Search

Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites (HOIPs) have received continued interest for their structure diversity and potential application in optoelectronic, solar cells, nonlinear optics (NLO), and ferroelectrics. Structural symmetry breaking induced by water molecules in single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformations is beneficial to develop ferroelectrics or second-harmonic generation (SHG) materials. Along this line, a water-containing two-dimensional (2D) double perovskite, (C

Background Nocebo effect is prevalent among neurological diseases, resulting in low adherence and treatment outcome. We sought to examine the nocebo effect in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Methods We searched RCTs in MSA from Medline since September, 2021. RCTs for drug treatment conducted in adult MSA patients with more than 5 cases in each treatment arm were included. We assessed the number of dropout due to placebo intolerance. We also did a symptomatic/disease-modifying subgroup analysis based on two different treatment purposes. The STATA software was used for statistical analysis. Overall heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q and I2. Results Data were extracted from 11 RCTs fulfilling our search criteria. Of 540 placebo-treated patients, 64.2% reported at least one adverse event (AE) and 7.5% reported dropout because of AEs. The chance of dropping out because of an AE and experiencing at least one AE did not differ between placebo and active drug treatment arms. Besides, the pooled nocebo dropout rate in the symptomatic subgroup was similar to that of the disease-modifying subgroup. Conclusion In MSA RCTs, nocebo dropout rate was not at a low level among neurological disorders. Nocebo effect was an important reason of dropout because of AE in placebo and active drug treatment arms. Different treatment purposes may not influence nocebo effect.

Thermally induced charge transfer in a Cu3 compound (1) with a multi-center donor–acceptor architecture was observed. This work proves that dielectric measurement is a very effective means to detect charge transfer.

Great importance has been attached to magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic thin films owing to their extremely practical use in a new generation of devices. Here, a film of [(n-C3H7)4N][FeIIIFeII(dto)3] (1; dto = C2O2S2) was fabricated using a simple stamping process. As was revealed by our experimental results, in-plane ferroelectricity over a wide temperature range from 50 to 300 K was induced by electron hopping between FeII and FeIII sites. This mechanism was further confirmed by the ferroelectric observation of the compound [(n-C3H7)4N][FeIIIZnII(dto)3] (2; dto = C2O2S2), in which FeII ions were replaced by nonmagnetic metal ZnII ions, resulting in no obvious ferroelectric polarization. However, both ferroelectricity and magnetism are related to the magnetic Fe ions, implying a strong magnetoelectric coupling in 1. Through piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), the observation of magnetoelectric coupling was achieved by manipulating ferroelectric domains under an in-plane magnetic field. The present work not only provides new insight into the design of molecular-based electronic ferroelectric/magnetoelectric materials but also paves the way for practical applications in a new generation of electronic devices.

The magnetodielectric effect is closely related to multiferroic or magnetoelectric coupling; thus, it can be used to predict magnetoelectric coupling, especially in compounds with special magnetic properties. The magnetodielectric response can often be used to predict many interesting and meaningful physical coupling mechanisms. Therefore, fabricating magnetodielectric materials is an effective step toward the development of magnetoelectric materials. Herein, we synthesize the mixed-valence layered ferrimagnetic molecular compound (C

Phenolic resin as a typical hard carbon precursor has attracted much attention towards sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high carbon yield and large reversible capacity. However, phenolic resin-based hard carbon commonly suffers from limited cycling performance and low initial Coulombic efficiency. Herein, we synthesized a hard carbon material from phenolic resin and manipulated its microstructure through tuning the pyrolysis temperature and pre-oxidation procedure. In particular, hard carbon materials with pre-oxidation deliver much improved capacity retention in contrast with those without pre-oxidation. Further analysis shows that with the pre-oxidation procedure, the enlarged d002 spacing, the much disordered microstructure, and the increased content of oxygen-containing functional groups are responsible for the performance enhancement of hard carbon. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the microstructure feature of phenolic resin-based hard carbon and opens up a feasible avenue for the design of high-performance carbon anode materials for their application in SIBs.

Polar organic-inorganic hybrid materials have been applied in ferroelectricity, as well as in devices based on nonlinear optical and piezoelectricity properties. Here, we used a rectangular pyramid structure of [VOCl4]2- to construct a polar compound (C5NH13Cl)2VOCl4 (1). Compound 1 crystallized in the monoclinic P21 space group. Coexistence of nonlinear optical switching behavior (space-group change from P21 to P21/n) and two-staged thermosensitive dielectric switching properties could be achieved under the stimulus of temperature. Our findings provide an effective approach for construction of polar materials.

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical value of real-time shear wave ultrasonic elastography in diagnosing the depth of infiltrating muscularis of endometrial cancer. METHODS Seventy-one patients with stage I endometrial cancer infiltrating the myometrium and 37 patients with normal physical examination were enrolled and divided into three groups: endometrial cancer superficial muscle infiltration group, endometrial cancer deep muscle infiltration group, and normal control group. After completing 2-dimensional ultrasound examination, each patient switched to the real-time shear wave elastography mode to measure the elasticity values Emax, Emean, and Esd. RESULTS For control group, comparison of elastic modulus values between superficial muscular layer near the intimal surface and the deep muscular layer near the serosa surface showed no difference (P > 0.05). For endometrial cancer superficial muscular infiltration group, significant difference was found regarding the elastic modulus values of infiltrated muscular layer and uninfiltrated muscular layer (Emax and Emean) without difference for Esd (P > 0.05). A significant difference of elastic modulus was observed between control group and deep myometrial infiltration group (P

Tartary buckwheat [Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.] is a pseudocereal with strongly abiotic resistance. NACs, one of the largest plant-specific transcription factors (TFs), are involved in various stress responses. However, the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of NAC TFs remain unclarified clearly in Tartary buckwheat (TB). In this study, it validated that salt, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) stress significantly up-regulated the expression of NAC TF gene FtNAC31. Its coding protein has a C-terminal transactivated domain and localized in the nucleus, suggesting that FtNAC31 might play a transcriptional activation role in TB. Notably, overexpression of FtNAC31 lowered the seed germination rate upon ABA treatment and enhanced the tolerance to salt and drought stress in transgenetic Arabidopsis. Furthermore, under various stresses, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in FtNAC31 overexpressed lines exhibited a sharp increase trend. Meanwhile, the expression levels of several stress-associated genes including RD29A, RD29B, RD22, DREB2B, NCED3, and POD1, were dramatically upregulated in lines overexpressing FtNAC31. Altogether, overproduction of FtNAC31 could enhance the resistance to salt and drought stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis, which most likely functioned in an ABA-dependent way.

This study mainly introduced the research on Chinese medicine toxicology funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC) in 2012-2021 and analyzed the research content. Furthermore, key research topics and characteristic research projects were discussed, such as the toxicity mechanism, relationship between toxicity and efficacy, toxicity-alleviating mechanisms, and new technology and methods. The review suggested that researchers should gain an in-depth understanding of thequot;toxicityquot; of Chinese me-dicine, turned to characteristic research topics, and build a toxicological research paradigm suited to the characteristics of Chinese medicine in project application.

The present study aims to evaluate the clinical application values of ultrasound real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of cervical cancer (CC).A total of 285 married female patients were screened and divided into three groups according to the results of the pathological examination and the cervical ThinPrep cytologic test: 1) the CC group (n = 94); 2) the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) group (n = 91); and 3) the normal control group (n = 100). The maximum Young's modulus (Emax), mean Young's modulus (Emean), minimum Young's modulus (Emin), and Young's modulus stability (Esd) in each group were measured and statistically analyzed.There were no statistically significant differences in Emax, Emean, Emin, and Esd values between the anterior and posterior cervical walls, premenopausal and postmenopausal women, and nonparturient and parturient women in the normal control group. The Emax, Emean, Emin, and Esd values in the CIN group showed no statistically significant differences in different periods when compared with the control group. The differences between the normal control group and the CC group were statistically significant; the CC group showed no statistically significant differences in Emax, Emean, Emin, and Esd values at different clinical stages and in different pathological types. The cutoff value of Emax for CC diagnosis, which was of the highest accuracy (89.7%), was 43.48 kpa.Ultrasound real-time SWE can be applied to CC diagnosis.

The dysregulation of miR‐532‐5p is involved in the development of several cancers. Nevertheless, the roles of miR‐532‐5p in osteosarcoma (OS) have yet to be illuminated. In the present study, we found that miR‐532‐5p was significantly downregulated in both OS tissues and cell lines. The low level of miR‐532‐5p was associated with advance clinical stage and poor overall survival in patient with OS. The functional experiments implied that upregulation of miR‐532‐5p restrained OS U2OS cell growth and metastatic ability in vitro; induced apoptosis, and impaired OS cell growth in vivo. Mechanistically, chemokine (C‐X‐C Motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) was proved as a target gene of miR‐532‐5p. The inhibitory effects of miR‐532‐5p on OS cell were rescued by CXCL2 overexpression. Altogether, we demonstrated that miR‐532‐5p exerted tumor‐inhibitory functions in OS cell via regulating CXCL2.

Polar crystal structures have attracted more and more attention, due to their unique characteristics, such as ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and nonlinear optical property, etc. However, the construction of polar materials is always accidental, and finding an effective synthesis strategy to construct polar materials remains a challenge. Herein, inorganic-organic hybrid compounds of [C7H14N][FeCl4] (1) ([C7H14N] = quinuclidinium cation) and [C7H14N][GeCl3] (2) were prepared, respectively, to verify the beneficial effect of polar anions on the construction of polar crystals. Compound 1 crystallized in the Pbca space group, while 2 belongs to the P43 space group at room temperature. Investigation into the structure of 2 reveals that the polarity of 2 derives from the triangular pyramid structure of [GeX3]- with lone pair electrons. Meanwhile, 2 undergoes a phase transition from the P43 space group to the center Pm3m at 385 K, leading to the optic-electric switching property. Thus, the present work exhibits the advantage of [GeX3]- as the inorganic constituent component in the hybrid polar materials and provides an effective approach for the construction of a polar molecule-based crystal with a switchable property.

The accurate measurement of the hanger tensile forces of suspension bridges is crucial for construction control and bridge maintenance. However, the commonly used vibration frequency method is not applicable to the short-hanger force assessment. The configuration of the main cable of a suspension bridge is closely related to hanger forces so that the main cable configuration can reflect the hanger forces. Based on the multi-segment catenary theory, this study proposed an analytical algorithm for the reverse assessment of hanger forces based on the measured configuration data of the main cable. First, the relationship between the hanger force and two critical parameters, that is, the horizontal force of the main cable and the catenary parameter, is established, in which the influence of the saddle arc on the main cable configuration is considered. Then, the horizontal force of the main cable is used as the breakthrough point, and a geometric condition (measuring the coordinates of a non-hanging point on the main cable) or a mechanical condition (measuring the tension of a long hanger by the vibration frequency method) is added. Using the nonlinear generalized reduced gradient method, the nonlinear equations are solved, and all hanger forces are identified. The proposed method feasibility and effectiveness are proved using a suspension bridge with a main span of 730 m as an example. The results show that the algorithm of adding a mechanical condition is lower in sensitivity, less affected by the accuracy of the additional condition, higher in precision, and easier to control, comparing to that of adding a geometric condition. Meanwhile, the horizontal force of the main cable and each hanger force exhibit a nearly perfect linear correlation.

Driven by the rapidly increasing demand for technological applications, multifunctional materials have been one important research area, which are expected to enhance the capacity and versatility of materials in various applications. Nevertheless, combining more than three functions in one molecular compound is still a challenge. Molecular solid-solid phase transition materials could exhibit switchable properties, which could have potential applications such as switches, sensors, and memory devices. However, these switchable molecular materials are rarely researched as thermal energy storage materials. In this work, we report the coexistence of thermal energy storage and magnetic-optic-electric triple switching in a plastic crystal, trimethylchloromethyl ammonium tetrachloroferrate(III), ([(CH3)3NCH2Cl][FeCl4], referred to as 1). 1 undergoes plastic phase transition at near room temperature (326 K) induced by the order-disorder of the ions. The magnetic-optic-electric triple switching in 1 could be triggered by temperature stimuli near room temperature. Meanwhile, with utilization of large latent heat during the phase transition process and sensible heat, the energy storage in 1 is up to 107 J g-1 from 293 to 343 K, demonstrating its thermal energy storage application in solar energy systems and industrial sectors. This work particularly exhibits the advantages of plastic molecular materials as thermal energy storage materials and introduces the thermal energy storage into the multi-switchable plastic phase transition molecular materials, which will give extra flexibility for the design of new types of multifunctional materials.

IntroductionThis study aimed at determining the regulatory mechanism of miR-26b in myocardial infarction (MI)-induced cardiac remodeling through apoptosis.Material and methodsAn MI rat model was established by left coronary artery ligation. Microarray data were analyzed to distinguish differentially expressed genes in MI. miR-26b was found to be poorly expressed, whereas ring finger protein 6 (RNF6) was highly expressed in MI. Consequently, miR-26b was identified to target RNF6 using dual-luciferase reporter assay and bioinformatics prediction. Furthermore, rats injected with a lentiviral vector expressing miR-26b mimic and/or RNF6 were used to evaluate the role of miR-26b and RNF6 in regulating cardiac function, infarct size, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.ResultsmiR-26b overexpression improved cardiac function and increased left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters. Meanwhile, increased miR-26b expression decreased infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Moreover, RNF6 overexpression counteracted the role of miR-26b in cardiac function. Additionally, an in vitro cell model illustrated that miR-26b upregulation could increase cell viability and reduce apoptosis, whereas RNF6 overexpression reversed its effect. We also found that the miR-26b mimic could negatively modulate RNF6 expression to inactivate the ERα/Bcl-xL axis.ConclusionsmiR-26b plays a protective role against cardiac remodeling after MI through the inactivation of the RNF6/ERα/Bcl-xL axis, proposing miR-26b and RNF6 as potential therapeutic targets for MI.

Inorganic-organic hybrid molecular multiferroic and magnetoelectric materials, similar to multiferroic oxide compounds, have recently attracted increasing attention because they exhibit diverse architectures, a flexible framework, fascinating physics, and potential magnetoelectric functionalities in novel multifunctional devices such as energy transformation devices, sensors, and information storage systems. Herein, the classification of multiferroicity and magnetoelectricity is briefly outlined and then the recent advances in the multiferroicity and magnetoelectricity of inorganic-organic hybrid molecular materials, particularly magnetoelectricity and the relevant magnetoelectric mechanisms and their categories are summarized. In addition, a personal perspective and an outlook are provided.

Thin films of [(FeIIxCrII1−x)]1.5[CrIII(CN)6]·yH2O (x ≈ 0.30–0.35, y ≈ 1.77) (1) on FTO substrates (namely film 1) were synthesized with an electrochemical method. Investigation of the ferroelectricity of film 1 at different temperatures reveals that it exhibits ferroelectric behaviour in the temperature range from 10 K to 310 K. Study of the X-ray absorption (XAS) of the crushed film 1 and simulation of the structure of film 1 and crushed film 1 by using the Materials Studio software indicate that the vacancy defects and interactions between the film and FTO substrate make a key contribution to the ferroelectricity of film 1. Owing to the magnetic phase transition point being up to 210 K, film 1 is a multiferroic material and its magneto/electric coexistence temperature can be as high as 210 K.

The core-shell heterostructures of [(CH3)2NH2][Mn(HCOO)3]@ [(CH3)2NH2][Co(HCOO)3] and [(CH3)2NH2][Mn(HCOO)3]@[(CH3)2NH2][Ni(HCOO)3] were prepared via epitaxial growth. The obtained heterostructural crystals were characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analysis, and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) elemental mappings. Investigation on the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the heterostructural crystals with different mole ratio of the core to shell indicates that the plot of DSC peak area versus mole ratio of core to shell exhibits a linear relationship. Thus, to an unknown heterostructural compounds with distinct phase transition, the mole ratio of core to shell can be easily obtained just by measuring their DSC data.

IL@MOF (IL = ionic liquid; MOF = metal organic framework) as a new type hybrid ionic conductor has attracted research interest. Ionic liquids incorporated within MOFs not only promote the ionic conductivity of ILs, but also mediate the working temperature. In our report, 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride (EMIMCl) was introduced into the pores of UiO-67(Zr) MOF by taking simple strategy basing on capillary action through specific grinding and diffusing in heating process. The working temperature of EMIMCl@UiO-67 is up to 200 °C. And it shows high ionic conductivity (1.67 × 10 − 3 S·cm − 1 at 200 °C). The activation energy was estimated to be 0.37 eV. It is noteworthy that the hybrid material can be regarded as a fast-ion conductor based on the value of high conduction and low E a . The high-temperature and humidity-independent ion conduction as well as low activation energy make this material potentially useful for electrochemical devices.

The structural phase transition compound {[(CH3)2CHCH2]2NH2}•[CF3COO] (1) has been synthesized based on the diisobutylamine and trifluoroacetic acid. The DSC data reveal that 1 undergoes a phase transition at 277 K (Tc). When one chlorine atom replaces one fluorine atom on trifluoroacetate anion, three order-disorder phase transitions at 251 K (T1), 282 K (T2) and 290 K could be achieved owing to a stepwise release of rotation motions of the anion and cation in {[(CH3)2CHCH2]2NH2}•[CF2ClCOO] (2). Based on the variable temperature crystal structures, the phase transition in compound 1 is triggered by the rotation of three fluorine atoms on the trifluoroacetate anion synchronized with the motions of the methyl groups on the diisobutylammonium cation. However, in compound 2, the phase transitions can be realized by a sequence of motions of both the anion and cation. Besides, the dielectric- temperature dependences were investigated in order to prove this regulation process. All of this investigation will be beneficial to design and synthesis of the novel phase transition materials and molecular dielectric materials on purpose.

Isostructural CoII and MnII organic frameworks with anionic frameworks and counterions (Me2NH2)+, namely {[M2Cl2(BTC)4/3]·(Me2NH2)+2·4/3H2O}n (M = Co (1) and Mn (2)), have been constructed by one-pot synthesis. Complexes 1 and 2 take paddle-wheel-like dinuclear metal cluster-based three-dimensional structures. Thermogravimetric analysis and variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction spectra suggested that 1 displays better thermal stability than 2. Both exhibit relatively high proton conductivities at 65% relative humidity (RH) and room temperature (σ > 2.5 × 10–4 S cm–1); however, complex 1 possesses the better cycling capability and stability with Ea = 0.21 eV under 65% RH.

In recent years, molecular ferroelectrics have received more and more attention. Nevertheless, the study of multiaxial molecular ferroelectrics is relatively rare, which significantly restricts the development of their applications in thin films and other potential fields. Here we demonstrate the characteristics of a room-temperature lead-free multiaxial inorganic–organic hybrid ferroelectric material [(CH3)2NH2] [C6H5CH2NH3]2BiBr6 (1), which goes through a distinctly reversible phase transition around 386 K and possesses six equivalent ferroelectric directions. At 330 K, the remnant polarization (Pr) of 1 is ∼1.0 μC·cm–2, and the coercive field (Ec) of 1 is 20 kV·cm–1. The multiaxial and switching polarization behaviors of 1 were declared with piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Notably, the emergence of six equivalent ferroelectric directions is induced by the easily disordered cations and highly geometrically symmetrical anions, because they usually lead to a large symmetry change in the order–disord...

Influenza is an acute respiratory tract infection caused by an influenza virus. Highly contagious, it spreads rapidly and widely and exhibits seasonal changes in infection rates.

To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Wuzi Yanzong prescription on apoptosis in germ cell of adult male mice induced by cyclophosphamide( CTX).Male Balb / C mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,the low-,medium- and high- dose of Wuzi Yanzong prescription groups( 100 mg / kg,200 mg / kg and 400 mg / kg),with 10 mice in each group. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with CTX( 200 mg / kg) from 4th day,and gave drug once a week,and executed for 4 weeks. Three doses of Wuzi Yanzong prescription were intragastrically administered every day. For normal control group,the same procedure was performed with intraperitoneal normal saline. Twelve hours after giving CTX at last time, all mice were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The testis was immediately dissected and weighed, and then calculated the testis index. The pathological changes of testis were observed by HE staining,the apoptosis of germ cells were detected by TUNEL, the expression of apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3,BAX,BCL-2 in testis were examined by Western blot.Compared with normal control group, the body weight, testis weight,testis index,and the expression of BCL-2 protein levels in testis of model control group were significantly decreased, the expression of BAX,Caspase-3 protein levels and apoptosis in testis of model control group were significantly increased. Wuzi Yanzong prescription significantly increased the body weight,testis weight,testis index,the expression of BCL-2 protein, while decreased the levels of BAX and Caspase-3 protein expression, and then led to the reduction in apoptosis of testis.Wuzi Yanzong prescription can effectively protect the apoptosis of germ cell induced by CTX, and its mechanism may be associated with downregulating protein expression of BAX and Caspase-3,and increasing the protein expression of BCL-2.

To study the protective effects of Wuzi Yanzong recipe on testis germ cell apoptosis in natural ageing rats through endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), 16-month-old male SPF grade SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: ageing model group, and low and high-dose Wuzi Yanzong recipe groups (WZ, 1 and 4 g·kg⁻¹), with 10 rats in each group. In addition, 2-month-old SD male rats were used as adult control group. The ageing model group and the adult control group were fed with normal diet for 4 months. WZ groups were given the medicated feed for 4 months. After fasting for 12 hours, the rats were put to death. Then, the testes were immediately collected. The change of testicular tissue morphology was observed by HE staining. The expression levels of ER stress-related proteins GRP78, p-PERK, p-eif2

To study the protective effects of Wuzi Yanzong recipe on DNA oxidative damage of testis germ cells in natural ageing rats based on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and base excision repair (BER). In the study, 16-month-old SPF grade male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely ageing model group, and low and high-dose Wuzi Yanzong recipe groups (WZ, 1, 4 g·kg⁻¹). In addition, 2-month-old SD rats were used as adult control group (10 rats in each group). The ageing model group and the adult control group were fed with normal diet for 4 months. WZ groups were given medicated feed for 4 months. After fasting for 12 hours, the rats were put to death. Then, the testes were immediately removed. The vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in testis were detected by xanthine oxidase method and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. The levels of Nrf2 and 8-OHdG were detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, APE1, OGG1 and XRCC1 were detected by Western blot. Compared with the ageing model group, WZ significantly increased the SOD vitality and decreased MDA content of testis. In addition, immunofluorescence results showed that WZ significantly attenuated testicular DNA oxidative damage and improved antioxidant capacity. Such changes were accompanied by the down-regulation of DNA oxidative damage response protein 8-OHdG levels and the up-regulation of Nrf2 levels. Moreover, Western blot results showed that WZ significantly increased the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 of the testis germ cells, when compared with ageing model group. In parallel, the protein expression levels of APE1, OGG1 and XRCC1 were significantly decreased. In conclusion, WZ improves ageing-related DNA oxidative damage via Nrf2/HO-1 and BER pathways.

Neuroinflammation is recognized as an important pathogenic factor for aging and related cognitive disorders. Mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways may mediate neuroinflammation. Saponins from Panax japonicus are the most abundant and bioactive members in rhizomes of Panax japonicus, and show anti-inflammatory activity. However, it is not known whether saponin from Panax japonicus has an anti-inflammatory effect in the aging brain, and likewise its underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control groups (3-, 9-, 15-, and 24-month-old groups) and saponins from Panax japonicus-treated groups. Saponins from Panax japonicus-treated groups were orally administrated saponins from Panax japonicus at three doses of 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg once daily for 6 months until the rats were 24 months old. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay results demonstrated that many microglia were activated in 24-month-old rats compared with 3- and 9-month-old rats. Expression of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase increased. Each dose of saponins from Panax japonicus visibly suppressed microglial activation in the aging rat brain, and inhibited expression levels of the above factors. Each dose of saponins from Panax japonicus markedly diminished levels of nuclear factor kappa B, IκBα, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38. These results confirm that saponins from Panax japonicus can mitigate neuroinflammation in the aging rat brain by inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways.

Investigation on the structure of new compound [C6H11NH3]+[CF3COO]− (1) reveals that the disorder of the anions plays a key role in the thermal energy storage. Studies on the thermal and physical properties of 1 indicate that utilization of the sensible heat in 1 can significantly enhance its ability to store thermal energy.

To study the protective effect of Wuzi Yanzong recipe on testicular DNA damage and apoptosis in natural ageing rats, SPF grade 16-month-old SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups: ageing model group, low and high dose Wuzi Yanzong recipe groups (WZ, 1， 4 g·kg⁻¹). In addition, 2-month-old SD rats were used as adult control group (10 rats in each group). The ageing model group and the adult control group were fed with normal diet for 4 months. Wuzi Yanzong groups received medicated feed for 4 months. After fasting for 12 hours, the rats were sacrificed. Then testis tissues were taken and weighed to calculate the testis index. The change of testicular tissue morphology was observed by HE staining. Expression and localization of DNA damage-associated protein ATR were observed by immunofluorescence. The expressions of DNA damage-related proteins γ-H2AX, Chk1, p-p53 and apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in testes were detected by Western blot. The apoptosis of testis tissue in rats was detected by using TUNEL. The results showed that as compared with the youth control group, the protein expression levels of γ-H2AX, Chk1, p-p53 and Bax were significantly increased while Bcl-2 protein expression level was significantly decreased intestis tissues of ageing model group. Wuzi Yanzong recipe significantly decreased protein expression levels of γ-H2AX, Chk1, p-p53 and Bax and increased Bcl-2 protein expression level as well as Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Immunofluorescence results showed that Wuzi Yanzong recipe could significantly decrease the ageing-induced ATR, increase in testis tissues. TUNEL results showed that Wuzi Yanzong recipe could significantly attenuate the germ cell apoptosis in testicular tissues. All the above results suggest that Wuzi Yanzong recipe could protect the germ cell in testicular tissues of natural ageing rates from DNA damage and apoptosis, and the mechanism may be associated with regulating p53 signaling pathway.

Municipal sewage treatment facilities have important implications for cities' sustainable development and water environment protection. This study's aim is to optimize the sewage treatment facilities by evaluating pollution effects and governance demands for Huai'an City in Jiangsu province, China. The township is chosen as the evaluation unit and the spatial pattern, change trend, and environmental impact of pollution sources are analyzed to examine the demands for sewage treatment facilities in the future. By employing the ArcGIS spatial analysis tools, the spatial matching patterns between municipal treatment capacity and sewage discharge are studied. Considering the characteristics of wastewater discharge and the actual ability and designed capacity of the wastewater treatment facilities, the study area is divided into three types, including sewage treatment potential released type, sewage treatment enhanced type, and status quo maintained type. Comparing the quantity of wastewater discharged with the treatment potential capacity, direction for the construction and operation of sewage treatment facilities is proposed. Results of this study provide a scientific basis for site selection and layout optimization of municipal sewage treatment facilities.