Polymer engineering for electrodes of aqueous zinc ion batteries

With the increasing demand for scalable and cost-effective electrochemical energy storage,aqueous zinc ion batteries(AZIBs)have a broad application prospect as an inexpensive,efficient,and naturally secure energy storage device.However,the limitations suffered by AZIBs,including volume expansion and active materials dissolution of the cathode,electrochemical corrosion,irreversible side reactions,zinc dendrites of the anode,have seriously decelerated the civilianization process of AZIBs.Currently,polymers have tremendous superiority for application in AZIBs attributed to their exceptional chemical stability,tunable structure,high energy density and outstanding mechanical properties.Considering the expanding applications of AZIBs and the superiority of polymers,this comprehensive paper meticulously reviews the benefits of utilizing polymeric applied to cathodes and anodes,respectively.To begin with,with adjustable structure as an entry point,the correlation between polymer structure and the function of energy storage as well as optimization is deeply investigated in respect to the mechanism.Then,depending on the diversity of properties and structures,the development of polymers in AZIBs is summarized,including conductive polymers,redox polymers as well as carbon composite polymers for cathode and polyvinylidene fluoride-,carbonyl-,amino-,nitrile-based polymers for anode,and a comprehensive evaluation of the shortcomings of these strategies is provided.Finally,an outlook highlights some of the challenges posed by the application of polymers and offers insights into the potential future direction of polymers in AZIBs.It is designed to provide a thorough reference for researchers and developers working on polymer for AZIBs.

Recent advances and perspectives of zinc metal-free anodes for zinc ion batteries

Zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs) are recognized as potential energy storage devices due to their advantages of low cost, high energy density, and environmental friendliness. However, zinc anodes are subject to unavoidable zinc dendrites, passivation, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reactions during the charging and discharging of batteries, becoming obstacles to the practical application of ZIBs. Appropriate zinc metal-free anodes provide a higher working potential than metallic zinc anodes, effectively solving the problems of zinc dendrites, hydrogen evolution, and side reactions during the operation of metallic zinc anodes. The improvement in the safety and cycle life of batteries creates conditions for further commercialization of ZIBs. Therefore, this work systematically introduces the research progress of zinc metal-free anodes in “rocking chair” ZIBs. Zinc metal-free anodes are mainly discussed in four categories: transition metal oxides,transition metal sulfides, MXene(two dimensional transition metal carbide) composites, and organic compounds, with discussions on their properties and zinc storage mechanisms. Finally, the outlook for the development of zinc metal-free anodes is proposed. This paper is expected to provide a reference for the further promotion of commercial rechargeable ZIBs.

Regulating interfacial behavior of zinc metal anode via metal-organic framework functionalized separator

Aqueous zinc ion batteries(AZIBs)are one of the promising energy storage devices.However,uncontrolled dendrite and side reactions have seriously hindered its further application.In this study,the metal-organic framework(MOF)functionalized glass fiber separator(GF-PFC-31)was used to regulate interfacial behavior of zinc metal anode,enabling the development of high-performance AZIBs.In PFC-31,there areπ-πinteractions between two adjacent benzene rings with a spacing of 3.199 A.This spacing can block the passage of[Zn(H_(2)O)_6]^(2+)(8.6 A in diameter)through the GF-PFC-31 separator to a certain extent,which promotes the deposition process of Zn ions.In addition,the sulfonic acid group(-S03H)contained in GF-PFC-31 can form a hydrogen bonding network with H_(2)O,which can provide a desolvation effect and reduce the side reaction.Consequently,GF-PFC-31 separator achieves uniform deposition of Zn ions.The Zn‖GF-PFC-31‖Zn symmetric cell exhibits stable cycle life(3000 h at 1.2 mA cm^(-2),2000 h at 0.3 mA cm^(-2),and 2000 h at 5.0 mA cm^(-2)),and Zn‖GF-PFC-31‖MnO_(2) full cell with GF-PFC-31 separator can cycle for 1000 cycles at 1.2 A g^(-1)with capacity retention rate of 82.5%.This work provides a promising method to achieve high-performance AZIBs.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Efficacy of Banxia Xiexin Decoction for Treatment of Bile Reflux Gastritis

[Objectives]The purpose was to study the clinical efficacy and safety of Banxia Xiexin decoction in treating bile reflux gastritis(BRG).[Methods]Randomized controlled trial was adopted to conduct scientific and standardized assessment on the risk of bias in the included articles.With overall effect and epigastric pain relief as indices,meta-analysis was performed,and sensitivity and safety analysis was conducted on the included literature.[Results]A total of 13 articles were included,involving a total of 1478 patients.The results of meta-analysis show that the efficacy of Banxia Xiexin decoction alone and Banxia Xiexin decoction-Western medicine combination is better than that of Western medicine alone.[Conclusions]Banxia Xiexin decoction is safe and effective in treating bile reflux gastritis.However,as the 13 articles included are all low in quality and there is a certain degree of publication bias,the objectivity of the results is affected to some extent.

Trace determination and characterization of ginsenosides in rat plasma through magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction based on core-shell polydopamine-coated magnetic nanoparticles

Enrichment of trace bioactive constituents and metabolites from complex biological samples is challenging.This study presented a one-pot synthesis of magnetic polydopamine nanoparticles(Fe3O4@-SiO2@PDA NPs)with multiple recognition sites for the magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction(MDSPE)of ginsenosides from rat plasma treated with white ginseng.The extracted ginsenosides were characterized by combining an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a highresolution mass spectrometry with supplemental UNIFI libraries.Response surface methodology was statistically used to optimize the extraction procedure of the ginsenosides.The reusability of Fe3O4@-SiO2@PDA NPs was also examined and the results showed that the recovery rate exceeded 80%after recycling 6 times.Furthermore,the proposed method showed greater enrichment efficiency and could rapidly determine and characterize 23 ginsenoside prototypes and metabolites from plasma.In comparison,conventional methanol method can only detect 8 ginsenosides from the same plasma samples.The proposed approach can provide methodological reference for the trace determination and characterization of different bioactive ingredients and metabolites of traditional Chinese medicines and food.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Tanshinone Capsule in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

[Objectives]To study the efficacy and safety of tanshinone capsule in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).[Methods]A randomized controlled trial or semi-randomized controlled trial of tanshinone capsule in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome was included.Two researchers screened the retrieved literature,extracted the data,assessed the risk of bias of the included literature,and then carried out meta-analysis.[Results]A total of 5 articles were included,involving 350 patients.The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group,tanshinone capsule could reduce total cholesterol[MD=-0.73,95%CI(-0.86,-0.60),P<0.00001],triglyceride[MD=-0.40,95%CI(-0.57,-0.23),P<0.00001],low density lipoprotein cholesterol[MD=-0.47,95%CI(-0.73,-0.53),P<0.00001],follicle stimulating hormone[MD=-0.63,95%CI(-0.73,-0.53),P<0.00001],increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol[MD=0.28,95%CI(0.20,0.35),P<0.00001],the effective rate(P=0.06)and luteinizing hormone(P=0.07)in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.[Conclusions]Tanshinone capsule could effectively improve the level of lipid metabolism and follicle stimulating hormone in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Biyuanshu Oral Liquid in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

[Objectives]The objective was to study the clinical efficacy and safety of Biyuanshu oral liquid in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS).[Methods]Randomized controlled trial was adopted to conduct scientific and standardized assessment on the risk of bias in the included papers.With overall effect and incidence of adverse reactions as indices,meta-analysis was performed,and sensitivity and safety analysis was conducted on the included literature.[Results]A total of 15 papers were included,involving 1489 patients.The efficiency of Biyuanshu oral liquid combined with Western medicine was better than that of Western medicine alone.[Conclusions]Biyuanshu oral liquid is safe and effective in treating chronic rhinosinusitis,and is suitable for patients who are not convenient for surgery.However,as the 15 papers included are all low in quality and there is a certain degree of publication bias,the objectivity of the results is affected to some extent.

Systematic Evaluation and Meta-analysis of Modified Baitouweng Decoction in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

[Objectives]To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Modified Baitouweng Decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).[Methods]A randomized controlled trial of Modified Baitouweng Decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis was conducted,and the biased risk was evaluated in the included literature using a standardized method.A meta-analysis of the total effective rate and recurrence rate of the included literature was carried out.Sensitivity and safety analysis was carried out on the included literature.[Results]A total of 19 articles were included,involving a total of 1613 patients.The results of meta-analysis showed that the treatment of Modified Baitouweng Decoction alone or in combination with the western medicine is better than the treatment with the western medicine alone.[Conclusions]Modified Baitouweng Decoction is safe and effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.However,since the 19 articles included in this study are not high in quality,they have certain influence on the objectivity of the results.

Separator functionalization enables high-performance zinc anode via ion-migration regulation and interfacial engineering

Aqueous zinc ion batteries(AZIBs)are promising energy storage devices.However,the formation of dendrites,hydrogen evolution,and corrosion reaction seriously affect their electrochemical performance.Herein,the synergistic effect of ion-migration regulation and interfacial engineering has been confirmed as the potential strategy by kaolin functionalized glass fiber separator(KL-GF)to alleviate these problems.The rapid and orderly Zn^(2+)migration was achieved to improve the transfer kinetics and induced uniform zinc deposition by more zinc-philic sites of KL-GF.Based on the interfacial engineering,the side reactions were effectively mitigated and crystal planes were regulated through KL-GF.The hydrophilicity of KL alleviated the corrosion and hydrogen evolution.Importantly,a preferential orientation of Zn(002)crystal plane by KL-GF was induced to further realize dendrite-free deposition by density functional theory(DFT)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)characterization.Hence,the Zn|KL-GF|MnO_(2)cell maintained a high discharge capacity of 96.8 mAh/g at 2 A/g after 1000 cycles.This work can provide guidance enabling high-performance zinc anode for AZIBs.

PIM1-HDAC2 axis modulates intestinal homeostasis through epigenetic modification

The mucosal barrier is crucial for intestinal homeostasis,and goblet cells are essential for maintaining the mucosal barrier integrity.The proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus-1(PIM1)kinase regulates multiple cellular functions,but its role in intestinal homeostasis during colitis is unknown.Here,we demonstrate that PIM1 is prominently elevated in the colonic epithelia of both ulcerative colitis patients and murine models,in the presence of intestinal microbiota.Epithelial PIM1 leads to decreased goblet cells,thus impairing resistance to colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)in mice.Mechanistically,PIM1 modulates goblet cell differentiation through the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways.Interestingly,PIM1 interacts with histone deacetylase 2(HDAC2)and downregulates its level via phosphorylation,thereby altering the epigenetic profiles of Wnt signaling pathway genes.Collectively,these findings investigate the unknown function of the PIM1-HDAC2 axis in goblet cell differentiation and ulcerative colitis/CAC pathogenesis,which points to the potential for PIM1-targeted therapies of ulcerative colitis and CAC.

A novel strategy for high-specificity, high-sensitivity, and high-throughput study for gut microbiome metabolism of aromatic carboxylic acids

Aromatic carboxylic acids(ACAs) may be as transformed key metabolites via gut microbiome for playing better pharmacological effects. However, it's rare to achieve high-specificity, high-sensitivity, and highthroughput detection simultaneously, especially, for tracing trace ACAs in gut microbiome. In this work,firstly, a novel dual-template and double-shelled molecularly imprinted 96-well microplates(DDMIPs)was designed and amplified signal for p-hydroxybenzoic acid(PBA) and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid(TMA). Additionally, the DDMIPs and a stable isotope labeling derivatization(SILD) method combined with the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-TQ MS) was firstly stepwise integrated, achieving high-effective, high-sensitive, and highthroughput study of gut microbiome metabolism. The whole strategy showed lower limits of detections(LODs) up to 1000 folds than the traditional method, and revealed a more real metabolism-time profile of PBA and TMA by 3-step signal amplification. The platform also laid the foundation for fast, simple,high-selective, high-effective, and high-throughput metabolism and pharmacological research.