Acute effect of flaxseed-enriched snack bars on glycemic responses and satiety in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) have garnered scholarly attention for their roles in weight management and glycemic control. Flaxseed is a good source of fiber, lignans, and omega-3 fatty acids. This study evaluated healthy individuals' acute glycemic response and satiety following the consumption of flaxseed-enriched snack bars. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Nineteen healthy men and women consumed flaxseed bars or a glucose solution containing 50 g of available carbohydrates. Capillary blood glucose concentrations were obtained through the finger-prick test. The GI and GL values of the flaxseed bars were calculated using incremental area under the glucose response curve. Over 2 h, subjective satiety was examined at 0 (fasting), 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120min following the consumption of flaxseed bars or saltine crackers containing 300 kcal by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Compared with that of the glucose solution, the glucose concentrations of the flaxseed bars (15-90 min) were significantly lower (p<0.001). The GI and GL values of the flaxseed bars were 30.0±23.0 and 2.3±0.2, respectively. Compared with saltine cracker consumption, flaxseed bars consumption resulted in lower hunger and higher satiety. The satiety index score of the flaxseed bars was 1.6 times higher than that of the saltine crackers. CONCLUSIONS: Although further studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term effects of flaxseed-enriched snacks on glycemia and energy balance, our findings suggest that the incorporation of flaxseed into snack bars is a viable strategy for the management of obesity and diabetes.

Unveiling the effects of A-site substitutions on the oxygen ion migration in A2-xA'xNiO4+δ by first principles calculations.

The effects of A-site substitutions on the interstitial oxygen formation energy and the migration energy in layered A2-xA'xNiO4+δ (A = selected lanthanides, A' = Ba, Sr, Ca) are investigated by first principles calculations. The interstitial oxygen formation energy is negative, in the range of -4.81 eV to -3.45 eV, strongly supporting easiness of formation of the interstitial oxygen defects in the (A,A')O rock salt plane. The Pr2NiO4+δ compound shows the lowest formation energy, indicating the highest amount of interstitial oxygen. Doping with alkaline earth cations (A') increases the formation energy of the interstitial oxygen, which prefers to be located far away from the dopants. Nevertheless, Ca seems to be the best choice, due to relatively low formation energy. Calculations for the four kinds of diffusion paths allow it to be predicted that the oxygen transport in A2-xA'xNiO4+δ is governed by the interstitialcy mechanism in the ab plane, because of the significantly lower energy barriers for this mechanism. An interesting finding is achieved for A2NiO4+δ (A = Pr, Nd, Sm), for which the energy barriers for the interstitialcy transport are negative (-0.47 eV, -0.33 eV and -0.02 eV, respectively), implying that the transition state is more stable than the assumed initial state. A new structural configuration is proposed in this work, with the adjacent apical oxygen located at the adjacent interstitial site, which shows ca. 0.5 eV lower free energy than that of the initial model. This result provides a new understanding for the location of the interstitial and the adjacent apical oxygens from an energetic point of view and supports previously published experimental data. It is found that alkaline earth doping at the A-site deteriorates the interstitial oxygen diffusion in La2-xA'xNiO4.25 materials, but concerning overall transport properties, Ca seems to be a good dopant from an energetic point of view, when compared with Ba and Sr.

Constructing LiF-Dominated Interphases with Polymer Interwoven Outer Layer Enables Long-Term Cycling of Si Anodes.

Constructing a robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is extremely critical to developing high-energy-density silicon (Si)-based lithium-ion batteries. However, it is still elusive how to accurately manipulate the chemical composition and structure of the SEI layer. Herein, a LiF-dominated SEI film intertwined by a highly elastic polymer is achieved by regulating the defluorination mechanism of the fluorinated carbonate additive on the Si electrode surface. The experimental and computational results confirm that the decomposition route of trans-difluoroethylene carbonate (DFEC) molecules can be significantly altered in the presence of lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) additive. The induction of direct defluorination of DFEC step by LiDFOB, as opposed to the breaking of C-O bonds without LiDFOB addition, is crucial in ensuring the exclusive formation of LiF-dominated SEI and maintaining the cyclic structure of DFEC. The defluorinated DFEC easily polymerizes to form poly(vinylene carbonate), enhancing the elasticity of the SEI. The resulting LiF-dominated SEI film with a polymer interwoven outer layer shows enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, which can effectively accelerate electrode reaction kinetics and maintain the structural stability of the Si electrode. As a result, the Si electrode with the electrolyte containing the designed dual-additive exhibits superior cycling stability and excellent rate performance, delivering a high reversible capacity of 1487.3 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 2 A g-1.

Modification of the Ni-Rich Layered Cathode Material by Hf Addition: Synergistic Microstructural Engineering and Surface Stabilization.

The rapid decline of the reversible capacity originating from microcracks and surface structural degradation during cycling is still a serious obstacle to the practical utilization of Ni-rich LiNixCoyAl1-x-yO2 (x ≥ 0.8) cathode materials. In this research, a feasible Hf-doping method is proposed to improve the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.9Co0.08Al0.02O2 (NCA90) through microstructural optimization and structural enhancement. The addition of Hf refines the primary particles of NCA90 and develops them into a short rod shape, making them densely arranged along the radial direction, which increases the secondary particle toughness and reduces their internal porosity. Moreover, Hf-doping stabilizes the layered structure and suppresses the side reactions through the introduction of robust Hf-O bonding. Multiple advantages of Hf-doping allowed significant improvement of the cycling stability of LiNi0.895Co0.08Al0.02Hf0.005O2 (NCA90-Hf0.5), with a reversible capacity retention rate of 95.3% after 100 cycles at 1 C, as compared with only 82.0% for the pristine NCA90. The proposed synergetic strategy combining microstructural engineering and crystal structure enhancement can effectively resolve the inherent capacity fading of Ni-rich layered cathodes, promoting their practical application for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Well-Dispersed Fe Nanoclusters for Effectively Increasing the Initial Coulombic Efficiency of the SiO Anode.

An efficient surface modification strategy is proposed to significantly increase the initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of SiO anode material. The SiO@Fe material with the Fe nanocluster homogeneously decorating on the SiO surface is successfully prepared by a chemical vapor deposition process. The well-dispersed Fe nanoclusters realize an Ohmic contact with lithium silicates, the commonly regarded irreversible lithiation product, which effectively lowers the electron conduction barriers and promotes the concomitant lithium-ion release of the lithium silicates upon the delithiation process, increasing the ICE of the SiO anode. The prepared SiO@Fe exhibits a much higher ICE of 87.2% compared to 64.4% of pristine SiO, with the largest increment (23%) never reported, except for the prelithiation, and delivers significantly enhanced cycling and rate performance. These findings provide an effective way to convert the "inert" phase to "active" which essentially increases the ICE of the electrode.

High-Entropy Perovskites for Energy Conversion and Storage: Design, Synthesis, and Potential Applications.

Perovskites have shown tremendous promise as functional materials for several energy conversion and storage technologies, including rechargeable batteries, (electro)catalysts, fuel cells, and solar cells. Due to their excellent operational stability and performance, high-entropy perovskites (HEPs) have emerged as a new type of perovskite framework. Herein, this work reviews the recent progress in the development of HEPs, including synthesis methods and applications. Effective strategies for the design of HEPs through atomistic computations are also surveyed. Finally, an outlook of this field provides guidance for the development of new and improved HEPs.

Magnesium-Doped Sr2(Fe,Mo)O6-δ Double Perovskites with Excellent Redox Stability as Stable Electrode Materials for Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

In this work, magnesium-doped Sr2Fe1.2Mg0.2Mo0.6O6-δ and Sr2Fe0.9Mg0.4Mo0.7O6-δ double perovskites with excellent redox stability have been successfully obtained. The physicochemical properties including: crystal structure properties, redox stability, thermal expansion properties in oxidizing and reducing conditions, oxygen content as a function of temperature and transport properties, as well as the chemical compatibility with typical electrolytes have been systematically investigated. The in situ oxidation of reduced samples using high-temperature XRD studies shows the crystal structure of materials stable at up to a high-temperature range. The in situ reduction and oxidation of sinters with dilatometer measurements prove the excellent redox stability of materials, with the thermal expansion coefficients measured comparable with electrolytes. The oxygen nonstoichiometry δ of compounds was determined and recorded in air and argon up to 900 °C. Sr2Fe1.2Mg0.2Mo0.6O6-δ oxide presents satisfactory values of electrical conductivity in air (56.2 S·cm-1 at 600 °C) and reducing conditions (10.3 S·cm-1 at 800 °C), relatively high coefficients D and k, and good ionic conductivity (cal. 0.005 S·cm-1 at 800 °C). The stability studies show that both compounds are compatible with Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 but react with the La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-d electrolyte. Therefore, the magnesium-doped double perovskites with excellent redox stability can be potentially qualified as electrode materials for symmetrical SOFCs and are of great interest for further investigations.

Tuning Cu-Content La1-xSrxNi1-yCuyO3-δ with Strontium Doping as Cobalt-Free Cathode Materials for High-Performance Anode-Supported IT-SOFCs.

Cu-content La1-xSrxNi1-yCuyO3-δ perovskites with A-site strontium doping have been tuned as cobalt-free cathode materials for high-performance anode-supported SOFCs, working at an intermediate-temperature range. All obtained oxides belong to the R-3c trigonal system, and phase transitions from the R-3c space group to a Pm-3m simple perovskite have been observed by HT-XRD studies. The substitution of lanthanum with strontium lowers the phase transition temperature, while increasing the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and oxygen non-stoichiometry δ of the studied materials. The thermal expansion is anisotropic, and TEC values are similar to commonly used solid electrolytes (e.g., 14.1 × 10-6 K-1 for La0.95Sr0.05Ni0.5Cu0.5O3-δ). The oxygen content of investigated compounds has been determined as a function of temperature. All studied materials are chemically compatible with GDC-10 but react with LSGM and 8YSZ electrolytes. The anode-supported SOFC with a La0.95Sr0.05Ni0.5Cu0.5O3-δ cathode presents an excellent power density of 445 mW·cm-2 at 650 °C in humidified H2. The results indicate that La1-xSrxNi1-yCuyO3-δ perovskites with strontium doping at the A-site can be qualified as promising cathode candidates for anode-supported SOFCs, yielding promising electrochemical performance in the intermediate-temperature range.

SnS2-SnS pn hetero-junction bonded on graphene with boosted charge transfer for lithium storage.

Despite the advantage of high capacity, practical implementation of the tin disulfide (SnS2) anode for lithium-ion batteries is still plagued by the inferior rate performance due to its low intrinsic electronic conductivity and mediocre ion transport in the bulk. Herein, to address these issues, a peculiar heterojunction of SnS2-SnS quantum dots (QDs) closely coupled with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets was developed. Because of the typical n-type and p-type semiconductor characteristics of SnS2 and SnS, respectively, the formed pn junction at the SnS2/SnS interface will induce a built-in electric field, which can significantly accelerate lithium-ion transport through the SnS2/SnS interface. The ultrafine SnS2 and SnS nano-domains with superlong pn junction interfacial length construct an accelerated lithium-ion diffusion network, while the conductive rGO nanosheets provide a high-speed electron conduction pathway. Meanwhile, the flexible rGO chemically coupled with SnS2/SnS buffers the volumetric variation during repeated lithiation/delithiation processes and guarantees robust structural durability. These merits afford the designed SnS2-SnS/rGO electrode with fast electrode reaction kinetics and good structural durability upon cycling. Consequently, the delicate SnS2-SnS/rGO electrode harvests a superlative rate capability of 926 and 865 mA h g-1 at 5 and 10 A g-1, respectively, and excellent long-term cycling stability with a high reversible capacity of 1075 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1 up to 1000 cycles with negligible degradation.

Unveiling the Interface Structure of the Exsolved Co-Fe Alloy Nanoparticles from Double Perovskite and Its Application in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Exsolution of catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) from perovskites has arisen as a flexible method to develop high-performance functional materials with enhanced durability for energy conversion and catalytic synthesis applications. Here, we unravel the interface structure of the in situ exsolved alloy nanoparticles from the double perovskite substrate on the atomic scale. The results show that the Co-Fe alloy NPs exsolved topologically from the {100} facets terminations of the Sr2FeMo0.65Co0.35O6-δ (SFMC) double perovskite along ⟨100⟩ directions exhibiting the same orientation and identical crystal structure. The lattice planes of these two phases align and insert into each other at the interface, forming a smooth and continuous coherent connection. The presence of moiré patterns at the interface confirms the topological exsolution mechanism. The coherent interface can significantly reduce the interfacial energy and therefore stabilize the exsolved nanoparticles. Therefore, excellent and stable electrochemical performance of the NP-decorated SFMC perovskite is observed as the anode for solid oxide fuel cells. Our contribution promotes a fundamental understanding of the interface structure of the in situ exsolved alloy nanoparticles from perovskite substrate.

Application of a Modified Porphyrin in a Polymer Electrolyte with Superior Properties for All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries.

Porphyrins and their derivatives are a unique class of multifunctional and modifiable π-conjugated heterocyclic organic molecules, which have been widely applied in the fields of optoelectronic devices and catalysis. However, the application of porphyrins in polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs) has rarely been reported. Herein, porphyrin molecules modified by polyether chains are used for composite solid-state polymer electrolytes (CSPEs) for the first time. The introduction of a modified porphyrin in an electrolyte can not only promote the electrochemical properties by constructing ordered ion channels via the intermolecular interaction between π-conjugated heterocyclic porphyrins, but also significantly improve the mechanical strength and interface contact between the electrolyte membrane and the lithium metal anode. Consequently, the all-solid-state batteries assembled by the modified porphyrin composite polymer electrolyte, LiFePO4 cathodes, and Li anodes deliver a higher discharge capacity of 158.2 mA h g-1 at 60 °C, 0.2 C, which remains at 153.6 mA h g-1 after 120 cycles with an average coulombic efficiency of ∼99.60%. Furthermore, the flexible porphyrin-based composite polymer electrolyte can also enable a Li || LiCoO2 battery to exhibit a maximum discharge capacity of 108.6 mA h g-1 at 60 °C, 0.1 C with an active material loading of 2-3 mg cm-2, which is unable to realize for the corresponding batteries with a pure PEO-based polymer electrolyte. This work not only broadens the application scope of porphyrins, but also proposes a novel method to fabricate CSPEs with improved electrochemical and mechanical properties, which may shed new light on the development of CSPEs for next-generation high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries.

Micro/Nano Na3V2(PO4)3/N-Doped Carbon Composites with a Hierarchical Porous Structure for High-Rate Pouch-Type Sodium-Ion Full-Cell Performance.

Polyanion-type Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) is an overwhelmingly attractive cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of its high structural stability and fast Na+ mobility. However, its practical application is strongly plagued by either nanoscale particle size or poor rate performance. Herein, a micro/nanocomposite NVP cathode with a hierarchical porous structure is proposed to solve the problem. The microscale NVP material assembled by interconnected nanoflakes with N-doped carbon coating that is capable of simultaneously providing fast carrier transmission dynamics and outstanding structural integrity exhibits precedent sodium-storage behavior. It delivers a superior rate capability (79.1 mAh g-1 at 200C) and excellent long-life cycling (capacity retention of 73.4% after 10 000 cycles at 100C). Remarkably, a pouch-type sodium-ion full cell consisting of the as-obtained NVP cathode and a hard carbon anode demonstrates the gravimetric energy density as high as 212 Wh kg-1 and an exceptional rate performance (71.8 mAh g-1 at 10C). Such structural design of fabricating micro/nanocomposite electrode materials is expected to accelerate the practical applications of SIBs for large-scale energy storage.

Preparation and electrical properties of Ca-doped La(2)NiO(4+δ) cathode materials for IT-SOFC.

Ca-doped La(2)NiO(4+δ) is synthesized via the nitrate-citrate route. The effects of Ca substitution for La on the sinterability, lattice structure and electrical properties of La(2)NiO(4+δ) are investigated. Ca-doping is unfavorable for the densification process of La(2-x)Ca(x)NiO(4+δ) materials. The introduction of Ca leads to the elongation of the La-O(2) bond length, which provides more space for the migration of oxygen ion in La(2)O(2) rock salt layers. The substitution of Ca increases remarkably the electronic conductivity of La(2-x)Ca(x)NiO(4+δ). With increasing Ca-doping level, both the excess oxygen concentration and the activation energy of oxygen ion migration decrease, resulting in an optimization where a highest ionic conductivity is presented. Ca-doping is charge compensated by the oxidation of Ni(2+) to Ni(3+) and the desorption of excess oxygen. The substitution of Ca enhances the structural stability of La(2)NiO(4+δ) material at high temperatures and renders the material a good thermal cycleability. La(1.7)Ca(0.3)NiO(4+δ) exhibits an excellent chemical compatibility with CGO electrolyte. La(2-x)Ca(x)NiO(4+δ) is a promising cathode alternative for solid oxide fuel cells.

Effects of Wei Chang An on expression of multiple genes in human gastric cancer grafted onto nude mice.

AIM: To investigate the expression of multiple genes in Chinese jianpi herbal recipe Wei Chang An (WCA) in human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. METHODS: A human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SGC-7901 grafted onto nude mice was used as the animal model. The mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, one control and the two representing experimental conditions. Animals in the two experimental groups received either WCA over a 34-d period or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) over 6-d period starting at 8th d after grafting. Control animals received saline on an identical schedule. Animals were killed 41 d after being grafted. The expression profiles in paired WCA treated gastric cancer samples and the N.S. control samples were studied by using a cDNA array representing 14181 cDNA clusters. The alterations in gene expression levels were confirmed by Real-time Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: When compared with controls, the average tumor inhibitory rate in WCA group was 44.32% +/- 5.67% and 5-FU 47.04% +/- 11.33% (P < 0.01, respectively). The average labeling index (LI) for PCNA in WCA group and 5-FU group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. Apoptotic index (AI) was significantly increased to 9.72% +/- 4.51% using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate fluorescence nick end labeling (TUNEL) method in WCA group compared with the controls 2.45% +/- 1.37%. 5-FU group was also found to have a significantly increased AI compared with the controls. The expression of cleaved Caspase-3 in WCA group and 5-FU group was significantly increased compared with the control group respectively. There were 45 different expressed sequence tags (ESTs) among the control sample pool and WCA sample pool. There were 24 ESTs up-regulated in WCA samples and 21 ESTs down-regulated. By using qPCR, the expression level of Stat3, rap2 interacting protein x (RIPX), regulator of differentiation 1 (ROD1) and Bcl-2 was lower in WCA group than that in control group respectively. By using SP immunohistochemical method the expression of Phospho-Stat3 (Tyr705) and Bcl-2 in WCA group and 5-FU group was significantly decreased compared with the control group respectively. CONCLUSION: WCA could inhibit gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 growth in vivo. WCA could induce gastric cancer cell apoptosis and suppress proliferation. Its mechanisms might be involved in the down-regulation of Stat3, RIPX, ROD1 and Bcl-2 gene.

Tin Disulfide Nanosheets with Active-Site-Enriched Surface Interfacially Bonded on Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets as Ultra-Robust Anode for Lithium and Sodium Storage.

Two-dimensional (2D) tin disulfide (SnS2) has attracted intensive research owing to its high specific capacity for Li and Na storage, natural abundance, as well as environmental friendliness. However, the poor reaction kinetics, low intrinsic electrical conductivity, and severe volumetric variation upon cycling processes of SnS2 impede its widespread application. In this work, SnS2 nanosheets with active-site-enriched surface intimately grown on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via C-O-Sn chemical bonds are prepared. The aligning affords more active sites for electrode reaction and short transport pathways for Li+/Na+ and electrons. The strong chemical bonding enhances the interfacial affinity of SnS2 with rGO and inhibits the detachment of active SnS2 from rGO during repeated charge and discharge processes, which can ensure an integrated electrode structure. The 3D conductive and flexible rGO network improves the conductivity of the entire composite and buffers the volume change of SnS2 upon charge/discharge. These advantages enable the designed SnS2/rGO nanocomposite to have high specific capacity, superior rate capability, and outstanding long-cycling stability for both Li and Na storage.

Superior High-Rate and Ultralong-Lifespan Na3V2(PO4)3@C Cathode by Enhancing the Conductivity Both in Bulk and on Surface.

Na3V2(PO4)3 has shown great promise in next-generation cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries owning to its fast Na+ diffusion in the three-dimensional open NASICON framework and high theoretical energy density. However, Na3V2(PO4)3 suffers from undesirable rate performance and unstable cyclability arising from low electronic conductivity. Herein, we propose a facile approach for significantly enhancing the electrochemical properties of Na3V2(PO4)3 by Ti doping at V site and constructing nanoparticle@carbon core-shell nanostructure. This material design provides fast electron conduction network within the whole active particles because of the mixed valence Ti4+/3+ in bulk and highly conductive carbon shell on the surface. Lattice doping and carbon coating reduce the electrode polarization and facilitate the electrode reaction kinetics, while the nanostructure enhances the ionic conduction by shortening the diffusion distance and offers sufficient contact of active particles with organic electrolyte. The multiple synergetic effects enable a superior electrochemical performance. The optimized Na3V1.9Ti0.1(PO4)3@C cathode shows a high specific capacity (116.6 mAh g-1 at 1C), an unprecedented rate performance (93.4 mAh g-1 at 400C), and an exceptional long-term high-rate cycling stability (capacity retention of 69.5% after 14 000 cycles at 100C, corresponding to 0.0002% decay per cycle).

[Difference of gene expression profile in human gastric cancer grafted onto nude mice treated with WCA].

OBJECTIVE: Chinese jianpi herbal recipe Weichangan (WCA) could increase the survival rate of advanced gastric cancer. This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanism of WCA in treatment of gastric cancer by cDNA array, real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical technique. METHOD: A human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SGC-7901 grafted onto nude mouse was used as the animal model. The mice were divided into 3 groups, one control and the two representing experimental conditions. Animals in the two experimental groups received either WCA over a 34-day period or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) over 6-day period starting at 8th day after grafting. Control animals received saline on an identical schedule. Animals were killed 41 days after being grafted. To assess the effect of therapy tumor weight was determined by a electron balance immediately after the animals killed. SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in xenografts. For detection of apoptotic cells, apoptotic indices (AI) were examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate fluorescence nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. SP method was also used to detect the expression of cleaved Caspase-3. The expression profiles in paired WCA treated gastric cancer samples and the N. S. control samples were studied by using a cDNA array representing 14, 181 cDNA clusters. The alterations in gene expression levels were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. SP method was used to detect the expression of Phospho-Stat3 (Tyr705) and bcl-2. RESULT: When compared with controls, tumor growth was significantly inhibited by treatment with the WCA or 5-FU (P < 0.01, respectively). The average of tumor inhibitory rate in WCA group was (44.32 +/- 5.67)% and 5-FU (47.04 +/- 11.33)%. The average labeling index (LI) for PCNA in WCA group and 5-FU group was significantly decreased compared with the control group respectively. AI of human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice was significantly increased to (9.72 +/- 4.51)% using TUNEL method in WCA group compared with the controls (2.45 +/- 1.37)%. 5-FU group was also found a significantly increased AI compared with the controls. The expression of cleaved Caspase-3 in WCA group and 5-FU group was significantly increased compared with the control group respectively. There were 45 different expression ESTs among the control sample pool and WCA sample pool. There were 24 ESTs up-regulated in WCA samples and 21 ESTs down-regulated. These 45 ESTs contains 35 cloned genes and 11 unknown ESTs. By using Real-time Quantitative PCR, the expression level of Stat3 (2(-deltadeltaCT) = 0.16) , RIPX (2(-deltadeltaCT) = 0.18), ROD1 (2(-deltadeltaCT) = 0.23) and bcl-2 (2 (-deltadeltaCT) = 0.10) was lower in WCA group than that in control group respectively. The expression of Phospho-Stat3 (Tyr705) and bcl-2 in WCA group and 5-FU group was significantly decreased compared with the control group respectively. CONCLUSION: Chinese jianpi herbal recipe WCA could inhibit gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 growth in vivo. WCA could induce gastric cancer cell apoptosis and suppress proliferation. Its mechanisms might be involved in the down-regulation of Stat3, RIPX, ROD1 and bcl-2 gene.

[Effects of Chinese herbal recipe Weichang'an in inducing apoptosis and related gene expression in human gastric cancer grafted onto nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Chinese herbal recipe Weichang'an (WCA) in inducing cell apoptosis of human gastric cancer grafted onto nude mice. METHODS: The high performance liquid chromatography was used for monitoring the stability of WCA. A human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 grafted in nude mouse was used as the animal model. The mice were divided into untreated group and two experimental groups. Animals in the two experimental groups received either WCA over a 34-day period or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) over a 6-day period starting at the 8th day after grafting. Animals in the untreated group received normal saline on an identical schedule. Animals were killed 41 days after being grafted. To assess the effect of the treatment on tumor, the tumor weight was determined by the electron balance immediately after the animals were killed. SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in grafts. Apoptotic indices (AI) of the tumor cells were examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate fluorescence nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. SP method was also used to detect the expressions of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9. SYBR green dye I real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time quantitative [corrected] PCR) was used to assess the related gene alterations in mRNA level. The expressions of phospho-Stat3 (Tyr705) and bcl-2 proteins were detected by using SP method. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, tumor growth was significantly inhibited by treatment of WCA or 5-FU (P<0.01, respectively). The tumor inhibition rate in the WCA-treated group was 48.70% and that in the 5-FU-treated group was 60.10%. The average labeling index (LI) for PCNA in the WCA-treated group and 5-FU-treated group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the untreated group, respectively. The AI of human gastric cancer grafted in the nude mice detected by using TUNEL method was significantly increased to (9.72+/-4.51)% in the WCA-treated group, while it was (2.45+/-1.37)% in the untreated group. 5-FU-treated group was also found a significantly increased AI compared with the untreated group. The expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the WCA-treated group and 5-FU-treated group were significantly increased as compared with those in the untreated group. But caspase-8 showed no significant alteration either in the WCA-treated group or in the 5-FU-treated group. The expression levels of Stat3 (2(-)delta delta C(T))=0.16) and bcl-2 (2(-)delta delta C(T))=0.10) detected by using real-time quantitative [corrected] PCR were lower in the WCA-treated group than those in the untreated group. The expressions of phospho-Stat3 (Tyr705) and bcl-2 in the WCA-treated group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the untreated group. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese herbal recipe WCA can inhibit gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 growth in vivo, induce gastric cancer cell apoptosis and suppress the cell proliferation. WCA induces apoptosis through the caspase-9 and caspase-3 pathway in vivo. Its mechanism might be involved in the down-regulation of Stat3 and bcl-2 genes.

(101) Plane-Oriented SnS2 Nanoplates with Carbon Coating: A High-Rate and Cycle-Stable Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries.

Tin disulfide is considered to be a promising anode material for Li ion batteries because of its high theoretical capacity as well as its natural abundance of sulfur and tin. Practical implementation of tin disulfide is, however, strongly hindered by inferior rate performance and poor cycling stability of unoptimized material. In this work, carbon-encapsulated tin disulfide nanoplates with a (101) plane orientation are prepared via a facile hydrothermal method, using polyethylene glycol as a surfactant to guide the crystal growth orientation, followed by a low-temperature carbon-coating process. Fast lithium ion diffusion channels are abundant and well-exposed on the surface of such obtained tin disulfide nanoplates, while the designed microstructure allows the effective decrease of the Li ion diffusion length in the electrode material. In addition, the outer carbon layer enhances the microscopic electrical conductivity and buffers the volumetric changes of the active particles during cycling. The optimized, carbon coated tin disulfide (101) nanoplates deliver a very high reversible capacity (960 mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.1 A g-1), superior rate capability (796 mAh g-1 at a current density as high as 2 A g-1), and an excellent cycling stability of 0.5 A g-1 for 300 cycles, with only 0.05% capacity decay per cycle.