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Silicon nanocone arrays are formed on porous silicon substrates by plasma etching in a hot filament chemical vapour deposition system. The as-formed Si nanocones were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that the nanocone is composed of a silicon core coated with a thin amorphous carbon (a-C) layer produced by carbon-bearing plasma etching. Plasma etching is a key factor in the formation of the nanocone arrays, while re-condensation of evaporated silicon atoms on the tip of the as-etched cone also occurs. Field emission measurements show that the a-C coating can effectively enhance the field emission ability of the nanocone arrays due to the decrease of the surface work function from 4.15 to 2.37 eV.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum bungeanum pericarp (ZBEO) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice. ZBEO decreased DSS-induced body weight loss, the disease activity index, colon length shortening, colonic pathological damage, and myeloperoxidase activities. The production of pro-inflammatory mediators was significantly alleviated by ZBEO. Further mechanistic analysis showed that ZBEO inhibited inflammation by regulating NF-κB and PPARγ pathways. ZBEO also inhibited NLRP3 activation in colitis in mice. Furthermore, ZBEO contributed to the maintenance of tight junction architecture by regulating the expression of zonula occludens-1 during colitis. Surprisingly, treatment with ZBEO increased levels of the commensal bacteria containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria but reduced Escherichia coli levels in the feces of mice. These results suggested that supplementation with ZBEO might provide a new dietary strategy for the prevention of ulcerative colitis.

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