Latest assessment methods for mitochondrial homeostasis in cognitive diseases

Mitochondria play an essential role in neural function,such as supporting normal energy metabolism,regulating reactive oxygen species,buffering physiological calcium loads,and maintaining the balance of morphology,subcellular distribution,and overall health through mitochondrial dynamics.Given the recent technological advances in the assessment of mitochondrial structure and functions,mitochondrial dysfunction has been regarded as the early and key pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,Huntington’s disease,mild cognitive impairment,and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.This review will focus on the recent advances in mitochondrial medicine and research methodology in the field of cognitive sciences,from the perspectives of energy metabolism,oxidative stress,calcium homeostasis,and mitochondrial dynamics(including fission-fusion,transport,and mitophagy).

Neurological manifestations of patients with COVID-19:potential routes of SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion from the periphery to the brain

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),has caused a global pandemic in only 3 months.In addition to major respiratory distress,characteristic neurological manifestations are also described,indicating that SARS-CoV-2 may be an underestimated opportunistic pathogen of the brain.Based on previous studies of neuroinvasive human respiratory coronaviruses,it is proposed that after physical contact with the nasal mucosa,laryngopharynx,trachea,lower respiratory tract,alveoli epithelium,or gastrointestinal mucosa,SARS-CoV-2 can induce intrinsic and innate immune responses in the host involving increased cytokine release,tissue damage,and high neurosusceptibility to COVID-19,especially in the hypoxic conditions caused by lung injury.In some immunecompromised individuals,the virus may invade the brain through multiple routes,such as the vasculature and peripheral nerves.Therefore,in addition to drug treatments,such as pharmaceuticals and traditional Chinese medicine,non-pharmaceutical precautions,including facemasks and hand hygiene,are critically important.

Three-dimensional carbon framework as high-proportion sulfur host for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S)batteries are anticipated as one of the most promising candidates for the highenergy-density storage systems.However,the insulating nature and shuttling effect of sulfur severely limits their performance.The incorporation of sulfur with carbon materials has been deemed as one of the most powerful strategies to improve electrical conductivity and suppress soluble polysulfide shuttling.Herein,a novel three-dimensional carbon framework(3DCF)is prepared and employed as a sulfur host(3DCF@S)for Li-S batteries.The 3DCF not only supplies abundant paths for lithium ion diffusion and electron transport,but also strengthens polysulfide immobilization during the lithium/sulfur conversion reactions.As a result,the 3DCF@S with high sulfur content of 90%exhibits a high capacity of 1366 mA h/g at 0.1 C and excellent cycling stability with a satisfactory capacity of 601 mA h/g after 600 cycles at 2.0 C.The resultant Li-S button battery based 3DCF@S electrode could power a light-emitting diode for 2 h.The acquired 3DCF@S is expected to be widely used in Li-S batteries and this study will promote developments of carbon/sulfur composites for Li-S batteries.