Insights into Electrode Architectures and Lithium-Ion Transport in Polycrystalline V2 O5 Cathodes of Solid-State Batteries.

Polymer-based solid-state batteries (SSBs) have received increasing attentions due to the absence of interfacial problems in sulfide/oxide-type SSBs, but the lower oxidation potential of polymer-based electrolytes greatly limits the application of conventional high-voltage cathode such as LiNix Coy Mnz O2 (NCM) and lithium-rich NCM. Herein, this study reports on a lithium-free V2 O5 cathode that enables the applications of polymer-based solid-state electrolyte (SSE) with high energy density due to the microstructured transport channels and suitable operational voltage. Using a synergistic combination of structural inspection and non-destructive X-ray computed tomography (X-CT), it interprets the chemo-mechanical behavior that determines the electrochemical performance of the V2 O5 cathode. Through detailed kinetic analyses such as differential capacity and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), it is elucidated that the hierarchical V2 O5 constructed through microstructural engineering exhibits smaller electrochemical polarization and faster Li-ion diffusion rates in polymer-based SSBs than those in the liquid lithium batteries (LLBs). By the hierarchical ion transport channels created by the nanoparticles against each other, superior cycling stability (≈91.7% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 C) is achieved at 60 °C in polyoxyethylene (PEO)-based SSBs. The results highlight the crucial role of microstructure engineering in designing Li-free cathodes for polymer-based SSBs.

Association between vaccinations and clinical manifestations in children with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The infection rate of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children was less than that in adults. However, the underlining reason is not well known. METHODS: Children with COVID-19 were recruited from two Children's Hospitals in Wuhan and Shanghai in this case-control study. The associations of initial symptoms with age, vaccinations of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), and influenza and pathogens were determined by Chi-square t-test. RESULTS: We evaluated 248 confirmed cases, and 56 suspected cases with COVID-19. The median age was 6.82 years old, and 118 cases (38.82%) were girls. Furthermore, 30.26% of all patients were asymptomatic cases. The percentage of asymptomatic cases vaccinated with BCG was not significantly higher than that without BCG vaccination [86/280 (30.71%) vs. 6/13 (46.15%), P=0.203], and initial symptoms were not related with immunized influenza vaccine (P=0.267). Compared to parameters in pediatric patients with normal body temperatures, patients with fever had higher C reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric COVID-19 patients with BCG vaccinations exhibit similar clinical manifestations compared to those without BCG vaccinations, and the severity of symptoms in pediatric patients may be related to the maturity of immune function.

Seasonal variation of stroke incidence in Wujin, a city in southeast China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate seasonal variations in stroke incidence in a city in southeast China. METHODS: First-ever stroke in residents aged 20 or older in Wujin city was reported by local physicians between January 2006 and December 2007. All reported stroke cases were checked with the city-wide health insurance system. Fatal cases were checked with the household registry system. The annualized stroke incidences were calculated for each month and each season. The stroke incidence was compared among seasons, with spring as a reference. RESULTS: Wujin city had an adult (≥20 y old) population of 1 278 020 in 2010. A total of 2319 stroke cases, 1217 male and 1102 female, were reported in 2006 and 2007. The raw annual incidence of stroke was 90.7/100 000 (95% CI: 82.1-94.5). Stroke incidence was highest in September (125.2/100 000; 95% CI = 109.4-139.3) and lowest in January (78.8/100 000; 95% CI = 69.1-93.2). Stroke incidence was highest in autumn (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05-1.32, P < .001, compared with spring). Autumn also had the highest incidences of ischemic stroke (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.40). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke incidence showed monthly and seasonal variations in southeast China. Autumn had the highest incidences of both ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage.

Early Adaptation of Small Intestine After Massive Small Bowel Resection in Rats.

BACKGROUND: It is important that the residual bowel adapts after massive resection. The necessary intestinal adaptation is a progressive recovery from intestinal failure through increase in absorptive surface area and functional capacity and includes both morphological and functional adaptations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate intestinal morphological and functional adaptations of small bowel syndrome (SBS) model rats (SBS1W) 7 days after bowel resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male sprague-dawley rats (n = 20/group) underwent either a 75% proximal small bowel resection (SBS1W group) or a control operation (control group). Markers of morphological adaptation were revealed by TEM analysis of H&E-stained tissue samples. The intestinal barrier condition was assessed by BT, and sIgA concentration in intestinal mucus was measured by ELISA. Contractility and the slow wave rhythm of the entire intestinal remnant were measured and recorded. RESULTS: The SBS1W group experienced more weight loss than control group and had a clearly different intestinal morphology as revealed in TEM images. Compared with control rats, the SBS1W group had a lower sIgA concentration in intestinal mucus and higher BT to lymph nodes (70% vs 40%; level I), portal blood (40% vs 10%; level II), and peripheral blood (60% vs 30%; level III). Disorder of spontaneous rhythmic contraction, irregular amplitude, and slow frequency were detected in the SBS1W group by a muscle strips test. Similarly, the slow wave of the entire intestinal remnant in the SBS1W group was irregular and uncoordinated. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of intestinal adaptation following massive SBR in SBS1W rats provides more understanding of the mechanisms of progressive recovery from the intestinal failure that underlies SBS. The mechanical, chemical, immunological, and biological barriers were all impaired at 7 days following bowel resection, indicating that the SBS model rats were still in the intestinal adaptation phase.

Identification of green tea catechins as potent inhibitors of the polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 1.

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) plays crucial functions in multiple stages of mitosis and is considered to be a potential drug target for cancer therapy. The functions of PLK1 are mediated by its N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal polo-box domain (PBD). Most inhibitors targeting the kinase domain of PLK1 have a selectivity issue because of a high degree of structural conservation within kinase domains of all protein kinases. Here, we combined virtual and experimental screenings to identify green tea catechins as potent inhibitors of the PLK1 PBD. Initially, (-)-epigallocatechin, one of the main components of green tea polyphenols, was found to significantly block the binding of fluorescein-labeled phosphopeptide to the PBD at a concentration of 10 µm. Next, additional catechins were evaluated for their dose-dependent inhibition of the PBD and preliminary structure-activity relationships were derived. Cellular analysis further showed that catechins interfere with the proper subcellular localization of PLK1, lead to cell-cycle arrest in the S and G2M phases, and induce growth inhibition of several human cancer cell types, such as breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), lung adenocarcinoma (A549), and cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa). Our data provides new insight into understanding the anticancer activities of green tea catechins.

Crystal structure of the polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 2.

Polo-like kinase 2 (PLK2) is a crucial regulator in cell cycle progression, DNA damage response, and neuronal activity. PLK2 is characterized by the conserved N-terminal kinase domain and the unique C-terminal polo-box domain (PBD). The PBD mediates diverse functions of PLK2 by binding phosphorylated Ser-pSer/pThr motifs of its substrates. Here, we report the first crystal structure of the PBD of PLK2. The overall structure of the PLK2 PBD is similar to that of the PLK1 PBD, which is composed by two polo boxes each contain ß6α structures that form a 12-stranded ß sandwich domain. The edge of the interface between the two polo boxes forms the phosphorylated Ser-pSer/pThr motifs binding cleft. On the hand, the peripheral regions around the core binding cleft of the PLK2 PBD is distinct from that of the PLK1 PBD, which might confer the substrate specificity of the PBDs of the polo-like kinase family.

[Extrauterine growth retardation and correlated factors in premature neonates].

OBJECTIVE: Poor growth is a common problem in premature neonates. No sufficient attention has been paid to the nutrition deficit and extrauterine growth retardation in premature neonates in China. The present study aimed to assess the incidences of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) in premature neonates in Shanghai area and their correlated factors. METHODS: Data of the neonates discharged between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004 from 5 hospitals (Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Pediatric Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, and Shanghai International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital) were reviewed. The criteria of exclusion were cases who died or had a malformed appearance, the mother had endocrine or metabolic diseases. The criteria for enrollment were (1) gestational age < 37 weeks, (2) admitted less than 24 hours after birth and discharged from the same hospital, (3) duration of hospitalization was > or = 7 days. The growth values on discharge of each patient were compared to the expected values based on the intrauterine growth data and postmenstrual day on discharge. Growth retardation was defined as measured growth values (weight, head circumference) < or = 10th percentile of the values (growth expectation based on estimated postmenstrual age). In each specific group, the number of neonates with < or = 10(th) percentile for each growth parameter was counted and the percentages of patients who had values < or = 10(th) percentile on birth and discharge were calculated. The growth curves used for assessing birth weight and head circumference for different gestational age neonates were those published in 1986. All the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package. The risk factors for extrauterine growth retardation on weight and head circumference were estimated with logistic regression model. RESULTS: The subjects included 1196 premature neonates in the five hospitals (734 boys and 462 girls). The incidence of IUGR was 22.7% and 19.2% assessed by weight and head circumference, respectively. The incidence of EUGR was 49.7% and 23.1% assessed by weight and head circumference, respectively. Assessment of IUGR in accordance with the birth weight and head circumference in the five hospitals showed no significant correlation between IUGR and non-IUGR by birth weight (chi(2) = 4.944) and head circumference (chi(2) = 0.017) respectively. Whereas the assessment of EUGR in accordance with weight and head circumference showed a significant correlation between EUGR and non-EUGR by weight on discharge (chi(2) = 28.109), but no significant correlation was found between EUGR and non-EUGR by head circumference on discharge (chi(2) = 0.275). In specific birth weight groups, the lower the weight, the higher the incidence of IUGR and EUGR by the weight and head circumference. The incidence of EUGR in VLBWI was 78.9% and 50.0% assessed by weight and head circumference, respectively. Assessed by weight, significant correlation was observed between EUGR and non-EUGR in birth weight (t = 18.674), hospitalization duration (Z = -8.790) and the median number of day for total using EN (Z = -4.650); but by the head circumference, significant correlation was observed in head circumference at birth (t = 9.555), hospitalization duration (Z = -3.930) and the median number of day for total using EN (Z = -3.004). The relationship between EUGR and some risk factors was analyzed with Logistic regression model. Assessed by the weight, the following 4 factors were related to EUGR: sex (chi(2) = 10.351), gestation age at birth (chi(2) = 56.275), birth weight (chi(2) = 102.126) and different hospital (chi(2) = 4.773). Assessed by the head circumference, the following 2 factors were correlated: gestation age at birth (chi(2) = 10.322) and head circumference (chi(2) = 10.620). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the incidence of EUGR in premature neonates was significantly higher than the data reported in other countries. The incidence of EUGR increased with the decreased birth weight. Different nutritional support had influence on EUGR.