Asynchronous Ring Opening of Cyclic Carbonate and Glycidyl Ether Induced Phase Evolution Towards Heat-free and Rapid-bonding Superior Epoxy Adhesive.

Structural adhesives that do not require heating are in high demand in the automotive and electronics industries. However, it remains a challenge to develop robust adhesives that rapidly achieve super adhesion near ambient temperature. Herein, a room-temperature curable, fast-bonding, and super strong epoxy-based structural adhesive was designed from the perspective of cross-scale structure, which lies in threefold pivotal aspects: (i) high branching topology of glycerol carbonate-capped polyurethane (PUGC) increases the kinetics of the ring-opening reaction, contributing to fast crosslinking and the formation of abundant urethane and hydroxyl moieties; (ii) asynchronous crosslinking of epoxy and PUGC synergistically induces phase separation of PUGC within the epoxy resin and the resulting PUGC domains surrounded by interpenetrated shell serves to efficiently toughen the matrix; (iii) abundant dynamic hydrogen bonds including urethane and hydroxyl moieties, along with the elastomeric PUGC domains, dissipate energy of shearing force. As a result, the adhesive strength rapidly grows to 16 MPa within 4 hours, leveling off to 21 MPa after 7 hours, substantially outperforming commercial room-temperature curable epoxy adhesives. The results of this study could advance the field of high-performance adhesives and provide valuable insights into designing materials for efficient curing at room temperature.

Curcumin Ameliorates the Experimental Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy through Promotion of NGF Expression in Rats.

Increasing evidence suggested that inhibiting the apoptosis of Schwann cells (SCs) and promoting nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in sciatic nerves play key roles in preventing the onset of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Curcumin, a primary bioactive substance in turmeric with multiple characteristics, has been shown to have many therapeutic effects in a variety of diseases. However, curcumin is poorly studied in the DPN models. We aimed to explore the therapeutic benefits and underlying mechanism of curcumin in high fat/sugar diets joint streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DPN rat models. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into five groups (6 rats per group), control group, DPN group, Curcumin groups (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg). Curcumin was administered intragastrically once per day for 4 continuous weeks. Body weight (BW) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were monitored in all groups. The mechanical withdraw threshold (MWT) was measured. We also assessed neuropathic change by testing nerve conductance velocity (NCV) in sciatic nerves. TEM was applied to observe the sciatic nerves ultrastructure. The SCs apoptosis in sciatic nerves was stained using TUNEL kit. NGF contents in sciatic nerves and serum were detected using western blotting and ELISA analysis. The results showed curcumin had no obvious effect on the BW and FBG change. Curcumin (100 and 150 mg/kg) attenuated the MWT, NCV, and sciatic nerves ultrastructure in DPN rats. Curcumin (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) reduced SCs apoptosis in sciatic nerves. In addition, curcumin at 150 mg/kg had the best efficacy in increasing protein expression of NGF in sciatic nerves and serum NGF level. Our work demonstrated that curcumin has neuroprotective effects for the treatment of DPN.

Piperlongumine Analogs Promote A549 Cell Apoptosis through Enhancing ROS Generation.

Chemotherapeutic agents, which contain the Michael acceptor, are potent anticancer molecules by promoting intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In this study, we synthesized a panel of PL (piperlongumine) analogs with chlorine attaching at C2 and an electron-withdrawing/electron-donating group attaching to the aromatic ring. The results displayed that the strong electrophilicity group at the C2-C3 double bond of PL analogs plays an important role in the cytotoxicity whereas the electric effect of substituents, which attached to the aromatic ring, partly contributed to the anticancer activity. Moreover, the protein containing sulfydryl or seleno, such as TrxR, could be irreversibly inhibited by the C2-C3 double bond of PL analogs, and boost intracellular ROS generation. Then, the ROS accumulation could disrupt the redox balance, induce lipid peroxidation, lead to the loss of MMP (Mitochondrial Membrane Potential), and ultimately result in cell cycle arrest and A549 cell line death. In conclusion, PL analogs could induce in vitro cancer apoptosis through the inhibition of TrxR and ROS accumulation.

Simultaneous determination of three alkaloids in Huangbo using an ionic liquid as a mobile phase additive in reversed-phase liquid chromatography.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, and berberine in Huangbo, the dried bark of Chinese Corktree, was established by using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tertafluoroborate as a mobile phase additive. The chromatographic behavior of the three compounds on the C18 column was studied with four different types of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids as the mobile phase additives. The effect of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tertafluoroborate was the best in the four investigated ionic liquids. The concentration of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tertafluoroborate and the pH of the mobile phase, which influenced the chromatographic behaviors of the three bioactive compounds, were investigated. The linearity, precision, accuracy, repeatability, limit of detection, and quantification of the proposed method were found to be satisfactory. To explain the role of ionic liquids as the mobile phase additives, the possible mechanism was also explored and discussed.

Genetic dissection of seed storability using two different populations with a same parent rice cultivar N22.

Seed storability in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important agronomic trait. Two segregating populations with N22 (indica) as a common parent, viz. a set of 122 backcross-inbred lines (BILs) derived from the backcross Nanjing35 (japonica)/N22//Nanjing35 and another population comprising 189 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross of USSR5 (japonica) and N22, were studied to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seed storability. Germination percentage (GP) was used to evaluate seed storability after aging treated under three different conditions, viz. natural, artificial and combined aging treatments. A total of seven QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9. Among them, a major QTL, qSSn-9, was common in the two populations. In contrast, four QTLs (qSSnj-2-1, qSSn-2-2, qSSn-5 and qSSn-6) were detected in BILs and the QTL qSSn-1 was identified in RILs, which was a new QTL for seed storability. The N22-derived alleles increased the seed storability at all the loci except qSSnj-2-1. We also investigated the effect of QTLs using five selected lines with high storability from BILs and verified qSSn-5 with a near-isogenic line (NIL). These results provide an opportunity for pyramiding or map-based cloning major QTLs for seed storability in rice.

Rapid pretreatment and determination of bisphenol A in water samples based on vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A method for the rapid pretreatment and determination of bisphenol A in water samples based on vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was proposed in this paper. A simple apparatus consisting of a test tube and a cut-glass dropper was designed and applied to collect the floating extraction drop in liquid-liquid microextraction when low-density organic solvent was used as the extraction solvent. Solidification and melting steps that were tedious but necessary once the low-density organic solvent used as extraction solvent could be avoided by using this apparatus. Bisphenol A was selected as model pollutant and vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction was employed to investigate the usefulness of the apparatus. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was selected as the analytical tool for the detection of bisphenol A. The linear dynamic range was from 0.10 to 100 µg/L for bisphenol A, with good squared regression coefficient (r(2) = 0.9990). The relative standard deviation (n = 7) was 4.7% and the limit of detection was 0.02 µg/L. The proposed method had been applied to the determination of bisphenol A in natural water samples and was shown to be economical, fast, and convenient.

[Chemical constituents of Trichosanthes kirilowii peels].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the peels of Trichosanthes kirilowii. METHODS: Many chromatographic techniques were used including repeated silica column chromatography, polyamide resin and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography. According to the physical and chemical properties and spectral analysis, the chemical structures of the compounds were determined. RESULTS: Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified as quercetin-3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnose(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (2), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), diosmetin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), luteolin (5), apigenin (6), diosmetin (7), methyl palmitate (8), methyl stearate (9), palmitic acid (10), beta-sitosterol (11), alpha-spin-asterol (12) and stigmasterol (13). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 3, 5 - 7 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Involvement of iNOS-induced reactive enteric glia cells in gastrointestinal motility disorders of postoperative Ileus mice.

Postoperative ileus (POI) is the cessation or reduction of gastrointestinal (GI) motility after surgery. Reactive enteric glial cells (EGCs) are critical for maintaining bowel function. However, the triggering mechanisms and downstream effects of reactive EGCs in POI were poorly understood. The goal of this current study was to investigate whether the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-driven reactive EGCs participated in GI motility disorders and mechanisms underlying altered GI motility in POI. Intestinal manipulation (IM)-induced POI mice and iNOS-/- mice were used in the study. Longitudinal muscle and myenteric plexuses (LMMPs) from the distal small intestine were stained by immunofluorescence. Our results found that the GI motility disorders occurred in the IM-induced POI mice, and reactive EGCs were observed in LMMPs. Glial metabolic inhibitor gliotoxin fluorocitrate (FC) treatment or iNOS gene knockout attenuated GI motility dysfunction. In addition, we also found that FC treatment or iNOS gene knockout significantly inhibited the fluorescence intensity macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), which reduced M2 phenotype macrophages activation in LMMPs of IM-induced POI mice. Our findings demonstrated that iNOS-driven reactive EGCs played a key role and were tightly linked to the MMs homeostasis in the POI mice. EGCs are emerging as a new frontier in neurogastroenterology and a potential therapeutic target.

The role of gut microbiota in diabetic peripheral neuropathy rats with cognitive dysfunction.

Introduction: Owing to advancements in non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging, many studies have repeatedly showed that diabetes affects the central nervous system in the presence of peripheral neuropathy, suggesting a common or interacting pathological mechanism for both complications. Methods: We aimed to investigate the role of abnormal gut microbiota in rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) combined with cognitive dysfunction. Glucose-compliant rats with nerve conduction deficits were screened as a successful group of DPN rats. The DPN group was then divided into rats with combined cognitive impairment (CD) and rats with normal cognitive function (NCD) based on the results of the Novel object recognition test. Rat feces were then collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the intestinal flora. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that abnormalities in Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidia, and Actinobacteria-like microorganisms may induce DPN complicated by cognitive dysfunction.

An Environmentally Friendly Supramolecular Glue Developed from Natural 3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde.

Liquid adhesive suffers from the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have detrimental effects on human beings. Herein, an environmentally friendly glue containing a novel supramolecule dissolved in non-toxic ethanol is developed. Poly (ether amine) (PEA) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (dhba) is utilized to synthesize catechol-terminated PEA, and subsequent complexation by Fe3+ results in the supramolecular component (PEA-dhba-Fe3+). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum together with the UV-vis spectrum reveal the existence of quinone converted from catechol. Raman spectra prove the existence of a successful complex of catechol-terminated PEA with Fe3+. The tri-complex is found to be the predominant mode and can successfully form into clusters, serving as a physical cross-linking network. The PEA-dhba-Fe3+ exhibits strong adherence to metal substrates compared to polymeric substrates, with its shear strength reaching as high as 1.36 ± 0.14 MPa when the pH of the glue is adjusted to 8. The obvious improvement of adhesion originates from the formation of interfacial coordination bonds between quinone/catechol and metal atoms, as well as their cations, as revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and theoretical calculations. With consideration of its merits, including strong adhesion and the minor emission of VOCs compared to commercial epoxy and acrylic adhesives, this environmentally friendly supramolecular glue has a range of cutting-edge applications as an adhesive for metal substrates.

Self-Healable, Strong, and Tough Polyurethane Elastomer Enabled by Carbamate-Containing Chain Extenders Derived from Ethyl Carbonate.

Commercial diol chain extenders generally could only form two urethane bonds, while abundant hydrogen bonds were required to construct self-healing thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU). Herein, two diol chain extenders bis(2-hydroxyethyl) (1,3-pheny-lene-bis-(methylene)) dicarbamate (BDM) and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) (methylenebis(cyclohexane-4,1-diy-l)) dicarbamate (BDH), containing two carbamate groups were successfully synthesized through the ring-opening reaction of ethylene carbonate (EC) with 1,3-benzenedimetha-namine (MX-DA) and 4, 4'-diaminodicyclohexylmethane (HMDA). The two chain extenders were applied to successfully achieve both high strength and high self-healing ability. The BDM-1.7 and BDH-1.7 elastomers had high comprehensive self-healing efficiency (100%, 95%) after heated treatment at 60 °C, and exhibited exceptional comprehensive mechanical performances in tensile strength (20.6 ± 1.3 MPa, 37.1 ± 1.7 MPa), toughness (83.5 ± 2.0 MJ/m3, 118.8 ± 5.1 MJ/m3), puncture resistance (196.0 mJ, 626.0 mJ), and adhesion (4.6 MPa, 4.8 MPa). The peculiar mechanical and self-healing properties of TPUs originated from the coexisting short and long hard segments, strain-induced crystallization (SIC). The two elastomers with excellent properties could be applied to engineering-grade fields such as commercial sealants, adhesives, and so on.

Dual-Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for H2O2 and HClO in Living Cells and Zebrafish and Application in Alcoholic Liver Injury Monitoring.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important component for maintaining normal physiological activities in organisms, and abnormal changes in their level are often accompanied by many diseases. As the two most representative components of ROS, HClO and H2O2 play vital roles in many physiological and pathological processes and are interdependent and mutually transformable. Although there is a lot of work that has specifically detected HClO or H2O2, there are few reports on the simultaneous differential detection of HClO and H2O2. Here, we report a ratio-based fluorescent probe capable of simultaneously distinguishing HClO and H2O2 based on making the best use of the untapped potential of coumarin derivatives. This probe was triumphantly put into use in the discriminative identification of HClO and H2O2 in aqueous media with high sensitivity and selectivity, and the probe was appropriate in a wide pH range. Furthermore, the imaging experiment for HClO and H2O2 in cells and zebrafish was eventually proven to be feasible. Importantly, this probe was qualified for monitoring the variation of HClO and H2O2 levels in organisms with alcoholic liver injury.

Effect of bronchoalveolar lavage on the clinical efficacy, inflammatory factors, and immune function in the treatment of refractory pneumonia in children.

BACKGROUND: Refractory pneumonia is a special type of pneumonia in children. This study aimed to analyze the effect of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on the clinical efficacy, inflammatory factors, and immune function in the treatment of pediatric refractory pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 196 children with refractory pneumonia admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were enrolled and allocated to a study group (n=99) and a control group (n=97). The study group was treated with BAL treatment plus conventional treatment, and the control group was treated with conventional treatment. The clinical efficacy, time of fever regression, time of cough relief, and length of hospital stay were compared between groups. Changes in inflammatory factors, immune function, pulmonary ventilation function, and complications were analyzed. The levels of inflammatory factors in BAL fluid were compared. RESULTS: The times of fever remission, cough relief, and hospital stay of the study group was shorter than those of the control group, and the total clinical effective rate of the study group was higher. At any time after treatment, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the study group were lower than the control group. After 3-day of treatment, IL-6, CRP and TNF-α in BAL fluid in the study group were significantly decreased compared with before treatment. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the study group were higher than those in the control group at any time after treatment, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were lower than in the control group. The levels of oxygenation index (OI), lung dynamic compliance (Cdyn), and work of breathing (WOB) in the study group were higher than those in the control group at any time after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: BAL treatment can effectively relieve the inflammatory response, improve immune function and lung ventilation function in children with refractory pneumonia. The clinical effect is remarkable and worthy of promotion.

A self-reinforcing and self-healing elastomer with high strength, unprecedented toughness and room-temperature reparability.

The development of intrinsic self-healing elastomers with simultaneous high mechanical strength, toughness and room-temperature reparability remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report a mechano-responsive strategy, known as strain induced crystallization, to address the above issue, whereby synthesized elastomers with unprecedented high mechanical performances are bestowed with room-temperature self-healing materials, achieving tensile strength, toughness and fracture energy values of 29.0 MPa, 121.8 MJ m-3 and 104.1 kJ m-2, respectively.

Preparative isolation of neomangiferin and mangiferin from Rhizoma anemarrhenae by high-speed countercurrent chromatography using ionic liquids as a two-phase solvent system modifier.

A preparative high-speed countercurrent chromatography method for isolation and purification of neomangiferin and mangiferin from Rhizoma anemarrhenae was successfully established by using ionic liquids as the modifier of the two-phase solvent system. Neomangiferin and mangiferin were purified from the crude extract of R. anemarrhenae by using ethyl acetate-water-[C(4)mim][PF(6)] (5:5:0.2 v/v) as two-phase solvent system. In total, 22.5 mg of neomangiferin and 70.6 mg of mangiferin were obtained from 150 mg of the crude extract. The purities of neomangiferin and mangiferin were 97.2 and 98.1%, respectively, as determined by HPLC. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were identified by (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR.

Preparative isolation of flavonoid compounds from Oroxylum indicum by high-speed counter-current chromatography by using ionic liquids as the modifier of two-phase solvent system.

A preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography method for isolation and purification of flavonoid compounds from Oroxylum indicum was successfully established by using ionic liquids as the modifier of the two-phase solvent system. Two flavonoid compounds including baicalein-7-O-diglucoside and baicalein-7-O-glucoside were purified from the crude extract of O. indicum by using ethyl acetate-water-[C(4)mim][PF(6)] (5:5:0.2, v/v) as two-phase solvent system. 36.4 mg of baicalein-7-O-diglucoside and 60.5 mg of baicalein-7-O-glucoside were obtained from 120 mg of the crude extract. Their purities were 98.7 and 99.1%, respectively, as determined by HPLC area normalization method. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were identified by (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR.

Semi-preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography separation of alkaloids from embryo of the seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn by pH-gradient elution.

A new high-speed counter-current chromatography method for semi-preparative separation and purification of alkaloids from embryo of the seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn was developed by using pH-gradient elution mode. Diethyl ether was used as the stationary phase of the two-phase solvent system and Na(2)HPO(4)/NaH(2)PO(4) buffer solution with pH values of 7.5 and 7.2 in gradient mode as the mobile phase. Consequently, 33 mg of liensinine, 42 mg of isoliensinine, and 67 mg of neferine were obtained from 200 mg of crude extracts. The purities of them were all over 98% as determined by HPLC area normalization method, and the structures were identified by (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR.

Separation and purification of rutin and acaciin from the chinese medicinal herb Herba Cirsii by combination of macroporous absorption resin and high-speed counter-current chromatography.

A preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) method for isolation and purification of rutin and acaciin from the Chinese medicinal herb Herba Cirsii was successfully established. The crude extracts obtained from Herba Cirsii by water under reflux were subjected to a macroporous resin column and eluted with 10% and 60% ethanol, respectively. The fraction of 60% ethanol was used as the sample for HSCCC separation of rutin and acaciin. The two-phase solvent system used for the separation was ethyl acetate-n-butanol-water (5:1.5:5, v/v) and the upper phase was used as the stationary phase. Rutin (25.2 mg) and acaciin (21.8 mg) with a purity of 99.2% and 99.6%, respectively, were purified successfully from 60 mg of sample. The chemical structures of rutin and acaciin were identified by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR.

Preparative purification of morroniside and loganin from Fructus corni by combination of macroporous absorption resin and HSCCC.

A method for preparative purification of loganin and morroniside from Fructus corni was established by combination of macroporous absorption resin column separation and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The crude extracts obtained from Fructus corni by ultrasonic extraction with 50% methanol were subjected to separation on a macroporous resin column and then eluted with 15% and 40% ethanol, respectively. A fraction of 40% ethanol was used as the sample for separation of morroniside and loganin by HSCCC. The two-phase solvent system used for HSCCC separation was n-butanol-methanol-1% acetic acid water (4:1:6, v/v). The upper phase was used as the stationary phase of HSCCC. Morroniside (28.7 mg) of 97.8% purity and loganin (11.5 mg) of 98.6% purity were obtained in a one-step HSCCC separation from 50 mg of sample. The structures of morroniside and loganin were identified by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR.

Efficacy of 3% hypertonic saline in bronchiolitis: A meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis was performed to analyze the efficacy of 3% hypertonic saline (HS) in bronchiolitis. Pubmed and MEDLINE databases were searched for relevant articles. A total of 2 authors selected the articles according to the inclusion criteria and then data were carefully extracted. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values were used to pool continuous data, including length of stay and clinical severity score (CSS). Relative risk (RR) with 95% CI was calculated to determine the association between 3% HS and re-admission. The pooled data revealed that infants treated with 3% HS exhibited shorter durations of hospitalization compared with those treated with normal saline (NS; WMD=-0.43; 95% CI=-0.70, -0.15). Subgroup analysis examining the combination of HS or NS with additional medication demonstrated that 3% HS with epinephrine significantly decreased the length of hospital stay, with a WMD=-0.62 (95% CI=-0.90, -0.33). The results indicated a lower CSS score in the 3% HS group compared with the NS group (SMD=-0.80; 95% CI=-1.06, -0.54). The pooled outcome indicated a beneficial effect of 3% HS on decreasing re-admission rates compared with NS (RR=0.93; 95% CI=0.70, 1.23). No potential publication bias was observed (Begg's, P=0.133; Egger's, P=0.576). In conclusion, 3% HS was demonstrated to be a more successful therapy compared with NS for infants with bronchiolitis.