Fe-doped V2O5layered nanowire cathode material with high lithium storage performance

As a lithium-ion battery cathode material with high theoretical capacity, the application of V₂O₅is limited by its unstable structure and low intrinsic conductivity. In this paper, we report a Fe doped V₂O₅nanowire with a layered structure of 200-300 nm diameter prepared by electrostatic spinning technique. The 3Fe-V₂O₅electrode exhibited a superb capacity of 436.9 mAh g^-1in the first cycle when tested in the voltage range of 2.0-4.0 V at current density of 100 mA g^-1, far exceeding its theoretical capacity (294 mAh g^-1), and the high capacity of 312 mAh g^-1was still maintained after 50 cycles. The superb performance is mainly attributed to its unique layered nanowire structure and the enhanced electrical conductivity as well as optimized structure brought by Fe-doping. This work made the homogeneous doping and nanosizing of the material easily achieved through electrostatic spinning technology, leading to an increase in the initial capacity of the V₂O₅cathode material and the cycling stability compared to the pure V₂O₅, which is an extremely meaningful exploration.

Echocardiographic evaluation of the right atrial size and function: Relevance for clinical practice

Right atrial (RA) structural and functional evaluations have recently emerged as powerful biomarkers for adverse events in various cardiovascular conditions. Quantitative analysis of the right atrium, usually performed with volume changes or speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), has markedly changed our understanding of RA function and remodeling. Knowledge of reference echocardiographic values and measurement methods of RA volumes and myocardial function is a prerequisite to introduce RA quantitation in the clinical routine. This review describes the methodology, benefits and pitfalls of measuring RA size and function by echocardiography based on the current understanding of right atrial anatomy and physiological function and provides the current knowledge of right atrial function in related cardiac diseases.

Design, Synthesis, and Bioactivity Investigation of Cyclic Lipopeptide Antibiotics Containing Eight to Nine Amino Acids

The current global issue of antibiotic resistance is serious, and there is an urgent requirement of developing novel antibiotics. Octapeptins have recently regained interest because of their activities against resistant Gram-negative bacteria. We synthesized four natural octapeptins and 33 derivatives with diverse polarity, amphiphilicity, and acid-base properties by solid-phase synthesis and investigated their in vitro antibacterial activity and renal cytotoxicity. We also assessed the structure-activity relationship and structure-toxicity relationship of the cyclic lipopeptide compounds. Some compounds showed increased activity against Gram-negative and/or Gram-positive bacteria, with improved renal cytotoxicity. C-02 showed remarkable in vitro antibacterial activity and low renal cytotoxicity. We found that C-02 showed high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli in vivo and manifested its effects preliminarily by increasing outer membrane permeability. Therefore, C-02 might be a new antibiotic lead compound with not only high efficacy but also low renal cytotoxicity.

Ambient Electrosynthesis of Urea with Nitrate and Carbon Dioxide over Iron-Based Dual-Sites

The development of efficient electrocatalysts to generate key *NH₂ and *CO intermediates is crucial for ambient urea electrosynthesis with nitrate (NO₃ ^- ) and carbon dioxide (CO₂ ). Here we report a liquid-phase laser irradiation method to fabricate symbiotic graphitic carbon encapsulated amorphous iron and iron oxide nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (Fe(a)@C-Fe₃ O₄ /CNTs). Fe(a)@C-Fe₃ O₄ /CNTs exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity toward urea synthesis using NO₃ ^- and CO₂ , affording a urea yield of 1341.3±112.6 μg h^-1  mg_cat ^-1 and a faradic efficiency of 16.5±6.1 % at ambient conditions. Both experimental and theoretical results indicate that the formed Fe(a)@C and Fe₃ O₄ on CNTs provide dual active sites for the adsorption and activation of NO₃ ^- and CO₂ , thus generating key *NH₂ and *CO intermediates with lower energy barriers for urea formation. This work would be helpful for design and development of high-efficiency dual-site electrocatalysts for ambient urea synthesis.

In situ construction of NiCo2O4 nanosheets on nickel foam for efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol

The electrocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid has aroused great attention owing to its mild operation conditions. However, the development of cheap and efficient electrocatalysts with high selectivity...

USP13 Deficiency Impairs Autophagy and Facilitates Age-related Lung Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an age-related disease. Failure of the proteostasis network with age, including insufficient autophagy, contributes to the pathology of IPF. Mechanisms underlying autophagy disruption in IPF are unclear and may involve regulation of USP (ubiquitin-specific protease) by post-translational modifications. To expand our previous observation of low USP13 expression in IPF, this study evaluated the role of USP13 in age-related lung fibrosis. Here, we demonstrated that Usp13-deficient aged mice exhibited impaired autophagic activity and increased vulnerability to bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Mechanistically, USP13 interacted with and deubiquitinated Beclin 1, and Beclin 1 overexpression abolished the effects of USP13 disruption. In addition, Beclin 1 inhibition resulted in insufficient autophagy and more severe lung fibrosis after bleomycin injury, consistent with the phenotype of aged Usp13-deficient mice. Collectively, we show a protective role of USP13 in age-related pulmonary fibrosis. Aging-mediated USP13 loss impairs autophagic activity and facilitates lung fibrosis through Beclin 1 deubiquitination. Our findings support the notion that age-dependent dysregulation of autophagic regulators enhances vulnerability to lung fibrosis.

INTERSECTIONS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IN SPOUSAL CAREGIVING: A FOCUS ON COGNITIVE LABOR

Our presentation adopts a lens of intersecting inequalities based on gender and sexual orientation in exploring caregiving for a spouse or partner with dementia. How the division of labor shapes caregiving approaches is sometimes examined, but how this might differ by sexual orientation has not been explored. Previous research has often examined physical tasks and, to a lesser degree, emotion work. Here, we focus on cognitive labor (Daminger, 2019): the mental labor involved in managing the household and social relationships, including anticipating needs, identifying ways to address these, making decisions, and monitoring outcomes. This theoretical backdrop informs our analysis of data garnered from in-depth interviews conducted among gay/lesbian and heterosexual older adults (N=57) who care for their spouses with dementia. However couples may have divided these cognitive steps previously, caregivers must perform them all alone, given care receivers’ cognitive losses. Our analyses reveal that caregivers find being responsible for everything exhausting, but this manifests differently based on gender and sexual orientation. Heterosexual women, for instance, found making all the decisions problematic, whereas heterosexual men reported difficulty in anticipating needs. For the most part, the challenging issues for gay and lesbian caregivers were more varied, as their previous division of labor had been negotiated differently, without a reliance on traditional gender roles. Finally, we uncover a novel domain for cognitive labor: being the “memory keeper.” Predominantly undertaken by women, this work involved maintaining important memories and markers of the care receiver’s (and couple’s) past.

“MISERY LOVES COMPANY”: THE OTHER SIDE OF COVID-19 FOR SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS

Gerontologists have voiced much concern about the potential for the pandemic to create social isolation risks for older people, especially older caregivers, for whom the lockdown cut off many sources of support. This presentation is based on a national study of older same-sex and heterosexual people who care for their spouses with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The qualitative, interview-based research began before the pandemic, and we were able to ask caregivers about their experiences during this public health crisis. Drawing on a total of 48 interviews, this presentation documents the surprising finding that, although caregivers discussed some challenges, they found much to say about the positive aspects of the lockdown and continued restrictions, including not having to rush for appointments or social engagements and being less frustrated with their care receivers as a result. They also described instances of greater social connection rather than less through the use of technology. In addition, some caregivers found that being with their care receiver all day gave them greater insights into disease progression and how to manage it, as well as greater intimacy. Finally, the phrase “misery loves company” was used to convey that the pandemic provided a situation wherein other people also were restricted in ways that some caregivers had been prior to the pandemic; as a result they felt others had more of an appreciation of what their lives had been like.

Malignancies in Patients with Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Single Center Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

Current studies focus on the prevalence rate of lung cancer in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-LID). Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of malignancies in patients with various subtypes of ILD.

METHODS

A total of 5350 patients diagnosed with ILD between January 2015 and December 2021 were retrospectively included. The prevalence of different malignancies and different ILDs was assessed using complete follow-up data.

RESULTS

A total of 248 patients (139 males; 65-IQR, 57 to 72-years) out of 5350 patients with ILD were confirmed with malignancies. A total of 69% of patients with ILD and malignances were older than 60 years old. The prevalence of malignancies in ILD patients was 4.6%, and lung cancer had the most common incidence of 1.9%, followed by malignancies in the digestive system of 0.9%. Among the different ILD subtypes, the prevalence of malignancies such as organizing pneumonia (OP), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis-related ILD(AAV-ILD), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), CTD-ILD, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), sarcoidosis, and other types of ILD was 6.8%, 5.0%, 4.7%, 4.3%, 2.5%, 2.2%, 1.2%, and 6.9%, respectively. The incidence of lung cancer as the most common tumor in IPF was 3.9%, with adenocarcinoma predominating (1.7%). The highest rate of malignancy occurring in RA of CTD-ILD was 2.4%.

CONCLUSION

Older patients with ILD (≥60 years) including OP, IPF, AAV-ILD, NSIP, CTD-ILD, and HP, were associated with a higher incidence of malignancy, especially males aged from 60 to 69 years. These epidemiological results indicate that it is essential for physicians to pay more attention to the screening of and management strategies for different malignancies, according to the specific ILD subtypes.

Gut-microbiome-based predictive model for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in young male patients

BACKGROUND

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in young male patients accounts for a significant proportion of total heart attack events. Therefore, clinical awareness and screening for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in asymptomatic patients at a young age is required. The gut microbiome is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of STEMI. The aim of the current study is to develop an early risk prediction model based on the gut microbiome and clinical parameters for this population.

METHODS

A total of 81 young males (age < 44 years) were enrolled in this study. Forty-one young males with STEMI were included in the case group, and the control group included 40 young non-coronary artery disease (CAD) males. To identify the differences in gut microbiome markers between these two groups, 16S rRNA-based gut microbiome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Further, a nomogram and corresponding web page were constructed. The diagnostic efficacy and practicability of the model were analyzed using K-fold cross-validation, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, a significant decrease in tendency regarding α and β diversity was observed in patients in the case group and identified as a significantly altered gut microbiome represented by Streptococcus and Prevotella. Regarding clinical parameters, compared to the control group, the patients in the case group had a higher body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and low blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Additionally, BMI and SBP were significantly (p<0.05) positively correlated with Streptococcus and [Ruminococcus]. Further, BMI and SBP were significantly (p<0.05) negatively correlated with Prevotella and Megasphaera. A significant negative correlation was only observed between Prevotella and AST (p < 0.05). Finally, an early predictive nomogram and corresponding web page were constructed based on the gut microbiome and clinical parameters with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.877 and a C-index of 0.911. For the internal validation, the stratified K-fold cross-validation (K = 3) was as follows: AUC value of 0.934. The calibration curves of the model showed good consistency between the actual and predicted probabilities. The DCA results showed that the model had a high net clinical benefit for use in the clinical setting.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we combined the gut microbiome and common clinical parameters to construct a prediction model. Our analysis shows that the constructed model is a non-invasive tool with potential clinical application in predicting STEMI in the young males.

A Multi-Segmented Human Bioheat Model for Asymmetric High Temperature Environments

In workplaces such as steel, power grids, and construction, firefighters and other workers often encounter non-uniform high-temperature environments, which significantly increase the risk of local heat stress and local heat discomfort for the workers. In this paper, a multi-segment human bioheat model is developed to predict the human thermal response in asymmetric high-temperature environments by considering the sensitivity of the modeling to angular changes in skin temperature and the effects of high temperatures on human thermoregulatory and physiological responses simultaneously. The extended model for asymmetric high-temperature environments is validated with the current model results and experimental data. The result shows that the extended model predicts the human skin temperature more accurately. Under non-uniform high-temperature conditions, the local skin temperature predictions are highly consistent with the experimental data, with a maximum difference of 2 °C. In summary, the proposed model can accurately predict the temperature of the human core and skin layers. It has the potential to estimate human physiological and thermoregulatory responses under uniform and non-uniform high-temperature environments, providing technical support for local heat stress and local thermal discomfort protection.

Blood monocyte counts as a prognostic biomarker and predictor in Chinese patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

OBJECTIVES

We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of blood routine parameters and biochemical parameters, especially inflammation-related biomarkers, and establish an inflammation-related prognostic model in Chinese patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

MATERIAL/METHODS

Patients diagnosed as IPF at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital and aged 40 years and older were consecutively enrolled from June 2000 to March 2015, and finally, a total of 377 patients were enrolled in the derivation cohort. The follow-up ended in December 2016. We used Cox proportional hazard model to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and establish the prognostic model. The discrimination and calibration of the prognostic model were evaluated in an independent validation cohort enrolled from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between January 2015 and December 2019.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with elevated monocyte-to-red blood cell count ratio (MRR) and monocyte counts showed increased risk of mortality. The clinical-physiological-biomarker (CPB) index and CPB stage we established in this study were a significant predictor, and the C-index for CPB index and CPB stage in the validation cohort was 0.635 (95% CI: 0.558-0.712) and 0.619 (95% CI: 0.544-0.694), respectively. Patients in CPB stage III had the poorest survival.

CONCLUSION

We developed and validated a new inflammation-related prognostic model (CPB index and CPB stage) which was integration of age, gender, FVC (%, predicted), DLCO (%, predicted), Charlson Comorbidity Index, and blood monocyte counts. This prediction model exhibited strong ability in predicting mortality in Chinese patients with IPF.

CD11b+ CD43hi Ly6Clo splenocyte-derived macrophages exacerbate liver fibrosis via spleen-liver axis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs), a dominant population of hepatic macrophages under inflammation, play a crucial role in liver fibrosis progression. The spleen serves as an extra monocyte reservoir in inflammatory conditions; however, the precise mechanisms of involvement of the spleen in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis remain unclear.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

By splenectomy and splenocyte transfusion, it was observed that splenic CD11b⁺ cells accumulated intrahepatically as Ly6C^lo MoMFs to exacerbate CCl₄ -induced liver fibrosis. The splenocyte migration into the fibrotic liver was further directly visualized by spleen-specific photoconversion with KikGR mice and confirmed by CD45.1⁺ /CD45.2⁺ spleen transplantation. Spleen-derived CD11b⁺ cells purified from fibrotic livers were then annotated by single-cell RNA sequencing, and a subtype of CD11b⁺ CD43^hi Ly6C^lo splenic monocytes (sM-1s) was identified, which was markedly expanded in both spleens and livers of mice with liver fibrosis. sM-1s exhibited mature feature with high expressions of F4/80, produced much ROS, and manifested preferential migration into livers. Once recruited, sM-1s underwent sequential transformation to sM-2s (highly expressed Mif, Msr1, Clec4d, and Cstb) and then to spleen-derived macrophages (sMφs) with macrophage features of higher expressions of CX₃ CR1, F4/80, MHC class II, and CD64 in the fibrotic hepatic milieu. Furthermore, sM-2s and sMφs were demonstrated capable of activating hepatic stellate cells and thus exacerbating liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

CD11b⁺ CD43^hi Ly6C^lo splenic monocytes migrate into the liver and shift to macrophages, which account for the exacerbation of liver fibrosis. These findings reveal precise mechanisms of spleen-liver axis in hepatic pathogenesis and shed light on the potential of sM-1 as candidate target for controlling liver diseases.

Improvement of gut microbiome and intestinal permeability following splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhotic portal hypertension

The gut microbiome is an essential component of the intestinal mucosal barrier, critical in regulating intestinal permeability. Microbiome dysbiosis and intestinal permeability changes are commonly encountered conditions in patients with cirrhosis and are closely related to its development and further complications. However, alterations in the gut microbiome and intestinal permeability in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension after undergoing a splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization (SPD) have not been investigated. This study recruited 22 patients who were measured against themselves on the study parameters before and after an SPD, along with 20 healthy controls. Methodologically, fecal samples were collected for gut microbiome analysis by 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing, and peripheral blood samples were obtained to examine the liver function and intestinal permeability. This study showed that the community structure of the gut microbiomes in patients before the SPD exhibited obvious differences from those in the healthy control group. They also exhibited a decreased bacterial community richness, increased intestinal permeability, and enhanced inflammation compared with the healthy controls. These issues were further aggravated two weeks after the SPD. There was also evidence of significantly higher abundances of Streptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Enterococcaceae than those in the healthy control group. However, 12 months after the surgery, 12 of the 16 patient-associated genera recovered, of which 10 reached normal levels. Additionally, the microbiome diversity increased; the bacterial composition was back to a level similar to the healthy controls. Liver function, intestinal permeability, and inflammation levels all improved compared with preoperative levels. Furthermore, correlation analyses indicated that the five recovered bacterial taxa and the Shannon diversity index were correlated with several improved clinical indicators. Altogether, the improvements in the liver function and intestinal permeability in HBV-related cirrhotic patients may be related to the restoration of the gut microbiome after an SPD.

Multi-person movement-induced airflow and the effects on virus-laden expiratory droplet dispersion in indoor environments

The multi-person movement might cause complex induced airflow and affect the virus-laden expiratory droplet transmission in indoor environments. Using the dynamic mesh model in computational fluid dynamics, the multi-person movement with different personnel location distributions was realized. The induced airflow patterns, virus-laden droplet dispersion, and concentration distribution were investigated in detail. The results show that multi-person movement might intensify inter-regional convection, which has been rarely found in single-person movement conditions. Side-by-side distribution and ladder distribution of moving persons could cause a connected low-pressure area behind the moving persons, which might enhance lateral virus transport, especially where droplets might suspend at the height of the breathing zone. Not only 1-10 μm aerosols but also some 20-50 μm droplets are carried by the multi-person movement-induced airflow to over 3 m. Since the width of induced airflow is about 0.6-1.0 m, moving persons should keep enough horizontal distance (>1.0 m) to limit the air mixing and virus-laden droplet transmission. This paper could provide a detailed reference for the numerical study of multi-person movement-induced airflow patterns, droplet dispersion, and indoor infection control.

Small airway dysfunction in Chinese patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

Recent years, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is thought to be a disease of alveoli as well as small airways. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical feature, predictor, and prognosis of small airway dysfunction (SAD) in Chinese patients with IPF.

Methods

We enrolled 416 patients with IPF who hospitalized in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from 2000 to 2014 in this study, and the follow-up ended at December 2016. We collected demographic information, clinical examination results, spirometry results, HRCT results, and blood gas results during the study. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictor for SAD. The COX proportional hazard model was used to analysis the prognosis effect of SAD.

Results

Among all the participants, 165 (39.66%) patients had SAD. FEV1 (% predicted) and FEV3/FVC were significantly associated with SAD in patients with IPF. IPF patients with lower FEV1 (% predicted, OR 30.04, 95% CI 9.61–93.90) and FEV3/FVC (OR 77.76, 95% CI 15.44–391.63) had increased risk for SAD. Patients with SAD were associated with significantly increased risk of mortality in patients with IPF (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.02–2.92), as well as in IPF patients without other pulmonary comorbidities (COPD, emphysema, and asthma).

Conclusions

Spirometry-defined SAD was like 40% in patients with IPF. Lower FEV1 (% predicted) and FEV3/FVC were main predictors for SAD. IPF patients with SAD showed poorer prognosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-02089-6.