Immune sensitization of equine bronchus: glutathione, IL-1β expression and tissue responsiveness

BACKGROUND: Increasing clinical epidemiological and experimental evidence indicates that excess of production of reactive oxygen free radicals (ROS) induced by an oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of a number of human airway disorders, as well as equine recurrent airway obstruction. Free-radicals modulate the activation of transcription factors, such as nuclear factor-(NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1, in several different cells. This activation leads to expression of many pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β. We have hypothesized that equine airway sensitization might induce an oxidative stress and increase the ROS production, which in turn might enhance a production of IL-1β and airway hyperresponsiveness. METHODS: We have examined the effect of passive sensitization on IL-1β mRNA expression and electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contraction in equine isolated bronchi, and the potential interference of reduced-glutathione (GSH), an antioxidant, with these responses. Bronchi passively sensitized with serum from animals suffering from heaves and having high total level of IgE, and control tissues, either pretreated or not with GSH (100 μM), were used to quantify IL-1β mRNA. Other tissues were used to study the effect of EFS (3–10–25 Hz). RESULTS: Mean IL-1β mRNA expression was higher in passively sensitized than in control rings. GSH significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the IL-1β mRNA expression only in passively sensitized bronchi. ELF induced a frequency-dependent contraction in both non-sensitized and passively sensitized tissues, with a significantly greater response always observed in sensitized tissues. GSH did not modify the EFS-induced contraction in non-sensitized bronchi, but significantly (p < 0.05) decreased it in passively sensitized tissues. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the passive sensitization of equine bronchi induces inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. These effects might be due to an oxidative stress because a pretreatment with GSH decreased the increased IL-1β mRNA expression and responsiveness to EFS of passively sensitized bronchi

A Biomass-Based Integral Approach Enables Li-S Full Pouch Cells with Exceptional Power Density and Energy Density

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, as part of the post-lithium-ion batteries (post-LIBs), are expected to deliver significantly higher energy densities. Their power densities, however, are today considerably worse than that of the LIBs, limiting the Li-S batteries to very few specific applications that need low power and long working time. With the rapid development of single cell components (cathode, anode, or electrolyte) in the last few years, it is expected that an integrated approach can maximize the power density without compromising the energy density in a Li-S full cell. Here, this goal is achieved by using a novel biomass porous carbon matrix (PCM) in the anode, as well as N-Co9S8 nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the cathode. The authors' approach unlocks the potential of the electrodes and enables the Li-S full pouch cells with unprecedented power densities and energy densities (325 Wh kg−1 and 1412 W kg−1, respectively). This work addresses the problem of low power densities in the current Li-S technology, thus making the Li-S batteries a strong candidate in more application scenarios

The cycling performances of lithium-sulfur batteries in TEGDME/DOL containing LiNO3 additive

The cycling performance of lithium&#8211;sulfur batteries in binary electrolytes based on tetra(ethylene glycol)dimethyl ether (TEGDME) and 1,3-dioxolane(DOL) with lithium nitrate (LiNO3) additive were investigated. The highest ionic conductivity was obtained for 1 M LiN(CF3SO2)2 (LiTFSI) in TEGDME/DOL&#8201;=&#8201;33:67(volume ratio)-based electrolyte. The cyclic efficiency of lithium&#8211;sulfur batteries was dramatically increased with LiNO3 additive as a shuttle inhibitor in electrolytes. The lithium&#8211;sulfur cell assembled with 1 M LiTFSI in TEGDME/DOL containing 0.2 M LiNO3 additive for electrolyte, the elemental sulfur for cathode, and the lithium metal for anode demonstrated the initial discharge capacity of about 900 mAh g&#8722;1 and an enhanced cycling performance.close0