One-Pot Conversion of Biomass Saccharides to γ-Valerolactone over a Versatile Tin-Containing Material.

The synthesis of biofuel γ-valerolactone (GVL) from accessible biomass is an attractive and challenging goal. Here, we report an efficient, one-pot, and mild strategy for the efficient production of GVL from various biomass saccharides without using any homogeneous acid as a co-catalyst and molecular hydrogen as a hydrogen donor. A versatile porous tin-containing material (Sn(M)-S) was designed as an individual heterogeneous catalyst. As high as 68.4% yield of GVL form glucose was achieved in the presence of ammonia borane as a solid hydrogen donor under mild conditions, with GVL yields of 76.2%, 68.9%, 62.5%, and 52.2% being obtained from fructose, sucrose, cellobiose, and cellulose, respectively. The synergistic effect of Sn and sulfonic acid group in Sn(M)-S not only provides appropriate Lewis acid sites to promote the isomerization of glucose into fructose but also affords abundant Brønsted sites for the following conversion steps. Moreover, Sn(M)-S(1) showed good stability and reusability during consecutive recycles.

Interspecific cross-talk: The catalyst driving microbial biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.

Microorganisms co-exist and co-evolve in nature, forming intricate ecological communities. The interspecies cross-talk within these communities creates and sustains their great biosynthetic potential, making them an important source of natural medicines and high-value-added chemicals. However, conventional investigations into microbial metabolites are typically carried out in pure cultures, resulting in the absence of specific activating factors and consequently causing a substantial number of biosynthetic gene clusters to remain silent. This, in turn, hampers the in-depth exploration of microbial biosynthetic potential and frequently presents researchers with the challenge of rediscovering compounds. In response to this challenge, the coculture strategy has emerged to explore microbial biosynthetic capabilities and has shed light on the study of cross-talk mechanisms. These elucidated mechanisms will contribute to a better understanding of complex biosynthetic regulations and offer valuable insights to guide the mining of secondary metabolites. This review summarizes the research advances in microbial cross-talk mechanisms, with a particular focus on the mechanisms that activate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Additionally, the instructive value of these mechanisms for developing strategies to activate biosynthetic pathways is discussed. Moreover, challenges and recommendations for conducting in-depth studies on the cross-talk mechanisms are presented.

Theory and application of robust linear phase-shift algorithm for phase-shift deflectometry method.

Based on the polynomial theory, the error propagation characteristics of the widely used N-step discrete Fourier transform (N-DFT) phase-shift algorithm were analyzed via theoretical analysis, under the effect of Gamma distortion and phase detuning. The results showed that the N-DFT algorithm could not simultaneously suppress both types of error. A robust linear phase-shift (RLPS) algorithm was designed, the performance of the RLPS and 8-DFT algorithms in terms of spectral response, detuning robustness, and G S / N was briefly analysis by Manuel Servin method. The Simulation analysis and comparison of the results show that the RLPS algorithm could suppress both types of error simultaneously, which exhibited better stability and accuracy than N-DFT and exponential algorithms, particularly in gradient measurement stability, peak-to-valley (PV) and root-mean-square (RMS) error suppression. Moreover, a physical experiment apparatus was built to test unidirectionally inclined plane mirror and concave mirror using the RLPS, N-DFT, and exponential algorithms. The results showed that the RLPS algorithm could significantly improve the measurement stability and accuracy in the presence of detuning and without screen Gamma calibration.

Intracorporeal anastomosis in minimally invasive right hemicolectomy: a nationwide survey of the Korean Society of Coloproctology.

Purpose: We investigated the current practices and perceptions of colorectal surgeons in South Korea regarding intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (IIA) in minimally invasive right hemicolectomy (RHC). Methods: Members of the Korean Society of Coloproctology (KSCP) participated in an online survey encompassing demographic information, surgical experiences, methods for IIA, and advantages, barriers, and perceptions of IIA. We performed a statistical analysis of survey results. Results: Among the 1,074 KSCP members contacted, 178 responded to the survey. Most respondents were males aged 40-49 years with >10 years of experience who were affiliated with a tertiary healthcare facility. One hundred fifty-six respondents had performed <100 colorectal cancer surgeries annually. Fifty-nine respondents reported experiences of the IIA technique in minimally invasive RHC. Most respondents favored the isoperistaltic side-to-side (S-S) anastomosis and stapled S-S anastomosis, hand-sewn closure for the common channel, and the periumbilical area for primary specimen extraction. Respondents with IIA experience emphasized the reduction in postoperative complications as the primary reason for performing IIA, whereas respondents without IIA experience cited the lack of benefits as the main deterrent. Respondents commonly cited concerns regarding anastomotic leakage and intraabdominal contamination as the primary reasons for not performing IIA. Respondents with IIA experience demonstrated a more positive response towards attempting or transitioning to IIA than those without. Respondents with IIA experience prioritized self-sufficiency, whereas respondents without IIA experience prioritized proctorship and discussions of the initial cases. Conclusion: Measures to standardize the IIA technique and appropriate training programs must be implemented to enhance its use in minimally invasive RHC.

Novel Botrytis cinerea Zn(II)2Cys6 Transcription Factor BcFtg1 Enhances the Virulence of the Gray Mold Fungus by Promoting Organic Acid Secretion and Carbon Source Utilization.

The Zn(II)2Cys6 zinc cluster protein family comprises a subclass of zinc-finger proteins that serve as transcriptional regulators involved in a diverse array of fugal biological processes. However, the roles and mechanisms of the Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factors in mediating Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic fungus that causes gray mold in over 1000 plant species, development and virulence remain obscure. Here, we demonstrate that a novel B. cinerea pathogenicity-associated factor BcFTG1 (fungal transcription factor containing the GAL4 domain), identified from a virulence-attenuated mutant M20162 from a B. cinerea T-DNA insertion mutant library, plays an important role in oxalic acid (OA) secretion, carbon source absorption and cell wall integrity. Loss of BcFTG1 compromises the ability of the pathogen to secrete OA, absorb carbon sources, maintain cell wall integrity, and promote virulence. Our findings provide novel insights into fungal factors mediating the pathogenesis of the gray mold fungus via regulation of OA secretion, carbon source utilization and cell wall integrity.

A Bio-Inspired Multifunctional Hydrogel Network with Toughly Interfacial Chemistry for Highly Reversible Flexible Zinc Batteries.

Flexible and high-performance aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs), coupled with low cost and safe, are considered as one of the most promising energy storage candidates for wearable electronics. However, most of hydrogel electrolytes suffer from poor mechanical properties and interfacial chemistry, which limits them to suppressed performance levels in flexible ZIBs, especially under harsh mechanical strains. Herein, a bio-inspired multifunctional hydrogel electrolyte network (polyacrylamide (PAM)/trehalose) with improved mechanical and adhesive properties was developed via a simple trehalose network-repairing strategy to stabilize the interfacial chemistry for highly reversible flexible ZIBs. As a result, the trehalose-modified PAM hydrogel exhibits a superior strength and stretchability up to 100 kPa and 5338%, respectively, as well as strong adhesive properties to various substrates. Also, the PAM/trehalose hydrogel electrolyte provides superior anti-corrosion capability for Zn anode and regulates Zn nucleation/growth, resulting in achieving a high Coulombic efficiency of 98.8%, and long-term stability over 2400 h. Importantly, the flexible Zn//MnO2 pouch cell exhibits excellent cycling performance under different bending conditions, which offers a great potential in flexible energy-related applications and beyond.

Aquatic plants combined with microbial fuel cells promote sulfamethoxazole and sul genes removal from aquaculture pond sediments via bioelectrochemistry.

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the aquaculture environment are receiving increasing public attention as emerging contaminants. In this study, aquatic plant (P) and sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFC) were used individually and in combination (P-SMFC) to simulate in situ remediation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and sul genes in aquaculture environments. The results showed that the average power densities of SMFC and P-SMFC were 622.18 mW m-2 and 565.99 mW m-2, respectively. The addition of 5 mg kg-1 of SMX to the sediment boosted the voltages of SMFC and P-SMFC by 36.3% and 51.5%, respectively. After 20 days of treatment, the removal efficiency of SMX from the sediment was 86.17% and 89.60% for SMFC and P-SMFC group, respectively, which were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). However, removal of SMX by plants was not observed. P-SMFC group significantly reduced the biotoxicity of SMX to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in the overlying water (P < 0.05). P and P-SMFC groups significantly reduced the abundance of ARGs intl1 and sul1 (P < 0.05). The removal rate of ARGs intl1, sul1 and sul2 from sediments by P-SMFC ranged from 94.22% to 97.08%. However, SMFC increased the abundance of sul3. SMFC and P-SMFC increased the relative abundance of some of sulfate-reducing bacteria such as Desulfatiglans, Thermodesulfovibrionia and Sva0485 in sediments. These results showed that aquatic plants promoted the removal of ARGs and SMFC promoted the removal of antibiotics, and the combination with aquatic plants and SMFC achieved a synergistic removal of both SMX and ARGs. Therefore, current study provides a promising approach for the in situ removal of antibiotics and ARGs in the aquaculture environment.

Clinical management of extra­adrenal myelolipoma in the central nervous system: A case report.

Extra-adrenal myelolipoma (EAM) is a rare benign tumor composed of mature adipose and hematopoietic tissues. Its etiology remains to be elucidated and there are few case reports describing the clinical features and treatment of EAMs in the central nervous system. The present study presented our experience and practice in the clinical management of a case of EAM in the right frontal region. A 56-year-old woman was found to have a space-occupying right frontal lesion on computed tomography (CT) of the head. Unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lesion of ~1.5x1.2 cm. Enhanced whole abdominal CT showed a right presacral mass, 2.0 cm in diameter, with clear margins. The postoperative histopathological findings showed mainly mature adipose tissue mixed with extramedullary hematopoietic components. This confirmed the diagnosis of a (bone) marrow lipoma. Myelolipoma of the central nervous system is extremely rare. to the best of the authors' knowledge, only two cases of intracranial myelolipoma have been reported, and the present study introduced the first case in a Chinese patient reported in English. However, when CT shows high density and MRI shows mixed density in the tumor area even without enhancement, the possibility of myelolipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Sustainable Production of Biofuels from Biomass Feedstocks Using Modified Montmorillonite Catalysts.

The rampant exploitation of fossil fuels has led to the significant energy scarcity and environmental disruption, affecting the sound momentum of development and progress of human civilization. To build a closed-loop anthropogenic carbon cycle, development of biofuels employing sustainable biomass feedstocks stands at the forefront of advancing carbon neutrality, yet its widespread adoption is mainly hampered by the high production costs. Montmorillonite, however, has garnered considerable attention serving as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst of ideal economic feasibility for biofuel production, primarily due to its affordability, accessibility, stability, and excellent plasticity. Up to now, nevertheless, it has merely received finite concerns and interests in production of various biofuels using montmorillonite-based catalysts. There is no timely and comprehensive review that addresses this latest relevant progress. This review fills the gap by providing a systematically review and summary in controllable synthesis, performance enhancement, and applications related to different kinds of biofuels including biodiesel, biohydrogenated diesel, levulinate, γ-valerolactone, 5-ethoxymethylfurfural, gaseous biofuels (CO, H2), and cycloalkane, by using montmorillonite catalysts and its modified forms. Particularly, this review critically depicts the design strategies for montmorillonite, illustrates the relevant reaction mechanisms, and assesses their economic viability, realizing sustainable biofuels production via efficient biomass valorization.

Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase as a metabolic valve advances Methylobacterium/Methylorubrum phyllosphere colonization and plant growth.

The proficiency of phyllosphere microbiomes in efficiently utilizing plant-provided nutrients is pivotal for their successful colonization of plants. The methylotrophic capabilities of Methylobacterium/Methylorubrum play a crucial role in this process. However, the precise mechanisms facilitating efficient colonization remain elusive. In the present study, we investigate the significance of methanol assimilation in shaping the success of mutualistic relationships between methylotrophs and plants. A set of strains originating from Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 are subjected to evolutionary pressures to thrive under low methanol conditions. A mutation in the phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase gene is identified, which converts it into a metabolic valve. This valve redirects limited C1-carbon resources towards the synthesis of biomass by up-regulating a non-essential phosphoketolase pathway. These newly acquired bacterial traits demonstrate superior colonization capabilities, even at low abundance, leading to increased growth of inoculated plants. This function is prevalent in Methylobacterium/Methylorubrum strains. In summary, our findings offer insights that could guide the selection of Methylobacterium/Methylorubrum strains for advantageous agricultural applications.

Ion Release and Apatite Formation of Resin Based Pit and Fissure Sealants Containing 45S5 Bioactive Glass.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a resin based pit and fissure sealant containing 45S5 bioactive glass (BAG) by examining its ion release, pH variation, and apatite-forming properties. To prepare the experimental materials, 45S5 BAG, used as a filler, was incorporated into the light curable resin matrix at concentrations of 0 (control), 12.5, 37.5, and 50.0 wt.%. Ion release, pH variation, and apatite formation (Raman spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry measurements) were performed. While no ions were released from the control group, the experimental groups containing 45S5 BAG showed an increased release of Ca and P ions with increasing amounts of 45S5 BAG (p < 0.05). The pH of the experimental group remained high and was significantly different from the control group (p < 0.05). Unlike the control group, it was confirmed that the apatite peak was formed in the 50.0 wt.% BAG group for 90 days, and the apatite layer consisting of Ca and P was deposited on the surface. Thus, a resin based pit and fissure sealant containing 45S5 BAG is a promising material for preventing secondary caries by releasing ions and forming apatite.

MambaReID: Exploiting Vision Mamba for Multi-Modal Object Re-Identification.

Multi-modal object re-identification (ReID) is a challenging task that seeks to identify objects across different image modalities by leveraging their complementary information. Traditional CNN-based methods are constrained by limited receptive fields, whereas Transformer-based approaches are hindered by high computational demands and a lack of convolutional biases. To overcome these limitations, we propose a novel fusion framework named MambaReID, integrating the strengths of both architectures with the effective VMamba. Specifically, our MambaReID consists of three components: Three-Stage VMamba (TSV), Dense Mamba (DM), and Consistent VMamba Fusion (CVF). TSV efficiently captures global context information and local details with low computational complexity. DM enhances feature discriminability by fully integrating inter-modality information with shallow and deep features through dense connections. Additionally, with well-aligned multi-modal images, CVF provides more granular modal aggregation, thereby improving feature robustness. The MambaReID framework, with its innovative components, not only achieves superior performance in multi-modal object ReID tasks, but also does so with fewer parameters and lower computational costs. Our proposed MambaReID's effectiveness is validated by extensive experiments conducted on three multi-modal object ReID benchmarks.

Yinchenhao Decoction mitigates intestinal impairment induced by high carbohydrate diet in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): insights from inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, tight junctions, and microbiota homeostasis.

As a major source of energy, carbohydrates have a protein-saving effect. However, excessive consumption of carbohydrates can lead to the disruption of the intestinal barrier in fish, especially for carnivorous fish. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine component Yinchenhao Decoction (YD), was used to detect the effect on intestinal barriers and microbial community equilibrium for largemouth bass in current research. In this research, a series of NC (normal carbohydrate diet) and HC (high carbohydrate diet) with graded YD treatments during 10 weeks feeding trial. Results suggested that 2% and 4% YD treatments significantly reduced gut inflammation and mucosal loss caused by HC. Compared with NC, HC significantly decreased the relative expression of intestinal tight junction-related genes (zo1, claudin1, claudin7, and occludin). However, with the application of YD, the expression of tight junction-related genes (zo1, claudin1, and claudin7) increased significantly (p < 0.05). Likewise, administration of YD significantly reduced elevated plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) activity caused by HC (p < 0.05). Additionally, YD significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related genes (grp78, atf6, chopα, ire1, xbp1, and eifα) and pro-apoptosis genes (casp3, casp8, and bax) (p < 0.05), while upregulating the anti-apoptosis gene bcl2 (p < 0.05). Moreover, YD significantly increased the mRNA expression of antioxidant genes and the enzyme activities of CAT and GPX, while decreased MDA concentration significantly (p < 0.05). Whereas, YD markedly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (il1ß, tnfα, il8, and nf-κB) and the immune enzymes activity (ACP and AKP) (p < 0.05) by up-regulating the expression of anti-inflammatory genes (ikb and il10). Notably, YD modulated the largemouth bass intestinal microbial community, enhanced the diversity and increased the abundance of probiotic microorganisms in the intestinal microbiota. In summary, YD supplementation in HC alleviated inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, tight-junction injury, and microbiota disequilibrium in the intestine, which suggested that YD could be a valuable functional additive in aquaculture.

Near-Barrierless CO Oxidation Using Phosphotungstic Acid-Supported Single-Atom Catalysts.

Efficient CO oxidation at ambient or low temperatures is essential for environmental purification and selective CO oxidation in H2, yet achieving this remains a challenge with current methodologies. In this research, we extensively evaluated the catalytic performance of phosphotungstic acid (PTA)-supported 11 M1/PTA single-atom catalysts (SACs) using density functional theory calculations across both gas phase and 12 common solvents. The Rh1/PTA, Pd1/PTA, and Pt1/PTA systems exhibit moderate CO adsorption energies, facilitating the feasibility of oxygen vacancy formation. Remarkably, the Pd1/PTA and Pt1/PTA catalysts exhibited negligible energy barriers and demonstrated exceptionally high catalytic rates, with values reaching up to (1 × 1010)11, markedly exceeding the threshold for room temperature reactions, set at 6.55 × 108. This phenomenon is attributed to a transition from the high-energy barrier processes of oxygen dissociation in O2 and N-O bond dissociation in N2O to the more efficient dissociation of H2O2. Orbital analysis and charge variations at metal sites throughout the reaction process provide deeper insights into the role of the three metal catalytic sites in CO activation. Our findings not only reveal key aspects of SACs in facilitating CO oxidation at low temperatures but also provide valuable insights for future catalytic reaction mechanism studies and environmental applications.

Activity-based protein profiling in drug/pesticide discovery: Recent advances in target identification of antibacterial compounds.

Given the escalating incidence of bacterial diseases and the challenge posed by pathogenic bacterial resistance, it is imperative to identify appropriate methodologies for conducting proteomic investigations on bacteria, and thereby promoting the target-based drug/pesticide discovery. Interestingly, a novel technology termed "activity-based protein profiling" (ABPP) has been developed to identify the target proteins of active molecules. However, few studies have summarized advancements in ABPP for identifying the target proteins in antibacterial-active compounds. In order to accelerate the discovery and development of new drug/agrochemical discovery, we provide a concise overview of ABPP and its recent applications in antibacterial agent discovery. Diversiform cases were cited to demonstrate the potential of ABPP for target identification though highlighting the design strategies and summarizing the reported target protein of antibacterial compounds. Overall, this review is an excellent reference for probe design towards antibacterial compounds, and offers a new perspective of ABPP in bactericide development.

Three Undescribed Protoilludane-Type Sesquiterpene Aryl Esters from Armillaria gallica.

Three previously undescribed protoilludane-type sesquiterpene aryl esters, armillanals A-C (1-3), along with seven known ones (4-10) were obtained from Armillaria gallica Marxm. & Romagn. Compounds 1 and 2 were a rare class of sesquiterpenes featuring the Δ2(3) and Δ12(13)-protoilludane skeleton. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods. Based on electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, the absolute configurations of three new compounds (1-3) were determined. The anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1-10 was screened and compound 3 could dose-dependently decrease the level of lactate dehydrogenase, showing IC50 value of 4.525 µM.

Expanding the Structural Diversity of Tubulin-Targeting Agents: Development of Highly Potent Benzimidazoles for Treating Fungal Diseases.

Benzimidazoles, the representative pharmacophore of fungicides, have excellent antifungal potency, but their simple structure and single site of action have hindered their wider application in agriculture. In order to extend the structural diversity of tubulin-targeted benzimidazoles, novel benzimidazole derivatives were prepared by introducing the attractive pyrimidine pharmacophore. 2-((6-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)thio)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (A25) exhibited optimal antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. s.), affording an excellent half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.158 µg/mL, which was higher than that of the reference agent carbendazim (EC50 = 0.594 µg/mL). Pot experiments revealed that compound A25 (200 µg/mL) had acceptable protective activity (84.7%) and curative activity (78.1%), which were comparable with that of carbendazim (protective activity: 90.8%; curative activity: 69.9%). Molecular docking displayed that multiple hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions could be formed between A25 and ß-tubulin, resulting in a stronger bonding effect than carbendazim. Fluorescence imaging revealed that the structure of intracellular microtubules can be changed significantly after A25 treatment. Overall, these remarkable antifungal profiles of constructed novel benzimidazole derivatives could facilitate the application of novel microtubule-targeting agents.

In vitro antifungal and physicochemical properties of polymerized acrylic resin containing strontium-modified phosphate-based glass.

Acrylic resins are widely used as the main components in removable orthodontic appliances. However, poor oral hygiene and maintenance of orthodontic appliances provide a suitable environment for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, strontium-modified phosphate-based glass (Sr-PBG) was added to orthodontic acrylic resin at 0% (control), 3.75%, 7.5%, and 15% by weight to evaluate the surface and physicochemical properties of the novel material and its in vitro antifungal effect against Candida albicans (C. albicans). Surface microhardness and contact angle did not vary between the control and 3.75% Sr-PBG groups (p > 0.05), and the flexural strength was lower in the experimental groups than in the control group (p < 0.05), but no difference was found with Sr-PBG content (p > 0.05). All experimental groups showed an antifungal effect at 24 and 48 h compared to that in the control group (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that 3.75% Sr-PBG exhibits antifungal effects against C. albicans along with suitable physicochemical properties, which may help to minimize the risk of adverse effects associated with harmful microbial living on removable orthodontic appliances and promote the use of various materials.

Research trends in vascular chips from 2012 to 2022: a bibliometrix and visualized analysis.

Objective: The vascular chip has emerged as a significant research tool, garnering increasing interest and exploration. We utilize bibliometric techniques to analyze literature from the Web of Science (WOS) database, focusing on core journal publications. The aim is to provide a systematic review and prospective outlook on research trends within the vascular chip field, delving into current dynamics and highlighting areas for further investigation. Methods: We retrieved articles, proceedings papers, and early-access publications related to vascular chips published between January 2012 and December 2022 reported by Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) in 2023. Scientific bibliometric analysis was performed using R-bibliometrix, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel software tools. Results: A total of 456 publications were obtained, including 444 articles, 11 proceedings papers, and one early-access article. These originated from 167 academic journals and 751 research institutions across 44 countries/regions. The United States contributed the majority of publications (41%), with Harvard University leading in contributions (6.6%). Lab on a Chip was the top journal in terms of publications. Notably, authors Jeon NL and Huh D wielded significant influence, with the former being the most prolific author and the latter garnering the most citations. Recent research has predominantly focused on angiogenesis in relation to endothelial cells. Conclusion: This scientometric investigation comprehensively surveys literature on vascular chips over past decade, providing valuable insights for scholars in the field. Our study reveals global increases in publications, with endothelial cells and angiogenesis being primary research focuses. This trend will persist, drawing continued attention from researchers.