Impact of Ligand Structure on Biological Activity and Photophysical Properties of NHC-Protected Au Nanoclusters.

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-protected gold nanoclusters display high stability and high photoluminescence, making them well-suited for fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapeutic applications. We report herein the synthesis of two bisNHC-protected Au nanoclusters with π-extended aromatic systems. Depending on the position of the π-extended aromatic system, changes to the structure of the ligand shell in the cluster are observed, with the ability to correlate increases in rigidity with increases in fluorescence quantum yield.

Diving into Unknown Waters: Water-Soluble Clickable Au Nanoclusters Protected with N-Heterocyclic Carbenes for Bio-Medical Applications.

The use of gold nanoclusters in biomedical applications has been steadily increasing in recent years. However, water solubility is a key factor for these applications, and water-soluble gold nanoclusters are often difficult to isolate and susceptible to exchange or oxidation in vivo. Herein, we report the isolation of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-protected atomically precise gold nanoclusters functionalized with triethylene glycol monomethyl ether groups.

Infant diet quality index predicts nutrients of concern and ultra-processed food intake in low-income children in the United States.

Background: Diet quality during infancy can influence nutrient intake and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption throughout later childhood.

Objectives: This study investigated the predictive validity of Infant Diet Quality Index (IDQI) scores from 0 to 1 y of age and consumption of select nutrients and UPFs at different time points in low-income children aged 2-5 y.

Methods: Dietary surveys and 24-h dietary recalls collected between ages 0 and 12 months from 2613 Special Supplemental Women, Infants, and Children Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 participants were used to assess infant diet quality by final IDQI score ranging from 0 (nonadherence to dietary guidelines) to 1 (complete adherence to guidelines).