Nasicon-Type Surface Functional Modification in Core–Shell LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂@NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ Cathode Enhances Its High-Voltage Cycling Stability and Rate Capacity toward Li-Ion Batteries

Surface modifications are established well as efficient methodologies to enhance comprehensive Li-storage behaviors of the cathodes and play a significant role in cutting edge innovations toward lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we first logically devised a pilot-scale coating strategy to integrate solid-state electrolyte NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ (NTP) and layered LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂ (NMC) for smart construction of core–shell NMC@NTP cathodes. The Nasicon-type NTP nanoshell with exceptional ion conductivity effectively suppressed gradual encroachment and/or loss of electroactive NMC, guaranteed stable phase interfaces, and meanwhile rendered small sur-/interfacial electron/ion-diffusion resistance. By benefiting from immanently promoting contributions of the nano-NTP coating, the as-fabricated core–shell NMC@NTP architectures were competitively endowed with superior high-voltage cyclic stabilities and rate capacities within larger electrochemical window from 3.0 to 4.6 V when utilized as advanced cathodes for advanced LIBs. More meaningfully, the appealing electrode design concept proposed here will exert significant impact upon further constructing other high-voltage Ni-based cathodes for high-energy/power LIBs

Primer sets of RT-PCR that used in this experiment.

<p>Primer sets of RT-PCR that used in this experiment.</p

Immuno-phenotyping of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs.

<p>A, Typical FACS results of MHC-I, MHC-II, CD40, CD80 and CD86 expression of three kinds of cells, with or without IFN-γ-treatment. B, Statistical analysis of FACS results of MHC-I, MHC-II and CD40 expression of the three kinds of cells, with or without IFN-γ-treatment. EPCs and AD-MSCs expressed significantly higher levels of MHC I and CD40 when compared with UC-MSCs. All three kinds of cells were negative for MHC II, CD80 and CD86. After stimulated with IFN-γ, the expression of MHC I, MHC II and CD40 were up-regulated in all the three kinds of cells, while the induced expression level in UC-MSCs was relatively low compared to AD-MSCs and EPCs (n = 3, P<0.01). C, mRNA levels of IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 gene were compared within three kinds of cells. The expression levels of both IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 were highest in EPCs, lowest in UC-MSCs (n = 3, P<0.01). D, Protein level of IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 were tested by Western blot, and compared within three kinds of cells with Quantity One software. The expression levels of both IFN-γR1 (EPC <i>vs</i> UC-MSC, P = 0.03) and IFN-γR2 (EPC <i>vs</i> UC-MSC, P = 0.016) were highest in EPCs, lowest in UC-MSCs (n = 3).</p

Characterization of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs.

<p>A, Expression patterns of endothelial makers on EPCs were analyzed by FACS. EPCs highly expressed CD31, vWF, CD144 and CD105, partly positive expressed VEGFR-2 and CD34, negative for CD90, CD45, CD14 and CD19. B, Biological function of EPCs was identified. a, Representative phase contrast images of cobblestone-like EPCs. b, EPCs bound with UEA-1 (red). c, EPCs incorporated DiI-Ac-LDL (green). d, EPCs formed vascular-like tubes on matrigel. C, Phenotype analysis of AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs by FACS. Both AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs were positive for CD29, CD90, CD73 and CD105, negative for VEGFR-2, CD14, CD31, CD34 and CD45. D, After 14 days of induction, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes. a, Adipogenic induction of AD-MSCs. b, Adipogenic induction of UC-MSCs. c, Osteogenic induction of AD-MSCs. d, Osteogenic induction of UC-MSCs. Adipogenesis was detected by the formation of neutral lipid vacuoles stainable with oil red O (red-orange). Osteogenesis was demonstrated by detection of alkaline phosphatase activity (brown).</p

AD-MSCs can promote vessel formation <i>in vivo</i>.

<p>After EPCs were implanted with/without UC-MSCs or AD-MSCs into SCID mice for 2 weeks, formed vessels in matrigel were subjected to immune-rejection by allo-PBMCs. The results were demonstrated by gross observation of the matrigel grafts (A) or by pathological section observation after H&E staining (B) or immunofluorescence staining (green: CD31; red: SMAα; blue: DAPI. 400×)(C). Implanted cells in matrigel formed vessels that inosculated with host vasculature and were perfused with mouse blood. EPCs implanted with AD-MSCs formed more vessels than EPCs implanted alone or EPCs implanted with UC-MSCs (D). The vessels in EPC+AD-MSC grafts also had significantly larger lumen than other groups (D). After allo-PBMC injection, red blood cell leakage was very obvious in EPC grafts or EPC+UC-MSC grafts (indicated by red arrows). In EPC+AD-MSC grafts, the vessels remained stable, and the red blood cell infiltration could hardly be observed.</p

The stimulating effect of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs on the proliferation of T cell subsets and the cytokine secretion of the three kinds of cells when co-cultured with allo-PBMCs.

<p>The stimulating effect of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs on the proliferation of T cell subsets was further analyzed. After one week of co-culture, CEDA-SE labeled T cells were stained with anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 antibody and subjected to FACS analysis. A and B, Typical results of 5 independent tests with similar trends. AD-MSCs, UC-MSCs or EPCs alone could hardly stimulate CD4+T or CD8+T proliferation, though the stimulating effect of EPCs was slightly higher. After pre-treatment by IFN-γ, EPCs could strongly stimulate CD4+T and CD8+T proliferation. However, this effect could be significantly inhibited by both AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs (n = 5, P<0.05). C, Cytokine secretion was analyzed after a 7-day co-culture of allo-PBMCs with different stimulators. EPCs can stimulate the production of IFN-γ and IL-10. AD-MSCs can down-regulate the secretion of IFN-γ (EPCs + IFN-γ group vs EPCs + IFN-γ + AD-MSCs group) and up-regulate the secretion of IL-10 (blank vs ADMSCs group, EPCs group vs EPCs + AD-MSCs group) (n = 3, P<0.05).</p

AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs could inhibit the proliferation of allo-PBMCs <i>in vitro</i>.

<p>Proliferation of allo-PBMCs co-cultured with different stimulating cells was analyzed by CFDA-SE-based proliferation assay. A, Typical results of the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay. a-l show allo-PBMC proliferation after co-culture with different stimulators: a, blank as negative control; b, AD-MSCs; c, UC-MSCs; d, PHA as positive control; e, AD-MSCs + PHA; f: UC-MSCs + PHA; g, EPCs; h, EPCs + AD-MSCs; i, EPCs + UC-MSCs; j, IFN-γ-treated EPCs; k, IFN-γ-treated EPCs + AD-MSCs; l, IFN-γ-treated EPCs + UC-MSCs. B and C, The statistical results of MLR assay. B, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs could slightly stimulate allo-PBMC proliferation. EPCs displayed a significantly stronger stimulating effect than AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs (n = 5, P<0.05). C, IFN-γ-treated EPCs showed a higher stimulating effect than EPCs. AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs could strongly down-regulate the stimulating effect of EPC and IFN-γ-treated EPCs. UC-MSCs have a more remarkable immune-inhibiting effect on IFN-γ-treated EPCs when compared with AD-MSCs (n = 5, P<0.05).</p

Adsorption performance and mechanism of Arsenic(III) and Arsenic(V) by using copper-manganese binary oxide

Arsenic contamination threatens the safety of drinking water in many areas of the world. As(V) is less toxic and easier to remove than As(III). Hence, it is essential to oxidise As(III) to As(V). Based on the previous studies, Cu-Mn binary oxide (CMBO) (with a molar ratio of Cu/Mn = 3:1) was prepared by a two-step method. The results showed that CMBO has a large specific surface area (67.74 m2/g) and pore size (16.87 nm). Moreover, CMBO has an inconspicuous crystal structure and abundant hydroxyl groups, which are favourable for arsenic adsorption. The adsorption kinetics results indicated that As(III) was oxidised to As(V) during the adsorption process, and the adsorption rate for As(V) removal was faster than that for As(III) removal. The saturated adsorption capacities of As(III) and As(V) were calculated to be 64.17 mg/g and 84.87 mg/g via the Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. The results of the pH effect studies indicated that acidic conditions promoted the removal of both As(III) and As(V) by CMBO due to the electrostatic attraction. The spectroscopic analysis results demonstrated that Mn oxides within CMBO played a vital role in As(III) oxidation. The removal of As(III) by CMBO was attributed to the synergistic effect of As(III) oxidation by Mn oxides and As sorption by Cu oxides. Overall, CMBO is a promising sorbent with great potential for removing arsenic.</p

Neutrophil and endothelial cell membranes coassembled roflumilast nanoparticles attenuate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Aim: This study aimed to develop biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs) of roflumilast (ROF) for attenuating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Materials & methods: We synthesized biomimetic ROF NPs and assembled ROF NPs in neutrophil and endothelial cell membranes (NE/ROF NPs). The physical properties of NE/ROF NPs were characterized and biological functions of NE/ROF NPs were tested in vitro. Targeting characteristics, therapeutic efficacy and safety of NE/ROF NPs were examined in mice model of MI/R. Results: NE/ROF NPs exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and antiadhesion effects. Meanwhile, they was effective in reducingMI/R injury in mice. Furthermore, NE/ROF NPs exhibited stronger targeting capabilities and demonstrated good safety. Conclusion: NE/ROF NPs may be a versatile biomimetic drugdelivery system for attenuating MI/R injury.</p