2D MOF Structure Tuning Atomic Ru Sites for Efficient and Robust Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis.

Developing cost-effective ruthenium (Ru)-based HER electrocatalysts as alternatives to commercial Pt/C is crucial for the advancement of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). However, the strong hydrogen adsorption of Ru-based catalysts restricts its activity. Herein, a strategy is reported to tune the electronic structure and improve mass transfer by implanting Ru atoms onto the (002) facet of two-dimensional zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (Ru@LZIF) to optimize the d-band center (ε) of Ru and the hydrogen spillover behavior.

Exploring the factors influencing the carbon sink function of coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta.

Understanding the mechanisms of the coastal wetland ecosystem carbon sink function is crucial for adapting to, mitigating, and predicting global climate change. Landscape metrics and Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model were used to quantify the spatiotemporal patterns of soil organic carbon (SOC) and vegetation carbon sequestration (VCS) in the Yellow River Delta (YRD). GeoDetector model was used to explore the effects of various factors influencing VCS.

Hypoxia-reduced YAP phosphorylation enhances expression of Mucin5AC in nasal epithelial cells of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an upper respiratory disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the nasal mucosa. However, the mechanism of abnormal Mucin5AC expression by CRSwNP epithelial cells is not fully understood.

Objective: We investigated the potential role of yes-associated protein (YAP) underlying the mechanism of excessive epithelial Mucin5AC expression in CRSwNP in a hypoxic model.

Spirophosphine-Catalyzed Enantioselective [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Allenoates and Unsaturated α-Ketimine Esters.

A novel chiral spiro-monophosphine, OUC-Phos, was synthesized and utilized for the first time in the asymmetric Lu's [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketimine ester with allenoate. OUC-Phos, featuring a 3,3'-diphenyl-modified spirobiindane skeleton, demonstrated exceptional catalytic efficiency in the [3 + 2] cycloaddition to achieve high yields, enantioselectivities, and diastereoselectivities for the targeted products. The broad substrate scope encompassing diverse functional groups demonstrated the versatility of this methodology.

Outcomes of balloon-assisted maturation with large-diameter balloons.

Objectives: Balloon-assisted maturation (BAM) is a well-established technique for maturation of inadequate arteriovenous fistulas (AVF). The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes of initial BAM using large-diameter angioplasty balloons.

Methods: Charts of patients who underwent BAM between 2018 and 2021 at a single academic institution were reviewed.

Discovery, Total Synthesis, and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of Naturally Occurring Naphthopyrone-Macrolide Hybrids as Potent NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitors.

Numerous clinical disorders have been linked to the etiology of dysregulated NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome activation. Despite its potential as a pharmacological target, modulation of NLRP3 activity remains challenging. Only a sparse number of compounds have been reported that can modulate NLRP3 and none of them have been developed into a commercially available drug.

Prodrug-conjugated tumor-seeking commensals for targeted cancer therapy.

Prodrugs have been explored as an alternative to conventional chemotherapy; however, their target specificity remains limited. The tumor microenvironment harbors a range of microorganisms that potentially serve as tumor-targeting vectors for delivering prodrugs. In this study, we harness bacteria-cancer interactions native to the tumor microbiome to achieve high target specificity for prodrug delivery.

Institutional Priority-Setting for Novel Drugs and Therapeutics: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Background: There is a lack of guidance on approaches to formulary management and funding for high-cost drugs and therapeutics by individual healthcare institutions. The objective of this review was to assess institutional approaches to resource allocation for such therapeutics, with a particular focus on paediatric and rare disease populations.

Methods: A search of Embase and MEDLINE was conducted for studies relevant to decision-making for off-formulary, high-cost drugs and therapeutics.

Priority-setting for hospital funding of high-cost innovative drugs and therapeutics: A qualitative institutional case study.

Objectives: Rising costs of innovative drugs and therapeutics (D&Ts) have led to resource allocation challenges for healthcare institutions. There is limited evidence to guide priority-setting for institutional funding of high-cost D&Ts. This study sought to identify and elaborate on the substantive principles and procedures that should inform institutional funding decisions for high-cost off-formulary D&Ts through a case study of a quaternary care paediatric hospital.

Molecular epidemiological characteristics of in highly endemic areas of China during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Objectives: The present study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and incidence of new leprosy cases, as well as the diversity, distribution, and temporal transmission of strains at the county level in leprae-endemic provinces in Southwest China.

Methods: A total of 219 new leprosy cases during two periods, 2018-2019 and 2020-2021, were compared. We genetically characterized 83 clinical isolates of in Guizhou using variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

The deterioration of starch physiochemical and minerals in high-quality indica rice under low-temperature stress during grain filling.

Low temperatures during the grain-filling phase have a detrimental effect on both the yield and quality of rice grains. However, the specific repercussions of low temperatures during this critical growth stage on grain quality and mineral nutrient composition in high-quality hybrid indica rice varieties have remained largely unexplored. The present study address this knowledge gap by subjecting eight high-quality indica rice varieties to two distinct temperature regimes: low temperature (19°C/15°C, day/night) and control temperature (28°C/22°C) during their grain-filling phase, and a comprehensive analysis of various quality traits, with a particular focus on mineral nutrients and their interrelationships were explored.

Organocatalyzed Enantioselective [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of ,-Cyclic Ketimines and Allenoates.

We report a novel enantioselective and regioselective [2 + 2] cycloaddition of allenoate and ,-cyclic ketimine catalyzed by a quinidine derivative. The methodology enables the synthesis of fused tricyclic azetidines with a quaternary stereogenic center exhibiting high enantioselectivities. The broad range of substrates demonstrates the generality of the protocol, and the resulting functional products can be easily converted to a variety of valuable synthons.

Hydrolyzed Hydrated Titanium Oxide on Laser-Induced Graphene as CDI Electrodes for U(VI) Adsorption.

Recently, laser-induced graphene (LIG), which has been successfully applied in CDI technology (directly without a complex preparation process), has gained considerable attention. However, the raw LIG electrode with a limited number of active sites exhibits low adsorption efficiency. Therefore, the search for a suitable and effective method to modify LIG to improve its electroadsorption performance is significant.

Does Operative Time Affect Complication Rate in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most common laparoscopic procedure performed in the United States. Our aim was to determine if increased operative time (OT) is associated with increased morbidity following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: Using ACS NSQIP from 2006 to 2015, we identified all adult (≥18 years) patients that underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystitis performed within 3 days of admission.

Optimal treatment of tannic acid for the anti-calcification of bovine jugular veins and the underlying mechanism.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of combined treatment with tannic acid and ferric ions on the biomechanical and anti-calcification properties of glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine jugular veins after xenografting.

Methods: Two-point bending test and uniaxial tensile test were used to evaluate the flexural and biomechanical properties; Subcutaneous implantation in rat and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction of sheep were used to evaluate the anti-calcification effects; The performance of the graft in sheep models was evaluated every month after the surgery with echocardiography examination. Markers of macrophages, T lymphocytes, smooth muscle cell osteogenic differentiation and matrix metalloproteinases in sheep explants were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α activates the NLRP3 inflammasome to regulate epithelial differentiation in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an upper airway inflammation disease associated with hypoxia-mediated inflammation. The effect of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) on NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of sinonasal mucosa is unclear.

Objective: We investigated the effect and mechanism of HIF-1α on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the primary human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs).

Phosphine-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of (Hetero)Aryl Alkynes with Pronucleophiles: Concise Total Synthesis of (±)-Esermethole.

Allylic alkylations are valuable in the construction of versatile carbon-carbon bonds, which are mostly catalyzed by noble transition metals with additional waste byproduct generation. Here, we present the first organophosphine-catalyzed allylic alkylation of (hetero)aryl alkynes with various carbo-nucleophiles. The methodology is highly atom economical and compatible with a wide substrate scope (more than 38 examples).

Single-Dose Rifapentine in Household Contacts of Patients with Leprosy.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that a single dose of rifampin has protective effects against leprosy in close contacts of patients with the disease. Rifapentine was shown to have greater bactericidal activity against than rifampin in murine models of leprosy, but data regarding its effectiveness in preventing leprosy are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a cluster-randomized, controlled trial to investigate whether single-dose rifapentine is effective in preventing leprosy in household contacts of patients with leprosy.

Prolonged Primary Rhinovirus Infection of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells Diminishes the Viral Load of Secondary Influenza H3N2 Infection via the Antiviral State Mediated by RIG-I and Interferon-Stimulated Genes.

Our previous study revealed that prolonged human rhinovirus (HRV) infection rapidly induces antiviral interferons (IFNs) and chemokines during the acute stage of infection. It also showed that expression levels of RIG-I and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were sustained in tandem with the persistent expression of HRV RNA and HRV proteins at the late stage of the 14-day infection period. Some studies have explored the protective effects of initial acute HRV infection on secondary influenza A virus (IAV) infection.