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Supported photocatalytic poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE)/ZnO porous membranes were prepared by sintering electrospun PTFE/poly(vinylalcohol)/zinc acetate dehydrate composite membranes. Electrospun PTFE membranes were utilized as supports with excellent chemical stability and high specific surface area, while the photocatalyst-ZnO particles derived from the thermal decomposition of zinc acetate dehydrate were homogeneously immobilized on the surface of ultrafine PTFE fibers. The PTFE/ZnO membranes could be easily recovered and reused after water treatment. PTFE/ZnO membranes are expected to have a wide range of potential applications in photocatalysis and photocatalysis-membrane reactors, playing the role of a catalyst as well as a selective barrier against contaminants of interest.

Previous studies suggest that superoxide anions are possibly traveling along acupuncture meridians. The electrical potential difference (EPD) between acupoints may be related to the movement. To test the above hypothesis, we conducted a study investigating the effects of acupoint antioxidant interventions on the meridian EPD. Firstly, ST39 (L) and ST44 (L) were screened out for the EPD detection along the stomach meridian, and ST36 (L) was selected for interventions including acumassage with the control cream, as well as the TAT-SOD cream for 30 minutes, or injection with reduced glutathione sodium. The EPD between ST39 and ST44 was recorded for 80 minutes and measured again 48 h later. While the EPD increased during the acumassage, the acumassage with TAT-SOD cream and the glutathione injection generated waves of EPD increased, indicating the migration or removal from the visceral organ of a greater quantity of superoxide. Remarkably lower EPD readings 48 h later with both antioxidant acupoint interventions than the mere acumassage imply a more complete superoxide flushing out due to the restored superoxide pathway at the acupoint after interventions. The results confirm superoxide transportation along the meridians and demonstrate a possibility of acupoint EPD measurement as a tool to monitor changes in the meridians and acupoints.

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