Electro-driven direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines to generate battery-grade lithium hydroxide.

As Li-ion batteries are increasingly being deployed in electric vehicles and grid-level energy storage, the demand for Li is growing rapidly. Extracting lithium from alternative aqueous sources such as geothermal brines plays an important role in meeting this demand. Electrochemical intercalation emerges as a promising Li extraction technology due to its ability to offer high selectivity for Li and its avoidance of harsh chemical regenerants.

Validation Status of Electronic Sphygmomanometers in China: A National Survey.

Background: Although the information on the validation status of electronic sphygmomanometer (ES) devices in use in health care institutions and households is much more clinically relevant than that of ES models available on the market, it remains insufficient.

Methods: A national survey was conducted across all administrative regions of mainland China to assess the validation status of ESs. Fifty-eight cities were selected with stratification by municipality, provincial capital, and other cities, and health care institutions and households in each city were chosen by convenience to identify ES devices in use according to the study protocol.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study of Socazolimab or placebo combined with carboplatin and etoposide in the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04878016) conducted in 54 hospitals in China. Adults who were histologically diagnosed and never treated for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) were enrolled.

Deep Learning-Based Super-Resolution Reconstruction on Undersampled Brain Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Infarction Stroke: A Comparison to Conventional Iterative Reconstruction.

Background And Purpose: DWI is crucial for detecting infarction stroke. However, its spatial resolution is often limited, hindering accurate lesion visualization. Our aim was to evaluate the image quality and diagnostic confidence of deep learning (DL)-based super-resolution reconstruction for brain DWI of infarction stroke.

Covalent DNA-Encoded Library Workflow Drives Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Nonstructural Protein Inhibitors.

The COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated by persistent viral mutations, underscored the urgent need for diverse inhibitors targeting multiple viral proteins. In this study, we utilized covalent DNA-encoded libraries to discover innovative triazine-based covalent inhibitors for the 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL, Nsp5) and the papain-like protease (PL) domains of Nsp3, as well as novel non-nucleoside covalent inhibitors for the nonstructural protein 12 (Nsp12, RdRp). Optimization through molecular docking and medicinal chemistry led to the development of , a nonpeptide 3CL inhibitor with an IC of 0.

Regulation of PI3K signaling in cancer metabolism and PI3K-targeting therapy.

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling plays a key role in various cellular functions and is frequently activated in cancer, making it an attractive therapeutic target. The PI3K signaling pathway influencing glucose metabolism, lipid synthesis, nucleotide production, and protein synthesis, all of which contribute to cancer cell proliferation and survival. It enhances glucose uptake through the activation of glucose transporters and glycolysis, while also promoting lipid synthesis via downstream factors like mTORC1.

Exposure-lag response of surface net solar radiation on lung cancer incidence: a global time-series analysis.

Background: Recently, the impact of solar radiation (RAD) on diseases worldwide has garnered growing attention. However, the association between RAD and lung cancer remains largely unknow and no consensus has been reached. The aim of this study was to investigate the lag exposure-response of RAD on lung cancer and provide robust scientific evidence for updating prevention and treatment strategies of lung cancer.

HER2-CD3-Fc Bispecific Antibody-Encoding mRNA Delivered by Lipid Nanoparticles Suppresses HER2-Positive Tumor Growth.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor and tumor-associated antigen abnormally expressed in various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and gastric cancer. HER2 overexpression is highly correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness, poorer prognosis, and shorter overall survival. Consequently, multiple HER2-targeted therapies have been developed and approved; however, only a subset of patients benefit from these treatments, and relapses are common.

Prevalence of Spinal Meningeal Diverticula in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Background And Purpose: Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) develop cysts in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, prostate, and arachnoid spaces. In addition, spinal meningeal diverticula have been reported. To determine whether spinal meningeal diverticula are associated with ADPKD, we compared their prevalence in subjects with ADPKD with a control cohort without ADPKD.

Deposition of Gadolinium in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems and Its Effects on Sensory, Cognitive, and Athletic Implications after Multiple Injections of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in Rats.

Background And Purpose: After repeat administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), the association between gadolinium retention in the central and peripheral nervous systems and the main manifestations of myelopathy and progressive neurologic symptoms remains unclear. We investigated the effects of the repeat administration of GBCAs on gadolinium retention in the central and peripheral nervous systems and the sensory, cognitive, and athletic implications.

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats (6 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (12 rats in each group): the gadodiamide group (linear and nonionic GBCAs), the gadopentetate dimeglumine group (linear and ionic GBCAs), the gadoterate meglumine group (macrocyclic and ionic GBCAs), and the control group (0.

Implementation of First-Trimester Screening and Prevention of Preeclampsia: A Stepped Wedge Cluster-Randomized Trial in Asia.

Background: This trial aimed to assess the efficacy, acceptability, and safety of a first-trimester screen-and-prevent strategy for preterm preeclampsia in Asia.

Methods: Between August 1, 2019, and February 28, 2022, this multicenter stepped wedge cluster randomized trial included maternity/diagnostic units from 10 regions in Asia. The trial started with a period where all recruiting centers provided routine antenatal care without study-related intervention.

Oxytocin Attenuates Sympathetic Innervation with Inhibition of Cardiac Mast Cell Degranulation in Rats after Myocardial Infarction.

Sympathetic hyperinnervation is the leading cause of fatal ventricular arrhythmia (VA) after myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac mast cells cause arrhythmias directly through degranulation. However, the role and mechanism of mast cell degranulation in sympathetic remodeling remain unknown.

Seizure, Motor, and Cognitive Outcomes After Epilepsy Surgery for Patients With Sturge-Weber Syndrome: Results From a Multicenter Study.

Background And Objectives: Surgery is widely performed for refractory epilepsy in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS), but reports on its effectiveness are limited. This study aimed to analyze seizure, motor, and cognitive outcomes of surgery in these patients and to identify factors associated with the outcomes.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study using data from patients with SWS and refractory epilepsy who underwent epilepsy surgery between 2000 and 2020 at 16 centers throughout China.

CG001, a C3b-targeted complement inhibitor, blocks 3 complement pathways: development and preclinical evaluation.

Excessively activated or dysregulated complement activation may contribute to the pathogenesis of a wide range of human diseases, thus leading to a surge in complement inhibitors. Herein, we developed a human-derived and antibody-like C3b-targeted fusion protein (CRIg-FH-Fc) x2, termed CG001, that could potently block all 3 complement pathways. Complement receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily (CRIg) and factor H (FH) bind to distinct sites in C3b and synergistically inhibit complement activation.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of BCL-2 Targeting PROTACs.

BCL-2, a member of the BCL-2 protein family, is an antiapoptotic factor that regulates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Due to its aberrant activity, it is frequently implicated in haematopoietic cancers and represents an attractive target for the development of therapeutics that antagonize its activity. A selective BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, was approved for treating chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and other haematologic malignancies, validating BCL-2 as an anticancer target.