Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are severely hindered by the low sulfur utilization and short cycling life, especially at high rates. One of the effective solutions to address these problems is to improve the sulfiphilicity of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and the lithiophilicity of the lithium anode. However, it is a great challenge to simultaneously optimize both aspects. Herein, by incorporating the merits of strong absorbability and high conductivity of SnS with good catalytic capability of ZnS, a ZnS-SnS heterojunction coated with a polydopamine-derived N-doped carbon shell (denoted as ZnS-SnS@NC) with uniform cubic morphology was obtained and compared with the ZnS-SnS2@NC heterostructure and its single-component counterparts (SnS@NC and SnS2@NC). Theoretical calculations, ex situ XANES, and in situ Raman spectrum were utilized to elucidate rapid anchoring-diffusion-transformation of LiPSs, inhibition of the shuttling effect, and improvement of the sulfur electrochemistry of bimetal ZnS-SnS heterostructure at the molecular level. When applied as a modification layer coated on the separator, the ZnS-SnS@NC-based cell with optimized lithiophilicity and sulfiphilicity enables desirable sulfur electrochemistry, including high reversibility of 1149 mAh g–1 for 300 cycles at 0.2 C, high rate performance of 661 mAh g–1 at 10 C, and long cycle life with a low fading rate of 0.0126% each cycle after 2000 cycles at 4 C. Furthermore, a favorable areal capacity of 8.27 mAh cm–2 is maintained under high sulfur mass loading of 10.3 mg cm–2. This work furnishes a feasible scheme to the rational design of bimetal sulfides heterostructures and boosts the development of other electrochemical applications.

Treatment of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is challenging. We performed a phase 2 trial to assess the efficacy and safety of human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) to treat severe COVID-19 patients with lung damage, based on our phase 1 data. In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, we recruited 101 severe COVID-19 patients with lung damage. They were randomly assigned at a 2:1 ratio to receive either UC-MSCs (4 × 107 cells per infusion) or placebo on day 0, 3, and 6. The primary endpoint was an altered proportion of whole lung lesion volumes from baseline to day 28. Other imaging outcomes, 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), maximum vital capacity, diffusing capacity, and adverse events were recorded and analyzed. In all, 100 COVID-19 patients were finally received either UC-MSCs (n = 65) or placebo (n = 35). UC-MSCs administration exerted numerical improvement in whole lung lesion volume from baseline to day 28 compared with the placebo (the median difference was −13.31%, 95% CI −29.14%, 2.13%, P = 0.080). UC-MSCs significantly reduced the proportions of solid component lesion volume compared with the placebo (median difference: −15.45%; 95% CI −30.82%, −0.39%; P = 0.043). The 6-MWT showed an increased distance in patients treated with UC-MSCs (difference: 27.00 m; 95% CI 0.00, 57.00; P = 0.057). The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups. These results suggest that UC-MSCs treatment is a safe and potentially effective therapeutic approach for COVID-19 patients with lung damage. A phase 3 trial is required to evaluate effects on reducing mortality and preventing long-term pulmonary disability. (Funded by The National Key R&D Program of China and others. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04288102.

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been hindered by the shuttle effect and sluggish polysulfide conversion kinetics. Here, a P‐doped nickel tellurium electrocatalyst with Te‐vacancies (P⊂NiTe2−x) anchored on maize‐straw carbon (MSC) nanosheets, served as a functional layer (MSC/P⊂NiTe2−x) on the separator of high‐performance Li–S batteries. The P⊂NiTe2−x electrocatalyst enhanced the intrinsic conductivity, strengthened the chemical affinity for polysulfides, and accelerated sulfur redox conversion. The MSC nanosheets enabled NiTe2 nanoparticle dispersion and Li+ diffusion. In situ Raman and ex situ X‐ray absorption spectra confirmed that the MSC/P⊂NiTe2−x restrained the shuttle effect and accelerated the redox conversion. The MSC/P⊂NiTe2−x‐based cell has a cyclability of 637 mAh g‐1 at 4 C over 1800 cycles with a degradation rate of 0.0139% per cycle, high rate performance of 726 mAh g‐1 at 6 C, and a high areal capacity of 8.47 mAh cm‐2 under a sulfur configuration of 10.2 mg cm‐2, and a low electrolyte/sulfur usage ratio of 3.9. This work demonstrates that vacancy‐induced doping of heterogeneous atoms enables durable sulfur electrochemistry and can impact future electrocatalytic designs related to various energy‐storage applications.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) predisposes patients to an increased risk into progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), however effective treatments are still elusive. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of human adipose-derived MSCs (hAD-MSCs) in the prevention of AKI-CKD transition, and illuminate the role of Sox9, a vital transcription factor in the development of kidney, in this process. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to unilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) with or without hAD-MSC treatment. We found that hAD-MSC treatment upregulated the expression of tubular Sox9, promoted tubular regeneration, attenuated AKI, and mitigated subsequent renal fibrosis. However, these beneficial effects were abolished by a drug inhibiting the release of exosomes from hAD-MSCs. Similarly, Sox9 inhibitors reversed these protective effects. Further, we verified that hAD-MSCs activated tubular Sox9 and prevented TGF-β1-induced transformation of TECs into pro-fibrotic phenotype through exosome shuttling in vitro, but the cells did not inhibit TGF-β1-induced transition of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Inhibiting the release of exosomes from hAD-MSCs or the expression of Sox9 in TECs reversed these antifibrotic effects. In conclusion, hAD-MSCs employed exosomes to mitigate AKI-CKD transition through tubular epithelial cell dependent activation of Sox9.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disease. An effective strategy for the treatment of SCI is urgently required. Stem cell transplantation has emerged as a viable therapeutic option with great potential for restoring neurological function lost following SCI. From 2009 to 2010, a total of 20 SCI patients were enrolled in a clinical trial by Wuhan Hongqiao Brain Hospital; all patients completed and signed informed consent prior to autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. Analysis of subsequent treatment results indicated significant improvements in sensory, motor and autonomic nerve function as assessed by the American Spinal Injury Association’s impairment scale. Thirty days after transplantation, a total of 15 patients (75%) demonstrated improvement, including four of the eight patients (50%) with grade A SCI, three of the four patients (75%) with grade B injury and all eight patients (100%) with grade C injury. The most common adverse events, fever and headache, disappeared within 24–48 h without treatment.

“Double-shell” nanotubes of oxygen vacancy titanium oxide embedded nitrogen-doped carbon (OV-TiO2−x@NC) are designed as a robust host for Li–S batteries.

The practical application of lithium–sulfur batteries is impeded by the polysulfide shuttling and interfacial instability of the metallic lithium anode. In this work, a twinborn ultrathin two-dimensional graphene-based mesoporous SnO2/SnSe2 hybrid (denoted as G-mSnO2/SnSe2) is constructed as a polysulfide immobilizer and lithium regulator for Li–S chemistry. The as-designed G-mSnO2/SnSe2 hybrid possesses high conductivity, strong chemical affinity (SnO2), and a dynamic intercalation–conversion site (Li x SnSe2), inhibits shuttle behavior, provides rapid Li-intercalative transport kinetics, accelerates LiPS conversion, and decreases the decomposition energy barrier for Li2S, which is evidenced by the ex situ XAS spectra, in situ Raman, in situ XRD, and DFT calculations. Moreover, the mesoporous G-mSnO2/SnSe2 with lithiophilic characteristics enables homogeneous Li-ion deposition and inhibits Li dendrite growth. Therefore, Li–S batteries with a G-mSnO2/SnSe2 separator achieve a favorable electrochemical performance, including high sulfur utilization (1544 mAh g–1 at 0.2 C), high-rate capability (794 mAh g–1 at 8 C), and long cycle life (extremely low attenuation rate of 0.0144% each cycle at 5 C over 2000 cycles). Encouragingly, a 1.6 g S/Ah-level pouch cell realizes a high energy density of up to 359 Wh kg–1 under a lean E/S usage of 3.0 μL mg–1. This work sheds light on the design roadmap for tackling S-cathode and Li-anode challenges simultaneously toward long-durability Li–S chemistry.

Background The long-term consequences of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) treatment for COVID-19 patients are yet to be reported. This study assessed the 1-year outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19, who were recruited in our previous UC-MSC clinical trial. Methods In this prospective, longitudinal, cohort study, 100 patients enrolled in our phase 2 trial were prospectively followed up at 3-month intervals for 1 year to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of UC-MSC treatment. The primary endpoint was an altered proportion of whole-lung lesion volumes measured by high-resolution CT. Other imaging outcomes, 6 min walking distance (6-MWD), lung function, plasma biomarkers, and adverse events were also recorded and analyzed. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04288102). Findings MSC administration improved in whole-lung lesion volume compared with the placebo with a difference of −10.8% (95% CI: −20.7%, −1.5%, p = 0.030) on day 10. MSC also reduced the proportion of solid component lesion volume compared with the placebo at each follow-up point. More interestingly, 17.9% (10/56) of patients in the MSC group had normal CT images at month 12, but none in the placebo group ( p = 0.013). The incidence of symptoms was lower in the MSC group than in the placebo group at each follow-up time. Neutralizing antibodies were all positive, with a similar median inhibition rate (61.6% vs. 67.6%) in both groups at month 12. No difference in adverse events at the 1-year follow-up and tumor markers at month 12 were observed between the two groups. Interpretation UC-MSC administration achieves a long-term benefit in the recovery of lung lesions and symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Funding The National Key R&D Program of China, the Innovation Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the National Science and Technology Major Project.