Janus Membrane-Based Hydrovoltaic Power Generation with Enhanced Performance under Suppressed Evaporation Conditions

We developed a novel hydrovoltaic power generator (HPG) using a Janus bilayer membrane with an asymmetric wettability. The Janus bilayer membrane was fabricated by stacking a hydrophobic graphene oxide (GO)-cellulose nanofiber (CNF) composite layer on a hydrophilic GO-CNF composite layer. Water supplied through the hydrophilic layer stops at the surface of the hydrophobic layer, producing separate wet and dry regions within the thin bilayer. Protons and sodium ions dissociate from oxygen-containing functional groups in the hydrophilic GO-CNF layer and migrate toward the hydrophobic layer, resulting in a maximum output voltage and current of 0.35 V and 20 μA, respectively, in deionized (DI) water. By replacement of DI water with a 0.6 M NaCl solution (i.e., the concentration of seawater), the output voltage and current were further increased to 0.55 V and 60 μA, respectively. This performance was consistent not only under low humidity due to the water supply but also under high humidity, where evaporation was restricted, indicating humidity-independent performance. The asymmetric wettability of the membrane remained stable throughout the experiment (7 days), enabling continuous power generation.

Fabrication of a uniform chromate conversion coating on Zn alloy for improved corrosion resistance in humid environments

We developed a facile method to produce a uniform chromate conversion (CC) coating on zinc alloy-plated steel substrates (ZS). When an acidic CC solution is applied to ZS (C-ZS), zinc is dissolved and chromium ions are reduced to form a chromate coating. In localized areas where zinc is excessively dissolved, zinc hydroxide particles are formed, which hinders the formation of a uniform chromate film, leaving the areas vulnerable to further corrosion (i.e., the formation of dark spots) when exposed to high humidity conditions. To suppress the excessive dissolution of zinc, the ZS surface was pretreated with thiolated polyethylene oxide to form a hydrophilic self-assembled monolayer. A more uniform protective CC coating was obtained on the pretreated ZS, resulting in superior corrosion resistance under high humidity conditions.

Performance Enhancement of Moisture-driven Power Generators by Photofragmentation of Inorganic Salt Particles

We developed a novel method based on the photofragmentation of inorganic salt particles for improving the moisture-electric energy transformation performance of a moisture-driven power generator (MPG). Infrared laser irradiation on cellulose nanofiber films (CNFs) prepared by a TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical)-mediated oxidation of bleached pulp induced a photothermal conversion of CNFs to porous graphitic carbon films (GCFs) with the catalyst-derived Na₂O₂ particles. Since the laser beam was focused on the top surface of CNF, the gradients of the photothermal conversion of CNFs and Na₂O₂ concentration were created along the thickness direction. Subsequent irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light induced the photofragmentation of the micrometer-sized Na₂O₂ particles into smaller ones, which increased the surface area of the salt particles in contact with the GCFs and consequently increased the number of effective dissociable charge carriers. When the GCF was exposed to moisture, the dissociated sodium ions migrated along the preformed concentration gradient, producing continuous outputs of current and voltage. At 90% relative humidity, the maximum voltage and current density outputs of the MPG increased from 0.91 V and 18.7 μA/cm² before UV irradiation to 1.10 V and 56.2 μA/cm² after UV irradiation, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrated that a green light-emitting diode could be turned on without capacitors or rectifiers during normal breathing while wearing a face mask with three GCF arrays attached (each 3 mm × 3 mm × 0.1 mm in size).

Regeneration of an electret filter by contact electrification

A facile and efficient method for the regeneration of electrostatic potential in electret filters by contact electrification (i.e., triboelectrification) was developed herein. The efficiency of a commercial polypropylene (PP) electret filter (PEF) for face masks was evaluated for filtration of particulate matter (PM) composed of fine solid dust and liquid droplets containing airborne bacteria (bioaerosol). The efficiency of pristine PEF for filtration of fine dust was 72.4%; however, this decreased to 62.7% following the removal of electrostatic charges in PEF by ethanol treatment. In contrast to fine dust, the bioaerosol (BA) removal efficiency of the filter was not affected by ethanol treatment because micro-sized liquid droplets could not penetrate the hydrophobic PEF surface. The electrostatic potential of PEF was restored or even enhanced by rubbing with Teflon, which exhibited a large triboelectric charge density. The PM removal efficiency of the resulting filter was higher than that of pristine PEF. Importantly, no performance degradation was observed even after 10 regenerations, demonstrating that the disposable filter can be reused to reduce the environmental problems associated with accumulation of waste.

Cross-transfusion of postshock mesenteric lymph provokes acute lung injury

OBJECTIVE

Substantial investigation has implicated mesenteric lymph as the mechanistic link between gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and distant organ injury. Specifically, lymph diversion prevents acute lung injury (ALI) in vitro, and bioactive lipids and proteins isolated from postshock mesenteric lymph (PSML) maintain bioactivity in vitro. However, Koch's postulates remain to be satisfied via direct cross-transfusion into a naïve animal. We therefore hypothesized that real time cross-transfusion of postshock mesenteric lymph provokes acute lung injury.

METHODS

One set of Sprague-Dawley rats (lymph donors) was anesthetized, with the mesenteric lymph ducts cannulated and exteriorized to drain freely into a siliconates plastic cup; concurrently, a second group of rats ( lymph recipients) was anesthetized, with a cannula inserted into the animal's right internal jugular vein. Blood was removed from the donor rats to induce hemorrhagic shock (MAP of 35 mmHg × 45 min). The recipient rats were positioned 10 cm below the plastic cup, which emptied into the jugular vein cannula. Thus, mesenteric lymph from the shocked donor rat was delivered to the recipient rat at the rate generated during shock and the subsequent 3 h of resuscitation.

RESULTS

Neutrophil (PMN) accumulation in the lungs was substantially elevated in the postshock lymph cross-transfusion group compared to both sham lymph cross-transfusion and instrumented control (MPO: 9.42 ± 1.55 versus 2.81 ± 0.82 U/mg lung tissue in postshock versus sham lymph cross-transfusion, n = 6 in each group, P = 0.02). Additionally, cross-transfusion of PSML induced oxidative stress in the lung (0.21 ± 0.03 versus 0.10 ± 0.01 micromoles MDA per mg lung tissue in lymph cross-transfusion versus instrumented control, n = 6 in each group, P = 0.046). Furthermore, transfusion of PSML provoked lung injury (BAL protein 0.77 ± 0.18 versus 0.15 ± 0.02 mg/mL protein in BALF, postshock versus sham lymph cross-transfusion, n = 6 in each group, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Cross-transfusion of PSML into a naïve animal leads to PMN accumulation and provokes ALI. These data provide evidence that postshock agents released into mesenteric lymph are capable of provoking distant organ injury.

Sorafenib combined with carboplatin/paclitaxel for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A phase I subset analysis

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Background: The EGFR is often overexpressed in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - a solid tumor associated with a poor prognosis. Oncogenic k-ras mutations and raised serum VEGF predict poor outcome in NSCLC. In vitro targets of sorafenib include Raf, which is downstream of EGFR and k-ras. Sorafenib also targets the VEGFR-2/-3 tyrosine kinases, involved in tumor angiogenesis. Preclinically, sorafenib targets the tumor and tumor endothelium to inhibit tumor growth. Methods: This subanalysis of a Phase I trial with a Phase II expansion in NSCLC was performed to evaluate the safety (adverse events graded by NCI-CTC 2.0) and preliminary anti-tumor activity (response by RECIST, PFS, TTP) of oral sorafenib combined with carboplatin/paclitaxel in 15 patients with advanced, progressive NSCLC. Carboplatin (AUC 6)/paclitaxel (225 mg/m2) was administered on Day 1, and sorafenib (100, 200, or 400 mg bid) on Days 2–18 of each 21-day treatment cycle. Results: Drug-related adverse events were reported by 73% (11/15) of patients, but were mostly grade 1–2 (53%) in severity; none was grade 4. The most common drug-related events at any grade were dermatologic (Hand-foot skin reaction [20%]; rash [60%]), and gastrointestinal (diarrhea [20%]; anorexia [13%]). There were no drug-related cardiovascular adverse events. Three patients reported grade 1–2 drug-related bleeding events (epistaxis n = 2; other n = 1). Of the 14 evaluable patients, four (29%) had a confirmed PR as best response, seven (50%) had SD, and three (21%) had PD. Therefore, the disease control rate (objective response plus SD) was 79%. Duration of response was 25 weeks. Median PFS was 34 weeks. Discussion: This sorafenib combination was well tolerated and showed promising preliminary anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced, progressive NSCLC.

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Induction of T lymphocyte apoptosis by treatment with glycyrrhizin

The effect of glycyrrhizin (GL), a Chinese herbal drug extracted from licolice roots, on murine lymphocytes for inducing apoptotic cell death was studied. Addition of GL (25-400 micrograms/ml) to cultured splenocytes and thymocytes from BALB/c mice definitely promoted DNA fragmentation. A single injection of GL (100 micrograms/mouse) into BALB/c mice did not cause any detectable DNA fragmentation or cell death of splenocytes and thymocytes. Cytofluorometric analysis of these cells, however, demonstrated a reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potentials (delta psi m). Repeated injections of GL (100 micrograms/mouse/day) into mice for 7 days actually resulted in induction of low grade DNA fragmentation selectively in splenocytes. Cell population analysis of viable lymphocytes suggested that both CD4+ Th lymphocytes and CD8+ Tc lymphocytes may have been relatively more sensitive than B220+ B lymphocytes for the apoptotic cell death. We concluded from these results that GL acts as a rather selective inducer of mature T lymphocyte apoptosis with a reduction in delta psi m potentially preceding lymphocyte death.