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Objective: The study aims to investigate the levels of serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules (Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) in the mid-pregnancy in pregnant women with hyperglycemia, and explore the relationship between NLRP3, along with its effector molecules (Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) and insulin resistance, as well as pregnancy outcomes. Methods: The levels of serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules (Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) in three groups of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were measured in mid-pregnancy, and their relationship with insulin resistance and pregnancy outcomes was analyzed. The ROC curve was also used to evaluate the predictive value of serum NLRP3 inflammasome and its effector molecules for pregnancy outcomes. Results: There were no statistical differences in the general clinical data of the three groups, and the concentrations of serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules were higher in the GDM and PGDM groups than in the NGT group, and NLRP3 along with its effector molecules were positively correlated with fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance index in both groups (r > 0, p <.05). The incidence of preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia was significantly higher in both groups than in the NGT group (p <.05). The value of the combined serum NLRP3 and its effector molecules in mid-pregnancy to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes was highest, and the AUCs for the combined prediction of late hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia were 0.84 (95% CI 0.79–0.88, p <.001), 0.81 (95% CI 0.75–0.85, p <.001), 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.81, p <.001), 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.81, p <.001) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.63–0.81, p <.001), respectively. Conclusions: Increased serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules in pregnant women with hyperglycemia are associated with the levels of insulin resistance and the subsequent development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring effective and controlled zinc ion transportation is crucial for functionality of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and overall performance in zinc‐based battery systems. Herein the first‐ever demonstration of incorporate cation‐π interactions are provided in the SEI to effectively facilitate uniform zinc ion flux. The artificial SEI design involves the immobilization of 4‐amino‐p‐terphenyl (TPA), a strong amphiphilic cation‐π interaction donor, as a monolayer onto a conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix, which enable the establishment of a robust network of cation‐π interactions. Through a carefully‐designed interfacial polymerization process, a high‐quality, large‐area, robust is achieved, thin polymeric TPA/PEDOT (TP) film for the use of artificial SEI. Consequently, this interphase exhibits exceptional cycling stability with low overpotential and enables high reversibility of Zn plating/stripping. Symmetrical cells with TP/Zn electrodes can be cycled for more than 3200 hours at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. And the asymmetric cells can cycle 3000 cycles stably with a high Coulomb efficiency of 99.78%. Also, under the extreme conditions of lean electrolyte and low N/P ratio, the battery with TP protective layer can still achieve ultra‐stable cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe capacity degradation at low temperatures (<−20°С) hampers wide applications of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Existing works are dedicated to electrolyte modification because that electrolyte controls both Li+ transportation and interfacial reaction. However, the efforts on electrolytes are always hard to balance rate performance and low‐temperature capacity due to their high viscosity. Herein, a binary coating layer for Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode material without changing electrolyte formulation is proposed, which significantly improves the high‐rate capability and low‐temperature performance of batteries. YPO4 nanoparticles are in situ formed in the amorphous surface carbon layer under the reaction between Li3V2(PO4)3 and Y(NO3)3 during post‐thermal treatment. The C+YPO4 binary coating reduces the side reactions of Li3V2(PO4)3 at high voltage. In addition, the binary surface coating also improves the interfacial kinetics of the electrode at low temperatures. Benefiting from these advantages, the Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode material can cycle stably at ultra‐high rates up to 50 C. In addition, the capacity retention at −20 and −40 °С are improved to 89.1% and 75.7%, respectively. This binary surface‐coated Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode material shows promising application potential in low‐temperature LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]