Recent advances in charge mechanism of noble metal-based cathodes for Li-O_(2) batteries

Lithium-oxygen(Li-O_(2)) batteries are considered as the next generation for energy storages systems due to the higher theoretical energy density than that of Li-ion batteries. However, the high charge overpotential caused by the insulated Li_(2)O_(2)results in low energy efficiency, side reaction from electrolyte and cathode, and therefore poor battery performance. Designing noble metal-based catalysts can be an effective strategy to develop high-performance Li-O_(2)batteries with low charge overpotentials and outstanding cycle stability. However, the charge mechanism for noble metal-based catalysts is not clear and even contradictory. Herein, several charge mechanisms of Li_(2)O_(2)are first discussed. Subsequently, the possible charge processes of Li-O_(2)batteries with noble metal-based catalysts are illustrated. In addition, the future development for noble metal-based catalysts is outlined.

Systematic study of two-proton radioactivity within a Gamow-like model

In this study,based on the Gamow-like model,we systematically analyze two-proton(2p) radioactivity half-lives of nuclei near or beyond the proton drip line.It is found that the calculated results can reproduce experimental data well.Furthermore,using this model,we predict the half-lives of possible 2p radioactivity candidates whose 2p radioactivity is energetically allowed or observed but not yet quantified in the latest table of evaluated nuclear properties,i.e.,NUBASE2016.The predicted results are in good agreement with those from other theoretical models and empirical formulas,namely the effective liquid drop model(ELDM),generalized liquid drop model(GLDM),Sreej a formula,and Liu formula.

SARS-CoV-2 immunity and functional recovery of COVID-19 patients 1-year after infection

The long-term immunity and functional recovery after SARS-CoV-2 infection have implications in preventive measures and patient quality of life.Here we analyzed a prospective cohort of 121 recovered COVID-19 patients from Xiangyang,China at 1-year after diagnosis.Among them,chemiluminescence immunoassay-based screening showed 99%(95%CI,98–100%)seroprevalence 10–12 months after infection,comparing to 0.8%(95%CI,0.7–0.9%)in the general population.Total anti-receptor-binding domain(RBD)antibodies remained stable since discharge,while anti-RBD IgG and neutralization levels decreased over time.A predictive model estimates 17%(95%CI,11–24%)and 87%(95%CI,80–92%)participants were still 50%protected against detectable and severe re-infection of WT SARS-CoV-2,respectively,while neutralization levels against B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants were significantly reduced.All non-severe patients showed normal chest CT and 21%reported COVID-19-related symptoms.In contrast,53%severe patients had abnormal chest CT,decreased pulmonary function or cardiac involvement and 79%were still symptomatic.Our findings suggest long-lasting immune protection after SARS-CoV-2 infection,while also highlight the risk of immune evasive variants and long-term consequences for COVID-19 survivors.

Paclitaxel liposome for injection (Lipusu) plus cisplatin versus gemcitabine plus cisplatin in the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic lung squamous cell carcinoma: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel controlled clinical study

Background:Lipusu is the first commercialized liposomal formulation of pacli-taxel and has demonstrated promising efficacy against locally advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC)in a small-scale study.Here,we conducted a multicenter,randomized,phase 3 study to compare the efficacy and safety of cis-platin plus Lipusu(LP)versus cisplatin plus gemcitabine(GP)as first-line treat-ment in locally advanced or metastatic LSCC.Methods:Patients enrolled were aged between 18 to 75 years,had locally advanced(clinical stage IIIB,ineligible for concurrent chemoradiation or surgery)or metastatic(Stage IV)LSCC,had no previous systemic chemother-apy and at least one measurable lesion as per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(version 1.1)before administration of the trial drug.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS).The secondary endpoints included objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),overall survival(OS),and safety profiles.To explore the possible predictive value of plasma cytokines for LP treatment,plasma samples were collected from the LP group at baseline and first efficacy evaluation time and were then subjected to analysis by 45-Plex ProcartaPlex Panel 1 to detect the presence of 45 cytokines using the Luminex xMAP technology.The correlation between treatment outcomes and dynamic changes in the levels of cytokines were evaluated in preliminary analyses.Results:The median duration of follow-up was 15.4 months.237 patients in the LP group and 253 patients in the GP group were included in the per protocol set(PPS).In the PPS,the median PFS was 5.2 months versus 5.5 months in the LP and GP group(hazard rtio[HR]:1.03,P=0.742)respectively.The median OS was 14.6 months versus 12.5 months in the LP and GP group(HR:0.83,P=0.215).The ORR(41.8%versus 45.9%,P=0.412)and DCR(90.3%versus 88.1%,P=0.443)were also similar between the LP and GP group.A significantly lower proportion of patients in the LP group experienced adverse events(AEs)leading to treatment interruptions(10.9%versus 26.4%,P<0.001)or treatment termination(14.3%versus 23.1%,P=0.011).The analysis of cytokine levels in the LP group showed that low baseline levels of 27 cytokines were associated with an increased ORR,and 15 cytokines were associated with improved PFS,with 14 cytokines,including TNF-a,IFN-y,IL-6,and IL-8,demonstrating an overlapping trend.Conclusion:The LP regimen demonstrated similar PFS,OS,ORR and DCR as the GP regimen for patients with locally advanced or metastatic LSCC but had more favorable toxicity profiles.The study also identified a spectrum of different cytokines that could be potentially associated with the clinical benefit in patients who received the LP regimen.