Strategies for increasing saikosaponins accumulation in Bupleurum: insights from environmental and microbial regulation.

Suitable environments (low light, drought, adequate nutrients, moderate salinity, low temperature) and microorganisms (endophytic fungi, AMF, Trichoderma) promote saikosaponins accumulation by regulating key enzymes and transcription factors in biosynthetic pathways. Saikosaponins (SSs) are the principal bioactive constituents and crucial quality control markers in the genus Bupleurum. They possess diverse pharmacological activities, such as sedation, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammation, antitumor, antiviral, and hepatoprotection.

Method for fabricating silica glass aspherical lenses combining layer-by-layer photopolymerization printing with real-time depth testing.

This study proposes a method for real-time in situ testing of the "liquid glass" vertical printing parameters based on light-curing layer-by-layer printing technology. The method involves constructing an optical monitoring system on the side of the printing box, which allows for real-time observation of the printing structure formation process. By considering the effects of oxygen inhibition, demolding force, and other factors during the actual printing process, the most precise printing parameters can be obtained.

Cathodic tandem alkylation/dearomatization of heterocycles enabled by Al-facilitated carbonyl deoxygenation.

Developing efficient strategies for the deoxygenative functionalization of carbonyl compounds is crucial for enhancing the effective utilization of biomass and the upgrading of chemical feedstocks. In this study, we present an elegant cathodic reduction strategy that enables a tandem alkylation/dearomatization reaction between quinoline derivatives and aryl aldehydes/ketones in a one-pot process. Our approach can be executed via two distinct paths: the aluminum (Al)-facilitated spin-center shift (SCS) path and the Al-facilitated direct deoxygenation path.

Testing of spherical mirrors with extremely large R numbers using a quasi-autocollimation method.

Spherical mirrors with large R numbers have extreme advantages in optical systems with large apertures and long focus lengths for improving imaging resolution and field of view. Their manufacturing and testing accuracy directly affects the final wavefront aberration of the systems. However, due to the influence of airflow disturbance in the long optical path, testing large R number spherical mirrors with high precision is difficult for the direct testing method.

Integrated Artificial Neural Network with Trainable Activation Function Enabled by Topological Insulator-Based Spin-Orbit Torque Devices.

Nonvolatile memristors offer a salient platform for artificial neural network (ANN), yet the integration of different function and algorithm blocks into one hardware system remains challenging. Here we demonstrate the brain-like synaptic (SOT-S) and neuronal (SOT-N) functions in the BiTe/CrTe heterostructure-based spin-orbit torque (SOT) device. The SOT-S unit exhibits highly linear and symmetrical long-term potentiation/depression process, resulting in a fast-training of the MNIST data set with the classification accuracy above 90%.

Electroreductive deuteroarylation of alkenes enabled by an organo-mediator.

Electroreduction mediated by organo-mediators has emerged as a concise and effective strategy, holding significant potential in the site-specific introduction of deuterium. In this study, we present an environmentally friendly electroreduction approach for -Markovnikov selective deuteroarylation of alkenes and aryl iodides with DO as the deuterium source. The key to the protocol lies in the employment of a catalytic amount of 2,2'-bipyiridine as an efficient organo-mediator, which facilitates the generation of aryl radicals by assisting in the cleavage of the C-X (X = I or Br) bonds in aryl halides.

Nanoscale thermal imaging of hot electrons by cryogenic terahertz scanning noise microscopy.

Nanoscale thermal imaging and temperature detection are of fundamental importance in diverse scientific and technological realms. Most nanoscale thermometry techniques focus on probing the temperature of lattice or phonons and are insensitive to nonequilibrium electrons, commonly referred to as "hot electrons." While terahertz scanning noise microscopy (SNoiM) has been demonstrated to be powerful in the thermal imaging of hot electrons, prior studies have been limited to room temperature.

Electrochemically Driven para-Selective C(sp)-H Alkylation Enabled by Activation of Alkyl Halides without Sacrificial Anodes.

With alkyl halides (I, Br, Cl) as a coupling partner, an electrochemically driven strategy for para-selective C(sp)-H alkylation of electron-deficient arenes (aryl esters, aldehydes, nitriles, and ketones) has been achieved to access diverse alkylated arenes in one step. The reaction enables the activation of alkyl halides in the absence of sacrificial anodes, achieving the formation of C(sp)-C(sp) bonds under mild electrolytic conditions. The utility of this protocol is reflected in high site selectivity, broad substrate scope, and scalable.

Development of a sensitive direct competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for gentamicin based on the construction of a specific single-chain variable fragment-alkaline phosphatase fusion protein.

A sensitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) was established for the determination of gentamicin (GEN) residue levels in animal tissue. This assay is based on a fusion protein of single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and alkaline phosphatase (AP). Initially, V and V derived from anti-gentamicin monoclonal antibody were linked by a short peptide to construct a scFv.

Fabrication of a large computer-generated hologram with high diffraction efficiency and high accuracy by scanning homogenization etching.

The diffraction efficiency, defined as the ratio of diffracted power to incident power, is one of the key working indicators for a computer-generated hologram (CGH). The CGH with high diffraction efficiency could suppress stray light and eliminate ghost images, thus improving interferometric performance in aspherical testing of low-reflectivity or large off-axis distance surfaces. However, the high-efficiency CGH is hard to precisely fabricate by traditional reactive ion etching and focusing ion beam, because it requires high etching depth with a high uniformity and sub-nanometric roughness in the glass, especially in the fabrication of a large CGH with an aperture of up to 300 mm.

Electrochemically Driven C4-Selective Decyanoalkylation of Cyanopyridines with Unactivated Alkyl Bromides Enabling C(sp)-C(sp) Coupling.

With cyanopyridines and alkyl bromides as coupling partners, an electrochemically driven C4-selective decyanoalkylation has been established to access diverse 4-alkylpyridines in one step. The reaction proceeds through the single electron reduction/radical-radical coupling tandem process under mild electrolytic conditions, achieving the cleavage of the C(sp)-CN bond and the formation of C(sp)-C(sp). The practicality of this protocol is illustrated by no sacrificial anodes, a broad substrate scope, and gram-scale synthesis.

Elimination of surface/subsurface defects on additively manufactured AlSi10Mg mirrors through nano-second laser irradiation.

Metal mirrors have attracted increasing attention for satisfying the growing demands for high-performance optics in airborne and spaceborne remote sensing systems. Additive manufacturing has enabled the development of metal mirrors with reduced weight and improved strength. AlSi10Mg is the most widely used metal for additive manufacturing.

Enhanced absorption of infrared light for quantum wells in coupled pillar-cavity arrays.

Periodic pillars of semiconductor in sub-wavelength size can serve multiple roles as diffracting, trapping and absorbing light for effective photoelectric conversion which has been intensively studied in the visible range. Here, we design and fabricate the micro-pillar arrays of AlGaAs/GaAs multi quantum wells(QWs) for high performance detection of long wavelength infrared light. Compared to its planar counterpart, the array offers 5.

Cathodic Carbonyl Alkylation of Aryl Ketones or Aldehydes with Unactivated Alkyl Halides.

An efficient cathodic carbonyl alkylation of aryl ketones or aldehydes with unactivated alkyl halides has been realized through the electrochemical activation of iron. The protocol is believed to include a radical-radical coupling or nucleophilic addition process, and the formation of ketyl radicals and alkyl radicals has been demonstrated. The protocol provides various tertiary or secondary alcohols by the formation of intermolecular C-C bonds under safe and mild conditions, is scalable, consumes little energy, and exhibits a broad substrate scope.

Challenges and strategies in high-accuracy manufacturing of the world's largest SiC aspheric mirror.

In the process of manufacturing the world's largest silicon carbide (SiC) aspheric mirror, the primary difficulties are mirror blank preparation, asphere fabrication, and testing, as well as cladding and coating. Specifically, the challenges include the homogeneity of the complicated structure casting, accuracy and efficiency of the fabrication process, print-through effect, fidelity and precision of test procedure, stress and denseness of cladding process, the dynamic range of interferometric measurement, and air turbulence error due to the long optical path. To break through such a barrier of difficulties, we proposed the water-soluble room temperature vanishing mold and gel casting technology, homogeneous microstructure reaction-formed joint technology, nano-accuracy efficient compound fabrication, gravity unloading technology, high-denseness low-defect physical vapor deposition (PVD) Si-cladding technology, test data fusion method, and time-domain averaging method, etc.

Fringe projection profilometry method with high efficiency, precision, and convenience: theoretical analysis and development.

Fringe projector profilometry (FPP) is an important three-dimensional (3D) measurement technique, especially when high precision and speed are required. Thus, theoretical interrogation is critical to provide deep understanding and possible improvement of FPP. By dividing an FPP measurement process into four steps (system calibration, phase measurement, pixel correspondence, and 3D reconstruction), we give theoretical analysis on the entire process except for the extensively studied calibration step.

Curvature effect-based modeling and experimentation of the material removal in polishing optical surfaces using a flexible ball-end tool.

Optical surfaces with high quality have been widely applied in high-tech industries for their excellent performances. To precision manufacture those surfaces efficiently and effectively, various machining technologies involved become extremely crucial. As one of the promising ultra-precision machining technologies, inflated or solid elastic tool polishing has attracted more attention for its own superiority.

Electrochemically induced Markovnikov-type selective hydro/deuterophosphonylation of electron-rich alkenes.

The regioselective hydro/deuterophosphonylation of electron-rich alkenes with P(O)H compounds has been realized a metal-free electrochemically induced strategy, accessing various Markovnikov-type adducts in high yields. A series of monodeuterated organophosphorus compounds with high deuterium (D) incorporation are subsequently obtained by adding DO as the D source. The protocol features broad substrate scope, low energy consumption, high atom economy, and scalability.

Classification and Prognostic Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Glycolysis Cholesterol Synthesis Axis.

Background: Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is among the most frequent causes of cancer-related death across the world with a considerably poor prognosis. The current study targeted providing a new type of LIHC from the perspective of the glycolysis/cholesterol synthesis axis, predicting its prognostic characteristics, and exploring the potential role and mechanism of the glycolysis/cholesterol synthesis axis in the occurrence and development of LIHC.

Methods: Based on the two expression profile data and clinical information of LIHC in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and hepatocellular carcinoma database (HCCDB), as well as glycolysis/cholesterol-related genes from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB), unsupervised consistent clustering method was used to identify molecular subtypes.

Integrative analysis of the characteristic of lipid metabolism-related genes for the prognostic prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is implicated in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We therefore investigated the molecular characteristics of lipid-metabolism-related genes in HCC.

Methods: Multi-dimensional bioinformatics analysis was conducted to comprehensively identify the lipid metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) from public databases, as well as the clinical information, immune features, and biological characteristics of HCC.

Production of high affinity monoclonal antibody and development of indirect competitive chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for gentamicin residue in animal tissues.

To determine gentamicin residues in animal tissues, a monoclonal antibody (Mab) was produced and a sensitive indirect competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (icCLEIA) was developed. At first, gentamicin was conjugated with bovine serum albumin as immunogens which were used to immunize BALB/c mice. Then, an anti-gentamicin Mab was prepared by hybridoma technology.

Design and Fabrication of Extremely Lightweight Truss-Structured Metal Mirrors.

Three-dimensional printing, also called additive manufacturing (AM), offers a new vision for optical components in terms of weight reduction and strength improvement. A truss, which is a triangulated system of members that are structured and connected in such a way that they mainly bear axial force, is commonly used in steel structures to improve stiffness and reduce weight. Combining these two technologies, an extremely lightweight truss-structured mirror was proposed.

Cathodic Regioselective Coupling of Unactivated Aliphatic Ketones with Alkenes.

A regioselective coupling of aliphatic ketones with alkenes has been realized by cathodic reduction. This reaction enables the formation of ketyl radicals and the activation of challenging alkenes under mild electrolysis conditions, providing an effective protocol for accessing diverse tertiary alcohols with substrate-dependent regioselectivity. The practicability of this reaction is demonstrated by scale-up experiments.

CircRNA MFACR Is Upregulated in Myocardial Infarction and Downregulates miR-125b to Promote Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Induced by Hypoxia.

Circular RNA (circRNA) MFACR promotes cardiomyocyte death that leads to myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to explore the role of MFACR in MI. T-qPCRs were performed to measure the expression levels of MFACR and miR-125b in plasma samples from both MI patients (n = 61) and healthy controls (n = 61).