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Alpinia oxyphylla , a perennial herb belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, has a long history of traditional medicinal use. The present study evaluated the efficacy of different concentrations of Alpinia oxyphylla essential oil (AEO) on the growth performance, serum antioxidation capacities, immune function, apparent digestibility of nutrients, and gut microbiota in fattening pigs. A total of 120 pigs were divided into five treatments, with six replicates each and four pigs per replicate. The pigs were fed a basal diet or basal diet with chlortetracycline (CTC) alone or AEO at 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg (referred to as groups AEO1, AEO2, and AEO3, respectively) for 35 days, preceded by a 7-day pre-feed period. The results show that there were no statistically significant differences in growth performance for any dose of AEO supplementation. AEO increased L-DLC content, total protein content and the activity of GSH in serum (p < 0.05). The AEO also exhibited a linear increase in serum IgG content (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with AEO improved apparent digestibility of crude ash and calcium (p < 0.05). In gut microbiota, AEO modified the diversity and abundance of bacterial communities in fattening pigs. The abundance of Dorea , Blautia , Butyricicoccus , Bulleidia , and Lactobacillus was higher in the AEO groups compared to the control group, while Clostridium and Turicibacter were lower. The Bifidobacteriales and Pseudomonas were abundant in group AEO1 and AEO3, respectively. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg AEO has the potential to improve growth performance, immunological, biochemical, and antioxidant statuses. Additionally, AEO can increase the efficiency of nutrient digestion and absorption through the regulation of gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Cr2Ti)AlC2 is a newly discovered MAX phase with ordered occupations of Ti and Cr atoms on M sites. The Cr-containing MAX phase is expected showing magnetic property, which provides functional applications in spintronics and as self-monitoring smart coating. The magnetic states of (Cr2Ti)AlC2 are predicted by GGA and GGA + U methods and compared to those of Cr2AlC. The ground states are predicted as FM or AFM-XX configurations depending on the calculation methods. Analysis of the electronic structure shows that the magnetic moments mainly originate from the net spins of Cr 3d valence electrons, whereas the contribution of other atoms is negligible. The calculated magnetic moments of Cr atoms in (Cr2Ti)AlC2 are higher than those in Cr2AlC due to the larger distance between the out-plane Cr atoms separated by the intercalated nonmagnetic Ti-C slab. This work provides an insight on tailoring magnetic properties of MAX phases by modifying the crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The crystal structure of the newly synthesized quaternary MAX phase (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 was systematically characterized by various techniques. The space group of (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 is determined to be P63/mmc by a combination of selected-area and convergent-beam electron diffraction techniques. Rietveld refinements of the neutron diffraction and X-ray diffraction data show that in (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2, Ti and Cr are ordered with Ti in the 2a and Cr in the 4f Wyckoff sites of a M3AX2 lattice. It is interesting to find that when the order of the magnetic moment of Cr atoms is considered, the ferromagnetic configuration of (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 becomes the ground state. Meanwhile, the Raman-active mode wavenumbers of (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 were calculated, and the theoretical data are quite consistent with the experimental data, further proving the ordered crystal structure of this phase. The formation of (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 with a unique crystal structure may be related to the distinctly different electronegativities and covalent radii of Cr and Ti atoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new MAX compounds, ( Cr2/3 Ti1/3)3 AlC2 and ( Cr5/8 Ti3/8)4 AlC3, were successfully synthesized by hot-pressing elemental powders at 1500°C for 1 h under 30 MPa in a flowing argon atmosphere. Their crystal structures were indentified and characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. ( Cr2/3 Ti1/3)3 AlC2 and ( Cr5/8 Ti3/8)4 AlC3 have the same crystal structures with the well-characterized Ti3 AlC2 and Ti4 AlN3, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphi spinosae semen has been widely used to treat insomnia and anxiety. To profile its chemical components, an online comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry was developed. In this two‐dimensional liquid chromatography system, a novel phthalic anhydride‐bonded stationary phase column was combined with a C18 column. As a result, this new stationary phase exhibited remarkable differences in separation selectivity from C18, achieving a good orthogonality of 83.3%. Moreover, this new stationary phase with weaker hydrophobicity than C18 realized solvent compatibility in the online configuration. Coupled with tandem MS, 154 compounds were identified, including 51 unreported compounds. Compared with one‐dimensional liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, this online two‐dimensional liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry system exhibited a much higher resolving power in isomer separation. This work provided an effective separation and characterization method for the material basis of Ziziphi spinosae semen. This strategy provides ideas for the material basis research of other traditional Chinese medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorinated stationary phases provide unique separation effect on basic compounds, due to the fluorine atoms, and pentafluorophenyl stationary phases (PFPs) are the most widely used. Considering that some fluoroalkyls have higher fluorine contents than PFPs do, it is speculated that fluoroalkyl stationary phases should have potential new applications. Herein, we synthesized a silica-based stationary phase bonding perfluoroctyl (FC8) proved by characterization through elemental analysis and solid-state 13C cross-polarization/magic-anglespinning nuclear magnetic resonance. The chromatographic behavior of the stationary phase was evaluated with test compounds. In addition, to further study the applicability of FC8 materials, Corydalis decumbens (Thunb.) Pers. fraction, considered as a challenging medicine on reversed-phase chromatography columns, was chosen as a test sample. Results demonstrated that the FC8 stationary phase had better and more satisfactory separation performance than the PFP stationary phase on basic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Modern Food Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Office of Modern Food Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Modern Food Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Office of Modern Food Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Two variants of the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) process, namely, SHS from elements and SHS metallurgy, are combined to obtain cast materials based on the Cr2AlC and (Cr0.7Ti0.3)2AlC MAX phases. The experiments involve mixtures with the compositions calculated according to the chemical scheme 70% (Cr2O3 + 3Al + C)/(2Ti + Al + C) + 30% (3CaO2 + 2Al). The synthesis is carried out in a 3-L reactor at a pressure of argon of 5 MPa. The structure and phase composition of the reaction product are studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It is found during the research that the ratio of the initial reagents has a substantial effect on the synthesis parameters and phase composition of the desired products. The possibility of obtaining a cast material based on the titanium-doped Cr2AlC phase is shown. It is found that the product is a composite material based on the (Cr1 – xTix)2AlC (x = 0.18–0.28) phase, the concentration of which is 43–62 wt % depending on the initial ratio of the reagents. The microstructure of the material is characterized by the presence of laminate layers with the inclusions of carbide grains. The end product contains carbide (Ti0.9Cr0.1C, Cr7C3, Cr3C2) and intermetallic (Al8Cr5, AlTi3) impurities, which is determined by the insufficient lifetime of the melt formed in the combustion wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum-chemical calculations (QCCs) are performed using the VASP program to determine the possibility of obtaining a MAX phase of Ti3AlC2– хВх (0.5 ≤ х ≤ 2) composition. It is shown that the isomorphic substitution of C atoms for B atoms destabilizes the system but does not destroy it. Theoretical X-ray patterns are calculated according to the QCC data. Differences between the X-ray patterns of Ti3AlC2 and Ti3AlC2– хВх (0.5 ≤ х ≤ 2) crystals are revealed, by which the substitution of C atoms for B atoms can be proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Development of highly efficient radiosensitizers is urgently desirable for addressing the resistance of cancer cells to ionizing radiation, which is the main reason for the failure of radiotherapy. Here, it is reported for the first time that supramolecular nanomaterials can serve as an excellent nanoplatform for developing superior radiosensitizers. A new curcumin‐based supramolecular nanofiber (Cur‐SNF) by virtue of a self‐assembling short peptide is developed, which greatly boosts the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancers to ionizing radiation. The drug–peptide conjugate Curcumin‐FFE‐CS‐EE is synthesized and can self‐assemble into small‐molecule hydrogel containing Cur‐SNFs triggered by reductant. In vitro and in vivo radiosensitization studies reveal that as compared to free curcumin Cur‐SNFs show much better performance as a radiosensitizer to sensitize colorectal cancer cells to ionizing radiation thanks to the supramolecular nanostructure. Due to the exceptionally high radiosensitization efficacy, Cur‐SNFs in combination with radiation realize significant reduction in tumor volume in vivo. Besides, the molecular mechanism studies demonstrate that Cur‐SNFs promote the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells through inhibiting radiation‐induced nuclear factor kappa B activation. Cur‐SNF achieves an ultralarge sensitizer enhancement ratio at 10% cell survival value of 2.01, the highest among currently reported curcumin‐based radiosensitizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, which consists of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) assembled on the surface of a nanopatterned polymer film. The fabrication route of a polymer/Ag core-shell nanorod (PACSN) array employed a direct nanoimprint technique to create a high-resolution polymer nanorod array. The obtained nanopatterned polymer film was subjected to electroless deposition to form a sea-cucumber-like Ag shell over the surface of the polymer nanorod. The morphology and structures of PACSNs were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The as-synthesized PACSNs exhibited a remarkable SERS activity and Raman signal reproducibility to rhodamine 6G, and a concentration down to 10 M can be identified. The effect of electroless deposition time of Ag NPs onto the polymer nanorod surface was investigated. It was found that the electroless deposition time played an important role in SERS activity. Our results revealed that the combination of direct nanoimprint and electroless deposition provided a convenient and cost-effective way for large-scale fabrication of reliable SERS substrates without the requirement of expensive instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herbalome is a project with the objective of globalizing Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) by clarification of its composition, structure, and function; by establishing a standard resource library; and by interpreting the synergistic and complementary mechanisms of multi-components on multi-targets. In phase I, it focuses on the development of systematic separation methodology for resolving and analyzing the complex components in CHM and establishment of a comprehensive resource library. This review summarizes recent advances in the herbalome project with regard to innovative separation techniques and demonstration of a resource library. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]