A new SARS animal model was established by inoculating SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) into rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) through the nasal cavity. Pathological pulmonary changes were successively detected on days 5-60 after virus inoculation. All eight animals showed a transient fever 2-3 days after inoculation. Immunological, molecular biological, and pathological studies support the establishment of this SARS animal model. Firstly, SARS-CoV-specific IgGs were detected in the sera of macaques from 11 to 60 days after inoculation. Secondly, SARS-CoV RNA could be detected in pharyngeal swab samples using nested RT-PCR in all infected animals from 5 days after virus inoculation. Finally, histopathological changes of interstitial pneumonia were found in the lungs during the 60 days after viral inoculation: these changes were less marked at later time points, indicating that an active healing process together with resolution of an acute inflammatory response was taking place in these animals. This animal model should provide insight into the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-related pulmonary disease and greatly facilitate the development of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS.

Hydrogen peroxide is a widely used and important chemical in industry. A two-electron electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (2e– ORR) is a clean and on-site method for H2O2 production. Here, we report metal-free catalysts (mesoporous carbon hollow spheres, MCHS) for high-efficiency H2O2 production in neutral electrolytes (0.1 M PBS). The selectivity of H2O2 on MCHS catalysts is higher than 90% at a wide range of potentials (0.35–0.62 V), and it can reach 99.9% at a potential of 0.57 V. These catalysts show some of the best performances for H2O2 production in neutral electrolytes. It is preferable to develop H2O2 catalysts in a neutral environment, as the pH of the stabilizers used for H2O2 is also close to neutral. The outstanding activity of our catalyst comes from a combination of factors such as suitable porosity, the content of oxygen functional groups, and the types of different species of oxygen functional groups. First-principles simulations show that a catalyst with suitable mixed oxygen and COOH functional groups plays an important role in the catalytic formation of H2O2. The reported metal-free catalysts are promising catalysts for high-efficiency production of H2O2 in the future.

Electrochemical oxygen reduction offers an efficient and environmental-friendly route for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. This electrochemical process can produces H2O2 on-site under ambient conditions. High selectivity and activity two-electron oxygen...