Platelet-derived microparticles and their cargos: The past, present and future

All eukaryotic cells can secrete extracellular vesicles, which have a double-membrane structure and are important players in the intercellular communication involved in a variety of important biological processes. Platelets form platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) in response to activation, injury, or apoptosis. This review introduces the origin, pathway, and biological functions of PMPs and their importance in physiological and pathological processes. In addition, we review the potential applications of PMPs in cancer, vascular homeostasis, thrombosis, inflammation, neural regeneration, biomarkers, and drug carriers to achieve targeted drug delivery. In addition, we comprehensively report on the origin, biological functions, and applications of PMPs. The clinical transformation, high heterogeneity, future development direction, and limitations of the current research on PMPs are also discussed in depth. Evidence has revealed that PMPs play an important role in cell-cell communication, providing clues for the development of PMPs as carriers for relevant cell-targeted drugs. The development history and prospects of PMPs and their cargos are explored in this guidebook.

Response of Phytoplankton Community Structure and Size- Fractionated Chlorophyll a in an Upwelling Simulation Experiment in the Western South China Sea

The South China Sea(SCS), which is the largest marginal sea in the western tropical Pacific, plays an important role in regional climate change. However, the research on the phytoplankton community structure(PCS) response to the upwelling remains inadequate. In January 2014, the upwelling simulation experiment was performed in the western SCS. Results indicate that the nutrient-rich bottom water not only increased the total Chlorophyll a(Chl a) concentrations, but would potentially altered the PCS. Due to new nutrients added, microphytoplankton had more sensitivity response to nutrient uptake than other phytoplankton groups. The variation of nutrients induced by formation, weakening and disappearance of upwelling resulted in phytoplankton species succession from cyanophyta to bacillariophyta. It may be the leading factor of the changes in PCS and size-fractionated Chl a. The initial concentration of DIP less than 0.1 μmol L-1 could not sustain the phytoplankton growth. This indicates that phosphorus may be the limiting factor in the western SCS.

Computational prediction of Mo_(2)@g-C_(6)N_(6) monolayer as an efficient electrocatalyst for N_(2) reduction

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)is an environmentally friendly method for sustainable ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions.Searching for efficient NRR electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity is currently urgent but remains great challenge.Herein,we systematically investigate the NRR catalytic activities of single and double transition metal atoms(TM=Fe,Co,Ni and Mo)anchored on g-C_(6)N_(6) monolayers by performing first-principles calculation.Based on the stability,activity,and selectivity analysis,Mo_(2)@g-C_(6)N_(6) monolayer is screened out as the most promising candidate for NRR.Further exploration of the reaction mechanism demonstrates that the Mo dimer anchored on g-C_(6)N_(6) can sufficiently activate and efficiently reduce the inert nitrogen molecule to ammonia through a preferred distal pathway with a particularly low limiting potential of -0.06 V.In addition,we find that Mo_(2)@g-C_(6)N_(6) has excellent NRR selectivity over the competing hydrogen evolution reaction,with the Faradaic efficiency being 100%.Our work not only predicts a kind of ideal NRR electrocatalyst but also encouraging more experimental and theoretical efforts to develop novel double-atom catalysts(DACs)for NRR.