Acid- and Gas-Scavenging Electrolyte Additive Improving the Electrochemical Reversibility of Ni-Rich Cathodes in Li-Ion Batteries.

In view of their high theoretical capacities, nickel-rich layered oxides are promising cathode materials for high-energy Li-ion batteries. However, the practical applications of these oxides are hindered by transition metal dissolution, microcracking, and gas/reactive compound formation due to the undesired reactions of residual lithium species. Herein, we show that the interfacial degradation of the LiNi0.9CoxMnyAlzO2 (NCMA, x + y + z = 0.1) cathode and the graphite (Gr) anode of a representative Li-ion battery by HF can be hindered by supplementing the electrolyte with tert-butyldimethylsilyl glycidyl ether (tBS-GE). The silyl ether moiety of tBS-GE scavenges HF and PF5, thus stabilizing the interfacial layers on both electrodes, while the epoxide moiety reacts with CO2 released by the parasitic reaction between HF and Li2CO3 on the NCMA surface to afford cyclic carbonates and thus suppresses battery swelling. NCMA/Gr full cells fabricated by supplementing the baseline electrolyte with 0.1 wt % tBS-GE feature an increased capacity retention of 85.5% and deliver a high discharge capacity of 162.9 mAh/g after 500 cycles at 1 C and 25 °C. Thus, our results reveal that the molecular aspect-based design of electrolyte additives can be efficiently used to eliminate reactive species and gas components from Li-ion batteries and increase their performance.

Transcriptome profiling for developmental stages Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis with focus on wing development and metamorphosis.

A white-spotted flower chafer Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis widely distributed in Asian countries is traditionally used in oriental medicine. This study explored gene expression abundance with respect to wing development and metamorphosis in P. b. seulensis based on the large-scale RNA-seq data. The transcriptome assembly consists of 23,551 high-quality transcripts which are approximately 96.7% covered. We found 265 wing development genes, 19 metamorphosis genes, and 1,314 candidates. Of the 1,598 genes, 1,594 are included exclusively in cluster 4 with similar gene co-expression patterns. The network centrality analyses showed that wing development- and metamorphosis-related genes have a high degree of betweenness centrality and are expressed most highly in eggs, moderately in pupa and adults, and lowest in larva. This study provides some meaningful clues for elucidating the genetic modulation mechanism of wing development and metamorphosis in P. b. seulensis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Plumarella spinosa (Octocorallia: Calcaxonia: Primnoidae) from South Korea.

Plumarella spinosa (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Primnoidae) is an endangered marine soft coral species discovered on a 50-100 m deep reefs in South Korea. We analyzed the mitochondrial genome sequence of this species. The genome size was 19,037 bp in length consisting of 14 protein coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes and a tRNA gene. Our phylogenetic analysis for this species with 33 Octocorallia species reconstructed based on the nucleotide sequences of 14 PCGs showed that P. spinosa was placed as a sister to Narella hawainensis and Primnoidae formed a monophyletic group.

Preclinical Efficacy and Safety of an Anti-Human VEGFA and Anti-Human NRP1 Dual-Targeting Bispecific Antibody (IDB0076).

Although bevacizumab (Avastin®) has been approved as an antiangiogenic agent against some cancers, the efficacy is transient and unsatisfactory in other cancers most likely owing to the presence of alternative proangiogenic factors. Therefore, simultaneous blocking of several proangiogenic factors may be a promising strategy for antiangiogenic cancer therapeutics. Accordingly, neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is an attractive target because it serves as a multifunctional receptor for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. Here, we aimed to generate and test an anti-VEGFA and anti-NRP1 dual-targeting bispecific antibody (named as IDB0076) by genetic fusion of an NRP1-targeting peptide to the C-terminus of the bevacizumab heavy chain. Similar to the parental antibody (bevacizumab), IDB0076 suppressed VEGFA-induced migration of human endothelial cells. In contrast, IDB0076 inhibited endothelial-cell migration induced by other angiogenesis growth factors and manifested a more potent antitumor activity than that of bevacizumab in a murine tumor xenograft model. When toxicity was preliminarily evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys, IDB0076 showed no substantial adverse effects, e.g., the absence of noticeable nephrotoxicity, which has previously been documented for the combination therapy of bevacizumab and an anti-NRP1 antibody. Thus, VEGFA-and-NRP1 dual-targeting bispecific antibody IDB0076 may be a potent and safe anticancer agent worthy of further preclinical and clinical studies.

Pharmacokinetic profile of propyl paraben in humans after oral administration.

Parabens are commonly used as antimicrobial preservatives in consumer products. Because of their possible endocrine-disrupting activities, their safety has become a public concern. Although pharmacokinetic studies on parabens have been conducted in animals, limited information exists on their pharmacokinetic profiles in humans. In the present study, we determined the pharmacokinetic characteristics of propyl paraben (PP) in humans following a single oral administration of 0.6 mg/kg bw of deuterium labeled-PP. We also conducted experiment with similar design but different exposure amount (2.5 mg/kg bw) to verify the validity of the model to be developed. Blood and urine were collected at several intervals over the course of 48 h to measure levels of PP and its metabolites (conjugates and hydrolysates) in 12 male volunteers. The unconjugated parent compound (free PP), glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and p-hydroxyhippuric acid were measured using HPLC-MS/MS. It was found that PP was rapidly absorbed via ingestion within 2 h and quickly eliminated (terminal half-life, 2.9 h). The fraction of administered dose excreted in the urine was 0.05% for free PP, 8.6% for total PP (free + conjugates), 23.2% for p-hydroxyhippuric acid, and 7.0% for p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Utilizing this pharmacokinetic profile, we successfully constructed a multi-compartment model where the disposition of PP was well described with two compartments and that of its metabolites was explained with first-order reactions. The present pharmacokinetic model provides insights into the kinetic properties of the disposition of PP and its metabolites in humans, and it can be used for risk assessment with biomonitoring of PP.

Urinary parabens and triclosan concentrations and associated exposure characteristics in a Korean population-A comparison between night-time and first-morning urine.

Parabens and triclosan have been widely used in many personal care products and cosmetics. The endocrine disrupting potential of these compounds is of increasing public health concern. The aim of this study is to understand the current exposure profile of these chemicals in last void before bedtime (night-time) and first-morning void (first-morning) urines among a Korean population and to characterize their exposure sources and pathways. A total of 261 people, including infants (0-2 years), toddlers (3-6 years), children (7-12 years), adolescents (13-18 years), and adults (≥19 years), were recruited, and sampled for night-time urine and first-morning urine of the following day. Methyl (MeP), ethyl (EtP), propyl (PrP) and butyl paraben (BuP), and triclosan were measured in urine. The demographic characteristics, use of personal care products, and food consumption were obtained through a questionnaire. Among the target compounds, EtP and MeP were most frequently detected at the highest concentrations. The median concentration of EtP in night-time urine was 32.4 µg/L (interquartile range: 8.37-82.8 µg/L), which is higher than previously reported worldwide. Unlike other test compounds, compared to those measured from first-morning urine, the EtP concentrations were significantly higher in night-time urine, suggesting the presence of different exposure sources. Among adults, the MeP and PrP concentrations in night-time urine were associated with frequent use of skin care products, colored cosmetics, bath products, toothpaste, vinyl food packaging, or consumption of canned food. The MeP and PrP concentrations were higher in females than in males, especially in night-time urine. The results of this study also show that multiple urine samples are necessary to capture the diurnal variation of non-occupational exposure to environmental chemicals, such as parabens.

Structural characterization and electrochemical properties of Co3O4 anode materials synthesized by a hydrothermal method.

Cobalt oxide [Co3O4] anode materials were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process, and the reaction conditions were optimized to provide good electrochemical properties. The effect of various synthetic reaction and heat treatment conditions on the structure and electrochemical properties of Co3O4 powder was also studied. Physical characterizations of Co3O4 are investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller [BET] method. The BET surface area decreased with values at 131.8 m2/g, 76.1 m2/g, and 55.2 m2/g with the increasing calcination temperature at 200°C, 300°C, and 400°C, respectively. The Co3O4 particle calcinated at 200°C for 3 h has a higher surface area and uniform particle size distribution which may result in better sites to accommodate Li+ and electrical contact and to give a good electrochemical property. The cell composed of Super P as a carbon conductor shows better electrochemical properties than that composed of acetylene black. Among the samples prepared under different reaction conditions, Co3O4 prepared at 200°C for 10 h showed a better cycling performance than the other samples. It gave an initial discharge capacity of 1,330 mAh/g, decreased to 779 mAh/g after 10 cycles, and then showed a steady discharge capacity of 606 mAh/g after 60 cycles.