Global burden of adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been steadily increasing over the past decades and is expected to persist in the future.

Background: At present, there is a dearth of comprehensive data at the global, national, and regional levels regarding the adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence. This cross-sectional study aims at ascertaining the prevalence of NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), utilizing body mass index (BMI) as a determining factor. Methods: Based on the NHANES database, sigmoidal fitting curves were generated to establish the relationship between BMI and the risk of NAFLD/NASH. Utilizing BMI data from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) database at both global and regional levels, the prevalence of NAFLD/NASH among adults was estimated from 1975 to 2016, encompassing global, regional, and national perspectives. Additionally, projections were made to forecast the prevalence of adult NAFLD/NASH from 2017 to 2030. Results: In 2016, the global prevalence of NAFLD was 41.12% for males and 37.32% for females, while the global prevalence of NASH was 15.79% for males and 16.48% for females. The prevalence of NAFLD/NASH increased with higher BMI in both genders. Over the period from 1975 to 2016, there has been a gradual increase in the global prevalence of NAFLD/NASH in adults, and this trend is expected to continue between 2017 and 2030. In males, the prevalence of adult NAFLD/NASH was found to be highest in High-income Western countries, while it was highest in Central Asia, Middle East, and North African countries after 1995. Conclusions: The prevalence of adult NAFLD/NASH has been observed to increase annually, with significant variations in burden across different countries and regions.

Global burden of common cancers attributable to metabolic risks from 1990 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is usually accompanied by metabolic syndrome, which is associated with increased risk of cancer. To inform a tailored cancer screen in patients at higher risks, we estimated the global burden of cancer attributable to metabolic risks. METHODS: Data of common metabolism-related neoplasms (MRNs) were derived from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database. Age-standardized, disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates and death rates of patients with MRNs were extracted from the GBD 2019 database and stratified by metabolic risk, sex, age, and level of socio-demographic index (SDI). The annual percentage changes of age-standardized DALYs and death rates were calculated. FINDINGS: Metabolic risks, consisting of high body mass index and fasting plasma glucose, contributed substantially to the burden of neoplasms, including colorectal cancer (CRC), tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBLC), etc. Globally, in 2019, there was an estimated age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) of 234 (95% confidence interval [CI] 124-376) per 100,000 person years for neoplasms attributable to metabolic risks. ASDRs of MRNs were higher for CRC, TBLC, men, patients aged ≥50 years, and patients with high or high-middle SDI. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study further underpin the correlation between NAFLD and intrahepatic and extrahepatic cancers and highlight the possibility of tailored cancer screening for the NAFLD population at higher risks. FUNDING: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China.

COVID-19 and Social Capital Loss: The Results of a Campus Outbreak.

This study examines the effects of a COVID-19 outbreak on levels of social capital on a college campus, drawing on survey data collected from students at two colleges-one that experienced an outbreak and one that did not. Social capital is examined as an individual level resource and as a campus level normative tool used to fight collective action problems. We test the hypothesis that the outbreak, as a "shock" to the campus, diminished social capital. We also test hypotheses on gender, race, and ethnicity and social capital, informed by prior research. Our findings suggest that the outbreak did reduce social capital at both the individual and campus levels, though individual social capital had a mitigating effect that increased campus social capital. We find also that gender was significantly linked to campus social capital, while race was predictive of individual level social capital.

Global burden of major gastrointestinal cancers and its association with socioeconomics, 1990-2019.

Background: To understand the impact of common cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and help to formulate evidence-based policy, we evaluate the relationship between the burden of GI tract cancers and socioeconomics. Methods: Data on GI tract cancer burden were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 including mortality and incidence rates. According to the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) level, country and territory, and sex, etc., the data were further stratified. The association between the burden of GI tract cancer and socioeconomics, indicated by SDI, was described. Uncertainty analysis was estimated using bootstrap draw. Results: In 2019, five major cancers of the gastrointestinal tract led to an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 61.9 (95% CI 56.1-67.6) per 100 000 person-years. From 1990 to 2019, five common tumors of the gastrointestinal tract related age-standardized death rates (ASDRs) decreased by -22.7% (-31.1 to -13.5). For the five common tumors, ASIRs and ASDRs were both higher in males than those in females. Globally, Mongolia, and several East Asia countries exhibited the highest ASIRs in 2019. The high SDI, and high-middle SDI locations recorded the highest incidence rate and death rate of colon and rectum cancer and pancreatic cancer. On the contrary, the low-middle SDI, and low SDI locations possessed the highest incidence rate and death rate of stomach cancer and esophageal cancer. Conclusion: There is a profound association between socioeconomics and burden of common cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. It would be helpful for the high SDI, and high-middle SDI locations to pay special attention to the screening of colon and rectum cancer and pancreatic cancer while the low-middle SDI, and low SDI locations should pay more attention to the screening of stomach cancer and esophageal cancer.

A Multifunctional Gradient Solid Electrolyte Remarkably Improving Interface Compatibility and Ion Transport in Solid-State Lithium Battery.

Solid electrolytes with both interface compatibility and efficient ion transport have been an urgent technical requirement for the practical application of solid-state lithium batteries. Herein, a multifuctional poly(1,3-dioxolane) (PDOL) electrolyte combining the gradient structure from the solid state to the gel state with the Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) interfacial modification layer was designed, in which the "solid-to-gel" gradient structure greatly improved the electrode/electrolyte interface compatibility and ion transport, while the solid PDOL and LLZTO layers effectively improved the interface stability of the electrolyte/lithium anode and the inhibition of the lithium dendrites via their high mechanical strength and forming a stable interfacial SEI composite film. This gradient PDOL/LLZTO composite electrolyte possesses a high ionic conductivity of 2.9 × 10-4 S/cm with a wide electrochemical window up to 4.9 V vs Li/Li+. Compared with the pristine PDOL electrolyte and PDOL solid electrolyte membrane coated with a layer of LLZTO, the gradient PDOL/LLZTO composite electrolyte shows better electrode/electrolyte interfacial compatibility, lower interface impedance, and smaller polarization, resulting in enhanced rate and cycle performances. The NCM622/PDOL-LLZTO/Li battery can be stably cycled 200 times at 0.3C and 25 °C. This multifunctional gradient structure design will promote the development of high-performance solid electrolytes and is expected to be widely used in solid-state lithium batteries.

Socioeconomics and attributable etiology of primary liver cancer, 1990-2019.

BACKGROUND: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths. Data on global and country-specific levels and trends of PLC are essential for understanding the effects of this disease and helping policymakers to allocate resources. AIM: To investigate the association between the burden of PLC and socioeconomic development status. METHODS: Cancer mortality and incidence rates were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019, and the data were stratified by country and territory, sex, and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) level. The association between the attributable etiology of PLC and socioeconomic development status, represented using the SDI, was described. The attributable etiology of PLC included hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol use, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The association between the attributable etiology of PLC and SDI was further stratified by sex and geographical location. A confidence analysis was also performed based on bootstrap draw. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rate of PLC was 6.5 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 5.9-7.2] per 100000 person-years, which decreased by -27.5% (-37.0 to -16.6) from 1990 to 2019. Several countries located in East Asia, South Asia, West Africa, and North Africa shouldered the heaviest burden of PLC in 2019. In terms of incidence rates, the first leading underlying cause of PLC identified was hepatitis B, followed by hepatitis C, alcohol use, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Regarding stratification using the SDI, the incidence rate of PLC was the highest for high and middle SDI locations. Further, the leading attributable etiologies of PLC were hepatitis B for the middle and high middle SDI locations while hepatitis C and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis for the high SDI locations. CONCLUSION: The pronounced association between socioeconomic development status and PLC burden indicates socioeconomic development status affects attributable etiologies for PLC. GBD 2019 data are valuable for policymakers implementing PLC cost-effective interventions.

Integrating high ionic conductive PDOL solid/gel composite electrolyte for enhancement of interface combination and lithium dentrite inhibition of solid-state lithium battery.

High interface impedance, slow ion transmission, and easy growth of lithium dendrites in solid-state lithium battery are main obstacles to its development and application. Good interface combination and compatibility between electrolyte and electrodes is an important way to solve these problems. In this work, we successfully combined a high ionic conductive polymerized 1,3-dioxolane (PDOL) solid-state electrolyte and a PDOL gel-state electrolyte to form a rigid-flexible composite structural electrolyte and realized the gelation modification of solid electrolyte/electrode interface. This "PDOL SE + PDOL Gel" composite structure not only improves the electrode/electrolyte interfacial contact, reduces the interfacial impedance, but also inhibits the growth of lithium dendrites in the interface between lithium anode and electrolyte by forming an uniform Li-Zr-O and LiF composite protection layer. This composite electrolyte has high ionic conductivity of 5.96 × 10-4 S/cm and wide electrochemical stability window of 5.0 V. The Li/PDOL SE + PDOL Gel/Li cells can be cycled stably for nearly 400 h at a current density of 1.0 mA/cm2. The assembled LiCoO2/PDOL SE + PDOL Gel/Li cells can be cycled for 250 cycles at 0.5 C with a capacity retention of 80%. This PDOL solid/gel composite electrolyte shows high promising commercial application prospect due to its high security performance, excellent interfacial properties and dendrite inhibition ability.

Open Reading Frame-3a gene of the 2019 novel coronavirus inhibits the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.

Intestinal microecology is composed of bacteria, fungi and viruses. As a part of intestinal microecology, viruses participate in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer. The 2019-nCoV was detected in stool samples from patients during COVID-19, suggesting that the 2019-nCoV may be associated with intestinal microecology. However, the relationship of the 2019-nCoV and CRC is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the role of Open Reading Frame-3a (ORF3a) of the 2019-nCoV in CRC. After the pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro vector that provides high expression of ORF3a was transfected into the SW480 CRC cell line, immunofluorescence was used to determine the localization of ORF3a in SW480 cells. The proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression of SW480 cells were measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, Transwell assay, flow cytometry, the TUNEL assay, and propidium iodide single staining. The results showed that ORF3a inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SW480 cells and induced their apoptosis after 24, 48, 72 h. Meanwhile, ORF3a inhibited the cell cycle and blocked SW480 CRC cells in the G1 phase. In in vivo experiments, high ORF3a expression was associated with decreased tumor volume, tumor weight, relative tumor volume, and tumor activity. ORF3a inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis and necrosis of tumor tissues. Based on this, we demonstrated that ORF3a might play a role in CRC, providing a new direction for the prevention and treatment of CRC.

[Identification, biological characteristics, and control of pathogen causing Pinellia ternata soft rot in Hubei province].

This study was designed to identify the pathogen causing soft rot of Pinellia ternata in Qianjiang of Hubei province and screen out the effective bactericides, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the control of soft rot of P. ternata. In this study, the pathogen was identified based on molecular biology and physiological biochemistry, followed by the detection of pathogenicity and pathogenicity spectrum via plant tissue inoculation in vitro and the indoor toxicity determination using the inhibition zone method to screen out bactericide with good antibacterial effects. The control effect of the bactericide against P. ternata soft rot was verified by the leave and tuber inoculation in vitro. The phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the 16 S rDNA, dnaX gene, and recA gene sequences, respectively, and the result showed that the pathogen belonged to the same branch as the type strain Dickeya fangzhongdai JS5. The physiological and biochemical tests showed that the pathogen was identical to D. fangzhongdai, which proved that the pathogen was D. fangzhongdai. The pathogenicity test indicated that the pathogen could obviously infect leaves at 24 h and tubers in 3 d. As revealed by the indoor toxicity test, 0.3% tetramycin, 5% allicin, and 80% ethylicin had good antibacterial activities, with EC_(50) values all less than 50 mg·L~(-1). Tests in tissues in vitro showed that 5% allicin exhibited the best control effect, followed by 0.3% tetramycin and 10% zhongshengmycin oligosaccharide, and their preventive effects were better than curative effects. Therefore, 5% allicin can be used as the preferred agent for the control of P. ternata soft rot, and 0.3% tetramycin and 10% zhongshengmycin oligosaccharide as the alternatives. This study has provided a certain theoretical basis for the control of P. ternata soft rot.

Downregulation of Rap1GAP Expression Activates the TGF-ß/Smad3 Pathway to Inhibit the Expression of Sodium/Iodine Transporter in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Rap1GAP is considered a tumor suppressor gene, but its regulatory mechanism in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has not been clearly elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore whether the regulation between Rap1GAP and sodium/iodine transporter (NIS) in tumorigenesis of PTC is mediated by TGF-ß1. METHODS: Western blotting (WB) and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to analyze the relationships between TGF-ß1 concentration and NIS expression. After transfecting BCPAP cells with siRNAs, the Rap1GAP interference model was successfully established. Then, the expression and nuclear localization of TGF-ß1 and pathway-related proteins were detected. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze cell apoptosis and cycle. WB was performed to detect apoptotic-related proteins. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to measure cell migration and invasion. EDU was performed to detect cell proliferative activity. RESULTS: The results suggested that TGF-ß1 could significantly inhibit the expression of NIS in both mRNA and protein levels. In BCPAP cells transfected with siRNA-Rap1GAP, the expression levels of TGF-ß1, Foxp3, and p-Smad3 were significantly increased. By applying immunofluorescence assay, the nuclear localizations of TßR-1 and p-Smad3 were found to be activated. Moreover, anti-TGF-ß1 can reverse the decrease in NIS expression caused by downregulation of Rap1GAP. Additionally, the knockdown of Rap1GAP could alter the cell apoptosis, cycle, migration, invasion, and proliferation of BCPAP. CONCLUSION: The downregulation of Rap1GAP expression can activate the TGF-ß/Smad3 pathway to inhibit NIS expression and alter the tumor cell functions of PTC.

Mechanisms of induction of tumors by cholesterol and potential therapeutic prospects.

Increasing evidence suggested that cholesterol is an important integrant of cell membranes, that plays a key role in tumor progression, immune dysregulation, and pathological changes in epigenetic mechanisms. Based on these theories, there is a growing interest on targeting cholesterol in the treatment of cancer. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the major function of cholesterol on oncogenicity, the therapeutic targets of cholesterol and its metabolites in cancer, and provide detailed insight into the essential roles of cholesterol in mediating immune and epigenetic mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment. It is also worth mentioning that the gut microbiome is an indispensable component of cancer mediation because of its role in cholesterol metabolism. Finally, we summarized recent studies on the potential targets of cholesterol and their metabolism, to provide more therapeutic interventions in oncology.

Global burden of acute viral hepatitis and its association with socioeconomic development status, 1990-2019.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) represents an important global health problem; however, the progress in understanding AVH is limited because of the priority of combating persistent HBV and HCV infections. Therefore, an improved understanding of the burden of AVH is required to help design strategies for global intervention. METHODS: Data on 4 major AVH types, including acute hepatitis A, B, C, and E, excluding D, were collected by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database. Age-standardized incidence rates and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates for AVH were extracted from GBD 2019 and stratified by sex, level of socio-demographic index (SDI), country, and territory. The association between the burden of AVH and socioeconomic development status, as represented by the SDI, was described. RESULTS: In 2019, there was an age-standardized incidence rate of 3,615.9 (95% CI 3,360.5-3,888.3) and an age-standardized DALY rate of 58.0 (47.3-70.0) per 100,000 person-years for the 4 major types of AVH. Among the major AVH types, acute hepatitis A caused the heaviest burden. There was a significant downward trend in age-standardized DALY rates caused by major incidences of AVH between 1990 and 2019. In 2019, regions or countries located in West and East Africa exhibited the highest age-standardized incidence rates of the 4 major AVH types. These rates were stratified by SDI: high SDI and high-middle SDI locations recorded the lowest incidence and DALY rates of AVH, whereas the low-middle SDI and low SDI locations showed the highest burden of AVH. CONCLUSIONS: The socioeconomic development status and burden of AVH are associated. Therefore, the GBD 2019 data should be used by policymakers to guide cost-effective interventions for AVH. LAY SUMMARY: We identified a negative association between socioeconomic development status and the burden of acute viral hepatitis. The lowest burden of acute viral hepatitis was noted for rich countries, whereas the highest burden of acute viral hepatitis was noted for poor countries.

Enhanced ionic conductivity and lithium dendrite suppression of polymer solid electrolytes by alumina nanorods and interfacial graphite modification.

Poor room-temperature ionic conductivity and lithium dendrite formation are the main issues of solid electrolytes. In this work, rod-shaped alumina incorporation and graphite coating were simultaneously applied to poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC)-based polymer solid electrolytes (Wang et al., 2018). The obtained alumina modified solid electrolyte membrane (Al-SE) achieves a high ionic conductivity of 3.48 × 10-4 S/cm at room temperature with a wide electrochemical window of 4.6 V. The assembled NCM622/Al-SE/Li solid-state battery exhibits initial discharge capacities of 198.2 mAh/g and 177.5 mAh/g at the current density of 0.1 C and 0.5 C, with the remaining capacities of 165.8 mAh/g and 161.3 mAh/g after 100 cycles respectively. The rod-shaped structure of Al2O3 provides fast transport channels for lithium ions and its Lewis acidity promotes the dissociation of lithium salts and release of free lithium ions. The lithiophilic Al2O3 and Graphite form intimate contact with metallic Li and create fast Li+ conductive layers of Li-Al-O layer and LiC6 layer, thus facilitating the uniform deposition of Li and inhibiting Li dendrite formation during long-term cycling. This kind of composite Al-SE is expected to provide a promising alternative for practical application in solid electrolytes.

Unequal discourses: Problems of the current model of world health development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed institutional deficiencies in world health development. This viewpoint paper examines the allegations about the partiality and political bias of the World Health Organization's (WHO) response to world health emergencies. We draw on quantitative and qualitative analysis of the WHO's Director-General's speeches pertaining to the COVID-19 and EVD outbreaks. We find that the WHO's discourse on COVID-19 praised the Chinese government's role in the containment. By contrast, the WHO's discourse on the African countries fighting to contain Ebola centered on the unpreparedness of these countries. We argue that the WHO's unbalanced emphasis on different practices and "traits" of member states paints a partial picture of global health emergencies, thus it fails to uphold its founding principles of egalitarianism and impartiality. Finally, we put forward suggestions about a more equal and fairer model of world health development.

Rehabilitation training improves nerve injuries by affecting Notch1 and SYN.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rehabilitation training on Notch1 and synaptophysin (SYN) levels in brain tissues of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Eighty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into nine groups: three Sham groups, three Model groups, and three training groups. There were nine rats in each group. At different time points, the apoptosis cell rate was analyzed by the TUNEL assay, and the expression levels of Notch1 and SYN in brain tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and RT-qPCR assay. RESULTS: The apoptosis cell rate of training groups was significantly higher on day 28 (P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA levels of both Noth1 and SYN in training groups were significantly higher on day 28 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation training could improve nerve cell apoptosis by increasing the expression of both Notch1 and SYN.

[Effects of biocontrol strain BZJN1 and streptoprofen on physicochemical properties and bacteria structure of rhizosphere soil of Atractylodes macrocephala].

Soil microorganisms are one of the important biological indictors of soil quality and can reflct the comprehensive ecological environment characteristics of the soil. The research of soil microbial diversity is the key to know the ecological functions and balance with soil. In this paper, high-throughput sequencing on PCR-amplified 16 S rRNA gene V3-V4 fragments was used to determine the bacterial diversity in rhizosphere soil of A. macrocephala under the treatment with BZJN1 or streptoprofen. The results showed that there were no significant differences of the bacteria in A. macrocephala rhizosphere soil of the streptoprofen treatment group and the biocontrol BZJN1 treatment group. All the soil bacteria was classified into 25 categories,67 classes, 108 orders, 167 families and 271 generas, except some unidentified bacteria. Proteobacteria(30.7%-34.8%) was the dominant phylum, of which Alphaproteobacteria(16.8%-18.5%) was the dominant subgroup. Compared with the control group, the relative abundance of multiple phylums bacteria in the rhizosphere soil of A. macrocephala was significantly changed in the streptoprofen treatment group and the biocontrol BZJN1 treatment group. In addition, RDA analysis showed that there was connection with different environmental factors and microbial communities. The abundance of the three genera in the rhizosphere soil of A. macrocephala was significantly positively correlated with Invertase, Urease and AP. PICRUSt function prediction results showed that BZNJ1 could enhance some bacterial functions and promote the plant growth. Biocontrol is a new type of green and safety control pest method. BZNJ1 significantly enhances some bacterial functions on the basis of effectively preventing root rot of A. macrocephala and promoting plant growth, and has no significant effect on the soil bacterial community structure. All the results can provide theoretical support for popularization of BZNJ1.

Entecavir add-on Peg-interferon therapy plays a positive role in reversing hepatic fibrosis in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients: a prospective and randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of entecavir (ETV) add-on peg-interferon therapy compared with ETV monotherapy in treatment-naïve hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients remains controversial. We investigated whether adding peg-interferon to ongoing ETV treatment leads to a better curative effect or not. METHODS: All patients have been recruited between August 2013 and January 2015 from the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Zhongshan Hospital (China). Eligible HBV patients (n = 144) were randomly divided (1:1) to receive either ETV monotherapy (n = 70) or peg-interferon add-on therapy from week 26 to 52 (n = 74). Patients were followed-up for at least 2 years. Indexes including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate, sustained virologic response, transient elastography value, and histological scores were evaluated every 3 months until the end of the study. The rate of patients with HBsAg loss was defined as the primary endpoint criteria. RESULTS: At week 26, no patient achieved HBsAg seroconversion in either group. At week 52, one patient in the monotherapy group was HBsAg-negative but there was none in the combination therapy group. The monotherapy group showed significantly better liver function recovery results than the combination therapy group. At week 78, one patient in the combination group had HBsAg seroconverted. At week 104, only three patients in the combination therapy group were HBsAg-negative compared with one patient in monotherapy. The mean alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels and transient elastography values decreased significantly compared with baseline. Both groups showed a favorable decrease in alpha-fetoprotein (monotherapy: 4.5 [2.8, 7.1] vs. 2.2 [1.8, 3.1] ng/mL, P < 0.001; combination therapy: 5.7 [3.0, 18.8] vs. 3.2 [2.0, 4.3] ng/mL, P < 0.001) and an improved result of liver biopsy examination scores. The combination group showed a better improvement in histology compared with the monotherapy group (mean transient elastography value 6.6 [4.9, 9.8] vs. 7.8 [5.4, 11.1] kPa, P = 0.028). But there was no significant difference in HBsAg conversion rate (1.8% [1/56] vs. 4.1% [3/73], P = 0.809) and HBeAg conversion rate (12.5% [7/56] vs. 11.0% [8/73], P = 0.787), as well as HBV-DNA, sustained virologic response (93.2% vs. 98.5%, P = 0.150) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both therapies supported liver function recovery and histology improvement. Combination therapy did not show better anti-viral efficacy in HBsAg or HBeAg seroconversion compared with monotherapy. However, combination therapy played a more positive role in reversing hepatic fibrosis compared with monotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02849132; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02849132.

Both frequency and duration of rotating night shifts are associated with metabolic parameters: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Rotating night shift work contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome and relevant diseases. However, the contribution of different aspects of rotating night shift is rarely studied. AIM: This study investigated the association of frequency and duration of rotating night shift with metabolic parameters. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in nurses. Socio-demographic characteristics, duration and frequency of rotating night shifts, and metabolic parameters including body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP), triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), were collected. Sleep quality and perceived stress were assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) respectively. Ratio of rotating night shift years to age (RRSYA) was calculated to present cumulative effect. Metabolic parameters were log-transformed and z-transformed in sequence. Multiple linear regressions were applied to explore the effect of frequency and RRSYA on metabolic parameters. Mediation analysis was used to estimate potential mediating effect of sleep quality and perceived stress. RESULTS: Frequency of rotating night shift work was significantly associated with elevated FBG and BMI, and decreased LDL-C. RRSYA was significantly associated with higher BMI, TC, LDL-C, BP and FBG. Sleep quality exhibited significant mediating effect between rotating night shift features and FBG and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that frequency and RRSYA are associated with metabolic profile alterations, but the effects are different. Sleep quality appears to be an important mediator of the night shift's metabolic effect. Proper shift arrangement and sleep quality assurance may reduce the negative metabolic changes.

Improved Interface Stability and Room-Temperature Performance of Solid-State Lithium Batteries by Integrating Cathode/Electrolyte and Graphite Coating.

Poor interface stability is a crucial problem hindering the electrochemical performance of solid-state lithium batteries. In this work, a novel approach for interface stability was proposed to integrate the cathode/solid electrolyte by forming an electrolyte buffer layer on the rough surface of the cathode and coating a layer of graphite on the side of the electrolyte facing the lithium anode. This hybrid structure significantly improves the integration and the interface stability of the electrode/electrolyte. The interfacial resistance was dramatically reduced, the stability of the plating/stripping of Li metal was enhanced, and the growth of lithium dendrites was also inhibited due to the formation of the LiC6 transition layer. The obtained solid-state lithium battery shows enhanced rate performance at room temperature from 0.5 to 4 C and stable cycling performance at 1 C with a retention capacity of 100 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles. This integrated electrode/electrolyte design approach is expected to be widely used to improve interfacial stability and room-temperature electrochemical performance of solid-state batteries.

A novel all-fiber-based LiFePO4/Li4Ti5O12 battery with self-standing nanofiber membrane electrodes.

Electrodes with high conductivity and flexibility are crucial to the development of flexible lithium-ion batteries. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) LiFePO4 and Li4Ti5O12 fiber membrane materials were prepared through electrospinning and directly used as self-standing electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. The structure and morphology of the fibers, and the electrochemical performance of the electrodes and the full battery were characterized. The results show that the LiFePO4 and Li4Ti5O12 fiber membrane electrodes exhibit good rate and cycle performance. In particular, the all-fiber-based gel-state battery composed of LiFePO4 and Li4Ti5O12 fiber membrane electrodes can be charged/discharged for 800 cycles at 1C with a retention capacity of more than 100 mAh·g-1 and a coulombic efficiency close to 100%. The good electrochemical performance is attributed to the high electronic and ionic conductivity provided by the 3D network structure of the self-standing electrodes. This design and preparation method for all-fiber-based lithium-ion batteries provides a novel strategy for the development of high-performance flexible batteries.