Equipping Natural Killer Cells with Specific Targeting and Checkpoint Blocking Aptamers for Enhanced Adoptive Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors

Herein, we propose an aptamer‐equipping strategy to generate specific, universal and permeable (SUPER) NK cells for enhanced immunotherapy in solid tumors. NK cells were chemically equipped with TLS11a aptamer targeting HepG2 cells and PDL1‐specific aptamer without genetic alteration. The dual aptamer‐equipped NK cells exhibited high specificity to tumor cells, resulting in higher cytokine secretion and apoptosis/necrosis compared to parental or single aptamer‐equipped NK cells. Interestingly, dual aptamer‐equipped NK cells induced remarkable upregulation of PDL1 expression in HepG2 cells, enhancing checkpoint blockade. Furthermore, in vivo intravital imaging demonstrated high infiltration of aptamer‐equipped NK cells into deep tumor region, leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors. This work offers a straightforward chemical strategy to equip NK cells with aptamers, holding considerable potential for enhanced adoptive immunotherapy in solid tumors.     

A Pressure‐Induced Inverse Order–Disorder Transition in Double Perovskites

Given the consensus that pressure improves cation ordering in most of known materials, a discovery of pressure‐induced disordering could require recognition of an order–disorder transition in solid‐state physics/chemistry and geophysics. Double perovskites Y₂CoIrO₆ and Y₂CoRuO₆ polymorphs synthesized at 0, 6, and 15 GPa show B‐site ordering, partial ordering, and disordering, respectively, accompanied by lattice compression and crystal structure alteration from monoclinic to orthorhombic symmetry. Correspondingly, the long‐range ferrimagnetic ordering in the B‐site ordered samples are gradually overwhelmed by B‐site disorder. Theoretical calculations suggest that unusual unit‐cell compressions under external pressures unexpectedly stabilize the disordered phases of Y₂CoIrO₆ and Y₂CoRuO₆.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Selective Cross‐Coupling of Ethylene Glycol and Methanol to Lactic Acid

An atom‐economic approach that has an unprecedented high selectivity for the synthesis of lactic acid (LA) based on a catalytic dehydrogenative cross‐coupling by using inexpensive bulk ethylene glycol and methanol is described. This method relies on the synthesis and utilization of a novel iridium catalyst bearing three N‐heterocyclic carbenes derived from 1,3‐dimethylbenzimidazolium salts, and exhibits outstanding activity in the production of LA [turnover frequency (TOF) up to 3660 h^?1] owing to an elegant metal–ligand cooperation.     

The Fe‐N‐C Nanozyme with Both Accelerated and Inhibited Biocatalytic Activities Capable of Accessing Drug–Drug Interactions

Emerging as a cost‐effective and robust enzyme mimic, nanozymes have drawn increasing attention with broad applications ranging from cancer therapy to biosensing. Developing nanozymes with both accelerated and inhibited biocatalytic properties in a biological context is intriguing to peruse more advanced functions of natural enzymes, but remains challenging, because most nanozymes are lack of enzyme‐like molecular structures. By re‐visiting and engineering the well‐known Fe‐N‐C electrocatalyst that has a heme‐like Fe‐N_x active sites, herein, it is reported that Fe‐N‐C could not only catalyze drug metabolization but also had inhibition behaviors similar to cytochrome P450 (CYP), endowing it a potential replacement of CYP for preliminary evaluation of massive potential chemicals, drug dosing guide, and outcome prediction. In addition, in contrast to electrocatalysts, the highly graphitic framework of Fe‐N‐C may not be obligatory for a competitive CYP‐like activity.     

Total Syntheses of Norrisolide‐Type Spongian Diterpenes Cheloviolene C,Seconorrisolide B,and Seconorrisolide C

The first total syntheses of three unusual norrisolide‐type rearranged spongian diterpenes, cheloviolene C, seconorrisolide B, and seconorrisolide C, have been accomplished via a common intermediate through late‐stage ring‐scissoring. The synthesis features a Wolff ring contraction for the synthesis of the trans‐hydrindane system, and a crucial retro Diels–Alder reaction/intramolecular ene cyclization for the rapid stereoselective construction of the furo[2,3‐b]furan system, which is commonly seen in rearranged spongian diterpenes.     

Bridge Bonded Oxygen Ligands between Approximated FeN4 Sites Confer Catalysts with High ORR Performance

The applications of the most promising Fe—N–C catalysts are prohibited by their limited intrinsic activities. Manipulating the Fe energy level through anchoring electron‐withdrawing ligands is found effective in boosting the catalytic performance. However, such regulation remains elusive as the ligands are only uncontrollably introduced oweing to their energetically unstable nature. Herein, we report a rational manipulation strategy for introducing axial bonded O to the Fe sites, attained through hexa‐coordinating Fe with oxygen functional groups in the precursor. Moreover, the O modifier is stabilized by forming the Fe?O?Fe bridge bond, with the approximation of two FeN₄ sites. The energy level modulation thus created confers the sites with an intrinsic activity that is over 10 times higher than that of the normal FeN₄ site. Our finding opens a novel strategy to manage coordination environments at an atomic level for high activity ORR catalysts.     

Flavonoid compounds and antibacterial mechanisms of different parts of white guava (Psidium guajava L. cv. Pearl)

Abstract

The flavonoid compositions, extracted from leaves, peel and flesh of white guava (Psidium guajava L. cv. Pearl), were identified and quantified by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and HPLC. The main components of three extracts all were quercetin-glycosides, but the proportion and content of quercetin-hexoside and quercetin-pentoside in each extract were different. Based on the measurements of MIC, MBC value and time killing curve, it emerged that 3 flavonoid extracts of white guava had good antibacterial effects on four pathogenic bacteria. White guava leaves flavonoids (WGLF) concentrations of 5.00?mg/mL and 0.625?mg/mL could change the micro-morphology of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. It suggested that the antibacterial mechanism of WGLF on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was to destroy the structure and function of the cell membrane. It is indicated that the flavonoid extracts from white guava is a potential natural antimicrobial agent.     

Seeking magneto-structural correlations in easily tailored pentagonal bipyramid Dy(III) single-ion magnets

Science China Chemistry - Controlling molecular magnetic anisotropy via structural engineering is delicate and fascinating, especially for single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Herein a family of...     

Photocatalysis: an overview of recent developments and technological advancements

Photocatalysis,which is the catalyzation of redox reactions via the use of energy obtained from light sources,is a topic that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years as a means of addressing the environmental and economic issues plaguing society today.Of particular interest are photosynthesis can potentially mimic a variety of vital reactions,many of which hold the key to develop sustainable energy economy.In light of this,many of the technological and procedural advancements that have recently occurred in the field are discussed in this review,namely those linked to:(1)photocatalysts made from metal oxides,nitride,and sulfides;(2)photocatalysis via polymeric carbon nitride(PCN);and(3)general advances and mechanistic insights related to TiO2-based catalysts.The challenges and opportunities that have arisen over the past few years are discussed in detail.Basic concepts and experimental procedures which could be useful for eventually overcoming the problems associated with photocatalysis are presented herein.