Unveiling the Role of Ruthenium in Layered Sodium Cobaltite Toward High-Performance Electrode Enabled by Anionic and Cationic Redox

The effect of Ru substitution on the structure and electrochemical properties of P2-type Na0.67CoO2 is investigated. The first-discharge capacities of Na0.67CoO2 and Na0.6 [Co0.78Ru0.22]O2 materials are 128 and 163 mAh g−1 (23.5 mA g−1), respectively. Furthermore, the rate capability is improved due to the electro-conducting nature of Ru doping. Operando X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the Na0.67CoO2 does not undergo a phase transition; however, multiple Na+/vacancy ordered superstructures within the P2 phase appear during Na+ extraction/insertion. In contrast, the Na0.6[Co0.78Ru0.22]O2 material undergoes a P2–OP4 phase transition during desodiation, with no formation of Na+/vacancy ordering within the P2 phase. The increased discharge capacity of Na0.6[Co0.78Ru0.22]O2 is most likely associated with additional cationic Ru4+/Ru5+ redox and increased anionic O2−/(O2n−) redox participation. Combined experimental (galvanostatic cycling, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry) and theoretical (density functional theory calculations) studies confirm that Ru substitution provokes the oxygen-redox reaction and that partial O2 release from the oxide lattice is the origin of the reaction. The findings provide new insight for improving the electrode performance of cathode materials via 4d Ru substitution and motivate the development of a new strategy for the design of high-capacity cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries.</p

Tetra-μ-benzoato-bis­[(6-methyl­quino­line)­copper(II)]

In the title compound, [Cu2(C7H5O2)4(C10H9N)2], the paddle-wheel-type dinuclear complex is constructed by four bridging benzoate groups and two terminal 6-methyl­quinoline ligands. The asymmetric unit contains one-half of the whole mol­ecule, and there is an inversion center at the mid-point of the Cu⋯Cu bond. The octa­hedral coordination of each Cu atom, with four O atoms in the equatorial plane, is completed by the N atom of the 6-methyl­quinoline mol­ecule [Cu—N = 2.212 (2) Å] and by another Cu atom [Cu⋯Cu = 2.6939 (13) Å]. The Cu atom lies 0.234 Å out of the plane of the four O atoms. The molecular packing is stabilized by one intramolecular C—H⋯O as well as C—H⋯π and π–π interactions

Retroperitoneoscopic Partial Nephrectomy in a Horseshoe Kidney

A 21-year-old woman with a 4 cm enhancing cystic renal mass in the left moiety of a horseshoe kidney was treated through a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The tumor was excised completely with cold scissors, and renal parenchyma suturing with a surgical bolster was done with Vicryl 2-0 sutures. Choosing the proper approach according to the location of the lesion and the surgeon's experience with both approaches are of importance in laparoscopic surgery in horseshoe kidney cases. A preoperative kidney computed tomography angiography was helpful for understanding the complex renal vasculature

Initial growth pattern of children with cleft before alveolar bone graft stage according to cleft type Unilateral cleft lip and alveolus, unilateral cleft lip and palate, and cleft palate

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the initial growth pattern among three cleft types before alveolar bone graft (ABG) according to cleft type (unilateral cleft lip and alveolus [UCLA], unilateral cleft lip and palate [UCLP], and cleft palate [CP]). Materials and Methods: Samples consisted of the UCLA group, the UCLP group, and the CP group. Individuals were treated with the identical surgical technique by the same surgeon and had no history of orthodontic/orthopedic treatment. Lateral cephalograms taken 1 month before ABG were analyzed using 29 variables. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) testing and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: An increasing tendency for Class III relationships in the order of UCLA, UCLP, and CP was noted (ANB, AB-to-facial plane angle, AB-to-mandibular plane angle; P < .001, respectively). UCLP and CP groups demonstrated more posterior positioning of the maxilla (SNA, A-to-N-perp; P < .001, respectively) and a hyperdivergent pattern (gonial angle, SN-GoMe angle, FMA; P < .001, respectively) compared with the UCLA group. Because no differences in palatal plane angle and SN-to-occlusal plane angle were noted among the three groups, the hyperdivergent pattern in the UCLP and CP groups might be due to an innate growth pattern and eventual adaptation of the mandible to maxillary growth. UCLP and CP groups showed more Class III relationships (ANB: P < .05, P < .001, respectively) and a more hyperdivergent pattern (FMA: P < .05, P < .01, respectively) than the UCLA group. Conclusion: When the degree of cleft involvement increases from the primary palate to the secondary palate, the predominance of the Class III relationship and the hyperdivergent pattern increases also. (c) 2011 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc.

The 5'-end transitional CpGs between the CpG islands and retroelements are hypomethylated in association with loss of heterozygosity in gastric cancers

BACKGROUND: A loss of heterozygosity (LOH) represents a unilateral chromosomal loss that reduces the dose of highly repetitive Alu, L1, and LTR retroelements. The aim of this study was to determine if the LOH events can affect the spread of retroelement methylation in the 5'-end transitional area between the CpG islands and their nearest retroelements. METHODS: The 5'-transitional area of all human genes (22,297) was measured according to the nearest retroelements to the transcription start sites. For 50 gastric cancer specimens, the level of LOH events on eight cancer-associated chromosomes was estimated using the microsatellite markers, and the 5'-transitional CpGs of 20 selected genes were examined by methylation analysis using the bisulfite-modified DNA. RESULTS: The extent of the transitional area was significantly shorter with the nearest Alu elements than with the nearest L1 and LTR elements, as well as in the extragenic regions containing a higher density of retroelements than in the intragenic regions. The CpG islands neighbouring a high density of Alu elements were consistently hypomethylated in both normal and tumor tissues. The 5'-transitional methylated CpG sites bordered by a low density of Alu elements or the L1 and LTR elements were hypomethylated more frequently in the high-level LOH cases than in the low-level LOH cases. CONCLUSION: The 5'-transitional methylated CpG sites not completely protected by the Alu elements were hypomethylated in association with LOH events in gastric cancers. This suggests that an irreversible unbalanced decrease in the genomic dose reduces the spread of L1 methylation in the 5'-end regions of genes

Metals in Particulate Pollutants Affect Peak Expiratory Flow of Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND: The contribution of the metal components of particulate pollutants to acute respiratory effects has not been adequately evaluated. Moreover, little is known about the effects of genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolism on pulmonary function. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess lung function decrement associated with metal components in particulate pollutants and genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1. METHODS: We studied 43 schoolchildren who were in the 3rd to 6th grades. Each student measured peak expiratory flow rate three times a day for 42 days. Particulate air concentrations were monitored every day, and the concentrations of iron, manganese, lead, zinc, and aluminum in the particles were measured. Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genetic polymorphisms were determined using DNA extracted from participant buccal washings. We used a mixed linear regression model to estimate the association between peak expiratory flow rate and particulate air pollutants. RESULTS: We found significant reduction in the peak expiratory flow rate after the children’s exposure to particulate pollutants. The effect was shown most significantly 1 day after exposure to the ambient particles. Manganese and lead in the particles also reduced the peak expiratory flow rate. Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 did not significantly affect peak expiratory flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that particulate pollutants and metals such as manganese and lead in the particles are associated with a decrement of peak expiratory flow rate. These effects were robust even with consideration of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase