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Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electronic devices due to their high energy density and long cycle life. However, the use of flammable organic solvents in electrolytes leads to frequent safety problems. Therefore, ensuring the safety of lithium-ion batteries has become an essential and urgent research topic. In this study, vinyl tris(2-methoxyethoxy)silane (VTMS) and triethyl phosphite (TEPi), serving as flame retardant additives, were employed to systematically explore the synergistic flame retardant effect and elucidate the underlying mechanism between them. Additionally, an assessment was conducted to examine the impact of their incorporation on the performance of the battery. The results indicate that the introduction of a combination of VTMS and TEPi led to the formation of a uniform and compact char layer under elevated temperatures, in contrast to the use of either additive alone. Incorporating 5 wt% of VTMS and TEPi enhances the thermal stability of the LiCoO2 electrode, resulting in discharge capacity exceeding 145 mA h g−1 for Li‖LiFePO4 and 315 mA h g−1 for Li‖natural graphite half cells, respectively, at a current density of 0.5C. Moreover, their utilization facilitates the generation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film. This study offers a novel perspective for investigating flame-retardant electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To engineer a BCMA mutant resistant to γ-secretase cleavage in order to stabilize wild-type BCMA expression after γ-secretase cleavage and to generate target cells for measuring BCMA CAR-T cell cytotoxicity. Methods: Our study aimed to engineer a mutant BCMA protein (BCMA-CD8α TM) that could resist γ-secretase cleavage by replacing the transmembrane domain of the wild-type BCMA protein with the human CD8α sequence. Four different types of cells in which this mutant gene was expressed excessively were engineered, including U266 (U266BCMA Mut), K562 (K562BCMA Mut), SKOV3 (SKOV3BCMA Mut), and CHO (CHOBCMA Mut) cells. BCMA CAR Jurkat cells, loaded with the NFAT-EGFP reporter gene (BCMA-CAR-Jurkat-Reporter), were engineered and cocultured with U266BCMA Mut cells. The expression level of EGFP was detected by FCM in order to indicate the activation level of NFAT. The cytotoxicity of BCMA CAR-T cells against Luciferase-labeled K562BCMA Mut cells was detected by the luciferase assay. Additionally, real-time cell analysis (RTCA) technique was employed to detect the cytotoxicity of BCMA CAR-T cells against SKOV3BCMA Mut and CHOBCMA Mut cells. Results: Application of γ-secretase inhibitor LY411575 to inhibit γ-secretase activity significantly enhanced the expression level of BCMA on the surface of wild-type U266 cells, and the average fluorescence intensity was increased by more than 10 times. However, the expression level of BCMA gradually decreased after removal of inhibitors (P<0.01). BCMA-CD8α TM mutant could resist the cleavage of γ-secretase and expressed stably on the surface of U266 cells (P>0.05). U266 cells and U266 cells overexpressing BCMA-CD8α TM were co-incubated with BCMA-CAR-Jurkat-Reporter cells, both of which could activate the Reporter system and enhance the expression of EGFP, but the effect was more significant in U266 cells overexpressing BCMA-CD8α TM (P<0.01). BCMA-CD8α TM mutants were successfully overexpressed in 3 BCMA-negative target cells, namely K562, SKOV3 and CHO cells, and the expression level of the mutant was only slightly increased under LY411575 treatment. Luciferase assay results showed that under different target-effect ratios BCMA CAR-T cells could all be specific and efficient in killing K562 cells overexpressing BCMA-CD8α TM. RTCA results showed that under different target ratios BCMA CAR-T cells could all effectively recognize and kill SKOV3 and CHO cells overexpressing BCMA-CD8α TM, but Mock-T cells with the same target ratio had no such effect. Conclusion: The BCMA-CD8α TM mutant engineered in this study can resist γ-secretase cleavage and exhibits stable surface expression on various target cells, thus offering various methods for evaluating the efficacy and specificity of BCMA CAR-T cell cytotoxicity in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Left atrial appendage electrical isolation (LAAEI) has demonstrated a significant enhancement in the success rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Nevertheless, concerns persist about the safety of LAAEI, particularly regarding alterations in left atrial appendage (LAA) flow velocity and the potential risks of thrombus. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of LAAEI, investigating changes in LAA flow velocity in canines. Methods and results The study comprised a total of 10 canines. The LAAEI procedure used by a 23 mm cryoballoon of the second generation was conducted at least 180 s. Intracardiac ultrasonography (ICE) was employed to quantify the velocity flow of the LAA both prior to and following LAAEI. Following a 3-month period, subsequent evaluations were performed to assess the LAA velocity flow and the potential reconnection. Histopathological examination was conducted. Left atrial appendage electrical isolation was effectively accomplished in all canines, resulting in a 100% acute success rate (10/10). The flow velocity in the LAA showed a notable reduction during LAAEI as compared with the values before the ablation procedure (53.12 ± 5.89 vs. 42.01 ± 9.22 cm/s, P = 0.007). After the follow-up, reconnection was observed in four canines, leading to a success rate of LAAEI of 60% (6/10). The flow velocity in the LAA was consistently lower (53.12 ± 5.89 vs. 44.33 ± 10.49 cm/s, P = 0.006), and no blood clot development was observed. The histopathological study indicated that there was consistent and complete injury to the LAA, affecting all layers of its wall. The injured tissue was subsequently replaced by fibrous tissue. Conclusion The feasibility of using cryoballoon ablation for LAAEI was confirmed in canines, leading to a significant reduction of LAA flow velocity after ablation. Some restoration of LAA flow velocity after ablation may be linked to the passive movement of the LAA and potential reconnecting. However, this conclusion is limited to animal study; more clinical data are needed to further illustrate the safety and accessibility of LAAEI in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the alterations in VSMC function following acupuncture stimulation in CIS models. Methods: The databases PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and EMBASE were queried until November 2022 using a predetermined search strategy. The FORMAT BY SYRCLE guidelines were adhered to, and the risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated using the Risk of Bias tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation. The random-effects model was employed to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD). Results: Eighteen articles are included in this review. Acupuncture showed significant positive effects on the region cerebral blood flow (SMD=8.15 [95% CI, 4.52 to 11.78]) and neurological deficiency (SMD=− 3.75 [95% CI, − 5.54 to − 1.97]). Descriptive analysis showed a probable mechanism of acupuncture stimulation in CIS rats related to VSMC function. Limitations and publication bias were presented in the studies. Conclusion: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, our findings indicate that acupuncture stimulation has the potential to improve regional cerebral blood flow and alleviate neurological deficits, possibly by regulating VSMC function. However, it is important to exercise caution when interpreting these results due to the limitations of animal experimental design and methodological quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]