High-Energy SiO-Sulfur Battery with Preloaded Li3N in a Cathode as a Lithiation Reagent.

The practical use of lithium-sulfur batteries faces the "shuttle effect" and lithium dendrite growth. Employing SiO instead of Li metal can fundamentally solve the above problems. Nevertheless, selecting a convenient prelithiation method is essential for normal operation of the battery system. Hence, this work proposed a novel SiO-sulfur battery with preloaded Li3N in a cathode as a prelithiation reagent, which can thoroughly solve the dendrite problem and the side reaction with polysulfides of lithium anode. The S@KB-Li3N vs SiO full cell can obtain a high specific capacity of 790 mAh g-1 after the activation process and be maintained at 478 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles. Our design will provide a new prelithiation strategy for a high-specific-energy SiO-sulfur battery system.

Comparison of ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge and microspheres for hepatic arterioportal fistulas embolization in hepatic cellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic arterioportal fistulas (APFs) are common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, correlated with poor prognosis, APFs often complicate anti-tumor treatments, including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). AIM: To compare the efficacy of ethanol-soaked gelatin sponges (ESG) and microspheres in the management of APFs and their impact on the prognosis of HCC. METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with HCC or hepatic APFs between June 2016 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Furthermore, APFs were embolized with ESG (group E) or microspheres (group M) during TACE. The primary outcomes were disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR). The secondary outcomes included immediate and first follow-up APF improvement, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Altogether, 91 participants were enrolled in the study, comprising 46 in group E and 45 in group M. The DCR was 93.5% and 91.1% in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.714). The ORRs were 91.3% and 66.7% in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.004). The APFs improved immediately after the procedure in 43 (93.5%) patients in group E and 40 (88.9%) patients in group M (P = 0.485). After 2 mo, APF improvement was achieved in 37 (80.4%) and 33 (73.3%) participants in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.421). The OS was 26.2 ± 1.4 and 20.6 ± 1.1 mo in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.004), whereas the PFS was 16.6 ± 1.0 and 13.8 ± 0.7 mo in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Compared with microspheres, ESG embolization demonstrated a higher ORR and longer OS and PFS in patients of HCC with hepatic APFs.

In-situ-grown multidimensional Cu-doped Co1-xS2@MoS2 on N-doped carbon nanofibers as anode materials for high-performance alkali metal ion batteries.

Transition metal sulfides with the high theoretical capacity and low cost have been considered as advanced anode candidate for alkali metal ion batteries, but suffered from unsatisfactory electrical conductivity and huge volume expansion. Herein, a multidimensional structure Cu-doped Co1-xS2@MoS2 in-situ-grown on N-doped carbon nanofibers (denoted as Cu-Co1-xS2@MoS2 NCNFs) have been elaborately constructed for the first time. The bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate framework CuCo-ZIFs were encapsulated in the one-dimensional (1D) NCNFs through an electrospinning route and then on which the two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets were in-situ grown via a hydrothermal process. The architecture of 1D NCNFs can effectively shorten ion diffusion path and enhance electrical conductivity. Besides, the formed heterointerface between MOF-derived binary metal sulfides and MoS2 can provide extra active centers and accelerate reaction kinetics, which guarantee a superior reversibility. As expected, the resulting Cu-Co1-xS2@MoS2 NCNFs electrode delivers excellent specific capacity of Na-ion batteries (845.6 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g), Li-ion batteries (1145.7 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g), and K-ion batteries (474.3 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g). Therefore, this innovative design strategy will bring a meaningful prospect for developing high-performance multi-component metal sulfides electrode for alkali metal ion batteries.

Anti-HIV drug repurposing against SARS-CoV-2.

A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome human coronavirus (SARS HCoV) was identified from respiratory illness patients (named SARS-CoV-2 by ICTV) in December 2019 and has recently emerged as a serious threat to world public health. However, no approved drugs have been found to effectively inhibit the virus. Since it has been reported that HIV protease inhibitors can be used as anti-SARS drugs by targeting SARS-CoV-1 3CLpro, we chose six approved anti-HIV drugs and investigated their binding interactions with 3CLpro to evaluate their potential to become clinical drugs for the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The molecular docking results indicate that the 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2 has a higher binding affinity for all the studied inhibitors than does SARS-CoV-1. Two docking complexes (indinavir and darunavir) with high docking scores were further subjected to MM-PBSA binding free energy calculations to detail the molecular interactions between these two protease inhibitors and SARS HCoV 3CLpro. Our results show that, among the inhibitors tested, darunavir has the highest binding affinity with SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 3CLpro, indicating that it may have the potential to be used as an anti-COVID-19 clinical drug. The mechanism behind the increased binding affinity of HIV protease inhibitors toward SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro (as compared to SARS-CoV-1) was investigated by MD simulations. Our study provides insight into the possible role of structural flexibility during interactions between SARS HCoV 3CLpro and inhibitors and sheds light on structure-based design of anti-COVID-19 drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro.

[The Implementation of the Right to Equality in the Care of a Vulnerable Medical Population: Pregnant and Postpartum Lesbians].

Medical equality is a basic right for patients, and awareness of the need for friendly medical care is increasing alongside international trends of promoting gender equality. Whether clinical professionals are sufficiently enabled and motivated to maintain justice and protect their patients, especially those from vulnerable populations, is an issue that deserves greater attention. We examined the situation of pregnant and postpartum lesbian woman to assess the ethical abilities of clinical professionals. We reflect on whether these patients received appropriate medical care and treatment from the perspective of medical equality. To date, nursing education has placed significantly greater emphasis on protecting the autonomy of patients and on ethical decision-making abilities than on instituting medical equality. In clinical practice, the ethical responses of clinical professionals to equality directly impact vulnerable populations. How clinicians collect clinical data and judge individual cases may cause patients to feel neglected. To carry out friendly medical care effectively, steps must be taken to improve the quality of care. As clinical professionals provide medical treatment, they should be more empathetic toward lesbian postpartum women, maintain an attitude of equality, and refrain from judging the sexual tendencies of individual cases, and protect the privacy of their patients. Regarding the special needs of vulnerable populations, clinical professionals should continue learning and spending time reflecting on methods to improve quality of care.

[Research of water contact and labor practice of residents in plateau mountain schistosomiasis endemic areas in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status of water contact and labor practice of residents in plateau mountain schisto- somiasis endemic areas in Yunnan Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the strategy of prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the next step of work. METHODS: A total of 412 residents aged 6-65 years old in 2 villages were randomly sampled and investigated with questionnaires for their water contacts and labor practices in plateau valley schistosomiasis endem- ic areas. Then the schistosome infection status of the residents was surveyed with the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). RE- SULTS: Among the 412 residents investigated, the rate of water contact was 88.35%, and the main causes of water contact were watering, and swimming and playing. The percentages of residents who had schistosomiasis history were 1.16%, 0.00%, 30.80%, 3.85%, and 0 in them who had swimming and playing water-contacts, bathing, watering, washing hands, and others, respectively (χ2 = 38.96, P < 0.01). The positives of IHA in the above-mentioned residents were 18.60%, 0.00%, 37.60%, 23.08%, and 0, respectively (χ2 = 12.61, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The productive infested water contact is the main way of schistosome infection. Therefore, the changes of labor practices and water contact of the residents are very important for the ef- fective prevention and control of schistosomiasis transmission.

[Molluscicidal effect of 5% powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules (NEG) in field of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of 5% powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules (NEG) in the field of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province. METHODS: The grasslands with Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats were chosen in Beideng Village, Heqing County, Yunnan Province, and were divided into 7 groups (groups of NEG 30 g/m2, NEG 40 g/m2, NEG 50 g/m2, NEG 40 g/m2 plus obstacle clearing, 50% niclosamide ethanolamine salt wettable powder (WPN) 6 g/m2, WPN 6 g/m2 plus obstacle clearing, and fresh water). The snail death rates and the densities of living snails were investigated and the results were compared in the different groups 7 d, 15 d, and 30 d after the implementation. RESULTS: Seven d, 15 d, and 30 d after the implementation, the snail death rates of the groups of NEG 30 g/m2, 40 g/m2, and 50 g/m2 were from 72.75 % to 95.83%, and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 72.26% to 95.54%. Seven d, 15 d, and 30 d after the implementation, in the NEG 40 g/m2 group, the snail death rates were from 81.69% to 87.19%, and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 81.42% to 87.91% ; in the NEG 40 g/m2 plus obstacle clearing group, the snail death rates were from 84.89% to 88.24% and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 85.63% ~ 88.22%; in the WPN 6 g/m2 group, the snail death rates were from 85.23% to 86.17% and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 85.76% to 86.05%; in the WPN 6 g/m2 plus obstacle clearing group, the snail death rates were from 88.89% to 92.10% and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 86.71% to 92.20%. The obstacle clearing improved the molluscicidal effect. CONCLUSION: NEG has a good molluscicidal effect in the field of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province.

[Effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control measures based on infection source control in mountainous areas of Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control measures based on infection source control in plateau mountain areas of Yunnan Province. METHODS: From 2006 to 2004, four administrative villages were selected as test areas from plateau canyon and plateau basin endemic areas in Jindun Town, Heqing County, two villages each type, and the comprehensive control measures were implemented, including the examination and treatment of schistosomiasis, Oncomelania hupensis snail survey and control, health education, improving drinking water and lavatories, banning grazing, constructing sanitary pen of livestock, replacing cattle with machine, etc. The schistosome infection state and snail status in 2006 were treated as the baseline information, and the effect of the comprehensive measures were evaluated. Results The infection rate of human in plateau canyon areas decreased from 4.94% in 2006 to 0.06% in 2014, and that of livestock decreased from 1.11% to 0. In plateau basin areas, there was only 1 case of schistosomiasis found in Xiaolian Village in 2007, and no any other cases found in the other years, the infection rates of livestock dropped from 7.38% to 0. Compared with 2006, the snail areas in the two type areas decreased by 74.89% and 75.30%, respectively, meanwhile, the percentage of snail area, the occurrence rate of frames with snails, as well as the average density of living snails also decreased, and no infected snails were found since 2008. Xidian and Xinzhuang villages in plateau canyon area reached the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission controlled in 2009, and Xiao-lian and Kangfu villages in plateau basin reached the criteria of transmission interrupted in 2014. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive schistosomiasis control measures based on infection source control can effectively control the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in plateau areas of Yunnan Province. In the future, we should pay an equal attention to the infection sources control and snail control to consolidate and amplify the achievement of schistosomiasis control.

[Effect of a novel plant molluscicide "Luo-wei" against Oncomelania hupensis in plateau mountain areas].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a novel plant molluscicide, 4%"Luo-wei" (Tea-seed distilled saponins, TDS) against Oncomelania hupensis snails in plateau mountain areas in Yunnan Province. METHODS: The immersing and spraying experiments were carried out in the ditches and grassland of Xiaolian Administrative Village in Heqing County, Yunnan Province, to assess the molluscicidal effect of 4% TDS comparing with 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (WPN) in different environments and time. RESULTS: After immersion for 24, 48 h and 72 h, the snail death rates were 70.67%, 87.33% and 98.67% in the TDS group, whereas being 77.33%, 96.67% and 100.00% in the WPN group, respectively. The differences of the death rates between the two groups 24 h and 72 h after immersing were not statistically significant ( chi2(24h) =1.73, chi2(72h) = 2.01, both P values > 0.05). Seven days after the immersing experiments, the occurrence rate of frames with living snails and the death rate of snails were 20.00% and 93.03% in the TDS group, while those were 13.33% and 95.76% in the WPN group, and there were no significant differences of the 2 indexes between the 2 groups ( chi(2)(Occurrence rate) = 2.27, chi(2)(Death rate) = 0.94, all P values > 0.05). After spraying for 1, 3, 7 d and 15 d, in both groups, the occurrence rates of frames with living snails and the average densities of living snails gradually declined, while the death rates of snails gradually increased with the extension of time. There were no statistically significant differences of the above 3 indexes between the 2 groups (all P values > 0.05). Fifteen days after the spraying experiment, the occurrence rate of frames with living snails and the adjusted death rate of snails were 15.00% and 87.39% in the TDS group and those were 16.67% and 89.32% in the WPN group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The molluscicidal effect of TDS is satisfying in plateau mountain areas, and the molluscicide is worthy of further extension and application.

[Effects of three kinds of molluscicides in fields of mountainous areas of Yunnan Province].

The molluscicidal effects of 10% salt of quinoid- 2' ,5-dichloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide (LDS) with dusting method, 26% amine molluscicide (MNSC) and 50% niclosamide (WPN) with insufflation method were tested in the fields of mountainous areas of Yunnan Province. After 7, 15 and 30 days of the tests, the death rates of snails, decline rates of living snail densities, and occurrence rates of frames with living snails of the 10% LDS group were 72.69%-87.16%, 74.10%-88.84%, and 20.00%-30.00%, respectively; those of the 26% MNSC group were 66.21%-91.06%, 69.55%-91.36%, and 19.44%-27.78% respectively; those of the 50% WPN group were 78.10%-90.18%, 82.44%-91.60%, 17.50%-20.00%, respectively. The results showed that the molluscicidal effects of 10% LDS, 26% MNSC and 50% WPN were basically equal.

[Molluscicidal effect of suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide in fields of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide (MNSC) in the fields of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province. METHODS: Some representative Oncomelania snail environments of schistosomiasis endemic regions were selected as study areas in Heqing County, Yunnan Province and 26% MNSC and 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (WPN) were used to kill the snails with the mechanical spraying and sprinkler spraying methods respectively. RESULTS: Seven, 15, 30 days after the spraying with the mechanical spraying method, in corn fields, the snail mortality rates were from 88.68% to 92.88% in the MNSC group, and from 89.86% to 90.32% in the WPN group respectively, and in the ditch, the snail mortality rates were from 89.97% to 94.46% in the MNSC group and from 90.08% to 96.74% in the WPN group respectively, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05); 7, 15, 30 days after the spraying with the sprinkler spraying method, in corn fields, the snail mortality rates were from 66.14% to 89.11% in the MNSC group, and from 78.40% to 91.22% in the WPN group, respectively, in the ditch, the snail mortality rates were from 84.13% to 94.27% in the MNSC group, and from 85.81% to 95.26% in the WPN group respectively, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: 26% MNSC has good molluscicidal effect in the fields of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province

[Effect of comprehensive control and management of schistosomiasis at plateaus regions in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive control and management of schistosomiasis at plateaus regions in Yunnan Province. METHODS: Xiaolian and Kangfu villages at plateaus regions where schistosomiasis was endemic were selected as study areas from 2006 to 2011, the schistosomiasis comprehensive control measures were conducted, and these measures included the health education, chemotherapy, stool and water management, grazing forbidden, Oncomelania snail control, etc. combined with the infrastructure of farmland water conservancy, agricultural comprehensive development, adjustment of industry structure, returning farmland to forest, ditch hardening, and aquaculture. RESULTS: At Xiaolian Village, no schistosomiasis patient and livestock were found from 2008; and at Kangfu Village, no schistosomiasis patient was detected from 2006 and no schistosomiasis domestic animal was found from 2008. In 2011, the snail area, percent of frames with living snails, the number of snails, average concentration of living snails, and the highest concentration of living snails descended by 69.99%, 81.86%, 88.86%, 89.71%, 57.95% at Xiaolian Village, and descended by 27.65%, 1.11%, 94.71%, 92.16%, 88.00% at Kangfu Village, respectively, compared with those in 2006. The ratios of infected snail area to snail area were 68.91% in 2006 and 69.13% in 2007 at Xiaolian Village, and 61.73% in 2006 and 43.24% in 2007 at Kangfu Village. There were no infected snails from 2008 in the two villages. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive control and management measures can effectively control the schistosomiasis prevalence at plateaus regions.

[Molluscicidal effect of LDS in mountainous areas of Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the molluscicidal effect of a novel molluscicide, salt of quinoid-2', 5-dichloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide (LDS) on Oncomelania hupensis in laboratory and field of mountainous areas of Yunnan Province. METHODS: With the immersion method, 10% LDS with concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mg/L was tested, and 50% niclosamide (WPN) with the concentration of 2 mg/L as well as fresh water were tested as the controls. The molluscicidal effects of 24, 48, 72 h were observed in lab and the field. With the insufflation method and powdering method, 10% LDS with doses of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 g/m2 was tested and 50% WPN with the dose of 2 g/m2 as well as fresh water were tested as the controls. The molluscicidal effects of 1, 3, 7 d were observed in lab and the field. RESULTS: At the room temperature of 25-26 degrees C and water temperature of 21-22 degrees C, when exposed for 72 h by the immersion method, the snail death rates of above-mentioned five concentrations of LDS and WPN as well as fresh water were 93.33%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 6.67%, respectively in lab. At the field temperature of 18-28 degrees C and water temperature of 18-23 degrees C, when exposed for 72 h by the immersion method, the snail death rates of above-mentioned five concentrations of LDS and WPN as well as fresh water were 91.11%,100%,100%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 3.33%, respectively in the field. When exposed for 7 d by the insufflation method, the snail death rates of five above-mentioned dosages of LDS and WPN as well as fresh water were 90.00%, 94.00%, 96.00% 99.00%, 99.00%, 94.00% and 6.00%, respectively in lab and 80.00%, 82.14%, 88.35%, 90.83%, 96.55%, 92.56% and 4.55%, respectively in the field. When exposed for 7 d by the powdering method, the snail death rates were 74.77%, 88.89%, 94.50%, 90.38%, 92.17%, 90.38% and 4.55%, respectively in the field. CONCLUSION: LDS has a good molluscicidal effect on Oncomelania hupensis in mountainous areas.

[Optimization of processing technology for semen cuscuta by uniform and regression analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the best preparation technology for the contains of total flavornoids, polysaccharides, the percentage of water and alcohol-soluble components in Semen Cuscuta herb processing. METHODS: UV-spectrophotometry was applied to determine the contains of total flavornoids and polysaccharides, which were extracted from Semen Cuscuta. And the processing was optimized by the way of uniform design and contour map. RESULTS: The best preparation technology was satisfied with some conditions as follows: baking temperature 150 degrees C, baking time 140 seconds. CONCLUSION: The regression models are notable and reasonable, which can forecast results precisely.

Effects of birth ball exercise on pain and self-efficacy during childbirth: a randomised controlled trial in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of a birth ball exercise programme during childbirth by measuring childbirth self-efficacy and childbirth pain. In addition, it tested the mediating effects of childbirth self-efficacy on the relationship between the birth ball exercise programme and childbirth pain. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study was conducted from December 2008 to November 2009, at two birth units, one at a regional hospital and one at a medical centre, with 600 and 1022 annual births, respectively. One hundred and eighty-eight expectant mothers were recruited (recruitment rate: 47%) and were allocated by block randomisation into the two arms of the study, but only 48 intervention and 39 control group participants completing the trial. INTERVENTIONS: The birth ball exercise programme consisted of a 26-page booklet and a 19-minute videotape, with periodic follow-ups during prenatal checks. All members of the experimental group were asked to practise the exercises and positions at home for at least 20 minutes three times a week for a period of 6-8 weeks. Each woman in the experimental group was given a birth ball for use during labour and encouraged every hour to choose the most comfortable positions, movements, and exercises. Both the experimental and control groups received standard nursing and midwifery care from hospital staff nurses in all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. MEASUREMENT AND FINDINGS: When cervical dilations were four centimetres and eight centimetres, the women completed demographic and obstetrics information, the Childbirth Self-efficacy Inventory (CBSEI), and the short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Our study revealed that birth ball exercises provided statistically significant improvements in childbirth self-efficacy and pain. Specifically, self-efficacy had a 30-40% mediating effect on relationships between birth ball exercises and childbirth pain. Mothers in the experimental group had shorter first-stage labour duration, less epidural analgesia, and fewer caesarean deliveries than the control group. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinical implementation of the birth ball exercise programme could be an effective adjunctive tool to improve childbirth self-efficacy and reduce pain among women in labour. On the basis of our mediating model, the results further suggest that confidence is greater after prenatal preparation powerfully related to decreased pain perception and decreased medication/analgesia use during labour.