Pressure Tuning and Sn Particle Size Optimization for Enhanced Performance in PbSnF4-Based All-Solid-State Fluoride Ion Batteries.

All-solid-state fluoride ion batteries (ASSFIBs) show remarkable potential as energy storage devices due to their low cost, superior safety, and high energy density. However, the poor ionic conductivity of F- conductor, large volume expansion, and the lack of a suitable anode inhibit their development. In this work, PbSnF4 solid electrolytes in different phases (ß- and γ-PbSnF4) are successfully synthesized and characterized. The ASSFIBs composed of ß-PbSnF4 electrolytes, a BiF3 cathode, and micrometer/nanometer size (µ-/n-) Sn anodes, exhibit substantial capacities. Compared to the µ-Sn anode, the n-Sn anode with nanostructure exhibits superior battery performance in the BiF3/ß-PbSnF4/Sn battery. The optimized battery delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 181.3 mAh g-1 at 8 mA g-1 and can be reversibly cycled at 40 mA g-1 with a high discharge capacity of over 100.0 mAh g-1 after 120 cycles at room temperature. Additionally, it displays high discharge capacities over 90.0 mAh g-1 with excellent cyclability over 100 cycles under -20 °C. Detailed characterization has confirmed that reducing Sn particle size and boosting external pressure are crucial for achieving good defluorination/fluorination behaviors in the Sn anode. These findings pave the way to designing ASSFIBs with high capacities and superior cyclability under different operating temperatures.

Bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation of the potential gene in the airway inflammation of steroid-resistant asthma.

Steroid-resistant asthma is a troublesome clinical problem in public health. The pathogenesis of steroid-resistant asthma is complex and remains to be explored. In our work, the online Gene Expression Omnibus microarray dataset GSE7368 was used to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between steroid-resistant asthma patients and steroid-sensitive asthma patients. Tissue-specific gene expression of DEGs was analyzed using BioGPS. The enrichment analyses were performed using GO, KEGG, and GSEA analysis. The protein-protein interaction network and key gene cluster were constructed using STRING, Cytoscape, MCODE, and Cytohubba. A steroid-resistant neutrophilic asthma mouse model was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ovalbumin (OVA). An LPS-stimulated J744A.1 macrophage model was prepared to validate the underlying mechanism of the interesting DEG gene using the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A total of 66 DEGs were identified, most of which were present in the hematologic/immune system. Enrichment analysis displayed that the enriched pathways were the IL-17 signaling pathway, MAPK signal pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and so on. DUSP2, as one of the top upregulated DEGs, has not been clearly demonstrated in steroid-resistant asthma. In our study, we observed that the salubrinal administration (DUSP2 inhibitor) reversed neutrophilic airway inflammation and cytokine responses (IL-17A, TNF-α) in a steroid-resistant asthma mouse model. We also found that salubrinal treatment reduced inflammatory cytokines (CXCL10 and IL-1ß) in LPS-stimulated J744A.1 macrophages. DUSP2 may be a candidate target for the therapy of steroid-resistant asthma.

Tailoring Electrolyte Distributions to Enable High-performance Li3 PS4 -based All-solid-state Batteries under Different Operating Temperatures.

Li3 PS4 shows great potential as solid electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) due to its high Li-ion conductivity and excellent mechanical properties. However, its poor interfacial stability with bare high-nickel active materials in the cathode mixture inhibits the energy density and electrochemical performances of the corresponding LiNi0.6 Mn0.2 Co0.2 O2 /Li3 PS4 /Li-In battery. The Li3 InCl6 electrolyte with good electrochemical/chemical stability with bare LiNi0.6 Mn0.2 Co0.2 O2 (NCM622), which acts both as a Li-ion additive in the cathode mixture and as an isolation layer to isolate the direct contact between the sulfide electrolytes and active materials, providing superior solid/solid interface stabilities in the assembled battery. XPS and TEM results confirm that this strategy can mitigate the side reactions between the bare NCM622 and Li3 PS4 electrolytes. In-situ EIS and DRT results prove that this grading utilization of different solid electrolytes can greatly alleviate the poor electrochemical stability between those two materials, yielding smaller interfacial resistances. The corresponding battery delivers high discharge capacities at various C-rates under different operating temperatures. It delivers a much higher initial discharge capacity of 187.7 mAh g-1 (vs. 92.5 mAh g-1 ) at 0.1 C with a coulombic efficiency of 87.6% (vs. 71.1%) at room temperature. Moreover, this battery can even show highly reversible capacity with excellent cyclability when the operating temperature lowers to 0 and -20 °C. This work provides a hierarchical utilization strategy to fabricate sulfide electrolytes-based ASSLBs with high energy density and superior cycling performance combined with highly-oxidation cathode materials.

Enhancing Moisture and Electrochemical Stability of the Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 Electrolyte by Oxygen Doping.

Chlorine-rich argyrodite-type solid electrolyte Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 has been a promising choice for solid-state batteries (SSBs) because of its ultrafast Li-ion conduction. However, the poor air/moisture stability and low electrochemical stability with pristine high-voltage cathodes hinder their applications. Herein, O-substituted Li5.5PS4.5-xOxCl1.5 (x = 0, 0.075, 0.175, and 0.25) solid electrolytes are successfully synthesized. Among them, Li5.5PS4.425O0.075Cl1.5 delivers high ionic conductivity, improved moisture resistance, and enhanced electrochemical stability in higher voltage windows. SSBs using Li5.5PS4.425O0.075Cl1.5 show higher capacities and superior cyclability than those using Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 combined with a pristine LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathode when operated at a high end-of-charge voltage of 4.5 V (vs Li+/Li0). Moreover, the batteries exhibit outstanding performance in a wide temperature range. This work provides a strategy to modify the inherent drawbacks of sulfide electrolytes, promoting their practical applications.

A Network Meta-Analysis of Two Doses of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin for Treating Sepsis-Related Thrombocytopenia.

Previous studies suggest that sepsis remains a common critical illness with a global incidence of 31.5 million. The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative therapeutic value of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in treating sepsis patients with thrombocytopenia. We conducted a comprehensive electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and CNKI from its inception through December 31, 2021. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 963 patients were included. Network meta-analyses showed that rhTPO 300 U/kg/day and rhTPO 15000 U/day significantly increased the platelet (PLT) levels on the 7th day and decreased the requirement of transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and PLT compared with IVIG and NAT. SUCRA showed that rhTPO 300 U/kg/day ranked first in terms of 28-day mortality (85.5%) and transfusion, including RBC (88.7%), plasma (89.6%), and PLT (95.2%), while rhTPO 15000 U/day ranked first for the length of the intensive care unit (ICU) stay (95.9%) and PLT level at day 7 (91.6%). rhTPO 300 U/kg/day may be the optimal dose to reduce 28-day mortality and transfusion requirements. However, rhTPO 15000 U/day may be the optimal dose for shortening the ICU stay and increasing the PLT level on the 7th day. However, additional studies to further validate our findings are needed.

Selective activation of cannabinoid receptor 2 regulates Treg/Th17 balance to ameliorate neutrophilic asthma in mice.

BACKGROUND: The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2) plays a critical role in relieving asthma, with the mechanism still unclear. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of the CNR2 agonist (ß-caryophyllene, ß-Car) in regulating the balance of regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper cell 17 (Th17) and thus its role in asthma. METHODS: The study group of 50 pathogen-free female BALB/c mice were randomly divided at 6-8 weeks old into five groups of Control, Asthma, Asthma + ß-Car (10 mg/kg), Asthma + ß-Car + SR144528 (specific CNR2 antagonist, 3 mg/kg), and Asthma + ß-Car + CMD178 (inhibitor of Treg cell, 10 mg/kg). ELISA was conducted to evaluate the main inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α], and those secreted by Treg (transforming growth factor-ß and IL-10), and Th17 (IL-17A and IL-22). Markers of Treg and Th17 cells were assessed by flow cytometry. In vitro, the CD4+ T cells were sorted and directed to differentiate to Treg and Th17 cells. The expression levels of CNR2, STAT5 and JNK1/2 were investigated by western blot and immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: ß-Car relieved neutrophilic asthma severity in mice by elevating the marker genes' expression of Treg and inhibiting those of Th17, causing an increased proportion of Treg to Th17. ß-Car also promoted the directed differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Treg, but not Th17. Activation of the CNR2 regulated the Treg/Th17 balance and relieved neutrophilic asthma possibly through promotion of phosphorylation of STAT5 and JNK1/2. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the selective CNR2 agonist activating STAT5 and JNK1/2 signaling was to change the Treg/Th17 balance and reduce the inflammatory reaction, thus ameliorating neutrophilic asthma in a mouse model.

Photothermal conversion hydrogel based mini-eye patch for relieving dry eye with long-term use of the light-emitting screen.

Purpose: The frequent usage of various lighting screens has made dry eye syndrome an increasingly serious phenomenon. To relieve this global problem, we have developed a photothermal conversion hydrogel based mini-eye patch. Methods: Gold nanoparticles (GNRs) were synthesized by a seed-mediated method, and then used as the inner cores to grow palladium (Pd) shell by PdCl42-reduction. Then, gelatin was added to prepare GNRs @ Pd hydrogel eye patch by genipin cross-linking. We implanted temperature sensitive ink (complex composed of amino resin and styrene maleic anhydride copolymer) in the eye patch, which could change color at different temperatures. Heating performance of the eye patch was accessed with an infrared temperature profile and the circulating temperature experiment. The safety assessment of the eye patch was conducted by H&E staining of the mouse's eyelid skin and CCK-8 assay. A Keratograph 5M noninvasive ocular surface analyzer was used to assess the impact of eye patches on dry eyes. Results: It was found that GNRs @ Pd hydrogel eye patches could sense various visible light and responded by heating up spontaneously. Results from the CCK-8 assay and H&E staining showed that the eye patch has good safety performance. Measurements of the first noninvasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), the average NITBUT, the tear meniscus height (TMH), combined with red eye analysis, further demonstrated the patch's eye-protective properties. Conclusion: After being pasted to the lacrimal gland, the hydrogel patch converted various light irradiations into heat and stimulated the lacrimal gland to produce more tears to relieve dry eye. The built-in temperature-sensitive ink can play an important role in warning people of their excessive eye usage. Because this recyclable strategy does not interfere with normal eye use, it is thus more environmentally friendly and convenient than ordinary infrared eyewear.

Loquat-Inspired Janus Drug Delivery System for Flexible and Robust Tumor Targeting Therapy.

With the inspiration of the shape of the loquat fruit, here, we developed a similarly shaped Janus carrier. This peculiar gold rod-partially exposed structure not only significantly increased the drug loading capability but also improved its infrared response efficiency. A better effect of drug-photothermal treatment thus could be realized. With the aid of an external 3D printed drug guiding device, this carrier could accurately reach different affected areas. The subsequent infrared triggered multiple tumor therapy, thus, could be conducted in the designated location. The corresponding experimental results demonstrated the reliability, flexibility, and biocompatibility of the proposed drug delivery system for two different tumor targeting treatments.

Localized Light-Au-Hyperthermia Treatment for Precise, Rapid, and Drug-Free Blood Clot Lysis.

Thrombus diseases, induced by blood stasis or vascular embolization normally, frequently occur with high disability and mortalities worldwide. At present, drug thrombolysis, a primary clinical therapy for blood clot lysis, could increase the lethal risk for hemorrhage when thrombolysis agents are overused in the whole body. Therefore, a novel and advanced therapy for blood clot lysis, based on remote physical signals, is helpful for assisting clinical therapy. Here, we used the localized light-Au-hyperthermia (LAH) treatment, induced by gold nanorods (Au NRs) irradiated with near-infrared light (808 nm), for precise, rapid, and drug-free blood clot lysis. The LAH technology was first introduced in the murine hematoma model and the murine myocardial infarction model for blood clot lysis. Compared with traditional therapy, LAH was assured to shorten the time of detumescence in the murine hematoma model owing to their precise and localized hyperthermia. Meanwhile, we also discovered that LAH was a benefit to vascular recanalization in the murine myocardial infarction model. In addition, the Au NRs used in LAH present ideal biocompatibility in the murine model, which endows it to be suitable for blood clot lysis in vivo.

NaCl: for the safer in vivo use of antibacterial silver based nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: As antibiotics progressively cease to be effective, silver based nanoparticles (SBNs), with broad antibacterial spectrum, might be the last line of defense against malicious bacteria. Unfortunately, there are still no proper SBNs-based strategies for in vivo antibacterial therapies. In this article, new carbon membrane packaged Ag nanoparticles (Ag-C) were synthesized. We assessed the effect of Ag-C with NaCl on size, cytotoxicity, antibacterial properties, metabolism and sepsis models. METHODS: The size of Ag-C with NaCl was accessed with UV-vis, TEM and SEM. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used to illustrate the antibacterial properties of SBNs affected by NaCl. L929 and 3T3 cell lines were cultured in vitro; CCK-8 assay was used to test cytotoxicity. Then, we explored the metabolism of Ag-C with NaCl in vivo. Finally, the effect of Ag-C with 4× NaCl on sepsis was observed. RESULTS: NaCl could regulate the size of Ag-C. Ag-C exhibited superior antibacterial properties compared to similar sized pure Ag nanoparticles. Furthermore, the addition of NaCl could not only reduce the cytotoxicity of Ag-C, but could also continue to discharge Ag-C from major organs. Based on these factors, this method was used to treat a sepsis model (induced via cecal ligation and puncture), and it achieved satisfactory survival results. CONCLUSION: This discovery, though still in its infancy, could significantly improve the safety and feasibility of SBNs and could potentially play an important role in modern in vivo antibacterial applications. Thus, a new method to combating the growing threat from drug-resistant bacteria could be possible. NaCl is the key to excretion of SBNs after in vivo antibacterial use.

CdS/CdSe Co-sensitized Solar Cells Based on Hierarchically Structured SnO2/TiO2 Hybrid Films.

SnO2 nanosheet-structured films were prepared on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate using ZnO nanosheet as template. The as-prepared SnO2 nanosheets contained plenty of nano-voids and were generally vertical to the substrate. TiO2 nanoparticles were homogeneously deposited into the intervals between the SnO2 nanosheets to prepare a hierarchically structured SnO2/TiO2 hybrid film. The hybrid films were co-sensitized with CdS and CdSe quantum dots. The sensitized solar cells assembled with the SnO2/TiO2 hybrid film showed much higher photoelectricity conversion efficiency than the cells assembled with pure TiO2 films. The lifetime of photoinduced electron was also investigated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which showed that the SnO2/TiO2 hybrid film electrode is as long as the TiO2 film electrode.