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Gallium (Ga) electrodes have been used as anodes in Li-ion batteries, due to their low-melting-point and self-healing properties. However, the use of Ga without a binder or a conductive agent together as the anode material is rare. In this study, AlCl3 was added as an additive to the electrolyte formed by [EMIm]Cl and GaCl3. The obtained binder-free Ga particles were used as the anode of the Li-ion battery; the initial specific capacity was 528.2 mA h g−1 and the initial coulombic efficiency was 97.8%. After 100 cycles, the specific capacity of discharge was 441.6 mA h g−1 at 0.1C. Ga particles obtained from ionic liquids can be used to improve the cycling stability of anodes in lithium-ion batteries.

The density and pore diameter of aluminum (Al) films have an important influence on the resultant film applications, especially in the field which require extremely high-density, uniform Al films. In this study, Al was electrodeposited from 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([EMIm]Cl) ionic liquid onto a Ni substrate using AlCl3 as the Al source. The results show that the concentration of the electrolyte was the crucial factor governing the microstructure of the electrodeposited continuous and dendrite-free Al film. The obtained continuous, dendrite-free Al film was used as the anode of a Li-ion battery. The obtained Al films delivered a first specific capacity reaching 1492 mAh g−1 in the Li-ion battery and effectively improved the corrosion resistance of the Ni substrate.

Nanoscale microstructure designing is playing an important role in improving the performance of electrode materials of an electrochemical battery. The Sn based anode is among the very high-capacity but less-stable materials, and has been used mostly for anode of the Li-ion battery with unsatisfactory performance. In this work, we design a new type of 3D porous graphene and nano-Sn composite (Sn/Void@G) by simple one-step annealing of graphene oxide, polystyrene spheres and stannic chloride for both high performance Li- and Na-ion battery anodes. More importantly, the 3D porous graphene formed tunable micro-nano void as a highly efficient “bumper” to accommodate the large volume expansion of nano-Sn particles. As results, the discharge specific capacity of the Sn/Void@G, anode still remains 45.3% while the charge-discharge current is increased 50 times, and the capacity is more than 400 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 5C rate. For Na storage, the integrated anodes deliver the Na storage capacity of 786.1 mAh/g at 0.1C rate and the capacity of more than 340 mAh/g after 800 cycles at 2C rate. The present result on Li and Na ion battery may pave the way to next generation high power and energy density batteries.

Germanium (Ge) is an important semiconductor material in optoelectronic devices and is being researched in energy storage fields. Ge nanostructure materials with different morphologies may lead to distinctly different application performances. In this work, Ge nanorod architectures were successfully template-free electrodeposited on ITO substrate from the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([Emim]Tf2N) containing dissolved GeCl4 with the assistance of UV light. The UV irradiation influences the conformation of imidazolium rings of [Emim]+ adsorbed during the deposition process. A solution template has been formed on the surface of the electrode which inhibited the lateral growth of Ge nuclei and promoted the growth of Ge nanorod structures. Consequently, the coral-like Ge nanorod bundles (NRBs) has been obtained. This method provides attractive prospects for the other semiconductor nanorod structures.

In this work, a novel pyrrolic nitrogen-doped carbon sandwiched monolayer MoS2 hybrid was prepared. This sandwiched hybrid vertically anchors on graphene oxide as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Such electrode was fabricated by facile ionic liquid-assisted reflux and annealing methods. Owing to rational structure and enhancement from pyrrolic nitrogen dopant, this unique MoS2/C-graphene hybrid exhibits reversible specific capacity of 486 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles with a low average fading capacity of 0.15 mAh g−1 (fading cyclic rate of ca. 0.03% per cycle). A capacity of 330 mAh g−1 is remained at the current densities of 10.0 A g−1. The proposed strategy provides a convenient way to create new pyrrolic nitrogen-doped hybrids for energy field and other related applications.

Smart electrochromic windows integrated with electrochemical energy storage capacity are receiving increasing interest for green buildings. However, the fabrication of bifunctional devices that demonstrate high-rate capability with stable and desirable optical modulation still remains a great challenge. Herein, a facile sacrificial template-accelerated hydrolysis approach is presented to prepare a designed lithium-ion insertion-type material layer on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate, with TiO2 mesoporous nanotube array (MNTA) film as an example, with rapid Li-ion insertion kinetics and without sacrificing window transparency, to meet requirements. A bifunctional device is assembled to exhibit the optical-electrochemical superiority of MNTA nanostructures. The as-assembled bifunctional smart window exhibits strong electrochromic contrast and high-rate capability in the fast galvanostatic charge/discharge process. For instance, at 1 A g−1, it completes the charge or discharge process within only 232 s and delivers a high, reversible and stable specific capacity of 60 mA h g−1, accompanying obvious transmittance modulation in the visible spectrum, with a typical value of ca. 30.4% at 700 nm, and strong color changes between deep blue and transparency.

Stretchable electrochromic devices (SECDs) have steadily attracted widespread attention in wearable devices. However, the delamination of device architectures (electrochromic layer, conductive layer and substrate) and poor chemical stability of conductive layer (silver nanowires (AgNWs)) are the key issues to be resolved to ensure the practical applications of flexible electrochromic devices. Herein, we designed a flexible and stretchable WO3@AgNW-PrePDMS (Pre-cured Polydimethylsiloxane) electrode, through integrated and embedded design, to build a high-performance electrochromic device. The integration of electrochromic layer and conductive layer in the electrode is fabricated via a WO3@AgNW core–shell structure. And embed the core–shell structure into the flexible substrate PDMS to form WO3@AgNW-PrePDMS electrode. This electrode architecture can prevent the delamination of the stretchable electrode during bending tests. Moreover, WO3 as a shell structure protects the conductive material AgNW to prevent its oxidation and improve the stability of the conductive substrate. The WO3@AgNW-PrePDMS electrode displays outstanding electrochemical stabilities and excellent bi-functionalities (flexible conductive film and electrochromic electrode): high conductivity (12 Ω/sq) as flexible transparent conductive film and wide optical modulation range (ΔT = 72% at 550 nm) as electrochromic electrode. The stretchable WO3@AgNW-PrePDMS electrode can still maintain stable electrical conductivity (ΔR/R≈8.3% and 14%) and electrochromic performance (90% and 92% retention) after 20,000 bending cycles and stretching to 70%, indicating the excellent mechanical flexibility. The WO3@AgNW core–shell nanowire network electrodes with embedded structures can be a strong candidate for wearable electrochemical energy devices in the future.

The high specific capacity and cycle stability of Li-ion alloy anode materials have been the focus of researchers. However, the alloy anode materials are easy to be broken and cracked after cycling. In this study, we have co-electrodeposited Al-Ga composite from ionic liquid, and the obtained composite has a higher specific capacity and the longer cycling life than single Ga/Al electrode. Initial discharge capacity is 1554.7 mAh/g, and Coulombic efficiency is 82.6% at 0.1 A/g. Co-electrodeposited Al-Ga composite from ionic liquid provides a new way to solve the electrode materials that are easily fractured and cracked after cycling, and improves cycle stability and high capacity to a certain extent.

BACKGROUND Ischemia-reperfusion injury of whole brain involves a complicated pathophysiology mechanism. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has been shown to have neuro protective functions. This study observed the effect of Dex on serum S100B and cerebral intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS Healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (males, 7 weeks old) were randomly divided into sham, model, and Dex groups (n=20 each). A cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was prepared by clipping of the bilateral common carotid artery combined with hypotension. Dex (9 μg/kg) was infused intravenously immediately after reperfusion in the Dex group, while the other two groups received an equal volume of saline. Neural defect score (NDS) was measured at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 72 hours after surgery, with pathological observation of brain tissues. ELISA was then used to test serum S100B protein level. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assayed by spectrometry. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and ICAM-1 levels were determined by real-time (RT)-PCR. RESULTS Model rats had significant injury in the hippocampal CA1 region as shown by elevated NDS, S100B, and MDA levels, higher NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA expression, and lower SOD levels (p

Thickness- and morphology-controlled vanadium pentoxide/polyaniline (V 2 O 5 /PANI) core/shell hybrid nanofibers are fabricated by electropolymerization of PANI on V 2 O 5 nanofibers for enhanced energy storage. By simply adjusting the electrodeposition time, the thickness of the PANI shells can be controlled from 5 nm to 47 nm, and the morphology can be changed from coaxial to branched. The influence of shell thickness on the improved Li-ion storage performance of the V 2 O 5 /PANI core/shell nanofibers is systematically investigated, and this enhancement of charge capability and cycling stability strongly varies with the shell thickness. Thickness-dependent synergistic electron transport, Li-ion diffusion distances, and shell mechanical strength mechanisms are also proposed. These results provide meaningful references for developing new functional core/shell materials and high-performance energy storage composite materials.

In this work, we synthesized a new type of Ge coating for a 3D porous carbon on a Ni foam surface (3D-Void/Ge@C) using simple ionic liquid electrodeposition and annealing at low temperature. When the 3D-Void/Ge@C composite is used as a LIB anode, the 3D porous carbon sheet formed micro-nano voids as a highly efficient “bumper” to accommodate the large volume expansion of Ge. As a result, the as-prepared anode exhibited superior Li-storage capacity, delivered a first cycle discharge/charge specific capacity of 2019.9/1592.9 mA h g−1 at 0.1 mA g−1, and a discharge specific capacity that was more than 990 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles. With a high capacity and stable Li-storage performance, the well-designed composite may indicate a new strategy to promote further application of Ge-based anode materials in new high-performance LIBs in the future.

Pharmacological inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a potential strategy to prevent diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction. This study was designed to investigate precise effects of antioxidant N‑acetylcysteine (NAC) in alleviating diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Echocardiography and histologic studies were performed 12 weeks after streptozocin injection. Protein levels involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis were analyzed by western blotting in diabetic hearts or high-glucose (HG, 30 mM)- and palmitic acid (PA, 300 μM)-cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). ROS generation and structural alterations of mitochondria were also assessed. We report that NAC alleviated diabetes-induced cardiac abnormality, including restored ejection fraction (EF %), fraction shortening (FS %), peak E to peak A ratio (E/A) and reduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. These effects were concomitant with blocked ERS and apoptosis, as evidenced by inactivation of phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (IRE1α)/spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), phosphorylated protein kinase-like kinase (PERK)/phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78)/activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6α)/C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathways, as well as suppressed Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and cleaved caspase 3 expressions. Mechanistically, PA mediated excessive mitochondrial ROS generation and oxidative stress, which were antagonized by NAC and Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondrial ROS inhibitor. No effects were noted by addition of apocynin, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor, and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX 4) and NOX 2 expressions were not altered, indicating that PA-induced ROS generation is independent of NADPH oxidases. Most intriguingly, HG failed to promote ROS production despite its ability to promote ERS and apoptosis in NRCMs. Collectively, these findings indicate that NAC primarily abrogates PA-mediated mitochondrial ROS through ERS and therefore alleviates myocardial apoptosis but has little effect on HG-induced cardiac injury. This uncovers a potential role for NAC in formulating novel cardioprotective strategies in DCM patients.

Objective: Neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in ischemia cerebrovascular disease. Study has shown that Dexmedetomidine (Dex) contributes to neuroprotective functions. We thus observed the regulatory effect of Dex on the expressions of Glutamate Receptor-2 (GluR2) and N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid (NMDA) receptor 2B (NR2B) in cerebral cortical neurons with an ischemia-reperfusion rat model. Patients and Methods: Healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into sham, model and Dex treatment groups (N=20 each). Whole-brain ischemia-reperfusion model was generated by the clipping of bilateral common carotid artery with hypotension. Dex (9 μg/kg) was infused immediately after reperfusion, while the other two groups received equal volume of saline. Morris water maze was employed to detect learning and memory function of rats. Brain tissues were extracted at 6, 24 and 72 h after reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect GluR2 and NR2B receptor levels, the mRNA levels of which were determined by real-time PCR. Results: The longer escape latency and fewer number of crossing platform in water maze were shown in Model rats group. Cortical GluR2 expression was down-regulated while NR2B level was increased. Dex treatment inhibited escape latency and increased crossing times, along with the rise of cortical GluR2 expression and reduction of NR2B expression (p

A liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of 6β-hydroxycortisol and 6β-hydroxycortisone using dexamethasone as internal standard in human urine is described. Separation was achieved on a reversed-phase C18 column by a gradient elution of acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% formic acid. 6β-Hydroxycortisol and 6β-hydroxycortisone were monitored by UV absorption at 244 nm. The lower limits of quantitation were 5 ng mL−1 for both analytes. The intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations were less than 7.4%. Accuracy determined at three concentrations ranged between 92.16 and 109.77%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this method were demonstrated to be satisfactory for measuring both metabolites in human urine.

A specific and sensitive method based on high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance detection (HPLC-UV) was developed for the simultaneous determination of urinary cortisol (F), cortisone (E), 6β-hydroxycortisol (6β-OHF) and 6β-hydroxycortisone (6β-OHE) using dexamethasone as the internal standard. The method involved solid-phase extraction of the five compounds from urine using Oasis HLB Waters cartridges with an elution solvent of ethyl acetate-diethyl ether (5 mL; 4:1, v/v), followed by 1 mol/L of NaOH (1 mL) and 1.0% acetic acid (1 mL). Separation of the five analytes was achieved within 31 min by using a reversed-phase C18 analytical column (200 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm, Agilent). A UV detector operated at 245 nm was used. According to the method validation, inter-run and intra-run precision was below 9.45% and accuracy ranged from 98.16 to 115.50%. The lower limits of quantitation were 5 ng/mL for four analytes. This is the first HPLC method that can simultaneously determine F, E, 6β-OHF and 6β-OHE in human urine. The assay was applied to research the ratio of (6β-OHF + 6β-OHE)/(F + E) as a non-invasive biomarker for the metabolism of tacrolimus.

A novel probe, 3',6' - bis(diethylamino) -2- ((2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)amino) spiro [isoindoline-1,9'-xanthene]-3-thione (RBS), was designed and synthesized. Its structure was characterized with elemental analysis, IR spectra and (1)H NMR. The probe displayed highly selective and sensitive recognition of Hg(2+). Reacting with mercury ions in aqueous solution, its fluorescence intensity was enhanced significantly, while its color was changed from colorless to pink. So, a new fluorescence method of detection of Hg(2+) was proposed. Its dynamic response concentration range and detection limit for Hg(2+) were 5.00 × 10(-9) M to 1.00 × 10(-6) M detected and 1.83 × 10(-9) M, respectively. Satisfying results were obtained when the probe was applied to detect spiked Hg(2+) in samples.

Probe 1 was designed and synthesized as a new fluorescent molecular probe for thiols in PBS buffer at physiological condition. This fluorescent molecular probe consists of a thiol reaction moiety bound to a coumarin fluorophore. Its fluorescence quantum yield is low, but a drastic enhancement of fluorescence intensity was observed in the presence of thiols. Possible interference with other analytes was examined. Probe 1 displays a highly selective fluorescent enhancement with thiols, and the probe was successfully applied to thiols determination in intracellular, in human urine and blood samples.