Surface Roughness of Interior Fine Flow Channels in Selective Laser Melted Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Components.

A challenge remains in achieving adequate surface roughness of SLM fabricated interior channels, which is crucial for fuel delivery in the space industry. This study investigated the surface roughness of interior fine flow channels (1 mm diameter) embedded in SLM fabricated TC4 alloy space components. A machine learning approach identified layer thickness as a significant factor affecting interior channel surface roughness, with an importance score of 1.184, followed by scan speed and laser power with scores of 0.758 and 0.512, respectively. The roughness resulted from thin layer thickness of 20 µm, predominantly formed through powder adherence, while from thicker layer of 50 µm, the roughness was mainly due to the stair step effect. Slow scan speeds increased melt pools solidification time at roof overhangs, causing molten metal to sag under gravity. Higher laser power increased melt pools temperature and led to dross formation at roof overhangs. Smaller hatch spaces increased roughness due to overlapping of melt tracks, while larger hatch spaces reduced surface roughness but led to decreased part density. The surface roughness was recorded at 34 µm for roof areas and 26.15 µm for floor areas. These findings contribute to potential adoption of TC4 alloy components in the space industry.

High-Quality Spherical Silver Alloy Powder for Laser Powder Bed Fusion Using Plasma Rotating Electrode Process.

The plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) is an ideal method for the preparation of metal powders such as nickel-based, titanium-based, and iron-based alloys due to its low material loss and good degree of sphericity. However, the preparation of silver alloy powder by PREP remains challenging. The low hardness of the mould casting silver alloy leads to the bending of the electrode rod when subjected to high-speed rotation during PREP. The mould casting silver electrode rod can only be used in low-speed rotation, which has a negative effect on particle refinement. This study employed continuous casting (CC) to improve the surface hardness of S800 Ag (30.30% higher than mould casting), which enables a high rotation speed of up to 37,000 revolutions per minute, and silver alloy powder with an average sphericity of 0.98 (5.56% higher than gas atomisation) and a sphericity ratio of 97.67% (36.28% higher than gas atomisation) has been successfully prepared. The dense S800 Ag was successfully fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), which proved the feasibility of preparing high-quality powder by the "CC + PREP" method. The samples fabricated by LPBF have a Vickers hardness of up to 271.20 HV (3.66 times that of mould casting), leading to a notable enhancement in the strength of S800 Ag. In comparison to GA, the S800 Ag powder prepared by "CC + PREP" exhibits greater sphericity, a higher sphericity ratio and less satellite powder, which lays the foundation for dense LPBF S800 Ag fabrication.

The adverse effects of vitrification on mouse embryo development and metabolic phenotype in offspring.

Embryo vitrification is a standard procedure in assisted reproductive technology. Previous studies have shown that frozen embryo transfer is associated with an elevated risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to explore the effects of mouse blastocyst vitrification on the phenotype of vitrified-warmed blastocysts, their intrauterine and postnatal development, and the long-term metabolic health of the derived offspring. The vitrified-warmed blastocysts (IVF + VT group) exhibited reduced mitochondrial activity, increased apoptotic levels, and decreased cell numbers when compared to the fresh blastocysts (IVF group). Implantation rates, live pup rates, and crown-rump length at E18.5 were not different between the two groups. However, there was a significant decrease in fetal weight and fetal/placental weight ratio in the IVF + VT group. Furthermore, the offspring of the IVF + VT group at an age of 36 weeks had reduced whole energy consumption, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism when compared with the IVF group. Notably, RNA-seq results unveiled disturbed hepatic gene expression in the offspring from vitrified-warmed blastocysts. This study revealed the short-term negative impacts of vitrification on embryo and fetal development and the long-term influence on glucose and lipid metabolism that persist from the prenatal stage into adulthood in mice.

Intestinal epithelial dopamine receptor signaling drives sex-specific disease exacerbation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Although the gut microbiota can influence central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune diseases, the contribution of the intestinal epithelium to CNS autoimmunity is less clear. Here, we showed that intestinal epithelial dopamine D2 receptors (IEC DRD2) promoted sex-specific disease progression in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Female mice lacking Drd2 selectively in intestinal epithelial cells showed a blunted inflammatory response in the CNS and reduced disease progression. In contrast, overexpression or activation of IEC DRD2 by phenylethylamine administration exacerbated disease severity. This was accompanied by altered lysozyme expression and gut microbiota composition, including reduced abundance of Lactobacillus species. Furthermore, treatment with N2-acetyl-L-lysine, a metabolite derived from Lactobacillus, suppressed microglial activation and neurodegeneration. Taken together, our study indicates that IEC DRD2 hyperactivity impacts gut microbial abundances and increases susceptibility to CNS autoimmune diseases in a female-biased manner, opening up future avenues for sex-specific interventions of CNS autoimmune diseases.

High-Dosage NMN Promotes Ferroptosis to Suppress Lung Adenocarcinoma Growth through the NAM-Mediated SIRT1-AMPK-ACC Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is the physiological circulating NAD precursor thought to elevate the cellular level of NAD+ and to ameliorate various age-related diseases. An inseparable link exists between aging and tumorigenesis, especially involving aberrant energetic metabolism and cell fate regulation in cancer cells. However, few studies have directly investigated the effects of NMN on another major ageing-related disease: tumors. METHODS: We conducted a series of cell and mouse models to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of high-dose NMN. Transmission electron microscopy and a Mito-FerroGreen-labeled immunofluorescence assay (Fe2+) were utilized to demonstrate ferroptosis. The metabolites of NAM were detected via ELISA. The expression of the proteins involved in the SIRT1-AMPK-ACC signaling were detected using a Western blot assay. RESULTS: The results showed that high-dose NMN inhibits lung adenocarcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo. Excess NAM is produced through the metabolism of high-dose NMN, whereas the overexpression of NAMPT significantly decreases intracellular NAM content, which, in turn, boosts cell proliferation. Mechanistically, high-dose NMN promotes ferroptosis through NAM-mediated SIRT1-AMPK-ACC signaling. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the tumor influence of NMN at high doses in the manipulation of cancer cell metabolism, providing a new perspective on clinical therapy in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Clinical outcomes after fresh versus frozen embryo transfer in women with advanced reproductive age undergoing in vitro fertilization: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare clinical outcomes following fresh or frozen embryo transfer (FET) in women with advanced reproductive age (ARA). Women aged 35-45 years who underwent their first autologous fresh or frozen cleavage stage embryo transfer cycle in the Centre for Assisted Reproduction of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were included. The primary outcome was live birth after the first embryo transfer of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Multiple covariates were used for propensity score matching (PSM) and generalized estimating equations were performed to examine the independent association between FET and live birth. Of the total 1453 patients, 327 patients had FET and 1126 patients had fresh ET. After the PSM procedure, 274 patients were included in each group. The live birth rate was 24.8% in the FET group and 25.2% in the fresh ET group (OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.67-1.44, P = 0.92). Other pregnancy, perinatal and neonatal outcomes were all comparable between the two groups. This study showed that FET did not improve live birth and other clinical outcomes as compared with fresh embryo transfer in women with ARA who underwent their first IVF cycle.

High Reflectivity and Thermal Conductivity Ag-Cu Multi-Material Structures Fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion: Formation Mechanisms, Interfacial Characteristics, and Molten Pool Behavior.

Ag and Cu have different advantages and are widely used in key fields due to their typical highly electrical and thermal conductive (HETC) properties. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), an innovative technology for manufacturing metallic multi-material components with high accuracy, has expanded the application of Ag-Cu in emerging high-tech fields. In this study, the multi-material sandwich structures of Ag7.5Cu/Cu10Sn/Ag7.5Cu were printed using LPBF, and the formation mechanism, interface characteristics, and molten pool behavior of the Ag7.5Cu/Cu10Sn (A/C) and Cu10Sn/Ag7.5Cu (C/A) interfaces were studied to reveal the influence of different building strategies. At the A/C interface, pre-printed Ag7.5Cu promoted Marangoni turbulence at a relatively low energy density (EA/C = 125 J/mm3). Due to the recoil pressure, the molten pool at the A/C interface transformed from a stable keyhole mode to an unstable keyhole mode. These phenomena promoted the extensive migration of elements, forming a wider diffusion zone and reduced thermal cracking. At the C/A interface, the molten pool was rationed from the conduction mode with more pores to the transition mode with fewer defects due to the high energy density (EC/A = 187.5 J/mm3). This work offers a theoretical reference for the fabrication of HETC multi-material structures via LPBF under similar conditions.

Downregulation of TUSC3 promotes EMT and hepatocellular carcinoma progression through LIPC/AKT axis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and malignant tumors in the digestive tract. Tumor Suppressor Candidate 3 (TUSC3) is one subunit of the endoplasmic reticulum Oligosaccharyl transferase (OST) complex, which plays an important role in N-glycosylation during the protein folding process. However, the role of TUSC3 in the initiation and progression of HCC has not been mentioned yet. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effects of TUSC3 on the initiation and progression of HCC. METHODS: Immunohistochemical assay and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of TUSC3 and lipase C hepatic type (LIPC) in HCC tissue and cells. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function were applied to detect the function of TUSC3 and LIPC in vivo and in vitro. Immunofluorescence assay and co-immunoprecipitation were used to detect the relationship between TUSC3 and LPC. Western blot was applied to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and the Akt signaling pathway. RESULTS: TUSC3 was aberrantly decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues compared to the matched adjacent normal tissues, which resulted in bigger size of tumor (P = 0.001, Table 2), worse differentiation (P = 0.006, Table 2) and an advanced BCLC stage. Down-regulation of TUSC3 led to the enhanced proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo and vitro, whereas the opposite effect could be observed in the TUSC3-overexpression group. The analysis of TUSC3 microarray showed that LIPC, a glycoprotein primarily synthesized and secreted by hepatocytes, was a downstream target of TUSC3, and it negatively modulated the development of HCC. The morphological changes in HCC cells indicated that TUSC3 regulated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, TUSC3 inhibited EMT progression through the LIPC/AKT axis. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of TUSC3 promotes EMT progression by activating AKT signaling via targeting LIPC in HCC, which is probably the possible mechanism driving TUSC3-deficient hepatocellular carcinoma cells toward a malignant phenotype.

Phosphorus Regulates the Level of Signaling Molecules in Rice to Reduce Cadmium Toxicity.

Phosphorus treatment can reduce Cd accumulation and Cd toxicity in rice, but alterations in the internal regulatory network of rice during this process have rarely been reported. We have removed the effect of cadmium phosphate precipitation from the hydroponic system, treated a pair of different Cd-response rice varieties with different levels of phosphorus and cadmium and examined the changes in physiological indicators and regulatory networks. The results demonstrated that phosphorus treatment significantly reduced Cd accumulation in both types of rice, although the antioxidant systems within the two types of rice produced opposite responses. Overall, 3 mM phosphorus treatment to Cd-N decreased the expression of OsIAA17 and OsACO1 by 32% and 37%, respectively, while increasing the expression of OsNR2 by 83%; these three genes regulate the synthesis of auxin, ethylene, and nitric oxide in rice. IAA and NO levels in rice shoots increased by 24% and 96%, respectively, and these changes contribute to Cd detoxification. The cadmium transporter genes OsHMA2, OsIRT1, and OsABCC1 were significantly down-regulated in Cd-N roots after triple phosphorus treatment. These data suggest that phosphorus treatment can reduce Cd accumulation and enhance Cd resistance in rice by affecting the expression of signaling molecules.

Fabrication of Titanium and Copper-Coated Diamond/Copper Composites via Selective Laser Melting.

The poor wettability and weak interfacial bonding of diamond/copper composites are due to the incompatibility between diamond and copper which are inorganic nonmetallic and metallic material, respectively, which limit their further application in next-generation heat management materials. Coating copper and titanium on the diamond particle surface could effectively modify and improve the wettability of the diamond/copper interface via electroless plating and evaporation methods, respectively. Here, these dense and complex composites were successfully three-dimensionally printed via selective laser melting. A high thermal conductivity (TC, 336 W/mK) was produced by 3D printing 1 vol.% copper-coated diamond/copper mixed powders at an energy density of 300 J/mm3 (laser power = 180 W and scanning rate = 200 mm/s). 1 and 3 vol.% copper-coated diamond/copper composites had lower coefficients of thermal expansions and higher TCs. They also had stronger bending strengths than the corresponding titanium-coated diamond/copper composites. The interface between copper matrix and diamond reinforcement was well bonded, and there was no cracking in the 1 vol.% copper-coated diamond/copper composite sample. The optimization of the printing parameters and strategy herein is beneficial to develop new approaches for the further construction of a wider range of micro-sized diamond particles reinforced metal matrix composites.

SRSF9 promotes colorectal cancer progression via stabilizing DSN1 mRNA in an m6A-related manner.

BACKGROUND: Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 9 (SRSF9) is a classical RNA-binding protein that is essential for regulating gene expression programs through its interaction with target RNA. Whether SRSF9 plays an essential role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and can serve as a therapeutic target is largely unknown. Here, we highlight new findings on the role of SRSF9 in CRC progression and elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS: CRC cell lines and clinical tissue samples were used. qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), gain- and loss-of-function assays, animal xenograft model studies, bioinformatic analysis, methylated single-stranded RNA affinity assays, gene-specific m6A quantitative qRT-PCR, dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA stability assays were performed in this study. RESULTS: The expression level of SRSF9 was higher in CRC cell lines than that in an immortal human intestinal epithelial cell line. Overexpression of SRSF9 was positively associated with lymph node metastasis and Dukes stage. Functionally, SRSF9 promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and xenograft growth. The results of bioinformatic analysis indicated that DSN1 was the downstream target of SRSF9. In CRC cells and clinical tissue samples, the expression of SRSF9 was positively associated with the expression of DSN1. Knockdown of DSN1 partially inhibited the SRSF9-induced phenotype in CRC cells. Mechanistically, we further found that SRSF9 is an m6A-binding protein and that m6A modifications were enriched in DSN1 mRNA in CRC cells. Two m6A modification sites (chr20:36773619-36773620 and chr20:36773645-chr20:36773646) in the SRSF9-binding region (chr20:36773597-36773736) of DSN1 mRNA were identified. SRSF9 binds to DSN1 in an m6A motif- and dose-dependent manner. SRSF9 modulates the expression of DSN1 in CRC cells. Such expression regulation was largely impaired upon methyltransferase METTL3 knockdown. Moreover, knockdown of SRSF9 accelerated DSN1 mRNA turnover, while overexpression of SRSF9 stabilized DSN1 mRNA in CRC cells. Such stabilizing was also weakened upon METTL3 knockdown. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of SRSF9 was associated with lymph node metastasis and Dukes stage in CRC. Knockdown of DSN1 eliminated the effects by SRSF9 overexpression in CRC. Our results indicated that SRSF9 functions as an m6A-binding protein (termed "reader") by enhancing the stability of DSN1 mRNA in m6A-related manner. Our study is the first to report that SRSF9-mediated m6A recognition has a crucial role in CRC progression, and highlights SRSF9 as a potential therapeutic target for CRC management.

The Biosynthesis of D-1,2,4-Butanetriol From d-Arabinose With an Engineered Escherichia coli.

D-1,2,4-Butanetriol (BT) has attracted much attention for its various applications in energetic materials and the pharmaceutical industry. Here, a synthetic pathway for the biosynthesis of BT from d-arabinose was constructed and optimized in Escherichia coli. First, E. coli Trans1-T1 was selected for the synthesis of BT. Considering the different performance of the enzymes from different organisms when expressed in E. coli, the synthetic pathway was optimized. After screening two d-arabinose dehydrogenases (ARAs), two d-arabinonate dehydratases (ADs), four 2-keto acid decarboxylases (ADXs), and three aldehyde reductases (ALRs), ADG from Burkholderia sp., AraD from Sulfolobus solfataricus, KivD from Lactococcus lactis IFPL730, and AdhP from E. coli were selected for the bio-production of BT. After 48 h of catalysis, 0.88 g/L BT was produced by the recombinant strain BT5. Once the enzymes were selected for the pathway, metabolic engineering strategy was conducted for further improvement. The final strain BT5ΔyiaEΔycdWΔyagE produced 1.13 g/L BT after catalyzing for 48 h. Finally, the fermentation conditions and characteristics of BT5ΔyiaEΔycdWΔyagE were also evaluated, and then 2.24 g/L BT was obtained after 48 h of catalysis under the optimized conditions. Our work was the first report on the biosynthesis of BT from d-arabinose which provided a potential for the large-scale production of d-glucose-based BT.

Construction of cell factory capable of efficiently converting L-tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryptamine.

BACKGROUND: L-Tryptophan (L-Trp) derivatives such as 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), N-Acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine and melatonin are important molecules with pharmaceutical interest. Among, 5-HT is an inhibitory neurotransmitter with proven benefits for treating the symptoms of depression. At present, 5-HT depends on plant extraction and chemical synthesis, which limits its mass production and causes environmental problems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an efficient, green and sustainable biosynthesis method to produce 5-HT. RESULTS: Here we propose a one-pot production of 5-HT from L-Trp via two enzyme cascades for the first time. First, a chassis cell that can convert L-Trp into 5-HTP was constructed by heterologous expression of tryptophan hydroxylase from Schistosoma mansoni (SmTPH) and an artificial endogenous tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) module. Then, dopa decarboxylase from Harminia axyridis (HaDDC), which can specifically catalyse 5-HTP to 5-HT, was used for 5-HT production. The cell factory, E. coli BL21(DE3)△tnaA/BH4/HaDDC-SmTPH, which contains SmTPH and HaDDC, was constructed for 5-HT synthesis. The highest concentration of 5-HT reached 414.5 ± 1.6 mg/L (with conversion rate of 25.9 mol%) at the optimal conditions (substrate concentration,2 g/L; induced temperature, 25℃; IPTG concentration, 0.5 mM; catalysis temperature, 30℃; catalysis time, 72 h). CONCLUSIONS: This protocol provided an efficient one-pot method for converting. L-Trp into 5-HT production, which opens up possibilities for the practical biosynthesis of natural 5-HT at an industrial scale.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective γ-Arylation of ß,γ-Unsaturated Butenolides.

γ-Butenolide and γ-butyrolactone scaffolds are two types of important core structures in numerous natural products and bioactive targets. However, methods to construct the chiral quaternary arylated γ-butenolide are rarely explored. We herein report an efficient Pd-catalyzed enantioselective γ-arylation of ß,γ-unsaturated butenolides with aryl bromides, which shows high γ-selectivity, good functional group tolerance and excellent enantioselectivity. Notably, this protocol also allows for facile construction of tricyclic tetrahydroindolines and tetrahydroisoquinolinones in one step. DFT calculations are consistent with the experimental results, suggesting that the γ-arylation is favoured over the α-arylation. Finally, this method is applied to the rapid synthesis of natural product (R)-(+)-boivinianin A.

Melatonin supplementation in the culture medium rescues impaired glucose metabolism in IVF mice offspring.

Increasing evidence suggests that in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be associated with an increased risk of developing obesity and metabolic diseases later in life in the offspring. Notably, the addition of melatonin to culture medium may improve embryo development and prevent cardiovascular dysfunction in IVF adult mice. This study aimed to determine if melatonin supplementation in the culture medium can reverse impaired glucose metabolism in IVF mice offspring and the underlying mechanisms. Blastocysts used for transfer were generated by natural mating (control group) or IVF with or without melatonin (10-6  M) supplementation (mIVF and IVF group, respectively) in clinical-grade culture media. Here, we first report that IVF decreased hepatic expression of Fbxl7, which was associated with impaired glucose metabolism in mice offspring. Melatonin addition reversed the phenotype by up-regulating the expression of hepatic Fbxl7. In vitro experiments showed that Fbxl7 enhanced the insulin signaling pathway by degrading RhoA through ubiquitination and was up-regulated by transcription factor Foxa2. Specific knockout of Fbxl7 in the liver of adult mice, through tail intravenous injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus, impaired glucose tolerance, while overexpression of hepatic Fbxl7 significantly improved glucose tolerance in adult IVF mice. Thus, the data suggest that Fbxl7 plays an important role in maintaining glucose metabolism of mice, and melatonin supplementation in the culture medium may rescue the long-term risk of metabolic diseases in IVF offspring.

Augmentation of antitumor function of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes against triple-negative breast cancer by PD-1 blockade.

T-cell-based immunotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade have been successfully used to treat several human solid cancers. The present study attempted to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the antitumor effect of adoptive cell therapy along with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Tumor infiltration lymphocytes (TILs) from TNBC mouse tumor tissues were isolated and expanded, and TILs for adoptive cell therapy (TILs-ACT) were applied in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor to the TNBC mouse model. The pre- and post-therapy antitumor efficacy, cytokine secretion, and pathological changes were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. We found that TILs exhibited higher IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion than conventional T cells. The TILs-ACT combined with PD-1 inhibitor promoted active T-cell infiltration into the tumor tissue and exerted a strong antitumor effect in an in vivo model. Additionally, the strategy could downregulate the expression of inhibitory marker PD-1 on TILs. In conclusion, PD-1 blockade regulated T-cell exhaustion that synergized with adoptive TIL transfer immunotherapy, leading to eradication of established TNBC tumors. These findings might be useful in developing a feasible and effective therapeutic approach for TNBC.

Pd-Catalyzed Enantioselective Dearomative Allylic Annulation to Access PPAPs Analogues.

Polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) share a common bicyclo[3.3.1]alkenone core structure and attract numerous attention from synthetic organic chemists due to their fascinating biological properties and associated synthetic challenges. We present herein that Pd-phosphoramidite catalysts promote the enantioselective dearomative allylic annulation reaction between allyl desoxyhumulones and allylic dicarbonates, affording PPAPs analogues in good yields and enantioselectivities. The reaction likely proceeds through two-step dearomative allylation by Pd, and the C-allylation pathway is the dominant mechanistic model.

Pd-Catalyzed Enantioselective Dicarbofunctionalization of Alkene to Access Disubstituted Dihydroisoquinolinone.

A Pd/Xu-Phos-catalyzed asymmetric Heck/Suzuki domino reaction has been developed that shows high functional group tolerance and enables coupling with various aryl/alkenyl borates. A series of chiral disubstituted dihydroisoquinolinones could be obtained in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.

Using fast visual rhythmic stimulation to control inter-hemispheric phase offsets in visual areas.

Spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) is believed to be important for neural communication and plasticity in human episodic memory, but causal evidence is lacking due to technical challenges. Rhythmic sensory stimulation that has been used to investigate causal relations between oscillations and cognition may be able to address this question. The challenge, however, is that the frequency corresponding to the critical time window for STDP is gamma (~40 Hz), yet the application of rhythmic sensory stimulation has been limited primarily to lower frequencies (<30 Hz). It remains unknown whether this method can be applied to precisely control the activation time delay between distant groups of neurons at a millisecond scale. To answer this question and examine the role of STDP in human episodic memory, we simulated the STDP function by controlling the activation time delay between the left and right visual cortices during memory encoding. This was achieved by presenting flickering (37.5 Hz) movie pairs in the left and right visual fields with a phase lag of either 0, 90, 180 or 270°. Participants were asked to memorize the two movies within each pair and the association was later tested. Behavioral results revealed no significant difference in memory performance across conditions with different degrees of gamma phase synchrony. Yet importantly, our study showed for the first time, that oscillatory activity can be driven with a precision of 6.67 ms delay between neuronal groups. Our method hereby provides an approach to investigate relations between precise neuronal timing and cognitive functions.