Investigation of Asian Dyes and Pigments from the Artifact of “Murongzhi” and the Silk Road in China

In this paper, a series of modern analysis methods, including Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectrophotometry, and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with a thermoelectric LTQ-Orbitrap XL ETD mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS), were applied to analyze and accurately identify the chemical composition of plant dyes and the mineral pigment from the samples collected from grave goods. As a result, the textiles were dyed by the madder, Kermes, Phellodendron chinense, indigo, Lithospermum L., and so forth. In addition, the mineral pigment, charcoal, hematite, minium, cinnabar, azurite, and malachite were used to paint the exquisite artifacts in the tomb of Murongzhi. This research demonstrates the profound impact on cultural transmission and fusion in the “Tuyuhong” dynasty and explores the Silk Road in Tang dynasty

Dynamic Hybrid Module-Driven NK Cell Stimulation and Release for Tumor Immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells have become a powerful candidate for adoptive tumor immunotherapy, while their therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors remains unsatisfactory. Here, we developed a hybrid module with an injectable hydrogel and hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanobelts for the controlled delivery of NK cells to enhance the therapy of solid tumors. Surface-functionalized HAp nanobelts modified with agonistic antibodies against NKG2D and 4–1BB and cytokines IL-2 and IL-21 support survival and dynamic activation. Thus, the HAp-modified chitosan (CS) thermos-sensitive hydrogel not only improved the retention of NK cells for more than 20 days in vivo but also increased NK cell function by more than one-fold. The unique architecture of this biomaterial complex protects NK cells from the hostile tumor environment and improves antitumor efficacy. The generation of a transient inflammatory niche for NK cells through a biocompatible hydrogel reservoir may be a conversion pathway to prevent cancer recurrence of resectable tumors