3D Ultralight Hollow NiCo Compound@MXene Composites for Tunable and High-E cient Microwave Absorption

The 3D hollow hierarchi-cal architectures tend to be designed for inhibiting stack of MXene flakes to obtain satisfactory lightweight,high-e cient and broadband absorbers.Herein,the hollow NiCo compound@MXene networks were prepared by etching the ZIF 67 template and subsequently anchoring the Ti_(3)C_(2)Tx nanosheets through electrostatic self-assembly.The electromagnetic parameters and microwave absorption property can be distinctly or slightly regulated by adjusting the filler loading and decoration of Ti_(3)C_(2)Tx nanoflakes.Based on the synergistic e ectsof multi-components and special well-constructed structure,NiCo layered double hydroxides@Ti_(3)C_(2)Tx(LDHT-9)absorber remarkably achieves unexpected e ective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of 6.72 GHz with a thickness of 2.10 mm,covering the entire Ku-band.After calcination,transition metal oxide@Ti_(3)C_(2)Tx(TMOT-21)absorber near the percolation threshold possesses minimum reflection loss(RLmin)value of-67.22 dB at 1.70 mm within a filler loading of only 5 wt%.This work enlightens a simple strategy for constructing MXene-based composites to achieve high-e cient microwave absorbents with lightweight and tunable EAB.

Total saponins of Aralia elata(Miq) Seem protect tumor necrosis factor-α-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells via PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signal pathways

It is now thought that atherosclerosis,although due to enhanced lipid deposition,is mainly the result of a series inflammatory process.Total saponins of Aralia elata(Miq) Seem(TASAES) from the Chinese traditional herb Longya Araliachinensis L.,a folk medicine used for treating various diseases,increasing energy and improving the body′s ability to prevent hypoxia in Asian countries has attracted widespread attention.However,the ability of TASAES on inflammation-triggered vascular endothelial cell injury,a key early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis,and its potential mechanisms of this protection have never been demonstrated.The present study determined the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptoticactivities and protective mechanisms of the total aralosides of Araliaelata(Miq) Seem(TASAES) ameliorate tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) injury.Our results indicate that TASAES pretreatment provided cytoprotective effects by suppressing TNF-α-induced HUVECs apoptosis,mitochondrial membrane depolarization,caspase-3 activation,and modulation of inflammatory factors(IL-6,MCP-1 and VCAM-1),meanwhile inhibiting NF-κB transcription.Furthermore,the effect was correlated with the activation of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway.Blocking Akt activation with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 effectively reversed the protective effect of TASAES against TNF-α-induced cell apoptosis.Moreover,the PI3K inhibitor partially blocked the effects of TASAES on the increasing of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl protein expression,and inactivation of Bax protein expression.In conclusion,the results showed that TASAES decreased the inflammation and apoptosis of HUVECs caused by TNF-α treatment,and PI3K played a crucial role in enhancing cell sur.vival during this process.

In vitro evaluation of transdermal permeation effects of Fu’s cupping therapy via six diffusion kinetics models

In this study,six kinetics models of indomethacin hydrophilic gel patch transdermal in vitro release was established,including zero-level,first-order,Higuchi-level,Ritger-Peppas,Weibull and Hixcon-Crowell dynamic equations.The chemical permeation enhancers,including 3%and 5%Azone,and iontophoresis were used as the control.Transdermal diffusion tests were performed in vitro and indomethacin was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography system.The transdermal parameter of the Higuchi and Weibull dynamic equations,indicated that Fu’s cupping therapy(FCT)could significantly improve Higuchi and Weibull kinetic parameters in vitro transdermal,increased transdermal rate and permeability coefficient,reduced lagging time.Additionally,statistical analysis speculated the skin barrier function could be restored after 46 h treatment.Hence,as a new physical transdermal drug delivery technology,transdermal permeation effects produced by FCT are obvious,which has the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine and has important clinical application value.

Quantitative and HPLC fingerprint analysis combined with chemometrics for quality evaluation of Codonopsis Radix processed with different methods

Objective: To observe the effect of different processing methods on the quality of Codonopsis Radix and provide data reference for the reasonable processing in the producing areas.Methods: An analytical strategy that combined quantitative and HPLC fingerprint analysis with chemometrics was developed for the quality evaluation of Codonopsis Radix. Lobetyolin, polysaccharide, sucrose,glucose, and fructose were detected simultaneously in Codonopsis Radix samples treated with different processing methods including dryer-drying, sun-drying, shade-drying, sulfur fumigation, and kneading,etc.Results: The results showed that different processing methods had an obvious impact on the quality of Codonopsis Radix. Sun-drying or shade-drying was recommended, and sulfur fumigation should be avoided. And dryer-drying at 40 °C-50 °C was suggested to meet the requirement for large scale processing. In addition, based on the content of polysaccharide, glucose, and fructose, it was advised to knead for three times. As for lobetyolin and sucrose, kneading should be avoided.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that processing method had a big impact on the quality of Codonopsis Radix. Based on the results, the appropriate processing methods directed at different requirements were recommended. The study could lay a foundation for the reasonable processing of Codonopsis Radix in producing areas.

Extrinsic harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines: types,detection, and safety evaluation

Chinese herbal medicines（CHMs）are playing important roles in the treatment of diseases and human health care throughout the world.However,the extrinsic harmful residues have been threatening the therapies by destroying CHMs qualtiy which hinders the international trades of CHMs.This review summarized the extrinsic harmful residues contaminating CHMs in types,detection methods,national and international regulations,and made safety evaluations according to their contaminated levels,aiming to establish understanding among nations or organizations and provide references for the formulation or amendment of relative regulations.

Simultaneous determination of 15 flavonoids from different parts of Scutellaria baicalensis and its chemometrics analysis

Objective: The aerial parts of Scutellaria baicalensis were used as Huangqin Tea for thousands of years and mainly contain flavonoids which contribute to its bioactivities. However, there is no appropriate quality evaluation method of Huangqin Tea, and three flavanones of isocarthamidin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide,carthamidin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and isoscutellarein-8-O-β-D-glucuronide with high contents in the aerial parts have never been defined quantitatively. Here, an HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of 15 flavonoids and systematically compared their contents and distribution in the roots,stems, leaves, and flowers of S. baicalensis was established.Methods: Under the HPLC-DAD chromatographic conditions, 77 batches of samples of S. baicalensis were analyzed. Meanwhile, the chromatographic fingerprint of different parts of S. baicalensis was established.Subsequently, principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and clustering heat map were performed based on the contents of 15 flavonoids in different parts of S. baicalensis.Results: The results showed significant differences in the contents and distributions of 15 flavonoids among the different parts of S. baicalensis. The chemical composition of stems showed some similarities to leaves, and their contents were all lower than leaves. The contents of isocarthamidin-7-O-β–glucuronide [(106.66 66 ± 22.68) mg/g], carthamidin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide [(19.82 ± 11.17) mg/g],and isoscutellarein-8-O-β-D-glucuronide [(3.10 ± 1.73) mg/g] were the highest in leaves. The content of apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and chrysin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide were the highest in flowers. The contents of baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin, alpinetin, and oroxylin A were higher in roots than in other parts.Conclusion: The method was fully validated and could be effectively used to characterize the contents and distributions of main flavonoids in the different parts of S. baicalensis. It may lay a foundation to establish the quality evaluation system for Huangqin Tea.

Jinbei Oral Liquid ameliorates bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in rats via reversion of Th1/Th2 shift

Objective:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)is a progressive and lethal interstitial lung disease with high mortality.The pivotal role of Th1/Th2 immunological balance in the development and progression of IPF has been demonstrated previously.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Jinbei Oral Liquid(JBOL)on IPF and its relationship with Th1/Th2 shift.Methods:Rats were divided into six groups:control group,model group(bleomycin),pirfenidone group(positive group,54 mg/kg,i.g.)and JBOL(5.4,10.8 and 21.6 mL/kg,i.g.)groups.The rat model was established by an intratracheal instillation of bleomycin(BLM,5 mg/kg).One day after injection of BLM,pirfenidone or JBOL was given to rats once daily within 28 consecutive days,respectively.Positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)was performed on the treated rats.The extent of alveolitis and fibrosis was observed by H&E and Masson trichrome staining.The contents of TGF-β1,TNF-α,IL-4 and IFN-γwere further quantified by ELISA assay.Results:PET/CT and histopathological evidence showed the ability of JBOL to attenuate bleomycininduced alveolitis and fibrosis extent,and the alveolitis lesion score was markedly decreased compared with the model group.The increased expression of inflammatory cytokines TGF-β1 and TNF-αinduced by bleomycin was also suppressed by JBOL.The Th1 response was limited by the reduced IFN-γafter BLM administration,and the Th2 response predominated significantly marked by the increased IL-4.JBOL could increase the level of IFN-γand markedly increased the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4.Conclusion:These findings suggested that JBOL may attenuate BLM-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via reducing inflammatory cell infiltration,pro-inflammatory cytokine release and excessive collagen deposition in rats.One of the mechanisms is the reversion of Th1/Th2 shift caused by BLM.

Ultrathin self-assembly MXene/Co-based bimetallic oxide heterostructures as superior and modulated microwave absorber

Lightweight and high-efficiency absorbing materials equipped with tunable electromagnetic properties are the foremost important factors for driving applications of 5 G smart era and military stealth.Stim-ulated by the remarkable merits of heterogeneous interface engineering,a series of unique flower-like Co-based multiphases nanostructures were successfully synthesized through identical hydrothermal method,and subsequently anchored on the Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)nanosheets.The suitable metal ion modulation is feasible to regulate the components,heterogeneous interfaces and defects for tailoring the electromag-netic parameters and microwave absorption(MA)property.Notably,the permittivity decreases of CMOT(CoO/MCo_(2)O_(4)/Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x),M=Fe,Cu,Zn)composites proceed gradually in the order of Fe^(2+),Cu^(2+),Zn^(2+),while the MA performance with tunable absorption peak could be modulated subtly.The asobtained CFOT-12(10 wt%),CCOT-15(10 wt%)and CZOT-15(15 wt%)exhibit excellent MA capacity with a minimum reflection loss(RL_(min))of-41.06,-52.67,-52.52 dB and corresponding effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of 3.68,4.48,3.92 GHz at 2.10,1.90,1.80 mm,respectively.This work expands a novel approach to construct multicomponent heterostructure for tuning the EM parameters and absorbing property,as well as realize the high efficient and light weight.

Electrospinning fabrication and ultra-wideband electromagnetic wave absorption properties of CeO_(2)/N-doped carbon nanofibers

The impedance mismatch of carbon materials is a key factor limiting their widespread use in electromagnetic(EM)wave absorption.In this work,the novel CeO_(2)/nitrogen-doped carbon(CeO_(2)/N-C)nanofiber was prepared to solve the problem by electrospinning and sintering.X-ray diffraction(XRD),Raman,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)analyses demonstrated CeO_(2)was successfully loaded onto the surface of partially graphitized carbon fibers.Different sintering temperatures change the graphitization degree of material,and the oxygen vacancy structure of CeO_(2)and defects from N doping optimize the impedance matching of the material.When the sintering temperature reaches 950℃,CeO_(2)/N-C fiber possesses the minimum reflection loss(RLmin)value of−42.59 dB at 2.5 mm with a filler loading of only 3 wt.%in polyvinylidene difluoride(PVDF).Meanwhile,the CeO_(2)/N-C fiber achieves a surprising wideband(8.48 GHz)at a thickness of 2.5 mm,covering the whole Ku-band as well as 63%of the X-band at the sintering temperature of 650℃.This work provides the research basis for widely commercial applications of carbon-based nanofiber absorbers.

Traditional Chinese medicines treating macrophage: A particular strategy for atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and one of the most deadly diseases in the world. Macrophages are the main contributors in the development of atherosclerosis, a target that drugs inhibit the inflammation and regulate lipid metabolism. In this review, we summarized the effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines and their bioactive compounds on atherosclerosis.

Shenkang Injection protects against diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced mice through enhancement of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

Objective:To investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of Shenkang Injection(SKI)on the diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced mice.Methods:STZ with the feeding of high fat diet(HFD)was used to induce diabetic mice.The balb/c mice and diabetic mice were then randomly divided into five groups:(1)control group,(2)model group,(3)alprostadil(Alp,1.5μg/kg)group,(4)SKI(30 ml/kg)group,(5)Alp(1.5μg/kg)+SKI(15 ml/kg)group.After six weeks'treatment,blood,urine and kidney tissues were collected for biochemical assay,EUSA assay,and pathological analysis.Results:Diabetic mice exhibited evident manifestations of diabetic nephropathy(DN),as indicated by increased 24-h urine volume,urinary albumin and kidney weight index(P<0.01),which could be attenuated by SKI treatment(P<0.01).SKI was further found to improve abnormal morphology in glomerulus with increased glomerular volume and to decrease urinary N-acetyl-b-D-glucpsaminidase(NAG),β2-microglobulin(β2-MG),and kidney injury molecules-1(KIM-1)levels(P<0.05,P<0.01).Plasma levels of anti-oxidant enzymes significantly reduced in the diabetic mice,and those decreases could be reversed by SKI and Alp treatments.Additionally,SKI obviously suppressed the diabetes-induced increases of proinflammatory cytokines(IL-6,IL-1βand TNF-α)(P<0.01).Meanwhile,SKI was found to effectively attenuate the diabetes-induced coagulation dysfunction,as evidenced by lengthening prothrombin and thrombin time,and decreasing plasma levels of fibrinogen(FIB),6-K-PGF1αand thromboxane B2(TXB2)(P<0.05,P<0.01).With SKI and Alp combined treatment,the anti-oxidant activities and improvements of coagulation dysfunction were enhanced.Conclusion:SKI possesses a remarkable property to prevent diabetic nephropathy.The improvements of kidney function and hypercoagulability by SKI were enhanced with Alp combined treatment.The molecular mechanisms underlying the protection of SKI against DN may be related to enhancing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities,and improving the coagulation dysfunction.

Protective effects of combination of Xuesaitong and aspirin on cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats

Objective：To investigate the protective effects of the combination of Xuesaitong（XST）and aspirin on cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury（CIRI）in rats,and further explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods：A total of 150 male Sprague-Dawley（SD）rats were randomly divided into five groups with 30rats in each group：sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion（MCAO/R）model group,XST group,aspirin group,and XST＋aspirin group.Rats were pretreated with XST,aspirin,or XST＋aspirin for7 d.One hour after the last administration,a model of CIRI was induced by MCAO/R.Neurological deficits were assessed using Longa’s five-point scale.Cerebral edema was detected by the measurement of brain water content.The volume of cerebral infarction was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride（TTC）staining.The activities of superoxide dismutase（SOD）,catalase（CAT）,and glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px）,as well as levels of malonaldehyde（MDA）were detected by commercial kits.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）was used to determine the levels of interleukin-1（）,interleukin-4（IL-4）,interleukin-6（IL-6）,interleukin-10（IL-10）,tumor necrosis factor-alphamonocyte chemotactic protein 1（MCP-1）,and kynurenine in serum,cerebral cortex,and hippocampus of MCAO/R rats.The protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor（Nrf2）,heme oxygenase-1（HO-1）,I-kappa B alpha（IκBα）,and nuclear factor kappa B（B）/p65 in the cortex were analyzed by western blotting.Results：Treatment of XST,aspirin,and XST＋aspirin significantly alleviated the neurological deficits,cerebral edema,and cerebral infarct volume induced by MCAO/R.Treatment of XST,aspirin,and XST＋aspirin also reduced MDA,,MCP-1,and kynurenine levels,and increased SOD,CAT,GSH-Px,IL-4,and IL-10 levels in serum,cerebral cortex,and hippocampus of MCAO/R rats.Furthermore,treatment of XST,aspirin,and XST＋aspirin decreased the expression of nuclearB/p65 and increased the expression of IκBα,nuclear Nrf2,and HO-1.Importantly,the combination of XST and aspirin enhanced the protective effects of XST or aspirin treatment alone on CIRI in rats.Conclusion：The combination of XST and aspirin significantly inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation in serum,cerebral cortex,and hippocampus of MCAO/R rats.The combination of XST and aspirin exerted more protective effects than XST or aspirin treatment alone.The combination of XST and aspirin might provide the synergistic therapeutic effects on CIRI,and deserve further clinical investigation.

Combination of Shuxuetong and aspirin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through ameliorating coagulation and fibrinolysis system

Objective：To explore the influence of the combination of Shuxuetong（SXT）and aspirin on coagulation and fibrinolytic system of rats.Methods：Suture method was applied to establish focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury models in rats.SD rats were randomly divided into sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion（MCAO/R）group,aspirin group,SXT group,and SXT＋aspirin group（S＆A）.The neurological deficits were assessed according to Longa’s grade 5 scoring method.The cerebral edema was detected by measuring the content of water in brain tissue.The volume of cerebral infarction was observed by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride（TTC）staining.Blood plasma was collected by abdominal aortic method to test maximum platelet aggregation rate and four blood coagulation.CD61,CD62p,6-keto prostaglandin F1αantithrombinⅢ（AT-Ⅲ）,D-dimer,plasminogen activator inhibitor-1（PAI-1）,tissue factor（TF）,tissue plasminogen activator（t-PA）,platelet thromboxaneand von Willebrand factor（v WF）content in rat plasma were detected by ELISA.Results：SXT combined with aspirin could improve the neurological deficits,alleviate cerebral edema,and decrease the cerebral infarct value.Compared with the sham operation group,fibrinogen（FIB）,6-AT-III,and t-PA in model group were significantly decreased;Compared with the model group,the above-mentioned indexes in SXT and aspirin treatment group were significantly increased.The prothrombin time（PT）,activated partial thromboplastin time（APTT）,thrombin time（TT）,D-dimer,PAI-1,TF,TXB2,and v WF of the model group were significantly increased;The above-mentioned indexes in blood SXT＋aspirin treated group were significantly decreased.There was a significant difference between the combined group and SXT group.The maximum concentration of plateletsin aspirin treated rats was significantly decreased,however,MPAR was reversed in SXT＋aspirin treated group.Conclusion：SXT combined with aspirin can effectively inhibit platelet activation,regulate the maximum concentration of platelets,and improve coagulation function and fibrinolysis system.

An Organic Small Molecule as a Solid Additive in Non-Fullerene Organic Solar Cells with Improved Efficiency and Operational Stability

The use of additive is an effective approach to optimize the active layer morphology and improve the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of organic solar cells(OSCs).However,residual solvent additives always lead to undesirably compromise the stability of OSCs.In this work,an organic small molecule BBT-Cl was designed and used as a novel solid additive to partly replace solvent additive to fabricate highperformance OSCs.The synergistic effect of the dual additives on the optical property,morphology and photovoltaic characteristics of the PM6:Y6 based non-fullerene OSCs have been systematically characterized.The introduction of BBT-Cl could effectively enhance the crystallinity of the blend and promote charge extraction and transport.Consequently,the OSCs processed by the dual additives exhibit a high PCE of 17.73%,which is obviously higher than OSCs with CN additive(16.48%).Meanwhile,BBT-Cl based dual additives treatment has also been successfully introduced into another two non-fullerene OSCs to verify its general applicability.Furthermore,20%PCE aging is significantly prolonged from 720 min to 2880 min for the devices proceeded with the dual additives.This work highlights the great potential of solid additive in the fabrication of efficient OSCs with excellent stability.