Heterogeneous synthesis and electrochemical performance of LiMnPO4/C composites as cathode materials of lithium ion batteries.

In this study, a facile yet efficient interfacial hydrothermal process was successfully developed to fabricate LiMnPO4/C composites. In this strategy, the walls of carbon nanotubes were employed as heterogeneous nucleation interfaces and biomass of phytic acid (PA) as an eco-friendly phosphorus source. By comparing the experimental results, a reasonable nucleation-growth mechanism was proposed, suggesting the advantages of interfacial effects. Meanwhile, the as-synthesized LiMnPO4/C samples exhibited superior rate performances with discharge capacities reaching 161 mA h g-1 at C/20, 134 mA h g-1 at 1C, and 100 mA h g-1 at 5C. The composites also displayed excellent cycling stabilities by maintaining 95% of the initial capacity over 100 continuous cycles at 1C. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the superior electrochemical performances were attributed to the low charge-transfer resistance and elevated diffusion coefficient of lithium ions. In sum, the proposed approach for the preparation of LiMnPO4/C composites looks promising for future production of composite electrode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

CD14-159 and -260 gene polymorphisms are associated with HBV-related cirrhotic injury in Chinese Han patients.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between TLR4 mutations (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) and CD14 polymorphisms (base pair -159 and -260) with HBV-related cirrhosis in Chinese Han patients. By use of a polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis technique, we genotyped Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile and CD14-159 and -260 polymorphisms in 110 HBV-related cirrhotic patients and 110 healthy controls from the Chinese Han population. We found significant differences in the genotypes and allele frequencies of CD14-159 (but not -260) between healthy controls and liver cirrhotic patients, and both the CD14-159 and -260 genotypes were significantly different among Child-Pugh grades in cirrhotic patients. No TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile mutations were detected in any cirrhotic patients or healthy controls in the Chinese Han population. These findings indicated that the polymorphisms of CD14, but not TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile mutations, may be an important genetic factor for HBV-related cirrhotic injury in the Chinese Han population.

Polymorphisms of androgen receptor gene in childhood and adolescent males with first-onset major depressive disorder and association with related symptomatology.

This study was designed to explore the association between CAG repeats in AR gene and major depressive disorder (MDD) in male children and adolescents. The results showed that there were differences between adolescent depressive patients and adolescent controls in CAG repeats' length and alleles' distributions, and the severity of depression and anxiety was negatively correlated with the length of CAG repeats in adolescent patients. This suggested that AR gene might be involved in the depressive upset in adolescents, and the age- and sex-related prevalent differences might also be associated to CAG repeats.

Comparison of the polymorphisms of androgen receptor gene and estrogen alpha and beta gene between adolescent females with first-onset major depressive disorder and controls.

This study was to elucidate the role of genetic variation in androgen receptor (AR) gene, estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and ER beta gene on first-onset major depressive disorder (MDD) in female adolescents. Results showed that AR gene in MDD group have shorter microsatellites' length, and ER beta gene have shorter microsatellites' length and higher rates of S alleles, SS, genotype, and lower rate of LL genotype than control group. The results suggest that shorter length of AR and ER beta gene microsatellites might influence the onset of MDD in female adolescents, a further elucidation of the mechanisms is warranted.

The Effects of κ-Opioid Receptor Stimulation on Electrical Coupling during Ischemia in the Perfused Isolated Rat Heart.

Two series of experiments were performed in the perfused isolated rat heart to determine whether stimulation of κ-opioid receptor with U50,488H, a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist, produces any changes in electrical coupling during prolonged ischemia and whether these changes in electrical coupling is associated with the cardioprotection induced by U50,488H. It was found that U50,488H concentration dependently increased formazan content and reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release induced by 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion, and the ameliorating effect of 10-5mol/L U50,488H was abolished by 5x10-6mol/L nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a selective Κ-opioid receptor antagonist, or 10-4mol/L 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a selective mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channels blocker. The onset of electrical uncoupling during prolonged ischemia was delayed by U50,488H, and delaying effect was not only abolished, but also advanced by nor-BNI or 5-HD compared with control group. These results demonstrate that delayed electrical uncoupling is associated with the cardioprotection induced by U50,488H. These effects of U50,488H are mediated by mitochondrial KATPchannels.

The Effects of Heptanol on Electrical Coupling during Ischemia in the Perfused Isolated Rat Heart.

The aims of the present study were to examine the effect of heptanol on electrical coupling during ischemia, and to assess whether changes in electrical coupling by heptanol is associated with its cardiac protection. Perfused isolated rat hearts were subjected to a 24 min infusion of heptanol (0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mmol/L) followed by 70 min of global no-flow ischemia or by 20 min of regional ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion. Heptanol markedly decreased arrhythmia scores during ischemia and reperfusion as well as reduced infarct size to a degree similar to that induced by ischemic preconditioning. In the prolonged ischemia model, heptanol delayed the onset of uncoupling, increased time to plateau, and decreased the maximal rate of uncoupling during ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning had similar effects on these parameters. These results demonstrate that treatment with the gap junction uncoupler heptanol confers cardioprotection against ischemia, and this effect is related to delayed electrical uncoupling during prolonged ischemia.