Ultrasmall, Amorphous V2O3 Intimately Anchored on a Carbon Nanofiber Aerogel Toward High-Rate Zinc-Ion Batteries.

When considered as a cathode candidate for aqueous Zn-ion batteries, V2O3 faces several problems, such as inherently unsuitable structure, fast structural degradation, and sluggish charge transport kinetics. In this paper, we report the synthesis of a V2O3 intimately coupled carbon aerogel by a controllable ion impregnation and solid-state reaction strategy using bacterial cellulose and ammonium metavanadate as raw materials. In this newly designed structure, the carbonized carbon fiber network provides fast ion and electron transport channels. More importantly, the cellulose aerogel functions as a dispersing and supporting skeleton to realize the particle size reduction, uniform distribution, and amorphous features of V2O3. These advantages work together to realize adequate electrochemical activation during the initial charging process and shorter transport distance and faster transport kinetics of Zn2+. The batteries based on the V2O3/CNF aerogel exhibit a high-rate performance and an excellent cycling stability. At a current density of 20 A g-1, the V2O3/CNF aerogel delivers a specific capacity of 159.8 mAh g-1, and it demonstrates an exceptionally long life span over 2000 cycles at 12 A g-1. Furthermore, the electrodes with active material loadings as high as 10 mg cm-2 still deliver appreciable specific capacities of 257 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1.

Hierarchical carbon hollow nanospheres coupled with ultra-small molybdenum carbide as sulfiphilic sulfur hosts for lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are an attractive candidate to replace the current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries due to their promising theoretical capacity of 1675 mA h g-1 and energy density of 2500 W h kg-1. However, the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle effect and the slow sulfur redox kinetics seriously decrease the utilization of sulfur and deteriorate battery performance. Here, hierarchical carbon hollow nanospheres containing intimately coupled molybdenum carbide nanocrystals were synthesized as a sulfiphilic sulfur host. The sufficient interior void space accommodates the sulfur and physically confines LiPSs, while the in situ introduced molybdenum carbide nanoparticles can chemically immobilize LiPSs and catalytically accelerate their redox transformations. As a result, the Li-S batteries with this synergistic effect achieve an excellent rate capability of 566 mA h g-1 at 2C and a long cycle stability over 300 cycles at 1C.

Research progress of novel magnetic two-dimensional carbon composites in photocatalytic degradation of pollutants: a review.

With the improvement of economic level and the development of science and technology, the problem of water pollution needs to be solved now. Various water pollutants have a negative impact on nature and restrict its development. In recent years, photocatalysis is considered to be a promising wastewater treatment method. Two-dimensional carbon materials have become the hotspot of photocatalytic degradation of pollutants because of their excellent conductivity, large specific surface area, and good hydrophilicity. Nevertheless, it is very hard for these photocatalysts based on carbon materials to separate and recover from the system. For solving such a problem, the composition with magnetic components is an effective way which can facilitate separation and keep the catalytic activity of the samples. In this review, the main roles of magnetic carbon-based composites in the field of pollutant degradation are introduced, and their synthesis technology, classification, and application are summarized. In the end, the current challenges and prospects in this field are involved, aiming to provide useful insights and enlightments into the fields of pollutant treatment and photocatalytic degradation.

Transition metal elements-doped SnO2 for ultrasensitive and rapid ppb-level formaldehyde sensing.

Pristine SnO2, Fe-doped SnO2 and Ni-doped SnO2 were synthesized using facile hydrothermal method. Analysis based on XRD, TEM and UV-Vis DRS measurements demonstrated the successful insertion of Fe and Ni dopants into SnO2 crystal. Formaldehyde-detection measurements revealed that transition metal-doped SnO2 exhibited improved formaldehyde-sensing properties compared with that of pristine SnO2. When the amount of incorporated dopant (Fe or Ni) was 4 at.%, the most effective enhancement on sensing performance of SnO2 was obtained. At 160 °C, the 4 at.% Fe-SnO2 and 4 at.% Ni-SnO2 exhibited higher response values of 7.52 and 4.37 with exposure to low-concentration formaldehyde, respectively, which were 2.4 and 1.4 times higher than that of pristine SnO2. The change of electronic structure and crystal structure as well as catalytic effect of transition metals are chiefly responsible for the enhanced sensing properties.

Different toenail onychomycosis due to Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Candida parapsilosis in an immunocompetent young adult.

Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (R. mucilaginosa) have emerged as a potential pathogen in immunosuppressed hosts; they rarely induce onychomycosis in immunocompetent hosts without assistance from other pathogens. Here we present onychomycosis induced by two strains on different toenails in an immunocompetent young adult. The patient presented with onychomycosis on left and right first toenails due to R. mucilaginosa and C. parapsilosis, respectively. Based on the diagnosis, he had been orally treated with itraconazole 200 twice daily for one week every four weeks that repeated 7 times; however, the toenails did not respond satisfactorily to the treatment. After two months of drug cessation, we confirmed that the two toenails were infected with different fungi. R. mucilaginosa was isolated from the left first toenail, and C. parapsilosis was isolated from the right first toenail. Identifications were confirmed by morphological and cultural characteristics as well as by DNA molecular analysis. After determining in vitro drug susceptibility, the patient was successfully treated with a topical application of ketoconazole cream on the left toenail and oral itraconazole. It is the rare known case of different nails being infected by R. mucilaginosa and C. parapsilosis respectively.

Combined Modification of Dual-Phase Li4Ti5O12-TiO2 by Lithium Zirconates to Optimize Rate Capabilities and Cyclability.

The low electrical conductivity and ordinary lithium-ion transfer capability of Li4Ti5O12 restrict its application to some degree. In this work, dual-phase Li4Ti5O12-TiO2 (LTOT) was modified by composite zirconates of Li2ZrO3, Li6Zr2O7 (LZO) to boost the rate capabilities and cyclability. When the homogeneous mixture of LiNO3, Zr(NO3)4·5H2O and LTOT was roasted at 700 °C for 5 h, the obtained composite achieved a superior reversible capacity of 183.2 mAh g-1 to the pure Li4Ti5O12 after cycling at 100 mA g-1 for 100 times due to the existence of a scrap of TiO2. Meanwhile, when the composite was cycled by consecutively doubling the current density between 100 and 1600 mA g-1, the corresponding reversible capacities are 183.2, 179.1, 176.5, 173.3, and 169.3 mAh g-1, signifying the prominent rate capabilities. Even undergoing 1400 charge/discharge cycles at 500 mA g-1, a reversible capacity of 144.7 mAh g-1 was still attained, denoting splendid cyclability. From a series of comparative experiments and systematic characterizations, the formation of LZO meliorated both the Li+ migration kinetics and electrical conductivity on account of the concomitant superficial Zr4+ doping, responsible for the comprehensive elevation of the electrochemical performance.

Paeoniflorin augments systemic Candida albicans infection through inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cell expression in a mouse model.

Paeoniflorin (PF), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely used in clinical practice in China because of its dual immunoregulatory effects. A previous study found that PF inhibited the biofilm formation of Candida albicans (C. albicans) in vitro; however, whether PF plays an antifungal role in vivo is still unexplored. In this study, we sought to examine the effect of PF alone or in combination with an antifungal agent, fluconazole (FCZ), using a mouse model of systemic candidiasis. The results showed that the survival time of mice treated with PF alone or PF + FCZ decreased compared with the Infected alone and FCZ treated groups, respectively (8.20 ±â€¯1.75 vs 10.40 ±â€¯2.50 days, P < 0.05; 24.60 ±â€¯6.55 vs 29.00 ±â€¯3.16 days, P < 0.05). The fungal burden in the kidney of mice increased in the PF alone and PF + FCZ treated groups compared with the Infected alone or FCZ treated group. Furthermore, it was found that the PF and PF + FCZ treated groups showed significantly decreased levels of serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-22, and an increased level of serum IL-4; PF had no effect on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). PF alone or in combination with FCZ decreased the proliferation of Th1 (IFN-γ+CD4+) and Th17 cells (IL-17+CD4+) and increased the expression of Th2 cells (IL-4+CD4+). These results suggested that PF treatment could be detrimental to the host response to systemic C. albicans infection in mice. Thus, caution might be required for clinical use of PF in patients with fungal infection.

Onychomycosis due to Chaetomium globosum with yellowish black discoloration and periungual inflammation.

Onychomycosis is usually caused by dermatophytes, although also other filamentous and yeast-like fungi are associated with nail invasion. Chaetomium is an environmental genus of ascomycetes exhibiting a certain degree of extremotolerance. We report the first case of onychomycosis in a 46-year-old woman in China caused by Chaetomium globosum. The patient showed yellowish black discoloration with periungual inflammation on the left first toenail. We confirmed the causative agent, C. globosum, by KOH mount, culture, micromorphology and DNA sequence analysis.

Chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea monophora misdiagnosed as sporotrichosis and cutaneous tuberculosis in a pulmonary tuberculosis patient.

Chromoblastomycosis is caused by dematiaceous fungi. It develops after inoculation of the organism into the skin. We report a case of chromoblastomycosis in a pulmonary tuberculosis patient without known history of trauma. The lesions were initially diagnosed as sporotrichosis and skin tuberculosis. Histopathology of scales and skin biopsy specimen revealed sclerotic bodies, the hallmark of chromoblastomycosis. The causative organism was identified as Fonsecaea monophora by rDNA ITS sequencing. The lesions recovered markedly after two month treatment with oral terbinafine 250 mg daily according to drug sensitive test in vitro in combination with local thermotherapy.

Subcutaneous infection by Ochroconis mirabilis in an immunocompetent patient.

Recently, the taxonomy of Ochroconis (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina, Venturiales, Sympoventuriaceae) has been revised with the recognition of an additional genus, Verruconis. Ochroconis comprises mesophilic saprobes that occasionally infect vertebrates which mostly are cold-blooded, while Verruconis contains thermophilic species which is a neurotrope in humans and birds. On the basis of molecular data it is noted that only a single Ochroconis species regularly infects immunocompetent human hosts. Here we report a subcutaneous infection due to Ochroconis mirabilis in a 50-year-old immunocompetent female patient. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests revealed that terbinafine was the most effective drug. The patient was successfully cured with oral administration of terbinafine 250 mg daily in combination with 3 times of topical ALA-photodynamic therapy for 9 months.

Paeoniflorin suppresses IL-6/Stat3 pathway via upregulation of Socs3 in dendritic cells in response to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenze.

Mounting evidence has suggested that inflammation is associated with IL-6/Stat3 pathway in dendritic cells (DCs) and Th17 cells, which are critical for development of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Paeoniflorin (PF) has been clinically proved to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as ACD. We have previously demonstrated the effect of PF on DCs stimulated with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenze (DNCB) and naïve CD4(+)CD45RA(+) T cells for Th17 cell differentiation. However, whether PF down-regulates IL-6/Stat3 in DCs and Th17 cells remains to be explored. In this study, we show clearly that PF markedly decreases IL-6/Stat3 in DCs stimulated with DNCB at both gene and protein levels compared with control DCs in vitro. Meanwhile, PF up-regulates suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (Socs3). Such decreased expression of IL-6/Stat3 is abolished in DCs that were transfected with Socs3 short interfering RNA (siRNA). When mice CD4(+)CD45 RA(+) T cells were co-cultured with PF-treated DCs stimulated with/without DNCB, the gene expression of the Th17 cell markers such as retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear hormone receptor γt (RORγt), IL-17A, and IL-23R decreased, in accordance with the less secretions of IL-17 and IL-23 in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the suppressed Th17 differentiation induced by PF can be abolished by additional recombinant mouse IL-6. Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory mechanisms introduced by depletion of Socs3 expression or inactivation of the negative regulator such as Socs3 may represent a promising strategy for the prevention of ACD.

Antifungal effects of undecylenic acid on the biofilm formation of Candida albicans.

Undecylenic acid can effectively control skin fungal infection, but the mechanism of its fungal inhibition is unclear. Hyphal growth of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and biofilm formation have been well recognized as important virulence factors for the initiation of skin infection and late development of disseminated infection. In this study, we seek to investigate antifungal mechanisms of undecylenic acid by evaluating the virulence factors of C. albicans during biofilm formation. We found that undecylenic acid inhibits biofilm formation of C. albicans effectively with optimal concentration above 3 mM. In the presence of this compound, the morphological transition from yeast to filamentous phase is abolished ultimately when the concentration of undecylenic acid is above 4 mM. Meanwhile, the cell surface is crumpled, and cells display an atrophic appearance under scanning electron microscopy even with low concentration of drug treatment. On the other hand, the drug treatment decreases the transcriptions of hydrolytic enzymes such as secreted aspartic protease, lipase, and phospholipase. Hyphal formation related genes, like HWP1, are significantly reduced in transcriptional level in drug-treated biofilm condition as well. The down-regulated profile of these genes leads to a poorly organized biofilm in undecylenic acid treated environment.

Oral administration of paeoniflorin attenuates allergic contact dermatitis by inhibiting dendritic cell migration and Th1 and Th17 differentiation in a mouse model.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a hapten-specific CD4(+) T-cells mediated inflammatory response of the skin. Its pathomechanism involves 2 phases, an induction phase and an elicitation phase. Langerhans cells (LCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) in the skin play key roles in presenting low molecular weight chemicals (haptens) to the lymph nodes. Therefore, inhibition of the migration of LCs or DCs and T-cell proliferation is each expected to control ACD disease. To explore the effectiveness of paeoniflorin (PF) on the migration of LCs and T-cell proliferation in vivo, we establish a murine model of ACD, promoted by repeated exposure to an allergen (specifically 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)). Administration of PF inhibits DC migration in this DNCB-induced model in the induction phase. As a result, epidermal LC density in the elicitation phase increased in PF-treated mice when compared to PF-untreated mice. At the same time, PF reduced IFN-γ(+)CD4(+) and IL-17(+)CD4(+) T cells proliferation (but not IL-4(+)CD4(+) T cells proliferation), leading to an attenuated cutaneous inflammatory response. Consistent with this T-cell proliferation profile, secretions of IFN-γ and IL-17 were reduced and IL-10 secretion increased in PF-treated mice, but production of IL-4 and IL-5 remained unchanged in the skin and blood samples. These results suggest that oral administration of PF can treat and prevent ACD effectively through inhibition of DC migration, and thus decrease the capacity of DCs to stimulate Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and cytokine production.

Silenced suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) enhances the maturation and antifungal immunity of dendritic cells in response to Candida albicans in vitro.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are known to play an important role in initiating and orchestrating antimicrobial immunity. Given the fact that candidiasis appears often in immunocompromised patients, it seems plausible that DCs hold the key to new antifungal strategies. One possibility to enhance the potency of DC-based immunotherapy is to silence the negative immunoregulatory pathways through the ablation suppressor of cytokine signaling suppressor 1 (SOCS1). Here, we deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) against SOCS1 into murine bone marrow DCs, and as a consequence, we investigate the maturation/action of DCs and the subsequent T cell response after exposure to C. albicans. Our results show that the maturation of DCs (i.e., expressions of CD80, CD40, CD86, and MHC II) are significantly increased in the silenced SOCS1 treatment group after exposure to C. albicans. As a result, suppression of the SOCS1 promotes the greatest expression of IFN-γ and IL-12, and reduces IL-4 secretions, which induce CD4(+) cell Th1 differentiation but inactivate Th2 cell development. The responses of IL-6 and TNF-ß consist of up-regulation in the presence of C. albicans, but this is not specific to SOCS1 silencing, suggesting that these cytokines are not regulated by the SOCS1 gene in fungal infections. We find Th17 differentiation is unchanged regardless of SOCS1 inhibition. The increase in phagocytosis and killing of C. albicans in SOCS1 gene-treated DCs indicate a role for this cytokine suppressor in innate immunity as well. In conclusion, our findings support the view that SOCS1 protein is a critical inhibitory molecule for controlling cytokine response and antigen presentation by DCs, thereby regulating the magnitude of innate and adaptive immunities by generating IFN-γ-production T cells (Th1)--but not Th17--from naïve CD4(+) T cells. Our study demonstrates that SOCS1 siRNA can serve as a useful vehicle to modulate the function of DCs against C. albicans infection.

Positive temperature coefficient thermistors based on carbon nanotube/polymer composites.

In order to explore availability of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors in practical application, we prepared carbon nanotube (CNT) filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites by using conventional melt-mixing methods, and investigated their PTC effects in details. The CNT-based thermistors exhibit much larger hold current and higher hold voltage, increasing by 129% in comparison with the commercial carbon black (CB) filled HDPE thermistors. Such high current-bearing and voltage-bearing capacity for the CNT/HDPE thermistors is mainly attributed to high thermal conductivity and heat dissipation of entangled CNT networks. Moreover, the CNT/HDPE thermistors exhibit rapid electrical response to applied voltages, comparable to commercial CB-based thermistors. In light of their high current-bearing capacity and quick response, the CNT-based thermistors have great potential to be used as high-performance thermistors in practical application, especially in some critical circumstances of high temperature, large applied currents, and high applied voltages.

Interleukin-22 mediates early host defense against Rhizomucor pusilluscan pathogens.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the fungal infectious disease zygomycosis has increased in incidence worldwide, especially among the immunodeficient population. Despite the rates of zygomycosis-related death and deformation being very high, the mechanism(s) by which the fungal pathogens cause these severe manifestations remain unknown. METHODS: Using the associated Rhizomucor variabilis species, which can selectively induce cutaneous zygomycosis in otherwise healthy individuals, we investigated the host mechanisms of infection-related responses, including cytokine and chemokine expression as well as contributions of particular T cell subsets. siRNA specifically targeting IL-22,IL-17 and IFN-γ were used to down-regulate expression of those molecules. RESULTS: In mouse models of infection, IL-22 was implicated in development of Rhizomucor spp.-induced skin lesions. In cultured human peripheral blood monocytes, R. pusilluscan, which is often found in immunodeficient patients, induced the production of IL-22, while R. variabilis did not. Moreover, Rhizomucor spp.-induced secretion of Il-22 from CCR6(+)CCR4(+)CCR10(+) cells was down-regulated by knockdown of IL-22 related signaling receptors, RORC and ARH. CONCLUSION: Our data strongly suggest that avoidance of IL-22 may be one mechanism by which mucor species produce morbidity and mortality in infected individuals.

Ecological surveys of the Cryptococcus species complex in China.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent reports on the molecular epidemiology of cryptococcal infections in China, clinical isolates have been mostly reported from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients, and environmental isolates from China have rarely been included. The aim of this study was to investigate the ecological profile of Cryptococcus (C.) neoformans and C. gattii in China. METHODS: A survey was performed in 10 cities from 20°N (North latitude) to 50°N and in a Eucalyptus (E.) camaldulensis forestry farm at the Guixi forestry center, China. RESULTS: Six hundred and twenty samples of pigeon droppings from 10 cities and 819 E. camaldulensis tree samples were collected and inoculated on caffeic acid cornmeal agar (CACA). The brown-colored colonies were recultured to observe their morphology, growth on canavanine-glycine-bromothymol-blue (CGB) medium, phenol oxidase and urease activities, serotype and mating type. There were obvious differences in the positive sample rates of C. neoformans in pigeon droppings collected from the different cities, ranging from 50% in the cities located at latitudes from 30°N - 40°N, 29% at 20°N - 30°N and 13% at 40°N - 50°N. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in positive bevy rates (approximately 80%) among the three grouped cities. Mycological tests of 101 isolates purified from pigeon droppings revealed that they were C. neoformans var. grubii. We also observed variable capsular size around the C. neoformans cells in colonies with variable melanin production and the bio-adhesion of the natural C. neoformans cells with other microorganisms. One urease-negative C. neoformans isolate was isolated from pigeon droppings in Jinan city. No C. gattii was isolated in this study.

Primary cutaneous zygomycosis caused by rhizomucor variabilis: a new endemic zygomycosis? A case report and review of 6 cases reported from China.

We report a case of primary cutaneous zygomycosis caused by Rhizomucor variabilis and review 6 cases reported from China that share similar features and are different from those cases caused by other species of Mucorales. It is noteworthy that all 6 of the cases were observed in 3 adjacent provinces of eastern China.

Insoluble beta-glucan from the cell wall of Candida albicans induces immune responses of human THP-1 monocytes through Dectin-1.

BACKGROUND: beta-glucan is the major structure component of Candida albicans (C. albicans) cell wall. It has been demonstrated that Dectin-1 as the principal C-type lectin pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) can recognize fungal beta-glucan and induce immune responses. In this study, we sought to clarify whether insoluble beta-glucan from the cell wall of C. albicans (CaIG) could induce immune responses in human THP-1 monocytes (a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line) and to determine the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Human THP-1 monocytes were challenged with CaIG in vitro. The mRNA expression of Dectin-1, Toll-like receptors (TLR2), proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha) and chemokine (IL-8) was assayed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The secretion of TNF-a and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). H(2)O(2) release was determined by microplate fluorescent assay. Western blotting was used to analyze IkappaB-a phosphorylation and degradation. RESULTS: Exposure of THP-1 monocytes to CaIG led to increased gene expression and secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-8. CaIG induced H(2)O(2) release in a time-dependent manner. CaIG hydrolyzed with zymolyase failed to induce gene expression and secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-8 and H(2)O(2) release. CaIG up-regulated the mRNA of Dectin-1, whereas the mRNA level of TLR2 was not altered. THP-1 monocytes challenged with CaIG resulted in the activation of NF-kappaB in a time-dependent manner. Dectin-1 inhibitor laminarin blocked the CaIG-induced production of TNF-alpha and H(2)O(2) in THP-1 monocytes, but no such effect was observed in pretreatment with anti-TLR2 neutralizing antibody and the LPS inhibitor (polymyxin B). CONCLUSION: CaIG may play a role in activation of immune responses in human THP-1 cells through Dectin-1, not TLR2.