Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha regulates microglial functions affecting neuronal survival in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in mice

Cells universally adapt to ischemic conditions by turning on a transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), in which its role is known to differ widely across many different types of cells. Given that microglia have been reported as an essential mediator of neuroinflammation in many brain diseases, we examined the role of HIF in microglia in the progression of an acute phase of ischemic stroke by challenging our novel strains of myeloid-specific Hif-1 alpha or Hif-2 alpha knockout (KO) mice created by Cre-loxP system via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). We observed that Hif-1 alpha but not Hif-2 alpha KO mice exhibited an improved recovery compared to wild-type (WT) mice determined by behavioral tests. Immunostaining analyses revealed that there were increased numbers of both mature and immature neurons while microglia and apoptotic cells were significantly decreased in the dentate gyrus of Hif-1 alpha KO mice following MCAO. By isolating microglia with fluorescence-activated cell sorter, we found that HIF-1 alpha-deficient microglia were impaired in phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. We further observed a significant decrease in the expression of Cd36 and milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (Mfg-e8) genes, both of which contain hypoxia-responsive element (HRE). Knocking down either of these genes in BV2 microglial cells was sufficient to abrogate HIF-mediated increase in phagocytosis, production of intracellular ROS, or TNF-alpha secretion. Our results therefore suggest that HIF-1 alpha in microglia is a novel therapeutic target to protect neuronal survival following an acute phase of ischemic stroke.113Ysciescopu

Seawater Battery-Based Wireless Marine Buoy System with Battery Degradation Prediction and Multiple Power Optimization Capabilities

This paper presents a wireless marine buoy system based on the seawater battery (SWB), providing self-powered operation, power-efficient management, and degradation prediction and fault detection. Since conventional open circuit voltage (OCV) methods cannot be applied due to inherent cell characteristics of SWB, the coulomb counting (CC) method is adopted for the state of charge (SOC) monitoring. For the state of health (SOH), a variance-based detection scheme is proposed to provide degradation prediction and fault detection of the SWB. The self-powered operation is augmented by two proposed power optimization schemes such as multiple power management and three-step LED light control. A wireless buoy system prototype is manufactured, and its functional feasibility is experimentally verified, where its location and SOC are periodically monitored in a smartphone-based wireless platform

DISC1 Modulates Neuronal Stress Responses by Gate-Keeping ER-Mitochondria Ca2+ Transfer through the MAM

A wide range of Ca2+-mediated functions are enabled by the dynamic properties of Ca2+, all of which are dependent on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a scaffold protein that is involved in the function of intracellular organelles and is linked to cognitive and emotional deficits. Here, we demonstrate that DISC1 localizes to the mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM). At the MAM, DISC1 interacts with IP3R1 and downregulates its ligand binding, modulating ER-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer through the MAM. The disrupted regulation of Ca2+ transfer caused by DISC1 dysfunction leads to abnormal Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria following oxidative stress, which impairs mitochondrial functions. DISC1 dysfunction alters corticosterone-induced mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation in an oxidative stress-dependent manner. Together, these findings link stress-associated neural stimuli with intracellular ER-mitochondria Ca2+ crosstalk via DISC1, providing mechanistic insight into how environmental risk factors can be interpreted by intracellular pathways under the control of genetic components in neurons.114sciescopu

Use of behavioral analysis in animal models for schizophrenia research

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Composite gel polymer electrolyte with ceramic particles for LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2-Li4Ti5O12 lithium ion batteries

In this study, a composite polymer matrix for gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is prepared by the electrospinning process, combining poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and nano-sized Al2O3 ceramic particles. The composite matrix is impregnated with a liquid electrolyte to prepare the GPE-Al2O3 composite and its properties are compared with those of pure GPE. The GPE-Al2O3 composite improves the interfacial resistance, ion coordination and the electrochemical stability of the GPE. The electrochemical performances are analyzed by applying the GPEs to LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC) and Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) cells. The GPE-Al2O3 composite exhibits a higher discharge capacity than the GPE at 0.1 C-rate and excellent performance in both the LTO and the NMC half-cells under cyclic conditions. The GPE-Al2O3 composite shows good compatibility and high electrochemical property on LTO/NMC full-cell.clos

Insights into the Dual-Electrode Characteristics of Layered Na0.5Ni0.25Mn0.75O2 Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries are now close to replacing lithium-ion batteries because they provide superior alternative energy storage solutions that are in great demand, particularly for large-scale applications. To that end, the present study is focused on the properties of a new type of dual-electrode material, Na0.5Ni0.25Mn0.75O2, synthesized using a mixed hydroxycarbonate route. Cyclic voltammetry confirms that redox couples, at high and low voltage ranges, are facilitated by the unique features and properties of this dual-electrode, through sodium ion deintercalation/intercalation into the layered Na0.5Ni0.25Mn0.25O2 material. This material provides superior performance for Na-ion batteries, as evidenced by the fabricated sodium cell that yielded initial charge discharge capacities of 125/218 mAh g(-1) in the voltage range of 1.5-4.4 V at 0.5 C. At a low voltage range (1.5-2.6 V), the anode cell delivered discharge charge capacities of 100/99 mAh g(-1) with 99% capacity retention, which corresponds to highly reversible redox reaction of the Mn4+/3+ reduction and the Mn3+/4+ oxidation observed at 1.85 and 2.06 V, respectively. The symmetric Na-ion cell, fabricated using Na0.5Ni0.25Mn0.25O2, yielded initial charge discharge capacities of 196/187 mu Ah at 107 mu A. These results encourage the further development of new types of futuristic sodium-ion battery-based energy storage systems.clos

A flexible and scalable Li-ion conducting film using a sacrificial template for high-voltage all-solid-state batteries

To improve the safety concerns of lithium-ion batteries, a flexible scalable composite electrolyte film (FSCEF) was fabricated based on a fiber-shaped ceramic and polymer support. Ceramic fibers of Li1.3Ti1.7Al0.3(PO4)(3) (LATP) were prepared by sintering the precursor-coated sacrificial template and then infiltrated with a polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer to obtain the FSCEF. The LATP fibers induced continuous Li+ ion channels, allowing the FSCEF to show an ionic conductivity exceeding 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 60 degrees C. The synergistic action of the ceramic frameworks and supportive PEO resulted in enhanced mechanical flexibility. Furthermore, the possibility of using a FSCEF in all-solid-state batteries was confirmed by conducting electrochemical performance tests on a Li/FSCEF/LCO (LiCoO2) cell. We expect that the herein reported findings will contribute to the synthesis of thin and flexible solid-state electrolyte films with manufacturing scalability for promising high-voltage all-solid-state batteries

Highly Active and Durable Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts Based on Graphitic Nanoshell/Mesoporous Carbon Hybrids for Rechargeable Aqueous Na-Air Batteries

Efficient and cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are of vital importance in energy conversion and storage devices. Despite the recent progress in bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, their unbalanced and insufficient OER and ORR activities has continued to pose challenges for the practical application of such energy devices. We here present the design of highly integrated, high-performance, bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts composed of highly graphitic nanoshells embedded in mesoporous carbon (GNS/MC). The GNS/MC exhibits very high oxygen electrode activity, which is one of the best performances among non-precious metal bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, and substantially outperforms Ir- and Pt-based catalysts. Moreover, the GNS/MC shows excellent durability for both OER and ORR. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry reveal the roles of residual Ni and Fe entities in enhancing OER and ORR activities. Raman spectra indicate highly graphitic, defect-rich nature of the GNS/MC, which can contribute to the enhanced OER activity and to high stability for the OER and ORR. In aqueous Na-air battery tests, the GNS/MC air cathode-based cell exhibits superior performance to Ir/C- and Pt/C-based batteries. Significantly, the GNS/MC-based cell demonstrates the first example of rechargeable aqueous Na-air batter

Diagnostic approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders using human-derived olfactory epithelial cells

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3D Ion-Conducting, Scalable, and Mechanically Reinforced Ceramic Film for High Voltage Solid-State Batteries

Concerning the safety aspects of Li(+)ion batteries, an epoxy-reinforced thin ceramic film (ERTCF) is prepared by firing and sintering a slurry-casted composite powder film. The ERTCF is composed of Li(+)ion conduction channels and is made of high amounts of sintered ceramic Li1+xTi2-xAlx(PO4)(3)(LATP) and epoxy polymer with enhanced mechanical properties for solid-state batteries. The 2D and 3D characterizations are conducted not only for showing continuous Li(+)ion channels thorough LATP ceramic channels with over 10(-4)S cm(-1)of ionic conductivity but also to investigate small amounts of epoxy polymer with enhanced mechanical properties. Solid-state Li(+)ion cells are fabricated using the ERTCF and they show initial charge-discharge capacities of 139/133 mAh g(-1). Furthermore, the scope of the ERTCF is expanded to high-voltage (>8 V) solid-state Li(+)ion batteries through a bipolar stacked cell design. Hence, it is expected that the present investigation will significantly contribute in the preparation of the next generation reinforced thin ceramic film electrolytes for high-voltage solid-state batteries