In Situ Electrochemical Activation Derived Lix MoOy Nanorods as the Multifunctional Interlayer for Fast Kinetics Li-S batteries.

Li-S batteries (LSBs) have attracted worldwide attention owing to their characteristics of high theoretical energy density and low cost. However, the commercial promotion of LSBs is hindered by the irreversible capacity decay and short cycling life caused by the shuttle effect of lithium-polysulfides (LiPSs). Herein, a hybrid interlayer consisting of MoO3 , conductive Ni foam, and Super P is prepared to prevent the shuttle effect and catalyze the LiPSs conversion. MoO3 with a reversible lithiation/delithiation behavior between Li0.042 MoO3 and Li2 MoO4 within 1.7-2.8 V versus Li/Li+ combines the Li+ insertion and LiPSs immobilization and efficiently improve the LSBs redox kinetics. Benefiting from the reversible Li+ insertion/extraction in lithium molybdate (Lix MoOy ) and the highly conductive Ni foam substrate, the sulfur cathode coupled with such electrochemical activation derived catalytic interlayer exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 1100.1 mAh g-1 at a current density of 1 C with a low decay rate of 0.09% cycle-1 . Good capacity retention can still be obtained even the areal sulfur loading is increased to 13.28 mg cm-2 .

[Special penetration needling for refractory peripheral facial paralysis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect difference between special penetration needling and conventional penetration needling for the refractory peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with intractable facial paralysis were randomized into an observation group (49 cases and 2 dropping) and a control group (48 cases and 4 dropping). In the observation group, special penetration needling at an angle about 45° between the penetration needle and paralysis muscle bundle was used, Yangbai (GB 14) through Touwei (ST 8), Yangbai (GB 14) through Shangxing (GV 23), Sizhukong (TE 23) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Qianzhen (Extra) through Yingxiang (LI 20), mutual penetration between Yingxiang (LI 20) and Jiache (ST 6). Conventional penetration needling was applied in the control group, Yangbai (GB 14) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Cuanzhu (BL 2) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4), mutual penetration between Dicang (ST 4) and Jiache (ST 6), Qianzheng (Extra) through Dicang (ST 4), Sibai (ST 2) through Yingxiang (LI 20). Three groups of electroacupuncture (discontinuous wave, 1 Hz) with tolerance were connected respectively in the two groups, Yangbai (GB 14) and Sizhukong (TE 23), Yangbai (GB 14) and Qianzheng (Extra), Yingxiang (LI 20) and Jiache (ST 6) in the observation group, Yangbai (GB 14) and Cuanzhu (BL 2), Dicang (ST 4) and Jiache (ST 6), Qianzheng (Extra) and Sibai (ST 2) in the control group. TDP was applied in the two groups at the affected Yifeng (TE 17), Jiache (ST 6) and Qianzheng (Extra), which were around the ear. Perpendicular insertion was used at Yifeng (TE 17) at the affected side and Hegu (LI 4) at the healthy side and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36). The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given for 3 courses, once a day and 10 days as a course, 5 days at the interval. House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve grading score was recorded before and after treatment. The clinical effects were compared. RESULTS: The H-B scores after treatment in the two groups were higher than those before treatment (both P<0.05), with better result in the observation group (P<0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate of the observation group was 74.5% (35/47), which was better than 47.7% (21/44) of the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Special penetration needling at an angle about 45° between the penetration needle and paralysis muscle bundle is better than conventional penetration needling for refractory facial paralysis.

[Clinical observation on pricking blood along meridians combined with electroacupuncture for treatment of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects on pricking blood along meridians combined with electroacupuncture for treatment of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: One hundred cases were randomly divided into an observation group (50 cases) and a control group (50 cases). The observation group was treated with pricking blood along meridians combined with electroacupuncture. The main points for pricking blood were collaterals with blood stasis around Weizhong (BL 40) on the affected side, and collaterals with blood stasis on corresponding meridians such as Foot Shaoyang Meridian, Foot Taiyang Meridian and Foot Yangming Meridian according to body parts syndrome differentiation could also be used. The points for electroacupuncture included Ashi point (1 cun away from the spinal space of segmental lesions), Dachangshu (BL 25), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Zhibian (BL 54), Huantiao (GB 30) and so on. The control group was only treated with electroacupuncture and treatment was same as the observation group. The therapeutic effects and scores of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of two groups were compared. RESULTS: The cured rate of observation group (68.0%, 34/50) was higher than that of control group (46.0%, 23/50, P < 0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate of observation group (92.0%, 46/50) was also higher than that of control group (74.0%, 37/50, P < 0.05). The scores of VAS after treatment in both groups decreased obviously (both P < 0.01), and the decreasing degree of VAS in observation group was more obvious than that in control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pricking blood along meridians combined with electroacupuncture has outstanding effect for treatment of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.

[Point-through-point acupuncture for treatment of peripheral facial paralysis].

OBJECTIVE: To search for a more effective penetration needling method for peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: The patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to visiting sequence. The treatment group of 50 cases were treated with Yangbai (GB 14)-through-Touwei (ST 8), Yangbai (a little above the original point)-through-Shangxing (GV 23), Sizhukong (TE 23)-through-Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Qianzheng-through-Yingxiang (LI 20), Dicang (ST 4)-through-Jiache (ST 6) and Jiache-through-Yingxiang, at an angle about 45 degrees between the penetration needling direction and local paralysis muscle bundle, and the control group (n=45) with Yangbai-through-Yuyao, Zanzhu (BL 2)-through-Yuyao, Dicang-through-Jiache, Jiache-through-Dicang, Qianzheng-through-Dicang, Sibai (ST 2)-through-Yingxiang. RESULTS: The cured rate and the cured and markedly effective rate were 76.0% and 92.0% in the treatment group, and 55.6% and 75.6% in the control group respectively, with significant differences between the two groups in the cured rate, the cured and markedly effective rate and the therapeutic times for cure. CONCLUSION: The penetration needling method at an angle about 45 degrees between the penetration needling and paralysis muscle bundle is more beneficial to recovery of facial paralysis.