The dynamic changes in volatile metabolites provide a new understanding for the special flavor formation in z. Mioga flower buds during the growth stages.

Although Z. mioga flower buds are popular among consumers for its unique spicy flavor, high nutritional and medicinal value, there are few reports on the formation and changes of the flavor during its growth and maturation process. The understanding of the profile of volatile compounds would help to unravel the flavor formation for Z. mioga flower buds during growth. The volatile changes in Z. mioga flower buds were analyzed by GC-MS and a total of 182 volatile compounds identified, and the terpenoids accounted for the most abundant volatile substances. Almost all the identified volatiles presented an intuitive upward trend throughout the growth period and reached the maximum at the later stage of development (DS3 or DS4). Regarding the PCA and HCA results, there were significant differences found among the four stages, and the DS3 was the critical node. The top 50 differential volatiles screened by OPLS-DA and PLS-DA were all up-regulated, and the correlation analysis indicated that terpenoids might synergize with other chemical types of volatiles to jointly affect the flavor formation of Z. mioga flower buds during growth. The association network for flavor omics revealed that the most important sensory flavor for Z. mioga flower buds were woody and sweet, and the main contribution compounds for the unique flavor contained ß-guaiene, ß-farnesene, δ-cadinene and citronellyl isobutanoate. Taken together, the results of this study provided a reference for flavor quality evaluation of flower buds and determination of the best harvest period.

Formation of special odors driven by volatile compounds during the growth and maturation in edible fungi (Phallus impudicus).

Composition and content of volatiles, the important factors in flavor formation of edible fungi, are affected by growth process. GC-MS was performed and a total of 102 volatiles were identified in Phallus impudicus. Almost all identified volatile compounds showed an obvious upward trend at four growth period, and reached the maximum at fourth stage (PIII), of which the transition from first stage (ZP) to second stage (PI) achieved a breakthrough for 88 volatile compounds from scratch. The PCA and HCA results showed that the four stages were completely separated and appeared different, among which third stage (PII) and PIII might be the two dramatic change nodes in aroma quality. In addition, the top 50 differential metabolites were screened by OPLS-DA and PLS-DA, and correlation analysis showed that 6-undecyl alcohol, α-terpine-7-al, 2, 4-decenol, and 2-cyano-2-ethyl-butanamide, might co-regulate the flavor formation of Phallus impudicus through synergistic action of other chemical components.

Precisely Activating cGAS-STING Pathway with a Novel Peptide-Based Nanoagonist to Potentiate Immune Checkpoint Blockade Cancer Immunotherapy.

As an essential intracellular immune activation pathway, the cGAS-STING pathway has attracted broad attention in cancer treatment. However, low bioavailability, nonspecificity, and adverse effects of small molecule STING agonists severely limit their therapeutic efficacy and in vivo application. In this study, a peptide-based STING agonist is first proposed, and KLA is screened out to activate the cGAS-STING pathway by promoting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. To precisely activate the cGAS-STING pathway and block the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, a multi-stimuli activatable peptide nanodrug (MAPN) is developed for the effective delivery of KLA and PD-L1 antagonist peptide (CVR). With rational design, MAPN achieved the site-specific release of KLA and CVR in response to multiple endogenous stimuli, simultaneously activating the cGAS-STING pathway and blocking PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, ultimately initiating robust and durable T cell anti-tumor immunity with a tumor growth inhibition rate of 78% and extending the median survival time of B16F10 tumor-bearing mice to 40 days. Overall, antimicrobial peptides, which can promote mtDNA leakage through damaging mitochondrial membranes, may be potential alternatives for small molecule STING agonists and giving a new insight for the design of novel STING agonists. Furthermore, MAPN presents a universal delivery platform for the effective synergy of multiple peptides.

The dynamic changes in pigment metabolites provide a new understanding of the colouration of Pyracantha fortuneana at maturity.

The type, content and accumulation characteristics of pigments are the material basis for fruit colour and the evaluation basis of the fruit maturity and nutritional value of P. fortuneana. However, little information is available on the changes in carotenoids, anthocyanins, procyanidins and major flavones during the ripening process of P. fortuneana fruits. Thus, this study investigated the colour conversion characteristics, the main changes in the above four metabolites and the association landscape with those metabolites. The results showed that thirty-nine kinds of carotenoids and derivatives, eighteen anthocyanins, five procyanidins and five flavone compounds were identified in the fruits of P. fortuneana. The total content and contents of most individual carotenoids, anthocyanins, procyanidins and flavones reached the highest values at the TS2, TS4, TS1 and TS1 stages, respectively. Among the variations, the contents of ß-carotene and lutein increased first and then decreased, cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside accumulated, the concentrations of procyanidin C1 and procyanidin B2 decreased, and the contents of rutin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside also decreased; these changers were responsible for the main changes in carotenoids, anthocyanidin, procyanidins and flavones, respectively. For the correlation analysis results, there might be two modes of action that together affected the colour conversion of P. fortuneana fruits during ripening, i.e., (E/Z)-phytoene communicated with the carotenoid metabolic pathway that might promote the accumulated ABA content, which might cause the increased anthocyanidin (primarily through cyanidin-3-(6-malonyl-beta-d-glucoside) (C3MG)) at the final stage; most of the decreased flavone and procyanidin metabolites produced by the flavonoid metabolic pathway were another important factor affecting the accumulation of C3MG.

Facile Route to Achieve a Hierarchical CuO/Nickel-Cobalt-Sulfide Electrode for Energy Storage.

Herein, a novel self-supporting CuO/nickel-cobalt-sulfide (NCS) electrode was designed in a two-step electrodeposition technique followed by a calcination process. Three-dimensional copper foam (CF) was exploited as the current collector and spontaneous source for the in situ preparation of the CuO nanostructures, which ensured sufficient deposition space for the subsequent NCS layer, thus forming abundant electrochemical active sites. Such a hierarchical structure is conducive to providing a smooth path for promoting electronic transmission. Therefore, the optimized CuO/NCS electrode exhibits outstanding energy storage capability with extremely superior specific capacitance (Cs) of 7.08 F cm-2 at 4 mA cm-2 and coulombic efficiency of up to 94.83%, as well as excellent cycling stability with capacitance retention of 83.33% after 5000 cycles. The results presented in this work extend our horizons to fabricate novel hierarchical structured electrodes applied to energy storage devices.

Hierarchical Design of CuO/Nickel-Cobalt-Sulfide Electrode by a Facile Two-Step Potentiostatic Deposition.

Herein, a scalable electrodeposition strategy is proposed to achieve hierarchical CuO/nickel-cobalt-sulfide (NCS) electrodes using two-step potentiostatic deposition followed by high-temperature calcination. The introduction of CuO provides support for the further deposition of NSC to ensure a high load of active electrode materials, thus generating more abundant active electrochemical sites. Meanwhile, dense deposited NSC nanosheets are connected to each other to form many chambers. Such a hierarchical electrode prompts a smooth and orderly transmission channel for electron transport, and reserves space for possible volume expansion during the electrochemical test process. As a result, the CuO/NCS electrode exhibits superior specific capacitance (Cs) of 4.26 F cm-2 at 20 mA cm-2 and remarkable coulombic efficiency of 96.37%. Furthermore, the cycle stability of the CuO/NCS electrode remains at 83.05% within 5000 cycles. The multistep electrodeposition strategy provides a basis and reference for the rational design of hierarchical electrodes to be applied in the field of energy storage.

3D Lanthanide Neodymium Porphyrin Metal-Organic Framework for Photocatalytic Oxidation of Styrene.

A novel three-dimensional lanthanide porphyrin-based MOF (Nd-PMOFs) was synthesized by using tetracarboxyphenyl porphyrin as the ligand and the lanthanide Nd as the coordination metal. Its specific crystal structure information was obtained by single-crystal diffraction with the space group C2/c and the empirical formula C72H45N6Nd2O15.25. This new Nd porphyrin-based MOF with an organic framework formed by a unique coordination method enables the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes under photoluminescence, giving it excellent photocatalytic property which could be verified by the characterization data. The photocatalytic performance was examined by taking tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant and Nd-PMOFs as the catalyst for photocatalytic oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde with 91.4% conversion and 81.2% benzaldehyde selectivity under optimal reactions, which surpasses most of the results reported in the literature. Several styrenes with other substituents were screened to explore the general applicability of Nd-PMOF for photocatalysis of styrene, among which Nd-PMOFs also exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance. This work offers the possibility to apply lanthanide organometallic frameworks, which are widely used in fluorescent materials, to photocatalysis. In addition, it also provides a new method for the catalytic generation of benzaldehyde from styrene that is consistent with the needs of modern green development.

Intermolecular 1,2-Difunctionalization of Terminal Alkynes to Access Trisubstituted Alkenes via Copper/Photoredox Dual Catalysis.

We report a copper metallaphotocatalytic 1,2-difunctionalization of terminal alkynes with N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHP) esters and readily available silyl reagents (TMSCN and TMSNCS) to access stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes, including (E)-alkenyl nitriles and thiocyanates. The reaction proceeds with excellent anti-stereoselectivity and demonstrates broad compatibility with a wide range of terminal alkynes and NHP esters as alkyl radical precursors. Experimental and computational studies have been performed to gain insight into the reaction mechanism.

Achieving Self-Supported Hierarchical Cu(OH)2/Nickel-Cobalt Sulfide Electrode for Electrochemical Energy Storage.

Herein, nickel-cobalt sulfide (NCS) nanoflakes covering the surface of Cu(OH)2 nanorods were achieved by a facile two-step electrodeposition strategy. The effect of CH4N2S concentration on formation mechanism and electrochemical behavior is investigated and optimized. Thanks to the synergistic effect of the selected composite components, the Cu(OH)2/NCS composite electrode can deliver a high areal specific capacitance (Cs) of 7.80 F cm-2 at 2 mA cm-2 and sustain 5.74 F cm-2 at 40 mA cm-2. In addition, coulombic efficiency was up to 84.30% and cyclic stability remained 82.93% within 5000 cycles at 40 mA cm-2. This innovative work provides an effective strategy for the design and construction of hierarchical composite electrodes for the development of energy storage devices.

Three new species of Hygrodromicus/ Tronquet, 1981 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) from China.

Three new species of the genus Hygrodromicus Tronquet, 1981 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) from China are described and illustrated: H. carbonarius Cheng, Li Peng sp. n., H. danlangi Cheng, Li Peng sp. n. (Xizang), and H. shaanxiensis Cheng, Li Peng sp. n. (Shaanxi). The genus Hygrodromicus is recorded from China for the first time. A key and distribution map of the Chinese species of Hygrodromicus are provided.

Sphaeromacrops Schillhammer new to China with description of a new species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae).

Sphaeromacrops Schillhammer, 2001 is recorded from China for the first time, and a new species from Yunnan is described under the name: S. yunnanensis Tang Cheng sp. n. A key to the species of Sphaeromacrops is provided.

New species and records of Geodromicus Redtenbacher, 1857 from China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini).

New diagnostic, taxonomic and faunistic data for 17 species of the genus Geodromicus Redtenbacher, 1857 from China are provided. Five species are (re-) described and illustrated: G. magnus Shavrin sp. n. (Shaanxi), G. namucuoicus Cheng Peng, sp. n., G. subquadratus Cheng, Shavrin Peng sp. n. (Xizang Autonomous Region), G. paramerus Shavrin, 2000, and G. shii Cheng Peng sp. n. (Neimenggu and Ningxia autonomous regions, Shanxi). Geodromicus frigidus Smetana, 1968 is recorded from North Korea, G. hammondi (Watanabe, 1990) and G. paramerus from China for the first time. To date, 22 species of Geodromicus are reliably known from China. A key to the species known from China and distribution maps for all species are provided.

Two new species of Clidicus Laporte, 1832 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) from Yunnan, China.

The Australo-Oriental genus Clidicus Laporte, 1832 is represented in China by a single species. Here we describe two new species from Yunnan: C. qiuae sp. nov. and C. yingjiangus sp. nov., which represent the northernmost records of the genus. A key to the Chinese species, and a world distributional map of Clidicus are provided.

Hidden diversity of giant scydmaenines: five new species and new records of Clidicus in the Philippines (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae).

Until now, two species of Clidicus were known to occur in the Philippines, both inhabiting Mindanao. The scarcity of published records (merely six known Philippine specimens of this genus) suggested that Clidicus was rare in this country. We here falsify this view, by describing five new species and providing new records of the previously known species, based on a material of over 80 specimens collected on Mindanao and Luzon. Clidicus forceps Cheng, Yin Jaloszynski, sp. n., C. interfector Jaloszynski, Cheng Yin sp. n., C. kalis Jaloszynski, Cheng Yin sp. n., C. occisor Jaloszynski sp. n., and C. shavrini Jaloszynski sp. n., are described. Clidicus crocodylus Jaloszynski, previously known to occur on Mindanao, is for the first time recorded in Luzon.

A new species of Hygrogeus Mulsant Rey, 1880 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) from Xizang, China.

The first species of the genus Hygrogeus Mulsant Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) from China is described, under the name of Hygrogeus chinensis sp. n.. The type material has been collected from West Duoxiongla Mountain and Sejila Pass in Xizang, China; the habitus, aedeagus, mouthparts of the new species are illustrated.

A new species and additional records of brachypterous Paederus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) of mainland China and Taiwan.

Material of the paederine genus Paederus Fabricius, 1775 of mainland China and Taiwan was examined. In total, seven species are recognized, among which one is described here as new: P. (Gnathopaederus) zhangmuensis sp. n. (Xizang: Zhangmu). New provincial records are provided for P. jianyueae Peng and Li, 2014 from Fujian.

New species and new records of the genus Deinopteroloma Jansson, 1946 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Omaliinae) from China.

New morphological, taxonomic and faunistic data of the genus Deinopteroloma Jansson, 1946 from China are provided. Two species are described and illustrated: D.songi Peng & L.-Z. Li, sp. n. (Xizang: Pailong) and D.spinigerum Peng & L.-Z. Li, sp. n. (Hunan: Mangshan). New provincial records are provided for D.hamatum Smetana, 1996 from Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangxi, D.obtortum Assing, 2015 from Sichuan, and D.tricuspidatum Smetana, 1996 from Zhejiang.

New species and new records of Lesteva Latreille, 1797 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) from China.

New taxonomic, diagnostic and faunistic data for eighteen species of the genus Lesteva Latreille, 1797 from China are provided, of which three are described as new: L. (s.str.) concava Cheng, Li Peng, sp. nov. (Anhui, Zhejiang), L. (s.str.) elongata Cheng, Li Peng, sp. nov. (Zhejiang) and L. (s.str.) obesa Cheng, Li Peng, sp. nov. (Chongqing). New provincial records are provided for L. (s.str.) brevimacula Ma Li, 2012, L. (s.str.) cala Ma, Li Zhao, 2012, L. (s.str.) cooteri Rougemont, 2000 and L. (s.str.) erythra Ma, Li Zhao, 2012 from Anhui, L. (s.str.) dabashanensis Rougemont, 2000 from Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangxi, L. (s.str.) elegantula Rougemont, 2000 from Anhui and Guizhou, L. (s.str.) fikaceki Shavrin, 2013 from Hunan, L. (s.str.) huabeiensis Rougemont, 2000 from Ningxia, L. (s.str.) ochra Li, Li Zhao, 2005 from Anhui and Guizhou, L. (incertae sedis) rufimarginata Rougemont, 2000 from Hebei, L. (s.str.) rufopunctata rufopunctata Rougemont, 2000 from Qinghai, Anhui and Chongqing, L. (s.str.) submaculata Rougemont, 2000 from Anhui and Hubei.and Lesteva (s.str.) cordicollis Motschulsky, 1860, originally known from the Far East of Russia, is recorded from China (Heilongjiang) for the first time. The male sexual characters of L. rufimarginata Rougemont is described and illustrated for the first time. A key and some distribution maps of the Chinese species of Lesteva are provided.

Directional molecular sliding movement in peptide hydrogels accelerates cell proliferation.

Adjusting the mechanical cues generated in cellular microenvironments is important for manipulating cell behaviour. Here we report on mechanically dynamic hydrogels undergoing directional domain sliding motion and investigate the effect of the well-defined mechanical motion on accelerating cell proliferation. The mechanically dynamic hydrogels were prepared via self-assembly of an amphiphilic peptide consisting of two alternating polar and nonpolar domains cross-linked by disulfide bonds at a nonsymmetrical position. The cross-linked peptide assembled into entangled nanofibers driven by the hydrophobic collapse involving a partial-length sequence due to the covalent constraint. Reduction of the disulfide bonds led to formation of non-equilibrated peptide bilayers, which underwent directional domain sliding motion along each promoted by the thermodynamically favourable transition from the partial to full hydrophobic collapse. The mechanical cues resulting from the directional domain sliding motion within the mechanically dynamic hydrogels accelerated cell proliferation when incubating cells on the hydrogel, compared to the thermodynamically static counterparts, via a mechanotransduction mechanism as supported by the facilitated translocation of yes-associated proteins into the nucleus of the cells. Our finding demonstrates the great potential of mechanically dynamic hydrogels as new-generation biomimetic extracellular matrices in tissue engineering and regeneration.

Cu(II)-Mediated Decarboxylative Trifluoromethylthiolation of α,ß-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids.

A tunable method for the direct trifluoromethylthiolation of α,ß-unsaturated carboxylic acids was developed to afford trifluoromethylthiolated ketones or alkenes. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions and shows an excellent functional group tolerance.