De Novo Hydrocarbon-Stapling Design of Single-Turn α-Helical Antimicrobial Peptides

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Most existing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are α-helical and cationic that exhibit typical amphipathic feature to facilitate...     

Two New Abietane Diterpenoids from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron.

Two new abietane diterpenoids, (3S,5R,10S)‐3‐hydroxy‐12‐O‐demethyl‐11‐deoxy‐19(4→3)‐abeo‐cryptojaponol, 12,19‐dihydroxyabieta‐8,11,13‐trien‐7‐one, were isolated from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron., together with one known abietane diterpenoid and four known tetracyclic triterpenoids. Their structures were characterized by their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, ECD and mass spectral studies. All compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on proliferation of three human cancer cells (human non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma cell lines A549 and human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7) in vitro. Among them, three compounds displayed modest cytotoxic activities against the above three human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 16.28 to 40.67 μM.     

Caesalpanins A–C,Three Dimeric Cassane Diterpenoids from the Seeds of Caesalpinia sappan L.

Three dimeric cassane diterpenoids, caesalpanins A–C, were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan L., as well as three known compounds. Their structures were determined via analysis of 1D‐, 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS data. Caesalpanins A and B were the second and third compounds that presented a nitrogen‐containing cassane diterpenoid dimer linked through one ether bond between C‐19 and C‐20′. Caesalpanin B exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against MCF‐7 cell lines with IC₅₀ value of 29.98 μm . Caesalpanins A and B had weak inhibitory effects against LPS‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages at 50 μm with inhibitory rate of 36.01 % and 32.93 %, respectively.     

The Rise of Textured Perovskite Morphology: Revolutionizing the Pathway toward High‐Performance Optoelectronic Devices

Halide perovskite materials have achieved overwhelming success in various optoelectronic applications, especially perovskite solar cells and perovskite‐based light‐emitting diodes (P‐LEDs), owing to their outstanding optical and electric properties. It is widely believed that flat and mirror‐like perovskite films are imperative for achieving high device performance, while the potential of other perovskite morphologies, such as the emerging textured perovskite, is overlooked, which leaves plenty of room for further breakthroughs. Compared to flat and mirror‐like perovskites, textured perovskites with unique structures, e.g., coral‐like, maze‐like, column‐like or quasi‐core@shell assemblies, are more efficient at light harvesting and charge extraction, thus revolutionizing the pathways toward ultrahigh performance in perovskite‐based optoelectronic devices. Employing a textured perovskite morphology, the record of external quantum efficiency for P‐LEDs is demonstrated as 21.6%. In this research news, recent progress in the utilization of textured perovskite is summarized, with the emphasis on the preparation strategies and prominent optoelectronic properties. The impact of the textured morphology on light harvesting, carrier dynamic management, and device performance is highlighted. Finally, the challenges and great potential of employing these innovative morphologies in fabricating more efficient optoelectronic devices, or creating a new energy harvesting and conversion regime are also provided.     

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.     

High‐Efficiency Thermoelectric Power Generation Enabled by Homogeneous Incorporation of MXene in (Bi,Sb)2Te3 Matrix

The (Bi,Sb)₂Te₃ (BST) compounds have long been considered as the benchmark of thermoelectric (TE) materials near room temperature especially for refrigeration. However, their unsatisfactory TE performances in wide‐temperature range severely restrict the large‐scale applications for power generation. Here, using a self‐assembly protocol to deliver a homogeneous dispersion of 2D inclusion in matrix, the first evidence is shown that incorporation of MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) into BST can simultaneously achieve the improved power factor and greatly reduced thermal conductivity. The oxygen‐terminated Ti₃C₂T_x with proper work function leads to highly increased electrical conductivity via hole injection and retained Seebeck coefficient due to the energy barrier scattering. Meanwhile, the alignment of Ti₃C₂T_x with the layered structure significantly suppresses the phonon transport, resulting in higher interfacial thermal resistance. Accordingly, a peak ZT of up to 1.3 and an average ZT value of 1.23 from 300 to 475 K are realized for the 1 vol% Ti₃C₂T_x/BST composite. Combined with the high‐performance composite and rational device design, a record‐high thermoelectric conversion efficiency of up to 7.8% is obtained under a temperature gradient of 237 K. These findings provide a robust and scalable protocol to incorporate MXene as a versatile 2D inclusion for improving the overall performance of TE materials toward high energy‐conversion efficiency.     

去N端信号肽的水痘-带状疱疹病毒糖蛋白E的原核可溶性表达及其免疫原性评价

水痘-带状疱疹病毒(varicella zoster virus,VZV)糖蛋白E(glycoprotein E,gE)是VZV亚单位疫苗的主要候选蛋白,但目前原核表达系统制备的gE蛋白以包涵体形式为主,可溶性差。本研究采用去除第1～30氨基酸序列的VZV gE胞外域基因,将其与原核表达载体pET32a连接,并转化至感受态细胞BL21(DE3)中。使用异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(Isopropylβ-D-thiogalactoside,IPTG)诱导表达,His-tag柱纯化重组gE蛋白,蛋白质印迹法(Western blot,WB)检测其特异性。用该重组gE蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体,酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)和间接免疫荧光法检测多克隆抗体效价及特异性。结果显示,BL21/pET32a-VZV gE工程菌可以表达可溶性重组gE蛋白,纯化后纯度约为90%。WB鉴定该重组蛋白具有良好的免疫反应性。ELISA检测显示小鼠抗VZV gE多克隆抗体效价＞1∶10 000,间接免疫荧光实验结果显示该抗体特异性较高。结果表明,本研究在原核表达系统中成功表达可溶性重组VZV gE蛋白,同时该蛋白具有较强的免疫原性,这为VZV gE亚单位疫苗的研制和大规模生产奠定了基础。     

伤椎置钉联合短节段内固定与单纯短节段固定治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的比较研究

目的:比较伤椎置钉联合短节段内固定与单纯短节段固定治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的临床疗效、固定效果及其对患者炎症反应和脊髓损伤的影响。方法:选取2014年3月到2016年12月期间我院收治的胸腰椎爆裂性骨折患者94例,根据手术方法的不同将患者分为伤椎置钉组(40例)和短节段内固定组(44例)。短节段内固定组患者采用单纯后路短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定进行治疗,伤椎置钉组采用伤椎置钉联合后路短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定进行治疗。比较两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、伤椎前沿高度比、Cobb’s角、伤椎椎体楔形变角、视觉模拟评分(VAS)和Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI),炎性因子指标、脊髓损伤指标及术后并发症。结果:伤椎置钉组的手术时间长于短节段内固定组(P<0.05),术后6个月、术后12个月伤椎置钉组的伤椎前沿高度比明显高于短节段内固定组,Cobb’s角、伤椎椎体楔形变角明显低于短节段内固定组(P<0.05),术前、术后1周、术后6个月、术后12个月两组患者的VAS评分和ODI比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),术后3 d两组患者血清中IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α和pNF-H、NSE、S100β、GFAP水平比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。随访期间两组患者均未出现严重并发症。结论:伤椎置钉联合后路短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定可有效改善胸腰椎爆裂性骨折患者的椎体高度、Cobb’s角和伤椎椎体楔形变角,并且不会增加脊髓损伤和机体的炎症反应。     

CD80、CD86在鼻咽癌中的表达及其临床病理意义

目的:研究CD80、CD86在鼻咽癌中的表达变化及其临床病理意义。方法:选择2014年10月至2018年10月本院接诊的鼻咽癌确诊患者64例纳入研究,依据鼻咽癌复发情况分复发组(n=30)和未复发组(n=34);同期选取正常鼻粘膜活检组织33例作为正常对照组,采用SP免疫组化法检测鼻咽癌患者癌组织或正常鼻粘膜活检组织CD80、CD86蛋白的表达,并经Spearman相关性分析法分析CD80、CD86蛋白表达与鼻咽癌恶化程度的相关性。结果:鼻咽癌的癌组织CD80、CD86蛋白均呈高表达,阳性表达主要定位于细胞膜、细胞质,与肿瘤临床TNM分期、淋巴结转移均显著相关(P0.05)。复发组、未复发组肿瘤组织中的mRNA(ARD1、Ptch1、Survivin)表达显著高于对照组,且复发组高于未复发组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Spearman相关性分析显示CD80、CD86蛋白表达与鼻咽癌细胞侵袭能力呈显著正相关(r=0.403、0.547,P0.05)。结论:鼻咽癌的癌组织内CD80、CD86蛋白均呈高表达,与鼻咽癌的临床分期、淋巴结转移及放疗预后关系密切,可能作鼻咽癌临床诊治及预后评估的重要参考指标。