Exploring the anti-ferroptosis mechanism of Kai-Xin-San against Alzheimer's disease through integrating network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental validation strategy in vivo and in vitro.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kai Xin San (KXS), first proposed by Sun Simiao during the Tang Dynasty, has been utilized to treat dementia by tonifying qi and dispersing phlegm. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which KXS exerts its therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD) by targeting ferroptosis, using a combination of network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental validation strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active target sites and the further potential mechanisms of KXS in protecting against AD were investigated through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and network pharmacology, and combined with the validation of animal experiments. RESULTS: Computational and experimental findings provide the first indication that KXS significantly improves learning and memory defects and inhibits neuronal ferroptosis by repairing mitochondria damage and upregulating the protein expression of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) in vivo APP/PS1 mice AD model. According to bioinformatics analysis, the mechanism by which KXS inhibits ferroptosis may involve SIRT1. KXS notably upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of SIRT1 in both vivo APP/PS1 mice and in vitro APP-overexpressed HT22 cells. Additionally, KXS inhibited ferroptosis induced by APP-overexpression in HT22 cells through activating the SIRT1-FSP1 signal pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings suggest that KXS may inhibit neuronal ferroptosis through activating the SIRT1/FSP1 signaling pathway. This study reveals the scientific basis and underlying modern theory of replenishing qi and eliminating phlegm, which involves the inhibition of ferroptosis. Moreover, it highlights the potential application of SIRT1 or FSP1 activators in the treatment of AD and other ferroptosis-related diseases.

Fish-mussel-algae-bacteria model remedied eutrophication pollution: Application in Dongxiang district reservoir.

Eutrophication pollution has become an important ecological problem in China. Biological treatment is a common means to repair eutrophication pollution. Therefore, based on the biological manipulation technology, we put forward a fishing scheme for the Xiaoxiangshan and Shizishan reservoirs in Dongxiang District, which have been in a serious eutrophication pollution level for a long time, that is, to improve the quality and control water by operating fish, mussel, algae, and bacteria. The monitoring results in the middle stage of treatment showed that the structure of phytoplankton changed, and the degree of eutrophication pollution improved. In the later stage of treatment, the plankton diversity and richness of the two reservoirs increased significantly, the density and biomass of Cyanobacteria decreased significantly, and the degree of eutrophication pollution decreased to mesotrophic type. Overall, our research puts forward new ideas for the prevention and control of water eutrophication pollution and provides a reference for other kinds of water body treatment.

Preparation and Properties of Composite Graphene/Carbon Fiber Pouring Conductive Asphalt Concrete.

To solve the problem of snow on steel bridge areas endangering traffic safety and low road traffic efficiency in winter, conductive gussasphait concrete (CGA) was prepared by mixing conductive phase materials (graphene and carbon fiber) into Gussasphalt (GA). First, through high-temperature rutting test, low-temperature bending test, immersion Marshall test, freeze-thaw splitting test and fatigue test, the high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, water stability and fatigue performance of CGA with different conductive phase materials were systematically studied. Second, the influence of different content of conductive phase materials on the conductivity of CGA was studied through the electrical resistance test, and the microstructure characteristics were analyzed via SEM. Finally, the electrothermal properties of CGA with different conductive phase materials were studied via heating test and simulated ice-snow melting test. The results showed that the addition of graphene/carbon fiber can significantly improve the high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, water stability and fatigue performance of CGA. The contact resistance between electrode and specimen can be effectively reduced when the graphite distribution is 600 g/m2. The resistivity of 0.3% carbon fiber + 0.5% graphene rutting plate specimen can reach 4.70 Ω·m. Graphene and carbon fiber in asphalt mortar construct a complete conductive network. The heating efficiency of 0.3% carbon fiber + 0.5% graphene rutting plate specimen is 71.4%, and the ice-snow melting efficiency is 28.73%, demonstrating good electrothermal performance and ice-snow melting effect.

Study on Road Performance of Polyurethane Cold-Recycled Mixture.

To give full play to the advantages of polyurethane as a binder, such as mixing at room temperature, short curing time, and high curing strength, polyurethane was used as the binder of a waste asphalt mixture, and the pavement performance of PCRM (Polyurethane Cold-Recycled Mixture) was analyzed. Firstly, the adhesion performance of polyurethane binder with new and old aggregates was evaluated using the adhesion test. Then, the mix proportion was designed according to the material characteristics, and the reasonable molding process, maintenance conditions, design indexes, and the optimal binder ratio were proposed. Secondly, the high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, water stability, and compressive resilient modulus of the mixture were evaluated through laboratory tests. Finally, the pore structure and microscopic morphology of polyurethane cold-recycled mixture were analyzed by industrial CT (Computerized Tomography) scanning, and the failure mechanism of polyurethane cold-recycled mixture was revealed. The test results show that the adhesion between polyurethane and RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) is good, and the splitting strength of the mixture increases greatly when the ratio of glue to stone reaches 9%. Polyurethane binder has low sensitivity to temperature and poor water stability. With the increase of RAP content, the high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, and compressive resilient modulus of PCRM showed a decreasing trend. When the RAP content was less than 40%, the freeze-thaw splitting strength ratio of the mixture was improved. After the incorporation of RAP, the interface was more complex and there were many micron-scale holes, cracks, and other defects; after high-temperature immersion, the polyurethane binder appeared to show a certain degree of peeling at the holes of the RAP surface. After freeze-thaw, the polyurethane binder on the surface of the mixture produced many cracks. The study of polyurethane cold-recycled mixture is of great significance to realize green construction.

Inhibition of ferroptosis through regulating neuronal calcium homeostasis: An emerging therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease, generates a serious threat to the health of the elderly. The AD brain is microscopically characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. There are still no effective therapeutic drugs to restrain the progression of AD though much attention has been paid to exploit AD treatments. Ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, has been reported to promote the pathological occurrence and development of AD, and inhibition of neuronal ferroptosis can effectively improve the cognitive impairment of AD. Studies have shown that calcium (Ca2+) dyshomeostasis is closely related to the pathology of AD, and can drive the occurrence of ferroptosis through several pathways, such as interacting with iron, and regulating the crosstalk between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. This paper mainly reviews the roles of ferroptosis and Ca2+ in the pathology of AD, and highlights that restraining ferroptosis through maintaining the homeostasis of Ca2+ may be an innovative target for the treatment of AD.

Study on the Properties of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Polypropylene Fiber (PP Fiber) Cement-Based Materials.

In order to improve the mechanical properties and durability of cement-based materials, a certain amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polypropylene fiber (PP fiber) were incorporated into cement-based materials. The mechanical properties of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polypropylene fiber cement-based materials were evaluated using flexural strength tests, compressive strength tests, and splitting tensile tests. The effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and polypropylene fiber on the durability of cement-based materials were studied using drying shrinkage tests and freeze-thaw cycle tests. The effects of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes and polypropylene fibers on the microstructure and pore structure of the cement-based materials were compared and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion tests. The results showed that the mechanical properties and durability of cement-based materials can be significantly improved when the content of multi-walled carbon nanotubes is 0.1-0.15%. The compressive strength can be increased by 9.5% and the mass loss rate is reduced by 27.9%. Polypropylene fiber has little effect on the compressive strength of the cement-based materials, but it significantly enhances the toughness of the cement-based materials. When its content is 0.2-0.3%, it has the best effect on improving the mechanical properties and durability of the cement-based materials. The flexural strength is increased by 19.1%, and the dry shrinkage rate and water loss rate are reduced by 14.3% and 16.1%, respectively. The three-dimensional network structure formed by the polypropylene fiber in the composite material plays a role in toughening and cracking resistance, but it has a certain negative impact on the pore structure of the composite material. The incorporation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes can improve the bonding performance of the polypropylene fiber and cement matrix, make up for the internal defects caused by the polypropylene fiber, and reduce the number of harmful holes and multiple harmful holes so that the cement-based composite material not only has a significant increase in toughness but also has a denser internal structure.

Preparation and Properties of New Thermal Reflective Coating for Asphalt Pavement.

This paper aims to study the applicability of an epoxy resin modification to improve its anti-aging properties, which are conducive to road performance. To achieve this goal, a wide range of laboratory activities were conducted, including an emulsion mixed with epoxy resin and liquid phenolic resin as the coating substrate; surface-modified titanium dioxide, silica, hollow glass beads and sericite powder as functional fillers; then adding pigments and various additives to prepare a new asphalt pavement heat-reflective coating. Secondly, the optimum brushing amount of the coating was obtained, and the cooling effect was clarified. Finally, the road performance was evaluated by testing the coating's skid resistance, wear resistance and impermeability. The results show that the skid resistance, abrasion resistance and impermeability of the heat reflection coating meet the specification requirements.

Electrode Layout Optimization and Numerical Simulation of Cast Conductive Asphalt Concrete Steel Bridge Deck Pavement.

In order to obtain the optimal electrode layout and ice melting effect of cast conductive asphalt concrete steel bridge deck pavement, firstly, pouring conductive asphalt concrete was prepared; secondly, different electrode materials and layout methods were selected to test the heating rate of the specimen from start to 120 min, and the electrode materials and layout methods were optimized. Then, the finite element analysis software ANSYS was used to build the model for heating and ice melting simulation, and the indoor test was used to further verify the ice melting effect of the cast conductive asphalt coagulation with or without the insulation layer. Finally, the thermal-structural coupling analysis of cast conductive asphalt concrete steel bridge deck pavement was carried out using ANSYS finite element software. The results showed that the stainless steel electrode material had the best heating effect, and the electrode thickness in the range of 0.1~3 mm had no effect on the heating effect. The intermediate heating rate of the upper surface of the stainless steel sheet electrode cast conductive asphalt concrete in the left and right external electrodes was 8 ∘C/h, while the intermediate heating rate of the upper surface of the stainless steel mesh electrode cast conductive asphalt concrete was 12.9 ∘C/h. The layout of the left and right buried stainless steel metal mesh was able to effectively improve the snow melting efficiency; ANSYS finite element ice melting simulation was used to obtain the variation law of ice melting efficiency and a temperature field of cast conductive asphalt concrete. The indoor ice melting test showed that when melting the same thickness ice layer at 50 V voltage, it took 240 min with an insulation layer and 720 min without an insulation layer, which was three times that of the ice with an insulation layer, which further verifies the superiority of its ice melting effect. The most unfavorable load position of pavement under load and temperature field was determined. The maximum tensile stress and compressive stress of the pavement surface were transverse, and the maximum shear stress of the pavement bottom was transverse.

Study on Rheological Properties of Graphene Oxide/Rubber Crowd Composite-Modified Asphalt.

In order to improve the durability of asphalt pavement and prolong the service life of heavy traffic asphalt pavement, graphene oxide (GO) and rubber powder (RP) were used as composite modifiers to modify matrix asphalt. The high-temperature rheological properties of composite-modified asphalt at different temperatures and frequencies were analyzed. The influence of different stress levels on the viscoelastic properties of composite-modified asphalt was evaluated. The low-temperature rheological properties of composite-modified asphalt were studied. The difference between RP-modified asphalt and GO/RP composite-modified asphalt was analyzed, and the mechanism of GO and RP on asphalt modification was explored. The results show that the composite-modified asphalt has good rheological properties at low temperature, relatively smooth surface and stable network structure, which improves the segregation problem of RP in matrix asphalt. At present, GO and RP are rarely used as composite modifiers to modify matrix asphalt at home and abroad, which is an innovation in material selection.

Study on Performance of Retarded Composite Semi-Rigid Base Mixed with Rubber Powder.

In order to solve the problem of poor crack resistance and frost resistance of semi-rigid base, rubber powder and retarder were added to a semi-rigid base mixture. First, 61 mixing ratios were determined. Then, through the unconfined compressive strength, splitting strength, and other tests, the mechanical, crack, and frost resistance properties of the retarded composite semi-rigid base coarse mixture with rubber powder were studied. Finally, the macro and micro properties of the two kinds of admixture composite semi-rigid base coarse mixtures were studied by means of SEM and industrial CT. The results show that rubber powder and retarder can effectively improve the cracking and freezing resistance of the mixture. After five freeze-thaw cycle tests, the strength of the retarded composite semi-rigid base material mixed with rubber powder decreased slightly compared with the mixture without additives. It can be seen that rubber powder improved the frost resistance of the mixture. When the content of rubber powder was 1.5%, the BDR value of the mixture increased by 8.8%. With the increase of unconfined compressive strength, splitting strength, and flexural tensile strength at 28 d and 90 d, it was found that the retarder improved the middle and late strength of the mixture. When the content of retarder was 0.09%, the increase of unconfined compressive strength at 28 d reached 3.9%. The addition of rubber powder and retarder improved the distribution of internal pores, the proportion of large pores decreased, and the proportion of small pores increased. The retarder changed the morphology of hydration products, formed a dense network supporting structure, further refined the pores, and reduced the porosity of the mixture. The proportion of pores with a volume greater than 100 mm3 in the total pore volume decreased by 26.01%, and the proportion of medium pores increased by 13.07%, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the mixture.

A ß-FeOOH/MXene sandwich for high-performance anodes in lithium-ion batteries.

FeOOH is one of the earth abundant and high-capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but faces problems of inevitable structure collapse and thus poor capacity retention. Herein, we report a composite of ß-FeOOH/Ti3C2Tx MXene sandwich by an intercalation of ß-FeOOH nanorods within single-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene flakes. After 100 cycles, the ß-FeOOH/Ti3C2Tx composite retains a capacity of 937.5 mA h g-1 at 200 mA g-1, and 671.4 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1. The composite as an anode in LIB delivers improved cyclability and better high-rate performance compared to pristine ß-FeOOH, which result from the excellent conductivity of single-layer MXene, facilitating mass transport by the sandwich structure. This work provides a strategy for the design of electrodes, particularly in Na-ion and K-ion batteries, which involve active materials that experience volume change and structural damage during cycling.

Durability of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Containing SiO2 Nano-Particles.

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect ofnano-SiO2 and steel fiber content on the durability of concrete. Five different dosages of nano-SiO2 particles and five volume dosages of steel fiber were used. The durability of concretes includes permeability resistance, cracking resistance, carbonation resistance, and freezing-thawing resistance, and these were evaluated by the water permeation depth, number of cracks, total cracking area per unit area of the specimens, carbonation depth of the specimens, and the relative dynamic elastic modulus of the specimens after freezing-thawing cycles, respectively. The results indicate that the addition of nano-SiO2 particles significantly improves the durability of concrete when the content of nano-SiO2 is limited within a certain range. With the increase of nano-SiO2 content, the durability of concrete first increases and then decreases. An excessive number of nano-SiO2 particles could have an adverse effect on the durability of the concrete. The addition of the correct amount of steel fibers improves the carbonation resistance of concrete containing nano-particles, but excessive steel fiber reduces the carbonation resistance. Moreover, the addition of steel fibers reduces the permeability resistance of concrete containing nano-particles. The incorporation of steel fiber enhanced the freezing-thawing resistance and cracking resistance of concrete containing nano-particles. With increasing steel fiber content, the freezing-thawing resistance of the concrete containing nano-particles increases, and the cracking resistance of the concrete decreases gradually.