Excessive fat deposition in obese subjects promotes the occurrence of metabolic diseases,such as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),cardiovascular diseases,and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Adipose tissue is no...Excessive fat deposition in obese subjects promotes the occurrence of metabolic diseases,such as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),cardiovascular diseases,and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Adipose tissue is not only the main form of energy storage but also an endocrine organ that not only secretes adipocytokines but also releases many extracellular vesicles(EVs)that play a role in the regulation of whole-body metabolism.Exosomes are a subtype of EVs,and accumulating evidence indicates that adipose tissue exosomes(AT Exos)mediate crosstalk between adipose tissue and multiple organs by being transferred to targeted cells or tissues through paracrine or endocrine mechanisms.However,the roles of AT Exos in crosstalk with metabolic organs remain to be fully elucidated.In this review,we summarize the latest research progress on the role of AT Exos in the regulation of metabolic disorders.Moreover,we discuss the potential role of AT Exos as biomarkers in metabolic diseases and their clinical application.展开更多
BACKGROUND Secondary hyperparathyroidism,renal osteodystrophy,and cardiovascular adverse events can occur if long-term hyperphosphatemia is not corrected,leading to the adverse prognosis of patients with chronic renal...BACKGROUND Secondary hyperparathyroidism,renal osteodystrophy,and cardiovascular adverse events can occur if long-term hyperphosphatemia is not corrected,leading to the adverse prognosis of patients with chronic renal failure.Besides the use of phosphorus binders,clinical control measures for hyperphosphatemia in these patients should also incorporate diet control.AIM To observe doctor-led intensive diet education effects on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia.METHODS We assessed 120 patients with hyperphosphatemia and chronic renal failure on hemodialysis admitted to our hospital(July 2018 to March 2020).The control group(n=60)was given routine nursing guidance,and the observation group(n=60)was given doctor-led intensive diet education.The changes in EQ-5D-3L scores,disease-related knowledge,and compliance scores before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were recorded.The levels of serum parathyroid hormone(iPTH),calcium(Ca),phosphorus(P),calciumphosphorus product(Ca×P),serum creatinine(Scr),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were assessed along with patient satisfaction.RESULTS There was no significant difference in blood iPTH,Ca,P,Ca×P,Scr,or BUN levels between the groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the blood iPTH,Ca,P,and Ca×P levels in the two groups decreased gradually(P<0.05),but there were no significant differences in Scr or BUN.The blood iPTH,Ca,P,and Ca×P levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The satisfaction rate in the observation group after 3 mo was 93.33%and after 6,90.00%,which was high compared with the 80.00%and 71.67%,respectively,in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in EQ-5D-3L score between the two groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the two groups increased gradually(P<0.05);and the scores of action ability,self-care,daily activities,pain and discomfort,and anxiety and depression decreased gradually(P<0.05).The overall EQ-5D-3L score in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in diseaserelated knowledge or compliance scores between the groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the scores of disease,diet,and medication knowledge and compliance in the two groups increased gradually(P<0.05).The scores of disease-related knowledge and compliance were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Doctor-led intensive diet education can improve patient satisfaction and the quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia and promote low-phosphorus diet behavior.展开更多
The deformation and damage behaviors of strain hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) under the uniaxial stress state were investigated in this paper. Two ductile failure-based constitutive models were introduced ...The deformation and damage behaviors of strain hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) under the uniaxial stress state were investigated in this paper. Two ductile failure-based constitutive models were introduced to describe the uniaxial tension and compression properties of SHCC only using a few parameters. The computation method of model parameters was developed to ease the simulation procedures. Damage evolution of the SHCC was simulated by the formulation of continuum damage mechanics subsequently. The results show that the proposed models fit the stress-strain curves reasonably well, and the damage variables show different growth rules under uniaxial tension and compression. It is concluded that the proposed method can not only simply simulate the constitutive behavior of SHCC with the reasonable accuracy but also capture the characteristic of material degradation.展开更多
Third-generation-semiconductor zinc oxide is utilized as an energy converting material in a betavoltaic battery, where 0.06 Ci^(63) Ni and 8 Ci^(147) Pm are used as the beta sources. Based on a Monte Carlo simulation,...Third-generation-semiconductor zinc oxide is utilized as an energy converting material in a betavoltaic battery, where 0.06 Ci^(63) Ni and 8 Ci^(147) Pm are used as the beta sources. Based on a Monte Carlo simulation, the full scales of the devices are derived as 17 and 118 lm,respectively, for both sources. The influences of semiconductor doping concentrations on the electrical properties of the devices are analyzed. For a typical doping concentration N_A= 10^(17) cm^(-3), N_D= 10^(16) cm^(-3), the conversion efficiencies are 7.177% and 1.658%, respectively, using63 Ni and147 Pm sources. The calculation results of energy deposition in materials for the two sources show that the doping concentrations drop to 1 × 10^(13)–5×10^(14) cm^(-3) and 1 × 10^(12)–5×10^(13), and accordingly, the energy conversion efficiencies rise to 14.212% and 18.359%, respectively.展开更多
Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion or moxa smoke on serum lipids,aorta and liver pathology,and carotid plaque stability in atherosclerosis.Methods:Fifty-four 8-week-old ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided...Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion or moxa smoke on serum lipids,aorta and liver pathology,and carotid plaque stability in atherosclerosis.Methods:Fifty-four 8-week-old ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into three groups(untreated,moxibustion,and moxa smoke)and received a high-fat diet.Eighteen wild-type C57 BL/6 mice of the same age were used as controls.The intervention(none,moxibustion between the nipples,or 10 e15 mg/m^3 moxa smoke)was applied to restrained mice 20 min per day,six days per week,for 12 weeks.At the end of the experimental period,we measured serum lipids and apolipoprotein,stained thoracic aortas and livers to observe pathological changes,and used immunohistochemical staining to assess the levels of a-smooth muscle actin,CD68,tumor necrosis factor-α,nuclear transcription factor-κB,and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.We also measured the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-1.Results:After 12 weeks,lipid metabolism disorder and atherosclerotic plaques were observed in the ApoE^-/- mice.Moxibustion or moxa smoke reduced the levels of serum total cholesterol,triglycerides,low density lipoprotein,and very low density lipoprotein but did not affect the levels of high density lipoprotein,apolipoprotein A1,or oxidized low density lipoprotein.Moxibustion or moxa smoke suppressed pathological changes in thoracic aortas and livers,increased fiber cap thickness,the fiber cap thickness/intimal medial thickness ratio,and collagen area percentage,and reduced extracellular lipids.Treatment with moxibustion or moxa smoke increased a-smooth muscle actin and reduced CD68 and the vulnerability index,suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear transcription factor-κB expression,and did not affect P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression.Treatment lowered the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 and increased those of tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-1.Conclusion:Moxibustion or moxa smoke exert protective effects in serum lipid profiles and carotid plaque stability in atherosclerotic mice by regulating plaque stability,inflammatory factors,and matrix metalloproteinases.展开更多
Rational construction of highly efficient and cheap bifunctional electrocatalysts to boost both oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is extremely essential for the wide application of rechar...Rational construction of highly efficient and cheap bifunctional electrocatalysts to boost both oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is extremely essential for the wide application of rechargeable metal-air battery.In this work,we design a core-shell structural catalyst of CoNi dual-metal embedded in nitrogen doped porous carbon(NPC,CoNi@NPC),which is developed via the pyrolysis of CoNiMOFs,assisting by mesoporous SiO_(2) to effectively inhibit the aggregation of metal sites.Consequently,the asprepared CoNi@NPC manifests good ORR activity with half-wave potential up to 0.77 V.Specifically,the CoNi@NPC gives a very low OER over-potential of merely 101 mV in 6 M KOH along with high stability,outperforming the commercial Pt/C-RuO_(2).Moreover,the home-made zinc air battery with CoNi@NPC air cathode demonstrates excellent stability over long-term charging–discharging test,and delivers the maximum power density of 224 mW cm^(-2).The enhanced high performance of CoNi@NPC bifunctional catalyst for both ORR and OER can be ascribed to its unique core-shell structure and strong synergistic effect between the dual-bimetal active sites and the heteroatom doped carbon.This work opens a new avenue for the rational design of nonprecious metal bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable metal-air battery.展开更多
Highway constructions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)face great challenges induced by the unique local environmental,geological,and engineering conditions.The large area of permafrost,great temperature variability,s...Highway constructions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)face great challenges induced by the unique local environmental,geological,and engineering conditions.The large area of permafrost,great temperature variability,strong UV rays,and complex geological conditions are the major factors that adversely influence the longterm performance of pavement systems.Since 1960s,Chinese engineers and researchers have started conducting research on the QTP to enhance the performance and durability of pavement systems.The present paper provide a comprehensive review of challenge,research and practice of highway constructions on the QTP including the special environmental and geological conditions,history of highway constructions on the QTP,major challenges and the state-of-the-art technology of subgrade constructions on permafrost,developments of the pavement structures and materials,performance prediction and maintenance methods of pavement surfaces,and applications of the research achievements on the first expressway on the QTP(i.e.,Gongyu Expressway).Based on the comprehensive literature review,it can be found that(1)frost heave and thaw weakening induced subgrade disease and longitudinal cracks on the pavement surface are complex coupled water-thermal-load problems.Engineering solutions are focusing on active cooling and thermal insulation methods,which can help to reduce temperature variations in the subgrade and thus improving its stability,(2)the harsh environmental and construction conditions may reduce the early strength and induce premature damage of cement-treated base materials.Some field validations showed that geocell-reinforced or asphalt-treated flexible base materials can provide better long-term performance,(3)the large temperature variability and strong UV rays can significantly accelerate aging of asphalt binders and greatly reduce the service life of asphalt mixtures.Various binder modification methods were developed for improving their viscoelasticity and enhance the low-temperature cracking resistance of pavement surface materials but are still lack of field validation data and comparisons of their life cycle costs.Therefore,it is recommended that a demonstration research project build test sections to examine a range of pavement structures and materials,and compare their long-term performance and life cycle costs,which can serve as important reference for future highway constructions on the QTP.展开更多
Tree mortality significantly influences forest structure and function,yet our understanding of its dynamic patterns among a range of tree sizes and among different plant functional types(PFTs)remains incomplete.This s...Tree mortality significantly influences forest structure and function,yet our understanding of its dynamic patterns among a range of tree sizes and among different plant functional types(PFTs)remains incomplete.This study analysed size-dependent tree mortality in a temperate forest,encompassing 46 tree species and 32,565 individuals across different PFTs(i.e.,evergreen conifer vs.deciduous broadleaf species,shade-tolerant vs.shade-intolerant species).By employing all-subset regression procedures and logistic generalized linear mixed-effects models,we identified distinct mortality patterns influenced by biotic and abiotic factors.Our results showed a stable mortality patte rn in eve rgreen conifer species,contrasted by a declining pattern in deciduous broadleaf and shadetolerant,as well as shade-intolerant species,across size classes.The contribution to tree mortality of evergreen conifer species shifted from abiotic to biotic factors with increasing size,while the mortality of deciduous broadleaf species was mainly influenced by biotic factors,such as initial diameter at breast height(DBH)and conspecific negative density.For shade-tolerant species,the mortality of small individuals was mainly determined by initial DBH and conspecific negative density dependence,whereas the mortality of large individuals was subjected to the combined effect of biotic(competition from neighbours)and abiotic factors(i.e.,convexity and pH).As for shade-intolerant species,competition from neighbours was found to be the main driver of tree mortality throughout their growth stages.Thus,these insights enhance our understanding of forest dynamics by revealing the size-dependent and PFT-specific tree mortality patterns,which may inform strategies for maintaining forest diversity and resilience in temperate forest ecosystems.展开更多
“A Craftsman Must Sharpen His Tools to Do His Job,”said Confucius.Nuclear detection and readout techniques are the foundation of particle physics,nuclear physics,and particle astrophysics to reveal the nature of the...“A Craftsman Must Sharpen His Tools to Do His Job,”said Confucius.Nuclear detection and readout techniques are the foundation of particle physics,nuclear physics,and particle astrophysics to reveal the nature of the universe.Also,they are being increasingly used in other disciplines like nuclear power generation,life sciences,environmental sciences,medical sciences,etc.The article reviews the short history,recent development,and trend of nuclear detection and readout techniques,covering Semiconductor Detector,Gaseous Detector,Scintillation Detector,Cherenkov Detector,Transition Radiation Detector,and Readout Techniques.By explaining the principle and using examples,we hope to help the interested reader underst and this research field and bring exciting information to the community.展开更多
A 4H–SiC–^(63)Ni p–n-junction-based betavoltaic battery is investigated. The Monte Carlo method is used to simulate the self-absorption effect of the ^(63)Ni source, the backscattering process, and the transport of...A 4H–SiC–^(63)Ni p–n-junction-based betavoltaic battery is investigated. The Monte Carlo method is used to simulate the self-absorption effect of the ^(63)Ni source, the backscattering process, and the transport of beta particles in 4H–SiC material. The main factors that affect the energy conversion efficiencies of the cell are analyzed. Based on the simulation results, it can be calculated that, when the thickness of the ^(63)Ni source increases from 2 ×10^(-3) to10 lm, the theoretical maximum device conversion efficiency increases from 16.77 to 23:51% and the total conversion efficiency decreases from 16.73 to 1:48%.Furthermore, a feasible design with a maximum output power density of 0:36 μW=cm^2 and an optimal device conversion efficiency of 23:5% is obtained.展开更多
Spine grape(Vitis davidii Foex.)is an important wild grape species native to China.Fifteen red spine grape clones and three red Vitis vinifera grape varieties were used to evaluate the differences in the anthocyanin p...Spine grape(Vitis davidii Foex.)is an important wild grape species native to China.Fifteen red spine grape clones and three red Vitis vinifera grape varieties were used to evaluate the differences in the anthocyanin profiles and color properties of wines made from V.davidii and V.vinifera grapes.Among spine wines,‘Junzi#2’wine had the highest total phenolic and total anthocyanin,‘Xiangzhenzhu’wine had the highest total flavonoids,and‘Junzi#1’wine had the highest total tannin.The anthocyanin compositions of all of the spine wines were dominated by Mv-3,5-diglucoside.The total individual anthocyanin contents in spine wines,except‘Gaoshan#5’,‘Junzi#5055’,‘Junzi#5061’,and‘Junzi#5044’,were signifi cantly higher than in V.vinifera wines.Most of the spine wines had a stronger red intensity and a brighter chroma with a bluer hue than V.vinifera wines.Correlation analysis revealed that the color properties were closely related to the anthocyanin composition.These results suggest that wines made from spine grapes may be useful for the wine industry for their color properties and high individual anthocyanin contents.展开更多
Road boundary detection is essential for autonomous vehicle localization and decision-making,especially under GPS signal loss and lane discontinuities.For road boundary detection in structural environments,obstacle oc...Road boundary detection is essential for autonomous vehicle localization and decision-making,especially under GPS signal loss and lane discontinuities.For road boundary detection in structural environments,obstacle occlusions and large road curvature are two significant challenges.However,an effective and fast solution for these problems has remained elusive.To solve these problems,a speed and accuracy tradeoff method for LiDAR-based road boundary detection in structured environments is proposed.The proposed method consists of three main stages:1)a multi-feature based method is applied to extract feature points;2)a road-segmentation-line-based method is proposed for classifying left and right feature points;3)an iterative Gaussian Process Regression(GPR)is employed for filtering out false points and extracting boundary points.To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method,KITTI datasets is used for comprehensive experiments,and the performance of our approach is tested under different road conditions.Comprehensive experiments show the roadsegmentation-line-based method can classify left,and right feature points on structured curved roads,and the proposed iterative Gaussian Process Regression can extract road boundary points on varied road shapes and traffic conditions.Meanwhile,the proposed road boundary detection method can achieve real-time performance with an average of 70.5 ms per frame.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the long term(≥5 y) efficacy, predictability, and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) in eyes with thin corneas [central corneal thickness(CCT) 〈500 μm]. METHODS: A total of 33...AIM: To investigate the long term(≥5 y) efficacy, predictability, and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) in eyes with thin corneas [central corneal thickness(CCT) 〈500 μm]. METHODS: A total of 339 patients met the criteria of this study. Finally, 175 eyes of 89 patients who had thin corneas and underwent LASIK≥5 y ago returned to our clinic and included in this study. Preoperative parameters recorded included uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA), manifest refraction, CCT and corneal topography. At returning visits, in addition to visual acuity and manifest refraction, ultrasound CCT and corneal topography were performed. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the CCT, LASIK flap thickness, and residual stromal bed thickness(RSBT). Safety index, efficacy index, percentage of eyes within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D of refraction, percent tissue altered(PTA), and percentage stromal bed thickness(PSBT) were calculated. RESULTS: The safety index was 1.09 and efficacy index was 0.99. The percentages of eyes within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D were 71.2% and 87.7%, respectively. The mean PTA was 40%±6%(range 20% to 55%); 76 eyes(43.4%) had PTA 〈40% and 99 eyes(56.6%) had PTA≥40%. The mean RSBT was 303±27 μm(range 240 to 390 μm), and 2 eyes had RSBT〈250 μm. The mean PSBT was 61%±9%(range 51% to 85%). No eyes developed ectasia. CONCLUSION: In this cohort with the PSBT of 50% or more, LASIK is safe with follow-up for at least 5 y.展开更多
Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have attracted more and more attention in the scientific community due to their high performance and simple fabrication process.In the past few years,emerging technologies have made manufac...Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have attracted more and more attention in the scientific community due to their high performance and simple fabrication process.In the past few years,emerging technologies have made manufacturing large-scale PSC modules possible.However,stability and fabrication issues still limit the modularization and commercialization of PSCs.Carbon materials have been widely used in PSCs to overcome these challenges due to their excellent optical,electrical,and mechanical properties.In addition,the hydrophobic properties of certain carbon materials are highly effective at protecting the perovskite film from moisture and improving the stability of PSCs.All these superior properties have made carbon one of the most promising materials to fabricate future highperformance PSC modules with long service lifetimes.In this review,recent developments of carbon-based materials in different layers of single-junction PSCs will first be discussed,with an emphasis on functionalities related to PSCs’stability and modularization.Then,current improvements and future discussions in the manufacturing of monolithic PSC modules will be reviewed in detail.展开更多
Schottky diodes and PN junctions were utilized as energy converting structures in ZnO-based betavoltaic batteries,in which 0.101121 Ci 63Ni was selected as the beta source.The time-related electrical properties were o...Schottky diodes and PN junctions were utilized as energy converting structures in ZnO-based betavoltaic batteries,in which 0.101121 Ci 63Ni was selected as the beta source.The time-related electrical properties were obtained using Monte Carlo simulations.For the n-type ZnO,the Pt/ZnO Schottky diode had the highest energy conversion efficiency,and the Ni/ZnO Schottky diode had the largest Isc.The overall electrical performance of PN junctions is better than that of Schottky diodes.The lifetimes of Pt/ZnO and Ni/ZnO are longer than for other Schottky devices,coming close to those of PN junctions.Considering that Schottky diodes are easier to fabricate and independent of p-type semiconductors,Pt/ZnO and Ni/ZnO diodes offer alternatives to PN-junction-based betavoltaic batteries.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the size of functional optical zone(FOZ)after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)versus femtosecond laser assisted excimer laser keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)for myopia correction and potential as...AIM:To investigate the size of functional optical zone(FOZ)after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)versus femtosecond laser assisted excimer laser keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)for myopia correction and potential associated factors for FOZ.METHODS:A total of 133 patients who received corneal refractive surgery in our hospital between November 2018 and July 2021 were retrospectively enrolled.There were 63 patients(123 eyes)in SMILE group and 70patients(139 eyes)in FS-LASIK group.The size of FOZ was measured using Pentacam 3-dementional anterior segment analyzer before and 3mo after surgery,so as to analyze postoperative achieved functional optical zone(AFOZ)and its contributing parameters.RESULTS:When planned functional optical zone(PFOZ)was 6.5 mm for both groups,AFOZ was 1.45±0.27 and 1.67±0.25 mm smaller than preoperative FOZ in SMILE group and FS-LASIK group 3mo after surgery.AFOZ in SMILE group was significantly larger than that in FS-LASIK group(P<0.001).Variation of FOZ was negatively correlated with preoperative spherical equivalent(SE)and positively correlated with variation of mean keratometry value(△Km),variation of spherical aberration(△SA),and variation of Q-value(△Q,all P<0.001)in both groups.Multiple variable linear regression equations were△FOZ=1.354-0.1×pre-SE+0.336×△Q+1.462×△SA in SMILE group and△FOZ=1.512+0.137×△Q+0.468×△SA in FS-LASIK group.CONCLUSION:AFOZ is significantly smaller than preoperative FOZ in both SMILE and FS-LASIK groups.With the same PFOZ,larger AFOZ is achieved in SMILE group than in FS-LASIK group.展开更多
BACKGROUND Spinal deformities in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(EDS; type VI) are generally progressive and severe. Surgical treatment has been described for kyphoscoliosis in the thoracolumbar spine. However, there are few s...BACKGROUND Spinal deformities in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(EDS; type VI) are generally progressive and severe. Surgical treatment has been described for kyphoscoliosis in the thoracolumbar spine. However, there are few studies describing the consequences of an anterior approach in cervical kyphosis. An anterior approach may not be able to fully decompress the spinal canal and restore the normal curvature of the cervical spine. Therefore, the anterior approach for cervical kyphosis in young children is hard. We describe the first case in an EDS girl with cervical kyphosis who received satisfactory anterior cervical corpectomy decompression and fusion.CASE SUMMARY The chief complaints of a 16-year-old girl with EDS were double upper limb weakness for 7 years and double lower limb walking instability for 2 years.Moreover, the imaging results revealed that the degree of kyphosis from cervical vertebra 2 to 4 accompanying with spinal cord compression was 30°. An anterior cervical corpectomy involving cervical vertebra 3 and a titanium mesh implant were performed with internal fixation. The results at 3 mo after surgery demonstrated that the anterior fusion was solid, and the kyphosis of the cervical spine was corrected. Additionally, the power of all four extremities was significantly improved.CONCLUSION The incidence rate of cervical kyphosis in EDS is rare. The surgical treatment for these patients, especially an anterior approach, is challenging. Therefore, to develop safer and more effective strategies to treat cervical kyphosis in EDS,there is still much work to do.展开更多
Exploring highly efficient non-precious metal based catalysts for bifunctional oxygen electrode is crucial for rechargeable metal-air batteries.In this study,with MOFs as precursors,a facile coprecipitation method is ...Exploring highly efficient non-precious metal based catalysts for bifunctional oxygen electrode is crucial for rechargeable metal-air batteries.In this study,with MOFs as precursors,a facile coprecipitation method is designed to realize in-situ growth of the CoNi anchored carbon nanoparticle/nanotube(CoNi/N-CNN)hybrid,which can achieve the simultaneous maximum exposure of both oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)active centers.Benefiting from the unique structure,the CoNi/N-CNN catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for ORR(E_(onset)=1.183 V,E_(1/2)=0.819 V)and a low operating voltage of 1.718 V at 10 mA cm^(−2)(Ej=10)for OER.Delightfully,the home-made rechargeable Zn-air battery with CoNi/N-CNN delivers a high discharge power density up to 209 mW cm^(−2),and an outstanding charge–discharge cycling stability.The boosted bifunctional electrocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the strong coupling effect between Co/Ni center sites and defect-rich N-anchored carbon featured with porous and nanotube structure,which can introduce uniformly dispersed active sites,tailored electronic configuration,superb conductivity and convenient charge transfer process.The hybrid non-precious bimetal based electrocatalyst provides the possibility to develop the low-cost and high-efficient ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalysts in rechargeable metal-air battery.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82070859).
文摘Excessive fat deposition in obese subjects promotes the occurrence of metabolic diseases,such as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),cardiovascular diseases,and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Adipose tissue is not only the main form of energy storage but also an endocrine organ that not only secretes adipocytokines but also releases many extracellular vesicles(EVs)that play a role in the regulation of whole-body metabolism.Exosomes are a subtype of EVs,and accumulating evidence indicates that adipose tissue exosomes(AT Exos)mediate crosstalk between adipose tissue and multiple organs by being transferred to targeted cells or tissues through paracrine or endocrine mechanisms.However,the roles of AT Exos in crosstalk with metabolic organs remain to be fully elucidated.In this review,we summarize the latest research progress on the role of AT Exos in the regulation of metabolic disorders.Moreover,we discuss the potential role of AT Exos as biomarkers in metabolic diseases and their clinical application.
文摘BACKGROUND Secondary hyperparathyroidism,renal osteodystrophy,and cardiovascular adverse events can occur if long-term hyperphosphatemia is not corrected,leading to the adverse prognosis of patients with chronic renal failure.Besides the use of phosphorus binders,clinical control measures for hyperphosphatemia in these patients should also incorporate diet control.AIM To observe doctor-led intensive diet education effects on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia.METHODS We assessed 120 patients with hyperphosphatemia and chronic renal failure on hemodialysis admitted to our hospital(July 2018 to March 2020).The control group(n=60)was given routine nursing guidance,and the observation group(n=60)was given doctor-led intensive diet education.The changes in EQ-5D-3L scores,disease-related knowledge,and compliance scores before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were recorded.The levels of serum parathyroid hormone(iPTH),calcium(Ca),phosphorus(P),calciumphosphorus product(Ca×P),serum creatinine(Scr),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)before intervention and 3 and 6 mo after intervention in the two groups were assessed along with patient satisfaction.RESULTS There was no significant difference in blood iPTH,Ca,P,Ca×P,Scr,or BUN levels between the groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the blood iPTH,Ca,P,and Ca×P levels in the two groups decreased gradually(P<0.05),but there were no significant differences in Scr or BUN.The blood iPTH,Ca,P,and Ca×P levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The satisfaction rate in the observation group after 3 mo was 93.33%and after 6,90.00%,which was high compared with the 80.00%and 71.67%,respectively,in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in EQ-5D-3L score between the two groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the two groups increased gradually(P<0.05);and the scores of action ability,self-care,daily activities,pain and discomfort,and anxiety and depression decreased gradually(P<0.05).The overall EQ-5D-3L score in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in diseaserelated knowledge or compliance scores between the groups before intervention.After 3 and 6 mo of intervention,the scores of disease,diet,and medication knowledge and compliance in the two groups increased gradually(P<0.05).The scores of disease-related knowledge and compliance were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Doctor-led intensive diet education can improve patient satisfaction and the quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia and promote low-phosphorus diet behavior.
基金This research is funded by the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (No. 2011BAE27B04)the Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research of Central Colleges in Chang’an University (Nos. CHD2011TD003 and CHD2011ZY002)
文摘The deformation and damage behaviors of strain hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) under the uniaxial stress state were investigated in this paper. Two ductile failure-based constitutive models were introduced to describe the uniaxial tension and compression properties of SHCC only using a few parameters. The computation method of model parameters was developed to ease the simulation procedures. Damage evolution of the SHCC was simulated by the formulation of continuum damage mechanics subsequently. The results show that the proposed models fit the stress-strain curves reasonably well, and the damage variables show different growth rules under uniaxial tension and compression. It is concluded that the proposed method can not only simply simulate the constitutive behavior of SHCC with the reasonable accuracy but also capture the characteristic of material degradation.
基金supported by the National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development Projects(No.2012YQ240121)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11075064)
文摘Third-generation-semiconductor zinc oxide is utilized as an energy converting material in a betavoltaic battery, where 0.06 Ci^(63) Ni and 8 Ci^(147) Pm are used as the beta sources. Based on a Monte Carlo simulation, the full scales of the devices are derived as 17 and 118 lm,respectively, for both sources. The influences of semiconductor doping concentrations on the electrical properties of the devices are analyzed. For a typical doping concentration N_A= 10^(17) cm^(-3), N_D= 10^(16) cm^(-3), the conversion efficiencies are 7.177% and 1.658%, respectively, using63 Ni and147 Pm sources. The calculation results of energy deposition in materials for the two sources show that the doping concentrations drop to 1 × 10^(13)–5×10^(14) cm^(-3) and 1 × 10^(12)–5×10^(13), and accordingly, the energy conversion efficiencies rise to 14.212% and 18.359%, respectively.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(numbers 81874503 and 81574068)。
文摘Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion or moxa smoke on serum lipids,aorta and liver pathology,and carotid plaque stability in atherosclerosis.Methods:Fifty-four 8-week-old ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into three groups(untreated,moxibustion,and moxa smoke)and received a high-fat diet.Eighteen wild-type C57 BL/6 mice of the same age were used as controls.The intervention(none,moxibustion between the nipples,or 10 e15 mg/m^3 moxa smoke)was applied to restrained mice 20 min per day,six days per week,for 12 weeks.At the end of the experimental period,we measured serum lipids and apolipoprotein,stained thoracic aortas and livers to observe pathological changes,and used immunohistochemical staining to assess the levels of a-smooth muscle actin,CD68,tumor necrosis factor-α,nuclear transcription factor-κB,and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.We also measured the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-1.Results:After 12 weeks,lipid metabolism disorder and atherosclerotic plaques were observed in the ApoE^-/- mice.Moxibustion or moxa smoke reduced the levels of serum total cholesterol,triglycerides,low density lipoprotein,and very low density lipoprotein but did not affect the levels of high density lipoprotein,apolipoprotein A1,or oxidized low density lipoprotein.Moxibustion or moxa smoke suppressed pathological changes in thoracic aortas and livers,increased fiber cap thickness,the fiber cap thickness/intimal medial thickness ratio,and collagen area percentage,and reduced extracellular lipids.Treatment with moxibustion or moxa smoke increased a-smooth muscle actin and reduced CD68 and the vulnerability index,suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear transcription factor-κB expression,and did not affect P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression.Treatment lowered the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 and increased those of tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-1.Conclusion:Moxibustion or moxa smoke exert protective effects in serum lipid profiles and carotid plaque stability in atherosclerotic mice by regulating plaque stability,inflammatory factors,and matrix metalloproteinases.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(21972017)the“Scientific and Technical Innovation Action Plan”Hong Kong,MacaoTaiwan Science&Technology Cooperation Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee(19160760600).
文摘Rational construction of highly efficient and cheap bifunctional electrocatalysts to boost both oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is extremely essential for the wide application of rechargeable metal-air battery.In this work,we design a core-shell structural catalyst of CoNi dual-metal embedded in nitrogen doped porous carbon(NPC,CoNi@NPC),which is developed via the pyrolysis of CoNiMOFs,assisting by mesoporous SiO_(2) to effectively inhibit the aggregation of metal sites.Consequently,the asprepared CoNi@NPC manifests good ORR activity with half-wave potential up to 0.77 V.Specifically,the CoNi@NPC gives a very low OER over-potential of merely 101 mV in 6 M KOH along with high stability,outperforming the commercial Pt/C-RuO_(2).Moreover,the home-made zinc air battery with CoNi@NPC air cathode demonstrates excellent stability over long-term charging–discharging test,and delivers the maximum power density of 224 mW cm^(-2).The enhanced high performance of CoNi@NPC bifunctional catalyst for both ORR and OER can be ascribed to its unique core-shell structure and strong synergistic effect between the dual-bimetal active sites and the heteroatom doped carbon.This work opens a new avenue for the rational design of nonprecious metal bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable metal-air battery.
基金financial support provided by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB2601000,2022YFE0101500)the National Science&Technology Pillar Program(No.2014BAG05B04)+4 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51708045,51878064,51908057,51978074,52178185,5217082105)The Shaanxi Natural Science Basic Research Program(No.2021JQ-249)the Major Science and Technology Project of Qinghai Province(No.2014-GX-A2A)the Fellowship of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2021MD703885)the Special Found for Basic Scientific Research of Central College(No.300102218408).
文摘Highway constructions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)face great challenges induced by the unique local environmental,geological,and engineering conditions.The large area of permafrost,great temperature variability,strong UV rays,and complex geological conditions are the major factors that adversely influence the longterm performance of pavement systems.Since 1960s,Chinese engineers and researchers have started conducting research on the QTP to enhance the performance and durability of pavement systems.The present paper provide a comprehensive review of challenge,research and practice of highway constructions on the QTP including the special environmental and geological conditions,history of highway constructions on the QTP,major challenges and the state-of-the-art technology of subgrade constructions on permafrost,developments of the pavement structures and materials,performance prediction and maintenance methods of pavement surfaces,and applications of the research achievements on the first expressway on the QTP(i.e.,Gongyu Expressway).Based on the comprehensive literature review,it can be found that(1)frost heave and thaw weakening induced subgrade disease and longitudinal cracks on the pavement surface are complex coupled water-thermal-load problems.Engineering solutions are focusing on active cooling and thermal insulation methods,which can help to reduce temperature variations in the subgrade and thus improving its stability,(2)the harsh environmental and construction conditions may reduce the early strength and induce premature damage of cement-treated base materials.Some field validations showed that geocell-reinforced or asphalt-treated flexible base materials can provide better long-term performance,(3)the large temperature variability and strong UV rays can significantly accelerate aging of asphalt binders and greatly reduce the service life of asphalt mixtures.Various binder modification methods were developed for improving their viscoelasticity and enhance the low-temperature cracking resistance of pavement surface materials but are still lack of field validation data and comparisons of their life cycle costs.Therefore,it is recommended that a demonstration research project build test sections to examine a range of pavement structures and materials,and compare their long-term performance and life cycle costs,which can serve as important reference for future highway constructions on the QTP.
基金supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No.2023M733712)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.31971491)。
文摘Tree mortality significantly influences forest structure and function,yet our understanding of its dynamic patterns among a range of tree sizes and among different plant functional types(PFTs)remains incomplete.This study analysed size-dependent tree mortality in a temperate forest,encompassing 46 tree species and 32,565 individuals across different PFTs(i.e.,evergreen conifer vs.deciduous broadleaf species,shade-tolerant vs.shade-intolerant species).By employing all-subset regression procedures and logistic generalized linear mixed-effects models,we identified distinct mortality patterns influenced by biotic and abiotic factors.Our results showed a stable mortality patte rn in eve rgreen conifer species,contrasted by a declining pattern in deciduous broadleaf and shadetolerant,as well as shade-intolerant species,across size classes.The contribution to tree mortality of evergreen conifer species shifted from abiotic to biotic factors with increasing size,while the mortality of deciduous broadleaf species was mainly influenced by biotic factors,such as initial diameter at breast height(DBH)and conspecific negative density.For shade-tolerant species,the mortality of small individuals was mainly determined by initial DBH and conspecific negative density dependence,whereas the mortality of large individuals was subjected to the combined effect of biotic(competition from neighbours)and abiotic factors(i.e.,convexity and pH).As for shade-intolerant species,competition from neighbours was found to be the main driver of tree mortality throughout their growth stages.Thus,these insights enhance our understanding of forest dynamics by revealing the size-dependent and PFT-specific tree mortality patterns,which may inform strategies for maintaining forest diversity and resilience in temperate forest ecosystems.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12222512,U2032209,12075045,12335011,1875097,11975257,62074146,11975115,12205374,12305210,11975292,12005276,12005278,12375193,12227805,12235012,12375191,12005279)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFA1601300)+13 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB34000000)the CAS Pioneer Hundred Talent Programthe CAS“Light of West China”Programthe Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province(No.101300261)the Dalian Science and Technology Innovation Fund(2023JJ12GX013)the Special Projects of the Central Government in Guidance of Local Science and Technology Development(Research and development of three-dimensional prospecting technology based on Cosmic-ray muons)(YDZX20216200001297)the Science and Technology Planning Project of Gansu(20JR10RA645)the Lanzhou University Talent Cooperation Research Funds sponsored by both Lanzhou City(561121203)the Gansu provincial science and technology plan projects for talents(054000029)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.1232033)the Beijing Hope Run Special Fund of Cancer Foundation of China(No.LC2021B23)the Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research(No.2020B0301030008)the Scientific Instrument Developing Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.GJJSTD20210009)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS(2021450)。
文摘“A Craftsman Must Sharpen His Tools to Do His Job,”said Confucius.Nuclear detection and readout techniques are the foundation of particle physics,nuclear physics,and particle astrophysics to reveal the nature of the universe.Also,they are being increasingly used in other disciplines like nuclear power generation,life sciences,environmental sciences,medical sciences,etc.The article reviews the short history,recent development,and trend of nuclear detection and readout techniques,covering Semiconductor Detector,Gaseous Detector,Scintillation Detector,Cherenkov Detector,Transition Radiation Detector,and Readout Techniques.By explaining the principle and using examples,we hope to help the interested reader underst and this research field and bring exciting information to the community.
基金supported by the National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development Project(No.2012YQ240121)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11075064)
文摘A 4H–SiC–^(63)Ni p–n-junction-based betavoltaic battery is investigated. The Monte Carlo method is used to simulate the self-absorption effect of the ^(63)Ni source, the backscattering process, and the transport of beta particles in 4H–SiC material. The main factors that affect the energy conversion efficiencies of the cell are analyzed. Based on the simulation results, it can be calculated that, when the thickness of the ^(63)Ni source increases from 2 ×10^(-3) to10 lm, the theoretical maximum device conversion efficiency increases from 16.77 to 23:51% and the total conversion efficiency decreases from 16.73 to 1:48%.Furthermore, a feasible design with a maximum output power density of 0:36 μW=cm^2 and an optimal device conversion efficiency of 23:5% is obtained.
基金This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2452019208)the National Key R&D Program on Monitoring,Early Warning and Prevention of Major National Disasters(Grant No.2017YFC1502806)the China Agriculture Research System for Grapes(Grant No.CARS-29-zp-6).
文摘Spine grape(Vitis davidii Foex.)is an important wild grape species native to China.Fifteen red spine grape clones and three red Vitis vinifera grape varieties were used to evaluate the differences in the anthocyanin profiles and color properties of wines made from V.davidii and V.vinifera grapes.Among spine wines,‘Junzi#2’wine had the highest total phenolic and total anthocyanin,‘Xiangzhenzhu’wine had the highest total flavonoids,and‘Junzi#1’wine had the highest total tannin.The anthocyanin compositions of all of the spine wines were dominated by Mv-3,5-diglucoside.The total individual anthocyanin contents in spine wines,except‘Gaoshan#5’,‘Junzi#5055’,‘Junzi#5061’,and‘Junzi#5044’,were signifi cantly higher than in V.vinifera wines.Most of the spine wines had a stronger red intensity and a brighter chroma with a bluer hue than V.vinifera wines.Correlation analysis revealed that the color properties were closely related to the anthocyanin composition.These results suggest that wines made from spine grapes may be useful for the wine industry for their color properties and high individual anthocyanin contents.
基金This work was supported by the Research on Construction and Simulation Technology of Hardware in Loop Testing Scenario for Self-Driving Electric Vehicle in China(2018YFB0105103J).
文摘Road boundary detection is essential for autonomous vehicle localization and decision-making,especially under GPS signal loss and lane discontinuities.For road boundary detection in structural environments,obstacle occlusions and large road curvature are two significant challenges.However,an effective and fast solution for these problems has remained elusive.To solve these problems,a speed and accuracy tradeoff method for LiDAR-based road boundary detection in structured environments is proposed.The proposed method consists of three main stages:1)a multi-feature based method is applied to extract feature points;2)a road-segmentation-line-based method is proposed for classifying left and right feature points;3)an iterative Gaussian Process Regression(GPR)is employed for filtering out false points and extracting boundary points.To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method,KITTI datasets is used for comprehensive experiments,and the performance of our approach is tested under different road conditions.Comprehensive experiments show the roadsegmentation-line-based method can classify left,and right feature points on structured curved roads,and the proposed iterative Gaussian Process Regression can extract road boundary points on varied road shapes and traffic conditions.Meanwhile,the proposed road boundary detection method can achieve real-time performance with an average of 70.5 ms per frame.
基金Supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11402161)the Programs for Science and Technique Development of Shanxi Province,China(No.20120313025-3)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Research Projects of the Shanxi Provincial Health Department,China(No.201201018)an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness,New York,NY,USA
文摘AIM: To investigate the long term(≥5 y) efficacy, predictability, and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) in eyes with thin corneas [central corneal thickness(CCT) 〈500 μm]. METHODS: A total of 339 patients met the criteria of this study. Finally, 175 eyes of 89 patients who had thin corneas and underwent LASIK≥5 y ago returned to our clinic and included in this study. Preoperative parameters recorded included uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA), manifest refraction, CCT and corneal topography. At returning visits, in addition to visual acuity and manifest refraction, ultrasound CCT and corneal topography were performed. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the CCT, LASIK flap thickness, and residual stromal bed thickness(RSBT). Safety index, efficacy index, percentage of eyes within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D of refraction, percent tissue altered(PTA), and percentage stromal bed thickness(PSBT) were calculated. RESULTS: The safety index was 1.09 and efficacy index was 0.99. The percentages of eyes within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D were 71.2% and 87.7%, respectively. The mean PTA was 40%±6%(range 20% to 55%); 76 eyes(43.4%) had PTA 〈40% and 99 eyes(56.6%) had PTA≥40%. The mean RSBT was 303±27 μm(range 240 to 390 μm), and 2 eyes had RSBT〈250 μm. The mean PSBT was 61%±9%(range 51% to 85%). No eyes developed ectasia. CONCLUSION: In this cohort with the PSBT of 50% or more, LASIK is safe with follow-up for at least 5 y.
基金PD acknowledges George Mason University for startup supportFH acknowledges the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China NSFC(51702038).
文摘Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have attracted more and more attention in the scientific community due to their high performance and simple fabrication process.In the past few years,emerging technologies have made manufacturing large-scale PSC modules possible.However,stability and fabrication issues still limit the modularization and commercialization of PSCs.Carbon materials have been widely used in PSCs to overcome these challenges due to their excellent optical,electrical,and mechanical properties.In addition,the hydrophobic properties of certain carbon materials are highly effective at protecting the perovskite film from moisture and improving the stability of PSCs.All these superior properties have made carbon one of the most promising materials to fabricate future highperformance PSC modules with long service lifetimes.In this review,recent developments of carbon-based materials in different layers of single-junction PSCs will first be discussed,with an emphasis on functionalities related to PSCs’stability and modularization.Then,current improvements and future discussions in the manufacturing of monolithic PSC modules will be reviewed in detail.
基金supported by the National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development Projects(No.2012YQ240121)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11075064)
文摘Schottky diodes and PN junctions were utilized as energy converting structures in ZnO-based betavoltaic batteries,in which 0.101121 Ci 63Ni was selected as the beta source.The time-related electrical properties were obtained using Monte Carlo simulations.For the n-type ZnO,the Pt/ZnO Schottky diode had the highest energy conversion efficiency,and the Ni/ZnO Schottky diode had the largest Isc.The overall electrical performance of PN junctions is better than that of Schottky diodes.The lifetimes of Pt/ZnO and Ni/ZnO are longer than for other Schottky devices,coming close to those of PN junctions.Considering that Schottky diodes are easier to fabricate and independent of p-type semiconductors,Pt/ZnO and Ni/ZnO diodes offer alternatives to PN-junction-based betavoltaic batteries.
基金Supported by Scientific and Technological Innovation Programs of Higher Education Institutions in Shanxi(No.2022L201)。
文摘AIM:To investigate the size of functional optical zone(FOZ)after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)versus femtosecond laser assisted excimer laser keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)for myopia correction and potential associated factors for FOZ.METHODS:A total of 133 patients who received corneal refractive surgery in our hospital between November 2018 and July 2021 were retrospectively enrolled.There were 63 patients(123 eyes)in SMILE group and 70patients(139 eyes)in FS-LASIK group.The size of FOZ was measured using Pentacam 3-dementional anterior segment analyzer before and 3mo after surgery,so as to analyze postoperative achieved functional optical zone(AFOZ)and its contributing parameters.RESULTS:When planned functional optical zone(PFOZ)was 6.5 mm for both groups,AFOZ was 1.45±0.27 and 1.67±0.25 mm smaller than preoperative FOZ in SMILE group and FS-LASIK group 3mo after surgery.AFOZ in SMILE group was significantly larger than that in FS-LASIK group(P<0.001).Variation of FOZ was negatively correlated with preoperative spherical equivalent(SE)and positively correlated with variation of mean keratometry value(△Km),variation of spherical aberration(△SA),and variation of Q-value(△Q,all P<0.001)in both groups.Multiple variable linear regression equations were△FOZ=1.354-0.1×pre-SE+0.336×△Q+1.462×△SA in SMILE group and△FOZ=1.512+0.137×△Q+0.468×△SA in FS-LASIK group.CONCLUSION:AFOZ is significantly smaller than preoperative FOZ in both SMILE and FS-LASIK groups.With the same PFOZ,larger AFOZ is achieved in SMILE group than in FS-LASIK group.
文摘BACKGROUND Spinal deformities in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(EDS; type VI) are generally progressive and severe. Surgical treatment has been described for kyphoscoliosis in the thoracolumbar spine. However, there are few studies describing the consequences of an anterior approach in cervical kyphosis. An anterior approach may not be able to fully decompress the spinal canal and restore the normal curvature of the cervical spine. Therefore, the anterior approach for cervical kyphosis in young children is hard. We describe the first case in an EDS girl with cervical kyphosis who received satisfactory anterior cervical corpectomy decompression and fusion.CASE SUMMARY The chief complaints of a 16-year-old girl with EDS were double upper limb weakness for 7 years and double lower limb walking instability for 2 years.Moreover, the imaging results revealed that the degree of kyphosis from cervical vertebra 2 to 4 accompanying with spinal cord compression was 30°. An anterior cervical corpectomy involving cervical vertebra 3 and a titanium mesh implant were performed with internal fixation. The results at 3 mo after surgery demonstrated that the anterior fusion was solid, and the kyphosis of the cervical spine was corrected. Additionally, the power of all four extremities was significantly improved.CONCLUSION The incidence rate of cervical kyphosis in EDS is rare. The surgical treatment for these patients, especially an anterior approach, is challenging. Therefore, to develop safer and more effective strategies to treat cervical kyphosis in EDS,there is still much work to do.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21972017)the‘‘Scientific and Technical Innovation Action Plan”Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan Science&Technology Cooperation Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee(19160760600)。
文摘Exploring highly efficient non-precious metal based catalysts for bifunctional oxygen electrode is crucial for rechargeable metal-air batteries.In this study,with MOFs as precursors,a facile coprecipitation method is designed to realize in-situ growth of the CoNi anchored carbon nanoparticle/nanotube(CoNi/N-CNN)hybrid,which can achieve the simultaneous maximum exposure of both oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)active centers.Benefiting from the unique structure,the CoNi/N-CNN catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for ORR(E_(onset)=1.183 V,E_(1/2)=0.819 V)and a low operating voltage of 1.718 V at 10 mA cm^(−2)(Ej=10)for OER.Delightfully,the home-made rechargeable Zn-air battery with CoNi/N-CNN delivers a high discharge power density up to 209 mW cm^(−2),and an outstanding charge–discharge cycling stability.The boosted bifunctional electrocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the strong coupling effect between Co/Ni center sites and defect-rich N-anchored carbon featured with porous and nanotube structure,which can introduce uniformly dispersed active sites,tailored electronic configuration,superb conductivity and convenient charge transfer process.The hybrid non-precious bimetal based electrocatalyst provides the possibility to develop the low-cost and high-efficient ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalysts in rechargeable metal-air battery.