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Objective: To explore which pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play a key role in the development of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) by analyzing PRR-associated genes. Methods: We conducted a comparative analysis of PRR-associated gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) which were derived from patients with HFMD of different severities and at different stages. A total of 30 PRR-associated genes were identified as significantly upregulated both over time and across different EV-A71 isolates. Subsequently, ELISA was employed to quantify the expression of the six most prominent genes among these 30 identified genes, specifically, BST2, IRF7, IFI16, TRIM21, MX1, and DDX58. Results: Compared with those at the recovery stage, the expression levels of BST2 (P=0.027), IFI16 (P=0.016), MX1 (P=0.046) and DDX58 (P=0.008) in the acute stage of infection were significantly upregulated, while no significant difference in the expression levels of IRF7 (P=0.495) and TRIM21 (P=0.071) was found between different stages of the disease. The expression levels of BST2, IRF7, IFI16 and MX1 were significantly higher in children infected with single pathogen than those infected with mixed pathogens, and BST2, IRF7, IFI16 and MX1 expression levels were significantly lower in coxsackie B virus (COXB) positive patients than the negative patients. Expression levels of one or more of BST2, IRF7, IFI16, TRIM21, MX1 and DDX58 genes were correlated with PCT levels, various white blood cell counts, and serum antibody levels that reflect disease course of HFMD. Aspartate aminotransferase was correlated with BST2, MX1 and DDX58 expression levels. Conclusions: PRR-associated genes likely initiate the immune response in patients at the acute stage of HFMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large and controllable deformation of a cantilever consisting of a MCMB (MesoCarbon MicroBeads) graphite layer on a Cu foil is reported. In the charging process, the insertion of lithium ions causes the expansion of the MCMB layer and generates stress due to the deformation mismatch between the MCMB layer and Cu foil. By controlling the amount of Li ions and thickness ratio, the initially flat MCMB graphite/Cu electrode can bend into circular shape reversibly. A theoretical mechanical model is proposed to analyze the bending deformation. This super deformation driven by electrochemical reactions may be used for real-time control devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the effects of the molecular weight of the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder on the electrochemical performance and mechanical integrity of the LiNi0.33Co0.33Mn0.33O2 (NMC) electrodes made by a dry-powder-coating process. The microstructure, binding strength, and electrochemical behavior of the electrodes made with two types of PVDF polymers were compared. We show that a thin PVDF layer can form on the NMC particle surface after heating the PVDF to above its melting point. The microstructure and porosity of the PVDF layer depend strongly on the molecular weight of the PVDFs. With increasing molecular weight, the PVDF layer becomes more porous, improving the high-rate capacity without decreasing binding strength and long-term cycling performance of the electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracture of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) particles can affect the electrochemical performance and manufacturing process of NMC electrodes. Here, we report the fracture behavior of single LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2 (NMC111) secondary particles studied by flat punch indentation. The critical load corresponding to the fracture of NMC111 secondary particles increases with increasing particle size, while the fracture strength is unaffected by the size of the secondary particles. Particles at the first delithiation and lithiation states have significantly lower critical load and fracture strength than the pristine ones, suggesting that electrochemical cycling strongly affects the mechanical integrity of NMC111 secondary particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]