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Garnet‐type Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.5O12 (LLZTO) solid electrolytes provide the necessary electrochemical stability and ionic conductivity for solid‐state lithium‐metal batteries (SSLMBs). However, their wider application is hindered by their high interfacial resistance with electrodes and a lengthy synthesis process. This study presents the synthesis of densified LLZTO electrolytes using unconventional Li2O and Li2ZrO3 precursors through an ultrafast (≈60 s) Joule heat‐assisted synthesis approach in a single‐step process. The lower sintering temperature of Li2ZrO3 compared to traditional ZrO2 precursor yields LLZTO with larger grains, resulting in enhanced Li+ conductivity (7.0 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 25 °C), reduced electronic conductivity (1.7 × 10−10 S cm−1), and higher density (94.2%). Applying a 52–80 nm Sn:SnF2 coating on the LLZTO surface using a melt‐quenching approach produces a uniform interlayer that chemically converts to Li‐Sn alloy and LiF upon contact with lithium, resulting in a near‐zero interfacial resistance and a critical current density of 4.2 mA cm−2 at 25 °C. The SSLMBs, incorporating Sn:SnF2‐coated LLZTO electrolyte with NMC811 cathode, demonstrate remarkable initial capacity (181.1 mAh g−1) and cycle performance (88.63% capacity retention at 3000th cycle). The results indicate that this approach has the potential to advance the commercial fabrication technology for high‐performance solid electrolytes for SSLMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study evaluated the plasma concentration of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) and its clinical relevance in patients with idiopathic acute optic neuritis (ON). Methods: We investigated the expression of PRCP in the optic nerves of experimental autoimmune optic neuritis (EAON)-induced mice. Peripheral blood samples were collected from ON patients (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20). ELISA was used to measure the plasma PRCP levels. We performed measurements of visual acuity and the mean thicknesses of the macular ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) at diagnosis and 6 months after diagnosis. Results: The PRCP mRNA expression in EAON-induced mice was markedly higher than that in naïve mice. The mean plasma PRCP level was significantly higher in patients with ON than in controls. Plasma PRCP levels were negatively correlated with logMAR visual acuity at 6 months after diagnosis and differences in macular GCL+IPL thickness during an ON attack. A plasma PRCP level of 49.98 (pg/mL) predicted the recurrence of ON with a 75% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity. Conclusions: Patients with idiopathic acute ON had higher plasma PRCP levels, and this was positively correlated with final visual outcome and well-preserved macular GCL+IPL thickness during an ON attack. The increase in plasma PRCP level may reflect its compensatory secretion to counteract neuroinflammation in ON patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a common and fatal complication of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by the spread of malignant cells to the leptomeninges and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). While intra-CSF methotrexate (MTX) chemotherapy can improve prognosis, eventual MTX resistance deters continued chemotherapy. Recent studies have shown that increased miRNA-21 (miR-21) expression in the CSF of patients with LM after intraventricular MTX-chemotherapy is associated with poor overall survival; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance are poorly understood. Here, we confirm, in 36 patients with NSCLC-LM, that elevated miR-21 expression prior to treatment correlates with poor prognosis. MiR-21 overexpression or sponging results in a corresponding increase or decrease in MTX resistance, demonstrating that cellular miR-21 expression correlates with drug resistance. MiR-21-monitoring sensor and fluorescent extracellular vesicle (EV) staining revealed that EV-mediated delivery of miR-21 could modulate MTX resistance. Moreover, EVs isolated from the CSF of LM patients containing miR-21 could enhance the cell proliferation and MTX resistance of recipient cells. These results indicate that miR-21 can be transferred from cell-to-cell via EVs and potentially modulate MTX sensitivity, suggesting that miR-21 in CSF EVs may be a prognostic and therapeutic target for overcoming MTX resistance in patients with NSCLC-LM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS). They play a pivotal role in supporting neuronal function and maintaining homeostasis by releasing a variety of bioactive proteins, collectively known as the astrocyte secretome. Investigating secretome provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying astrocyte function and dysfunction, as well as novel strategies to prevent and treat diseases affecting the CNS. Proteomics databases are a valuable resource for studying the role of astrocytes in healthy and diseased brain function, as they provide information about gene expression, protein expression, and cellular function. In this review, we discuss existing databases that are useful for astrocyte secretome research. Astrocyte secretomics is a field that is rapidly progressing, yet the availability of dedicated databases is currently limited. To meet the increasing demand for comprehensive omics data in glia research, developing databases specifically focused on astrocyte secretome is crucial. Such databases would allow researchers to investigate the intricate molecular landscape of astrocytes and comprehend their involvement in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Expanding resources through the development of databases dedicated to the astrocyte secretome may facilitate further advancements in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory loss, and changes in behavior. Accumulating evidence indicates that dysfunction of glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, may contribute to the development and progression of AD. Large-scale analysis of glial proteins sheds light on their roles in cellular processes and diseases. In AD, glial proteomics has been utilized to understand glia-based pathophysiology and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this review, we provide an updated overview of proteomic analysis of glia in the context of AD. Additionally, we discuss current challenges in the field, involving glial complexity and heterogeneity, and describe some cutting-edge proteomic technologies to address them. Unbiased comprehensive analysis of glial proteomes aids our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of AD pathogenesis. These investigations highlight the crucial role of glial cells and provide novel insights into the mechanisms of AD pathology. A deeper understanding of the AD-related glial proteome could offer a repertoire of potential biomarkers and therapeutics. Further technical advancement of glial proteomics will enable us to identify proteins within individual cells and specific cell types, thus significantly enhancing our comprehension of AD pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid‐state battery with a lithium‐metal anode and a garnet‐type solid electrolyte has been widely regarded as one of the most promising solutions to boost the safety and energy density of current lithium‐ion batteries. However, lithiophobic property of garnet‐type solid electrolytes hinders the establishment of a good physical contact with lithium metal, bringing about a large lithium/garnet interfacial resistance that has remained as the greatest issue facing their practical application in solid‐state batteries. Herein, a melt‐quenching approach is developed by which varieties of interfacial modification layers based on metal alloys can be coated uniformly on the surface of the garnet. It is demonstrated that with an ultrathin, lithiophilic AgSn0.6Bi0.4Ox coating the interfacial resistance can be eliminated, and a dendrite‐free lithium plating and stripping on the lithium/garnet interface can be achieved at a high current density of 20 mA cm−2. The results reveal that the uniform coating on the garnet surface and the facile lithium diffusion through the coating layer are two major reasons for the excellent electrochemical performances. The all‐solid‐state full cell consisting of the surface modified garnet‐type solid electrolyte with a LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathode and a lithium–metal anode maintains 86% of its initial capacity after 1000 stable cycles at 1 C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon-coated molybdenum sulfide nanosheets were prepared in a thin-film shape (Si–MoS 2 TFs) through metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and radio frequency (RF) sputtering. By using MOCVD, the MoS 2 thin films composed of nanosheets were vertically grown on stainless steel substrates. To address the problem of polysulfide dissolution and shuttling effect of MoS 2 during discharge and charge reactions in thin-film Li-ion batteries, the entire surfaces of MoS 2 TFs were covered with silicon layers using RF sputtering. Compared with pristine MoS 2 TFs without protection, the Si–MoS 2 TFs showed excellent reversibility with a high capacity of ∼2000 mAh g−1 for 500 cycles in thin-film Li-ion batteries. Both materials – MoS 2 and Si – were synergistically taken into account to enhance the ability to store Li ions in the host structures and complement each other during repeated conversion and alloying reactions. The underlying reaction principle was elucidated, which provides insight into developing MoS 2 -based thin-film cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although efforts have been made to increase the Ni content in Ni-rich cathodes for Li-ion batteries with high specific capacities, an unstable surface of the cathode and electrolyte remains a significant challenge. To stabilize the surface, various protective layers – such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) – have been introduced on the surface of Ni-rich cathodes. In this study, we used a facing-target sputtering (FTS) method to avoid the reaction of residual Li and moisture from the precursor for the coating method, and to build a dense, homogeneous, protective, ultrathin Al2O3 layer at the surface of NCM811. It was proven that FTS rules out the presence of the LiOH byproduct of residual Li on the NCM811 during surface modification. Ensuring interface protection by using FTS instead of atomic layer deposition with an H2O-based precursor was identified as a crucial determinant of the NCM811 performance. Our findings present an updated and promising process for stabilizing the surface, demonstrating the need to select a technique to achieve surface passivation of Ni-rich cathodes and improvements in cycling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ZnO–plasma polymer fluorocarbon (PPFC) nanocomposite thin films were prepared by a mid-range frequency sputtering method using ZnO–polyfluoroethylene–carbon nanotube hybrid targets, and their optical, physical, and surface properties were investigated as functions of the ZnO concentration in the targets. The obtained films exhibited excellent visible light transmittance and hydrophobic characteristics, while their surface roughness and refractive index increased with increasing the ZnO concentration from 6.52 to 15.3 nm and from 1.45 to 1.55, respectively, due to the larger number of ZnO-related absorption states. In addition, the structures and compositions of the films were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that mixed ZnO nanoparticles were well embedded into the PPFC matrix. Finally, we examined the potential applicability of the fabricated ZnO–PPFC nanocomposite thin films in various fields, such as batteries and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). The TENG output voltage increased by approximately 15.8% from 28.05 V for commercial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based generators to 32.48 V for the ZnO–PPFC nanocomposite film-based TENG. Furthermore, the ZnO–PPFC nanocomposite thin film demonstrated a stable performance as a battery anode material. While the output of a ZnO reference electrode decreased by approximately 74.5% after 100 cycles, the output of a ZnO–PPFC anode decreased by only 12.4% and remained stable afterward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play an important role in regulating gene expression at a posttranscriptional level. As one of the first discovered oncogenic miRNAs, microRNA-21 (miR-21) has been highlighted for its critical role in cancers, such as glioblastoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and many others. MiR-21 targets many vital components in a wide range of cancers and acts on various cellular processes ranging from cancer stemness to cell death. Expression of miR-21 is elevated within cancer tissues and circulating miR-21 is readily detectable in biofluids, making it valuable as a cancer biomarker with significant potential for use in diagnosis and prognosis. Advances in RNA-based therapeutics have revealed additional avenues by which miR-21 can be utilized as a promising target in cancer. The purpose of this review is to outline the roles of miR-21 as a key modulator in various cancers and its potential as a therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]