In this work, carbon-free and carbon-coated spinel LiCrTiO4 oxides were synthesized by a conventional solid state reaction. The lithium-ion diffusion coefficient and electronic conductivity of prepared electrode materials were systematically investigated using the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The rate performances of the prepared materials were evaluated by galvanostatic charge-discharge. Carefully comparing the charge-discharge polarization potential of both materials, we unexpectedly discovered that the pristine LiCrTiO4 electrode demonstrated asymmetric polarization during the charging-discharging process, which is possibly attributed to the nonuniform electron conductivity between the endmember of a two-phase reaction, whereas carbon coating could level this phenomenon. Additionally, using an asymmetric core-shell model from the microscopic point of view can easily explain this common phenomenon. Meanwhile, this new research perspective can be extended to other active materials in lithium ion batteries.

Neuropathic pain is caused by somatosensory nervous system disorder which happens in patients with different diseases. Akt3 regulates innate immune function and plays a role in neuropathic pain pathogenesis in rats. MiR‐20b‐5p is a microRNA which has been suggested to inhibit Akt3 expression through directly targeting Akt3 mRNA. This research focused on miR‐20b‐5p function in neuropathic pain by Akt3 expression inhibition. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) was employed to induce neuropathic pain in rats. Paw withdrawal thresholds and paw withdrawal latency were examined to show neuropathic pain development. Expression levels of relative genes or microRNA were checked using qRT‐PCR and western blot. Inflammation cytokine levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. In CCI rat model, miR‐20b‐5p level was declined and Akt3 mRNA level was upregulated. MiR‐20b‐5p mimics suppressed the enhanced neuropathic pain, neuroinflammation, and Akt3 expression. MiR‐20b‐5p directly targeted Akt3 mRNA and downregulated the Akt3 expression in rat primary microglial cells. MiR‐20b‐5p inhibitory function in neuropathic pain was suppressed by the upregulation of Akt3 expression. This research illustrated that miR‐20b‐5p alleviated neuropathic pain through the inhibition of Akt3 expression in CCI rat model.

He (2020) Assessing the analgesic efficacy of oral epigallocatechin-3-gallate on epidural catheter analgesia in patients after surgical stabilisation of multiple rib fractures: a prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial,

Background: Our aim was to explore the risk factors for chronic pain and related miRNA phenotypes in patients with lung adenocarcinoma after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy using prospective clinical studies. Methods: A total of 289 patients with early invasive adenocarcinoma undergoing thoracoscopic lobotomy were included. Blood was collected 1 day before surgery for miRNA detection. General patient information, operation duration, continuous drainage time of the chest, leukocyte count before and after operation, and postoperative pain scores were recorded. Follow-up occurred 3 months after surgery. Depending on whether chronic postsurgical pain occurred, the patients were divided into two groups. Risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain and related miRNA phenotypes were screened using binary logistic regression analysis.Results: Included in the final analysis was 232 patients, and the incidence rate of chronic postsurgical pain was 37.9%. Compared with the non-chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) group, the CPSP group had higher body mass index, higher preoperative history of chronic pain, longer postoperative drainage tube indwellment duration, higher NRS scores 1, 2 and 3 days after surgery, and lower expression of miRNA 146a-3p , and higher expression of miRNA 550a-3p and miRNA 3613-3p in peripheral blood (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that patient body mass index, preoperative history of chronic pain, average NRS score after operation and preoperative peripheral blood miRNA 550a-3P expression were risk factors for the development of chronic postsurgical pain.Conclusions: Preoperative body mass index, history of chronic pain, expression of miRNA 550a-3P in the peripheral blood, and postoperative numerical rating scale score were independent risk factors for CPSP after thoracoscopic lobotomy in patients with early invasive lung adenocarcinoma. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200057092. Registered 28 February 2022- Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx.