Deciphering substrate promiscuity and specificity of indolethylamine N-methyltransferase family enzymes from amphibian toads.

N-methylation is a crucial post-modification process in natural product biosynthesis and also contributes to the metabolism of various physiological substances, such as neurotransmitter, hormone, and trace elements. In this study, we identified seven indolethylamine N-methyltransferase (INMT) family enzymes from the amphibian toad Bufo gargarizan with distinct catalytic properties. Among these enzymes, BNMT 1, BNMT 5, BNMT 6 and BNMT 7 exhibited notable promiscuity, demonstrating the ability to methylate multiple derivatives of indolethylamine, phenylethylamine, phenylethanolamine, and nicotinamide.

Long-Range π-π Stacking Brings High Electron Delocalization for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity in Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework.

Unlike many studies that regulate transport and separation behaviour of photogenerated charge carriers through controlling the chemical composite, our work demonstrates this goal can be achieved through simply tuning the molecular π-π packing from short-range to long-range within hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) without altering the building blocks or network topology. Further investigations reveal that the long-range π-π stacking significantly promotes electron delocalization and enhances electron density, thereby effectively suppressing electron-hole recombination and augmenting the charge transfer rate. Simultaneously, acting as a porous substrate, it boosts electron density of Pd nanoparticle loaded on its surfaces, resulting in remarkable CO photoreduction catalytic activity (CO generation rate: 48.

Effect of the ripening stage on the pulsed vacuum drying behavior of goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.): Ultrastructure, drying characteristics, and browning mechanism.

In current work, the effect of ripening stages (I, II, and III) on pulsed vacuum drying (PVD) behavior of goji berry was explored. The shortest drying time of goji berry was observed at stage I (6.99 h) which was 13.

Vacuum-steam pulsed blanching: An emerging method to enhance texture softening, drying behavior and physicochemical properties of Cornus officinalis.

Vacuum steam pulsed blanching (VSPB) was employed as a novel blanching technology on Cornus officinalis to soften the tissue for subsequent coring and dehydration. The current work aims to explore its effect on mass transfer behavior, PPO inactivation, drying characteristics, physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and microstructure of C. officinalis.

Multilevel-Regulated Metal-Organic Framework Platform Integrating Pore Space Partition and Open-Metal Sites for Enhanced CO Photoreduction to CO with Nearly 100% Selectivity.

Rational design and regulation of atomically precise photocatalysts are essential for constructing efficient photocatalytic systems tunable at both the atomic and molecular levels. Herein, we propose a platform-based strategy capable of integrating both pore space partition (PSP) and open-metal sites (OMSs) as foundational features for constructing high-performance photocatalysts. We demonstrate the first structural prototype obtained from this strategy: pore-partitioned NiTCPE- (TCPE = 1,1,2,2-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl)ethylene, = partitioned topology).

Cost-effectiveness analysis of dinutuximab β for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma in China.

Background: Dinutuximab β can be used to treat children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). Due to its high price, whether dinutuximab β is cost-effective for the treatment of high-risk NB remains uncertain. Therefore, assessing the cost-effectiveness of dinutuximab β in children with high-risk NB is of high importance.

Mining and Characterization of Indolethylamine -Methyltransferases in Amphibian Toad .

Strong, psychedelic indolethylamines (IAAs) are typically present in trace amounts in the majority of species, but they build up significantly in the skin of amphibian toads, especially -methylated 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) analogues. However, there is no pertinent research on the investigation of indoleamine -methyltransferase (INMT) in amphibians, nor is there any adequate information on the key amino acids that influence the activity of known INMTs from other species. Herein, we focused on toad INMT (BINMT) for the first time and preliminarily identified BINMT 1 from the transcriptomes of active on tryptamine, 5-HT, and -methyl-5-HT.

Electrohydrodynamic drying of citrus (Citrus sinensis L.) peel: Comparative evaluation on the physiochemical quality and volatile profiles.

Based on the concept of circular economy, citrus peel was considered a valuable source of bioactive compounds for high-value foods. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying is a novel technology appropriated for the dehydration of heat-sensitive products such as citrus peel. In current work, EHD drying of citrus peel was performed based on alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) sources at various voltage levels (9, 18, 27, 36, and 45 kV).

Exfoliation of a Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO Reduction.

A two-dimensional metal-organic framework, FICN-12, was constructed from tris[4-(1-pyrazole-4-yl)phenyl]amine (HTPPA) ligands and Ni secondary building units. The triphenylamine moiety in the HTPPA ligand readily absorbs UV-visible photons and sensitizes the Ni center to drive photocatalytic CO reduction. FICN-12 can be exfoliated into monolayer and few-layer nanosheets with a "top-down" approach, which exposes more catalytic sites and increases its catalytic activity.

Development and validation of a coagulation-related genes prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high incidence and mortality worldwide, which seriously threatens people's physical and mental health. Coagulation is closely related to the occurrence and development of HCC. Whether coagulation-related genes (CRGs) can be used as prognostic markers for HCC remains to be investigated.

Facile Preparation of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework/CuO Heterostructure Films via Electrophoretic Deposition for Efficient CO Photoreduction.

Photocatalytic CO reduction is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly techniques of converting CO into high-value compounds and/or fuels. However, the performance of most current photocatalytic CO reduction catalysts is less than satisfactory for practical applications. Here, we synthesized a heterogeneous structure by integrating CuO and a porphyrin hydrogen-bonded organic framework (PFC-45), which was then fabricated into a thin-film catalyst on carbolic paper (CP) using a facile electrophoretic deposition technology.

Partial Metalation of Porphyrin Moieties in Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks Provides Enhanced CO Photoreduction Activity.

In natural photosynthesis, the architecture of multiproteins integrates more chromophores than redox centers and simultaneously creates a well-controlled environment around the active site. Herein, we demonstrate that these features can be emulated in a prototype hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) through simply varying the proportion of metalated porphyrin in the structure. Further studies demonstrate that changing the metalloporphyrin content not only realizes a fine tuning of the photosensitizer/catalyst ratio, but also alters the microenvironment surrounding the active site and the charge separation efficiency.

Metallization-Prompted Robust Porphyrin-Based Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic CO Reduction.

Under topological guidance, the self-assembly process based on a tetratopic porphyrin synthon results in a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) with the predicted square layers topology (sql) but unsatisfied stability. Strikingly, simply introducing a transition metal in the porphyrin center does not change the network topology but drastically causes noticeable change on noncovalent interaction, orbital overlap, and molecular geometry, therefore ultimately giving rise to a series of metalloporphyrinic HOFs with high surface area, and excellent stability (intact after being soaked in boiling water, concentrated HCl, and heated to 270 °C). On integrating both photosensitizers and catalytic sites into robust backbones, this series of HOFs can effectively catalyze the photoreduction of CO to CO, and their catalytic performances greatly depend on the chelated metal species in the porphyrin centers.

Harnessing Electrostatic Interactions for Enhanced Conductivity in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The poor electrical conductivity of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been a stumbling block for its applications in many important fields. Therefore, exploring a simple and effective strategy to regulate the conductivity of MOFs is highly desired. Herein, anionic guest molecules are incorporated inside the pores of a cationic MOF (PFC-8), which increases its conductivity by five orders of magnitude while maintaining the original porosity.

Radiochromic Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks for X-ray Detection.

Porous materials have been investigated as efficient photochromic platforms for detecting hazardous radiation, while the utilization of hydrogen bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) in this field has remained intact. Herein, two HOFs were synthesized through self-assembly of tetratopic viologen ligand and formic acid (PFC-25, PFC-26), as a new class of "all-organic" radiochromic smart material, opening a gate for HOFs in this field. PFC-26 is active upon both X-ray and UV irradiation, while PFC-25 is only active upon X-ray irradiation.

A Comparison of Two Isoreticular Metal-Organic Frameworks with Cationic and Neutral Skeletons: Stability, Mechanism, and Catalytic Activity.

Although many ionic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been reported, little is known about how the charge of the skeleton affects the properties of the MOF materials. Herein we report how the chemical stability of MOFs can be substantially improved through embedding electrostatic interactions in structure. A MOF with a cationic skeleton is impervious to extremely acidic, oxidative, reductive, and high ionic strength conditions, such as 12 m HCl (301 days), aqua regia (86 days), H O (30 days), and seawater (30 days), which is unprecedented for MOFs.

Synthesis of planar chiral ferrocenes via a Pd(0)-catalyzed syn-carbopalladation/asymmetric C-H alkenylation process.

The Pd(0)-catalyzed tandem intermolecular syn-carbopalladation/asymmetric C-H alkenylation reaction of N-ferrocenyl propiolamides with aryl iodides has been realized, generating planar chiral ferrocene[1,2-d] pyrrolinones in good yields. Through employing BINOL-derived phosphoramidite ligands, up to 95% ee is achieved.

Synthesis of γ-Lactones by TBAI-Promoted Intermolecular Carboesterification of Carboxylic Acids with Alkenes and Alcohols.

A novel tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)-promoted three-component reaction of carboxylic acid with alkene and alcohol has been developed, which represents facile and straightforward access to polysubstituted γ-lactone skeletons in moderate-to-good yields. This methodology is distinguished by the use of a commercial catalyst and readily available starting materials, wide substrate scope, and operational simplicity. Mechanistic studies suggested that this transformation went through a radical process.

Association of image-defined risk factors, tumor resectability, and prognosis in children with localized neuroblastoma.

Background: Although localized neuroblastoma has a good prognosis, some cases have undergone treatment failure or recurrence. Apart from biologic features such as MYCN status, we wondered whether some characteristics of growing tumors are prognostic, such as a well-encapsulated mass without infiltration of vital organs. We analyzed the diagnostic utility of image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) to predict successful treatment and prognosis.

A genetic variant in a homocysteine metabolic gene that increases the risk of congenital cardiac septal defects in Han Chinese populations.

Elevated homocysteine levels are known to be a risk factor for congenital cardiac septal defects (CCSDs), but the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. The genetic variants that were significantly associated with circulating homocysteine concentrations have been systematically identified through the genome-wide association studies of one-carbon core metabolites. To examine the role of the genome-wide significant homocysteine related variants in the occurrence of CCSDs, we investigated the association between these variants and CCSDs in Han Chinese populations.

Multivariate analysis of risk factors for patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma who were older than 18 months at diagnosis: a report from a single institute in Shanghai, China.

This retrospective study evaluated the long-term outcomes and prognostic indicators of patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma who were older than 18 months at diagnosis. The medical records of 118 such children who were treated at Shanghai Children's Medical Center, China, from June 1998-December 2013 were reviewed. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by log-rank tests.

Tetrahydrobiopterin Protects against Radiation-induced Growth Inhibition in H9c2 Cardiomyocytes.

Background: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). BH4 therapy can reverse the disease-related redox disequilibrium observed with BH4 deficiency. However, whether BH4 exerts a protective effect against radiation-induced damage to cardiomyocytes remains unknown.

Asymmetric Synthesis of P-Stereogenic Phosphinic Amides via Pd(0)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular C-H Arylation.

The palladium-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular C-H arylation of N-(2-haloaryl)-P,P-diphenylphosphinic amides furnishes P-stereogenic phosphine oxide derivatives in 61-99% yield with 88-97% ee. The catalyst generated in situ from a TADDOL-derived phosphoramide ligand and Pd(dba)2 is optimum in terms of yield and enantioselectivities.

Asymmetric synthesis of planar chiral ferrocenes by enantioselective intramolecular C-H arylation of N-(2-haloaryl)ferrocenecarboxamides.

The palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H arylation reaction of N-(2-bromoaryl)ferrocenecarboxamides furnishes planar chiral ferrocene derivatives. TADDOL-derived phosphoramide ligands induce enantioselectivities ranging from 91:9 to 98:2 er.