Overcoming low initial coulombic efficiencies of Si anodes through prelithiation in all-solid-state batteries.

All-solid-state batteries using Si as the anode have shown promising performance without continual solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) growth. However, the first cycle irreversible capacity loss yields low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of Si, limiting the energy density. To address this, we adopt a prelithiation strategy to increase ICE and conductivity of all-solid-state Si cells. A significant increase in ICE is observed for Li1Si anode paired with a lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathode. Additionally, a comparison with lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NCM) reveals that performance improvements with Si prelithiation is only applicable for full cells dominated by high anode irreversibility. With this prelithiation strategy, 15% improvement in capacity retention is achieved after 1000 cycles compared to a pure Si. With Li1Si, a high areal capacity of up to 10 mAh cm-2 is attained using a dry-processed LCO cathode film, suggesting that the prelithiation method may be suitable for high-loading next-generation all-solid-state batteries.

Effects of music therapy as an alternative treatment on depression in children and adolescents with ADHD by activating serotonin and improving stress coping ability.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of music therapy as an alternative treatment on depression in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by activating serotonin (5-HT) and improving stress coping ability. METHODS: This study is designed based on randomization method. A total of 36 subjects participated in the experiment, consisting of an ADHD control group (n = 18) and ADHD music therapy group (n = 18). The ADHD control group received standard care, while the ADHD music therapy group received music therapy and standard care. The ADHD music therapy group received both active music therapy (improvisation) and receptive music therapy (music listening) for 50 minutes, twice a week, for 3 months: a total of 24 times. From a neurophysiological perspective, changes in depression and stress were tracked by measuring 5-HT secretion, cortisol expression, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and CDI and DHQ psychological scales. RESULTS: The ADHD music therapy group's 5-HT secretion increased (p < 0.001), whereas cortisol expression (p < 0.001), BP (p < 0.001) and HR (p < 0.001) decreased. The CDI and DHQ psychological scales also showed positive changes (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the ADHD Con G's (who did not receive music therapy) 5-HT secretion did not increase, whereas cortisol expression, BP, and HR did not decrease. In addition, the CDI and DHQ psychological scales did not display positive changes. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the application of music therapy as an alternative treatment for ADHD children and adolescents showed positive neurophysiological and psychological effects. Therefore, this study would like to propose a new alternative to medicine for preventing and treating depression through various uses of music therapy.

The acclimatization of Haenyeo to a cold environment and occupational characteristics evaluated by orexin and irisin levels.

Background: Haenyeo is a woman who has the job of collecting seafood in the Jeju Sea at an average temperature of 13°C-14°C. The purpose of this study was to examine the cold acclimatization and occupational characteristics of Haenyeo through biomarkers such as orexin and irisin related to heat generation in the body. Methods: Twenty-one Haenyeo and 25 people with similar age, body type, and body mass index were selected as the control group (Control G). In the cold exposure experiment, a climate chamber was set to 5°C and both feet were immersed in a 15°C water tank for 30 minutes. Tympanic temperature (Tty) and skin temperature (Tsk) were measured, and the mean body temperature (mTb) was calculated. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the examination. Orexin and irisin levels were analyzed. Results: Orexin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 12.17 ± 4.44 to 12.95 ± 4.53 ng/mL (Haenyeo group [Haenyeo G], p < 0.01) and 10.37 ± 3.84 to 11.25 ± 4.02 ng/mL (Control G, p < 0.001). Irisin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 4.83 ± 2.28 to 5.36 ± 2.23 ng/mL (Haenyeo G, p < 0.001) and 3.73 ± 1.59 to 4.18 ± 2.04 ng/mL (Control G, p < 0.001). The difference between Haenyeo G and Control G values in orexin and irisin appears not only in pre-exposure but also in post-exposure (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our experimental results suggest that Haenyeo G were relatively superior in cold tolerance to Control G under cold exposure conditions. Haenyeo's cold acclimatization is due to the basic differences in pyrogens regarding body temperature control such as orexin and irisin. This means that Haenyeo are advantageous for cold survival.

Coffee intake may promote sudomotor function activation via the contribution of caffeine.

Objectives: To determine whether drinking coffee with caffeine accelerates the sympathetic response to acetylcholine (ACh). Methods: Tests were performed twice at 1-week intervals following the intake of coffee. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Group A was administered 16 fluid oz of water (CON), while Group B was given 16 fluid oz of coffee (Coffee). After 1 week, Group A was administered 16 fluid oz of coffee (Coffee), while Group B was given 16 fluid oz of water (CON). The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) was performed after intake of coffee and water and a 40 min break. QSART with iontophoresis and 10% ACh was performed to determine axon reflex (AXR) mediated with and without iontophoresis [AXR (1) and AXR (2), respectively], and directly activated sweating (DIR). Results: The sweat onset time of the AXR was shorter in the Coffee compared with the CON (p < 0.05). The sweat rates in AXR (1) AXR (2) and DIR were significantly higher in the Coffee than in the CON (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the Coffee showed significantly higher density of activated sweat glands and activated sweat gland output than the CON (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). The overall results of this study showed that coffee intake could stimulate higher activation in both AXR and DIR sweat responses. Conclusion: Coffee intake can improve sweating sensitivity in both the AXR and DIR by the contribution of caffeine contained in coffee. This suggests that other compounds in coffee may not inhibit the sympathetic response to ACh. Therefore, coffee may be clinically worth considering as a supplement for the activation of the cholinergic and sudomotor function.

Thermotherapy as an alternative to exercise for metabolic health in obese postmenopausal women: focus on circulating irisin level.

Irisin is a myokine caused by exercise that improves insulin resistance and weight loss. However, under unfavorable conditions such as air pollution, and during the pandemic, outdoor activities are uncomfortable. Therefore, in this study, the effect of heat therapy (half bath 42 ± 0.5°C for 30 min) on irisin circulation levels as an exercise alternative for middle-aged obese women after menopause was investigated. Subjects were 33 women aged 49.54 ± 6.04 years, with parameters of height, 160.12 ± 4.33 cm, weight, 69.71 ± 7.52 kg, body surface area 1.73 ± 0.13 m2, body mass index, 27.19 ± 3.40 kg/m2. The results suggest that circulating irisin levels showed a significant increase after one-time thermotherapy (TH-1). However, the increase in circulating irisin levels after 15 treatments (TH-15, 5 days/week, 3 weeks) was significantly varied. The level of adiponectin, which increases fatty oxidation to reduce fatty deposition, increased significantly at TH-1, but further increased at TH-15, which was significantly different from the level of TH-1. In addition, the basic serum free fatty acid (FFA) level was significantly increased at TH-15 compared to TH-1. Significant differences were also found in the lipid profile (body mass index, waist circumference, and % body fat). Thermotherapy can significantly increase the tympanic temperature and induce changes in circulating irisin and adiponectin levels. Thus, it resulted in positive changes in FFA and lipid profiles. Therefore, repeated thermotherapy is effective in increasing circulating irisin levels in postmenopausal obese women.

Effects of caffeine ingestion and thermotherapy on blood orexin circulation in humans.

Caffeine and orexin can affect awakening, neuroendocrine, and sympathetic nerve function. Our previous study has reported that caffeine intake can increase human body temperature. However, little is known about the combined effects of thermotherapy and caffeine intake on human serum orexin concentrations. Forty-two healthy male subjects with age of 26.72 ± 5.05 years, height of 174.10 ± 7.09 cm, and body weight of 74.68 ± 8.91 kg participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to a control (CON) group (n = 21) and a caffeine (CAFF) group (n = 21). After thermotherapy (half-body immersion in a hot water bath at 42 ± 0.5 °C, circulating orexin level increased more (p < 0.05) in the CAFF group than in the CON group. Positive relationships between mean body temperature and orexin were observed before and after heat stimulation (p < 0.001). Caffeine intake boosted the upregulation of serum orexin concentrations in subjects undergoing thermotherapy.

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)-derived protein supplementation attenuates skeletal muscle atrophy in hindlimb casting immobilized rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) derived protein supplementation on skeletal muscle atrophy of hindlimb casted immobilized rats. Twenty-four six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control sedentary group (CD, n = 8), control diet casting group (CDC, n = 8), and the mealworm-derived protein supplemented casting group (MDC, n = 8). CD and CDC group was supplemented AIN-76G diet and mealworm-derived protein supplemented diet for MDC group was substituted as 5% casein protein to 5% mealworm protein for 5 weeks and left hindlimb casting immobilization using casting tape for CDC and MDC group was done 1 week before sacrifice. After 5 weeks of mealworm supplementation, the soleus muscle weight of the MDC group was significantly higher compared to the CDC group. In addition, the level of muscle protein synthesis factors p-Akt/Akt, p-4EBP1/4EBP1, and p-S6K/S6K significantly increased in the MDC group compared to the CDC group. On contrary, the level of muscle protein degradation factors (MuRF1 and atrogin-1) was significantly lower in the MDC group than that of the CDC group. These results suggest that mealworm-derived protein supplementation may have a significant role in the prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy via stimulation of muscle protein synthesis factors and inhibition of muscle protein degradation factors, and therefore a promising intervention in sarcopenia.

Carbon-free high-loading silicon anodes enabled by sulfide solid electrolytes.

The development of silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries has been largely impeded by poor interfacial stability against liquid electrolytes. Here, we enabled the stable operation of a 99.9 weight % microsilicon anode by using the interface passivating properties of sulfide solid electrolytes. Bulk and surface characterization, and quantification of interfacial components, showed that such an approach eliminates continuous interfacial growth and irreversible lithium losses. Microsilicon full cells were assembled and found to achieve high areal current density, wide operating temperature range, and high areal loadings for the different cells. The promising performance can be attributed to both the desirable interfacial property between microsilicon and sulfide electrolytes and the distinctive chemomechanical behavior of the lithium-silicon alloy.

Effect of Heat Stimulation on Circulating Irisin in Humans.

High temperatures lead to oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to determine whether heat stimulation-induced hyperthermia can increase the level of circulating irisin. Twenty-one healthy female subjects (age, 26.3 ± 2.71 years; height, 162.1 ± 3.15 cm; weight, 54.2 ± 3.86 kg; and body surface area, 1.57 ± 0.11 m2) not taking contraceptives participated in this study. All experiments were performed individually for each participant when they were in the early proliferative menstrual phase. In an automated climate chamber (25 ± 0.5°C), the heat load was applied via half-body immersion into a hot water bath (42 ± 0.5°C). Five-minutes break was provided every after 5 min of immersion and the total passive heating time was 30 min. Tympanic temperature (Tt y) and skin temperature (Ts) were measured. Mean body temperature (mTb) was calculated. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after immersion. Levels of irisin, cortisol, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed. Tty, mTb and serum irisin levels increased after hot water immersion. The blood levels of cortisol, CK, and LDH were also elevated after hot water immersion. Heat stimulation might increase the levels of circulating irisin in humans in response to oxidative stress.