High Thermal Stability of Copper-Based Perovskite Scintillators for High-Temperature X-ray Detection.

High-temperature scintillation detectors play a significant role in oil exploration. However, traditional scintillators have limited ability to meet the requirements of practical applications owing to their low thermal stability. In this study, we designed and developed a one-dimensional (1D) Cs5Cu3Cl6I2 scintillator with high thermal stability. In addition, by preparing Cs5Cu3Cl7I, we proved that the Cs5Cu3Cl6I2 scintillator exhibits high thermal stability because the bridges linking the structural units in the 1D chain structure are only formed by I- ions, which improve their structural rigidity. The scintillator has a high steady-state light yield (59,700 photons MeV-1) and exhibits the highest spatial resolution for powder-based scintillation screens (18 lp mm-1) after cyclic treatment within the temperature range of 298-423 K. The Cs5Cu3Cl6I2 scintillator allows the visualization of alloy melting, indicating that it has significant potential for application in high-temperature environments. This study provides a new perspective toward the design of scintillators with high thermal stability.

Visualization of X-rays with an Ultralow Detection Limit via Zero-Dimensional Perovskite Scintillators.

X-rays play an extremely significant role in medical diagnosis, safety testing, scientific research, and other practical applications. However, as the main sources of radioactive pollution, the hazard of X-rays to human health and the environment has been a major concern. Herein, the explored perovskite scintillator of Cs2Zr1-xPbxCl6 in this work exhibits an ultrahigh radioluminescence intensity owing to the enhanced X-ray absorption for the introduction of Pb2+ ions. The Cs2Zr1-xPbxCl6 crystals are demonstrated as efficient scintillators with a self-trapped exciton emission and extremely high steady-state light yield (∼101,944 photons meV-1). This fascinating scintillator provides a convenient visual tool for X-ray detection even for an indoor lighting environment, reaching a low detection limit of ∼14.2 nGy·s-1, which is about 1/387 of the typical medical imaging dose (5.5 µGy·s-1). Moreover, X-ray imaging with a high resolution of 16.6 lp·mm-1 is achieved with the as-explored Cs2Zr1-xPbxCl6 scintillator film. Herein, the Cs2Zr1-xPbxCl6 scintillator provides a feasible strategy for X-ray monitoring in the field of biomedicine, high-energy physics, national security, and other applications.

Exploring the Effect of Individual and Group Level Factors on the Level of Rural Residents' Domestic Waste Sorting: Evidence from Shaanxi, China.

Rural residents are the main agents of rural domestic waste-sorting; their level of sorting directly relates to the improvement of their rural living environment and the construction of "beautiful countryside". Considering the data of 943 rural residents in Shaanxi Province, China, this study incorporates the factors at the individual and group levels and explores how personal norms and mianzi, which is the individual's reputation and social status, at the individual level and social capital at the group level impact the level of rural residents' domestic waste-sorting through an Ordered Probit model. The results show that personal norms and mianzi at the individual level play an important role in improving the level of rural residents' domestic waste-sorting. Meanwhile, social capital (i.e., social networking, social trust, social participation, and social norms) at the group level has significant positive impacts on the level of rural residents' domestic waste-sorting. Furthermore, mianzi plays a moderating role between personal norms, social capital, and the level of rural residents' domestic waste-sorting, respectively. These findings are useful for the Chinese government to formulate a policy about enhancing the level of rural residents' domestic waste-sorting to ease the rural environmental problem.

Saikosaponin D exerts antidepressant effect by regulating Homer1-mGluR5 and mTOR signaling in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress.

BACKGROUND: Many studies about depression have focused on the dysfunctional synaptic signaling in the hippocampus that drives the pathophysiology of depression. Radix Bupleuri has been used in China for over 2000 years to regulate liver-qi. Extracted from Radix Bupleuri, Saikosaponin D (SSD) is a pharmacologically active substance that has antidepressant effects. However, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) paradigm was used as a rat model of depression. SD rats were randomly assigned to a normal control (NC) group or one exposed to a CUMS paradigm. Of the latter group, rats were assigned to four subgroups: no treatment (CUMS), fluoxetine-treated (FLU), high-dose and low-dose SSD-treated (SSDH and SSDL). SSD was orally administrated of 1.50 mg/kg and 0.75 mg/kg/days for three weeks in the SSDH and SSDL groups, respectively. Fluoxetine was administrated at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg/days. SSD's antidepressant effects were assessed using the open field test, forced swim test, and sucrose preference test. Glutamate levels were quantified by ELISA. Western blot and immunochemical analyses were conducted to quantify proteins in the Homer protein homolog 1 (Homer1)-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in the hippocampal CA1 region. To measure related gene expression, RT-qPCR was employed. RESULTS: CUMS-exposed rats treated with SSD exhibited increases in food intake, body weight, and improvements in the time spent in the central are and total distance traveled in the OFT, and less pronounced pleasure-deprivation behaviors. SSD also decreased glutamate levels in CA1. In CA1 region of CUMS-exposed rats, SSD treatment increased mGluR5 expression while decreasing Homer1 expression. SSD also increased expressions of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and synapsin I (SYP), and the ratios of p-mTOR/mTOR, p-p70S6k/p70S6k, and p-4E-BP1/4E-BP1 in the CA1 region in CUMS-exposed rats. CONCLUSIONS: SSD treatment reduces glutamate levels in the CA1 region and promotes the expression of the synaptic proteins PSD-95 and SYP via the regulation of the Homer1-mGluR5 and downstream mTOR signaling pathways. These findings suggest that SSD could act as a natural neuroprotective agent in the prevention of depression.

Extracellular Vesicles: Emerging Roles in Developing Therapeutic Approach and Delivery Tool of Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Depressive Disorder.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-delimited particles released by cells, which play an essential role in intercellular communication by delivering cellular components including DNA, RNA, lipids, metabolites, cytoplasm, and cell surface proteins into recipient cells. EVs play a vital role in the pathogenesis of depression by transporting miRNA and effector molecules such as BDNF, IL34. Considering that some herbal therapies exhibit antidepressant effects, EVs might be a practical delivery approach for herbal medicine. Since EVs can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), one of the advantages of EV-mediated herbal drug delivery for treating depression with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is that EVs can transfer herbal medicine into the brain cells. This review focuses on discussing the roles of EVs in the pathophysiology of depression and outlines the emerging application of EVs in delivering CHM for the treatment of depression.

Understanding the key factors determining rural domestic waste treatment behavior in China: a meta-analysis.

The growing interest of policy-makers, environmental stakeholders, and academics in rural domestic waste treatment has made it a recent focus of research in the field of rural human settlements. Many studies have been conducted to understand the related factors; however, their results are inconsistent. Therefore, different from previous studies, the study systematically analyzed and summarized empirical studies on rural domestic waste treatment and explored the key factors that fostered and impeded it. It also examined the reasons for differences in research level and trends in key factors over time. A random-effects meta-analysis of 24 studies revealed that education, political status, perceived value, behavioral attitude, subjective norm, garbage collection facilities and services, environmental knowledge and propaganda, and government policy and regulation had a significant positive correlation with rural domestic waste treatment; perceived value had the highest impact, followed by behavioral attitude. All of the variables had significant heterogeneity. Some of the heterogeneity can be explained by differences in research methods, sample size, and variable measurement methods. An increasing trend was observed in the effects of perceived value, behavioral attitude, and subjective norm. Finally, based on these results, the study provided suggestions on policy and academic aspects.

Antidepressant Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Xiaoyaosan in CUMS-Induced Depressed Mouse Model via RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL Mediated Necroptosis Based on Network Pharmacology Analysis.

Background: Depression is a stress-related disorder that seriously threatens people's physical and mental health. Xiaoyaosan is a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula, which has been used to treat mental depression since ancient times. More and more notice has been given to the relationship between the occurrence of necroptosis and the pathogenesis of mental disorders. Objective: The purpose of present study is to explore the potential mechanism of Xiaoyaosan for the treatment of depression using network pharmacology and experimental research, and identify the potential targets of necroptosis underlying the antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan. Methods: The mice model of depression was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 6 weeks. Adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups, including control group, chronic unpredictable mild stress group, Xiaoyaosan treatment group, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) group and solvent group. Drug intervention performed from 4th to 6th week of modeling. The mice in Xiaoyaosan treatment group received Xiaoyaosan by intragastric administration (0.254 g/kg/d), and mice in CUMS group received 0.5 ml physiological saline. Meanwhile, the mice in Nec-1 group were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with Nec-1 (10 mg/kg/d), and the equivalent volume of DMSO/PBS (8.3%) was injected into solvent group mice. The behavior tests such as sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and novelty-suppressed feeding test were measured to evaluate depressive-like behaviors of model mice. Then, the active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan and the related targets of depression and necroptosis were compiled through appropriate databases, while the "botanical drugs-active ingredients-target genes" network was constructed by network pharmacology analysis. The expressions of RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL, p-MLKL were detected as critical target genes of necroptosis and the potential therapeutic target compounds of Xiaoyaosan. Furthermore, the levels of neuroinflammation and microglial activation of hippocampus were measured by detecting the expressions of IL-1ß, Lipocalin-2 and IBA1, and the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained was used to observe the morphology in hippocampus sections. Results: After 6-weeks of modeling, the behavioral data showed that mice in CUMS group and solvent group had obvious depressive-like behaviors, and the medication of Xiaoyaosan or Nec-1 could improve these behavioral changes. A total of 96 active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan which could regulate the 23 key target genes were selected from databases. Xiaoyaosan could alleviate the core target genes in necroptosis and improve the hippocampal function and neuroinflammation in depressed mice. Conclusion: The activation of necroptosis existed in the hippocampus of CUMS-induced mice, which was closely related to the pathogenesis of depression. The antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan included the regulation of multiple targets in necroptosis. It also suggested that necroptosis could be a new potential target for the treatment of depression.

Potential therapeutic effect and methods of traditional Chinese medicine on COVID-19-induced depression: A review.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) has spread all over the world with a high infection rate. Currently, there are no targeted therapeutic drugs for COVID-19 as well as for stress induced by COVID-19. The unpredictable events of COVID-19 can trigger feelings of fear, worry, or unease in people, leading to stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety. It has been reported that individuals, including COVID-19 patients, medical staff, and ordinary people, are under both physical and psychological pressure, and many of them have developed depression or anxiety during this pandemic. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in treating depression with relatively better safety and efficacy and may have an important role in treating stress-related disorders induced by COVID-19. In this review, we collected the common TCM treatment methods including Qigong, Acupuncture, Five Elements Musical Therapy, Five Elements Emotional Therapy, and Chinese herbal medicine from the databases of PubMed and the China National Knowledge Internet to illustrate the effect of TCM on depression. The better knowledge of TCM and implementation of TCM in COVID-19 clinics may help to effectively improve depression induced by COVID-19, may assist people to maintain a healthy physical and mental quality, and may alleviate the current shortage of medical resources.

Investigation of the Effects and Mechanisms of Dendrobium loddigesii Rolfe Extract on the Treatment of Gout.

OBJECTIVE: Gout is a chronic disease that causes inflammatory arthritis, which is closely related to urate accumulation induced by a disorder of uric acid metabolism and the consequent deposition of monosodium urate crystals. Dendrobium loddigesii Rolfe is an herbal medicine that has been used in some traditional Chinese medicine formulae in the treatment of gout. This study aimed to explore and verify the antigout activity of Dendrobium loddigesii extract (DLE) on alleviating the hyperuricaemia of mice and the acute gouty arthritis of rats. METHODS: An animal model of hyperuricaemia was established using potassium oxonate (PO). We analysed the expression of uric acid transporter mRNA in the kidney in the hyperuricaemic mice after treatment with DLE. Simultaneously, a monosodium urate crystal-induced acute gouty arthritis rat model was used to evaluate the effects of DLE, according to the level of ankle swelling, as well as the protein levels of inflammatory receptors and cytokines, as assayed by WB and ELISA. RESULTS: DLE alleviated hyperuricaemia in mice and inhibited acute gouty arthritis in rats (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, DLE regulated the levels of uric acid transporters mRNA transcripts, including mouse organic anion transporter 1 (mOAT1), organic anion transporter 3 (mOAT3), urate transporter 1 (mURAT1), and glucose transporter 9 (mGLUT9) in the kidney (P < 0.05), suggesting that DLE promoted uric acid metabolism. Furthermore, DLE significantly suppressed the protein levels of TLRs, MyD88, and NF-κB in the ankle joint's synovium (P < 0.05), and the serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were also reduced, which demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of DLE. CONCLUSION: DLE alleviates hyperuricaemia by regulating the transcription level of uric acid transporters in the kidney. It also inhibits acute gouty arthritis by inhibiting the pathway of TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB in the ankle joint's synovium. The findings of the present study imply that DLE alleviates gout by promoting uric acid metabolism and inhibiting inflammation related to the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Structure-based design and synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as novel and potent Nek2 inhibitors with in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities.

We present herein the discovery and development of novel and potent Nek2 inhibitors with distinctive in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity based on an imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffold. Our studies identified a nonlinear SAR for activity against both Nek2 and cancer cells. Bioisostere and structure-based design techniques were employed to identify compounds 42c (MBM-17, IC50 = 3.0 nM) and 42g (MBM-55, IC50 = 1.0 nM), which displayed low nanomolar activity and excellent selectivity for Nek2. Both compounds effectively inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Importantly, the salts form of these two compounds (MBM-17S and MBM-55S) significantly suppressed tumor growth in vivo without apparent toxicity based on appearance and changes in body weight. In summary, MBM-17 and MBM-55 displayed the potential for substantial therapeutic application in cancer treatment.

[Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of BiOCL: Dy3⁺Phosphors for NUV Excited White Light-Emitting Diodes].

Abstract In the present paper, we reported the luminescence properties of BiOCl:Dy(3+) and BiOCl:Dy(3+), Li+ phosphor synthesized by conventional solid state method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and excitation and emission spectroscopy were used to characterize the samples. Results show that pure tetragonal BiOCl:Dy(3+) crystals can be synthesized successfully at 500 °C, and Li+ ion dopant improves the crystallinity of samples furtherly. Under near UV light excitation, the samples,give the characteristic luminescence of Dy(3+) ions located at 478 (blue) and 574 nm (yellow), which show a low yellow-to-blue intensity ratio (Y/B) of Dy(3+) emission and white light emission. Moreover, codoping of Li+ ion can realize the enhancement of emission intensity and the adjustment of emission color. The characteristics of BiOCl:Dy(3+) phosphor, low temperature preparation, good near ultraviolet excitation and white light emission make it to a promising near-ultraviolet WLED phosphor.

[Effect of Eu ions on the Ag nanoparticles precipitation and their optical properties in borate glasses].

Eu-Ag co-doped borate glasses were prepared by the high temperature solid method in the present work. Absorption and emission spectra were employed to investigate the precipitation of Ag nanoparticles, which is influenced by the network form B2O3 and the co-doped Eu ions. It was found in the absorption spectra of Eu-Ag co-doped sample that a broad band centered at about 410 nm emerged and their intensity decreased with the increase in the BZ 03 concentration. Meanwhile, under the excitation of 340 nm, a broad emission band was observed in the wavelength range of 350-600 nm, which belongs to the blue-green light of Ag aggregates. The intensity of the Ag aggregates presented an increasing tendency with the increase in the B2O3 contents. The weak characteristic emission of Ag aggregates and Eu3+ was observed respectively in their singly doped samples. It is concluded that both their emissions get significant enhancement when Eu ions and Ag ions are used for co-doping the sample. In addition, the increased absorption of Ag nanoparticles was detected with the increase in the Eu ions concentration. Herein, the mechanism behind Eu3+ contribution to the precipitation of Ag nanoparticles is discussed in detail. The luminescence properties of borate glasses can be controlled by the microstructure of the borate glasses. Therefore, the white emission can be realized by the adjustment of glass structure and Eu ions concentration, owing to the red light from Eu3+ : (5)D0-->(7)Fj electronic transition and the blue-green light form the broad emission of Ag aggregates. The borate glasses are expected to be the candidates for the light-emission diode (LED) luminescent materials.

[Photo-stimulated and long persistent luminescence properties of Sr3SiO5 : Eu2+, RE3+ (RE = Nd3+, Ho3+, La3+)].

A series of electron capture materials Sr3SiO5 : Eu2+, RE3+ (RE = Nd3+, Ho3+, La3+) were prepared by high temperature solid state method. The photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) and long afterglow performance were evaluated. After excited by UV light, it showed a strong up-conversion photo-stimulated read-out response when stimulated by 980 nm laser, which is attributed to the existence of deep traps (438 K). This property was especially shown in Sr3 SiO5 : Eu2+, La3+ and Sr3SiO5 : EU2+, Ho3+. Subsequently, the trapping depth and carrier concentration were studied. In this way, we verified the cause of PSL. The calculation of parameters of trapping electron in the thermoluminescence spectrum is through the method of Chen's half width, getting the value of trapping depth under the temperature of 438 K, which contrasts to the energy of 980 nm laser radiation. At the same time, the afterglow performance after co-doping with rare earth ion was greatly improved. The afterglow time of Sr3 SiO5 : Eu2+ , La3+ is up to 12 hours. Research results show that the change in mixed trap structure is the primary cause of photo-stimulated and long persistent luminescence properties.

[Preparation and up-conversion luminescence properties of Yb3+/Tm3+ co-doped Sb2O4 powder].

The Sb2O4:Yb3+, Tm3+ up-conversion luminescence powder with excellent physical, chemical stability and relative low phonon energy was synthesized by the high temperature solid-state reaction and its up-conversion luminescence property was investigated. Under the 980 nm excitation, infrared and blue up-conversion emissions centered at 800 and 480 nm were observed, which were assigned to the 1G4-->3H6 and 3H4-->3 He transitions of Tm2+, respectively. The influence of Yb3+ and Tm3+ concentration on the up-conversion emission property was also obtained. The up-conversion luminescence increases with increasing of Yb3+ and Tm3+ concentration. Additionally, the up-conversion luminescence mechanism was discussed based on the dependence of Tm3+ up-conversion luminescence on pump power. It is interesting that two photon excitation processes for blue and infrared emission were observed in the Sb2O04: Yb3+, Tm3+ powder under a 980 nm excitation. Based on the energy level diagram of Tma3 and Yb2+ ions, we think that two photons blue emission is contributed to the cooperation energy transfer between Tm"+ and Yb3+ ions. We believe that the Sbz04 : Yb3 , Tm2+ up-conversion luminescence powder will have potential application for new optical devices in up-conversion color displays, sensors, detection of infrared radiation, and lasers.

[Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Eu3+, Bi3+ codoped BaZrO3 phosphors].

The BaZrO3 : 0.05Bi, xEu(x = 0, 0.010, 0.025, 0.050) phosphors were prepared by using high-temperature solid-state reaction in reducing atmosphere, and their photoluminescence properties were investigated. The broadband emission peak of Bi3+ and the typical emission peaks of Eu3+ were observed in the BaZrO3 phosphors co-doped with Bi3+ and Eu3+ under 340 nm excitation. It is confirmed that energy transfer occurred between Bi3+ and Eu3+ in the BaZrO3 : Bi, Eu phosphors, and the white light BaZrO3 phosphors can be obtained through the energy transfer between Bi3+ and Eu3+.

[Effect of bivalent alkaline earth fluorides introduction on thermal stability and spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Tm3+ /Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluorogermanate glasses].

Transparent Er3+/Tm3+ /Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluorogermanate glasses alone containing MgF2, CaF2, SrF2 or BaF2 and nano-glass-ceramics only containing BaF2 were prepared. The thermal stabilities and the up-conversion emission properties of the samples were investigated. Analyses of absorbance spectra reveal that the UV cutoff band moves slightly to shortwave band with the doping bivalent cation mass increasing. The results show that the emission color can be adjusted by changing the alkaline earth cation species in the glass matrixes, especially as Mg2+ is concerned, and the emission intensity can increase notably by heating the glass containing alkaline-earth fluoride into glass ceramic containing alkaline-earth fluoride nanocrystals or increasing the content of bivalent alkaline earth fluorides.

Diastereoselectively switchable enantioselective trapping of carbamate ammonium ylides with imines.

The diastereoselectively switchable enantioselective trapping of protic carbamate ammonium ylides with imines is reported. The intriguing Rh(2)(OAc)(4) and chiral Brønsted acid cocatalyzed three-component Mannich-type reaction of a diazo compound, a carbamate, and an imine provides rapid and efficient access to both syn- and anti-α-substituted α,ß-diamino acid derivatives with a high level control of chemo-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity.

Steroidal glycosides from Dregea sinensis var. corrugata screened by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

The MS fragmentation behavior of the C-21 steroidal glycosides from Dregea sinensis var. corrugata was investigated by positive and negative ion electrospray ionization MS using a multistage tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an ion trap analyzer. The mass fragmentation patterns of steroidal glycosides substituted with an orthoacetate group were summarized, and the fragmentation patterns were applied to the online structure identification of the steroidal glycosides in the extract. Eighteen new C-21 steroidal glycosides were identified by means of HPLC-HRESIMS and HPLC-DAD-ESIMS(n). Three new compounds (1, 4, and 7) were identified by HPLC-DAD-ESIMS(n), and their structures were elucidated by use of 1D and 2D NMR methods. The structures identified by MS are fully consistent with those elucidated by NMR data. The present study shows that HPLC-DAD-ESIMS(n) can be used as an effective tool to rapidly identify compounds and guide the isolation of target compounds from crude plant extracts.

Structural characterization of constituents with molecular diversity in fractions from Lysidice brevicalyx by liquid chromatography/diode-array detection/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/nuclear magnetic resonance.

A combination of electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC/ESI-MSn), and hyphenation of liquid chromatography to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HPLC/NMR), have been extensively utilized for on-line analysis of natural products, analyzing metabolite and drug impurity. In our last paper, we reported an on-line analytical method for structural identification of trace alkaloids in the same class. However, the structural types of the constituents in plants were various, such as flavanoids, terpenoids and steroids. It is important to establish an effective analytical method for on-line structural identification of constituents with molecular diversity in extracts of plants. So, in the present study, the fragmentation patterns of some isolated stilbenes, phloroglucinols and flavanoids from Lysidice rhodostegia were investigated by ESI-MSn. Their fragmentation rules and UV characteristics are summarized, and the relationship between the spectral characteristics, rules and the structures is described. According to the fragmentation rules, NMR and UV spectral characteristics, 24 constituents of different types in the fractions from L. brevicalyx of the same genus were structurally characterized on the basis of HPLC/HRMS, HPLC-UV/ESI-MSn, HPLC/1H NMR and HPLC/1H-1H COSY rapidly. Of these, six (10, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 23) are new compounds and all of them are reported from L. brevicalyx for the first time. The aim is to develop an effective analytical method for on-line structural identification of natural products with molecular diversity in plants, and to guide the rapid and direct isolation of novel compounds by chemical screening.