Identification and mechanism analysis of biomarkers related to butyrate metabolism in COVID-19 patients.

Background: Butyrate may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication and affect the development of COVID-19. However, there have been no systematic comprehensive analyses of the role of butyrate metabolism-related genes (BMRGs) in COVID-19.

Methods: We performed differential expression analysis of BMRGs in the brain, liver and pancreas of COVID-19 patients and controls in GSE157852 and GSE151803.

Metal-Free Electrochemical C-H Chlorination of Terminal Alkanes.

Although research on the activation of C-H bonds in alkanes has been ongoing for decades, there are still few strategies that are both highly selective and suitable for industrial production. Here, we report a highly selective method for chlorination of terminal C-H bonds in alkanes by combining electrochemistry and organocatalysis. The specific cavity size of organic molecular catalysts ensures high regioselectivity, while the use of inexpensive and easily reusable graphite felt electrodes, simple electrochemical device and mild conditions enables the reaction to maintain good efficiency even when scaled up to kilogram level production.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with family history of chronic airway disease.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition with different risk factors, including family history. This study aimed to explore association between a family history of chronic airway disease and features and outcomes of COPD.

Methods: Participants were obtained from the RealDTC study between December 2016 and December 2022.

Regulating the Crystallization and Morphology of PbI Precursor Films for the Growth of High-Quality Perovskite Films via Vapor-Solid Reaction.

Developing vapor-solid reaction methods to prepare organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite thin films is highly compatible with processes in crystalline silicon solar cells and the thin-film photovoltaic industries, facilitating rapid industrialization. In the vapor-solid reaction, the crystallization quality of perovskite thin films is widely influenced by the crystallinity and microstructure of lead iodide (PbI) precursor films. During the thermal evaporation process of preparing the PbI precursor films, we observed that PbI tends to develop a disordered surface morphology and exhibits high crystallinity, which significantly hinders the uniform diffusion of the organic amine salt vapor during the subsequent vapor-solid reaction.

Photocatalyzed Three-Component Difluoroalkyl-Halogenation of Electron-Deficient Alkenes via a Halogen α-Nucleophilic Addition.

Here,we disclose a halogen α-nucleophilic addition via photocatalytic oxidation of the in-situ generated α-carbonyl radical of amides or esters to corresponding α-carbonyl cation. The α-carbon radical is generated by the β-addition of difluoroalkyl radical, formed by the photocatalytic reduction of BrCF2CO2R, to the α,β-unsaturated amides/esters. This umpolung strategy enables an efficient three-component difluoroalkyl-halogenation of α,β-unsaturated amides or esters with BrCF2CO2R and Cl/F-nucleophiles to produce diverse biologically important CF2-containing α-halo-1,5-dicarboxylic derivatives under mild conditions.

Biomimetic Localized Gel Electrolyte for Practical Zinc Anode.

Incompatible electrode/electrolyte interface often leads to dendrite growth, parasitic reactions and corrosion, posing significant challenges to the application of Zn anodes. Herein, we introduce a biomimetic antifreeze protein localized gel electrolyte (ALGE) with multifunctional capabilities to address these issues by combining electrolyte modification with interface optimization. ALGE modifies the Zn2+ solvation structure and the hydrogen-bond network adjacent to zinc anode, effectively suppressing hydrogen evolution.

Ability and utility of the Physician Well-Being Index to identify distress among Chinese physicians.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of mental stress among physicians, reliable screening tools are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the capability of the Physician Well-Being Index (PWBI) in identifying distress and adverse consequences among Chinese physicians.

Methods: This cross-sectional online survey recruited 2803 physicians from Southern Mainland China snowball sampling between October and December 2020.

In Situ Raman Spectra and Machine Learning Assistant Thermal Annealing Optimization for Effective Phototransistors.

The relationship between the structure and function of condensed matter is complex and changeable, which is especially suitable for combination with machine learning to quickly obtain optimized experimental conditions. However, little research has been done on the effect of temperature on condensed matter and how it affects device performance because the difference between the in situ physical property parameters (which are lowered by the surface tension and mixing entropy) and the basic parameters of the bulk makes accurate AI predictions difficult. In this work, P3HT/ITIC was chosen as the donor/acceptor material for the active layer of organic phototransistors (OPTs).

Enantioselective Behaviors and Risk Assessments of Chiral Pesticide Mefentrifluconazole in Four Types of Fruits and Vegetables.

Mefentrifluconazole was the first novel isopropyl alcohol triazole fungicide. Existing research indicated that mefentrifluconazole had high activity and low toxicity, presenting potential for monocase application, while limited data existed on its enantioselective dissipation in crops. Here, after confirming the absolute configuration, the enantioselective dissipation and risk assessments of chiral mefentrifluconazole in soybeans, peanuts, tomatoes, grapes, and soil were conducted.

OMEGA-guided DNA polymerases enable random mutagenesis in a tunable window.

Targeted random mutagenesis is crucial for breeding, directed evolution, and gene function studies, yet efficient tools remain scarce. Here, we present obligate mobile element guided activity (OMEGA)-R, an innovative targeted random mutagenesis system that integrates SpyCatcher-enIscB and PolI3M-TBD-SpyTag, outperforming existing state-of-the-art technologies in key metrics, such as protein size, mutagenesis efficiency, window length, and continuity. OMEGA-R achieves a dramatic enhancement of on-target mutagenesis, reaching a rate of 1.

Nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage among hospitalized patients before and after COVID-19 pandemic in a regional hospital in taiwan.

Background: Strict mask wearing and handwashing were implemented in hospital settings during COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. To explore if nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage rate among inpatients in the hospital changed before and after COVID-19, we conducted this study.

Methods: Patients who were admitted to a regional hospital in central Taiwan during one week in 2012 and 2023, respectively, were enrolled.

An Overview of Predictive Biomarkers and Detection Approaches for Immunotherapy Response in GI Malignancies.

This review provides an in-depth exploration of the evolving role of immunotherapy in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, with a particular focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and their associated predictive biomarkers. We present a detailed analysis of established biomarkers, such as PD-L1, microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as emerging biomarkers, including gut microbiota and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The predictive value of these biomarkers in guiding clinical decision-making and optimizing immunotherapy outcomes is thoroughly discussed.

Photoredox Nickel-Catalyzed Coupling/Controllable Defluorination: Access to α-Fluoroarylacetic Amides and Acetates.

Herein, an electron donor-acceptor complex (EDA)-enabled photoredox nickel-catalyzed coupling/controllable defluorination domino sequence has been successfully developed, providing an efficient route to a series of α-fluoroarylacetic esters and amides. This methodology accommodates a diverse array of commercially available aryl bromides and chlorodifluoroaryl carboxylic acid derivatives as suitable substrates. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the reaction is initiated by photoinduced EDA-enabled/nickel-catalyzed direct cross-electrophile coupling, with further defluorination proceeding through the generation of EDA complexes, facilitating a controllable reductive defluorination process.

Modulating the Hydrogen Bond for a Stable Zinc Anode with a Wide Temperature Range via the Sucrose and Polyacrylamide Synergistic Effect.

Zinc-ion batteries become a major research focus in energy storage, valued for their low cost and high safety. However, their widespread application is hindered by poor zinc anode stability caused by dendrites, side reactions, and poor performance across a wide temperature range at a strong hydrogen bond network aqueous electrolyte. In this study, we propose a strategy for the synergistic combination of a polyacrylamide hydrogel with sucrose.

In-situ quantitative detection of hypochlorous acid in food samples by employing a near-infrared fluorescent probe in association with a portable optical data acquisition system.

Background: Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is a crucial disinfectant in the food industry. It can be used to soak perishable foods like vegetables, fruits, eggs, fish, and raw meat before processing and storage, eliminating microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, and pathogens to ensure food safety. HClO also helps preserve vegetables and fruits by reducing ethylene production, delaying rotting, decreasing cell membrane permeability, inhibiting polyphenol oxidase activity, and postponing discoloration.

Simultaneous monitoring of creatinine and urea in diversified clinical samples based on SERS-active PDMS-flower-like ZIF-67@Ag nanoparticles.

The sensitive, efficient, and simultaneous assay of creatinine and urea in different body fluid is crucial for the daily detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease. Here, we exploited a versatile composite surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-flower-like ZIF-67@Ag nanoparticles (NPs) based on simple in-situ growth and ion sputtering strategies. The plasmonic Ag NPs assembled on the three-dimensional anisotropic ZIF-67 matrix, facilitating numerous resonant electromagnetic "hotspots".

Mass spectrometric monitoring of redox transformation and arylation of tryptophan.

Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid obtained from human diet. It is involved not only in de novo biosynthesis of proteins but also in complex metabolic pathways. Redox transformation of tryptophan is under-explored in comparison with kynurenine, serotonin and indole pyruvate pathways.

Ratio fluorescence and smartphone-assisted colorimetry dual-mode detection of creatinine based on F, B, N-doped of red fluorescent carbon dots.

Background: Creatinine is a small molecule disease biomarker that reflects kidney function, accurate and effective detection of creatinine will play an important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Currently, commonly used creatinine detection methods are limited by expensive instruments, complex sample preparation, many interference factors from biological samples, and environmental factors that can affect the accuracy of the measurement. Therefore, developing a fast, simple, inexpensive, sensitive analysis method that can eliminate background interference and provide multi-detection modes has strong attraction and value.