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Heteroatom-doped porous carbon materials are promising candidates for supercapacitor electrodes, but the simple and low-cost preparation method for heteroatom self-doped carbon, especially derived from biomass, remains a challenge. Herein, we developed a novel strategy that can provide an aerophilic interfacial reaction to produce N, S, P self-doped and oxygen functionalized porous carbon from the outer layer structure of durian peels in facile environment. The obtained porous biochar with N, S, P self-doped and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups can enhance the electrochemical capacitor performance, stability, and hydrophilicity of carbon electrode. When employed into symmetric supercapacitor device, the biochar of functionalization could deliver a specific capacitance of 158.20 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, a high energy density of 21.97 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 500 W kg−1 within a voltage window of 1.0 V and a remarkable cycling durability with 101.35% after 20,000 charge/discharge cycles at 4 A g−1 in 6 M KOH electrolyte. This work provides an effective and economic approach to obtain heteroatom self-doped and highly stable carbon-based electrode materials.

Surface modification of biochar is significant to obtain more functionalized material for contaminants immobilization. In situ modification, modifying the biochar while the conversion process, was applied by a novel wet pyrolysis system. By using phosphoric acid as working medium, liquid/air interface was created to introduce low content of oxygen, under the control of appropriately settled reaction temperature. Followed with the addition of sodium carbonate to neutralize the system and increase mineral species, effective biochar adsorbent attached with large quantity of acidic oxygenic and phosphoric groups, and carbonate anions was finally produced. The biochar showed excellent decontamination performance of lead with a high adsorption capacity of 316 mg·g−1 and removal efficiency larger than 95%. The alteration of the characteristics after the adsorption confirmed the adsorption mechanism is the bi-function of surface coordination and precipitation. This novel route is easy handling and energy saving, promising it to be a reliable way to produce biochars with attractive surface properties for environmental decontamination.

Objective. This study aimed to explore the risk factors of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with intracranial cerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Design. This is a retrospective study, and a total of 77 patients with ICH consecutively admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China) during the period of August 2015 to August 2017 were included. The patients were divided into an UTI group (24 cases) and a non-UTI group (53 cases); patients with UTI were diagnosed according to clinical manifestations, recent urinary routines, and urine culture results. The following information in these two groups was recorded: age, sex, course of disease, side of paralysis, location and type of cerebral hemorrhage, disturbance of consciousness or not, the Brunnstrom stage of paralysed lower limbs, number of basic diseases, whether there were complications (tracheotomy, retention catheterization, pulmonary infection, pressure sore, deep venous thrombosis, etc.), whether rehabilitation interventions were conducted, blood routine, biochemistry index, DIC complete set, urine routine, and urine culture data. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to examine the risk factors of UTI in patients with ICH. Results. Univariate analysis showed that age, side of paralysis, disturbance of consciousness, the Brunnstrom stage of lower limbs, tracheotomies, retention catheterization, pulmonary infection, leukocyte count, neutrophil proportion, sodium, uric acid, D-dimer, and fibrinogen may be related to UTI in patients with ICH (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that age (OR (95% CI) = 1.207 (1.022–1.424), P=0.026), right-sided paralysis (OR (95% CI) = 0.20 (0.001–0.650), P=0.028), and D-dimer (OR (95% CI) = 1.403 (1.003–1.961), P=0.048) were associated with UTI in ICH patients. Conclusions. Increased age and high D-dimer are independent risk factors for UTI in patients with ICH, while right-sided paralysis is a protective factor for UTI in patients with ICH.

A new active packaging film of bilayer structure based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) incorporated with rosemary essential oil (REO) and cinnamon essential oil (CEO) in the inner layer has been designed and developed for preserving shrimp. Six types of active packaging films [REO (1% w/w), REO (2% w/w), CEO (1% w/w), CEO (2% w/w), REO (1% w/w) + CEO (1% w/w) and control (film without EO)] were designed by blown film extrusion method. Tensile strength (TS), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and microstructure of films were investigated to justify the effect of EOs on the film physical functionality. The outcomes of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the surface of active films became relatively rougher by the incorporation of REO or CEO into the LDPE matrix. Meanwhile, the films with different amount of EOs proved to have a slight decline in the TS, whereas improved the barrier properties. In addition, shrimp packaged in active films containing EOs revealed lower microbial counts, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) contents, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values compared to samples packed in control films during storage at 4 °C for 10 days. The results indicated that the blended film (REO + CEO) showed more effective in maintaining the freshness and extending the shelf life of packaged shrimps up to 4 days. This new active packaging film has potential to be used for enhancing the quality and storage stability of aquatic products.

Time-temperature indicators (TTIs) are convenient intuitive devices that are widely used to predict food quality. The aim of this study is to develop a new simple device which can be attached to food packages as a quality indicator for turbot sashimi. In this study, a solid TTI based on the reaction between tyrosinase and tyrosine was developed. The Arrhenius behavior of this enzymatic TTI was studied. The kinetics of the tyrosinase-based TTI was investigated in the form of color change from colorless to dark black induced by the enzymatic reaction. The mathematical formula for the color alterations as a function of time and temperature was established. The longest indication time for the developed TTI was 50 hours at 4°C. The activation energy of the tyrosinase-based TTI was 0.409 kJ mol−1. The suitability of the tyrosinase-based TTI was validated for turbot sashimi using total plate count. The feasibility of using this TTI as a quality indicator for turbot sashimi was assessed based on the activation energy and indication time. Therefore, the tyrosinasebased TTI system developed in this study could be used as an effective tool for monitoring the quality changes of turbot sashimi during the distribution and storage.

Soy protein isolate is an abundant, inexpensive, and renewable industrial raw material that provides an environmentally-conscious alternative to fossil fuel source. In this study, novel, biodegradable films were prepared from soy protein isolate (SPI), glycerol, polyacrylamide (PAM), and 1,2,3-propanetriol-diglycidyl-ether (PTGE). The mechanical, hydrophilic, biodegradation, and compatibility properties of the SPI/PAM/PTGE films were then thoroughly examined. The effects of the incorporation of PTGE and PAM on the properties of the films were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry. Tests were also performed to determine total soluble matter, mechanical properties, and water barrier. Results showed that the mechanical properties and water resistance of the modified SPI films improved considerably after the incorporation of PAM and PTGE. Compared to traditional commercial polyethylene films, the PTGE/PAM-modified SPI films showed higher biodegradability, suggesting a convenient and efficient method of preparing environmentally-friendly film material.

Herba Epimedii (Epimedium) is a kind of tonic herb, widely used in China. Epimedin A is a major component of Herba Epimedii with bioactivities. Analysis of the metabolic profile in vivo plays a pivotal role in understanding how traditional Chinese medicine works. And the metabolites of epimedin A might influence the effects of Herba Epimedii. Moreover, the metabolic routes of epimedin A provide an important basis for safety evaluation. Until now, little has been known about the metabolism of epimedin A. The current study was designed to characterize the metabolic pathways of epimedin A in vivo. The metabolites in rat plasma, bile, feces, and urine were identified by UPLC/Q–TOF–MS analysis. A total of 27 metabolites from epimedin A were detected or tentatively identified. The major metabolic processes were hydrolysis, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, demethylation, and conjugation with glucuronic acid and different sugars. The present study revealed the metabolic pathways of epimedin A in rat for the first time, and epimedin A could undergo extensive phase I and phase II metabolism in rat. These findings would provide an important basis for the further study and clinical application of epimedin A. In addition, the results of this work have shown the feasibility of the UPLC/Q–TOF–MS approach for rapid and reliable characterization of metabolites.

Epimedin C is one of the major bioactive constituents of Herba Epimedii. In this study, the metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rat plasma and bile were qualitatively investigated, and the possible metabolic pathways of epimedin C were subsequently proposed. After oral administration of epimedin C at a single dose of 80 mg/kg, rat biological samples were collected and pretreated by protein precipitation. Then these pretreated samples were injected into an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column and detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In all, 12 metabolites were identified in the biosamples. Of these, eight, two from plasma and six from bile, are, to our knowledge, reported here for the first time. The results indicated that epimedin C was metabolized via desugarization, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, dehydroxylation, hydroxylation, demethylation and glucuronidation pathways in vivo. Thus, this study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rat plasma and bile.

A mild and efficient PhI(OAc)2-mediated trifluoromethylation reaction of N-arylacrylamides with TMSCF3 under metal-free conditions was developed. This method provides convenient access to a variety of useful CF3-containing oxindoles in moderate to good yields.

A mild and efficient base-mediated propargyl-allenyl isomerization and aza-electrocyclization reaction of trifluoromethylated alkynyl imines have been developed. This method provides a convenient access to 2-trifluoromethylated quinolines in high efficiency.

In this work, the metabolite profiles of epimedin B in rat feces, bile, urine, and plasma were qualitatively investigated, and the possible metabolic pathways of epimedin B were subsequently proposed. After oral administration of epimedin B at a single dose of 80 mg/kg, rat biological samples were collected and pretreated by protein precipitation. Then, these pretreated samples were injected into an Acquity ultraperformance liquid chromatography BEH C₁₈ column with mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid-water and 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile and detected by ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In all, 43 metabolites were identified in the biosamples. Of these, 13, including F5, F7, F16-F18, D5-D7, D9, N5, N7, M1, and M3, were to our knowledge reported for the first time. The results indicated that epimedin B was metabolized via desugarization, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, demethylation, glucuronidation, and glycosylation pathways in vivo. Specific hydrolysis of 7-O-glucosides in the gut lumen and glucuronic acid conjugation in the liver were considered as the main physiologic processes of epimedin B. This study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of epimedin B in rats.

An efficient synthesis of 3-halofurans by the intramolecular cyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones with cupric halide has been developed. A broad range of 3-chloro- and 3-bromofuran derivatives could be obtained in the present method in moderate to good yields. The 3-halofuran derivatives are potential synthetic intermediates for amplification of molecular complexity.

In this work, the metabolite profiles of icariin in rat feces, bile and urine were qualitatively investigated, and the possible metabolic pathways of icariin were subsequently proposed. After oral administration of icariin at a single dose of 100 mg/kg, rat biological samples were collected and pretreated. Then, these pretreated samples were detected by ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). In all, 17 metabolites were identified in the biosamples. Of these, 5, including F8-F9 (icariside I), D3-D4 (isopentenyl alcohol-icaritin-3-O-rha-7-O-gluA) and N3 (1,3-isoprene icariside II), were to our knowledge reported for the first time. The results indicated that icariin was metabolized via desugarization, dehydrogenation, hydroxylation, demethylation and glucuronidation pathways in vivo. This study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of icariin in rats.

BACKGROUND. The specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exhaled by lung cancer cells in the microenvironment are the source biomarkers of lung cancer and also serve as direct evidence that the diagnosis of lung cancer by breath is possible. However, to the authors' knowledge, few articles published to date have provided accurate VOCs in the microenvironment, thereby leading to different points of view with regard to searching for biomarkers in the breath from lung cancer patients In this article, an innovative pathologic analysis method of lung cancer and the early diagnosis of lung cancer at the cellular level were introduced for this purpose. METHODS. Solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography is used as the detection system to determine the VOCs in the culture medium of several target cells, including different kinds of lung cancer cells, bronchial epithelial cells, tastebud cells, osteogenic cells, and lipocytes. As a result, each kind of cells has a unique chromatogram. There are 4 special VOCs that were found to exist in all culture mediums of lung cancer cells, which are the metabolic products of lung cancer cells and can be viewed as markers of lung cancer. RESULTS. The authors were able to determine a correlation between VOCs in the metabolic products of lung cancer cells and VOCs in the breath of lung cancer patients, some of whom had stage I and II disease, and eventually hope to certify the biomarkers in the breath of lung cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS. This research is significant and provides the basis for the noninvasive detection and the breath diagnosis of lung cancer using an electronic nose. Cancer 2007; 110:835–44. © 2007 American Cancer Society.

Notable features of the title process are functional group tolerance, operational simplicity, and mild reaction conditions.

A mild and efficient visible-light-mediated diarylation of N-arylacrylamides with aryl diazonium salts under mild conditions has been developed. This method provides convenient access to a variety of useful 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles by constructing two C–C bonds in one step.

A mild and efficient base-mediated propargyl-allenyl isomerization and aza-electrocyclization reaction of trifluoromethylated alkynyl imines have been developed. This method provides a convenient access to 2-trifluoromethylated quinolines in high efficiency.

The possible metabolic pathways of icariside II were proposed. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was used for analysing the faecal, bile, plasma and urine samples of rats administrated with icariside II. In all, 27 metabolites were identified in the biosamples. Of these, 20, including F1–F12, D3, D4, D6, D7–D9 and M3, M4, were, to our knowledge, reported for the first time. The results indicated that icariside II was metabolised via desugarisation, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, demethylation, glucuronidation, dehydration and glycosylation pathways in vivo. Specific hydrolysis of 7-O glucosides in the gut lumen and glucuronic acid conjugation in the liver were considered as the main physiologic processes of icariside II. This study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of icariside II in rats.

Epimedin C is one of the major bioactive constituents of Herba Epimedii. In this study, the metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rat plasma and bile were qualitatively investigated, and the possible metabolic pathways of epimedin C were subsequently proposed. After oral administration of epimedin C at a single dose of 80 mg/kg, rat biological samples were collected and pretreated by protein precipitation. Then these pretreated samples were injected into an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column and detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In all, 12 metabolites were identified in the biosamples. Of these, eight, two from plasma and six from bile, are, to our knowledge, reported here for the first time. The results indicated that epimedin C was metabolized via desugarization, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, dehydroxylation, hydroxylation, demethylation and glucuronidation pathways in vivo. Thus, this study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rat plasma and bile.

A mild and efficient visible-light-mediated diarylation of N-arylacrylamides with aryl diazonium salts under mild conditions has been developed. This method provides convenient access to a variety of useful 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles by constructing two C–C bonds in one step.

An efficient synthesis of 3-halofurans by the intramolecular cyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones with cupric halide has been developed. A broad range of 3-chloro- and 3-bromofuran derivatives could be obtained in the present method in moderate to good yields. The 3-halofuran derivatives are potential synthetic intermediates for amplification of molecular complexity.

In this paper, we proposed a novel non-invasive electronic nose for detection and diagnosis of lung cancer based on an electronic nose instrument which includes a gas extraction and capillary column to concentrate, desorb and separate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in patientspsila breath, respectively. Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) gas sensors was used to detect chemical compounds. The specific VOCs exhaled by lung cancer cells in the microenvironment are proven the source biomarkers of lung cancer. The clinical experimental results show that this kind of novel electronic nose is effective for recognition of lung cancer patents and healthy persons and will be also possible non-invasive method to diagnose of lung cancer at early stage.

A mild and efficient visible light-mediated intramolecular radical cyclization of trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides is developed for the synthesis of 6-(trifluoromethyl)phenanthridine derivatives. The reaction involves the generation of radical intermediates from C(sp2)–Cl bonds and a homolytic radical aromatic substitution (HAS) process.