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Nickel-rich layered oxide cathodes, such as LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2(NCM523), are prevalent in high-power batteries owing to their high energy density. However, these cathodes suffer from undesirable side reactions occurring at the cathode/liquid electrolyte interface, leading to inferior interface stability and poor cycle life. To address these issues, herein, an amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PDMS-b-PAA) along with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) is utilized for modifying the electrode surface. This modification causes a thin and stable cathode–electrolyte interface (CEI) on the surface of NCM523 particles, as evidenced by XPS, TEM, and EIS analysis. The introduction of this modified interface successfully suppresses the capacity fading of NCM523. After 200 cycles at a rate of 1.0 C, the capacity of the modified NCM523 cathode is 108.7 mAh g–1, with a capacity retention of 82.8%, while the control samples without the polymer modification display a capacity retention of 72.7%. These results outline the distinct advantage of electrode surface modification with diblock copolymers/LiTFSI for the stabilization of Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes.

Background: Improving synaptic plasticity is a good way to alleviate neuropathic pain. Electroacupuncture (EA) is currently used worldwide to treat this disease, but its specific mechanisms of action need further investigation. Evidence has suggested that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays an important role in promoting nerve regeneration and can promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).Objective: In this study, we examined the effects of EA on synaptic plasticity and its underlying mechanism.Methods: A spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat model was established. NSC37204 (a specific inhibitor of bFGF) was used to determine the relationship between bFGF and putative EA-mediated improvements in synaptic plasticity. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were assessed to evaluate hyperalgesia in rats with SNL. Tissue morphology was detected by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, while neural plasticity and its molecular mechanisms were examined by Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), dual-label immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy.Results: We found that EA improved synaptic plasticity, consistent with higher levels of expression of bFGF and VEGF. Contrary to the beneficial effects of EA, NSC37204 promoted synaptic reconstruction. Furthermore, EA-induced improvements in the neurobehavioral state and improved synaptic plasticity were blocked by NSC37204, consistent with lower expression levels of bFGF and VEGF.Conclusion: These findings indicate that EA suppresses SNL-induced neuropathic pain by improving synaptic plasticity via upregulation of bFGF expression.

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a relatively new, innovative and sustainable green civil engineering material, which has many advantages similar to ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Through the investigations and analyses of published literature, this review paper summarizes the state-of-the-art research progress with respect to the carbonization performances of GPC from the following aspects. First of all, the advantages, carbonization mechanism, and carbonization identification methods of GPC are introduced. Second, the carbonization properties between GPC and OPC are compared, as well as the influences of different factors on the carbonization performance of GPC are analyzed, such as admixtures, additives, environment, etc. Finally, a series of models to evaluate the degree of carbonization are listed, and the future prospect of GPC carbonization research is also put forward. Based on the literature summaries, existing researchers still have great controversy about the research results on the anti-carbonization properties of geopolymer gelling materials, mainly because of the diversity of raw materials in the geopolymer system, resulting in large differences in the hydration products and microstructure of various geopolymer pulps, so there are differences in their anti-carbon performance. It is significant that the influential factors will be of great importance to determine the carbonization performances of GPC, which can also be extended to the anti-carbonization properties of GPC, such as the filling effect of nanoparticles, changing the proportion of silicon and aluminum substances, and improving the mechanical properties and durability of GPC. In addition, more types of numerical models for the carbonization of GPC should be established, considering more impact factors, to ensure the applicability and accuracy, and the integration of the models needs be more strengthened to serve for the complex engineering practices. Overall, the carbonization model establishment will contribute to analyzing the durability of GPC and provide some clues for prolonging its life.

Profilin 2 (PFN2) was found to be mainly expressed in neurons and involved in the development of the brain. In recent years, emerging evidence indicated that PFN2 is also significantly upregulated in various cancers including head and neck cancer (HNSC) and influences cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, the role of PFN2 in HNSC development and progression remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of PFN2 in the development of HNSC and its possible molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics showed that increased expression of PFN2 in tumors correlated highly with poor prognosis of HNSC patients. Our results indicated that PFN2 was highly expressed in HNSC tissues and in HNSC cell lines. Knockdown of PFN2 inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of HNSC cells, while PFN2 overexpression produced the opposite effects. Using a nude mouse xenograft model, we substantiated the tumor-promoting effect of PFN2 on HNSC in vivo. Furthermore, we found that PFN2 downregulation reduced the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β and reduced the expression of β-catenin in HNSC cells. The opposite was observed when PFN2 was overexpressed. Collectively, these results suggest that PFN2 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of HNSC by activating the PI3K/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Although further validation is needed, we speculate that PFN2 plays a crucial role in HNSC and may be a promising therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker.

Previous studies have shown that peripheral nerve injury can lead to abnormal dendritic spine remodeling in spinal dorsal horn neurons. Inhibition of abnormal dendritic spine remodeling can relieve neuropathic pain. Electroacupuncture (EA) has a beneficial effect on the treatment of neuropathic pain, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. Evidence has shown that slit-robo GTPase activating protein 3 (srGAP3) and Rho GTPase (Rac1) play very important roles in dendritic spine remodeling. Here, we used srGAP3 siRNA and Rac1 activator CN04 to confirm the relationship between SrGAP3 and Rac1 and their roles in improving neuropathic pain with EA. Spinal nerve ligation (SNL) was used as the experimental model, and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and Golgi-Cox staining were used to examine changes in behavioral performance, protein expression and dendritic spines. More dendritic spines and higher expression levels of srGAP3 were found in the initial phase of neuropathic pain. During the maintenance phase, dendritic spines were more mature, which was consistent with lower expression levels of srGAP3 and higher expression levels of Rac1-GTP. EA during the maintenance phase reduced the density and maturity of dendritic spines of rats with SNL, increased the levels of srGAP3 and reduced the levels of Rac1-GTP, while srGAP3 siRNA and CN04 reversed the therapeutic effects of EA. These results suggest that dendritic spines have different manifestations in different stages of neuropathic pain and that EA may inhibit the abnormal dendritic spine remodeling by regulating the srGAP3/Rac1 signaling pathway to alleviate neuropathic pain.

Neuroinflammation plays a major role in the development of ischemic stroke, and regulation of the proinflammatory TLR4 signaling pathway in microglia stands to be a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke intervention. Recently, the homeostasis of mitochondrial dynamics has also been raised as a vital component in maintaining neuronal health, but its relevance in microglia hasn't been investigated. Schaftoside, a natural flavonoid compound and a promising treatment for inflammation, has demonstrated potency against LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice; however, its action on TLR4-induced neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dynamics in microglia is still unknown.

In this study, medical hydrogels (TGs) were fabricated based on thiolate-modified chitosan (TCS) and methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) using the Thiol-Michael addition reaction. The hydrogels were formed via the Michael reaction between TCS and GelMA and determined to have an equilibrium swelling rate of more than 1100% while simultaneously providing a moist environment for the wound, and limiting crust formation. The porosity of the prepared hydrogel was also shown to have a positive correlation with the concentration of the thiolated chitosan in the formulation. A positive correlation between hydrogel strain and stress properties and increasing concentrations of thiolated chitosan was also observed. The cytocompatibility of the prepared hydrogels was also tested and confirmed using CCK-8 assay after 5 days of culture, and the best antimicrobial properties were observed with the hydrogel containing TCS and GelMA in the mass ratio of 1:2. The present study was, therefore, able to highlight the potential of a simple and low-cost approach to developing cytocompatible hydrogels with antibacterial properties and tunable mechanical properties based on the well-studied GelMA. This study implies that the produced hydrogels can have future applications in fabricating skin wound healing dressings.

In this paper, we consider the dual wavelet frames in both continuum setting, i.e., on manifolds, and discrete setting, i.e., on graphs. Firstly, we give sufficient conditions for the existence of dual wavelet frames on manifolds by their corresponding masks. Then, we present the formula of the decomposition and reconstruction for the dual wavelet frame transforms on graphs. Finally, we give a numerical example to illustrate the validity of the dual wavelet frame transformation applied to the graph data.