Tailoring conductive network Zn@NPC@MWCNTs nanocomposites derived from ZIF-8 as high-performance electromagnetic absorber for the whole X-Band

A porous 3D cross-linked conductive network pierced by multi-wall carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) was successfully designed from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8(ZIF-8). Zn@NPC@MWCNTs composites were tailored by the facile regulating the mass ratios and thermal annealing treatment. Due to the combination of less eddy current loss and dielectric loss together with multiple reflection attenuation caused by a unique structure. With a 10 wt% filler loading, the Zn@NPC@MWCNTs composites carbonized at 800℃ show two high reflection loss(RL) values with different thicknesses. An RL value is-53.18 dB with 4.09 mm thickness in the C-Band(4-8 GHz), and a minimum RL can reach-74.83 d B(10.8 GHz)with a matching thickness of 2.749 mm. The effective absorption bandwidth is 4 GHz(from 8 to 12 GHz,RL ≤-10 d B), which just covers the full X-band. Low cost and easy preparation can also provide advantages to develop MOF-based materials as effective EMW absorbents.

Comparative genomic analysis of Lactobacillus crispatus strains Lc31 and Lc83 with anti-cervical cancer potential by complete genome sequencing

Lactobacillus crispatus is a commonly found species in the urogenital tract(UGT)of healthy females and can also colonize other niches,such as the gastrointestinal tract(GIT).Although its potential protective role in cervical cancer has been reported,the anticancer mechanisms involved are still unclear.In this study,we sequenced and characterized the complete genomes of two L.crispatus strains(Lc31 and Lc83)isolated from the UGT of healthy women of reproductive age.Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses of these two strains and 15 other L.crispatus strains with complete genome sequences revealed that strains from the UGT and GIT clustered separately.UGT strains had a larger genome size,higher GC contents,and more protein-coding sequences and insertion sequence(Is)elements,indicating the likelihood of active horizontal gene transfer in this niche.We found a universal presence of genes encoding bacteriocins and the absence of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes in UGT strains,suggesting the potential of L.crispatus as a urogenital probiotic.Comparative genomic analysis identified an ula gene cluster responsible for L-ascorbate catabolism exclusively in UGT strains,and carbohydrate fermentation experiments confirmed that this substrate supported the growth of L.crispatus Lc31 and Lc83.Our findings improve the understanding of how the genome determines niche adaptation by L.crispatus,providing a foundation for investigating the mechanisms by which urogenital-derived L.crispatus promotes female health.

The mitochondrial Na^＋/Ca^2＋ exchanger may reduce high glucose-induced oxidative stress and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 3 inflammasome activation in endothelial cells

Background The mitochondrial Na^＋/Ca^2＋ exchanger, NCLX, plays an important role in the balance between Ca2. influx and efflux across the mitochondrial inner membrane in endothelial ceils. Mitochondrial metabolism is likely to be affected by the activity of NCLX because Ca^2＋ activates several enzymes of the Krebs cycle. It is currently believed that mitochondria are not only centers of energy produc- tion but are also important sites of reactive oxygen species （ROS） generation and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome activation. Methods ＆ Results This study focused on NCLX function, in rat aortic endothelial cells （RAECs）, induced by glucose. First, we detected an increase in NCLX expression in the endothelia of rats with diabetes mellitus, which was induced by an injection of streptozotocin. Next, colocalization of NCLX expression and mitochondria was detected using confocal analysis. Suppression of NCLX expression, using an siRNA construct （siNCLX）, enhanced mitochondrial Ca^2＋ influx and blocked efflux induced by glucose. Unexpectedly, silencing of NCLX expression induced increased ROS generation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Conclusions These findings suggest that NCLX affects glucose-dependent mitochondrial Ca^2＋ signaling, thereby regulating ROS generation and NLRP3 in- flammasome activation in high glucose conditions. In the early stages of high glucose stimulation, NCLX expression increases to compensate in order to self-protect mitochondrial maintenance, stability, and function in endothelial cells.

THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF VOLATILE COMPONENTS IN JIAWEI WENDAN PRESCRIPTION ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE AUTISTIC BEHAVIOR IN RATS

The objective was to investigate the effects of volatile components in Jiawei Wendan prescription on autistic behavior in rats,to analyze the volatile constituents and then to explore its effective components based on the treatment of autism.The pregnant mice were divided into two groups according to the method that Schneider used.