3D net-like Co3O4@NiO nanostructures for high performance supercapacitors

Co3O4@NiO composite electrode materials were successfully synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method followed by annealing treatment. Due to their three-dimensional network structure, these composite materials exhibited a large specific surface area, enhancing their electrochemical performance. Consequently, the Co3O4@NiO electrode demonstrated a specific capacitance of 1306 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1, an excellent specific capacitance retention rate of 95.5% after 3000 cycles even at 8 A g-1 and a coulombic efficiency approaching 100%. These outstanding properties make the Co3O4@NiO composite materials promising electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors.

A Canine Surgical Model of Stroke by Minimally Invasive Occlusion of the Proximal Middle Cerebral Artery

In this study, a model of ischemic stroke by surgical proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion was developed on 10 beagle dogs. The advantages of this model are the transtemporal approach and a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: sham-operated (proximal MCA exposure without occlusion) and experimental (permanent proximal MCA occlusion) groups. Different evaluation methods were used to assess the consequences of MCA occlusion in dogs, including neurobehavioral tests, MRI, and immunohistochemical staining. Clear signs of cerebral infarction associated with the region supplied by MCA were confirmed and the model showed good repeatability and consistency. The model can serve as an appropriate large animal model to improve the translation of stroke therapeutics research from the laboratory to the clinical practice.

Chronotype and insomnia may affect the testosterone levels with a sexual difference: a Mendelian randomization

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the causal effects of sleep traits (i.e., chronotype, insomnia, and sleep duration) on bioavailable testosterone (BT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and total testosterone (TT) levels in women and men.

METHODS

We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) using random-effect inverse-variance weighted (IVW) and 7 other MR analyses. Exposure data for sleep traits were obtained from the largest-to-date genome-wide association study (GWAS) from 339,926 to 1,331,010 individuals. Summary data for testosterone levels were obtained from GWAS based on the UK Biobank.

RESULTS

For women, our study supported that chronotype was associated with decreased BT (IVW: β = - 0.042, 95% CI - 0.060, - 0.023, p = 1.17E-05) and TT (IVW: - 0.053, 95% CI - 0.075, - 0.031, p = 2.30E-06). Besides, insomnia can significantly increase BT (IVW: β = 0.025, 95% CI 0.009, 0.041, p = 0.002). These findings were significant in most sensitivity analyses. For men, statistical significance was found between chronotype and BT (β = - 0.027, 95% CI - 0.048, - 0.005, p = 0.016), and insomnia and TT (β = - 0.028, 95% CI - 0.049, 0.007, p = 0.009) in IVW. However, the effect estimates were not broadly consistent with other sensitivity analyses. Our study did not find support for causal effects of sleep duration on testosterone levels in both women and men.

CONCLUSION

Our study reveals the sex differences in the effects of sleep traits on testosterone levels. A healthy sleep habit is vital for the maintenance of testosterone homeostasis in women. Further studies are warranted to investigate the associations between sleep traits and testosterone levels in men.

Ultralow-Power RRAM with a High Switching Ratio Based on the Large van der Waals Interstice Radius of TMDs

Low power and high switching ratio are the development direction of the next generation of resistive random access memory (RRAM). Previous techniques could not increase the switching ratio while reducing the SET power. Here, we report a method to fabricate low-power and high-switching-ratio RRAM by adjusting the interstice radius (r_g) between the van der Waals (vdW) layers of transitional-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which simultaneously increases the switching ratio and reduces the SET power. The SET voltage, SET power, switching ratio and endurance of the device are strongly correlated with r_g. When the ratio of r_g to the radius of the metal ions that form the conductive filaments (r_g/r_Ag⁺) is near 1, the SET voltage and SET power vertically decrease while the switching ratio vertically rises with increasing r_g/r_Ag⁺. For the fabricated Ag/[SnS₂/poly(methyl methacrylate)]/Cu RRAM with an r_g/r_Ag⁺ of 1.04, the SET voltage, SET power and switching ratio are 0.14 V, 10^-10 W and 10⁶, respectively. After 10⁴ switching cycles and a 10⁴ s retention time, the switching ratio of the device can still be stable above 10⁶. Bending has no influence on the performance of the device when the bending radius is not <2 mm.

Predicting the Thermodynamic Ideal Glass Transition Temperature in Glass-Forming Liquids

The Kauzmann temperature T_K is a lower limit of glass transition temperature, and is known as the ideal thermodynamic glass transition temperature. A supercooled liquid will condense into glass before T_K. Studying the ideal glass transition temperature is beneficial to understanding the essence of glass transition in glass-forming liquids. The Kauzmann temperature T_K values are predicted in 38 kinds of glass-forming liquids. In order to acquire the accurate predicted T_K by using a new deduced equation, we obtained the best fitting parameters of the deduced equation with the high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.966). In addition, the coefficients of two reported relations are replaced by the best fitting parameters to obtain the accurate predicted T_K, which makes the R² values increase from 0.685 and 0.861 to 0.970 and 0.969, respectively. Three relations with the best fitting parameters are applied to obtain the accurate predicted T_K values.

Relation between superheated temperature and cooling rate for deep supercooled niobium melt

Research into the conditions for forming uniform melt-free crystal sites and the effect of the melt state on solidification behaviors is theoretically significant and has valuable applications.

The Influence of Annealing on the Structural and Soft Magnetic Properties of (Fe0.4Co0.6)79Nb₃B18 Nanocrystalline Alloys

The soft magnetic properties of Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys are determined by their grain size. In the present article, the (Fe_0.4Co_0.6)₇₉Nb₃B₁₈ nanocrystalline alloys have been successfully prepared by isothermal annealing. The variation of soft magnetic properties as a function of annealing temperature and incubation time is investigated in detail. Two distinct crystallization behaviors were found for the (Fe_0.4Co_0.6)₇₉Nb₃B₁₈ alloys. The initial nanocrystallization products comprise a mixture of α-Fe(Co), Fe₂B, and Fe₂₃B₆-type crystalline metastable phases, and the final crystallization products are composed of α-Fe(Co), Fe₂B, and Fe₃B crystalline phases. The grain size decreases first and then increases with the increasing annealing temperature in the range of 764–1151 K, and a fine grain size with mean grain size of 12.7 nm can be achieved for alloys annealed at 880 K. As the annealing temperature increases from 764 K to 1151 K, the saturation magnetization increases first and then decreases without a significant increase of the coercivity. The alloys annealed at 880 K exhibit the optimized soft magnetic properties with high M_s of 145 emu g⁻¹ and low H_c of 0.04 Oe.

Morphology Dependent Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Nanostructures Prepared by a Carbon-Sphere Template Method

Organic contaminants are a typical byproduct of industrial wastewater, and nanostructured ZnO photocatalysts have been investigated as an environmentally benign process to remove the contaminants through a degradation process. The degradation efficiency under UV irradiation can be markedly enhanced when using a catalyst with a nanostructure. The larger specific area of a nanostructure has been found to significantly enhance degradation efficiency. The complex synthesis process, expensive material costs, and generation of environmental contaminants during the synthesis process currently hinder practical application of photocatalysts. This research provides a template for a photocatalyst that is non-toxic, producing mesoporous ZnO hollow spheres and nanorods through an environmentally friendly carbon-sphere template utilizing a hydrothermal process. This research demonstrates that controlling the precursor concentration (zinc acetate) allows for the manipulation of the morphology and specific area of the ZnO nanostructures. A zinc acetate concentration of 0.171 mol/L produced uniform ZnO mesoporous hollow spheres with diameters of approximately 180 nm. Increasing the zinc acetate concentration resulted in an increase in the number of nanorods present. In contrast to nanorods, mesoporous ZnO hollow spheres have a higher specific area and higher concentration of pores in the 2-50 nm range, which result in better photocatalytic activity. This research reports the complete degradation of rhodium boride (RhB) within 50 min by means of mesoporous ZnO hollow spheres and nanorods with a degradation rate of 0.0978 min-1.

Facile Synthesis and High Photocatalytic Degradation Performance of ZnO-SnO2 Hollow Spheres

ZnO-SnO₂ hollow spheres were successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal method-combined carbon sphere template. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The average diameter of hollow spheres is about 150 nm. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples was investigated by photodegrading Rhodamine B. The results indicated that the photocatalytic activities of ZnO-SnO₂ hollow spheres are higher than ZnO hollow spheres. The degradation efficiency of the hollow spheres could reach 99.85% within 40 min, while the ZnO hollow spheres need 50 min.

Association between FOXP3 polymorphisms and vitiligo in a Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an autoimmune chronic depigmentation disorder caused by melanocyte loss. Previous studies found that CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T-cell (Treg) dysfunction was involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and that gene polymorphisms in forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) - a master regulator of Treg development and function - were associated with susceptibility to some autoimmune disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that functional polymorphisms of the FOXP3 gene might be associated with vitiligo via dysregulation of Treg cells.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether FOXP3 polymorphisms are associated with vitiligo risk.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this hospital-based case-control study of 682 patients with vitiligo and 682 vitiligo-free age- and sex-matched controls, we genotyped three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FOXP3 gene - rs2232365, rs3761548 and rs5902434 - by performing polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP).

RESULTS

Significantly increased vitiligo risk was associated with the rs2232365 GG [odds ratio (OR) 1·68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·17-2·39, P = 0·004] and rs3761548 AA (OR 1·82, 95% CI 1·10-3·01, P = 0·033) genotypes compared with the rs2232365 AA and rs3761548 CC genotypes. On combined analysis of these three variant alleles, we found that individuals carrying 2-6 variant alleles had significantly increased vitiligo risk (OR 1·34, 95% CI 1·08-1·66). This risk was more pronounced in the following subgroups: age > 20 years, male sex, active vitiligo, nonsegmental vitiligo and other accompanying autoimmune diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

FOXP3 gene polymorphisms contributed to vitiligo risk in a Han Chinese population.

Efficacy of early postoperative enteral nutrition in supporting patients after esophagectomy

AIM

This study aims to investigate and evaluate the efficacy and safety of early enteral nutrition (EN) in maintaining and improving the postoperative nutritional status in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 120 adult patients with esophageal cancer and undergoing esophagectomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving either EN (N.=64) or parenteral nutrition (PN) (N.=56) postoperatively. The nutritional intake was isonitrogenic and isocalorie for both groups. Nutritional status was evaluated preoperatively as well as on postoperative day I and day 8. Daily nitrogen balance was measured and 7-day cumulative nitrogen balance was calculated. The levels of serum markers including d-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO), and endotoxin were determined on 1st, 4th and 8th postoperative day for analyzing intestinal barrier function. Postoperative infection rate and the incidence of nutrition support-related complications were examined.

RESULTS

The concentrations of serum albumin and prealbumin in patients of EN group were significantly higher than those in PN group and the concentrations of blood glucose, γ-GT, AKP, TB, and DB were significantly lower compared to those in the PN group (P<0.05). Both daily nitrogen balance and cumulative nitrogen balance of EN group were better than those of PN group since postoperative day III. The serum levels of d-lactate, DAO, and endotoxin of EN group were significantly lower than those of PN group on postoperative day VIII (P<0.01). The incidence of postoperative infections in blood, lung, and intestinal tract in EN group was lower compared to PN group (P<0.05). No severe complications associated with nutritional support occurred in EN group. The time to flatus passage in EN group was significantly shorter, and the cost of nutritional support was significantly less compared to PN group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative early enteral nutrition was safe and feasible for patients undergoing esophagectomy. Compared to PN, EN more efficiently ameliorated postoperational nutritional status of the patients undergoing esophagectomy, played an important role in restoring intestinal barrier function postoperatively, reduced the incidence of postoperative infection, and decreased the cost of hospital stay.

Plaque excision in the management of lower-limb ischemia of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis with the SilverHawk atherectomy catheter

AIM

Aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of plaque excision in management of lower limb ischemia of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis with the SilverHawk atherectomy catheter.

METHODS

From November 2010, to August 2011, 43 patients were involved and completed follow-up. They were divided into two groups: group A is the atherosclerotic plaque group (16 cases, 37.2%) and group B is the in-stent restenosis/occlusion lesion group (27 cases, 62.8%). The average age of group A was 68.3 years and group B was 72 years, the mean duration was 27.4 months and 26 months, respectively. Intermittent claudication was 8 cases and 16 cases respectively, and rest pain both was 4 cases, foot ulcer was 1 case and 4 cases, toe gangrene both was 3 cases. Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)≤0.4 was 2 in group A and 8 in group B, ABI>0.4 was 12 and 16, ABI=0 was 2 and 3, respectively. Excision with protective devices in 6 cases. Nine cases and 17 cases received treatment for proximal and distal lesions over the same period, respectively, included the proximal iliac artery stenting 1 case in group A and 5 cases in group B, distal calf arteries stenting 6 cases in group A and 11 cases in group B, balloon angioplasty 2 in group A and 1 in group B. Endpoints included postoperative mortality or amputation of target limb.

RESULTS

Forty-one operations were successful, the technical success rate was 95.3%, one case in group B suffered above-knee amputation. The target vessels of 41 patients maintain patency after discharge. Postoperative claudication distance increased to 500 meters except for one case in each group, all 4 rest pain patients got alleviated, reduced toe ulcer area happened in 1 and 2 cases respectively, all 3 cases of gangrene dried up/infection controlled in each group. Postoperative ABI result 0.7-0.8: 4 in group A and 5 in group B; 0.81-0.9 was 5 and 8; >0.91 was 6 and 13, respectively. Symptom improvement result had no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Follow-up covered 41 patients, average 17.5±3.3 months. Group A patients stayed in good condition, 7 claudication patients's walking distance above 500 meters remains; rest pain no recurrence, one ulcer healing, 2 of 3 toe gangrene self-shedding and stump healing, 1 toe gangrene removed by surgery and wound healing. Group B, 4 of 15 claudication cases recurrence, and received plaque excision again. Rest pain no recurrence. 3 of 4 ulcer healing, 1 ulcer area reduced significantly. One out of 3 gangrene received below knee amputation (toe osteomyelitis), wound healing. One recurrence, angiography showed in-stent severe restenosis, received plaque excision again. One toe gangrene removed by surgery and wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Plaque excision with "SilverHawk" treatment for lower limb ischemia of atherosclerosis or in-stent restenosis is safe and effective. No significant difference for these two lesions in efficacy. Long term follow-up and larger randomized study is needed for further information on treatment.

The association of functional polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) gene with the risk of vitiligo in Han Chinese populations

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder resulting from selective destruction of melanocytes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is vital to the regulation of melanogenesis and melanocyte proliferation and differentiation through modulating the expressions of melanogenesis-related genes. AHR mutations may negatively affect AHR proteins and its target genes. Therefore, we hypothesized that AHR polymorphisms might be involved in vitiligo by impacting the transcriptional activities of related genes as mentioned above.

OBJECTIVES

  To evaluate the potential association between AHR polymorphisms and vitiligo susceptibility.

METHODS

We performed a hospital-based, case-control study of 1000 patients with vitiligo and 1000 vitiligo-free but age- and gender-matched controls. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the AHR gene (rs10249788 and rs2066853) were selected and genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

A statistically significantly decreased risk of vitiligo was found to be associated with the TT and CT genotypes of rs10249788 [odds ratio (OR) 0·59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·38-0·93; P = 0·028 and OR 0·82, 95% CI 0·68-0·98; P = 0·032, respectively] as well as among subgroups: male, active, nonsegmental vitiligo, and onset age ≤ 20 years. Moreover, subjects with the combined (CT + TT)/GG genotype or T/G haplotype (rs10249788/rs2066853) showed a decreased risk for vitiligo (OR 0·57, 95% CI 0·37-0·87, P = 0·009 and OR 0·78, 95% CI 0·64-0·96, P = 0·033, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the T allele of rs10249788 located in the promoter of the AHR gene is associated with a protective effect on vitiligo in Han Chinese populations.