Structures and oxygen storage/release capacities of CexZr1-xO2:Effects of Zr content and preparation method

Ceria-zirconia solid solution has been prepared by the urea grind combustion and citric acid sol-gel methods for catalytic applications as oxygen storage/release materials in this study. The properties and oxygen storage/release capacities of samples with different Zr contents were characterized and evaluated by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, Nadsorption, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, Raman spectroscopy, and insitu CO–COlooping test. The results demonstrate that the samples prepared by two methods are all of excellent lattice [O] release/storage properties and maintain good long-term cycle stability. But the preparation method significantly impacts the homogeneity of samples related to their redox properties and the content of Zr over 20%, which greatly changed the properties of ceria-zirconia solid solutions and caused their changing of crystalline symmetry from cubic to tetragonal. The samples prepared by citric acid solgel method are of more homogeneous particle sizes and higher specific surface areas than that by urea grind combustion method, which is benefit to the oxygen release rather than oxygen storage. The bulk oxygen amount migrated to surface increases with the increasing Zr content, however, the amount of lattice oxygen migration decreases when Zr content is over 20%. When Zr content is 20%, the differences of storage/release capacities from two different preparation methods are reduced at high temperature in the long-term loop reaction.

System pharmacology-based dissection of the potential effective material basis and mechanism of Xiaoxianxiong decoction for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background:Xiaoxianxiong decoction is a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and proven to be effective.But the material basis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.The aim of the present study was to elucidate the potential effective material basis of Xiaoxianxiong decoction and molecular mechanism treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:The absorbed bioactive components were identified based on serum pharmacochemistry.Network analysis were performed to obtain effect targets for docking verification with the absorbed prototypes to determine the potential effective material basis.On the above basis,network pharmacology was conducted to explore the molecular mechanism.Results:76 compounds were identified of Xiaoxianxiong decoction and 61 absorbed bioactive compounds were investigated.Serine/threonine kinase 1 and ALB were key targets acquired by network analysis for molecular docking.Subsequently,5 compounds were considered as the potential effective material basis,namely berberine,berberrubine,lariciresinol and gingerenone A,jatrorrhizine.Further,the mechanism mainly lies in the insulin signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,FoxO signaling pathway,AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,phospholipase D signaling pathway to regulate blood glucose levels on target tissues as well as organs and exhibit anti-inflammatory,promote cell differentiation and cell growth,maintain oxygen homeostasis and affect the enzymes along with key metabolites.Conclusion:This integrated research strategy to investigate the treatment of Xiaoxianxiong decoction on type 2 diabetes mellitus provides valuable insights for further study and clinical practice of Xiaoxianxiong decoction.

The effects of radiofrequency hyperthermia on type Ⅱ collagen formation in the osteoarthritic knee

Objective: To explore the effect of radiofrequency hyperthermia on type Ⅱ collagen expression in a rabbit model of osteoarthri-tis (OA). Methods: Experimental model of knee OA was replicated in the right hind limbs of 54 male rabbits by using modified Hulth modeling method. The rabbits were randomly divided into Model group, Lugua Polypeptide group and Radiofrequency Hyper-thermia group. After modeling, Lugua Polypeptide group was given intramuscular injection of Lugua polypeptide;Radiofre-quency Hyperthermia group was treated with radiofrequency hyperthermia;Model group was not given any special treatment. On the 7th, 13th and 19th day after radiofrequency hyperthermia, six experimental rabbits were chosen from each group and sacrificed to take out medial femoral condyle cartilages in the right hind limbs. Modified Mankins rating was applied to the morphological evaluation. Meanwhile, quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the content of type Ⅱ collagen in cartilage tissues of medial femoral condyle. Results: At each time point after treatment, Mankins scores were decreased in all the 3 groups, with that of Model group sig-nificantly higher than those of the other two groups (Model group > Lugua Polypeptide group > Radiofrequency Hyperthermia group). The contents of type Ⅱ collagen in cartilage tissues were increased in all the 3 groups, with that of Radiofrequency Hyperthermia group significantly higher than those of the other two group (Model group < Lugua Polypeptide group < Ra-diofrequency Hyperthermia group). The difference between groups was of statistical significance (p < .05). For Radiofrequency Hyperthermia group, Mankins scores were decreased gradually as the treatment time went by, with the content of type Ⅱ colla-gen in cartilage tissues increased. The difference between time points was of statistical significance (p < .05). Conclusions: Radiofrequency hyperthermia is superior to Lugua polypeptide in the treatment of knee OA, at least in rabbits. Its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the significant increase in type Ⅱ collagen in cartilages.