Preparation of a nano emodin transfersome and study on its anti-obesity mechanism in adipose tissue of diet-induced obese rats

OBJECTIVE: To describe the preparation of nano emodin transfersome (NET) and investigate its effect on mRNA expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) in adipose tissue of diet-induced obese rats. METHODS: NET was prepared by film-ultrasonic dispersion method. The effects of emodin components at different ratios on encapsulation efficiency were investigated.The NET envelopment rate was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The particle size and Zeta potential of NET were evaluated by Zetasizer analyzer. Sixty male SD rats were assigned to groups randomly. After 8-week treatment, body weight, wet weight of visceral fat and the percentage of body fat (PBF) were measured. Fasting blood glucose and serum lipid levels were determined. The adipose tissue section was HE stained, and the cellular diameter and quantity of adipocytes were evaluated by light microscopy. The mRNA expression of ATGL and G0S2 from the peri-renal fat tissue was assayed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The appropriate formulation was deoxycholic acid sodium salt vs. phospholipids 1:8, cholesterol vs. phospholipids 1:3, vitamin Evs. phospholipids 1:20, and emodin vs. phospholipid 1:6. Zeta potential was −15.11 mV, and the particle size was 292.2 nm. The mean encapsulation efficiency was (69.35 ± 0.25)%. Compared with the obese model group, body weight, wet weight of visceral fat, PBF and mRNA expression of G0S2 from peri-renal fat tissue were decreased significantly after NET treatment (all P < 0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), the diameter of adipocytes and mRNA expression of ATGL from peri-renal fat tissue were increased significantly (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The preparation method is simple and reasonable. NET with negative electricity was small and uniform in particle size, with high encapsulation efficiency and stability. NET could reduce body weight and adipocyte size, and this effect was associated with the up-regulation of ATGL, down-regulation of G0S2 expression in the adipose tissue, and improved insulin sensitivity

Influence of Bi nonstoichiometry on the energy storage properties of 0.93KNN–0.07BixMN relaxor ferroelectrics

Ceramic-based dielectric capacitors are becoming more and more important in electronic devices. The ceramics of 0.93K0.5Na0.5NbO3–0.07Bix(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3 (0.93KNN–0.07BixMN) (x=0.60, 2/3, 0.75 and 0.95) were successfully fabricated by virtue of the solid reaction process in this work. The results showed that the amount of Bi content has a significant impact on the ceramics of 0.93KNN–0.07BixMN. XRD indicates that all specimens exhibit a pure perovskite structure and existing oxygen vacancy in the specimens. The mean grain size for all specimens belong to submicron scale, and the sample of x=0.95 owns the smallest grain size is 0.11μm. The maximum dielectric constant increases but the phase transition temperature Tm exhibits a contrary tendency at 1MHz with increasing Bi concentration. Besides, all ceramics are relaxor ferroelectric. The impedance analysis further revealed that the activation energy of the ceramics increases with Bi content. Eventually, the highest η of 58.8% and Wrec of 1.30J/cm3 are simultaneously achieved in the sample with x=0.60. Overall, we demonstrate in this work that stoichiometry control of Bi in 0.93KNN–0.07BixMN ceramics is a practical method to obtain the desired structural, dielectric and energy storage properties

An Essential Role of Polymeric Adhesives in the Reinforcement of Acidified Paper Relics

Paper acidification causes paper relics to undergo embrittlement and decay, to form dregs, and even to break upon a single touch; therefore, reinforcement and deacidification treatments are essential steps for paper conservation and to retard the deterioration and prolong the life of objects. Polymeric adhesives play an essential role in reinforcement and deacidification treatments, although it is not well studied. In this work, the effect of polymeric adhesives on the conservation process and their protective effects on acidified paper relics were studied. Firstly, three polymeric adhesives, including wheat starch paste, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), were selected as research objects. Subsequently, their effects on four popular conservation methods were further discussed, including traditional mounting, hot-melt with silk net, alcohol-soluble cotton mesh, and water-soluble cotton mesh. Additionally, as an example, the reversibility and long-term durability of water-soluble adhesive PVA-217 were assessed. Using a computer measured and controlled folding endurance tester, pendulum tensile strength tester, tear tester, burst tester, FT-IR, video optical contact angle tester, and other instruments, the conservation application of water-soluble adhesives in paper relics was evaluated. This study provides a scientific basis and experimental data for the application of polymeric adhesives in the conservation of paper relics

One-Step Reinforcement and Deacidification of Paper Documents: Application of Lewis Base—Chitosan Nanoparticle Coatings and Analytical Characterization

To delay acidification and deterioration during natural aging, deacidification and reinforcement of paper manuscripts have been the most important technologies to prolong the life of objects. Herein, a novel approach for the conservation of paper manuscripts is proposed using chitosan nanoparticles as Lewis base that leads to both deacidification and strengthening of paper in one-step. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared through physical ball grinding method and characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser particle size analyzer (LPSA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic force microscope (AFM). To evaluate the resistance of chitosan nanoparticle coating, the mechanical properties of paper after artificial aging were evaluated using dry heat and hygrothermal accelerated aging methods. The SEM, EDX, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the interaction mechanism between chitosan and Shuxuan paper. The results show that the coated paper had superior durability with respect to pH, tensile strength, and folding endurance. There was a presence of protonated amines in the form of ammonium salts due to ionic bindings with free H+ in the acidified paper, and the remaining &ndash;NH2 could be used as a base reserve. Finally, the resulting coated papers displayed good antibacterial properties

An Essential Role of Gelatin in the Formation Process of Curling in Long Historical Photos

Curling disease in long historical photos significantly affects the presentation of cultural heritage information. However, people lack attention to the formation process and microstructural changes of photo curling. In this article, a long historical photo (1912–1949 AD) collected by the Second Historical Archives of China was taken as the research object, and the formation process and cause of the curling were further explored. Firstly, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray energy disperse spectrometer (EDS), and other instruments were used to analyze the material composition of the long historical photo. It was found that the photographic paper was made of gelatin, barium sulfate, and plant fiber layers. Then, the effects of hygrothermal environments on curling and contraction in the gelatin layer and simulated photographic paper were explored. Meanwhile, the formation process and main influence factors of the curling were preliminarily revealed. The morphological analysis by SEM was carried out to identify the inner correlation between the microstructure and curling of photos. Finally, the possible formation cause of photo curling was analyzed. This study provides a scientific basis and experimental data for the preservation and restoration of long historical photos based on gelatin

Hydroxypropyltrimethyl Ammonium Chloride Chitosan Nanoparticles Coatings for Reinforcement and Concomitant Inhibition of Anionic Water-Sensitive Dyes Migration on Fragile Paper Documents

The fragile paper is treated to improve the stability and appearance of the paper artifact, such as washing, lining, deacidification, and reinforcement. During the above treatments, paper documents inevitably make contact with water directly, leading to the appearance change, stability decrease, and migration or fading of anionic water-sensitive dyes, which are seriously harmful to information security. Herein, Hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) nanoparticles were employed for the reinforcement and concomitant inhibition of anionic water-sensitive dye migration on fragile paper. HACC nanoparticles were prepared through physical ball grinding method and characterized via LPSA, SEM, TEM, XRD and FTIR. To evaluate the protective potential of HACC nanoparticles coating, the chemical and mechanical properties of coated and uncoated papers were evaluated after dry heat and hygrothermal accelerated aging. Additionally, good color stability of anionic water-sensitive dyes was observed on the paper coated with HACC nanoparticles after lining technology. Finally, the interaction mechanism between the anionic water-sensitive dyes and HACC nanoparticles was analyzed using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer and FTIR. The as-proposed technique can provide technical support to improve the mechanical properties of fragile paper and enhance the anionic water-sensitive dyes stability in the aqueous phase

A Study of Pigment, Adhesive, and Firing Temperature in Pottery Figurines Excavated from the Tomb of Qibi Ming, China

Some painted pottery figurines were excavated from the tomb of Qibi Ming of the Tang Dynasty. A series of analytical techniques were employed to understand the craftsmanship of these painted pottery figurines. The pigment, cross-section, adhesive, and firing temperature were analyzed using microscopy (OM), energy X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX), micro-Raman spectroscopy, pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), and a dilatometer (DIL). The results demonstrated that the surface of the pigment layers had degraded to different degrees. The pigment particles were litharge, gypsum, malachite, cinnabar, hematite, minium, white lead, and carbon black. The cross-sectional images show that the painted layer of figurines 10-0966 and 10-0678 included a pigment layer and a preparation layer. The preparation layer of both pigments was lead white. Animal glue was used as an adhesive. The firing temperature of the pottery figurines was likely 1080 °C. This study can provide more accurate information with regard to the composition of the raw materials utilized in the making of these artifacts and support the selection of appropriate substances for the purposes of conservation and restoration of the painted pottery figurines

Microscopic Imaging Technology Assisted Dynamic Monitoring and Restoration of Micron-Level Cracks in the Painted Layer of Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Western Han Dynasty

Cracks are one of the most common issues affecting colored pottery relics; these can be divided into macroscopic cracks, recognizable by the human eye, and micron cracks, which cannot be observed by the naked eye. The gradual development of micron cracks eventually leads to large-scale cracks and the shedding of the coating layer. The repair of such micron cracks poses a key technical difficulty in restoring painted pottery remnants from the Western Han Dynasty. We attempt to solve this problem by reporting on a method that entails the use of a water-borne fluoropolymer material as the adhesive agent, as well as ultra-depth-of-field, digital microscopic imaging technology to build an operating platform for an optical imaging monitoring system. By making simulated ceramic samples, we systematically investigated the influences of water-borne fluoropolymer on chromaticity, adhesion, contact angle, surface morphology, and thermal stability of the paint layer. The results indicate that the color of the painted layer, when treated with the water-borne fluoropolymer, did not change, and the adhesion and contact angle of the painted layer were improved. Additionally, the outcomes of the SEM analysis show that the adhesion and hydrophobicity of the painted layer were improved because the water-borne fluoropolymer filled up the porous structure of the painted layer and covered the pigment particles. These findings demonstrate that aqueous, water-borne fluoropolymer can be used as an adhesive agent for micron cracks. Meanwhile, via the operating platform of the optical imaging monitoring system, the micron cracks of the painted terracotta warriors and horses from the Western Han Dynasty were successfully repaired using the water-borne fluoropolymer. The results imply that the microstructure, size, and geometric spaces of the cracks can be obtained directly utilizing microscopic imaging technology. The dynamic monitoring and imaging system described above can be employed to assist prosthetists in visualizing micro-repair operations in real time, assist with fine visual operations during the repair process, and realize dynamic video recording of the entire repair process. Our work provides a simple visualization method to repair micron-scale cracks in painted pottery relics by applying modern fluoropolymer and ultra-depth-of-field digital microscopic imaging technology

Contrasting roles of Bi-doping and Bi 2 Te 3 alloying on the thermoelectric performance of SnTe

Previous studies have revealed that both Bi doping and Bi2Te3 alloying are successful strategies to optimize the thermoelectric performance of SnTe; however, detailed and thorough investigations on exactly how they differ in modulating the band structure and microstructure were seldom given. Through a systematic comparison between Bi-doped and Bi2Te3-alloyed SnTe, we find in this work that despite the fact that they both contribute to the valence band convergence of SnTe, Bi2Te3 alloying induces little effect on the hole concentration unlike the typical n-type feature of Bi-doping; moreover, Bi2Te3 alloying tends to produce dense dislocation arrays at micron-scale grain boundaries which differs significantly from the substitutional point defect character upon Bi-doping. It was then found that Bi2Te3 alloying exhibits a relatively higher quality factor (B ∼ μw/κlat) at higher temperatures than Bi-doping. Subsequent Ge-doping in Bi2Te3-alloyed samples results in further valence band convergence and hole concentration optimization and eventually results in a maximum figure of merit ZT of 1.4 at 873 K in the composition of (Sn0.88Ge0.12Te)0.97-(BiTe1.5)0.03

Ultra-fast charge-discharge and high-energy storage performance realized in KNaNbO3-Bi(MnNi)O3 ceramics

Lead-free relaxor ceramics (1 − [Formula: see text])K[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text]NbO3 − [Formula: see text]Bi(Mn[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text])O3 ((1 − [Formula: see text] )KNN- [Formula: see text]BMN) with considerable charge–discharge characteristics and energy storage properties were prepared by a solid state method. Remarkable, a BMN doping level of 0.04, 0.96KNN–0.04BMN ceramic obtained good energy storage performance with acceptable energy storage density [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] of 1.826 J/cm3 and energy storage efficiency [Formula: see text] of 77.4%, as well as good frequency stability (1–500 Hz) and fatigue resistance (1–5000 cycles). Meanwhile, a satisfactory charge–discharge performance with power density [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 98.90 MW/cm3, discharge time [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] < 70 ns and temperature stability (30–180∘C) was obtained in 0.96KNN–0.04BMN ceramic. The small grain size ([Formula: see text]150 nm) and the high polarizability of Bi[Formula: see text] are directly related to its good energy storage capacity. This work proposes a feasible approach for lead-free KNN-based ceramics to achieve high-energy storage and ultra-fast charge–discharge performance as well as candidate materials for the application of advanced high-temperature pulse capacitors