Self-Healing Systems in Silicon Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries

Self-healing is the capability of materials to repair themselves after the damage has occurred, usually through the interaction between molecules or chains. Physical and chemical processes are applied for the preparation of self-healing systems. There are different approaches for these systems, such as heterogeneous systems, shape memory effects, hydrogen bonding or covalent–bond interaction, diffusion, and flow dynamics. Self-healing mechanisms can occur in particular through heat and light exposure or through reconnection without a direct effect. The applications of these systems display an increasing trend in both the R&D and industry sectors. Moreover, self-healing systems and their energy storage applications are currently gaining great importance. This review aims to provide general information on recent developments in self-healing materials and their battery applications given the critical importance of self-healing systems for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In the first part of the review, an introduction about self-healing mechanisms and design strategies for self-healing materials is given. Then, selected important healing materials in the literature for the anodes of LIBs are mentioned in the second part. The results and future perspectives are stated in the conclusion section.     

Benefit of continuous positive airway pressure on work quality in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea

Sleep and Breathing - The objective of this prospective study was to assess the effect of CPAP therapy on job productivity and work quality for patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A...     

A Novel System to Study the Impact of Epithelial Barriers on Cellular Metabolism

Medications introduced into the systematic circulation must be transported across biological barriers such as skin, gastrointestinal, or bronchial epithelia, which can alter their kinetic and metabolic profiles. It is, therefore, important to understand diffusion kinetics across barrier membranes when choosing a dosing regime that will elicit the greatest cellular response. An in vitro system that combines membrane transport studies with a downstream cell culture chamber has been developed. The system has been tested with skin and a small intestine model (Caco-2 cell monolayers) as barriers, the peroxovanadium compound [VO(O₂)₂ 1, 10 phenanthroline] bpV(phen), as the test chemical, Hep-G2 (liver) as the test cells, and glucose consumption as the test assay. Peroxovanadium has insulin mimetic properties and has been previously demonstrated to effectively lower blood glucose levels in diabetic rats when administered transdermally. A dose of 10 mM bpV(phen) placed on the skin epidermis with a continuous iontophoretic current of 0.5 mA/cm² for 4.5 h led to a net 22% increase in glucose consumption by Hep-G2 cells. The same dose of bpV(phen) passively diffusing across a Caco-2 cell monolayer led to an increase in glucose consumption by Hep-G2 cells of 23%. This system is highly versatile and can be used to study many other processes, involving a variety of biological membranes, cell types, chemicals and assays, making it a valuable research tool. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC00: 8716Uv, 8715Vv     

Remodeling the tumor microenvironment via blockade of LAIR-1 and TGF-β signaling enables PD-L1–mediated tumor eradication

Collagens in the extracellular matrix (ECM) provide a physical barrier to tumor immune infiltration, while also acting as a ligand for immune inhibitory receptors. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a key contributor to shaping the ECM by stimulating the production and remodeling of collagens. TGF-β activation signatures and collagen-rich environments have both been associated with T cell exclusion and lack of responses to immunotherapy. Here, we describe the effect of targeting collagens that signal through the inhibitory leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) in combination with blockade of TGF-β and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). This approach remodeled the tumor collagenous matrix, enhanced tumor infiltration and activation of CD8⁺ T cells, and repolarized suppressive macrophage populations, resulting in high cure rates and long-term tumor-specific protection across murine models of colon and mammary carcinoma. The results highlight the advantage of direct targeting of ECM components in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapy.     

Left Atrial Deformation Parameters Predict Left Atrial Appendage Function and Thrombus in Patients in Sinus Rhythm with Suspected Cardioembolic Stroke: A Speckle Tracking and Transesophageal Echocardiography Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate left atrial deformations using speckle tracking echocardiography for predicting left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus in patients with suspected cardioembolic stroke who were in normal sinus rhythm. A total of 153 ischemic stroke patients (89 males, 64 females) in sinus rhythm who were suspected of having cardioembolism were included in the study. The patients underwent conventional two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiogram and 2D speckle tracking echocardiogram of the left atrium. Left atrial peak strain (LA‐4C‐RES) and left atrial precontraction strain (LA‐4C‐PUMP) were measured. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of thrombus in the LAA in transesophageal echocardiography. Both LA‐4C‐RES and LA‐4C‐PUMP values were found to be significantly lower in patients with LAA thrombus (11.8 ± 1.4% vs. 33 ± 12%, P < 0.001 and 5.8 ± 1.3% vs. 14.2 ± 5.3%, P < 0.001, respectively). A good inverse correlation was present between LA‐4C‐RES values and LAA morphologic parameters (with LAA area: r = ?0.70, P < 0.001, with LAA length: r = ?0.60, P < 0.001), and a good positive correlation was present with LAA emptying velocity with pulse Doppler (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve of the LA‐4C‐RES was 0.94 (0.90–0.98, P < 0.001), for the LA‐4C‐PUMP, the area was 0.92 (0.87–0.96, P < 0.001) to predict LAA thrombus. Left atrial deformation parameters measured by 2D speckle tracking method was found to predict impaired LAA functions and the presence of LAA thrombus in ischemic stroke patients with suspected cardioembolism, but who are in sinus rhythm.     

Organelle dynamics and dysfunction: A closer link between peroxisomes and mitochondria

Summary  Mitochondria and peroxisomes are ubiquitous subcellular organelles, which fulfil an indispensable role in the cellular metabolism of higher eukaryotes. Moreover, they are highly dynamic and display large plasticity. There is growing evidence now that both organelles exhibit a closer interrelationship than previously appreciated. This connection includes metabolic cooperations and cross-talk, a novel putative mitochondria-to-peroxisome vesicular trafficking pathway, as well as an overlap in key components of their fission machinery. Thus, peroxisomal alterations in metabolism, biogenesis, dynamics and proliferation can potentially influence mitochondrial functions, and vice versa. In this review, we present the latest progress in the emerging field of peroxisomal and mitochondrial interrelationship with a particular emphasis on organelle dynamics and its implication in diseases. Competing interests: None declared Presented at the Annual Symposium of the SSIEM, Lisbon, Portugal, 2–5 September 2008     

Molecular Diagnosis of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Presenting with Pancytopenia at an Early Age: The First Report from Turkey

A three-month-old boy presented with growth failure, skeletal abnormalities, otitis media and pancytopenia. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was confirmed by low levels of fecal elastase. He was diagnosed as Shwachman-Diamond syndrome by clinical and laboratory findings. The diagnosis was confirmed by sequence analysis for SBDS gene on chromosome seven revealing compound heterozygous mutation, which are c.258+2T-C and c.183-184TA-CT. Matched unrelated donor screening for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was initiated. Unfortunately, he died of respiratory difficulty at 5 months of age. Our case is the youngest patient whose presumptive Shwachman-Diamond syndrome diagnosis was confirmed by molecular analysis.