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STUDY QUESTION Do biallelic deleterious variants of Calreticulin 3 (CALR3) cause fertilization failure (FF), resulting in male infertility in humans? SUMMARY ANSWER Biallelic mutations in CALR3 were identified in two infertile men from unrelated families and were shown to cause FF associated with failed sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In male mice, the Calr3 -knockout has been reported to cause male infertility and FF. However, the mechanism behind this remains unclear in humans. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Sequencing studies were conducted in a research hospital on samples from Han Chinese families with primary infertility and sperm head deformations to identify the underlying genetic causes. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Data from two infertile probands characterized by sperm head deformation were collected through in silico analysis. Sperm cells from the probands were characterized using light and electron microscopy and used to verify the pathogenicity of genetic factors through functional assays. Subzonal insemination (SUZI) and IVF assays were performed to determine the exact pathogenesis of FF. ICSI were administered to overcome CALR3-affected male infertility. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Novel biallelic deleterious mutations in CALR3 were identified in two infertile men from unrelated families. We found one homozygous frameshift CALR3 mutation (M1: c.17_27del, p.V6Gfs*34) and one compound heterozygous CALR3 mutation (M2: c.943A>G, p.N315D; M3: c.544T>C, p.Y182H). These mutations are rare in the general population and cause acrosomal ultrastructural defects in affected sperm. Furthermore, spermatozoa from patients harbouring the CALR3 mutations were unable to bind to the sperm-ZP or they disrupted gamete fusion or prevented oocyte activation. Molecular assays have revealed that CALR3 is crucial for the maturation of the ZP binding protein in humans. Notably, the successful fertilization via SUZI and ICSI attempts for two patients, as well as the normal expression of PLCζ in the mutant sperm, suggests that ICSI is an optimal treatment for CALR3-deficient FF. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The results are based on sperm-related findings from two patients. Further studies are required to gain insight into the developmental stage and function of CALR3 in human testis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings highlight the underlying risk of FF associated with sperm defects and provide a valuable reference for personalized genetic counselling and clinical treatment of these patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFC2700901), Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center Medical-Industrial Integration Medical Equipment Innovation Research Platform Project (4801001202), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82201803, 82371621, 82271639), Foundation of the Education Department of Anhui Province (gxgwfx2022007), Key Project of Natural Science Research of Anhui Educational Committee (2023AH053287), and the Clinical Medical Research Transformation Project of Anhui Province (202204295107020037). The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato is an important food crop in China.Its stems,leaves and petioles are rich in nutrients(collectively called sweet potato leaves),and have many physiological functions such as antioxidant,lipid-lowering,reducing cholesterol,hypoglycemic,anticancer and antibacterial functions.Therefore,the development and utilization of sweet potato leaf resources will help to play its value.To provide references for the full utilization of sweet potato leaf resources and related industrial development,the main problems and countermeasures for the preservation and processing of sweet potato leaves in China were discussed in this paper.

STUDY QUESTION Does a homozygous nonsense mutation in ACR lead to total fertilization failure (TFF) resulting in male infertility in humans? SUMMARY ANSWER A novel homozygous nonsense mutation of ACR (c.167G>A, p.Trp56X) was identified in two infertile brothers and shown to cause human TFF. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ACROSIN, encoded by ACR , is a major acrosomal enzyme expressed only in the acrosome of the sperm head. Inhibition of acrosin prevents sperm penetration of the zona pellucida (ZP) in several species, including humans. Acr -knockout in hamsters causes male infertility with completely blocked fertilization. Of note, there are no reports of ACR mutations associated with TFF in humans. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used for the identification of pathogenic genes for male factor TFF in eight involved couples. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Data from eight infertile couples who had experienced TFF during their IVF or ICSI attempts were collected. Functional assays were used to verify the pathogenicity of the potential genetic factors identified by WES. Subzonal insemination (SUZI) and IVF assays were performed to determine the exact pathogenesis of TFF caused by deficiencies in ACROSIN. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A novel homozygous nonsense mutation in ACR , c.167G>A, p.Trp56X, was identified in two additional primary infertile brothers whose parents were first cousins. This rare mutation caused ACROSIN deficiency and acrosomal ultrastructural defects in the affected sperm. Spermatozoa lacking ACROSIN were unable to penetrate the ZP, rather than hampering sperm binding, disrupting gamete fusion, or preventing oocyte activation. These findings were supported by the fertilization success of SUZI and ICSI attempts, as well as the normal expression of ACTL7A and PLCζ in the mutant sperm, suggesting that ICSI without remedial assisted oocyte activation is an optimal treatment for ARCOSIN-deficient TFF. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The absence of another independent pedigree to support our argument is a limitation of this study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings expand our understanding of the genes involved in human TFF, providing information for appropriate genetic counseling and fertility guidance for these patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 82201803, 81901541, 82271639, and 32000584), University Synergy Innovation Program of Anhui Province (GXXT-2019-044), and the Nonprofit Central Research Institute Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (grant no. 2019PT310002). The authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide bandgap (Eg) mixed‐halide perovskite has attracted much attention for applications in photovoltaic devices. However, devices featuring this type of perovskite are often subject to a large voltage deficit due to the occurrence of phase segregation, which limits the relevant devices' access to high performances. Here, the correlation of the phase segregation and voltage losses for wide‐Eg mixed‐halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is clarified by experiments and simulations. Taking 1.67 eV Eg mixed‐halide perovskite as an example, it is confirmed experimentally that the control devices produce a poor physical morphology, a locally widened Eg, and an inferior electrical response. By suppressing the phase segregation, the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) can be boosted from 1.15 to 1.20 V, which is a high value for the 1.67 eV Eg mixed‐halide PSCs. An electrical simulation of phase segregation reveals that the performance degeneration can be attributed to the bulk recombination due to the energy level mismatch of the varied Egs. Moreover, a theoretical perspective is produced to expatiate on the strategies for the high Voc of wide‐Eg PSCs. This study brings deep guidance to unlock the potential for high‐performance mix‐halide PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Pd/Cu-cocatalyzed isocyanide-insertion cyclization of indoles and hydrolysis of enamines has been developed for the construction of indolo[1,2- a ]quinoxalinones. A secondary amine group on the N -phenylindole skeleton acts as an important directing groups that participates in activation of the C(2)-position of the indole and the subsequent isocyanide-insertion cyclization. The fragile generated enamine bond is easily hydrolyzed by the acid medium to give the corresponding quinoxalinone skeleton. This regioselective and high-yielding transformation, which avoids the use of hazardous CO gas, might be extendable to syntheses of natural polycyclic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell membrane-coated nanomaterials are increasingly recognized as effective in cancer treatment due to their unique benefits. This study introduces a novel hybrid membrane coating nanoparticle, termed cancer cell membrane (CCM)-outer membrane vesicle (OMV)@Lip-indocyanine green (ICG), which combines CCMs with bacterial OMV to encapsulate ICG-loaded liposomes. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to assess its physical and chemical properties as well as its functionality. Demonstrating targeted delivery capabilities and good biocompatibility, CCM-OMV@Lip-ICG nanoparticles showed promising photothermal and immunotherapeutic effects in tumor models. By inducing hyperthermia-induced tumor therapy and bolstering antitumor immunity, CCM-OMV@Lip-ICG nanoparticles exhibit a synergistic therapeutic effect, providing a new perspective for the management of cancer.