Effect of <i>Cone of Pinus densiflora</i> on DNCB-Induced Allergic Contact Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesion in Balb/c Mice

Cone of Pinus densiflora (CP), or Korean red pinecone, is a cluster of Pinus densiflora fruit. CP has also been verified in several studies to have anti-oxidation, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-melanogenic effects. However, anti-inflammatory effects have not yet been confirmed in the inflammatory responses of pinecones to allergic contact dermatitis. The purpose of this study is to prove the anti-inflammatory effect of CP on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in vitro and in vivo. CP inhibited the expression of TSLP, TARC, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells and MCP-1, GM-CSF, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in PMACI (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate plus A23187)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. CP inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs), as well as the translocation of NF-κB on TNF-α/IFN-γ stimulated in HaCaT cells. In vivo, CP decreased major symptoms of ACD, levels of IL-6 in skin lesion, thickening of the epidermis and dermis, infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells, and the infiltration of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. This result suggests that CP represents a potential alternative medicine to ACD for diseases such as chronic skin inflammation

Wide-temperature-range operation of lithium-metal batteries using partially and weakly solvating liquid electrolytes

The optimal design of liquid electrolytes is vital for the build-up of long-lifespan lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) that function over a wide-temperature-range. Tuning the electrolyte solvation-structure using partially-fluorinated ether solvents and constructing stable electrode-electrolyte interfaces using electrolyte additives enhance the electrochemical reversibility of lithium-metal anodes and facilitate the realization of high-capacity cathodes for LMBs. This study reports a partially and weakly solvating electrolyte (PWSE) which enables the stable cycling of LMBs at high-voltages within a wide-temperature range through modulation of an electrolyte local-environment using a low-salt concentration of 1.3 M. 1,2-Bis(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)ethane contains two oxygen atoms that coordinate weakly with Li+-ions; it transforms the 1,2-dimethoxyethane-dominated electrolyte solvation-structure to a more anion-incorporated structure. Moreover, a combination of lithium fluoromalonato(difluoro)borate and silver nitrate strengthens the electrode-electrolyte interfaces and improves the oxidation durability of ether-based electrolytes. The PWSE enables the construction of 4.4 V Li|LiCoO2 full cells with a long-lifespan and high-areal-capacity of 3.12 mA h cm-2. With the aid of electrolyte additives, a partially and weakly solvating electrolyte which is acquired by controlling the local environment of the electrolyte qualifies the stable cycling of LMBs at high voltages over a wide temperature range