3D porous reduced graphene cathode and non-corrosive electrolyte for long-life rechargeable aluminum batteries

Owing to their high volumetric capacity,low cost and high safety,rechargeable aluminum batteries have become promising candidates for energy applications.However,the high charge density of Al^(3+)leads to strong coulombic interactions between anions and the cathode,resulting in sluggish diffusion kinetics and irreversible collapse of the cathode structure.Furthermore,AlCl_(3)-based ionic liquids,which are commonly used as electrolytes in such batteries,corrode battery components and are prone to side reactions.The above problems lead to low capacity and poor cycling stability.Herein,we propose a reduced graphene oxide(rGO)cathode with a three-dimensional porous structure prepared using a simple and scalable method.The lamellar edges and oxygen-containing group defects of rGO synergistically provide abundant ion storage sites and enhance ion transfer kinetics.We matched the prepared rGO cathode with noncorrosive electrolyte 0.5 mol·L^(-1) Al(OTF)_(3)/[BMIM]OTF and Al metal to construct a high-performance battery,Al||rGO-150,with good cycling stability for 2700 cycles.Quasi-in-situ physicochemical characterization results show that the ion storage mechanism is codominated by diffusion and capacitance.The capacity consists of the insertion of Al-based species cations as well as synergistic adsorption of Al(OTF)_(x)^((3-x)+)(x<3)and[BMIM]+.The present study promotes the fundamental and applied research on rechargeable aluminum batteries.

Blockade of neutrophil recruitment to tumor sites based on sialic acid-modified nanoplatforms enhances the efficacy of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy

Checkpoint inhibitors are designed to rejuvenate depleted or suppressed T cells in the tumor microenvironment,relying on the immune system to control and kill tumors.However,accumulating evidence indicates that tumor-infiltrating neutrophils impede the proliferation and activation of T cells and determine the resistance to checkpoint blockade and chemotherapy.In this study,sialic acid ligand-modified colchicine derivative phospholipid complexes specifically targeted tumor-associated neutrophils in the peripheral blood,blocked neutrophil accumulation in tumors,and attenuated the inhibitory effect of infiltrating neutrophils on T cells.Neutrophil blocking therapy enhanced the immunotherapy effect of the PD-L1 antibody in S180 advanced tumors and 4T1 breast cancer.Our study found that PD-L1 antibody monotherapy increased the tumor infiltration of immunosuppressive neutrophils.Combination therapy with neutrophil blocking can greatly reduce tumor-infiltrating neutrophils and increase the proliferation of cytotoxic CD8^(+) T lymphocytes in the tumor.The combination therapy significantly improved the survival rate of mice with advanced S180 tumors and increased the sensitivity of immune checkpoint inhibitors to 4T1 cold tumors.

Screening and Identification of Strains Converting Trans-anethole to Anisic Acid

[Objectives] This study was conducted to isolate and screen the bacteria that can convert trans-anethole to anisic acid from star anise and its environmental samples, and identify the bacteria. [Methods] According to the traditional microbial culture method, with trans-anethole as the sole carbon source, through enrichment culture and separation and purification, preliminary screening by thin layer chromatography and re-screening by high-performance liquid chromatography, strains that degraded trans-anethole to produce anisic acid were obtained, and 16 S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic tree construction were performed for genetic analysis. [Results] Eleven strains that degraded trans-anethole to produce anisic acid were obtained, among which strain NT2 that produced anisic acid with a relatively high efficiency was initially identified as Pseudomonas sp. The strain’s trans-anethole degradation rate was 45.41%, and the molar production rate and cumulative concentration of anisic acid were 21.80% and 1.96 g/L, respectively. [Conclusions] Strain NT2 has a strong ability to degrade trans-anethole to produce anisic acid, and can enrich strain resources for degradation of trans-anethole to anisic acid through microbial conversion.

Real-world effectiveness of early insulin therapy on the incidence of cardiovascular events in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

Early insulin therapy is capable to achieve glycemic control and restoreβ-cell function in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes(T2D),but its effect on cardiovascular outcomes in these patients remains unclear.In this nationwide real-world study,we analyzed electronic health record data from 19 medical centers across China between 1 January 2000,and 26 May 2022.We included 5424 eligible patients(mean age 56 years,2176 women/3248 men)who were diagnosed T2D within six months and did not have prior cardiovascular disease.Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the associations of early insulin therapy(defined as the first-line therapy for at least two weeks in newly diagnosed T2D patients)with the incidence of major cardiovascular events including coronary heart disease(CHD),stroke,and hospitalization for heart failure(HF).During 17,158 persons years of observation,we documented 834 incident CHD cases,719 stroke cases,and 230 hospitalized cases for HF.Newly diagnosed T2D patients who received early insulin therapy,compared with those who did not receive such treatment,had 31%lower risk of incident stroke,and 28%lower risk of hospitalization for HF.No significant difference in the risk of CHD was observed.We found similar results when repeating the aforesaid analysis in a propensity-score matched population of 4578 patients and with inverse probability of treatment weighting models.These findings suggest that early insulin therapy in newly diagnosed T2D may have cardiovascular benefits by reducing the risk of incident stroke and hospitalization for HF.

Regulate the chemical property of the carbon nanospheres layer modified on the surface of sodium metal anode to achieve high-load battery

The energy density of batteries can be increased by using high-load cathode material matched with sodium (Na) metal anode. However, the large polarization of the battery under such harsh conditions will promote the growth of Na dendrites and side reactions. Carbon materials are regarded as ideal modify layers on Na metal anode to regulate the Na+ plating/stripping behavior and inhibit the Na dendrites and side reactions due to their light weight, high stability and structural adjustability. However, commonly used carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers cannot enable these modified Na metal anodes to operate stably in full batteries with a high-load cathode (】15 mg·cm^(−2)). The most fundamental reason is that abundant polar functional groups on the surface bring serious side reactions and agglomerations lead to uneven Na+ flow. Here, a proof-of-concept study lies on fabrications of carbon nanospheres with small amount of polar functional groups and sodiophobic components on the surface of Na metal anode, which significantly enhances the uniformity of the Na+ plating/stripping. The assembled symmetric battery can cycle stability for 1300 h at 3 mA·cm^(−2)/3 mAh·cm^(−2). The full battery with high-load Na3V2(PO4)3 (30 mg·cm^(−2)) maintains a Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% after 100 cycles.

Bi-functions of titanium and lanthanum co-doping to enhance theelectrochemical performance of spinel LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4)cathode

Spinel LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4)(LNMO)cathode material doped with Ti and La co-doping were synthesized through a solid-state method.The bi-functions of the Ti and La co-doping is realized.On the one hand,the stability of the LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4)crystal structure is enhanced and the Mn3t interference inside the material is reduced by the Ti doping.On the other hand,the co-doped La contributes to the formation of Li_(0.5)La_(0.5)TiO_(3)(LLTO)superionic conductor incorporated in the bulk LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4)phase,thereby enhancing the Li diffusion.With the help of XRD,FTIR,SEM and STEM techniques,La and Ti in the crystallographic structure and the dispersion of the LLTO superionic conductor in the bulk LNMO spinel are discussed.At the optimized molar ratio of 20:1 between LNMO and LLTO,the composite exhibits the best electrochemical performances in terms of the reversible capacity,rate capability and cycling stability.The lithium ion diffusion coefficient in the bulk LNMO phase is tripled by the LLTO superionic conductor incorporation.

The zinc finger transcription factor,KLF2,protects against COVID-19 associated endothelial dysfunction

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is regarded as an endothelial disease(endothelialitis)with its patho-mechanism being incompletely understood.Emerging evidence has demonstrated that endothelial dysfunction precipitates COVID-19 and its accompanying multi-organ injuries.Thus,pharmacotherapies targeting endothelial dysfunction have potential to ameliorate COVID-19 and its cardiovascular complications.The objective of the present study is to evaluate whether kruppel-like factor 2(KLF2),a master regulator of vascular homeostasis,represents a therapeutic target for C0VID-19-induced endothelial dysfunction.Here,we demonstrate that the expression of KLF2 was reduced and monocyte adhesion was increased in endothelial cells treated with COVID-19 patient serum due to elevated levels of pro-adhesive molecules,ICAM1 and VCAM1.IL-1β and TNF-α;two cytokines elevated in cytokine release syndrome in COVID-19 patients,decreased KLF2 gene expression.Pharmacologic(atorvastatin and tannic acid)and genetic(adenoviral overexpression)approaches to augment KLF2 levels attenuated COVID-19-serum-induced increase in endothelial inflammation and monocyte adhesion.Next-generation RNA-sequencing data showed that atorvastatin treatment leads to a cardiovascular protective transcriptome associated with improved endothelial function(vasodilation,antiinflammation,antioxidant status,anti-thrombosis/-coagulation,anti-fibrosis,and reduced angiogenesis).Finally,knockdown of KLF2 partially reversed the ameliorative effect of atorvastatin on COVID-19-serum-induced endothelial inflammation and monocyte adhesion.Collectively,the present study implicates loss of KLF2 as an important molecular event in the development of COVID-19-induced vascular disease and suggests that efforts to augment KLF2 levels may be therapeutically beneficial.

Deciphering the Role of Fluoroethylene Carbonate towards Highly Reversible Sodium Metal Anodes

Sodium metal anodes(SMAs)sufer from extremely low reversibility(<20%)in carbonate based clectrolytes-this piece of knowledge gained from previous studics has ruled out the application of carbonate solvents for sodium metal batteries.Here,we overturn this conclusion by incorporating fluoroethylene carbonate(FEC)as cosolvent that renders a Na plating/stripping fficiency of>95%with conventional NaPF。salt at a regular concentration(1.0M).The peculiar role of FEC is firstly.unraveled via its involvement into the solvation structure,where a threshold FEC concentration with a coordination number>1.2 is needed in guaranteeing high Na reversibility over the long-term.Specifially,by incorporating an average number of 1.2 FEC molecules into the primary Na*solvation sheath,lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)levels of such Nat-FEC solvates undergo further decrease,with spin electrons residing either on the O=C 0(O)moiety of FEC or sharing between Na*and its C=:O bond,which ensures a prior FEC decomposition in passivating the Na surface against other carbonate molecules.Further,by adopting cryogenic tranmission electron microscopy(cryo-TEM),we found that the Na filaments grow into substantially larger diameter from-400nm to>1 pum with addition of FEC upon the threshold value.A.highly crstalline and much thiner(-40 nm)slid-electrolyte interphase(SED)is consequently observed to uniformly wrap the Na surface,in contrast to the severely corroded Na as retrieved from the blank electrolyte.The potence of FEC is further demonstrated in a series of"corrosive solvents"such as ethy!l acetate(EA)。trimethyl phosphate(TMP),and actonitrile(AN)enabling highly reversible SMAs in the otherwise unusable solvent systems.

Association between population migration and epidemic control of coronavirus disease 2019

Dear Editor,In January 2020,a widespread outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)occurred after the beginning of the largest annual migration in China,which is known as the Spring Festival migration.Starting in January 20,2020,the Chinese government took a series of unprecedented measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.Because of the role of Wuhan as a central transportation hub.

Intrapartum and early postpartum glycemic profiles in women with gestational diabetes mellitus:an observational study

Background: Data on the glycemic profile of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the perinatal period are sparse. This study described the intrapartum and early postpartum glucose profiles among pregnant women with GDM, and analyzed factors potentially affecting glycemic parameters during the period.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from March 2020 to November 2021. Pregnant women with GDM receiving lifestyle interventions alone during pregnancy and matched women with non-diabetic pregnancies (NDPs) were enrolled from among patients admitted to the obstetrics department for childbirth. Glucose monitoring was performed via a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system on admission, and glucose readings during labor and early postpartum were analyzed. The clinical characteristics and FGM-based parameters of participants in the two groups were compared.Results: A total of 124 participants (mean age: 29.5 ± 3.5 years, 92 [74.2%] primipara) were included in the final analysis. A total of 17,571 glucose readings were retrieved. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the GDM (n = 60) and NDP (n = 64) groups. The average glucose level was 92.2 mg/dL, and the level was higher in the GDM group (95.5 ± 12.1 mg/dLvs. 89.1 ± 13.4 mg/dL,P = 0.008) during the intrapartum and early postpartum periods. The data were split into the intrapartum period (from the start of labor to delivery of the placenta) and the early postpartum period (within 24 h after placental delivery) for analysis. During intrapartum, women with GDM exhibited glycemic profiles and fluctuations similar to those in the NDP group. However, women with GDM had higher postpartum glucose levels (97.7 ± 13.4 mg/dLvs. 90.8 ± 15.3 mg/dL,P = 0.009), a longer time spent >140 mg/dL (8.7 ± 9.3%vs. 5.9 ± 10.3%,P = 0.011), and greater glycemic fluctuations than those with NDP. Postpartum hyperglycemia in GDM might be associated with high parity and postprandial glucose abnormalities in GDM screening tests.Conclusion: Compared to those with normoglycemia, pregnant women with GDM receiving lifestyle interventions alone had similar intrapartum glucose profiles but higher early postpartum glucose levels and greater glucose variability, providing evidence for modification of the current perinatal glucose monitoring strategy for GDM.Trial Registration: ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2000030972.

Decline of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG,IgM and IgA in convalescent COVID-19 patients within 100 days after hospital discharge

Dear editor,The 2019 novel coronavirus(later renamed as SARS-CoV-2 in February 2020)infected over 12 million people globally by early July 2020,causing mild to severe COVID-19 in millions.Monitoring the levels of antibodies such as immunoglobin(Ig)G,M and A that are specific to SARS-CoV-2 and present in the blood provides not only an alternative method for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection(including asymptomatic carriers),but also a simple way to monitor immune responses in convalescent patients or after vaccination.A high and persistent level of antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2,especially those that can bind to and neutralize the virus,would be a strong indication that an immunized host could resist to SRAS-CoV-2 infection.Currently,there are no effective drugs to specifically prevent or cure SARS-CoV-2 infection;therefore,host immune responses and antibody-based therapeutics will continue to play important roles in combating and later preventing COVID-19.