Long cycle life of CoMn2O4 lithium ion battery anodes with high crystallinity

CoMn2O4 nanomaterials are prepared by a low temperature precipitation route employing metal acetates and NaOH. Structural changes, induced by different annealing temperatures, are comprehensively analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. With rising annealing temperature the crystal lattice of CoMn2O4 undergoes changes ; AO4 tetrahedra expand due to thermally induced substitution of Co2+ by larger Mn2+ metal ions on the A-site of the spinel structure, while in contrast, BO6 octahedra shrink since the B-site becomes partially occupied by smaller Co3+ metal ions on account of the migrated Mn ions. CoMn2O4 particle sizes are easily fine-tuned by applying different annealing temperatures ; the particle size increases with increasing annealing temperature. During the battery operation, pulverization and reduction of particle sizes occurs regardless of the initial size of the particles, but the degree of division of the particles during the operation is dependent on the initial particle properties. Thus, contrary to the common assumption that nanostructuring of the anode material improves the battery performance, samples with the largest particle sizes exhibit excellent performance with a capacity retention of 104% after 1000 cycles (compared to the 2nd cycle)

Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats by Regulating the Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction (YCLGZGD) is the combination of Linggui Zhugan (LGZGD) and Yinchenhao (YCHD) decoctions, two famous traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. In previous studies, we found that Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction (YCLGZGD) could regulate lipid metabolism disorder and attenuate inflammation in pathological process of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the exact underlying mechanism remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction on experimental NAFLD and its mechanism in rats with high-fat diet (HFD) which was established by 8-week administration of HFD. YCLGZGD, LGZGD, and YCHD were administered daily for 4 weeks, after which the rats were euthanized. The level of blood lipid, liver enzymes, H&E, and Oil Red O staining were determined to evaluate NAFLD severity. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction were, respectively, used to determine hepatic protein and gene expression of Keap1, Nrf2, NQO1, and HO-1. Oral YCLGZGD ameliorated HFD-induced NAFLD. Furthermore, YCLGZGD increased the protein and gene expression of Nrf2, NQO1, and HO-1 without changing Keap1. Overall, these results suggest that YCLGZGD ameliorates HFD-induced NAFLD in rats by upregulating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway

Nanopartículas de colagénio para terapias da cartilagem baseadas em recursos marinhos

A cartilagem articular é constituída por matriz extracelular e condrócitos, sendo ancorada no osso subcondral. O seu principal problema é a limitada capacidade de reparação relacionada com a sua falta de vascularização. Embora tenham sido testadas diversas metodologias para o tratamento da degeneração da cartilagem, a sua incompleta eficácia, bem como complicações associadas, torna necessário e urgente o desenvolvimento de novas técnicas para essa finalidade. Assim, a nanotecnologia apresenta-se como ferramenta com potencial aplicação no tratamento da cartilagem, nomeadamente pelo uso de nanopartículas capazes de transportar moléculas bioativas. Sendo o colagénio o principal constituinte da matriz extracelular cartilaginosa, o uso de colagénio proveniente de várias fontes, como organismos marinhos, tem sido investigado para regeneração cartilaginosa, dada a sua potencial biocompatibilidade. Nesta tese de Mestrado são apresentados resultados preliminares relativamente à preparação de nanopartículas de colagénio de alforreca e tubarão azul visando sua futura aplicação como transportadores de fatores de crescimento para engenharia de tecido cartilaginoso. A preparação dessas nanopartículas foi otimizada, sendo estas caracterizadas por Espalhamento Dinâmico da Luz, medição de potencial Zeta e Microscopia Eletrónica de Transmissão. Posteriormente, realizaram-se ensaios de viabilidade e diferenciação celular com células estaminais mesenquimais humanas após exposição às nanopartículas de colagénio de ambas fontes. A diferenciação celular foi estudada por métodos histoquímicos e avaliação da expressão génica usando a técnica de RT-qPCR. As partículas sintetizadas com colagénio de alforreca e tubarão azul apresentaram diâmetros hidrodinâmicos de, respetivamente, 453 ± 23 nm e 634 ± 18 nm. No entanto, na análise feita às partículas de colagénio de tubarão por microscopia de transmissão (amostras desidratadas), verificou-se que estas tinham forma elíptica e dimensões na gama 200-300 nm (eixo maior). Ambos os tipos de nanopartículas apresentaram potencial Zeta negativo e boa citocompatibilidade. Por outro lado, a presença das nanopartículas pareceu não afetar a diferenciação condroblástica das hMSCs.Articular cartilage consists of an extracellular matrix and chondrocytes, anchored in the subchondral bone. Its main problem is the limited repair capacity due to the lack of vascularization. Although several methodologies for the treatment of cartilage degeneration have been tested, their incomplete efficacy, as well as the complications associated, make it necessary and urgent to develop new techniques for this purpose. Therefore, nanotechnology presents itself as a tool with potential application in the treatment of cartilage, namely by the use of nanoparticles capable of transporting bioactive molecules. As collagen is the main constituent of cartilaginous extracellular matrix, the use of collagen from various sources, including marine organisms, has been investigated for cartilaginous regeneration, given its potential biocompatibility. In this Master thesis, preliminary results are presented regarding the preparation of jellyfish and blue shark collagen nanoparticles having in view their possible application as vehicles for the transport of growth factors in cartilage tissue engineering. The preparation of these nanoparticles has been optimized and they were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering, Zeta potential measurement and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Subsequently, cell viability and differentiation assays were performed using human mesenchymal stem cells after exposure to jellyfish and blue shark collagen nanoparticles. Cell differentiation was studied by histochemical methods and gene expression using RT-qPCR. The particles synthesized with jellyfish and blue shark collagen had hydrodynamic diameters of 453 ± 189 nm and 634 ± 81 nm, respectively. However, transmission microscopy analysis of shark collagen particles (dehydrated samples) showed that they were elliptical in shape and dimensions in the range 200-300 nm (long axis). Both types of nanoparticles showed negative Zeta potential and good cytocompatibility. On the other hand, the presence of nanoparticles did not seem to affect the chondroblastic differentiation of hMSCs

A simulation study on the measurement of D0-D0bar mixing parameter y at BES-III

We established a method on measuring the \dzdzb mixing parameter $y$ for BESIII experiment at the BEPCII $e^+e^-$ collider. In this method, the doubly tagged $\psi(3770) \to D^0 \overline{D^0}$ events, with one $D$ decays to CP-eigenstates and the other $D$ decays semileptonically, are used to reconstruct the signals. Since this analysis requires good $e/\pi$ separation, a likelihood approach, which combines the $dE/dx$, time of flight and the electromagnetic shower detectors information, is used for particle identification. We estimate the sensitivity of the measurement of $y$ to be 0.007 based on a $20fb^{-1}$ fully simulated MC sample.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

A phase 4 multicentre, 2×2 factorial randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of tobramycin inhalation solution for Pseudomonas aeruginosa eradication in bronchiectasis:Erase

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in bronchiectasis patients. Initiating antibiotics early may lead to the eradication of PA. Here we outline the design of a trial (ERASE; NCT06093191) assessing the efficacy and safety of inhaled tobramycin, alone or with oral ciprofloxacin, in bronchiectasis patients with a new isolation of PA. This multicentre, 2×2 factorial randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial includes a 2-week screening period, a 12-week treatment phase (with a combination of ciprofloxacin or a placebo at initial 2 weeks) and a 24-week follow-up. 364 adults with bronchiectasis and a new PA isolation will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: placebo (inhaled saline and ciprofloxacin placebo twice daily), ciprofloxacin alone (750 mg ciprofloxacin and inhaled saline twice daily), inhaled tobramycin alone (inhaled 300 mg tobramycin and ciprofloxacin placebo twice daily) or a combination of both drugs (inhaled 300 mg tobramycin and 750 mg ciprofloxacin twice daily). The primary objective of this study is to assess the proportion of patients successfully eradicating PA in each group by the end of the study. Efficacy will be evaluated based on the eradication rate of PA at other time points (12, 24 and 36 weeks), the occurrence of exacerbations and hospitalisations, time to first pulmonary exacerbations, patient-reported outcomes, symptom measures, pulmonary function tests and the cost of hospitalisations. To date no randomised trial has evaluated the benefit of different PA eradication strategies in bronchiectasis patients. The ERASE trial will therefore generate crucial data to inform future clinical guidelines.</p

A phase 4 multicentre, 2×2 factorial randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of tobramycin inhalation solution for Pseudomonas aeruginosa eradication in bronchiectasis:Erase

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in bronchiectasis patients. Initiating antibiotics early may lead to the eradication of PA. Here we outline the design of a trial (ERASE; NCT06093191) assessing the efficacy and safety of inhaled tobramycin, alone or with oral ciprofloxacin, in bronchiectasis patients with a new isolation of PA. This multicentre, 2×2 factorial randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial includes a 2-week screening period, a 12-week treatment phase (with a combination of ciprofloxacin or a placebo at initial 2 weeks) and a 24-week follow-up. 364 adults with bronchiectasis and a new PA isolation will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: placebo (inhaled saline and ciprofloxacin placebo twice daily), ciprofloxacin alone (750 mg ciprofloxacin and inhaled saline twice daily), inhaled tobramycin alone (inhaled 300 mg tobramycin and ciprofloxacin placebo twice daily) or a combination of both drugs (inhaled 300 mg tobramycin and 750 mg ciprofloxacin twice daily). The primary objective of this study is to assess the proportion of patients successfully eradicating PA in each group by the end of the study. Efficacy will be evaluated based on the eradication rate of PA at other time points (12, 24 and 36 weeks), the occurrence of exacerbations and hospitalisations, time to first pulmonary exacerbations, patient-reported outcomes, symptom measures, pulmonary function tests and the cost of hospitalisations. To date no randomised trial has evaluated the benefit of different PA eradication strategies in bronchiectasis patients. The ERASE trial will therefore generate crucial data to inform future clinical guidelines.</p

Meta-analysis Followed by Replication Identifies Loci in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Asians

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease with a strong genetic involvement and ethnic differences. Susceptibility genes identified so far only explain a small portion of the genetic heritability of SLE, suggesting that many more loci are yet to be uncovered for this disease. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on SLE in Chinese Han populations and followed up the findings by replication in four additional Asian cohorts with a total of 5,365 cases and 10,054 corresponding controls. We identified genetic variants in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as associated with the disease. These findings point to potential roles of cell-cycle regulation, autophagy, and DNA demethylation in SLE pathogenesis. For the region involving TET3 and that involving CDKN1B, multiple independent SNPs were identified, highlighting a phenomenon that might partially explain the missing heritability of complex diseases