Ultrafast Superfilling Construction of a Metal Artificial Interface for Long-Term Stable Zinc Anodes.

Zinc (Zn)-metal anodes are promising candidates for large-scale, highly safe energy-storage systems. However, their cycling life is associated with instability issues such as dendritic growth, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution. Introducing an artificial metal interface is expected to help overcome this challenge owing to the optimization of the absorption, nucleation, and growth of Zn2+ . In this study, an ultrafast, universal, and cost-effective superfilling approach is developed to construct a metal artificial interface decorated Zn anode in situ. Most zincophilic metals, including Sn, Cu, and Ag, can be used to construct a homogenous interface without any restrictions on the size, morphology, or curvature of the substrates. With Sn as a proof-of-concept demonstration, the as-obtained Sn@Zn anode is conducive for the homogenous Zn nuclei and 2D diffusion of Zn2+ ions. Symmetric cells with Sn@Zn electrodes can be operated for over 900 h at different current densities. This superior performance contributes to the attractive electrochemical characteristics of both coin and scaled-up Sn@Zn//ß-MnO2 cells. Given the facile and cost-effective fabrication and recyclability of the cells, this work enables the efficient design and exploration of Zn anodes for research, industrialization, and commercialization purposes.

Chemical constituents of Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai and their cytotoxic activities.

A new diarylheptanoid, (1 R,2S,3S,5S)-2,3-dihydroxy-3',3''-dimethoxy-4'-de-O-methylcentrolobine (1) and a new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoid, (1 R,7S)-1,12,13-trihydroxybisabola-3,10-diene (2), together with nineteen known compounds (3-21) were isolated from the EtOH extract of the stems and branches of Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra and from the HRESIMS. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against eight human tumor cell lines.

Development of Antioxidant and Stable Conjugated Linoleic Acid Pickering Emulsion with Protein Nanofibers by Microwave-Assisted Self-Assembly.

Whey protein isolate nanofibrils (WPNFs) can be used as a novel stabilizer in the Pickering emulsion system to improve the water solubility, stability and bioavailability of lipophilic bioactive ingredients. In this study, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and WPNFs were used to prepare a stable Pickering emulsion. We used a transmission electron microscope, low-temperature scanning electron micrographs and other methods to evaluate the micromorphology, surface hydrophobicity and structural units of the obtained WPNFs. Compared with whey protein isolate/CLA Pickering emulsion, the WPNFs/CLA Pickering emulsion has greater ability to remove 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-amino-di(2-ethyl-benzothiazoline sulphonic acid-6) ammonium salt free radicals. Furthermore, the WPNFs/CLA Pickering emulsion has a more stable effect in terms of droplet size and zeta potential over a wider range of ionic strength and temperature conditions. These findings indicate that Pickering emulsion stabilized by WPNFs is more suitable as a carrier of CLA, as it increases the solubility of CLA and has better active applications in biology and food.

Two pairs of diastereoisomeric isoflavone glucosides from the roots of Pueraria lobata.

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Pueraria lobata led to the isolation of two pairs of new isoflavone glucosides, 3'-hydroxyneopuerarin A/B (1-2) and 3'-methoxyneopuerarin A/B (3-4). A pair of known compounds (5-6), which possess a very similar structure, were obtained together. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. Compounds 3-6 dose-dependently blocked the production of TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, which indicated the potential anti-inflammatory effect of these compounds.

Triterpenoid saponins from the pulp of Sapindus mukorossi and their antifungal activities.

Under the guidance of anti-fungal bioassay, four previously undescribed oleanane-type and one lupane-type triterpenoid saponins, along with twelve known analogues, were isolated from the extract of Sapindus mukorossi pulps. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. In vitro biotests, oleanolic acid 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside showed inhibitory activity against Trichophyton rubrum with MIC80 value of 8 µg/mL, while oleanolic acid 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside exhibited inhibitory activity against both Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans with MIC80 values of 8 µg/mL.

Polyphenolic compounds from Malus hupehensis and their free radical scavenging effects.

One new 4-chromanone glycoside, 5-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside-4-chromanone (1), together with 21 known polyphenols, was isolated from the leaves of Malus hupehensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods including NMR (1D and 2D), mass (ESIMS and HRESIMS), IR, and by comparison with the data reported in the literature. Some of the isolated compounds were screened for antioxidant activity. Compounds 18 and 14 exhibited significant antioxidant activities with SC50 values 2.73 and 2.91 µg/mL, respectively, while 17, 19, 11, 7, 20, 22, 12 and 13 exhibited moderate activities with SC50 values ranging from 5.24-11.86 µg/mL. The HPLC fingerprint profiles of the leaves and fruits extracts were also analysed, which showed that the constituents were almost the same in both the extracts except for the content of phlorizin which was present in higher amount in the leaves.