In vitro conversion of ellagic acid to urolithin A by different gut microbiota of urolithin metabotype A.

The metabolite urolithin A, a metabolite of the dietary polyphenol ellagic acid (EA), has significant health benefits for humans. However, studies on the gut microbiota involved in ellagic acid metabolism are limited. In this study, we conducted in vitro fermentation of EA using human intestinal microbiome combined with antibiotics (vancomycin, polymyxin B sulfate, and amphotericin B). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis demonstrated that the production capacity of urolithin A by gut microbiota co-treated with polymyxin B sulfate and amphotericin B (22.39 µM) was similar to that of untreated gut microbiota (24.26 µM). Macrogenomics (high-throughput sequencing) was used to analyze the composition and structure of the gut microbiota. The results showed that the abundance of Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Bifidobacterium bifidum in the gut microbiota without antibiotic treatment or co-treated with polymyxin B sulfate and amphotericin B during EA fermentation was higher than that in other antibiotic treatment gut microbiota. Therefore, B. longum, B. adolescentis, and B. bifidum may be new genera involved in the conversion of EA to urolithin A. In conclusion, the study revealed unique interactions between polyphenols and gut microbiota, deepening our understanding of the relationship between phenolic compounds like EA and the gut microbiota. These findings may contribute to the development of gut bacteria as potential probiotics for further development. KEY POINTS: • Intestinal microbiome involved in ellagic acid metabolism. • Gram-positive bacteria in the intestinal microbiome are crucial for ellagic acid metabolism. • Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Bifidobacterium bifidum participate in ellagic acid metabolism.

Simultaneous Catalytic Acceleration of White Phosphorus Polymerization and Red Phosphorus Potassiation for High-Performance Potassium-Ion Batteries.

Red phosphorus (P) as an anode material of potassium-ion batteries possesses ultra-high theoretical specific capacity (1154 mAh g-1 ). However, owing to residual white P during the preparation and sluggish kinetics of K-P alloying limit its practical application. Seeking an efficient catalyst to address the above problems is crucial for the secure preparation of red P anode with high performance. Herein, through the analysis of the activation energies in white P polymerization, it is revealed that the highest occupied molecular orbital energy of I2 (-7.40 eV) is in proximity to P4 (-7.25 eV), and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy of I2 molecule (-4.20 eV) is lower than that of other common non-metallic molecules (N2 , S8 , Se8 , F2 , Cl2 , Br2 ). The introduction of I2 can thus promote the breaking of the P─P bond and accelerate the polymerization of white P molecules. Besides, the ab initio molecular dynamics simulations show that I2 can enhance the kinetics of P-K alloying. The as-obtained red P/C composites with I2 deliver excellent cycling stability (358 mAh g-1 after 1200 cycles at 1 A g-1 ). This study establishes catalysis as a promising pathway to tackle the challenges of P anode for alkali metal ion batteries.

Genetic and Probiotic Characteristics of Urolithin A Producing Enterococcus faecium FUA027.

Enterococcus faecium FUA027 transforms ellagic acid (EA) to urolithin A (UA), which makes it a potential application in the preparation of UA by industrial fermentation. Here, the genetic and probiotic characteristics of E. faecium FUA027 were evaluated through whole-genome sequence analysis and phenotypic assays. The chromosome size of this strain was 2,718,096 bp, with a GC content of 38.27%. The whole-genome analysis revealed that the genome contained 18 antibiotic resistance genes and seven putative virulence factor genes. E. faecium FUA027 does not contain plasmids and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and so the transmissibility of antibiotic resistance genes or putative virulence factors should not occur. Phenotypic testing further indicated that E. faecium FUA027 is sensitive to clinically relevant antibiotics. In addition, this bacterium exhibited no hemolytic activity, no biogenic amine production, and could significantly inhibit the growth of the quality control strain. In vitro viability was >60% in all simulated gastrointestinal environments, with good antioxidant activity. The study results suggest that E. faecium FUA027 has the potential to be used in industrial fermentation for the production of urolithin A.

Purification and characterization of a chitinase from Aeromonas media CZW001 as a biocatalyst for producing chitinpentaose and chitinhexaose.

Developing chitinase suitable for the bioconversion of chitin to chitin oligosaccharides has attracted significant attention due to its benefits in environmental protection. In this study, chitinase from Aeromonas media CZW001 (AmChi) was purified and characterized. The molecular weight of AmChi was approximately 40 kDa. AmChi exhibited maximum catalytic activity at pH 8.0 with an optimum temperature of 55°C and showed broad stability between 15 and 65°C and between pH 5.0 and 9.0. AmChi was activated by Mg2+ , Na+ , and K+ and inhibited by Hg+ , Co2+ , Fe2+ , Ca2+ , Ag+ , Zn2+ , and EDTA. The main products of AmChi on colloidal chitin were chitinhexaose and chitinpentaose. AmChi had better substrate specificity for powdered chitin than colloidal chitin and had a higher catalytic efficiency toward (GlcNAc)5 than colloidal chitin. AmChi inhibited fungal growth in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that AmChi could be used for the enzymatic degradation of chitin to produce chitinhexaose and chitinpentaose, which have several industrial applications.

Isolation and characterization of a novel human intestinal Enterococcus faecium FUA027 capable of producing urolithin A from ellagic acid.

Urolithin A (UA) has received considerable research attention because of its health benefits. However, only a few strains have been reported to produce UA from ellagic acid (EA), and the molecular mechanisms underlying the gut microbiota-mediated transformation of ellagic acid into urolithin A is limited. In the present study, a single strain FUA027 capable of converting ellagic acid into UA in vitro was isolated from the fecal samples. The strain was identified as Enterococcus faecium through the morphological, physiological, biochemical and genetic tests. UA was produced at the beginning of the stationary phase and its levels peaked at 50 h, with the highest concentration being 10.80 µM. The strain Enterococcus faecium FUA027 is the first isolated strain of Enterococcus sp. producing urolithin A from ellagic acid, which may be developed as probiotics and used to explore molecular mechanisms underlying the biotransformation of ellagic acid into UA.

Lactococcus garvieae FUA009, a Novel Intestinal Bacterium Capable of Producing the Bioactive Metabolite Urolithin A from Ellagic Acid.

Dietary polyphenol ellagic acid has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities, and these biological activities require the conversion of ellagic acid to urolithins by intestinal microbes. However, few gut microbes are capable of metabolizing ellagic acid to produce urolithins, limiting the beneficial effects of ellagic acid on health. Here, we describe an intestinal bacterium Lactococcus garvieae FUA009 isolated from the feces of a healthy volunteer. It was demonstrated via HPLC and UPLC-MS analysis that the end product of ellagic acid metabolism of FUA009 was urolithin A. In addition, we also examined the whole genome sequence of FUA009 and then assessed the safety and probiotic properties of FUA009 based on a complete genome and phenotype analysis. We indicated that FUA009 was safe, which was confirmed by FUA009 being sensitive to multiple antibiotics, having no hemolytic activity, and being free of aggressive putative virulence factors. Moreover, 19 stress-responsive protein genes and 8 adhesion-related genes were predicted in the FUA009 genome. Furthermore, we demonstrated that FUA009 was tolerant to acid and bile salt by determining the cell viability in a stress environment. In summary, Lactococcus garvieae FUA009, as a novel UA-producing bacterium, not only contributes to the study of the metabolic pathway of ellagic acid but is also expected to be a novel probiotic candidate.

Thermochromic Phosphors Based on One-Dimensional Ionic Copper-Iodine Chains Showing Solid-State Photoluminescence Efficiency Exceeding 99 .

Thermochromic phosphors are intriguing materials for realizing thermochromic behaviors of light-emitting diodes. Here a highly luminescent and stable thermochromic phosphor based on one-dimensional Cu4 I6 (4-dimethylamino-1-ethylpyridinium)2 is reported. This unique ionic copper-iodine chain-based hybrid exhibits near-unity photoluminescence efficiency owing to the through-space charge-transfer character of relevant electronic transitions. More importantly, an alternative mechanism of thermochromic phosphorescence was unraveled, supported by a first principles simulation of concerted copper atom migration in the copper-iodine chain. Furthermore, we successfully fabricate a bright thermochromic light-emitting diode using this Cu4 I6 (4-dimethylamino-1-ethylpyridinium)2 thermochromic phosphor. Our reported flexible ionic copper-iodine chain-based thermochromic luminescent material represents a new type of cost-effective functional phosphor.

Real-Time, Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Study on Photoinduced Isomerizations of Azobenzene Under a Light Field.

The trans to cis photoisomerization of azobenzene and its reverse (i.e., the cis to trans) processes are studied using real-time propagation time-dependent density functional theory combined with molecular dynamics for ions. We show that the wavelength of the applied laser may significantly affect the transition process. The simulations also show that the photon-excited electrons play essential roles in the isomerization processes, in which the hot electrons couple to phonon modes that drive the transitions.

Design Principles of Sodium/Potassium Protection Layer for High-Power High-Energy Sodium/Potassium-Metal Batteries in Carbonate Electrolytes: a Case Study of Na2 Te/K2 Te.

The sodium (potassium)-metal anodes combine low-cost, high theoretical capacity, and high energy density, demonstrating promising application in sodium (potassium)-metal batteries. However, the dendrites' growth on the surface of Na (K) has impeded their practical application. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) results predict Na2 Te/K2 Te is beneficial for Na+ /K+ transport and can effectively suppress the formation of the dendrites because of low Na+ /K+ migration energy barrier and ultrahigh Na+ /K+ diffusion coefficient of 3.7 × 10-10 cm2 s-1 /1.6 × 10-10 cm2 s-1 (300 K), respectively. Then a Na2 Te protection layer is prepared by directly painting the nanosized Te powder onto the sodium-metal surface. The Na@Na2 Te anode can last for 700 h in low-cost carbonate electrolytes (1 mA cm-2 , 1 mAh cm-2 ), and the corresponding Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 //Na@Na2 Te full cell exhibits high energy density of 223 Wh kg-1 at an unprecedented power density of 29687 W kg-1 as well as an ultrahigh capacity retention of 93% after 3000 cycles at 20 C. Besides, the K@K2 Te-based potassium-metal full battery also demonstrates high power density of 20 577 W kg-1 with energy density of 154 Wh kg-1 . This work opens up a new and promising avenue to stabilize sodium (potassium)-metal anodes with simple and low-cost interfacial layers.

Bridged Azobenzene Enables Dynamic Control of Through-Space Charge Transfer for Photochemical Conversion.

Through-space charge transfer (TSCT) has become a thriving strategy of modulating photogenerated charges in organic photoresponsive molecular systems for potential applications in luminescence, optoelectronics, and photochemical conversion. Yet fixed configuration between electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) is disadvantageous to mitigate charge recombination undermining their performances. By carrying out first-principle simulations, we proposed a protocol enabling dynamic control of TSCT within a D-A system by use of a bridged azobenzene (BAB), whose configuration is self-adaptive upon photoexcitation. While the Z-isomer of BAB facilitates π-π stacking of D-A pair with designated frontier orbital alignment to ensure TSCT, the E-isomer of BAB breaks that stacking and restrains charge recombination. Further, as a CO2 molecule is weakly bound to the anionic acceptor, the former goes bent as a result of charge transfer from the latter, suggesting a path for photodriven CO2 reduction aided by such a donor-switch-acceptor system. Our proof-of-concept study shows the potential of using specific photoswitch to adaptively steer spatial electron transfer within stacked π systems toward photochemical conversion.

[Determination of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin in grapes by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

Streptomycin (STR) and dihydrostreptomycin (DSTR) are two of the most common aminoglycoside antibiotics used in veterinary medicine. STR is produced by some streptomyces griseus strains, and DSTR is a derivative of STR. In recent years, STR has been widely used in grapes to induce denuclearization. However, high levels of STR may have adverse effects like serious ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Therefore, to ensure the quality of grapes and the health of consumers, the regulation of STR and DSTR levels in grapes is required. An analytical method was developed for the identification and quantification of STR and DSTR in grapes by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). STR and DSTR are highly polar compounds due to the presence of various amino and hydroxyl groups in their structure. The determination of STR and DSTR poses a considerable analytical challenge, both during sample preparation and instrument analysis. In this study, the main factors governing the response, recovery, and sensitivity of these compounds, such as the type of chromatographic column, the type and proportion of the mobile phase and extraction solvent, the dosage of sodium 1-hexane sulfonate solution, and elution solvent and its volume, were investigated during sample pretreatment and instrument analysis. The STR and DSTR residues in the grape sample were extracted by ultrasonication with a phosphoric acid solution (pH 2), and cleanup and enrichment was performed using an Oasis HLB solid phase column. The analysis was performed using a UPLC Waters HSS T3 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) at the column temperature of 35℃. The injection volume was 2 µL. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and methanol with a volume ratio of 60:40. ESI-MS/MS was operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. External standard calibration curves were used for quantification. Based on the optimized method, both analytes displayed good linearity between 2 and 400 µg/L. The correlation coefficients were 0.9991-0.9997. Recoveries in spiked blank grape samples (5, 10, 20, and 40 µg/kg) ranged from 76.8% to 91.9%, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 10.2%, in compliance with the current legislation. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification of both analytes were 1 µg/L and 5 µg/kg, respectively. To assess the feasibility and potential of the proposed approach for routine analyses of STR and DSTR in other kinds of grape samples, the developed method was applied to the analysis of these compounds in red grapes, xinyu grapes, and xiahei grapes. The recoveries of STR and DSTR in the three kinds of blank grape samples were 77.2%-83.9% and 70.8%-78.9%, respectively, and the RSDs ranged from 3.0% to 15.6%. The results showed that the optimized methods can yield satisfactory recoveries for the analytes in grapes. In this method, the combination of Waters HSS T3 column to overcome the difficulties of the retention and separation of these highly polar compounds in the reverse phase, avoids the use of an ion-pair additive in the mobile phase to increase their retention, which is known to cause severe contamination of the column and serious ion suppression with electrospray ionization detection. In addition, the ideal enrichment and purification effect can be achieved by adding a sodium 1-hexane sulfonate solution to the superstratum extract with the use of only Oasis HLB for sample treatment. The method described herein has the advantages of easy operation, accuracy, and selectivity, making it feasible for the identification and quantification of STR and DSTR residues in grapes.

The first mitochondrial genome of Capitulum mitella (Crustacea: Cirripedia) from China: revealed the phylogenetic relationship within Thoracica.

Capitulum mitella (Crustacea: Cirripedia) is an important stalked barnacle. The first mitochondrial genome of C. mitella from China was presented, which is a circular molecule of 15,930 bp in length and AT content is 64.4%. It encodes 37 genes, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs, which is consistent with most barnacles species reported. There are 15 genes encoded on the light strand and 22 genes encoded on the heavy strand. Identical to most barnacles species reported, srRNA and lrRNA genes are adjacent and separated only by trnV gene. Phylogenetic trees showed that C. mitella clustered with Pollicipes polymerus, indicating Pollicipedidae is monophyletic. However, Scalpelliformes was not monophyletic from the phylogenetic tree. From the level of order, the Lepadiformes was located at the base of the phylogenetic tree, indicating that its divergence time was earlier than Scalpelliformes. The results provided more insights into phylogenetic consideration at the genomic level within superorder Thoracica.

Optimizing the Void Size of Yolk-Shell Bi@Void@C Nanospheres for High-Power-Density Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Bismuth (Bi) has been demonstrated as a promising anode for Na-ion batteries (NIBs) because it has high gravimetry (386 mA h g-1) and volumetric capacity (3800 mA h cm-3). However, Bi suffers from large volume expansion during sodiation, leading to poor electrochemical performance. The construction of a nanostructure with sufficient void space to accommodate the volume change has been proven effective for achieving prolonged cycling stability. However the excessive void space will definitely decrease the volumetric energy density of the battery. Herein, we design optimized Bi@Void@C nanospheres (Bi@Void@C-2) with yolk-shell structure that exhibit the best cycling performance and enhanced volumetric energy density. The optimized void space not only could buffer the volume change of the Bi nanosphere but also could keep the high volumetric energy density of the battery. The Bi@Void@C-2 shows an excellent rate capacity of 173 mA h g-1 at ultrahigh current density of 100 A g-1 and long-cycle life (198 mA h g-1 at 20 A g-1 over 10 000 cycles). The origin of the superior performance is achieved through in-depth fundamental studies during battery operation using in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM), complemented by theoretical calculations and ex situ TEM observation. Our rational design provides insights for anode materials with large volume variation, especially for conversion type and alloying type mechanism materials for batteries (i.e., Li-ion batteries, Na-ion batteries).

Efficacy and Safety of Plastic Wrap for Prevention of Hypothermia after Birth and during NICU in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of plastic wrap applied after birth and during NICU in preterm infants for prevention of heat loss in preterm infants. STUDY METHODS: The Medline (1950 to August 2015), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 7, 2015), CINAHL (1982 to August 2015) and the Embase (1974 to August 2015) databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs with main outcomes related to the core temperature (baseline temperature and/or post-stabilization temperature), hypothermia, mortality rate and hyperthermia. RESULT: The included studies were of low to moderate quality. Compared with unwrapped infants, plastic wrap was associated with a significantly higher baseline temperature and post-stabilization temperature both in infants < 28 weeks of gestation (mean difference [MD] = 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.85; MD = 0.41, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.50, respectively), and in infants between 28 to 34 weeks of gestation (MD = 0.54, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.87; MD = 0.64, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.82, respectively). Use of plastic wrap was associated with lower incidence of hypothermia (relative risk [RR] = 0.70, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.78). However, use of plastic wrap in preterm infants was not associated with decrease in mortality (RR: 0.88, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.12, P = 0.31). Incidence of hyperthermia was significantly higher in the plastic wrap group as compared to that in the control group (RR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.56 to 4.15, P = 0.0002). Hyperthermia in the plastic wrap group was resolved within one or two hours after unwrapping the babies. CONCLUSION: Plastic wrap can be considered an effective and safe additional intervention to prevent hypothermia in preterm infants. However, its cost-effectiveness and long-term effect on mortality needs to be ascertained by conducting well-designed studies with longer follow-up period.