A visible-light photocatalytic cyclopropanation of diverse alkenes using acceptor-acceptor diazoalkanes has been developed. The protocol provides an efficient and practical approach to donor-acceptor cyclopropanes under mild conditions. Experimental evidence confirms a mechanism involving a highly electrophilic triplet acceptor-acceptor carbene intermediate, followed by ultrafast intersystem crossing and ring closure.

Dendrite growth and interfacial side reactions severely impair the stability of lithium negative electrodes. A deeper understanding of the structure-performance relationship between current collectors (CCs) and lithium deposition is crucial for addressing these challenges. In this study, a "random-to-aligned hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers" (r/a-HPCNFs) CC strategy was proposed to realize uniform bottom-up lithium-ion (Li+) deposition by analyzing the ion transport within aligned CNF channels. By constructing a top-random/bottom-aligned interface with different charge centers, the dielectric constant can be effectively adjusted, thereby promoting a polarization transformation of the intrinsic electric field and strengthening the driving force for Li+ migration toward the bottom of the CC. The symmetric cell assembled with Li-predeposited r/a-HPCNFs operates stably for over 6500 h at 5 mA cm-2. With less Li predeposition (∼3 mAh, N/P = 2), r/a-HPCNF-based full cells (LiFePO4, LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, and sulfur) deliver >80% capacity over 400, 260, and 200 cycles at 3, 2, and 0.5 C, respectively. These results highlight the key role of the random-aligned hierarchical architecture in intrinsic field regulation, enabling dendrite suppression and stable cycling.

The cellular mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is overexpressed in multiple solid tumors and is normally driven by its native ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Despite extensive structural studies, no diagnostic agents have been developed based on the individual HGF-Kringle 3 (K3) domain. Here, four HGF-K3-derived c-Met-targeted peptide radioligands were designed for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Among them, [68Ga]Ga-SMIC-1014 exhibited the most favorable pharmacokinetics and achieved different tumor uptake in HCT-116, HepG2, and LNCaP xenografts. Moreover, the specific tumor targeting ability of [68Ga]Ga-SMIC-1014 was demonstrated by coinjection with an 800-fold SMIC-1014 peptide or preinjection of an excess of 25-fold onartuzumab as blocking agents, showing significant tumor signal reduction. In conclusion, the strategy of using the interface residues has been successfully explored for the discovery of new c-Met binders. [68Ga]Ga-SMIC-1014 shows a high tumor imaging performance and potential as a c-Met-targeted diagnostic probe.

The continuous conduction band can be tuned to several Rashba spin-splitting quantum wells in the bulk states of layered Bi2Se3 via alkali metal evaporation. However, the corresponding bulk-state valence band structure and band gap evolution have not been studied in depth yet. Here, we systematically investigate the electronic band structures of Bi2Se3 upon in situ K atom deposition via angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES). The valence band renormalizes in both energy and momentum space, and the band gap reduces from 450 to 400 meV. Alkali metal deposition results in electron doping and interfacial dipole electric field, which are two major factors modulating the electronic structures of materials. Expanding the lattice of Bi2Se3, our density functional theory (DFT) calculations qualitatively reproduce the experimentally detected evolution of the valence band structure and the band gap value, through either electron doping or manual setting. However, neither electron injection nor the interfacial dipole electric field alone induces such an evolution when the lattice of Bi2Se3 is fixed. This finding indicates that lattice expansion induced by potassium deposition at the Bi2Se3 surface exerts a significant influence on the bulk electronic band structure, a result that will facilitate the manipulation of the electronic structure and applications of this material.

Microglia monitor disease stimulation, neuronal apoptosis, and neural repair, and their overactivation-induced inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Morroniside (Mor), an iridoid glycoside compound in Cornus officinalis, is one of the effective active components. The effects of Mor on antioxidant stress, antiapoptosis, and nerve repair function have been widely studied, but the mechanism of Mor in AD treatment remains unclear. To study the neuroprotective effects of Mor and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its improvement of AD symptoms, we used ApoE4 transgenic mice and ApoE4-transfected BV2 cells as models of AD, focusing on microglia phenotype, function, and neuroinflammation. The 10-month-old mice were randomly divided into the ApoE3 control group (ApoE3 + Veh), the ApoE4 model group (ApoE4 + Veh), and the ApoE4 + Mor 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg groups as invivo models. The invitro BV2-ApoE model was constructed via lentiviral transfection. The effects of Mor on cognitive function of AD models were assessed through behavioral tests, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and ELISA to measure changes of related pathological and inflammatory factors. Mor improved the cognitive function of ApoE4 transgenic mice by reducing Aβ plaques in the brain, improving the structural lesions of hippocampal neurons, and increasing synaptic plasticity in the brain of AD mice. In addition, Mor promoted the transformation of microglia from the M1 to the M2 phenotype, inhibited the activation of the CX3CR1/PU.1 signaling axis, and alleviated the dysfunction of microglia both invitro and invivo. CX3CR1 siRNA and PU.1 siRNA were used further to verify the regulatory effect of Mor on microglia phenotype. Our findings indicate that Mor can inhibit neuroinflammation, reduce Aβ accumulation, and improve synaptic damage in ApoE4 mice via the CX3CL1/CX3CR1/PU.1 pathway regulating the phenotype and function of microglia. This study provides a new therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Obesity, a prevalent metabolic disease characterized by chronic systemic inflammation and dysregulated energy homeostasis, contributes to comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Despite advancements in lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery, limitations in efficacy and safety emphasize the necessity for alternative therapeutic interventions. Electroacupuncture (EA), a contemporary form of traditional acupuncture, has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention for obesity. This review synthesizes current evidence on the neuroendocrine, immunomodulatory, and metabolic mechanisms through which EA modulates hypothalamic nuclei, gut-liver axis signaling, white adipose tissue browning, and sympathetic-immune interactions. Preclinical studies have highlighted the potential of EA to enhance satiety signals, restore gut microbiota balance, suppress inflammasome activity, and promote white adipose tissue browning. Future research needs to prioritize human studies, elucidate neural circuitry, and optimize treatment protocols to translate preclinical findings into clinical practice.

Although the growing importance of AI integration in education is widely acknowledged, limited empirical research has explored how school support addressing teachers' basic psychological needs fosters AI literacy, especially in Chinese higher education. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study investigated how school support influences the development of AI literacy among university English teachers in China, focusing on the roles of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In this study, AI literacy involves understanding, application, evaluation, and ethical reflection on AI technology-key factors in educational technology integration. Through survey data from 412 teachers and semi-structured interviews with 23 teachers, the study developed and validated a model linking school support, basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS), and AI literacy. Quantitative analysis indicated that school support enhances teachers' BPNS, which in turn mediates the impact of school support on AI literacy. Qualitative findings identified several key institutional strategies that address teachers' autonomy, competence, and relatedness, promoting AI literacy development. Together, these findings highlight the pivotal role of school support and teachers' BPNS in fostering AI literacy, providing insights for educational policy and teacher professional development.

Depression is a major global health threat and necessitates novel rapid-acting and safe antidepressants. Targeting astrocytic Kir4.1 in the lateral habenula has been identified as a potential therapy strategy for depression with rapid-onset effects. Our research aims to develop novel and potent Kir4.1 inhibitors with good druggability through structural modification based on the lead compound EHop-016, resulting in 37 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine derivatives. Among these, compound 37 demonstrated potent Kir4.1 inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.19 μM), acceptable Kir subtype selectivity, favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and safety. Notably, compound 37 exhibited rapid-onset antidepressant effects within 1 h in the novelty-suppressed feeding test at a dosage three times lower than that of EHop-016. These findings establish 37 as a potent and selective Kir4.1 inhibitor with rapid antidepressant efficacy and good druggability, supporting its further development for depression treatment.