Surface-Modified In2O3 for High-Throughput Screening of Volatile Gas Sensors in Diesel and Gasoline.

In this paper, with the help of the method of composite materials science, parallel synthesis and high-throughput screening were used to prepare gas sensors with different molar ratios of rare earths and precious metals modified In2O3, which could be used to monitor and warn the early leakage of gasoline and diesel. Through high-throughput screening, it is found that the effect of rare earth metal modification on gas sensitivity improvement is better than other metals, especially 0.5 mol% Gd modified In2O3 (Gd0.5In) gas sensor has a high response to 100 ppm gasoline (Ra/Rg = 6.1) and diesel (Ra/Rg = 5) volatiles at 250 °C. Compared with the existing literature, the sensor has low detection concentration and suitable stability. This is mainly due to the alteration of surface chemisorption oxygen caused by the catalysis and modification of rare earth itself.

In Situ Synthesis of Hierarchical Flower-like Sn/SnO2 Heterogeneous Structure for Ethanol GAS Detection.

In this study, morphogenetic-based Sn/SnO2 graded-structure composites were created by synthesizing two-dimensional SnO sheets using a hydrothermal technique, self-assembling into flower-like structures with an average petal width of roughly 3 um. The morphology and structure of the as-synthesized samples were characterized by utilizing SEM, XRD, XPS, etc. The gas-sensing characteristics of gas sensors based on the flower-like Sn/SnO2 were thoroughly researched. The sensor displayed exceptional selectivity, a rapid response time of 4 s, and an ultrahigh response at 250 °C (Ra/Rg = 17.46). The excellent and enhanced ethanol-gas-sensing properties were mainly owing to the three-dimensional structure and the rise in the Schottky barrier caused by the in situ production of tin particles.

Effects of electroacupuncture stimulation at different spinal segmental levels in a rat model of diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with high morbidity, mortality and economic cost. Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve many symptoms of DM. OBJECTIVES: To examine for differences in effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at Weiwanxiashu, BL15 and BL23 in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM rat model, to help guide clinical selection of acupuncture points. METHODS: 90 male rats weighing 160±5 g were used. 12 rats were control fed (Normal group) and 78 were fed a high-fat high-sugar diet for 8 weeks and underwent intraperitoneal STZ injection to model DM. 60 animals that met modelling criteria were randomly divided into an untreated DM group and four groups receiving EA at Weiwanxiashu (DM+WWX group), BL15 (DM+BL15 group), BL23 (DM+BL23 group) or a non-traditional acupuncture point on the tail (DM+Tail group). Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and insulin levels were determined and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed. RESULTS: EA at Weiwanxiashu had a glucose-lowering effect on the 21st and 28th days, decreased TC, TG and LDL-C levels, increase insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance. EA at BL15 had a glucose-lowering effect on the7th, 14th and 21st days of intervention but did not impact lipids, insulin or OGTT parameters. EA at BL23 or on the tail had no significant effects. CONCLUSION: EA at Weiwanxiashu and BL15 had differential effects on metabolic markers in the STZ-induced rat model of DM. These effects may be explained neuroanatomically by variations in the segmental innervation of the tissues at these locations.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture at "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3) on Islet Morphology and the Expression of Pancreatic Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor in Type 2 Diabetes Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on pancreatic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1 R), pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1) protein expression and blood glucose in type 2 diabetes rats, so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA treatment in improving type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3) group, "Xinshu" (BL 15) group, and "Shenshu" (BL 23) group, 12 rats in each group. Diabetes model was established by feeding the rat with high fat and high sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). All the EA groups received 2 Hz, 2 mA continuous wave treatment for 20 min everyday, 6 times per week lasting for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose was measured by Roche glucometer before and after treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were used to detect pancreas morphology. GLP-1 R and PDX-1 protein expressions in the pancreas were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared to the blank control group, fasting blood glucose was significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01), accompanied with shrunken islet area, reduced nucleus counts of islet ß cells, and compensatorily enlarged ß cell nucleus. Compared to the model group, EA intervention significantly reduced fasting blood glucose level only in the EX-B 3 group (P<0.05), partly restored pancreas morphology and nucleus counts of islet ß cells in the EX-B 3, BL 15, and BL 23 groups. Compared to the blank control group, GLP-1 R and PDX-1 expressions were decreased in the model group (P<0.01), while EA treatment could obviously increase GLP-1 R expression in the EX-B 3(P<0.01), BL 15 (P<0.01) and BL 23 (P<0.05) groups compared with the model group. The expression of GLP-1 R in the BL 15 group was the highest among the three EA groups (P<0.05,P<0.01), and that in the EX-B 3 group was higher than in the BL 23 group (P<0.05).There were no signifincant differences in the expression of PDX-1 protein among the three EA groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA treatment at EX-B 3 can reduce blood glucose via regulating pancreas function, increasing pancreatic GLP-1 R expression, and partly restoring the morphology of pancreas.

PI3K-GLUT4 Signal Pathway Associated with Effects of EX-B3 Electroacupuncture on Hyperglycemia and Insulin Resistance of T2DM Rats.

Objectives. To explore electroacupuncture's (EA's) effects on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin resistance of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) model rats and give a possible explanation for the effects. Method. It takes high fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) for model preparation. Model rats were randomly divided into T2DM Model group, EA weiwanxiashu (EX-B3) group, and sham EA group (n = 12/group). EA (2 Hz continuous wave, 2 mA, 20 min/day, 6 days/week, 4 weeks) was applied as intervention. FBG, area under curve (AUC) of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), pancreatic B cell function index (HOMA-B), skeletal muscle phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and membrane GLUT4 protein expression were measured. Results. EA weiwanxiashu (EX-B3) can greatly upregulate model rat's significantly reduced skeletal muscle PI3K (Y607) and membrane GLUT4 protein expression (P < 0.01), effectively reducing model rats' FBG and AUC of OGTT (P < 0.01). The effects are far superior to sham EA group. Conclusion. EA weiwanxiashu (EX-B3) can upregulate skeletal muscle phosphorylated PI3K protein expression, to stimulate membrane translocation of GLUT4 and thereby increase skeletal muscle glucose intake to treat T2DM.

[Experimental study of glucose-lowering effects on electroacupuncture at back-shu points in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) at different acupoints for fasting blood glucose(FBG) and oral glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes rats so as to verify the glucose-lowering effects of EA. METHODS: Total 100 SD male rats were seen as experimental objects,among which 13 were randomly assigned into a blank group. Other rats were fed with high fat and high sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ) to establish type 2 diabetes model. Sixty diabetic rats were randomly assigned into a model group,a Weiwanxiashu group,a Xinshu group,a Shenshu group and a Housanli group,12 cases in each one. Combined with the improved diet habits and routines,EA (2 Hz and 2 mA) was used at "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3),"Xinshu" (BL 15),"Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Housanli" (ST 36) in the corresponding groups,6 times a week for 4 weeks. There was no treatment in the blank group and in the model group. The observation indexes were the FBG on the 7th,14th,21st,and 28th day of intervention,the instant glucose-lowering effect on the 21st day during treatment,and the area under the curve of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) after intervention. Also,the glucose regulation condition was observed. RESULTS: Type 2 diabetes model could be established by high fat and high sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of small dose STZ. Glucose decreased apparently at the end of the 1st week or the 2nd week compared with that before treatment in the Weiwanxiashu,Xinshu and Shenshu groups(P<0.05,P<0.01). The instant FBG of the Weiwanxiashu and Xinshu groups was obviously lower than that of the model and Housanli groups at the end of the 3rd week(all P<0.01). The area under the curve of OGTT of the Weiwanxiashu group was apparently smaller than that of the model group (P<0.05),and the results of the index in the other groups were not significantly different from that of the model group(all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low frequency EA at "Weiwanxiashu"(EX-B 3),"Xinshu"(BL 15) and "Shenshu"(BL 23) can reduce glucose with different onset times,effects,and durations. And "Weiwanxiashu"(EX-B 3) is more effective.

Effect on glycemia in rats with type 2 diabetes induced by streptozotocin: low-frequency electro-pulse needling stimulated Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3) and Zusanli (ST 36).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of low frequency electro-pulse acupuncture (EA) on blood glucose in rats with streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes, and the possible mechanism underlying the action. METHODS: Rat models were established with high fat feeding and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg). Rats with a random blood glucose > 16.7 mmol/L and blood glucose at 2 h-point of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) > 11.1 mmol/L were included as diabetic rats, and randomly divided into model group, EA Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3) group, EA Zusanli (ST 36) group, glimepiride group, and EA non-acupoint group (n = 12). EA (2 Hz continuous wave, 2 mA, 20 min/day, 6 days/week, 4 weeks) and intra-gastric administration of glimepiride were applied as interventions. With fasting blood glucose and OGTT tested at the end of the intervention, the study observed the patterns of hypoglycemic effects. For mechanism study, it observes hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining of pancreas paraffin sections, protein expression of glucagon- like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) in the pancreas and skeletal muscle, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression in skeletal muscle membrane, to detect whether EA controls blood glucose via regulation of GLP-1R. RESULTS: EA Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3) significantly increased model rats' pancreas GLP-1R, and GLUT4 of skeletal muscle membrane; the therapy significantly decreased model rats' skeletal muscle GLP-1R, restored pancreas morphology, and reduced fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance indices. CONCLUSION: EA Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3) alone has significant effect on glycemia. EA Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3) plus glimepiride further strengthen the effect. The regulation of the GLP-1R in pancreas and skeletal muscle might be mechanism underpinning the effect.