A strategy for fusion expression and preparation of functional glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue by introducing an enterokinase cleavage site

KGLP-1, a 31-amino acid glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, has a great therapeutic potential for anti-diabetes. In this work, a strategy for expression and purification of functional KGLP-1 peptide has been established. KGLP-1 cDNA was fused with glutathione S-transferase (GST), with an enterokinase cleavage site in the fusion junction. The recombinant fusion protein GST–KGLP-1 was affinity purified via the GST-tag, and then digested with enterokinase. The resulting GST part as well as the enzymes were eliminated by ultra-filtration followed by size exclusion chromatograph. The yield of purified KGLP-1 was approximately 12.1 mg/L, with purity of 96.18 %. The recombinant KGLP-1 was shown to have similar bioactivity as native GLP-1 when evaluated in a Chinese hamster ovary cell line expressing a GLP-1 receptor-egfp reporter gene.     

An Improved Whale Algorithm and Its Application in Truss Optimization

The current Whale Optimization Algorithm(WOA)has several drawbacks,such as slow convergence,low solution accuracy and easy to fall into the local optimal soluti...     

Population Differences in Brain Morphology and Microstructure among Chinese,Malay, and Indian Neonates

We studied a sample of 75 Chinese, 73 Malay, and 29 Indian healthy neonates taking part in a cohort study to examine potential differences in neonatal brain morphology and white matter microstructure as a function of ethnicity using both structural T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We first examined the differences in global size and morphology of the brain among the three groups. We then constructed the T2-weighted MRI and DTI atlases and employed voxel-based analysis to investigate ethnic differences in morphological shape of the brain from the T2-weighted MRI, and white matter microstructure measured by fractional anisotropy derived from DTI. Compared with Malay neonates, the brains of Indian neonates’ tended to be more elongated in anterior and posterior axis relative to the superior-inferior axis of the brain even though the total brain volume was similar among the three groups. Although most anatomical regions of the brain were similar among Chinese, Malay, and Indian neonates, there were anatomical variations in the spinal-cerebellar and cortical-striatal-thalamic neural circuits among the three populations. The population-related brain regions highlighted in our study are key anatomical substrates associated with sensorimotor functions.     

Novel mutations in ADAMTS13 CUB domains cause abnormal pre-mRNA splicing and defective secretion of ADAMTS13

Hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an autosomal recessive thrombosis disorder, caused by loss-of-function mutations in ADAMTS13. Mutations in the CUB domains of ADAMTS13 are rare, and the exact mechanisms through which these mutations result in the development of TTP have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we identified two novel mutations in the CUB domains in a TTP family with an acceptor splice-site mutation (c.3569−1, G>A, intron 25) and a point missense mutation (c.3923, G>A, exon 28), resulting in a glycine to aspartic acid substitution (p.G1308D). In vitro splicing analysis revealed that the intronic mutation resulted in abnormal pre-mRNA splicing, and an in vitro expression assay revealed that the missense mutation significantly impaired ADAMTS13 secretion. Although both the patient and her brother displayed significantly reduced ADAMTS13 activity and increased levels of ultra-large VWF (ULVWF) multimers in plasma, only the female developed acute episodes of TTP. Our findings indicate the importance of the CUB domains for the protein stability and extracellular secretion of ADAMTS13.     

Vacancy in Ultrathin 2D Nanomaterials toward Sustainable Energy Application

The unique physicochemical properties of (2D) nanomaterials make them well‐suited for use in sustainable energy applications. Many of these materials can be further improved with vacancy engineering. This review details recent progress in the vacancy engineering of ultrathin 2D nanomaterials. For clarity, it mainly focuses on various ultrathin 2D materials in three categories: X_a&X_aY_b‐, M_aX_b‐, or M_aX_bY_c‐structured materials. Recently developed vacancies in different types of ultrathin 2D materials, as well as their preparation and characterization, are described. Emphasis is placed on the potential electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications of these materials. This review considers the relationship between vacancy properties and material categories of various ultrathin 2D materials in terms of application requirements, preparation, and characterization techniques. The challenges and future outlook of this promising field are summarized.     

Half‐Heusler Thermoelectric Module with High Conversion Efficiency and High Power Density

Half‐Heusler (HH) compounds have shown great potential in waste heat recovery. Among them, p‐type NbFeSb and n‐type ZrNiSn based alloys have exhibited the best thermoelectric (TE) performance. However, TE devices based on NbFeSb‐based HH compounds are rarely studied. In this work, bulk volumes of p‐type (Nb_0.8Ta_0.2)_0.8Ti_0.2FeSb and n‐type Hf_0.5Zr_0.5NiSn_0.98Sb_0.02 compounds are successfully prepared with good phase purity, compositional homogeneity, and matchable TE performance. The peak zTs are higher than 1.0 at 973 K for Hf_0.5Zr_0.5NiSn_0.98Sb_0.02 and at 1200 K for (Nb_0.8Ta_0.2)_0.8Ti_0.2FeSb. Based on an optimal design by a full‐parameters 3D finite element model, a single stage TE module with 8 n‐p HH couples is assembled. A high conversion efficiency of 8.3% and high power density of 2.11 W cm^?2 are obtained when hot and cold side temperatures are 997 and 342 K, respectively. Compared to the previous TE module assembled by the same materials, the conversion efficiency is enhanced by 33%, while the power density is almost the same. Given the excellent mechanical robustness and thermal stability, matchable thermal expansion coefficient and TE properties of NbFeSb and ZrNiSn based HH alloys, this work demonstrates their great promise for power generation with both high conversion efficiency and high power density.     

Direct Recycling of Spent NCM Cathodes through Ionothermal Lithiation

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a family of nonconventional molten salts that offer many advantages, such as negligible vapor pressures, negligible flammability, wide liquidus ranges, good thermal stability, and much synthesis flexibility. The unique solvation environment of these ILs provides new reaction or flux media for controlling formation of solid‐state materials with a minimum perturbation of morphologies. A successful lithiation via ionothermal synthesis using a cost‐effective Li halide as Li source and recyclable ILs as solvents is reported here for the direct recycling of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (NCM 111) cathodes. In addition, the ionic liquids can be readily recycled and reused after ionothermal lithiation. The lithiation of spent cathodes can enable the direct recycling of spent cathode materials in lithium‐ion batteries.     

Allotransplantation of adult spinal cord tissues after complete transected spinal cord injury: Long-term survival and functional recovery in canines

Science China Life Sciences - Spinal cord injury (SCI), especially complete transected SCI, leads to loss of cells and extracellular matrix and functional impairments. In a previous study, we...     

From signaling to function: how strigolactones regulate plant development

Science China Life Sciences -