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Manganese dioxide nanosheet coated braided structure carbon cloth as a multifunctional interlayer for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries.

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Radiation-induced muscle fibrosis is a long-term side effect of radiotherapy that significantly affects the quality of life and even reduces the survival of cancer patients. We have demonstrated that radiation induces satellite cell (SC) activation at the molecular level; however, cellular evidence in a rat model of radiation-induced muscle fibrosis was lacking. In this study, we evaluated SC activation in vivo and investigated whether radiation affects the proliferation and differentiation potential of SCs in vitro. For in vivo studies, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6 per group): non-irradiated controls, 90 Gy/1 week-, 90 Gy/2 weeks-, 90 Gy/4 weeks-, 90 Gy/12 weeks- and 90 Gy/24 weeks-postirradiation groups. Rats received a single dose of radiation in the left groin area and rectus femoris tissues were collected in the indicated weeks. Fibrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy were evaluated by Masson's trichrome staining, TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy, respectively. SC activation and central nuclear muscle fibers were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining. IL-1β concentrations in serum and irradiated muscle tissue samples were determined by ELISA. For in vitro studies, SCs were isolated from rats with radiation-induced muscle fibrosis and their proliferation and differentiation were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. In vivo, fibrosis increased over time postirradiation. Apoptosis and autophagy levels, IL-1β concentrations in serum and irradiated skin tissues, and the numbers of SCs and central nuclear muscle fibers were increased in the irradiated groups when compared with the control group. In vitro, cultured SCs from irradiated muscle were positive for the proliferation marker Pax7, and differentiated SCs were positive for the myogenic differentiation marker MyHC. This study provided cellular evidence of SC activation and proliferation in rats with radiation-induced muscle fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE To explore quality of life (QOL) in patients with colorectal cancer and a stoma and factors associated with their QOL. METHODS A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out in the stoma and wound care clinic of a cancer hospital in China. Participants were recruited from clinic patients. Investigators collected demographic data and clinical information; QOL was measured using a Chinese version of the stoma-QOL scale. RESULTS In total, 359 participants took part; 161 (44.8%) had an ileostomy, whereas the others had a colostomy, and about half of the participants (46.5%) had a permanent stoma. The mean age was 57.86 ± 11.92 years. The QOL scores of most participants were poor, with a median value of 49.44. Participants whose stoma was cared for by others had a significantly lower QOL score than those who cared for their own stomas (odds ratio [OR], 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–2.38; P = .029). Participants with a temporary stoma had a lower QOL score than those with a permanent stoma (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.275–3.40; P = .004). Further, participants with a complication had a lower QOL score than those without (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.07–2.43; P = .022). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a need for well-developed interventions to improve the QOL of these patients. This study provides valuable insights to inform the development of future clinical practice and research in this area in China and beyond.

We report the suppression of polysulfide shuttling in a modified separator using spontaneously polarized BiFeO3 particles in a Li–S battery, with improved properties in terms of cycle stability, rate performance, reaction kinetics, self-discharge and anode corrosion.