Substitution Effect of a Single Nitrogen Atom on π-Electronic Systems of Linear Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Theoretically Visualized Coexistence of Mono- and Polycyclic π-Electron Delocalization.

We theoretically investigated the nitrogen substitution effect on the molecular structure and π-electron delocalization in linear nitrogen-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N-PAHs). Based on the optimized molecular structures and magnetic field-induced parameters of fused bi- and tricyclic linear N-PAHs, we found that the local π-electron delocalization of subcycles (e.g.

Failure Modes of Flexible LiCoO Cathodes Incorporating Polyvinylidene Fluoride Binders with Different Molecular Weights.

Understanding the mechanical failure modes of lithium-ion battery [Li-ion batteries (LIBs)] electrodes is exceptionally important for enabling high specific energy and flexible LIB technologies. In this work, the failure modes of lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathodes under repeated bending and the role of the polymer binder in improving the mechanical durability of the LCO electrodes for use in flexible LIBs are investigated. Mechanical and electrochemical evaluations of LCO electrodes (areal capacity of ≥2.

Electroacupuncture for abdominal pain relief in patients with acute pancreatitis: A three-arm randomized controlled trial.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) may reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) and provide additional pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis. However, the ability of EA to relieve pain in patients with AP has not been well documented.

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the pain-relieving effects of EA and conventional treatment in patients with AP.

Laser-based three-dimensional manufacturing technologies for rechargeable batteries.

Laser three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing technologies have gained substantial attention to fabricate 3D structured electrochemical rechargeable batteries. Laser 3D manufacturing techniques offer excellent 3D microstructure controllability, good design flexibility, process simplicity, and high energy and cost efficiencies, which are beneficial for rechargeable battery cell manufacturing. In this review, notable progress in development of the rechargeable battery cells via laser 3D manufacturing techniques is introduced and discussed.

Zinc Phosphides as Outstanding Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes.

To design a high-performance sodium-ion battery anode, binary zinc phosphides (ZnP and ZnP) were synthesized by a facile solid-state heat treatment process, and their Na storage characteristics were evaluated. The Na reactivity of ZnP was better than that of ZnP. Therefore, a C-modified ZnP-based composite (ZnP-C) was fabricated to achieve better electrochemical performance.

Direct Visualization of Lithium Polysulfides and Their Suppression in Liquid Electrolyte.

Understanding of lithium polysulfide (Li-PS) formation and the shuttle phenomenon is essential for practical application of the lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cell, which has superior theoretical specific energy (2600 Wh/kg). However, it suffers from the lack of direct observation on behaviors of soluble Li-PS in liquid electrolytes. Using in situ graphene liquid cell electron microscopy, we have visualized formation and diffusion of Li-PS simultaneous with morphological and phase evolutions of sulfur nanoparticles during lithiation.

Three-Dimensionally Aligned Sulfur Electrodes by Directional Freeze Tape Casting.

Rational design of sulfur electrodes is exceptionally important in enabling a high-performance lithium/sulfur cell. Constructing a continuous pore structure of the sulfur electrode that enables facile lithium ion transport into the electrode and mitigates the reconstruction of sulfur is a key factor for enhancing the electrochemical performance. Here, we report a three-dimensionally (3D) aligned sulfur electrode cast onto conventional aluminum foil by directional freeze tape casting.

Size-dependent characteristics of diurnal particle concentration variation in an underground subway tunnel.

Understanding characteristics of diurnal particle concentration variation in an underground subway tunnel is important to reduce subway passengers' exposure to high levels of toxic particle pollution. In this study, real-time particle monitoring for eight consecutive days was done at a shelter located in the middle of a one-way underground subway tunnel in Seoul, Republic of Korea, during the summer of 2015. Particle mass concentration was measured using a dust monitor and particle number concentration using an optical particle counter.

Freeze-Dried Sulfur-Graphene Oxide-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite for High Sulfur-Loading Lithium/Sulfur Cells.

The ambient-temperature rechargeable lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cell is a strong candidate for the beyond lithium ion cell since significant progress on developing advanced sulfur electrodes with high sulfur loading has been made. Here we report on a new sulfur electrode active material consisting of a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified sulfur-graphene oxide-carbon nanotube (S-GO-CTA-CNT) nanocomposite prepared by freeze-drying. We show the real-time formation of nanocrystalline lithium sulfide (LiS) at the interface between the S-GO-CTA-CNT nanocomposite and the liquid electrolyte by in situ TEM observation of the reaction.

In vivo stem cell tracking with imageable nanoparticles that bind bioorthogonal chemical receptors on the stem cell surface.

It is urgently necessary to develop reliable non-invasive stem cell imaging technology for tracking the in vivo fate of transplanted stem cells in living subjects. Herein, we developed a simple and well controlled stem cell imaging method through a combination of metabolic glycoengineering and bioorthogonal copper-free click chemistry. Firstly, the exogenous chemical receptors containing azide (-N) groups were generated on the surfaces of stem cells through metabolic glycoengineering using metabolic precursor, tetra-acetylated N-azidoacetyl-d-mannosamine(AcManNAz).

Non-invasive stem cell tracking in hindlimb ischemia animal model using bio-orthogonal copper-free click chemistry.

Labeling of stem cells aims to distinguish transplanted cells from host cells, understand in vivo fate of transplanted cells, particularly important in stem cell therapy. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are considered as an emerging therapeutic option for tissue regeneration, but much remains to be understood regarding the in vivo evidence. In this study, a simple and efficient cell labeling method for labeling and tracking of stem cells was developed based on bio-orthogonal copper-free click chemistry, and it was applied in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model.

ROS-generating TiO2 nanoparticles for non-invasive sonodynamic therapy of cancer.

The non-invasive photodynamic therapy has been limited to treat superficial tumours, primarily ascribed to poor tissue penetration of light as the energy source. Herein, we designed a long-circulating hydrophilized titanium dioxide nanoparticle (HTiO2 NP) that can be activated by ultrasound to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). When administered systemically to mice, HTiO2 NPs effectively suppressed the growth of superficial tumours after ultrasound treatments.

Bioorthogonal Copper Free Click Chemistry for Labeling and Tracking of Chondrocytes In Vivo.

Establishment of an appropriate cell labeling and tracking method is essential for the development of cell-based therapeutic strategies. Here, we are introducing a new method for cell labeling and tracking by combining metabolic gylcoengineering and bioorthogonal copper-free Click chemistry. First, chondrocytes were treated with tetraacetylated N-azidoacetyl-D-mannosamine (Ac4ManNAz) to generate unnatural azide groups (-N3) on the surface of the cells.

Exosomes from differentiating human skeletal muscle cells trigger myogenesis of stem cells and provide biochemical cues for skeletal muscle regeneration.

Exosomes released from skeletal muscle cells play important roles in myogenesis and muscle development via the transfer of specific signal molecules. In this study, we investigated whether exosomes secreted during myotube differentiation from human skeletal myoblasts (HSkM) could induce a cellular response from human adipose-derived stem cells (HASCs) and enhance muscle regeneration in a muscle laceration mouse model. The exosomes contained various signal molecules including myogenic growth factors related to muscle development, such as insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), and platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA).

Lithium Sulfide (Li2S)/Graphene Oxide Nanospheres with Conformal Carbon Coating as a High-Rate, Long-Life Cathode for Li/S Cells.

In recent years, lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cells have attracted great attention as a candidate for the next generation of rechargeable batteries due to their high theoretical specific energy of 2600 W·h kg(-1), which is much higher than that of Li ion cells (400-600 W·h kg(-1)). However, problems of the S cathode such as highly soluble intermediate species (polysulfides Li2Sn, n = 4-8) and the insulating nature of S cause poor cycle life and low utilization of S, which prevents the practical use of Li/S cells. Here, a high-rate and long-life Li/S cell is proposed, which has a cathode material with a core-shell nanostructure comprising Li2S nanospheres with an embedded graphene oxide (GO) sheet as a core material and a conformal carbon layer as a shell.

Scalable synthesis of silicon nanosheets from sand as an anode for Li-ion batteries.

The silicon nanostructure is a promising candidate for an anode of Li-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity. In this work, we have demonstrated the scalable synthesis of Si nanosheets from natural sand by magnesiothermic reduction, and suggested a new formation mechanism for Si nanosheets. In the suggested mechanism, an Mg₂Si intermediate phase was formed at an early stage of the reduction process, which leads to the two-dimensional Si nanostructure.

Cell labeling and tracking method without distorted signals by phagocytosis of macrophages.

Cell labeling and tracking are important processes in understanding biologic mechanisms and the therapeutic effect of inoculated cells in vivo. Numerous attempts have been made to label and track inoculated cells in vivo; however, these methods have limitations as a result of their biological effects, including secondary phagocytosis of macrophages and genetic modification. Here, we investigated a new cell labeling and tracking strategy based on metabolic glycoengineering and bioorthogonal click chemistry.

Influences of organic cation transporter polymorphisms on the population pharmacokinetics of metformin in healthy subjects.

This study investigated the effects of genetic polymorphisms in organic cation transporter (OCT) genes, such as OCT1-3, OCTN1, MATE1, and MATE2-K, on metformin pharmacokinetics. Of particular interest was the influence of genetic polymorphisms as covariates on the variability in the population pharmacokinetics (PPK) of metformin using nonlinear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM). In a retrospective data analysis, data on subjects from five independent metformin bioequivalence studies that used the same protocol were assembled and compared with 96 healthy control subjects who were administered a single oral 500 mg dose of metformin.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone with genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 and ABCB1.

This study estimated the population pharmacokinetics of risperidone and its active metabolite, 9-hydroxyrisperidone, according to genetic polymorphisms in the metabolizing enzyme (CYP2D6) and transporter (ABCB1) genes in healthy subjects. Eighty healthy subjects who received a single oral dose of 2 mg risperidone participated in this study. However, eight subjects with rare genotype variants in CYP2D6 alleles were excluded from the final model built in this study.

Decellularized extracellular matrix derived from porcine adipose tissue as a xenogeneic biomaterial for tissue engineering.

Cells in tissues are surrounded by the extracellular matrix (ECM), a gel-like material of proteins and polysaccharides that are synthesized and secreted by cells. Here we propose that the ECM can be isolated from porcine adipose tissue and holds great promise as a xenogeneic biomaterial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Porcine adipose tissue is easily obtained in large quantities from commonly discarded food waste.

Human collagen isolated from adipose tissue.

Collagen, the most abundant protein in vertebrates, is a useful biomaterial in pharmaceutical and medical industries. So far, most collagen has been extracted from animals and cadavers. Herein, we suggest human adipose tissue, which is routinely abandoned after liposuction, as a plentiful source of human collagen.

Electrochemical endotoxin sensors based on TLR4/MD-2 complexes immobilized on gold electrodes.

Even low concentrations of endotoxins can be life-threatening. As such, continuous effort has been directed toward the development of sensitive and specific endotoxin detection systems. In this paper, we report the design and fabrication of a new electrochemical endotoxin sensor based on a human recombinant toll-like receptor 4 (rhTLR4) and myeloid differentiation-2 (MD-2) complex.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of two formulations of rebamipide 100-mg tablets: a randomized, single-dose, two-period, two-sequence crossover study in healthy Korean male volunteers.

Background: Rebamipide is a quinolinone-derived gastroprotective agent approved in Korea for the treatment of gastric ulcers, acute gastritis, and exacerbated chronic gastritis.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of a reference (branded) and test (generic) formulation of rebamipide 100-mg tablets in healthy Korean male volunteers for the purposes of generic substitution and to evaluate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene (exons 21 and 26) and rebamipide pharmacokinetics.

Methods: This study had a 2-period crossover design, with a 7-day washout between formulations.

Determination of ibudilast in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography for pharmacokinetic study.

A simple, accurate, precise and cost effective reversed-phase HPLC method was developed to determine the concentration of ibudilast in human serum. Ibudilast and an internal standard, butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether. HPLC analysis was carried out under the following conditions: a Luna C(18)(2) 5 microm column, a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.

Seungma-galgeun-tang attenuates proinflammatory activities through the inhibition of NF-kappaB signal pathway in the BV-2 microglial cells.

Seungma-galgeun-tang (SGT) has been used for treatment of chronic diseases in the folk medicine recipe. Since nitric oxide (NO) is one of the major inflammatory parameters, we first studied the effects of SGT on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. SGT inhibited the secretion of NO in BV-2 microglia, without affecting cell viability.