This work reports the nanocomposites of graphitic nanofibers (GNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the electrode material for supercapacitors. The hybrid CNTs/GNFs was prepared via a synthesis route ...that involved catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The structure and morphology of CNTs/GNFs can be precisely controlled by adjusting the flow rates of reactant gases. The nest shape entanglement of CNTs and GNFs which could not only have high conductivity to facilitate ion transmission, but could also increase surface area for more electrolyte ions access. When assembled in a symmetric two-electrode system, the CNTs/GNFs-based supercapacitor showed a very good cycling stability of 96% after 10 000 charge/discharge cycles. Moreover, CNTs/GNFs-based symmetric device can deliver a maximum specific energy of 72.2 Wh kg
at a power density of 686.0 W kg
. The high performance of the hybrid performance can be attributed to the wheat like GNFs which provide sufficient accessible sites for charge storage, and the CNTs skeleton which provide channels for charge transport.
Display omitted
► Chitosan wrapped onto mesoporous silica nanoparticle forming pH sensitive film. ► Drug release were controlled by pH-responsive phase transition of chitosan between pH 6.8 and 7.4. ...► Drugs may release faster in tumor tissues with low pH than in normal tissues with high pH.
Most pH-sensitive drug delivery systems have been reported to respond to wide ranges of pH or target tissues the pH of which vary considerably, whereas these systems are not able to target diseased tissues like inflammatory tissues and tumor cells (pH 6.8) due to the extremely slight differences between pH of normal tissues (pH 7.4) and them. Consequently, ingenious pH-responsive drug delivery systems are desired to target this kind of abnormal tissues. In the present study, we fabricated a novel pH-sensitive drug delivery system with a 22% loading capacity, which released about 65% and 35% model drug in pH 6.8 and 7.4 after 24
h, respectively. In pH 7.4 release medium, chitosan molecules are orderly aggregated state, which efficiently hinder the release of the guest molecules from nanocarriers. However, in pH 6.8 release medium, chitosan chains are heavily and flexibly entangled in gel state, which is good for the release of guest molecules. The drug delivery system could reduce the drug nonspecific reaction with normal cells but remaining the curative effect.
Fruit characteristics of sweet watermelon are largely the result of human selection. Here we report an improved watermelon reference genome and whole-genome resequencing of 414 accessions ...representing all extant species in the Citrullus genus. Population genomic analyses reveal the evolutionary history of Citrullus, suggesting independent evolutions in Citrullus amarus and the lineage containing Citrullus lanatus and Citrullus mucosospermus. Our findings indicate that different loci affecting watermelon fruit size have been under selection during speciation, domestication and improvement. A non-bitter allele, arising in the progenitor of sweet watermelon, is largely fixed in C. lanatus. Selection for flesh sweetness started in the progenitor of C. lanatus and continues through modern breeding on loci controlling raffinose catabolism and sugar transport. Fruit flesh coloration and sugar accumulation might have co-evolved through shared genetic components including a sugar transporter gene. This study provides valuable genomic resources and sheds light on watermelon speciation and breeding history.
Kicking out cholesterol: The release of guest molecules (cholesterol) included in the pores of mesoporous silica is promoted by simultaneous irradiation with UV and visible light. The reversible ...cis–trans photoisomerization of azobenzene substituents on the pore surface causes a stirring action, which accelerates the diffusion of the guest from the pores (see picture), thus providing an intelligent controlled‐release method.
With the increase in watermelon cultivation area, there is an urgent need to explore enzymatic and genetic resources for the sustainable development of watermelon, especially under salt stress. Among ...the various compounds known, trehalose plays an important role in regulating abiotic stress tolerances in diverse organisms, including plants. Therefore, the present study comprehensively analyzed the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (
) gene family in watermelon. The study analyzed the functional classification, evolutionary characteristics, and expression patterns of the watermelon
genes family. Seven
were identified and classified into two distinct classes according to gene structure and phylogeny. Evolutionary analysis suggested the role of purifying selection in the evolution of the
family members. Further,
acting elements related to plant hormones and abiotic stress were identified in the promoter region of the
genes. The tissue-specific expression analysis showed that
genes were widely expressed in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, while
was significantly induced under salt stress. The overexpression of
in
significantly improved salt tolerance. Finally, the STRING functional protein association networks suggested that the transcription factor ClMYB and ClbHLH regulate
. Thus, the study indicates the critical role of
in watermelon response to salt stress.
The present study was developed to explore whether microRNA (miR)-760 targets heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) to control cartilage extracellular matrix degradation in osteoarthritis. ...Both miR-760 and HBEGF expression levels were analysed in human degenerative cartilage tissues and in interleukin (IL)-1β/tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-treated chondrocytes in vitro. A series of knockdown and overexpression assays were then used to gauge the functional importance of miR-760 and HBEGF in OA, with qPCR and western immunoblotting analyses. Bioinformatics assays were used to identify putative miR-760 target genes, with these predictions then being validated through RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assays. A murine anterior cruciate ligament transection model of OA was then established to prove the in vivo relevance of these findings. These experiments revealed that human degenerative cartilage tissues exhibited significant increases in miR-760 expression with a concomitant drop in HBEGF levels. IL-1β/TNF-α-treated chondrocytes also exhibited significant increases in miR-760 expression with a concomitant drop in HBEGF expression. When chondrocytes were transfected with either miR-760 inhibitor or HBEGF overexpression constructs, this was sufficient to interfere with degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, miR-760 was confirmed to control chondrocyte matrix homeostasis by targeting HBEGF, and the overexpression of HBEGF partially reversed the effects of miR-760 mimic treatment on the degradation of the cartilage ECM. When OA model mice were administered an intra-articular knee injection of an adenoviral vector encoding a miR-760 mimic construct, cartilage ECM degradation was aggravated. Conversely, the overexpression of HBEGF in OA model mice partially reversed the effects of miR-760 overexpression, restoring appropriate ECM homeostasis. In summary, these data indicated that the miR-760/HBEGF axis plays a central role in orchestrating the pathogenesis of OA, making it a candidate target for therapeutic efforts in OA.
Electro- and thermo-responsive drug release (DFMS) system for real time tunable drug delivery application. Display omitted
•Establish a new thermo- and electro-sensitive drug delivery ...system.•Regulate the drug delivery remotely and continuously.•Realize a real time tunable drug release kinetics.
A dual-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) was successfully established by coating functional macromolecules onto the outlets of mesoporous silica nanospheres. Electro-sensitive and thermally responsive units were copolymerized into the macromolecular networks to control the drug release under different circumstances. The simulated drug delivery experiments conducted in vitro revealed that the drug release rate could be regulated continuously and remotely by one or both stimuli sources. The drug release rate under 0.5Hz alternating electric field was almost twice as much as that without an alternating electric field. This combination of electro-responsive function and temperature sensitive characteristics could lead to a real time tunable drug delivery system with wide application area.
The objective of this study was to explore the effects of the inoculation of mixed starter cultures of Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus (labeled L-S) on microbial community and flavor in fermented ...sausages during the ripening process. Culture-dependent (colony count) and culture-independent (high-throughput sequencing) methods were employed to evaluate bacterial communities. Volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and the results were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). The identified bacteria with high relative abundance included Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, and the relative abundances of Leuconostoc and Weissella in fermented sausages were remarkably decreased at the end of the ripening process. At the end of ripening, 2-nonenal, tetradecanal, ethylstearate and terpinyl acetate played substantial roles in the flavor development of the L-S fermented sausages. Sensory evaluation showed a high score in the L-S fermented sausages. Sausages can be inoculated with L-S starter culture to improve the safety and flavor of meat products.
Display omitted
PDF
