Visible-Light-Driven Inactivation of Bacteria and H2 Generation Catalyzed by Oxygen-Vacancy-Rich One-Dimensional/Two-Dimensional W18O49/g-C3N4 Z-Scheme Heterostructures.

Z-scheme heterostructure-based photocatalysts consist of a reduction photocatalyst and an oxidation photocatalyst, enabling them to possess a high capacity for both reduction and oxidation. However, the coupling reaction between photocatalytic H2 generation through water reduction and sterilization using Z-scheme systems has been rarely reported. Herein, 1D W18O49 nanowires embedded over 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets are well-constructed as an integrated Z-scheme heterojunction. Experimental results and density functional theory calculations not only demonstrate the achievement of efficient interfacial charge separation and transport, leading to prolonged lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers, but also directly confirm the mechanism of Z-scheme charge transfer. As expected, the optimized W18O49/g-C3N4 nanostructure exhibits superior photocatalytic sterilization activity against Staphylococcus aureus as well as excellent H2 generation performance under visible-light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). Due to its nontoxic nature, W18O49/g-C3N4 holds great potential in eradicating bacterial infections in living organisms.

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Micro-Nanostructures.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) micro-nanostructures are widely utilized in photochemical applications due to their unique band gaps and are of huge demand in scientific research and industrial manufacture. Herein, this work reports a controllable, facile, economical, and green solid-phase synthesis strategy to prepare TiO2 with governable morphologies containing 1D nanorods, 3D microbulks, and irregular thick plates. Specifically, Ti powders are transformed into TiO2 micro-nanostructures through dispersing them into a solid NaOH/KOH mixture with a low eutectic point, followed by grinding, heating, ion exchange, and calcination. As no solvents are utilized in the alkali treatment process, the usage of solvents is decreased and high vapor pressure is avoided. Moreover, the band gaps of TiO2 micro-nanostructures can be regulated from 3.02 to 3.34 eV through altering the synthetic parameters. Notably, the as-prepared TiO2 micro-nanostructures exhibit high photocatalytic activities in the degradation of rhodamine B and methylene blue under simulated solar light illumination. It is believed that the solid-phase synthesis strategy will be of huge demand for the synthesis of TiO2 micro-nanostructures.

Constructing Direct Z-Scheme Heterostructure by Enwrapping ZnIn2 S4 on CdS Hollow Cube for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Generation.

Rational design hybrid nanostructure photocatalysts with efficient charge separation and transfer, and good solar light harvesting ability have critical significance for achieving high solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency. Here a highly active and stable composite photocatalyst is reported by integrating ultrathin ZnIn2 S4 nanosheets on surface of hollow CdS cube to form the cube-in-cube structure. Experimental results combined with density functional theory calculations confirm that the Z-scheme ZnIn2 S4 /CdS heterojunction is formed, which highly boosts the charge separation and transfer under the local-electric-field at semiconductor/semiconductor interface, and thus prolongs their lifetimes. Moreover, such a structure affords the highly enhanced light-harvesting property. The optimized ZnIn2 S4 /CdS nanohybrids exhibit superior H2 generation rate under visible-light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) with excellent photochemical stability during 20 h continuous operation.

[Professor Li Shi-zhen's clinical experiences on compatibility application of hegu (LI 4)].

The present paper introduces professor LI Shi-zhen's clinical experiences on compatibility application of Hegu (LI 4). Hegu (LI 4) is mostly used to treat acute pyreticosis, exterior syndrome of exogenous diseases, mind diseases and deficiency of vital energy. Acupuncture at this acupoint by using reducing method can dispel wind to relieve exterior syndrome, clear away heat to disperse lung. Powerful stimulation by needle can dredge stagnant meridian, open orifice to activate spirit. Acupuncture at this acupoint by using reinforcing method can invigorate qi to strengthen superficies and replenish qi to prevent collapse. Based on this method, reinforcing Zusanli (ST 36) and Baihui (GV 20) can strengthen middle energizer to nourish qi, which show the same benefits as Buzhong Yiqi Decoction; reinforcing Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can nourish both qi and blood, which show the same benefits as Decoction of Eight Ingredients; reducing Neiting (ST 44) can clear away evil heat of qifen in yangming meridians, which show the same benefits as Baihu Decoction.

[Application of hereditary "Promoting qi activating blood prescription" in clinical acupuncture and moxibustion].

The present paper introduces the composition and clinical application of "Promoting qi Activating Blood Prescription" handed down from the great-great-grandfather of the author, which can promote flow of qi and blood circulation. The prescription is composed of Jianshi (PC 5) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) point. Its scope of treatment is very extensive and can be widely applied to many clinical diseases in departments of internal medicine, surgery, gynecology and orthopedics and traumatology, etc. For all the diseases and syndromes of retention of blood stasis and qi-stagnancy and blood stasis, if promoting flow of qi and blood circulation, this prescription will be available.

[Application of "Bazhen prescription" in clinical acupuncture and moxibustion].

"Bazhen Prescription" is composed of acupuncture at bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) with reinforcing method, functioning supplementing qi and blood, which is a commonly-used prescription for treating the diseases with deficiency of qi and blood. This is a proved recipe summarized by tens years' clinical practice of the author's grandfather and farther, and is a basic recipe for general treatment, treatment based on TCM differentiation and supplementing both qi and blood, with functions similar to Chinese medicine "Bazhen Decoction". Practice proves that for all the diseases and syndromes of deficiency of qi and blood, if only differentiation of syndromes is correct, satisfactory results will be obtained. In the present paper, the source, composition of acupoints, manipulation, function and indications, clinical application of the recipe are introduced.

[Try to discuss on double regulative and therapeutic actions of acupoints].

OBJECTIVE: To explore double regulative and therapeutic actions of acupoints, and clinically exert and use these actions. METHODS: Discuss functions of points, reinforcing and reducing amount of reinforcing and reducing manipulation, combination of acupoints, and application of prescription of acupoints. CONCLUSION: The double regulative and therapeutic actions of acupoints are carried out by means of different acupuncture reinforcing and reducing manipulation under different pathological states of the organism.