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We report the fabrication of the AlV 3 O 9 nanoflowers, which is then used as cathode and anode materials for high-performance lithium ion batteries. The existence of Al 3+ in the vanadium oxygen interlayers reduces electrochemical impedance and improves lithium ion diffusion coefficient of aluminum vanadates, resulting in the enhanced electrochemical performance. Electrochemical measurements show that the AlV 3 O 9 nanoflowers demonstrate good electrochemical performance as cathode and anode materials. Specially, the anode performance of aluminum vanadate is evaluated for the first time. A high capacity of 843 mA h g −1 for second cycle at 100 mA g −1 is obtained for AlV 3 O 9 anode. Even cycled at 1000 mA g −1 , it can maintain a high capacity of 295 mA h g −1 up to 500 cycles. The good performance of AlV 3 O 9 nanoflowers may be ascribed to their 3D hierarchical structure and the conductivity improvement by the incorporation of aluminum ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of ranolazine in contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and potential mechanisms. For in vivo studies, mouse models of CA-AKI and control mice were treated with ranolazine or vehicle. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine were detected by spectrophotometry. Anti-T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 (TIM 1) and anti-lipocalin 2 antibody (LCN2) were detected by immunofluorescence. Hemodynamic parameters were detected via invasive blood pressure measurement and renal artery color doppler ultrasound, capillary density was measured by CD31 immunofluorescence, vascular permeability assay was performed by Evans blue dye. The expressions of oxidative stress and apoptotic markers were measured and analyzed by immunofluorescence and western blotting. For in vitro studies, intracellular calcium concentration of HUVECs was measured with Fluo 3-AM under confocal microscopy. Results show that compared with control mice, serum BUN, creatinine, TIM 1 and LCN2 levels were elevated in CA-AKI mice, but this effect was alleviated by ranolazine-pretreatment. Safe doses of ranolazine (less than 64 mg/kg) had no significant effect on overall blood pressure, but substantially improved renal perfusion, reduced contrast-induced microcirculation disturbance, improved renal capillary density and attenuated renal vascular permeability in ranolazine-pretreated CA-AKI mice. Mechanistically, ranolazine markedly down-regulated oxidative stress and apoptosis markers compared to CA-AKI mice. Intracellularly, ranolazine attenuated calcium overload in HUVECs. These results indicate that ranolazine alleviates CA-AKI through modulation of calcium independent oxidative stress and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O materials have been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route without any templates. The XRD results showed that the as-prepared materials are of high crystallinity and high purity. The Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O material prepared at 190°C for 12h is composed of a large quantity of well-separated nanoparticles with the diameters ranging from 50nm to 200nm. The results of electrochemical measurement indicate that the Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O material exhibits high initial discharge capacity and high-rate capability. A high specific discharge capacity of 544, 503, 475, 458 and 429mAhg−1 can be achieved at different current densities of 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100mAg−1, respectively. The superior electrochemical properties suggest that they are a promising cathode material for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]