Chemical and Electrochemical Characterization of Hot-Pressed Li6PS5Cl Solid State Electrolyte: Operating Pressure-Invariant High Ionic Conductivity.

Sulfide solid state electrolytes (SSE) are among the most promising materials in the effort to replace liquid electrolytes, largely due to their comparable ionic conductivities. Among the sulfide SSEs, Argyrodites (Li6PS5X, X=Cl, Br, I) further stand out due to their high theoretical ionic conductivity (~1×10-2 S cm-1) and interfacial stability against reactive metal anodes such as lithium. Generally, solid state electrolyte pellets are pressed from powder feedstock at room temperature, however, pellets fabricated by cold pressing consistently result in low bulk density and high porosity, facilitating interfacial degradation reactions and allowing dendrites to propagate through the pores and grain boundaries. Here, we demonstrate the mechanical and electrochemical implications of hot-pressing standalone LPSCl SSE pellets with near-theoretical ionic conductivity, superior cycling performance, and enhanced mechanical stability. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) analysis reveal no chemical changes to the Argyrodite surface after hot pressing up to 250 °C. Moreover, we use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to understand mechanical stability of Argyrodite SSE pellets as a function of externally applied pressure, demonstrating for the first time pressed standalone Argyrodite pellets with near-theoretical conductivities at external pressures below 14 MPa.

Effect of E. cava and C. indicum Complex Extract on Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate (PMA)-Stimulated Inflammatory Response in Human Pulmonary Epithelial Cells and Particulate Matter (PM)2.5-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation in Mice.

This study explores the potential of a natural composite formulation known as ED, consisting of Ecklonia cava (E. cava, family: Lessoniaceae) and Chrysanthemum indicum Linne (C. indicum, family: Asteraceae), in alleviating lung inflammation induced by fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Initial assessments confirmed that neither ED nor one of its components, dieckol, exhibited cytotoxic effects on A549 cells. Subsequently, the impact of ED and dieckol on MUC5AC gene expression in A549 cells stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was investigated, revealing promising results that demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of MUC5AC gene expression. The study also delves into the underlying mechanisms, demonstrating that ED and dieckol effectively suppressed the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including JNK, ERK, and p38, which are known to be involved in the regulation of MUC5AC gene expression. In in vivo experiments using a PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation mouse model, the research findings showed that ED mitigated cellular accumulation in the airways, leading to a significant reduction in the total cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Moreover, ED exhibited protective effects against PM2.5-induced pulmonary damage, characterized by reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased mucus secretion in pulmonary tissues. Additionally, ED's anti-inflammatory properties were evident in its ability to decrease the levels of key inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6, both in the serum and lung tissue of the PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation mouse model. These findings suggest the potential of ED as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory respiratory diseases.

ED Formula, a Complex of Ecklonia cava and Chrysanthemum indicum, Ameliorates Airway Inflammation in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW Macrophages and Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma Mouse Model.

Ecklonia cava (E. cava) and Chrysanthemum indicum Linne (C. indicum) are natural raw materials known to have beneficial effects on inflammatory-related diseases, as evidenced by various sources in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the airway-protective effects of a formulation called ED, comprising E. cava and C. indicum, by evaluating its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: The major components of ED were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in RAW 264.7 cells through measurements of nitric oxide's (NO) inhibitory effect, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effect of ED was evaluated in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model by measuring cytokine levels in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue. Through HPLC analysis, the major components of ED, dieckol and luteolin, were identified. ED demonstrated no cytotoxicity and effectively reduced NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, ED downregulated COX-2 expression through the MAPK signaling pathway in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In the ovalbumin-induced asthma model, the ED-treated group exhibited reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue. Furthermore, the ED-treated group showed a decrease in the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and lower serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels compared to the ovalbumin-treated group. These results suggest that ED has the potential to be a novel therapeutic agent for improving inflammatory respiratory diseases.

Engineering oxygen nanobubbles for the effective reversal of hypoxia.

Hypoxia, which results from an inadequate supply of oxygen, is a major cause of concern in cancer therapy as it is associated with a reduction in the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer treatment. Overexpression and stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein in tumours, due to hypoxia, results in poor prognosis and increased patient mortality. To increase oxygen tension in hypoxic areas, micro- and nanobubbles have been investigated by various researchers. In the present research, lipid-shelled oxygen nanobubbles (ONBs) were synthesized through a sonication method to reverse hypoxic conditions created in a custom-made hypoxic chamber. Release of oxygen gas from ONBs in deoxygenated water was evaluated by measuring dissolved oxygen. Hypoxic conditions were evaluated by performing in vitro experiments on MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells through the expression of HIF-1α and the fluorescence of image-iT™ hypoxia reagent. The results indicated the degradation of HIF-1α after the introduction of ONBs. We propose that ONBs are successful in reversing hypoxia, downregulating HIF-1α, and improving cellular conditions, leading to further medical applications.

Engineering copper nanoparticles synthesized on the surface of carbon nanotubes for anti-microbial and anti-biofilm applications.

Biofilms adhere to surfaces to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). EPSs grow and protect themselves from external stresses. Their formation causes a foul odor and may lead to chronic infectious diseases in animals and people. Biofilms also inhibit the contact between bacteria and antibiotics, thereby reducing their antibacterial activity. Thus, we describe novel nanostructures, a fusion of copper and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which increase antimicrobial activity against biofilms without being toxic to human cells. Simulations based on the stochastic response were performed to predict the efficiency of synthesizing nanostructures. The synthesized Cu/MWCNTs inhibit the growth of Methylobacterium spp., which forms biofilms; antimicrobial testing and cytotoxicity assessments showed that the Cu/MWCNTs were not cytotoxic to human cells. The Cu/MWCNTs come in direct contact with the bacterial cell surface, damage the cell wall, and cause secondary oxidation of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, the Cu/MWCNTs release copper ions, which inhibit the quorum sensing in Methylobacterium spp., thereby inhibiting the expression of the genes that form biofilms. Additionally, we confirmed excellent electrical and thermal conductivity of Cu/MWCNTs as well as biofilm removal efficiency in the microfluidic channel.

Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties.

In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were treated with an aqueous sulfuric acid solution to form an oxygen-based functional group. Silver MWCNTs were prepared by the reductive deposition of silver from an aqueous solution of AgNO3 on the oxidized MWCNTs. Given the unique color of the CNTs, it was not possible to apply them to the minimum inhibitory concentration or mitochondrial toxicity assays to evaluate the toxicity and antibacterial properties, since they would interfere with the assays. The inhibition zone and minimum bactericidal concentration for the Ag-MWCNTs were measured and Live/Dead and Trypan Blue assays were used to measure the toxicity and antibacterial properties without interfering with the color of the CNTs.

Comparative analysis of Cutanplast and Spongostan nasal packing after endoscopic sinus surgery: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study.

Commercial gelatin-based packing materials are available under different names and compositions to be used after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Spongostan and Cutanplast nasal packing on patients' subjective symptoms, hemostasis, and wound healing following ESS. One hundred adult patients with chronic sinusitis requiring the same extent of ESS were included. Following surgery, one nasal cavity was packed with Cutanplast and the other one with Spongostan. Patients' subjective symptoms while the packing was in situ, hemostatic properties, degree of remaining amount of packing materials, postoperative wound healing, and the cost of the pack were evaluated. Cutanplast and Spongostan are equally effective in the control of postoperative bleeding following ESS. However, Cutanplast packing was significantly more comfortable than Spongostan for nasal obstruction, postnasal drip, rhinorrhea, and headache. Furthermore, the Cutanplast packing was significantly less painful at all time points. The remaining amount of the pack was significantly lower in the Cutanplast than Spongostan packing. Spongostan packing appears to impair wound healing within the sinus cavities up to 3 months postoperatively. Cutanplast was less expensive than Spongostan as used in this study. Cutanplast may be more useful gelatin-based packing material than Spongostan in terms of efficacy and cost-benefit after ESS.