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Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) covered sulfur loaded on carbon fibers have been fabricated by combinations of melt-flow and electrochemical coverage strategies. rGO layers can serve as conductive composite and protective layer to improve the specific capacity and cycling stability of S/carbon fiber based LSB. [Display omitted] • Carbon fibers and rGO as conductive components supply double transporting paths of electrons. • rGO as blocking layers inhibits the soluble sulfur diffusing into electrolyte. • rGO layers as another redepositing places increase the utilization of sulfur. To improve the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries, a cathodic material (rGO 150 /S/CF-75) was fabricated for Li-S batteries by adopting a melt-flow method to load sulfur on biomass-derived carbon fibers, then the reduced graphene oxide was electrochemically covered on the outside surface of the sulfur. The coverage of reduced graphite oxide layers endows the performance of S/CF-75 multiple improvements. The specific capacity of rGO 150 /S/CF-75 cathode delivers a specific capacity of 1451.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. The specific capacity of rGO 150 /S/CF-75 cathode can still maintain 537.3 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5 A g−1 (109 % capacity retention). The excellent performance of rGO 150 /S/CF-75 cathode is benefit from not only the conductive paths of reduced graphene oxide layers and protective function of reduced graphene oxide layers inhibiting that the soluble sulfur diffuse into bulk electrolyte, but also the redistribution of sulfur on conductive carbon components during the cycling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An N-doped graphene aerogel (NGA) is used as a reactive container for growing MnO2 nanoparticles via a soaking–hydrothermal strategy. MnO2 nanoparticles pile up on the surface of reduced graphene oxide sheets with crosslinked structures serving as electrical conductors. Importantly, the NGA generates extra capacitance during the electrochemical process, which accomplishes a satisfactory compensation in the physical–chemical properties of MnO2. As a cathodic electrode for Zn-ion batteries, the MnO2/NGA exhibits a specific capacity of 275.8 mA h g−1 and pre-eminent cycling stability with a retention of 93.6% at 3 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. Meanwhile, the proposed electrode also shows a relatively high specific capacitance of 341 F g−1 for a supercapacitor in 1 M Na2SO4. Meanwhile, the long-term cycling stability shows only a slight decrease by 5.1% of the initial capacitance after 5000 continuous cycles at 3 A g−1, which indicates its superior electrochemical stability. Additionally, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor also shows good electrochemical performance. This work highlights the extensive function of an N-doped graphene aerogel as a promising substrate for enhancing the electrochemical performance of MnO2, which opens the gate for wide potential applications of graphene aerogel composites emphasizing their complementary effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous ammonium-ion batteries have attracted more attentions. Electrodeposited manganese oxide (MnO x) electrodes stand out electrochemical behaviors for storing NH 4 +. However, the unsatisfied conductivity and dissolution of MnO x impede electrochemical properties of MnO x for applying in ammonium-ion batteries. In this work, electrochemical coverage of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layers on MnO x was carried out to improve the properties of MnO x as a positive electrode of ammonium-ion batteries. The improvements are attributed to three functions of rGO additives to engage as conductive layers (fast electron transportation), blocking layers (inhibition of Mn2+ diffusion) and capacitive behaviors (adsorption of Mn2+ and NO x −), which makes sure the excellent rate capability (109 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1) and cycling stability (92.6% after 1000 cycles) of rGO 60 /MnO x. In addition, we also studied the redox of NH 4 + on rGO layers to investigate the stability of electrolyte, and the redox of NH 4 + on rGO layers is highly reversible and low active, which implies that the rGO is suitable to be a functionalized component for improving the properties of MnO x to apply in ammonium-ion batteries. This work provides a new thought to design electrodes with comprehensive strategies for ammonium-ion batteries. Tight and incomplete coverage of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layers on MnO x was adopted to improve the performance of MnO x for applying MnO x in ammonium-ion batteries, which aims to enhance the conductivity of MnO x -based electrode and decrease the amount of Mn2+ and NO x − diffusing from the surface of electrode to bulk electrolyte. [Display omitted] • Reduced graphene oxide cover on the surface of MnO x to improve the performance of MnO x for ammonium-ion batteries. • Reduced graphene oxide as blocking layers to inhibit the diffusion of Mn2+ and NO x − from the surface of MnO x to electrolyte. • Investigating the electrochemical effects of reduced graphene oxide layers on NH 4 + in electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 3 (CXCR3) is a chemokine receptor that is mainly expressed by activated T lymphocytes. T cells play important roles in allergic pulmonary inflammation, which is a hallmark of asthma and elicits the localized accumulation of activated T cells in the lung. In China, a marked increase in the incidence rate of chronic allergic pulmonary inflammation has made it a major public health threat. In the present study, we investigated the role of CXCR3 and its ligands in airway inflammation induced by house dust mite protein (HDMP) in a CXCR3 knockout (CXCR3KO) asthma mouse model. Pathological manifestations in the lung, cell counts and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) classifications were studied using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the BALF and splenocyte supernatants were measured using ELISA. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the lung and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. RT-PCR was applied to measure the mRNA transcript levels of monokines induced by IFN-γ(CXCL9) and IFN-γ inducible protein 10(CXCL10). The total cell counts, eosinophil counts, and IL-4 levels in the BALF and cultured splenocyte supernatants were significantly increased, while the levels of IFN-γ were reduced in the HDMP groups(P<0.01). Changes in the total cell counts, eosinophil counts, and lymphocyte counts, as well as the total protein levels in the BALF, the levels of IL-4 in splenocyte supernatants, and the pathological manifestations in the lung, were all greater in CXCR3KO mice than in C57BL/6 wild-type mice. Furthermore, the expression levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 mRNA transcripts in the lungs of CXCR3KO mice were lower than those in C57BL/6 wild-type mice (P<0.05). CXCR3 and its ligands (i.e., CXCL9 and CXCL10) may play anti-inflammatory roles in this animal model. Promoting the expression of CXCR3 and its ligands may represent a novel therapeutic approach for preventing and curing asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Graphene oxide sheets modulate ultramicroporous region of milk colloid-derived carbon. • Synergy of graphene oxide and metal oxide leads carbon to an advanced pore system. • Milk colloid-derived carbon shows excellent capacitance by synergetic modulation. Biomass-derived carbon has great potential as electrode for supercapacitors or batteries, and the rational design and modulation of the porous structure is the key for advanced electro-chemical property. Herein, graphene oxide (GO) sheets and metal oxide particles templates were introduced for modulating the ultramicropores (less than 1 nm) and supermicropores/mesopores (∼ 2 nm) of porous carbon derived from milk colloid, aiming to exploring the potential of biomass-derived carbon as supercapacitor electrodes. Through the synergetic modulations of GO and metal oxide particles, the proposed supercapacitor materials (G-NP-MPC) exhibit high gravimetric (358.4 F/g)/areal (3.58 F/cm2)/volumetric capacitance (277.5 F/cm3) at mass loadings of 10 mg/cm2 in aqueous electrolyte, which accomplishes remarkable improvement of carbon directly derived from milk colloid (181.1 F/g, 1.81 F/cm2 and 140.3 F/cm3) without pore modulation. Apart from aqueous electrolyte, the symmetric supercapacitor (G-NP-MPC) also exhibits relatively high energy density (43.0 W h/kg at the power density of 300 W/kg) in organic electrolyte with the potential window of 3 V. This work amplifies the function of graphene oxide sheets and metal oxide, which can corporately tune the pore size distribution in a narrow scope for enhancing integrated capacitance of biomass-derived carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a novel strategy for the fabrication of sandwich-like N, S co-doped graphene aerogels using π-π and H-bonding interactions between 2, 5-Dimercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole (DMTD) and GO via hydrothermal method. The synergistic effect between N and S atoms plays key role to improve the supercapacitor performance of the fabricated graphene aerogel material. • π-conjugated DMTD molecules are used as dopant precursors and pillared agents for the fabrication of NSGA. • NSGA delivers a high gravimetric specific capacitance of 321 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. • The π-conjugated and H-bonding interactions improve the accessible surface area of NSGA. • The synergistic effect of N andS and enhancement of surface area are the main reason in promoting the SC performance. Rational constructing carbon electrode materials with heteroatoms (eg. N, S, B, F) and high surface area is essencial to the appealing performance of supercapacitor (SC). Here we present a novel fabrication strategy for sandwich-like N, S co-doped three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene aerogels (NSGAs) via one-pot hydrothermal method for high performance SCs materials. The unique advantage of the proposed synthesis strategy is the applications of 2, 5-Dimercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole (DMTD) as bifunctional pillared agents and efficient dopant precursors. The planar DMTD molecules have shown strong supramolecular π-π and H-bonding interactions with graphene oxide (GO), thus avoiding the restacking of graphene sheets and enhancing the doping efficiency and amount of S atoms, which are beneficial to the SC performance of NSGA. The synthesized NSGA samples exhibit the atomic content of S up to 2.39 at.% with surface area at 366.0 m2 g−1, and display a maximum energy density of 10.52 W h kg−1 for assembled symmetric supercapacitor. The relatively high tandem device performance with a remarkable current response, even at 2000 mV s−1, reaches the top level for graphene-based SC system. The proposed simple fabrication strategy and attracting performance of NSGA material shed light on the potential practical applications of graphene-based material as SCs, and the observed structure-function relations also provides physical-chemical insight into the function principle of heteroatom doped graphene in SCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keloid, an aggressive fibroproliferative disease of the skin, is usually caused by infectious skin diseases, burns, and trauma. This study aimed to assess the effect of SPARC on the keloid pathogenesis. In normal skin and keloid scar tissues, changes in SPARC expression were analysed by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Keloid fibroblasts were isolated from human keloid tissue. GSEA was performed to investigate the signalling pathways related to SPARC. Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, transwell assay, and scratching assays were used to assess fibroblast proliferation and migration. Changes in α-SMA, fibronectin, collagen I, and collagen III levels were examined in fibroblasts by western blotting. SPARC expression was upregulated in keloid scar tissues. In fibroblasts, cell proliferation, migration, collagen production, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis were promoted by SPARC overexpression, whereas SPARC knockdown resulted a converse result. GSEA showed that SPARC regulates the p53 pathway. In keloid scar tissues, there was a negative correlation between SPARC and p53 expression. p53 expression was decreased by SPARC overexpression, whereas SPARC knockdown increased p53 expression. Furthermore, the effects of SPARC on the fibroblast phenotype were reversed by p53 overexpression. Fibroblast proliferation, migration, and ECM synthesis were promoted by SPARC overexpression, which was achieved by regulating the p53 pathway. Our findings provide new therapeutic targets for keloids. • SPARC expression is upregulated in keloid skin tissues. • SPARC promotes the proliferation and migration of keloid fibroblasts. • SPARC promotes the collagen production and ECM synthesis in fibroblasts. • SPARC inhibits the activation of p53 signaling in fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We developed a set of chromosome segment substitution lines of an elite hybrid. [•] All the identified 15 QTLs showed partial dominance on plant height in the CSSL-F2 population. [•] Significant digenic interactions between main QTLs were detected to control plant height. [•] Directional dominance could well explain the midparent heterosis for plant height in an elite rice hybrid. [•] Dominance together with epistasis could explain the better parent heterosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novelty of this paper is that we use 5-mercapto-3-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H) thione potassium salt (BII) as pillaring agent and dopant to synthesize 3D sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphene aerogel (SNGA) as supercapacitor electrode materials. It is noteworthy that BII is a vertical bicyclic molecule with a special head-to-head non-planar structure effectively inhibiting the close stacking of graphene sheets during the self-assembly process. Therefore, SNGA4 synthesized under optimal condition obtains a larger specific surface area (410.2 m2 g−1). At the same time, BII with rich sulfur and nitrogen promote the doping amount of sulfur atoms at 3.71 at.% via the supramolecular interactions (π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding). Furthermore, this work gives us a deeper understanding of how to choose pillaring agents and dopants in the fabrication of high-performance graphene-based. [Display omitted] • A vertical bicyclic BII molecule are used as pillaring agent and dopant for 3D sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphene aerogel (SNGA). • The π-π interaction and H-bonding between BII and GO promote the doping of sulfur and nitrogen atoms of SNGA. • SNGA shows a high specific capacitance of 399 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. • The head-to-head vertical non-planar structure gives the BII a more significant effect in preventing graphene stacking. The two-dimensional (2D) graphene sheets can be self-assembled into three-dimensional (3D) graphene aerogels by a typical hydrothermal route to improve the supercapacitor performance in recent years. The novelty of this paper is that we use 5-mercapto-3-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H) thione potassium salt (BII) as pillaring agent and dopant to synthesize 3D sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphene aerogel (SNGA) as supercapacitor electrode materials. It is noteworthy that BII is a vertical bicyclic molecule with a special head-to-head non-planar structure effectively inhibiting the close stacking of graphene sheets during the self-assembly process. Therefore, SNGA4 synthesized under optimal condition obtains a larger specific surface area (410.2 m2 g−1). At the same time, BII with rich sulfur and nitrogen promote the doping amount of sulfur atoms at 3.71 at.% via the supramolecular interactions (π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding). In the three-electrode configuration, the capacitance reached 399F g−1 (current density is 1 A g−1), and the energy density gained 11.36 Wh kg−1 in the assembled supercapacitor system. These results indicate the great potential of SNGA4 as an electrode material for supercapacitors. Furthermore, this work gives us a deeper understanding of how to choose pillaring agents and dopants in the fabrication of high-performance graphene-based supercapacitor electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CD8+ T cells participate in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and allergic pulmonary inflammation that are characteristics of asthma. CXCL10 by binding to CXCR3 expressed preferentially on activated CD8+ T cells, attracts T cells homing to the lung. We studied the contribution and limitation of CXCR3 to AHR and airway inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA) using CXCR3 knockout (KO) mice.Methods: Mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Lung histopathological changes, AHR, cellular composition and levels of inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and lungs at mRNA and protein levels, were compared between CXCR3 KO mice and wild type (WT) mice.Results: Compared with the WT controls, CXCR3 KO mice showed less OVA-induced infiltration of inflammatory cells around airways and vessels, and less mucus production. CXCR3 KO mice failed to develop significant AHR. They also demonstrated significantly fewer CD8+ T and CD4+ T cells in BAL fluid, lower levels of TNFα and IL-4 in lung tissue measured by real-time RT-PCR and in BAL fluid by ELISA, with significant elevation of IFNγ mRNA and protein expression levels.Conclusions: We conclude that CXCR3 is crucial for AHR and airway inflammation by promoting recruitment of more CD8+ T cells, as well as CD4+ T cells, and initiating release of proinflammatory mediators following OVA sensitization and challenge. CXCR3 may represent a novel therapeutic target for asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]