The Review of Hybridization of Transition Metal-Based Chalcogenides for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

Transition metal chalcogenides as potential anodes for lithium-ion batteries have been widely investigated. For practical application, the drawbacks of low conductivity and volume expansion should be further overcome. Besides the two conventional methods of nanostructure design and the doping of carbon-based materials, the component hybridization of transition metal-based chalcogenides can effectively enhance the electrochemical performance owing to the synergetic effect. Hybridization could promote the advantages of each chalcogenide and suppress the disadvantages of each chalcogenide to some extent. In this review, we focus on the four different types of component hybridization and the excellent electrochemical performance that originated from hybridization. The exciting problems of hybridization and the possibility of studying structural hybridization were also discussed. The binary and ternary transition metal-based chalcogenides are more promising to be used as future anodes of lithium-ion batteries for their excellent electrochemical performance originating from the synergetic effect.

The Synergetic Effect Induced High Electrochemical Performance of CuO/Cu2O/Cu Nanocomposites as Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

Due to the high theoretical capability, copper-based oxides were widely investigated. A facile water bath method was used to synthesis CuO nanowires and CuO/Cu2O/Cu nanocomposites. Owing to the synergetic effect, the CuO/Cu2O/Cu nanocomposites exhibit superior electrochemical performance compared to the CuO nanowires. The initial discharge and charge capacities are 2,660.4 mAh/g and 2,107.8 mAh/g, and the reversible capacity is 1,265.7 mAh/g after 200 cycles at 200 mA/g. Moreover, the reversible capacity is 1,180 mAh/g at 800 mA/g and 1,750 mAh/g when back to 100 mA/g, indicating the excellent rate capability. The CuO/Cu2O/Cu nanocomposites also exhibit relatively high electric conductivity and lithium-ion diffusion coefficient, especially after cycling. For the energy storage mechanism, the capacitive controlled mechanism is predominance at the high scan rates, which is consistent with the excellent rate capability. The outstanding electrochemical performance of the CuO/Cu2O/Cu nanocomposites indicates the potential application of copper-based oxides nanomaterials in future lithium-ion batteries.

One-Pot Synthesized Amorphous Cobalt Sulfide With Enhanced Electrochemical Performance as Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

In order to solve the poor cycle stability and the pulverization of cobalt sulfides electrodes, a series of amorphous and crystalline cobalt sulfides were prepared by one-pot solvothermal synthesis through controlling the reaction temperatures. Compared to the crystalline cobalt sulfide electrodes, the amorphous cobalt sulfide electrodes exhibited superior electrochemical performance. The high initial discharge and charge capacities of 2,132 mAh/g and 1,443 mAh/g at 200 mA/g were obtained. The reversible capacity was 1,245 mAh/g after 200 cycles, which is much higher than the theoretical capacity. The specific capability was 815 mAh/g at 800 mA/g and increased to 1,047 mAh/g when back to 100 mA/g, indicating the excellent rate capability. The outstanding electrochemical performance of the amorphous cobalt sulfide electrodes could result from the unique characteristics of more defects, isotropic nature, and the absence of grain boundaries for amorphous nanostructures, indicating the potential application of amorphous cobalt sulfide as anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Hydrothermal Preparation and High Electrochemical Performance of NiS Nanospheres as Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Nickel sulfide has been widely studied as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its environmental friendliness, low cost, high conductivity, and high theoretical capacity. A simple hydrothermal method was used to prepare NiS nanospheres materials with the size in the range of 100-500 nm. The NiS nanospheres electrodes exhibited a high reversible capacity of 1402.3 mAh g-1 at 200 mA g-1 after 280 cycles and a strong rate capability of 814.8 mAh g-1 at 0.8 A g-1 and 1130.5 mAh g-1 when back to 0.1 A g-1. Excellent electrochemical properties and the simple preparation method of the NiS nanospheres make it possible to prepare NiS on a large scale as the anode of lithium-ion batteries.

One-Pot Synthesis and High Electrochemical Performance of CuS/Cu1.8S Nanocomposites as Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

CuS and Cu1.8S have been investigated respectively as anodes of lithium-ion batteries because of their abundant resources, no environment pollution, good electrical conductivity, and a stable discharge voltage plateau. In this work, CuS/Cu1.8S nanocomposites were firstly prepared simultaneously by the one-pot synthesis method at a relatively higher reaction temperature 200 °C. The CuS/Cu1.8S nanocomposites anodes exhibited a high initial discharge capacity, an excellent reversible rate capability, and remarkable cycle stability at a high current density, which could be due to the nano-size of the CuS/Cu1.8S nanocomposites and the assistance of Cu1.8S. The high electrochemical performance of the CuS/Cu1.8S nanocomposites indicated that the CuxS nanomaterials will be a potential lithium-ion battery anode.

Improving gene targeting efficiency on the porcine BMP15 gene mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 by using the RGS surrogate reporter system.

As Chinese have raised most pigs and consumed most pig products in the world, improving the fertility of sow is of economic benefits to the pig industry in China. The sheep BMP15 (bone morphogenetic protein 15) gene has been identified as a major gene for controlling ovulation rates and prolific traits, which are key factors affecting the fertility of livestock. As similar natural occurring mutations in the porcine BMP15 gene have not yet been reported, we speculated that introducing the same prolific sheep mutations into the porcine BMP15 gene by using the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9) system.

The preparation and application of N-terminal 57 amino acid protein of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor as a candidate male contraceptive vaccine.

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), which is expressed only on Sertoli cells and plays a key role in spermatogenesis, has been paid attention for its potential in male contraception vaccine research and development. This study introduces a method for the preparation and purification of human FSHR 57-amino acid protein (FSHR-57aa) as well as determination of its immunogenicity and antifertility effect. A recombinant pET-28a(+)-FSHR-57aa plasmid was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 Star TM (DE3) and the FSHR-57aa protein was separated and collected by cutting the gel and recovering activity by efficient refolding dialysis. The protein was identified by Western blot and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis with a band of nearly 7 kDa and a purity of 97.4%. Male monkeys were immunized with rhFSHR-57aa protein and a gradual rising of specific serum IgG antibody was found which reached a plateau on day 112 (16 weeks) after the first immunization. After mating of one male with three female monkeys, the pregnancy rate of those mated with males immunized against FSHR-57aa was significantly decreased while the serum hormone levels of testosterone and estradiol were not disturbed in the control or the FSHR-57aa groups. By evaluating pathological changes in testicular histology, we found that the blood-testis barrier remained intact, in spite of some small damage to Sertoli cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the rhFSHR-57aa protein might be a feasible male contraceptive which could affect sperm production without disturbing hormone levels.

[Relationship between 22q11 microdeletion syndrome and congenital heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between 22q11 microdeletion syndrome and congenital heart disease. METHODS: Clinical screening assessment and genetic testing using standard fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) were applied in 207 subjects suspected for 22q11 microdeletion syndrome. Patients with 22q11 microdeletion syndrome were examined by echocardiography, patients with complicated congenital heart disease were examined further by cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: 22q11 microdeletion syndrome was detected in 39 subjects. The incidence of 22q11 microdeletion syndrome was 1.6% in suspects with simple congenital heart disease without extracardiac manifestations, 53.0% in suspects with congenital heart disease combined with at least two extracardiac manifestations, 3.8% in suspects without congenital heart disease. The incidence of congenital heart disease in 22q11 microdeletion syndrome patient and non 22q11 microdeletion syndrome patient was 94.9% and 54.2% (P < 0.01). The incidence of congenital heart disease combined with at least two extracardiac manifestations in 22q11 microdeletion syndrome patient and non 22q11 microdeletion syndrome patient was 89.7% and 18.5% (P < 0.01). In 22q11 microdeletion syndrome patients, Tetralogy of Fallot was the most common type of congenital heart disease. Dysmorphic faces, learning difficulties and retarded physical development were the most common extracardiac manifestations of the congenital heart disease patients. CONCLUSION: 22q11 microdeletion syndrome is related to congenital heart disease.

Diagnosis and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to explore the clinical outcome and prognosis of subclinical hypothyroidism detected by newborn screening. METHODS: Newborn screening was conducted at 1156 health care institutions in Zhejiang Province from October 1999 to September 2006. Included were (1) infants who had thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ≥ 20 mU/L, and normal or lower normal levels of triiodothyronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)) and (2) infants with TSH between 5.6 mU/L and 20 mU/L at a confirmatory examination and follow-up showing TSH levels ≥ 20 mU/L or delayed reduction in T(4) levels. These infants were considered as having subclinical hypothyroidism and levothyroxine (L-T(4)) at an initial dose of 3-5 µg/kg per day was administered. The levels of TSH and T(4), developmental quotient (DQ), and index of growth were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 204 infants met our criteria for subclinical hypothyroidism, with an incidence of 1/8809. After 2-4 weeks of standard therapy, serum TSH level dropped to normal and T(4) reached a higher normal level in all the 204 infants. Evaluations of 60 patients after 2 years of therapy showed that their average DQ was 101 ± 14.61, and body weight and height were within the normal ranges. Bone age test for 54 patients revealed normal development in 44, slightly retarded development in 7, and advanced development in 3. CONCLUSIONS: Newborns with high TSH levels should be given particular attention to ensure early diagnosis. A L-T(4) dose of 3-5 µg/kg per day was effective in the initial treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism.

Neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria in China.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal screening is helpful to prevent serious disability and sufferings caused by congenital or inherited disease. This study was to review the status of neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and phenylketonuria (PKU) in China. METHODS: We analyzed data of neonatal screening for CH and PKU in the past two decades which were obtained from the national network of neonatal screening centers collected by the National Center for Clinical Laboratory. RESULTS: Of 18.8 million newborns screened from 1985 to 2007, 9198 were identified with CH, giving a prevalence of 1/2047. In 19.0 million newborns screened in the same period, 1638 had PKU, with a prevalence of 1/11 572. An increasing number of neonates have been subjected to neonatal screening in China annually during this period. Data from Zhejiang Neonatal Screening Center showed that the recall rate of neonates suspected with CH and PKU was 95.52% in 2007. Confirmatory tests were performed and treatments were initiated in most of the neonates with CH and PKU within a month after birth. CONCLUSIONS: More governmental support at different levels is needed to make neonatal screening more efficient. The screening should be improved with a satisfactory control system including shorter time of report and a higher recall rate.

[Retrospective study on neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria in China in the past 22 years].

OBJECTIVE: The retrospective study was carried out to investigate the nation-wide neonatal screening program in the past 22 years in China. This study aimed to summarize the experience, analyze the questions and concerns in the screening program. METHODS: All data on the national neonatal screening in the past 22 years were from National Center for Clinical Laboratory. Study items included the development and mode of the program, screening method adopted as well as the clinical records of prevalence, treatment and follow-up etc. RESULTS: Neonatal screening has become universal since 1985 in China. There were three modes of screening and treatment. From 1985 to 2006, a total of 13,229,242 newborns were screened for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and 6505 were diagnosed as CH at a prevalence of 49.2/100,000; a total of 13,666,750 newborns were screened for phenylketonuria (PKU), and 1,170 were diagnosed as PKU at a prevalence of 8.6/100,000. The prevalence of CH increased year by year and the western regions in China had a much higher prevalence. The prevalence of PKU was relatively more steady than that of CH in China. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal screening is of paramount importance in preventing mental retardation and developmental delay after CH and PKU. It is necessary to attach more importance to increase the rate of coverage, screening and treatment, as well as social awareness of neonatal screening. It is important to focus on establishment of new screening techniques so as to improve the level of child health care in China.

[Visual search attention in children with Williams syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of visual search attention in children with Williams syndrome (WS). METHODS: Twenty-two children with WS, 13 male and 9 female, aged 12 (6-16), 25 chronological age (CA) and mental age (MA)-matched children with Down's syndrome (DS), 45 biological age-matched children, and 43 mental age-matched children, aged 4 +/- 2 (2-8) underwent Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT). Visual search attention including selective, switch, and sustained attention, was tested using a set of computerized visual search tasks via a touch-screen. In the dual target tasks, participants were required to alternate between two different targets. Sustained attention was investigated with vigilance task test. RESULTS: (1) In the single-target searching task with no target similar distractor, the accurate response rate of the WS patients was 71% +/- 25%, significantly lower than that of the CA-matched children (87% +/- 14%, P = 0. 001). The searching time of the WS children was 5 s, significantly longer than that of the CA-matched children (3 s, P = 0.000). The distance for touch of the WS children was 25 relative units, significantly longer than that of the CA-matched children (18 relative units, P = 0.000). The mean reaction time of the WS children was 5 s, significantly longer than that of the children with Down's syndrome (3 s, P = 0.022). The shape error rate of the WS children was 15%, significantly higher than that of the CA-matched children (0, P = 0.000). When non-targets similar to the targets were added, the accurate response rate of the WS group was 39% +/- 20%, significantly lower than those of the CA-matched and MA-matched children (77% +/- 23% and 66% +/- 23% respectively, both P = 0.000); the mean searching time of the WS children was 13 s, significantly longer than those of the CA-matched and MA-matched children (3 s and 5 s respectively, both P = 0. 000); and the distance per touch of the WS children was 41 relative units, significantly longer than those of the CA-matched and MA-matched children (20 and 27 relative units, P = 0.000 and P = 0.004). (2) The results of the dual target tasks showed that the accurate response rate of the WS children was 52% +/- 28%, significantly lower than that of the CA-matched children (78% +/- 22%, P = 0. 000), the mean searching time of the WS children was 11 s, significantly longer than that of the CA-matched children (4 s, P = 0.000); and the distance per touch of the WS children was 54 +/- 27 relative units, significantly longer than that of the CA-matched children (31 +/- 13 relative units, P = 0.000). However, there were not significant differences in the accurate response rate, mean searching time, and distance per touch between the WS and DS children. The switching error rate of the WS children was 13%, significantly higher than those of the CA and MA-matched children (0 and 4% respectively, P = 0.000 and P = 0.004). (3) The vigilance task test showed that the accurate response rate of the WS children was 52% +/- 25%, significantly lower than that of the CA-matched children (80% +/- 21%, P = 0.000); the mean searching time of the WS children was 4 s +/- 1 s, significantly longer than that of the CA-matched children (3 s +/- 1 s, P = 0.000); and the error hit number of the WS children was 8, significantly more than that of the CA-matched children (3, P = 0.000). However, there were not significant differences in the accurate response rate, mean searching time, and error hit number between the WS and DS children. Conclusion Distinct visual search deficits exist in WS children.

Effect of perinatal iron deficiency on myelination and associated behaviors in rat pups.

Iron deficiency in early development has been associated with irreversible alterations in brain myelination, but whether these neural changes are mirrored in altered behaviors in rats is not known. The goals were to determine if dietary induced gestational and lactational iron deficiency alters brain myelination and behaviors dependent on that system. Pregnant rats were randomly assigned to control (CN) or iron-deficient (ID) groups by providing iron-sufficient (40 ppm Fe) or iron-deficient (2-6 ppm Fe) diets from gestational day 5 through to weaning of pups. Thereafter, all offspring were fed the iron-sufficient diet. The myelination of subcortical white matter and the fimbria of hippocampus was measured by 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase, marker of oligodendrocyte) density at 25 days of age. Specific behavioral assessments were performed at multiple time points after birth. By contrast, ID rats had significantly lower density of CNPase in the subcortical white matter but the density of CNPase in fimbria of hippocampus was comparable to CN rats. Moreover, ID rats showed significant behavioral impairments in surface righting reflex, negative geotaxis reflex, vibrissae-evoked forelimb placing test and novel object recognition task. In conclusion, perinatal iron deficiency can significantly alter behavioral outcomes which may be due to delayed myelination in specific brain regions.

[A study on the social adjustment and its affective factors in Down syndrome children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the social adjustment status and affected factors thereof in Down syndrome children. METHODS: The family environment, cognitive development and social adjustment were examined in 36 Down syndrome children aged 52 - 167 months, 30 mental age-matched children aged 20 - 65 months, and 40 chronological age-matched children aged 43 - 144 months with questionnaire of family influential factors, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and Infants-Junior Middle School Students' Social-Life Abilities Scale from September 2004 to July 2006. The gender and general family environment were matched among the three groups. The information about the mode of delivery, history of newborn, family structure, income of family, and parents' education could be gathered from the questionnaire (used by parents). PPVT was adopted as research tool of cognitive development. Infants-Junior Middle School Students' Social-Life Abilities Scale was adopted as research tool of social adjustment. RESULTS: There were no differences between the Down syndrome children and mental age-matched group in communication and socialization. The Down syndrome children were better than the mental age-matched group in self-help [(20.0 +/- 4.8) vs (13.3 +/- 4.7), t = 5.72, P = 0.000]; locomotion [(7.5 +/- 1.4) vs (6.4 +/- 1. 6), t = 3.10, P = 0.003]; occupation [(8.2 +/- 2.4) vs (6.2 +/- 2.0), t = 3.68, P = 0.000], and self-direction [(5.9 +/- 2.6) vs (4.6 +/- 2.0), t = 2. 28, P = 0.026]. The chronological age-matched group were much better than the Down syndrome children in all factors of social-life abilities, including self-help [(20.0 +/- 4.8) vs (26.5 +/- 4.9), t = 5.84, P = 0.000]; locomotion [(7.5 +/- 1.4) vs (11.4 +/- 3.3), t = 6.76, P = 0.000]; occupation [(8.2 +/- 2.4) vs (14.4 +/- 3.9), t = 8.55, P = 0.000]; communication [(8.3 +/- 3.6) vs (18.3 +/- 4.8), t = 10.38, P = 0.000]; socialization [(9.6 +/- 2.3) vs (17.1 +/- 4.2), t = 9.76, P = 0.000], and self-direction [(5.9 +/- 2.6) vs (13. 8 +/- 4.6), t = 9.25, P = 0.000]. There was a relationship between the raw score of PPVT and social-life abilities in these children. Even after controlling effect of age, it was still associated with self-help (r = 0.70, P = 0.000), locomotion (r = 0.74, P = 0.000), occupation (r = 0.77, P = 0.000), communication (r = 0.86, P = 0.000), socialization (r = 0.80, P = 0.000), and self-direction (r = 0.76, P = 0.000). Multiple stepwise regression showed that the main factor influencing self-help was family structure. Family structure and mother's education influenced locomotion. Family structure and newborn history influenced occupation, communication, socialization and self-direction. CONCLUSION: Down syndrome children have better social adjustment than the mental age-matched group, yet worse than the chronological age-matched group. Cognition development, family environment and newborn history differently influence the Down syndrome child, which means proper intervention can improve their social adjustment.

Study on the social adaptation of Chinese children with down syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate social adjustment and related factors among Chinese children with Down syndrome (DS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A structured interview and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) were conducted with a group of 36 DS children with a mean age of 106.28 months, a group of 30 normally-developing children matched for mental age (MA) and a group of 40 normally-developing children matched for chronological age (CA). Mean scores of social adjustment were compared between the three groups, and partial correlations and stepwise multiple regression models were used to further explore related factors. RESULTS: There was no difference between the DS group and the MA group in terms of communication skills. However, the DS group scored much better than the MA group in self-dependence, locomotion, work skills, socialization and self-management. Children in the CA group achieved significantly higher scores in all aspects of social adjustment than the DS children. Partial correlations indicate a relationship between social adjustment and the PPVT raw score and also between social adjustment and age (significant r ranging between 0.24 and 0.92). A stepwise linear regression analysis showed that family structure was the main predictor of social adjustment. Newborn history was also a predictor of work skills, communication, socialization and self-management. Parental education was found to account for 8% of self-dependence. Maternal education explained 6% of the variation in locomotion. CONCLUSION: Although limited by the small sample size, these results indicate that Chinese DS children have better social adjustment skills when compared to their mental-age-matched normally-developing peers, but that the Chinese DS children showed aspects of adaptive development that differed from Western DS children. Analyses of factors related to social adjustment suggest that effective early intervention may improve social adaptability.

[Study on clinical features and fluorescence in situ hybridization detections of 22q11 microdeletion syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical features and the diagnosis by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of 22q11 microdeletion syndrome (22q11 DS). METHODS: The clinical data of suspects were analyzed, and their peripheral blood samples were tested by FISH for microdeletion of 22q11. The diagnosis and correlated clinical factors of 22q11 DS were investigated by using the multiple factor Logistic regression analysis and Chi-square test. RESULTS: In 64 suspects, 14 were shown to have 22q11 microdeletion with many different types of malformation, and the percentage was 21.9%. The Logistic regression predictive equation for 22q11 DS was: y=-8.206+2.324x1+2.725x2+1.674x3, P=exp(y)/[1+exp(y)], in which the concomit ant variables were facial dysmorphic features (x1), congenital heart defects (x2), thymus scarcity/infection problem (x3), the P value meant the probability of diagnosis of 22q11 DS. CONCLUSION: Accurate clinical evaluation is just as preliminary screening to patients at risk for del22q11. The results of FISH test can be predicted by using the suitable Logistic regression equation.

[Cardiovascular manifestations in 40 patients with Williams syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiovascular manifestations of Williams syndrome (WS) confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). METHODS: Between July 2004 and January 2007, FISH was used to confirm diagnosis in 71 suspected WS cases by detecting chromosome 7q microdeletion. Cardiovascular abnormalities were assessed by echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Forty out of 71 patients were detected to have Elastin gene locus microdeletion, 25 patients (25/40, 62.5%) had at least one cardiac anomaly; among these patients, supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) was diagnosed in 18 patients (18/25, 72%) and 6 of them had complex abnormalities. Patent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed in 3 patients (3/25, 12%, 1 was associated with other malformations), isolated pulmonary stenosis in 1 patient (1/25, 4%), isolated coarctation of aorta in 2 patients (2/25, 8%), and hypertension in 2 patients (2/25, 8%), mild aortic regurgitation in 2 patients, mild mitral regurgitation and moderate mitral regurgitation in 3 patients respectively. CONCLUSION: A detailed cardiac evaluation should be performed in all patients with Williams syndrome due to the high frequency of cardiovascular abnormalities.