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.     

Interlock可解脱弹簧圈在脾动脉瘤腔内治疗中的应用

目的:探究Interlock可解脱弹簧圈在脾动脉瘤的腔内治疗中的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析2016年2月至2019年2月于本中心使用Interlock可解脱弹簧圈治疗的36例脾动脉瘤患者的临床资料,包括10例男性,26例女性,31例真性动脉瘤,5例假性脾动脉瘤,术前均行超声或CTA明确诊断。术中栓塞后,立即血管造影以明确技术成功率。围手术期及术后2周、3个月和6个月监测血常规、胰淀粉酶和主动脉CTA,观察并发症的发生情况。结果:6例患者弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤远近端及瘤腔,其余仅栓塞脾动脉瘤瘤腔。术中DSA血管造影提示即刻脾动脉瘤栓塞闭塞率为97%以上,术中共使用128枚Interlock弹簧圈,其中104枚为钻石型,24枚为普通2D型。弹簧圈平均直径为6.3±4.2(2-12)mm,平均长度为16±13.5(3-32)mm,瘤体平均尺寸为40.6±12.5(15-70) mm。围手术期无并发症发生。平均随访10.0±3.2(6-15)个月,1月后2例出现脾梗死,7例发生轻微腹痛及低热等症状,所有病例均未见瘤腔再通和瘤体增大。结论:Interlock可解脱弹簧圈可以安全有效地治疗脾动脉瘤,但其远期疗效需长期随访观察。     

阿加曲班对MCAO大鼠不同时间点血小板功能的影响

建立大脑中动脉闭塞(model of middle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO)大鼠模型,研究阿加曲班对大鼠不同时间脑缺血再灌注损伤血小板功能的影响。将120只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham)、模型组(Model)和阿加曲班给药组(Argatroban),其中Argatroban组分为4组:Argatroban+30 min组、Argatroban+1 h组、Argatroban+3 h组和Argatroban+7 h组,Sham组和Model组40只,其余各组每组10只。线栓法制备大鼠MCAO模型,术中输注Argatroban,剂量为0.3μg·kg^-1·min^-1,完成手术前5 min停止输注。手术完成后,Sham组和Model组分别于术后30 min、1 h、3 h和7 h处死10只取样;Argatroban给药组5个时间点处死取样。检测大鼠血浆血细胞数量,并计数骨髓有核细胞数的变化。采用流式细胞仪检测血小板-白细胞聚集体(platelet-leukocyte aggregates,PLA)表达水平,观察活化部分凝血活酶时间(activated partial thromboplastin time,APTT)、血小板计数变化,ELISA检测血浆D-二聚体和TAT。结果显示,与Sham组相比,Model组大鼠的红细胞(RBC)、白细胞(WBC)、血红蛋白含量(HGB)和中性粒细胞(GR)数都显著升高(p<0.05),且与给药组没有统计学差异。Sham组、Model组和Argatroban给药组的骨髓有核细胞数也没有统计学差异。与Sham组相比,Model组PLA表达水平极显著升高(p<0.01),Argatroban+30 min组PLA表达水平却低于Sham组,但没有统计学差异,Argatroban+1 h组高于Sham组和Argatroban+30 min组(p<0.05),Argatroban+3 h组和Argatroban+7 h组高于Argatroban+1 h组低于Sham组。术后各组的血小板计数均高于Sham组(p<0.05),Argatroban各组的血小板计数要低于Model组(p<0.05),并在30 min时达到最低,30 min以后血小板升高,但是1 h以后血小板不再升高,趋于稳定。Argatroban各组PT和APTT虽略有降低,但是与Sham组和Model组并没有统计学差异。造模后各组TAT、D-二聚体水平显著升高,Argatroban各组TAT水平较模型组明显降低(p<0.05),Argatroban+30 min组水平最低。MCAO模型大鼠血液呈现高凝状态,凝血功能和纤维蛋白溶解功能亢进,血小板活化增强,阿加曲班可对此起到改善作用。     

Could urinary ACE2 protein level help identify individuals susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and complication?

Science China Life Sciences -     

全反式维甲酸对骺软骨细胞生物学行为及其功能影响的研究

该研究主要探讨了体外高浓度全反式维甲酸(all-trans retinoic acid,ATRA)对SD大鼠骺软骨细胞生物学性状和功能的影响以及体内ATRA对SD大鼠胫骨生长板的影响。以SD大鼠骺软骨细胞为研究对象、ATRA为干预因素,采用CCK-8、细胞流式术、HE染色、Annexin V-FITC细胞凋亡流式检测术、Hoechst染色、细胞划痕、Transwell实验分别评估ATRA处理后细胞的增殖、周期、形态、凋亡及迁移情况,Western blot检测蛋白聚糖、Ⅱ型胶原、X型胶原等相关功能蛋白的变化;以3周雄性SD大鼠为实验对象,分为对照组、60 mg/kg·d ATRA组、80 mg/kg·d ATRA组,进行10天连续ATRA灌胃处理,测量每只SD大鼠灌胃第1天、第10天的头尾长,处理10天后对胫骨生长板进行HE染色。结果表明,ATRA作用SD大鼠骺软骨细胞后,增殖能力减弱且细胞周期被阻滞在S期(P<0.01),细胞形态由三角形、多边形变为长条状,凋亡的发生增多(P<0.01),迁移能力受到抑制(P<0.05)以及Western blot结果显示蛋白聚糖、Ⅱ型胶原、X型胶原等功能相关蛋白较对照组表达均明显降低(P<0.01);对SD大鼠进行ATRA灌胃处理后,与对照组比较,60 mg/kg·d ATRA组和80 mg/kg·d ATRA组的头尾长均变短(P<0.01);胫骨生长板HE染色显示,ATRA灌胃组的生长板变窄甚至闭合。该研究证实了体外高浓度ATRA能够对SD大鼠骺软骨细胞的增殖、迁移起抑制作用,同时能够诱导凋亡,降低相关功能蛋白的表达,在SD大鼠体内证实,过量ATRA可影响生长板软骨内成骨过程,最终使生长板部分或全部提前闭合,进而影响SD大鼠身长的增长。     

GPI7-mediated glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring regulates appressorial penetration and immune evasion during infection of Magnaporthe oryzae

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring plays key roles in many biological processes by targeting proteins to the cell wall; however, its roles are largely unknown in plant pathogenic fungi. Here, we reveal the roles of the GPI anchoring in Magnaporthe oryzae during plant infection. The GPI-anchored proteins were found to highly accumulate in appressoria and invasive hyphae. Disruption of GPI7, a GPI anchor-pathway gene, led to a significant reduction in virulence. The Δgpi7 mutant showed significant defects in penetration and invasive growth. This mutant also displayed defects of the cell wall architecture, suggesting GPI7 is required for cell wall biogenesis. Removal of GPI-anchored proteins in the wild-type strain by hydrofluoric acid (HF) pyridine treatment exposed both the chitin and β-1,3-glucans to the host immune system. Exposure of the chitin and β-1,3-glucans was also observed in the Δgpi7 mutant, indicating GPI-anchored proteins are required for immune evasion. The GPI anchoring can regulate subcellular localization of the Gel proteins in the cell wall for appressorial penetration and abundance of which for invasive growth. Our results indicate the GPI anchoring facilitates the penetration of M. oryzae into host cells by affecting the cell wall integrity and the evasion of host immune recognition.     

NbALY916 is involved in potato virus X P25-triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana

Systemic necrosis often occurs during viral infection of plants and is thought mainly to be the result of long-term stress induced by viral infection. Potato virus X (PVX) encodes the P25 pathogenicity factor that triggers a necrotic reaction during PVX-potato virus Ysynergistic coinfection. In this study, we discovered that NbALY916, a multifunctional nuclear protein, could interact with P25. When NbALY916 expression was reduced by tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing, the accumulation of P25 was increased, which would be expected to cause more severe necrosis. However, silencing of NbALY916 reduced the extent of cell death caused by P25. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of NbALY916 increased the accumulation of H₂O₂ and triggered more extensive cell death when coexpressed with P25, even though accumulation of P25 was itself reduced by the increased expression of NbALY916. Furthermore, transient expression of P25 specifically induced the expression of NbALY916 mRNA, but not the mRNAs of three other ALYs in Nicotiana benthamiana. In addition, we showed that silencing of NbALY916 or transient overexpression of NbALY916 affected the infection of PVX in N. benthamiana. Our results reveal that NbALY916 has an antiviral role that, in the case of PVX, operates by inducing the accumulation of H₂O₂ and mediating the degradation of P25.