Synthesis, Antifungal Activity, and Action Mechanism of Anethole-Derived Amide-Urea Compounds.

In order to develop new antifungal molecules and explore further applications of natural products, 25 novel amide-urea compounds were synthesized from anethole in this work by a few simple reactions, and structural confirmation was conducted using H-nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR), C-NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Preliminary bioactivity tests were performed against eight plant pathogens. The results demonstrated that all compounds exhibited antifungal activity against the tested fungi, and 5p exhibited the most potent antifungal activity.

DNA Ligase I Circularises Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid RNA in a Biomolecular Condensate.

Viroids are single-stranded circular noncoding RNAs that mainly infect crops. Upon infection, nuclear-replicating viroids engage host DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II for RNA-templated transcription, which is facilitated by a host protein TFIIIA-7ZF. The sense-strand and minus-strand RNA intermediates are differentially localised to the nucleolus and nucleoplasm regions, respectively.

Ferrocene-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Adsorption and Degradation of Antibiotics.

Antibiotics have emerged as a significant class of organic pollutants, posing serious global challenges to both the environment and human health. To address the issue of water pollution by antibiotics, a ferrocene-based organic framework (FcMOF) with paramagnetism has been synthesized by hydrothermal complexation of ferrocene dicarboxylic acid with copper chloride and utilized for quick and efficient adsorption and degradation of antibiotics. The maximum adsorption capacity of TC was 736.

Impact of Potassium Doping on a Two-Dimensional Kagome Organic Framework on Ag(111).

Alkali element doping has significant physical implications for two-dimensional materials, primarily by tuning the electronic structure and carrier concentration. It can enhance interface electronic interactions, providing opportunities for effective charge transfer at metal-organic interfaces. In this work, we investigated the effects of gradually increasing the level of K doping on the lattice structure and electronic properties of an organometallic coordinated Kagome lattice on a Ag(111) surface.

Achieving Ultrabright NIR-II Nanofluorophore for In Vivo Imaging by Inhibiting H-Aggregates Formation.

Small molecules with an acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) structure, featuring a fused-ring core as the donor and two electron-withdrawing end groups as acceptor units, represent a potential option for NIR-II fluorophores, benefiting from their narrow bandgaps, superior light-harvesting capabilities, and exceptional photostabilities. However, their planar conformations predispose them to forming H-aggregates during self-assembly, leading to significantly reduced fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of the resulting nanofluorophores. Herein, we report a small molecule, PF8CN, with a terminal unit-A-D-A-terminal unit structure.

On-Chip Photonic Simulating Band Structures toward Arbitrary-Range Coupled Frequency Lattices.

Photonic simulators are increasingly used to study physical systems for their affluent manipulable degrees of freedom. The advent of photonic chips offers a promising path towards compact and configurable simulators. Thin-film lithium niobate chips are particularly well suited for this purpose due to the high electro-optic coefficient, which allows for the creation of lattices in the frequency domain.

Strong-Field Theory of Attosecond Tunneling Microscopy.

Attosecond observations of coherent electron dynamics in molecules and nanostructures can be achieved by combining conventional scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) with ultrashort femtosecond laser pulses. While experimental studies in the subcycle regime are under way, a robust strong-field theory description has remained elusive. Here we devise a model based on the strong-field approximation.

Manipulating π-π Interactions between Single Molecules by Using Antenna Electrodes as Optical Tweezers.

Via conductance measurements of thousands of single-molecule junctions, we report that the π-π coupling between neighboring aromatic molecules can be manipulated by laser illumination. We reveal that this optical manipulation originates from the optical plasmonic gradient force generated inside the nanogaps, in which the gapped antenna electrodes act as optical tweezers pushing the neighboring molecules closer together. These findings offer a nondestructive approach to regulate the interaction of the molecules, deepening the understanding of the mechanism of π-π interaction, and open an avenue to manipulate the relative position of extremely small objects down to the scale of single molecules.

Spiral Spin Liquid in a Frustrated Honeycomb Antiferromagnet: A Single-Crystal Study of GdZnPO.

The frustrated honeycomb spin model can stabilize a subextensively degenerate spiral spin liquid with nontrivial topological excitations and defects, but its material realization remains rare. Here, we report the experimental realization of this model in the structurally disorder-free compound GdZnPO. Using a single-crystal sample, we find that spin-7/2 rare-earth Gd^{3+} ions form a honeycomb lattice with dominant second-nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic and first-nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic couplings, along with easy-plane single-site anisotropy.

Entangling Independent Particles by Path Identity.

Quantum entanglement-correlations of particles that are stronger than any classical analog-is the basis for research on the foundations of quantum mechanics and for practical applications such as quantum networks. Traditionally, entanglement is achieved through local interactions or via entanglement swapping, where entanglement at a distance is generated through previously established entanglement and Bell-state measurements. However, the precise requirements enabling the generation of quantum entanglement without traditional local interactions remain less explored.

Hemorrhage risk after coblation tonsillectomy in Chinese pediatric: a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the incidence of post-coblation tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PCTH) and identify associated risk factors in a pediatric Chinese population.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter cohort study, conducted over 17 months, included 8854 pediatric patients who underwent coblation tonsillectomy across 15 research centers in China. Patient data were collected through an Electronic Data Capture (EDC) system.

A Self-Reinforced "Microglia Energy Modulator" for Synergistic Amyloid-β Clearance in Alzheimer's Disease Model.

Microglial phagocytosis is a highly energy-consuming process that plays critical roles in clearing neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, microglial metabolism is defective overall in AD, thereby undermining microglial phagocytic functions. Herein, we repurpose the existing antineoplastic drug lonidamine (LND) conjugated with hollow mesoporous Prussian blue (HMPB) as a "microglial energy modulator" (termed LND@HMPB-T7) for safe and synergistic Aβ clearance.

Ion Hydration Enables Generality in Asymmetric Catalysis: Desymmetrization to P-Stereogenic Triarylphosphine Derivatives.

Asymmetric synthesis relies on seamless transmission of stereochemical information from a chiral reagent/catalyst to a prochiral substrate. The disruption by substrates' structural changes presents a hurdle in innovating generality-oriented asymmetric catalysis. Here, we report a strategy for substrate adaptability by exploiting a fundamental physicochemical phenomenon-ion hydration, in developing remote desymmetrization to access P-stereogenic triarylphosphine oxides and sulfides.

Multifunctional Fluorescent Material Based Red-emitting Carbon Dots for Cell Imaging and Photodynamic Sterilization.

In this paper, a new carbon dot (R1-CDs) was prepared by one-pot hydrothermal method by using 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and o-phthalic acid (o-PA) as precursors. Due to the high purity of R1-CDs, NMR analysis was performed to identify the types of H and C atoms in their graphene sheets. From our research findings, three important information was disclosed such as (1) five types H atoms are presented in R1-CDs; (2) 18 kinds of C atoms in the graphene sheets are observed, and 8 kinds of them are quaternary atoms, and 10 kinds of carbon atoms as tertiary one; (3) functional groups of -COOH and -NH2 from precursors cannot be inherited into the edges or defect sites of graphene sheet.

Molecular Customization of Anode-Electrolyte Interfaces for Enhanced Stability and Reversibility in Aqueous Zinc-Carbon Capacitors.

Aqueous zinc-carbon capacitors display application potential in green power and high-end equipment owing to their high security, large power and sustainability. The water-rich zinc anode-electrolyte interface (AEI) and disordered zinc-ion diffusion are the culprits triggering corrosion reactions and dendrite growth, threatening the sustainability of aqueous zinc-carbon capacitors. Herein, a polyfunctional biomolecular, vitamin B6, is introduced into the traditional aqueous electrolyte for customizing the functional AEI and fine-regulating the interfacial coordination environment of zinc ions.

Antioxidative Indole Diketopiperazine Alkaloids from Endophytic Fungi Aspergillus sp. JXC-5.

Three previously undescribed indole diketopiperazine alkaloids and seventeen known compounds were characterized by Aspergillus sp. JXC-5 by solid fermentation. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and the absolute configurations were further confirmed by electronic circular dichroism (ECD), induced CD spectra, and ML_J_DP4 methods.

Low-Dimensional Lead-Free Metal Halides for Efficient Electrically Driven Light-Emitting Diodes.

Electrically driven light-emitting diodes (ED LEDs) based on 3D metal halide perovskites have seen remarkable advancements during the past decade. However, the highest-performing devices are largely based on lead-containing 3D perovskites, presenting two key challenges-toxicity and stability-that must be addressed for commercialization. Reducing structural dimensionality and incorporating non-lead metals present promising pathways to address these issues.

Highly Selective Construction of Unique Cyclic [4]catenanes ( 841 ) Induced by Multiple Noncovalent Interactions.

The synthesis of high-ordered mechanically interlocked supramolecular structures is an extremely challenging topic. Only two linear [4]catenanes have been reported so far and there is no defined strategy to obtain cyclic [4]catenane. Herein, two unprecedented cyclic [4]catenanes, 1 and 2, were prepared in high yields.

Towards Highly Stable Sn Electrolyte for Aqueous Tin Batteries Using Hydroquinone Antioxidant.

Sn redox chemistry in aqueous acidic electrolyte was characterized with high reversibility and kinetics, which is considered as competitive anode material for aqueous batteries. Unfortunately, divalent Sn is unstable in aqueous electrolyte. It was revealed that Sn is easy to be oxidized to tetravalent Sn by dissolved oxygen and then forms precipitate through hydrolysis process, leading to serious performance decay.

Research and Development of Medical Countermeasures for Emerging Infectious Diseases, China, 1990-2022.

Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, China has invested substantial efforts in promoting scientific and technological advances for medical countermeasures against high-threat pathogens. The examination of China's landscape identifies progress and gaps in research and development (R&D) and also highlights management and regulatory issues that should be of concern to other countries. Our study examined the current state of R&D of medical countermeasures in China during 1990-2022.

Efficient Control of Head Blight and Reduction of Deoxynivalenol Accumulation by a Novel Nanopartner-Based Strategy.

Chemical control of head blight (FHB) in wheat plants is often challenged by the resistance outbreak and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation. Developing green partners for fungicides is crucial for reducing fungal growth, mycotoxin contamination, and agricultural fungicides input. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of MgO nanoparticles (NPs) in controlling FHB.

Zbtb7b defines a compensatory mechanism in MASLD-related HCC progression by suppressing H19-mediated hepatic lipid deposition.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a widely prevalent type of primary liver cancer. However, strategies for pretumor intervention are still limited. In this study, a liver-specific Zbtb7b knockout mouse model was used to evaluate the role of Zbtb7b in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-related HCC development.

Polyketide production in a mangrove-associated fungus , induced by chemical epigenetic modification.

Studies on the chemical composition of endophytic fungus , isolated from the L., by using epigenetic modification to activate clusters of biosynthetic genes that are silenced or poorly expressed in fungi, resulting in obtainment of ten polyketides. Among these compounds were six new compounds, including cytosporin E2 (), cytosporin D1 (), cytosporin G1 (), cytosporin J1 (), cytosporin K1 (), cytosporin F1 (), and four known compounds, cytosporin E (), cytosporin Y3 (), cytosporin D (), and cytosporin L ().

Tunneling and conformational preferences in racemic- and meso-2,4-pentanediol: A rotational spectroscopic and theoretical investigation.

The rotational spectra of a mixture of 2,4-pentanediol (PDL) isomers, comprising both the meso isomers [(2R, 4S) and (2S, 4R)] and the racemic isomers [(2R, 4R) and (2S, 4S)], were recorded using a chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer coupled to a supersonic jet expansion. The conformational landscapes of meso- and racemic-PDL were examined using the Conformer-Rotamer Ensemble Sampling Tool and high-level quantum chemical calculations, generating 26 and 25 conformers, respectively. Five sets of rotational transitions were observed and assigned, with two attributed to meso-PDL and the remaining three attributed to racemic-PDL.

Adverse drug events associated with capecitabine: a real-world pharmacovigilance study based on the FAERS database.

Background: Capecitabine, a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, is extensively utilized for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Nevertheless, there exist limitations in comprehending adverse reactions (AEs) in clinical practice. In this study, we investigated the distribution of AEs associated with capecitabine and explored potential rare adverse reactions by mining the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).