Natural history of cow's milk allergy in children aged 6-12 years.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 50%-90% of children with immediate-type cow's milk allergy (CMA) acquire tolerance by pre-school age. We aimed to investigate the acquisition rate of CMA tolerance in children aged 6-12 years. METHODS: We included children with CMA who persisted until the age of 6. Tolerance was defined as passing an oral food challenge with 200 mL of unheated cow's milk (CM) or consuming 200 mL of CM without symptoms, whereas persistent CMA was defined as fulfilling neither of these criteria by 12 years old. Children receiving oral immunotherapy (OIT) were excluded from the primary analysis. Risk factors associated with persistent CMA were assessed using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 80 included children, 30 (38%) had previous CM anaphylaxis, and 40 (50%) had eliminated CM completely from their diet. The median CM-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) level at 6 years old was 12.0 kUA /L. Tolerance was acquired by 25 (31%) and 46 (58%) children by the age of 9 and 12 years, respectively. At baseline, persistent CMA was associated with higher CM-sIgE levels (hazard ratio 2.29, 95% confidence interval 1.41-3.73, optimal cutoff level 12.7 kUA /L), previous CM anaphylaxis (2.07, 1.06-4.02), and complete CM elimination (3.12, 1.46-6.67). No children with CMA who had all three risk factors (n = 14) acquired tolerance. CONCLUSION: Except for OIT patients, more than half of children with CMA at 6 years old acquired tolerance by 12 years old. Children with CMA who have the risk factors are less likely to acquire tolerance.

Macadamia nut-specific IgE levels for predicting anaphylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high risk of anaphylaxis in patients with a macadamia nut allergy (MdA), little is known about the significance of macadamia nut-specific immunoglobulin E (Md-sIgE). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the utility of Md-sIgE for predicting anaphylaxis. METHODS: Children with suspected MdA who visited our hospital were included. MdA was defined as either failing the 3-g macadamia nut (Md) oral food challenge (OFC) or confirming obvious immediate symptoms following Md ingestion. Non-MdA was defined as passing the 3-g Md OFC. RESULTS: A total of 41 children (29 [71%] males) with a median age of 7.7 years were included. The median Md-sIgE level was 2.23 kUA /L. Among the 21 children diagnosed with MdA, eight and 13 children did (An group) and did not (non-An group) develop anaphylaxis. Twenty children were included in the non-MdA group. The Md-sIgE level was significantly higher in the An group relative to the others (7.97 vs. 1.92 kUA /L, p < .001). Furthermore, the Md-sIgE level was significantly higher in the An group than in the non-An group (7.97 vs. 1.92 kUA /L, p = .02). However, there was no significant difference in the Md-sIgE between the non-An and non-MdA groups (1.92 vs. 1.90 kUA /L, p > .99). The area under the curve for predicting anaphylaxis in Md-sIgE was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.83-1.00), and the optimal cut-off value was 3.76 kUA /L. CONCLUSION: Md-sIgE levels were useful in predicting anaphylaxis. Above the cut-off value, we emphasize paying careful attention to the risk of anaphylaxis.

Research Development on K-Ion Batteries.

Li-ion batteries (LIBs), commercialized in 1991, have the highest energy density among practical secondary batteries and are widely utilized in electronics, electric vehicles, and even stationary energy storage systems. Along with the expansion of their demand and application, concern about the resources of Li and Co is growing. Therefore, secondary batteries composed of earth-abundant elements are desired to complement LIBs. In recent years, K-ion batteries (KIBs) have attracted significant attention as potential alternatives to LIBs. Previous studies have developed positive and negative electrode materials for KIBs and demonstrated several unique advantages of KIBs over LIBs and Na-ion batteries (NIBs). Thus, besides being free from any scarce/toxic elements, the low standard electrode potentials of K/K+ electrodes lead to high operation voltages competitive to those observed in LIBs. Moreover, K+ ions exhibit faster ionic diffusion in electrolytes due to weaker interaction with solvents and anions than that of Li+ ions; this is essential to realize high-power KIBs. This review comprehensively covers the studies on electrochemical materials for KIBs, including electrode and electrolyte materials and a discussion on recent achievements and remaining/emerging issues. The review also includes insights into electrode reactions and solid-state ionics and nonaqueous solution chemistry as well as perspectives on the research-based development of KIBs compared to those of LIBs and NIBs.

MgO-Template Synthesis of Extremely High Capacity Hard Carbon for Na-Ion Battery.

Extremely high capacity hard carbon for Na-ion battery, delivering 478 mAh g-1 , is successfully synthesized by heating a freeze-dried mixture of magnesium gluconate and glucose by a MgO-template technique. Influences of synthetic conditions and nano-structures on electrochemical Na storage properties in the hard carbon are systematically studied to maximize the reversible capacity. Nano-sized MgO particles are formed in a carbon matrix prepared by pre-treatment of the mixture at 600 °C. Through acid leaching of MgO and carbonization at 1500 °C, resultant hard carbon demonstrates an extraordinarily large reversible capacity of 478 mAh g-1 with a high Coulombic efficiency of 88 % at the first cycle.

Elucidating Influence of Mg- and Cu-Doping on Electrochemical Properties of O3-Nax [Fe,Mn]O2 for Na-Ion Batteries.

Although O3-NaFe1/2 Mn1/2 O2 delivers a large capacity of over 150 mAh g-1 in an aprotic Na cell, its moist-air stability and cycle stability are unsatisfactory for practical use. Slightly Na-deficient O3-Na5/6 Fe1/2 Mn1/2 O2 (O3-Na5/6 FeMn) and O3-Na5/6 Fe1/3 Mn1/2 Me1/6 O2 (Me = Mg or Cu, O3-FeMnMe) are newly synthesized. The Cu and Mg doping provides higher moist-air stability. O3-Na5/6 FeMn, O3-FeMnCu, and O3-FeMnMg deliver first discharge capacities of 193, 176, and 196 mAh g-1 , respectively. Despite partial replacement of Fe with redox inactive Mg, oxide ions in O3-FeMnMg participate in the redox reaction more apparently than O3-Na5/6 FeMn. X-ray diffraction studies unveil the formation of a P-O intergrowth phase during charging up to >4.0 V.

Structural Investigation of Quaternary Layered Oxides upon Na-Ion Deinsertion.

Na-ion batteries are emerging alternatives to Li-ion chemistries for large-scale energy storage applications. Quaternary layered oxide Na0.76Mn0.5Ni0.3Fe0.1Mg0.1O2 offers outstanding electrochemical performance in Na-ion batteries compared to pure-phase layered oxides because of the synergistic effect of the P/O-phase mixing. The material is indeed constituted by a mixture of P3, P2, and O3 phases, and a newly identified Na-free phase, i.e., nickel magnesium oxide phase, which improves heat removal and enhances the electrochemical performance. Herein, we structurally investigate, through synchrotron-radiation X-ray diffraction, the modifications occurring after full desodiation, detailing the material structural rearrangement upon Na removal and revealing the effect of two different charging protocols, i.e., constant current (CC) and constant current-constant voltage (CCCV). While the Na-free phase is electrochemically inactive, likely helping in homogenization of the thermal gradient in the electrode during cycling, O-P intergrown phases appear during the extraction of Na ions from interslab layers, and they are dependent on the desodiation level. The application of a constant voltage step at the end of the galvanostatic charge is responsible for a shortening of the interslab distance and a significant volume contraction (-11.9%).

Polyanionic Compounds for Potassium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries have the highest energy density among practical secondary batteries and are widely used for electronic devices, electric vehicles, and even stationary energy-storage systems. Along with the expansion of demand and applications, the concern about resources of lithium and cobalt is growing. Therefore, secondary batteries composed of abundant elements are required to complement lithium-ion batteries. In recent years, the development of potassium-ion batteries has attracted much attention, especially for large-scale energy storage. In order to realize potassium-ion batteries, various compounds are proposed and investigated as positive electrode materials, including layered transition-metal oxides, Prussian blue analogues, and polyanionic compounds. This article offers a review of polyanionic compounds which are typically composed of abundant elements and expected high operating potential. Furthermore, we deliver our new results to partially compensate for lack of studies and provide a future perspective.

Towards K-Ion and Na-Ion Batteries as "Beyond Li-Ion".

Li-ion battery commercialized by Sony in 1991 has the highest energy-density among practical rechargeable batteries and is widely used in electronic devices, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage system in the world. Moreover, the battery market is rapidly growing in the world and further fast-growing is expected. With expansion of the demand and applications, price of lithium and cobalt resources is increasing. We are, therefore, motivated to study Na- and K-ion batteries for stationary energy storage system because of much abundant Na and K resources and the wide distribution in the world. In this account, we review developments of Na- and K-ion batteries with mainly introducing our previous and present researches in comparison to that of Li-ion battery.

Preparation and electrochemical properties of Li2MoO3/C composites for rechargeable Li-ion batteries.

Layered Li2MoO3 is a potential candidate for a high-capacity positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries because of its excess lithium composition. However, the difficulty of single-phase preparation and its insulating nature are drawbacks for its application in lithium-ion batteries. A small quantity of acetylene black added in the starting material solves these drawbacks, i.e. the formation of impurity phases and the low conductivity. As a result, a Li2MoO3/C composite is successfully synthesized with the simple addition of acetylene black. Since the electronic conductivity of the composite is enhanced to more than 1000 times higher than that of bare Li2MoO3, the Li2MoO3/C composite delivers approximately 230 mA h g-1 of initial discharge capacity in a voltage range of 1.5-4.3 V, while carbon-free Li2MoO3 shows only 110 mA h g-1 of initial discharge capacity. During the initial lithium extraction and insertion, a partial transformation from a layered into a cation-disordered cubic structure is evidenced in the Li2MoO3/C composite electrode by X-ray diffraction.

Sodium and Manganese Stoichiometry of P2-Type Na2/3 MnO2.

To realize a reversible solid-state Mn(III/IV) redox couple in layered oxides, co-operative Jahn-Teller distortion (CJTD) of six-coordinate Mn(III) (t2g (3) -eg (1) ) is a key factor in terms of structural and physical properties. We develop a single-phase synthesis route for two polymorphs, namely distorted and undistorted P2-type Na2/3 MnO2 having different Mn stoichiometry, and investigate how the structural and stoichiometric difference influences electrochemical reaction. The distorted Na2/3 MnO2 delivers 216 mAh g(-1) as a 3 V class positive electrode, reaching 590 Wh (kg oxide)(-1) with excellent cycle stability in a non-aqueous Na cell and demonstrates better electrochemical behavior compared to undistorted Na2/3 MnO2 . Furthermore, reversible phase transitions correlated with CJTD are found upon (de)sodiation for distorted Na2/3 MnO2 , providing a new insight into utilization of the Mn(III/IV) redox couple for positive electrodes of Na-ion batteries.

Negative electrodes for Na-ion batteries.

Research interest in Na-ion batteries has increased rapidly because of the environmental friendliness of sodium compared to lithium. Throughout this Perspective paper, we report and review recent scientific advances in the field of negative electrode materials used for Na-ion batteries. This paper sheds light on negative electrode materials for Na-ion batteries: carbonaceous materials, oxides/phosphates (as sodium insertion materials), sodium alloy/compounds and so on. These electrode materials have different reaction mechanisms for electrochemical sodiation/desodiation processes. Moreover, not only sodiation-active materials but also binders, current collectors, electrolytes and electrode/electrolyte interphase and its stabilization are essential for long cycle life Na-ion batteries. This paper also addresses the prospect of Na-ion batteries as low-cost and long-life batteries with relatively high-energy density as their potential competitive edge over the commercialized Li-ion batteries.

Impact of Ti and Zn Dual-Substitution in P2 Type Na2/3 Ni1/3 Mn2/3 O2 on Ni-Mn and Na-Vacancy Ordering and Electrochemical Properties.

High-entropy layered oxide materials containing various metals that exhibit smooth voltage curves and excellent electrochemical performances have attracted attention in the development of positive electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries. However, a smooth voltage curve can be obtained by suppression of the Na+ -vacancy ordering, and therefore, transition metal slabs do not need to be more multi-element than necessary. Here, the Na+ -vacancy ordering is found to be disturbed by dual substitution of TiIV for MnIV and ZnII for NiII in P2-Na2/3 [Ni1/3 Mn2/3 ]O2 . Dual-substituted Na2/3 [Ni1/4 Mn1/2 Ti1/6 Zn1/12 ]O2 demonstrates almost non-step voltage curves with a reversible capacity of 114 mAh g-1 and less structural changes with a high crystalline structure maintained during charging and discharging. Synchrotron X-ray, neutron, and electron diffraction measurements reveal that dual-substitution with TiIV and ZnII uniquely promotes in-plane NiII -MnIV ordering, which is quite different from the disordered mixing in conventional multiple metal substitution.

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Two School Children and a Neonate.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide and become a major public health problem. Although real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and there are many reports discussing it, reports about loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests for SARS-CoV-2, especially in children, are limited. In this study, we present the results of LAMP test in three children with COVID-19 in a family cluster, and assess these results. The LAMP test results of these children showed a sensitivity and specificity of 63.6% and 100%, respectively, and that was comparable to the RT-PCR results. The results of both LAMP test and RT-PCR test using nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) were almost consistently similar in two school children throughout hospitalization except at the very early stages of infection. The preliminary results suggest that saliva samples would be less sensitive than NPS for LAMP testing in the late stages of infection, and that LAMP test would not provide accurate results in neonates.

Superconcentrated NaFSA-KFSA Aqueous Electrolytes for 2 V-Class Dual-Ion Batteries.

Superconcentrated aqueous electrolytes containing NaN(SO2F)2 and KN(SO2F)2 (for which sodium and potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amides (FSA), respectively, are abbreviated) have been developed for 2 V-class aqueous batteries. Based on the eutectic composition of the NaFSA-KFSA (56:44 mol/mol) binary system, the superconcentrated solutions of 35 mol kg-1 Na0.55K0.45FSA/H2O and 33 mol kg-1 Na0.45K0.55FSA/H2O are found to form at 25 °C. As both electrolytes demonstrate a wider potential window of ∼3.5 V compared to that of either saturated 20 mol kg-1 NaFSA or 31 mol kg-1 KFSA solution, we applied the 33 mol kg-1 Na0.45K0.55FSA/H2O to two different battery configurations, carbon-coated Na2Ti2(PO4)3∥K2Mn[Fe(CN)6] and carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3∥K2Mn[Fe(CN)6]. The former cell shows highly reversible charge/discharge curves with a mean discharge voltage of 1.4 V. Although the latter cell exhibits capacity degradation, it demonstrates 2 V-class operations. Analysis data of the two cells confirmed that Na+ ions were mainly inserted into the negative electrodes passivated by a Na-rich solid electrolyte interphase, and both Na+ and K+ ions were inserted into the positive electrode. Based upon the observation, we propose new sodium-/potassium-ion batteries using the superconcentrated NaFSA-KFSA aqueous electrolytes.

Active material and interphase structures governing performance in sodium and potassium ion batteries.

Development of energy storage systems is a topic of broad societal and economic relevance, and lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the most advanced electrochemical energy storage systems. However, concerns on the scarcity of lithium sources and consequently the expected price increase have driven the development of alternative energy storage systems beyond LIBs. In the search for sustainable and cost-effective technologies, sodium ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium ion batteries (PIBs) have attracted considerable attention. Here, a comprehensive review of ongoing studies on electrode materials for SIBs and PIBs is provided in comparison to those for LIBs, which include layered oxides, polyanion compounds and Prussian blue analogues for positive electrode materials, and carbon-based and alloy materials for negative electrode materials. The importance of the crystal structure for electrode materials is discussed with an emphasis placed on intrinsic and dynamic structural properties and electrochemistry associated with alkali metal ions. The key challenges for electrode materials as well as the interface/interphase between the electrolyte and electrode materials, and the corresponding strategies are also examined. The discussion and insights presented in this review can serve as a guide regarding where future investigations of SIBs and PIBs will be directed.

Super paramagnetic iron oxide MRI shows defective Kupffer cell uptake function in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is incompletely understood. Kupffer cells (KCs), phagocytic liver-resident macrophages, provide a protective barrier against egress of endotoxin from the portal to the systemic circulation. It is not known if KC phagocytic function is impaired in NAFLD. Super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) magnetic resonance imaging is a comparative technology dependent on KC phagocytic function. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate KC uptake function, in patients and experimental animals with NAFLD, using SPIO. METHODS: Abdominal CT and histological examination of liver biopsy specimens were used to estimate the degree of steatosis in patients with NAFLD and controls with chronic hepatitis C. SPIO-MRI was then performed in all patients. Normal rats fed a methionine-choline-deficient diet to induce non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the more severe stage of NAFLD, and obese, insulin resistant, Zucker fa/fa rats with steatohepatitis, were also studied with SPIO-MRI and analysed for hepatic uptake of fluorescent microbeads. Immunohistochemical analysis evaluated the numbers of KCs in patients and rat livers. RESULTS: Relative signal enhancement (RSE), inversely proportional to KC function, was higher in patients with NAFLD than in controls and with the degree of steatosis on CT. RSE also positively correlated with the degree of steatosis on histology and was similarly higher in rats with induced severe NAFLD (NASH). On immunohistochemistry, defective phagocytic function was the result of reduced phagocytic uptake and not due to reduced KC numbers in rats or patients with NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: KC uptake function is significantly impaired in patients with NAFLD and experimental animals with NASH, worsens with the degree of steatosis and is not due to a reduction of KC numbers.

Effect of Particle Size and Anion Vacancy on Electrochemical Potassium Ion Insertion into Potassium Manganese Hexacyanoferrates.

Potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate (KMnHCF) can be used as a positive electrode for potassium-ion batteries because of its high energy density. The effect of particle size and [Fe(CN)6 ]n- vacancies on the electrochemical potassium insertion of KMnHCFs was examined through experimental data and theoretical calculations. When nearly stoichiometric KMnHCF was synthesized and tested, smaller particle sizes were found to be important for achieving superior electrochemical performance in terms of capacity and rate capability. However, even in the case of larger particles, introducing a suitable number of anion vacancies enabled KMnHCF to exhibit comparable electrode performance. Electrochemical tests and density functional theory calculations indicated that anion vacancies contribute to the enhancement of K+ ion diffusion, which realizes good electrochemical performance. Structural design, including crystal vacancies and particle size, is the key to their high performance as a positive electrode.

Development of advanced electrolytes in Na-ion batteries: application of the Red Moon method for molecular structure design of the SEI layer.

This review aims to overview state-of-the-art progress in the collaborative work between theoretical and experimental scientists to develop advanced electrolytes for Na-ion batteries (NIBs). Recent investigations were summarized on NaPF6 salt and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additives in propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolyte solution, as one of the best electrolytes to effectively passivate the hard-carbon electrode with higher cycling performance for next-generation NIBs. The FEC additive showed high efficiency to significantly enhance the capacity and cyclability of NIBs, with an optimal performance that is sensitive at low concentration. Computationally, both microscopic effects, positive and negative, were revealed at low and high concentrations of FEC, respectively. In addition to the role of FEC decomposition to form a NaF-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, intact FECs play a role in suppressing the dissolution to form a compact and stable SEI film. However, the increase in FEC concentration suppressed the organic dimer formation by reducing the collision frequency between the monomer products during the SEI film formation processes. In addition, this review introduces the Red Moon (RM) methodology, recent computational battery technology, which has shown a high efficiency to bridge the gap between the conventional theoretical results and experimental ones through a number of successful applications in NIBs.

A vanadium-based oxide-phosphate-pyrophosphate framework as a 4 V electrode material for K-ion batteries.

K-ion batteries (KIBs) are promising for large-scale electrical energy storage owing to the abundant resources and the electrochemical specificity of potassium. Among the positive electrode materials for KIBs, vanadium-based polyanionic materials are interesting because of their high working voltage and good structural stability which dictates the cycle life. In this study, a potassium vanadium oxide phosphate, K6(VO)2(V2O3)2(PO4)4(P2O7), has been investigated as a 4 V class positive electrode material for non-aqueous KIBs. The material is synthesized through pyrolysis of a single metal-organic molecular precursor, K2[(VOHPO4)2(C2O4)] at 500 °C in air. The material demonstrates a reversible extraction/insertion of 2.7 mol of potassium from/into the structure at a discharge voltage of ∼4.03 V vs. K. Operando and ex situ powder X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the material undergoes reversible K extraction/insertion during charge/discharge via a two-phase reaction mechanism. Despite the extraction/insertion of large potassium ions, the material demonstrates an insignificant volume change of ∼1.2% during charge/discharge resulting in excellent cycling stability without capacity degradation over 100 cycles in a highly concentrated electrolyte cell. Robustness of the polyanionic framework is proved from identical XRD patterns of the pristine and cycled electrodes (after 100 cycles).