Correlating Solid Electrolyte Interphase Composition with Dendrite-Free and Long Life-Span Lithium Metal Batteries via Advanced Characterizations and Simulations.

Lithium metal anode attracts great attention because of its high specific capacity and low redox potential. However, the uncontrolled dendrite growth and its infinite volume expansion during cycling are extremely detrimental to the practical application. The formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) plays a decisive role in the behavior of lithium deposition/dissolution during electrochemical processing. Clarifying the essential relationship between SEI and battery performance is a priority. Research in SEI is accelerated in recent years by the use of advanced simulation tools and characterization techniques. The chemical composition and micromorphology of SEIs with various electrolytes are analyzed to clarify the effects of SEI on the Coulombic efficiency and cycle life. In this review, the recent research progress focused on the composition and structure of SEI is summarized, and various advanced characterization techniques applied to the investigation of SEI are discussed. The comparisons of the representative experimental results and theoretical models of SEI in lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are exhibited, and the underneath mechanisms of interaction between SEI and the electrochemical properties of the cell are highlighted. This work offers new insights into the development of safe LMBs with higher energy density.

Interleukin Polymorphisms and Predisposition of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is plausible that interleukin polymorphisms may affect predisposition of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the results of so far published studies remain controversial. OBJECTIVES: The authors conducted this meta-analysis to clarify relationships between interleukin-1 (IL-1)/interleukin-4 (IL-4)/interleukin-6 (IL-6)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms and SLE by pooling the findings of eligible studies. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI was endorsed by the authors to identify already published studies. Fifty-seven studies were found to be eligible for meta-analyses. RESULTS: The overall pooled meta-analyses yielded positive findings for IL-1A -889 C/T, IL-1B -31 T/C, IL-6 -174 G/C, IL-4 -590 C/T, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms. In addition, we also detected similar positive findings for IL-1B -511 C/T, IL-4 -590 C/T, IL-10 -592 A/C, IL-10 -819 C/T, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Asians, and such positive findings were also observed for IL-1A -889 C/T, IL-6 -174 G/C, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analyses' results suggest that IL-1A -889 C/T, IL-1B -31 T/C, IL-6 -174 G/C, IL-4 -590 C/T, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms might affect predisposition of SLE.

Investigation and control of an outbreak of urinary tract infections caused by Burkholderia cepacian-contaminated anesthetic gel.

BACKGROUND: This report describes an outbreak of 71 patients developed B. cepacia urinary tract infection (UTI) by contaminated single-use anesthetic gel. METHODS: Epidemiological investigation of patients with B. cepacia-positive urine or blood samples between March 19, 2018 and Novemeber 15, 2018 was conducted to identify the source of infection. Microbiological samples from hospital surfaces, endoscopes, disposable items, and the hands of staff were tested for B. cepacia contamination. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to compare homology in B. cepacia isolates. RESULTS: During the outbreak, nosocomial B. cepacia UTI was confirmed in 71 patients. Epidemiological investigation showed that 66 patients underwent invasive urological diagnosis and treatment, while the remaining five patients underwent bedside indwelling catheterization, with all patients exposed to single-use anesthetic gel. All batches of anesthetic gel were recalled and the outbreak abated. Overall, 155 samples were collected from environmental surfaces and disposable items, and B. cepacia contamination was confirmed in samples from one used cystoscope and three anesthetic gels from the same batch. PFGE showed homology between 17 out of 20 B. cepacia isolates from patients and three isolates from the contaminated anesthetic gel. All patients achieved cure. CONCLUSION: Contaminated single-use anesthetic gel was confirmed as the source of the B. cepacia outbreak, with infection occurring during invasive urological diagnostic and treatments. Thus, investigations of nosocomial outbreaks of B. cepacia infection should consider contamination of diagnostic and treatment items used in infected patients.