Synergistic Effect of Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2 Cocatalyst and Al2O3 Passivation Layer on BiVO4 Photoanode for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.

Bismuth vanadate (BVO) is regarded as an exceptional photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, but it is restricted by the severe photocorrosion and slow water oxidation kinetics. Herein, a synergistic strategy combined with a Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2 (CoPH) cocatalyst and an Al2O3 (ALO) passivation layer was proposed for enhanced PEC performance. The CoPH/ALO/BVO photoanode exhibits an impressive photocurrent density of 4.9 mA cm-2 at 1.23 VRHE and an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of 1.47% at 0.76 VRHE. This outstanding PEC performance can be ascribed to the suppressed surface charge recombination, facilitated interfacial charge transfer, and accelerated water oxidation kinetics with the introduction of the CoPH cocatalyst and ALO passivation layer. This work provides a novel and synergistic approach to design an efficient and stable photoanode for PEC applications by combining an oxygen evolution cocatalyst and a passivation layer.

Draft genome sequence of the endophytic fungus Phoma sp. strain YAFEF320, isolated from Gerbera jamesonii.

Here, we report a draft genome sequence of endophytic fungus Phoma sp. strain YAFEF320, isolated from the roots of Gerbera jamesonii. The genome size of Phoma sp. YAFEF320 was 32,542,820 bp with 52.08% GC content. The genome resource will support future research into potential secondary metabolite diversity of this fungus.

Prunolactones A-G, proangiogenic isocoumarin derivatives with an unusual 6/6/6/6/6 spiropentacyclic skeleton from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis prunorum.

Seven novel isocoumarins, prunolactones A-G (1-7), featuring an unusual 6/6/6/6/6 spiropentacyclic skeleton, together with two biosynthetic precursors phomopsilactone (8) and methyl 3-epi-shikimate (9), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis prunorum guided by UPLC-QTOF-MS and 1H NMR spectroscopic analytical techniques. Their structures including absolute configurations of 1-7 were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data, X-ray diffraction analysis, and ECD calculations. Biogenetically, compounds 1-7 are proposed to be derived from polyketide and shikimate pathways via key intermolecular Diels - Alder reactions. Compounds 2, 3, and 7 showed significant in vivo proangiogenic activity in transgenic zebrafish.

Enhanced hypertension prevalence in non-Han Chinese minorities from Xinjiang Province, China.

Hypertension and its risk factors have been thoroughly investigated in multiple population studies, but little is known about Chinese minorities. In this study, we examined the association of hypertension prevalence with its risk factors in Han and non-Han minorities from Xinjiang Province, China, who have distinct lifestyles. A total of 9551 Han and non-Han Chinese (Han 83.9%, non-Han 16.1%) 17-81-years old participated in this clinical survey and anthropometric screening. Physical examination was performed on each participant, including measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of hypertension in non-Hans was found to be significantly greater than in Hans, in both men (39.92% vs. 28.55%, P<0.001) and women (19.49% vs. 10.29%, P<0.001) among the 36-55-year old age group. BMI was also found to be significantly higher in non-Hans than Hans in men (BMI: 26.54+/-3.23 vs. 24.82+/-2.77 kgm(-2), P<0.001) and women (BMI: 26.92+/-3.20 vs. 24.19+/-3.16 kgm(-2), P<0.001) in the same age group, but not in those <36-years old. Although Han women had normal weights or were slightly overweight (age >36, BMI=22.25-24.19 kgm(-2)), non-Han women from the same age group were found to be severely overweight (ages 36-55, BMI=24.94 kgm(-2), ages >56, BMI=26.92 kgm(-2)). A strong association between increased BMI and hypertension was shown in all ethnic and gender groups. The prevalence of hypertension in overweight (BMI> or =24 kgm(-2)) and obese (BMI> or =28 kgm(-2)), aged (36-81), male, and non-Han participants was significantly greater than in lean (BMI <24 kgm(-2)), young (17-35), female Hans, after adjustment for these variables in a multivariate logistic regression analysis (P<0.001). A high prevalence of hypertension in overweight and obese elderly non-Han men suggests that BMI, age, sex and race are important risk factors for hypertension in this Chinese population.