DataSheet_1_Systematic characterization of gene families and functional analysis of PvRAS3 and PvRAS4 involved in rosmarinic acid biosynthesis in Prunella vulgaris.pdf

Prunella vulgaris is an important material for Chinese medicines with rosmarinic acid (RA) as its index component. Based on the chromosome-level genome assembly we obtained recently, 51 RA biosynthesis-related genes were identified. Sequence feature, gene expression pattern and phylogenetic relationship analyses showed that 17 of them could be involved in RA biosynthesis. In vitro enzymatic assay showed that PvRAS3 catalyzed the condensation of p-coumaroyl-CoA and caffeoyl-CoA with pHPL and DHPL. Its affinity toward p-coumaroyl-CoA was higher than caffeoyl-CoA. PvRAS4 catalyzed the condensation of p-coumaroyl-CoA with pHPL and DHPL. Its affinity toward p-coumaroyl-CoA was lower than PvRAS3. UPLC and LC-MS/MS analyses showed the existence of RA, 4-coumaroyl-3’,4’-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, 4-coumaroyl-4’-hydroxyphenyllactic acid and caffeoyl-4’-hydroxyphenyllactic acid in P. vulgaris. Generation and analysis of pvras3 homozygous mutants showed significant decrease of RA, 4-coumaroyl-3’,4’-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, 4-coumaroyl-4’-hydroxyphenyllactic acid and caffeoyl-4’-hydroxyphenyllactic acid and significant increase of DHPL and pHPL. It suggests that PvRAS3 is the main enzyme catalyzing the condensation of acyl donors and acceptors during RA biosynthesis. The role of PvRAS4 appears minor. The results provide significant information for quality control of P. vulgaris medicinal materials.</p

Glutathione-Sensitive Silicon Nanowire Arrays for Gene Transfection

Ingenious surface modification strategies and special topological morphologies endow the biomaterial interface with excellent ability to regulate the cell fate. In this work, a gene delivery platform based on glutathione-sensitive silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) is developed, exhibiting good transfection efficiency of several cell types. Briefly, the surface of SiNWAs is grafted of PEICBA, a branched cationic polymer cross-linked by disulfide bonds (SN-PEICBA). When the cells adhere to the platform surface, silicon nanowires penetrate into the cells and the high concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in cytoplasm breaks the disulfide bonds (S–S) in PEICBA. The plasmid DNA preloaded on the cationic polymers is successfully delivered to the nuclei through the nonlysosomal pathway. Cells harvested from the SN-PEICBA show high retention of viability and the platform surface can be reused though S–S replacement for at least three times. In general, our platform is a creative combination of intracellular responsive strategy and surface morphology, which has great potential for auxiliary use in ex vivo cell-based therapies and various biomedical applications

High Temperature Thermal Insulation Ceramic Aerogels Fabricated from ZrC Nanofibers Welded with Carbon Nanoparticles

Ceramic aerogels exhibit great potential in thermal insulation due to their ultralow density, high porosity, ultralow thermal conductivity, and good chemical stability. However, the application of traditional oxide ceramic aerogels in extreme environments is limited. Herein, we proposed an ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) aerogel designed by ZrC nanofibers welded with carbon nanoparticles. Among them, the flexible ZrC nanofibers, as basic 1D assembly blocks, were assembled into a stable 3D porous structure through the carbon nanoparticles converted by the resorcinol formaldehyde resin (RF). The obtained multiscale fibrous framework endows aerogel with ultralow density (0.0133–0.0282 g cm–3), high porosity (99.73–99.07%), good compressive strength (0.7–18.9 kPa), ultralow thermal conductivity (0.185–0.249 W m–1 K–1), and high-temperature stability at 1400 °C under vacuum. These comprehensive properties can be tailored by adjusting the RF content. The study provides promising perspectives for ZrC nanofiber aerogels in high-temperature insulation applications

Additional file 1 of Dimethyl fumarate inhibits antibody-induced platelet destruction in immune thrombocytopenia mouse

Additional file 1: Figure S1.. Platelet count after DMF treatment. At 2 h after antiplatelet antibody injection, DMF or vehicle was administrated into mice followed by measuring platelet count in the peripheral blood at different time points. Compared with vehicle at the same time point, *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01 (mean ± SD, n = 5). Figure S2. Platelet count and activity after DMF injection into normal mice. Peripheral blood was isolated from wide-type mice after DMF administration at different time points followed by analysis of platelet count (A), P-selectin level (B) and JON/A binding (C). -: indicates a negative control (without stimulation); +: a positive control (collagen-related peptide stimulation). Data were shown as mean ± SD (n = 3–5). Figure S3. White blood cell number in normal and ITP mice. Peripheral blood was isolated from normal or ITP mice after treated with DMF (60 mg/kg) or vehicle to measure white blood cell count. Data were shown as mean ± SD (n = 4)

Blastocyst-Inspired Hydrogels to Maintain Undifferentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Stem cell fate is determined by specific niches that provide multiple physical, chemical, and biological cues. However, the hierarchy or cascade of impact of these cues remains elusive due to their spatiotemporal complexity. Here, anisotropic silk protein nanofiber-based hydrogels with suitable cell adhesion capacity are developed to mimic the physical microenvironment inside the blastocele. The hydrogels enable mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to maintain stemness in vitro in the absence of both leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), two critical factors in the standard protocol for mESC maintenance. The mESCs on hydrogels can achieve superior pluripotency, genetic stability, developmental capacity, and germline transmission to those cultured with the standard protocol. Such biomaterials establish an improved dynamic niche through stimulating the secretion of autocrine factors and are sufficient to maintain the pluripotency and propagation of ESCs. The mESCs on hydrogels are distinct in their expression profiles and more resemble ESCs in vivo. The physical cues can thus initiate a self-sustaining stemness-maintaining program. In addition to providing a relatively simple and low-cost option for expansion and utility of ESCs in biological research and therapeutic applications, this biomimetic material helps gain more insights into the underpinnings of early mammalian embryogenesis