Hydrothermally synthesized Sn-doped ZnO nanorices underwent comprehensive characterization, encompassing structural, morphological, compositional, optical, and vibrational features using advanced techniques. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) revealed nanorices with dimensions 0.5—0.9 μm length and 80—150 nm width and distinctive morphology, displaying tapered or pointed ends, flower-like agglomeration, and a textured surface. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the wurtzite hexagonal phase, and the Debye-Scherer equation estimated an average crystal size of 9.17 nm. Antibacterial assessment against Bacillus cereus exhibited a notable dose-dependent effect, with substantial zones of inhibition (ZOI) at 90 μg/mL, comparable to standard antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin. Antifungal evaluation against Candida albicans demonstrated a dosedependent trend, indicating a potent hindrance of fungal growth at higher concentrations. Comparative analysis against the standard antifungal agent, Itraconazole, revealed a marginally superior antimicrobial effect of Sn-doped ZnO nanorices at the highest concentration tested. The nanorices exhibited comparable or superior efficacy compared to standard drugs, highlighting their potential as effective and tailored antimicrobial agents.

This research was aimed to explore the application of chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat skin injury. Method: the VEGF-loaded CS NPs (VEGF/CS-NPs) were prepared, and a skin injury model on the back skin of rats was established. The VEGF/CS-NPs were applied to the injury model to observe the skin changes in the wound area of each group, compare the healing rate, the number of micro-vessels, and VEGF expression in each group of rats, so as to explore the intervention effect of VEGF/CS-NPs in skin injury. Results: the prepared VEGF/CS-NPs were spherical or quasi-spherical in morphology, uniformly dispersed, with smooth surfaces and relatively uniform size. The average particle size (PS) of the blank CS-NPs was 267.5 nm± 25.3 nm, while that of the drug-loaded CS-NPs was 298.6 nm ±44.7 nm, and the PS distribution was also very concentrated. The genipin cross-linked NPs could effectively prevent the degradation of the spherical wall and achieve the slow release of VEGF. After VEGF was applied to rats in the form of NPs, its healing rate and micro-vessel count were markedly superior to those of VEGF injection alone and blank group (P < 0.05), and VEGF expression in skin injury tissues was also greatly increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: VEGF/CS-NPs could improve the bioavailability of VEGF and promote the healing of rat skin injuries.

The restoration of stone cultural relics requires materials that align with the relics’ inherent characteristics and are economically viable. While natural hydraulic lime has historically been the preferred material for such restoration efforts, challenges such as limited availability and high costs have prompted the exploration of alternative solutions. In this study, three distinct formulations of artificial hydraulic lime (GL1, GL2, and GL3) were meticulously developed by combining hydraulic components, volcanic ash activators, heavy calcium powder, and slaked lime powder. Emphasizing compatibility with stone cultural relics, GL2 and GL3 were selected for the preparation of a stone cultural relic restoration mortar. Comprehensive testing, including fluidity, water absorption rate, strength, and drying shrinkage, was conducted. The restoration mortars demonstrated optimal fluidity between 170 and 180 mm, meeting stringent requirements for restoration applications. Notably, the water absorption rate, ranging from 13% to 15%, exceeded that of native rock, satisfying sacrificial protection criteria. After a 28-day carbonization period, the compressive strength of AL3 and BL3 samples surpassed 20 MPa, while AL2 and BL2 samples exhibited compressive strengths ranging from 16 to 19 MPa—well within the 20%-80% range of the native rock’s compressive strength. The pull-out bonding strength at 28 days was moderate for all four restoration mortar types, with no discernible irreversible damage to the underlying rock base. The adaptability of selecting restoration mortar based on the material strength of stone cultural relics was demonstrated. Finally, the successful application of the restoration mortar formulated with GL2 lime in restoring stone slabs at the Confucius Temple highlights the practical significance of the research findings, offering valuable insights for the sustainable preservation of architectural heritage.

A novel chitosan/halloysite nanotubes composite aerogel (CS/HNTs) was prepared by incorporation of halloysite nantubes into crosslinked chitosan network via vacuum freeze drying. Nitrogen adsorption—desorption isotherms analysis show it has a specific surface area of 51.24 m2g–1 with an average pore diameter of 8.96 nm, the resulting CS/HNTs was used as an efficient adsorbent material for removal of Cr(VI) from water. The adsorption performance of CS/HNTs for Cr(VI) under different experimental conditions were studied. The adsorption experiments show that the adsorption capacity of CS/HNTs composite aerogel for Cr(VI) increases slightly with the increase of temperature and the optimum pH value for Cr(VI) adsorption is found at pH = 2. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was estimated to be 49.85 mg g–1 with the optimum adsorbent dose of 0.10 g at 30 °C. The adsorption kinetics of the assay exhibit a strong correlation with the mathematical model known as the pseudo—second—order equation. The experimental results exhibit a high level of conformity with the Langmuir isotherm, providing evidence of a state of equilibrium. Moreover, detailed computations have been conducted to ascertain crucial thermodynamic parameters such as the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), modification in enthalpy (ΔH°), and variation in entropy (ΔS°). These calculated parameters provide compelling evidence that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto CS/HNTs is a spontaneous process driven by thermodynamic favorability. Furthermore, the process is characterized by the absorption of heat from the surroundings, indicating an endothermic nature.

We aimed to investigate the effect of gefitinib on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer (GC) cells through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. The GC cell line NCI-N87 was cultured in vitro and divided into a control group and a gefitinib group. Cell viability for NCI-N87 was determined using the MTT test. The amount of apoptosis in NCI-N87 cells was measured using flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure GDH1 mRNA expression in NCI-N87 cells. P-MEK1/2, MEK1/2, P-ERK1/2, and ERK1/2 protein expression levels in NCI-N87 cells were determined using Western blotting. An assay kit for measuring glutamine was used to determine the intracellular glutamine concentration of NCI-N87 cells. The proliferative activity of NCI-N87 cells was significantly inhibited in the gefitinib group compared to the control group, along with the transcription level of GDH1, intracellular glutamine content, intracellular glutamine content reduction, and p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 protein expression levels. Gefitinib inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in the GC cell line NCI-N87 by downregulating the EGFR/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Mechanistically, it is achieved by promoting the expression of GDH1 to promote glutaminolysis in NCI-N87 cells.

This research was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of heparin/polyarginine/hyaluronic acid (HPHA) complex loaded with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on coronary artery restenosis (CAR). Dopamine was grafted to obtain dopamine-hyaluronic acid (DPA) composite material, and heparin/polyarginine (HP) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with VEGF were obtained through electrostatic binding (ESB). The HP NPs loaded with VEGF mixed with hyaluronic acid (HA) were mixed in a 10:1 volume ratio to obtain a composite solution, namely HPHA complex. Next, the sodium metaperiodate was added to form a hydrogel. The samples were characterized using a zeta potential (ZP) analyzer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and water contact angle (WCA). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and toluidine blue O (TBO) staining were employed to assess the immobilization and release of VEGF and heparin. Rhodamine staining was adopted to evaluate the adhesion of platelets, fibrinogen, macrophages, and umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (UASMCs). Furthermore, CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs). The results revealed that compared to 0 mg/L, the particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and θ angle decreased, and the absolute value of ZP increased at 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/L. The cumulative release (CR) of VEGF at 200 mg/L was higher to that at 0 mg/L, while that of heparin was lower (P <0.05). The platelet surface coverage rate (PSCR), relative platelet activation rate (RPAR), and fibrinogen coverage rate (FCR) at 10 and 20 days were lower and exhibited great difference to those at 0 mg/L (P <0.05). Compared to groups II and III, group I presented a markedly higher number of macrophages and UASMCs on the first and third days of culture (P <0.05). 3 days after culture, adhesion and proliferation of ECs in groups U, I, and K increased greatly (P <0.05). In conclusion, the HPHA complex prepared from HP NPs loaded with VEGF and HA in this research exhibited good stability, uniformity, hydrophilicity, and blood compatibility. It effectively blocked the adhesion of macrophages and UASMCs and promoted the proliferation of ECs, thus conforming to the mechanism of inhibiting CAR after coronary stent intervention.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a relatively common malignant tumor of the digestive system. In this research, the impact of quercetin (Que) on fecal syndecan-2 (SDC2) gene methylation levels in CRC patients and its potential mechanisms of action were analyzed. Retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 56 CRC patients admitted to our outpatient department. The methylation status of SDC2 in fecal samples and the sensitivity and specificity of fecal SDC2 gene detection were analyzed. Subsequently, MTT assay was performed to assess the impact of Que on cell viability of SW480 cells during the growth phase. The blank control consisted of 200 μL of L-15 medium, the solvent control group consisted of 200 μL of L-15 medium+150 μL of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and the experimental group consisted of 200 μL of L-15 medium+different concentrations of Que (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120 μmol/L). After SW480 cells were treated with various concentrations of Que, protein expression (EP) levels of C-Myc, B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The single-gene detection of SDC2 in fecal samples yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.763 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.623–0.876). As the concentration of Que increased, the OD values decreased. Various concentrations of Que exhibited varying inhibitory effects on SW480 cell proliferation (CP) at different time intervals, with the OD values at 72 h being superior to those at 48 h and 24 h. The OD values at 48 h were superior to those at 24 h, indicating a significant enhancement of SW480 proliferation with prolonged time. As the treatment concentration increased, the cell viability gradually decreased. Que at concentrations ranging from 20 to 160 μmol/L showed a notable inhibition of SW480 CP. With increasing concentrations of Que, protein levels of C-Myc, Bcl-2, p-STAT3, and IL-6 decreased gradually. In summary, Que can inhibit the EP of inflammatory factors in CRC patients, suppress tumor CP by downregulating protein levels of C-Myc, Bcl-2, p-STAT3, and IL-6, and thus exert an anti-CRC effect.

In this paper, the acoustic mismatch model and the differential effective medium scheme were applied to predict the influence of different interfacial coatings (Si and SiC) on the interfacial thermal conductivity and thermal conductivity of the Diamond/Al composites, respectively. With the increase of the thickness of interfacial coatings, the interfacial thermal conductivity and of the thermal conductivity of Diamond/Al composites decreased. In order to obtain ideal thermal conductivity of Diamond/Al composites, the thickness of the coating should be controlled below 1 μm. When the volume fraction of diamond was 60% and the average particle size was 100 μm, the interfacial thermal conductivity of Si and SiC coated Diamond/Al composites were in the range of 1.77×107∼1.1×108 W/(m2 · K) and 2.44×107∼1.29×108 W/(m2 · K), respectively; the thermal conductivity of Si and SiC coated Diamond/Al composites were in the range of 541.58∼764.15 W/(m· K) and 594.45∼777.3 W/(m· K), respectively. The thermal conductivity of Si and SiC coated Diamond/Al composites increased with the volume fraction and average particle size of Diamond, and the thermal conductivity of SiC coated Diamond/Al composites was higher than that of Si coated composites. SiC interface coating was proposed to be the most promising candidates to improve the thermal performance of Diamond/Al composites.

Our study aimed to investigate the combined effect of berberine hydrochloride and vancomycin on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) planktonic bacteria. MRSA strains were isolated from patients with periprosthetic infections. In vitro experiments were conducted to examine changes in the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the bacteria when treated with the combination. The study found that berberine hydrochloride enhanced the antibacterial effect of vancomycin against MRSA. Interestingly, sub-inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin led to increased biofilm formation of MRSA, with a more pronounced effect as the concentration decreased. Berberine hydrochloride partly increased MRSA biofilm formation when combined with sub-inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin, but it reduced the promotion of MRSA biofilm formation at MIC concentrations. Notably, the combination of berberine hydrochloride and vancomycin at MIC concentrations decreased MRSA’s adhesion ability, possibly linked to the down-regulation of biofilm formation-related genes (icaA, sarA, and cidA). Overall, these findings suggest that berberine hydrochloride, in conjunction with vancomycin, can exert an inhibitory effect against MRSA to some extent. This combination has the potential to enhance the antimicrobial activity of vancomycin and may hold promise in combating MRSA infections.

In this paper, LSX zeolite was synthesized in a sodium-potassium system through the traditional hydrothermal synthesis method with coal gangue in Wuhai area as raw material. The synthesized products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, IR and so on. The synthetic LSX zeolite was utilized to adsorb simulated wastewater containing Zn2+ and Ni2+, and the optimal adsorption conditions were determined. The removal rate and adsorption capacity of Zn2+ and Ni2+ were studied under these conditions, which were 96.36%, 96.83%, 96.36, 72.62 mg/g, respectively. The zeolite after adsorption saturation can be recycled 4 times in the mixed solution of 6% NaOH and 1% NaCl as the regenerant, and the regeneration rate is above 90%.