In this paper, a hierarchical NiCo2S4@polypyrrole core-shell heterostructure nanotube array on Ni foam (NiCo2S4@PPy/NF) was successfully developed as a bind-free electrode for supercapacitors. NiCo2S4@PPy-50/NF obtained under 50 s PPy electrodeposition shows a low charge-transfer resistance (0.31 Ω) and a high area specific capacitance of 9.781 F/cm(2) at a current density of 5 mA/cm(2), which is two times higher than that of pristine NiCo2S4/NF (4.255 F/cm(2)). Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled using NiCo2S4@PPy-50/NF as positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as negative electrode. The resulting NiCo2S4@PPy-50/NF//AC device exhibits a high energy density of 34.62 Wh/kg at a power density of 120.19 W/kg with good cycling performance (80.64% of the initial capacitance retention at 50 mA/cm(2) over 2500 cycles). The superior electrochemical performance can be attributed to the combined contribution of both component and unique core-shell heterostructure. The results demonstrate that the NiCo2S4@PPy-50 core-shell heterostructure nanotube array is promising as electrode material for supercapacitors in energy storage.

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Background Urinary catheterisation, which is associated with 80% of urinary tract infections (UTIs), is routinely performed prior to caesarean section without justification from the best available research evidence.Objectives To assess whether it is necessary to place indwelling urinary catheters routinely in caesarean section, and to determine the effects of this procedure on UTIs, urinary retention, intraoperative difficulties, operative complications, as well as other outcomes. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomised controlled trials (NRCTs) comparing the use versus nonuse of indwelling urinary catheters in caesarean section were included.Data collection and analysis Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted the data. Results from the trials were combined to calculate relative risks (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Main results Three trials (two RCTs and one NRCT) were included, involving a total of 1084 participants. Compared with the use of indwelling urinary catheters, nonuse had a significantly lower incidence of UTIs [RR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01, 0.64 (study design: RCT); RR 0.10; 95% CI 0.02, 0.57 (study design: NRCT)], a lower rate of discomfort at first voiding (RR 0.06; 95% CI 0.03, 0.12), less time until first voiding (MD -16.81; 95% CI -17.31, -16.31) and less time until ambulation (MD -6.01; 95% CI -6.68, -5.35); there were no statistically significant differences in the rate of urinary retention [RR 5.00; 95% CI 0.24, 103.18 (study design: RCT); RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.04, 15.18 (study design: NRCT)], operating time (MD -1.10; 95% CI -3.32, 1.12) and rate of intraoperative difficulties (RR 1.00; 95% CI -3.32, 1.12).Conclusions The nonuse of indwelling urinary catheters in caesarean section is associated with less UTIs and no increase in either urinary retention or intra-operative difficulties. Our results suggest that the routine use of indwelling urinary catheters for caesarean delivery in haemodynamically stable patients is not necessary, and can be harmful. However, better and larger randomised trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), as an inflammatory chemokine, has been previously shown to contribute to tumorigenesis in several malignancies including the ovarian cancer.However, little is known about how IL-8 promotes the metastasis and invasion of ovarian cancers cells. In this study, we found that IL-8 and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 were up-regulated in advanced ovarian serous cancer tissues. Furthermore, the level of IL-8 and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression were associated with ovarian cancer stage, grade and lymph node metastasis. In vitro, IL-8 promoted ovarian cancer cell migration, initiated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and activated Wnt/β-catenin signalling. However, when treated with Reparixin (inhibitor of both IL-8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2), effect of both endogenous and exogenous IL-8 was reversed. Together, our results indicated that IL-8 triggered ovarian cancer cells migration partly through Wnt/β-catenin pathway mediated EMT, and IL-8 may be an important molecule in the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer. K E Y W O R D Sepithelial-mesenchymal transition, interleukin-8, migration, ovarian cancer, Wnt/β-catenin pathway | 1589 WEN Et al.