Understanding the electrochemical processes of SeS positive electrodes for developing high-performance non-aqueous lithium sulfur batteries.

SeS positive electrodes are promising components for the development of high-energy, non-aqueous lithium sulfur batteries. However, the (electro)chemical and structural evolution of this class of positive electrodes is not yet fully understood. Here, we use operando physicochemical measurements to elucidate the dissolution and deposition processes in the SeS positive electrodes during lithium sulfur cell charge and discharge.

Triflic Acid-Assisted Regioselective Bromination of Quinoxaline Derivatives Enables a Facile Synthesis of Polymer PTQ10.

Poly[(thiophene)-alt-(6,7-difluoro-2(2-hexyldecyloxy)quinoxaline)] (PTQ10) emerges as a promising candidate for donor materials in organic solar cells (OSCs) due to its high efficiency, simplified synthesis, and cost-effectiveness. The acceptor unit of PTQ10 is derived from the alkylation of 5,8-dibromo-6,7-difluoroquinoxaline-2-ol, emphasizing the importance of its economical synthesis for commercial viability. This study investigates triflic acid-assisted regioselective bromination of quinoxaline derivatives and proposes an alternative synthetic pathway for PTQ10.

Facile Synthesis of Dithienobenzothiadiazoles and D18-Cl Polymer via NaS-Mediated Rapid Thiophene-Annulations for Organic Solar Cells.

We present a novel synthetic route for the rapid construction of dithieno[3',2':3,4;2'',3'':5,6]benzo[1,2-c][1,2,5]thiadiazoles via NaS-promoted thiophene annulation. This method facilitated the synthesis of D18-Cl polymer, known for its efficacy as a polymer donor in bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells. Starting from commercially available 4,7-dihalo-5,6-difluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole, various 4,7-dialkynylated compounds were obtained through Sonogashira reaction conditions.

SiO-induced thermal instability and interplay between graphite and SiO in graphite/SiO composite anode.

Silicon monoxide (SiO), which exhibits better cyclability compared to silicon while delivering higher capacity than that of graphite, is an adequate material for the development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) having higher energy densities. However, incorporating silicon-based materials including SiO into stable graphite anode inevitably degrades not only cycle life but also calendar life of LIBs, while little is known about their aging mechanisms. Here, SiO-induced thermal instability of the graphite/SiO composite anode is investigated.

Hierarchically Structured Conductive Polymer Binders with Silver Nanowires for High-Performance Silicon Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon (Si) anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) suffer from huge volume changes that lead to a rapid capacity decrease and short cycle life. A conductive binder can be a key factor to overcome this issue, maintaining continuous electron paths under pulverization of Si. Herein, composites of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are augmented with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a binder for Si anodes, which forms hierarchical structures due to different chain lengths of PEG and PEO.

Antigen-Capturing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Enhance the Radiation-Induced Abscopal Effect in Murine Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hepa1-6 Models.

Immunomodulation by radiotherapy (RT) is an emerging strategy for improving cancer immunotherapy. Nanomaterials have been employed as innovative tools for cancer therapy. This study aimed to investigate whether mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) enhance RT-mediated local tumor control and the abscopal effect by stimulating anti-cancer immunity.

MnTnHex-2-PyP, Coupled to Radiation, Suppresses Metastasis of 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer via AKT/Snail/EMT Pathways.

Tumor migration and invasion induced by the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are prerequisites for metastasis. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect of a mimic of superoxide dismutase (SOD), cationic Mn(III) -substituted -n-hexylpyridylporphyrin (MnTnHex-2-PyP, MnHex) on the metastasis of breast cancer in cellular and animal models, focusing on the migration of tumor cells and the factors that modulate this behavior. Wound healing and Transwell migration assays revealed that the migration of mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells was markedly reduced during the concurrent treatment of MnHex and radiation therapy (RT) compared with that of the control and RT alone.

Radiation-induced abscopal effect and its enhancement by programmed cell death 1 blockade in the hepatocellular carcinoma: A murine model study.

Background/aims: The abscopal effect, a rare phenomenon induced by radiation, can be reinforced by immunotherapy. Although radiation therapy and immunotherapy are increasingly being utilized for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whether immunotherapy could boost the abscopal effect remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the immunological mechanisms underlying the abscopal effect induced by the combination of irradiation and immunotherapy in a murine HCC model.

Topical Application of Phlorotannins from Brown Seaweed Mitigates Radiation Dermatitis in a Mouse Model.

Radiation dermatitis (RD) is one of the most common side effects of radiotherapy; its symptoms progress from erythema to dry and moist desquamation, leading to the deterioration of the patients' quality of life. Active metabolites in brown seaweed, including phlorotannins (PTNs), show anti-inflammatory activities; however, their medical use is limited. Here, we investigated the effects of PTNs in a mouse model of RD in vivo.

NOD2 Supports Crypt Survival and Epithelial Regeneration after Radiation-Induced Injury.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) affords stem cell protection and links microbes to intestinal epithelial regeneration. We investigated whether NOD2 status is associated with crypt survival and intestinal epithelial regeneration independent of microbiota-derived molecules. To assess crypt survival, a clonogenic microcolony assay was performed with 15 Gy of X-ray irradiation.

Comparison of Proton and Photon Beam Irradiation in Radiation-Induced Intestinal Injury Using a Mouse Model.

When radiotherapy is applied to the abdomen or pelvis, normal tissue toxicity in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is considered a major dose-limiting factor. Proton beam therapy has a specific advantage in terms of reduced doses to normal tissues. This study investigated the fundamental differences between proton- and X-ray-induced intestinal injuries in mouse models.

Fucoidan-Manganese Dioxide Nanoparticles Potentiate Radiation Therapy by Co-Targeting Tumor Hypoxia and Angiogenesis.

Tumor hypoxia is a major mechanism of resistance to radiation therapy (RT), which is associated with poor prognosis in affected cancer patients. Various approaches to treat hypoxic and radioresistant cancers, including pancreatic cancer, have shown limited success. Fucoidan, a polysaccharide from brown seaweed, has antitumor and antiangiogenesis activities.

Publisher Correction: Valproic Acid Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Proton Therapy by Suppressing NRF2 Activation.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Valproic Acid Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Proton Therapy by Suppressing NRF2 Activation.

Although efficacy of combined histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and conventional photon radiotherapy is being tested in clinical trials, their combined effect with proton beam radiotherapy has yet to be determined. Here, we compared combined effect of valproic acid (VPA), a class I and II HDAC inhibitor and antiepileptic drug with proton and photon irradiation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro and in vivo. We found that VPA sensitized more Hep3B cells to proton than to photon irradiation.

Dataset on the changes of neutrophils treated with retinoic acid.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Retinoic acid induces hypersegmentation and enhances cytotoxicity of neutrophils against cancer cells" (S. Shrestha, S.Y.

Autophagy Primes Neutrophils for Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation during Sepsis.

Rationale: Neutrophils are key effectors in the host's immune response to sepsis. Excessive stimulation or dysregulated neutrophil functions are believed to be responsible for sepsis pathogenesis. However, the mechanisms regulating functional plasticity of neutrophils during sepsis have not been fully determined.

Retinoic acid induces hypersegmentation and enhances cytotoxicity of neutrophils against cancer cells.

Hypersegmentation of nuclei is considered a distinct characteristic of the antitumoral phenotype of neutrophils. Retinoic acid, a metabolite of retinol, reorganizes and induces segmentation of the nucleus during the differentiation of neutrophils. However, the role of retinoic acid in the phenotype polarization of neutrophils has not been fully established.

Immunomodulatory effect of captopril and local irradiation on myeloid-derived suppressor cells.

Purpose: This study is to investigate the effect of captopril when combined with irradiation.

Materials And Methods: 4T1 (mouse mammary carcinoma) cells were injected in the right hind leg of Balb/c mice. Mice were randomized to four groups; control (group 1), captopril-treated (group 2), irradiated (group 3), irradiated and captopril-treated concurrently (group 4).

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonist attenuate tumor growth via polarization of neutrophils toward an antitumor phenotype.

Tumor microenvironments polarize neutrophils to protumoral phenotypes. Here, we demonstrate that the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) antagonist attenuate tumor growth via polarization of neutrophils toward an antitumoral phenotype. The ACEis or AGTR1 antagonist enhanced hypersegmentation of human neutrophils and increased neutrophil cytotoxicity against tumor cells.