Li4Ti5O12@carbon nanotube arrays as high-performance anode for Li-ion batteries.

The innovation of advanced high-rate anodes is of great significance for the development of high-power and fast-charging lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, self-supported Li4Ti5O12@carbon (LTO@C) nanotube arrays as a high-quality anode are fabricated via anodizing and hydrothermal processes. Owing to the structure having a high contact surface area and good stability, as well as the incorporation of carbon, the LTO@C exhibits a remarkable rate capability (a reversible capability of 290 mA h g-1, 251.9 mA h g-1, 228.8 mA h g-1, and 208.7 mA h g-1 at 1C, 5C, 10C, and 20C, respectively) and cycling performance (71.7% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 10C), which is superior to LTO. These features suggest the promising application of LTO@C in high-power energy storage areas.

The Influence of Social Media Usage and Perceived Government Market Orientation on Travel Intention to an Internet Celebrity City: Exploring the Mediating Effects of Place Attachment and Perceived Value.

As the usage of social media continues to grow and local governments expand their promotional efforts, more internet celebrity cities (ICCs) are emerging as popular tourist destinations. To investigate the internal mechanisms that affect tourists' travel intentions to such destinations, place attachment and perceived value were proposed as two factors reflecting their deeper emotional connections and practical assessments to visit ICCs. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between social media usage, perceived government market orientation (PGMO), place attachment, perceived value, and travel intention in the context of Chongqing, a popular ICC in China. To evaluate the research hypotheses, 750 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed by structural equation modeling. The results showed that social media usage had a positive impact on tourists' travel intention to Chongqing, while PGMO did not significantly influence travel intention. However, both place attachment and perceived value had mediating effects in the relationship between social media usage, PGMO, and travel intention. This paper concludes with theoretical implications, suggestions for further research, and recommendations for practice.

An increase in SNHG5 expression is associated with poor cancer prognosis, according to a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: He long noncoding RNA small nucleolar host RNA 5 (SNHG5) is highly expressed in many cancers, and there is a notable correlation between the elevated expression of SNHG5 and survival outcome in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between SNHG5 expression and the clinical outcome of cancer patients. METHODS: Six relevant electronic databases were exhaustively searched, and, depending on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, appropriate literature was obtained. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score was utilized to evaluate the quality of the research for every article included, and pertinent data from each study were carefully extracted. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to explore the association of SNHG5 expression levels with cancer prognosis, and sensitivity analyses and assessments of publication bias were also conducted to investigate any possibility in the publication of the studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies encompassing 721 patients were ultimately collected. When combined, the hazard ratios (HRs) revealed a substantial direct correlation between elevated SNHG5 expression and an unfavourable prognosis for cancer patients (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 0.87-4.15); however, the correlation did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, high SNHG5 expression was predictive of advanced TNM stage (OR: 1.988, 95% CI 1.205-3.278) and larger tumour size (OR: 1.571, 95% CI 1.090-2.264); moreover, there were nonsignificant relationships between SNHG5 expression and DM (OR: 0.449, 95% CI 0.077-2.630), lymph node metastasis (OR: 1.443, 95% CI 0.709-2.939), histological grade (OR: 2.098, 95% CI 0.910-4.838), depth of invasion (OR: 1.106, 95% CI 0.376-3.248), age (OR: 0.946, 95% CI 0.718-1.247) and sex (OR: 0.762, 95% CI 0.521-1.115). CONCLUSION: SNHG5 expression is typically increased in the majority of tumour tissues. Elevated SNHG5 expression may indicate poor prognosis in cancer patients. Therefore, SNHG5 is a promising potential therapeutic target for tumours and a reliable prognostic biomarker.

Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties of a Novel Pt(IV)(C∧N∧C)(Cl)2(DMSO) Complex Cyclometalated by Tridentate Diphenylpyridine.

A novel tridentate-cyclometalating Pt(IV) complex, namely, Pt(IV)(C∧N∧C)(Cl)2(DMSO), is initially synthesized through a series of reactions using Pt(II) complexes. The optoelectronic properties of Pt(IV)(C∧N∧C)(Cl)2(DMSO) are fully studied by adequate characterizations.

Small-Molecule Organic Cathodes with Carbon Coating for Highly Efficient Potassium-ion Batteries.

Small-molecule organic cathodes face dissolution in potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). For the first time, an interesting and effective strategy is unveiled to resolve this issue by designing a new soluble small-molecule organic compound namely [N,N'-bis(2-anthraquinone)]-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxdiimide (NTCDI-DAQ, 237 mAh g-1 ): Through the precise manipulation of carbonization temperature and time, the molecules on the surface of NTCDI-DAQ particles can be transformed into amorphous carbon with controllable thickness. This strategy called surface self-carbonization can form a carbon protective layer on organic cathodes and significantly increase their insolubility against liquid electrolytes without affecting the electrochemical behavior of bulk particles. As a result, the as-obtained NTCDI-DAQ@C sample displays significantly improved cathode performance in PIBs. In half cells, NTCDI-DAQ@C shows superior capacity stability of 84 % compared to 35 % of NTCDI-DAQ during 30 cycles under the same conditions. In full cells with a KC8 anode, NTCDI-DAQ@C delivers a peak discharge capacity of 236 mAh g-1 cathode and a high energy density of 255 Wh kg-1 cathode in 0.1-2.8 V, with 40 % capacity retention during 3000 cycles at 1 A g-1 . To the best of our knowledge, the integrated performance of NTCDI-DAQ@C is among the best of soluble organic cathodes reported in PIBs.

Metabolome, microbiome, and gene expression alterations in the colon of newborn piglets with intrauterine growth restriction.

Newborn animals with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are characterized by impaired intestinal structure and function; however, their intestinal microbiota and metabolome profiles have not been fully identified. The present study investigated the differences in colonic microbiota, metabolomics, and barrier function-related gene expression profiles between the IUGR and normal birth weight (NBW) piglets at 7, 21, and 28 days of age. Forty-eight piglets (24 NBW and 24 IUGR) from 24 litters were assigned to assess the differences in colonic microbiota, metabolomics, and gene expression between IUGR and NBW piglets. Compared with the NBW piglets, IUGR piglets showed decreased Shannon index and increased Simpson index at 7 days of age and Chao1 index at 21 days of age (p < 0.05). The IUGR piglets had lower abundances of Firmicutes, Subdoligranulum, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-003 at 7 days of age, and Bacteroidetes, Phascolarctobacterium, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 at 21 days of age, when compared with the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis showed significant changes in 147 metabolites mainly involved in organic acids and their derivatives in the colon. Six differential metabolic pathways were significantly enriched, including purine metabolism, amino sugar/nucleotide sugar metabolism, ubiquinone/other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, phenylalanine/tyrosine/tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and histidine metabolism. Spearman's correlation analysis further demonstrated significant correlations between colonic microbiota and metabolites. In addition, colonic isobutyrate at 7 days of age, isovalerate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) at 21 days of age, and acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFAs levels at 28 days of age were lower and isovalerate was higher at 28 days of age in the IUGR piglets than in the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 at 7 days of age, ZO-1, occludin, and interleukin (IL)-4 at 21 days of age were down-regulated in the IUGR piglets, whereas tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) at 28 days of age were up-regulated, when compared with the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the IUGR pigs present abnormal microbiota and nutrient metabolism in the colon, which may further affect the intestine barrier function by regulating gene expressions.

Oxygen vacancies engineering in electrocatalysts nitrogen reduction reaction.

Ammonia is important, both as a fertilizer and as a carrier of clean energy, mainly produced by the Haber-Bosch process, which consumes hydrogen and emits large amounts of carbon dioxide. The ENRR (Electronchemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction) is considered a promising method for nitrogen fixation owing to their low energy consumption, green and mild. However, the ammonia yield and Faraday efficiency of the ENRR catalysts are low due to the competitive reaction between HER and NRR, the weak adsorption of N2 andthe strong N≡N triple bond. Oxygen vacancy engineering is the most important method to improve NRR performance, not only for fast electron transport but also for effective breaking of the N≡N bond by capturing metastable electrons in the antibonding orbitals of nitrogen molecules. In this review, the recent progress of OVs (oxygen vacancies) in ENRR has been summarized. First, the mechanism of NRR is briefly introduced, and then the generation methods of OVs and their applicationin NRR are discussed, including vacuum annealing, hydrothermal method, hydrogen reduction, wet chemical reduction, plasma treatment and heterogeneous ion doping. Finally, the development and challenges of OVs in the field of electrochemical nitrogen fixation are presented. This review shows the important areas of development of catalysts to achieve industrially viable NRR.

Maternal probiotics supplementation improves immune and antioxidant function in suckling piglets via modifying gut microbiota.

AIM: Probiotics could improve the health, growth, and development of host or their foetuses/offspring via regulating gut microbiota. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of maternal probiotics supplementation on gut microbiota and metabolites of sows and their suckling piglets, as well as plasma biochemical parameters, oxidative/anti-oxidative indexes, and inflammatory cytokine levels of suckling piglets. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 32 pregnant Bama mini-pigs were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The sows were fed a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet supplemented with probiotics (probiotics group) from mating to day 21 of lactation. Samples from sows were collected on day 105 of pregnancy and day 21 of lactation and from piglets on day 21 of lactation. The results showed that probiotics supplementation increased the faecal abundances of Ruminococcus, Bacteroides, and Anaeroplasma and decreased Tenericutes on day 105 of pregnancy while increased the abundances of Actinobacteria and Anaerostipes and decreased Proteobacteria and Desulfovibrio on day 21 of lactation. In addition, probiotics supplementation decreased the faecal levels of tryptamine, putrescine, and cadaverine on day 105 of pregnancy and isovalerate and skatole on day 21 of lactation while increased butyrate level on day 21 of lactation. Further studies showed that maternal probiotics supplementation decreased the plasma levels of AMM, TC, LDL-C, Ala, Tau, MDA, H2 O2 , IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-α of suckling piglets. Moreover, maternal probiotics supplementation increased the abundances of Deferribacteres, Fusobacteria, and Fusobacterium while decreased Anaerostipes in piglet's colon. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a potential link between gut microbiota alterations and their metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary probiotics supplementation during pregnancy and lactation periods could improve sow status, alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation response, and improve nutrient metabolism of piglets by altering the gut microbiota. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The probiotics alter maternal and offspring's gut microbiota involving in offspring's physiological and metabolic changes, and present a new perspective that the effects of gut microbiota changes induced by probiotics supplementation will help in addressing the growth and development and health problem of their foetuses/offspring.

Novel Insight Into Nutritional Regulation in Enhancement of Immune Status and Mediation of Inflammation Dynamics Integrated Study In Vivo and In Vitro of Teleost Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): Administration of Threonine.

This study aims to investigate the effects of threonine (Thr) on immunoregulation in vivo and in vitro of teleost grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Juveniles (9.53 ± 0.02 g) were reared for 8 weeks with respective Thr diet (3.99, 7.70, 10.72, 14.10, 17.96, and 21.66 g/kg) and then challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila for in vivo study. Macrophages isolated from head kidney were treated in vitro for 48 h with L-Thr (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mM) after 6 h of lipopolysaccharide induction. The results showed that, compared with Thr deficiency (3.99 g/kg), the optimal dietary Thr (14.10g/kg) affected the immunocyte activation in the head kidney (HK) and spleen (SP) by downregulating the mRNA expressions of MHC-II and upregulating CD4 (not CD8), and it mediated the innate immune by enhancing the activities of lysozyme (LZ), acid phosphatase content of complement 3 (C3) and C4, increasing the mRNA abundances of hepcidin, liver expressed antimicrobial peptide-2A (LEAP-2A), LEAP-2B, ß-defensin1, downregulating tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, IL-17AF1, and IL-17D partly by attenuating RORγ1 transcriptional factor and nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κBp65) signaling cascades [IKKß/IκBα/NF-κBp65] and upregulating transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), IL-4/13A, -4/13B, IL-10, and IL-22 partly by GATA-3. Besides these, the optimal dietary Thr regulated the adaptive immune by upregulating the mRNAs of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgZ (not IgD). Moreover, 2 mM Thr downregulated in vitro the mRNA abundances of colony stimulating factor-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, mannose receptor 1, matrix metalloproteinase2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 significantly (P < 0.05), indicating that Thr could attenuate the M1-type macrophages' activation. Moreover, L-Thr downregulated the mRNA transcripts of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß associated with impairing the SOCS1/STAT1 signaling and upregulated IL-10 and TGF-ß1 partly by accentuating the SOCS3/STAT3 pathway. The above-mentioned observations suggested that Thr improved the immune status in the immune organs of fish by enhancing the immune defense and mediating the inflammation process. Finally, based on the immune indices of LZ activity in HK and C3 content in SP, the optimal Thr for immune enhancement in juvenile grass carp (9.53-53.43 g) was determined to be 15.70 g/kg diet (4.85 g/100 g protein) and 14.49 g/kg diet (4.47 g/100 g protein), respectively.

Effect of Induction Chemotherapy With Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and Capecitabine vs Cisplatin and Fluorouracil on Failure-Free Survival for Patients With Stage IVA to IVB Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Multicenter Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Induction chemotherapy added to concurrent chemoradiotherapy significantly improves survival for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the optimal induction regimen remains unclear. Objective: To determine whether induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel, cisplatin, and capecitabine (TPC) improves survival vs cisplatin and fluorouracil (PF) prior to chemoradiotherapy for patients with stage IVA to IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized, open-label, phase 3 clinical trial recruited 238 patients at 4 hospitals in China from October 20, 2016, to August 29, 2019. Patients were 18 to 65 years of age with treatment-naive, nonkeratinizing stage IVA to IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 1. Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive induction chemotherapy with two 21-day cycles of TPC (intravenous paclitaxel [150 mg/m2, day 1], intravenous cisplatin [60 mg/m2, day 1], and oral capecitabine [1000 mg/m2 orally twice daily, days 1-14]) or PF (intravenous cisplatin [100 mg/m2, day 1] and fluorouracil [800 mg/m2 daily, days 1-5]), followed by chemoradiotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was failure-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary end points included distant metastasis-free survival, locoregional relapse-free survival, overall survival, tumor response, and safety. Results: Overall, 238 eligible patients (187 men [78.6%]; median age, 45 years [range, 18-65 years]) were randomly assigned to receive TPC (n = 118) or PF (n = 120). The median follow-up duration was 48.4 months (IQR, 39.6-53.3 months). Failure-free survival at 3 years was 83.5% (95% CI, 77.0%-90.6%) in the TPC group and 68.9% (95% CI, 61.1%-77.8%) in the PF group (stratified hazard ratio [HR] for recurrence or death, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28-0.79; P = .004). Induction with the TPC regimen resulted in a significant reduction in the risk of distant metastases (stratified HR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.24-0.98]; P = .04) and locoregional recurrence (stratified HR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.18-0.93]; P = .03) compared with the PF regimen. However, there was no effect on early overall survival (stratified HR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.17-1.18]; P = .10). The incidences of grade 3 to 4 acute adverse events and late-onset toxicities were 57.6% (n = 68) and 13.6% (16 of 118), respectively, in the TPC group and 65.8% (n = 79) and 17.9% (21 of 117), respectively, in the PF group. One treatment-related death occurred in the PF group. Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial found that induction chemotherapy with 2 cycles of TPC for patients with stage IVA to IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma improved failure-free survival compared with 2 cycles of PF, with no increase in the toxicity profile. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02940925.

2D PtS nanorectangles/g-C3N4 nanosheets with a metal sulfide-support interaction effect for high-efficiency photocatalytic H2 evolution.

Cocatalyst design is a key approach to acquire high solar-energy conversion efficiency for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Here a new in situ vapor-phase (ISVP) growth method is developed to construct the cocatalyst of 2D PtS nanorectangles (a length of ∼7 nm, a width of ∼5 nm) on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets. The 2D PtS nanorectangles/g-C3N4 nanosheets (PtS/CN) show an unusual metal sulfide-support interaction (MSSI), which is evidenced by atomic resolution HAADF-STEM, synchrotron-based GIXRD, XPS and DFT calculations. The effect of MSSI contributes to the optimization of geometrical structure and energy-band structure, acceleration of charge transfer, and reduction of hydrogen adsorption free energy of PtS/CN, thus yielding excellent stability and an ultrahigh photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 1072.6 µmol h-1 (an apparent quantum efficiency of 45.7% at 420 nm), up to 13.3 and 1532.3 times by contrast with that of Pt nanoparticles/g-C3N4 nanosheets and g-C3N4 nanosheets, respectively. This work will provide a new platform for designing high-efficiency photocatalysts for sunlight-driven hydrogen generation.

Efficacy and Safety of Dahuang Zhechong Pill in Silicosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no effective therapy for silicosis, and Dahuang Zhechong pill (DHZCP), an ancient Chinese medicine prescription, may have a therapeutic effect on silicosis. This study aims to verify the efficacy and safety of DHZCP in silicosis. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial done at Panzhihua Second People's Hospital (Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, China). Participants diagnosed with silicosis were recruited and randomized to the conventional treatment group (CG) or DHZCP combined with the conventional treatment group (DG). Forced vital capacity % predicted (FVC%), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide % predicted (DLCO%), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), peripheral oxygen (SpO2), King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease Questionnaire (K-BILD), and safety outcomes were measured at baseline and 9 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty-six participants (28 in each group) completed the study, and 53 of them (26 in DG and 27 in CG) completed pulmonary function. At 9 weeks, compared with no DHZCP, DHZCP treatment was associated with significant improvements in FVC% (mean ± SD, 95%CI) (8.2 ± 3.9, 0.3 to 16.0), DLCO% (8.6 ± 3.5, 1.5 to 15.7), SpO2 (3.8 ± 0.7, 2.3 to 5.2), and K-BILD total score (6.0 ± 2.3, 1.4 to 10.7). And, there were no statistical differences of safety outcomes between the two groups. Eight patients accepting DHZCP developed mild diarrhea during the first week, which subsequently resolved on its own. CONCLUSION: DHZCP could improve the pulmonary function, the quality of life, and the exercise capacity of silicosis patients.

Dietary Addition With Clostridium butyricum and Xylo-Oligosaccharides Improves Carcass Trait and Meat Quality of Huanjiang Mini-Pigs.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary addition with Clostridium butyricum (CB) and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) on growth performance, carcass trait, and meat quality of pigs. A total of 128 Huanjiang mini-pigs with an initial body weight of 9.5 ± 0.1 kg were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The pigs in control (Con) group were fed a basal diet and those in the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.05% CB (CB group), 0.02% XOS (XOS group), or 0.05% CB + 0.02% XOS (CB + XOS group). Eight replicate pens were used per group with four pigs per pen. On days 28, 56, and 84 of the trial, the growth performance, carcass trait, and meat quality were evaluated. The results showed that dietary CB addition decreased (p < 0.05) the average daily gain and increased (p < 0.05) the ratio of feed intake to body weight gain at day 28 of the trial; CB, XOS, and CB + XOS addition increased (p < 0.05) the backfat thickness at day 84 of the trial compared with the Con group. Dietary CB, XOS, and CB + XOS addition increased (p < 0.05) the pH45min, while decreased (p < 0.05) the marbling score at day 28 of the trial compared with the Con group. Dietary CB + XOS addition increased (p < 0.05) the contents of Ala, Arg, Asp, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Tyr, and Val in muscle at day 56 of the trial. At day 84 of the trial, dietary CB addition increased the contents of nonessential amino acid (NEAA), total amino acid (TAA), and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), while decreased (p < 0.05) the percentage of C20:1 in muscle compared with the Con group. Collectively, dietary addition with 0.05% CB and 0.02% XOS could not alter the growth performance, but increase carcass trait, meat quality, and muscular nutrient contents in Huanjiang mini-pigs.

Electrolyte Effect on a Polyanionic Organic Anode for Pure Organic K-Ion Batteries.

Potassium naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylate (K4NTC, 117 mAh g-1) is a new organic anode for K-ion batteries, which possesses four strong K-O ionic bonds within a -4-valent naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylate skeleton (NTC4-). And thus, K4NTC is a polyanionic organic salt. Simultaneously, new insights are provided by comparing two typical electrolyte systems (carbonate and ether electrolytes) with KPF6 as the same solute. Finally, the pure organic K-ion batteries (OKIBs) are fabricated by using perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxydianhydride (PTCDA) as the organic cathode and the reduced state (K6NTC) of K4NTC as the anode. And this OKIB can deliver a peak discharge capacity of 121 mAh g-1anode and run over 1500 cycles in 0.5-3 V using ether electrolytes.

The Enhancement of Intestinal Immunity in Offspring Piglets by Maternal Probiotic or Synbiotic Supplementation Is Associated With the Alteration of Gut Microbiota.

A total of 64 pregnant Bama mini-pigs were used to investigate the effects of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation during gestation and lactation on immune response, intestinal morphology, and microbiota community of offspring piglets. The sows were assigned randomly to one of four groups, control group (basal diet), antibiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 50 g/t virginiamycin), probiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 200 mL/d probiotic fermentation broth per pig), or synbiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 200 mL/d probiotic fermentation broth per pig + 500 g/t xylo-oligosaccharides) during pregnancy and lactation periods. After weaning, two piglets close to the average body weight (BW) per litter were selected and fed a basal diet. Eight piglets with similar BW were selected from each group for sample collection at 65 d-old. The results showed that plasma interleukin (IL)-2 and lipopolysaccharide concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) in the probiotic group, while the immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration in the probiotic and synbiotic groups was increased (P < 0.05), when compared with the control group. The jejunal IL-10, interferon-α, and secretory IgA (sIgA) concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) in the probiotic and synbiotic groups, as well as the ileal sIgA concentration in the probiotic group. The jejunal villus height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depth were increased (P < 0.05) in the probiotic group, as well as the ileal VH in the synbiotic group. Furthermore, the piglets from the antibiotic group exhibited a lower microbiota diversity in the jejunum and ileum. The piglets from the synbiotic group had higher relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Bifidobacterium, Turicibacter, and Clostridium in the jejunum compared with the antibiotic group. Dietary probiotic treatment increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Psychrobacter in the ileum compared with the antibiotic and control groups. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, and Blautia in the jejunum and Psychrobacter in the ileum, were positively correlated with the alterations of immunoglobulin and cytokines. Collectively, these findings suggest that maternal interventions with probiotic or synbiotic are promising strategies for improving the immune response of offspring piglets by altering the gut microbiota.

A Low-Cost Na-Ion and K-Ion Batteries Using a Common Organic Cathode and Bismuth Anode.

Molecule-aggregation organic electrodes in principle have the capability for "single-molecule-energy-storage" in metal-ion rechargeable batteries, which indicates that the same organic electrode can be simultaneously applied to multiple metal-ion rechargeable batteries. In this study, the polyanionic organic compound 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (Na2 AQ26DS, 130 mAh g-1 ) is used as a common cathode and metal bismuth (Bi) as a common anode to simultaneously assemble low-cost Na-ion and K-ion full cells. The Na-ion full cells can deliver the peak discharge capacity of 139 mAh g-1 cathode at 0.5-3.0 V, and the K-ion full cells can show the peak discharge capacity of 130 mAh g-1 cathode at 0.5-3.0 V. These results are comparable to the best organic-based Na-ion and K-ion full cells reported to date.

Supplementing Synbiotic in Sows' Diets Modifies Beneficially Blood Parameters and Colonic Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Activity in Suckling Piglets.

Nutrients in the maternal diet favor the growth and development of suckling piglets and alter their gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity, thus affecting the hosts. The present study analyzed, in suckling piglets from sows receiving antibiotic or synbiotic supplements from pregnancy to lactation, several biochemical parameters, oxidative/anti-oxidative indices, inflammatory cytokines, and ingestion-related factor levels in plasma, as well as colonic microbiota composition and metabolic activity, and mucosal expression of genes related to the intestinal barrier function. Compared with the control group, maternal synbiotic supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of glucose, AMM, TC, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), MDA, H2O2, ghrelin, CCK, PP, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, Ala, Cys, Tau, and ß-AiBA, the levels of propionate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colonic luminal content, and colonic abundances of RFN20, Anaerostipes, and Butyricimonas; while increased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of urea nitrogen (UN), Ile, Leu, α-AAA, α-ABA, and 1-Mehis, as well as colonic abundances of Sphingomonas, Anaerovorax, Sharpea, and Butyricicoccus. Compared with the antibiotic group, maternal synbiotic supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of glucose, gastrin, and Ala, as well as abundances of Pasteurella and RFN20 and propionate level in the colonic content. Expression of genes coding for E-cadherin, Occludin, ZO-1, ZO-2, IL-10, and interferon-α were down-regulated in the colonic mucosa. The synbiotic supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of UN, Leu, α-ABA, and 1-Mehis, the abundances of Anaerovorax, Sharpea, and Butyricicoccus and expression of genes coding for E-cadherin, Occludin, ZO-1, ZO-2, IL-10, and interferon-α. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between colonic Anaerostipes abundance and acetate and SCFAs levels; whereas a negative correlation between Fusobacteria and Fusobacterium abundances and acetate level. These findings suggest that synbiotic supplementation in the maternal diet improved nutrient metabolism and intestinal barrier permeability, reduced oxidative stress, and modified colonic microbiota composition and metabolic activity in suckling piglets.

Long-lifespan Polyanionic Organic Cathodes for Highly Efficient Organic Sodium-ion Batteries.

An organic Na-ion battery is reported with a polyanionic 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (Na2 AQ26DS, 130 mAh g-1 ) cathode and the Na-intercalated state (Na4 TP) of sodium terephthalate (Na2 TP, 255 mAh g-1 ) as the anode. The resulting full cells deliver the maximum discharge capacity of 131 mAh g-1 cathode in 0.5-3.2 V, simultaneously maintaining the average value of ≈62 mAh g-1 cathode during 1200 cycles (0.5 A g-1 , ≈4 C). These results are among the best performing organic sodium-ion full cells reported to date.

Histological subtype remains a prognostic factor for survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVES: There is currently no consensus on the prognostic significance of the histological subtype of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of histological subtype on survival in NPC patients based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. METHODS: Patients with NPC were identified within the SEER database (2004-2015). The effects of histological subtype on cause-specific survival (CSS) in NPC patients were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Subgroup analysis according to histological subtype in NPC patients was carried out by 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: A total of 4085 NPC patients were selected from the SEER database, including 1929 with keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (KSCC), 2203 with nonkeratinizing carcinoma (NKC), and 53 with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC). The 3-year and 5-year CSS rates were 61.76% and 55.07% for KSCC patients, 79.57% and 72.09% for NKC patients, and 77.55% and 74.03% for BSCC patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified sex, age, marital status, race, T stage, N stage, M stage, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and histological subtype as significant prognostic factors for CSS in NPC patients. KSCC was found to be associated with worse CSS than NKC on Kaplan-Meier analysis and subgroup analysis after 1:1 PSM. CONCLUSIONS: Histological subtype determines the long-term survival outcomes of patients with NPC. Moreover, the NKC subtype has the best prognosis, while the KSCC subtype has the worst prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 130:E83-E88, 2020.

Sonogenetic Modulation of Cellular Activities Using an Engineered Auditory-Sensing Protein.

Biomolecules that respond to different external stimuli enable the remote control of genetically modified cells. We report herein a sonogenetic approach that can manipulate target cell activities by focused ultrasound stimulation. This system requires an ultrasound-responsive protein derived from an engineered auditory-sensing protein prestin. Heterologous expression of mouse prestin containing two parallel amino acid substitutions, N7T and N308S, that frequently exist in prestins from echolocating species endowed transfected mammalian cells with the ability to sense ultrasound. An ultrasound pulse of low frequency and low pressure efficiently evoked cellular calcium responses after transfecting with prestin(N7T, N308S). Moreover, pulsed ultrasound can also noninvasively stimulate target neurons expressing prestin(N7T, N308S) in deep regions of mouse brains. Our study delineates how an engineered auditory-sensing protein can cause mammalian cells to sense ultrasound stimulation. Moreover, our sonogenetic tools will serve as new strategies for noninvasive therapy in deep tissues.