Clinical diagnosis and treatment of seven patients diagnosed pneumonia caused by Chlamydia abortus: a case series report

BackgroundChlamydia abortus pneumonia is very rare in normal people. At present, there is a lack of clinical data on the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment experience of patients with this type of infection. Our team had recently treated 7 cases of these patients. This study aims to comprehensively summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment methods of Chlamydia abortus pneumonia, and to provide clinical evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia abortus pneumonia.MethodsClinical data were retrospectively collected from patients diagnosed with Chlamydia abortus pneumonia through metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) at the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Meizhou People’s Hospital.ResultsSeven patients with Chlamydia abortus pneumonia reported a history of poultry exposure, experiencing fever alongside respiratory or digestive symptoms. Marked elevation of blood inflammation markers, accompanied by hypoproteinemia and liver damage, was observed. Chest CT scans revealed pneumonia and pleural effusion. Chlamydia abortus was detected in blood or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) through mNGS, often co-occurring with Chlamydia psittaci or other bacteria infections. Notably, Doxycycline demonstrated efficacy in treating Chlamydia abortus.ConclusionChlamydia abortus infection is a zoonotic disease, particularly among individuals with a history of poultry exposure, and mNGS emerges as a reliable diagnostic tool for its detection. Chlamydia abortus infection manifests with systemic and lung inflammation, effectively addressed through Doxycycline therapy

A review in rational design of graphene toward advanced Li–S batteries

For lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, the problems of polysulfides shuttle effect, slow dynamics of sulfur species and growth of lithium dendrite during charge/discharge processes have greatly impeded its practical development. Of core importance to advance the performances of Li–S batteries lies in the selection and design of novel materials with strong polysulfides adsorption ability and enhanced redox electrocatalytic behavior. Graphene, affording high electrical conductivity, superior carrier mobility, and large surface area, has presented great potentials in improving the performances of Li–S cells. However, the properties of intrinsic graphene are far enough to achieve the multiple management toward electrochemical catalysis of energy storage systems. In addition, a general and objective understanding of its role in Li–S systems is still lacking. Along this line, we summarize the design routes from three aspects, including defect engineering, dimension adjustment, and heterostructure modulation, to perfect the graphene properties. Thus-synthesized graphene materials are explored as multifunctional electrocatalysts targeting high-efficiency and long-lifespan Li–S batteries, based on which the regulating role of graphene is comprehensively analyzed. This project provides a perspective on the effective engineering management of graphene materials to boost Li–S chemistry, meanwhile promote the practical application process for graphene materials

Rare Copy Number Variants Identify Novel Genes in Sporadic Total Anomalous Pulmonary Vein Connection

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare congenital heart anomaly. Several genes have been associated TAPVC but the mechanisms remain elusive. To search novel CNVs and candidate genes, we screened a cohort of 78 TAPVC cases and 100 healthy controls for rare copy number variants (CNVs) using whole exome sequencing (WES). Then we identified pathogenic CNVs by statistical comparisons between case and control groups. After that, we identified altogether eight pathogenic CNVs of seven candidate genes (PCSK7, RRP7A, SERHL, TARP, TTN, SERHL2, and NBPF3). All these seven genes have not been described previously to be related to TAPVC. After network analysis of these candidate genes and 27 known pathogenic genes derived from the literature and publicly database, PCSK7 and TTN were the most important genes for TAPVC than other genes. Our study provides novel candidate genes potentially related to this rare congenital birth defect (CHD) which should be further fundamentally researched and discloses the possible molecular pathogenesis of TAPVC

High-Sensitivity Fiber Fault Detection Method Using Feedback-Delay Signature of a Modulated Semiconductor Laser

We propose a high-sensitivity fiber fault detection method using the feedback-delay signature of a modulated semiconductor laser. The modulated laser is directed to a fiber fault and then receives the fault echo, which, in principle, forms an external cavity feedback laser. The fault location, i.e., the external cavity length, is measured by the feedback-delay signature appearing on the laser modulation response curve. The resonance effect between the modulation frequency and external cavity frequency significantly enhanced the laser sensitivity to feedback light and then led to highly sensitive fault detection. Numerical simulations based on laser rate equations predicted that −118.1 dB sensitivity to fault echo light can be obtained

High-Sensitivity Fiber Fault Detection Method Using Feedback-Delay Signature of a Modulated Semiconductor Laser

We propose a high-sensitivity fiber fault detection method using the feedback-delay signature of a modulated semiconductor laser. The modulated laser is directed to a fiber fault and then receives the fault echo, which, in principle, forms an external cavity feedback laser. The fault location, i.e., the external cavity length, is measured by the feedback-delay signature appearing on the laser modulation response curve. The resonance effect between the modulation frequency and external cavity frequency significantly enhanced the laser sensitivity to feedback light and then led to highly sensitive fault detection. Numerical simulations based on laser rate equations predicted that −118.1 dB sensitivity to fault echo light can be obtained

Expediting the electrochemical kinetics of 3D-printed sulfur cathodes for Li–S batteries with high rate capability and areal capacity

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd 3D printing has stimulated burgeoning interest in customized design of sulfur cathodes for Li–S batteries targeting advanced electrochemical performances. Nevertheless, the prevailing 3D-printed sulfur electrodes are solely based on carbonaceous materials; constructing electrocatalyst-equipped cathode to help expedite sulfur redox kinetics remains unexplored thus far. Herein, we develop a free-standing sulfur cathode via 3D printing using hybrid ink encompassing sulfur/carbon and metallic LaB6 electrocatalyst. Such unique architectures with optimized Li+/e− transport and ample porosity are in favor of efficient polysulfide regulation. Accordingly, an initial capacity of 693 mAh g−1 can be achieved at 6.0C accompanied by a low capacity fading rate of 0.067% per cycle over 800 cycles (with a sulfur loading of 1.5 mg cm−2). To envisage practical applications, elevated sulfur loadings from 3.3 to 9.3 mg cm−2 are further evaluated. Our study marks the first-time investigation on the introduction of efficient electrocatalyst into the printable ink for the construction of 3D-printed Li–S battery harnessing high rate capability and areal capacity

Bismuthene Arrays Harvesting Reversible Plating‐Alloying Electrochemistry Toward Robust Lithium Metal Batteries

3D lithiophilic skeletons have attracted enormous attention in homogenizing local current distribution and optimizing metal deposition in the pursuit of robust Li metal anodes. Nonetheless, their practicability is markedly plagued by the cumbersome production routes and mediocre Coulombic efficiency (CE) of Li plating/stripping. Herein, scalable in situ growth of uniform bismuthene arrays over commercial Cu foam via spontaneous galvanic replacement reaction is demonstrated. Exhaustive structural/electrochemical measurements in combination with theoretical calculations collectively disclose the reversible plating‐alloying mechanism, wherein the formed Li3Bi alloy interphase aids to lower the Li nucleation overpotential and elevate the CE performance. The thus‐designed Li metal electrode sustains a stable cyclic operation at 1 mA cm−2/1 mAh cm−2 for 1600 h. When paired with LiFePO4 and sulfur cathodes, the Li metal batteries enable gratifying rate capability and cycling durability. This straightforward maneuver opens a new frontier in the scalable manufacturing of pragmatic current collectors in an economic fashion

Achieving high energy storage properties in perovskite oxide via high-entropy design

In recent years, “high-entropy” materials have attracted great attention in various fields due to their unique design concepts and crystal structures. The definition of high-entropy is also more diverse, gradually expanding from a single phase with an equal molar ratio to a multi-phase with a non-equimolar ratio. This study selected (Na0.2Bi0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2Ca0.2)TiO3 high entropy ceramics with excellent relaxation behavior. The A-site elements are divided into (x = Na, Bi, Ba) and ((1-3x)/2 = Sr, Ca) according to their inherent properties. A novel ABO3 structural energy storage ceramics (NaBaBi)x(SrCa)(1-3x)/2TiO3 (x = 0.19, 0.195, 0.2, 0.205 and 0.21) was successfully fabricated using the high entropy design concept. The ferroelectric and dielectric properties of non-equimolar ratio high-entropy ceramics were studied in detail. It was found that the dielectric constant of ∼4920 and the recoverable energy storage density of 3.86 J/cm3 (at 335 kV/cm) can be achieved simultaneously at x = 0.205. The results indicate that the design concept of high-entropy materials with a non-equal molar ratio is an effective means to achieve distinguished energy storage performance in lead-free ceramics.</p

Graphdiyne-Supported NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets as Functional Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution

Graphdiyne (GDY), a novel two-dimensional full-carbon material, has attracted lots of attention because of its high conjugated system comprising sp² and sp-hybridized carbons. The distinctive structure characteristics endow it unique electronic structure, uniform distributed pores and excellent chemical stability. A novel GDY-supported NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite was successfully prepared for the first time. By taking advantage of the increased surface active areas and improved conductivity, the designed hierarchical GDY@NiFe composite exhibits outstanding catalytic activity that only required a small overpotential about 260 mV to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm^–2. The nanocomposite shows excellent durability in alkaline medium implying a superior OER electrocatalytic activity. It is anticipated that the as-prepared GDY@NiFe composite electrocatalyst provide new insights in designing graphdiyne-supported electrocatalyst materials for oxygen evolution application