, it effectively mitigates the issue of uneven heating duration of materials across the adsorption bed. In terms of the mass transfer, a multidirectional mass transfer reduces the contact time between water vapor and materials, avoiding conditions for the secondary hydration of heat-storage materials. Therefore, the “staggered adsorption bed” has unique advantages in heat and mass transfer, providing a novel approach for the design and improvement of adsorption heat-storage beds for waste heat recovery.

With the rapid increase in the scale of new energy installations, the role of thermal power units in grid peak regulation has become crucial. Swift and precise prediction of the duration of the “startup-grid connection” process for thermal power units is essential for dispatchers to promptly adjust grid operation status. To address the current reliance on human experience for predicting the duration of the “startup-grid connection” process, this paper proposes a method for predicting the duration of this process for thermal power units. First, the startup-grid connection process of thermal power units is analyzed to identify key operational parameters at each stage. Then, logical calculations are leveraged to predict the duration of the “startup-grid connection” process. Results of a pilot test on a typical unit on the “Net-Source platform” indicate that the proposed model can accurately monitor the response state of the units during the “startup-grid connection” process and successfully predict its duration. This method provides timely decision support for dispatchers, helping to ensure the safety and stability of grid operations.