Chiral Recognition and Enantioselective Photoelectrochemical Oxidation toward Amino Acids on Single-Crystalline ZnO

A novel chiral photoanode was fabricated by in situ constructing surface molecular imprinting (MI) sites on vertically aligned single-crystalline (SC) ZnO, employing the l- or d-amino acid enantiomer as templates. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) experiments showed that the photoanode exhibited chiral recognition and enantioselective PEC oxidation ability to the template enantiomer, compared with the other one. The photocurrent response of l-Phe on the l-SC photoanode was 4.8 times the value of d-Phe. A similar result on the d-SC photoanode could also be observed. Moreover, it was found that the recognition factor obtained on the SC photoanode was 2.7-fold that of the polycrystalline counterpart. It was presumed that the enhanced PEC enantioselectivity may be attributed to the high-quality imprinting expression on the rigid surface of SC ZnO, on which the stereoselective adsorption ability was approximately 1.7 times that of the polycrystalline ZnO. The favorable photocatalytic activity of the one-dimensional SC photoanode further amplified the PEC chiral recognition ability by about 37%. Finally, the kinetics of PEC oxidation of the two enantiomers in racemic solution was investigated, and the rate constant on the proposed photoanode to the template enantiomer was above 1.75-fold that to the other enantiomer

PRRT2 mutations in a cohort of Chinese families with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and genotype–phenotype correlation reanalysis in literatures

<p><b>Purpose</b><b>of the study</b>: Though rare, children are susceptible to paroxysmal dyskinesias such as paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, and infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis. Recent studies showed that the cause of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia or infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis could be proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (<i>PRRT2</i>) gene mutations.</p> <p><b>Material and methods:</b> This study analysed <i>PRRT2</i> gene mutations in 51 families with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia or infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis by direct sequencing. In particular, we characterize the genotype–phenotype correlation between age at onset and the types of <i>PRRT2</i> mutations in all published cases.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Direct sequencing showed that 12 out of the 51 families had three different pathogenic mutations (c.649dupC, c.776dupG, c.649C>T) in the <i>PRRT2</i> gene. No significant difference of age at onset between the patients with and without <i>PRRT2</i> mutations was found in this cohort of patients. A total of 97 different <i>PRRT2</i> mutations have been reported in 87 studies till now. The <i>PRRT2</i> mutation classes are wide, and most mutations are frameshift mutations but the most common mutation remains c.649dupC. Comparisons of the age at onset in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia or infantile convulsions patients with different types of mutations showed no significant difference.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> This study expands the clinical and genetic spectrums of Chinese patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis. No clear genotype–phenotype correlation between the age at onset and the types of mutations has been determined.</p

Interactions of ε‑Polylysine with Carboxymethyl Sweet Potato Starch with an Emphasis on Amino/Carboxyl Molar Ratio

The interaction between ε-polylysine (ε-PL) and anionic polysaccharides has gained considerable attention recently because of its scientific impact on the stability and appearance of liquid food systems. The purpose of this study was to characterize the interactions between ε-PL and carboxymethyl sweet potato starch (CSS) using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), electrical charge, and turbidity measurements. The results showed that the interaction between ε-PL and CSS was electrostatic and mainly dependent on the molar ratio of amino groups in ε-PL to carboxyl groups in CSS. Additionally, the interaction between ε-PL and CSS was also associated with pH, degree of substitution (DS) of CSS, and ionic strength of the system. For the interaction of ε-PL with high DS (>0.235) CSS, three states of the ε-PL/CSS mixture were observed as transparent, turbid, and precipitated with a successive increase in amino/carboxyl molar ratio. Distinguishingly, a transparent mixture could be obtained for CSS with low DS (0.114) at a sufficiently high amino/carboxyl molar ratio. The present study provided basic guidance in designing liquid food systems containing both ε-PL and CSS

PRRT2 mutations in a cohort of Chinese families with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and genotype–phenotype correlation reanalysis in literatures

<p><b>Purpose</b><b>of the study</b>: Though rare, children are susceptible to paroxysmal dyskinesias such as paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, and infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis. Recent studies showed that the cause of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia or infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis could be proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (<i>PRRT2</i>) gene mutations.</p> <p><b>Material and methods:</b> This study analysed <i>PRRT2</i> gene mutations in 51 families with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia or infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis by direct sequencing. In particular, we characterize the genotype–phenotype correlation between age at onset and the types of <i>PRRT2</i> mutations in all published cases.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Direct sequencing showed that 12 out of the 51 families had three different pathogenic mutations (c.649dupC, c.776dupG, c.649C>T) in the <i>PRRT2</i> gene. No significant difference of age at onset between the patients with and without <i>PRRT2</i> mutations was found in this cohort of patients. A total of 97 different <i>PRRT2</i> mutations have been reported in 87 studies till now. The <i>PRRT2</i> mutation classes are wide, and most mutations are frameshift mutations but the most common mutation remains c.649dupC. Comparisons of the age at onset in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia or infantile convulsions patients with different types of mutations showed no significant difference.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> This study expands the clinical and genetic spectrums of Chinese patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis. No clear genotype–phenotype correlation between the age at onset and the types of mutations has been determined.</p

Double-Layer 3D Macro–Mesoporous Metal Oxide Modified Boron-Doped Diamond with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

In this work, a TiO₂/Sb-doped SnO₂ electrode was prepared on the boron-doped diamond (BDD) substrate with double-layer three-dimensional macro–mesoporous (DL3DOM-m) structure, using the polystyrene sphere (PS) vertical deposition method. The as-prepared DL3DOM-m TiO₂/SnO₂/BDD was employed for organic contaminant removal, showing excellent photoelectrocatalytic performance. SEM, XRD and XPS indicated that DL3DOM-m electrode possessed a 3D macroporous layered framework with uniform pore size (about 400 nm), nanosized particles (4.5–5.8 nm), and high electroactive surface area (3-fold more than that of BDD). SA-XRD indicated the backbone of DL3DOM-m electrode had mesoporous structure. It was found that the as-prepared electrode exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity, high photocurrent and outstanding absorption capability (91.0 μg cm^–2). Furthermore, bisphenol A (BPA) was completely decomposed after 3 h of reaction applying DL3DOM-m electrode as photoanode, and that on BDD was only 58.9%. It indicated that the modified electrode had great potential to be used in practical water treatment with high photoelectrochemical performance

Three-Dimensional Homogeneous Ferrite-Carbon Aerogel: One Pot Fabrication and Enhanced Electro-Fenton Reactivity

This work focuses on constructing a high catalytic activity cathode of an electro-Fenton system, to overcome the defects of low activity, poor stability, and intricate fabrication of supported catalysts. A series of ferrite-carbon aerogel (FCA) monoliths with different iron/carbon ratios was synthesized directly from metal–resin precursors accompanied by phase transformation. Self-doped ferrite nanocrystals and carbon matrix were formed synchronously via moderate condensation and sol-gel processes, leading to homogeneous texture. An optimal 5% ferric content FCA was composed of coin-like carbon nano-plate with continuous porous structure, and the ferric particles with diameters of dozens of nanometers were uniformly embedded into the carbon framework. The FCA exhibited good conductivity, high catalytic efficiency, and distinguished stability. When it was used as an electro-Fenton cathode, metalaxyl degradation results demonstrated that 98% TOC elimination was realized after 4 h, which was 1.5 times higher than that of the iron oxide supported electrode. It was attributed to self-doped Fe@Fe₂O₃ ensuring Fe­(II) as the mediator, maintaining high activity via reversibe oxidation and reduction by electron transfer among iron species with different valences. Meanwhile, an abundance of independent reaction microspaces were provided for every ferric crystal to in situ decompose electrogenerated H₂O₂. Moreover, the possible catalytic mechanism was also proposed. The FCA was a promising candidate as potential cathode materials for high-performance electro-Fenton oxidation

Synthesis and Characterization of Fatty Acid Oat β‑Glucan Ester and Its Structure–Curcumin Loading Capacity Relationship

An amphiphilic fatty acid oat β-glucan ester (FAOGE) was first synthesized, and its structure–curcumin loading capacity (CLC) relationship was investigated. The DS of product increased with the addition of acyl imidazole, decreased with <i>M</i>_w of β-glucan, and did not relate to the acyl chain length. Characterizations by FT-IR and ¹H NMR evidenced the presence of ester groups in FAOGE and confirmed its successful synthesis. The aqueous self-aggregation behavior of FAOGE was revealed by transmission electron microcopy and dynamic light scattering. With the aid of response surface methodology, a quadratic polynomial equation was obtained to quantitatively describe the structure–CLC relationship of FAOGE by using <i>M</i>_w of β-glucan, acyl chain length, and DS as variables. The CLC increased with <i>M</i>_w of β-glucan and acyl chain length but maximized at a medium DS. The maximum CLC value was obtained as 4.05 μg/mg. Hence, FAOGE is a potential candidate in solubilizing and delivering hydrophobic food ingredients

Continuous Bulk FeCuC Aerogel with Ultradispersed Metal Nanoparticles: An Efficient 3D Heterogeneous Electro-Fenton Cathode over a Wide Range of pH 3–9

Novel iron–copper–carbon (FeCuC) aerogel was fabricated through a one-step process from metal-resin precursors and then activated with CO₂ and N₂ in environmentally friendly way. The activated FeCuC aerogel was applied in a heterogeneous electro-Fenton (EF) process and exhibited higher mineralization efficiency than homogeneous EF technology. High total organic carbon (TOC) removal of organic pollutants with activated FeCuC aerogel was achieved at a wide range of pH values (3–9). The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of real dyeing wastewater was below China’s discharge standard after 30 min of treatment, and the specific energy consumption was low (9.2 kW·h·kg^–1COD^–1), corresponding to a power consumption of only ∼0.34 kW·h per ton of wastewater. The enhanced mineralization efficiency of FeCuC aerogel was mostly attributable to ultradispersed metallic Fe–Cu nanoparticles embedded in 3D carbon matrix and the CO₂–N₂ treatment. The CO₂ activation enhanced the accessibility of the aerogel’s pores, and the secondary N₂ activation enlarged the porosity and regenerated the ultradispersed zerovalent iron (Fe⁰) with reductive carbon. Cu⁰ acted as a reduction promoter for interfacial electron transfer. Moreover, activated FeCuC aerogel presented low iron leaching (<0.1 ppm) in acidic solution and can be molded into different sizes with high flexibility. Thus, this material could be used as a low-cost cathode and efficient heterogeneous EF technology for actual wastewater treatment

Florets of Sunflower (<i>Helianthus annuus</i> L.): Potential New Sources of Dietary Fiber and Phenolic Acids

Ray florets (Rf) and disc florets (Df) are agricultural byproducts of sunflower seeds. Their nutrition-related compounds were determined. The dietary fiber contents in Rf and Df were 42.90 mg/100 g and 58.97 mg/100 g. In both florets, palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were identified as the three most abundant fatty acids, and the saturated ones constitute approximately two-thirds (w/w) of the total fatty acids. Lysine was the limiting amino acid in both florets by World Health Organization standards. Sixteen phenolic compounds, nine free and eight bound, mainly depsides, were identified in florets by RP-HPLC-DAD/ESI-TOF-MS. The free and bound phenolic compounds in Df were higher than in Rf. 1,5-di-<i>O</i>-caffeoylquinic acid was the predominant free phenolic compound in both florets. The present study revealed that the florets of sunflower are rich sources of dietary fiber, Fe, and phenols

High-Yield and Selective Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction of CO₂ to Formate by Metallic Copper Decorated Co₃O₄ Nanotube Arrays

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction to useful chemicals is of great significance to global climate and energy supply. In this study, CO₂ has been photoelectrocatalytically reduced to formate at metallic Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs) decorated Co₃O₄ nanotube arrays (NTs) with high yield and high selectivity of nearly 100%. Noticeably, up to 6.75 mmol·L^–1·cm^–2 of formate was produced in an 8 h photoelectrochemical process, representing one of the highest yields among those in the literature. The results of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and photoelectrochemical characterization demonstrated that the enhanced production of formate was attributable to the self-supported Co₃O₄ NTs/Co structure and the interface band structure of Co₃O₄ NTs and metallic Cu NPs. Furthermore, a possible two-electron reduction mechanism on the selective PEC CO₂ reduction to formate at the Cu–Co₃O₄ NTs was explored. The first electron reduction intermediate, CO_2 ads^•–, was adsorbed on Cu in the form of Cu–O. With the carbon atom suspended in solution, CO_2 ads^•– is readily protonated to form the HCOO^– radical. And HCOO^– as a product rapidly desorbs from the copper surface with a second electron transfer to the adsorbed species