Advancing Lithium Battery Performance through Porous Conductive Polyaniline-Modified Graphene Composites Additive.

This study aimed to enhance lithium battery performance through the utilization of porous conductive polyaniline-modified graphene composites (PMGCs). Given the growing importance of green energy, coupled with the development of lithium-ion battery systems and electric vehicles, achieving high-speed charge and discharge performance is imperative. Traditional approaches involve incorporating additives like carbon nanotubes and graphene into electrodes to improve conductivity, but they encounter challenges related to cost and aggregation issues. In this study, polyaniline (PANI), a cost-effective, stable, and conductive polymer, was explored. PMGCs was formed by employing ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant during PANI polymerization, simultaneously serving as a surface modifier for graphene. This study systematically investigated the impacts of varying amounts of PMGCs on lithium-ion battery electrodes by assessing the reductions in internal resistance, aging effects, different charge and discharge rates, and cycle performance. The PMGC exhibited a porous structure formed by nanoscale PANI intertwining on graphene. Various measurements, including FT-IR, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, and battery performance assessments, confirmed the successful synthesis and positive effects of PMGCs. The results indicated that a 0.5% addition of PMGC led to a reduced internal resistance and enhanced fast-charge and discharge capacity. However, an excessive amount of PMGCs adversely affected aging and self-discharge. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing the PMGC content for improved lithium battery performance, presenting potential advancements in energy storage systems and electric vehicles.

Incidence, Risk Factors and Management of Postoperative Complications in Horizontal Strabismus Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence, risk factors and management of postoperative complications after horizontal strabismus surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: The study assessed 1,273 patients with 1,035 cases of exotropia and 238 cases of esotropia, with a minimum 18-month follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective review of strabismus operation patients' medical records included baseline demographics, age at surgery, pre/postoperative visual acuity, and deviation. Complications were categorized as surgical site (infection, scarring, cyst, granuloma, ischemia) and strabismus-related (recurrence, diplopia), with analysis of incidence, risk factors, and management. RESULTS: Among surgical site complications, the incidence of infection, pyogenic granuloma, and anterior segment ischemia were similar between the exotropia (0.3%, 0.3%, 0.2%) and esotropia (0.8%, 0%, 0.4%) groups (p = .221, 0.406, 0.515). In contrast, the esotropia group presented a higher risk of conjunctival inclusion cyst and conjunctival scar than the exotropia group, with incidences of 5.0% vs 2.2% and 6.3% vs 1.3%, respectively (p = .004, <0.001). Regarding strabismus complications, the incidence of early recurrence was not significant between the two groups, with 10.0% in the exotropia group and 10.5% in the esotropia group (p = .553). Older age and poor initial visual acuity were associated with early recurrence (p < .001). The esotropia group had a higher risk of persistent diplopia than the exotropia group, with incidences of 4.2% vs 2.0%, respectively (p = .003). CONCLUSION: Esotropia carries a higher risk of conjunctival inclusion cysts, conjunctival scarring, and persistent diplopia compared to the exotropia group, while both groups exhibit similar rates of early recurrence and other surgical site complications.

In vivo and in vitro evidence for growth hormone-like bioactivity of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae extract.

Certain herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine may produce a growth-enhancing effect by promoting the secretion of growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland or mimicking the function of GH. In this study, we aimed to identify herbs that could serve as GH alternatives. A reporter gene assay for GH was developed, and 100 different herbal extracts were assayed. We found that Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (RA) water extracts exhibited transactivation activities that stimulate the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5). The growth-promoting effect of RA in NB2-11 cells was inhibited by co-treatment with GH receptor (GHR)-Fc fusion protein. Unlike GH, RA extracts did not enhance the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells. The activation of the Janus kinase 2-STAT5 signaling pathway was confirmed in both NB2-11 cells and WI-38 human normal lung fibroblasts; the activation was inhibited by co-treatment with GHR-Fc fusion protein. Docking analysis of the active ingredients of RA, including mangiferin, neomangiferin, isomangiferin, anemarsaponin E, 7-O-methylmangiferin, officinalisinin I, timosaponin BII, timosaponin AI, and timosaponin AIII, using SWISSDOCK indicated a direct interaction of these compounds with GHR. The growth-promoting effects and activation of STAT5 were also confirmed. Moreover, we found that RA extract significantly increased the height of the tibial growth plate and stimulated the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 in the serum, liver, and muscle tissues. Our findings provide evidence that herbal extracts, particularly, RA extracts, can promote growth by mimicking GH bioactivity.