Improving Wettability at Positive Electrodes to Enhance the Cycling Stability of Bi-Based Liquid Metal Batteries.

Liquid metal batteries (LMBs) are promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage due to their exceptional kinetics, scalability, and long lifespan derived from the distinctive three-liquid-layer structure. However, the positive electrode (such as Bi) suffers from insufficient wettability on the current collector, resulting in excess electrical resistance and uneven current distribution, thus deteriorating the cycling stability. Here the incorporation of 4 mol% Se into Bi-based metal is proposed producing an interface layer with highly surface-active property that decreases the electrode's contact angle with the 304 stainless-steel (SUS304) from 144.7° to 74.3°, so as to improve the wettability. The as-prepared 20 Ah Li || Bi-Se4 (the content of Se is 4 mol% of Bi) cell cycled 1200 times with capacity fade rate of merely 0.00174% per cycle. This facile and effective approach provides a pathway toward the production of stable cells with an extended lifespan and boosts the practical implementation of LMBs.

Enhanced oxygen reduction activity ofα-MnO2by NH3plasma treatment.

Oxygen vacancies and heteroatom doping play important role in oxygen reduction activity of metal oxides. Developing efficient modification method is one of the key issues in catalysts research. Room temperature plasma treatment, with the advantages of mild working conditions, no emissions and high efficiency, is a new catalyst modification method developed in recent years. In this work, hydrothermal synthesizedα-MnO2nanorods are treated in NH3plasma at room temperature. In the reducing atmosphere, oxygen vacancies and N doping are achieved simultaneously on the surface. The NH3plasma etched MnO2demonstrate a significant enhanced oxygen reduction activity with half-wave potential of 0.84 V, limiting current density of 6.32 mA cm-2and transferred electrons number of 3.9. The Mg-air battery with N-MnO2display a maximum power density of 76.3 mW cm-2as well as stable discharge performance. This work provides new ideas for preparing efficient and cost-effective method to boost the catalysts activity.

Pure and Metal-confining Carbon Nanotubes through Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in Ca-based Molten Salts.

To be successfully implemented, an efficient conversion, affordable operation and high values of CO2 -derived products by electrochemical conversion of CO2 are yet to be addressed. Inspired by the natural CaO-CaCO3 cycle, we herein introduce CaO into electrolysis of SnO2 in affordable molten CaCl2 -NaCl to establish an in situ capture and conversion of CO2 . In situ capture of anodic CO2 from graphite anode by the added CaO generates CaCO3 . The consequent co-electrolysis of SnO2 and CaCO3 confines Sn in carbon nanotube (Sn@CNT) in cathode and increases current efficiency of O2 evolution in graphite anode to 71.9 %. The intermediated CaC2 is verified as the nuclei to direct a self-template generation of CNT, ensuring a CO2 -CNT current efficiency and energy efficiency of 85.1 % and 44.8 %, respectively. The Sn@CNT integrates confined responses of Sn cores to external electrochemical or thermal stimuli with robust CNT sheaths, resulting in excellent Li storage performance and intriguing application as nanothermometer. The versatility of the molten salt electrolysis of CO2 in Ca-based molten salts for template-free generation of advanced carbon materials is evidenced by the successful generation of pure CNT, Zn@CNT and Fe@CNT.

Preparation of Decoquinate Solid Dispersion by Hot-Melt Extrusion as an Oral Dosage Form Targeting Liver-Stage Plasmodium Infection.

Liver-stage Plasmodium in humans is an early stage of malarial infection. Decoquinate (DQ) has a potent multistage antimalarial activity. However, it is practically water insoluble. In this study, the hot-melt extrusion (HME) approach was employed to prepare solid dispersions of DQ to improve oral bioavailability. The DQ dispersions were homogeneous in an aqueous suspension that contained most DQ (>90%) in the aqueous phase. Soluplus, a solubilizer, was found compatible with DQ in forming nanoparticle formulations during the HME process. Another excipient HPMC AS-126 was also proven to be suitable for making DQ nanoparticles through HME. Particle size and antimalarial activity of HME DQ suspensions remained almost unchanged after storage at 4°C for over a year. HME DQ was highly effective at inhibiting Plasmodium infection in vitro at both the liver stage and blood stage. HME DQ at 3 mg/kg by oral administration effectively prevented Plasmodium infection in mice inoculated with Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. Orally administered HME DQ at 2,000 mg/kg to mice showed no obvious adverse effects. HME DQ at 20 mg/kg orally administered to rats displayed characteristic distributions of DQ in the blood with most DQ in the blood cells, revealing the permeability of HME DQ into the cells in relation to its antimalarial activity. The DQ dispersions may be further developed as an oral formulation targeting Plasmodium infection at the liver stage.

Combined association of triglyceride-glucose index and systolic blood pressure with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among the general population.

BACKGROUND: The combined association of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and different systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among the general population remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, 6245 individuals were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002). The study endpoints were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to explore the combined association of TyG index and different SBP levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 66.8 months, a total of 284 all-cause deaths (331/100000 person-years) and 61 cardiovascular deaths (66/100000 person-years) were recorded. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the combination of low TyG index and low SBP (< 120 mmHg and < 130 mmHg) was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality than others. However, survival benefit was not observed in the combined group with the low TyG index and SBP < 140 mmHg. Furthermore, the mortality rate in the combined group of low TyG index and low SBP gradually increased with the elevation of SBP level. CONCLUSION: The combination of low TyG index and low SBP (< 120 mmHg and < 130 mmHg) was associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However, no survival benefit was observed in the combined group of low TyG index and SBP < 140 mmHg.

Decoquinate liposomes: highly effective clearance of Plasmodium parasites causing severe malaria.

BACKGROUND: Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum leads to most malaria-related deaths globally. Decoquinate (DQ) displays strong activity against multistage infection by Plasmodium parasites. However, the development of DQ as an oral dosage form for the treatment of malaria at the blood stage has not been successful. In this study, liposome formulations of DQ were created for intravenous (IV) injection to suppress Plasmodium berghei, a parasite that causes severe malaria in mice. METHODS: DQ liposomes were prepared by conventional ethanol injection method with slight modifications and encapsulation efficiency evaluated by the well-established centrifugation method. Potency of the DQ liposomes against P. falciparum was assessed in vitro using freshly isolated human red blood cells. The efficacy of the DQ liposomes was examined in the mouse model of severe malaria. RESULTS: The DQ liposomes were around 150 nm in size and had the encapsulation efficiency rates > 95%. The freshly prepared and lyophilized liposomes were stable after storage at - 20 °C for 6 months. The liposomes were shown to have excellent activity against P. falciparum in vitro with DQ IC50 0.91 ± 0.05 nM for 3D7 (chloroquine sensitive strain) and DQ IC50 1.33 ± 0.14 nM for Dd2 (multidrug resistant strain), which were 18- and 14-fold more potent than artemisinin, respectively. Mice did not have any signs of toxicity after receiving high dose of the liposomes (DQ 500 mg/kg per mouse) by IV injection. In the mouse model of severe malaria, the liposomes had impressive efficacy against P. berghei with DQ ED50 of 0.720 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: The DQ liposomes prepared in this study were stable for long term storage and safe for IV injection in mammalian animals. The newly created liposome formulations had excellent activity against Plasmodium infection at the blood-stage, which encourages their application in the treatment of severe malaria.

Impact of revascularization in patients with post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm and ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular arrhythmia is a leading cause of cardiac death among patients with post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm (PI-LVA). The effect of coronary revascularization in PI-LVA patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmia remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the impact of revascularization therapy on clinical outcomes in these patients. METHODS: A total of 238 PI-LVA patients were enrolled, and 59 patients were presented with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Patients were classified into 4 groups by treatment strategies (medical or revascularization) and the presence of VT/VF: group 1 (n = 57): VT/VF- and revascularization-; group 2 (n = 122): VT/VF- and revascularization+; group 3 (n = 34): VT/VF+ and revascularization+; and group 4 (n = 25): VT/VF+ and revascularization-. The clinical outcomes were compared, and the primary endpoint was cardiac death or heart transplantation. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 45 ± 16 months, and 41 patients (17.2%) reached the primary endpoint. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that in VT/VF- patients, revascularization associated with higher cardiac survival compared with medical therapy (log-rank p = .002), but in VT/VF+ patients, revascularization did not predict better cardiac outcome (log-rank p = .901). Cox regression analysis revealed PET-EF (HR 4.41, 95% CI: 1.72-11.36, p = .002) and moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (HR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.02-5.30, p = .046) as independent predictors of adverse cardiac outcome in patients with VT/VF. CONCLUSION: PI-LVA patients with VT/VF are at high risk of adverse cardiac outcome, and coronary revascularization does not mitigate this risk, although revascularization was associated with higher cardiac survival in PI-LVA patients without VT/VF.

Tissue-Protective Effect of Erdosteine on Multiple-Organ Injuries Induced by Fine Particulate Matter.

BACKGROUND Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the air pollutant that most threatens global public health. The purpose of this study was to observe the inflammatory and oxidative stress injury of multiple organs induced by PM2.5 in rats and to explore the tissue-protective effect of erdosteine. MATERIAL AND METHODS We randomly divided 40 male Wistar rats into a blank control group, a saline group, a PM2.5 exposure group, and an erdosteine intervention group. We assessed changes in organs tissue homogenate and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). RESULTS (1) The expressions of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-alpha, 8-OHdG, 4-HNE, and PCC in serum and BALF of the PM2.5 exposure group increased, but decreased after treatment with erdosteine, suggesting that erdosteine treatment attenuates inflammatory and oxidative stress injury. (2) The expression of γ-GCS in serum and lungs in the PM2.5 exposure group increased, but did not change significantly after treatment with erdosteine. This suggests that PM2.5 upregulates the level of γ-GCS, while erdosteine does not affect this protective response. (3) The expression of T-AOC in serum, lungs, spleens, and kidneys of the PM2.5 exposure group decreased, but increased after treatment with erdosteine. Our results suggest that PM2.5 can cause imbalance of oxidation/anti-oxidation in multiple organs, and erdosteine can alleviate this imbalance. CONCLUSIONS PM2.5 exposure can lead to inflammatory and oxidative stress damage in serum and organ tissues of rats. Erdosteine may be an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can reduce this injury.

ECG patterns of successful permanent left bundle branch area pacing in bradycardia patients with typical bundle branch block.

AIM: To assess the electrocardiogram patterns of paced QRS narrowing after successful left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) and echocardiographic measurements in patients with bradycardia and bundle branch block (BBB). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 55 consecutive bradycardia patients with BBB and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40% who had attempted LBBAP. Successful LBBAP was defined as paced QRS morphology of a right BBB (RBBB) pattern in lead V1 and a recording of abruptly shortened and then constant stimulus to peak left ventricular activation time with high and low output. Pacing characteristics and echocardiographic measurements were evaluated perioperatively and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The success rate of LBBAP was 83.6% in patients with BBB, and median cumulative X-ray dose-area product was 100.5 µGym2 (60.0, 179.3). LBBAP was successful in 19 of 26 patients with left BBB (LBBB) (73.1%) and in 27 of 29 patients with RBBB (93.1%). The QRS duration (QRSd) was significantly shortened in patients with LBBB (QRSd 169.4 ± 22.6 to 119.6 ± 9.5 ms), and five forms of QRSd narrowing were observed in patients with RBBB with the mean QRSd shortened from 143.1 ± 16.6 ms to 119.5 ± 11.7 ms. The thresholds for narrowing of QRSd were higher in RBBB than LBBB (1.74 ± 0.36 V/0.4 ms vs 0.79 ± 0.17 V/0.4 ms, P < .001). During the 6-month follow-up, both left and right ventricular synchronies were improved, and narrow QRSd persisted in patients with BBB. CONCLUSION: In most bradycardia patients, RBBB could be completely or partially narrowed by LBBAP at different pacing models in addition to the correction of LBBB with LBBAP.

Luminescence imaging-guided triple-collaboratively enhanced photodynamic therapy by bioresponsive lanthanide-based nanomedicine.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) provides a novel sight for non-invasive tumor ablation, which, however, is still limited by low converting efficiency and short life-time of produced singlet oxygen. In this work, a bioresponsive lanthanide-based nanomedicine, FeOOH-coated and toluidine blue (TB)-loaded NaLuF4:Yb,Er,Tm@NaLuF4, is constructed for tumor microenvironment-activated photodynamic therapy with triple-collaborative enhancing strategy. In response to intratumoral reducibility and acidity, coated FeOOH decomposes, eliminating reduced glutathione (GSH) and up-regulating intratumoral oxidative stress to enhance PDT. Besides, Fe2+ is also released from this redox process, which can improve intratumoral dissolved O2 for PDT by catalytic decomposition of H2O2. Lastly, quenched upconversion luminescence of lanthanide-doped nanoparticles also recovers, which allows more efficient energy transfer to TB and hence improves PDT efficiency. By the above triple-collaborative strategy, highly efficient photodynamic tumor ablation is performed in vivo. This work proposes a rigorous method to elevate photodynamic therapeutic efficiency.

Prognostic significance of prior ischemic stroke in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with previous ischemic stroke. BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD) are leading causes of death that often coexist with each other. With the increased use of PCI in high-risk patients with CAD, the association between prior ischemic stroke and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events in patients with CAD undergoing PCI has been a topic of interest. METHODS: We enrolled 10,300 consecutive patients who had undergone PCI from January 2013 to December 2013 and classified them into the prior ischemic stroke group (n = 1,106) and no prior ischemic stroke group (n = 9,194). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) during follow-up. The secondary endpoints included each component of the primary endpoint and stent thrombosis (ST). RESULTS: Overall, 10.7% patients had a history of ischemic stroke. At a median 29-month follow-up, MACCEs following PCI occurred with 2-year incidences of 15.4% in the prior ischemic stroke group and 11.7% in the no prior ischemic stroke group. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that prior ischemic stroke was independently associated with a higher risk of MACCEs (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.294; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.100-1.522; P = 0.002), recurrent stroke (adjusted HR = 2.463; 95% CI: 1.729-3.507; P = 0.000), and ST (adjusted HR = 1.787; 95% CI: 1.075-2.971; P = 0.025). A high residual syntax score and low renal function were independent risk factors for MACCEs. CONCLUSIONS: Increased concern and active treatment strategies are needed in patients undergoing PCI who have a history of ischemic stroke.

Reliable Analysis of the Interaction between Specific Ligands and Immobilized Beta-2-Adrenoceptor by Adsorption Energy Distribution.

Although a comparatively robust method, immobilized protein-based techniques have displayed limited precision and inconsistent results due to a lack of strategy for the accurate selection of drug adsorption models on the protein surface. We generated the adsorption data of three drugs on immobilized beta-2-adrenoceptor (ß2-AR) by frontal affinity chromatography-mass spectrometry (FAC-MS) and site-specific competitive FAC-MS. Using adsorption energy distribution (AED) calculations, we achieved the best adsorption models for the binding of salbutamol, terbutaline, and pseudoephedrine to immobilized ß2-AR. The Langmuir model proved to be desirable for describing the adsorptions of salbutamol and terbutaline on immobilized ß2-AR, while the bi-Langmuir model was favorable to characterize the adsorption of pseudoephedrine on the receptor. Relying on the accurate determination of association constants, we presented an efficient approach for ß2-AR ligand screening based on the loss of breakthrough time of an indicator drug caused by the inclusion of competitive drugs in the mobile phase. We concluded that the current strategy enables the reliable and accurate analysis of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-drug interaction. The percentage change in the breakthrough time for drugs can provide useful information for estimating their binding affinity to the receptor. This approach builds a powerful platform for high-throughput ligand screening.

Prevalence and prognosis of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in patients with post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm: Analysis of 575 cases.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) in Post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm (PI-LVA) patients and analyze clinical outcomes in patients presenting with VT/VF. METHODS: 575 PI-LVA patients were enrolled and investigated by logistic regression analysis. Patients with VT/VF were followed up, the composite primary endpoint was cardiac death and appropriate ICD/external shocks. RESULTS: The incidence of sustained VT/VF was 11%. Logistical regression analysis showed male gender, enlarged LV end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and higher NYHA class were correlated with VT/VF development. During follow up of 46 ±â€¯15 months, 19 out of 62(31%) patients reached study end point. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that enlarged LVEDD and moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (MR) were independently predictive of clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender, enlarged LVEDD and higher NYHA class associated with risk of sustained VT/VF in PI-LVA patients. Among VT/VF positive patients, enlarged LVEDD and moderate/severe MR independently predicted poor clinical prognosis.

Association of angiotensin II receptor 1 and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 mediates the cardiac hypertrophy induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein.

To date the molecular mechanism of cardiac hypertrophy has not been completely elucidated. Since oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is considered a risk marker for early ventricular remodeling, we speculated that ox-LDL may be related to cardiac hypertrophy. We observed the significantly upregulation of plasma ox-LDL and hypertrophic responses, such as cardiomyocyte size and specific gene expressions in Apo E-/- mice fed with high fat diet, accompanied by the upregulation of AT1-R and lectin-like oxidized low-density protein receptor 1 (LOX-1). Ox-LDL treatment with neonatal rat cardiomyocyte for 24 h significantly induced similar hypertrophic responses and also upregulation of AT1-R and LOX-1. The analysis of co-immunoprecipitation and the bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay proved that LOX-1 and AT1-R could directly bind together in the presence of ox-LDL, suggesting a critical role of the association between LOX-1 and AT1-R in ox-LDL-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, we found that the AT1-R blocker Losartan and LOX-1 neutralizing antibody through inhibiting AT1-R or LOX-1 could both decline ox-LDL-induced hypertrophic responses whereas angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor Enalapril only partially inhibited the responses stimulated by ox-LDL. These findings suggested that ox-LDL could induce cardiac hypertrophy through the direct association of AT1-R and LOX-1.

Anodic Electrolysis Strategy Enabled Fe/FeCl2 Electrode for Scalable Fe/FeCl2-Graphite Molten Salt Battery.

The Fe/FeCl2-Graphite molten salt battery is a promising technology for large-scale energy storage, offering a long lifespan, a low operating temperature (<200 °C), and cost efficiency. However, its practical applications are hindered by the lack of a scalable preparation approach and insufficient redox stability in the Fe/FeCl2 electrode. Our study introduces an electrochemical anodic electrolysis (EAE) strategy, employing the anodic process (Fe → Fe2+) in an Al|AlCl3/NaCl/LiCl|Fe electrolysis system for the Fe/Fe2+ negative electrode in the Fe/FeCl2-Graphite battery. The EAE strategy forms an oxidized film, preventing incipient dissolution in the electrolyte and addressing redox stability issues with FeCl2 as the active substance. The Fe/Fe2+ negative electrode prepared by the EAE strategy exhibits a stabilized capacity of 0.72 mAh/cm2 after 7000 cycles at 5 mA/cm2, with a lower polarization level (∼29 mV) compared to FeCl2 as the active component. The flexibility of the EAE strategy is validated in both galvanostatic and potentiostatic processes, with a discharge capacity of 14 mAh after 1000 cycles, a capacity retention rate of 85%, and a Coulombic efficiency of 98% in the potentiostatic anodic electrolysis Fe/Fe2+ electrode. The scalability and reliability of the EAE strategy are further demonstrated in capacity-expanded Fe/FeCl2-Graphite batteries, reaching a discharge capacity of 155.1 mAh after 1000 cycles at 130 mA, with a capacity retention rate of 94%. For the first time, we showcased an EAE approach capable of producing Fe/Fe2+ electrodes at a rate of about 68.6 m2 per day. Additionally, we successfully assembled an Fe/FeCl2-Graphite battery at about a 0.42 ampere-hour level, paving the way for the scalable application of Fe/FeCl2-Graphite batteries.

Designing an Air-Stable Interphase on Lithium Metal Anode to Improve Cycling Performance.

The application of rechargeable lithium metal batteries is challenged by intractable issues of uncontrollable Li dendrite growth that result in poor cycle life and safety risks. In this work, an air-stable interphase is developed to protect the lithium metal anode (LMA) via a facile solution-based approach. The Ag-embedded fluoride-rich interphase not only creates abundant lithiophilic sites for homogenizing Li nucleation and growth but also resists severe air erosion to protect the LMA beneath and enable decent cycling stability. As a result, the Ag-F-rich interphase enables flat Li deposition on LMA, which is clearly observed in the operando Li plating experiments. Paired with a LiFePO4 cathode (11.8 mg cm-2), the Ag-F-rich interphase-modified LMA enables 300 stable cycles at 0.5 C, delivering a capacity retention ratio as high as 91.4%. Even after being exposed to air for 1 h, the modified LMA still runs smoothly for over 120 cycles with ignorable capacity decay, exhibiting great air stability. This work proves the concept of functionalizing the interphase on the LMA to enable good cycling performance even under severe air erosion.

Sex differences in the nonlinear association of triglyceride glucose index with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population.

BACKGROUND: The evidence on the association between the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and the risk of death in the general population remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population, with a focus on sex differences. METHODS: This prospective cohort study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002), comprising 7,851 US adults. The study employed multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression and two-segment Cox hazard regression models to evaluate the sex-specific differences in the relationship between the TyG index and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: After 11,623 person-years of follow-up, there were 539 deaths, with 10.56% due to all-cause mortality and 2.87% due to cardiovascular mortality. After adjusting for multiple variables, our study found a U-shaped association of the TyG index with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, with inflection points at 9.36 and 9.52. A significant sex difference was observed in the association between the TyG index and mortality. Below the inflection point, the relationship between the TyG index and mortality was consistent in males and females. However, above the inflection point, only males exhibited a positive association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard risk [HR], 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.12) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR, 2.28, 95% CI, 1.32-3.92). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a U-shaped association between the TyG index and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population. Furthermore, sex differences were observed in the association between the TyG index and mortality once it exceeded a certain threshold.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac implantable electronic device implantation in China: Insights from 2 years of changing pandemic conditions.

Background: A substantial reduction in the number of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation was reported in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the studies have yet explored changes in CIED implantation during the following pandemic. Objective: To explore changes in CIED implantation during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. Methods: From 2019 to 2021, 177,263 patients undergone CIED implantation from 1,227 hospitals in China were included in the analysis. Generalized linear models measured the differences in CIED implantation in different periods. The relationship between changes in CIED implantation and COVID-19 cases was assessed by simple linear regression models. Results: Compared with the pre-COVID-19 period, the monthly CIED implantation decreased by 17.67% (95% CI: 16.62-18.72%, p < 0.001) in 2020. In 2021, the monthly number of CIED implantation increased by 15.60% (95% CI: 14.34-16.85%, p < 0.001) compared with 2020. For every 10-fold increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the monthly number of pacemaker implantation decreased by 429 in 2021, while it decreased by 676 in 2020. The proportion of CIED implantation in secondary medical centers increased from 52.84% in 2019 to 56.77% in 2021 (p < 0.001). For every 10-fold increase in regional accumulated COVID-19 cases, the proportion of CIED implantation in secondary centers increased by 6.43% (95% CI: 0.47-12.39%, p = 0.036). Conclusion: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of CIED implantation is diminishing in China. Improving the ability of secondary medical centers to undertake more operations may be a critical way to relieve the strain on healthcare resources during the epidemic.

Explosion in the preparation of nanoparticles: monodisperse Ag inserted in 3D graphene sheets for the electrochemical detection of H2O2.

In this work, the smashing effect of explosives innovatively led to the preparation of nanoparticles. The energetic material 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (DNBA) was introduced as a ligand to coordinate with silver ions and connect graphene sheets via electrostatic attraction in the sol-gel process. Owing to the thermolysis of DNBA, the pore-formation of graphene sheets, thermal reduction of Ag+ and achievement of monodisperse Ag nanoparticles were realized simultaneously. The morphology and composition of the nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Then, the nanocomposite was used to construct a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor, which displayed excellent catalytic performance over a wide linear concentration range of 4 × 10-5 to 4 × 10-3 mM with a corresponding sensitivity of 72 µA mM-1 cm-2 and detection limit of 101.25 nM with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.