•Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the depression-like behavior induced by CUMS.•Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the neuronal structural changes induced by CUMS.•Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the decreased ...expression of BDNF induced by CUMS.•Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the decreased level of p-CREB induced by CUMS.•Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the decreased level of p-PKA induced by CUMS.
Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder which has been associated with a wide range of structural and functional changes within specific brain regions. Ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to exert a number of neuroprotective effects as demonstrated in various in vivo and in vitro studies. However, little information is available regarding the site and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1 in promoting antidepressant effects. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective and ameliorating effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on depression-like behavior as induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS was effective in producing depression-like behaviors in rats as indicated by decreased responses in sucrose preference and forced swim tests which were associated with ultrastructural changes in neurons within the amygdala. Moreover, levels of PKA and CREB phosphorylation and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were decreased in the amygdala of CUMS rats. Remarkably, chronic ginsenoside Rg1 (40mg/kg, i.p., 5weeks) treatment significantly ameliorated these behavioral and biochemical alterations associated with CUMS-induced depression. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate that ginsenoside Rg1 exhibits antidepressant-like effects against CUMS-induced depression. This amelioration of depression-like behaviors by ginsenoside Rg1 appears to be mediated, at least in part, by a CREB-regulated increase of BDNF expression in the amygdala of rats. Therefore, these findings reveal the therapeutic potential of ginsenoside Rg1 for use in clinical trials in the treatment of depression.
This study investigated the inhibition of enzymatic hydrolysis by unbound lignin (soluble and insoluble) with or without the addition of metal compounds. Sulfonated, Organosolv, and Kraft lignin were ...added in aqueous enzyme−cellulose systems at different concentrations before hydrolysis. The measured substrate enzymatic digestibility (SED) of cellulose was decreased by 15% when SL was added to a concentration of 0.1 g/L due to nonproductive adsorption of enzymes onto lignin. Cu(II) and Fe(III) were found to inhibit enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis in the presence of lignin. Ca(II) and Mg(II) were found to reduce or eliminate nonproductive enzyme adsorption by the formation of lignin−metal complex. The addition of Ca(II) or Mg(II) to a concentration of 10 mM can almost completely eliminate the reduction in SED caused by the nonproductive enzyme adsorption onto the lignins studied (SL, OL, or KL at concentration of 0.1 g/L). Ca(II) was also found to reduce the inhibitive effect of bound lignin in pretreated wood substrate, suggesting that Ca(II) can also form complex with bound lignin on pretreated solid lignocelluloses. Significant improvement in SED of about over 27% of a eucalyptus substrate produced by sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose (SPORL) was achieved with the application of Ca(II).
Low specific capacity and poor cycling performance are two main problems of Mn-based oxides that hinder their application in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). Herein, we design a facile sacrificial ...template method to construct a unique three-dimensional macroporous honeycomb-like hollow carbon matrix, and then grow ultrasmall Mn3O4 nanocrystalline with the diameter of 5 nm inside the hollow carbon matrix. The composite has large surface area (56.9 m2 g−1) and high Mn3O4 content (about 47.1%). When the composite is used as the cathode material of ZIBs, it exhibits extraordinary discharge capacity of 845 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1, impressive rate capability with average discharge capacity of 46 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1, and superior long-term cycling performance with discharge capacity of 123 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 800 cycles. Electrochemical kinetics measurements and ex-situ XRD, SEM and TEM further demonstrate that the macroporous honeycomb-like hollow carbon matrix significantly increases electronic conductivity and structural stability of Mn3O4. Besides, electrochemical activity and surface capacitive effect of Mn3O4 are also greatly enhanced by its ultrasmall size.
Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum B1 on broiler performance, cecal bacteria, and ileal and cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA). The study also ...determined whether it was necessary to feed Lactobacillus throughout the entire growth period or if the beneficial effects could be obtained by supplementation during the starter or finisher period only. Experiment 1 was conducted with 72 broilers assigned to 2 treatments (N = 6). One treatment was the basal diet (Con), and the other was the basal diet supplemented with 2 × 109 cfu/kg L. plantarum B1 (Wh). In experiment 2, 144 one-day-old broilers were assigned to 4 treatments (N = 6) including a basal diet (Con), the basal diet supplemented with 2 × 109 cfu/kg L. plantarum B1 during d one to 21 only (St), the basal diet supplemented with L. plantarum B1 during d 22 to 42 only (Fn), and, finally, the basal diet supplemented with L. plantarum B1 from d one to 42 (Wh). Experiment 1 showed that L. plantarum B1 enhanced broiler average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). In experiment 2, during the starter period, broilers in the Wh and St treatments had higher ADG (P < 0.05) than broilers in the Con and Fn, while during the finisher period, broilers in the Wh and Fn had higher ADG (P < 0.01) and improved FCR (P < 0.01) compared with broilers in the Con and St. On d 42, broilers in the Wh and Fn had decreased E. coli (P < 0.05) and increased lactic acid bacteria (P < 0.05) in their cecal digesta. L. plantarum B1 also increased (P < 0.05) ileal mucosal sIgA as well as ileal and cecal SCFA. However, L. plantarum B1 had no effect on intestinal morphology. In conclusion, L. plantarum B1 plays a positive role in broilers. Supplementation during the finisher period or the entire growth period is superior to supplementation during the starter period only.
The pressure-induced superconductivity and structural evolution of Bi2Se3 single crystals are studied. The emergence of superconductivity at an onset transition temperature (Tc) of about 4.4 K is ...observed at around 12 GPa. Tc increases rapidly to a maximum of 8.2 K at 17.2 GPa, decreases to around 6.5 K at 23 GPa, and then remains almost constant with further increases in pressure. Variations in Tc with respect to pressure are closely related to the carrier density, which increases by over two orders of magnitude from 2 to 23 GPa. High-pressure synchrotron radiation measurements reveal structural transitions at around 12, 20, and above 29 GPa. A phase diagram of superconductivity versus pressure is also constructed.
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•Plentiful 3D closed microspace provided by macroporous honeycomb carbon.•MnS nanoparticles with a size of 20–30 nm are in-situ formed by gaseous sulfurization.•Remarkably enhanced ...specific capacity, cycling durability and rate capability.
Low electronic/ionic conductivity and huge volume variation severely affect lithium storage performance of MnS. This study is focused on addressing these challenges of MnS through novel synthesis strategy and composite structure: Construction of 3D macroporous honeycomb carbon based on the hard template method of SiO2 microspheres, chemical reaction between KMnO4-carbon, and in-situ gaseous sulfidation. Material characterization demonstrates that α-MnS nanoparticles with a size of 20–30 nm are grown in 3D macroporous honeycomb carbon through chemical bonding. The composite delivers enhanced specific capacity and cycling durability (1048 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 120 cycles, 672 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 200 cycles, 616 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 200 cycles), and outstanding rate capability (1105 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, 126 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1). The composite demonstrates excellent kinetics properties, including high proportion of the capacitive effect, low reaction impedance and high ionic diffusion coefficient. Good structural stability is confirmed by SEM and TEM images. The exceptional electrochemical performance is attributed to the smart design of α-MnS nanoparticles confined in the closed macroporous honeycomb carbon, which improves conductivity and stability of α-MnS.
Topological superconductivity is one of most fascinating properties of topological quantum matters that was theoretically proposed and can support Majorana Fermions at the edge state. ...Superconductivity was previously realized in a Cu-intercalated Bi2Se3 topological compound or a Bi2Te3 topological compound at high pressure. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity in the topological compound Sb2Te3 when pressure was applied. The crystal structure analysis results reveal that superconductivity at a low-pressure range occurs at the ambient phase. The Hall coefficient measurements indicate the change of p-type carriers at a low-pressure range within the ambient phase, into n-type at higher pressures, showing intimate relation to superconducting transition temperature. The first principle calculations based on experimental measurements of the crystal lattice show that Sb2Te3 retains its Dirac surface states within the low-pressure ambient phase where superconductivity was observed, which indicates a strong relationship between superconductivity and topology nature.
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