Analysis of the interfacial reaction between Si-based anodes and electrolytes in Li-ion batteries.

To ensure optimal operation of electrochemical energy storage devices, a precise design of the interfaces formed between the electrodes and the electrolyte is essential. Si is a promising anode active material for Li-ion batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity; however, the large volume change associated with Li absorption and release hinders its practical applications. The development of high-performance storage batteries depends on the construction of an electrode-electrolyte interface that facilitates Li movement.

Prevention of post COVID-19 condition by early treatment with ensitrelvir in the phase 3 SCORPIO-SR trial.

This exploratory analysis of the double-blind, phase 3, SCORPIO-SR trial assessed the effect of ensitrelvir in preventing post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) condition (PCC). Patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 were randomized (1:1:1) within 120 h of symptom onset; received 5-day oral ensitrelvir 125 mg (375 mg on day 1), 250 mg (750 mg on day 1), or a matching placebo once daily; and were assessed for the severity of typical PCC symptoms using a self-administered questionnaire. In total, 341, 317, and 333 patients were assessed in the ensitrelvir 125-mg, ensitrelvir 250-mg, and placebo groups, respectively (mean age, 35.

Efficacy and Safety of Ensitrelvir for Asymptomatic or Mild COVID-19: An Exploratory Analysis of a Multicenter, Randomized, Phase 2b/3 Clinical Trial.

Background: This phase 2b/3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial explored the efficacy and evaluated the safety of ensitrelvir. This trial involved individuals with asymptomatic infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and patients with mild symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: The trial was conducted at 57 medical institutions in Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam (study period: January 6-August 14, 2022).

Coating of Chlorophylls and Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Capacitor Reaction of TiO/MnO Composite Electrode.

We prepared composite electrodes using TiO coated with chlorophylls and as photoelectric conversion material and MnO as energy storage material and investigated their photoelectrochemical capacitor properties. The coating with the combination of chlorophylls and improved the photoelectric conversion function of TiO, compared with the coating with each alone. Na adsorption on MnO was enhanced with increasing the chlorophyll coating amount.

Baloxavir safety and clinical and virologic outcomes in influenza virus-infected pediatric patients by age group: age-based pooled analysis of two pediatric studies conducted in Japan.

Background: Anti-influenza treatment is important for children and is recommended in many countries. This study assessed safety, clinical, and virologic outcomes of baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) treatment in children based on age and influenza virus type/subtype.

Methods: This was a post hoc pooled analysis of two open-label non-controlled studies of a single weight-based oral dose of baloxavir (day 1) in influenza virus-infected Japanese patients aged < 6 years (n = 56) and ≥ 6 to < 12 years (n = 81).

Impact of Low Temperatures on the Lithiation and Delithiation Properties of Si-Based Electrodes in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in various extreme environments, such as cold regions and outer space; thus, improvements in energy density, safety, and cycle life in these environments are urgently required. We investigated changes in the charge and discharge properties of Si-based electrodes in ionic liquid electrolytes with decreasing temperature and the cycle life at low temperature. The reversible capacity at low temperature was determined by the properties of the surface film on the electrodes and/or the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes.

Improvement of the Anode Properties of Lithium-Ion Batteries for SiO with a Third Element.

Silicon oxide (SiO ) has been placed into practical use as an anode active material for next-generation Li-ion batteries because it has a higher theoretical capacity than graphite anodes. However, the synthesis method is typically vapor deposition, which is expensive, and the poor electron conductivity of SiO restricts high performance. In this study, we prepared /SiO active materials consisting of SiO and a third element ( = Al, B, Sn) using a low-cost mechanical milling (MM) method and investigated their electrode properties as Li-ion battery anodes.

Regeneration of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate by a Chlorophyll -Coated TiO Film Electrode.

A TiO electrode was coated with chlorophyll to regenerate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which can enhance the photovoltages of the electrodes for photoelectrochemical capacitors. The photovoltage of an uncoated TiO electrode was high during the first cycle but then steadily reduced owing to the oxidization of NADPH in the electrolyte during the photo-charge-discharge cycling. By contrast, a chlorophyll -coated TiO electrode maintained high photovoltages for 100 cycles.

Open-label study of the safety, pharmacokinetics, and effectiveness of a 2 mg/kg dose of baloxavir marboxil 2% granules in children <20 kg with influenza.

Introduction: Baloxavir marboxil is an oral anti-influenza drug with demonstrated safety and efficacy in pediatric patients when a 2% granules formulation is administered at 1 mg/kg. This study assessed safety, effectiveness, and pharmacokinetics of a higher dose (2 mg/kg) of baloxavir marboxil 2% granules in pediatric patients weighing <20 kg.

Methods: This multicenter, open-label, noncontrolled study was conducted at 15 sites in Japan (January 2019-March 2020; JapicCTI-194577).

Anode Properties of Cr V Si/Si Composite Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

We have reported the effects of substituting a transition metal in silicide on the electrochemical performance of the silicide/Si composite anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs); the CrVSi/Si electrode exhibited much better cyclability compared with CrSi/Si and VSi/Si electrodes. Herein, we investigated the electrochemical performance of a Cr V Si/Si slurry electrode for its application in LIBs, and the results obtained were compared to those of a gas deposition (GD) electrode, which was comprised of only active materials. The slurry electrode exhibited a superior cycling life as with the GD electrode.

Lithiation/Delithiation Properties of Lithium Silicide Electrodes in Ionic-Liquid Electrolytes.

We investigated the impact of electrolyte difference on lithiation and delithiation properties of a LiSi electrode to improve the Coulombic efficiency (CE) of Si-based electrodes. The results of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and soft X-ray emission spectroscopy demonstrated that a portion of the Li in LiSi desorbed by simply immersing the electrode in an ionic-liquid electrolyte, that is, the phase transition of LiSi to Si occurred. In contrast, this phenomenon was not confirmed in an organic-liquid electrolyte.

Serum surfactant protein D as a predictive biomarker for the efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 trial in Japan.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal disorder with a variable disease course. The recent advancement of antifibrotic therapy has increased the need for reliable and specific biomarkers. This study aimed to assess alveolar epithelial biomarkers as predictors for the efficacy of the antifibrotic drug pirfenidone.

Reaction Behavior of a Silicide Electrode with Lithium in an Ionic-Liquid Electrolyte.

Silicides are attractive novel active materials for use in the negative-electrodes of next-generation lithium-ion batteries that use certain ionic-liquid electrolytes; however, the reaction mechanism of the above combination is yet to be clarified. Possible reactions at the silicide electrode are as follows: deposition and dissolution of Li metal on the electrode, lithiation and delithiation of Si, which would result from the phase separation of the silicide, and alloying and dealloying of the silicide with Li. Herein, we examined these possibilities using various analysis methods.

Indium-Doped Rutile Titanium Oxide with Reduced Particle Length and Its Sodium Storage Properties.

We hydrothermally synthesized In-doped rutile TiO particles in an anionic surfactant solution and investigated the influences of In doping and the particle morphology on the Na storage properties. The solid solubility limit was found to be 0.8 atom % in In-doped TiO.

Baloxavir Marboxil 2% Granules in Japanese Children With Influenza: An Open-label Phase 3 Study.

Background: A granule formulation of baloxavir marboxil, a selective inhibitor of influenza cap-dependent endonuclease, was newly developed for children with difficulty swallowing tablets.

Methods: A multicenter open-label study was conducted during the 2017-2018 influenza season to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and clinical/virologic outcomes of single, oral, weight-based doses of baloxavir granules in Japanese children infected with influenza virus. The primary clinical endpoint was the time to illness alleviation of influenza.

Baloxavir Marboxil in Japanese Pediatric Patients With Influenza: Safety and Clinical and Virologic Outcomes.

Background: We assessed the safety and effectiveness of baloxavir marboxil administration in Japanese children with influenza.

Methods: This open-label study administered 1 weight-adjusted dose of baloxavir to 107 children aged 1-11 years with laboratory-confirmed, febrile influenza virus infection of ≤48 hours duration.

Results: Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 34.

Silicon-Based Anodes with Long Cycle Life for Lithium-Ion Batteries Achieved by Significant Suppression of Their Volume Expansion in Ionic-Liquid Electrolyte.

Elemental Si has a high theoretical capacity and has attracted attention as an anode material for high energy density lithium-ion batteries. Rapid capacity fading is the main problem with Si-based electrodes; this is mainly because of a massive volume change in Si during lithiation-delithiation. Here, we report that combining an ionic-liquid electrolyte with a charge capacity limit of 1000 mA h g significantly suppresses Si volume expansion, improving the cycle life.

Effect of Phosphorus-Doping on Electrochemical Performance of Silicon Negative Electrodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The effect of phosphorus (P)-doping on the electrochemical performance of Si negative electrodes in lithium-ion batteries was investigated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy was used to observe changes in surface morphology. Surface crystallinity and the phase transition of Si negative electrodes before and after a charge-discharge cycle were investigated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Functional ionic liquids for enhancement of Li-ion transfer: the effect of cation structure on the charge-discharge performance of the Li4Ti5O12 electrode.

As the development of high energy-density Li-ion batteries moves ahead, ensuring safety of the batteries has become increasingly important. Among the unique physicochemical properties of ionic liquids, thermal stability can be one of the answers to the challenge. The use of ionic liquids, however, causes critical issues concerning the kinetics of Li-ion transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interface.

Mitotic UV irradiation induces a DNA replication-licensing defect that potentiates G1 arrest response.

Cdt1 begins to accumulate in M phase and has a key role in establishing replication licensing at the end of mitosis or in early G1 phase. Treatments that damage the DNA of cells, such as UV irradiation, induce Cdt1 degradation through PCNA-dependent CRL4-Cdt2 ubiquitin ligase. How Cdt1 degradation is linked to cell cycle progression, however, remains unclear.

Nb-doped rutile TiO₂: a potential anode material for Na-ion battery.

The electrochemical properties of the rutile-type TiO2 and Nb-doped TiO2 were investigated for the first time as Na-ion battery anodes. Ti(1-x)Nb(x)O2 thick-film electrodes without a binder and a conductive additive were prepared using a sol-gel method followed by a gas-deposition method. The TiO2 electrode showed reversible reactions of Na insertion/extraction accompanied by expansion/contraction of the TiO2 lattice.

Effects on anemia of drug adjustment in patients with chronic hepatitis C during telaprevir-combined therapy.

Aim: Anemia is the most common adverse event in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated with telaprevir (TVR) combined triple therapy. We examined the effects of drug dose adjustment on anemia and a sustained viral response (SVR) during combination therapy.

Material And Methods: This study enrolled 62 patients treated with TVR (2,250 mg) for 12 weeks plus pegylated interferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin for 24 weeks.

Real-time PCR assays for hepatitis C virus RNA (genotype 1) is useful for evaluating virological response to the treatment with peginterferon-alpha2b and ribavirin.

Background: The real-time PCR, such as Abbott RealTime assay, have replaced end-point PCR, such as Amplicor assays, for the measurement of HCV RNA. However, 'response-guided therapy' to use on-treatment response for tailoring the duration of treatment with peginterferon-alpha and ribavirin has not been fully evaluated for real-time PCR.

Methods: 43 patients with HCV genotype 1 (24 who had complete early virological responses (cEVR) on Amplicor assay and received 48-week therapy, and 19 who had late virological responses (LVR) and received 72-week therapy) were recruited.