Amplitude of sensory nerve action potential in early stage diabetic peripheral neuropathy:an analysis of 500 cases

Early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is important for the successful treatment of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we recruited 500 diabetic patients from the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University in China from June 2008 to September 2013：221 cases showed symptoms of peripheral neuropathy （symptomatic group） and 279 cases had no symptoms of peripheral impairment （asymptomatic group）. One hundred healthy control subjects were also recruited. Nerve conduction studies revealed that distal motor latency was longer, sensory nerve conduction velocity was slower, and sensory nerve action potential and amplitude of compound muscle action potential were significantly lower in the median, ulnar, posterior tibial and common peroneal nerve in the diabetic groups compared with control subjects. Moreover, the alterations were more obvious in patients with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Of the 500 diabetic patients, neural conduction abnormalities were detected in 358 cases （71.6%）, among which impairment of the common peroneal nerve was most prominent. Sensory nerve abnormality was more obvious than motor nerve abnormality in the diabetic groups. The amplitude of sensory nerve action potential was the most sensitive measure of peripheral neuropathy. Our results reveal that varying degrees of nerve conduction changes are present in the early, asymptomatic stage of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Trichoderma viride F7 improves peanut performances while remediating cadmium-contaminated soil with microplastics

Microplastics(MPs)and cadmium(Cd)in soil have serious negative impacts on plant growth.As a bioremediator,Trichoderma viride may modulate the impacts of MPs and/or Cd on plant growth and heavy metal uptake.In this study,T.viride F7 was used to treat Cd-contaminated soil with and without the presence of polylactic acid MPs to investigate its effects on peanut growth,Cd uptake efficiency,and soil properties.Results showed that F7 increased soil pH,dissolved organic carbon,cation exchange capacity,microbial biomass nitrogen,and microbial biomass carbon,which resulted in increases of 2.10%-19.83%in peanut biomass and mitigated the negative effects of MPs and Cd on peanut growth.Trichoderma viride F7 reduced the soil bioavailable Cd and plant Cd concentrations by 16.68%-34.20%and 5.37%-25.84%,respectively.Regression path analysis showed that F7 could improve peanut performances by altering soil properties and reducing peanut Cd concentrations in MP-Cd-contaminated soil.Soil fungal community analysis indicated that the microbial community was altered via F7 inoculation,which antagonized Fusarium and promoted peanut growth.This study reveals the mechanisms of F7 in mitigating Cd contamination in the soil with the presence of MPs,which provides new ideas for managing MP-heavy metal-contaminated soil and improving soil health.

Synchronous constructing ion channels and confined space of Co_(3)O_(4) anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

The yolk–shell structure has a unique advantage in lithium-ion batteries applications due to its ability to effectively buffer the volume expansion of the lithiation/delithiation process.However,its development is limited by the low contact point between the core and shell.Herein,we propose a general strategy of simultaneous construction of sufficient reserved space and multicontinuous active channels by pyrolysis of two carbon substrates.A double-shell structure consisting of Co_(3)O_(4) anchored to hollow carbon sphere and external self-supporting zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF)layer was constructed by spray pyrolysis and additional carbon coating in-situ growth.In the process of high-temperature calcination,the carbon and nitrogen layers between the shells separate,creating additional space,while the Co_(3)O_(4) particles between the shells remain are still in close contact to form continuous and fast electron conduction channels,which can realize better charge transfer.Due to the synergy of these design principles,the material has ultra-high initial discharge capacities of 2,183.1 mAh·g^(−1) at 0.2 A·g^(−1) with capacity of 1,121.36 mAh·g^(−1) after 250 cycles,the long-term capacities retention rate is about 92.4%after 700 cycles at 1 A·g^(−1).This unique channel-type double-shell structure fights a way out to prepare novel electrode materials with high performance.