Organic-Inorganic Superlattices of Vanadium Oxide@Polyaniline for High-Performance Magnesium-Ion Batteries.

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) have attracted significant attention owing to the high energy density and economic viability. However, the lack of suitable cathode materials, owing to the high polarizability of divalent Mg-ion and slow Mg-ion diffusion, hinders the development of RMBs. V2 O5 is a promising RMBs cathode material, but its limited interlayer spacing is unfavorable for the rapid diffusion of Mg2+ , demonstrating unsatisfactory electrochemical performance. In this study, the superlattices of V2 O5 and polyaniline (PANI) with expanded interlayer spacing are assembled as the cathode material for RMBs. The intercalation of PANI in the interlayer region of V2 O5 significantly improves the reversible capacities, Mg2+ diffusion kinetics, and cycling performance of the PVO cathode. Furthermore, RMBs with PVO as the cathode and Mg metal as the anode deliver high specific capacities. The introduced polyaniline layer not only expands the interlayer spacing of V2 O5 , but also increases the electrical conductivity. Moreover, ex situ XRD characterization indicates that PVO does not undergo obvious phase transformation with the continuous insertion of Mg2+ , which may be ascribed to the π-conjugated chains of PANI that give flexibility to the structure to improve cycling stability. This study demonstrates that designing organic-inorganic superlattices is an efficient strategy for developing high-performance cathode materials for RMBs.

[Effect of bronchoalveolar lavage with fiberoptic bronchoscopy combined with vibration sputum drainage on mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia: a prospective randomized controlled trial in 286 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect of bronchoalveolar lavage with fiberoptic bronchoscopy combined with vibration sputum drainage in the treatment of severe pneumonia patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. 286 severe pneumonia patients undergoing MV admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Hunan People's Hospital from January 2014 to July 2016 were enrolled, and they were divided into control group and observation group according to random number table, with 143 patients in each group. Patients in both groups received sensitive antibiotics for anti-infection, etiological treatment, and calefacient and humidifying treatment. The patients in the control group received bronchoalveolar lavage with fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and those in the observation group received bronchoalveolar lavage combined with vibration sputum drainage. The parameters of respiratory function and inflammation before and after treatment, curative effect, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: (1) There were no significant differences in respiratory function parameters between the two groups before treatment, 2 hours after treatment, the parameters were improved in both groups. Moreover, oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) in observation group was significantly higher than that of control group [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 379.1±20.2 vs. 351.8±24.7], and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and airway resistance (Raw) were significantly lower than those of the control group [PaCO2 (mmHg): 36.5±5.8 vs. 45.3±6.9, Raw (cmH2O, 1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa): 12.9±0.6 vs. 13.1±0.8, all P < 0.01]. (2) There were no significant differences in inflammation parameters between the two groups before treatment, 24 hours after intervention, which were significantly decreased in both groups. Moreover, white blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group [WBC (×109/L): 8.2±1.7 vs. 12.8±3.7, PCT (µg/L): 15.4±2.4 vs. 21.8±3.1, CRP (mg/L): 37.1±6.1 vs. 67.2±7.2, all P < 0.01]. (3) Compared with the control group, the treatment efficiency of observation group was improved [95.1% (136/143) vs. 87.4% (125/143)], the quantity of sputum excretion was increased (mL: 49.2±12.5 vs. 36.9±11.0), duration of MV and length of ICU stay were significantly shortened (days: 6.4±3.6 vs. 9.4±2.1, 8.6±5.7 vs. 12.4±4.6, both P < 0.01), however, there was no significantly statistical difference in 28-day mortality between control group and observation group [2.8% (4/143) vs. 2.1% (3/143), P > 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with bronchoalveolar lavage with fiberoptic bronchoscopy alone, the treatment of bronchoalveolar lavage combined with vibration sputum drainage is more effective in sputum excretion for severe pneumonia patients undergoing MV, which could improve the respiratory function, reduce infection, shorten the duration of MV and the length of ICU stay, and improve the recovery.

Application of a glycaemic control optimization programme in patients with stress hyperglycaemia.

BACKGROUND: Stress-induced hyperglycaemia (SHG) can be observed in as high as 75% of critically ill patients, which can induce severe complications or adverse events. However, conventional intensive insulin therapy (CIIT) tends to induce hypoglycaemia and glucose variability. AIMS: This study investigated the clinical effects of a blood glycaemic control optimization programme (BGCOP) in patients with stress hyperglycaemia post hepatobiliary or pancreatic surgery. DESIGN: This study is a randomized, controlled, prospective clinical observation. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with postoperative SHG were randomly divided into a control and experimental groups. Participants in the control group underwent CIIT, while participants in the experimental group underwent blood glycaemic control optimization programme (BGCOP). A range of 7·8-10·0 mmol/L was designated as the target range for effective control of blood sugar. The validity index, adverse events and complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Compared to participants treated with CIIT, participants treated with BGCOP reached the target range of blood sugar levels more quickly (p = 0·000). The high glycaemic index (p = 0·000), incidence of hypoglycaemia (p = 0·011), and other adverse events as well as the incidence of abdominal infection (p = 0·026), incision infection (p = 0·044), and lung infection (p = 0·047) were significantly lower in participants who underwent the BGCOP than in patients treated with CIIT. CONCLUSION: BGCOP can more effectively control blood sugar levels compared with CIIT in patients with SHG after hepatobiliary or pancreatic surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study provides a direction for blood glycaemic control in patients with stress hyperglycaemia post hepatobiliary or pancreatic surgery.

Prevalence of stress hyperglycemia among hepatopancreatobiliary postoperative patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stress hyperglycemia and its association with mortality among hepatopancreatobiliary postoperative patients admitted. METHODS: Retrospectively analysis was made on 706 cases of the hepatopancreatobiliary postoperative patients from three Grade A hospitals in Hunan province from November 2011 to June 2012, including the incidence and risk factors of patients with stress hyperglycemia. RESULTS: The incidence of stress hyperglycemia of pancreatic postoperative patients was 34.28%. The incidence of pancreatic surgery, simple cholecystectomy and biliary tract and liver surgery in patients with stress hyperglycemia was 63.08%, 20.83% and 32.21%, respectively. Stress hyperglycemia was associated with the first postoperative glucose values, duration of surgery, whether the anemia and the presence or absence of hypoproteinemia (P<0.05), but was no related with sex, weight and previous history (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Stress hyperglycemia is common among emergency admissions and these patients have significantly higher mortality rate compared to other patients (P=0.001). Postoperative first blood glucose levels, duration of surgery, whether the anemia and the presence or absence of hypoproteinemia were stress hyperglycemia risk factors for patients.