Graphene oxide (GO) is increasingly used in biomedical applications because it possesses not only the unique properties of graphene including large surface area and flexibility but also ...hydrophilicity and dispersibility in aqueous solutions. However, there are conflicting results on its biocompatibility and biosafety partially due to large variations in physicochemical properties of GO, and the role of these properties including lateral size in the biological or toxicological effects of GO is still unclear. In this study, we focused on the role of lateral size by preparing a panel of GO samples with differential lateral sizes using the same starting material. We found that, in comparison to its smaller counterpart, larger GO showed a stronger adsorption onto the plasma membrane with less phagocytosis, which elicited more robust interaction with toll-like receptors and more potent activation of NF-κB pathways. By contrast, smaller GO sheets were more likely taken up by cells. As a result, larger GO promoted greater M1 polarization, associated with enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of immune cells. The in vitro results correlated well with local and systemic inflammatory responses after GO administration into the abdominal cavity, lung, or bloodstream through the tail vein. Together, our study delineated the size-dependent M1 induction of macrophages and pro-inflammatory responses of GO in vitro and in vivo. Our data also unearthed the detailed mechanism underlying these effects: a size-dependent interaction between GO and the plasma membrane.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
The current classification system for the recognition of taxonomic ranks among fungi, especially at high-ranking level, is subjective. With the development of molecular approaches and the ...availability of fossil calibration data, the use of divergence times as a universally standardized criterion for ranking taxa has now become possible. We can therefore date the origin of Ascomycota lineages by using molecular clock methods and establish the divergence times for the orders and families of Dothideomycetes. We chose Dothideomycetes, the largest class of the phylum Ascomycota, which contains 32 orders, to establish ages at which points orders have split; and
Pleosporales
, the largest order of Dothideomycetes with 55 families, to establish family divergence times. We have assembled a multi-gene data set (LSU, SSU, TEF1 and RPB2) from 391 taxa representing most family groups of Dothideomycetes and utilized fossil calibration points solely from within the ascomycetes and a Bayesian approach to establish divergence times of Dothideomycetes lineages. Two separated datasets were analysed: (i) 272 taxa representing 32 orders of Dothideomycetes were included for the order level analysis, and (ii) 191 taxa representing 55 families of
Pleosporales
were included for the family level analysis. Our results indicate that divergence times (crown age) for most orders (20 out of 32, or 63%) are between 100 and 220 Mya, while divergence times for most families (39 out of 55, or 71%) are between 20 and 100 Mya. We believe that divergence times can provide additional evidence to support establishment of higher level taxa, such as families, orders and classes. Taking advantage of this added approach, we can strive towards establishing a standardized taxonomic system both within and outside Fungi. In this study we found that molecular dating coupled with phylogenetic inferences provides no support for the taxonomic status of two currently recognized orders, namely
Bezerromycetales
and
Wiesneriomycetales
and these are treated as synonyms of
Tubeufiales
while
Asterotexiales
is treated as a synonym of
Asterinales
. In addition, we provide an updated phylogenetic assessment of Dothideomycetes previously published as the
Families of Dothideomycetes
in 2013 with a further ten orders and 35 families.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Freshwater fungi comprises a highly diverse group of organisms occurring in freshwater habitats throughout the world. During a survey of freshwater fungi on submerged wood in streams and lakes, a ...wide range of sexual and asexual species were collected mainly from karst regions in China and Thailand. Phylogenetic inferences using partial gene regions of LSU, ITS, SSU, TEF1α, and RPB2 sequences revealed that most of these fungi belonged to Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes and a few were related to Eurotiomycetes. Based on the morphology and multi-gene phylogeny, we introduce four new genera, viz.
Aquabispora
,
Neocirrenalia
,
Ocellisimilis
and
Uvarisporella
, and 47 new species, viz.
Acrodictys chishuiensis
,
A. effusa
,
A. pyriformis
,
Actinocladium aquaticum
,
Annulatascus tratensis
,
Aquabispora setosa
,
Aqualignicola setosa
,
Aquimassariosphaeria vermiformis
,
Ceratosphaeria flava
,
Chaetosphaeria polygonalis
,
Conlarium muriforme
,
Digitodesmium chishuiense
,
Ellisembia aquirostrata
,
Fuscosporella atrobrunnea
,
Halobyssothecium aquifusiforme
,
H. caohaiense
,
Hongkongmyces aquisetosus
,
Kirschsteiniothelia dushanensis
,
Monilochaetes alsophilae
,
Mycoenterolobium macrosporum
,
Myrmecridium splendidum
,
Neohelicascus griseoflavus
,
Neohelicomyces denticulatus
,
Neohelicosporium fluviatile
,
Neokalmusia aquibrunnea
,
Neomassariosphaeria aquimucosa
,
Neomyrmecridium naviculare
,
Neospadicoides biseptata
,
Ocellisimilis clavata
,
Ophioceras thailandense
,
Paragaeumannomyces aquaticus
,
Phialoturbella aquilunata
,
Pleurohelicosporium hyalinum
,
Pseudodactylaria denticulata
,
P. longidenticulata
,
P. uniseptata
,
Pseudohalonectria aurantiaca
,
Rhamphoriopsis aquimicrospora
,
Setoseptoria bambusae
,
Shrungabeeja fluviatilis
,
Sporidesmium tratense
,
S. versicolor
,
Sporoschisma atroviride
,
Stanjehughesia aquatica
,
Thysanorea amniculi
,
Uvarisporella aquatica
and
Xylolentia aseptata
, with an illustrated account, discussion of their taxonomic placement and comparison with morphological similar taxa. Seven new combinations are introduced, viz.
Aquabispora grandispora
(≡
Boerlagiomyces grandisporus
),
A. websteri
(≡
Boerlagiomyces websteri
),
Ceratosphaeria suthepensis
(≡
Pseudohalonectria suthepensis
),
Gamsomyces aquaticus
(≡
Pseudobactrodesmium aquaticum
),
G. malabaricus
(≡
Gangliostilbe malabarica
),
Neocirrenalia nigrospora
(≡
Cirrenalia nigrospora
), and
Rhamphoriopsis glauca
(≡
Chloridium glaucum
). Ten new geographical records are reported in China and Thailand and nine species are first reported from freshwater habitats. Reference specimens are provided for
Diplocladiella scalaroides
and
Neocirrenalia nigrospora
(≡
Cirrenalia nigrospora
). Systematic placement of the previously introduced genera
Actinocladium
,
Aqualignicola
, and
Diplocladiella
is first elucidated based on the reference specimens and new collections. Species recollected from China and Thailand are also described and illustrated. The overall trees of freshwater Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes collected in this study are provided respectively and genera or family/order trees are constructed for selected taxa.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been widely adopted to elicit muscle contraction in rehabilitation training after spinal cord injury (SCI). Conventional FES modalities include ...stimulations coupled with rowing, cycling, assisted walking and other derivatives. In this review, we studied thirteen clinical reports from the past 5 years and evaluated the effects of various FES aided rehabilitation plans on the functional recovery after SCI, highlighting upper and lower extremity strength, cardiopulmonary function, and balder control. We further explored potential mechanisms of FES using the Hebbian theory and lumbar locomotor central pattern generators. Overall, FES can be used to improve respiration, circulation, hand strength, mobility, and metabolism after SCI.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Contaminant-bearing fine biochar particles (FBPs) may exert significantly different toxicity profiles from their contaminant-free counterparts. While the role of FBPs in promoting contaminant uptake ...has been recognized, it is unclear whether the binding of contaminants can modify the biochemical reactivity and toxicological profiles of FBPs. Here, we show that binding of benzoapyrene (B(a)P, a model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) at environmentally relevant exposure concentrations markedly alters the cytotoxicity of FBPs to macrophages, an important line of innate immune defense against airborne particulate matters (PMs). Specifically, B(a)P-bearing FBPs elicit more severe disruption of the phospholipid membrane, endocytosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, and compromised innate immune defense, as evidenced by blunted proinflammatory effects, compared with B(a)P-free FBPs. Notably, the altered cytotoxicity cannot be attributed to the dissolution of B(a)P from the B(a)P-bearing FBPs, but appears to be related to B(a)P adsorption-induced changes of FBPs bioreactivity toward macrophages. Our findings highlight the significance of environmental chemical transformation in altering the bioreactivity and toxicity of PMs and call for further studies on other types of carbonaceous nanoparticles and additional exposure scenarios.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
In this letter, a gate recessed normally OFF AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMT with low threshold voltage hysteresis using Al 2 O 3 /AlN stack gate insulator is presented. The trapping effect of Al 2 O 3 /GaN ...interface was effectively reduced with the insertion of 2-nm AlN thin interfacial passivation layer grown by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition. The device exhibits a threshold voltage of +1.5 V, with current density of 420 mA/mm, an OFF-state breakdown voltage of 600 V, and high ON/OFF drain current ratio of ~10 9 .
UiO-66 with crystal size ranging from hundreds of nanometers to a few micrometers and with cubic and cuboctahedral morphologies were synthesized. Crystal size and morphology varied with the additive ...amount of hydrofluoric acid and the concentration of reactants (ZrCl sub(4) and H sub(2)BDC) during solvothermal synthesis. According to energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and super(19)F MAS NMR measurements, the fluorine ions directly bonded to Zr in the SBUs (secondary building units) in the MOF framework due to their strongest electronegativity. The bonding of the fluorine ions and Zr not only compensated for the charge imbalance of the framework caused by missing linkers but also competed with the linkers to coordinate with the Zr metal centers, thereby controlling the processes of nucleation and growth of the UiO-66 crystals. The samples were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Ar sorption isotherms, showing that the introduction of fluorine enhanced the thermostability and porosity of UiO-66.
Small molecules, namely, DCAO3TBDT and DR3TBDT, with 2-ethylhexoxy substituted BDT as the central building block and octyl cyanoacetate and 3-ethylrhodanine as different terminal units with the same ...linkage of dioctyltertthiophene, have been designed and synthesized. The photovoltaic properties of these two molecules as donors and fullerene derivatives as the acceptors in bulk heterojunction solar cells are studied. Among them, DR3TBDT shows excellent photovoltaic performance, and power conversion efficiency as high as 7.38% (certified 7.10%) under AM 1.5G irradiation (100 mW cm–2) has been achieved using the simple solution spin-coating fabrication process, which is the highest efficiency reported to date for any small-molecule-based solar cells. The results demonstrate that structure fine turning could cause significant performance difference and with that the performance of solution-processed small-molecule solar cells can indeed be comparable with or even surpass their polymer counterparts.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Zwitterionic polymers have emerged as promising trans-mucus nanocarriers due to their superior antifouling properties. However, for pH-sensitive zwitterionic polymers, the effect of the pH ...microenvironment on their trans-mucus fate remains unclear. In this work, we prepared a library of zwitterionic polydopamine-modified silica nanoparticles (SiNPs-PDA) with an isoelectric point of 5.6. Multiple-particle tracking showed that diffusion of SiNPs-PDA in mucus with a pH value of 5.6 was 3 times faster than that in mucus with pH value 3.0 or 7.0. Biophysical analysis found that the trans-mucus behavior of SiNPs-PDA was mediated by hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding between mucin and the particles. Furthermore, the particle distribution in the stomach, intestine, and lung demonstrated the pH-mediated mucus penetration behavior of the SiNPs-PDA. This study reveals the pH-mediated mucus penetration behavior of zwitterionic nanomaterials, which provides rational design strategies for zwitterionic polymers as nanocarriers in various mucus microenvironments.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
This study documents the morphology and phylogeny of ascomycetes collected from karst landscapes of Guizhou Province, China. Based on morphological characteristics in conjunction with DNA sequence ...data, 70 species are identified and distributed in two classes (Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes), 16 orders, 41 families and 60 genera. One order Planisphaeriales, four families Leptosphaerioidaceae, Neoleptosporellaceae, Planisphaeriaceae and Profundisphaeriaceae, ten genera
Conicosphaeria
,
Karstiomyces
,
Leptosphaerioides
,
Neoceratosphaeria
,
Neodiaporthe
,
Neodictyospora
,
Planisphaeria
,
Profundisphaeria
,
Stellatus
and
Truncatascus
, and 34 species (
Amphisphaeria karsti
,
Anteaglonium hydei
,
Atractospora terrestris
,
Conicosphaeria vaginatispora
,
Corylicola hydei
,
Diaporthe cylindriformispora
,
Dictyosporium karsti
,
Hysterobrevium karsti
,
Karstiomyces guizhouensis
,
Leptosphaerioides guizhouensis
,
Lophiotrema karsti
,
Murispora hydei
,
Muyocopron karsti
,
Neoaquastroma guizhouense
,
Neoceratosphaeria karsti
,
Neodiaporthe reniformispora
,
Neodictyospora karsti
,
Neoheleiosa guizhouensis
,
Neoleptosporella fusiformispora
,
Neoophiobolus filiformisporum
,
Ophioceras guizhouensis
,
Ophiosphaerella karsti
,
Paraeutypella longiasca
,
Paraeutypella karsti
,
Patellaria guizhouensis
,
Planisphaeria karsti
,
Planisphaeria reniformispora
,
Poaceascoma herbaceum
,
Profundisphaeria fusiformispora
,
Pseudocoleophoma guizhouensis
,
Pseudopolyplosphaeria guizhouensis
,
Stellatus guizhouensis
,
Sulcatispora karsti
and
Truncatascus microsporus
) are introduced as new to science. Moreover, 13 new geographical records for China are also reported, which are
Acrocalymma medicaginis
,
Annulohypoxylon thailandicum
,
Astrosphaeriella bambusae
,
Diaporthe novem
,
Hypoxylon rubiginosum
,
Ophiosphaerella agrostidis
,
Ophiosphaerella chiangraiensis
,
Patellaria atrata
,
Polyplosphaeria fusca
,
Psiloglonium macrosporum
,
Sarimanas shirakamiense
,
Thyridaria broussonetiae
and
Tremateia chromolaenae
. Additionally, the family Eriomycetaceae was resurrected as a non-lichenized family and accommodated within Monoblastiales. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of all these taxa are provided.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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