Aiming at the issue of unbalanced carrier injection in conventional quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), this study adopts a solution based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). However, the limited fluorescence lifetime of existing FRET donor materials restricts the efficiency of this strategy in green QLEDs. To address this problem, this study employs the thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material bis[4-(9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine)phenyl]methanone (DMAC-BP) with a long emission lifetime as an exciton sensitization layer, which is embedded as a thin film between the hole transport layer and the quantum dot emission layer. This structural design significantly enhances the FRET efficiency to 77.29%, thus efficiently transferring excitons to the quantum dot emission layer. On this basis, the fabricated green QLEDs achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 20.21% and a maximum current efficiency (CE) of 90.59 cd/A, representing improvements of approximately 38% compared to reference devices without a sensitizing layer. Meanwhile, the device lifetime (T80) was extended to 5 times that of the standard device. This work not only verifies the advantages of TADF materials in addressing the FRET efficiency problem of green QLEDs, but also pioneers a new practical pathway for the development of high-performance and long-lifetime QLEDs.
Malachite green (MG), an illegally used aquaculture dye with carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, remains a persistent contaminant in aquatic environments and food chains, necessitating the development of highly sensitive and reliable analytical platforms for trace-level monitoring. In this study, a hierarchical EuFeO3/ZnO@Ti3C2T x MXene heterostructure was successfully engineered as a noble-metal-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for ultrasensitive MG detection in aquaculture water. The hierarchical assembly of EuFeO3 and ZnO on conductive Ti3C2T x MXene generated electronically coupled heterointerfaces that facilitated rapid charge transfer and efficient carrier transport. Structural and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful formation of the ternary architecture with intimate interfacial integration, enhanced visible-light absorption, enlarged surface accessibility, and significantly suppressed charge-carrier recombination compared with pristine and binary systems. Consequently, the EuFeO3/ZnO@Ti3C2T x substrate delivered markedly amplified Raman responses, achieving ultrasensitive MG detection at concentrations as low as 10-9 M with an enhancement factor of 7.31 × 106. The substrate further demonstrated excellent linearity, reproducibility, and stable analytical performance in complex aquaculture water matrices, achieving recoveries ranging from 82.7% to 111.8% with relative standard deviations below 13.8%. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the enhanced SERS activity was predominantly governed by chemical enhancement arising from interfacial charge-transfer interactions between the heterostructure and MG molecules, while the conductive MXene scaffold accelerated electron transport and strengthened analyte-substrate coupling. This work not only demonstrates an effective strategy for constructing MXene-based semiconductor heterostructures with enhanced charge-transfer characteristics, but also provides a promising noble-metal-free SERS platform for practical food safety monitoring and environmental contaminant detection.
Cities are subject to rapid urbanisation, climate change and environmental challenges. Lagos, being the 4th most populous city in the world and Africa, is also facing these challenges. The study investigates the impact of implementing the green city development principle (GCDP) as a framework to enhance residents' well-being in Lagos, Nigeria. The instruments used were an In-Depth Interview (IDI) guide, an observation schedule and a GCDP checklist to determine the Lagos Megacity implementation level. The interpretivist and constructivist paradigms were engaged as the research philosophy. The findings present several obstacles that hinder GCDP's practical implementation and the relationship between GCDP implementation and residents' well-being in a megacity. Based on the findings, the study provides recommendations for policymakers and urban planners to enhance the effectiveness of GCDP implementation and promote sustainable urban development in Lagos while endorsing GCDP initiatives to improve well-being in cities.
Ionic liquids (ILs) are regarded as environmentally friendly solvents due to their favorable physicochemical properties, including low volatility and high thermal stability. However, their high water solubility and poor degradation pose potential threats to aquatic ecosystems. Based on domestic and international research, the present study systematically reviews the toxic effects of ILs on multi-trophic-level organisms in aquatic food chains, including producers, primary and secondary consumers, and summarizes the toxic mechanisms of ILs in aquatic organisms. It also delves deeply into the key factors that influence the toxicity intensity of ILs. In addition, a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the large existing dataset is conducted, and the results of the Meta-analysis further reveal the impacts of different types of ILs and exposure conditions on aquatic organisms. These research results provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the green application of ILs, the assessment and early warning of ecological risks, and guidance for future research on ILs.
Graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial, exhibits a large surface area, rich oxygen-containing functionalities, and favorable aqueous dispersibility, making it a suitable platform for drug delivery. However, traditional covalent modification strategies frequently involve multistep procedures or the use of hazardous organic solvents. In this study, GO was functionalized via a novel green strategy: Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition of maleic anhydride (MA) utilizing deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as a sustainable reaction medium. The resulting GO-PEG nanocarriers, formed through subsequent esterification with poly(ethylene glycol) lithium alkoxide, were thoroughly characterized by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, and TGA. This DES-based approach distinguishes itself from prior DA functionalizations by offering an environmentally benign pathway that maintains high grafting efficiency without the need for toxic volatile media. The optimized DOX/GO-PEG nanohybrids exhibited a high doxorubicin (DOX) loading capacity of 128.4 wt.% at a feed ratio of 150:1 (DOX/GO-PEG, w/w) and demonstrated pH-responsive drug release-77.3% at pH 5.0 and 36.3% at pH 7.4 after 72 h. Cytotoxicity studies showed that GO-PEG exhibited negligible toxicity to HEK293 cells, whereas DOX/GO-PEG induced potent, dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HeLa cancer cells. Confocal imaging confirmed DOX nuclear accumulation in treated HeLa cells. This study provides a first-time demonstration of DES-mediated DA PEGylation on GO, establishing a high-efficiency and eco-friendly framework for advanced nanocarrier synthesis.
An efficient and green protocol for the multicomponent one-pot synthesis of [1, 3] oxazine derivatives has been achieved by encapsulating a biomolecule on a solid magnetic support. This methodology encompasses mild reaction conditions, ease of catalyst separation, and catalyst reusability. Further, the use of ultrasonic energy in the reaction not only led to improved yield but also to a shorter reaction time. Preliminary biological evaluation of the prepared compounds reveals that some of the derivatives exhibited interesting anti-tubercular and anti-microbial activity towards the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, The compound 3-Cyclohexyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphtho[2,1-e] [1, 3] oxazine (4d) exhibited an MIC value of 15.6 μg/mL, equivalent to that of the standard Fluconazole against Candida albicans. An improved MIC value of 15.6 μg/mL was displayed for Bacillus subtilis as compared to the standard value of Chloramphenicol and an MIC value of 1.57 μg/mL against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, which is near-equivalent to that of Ethambutol. While for 4-(6-chloro-7-methyl-2H-benzo[e] [1, 3] oxazin-3(4H)-yl) benzonitrile (9b), it showed an MIC value of 31.25 μg/mL which is equivalent to that of the standard Chloramphenicol and an MIC value of 3.25 μg/mL against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) offer various advantages - biodegradability, non-toxicity, lower cost and are used as a replacement for various metal oxide-based nanoparticles. Despite these advantages, the use of CQDs remains limited. This study investigates the synthesis of CQDs using cowpea seeds and their application as nano-additives in bio-based Pongamia oil as a lubricant. The addition of CQDs enhanced the lubricating properties of Pongamia oil. At a concentration of 0.15 wt% CQDs, the nanofluid improved the viscosity and anti-wear properties while reducing the friction compared to the base oil. The enhancement in tribological properties of Pongamia oil after the addition of CQDs was rationalised based on the correlation among viscosity, activation energy, wear, friction, thermal conductivity, flash point, and fire point. The analysis of the wear scar surface revealed lower wear and fewer grooves on the metal surface lubricated with CQD-modified Pongamia oil compared to the base oil. The results offer a simple and effective strategy for using CQDs in base oil as nanoadditives, thereby increasing the tribological properties.
Sustainability has become an essential consideration in modern chemical analysis. The green analysis focused on reducing pollution, energy consumption, and waste generation. In addition, the sustainability rules take into account both economic and societal ramifications. Switchable Solvents (SSs) are green solvents developed last year to address pollution issues. This study provides a full examination of SSs, including their designation, characteristics, and applications, with a focus on their importance in sustainability. In this context, the present review examines the types of SS solvents used in sample preparation processes. In contrast, this work shifts the focus from "what" these solvents can do to "how" they align with global sustainability standards. This work introduces the computational tools necessary to measure environmental impact. By applying the Sustainability of Analytical Methods Index (SAMI) software and SIX Score tool for the first time, these provide an objective, data-driven score for sample preparation. In addition, this review adds strategic evaluation by using tools like the sample preparation metric of sustainability (SPMS) and need-quality-sustainability (NQS). This transition from a purely chemical perspective to a "sustainability-first" perspective is essential for the future. Furthermore, this review critically examines sustainability goals, sustainability tools, study cases, reproducibility analysis, conclusions, and future perspectives.
Based on comprehensive morphological and molecular data analyses, this study confirms that three populations of Sinocrassula from central Yunnan Province represent two distinct new species, which are described herein as Sinocrassula kunmingensis J.Guan Wang & Jing Zhao and S. chenggongensis J.Guan Wang & Jing Zhao. Morphologically, the two new species are most similar to S. adpressa, S. crassifolia, S. obliquifolia, and S. yongshengensis. However, S. kunmingensis is characterized by its greenish-yellow or red stem leaves without spots, subligulate nectar scales, reddish-purple flowers, ovate-lanceolate bracts, and petals with a slight central protrusion; S. chenggongensis is distinguished by its green stem leaves with purplish-red spots, subligulate nectar scales, pinkish-purple flowers, oblong-elliptic bracts with an oblique apex, and petals without a protrusion. This combination of morphological characters can be clearly distinguished from those of similar species. Phylogenetic analyses further reveal that the two new species form two independent clades with strong support and are sister to each other.
Lignin, a renewable biomass-derived aromatic polymer, is restricted by poor solubility and low accessibility of its active functional groups, which hinders its application in high-performance materials. Herein, a dynamic covalent chemistry strategy was proposed: lignin was solubilized in 1,3-propanediol via hydrogen bonding, and lignin-based covalent adaptable networks (CANs) were fabricated through synergistic ring-opening esterification, thiol-anhydride reaction, and thiol-ene click reaction, integrating dual dynamic mechanisms (anhydride-hydroxyl transesterification and anhydride-thiol thioester exchange) for dynamic responsiveness. The optimal sample (L1P1MT1, anhydride:thiol = 1:1) exhibits excellent performance: as an adhesive, it achieves a shear strength of 11.8 MPa on steel with stable bonding over -40°C to 40°C and in complex media, plus thermal debonding at 130°C; as a matrix, carbon fiber composites prepared via vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) show superior tensile properties and can be fully degraded in 1 M NaOH at 25°C within 7 h. Recycled carbon fibers retain their original structure and performance, enabling closed-loop recycling. This work realizes high-value lignin utilization, providing a green route toward high-performance, sustainable CANs with broad prospects in adhesives and advanced composites, thereby advancing green materials development and the polymer circular economy.
Climate change is disproportionately warming the Arctic, leading to changes in weather patterns that affect breeding phenology for many Arctic species. Despite extensive research on non-predatory birds, few studies have examined the impacts of climate change on higher trophic levels, especially those comparing breeding phenology and productivity between migratory and resident species. Our study used long-term monitoring data from 11 sites monitoring migratory peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and 9 sites monitoring resident gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) across the circumpolar Arctic. We used remotely sensed environmental data to explore how environmental conditions affect breeding phenology and productivity for both species. We analyzed 5546 peregrine and 2241 gyrfalcon hatch records and observed earlier hatch dates at 5 of 9 gyrfalcon sites and 4 of 11 peregrine sites. In the Low Arctic, peregrines advanced hatch dates by 0.41 days/decade and gyrfalcons by 1.62 days/decade, whereas in the Sub Arctic, we observed a trend toward later hatch dates for gyrfalcons. Greater spring temperatures and vegetation greenness consistently resulted in earlier hatch dates for both species. Earlier snowmelt was linked to earlier hatch dates for peregrines and higher productivity for both species. Our data suggest that long-distance migrating peregrines advance their phenology less than resident gyrfalcons, aligning with other studies showing that long-distance migrants possess more fixed annual schedules and are less likely to align with variations in spring green-up compared to residents. Contrary to our hypothesis, greater summer temperatures reduced productivity in both species. Given our findings, we recommend more detailed research on how summer temperatures affect productivity, as nestlings could suffer higher mortality from heat prostration than previously anticipated. Our findings indicate that while climate change affects breeding timing and productivity, the impact varies, suggesting increased weather variability could lead to more unpredictable responses in falcon breeding ecology in the Arctic.
Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris, L.), is a vital temperate crop, supplying nearly 40% of the world's sugar. However, its high susceptibility to bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases creates an urgent need for improved, disease-resistant cultivars. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has rapidly advanced plant genetic engineering by enabling precise and targeted genome modifications. Our goal is to establish a gene-editing platform in sugarbeet to support future development of disease-resistant lines by targeting the candidate genes. In this study, we applied CRISPR/Cas9 to generate targeted mutations in two genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis and carotenoid-mediated leaf pigmentation: magnesium chelatase (Mg-chelatase) and phytoene desaturase (PDS). Two CRISPR/Cas9 constructs, each carrying an sgRNA targeting either Mg-chelatase or PDS, were developed and mobilized into Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A total of 233 and 200 hypocotyl explants were transformed with constructs targeting Mg-chelatase and PDS, resulting in regeneration efficiencies of 8% and 14% on kanamycin selection medium, respectively. Light green, yellow, variegated yellow-green, and albino phenotypes were observed among the putative transformants, whereas non-edited transformed lines resembled untransformed control plants. Targeted mutations, including insertions, deletions, and substitutions of nucleotides, were identified at both genomic loci, with editing efficiencies of 60.0% for Mg-chelatase and 68.75% for PDS underscoring the effectiveness of this approach in sugarbeet, a recalcitrant crop. Deletions ranged from 5 to 28 bp in Mg-chelatase and 2 to 21 bp in PDS, while insertion events consisted of single-base additions in Mg-chelatase edited lines and larger insertions of 7-16 bp in PDS mutants. The results demonstrate the successful deployment of CRISPR/Cas9 for targeted genome engineering in sugarbeet and establish a reliable platform for future gene-editing efforts aimed at enhancing resistance to a wide range of pathogens and diseases affecting the crop.
Quasi-2D perovskites have exhibited significant potential in perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) because of their advantages of high color purity and high photoluminescent quantum yield. Currently, the performance of green PeLEDs is primarily limited by low-n phases and defects in perovskite films, which result in low carrier mobility and non-radiative recombination. Herein, we propose a tri-functional additive strategy to obtain high-quality perovskite films by incorporating biocompatible salicylates (sodium salicylate (NaSA) and potassium salicylate (KSA)) into quasi-2D perovskite. This strategy demonstrates that the salicylate can passivate Pb defects through the coordination of C═O with unsaturated Pb2+ ions and suppress the low-n phase formation via the interaction of the ─OH group with PEA+ ions. Moreover, alkali metal ions (Na+ or K+) regulate the crystallization process and promote the radiative recombination. With such tri-functionalization, the quasi-2D pure green PeLEDs with NaSA as additive achieved a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 22.06% with emission peak at 527 nm and a maximum luminance of 36785 cd/m2. This work provides new insights into the role of multifunctional additives to enhance the electroluminescent performance of PeLEDs.
The green synthesis method was developed to manufacture of iron oxide nanoparticles using Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Identification of Prepared Nanoparticles the identity of synthesized nanoparticles was unequivocally determined as α-Fe2O3 (hematite) from XRD analysis showing the rhombohedral crystal structure (JCPDS No: 33-0664); earlier drafts inconsistently referred to preparation as Fe3O4 and this has been changed throughout this manuscript for consistency. SEM, EDX, FTIR XRD and DLS were used to characterize the morphology, composition and structure of the nanoparticles. Particles on the other hand, had quasi-spherical morphology as well as relatively low average diameters (10.84 ± 5.22 nm) and high crystallinity. FTIR analysis validates the potential role of phytomolecules as capping and stabilizing agents. The photocatalytic experimental notation corrected: almost ~99% degradation of Rhodamine B dye under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) in 340 min pseudo-first-order kinetics (k = 0.0079 min-1). Antioxidant activity of HDPC using DCFH-DA assay: DCFH-DA assay for the measurement of intracellular ROS was performed on the different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 2 mg/ml) of EPE which confirmed a concentration-dependent reduction of intracellular ROS in HDPC with ~70% reduction in fluorescence at the highest delivery rate (0.5 mg/ml). The reduction in ROS observed was indicative of real antioxidant activity as cell viability (MTT assay) confirmed this effect to be non-cytotoxic. It exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), with S. aureus being the most sensitive strain. MIC values: S. aureus 0.25 mg/ml; E. coli 0.50 mg/ml; B. subtilis 0.50 mg/ml. The green Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibited multifunctional photocatalytic properties, as well as antioxidant and antibacterial activity, making them novel frontline agents for environmental remediation and biomedicine.
Remediating vacant lots is associated with reductions in neighborhood violence and other adverse health outcomes, potentially via increasing visible cues-to-care that signal stewardship. However, accurately measuring these cues over time remains challenging, limiting our ability to measure the sustained effects of lot remediation. We developed a standardized audit protocol using subject-matter and community experts and assessed vacant lot cues-to-care from Google Street View imagery of vacant lots in Philadelphia from 2007-2023. We fit a two-parameter item response theory model to combine the observable cues-to-care measured consistently into a single latent score representing the lot care condition. We validated the latent score by testing its sensitivity to a randomized controlled greening trial and a local lot maintenance program. Five raters audited 3419 images (518 vacant lots; 6315 ratings) captured from July 2007-October 2023. We selected reliable and conceptually aligned items to fit an item response theory (IRT) model representing a latent score of lot care condition and evaluated validity of that score. Average pairwise Cohen's kappa for audited items was 0.31 (SD=0.14) across all raters, and 0.55 (SD=0.18) among our most concordant raters. Eight items with above-moderate reliability (K>0.40) were retained for the final IRT model, which demonstrated high internal reliability (0.96). This IRT-derived care score was sensitive to improvements in lot conditions following greening interventions and enrollment in a lot maintenance program. Our IRT-derived score can be used to measure vacant lot care condition accurately over time. This can support long-term evaluation of vacant lot remediation interventions.
Decalcification is a critical step in bone and cartilage histology that directly influences tissue preservation and staining quality. This study aimed to establish an efficient decalcification protocol for ovine stifle joint tissues while optimizing their morphological preservation and staining performance. Samples from the distal femoral condyles of four sheep were allocated to three experimental groups according to the decalcification protocol: 2% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 0.1% nitric acid, and a combination of both reagents. Samples were evaluated at different time points for mineral removal, preservation of cellular and tissue architecture, and staining quality using hematoxylin and eosin and Safranin O/Fast Green techniques. Histological preservation was assessed using the O'Driscoll scoring criteria. The 0.1% nitric acid protocol demonstrated the best balance between decalcification efficiency and tissue preservation, achieving satisfactory mineral removal within 48 h while maintaining cartilage and subchondral bone morphology. In contrast, EDTA requires longer decalcification periods (5-7 days), resulting in slower mineral removal and mild, progressive loss of cellular detail over time. The combined EDTA-nitric acid protocol promoted rapid decalcification but caused substantial tissue degradation, reducing histological quality. Histological evaluation confirmed that the preservation of hyaline cartilage architecture, chondrocyte morphology, extracellular matrix staining, and osteochondral organization was superior in the nitric acid group. These findings indicate that 0.1% nitric acid is a reliable and time-efficient protocol for decalcifying ovine osteochondral tissues, enabling adequate histological evaluation while preserving tissue integrity. This study provides a practical methodological reference for the histological processing of ovine joint tissues in experimental and translational research settings. A descalcificação é uma etapa crítica na histologia óssea e cartilaginosa, influenciando diretamente a preservação do tecido e a qualidade da coloração. Este estudo teve como objetivo estabelecer um protocolo eficiente de descalcificação para tecidos da articulação do joelho de ovinos, otimizando a preservação morfológica e o desempenho da coloração. Amostras do côndilo femoral distal de quatro ovelhas foram divididas em três grupos experimentais de acordo com o protocolo de descalcificação: ácido etilenodiaminotetracético (EDTA) a 2%, ácido nítrico a 0,1% e uma combinação de ambos os reagentes. As amostras foram avaliadas em diferentes momentos quanto à remoção de minerais, preservação da arquitetura celular e tecidual e qualidade da coloração, utilizando as técnicas de hematoxilina e eosina (H&E) e Safranina O/Fast Green. A preservação histológica foi adicionalmente avaliada utilizando os critérios de pontuação de O’Driscoll. O protocolo com ácido nítrico a 0,1% demonstrou o melhor equilíbrio entre eficiência de descalcificação e preservação tecidual, alcanando remoção satisfatória de minerais em 48 horas, mantendo a morfologia da cartilagem e do osso subcondral. Em contraste, o EDTA exigiu períodos de descalcificação mais longos (5–7 dias), resultando em remoção mais lenta de minerais e uma perda leve e progressiva de detalhes celulares ao longo do tempo. O protocolo combinado de EDTA e ácido nítrico promoveu uma descalcificação rápida, mas causou degradação tecidual substancial e reduziu a qualidade histológica. A avaliação histológica confirmou que o grupo tratado com ácido nítrico proporcionou uma preservação superior da arquitetura da cartilagem hialina, da morfologia dos condrócitos, da coloração da matriz extracelular e da organização osteocondral. Esses achados indicam que o ácido nítrico a 0,1% é um protocolo confiável e eficiente em termos de tempo para a descalcificação de tecidos osteocondrais ovinos, permitindo uma avaliação histológica adequada ao mesmo tempo em que preserva an integridade do tecido. O estudo fornece uma referência metodológica prática para o processamento histológico de tecidos articulares ovinos em contextos de pesquisa experimental e translacional.
We report robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy for isthmic clear cell renal cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney with aberrant aortic arterial supply. Intraoperative management utilized indocyanine green-guided near-infrared fluorescence imaging, intraoperative ultrasonography, and ligation of aberrant arterial branches supplying the mass. Pathology demonstrated a 4.6-cm WHO/ISUP grade 3 clear cell RCC, pathologic stage pT1b with negative surgical margins. Postoperative recovery was uncomplicated with preserved renal function and no recurrence at 6 months. This case highlights the importance of detailed anatomic delineation during nephron-sparing surgery in complex horseshoe kidney anatomy.
To determine the prevalence of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) microrips within serous pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) in first-episode acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and to assess their spatial relationship with focal angiographic leakage using multimodal imaging. Retrospective observational case series. Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients with acute CSCR (symptom duration <3 months). All eyes underwent spectral-domain OCT, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Imaging biomarkers at leakage sites included PEDs, RPE microrips, outer retinal erosion and outer retinal pinching, pachyvessels, midphase ICGA hyperfluorescent plaques, and subfoveal choroidal thickness. Clinical outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity, subretinal fluid (SRF) resolution, recurrence, and progression to chronic disease. Mean age was 44.5 ± 10.0 years, and 61.5% of patients were male. PEDs colocalized with the focal leakage site in all eyes, whereas RPE microrips colocalized with the site of focal angiographic leakage in 66.7% of eyes, with good interobserver agreement (κ = 0.79) observed. Outer retinal erosion and outer retinal pinching were observed in 38.5% and 12.8% of eyes, respectively. Midphase ICGA hyperfluorescent plaques were observed in 56.4% and pachyvessels in 46.2% of cases. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.24 ± 0.25 (20/34 Snellen) to 0.10 ± 0.17 logMAR (20/25 Snellen) at final follow-up, with complete SRF resolution in 68.4%. Baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness correlated with SRF height (P = 0.018), but no baseline imaging biomarkers predicted final visual or anatomical outcomes. RPE microrips within serous PEDs frequently are observed and precisely colocalise with focal leakage in acute CSCR, supporting a mechanical model of focal RPE dehiscence driven by increased choroidal pressure. These findings provide insight into CSCR pathophysiology and may inform therapeutic strategies.
Cadmium (Cd) contamination coupled with nitrogen (N) eutrophication in coastal ecosystems poses complex challenges to marine primary producers. However, the modulatory role of N availability in macroalgal Cd2+ tolerance remains inadequately understood. This study investigated the physiological, biochemical, and subcellular phenotypic mechanisms underlying N-mediated Cd2+ resistance in two dominant green tide-forming macroalgae, Ulva prolifera and Ulva linza. Both species were exposed to factorial combinations of three N levels (0, 500, 1000 μM NaNO3) and three Cd2+concentrations (0, 20, 80 μM CdCl2) for 7 days. Results demonstrated that N supplementation significantly alleviated Cd2+-induced growth inhibition. Under 20 μM Cd2+ stress, 1000 μM N enhanced relative growth rates by 84% in Ulva prolifera and 154% in Ulva linza compared to N-depleted controls. N supply effectively protected photosystem II (PSII) function, elevating maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), effective quantum yield, and photosynthetic pigment contents. Notably, N enrichment concomitantly increased total Cd2+ accumulation while mitigating its toxicity. Subcellular fractionation revealed that under N deficiency, Cd²⁺ was predominantly bound to the cell wall fraction (>60% of total cellular Cd²⁺). N supplementation significantly increased absolute Cd²⁺ content across all fractions but decreased its relative proportion in the cell wall, driving a redistribution toward the intracellular soluble fraction.This redistribution coincided with a remodelling of the osmotic solute profile: N application increased soluble proteins and free amino acids while reducing soluble sugars and stress-induced proline accumulation. Ulva linza consistently demonstrated greater physiological metabolic resilience than Ulva prolifera. Collectively, these phenotypic data reveal an apparently paradoxical but ecologically meaningful pattern in which N availability decouples Cd²⁺ accumulation from physiological toxicity, coincident with subcellular Cd²⁺ redistribution, osmotic solute remodelling, and photosynthetic protection. This study provides insights relevant to optimizing phycoremediation strategies in heavy metal-contaminated, eutrophic coastal waters.
The catabolism of the priority environmental pollutant 2,4-xylenol requires bacteria to oxidize its ortho-methyl group. Its exact biochemical mechanism is uncharacterized until now. In this study, we resolve key metabolic bottlenecks in Pseudomonas putida NCIMB 9866. We demonstrate that functionally redundant Rieske oxygenase systems ensure the robust ortho-methyl oxidation of 2,4-xylenol. On the para-methyl oxidation branch, PchA2 acts as the main aldehyde dehydrogenase. It shows significantly higher catalytic efficiency than the previously reported PchA. Additionally, we characterized PmmA1B1, a newly identified three-component Rieske oxygenase system responsible for ortho-methyl oxidation, which is supported by two redundant isoenzymes (PmmA2B2 and PmmA3B3), by recruiting the shared endogenous ferredoxin Orf05169. The PmmA1B1-Orf05169 system catalyzes the successive oxidation of the ortho-methyl group of 4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzoate to a carboxyl group, yielding the high-value pharmaceutical precursor 4-hydroxyisophthalate. Structural and kinetic data revealed that the active site architecture of PmmA1 enables efficient successive oxidation, distinguishing it from isoenzymes PmmA2B2 and PmmA3B3 that, when coupled with Orf05169, catalyze only incomplete oxidation. Overall, these results complete the 2,4-xylenol catabolic pathway by defining the enzymes required for both para- and ortho-methyl oxidation. They also reveal functional redundancy as an adaptive feature of microbial aromatic degradation and establish Rieske oxygenases as biocatalysts for converting methylated aromatic pollutants into value-added chemicals.IMPORTANCEMethylated aromatics like 2,4-xylenol pose ongoing environmental risks and are primary targets for bioremediation. We know how bacteria break down many simple aromatics, but the precise ways that enzymes bypass the steric and electronic hurdles of hindered methyl groups remain unclear. In this study, we characterized a novel three-component Rieske oxygenase, PmmA1B1-Orf05169, capable of a rare successive oxidation that turns an ortho-methyl group directly into a carboxyl group. We also found parallel, redundant oxygenase pathways that protect the bacterium's ability to degrade 2,4-xylenol during environmental stress or genetic loss. This discovery not only completes the metabolic map of 2,4-xylenol but also provides a robust biocatalytic tool for the green synthesis of 4-hydroxyisophthalate, a high-value pharmaceutical precursor.