Extremely strong electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption with a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −56.9 dB at 9.3 GHz at an absorber thickness of only 1.92 mm was observed for the hierarchical porous cobalt (Co)/carbon (C) crabapples, lab-made via a facile solvothermal reaction coupled with a following carbon reduction treatment. At an ultrathin thickness of 1.4 mm, the hierarchical porous Co/C crabapples (50 wt% filling content) provided 90% EMW absorption over a broad bandwidth of 5.9 GHz. A broad bandwidth of 5.8 GHz at 2.0 mm thickness was still achieved at a low filling ratio of 30 wt% filler content. This broad-band EMW absorption resulted from the synergy of cobalt and carbon with a significantly improved impedance matching level. The strong magnetism of cobalt endowed the composites with strong absorption ability and thin absorber thickness. The unique porous structural features also contributed to the enhanced EMW absorption by inducing multi-scatterings. The hierarchical porous Co/C crabapples with high absorbing performance together with ultrathin absorber thickness can be applied as a promising EMW absorption material.

Ultrathin high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbers with facilely fabricated hierarchical porous Co/C crabapples

‘The micro/nano reinforced particle’ aluminum metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) are widely used in manufacturing sector due to light-weight, superior strength-to-weight ratio, better fracture tough...

Developments in the aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced by micro/nano particles – A review:

Free-radical polymerizations of and in deep eutectic solvents: Green synthesis of functional materials

Xanthomonas spp. encompass a wide range of plant pathogens that use numerous virulence factors for pathogenicity and fitness in plant hosts. In this Review, we examine recent insights into host-pathogen co-evolution, diversity in Xanthomonas populations and host specificity of Xanthomonas spp. that have substantially improved our fundamental understanding of pathogen biology. We emphasize the virulence factors in xanthomonads, such as type III secreted effectors including transcription activator-like effectors, type II secretion systems, diversity resulting in host specificity, evolution of emerging strains, activation of susceptibility genes and strategies of host evasion. We summarize the genomic diversity in several Xanthomonas spp. and implications for disease outbreaks, management strategies and breeding for disease resistance.

Xanthomonas diversity, virulence and plant–pathogen interactions

Recent advances in hydrothermal carbonisation: from tailored carbon materials and biochemicals to applications and bioenergy

Natural Cordyceps collected in Bhutan has been widely used as natural Cordyceps sinensis, an official species of Cordyceps used as Chinese medicines, around the world in recent years. However, whether Cordyceps from Bhutan could be really used as natural C. sinensis remains unknown. Therefore, DNA sequence, bioactive components including nucleosides and polysaccharides in twelve batches of Cordyceps from Bhutan were firstly investigated, and compared with natural C. sinensis. Results showed that the fungus of Cordyceps from Bhutan was C. sinensis and the host insect belonged to Hepialidae sp. In addition, nucleosides and their bases such as guanine, guanosine, hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, thymidine, adenine, and adenosine, as well as compositional monosaccharides, partial acid or enzymatic hydrolysates, molecular weights and contents of polysaccharides in Cordyceps from Bhutan were all similar to those of natural C. sinensis. All data suggest that Cordyceps from Bhutan is a rational alternative of natural C. sinensis, which is beneficial for the improvement of their performance in health and medicinal food areas.

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Cordyceps collected from Bhutan, an appropriate alternative of Cordyceps sinensis.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis, which is only naturally found in the high-elevation extreme environment of the Tibetan Plateau, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Information concerning the evolutionary and geologic context of O. sinensis remains limited, however. We constructed the high-quality genome of O. sinensis and provided insight into the evolution and ecology of O. sinensis using comparative genomics. We mapped the whole genome of the anamorph/asexual form Hirsutella of O. sinensis using Illumina and PacBio sequencing technologies and obtained a well assembled genome of 119.2 Mbp size. Long-read Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT) sequencing technology generated an assembly with more accurate representation of repeat sequence abundances and placement. Evolutionary analyses indicated that O. sinensis diverged from other fungi 65.9 Mya in the Upper Cretaceous, during the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. Gene family expansions and contractions in addition to genome inflation via long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon insertions were implicated as an important driver of O. sinensis divergence. The insertion rate of LTR sequences into the O. sinensis genome peaked ~ 30–40 Mya, when the Tibetan Plateau rose rapidly. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggested that O. sinensis contained more genes related to ice binding compared to other closely related fungi, which may aid in their adaptability to the cold Tibetan Plateau. Further, heavy metal resistance genes were in low abundance in the O. sinensis genome, which may help to explain previous observations that O. sinensis tissues contain high levels of heavy metals. Our results reveal the evolutionary, geological, and ecological context for the evolution of the O. sinensis genome and the factors that have contributed to the environmental adaptability of this valuable fungus. These findings suggest that genome inflation via LTR retrotransposon insertions in O. sinensis coincided with the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. LTRs and the specific genetic mechanisms of O. sinensis contributed to its adaptation to the environment on the plateau.

/pdf/genomic-analyses-reveal-evolutionary-and-geologic-context-bn7quklryr.pdf

Genomic analyses reveal evolutionary and geologic context for the plateau fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis .

We established an efficient and simplified single-cell proteomics (ES-SCP) workflow to realize proteomics profiling at the single-oocyte level. With the ES-SCP workflow, we constructed a deep coverage proteome library during oocyte maturation, which contained more than 6000 protein groups, and identified and quantified more than 4000 protein groups from a pool of only 15 oocytes at germinal vesicle (GV), GV breakdown (GVBD), and metaphase II (MII) stages. More than 1500 protein groups can be identified from single oocytes. We found that marker proteins including maternal factors and mRNA regulators, such as ZAR1, TLE6, and BTG4, showed significant variations in abundance during oocyte maturation, and it was discovered that maternal mRNA degradation was indispensable during oocyte maturation. Proteomics analysis from single oocytes revealed that changes in antioxidant factors, maternal factors, mRNA stabilization, and energy metabolism were the factors that affect the oocyte quality during ovary aging. Our data laid the foundation for future innovations in assisted reproduction.

Discovery of Oogenesis Biomarkers from Mouse Oocytes Using a Single-Cell Proteomics Approach.

BACKGROUND
Some studies have discussed adverse prognosis factors of AML with t(8;21) to be closely related to genetic changes.


METHOD
We reviewed 58 cases of AML in children and adults with t(8;21)(q22;q22) translocation.


RESULTS
Five variant translocation cases were observed: t(8;17;21)(q22;q12;q22) (case 1), t(1;8;21)(q12;q22;q22) (case 2), and t(8;12;21)(q22;p13;q22) (case 3). The translocations were first observed in three children. Case 2 was cured with chemotherapy, and the cut-off date of observation was 120 months. Case 3 relapsed after 1 year (overall survival [OS], 14 months). Patients with AML with t(8;21) variant translocation have different prognoses and require further study. Forty-two of the 58 cases were included in the survival analysis. Cox regression analysis showed that progression-free survival (PFS) was correlated with age group, white blood cell (WBC) count, bone marrow blast ratio, and loss of Y chromosome (-Y). Overall survival (OS) was correlated with age group, WBC count, and -Y. Childhood leukemia with t(8;21) has a better prognosis than adult leukemia. Survival curves were drawn according to age and cytogenetic abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Progression-free survival was correlated with age, white blood cell (WBC) count, bone marrow blast ratio, and loss of Y chromosome (-Y). OS was correlated with age group, WBC count, and -Y chromosome. Child-hood leukemia with t(8;21) has a better prognosis than adult leukemia.

Qian Li

Papers

Cordyceps collected from Bhutan, an appropriate alternative of Cordyceps sinensis.

Genomic analyses reveal evolutionary and geologic context for the plateau fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis .

Discovery of Oogenesis Biomarkers from Mouse Oocytes Using a Single-Cell Proteomics Approach.

Three Novel Variants of t(8;21) and Classical t(8;21) Translocation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.