Research progress of the electrochemical impedance technique applied to the high-capacity lithium-ion battery

The world's energy system is changing dramatically.Li-ion battery,as a powerful and highly effective energy storage technique,is crucial to the new energy revolution for its continuously expanding application in electric vehicles and grids.Over the entire lifetime of these power batteries,it is essential to monitor their state of health not only for the predicted mileage and safety management of the running electric vehicles,but also for an"end-of-life"evaluation for their repurpose.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)has been widely used to diagnose the health state of batteries quickly and nondestructively.In this review,we have outlined the working principles of several electrochemical impedance techniques and further evaluated their application prospects to achieve the goal of nondestructive testing of battery health.EIS can scientifically and reasonably perform real-time monitoring and evaluation of electric vehicle power batteries in the future and play an important role in vehicle safety and battery gradient utilization.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone positively regulates steroidogenesis via extracellular signal-regulated kinase in rat Leydig cells

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） is secreted from neurons within the hypothalamus and is necessary for reproductive function in all vertebrates. GnRH is also found in organs outside of the brain and plays an important role in Leydig cell steroidogenesis in the testis. However, the signalling pathways mediating this function remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathways are involved in GnRH agonist （GnRHa）-induced testis steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells. Primary cultures of rat Leydig cells were established. The expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase （3β-HSD） and the production of testosterone in response to GnRHa were examined at different doses and for different durations by RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and radioimmunoassay （RIA）. The effects of GnRHa on ERK1/2, JNK and p38 kinase activation were also investigated in the presence or absence of the MAPK inhibitor PD-98059 by Western blot analysis. GnRHa induced testosterone production and upregulated 3β-HSD expression at both the mRNA and protein levels; it also activated ERK1/2, but not JNK and p38 kinase. Although the maximum effects of GnRHa were observed at a concentration of 100 nmnol L-1 after 24 h, activation of ERKI/2 by GnRHa reached peak at 5 min and it returned to the basal level within 60 min. PD-98059 completely blocked the activation of ERKI/2, the upregulation of 3β-HSD and testosterone production. Our data show that GnRH positively regulates steroidogenesis via ERK signalling in rat Leydig cells. ERK1/2 activation by GnRH may be responsible for the induction of 3β-HSDgene expression and enzyme production, which may ultimately modulate steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells.

Perioperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric congenital heart disease:Chinese expert consensus

Background Congenital heart disease(CHD)is one of the main supportive diseases of extracorporeal membrane oxygena-tion in children.The management of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)for pediatric CHD faces more severe challenges due to the complex anatomical structure of the heart,special pathophysiology,perioperative complications and various concomitant malformations.The survival rate of ECMO for CHD was significantly lower than other classifica-tions of diseases according to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization database.This expert consensus aims to improve the survival rate and reduce the morbidity of this patient population by standardizing the clinical strategy.Methods The editing group of this consensus gathered 11 well-known experts in pediatric cardiac surgery and ECMO field in China to develop clinical recommendations formulated on the basis of existing evidences and expert opinions.Results The primary concern of ECMO management in the perioperative period of CHD are patient selection,cannulation strategy,pump flow/ventilator parameters/vasoactive drug dosage setting,anticoagulation management,residual lesion screening,fluid and wound management and weaning or transition strategy.Prevention and treatment of complications of bleeding,thromboembolism and brain injury are emphatically discussed here.Special conditions of ECMO management related to the cardiovascular anatomy,haemodynamics and the surgical procedures of common complex CHD should be considered.Conclusions The consensus could provide a reference for patient selection,management and risk identification of periop-erative ECMO in children with CHD.

High shear stress-induced pulmonary hypertension alleviated by endothelial progenitor cells independent of autophagy

Background:Pulmonary hypertension(PH)is a progressive disease characterized by lung endothelial cell dysfunction and Vascular remodeling.Endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)have been proved to be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat PH.Autophagy has been found to be protective to hypoxia-induced PH.In this study,we applied high shear stress(HSS)-induced PH,and examined whether EPCs confer resistance against HSS-induced PH through autophagy.Methods:Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells(PMVECs)were cultured under HSS with pro-inflammatory factors in an artificial capillary system to mimic the PH condition.Levels of p62,a selective autophagy substrate,were quantified by western blotting.Cell viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion test.Results:The p62 level in PMVECs was increased at 4 hours after HSS,peaked at 12 hours and declined at 24 hours.The cell viability gradually decreased.Compared with PMVECs cultured by empty medium,in cells cultured by EPC-conditioned medium(EPC-CM),the cell viability was significantly higher;however,p62 levels were also significantly higher,suggesting inhibition of autophagy by EPC-CM.Adding choloquine to suppress autophagy decreased the cell viability of PMVECs under PH.Conclusions:EPC-CM could suppress the autophagic activity of PMVECs in HSS-induced PH.However,suppression of autophagy leads to ceil death.EPCs could fight against PH through cellular or molecular pathways independent of autophagy.But it is not proved if induction of autophagy could be a potential strategy to treat HSS-induced PH as hypoxia-induced PH.

Plasma gelsolin level predicts acute kidney injury after cardiopulmonary bypass in infants and young children

Background Acute kidney injury(AKI)after cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)is a common complication especially in pedi-atric population.Plasma gelsolin(pGSN)is an anti-inflammatory factor through binding with actin and pro-inflammatory cytokines in circulation.Decrease in pGSN has been reported in some pathologic conditions.The purpose of the study was to determine the alterations of pGSN level in infants and young children after CPB and the role of pGSN as a predictor for the morbidity and severity of post-CPB AKI.Methods Sixty-seven infants and young children at age≤3 years old undergoing CPB were prospectively enrolled.PGSN levels were measured during peri-operative period with enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay and normalized with plasma total protein concentration.Other clinical characteristics of the patients were also recorded.Results In patients developing AKI,the normalized pGSN(pGSN_(N))levels significantly decreased at 6 h post-operation and remained low for 24 h post-operation as compared to the patients with non-AKI.PGSNN at 6 h post-operation combining with CPB time presents an excellent predictive value for AKI.Conclusions Decreased pGSN_(N)identifies post-CPB AKI in the patients≤3 years old,and is associated with adverse clini-cal outcomes.The findings suggest that circulating GSN in post-CPB patients may have beneficial effects on diminishing inflammatory responses.