Characterization and application of Bacillus velezensis D6 co-producing α-amylase and protease.

BACKGROUND: Research on the co-production of multiple enzymes by Bacillus velezensis as a novel species is still a topic that needs to be studied. This study aimed to investigate the fermentation characteristics of B. velezensis D6 co-producing α-amylase and protease and to explore their enzymatic properties and applications in fermentation. RESULTS: The maximum co-production of α-amylase and protease reached 13.13 ± 0.72 and 2106.63 ± 64.42 U mL-1, respectively, under the optimal fermented conditions (nutrients: 20.0 g L-1 urea, 20.0 g L-1 glucose, 0.7 g L-1 MnCl2; incubation conditions: initial pH 7.0, temperature 41 °C, 8% inoculation size and 30% working volume). Moreover, the genetic co-expression of α-amylase and protease increased from 0 to 24 h and then decreased after 36 h at the transcriptional level, which coincided with the growth trend of B. velezensis D6. The optimal reaction temperature of α-amylase was 55-60 °C, while that of protease was 35-40 °C. The activities of α-amylase and protease were retained by over 80% after thermal treatment (90 °C, 1 h), which indicated that two enzymes co-produced by B. velezensis D6 demonstrated excellent thermal stability. Moreover, the two enzymes were stable over a wide pH range (pH 4.0-8.0 for α-amylase; pH 4.0-9.0 for protease). Finally, the degrees of hydrolysis of corn, rice, sorghum and soybeans by α-amylase from B. velezensis D6 reached 44.95 ± 2.95%, 57.16 ± 2.75%, 52.53 ± 4.01% and 20.53 ± 2.42%, respectively, suggesting an excellent hydrolysis effect on starchy raw materials. The hydrolysis degrees of mackerel heads and soybeans by protease were 43.93 ± 2.19% and 26.38 ± 1.72%, respectively, which suggested that the protease from B. velezensis D6 preferentially hydrolyzed animal-based protein. CONCLUSION: This is a systematic study on the co-production of α-amylase and protease by B. velezensis D6, which is crucial in widening the understanding of this species co-producing multi-enzymes and in exploring its potential application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Large-scale genetic correlation studies explore the causal relationship and potential mechanism between gut microbiota and COVID-19-associated risks.

Recent observational studies suggest that gut microorganisms are involved in the onset and development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the potential causal relationship behind them remains unclear. Exposure data were derived from the MiBioGen consortium, encompassing 211 gut microbiota (n = 18,340). The outcome data were sourced from the COVID-19 host genetics initiative (round 7), including COVID-19 severity (n = 1,086,211), hospitalization (n = 2,095,324), and susceptibility (n = 2,597,856). First, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) was performed to investigate the causal effect between gut microbiota and COVID-19 outcomes. Second, a two-step MR was used to explore the potential mediators and underlying mechanisms. Third, several sensitivity analyses were performed to verify the robustness of the results. Five gut microbes were found to have a potential causality with COVID-19 severity, namely Betaproteobacteria (beta = 0.096, p = 0.034), Christensenellaceae (beta = -0.092, p = 0.023), Adlercreutzia (beta = 0.072, p = 0.048), Coprococcus 1 (beta = 0.089, p = 0.032), Eisenbergiella (beta = 0.064, p = 0.024). Seven gut microbes were found to have a potential causality with COVID-19 hospitalization, namely Victivallaceae (beta = 0.037, p = 0.028), Actinomyces (beta = 0.047, p = 0.046), Coprococcus 2 (beta = -0.061, p = 0.031), Dorea (beta = 0.067, p = 0.016), Peptococcus (beta = -0.035, p = 0.049), Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group (beta = 0.034, p = 0.018), and Proteobacteria (beta = -0.069, p = 0.035). Two gut microbes were found to have a potential causality with COVID-19 susceptibility, namely Holdemanella (beta = -0.024, p = 0.023) and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group (beta = 0.026, p = 0.027). Multi-omics mediation analyses indicate that numerous plasma proteins, metabolites, and immune factors are critical mediators linking gut microbiota with COVID-19 outcomes. Sensitivity analysis suggested no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy. These findings revealed the causal correlation and potential mechanism between gut microbiota and COVID-19 outcomes, which may improve our understanding of the gut-lung axis in the etiology and pathology of COVID-19 in the future.

Animal Models of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Vaccines: Current Status and Future Prospects.

Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer, making it a threat to human health. Despite the use of antibiotic therapy, the global prevalence of H. pylori infection remains high, necessitating early eradication measures. Immunotherapy, especially vaccine development, is a promising solution in this direction, albeit the selection of an appropriate animal model is critical in efficient vaccine production. Accordingly, we conducted a literature, search and summarized the commonly used H. pylori strains, H. pylori infection-related animal models, and models for evaluating H. pylori vaccines. Based on factors such as the ability to replicate human diseases, strain compatibility, vaccine types, and eliciting of immune responses, we systematically compared the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models, to obtain the informed recommendations. In addition, we have proposed novel perspectives on H. pylori-related animal models to advance research and vaccine evaluation for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as gastric cancer.

Constructing Metal-Organic Framework Films with Adjustable Electronic Properties on Hematite Photoanode for Boosting Photogenerated Carrier Transport.

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) has become a research hotspot in the field of photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC-WS), but the low photogenerated carrier separation efficiency limits further application. The electronic structure regulation, such as element doping and organic functional groups with different electrical properties, is applied to alleviate the problems of poor electrical conductivity, interface defects, and band mismatch. Herein, α-Fe2O3 photoanodes are modified to regulate their electric structures and improve photogenerated carrier transport by the bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are constructed with Fe/Ni and terephthalate (BDC) with 2-substitution of different organic functional groups (─H, ─Br, ─NO2 and ─NH2). The α-Fe2O3 photoanode loaded with FeNi-NH2BDC MOF catalyst exhibits the optimal photocurrent density (2 mA cm-2) at 1.23 VRHE, which is 2.33 times that of the pure α-Fe2O3 photoanode. The detailed PEC analyses demonstrate that the bimetallic synergistic effect between Fe and Ni can improve the conductivity and inhibit the photogenerated carrier recombination of α-Fe2O3 photoanodes. The ─NH2 group as an electron-donor group can effectively regulate the electron distribution and band structure of α-Fe2O3 photoanodes to prolong the lifetime of photogenerated holes, which facilitates photogenerated carrier transport and further enhances the PEC-WS performance of α-Fe2O3 photoanode.

Analysis of assisted reproductive outcomes for gynecologic cancer survivors: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reproductive outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in gynecologic cancer patients and to assess maternal and neonatal complications. METHODS: Women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer who underwent their first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment between 2013 and 2021 at Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and IVF Institute were included in this study. Infertile women without any history of cancer were matched to the cancer group. The primary outcome was the cumulative live birth rate. Baseline and follow-up data were compared between groups using Student's t-tests for normally distributed variables and with Chi-square test for categorical variables. A propensity score-based patient-matching approach was adopted to ensure comparability between individuals with and without specific cancer type. RESULTS: A total of 136 patients with a history of gynecologic cancer and 241 healthy infertile controls were included in this study. Endometrial cancer constituted 50.70% of the cases and cervical cancer constituted 34.60% of the cases. The cancer group exhibited significantly shorter duration of stimulation, lower levels of estradiol, lower number of retrieved oocytes, day-3 embryos, and blastocysts compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The cumulative live birth rate of the gynecologic cancer group was significantly lower than that of the control group (36.10% vs. 60.50%, P < 0.001). Maternal and neonatal complications did not significantly differ between the groups (P > 0.05). The endometrial cancer and cervical cancer groups showed significantly lower cumulative live birth rates than their matched controls (38.60% vs. 64.50%, P = 0.011 and 24.20% vs. 68.60%, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the decreased occurrence of pregnancy and live birth in female gynecologic cancer patients undergoing ART, particularly in endometrial cancers and cervical cancers. These findings have important implications for counseling and managing gynecologic cancer patients undergoing ART.

COPZ1 regulates ferroptosis through NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Ferroptosis, a type of autophagy-dependent cell death, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study aimed to investigate the involvement of coatomer protein complex I subunit zeta 1 (COPZ1) in ferroptosis and ferritinophagy in LUAD. METHODS: Publicly available human LUAD sample data were obtained from the TCGA database to analyze the association of COPZ1 expression with LUAD grade and patient survival. Clinical samples of LUAD and para-carcinoma tissues were collected. COPZ1-deficient LUAD cell model and xenograft model were established. These models were analyzed to evaluate tumor growth, lipid peroxidation levels, mitochondrial structure, autophagy activation, and iron metabolism. RESULTS: High expression of COPZ1 was indicative of malignancy and poor overall survival. Clinical LUAD tissues showed increased COPZ1 expression and decreased nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) expression. COPZ1 knockdown inhibited xenograft tumor growth and induced apoptosis. COPZ1 knockdown elevated the levels of ROS, Fe2+ and lipid peroxidation. COPZ1 knockdown also caused mitochondrial shrinkage. Liproxstatin-1, deferoxamine, and z-VAD-FMK reversed the effects of COPZ1 knockdown on LUAD cell proliferation and ferroptosis. Furthermore, COPZ1 was directly bound to NCOA4. COPZ1 knockdown restricted FTH1 expression and promoted NCOA4 and LC3 expression. NCOA4 knockdown reversed the regulation of iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial structure induced by COPZ1 knockdown. COPZ1 knockdown induced the translocation of ferritin to lysosomes for degradation, whereas NCOA4 knockdown disrupted this process. CONCLUSION: This study provides novel evidence that COPZ1 regulates NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy and ferroptosis. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis and potential treatment of LUAD.

Enhanced Electrochemical Sensing of Oxalic Acid Based on VS2 Nanoflower-Decorated Glassy Carbon Electrode Prepared by Hydrothermal Method.

Oxalic acid (OA) is a predominant constituent in kidney stones, contributing to 70-80% of all cases. Rapid detection of OA is vital for the early diagnosis and treatment of kidney stone conditions. This work introduces a novel electrochemical sensing approach for OA, leveraging vanadium disulfide (VS2) nanoflowers synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis. These VS2 nanoflowers, known for their excellent electrocatalytic properties and large surface area, are used to modify glassy carbon electrodes for enhanced OA sensing. The proposed OA sensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity across a wide linear detection range of 0.2-20 µM, with an impressively low detection limit of 0.188 µM. The practicality of this sensor was validated through interference studies, offering a promising tool for the early diagnosis and monitoring of kidney stone diseases.

Correction: Liu et al. Tamarixia radiata Behaviour Is Influenced by Volatiles from Both Plants and Diaphorina citri Nymphs. Insects 2019, 10, 141.

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Drug delivery under cover of erythrocytes extends drug half-life: A thrombolytic targeting therapy utilizing microenvironment-responsive artificial polysaccharide microvesicles.

The development of thrombolytic drug carriers capable of thrombus-targeting, prolonged circulation time, intelligent responsive release, and the ability to inhibit thrombotic recurrences remains a promising but significant challenge. To tackle this, an artificial polysaccharide microvesicle drug delivery system (uPA-CS/HS@RGD-ODE) was constructed. It is composed of cationic chitosan and anionic heparin assembled in a layer by layer structure, followed by surface modification using RGD peptide and 2-(N-oxide-N,N-diethylamino) ethylmethacrylate (ODE) before encapsulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). The effect of chitosan on the basic performances of uPA-CS/HS@RGD-ODE was estimated. The in vitro results suggest the uPA carrier, CS/HS@RGD-ODE, displayed outstanding targeting specific to activated platelets (61 %) and microenvironment-responsiveness at pH 6.5, facilitating thrombus-targeting and a controlled drug release, respectively. Most importantly, in vivo experiment suggests ODE from uPA-CS/HS@RGD-ODE substantially extends the half-life of uPA (120 min), as uPA-CS/HS@RGD-ODE can adhere onto erythrocytes and deliver uPA under cover of erythrocytes enabling a prolonged circulation time in the bloodstream. Further tail vein and abdominal aorta thrombosis models confirmed uPA-CS/HS@RGD-ODE exhibited superior targeting and thrombolysis capabilities compared to systemic administration of free uPA. To the knowledge of authors, this may be the first study to develop new drug carriers for delivery of thrombolytic drugs under the cover of erythrocytes for extended drug half-lives.

Metabolic engineering of artificially modified transcription factor SmMYB36-VP16 for high-level production of tanshinone and phenolic acids.

Tanshinone and phenolic acids are the two main chemical constituents in Salvia miltiorrhiza, which are used clinically for the treatment of hypertension, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and many other diseases, and have broad medicinal value. The efficient synthesis of the target products of these two metabolites in isolated plant tissues cannot be achieved without the regulation and optimization of metabolic pathways, and transcription factors play an important role as common regulatory elements in plant tissue metabolic engineering. However, most of the regulatory effects are specific to one class of metabolites, or an opposing regulation of two classes of metabolites exists. In this study, an artificially modified transcription factor, SmMYB36-VP16, was constructed to enhance tanshinone and phenolic acids in Salvia miltiorrhiza hair roots simultaneously. Further in combination with the elicitor dual-screening technique, by applying the optimal elicitors screened, the tanshinone content in the transgenic hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza reached 6.44 mg/g DW, which was theoretically 6.08-fold that of the controls without any treatment, and the content of phenolic acids reached 141.03 mg/g DW, which was theoretically 5.05-fold that of the controls without any treatment. The combination of artificially modified transcriptional regulatory and elicitors dual-screening techniques has facilitated the ability of plant isolated tissue cell factories to produce targeted medicinal metabolites. This strategy could be applied to other species, laying the foundation for the production of potential natural products for the medicinal industry.

Disparities in 36 cancers across 185 countries: secondary analysis of global cancer statistics.

Cancer is a major public health problem and represents substantial disparities worldwide. This study reported estimates for 36 cancers across 185 countries by incidence, mortality, 5-year prevalence, mortality-to-prevalence ratio (MPR), and mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) to examine its association with human development index (HDI) and gross national income (GNI). Data were collected from the GLOBOCAN 2020. MPR and MIR were calculated by sex, age group, country, and cancer type and then summarized into totals. Segi's population and global cancer spectrum were used to calculate age- and type-standardized ratios. Correlation analyses were conducted to assess associations. Results showed that breast cancer was the most diagnosed cancer globally. Low- and middle-income countries had high MPR and MIR. Cancers of esophagus, pancreas, and liver had the highest ratios. Males and the older population had the highest ratios. HDI and GNI were positively correlated with incidence and mortality but negatively correlated with MPR/MIR. Substantial disparities in cancer burden were observed among 36 cancer types across 185 countries. Socioeconomic development may contribute to narrowing these disparities, and tailored strategies are crucial for regional- and country-specific cancer control.

CYB561 is a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer and is associated with immune cell infiltration.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC), a common malignant tumor originating from the terminal ductal lobular unit of the breast, poses a substantial health risk to women. Previous studies have associated cytochrome b561 (CYB561) with a poor prognosis in BC; however, its underlying mechanism of this association remains unclear. METHODS: We investigated the expression of CYB561 mRNA in BC using databases such as The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, Tumor-Normal-Metastatic plot, and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases. The prognostic value of CYB561 protein in BC was assessed in relation to its expression levels in tumor tissue samples from 158 patients with BC. The effect of CYB561 on BC progression was confirmed using in vivo and in vitro experiments. The biological functions and related signaling pathways of CYB561 in BC were explored using gene microarray, Innovative Pathway, Gene Ontology enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses. The correlation between CYB561 and the BC tumor immune microenvironment was evaluated using the CIBERSORT algorithm and single-cell analysis and further validated through immunohistochemistry of serial sections. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that upregulation of CYB561 expression predicted poor prognosis in patients with BC and that CYB561 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasive ability of BC cells in vitro. CYB561 knockdown inhibited BC tumor formation in vivo.CYB561 was observed to modulate downstream tropomyosin 1 expression. Furthermore, CYB561 expression was associated with macrophage M2 polarization in the BC immune microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated CYB561 expression suggests a poor prognosis for patients with BC and is associated with macrophage M2 polarization in the BC microenvironment. Therefore, CYB561 could potentially serve as a therapeutic target for BC treatment.

Versatility of the supraclavicular artery island flap for head and neck reconstruction.

Objective: To present our experience using the supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) for head and neck reconstruction. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review to identify patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction with SCAIF at our institution. The following data were collected: age, sex, surgical indications, flap harvest time, flap dimensions, length of hospital stay, complications, and clinical outcomes. Results: Thirty-three patients underwent SCAIF reconstruction, of whom four underwent pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction simultaneously. Twenty flaps were used to repair pharyngeal or esophageal defects following resection for tonsillar, hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, and cervical esophageal cancers. Five flaps were used for tracheal reconstruction following resection for tracheal or thyroid gland cancer. Seven flaps were used for reconstruction of cervical skin defects or fistulas related to a previous treatment. One flap for tracheal stenosis following tracheotomy. The mean age of the patients was 60.69 ± 11.47 years. The mean flap harvest time was 32.00 ± 4.44 min. The mean flap size was 10.16 ± 3.91 × 5.78 ± 0.68 cm. The mean length of hospital stay is 24.84 ± 13.78 days. Three patients had partial necrosis of the distal portion of the flap, which resolved with anti-infection therapy and local wound care. One patient developed a fistula that was resolved with wound care and further surgical intervention. Complete flap loss or major complications were not observed. No donor site complication or compromised shoulder function was observed. Conclusion: The SCAIF can be successfully used to reconstruct head and neck defects with good outcomes and limited morbidity. Level of Evidence: 4.

A2 reactive astrocyte-derived exosomes alleviate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by delivering miR-628.

Ischemia and hypoxia activate astrocytes into reactive types A1 and A2, which play roles in damage and protection, respectively. However, the function and mechanism of A1 and A2 astrocyte exosomes are unknown. After astrocyte exosomes were injected into the lateral ventricle, infarct volume, damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), apoptosis and the expression of microglia-related proteins were measured. The dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the target genes of miR-628, and overexpressing A2-Exos overexpressed and knocked down miR-628 were constructed. qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were subsequently performed. A2-Exos obviously reduced the infarct volume, damage to the BBB and apoptosis and promoted M2 microglial polarization. RT-PCR showed that miR-628 was highly expressed in A2-Exos. Dual luciferase reporter assays revealed that NLRP3, S1PR3 and IRF5 are target genes of miR-628. After miR-628 was overexpressed or knocked down, the protective effects of A2-Exos increased or decreased, respectively. A2-Exos reduced pyroptosis and BBB damage and promoted M2 microglial polarization through the inhibition of NLRP3, S1PR3 and IRF5 via the delivery of miR-628. This study explored the mechanism of action of A2-Exos and provided new therapeutic targets and concepts for treating cerebral ischemia.

Comparison of clinical and echocardiographic outcomes between mini-thoracotomy transatrial LuX-Valve transcatheter and surgical tricuspid valve replacement.

Background and aims: Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) has recently emerged as a novel therapeutic approach for managing severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, surgical tricuspid valve replacement (STVR) continues to be the predominant treatment modality. There are limited comparative data on both procedures. This study aimed to compare clinical and echocardiographic outcomes between patients who underwent mini-thoracotomy transatrial LuX-Valve TTVR and those who underwent STVR. Methods: This study prospectively collected patients with severe TR who underwent TTVR (n = 29) or isolated STVR (n = 59) at Wuhan Union Hospital from 2019 to 2022. All TTVR patients received the LuX-Valve via a mini-thoracotomy and transatrial approach. The clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were compared at 30-day and one-year follow-ups. Results: At baseline, patients with LuX-Valve TTVR had higher surgical risk scores and a greater proportion of right ventricular dysfunction compared with STVR. In the early postoperative period, the STVR group had a greater decrease in right ventricular function. Hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, total procedure time, and tracheal intubation time were shorter in the TTVR than in the STVR group. The incidence of postoperative paravalvular leaks was higher among patients who underwent TTVR. Compared to the STVR group, the pacemaker implantation rate was lower in the TTVR group. During follow-up, the peak tricuspid valve velocity and mean gradient in the TTVR group were consistently lower than those in the STVR group. There was similar mortality between TTVR and STVR at 30-day and one-year follow-ups. Conclusions: The mini-thoracotomy transatria LuX-Valve TTVR has a higher incidence of paravalvular leaks and a lower rate of pacemaker implantation than STVR, with similar 30-day and one-year mortality rates. In some respects, mini-thoracotomy transatrial LuX-Valve TTVR may be a feasible and safe treatment option for specific populations, or it could potentially serve as an alternative therapy to supplement conventional STVR. Further follow-up is required to assess differences in long-term clinical outcomes and valve durability.

A dual-functional NIR fluorescence probe for detecting hypochlorous acid and bisulfite in biosystem.

BACKGROUND: Bisulfite (HSO3-) serves as a bleaching agent, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and regulator of enzymatic reactions in biosystem. However, abnormal levels of bisulfite can be detrimental to health. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which acts as bioactive small molecules, is crucial for maintaining normal biological functions in living organisms. Disruption of its equilibrium can lead to oxidative stress and various diseases. Therefore, it's essential to monitor the fluctuations of HOCl and HSO3- at cellular and in vivo levels to study their physiological and pathological functions. RESULTS: This study constructed a novel NIR bifunctional colorimetric fluorescent probe using thienocoumarin-indanedione structures to identify hypochlorite (ClO-) and bisulfite (HSO3-). By using CSO-IO to recognize HSO3- and HOCl, two distinct products were generated, displaying green and blue fluorescence, respectively. This property effectively allows for the simultaneous dual-functional detection of HSO3- (LOD: 113 nM) and HOCl (LOD: 43 nM). SIGNIFICANCE: In this work, the biocompatible molecule CSO-IO has been effectively designed to detect HOCl/HSO3- in living cells and zebrafish. As a result, the dual-functional fluorescent probe has the potential to be utilized as a molecular tool to detect HSO3- derived compounds and HOCl simultaneously within the complex biological system.

Probing the toxic hypochlorous acid in natural waters and biosystem by a coumarin-based fluorescence probe.

Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in early 2020, there has been a notable rise in sodium hypochlorite disinfectants. Sodium hypochlorite undergoes hydrolysis to generate hypochlorous acid for virus eradication. This chlorine-based disinfectant is widely utilized for public disinfection due to its effectiveness. Although sodium hypochlorite disinfection is convenient, its excessive and indiscriminate use can harm the water environment and pose a risk to human health. Hypochlorous acid, a reactive oxygen species, plays a crucial role in the troposphere, stratospheric chemistry, and oxidizing capacity. Additionally, hypochlorous acid is vital as a reactive oxygen species in biological systems, and its irregular metabolism and level is associated with several illnesses. Thus, it is crucial to identify hypochlorous acid to comprehend its environmental and biological functions precisely. Here, we constructed a new fluorescent probe, utilizing the twisted intramolecular charge transfer mechanism to quickly and accurately detect hypochlorous acid in environmental water and biosystems. The probe showed a notable increase in fluorescence when exposed to hypochlorous acid, demonstrating its excellent selectivity, fast response time (less than 10 seconds), a large Stokes shift (∼ 102 nm), and a low detection limit of 15.5 nM.

Silver(I)-Promoted [3 + 3]-Cycloaddition of 2-(2-Enynyl)quinolines with N'-(2-Alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides.

An effective and straightforward Ag(I)-mediated annulation of 2-(2-enynyl)quinolines and N'-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides was developed, forging various synthetically challenging 17bH-isoquinolino[2'',1'':1',6']pyridazino[4',5':3,4]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines, including different nitrogen-containing fused rings, in moderate to excellent yields. This one-pot cycloaddition strategy features exclusive regioselectivity, high atom economy, and broad substrate scope under mild conditions. The practicality and reliability of this cycloaddition reaction was demonstrated by a successful scale-up synthesis.

The effect of iron absorption in ferrous gluconate form from enriched rice flour using an in vitro digestion model and a Caco-2 cell model.

Iron deficiency can cause serious diseases in infants and young children such as indigestion, anemia, and nervous system dysplasia. Consumption of high-iron rice flour can prevent iron deficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential application of ferrous gluconate as an iron source in high-iron rice flour used as a type of accessory food for infants and young children. In this study, the differences in iron absorption ability between ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate in rice flour with the same ingredients in both high and low phytic acid systems were evaluated. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the bioaccessibility/bioavailability between ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate at both low and high phytic acid contents. In low phytic acid and high phytic acid systems, the iron absorption rate of ferrous gluconate is 11.53% and 13.45% higher than that of ferrous fumarate, respectively (p < 0.05). In summary, the iron absorption rate of ferrous gluconate was higher than that of ferrous fumarate in the rice flour system. Additionally, the low phytic acid environment is more conducive to iron uptake and utilization. Therefore, ferrous gluconate can be used as an alternative source of iron in accessory foods for infants and young children.