Mufangji tang ameliorates pulmonary arterial hypertension through improving vascular remodeling,inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress,and inducing apoptosis

Background:Mufangji tang(MFJT)is composed of Ramulus Cinnamomi,Radix Ginseng,Cocculus orbiculatus(Linn.)DC.,and Gypsum.In clinical settings,MFJT has been effectively employed in addressing a range of respiratory disorders,notably including pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH).However,the mechanism of action of MFJT on PAH remains unknown.Methods:In this study,a monocrotaline-induced PAH rat model was established and treated with MFJT.The therapeutic effects of MFJT on PAH rat model were evaluated.Network pharmacology was conducted to screen the possible targets for MFJT on PAH,and the molecular docking between the main active components and the core targets was carried out.The key targets identified from network pharmacology were tested.Results:Results showed significant therapeutic effects of MFJT on PAH rat model.Analysis of network pharmacology revealed several potential targets related to apoptosis,inflammation,oxidative stress,and vascular remodeling.Molecular docking showed that the key components were well docked with the core targets.Further experimental validation results that MFJT treatment induced apoptosis(downregulated Bcl-2 levels and upregulated Bax levels in lung tissue),inhibited inflammatory response and oxdative stress(decreased the levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,inducible NOS,and malondialdehyde,and increased the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase,nitric oxide,glutathione and superoxide dismutase),reduced the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells(downregulated ET-1 andβ-catenin levels and ERK1/2 phosphorylation,increased GSK3βlevels).Conclusion:Our study revealed MFJT treatment could alleviate PAH in rats via induction of apoptosis,inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress,and the prevention of vascular remodeling.

The Impact of Sleep Determination on Procrastination before Bedtime:The Role of Anxiety

Objective:The importance of good sleep for energy recovery and overall physical and mental health cannot be overstated.However,the increasing competitiveness of society,diversifying lifestyles,and the rapid spread of the internet and electronic devices have significantly impacted people’s sleep patterns,particularly through bedtime procrastination.Therefore,this study aims to investigate the relationship and underlying mechanisms between sleep determination,anxiety,and bedtime procrastination among the Chinese population.Method:The study utilized data from a national survey—the China Residents’Sleep Condition Survey(November 2021,with 6,037 participants).By constructing mediation and moderation models,it analyzed the relationship and mechanisms between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination,highlighting the dual role of anxiety:as a mediator between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination,and as a moderator of their relationship.Results:There was a negative correlation between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination;anxiety was related to an increase in bedtime procrastination behaviors;In the interplay between sleep determination and pre-bedtime procrastination,the regulatory effect of anxiety is found to be more pronounced than its intermediary role,with anxiety significantly diminishing the inverse relationship between sleep determination and procrastination before bedtime.Conclusion:Bedtime procrastination can lead to sleep issues,thus reducing sleep quality.Enhancing sleep determination or alleviating pre-sleep anxiety can help inhibit bedtime procrastination behaviors.Intervening and reducing bedtime procrastination is one of the effective measures to improve sleep quality.

The Insights and Influence of the Sydney Accord on the Teaching Reform of Vocational Education in China: A Case Study of Professional Curriculum Achievement Evaluation

Scientific curriculum evaluation methods are critical for achieving talent training objectives.The Sydney Accord,one of the three major engineering education certification agreements,focuses on the training of“engineering technologists.”Its logical system and three core principles align well with the connotation development of professional construction in China’s higher vocational colleges,offering significant insights for promoting reform and development in engineering education in Chinese colleges and universities.By incorporating the core principles,elements,and graduate quality defined in the Sydney Accord and focusing on the evaluation of curriculum achievement against“graduation requirements,”the quality of vocational education can be enhanced,making it an important direction for future teaching reforms in vocational education.

Boosting CO_(2) hydrogenation to high-value olefins with highly stable performance over Ba and Na co-modified Fe catalyst

CO_(2)hydrogenation has been considered to be a highly promising route for the production of high-value olefins(HVOs)while also mitigating CO_(2)emissions.However,it is challenging to achieve high selectivity and maintain stable performance for HVOs(ethylene,propylene,and linear a-olefins)over a prolonged reaction time due to the difficulty in precise control of carbon coupling and rapid catalyst deactivation.Herein,we present a selective Ba and Na co-modified Fe catalyst enriched with Fe_(5)C_(2)and Fe_(3)C active sites that can boost HVO synthesis with up to 66.1%selectivity at an average CO_(2)conversion of 38%for over 500 h.Compared to traditional NaFe catalyst,the combined effect of Ba and Na additives in the NaBaFe-0.5 catalyst suppressed excess oxidation of FeCxsites by H_(2)O.The absence of Fe3O4phase in the spent NaBaFe-0.5 catalyst reflects the stabilization effect of the co-modifiers on the FeCxsites.This study provides a strategy to design Fe-based catalysts that can be scaled up for the stable synthesis of HVOs from CO_(2)hydrogenation.

Anti-lipid-oxidation effects and edible safety evaluation of the oil extracted by a supercritical CO_(2) process from coix seed fermented by Monascus purpureus

The physicochemical properties and composition of coix seed oil produced by Monascus purpureus fermentation and supercritical CO_(2)extraction were determined.Anti-lipid-oxidation and edible safety were evaluated using a cholesterol-fish oil model,acute oral toxicity assay,and genetic toxicity assay in vitro and in vivo,respectively.The results show that the extraction oil from fermented coix seed(FCS-O)had good physicochemical quality and abundant active components with physiological function.In particular,γ-tocotrienol,γ-oryzanol,coixenolide and oleic acid concentrations reached 72.83μg/g,745.96μg/g,9.65 mg/g and 316.58 mg/100 g DW,respectively.The FCS-O exhibited higher antioxidant capability in inhibiting lipid oxidation and peroxidation.Compared to the blank control,the concentrations of 7-ketocholestreol and peroxide only were 8.42μg/mL and 16.16 mmol/kg at 168 h of oxidation(P<0.01).In addition,the FCS-O has been confirmed to be a very safe edible oil,with no acute toxicity(LD50>10 g/kg bw,considered actually non-toxic)and no induced mutagenicity,cytotoxicity or genotoxicity.These results serve as a good safety reference for future application of the oil from fermented coix seed.The development and utilization of this kind of oil will be beneficial as a food,food ingredient,nutritional supplement,or natural food antioxidant to promote good health function.

Integrative proteomic-transcriptomic analysis revealed the lifestyles of Lactobacillus paracasei H4-11 and Kluyveromyces marxianus L1-1 under co-cultivation conditions

Compared with the rice-acid soup inoculated with single starter,the synergistically intensifi ed rice-acid soup inoculated with Lactobacillus paracasei H4-11(L.paracasei H4-11)and Kluyveromyces marxianus L1-1(K.marxianus L1-1)contained more fl avor compounds.Organic acids mainly included L-lactic acid and the main volatile fl avor component was ethyl acetate.Moreover,the signal intensity of astringency and bitterness and the total concentration of volatile sulfur compounds were reduced.The combined analysis results of RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)technology and 4D label-free quantitative(4D LFQ)proteomics explained the fl avor formation pathways in rice-acid soup inoculated with L.paracasei H4-11 and K.marxianus L1-1.In L.paracasei H4-11,L-lactate dehydrogenase,phosphoglucomutase,acetate kinase,alcohol dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA were up-regulated and D-lactate dehydrogenase and N-Acetyltransferase were down-regulated.In K.marxianus L1-1,Acetyl-CoA,acetaldehyde dehydrogenase,acyl-coenzyme A,N-acetyltransferase,and L-lactate dehydrogenase were up-regulated and hexokinase,alcohol dehydrogenase,and alcohol O-acetyltransferase were down-regulated.The above up-regulation and down-regulation synergistically promoted the formation of characteristic fl avor compounds(mainly L-lactic acid and ethyl acetate).Enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA)and parallel reaction monitoring(PRM)quantitative analysis respectively verifi ed that 5 key metabolic enzymes and 27 proteins in L.paracasei H4-11 and K.marxianus L1-1 were associated with the characteristic fl avor of rice-acid soup,as confi rmed by the quantitative results of 4D LFQ.

Superwetting Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) anchored mesh with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities for efficient water purification

Superwetting materials have drawn unprecedented attention in the treatment of oily wastewater due to their preferable anti-fouling property and selective oil/water separation.However,it is still a challenge to fabricate multifunctional and environmentally friendly materials,which can be stably applied to purify the actual complicated wastewater.Here,a Ag/Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) heterostructure anchored copper mesh was intentionally synthesized using a facile two-step hydrothermal method.The resultant mesh with superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity was capable of separating various oil/water mixtures with superior separation efficiency and high permeationflux driven by gravity.Benefiting from the joint effects of the smaller band gap of Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) heterojunction,inherent antibacterial capacity of Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) and Ag nanoparticles,favorable conductive substrate,as well as the hierarchical structure with superwettability,such mesh presented remarkably enhanced degradation capability toward organic dyes under visible light irradiation and antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli(E.coli)and Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)compared with the pure Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) coated mesh.Impressively,the mesh exhibited bifunctional water purification performance,in which organic dyes were eliminated simultaneously from water during oil/water separation in onefiltration process.More importantly,this mesh behaved exceptional chemical resistance,mechanical stability and long-term reusability.Therefore,this material with multifunctional integration may hold promising potential for steady water purification in practice.

Structure characterization of the oxide film on FGH96 superalloy powders with various oxidation degrees

The structure of the oxide film on FGH96 alloy powders significantly influences the mechanical properties of superalloys.In this study,FGH96 alloy powders with various oxygen contents were investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic probe technology to elucidate the structure evolution of the oxide film.Energy dispersive spectrometer analysis revealed the presence of two distinct components in the oxide film of the alloy powders:amorphous oxide layer covering the γ matrix and amorphous oxide particles above the carbide.The alloying elements within the oxide layer showed a laminated distribution,with Ni,Co,Cr,and Al/Ti,which was attributed to the decreasing oxygen equilibrium pressure as oxygen diffused from the surface into the γ matrix.On the other hand,Ti enrichment was observed in the oxide particles caused by the oxidation and decomposition of the carbide phase.Comparative analysis of the oxide film with oxygen contents of 140,280,and 340 ppm showed similar element distributions,while the thickness of the oxide film varies approximately at 9,14,and 30 nm,respectively.These findings provide valuable insights into the structural analysis of the oxide film on FGH96 alloy powders.

Observation of Arctic surface currents using data from a surface drifting buoy

During the 10th Chinese Arctic scientific expedition carried out in the summer of 2019,the surface current in the high-latitude areas of the Arctic Ocean was observed using a self-developed surface drifting buoy,which was initially deployed in the Chukchi Sea.The buoy traversed the Chukchi Sea,Chukchi Abyssal Plain,Mendeleev Ridge,Makarov Basin,and Canada Basin over a period of 632 d.After returning to the Mendeleev Ridge,it continued to drift toward the pole.Overall,the track of the buoy reflected the characteristics of the transpolar drift and Chukchi Slope Current,as well as the inertial flow,cross-ridge surface flow,and even the surface disorganized flow for some time intervals.The results showed that:(1)the transpolar drift mainly occurs in the Chukchi Abyssal Plain,Mendeleev Ridge,and western Canada Basin to the east of the ridge where sea ice concentration is high,and the average northward flow velocity in the region between 79.41°N and 86.32°N was 5.1 cm/s;(2)the average surface velocity of the Chukchi Slope Current was 13.5 cm/s,and while this current moves westward along the continental slope,it also extends northwestward across the continental slope and flows to the deep sea;and(3)when sea ice concentration was less than 50%,the inertial flow was more significant(the maximum observed inertial flow was 26 cm/s,and the radius of the inertia circle was 3.6 km).

Efficient and selective upcycling of waste polylactic acid into acetate using nickel selenide

The conversion of waste polylactic acid(PLA)plastics into high-value-added chemicals through electrochemical methods is a promising and sustainable approach.However,developing efficient and highly selective catalysts for lactic acid oxidation reaction(LAOR)and understanding the reaction process are challenging.Here,we report the electrooxidation of waste PLA to acetate at a high current density of 100 mA cm-2 with high Faraday efficiency(~95%)and excellent stability(>100 h)over a nickel selenide nanosheet catalyst.In addition,a total Faraday efficiency of up to 190%was achieved for carboxylic acids,including acetic acid and formic acid,by coupling with the cathodic CO_(2) reduction reaction.In situ experimental results and theoretical simulations revealed that the catalytic activity center of LAOR was dynamically formed NiOOH species,and the surface-adsorbed SeO_(x) species accelerated the formation of Ni~(3+)species,thus promoting catalytic activity.The mechanism of lactic acid electrooxidation was further elucidated.Lactic acid was dehydrogenated to produce pyruvate first and then formed CH_3CO due to preferential C-C bond cleavage,resulting in the presence of acetate.This work demonstrated a sustainable method for recycling waste PLA and CO_(2) into high-value-added products.

Tiliroside protects against diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocininduced diabetes rats by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation

BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy(DN),affecting half of diabetic patients and contributing significantly to end-stage kidney disease,poses a substantial medical challenge requiring dialysis or transplantation.The nuanced onset and clinical progression of kidney disease in diabetes involve consistent renal function decline and persistent albuminuria.AIM To investigate Tiliroside's(Til)protective effect against diabetic nephropathy(DN)in rats under diabetic conditions.METHODS Five groups of six rats each were included in this study:Rats treated with DMSO by intraperitoneal injection as controls,those treated with STZ by intraperitoneal injection,those treated with STZ+Til(25 mg/kg body weight[bwt])or Til(50 mg/kg bwt),and those treated with anti-diabetic medication glibenclamide(600μg/kg bwt).Biochemical markers,fasting blood glucose,food intake,kidney weight,antioxidant enzymes,inflammatory and fibrotic markers,and renal injury were monitored in different groups.Molecular docking analysis was performed to identify the interactions between Til and its targeted biomarkers.RESULTS Til significantly reduced biochemical markers,fasting blood glucose,food intake,and kidney weight and elevated antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats.It also mitigated inflammatory and fibrotic markers,lessened renal injury,and displayed inhibitory potential against crucial markers associated with DN as demonstrated by molecular docking analysis.CONCLUSION These findings suggest Til's potential as a therapeutic agent for DN treatment,highlighting its promise for future drug development.

Scarcity and Mental Health—Multiple Mediators of Sleep Quality and Life Satisfaction

Background:In the current social environment,scarcity,as a universally present objective state,profoundly impacts individuals’decision-making and health through the subjective feeling it induces,known as a“scarcity mindset.”Particularly,the feeling of scarcity related to money and sleep time is not only widespread but also directly linked to an individual’s mental health.Purpose:This study aims to delve into the relationship between the feeling of scarcity and mental health,with a specific focus on the relationship between the feeling of money scarcity or sleep time scarcity and mental health,as well as the role of sleep quality or life satisfaction in this relationship.Procedure:We determined the sampling quotas based on the population and economic development levels of each province in the“China Statistical Yearbook(2021)”(National Bureau of Statistics,2021).Participants were selected using the Probability Proportional to Size(PPS)sampling method.Data was collected by distributing online questionnaires to participants,and the relationships between the main variables were explored using structural equation modeling.Results:1.In China,the feeling of sleep time scarcity is stronger than the feeling of money scarcity among the public.2.The feeling of money scarcity is positively correlated with depression and anxiety,whereas the feeling of sleep time scarcity is only positively correlated with depression.3.The feeling of scarcity mainly leads to depression and self-denial through reducing life satisfaction,and it leads to anxiety through reducing sleep quality.Conclusion:The feeling of scarcity in money and sleep time is related to different dimensions of mental health.Therefore,reasonably planning financial allocation and ensuring an adequate amount of sleep can reduce the sense of scarcity,thereby improving mental health.Additionally,improving sleep quality and increasing life satisfaction can alleviate the adverse effects of scarcity on mental health.

Predictive effect of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory cytokines on symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder

BACKGROUND Generalized anxiety disorder(GAD)is a relatively common mental disorder.Recently,inflammation,an important factor for the development of depression,has attracted increasing attention.Several studies have shown that inflammatory cytokines can affect the pathophysiological processes of several nervous system diseases.We hypothesized that there is a correlation between the levels of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated inflammatory cytokines and the clinical symptoms of GAD.AIM To investigate the predictive effect of LPS-stimulated inflammatory cytokines on symptoms of GAD.METHODS This was a cross-sectional study in which 89 patients with GAD diagnosed at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2022 to December 2022 and 70 individuals without anxiety and depression(controls)during the same period were included.Fasting venous blood was collected from all the subjects in heparin tubes,and another 3 ml of blood was supplemented with LPS(10 ng/ml).The plasma levels of 12 cytokines[Interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interferon(IFN)-γ,IL-17A,IL-12p70,and IFN-α]were detected.RESULTS Post-LPS stimulation,the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,and TNF-αin both the control and GAD groups were significantly elevated above those in the nonstimulated groups,with IL-6 and IL-8 showing marked increases.Increases in IL-8 and TNF-αwere statistically significant in the GAD group(P<0.05).IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,and TNF-αwere found to be significantly correlated with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAMA)scores(P<0.05).A negative correlation was observed between IL-10 levels and HAMA scores.Further analysis revealed that TNF-αwas associated with mental anxiety,whereas IL-1β,IL-8,and IL-10 were associated with physical anxiety symptoms,with IL-10 showing a negative correlation with physical anxiety.IL-6 was associated with both mental and physical aspects of anxiety.CONCLUSION The physical symptoms of GAD are related to inflammatory factors.IL-1β,IL-8,IL-10,and TNF-a can be used as predictors of physical or mental anxiety in patients with GAD.

Opportunities of endovascular treatment for cerebral venous thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis(CVT)is a rare condition that can be fatal in severe cases.The limited occurrence of CVT poses challenges in conducting randomized controlled trials,leading to uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy(EVT)in specific subgroups of patients with CVT.Currently,a growing body of new evidence has been published on various aspects of CVT diagnosis and treatment,including studies on prognosis assessment scales and EVT therapy.Anticoagulation remains the primary treatment during the acute phase of CVT,as demonstrated by the thrombolysis or anticoagulation for cerebral venous thrombosis(TOACT)clinical trial.This study revealed that EVT combined with standard medical care did not improve functional outcomes for patients with severe CVT.Several risk screening scores have been developed to predict CVT prognosis,and some of these scales have been shown to perform adequately.The question of whether EVT is beneficial for patients with CVT,and to which subgroups of patients it should be offered,still remains unsettled.Large global research collaborations should be established to address current challenges and facilitate the execution of clinical trials.

Research Progress of Minimally Destructive Medicine Applied to Multimorbidity

Objective:To review the research status and progress of minimally disruptive medicine(MDM)with a view and to provide a theoretical basis for reducing the treatment burden of patients with multimorbidity.Methods:"Minimal Destructive Medicine"was used as searching term in HowNet Database and Wanfang Database,and"Minimally Disruptive Medicine"was used as searching term in PubMed database.The literature was reviewed for a review of the concepts of minimally destructive medicine(MDM),four basic principles,care models,and tools and strategies for clinical implementation.Results:MDM was developed for the coexistence burden of chronic diseases.It had formed a detailed and detailed application of basic principles and care models.The tools and strategies developed by MDM have been applied in clinical practice with good Results.Conclusion:MDM has a positive effect on reducing the burden of treatment for the multimorbidity and it is worthy of further research and promotion.

Neuroprotective mechanisms of DNA methyltransferase in a mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line after hypoxic preconditioning

Hypoxic preconditioning has been shown to improve hypoxic tolerance in mice,accompanied by the downregulation of DNA methyltransferases(DNMTs)in the brain.However,the roles played by DNMTs in the multiple neuroprotective mechanisms associated with hypoxic preconditioning remain poorly understood.This study aimed to establish an in vitro model of hypoxic preconditioning,using a cultured mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line(HT22 cells),to examine the effects of DNMTs on the endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms that occur during hypoxic preconditioning.HT22 cells were divided into a control group,which received no exposure to hypoxia,a hypoxia group,which was exposed to hypoxia once,and a hypoxic preconditioning group,which was exposed to four cycles of hypoxia.To test the ability of hypoxic preadaptation to induce hypoxic tolerance,cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethonyphenol)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay.Cell viability improved in the hypoxic preconditioning group compared with that in the hypoxia group.The effects of hypoxic preconditioning on the cell cycle and apoptosis in HT22 cells were examined by western blot assay and flow cytometry.Compared with the hypoxia group,the expression levels of caspase-3 and spectrin,which are markers of early apoptosis and S-phase arrest,respectively,noticeably reduced in the hypoxic preconditioning group.Finally,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,real-time polymerase chain reaction,and western blot assay were used to investigate the changes in DNMT expression and activity during hypoxic preconditioning.The results showed that compared with the control group,hypoxic preconditioning downregulated the expression levels of DNMT3A and DNMT3B mRNA and protein in HT22 cells and decreased the activities of total DNMTs and DNMT3B.In conclusion,hypoxic preconditioning may exert anti-hypoxic neuroprotective effects,maintaining HT22 cell viability and inhibiting cell apoptosis.These neuroprotective mechanisms may be associated with the inhibition of DNMT3A and DNMT3B.

P2X7 receptor activation aggravates NADPH oxidase 2-induced oxidative stress after intracerebral hemorrhage

Oxidative stress is a crucial pathological process that contributes to secondary injury following intracerebral hemorrhage. P2X7 receptor(P2X7R), which is activated by the abnormal accumulation of extracellular ATP, plays an important role in the regulation of oxidative stress in the central nervous system, although the effects of activated P2X7R-associated oxidative stress after intracerebral hemorrhage remain unclear. Mouse models of intracerebral hemorrhage were established through the stereotactic injection of 0.075 U VII collagenase into the right basal ganglia. The results revealed that P2X7R expression peaked 24 hours after intracerebral hemorrhage, and P2X7R expressed primarily in neurons. The inhibition of P2X7R, using A438079(100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2(NOX2) expression and malondialdehyde generation, increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione/oxidized glutathione levels, and alleviated neurological damage, brain edema, and apoptosis after intracellular hemorrhage. The P2X7R inhibitor A438079(100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB) after intracerebral hemorrhage. Blocking ERK1/2 activation, using the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126(2 μg, intraventricular injection), reduced the level of NOX2-mediated oxidative stress induced by P2X7R activation after intracellular hemorrhage. Similarly, the inhibition of NF-κB, using the NF-κB inhibitor JSH-23(3.5 μg, intraventricular), reduced the level of NOX2-mediated oxidative stress induced by P2X7R activation. Finally, GSK2795039(100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), a NOX2 antagonist, attenuated P2X7R-mediated oxidative stress, neurological damage, and brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage. The results indicated that P2X7R activation aggravated NOX2-induced oxidative stress through the activation of the ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways following intracerebral hemorrhage in mice. The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China(approval No. TJ-A20160805) on August 26, 2016.

Recent advances and perspectives on vanadium-and manganese-based cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries

The growing demand for energy storage has inspired researchers’exploration of advanced batteries.Aqueous zinc ion batteries(ZIBs)are promising secondary chemical battery system that can be selected and pursued.Rechargeable ZIBs possess merits of high security,low cost,environmental friendliness,and competitive performance,and they are received a lot of attention.However,the development of suitable zinc ion intercalation-type cathode materials is still a big challenge,resulting in failing to meet the commercial needs of ZIBs.Both vanadium-based and manganese-based compounds are representative of the most advanced and most widely used rechargeable ZIBs electrodes.The valence state of vanadium is+2~+5,which can realize multi-electron transfer in the redox reaction and has a high specific capacity.Most of the manganese-based compounds have tunnel structure or three-dimensional space frame,with enough space to accommodate zinc ions.In order to understand the energy storage mechanism and electrochemical performance of these two materials,a specialized review focusing on state-of-the-art developments is needed.This review offers access for researchers to keep abreast of the research progress of cathode materials for ZIBs.The latest advanced researches in vanadium-based and manganese-based cathode materials applied in aqueous ZIBs are highlighted.This article will provide useful guidance for future studies on cathode materials and aqueous ZIBs.

In-situ growth of vertically aligned nickel cobalt sulfide nanowires on carbon nanotube fibers for high capacitance all-solid-state asymmetric fiber-supercapacitors

Fiber-supercapacitors(FSCs)are promising power sources for miniature portable and wearable electronic devices.However,the development and practical application of these FSCs have been severely hindered by their low volumetric capacitance and narrow operating voltage.In this work,vertically aligned nickel cobalt sulfide(Ni Co2S4)nanowires grown on carbon nanotube(CNT)fibers were achieved through an in-situ two-step hydrothermal reaction method.The as-prepared Ni Co2S4@CNT fiber electrode exhibits a high volumetric capacitance of 2332 F cm-3,benefiting from its superior electric conductivity,large surface area,and rich Faradic redox reaction sites.Furthermore,a Ni Co2S4@CNT//VN@CNT(vanadium nitride nanosheets grown on CNT fibers)asymmetric fiber-supercapacitor(AFSC)was successfully fabricated.The device exhibits an operating voltage up to 1.6 V and a high volumetric energy density of 30.64m Wh cm-3.The device also possesses outstanding flexibility as evidenced by no obvious performance degradation under various bending angles and maintaining high capacitance after 5000 bending cycles.This work promotes the practical application of flexible wearable energy-storage devices.

Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphisms Are Risk Factors for Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)is a serious clinical disease with high morbidity,whose pathogenesis might be related to apolipoprotein E(APOE)gene polymorphisms.To comprehensively evaluate the risk factors for ICH occurrence,we performed a meta-analysis.We searched online databases to identify eligible studies based on the relationship between APOE genetic polymorphisms and ICH occurrence risk.Specific and pooled odds ratios(ORs)were calculated and by assessing small study bias,we drew the relationship between APOE polymorphisms and ICH risk.We included 15 eligible studies in our study containing a total of 1642 ICH samples and 5545 normal controls.The comparison of e4 andε3 APOE genotypes revealed that specific and pooled ORs showed a significantly increased odds ratio in ICH patients with theε4 genotype,indicating thatε4 gene is a risk factor for ICH occurrence,and the heterogeneity is acceptable.Similarly,it was found that theε2 genotype also contributed to the incidence rate of ICH.However,after the subgroup analysis by ethnicity,this APOE genetic polymorphism acted as a harmful factor only in white populations,but did not show an effect in Asian populations.It was suggested that both 82 andε4 APOE alleles were risk factors for ICH in general.They were risk factors in white populations only,neither had a detectable effect in Asian populations after subgroup analysing by ethnicity.