Injectable hybrid nanofibrous spheres made of PLA and nano-hydroxyapatite for cell delivery and osteogenic induction.

Introduction: Nanofibrous spheres, with their injectable format and biomimetic three-dimensional topologies that emulate the complexity of natural extracellular environments, have become increasingly attractive for applications in biomedical and regenerative medicine. Our research contributes to this growing field by detailing the design and fabrication of a novel series of polylactic acid/nano-hydroxyapatite (PLA/nHA) hybrid nanofibrous spheres. Methods: These advanced structures were created by integrating electrospinning and electrospray techniques, which allowed for precise control over the nanofibrous spheres, especially in size. We have conducted a comprehensive investigation into the nanofibrous spheres' capacity to deliver stem cells efficiently and maintain their viability post-implantation, as well as their potential to induce osteogenic differentiation. Results and Discussion: The results show that these nanofibrous spheres are biocompatible and injectable, effectively supporting the attachment, growth, and differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells while aiding in their targeted transportation to bone defect areas to execute their regenerative functions. The findings of this study could significantly impact the future development of biocompatible materials for a range of therapeutic applications, including bone tissue engineering and regenerative therapy.

A Supramolecular Deep Eutectic Electrolyte Enhancing Interfacial Stability and Solution Phase Discharge in Li-O2 Batteries.

Li-O2 batteries (LOBs) have gained widespread recognition for their exceptional energy densities. However, a major challenge faced by LOBs is the lack of appropriate electrolytes that can effectively balance reactant transport, interfacial compatibility, and non-volatility. To address this issue, a novel supramolecular deep eutectic electrolyte (DEE) has been developed, based on synergistic interaction between Li-bonds and H-bonds through a combination of lithium salt (LiTFSI), acetamide (Ace) and boric acid (BA). The incorporation of BA serves as an interface modification additive, acting as both Li-bonds acceptor and H-bonds donor/acceptor, thereby enhancing the redox stability of the electrolyte, facilitating a solution phase discharge process and improving compatibility with the Li anode. Our proposed DEE demonstrates a high oxidation voltage of 4.5 V, an ultrahigh discharge capacity of 15225 mAh g-1 and stable cycling performance of 196 cycles in LOBs. Additionally, the intrinsic non-flammability and successful operation of a Li-O2 pouch cell indicate promising practical applications of this electrolyte. This research broadens the design possibilities for LOBs electrolytes and provides theoretical insights for future studies.

Plant-based diet indices and their interaction with ambient air pollution on the ovarian cancer survival: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution might serve as a prognostic factor for ovarian cancer (OC) survival, yet the relationships between plant-based diet indices (PDIs) and OC survival remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations of comprehensive air pollution and PDIs with OC survival and explored the effects of air pollution-diet interactions. METHODS: The present study encompassed 658 patients diagnosed with OC. The overall plant-based diet index (PDI), the healthful PDI (hPDI), and the unhealthful PDI (uPDI) were evaluated by a self-reported validated food frequency questionnaire. In addition, an air pollution score (APS) was formulated by summing the concentrations of particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). The potential interactions of APS with PDIs in relation to overall survival (OS) were assessed on both multiplicative and additive scales. RESULTS: Throughout a median follow-up of 37.60 (interquartile: 24.77-50.70) months, 123 deaths were confirmed. Comparing to the lowest tertiles, highest uPDI was associated with lower OS of OC (HR = 2.06, 95 % CI = 1.30, 3.28; P-trend < 0.01), whereas no significant associations were found between either overall PDI or hPDI and OC survival. Higher APS (HR for per interquartile range = 1.27, 95 % CI = 1.01, 1.60) was significantly associated with worse OC survival, and the association was exacerbated by adherence to uPDI. Notably, an additive interaction was identified between combined air pollution and uPDI (P < 0.005 for high APS and high uPDI). We also found that adherence to overall PDI aggravated associations of air pollution with OC survival (P-interaction = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Joint exposure to various ambient air pollutants was significantly associated with lower survival among patients with OC, particularly for those who predominantly consumed unhealthy plant-based foods.

Mortality risk and burden of sudden cardiac arrest associated with hot nights, heatwaves, cold spells, and non-optimum temperatures in 0.88 million patients: An individual-level case-crossover study.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a global health concern, imposing a substantial mortality burden. However, the understanding of the impact of various extreme temperature events, when accounting for the effect of daily average temperature on SCA, remains incomplete. Additionally, the assessment of SCA mortality burden associated with temperatures from an individual-level design is limited. This nationwide case-crossover study collected individual SCA death records across all (2844) county-level administrative units in the Chinese Mainland from 2013 to 2019. Four definitions for hot nights and ten for both cold spells and heatwaves were established using various temperature thresholds and durations. Conditional logistic regression models combined with distributed lag nonlinear models were employed to estimate the cumulative exposure-response relationships. Based on 887,662 SCA decedents, this analysis found that both hot nights [odds ratio (OR): 1.28; attributable fraction (AF): 1.32 %] and heatwaves (OR: 1.40; AF: 1.29 %) exhibited significant added effects on SCA mortality independent of daily average temperatures, while cold spells were not associated with an elevated SCA risk after accounting for effects of temperatures. Cold temperatures [below the minimum mortality temperature (MMT)] accounted for a larger mortality burden than high temperatures (above the MMT) [AF: 12.2 % vs. 1.5 %]. Higher temperature-related mortality risks and burdens were observed in patients who experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared to those with in-hospital cardiac arrest. This nationwide study presents the most compelling and comprehensive evidence of the elevated mortality risk and burden of SCA associated with extreme temperature events and ambient temperatures amid global warming.

Origin and evolution of the bread wheat D genome.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a globally dominant crop and major source of calories and proteins for the human diet. Compared with its wild ancestors, modern bread wheat shows lower genetic diversity, caused by polyploidisation, domestication and breeding bottlenecks1,2. Wild wheat relatives represent genetic reservoirs, and harbour diversity and beneficial alleles that have not been incorporated into bread wheat. Here we establish and analyse extensive genome resources for Tausch's goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii), the donor of the bread wheat D genome. Our analysis of 46 Ae. tauschii genomes enabled us to clone a disease resistance gene and perform haplotype analysis across a complex disease resistance locus, allowing us to discern alleles from paralogous gene copies. We also reveal the complex genetic composition and history of the bread wheat D genome, which involves contributions from genetically and geographically discrete Ae. tauschii subpopulations. Together, our results reveal the complex history of the bread wheat D genome and demonstrate the potential of wild relatives in crop improvement.

Ambient particulate matter and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality: a nationwide, individual-level, case-crossover study in China.

BACKGROUND: Short-term exposure to particulate matter air pollution has been associated with the exacerbations of COPD, but its association with COPD mortality was not fully elucidated. We aimed to assess the association between short-term particulate matter exposure and the risk of COPD mortality in China using individual-level data. METHODS: We derived 2.26 million COPD deaths from a national death registry database in Chinese mainland between 2013 and 2019. Exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5-10) were assessed by satellite-based models of a 1 × 1 km resolution and assigned to each individual based on residential address. The associations of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 with COPD mortality were examined using a time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regressions with distributed lag models. We further conducted stratified analyses by age, sex, education level, and season. FINDINGS: Short-term exposures to both PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 were associated with increased risks of COPD mortality. These associations appeared and peaked on the concurrent day, attenuated and became nonsignificant after 5 or 7 days, respectively. The exposure-response curves were approximately linear without discernible thresholds. An interquartile range increase in PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 concentrations was associated with 4.23% (95% CI: 3.75%, 4.72%) and 2.67% (95% CI: 2.18%, 3.16%) higher risks of COPD mortality over lag 0-7 d, respectively. The associations of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 attenuated slightly but were still significant in the mutual-adjustment models. A larger association of PM2.5-10 was observed in the warm season. INTERPRETATION: This individual-level, nationwide, case-crossover study suggests that short-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 might act as one of the environmental risk factors for COPD mortality. FUNDING: This study is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFC3708304 and 2022YFC3702701), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82304090 and 82030103), the 3-year Action Plan for Strengthening the Construction of the Public Health System in Shanghai (GWVI-11.2-YQ31), and the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (21TQ015).

Facilitating Oriented Dense Deposition: Utilizing Crystal Plane End-Capping Reagent to Construct Dendrite-Free and Highly Corrosion-Resistant (100) Crystal Plane Zinc Anode.

Dendrite growth and corrosion issues have significantly hindered the usability of Zn anodes, which further restricts the development of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). In this study, a zinc-philic and hydrophobic Zn (100) crystal plane end-capping reagent (ECR) is introduced into the electrolyte to address these challenges in AZIBs. Specifically, under the mediation of 100-ECR, the electroplated Zn configures oriented dense deposition of (100) crystal plane texture, which slows down the formation of dendrites. Furthermore, owing to the high corrosion resistance of the (100) crystal plane and the hydrophobic protective interface formed by the adsorbed ECR on the electrode surface, the Zn anode demonstrates enhanced reversibility and higher Coulombic efficiency in the modified electrolyte. Consequently, superior electrochemical performance is achieved through this novel crystal plane control strategy and interface protection technology. The Zn//VO2 cells based on the modified electrolyte maintained a high-capacity retention of ≈80.6% after 1350 cycles, corresponding to a low-capacity loss rate of only 0.014% per cycle. This study underscores the importance of deposition uniformity and corrosion resistance of crystal planes over their type. And through crystal plane engineering, a high-quality (100) crystal plane is constructed, thereby expanding the range of options for viable Zn anodes.

Uncovering the Nonequilibrium Evolution Mechanism between Na2+2 δFe2- δ(SO4)3 Cathode and Impurities in the Na2SO4-FeSO4·7H2O Binary System for High-Voltage Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries are increasingly recognized as ideal for large-scale energy storage applications. Alluaudite Na2+2 δFe2- δ(SO4)3 has become one of the focused cathode materials in this field. However, previous studies employing aqueous-solution synthesis often overlooked the formation mechanism of the impurity phase. In this study, the nonequilibrium evolution mechanism between Na2+2 δFe2- δ(SO4)3 and impurities by adjusting ratios of the Na2SO4/FeSO4·7H2O in the binary system is investigated. Then an optimal ratio of 0.765 with reduced impurity content is confirmed. Compared to the poor electrochemical performance of the Na2.6Fe1.7(SO4)3 (0.765) cathode, the optimized Na2.6Fe1.7(SO4)3@CNTs (0.765@CNTs) cathode, with improved electronic and ionic conductivity, demonstrates an impressive discharge specific capacity of 93.8 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C and a high-rate capacity of 67.84 mAh g-1 at 20 C, maintaining capacity retention of 71.1% after 3000 cycles at 10 C. The Na2.6Fe1.7(SO4)3@CNTs//HC full cell reaches an unprecedented working potential of 3.71 V at 0.1 C, and a remarkable mass-energy density exceeding 320 Wh kg-1. This work not only provides comprehensive guidance for synthesizing high-voltage Na2+2 δFe2- δ(SO4)3 cathode materials with controllable impurity content but also lays the groundwork of sodium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage applications.

Deep learning-based multimodal fusion of the surface ECG and clinical features in prediction of atrial fibrillation recurrence following catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvement in treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation (AF), a significant proportion of patients still experience recurrence after ablation. This study aims to propose a novel algorithm based on Transformer using surface electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and clinical features can predict AF recurrence. METHODS: Between October 2018 to December 2021, patients who underwent index radiofrequency ablation for AF with at least one standard 10-second surface ECG during sinus rhythm were enrolled. An end-to-end deep learning framework based on Transformer and a fusion module was used to predict AF recurrence using ECG and clinical features. Model performance was evaluated using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and F1-score. RESULTS: A total of 920 patients (median age 61 [IQR 14] years, 66.3% male) were included. After a median follow-up of 24 months, 253 patients (27.5%) experienced AF recurrence. A single deep learning enabled ECG signals identified AF recurrence with an AUROC of 0.769, sensitivity of 75.5%, specificity of 61.1%, F1 score of 55.6% and overall accuracy of 65.2%. Combining ECG signals and clinical features increased the AUROC to 0.899, sensitivity to 81.1%, specificity to 81.7%, F1 score to 71.7%, and overall accuracy to 81.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The Transformer algorithm demonstrated excellent performance in predicting AF recurrence. Integrating ECG and clinical features enhanced the models' performance and may help identify patients at low risk for AF recurrence after index ablation.

Associations of Socioeconomic Status Inequity with Incident Age-related Macular Degeneration in Middle-Aged and Elderly Population.

Background: The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) inequity and incident age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains unclear. We aim to investigate whether low SES increases the risk of AMD and to explore the effect of a healthy lifestyle on this association. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 316,663 UK Biobank individuals. SES inequity was identified via latent class analysis using education, household income, and occupational status. Healthy lifestyle score was calculated based on smoking, alcohol drinking, and physical activity (PA). Incident AMD was defined according to diagnosis records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relationship of low SES and AMD. Interrelationships of healthy lifestyle score on SES-AMD association were explored, including modification, mediation, and joint effects. Results: During the average 12.2 years of follow-up, 6,355 AMD cases were diagnosed. Participants with medium SES (hazard ratio: 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.21]) and low SES (hazard ratio: 1.22 [95% CI 1.11 to 1.34]) had an increased risk of incident AMD compared to participants with high SES. PA significantly affected this association. Moreover, the association between low SES and AMD was significantly mediated (11.3%, 95% CI: 6.56 to 23.0) by smoking. Similarly, alcohol drinking suppressed (9.59%, 95% CI: 4.00 to 23.2) the association between high SES and AMD. Besides, a significant joint effect of SES and healthy lifestyle score was found. Conclusions: We provide further evidence for the relationship of socioeconomic inequity, healthy lifestyle, and incident AMD. Future public health strategies should aim to reduce socioeconomic inequity to prevent AMD.

Long-term exposure to particulate matter pollution and incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: A prospective cohort study in Eastern China.

Although epidemiological studies have demonstrated significant associations of long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution with stroke, evidence on the long-term effects of PM exposure on cause-specific stroke incidence is scarce and inconsistent. We incorporated 33,282 and 33,868 individuals aged 35-75 years without a history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at the baseline in 2014, who were followed up till 2021. Residential exposures to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm (PM10) for each participant were predicted using a satellite-based model with a spatial resolution of 1 × 1 km. We employed time-varying Cox proportional hazards models to assess the long-term effect of PM pollution on incident stroke. We identified 926 cases of ischemic stroke and 211 of hemorrhagic stroke. Long-term PM exposure was significantly associated with increased incidence of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, with almost 2 times higher risk on hemorrhagic stroke. Specifically, a 10 µg/m³ increase in 3-year average concentrations of PM2.5 was linked to a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.35 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-1.54) for incident ischemic stroke and 1.79 (95% CI: 1.36-2.34) for incident hemorrhagic stroke. The HR related to PM10, though smaller, remained statistically significant, with a HR of 1.25 for ischemic stroke and a HR of 1.51 for hemorrhagic stroke. The excess risks are larger among rural residents and individuals with lower educational attainment. The present cohort study contributed to the mounting evidence on the increased risk of incident stroke associated with long-term PM exposures. Our results further provide valuable evidence on the heightened sensitivity of hemorrhagic stroke to air pollution exposures compared with ischemic stroke.

Heat Exposure and Dementia-Related Mortality in China.

Importance: Although existing research has found daily heat to be associated with dementia-related outcomes, there is still a gap in understanding the differing associations of nighttime and daytime heat with dementia-related deaths. Objectives: To quantitatively assess the risk and burden of dementia-related deaths associated with short-term nighttime and daytime heat exposure and identify potential effect modifications. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case-crossover study analyzed individual death records for dementia across all mainland China counties from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019, using a time-stratified case-crossover approach. Statistical analysis was conducted from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019. Exposures: Two novel heat metrics: hot night excess (HNE) and hot day excess (HDE), representing nighttime and daytime heat intensity, respectively. Main Outcomes and Measures: Main outcomes were the relative risk and burden of dementia-related deaths associated with HNE and HDE under different definitions. Analysis was conducted with conditional logistic regression integrated with the distributed lag nonlinear model. Results: The study involved 132 573 dementia-related deaths (mean [SD] age, 82.5 [22.5] years; 73 086 women [55.1%]). For a 95% threshold, the median hot night threshold was 24.5 °C (IQR, 20.1 °C-26.2 °C) with an HNE of 3.7 °C (IQR, 3.1 °C-4.3 °C), and the median hot day threshold was 33.3 °C (IQR, 29.9 °C-34.7 °C) with an HDE of 0.6 °C (IQR, 0.5 °C-0.8 °C). Both nighttime and daytime heat were associated with increased risk of dementia-related deaths. Hot nights' associations with risk of dementia-related deaths persisted for 6 days, while hot days' associations with risk of dementia-related deaths extended over 10 days. Extreme HDE had a higher relative risk of dementia-related deaths, with a greater burden associated with extreme HNE at more stringent thresholds. At a 97.5% threshold, the odds ratio for dementia-related deaths was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.22-1.55) for extreme HNE and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.27-1.68) for extreme HDE, with an attributable fraction of 1.45% (95% empirical confidence interval [95% eCI], 1.43%-1.47%) for extreme HNE and 1.10% (95% eCI, 1.08%-1.11%) for extreme HDE. Subgroup analyses suggested heightened susceptibility among females, individuals older than 75 years of age, and those with lower educational levels. Regional disparities were observed, with individuals in the south exhibiting greater sensitivity to nighttime heat and those in the north to daytime heat. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this nationwide case-crossover study suggest that both nighttime and daytime heat are associated with increased risk of dementia-related deaths, with a greater burden associated with nighttime heat. These findings underscore the necessity of time-specific interventions to mitigate extreme heat risk.

Associations Between Air Pollution and the Onset of Acute Exacerbations of COPD: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study in China.

BACKGROUND: Associations between air pollution and the acute exacerbations (AEs) of COPD have been established primarily in time-series studies in which exposure and case data were at the aggregate level, limiting the identification of susceptible populations. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are air pollutants associated with the onset of AEs of COPD in China? Who is more susceptible to the effects of air pollutants? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data regarding AEs of COPD were obtained from the Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Registry study, and air pollution data were assigned to individuals based on their residential address. We adopted a time-stratified case-crossover study design combined with conditional logistic regression models to estimate the associations between six air pollutants and AEs of COPD. Stratified analyses were performed by individual characteristics, disease severity, COPD types, and the season of exacerbations. RESULTS: A total of 5,746 patients were included. At a 2-day lag, for each interquartile range increase in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) concentrations, ORs for AEs of COPD were 1.054 (95% CI, 1.012-1.097) and 1.050 (95% CI, 1.009-1.092), respectively. The associations were more pronounced in participants who were younger than 65 years, had experienced at least one severe AE of COPD in the past year, received a diagnosis of COPD between 20 and 50 years of age, and experienced AEs of COPD in the cool seasons. By contrast, significant associations for nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide lost significance when excluding patients collected before 2020 or with larger distance from the monitoring station, and no significant association was observed for ozone. INTERPRETATION: This study provides robust evidence that short-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with higher odds of AEs of COPD onset. Individuals who are young, have severe COPD, or whose first diagnosis of COPD was made when they were between 20 and 50 years of age and experience an exacerbation during the cooler seasons may be particularly susceptible. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT2657525; URL: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov.

Enhancing tendon-bone integration and healing with advanced multi-layer nanofiber-reinforced 3D scaffolds for acellular tendon complexes.

Advancements in tissue engineering are crucial for successfully healing tendon-bone connections, especially in situations like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) restoration. This study presents a new and innovative three-dimensional scaffold, reinforced with nanofibers, that is specifically intended for acellular tendon complexes. The scaffold consists of a distinct layered arrangement comprising an acellular tendon core, a middle layer of polyurethane/type I collagen (PU/Col I) yarn, and an outside layer of poly (L-lactic acid)/bioactive glass (PLLA/BG) nanofiber membrane. Every layer is designed to fulfill specific yet harmonious purposes. The acellular tendon core is a solid structural base and a favorable environment for tendon cell functions, resulting in considerable tensile strength. The central PU/Col I yarn layer is vital in promoting the tendinogenic differentiation of stem cells derived from tendons and increasing the expression of critical tendinogenic factors. The external PLLA/BG nanofiber membrane fosters the process of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiating into bone cells and enhances the expression of markers associated with bone formation. Our scaffold's biocompatibility and multi-functional design were confirmed through extensive in vivo evaluations, such as histological staining and biomechanical analyses. These assessments combined showed notable enhancements in ACL repair and healing. This study emphasizes the promise of multi-layered nanofiber scaffolds in orthopedic tissue engineering and also introduces new possibilities for the creation of improved materials for regenerating the tendon-bone interface.

Association between low lung function and the increased risk of age-related macular degeneration: A population-based prospective cohort study.

Background: Low lung function is associated with an increased risk of age-related diseases. However, the relationship between age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness, and lung function remains unclear. We aimed to investigate whether low lung function increases the risk of AMD and the potential mechanisms behind this association. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of 409 230 UK Biobank participants with completed lung function after excluding individuals with AMD. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the risk of AMD incidence and mediation models to explore potential mechanisms driven by inflammatory markers, erythrocyte-related measures, and metabolites. Results: Overall, 6477 AMD cases were diagnosed across an average of 12.4 years of follow-up. Participants with low lung function had an increased risk of developing AMD compared to those with high lung function (forced vital capacity: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-1.34); forced expiratory volume in one second: aHR = 1.32 (95% CI = 1.18-1.47); peak expiratory flow: aHR = 1.32 (95% CI = 1.20-1.45)). Inflammatory markers and erythrocyte-related measures mediated this relationship, acting as a pathway through which low lung function influenced AMD. The interactions of body mass index (BMI), sex, and smoking were significant and the effect of lung function on AMD was higher in men, obese, and smoking populations. Conclusions: The increased risk of AMD was associated with low lung function, with inflammatory and erythrocyte-related markers mediating this relationship. This suggests that improvements in lung function could reduce the risk of AMD, thereby promoting health and longevity.

In Situ Constructed Spinel Layer Stabilized Upcycled LiCoO2 for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

With ever-increasing requirements for cathodes in the lithium-ion batteries market, an efficiency and eco-friendly upcycling regeneration strategy is imperative to meet the demand for high-performance cathode materials. Herein, a facile, direct and upcycling regeneration strategy is proposed to restore the failed LiCoO2 and enhance the stability at 4.6 V. Double effects combination of relithiation and outside surface reconstruction are simultaneously achieved via a facile solid-phase sintering method. The evolution process of the Li-supplement and grain-recrystallization is systematically investigated, and the high performance of the upcycled materials at high voltage is comprehensively demonstrated. Thanks to the favorable spinel LiCoxMn2-xO4 surface coating, the upcycled sample displays outstanding electrochemical performance, superior to the pristine cathode materials. Notably, the 1% surface-coated LiCoO2 achieves a high discharge-specific capacity of 207.9 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C and delivers excellent cyclability with 77.0% capacity retention after 300 cycles. Significantly, this in situ created spinel coating layer can be potentially utilized for recycling spent LiCoO2, thus providing a viable, promising recycling strategy insights into the upcycling of degraded cathodes.

Fluorinated Surface Engineering Towards High-Rate and Durable Potassium-Ion Battery.

Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) crucially affects the rate performance and cycling lifespan, yet to date more extensive research is still needed in potassium-ion batteries. We report an ultra-thin and KF-enriched SEI triggered by tuned fluorinated surface design in electrode. Our results reveal that fluorination engineering alters the interfacial chemical environment to facilitate inherited electronic conductivity, enhance adsorption ability of potassium, induce localized surface polarization to guide electrolyte decomposition behavior for SEI formation, and especially, enrich the KF crystals in SEI by self-sacrifice from C-F bond cleavage. Hence, the regulated fluorinated electrode with generated ultra-thin, uniform, and KF-enriched SEI shows improved capacity of 439.3 mAh g-1 (3.82 mAh cm-2), boosted rate performance (202.3 mAh g-1 at 8.70 mA cm-2) and durable cycling performance (even under high loading of ~8.7 mg cm-2). We expect this practical engineering principle to open up new opportunities for upgrading the development of potassium-ion batteries.

Higher ambient temperatures may worsen obstructive sleep apnea: A nationwide smartwatch-based analysis of 6.2 million person-days.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious type of sleep disorder that can lead to cardiometabolic and neurocognitive diseases. We utilized smart device-based photoplethysmography technology to collect sleep data from the Chinese population from 2019 to 2022. Distributed lag nonlinear models combined with a generalized nonlinear model or a linear mixed effects model were used to investigate the short-term associations between daily temperature and indicators of OSA severity. We included a total of 6,232,056 d of sleep monitoring data from 51,842 participants with moderate to severe risk of OSA from 313 Chinese cities. The relationships between ambient temperature and OSA exacerbation, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and minimum oxygen saturation (MinSpO2) were almost linear and present only on the same day. Higher temperatures were associated with a greater risk of OSA exacerbation, with an 8.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.6%-9.3%) increase per 10 °C increase in temperature. A 10 °C increase in daily temperature corresponded to an AHI increase of 0.70 events/h (95% CI: 0.65-0.76) and a MinSpO2 decrease of 0.18% (95% CI: 0.16%-0.19%). Exposure to elevated temperatures during the night can also lead to adverse effects. The effects of higher temperatures on OSA severity were stronger among men, participants with a body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m2, those aged 45 years and older, individuals with a history of hypertension and diabetes, and during the cold season. This large-scale, nationwide, longitudinal study provides robust evidence suggesting that higher ambient temperatures may immediately worsen OSA.

Differential associations of fine and coarse particulate air pollution with cause-specific pneumonia mortality: A nationwide, individual-level, case-crossover study.

BACKGROUND: The connections between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5-10) and daily mortality of viral pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia were unclear. OBJECTIVES: To distinguish the connections between PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 and daily mortality due to viral pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia. METHODS: Using a comprehensive national death registry encompassing all areas of mainland China, we conducted a case-crossover investigation from 2013 to 2019 at an individual level. Residential daily particle concentrations were evaluated using satellite-based models with a spatial resolution of 1 km. To analyze the data, we employed the conditional logistic regression model in conjunction with polynomial distributed lag models. RESULTS: We included 221,507 pneumonia deaths in China. Every interquartile range (IQR) elevation in concentrations of PM2.5 (lag 0-2 d, 37.6 µg/m3) was associated with higher magnitude of mortality for viral pneumonia (3.03%) than bacterial pneumonia (2.14%), whereas the difference was not significant (p-value for difference = 0.38). An IQR increase in concentrations of PM2.5-10 (lag 0-2 d, 28.4 µg/m3) was also linked to higher magnitude of mortality from viral pneumonia (3.06%) compared to bacterial pneumonia (2.31%), whereas the difference was not significant (p-value for difference = 0.52). After controlling for gaseous pollutants, their effects were all stable; however, with mutual adjustment, the associations of PM2.5 remained, and those of PM2.5-10 were no longer statistically significant. Greater magnitude of associations was noted in individuals aged 75 years and above, as well as during the cold season. CONCLUSION: This nationwide study presents compelling evidence that both PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 exposures could increase pneumonia mortality of viral and bacterial causes, highlighting the more robust effects of PM2.5 and somewhat higher sensitivity of viral pneumonia.