Soluble sugar, organic acid and phenolic composition and flavor evaluation of plum fruits.

Plums (Prunus salicina and Prunus domestica) are prevalent in southwestern China, and have attracted interest owing to their delectable taste and exceptional nutritional properties. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the nutritional and flavor properties of plum to improve its nutritional utilization. Specifically, we determined the soluble sugars, organic acids, and phenolic components in 86 accessions using high-performance liquid chromatography. Notably, glucose, fructose, malic, and quinic acids were the predominant sweetness and acidity in plums, with sucrose contributing more to the sweetness of the flesh than the peel. Moreover, The peel contains 5.5 fold more phenolics than flesh, epicatechin, gallic acid, and proanthocyanidins C1 and B2 were the primary sources of astringency. Correlation and principal component analyses showed eight core factors for plum flavor rating, and a specific rating criterion was established. Conclusively, these findings provide information on the integrated flavor evaluation criteria and for enhancing optimal breeding of plums.

Anti-inflammatory effect of colchicine on organ damage during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery: a study protocol for a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The systemic inflammatory response syndrome during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery can lead to serious postoperative complications and significantly increase the hospital mortality rate. Colchicine, a widely used traditional anti-inflammatory drug, has good clinical value in cardiovascular anti-inflammatory therapy. Our preliminary single-centre study had confirmed the protective value of colchicine in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. For this multicentre investigation, we aim to further validate the anti-inflammatory and organ-protective effects of low-dose colchicine during the perioperative period in a low-risk population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 768 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery will be enrolled from eight heart centres in China. The participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the colchicine group will receive low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg once-a-day dosing regimen (QD) orally for 3 days before the surgery and 0.5 mg dosing frequency of every other day (QOD) continuously for 10 days after the surgery), whereas the placebo group will be given starch tablets for the same time and dosage. Primary endpoints are the occurrence of postoperative inflammatory diseases, including postoperative atrial fibrillation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, preoperative myocardial injury and post-pericardiotomy syndrome. Secondary endpoints included laboratory tests on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10, intensive care unit data, APACHE II score, Murray lung injury score, medication-related gastrointestinal reactions, 30-day and 90-day all-cause mortality, surgical data, chest radiograph on postoperative days 1, 2 and 3, and chest CT within 14 days after surgery. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This research has received approval from the Medical Ethics Committee of Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical College (approval number 2023-366-01). The study findings will be made available by publishing them in an open access journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06118034).

Hydrogen Evolution Reactivity of Pentagonal Carbon Rings and p-d Orbital Hybridization Effect with Ru.

Topological defects are inevitable existence in carbon-based frameworks, but their intrinsic electrocatalytic activity and mechanism remain under-explored. Herein, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of pentagonal carbon-rings is probed by constructing pentagonal ring-rich carbon (PRC), with optimized electronic structures and higher HER activity relative to common hexagonal carbon (HC). Furthermore, to improve the reactivity, we couple Ru clusters with PRC (Ru@PRC) through p-d orbital hybridization between C and Ru atoms, which drives a shortcut transfer of electrons from Ru clusters to pentagonal rings. The electron-deficient Ru species leads to a notable negative shift in d-band centers of Ru and weakens their binding strength with hydrogen intermediates, thus enhancing the HER activity in different pH media. Especially, at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, PRC greatly reduces alkaline HER overpotentials from 540 to 380 mV. And Ru@PRC even exhibits low overpotentials of 28 and 275 mV to reach current densities of 10 and 1000 mA cm-2, respectively. Impressively, the mass activity and price activity of Ru@PRC are 7.83 and 15.7 times higher than that of Pt/C at the overpotential of 50 mV. Our data unveil the positive HER reactivity of pentagonal defects and good application prospects.

Smart Bioorthogonal Nanozymes: From Rational Design to Appropriate Bioapplications.

Bioorthogonal chemistry has provided an elaborate arsenal to manipulate native biological processes in living systems. As the great advancement of nanotechnology in recent years, bioorthogonal nanozymes are innovated to tackle the challenges that emerged in practical biomedical applications. Bioorthogonal nanozymes are uniquely positioned owing to their advantages of high customizability and tunability, as well as good adaptability to biological systems, which bring exciting opportunities for biomedical applications. More intriguingly, the great advancement in nanotechnology offers an exciting opportunity for innovating bioorthogonal catalytic materials. In this comprehensive review, the significant progresses of bioorthogonal nanozymes are discussed with both spatiotemporal controllability and high performance in living systems, and highlight their design principles and recent rapid applications. The remaining challenges and future perspectives are then outlined along this thriving field. It is expected that this review will inspire and promote the design of novel bioorthogonal nanozymes, and facilitate their clinical translation.

High-Energy Polynitrogen N10 Stabilized on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

The synthesis of stable polynitrogen compounds with high-energy density has long been a major challenge. The cyclo-pentazolate anion (cyclo-N5 -) is successfully converted into aromatic and structurally symmetric bipentazole (N10) via electrochemical synthesis using highly conductive multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the substrate and sodium pentazolate hydrate ([Na(H2O)(N5)]·2H2O) as the raw material. Attenuated total refraction Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and density functional theory calculations confirmed the structure and homogeneous distribution of N10 in the sidewalls of the MWCNTs (named MWCNT-N10-n m). The MWCNT-N10-2.0 m is further used as a catalyst for electrochemical oxygen reduction to synthesize hydrogen peroxide from oxygen with a two-electron selectivity of up to 95%.

Cryptosporidium spp. in captive snakes from 26 provinces in China: Prevalence, molecular characterization, and symptoms.

Snakes are sometimes regarded as pets and are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Cryptosporidium spp. are frequently identified in snakes, representing an important pathogen and causing gastrointestinal diseases. Current data indicate that risk factors for infection and patterns of clinical symptom presentation may differ among Cryptosporidium spp. To better understand the infection status by Cryptosporidium spp., fecal samples were collected from 603 asymptomatic and 147 symptomatic snakes in 26 provinces of China. These samples came from Elaphe guttata, Elaphe obsoleta, Pituophis melanoleucus, Thamnophis sirtalis, Lampropeltis getulus, and Heterodon nasicus. The partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate the infection rate of Cryptosporidium spp., and to assess evolutionary relationships and genetic characterization. A prevalence of 20% was recorded in asymptomatic snakes, with age identified as a significant risk factor. In contrast, 70% of symptomatic snakes were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., with Cryptosporidium serpentis and Cryptosporidium varanii (syn. C. saurophilum). Further analysis revealed a potential association between C. serpentis and regurgitation, and C. varanii and diarrhea, while neither species was linked to flatulence. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report Cryptosporidium spp. and associated clinical signs in symptomatic snakes in China. This study aims to enhance the understanding of Cryptosporidium infections, risk factors, and clinical manifestations in snakes, providing data crucial for the control and prevention of cryptosporidiosis.

Title: Cryptosporidium spp. chez les serpents captifs de 26 provinces de Chine : prévalence, caractérisation moléculaire et symptômes. Abstract: Les serpents sont parfois considérés comme animaux de compagnie et sont utilisés en médecine traditionnelle chinoise. Des Cryptosporidium spp. sont fréquemment identifiés chez les serpents, ont un rôle d'agent pathogène important et provoquent des maladies gastro-intestinales. Les données actuelles indiquent que les facteurs de risque d'infection et les schémas de présentation des symptômes cliniques peuvent varier en fonction des espèces de Cryptosporidium. Pour mieux comprendre l'état d'infection par Cryptosporidium spp., des échantillons fécaux ont été collectés auprès de 603 serpents asymptomatiques et 147 serpents symptomatiques dans 26 provinces de Chine. Ces échantillons provenaient d'Elaphe guttata, Elaphe obsoleta, Pituophis melanoleucus, Thamnophis sirtalis, Lampropeltis getulus et Heterodon nasicus. Le gène de l'ARNr de la petite sous-unité partielle (SSU) a été amplifié à l'aide d'une réaction en chaîne par polymérase (PCR) imbriquée pour étudier le taux d'infection par Cryptosporidium spp. et évaluer les relations évolutives et la caractérisation génétique. Une prévalence de 20 % a été trouvée chez les serpents asymptomatiques, l'âge étant identifié comme un facteur de risque important. En revanche, 70 % des serpents symptomatiques étaient positifs à Cryptosporidium spp. avec Cryptosporidium serpentis et Cryptosporidium varanii (syn. C. saurophilum). Une analyse plus approfondie a révélé une association potentielle entre C. serpentis et la régurgitation, et C. varanii et la diarrhée, alors qu'aucune des deux espèces n'était liée aux flatulences. À notre connaissance, il s'agit ici de la première étude à signaler la présence de Cryptosporidium spp. et les signes cliniques associés chez des serpents symptomatiques en Chine. Cette étude vise à améliorer la compréhension des infections à Cryptosporidium, des facteurs de risque et des manifestations cliniques chez les serpents, en fournissant des données cruciales pour le contrôle et la prévention de la cryptosporidiose.

A Novel Intumescent MCA-Modified Sodium Silicate/Acrylic Flame-Retardant Coating to Improve the Flame Retardancy of Wood.

The incompatibility between inorganic flame retardants and organic acrylic coatings represents a significant challenge that requires resolution. This work selected environmentally friendly organic aqueous acrylic coatings as the substrate, sodium silicate hydrate as the inorganic flame retardant, and melamine cyanurate (MCA) as the flame-retardant modifier and the flame-retardant co-modifier, with the objective of improving the dispersion and flame-retardant properties of sodium silicate hydrate in the aqueous acrylic coatings. Subsequently, the sodium silicate/MCA/waterborne acrylic acid flame-retardant coating was prepared. The flame-retardant treatment was then applied to poplar veneer in order to create a flame-retardant poplar veneer. The dispersion of the flame-retardant coating was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Furthermore, the flame-retardant properties of the flame-retardant poplar veneer were analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG), limiting oxygen index (LOI), and cone calorimeter. The results demonstrated that the MCA-modified sodium silicate flame retardant was well dispersed in aqueous acrylic coatings. The results of the flame-retardant properties of the poplar veneer indicated that the ignition time of the 9% flame retardant-treated poplar veneer was increased by 122.7%, the limiting oxygen index value was increased by 43.0%, and the peak heat release rate (pHRR), the peak total heat release rate (pTHR), and the peak mass loss rate were decreased by 19.9%, 10.8%, and 27.2%, respectively, in comparison to the non-flame retardant-treated poplar veneer. Furthermore, the residual char mass increased by 14.4%, and the residual char exhibited enhanced thickness, density, and regularity. The results demonstrated that MCA was an effective promoter of sodium silicate dispersion in acrylic coatings. Furthermore, the sodium silicate/MCA/waterborne acrylic flame-retardant coating significantly enhance the flame retardancy of wood, and its flame retardant mechanism was consistent with the synergistic silicone-nitrogen expansion flame-retardant mechanism. This work presents a novel approach to enhancing the dispersion of inorganic flame retardants in organic coatings, offering a valuable contribution to the advancement of research and application in the domains of innovative flame retardant coatings and flame retardant wood.

RAD51B-AS1 promotes the malignant biological behavior of ovarian cancer through upregulation of RAD51B. / RAD51B-AS1通过上调RAD51B促进卵巢癌的恶性生物学行为.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an indispensable role in the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer (OC). However, the potential involvement of lncRNAs in the progression of OC is largely unknown. To investigate the detailed roles and mechanisms ofRAD51 homolog B-antisense 1 (RAD51B-AS1), a novel lncRNA in OC, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to verify the expression of RAD51B-AS1. Cellular proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis were detected using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony-formation, transwell, and flow cytometry assays. Mouse xenograft models were established for the detection of tumorigenesis. The results revealed that RAD51B-AS1 was significantly upregulated in a highly metastatic human OC cell line and OC tissues. RAD51B-AS1 significantly increased the proliferation and metastasis of OC cells and enhanced their resistance to anoikis. Biogenetics prediction analysis revealed that the only target gene of RAD51B-AS1 was RAD51B. Subsequent gene function experiments revealed that RAD51B exerts the same biological effects as RAD51B-AS1. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the malignant biological behaviors promoted by RAD51B-AS1 overexpression were partially or completely reversed by RAD51B silencing in vitro and in vivo. Thus, RAD51B-AS1 promotes the malignant biological behaviors of OC and activates the protein kinase B (Akt)/B cell lymphoma protein-2 (Bcl-2) signaling pathway, and these effects may be associated with the positive regulation of RAD51B expression. RAD51B-AS1 is expected to serve as a novel molecular biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of poor prognosis in OC, and as a potential therapeutic target for disease management.

Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived Carbon-Supported Metal Electrocatalysts for Energy-Related Reduction Reactions.

Electrochemical reduction reactions, as cathodic processes in many energy-related devices, significantly impact the overall efficiency determined mainly by the performance of electrocatalysts. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived carbon-supported metal materials have become one of star electrocatalysts due to their tunable structure and composition through ligand design and metal screening. However, for different electroreduction reactions, the required active metal species vary in phase component, electronic state, and catalytic center configuration, hence requiring effective customization. From this perspective, this review comprehensively analyzes the structural design principles, metal loading strategies, practical electroreduction performance, and complex catalytic mechanisms, thereby providing insights and guidance for the future rational design of such electroreduction catalysts.

Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for chelerythrine biosynthesis.

BACKGROUND: Chelerythrine is an important alkaloid used in agriculture and medicine. However, its structural complexity and low abundance in nature hampers either bulk chemical synthesis or extraction from plants. Here, we reconstructed and optimized the complete biosynthesis pathway for chelerythrine from (S)-reticuline in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using genetic reprogramming. RESULTS: The first-generation strain Z4 capable of producing chelerythrine was obtained via heterologous expression of seven plant-derived enzymes (McoBBE, TfSMT, AmTDC, EcTNMT, PsMSH, EcP6H, and PsCPR) in S. cerevisiae W303-1 A. When this strain was cultured in the synthetic complete (SC) medium supplemented with 100 µM of (S)-reticuline for 10 days, it produced up to 0.34 µg/L chelerythrine. Furthermore, efficient metabolic engineering was performed by integrating multiple-copy rate-limiting genes (TfSMT, AmTDC, EcTNMT, PsMSH, EcP6H, PsCPR, INO2, and AtATR1), tailoring the heme and NADPH engineering, and engineering product trafficking by heterologous expression of MtABCG10 to enhance the metabolic flux of chelerythrine biosynthesis, leading to a nearly 900-fold increase in chelerythrine production. Combined with the cultivation process, chelerythrine was obtained at a titer of 12.61 mg per liter in a 0.5 L bioreactor, which is over 37,000-fold higher than that of the first-generation recombinant strain. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first heterologous reconstruction of the plant-derived pathway to produce chelerythrine in a yeast cell factory. Applying a combinatorial engineering strategy has significantly improved the chelerythrine yield in yeast and is a promising approach for synthesizing functional products using a microbial cell factory. This achievement underscores the potential of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in revolutionizing natural product biosynthesis.

Structural elucidation of lignin, hemicelluloses and LCC from both bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells.

Biomass recalcitrance, a key challenge in biomass utilization, is closely linked to the architectural composition and cross-linkages of molecules within cell walls. With three bamboo species investigated, this study aims to elucidate the inherent molecular-scale structural differences between bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells through a systematic chemical extraction and structural characterization of isolated hemicelluloses, lignin, and lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC). We observed that parenchyma cells exhibit superior alkaline extractability compared to fibers. Additionally, we identified the hemicelluloses in parenchyma cells as L-arabino-4-O-methyl-D-glucurono-D-xylan, displaying a highly branched structure, while that in fibers is L-arabino-D-xylan. Furthermore, the parenchyma cell lignin exhibited a higher syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) ratio and ß-O-4 linkage content compared to fibers, whereas fibers contain more carbon­carbon linkages including ß-ß, ß-5, and ß-1. This notable structural difference suggests a denser and more stable lignin in bamboo fibers. Importantly, we found that LCC in parenchyma cells predominantly comprises γ-ester linkages, which exhibit an alkaline-unstable nature. In contrast, fibers predominantly contain phenyl glycoside linkages, characterized by their alkaline-stable nature. These findings were observed for all the tested bamboo species, indicating the conclusions should be also valid for other bamboo species, suggesting the competitiveness of bamboo parenchyma cells as a valuable biofuel feedstock.

Revealing spatial distribution and accessibility of cell wall polymers in bamboo through chemical imaging and mild chemical treatments.

Understanding the distribution and accessibility of polymers within plant cell walls is crucial for addressing biomass recalcitrance in lignocellulosic materials. In this work, Imaging Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, coupled with targeted chemical treatments, were employed to investigate cell wall polymer distribution in two bamboo species at both tissue and cell wall levels. Tissue-level Imaging FTIR revealed significant disparities in the distribution and chemical activity of cell wall polymers between the fibrous sheath and fibrous strand. At the cell wall level, Imaging Raman spectroscopy delineated a distinct difference between the secondary wall and intercellular layer, with the latter containing higher levels of lignin, hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA), and xylan, and lower cellulose. Mild acidified sodium chlorite treatment led to partial removal of lignin, HCA, and xylan from the intercellular layer, albeit to a lesser extent than alkaline treatment, indicating susceptibility of these polymers to chemical treatment. In contrast, lignin in the secondary wall exhibited limited reactivity to acidified sodium chlorite but was slightly removed by alkaline treatment, suggesting stable chemical properties with slight alkaline intolerance. These findings provide valuable insights into the inherent design mechanism of plant cells and their efficient utilization.

Triazoles in Medicinal Chemistry: Physicochemical Properties, Bioisosterism, and Application.

Triazole demonstrates distinctive physicochemical properties, characterized by weak basicity, various dipole moments, and significant dual hydrogen bond acceptor and donor capabilities. These features are poised to play a pivotal role in drug-target interactions. The inherent polarity of triazole contributes to its lower logP, suggesting the potential improvement in water solubility. The metabolic stability of triazole adds additional value to drug discovery. Moreover, the metal-binding capacity of the nitrogen atom lone pair electrons of triazole has broad applications in the development of metal chelators and antifungal agents. This Perspective aims to underscore the unique physicochemical attributes of triazole and its application. A comparative analysis involving triazole isomers and other heterocycles provides guiding insights for the subsequent design of triazoles, with the hope of offering valuable considerations for designing other heterocycles in medicinal chemistry.

Development and validation of prognostic nomograms for adult with papillary renal cell carcinoma: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to create two consensus nomograms for predicting Overall Survival (OS) and Cancer-Specific Survival (CSS) in adults with papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma (pRCC). METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results databases, a retrospective analysis of 1,074 adults with pRCC from 2004 to 2015 was performed. These patients were then randomly divided into two independent cohorts with a ratio of 7:3 (training cohort: 752; validation cohort: 322). In a retrospective analysis of 752 patients from the training cohort, independent prognostic variables affecting OS and CSS were found. R software was used to create prognostic nomograms based on the findings of Cox regression analysis. The performance of the nomograms was assessed using the Concordance Index (C-index), the Area Under Curve (AUC), a calibration curve, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA). Data from the 107 postoperative pRCC patients at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were used for external validation of the nomogram. RESULTS: For OS and CSS, the C-indices and AUCs of the training cohort and the validation cohort indicated that the model had excellent discrimination. The DCA demonstrated that the model was clinically applicable, and the calibration curves in the internal and external validations showed that the model's accuracy was high. CONCLUSION: The authors developed and validated a prognostic nomogram that accurately predicted the 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS and CSS of adults with pRCC. Clinicians can use this knowledge to direct the clinical management and counseling of patients with pRCC.

A Naturally Inspired Extrusion-Based Microfluidic Approach for Manufacturing Tailorable Magnetic Soft Continuum Microrobotic Devices.

Soft materials play a crucial role in small-scale robotic applications by closely mimicking the complex motion and morphing behavior of organisms. However, conventional fabrication methods face challenges in creating highly integrated small-scale soft devices. In this study, microfluidics is leveraged to precisely control reaction-diffusion (RD) processes to generate multifunctional and compartmentalized calcium-cross-linkable alginate-based microfibers. Under RD conditions, sophisticated alginate-based fibers are produced for magnetic soft continuum robotics applications with customizable features, such as geometry (compact or hollow), degree of cross-linking, and the precise localization of magnetic nanoparticles (inside the core, surrounding the fiber, or on one side). This fine control allows for tuning the stiffness and magnetic responsiveness of the microfibers. Additionally, chemically cleavable regions within the fibers enable disassembly into smaller robotic units or roll-up structures under a rotating magnetic field. These findings demonstrate the versatility of microfluidics in processing highly integrated small-scale devices.

Activating Inert Perovskite Oxides for CO2 Electroreduction via Slight Cu2+ Doping in B-Sites.

Perovskite oxides are proven as a striking platform for developing high-performance electrocatalysts. Nonetheless, a significant portion of them show CO2 electroreduction (CO2RR) inertness. Here a simple but effective strategy is reported to activate inert perovskite oxides (e.g., SrTiO3) for CO2RR through slight Cu2+ doping in B-sites. For the proof-of-concept catalysts of SrTi1-xCuxO3 (x = 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1), Cu2+ doping (even in trace amount, e.g., x = 0.025) can not only create active, stable CuO6 octahedra, increase electrochemical active surface area, and accelerate charge transfer, but also significantly regulate the electronic structure (e.g., up-shifted band center) to promote activation/adsorption of reaction intermediates. Benefiting from these merits, the stable SrTi1-xCuxO3 catalysts feature great improvements (at least an order of magnitude) in CO2RR activity and selectivity for high-order products (i.e., CH4 and C2+), compared to the SrTiO3 parent. This work provides a new avenue for the conversion of inert perovskite oxides into high-performance electrocatalysts toward CO2RR.

Bicontinuous RuO2 nanoreactors for acidic water oxidation.

Improving activity and stability of Ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts in acidic environments is eager to replace more expensive Iridium (Ir)-based materials as practical anode catalyst for proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Here, a bicontinuous nanoreactor composed of multiscale defective RuO2 nanomonomers (MD-RuO2-BN) is conceived and confirmed by three-dimensional tomograph reconstruction technology. The unique bicontinuous nanoreactor structure provides abundant active sites and rapid mass transfer capability through a cavity confinement effect. Besides, existing vacancies and grain boundaries endow MD-RuO2-BN with generous low-coordination Ru atoms and weakened Ru-O interaction, inhibiting the oxidation of lattice oxygen and dissolution of high-valence Ru. Consequently, in acidic media, the electron- and micro-structure synchronously optimized MD-RuO2-BN achieves hyper water oxidation activity (196 mV @ 10 mA cm-2) and an ultralow degradation rate of 1.2 mV h-1. A homemade PEMWE using MD-RuO2-BN as anode also conveys high water splitting performance (1.64 V @ 1 A cm-2). Theoretical calculations and in-situ Raman spectra further unveil the electronic structure of MD-RuO2-BN and the mechanism of water oxidation processes, rationalizing the enhanced performance by the synergistic effect of multiscale defects and protected active Ru sites.

Application of Recombinant Human Superoxide Dismutase in Radical Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Cervical Cancer to Prevent and Treat Radiation-induced Acute Rectal Injury: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label, Prospective Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human superoxide dismutase (rhSOD) enemas in radiation-induced acute rectal injury (RARI) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this phase 3, randomized, open-label trial (NCT04819685) conducted across 14 medical centers in China from June 2021 to August 2023, all patients received concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The experimental group was treated with a rhSOD enema during chemoradiation therapy, and the control group had no enema. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5.0) was used to evaluate radiation therapy-induced side effects. Endoscopic appearance was assessed using the Vienna Rectoscopy Score. The primary endpoint in the acute phase was the occurrence rate and duration of grade ≥1 (≥G1) diarrhea during CCRT. Secondary endpoints included the occurrence rate and duration of ≥G2 and ≥G3 diarrhea, ≥G1 and ≥G2 diarrhea lasting at least 3 days, and damage to the rectal mucosa due to radiation therapy measured by endoscopy. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-three patients were randomly divided into the experimental (n = 141) or control group (n = 142). The mean number of ≥G1 and ≥G2 diarrhea days were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (3.5 and 0.8 days vs 14.8 and 4.5 days, respectively; P < .001). The incidence of ≥G2 diarrhea decreased from 53.6% to 24.1% when rhSOD enemas were used. Use of antidiarrheals was lower in the experimental group (36.2% vs 55.7%, P < .001). Three patients felt intolerable or abdominal pain after rhSOD enema. RARI grades in the experimental group tended to be lower than those in the control group (P = .061). Logistic regression analysis revealed that rhSOD enema was associated with a lower occurrence rate of ≥G1/2 diarrhea for at least 3 days (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that rhSOD enema is safe and significantly reduces the incidence, severity, and duration of RARI, protecting the rectal mucosa.

Serum NPTX2 as a Potential Predictive Biomarker for Postoperative Delirium in Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) significantly impacts patient outcomes after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) surgeries. This study investigates the role of Neuronal Pentraxin 2 (NPTX2) as a potential biomarker for POD in ATAAD patients. Methods: This secondary analysis involved ATAAD patients from a prospective observational study. Serum NPTX2 levels were measured preoperatively and immediately postoperatively using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) or CAM for the ICU (CAM-ICU). Statistical analyses included the Pearson Correlation Coefficient and multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the association between NPTX2 levels and POD. Results: Among the 62 patients included, 46.77% developed POD. Patients with POD had significantly lower preoperative and postoperative serum NPTX2 levels. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that postoperative NPTX2 had a strong predictive capability for POD (AUC = 0.895). The optimal cutoff for postoperative NPTX2 in predicting POD was less than 421.4 pg/mL. Preoperative NPTX2 also demonstrated predictive value, albeit weaker (AUC = 0.683). Conclusion: Serum NPTX2 levels, both preoperatively and postoperatively, are promising biomarkers for predicting POD in ATAAD patients. These findings suggest that NPTX2 could be instrumental in early POD detection and intervention strategies.

Sodium Silicate/Urea/Melamine Ternary Synergistic Waterborne Acrylic Acid Flame-Retardant Coating and Its Flame-Retardant Mechanism.

Waterborne acrylic coatings, the largest market share of predominant environmentally friendly coatings, face limitations in their extensive application due to their flammability. The flame-retardant properties of the coatings could be significantly enhanced by incorporate inorganic flame retardants. However, inorganic flame retardants tend to aggregate and unevenly disperse in waterborne acrylic coatings, causing a substantial decrease in flame retardancy. In this work, sodium silicate was utilized as a flame retardant, with urea and melamine serving as modifiers and synergistic agents. This combination resulted in the preparation of a sodium silicate/urea/melamine ternary synergistic waterborne acrylic flame-retardant coating. This coating was applied to the surface of poplar veneer to create flame-retardant poplar veneer. Subsequently, various instruments, including a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a limiting oxygen index meter (LOI), a thermogravimetric analyzer (TG), and a cone calorimeter (CONE), were employed to investigate the relevant properties and mechanisms of both the flame-retardant coating and poplar veneer. The results demonstrated that the sodium silicate/urea/melamine ternary synergistic flame retardant did not exhibit aggregation and could be uniformly dispersed in waterborne acrylic coatings. The physical and mechanical properties of the ternary synergistic flame-retardant poplar veneer coating were satisfactory. Melamine and urea, acting as modifiers, not only greatly enhanced the dispersibility of sodium silicate in waterborne acrylic coatings, but also assisted in the formation of a silicon-containing char layer through the generation of nitrogen, achieving ternary synergistic flame retardancy. In conclusion, this work explores a novel method to efficiently and uniformly disperse inorganic flame retardants in organic coatings. It significantly improves the dispersibility and uniformity of inorganic flame retardants in organic polymers, thereby substantially enhancing the flame-retardant performance of coatings. This work provides a theoretical basis for the research and application of new flame-retardant coatings in the field of chemistry and materials.