Search

Liquid smoke is a liquid flavouring and customer favourite alternative to traditional food smoking. In this study, fast pyrolysis and selective condensation technologies were used to produce liquid smoke from kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) wood. Chemical analysis showed the abundant compounds in kanuka wood liquid smoke were creosol, guaiacol, syringol, and 4-ethylguaiacol in phenol groups. Liquid smoking of cheddar cheese was compared with and cold smoking method. Liquid smoked and cold-smoked cheddar cheese were analysed for their effects on the texture profile, colour change and shelf life of the cheese. Principal component analysis was employed to classify smoked cheese samples and interpret the correlation of treatment conditions and cheese characteristics. Liquid smoking treatment showed the advantages of rapidly processing and altering cheese characteristics. During storage, the reactions between smoke compounds and cheese led to further changes in cheese characteristics. Liquid smoking and cold smoking both showed strong antimicrobial activities, which could prolong the shelf life for at least 8 weeks for ambient storage.

The structurally new, carbon-free pentadecanuclear Fe-containing polyoxometalate, Na21[NaFe15(OH)12(PO4)4(A-α-SiW9O34)4]·85H2O (Na21-Fe15P4(SiW9)4), was synthesized using a facile one-pot, solution-based synthetic approach and systematically characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the title complex is composed of two [Fe4(A-α-SiW9O34)] fragments and two [Fe3.5(A-α-SiW9O34)] fragments stabilized by four PO4 linkers in a tetrameric style with idealized Td point group symmetry. When coupling with (4,4'-ditert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl)-bis(coumarin)-iridium(III) hexafluorophosphate ([Ir(coumarin)2(dtbbpy)][PF6]) photosensitizer and triethanolamine (TEOA) sacrificial electron donor, polyoxoanion Fe15P4(SiW9)4 effectively catalyzed hydrogen production with a minimally optimized TON of 986, which represents, to our knowledge, one of the highest values among known Fe-substituted POM-catalyzed hydrogen production systems. Both a mercury-poisoning test and FT-IR characterizations proved the structural stability of Fe15P4(SiW9)4 catalyst under photocatalytic conditions. The photocatalytic mechanism of the present hydrogen-evolving system was investigated by time-solved luminescence and static emission quenching measurements.

Liver fibrogenesis is a complex scar‐forming process in the liver. We suggested that the liver first responded to chronic injuries with gradual changes, then reached the critical state and ultimately resulted in cirrhosis rapidly. This study aimed to identify the tipping point and key molecules driving liver fibrosis progression. Mice model of liver fibrosis was induced by thioacetamide (TAA), and liver tissues were collected at different time‐points post‐TAA administration. By dynamic network biomarker (DNB) analysis on the time series of liver transcriptomes, the week 9 post‐TAA treatment (pathologically relevant to bridging fibrosis) was identified as the tipping point just before the significant fibrosis transition, with 153 DNB genes as key driving factors. The DNB genes were functionally enriched in fibrosis‐associated pathways, in particular, in the top‐ranked DNB genes, Tgfb3 negatively regulated Mmp13 in the interaction path and they formed a bistable switching system from a dynamical perspective. In the in vitro study, Tgfb3 promoted fibrogenic genes and down‐regulate Mmp13 gene transcription in an immortalized mouse HSC line JS1 and a human HSC line LX‐2. The presence of a tipping point during liver fibrogenesis driven by DNB genes marks not only the initiation of significant fibrogenesis but also the repression of the scar resolution.

Background Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common global chronic liver disease. Jiuzhuan Huangjing Pills (JHP) have been used for the treatment of human disease for over a thousand years, but their efficacy and underlying mechanism(s) of action against MAFLD are unknown. We investigated the alleviating effects of JHP on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MAFLD. Methods In vitro and in vivo methods were used to evaluate the effects of JHP on MAFLD. L02 adipocyte models were induced by fat emulsion and adipocytes were treated with JHP for 24 h. MAFLD rat models were induced by HFD-feeding and were intragastrically administered JHP for 12 weeks. Changes in fat accumulation, L02 cell damage, body weight, food intake, histological parameters, organ indexes, biochemical parameters, and mitochondrial indicators including ultrastructure, oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism were investigated. Results JHP attenuated the increase in levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels, and significantly increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol. JHP up-regulated levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and down-regulated malondialdehyde (MDA). JHP afforded protection to the mitochondrial ultrastructure, and inhibited the HFD-induced increase in MDA and the reduction of SOD, GSH, ATP synthase, and complex I and II, in liver mitochondria. JHP regulated the expression of β-oxidation genes, including acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, cyl-CoA dehydrogenase long chain, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α and peroxide proliferator activated receptor α. Conclusion JHP alleviates HFD-induced MAFLD through the protection of mitochondrial function.

Background Stephania yunnanensis H. S. Lo is widely used as an antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory herbal medicine in SouthWest China. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of sinoacutine (sino), one of the primary components extracted from this plant. Methods A RAW264.7 cell model was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced for estimation of cytokines in vitro, qPCR was used to estimate gene expression, western blot analysis was used to estimate protein level and investigate the regulation of NF- κB, JNK and MAPK signal pathway. In addition, an acute lung injury model was established to determine lung index and levels of influencing factors. Results Using the RAW264.7 model, we found that sino reduced levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) but increased levels of IL-6. qPCR analysis revealed that sino (50, 25 μg/ml) inhibited gene expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). western blot analysis showed that sino significantly inhibited protein levels of both iNOS and COX-2. Further signalling pathway analysis validated that sino also inhibited phosphorylation of p65 in the NF-κB and c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) signalling pathways but promoted the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 in the MAPK signalling pathway. In addition, in a mouse model induced by LPS, we determined that sino reduced the lung index and the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), NO, IL-6 and TNF-α in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in acute lung injury (ALI). Conclusion Taken together, our results demonstrate that sino is a promising drug to alleviate LPS-induced inflammatory reactions.

Pristine graphene (PG) has been demonstrated to be an excellent substrate for Raman enhancement, which is called graphene-enhanced Raman scattering. However, the chemically inert and hydrophobic surface of PG hinders the adsorption of molecules especially in aqueous solutions, and consequently limits the Raman enhanced efficiency. Here, we synthesized defective graphene (DG) films by chemical vapor deposition on Au, which has a defect density of ∼2.0 × 1011 cm−2. The DG shows a much better wettability than PG towards dye solution. Combining with the strong adsorption ability of defects to molecules, DG shows greatly enhanced efficiency than PG with perfect lattice. For example, the detection limit for rhodamine B can reach 2 × 10−9 M for DG while it is on the order of 10−7 M for PG. In addition, DG has high enhancement uniformity and the Au substrate can be reused after electrochemical bubbling transfer. These advantages suggest the great potential of the DG grown on Au for practical applications in environmental monitoring.

Non-catalytic and catalytic pyrolysis of pretreated pine wood was conducted using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Biomass pretreatment included acid-leaching, torrefaction, and acid-leaching followed by torrefaction. Forty-five pyrolysis products were identified in the Py-GC/MS chromatograms and their peak area data evaluated by principal component analysis. In non-catalytic pyrolysis, acid-leaching pretreatment enhanced the levels of levoglucosan, while torrefaction pretreatment enhanced the proportion of catechols in the volatile products. Increasing both the temperature and catalyst loading in catalytic pyrolysis promoted the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons. At lower pyrolysis temperatures (450–500 °C), acid-leaching pretreatment resulted in slightly lower proportions of aromatics, while torrefaction pretreatment had the opposite effect. Overall, temperature and catalyst loading were considerably more important factors in catalytic fast pyrolysis of pine wood than biomass pretreatment as studied by Py-GC/MS.

Aim To identify the effects and mechanism of action of Polygonatum kingianum (P. kingianum) on dyslipidemia in rats using an integrated untargeted metabolomic method. Methods A rat model of dyslipidemia was induced with a high-fat diet (HFD) and rats were given P. kingianum [4 g/(kg•d)] intragastrically for 14 wk. Changes in serum and hepatic lipid parameters were evaluated. Metabolites in serum, urine and liver samples were profiled using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry followed by multivariate statistical analysis to identify potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. Results P. kingianum significantly inhibited the HFD-induced increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride in the liver and serum. P. kingianum also significantly regulated metabolites in the analyzed samples toward normal status. Nineteen, twenty-four and thirty-eight potential biomarkers were identified in serum, urine and liver samples, respectively. These biomarkers involved biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, valine, leucine and isoleucine, along with metabolism of tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, starch, sucrose, glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, nicotinate, nicotinamide and sphingolipid. Conclusion P. kingianum alleviates HFD-induced dyslipidemia by regulating many endogenous metabolites in serum, urine and liver samples. Collectively, our findings suggest that P. kingianum may be a promising lipid regulator to treat dyslipidemia and associated diseases.

Purpose Whether the association between diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is leveraged by anemia remains unclear. This study is to evaluate the joint effect of DKD and anemia on DR. Methods Data were collected from electronic medical records of 1389 patients with T2DM in the Yiwu Central Hospital of Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2019. Based on retinal examination findings, patients were classified as without diabetic retinopathy (non-DR), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Odds ratio (OR) from multinomial logistic regression models adjusting for potential risk factors of DR were used to evaluate associations of DKD, renal function measures, and anemia with risk of NPDR and PDR. Path analysis was performed to help understand the association of DKD and hemoglobin (Hb) with DR. Results The study included 901 patients with non-DR, 367 patients with NPDR and 121 patients with PDR. Both high DKD risk and abnormal renal function measures were significantly associated with PDR. Anemia was associated with increased risk of NPDR (OR = 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-2.58) and PDR (OR = 3.71, 95% CI = 2.23-6.18). DKD severity and anemia had joint effect on NPDR (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.32-3.96) and PDR (OR = 11.31, 95% CI = 5.95-21.51). These associations were supported by path analysis. Conclusions DKD severity, abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) were associated with increased risk of DR in patients with T2DM, and anemia had joint effect on these associations. Improving Hb level may decrease the risk of DR in patients with T2DM.

The development of robust and efficient hydrogen-evolving system remains a substantial but promising challenge to convert solar energy into clean fuel. Herein, we report the construction of water-compatible, robust, and ultraefficient hydrogen-evolving system by coupling water-soluble CdSe light-absorbers with Ni-substituted polyoxometalate (Ni-POM) catalysts and AA electron donor. Such facile catalytic system exhibits superior and robust hydrogen production activity to date even among known semiconductor/POM hybrids-based hydrogen production systems. Multiple stability experiments confirm the molecular stability of Ni-POM catalysts under turnover conditions. Various experimental and spectroscopic analyses reveal that the synergistic cooperation between high photostability of CdSe light-absorber, outstanding reversible multi-electron-transferring property of Ni-POM catalyst, and the fast hole-removing ability of AA electron donor account for the exceptional performance of present catalytic system. Our present work provides new research insights into the continued development of effective hydrogen-evolving systems through coupling other QDs-based light-absorbers and earth-abundant transition-metal-substituted POM catalysts.

Objectives Glucolipid metabolic disorders (GLMD) promote a series of major chronic diseases. Polygoni Multilori Radix Preparata (PMRP) has been widely acknowledged in the prevention and treatment of GLMD. We previously reported that water extract (WE) of PMRP and its major bioactive constituents such as polysaccharides (POL) and 2,3,5,4´-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) could alleviate GLMD. The mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism of GLMD, but the underlying mechanisms behind the regulation of mitochondria to alleviate GLMD by WE, POL from PMRP and TSG are still unknown. Methods In this study, we elucidated the effects of WE, POL, and TSG towards regulating the mitochondrial dysfunction and alleviating GLMD using mitochondrial metabonomics. A rat model of GLMD was established by high-sugar and high-fat (HS-HF) diet. Rats were intragastrically given WE, POL, and TSG for 12 weeks. The liver mitochondrial metabolites were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry followed by multivariate statistical analysis to identify the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways. Key findings The WE, POL, and TSG could significantly restore the level of endogenous metabolites in liver mitochondria toward normal status. In total, sixteen, seven, and fourteen differential metabolites were identified in the liver mitochondrial samples obtained from the WE, GOL, and TSG groups, respectively. These metabolites were found to be mainly involved in glycerol phospholipid, histidine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamate metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis. Conclusions PMRP could improve the liver mitochondrial function by regulating the mitochondrial metabolic pathways to alleviate GLMD. Therefore, the application of PMRP might be a promising mitochondrial regulator/nutrient for alleviating GLMD-associated diseases and the mitochondrial metabonomics might provide insights into the evaluation of the efficacies and mechanisms of action of drugs.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer, which is very difficult to treat and commonly develops resistance to chemotherapy. The following study investigated whether the inhibition of Flap Endonuclease 1 (FEN1) expression, the key enzyme in the base excision repair (BER) pathway, could improve the anti-tumor effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO), which is a reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer. Our data showed that ATO could increase the expression of FEN1, and the knockdown of FEN1 could significantly enhance the sensitivity of TNBC cells to ATO both in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanism studies revealed that silencing FEN1 in combination with low doses of ATO might increase intracellular ROS and reduce glutathione (GSH) levels, by reducing the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2); elevating ROS leaded to apoptosis and p38 and JNK pathway activating. In conclusion, our study suggested the combination of FEN1 knockdown and ATO could induce TNBC cell death by promoting ROS production. FEN1 knockdown can effectively decrease the application concentrations of ATO, thus providing a possibility for the treatment of TNBC with ATO.

Background The incidence of insulin resistance (IR) has rapidly increased worldwide over the last 20 years, no perfect solution has yet been identified. Finding new therapeutic drugs will help improve this situation. As a traditional Chinese medicine, PPM (processed Polygonum multiflorum) has widely been used in the clinic. Recently, other clinical functions of PPM have been widely analyzed. Results Administration of the water extract from PPM decreased the level of FBG, TC, and TG, and increased the level of FGC, thereby reducing the IR index and improving IR. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed that PPM significantly increased GPR43 and AMPK expression when compared with the MOD group, and GPR43, AMPK were known as glucose metabolism-related proteins. In addition, treatment with PPM can restore the balance of gut microbiota by adjusting the relative abundance of bacteria both at the phylum and genus level, and these changes have been reported to be related to IR. Methods Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed a high-fat diet and were gavaged daily with either normal saline solution or PPM for 12 weeks. Major biochemical indexes, such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting glucagon (FGC), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were measured. Then the protein expression of adenosine 5′-monophosphate -activated protein kinase (AMPK) and G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) was evaluated by using Western blot analysis. Moreover, the composition of gut microbiota was assessed by analyzing 16S rRNA sequences. Conclusions Our findings showed that PPM reversed the increasing of FBG and the decreasing of IRI, PPM accelerated the expression of glucose metabolism-related proteins and regulated the intestinal microecological balance. Therefore, we hold the opinion that PPM may be an effective option for treating IR.

Long-term muscle fatigue is a major cause of injury. Drugs/nutrients from herbal medicines that prevent fatigue remain a major research focus. In China, a prescription composed of Polygonati Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma has been commonly used as a herb and food nutrient, providing protection against fatigue in the clinic. To date, the mechanisms through which this prescription prevented fatigue are unknown. Here, we identified the effects of this prescription on muscle fatigue based on energy and oxidation regulation. Fatigue mouse models were produced through weight-bearing exhaustive swimming. Mice were intragastrically administered prescription extracts (1 and 2 g/kg) for four weeks. Changes in exhaustive swimming times, antifatigue biochemical indicators, oxidative status, and energy metabolism were investigated. The prescription prolonged the exhaustive swimming time of the mice. The content of lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen in the serum was also markedly reduced by the prescription. The content of liver glycogen and lactate dehydrogenase in the serum increased. The prescription also significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The levels of ATPase, complexes I and II in the mitochondria of hind-leg skeletal muscle, and serum creatine kinase also increased in response to the prescription. Our results indicated that the prescription could effectively alleviate muscle fatigue status by promoting energy metabolism and antioxidation ability. The prescription therefore represents a useful drug/nutrient strategy to alleviate muscle fatigue.

Three hybrid phosphomolybdates were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by a series of physicochemical analysis techniques. X-ray single-crystal structural analysis revealed that three compounds with the reductive polyanionic clusters (MoV) were wrapped by protonated organic component bpp cations (bpp = 1,3-bi(4-pyridyl)propane) through the complex supramolecular hydrogen bonding network. They also have similar molecular formulas: (H2bpp)3[PbM(H2O)2]2H6{M[Mo6O12(OH)3(HPO4)3(PO4)]2}2·nH2O (M = Fe in 1, Zn in 2, n = 4; or M = Mn in 3, n = 6). The oxidation states of all Mo centers in these polyanions are in the form of +5, presenting clusters with the higher negative charge. The feature showed that they were easy to be modified by transition metal and organic moieties, so as to form a high-dimensional structure and produce functional materials with specific properties. Comparison of catalytic ability of three crystals to reduce CrVI using formic acid as reductant, found that cr...

Background. The dried mature fruit ofAmomum villosumhas been historically used in China as food and in the auxiliary treatment of digestive system disorders. Numerous studies have shown that gastrointestinal function is closely related to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via the “gut-liver” axis.Objective. The present study aimed to explore whether the mechanism underlying the regulation of lipid accumulation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may affect related disorders using the active ingredients inA. villosum.Design. Male Sprague-Dawley rats on a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce NAFLD were administered water extract ofA. villosum(WEAV), volatile oil ofA. villosum(VOAV), or bornyl acetate. After treatment, serum and liver total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured. The regulatory role ofA. villosumin the microecology of the intestines was assessed using the V4 region of the 16S rDNA sequencing. The expression of the intestinal tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 was also measured. The influence ofA. villosumon TLR4-mediated chronic low-grade inflammation was evaluated based on the concentrations of key proteins of the TLR4/NF-кB signaling pathway.Results. A. villosumeffectively inhibited endogenous lipid synthesis, reduced TG, TC, and FFA accumulation, regulated the expression of LDL-C, and decreased lipid accumulation in liver tissues. VOAV effectively regulated the intestinal microflora, improved chronic low-grade inflammation by promoting ZO-1 and occludin protein expressions, and inhibited the TLR4/NF-кB signaling pathway.Conclusion.The present study provides scientific basis for the potential application ofA. villosumin NAFLD prevention and treatment. Additional chemical constituents other than bornyl acetate also contributed to the preventive effects ofA. villosumon NAFLD.

Previous studies have suggested that 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) prevents progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet. The present study aimed to evaluate whether TSG could reverse NAFLD induced by a methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet and identify the possible mechanism of action. C57BL6/J mice were fed a MCD diet and were treated with TSG, fenofibrate, and resveratrol for 9 weeks. Regulatory effects of several cytokines and enzymes, including Nod-like receptor protein 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC), caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-18, IL-1β, and gut microbiota balance were investigated. TSG significantly reduced NAFLD biochemical indexes, including total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase and free fatty acid. Middle dosage (TSG.M, 35 mg/kg) of TSG reduced the expression of ASC and caspase-1. Furthermore, TSG displayed gut microbiota regulatory effects on MCD-induced NAFLD mice. The results of the present study suggested that TSG prevented the occurrence and development of MCD diet-induced NAFLD. The data further indicated that TSG may serve as a promising lead compound that may aid with intervention in NAFLD therapy.

Ethylene oxide is a most versatile and critical raw chemical and intermediate. However, the strained ring of ethylene oxide is liable to be cleaved, potentially leading to industrial disasters at high temperatures, such as severe explosions, fires, and toxic releases. In this study, nonisothermal, adiabatic, and isothermal tests were performed to determine the inherent properties of aqueous ethylene oxide solution (AEOS) with regard to its safety. Differential scanning calorimetry and vent sizing package 2 were used to investigate its thermal decomposition and pseudo-adiabatic runaway reaction, respectively. Isothermally exothermic behavior was detected by using the thermal activity monitor IV. Kinetic equations were applied to calculate the apparent activation energy of AEOS (at conversion degrees of 10, 11, 12, 13,…, and 90%), with its value in the range 59.6–85.0 kJ mol−1. The Arrhenius method was also used to ascertain the frequency factor. As the conversion degree increased, the apparent activation energy and frequency factor gradually decreased. The flash point of AEOS was tested to determine its fire and explosion hazard potential. From the perspective of proactive loss prevention, these results are salient for the safer thermal handling of AEOS.

Ag-modified polyoxometalate [Na(H2O)]2[Ag(bpf)]3[PW12O40] (1) (bpf = 2,4-di(4-pyridyl)furan) was synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1 consists of a hybrid 3D MOF constructed from Keggin-type polyanionic [PW12O40]3- and cationic Ag-bpf units. Ligand bpf in 1 was in situ transferred from 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane under the higher temperature and pressure of hydrothermal conditions. Catalytic performance of 1 as a heterogeneous catalyst for degradation of organic dye Rhodamine B (RhB) was investigated. Experimental results showed that hybrid 1 was especially active to catalytically degrade RhB under room temperature and natural light. RhB-containing solution (5.0 mg·L−1) could be quickly bleached in a short time, and the high removal efficiency (97%) could be reached in a mere 30 min. The degradation mechanism of RhB was discussed.

New Na-bridged phosphomolybdates (H2en)12[{Na0.8K0.2(H2O)}2{Na[Mo6O12(OH)3(HPO4)2(PO4)2]2}2]·7H2O (1), (H2bpp)2[{Sr2(H2O)4}{Na3(H2O)10}{Na[Mo6O12(OH)3(HPO4)3(PO4)]2}]·2H2O (2), and (H2bpp)6 [{Ca2(H2O)4}{Na2(H2O)4}{Na[Mo6O12(OH)3(HPO4)3(PO4)]2}2] (3) (en = ethylenediamine, bpp = 1,3-bi(4-pyridyl)propane), were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the three hybrids were composed of fully reduced 'hourglass-shaped' {Na[PV4MoV6X31]2}n- (X = O/OH) clusters and N-containing organic cations. The electrochemical measurements showed that this kind of highly negatively charged metal-oxygen cluster in crystals 1-3 has the ideal behaviour of reversible electron gain or loss, which is related to the function of electron transfer catalysts in oxidation reduction reactions. Experimental results indicated that they were active as heterogeneous crystal catalysts in the catalytic reduction of inorganic hexavalent chromium with formic acid as reductant, and also had a significant catalytic effect on the photodegradation of the organic dye methylene blue under mild conditions.

Three new polyoxometalate (POM) supramolecular assemblies constructed from phosphotungstate clusters and S-containing pyridine-based cations had been successfully isolated and characterized. Structural analysis revealed that their formula were (H2PySSPy)3[PW12O40]2·6H2O (1), (H3/2PySPy)2[PW12O40]·6H2O (2) and [Ag(HPyS)]4[Ag8(H2O)9][P2W18O62]2·4H2O (3) (PySSPy = 4,4′-dipyridine disulfide; PySPy = 4,4′-thiodipyridine; PySH = pyridine-4-thiol), respectively. The three crystals were assembled by means of multiple weak intermolecular cooperative interactions of hydrogen bonding, S⋯O, C–H⋯π, etc. In particular, the peculiar supramolecular bond of the ‘polyanion–π’ binding interaction between the polyanion receptor and the six-membered pyridine ring was described in some detail. These complex and noncovalent contacts efficiently induce the construction of the crystal supramolecular lattices of 1–3. During the formation process of 2 and 3, organic moieties were achieved through the in situ cleavage of S–S chemical bonds in PySSPy. Crystal 3 contains a 3D network constructed from Dawson-like polyanions and Ag–PyS cationic units through Ag–O and Ag–S coordination bonds. One anionic [P2W18O62]6− cluster is bonded to eighteen Ag ions through many Ag–O interactions, presenting an interesting Ag18-supported Dawson structure.

In aqueous dispersion of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), the mixture dispersion containing different proportion of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were added. These three components were physically blended to fabricate composite films for improving the mechanical properties and the water resistance of PEDOT:PSS films; a strong drawback hindering their electrical properties. The effect of the ratio of POSS compared to PEDOT:PSS was in particular investigated. It was convincingly proven that the introduction of POSS unit and strong polar DMSO improved surface roughness, hydrophobicity, stability, friction resistance and electrical properties of PEDOT:PSS films.

Liquid smoke flavouring as an all-natural food additive is usually prepared by smouldering or a carbonisation method. In this study, liquid smoke was prepared by fast pyrolysis technology using a fluidised bed reactor with a yield of 30 wt%. GC-MS analysis showed that main functional compounds were furans, carbonyls and phenols. The fast pyrolysis liquid smoke presented a high antioxidant capacity with a total phenolic content of 21.9 mg GAE/mL. Cytotoxicity analysis indicated that it was as safe as commercial liquid smoke products. This fast pyrolysis liquid smoke was diluted and applied to treat green lipped mussel meat, and the preserving effects were studied over 30-day refrigerated storage. The microbiological analysis results showed bacteria growth was inhibited during the first 14 days of the storage period. The image and texture analysis results showed insignificant changes to liquid smoked mussel meat during storage except for colour darkening and decreased hardness in meat texture.

Background and aims To investigate the effects of serum uric acid (SUA) level and its fluctuation on renal dysfunction in gout patients. Methods and results Data on gout patients was collected from Huzhou city electronic medical record system data sharing platform, and information about relevant diagnoses, prescriptions, biochemical indexes and imaging characteristics was extracted. The gout patients with baseline normal renal function were enrolled in this analysis, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) Conclusion Regardless of the baseline SUA level, SUA >10 mg/dL was a significant risk factor for renal dysfunction. SUA between 6 and 10 mg/dL was a potential risk factor for renal dysfunction. No significant correlation of SUA fluctuation and renal function was found.

Background Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Developing mitochondrial regulators/nutrients from natural products to remedy mitochondrial dysfunction represent attractive strategies for NAFLD therapy. In China, Polygonatum kingianum (PK) has been used as a herb and food nutrient for centuries. So far, studies in which the effects of PK on NAFLD are evaluated are lacking. Our study aims at identifying the effects and mechanism of action of PK on NAFLD based on mitochondrial regulation. Methods A NAFLD rat model was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and rats were intragastrically given PK (1, 2 and 4 g/kg) for 14 weeks. Changes in body weight, food intake, histological parameters, organ indexes, biochemical parameters and mitochondrial indicators involved in oxidative stress, energy metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and apoptosis were investigated. Results PK significantly inhibited the HFD-induced increase of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum, and TC and triglyceride in the liver. In addition, PK reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver enlargement without affecting food intake. PK also remarkably inhibited the HFD-induced increase of malondialdehyde and the reduction of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, ATP synthase, and complex I and II, in mitochondria. Moreover, mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and uncoupling protein-2 was significantly up-regulated and down-regulated after PK treatment, respectively. Finally, PK notably inhibited the HFD-induced increase of caspase 9, caspase 3 and Bax expression in hepatocytes, and the decrease of expression of Bcl-2 in hepatocytes and cytchrome c in mitochondria. Conclusion PK alleviated HFD-induced NAFLD by promoting mitochondrial functions. Thus, PK may be useful mitochondrial regulators/nutrients to remedy mitochondrial dysfunction and alleviate NAFLD.

Paclitaxel is one of the most effective chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer worldwide but 20‑30% patients show primary resistance to the drug. Screening and identification of markers that facilitate effective and rapid prediction of sensitivity to paclitaxel is therefore an urgent medical requirement. In the present study, G protein signaling modulator 2 (GPSM2) mRNA levels were significantly associated with taxane sensitivity in experiments based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) online database. Immunohistochemical analysis consistently revealed a significant association of GPSM2 protein levels with paclitaxel sensitivity in breast cancer patients. Knockdown of GPSM2 reduced the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to paclitaxel via regulation of the cell cycle. Animal experiments further corroborated our in vitro findings. These results suggest that GPSM2 plays an important role in breast cancer resistance, supporting its utility as a potential target for improving drug susceptibility in patients as well as a marker of paclitaxel sensitivity.

Ethnopharmacological relevance 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) is the main active component of Polygoni Multiflori Radix, a root of the homonymous plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. TSG has protective effects on the liver, reduces cholesterol and possesses anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. However, the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of Polygonum multiflorum on atherosclerosis (AS) have not been studied yet. Purpose The aim of this research was to study the effects of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP) and its major active chemical constituent TSG on AS in ApoE-deficient (ApoE−/-) mice fed with high fat diets to provide a scientific basis in the use of PMRP and TSG against cardiovascular diseases. Methods High fat diet induced AS in ApoE−/- mice were treated with PMRP, TSG (low and high doses), and simvastatin (SIM) for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment, mouse serum lipid levels, triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) were measured by an oxidase method (other indicators were determined by ELISA), while the content in oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and the expression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the serum and aortic samples were measured by ELISA. Atherosclerotic plaque morphology was evaluated by oil red O in thoracic aorta. In addition, 16S rDNA-V4 hypervariable region genome sequence of all microbes in the fecal sample from each group was analyzed to evaluate potential structure changes in the gut microbiota after treatment with PMRP and TSG. Results TSG markedly inhibited AS plaque formation in ApoE−/- mice. Furthermore, PMRP and TSG improved lipid accumulation by reducing TG and ox-LDL levels. TSG inhibited inflammation by the down-regulation of IL-6, TNF-α, VCAM-1 and MCP-1 expression in serum, and PMRP inhibited inflammation by reducing VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and CCRA expression in aortic tissue. In addition, TSG reduced or prevented AS by the regulation of the composition of the overall gut microbiota, such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes, Proteobacteria phyla, Akkermensia genera and Helicobacter pylori. Conclusion PMRP and TSG improved lipid accumulation and inflammation, and regulated the intestinal microbial imbalance in ApoE−/- mice. TSG exerted a preventive effect in the development and progression of AS.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) and dissolved ions are two integral parameters to affect the environmental fate of As in different ways. Numerous studies chose surrogate of DOM, humic substances (HSs), to investigate the As complexation behavior. However, microbial secretion (protein and polysaccharide) was also considered for a great proportion in surface aquatic system, and its effect was still not fully understood. The present research distinguished the As complexation behavior with different DOM components (HSs, protein, polysaccharide and synthetic organic matter) in natural and simulated water samples. The results indicated that different DOM components exhibited various binding capacities for As. HSs showed the strongest affinity for As, followed by long-chain compounds (polysaccharide and synthetic organic matter) and proteins. In water source, HSs were probably the primary parameter for As complexation. In eutrophic water system, however, polysaccharide maybe the main DOM component to bind As. Cationic bridge function was prone to occur in the presence of HSs, but not observed in the presence of protein. PO43- competed for binding sites with As, consequently decreasing the As complexation with all the DOM components. The research implied that a comprehensive and meticulous analyses of DOM fractions and coexist ions are the prerequisite to understanding the behavior of As (or other pollutants) in different natural aquatic systems.

Purpose: Gossypol and its analogs, through their ability to bind to and inactivate BH3 domain-containing antiapoptotic proteins, have been shown to inhibit the growth of various human cancer cells in culture and xenograft models. Here, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of a novel gossypol derivative and BH3 mimetic ch282-5 (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid sodium-gossypolone) in colon cancer models. Several innovative combination strategies were also explored and elaborated. Experimental Design: Ch282-5 was synthesized by modifying the active aldehyde groups and R groups of gossypol according to a computer-aided drug design program. The stability of ch282-5 was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and cytotoxic effects of ch282-5 on colon cancer cells were assessed by MTS assay. Activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by ch282-5 was evidenced with a series of molecular biology techniques. In vivo antitumor activity of ch282-5 and its combination with chloroquine, rapamycin, oxaliplatin, and ABT-263 was also evaluated in colon cancer xenograft models and experimental liver metastasis models. Results: Ch282-5 showed antiproliferative and pro-cell death activity against colon cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and the response to the drug correlated with inhibition of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway, and disruption of mitophagy and mTOR pathway. Ch282-5 also suppressed liver metastasis produced by intrasplenic injection of colon cancer cells. Furthermore, ch282-5 could potentiate the effectiveness of oxaliplatin and rescue ABT-263 efficacy by downregulation of Mcl-1 and elevation of platelet number. Conclusions: These findings provide a rational basis for clinical investigation of this highly promising BH3 mimetic in colon cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 22(6); 1445–58. ©2015 AACR.

Conducting polymers (CPs), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films, have shown excellent applications in the field of flexible electronics. In most cases, conductivity-enhancement reagents, such as popular dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been demonstrated as necessary additives. However, their effects on the self-healing performances of such films were still unknown. Here, effects of these reagents as well as inorganic concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) on the water-induced mechanical and electronic (conductive and thermoelectric) self-healing properties of PEDOT:PSS films were studied and corresponding mechanisms were illustrated. Meanwhile, analogous poly(3,4-ethylenedioxyselenophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOS:PSS) film was investigated as a contrast. Treatment by EG showed 98 % recovery of conductivity and significantly reduced crack width after healing, while H2SO4 post-treatment only improved the self-healing of mechanical properties but significantly weakened the electrical properties. PEG or DMSO treatment showed negative influence on the self-healing of PEDOTs:PSS films. Since flexible electronic applications of PEDOTs:PSS films are highly inseparable from various additives or post-treatment, this initial research will help to clarify and optimize the synergy between electronic and self-healing behaviors.

The development of porous polymer films with high emission efficiency simultaneously overcomes the unprocessable and poor photofunctionality limitations faced in the conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) field, and therefore has attracted more and more attentions. In this work, monomer 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)ethene that contained AIE-active tetraphenylethylene and carbazole units had been synthesized via McMurry reaction. And its corresponding CPP (PTCPE) films were easily obtained using the electropolymerization method in CH2Cl2-BFEE mixtures without adding any supporting electrolyte. These CPPs films exhibited high fluorescence in the solid state because of AIE-active TPE. Their electrochemical polymerization and fluorescence properties could be changed by adjusting the polymerization conditions.

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) are multi-walled nanotubes composed of hexagonal B N bonds and possess many unique physical and chemical properties, creating a rapidly expanding market for this newly emerging nanomaterial which is still primarily in the research and development stage. The shape and high aspect ratio give rise to concern for the potential toxicity that may be associated with pulmonary exposure, especially in an occupational setting. The goal of this study was to assess lung toxicity using an in vivo time course model. The sample was manufactured to be 5 nm wide and up to 200 μm long, with ~50% purity covalently bound with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) in the sample. Following preparation for in vivo studies, sonication of the material disrupted the longer tubes in the complex and the size distribution in dispersion medium (DM) of the structures was 13–23 nm in diameter and 0.6–1.6 μm in length. Male C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to 4 or 40 μg of BNNT or DM (vehicle control) by a single oropharyngeal aspiration. Pulmonary and systemic toxicity were investigated at 4 h, 1 d, 7 d, 1 mo and 2 mo post-exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) studies determined pulmonary inflammation (neutrophil influx) and cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase activity) occurred at early time points and peaked at 7 d post-exposure in the high dose group. Histopathological analysis showed a minimal level of inflammatory cell infiltration in the high dose group with resolution over time and no fibrosis, and lung clearance analysis showed ~50% of the material cleared over the time course. The expression of inflammatory- and acute phase response-associated genes in the lung and liver were significantly increased by the high dose at 4 h and 1 d post-exposure. The increases in lung gene expression of Cxcl2, Ccl2, Il6, Ccl22, Ccl11, and Spp1 were significant up to 2 mo but decreased with time. The low dose exposure did not result in significant changes in any toxicological parameters measured. In summary, the BNNT-hBN sample used in this study caused acute pulmonary inflammation and injury at the higher dose, which peaked by 7 d post-exposure and showed resolution over time. Further studies are needed to determine if physicochemical properties and purity will impact the toxicity profile of BNNT and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of BNNT toxicity.

Electrorheological (ER) fluids are considered as a type of smart fluids because their rheological characteristics can be altered through an electric field. The discovery of giant ER effect revived the researchers' interest in the ER technological area. However, the poor stability including the insufficient dynamic shear stress, the large leakage current density, and the sedimentation tendency still hinders their practical applications. Herein, we report a facile and scalable coprecipitation method for synthesizing surfactant-free tin titanyl oxalate (TTO) particles with tremella-like wrinkly microstructure (W-TTO). The W-TTO-based ER fluids exhibit enhanced ER activity compared to that of the pristine TTO because of the improved wettability between W-TTO and the silicone oil. In addition, the static yield stress and leakage current of W-TTO ER fluids also show a fine time stability during the 30 day tests. More importantly, the dynamic shear stress of W-TTO ER fluids can remain stable throughout the shear rate range, which is valuable for their use in engineering applications. The results in this work provided a promising strategy to solving the long-standing problem of ER fluid stability. Moreover, this convenient route of synthesis may be considered a green approach for the mass production of giant ER materials.

The thermodynamics of Cu 2+ - and Ni 2+ -NTA binding to polypeptides containing 2–6 histidine residues in neutral buffered aqueous solutions were characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The apparent dissociation constants of ternary complexes of N-acetylhexahistidine-Ni 2+ -NTA and N-acetylhexahistidine-Cu 2+ -NTA were 69.5 μM and 27.1 μM, respectively. Decreased number of histidine residues in the oligohistidine fragment caused gradual decrease in the stability of the mixed metal complexes and a change in the binding stoichiometry from ∼1:1 for N-acetylhexahistidine and N-acetylpentahistidine to ∼0.5:1 for N-acetyltetrahistidine and ∼0.3:1 for N-acetyltrihistidine, N-acetyldihistidine and N-acetylhistidine ligands. In all cases, the binding interactions are shown to be enthalpically favored. Other metal cations formed less stable mixed metal complexes with stability constants in the order of Cu 2+ > Ni 2+ > Mg 2+ , Co 2+ , Zn 2+ >> Mn 2+ , Ca 2+ . The significance of the data is discussed in terms of important practical applications.

Foaming reduces the working volume and limits the biosynthesis of macrolide immunosuppressant ascomycin (FK520) in the batch fermentation process of Streptomyces hygroscopicus FS-35 in a 7.5 L bioreactor. To find the relation between FK520 production and foaming, effects of 10 fermentation parameters including organic acids and membrane permeability were investigated. The results suggest that acetate accumulation caused by short period oxygen deficiency and fast consumption of glucose is the reason for increased foaming and declined FK520 production. Therefore, a fed-batch fermentation strategy was developed to reduce the accumulation of acetate. After optimization, the maximum acetate concentration dropped from 320 mg·L − 1 to 157 mg·L − 1 , decreased by 50.8%, and the maximum foam height reduced from 5.32 cm to 3.74 cm, decreased by 29.7%, while the maximum FK520 production increased from 375 mg·L − 1 to 421 mg·L − 1 , improved by 12%.

A new approach for the facile chemodivergent synthesis of tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from β-ketothioamides, aldehydes and heterocyclic ketene aminals is described. In the presence of a base, an unprecedented ring-opening, tautomerization, recyclization cascade is observed and H2S eliminated tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were formed in good yields. With catalytic amounts of acid, another type of different substituted tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were obtained through dehydration.

Determination of lanthanum in the raffinate by spectrophotometry was studied, using tribromoarsenazo as chromogenic reagent. The addition of ascorbic acid can mask the interference of other metal cations in the solution. Under the conditions of ascorbic acid (10g·L-1) 5 mL, hydrochloric acid 0.04 mol·L-1 and tribromoarsenazo (0.5g·L-1) 2 mL, Beer’s law is obeyed in the range of 0-10 μg·(25mL)-1 for lanthanum, with correlation coefficient higher than 0.99. Beer’s law can be applicable for the wavelength range of 580-660 nm. There is no linear relation at too high or too low acidic environment.

A novel series of trifluoromethyl indole derivatives have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for anti-HIV-1 activities in MT-2 cells. The hydrophobic constant, acute toxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity were predicted. Trifluoromethyl indoles 10i and 10k showed extremely promising activities against WT HIV-1 with IC50 values at the low nanomolar level, similar to efavirenz, better than nevirapine, and also possessed higher potency towards the drug-resistant mutant strain Y181C than nevirapine. Preliminary SAR and docking studies of detailed binding mode provided some insights for discovery of more potent NNRTIs.

The CVD diamond films have a series of excellent performances, so it has a wide range of applications in the cutting tools, wearable devices, electrochemical electrodes and other fields, and it has a very substantial market prospects. In this study, The diamond films with a layer of uniform and smooth were deposited on the surface of the complex surface YG6 carbide end mill by using the hot filament CVD method, the quality of diamond films was detected by using the scanning electron microscopy and the laser Raman spectrometer. The cutting performances of diamond coated end mill were evaluated from the workpiece surface quality and tool life two aspects by cutting silicon carbide aluminum reinforced composites, and compared with the uncoated carbide tools. The experimental results show that because of the cutting tool was pretreated that make tool surface coarsening, leading the surface quality was machined by diamond coated tools is lower than the carbide cutting tools. However, the coating can protect the tools, increase the wear resistance of the coated tools and make the life of the diamond coated tools increase 3-5 times than the carbide cutting tools.

The surface of the carbide YG6 milling insert was roughened by using three different pretreatment crafts, the diamond films was deposited on the substrate surface, after deposition, the morphology and quality of the diamond films were detected by using the scanning electron microscopy and the laser Raman spectroscopy, the adhesion strength of the membrane-based was discovered by using the method of indentation test. The results showed that: the surface of the substrate had the lower surface roughening with the hydrochloric acid aqueous solution and methanol solution pretreated, in addition the surface of the films had cracks, obviously, the adhesion strength of the membrane-based was unsatisfactory; However, the surface of the substrate had the higher roughening degree with the sulfuric acid hydrogen peroxide solution pretreated, and with good adhesion strength between the film and substrate.

An offline analytical method combining cardiac muscle/cell membrane chromatography (CM/CMC) with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to identify bioactive components from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) such as Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF) and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) was developed. The stationary phase of the CM/CMC system employed rat cardiac muscle cell membranes. Fractions retained by the CM/CMC column were collected and analyzed by LC/MS under optimum offline conditions. After evaluating the suitability and reliability of the CM/CMC-offline-LC/MS method using nifedipine and nitrendipine as standards, this method was applied for screening and identification of bioactive components from the extracts of SCF and SSF. The main compounds in both species retained by CM/CMC were deoxyschizandrin (DSD) and schisantherin A (STA) as identified by LC/MS. In vivo pharmacological experiments suggested that DSD and STA could significantly decrease the myocardial-infarct size i...

Aristolochic acid I (AA-I) is a strong nephrotoxin, carcinogen, and mutagen found in plants such as the Aristolochia species. The mechanisms underlying AA-I toxicity in the kidneys are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to gain insight into the mechanism of AA-I nephrotoxicity by analyzing the uptake, subcellular distribution, and intracellular targets of AA-I in the human kidney cell line HK-2 using immunocytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and LC-MS/MS. In HK-2 cells incubated with 20[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL AA-I for different periods of time (up to 12[Formula: see text]h), AA-I was detected by a specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) against AA-I, both in the cytoplasm and nuclei. Nuclear localization depended on the exposure time. A protein with the molecular weight of 100 kDa was immunoprecipitated with the anti-AA-I MAb from the AA-I-treated cell lysates and was identified by LC-MS/MS as [Formula: see text]-actinin-4 after digestion of the protein, and was confirmed by immunoblotting with a specific anti-[Formula: see text]-actinin-4 MAb. This evidence shows, for the first time, that [Formula: see text]-actinin-4 is a protein targeted by AA-I in kidney cells. Our findings strongly suggest an association between [Formula: see text]-actinin-4 and AA-I nephrotoxic activity.

A new approach for the facile chemodivergent synthesis of tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from β-ketothioamides, aldehydes and heterocyclic ketene aminals is described. In the presence of a base, an unprecedented ring-opening, tautomerization, recyclization cascade is observed and H2S eliminated tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were formed in good yields. With catalytic amounts of acid, another type of different substituted tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were obtained through dehydration.

The nanosized TiO2was prepared by microemulsion process in the system of cyclohexane/[Span80 combine with Tween40]/water with TiOSO4as raw material. The synthesis process of the powder was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and laser particle size analysis (LPSA). The results showes that TiO2with the average size of 19.5nm and narrow size distribution was prepared under these conditions of Span80 of 8g and Tween40 of 2g as the emulsifier, water/oil mass ratio of 1/4, amount of TiOSO4of 10mL with the consistency of 0.8mol/L, calcination temperature of 480 °C for 20min.

Co3O4 nanowires were synthesized from the decomposition of CoC2O4·2H2O nanowires which were obtained through a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-assisted solution-based precipitation process. And the formation mechanism of CoC2O4·2H2O nanowires was discussed. The Co3O4 nanowires had diameters in the range of 30–60 nm and lengths of several micrometers, inheriting the morphology of the CoC2O4·2H2O nanowires. The Co3O4 nanowires as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries exhibited a stable specific discharge/charge capacity of 611 mAh/g and 598 mAh/g after fifty cycles at a current density of 0.11 A/g, which were much higher than that of commercial Co3O4 nanoparticles. In addition, the charge capacity of the as-synthesized Co3O4 nanowires was more than two times higher than that of the commercial Co3O4 nanoparticles at a current density of 1.1 A/g. These results indicate that the as-prepared Co3O4 nanowires have potential to be a promising candidate as high capacity anode material in the next generation lithium-ion batteries.

This paper reports result of a study conducted to evaluate the aging properties of isobutyl triethoxysilane coating used in marine concrete. The silicone coating was brushed to the surface of mortar specimens and the aging properties of the silicone coating were investigated by thermal aging and ultraviolet (UV) aging. The water absorption of the mortar specimens applied with the silicone coating increases with the extension of the aging time. And the higher aging temperature, the bigger the water absorption. Because of the combined effect of light and heat, water absorption of specimens after UV aging at 60 °C is larger than that after thermal aging in the same temperature. In addition, noticeable variation in aging properties of the same silicone coating by different manufacturers is noted.

We developed an analytical method for screening vasoconstriction inhibitors from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by combining vascular smooth muscle/cell membrane chromatography (VSM/CMC) with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Primary cultured VSM cells from rat thoracic aortas were used for preparation of the stationary phase of the VSM/CMC column. Retention fractions from the VSM/CMC column were collected and then analyzed by LC-MS/MS under the optimized conditions offline. The suitability and reliability of the VSM/CMC-offline-LC-MS/MS method was assessed using nitrendipine and nifedipine as positive controls, and this method was then applied to screen vasodilator components from the extracts of Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis (FSC) and Fructus Schisandrae Sphenantherae (FSS). The major components from both species retained by VSM/CMC were identified as deoxyschizandrin (DSD) and schisantherin A (STA) by LC-MS/MS. Competition experiments indicated that DSD and nifedipine bound competitively to membrane receptors, while DSD and STA had partly overlapping binding sites on VSM-cell membranes. In vitro pharmacological trials confirmed that STA and DSD could dose-dependently relax the rat thoracic aortas pre-contracted by KCl. Our VSM/CMC-offline-LC-MS/MS method can be applied for screening vasoconstriction inhibitors from TCMs collected from FSC and FSS, and may be useful in the development of vasodilators from natural products.

A simple, sensitive, and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of three major bioactive components (hydroxysafflor yellow A, geniposide, and paeoniflorin) in “Shu-Jin-Tong-Luo” granules (SJTLG), for quality control of this commonly prescribed traditional Chinese medicine. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a Hypersil-ODS column (250 mm × 4.6 mm ID, 5.0 μm) and isocratic elution was employed using acetonitrile and 50 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer as the mobile phase. The method was fully validated with respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, and robustness. The validated method was applied successfully to the quantification of the investigated components in samples of SJTLG from different production batches for quality evaluation and control. The results indicate that the HPLC method described is a simple and accurate quality control method for analysis of SJTLG.

At room temperature, single-crystal ZnO was implanted with Co ions at an energy of 80 keV using fluence of 1 x 10(17) ions.cm(-2). The samples were heat treated by conventional thermal annealing at 700 degrees C for 10 min. The structural properties were investigated of all samples by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). XRD analysis indicates that there are Co or CoO nanoparticles in the samples before and after annealed. The peak of ZnO(002) shifts to larger angle presumably results from the Co(2+) ions substituting for a part of Zn(2+) ions in the ZnO lattice. Ion implantation without changing the lattice structure of ZnO. The XPS results indicate that Co element in the ZnO mainly exists in the form of Co(2+), the reason may be that Co ions combine with O element in ZnO as oxide or Co ions substitute for Zn(2+) sites in the ZnO. EXAFS analyses provide that Co ions mainly exist as Co nanoparticles in the samples.

With the rapid development of aviation at home, particle reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs) has been widely applied recently. But at the same time, the difficult machining has gradually been one of the most outstanding bottle-necks that restrict the rapid enhancement of productivity. Here, in virtue of the self-developed ultrasonic drilling equipment, hole-making experiments of common and ultrasonic vibration drilling are performed on SiC particle reinforced aluminum-matrix composites （SiCp/Al）with different content of SiC by using two types of tungsten carbide drill. Drilling characteristics of machining composites with ultrasonic vibration are analyzed from such respects as the composites crush, drilling force, drill wear and hole surface quality. Studies show that, during the ultrasonic vibration drilling process, SiC particle in the composites is prone to break along the crystal connection boundary or suffer ductile fracture under the dynamic ultrasonic impulse, in which the cutting resistance could be reduced and the tool edge could be protected. Thereby, drilling locating precision and hole surface quality could be enhanced, wear of the drill chisel edge effectively improved, and the drilling torque reduced about 30%.