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[Display omitted] • Mango pit biochar as an alternative fuel was first reported for ironmaking. • Biochar closest to pulverized coal was identified by principal component analysis. • Life cycle assessment unraveled the maximum reduction of GWP was 220 kg CO 2 eq/tHM. Biochar, produced by the pyrolysis of carbon–neutral biomass, has great potential to replace pulverized coal (PC) injection in blast furnace (BF) ironmaking. Herein, this study aimed to develop a low-ash and low-alkali metal biochar from mango pit (MP) and evaluate its environmental impact as an alternative fuel for BF ironmaking. This paper first studied the feasibility of mango pit biochar (MPB) as an alternative fuel. Compared with other preparation conditions, MPB prepared at 600 °C for 60 min (MPB-600–60) had the most similar fuel performance to PC, which was confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). Moreover, MPB-600–60 exhibited lower ash and alkali metal content compared to PC. The co-combustion experiment demonstrated that MPB-600–60 could promote the combustion of mixed fuel, and the optimal combustibility was achieved when the addition ratio of MPB-600–60 was 80%. Comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) revealed that the reduction of global warming potential (GWP) amounted to 220 kg CO 2 eq/tHM if MPB 100% replaced PC. These results indicated that MPB could significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of BF ironmaking. This study provides a novel and promising approach for developing low-carbon and clean alternative fuels in BF ironmaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct a multi‐energy complementary system for intelligent building group, a direct control strategy for central air conditioning based on discrete Fourier transform is proposed. This strategy can reduce the deviation between actual load and transaction results while absorbing photovoltaic (PV) power generation and improving the enterprise economy in the power market environment. The strategy uses the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) to find the scheduling demand of the central air‐conditioning (AC) group and realizes the scheduling demand by changing the temperature setting value. Also, the strategy can assess AC status in real‐time, which combines with ultra‐short‐term load forecasting to adjust future purchase planned values. The simulation results show that the strategy can realize a real‐time load track with the power purchase plan while absorbing PV power generation with low action times and temperature changes, which improves the absorption of distributed PV power generation and reduces the assessment bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality, underscoring the urgent need for novel treatments. Monochasma savatieri Franch. (LRC) is commonly used clinically to treat wind-heat cold, bronchitis, acute pneumonia and acute gastroenteritis. However, its role in the treatment of ALI and its mechanism of action are still unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate the pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms of LRC extract, and provide important therapeutic strategies and theoretical basis for ALI. In this study, a research paradigm of integrated pharmacology combining histopathological analysis, network pharmacology, metabolomics, and biochemical assays was used to elucidate the mechanisms underlaying the effects of LRC extract on LPS-induced ALI in BALB/c mice. The research findings demonstrated that LRC extract significantly alleviated pathological damage in lung tissues and inhibited apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells, and the main active components were luteolin, isoacteoside, and aucubin. Lung tissue metabolomic and immunohistochemical methods confirmed that LRC extract could restore metabolic disorders in ALI mice by correcting energy metabolism imbalance, activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), and inhibiting TLR4/NF- κ B signaling pathway. This study showed that LRC extract inhibited the occurrence and development of ALI inflammation by promoting the synthesis of antioxidant metabolites, balancing energy metabolism, activating CAP and suppressing the α7nAChR-TLR4/NF- κ B p65 signaling pathway. In addition, our study provided an innovative research model for exploring the effective ingredients and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the protective effects of LRC extract in LPS-induced ALI mice. [Display omitted] • Monochasma savatieri Franch. (LRC) exerted protective effects against LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) via various mechanisms. • Luteolin, isolactoside, and aucubin were effective components of LRC. • LRC protected against ALI by balancing energy metabolism and activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. • LRC inhibited α7nAChR-TLR4/NF- κ B p65 pathway to reduce the Inflammation in ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are self-assembling organelles comprising a protein shell that encapsulates cargo enzymes. • Unraveling the composition and stoichiometry of BMC components is key for understanding BMC assembly and bioengineering. • The protein stoichiometry and structures of BMCs are modular. • The structural plasticity of BMCs provides the foundation for modulating shell permeability, BMC assembly and function. • BMC biosynthesis and functions are actively regulated in native host cells. Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are self-assembling prokaryotic organelles consisting of a polyhedral proteinaceous shell and encapsulated enzymes that are involved in CO 2 fixation or carbon catabolism. Addressing how the hundreds of building components self-assemble to form the metabolically functional organelles and how their structures and functions are modulated in the extremely dynamic bacterial cytoplasm is of importance for basic understanding of protein organelle formation and synthetic engineering of metabolic modules for biotechnological applications. Here, we highlight recent advances in understanding the protein composition and stoichiometry of BMCs, with a particular focus on carboxysomes and propanediol utilization microcompartments. We also discuss relevant research on the structural plasticity of native and engineered BMCs, and the physiological regulation of BMC assembly, function and positioning in native hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Cancer is a significant public health problem in the world. The treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy. Due to their respective limitations, the treatment effect is often unsatisfactory, laying hidden dangers for metastasis and recurrence. Since their exceptional biocompatibility and excellent targeting capabilities, hyaluronic acid-based biomaterials have generated great interest as drug delivery methods for tumor therapy. Moreover, modified HA can self-assemble into hydrogels or nanoparticles (NPs) for precise drug administration. This article summarizes the application of HA-based NPs in combination therapy. Ultimately, it is anticipated that this research will offer guidance for creating various HA-based NPs utilized in numerous cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, and recurring inflammatory skin disease. Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast) Makino (PAF), a traditional Chinese medicine, is primarily used for the clinical treatment of AD. In this study, a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced AD BALB/c mouse model was established, and a comprehensive pharmacological method was used to determine the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of PAF in the treatment of AD. The results indicated that both PAF gel (PAFG) and PAFG+MF (mometasone furoate) attenuated the severity of AD and reduced the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells in the skin. Serum metabolomics showed that PAFG combined with MF administration exerted a synergistic effect by remodeling metabolic disorders in mice. In addition, PAFG also alleviated the side effects of thymic atrophy and growth inhibition induced by MF. Network pharmacology predicted that the active ingredients of PAF were flavonoids and exerted therapeutic effects through anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that PAFG inhibited the inflammatory response through the ERβ/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway. Our results revealed that PAF can be used as a natural-source drug with good development prospects for the clinical treatment of AD. [Display omitted] • PAF combined with MF plays a synergistic therapeutic effect and alleviates the side effects caused by MF alone. • PAF suppresses AD-induced inflammatory response by suppressing Th2 immune response. • The active components of PAF in improving skin inflammation are flavonoids. • PAF treats AD by activating the ERβ/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are promising for lignin dissolution and extraction. However, they usually possess high polarity and are difficult to recycle. To overcome this drawback, a variety of switchable ionic liquids (SILs) composed of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and alcohols was synthesized and screened. According to the thermodynamic modeling suggestions, the selected DBU–HexOH SIL was coupled with hydrogen-bond donors to form switchable-DES (SDES) systems with moderated viscosity, conductivity, and pH while maintaining switchability. The SDESs produced a well-improved lignin and lignin model compound solubility compared with those of SILs; charging CO2 into SDES (SDESCO2) caused a further increase in solubility. The solubility (25 °C) of syringic acid, ferulic acid, and milled wood lignin in SDESCO2 reached 230.57, 452.17, and 279.12 mg/g, respectively. Such SDES-dissolved lignin can be regenerated using acetone as an anti-solvent. The SDES-regenerated lignin exhibited a well-preserved structure with no noticeable chemical modifications. Furthermore, the SDESCO2 lignin possessed a higher molecular weight (Mw = 10,340 g/mol; Mn = 7672 g/mol), improved uniformity (polydispersity index = 1.35), and a higher guaiacyl lignin unit content compared with the original milled wood lignin. The SDES system proposed in the present work could benefit the fractionation of lignin compounds and facilitate downstream industrial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulating the structural and interfacial properties of transition metal phosphides (TMPs) by coupling carbon-based materials with large surface areas to enhance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance presents significant progress for water splitting technology. Herein, we constructed a composite substrate of a three-dimensional porous graphene oxide matrix (3D-GO) embedded in nickel foam (NF) to grow a Co2P electrocatalyst. Well-defined gladiolus-like Co2P nanowire arrays tightly anchored on the substrate show enhanced electrochemical characteristics for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) based on the promoting roles of 3D porous reduced GO (3D-rGO) derived from 3D-GO, which promotes the dispersion of active components, improves the rate of electron transfer, and facilitates the transport of water molecules. As a result, the obtained Co2P@3D-rGO/NF electrode exhibits superior HER activity in 1.0 M KOH media, achieving overpotentials of 36.5 and 264.7 mV at current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. The electrode also has a low Tafel slope of 55.5 mV dec−1, a large electrochemical surface area, and small charge-transfer resistance, further revealing its mechanism of high intrinsic activity. Moreover, the electrode exhibits excellent HER stability and durability without surface morphology and chemical state changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza virus-induced pneumonia (IVP) is a high morbidity and contagiousness pulmonary infectious disease caused by invasion of the influenza virus into the lower respiratory tract. Currently, the treatment of IVP is mainly based on an anti-influenza virus infection strategy, which includes the use of anti-influenza vaccines and drugs. However, the clinical use of these treatment options is limited as the influenza virus has a high level of variability and drug resistance may occur. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for the treatment of IVP have unique advantages, a variety of precise curative effects and have been widely used in clinical practice in China both historically and in the present day. However, there are only few literature reviews on the prevention and treatment of IVP using TCMs. Therefore, we conducted a review of relevant literature from the past 10 years and a comprehensive analysis of various databases containing reports on TCMs used for IVP prevention and treatment to provide basic data for future research and development of drugs against IVP. Herein, we summarize research progress on the pathogenesis of IVP, the TCMs effective in prevention or treatment of IVP, their underlying molecular mechanisms and active components. Overall, we provide a theoretical basis for the clinical use of TCM in the prevention and treatment of IVP. Furthermore, we provide a reference for the development of new multi-component, multi-target, low-toxicity drugs, which is of great academic and clinical significance. [Display omitted] • It provides guidance for the study of experimental methods of TCMs used in the prevention and treatment of IVP. • It expounds the molecular mechanism of TCMs anti-IVP from various aspects. • It summarizes and provides empirical evidence on the efficacy and safety of TCMs in the treatment of IVP. • It establishes the clinical significance and development prospect of TCMs in the treatment of IVP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The in-situ preparation methods for Cu nanocluster and leaf-shaped Co 2 P are used. • The deposition of Cu nanocluster improves the surface electronic property of Co 2 P. • The composite Co 2 P@Cu electrocatalyst has better HER performance compared to Co 2 P. • The promoted Schottky effect between Cu nanoclusters and Co 2 P is determined. [Display omitted] HER mechanism and stability of the leaf-shaped cobalt phosphide decorated with electro-deposited copper nanoclusters. Exploring structural regulation of transition metal phosphides (TMPs) by incorporating suitable foreign components to increase hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance presents considerable development for electrocatalytic water-splitting technology. Herein, we reported an original construction strategy of thin-leaf-shaped cobalt phosphide coupled with copper nanoclusters supported on nickel foam (NF) for HER. A simple electrochemical deposition technique is used to obtain the interface-engineered Co 2 P@Cu nanostructure. The resultant nanocomposite with a vertically staggered structure shows the enhanced electrochemical characteristics derived from the Schottky junction at the interface between Co 2 P and Cu, which has a large of active sites and low charge-transfer resistance. The Schottky effect promotes charge distribution, accelerates adsorption of hydrogen intermediates, and facilitates electron transfer in the Co 2 P. As a result, the Co 2 P@Cu composite drives the current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2 for the alkaline HER to reach the lower overpotentials of 99.7 and 303.2 mV, respectively, and a smaller Tafel slope of 48.8 mV dec−1 compared to the bare Co 2 P electrocatalyst. Moreover, the proposed electrode exhibits good HER durability with almost no loss of Cu based on 2000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry sweeps and 24 h of chronoamperometry test. This work offers a perspective for the additive engineering of non-noble metals to metal phosphides toward efficient HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an in-situ construction method for the NiFe-based oxyhydroxide OER electrocatalyst supported on the nickel foam (NF) substrate with the polyaniline (PANI) interlayer by sequential electrochemical deposition steps (NF/PANI/NiFe–OH). The ultra-thin nanosheet for the nickel-iron (oxy)hydroxides tightly grown on the porous PANI exhibits the enhanced electrochemical characteristics associated with the promotion roles of the PANI layer, which increases the number of active sites, facilitates the charge transfer, and accelerates water transport across the interfaces of the electrode. The as-prepared NF/PANI/NiFe–OH has reliable lower overpotentials of 260, 340, and 490 mV without iR -correction at 50, 100, and 200 mA cm−2 of high current densities, respectively. The smaller Tafel slope, larger ECSA, and TOF values of the electrode reveal its high intrinsic activity. Moreover, the electrode shows good stability and durability without the damage of morphology, change of surface chemical state, and substantial loss of active components at high current density. The OER mechanism and stability of electrodeposited polyaniline/nickel-iron oxyhydroxide stabilized on nickel foam (NF/PANI/NiFe-OH). [Display omitted] • The in-situ construction method for electrodeposited PANI/NiFe–OH is used. • The PANI interlayer improves the surface structure and chemical state of NiFe–OH. • The PANI/NiFe–OH electrode has superior OER activity compared to NiFe–OH. • The promoting mechanism of PANI on electrochemical OER performance is determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem that the dynamic window approach (DWA) has low planning efficiency and it is difficult to avoid fast-moving obstacles, an improved adaptive DWA based on risk degree function is proposed in this paper. The risk function is designed and introduced into the evaluation function of the traditional DWA to evaluate the risk of collision between dynamic obstacles and the robot, so that the robot can effectively avoid faster obstacles. Then, according to the fuzzy control principle, the adaptive weight coefficient is designed to improve the evaluation function, so that the mobile robot can move to the target point more efficiently. The simulation results show that compared with the traditional DWA, the adaptive DWA based on risk degree function reduces the time of completing the planning task by about 8%, and the path length after the completion of the planning by about 8%, it indicates that the improved algorithm has higher efficiency. After 50 repeated experiments, using the adaptive DWA based on risk degree function successfully avoids all obstacles to complete the planning task, which shows that this algorithm has higher security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress has been linked to the onset and progression of aging. Natural polysaccharides have attracted considerable attention in the field of antioxidants and anti-aging products owing to their exceptional biological activity and low toxicity. In this study, a homogeneous (glucogalactan-structured) polysaccharide (RGP70–1) was purified from the roots of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. The matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), monosaccharide composition, methylation, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses were employed to characterize structure. RGP70–1 (3.6 kDa) was composed of glucose, galactose. RGP70–1's primary chain consisted of α -D-Gal p connected by 1,4-linkages, α -D-Gal p connected by 1,6-linkages, and β -D-Gal p connected by 1,3,4,6-linkages.The side branches included α -D-Gal p linked in a 1,4 position, α-D-Gal p linked in a 1,6 position, and α -D-Glc p linked at the terminal end. In vivo, the effects of RGP70–1 on aging were examined using a Caenorhabditis elegans model. The findings demonstrated that RGP70–1 enhanced the performance of antioxidant enzymes, decreased reactive oxygen species levels, and prolonged the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. The results of the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that RGP70–1 might demonstrate anti-aging properties by influencing insulin/insulin-like signaling pathway. In general, these findings highlight the possibility of RGP70–1 being utilized in dietary supplements for its anti-aging properties. [Display omitted] • A glucogalactan (RGP70-1) was purified from the roots of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. • RGP70-1 decreased ROS levels and increased the lifespan of C. elegans. • RGP70-1 influences insulin/insulin-like signaling pathway. • RGP70-1 can be used as an anti-aging component in dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-caused nitrogen (N) deposition is a global environmental issue that can change community composition, functions, and ecosystem services. N deposition affects plants, soil, and microorganisms regionally and is linked to ecosystem, soil, and climate factors. We examined the effects of six N addition levels (0, 2.34 g, 4.67, 9.34,18.68, and 37.35 g N m−2 yr−1) on aboveground vegetation, surface soil properties, and microbial community. Alterations in microbial communities in response to N addition were monitored using 16S rRNA (16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid, where S donates a sedimentation coefficient) and ITS (internal transcribed spacer) regions for bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. N addition positively affected aboveground vegetation traits, such as biomass and community weighted mean of leaf nitrogen. N addition also limited phosphorus (P) availability and altered the microbial community assembly process from random processes to deterministic processes. The microbial community diversity and composition, however, were not sensitive to N addition. Partial least squares structural equation models showed that the composition of bacterial communities was mainly driven by the composition of plant communities and total nitrogen, while the composition of fungal communities was driven by soil pH and community weighted mean of leaf nitrogen. Taken together, the results of this research improved our understanding of the response of grassland ecosystems to N deposition and provided a theoretical basis for grassland utilization and management under N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) usually exhibit typical behaviours and thoughts that are called autistic traits. Autistic traits are widely and continuously distributed among typically developed (TD) and ASD populations. Previous studies have found that people with ASD have difficulty in following the eye gaze of social peers. However, it remains unknown whether TD adults with high or low autistic traits also differ in spontaneous gaze following and initiation in face‐to‐face social interactions. To fill this gap, this study used a novel and naturalistic gaze‐cueing paradigm to examine this research question. Design: A 4 (group: high‐high, high‐low, low‐high or low‐low autistic traits) × 3 (congruency: congruent, neutral, or incongruent) mixed‐measures design was used. Methods: Typically developed adults who were high or low in autistic traits completed a visual search task while a confederate who was high or low in autistic traits sat facing them. Critically, the match of autistic traits within a participant–confederate pair was manipulated. The confederate gazed at (congruent) or away from (incongruent) the location of the target prior to the appearance of the target. Participants were not explicitly instructed to follow the confederate's gaze. Results: Autistic traits were associated with spontaneous gaze following and initiation in face‐to‐face social interactions. Specifically, only when both the participant and confederate were low in autistic traits did the incongruent gaze cues of confederates interfere with the participants' responses. Conclusions: Autistic traits impeded gaze following and initiation by TD adults. This study has theoretical and practical implications regarding autistic trait‐induced social deficits and indicates a new approach for social skill interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We established a dataset of 50 elements in the Yangtze River using historical data. • The Three Gorges Reservoir may act as a sink for these elements upstream. • Cr and Pb showed obvious migration trends between water and sediment on timescale. • All common heavy metals in surface water were supposed to have negligible risks. • Cd, Hg and As in sediment posed potential ecological risks. The Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world with more than 6300 km, covering 0.4 billion people. However, the aquatic ecosystem of the Yangtze River has been seriously damaged in the past decades due to a rapid development of economic and industrialization along the coast. In this study, we first established a dataset of fifty elements, including nine common heavy metals (HMs) and forty-one other elements, in the Yangtze River Basin through the collection of historical data from 2000 to 2020, and then analyzed their spatiotemporal distribution characteristics. The results indicated that the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), a region formed by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD), may act as a sink for these elements from upstream regions. The concentrations of seven elements in surface water and 13 elements in sediment obviously increased from the upstream region of the TGR to the TGR. In addition, ten elements in the surface water and 5 elements in the sediments clearly decreased, possibly because of the interception effects of the TGD. On a timescale, Cr obviously tended to migrate from the water phase to the sediment; Pb tended to migrate from the sediment to the water phase. In the ecological risk assessment, all common HMs in surface water were supposed to have negligible risks as protecting 90 % of aquatic organisms; Cd (210.2), Hg (58.0) and As (43.1) in sediment posed high and moderate ecological risks using the methodology of the potential ecological risk index. Furthermore, Hunan Province is at considerable risk according to the sum of the potential risk index (314.8) due to Cd pollution (66.8 %). These fundamental data and results will support follow-up control strategies for elements and policies related to aquatic ecosystem protection in the Yangtze River Basin. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Physalis L. (Solanaceae) is commonly used in the treatment of dermatitis, leprosy, bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatitis and rheumatism in China and other Asian countries. This article reviews the resources, cultivation, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and applications of Physalis L., and proposes further research strategies to enhance its therapeutic potential in treating various human diseases. We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases, including CNKI, SciFinder and PubMed, using the term " Physalis L." to collect information on the resources, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and applications of Physalis L. in China during the past ten years (2013.1–2023.1). So far, a variety of chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from Physalis L. mainly including steroids, flavonoids, and so on. Various pharmacological activities were evaluated by studying different extracts of Physalis L., these activities include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, antineoplastic, and other aspects. Physalis L. occupies an important position in the traditional medical system. It is cost-effective and is a significant plant with therapeutic applications in modern medicine. However, further in-depth studies are needed to determine the medical use of this plant resources and cultivation, chemical composition, pharmacological effects and applications. [Display omitted] • The structure of 187 natural products isolated from Physalis L. plants is highlighted and reviewed. • Resource cultivation of Physalis L. is reviewed. • The present application of Physalis L. plants is reviewed. • The various pharmacological activities of Physalis L. plants are discussed. • The deficiencies of current studies on Physalis L. plants are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) belongs to the category of " Xiaoke disease" according to the symptoms, and "stasis-heat" is the main pathogenesis of DCM. The Chinese medicine Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (AAB), as a representative of heat-clearing and engendering fluid, is often used clinically in the treatment of DCM. Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge total saponins (RATS) are the main bioactive components of AAB, the modern pharmacologic effects of RATS are anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective. However, the potential protective mechanisms of RATS against DCM remain largely undiscovered. The primary goal of this study was to explore the effect of RATS on DCM and its mechanism of action. Streptozotocin and a high-fat diet were used to induce DCM in rats. UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS was used to determine the chemical components of RATS. The degenerative alterations and apoptotic cells in the heart were assessed by HE staining and TUNEL. Network pharmacology was used to anticipate the probable targets and important pathways of RATS. The alterations in metabolites and main metabolic pathways in heart tissue were discovered using 1 H-NMR metabolomics. Ultimately, immunohistochemistry was used to find critical pathway protein expression. First of all, UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis showed that RATS contained 11 active ingredients. In animal experiments, we found that RATS lowered blood glucose and lipid levels in DCM rats, and alleviated cardiac pathological damage, and decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, the study found that RATS effectively reduced inflammatory factor release and the level of oxidative stress. Mechanistically, RATS downregulated the expression levels of PI3K, AKT, HIF-1α, LDHA, and GLUT4 proteins. Additionally, glycolysis was discovered to be a crucial pathway for RATS in the therapy of DCM. Our findings suggest that the protective effect of RATS on DCM may be attributed to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1 α pathway and the correction of glycolytic metabolism. [Display omitted] • We found for the first time that the Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge total saponins could improve diabetes cardiomyopathy. • We discuss the chemical composition, pharmacological action, and mechanism of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge total saponins. • We found that Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge total saponins could improve diabetes cardiomyopathy by regulating glycolytic metabolism. • We provide theoretical guidance for the application of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge total saponins in modern medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The facile solution-processed methods for preparing Sb 2 S 3 and In 2 S 3 films are used. • In 2 S 3 improves the compactness, crystallinity, and optical performance of Sb 2 S 3 film. • In 2 S 3 buffer layer enhances the photovoltaic characteristics of Sb 2 S 3 cell device. • The promoted charge transfer mobility at TiO 2 /In 2 S 3 /Sb 2 S 3 interface is determined. Although antimony sulfide (Sb 2 S 3) has become a promising photovoltaic material, the performance of Sb 2 S 3 planar solar cells is pinned by the charge recombination and interface defects of Sb 2 S 3 thin film. Herein, n-type indium sulfide (In 2 S 3) serving as the buffer layer between TiO 2 and the Sb 2 S 3 layers was prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. Sb 2 S 3 thin films were in situ prepared with a solution-processed construction strategy. The characteristics of the obtained thin films were studied in more detail by electron microscopy, X-ray technique, optical and electrochemical performance measurements. Results show that the In 2 S 3 buffer layer prepared by the optimized CBD time improves the compactness and crystallinity, prevents Sb3+ from being oxidized, and boosts the light absorption ability for the Sb 2 S 3 films. The fabricated FTO/TiO 2 /In 2 S 3 /Sb 2 S 3 /P3HT/Au planar cell device exhibits the higher open-circuit voltage (V oc) of 0.59 V, short-circuit current density (J sc) of 8.90 mA cm−2, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.41%, respectively, compared to the FTO/TiO 2 /Sb 2 S 3 /P3HT/Au cell device. The superior photoelectric conversion performance is attributed to the promoting effects of the In 2 S 3 buffer layer at the interface between TiO 2 and the Sb 2 S 3 layers, which reduce the charge recombination, facilitate the electron transfer, and enhance the electron lifetime. This work proposes an original insight towards non-toxic In 2 S 3 as a buffer layer in Sb 2 S 3 planar solar cells. The In 2 S 3 buffer layer forms a favorable gradient energy band for the TiO 2 /In 2 S 3 /Sb 2 S 3 plannar solar cell, exhibiting the superior photovoltaic performance compared to the TiO 2 /Sb 2 S 3 cell device. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is a degenerative progress, accompanied by oxidative damage, metabolic disorders and intestinal flora imbalance. Natural macromolecular polysaccharides have shown excellent anti-aging and antioxidant properties, while maintaining metabolic and intestinal homeostasis. The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, infrared spectrum and other chemical structure information of four Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides (RG50, RG70, RG90, RGB) were determined, and their free radical scavenging ability was assessed. Molecular weight and monosaccharide composition analysis exhibited that RG50 (2–72 kDa), RG70 (3.2–37 kDa), RG70 (3–42 kDa), and RGB (3.1–180 kDa) were heteropolysaccharide with significant different monosaccharide species and molar ratios. We found that RG70 had the best antioxidant activity in vitro and RG70 could enhance the antioxidant enzyme system of Caenorhabditis elegans , diminished lipofuscin and reactive oxygen species levels, up-regulate the expression of daf-16 , skn-1 and their downstream genes, and down-regulate the expression of age-1. Metabolomics results showed that RG70 mainly influenced glycine, serine and threonine metabolism and citric acid cycle. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that RG70 significantly up-regulated the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4B4_group , which were positively correlated with amino acid metabolism and energy cycling. These results suggest that RG70 may delay aging by enhancing antioxidant effects, affecting probiotics and regulating key metabolic pathways. [Display omitted] • Four polysaccharides were obtained from R. glutinosa by fractional alcohol precipitation. • RG70 was the optimal antioxidant compared with RG50, RG90 and RGB. • RG70 can delay senescence and improve the antioxidant capacity of C. elegans. • RG70 may delay aging by regulating metabolite levels and gut microbiota abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hindered by price and scarcity, the exploitation of supported Pt-based electrocatalysts with Pt single atoms or Pt nanoclusters is an alternative way to decrease the dosage of Pt and improve the electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of water splitting. The anodization technology is used to modify the surface of nickel foam (NF) to form the porous NiF 2 network structure. Then Pt nanodots interfaced with Ni(OH) 2 (Pt/Ni(OH) 2) hybrid on the anodized NF has been in-situ synthesized by a simple hydrothermal decomposition method. Results show that Pt nanodots on the substrate have good dispersion with the average size of 3 nm, and the Pt loading is only 0.229 mg cm−2. The prepared electrode exhibits the low overpotentials of 25.9 mV and 211 mV at the current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, a small Tafel slope of 37.6 mV dec−1, and the excellent durability for HER. The porous network nanostructure of Pt/Ni(OH) 2 hybrid, the large electrochemical surface area, the fast facilitated electron transport capability, and the firm adhesion of Pt nanodots with the anodized NF substrate contribute to the remarkable performance towards HER. Image 1 • A simple hydrothermal decomposition method was used to synthesize Pt nanodots. • The anodized NF contributes to the porous network nanostructure of Pt/Ni(OH) 2 hybrid. • The modification of the NF substrate enhances the HER performance of the electrodes. • The mechanisms of the efficient HER for the Pt/Ni(OH) 2 /NF-A electrode are explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YMR-65​, 5-(5-bromo-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4, 5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide, is a potential tubulin inhibitor exhibiting good anticancer activity. In our study, we illustrated the biological activities in HepG2 cells and the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles were evaluated in murine H22 hepatoma-bearing mice. Molecular docking assay and colchicine competition assay indicated that YMR-65 could bind tightly to the colchicine binding site of tubulin. Further investigation demonstrated that YMR-65 arrested cells in the G2/M phase of cell cycle and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Compared with control group, the tumor growth inhibition determined by final relative volume of tumor/the initial tumor volume were 32.57%, 24.00% and 34.95%, respectively, for YMR-65 (10 mg/kg), YMR-65 (20 mg/kg) and CA4P (10 m/kg) groups. Besides there were no obvious body change or tissue damage (enhanced by histopathology study). YMR-65 administration at 10 and 20 mg/kg in H22 tumor-bearing mice resulted in 1.87- and 1.80-fold longer half time (t 1/2 ) and 0.36- and 0.78-fold lower area under concentration-time curve (AUC 0–∞ ) in plasma in contrast with normal mice at 10 mg/kg. Furthermore, YMR-65 showed a wide distribution to various tissues or tumor and the highest distribution index (the ratio of AUC tissue or tumor /AUC plasma ) was found in tumor, which implied that it might accumulate in tumor after administration. In brief, our results indicated that YMR-65 was a promising candidate with high antitumor efficacy and low tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death globally and thus imposes heavy economic burden on patients, their families, and society. Furthermore, COPD seriously affects the quality of life of patients. The concept of "overall regulation" of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of COPD. Aim of the study: The objective of this review is to summarize the TCM theories, experimental methods, TCM extracts, active TCM ingredients, and TCM formulas for the treatment of COPD and reveal the effects and mechanisms of TCM treatments on COPD. This article reviewed literature on TCM-based treatments for COPD reported from 2016 to 2021. Relevant scientific studies were obtained from databases that included PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, Google Scholar, The Plant List, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder. This review summarized TCM-based theory, experimental methods, active ingredients, and potential toxicities, the effects of TCM extracts and formulations, and their mechanisms for the treatment of COPD. Most investigators have used in vivo models of cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide induction in rats and in vitro models of cigarette smoke extract induction. The active ingredients of TCM used for the treatment of COPD in relevant studies were triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, quinones, glycosides, and alkaloids. TCMs commonly used in the treatment of COPD include antipyretic drugs, tonic medicines, anticough medications, and asthma medications. TCM can treat COPD by suppressing inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and improving airway remodeling. This review enriches the theory of COPD treatments based on TCM, established the clinical significance and development prospects of TCM-based COPD treatments, and provided the necessary theoretical support for the further development of TCM resources for the treatment of COPD. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of skin trauma is high and the repair process is complex, often leading to poor healing and other issues, which can result in significant economic and social burdens. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a valuable resource with proven effectiveness and safety in wound repair, widely utilized in clinical practice. A systematic analysis of wound healing with a focus on TCM research progress holds both academic and clinical importance. This article reviews the research progress of TCM in promoting wound healing, and provides basic data for the development of innovative drugs that promote wound healing. This article provides a review of the literature from the past decade and conducts a thorough analysis of various databases that contain reports on the use of TCM for wound repair. The data for this systematic research was gathered from electronic databases including CNKI, SciFinder, and PubMed. The study explores and summarizes the research findings and patterns by creating relevant charts. This study reviewed the mechanism of wound healing, experimental TCM methods to promote wound healing, the theory and mode of action of TCM to promote wound healing, the active ingredients of TCM that promote wound healing, the efficacy of TCM formulae to promote wound healing, and the potential toxicity of TCM and its antidotes. This study enriched the theory of TCM in promoting wound healing. Skin wound healing is a complex process that can be influenced by various internal and external factors. This article offers a theoretical foundation for exploring and utilizing TCM resources that enhance wound repair. By analyzing a range of TCM that promote wound healing, the article highlights the clinical importance and future potential of these medicines in promoting wound healing. [Display omitted] • The complex process of wound healing was reviewed. • The experimental methods of TCM promoting wound healing were reviewed. • The mechanism of TCM promoting wound healing was reviewed. • The active components of TCM for wound healing were reviewed. • This article reviews the research progress of TCM formulae in promoting wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that natural polysaccharides are potential anti-inflammatory agents, in this study, an arabinan (RGP70–2) was isolated and purified from Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. (R. glutinosa) and its structure was characterized. RGP70–2 was a homogeneous polysaccharide with a molecular weight of 6.7 kDa, with the main backbone comprising →5)- α -L-Ara f -(1→, →3)- α -L-Ara f -(1→, →2,3,5)- α -L-Ara f -(1→, and →2,5)- α -L-Ara f -(1 → linkages and the side chain comprising an α -L-Ara f -(1 → linkage. In vivo experiments showed that RGP70–2 inhibited ROS production and downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF- α, IL-1 β , and IL-6). In vitro experiments showed that RGP70–2 decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibited ROS production, and attenuated NF- κ B-p65 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Our results showed that RGP70–2 may delay inflammation by regulating the ROS-NF- κ B pathway. Thus, RGP70–2 has potential applications as an anti-inflammatory agent in the biopharmaceutical industry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erzhi Pill (EZP) is a traditional Chinese prescription that has marked effects in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanisms in the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to apply an integrative pharmacological strategy to systematically evaluate the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of EZP, and provide a solid theoretical basis for the clinical application of EZP in the treatment of DCM. In this study, the potential targets and key pathways of EZP were predicted and validated using network pharmacology and molecular docking, respectively. Changes in cardiac metabolites and major metabolic pathways in rat heart samples were examined using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics. Finally, biochemical analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of key pathways. We found that EZP decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in the serum, and alleviated the morphological abnormalities of the heart tissue in diabetic rats. Furthermore, EZP effectively restored superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 activity levels, as well as the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the heart tissue. Network pharmacology prediction results indicated that the mechanism of EZP in treating DCM was closely related to apoptosis, oxidative stress, and the HIF-1, PI3K-Akt, and FoxO signaling pathways. In addition, 1H-NMR metabolomics confirmed that EZP primarily regulated both energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, ketone bodies metabolism, glutamine and glutamate metabolism, glycine metabolism, and purine metabolism. Finally, immunohistochemistry results indicated that EZP reduced the expression levels of p-AMPK, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-FoxO3a proteins, in the heart tissue of DCM rats. The results confirmed that the overall therapeutic effect of EZP in the DCM rat model is exerted via inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis, alongside the regulation of energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism, as well as the AMPK and PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathways. This study provides an experimental basis for the use of EZP in DCM treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]