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The energy storage mechanism of MnO2 in aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) is investigated using four types of MnO2 with crystal phases corresponding to α‐, β‐, γ‐, and δ‐MnO2. Experimental and theoretical calculation results reveal that all MnO2 follow the H+ and Zn2+ co‐intercalation mechanism during discharge, with ZnMn2O4, MnOOH, and Zn4(SO4)(OH)6·4H2O being the main products. ZnMn2O4 is formed from Zn2+ intercalation, while MnOOH and Zn4(SO4)(OH)6·4H2O are formed from H+ intercalation. Charging generates MnO2 through the extraction of Zn2+ and H+ from ZnMn2O4 and MnOOH, indicating reversible reactions. The study also reveals that H+ intercalation exhibits better kinetics than Zn2+ intercalation due to its higher diffusion ability and easier charge transfer. The crystal structures and diffusion energy barriers differences are responsible for the differences of H+ and Zn2+ diffusion in MnO2, with the layered δ phase exhibiting the lowest diffusion energy barrier and highest apparent diffusion coefficient, while the α phase exhibits the highest diffusion energy barrier and lowest apparent diffusion coefficient. These findings highlight the importance of crystal phases in determining the diffusion ability and energy storage of MnO2, which can inform strategies for design of multiphase MnO2 cathodes for high‐performance ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: Descriptions of the clinical characteristics of anti‐AChR‐MuSK‐LRP4 antibody‐negative myasthenia gravis (triple‐negative myasthenia gravis, TNMG) are lacking in the current literature. Therefore, we investigated the clinical characteristics of TNMG in Chinese patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 925 patients with MG registered in the Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences from January 2015 to March 2021. Results: One hundred six patients diagnosed with TNMG were included in the study. The average age of onset was 32.4 y, with a male‐to‐female ratio of 1:1. The age of onset showed a bimodal distribution: 0–9 y and 40–49 y. Adult patients were more likely to have weakness of limb and bulbar muscles (p <.05). Thymic hyperplasia was found in 20.2% of the patients. Younger patients were more likely to relapse. The rate of adult early‐onset myasthenia gravis reaching complete stable remission and pharmacological remission was 47.6%, and the prognosis was better than that in juvenile‐onset myasthenia gravis (p =.019). Older age of onset was the only risk factor for the development of generalized TNMG from ocular TNMG (R = 1.046, p =.002, 95% confidence interval 1.017–1.077). Discussion: This study showed that the clinical characteristics of patients with TNMG varied among the different age groups. Significant findings included a bimodal distribution of onset age, coexisting thymic hyperplasia, and a generally favorable prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fascinating visible‐light‐responsive photocatalyst, zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4) has attracted extensive interdisciplinary interest and is expected to become a new research hotspot in the near future, due to its nontoxicity, suitable band gap, high physicochemical stability and durability, ease of synthesis, and appealing catalytic activity. This review provides an overview on the recent advances in ZnIn2S4‐based photocatalysts. First, the crystal structures and band structures of ZnIn2S4 are briefly introduced. Then, various modulation strategies of ZnIn2S4 are outlined for better photocatalytic performance, which includes morphology and structure engineering, vacancy engineering, doping engineering, hydrogenation engineering, and the construction of ZnIn2S4‐based composites. Thereafter, the potential applications in the energy and environmental area of ZnIn2S4‐based photocatalysts are summarized. Finally, some personal perspectives about the promises and prospects of this emerging material are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chemokine CC motif receptors 9 and 7 (CCR9 and CCR7) play a major role in the migration of T-cell precursors to the thymus to initiate T thymopoiesis. However, their role in development of T-cells in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients has not been fully elucidated.Methods: Expression and distribution of CCR9+ and CCR7+ cells were detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to check the adhesion molecules on CD4- CD8- double-negative (DN) thymocytes.Results: CCR9 and CCR7 expression by DN thymocytes increased in the MG thymus; the levels of CCR9, CCR7, interleukin-7R mRNA increased, and CXCR4 levels decreased compared with levels in the non-MG thymus. More CCR7 and CCR9 double-positive (DP) thymocytes were gathered near the subcapsular region in MG thymus.Conclusions: Enhanced expression of CCR9 and CCR7 may complicate the differentiation of DP thymocytes from the DN stage in MG thymus. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 84-90, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) occurs globally, and many studies have indicated that there are regional differences in epidemiology, biomarkers, and prognosis of MG.Methods: A total of 478 patients with MG who visited hospitals in the Henan Province between January 2010 and February 2014 were included. Age, gender, age at onset, serum antibody, thymus pathology, treatment information, and Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification were assessed.Results: Compared with previous reports from other areas, we found some differences in MG patients from Henan. The proportion of childhood MG in our study was lower than other reports of Oriental patients with MG. There seems to be an association between onset age, muscle involvement, and acetylcholine receptor antibody levels. Thymectomy improved the symptoms in 78.5% of thymectomy-treated patients.Conclusions: These differences are likely related to geographical, environmental, and ethnic differences. Understanding these differences will help us to define more specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between angiogenesis and the differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors in myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (MMVECs) co-cultured with mast cells (MCs) or mast cell granules (MCGs) under oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). MMVECs and MCs were isolated from Wistar rats. MCs spontaneously degranulated in OGD. The expression of VEGF peaked at 8 h and decreased from 16 h in OGD. However, the expression of its receptor, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1), and fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1), decreased significantly, and angiogenic potential of MMVECs decreased in OGD. Expression of VEGF, Flt-1, and Flk-1 increased significantly when MMVECs were co-cultured with MCGs or active MCs, but MCs had only a limited ability to induce angiogenesis in OGD. The angiogenic potential of MMVECs cultured in OGD (even with MCGs) was inferior to that of MMVECs cultured under normoxic conditions. OGD have a profound effect on angiogenesis, which is more pronounced than the effect of MCs on angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aborted Cardiac Death After Ablation of Coronary Sinus We report a case of aborted sudden cardiac death and subsequent development of malignant drug-refractory incessant ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in a patient with acute coronary artery occlusion following radiofrequency ablation within the CS. Catheter ablation is a well-established therapy for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). In patients with longstanding persistent AF extensive left atrial ablation and ablation inside the coronary sinus (CS) is frequently performed. Perimitral flutter following AF ablation is the most common form of left atrial macroreentry, especially in patients with previous ablation of complex fractionated electrograms and incomplete linear lesion sets within the left atrium. Successful ablation of this type of tachycardia is generally difficult and in about 60-70% patients requires additional ablation within the CS to achieve termination of tachycardia or/and left atrial isthmus (LAI) block. A limited number of case reports have been published describing acute coronary artery occlusion during or immediately after LAI ablation within the CS. This case exhibits a potential lethal risk of radiofrequency ablation within the CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]