The RXLR effector PpE18 of Phytophthora parasitica is a virulence factor and suppresses peroxisome membrane-associated ascorbate peroxidase NbAPX3-1-mediated plant immunity.

Phytophthora parasitica causes diseases on a broad range of host plants. It secretes numerous effectors to suppress plant immunity. However, only a few virulence effectors in P.

Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector Pi23014 targets host RNA-binding protein NbRBP3a to suppress plant immunity.

Phytophthora infestans is a destructive oomycete that causes the late blight of potato and tomato worldwide. It secretes numerous small proteins called effectors in order to manipulate host cell components and suppress plant immunity. Identifying the targets of these effectors is crucial for understanding P.

Coupling effect between hole storage and interfacial charge transfer over ultrathin CoPi-modified hematite photoanodes.

Understanding the functionality of the modification layer in regulating the charge transfer process at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface is of great significance to the rational design of photoelectrocatalytic water oxidation systems. Herein, by systematically investigating and comparing the charge transfer kinetics behaviors over ferrihydrite (Fh)- and cobalt phosphate (CoPi)-modified hematite (FeO) photoanodes, we unveiled the essential relation between photocurrent enhancement and the charge transfer process. With the hole-storage material Fh as a reference, it was found that CoPi demonstrates high hole-storage capacity at a low bias region (<1.

Potential threat of SARS-CoV-2 in coastal waters.

A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused more than 150 million confirmed infections worldwide, while it is not clear whether it affects the coastal waters. This paper proposed a biophysical model based on 16 scenarios with different virus half-life parameters to assess potential viral contamination from 25 municipal sewage outfalls into the Bohai Sea. Viral concentration maps showing spatial and temporal changes are provided based on a biophysical model under multiple scenarios.

Killing Streptococcus mutans in mature biofilm with a combination of antimicrobial and antibiofilm peptides.

Biofilm poses a serious challenge for the treatment of bacterial infections, as it endows bacteria a pronounced resistance to traditional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered potential substitutes for antibiotics. Combinational use of AMPs with other compounds to exert antibiofilm effects has been proved to be an effective means to reduce their toxicity and maximize their antimicrobial activity.

Surface-structured bacterial cellulose loaded with hUSCs accelerate skin wound healing by promoting angiogenesis in rats.

Promotion of wound healing is one of the most important fields in clinical medical research. This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of a new surface-structured bacterial cellulose(S-BC) biomaterial with human urine-derived stem cells (hUSCs) for wound healing. In vitro, EA.

Microfluidic Manufacturing of SN-38-Loaded Polymer Nanoparticles with Shear Processing Control of Drug Delivery Properties.

Two-phase gas-liquid microfluidic reactors provide shear processing control of SN-38-loaded polymer nanoparticles (SN-38-PNPs). We prepare SN-38-PNPs from the block copolymer poly(methyl caprolactone- co-caprolactone)- block-poly(ethylene oxides) (P(MCL- co-CL)- b-PEO) using bulk and microfluidic methods and at different drug-to-polymer loading ratios and on-chip flow rates. We show that, as the microfluidic flow rate ( Q) increases, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading increase and release half times increase.

Self-assembly nanostructure controlled sustained release, activity and stability of peptide drugs.

Peptides are considered as a new generation of drugs due to their high structural and functional diversity. However, the development of peptide drugs is always limited by their poor stability and short circulation time. Carriers are applied for peptide drug delivery, but there may be problems like poor loading efficiency and undesired xenobiotic toxicity.

Controlling Structure and Function of Polymeric Drug Delivery Nanoparticles Using Microfluidics.

We demonstrate control of multiscale structure and drug delivery function for paclitaxel (PAX)-loaded polycaprolactone-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PCL-b-PEO) polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) via synthesis and flow-directed shear processing in a two-phase gas-liquid microfluidic reactor. This strategy takes a page from the engineering of commodity plastics, where processing rather than polymer chemistry provides an experimental handle on properties and function. PNPs formed from copolymers with three different PCL block lengths show sizes, morphologies, and loading efficiencies that depend on both the PCL block length and the microfluidic flow rate.

How charge distribution influences the function of membrane-active peptides: Lytic or cell-penetrating?

Lytic and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are both membrane-active peptides sharing similar physicochemical properties. Although their respective functions have been intensively investigated, the difference of intrinsic properties between these two types of peptides is rarely discussed. In this study, we designed a series of analogs of a recently discovered CPP ZXR-1 (FKIGGFIKKLWRSKLA) by varying the charge distributions both on the helical wheel projection and along the sequence.

From a pro-apoptotic peptide to a lytic peptide: One single residue mutation.

Further discovery and design of new anticancer peptides are important for the development of anticancer therapeutics, and study on the detailed acting mechanism and structure-function relationship of peptides is critical for anticancer peptide design and application. In this study, a novel anticancer peptide ZXR-1 (FKIGGFIKKLWRSKLA) derived from a known anticancer peptide mauriporin was developed, and a mutant ZXR-2 (FKIGGFIKKLWRSLLA) with only one residue difference at the 14th position (Lys→Leu) was also engineered. Replacement of the lysine with leucine made ZXR-2 more potent than ZXR-1 in general.

Multiscale Control of Hierarchical Structure in Crystalline Block Copolymer Nanoparticles Using Microfluidics.

Hierarchical semicrystalline block copolymer nanoparticles are produced in a segmented gas-liquid microfluidic reactor with top-down control of multiscale structural features, including nanoparticle morphologies, sizes, and internal crystallinities. Control of multiscale structure on disparate length scales by a single control variable (flow rate) enables tailoring of drug delivery nanoparticle function including release rates.

Facile room-temperature solution-phase synthesis of a spherical covalent organic framework for high-resolution chromatographic separation.

A simple and facile room-temperature solution-phase synthesis was developed to fabricate a spherical covalent organic framework with large surface area, good solvent stability and high thermostability for high-resolution chromatographic separation of diverse important industrial analytes including alkanes, cyclohexane and benzene, α-pinene and β-pinene, and alcohols with high column efficiency and good precision.