Targeting SEZ6L2 in Colon Cancer: Efficacy of Bexarotene and Implications for Survival.

BACKGROUND: Bexarotene, also recognized as Targretin, is categorized as a retinoid, a type of cancer drug. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms of bexarotene in relation to colon cancer remain unclear. In colon cancer, SEZ6L2 was suggested as one of the biomarkers and targets. This study presents a comprehensive exploration of the role of SEZ6L2 in colon cancer. METHODS: We utilized both TCGA data and a cohort of Chinese patients. In a meticulous analysis of 478 colon cancer cases, SEZ6L2 expression levels were examined in relation to clinical characteristics, staging parameters, and treatment outcomes. Additionally, we investigated the pharmacological impact of bexarotene on SEZ6L2, demonstrating a significant downregulation of SEZ6L2 at both mRNA and protein levels in colon cancer patients following bexarotene treatment. RESULTS: SEZ6L2 consistently overexpresses in colon cancer, serving as a potential universal biomarker with prognostic significance, validated in a diverse Chinese cohort. In vitro, SEZ6L2 promotes cell viability without affecting migration. Bexarotene treatment inhibits SEZ6L2 expression, correlating with reduced viability both in vitro and in vivo. SEZ6L2 overexpression accelerates declining survival rates in an in vivo context. Bexarotene's efficacy is context-dependent, effective in parental cells but not with SEZ6L2 overexpression. Computational predictions suggest a direct SEZ6L2-bexarotene interaction, warranting further experimental exploration. CONCLUSION: The study provides valuable insights into SEZ6L2 as a prognostic biomarker in colon cancer, revealing its intricate relationship with clinical parameters, treatment outcomes, and bexarotene effects. Context-dependent therapeutic responses emphasize the nuanced understanding required for SEZ6L2's role in colon cancer, paving the way for targeted therapeutic strategies.

Bacillus coagulans and Clostridium butyricum synergistically alleviate depression in a chronic unpredictable mild stress mouse model through altering gut microbiota and prefrontal cortex gene expression.

Introduction: The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) has gradually increased and has attracted widespread attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic compound consisting of Bacillus coagulans and Clostridium butyricum, on a mouse depression model. Methods: Mice were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and then treated with the probiotics at different concentrations. And mice received behavior test such as forced swimming test and tail suspension test. After that, all mice were sacrificed and the samples were collected for analysis. Moreover, prefrontal cortex (PFC) gene expression and the gut microbiota among different groups were also analyzed. Results: Probiotics improved depressive-like behavior in CUMS mice, as indicated by decreased immobility time (p < 0.05) in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test. probiotics intervention also increased the level of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the prefrontal cortex and decreased the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level in serum. In addition, by comparing the PFC gene expression among different groups, we found that the genes upregulated by probiotics were enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, we found that downregulated genes in prefrontal cortex of CUMS group such as Sfrp5 and Angpt2, which were correlated with depression, were reversed by the probiotics. Furthermore, the probiotics altered the structure of the gut microbiota, and reversed the reduction of cob(II)yrinate a,c-diamide biosynthesis I pathway in CUMS group. Several species like Bacteroides caecimuris and Parabacteroides distasoni, whose abundance was significantly decreased in the CUMS group but reversed after the probiotics intervention, showed significantly positive correlation with depression associated genes such as Tbxas1 and Cldn2. Discussion: These findings suggested that CUMS-induced depression-like behavior can be alleviated by the probiotics, possibly through alterations in the PFC gene expression and gut microbiota.

Rapid identification of peanut oil adulteration by near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics.

Peanut oil, prized for its unique taste and nutritional value, grapples with the pressing issue of adulteration by cost-cutting vendors seeking higher profits. In response, we introduce a novel approach using near-infrared spectroscopy to non-invasively and cost-effectively identify adulteration in peanut oil. Our study, analyzing spectral data of both authentic and intentionally adulterated peanut oil, successfully distinguished high-quality pure peanut oil (PPEO) from adulterated oil (AO) through rigorous analysis. By combining near-infrared spectroscopy with factor analysis (FA) and partial least squares regression (PLS), we achieved discriminant accuracies exceeding 92 % (S > 2) and 89 % (S > 1) for FA models 1 and 2, respectively. The PLS model demonstrated strong predictive capabilities, with a prediction coefficient (R2) surpassing 93.11 and a root mean square error (RMSECV) below 4.43. These results highlight the effectiveness of NIR spectroscopy in confirming the authenticity of peanut oil and detecting adulteration in its composition.

Optimization of Electrochemical Reduction of Biomass Derived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): A Volcano Plot and Bimetallic Catalysts.

2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) derived from 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) through a hydrogenation process has extensive applications in the production of resins, polymers, and artificial fibers. However, screening out the candidate and then modulating the active site to optimize the catalyst for high yield of BHMF are currently insufficient. In this study, Gibbs free energy diagrams of the reduction of HMF on 13 metals were presented, along with the identification of the rate-determining step (RDS) with the highest reaction barrier for each metal. We attempted to construct a volcano plot for HMFRR reaction. Additionally, a strategy was proposed to adjust the reaction barriers of RDS by combining two appropriate metals. Further experiments confirmed that Pb with the lowest energy barrier exhibited the highest HMF conversion (BHMF selectivity) among single metals. The modified catalyst by doping Ag on Pb, further boosted the HMF conversion (BHMF selectivity) from 42.1 % (59.4 %) to 80.8 % (80.9 %), respectively. These results provide an approach to rationally design and construct the catalyst system for efficient conversion of HMF.

Alginate oligosaccharide assimilation by gut microorganisms and the potential role in gut inflammation alleviation.

Dietary fiber metabolism by gut microorganisms plays important roles in host physiology and health. Alginate, the major dietary fiber of daily diet seaweeds, is drawing more attention because of multiple biological activities. To advance the understanding of alginate assimilation mechanism in the gut, we show the presence of unsaturated alginate oligosaccharides (uAOS)-specific alginate utilization loci (AUL) in human gut microbiome. As a representative example, a working model of the AUL from the gut microorganism Bacteroides clarus was reconstructed from biochemistry and transcriptome data. The fermentation of resulting monosaccharides through Entner-Doudoroff pathway tunes the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids and amino acids. Furthermore, we show that uAOS feeding protects the mice against dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis probably by remodeling gut microbiota and metabolome. IMPORTANCE: Alginate has been included in traditional Chinese medicine and daily diet for centuries. Recently discovered biological activities suggested that alginate-derived alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) might be an active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, but how these AOS are metabolized in the gut and how it affects health need more information. The study on the working mechanism of alginate utilization loci (AUL) by the gut microorganism uncovers the role of unsaturated alginate oligosaccharides (uAOS) assimilation in tuning short-chain fatty acids and amino acids metabolism and demonstrates that uAOS metabolism by gut microorganisms results in a variation of cell metabolites, which potentially contributes to the physiology and health of gut.

Epidemiological and Genomic analysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from imported travelers at the port of Shanghai, China (2017-2019).

BACKGROUND: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the predominant etiological agent of seafood-associated foodborne illnesses on a global scale. It is essential to elucidate the mechanisms by which this pathogen disseminates. Given the existing research predominantly concentrates on localized outbreaks, there is a pressing necessity for a comprehensive investigation to capture strains of V. parahaemolyticus cross borders. RESULTS: This study examined the frequency and genetic attributes of imported V. parahaemolyticus strains among travelers entering Shanghai Port, China, between 2017 and 2019.Through the collection of 21 strains from diverse countries and regions, Southeast Asia was pinpointed as a significant source for the emergence of V. parahaemolyticus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clear delineation between strains originating from human and environmental sources, emphasizing that underlying genome data of foodborne pathogens is essential for environmental monitoring, food safety and early diagnosis of diseases. Furthermore, our study identified the presence of virulence genes (tdh and tlh) and approximately 120 antibiotic resistance-related genes in the majority of isolates, highlighting their crucial involvement in the pathogenesis of V. parahaemolyticus. CONCLUSIONS: This research enhanced our comprehension of the worldwide transmission of V. parahaemolyticus and its antimicrobial resistance patterns. The findings have important implications for public health interventions and antimicrobial stewardship strategies, underscoring the necessity for epidemiological surveillance of pathogen at international travel hubs.

Band Structure Tuning via Pt Single Atom Induced Rapid Hydroxyl Radical Generation toward Efficient Photocatalytic Reforming of Lignocellulose into H2.

Photocatalytic lignocellulose reforming for H2 production presents a compelling solution to solve environmental and energy issues. However, achieving scalable conversion under benign conditions faces consistent challenges including insufficient active sites for H2 evolution reaction (HER) and inefficient lignocellulose oxidation directly by photogenerated holes. Herein, it is found that Pt single atom-loaded CdS nanosheet (PtSA -CdS) would be an active photocatalyst for lignocellulose-to-H2 conversion. Theoretical and experimental analyses confirm that the valence band of CdS shifts downward after depositing isolated Pt atoms, and the slope of valence band potential on pH for PtSA -CdS is more positive than Nernstian equation. These characteristics allow PtSA -CdS to generate large amounts of •OH radicals even at pH 14, while the capacity is lacking with CdS alone. The employment of •OH/OH- redox shuttle succeeds in relaying photoexcited holes from the surface of photocatalyst, and the •OH radicals can diffuse away to decompose lignocellulose efficiently. Simultaneously, surface Pt atoms, featured with a thermoneutral Δ G H ∗ $\Delta G_{\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ , would collect electrons to expedite HER. Consequently, PtSA -CdS performs a H2 evolution rate of 10.14 µmol h-1 in 1 m KOH aqueous solution, showcasing a remarkable 37.1-fold enhancement compared to CdS. This work provides a feasible approach to transform waste biomass into valuable sources.

Analysis of flavor substances in Shaoxing traditional hand-made Jiafan wine with different amounts of ZaoShao liquor.

BACKGROUND: Adding ZaoShao liquor (high-concentration liquor) is one of the most important steps in the brewing process of Shaoxing Jiafan wine, a product protected by Chinese geographical indications. The focus of this study is the effect of different additive amounts of liquor on the flavor of end products. RESULTS: In this study, four kinds of Shaoxing Jiafan wine were brewed by changing the amount of ZaoShao liquor. Headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to detect the flavor substances of four kinds of Jiafan wine. The difference in flavor of four kinds of Jiafan wine was evaluated by electronic nose analysis technology and verified by sensory evaluation. Finally, the reliability of the experimental results was verified through an aroma reconstruction experiment of rice wine. In this study, the differences in flavoring substances under different amounts of ZaoShao liquor were verified from various angles. The results showed that the flavors of the four kinds of wines were significantly different. CONCLUSION: The composition of flavor substances in Shaoxing rice wine varies with the amount of ZaoShao liquor. This study provided a scientific basis for the improvement of production technology of Shaoxing wine. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Advance typing of Vibrio parahaemolyticus through the mtlA and aer gene: A high-resolution, cost-effective approach.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant cause of foodborne illness, and its incidence worldwide is on the rise. It is thus imperative to develop a straightforward and efficient method for typing strains of this pathogen. In this study, we conducted a pangenome analysis of 75 complete genomes of V. parahaemolyticus and identified the core gene mtlA with the highest degree of variation, which distinguished 44 strains and outperformed traditional seven-gene-based MLST when combined with aer, another core gene with high degree of variation. The mtlA gene had higher resolution to type strains with a close relationship compared to the traditional MLST genes in the phylogenetic tree built by core genomes. Strong positive selection was also detected in the gene mtlA (ω > 1), representing adaptive and evolution in response to the environment. Therefore, the panel of gene mtlA and aer may serve as a tool for the typing of V. parahaemolyticus, potentially contributing to the prevention and control of this foodborne disease.

Bio-Inspired Superhydrophilic Self-Assembled Coronavirus-Like Pt-WC/CNT for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

This study presents a novel approach to enhance the catalytic activity of composite materials by promoting active surface exposure and improving hydrogen transfer performance. Through a self-assembly route involving tailored gas-solid and galvanic replacement reactions, Pt-WC/CNT catalysts with superhydrophilicity and coronavirus-like structure are synthesized. These unique structural features contribute to a remarkable enhancement in the electrocatalytic performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Notably, the Pt-WC/CNT catalyst exhibits an outstanding intrinsic activity and efficient bubble transfer properties, leading to a high turnover frequency of 34.97 H2·s-1 at an overpotential of 100 mV. This value is 4.8 times higher than that achieved by commercial Pt/C catalysts (7.30 H2·s-1), establishing Pt-WC/CNT as one of the most active catalysts reported to date. Moreover, the combination of gas-solid and galvanic replacement reactions in the synthesis process offers a scalable route for the production of Pt-loading controllable composite catalysts, thus challenging the dominance of commercial Pt/C catalysts.

Palladium-based pseudohomogeneous catalyst for highly selective aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols to aldehydes.

This study presents a novel class of pseudohomogeneous catalysts (PHC) based on carbon quantum dots functionalized with terpyridine ligands (CQDs-Tpy) to immobilize and stabilize palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). Extensive characterization techniques clearly confirmed the successful stabilization of Pd NPs on CQDs-Tpy. The effectiveness of the catalyst was demonstrated in the selective aerobic oxidation of primary and secondary of benzylic alcohols to aldehydes in the absence of additives and phase transfer catalyst (PTC). Remarkably, the reactions predominantly yielded aldehydes without further oxidation to carboxylic acids. By employing low catalyst loadings (0.13 mol%), high conversions (up to 89%) and excellent selectivity (> 99%) of the aldehyde derivatives were achieved. Moreover, the CQDs-Tpy/Pd NPs catalyst displayed suitable catalytic activity and recyclability, offering potential economic advantages. This promising approach opens up new opportunities in the field of catalysis for designing subnanometric metal-based PHCs.

Photocatalytic removal of imidacloprid pesticide from wastewater using CdS QDs passivated by CQDs containing thiol groups.

Over the past decade, CdS QDs have become versatile semiconductors. Surface modification of CdS QDs has become an interesting case study, as it can eliminate surface defects and improve their photochemical properties. In this study, we report a new strategy of using carbon quantum dots containing a large number of thiol groups (CQDs-SH) as a passivating agent for the stabilization of CdS quantum dots (QDs). Various characterization techniques have clearly revealed that the CdS QDs have been successfully passivated by CQDs-SH. The photocatalytic performance of CQDs-SH/CdS QDs was investigated for the degradation of the insecticide imidacloprid from an aqueous solution. Parameters affecting the photodegradation process, including the light source, photocatalyst amount, initial concentration of the pollutant, radiation time, pH, oxidizing agent, and temperature, were investigated. Furthermore, the HPLC technique was applied to quantitatively analyze imidacloprid and its degradation products. The results of the HPLC analysis revealed that under simulated visible light at pH 9, imidacloprid scarcely existed after 90 min of irradiation (90.13% degradation). The LC-MS method was also used to detect the degradation products and investigate the mechanism of photodegradation of the pesticide. The results showed that the CQDs-SH/CdS QDs composite was a promising photocatalyst for the degradation of imidacloprid in wastewater.

Prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure and gut microbiota of infants: A prospective cohort study.

Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been reported to be linked to a series of adverse health outcomes in mothers and their children. As the gut microbiota is a sensitive biomarker for assessing the toxicity of environmental contaminants, this study attempted to investigate whether prenatal PFASs exposure was associated with the gut microbiota of infants. Based on the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study, this prospective cohort study included 69 mother-infant pairs. Fasting blood samples were collected from pregnant women for the PFASs assay. We collected fecal samples of infants at 1 year of age and analyzed the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16 S rRNA gene by high-throughput sequencing. Among the detected 11 PFASs, the concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (22.19 ng/mL) was the highest, followed by perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (12.08 ng/mL). Compared with infants whose mothers' total PFASs concentrations during pregnancy were at the 40th percentile or lower (reference group), the species richness and diversity of microbiota were lower in infants prenatally exposed to a high level of PFASs (the sum of PFASs concentrations above the 60th percentile). Prenatal exposure to PFASs was associated with a higher proportion of Acidaminococcaceae, Acidaminococcus, Megamonas, Megasphaera micronuciformis and Megamonas funiformis in infants. The changes of the species have been suggested to be associated with immune and metabolic dysfunction in humans. Functional alterations of gut microbiota due to PFASs exposure were dominated by an enrichment of butanoate metabolism. Our preliminary findings may shed light on the potential role of the microbiota underlying the well-known impact of prenatal PFASs exposure on health outcomes of humans in later life.

Application of whole-genome tiling array at Shanghai port, China: An alternative method for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, driven by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), highlights the critical role of genomic surveillance in tracking rapidly spreading viruses and their evolving lineages. The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 tiling array, a comprehensive tool capable of capturing the entire viral genome, has presented a promising avenue for variants. This study introduces the SARS-CoV-2 tiling array as a novel method for port inspection. Using next-generation sequencing as a benchmark, 35 positive samples underwent sequencing through both methodologies, including the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7), Delta variants (AY.120, AY.122, AY.23.1), and Omicron variants (BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.75, BA.4, BA.5, BE.1, BF.7, BN.1, BQ.1, XBB.1) within the sample set. The whole-genome tiling array demonstrated successful identification of various sublineages of SARS-CoV-2. The average sequencing coverage rates were 99.22% (96.82%-99.92%) for the whole-genome tiling array and 98.56% (92.81%-99.59%) for Illumina sequencing, respectively. The match rates of these two methods ranged from 92.81%-99.59%, with an average rate of 98.56%. Among the benefits of the whole-genome tiling array are its cost-effectiveness and equipment simplification, making it particularly suitable for identifying SARS-CoV-2 variants in the front-line inspection department. The aforementioned findings provide valuable insights into the surveillance of COVID-19 and present a pragmatic solution for improving quarantine measures at entry points.

Chiral Pseudohomogeneous Catalyst Based on Amphiphilic Carbon Quantum Dots for the Enantioselective Kharasch-Sosnovsky Reaction.

The term "chiral pseudohomogeneous catalyst (PHC)" denotes a novel concept that characterizes subnanometric particles exhibiting atomic-level chirality. The PHC based on chiral amphiphilic carbon quantum dots possesses distinctive features that combine the strengths of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, thereby heralding a significant breakthrough in the fields of asymmetric synthesis and medicinal chemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first and the only reported research of a chiral PHC that demonstrates exceptional performance in controlling the enantioselectivity of the Kharasch-Sosnovsky reaction, yielding the corresponding products in high conversion (95%) with a moderate enantiomeric excess (75%). Notably, the chiral information on l-tryptophan can be effectively transferred from the outer shell of the nanosized catalyst, thereby inducing enantioselectivity in C-H activation and subsequent C-O forming events. Additionally, we have investigated the impact of various factors on the allylic oxidation reaction, including the amount, diversity, and hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of the catalyst, as well as the influence of the solvent, Cu salts, temperature, and the type of alkene and perester, in order to comprehensively explore the reaction conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst can be readily recycled from the reaction medium, making this PHC a promising innovation that can significantly impact practical applications. In summary, this breakthrough can be aptly described as a "Golden Gate" due to its unparalleled potential to open up novel avenues for research and innovation.

Comparative efficacy of vancomycin in treating ST5 and ST764 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in adult patients.

IMPORTANCE: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that is resistant to multiple drugs and can cause serious infections. In recent years, one of the most widespread strains of MRSA worldwide has been the clonal complex 5 (CC5) type. Sequence type 5 (ST5) and ST764 are two prevalent CC5 strains. Although ST5 and ST764 are genotypically identical, ST764 is classified as a hybrid variant of ST5 with characteristics of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). In contrast to ST5, ST764 lacks the tst and sec genes but carries the staphylococcal enterotoxin B (seb) gene. Vancomycin is commonly used as the first-line treatment for MRSA infections. However, it is currently unclear whether the genetic differences between the ST5 and ST764 strains have any impact on the efficacy of vancomycin in treating MRSA infections. We conducted a prospective observational study comparing the efficacy of vancomycin against ST5-MRSA and ST764-MRSA in five hospitals in China. There were significant differences in bacteriological efficacy between the two groups, with virulence genes, such as the tst gene, being a risk factor for bacterial persistence (adjusted odds ratio, 4.509; 95% confidence interval, 1.216 to 16.724; P = 0.024). In the future, it may be necessary to consider personalized vancomycin treatment strategies based on the genetic characteristics of MRSA isolates.

Analysis on driving factors of microbial community succession in Jiuyao of Shaoxing Huangjiu (Chinese yellow rice wine).

The microbial ecosystem of fermented food is greatly disturbed by human activities.Jiuyao is important saccharification starter for brewing huangjiu. The interaction between environmental factors and microorganisms significantly affected the microbial community structure at different stages of Jiuyao manufacturing. This study combined environmental factor analysis and high-throughput sequencing technology to comprehensively analyze the specific changes of microbial community and environmental factors in each fermentation stage of Jiuyao production and their correlation. The results showed that the activities of liquefaction enzyme, glycosylation enzyme and acid protease reached the highest value on the 8 th day (192 h) after the beginning of fermentation, and the cellulase activity reached the highest value at the end of fermentation. Pediococcus（37.5 %-58.2 %）, Weissella（9.2 %-27.0 %） and Pelomonas（0.1 %-12.1 %） were the main microbial genera in the genus bacteria, and Saccharomycopsis（37.1 %-52.0 %）, Rhizopus（12.5 %-31.0 %） and Saccharomyces（4.0 %-20.5 %） were the main microbial genera in the genus fungi. The results of correlation analysis showed that the microbial communities in Jiuyao were closely related to environmental factors. Most microbial communities were positively correlated with temperature, but negatively correlated with ambient humidity, CO2 concentration, acidity and water content of Jiuyao. In addition, the transcription levels of enzymes related to microbial glucose metabolism in Jiuyao were higher in the late stage of Jiuyao fermentation. Interestingly, these enzymes had high transcription levels in fungi such as Saccharomycopsis, Rhizopus and Saccharomyces, as well as in bacteria such as Pediococcus and Lactobacillus. This study provides a reference for revealing the succession rule of microbial community structure caused by environmental factors during the preparation of Jiuyao in Shaoxing Huangjiu.

Characterization of different grades of Jiuqu hongmei tea based on flavor profiles using HS-SPME-GC-MS combined with E-nose and E-tongue.

In order to distinguish different grades of Jiuqu hongmei tea (black tea), four different grades of Jiuqu hongmei tea were used as materials in this study: Super Grade (SuG), First Grade (FG), Second Grade (SG), and Third Grade (TG). HS-SPME-GC-MS combined with electronic nose (E-nose) and electronic tongue (E-tongue) technology was used to detect and analyze tea samples. The results showed that 162 volatile substances were identified, mainly alcohols, followed by hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones and esters. Twenty-nine volatile compounds were found in all grades of tea samples. The results of heat map analysis showed that the relative contents of five volatile compounds in different grades of Jiuqu hongmei tea were positively correlated with the grades of Jiuqu hongmei tea. By orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), 35 different compounds of SuG and FG, 30 different compounds of SG and TG, 34 different compounds of FG and SG were found. Overall, the results indicated that there were significant differences in volatile compounds among different grades of Jiuqu hongmei tea, and the use of HS-SPME-GC-MS combined with E-nose and E-tongue could provide a scientific reference method as an effective tool for detecting flavor characteristics of other types of black tea grades.

High-Valence Mo Doping and Oxygen Vacancy Engineering to Promote Morphological Evolution and Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity.

The rational design of high-efficiency, low-cost electrocatalysts for electrochemical water oxidation in alkaline media remains a huge challenge. Herein, combined strategies of metal doping and vacancy engineering are employed to develop unique Mo-doped cobalt oxide nanosheet arrays. The Mo dopants exist in the form of high-valence Mo6+, and the doping amount has a significant effect on the structure morphology, which transforms from 1D nanowires/nanobelts to 2D nanosheets and finally 3D nanoflowers. In addition, the introduction of vast oxygen vacancies helps to modulate the electronic states and increase the electronic conductivity. The optimal catalyst MoCoO-3 exhibits greatly increased active sites and enhanced reaction kinetics. It gives a dramatically lower overpotential at 50 mA cm-2 (288 mV), much smaller than that of the undoped counterpart (418 mV) and comparable to those of the recently reported electrocatalysts. Density functional theory results further verify that the increased electronic conductivity and optimized adsorption energy toward oxygen evolution reaction intermediates are mainly responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity. Moreover, the assembled two-electrode electrolyzer (MoCoO-3||Pt/C) exhibits superior performance with the cell potential decreased by 233 mV to reach a current density of 50 mA cm-2 with respect to the benchmark counterpart catalysts (RuO2||Pt/C). This work might contribute to the rational design of effective, low-cost electrocatalyst materials by combining multiple strategies.