Greater Activity Research Articles

Data-driven designed low Pt loading PtFeCoNiMnGa nano high entropy alloy with high catalytic activity for Zn-air batteries

Developing low Pt loading and high-activity oxygen electrocatalysts is necessary to promote large-scale fuel cell applications. By data-driven and density functional theory calculations, PtFeCoNiMnGa nano high entropy alloy (HEA) was synthesized through liquid-phase reduction and H2 calcination method and loaded on carbon nano-tube (CNT). Due to high entropy, electronic modulation, and cocktail effects, PtFeCoNiMnGa HEA catalyst shows great catalytic activity in oxygen evolution/reduction reaction (OER/ORR). The PtFeCoNiMnGa/CNT showed a low overpotential of 243 mV for OER, and for ORR a mass activity of 1.12 A mgPt−1 (5.3 times than Pt/C). Moreover, the PtFeCoNiMnGa/CNT showed high durability by maintaining 95 % of its initial performance for up to 50 h. In addition, the zinc-air battery assembled with PtFeCoNiMnGa/CNT as the cathode catalyst had an open-circuit potential of 1.52 V and an energy density of 130.6 mW cm−2, and was able to operate stably for 120 h without any significant degradation.

210 A project to promote the teaching of independent cycling to children with ambulant Cerebral Palsy in Ireland

Abstract The purpose of this project is to promote the teaching of cycling to children with ambulant Cerebral Palsy (CP). Research in Australia has shown that a lower proportion of children with ambulant CP can ride compared to typically developing peers and those that could, learn later. For children with CP, there are numerous health benefits to independent cycling such as overall cardiovascular fitness and weight-management, sense of empowerment and achievement of a common childhood goal. It can be an additional mobility option and a great family activity option. It is possible that balance could improve and it may be beneficial to have exercise options which are low-impact and reduced weight-bearing. The mental health benefits also include improved sense of self-esteem and confidence alongside opportunities for social interaction and friendships. The target group for this project are a wide range of stakeholders, from therapists working with children with CP; sports inclusion officers; Cycle Right trainers and families of children with ambulant CP. Project aims to target a broad spectrum of ways for people to access support for learning to cycle. During the development of this project, a small focus group was formed with parents and children with CP who had learnt independent cycling. Cycling can be an activity which fits into a family and child-centred approach to therapy. The benefits of their new skills was discussed under the themes of the ‘F words’ of disability. An initial teaching You-Tube video was made for children with milder co-ordination difficulties. A further video is planned teaching the more specific points when working with children with hemiplegia or asymmetrical diplegia. A workshop was developed for physiotherapists focusing on how to teach cycling skills to children with CP. Further links are being established with other stakeholders to maximise roll-out of the resources and workshops. Cycling is such a fun and important activity and some specific skills are required when teaching, especially when the children have hemiplegia. This project aims to spread these teaching skills to a wide audience in the hope of as many children with CP in Ireland learning how to cycle as possible.

Supported IrO2 Nanocatalyst with Multilayered Structure for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis.

The design of a low-iridium-loading anode catalyst layer with high activity and durability is a key challenge for a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE). Here, the synthesis of a novel supported IrO2 nanocatalyst with a tri-layered structure, dubbed IrO2@TaOx@TaB that is composed of ultrasmall IrO2 nanoparticles anchored on amorphous TaOx overlayer of TaB nanorods is reported. The composite electrocatalyst shows great activity and stability toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acid, thanks to its dual-interface structural feature. The electronic interaction in IrO2/TaOx interface can regulate the coverage of surface hydroxyl groups, the Ir3+/ Ir4+ ratio, and the redox peak potential of IrO2 for enhancing OER activity, while the dense TaOx overlayer can prevent further oxidation of TaB substrate and stabilize the IrO2 catalytic layers for improving structural stability during OER. The IrO2@TaOx@TaB can be used to fabricate an anode catalyst layer of PEMWE with an iridium-loading as low as 0.26mgcm-2. The low-iridium-loading PEMWE delivers high current densities at low cell voltages (e.g., 3.9Acm-2@2.0 V), and gives excellent activity retention for more than 1500h at 2.0Acm-2 current density.

Lifetime depression and mania/hypomania risk predicted by neural markers in three independent young adult samples during working memory and emotional regulation.

Objective markers of pathophysiological processes underlying lifetime depression and mania/hypomania risk can provide biologically informed targets for novel interventions to help prevent the onset of affective disorders in individuals with subsyndromal symptoms. Greater activity within and functional connectivity (FC) between the central executive network (CEN), supporting emotional regulation (ER) subcomponent processes such as working memory (WM), the default mode network (DMN), supporting self-related information processing, and the salience network (SN), is thought to interfere with cognitive functioning and predispose to depressive disorders. Using an emotional n-back paradigm designed to examine WM and ER capacity, we examined in young adults: (1) relationships among activity and FC in these networks and lifetime depression and mania/hypomania risk; (2) the extent to which these relationships were specific to lifetime depression risk versus lifetime mania/hypomania risk; (3) whether findings in a first, Discovery sample n = 101, 63 female, age = 23.85 (2.9) could be replicated in a two independent Test samples of young adults: Test sample 1: n = 90, 60 female, age = 21.7 (2.0); Test sample 2: n = 96, 65 female, age = 21.6 (2.1). The Mood Spectrum Self-Report (MOODS-SR-L) assessed lifetime mania/hypomania risk and depression risk. We showed significant clusters of activity to each contrast in similar locations in the anatomic mask in each Test sample as in the Discovery sample, and, using extracted mean BOLD signal from these clusters as IVs, we showed similar patterns of IV-DV relationships in each Test sample as in the Discovery sample. Specifically, in the Discovery sample, greater DMN activity during WM was associated with greater lifetime depression risk. This finding was specific to depression and replicated in both independent samples (all ps<0.05 qFDR). Greater CEN activity during ER was associated with increased lifetime depression risk and lifetime mania/hypomania risk in all three samples (all ps< 0.05 qFDR). These replicated findings provide promising objective, neural markers to better identify, and guide and monitor early interventions for, depression and mania/hypomania risk in young adults.

Preparation of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles bearing sulfonic acid as an effective reusable solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of benzothiazoles

In this study, solid acid magnetic nanoparticles Fe3O4@SiO2-S-Bu-SO3H were prepared under appropriate conditions and characterized by various analytical techniques including FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, and VSM. Finally, the catalytic activity of the synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2-S-Bu-SO3H MNPs was investigated for the synthesis of valuable benzothiazole derivatives by the condensation reaction of ortho-aminothiophenol and various aldehydes under ultrasonic conditions. In the presence of the inexpensive, environment-friendly, magnetically recoverable solid acid catalyst, the benzothiazoles were obtained as pure target products in excellent yields (90–98%) and short reaction times (3–11 min). The synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2-S-Bu-SO3H MNPs show great catalytic activity because of the combined effect of Brønsted acidity and high functional group density. This solid acid magnetic nanocatalyst is reusable for several cycles and can be easily segregated from the reaction mixture.

Sn doped cobalt-based phosphide as bifunctional catalyst for ethanol oxidation reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction

The development of non-precious metal bifunctional electrocatalysts is of practical significance to solve resource shortage and energy crisis. In this study, to accelerate mass/electron transfer and maximize the area of exposed active sites, a coral-like Sn–Co–P/NF bi-functional electrocatalyst was synthesized by electrodeposition for total hydrolysis. Ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) was used to replace oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to further improve the water electrolysis rate. The catalyst showed great electrochemical activity and stability in both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under alkaline conditions. At a current density of 10 mA cm−2, the required overpotential for HER is only 59 mV (vs. RHE) and 304 mV (vs. RHE) for OER, and the corresponding Tafel slopes are 42 mV·dec−1 and 67 mV·dec−1, respectively. When EOR was substituted for anodic oxygen evolution, the overpotential could be reduced by 240 mV. In addition, when Sn–Co–P/NF is used as a water-ethanol electrolytic cell assembled with anode and cathode, the current density of 10 mA cm−2 can be reached with only 1.49 V operating voltage, which is 130 mV lower than that of hydrolysis alone, and it also shows good durability in the test of 28 h. Therefore, the experimental results show that it is feasible to use EOR instead of OER to coupling with HER, the catalyst has broad application prospects in industrial electrolysis.

Cultivable root endophytic fungi associated with Acrocomia aculeata and its antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic oomycetes.

Macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata Jacq.) is a palm, native to Brazilian territory that stands out due to the amount of oil produced with applications in the biodiesel industry, cosmetics, and food. Its commercial exploitation in Brazil, including phytosanitary management is based on concepts and practices of regenerative agriculture, which has the responsibility of sustainable cultivation by avoiding, for example, the use of chemical pesticides. Recently, root and stem rot disease were reported in macaw palm seedlings caused by Phytophthora palmivora. Managing this plant pathogen is complex, and the chemical control of this soil-borne oomycete is not viable, in addition to the negative impact on the environment. Many microorganisms are studied and used as biological control agents (BCAs) against pathogens, among them the community of endophytic fungi associated with plants. This is a sustainable biotechnological alternative for plant disease control. The community of cultivable endophytic fungi associated with healthy roots of macaw palm was explored using the extinction cultivation technique and a screening was carried out to select potential antagonists against oomycetes through the dual culture test. Specific gene regions from the best isolates were amplified for identification. A total of 250 isolates were obtained, and 46 were selected for in vitro tests against representatives of phytopathogenic oomycetes. After tests against Phytophthora heterospora, Phytophthora palmivora, Pythium aphanidermatum, and Pythium deliense, two isolates were selected as potential antagonists. The phylogenetic analysis of selected isolates showed that they belong to two different species: Talaromyces sayulitensis COAD 3605 and Epicoccum italicum COAD 3608. The percentage of inhibition of phytopathogenic oomycetes testedwas until 82% in the antagonism tests conducted. From the 46 isolates selected, only 2 were selected which showed great antagonistic activity towards all oomycetes tested. These fungi will be used in upcoming studies that aim to determine the effectiveness of endophytes in controlling diseases caused by oomycetes in the field.

Green flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam with cobalt hydroxystannate to improve the thermal stability, flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties

The ecological benefits and concerns surrounding fossil fuels had led to increased interest in bio-based rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). Nonetheless, due to its flammability, it had limited application in various fields. To solve this problem, a green bio-flame retardant, cobalt hydroxystannate (CoSn(OH)6), was prepared and compounded with montmorillonite (MMT) and chick feather protein (CF), and applied to RPUF, which not only realized the regeneration of resources, but also provided RPUF with better thermal stability, flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties. The experimental results showed that when 3 wt% CoSn(OH)6 was added, the RPUF (CF1/MMT3/Co3) had the greatest activation energy. In addition, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of CF1/MMT3/Co3 decreased by 12.73%, and 11.16% respectively, compared with no CoSn(OH)6. In addition, its Ds decreased by 28.9% and the light transmittance increased by 17.6% compared with the RPUF without CoSn(OH)6. At the same time, its peak smoke production rate (PSPR) and the total smoke release (TSR) decreased by 25% and 18%. And CF1/MMT3/Co3 also had the lowest fire risk evaluation index. This study presented possibilities for practical utilization of the RPUF substances founded on bio-based flame inhibitors.

Fine-tuning Pt nanoparticle and coordination for enhanced catalytic efficiency in microwave-assisted methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation over Pt/Al2O3 catalysts

The advancement of microwave-assisted catalysis technology will play a crucial role in the realms of energy conversion and catalysis. In this study, we developed a series of Pt/Al2O3-H catalysts by varying the reduction temperature and duration to control the Pt particle size, aiming to optimize the catalytic performance for microwave-assisted methylcyclohexane (MCH) dehydrogenation. Among the synthesized catalysts, Pt/Al2O3-H-400–15 emerged as the most effective, characterized by Pt particles of 1.5 nm and a Pt-Pt coordination number of 2.8. This particular catalyst demonstrated a high metal-support interaction, which significantly enhanced its activity and stability during the dehydrogenation process. Notably, it showed superior performance in MCH dehydrogenation under microwave irradiation, maintaining high stability and minimal methane formation over 626 h. The enhanced catalytic behavior under microwave irradiation is attributed to the elimination of low-temperature dead zones, which are commonly observed in traditional thermal catalysis, resulting in higher efficiency, greater activity, and reduced by-product and coke formation. This study underscores the potential of microwave-assisted catalysis as a more effective alternative to conventional thermal methods for the dehydrogenation of MCH.

Association between physical activity and inhibitory control in children

ABSTRACT Evidence supports a positive association between physical activity and executive function in children. How physical activity performed in different contexts associates with inhibitory control remains unclear. This cross-sectional study examined associations between inhibitory control and four measures of physical activity (activity during PE, breaktime, outside school and in sport) in 340 primary school children (8.6 ± 1.6 years old, n = 197 female). In models adjusted for sex, age, adiposity and SES, greater activity during breaktime was associated with fewer commission errors in the sustained attention (β =−0.10, 95%CI: −0.19, −2.95e-03, p = .04) and inhibition tasks (β = −0.06, 95%CI: −0.11, −9.33e-03, p = .02). These results suggest that unsupervised active play at school is associated with higher levels of inhibitory control.

Development of In Situ Methods for Preparing La-Mn-Co-Based Compounds over Carbon Xerogel for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in an Alkaline Medium.

Metal oxides containing La, Mn, and Co cations can catalyze oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) in electrochemical processes. However, these materials require carbon support and optimal interactions between both compounds to be active. In this work, two approaches to prepare composites of La-Mn-Co-based compounds over carbon xerogel were developed. Using sol-gel methods, either the metal-based material was deposited on the existing carbon xerogel or vice versa. The metal oxide selected was the LaMn0.7Co0.3O3 perovskite, which has good catalytic behavior and selectivity towards direct ORRs. All the as-prepared composites were tested for ORRs in alkaline liquid electrolytes and characterized by diverse physicochemical techniques such as XRD, XPS, SEM, or N2 adsorption. Although the perovskite structure either decomposed or failed to form using those in situ methods, the materials exhibited great catalytic activity, which can be ascribed to the strengthening of the interactions between oxides and the carbon support via C-O-M covalent bonds and to the formation of new active sites such as the MnO/Co heterointerfaces. Moreover, Co-Nx-C species are formed during the synthesis of the metal compounds over the carbon xerogel. These species possess a strong catalytic activity towards ORR. Therefore, the composites formed by synthesizing metal compounds over the carbon xerogel exhibit the best performance in the ORR, which can be ascribed to the presence of the MnO/Co heterointerfaces and Co-Nx-C species and the strong interactions between both compounds. Moreover, the small nanoparticle size leads to a higher number of active sites available for the reaction.

Exploring the potential mechanisms of the ethyl acetate fraction of Hippophae rhamnoides L. seeds as a natural healing agent for wound repair

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has been designated a "medicine food homology" fruit by the National Health Commission of China due to its nutritional value. In traditional Chinese ethnomedicine, Hippophae rhamnoides L. is commonly used to treat nonhealing wounds such as burns, sores, and gastric ulcers. The aim of this study was to explore the healing effects of the ethyl acetate extract of sea buckthorn seeds (SBS-EF) on burn wounds. Aim of the studyThe primary objectives of this research were to determine the most effective medicinal site of action for treating burns with sea buckthorn seeds (SBS) and to investigate the underlying material basis and mechanisms of their therapeutic effects. Materials and methodsThe effects of different components of SBS-EF on the proliferation and migration of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) were evaluated via MTT assays, scratch assays, transwell assays, and hydroxyproline secretion analysis. SBS-EF displayed the greatest activity amongst the extracts. Subsequent analyses included network pharmacology methodology, molecular docking studies, ultraperformance liquid chromatography UPLC-Orbitrap-Exploris-120-MS and a severe second-degree burn rat model to investigate the chemical constituents and potential therapeutic mechanisms of the SBS-EF. ResultsIn vitro studies demonstrated the efficacy of SBS-EF in promoting HSF growth and migration. UPLC-Orbitrap-Exploris-120-MS analysis revealed that SBS-EF had ten major constituents, with flavonoids being the predominant compounds, especially catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol derivatives. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses indicated that SBS-EF may exert its healing effects by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Subsequent in vivo experiments demonstrated that SBS-EF accelerated burn wound healing in rats, increased hydroxyproline expression in skin tissue, facilitated skin structure repair, and enhanced collagen production and organisation over a 21 d period. Additionally, exposure to SBS-EF upregulated WNT3a and β-catenin while downregulating GSK-3β levels in rat skin tissue. ConclusionsThe wound healing properties of SBS-EF were attributed to its ability to enhance HSF growth and migration, increase hydroxyproline levels in the skin, promote collagen accumulation, reduce scarring, and decrease the skin water content. SBS-EF may also provide therapeutic benefits for burns by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, as evidenced by its effective site and likely mechanism of action in the treatment of burned rats.

Chemically Tagging Cargo for Specific Packaging inside and on the Surface of Virus-like Particles.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) have untapped potential for packaging and delivery of macromolecular cargo. To be a broadly useful platform, there needs to be a strategy for attaching macromolecules to the inside or the outside of the VLP with minimal modification of the platform or cargo. Here, we repurpose antiviral compounds that bind to hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsids to create a chemical tag to noncovalently attach cargo to the VLP. Our tag consists of a capsid assembly modulator, HAP13, connected to a linker terminating in maleimide. Our cargo is a green fluorescent protein (GFP) with a single addressable cysteine, a feature that can be engineered in many proteins. The HAP-GFP construct maintained HAP's intrinsic ability to bind HBV capsids and accelerate assembly. We investigated the capacity of HAP-GFP to coassemble with HBV capsid protein and bind to preassembled capsids. HAP-GFP binding was concentration-dependent, sensitive to capsid stability, and dependent on linker length. Long linkers had the greatest activity to bind capsids, while short linkers impeded assembly and damaged intact capsids. In coassembly reactions, >20 HAP-GFP molecules were presented on the outside and inside of the capsid, concentrating the cargo by more than 100-fold compared to bulk solution. We also tested an HAP-GFP with a cleavable linker so that external GFP molecules could be removed, resulting in exclusive internal packaging. These results demonstrate a generalizable strategy for attaching cargo to a VLP, supporting development of HBV as a modular VLP platform.

Physicochemical, ADMET Properties, and Molecular Docking Studies of N-benzoyl-N’-naphtylthiourea Derivatives for Anti-Breast Cancer Activity

Background: N-benzoyl-N'-naphthylthiourea (BNTU) is a thiourea-derived compound that is predicted to have anti-breast cancer activity. However, their physicochemical properties, ADMET, and receptor-specific targets for their anti-breast cancer activity have not been reported. Objective: This study aimed to predict the physicochemical properties, ADMET, and anti-breast cancer activity of BNTU and its derivatives by in silico approach. Methods: The physicochemical and ADMET properties were predicted using the pkCSM online program and ProTox-II online tool. While the anti-breast cancer activity was predicted using the molecular docking method through the Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) program on the HER-2 receptor. The parameter observed in the molecular docking method was the bond energy value or rerank score (RS). Compounds with small RS values were predicted to have a great activity. Results: Most BNTU derivatives had lower RS values than BNTU, especially 4TBBNTU, and 4CFBNTU, although their RS values were still higher than lapatinib and TAK-285. As for the reference ligand hydroxyurea, the RS value of BNTU and its derivatives was much lower. The physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties (ADMET) of lapatinib and TAK-285 were not better than that of BNTU and its derivatives. Conclusion: Five compounds that deserve to be synthesized and tested for anti-breast cancer activity in vitro and in vivo are 4TBBNTU, 3CFBNTU, 4CFBNTU, 4OCBNTU, and the lead compound BNTU.

Examining the relationship between psychosocial adversity and inhibitory control: an fMRI study of children growing up in extreme poverty.

Exposure to psychosocial adversity (PA) is associated with poor behavioral, physical, and mental health outcomes in adulthood. As these outcomes are related to alterations in developmental processes, growing evidence suggests that deficits in executive functions-inhibitory control in particular-may, in part, explain this relationship. However, literature examining the development of inhibitory control has been based on children in higher resource environments, and little is known how low resource settings might exacerbate the link between inhibitory control and health outcomes. In this context, we collected fMRI data during a Go/No-Go inhibitory control task and PA variables for 68 children 5 to 7 years of age living in Dhaka, Bangladesh, an area with a high prevalence of PA. The children's mothers completed behavioral questionnaires to assess the child's PA and their own PA. Whole-brain activation underlying inhibitory control was examined using the No-Go versus Go contrast, and associations with PA variables were assessed using whole-brain regressions. Childhood neglect was associated with weaker activation in the right posterior cingulate, whereas greater family conflict, economic stress, and maternal PA factors were associated with greater activation in the left medial frontal gyrus, right superior and middle frontal gyri, and left cingulate gyrus. These data suggest that neural networks supporting inhibitory control processes may vary as a function of exposure to different types of PA, particularly between those related to threat and deprivation. Furthermore, increased activation in children with greater PA may serve as a compensatory mechanism, allowing them to maintain similar behavioral task performance.

Boosting Oxygen Electrocatalysis via Pre-Magnetized Multi Metallic Electrocatalyst

The quest for highly efficient durable and cost-effective electro catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a pivotal focus in the advancement of renewable energy conversion technologies. Transition metal-based alkaline media electrocatalysts have emerged as promising candidates due to their versatile electronic structures and cost effectiveness. Among these, magneto-electrocatalysts, integrating magnetic properties with electrocatalytic functionalities, represent a novel frontier in OER research. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to enhance OER performance via the utilization of pre-magnetized multi-metallic (Fe-Ni-Co ) doped electrocatalysts, harnessing electron spin polarization. We tailored the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the catalyst, promoting and validating the principle of spin polarization for augmenting OER activity. Through a comprehensive experimental study, we have investigated how the inclusion of magnetic components influences the catalytic activity, stability, and overall efficiency of the electrocatalyst during OER. Experimental methodologies involving material synthesis, characterization techniques (XRD,FE-SEM, VSM study) and electrochemical analysis are employed to assess the structural, magnetic, and electrocatalytic properties of the synthesized pre-magnetised electrocatalyst.We employed the Fe-modified Nickel foam (NF) substrate as a catalyst support. Three distinct electrocatalysts (EC) [NF/Fe-Ni, NF/Fe-Co, and NF/Fe-NiCo] were electrodeposited in two different types: (electrodeposition without magnetic field) and (electrodeposition with applied magnetic field 0.6 T). Observations revealed that for all three electrocatalyst, the electrocatalysts [which were synthesized by applying a magenetic field during eletro deposition and later on OER activity was measured in the absence of magnetic field ] exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity towards OER compared to its counterparts . The highest electrocatalytic activity is provided by NF/Fe-NiCo of 0.5 mA/cm2 ECSA in the absence of a magnetic field and 0.533 mA/ cm2 ECSA in the presence of magnetic field. This is superior to that of the precious metal Ru, which has a specific activity of 0.49 mA/ cm2 ECSA at 1.5V (versus RHE). After analysing the OER performance of the catalyst, we found that the activity of NF/Fe-NiCo improved from 69.15 to 89.55 mA/ cm2 when a magnetic field was applied. Capacitance measurements (15.16% increase) and ECSA measurements (22.1% increase) also corroborated this. The overpotential measurement decreased from 243.03 mV to 239.1 mV at 100 mA/ cm2. As a result, for both sets of catalysts, the magnetic field improved the current density. Comparatively OER performance in absence of magnetic field of the electrocatalyst which was synthesized by electrodeposition with applied magnetic field was better than (for the second catalyst OER activity studied under applied magnetic field. This suggests that rather than applying a magnetic field during long-term electrolysis, one may opt to apply a magnetic field during electrocatalyst production. When we compared the OER performance of these two, we discovered that NF/Fe-NiCo exhibits the greatest activity of all catalysts at 1.5V, with 91.3 mA/ cm2, although the percentage rise is lower than that of the other catalysts. However, compared to the rise in activity, the ECSA data reveals a significant increment of 56%. The data on capacitance and overpotential likewise correspond with the current density trend. With the lowest overpotential of 236.35 mV when measured at 100 mA/cm2, the NF/NiCo catalyst performed the best overall among all the catalysts. Our findings underscore the significance of electron spin polarization in boosting electrocatalytic performance, offering a promising avenue for the design and development of advanced catalysts for sustainable energy applications and in the context of their commercial viability and integration into industrial-scale electrochemical devices.

Extraction Optimization, Structural Analysis, and Potential Bioactivities of a Novel Polysaccharide from Sporisorium reilianum.

Sporisorium reilianum is an important biotrophic pathogen that causes head smut disease. Polysaccharides extracted from diseased sorghum heads by Sporisorium reilianum exhibit significant medicinal and edible value. However, the structure and biological activities of these novel polysaccharides have not been explored. In this study, a novel polysaccharide (WM-NP'-60) was isolated and purified from the fruit bodies of S. reilianum and aimed to explore the structural characteristics and substantial antioxidant and antitumor properties of WM-NP'-60. Monosaccharide composition determination, periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, 1D/2D-NMR analysis, and methylation analysis revealed that WM-NP'-60 consisted mainly of β-1,6-D-Glcp, β-1,3-D-Glcp, and β-1,3,6-D-Glcp linkages. The antioxidant assays demonstrated that WM-NP'-60 exhibited great activities, including scavenging free radicals, chelating ferrous ions, and eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells. The HepG2, SGC7901, and HCT116 cells examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed typical apoptotic bodies. Therefore, a novel fungal polysaccharide (WM-NP'-60) was discovered, extracted, and purified in this experiment, with the aim of providing a reference for the development of a new generation of food and nutraceutical products suitable for human consumption.

β-Enaminones and organic salts from 3-benzoyl-4‑hydroxy-6-phenyl-2H-pyran-2-one: Synthesis, X-ray crystal structural studies and antimicrobial activity

The reactivity of pyran-2,4‑dione 1 towards primary amines (propylamine and p-toluidine) and secodary amines (morpholine and piperidine) were investigated. The reactions were proceeded by replacement of the external alcoholic hydroxyl group with primary amine accompanied by loss of water molecule to give β-enamino-pyran-2,4-diones 2 and 3. In case of secondary amines, a transfer of the phenolic proton of pyrone ring to the secondary amine nitrogen leading to the formation of the corresponding quaternary ammonium salts of morpholine 4 and piperidine 5, respectively. The X-ray single crystal structures of 2 and 4 proved with no doubt the proposed structure based on the spectral characterization. The percentages of the H…H, O…H, and C…H interactions are in the range of 49.2–50.6 %, 19.6–19.8 and 27.6–28.6 %, respectively in case of 2 based on Hirshfeld topology analysis. For the two cationic units in 4, the C…H (15.9–18.5 %), H…H (42.9–43.1) and O…H (38.2–40.5 %) are the most important. The two anionic units showed different types of intermolecular interactions. In one unit, the O…H (23.4 %), C…H (28.4 %) and C…C (1.3 %) contacts are the most important while in the other anionic unit the O…H (23.3 %), C…H (26.7 %), C…O (5.7 %) and C…C (1.6 %) interactions are the most significant. The inhibition zones of 1 (18 mm), 4 (22 mm), and 5 (20 mm) indicated greater activity against S. aureus, compared to streptomycin (16 mm) and neomycin (13 mm). Compounds 1–5 showed nearly two-fold as much antifungicidal activity against C. albicans compared to some conventional medicines such as Neomycin and Streptomycin.

Bioassay-guided isolation of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory components from Atractylodes lancea

A bioassay-guided isolation from Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. obtained 22 compounds, including eight previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids and polyacetylenes (1, 3 and 12–17), as well as fourteen known analogues, and their structures were confirmed by extensive spectroscopic methods. This study evaluated their antibacterial activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for the first time, as well as anti-inflammatory activity. Most of them, including new compounds, showed varying degrees of antibacterial activity against S. aureus and MRSA. Notably, compound 21 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against four different bacteria (MIC 6.25–20.00 μg/mL). This suggested that 21 may have the potential to be developed into a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. Moreover, except for 9 and 11, most compounds exhibited great anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 1.92–37.91 μM), and iNOS might be a potential target of these compounds according to the molecular docking analysis.

FTO variant is associated with changes in BMI, ghrelin, and brain function following bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUNDA polymorphism in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) is linked to enhanced neural sensitivity to food cues and attenuated ghrelin suppression. Risk allele carriers regain more weight than noncarriers after bariatric surgery. It remains unclear how FTO variation affects brain function and ghrelin following surgery.METHODSResting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and cue-reactivity functional magnetic resonance imaging with high-/low-caloric food cues were performed before surgery and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery to examine brain function in 16 carriers with 1 copy of the rs9939609 A allele (AT) and 26 noncarriers (TT). Behavioral assessments up to 5 years after surgery were also conducted.RESULTSThe AT group relative to the TT group had smaller BMI loss at 12-60 months after surgery and lower resting-state activity in posterior cingulate cortex following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (group-by-time interaction effects). Meanwhile, the AT group relative to the TT group showed greater food cue responses in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), and insula (group effects). There were negative associations of weight loss with ghrelin and greater activation in DLPFC, DMPFC and insula in the AT but not the TT group.CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that FTO variation is associated with the evolution of ghrelin signaling and brain function after bariatric surgery, which might hinder weight loss.TRIAL REGISTRATIONChinese Clinical Trial Registry Center, ChiCTR-OOB-15006346.FUNDINGThis work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 82172023, 82202252, 82302292); National Key R&D Program of China (no. 2022YFC3500603); Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi (grant nos. 2022JC-44, 2022JQ-622, 2023-JC-QN-0922, 2023-ZDLSF-07); Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant nos. ZYTS23188, XJSJ23190, XJS221201, QTZX23093); and the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (grant no. Y1AA3009).