Rapid detection of colored and colorless macro- and micro-plastics in complex environment via near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning.

To better understand the migration behavior of plastic fragments in the environment, development of rapid non-destructive methods for in-situ identification and characterization of plastic fragments is necessary. However, most of the studies had focused only on colored plastic fragments, ignoring colorless plastic fragments and the effects of different environmental media (backgrounds), thus underestimating their abundance. To address this issue, the present study used near-infrared spectroscopy to compare the identification of colored and colorless plastic fragments based on partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), extreme gradient boost, support vector machine and random forest classifier. The effects of polymer color, type, thickness, and background on the plastic fragments classification were evaluated. PLS-DA presented the best and most stable outcome, with higher robustness and lower misclassification rate. All models frequently misinterpreted colorless plastic fragments and its background when the fragment thickness was less than 0.1mm. A two-stage modeling method, which first distinguishes the plastic types and then identifies colorless plastic fragments that had been misclassified as background, was proposed. The method presented an accuracy higher than 99% in different backgrounds. In summary, this study developed a novel method for rapid and synchronous identification of colored and colorless plastic fragments under complex environmental backgrounds.

Solar photocatalysts: non-metal (C, N, and S)-doped ZnO synthesized through an industrially sustainable in situ approach for environmental remediation applications.

One of the biggest issues the world is currently experiencing is the scarcity of pure water due to the contamination of pure water by human activities. Highly efficient, semiconducting photocatalytic materials have great potential as future catalytic materials for facilitating the clean-up process of contaminated water. Among the many semiconductor photocatalysts, non-metal-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have attracted special attention in the scientific field for environmental remediation applications. The present paper reports an easy and viable synthesis of C-, N-, and S-based ZnO semiconductor photocatalysts through a simple heating method. The structural changes in the obtained samples were studied using XRD, TG/DTA, and FT-IR analyses, and morphological examinations were performed using TEM and SEM. The quantification of non-metal dopants was carried out using CNS and XPS analyses. The surface areas of the samples were analyzed using the BET method and the band energies of the samples were measured using UV-vis-diffuse reflectance Kubelka-Munk plots. Photoactivity studies were performed and revealed that the utilized in situ method resulted in the development of high-performance sulphur - (81.4%, k = 1.951 × 10-2 min-1), nitrogen - (78.5%, k = 2.271 × 10-2 min-1), and carbon - (67.2%, k = 1.392 × 10-2 min-1) doped ZnO photocatalysts. As revealed through XPS and UV analyses, a possible electron-transfer mechanism is suggested, wherein electronic transition occurred from different sub-bands when non-metal elements were introduced into the ZnO lattice. The study paves the way for the bulk-scale fabrication of doped nanoparticles through a simple heating method, whereby the unique combination of the present method with bandgap engineering will ultimately produce advanced non-metal-based ZnO photocatalysts that could find useful applications in sustainable industrial sectors.

Visible-Light-Driven Multicomponent Reactions for the Versatile Synthesis of Thioamides by Radical Thiocarbamoylation.

Thioamides are widely used structures in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, as well as important synthons for the construction of sulfur-containing heterocycles. This report presents a series of visible-light-driven multicomponent reactions of amines, carbon disulfide, and olefins for the mild and versatile synthesis of linear thioamides and cyclic thiolactams. The use of inexpensive and readily available carbon disulfide as the thiocarbonyl source in a radical pathway enables the facile assembly of structurally diverse amine moieties with non-nucleophilic carbon-based reaction partners. Radical thiocarbamoylative cyclization provides a practical protocol that complements traditional approaches to thiolactams relying on deoxythionation. Mechanistic studies reveal that direct photoexcitation of in situ formed dithiocarbamate anions as well as versatile photoinduced electron transfer with diverse electron acceptors are key to the reactions.

Biocellulose-based hydrogel dressing as a strategy for the management of chronic arterial wounds.

PURPOSE: To evaluate using a biocellulose-based hydrogel as an adjuvant in the healing process of arterial ulcers. METHODS: A prospective single group quasi-experimental study was carried out with chronic lower limb arterial ulcer patients. These patients received biocellulose-based hydrogel dressings and outpatient guidance on dressing and periodic reassessments. The primary outcomes were the ulcer-healing rate and product safety, which were assessed by ulcer area measured in photographic records of pre-treatment and posttreatment after 7, 30, and 60 days. Secondary outcomes were related to clinical assessment by the quality-of-life scores (SF-36 and EQ-5D) and pain, evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Seventeen participants were included, and one of them was excluded. Six patients (37%) had complete wound healing, and all patients had a significant reduction in the ulcer area during follow-up (233.6mm2 versus 2.7mm2) and reduction on the score PUSH 3.0 (p < 0.0001). The analysis of the SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires showed a statistically significant improvement in almost all parameters analyzed and with a reduction of pain assessed by the VAS. CONCLUSIONS: The biocellulose-based hydrogel was safe and showed a good perspective to promoting the necessary conditions to facilitate partial or complete healing of chronic arterial ulcers within a 60-day follow-up. Quality of life and pain were positively affected by the treatment.

Carcinosarcoma of breast - A chimera among breast neoplasms.

Malignant phyllodes, along with ductal carcinoma, is known as metaplastic cancer of the breast. This tumor is additionally known as breast carcinosarcoma. Malignant phyllodes in conjunction with ductal carcinoma is a rare finding in routine clinical practice. We describe the case report of a 47-year-old female patient who arrived with a large right breast mass. A core biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination indicated that the tumor was a malignant phyllodes tumor. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed hyper-metabolic and hypo-metabolic tumors with perilesional stranding and satellite nodularity. There were a few metastatic right axillary nodes visible. There was no indication of distant metastases. Due to the presence of both components, a modified radical mastectomy surgery with axillary dissection was undertaken for this patient. Histopathological analysis of paraffin sections revealed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) comedo-epithelial component and spindle-shaped cells with hyper-chromatic oval nuclei and scanty cytoplasm.

High-Frequency Optical Coherence Elastography for Gingival Tissue Characterization: Variability in Stiffness and Response to Physiological Conditions.

Accurate measurement of gingiva's biomechanical properties in vivo has been an active field of research but remained an unmet challenge. Currently, there are no noninvasive tools that can accurately quantify tensile and shear moduli, which govern gingival health, with sufficiently high accuracy. This study presents the application of high-frequency optical coherence elastography (OCE) for characterizing gingival tissue in both porcine models and human subjects. Dynamic mechanical analysis, histology studies, and strain analysis are performed to support the OCE result. Our findings demonstrate substantial differences in tissue stiffness between supra-dental and inter-dental gingiva, validated by dynamic mechanical analysis and OCE. We confirmed the viscoelastic, nearly linear, and transverse-isotropic properties of gingiva in situ, establishing the reliability of OCE measurements. Further, we investigated the effects of tissue hydration, collagen degradation, and dehydration on gingival stiffness. These conditions showed a decrease and increase in stiffness, respectively. While preliminary, our study suggests OCE's potential in periodontal diagnosis and oral tissue engineering, offering real-time, millimeter-scale resolution assessments of tissue stiffness, crucial for clinical applications and biomaterial optimization in reconstructive surgeries.

Primary lung chordoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Chordoma, a rare malignant tumor arising from notochordal tissue, usually occurs along the spinal axis. Only a few published reports of primary lung chordomas exist. Herein, we present a case of primary lung chordoma and discuss important considerations for diagnosing rare chordomas. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of primary lung chordoma in a 39-year-old male with a history of testicular mixed germ-cell tumor of yolk sac and teratoma. Computed tomography revealed slow-growing solid lesions in the left lower lobe. We performed wedge resection for suspected germ-cell tumor lung metastasis. Histologically, large round or oval cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm were surrounded by large cells with granular, lightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. Tumor cells were physaliphorous. Immunohistochemistry was positive for brachyury, S-100 protein, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3, suggesting pulmonary chordoma. Re-examination of the testicular mixed germ-cell tumor revealed no notochordal elements. Although some areas were positive for brachyury staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining did not show morphological features typical of chordoma. Complementary fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of the lung tumor confirmed the absence of isochromosome 12p and 12p amplification. Thus, a final diagnosis of primary lung chordoma was established. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a history of testicular mixed germ cell tumors, comparison of histomorphology using HE and Brachyury staining of lung and testicular tumors, and analyzing isochromosome 12p and 12p amplification in lung tumors using FISH is pivotal for the diagnosis of rare lung chordomas.

Application of the radial artery after angiography in patients undergoing total arterial coronary revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: There is growing evidence supporting the utilization of the radial artery as a secondary arterial graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. However, debates continue over the recovery period of the radial artery following angiography. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and experiences related to the use of the radial artery post-angiography in total arterial coronary revascularization. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from patients who underwent total arterial CABG surgery at the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital from July 1, 2020, to September 30, 2022. Preoperative assessments included ultrasound evaluations of radial artery blood flow, diameter, intimal integrity, and the Allen test. Additionally, pathological examinations of the distal radial artery and coronary artery CT angiography were conducted, along with postoperative follow-up to assess the safety and efficacy of using the radial artery in patients undergoing total arterial CABG. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients, compromising 102 males and 15 females with an average age of 60.0 ± 10.0 years, underwent total arterial CABG. The internal mammary artery was used in situ in 108 cases, while in 4 cases, it was grafted to the ascending aorta due to length limitations. Bilateral radial arteries were utilized in 88 patients, and bilateral internal mammary arteries in 4 patients. Anastomoses of the proximal radial arteries to the proximal ascending aorta included 42 cases using distal T-anastomosis and 4 using sequential grafts. The interval between bypass surgery and coronary angiography ranged from 7 to 14 days. Pathological examination revealed intact intima and continuous elastic membranes with no significant inflammatory infiltration or hyperplastic lumen stenosis in the radial arteries. There were no hospital deaths, 3 cases of perioperative cerebral infarction, 1 secondary thoracotomy for hemorrhage control, 21 instances of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) assistance, and 2 cases of poor wound healing that improved following debridement. CT angiography performed 2 weeks post-surgery showed no internal mammary artery occlusions, but 4 radial artery occlusions were noted. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound may be used within 2 weeks post-angiography to assess the recovery of the radial artery in some patients. Radial arteries with intact intima may be considered in conjunction with the internal mammary artery for total arterial coronary CABG. However, long-term outcomes of these grafts require further validation through larger prospective studies.

Repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm with bilateral aberrant subclavian artery.

We present a rare anatomical configuration of a 19-year-old woman, characterized by descending thoracic aortic aneurysm with right aberrant subclavian arteries with a Kommerell's diverticulum in a left aortic arch. The complexity of this vascular anomaly was accompanied by an anomalous origin of left subclavian artery. The patient underwent a single-stage open surgical repair via left thoracotomy under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The bilateral aberrant subclavian arteries were separately reconstructed in situ using hand-sewn branched grafts.

Cat scratch disease unveils hidden breast carcinoma: A diagnostic twist.

Cat scratch disease is a rare condition that can present with different clinical manifestations, including axillary lymphadenopathy. Here, we report the case of a 45-year-old female who presented with axillary lymphadenopathy attributable to a process of differential diagnosis to cat scratch disease. During the thorough investigation of her condition, a routine mammogram was performed, due to the unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy, revealing the presence of previously undiagnosed breast carcinoma in situ; in fact, a DCIS (invasive ductal carcinoma with spread to the ipsilateral axillary nodes) was incidentally found. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive differential diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach in managing patients with atypical presentations of common diseases, given that other alarming but unrelated findings are visible.

A naphthyl appended ninhydrin based colorimetric chemosensor for Cu2+ ion: Detection of cysteine and ATP.

A ninhydrin-based colorimetric chemosensor (LH) was synthesized using 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic hydrazide and 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one. It was characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In a semi-aqueous (MeOH/HEPES) system, LH displayed a characteristic chromogenic change from colorless to yellow upon adding Cu2+ ion, with the appearance of a new peak at λmax = 460 nm. A 1:1 binding stoichiometry between LH and Cu2+ ion has been found, with LOD = 2.3 µM (145 ppb) and LOQ = 8 µM (504 ppb). Based on experimental results the formula of [Cu(L)Cl(H2O)2] (1) was assigned and this in-situ generated 1 was found to exhibit a discoloration of upon gradual addition of cysteine (LOD = 60 nM) as well as ATP (LOD = 130 nM) having 1:2 and 1:1 stoichiometry respectively. The LH was useful for recognition of Cu2+ ion in real water samples and on filter paper strips. A two-input-two-output logic gate circuitry was also constructed by employing 1 and cysteine. The DFT/TDDFT calculations performed on LH and 1 were consistent with experimental findings. The binding affinity of LH towards HSA and BSA were determined with HSA having greater affinity than BSA, which was also supported by theoretical calculations.

Significant in situ sludge yield reduction in an acidic activated sludge system.

Minimizing sludge generation in activated sludge systems is critical to reducing the operational cost of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), particularly for small plants where bioenergy is not recovered. This study introduces a novel acidic activated sludge technology for in situ sludge yield reduction, leveraging acid-tolerant ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (Candidatus Nitrosoglobus). The observed sludge yield (Yobs) was calculated based on the cumulative sludge generation and COD removal during 400 d long-term operation. The acidic process achieved a low Yobs of 0.106 ± 0.004 gMLSS/gCOD at pH 4.6 to 4.8 and in situ free nitrous acid (FNA) of 1 to 3 mg/L, reducing sludge production by 58 % compared to the conventional neutral-pH system (Yobs of 0.250 ± 0.003 gMLSS/gCOD). The acidic system also maintained effective sludge settling and organic matter removal over long-term operation. Mechanism studies revealed that the acidic sludge displayed higher endogenous respiration, sludge hydrolysis rates, and higher soluble microbial products and loosely-bounded extracellular polymer substances, compared to the neutral sludge. It also selectively enriched several hydrolytic genera (e.g., Chryseobacterium, Acidovorax, and Ottowia). Those results indicate that the acidic pH and in situ FNA enhanced sludge disintegration, hydrolysis, and cryptic growth. Besides, a lower intracellular ATP content was observed for acidic sludge than neutral sludge, suggesting potential decoupling of catabolism and anabolism in the acidic sludge. These findings collectively demonstrate that the acidic activated sludge technology could significantly reduce sludge yield, contributing to more cost- and space-effective wastewater management.

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of a Mn(III)-hydroxido complex as a biomimetic model for lipoxygenase.

Manganese hydroxido (Mn-OH) complexes supported by a tripodal N,N',N″-[nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl)]tris(P,P-diphenylphosphinic amido) ([poat]3-) ligand have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques including UV-vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used to confirm the solid-state molecular structures of {Na2[MnIIpoat(OH)]}2 and {Na[MnIIIpoat(OH)]}2 as clusters that are linked by the electrostatic interactions between the sodium counterions and the oxygen atom of the ligated hydroxido unit and the phosphinic (P=O) amide groups of [poat]3-. Both clusters feature two independent monoanionic fragments in which each contains a trigonal bipyramidal Mn center that is comprised of three equatorial deprotonated amide nitrogen atoms, an apical tertiary amine, and an axial hydroxido ligand. XRD analyses of {Na[MnIIIpoat(OH)]}2 also showed an intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between the MnIII-OH unit and P=O group of [poat]3-. Crystalline {Na[MnIIIpoat(OH)]}2 remains as clusters with Na+---O interactions in solution and is unreactive toward external substrates. However, conductivity studies indicated that [MnIIIpoat(OH)]- generated in situ is monomeric and reactivity studies found that it is capable of cleaving C-H bonds, illustrating the importance of solution-phase speciation and its direct effect on chemical reactivity. Synopsis: Manganese-hydroxido complexes were synthesized to study the influence of H-bonds in the secondary coordination sphere and their effects on the oxidative cleavage of substrates containing C-H bonds.

Clinicopathological analysis of NEK1 variants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Many genes have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including never in mitosis A (NIMA)-related kinase 1 (NEK1), a serine/threonine kinase that plays a key role in several cellular functions, such as DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation. Whole-exome sequencing studies have shown that NEK1 mutations are associated with an increased risk for ALS, where a significant enrichment of NEK1 loss-of-function (LOF) variants were found in individuals with ALS compared to controls. In particular, the p.Arg261His missense variant was associated with significantly increased disease susceptibility. This case series aims to understand the neuropathological phenotypes resulting from NEK1 mutations in ALS. We examined a cohort of three Scottish patients with a mutation in the NEK1 gene and evaluated the distribution and cellular expression of NEK1, as well as the abundance of phosphorylated TDP-43 (pTDP-43) aggregates, in the motor cortex compared to age- and sex-matched control tissue. We show pathological, cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates in all three NEK1-ALS cases. NEK1 protein staining revealed no immunoreactivity in two of the NEK1-ALS cases, indicating a LOF and corresponding to a reduction in NEK1 mRNA as detected by in situ hybridisation. However, the p.Arg261His missense mutation resulted in an increase in NEK1 mRNA molecules and abundant NEK1-positive cytoplasmic aggregates, with the same morphologic appearance, and within the same cells as co-occurring TDP-43 aggregates. Here we show the first neuropathological assessment of a series of ALS cases carrying mutations in the NEK1 gene. Specifically, we show that TDP-43 pathology is present in these cases and that potential NEK1 LOF can either be mediated through loss of NEK1 translation or through aggregation of NEK1 protein as in the case with p.Arg261His mutation, a potential novel pathological feature of NEK1-ALS.

Expression of novel androgen receptors in three GnRH neuron subtypes in the cichlid brain.

In teleosts, GnRH1 neurons stand at the apex of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis, which is responsible for the production of sex steroids by the gonads (notably, androgens). To exert their actions, androgens need to bind to their specific receptors, called androgen receptors (ARs). Due to a teleost-specific whole genome duplication, A. burtoni possess two AR paralogs (ARα and ARß) that are encoded by two different genes, ar1 and ar2, respectively. In A. burtoni, males stratify along dominance hierarchies, in which an individuals' social status determines its physiology and behavior. GnRH1 neurons have been strongly linked with dominance and circulating androgen levels. Similarly, GnRH3 neurons are implicated in the display of male specific behaviors. Some studies have shown that these GnRH neurons are responsive to fluctuations in circulating androgens levels, suggesting a link between GnRH neurons and ARs. While female A. burtoni do not naturally form a social hierarchy, their reproductive state is positively correlated to androgen levels and GnRH1 neuron size. Although there are reports related to the expression of ar genes in GnRH neurons in cichlid species, the expression of each ar gene remains inconclusive due to technical limitations. Here, we used immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization chain reaction (HCR), and spatial transcriptomics to investigate ar1 and ar2 expression specifically in GnRH neurons. We find that all GnRH1 neurons intensely express ar1 but only a few of them express ar2, suggesting the presence of genetically-distinct GnRH1 subtypes. Very few ar1 and ar2 transcripts were found in GnRH2 neurons. GnRH3 neurons were found to express both ar genes. The presence of distinct ar genes within GnRH neuron subtypes, most clearly observed for GnRH1 neurons, suggests differential control of these neurons by androgenic signaling. These findings provide valuable insight for future studies aimed at disentangling the androgenic control of GnRH neuron plasticity and reproductive plasticity across teleosts.

N-803 Plus BCG Treatment for BCG-Naïve or -Unresponsive Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Plain Language Review.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This is a summary of two studies that looked at the safety and effectiveness of a potential new treatment, N-803 (Anktiva), in combination with a standard treatment bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for people with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).One study was a Phase 1b study that tested increasing doses of N-803 in combination with the same dose of BCG in people with NMIBC who had never received BCG previously (BCG-naive). The other study is a Phase 2/3 study of N-803 and BCG in people with NMIBC whose cancer wasn't eliminated by BCG alone (BCGunresponsive). WHAT HAPPENED IN THE STUDIES?: In the Phase 1b study, the nine participants were split into three groups of 3 participants who received a dose of 100, 200, or 400 µg N-803 along with a standard 50 mg dose of BCG. In the Phase 2/3 study, one group (cohort A) of participants with carcinoma in situ (CIS) disease and another group (cohort B) with papillary disease were treated with 400 µg N-803 plus 50 mg BCG. There was also a cohort C that received only 400 µg N-803. Treatments were delivered directly into the bladder once a week for 6 weeks in a row. WHAT WERE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS?: N-803 plus BCG eliminated NMIBC in all nine BCG-naive participants and the effects were long-lasting, with participants remaining NMIBC-free for a range of 8.3 to 9.2 years.As reported in 2022, cancer was eliminated in 58 of 82 (71%) participants with BCG-unresponsive CIS disease and the effect was also long-lasting. Importantly, approximately 90% of the successfully treated participants avoided surgical removal of the bladder. In cohort B participants with papillary disease, 40 of 72 (55.4%) were cancer-free 12 months after treatment. N-803 used alone was only effective in 2 of 10 participants. In both studies, the combination of N-803 and BCG was found to be associated with very few adverse events.Based on results from the Phase 2/3 study, the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) approved the use of N-803 plus BCG for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive bladder CIS with or without Ta/T1 papillary disease.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02138734 (Phase 1b study), NCT03022825 (Phase 2/3 study).

Addition of the IL-15 superagonist N-803 to BCG therapy produces a high rate of success in eliminating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in both BCG-naive and BCG-unresponsive patients, with long-lasting effects that allow patients to avoid surgical removal of the bladder.

Long-termin vitromaintenance of plasma cells in a hydrogel-enclosed human bone marrow microphysiological 3D model system.

Plasma cells (PCs) in bone marrow (BM) play an important role in both protective and pathogenic humoral immune responses, e.g. in various malignant and non-malignant diseases such as multiple myeloma, primary and secondary immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases. Dedicated microenvironmental niches in the BM provide PCs with biomechanical and soluble factors that support their long-term survival. There is a high need for appropriate and robust model systems to better understand PCs biology, to develop new therapeutic strategies for PCs-related diseases and perform targeted preclinical studies with high predictive value. Most preclinical data have been derived fromin vivostudies in mice, asin vitrostudies of human PCs are limited due to restricted survival and functionality in conventional 2D cultures that do not reflect the unique niche architecture of the BM. We have developed a microphysiological, dynamic 3D BM culture system (BM-MPS) based on human primary tissue (femoral biopsies), mechanically supported by a hydrogel scaffold casing. While a bioinert agarose casing did not support PCs survival, a photo-crosslinked collagen-hyaluronic acid (Col-HA) hydrogel preserved the native BM niche architecture and allowed PCs survivalin vitrofor up to 2 weeks. Further, the Col-HA hydrogel was permissive to lymphocyte migration into the microphysiological system´s circulation. Long-term PCs survival was related to the stable presence in the culture of soluble factors, as APRIL, BAFF, and IL-6. Increasing immunoglobulins concentrations in the medium confirm their functionality over culture time. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of successful long-term maintenance of primary-derived non-malignant PCsin vitro. Our innovative model system is suitable for in-depthin vitrostudies of human PCs regulation and exploration of targeted therapeutic approaches such as CAR-T cell therapy or biologics.

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed atroposelective synthesis of N-Aryl phthalimides and maleimides via activation of carboxylic acids.

Traditionally, N-aryl phthalimides are synthesized by the condensation of phthalic anhydride and aniline derivatives, usually proceeding under harsh conditions. The alternative mild and organocatalytic strategies for their synthesis are underdeveloped. Herein, we demonstrate the organocatalytic atroposelective synthesis of N-aryl phthalimides via the traditional N-CC=O disconnection under mild conditions. The in-situ acid activation of phthalamic acid and subsequent N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed atroposelective amidation allowed the synthesis of well-decorated N-aryl phthalimides in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies reveal the addition of NHC to the in situ generated isoimides, thus introducing a unique mode of generating acylazoliums. Interestingly, both enantiomers of the product can be accessed from the same phthalic anhydride and aniline using the same NHC pre-catalyst. Moreover, this strategy has been extended to the atroposelective synthesis of N-aryl maleimides.

Flavor-switchable scaffold for cultured meat with enhanced aromatic properties.

Cultured meat is emerging as a new type of food that can provide animal protein in a sustainable way. Many previous studies employed various types of scaffolds to develop cultured meat with similar properties to slaughtered meat. However, important properties such as flavor were not discussed, even though they determine the quality of food. Flavor characteristics vary dramatically depending on the amount and types of amino acids and sugars that produce volatile compounds through the Maillard reaction upon cooking. In this study, a flavor-switchable scaffold is developed to release meaty flavor compounds only upon cooking temperature mimicking the Maillard reaction of slaughtered meat. By introducing a switchable flavor compound (SFC) into a gelatin-based hydrogel, we fabricate a functional scaffold that can enhance the aromatic properties of cultured meat. The temperature-responsive SFC stably remains in the scaffold during the cell culture period and can be released at the cooking temperature. Surprisingly, cultured meat fabricated with this flavor-switchable scaffold exhibits a flavor pattern similar to that of beef. This research suggests a strategy to develop cultured meat with enhanced sensorial characteristics by developing a functional scaffold which can mimic the natural cooking flavors of conventional meat.

Complementary Multisite Turnover Catalysis toward Superefficient Bifunctional Seawater Splitting at Ampere-Level Current Density.

The utilization of seawater for hydrogen production via water splitting is increasingly recognized as a promising avenue for the future. The key dilemma for seawater electrolysis is the incompatibility of superior hydrogen- and oxygen-evolving activities at ampere-scale current densities for both cathodic and anodic catalysts, thus leading to large electric power consumption of overall seawater splitting. Here, in situ construction of Fe4N/Co3N/MoO2 heterostructure arrays anchoring on metallic nickel nitride surface with multilevel collaborative catalytic interfaces and abundant multifunctional metal sites is reported, which serves as a robust bifunctional catalyst for alkaline freshwater/seawater splitting at ampere-level current density. Operando Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies combined with density functional theory calculations corroborate that Mo and Co/Fe sites situated on the Fe4N/Co3N/MoO2 multilevel interfaces optimize the reaction pathway and coordination environment to enhance water adsorption/dissociation, hydrogen adsorption, and oxygen-containing intermediate adsorption, thus cooperatively expediting hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions in base. Inspiringly, this electrocatalyst can substantially ameliorate overall freshwater/seawater splitting at 1000 mA cm-2 with low cell voltages of 1.65/1.69 V, along with superb long-term stability at 500-1500 mA cm-2 for over 200 h, outperforming nearly all the ever-reported non-noble electrocatalysts for freshwater/seawater electrolysis. This work offers a viable approach to design high-performance bifunctional catalysts for seawater splitting.