Topical application of zein-silk sericin nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for improved therapy of dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by leukocyte migration into the skin dermis and typically driven by excessive chemokine production at the site of inflammation. Conventional topical formulations such as gels, creams, and ointments are insufficient for this treatment because of low penetration of drug molecules into the targeted skin tissues. Herein, using a simple, green, sustainable strategy, we have developed novel primary zein nanoparticles embedded in curcumin (Cur) and coated with silk sericin (ZHSCs) for the topical delivery of Cur to penetrate into the dermis and exercise anti-dermatitis effects on the lesion with minimal side-effects. Transdermal delivery experiments and porcine skin fluorescence imaging indicated that ZHSCs facilitate the penetration of Cur across the epidermis layer of skin to reach deep-seated sites. Notably, ZHSCs = 1:0.25 (zein-to-silk sericin mass ratios of 1:0.25) markedly elevated the skin permeability and cumulative turnover of Cur transferred, which were provided a greater than a 3.8-fold increase relative to free Cur. The special nanoparticles of ZHS = 1:0.25 possessed the deepest localization depth and experience a transition of the particle structure and core-shell separation after penetrating into the dermis of skin. In a cell model of dermatitis induced by tumor necrosis factor α/interferon γ co-stimulation, compared with free Cur, Cur-loaded ZHS nanoparticles down-regulated the generation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes through suppression of the nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 and hence exerted an anti-dermatitis effect. This strategy may provide new avenues and direction for the demanding issues of valid topical delivery systems.     

Experimental and Numerical Simulation Research on Boundary Layer Transition Front over a Swept Wing at M = 6

Fluid Dynamics - To predict the boundary layer transition on swept wings, experimental and numerical researches were conducted to obtained the accurate boundary layer transition front and to...     

Preparation and Properties of Sr3B2O6:Dy3+, Eu3+ White Phosphors Using the High-Temperature Solid-State Method

Journal of Applied Spectroscopy - Sr3B2O6:Dy3+, Eu3+ single-matrix white-light-emitting materials are prepared using the high-temperature solid-state method. The microstructure, emission spectrum,...     

Spatiotemporal dynamics induced by nonlocal competition in a diffusive predator-prey system with habitat complexity

Nonlinear Dynamics - In this paper, we study a delayed diffusive predator–prey model with nonlocal competition in prey and habitat complexity. The local stability of coexisting equilibrium is...     

Energy band modulation of GaAs/Al0.26Ga0.74As quantum well in 3D self-assembled nanomembranes

In this study, we investigate the modulation of energy band in 3D self-assembled nanomembranes containing GaAs/Al_0.26Ga_0.74As quantum wells (QWs). Photoluminescence (PL) characterizations demonstrate that the self-assembled structures have different optical transition properties and the modulation of the energy band is thus realized. Detailed spectral analyses disclose that the small strain change in structures with different curvatures cannot cause remarkable change in energy bands in Al_0.26Ga_0.74As layer. On the other hand, the optical transitions of GaAs QW layer is influenced by the strain evolution in term of light emission intensity. We also find the first order Stark effect in rolled-up nanomembrane with diameter of 150 μm, which is closely connected with the coupling effect between the deformation potential and the piezoelectric potential. Our work may pave a way for the fabrication of high performance rolled-QW infrared photo-detectors.     

钙钛矿型铁酸盐氧化还原催化剂的晶格氧释放动力学研究

<正>绿色化工技术是实现化工行业可持续发展的关键~1。作为一种先进高效的低碳能源转化技术，化学链工艺在节能和减排等方面具有诸多优势~2。在化学链工艺中，氧化还原催化剂作为氧载体，实现不同反应器之间的晶格氧和热量传递。载氧体的晶格氧释放动力学是决定其反应性能的关键因素~3。ABO₃钙钛矿型复合金属氧化物由于其优良的结构循环稳定性和氧离子迁移能力，是一类具有潜在应用价值的催化材料，被广泛研究用于化学链、     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Di-nuclear Uranyl Complex with Quinoline-6-carboxylate

Crystallography Reports - A di-nuclear uranyl complex with the formula of [(UO2)2(L)4(H2O)2]?4H2O (1) (HL = quinoline-6-carboxylic acid) was synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by...     

Existence of multi-bump solutions for a system with critical exponent in RN

We consider the following system with critical exponent in ${\mathbb{R}}^N$:$\{\begin{array}{c}?\mathrm{\Delta }u=K_1(y)u^{2^{?}?1}+\frac{p}{2^{?}}V(y)u^{p?1}{v}^q\text{in}{\mathbb{R}}^N,\hfill \\ ?\mathrm{\Delta }v=K_2(y)v^{2^{?}?1}+\frac{q}{2^{?}}V(y)u^p{v}^{q?1}\text{in}{\mathbb{R}}^N,\hfill \\ u,v>0,y\in {\mathbb{R}}^N,\hfill \end{array}$ where $N\ge 5$, $p,q>1$ and $p+q=2^{?}=\frac{2N}{N?2}$. Using finite dimensional reduction method, we prove the existence of multi-bump solutions. Their bumps can be placed on arbitrarily many or even infinitely many lattice points in ${\mathbb{R}}^N$. Since $p<2$ or $q<2$, we introduce two new norms to avoid singularity.     

In situ confinement of iron-based active sites within high porosity carbon frameworks with enhanced activity for rechargeable Zn–air battery

Non-noble bifunctional electrocatalysts with robust activity and stability toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are greatly significant but challenging for Zn-air batteries. Here, in situ confinement of FeN_x active sites in high porosity carbon framework (FeN_x/CMCC) derived from chelate of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and iron ions were synthesized. Particularly, construction of FeN_x within porous carbon framework accelerates the electron transfer and the sufficient utilization of active centers, and then expedites the reaction kinetics of ORR and OER. As expected, the optimized FeN_x/CMCC exhibits superior ORR activity with a larger half-wave potential of 0.869 V. The rechargeable Zn-air battery delivers a higher power density of 99.6 mW/cm² and a special capacity of 781.9 mA h/g_Zn at 10 mA/cm², together with excellent durability of over 335 h. Remarkably, the as-assembled solid-state battery exhibits a higher open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.5 V, a special capacity of 709.7 mA h/g_Zn, as well as prolonged cycling stability (90 h). Moreover, the flexible solid-state battery displays negligible loss of electrochemical performance under various bending angles, illustrating its potential application in flexible electronic devices.