High-Reversibility Sulfur Anode for Advanced Aqueous Battery.

Despite being extensively explored as cathodes in batteries, sulfur (S) can function as a low-potential anode by changing charge carriers in electrolytes. Here, a highly reversible S anode that fully converts from S8 0 to S2- in static aqueous S-I2 batteries by using Na+ as the charge carrier is reported. This S anode exhibits a low potential of -0.5 V (vs standard hydrogen electrode) and a near-to-theoretical capacity of 1404 mA h g-1 . Importantly, it shows significant advantages over the widely used Zn anode in aqueous media by obviating dendrite formation and H2 evolution. To suppress "shuttle effects" faced by both S and I2 electrodes, a scalable sulfonated polysulfone (SPSF) membrane is proposed, which is superior to commercial Nafion in cost (US$1.82 m-2  vs $3500 m-2 ) and environmental benignity. Because of its ultra-high selectivity in blocking polysulfides/iodides, the battery with SPSF displays excellent cycling stability. Even under 100% depth of discharge, the battery demonstrates high capacity retention of 87.6% over 500 cycles, outperforming Zn-I2 batteries with 3.1% capacity under the same conditions. These findings broaden anode options beyond metals for high-energy, low-cost, and fast-chargeable batteries.

DiSignAtlas: an atlas of human and mouse disease signatures based on bulk and single-cell transcriptomics.

Molecular signatures are usually sets of biomolecules that can serve as diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, or therapeutic markers for a specific disease. Omics data derived from various high-throughput molecular biology technologies offer global, unbiased and appropriately comparable data, which can be used to identify such molecular signatures. To address the need for comprehensive disease signatures, DiSignAtlas (http://www.inbirg.com/disignatlas/) was developed to provide transcriptomics-based signatures for a wide range of diseases. A total of 181 434 transcriptome profiles were manually curated from studies involving 1836 nonredundant disease types in humans and mice. Then, 10 306 comparison datasets comprising both disease and control samples, including 328 single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, were established. Furthermore, a total of 3 775 317 differentially expressed genes in humans and 1 723 674 in mice were identified as disease signatures by analysing transcriptome profiles using commonly used pipelines. In addition to providing multiple methods for the retrieval of disease signatures, DiSignAtlas provides downstream functional enrichment analysis, cell type analysis and signature correlation analysis between diseases or species when available. Moreover, multiple analytical and comparison tools for disease signatures are available. DiSignAtlas is expected to become a valuable resource for both bioscientists and bioinformaticians engaged in translational research.

Prefrontal cortical hemodynamics and functional network organization during Tai Chi standing meditation: an fNIRS study.

Introduction: Tai Chi standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang, also called pile standing) is characterized by meditation, deep breathing, and mental focus based on theories of traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of the present study was to explore prefrontal cortical hemodynamics and the functional network organization associated with Tai Chi standing meditation by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods: Twenty-four channel fNIRS signals were recorded from 24 male Tai Chi Quan practitioners (54.71 ± 8.04 years) while standing at rest and standing during Tai Chi meditation. The general linear model and the SPM method were used to analyze the fNIRS signals. Pearson correlation was calculated to determine the functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortical sub-regions. The small world properties of the FC networks were then further analyzed based on graph theory. Results: During Tai Chi standing meditation, significantly higher concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin were observed in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), frontal eye field (FEF), and pre-motor cortex (PMC) compared with the values measured during standing rest (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, significant decreases in deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration were observed in left VLPFC, right PMC and DLPFC during Tai Chi standing meditation than during standing rest (p < 0.05). Functional connectivity between the left and right PFC was also significantly stronger during the Tai Chi standing meditation (p < 0.05). The functional brain networks exhibited small-world architecture, and more network hubs located in DLPFC and VLPFC were identified during Tai Chi standing meditation than during standing rest. Discussion: These findings suggest that Tai Chi standing meditation introduces significant changes in the cortical blood flow and the brain functional network organization.

Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis for Direct Conversion of L-Ornithine Monohydrochloride to L-Ornithine.

In this study, bipolar membrane electrodialysis was proposed to directly convert L-ornithine monohydrochloride to L-ornithine. The stack configuration was optimized in the BP-A (BP, bipolar membrane; A, anion exchange membrane) configuration with the Cl- ion migration through the anion exchange membrane rather than the BP-A-C (C, cation exchange membrane) and the BP-C configurations with the L-ornithine+ ion migration through the cation exchange membrane. Both the conversion ratio and current efficiency follow BP-A > BP-A-C > BP-C, and the energy consumption follows BP-A < BP-A-C < BP-C. Additionally, the voltage drop across the membrane stack (two repeating units) and the feed concentration were optimized as 7.5 V and 0.50 mol/L, respectively, due to the low value of the sum of H+ ions leakage (from the acid compartment to the base compartment) and OH- ions migration (from the base compartment to the acid compartment) through the anion exchange membrane. As a result, high conversion ratio (96.1%), high current efficiency (95.5%) and low energy consumption (0.31 kWh/kg L-ornithine) can be achieved. Therefore, bipolar membrane electrodialysis is an efficient, low energy consumption and environmentally friendly method to directly convert L-ornithine monohydrochloride to L-ornithine.

Differences in muscle coordination between older men and women during brisk walking.

Brisk walking is a highly recommended physical activity for healthy community-dwelling older adults. The objective of this study was to examine through principal component analysis (PCA) how muscle coordination differs between older women and men during brisk walking. Thirty-five healthy older adults (65.2 ± 3.0 years old, 18 females, and 17 males) participated in the study. Eight surface electromyographic electrodes were used to record lower extremity muscle activities, and four inertial measurement unit sensors to monitor hip, knee, and ankle motion. Energy expenditure and heart rate were also measured during brisk walking. The effects of a person's sex on muscle coordination were identified through wavelet and PCA analysis of the sEMG signals. The results of energy expenditure and heart rate confirmed that brisk walking exercise is beneficial for older adults. PCA analysis showed that muscle coordination patterns differ between older women and men: during the stance phase a greater co-contraction of tibialis anterior and soleus in the men, and a greater activation of the quadriceps muscles during the loading-response phase in the women. The wavelet and PCA analyses facilitated a quantitative appraisal of sex-specific differences in the muscle coordination patterns of older men and women during brisk walking.

A bioinspired snap-through metastructure for manipulating micro-objects.

Micro-objects stick tenaciously to each other-a well-known show-stopper in microtechnology and in handling micro-objects. Inspired by the trigger plant, we explore a mechanical metastructure for overcoming adhesion involving a snap-action mechanism. We analyze the nonlinear mechanical response of curved beam architectures clamped by a tunable spring, incorporating mono- and bistable states. As a result, reversible miniaturized snap-through devices are successfully realized by micron-scale direct printing, and successful pick-and-place handling of a micro-object is demonstrated. The technique is applicable to universal scenarios, including dry and wet environment, or smooth and rough counter surfaces. With an unprecedented switching ratio (between high and low adhesion) exceeding 104, this concept proposes an efficient paradigm for handling and placing superlight objects.

Enhanced photocatalytic organic pollutant degradation and H2 evolution reaction over carbon nitride nanosheets: N defects abundant materials.

Post thermal treatment of bulk graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) by ammonia gas acts as a significant structure regulation approach, while pure ammonia-assisted g-C3N4 synthesis from precursors like melamine is rarely investigated. Here we prove the synthesis of N-defects abundant carbon nitride nanosheets (ACN) through a one-pot thermal polymerization of melamine in pure ammonia gas, for photocatalytic organic pollutant removal in water and H2 evolution applications. Compared to bulk g-C3N4 (BCN), ACN-550 (ACN prepared at 550 °C) exhibited thin-layered porous morphology with higher surface area and abundant N defects, resulting in wider distribution of active sites. Moreover, the abundant N defects in the heptazine heterocycle structure could change the electronic structure of g-C3N4, leading to more efficient transport of photogenerated charge carriers and enhanced photoreduction potential, which gives rise to notable improvement activities in photocatalytic reaction. With superoxide ion radical and photoinduced holes as the predominant reactive species, ACN-550 realized efficient photocatalytic bisphenol A (BPA) degradation, which is 1.6- and 4.7-fold high over commercial TiO2 (P25) and BCN, respectively. ACN-550 exhibited excellent reusability and stability in five consecutive photocatalytic BPA degradation tests. In photo-reductive H2 production system by ACN-550, 761.8 ± 4.3 µmol/h/g H2 was produced, which was 11.6-fold as high as that by BCN.

Research on the Contour Modeling Method of Peripheral Nerve Internal Fascicular Groups During the Non-Splitting/Merging Phase and Distribution Rules of Model Parameters.

Objectives: To investigate benchmark data for docking the same functional nerve bundles based on the mathematical contour model of peripheral nerve internal fascicular groups. Materials and Methods: First, the discrete points of the original contours of nerve bundles were extracted into a dataset through the image process. Second, two indicators were employed to evaluate the modeling precision. Third, the dataset was modeled by the 3rd-order quasi-uniform B-spline method. Fourth, the dataset was modeled by the Fourier transform method. Fifth, all contours were modeled by the 4th-order Fourier method. Then, the histogram of each parameter from the Fourier model was calculated. Furthermore, the probability density function was fit to each parameter. Results: First, the optimized sampling number of the 3rd-order quasi-uniform B-spline method is 21. The sampling number is the control point number of the 3rd-order quasi-uniform B-spline, which produces more than 63 parameters in the model. Second, when the Fourier transform model is employed to model the contour of nerve bundles, the optimized order number yields a 4th-order Fourier model, which has 16 parameters. Third, when all contours are modeled by the 4th-order Fourier model, the statistical analysis shows that (1) the pitch parameters a1 and d1 obey the mixed Gaussian distribution; (2) the harmonic parameter b3 obeys the normal distribution; and (3) the pitch parameters b1 and c1 and the remaining harmonic parameters obey the t distribution with position and scale. Conclusion: This work paves the way for the exploration of the correlation between model parameters and spatial extension.

Effects of acute exercise on craving and cortical hemodynamics under drug-cue exposure in MA-dependent individuals.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine (MA) dependent individuals who want to break free of their drug habit or guard against a relapse often find it hard to overcome cravings induced by drug-related cues they are bound to encounter. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute virtual reality (VR) enhanced physical exercise on cue-induced cravings in MA-dependent individuals. METHODS: Thirty MA-dependent individuals performed a drug-cue reactivity task both before and after a 10 min VR-enhanced competitive cycling exercise. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was recorded during the pre- and post-exercise drug-cue reactivity tasks. RESULTS: MA dependent individuals show higher hemodynamic responses in prefrontal cortex (PFC) to drug-related cues than to neutral cues. After acute exercise, hemodynamic responses in PFC, including bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex, were attenuated under the same drug-related cues exposure. Acute exercise also affected the functional connectivity between PFC and motor cortex in response to drug-related cues versus neutral cues. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a single session of VR-enhanced competitive cycling exercise facilitates MA-dependent individuals' self-control over their cue-induced cravings by modulating cortical activations and brain functional networks.

New lignans from the fruits of Leonurus japonicus and their hepatoprotective activities.

Twelve tetrahydrofuran lignans (1-12), including six new compounds (1-6), were isolated from the 70% EtOH extract of the fruits of Leonurus japonicus. Spectroscopic analyses and ECD and OR calculations were used to determine their structures. Compounds 5 and 6 were unusual alkaloidal lignans with a butyrolactam unit. Based on the beneficial effects of the fruits of L. japonicus (Chongweizi in Chinese) on the liver in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the hepatocyte protective activities of the isolates were studied by MTT, Hoechst 33,342 staining, and western blotting. The MTT results revealed that compounds 1, 2, 7, and 8 significantly increased the survival rates of HL-7702 cells injured by acetaminophen, with EC50 values of 10.41 ± 0.90 µM, 19.86 ± 3.13 µM, 9.68 ± 1.93 µM, and 21.35 ± 3.58 µM, respectively. In the Hoechst 33,342 fluorescence staining, compounds 1 and 7 suppressed the apoptosis of the injured HL-7702 cells. Furthermore, the western blot analysis showed that compounds 1 and 7 increased the Bcl-2/Bax protein expression ratio and procaspase-3 protein expression, indicating that compounds 1 and 7 may exert hepatoprotective activity by regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Metabolic profile of danshen in rats by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae), is one of the traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) most commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, little is known about the chemical and metabolic profiles of danshen in vitro or in vivo. In particular, more information is needed in relation to the 50% ethanol extracts usually used in danshen formulations such as Fufang Xueshuantong Capsules and Fufang Danshen tablets. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometer (HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap) provides a sensitive and accurate method for analyzing the composition of samples. This method was used to determine the in vitro and in vivo chemical and metabolic profiles of danshen. Sixty-nine components of danshen extract and 118 components of danshen in rat plasma, urine, feces, and bile were unambiguously or tentatively identified. These results not only revealed the material composition of danshen, but also provided a comprehensive research approach for the identification of multi-constituents in TCMs.

Effect of aspirin on the pharmacokinetics and absorption of panax notoginseng saponins.

BACKGROUND: Panax notoginseng saponins, a traditional Chinese medicine extraction, and aspirin are both widely used to treat cerebral infarction in China. Good results in clinical practice have been achieved, when Panax notoginseng saponins was taken together with aspirin. METHODS: To investigate the interaction of the two drugs in vivo, the concentration of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Re and Rd. in blood were simultaneously measured by UPLC/MS/MS. Sample preparation was carried out by the protein precipitation technique with an internal standard saikosaponin A standard. The separation of six components was achieved by using an ACQUITY UPLC ®BEH C18 column (1.7µm 2.1×100mm) by gradient elution using water (containing 0.2% formic acid) and acetonitrile (containing 0.2% formic acid) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2mL/min. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental analysis. The transport of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Re and Rd. in MDCK -MDR1 cell monolayer was also used to verify the conclusion of pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction and study the mechanism of drug interaction. RESULTS: The concentrations of the five components increased in a certain extent when the two drugs administered together in rats. The values of apparent permeability coefficients were significantly increased when the two drugs were used together. Aspirin and salicylic acid could destroy the tight junction protein and open the intercellular space to increase the absorption of Panax notoginseng saponins. CONCLUSION: Pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction in vivo existed between Panax notoginseng saponins and aspirin. The drug-drug interaction mainly occurred in the process of absorption.

Pharmacokinetics of Panax notoginseng Saponins in Adhesive and Normal Preparation of Fufang Danshen.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Fufang Danshen formula, a famous Chinese patent medicine containing Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax notoginseng and borneol, has been widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease. The application is restricted by low bioavailability partly due to Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) instability and low in vivo absorption. Thus, adhesive pellets were developed to improve bioavailability. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the adhesive preparation by describing PNS's plasma pharmacokinetics in vivo and compare adhesive micro pills with normal preparation. METHOD: LC-MS/MS method was established to analyze five ingredients, notoginsenoside R1 (R1), ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), ginsenoside Re (Re), and ginsenoside Rd (Rd), in rats' plasma to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters of PNS. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters were significantly different after oral administration three formulations. The results show adhesive formulations are superior to Fufang Danshen tablet (FDT); there are differences between the two adhesive, but not obvious. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the modification with adhesive materials improved PNS bioavailability in Fufang Danshen formula. These findings provide a way for further in vivo evaluation of different formulations.

Puerarin transport across rat nasal epithelial cells and the influence of compatibility with peoniflorin and menthol.

Nose-to-brain transport can provide an excellent pathway for drugs of the central nervous system. Consequently, how to make full use of this pathway in practical applications has become a focus of drug design. However, many aspects affecting drug delivery from the nose to the brain remain unclear. This study aimed to more deeply investigate the transport of puerarin and to explore the mechanism underlying the influence of compatible drugs on puerarin permeability in a primary cell model simulating the nasal mucosa. In this research, based on rat nasal epithelial cells (RNECs) cultured in vitro and cytotoxicity assays, the bidirectional transport of puerarin across RNEC monolayers and the effect of its compatibility with peoniflorin and menthol were analyzed. The apparent permeability coefficient was <1.5×10-6 cm/s, and the efflux ratio of puerarin was <2, indicating that puerarin had poor absorption and that menthol but not peoniflorin significantly improved puerarin transport. Simultaneously, through experiments, such as immunofluorescence staining, transepithelial electrical resistance measurement, rhodamine 123 efflux evaluation, the cell membrane fluorescence recovery after photobleaching test, and ATPase activity determination, the permeability promoting mechanism of menthol was confirmed to be closely related to disruption of the tight junction protein structure, to the P-glycoprotein inhibitory effect, to increased membrane fluidity, and to the promotion of enzyme activity. These results provide reliable data on nasal administration of the studied drugs and lay the foundation for a deeper investigation of the nose-brain pathway and nasal administration.

[Optimize ethanol-extraction procedure of Shenlian granules by orthogonal design with pharmacodynamics index].

To optimize the ethanol extraction process for Shenlian formula. On the basis of the pharmacodynamics index for different extraction process routes, the contents of salvianolic acid B, tanshinone ⅡA and berberine, as well as the extraction ratio in different experimental schemes were used as the ethanol extraction examining indexes, and multi-criterion synthesizing grading method was used for data analysis to optimize and verify the ethanol-extraction process conditions in orthogonal experiment. The optimum ethanol extraction process was as follows: adding 60% ethanol, 10 times amount, extracting for 2.0 h each time for a total of 2 times. This extraction process showed good stability and availability.

Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on the pharmacokinetics of aspirin in rats.

Aspirin (ASA) is widely used to treat fever, pain, inflammation and cerebral infarction in clinic. Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) is the extracts of Panax Notoginseng (PN)-a traditional Chinese medicine extensively used in cardiovascular diseases. Panax notoginseng saponins and ASA are both widely used to treat cerebral infarction in China. Good results in clinical practice have been achieved when the two drugs were taken together. To investigate the effect of PNS on ASA in vivo, the concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) in blood were measured after oral administration of ASA or ASA combined with PNS by UPLC-MS/MS. Sample preparation was carried out by the protein precipitation technique with an internal Saikosaponin A standard. The separation of two components was achieved by using an ACQUITY UPLC ®BEH C18 Column (1.7µm 2.1×100mm) by gradient elution using water (containing 0.2% formic acid) and acetonitrile (containing 0.2% formic acid) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2mL/min. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by using non-compartmental analysis. The results suggested that drug-drug interaction in vivo existed between PNS and ASA. The concentration of the SA was increasing when the two drugs were administered together. The transport of ASA and SA in MDCK -MDR1 cell monolayer was used to verify this conclusion. The values of apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) were significantly increased when the two drugs were used together. This result suggested PNS could increase the gastrointestinal tract absorption of ASA and SA. These findings provide more insight for wise use of two drugs to treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Puerarin transport across a Calu-3 cell monolayer - an in vitro model of nasal mucosa permeability and the influence of paeoniflorin and menthol.

Nasal administration is a high-potential delivery system, particularly because it can provide a pathway from the nose to the brain. The objective of this research is to characterize puerarin transport across a Calu-3 cell monolayer used as a model of the nasal mucosa and to evaluate the influence of puerarin in combination with paeoniflorin and menthol to explore the enhanced mechanism of the permeability at the cell level. The apparent permeability coefficients (P app) of puerarin bidirectional transport were both <1.5×10(-6) cm/s, and the efflux ratio was <1.5, indicating that puerarin alone exhibited poor absorption and that its transport primarily occurred by passive diffusion through the cell monolayer. When puerarin was coad ministered with paeoniflorin, the P app was not changed (P>0.05). However, the addition of menthol significantly (P<0.05) improved the P app of puerarin in both directions. Moreover, based on immunofluorescence experiments and transepithelial electrical resistance measurements, the data indicated that the drug compatibility opened tight junctions and weakened the barrier capabilities of epithelial cells, thereby promoting the permeability of puerarin.

Identification of geographical origins of raw American ginseng and tablets based on stable isotope ratios.

BACKGROUND: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a medicine food homology plant, whose origin determines the medicinal and economical values. Therefore, a reliable method for the determination of its geographical origin must be established. An accurate, common and stable method to identify geographical origins of raw American ginseng and tablets was established by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). 53 samples from 5 origins were collected and analyzed for isotope ratios of the elements C, H, O and N. The result showed that δ(2)H, δ(18)O and δ(15)N values were different among each geographical origin. The δ(2)H, δ(18)O and δ(15)N values were also used to establish discrimination model of geographical origin. According to verification test, the discrimination model of geographical origin was accurate and stable. The δ(2)H, δ(18)O and δ15N values were also found no significant difference between raw American ginseng and its tablet, so the discrimination model of geographical origin could also be used to discriminate the geographical origin of American ginseng tablet. In conclusion, the δ(2) H, δ(18) O and δ(15) N values can be used to discriminate the geographical origin of raw American ginseng and its tablet.

[Quality survey of different species of clematidis radix et rhizoma].

Quality survey of different species of Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma was made by determining the content of hederagenin and oleanolic acid from Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma. The result showed that only a few samples of Clematis chinensis met the quality standard for Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 Edition.