High-Performance Layered CaV4O9-MXene Composite Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries.

Due to their reliability, affordability and high safety, rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered a lot of attention. Nevertheless, undesirable long-term cycle performance and the inadequate energy density of cathode materials impede the development of ZIBs. Herein, we report a layered CaV4O9-MXene (Ti3C2Tx) composite assembled using CaV4O9 nanosheets on Ti3C2Tx and investigate its electrochemical performance as a new cathode for ZIBs, where CaV4O9 nanosheets attached on the surface of MXene and interlamination create a layered 2D structure, efficiently improving the electrical conductivity of CaV4O9 and avoiding the stacking of MXene nanosheets. The structure also enables fast ion and electron transport. Further discussion is conducted on the effects of adding MXene in various amounts on the morphology and electrochemical properties. The composite shows an improved reversible capacity of 274.3 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1, superior rate capabilities at 7 A g-1, and a high specific capacity of 107.6 mA h g-1 can be delivered after 2000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g-1. The improvement of the electrochemical performance is due to its unique layered structure, high electrical conductivity, and pseudo capacitance behavior.

V5+-Doped Potassium Ferrite as an Efficient Trifunctional Catalyst for Large-Current-Density Water Splitting and Long-Life Rechargeable Zn-Air Battery.

Developing non-noble metal catalyst with super trifunctional activities for efficient overall water splitting (OWS) and rechargeable Zn-air battery (ZAB) is urgently needed. However, catalysts with excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performances are relatively few. Although metal-ionic-conductor K2Fe4O7 (KFO) can output large current densities for OER/HER even in 10.0 M KOH electrolyte, its water-splitting property still needs to be further improved. Herein, we introduced V5+ directly into KFO and synthesized the binder-free nickel foam (NF) basal V-KFO nanoparticles (labeled as V-KFO/NF). Both the theoretical analysis and actual experimental data certify that V5+ doping enhances the instinct water-splitting property of V-KFO/NF. Additionally, V-KFO/NF can directly serve as the air cathode of liquid/flexible ZABs. The assembled liquid ZAB can continue the charge-discharge cycling testing with a lower voltage gap (0.834 V) and a longer operation life (>550 h) at 10 mA cm-2. Meanwhile, the assembled flexible ZAB can drive the two-electrode water-splitting unit of V-KFO/NF and needs only 1.54 V to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm-2, which is much lower than that of KFO/NF (1.59 V). This work not only provides a novel and efficient trifunctional catalyst for a self-powered water-splitting device but also is the foundation support for other heteroatom-doped low-cost materials.

Dealloying Synthesis of Silicon Nanotubes for High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries.

The front cover artwork is provided by Dr. Ping Nie and Prof. Limin Chang at Jilin Normal University. The image shows one-dimensional silicon-nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube composite fabricated through a dealloying process. The nanotube engineered silicon coupled with conductive carbon coating synergistically boosts the electrochemical performance. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cphc.202100832.

Dealloying Synthesis of Silicon Nanotubes for High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries.

Practical applications of silicon-based anodes in lithium ion batteries have attracted unprecedented attentions due to the merits of extraordinary energy density, high safety and low cost. Nevertheless, the inevitable huge volume change upon lithiation and delithiation brings about silicon electrode integrity damage and fast capacity fading, hampering the large-scale application. Herein, a novel one-dimensional tubular silicon-nitrogen doped carbon composite (Si@NC) with a core-shell structure has been fabricated using silicon magnesium alloy and polydopamine as a template and precursor. The as-obtained composite exhibits remarkable specific capacity and ultrafast redox kinetics, an outstanding cycling stability with fine capacity of 583.6 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 over 200 cycles is delivered. Moreover, a full cell matched with LiFePO4 cathode has demonstrated a reversible capacity of 148.8 mAh g-1 with high Coulombic efficiency as well as an excellent energy density of 396 Wh kg-1 . The nanotube structure engineering and silicon confined in nitrogen doped carbon effectively alleviate the volume expansion and endow the composite with superior stability. The robust strategy developed here gives a new insight into designing silicon anodes for enhanced lithium storage properties.

A multigene phylogentic analysis of Potato virus Y and its application in strain identification.

The objective of this study is to develop a rapid and accurate multigene phylogenetic analysis to identify Potato virus Y (PVY) strains. The phylogenetic relationships of strains within the PVY species were evaluated with isolate-strain association using five datasets of concatenated sequences from the P1, HC-pro, VPg and CP genes to determine the best dataset for PVY strain identification. Results from phylogenetic analyses and Bayesian tip-association significance (BaTS) tests indicated that the major PVY strains could be distinguished using the P1, VPg and CP concatenated sequences datasets but not the remaining concatenated sequence datasets. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed from the concatenated sequences of P1, VPg and CP genes revealed that the ML and NJ trees had broadly similar topologies and that both were better than the maximum clade credibility tree (MCC). Additionally, the full genome of HLJ26, one isolate randomly selected for the multigene phylogenetic analysis, was clustered with high confidence among members of the PVYNTN-NW (SYR-Ⅱ) strain, which includes isolates of SYR-Ⅱ-2-8, SYR-Ⅱ-Be1 and SYR-Ⅱ-DrH. This suggests that it was a PVYNTN-NW (SYR-Ⅱ) isolate. Recombination analysis of this isolate identified four putative recombination joints in the P1, HC-pro/P3, VPg and the 5'-terminus of CP. This pattern is similar to that observed in the genomic structure of PVYNTN-NW (SYR-I), supporting the classification of this isolate as the PVYNTN-NW strain (SYR-Ⅱ). Simultaneously, two expected fragments of approximately 1 000 and 400 bp in size were also amplified from the isolate by a multiplex RT-PCR, consistent with the expected band pattern of the PVYNTN-NW (SYR-Ⅱ) strain. This further supports the utility of the multigene phylogenetic method in identifying PVY strains. We propose that the major PVY strains could be distinguished accurately using multigene phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences from the P1, VPg and CP genes.

Evaluation of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol detection by the direct clearance method and its preliminary clinical application / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To verify and valuate the performance of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) detection by the direct clearance method and evaluate its preliminary clinical application in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods Case control study:The performance (accuracy,precision,linearity) of sdLDL-C was assessed by direct clearance method.In 143 cases of ACS patients selected from Cardiology Department and Emergency Department of Shangdong Provincial Hospital from April to October in 2016,with 100 cases male,female 43 cases,including acute myocardial infarction (AMI)group of 59 cases,unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group of 84 cases;83 cases of healthy volunteers as a control group selected from health physical examination center of Shandong Provincial Hospital,with 59cases male,female 24 cases.Levels of sdLDL-C,total cholesterol (TCH),triglyceride (TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),apolipoprotein A (ApoA I),apolipoprotein B (ApoB),lipoprotein (a) (Lpa) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) were detected separately by automatic biochemical analyzer.Non high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) equals TCH minus HDL-C.x2 test,t test,one-way ANOVA,Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used as statistical methods.Results The within-lot or between-lot variation was 2.85％ and 3.36％.Methodological comparison:regression equation Y =0.984X + 0.018,r2 =0.966,t =-0.191,P =0.850.There was a good linear correlation (Y =1.026X + 0.007,r2 =0.999) between theoretical values and actual detection results in range of 0.15-2.65 mmol/L.SdLDL-C concentrations were positive correlated with TCH,non-HDL,LDL-C,TG,ApoB (r =0.758,0.848,0.839,0.514,0.885,respectively,P ＜0.01),and negative correlated with HDL-C (r =-0.224,P =0.001),but no correlation with APOA I,Lpa and Hs-CRP(r =-0.021,0.050,0.003,respectively,P ＞ 0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the factors influencing sdLDL-C level were HDL-C,ApoB,LDL-C and TG.The levels of sdLDL-C,TG in the ACS group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t =3.415,4.660,respectively,P ＜ 0.01),but no difference between the two groups in the levels of TCH,non-HDL-C and LDL-C (t=-1.831,-0.452,-1.398,respectively,P ＞0.05).Comparing AMI group with control group,sdLDL-C,TG and Hs-CRP were significantly higher than the control group (P =0.000,0.000,0.000,respectively),but TCH,LDL-C and non-HDL were similar between the two groups (P =0.800,0.320,0.120,respectively);Comparing UAP group with control group,TG and Hs-CRP were higher than control group (P =0.001,0.047,respectively),TCH and LDL-C were significantly lower than the control group (P =0.003,0.008,respectively),but sdLDL-C had no difference (P =0.305);Comparing AMI group with UAP group,sdLDL-C,TCH,LDL-C and Hs-CRP were significantly higher than UAP group (P =0.000,0.003,0.001,0.000,respectively),and TG were no statistical significance (P =0.473).Conclusions Direct clearance method can meet the requirement of sdLDL-C detection.sdLDL-C level can assess the metabolism of blood lipids and be used as an independent risk factor and predictive index of ACS,superior to LDL-C.

Application value of superoxide dismutase with hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国现代普通外科进展

Objective:To evaluate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients with hepatitis B and Hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:63 cases of patients with hepatitis B,101 cases of patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 58 cases of normal control were collected,serum enzyme activity of SOD was detected by enzyme method.Variance analysis were applied to analyze the difference of SOD activity in different groups.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were applied to analyze the diagnosis performance of SOD in hepatitis B and HCC patients.Results:SOD activity from high to low in turn was hepatitis B group191.500 U/mL,healthy contol group(179.766 ± 13.546 U/mL) and HCC group 150.000 U/mL,there were significant difference when compareing any two grougs (P＜0.05).SOD=187.20 U/mL could be used as diagnosis threshold in hepatitis B patients,the sensitivity was 65.08％ and the specificity was 75.86％.SOD=166.00 U/mL can be used as diagnosis threshold in HCC patients,the sensitivity was 82.18％ and the specificity was 84.48％.SOD=170.40 U/mL could be used as diagnosis threshold in HCC patients with AFP＜20 ng/mL,the sensitivity was 82.76％ and the specificity was 79.31％.Conclusions SOD activity varies in healthy person,hepatitis B and HCC patients.The changes of SOD activity could help us to understand whether there was transformation from hepatitis B to HCC.

Activity of serum superoxidein in patient with thyroid associate diseases / 中国现代普通外科进展

Objective:To study the activity of superoxide dismutase (dismutase superoxide,SOD) in peripheral blood of patients with thyroid associated diseases.Methods:84 cases of patients with thyroid cancer,21 cases of patients with nodular goiter,75 cases of patients with hyperthyroidism,56 cases of patients with hypothyroidism and 63 cases of normal control were collected,serum enzyme activity of SOD was detected by enzyme method,FT3,FT4 and TSH levels were detected by electrochemiluminescence assay.Student-t,Mann-whitney-U or Kruskal-Wallis was applied to analyse the different of SOD activity in different groups.Pearson correlation analysis were applied to analyze the correlation of SOD activity with thyroid hormone levels.Results:SOD activity in thyroid cancer group (164.536 ± 18.095) U/ml was significantly lower than that in hyperthyroidism group (173.376 ± 15.942) U/ml,hypothyroidism group (174.827 ± 19.895) U/ml and normal control group(179.529 ±11.625) U/ml(P＜0.05),SOD activity in nodular goiter group(157.667 ± 15.189) U/ml was significantly lower than that in hyperthyroidism group (173.376 ± 15.942) U/ml,hypothyroidism group (174.827 ± 19.895) U/ml and normal controls (179.529 ± 11.625) U/ml (P＜0.05).There were positive correlation of FT3,FT4 levels respectively with SOD activity in thyroid cancer group(r=0.346 P＜0.05,r=0.3278,P＜0.05),and there was positive correlation of FT3 level with SOD activity in normal control group (r=-0.5522.P＜0.05).Conclusions:SOD activity decreased in nodular goiter and thyroid cancer,so it could be used to observe the damage of thyroid tissue.Furtherly,it might be used as an auxiliary index in the diagnosis of thyroid tumors.

[Comparative analysis of population genetic structure of Potato virus Y from different hosts].

Nucleotide sequences of P3 and pipo genes of Potato virus Y (PVY) from potato and tobacco were compared to investigate the effect of hosts on the population genetic structure. Meanwhile, mutation, natural selection and gene flow were evaluated to determine evolutionary forces responsible for the population genetic dynamics. The fixation indices of population differentiation (FST) of PVY from tobacco and potato were 0.116 and 0.120, respectively with significant difference, suggesting a moderate genetic differentiation between the two populations. Genetic variation analysis showed that nucleotide identities in P3 and pipo genes among the viral isolates from tobacco were respectively in the range of 85.2%-100% and 76.5%-100% while that from potato were respectively in the range of 95.7%-100% and 93.0%-100%, indicating higher genetic variation in PVY from tobacco than that from potato. Moreover, purifying selection was detected on the majority of polymorphic sites within P3 gene, suggesting that most of mutations in the gene were harmful and consequently being eliminated by natural selection. Conversely, positive selection was detected on two polymorphic sites, suggesting that these two mutations were beneficial to PVY. Neither purifying nor positive selection was detected in pipo gene, indicating neutral evolution of the gene. The values of gene flow (Nm) between PVY populations from tobacco and potato in P3 and pipo genes were 1.91 and 1.83, respectively, suggesting strong gene flow also contributes significantly to the population genetic dynamics of PVY population. In summary, this study indicates there was a significant genetic variation in PVY hosted by tobacco and potato, and mutation, natural selection and gene flow all contribute to the genetic diversity and population dynamic of the virus.

Anti-TMV activity of malformin A1, a cyclic penta-peptide produced by an endophytic fungus Aspergillus tubingensis FJBJ11.

Plant-associated microorganisms are known to produce a variety of metabolites with novel structures and interesting biological activities. An endophytic fungus FJBJ11, isolated from the plant tissue of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. (Simaroubaceae), was proven to be significantly effective in producing metabolites with anti-Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities. The isolate was identified as Aspergillus tubingensis FJBJ11 based on morphological characteristics and ITS sequence. Bioassay-guided isolation led to the identification of a cycli penta-peptide, malformin A1, along with two cyclic dipeptides, cyclo (Gly-L-Pro) and cyclo (Ala-Leu). Malformin A1 showed potent inhibitory effect against the infection and replication of TMV with IC50 values of 19.7 and 45.4 µg·mL⁻¹, as tested using local lesion assay and leaf-disc method, respectively. The results indicated the potential use of malformin A1 as a leading compound or a promising candidate of new viricide.

Antibiotic resistance analysis in hospitalized elderly patients with lower respiratory tract infection caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the characterization of antibiotic resistance in hospitalized elderly patients with lower respiratory tract infection caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ,and provide scientific basis for clinical ra-tional use of antimicrobial drugs and prevent the emergence of pan-drug resistant bacteria .Methods The drug sensi-tive tests of 347 hospitalized elderly patients with lower respiratory tract infection caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Shandong provincial hospital affinited to Shandong university from May 2010 to June 2012 were analyzed retrospec-tively.Results The antimicrobial resistance of the 347 cases was rather serious .The resistant rates of ampicillin and cefazolin were both 100.0%.Followed by ampicillin/sulbactam,tobramycin,sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim,the re-sistant rates were 95.1%,86.8%and 83.6%respectively.The resistant rate of imipenem has reached 19.6%,and the detection rate of pan-drug bacteria was 4.9%.Conclusion The antibiotic resistance in hospitalized elderly pa-tients with lower respiratory tract infection caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa has become more and more serious .In order to prevent the emergence and prevalence of pan-drug resistant bacteria , antibacterial agents should be chosen reasonably according to the results of drug sensitive tests .

[Sequence variation and protein structure of pipo gene in Potato virus Y].

The objectives of this study were to understand the sequence variation and the putative protein structure of pipo gene in the Potato virus Y (PVY) collected from Solanum tuberosum. The pipo gene in PVY was cloned using a pair of degenerate primers designed from its conserved region and its sequences were used to re-construct phylogenetic tree in Potyvirus genera by a Bayesian inference method. An expected fragment of 235 bp was amplified in all 20 samples by RT-PCR and the pipo genes in the 20 samples assayed shared more than 92% nucleotide sequence similarity with the published sequences of PVY strains. Among the 20 pipo gene sequences, 13 polymorphic sites were detected, including 4 parsimony informative sites and 9 singleton variable sites. These results indicate that PVY pipo gene is highly conserved but some sequence variations exist. Further analyses suggest that the pipo gene encodes a hydrophilic protein without signal peptide and transmembrane region. The protein has theoretical isoelectric points (pI) ranging from 11.26 to 11.62 and contains three highly conserved regions, especially between aa 10 and 59. The protein is likely located in the mitochondria and has a-helix secondary structure. Bayesian inference of phylogenetic trees reveals that PVY isolates are clustered in the same branch with high posterior probability, while Sunflower chlorotic mottle virus (SoCMoV) and Pepper severe mosaic virus (PepSMV) are closely related, consisting with the classification of Potyvirus genera using other approaches. Our analyses suggest that the pipo gene can be a new marker for phylogenetic analysis of the genera. The results reported in this paper provide useful insights in the genetic variation and the evolution of PVY and can stimulate further research on structure and function of the PIPO protein.

Complete genome sequence of narcissus late season yellows virus infecting Chinese narcissus in China.

The complete genome sequence of a Chinese narcissus isolate of narcissus late season yellows virus from Zhangzhou, China (NLSYV-ZZ), was determined to be 9,651 nucleotides in length, excluding the 3'-terminal poly (A) tail, by amplification and sequencing of virus RNA. The viral genome contains a single long open reading frame of 9,315 nucleotides encoding a polyprotein of 3,105 amino acids. The polyprotein was predicted to be cleaved into ten mature proteins by three viral proteases. Complete genome sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicated that NLSYV-ZZ was most closely related to narcissus yellow stripe virus (NYSV), which was also isolated from narcissus. These viruses shared 69.9 % identity in their complete nucleotide sequences and 77.0 % identity in their polyprotein amino acid sequences.

Construction of series reporter plasmids with truncated and deleted human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To construct series of reporter plasmids with truncated and deleted hTERT promoter.Methods Gene fragments of hTERT promoter was amplified by PCR and cloned into pGL3-Basic to construct luciferase reporter vectors.Dual luciferase assays were performed with cell lysates of HepG2 and COS-7 cells cotransfected with hTERT promoter reporter plasmids and pRL-TK.Results Series of luciferase reporter plasmids with truncated and deleted hTERT promoter were successfully constructed and respectively named pGL3B-895,pGL3B-371,pGL3B-DELS2,pGL3B-349,pGL3B-329,pGL3B-318,pGL3B-306.Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that all the reporter vectors have promoter activity both in HepG2 and COS-7.Conclusion Series of luciferase reporter plasmids with truncated and deleted hTERT promoter were successfully constructed,and their promoter activity were verified.These plasmids provide necessary experimental naterials for further investigation of regulation of hTERT during hepatocarcinoma development.

Expression of rice gall dwarf virus outer coat protein gene (S8) in insect cells.

To obtain the P8 protein of Rice gall dwarf virus (RGDV) with biological activity, its outer coat protein gene S8 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells using the baculovirus expression system. The S8 gene was subcloned into the pFastBac™1 vector, to produce the recombinant baculovirus transfer vector pFB-S8. After transformation, pFB-S8 was introduced into the competent cells (E. coli DH10Bac) containing a shuttle vector, Bacmid, generating the recombinant bacmid rbpFB-S8. After being infected by recombinant baculovirus rvpFB-S8 at different multiplicities of infection, Sf9 cells were collected at different times and analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. The expression level of the P8 protein was highest between 48-72 h after transfection of Sf9 cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that P8 protein of RGDV formed punctate structures in the cytoplasm of Sf9 cells.

Genetic diversity and population structure of rice stripe virus in China.

Rice stripe virus (RSV) is one of the most economically important pathogens of rice and is repeatedly epidemic in China, Japan and Korea. The most recent outbreak of RSV in eastern China in 2000 caused significant losses and raised serious concerns. In this paper, we provide a genotyping profile of RSV field isolates and describe the population structure of RSV in China, based on the nucleotide sequences of isolates collected from different geographical regions during 1997-2004. RSV isolates could be divided into two or three subtypes, depending on which gene was analysed. The genetic distances between subtypes range from 0.050 to 0.067. The population from eastern China is composed only of subtype I/IB isolates. In contrast, the population from Yunnan province (southwest China) is composed mainly of subtype II isolates, but also contains a small proportion of subtype I/IB isolates and subtype IA isolates. However, subpopulations collected from different districts in eastern China or Yunnan province are not genetically differentiated and show frequent gene flow. RSV genes were found to be under strong negative selection. Our data suggest that the most recent outbreak of RSV in eastern China was not due to the invasion of new RSV subtype(s). The evolutionary processes contributing to the observed genetic diversity and population structure are discussed.