Introduction
Previous studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is involved in the ventricular remodeling process in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We ...hypothesized that high levels of FGF21 correlated with the ventricular remodeling of heart failure patients with mildly reduced (HFmrEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Methods
A total of 203 participants with HFmrEF or HFrEF were enrolled and followed up from June 2018 to June 2021. 68 subjects without heart failure (HF) underwent physical examinations during the same time were selected as the control group. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), which were defined as all-cause or cardiac mortality and rehospitalization for decompensation. Serum FGF21 levels were measured early the next morning after admission using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results
The FGF21 levels were significantly higher in patients with HFmrEF or HFrEF than that in the control group (213.57 ± 42.65 pg/mL, 222.93 ± 34.36 pg/mL vs 171.00 ± 12.86 pg/mL, p < .001). The serum levels of FGF21 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were both higher in the endpoint event group than those of non-endpoint event group regardless of the HFmrEF or HFrEF group (p < .001). Spearman’s correlation revealed that FGF21 was positively correlated with left ventricular end-systolic diameter left ventricular end-diastolic diameter left ventricular mass index (p < .01). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between FGF21 and left ventricular ejection fraction in addition to relative wall thickness (p < .001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of FGF21 was 0.874. The optimal cut-off value of FGF21 determined by ROC curve was 210.11 pg/mL. The Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the low FGF21 levels group had an increased MACE-free survival rate compared with the high FGF21 levels group. On univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, it was seen that both serum FGF21 and NT-proBNP were independent predictors of a poor prognosis in HF patients.
Conclusion
Baseline levels of FGF21 and NT-proBNP were related to the ventricular remodeling of patients with a mildly reduced or reduced ejection fraction. FGF21 and NT-proBNP both had good prognostic value for MACEs in heart failure patients with a mildly reduced and reduced ejection fraction.
Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and its association with Heart Failure with ...reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF). Methods. The level of FGF21 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 199 subjects enrolled in this study, including 128 subjects with HFrEF and 71 control subjects. The mean follow-up time was 13.36 months. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) percentage were evaluated by the 2D echocardiography. Serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured in the routine clinical laboratory. Results. The serum FGF21 level was evidently higher in patients with HFrEF than in the control group (228.72±24.04 vs. 171.60±12.98, p<0.001). After 1 year of follow-up, 61 patients (47.66%) with heart failure were readmitted to the hospital, including 8 deaths (13.11%). The AUC of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the predictive value of FGF21 for prognosis was 0.964. Kaplan-Meier analysis results showed that there were significant differences in the 1-year mortality and heart failure readmission events between the grouped subjects. A poor prognosis was correlated with the serum level of FGF21, BNP, LVEDD, and LVEF, which was confirmed by the univariate Cox analysis. Conclusion. FGF21 was independently associated with an increased risk of mortality and readmission HFrEF patients. Therefore, FGF21 has the potential to be a biomarker for the progression of HFrEF in patients.
Circulating surfactant protein D (SP-D) has been proved to be associated with cardiovascular disease and total mortality in European patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was to ...determine whether serum SP-D levels are associated with 1-year prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a Chinese population.
Serum SP-D levels were examined by ELISA kit in 264 patients undergoing coronary angiography. An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was used to determine the presence of CKD. Gensini scores were calculated to reflect the severity of coronary lesions. The correlations between SP-D, Gensini scores, white blood cells, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and eGFR were calculated. Patients with eGFR less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 were followed up for an average of 14 months, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were recorded and analyzed.
Patients with CKD compared with patients without CKD were more often men, with a higher prevalence of hypertension, CAD, average age, levels of fasting glucose, hs-CRP and SP-D (179.73 ± 72.80 versus 131.65 ± 94.29 ng/ml; all P < 0.05). Serum SP-D levels were positively correlated with Gensini scores and eGFR, but not with white blood cells or hs-CRP. CKD patients suffering from MACEs had higher levels of serum SP-D (217.02 ± 102.34 versus 172.26 ± 70.27 ng/ml) and patients with SP-D at least 200 ng/ml had higher risk of MACEs (all P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that smoking, multivessel disease, CKD and SP-D (OR: 1.396, 95% CI: 1.058-2.718, P = 0.028) were associated with 1-year MACEs (all P < 0.05).
SP-D levels are associated with 1-year prognosis in patients with CKD.
Hydrogen energy has attracted considerable attention as a promising alternative to petroleum. Herein, a novel (Al–x%Li)–y%NaBH4 composite with a core–shell structure has been designed and synthesized ...by a one-step ball-milling method for generating hydrogen by hydrolysis. NaBH4 formed a surface coating that completely wrapped the Al–x%Li alloy particles to prevent agglomeration and oxidation. Meanwhile, the synergism between the Al–Li alloy and NaBH4 promoted the hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of the composite. The total hydrogen release content of (Al–10%Li)–10%NaBH4 reached 1468.8 mL·g−1, with the highest HGR reaching 4393.7 mL·g−1·min−1 at 303 K. The (Al–x%Li)-y%NaBH4 composites also exhibited outstanding hydrolysis capacity during reaction with a near-stoichiometric amount of added CoCl2 solution. The hydrogen emission exceeded 90% when only twice the amount of stoichiometric CoCl2 solution was injected. The hydrogen mass density of the total system increased to more than 2.3 wt% from approximately 0.6 wt% with the addition of 10 stoichiometric solution, indicating the practical application of the portable fuel cell in conserving the total volume of the facility.
•NaBH4 forms a surface coating around Li–Al particles, showing a core-shell structure which can protect the Li–Al particles from oxidation and agglomeration.•NaBH4 works synergistically with the alloy to increase the hydrolytic performance.•The highest HGR of (Al–10%Li)–10%NaBH4 composite reaches to 4393.7 mL·g−1·min−1 at 303 K.•The composites exhibited outstanding hydrolysis capacity during reaction at a near-stoichiometric condition with the gravimetric hydrogen density over ∼2.3 wt% H2 was realized.
To meet the electrolyte requirements for high-voltage cathode materials, lithium difluorophosphate (LiDFP) is evaluated as a lithium salt additive for the conventional carbonate-based electrolyte ...system. The LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2/graphite pouch cells containing 1 wt% LiDFP delivers a discharge capacity retention of 93.8% over 100 cycles operated at a cut-off voltage of 4.5 V, which is higher than the 43.2% of that without additive; and its average discharge capacity can reach around 118.9 mAh g−1 at 5 C, while the reference cell only achieves 93.4 mAh g−1. Herein, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results obtained from the two- and three-electrode pouch cells indicate that LiDFP can respectively suppress impedance growth of two electrodes during cycling. The spectroscopic analysis demonstrates that the cathode surface can be modified by the additive and a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is also formed on the anode surface by the presence of LiDFP in the electrolyte. Additionally, the capacity retention for the LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2/Si-C pouch cell is also noticeably enhanced from ∼3.5% to 67.2% by adding 1 wt% LiDFP into the electrolyte over 200 cycles operated at 4.5 V.
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•The impedance variations of each electrode were tracked by 3-electrode cell.•LiDFP is benefit for the high-voltage performance of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2-based pouch cell.•LiDFP participates in the formation of a stable SEI on the anode.
To solve the agglomeration of Fe and low electronic conductivity of FeP anode, a simple route through metal organic framework (MOF)-derived phosphorization has been successfully explored for in-situ ...encapsulation of FeP nanoparticles in porous carbon framework (FeP@C). The MOF-derived FeP@C anode can substantially inhibit the coarsening of small Fe, improve the electroconductivity and moderate the volume expansion of electrode, leading to superior rate capability and excellent cycling performance for Li-, Na- and K-ions storage. For example, the FeP@C anode delivers a high reversible capacity of 700 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 over 180 cycles for Li-ion batteries, displays a high reversible capacity of 387 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 over 100 cycles for Na-ion batteries and achieve a high reversible capacity of 163 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 over 100 cycles for K-ion batteries. The kinetic analysis, calculated diffusion coefficient and partial density of states (PDOS) results also confirmed this in-situ carbon encapsulated strategy improves the conductivity of FeP particles facilitating the alkali-ion/electron's transportation.
Carbon-encapsulated FeP nanoparticles with 3D porous hierarchical structure have been successfully fabricated via a general MOF-derived gas phosphidation strategy. Due to the special structure design, this anode of FeP@C effectively improves the electron conductivity, moderates the volume expansion and displays a stable cycling performance and superior rate capability for Li-, Na-/K-ion batteries. Display omitted
An unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on graphite electrode surface is easily destroyed and continually consumes the electrolyte for reconstruction, resulting in large capacity loss under ...high temperature operation. Here, citraconic anhydride (CAn) as a novel electrolyte additive is evaluated to overcome the aforementioned high temperature problems of the LiNi0·6Co0·2Mn0·2O2/graphite pouch cell. The cell containing 2 wt% CAn displays a superior capacity recovery capability and negligible capacity loss after storage at 60 °C for 15 days. Electrochemical measurements and spectroscopic techniques confirm that a high stability SEI film is formed on the graphite surface by the CAn reduction. Moreover, the CAn-derived SEI film can significantly reduce the irreversible consumption of LiPF6 and then effectively improve the high temperature performances of pouch LIBs. Differently from other additives, a certain amount of CAn component can reduce the impedance of pouch cells during high temperature storage process. These findings offer a promising high temperature additive for high-energy density commercial pouch LIBs.
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•CAn is evaluated as a novel high temperature electrolyte additive for pouch LIBs.•A high stability CAn-derived SEI layer can be formed on the anode surface.•CAn can reduce the interfacial impedance during cell high temperature storage.•2 wt% CAn significantly improves high temperature properties of pouch cells.
Given the environmental pollution and thermal risks of lithium-ion batteries, it is necessary to recycle and evaluate the safety of spent lithium-ion batteries. Here, lithium tin alloys (LixSny) were ...prepared via mechanical alloying to simulate the tin anode materials at different lithium-embedded states. Among them, the Li22Sn5 alloy showed the optimum hydrolysis performance, releasing 351 mL g−1 hydrogen in 10 s at 293 K. The safety evaluation was carried out based on hydrolysis performance, maximum adiabatic temperature rise, and other parameters. The Li22Sn5 alloy required 738.8 mL of water to cool down to 303 K. Moreover, the reaction rates can be precisely controlled by tailoring the solution components, which effectively promoted the security and controllability for practical application. In addition, the hydrogen production of Li22Sn5 sample after hydrogenation increased to 624 mL g−1, even at a subzero temperature of 243 K, 510 mL g−1 hydrogen can be generated within 30 s. This study provides a new idea for the safety evaluation and recycling of tin anode materials in spent lithium-ion batteries.
•The hydrogen production performance of lithium tin alloys was investigated.•The safety of lithium tin alloy phases of tin anode was evaluated.•The reaction rate can be precisely controlled by adjusting solution composition.•Li22Sn5 hydride generated 510 mL g−1 within 30 s at 243 K.
Lithium difluorophosphate (LiDFP), the decomposition product of LiPF6, was evaluated in high-voltage LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2/graphite pouch cells. We report that conventional carbonate-based electrolytes ...containing 1 wt % LiDFP can notably enhance the cyclability and rate capability of the battery at 4.5 V. Its capacity retention maintained 92.6% after 100 cycles, whereas it is only 36.0% for the additive-free battery. Even after 200 cycles, the capacity retention remained 78.2%. The EIS measurements performed by three-electrode graphite/Li/LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 pouch batteries indicate that LiDFP can efficiently restrain the breakdown of the electrolyte on the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 electrode surface and relieve the increase of cathode resistance. Additionally, a uniform and stable SEI film modified by LiDFP on the anode can effectively remit the electrode/electrolyte interfacial reaction and relieve the increase of anode resistance during cycling. Further evidence for the beneficial effect of LiDFP in inhibiting the dissolution of transition metal from the cathode under a high operating voltage is also found. On the basis of electrochemical methods and spectroscopic techniques, the enhancement in the high-voltage performance of the cell attributed to the LiDFP component can simultaneously modify the cathode and anode surfaces. Consequently, LiDFP is a promising electrolyte lithium additive for practical applications in high-energy lithium-ion cells.
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