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Pd modified electrodes possess problems such as easy agglomeration and low electrolytic ability, and the use of manganese dioxide (MnO2) to facilitate Pd reduction of organic pollutants is just started. However, there is still a limited understanding of how to match the Pd load and MnO2 to realize optimal dechlorination efficiency at minimum cost. Here, a Pd/MnO2/Ni foam cathode was successfully fabricated and applied for the efficient electrochemical dechlorination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP). The optimal electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination (ECH) performance with 2,4,6-TCP dechlorination efficiency (92.58% in 180 min) was obtained when the concentration of PdCl2 precipitation was 1 mmol/L, the deposition time of MnO2 was 300 s and cathode potential was −0.8 V. Performance influenced by the exogenous factors (e.g., initial pH and coexisted ions) were further investigated. It was found that the neutral pH was the most favorable for ECH and a reduction in dechlorination efficiency (6% ∼ 47.6%) was observed in presence of 5 mmol/L of NO 2 − , NO 3 − , S2− or SO 3 2 − . Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and quenching experiments verified the existence of three hydrogen species on Pd surface, including adsorbed atomic hydrogen (H*ads), absorbed atomic hydrogen (H*abs), and molecular hydrogen (H2). And the introduction of MnO2 promoted the generation of atomic H*. Only adsorbed atomic hydrogen (H*ads) was confirmed that it truly facilitated the ECH process. Besides H*ads induced reduction, the direct reduction by cathode electrons also participated in the 2,4,6-TCP dechlorination process. Pd/MnO2/Ni foam cathode shows excellent dechlorination performance, fine stability and recyclable potential, which provides strategies for the effective degradation of persistent halogenated organic pollutants in groundwater.

Introduction Inflammation is one of the main causes of impaired health in livestock and some of its processes weaken animal productivity and impact human health. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of echinacea extract (cichoric acid – CA) on yak peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), inflammatory-related factors, and the toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signalling pathway induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in these PBMCs. Material and Methods Yak PBMCs were co-cultured with LPS and CA in vitro. The proliferative activity of cells was detected using the cell-counting kit-8 method, the optimal stimulation concentration of LPS was selected, the effect of CA on the content of inflammation-related factors was evaluated using an ELISA kit, and the mRNA expression of these factors was detected by RT-PCR. Results CA inhibited the inflammatory response of yak PBMCs induced by LPS. CA inhibited gene and protein expression of key nodes of the TLR4 signalling pathway in yak PBMCs. Conclusion It is suggested that CA has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on yak PBMCs via the TLR4 pathway.

Major depressive disorder is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with few treatment options. Non-targeted antidepressants have low efficacy and can induce series of side effects. While a neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), is known to exhibit regulator of affective state, no study to date has assessed the anti-depressive effects of MCH in a stress-induced depression model. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of intranasal administration of MCH on depression-related behavior in stressed rats and mice. Using a number of behavioral tests, we found that MCH treatment significantly decreased anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors induced by stress. Notably, the effects of MCH were equivalent to those of fluoxetine. MCH treatment also restored the activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and normalized the levels of synaptic proteins, including postsynaptic density 95, glutamate receptor 1, and synapsin 1, which were all downregulated by stress. Interestingly, the protective effects of MCH were blocked by the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin. These results suggest that MCH exhibits antidepressant properties by modulating the mTOR pathway. Altogether, this study provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the antidepressant-like effects of MCH, thereby paving the way for the future clinical application of MCH.

Background: Cichoric acid (CA) is extracted from Echinacea purpurea . It is well known and widely used for its immunological function. However, the effect of CA on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from yaks is still unclear. This study investigated the potential influences of CA on the proliferation, cytokine induction, and apoptosis of PBMCs from Datong yak in vivo, and aimed to provide a basis for exploring the pharmacological activities of CA on yaks. Results: In this study, CA promoted PBMCs proliferation by combining concanavalin A (Con A) and exhibited a dose-dependent effect as demonstrated by a Cell Counting Kit-8. The concentration of 60 μg/ml CA was the best and promoted the transformation from the G0/G1 phase to the S and G2/M phases with Con A. Furthermore, 60 μg/ml CA significantly increased IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ levels and PCNA, CDK4 and Bcl-2 expression levels, but it significantly inhibited the TP53, Bax, and Caspase-3 expression levels. Transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 6807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CA treatment and control groups. Of these genes, 3788 were significantly upregulated and 3019 were downregulated. Gene Ontology and pathway analysis revealed that DEGs were enriched in cell proliferation and immune function signaling pathways. The expression level of some transcription factors (BTB, Ras, RRM_1, and zf-C2H2) and genes (CCNF, CCND1, and CDK4) related to PBMCs proliferation in yaks were significantly promoted after CA treatment. By contrast, anti-proliferation-associated genes (TP53 and CDKN1A) were inhibited. Conclusions: In summary, CA could regulate the immune function of yaks by promoting proliferation and inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis of PBMCs. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Enteric glial cells (EGCs) and enteric glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are directly involved in intestinal inflammation. In this study, we sought to examine the possible mechanisms for how Bifidobacterium bifidum (B.b.) and Bacteroides fragilis (B.f.) influence EGC regulation. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were used as exogenous stimuli of EGCs to establish an intestinal inflammation model. After stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ, B.b. and B.f. supernatants were used to activate EGCs and to examine EGC immune mechanisms. For this purpose, qRT-PCR, western blotting, and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were used to detect the expression of NLRP3, NLRP6, NGF, NT-3, IL-18, IL-1β, and caspase-1. We found that EGCs, after stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ, could express NLRP3, NLRP6, NT-3, NGF, IL-18, IL-1β, and caspase-1 through LSCM. In intestinal inflammation, B.b. and B.f. could trigger an increase in NGF and NT-3 expression in EGCs in order to protect the intestine. Furthermore, B.b. and B.f. could upregulate NLRP3 expression in EGCs and promote an inflammatory response. B.b. had a dual regulatory role in EGC NLRP6 expression, while B.f. inhibited NLRP6 protein expression. Moreover, B.b. could decrease the expression of IL-18, IL-1β, and caspase-1 in EGCs in order to inhibit the inflammatory response. Contrary to this, B.f. could upregulate IL-18, IL-1β, and caspase-1 expression in EGCs in order to promote the inflammatory response. B.b. and B.f. can influence the expression of NGF, NT-3, NLRP3, NLRP6, IL-18, IL-1β, and caspase-1 in EGCs in order to inhibit or promote intestinal inflammation.

Nanosized oncolytic viral light particles (L-particles), separated from progeny virions, are composed of envelopes and several tegument proteins of viruses, free of nucleocapsids. The noninfectious L-particles experience the same internalization process as mature oncolytic virions, which exhibits great potential to act as targeted therapeutic platforms. However, the clinical applications of L-particle-based theranostic platforms are rare due to the lack of effective methods to transform L-particles into nanovectors. Herein, a convenient and mild strategy has been developed to transform L-particles into near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence Ag2Se quantum dot (QD)-labeled active tumor-targeting nanovectors for real-time in situ imaging and drug delivery. Utilizing the electroporation technique, L-particles can be labeled with ultrasmall water-dispersible NIR fluorescence Ag2Se QDs with a labeling efficiency of ca. 85% and loaded with antitumor drug with a loading efficiency of ca. 87%. Meanwhile, by harnessing the infection mechanism of viruses, viral L-particles are able to recognize and enter tumor cells without further modification. In sum, a trackable and actively tumor-targeted theranostics nanovector can be obtained efficiently and simultaneously. Such multifunctional nanovectors transformed from viral L-particles have exhibited excellent properties of active tumor-targeting, in vivo tumor imaging, and antitumor efficacy, which opens a new window for the development of natural therapeutic nanoplatforms.

Methylanthranilate (MA) is a kind of spice that is illegally added in the wine in China. The determination of MA in wine is an important part of quality control for wine production. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a rapid method for detection of prohibited spice in wine. In this work, an inverse opal structural molecularly imprinted photonic hydrogels (MIPHs) membrane was fabricated by merging the advantages of photonic crystal and molecular imprinting techniques. The MIPHs membrane was prepared by using MA as template molecule, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker, followed by a thermal polymerization at 60 °C. Then the inverse opal structural MIPHs membrane was obtained after removing photonic crystal template and imprinted molecules. The MIPHs membrane exhibited a good selectivity property to MA, and it responded to MA within 6 min. The Bragg diffraction peak shift increased with the increase of MA concentration. A linear relationship was found between the Δλ and the concentration of MA in the range of 0.1–10.0 mM. And the limit of detection in the present work is about 31 μM. Furthermore, a color change of the MIPHs membrane could be observed by naked eyes. Therefore, the smart MIPHs membrane showed great potential in rapid and visual detection of MA in wine.

An effective evaluation model was established to digitize the quality of cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) based on determinations of total and sn-2 fatty acid compositions and triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles and the “deducting score” principle. Similarity scores for selected fats and oils calculated from the model revealed differences between them and parallel cocoa butter compositions. For CBE1 and CBE2, total similarity scores were 90.6 and 90.0, whereas those of mango (76.3), dhupa (84.1), sal fat (84.7), kokum (78.3), palm mid fractions (PMF, 77.9), shea butter (64.0), illipe butter (89.7) and Pentadesma butyracea butter (67.2), respectively. Similarity scores were found to agree with physical properties, including polymorphism, crystal morphology, crystallization or melting behaviors, and solid fat content. The present study provides an accurate means of assessing CBE quality and hopefully will contribute to the development of commercial CBEs.

Purpose: We determined whether electroacupuncture (EA) reduces Netrin-1-induced myelinated primary afferent nerve fiber sprouting in the spinal cord and pain hypersensitivity associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) through activation of μ-opioid receptors. Methods: PHN was induced by systemic injection of resiniferatoxin (RTX) in rats. Thirty-six days after RTX injection, a μ-opioid receptor antagonist, beta-funaltrexamine (β-FNA) or a κ-opioid receptor antagonist, nor Binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), was injected intrathecally 30 mins before EA, once every other day for 4 times. Mechanical allodynia was tested with von Frey filaments. The protein expression level of Netrin-1 and its receptors (DCC and UNC5H2) were quantified by using western blotting. The myelinated primary afferent nerve fiber sprouting was mapped with the transganglionic tracer cholera toxin B-subunit (CTB). Results: Treatment with 2 Hz EA at “Huantiao” (GB30) and “Yanglingquan” (GB34) decreased the mechanical allodynia at 22 days and the myelinated primary afferent nerve fiber preternatural sprouting into the lamina II of the spinal dorsal horn at 42 days after RTX injection. Also, treatment with 2 Hz EA reduced the protein levels of DCC and Netrin-1 and promoted the expression of UNC5H2 in the spinal dorsal horn 42 days after RTX injection. Furthermore, the μ-opioid receptor antagonist β-FNA, but not the κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-BNI, reversed the effect of EA on neuropathic pain caused by RTX. In addition, morphine inhibited the Netrin-1 protein level induced by RTX in SH-SY5Y cells. Conclusions: Through activation of μ-opioid receptors, treatment with EA reduces the expression level of DCC and Netrin-1 and changes a growth-permissive environment in spinal dorsal horn into an inhibitory environment by increasing UNC5H2, thus decreasing RTX-caused primary afferent nerve sprouting in the spinal dorsal horn and neuropathic pain.

A novel, highly sensitive and fast responsive turn-on fluorescence probe, 2,2′-((1E,1′E)-((1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diyl)bis(methanylylidene)) bis(azanylylidene)) diphenol (ADMPA), for Cd2+ was successfully developed based on 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and o-aminophenol. ADMPA showed a remarkable fluorescence enhancement toward Cd2+ against other competing cations, owing to the suppression of the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) and CHN isomerization. A good linear relationship (R2 = 0.9960) was obtained between the emission intensity of ADMPA and the concentration of Cd2+ (0.25–2.5 μM) with a detection limit of 29.3 nM, which was much lower than that reported in literature. The binding stoichiometry between ADMPA and Cd2+ was 2 : 1 as confirmed by the Job's Plot method, which was further confirmed by a 1H NMR titration experiment. Moreover, the ADMPA probe was successfully applied to detect Cd2+ in real water samples with a quick response time of only 6.6 s, which was about 3–40 times faster than the reported cadmium ion probe.

The response of the denitrification community to long-term antibiotic exposure requires further investigation. Here, the significantly altered denitrifying community structure and function were observed by continuous exposure to 1 mg/L sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) or chlortetracycline (CTC) for 180 d in the expanded granular sludge bed reactors. Thaurea, positively correlated with SMZ and NO3− removal efficiency (NrE), was highly enriched in the SMZ-added reactor, while, Comamons and Acinetobacter were largely inhibited. The acute inhibited and then gradual-recovered NrE (87.17–90.38 %) was observed with highly expressed narG, indicating the adaptability of Thaurea to SMZ. However, the abundance of Thaurea and Comamonas greatly decreased, while Melioribacter and Acinetobacter were largely enriched in the CTC-added reactor. CTC created more serious and continuous inhibition of NO3− reduction (NrE of 64.53–66.95 %), with lowly expressed narG. Improved NO2− reduction capacity was observed in both reactors (70.16–95.42 %) with highly expressed nirS and nosZ, revealing the adaptability of NO2− reduction populations to antibiotics.

In this paper, the properties of transition metal oxide borate glass were studied. It was found that introducing a small amount of CaO and BaO into borate glass could improve the crystal resistance and chemical stability of the glass. The introduction of V2O5, ZnO, Al2O3, SiO2 and other components is beneficial to widen the glass forming range and improve the anti-crystal performance of glass. The introduction of MgO and ZrO2 can improve the acid resistance of glass. The mixed and co-mixing of Fe2O3, MnO2, V2O5 and other transition metal oxides can increase the total doping amount by more than 30%. At the same time, the introduction of multiple components can effectively prevent glass crystallization and improve the anti-crystallization ability. The developed transition metal oxide borate glass has a resistivity up to 5×1010•cm, good chemical stability and anti-crystallization ability, and is suitable for the production of large crucible melting, realizing the preparation of 100×100×1mm glass samples.

Microchannel plate (MCP) is two dimensional arrays of microscopic channel electron multipliers. In this study, oxide thin films such as zinc oxide doped with aluminum oxide (AZO) as conductive layer and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as secondary electron emission (SEE) layer were prepared in the pores of MCP via thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD). The bulk resistance of MCP in the suitable range (about 40~100 MΩ) was obtained by adjusting the percentage of zinc oxide (ZnO) cycles and the nano-oxide thin film thickness. As the tested voltage increased a behavior of negative temperature coefficient of the film was observed. After 5 days of continuous loading with 800 V bias, the resistance nearly doubled and stabilized. For the conduction mechanisms, the I-V curve obeys the ohmic law at low voltage region and the trap-controlled space-charge-limited conduction mechanisms as the applied voltage continue to increase. High gain performance (24000 @ 800 V) can be obtained by depositing only aluminum oxide film on traditional reduced lead glass microchannel plate. Meanwhile after the deposition of aluminum oxide film, the dark current density of the microchannel plate would increase to 1.8 picoampere in 15 minutes at DC 1000 V. Because of blocking effect the dark current density will drop to 0.03 picoampere in 50 minutes by depositing zinc oxide film with thickness of 4 nm before the SEE layer, and the resistance of MCP will reduce when the thickness of zinc oxide exceeds 4 nm.

Microchannel plate (MCP) is an important compact signal multiplier. The dynamic range of MCP is the key index influencing the detection quality of high flux, high energy and wide output linearity signals, but limited on the bulk resistance of MCP multiplier. Therefore, the problem of the bulk resistance-dependent of dynamic range transition in these devices needs to further continues to be investigated. In this paper, lead silicate glass microchannel plates in three different bismuth contents (0at%, 1at%, 2at%) were present. The bulk resistance decreased exponentially (from 6000MΩ into 15MΩ) with the increase of the content of bismuth in the lead silicate glass from 0at% to 2at%, meanwhile, the dynamic range was increased from 3.3×102 to 2.3×103 . As the bulk resistance of MCP multipliers dropped from 150MΩ into 15 MΩ (dropped about 90%), while the dynamic range of that just extended by seven times, meanwhile, the dark current of that boosted almost ten times (from 1pA to 10pA). It implicated that the dynamic range of MCP multiplier was influenced not only by the charge replenishment abilities involved in the bulk resistance, but also by the joule heating effect-depended dark current variation concerned with the bulk resistance.

Microchannel plate (MCP) is an important compact two-dimension multiplier for parallel multiplication of charged particles. With the advantages of high temporal resolution, high spatial resolution, high electron gain and compact structure, microchannel plate has become an important potential readout device for cryogenic quantum computing, such as the quantum computation based on floating electrons of liquid helium surface. For the sake of ultra-fast reading, it requires the signal readout time is less than 10-5 s at a temperature lower than 30K in the cryogenic quantum computing. However, the bulk resistance of MCP multiplier became giant at cryogenic temperature for the property of huge negative temperature coefficient of resistance, almost 105 Gohm at 20K~30K, resulting in a readout time of 10-2 -1s at cryogenic temperature, which was one of the major bottlenecks for the application of MCPs in the cryogenic quantum computing. In this paper, the bulk resistance of MCPs in two different bismuth contents (1at%, 2.4at%) under the same hydrogen reduction temperatures (730K) were present as the surrounding temperature controlled from 300K to 20K. The cryogenic bulk resistance of MCP was only decreased into 24% with the increase bismuth content from 1at% to 2.4at%, while thereof the normal bulk resistance was decline into 5%. The normal bulk resistance reduced only in the manner of improving the conductivity of conductive layer, could also increase the temperature-resistance sensitivity of MCP, leading an even greater temperature coefficient of resistance, which deteriorated the stability of readout in the cryogenic quantum computing.

Thirteen undescribed dammarane triterpenoid saponins (cypaliurusides A–M), including eleven seco-dammarane type triterpenoids, were isolated from Cyclocarya paliurus. Each of these compounds has the unique feature of having a monosaccharide attached to C-11, rather than C-12, compared to the same type of saponins found in this plant. The structures of them were determined by comprehensive analysis of 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. Cypaliuruside J showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory effect with IC50 value of 2.22 ± 0.13 μM. In addition, Cypaliurusides F and K exhibited modest cytotoxic activities against selected human cancer cell lines in vitro, with IC50 values ranging from 4.61 ± 0.13 to 15.23 ± 3.88 μM.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a very effective broad-spectrum anticancer drug, yet its clinical application is badly restricted due to its serious side effects. Citronellal (CT), a specialized metabolite of plants found in Cymbopogon spp., is proved to exhibit many beneficial properties. In the current study, we intended to investigate the effect of CT on DOX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats were treated with CT (200 mg/kg b.w./day orally), and given DOX (2.5 mg/kg b.w./week, intraperitoneally) to induce hepatotoxicity for six consecutive weeks. The results showed that CT administration could attenuate the DOX-induced pathological changes of liver tissues and ameliorated the inappropriate alteration of liver function biomarkers (serum glutamic aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and albumin) in serum and oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) in the liver. Moreover, CT mitigated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 expression to inhibit cell apoptosis. Further study indicated that CT therapy could enhance the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and CD31 in the liver. These results demonstrate that CT can ameliorate DOX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats mediated by antioxidative stress, antiapoptosis, and proangiogenesis.

Apocynum venetum L. and Eleutherococcus senticosus have been used for hundreds of years to treat hypertension in China. In previous research, there was not a suitable quality control of method for the formulas of Apocynum venetum L. and Eleutherococcus senticosus. It is urgent and essential to develop modern analytical methods for Apocynum venetum L. and Eleutherococcus senticosus to ensure the quality of the formulas. A rapid approach for simultaneous determination of hyperoside, isoquercitrin and eleutheroside E in Apocynum venetum L. and Eleutherococcus senticosus by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector was described and validated. The full method validation, including the linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, repeatability, stability and recovery, was examined. All target components, including isomers of hyperoside and isoquercitrin, were baseline separated in 35 min. The developed method was sensitive, reliable and feasible. With this method, the optimal decoction conditions of Apocynum venetum L. and Eleutherococcus senticosus were selected, and their quality analysis was carried out. Furthermore, an herbal compatibility study of Apocynum venetum L. and Eleutherococcus senticosus based on detecting variations in the content of their active ingredients was performed by the developed HPLC method. It could be an alternative for the quantitative analysis of herbs that contain hyperoside, isoquercitrin or (and) eleutheroside E in the future.

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) has been cultivated for ornamental use because of its flowers, leaf marks and creeping habit. Although a mutation in flower color is very infrequent in this species, the red-flowered mutant of white clover was a novel germplasm for ornamental white clover breeding. The mechanism of flower pigmentation in white clover is still limited because of the rarity of mutation materials and the lack of genomic data. In this study, two cDNA libraries from red-flowered white clover mutant between sunlight-exposed plants and shade-treated plants, respectively, were used for transcriptome sequencing. A total of 157,964 unigenes with an average length of 728bp and a median length of 1346bp were isolated. A large number of differentially expressed genes (6282) that were potentially involved in multiple biological and metabolic pathways, including anthocyanin flavonoid biosynthetic pathway and flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, were obtained, 70 of which could be identified as putative homologues of color-related genes. Furthermore, eight key candidate genes (CHS, F3'H, F3'5'H, UFGT, FLS, LAR, ANS, and DFR) in flavonoid biological synthesis pathway were identified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Mass sequence data obtained by RNA-Seq of white clover and its red-flowered mutant provided basic sequence information and a platform for future molecular biological research on the red flower trait.

Decarboxylation of ferulic acid would increase the solubility in oils. Rice bran extract (RBE) containing 29 mg ferulic acid/g RBE was decarboxylated to obtain decarboxylated rice bran extract (DRBE), and its antioxidant capacity in oil system was studied. After addition of DRBE (500 ppm), oxidation was monitored for 20 days at 60 °C under the dark. To compare the oxidation degree, 500 ppm of ferulic acid and well-known lipid soluble antioxidant, α-tocopherol, were used. Contents of conjugated dienes and aldehydes were measured using 1H NMR as well as peroxide value (POV). On 7 days of oxidation, DRBE (539.0 meq/kg oil) showed lower POV than the control (819.7 meq/kg oil). Also, contents of total conjugated form and aldehydes were 194.60, and 5.94 mmol/L oil, which were lower than those of control (323.63 and 15.94 mmol/L oil). However, after 10 days of oxidation, antioxidant capacity of DRBE was not observed.

To examine the effect of icariin (ICA) on the cognitive impairment induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice and the underlying mechanisms related to changes in hippocampal acetylation level. The modifified free-fall method was used to establish the TBI mouse model. Mice with post-TBI cognitive impairment were randomly divided into 3 groups using the randomised block method (n=7): TBI (vehicle-treated), low-dose (75 mg/kg) and high-dose (150 mg/kg) of ICA groups. An additional sham-operated group (vehicle-treated) was employed. The vehicle or ICA was administrated by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted. Acetylcholine (ACh) content, mRNA and protein levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and protein levels of acetylated H3 (Ac-H3) and Ac-H4 were detected in the hippocampus. Compared with the sham-operated group, the MWM performance, hippocampal ACh content, mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, and protein levels of Ac-H3 and Ac-H4 were signifificantly decreased in the TBI group (P

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has been widely studied as a metal-free photocatalyst, leading to some excellent results; however, the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers substantially limits its performance. Here, we establish two types of g-C3N4-based heterojunction (type II and nonmediator assisted Z-scheme) photoanodes on a transparent conducting substrate via coupling with rod-like and nanoparticulate WO3, respectively. In these composites, g-C3N4 film grown by electrophoretic deposition of exfoliated g-C3N4 serves as the host or guest material. The optimized type II WO3/g-C3N4 composite exhibits an enhanced photocurrent of 0.82 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE and an incident photo-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 33% as compared with pure WO3 nanorods (0.22 mA cm-2 for photocurrent and 15% for IPCE). Relative to pure g-C3N4 film (with a photocurrent of several microampere and an IPCE of 2%), a largely improved photocurrent of 0.22 mA cm-2 and an IPCE of 20% were acquired for the Z-scheme g-C3N4/WO3 composite. The enhancement can be attributed to accelerated charge separation in the heterointerface because of the suitably aligned band gap between WO3 and g-C3N4, as confirmed by optical spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) analysis. The photocatalytic process and mechanism of the g-C3N4-based heterojunctions are proposed herein, which potentially explain the origin of the enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. This achievement and the fundamental information supplied here indicate the importance of rationally designing heterojunction photoelectrodes to improve the performance of semiconductors. This is particularly important for materials such as pure g-C3N4 and WO3, as their photoactivities are strongly restricted by high recombination rates.

Microchannel plate (MCP) is an important signal multiplier. The original reduced lead silicate glass MCP was coated with amorphous alumina by atomic layer deposition (ALD), using trimethylaluminium Al(CH3)3(TMA) and water as precursors, to enhance the electron gain characteristics. The electrical properties of ALD-MCP at different deposition temperatures, cycles and annealing processing were investigated. The results indicated that the electron gain showed a Bigaussion trended electron gain-deposition temperature behavior at the ALD deposition temperature controlled from 120°C to 300°C with 60 deposition pulse cycles of TMA/H2O, while, the bulk resistances of which were basically unchanged. Moreover, the optimum deposition cycles were increased at the maximum electron gains with the rising deposition temperature. Besides, the modified effect of ALD-MCP was significantly affected by the processing parameters, the electrical properties of which even deteriorated with the unsuitable one. The electron gain and dark current was mainly related to the concentration of hydroxyl on the surface of microchannel layer. With an excessive annealing temperature at 400°C, despite the electron gain of ALD-MCP was almost 2×104 , the dark current of which would increase dramatically, even more than four times larger than that of the original hydrogen reduced MCP.

Background To study the effect of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YQHYJD) on protein expression in the lung tissue of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rats and to explore the underlying molecular therapeutic mechanism of YQHYJD. Methods Sprague Dawley rats were administered with YQHYJD by oral gavage for 1 week. The rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce ARDS. The lung injury was assessed pathologically. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were screened by quantitative proteomics and analyzed using bioinformatic tools, such as Metascape and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) mapper. DEPs were verified by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). Results YQHYJD alleviated the LPS-induced pathological damage of lung tissue in rats. There were 134 DEPs among the YQHYJD treatment and model groups. The Genomes pathway analyses revealed that the DEPs were closely related to immune system pathway. The mass spectrometry analysis revealed that YQHYJD exhibits a protective effect on lung tissue by significantly upregulating hematopoietic cell kinase (Hck), phospholipid phosphatase 3 (Plpp3), myristoylated-alanine rich C-kinase substrate (Marcks), and Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 2 (Arpc2), which are related to Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway. Conclusion YQHYJD can alleviate the lung injury of ARDS rats by regulating the Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway, which is related to immune system.

Oligomerization of stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1) promotes store-operated calcium entry (SOCE); however, the mechanism of STIM1 aggregation is unclear. Here, using the lepidopteran insect and agricultural pest cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) as a model and immunoblotting, RT-qPCR, RNA interference (RNAi), and ChIP assays, we found that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) up-regulates STIM1 expression via G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the 20E nuclear receptor (EcRB1). We also identified an ecdysone-response element (EcRE) in the 5′-upstream region of the STIM1 gene and also noted that STIM1 is located in the larval midgut during metamorphosis. STIM1 knockdown in larvae delayed pupation time, prevented midgut remodeling, and decreased 20E-induced gene transcription. STIM1 knockdown in a H. armigera epidermal cell line, HaEpi, repressed 20E-induced calcium ion influx and apoptosis. Moreover, 20E-induced STIM1 clustering to puncta and translocation toward the cell membrane. Inhibitors of GPCRs, phospholipase C (PLC), and inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) repressed 20E-induced STIM1 phosphorylation, and we found that two GPCRs are involved in 20E-induced STIM1 phosphorylation. 20E-induced STIM1 phosphorylation on Ser-485 through protein kinase C (PKC), and we observed that Ser-485 phosphorylation is critical for STIM1 clustering, interaction with calcium release-activated calcium channel modulator 1 (Orai1), calcium ion influx, and 20E-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that 20E up-regulates STIM1 phosphorylation for aggregation via GPCRs, followed by interaction with Orai1 to induce SOCE, thereby promoting apoptosis in the midgut during insect metamorphosis.

The increased resistance and toxicity have become the main causes of chemotherapy failure for treating lung cancer. The combination of chemotherapeutic drugs with other agents has been recognized as a promising strategy to overcome these difficulties. Isovitexin (IVT) is a well-known flavone C-glycoside found in many plants and has attracted wide attention due to its obvious antitumor and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effects of IVX and cisplatin (DDP) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 and H1975 cells. The results showed that the combined treatment with IVT and DDP markedly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of the two NSCLC cells. Using a mouse model of A549 xenograft, IVT potentiated the inhibition of DDP on tumor growth, but reduced DDP-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice. Remarkedly, IVT promoted lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and lectin- stimulated splenocyte proliferation, and enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cell activities as well as the production of IL-2 and TNF-α. Furthermore, IVT significantly reduced glucose uptake, lactate production, and ATP production, and downregulated the protein expressions of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-mediated pathway in both A549 and H1975 cells. After the over-expression of PKM2 in the NSCLC cells, the synergistic antitumor effect of IVT and DDP was markedly weakened. Therefore, IVT not only inhibited cell proliferation and glucose metabolism via downregulating the expression of PKM2 to enhance the antitumor activity of DDP against lung cancer cells, and improved DDP-induced immunotoxicity in mice. It also presented a novel strategy to enhance the anti-tumor effect of platinum-based chemotherapy against NSCLC.

Zn-doped TiO2 (Zn–TiO2) thin films were prepared by the sol–gel method on titanium substrates with heat treatment at different temperatures. The effects of heat treatment temperatures and Zn doping on the structure, photocathodic protection and photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2 thin films were investigated. It is indicated that the photoelectrical performance of the Zn–TiO2 films is enhanced with the addition of Zn element compared with the pure-TiO2 film and the largest decline by 897 mV in the electrode potential is achieved under 300 °C heat treatment. SEM–EDS analyses show that Zn element is unevenly distributed in Zn–TiO2 films; XRD patterns reveal that the grain size of Zn–TiO2 is smaller than that of pure-TiO2; FTIR results indicate that Zn—O bond forms on Zn–TiO2 surface. Ultraviolet visible absorption spectra prove that Zn–TiO2 shifts to visible light region. Mott–Shottky curves show that the flat-band potential of Zn–TiO2 is more negative and charge carrier density is bigger than that of pure-TiO2, implying that under the synergy of the width of the space-charge layer, carrier density and flat-band potential, Zn–TiO2 with 300 °C heat treatment displays the best photocathodic protection performance.

A new fluorescent chemosensor based upon 2,5-diphenylfuran and di(2-picolyl)amine (DPA) was designed and synthesized. Its structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and its photophysical properties were studied by absorption and fluorescence spectra. This compound can be used to determine Cu2+ ion with high selectivity among a series of cations in aqueous DMSO. This sensor forms a 1:1 complex with Cu2+ and displays fluorescent quenching.

The intestinal barrier defends against pathogenic microorganism and microbial toxin. Its function is regulated by tight junction permeability and epithelial cell integrity, and disruption of the intestinal barrier function contributes to progression of gastrointestinal and systemic disease. Two simple methods are described here to measure the permeability of intestinal epithelium. In vitro, Caco-2BBe cells are plated in tissue culture wells as a monolayer and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) can be measured by an epithelial (volt/ohm) meter. This method is convincing because of its user-friendly operation and repeatability. In vivo, mice are gavaged with 4 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran, and the FITC-dextran concentrations are measured in collected serum samples from mice to determine the epithelial permeability. Oral gavage provides an accurate dose, and therefore is the preferred method to measure the intestinal permeability in vivo. Taken together, these two methods can measure the permeability of the intestinal epithelium in vitro and in vivo, and hence be used to study the connection between diseases and barrier function.

Insulin promotes larval growth of insects by stimulating the synthesis of the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), which induces pupation and apoptosis. However, the mechanism underlying the coordinate regulation of insect pupation and apoptosis by these two functionally opposing hormones is still unclear. Here, using the lepidopteran insect and serious agricultural pest Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm) as a model, we report that phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) and forkhead box O (FoxO) play key roles in these processes. We found that the transcript levels of the PDK1 gene are increased during the larval feeding stages. Moreover, PDK1 expression was increased by insulin, but repressed by 20E. dsRNA-mediated PDK1 knockdown in the H. armigera larvae delayed pupation and resulted in small pupae and also decreased Akt/protein kinase B expression and increased FoxO expression. Furthermore, the PDK1 knockdown blocked midgut remodeling and decreased 20E levels in the larvae. Of note, injecting larvae with 20E overcame the effect of the PDK1 knockdown and restored midgut remodeling. FoxO overexpression in an H. armigera epidermal cell line (HaEpi) did not induce apoptosis, but promoted autophagy and repressed cell proliferation. These results reveal cross-talk between insulin and 20E and that both hormones oppose each other's activities in the regulation of insect pupation and apoptosis by controlling PDK1 expression and, in turn, FoxO expression. We conclude that sufficiently high 20E levels are a key factor for inducing apoptosis during insect pupation.

The product of ferulic acid decarboxylation, 4-vinylguaiacol (4-VG), is an important antioxidant and is reported to have an antioxidant capacity comparable to α-tocopherol. In this study, evaluation on antioxidant capacities of ferulic acid, catechin, and 4-VG was performed when 200 ppm of each compound was added in a 10% O/W emulsion for 50 days. Peroxide value (POV) results of the O/W emulsion containing 4-VG were noteworthy. The POV was 1.9 meq/L of emulsion after 29 days, which was no different to the initial value (day 0). Even when the oxidation was allowed to advance to day 50, the POV remained at 2.2 meq/L of emulsion, representing only a tiny increase relative to the initial value on day 0. (1)H-NMR results also showed that the lowest conjugated forms and no aldehydes were detected in emulsion of 4-VG stored for 50 days, proving the excellent antioxidant capacity in the O/W emulsion.

Six triterpenoids (1–6), four megastigmanes (7–10) and five hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (11–15) were isolated from the aerial part of Anisomeles indica (Lamiaceae). Of these components, compound 1 was identified to be a new triterpenoid with the structure of 2α,3α,19α-trihydroxyurs-12,20(30)-dien-28-oic acid based on extensive analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, while compounds 2–13 were obtained for the first time from Anisomeles species.

Caffeic acid was used to synthesize 4-vinylcatechol (4-VC) by thermal decarboxylation and to prepare caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) by esterification reaction. The identities of synthesized products were confirmed by (1)H NMR. Antioxidative activities of 4-VC and CAPE were compared with α-tocopherol and BHT in stripped soybean oil at 60 °C under the dark. To evaluate the degrees of oxidation at different concentrations and combinations, peroxide value (PV) and (1)H NMR were performed. From the results of PV, the formation of primary oxidation products (i.e., hydroperoxides) in stripped soybean oil containing 200 ppm CAPE was the slowest. The relative oxidation degree of 200 ppm CAPE (9.5%) was lower than other samples on 9 d. Similar results were obtained by (1)H NMR analysis. After 15 d of storage, levels of conjugated diene forms and aldehydes of 200 ppm CAPE sample (57.3 and 0.9 mmol/mol oil) were also lower than other treatments. In addition, 4-VC and α-tocopherol were found to have a synergistic antioxidant effect.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and 4-vinylcatechol (4-VC) were prepared for studying their antioxidative activities in emulsion. Oil-in-water emulsions of stripped soybean oil containing 200 ppm of CAPE, 4-VC, or α-tocopherol were stored at 40 °C in the dark for 50 days, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) was used to identify and quantify the oxidation products. Emulsion droplet sizes, peroxide values, and levels of primary oxidation products (i.e., hydroperoxides) and secondary oxidation products (i.e., aldehydes) were determined. The results showed that CAPE (200 ppm) and 4-VC (200 ppm) had significantly greater antioxidant activities on the oxidation of stripped soybean oil-in-water emulsions than α-tocopherol (200 ppm). The peroxide values of CAPE (8.4 mequiv/L emulsion) and 4-VC (15.0 mequiv/L emulsion) were significantly lower than that of α-tocopherol (33.4 mequiv/L emulsion) (p < 0.05) on 36 days. In addition, the combinations of CAPE + α-tocopherol (100 + 100 ppm) or 4-VC + α-tocopherol (100 + 100 ppm) had better antioxidant activities than α-tocopherol (200 ppm). For CAPE + α-tocopherol, 4-VC + α-tocopherol, and α-tocopherol, the amounts of conjugated diene forms were 16.67, 13.72, and 16.32 mmol/L emulsion, and the concentrations of aldehydes were 2.15, 1.13, and 4.26 mmol/L emulsion, respectively, after 50 days of storage.

Activation of cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2) results in β-endorphin release from keratinocytes, which then acts on primary afferent neurons to inhibit nociception. However, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. The CB2 receptor is generally thought to couple to Gi/o to inhibit cAMP production, which cannot explain the peripheral stimulatory effects of CB2 receptor activation. In this study, we found that in a keratinocyte cell line, the Gβγ subunits from Gi/o, but not Gαs, were involved in CB2 receptor activation-induced β-endorphin release. Inhibition of MAPK kinase, but not PLC, abolished CB2 receptor activation-induced β-endorphin release. Also, CB2 receptor activation significantly increased intracellular Ca(2+). Treatment with BAPTA-AM or thapsigargin blocked CB2 receptor activation-induced β-endorphin release. Using a rat model of inflammatory pain, we showed that the MAPK kinase inhibitor PD98059 abolished the peripheral effect of the CB2 receptor agonist on nociception. We thus present a novel mechanism of CB2 receptor activation-induced β-endorphin release through Gi/o-Gβγ-MAPK-Ca(2+) signaling pathway. Our data also suggest that stimulation of MAPK contributes to the peripheral analgesic effect of CB2 receptor agonists.

The nanoscale host–guest interactions between [n]cycloparaphenylene ([n]CPP; n = 10, 8 and 9) nano-ring and fullerene C60 were explored theoretically. It is found that relatively small variations in the sizes of the [n]CPP host lead to very significant changes in encapsulation property toward the fullerene C60 guest. Expectedly, one stable inclusion-configuration of [10]CPP⊃C60 and one floating-configuration of [8]CPP⊃C60 are located on the potential surfaces of the two complexes, respectively. Unexpectedly, besides a floating-configuration (F-[9]CPP⊃C60), another stable inclusion-configuration (I-[9]CPP⊃C60) is also located on the potential surface of [9]CPP⊃C60 host–guest complex. Interaction energies and natural steric analysis show that these complexes are stabilized by balancing concave–convex π–π attractive and steric repulsive host–guest interactions. In contrast, the steric repulsive energy (Es) between host and guest of I-[9]CPP⊃C60 is as high as 233.12 kJ mol−1, which is much larger than those in other complexes. The movements of C60 guest through the cavities of [n]CPP host (n = 10, 8 and 9) are simulated by calculating the energy profile, and the results interestingly reveal that the encapsulation of C60 by [10]CPP is in the manner of a single-potential well, by [8]CPP in the manner of a double-potential well, and by [9]CPP in the special manner of a three-potential well. We predict that the movement of C60 guest through the cavity of [9]CPP host should be experimentally observable owing to the relatively low energy barrier (

To design near-infrared (NIR) absorbing photosensitizing compounds, we theoretically elucidated the geometrical structures and electronic transition properties of four porphyrin-based and four phthalocyanine-based derivatives. The results show that fusion of a π-conjugated aromatic ring with the pyrrole rings of porphyrin can cause the larger red-shifts in the Q-bands than π-conjugated groups in the meso positions of porphyrin do. The extent of the red-shift of the absorption bands induced by the coordinated metal atom depends on the electrons occupied in their outer shell. The electron-donating groups also affect the absorption properties of porphyrins due to the σ → π bond formed between the donor groups and the porphyrin ring. Based on these calculated results, we found a phthalocyanine-based compound containing Ti metal that has an absorption wavelength of 977.5 nm and a molar extinction coefficient of 10 4 L/mol cm. Moreover, the intrinsic reasons for the significant absorption properties for the phthalocyanine-based compounds were revealed.

Background Paclitaxel is commonly used as a cancer chemotherapy drug that frequently causes peripheral neuropathic pain. Inflammasome is a multiprotein complex consisting of Nod-like receptor proteins (NLRPs), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, and caspase-1, which functions to switch on the inflammatory process and the release of interleukin-1β. Growing evidences have supported that peripheral interleukin-1β is critical in enhancing paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. However, whether activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in peripheral nerve contributes to paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain is still unclear. Results Paclitaxel induced mechanical allodynia of rats from day 3 and worsened gradually till 3 weeks after injection. Paclitaxel resulted in expression of NLRP3 and activated fragments of caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve three weeks after injection, indicating activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. The expression of NLRP3 was located in CD68-labeled macrophages infiltrating in L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve, and paclitaxel increased the expression of NLRP3 in macrophage. Moreover, the paclitaxel elicited mitochondria damage, which became swollen and enlarged in macrophages and axons of sciatic nerve three weeks after injection. In vitro, paclitaxel increased the number of damaged mitochondria and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in the rat alveolar macrophage cell line NR8383. The administration of a non-specific reactive oxygen species scavenger, phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone, markedly alleviated mechanical allodynia and inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve of the paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain model. Conclusions Paclitaxel induced mechanical allodynia and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in infiltrated macrophages of L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve. Paclitaxel elicited mitochondria damage and reactive oxygen species production may result in activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in peripheral nerve, which contributes to paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

Animal steroid hormones stimulate extracellular Ca2+ influx into cells; however, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we determined that the Ca2+ influx induced by steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is mediated by the calcium release-activated calcium channel modulator 1 (CRACM1/Orai1). The Orai1 mRNA is highly expressed during midgut programmed cell death in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. 20E upregulated the expression of Orai1 in H. armigera larvae and in an epidermal cell line (HaEpi). Knockdown of Orai1 in HaEpi cells blocked 20E-induced Ca2+ influx, and the inhibitor of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) Xestospongin (XeC) blocked 20E-induced Ca2+ influx, suggesting that 20E, via Orai1, induces stored-operated Ca2+ influx. Orai1 interacts with stromal interaction molecule 1(Stim1) to exert its function in 20E-induced Ca2+ influx. 20E promotes Orai1 aggregation through G-protein-coupled receptors, phospholipase C gamma 1, and Stim1. Knockdown of Orai1 in the HaEpi cell line repressed apoptosis and maintained autophagy under 20E regulation. Knockdown of Orai1 in larvae delayed pupation, repressed midgut apoptosis, maintained the midgut in an autophagic state, and repressed 20E-pathway gene expression. These results revealed that steroid hormone 20E, via Orai1, induces Ca2+ influx to promote the transition of midgut from autophagy to apoptosis.

The present investigation was conducted to study the true retentions of a-tocopherol, toco-trienols and beta-carotene in crown daisy, unripe hot pepper, onion, garlic, and red pepper as affected by various domestic cooking methods, those were, boiling, baking, stir-frying, deep-frying, steaming, roasting, and microwaving. Fatty acid compositions were determined by GC, and HPLC were used for quantification of a-tocopherol, tocotrienols, and beta-carotene. True retentions of a-tocopherol in cooked foods were as follows: boiling (77.74-242.73%), baking (85.99-212.39%), stir-frying (83.12-957.08%), deep-frying (162.48-4214.53%), steaming (45.97-179.57%), roasting (49.65-253.69%), and microwaving (44.67-230.13%). Similarly for true retention of beta-carotene were: boiling (65.69-313.75%), baking (71.46-330.16%), stir-frying (89.62-362.46%), deep-frying (178.22-529.16%), steaming (50.39-240.92%), roasting (73.54-361.47%), and microwaving (78.60-339.87%).

It has been reported that ophiopogonin D (OP-D), a steroidal glycoside and an active component extracted from Ophiopogon japonicas, promotes antioxidative protection of the cardiovascular system. However, it is unknown whether OP-D exerts protective effects against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced autophagic cardiomyocyte injury. Here, we demonstrate that DOX induced excessive autophagy through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H9c2 cells and in mouse hearts, which was indicated by a significant increase in the number of autophagic vacuoles, LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and upregulation of the expression of GFP-LC3. Pretreatment with OP-D partially attenuated the above phenomena, similar to the effects of treatment with 3-methyladenine. In addition, OP-D treatment significantly relieved the disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential by antioxidative effects through downregulating the expression of both phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. The ability of OP-D to reduce the generation of ROS due to mitochondrial damage and, consequently, to inhibit autophagic activity partially accounts for its protective effects in the hearts against DOX-induced toxicity.

The high solid loading slurries with ZnO-Al2O3powders stabilized with polyelectrolytes have been studied. The influence of Sodium poly(acrylate) (PA 30) on the fluidity and stablility of the slurries was investigated. Morphological features of ZnO-Al2O3powders in suspension and fracture surface of green compact were observed using TEM and SEM. The slurries with pH 9 were prepared after milled using ZnO mixed powders and the PA 30 solution of pH 8. As 0.2 wt% PA 30 added, the lowest viscosity and the highest sediment were obtained. ZnO and Al2O3particles had been homogeneous dispersed. The maximum density (66.7 %TD) of green compact was obtained.

Correlation analysis based on chromatograms and pharmacological activities is essential for understanding the effective components in complex herbal medicines. In this report, HPLC and measurement of antioxidant properties were used to describe the active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection (SMI). HPLC results showed that tanshinol, protocatechuic aldehyde, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, protocatechuic acid and their metabolites in rat serum may contribute to the efficacy of SMI. Assessment of antioxidant properties indicated that differences in the composition of serum powder of SMI caused differences in vascular endothelial cell protection. When bivariate correlation was carried out it was found that salvianolic acid B, tanshinol and protocatechuic aldehyde were active components of SMI because they were correlated to antioxidant properties.

In this paper, the chitosan was prepared for treatment of electroplating wastewater. The influence of temperature, PH value, the amount of chitosan and mixing time on the effects of the wastewater treatment was investigated. The result showed that at PH=3, with the addition of 0.6g chitosan and 2h of mixing, the optimum wastewater treatment effect can be obtained. The removal rate of COD is above 80% and the adsorption rate of copper ion is above 99%. The decolourization ratio and the turbidity indicated that the treatment is effective.

4-Vinylsyringol was produced by decarboxylation from sinapic acid. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of 4-vinylsyringol, 500 ppm of 4-vinylsyringol, sinapic acid, or α-tocopherol was added to soybean oil and the oxidation processes were monitored by the peroxide value (PV), the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value (TBARS) assay, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The results obtained by PV and TBARS indicated that soybean oil containing 4-vinylsyringol (SBO-VS) showed the highest oxidative stability. 1H-NMR analysis also showed concurring results. After 19 days of oxidation, the degradation rates of linoleic acid (4.2 %) and linolenic acid (4.4 %) in SBO-VS were significantly lower than those in other oils. Secondary oxidation products (i.e. aldehydes) were undetectable in SBO-VS by 1H NMR, whereas concentrations of such compounds in soybean oils containing α-tocopherol or sinapic acid were 38.0 ± 0.4 and 2.75 ± 0.2 mM oil, respectively. In addition, synergistic antioxidant effect between any two antioxidants was not observed.

For more than a decade, the backfilling approach for the immobilization of DNA probes has been routinely adopted for the construction of functional interfaces; however, reliably reproducing electrochemical signal amplification by this method is a challenge. In this research, we demonstrate that the insertion approach significantly bolsters the reproducibility of electrochemical signal amplification via DNA superstructures. The combination of the backfilling approach and the DNA superstructure formation poses a big challenge to reliably reproducing electrochemical signal amplification. In order to use the detection of Hg(2+) as a prototype of this new strategy, a thymine-rich DNA probe that is specific to mercury ion was applied in this study. The presence of Hg(2+) induces the folding of the DNA probes and inhibits the formation of DNA superstructures. By using electroactive probes ([Ru(NH3)6](3+)) that are electrostatically adsorbed onto the double strands, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) could quantitatively confirm the presence of Hg(2+). A limit of detection (LOD) and a limit of quantification (LOQ) (LOQ) as low as 0.3 and 9.5 pM, respectively, were achieved. Furthermore, excellent selectivity and real sample analysis demonstrated the promising potential of this approach in future applications.

Porous materials exhibit distinct advantages for heavy metal sensing after functionalization with corresponding ionosphere as compared to the direct utility of ionosphere in solution without porous materials substrate. In recent years, engineered protein nanopore and artificial nanopore emerged to be a promising platform to build sensors for analysis of metal ions. This article reviewed recent development and current status of detection of heavy metal ions using nanopore and porous materials. The emphasis was given to the mesoporous silica materials. Except silicate based porous materials which could be used for ionosphere embedment, there were several other kinds of porous materials including porous metallosupramolecular networks, porous metal oxide, porous carbon materials, porous polymer membrane and porous clays, which could also be employed to construct metal ion sensors. Finally, we discussed the contents and goal of further research in this field.