Search

To mitigate the decrease in mechanical performance of Sn58Bi/Cu solder joints resulting from electromigration-induced damage. The CeO2 nanoparticles were incorporated into Sn58Bi solder by a melt-casting method, and their effects on the microstructure and properties of Sn58Bi/Cu solder joints under electromigration were investigated. The study results demonstrate that the addition of 0.125 ~ 0.5 wt% CeO2 nanoparticles refines the eutectic microstructure of Sn58Bi solder alloy. At an addition amount of 0.5 wt%, the composite solder alloy exhibits the maximum tensile strength of 68.9 MPa, which is 37% higher than that of the base solder. CeO2 nanoparticle-reinforced Sn58Bi solder can achieve excellent solderbility with Cu substrates and the joints can significantly inhibit the growth of the anodic Bi-rich layer, which is responsible for electromigration. With the extension of current stressing time, Bi-rich and Sn-rich layer are respectively formed on the anode and cathode in the joints. The intermetallic compound (IMC) layer grows asymmetrically, transitioning from a fan-shaped morphology to a flattened structure at the anode and to a thickened mountain-like morphology at the cathode. Adding the CeO2 nanoparticles helps to mitigate the decrease in mechanical performance caused by electromigration damage during current application to some extent. Over the current stressing period of 288 ~ 480 h, the fracture position shifts from the anodic IMC/Bi-rich interface to the cathodic Sn-rich/IMC interface. The fracture mechanism transitions from a brittle fracture characterized by plate-like cleavage to a ductile–brittle mixed fracture with fine dimples and cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pickering emulsion have been widely used to encapsulate bioactives with the aim of preventing degradation, improving bioavailability and achieving the effect of slow release. Curcumin (Cur), as a bioactive compound, was famous as its excellent beneficial human health functions. However, the low solubility and susceptibility to environmental influences limit the application of Cur. In our previous study, the covalent nanoparticles (sugarcane leaf polyphenols-zein, SGLpZ) with excellent antioxidant capacity were successfully fabricated. In addition, the pickering emulsion stabilized using SGLpZ with significance storage stability and antioxidant properties, which inspired us for Cur delivery application. Therefore, in this study, SZP (pickering emulsion stabilized by SGLpZ) were prepared and were firstly used to delivery Cur evaluation. Results exhibited that the mechanism of excellent stabilization of SZP may be due to the wide range of O/W phase interfaces with SGLpZ, which could be further used as a delivery system for Cur. An in-vitro simulated digestion suggested that SZP provided better protection to Cur under three different conditions (different Na+ concentration, temperatures and UV exposure times), compared to ZZP (pickering emulsion stabilized by zein nanoparticles alone). SZP was able to achieve a slow release of Cur as well as the high bioaccessibility of Cur during the in-vitro simulated digestion. Finally, Cur, Cur-ZZP and Cur-SZP inhibited respectively by 33.20±1.00%, 53.26±0.94% and 71.59±0.14% (p ＜0.05) at the Cur concentration of 20 μg/mL in the in-vitro inhibition of AAPH-induced erythrocyte hemolysis assay. The study indicated that the pickering emulsion stabilized by SGLpZ was a reliable Cur delivery system and provided a novel idea of food material application for bioacitive substances delivery. [Display omitted] • A green-sustainable pickering emulsion stabilized by Sugarcane leaf polyphenols-Zein nanoparticles was firstly prepared. • Cur-SZP for better results compared with curcumin and Cur-ZZP in three different external environments. • Cur-SZP achieved slow release and improved bioavailability of curcumin in in-vitro digestion. • The inhibitory effect of Cur-SZP on hemolysis of red blood cells was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a non-invasive body fluid, urine pH is one of the important biomarkers for diseases such as the kidneys. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection of urine pH is of great clinical significance. A novel fluorescent probe (SPPH-Cl) was developed based on Brooker’s merocyanine skeleton for pH detection. The pKa of SPPH-Cl was adjusted to 6.55 using a phenolic hydroxyl ortho substitution strategy, therefore, the fluorescence response range of SPPH-Cl to pH covers the urine physiological pH range (4.6-8.0). SPPH-Cl has excellent water solubility, stable recoverability, wide anti-interference capability, and sensitive reactions to pH fluctuations in pure aqueous solutions. SPPH-Cl has succeeded in applying to monitor the pH of volunteer urine samples based on a standard curve established in artificially simulated urine, and the detection results have accuracy comparable to pH meters. Therefore, this work provided a powerful molecule tool for detecting pH in urine samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metformin/glipizide tablets are a compound formulation composed of metformin hydrochloride and glipizide. This study aimed to assess the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of two fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets of metformin/glipizide (500 mg/2.5 mg) in healthy Chinese subjects. We conducted a single-center, open-label, randomized, two-way crossover study with a total of 48 subjects enrolled (24 in each dietary group). The test or reference formulations were given to the subjects at random at a ratio of 1 : 1, with a seven-day washout period. Blood samples, collected at prearranged intervals before and up to 24 hours after dosage, were analyzed using validated LC-MS/MS technology to ascertain plasma concentrations of metformin and glipizide. Finally, 23 subjects completed the fasting and fed studies, respectively. In both studies, the 90% confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratios (test/reference) of the C m ax , AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ were all found to fall within the acceptable range for bioequivalence (80%–125%). The exposure of metformin/glipizide FDC tablets in vivo was not significantly affected by food. No serious adverse events were observed. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that both the test and reference metformin/glipizide tablets exhibited bioequivalence and were well tolerated under both fasting and fed conditions. This trial is registered with CTR202686. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anaesthetic methods and drugs with rapid onset, rapid recovery and better postoperative analgesia are more suitable for rapid recovery in obstetric anaesthesia. We formulated the following hypothesis: a combination of mepivacaine and ropivacaine could provide a longer analgesic effect and have more advantages in terms of rapid-recovery indicators. Methods: A total of 180 pregnant women scheduled to undergo elective caesarean sections were randomly assigned to three surgical groups, which received 2% mepivacaine (Group M), 2% mepivacaine + 0.75% ropivacaine (Group MR) (Volume 1:1) or 0.75% ropivacaine (Group R) through an epidural catheter. The situation of postoperative analgesia and other indicators of rapid recovery were recorded. Results: One hundred and fifty patients were included in the final analysis. Their demographic data were similar. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of Group MR and Group R were lower than Group M at 1 and 2 h after surgery both at rest and with movement (P < 0.05), and the time to first ambulation in Group MR (17.38 ± 2.06 h) and Group M (17.20 ± 2.09 h) was shorter than that in Group R (22.18 ± 1.74 h) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Application of 2% mepivacaine combined with 0.75% ropivacaine for epidural anaesthesia can provide longer postoperative analgesia and earlier ambulation, these effect may be more suitable than that of 2% mepivacaine or 0.75% ropivacaine alone for caesarean section. Trial registration: This study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR 2300078288; date of registration: 04/12/2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blonanserin is a novel oral antischizophrenic drug. Under fasting (n = 50) and fed (n = 60) conditions, this study compared the bioequivalence of the generic blonanserin tablet with the reference blonanserin tablet. In this single‐center, randomized, open‐label, 2‐period, 2‐sequence, crossover study, 110 patients were randomly given a 4‐mg dose of either the test or reference blonanserin tablet with a 14‐day washout period. Blood samples were taken before performing and up to 72 hours following. A validated high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry technique was used to measure the levels of blonanserin in plasma. Safety was evaluated throughout the study. The study found no significant differences in the maximum observed drug concentration in the plasma (Cmax), the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the last sampling time (AUC0‐t), and the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC0‐∞) between the 2 blonanserin formulations. The 90% confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratio of the test/reference formulations for Cmax, AUC0‐t, and AUC0‐∞ were within the 80%‐125% limit. Food dramatically raised blonanserin exposure, and also significantly prolonged the lag time of absorption. No serious adverse events occurred. These results indicate that the 2 blonanserin formulations were bioequivalent and well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. In clinical treatment, it is necessary to consider the food effect of blonanserin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By fully utilizing the abundant surface functional groups of the fungus to coordinate with metal cobalt ions and the phosphorus and nitrogen elements of the organism itself to regulate the coordination environment of the central metal atoms, a cobalt-based single-atom catalyst TAHCF/Co-N was successfully constructed for selective hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds with good performance. [Display omitted] • Hyphae could be biocultured into macroscopic 3D structure. • Hyphae have natural functional groups for anchoring metal ions. • Fungal phosphorus sources could tailor the coordination of single metal sites. • The catalyst exhibits impressive performance for nitroarene hydrogenation. Utilizing biomass as a versatile catalyst building platform holds tremendous promise for catalyst design. In this study, we demonstrate a facile and effective method to fabricate high-performance catalysts using Trichoderma afroharzianum hyphae derived carbon fiber (TAHCF) embedded with Co 1 -N 3 P 1 active sites for nitroaromatic hydrogenation. This strategy leverages the intrinsic self-assembly and metal ion adsorption capabilities of Trichoderma afroharzianum (TA). During the carbonization process, amino acid-rich fungi undergo transformation into biochar substrates co-doped with functional heteroatoms, facilitating the creation of TAHCF single-atom catalyst. Moreover, the catalytic performance can be further enhanced by tailoring the coordination structure of metal atoms on the carbon substrates. Remarkably, we achieve a high turnover frequency of 1553 h−1 for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene, along with exceptional conversion and selectivity for various nitro compounds with the metal loading as low as 0.02 wt%. Our study presents a characteristic synthetic method that advances the design of single-atom catalysts by leveraging the inherent structure characteristics of biomass in the pursuit of energy sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and efficient method for the synthesis of chromone-containing triarylmethane derivatives via a HFIP promoted tandem alkylation/annulation protocol of o -hydroxyaryl enaminones with chlorohydrocarbon is described. Employing DCM/HFIP as solvent, the reactions proceed smoothly at room temperature without any transition-metal catalyst, providing a variety of chromone-containing triarylmethanes in moderate to good yields. Moreover, the developed protocol reveals a broad substrate scope and good group tolerance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) will greatly shorten their lifespan due to platinum (Pt) catalyst degradation during operation. This paper proposes an optimization-based energy management method considering Pt degradation, which is an improvement over the traditional strategy that only focuses on fuel optimization to consider both the minimal fuel and the minimum fuel cell life decay. Firstly, a one-dimensional (1D) Pt degradation model is established to comprehend how various voltage situations affect Pt deterioration. Then, various strategies to suppress Pt degradation are designed using Pontryagin's minimum principle (PMP) optimization algorithm in light of the influence analysis results, and the effects of the PMP algorithm under different strategies are tested on the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation platform. The results demonstrate that the performance of the PMP algorithm in real-time strategy is extremely near to the global optimal solution generated by the offline dynamic programming (DP) algorithm. After adding the tendency to limit high potential and voltage variation in the PMP algorithm, hydrogen consumption increases by only 2%. In comparison, the stack's degradation is decreased by nearly 50%, considerably extending the stack's service life and reducing the system's comprehensive use cost. • Prior literature verified the construction of a one-dimensional Pt degradation model. • Frequent voltage fluctuations and high voltage will exacerbate degradation via model analysis. • Developed two optimization-based strategies for reducing stack performance degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, has been confirmed to induce anxiolytic-like and antipsychotic-like effects. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study substantiated CBD's interaction with the 5-HT 1A receptor (5-HT 1A R) in vitro (CHO cells expressing human 5-HT 1A R) and in vivo (rat lower lip retraction test, LLR test). We then assessed the impact of CBD in mice using the stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) model and the phencyclidine (PCP)-induced negative symptoms of schizophrenia model, respectively. Concurrently, we investigated whether WAY-100635, a typical 5-HT 1A R antagonist, could attenuate these effects. Furthermore, the neurotransmitter changes through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were studied. Results revealed that CBD exhibits selective 5-HT 1A R agonists-mediated effects in the rat lower lip retraction test, aligning with the robust agonistic (EC 50 = 1.75 μM) profile observed in CHO cells. CBD at 3 mg/kg significantly reduced SIH (ΔT), a response that WAY-100635 abolished. Chronic administration of CBD at 100 mg/kg mitigated the increase in PCP-induced immobility time in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Moreover, it induced significant alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and norepinephrine (NE) levels within the hippocampus (HPC). Thus, we concluded that the 5-HT 1A R mediates CBD's anxiolytic-like effects. Additionally, CBD's effects on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia may be linked to changes in GABA and NE levels in the hippocampus. These findings offer novel insights for advancing the exploration of CBD's anxiolytic-like and antipsychotic-like effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane leaves have been extensively consumed as a herbal tea for centuries in China, which is an economically important crop containing multiple health benefits. Here we report the structure and in vitro antitumor activity of a purified sugarcane leaf polysaccharide (SLP70–1). SLP70–1 is a homogeneous heteropolysaccharide made up of mannose, glucose, and galactose with a molar ratio of 1.00: 1.89: 2.83. Additionally, the molecular weight of SLP70–1 was 3.23 kDa. Linkage together with NMR examination demonstrated the structural foundation of SLP70–1 were consisted of →4)- α -D-Gal p -(1→, →4)- α -D-Glc p -(1→, →2)- β -D-Man p -(1→, →3)- β -D-Gal p -(1→, →4,6)- β -D-Gal p -(1→, →6)- α -D-Gal p -(1→, →3,6)- α -D-Glc p -(1→ and α -D-Glc p -(1→，and the side chain was confirmed to be →4)- α -D-Glc p -(1→ and →6)- α -D-Gal p -(1→. According to an in vitro cell experiment, SLP70–1 could markedly decrease the survival ability of cancer cells exhibiting concentration dependence, including the survival rate of cancer cells in the lungs, colon, cervix, kidney, and breast, implying potent antitumor activity. In summary, SLP70–1 exhibits features that qualify it as a promising antitumor adjuvant candidate. • A novel polysaccharide SLP70-1 was obtained from sugarcane leaves. • The glycosidic bond types and linkage patterns were successfully clarified. • SLP70-1 exhibited a certain antitumor effect in vitro. • The underlying structure-function relationship was elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a pivotal role in the life cycle of the novel coronavirus and stands as a significant and promising target for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Non-nucleoside inhibitors (NNIs), as a category of compounds directed against SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, exhibit a unique and highly effective mechanism, effectively overcoming various factors contributing to drug resistance against nucleoside inhibitors (NIs). This review investigates various NNIs, including both natural and synthetic inhibitors, that closely interacting with the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp with valid evidences from in vitro and in silico studies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemsleya amabilis Diels , belongs to cucurbitaceae, was traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is widely used to treat various diseases. However, these diseases may contribute to the development of RCC. investigated the anticancer activities of root extract of Hemsleya amabilis Diels (HRE), and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism in vivo and in vitro. Dried Hemsleya amabilis Diels roots were extracted by ethyl acetate and used to treat RCC4, OS-RC-2 and ACHN cells. UHPLC-MS was used to analyze the chemical composition of the extract. CCK-8 and colony formation assay were used to investigate proliferation. PI staining was used to detect cell cycle. Annexin-V-FITC, AO/EB and TEM were used to evaluate apoptosis. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to evaluate migration and invasion. RNA-seq, Network pharmacology, autodocking for virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation were used to analyze potential molecular mechanisms and active components of HRE inhibiting proliferation of RCC. LY294002 and UC2288 were used to inhibit PI3K and P21 expression, respectively. IGF-1 was used to activate PI3K. Xenograft tumor model was established to evaluate its anti-tumor potential in vivo. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to test protein expression levels. H&E staining was used to explore the side effects of HRE in vivo. Applying bioinformatics to analyze the effect of P21 on RCC. HRE consists of 739 compounds. CCK-8 and colony formation assay showed that HRE significantly inhibited RCC cells proliferation. PI staining indicated that HRE caused G 2 /M phase arrest. Annexin-V-FITC, AO/EB and TEM experiments revealed that HRE significantly promoted apoptosis of RCC cells. Transwell and wound healing assays showed that HRE can inhibit the migration and invasion of RCC cells. RNA-seq showed that HRE induced 230 gene changes. Network pharmacology analysis found the relationship between HRE-component-target-RCC. Auto-docking found that Epitulipinolide diepoxide in HRE can stably bind to PIK3CA (−7.22 kJ/mol), and molecular dynamics simulation verified the combination between Epitulipinolide diepoxide of PIK3CA. In RCC4 cells, pretreatment with IGF-1, attenuated HRE-induced apoptosis and G 2 /M arrest. When pretreated with PIK3 inhibitor LY294002, the opposite result appears. Pretreatment with CDKN1A (P21) inhibitor UC2288 attenuated HRE-induced G 2 /M arrest. Xenograft tumor model showed that HRE inhibited tumor growth. Western blot analysis indicated that HRE can regulating Bax, Bcl-2, PARP, cleared-PARP, Caspase-9, Caspase-8, Caspase-3, Survivin, Cyclin-B1, CDK1, N-cadherin, snail, slug, E-cadherin, MMP-9. Immunohistochemical staining showed that in the treated group, expression of E-cadherin, Bax, P21 was up-regulated, while N-cadherin, PI3K, AKT and Bcl-2 were down-regulated. H&E staining showed that compared to control groups, the main organs in the HRE-treated groups showed no histological abnormalities. The overall survival rate of RCC patients in the high-expression group of P21 was higher than in the low-expression group of P21 on bioinformatics analysis. HRE inhibited RCC migration and invasion through EMT, and inhibited proliferation in vivo and in vitro. In addition, HRE inhibited proliferation through promoting apoptosis and P21-induced G 2 /M phase arrest via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Overall, these results suggest that HRE may be a promising chemotherapy agent for RCC. [Display omitted] • Exploring the anti-renal cancer effect of HRE in vitro and in vivo. • Exploring the potential mechanism of anti-renal cancer action of HRE. • Epitulipinolide diepoxide in HRE may directly act on PIK3CA to inhibit the proliferation of renal cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As water scarcity intensifies worldwide, the equitable allocation of water resources has emerged as a critical challenge. This research investigates the intricate issue of allocating responsibility for virtual water, a concept that quantifies the water embedded in traded commodities. In pursuit of an effective allocation mechanism, we refine an innovative accounting scheme grounded in economic welfare gains arising from externalities. The results show that water-stressed areas in China, such as Xinjiang, significantly contribute to exporting virtual water and is responsible for 70%–85% of the virtual water outflow. Furthermore, more than 50% of virtual water imported from water-rich regions is attributed to these water-stressed areas while their trade partners bear the rest water responsibility. In contrast, southern China's abundant water resources reduce dependence on virtual water trade, leading to fewer responsibilities. Globally, the allocated responsibility for the new accounting mechanism reaches up to 7.5 times higher than for production-based accounting (PBA) and consumption-based accounting (CBA). Our study also reveals that the degree of dependency (price elasticities) plays a pivotal role in shaping the allocation outcomes. The implications of this research are significant for establishing a transparent and accountable framework for sustainable water resource management and facilitating seamless transitions toward sustainability. As global water scarcity intensifies, the redefined responsibility accounting according to the economic welfare is indispensable in addressing immediate and long-term water-related challenges. • We refine a mechanism to reallocate responsibility based on economic welfare gains. • Notable differences exist between results of the new mechanism and current production, consumption, and income-based methods. • Water-stressed areas bear higher proportions of virtual water responsibility. • Price elasticities play a crucial role in determining responsibility allocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]