Comparative metabolism of THCA and THCV using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS.

Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) are phytocannabinoids with a similar structure derived from Cannabis sativa and possess a variety of biological activities. However, the relationship between the metabolic characterisation and bioactivity of THCA and THCV remains elusive.To explore the relationship between the metabolism of THCA and THCV and their underlying mechanism of activity, human/mouse liver microsomes and mouse primary hepatocytes were used to compare the metabolic maps between THCA and THCV through comparative metabolomics. A total of 29 metabolites were identified containing 7 previously undescribed THCA metabolites and 10 previously undescribed THCV metabolites. Of these metabolites, THCA was transformed into an active metabolite of delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in these three systems, while THCV was transformed into THC and CBD.Bioactivity assays indicated that all of these phytocannabinoids exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, but the effects of THCA and THCV were slightly different in macrophages RAW264.7. Prediction of ADMET lab demonstrated that THCV and its metabolites were endowed with the advantage of blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration compared to THCA.In conclusion, this study highlighted that metabolism plays a critical role in the biological activity of phytocannabinoids.

CoP QD anchored carbon skeleton modified CdS nanorods as a co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

An important strategy to improve the performance of catalysts is loading nanoparticle co-catalysts of better dispersion and conductivity. In this work, the ZIF-67-derived CoP quantum dot (QD) anchored graphitized carbon skeleton as a co-catalyst is loaded on CdS nanorods (NRs), while the CoP QDs derived from ZIF-67 are anchored to the carbon skeleton under phosphation and carbonization simultaneously. The porous, graphitized carbon skeleton can not only disperse CoP QDs, increasing active sites for the hydrogen reduction reaction, but also provide electron transfer channels, promoting electron transfer and increasing conductivity. In addition, the metallicity of CoP QDs makes it possible to form Schottky junctions, which is beneficial to the electron transfer at the interface. The results show that the composite photocatalyst can extensively improve the photocatalytic activity and stability, the H2 production rate is 104 947 µmol h-1 g-1 under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 400 nm), up to 55.2 times that of bare CdS NRs, the apparent quantum yield (AQY) reaches a high value of 32.16% at 420 nm, and the structure of the photocatalyst did not change after the reaction. This work provides an innovative method for the preparation of highly efficient noble metal-free photocatalysts for the conversion of solar energy into hydrogen energy, which has bright prospects in industrial application.

Oxygen deficiency introduced to Z-scheme CdS/WO3-x nanomaterials with MoS2 as the cocatalyst towards enhancing visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution.

An oxygen deficiency modified Z-scheme CdS/WO3-x nanohybrid with MoS2 as the cocatalyst was synthesized by a microwave hydrothermal method and was used for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. Loadings of WO3-x and MoS2 as well as the synthesis time of the microwave-assisted hydrothermal process were optimized, and the physicochemical and optical properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by various techniques. Results showed that the material with 30 wt% of WO3-x, 0.1 wt% of MoS2 and a preparation time of 120 minutes exhibited the most desirable morphology and structure for hydrogen production. The maximum hydrogen production of 2852.5 µmol g-1 h-1 was achieved, which was 5.5 times that of pure CdS (519.1 µmol g-1 h-1) and 1.5 times that of CdS/30 wt% WO3-x (1879.0 µmol g-1 h-1), and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) reached 10.0% at 420 nm. The improvement of photocatalytic performance could be attributed to the Z-scheme formed between CdS and WO3-x and MoS2 as an electron trap. It is worth mentioning that the size of the composite had a negative correlation with the H2 production rate.

[Repair of finger pulp defect with transverse digital palmar island flap].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method and clinical outcomes of repairing the skin and tissue defect of the finger pulp with transverse digital palmar island flap. METHODS: From August 2007 to September 2008, 9 patients with skin and tissue defects of the finger pulp were treated, including 6 males and 3 females aged 18-48 years old. The defect was caused by crush injury by machine in 6 cases, pressure injury by heavy objects in 2 cases, and abrasion injury by grinding wheel in 1 case. The defect was located in the index finger in 4 cases, the middle finger in 2 cases, the ring finger in 3 cases, the proximal phalanx in 1 case, the middle phalanx in 7 cases, and the distal phalanx in 1 case. The defect size ranged from 1.3 cm x 1.0 cm to 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm. The defect was complicated with unilateral blood vessel and nerve defect in 8 cases, bone fracture in 2 cases, and tendon exposure in 5 cases. The time between injury and hospital admission was 20 minutes-14 hours. Transverse digital palmar island flaps (2.0 cm x 1.2 cm-4.0 cm x 1.7 cm) were used to repair the soft tissue defect during operation. The donor site was repaired with full-thickness skin graft. RESULTS: All the flaps and skin graft at the donor site survived uneventfully. All the wounds healed by first intention. Nine patients were followed up for 6-17 months. The appearance of the flaps was similar to that of the uninjured side, there was no occurrence of obvious pigmentation and scar contracture, and the two-point discrimination value was 8-11 mm. According to the function evaluation standard for the replantation of severed finger by Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Academy, 8 cases were graded as excellent, 1 as good. CONCLUSION: Repairing the skin and tissue defects in the finger pulp of middle and distal phalanx with transverse digital palmar island flap can simplify the operation procedure, reduce the suffering of the patient, and provide satisfying therapeutic effect.