Design of U-shaped peptides with long-lasting antifouling efficacy: Toward a feasible electrochemical aptasensor for robust detection in human serum.

BACKGROUND: Developing biosensors with antifouling properties is essential for accurately detecting low-concentration biomarkers in complex biological matrix, which is imperative for effective disease diagnosis and treatment. Herein, an antifouling electrochemical aptasensor qualifying for probing targets in human serum was explored based on newly-devised peptides that could form inverted U-shaped structures with long-term stability. RESULTS: The inverted U-shaped peptides (U-Pep) with two terminals of thiol groups grafted onto the Au-modified electrode showcase superior antifouling properties in terms of high stability against enzymatic hydrolysis and long acting against biofouling in actual biofluids. The construction of the outlined antifouling electrochemical aptasensor just involved the fabrication of Au-deposited poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) (Au/PEDOT) modified electrode, followed by one-step co-incubation in the peptides and the aptamer probes with the Au/PEDOT electrode. Taking a typical biomarker of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for detection, this elegant antifouling aptasenor demonstrated a nice response for probing the target AFP with a low detection limit of 0.27 pg/mL and a wide linear scope of 1.0 pg/mL to 1.0 µg/mL, and furthermore qualified for assaying of AFP in human serum samples with satisfactory accuracy and feasibility. SIGNIFICANCE: This engineering strategy of U-Pep with long-lasting antifouling efficacy opens a new horizon for high-performance antifouling biosensors suitable for detection in complex bifluids, and it could spark more inspiration for a follow-up exploration of other featured antifouling biomaterials.

Atroposelective Formal [2 + 5] Macrocyclization Synthesis for a Novel All-Hydrocarbon Cyclo[7] Meta-Benzene Macrocycle.

A novel axially chiral all-hydrocarbon cyclo[7] (1,3-(4,6-dimethyl)benzene (CDMB-7) was designed and synthesized using atroposelective[2 + 5] cyclization through Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. CDMB-7 adopts an irregular bowl-like shape with C2 symmetry and exhibits two diastereoisomers in its crystallographic structure. The conformational isomers of CDMB-7 racemates remain stable at high temperatures (393 K). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed that a single chiral isomer will spontaneously undergo racemization within 30 min at room temperature. This finding opens up possibilities for achieving adaptive chirality in all-hydrocarbon cyclo[7] m-benzene macrocycles.

Optimization Co-Culture of Monascus purpureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on Selenium-Enriched Lentinus edodes for Increased Monacolin K Production.

Selenium-enriched Lentinus edodes (SL) is a kind of edible fungi rich in organic selenium and nutrients. Monascus purpureus with high monacolin K (MK) production and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were selected as the fermentation strains. A single-factor experiment and response surface methodology were conducted to optimize the production conditions for MK with higher contents from selenium-enriched Lentinus edodes fermentation (SLF). Furthermore, we investigated the nutritional components, antioxidant capacities, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of SLF. The MK content in the fermentation was 2.42 mg/g under optimal fermentation conditions. The organic selenium content of SLF was 7.22 mg/kg, accounting for 98% of the total selenium content. Moreover, the contents of total sugars, proteins, amino acids, reducing sugars, crude fiber, fat, and ash in SLF were increased by 9%, 23%, 23%, 94%, 38%, 44%, and 25%, respectively. The antioxidant test results demonstrated that 1.0 mg/mL of SLF exhibited scavenging capacities of 40%, 70%, and 79% for DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals, respectively. Using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry technology, 34 unique VOCs were identified in SLF, with esters, alcohols, and ketones being the main components of its aroma. This study showed that fungal fermentation provides a theoretical reference for enhancing the nutritional value of SL.

HIF-1 Transcriptionally Regulates Basal Expression of STING to Maintain Cellular Innate Immunity.

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) is a critical component of the innate immune system, playing an essential role in defending against DNA virus infections. However, the mechanisms governing basal STING regulation remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the basal level of STING is critically maintained by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1)α through transcription. Under normal conditions, HIF-1α binds constitutively to the promoter region of STING, actively promoting its transcription. Knocking down HIF-1α results in a decrease in STING expression in multiple cell lines and zebrafish, which in turn reduces cellular responses to synthetic dsDNAs, including cell signaling and IFN production. Moreover, this decrease in STING levels leads to an increase in cellular susceptibility to DNA viruses HSV-1 and pseudorabies virus. These findings unveil a (to our knowledge) novel role of HIF-1α in maintaining basal STING levels and provide valuable insights into STING-mediated antiviral activities and associated diseases.

Peroxiredoxin 4 deficiency induces accelerated ovarian aging through destroyed proteostasis in granulosa cells.

Ovarian aging, a complex and challenging concern within the realm of reproductive medicine, is associated with reduced fertility, menopausal symptoms and long-term health risks. Our previous investigation revealed a correlation between Peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4) and human ovarian aging. The purpose of this research was to substantiate the protective role of PRDX4 against ovarian aging and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism in mice. In this study, a Prdx4-/- mouse model was established and it was observed that the deficiency of PRDX4 led to only an accelerated decline of ovarian function in comparison to wild-type (WT) mice. The impaired ovarian function observed in this study can be attributed to an imbalance in protein homeostasis, an exacerbation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress), and ultimately an increase in apoptosis of granulosa cells. Furthermore, our research reveals a noteworthy decline in the expression of Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in aging Prdx4-/- mice, especially the functional trimer, due to impaired disulfide bond formation. Contrarily, the overexpression of PRDX4 facilitated the maintenance of protein homeostasis, mitigated ER stress, and consequently elevated E2 levels in a simulated KGN cell aging model. Additionally, the overexpression of PRDX4 restored the expression of the correct spatial conformation of FSHR, the functional trimer. In summary, our research reveals the significant contribution of PRDX4 in delaying ovarian aging, presenting a novel and promising therapeutic target for ovarian aging from the perspective of endoplasmic reticulum protein homeostasis.

Optimization of fermentation parameters to improve the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles by Bacillus licheniformis F1 and its comprehensive application.

BACKGROUND: Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are increasingly gaining attention due to its characteristics of low toxicity, high activity, and stability. Additionally, Bacillus licheniformis, as a probiotic, has achieved remarkable research outcomes in diverse fields such as medicine, feed processing, and pesticides, attracting widespread attention. Consequently, evaluating the activity of probiotics and SeNPs is paramount. The utilization of probiotics to synthesize SeNPs, achieving large-scale industrialization, is a current hotspot in the field of SeNPs synthesis and is currently the most promising synthetic method. To minimize production costs and maximize yield of SeNPs, this study selected agricultural by-products that are nutrient-rich, cost-effective, and readily available as culture medium components. This approach not only fulfills industrial production requirements but also mitigates the impact on downstream processes. RESULTS: The experimental findings revealed that SeNPs synthesized by B. licheniformis F1 exhibited a spherical morphology with diameters ranging from 110 to 170 nm and demonstrating high stability. Both the secondary metabolites of B. licheniformis F1 and the synthesized SeNPs possessed significant free radical scavenging ability. To provide a more robust foundation for acquiring large quantities of SeNPs via fermentation with B. licheniformis F1, key factors were identified through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) include a 2% seed liquid inoculum, a temperature of 37 ℃, and agitation at 180 rpm. Additionally, critical factors during the optimization process were corn powder (11.18 g/L), soybean meal (10.34 g/L), and NaCl (10.68 g/L). Upon validating the optimized conditions and culture medium, B. licheniformis F1 can synthesize nearly 100.00% SeNPs from 5 mmol/L sodium selenite. Subsequently, pilot-scale verification in a 5 L fermentor using the optimized medium resulted in a shortened fermentation time, significantly reducing production costs. CONCLUSION: In this study, the efficient production of SeNPs by the probiotic B. licheniformis F1 was successfully achieved, leading to a significant reduction in fermentation costs. The exploration of the practical applications of this strain holds significant potential and provides valuable guidance for facilitating the industrial-scale implementation of microbial synthesis of SeNPs.

A W-Shaped Self-Supervised Computational Ghost Imaging Restoration Method for Occluded Targets.

We developed a novel method based on self-supervised learning to improve the ghost imaging of occluded objects. In particular, we introduced a W-shaped neural network to preprocess the input image and enhance the overall quality and efficiency of the reconstruction method. We verified the superiority of our W-shaped self-supervised computational ghost imaging (WSCGI) method through numerical simulations and experimental validations. Our results underscore the potential of self-supervised learning in advancing ghost imaging.

An Ultrasensitive Biosensor for Probing Subcellular Distribution and Mitochondrial Transport of l-2-Hydroxyglutarate.

l-2-Hydroxyglutarate (l-2-HG) is a functionally compartmentalized metabolite involved in various physiological processes. However, its subcellular distribution and mitochondrial transport remain unclear owing to technical limitations. In the present study, an ultrasensitive l-2-HG biosensor, sfLHGFRH, composed of circularly permuted yellow fluorescent protein and l-2-HG-specific transcriptional regulator, is developed. The ability of sfLHGFRH to be used for analyzing l-2-HG metabolism is first determined in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293FT) and macrophages. Then, the subcellular distribution of l-2-HG in HEK293FT cells and the lower abundance of mitochondrial l-2-HG are identified by the sfLHGFRH-supported spatiotemporal l-2-HG monitoring. Finally, the role of the l-glutamate transporter SLC1A1 in mitochondrial l-2-HG uptake is elucidated using sfLHGFRH. Based on the design of sfLHGFRH, another highly sensitive biosensor with a low limit of detection, sfLHGFRL, is developed for the point-of-care diagnosis of l-2-HG-related diseases. The accumulation of l-2-HG in the urine of patients with kidney cancer is determined using the sfLHGFRL biosensor.

Fate and potential ecological risk of rare earth elements in 3000-year reclaimed soil chronosequences.

The introduction of anthropogenic inputs into natural systems may lead to enduring alterations in the innate characteristics of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). Against this backdrop, the evolutionary processes and environmental drivers of REEs in soil remain uncertain. A 3000-year soil chronosequence with uniform parent material was established in reclaimed farmland along the Yangtze River, reconstructing, for the first time, the dynamic processes of REE accumulation and fractionation over a long-time scale. Analysis of 122 soil samples showed REE concentrations ranging from 146.00 to 216.56 µg/g. Based on reclamation duration, three significant stages of REE evolution were identified: natural leaching, rapid accumulation, and stable accumulation with differentiation. Reclaimed soil after 3000 years exhibited a 14.1 % increase in REE concentrations compared to fresh sediments, attributed to anthro -pedogenic processes. Moreover, Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) accumulated faster than Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs), particularly in deeper soils (60-100 cm), where HREE concentrations rose by 34.3 %, mainly due to acidic environments promoting HREE fixation. Additionally, the potential ecological risk posed by REEs heightened with reclamation duration, with HREEs exhibiting a sensitivity of 83 % to 94 %. Our findings stress the urgency of carefully monitoring exogenous REEs introduced through anthropogenic activities, particularly HREEs.

Effect of seasonal variations in sea level on residual saltwater removal upstream of subsurface dam in coastal layered heterogeneity aquifers.

Subsurface dams have been recognized as one of the most effective measures for preventing saltwater intrusion. However, it may result in large amounts of residual saltwater being trapped upstream of the dam and take years to decades to remove, which may limit the utilization of fresh groundwater in coastal areas. In this study, field-scale numerical simulations were used to investigate the mechanisms of residual saltwater removal from a typical stratified aquifer, where an intermediate low-permeability layer (LPL) exists between two high-permeability layers, under the effect of seasonal sea level fluctuations. The study quantifies and compares the time of residual saltwater removal (Tre) for constant sea level (CSL) and seasonally varying sea level (FSL) scenarios. The modelling results indicate that, in most cases, seasonal fluctuations in sea level facilitate the dilution of residual saltwater and thus accelerate residual saltwater removal compared to a static sea level scenario. However, accounting for seasonal sea level variations may increase the required critical dam height (the minimum dam height required to achieve complete residual saltwater removal). Sensitivity analyses show that Tre decreases with increasing height of subsurface dam (Hd) under CSL or weaker sea level fluctuation scenarios; however, when the magnitude of sea level fluctuation is large, Tre changes non-monotonically with Hd. Tre decreases with increasing distance between subsurface dam and ocean for both CSL and FSL scenarios. We also found that stratification model had a significant effect on Tre. The increase in LPL thickness for both CSL and FSL scenarios leads to a decrease in Tre and critical dam height. Tre generally shows a non-monotonically decreasing trend as LPL elevation increases. These quantitative analyses provide valuable insights into the design of subsurface dams in complex situations.

Enhancing Performance and Stability of p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells with Ag-Cu Codeposited Alloy Electrodes.

In the development of back electrodes for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the major challenges are stability and cost. To address this, we present an innovative approach: Simultaneous evaporation of two independently controlled sources of metal materials was performed to achieve a uniform distribution of the alloy electrodes. In this study, Ag-Cu alloys (the molar ratio of Ag/Cu is 7/3) with a high-index crystal face (111) and a work function matching perovskite were prepared using a codeposition technique. These properties mitigate nonradiative carrier recombination at the interface and reduce the energy barrier for carrier migration. Consequently, compared to Ag based PSCs (22.77%), the implementation of Ag-Cu alloy (Ag/Cu is 7/3)-based PSCs resulted in a power conversion efficiency of 23.72%. In a 1500 h tracking test in ambient air, the Ag-Cu alloy (Ag/Cu is 7/3)-based PSCs maintained their initial efficiency of 86%. This can be attributed to almost no migration of elements from the Ag-Cu alloy electrode to the perovskite layer. Our work presents a vital strategy for improving the stability of PSCs and reducing the costs associated with the back electrode in PSCs.

High-Performance PM6:Y6-Based Ternary Solar Cells with Enhanced Open Circuit Voltage and Balanced Mobilities via Doping a Wide-Band-Gap Amorphous Acceptor.

Great progress has been made in organic solar cells (OSCs) in recent years, especially after the report of the highly efficient small-molecule electron acceptor Y6. However, the relatively low open circuit voltage (VOC) and unbalanced charge mobilities remain two issues that need to be resolved for further improvement in the performance of OSCs. Herein, a wide-band-gap amorphous acceptor IO-4Cl, which possessed a shallower lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level than Y6, was introduced into the PM6:Y6 binary system to construct a ternary device. The mechanism study revealed that the introduced IO-4Cl was alloyed with Y6 to prevent the overaggregation of Y6 and offer dual channels for effective hole transportation, resulting in balanced hole and electron mobilities. Taking these advantages, an enhanced VOC of 0.894 V and an improved fill factor of 75.58% were achieved in the optimized PM6:Y6:IO-4Cl-based ternary device, yielding a promising power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.49%, which surpassed the 16.72% efficiency of the PM6:Y6 binary device. This work provides an alternative solution to balance the charge mobilities of PM6:Y6-based devices by incorporating an amorphous high-performance LUMO A-D-A small molecule as the third compound.

Mechanism of immune activation mediated by genomic instability and its implication in radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Various genetic and epigenetic changes associated with genomic instability (GI), including DNA damage repair defects, chromosomal instability, and mitochondrial GI, contribute to development and progression of cancer. These alterations not only result in DNA leakage into the cytoplasm, either directly or through micronuclei, but also trigger downstream inflammatory signals, such as the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. Apart from directly inducing DNA damage to eliminate cancer cells, radiotherapy (RT) exerts its antitumor effects through intracellular DNA damage sensing mechanisms, leading to the activation of downstream inflammatory signaling pathways. This not only enables local tumor control but also reshapes the immune microenvironment, triggering systemic immune responses. The combination of RT and immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to increase the probability of abscopal effects, where distant tumors respond to treatment due to the systemic immunomodulatory effects. This review emphasizes the importance of GI in cancer biology and elucidates the mechanisms by which RT induces GI remodeling of the immune microenvironment. By elucidating the mechanisms of GI and RT-induced immune responses, we aim to emphasize the crucial importance of this approach in modern oncology. Understanding the impact of GI on tumor biological behavior and therapeutic response, as well as the possibility of activating systemic anti-tumor immunity through RT, will pave the way for the development of new treatment strategies and improve prognosis for patients.

Entropy-Dominated Triplet Exciton Emission in Carbon Dots.

Phosphorescence in carbon dots (CDs) from triplet exciton radiative recombination at room temperature has achieved significant advancement. Confinement and nanoconfinement, serving as valuable techniques, are commonly utilized to brighten triplet exciton in CDs, thereby enhancing their phosphorescence. However, a comprehensive and universally applicable physical description of confinement-enhanced phosphorescence is still lacking, despite efforts to understand its underlying nature. In this study, the dominance of entropy is revealed in triplet exciton emission from CDs through the establishment of a microscopic vibration state model. CDs with varying entropy levels are studied, indicating that in a low entropy system, the multi-energy triplet exciton emission in CDs exhibits enhanced brightness, accompanied by a corresponding increase in their lifetimes. The product of lifetime and intensity in CDs serves as a descriptor for their phosphorescence properties. Moreover, an entropy-dependent information variation system based on the CDs is demonstrated. Specifically, in a low-entropy system, information is retained, whereas the corresponding information is erased in a high-entropy system. This work elucidates the underlying physical nature of confinement-enhanced triplet exciton emission, offering a deeper understanding of achieving ultralong phosphorescence in the future.

Resection of the tumor in the trigone of the lateral ventricle via the contralateral posterior interhemispheric transfalcine transprecuneus approach with multi-modern neurosurgery technology: a case report.

Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is a rare benign intracranial tumor origin that predominantly manifests in the lateral ventricle in children, accounting for 0.3%-0.6% of all primary intracranial tumors. It is extremely rare to have the CPP in the trigone of the lateral ventricle through the contralateral posterior interhemispheric transfalcine transprecuneus approach (PITTA). Herein, we report this rare case. A 7-year-old girl presented with headache. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed periatrial lesions, and histopathological examination confirmed CPP (WHO grade I). The contralateral PITTA is a safe, effective, reasonable, and appropriate for some lesions in the trigone of the lateral ventricle. It provides a wider surgical angle (especially for the lateral extension) and reduces the risk of disturbance of the optic radiation compared with the conventional approaches. The use of multiple modern neurosurgical techniques, including interventional embolization, intraoperative navigation, microscope, and electrophysiological monitoring, make the procedure much easier and more accurate, and the neuroendoscope adds to the visualization of the microscope and can reduce surgical complications.

Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging as a non-invasive assessment of extracellular matrix remodeling in lumbar paravertebral muscles of rats with sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in skeletal muscle is a significant factor in the development of sarcopenia. This study aims to evaluate changes in ECM remodeling in the lumbar paravertebral muscles of sarcopenic rats using diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) and compare them with histology. METHODS: Twenty 6-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the dexamethasone (DEX) group and the control (CON) group. Both groups underwent 3.0T MRI scanning, including Mensa, T2WI, and DT-MRI sequences. The changes in muscle fibers and extracellular matrix (ECM) of the erector spinal muscle were observed using hematoxylineosin and sirius red staining. The expressions of collagen I, III, and fibronectin in the erector spinae were detected by western blot. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess the correlation between MRI quantitative parameters and corresponding histopathology markers. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area and fractional anisotropy values of the erector spinae in the DEX group rats were significantly lower than those in the CON group (p < 0.05). Hematoxylin eosin staining revealed muscle fiber atrophy and disordered arrangement in the DEX group, while sirius red staining showed a significant increase in collagen volume fraction in the DEX group. The western blot results indicate a significant increase in the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin in the DEX group (p < 0.001 for all). Correlation coefficients between fractional anisotropy values and collagen volume fraction, collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin were - 0.71, -0.94, -0.85, and - 0.88, respectively (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The fractional anisotropy value is strongly correlated with the pathological collagen volume fraction, collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin. This indicates that DT-MRI can non-invasively evaluate the changes in extracellular matrix remodeling in the erector spinal muscle of sarcopenia. It provides a potential imaging biomarker for the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

A Mitochondria-Targeting Fluorescent Probe for the Dual Sensing of Hypochlorite and Viscosity without Signal Crosstalk in Living Cells and Zebrafish.

Hypochlorite (ClO-) and viscosity both affect the physiological state of mitochondria, and their abnormal levels are closely related to many common diseases. Therefore, it is vitally important to develop mitochondria-targeting fluorescent probes for the dual sensing of ClO- and viscosity. Herein, we have explored a new fluorescent probe, XTAP-Bn, which responds sensitively to ClO- and viscosity with off-on fluorescence changes at 558 and 765 nm, respectively. Because the emission wavelength gap is more than 200 nm, XTAP-Bn can effectively eliminate the signal crosstalk during the simultaneous detection of ClO- and viscosity. In addition, XTAP-Bn has several advantages, including high selectivity, rapid response, good water solubility, low cytotoxicity, and excellent mitochondrial-targeting ability. More importantly, probe XTAP-Bn is successfully employed to monitor the dynamic change in ClO- and viscosity levels in the mitochondria of living cells and zebrafish. This study not only provides a reliable tool for identifying mitochondrial dysfunction but also offers a potential approach for the early diagnosis of mitochondrial-related diseases.

Evaluating the effects of laver cultivation on tidal flat erosion: Toward sustainable environmental practices.

The rapid expansion of laver (Porphyra yezoensis) cultivation on lower tidal flats has become integral to the local economy, yet it also raises concerns regarding its potential impact on the morphological evolution due to increasing human activities. This study utilizes integrated near-bed field measurements to assess morphological dynamics and quantify sediment erosion processes, highlighting the significant impact of laver harvest on tidal flat stability. Our results show that erosion and bed coarsening in the cultivated areas experienced a notable intensification immediately after harvest, with net erosion in cultivated areas reaching approximately -38.2 mm during the first tide post-harvest, markedly higher-more than an order of magnitude-compared to adjacent uncultivated areas. The erosion rate notably spiked with the average bed level change rate increasing to -13.8 × 10-4 mm/s, compared to a rate of +0.3 × 10-4 mm/s during the unharvest period. Subsequently, the cultivated areas entered a recovery phase with a deposition amount of +12.5 mm, while the net cumulative erosion thickness throughout the entire observation period was -25.2 mm. The cultivation method, characterized by consistent harvests every 10 days, means that even minor erosion from continuous harvests can escalate into significant degradation. This study suggests that long-term cultivation cycle practices may result in irreversible changes to the depositional environment, potentially jeopardizing the habitat viability and ecological function. Sustainable agricultural strategies, including site selection, infrastructure planning, monitoring environmental changes, ecological assessments and sustainable practices, are recommended to mitigate the negative impacts of cultivation on regional stability and preserve the coastal ecological balance.

Molecular insights into the catalytic mechanism of a phthalate ester hydrolase.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are emerging hazardous and toxic chemicals that are extensively used as plasticizers or additives. Diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP), two kinds of PAEs, have been listed as the priority pollutants by many countries. PAE hydrolases are the most effective enzymes in PAE degradation, among which family IV esterases are predominate. However, only a few PAE hydrolases have been characterized, and as far as we know, no crystal structure of any PAE hydrolases of the family IV esterases is available to date. HylD1 is a PAE hydrolase of the family IV esterases, which can degrade DMP and DEP. Here, the recombinant HylD1 was characterized. HylD1 maintained a dimer in solution, and functioned under a relatively wide pH range. The crystal structures of HylD1 and its complex with monoethyl phthalate were solved. Residues involved in substrate binding were identified. The catalytic mechanism of HylD1 mediated by the catalytic triad Ser140-Asp231-His261 was further proposed. The hylD1 gene is widely distributed in different environments, suggesting its important role in PAEs degradation. This study provides a better understanding of PAEs hydrolysis, and lays out favorable bases for the rational design of highly-efficient PAEs degradation enzymes for industrial applications in future.

Enhanced Lithium Storage Performance: Dual-Modified Electrospun Si@MnO@CNFs Composites for Advanced Anodes.

Due to its many benefits, including high specific capacity, low voltage plateau, and plentiful supplies, silicon-based anode materials are a strong contender to replace graphite anodes. However, silicon has drawbacks such as poor electrical conductivity, abrupt volume changes during the discharge process, and continuous growth of the solid electrolyte interfacial (SEI) film during cycling, which would cause the electrode capacity to degrade quickly. Coating the silicon's exterior with carbon or metal oxide is a popular method to resolve the above-mentioned problems. In light of those above, the liquid-phase approach and electrostatic spinning technique were used in this work to create Si@MnO@CNFs bilayer-coated silicon-based anode materials. Because of the well-thought-out design, MnO and C bilaterally coat the silicon nanoparticles, significantly reducing their volume effect during cycling. Furthermore, manganese oxide has outstanding electrochemical kinetics and an excellent theoretical capacity. The carbon nanofibers' outermost layer increases the material's conductivity and stabilizes the composite material's structure, reducing the volume effect. After 1100 cycles at 2 A g-1, the composite anode material prepared in this work can still maintain a high capacity of 994.4 mAh g-1. This study offers an unusual combination of silicon and MnO that might set the way for the application of silicon-based composites in lithium-ion batteries.