Intestinal microflora and metabolites affect the progression of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Specific intestinal metabolites are closely associated with the classification, severity, and necrosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) and provide novel insights for in-depth clinical investigations. In this study, the gut microbiota and metabolites of 49 AP patients at different treatment stages and severities were analysed via 16S rDNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics to investigate the trends in gut microbiota composition and metabolome profiles observed in patients with severe AP. These findings revealed an imbalance in intestinal flora homeostasis among AP patients characterized by a decrease in probiotics and an increase in opportunistic pathogens, which leads to damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier through reduced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) secretion and disruption of the intestinal epithelium.

Extraction methods, multiple biological activities, and related mechanisms of Momordica charantia polysaccharide: A review.

Momordica Charantia Polysaccharide (MCP) is a key bioactive compound derived from bitter melon fruit. This review summarizes the advancements in MCP research, including extraction techniques, biological activities, and mechanisms. MCP can be extracted using various methods, and has demonstrated hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects.

Protective effects and mechanisms of Momordica charantia polysaccharide on early-stage diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes.

Momordica charantia polysaccharide (MCP) is a potential drug for the prevention and alleviation of diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of MCP on early-stage DR and explore the underlying mechanisms. The model group (DM group) and treatment group (D+H group) were established by inducing type 1 DM using a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) at 60 mg/kg.

Composition and functional profiles of gut microbiota reflect the treatment stage, severity, and etiology of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a type of digestive system disease with high mortality. Previous studies have shown that gut microbiota can participate in developing and treating acute pancreatitis by affecting the host's metabolism. In this study, we followed 20 AP patients to generate longitudinal gut microbiota profiles and activity during disease (before treatment, on the third day of treatment, and 1 month after discharge).

Fabrication and Validation of a 3D Portable PEGDA Microfluidic Chip for Visual Colorimetric Detection of Captured Breast Cancer Cells.

To guide therapeutic strategies and to monitor the state changes in the disease, a low-cost, portable, and easily fabricated microfluidic-chip-integrated three-dimensional (3D) microchamber was designed for capturing and analyzing breast cancer cells. Optimally, a colorimetric sensor array was integrated into a microfluidic chip to discriminate the metabolites of the cells. The ultraviolet polymerization characteristic of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel was utilized to rapidly fabricate a three-layer hydrogel microfluidic chip with the designed structure under noninvasive 365 nm laser irradiation.

Liquid Template Assisted Activation for "Egg Puff"-Like Hard Carbon toward High Sodium Storage Performance.

The slow solid diffusion dynamics of sodium ions and the side-reaction of sodium metal plating at low potential in the hard carbon anode of sodium ion batteries (SIBs) pose significant challenges to the safety manipulation of high-rate batteries. Herein, a simple yet powerful fabricating method is reported on for "egg puff"-like hard carbon with few N doping using rosin as a precursor via liquid salt template-assisted and potassium hydroxide dual activation. The as-synthesized hard carbon delivers promising electrochemical properties in the ether-based electrolyte especially at high rates, based on the absorption mechanism of fast charge transfer.

Combustion Activation Induced Solid-State Synthesis for N, B Co-Doped Carbon/Zinc Borate Anode with a Boosting of Sodium Storage Performance.

Zinc borates have merits of low voltage polarization and suitable redox potential, but usually suffer from low rate capability and poor cycling life, as an emerging anode candidate for Na storage. Here, a new intercalator-guided synthesis strategy is reported to simultaneously improve rate capability and stabilize cycling life of N, B co-doped carbon/zinc borates (CBZG). The strategy relies on a uniform dispersion of precursors and simultaneously stimulated combustion activation and solid-state reactions capable of scalable preparation.

Preparation of Tough, Binder-Free, and Self-Supporting LiFePO Cathode by Using Mono-Dispersed Ultra-Long Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for High-Rate Performance Li-Ion Battery.

Low-contents/absence of non-electrochemical activity binders, conductive additives, and current collectors are a concern for improving lithium-ion batteries' fast charging/discharging performance and developing free-standing electrodes in the aspects of flexible/wearable electronic devices. Herein, a simple yet powerful fabricating method for the massive production of mono-dispersed ultra-long single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solution, benefiting from the electrostatic dipole interaction and steric hindrance of dispersant molecules, is reported. These SWCNTs form a highly efficient conductive network to firmly fix LiFePO  (LFP) particles in the electrode at low contents of 0.

In Situ Shale Wettability Regulation Using Sophisticated Nanoemulsion to Maintain Wellbore Stability in Deep Well Drilling.

Wettability alteration of the shale surface is a potential strategy to address wellbore instability issues arising from shale hydration. In this study, we have explored an oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsion, in which soluble silicate (lithium silicate and potassium methyl silicate) as the aqueous phase and organosilanes (3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH570) and -octyltriethoxysilane (n-OTES)) as the oil phase, as a shale inhibitor via forming a hydrophobic "artificial borehole shield" in situ on shale surfaces to maintain wellbore stability in high-temperature drilling operations. The shale dispersion test showed the highest shale recovery of nanoemulsion was up to 106.

Recent Advances in Antimony Sulfide-Based Nanomaterials for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries: A Mini Review.

Recently, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted extensive attention as potential alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the abundance, even distribution, low cost, and environmentally friendly nature of sodium. However, sodium ions are larger than lithium ions so that the anode materials of LIBs are not suitable for SIBs. Therefore, many negative electrode materials have been investigated.

A Zwitterionic Copolymer as Rheology Modifier and Fluid Loss Agents for Water-Based Drilling Fluids.

To overcome the negative impact on the rheological and filtration loss properties of drilling fluids caused by elevated temperature and salts contamination, which are common in ultradeep or geothermal drilling operations, it is imperative to develop highly efficient additives used in the water-based drilling fluid. In this study, a zwitterionic copolymer P (AM/DMC/AMPS/DMAM, ADAD) was synthesized by using acrylamide (AM), cationic monomer methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC), anionic monomer 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), and ,-dimethylacrylamide (DMAM) through free radical copolymerization. The copolymer was characterized by H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and zeta potential.

Effects of Associated Minerals on the Co-Current Oxidizing Pyrolysis of Oil Shale in a Low-Temperature Stage.

Low-temperature co-current oxidizing pyrolysis, which can achieve high recovery of hydrocarbons without significant oil loss, has great potential to reduce the huge external energy required for oil shale conversion. However, this promising method is far from being fully understood, especially the unknown competing mechanism of different types of inorganic minerals in promoting or inhibiting hydrocarbon generation. In this study, the raw Huadian oil shale (HD-R), its carbonate-free (HD-C-F), and carbonate-silicate-free (HD-CS-F) samples obtained through acid treatment are used to investigate the effects of associated minerals on the oil shale co-current oxidizing pyrolysis.

Application of Hybrid Silicate as a Film-Forming Agent in High-Temperature Water-Based Drilling Fluids.

Effective control of shale swelling and lost circulation using drilling fluid is considered the dominant strategy for maintaining borehole stability, especially drilling operations in deep oil and gas wells. In this work, a hybrid silicate that contains lithium silicate and potassium methyl silicate (PMS) was employed as a film-forming additive to reduce shale hydration and filtration loss in the high-temperature drilling fluid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results revealed that a dense quartz crystal film coating on the shale can be formed in a hybrid silicate solution when the temperature exceeds 150 °C.

Identification of Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Based on GEO and TCGA Databases.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common neoplastic diseases worldwide. With a high recurrence rate among all cancers, treatment of CRC only improved a little over the last two decades. The mortality and morbidity rates can be significantly lessened by earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Highly sensitive electrochemical DNA sensor based on the use of three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene.

This paper describes a voltammetric method for sensitive determination of specific sequences of DNA. The assay is based on three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene (3D-NG) which, due to its excellent electrical conductivity, provides a favorable microenvironment to retain the activity of immobilized probe single-stranded DNA and also facilitates electron transfer. The free-standing 3D-NG electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

A novel energy-efficient pyrolysis process: self-pyrolysis of oil shale triggered by topochemical heat in a horizontal fixed bed.

This paper proposes a novel energy-efficient oil shale pyrolysis process triggered by a topochemical reaction that can be applied in horizontal oil shale formations. The process starts by feeding preheated air to oil shale to initiate a topochemical reaction and the onset of self-pyrolysis. As the temperature in the virgin oil shale increases (to 250-300°C), the hot air can be replaced by ambient-temperature air, allowing heat to be released by internal topochemical reactions to complete the pyrolysis.

Lethal drug combination: arsenic loaded multiple drug mesoporous silica for theranostic applications.

Simultaneous delivery of multiple therapeutic agents is of great importance for effective chemotherapy due of its well-known drug synergism and suppression to chemoresistance. We report a new theranostic nanoformulation to shuttle multiple chemotherapeutic agents for successfully exterminating cancer cells. This strategy is based on the fabrication of magnetite doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) in which both internal porous and external surface of MSN are respectively exploited to load two different kinds of cytotoxic cargoes.

Metagenomics of ancient fermentation pits used for the production of chinese strong-aroma liquor.

The complex microbiota of pit mud of solid-state fermentation reactors used for the production of Chinese liquor is responsible for producing one of the oldest distillates in the world. We apply a deep-sequencing approach to characterize the microbiota from pits that have been in use for up to 440 years.

Responsive delivery of drug cocktail via mesoporous silica nanolamps.

After a substantial advancement in single drug nanocarrier, nanomedicine now demands an integration of nanotechnology with combination therapy to achieve synergistic therapeutic effects. In this respect, a smart and multiple drug shuttling nanotheranostic system is developed which transport diverse kinds of anticancer drugs to cancer cells in a controlled and responsive manner respectively. Synthetically, a significantly high dose of hydrophobic camptothecin (CPT) is first loaded into the porous structure of quantum dots (CdS) coupled mesoporous silica nanocomposite.

Redox-mediated dissolution of paramagnetic nanolids to achieve a smart theranostic system.

Manganese oxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticles have recently emerged as a promising T1 contrast agent. In this study, for the first time, we demonstrated an interaction of Mn3O4 with a biological system, and found redox sensitive behavior of these paramagnetic nanoparticles in intracellular reducing environment. Inspired by these findings, we for the first time used this interaction for some therapeutic advantages and designed a versatile mesoporous silica based nanotheranostic system to realize redox-activated enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and responsive anticancer drug delivery.

pH dictates the release of hydrophobic drug cocktail from mesoporous nanoarchitecture.

Combination therapy has been a norm in clinical practice to effectively treat cancer. Besides polytherapy, nowadays, smart and nanobased drug carriers are extensively being explored to deliver drugs according to pathophysiological environment of diseases. In this regard, herein we designed intelligent mesoporous architecture, incorporating both combinational therapy with smart nanotechnology, to simultaneously deliver two highly hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs in response to extracellular and/or intracellular acidic environ of tumor.

Magnesium hydroxide nanoplates: a pH-responsive platform for hydrophobic anticancer drug delivery.

The cost of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is substantially high, and biomedical researchers are constantly hunting for cheap and effective chemotherapeutic alternatives. Recently, curcumin has emerged as a cost effective anticancer remedy, however, the low bioavailability of curcumin has been a major impediment to its successful utilization for disease management. In this work, we developed a highly biocompatible magnesium hydroxide as an intelligent nanocarrier for delivering curcumin into cancer cells.

Targeted synthesis of porous aromatic frameworks and their composites for versatile, facile, efficacious, and durable antibacterial polymer coatings.

Novel quaternary pyridinium-type porous aromatic frameworks, PAF-50, and their composites, AgCl-PAF-50, have been synthesized to effectively and efficiently inhibit the growth of bacteria. Most importantly, both PAF-50 and AgCl-PAF-50 have excellent compatibility with conventional polymers, which lead to great operation flexibility and versatility for antibactrial coatings on various medical devices simply via solution or spray coating.