A Layered Bi2 Te3 @PPy Cathode for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Mechanism and Application in Printed Flexible Batteries.

Low-cost, safe, and environmental-friendly rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising as next-generation energy storage devices for wearable electronics among other applications. However, sluggish ionic transport kinetics and the unstable electrode structure during ionic insertion/extraction hamper their deployment. Herein, a new cathode material based on a layered metal chalcogenide (LMC), bismuth telluride (Bi2 Te3 ), coated with polypyrrole (PPy) is proposed. Taking advantage of the PPy coating, the Bi2 Te3 @PPy composite presents strong ionic absorption affinity, high oxidation resistance, and high structural stability. The ZIBs based on Bi2 Te3 @PPy cathodes exhibit high capacities and ultra-long lifespans of over 5000 cycles. They also present outstanding stability even under bending. In addition, here the reaction mechanism is analyzed using in situ X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and computational tools and it is demonstrated that, in the aqueous system, Zn2+ is not inserted into the cathode as previously assumed. In contrast, proton charge storage dominates the process. Overall, this work not only shows the great potential of LMCs as ZIB cathode materials and the advantages of PPy coating, but also clarifies the charge/discharge mechanism in rechargeable ZIBs based on LMCs.

Clinical efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 combined with multi-modality chemotherapy and its effects on immune function of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) combined with multi-modality chemotherapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) complicated with diabetes and discuss the effects of such combination therapy on lymphocyte subsets and sputum levels of cytokines. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60). Clinical efficacy and adverse drug reactions were observed and compared between the two groups. Blood samples were collected for lymphocyte (NK cell and T cell subsets) levels by flow cytometry, and sputum samples were collected for cytokine (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and TNF-α) levels by ELISA. RESULTS: Two groups showed no statistically significant difference in sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate (P>0.05) after 6 months of treatment. However, after 12 months, the sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate in the Tα1 group increased compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively). After six months of treatment, the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the Tα1 group were lower than in the control group, whereas the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the Tα1 group were higher than in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Tα1 combined with multi-modality chemotherapy has a visible curative effect on PTB patients with diabetes as it can regulate immune function and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines. As a safe combination therapy, it seems promising for further use in clinical practice.

High-Efficient Vacuum Ultraviolet-Ozone Assist-Deposited Polydopamine for Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Coated Pure Zn toward Biodegradable Cardiovascular Stent Applications.

Zinc is a prospective metal for biodegradable cardiovascular stent applications, but the excessively released Zn2+ during degradation remains a huge challenge in biocompatibility. Considerable efforts have been made to develop a high-efficient surface modification method, while maintaining adhesion strength, mechanical support, and vascular compatibility. Biomimetic polydopamine (PDA) can adhere to Zn tightly, subsequently achieving robust chemical bonds with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coating. However, the deposition of PDA on Zn depends on the controlled conditions such as a sensitive pH and a long period of time. Herein, we introduce vacuum ultraviolet-ozone (VUV/O3) assist-deposition technology to accelerate the polymerization of PDA on pure Zn, which shortens the process to 40 min at a moderate pH of 8.5 and improves the deposition rate by 1-2 orders of magnitude under sufficient active oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, PLGA/PDA coating enhances the corrosion resistance, and their effective protection maintains the mechanical properties after long-term corrosion. Moreover, the controlled Zn2+ release contributes to the superior in vitro biocompatibility, which inhibits the hemolysis rate and smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. The enhanced endothelial cell (EC) proliferation is promising to promote the re-endothelialization, avoiding in-stent restenosis and neointimal hyperplasia. Such modified Zn might be a viable candidate for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Cohesively enhanced electrical conductivity and thermal stability of silver nanowire networks by nickel ion bridge joining.

A facile method for producing high-performance nickel enhanced silver nanowire (Ag NW) transparent electrodes on a flexible substrate is reported. The modified electroplating method called enhanced nickel ion bridge joining of Ag NWs, which provides a new route for improving the loose junctions in bare Ag NW networks. The sheet resistance of Ag NW electrode drops from over 2000 Ω sq-1 to 9.4 Ω sq-1 with excellent thermal uniformity after the electroplating process within 10 s. Nickel enhanced Ag NW transparent films are applied on flexible heaters with good thermal stability (165 °C for 2 h) and mechanical flexibility (3500 cycles under 2.5 mm bending radius) after mechanical bending process. Moreover, the mechanism of nickel growth is also confirmed that the nickel electroplating of the Ag NWs obeyed Faraday's Laws.