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[Display omitted] • GRg1 has the effect of improving mild cognitive impairment in T2DM rats. • GRg1 can improve the stimulation of neurons caused by inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress, and has a protective effect on neural injury in T2DM rats. • GRg1 reduces inflammatory reaction, promotes the protein expression of P-ERK (1/2) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, inhibits the protein expression of P-JNKs and P-p38, regulates the MAPK signaling pathway, and reduces neuronal injury. • GRg1 alleviates oxidative stress and reduces neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which may be the molecular mechanism for improving mild cognitive impairment in T2DM rats. Cognitive impairment is a common manifestation in patients with T2DM mellitus (T2DM). Ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) is the main active substance extracted from ginseng or Panax notoginseng. T2DM was induced by feeding rats with a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with a low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg) on an empty stomach. Subsequently, different concentrations of GRg1 (25, 50, 100 mg/kg/d) were used to intervene for 8 weeks and explore its therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms on cognitive impairment in T2DM rats. Our data suggested that administration of GRg1 improved insulin resistance, specifically manifesting in a reduction of insulin resistance index by approximately 57.1 % with high doses of GRg1 (100 mg/kg/d). Besides, it has been observed to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein by approximately 20–50 % in T2DM rats. In addition, GRg1 treatment dramatically improved the spatial memory and learning ability in T2DM rats. Furthermore, administration of GRg1 to the T2DM rats dose-dependently up-regulated ERKs phosphorylation and blunted phosphorylation of JNKs and p38. Furthermore, GRg1 treatment also dose-dependently increased the expression of Bcl-2 but inhibited the expression of Bax and Caspase 3 expression in T2DM rats brain cortex and hippocampus neurons. GRg1 effectively improves mild cognitive impairment in T2DM rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and reducing the apoptosis of neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease is a prevalent and severe significant complication of hypoxia. This study found that peptide LVYPFPGPIPN could protect hypoxia-induced renal injury in the animal model. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis indicated that cathepsin B (CTSB) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) represent potential targets for the prevention/treatment of hypoxic-induced renal injury. GO analysis revealed the involvement of these genes in various biological processes, including apoptosis regulation, oxidative stress response, and adaptive immune modulation. Experimental results in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that peptide LVYPFPGPIPN could effectively inhibit apoptosis and stress responses of kidney cells by regulating the NRF2/IL-1β/mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, thereby protecting hypoxic human embryonic kidney cells from damage. The anti-hypoxic effect of the LVYPFPGPIPN offers a novel therapeutic clue for the treatment/prevention of hypoxic-induced kidney injury and inflammation-associated chronic kidney disease. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperlipidemia is closely related to multiple diseases and is characterized by abnormal serum lipid profiles. The biological function of lentinan in mice and rats was studied, but the mechanism of its lipid-lowering effect was not completely clear. In this study, network pharmacological analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation were used to explore the potential mechanism of its lipid-lowering effect and high-fat diet (HFD) mice was used to confirm the predicted mechanism. Our results indicated that lentinan could ameliorate hyperlipidemia by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), sterol response element-binding protein-1 (SREBP1), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the hepatic tissues of mices. Further animal experiment showed that lentinan could regulate the mRNA expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes, such as PPARα, PPARδ, PPARγ, cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and SREBP-1c. Moreover, lentinan supplementation could reduce the expressions of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide sythase (iNOS). In cell model, lentinan also could inhibit oleic acid-induced lipid droplet formation and the expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes and reduced inflammatory factor expressions in HepG2 cells, which further approved the results of animal experiment. Taken together, our results suggest that lentinan can ameliorate hyperlipidemia via regulating lipid metabolism-related gene expressions and reduce obesity-induced inflammatory response. [Display omitted] • Lentinan alleviates hyperlipidemia by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. • Lentinan alleviates hyperlipidemia by regulating sterol response element-binding protein-1. • Lentinan inhibits nuclear factor kappa-B activity to reduce obesity-induced inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese dioxide (MnO 2) represents an ideal cathode material for rechargeable aqueous Zn batteries due to its high theoretical capacity (308 mAh g−1), suitable potential (1.4 V vs. Zn2+/Zn), natural abundance, and negligible toxicity. However, the capacity and rate capability of MnO 2 deteriorate significantly in thick electrodes owing to its low electrical and ionic conductivities. Herein, we report the design of high mass loading potassium ion stabilized α -MnO 2 (K 0.133 MnO 2) nanowire forests on carbon cloth through a seed-assisted hydrothermal method for Zn batteries. The vertically aligned K 0.133 MnO 2 nanowire forests with uninterrupted charge transport afford a high area capacity of 3.54 mAh cm−2 and a capacity retention of 79.2 % over 1000 cycles in aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, the high area capacity and cyclability can be readily transferred to quasi-solid-state devices. [Display omitted] • A novel preparation method achieves ultra-high mass loading electrodes via a simple seed-assisted hydrothermal method. • A highly flexible and areal energy density zinc battery is designed. • The reversible proton insertion chemistry and surface adsorption charge storage mechanism of tunnel MnO 2 have been revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A simple, rapid and low-cost solar irradiation method to prepare highly fluorescent carbon dots has been demonstrated by using citric acid and o -phenylenediamine as precursors. The whole concentrated light sintering process is completed within 2 min and this nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots exhibit striking blue luminescence. Except the conventional ultra-violet (378 nm) pumped emissions, the specific up-converted photoluminescence signal is able to extend the excitation sources to near-infrared range (750 nm). Moreover, carbon dots are very sensitive and selective to the presence of Hg2+ ions. Two different responsive ways (down-conversion and up-conversion) have been employed for the first time and the limits of detection are determined to be 1.3 nM and 0.06 nM respectively. Its pH dependence has been discussed and the evolution curves indicate such carbon-based nanomaterial possess unique features within a wide pH range. This study focuses on efficient solar energy conversion and provides new insights of carbon dots with multi-modal sensing capabilities. Highlights • Concentrated solar irradiation was used to prepare carbon dots. • Blue carbon dots were synthesized within 2 min. • Up-conversion feature was explored. • Hg2+ ions sensing experiments were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To overcome the shortcomings of poor conductivity and large volume change, we proposed a novel three-dimensional ordered macroporous Cu/Sn (3DOM Cu/Sn) composite material as the anode of lithium-ion batteries (LIB). Electron microscopies and X-ray diffraction revealed that this new 3DOM Cu/Sn composite has the surface of the 3DOM Cu framework covered with a uniform layer of Sn nanoparticles. As a binder-free anode of LIB without conductive additives, this 3DOM Cu/Sn composite demonstrated an extremely high rate capability of about 707 mAh/g at 5C, which is 4 times higher than that of bare Cu/Sn anode, and excellent durability of 851 mAh/g up to 250 cycles. The post-test analysis showed that extraordinarily electrochemical performances of this composite anode are ascribed to the unique 3DOM microstructure. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) Cu/Sn anode has been successfully synthesized. • 3DOM Cu/Sn anode inherits ordered porous structure and covered by Sn nanoparticles uniformly. • The unique 3DOM structure contributes to the extremely high rate capability of 707 mAh/g at 5C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract The micron size Mo 2 C:Eu3+ has been fabricated directly by carburization of molybdenum oxide and p -phenylenediamine together at 800 °C. The structure and crystalline size of the material have been confirmed. In particular, this novel lanthanide-activated phosphor provides striking red luminescence in the form of higher monochromatic purity. The emission intensity increased depending on the incorporation of europium ions and the most suitable doping concentration will be 0.3 mmol. Abstract Europium incorporated molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) has been assembled at 800 °C based on a single step and the synthesis processes have been discussed. (NH 4) 6 Mo 7 O 24 ·4H 2 O has been employed as a precursor and p -phenylenediamine has been selected as the carbon source. In contrast to conventional organic dyes, this novel lanthanide-activated phosphor provides red luminescence in the form of higher monochromatic purity due to the parity forbidden transitions. More importantly, the emission intensity of 5D 0 → 7F 2 transition increased depending on the incorporation of europium ions and the most suitable doping concentration will be 0.3 mmol. The utilization of f – f transition of Eu3+ in molybdenum carbide has made the red emission materials accessible for application in the area of display, electronics and bio-imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Parboiled rice extracts possessed strong lipid-lowering activities in vitro. • The components and their contents in parboiled and refined rice differed considerably. • The active ingredients in parboiled rice had strong lipid-lowering effects in vitro. • The active ingredients may exert lipid-lowering effects via PI3K-Akt pathway. This study assessed the potential role of parboiled rice (PR) in balancing lipid levels and its mechanisms. Water and 80% methanol soluble substances of refined rice (RR) and PR were extracted and were used to treat HepG2 cells, and PR extracts were found to alleviate cellular lipid accumulation. The components of RR and PR extracts were identified. Among them, there were 267 and 291 different components in water extract and 80% methanol extract, respectively. After screening differential substances, the active ingredients delphinidin and cinnamic acid were selected and their lipid-lowering activity was verified in vitro. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of the two components reducing steatosis were explored by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Our results indicated that they may interfere with lipid deposition through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which was also confirmed in vitro. These results contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of PR involved in lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]