Challenges and Strategies of Aluminum Anodes for High-Performance Aluminum-Air Batteries.

Aluminum-air battery (AAB) is a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage/conversion systems due to its cost-effectiveness and impressive theoretical energy density of 8100 Wh kg-1, surpassing that of lithium-ion batteries. Nonetheless, the practical applicability of AABs is hampered by the occurrence of serious self-corrosion side reactions and substantial capacity loss, resulting in suboptimal anode utilization. Consequently, improving the anode utilization to facilitate the construction of high-performance AABs have attracted widespread attention. Herein, the fundamentals and strategies to enhance aluminum anode utilization are reviewed from modifications of aluminum anodes and electrolytes. This comprehensive review may provide a scientific tool for the development of novel AABs in the future.

A case report of a brain abscess due to prevotella oris and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Brain abscesses caused by Prevotella oris are rarely reported. Here, we described a case of a brain infection caused by Prevotella oris that was detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old man with no medical history reported headache in the right frontotemporal region, fever, and intermittent diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal signals and enhancement changes in the superior sellar region. mNGS testing showed that cerebrospinal fluid collected from the spine was positive for Prevotella oris. After receiving a combined treatment of antibiotic therapy, the patient recovered well. CONCLUSION: We reviewed the relevant literature and summarized the characteristics and prognosis of this type of bacterial infection to provide ideas for clinicians to diagnose and treat this disease.

Quasi-Solid-State Aluminum-Air Batteries with Ultra-high Energy Density and Uniform Aluminum Stripping Behavior.

Aqueous aluminum-air batteries are attracting considerable attention with high theoretical capacity, low-cost and high safety. However, lifespan and safety of the battery are still limited by the inevitable hydrogen evolution reaction on the metal aluminum anode and electrolyte leakage. Herein, for the first time, a clay-based quasi-solid-state electrolyte is proposed to address such issues, which has excellent compatibility and a liquid-like ionic conductivity. The clay with uniform pore channels facilitates aluminum ions uniform stripping and reduces the activity of free H2 O molecules by reconstructing hydrogen bonds network, thus suppressing the self-corrosion of aluminum anode. As a result, the fabricated aluminum-air battery achieves the highest energy density of 4.56 KWh kg-1 with liquid-like operating voltage of 1.65 V and outstanding specific capacity of 2765 mAh g-1 , superior to those reported aluminum-air batteries. The principle of constructing quasi-solid-state electrolyte using low-cost clay may further promote the commercialization of aluminum-air batteries and provide a new insight into electrolyte design for aqueous energy storage system.

Regulating solvation and interface chemistry enables advanced aluminum-air batteries.

The main challenge for developing aqueous aluminum-air batteries with high mass-specific capacity depends on the inhibition of the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, a regulation strategy of solvation and interface chemistry has been proposed by introducing organic methylurea (MU) and inorganic stannous chloride (SnCl2) to the alkaline electrolyte, which can modulate the solvent structure and electrode/electrolyte interface and endow the aqueous aluminum-air battery with an outstanding mass-specific capacity of 2625 mA h g-1 at 50 mA cm-2.

Revealing the Two-Dimensional Surface Diffusion Mechanism for Zinc Dendrite Formation on Zinc Anode.

Aqueous zinc-ion battery is regarded as one of the promising devices for large-scale energy storage systems owing to its high safety, cost-effectiveness, and competitive electrochemical properties. However, the dendrite growth on zinc metal anodes dramatically hinders its further practical applications, and the internal mechanism of dendrite evolution is still unclear. The introduction of a protective layer on the anode interface is an effective method to avoid zinc dendrite growth. Herein, a two-dimensional (2D) atomic surface diffusion mechanism is proposed to reveal the evolution of zinc deposition from tiny protrusion to dendrite under uneven electric and ionic fields. Further, the conductive copper nitride (CN) protective layer is constructed on the zinc metal anode by a facile and scalable magnetron sputtering approach. Their protective layer possesses a high zinc affinity and high diffusion barrier for zinc atom migration, leading to spacious nucleation, and uniform zinc deposition, thus significantly boosting the electrochemical stability. For the first time, the role of the restricted 2D atomic surface diffusion mechanism in inhibiting the formation of zinc tiny protrusion that induces uneven electric and ionic fields is revealed. This work can provide a novel insight for future research on dendrite-free zinc metal anodes by interfacial modification.

Long-Term DL-3-n-Butylphthalide Treatment Alleviates Cognitive Impairment Correlate With Improving Synaptic Plasticity in SAMP8 Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide. AD is characterized by mild cognitive impairment at onset, irreversibly progressing with age to severe neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits in the late stages. Unfortunately, no effective treatments exist to prevent or delay the cognitive symptoms of AD. Studies have shown that DL-3-n-butylphthalide (DL-NBP) alleviates cognitive impairment induced by amyloid-ß in mice by reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and decreasing tau phosphorylation. In this study, we examined the effects of DL-NBP administration on cognitive function in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model of age-related dementia. DL-NBP treatment for 3 months alleviated cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice as assessed by performance in the Morris water maze test. Moreover, DL-NBP significantly increased the expression of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, indicative of a protective effect on hippocampal structural synaptic plasticity. In addition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling, previously shown to promote synaptic plasticity, was significantly enhanced by the DL-NBP administration. Our findings suggest that DL-NBP is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD and may serve as the foundation for further research into the development of AD drugs.

Effects of eldepryl on glial cell proliferation and activation in the substantia nigra and striatum in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammation is involved in the occurrence and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD), but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to observe the expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and integrin αM (CD11b) in the substantia nigra and striatum, and to investigate the effect of eldepryl on these expressions in a rat model of PD. METHODS: Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, model, and eldepryl. Each group was randomly divided into 4-day and 8-day subgroups (n = 12 rats/group) after successful establishment of the model. The rat model of PD was established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone through the back of the neck. After model establishment, the rats were given physiological saline in the control and model groups, and eldepryl in the eldepryl group for 4 or 8 days. The numbers of GFAP-positive and CD11b-positive cells and expressions of GFAP and CD11b were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis, respectively. RESULTS: GFAP-positive and CD11b-positive cells changed from their normal quiescent state into a so-called reactive state. GFAP and CD11b expressions were upregulated in the substantia nigra and striatum in the model group compared with the control group (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between 8 and 4 days (p > 0.05). In the eldepryl group, GFAP and CD11b expressions were decreased compared with the model group (p < 0.05), with a significant decrease for 8 days compared with 4 days (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Glial cells were greatly proliferated and activated in the substantia nigra and striatum of rats with PD, and eldepryl could prevent the progression of PD by inhibiting the proliferation and activation of glial cells.

The Role of Hippocampal Structural Synaptic Plasticity in Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Cognitive Function in Male SAMP8 Mice.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used to improve cognitive function, but the stimulation protocols are variable and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Therefore, we intend to examine whether 5Hz rTMS with 30% maximum output could improve cognitive functions in senescence-accelerated-prone mouse 8 (SAMP8) through changing synaptic plasticity. METHODS: SAMP8 and senescence-accelerated-prone mouse/resistant 1 (SAMR1) (7-month old male) were randomly divided into 3 groups: SMAP8 rTMS group (P8-rTMS), SMAP8 sham-rTMS group (P8-sham), and SAMR1 sham-rTMS group (R1-sham). The P8-rTMS group was treated daily with 5Hz rTMS with 30% maximum output for 14 consecutive days, whereas the other two groups were controls without rTMS stimulation. Morris water maze (MWM) experiment was performed after rTMS or sham treatment to assess the effect of rTMS on cognitive function. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of presynaptic Synapsin (SYN) and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) in the hippocampus of these mice. RESULTS: The mean escape latency of the P8-rTMS group was significantly shorter than that of the P8-sham group. The number of platform crossings of the P8-rTMS group was significantly higher than that of the P8-sham group. rTMS significantly upregulated the protein and mRNA expression of SYN and PSD95 in the hippocampus of p8-rTMS mice compared to those of P8 sham mice. CONCLUSION: 5Hz rTMS with 30% maximum output enhances learning and memory in the SAMP8 mice. This improvement may be associated with the increased expression of synaptic structure proteins SYN and PSD95 in the hippocampus.

Autophagy-related protein expression in the substantia nigra and eldepryl intervention in rat models of Parkinson's disease.

Autophagy has been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), but its precise mechanism remains poorly understood. This study observed autophagy, autophagy-related protein Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) expression in substantia nigra, and eldepryl effects on their expression, as well as explored autophagy effects on the onset of PD and the mechanism of action of eldepryl on PD in rat models. Models of PD were established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone through back of the neck. Results indicated that Beclin1, LC3 protein expression and LC3II/LC3I ratio were higher in substantia nigra of rats in the model group compared with the control group. Beclin1, LC3 protein expression and LC3II/LC3I ratio were higher at 8 days than that at 4 days in the model group, showing significant differences. Beclin1, LC3 protein expression and LC3II/LC3I ratio were lower in the rat substantia nigra of the eldepryl group than in the model group. Beclin1, LC3 protein expression and LC3II/LC3I ratio were lower at 8 days than at 4 days in the eldepryl group, showing significant differences. Results suggested that autophagy plays a key role in the onset of PD. Eldepryl exerts therapeutic effects on PD by inhibiting autophagy of nerve cells in substantia nigra of rat models of PD.