Ultrafast Synthesis of Hard Carbon Anodes for Sodium-ion Batteries: An Intense-Pulsed-Light-Assisted Approach to Photothermal Carbonization of Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Composite Films.

The conventional carbonization process for synthesizing hard carbons (HCs) requires high-temperature furnace operations exceeding 1000 °C, leading to excessive energy consumption and lengthy processing times, which necessitates the exploration of more efficient synthesis methods. This study demonstrates the rapid preparation of HC anodes using intense pulsed light (IPL)-assisted photothermal carbonization without the prolonged and complex operations typical of traditional carbonization methods. A composite film of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is carbonized at high temperatures in less than 1 min.

Local Disordering in the Amorphous Network of a Solution-Processed Indium Tin Oxide Thin Film.

The polyhedra unit structure (MO) in an amorphous metal oxide network has more freedom and flexibility than the same unit structure in a crystalline phase. Consequently, a mild external stimulus (e.g.

Radiation-induced overexpression of transthyretin inhibits retinol-mediated hippocampal neurogenesis.

Cranial irradiation is the main therapeutic strategy for treating primary and metastatic brain tumors. However, radiation is well-known to induce several unexpected side effects including emotional disorders. Although radiation-induced depression may cause decreased quality of life after radiotherapy, investigations of its molecular mechanism and therapeutic strategies are still insufficient.

Annexin A1 in plasma from patients with bronchial asthma: its association with lung function.

Background: Annexin-A1 (ANXA1) is a glucocorticoid-induced protein with multiple actions in the regulation of inflammatory cell activation. The anti-inflammatory protein ANXA1 and its N-formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) have protective effects on organ fibrosis. However, the exact role of ANXA1 in asthma remains to be determined.

Inhibitory effect of traditional oriental medicine-derived monoamine oxidase B inhibitor on radioresistance of non-small cell lung cancer.

Increased survival of cancer cells mediated by high levels of ionizing radiation (IR) reduces the effectiveness of radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, danshensu which is a selected component of traditional oriental medicine (TOM) compound was found to reduce the radioresistance of NSCLC by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Of the various TOM compounds reported to inhibit the IR activation of NF-κB, danshensu was chosen as a final candidate based on the results of structural comparisons with human metabolites and monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) was identified as the putative target enzyme.

Circulating angiopoietin-1 and -2 in patients with stable and exacerbated asthma.

Background: Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and -2 are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and have been identified as markers of asthma severity.

Objective: To determine the relation between circulating angiopoietins and clinical variables of patients with asthma.

Methods: Fifty patients with bronchial asthma and 25 healthy controls were enrolled.

Dermal Toxicity of Flake-Like α-Alumina Pigments.

Aluminum is one of the most widely used nonferrous metals and an important industrial material, especially for automotive coatings. However, potential toxicity caused by aluminum in humans limits the used of this metal. α-alumina is the most stable form of aluminum in various phases.

Association of nasal inflammation and lower airway responsiveness in schoolchildren based on an epidemiological survey.

Background/aims: We sought to increase our understanding of the rhinitis-asthma relationship and improve strategies for the treatment of patients with these diseases. The aim of this study was to identify a connection between upper airway inflammation and lower airway responsiveness.

Methods: We counted eosinophils on nasal smears, and performed spirometry, allergic skin tests, and methacholine challenge tests in 308 schoolchildren plus a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms.

Network-based approaches for anticancer therapy (Review).

Cancer is a complex disease resulting from alterations of multiple signaling networks. Cancer networks have been identified as scale-free networks and may contain a functionally important key player called a hub that is linked to a large number of interactors. Since a hub can serve as a biological marker in a given network, targeting the hub could be an effective strategy for enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatment.