The present disclosure provides isolated nepetalactone oxidoreductase polypeptides (NORs), nepetalactol synthases (NEPSs), and related polynucleotides, engineered host cells, and cultures, as well as methods for producing NORs and NEPSs, and for using them to produce nepetalactol, nepetalactone, and dihydronepetalactone. The present disclosure also provides methods for engineering cells (e.g., microbial cells) to produce nepetalactone from a fermentation substrate such as glucose, as well as engineered cells having this capability and related cultures and methods for producing nepetalactone.

The present invention relates to specific complexes comprising heavy metal ions having an atomic number of 29 or higher and 83 or lower (preferably 29 or higher and 81 or lower) and one or more ligand(s) selected from the group consisting of specific xanthene derivatives, preferably eosin Y and/or erythrosin B ligand(s). In particular, the invention relates to the use of the complexes as ex vivo contrast agents for a computed tomography scanning of a biological sample. Moreover, the invention relates to specific ex vivo methods for investigating a biological sample by means of computed tomography scanning methods, wherein the method comprises staining the biological sample with a solution comprising one or more of the complex(es); or wherein the method comprises staining the biological sample with a staining solution comprising one or more specific xanthenes derivatives (e.g. eosin Y and/or erythrosin B), and separately contacting the biological sample with one or more staining solution(s) comprising one or more heavy metal ions having an atomic number of 29 or higher and 83 or lower (preferably 29 or higher and 81 or lower).

The present invention discloses a method for preparing a cyclopenta[c]chromene compound. A cationic rare earth compound [Ln(CH).sub.3CN).sub.9].sup.3+[(AlCl.sub.4).sub.3].sup.3−.CH.sub.3CN is used as a catalyst, and p-methyl thiophenol is used as an accelerator for a catalytic reaction of a chalcone compound so as to prepare a product; and Ln, contained in the catalyst, represents a positive trivalent rare earth metal ion and is selected from one of La, Nd, Sm, Gd and Yb. According to the method, the starting materials are easy to obtain, the reaction process is simple, the catalyst usage is low, the catalyst is universally applicable to various substituted 2-hydroxy chalcones, and the obtained cyclopenta[c]chromene compound has not been reported. The catalyst synthesis method is simple and easy to obtain, and the yield of the target product is high.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing a cyclopenta[c]chromene compound. A cationic rare earth compound [Ln(CH).sub.3CN).sub.9].sup.3+[(AlCl.sub.4).sub.3].sup.3−.CH.sub.3CN is used as a catalyst, and p-methyl thiophenol is used as an accelerator for a catalytic reaction of a chalcone compound so as to prepare a product; and Ln, contained in the catalyst, represents a positive trivalent rare earth metal ion and is selected from one of La, Nd, Sm, Gd and Yb. According to the method, the starting materials are easy to obtain, the reaction process is simple, the catalyst usage is low, the catalyst is universally applicable to various substituted 2-hydroxy chalcones, and the obtained cyclopenta[c]chromene compound has not been reported. The catalyst synthesis method is simple and easy to obtain, and the yield of the target product is high.

Compounds which directly inhibit IRE-1α activity in vitro, prodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Such compounds and prodrugs are useful for treating diseases associated with the unfolded protein response or with regulated IRE1-dependent decay (RIDD) and can be used as single agents or in combination therapies.

Compounds which directly inhibit IRE-1α activity in vitro, prodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Such compounds and prodrugs are useful for treating diseases associated with the unfolded protein response or with regulated IRE1-dependent decay (RIDD) and can be used as single agents or in combination therapies.

Provided herein are a series of water-soluble photochromic naphthopyran compounds, a mixture and a polymer thin film comprising the same, and applications thereof in photochromic materials, especially water-soluble photochromic material. The present photochromic naphthopyran compounds display excellent water solubility in neutral pH environment, rapid light response and fast thermal bleaching.

Provided herein are a series of water-soluble photochromic naphthopyran compounds, a mixture and a polymer thin film comprising the same, and applications thereof in photochromic materials, especially water-soluble photochromic material. The present photochromic naphthopyran compounds display excellent water solubility in neutral pH environment, rapid light response and fast thermal bleaching.

A novel abyssomicin analogue compound and method of synthesizing the novel abyssomicin analogue compound are provided. The synthesis method includes the novel abyssomicin analogue compound being simply produced from a mixture of water and a co-solvent with linear precursors. The water molecules in the synthesis method can have dual roles, which are cyclisation followed by hydration via a unique mechanism. Abyssomicins are a family of spirotetronate natural products exhibiting promising bioactivities.

A novel abyssomicin analogue compound and method of synthesizing the novel abyssomicin analogue compound are provided. The synthesis method includes the novel abyssomicin analogue compound being simply produced from a mixture of water and a co-solvent with linear precursors. The water molecules in the synthesis method can have dual roles, which are cyclisation followed by hydration via a unique mechanism. Abyssomicins are a family of spirotetronate natural products exhibiting promising bioactivities.