The Status of Representative Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Since the invention of lithium-ion batteries as a rechargeable energy storage system, it has uncommonly promoted the development of society. It has a wide variety of applications in electronic equipment, electric automobiles, hybrid vehicles, and aerospace. As an indispensable component of lithium-ion batteries, anode materials play an essential role in the electrochemical characteristics of lithium-ion batteries. In this review, we described the development from lithium-metal batteries to lithium-ion batteries in detail on the time axis as the first step; This was followed by an introduction to several commonly used anode materials, including graphite, silicon, and transition metal oxide with discussions the charge-discharge mechanism, challenges and corresponding strategies, and a collation of recent interesting work; Finally, three anode materials are summarized and prospected. Hopefully, this review can serve both the newcomers and the predecessors in the field.

Effect of O antigen ligase gene mutation on oxidative stress resistance and pathogenicity of NMEC strain RS218.

Escherichia coli is one of the primary causes of bacterial sepsis and meningitis in newborns. E. coli RS218, a prototype strain of neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC), is often used in research on the pathogenesis of NMEC. Phagocytes are crucial sentinels of immunity, and their antibacterial ability is largely determined by the capability to produce large amounts of ROS. The capacity of bacteria to endure oxidative pressure affects their colonization in the host. Here, we systematically screened the genes that plays key roles in the tolerance of the model of E. coli RS218 to peroxygen environment using a Tn5 mutant library. As a result, a gene encoding O antigen polymerase (O antigen ligase) that contains the Wzy_C superfamily domain (herein designated as Ocw) was identified in E. coli RS218. Furthermore, we constructed an isogenic deletion mutant of ocw gene and its complementary strain in E. coli. Our results revealed that ocw affects the lipopolysaccharide synthesis, ROS tolerance, and survival of E. coli in the host environment. The discovery of ocw provides important clues for better understanding the function of O-antigen.

FSBP suppresses tumor cell migration by inhibiting the JNK pathway.

The main cause of high mortality in cancer patients is tumor metastasis. Exploring the underlying mechanism of tumor metastasis is of great significance for clinical treatments. Here, we identify the transcription factor Apt/FSBP is a suppressor for tumor metastasis. In Drosophila wing disc, knockdown of apt is able to trigger cell migration, whereas overexpression of apt hampers scrib-RNAi-induced tumor cell migration. Further studies show that loss of apt promotes cell migration through activating the JNK pathway. To investigate the role of FSBP, the homolog of Apt in mammals, we construct Fsbp liver-specific knockout mice. Knockout of Fsbp in liver does not cause any detectable physiological defects, but predisposes to tumorigenesis on DEN and CCl4 treatment. In addition, loss of Fsbp accelerates tumor metastasis from liver to diaphragm. Taken together, this study uncovers FSBP is a novel tumor suppressor, and provides it as a considerable drug target for tumor treatment.

circ-LIMK1 regulates cisplatin resistance in lung adenocarcinoma by targeting miR-512-5p/HMGA1 axis.

This study aimed to unveil the detailed role and new mechanism of circ-LIMK1 in lung adenocarcinoma. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the expression of circ-LIMK1, miR-512-5p, and HMGA1. 3-(4,5)-Dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide assay was employed to test the half maximal inhibitory concentration of cisplatin (DDP). Western blot was used to measure the expression of HMGA1, multidrug resistance protein 1, mitochondrial 37S ribosomal protein, and vascular endothelial growth factor A. Colony formation assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, and tube formation assay were performed to analyze cell functions. Animal models were established to assay the role of circ-LIMK1 in vivo. The expression of circ-LIMK1 was up-regulated in DDP-resistant tumor tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ-LIMK1 reduced DDP resistance, impaired cancer cell growth, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. circ-LIMK1 targeted miR-512-5p, and HMGA1 was targeted by miR-512-5p. MiR-512-5p absence could restore the repressive effects of circ-LIMK1 knockdown on lung adenocarcinoma cell phenotypes. Overexpression of HMGA1 could restore the inhibitory effects of miR-512-5p enrichment on lung adenocarcinoma cell malignant phenotypes. Knockdown of circ-LIMK1 could reduce growth of DDP-resistant tumors in vivo. Collectively, circ-LIMK1 regulated DDP resistance in lung adenocarcinoma by targeting miR-512-5p/HMGA1 axis.

Safety and efficacy of intravenous Tirofiban infusion after mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of intravenous Tirofiban infusion after mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were included. The patients were categorized into two groups according to whether they received intravenous Tirofiban infusion after mechanical thrombectomy. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and all-cause mortality were studied as safety outcomes; recanalization of target vessel evaluated by thrombolysis in cerebral infarct (TICI) scale, and neurological improvement evaluated by Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were studied as efficacy outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were enrolled, among which 8 (25.81%) received a standard dose of intravenous Tirofiban infusion after mechanical thrombectomy. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). None (0.00%) of the patients suffered ICH in the Tirofiban group, while 3 (13.04%) suffered ICH in the control group (P=0.550); similar all-cause mortality rates were found in both groups (25.00% versus 17.39%, P=0.634). In the Tirofiban group, all patients achieved successful recanalization defined by TICI groups (25.00% versus 17.39%, P=0.634). In the und in both groups (25.00% versus 17.39%, P=0.634). In th4). In thle, and neurological improvement evaluated so, 'et al' is notned by 3-month mRS≤2, which were not statistically significant when compared to the control group (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Intravenous Tirofiban infusion after mechanical thrombectomy is safe and effective in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Evaluation of the immunoprotective effects of IF-2 GTPase and SSU05-1022 as a candidate for a Streptococcus suis subunit vaccine.

Aim: This study aims to develop a subunit vaccine with high cross-protection for Streptococcus suis. Materials & methods: Four-week-old female BALB/c mice were first immunized with a single and mixed protein. Various indicators, such as antibody titers and various cytokine levels, were further analyzed. Results: The results showed that purified recombinant proteins IF-2 and 1022 had a good protective effect against lethal doses of S. suis serotype 2 and S. suis serotype 9. This study showed immunization with recombinant proteins. Conclusion: IF-2 and 1022 can enhance cross-protection against S. suis serotypes 2 and 9.

Serum Levels of Thioredoxin Are Associated with Stroke Risk, Severity, and Lesion Volumes.

Oxidative stress increases serum thioredoxin (TRX), a redox-regulating protein with antioxidant activity recognized as an oxidative stress marker. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of serum TRX levels in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013, all patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke were recruited to participate in the study. Serum levels of TRX were assayed with solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the severity of stroke was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission. The results indicated that the median serum TRX levels were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in stroke patients as compared to normal cases [15.03 ng/mL (interquartile range (IQR), 10.21-32.42) and 8.95 ng/mL (6.79-11.05), respectively]. We found the serum TRX reflected the disease severity of AIS. There was a significant positive association between serum TRX levels and NIHSS scores (r = 0.476, P < 0.0001). After adjusting for all other possible covariates, TRX remained as an independent marker of AIS with an adjusted OR of 1.245 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.164-1.352; P < 0.0001). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cutoff value of serum TRX levels as an indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of AIS was projected to be 11.0 ng/mL, which yielded a sensitivity of 80.3 % and a specificity of 73.7 %, with the area under the curve at 0.807 (95 % CI, 0.766-0.847). Further, in our study, we found that an increased risk of AIS was associated with serum TRX levels ≥11.0 ng/mL (adjusted OR 6.99; 95 % CI, 2.87-12.87) after adjusting for possible confounders. Our study demonstrated that serum TRX levels at admission were associated with stroke severity and lesion volumes. Elevated levels could be considered as a novel, independent diagnosis marker of AIS in a Chinese sample.

Elevated Serum Mannose-Binding Lectin Levels Are Associated with Poor Outcome After Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

The activation of the complement system may be involved in the pathology of stroke and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We therefore evaluated the long-term prognostic value of early measurement of serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) levels, an activator of the complement system, in Chinese T2DM with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Serum MBL levels were determined in T2DM patients with AIS (N = 188). The adjudicated end points were 1-year functional outcomes and mortality. The prognostic value of MBL was compared with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and with other known outcome predictors. Patients with an unfavorable outcomes and nonsurvivors had significantly increased MBL levels on admission (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for common risk factors showed that MBL was an independent predictor of functional outcome (odds ratio (OR) = 8.99, 95% CI 2.21-30.12) and mortality (OR = 13.22, 95% CI 2.05-41.21). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MBL was 0.75 (95% CI 0.68-0.83) for functional outcome and 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.90) for mortality. In type 2 diabetic patients with stroke, high levels of MBL predict future functional outcomes and mortality. This indicated that the elevated MBL levels may play a significant role in the pathology of the subsequent damage and that the pathways leading to complement activation warrant further exploration as potential therapeutic targets to improve the prognosis for these patients.