Since the number of raw material selections for the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) has grown extensively, herbal medicine as a precursor receives an increasing amount of attention. Compared with ...other biomass precursors, CDs derived from herbal medicine (HM-CDs) have become the most recent incomer in the family of CDs. In recent ten years, a great many studies have revealed that HM-CDs tend to be good at theranostics without drug loading. However, the relevant development and research results are not systematically reviewed. Herein, the origin and history of HM-CDs are outlined, especially their functional performances in medical diagnosis and treatment. Besides, we sort out the herbal medicine precursors, and analyze the primary synthetic methods and the key characteristics. In terms of the applications of HM-CDs, medical therapeutics, ion and molecular detection, bioimaging, as well as pH sensing are summarized. Finally, we discuss the crucial challenges and future prospects.
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is emerging as a global health threat and shows a higher risk for men than women. Thus far, the studies on andrological consequences of COVID-19 are ...limited. To ascertain the consequences of COVID-19 on sperm parameters after recovery, we recruited 41 reproductive-aged male patients who had recovered from COVID-19, and analyzed their semen parameters and serum sex hormones at a median time of 56 days after hospital discharge. For longitudinal analysis, a second sampling was obtained from 22 of the 41 patients after a median time interval of 29 days from first sampling. Compared with controls who had not suffered from COVID-19, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa in the patients were significantly lower at first sampling, while sperm vitality and morphology were not affected. The total sperm count, sperm concentration, and number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was reduced at the second sampling compared with those at first in the 22 patients examined. Though there were higher prolactin and lower progesterone levels in patients at first sampling than those in controls, no significant alterations were detected for any sex hormones examined over time following COVID-19 recovery in the 22 patients. Although it should be interpreted carefully, these findings indicate an adverse but potentially reversible consequence of COVID-19 on sperm quality.
Morphology evolution of sulfonic acid functionalized organosilica nanohybrids (Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO3H) with a 1D tubular structure (inner diameter of ca. 5 nm), a 2D hexagonal mesostructure (pore ...diameter of ca. 5 nm), and a 3D hollow spherical structure (shell thickness of 2–3 nm and inner diameter of ca. 15 nm) was successfully realized through P123‐templated sol–gel cocondensation strategies and fine‐tuning of the acidity followed by aging or a hydrothermal treatment. The Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO3H nanohybrids were applied in synthesis of alkyl levulinates from the esterification of levulinic acid and ethanolysis of furfural alcohol. Hollow spherical Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO3H and hexagonal mesoporous analogues exhibited the highest and lowest catalytic activity, respectively, among three types of nanohybrids; additionally, the activity was influenced by the SO3H loading. The activity differences are explained in terms of different Brønsted acid and textural properties, reactant/product diffusion, and mass transfer rate, as well as accessibility of SO3H sites to the reactant molecules. The reusability of the nanohybrids was also evaluated.
Control the power within: Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO3H nanohybrids with a hollow spherical structure, a tubular structure, and a periodic mesostructure were prepared controllably by a cocondensation route (see figure). These nanohybrids exhibited excellent heterogeneous acid catalytic activity in the synthesis of biomass‐derived alkyl levulinates; moreover, the morphology clearly influenced the catalytic activity.
We previously reported that royal jelly proteins (RJPs) hydrolyzed with protease N show the strong antioxidative activity against the peroxidation of linoleic acid. In this study, 29 antioxidative ...peptides were isolated from hydrolysate by membrane ultrafiltration, anion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. We particularly focused on 12 small peptides with 2–4 amino acid residues: these structures were identified as Ala-Leu, Phe-Lys, Phe-Arg, Ile-Arg, Lys-Phe, Lys-Leu, Lys-Tyr, Arg-Tyr, Tyr-Asp, Tyr-Tyr, Leu-Asp-Arg, Lys-Asn-Tyr-Pro. Analysis of the antioxidative properties of these peptides revealed strong hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, but neither metal-chelating activity nor superoxide-anion radical scavenging activity differed significantly among these peptides. Moreover, three dipeptides (Lys-Tyr, Arg-Tyr, and Tyr-Tyr) containing Tyr residues at the C-terminal had strong hydroxyl-radical and hydrogen-peroxide scavenging activity. This suggests that the antioxidant properties of these peptides are due to a combination of these abilities to act as free-radical scavengers. Three tyrosyl dipeptides containing Tyr residues at their C-termini (Lys-Tyr, Arg-Tyr, and Tyr-Tyr) have phenolic hydroxyl groups, which scavenge the free radicals via the mechanism of donating a hydrogen atom from their hydroxyl group.
Fingertip is the most sensitive region in human body due to the unique fingerprint patterns and interlocked structure between epidermal-dermal, which amplify the tactile stimuli and enhance the ...sensitivity. Inspired by the complicated anatomical structure, we fabricated a finger skin inspired e-skin system composed of fingerprint inspired triboelectric generator (TENG), epidermal-dermal inspired hybrid porous microstructure (HPMS) pressure sensor and subcutaneous fat inspired fabric based porous supercapacitor (FPSC). The TENG is responsible for detecting sliding direction and speed with the help of the four spiral electrodes, which adopt the frequency rather than the amplitude to detect the signal to avoid interfere from the environment. The HPMS, on the one hand, integrates the advantages from both the microstructure and porous structure to enhance the sensitivity further. On the other hand, the sensitivity of HPMS sensor is tunable by designing the shape and porosity of the HPMS, which is proved by theory, simulation and experiment. The FPSC, which can tolerate some degree of compression, works to supply energy for the pressure sensor. In this way, the sensor system can work independently without external battery. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, this sensor system has been used to detect complex action including pressure and sliding. During this process, the pressure and sliding direction and speed can be detected simultaneously without connecting to external energy source, showing its potential application area in soft robot and wearable devices.
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•A three-layer finger skin inspired e-skin system is established.•Triboelectric generate based active sensor can detect sliding speed and direction.•Hybrid porous microstructure is beneficial for enhancing piezoresistance sensitivity.•Supercapacitor is integrated to supply power for the whole system.
Background
This study aimed to summarize the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the incidence of lung cancer using a meta‐analysis of cohort studies.
Materials and methods
We ...systematically searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify potential cohort studies. Relative risk (RR) was used to calculate the association between DM and the risk of lung cancer. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and test for publication bias were performed. Twenty cohort studies were selected.
Results
The participants with DM showed little or no significant effect on the risk of lung cancer (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.99‐1.23; P = .087). DM was not associated with the risk of lung cancer in men (RR: 1.11; 95%CI: 0.92‐1.35; P = .270), but a significant association was observed in women (RR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.10‐1.28; P < .001). Subgroup analysis suggested that smoker status was confounding variables that could bias the relationship between DM and the incidence of lung cancer.
Conclusions
This meta‐analysis suggests that DM has no significant impact on the incidence of lung cancer in men but has a harmful effect on women.
Ginsenosides are the major constituent that is responsible for the health effects of American ginseng. The ginsenoside profile of wild American ginseng is ultimately the result of germplasm, climate, ...geography, vegetation species, water, and soil conditions. This is the first report to address the ginsenoside profile of wild American ginseng grown in Tennessee (TN), the third leading state for production of wild American ginseng. In the present study, ten major ginsenosides in wild American ginseng roots grown in TN, including Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, and Rg3, were determined simultaneously. The chemotypic differences among TN wild ginseng, cultivated American ginseng, and Asian ginseng were assessed based on the widely used markers of ginsenoside profiling, including the top three ginsenosides, ratios of PPD/PPT, Rg1/Rb1, Rg1/Re, and Rb2/Rc. Our findings showed marked variation in ginsenoside profile for TN wild ginseng populations. Nevertheless, TN wild ginseng has significant higher ginsenoside content and more ginsenoside diversity than the cultivated ginseng. The total ginsenoside content in TN wild ginseng, as well as ginsenosides Rg1 and Re, increases with the age of the roots. Marked chemotypic differences between TN wild ginseng and cultivated American ginseng were observed based on the chemotypic markers. Surprisingly, we found that TN wild ginseng is close to Asian ginseng with regard to these characteristics in chemical composition. This study verified an accessible method to scientifically elucidate the difference in chemical constituents to distinguish wild from the cultivated American ginseng. This work is critical for the ecological and biological assessments of wild American ginseng so as to facilitate long‐term sustainability of the wild population.
Astrocytes possess different morphological characteristics depending on the cerebral region in which they are found. However, none of the current astrocytic markers can label all subpopulations ...successfully. Thus, identifying the appropriate marker for a specific scientific investigation is critical. Here, we compared the distribution and protein expression of three astrocyte markers: NDRG2, GFAP, and S100β, in the cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus. NDRG2- and S100β-positive astrocytes were distributed more uniformly than GFAP-positive astrocytes throughout the whole cerebrum. NDRG2 and S100β immunoreactivities were the strongest in the dorsal cortex and thalamus, while GFAP immunoreactivity was the strongest in the hippocampus. Moreover, protein expression levels of NDRG2, GFAP, and S100β in adult mice were the highest in the cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus, respectively. We also detected astrocyte morphology and found that, in the corpus callosum and cerebral peduncle, GFAP-positive astrocytes were found with more numerous and longer processes than NDRG2- and S100β-positive astrocytes. These results demonstrate that NDRG2 and S100β are more suitably used to visualize the overall distribution and changes in the number of astrocytes, as well as label astrocytes in the cortex and thalamus. GFAP, however, is more appropriately used to label astrocytes in the corpus callosum, cerebral peduncle, and the hippocampus. These results help to guide researchers in the choice of appropriate astrocyte marker and suggest differences in immunological qualities of astrocytes based on the tissue in which they are found.
To evaluate the diagnostic value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) to test the elasticity of renal parenchyma by measuring the shear wave velocity (SWV) which might be used to detect chronic ...kidney disease (CKD).
327 healthy volunteers and 64 CKD patients were enrolled in the study. The potential influencing factors and measurement reproducibility were evaluated in the healthy volunteers. Correlations between SWV and laboratory tests were analyzed in CKD patients.?Receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of ARFI.
The SWV of healthy volunteers correlated significantly to age (r = -0.22, P<0.001, n = 327) and differed significantly between men and women (2.06±0.48 m/s vs. 2.2±0.52 m/s, P = 0.018, n = 327). However, it did not correlate significantly to height, weight, body mass index, waistline, kidney dimension and the depth for SWV measurement (n = 30). Inter- and intraobserver agreement expressed as intraclass coefficient correlation were 0.64 (95% CI: 0.13 to 0.82, P = 0.011) and 0.6 (95% CI: 0.31 to 0.81, P = 0.001) (n = 40). The mean SWV in healthy volunteers was 2.15±0.51 m/s, while was 1.81±0.43 m/s, 1.79±0.29 m/s, 1.81±0.44 m/s, 1.64±0.55 m/s, and 1.36±0.17 m/s for stage 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in CKD patients respectively. The SWV was significantly higher for healthy volunteers compared with each stage in CKD patients. ARFI could not predict the different stages of CKD except stage 5. In CKD patients, SWV correlated to e-GFR (r = 0.3, P = 0.018), to urea nitrogen (r = -0.3, P = 0.016), and to creatinine (r = -0.41, P = 0.001). ROC analyses indicated that the area under the ROC curve was 0.752 (95% CI: 0.704 to 0.797) (P<0.001). The cut-off value for predicting CKD was 1.88 m/s (sensitivity 71.87% and specificity 69.69%).
ARFI may be a potentially useful tool in detecting CKD.
The steroid hormone estrogen (17-β-estradiol, E2) provides neuroprotection against cerebral ischemic injury by activating estrogen receptors. The novel estrogen receptor G protein-coupled receptor 30 ...(GPR30) is highly expressed in the brain and provides acute neuroprotection against stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
In this study, ovariectomized female mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and E2, G1, and ICI182780 were administered immediately upon reperfusion. The infarction volume, neurological scores, and neuronal injuries were examined. Primary microglial cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), and the drugs were administered immediately upon reintroduction. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in penumbra and microglia were assessed by ELISA. The cell viability and lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) release of neurons co-cultured with microglia were analyzed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and LDH release assays. Microglial activation as well as GPR30, Iba1, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) protein expression and TLR4 mRNA expression were detected. Additionally, NF-κB activity was detected in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia after the activation of GPR30.
GPR30 was highly expressed in microglia and significantly increased after ischemic injury. The activation of GPR30 significantly reduced the infarction volume, improved the neurological deficit, and alleviated neuronal injuries. Moreover, GPR30 activation significantly reduced the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from ischemic penumbra and microglia subjected to OGD and alleviated neuronal injury as assessed using the CCK8 and LDH assays. Finally, the activation of GPR30 relieved microglial activation, reduced Iba1 and TLR4 protein expression and TLR4 mRNA levels, and inhibited NF-κB activity.
Microglial GPR30 exerts acute neuroprotective effects by inhibiting TLR4-mediated microglial inflammation, which indicates that GPR30 may be a potential target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
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