Camouflage is one of the most widespread and powerful strategies that animals use to make detection/recognition more difficult. Many orb-web spiders of the genus Cyclosa add prey remains, plant debris, moults, and/or ...Camouflage is one of the most widespread and powerful strategies that animals use to make detection/recognition more difficult. Many orb-web spiders of the genus Cyclosa add prey remains, plant debris, moults, and/or eggsacs to their webs called web decorations. Web decorations resembling spider body colour pattern have been considered to camouflage the spider from predators. While this camouflage is obvious from a human＇s perspective, it has rarely been investigated from a predator＇s perspective. In this study, we tested the visibility of web decorations by calculating chromatic and achromatic contrasts of detritus and eggsae decorations built by Cyclosa octotubereulata, against four different backgrounds viewed by both bird （e.g., blue tits） and hymenopteran （e.g. wasps） predators. We showed that both juvenile and adult spiders on webs with detritus or egg-sac deco- rations were undetectable by both hymenopteran and bird predators over short and long distances. Our results thus suggest that decorating webs with detritus or eggsacs by C octotuberculata may camouflage the spiders from both hymenopteran and bird predators in their common habitats [Current Zoology 56 （3）： 379-387, 2010].展开更多
The fossil trunks and rhizomes of Osmundaceae provide important information about its evolutionary history.Due to limited records of the Mesozoic trunks and rhizomes in the Eurasia of the Northern Hemisphere,our under...The fossil trunks and rhizomes of Osmundaceae provide important information about its evolutionary history.Due to limited records of the Mesozoic trunks and rhizomes in the Eurasia of the Northern Hemisphere,our understanding on the fossil diversity of the Osmundaceae is hindered.Two new species of the Osmundaceae trunks,Osmundacaulis asiatica sp.nov.and Osmundacaulis sinica sp.nov.representing the first discovery of the Mesozoic tree fern genus Osmundacaulis in Eurasia,are described from Wudalianchi and Qiqihar,Heilongjiang Province,Northeast China,which enriches the plant diversity of the Osmundaceae in the Eurasia,and provides vital evidence for studying the distribution,radiation and evolution of the genus during the Cretaceous.The fossil records suggest that Osmundacaulis species may have evolved from a common ancestor,which first appeared in the Australian portion of Pangaea,and then spread to ancient northern North America and ancient East Asia.Since then,they developed into different species through their own evolutionary lines.The Chinese species have a special local feature that the outer cortex is thicker than the inner cortex,in contrast with reported Osmundacaulis species having thinner outer cortex and thicker inner cortex.Long-term geographic isolation may have led to the radiation of diverse Osmundacaulis species and the appearance of region-specific features,such as the thick outer cortex and the thin inner cortex of the Chinese species.Among all reported Osmundacaulis species,the two new species found in China,O.nerii from the Jurassic of Australia and the O.lemonii from the Jurassic of the USA,have special groups of mucilage-sacs inside sclerenchyma ring of petiole base.Mucilage sacs probably originated independently among taxonomic groups,representing convergent adaptations to similar habitats,rather than indicating genetic inheritance from a common ancestor.展开更多
More than 35 species belonging to 22 genera of fossil plants are recognized by the authors from the Shan-songgang flora in the Shansonggang Basin of Jilin, China. Among them, the coexistence of Coniopteris and Cycadoc...More than 35 species belonging to 22 genera of fossil plants are recognized by the authors from the Shan-songgang flora in the Shansonggang Basin of Jilin, China. Among them, the coexistence of Coniopteris and Cycadocarpi-dium demonstrates that the present flora possesses the characters of the early assemblage of Early Jurassic floras in Eura-sia. Therefore, the age of the Shansonggang flora is considered the Early Jurassic.This study would be beneficial for bet-ter understanding the paleoecological and paleoclimatic characteristics of the Shansonggang Basin. Based mainly on the characters of the flora, the authors suggest that the Lower Jurassic coal-bearing strata, the Shansongang Formation, should namely be renewed.展开更多
With the rapid advancement of vaccines,the research and application of vaccine adjuvants have garnered significant attention.Despite the development of numerous vaccine adjuvants,their applications in human vaccines r...With the rapid advancement of vaccines,the research and application of vaccine adjuvants have garnered significant attention.Despite the development of numerous vaccine adjuvants,their applications in human vaccines remain limited due to either insufficient efficacy or severe side effects.Consequently,there is growing interest in developing bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)as vaccine adjuvants,owing to their natural biocompatibility,diversity,and safety.Here,we systematically review the current application status and potential value of TCM-based bioactive compounds in vaccine adjuvants.Firstly,we elaborate on the types and characteristics of active ingredients,such as polysaccharides,saponins,flavonoids,acids,and alkaloids.The mechanisms by which these compounds function as vaccine adjuvants are then discussed,including their roles in enhancing humoral immunity,cellular immunity,and relieving the immune suppression in the microenvironment.Additionally,we summarize the current strategies for structural modification and platform optimization to adapt to different application scenarios.Finally,we offer insights into the future development directions for these potential adjuvants,highlighting research priorities,technical approaches,and application prospects.In conclusion,natural vaccine adjuvants derived from TCMs present broad application prospects and hold promise for future vaccine development.展开更多
Cells and exosomes derived from them are extensively used as biological carrier systems.Cells demonstrate superior targeting specificity and prolonged circulation facilitated by their rich array of surface proteins,wh...Cells and exosomes derived from them are extensively used as biological carrier systems.Cells demonstrate superior targeting specificity and prolonged circulation facilitated by their rich array of surface proteins,while exosomes,due to their small size,cross barriers and penetrate tumors efficiently.However,challenges remain,cells’large size restricts tissue penetration,and exosomes have limited targeting accuracy and short circulation times.To address these challenges,we developed a novel concept termed exosomal spheres.This approach involved incorporating platelet-derived exosomes shielded with phosphatidylserine(PS)and linked via pH-sensitive bonds for drug delivery applications.The study demonstrated that,compared with exosomes,the exosomal spheres improved blood circulation through the upregulation of CD47 expression and shielding of phosphatidylserine,thereby minimizing immune clearance.Moreover,the increased expression of P-selectin promoted adhesion to circulating tumor cells,thereby enhancing targeting efficiency.Upon reaching the tumor site,the hydrazone bonds of exosome spheres were protonated in the acidic tumor microenvironment,leading to disintegration into uniform-sized exosomes capable of deeper tumor penetration compared to platelets.These findings suggested that exosome spheres addressed the challenges and offered significant potential for efficient and precise drug delivery.展开更多
The tumor microenvironment-sensitive prodrug-based nanoparticles(NPs)have emerged as a promising drug delivery system(DDS).The shape of these particles plays a crucial role in their in vivo behavior.However,non-spheri...The tumor microenvironment-sensitive prodrug-based nanoparticles(NPs)have emerged as a promising drug delivery system(DDS).The shape of these particles plays a crucial role in their in vivo behavior.However,non-spherical organic NPs are rarely reported due to the inherent flexibility and variability of organic molecules.Herein,we fabricate reduction-sensitive prodrug NPs and explore the impact of their morphology properties on their in vivo fate.Prodrugs are self-assembled into spherical NPs with distearoyl phosphoethanolamine-PEG2000(DSPE-PEG2k),or into rod-shaped NPs with D-a-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 2000 succinate(TPGS2k)due to the stronger binding energy.In comparison with spherical NPs,the endocytosis of rod-shaped NPs predominantly relies on caveolae-mediated pathways rather than clathrin-mediated ones,potentially avoiding degradation by lysosomes.Additionally,the rod-shaped NPs exhibit prolonged circulation time,increased tumor accumulation,and enhanced antitumor ability.Our current findings reveal the significant effect of particle shape on the behavior of prodrug NPs and introduce a novel paradigm for high-efficacy cancer therapy of prodrug NPs.展开更多
Lithiummetal batteries(LMBs)offer high theoretical capacity and low redox potential,making them attractive for next-generation energy storage.However,their practical application is limited by dendrite formation,interf...Lithiummetal batteries(LMBs)offer high theoretical capacity and low redox potential,making them attractive for next-generation energy storage.However,their practical application is limited by dendrite formation,interfacial instability,parasitic reactions,and poor long-term cycling under realistic conditions.Recent advances suggest that supramolecular chemistry offers a powerful and modular framework for addressing these limitations via controlled molecular-level interactions.In this review,we highlight how supramolecular self-assembly strategies enable precise manipulation of liquid electrolyte structure,interfacial composition,and bulk solid-state architecture.We first discuss self-assembly in liquid electrolytes,where supramolecular interactions regulate lithium-ion solvation and promote dynamic interfacial passivation.We then analyze the role of supramolecular layers at different interfaces in batteries,both spontaneously formed and artificially engineered,for constructing robust and adaptive interphases.Finally,we examine bulk solid-state electrolytes,in which directional supramolecular interactions facilitate ion transport and mechanical integrity.Across these domains,supramolecular self-assembly emerges as a unifying strategy that transforms the electrolyte and interphase from passive components into actively engineered systems.This approach not only enables dynamic interfacial regulation and improved cycling stability but also opens new avenues for themolecular design of highperformance and durable LMBs.展开更多
The leakage and volatilization of liquid electrolytes raise potential safety risks in the development of electrochemical energy storage devices with high energy density.Herein,novel solid-state zwitterionic materials ...The leakage and volatilization of liquid electrolytes raise potential safety risks in the development of electrochemical energy storage devices with high energy density.Herein,novel solid-state zwitterionic materials containing sulfonyl imide as a highly delocalized anionic structure were synthesized for highly targeted lithium ion conducting matrices.The influences of the molecular structure characteristics on thermal behavior and electrochemical property were investigated comprehensively.Due to the weak Coulomb interaction between the sulfonyl imide moiety and cationic species,the rationally designed zwitterionic electrolytes showed a high conductivity of 0.44 mS cm^(-1).And the obtained high lithium ion transference number of 0.43 is four times higher than that of the widely employed sulfonate analogues.Additionally,excellent cycling stability of the lithium plating/stripping process and super resistance to electrochemical oxidation(up to 5.5 V)were observed.This molecular engineering strategy for lithium ion conductor advances new possibilities for developing solvent-free and non-migrating electrolyte matrix materials for lithium metal batteries.展开更多
基金supported by a grant from NSFC (30770332)The Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF)(R-154-000-335-112)
文摘Camouflage is one of the most widespread and powerful strategies that animals use to make detection/recognition more difficult. Many orb-web spiders of the genus Cyclosa add prey remains, plant debris, moults, and/or eggsacs to their webs called web decorations. Web decorations resembling spider body colour pattern have been considered to camouflage the spider from predators. While this camouflage is obvious from a human＇s perspective, it has rarely been investigated from a predator＇s perspective. In this study, we tested the visibility of web decorations by calculating chromatic and achromatic contrasts of detritus and eggsae decorations built by Cyclosa octotubereulata, against four different backgrounds viewed by both bird （e.g., blue tits） and hymenopteran （e.g. wasps） predators. We showed that both juvenile and adult spiders on webs with detritus or egg-sac deco- rations were undetectable by both hymenopteran and bird predators over short and long distances. Our results thus suggest that decorating webs with detritus or eggsacs by C octotuberculata may camouflage the spiders from both hymenopteran and bird predators in their common habitats [Current Zoology 56 （3）： 379-387, 2010].
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31970234)the Ministry of Natural Resources,China(Grant No.12111300000018001)Key-Lab for Evolution of Past Life and Environment in Northeast Asia,Ministry of Education,China(Grant No.2018JDEPw001)。
文摘The fossil trunks and rhizomes of Osmundaceae provide important information about its evolutionary history.Due to limited records of the Mesozoic trunks and rhizomes in the Eurasia of the Northern Hemisphere,our understanding on the fossil diversity of the Osmundaceae is hindered.Two new species of the Osmundaceae trunks,Osmundacaulis asiatica sp.nov.and Osmundacaulis sinica sp.nov.representing the first discovery of the Mesozoic tree fern genus Osmundacaulis in Eurasia,are described from Wudalianchi and Qiqihar,Heilongjiang Province,Northeast China,which enriches the plant diversity of the Osmundaceae in the Eurasia,and provides vital evidence for studying the distribution,radiation and evolution of the genus during the Cretaceous.The fossil records suggest that Osmundacaulis species may have evolved from a common ancestor,which first appeared in the Australian portion of Pangaea,and then spread to ancient northern North America and ancient East Asia.Since then,they developed into different species through their own evolutionary lines.The Chinese species have a special local feature that the outer cortex is thicker than the inner cortex,in contrast with reported Osmundacaulis species having thinner outer cortex and thicker inner cortex.Long-term geographic isolation may have led to the radiation of diverse Osmundacaulis species and the appearance of region-specific features,such as the thick outer cortex and the thin inner cortex of the Chinese species.Among all reported Osmundacaulis species,the two new species found in China,O.nerii from the Jurassic of Australia and the O.lemonii from the Jurassic of the USA,have special groups of mucilage-sacs inside sclerenchyma ring of petiole base.Mucilage sacs probably originated independently among taxonomic groups,representing convergent adaptations to similar habitats,rather than indicating genetic inheritance from a common ancestor.
文摘More than 35 species belonging to 22 genera of fossil plants are recognized by the authors from the Shan-songgang flora in the Shansonggang Basin of Jilin, China. Among them, the coexistence of Coniopteris and Cycadocarpi-dium demonstrates that the present flora possesses the characters of the early assemblage of Early Jurassic floras in Eura-sia. Therefore, the age of the Shansonggang flora is considered the Early Jurassic.This study would be beneficial for bet-ter understanding the paleoecological and paleoclimatic characteristics of the Shansonggang Basin. Based mainly on the characters of the flora, the authors suggest that the Lower Jurassic coal-bearing strata, the Shansongang Formation, should namely be renewed.
基金supported by Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program(No.XLYC22202019)Liaoning Province Applied Basic Research Program(No.2022JH2/101300097).
文摘With the rapid advancement of vaccines,the research and application of vaccine adjuvants have garnered significant attention.Despite the development of numerous vaccine adjuvants,their applications in human vaccines remain limited due to either insufficient efficacy or severe side effects.Consequently,there is growing interest in developing bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)as vaccine adjuvants,owing to their natural biocompatibility,diversity,and safety.Here,we systematically review the current application status and potential value of TCM-based bioactive compounds in vaccine adjuvants.Firstly,we elaborate on the types and characteristics of active ingredients,such as polysaccharides,saponins,flavonoids,acids,and alkaloids.The mechanisms by which these compounds function as vaccine adjuvants are then discussed,including their roles in enhancing humoral immunity,cellular immunity,and relieving the immune suppression in the microenvironment.Additionally,we summarize the current strategies for structural modification and platform optimization to adapt to different application scenarios.Finally,we offer insights into the future development directions for these potential adjuvants,highlighting research priorities,technical approaches,and application prospects.In conclusion,natural vaccine adjuvants derived from TCMs present broad application prospects and hold promise for future vaccine development.
基金support from National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFE0111600)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82273874)Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program(No.XLYC22202019,China).
文摘Cells and exosomes derived from them are extensively used as biological carrier systems.Cells demonstrate superior targeting specificity and prolonged circulation facilitated by their rich array of surface proteins,while exosomes,due to their small size,cross barriers and penetrate tumors efficiently.However,challenges remain,cells’large size restricts tissue penetration,and exosomes have limited targeting accuracy and short circulation times.To address these challenges,we developed a novel concept termed exosomal spheres.This approach involved incorporating platelet-derived exosomes shielded with phosphatidylserine(PS)and linked via pH-sensitive bonds for drug delivery applications.The study demonstrated that,compared with exosomes,the exosomal spheres improved blood circulation through the upregulation of CD47 expression and shielding of phosphatidylserine,thereby minimizing immune clearance.Moreover,the increased expression of P-selectin promoted adhesion to circulating tumor cells,thereby enhancing targeting efficiency.Upon reaching the tumor site,the hydrazone bonds of exosome spheres were protonated in the acidic tumor microenvironment,leading to disintegration into uniform-sized exosomes capable of deeper tumor penetration compared to platelets.These findings suggested that exosome spheres addressed the challenges and offered significant potential for efficient and precise drug delivery.
基金This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82273874 and 82404561)Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program(No.XLYC22202019)+4 种基金the China National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents(No.BX20240233)the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program(Grade B)of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.GZB20240179)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2023MD744230)Doctoral Scientific Research Launching Fund Project of Liaoning province(No.2024-BS-075)Prospective Basic research project of 2024 Scientific Research Project of Liaoning Department of Education(No.LJ212410163042).
文摘The tumor microenvironment-sensitive prodrug-based nanoparticles(NPs)have emerged as a promising drug delivery system(DDS).The shape of these particles plays a crucial role in their in vivo behavior.However,non-spherical organic NPs are rarely reported due to the inherent flexibility and variability of organic molecules.Herein,we fabricate reduction-sensitive prodrug NPs and explore the impact of their morphology properties on their in vivo fate.Prodrugs are self-assembled into spherical NPs with distearoyl phosphoethanolamine-PEG2000(DSPE-PEG2k),or into rod-shaped NPs with D-a-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 2000 succinate(TPGS2k)due to the stronger binding energy.In comparison with spherical NPs,the endocytosis of rod-shaped NPs predominantly relies on caveolae-mediated pathways rather than clathrin-mediated ones,potentially avoiding degradation by lysosomes.Additionally,the rod-shaped NPs exhibit prolonged circulation time,increased tumor accumulation,and enhanced antitumor ability.Our current findings reveal the significant effect of particle shape on the behavior of prodrug NPs and introduce a novel paradigm for high-efficacy cancer therapy of prodrug NPs.
基金Tsinghua-Toyota Joint Research Fund and Tsinghua University-China Petrochemical Corporation Joint Institute for Green Chemical Engineering(224247).
文摘Lithiummetal batteries(LMBs)offer high theoretical capacity and low redox potential,making them attractive for next-generation energy storage.However,their practical application is limited by dendrite formation,interfacial instability,parasitic reactions,and poor long-term cycling under realistic conditions.Recent advances suggest that supramolecular chemistry offers a powerful and modular framework for addressing these limitations via controlled molecular-level interactions.In this review,we highlight how supramolecular self-assembly strategies enable precise manipulation of liquid electrolyte structure,interfacial composition,and bulk solid-state architecture.We first discuss self-assembly in liquid electrolytes,where supramolecular interactions regulate lithium-ion solvation and promote dynamic interfacial passivation.We then analyze the role of supramolecular layers at different interfaces in batteries,both spontaneously formed and artificially engineered,for constructing robust and adaptive interphases.Finally,we examine bulk solid-state electrolytes,in which directional supramolecular interactions facilitate ion transport and mechanical integrity.Across these domains,supramolecular self-assembly emerges as a unifying strategy that transforms the electrolyte and interphase from passive components into actively engineered systems.This approach not only enables dynamic interfacial regulation and improved cycling stability but also opens new avenues for themolecular design of highperformance and durable LMBs.
基金We gratefully acknowledge support by the National Science Foundation of China(grant no.22071133)the Tsinghua University-China Petrochemical Corporation Joint Institute for Green Chemical Engineering(grant no.421120)+1 种基金Tsinghua-Foshan Innovation Special Fund(TFISF)(grant no.2020THFS0130)Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program(K.L.).
文摘The leakage and volatilization of liquid electrolytes raise potential safety risks in the development of electrochemical energy storage devices with high energy density.Herein,novel solid-state zwitterionic materials containing sulfonyl imide as a highly delocalized anionic structure were synthesized for highly targeted lithium ion conducting matrices.The influences of the molecular structure characteristics on thermal behavior and electrochemical property were investigated comprehensively.Due to the weak Coulomb interaction between the sulfonyl imide moiety and cationic species,the rationally designed zwitterionic electrolytes showed a high conductivity of 0.44 mS cm^(-1).And the obtained high lithium ion transference number of 0.43 is four times higher than that of the widely employed sulfonate analogues.Additionally,excellent cycling stability of the lithium plating/stripping process and super resistance to electrochemical oxidation(up to 5.5 V)were observed.This molecular engineering strategy for lithium ion conductor advances new possibilities for developing solvent-free and non-migrating electrolyte matrix materials for lithium metal batteries.
