Molecular Self-Assembly and Adsorption Structure of 2,2'-Dipyrimidyl Disulfides on Au(111) Surfaces.

The effects of solution concentration and pH on the formation and surface structure of 2-pyrimidinethiolate (2PymS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111) via the adsorption of 2,2'-dipyrimidyl disulfide (DPymDS) were examined using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). STM observations revealed that the formation and structural order of 2PymS SAMs were markedly influenced by the solution concentration and pH. 2PymS SAMs formed in a 0.

Multicomponent Covalent Organic Framework Solid Electrolyte Allowing Effective Li-Ion Dissociation and Diffusion for All-Solid-State Batteries.

Organic solid electrolytes compatible with all-solid-state Li metal batteries (LMBs) are essential to ensuring battery safety, high energy density, and long-term cycling performance. However, it remains a challenge to develop an approach to provide organic solid electrolytes with capabilities for the facile dissociation of strong Li-ion pairs and fast transport of ionic components. Herein, a diethylene glycol-modified pyridinium covalent organic framework (DEG-PMCOF) with a well-defined periodic structure is prepared as a multicomponent solid electrolyte with a cationic moiety of high polarity, an additional flexible ion-transporter, and an ordered ionic channel for all-solid-state LMBs.

An Ion-Channel-Restructured Zwitterionic Covalent Organic Framework Solid Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Organic solid electrolytes offer an effective route for safe and high-energy-density all-solid-state Li metal batteries. However, it remains a challenge to devise a new strategy to promote the dissociation of strong ion pairs and the transport of ionic components in organic solid electrolytes. Herein, a zwitterionic covalent organic framework (Zwitt-COF) with well-defined chemical and pore structures is prepared as a solid electrolyte capable of accelerating the dissociation and transport of Li ions.

Effects of hydrothermal pretreatment on methane potential of anaerobic digestion sludge cake of cattle manure containing sawdust as bedding materials.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the hydrothermal pretreat-ment of anaerobic digestion sludge cake (ADSC) of cattle manure on the solubilization of organic matter and the methane yield to improve the anaerobic digestion efficiency of cattle manure collected from the sawdust pens of cattle.

Methods: Anaerobic digestion sludge cake of cattle manure was thermally pretreated at 160°C, 180°C, 200°C, and 220°C by a hydrothermal pressure reactor, and the biochemical methane potential of ADSC hydrolysate was analyzed. Methane yield recovered by the hydrothermal pretreatment of ADCS was estimated based on mass balance.

Single-cell mapping of combinatorial target antigens for CAR switches using logic gates.

Identification of optimal target antigens that distinguish cancer cells from normal surrounding tissue cells remains a key challenge in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell therapy for tumors with intratumoral heterogeneity. In this study, we dissected tissue complexity to the level of individual cells through the construction of a single-cell expression atlas that integrates ~1.4 million tumor, tumor-infiltrating normal and reference normal cells from 412 tumors and 12 normal organs.

Effect of carbon addition on the passivity of hypoeutectic high chromium cast irons.

The effect of adding C on the passivity of hypoeutectic high chromium cast iron (HCCI) was investigated in a pH 8.4 boric-borate buffer solution. The microstructure of HCCI is composed of austenite and carbide phases, whose fractions and chemical compositions are influenced by the amount of C added.

Efficacy and Safety of COVID-19 Treatment Using Convalescent Plasma Transfusion: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) via a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A total of 5467 articles obtained from electronic databases were assessed; however, only 34 RCTs were eligible after manually screening and eliminating unnecessary studies. The beneficial effect was addressed by assessing the risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) of the meta-analysis.

Structural and Electronic Modulations of Imidazolium Covalent Organic Framework-Derived Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Redox Reactions in Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising candidates for the controllable design of electrocatalysts. However, bifunctional electrocatalytic activities for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remain challenging in COFs. In this study, imidazolium-rich COFs (IMCOFs) with well-defined active sites and characteristic three-dimensional assembly structures were readily prepared, and their electronic structures were tuned by Co incorporation to elicit bifunctional electrocatalytic activities for the ORR and OER.

Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn-air batteries.

N-Doped carbon electrocatalysts are a promising alternative to precious metal catalysts to promote oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, it remains a challenge to design the desired active sites on carbon skeletons in a controllable manner for ORR. Herein, we developed a facile approach based on oxygen-mediated solvothermal radical reaction (OSRR) for preparation of N-doped carbon electrocatalysts with a pre-designed active site and modulated catalytic activity for ORR.

Whole-Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing Identified NOTCH2 and HES1 as Potential Markers of Response to Imatinib in Desmoid Tumor (Aggressive Fibromatosis): A Phase II Trial Study.

Purpose: Desmoid tumor, also known as aggressive fibromatosis, is well-characterized by abnormal Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Various therapeutic options, including imatinib, are available to treat desmoid tumor. However, the molecular mechanism of why imatinib works remains unclear.

Ultrathin WO Nanosheets Converted from Metallic WS Sheets by Spontaneous Formation and Deposition of PdO Nanoclusters for Visible Light-Driven C-C Coupling Reactions.

It is not facile to obtain ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) WO nanosheets through the exfoliation of their bulk counterpart in solution due to strong covalent interaction between interlayers. In addition, they require additional functionalization with cocatalysts to expand their applicability in photocatalytic organic reactions owing to their insufficient conduction band edge position. Here, we report a chemical approach for the simultaneous production and functionalization of ultrathin 2D WO nanosheets through the direct conversion of metallic WS nanosheets, accomplished by the spontaneous formation and deposition of PdO nanoclusters on the nanosheet surface in HO.

Improved astaxanthin production by SK984 with oak leaf extract and inorganic phosphate supplementation.

Astaxanthin is widely used in food, feed and nutraceutical industries. is one of the most promising natural sources of astaxanthin. However, the astaxanthin yield in the wild-type .

Phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of some tropical edible plants.

Objective: To find biological functions such as antibacterial and antioxidant activities in several tropical plants and to investigate the possibility of antibiotic substitute agents to prevent and treat diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria.

Methods: Plants such as Poncirus trifoliata fruit (Makrut), Zingiber officinale Rosc (Khing), Areca catechu L. (Mak), Solanum melongena L.

Heartwood extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes and its active constituent fisetin attenuate vasoconstriction through calcium-dependent mechanism in rat aorta.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) exert cardiovascular protective activity by promoting blood circulation, but its active ingredients and underlying mechanism have yet to be identified. This study investigated the vascular effects of RVS, focusing on vasoconstriction and smooth muscle Ca(2+) signaling. RVS heartwood extract attenuated contraction of aortic rings induced by the vasoconstrictors serotonin and phenylephrine, and inhibited the Ca(2+) signaling evoked by serotonin in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Antiplatelet effects of Rhus verniciflua stokes heartwood and its active constituents--fisetin, butein, and sulfuretin--in rats.

Rhus verniciflua stokes (RVS) is known to promote blood circulation by preventing blood stasis, although the active ingredients and the underlying mechanism are unclear. Platelets are the primary cells that regulate circulation and contribute to the development of diverse cardiovascular diseases by aggregation and thrombosis. The study assessed the antiplatelet activity of RVS and sought to identify the active constituents.

Protective effects of methoxyflavone derivatives from black galingale against glutamate induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells.

To examine the neuroprotective effects of black galingale, its protection was tested against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cortical cultured neurons. It was found that an aqueous extract of this medicinal plant exhibited significant protection against glutamate-induced toxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells. In order to clarify the neuroprotective mechanism(s) of this observed effect, isolation was performed to seek and identify active fractions and components.

Immunotoxicity activity of sesquiterpenoids from black galingale (Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker) against Aedes aegypti L.

The roots of black galingale (Kaempferia parviflora) were chloroform-extracted and the isolated two sesquiterpene and immunotoxicity effects were studied. The structures and stereochemistry of these compounds were established on the basis of analysis of spectra including UV, MS, (1)H-NMR, and (13)C-NMR as follows: 1 (4α-acetoxycadina-2,9-diene-1,8-dione), 2 (1α,3α,4β-trihydroxy-9-cadinen-8-one). Compound 2 had a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L.

Increased carotenoid production in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous G276 using plant extracts.

The red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (previously named Phaffia rhodozyma) produces astaxanthin pigment among many carotenoids. The mutant X. dendrorhous G276 was isolated by chemical mutagenesis.