Characteristic fragmentation behavior of the analogs of endomorphin-2 with phenylglycine in position 3 or 4 by ESI-FT tandem mass spectrometry

A series of analogs of endomorphin-2 （EM-2） with phenylglycine （Phg） in position 3 or 4 were synthesized. In electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance （ESI-Fr-ICR） MS/MS spectra of these compounds, some b, y, a, and internal ions were observed and slight mass differences between the calculated and observed results are obtained. Their sequences were derived successfully. However, the MS/MS patterns of these analogs with Dphg and Lphg were very similar. It is hard to distinguish them by MS/MS spectra. Moreover, if the third position was substituted by phenylglycine （L or D）, a rearrangement could occur in MS/MS experiment to lose proline residue.

Deciphering the placental abnormalities associated with somatic cell nuclear transfer at single-nucleus resolution

Dear Editor,The placenta connecting the fetus to the matermal uterus provides material exchange and an immune-tolerant environment for the embryo in all eutherian mammals(Shao et al.,2022).The representative mouse placenta displays a multilayered structure with distinct characteristics and functions,including the matermal decidua,junctional zone,and labyrinth layer(Marsh and Blelloch,2020).The decidua,which is thought to be derived from the matermal endometrium(and further undergoes decidualization),provides an anchor for fetal trophoblast invasion.The junctional zone predominantly contains spongiotrophoblasts(SpT),glycogen trophoblasts(GlyT),and trophoblast giant cells(TGCs).The labyrinth is the innermost two-layer structure,which mainly consists of syncytiotrophoblast cells(SynTI and SynTII),sinusoidal TGCs(S-TGCs),and fetal endothelial cells(Simmons and Cross,2005).

Single-cell Immune Landscape of Human Recurrent Miscarriage

t Successful pregnancy in placental mammals substantially depends on the establishment of maternal immune tolerance to the semi-allogenic fetus.Disorders in this process are tightly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including recurrent miscarriage(RM).However,an indepth understanding of the systematic and decidual immune environment in RM remains largely lacking.In this study,we utilized single-cell RNA-sequencing(scRNA-seq)to comparably analyze the cellular and molecular signatures of decidual and peripheral leukocytes in normal and unexplained RM pregnancies at the early stage of gestation.Integrative analysis identifies 22 distinct cell clusters in total,and a dramatic difference in leukocyte subsets and molecular properties in RM cases is revealed.Specifically,the cytotoxic properties of CD8^(+)effector T cells,nature killer(NK),and mucosal-associated invariant T(MAIT)cells in peripheral blood indicates apparently enhanced pro-inflammatory status,and the population proportions and ligand–receptor interactions of the decidual leukocyte subsets demonstrate preferential immune activation in RM patients.The molecular features,spatial distribution,and the developmental trajectories of five decidual NK(dNK)subsets have been elaborately illustrated.In RM patients,a dNK subset that supports embryonic growth is diminished in proportion,while the ratio of another dNK subset with cyto toxic and immune-active signature is significantly increased.Notably,a unique pro-inflammatory CD56^(+)CD16^(+)dNK subset substantially accumulates in RM decidua.These findings reveal a comprehensive cellular and molecular atlas of decidual and peripheral leukocytes in human early pregnancy and provide an in-depth insight into the immune pathogenesis for early pregnancy loss.

One Step Fabrication of Co3O4-PPy Cathode for Lithium-O2 Batteries

Conventional binders in the cathode of Li-O2 batteries are insulated, and integrate with the catalyst and the conducting carbon-support by physical mixing. This limits the transfer of electrons, degrades the cathode structure due to swelling, and finally leads to capacity fading and is deleterious to cycleability. In this study, we realized, for the first time, a one-step fabricated Co3O4-PPy cathode characterized by an in-situ formed conductive polymer binder. The functional binder, polypyrrole （PPy）, was synthesized through electrical method, which acted as both the binder and supporting material in the Li-O2 battery. Based on the conductive property of PPy, we obtained the Co3O4-PPy@Ni electrode via the process of CV electro-deposition. This method results in uniform distribution of Co3O4 nanoparticles and can simplify the preparation process of the air cathodes. The Li-O2 battery with the Co3O4-PPy@Ni cathode can discharge/charge for over 30 cycles under the limited specific capacity of 1000 mAh/g. The cycleability and impedance spectra of the Li-O2 battery with the functional binder of PPy are superior to the battery with conventional binders. Conventional binders in the cathode of Li-O2 batteries are insulated, and integrate with the catalyst and the conducting carbon-support by physical mixing. This limits the transfer of electrons, degrades the cathode structure due to swelling, and finally leads to capacity fading and is deleterious to cycleability. In this study, we realized, for the first time, a one-step fabricated Co3O4-PPy cathode characterized by an in-situ formed conductive polymer binder. The functional binder, polypyrrole （PPy）, was synthesized through electrical method, which acted as both the binder and supporting material in the Li-O2 battery. Based on the conductive property of PPy, we obtained the Co3O4-PPy@Ni electrode via the process of CV electro-deposition. This method results in uniform distribution of Co3O4 nanoparticles and can simplify the preparation process of the air cathodes. The Li-O2 battery with the Co3O4-PPy@Ni cathode can discharge/charge for over 30 cycles under the limited specific capacity of 1000 mAh/g. The cycleability and impedance spectra of the Li-O2 battery with the functional binder of PPy are superior to the battery with conventional binders.

Placental Development and Pregnancy-Associated Diseases

Serving as the interface between the fetal and maternal environments during gestation,the placenta plays critical roles in the protection of the developing fetus and the maintenance of maternal health.The placenta is primarily derived from the embryonic trophectoderm which differentiates into various subtypes of trophoblast cells through villous and extravillous pathways.The interactions among trophoblasts and multiple decidual cells and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface fundamentally form the functional units of the placenta,which are responsible for blood perfusion and maternal-fetal material exchange,immune tolerance,and the regulation of pregnancy adaptation.Defects in placental development and functional maintenance are in tight association with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia.In this article,we review recent advances on human trophoblast cell differentiation and the construction of placental functional units and discuss the placental and maternal factors that may contribute to the occurrence of preeclampsia.