Improved Interface Construction on Anode and Cathode for Na-Ion Batteries Using Ultralow-Concentration Electrolyte Containing Dual-Additives.

Compared with Li+, Na+ with a smaller stokes radius has faster de-solvation kinetics. An electrolyte with ultralow sodium salt (0.3 M NaPF6) is used to reduce the cell cost. However, the organic-dominated interface, mainly derived from decomposed solvents (SSIP solvation structure), is defective for the long cycling performance of sodium ion batteries. In this work, the simple application of dual additives, including sodium difluoro(oxalato)borate (NaDFOB) and tris(trimethylsilyl)borate (TMSB), is demonstrated to improve the cycling performance of the hard carbon/NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 cell by constructing interface films on the anode and cathode. A significant improvement on cycling stability has been achieved by incorporating dual additives of NaDFOB and TMSB. Particularly, the capacity retention increased from 17 % (baseline) to 79 % (w/w, 2.0 wt % NaDFOB) and 83 % (w/w, 2.0 wt % NaDFOB and 1.0 wt % TMSB) after 200 cycles at room temperature. Insight into the mechanism of improved interfacial properties between electrodes and electrolyte in ultralow concentration electrolyte has been investigated through a combination of theoretical computation and experimental techniques.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis presenting with schizophrenia-like disorder: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare autosomal recessive lipid-storage disorder caused by mutations in CYP27A1. Psychiatric manifestations in CTX are rare and nonspecific, and they often lead to considerable diagnostic and treatment delay. CASE SUMMARY: A 33-year-old female patient admitted to the psychiatric ward for presentation of delusions, hallucinations, and behavioral disturbance is reported. The patient presented with cholestasis, cataract, Achilles tendon xanthoma, and cerebellar signs in adulthood and with intellectual disability and learning difficulties in childhood. After the characteristic CTX findings on imaging were obtained, a pathological examination of the Achilles tendon xanthoma was refined. Re-placement therapy was then initiated after the diagnosis was clarified by genetic analysis. During hospitalization in the psychiatric ward, the nonspecific psychiatric manifestations of the patient posed difficulty in diagnosis. After the patient's history of CTX was identified, the patient was diagnosed with organic schizophrenia-like disorder, and psychotic symptoms were controlled by replacement therapy combined with antipsychotic medication. CONCLUSION: Psychiatrists should be aware of CTX, its psychiatric manifestations, and clinical features and avoid misdiagnosis of CTX for timely intervention.

Effects of 3021 meal replacement powder protect NAFLD via suppressing the ERS, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

Objective: To explore the specific protective mechanism of 3021 meal replacement powder (MRP) against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials and Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were divided into four groups: control group, 3021 MRP group, model group and test group. The lipid accumulation and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins in hepatocytes of mice were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, oil red O staining and Western blotting. Results: The expressions of GRP78, GRP94, p-PERK and p-IRE1α were significantly inhibited in test group compared with those in model group. The protein expressions of p-NF-κB, p-JNK, IL-1ß, IL-18 and NOX4 in test group were also significantly lower than those in model group. In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that the body weight and lipid droplet content, and the expressions of ERS-related proteins (including BIP and XBP-1) in liver tissues all significantly declined in model group compared with those in 3021 MRP group. Conclusion: In conclusion, 3021 MRP can greatly reduce lipid accumulation by inhibiting ERS, oxidative stress and inflammatory response in NAFLD.

Hesperidin suppresses ERS-induced inflammation in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to establish a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model using HFD-fed SD rats and FFA-stimulated human THP-1 cells to examine whether hesperidin (HSP) plays a role in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced inflammation in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. METHODS: Oil red O staining was used to determine the effect of HSP on hepatic steatosis in rat liver tissues. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were subjected to functional enrichment analysis by bioinformatics. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of GRP94, ATF6, ATF4, p-PERK, p-IRE1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in liver tissues and THP-1 cell lines, and the expression of GRP94 and p-PERK in vitro was detected through immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: HSP significantly decreased the weight gain, hepatic steatosis but not serum lipid profile and suppressed the serum levels of inflammatory factors in HFD-fed rats. It was revealed by bioinformatics analysis that the inflammatory response and IRE1α activation were enriched signaling pathways in NAFLD. The expression of ERS-related biomarkers, GRP94, ATF6, ATF4, p-PERK and p- IRE1α, was significantly suppressed by HSP in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the inflammatory markers, including IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, were also decreased by HSP in vivo and in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining exposed that the expression of GRP94 and p-PERK was decreased by HSP in vitro. CONCLUSION: HSP may suppress ERS-induced inflammation in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Predicting Regional Variations in Nationalism With Online Expression of Disgust in China.

Disgust is one of the basic emotions and is part of the behavioral immune system, which evolutionarily protects humans from toxic substances as well as from contamination threats by outgroup members. Previous works reveal that disgust not only activates humans' defense against potential individual and collective threats, but also leads to severe moral judgments, negative intergroup attitudes, and even conservative political orientations. As is already known, nationalism is an ideology that features both negative feelings toward outgroups and beliefs about native superiority or privileges. Evidence from previous studies suggests that disgust is related to nationalism's several components but lacks direct research on nationalism and disgust. The current study examines the relationship between disgust and nationalism in China at both individual and regional levels. In study 1, participants temporally induced disgust (vs. control) increasing the adoption of nationalism. In Study 2, we analyzed covariation in disgust expression in the Chinese micro-blog Weibo and the nationalism index as part of an online large-scale political survey http://zuobiao.me/ at the province level across Mainland China. The results show that online expression of disgust positively predicts nationalistic orientation at the regional level. Finally, we discuss how the findings shed light on research concerning online emotion expression and potential future directions.

Public Perception of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Care: Content Analysis of Social Media.

BACKGROUND: High-quality medical resources are in high demand worldwide, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical care may help alleviate the crisis related to this shortage. The development of the medical AI industry depends to a certain extent on whether industry experts have a comprehensive understanding of the public's views on medical AI. Currently, the opinions of the general public on this matter remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to explore the public perception of AI in medical care through a content analysis of social media data, including specific topics that the public is concerned about; public attitudes toward AI in medical care and the reasons for them; and public opinion on whether AI can replace human doctors. METHODS: Through an application programming interface, we collected a data set from the Sina Weibo platform comprising more than 16 million users throughout China by crawling all public posts from January to December 2017. Based on this data set, we identified 2315 posts related to AI in medical care and classified them through content analysis. RESULTS: Among the 2315 identified posts, we found three types of AI topics discussed on the platform: (1) technology and application (n=987, 42.63%), (2) industry development (n=706, 30.50%), and (3) impact on society (n=622, 26.87%). Out of 956 posts where public attitudes were expressed, 59.4% (n=568), 34.4% (n=329), and 6.2% (n=59) of the posts expressed positive, neutral, and negative attitudes, respectively. The immaturity of AI technology (27/59, 46%) and a distrust of related companies (n=15, 25%) were the two main reasons for the negative attitudes. Across 200 posts that mentioned public attitudes toward replacing human doctors with AI, 47.5% (n=95) and 32.5% (n=65) of the posts expressed that AI would completely or partially replace human doctors, respectively. In comparison, 20.0% (n=40) of the posts expressed that AI would not replace human doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that people are most concerned about AI technology and applications. Generally, the majority of people held positive attitudes and believed that AI doctors would completely or partially replace human ones. Compared with previous studies on medical doctors, the general public has a more positive attitude toward medical AI. Lack of trust in AI and the absence of the humanistic care factor are essential reasons why some people still have a negative attitude toward medical AI. We suggest that practitioners may need to pay more attention to promoting the credibility of technology companies and meeting patients' emotional needs instead of focusing merely on technical issues.

A 12-hour comprehensive nutrition care benefits blood glucose level and weight gain and improves outcomes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse outcomes and neonatal complications. Its prevalence has been rapidly increasing over the last decade; it is estimated that one in six pregnant women are diagnosed with GDM. Thus, an effective management approach is necessary for women with GDM. This study investigated the effect of a 12-h comprehensive nutrition care (12h-HNC) on the metabolism and outcomes of pregnant women with GDM and neonatal birth weight and hypoglycemia. METHODS: The study included 312 pregnant women with GDM at 24-28 weeks of gestation who were treated in our department from January 2014 to December 2016. They were randomly assigned to receive a 12h-HNC (12h-HNC group, n=158) or traditional one-time nutrition guidance (control group, n=154). Maternal blood glucose levels and weight gain, as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Compared to those in the control group, patients in the 12h-HNC group had significantly lower 2-h postprandial glucose levels (P<0.05), lower average weight increase (P<0.05), and better outcomes (P<0.05). Neonatal birth weight and incidence of macrosomia were significantly lower in the 12h-HNC group. The incidence of cesarean section was similar in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 12h-HNC enabled better blood glucose and weight increase control, improving both maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with GDM. This comprehensive nutrition intervention may achieve favorable effects in clinical practice.