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The exploration of artificial luminogens with bright emission has been fully developed with the advancement of synthetic chemistry. However, many of them face problems like weakened emission in the aggregated state as well as poor renewability and sustainability. Therefore, the development of renewable and sustainable luminogens with anti-quenching function in the solid state, as well as to unveil the key factors that influence their luminescence behavior become highly significant. Herein, a new class of natural rosin-derived luminogens with aggregation-induced emission property (AIEgens) have been facilely obtained with good biocompatibility and targeted organelle imaging capability as well as photochromic behavior in the solid state. Mechanistic study indicates that the introduction of the alicyclic moiety helps suppress the excited-state molecular motion to enhance the solid-state emission. The current work fundamentally elucidates the role of alicyclic moiety in luminogen design and practically demonstrates a new source to large-scalely obtain biocompatible AIEgens. To date we have a myriad of luminogenes at our deposal but many of them face problems like weakened emission in the aggregated state as well as poor sustainability. Here, the authors develop a class of rosin-derived luminogens with aggregation induced emission properties providing good biocompatibility and demonstrate their application in organelle imaging.

By employing metal oxides as oxygen carriers, chemical looping demonstrates its effectiveness in transferring oxygen between reduction and oxidation environments to partially oxidize fuels into syngas and convert CO2 into CO. Generally, NiFe2O4 oxygen carriers have demonstrated remarkable efficiency in chemical looping CO2 conversion. Nevertheless, the intricate process of atomic migration and evolution within the internal structure of bimetallic oxygen carriers during continuous high‐temperature redox cycling remains unclear. Consequently, the lack of a fundamental understanding of the complex ionic migration and oxygen transfer associated with energy conversion processes hampers the design of high‐performance oxygen carriers. Thus, in this study, we employed in situ characterization techniques and theoretical calculations to investigate the ion migration behavior and structural evolution in the bulk of NiFe2O4 oxygen carriers during H2 reduction and CO2/lab air oxidation cycles. We discovered that during the H2 reduction step, lattice oxygen rapidly migrates to vacancy layers to replenish consumed active oxygen species, while Ni leaches from the material and migrates to the surface. During the CO2 splitting step, Ni migrates toward the core of the bimetallic oxygen carrier, forming Fe–Ni alloys. During the air oxidation step, Fe–Ni migrates outward, creating a hollow structure owing to the Kirkendall effect triggered by the swift transfer of lattice oxygen. The metal atom migration paths depend on the oxygen transfer rates. These discoveries highlight the significance of regulating the release–recovery rate of lattice oxygen to uphold the structures and reactivity of oxygen carriers. This work offers a comprehensive understanding of the oxidation/reduction‐driven atomic interdiffusion behavior of bimetallic oxygen carriers. During chemical looping CO2 conversion, in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy–electron energy loss spectroscopy combined with quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations have been utilized to reveal the migration and diffusion processes of lattice oxygen and metal atoms inside oxygen carriers. It is highlighted that the structure of the oxygen carrier depends on the migration rate of lattice oxygen.

Background Clostridioides difficile ribotype (RT) 027 is particularly virulent, capable of causing severe conditions such as ileus, toxic megacolon, hypotension, or shock. Outbreaks of RT027 C. difficile are more frequently reported abroad compared to China. Methods We present a case of toxic megacolon caused by an RT027 C. difficile infection and trace the source of the infectious agent using whole genome sequencing. The agar dilution approach was utilized to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. Results Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the origin of this isolate was located in the same bifurcating branch of strains previously isolated in Beijing in 2012, yet it clusters within a new subcluster. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) differences between this strain and other isolates from mainland China range from 1 to 16, and the SNP differences between mainland China strains and international strains within the FQR1 lineage range from 7 to 37. Conclusions The emergence of hypervirulent RT027 C. difficile necessitates an accurate tracing of its source. Whole genome sequencing can aid in precisely identifying origins. Although RT027 C. difficile remains primarily sporadic in China, enhanced surveillance of C. difficile and stringent hospital infection control measures is imperative.

Rabdosin B (RB), an active compound derived from the Chinese herb (Burm. f.) H. Hara, has demonstrated inhibitory effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation in prior studies. However, its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. To investigate the mechanism of RB against NSCLC and its synergistic effect with cisplatin (CDDP) the SRC/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. assays, CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, scratch, Transwell, and Western blot assessed proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were employed to validate molecular targets. King's formula was used to evaluate the combined effect of RB and CDDP, with xenograft models confirming efficacy. , RB significantly suppressed NSCLC proliferation, migration, and invasion while inducing apoptosis. Mechanistically, network pharmacology predicted SRC as a core target. MDS and CETSA subsequently confirmed the direct and stable binding of RB to SRC. Western blot analysis revealed that RB exerted its effect by inhibiting SRC/PI3K/AKT signaling. Notably, RB synergistically enhanced CDDP sensitivity by blocking SRC/PI3K/AKT pathway activation, thereby potentiating apoptosis. Finally, experiments validated that RB effectively suppressed tumor growth with favorable safety. RB inhibits NSCLC progression and sensitizes cells to CDDP by directly targeting SRC to inactivate the PI3K/AKT pathway. These findings identify a novel mechanism of RB against NSCLC and suggest its potential as a therapeutic strategy.

Candida haemulonii, a relative of C. auris, frequently shows antifungal resistance and is transmissible. However, molecular tools for genotyping and investigating outbreaks are not yet established. We performed genome-based population analysis on 94 C. haemulonii strains, including 58 isolates from China and 36 other published strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that C. haemulonii can be divided into 4 clades. Clade 1 comprised strains from China and other global strains; clades 2-4 contained only isolates from China, were more recently evolved, and showed higher antifungal resistance. Four regional epidemic clusters (A, B, C, and D) were identified in China, each comprising ≥5 cases (largest intracluster pairwise single-nucleotide polymorphism differences <50 bp). Cluster A was identified in 2 hospitals located in the same city, suggesting potential intracity transmissions. Cluster D was resistant to 3 classes of antifungals. The emergence of more resistant phylogenetic clades and regional dissemination of antifungal-resistant C. haemulonii warrants further monitoring.

Chemical looping gasification (CLG) technology is an effective approach to converting wood waste into high-quality syngas. In the present work, the reactivity of natural hematite is enhanced by doping with nickel oxide (NiO), and the effects of various operating parameters upon the CLG of wood waste are investigated using the NiO-modified hematite as an oxygen carrier. The NiO-modified hematite gives a significantly increased carbon conversion of 79.74%, and a valid gas yield of 0.69 m3/kg, compared to 68.13% and 0.59 m3/kg, respectively, for the pristine (natural) hematite, and 54.62% and 0.55 m3/kg, respectively, for the Al2O3, thereby indicating that the modification with NiO improves reactivity of natural hematite towards the CLG of wood waste. In addition, a suitable mass ratio of oxygen carrier to wood waste (O/W) is shown to be beneficial for the production of high-quality syngas, with a maximum valid gas yield of 0.69 m3/kg at an O/W ratio of 1. Further, an increase in reaction temperature is shown to promote the conversion of wood waste, giving a maximum conversion of 86.14% at reaction temperature of 900 °C. In addition, the introduction of an appropriate amount of steam improves both the conversion of wood waste and the quality of the syngas, although excessive steam leads to decreases in the reaction temperature and gas residence time. Therefore, the optimum S/B (mass ratio of steam to biomass) is determined to be 0.4, giving a carbon conversion and valid gas yield of 86.63% and 0.94 m3/kg, respectively. Moreover, the reactivity of the NiO-modified hematite is well-maintained during 20 cycles, with a carbon conversion and valid gas yield of around 79% and 0.69 m3/kg, respectively. Additionally, the XRD and SEM-EDS analyses indicate no measurable change in the crystal phase of the re-oxidized oxygen carrier.

The Candida haemulonii complex includes emerging opportunistic human fungal pathogens with documented multidrug-resistance profiles. It comprises Candida haemulonii sensu stricto, Candida haemulonii var. vulnera, Candida duobushaemulonii, Candida pseudohaemulonii, and Candida vulturna. In recent years, rates of clinical isolation of strains from this complex have increased in multiple countries, including China, Malaysia, and Brazil. Biofilm formation, hydrolytic enzymes, surface interaction properties, phenotype switching and cell aggregation abilities, extracellular vesicles production, stress response, and immune evasion help these fungi to infect the host and exert pathological effects. Multidrug resistance profiles also enhance the threat they pose; they exhibit low susceptibility to echinocandins and azoles and an intrinsic resistance to amphotericin B (AMB), the first fungal-specific antibiotic. AMB is commonly employed in antifungal treatments, and it acts via several known mechanisms. Given the propensity of clinical Candida species to initiate bloodstream infections, clarifying how C. haemulonii resists AMB is of critical clinical importance. This review outlines our present understanding of the C. haemulonii complex’s virulence factors, the mechanisms of action of AMB, and the mechanisms underlying AMB resistance.

In the process of fuel utilization, traditional combustion technologies result in the conversion of nitrogen elements in fuels into nitrogen oxides, which are released into the atmosphere, posing serious threats to the environment and human health. The chemical looping process (CLP) is an effective technology for reducing nitrogen-containing (N-containing) pollutants during fuel utilization. During the CLP, the oxygen carrier (OC) can oxidize nitrogen oxide precursors (NH3 and HCN) released from the fuel to N2, while the reduced OC can reduce nitrogen oxides to N2. The achievement of efficient nitrogen pollutant removal relies on the development of highly active oxygen carriers (OCs). This review summarizes the recent progress in the removal of nitrogen pollutants within chemical looping processes (CLPs). It delineates the formation pathways of N-containing pollutants (NH3, HCN, NO, NO2 and N2O) and highlights the performance of various OCs. The influence of reaction conditions and feedstock characteristics is also discussed. Ni-based OCs have demonstrated superior performance in the removal of N-containing pollutants, exhibiting strong oxidation capabilities and excellent catalytic properties. Moreover, iron ore, as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly feedstock, holds promise for wide-scale application. Future research should focus on further optimizing OCs strategies and refining reaction conditions to achieve more efficient and economical N-containing pollutant removal, thereby fostering the widespread application of chemical looping technology in the energy sector.

Objective Thalassemia is among the most common inherited diseases worldwide. We aimed to analyze the genotype and frequency distribution of thalassemia in a general hospital in Beijing and provide a reference for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. Methods A total of 3196 cases of thalassemia screened at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between January 2018 and January 2022 were collected. Thalassemia genotypes were tested using gap polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR), PCR, reverse dot blot (RDB), and Sanger sequencing analyses. The pathogenicity of the rare variants was analyzed using bioinformatics approaches. Results Total of 1936 positive routine α/β-thalassemia were detected from 3196 blood samples, including 733 α-thalassemia variants, 1170 β-thalassemia variants, and 33 cases with concurrent α- and β-thalassemia variants. Two novel variants, HBA2 :c.300+82G>C and HBB :codon85(-T), were identified in HBA2 and HBB  genes, respectively, and were not detected in the ExAC, gnomAD, HbVar, and HGMD databases. Conclusions The genotype distribution of thalassemia in a general hospital in Beijing is complex and heterogeneous. The novel variants in HBA2 and  HBB  are likely to underlie α/β-thalassemia in these patients.

Ferrocene-decorated cellulosic materials are usually obtained via a couple of synthetic procedures, which might possibly affect their degree of substitution. In this work, two ferrocene-decorated cellulose esters, connected either by monocarboxylate or by dicarboxylate linkers, have been prepared via one-step reactions by means of esterifying microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with ferrocenemonocarboxylic acid and 1,1’-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (FcDA), respectively. Successful surface modification has been confirmed by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric measurements. Large retention of the crystalline morphology can be revealed by powder X-ray diffraction, confirming its surface decoration as well. Cyclic voltammetry results of both esters have demonstrated that the winding of the cellulose chains in MCC-FcDA caused by its cross-linking structure might have unfavorable effect for electron transfer, resulting in weaker reversibility of its redox process. Therefore, exploration of a suitable linker might be of great importance to achieve ideal electrochemical properties. Graphic Abstract Two ferrocene-decorated cellulose esters connected either by mono or by dicarboxylate linkers have been synthesized via one-step reactions, exhibiting the more electrochemical reversibility of the monocarboxylate-linked ester.