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Background: This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and the length of hospital stay (LOS), as well as risk factors for prolonged LOS in a cohort of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant. Methods: A total of 1166 COVID-19 patients discharged from the inpatient ward of the largest makeshift hospital (May 8–10, 2022) in Shanghai, China, were included. The demographics, medical history, and the lowest and admission cycle threshold (Ct) values of the RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 genes of the open reading frame 1ab (Ct-ORF) and the nucleocapsid protein (Ct-N) during hospitalization were recorded. Patients with LOS > 7 days, or LOS ≤ 7 days were included in the Prolonged group or the Control group, separately. The clinical characteristics and LOS of the participants in the two groups were described and compared. Multivariate Logistic and linear regression analyses were applied to explore the risk factors for prolonged LOS. The diagnostic efficacy of the lowest and admission Ct values for the Prolonged group was tested via the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The median LOS was 6 days in the total study population. The age was older (45.52 ± 14.78 vs. 42.54 ± 15.30, P = 0.001), while both the lowest and admission Ct-ORF (27.68 ± 3.88 vs. 37.00 ± 4.62, P < 0.001; 30.48 ± 5.03 vs. 37.79 ± 3.81, P < 0.001) and Ct-N (25.79 ± 3.60 vs. 36.06 ± 5.39, P < 0.001; 28.71 ± 4.95 vs. 36.95 ± 4.59, P < 0.001) values were significantly lower in the Prolonged group. There were more mild cases in the Prolonged group (23.8% vs. 11.5%, P < 0.001). The symptom spectrum differed between the two groups. In multivariate analyses, age, disease category, and the lowest Ct-N values were shown to be associated with prolonged LOS. Besides, both the lowest and admission Ct-ORF (AUC = 0.911 and 0.873) and Ct-N (AUC = 0.912 and 0.874) showed robust diagnostic efficacy for prolonged LOS. Conclusions: Our study firstly reports the clinical characteristics and risk factors for prolonged LOS during the wave of the Omicron epidemic in Shanghai, China. These findings provide evidence for the early identification of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients at a high risk of prolonged hospitalization who may require early intervention, and long-term monitoring and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pandemic of COVID‐19 has a persistent impact on global health, yet its sequelae need to be addressed at a wide scale around the globe. This study aims to investigate the characteristics, prevalence, and risk factors for mid‐term (>6 months) clinical sequelae in a cohort of COVID‐19 survivors. Methods: Totally 715 COVID‐19 survivors discharged before April 1, 2020, from three medical centers in Wuhan, China, were included. The longitudinal study was conducted by telephone interviews based on a questionnaire including the clinical sequelae of general, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Demographics and some characteristics of clinical sequelae of the survivors were recorded and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the risk factors for the sequelae. Results: The median time interval from discharge to telephone interview was 225.0 days. The COVID‐19 survivors' median ages were 69 years, and 51.3% were male. Among them, 29.9% had at least one clinical sequela. There were 19.2%, 22.7%, and 5.0% of the survivors reporting fatigue, respiratory symptoms, and cardiovascular symptoms, respectively. Comorbidities, disease severity, the application of mechanical ventilation and high‐flow oxygen therapy, and the history of re‐admission were associated with the presence of clinical sequelae. Conclusions: Our study provides further evidence for the prevalence and characteristics of clinical sequelae of COVID‐19 survivors, suggesting long‐term monitoring and management is needed for their full recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on cognitive function is essential for monitoring the cognitive decline in the elderly population. This study aims to assess the current cognitive status and the longitudinal cognitive decline in elderly patients recovered from COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 1539 COVID-19 inpatients aged over 60 years who were discharged from three COVID-19-designated hospitals in Wuhan, China, from February 10 to April 10, 2020. In total, 466 uninfected spouses of COVID-19 patients were selected as controls. The current cognitive status was assessed using a Chinese version of the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status-40 (TICS-40) and the longitudinal cognitive decline was assessed using an Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Cognitive assessments were performed 6 months after patient discharge. Results: Compared with controls, COVID-19 patients had lower TICS-40 scores and higher IQCODE scores [TICS-40 median (IQR): 29 (25 to 32) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR): 3.19 (3.00 to 3.63) vs. 3.06 (3.00 to 3.38), p < 0.001]. Severe COVID-19 patients had lower TICS-40 scores and higher IQCODE scores than non-severe COVID-19 patients [TICS-40 median (IQR): 24 (18 to 28) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR): 3.63 (3.13 to 4.31) vs. 3.13 (3.00 to 3.56), p < 0.001] and controls [TICS-40 median (IQR): 24 (18 to 28) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR) 3.63 (3.13 to 4.31) vs. 3.06 (3.00 to 3.38), p < 0.001]. Severe COVID-19 patients had a higher proportion of cases with current cognitive impairment and longitudinal cognitive decline than non-severe COVID-19 patients [dementia: 25 (10.50 %) vs. 9 (0.69 %), p < 0.001; Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): 60 (25.21 %) vs. 63 (4.84 %), p < 0.001] and controls [dementia: 25 (10.50 %) vs. 0 (0 %), p < 0.001; MCI: 60 (25.21 %) vs. 20 (4.29 %), p < 0.001)]. COVID-19 severity, delirium and COPD were risk factors of current cognitive impairment. Low education level, severe COVID-19, delirium, hypertension and COPD were risk factors of longitudinal cognitive decline. Conclusions: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with an increased risk of long-term cognitive decline in elderly population. COVID-19 patients, especially severe patients, should be intensively monitored for post-infection cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, honeycomb‐like Yb‐doped V2O5 ⋅ nH2O binder‐free thin film electrodes are synthesized via a simple and convenient sol‐gel method. Benefiting from the synergy of V2O5 ⋅ nH2O and rare‐earth metal ion Yb3+, thin‐layer honeycomb‐like morphology formed upon the introduction of Yb3+ into the V2O5 ⋅ nH2O, which markedly promotes the electrochemical performance of the V2O5 ⋅ H2O thin‐film electrode. After the condition optimization, 8 % Yb−V2O5 ⋅ H2O exhibits superior electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance of 703 F g−1 (at 1 A g−1) and outstanding cycling stability. Besides, owing to the ultra‐high conductivity of oxide super‐P (OSP) nanoparticles, the V2O5 ⋅ H2O@OSP‐4 binder‐free film electrode shows a high specific capacitance of 627 F g−1, which was prepared by the same simple sol‐gel strategy. The assembled 8 % Yb−V2O5 ⋅ nH2O//V2O5 ⋅ nH2O@OSP‐4 device delivers a high specific energy density and excellent cycling stability. This study may have certain inspirations for the fabrication of thin‐film electrodes for high‐efficiency energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous Ni electrodes with different textures have been fabricated by a facile electro-deposition method. The additives ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) in supporting electrolytes play a vital role in the texture of porous electrodes. Porous Ni electrodes prepared with the NH4Cl additive present a (111) plane preferred orientation. However, with the additive (NH4)2SO4, as its concentration increases, the preferred orientation changes from the (111) plane to the (200) plane. In addition, we studied the texture of the porous Ni electrodes and their influence on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) electrooxidation. Porous Ni electrodes with the (111) preferential orientation promote the electrooxidation of NaBH4. Meanwhile, optimum catalytic activity can be obtained when both the (111) and (220) planes are preferentially oriented. In contrast, porous Ni electrodes with the (200) preferential orientation facilitate NaBH4 hydrolysis. Interestingly, the porous Ni electrode with both the (200) and (220) preferential orientations exhibits the best HER catalytic activity. This work provides new insights into the relationship between the texture and the electrocatalytic properties of porous Ni electrodes, which is desirable to design nickel electrodes more reasonably for HER or sodium borohydride electrooxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demand for electrical energy storage, a new Mg−Li hybrid battery with Mg anode is regarded as a promising candidate because of low cost, high volumetric capacity, and dendrite‐free nature of the Mg anode. Nevertheless, the characteristics of low operation voltage and low energy density for Mg−Li hybrid batteries hinders their widespread application, owing to limited reversible cathodes. To overcome these issues, a highly reversible fast Li+ insertion cathode with high voltage is an effective strategy to realize high‐energy‐density Mg−Li hybrid batteries. Herein, we develop the 2 V high‐voltage spinel Li4Mn5O12 cathode material with unique nano‐/microspheres, using a novel low‐temperature method, offering a short Li‐diffusion path and sufficient transport channels for electrolyte penetration into the electrode. For the first time, we demonstrate the feasibility of the spinel Li4Mn5O12 nano‐/microspheres with hierarchical architecture as a cathode for 2 V hybrid Mg−Li batteries. It exhibits a reversible specific capacity of 155 mAh g−1 and a long discharge voltage platform exceeding 2.0 V (vs. Mg/Mg2+) coupled with high energy density of 326 Wh kg−1 at a current density of 0.1 C (1 C=163 mA g−1). Our results pave the way of constructing new hybrid Mg−Li batteries with high voltage and high energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and adolescents. In order to find factors related to its recurrence, and thus improve recovery prospects, a powerful clinical signature is needed. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are essential in osteosarcoma processes and development, and here we report significant lncRNAs to aid in earlier diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Methods: A univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and a multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to analyze osteosarcoma patients' lncRNA expression data from the Therapeutically Applicable Research To Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET), a public database. Results: A lncRNA signature consisting of three lncRNAs (RP1-261G23.7, RP11-69E11.4 and SATB2-AS1) was selected. The signature was used to sort patients into high-risk and low-risk groups with meaningful recurrence rates (median recurrence time 16.80 vs.>128.22 months, log-rank test, P<0.001) in the training group, and predictive ability was validated in a test dataset (median 16.32 vs. >143.80 months, log-rank test, P=0.006). A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the significant lncRNA was an independent prognostic factor for osteosarcoma patients. Functional analysis suggests that these lncRNAs were related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, and the G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, all of which have various, important roles in osteosarcoma development. The significant 3-lncRNA set could be a novel prediction biomarker that could aid in treatment and also predict the likelihood of recurrence of osteosarcoma in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enormous efforts have recently been devoted to exploiting high Faradaic redox active materials with ultrahigh energy density in new generation energy storage systems. In this study, a facile and cost‐effective solvothermal method was employed to synthesize high capacitance of rGO in situ encapsulating V2O5 microspheres (note as VrG). Benefiting from its unique hierarchical structure, large number of Faradaic redox active sites, and excellent electronic conductivity of rGO, the VrG composites can provide excellent pseudocapacitive performance with fast charge transfer and reaction kinetics between electrolyte and electrode material. Especially, the post‐optimized VrG‐5 demonstrates a remarkable discharge specific capacitance of 575 C g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and an outstanding rate capability (48 % capacitance retention with the rate increasing 20 times), which is far better than the precursor component V2O5 under identical conditions. More importantly, the flexible VrG‐5//rGO asymmetric supercapacitors device can not only deliver excellent specific capacitance of 237 C g−1 and a high energy density of 46 Wh Kg−1, but also exhibit a superior mechanical flexibility under various bending angles and even 83 % capacitance retention after 5000 cycles under mechanical bending 180°, indicating its great potential application in the future flexible energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries are strongly expected to be the next-generation energy storage technology due to their superior theoretical specific capacity and energy density. However, the low conductivity of sulfur and the discharge species (Li2S2, Li2S), the “shuttle” issue of soluble intermediates, and the large volume change hinder their further practical application. In this study, vanadium dioxide (VO2) was successfully grown on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) surface via a one-step rapid and facile solvothermal method, and named as the VO2@rGO binary host. In this structure, the VO2 nanoflakes displayed intensive chemical adsorption for polar lithium polysulfide species (LiPSs), accelerating the conversion of long-chain LiPSs to Li2S2/Li2S discharge products and thus suppressing the shuttling of soluble LiPSs. Additionally, rGO could ensure good electronic conductivity of the sulfur cathode and significantly enhanced the electrochemical reaction kinetics. Particularly, the VO2@rGO/S cathode demonstrated a high initial discharge capacity of 1358 mA h g−1 at 0.2C and retained a stable cycling performance with a reversible capacity of 1049 mA h g−1 over 370 cycles (low capacity decay of 0.06% per cycle). Such excellent performance revealed its good potential for use in advanced lithium–sulfur batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover Feature: High-Performance Ytterbium-Doped V2O5 - H2O Binder-Free Thin-Film Electrodes for Supercapacitors (11/2021) Keywords: vanadium pentoxide; Yb3+; supercapacitors; oxide super-P; binder-free electrodes EN vanadium pentoxide Yb3+ supercapacitors oxide super-P binder-free electrodes 1926 1926 1 06/24/21 20210601 NES 210601 B The Cover Feature b shows a honeycomb-like Yb-doped V SB 2 sb O SB 5 sb - I n i H SB 2 sb O binder-free thin-film electrode synthesized by a simple and convenient sol-gel method. Vanadium pentoxide, Yb3+, supercapacitors, oxide super-P, binder-free electrodes. [Extracted from the article]