Layered VS2 holds great potential as a cathode material for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries owing to its large interlayer spacing, high electrical conductivity, and the rich redox chemistry of vanadium. Nevertheless, structural instability during charge/discharge severely hinders the further development of VS2 cathodes. Herein, distinctive hierarchitectures of 1T‐VS2 nanospheres assembled by nanosheets, which feature abundant active sites, superior electron/ion transport property, and robust structure, are developed. More intriguingly, Zn2+ “pillars” residing in VS2 interlayers, achieved by controlling the charge cut‐off voltage are first proven to reinforce the layered structure of VS2 upon repeated Zn2+ insertion/extraction, redefining the commonly perceived “dead Zn2+”. Hence, exceptional rate performance (212.9 and 102.1 mA h g−1 at 0.1 and 5 A g−1, respectively) and ultralong cycling life (86.7% capacity retention over 2000 cycles at 2 A g−1) are obtained. The rapid and highly reversible Zn‐ion (de) intercalation behavior within the VS2 nanospheres is verified by first‐principles computations and multiple ex‐situ characterizations. Finally, the flexible quasi‐solid‐state rechargeable Zn battery employing the tailored VS2 cathode demonstrates great application prospects in wearable devices. This work provides new perspectives for prolonging the lifespan of layered Zn‐storage materials by simply modulating the charge/discharge processes.

BackgroundIn order to find a suitable instrument to evaluate psychological resilience in Chinese new employee population, we intended to propose a possible factorial structure of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Furthermore, we administered to explore its reliability and validity in the present population.MethodsParticipants were derived from the male new employees who had started working in the last 2–3 months from 12 machinery factories across 8 different provinces of China. Chinese version of CD-RISC was used to assess the resilience of the study participants. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to assess the possible factor structure, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine which factor structure was the most suitable among the present study sample.ResultsThe present 4-factor model (tolerance for stress, tenacity, and goal orientation; adaptability and acceptance of change; optimism and sense of security; and trust in one’s instinct) of CD-RISC showed good internal consistency, concurrent validity and consistent structure validity, and had presented better data fit than the original 5-factor and the Chinese 3-factor patterns. Each of the present 4-factor structure and the total score of CD-RISC were negatively and significantly associated with Global Severity Index T score and Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ score.ConclusionsThe measure of resilience is useful in screening high-risk employees who are vulnerable to stress. Optimal and tailored interventions can be further applied to avoid potential adverse events in this population. Longitudinal research should be required to determine whether aging and long-term health events can change the nature of resilience.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1219-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Singapore implemented large-scale institutional isolation facilities to contain outbreaks among migrant workers who contracted COVID-19 but did not have the ability to self-isolate. In this article, the authors share their experience operating one of the largest of these facilities.

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BackgroundPost-stroke depression (PSD) seriously affects the rehabilitation of nerve function and quality of life. However, the pathogenesis of PSD is still not clear. This study aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, and biochemical factors in patients with PSD.MethodsPatients with an acute ischemic stroke, who met the inclusion criteria at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital from April 2016 to September 2016, were recruited for this study. The stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the mental state was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) at 1 week of admission. The patients were divided into PSD and non-PSD groups. The demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the biochemical factors, were compared between the two groups. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for depression following stroke.ResultsA total of 83 patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited. Of these, 36 (43.4%) developed depression. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high NIHSS [odds ratio (OR): 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–3.12, P = 0.023] and high HAMD scores (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.61–3.50, P < 0.001) were independent risk predictors for PSD and so were lower dopamine level (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45–0.91, P = 0.014), lower 5-hydroxytryptamine level (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98–1.00, P = 0.046), higher tumor necrosis factor-α level (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.09, P = 0.044), and lower nerve growth factor level (OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.67, P = 0.022).ConclusionsThe identification of higher NIHSS scores, higher HAMD scores, lower dopamine level, lower 5-hydroxytryptamine level, higher tumor necrosis factor-α level, and lower nerve growth factor level might be useful for clinicians in recognizing and treating depression in patients after a stroke.

BackgroundRehabilitation training during the acute phase of stroke (<48 h) markedly improves impaired upper-limb movement. Hand-arm bimanual intensive training (HABIT) represents an intervention that promotes improvements in upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy. This study repurposed HABIT in acute stroke patients and assessed recovery of upper extremity function when compared with a conventional rehabilitation program (CRP).MethodsIn a randomized trial, 128 patients with acute stroke were assigned to the HABIT or the CRP groups. The primary endpoint was clinical motor functional assessment that was guided by the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) and outcomes of the action research arm test (ARAT). The secondary endpoint was an improved neurophysiological evaluation according to the motor-evoked potential amplitude (AMP), resting motion threshold (RMT), and central motor conduction time (CMCT) scores over the 2-week course of therapy. In both groups, scores were evaluated at baseline, 1 week from commencing therapy, and post-therapy.ResultsAfter 2 weeks, the HABIT group showed improved scores as compared the CRP group for FMA (51.7 ± 6.44 vs. 43.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.001), ARAT (34.5 ± 6.2 vs. 33.3 ± 6.3, P = 0.022), and AMP (1.1 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1, P < 0.001). However, CMCT (8.6 ± 1.0 vs. 9.1 ± 0.6, P = 0.054) and RMT (55.3 ± 4.2 vs. 57.5 ± 4.1, P = 0.088) were similar when comparing between groups.ConclusionHABIT significantly improved motor functional and neuro-physiological outcomes in patients with acute stroke, which suggested that HABIT might represent an improved therapeutic strategy as compared CRP.

Most previous studies reported a close link between fresh infarcts and post-stroke depression. However, studies on the relation of depression and silent lacunar infarction (SLI) are limited. This study aims to analyze the effects of SLI and the vascular risk factors on depression. A total of 243 patients with SLI were divided into depression and non-depression groups. The presence and location of SLI were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. Depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and vascular risks factors were collected. We used t tests and χ2 test to compare the baseline characteristics of the two groups and the multivariate logistic regression model to identify the risk factors for depression. Univariate analysis results showed that the proportion of patients with SLI in basal ganglia was significantly higher in the depression group (65.0 versus 32.8 %; P < 0.001) than in the non-depression group, and multiple prevalent factors had significant differences between the two groups. However, on multivariate logistic analysis, some of these factors were eliminated, and SLI in basal ganglia remained an independent predictor of depression with an odds ratio of 3.128 (P = 0.018). In addition, vascular risk factors, including high body mass index level, presence of inflammation markers (e.g., CRP, TNF-α, Hs-CRP, and IL-6), and lack of physical activity, were associated with depression. Our findings suggest that SLI in basal ganglia is associated with a higher risk of depression. Vascular risk factors, which are intertwined, may propose the pathological basis of depression in SLI.

Background. Exercise has an integral impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet no comprehensive and quantitative analysis has been conducted on the effect of exercise on quality of life (QoL) in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise on overall QoL and different domains of QoL in people with PD, as well as investigating the influence of factors such as the exercise type and intervention period. Methods. Databases, such as PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, were searched since inception to August 14, 2018 to identify randomized controlled trials that compare the effect of exercise versus no intervention on QoL in PD patients. Following the subgroup analysis, heterogeneity was further explored. The quality of eligible studies was assessed according to PRISMA guidelines. Results. 20 studies were included with 1,143 participants in total. A meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in QoL after exercise intervention in PD patients (SMD = −0.24, 95% CI = −0.36 to −0.12, P<0.001). A subgroup analysis of exercise types revealed significant QoL improvement with aerobic exercise, martial arts, and dance, but not anaerobic exercise and combined exercise. Interventions lasting 12 weeks or longer improved QoL significantly. Conclusions. Exercise interventions, especially aerobic exercise, dance, and Tai Chi, significantly improve QoL in PD patients. At least 12 weeks of exercise is needed to bring about significant benefits.