GetOrganelle is a state-of-the-art toolkit to accurately assemble organelle genomes from whole genome sequencing data. It recruits organelle-associated reads using a modified "baiting and iterative ...mapping" approach, conducts de novo assembly, filters and disentangles the assembly graph, and produces all possible configurations of circular organelle genomes. For 50 published plant datasets, we are able to reassemble the circular plastomes from 47 datasets using GetOrganelle. GetOrganelle assemblies are more accurate than published and/or NOVOPlasty-reassembled plastomes as assessed by mapping. We also assemble complete mitochondrial genomes using GetOrganelle. GetOrganelle is freely released under a GPL-3 license ( https://github.com/Kinggerm/GetOrganelle ).
Widely used disposable plastic tableware is usually buried or directly discharged into the natural environment after using, which poses potential threats to the natural environment and human health. ...To solve this problem, nondegradable plastic tableware needs to be replaced by tableware composed of biodegradable structural materials with both food safety and the excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Here, a food‐safe sargassum cellulose nanofiber (SCNF) is extracted from common seaweed in an efficient and low energy consuming way under mild reaction conditions. Then, by assembling the SCNF into a dense bulk material, a strong sargassum cellulose nanofiber structural material (SCNSM) with high strength (283 MPa) and high thermal stability (>160 °C) can be prepared. The SCNSM also possesses good machinability, which can be processed into tableware with different shapes, e.g., knives and forks. The overall performance of the SCNSM‐based tableware is better than commercial plastic, wood‐based, and poly(lactic acid) tableware, which shows great application potential in the tableware field.
A food‐safe sargassum cellulose nanofiber (SCNF) is extracted through an efficient and low energy consuming way. Then, by assembling the SCNF into a dense bulk material, a strong structural material can be prepared. It possesses good machinability, which can be processed into tableware with better overall performance than that of commercial tableware, showing great application potential in the tableware field.
Developing biodegradable materials such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a promising strategy to reduce the reliance on non‐degradable plastics and the accumulation of those wastes. However, the ...fabrication of high‐performance biodegradable films which integrate excellent mechanical and barrier properties remains a major challenge. To address this problem, the “brick and mortar” structure, one of the most effective biomimetic models, is introduced to improve the comprehensive properties of materials. Here, a PLA‐assisted exfoliation and dispersion method to prepare the PLA coated mica nanosheets (Nano‐mica/PLA) from a natural mineral phlogopite is presented. By introducing the sheer force assembly, a kind of nacre‐inspired nanocomposite film with the “brick and mortar” structure can be fabricated. Such a nacre‐inspired nanocomposite film shows excellent mechanical properties, UV‐shielding, and gas barrier properties. The overall performance of the nacre‐inspired nanocomposite film is superior to commercial plastic films, which will allow it possible to break a path for practical applications of PLA in the field of packaging.
An advanced poly(lactic acid)‐assisted exfoliation and dispersion method has been developed to prepare the poly(lactic acid) coated mica nanosheets. By introducing the sheer force assembly, a nacre‐inspired nanocomposite film with the “brick and mortar” structure is constructed with the high strength, excellent UV‐shielding performance, and barrier properties, which has great application potential in the field of packaging materials.
Oxygen-containing groups on carbon materials can induce high catalytic activity for some reactions. Herein, on the basis of a series of metal-free single-layer graphene nanodisks (GNDs) with ...different surface contents of oxygen-containing groups for highly efficient electrocatalytic reduction reaction of CO2 (CO2RR) to produce formate (HCOO–), we find that the CO2RR catalytic performance is only positively correlated with the surface content of carboxyl groups. While significantly, the density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the observed high CO2RR catalytic activity originates not from the solo carboxyl or other oxygen-containing groups, but from the synergistic effect between carboxyl groups and adjacent other types of groups (namely, hydroxyl, epoxide, and carbonyl) on GNDs. Inspired by such new knowledge, we further find that if the GND catalyst can “alternate work with rest”, its electrocatalytic activity for CO2RR can be regenerated cyclically via a simple electro-oxidation method to regenerate the surface carboxyl groups, achieving a remarkable long-term durability for CO2RR. Such work deepens our understanding of the role of oxygen-containing groups in catalysis and provides a new strategy for the design and synthesis of high-performance metal-free carbon-based catalysts.
Macromolecular Isomerism in Giant Molecules Shao, Yu; Yang, Shuguang; Zhang, Wen‐Bin
Chemistry : a European journal,
March 9, 2020, Letnik:
26, Številka:
14
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Macromolecular isomerism has been an important yet largely understudied subject. Giant molecules based on molecular nanoparticles exhibit properties highly dependent on the primary structures, ...providing a platform for such studies. Various isomers have been designed, synthesized and characterized, including sequence‐, regio‐, and topo‐isomers. The self‐assembly of these isomers is influenced by the distinct symmetry and collective interaction of each building block in a subtle and delicate way. The results suggest that isomerism may be exploited as a new way for fine‐tuning the structures and properties of macromolecules, which should be of great interest in both fundamental research and technical innovation.
Macromolecular isomerism has been a largely understudied phenomenon. Giant molecules provide an ideal platform for such studies and should help illustrate the structure–property relationships as well as the delicate influence of structural factors on the assembly.
The widespread use of disposable plastic straws cause serious environmental problems and poses potential threats to human health, while paper straws, their most used alternatives, are not so ...satisfactory due to poor mechanical performance and unpleasant user experience. Here, a new kind of edible and microplastic‐free straw made from bacterial cellulose (BC) by biosynthesis is reported. Through the alginate coating, this BC‐based straw achieves better mechanical performance than paper straws and avoids additional adhesives. Owing to the 3D nanofiber network and strong interlayer connection, the comprehensive performance of this BC‐based straw surpasses that of commercially available counterparts, satisfying the requirements for practical use. Of particular note, the edible character provides a better user experience and a new end‐of‐life option for the straws, making the BC‐based straw a healthier and more eco‐friendly substitute for plastic straws.
A sustainable, microplastic‐free, ultrastrong, and edible straw is fabricated through biosynthesis. This bacterial cellulose‐based straw demonstrates great sustainability and excellent mechanical performance, representing an ideal substitute for plastic straws and a powerful competitor for paper straws. The 3D network of bacterial cellulose endows the straw with the ability to carry functional substances like flavor molecules, providing a better user experience.
An All‐Natural Wood‐Inspired Aerogel Han, Zi‐Meng; Sun, Wen‐Bin; Yang, Kun‐Peng ...
Angewandte Chemie International Edition,
February 1, 2023, 2023-Feb-01, 2023-02-00, 20230201, Letnik:
62, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The oriented pore structure of wood endows it with a variety of outstanding properties, among which the low thermal conductivity has attracted researchers to develop wood‐like aerogels as excellent ...thermal insulation materials. However, the increasing demands of environmental protection have put forward new and strict requirements for the sustainability of aerogels. Here, we report an all‐natural wood‐inspired aerogel consisting of all‐natural ingredients and develop a method to activate the surface‐inert wood particles to construct the aerogel. The obtained wood‐inspired aerogel has channel structure similar to that of natural wood, endowing it with superior thermal insulation properties to most existing commercial sponges. In addition, remarkable fire retardancy and complete biodegradability are integrated. With the above outstanding performances, this sustainable wood‐inspired aerogel will be an ideal substitute for the existing commercial thermal insulation materials.
An interesting surface nanocrystallization method was developed to make the surface‐inert and weakly interacting wood particles better assemble to construct the aerogel. This bottom‐up method allows the preparation of large‐size composite aerogels. The wood‐inspired oriented channel structure endows the obtained aerogel with superior thermal insulation properties to natural wood and most existing commercial sponges.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide because of metastasis. Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is widely considered to be crucial to the invasion‐metastasis ...cascade during cancer progression. Actin‐like 6A (ACTL6A) is initially verified important for cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. In this study, we find that ACTL6A plays an essential role in metastasis and EMT of HCC. ACTL6A expression is up‐regulated in HCC cells and tissues. A high level of ACTL6A in HCCs is correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features and is an independent poor prognostic factor for overall and disease‐free survival of HCC patients. Ectopic expression of ACTL6A markedly promotes HCC cells migration, invasion, as well as EMT in vitro and promotes tumor growth and metastasis in the mouse xenograft model. Opposite results are observed when ACTL6A is knocked down. Mechanistically, ACTL6A promotes metastasis and EMT through activating Notch signaling. ACTL6A knockdown has the equal blockage effect as the Notch signaling inhibitor, N‐N‐(3,5‐difluorophenacetyl)‐L‐alanyl‐S‐phenylglycine t‐butylester, in HCC cells. Further studies indicate that ACTL6A might manipulate SRY (sex determining region Y)‐box 2 (SOX2) expression and then activate Notch1 signaling. Conclusions: ACTL6A promotes metastasis and EMT by SOX2/Notch1 signaling, indicating a prognostic biomarker candidate and a potential therapeutic target for HCC. (Hepatology 2016;63:1256–1271)
Accumulating studies have suggested that targeting transcription factor EB (TFEB), an essential regulator of autophagy‐lysosomal pathway (ALP), is promising for the treatment of neurodegenerative ...disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, potent and specific small molecule TFEB activators are not available at present. Previously, we identified a novel TFEB activator named curcumin analog C1 which directly binds to and activates TFEB. In this study, we systematically investigated the efficacy of curcumin analog C1 in three AD animal models that represent beta‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) pathology (5xFAD mice), tauopathy (P301S mice) and the APP/Tau combined pathology (3xTg‐AD mice). We found that C1 efficiently activated TFEB, enhanced autophagy and lysosomal activity, and reduced APP, APP C‐terminal fragments (CTF‐β/α), β‐amyloid peptides and Tau aggregates in these models accompanied by improved synaptic and cognitive function. Knockdown of TFEB and inhibition of lysosomal activity significantly inhibited the effects of C1 on APP and Tau degradation in vitro. In summary, curcumin analog C1 is a potent TFEB activator with promise for the prevention or treatment of AD.
A small molecule activator of transcription factor EB (TFEB) promotes the degradation of beta‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) fragments, β‐amyloid peptides (Aβ), and phosphorylated MAPT/Tau aggregates in three transgenic mice models of Alzheimer's disease (P301S, 5xFAD, and 3xTg) and prevents memory impairments.
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