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While obtaining H2 from water splitting offers a promising strategy for renewable fuel production, current technologies rely on liquid freshwater. Here, authors use a hygroscopic electrolyte to achieve electrocatalytic water vapor splitting driven by renewable resources without liquid water.

Background & aimsThe effect of change in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) status on incident diabetes has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate the association of NAFLD development and remission with the risk of incident diabetes during a median of 3.5-year follow-up.MethodsA total of 2690 participants without diabetes were recruited in 2011-2012 and assessed for incident diabetes in 2014. Abdominal ultrasonography was used to determine the change of NAFLD. 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to determine diabetes. NAFLD severity was assessed using Gholam’s model. The odds ratios (ORs) for incident diabetes were estimated by logistic regression models.ResultsNAFLD was developed in 580 (33.2%) participants and NAFLD remission occurred in 150 (15.9%) participants during a median of 3.5-year follow-up. A total of 484 participants developed diabetes during follow-up, including 170 (14.6%) in consistent non-NAFLD group, 111 (19.1%) in NAFLD developed group, 19 (12.7%) in NAFLD remission group, and 184 (23.2%) in sustained NAFLD group. The development of NAFLD increased the risk of incident diabetes by 43% (OR, 1.43; 95%CI, 1.10-1.86) after adjustment for multiple confounders. Compared with sustained NAFLD group, remission of NAFLD reduced the risk of incident diabetes by 52% (OR, 0.48; 95%CI, 0.29-0.80). The effect of NAFLD alteration on incident diabetes was not changed after adjustment for body mass index or waist circumference, change of body mass index or waist circumference. In NAFLD remission group, participants with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at baseline were more likely to develop diabetes (OR, 3.03; 95%CI, 1.01-9.12).ConclusionsNAFLD development increases the risk of incident diabetes, whereas NAFLD remission reduces the risk of incident diabetes. Moreover, presence of NASH at baseline could attenuate the protective effect of NAFLD remission on incident diabetes. Our study suggests that early intervention of NAFLD and maintenance of non-NAFLD are important for prevention of diabetes.

Carbon dots (CDs), as a rising star among fluorescent nanomaterials with excellent optical properties and fascinating dual-emission characteristics, have attracted increasing attention in sensing, bio-imaging, drug delivery, and so on. The synthesis of dual-emission CDs (DE-CDs) and the establishment of ratiometric fluorescence sensors can effectively diminish background interference and provide more accurate results than single-emission CDs. Although DE-CDs have generated increased attention in many fields, the review articles about DE-CDs are still insufficient. Therefore, we summarized the latest results and prepared this review. This review first provides an overview of the primary synthesis route and commonly used precursors in DE-CDs synthesis. Then, the photoluminescence mechanism behind the dual-emission phenomenon was discussed. Thirdly, the application of DE-CDs in metal cation detection, food safety analysis, biosensing, cell imaging, and optoelectronic devices has been extensively discussed. Finally, the main challenges and prospects for further development are presented. This review presents the latest research progress of DE-CDs synthesis and its application in ratiometric sensing; hopefully, it can help and encourage researchers to overcome existing challenges and broaden the area of DE-CDs research.

Mucin glycans are an important component of the mucus barrier and a vital defence against physical and chemical damage as well as pathogens. There are 20 mucins in the human body, which can be classified into secreted mucins and transmembrane mucins according to their distributions. The major difference between them is that secreted mucins do not have transmembrane structural domains, and the expression of each mucin is organ and cell-specific. Under physiological conditions, mucin glycans are involved in the composition of the mucus barrier and thus protect the body from infection and injury. However, abnormal expression of mucin glycans can lead to the occurrence of diseases, especially cancer, through various mechanisms. Therefore, targeting mucin glycans for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer has always been a promising research direction. Here, we first summarize the main types of glycosylation (O-GalNAc glycosylation and N-glycosylation) on mucins and the mechanisms by which abnormal mucin glycans occur. Next, how abnormal mucin glycans contribute to cancer development is described. Finally, we summarize MUC1-based antibodies, vaccines, radio-pharmaceuticals, and CAR-T therapies using the best characterized MUC1 as an example. In this section, we specifically elaborate on the recent new cancer therapy CAR-M, which may bring new hope to cancer patients.

The Wunugetushan large porphyry Cu–Mo deposit in NE China is hosted by Mesozoic quartz monzonite porphyry and has a Mo-rich core and Cu-rich rim in space. In this paper, melt inclusions in porphyry intrusions and fluid inclusions in different-stage quartz veins were studied to explore potential parameters leading to Cu–Mo decoupling. Melt inclusions in porphyry intrusions have rhyolitic compositions of 71.7–85.3 wt.% SiO2, 1.9–31.3 ppm Cu and 1.7–2.6 ppm Mo. Hydrothermal activity occurred over three stages: 1) Early Mo mineralization at high temperatures (543°C–560°C) and CO2-rich fluids of intermediate salinity (11.0–17.3 wt.% NaCl equivalent), accompanied by biotitization and minor K-feldspathization; 2) Late Mo mineralization involving high-salinity (up to 77.0 wt.% NaCl equiv.) oxidized fluids at intermediate temperatures (400°C–454°C), with K-feldspathization and minor sericitization; 3) A Cu-mineralization stage with high-salinity (up to 45.6 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and CO2-barren fluids characterized by temperature peaks at 250°C–300°C and 400°C–450°C, accompanied by sericitization and illitization. Given possible variations in melt Cu/Mo ratios during magmatic activity and redox conditions, pH, fluid composition, and temperature during the hydrothermal-fluid stage led to the separation of Cu and Mo, we found that integrated parameters including increased Cu/Mo ratios in residual melt, variations in the redox state and more acidic environment of hydrothermal fluids determine spatial separation of two metals.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are currently widely used and further developed for biological applications. The MIP synthesis procedure is a key process, and a wide variety of protocols exist. The templates that are used for imprinting vary from the smallest glycosylated glycan structures or even amino acids to whole proteins or bacteria. The low cost, quick preparation, stability and reproducibility have been highlighted as advantages of MIPs. The biological applications utilizing MIPs discussed here include enzyme-linked assays, sensors, in vivo applications, drug delivery, cancer diagnostics and more. Indeed, there are numerous examples of how MIPs can be used as recognition elements similar to natural antibodies.

A novel ligand (L) bearing a bidentate nitrogen ligand unit, a phenol group and a TEMPO moiety has been synthesized. The ligand has been used as a catalyst precursor for the copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes, in the presence of K2CO3. The complex obtained in-situ from the ligand with copper(II) bromide (CuBr2) in a 2:1 acetonitrile/water mixture, selectively catalyzes the aerobic oxidation of primary benzylic and allylic alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes, and no over-oxidation products are detected. Keywords: Alcohols, Aerobic oxidation, Multifunctional ligand, TEMPO, Bidentate nitrogen ligand

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most metastatic disease with the majority of cases detected in Western countries. Metastases are formed by circulating altered phenotype tumor cells causing 20% of CRC related deaths. Metastatic cells may show higher expression of surface molecules such as CD44, and changes in morphological properties are associated with increased invasiveness and poor prognosis. In this study, we intended to mimic the environment for metastasizing cells. Here, we used digital holographic cytometry (DHC) analysis to determine cellular morphological properties of three metastatic and two non-metastatic colorectal cancer cell lines to show differences in morphology between the CRC cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). By establishing differences in cell area, cell thickness, cell volume, and cell irregularity even when the CRC cells were in minority (5% out of PBMCs), DHC does discriminate between CRC cells and the PBMCs in vitro. We also analyzed the epithelial marker EpCAM and migration marker CD44 using flow cytometry and demonstrate that the CRC cell lines and PBMC cells differ in EpCAM and CD44 expression. Here, we present DHC as a new powerful tool in discriminating cells of different sizes in suspension together with a combination of biomarkers.

Glycosylation is a common post-translational modification process of proteins. Mucin-type O-glycosylation is an O-glycosylation that starts from protein serine/threonine residues. Normally, it is involved in the normal development and differentiation of cells and tissues, abnormal glycosylation can lead to a variety of diseases, especially cancer. This paper reviews the normal biosynthesis of mucin-type O-glycans and their role in the maintenance of body health, followed by the mechanisms of abnormal mucin-type O-glycosylation in the development of diseases, especially tumors, including the effects of Tn, STn, T antigen, and different glycosyltransferases, with special emphasis on their role in the development of gastric cancer. Finally, tumor immunotherapy targeting mucin-type O-glycans was discussed.

A highly diastereoselective, atom-economical, and palladium-catalyzed Heck protocol for the assembly of structurally diverse indoline scaffolds with vicinal tertiary as well as quaternary stereocenters is described, starting from readily available N-halobenzoyl o-haloaniline derivatives and phenylboronic acids. This cascade annulation reaction, which is scalable and conducts under an ambient atmosphere, provides the valuable tetracyclic indoline derivatives in an efficient and straightforward way.

Sialic acid (SA) is a monosaccharide usually linked to the terminus of glycan chains on the cell surface. It plays a crucial role in many biological processes, and hypersialylation is a common feature in cancer. Lectins are widely used to analyze the cell surface expression of SA. However, these protein molecules are usually expensive and easily denatured, which calls for the development of alternative glycan-specific receptors and cell imaging technologies. In this study, SA-imprinted fluorescent core-shell molecularly imprinted polymer particles (SA-MIPs) were employed to recognize SA on the cell surface of cancer cell lines. The SA-MIPs improved suspensibility and scattering properties compared with previously used core-shell SA-MIPs. Although SA-imprinting was performed using SA without preference for the α2,3- and α2,6-SA forms, we screened the cancer cell lines analyzed using the lectins Maackia Amurensis Lectin I (MAL I, α2,3-SA) and Sambucus Nigra Lectin (SNA, α2,6-SA). Our results show that the selected cancer cell lines in this study presented a varied binding behavior with the SA-MIPs. The binding pattern of the lectins was also demonstrated. Moreover, two different pentavalent SA conjugates were used to inhibit the binding of the SA-MIPs to breast, skin, and lung cancer cell lines, demonstrating the specificity of the SA-MIPs in both flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy. We concluded that the synthesized SA-MIPs might be a powerful future tool in the diagnostic analysis of various cancer cells.

The modification of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via direct C-H bond functionalization has begun to receive widespread attention, due to quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives' various biological activities and pharmaceutical properties. This mini review concentrates on the accomplishments of arylation, trifluoromethylation, alkylation, and alkoxylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with hypervalent iodine(III) reagents as reaction partners or oxidants. The reaction conditions and mechanisms are compared and discussed in detail.

Sialylations are post-translational modifications of proteins and lipids that play important roles in many cellular events, including cell-cell interactions, proliferation, and migration. Tumor cells express high levels of sialic acid (SA), which are often associated with the increased invasive potential in clinical tumors, correlating with poor prognosis. To overcome the lack of natural SA-receptors, such as antibodies and lectins with high enough specificity and sensitivity, we have used molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), or “plastic antibodies”, as nanoprobes. Because high expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in primary tumors is often associated with proliferation and a more aggressive phenotype, the expression of EpCAM and CD44 was initially analyzed. The SA-MIPs were used for the detection of SA on the cell surface of breast cancer cells. Lectins that specifically bind to the a-2,3 SA and a-2,6 SA variants were used for analysis of SA expression, with both flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Here we show a correlation of EpCAM and SA expression when using the SA-MIPs for detection of SA. We also demonstrate the binding pattern of the SA-MIPs on the breast cancer cell lines using confocal microscopy. Pre-incubation of the SA-MIPs with SA-derivatives as inhibitors could reduce the binding of the SA-MIPs to the tumor cells, indicating the specificity of the SA-MIPs. In conclusion, the SA-MIPs may be a new powerful tool in the diagnostic analysis of breast cancer cells.

Green hydrogen, produced through water splitting using renewable energy, holds significant potential as an energy carrier in pursuing a low-carbon economy. However, the geographical mismatch between renewable resources and freshwater availability poses a significant challenge. This perspective analyzes the practicality of atmospheric water as an abundant source of hydrogen. We first examine the methodologies using a classical two-step process, i.e., sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting coupled with water splitting. We then dive into the state-of-the-art one-step process where atmospheric water is harvested and split directly via photovoltaic-electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, or photocatalytic processes. This perspective provides a comprehensive summary of innovative methodologies, emphasizes applications in (semi-)arid environments and outlines the technical challenges. By providing strategic guidance for developing efficient air-fed hydrogen generation technologies, the insight from this perspective aims to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen energy, especially in off-grid, distributed, or (semi-)arid communities, and propel advancements towards achieving a low-carbon and sustainable economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia (NH3) has emerged as a sustainable future fuel for a low-carbon future. Ideally, the transportation and storage of ammonia in re-purposed natural gas networks will dramatically reduce the economic burden associated with converting to ammonia. However, the highly condensable nature and small kinetic diameter of the ammonia means that this fuel readily permeates through the polymer-based elastomers and gaskets used in natural gas infrastructure. To mitigate this issue, three kinds of additives have been incorporated into the conventional natural gas elastomer poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) (NBR) to reduce ammonia permeance. The first is based on increasing the basicity of the elastomer environment, the second provides chemical reactivity with ammonia to limit transport, and the third uses barrier additives to prevent diffusion. The mechanical properties of the modified elastomers; expressed as the tensile stress at yield and Young's modulus were studied. The creation of a basic environment through the addition of amines resulted in moderate changes in ammonia permeability, with up to 50% reduction of ammonia permeability observed from putrescine added NBR. Chemical additives lowered the permeability by up to 20% with limited impact on the tensile properties. The addition of 3% graphene oxide to NBR had the most significant decrease in ammonia permeability, 80%, but also produced a more rigid material. The investigation shows that ammonia permeability can be significantly reduced in NBR elastomers, through the addition of inexpensive additives in tailored strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]