Electrolyte Membranes with Biomimetic Lithium-Ion Channels.

High-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) demand efficient and selective transport of lithium ions. Inspired by ion channels in biology systems, lithium-ion channels are constructed by chemically modifying the nanoporous channels of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with negatively charged sulfonate groups. Analogous to the biological ion channels, such pendant anionic moieties repel free anions while allowing efficient transport of cations through the pore channels. Implementing such MOFs as an electrolyte membrane doubly enhances the lithium-ion transference number, alleviates concentration polarization, and affords striking durability of high-rate LIBs. This work demonstrates an ion-selective material design that effectively tunes the ion-transport behavior and could assist with more efficient operation of LIBs.

Protein-protein interactions underlying the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder currently affecting 45 million people worldwide, ranking as the 6th highest cause of death. Throughout the development and progression of AD, over 90% of patients display behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), with some of these symptoms occurring before memory deficits and therefore serving as potential early predictors of AD-related cognitive decline. However, the biochemical links between AD and BPSD are not known. In this study, we explored the molecular interactions between AD and BPSD using protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks built from OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) genes that were related to AD and two distinct BPSD domains, the Affective Domain and the Hyperactivity, Impulsivity, Disinhibition, and Aggression (HIDA) Domain. Our results yielded 8 unique proteins for the Affective Domain (RHOA, GRB2, PIK3R1, HSPA4, HSP90AA1, GSK3beta, PRKCZ, and FYN), 5 unique proteins for the HIDA Domain (LRP1, EGFR, YWHAB, SUMO1, and EGR1), and 6 shared proteins between both BPSD domains (APP, UBC, ELAV1, YWHAZ, YWHAE, and SRC) and AD. These proteins might suggest specific targets and pathways that are involved in the pathogenesis of these BPSD domains in AD.

[Mental health situation of men who have sex with men among university students].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mental health situation on men who have sex with men (MSM) among university students. METHODS: Snowballing method was used to recruit the target people, and to use both symptom checklist (SCL-90) and psychological interview for measurement. SPSS 11.5 and t-test were used for descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Measurement of 120 MSM at colleges, the average SCL-90 test appeared as 2.73 (s = 0.51). Mental health situation of the MSM who had been out of the 'closet' was better than those who had not (t = 17.325, P < 0.01). Among MSM who had had stable same-sex partners was in better situation than those without (t = 7.286, P < 0.05). There appeared significant effect in improving the mental health situation of MSM who had received psychological counseling and participating in those activities relevant to psychological assistance (F = 31.54, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Moderate or severe psychological distress often seen in the MSM college students, suggesting that psychological counseling provided to these people was very important.