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This pilot study was designed to investigate the antidepressant effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The antidepressant effects of dexmedetomidine was compared with ECT, which is widely used in clinical practice for treatment of patients with TRD. Seventy six patients with TRD were randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of DEX infusions or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment. The primary outcome was the changes of depression severity determined by the improvement of 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-24). The second outcomes were the rates of therapeutic response (reduction in HDRS-24 ≥ 50 %) and remission (HDRS-24 ≤ 10 and reduction in HDRS-24 ≥ 60 %) at posttreatment and after 3 months of follow-up visits. We found that 10 sessions of DEX infusions or ECT treatments significantly improved HDRS-24 scores at posttreatment and after 3 months of follow-up visits compared with the baseline. In addition, there was no significant difference between DEX infusions and ECT treatments regarding HDRS-24 at these evaluating points. Furthermore, the depression severity dropped to mild after 2 sessions of DEX infusion. In contrast, at least 6 sessions of ECT treatment were needed to achieve a same level. Finally, the rates of therapeutic response and remission were comparable between the two groups. No serious adverse events were observed. Based on current published evidence, we conclude that DEX exhibits rapid and durable antidepressant properties similar to ECT but with fewer side effects. • Ten sessions of DEX infusions or ECT treatments significantly improved HDRS-24 scores. • DEX infusion displays a fast onset of action in antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. • The rates of therapeutic response and remission are similar between the two groups. • The TRD patients receiving 10 sessions of DEX treatment are safety and well tolerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To screen out suitable electrode materials and overcome the shortcomings of the existed electrode materials for the application in dye-sensitized solar cells and supercapacitors, NiS 2 /reduced graphene oxide (NiS 2 /rGO) composite material was prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal method in this paper and applied in the field of both dye-sensitized solar cells and supercapacitors as electrode material. In an electrolyte of 6 M KOH, the NiS 2 /rGO composite material with bilayer capacitance characteristics exhibited a high specific capacitance of 259.20 F g−1 at the current density of 0.6 A g−1, which was significantly higher than that of rGO (188.94 F g−1). Moreover, at a current density of 2 A g−1, the NiS 2 /rGO composite material had 92.85% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles. When applied as counter electrode material for the dye-sensitized solar cells, the NiS 2 /rGO composite material counter electrode exhibited a satisfactory photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of 3.16% under standard simulated sunlight (AM 1.5 G), which was significantly higher than that of single rGO counter electrode (improved by 90.40%). The NiS 2 /rGO composite electrode material prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal method is a potential bi-functional composite electrode materials for both dye-sensitized solar cells and supercapacitors. [Display omitted] • NiS 2 /reduced graphene oxide composite was prepared by one-step hydrothermal method. • NiS 2 /reduced graphene oxide exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. • High photoelectric conversion efficiency was obtained for dye sensitized solar cells. • Excellent specific capacitance and durability were obtained for supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the photovoltaic performance of the traditional TiO 2 photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), a series of layered TiO 2 /rGO composited DSSCs photoanode was assembled by changing the morphologies of the TiO 2 and introducing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into different areas of the photoanode films. Firstly, TiO 2 nanoflowers (TiO 2 -NFs), TiO 2 nanorods (TiO 2 -NRs) were prepared employing the hydrothermal method and used as photoanode materials to explore the synergistic effect of TiO 2 with different morphologies in layered photoanode. Then, TiO 2 -NFs/rGO composited photoanode (TNF/rGO) were fabricated to research the mechanism of rGO on improving electron transmission in the layered photoanode. The effect of adding rGO at different parts of the layered photoanode on the performance of DSSCs was also investigated. Attributing to the enhancement of light absorption and charge transfer, a champion power conversion efficiency (η) of 9.21 % (J sc = 23.36 mA cm−2, V oc = 0.74 V, FF = 0.53) was achieved with the layered TiO 2 /rGO composited photoanode containing two consecutive layers of TiO 2 -NFs/rGO and P25/rGO, which exhibited an 82.01 % increase than traditional TiO 2 (pure P25) photoanode (η = 5.06 %, J sc = 12.09 mA cm−2, V oc = 0.73 V, FF = 0.58). It is an effective way to design and fabrication of layered TiO 2 /rGO composited photoanode to regulate the photovoltaic performance of traditional TiO 2 photoanode for DSSCs based on the synergistic effect of its multi-layer structure, TiO 2 morphologies and introduction of rGO. [Display omitted] • Layered TiO 2 /rGO photoanode was constructed by TiO 2 with different morphologies and reduced oxide graphene. • The dye loading, light utilization and charge transfer of TiO 2 photoanode were improved in layered TiO 2 /rGO photoanode. • Layered photoanode with rGO exhibits improved electron transfer and smaller charge recombination. • Compared with P25 photoanode, the cell efficiency based on the layered TiO 2 /rGO composited photoanode increased by 82.01 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]