Selective preparation of lithium carbonate from overhaul slag by high temperature sulfuric acid roasting - Water leaching.

An efficient recycling process is developed to recover valuable materials from overhaul slag and reduce its harm to the ecological environment. The high temperature sulfuric acid roasting - water leaching technology is innovatively proposed to prepare Li2CO3 from overhaul slag. Under roasting conditions, fluorine volatilizes into the flue gas with HF, lithium is transformed into NaLi(SO4), aluminum is firstly transformed into NaAl(SO4)2, and then decomposed into Al2O3, so as to selective extraction of lithium. Under the optimal roasting - leaching conditions, the leaching rate of lithium and aluminum are 95.6% and 0.9%, respectively. Then the processes of impurity removal, and settling lithium are carried out. The Li2CO3 with recovery rate of 72.6% and purity of 98.6% could be obtained under the best settling lithium conditions. Compared with the traditional process, this work has short flow, high controllability, remarkable technical, economic, and environmental benefits. This comprehensive recycling technology is suitable for overhaul slag, and has great practical application potential for the disposal of other hazardous wastes in electrolytic aluminum industry.

Effect of a New Lithium Preparation on the Behavior of CBA/CaLac Mice in an Experimental Conflict Model.

The use of lithium drugs in clinical practice requires constant monitoring of lithium plasma concentration, because toxicity is sometimes observed at therapeutic concentrations of lithium. This is often associated with fluctuations of plasma concentration of lithium ions after intake of individual doses. Therefore, the use of a porous carrier providing a stable blood level of the drug is extremely promising and important for clinical practice. We studied activity of a new lithium drug (lithium complex) consisting of aluminum-silicon base and lithium citrate immobilized on its surface. Lithium carbonate served as the reference drug. It was shown that lithium carbonate and lithium complex exhibited no anxiolytic activity in the conflict model, but produced an antidepressant effect and improved exploratory behavior of animals.

Performance of Graphite-Dispersed Li2CO3-K2CO3 Molten Salt Nanofluid for a Direct Absorption Solar Collector System.

Considered to be the next generation of heat transfer fluids (HTFs), nanofluids have been receiving a growing interest over the past decade. Molten salt nanofluids have been shown to have great potential as an HTF for use in high temperature applications such as direct absorption solar collector (DAC) system. Very few studies using molten salt nanofluids as the HTF in a DAC receiver can be found in the open literature. This study aimed to develop a 3D computational fluid dynamics model of the receiver of a DAC using graphite-nanoparticle-dispersed Li2CO3-K2CO3 molten salt nanofluid to investigate the effects of design and operation parameters on receiver performance. Receiver total efficiency using Li2CO3-K2CO3 salt was compared with that using solar salt nanofluid. Spectral properties of the base fluid and nanoparticles were modeled as wavelength-dependent and the absorption of the solar radiation was modeled as a volumetric heat release in the flowing heat transfer fluid. Initial results show that the receiver efficiency increases with increasing solar concentration, decreasing nanoparticle volume fraction, and decreasing receiver length. It was also found that the Carnot efficiency increases with increasing receiver length and nanoparticle volume fraction, and decreasing solar concentration and inlet velocity. Comparative study shows that solar salt HTF could provide higher total efficiency. However, a higher operating temperature of Li2CO3-K2CO3 will allow for a greater amount of thermal energy storage for a smaller volume of liquid.

Development of certified reference materials for electrolytes in human serum (GBW09124-09126).

Three reference materials, at relatively low, middle, and high concentrations, were developed for analysis of the mass fractions of electrolytes (K, Ca, Na, Mg, Cl, and Li) in human serum. The reference materials were prepared by adding high purity chloride salts to normal human serum. The concentration range of the three levels is within ±20% of normal human serum. It was shown that 14 units with duplicate analysis is enough to demonstrate the homogeneity of these candidate reference materials. The statistical results also showed no significant trends in both short-term stability test for 1 week at 40 °C and long-term stability test for 14 months. The certification methods of the six elements include isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), ion chromatography (IC), and ion-selective electrode (ISE). The certification methods were validated by international comparisons among a number of national metrology institutes (NMIs). The combined relative standard uncertainties of the property values were estimated by considering the uncertainties of the analytical methods, homogeneity, and stability. The range of the expanded uncertainties of all the elements is from 2.2% to 3.9%. The certified reference materials (CRMs) are primarily intended for use in the calibration and validation of procedures in clinical analysis for the determination of electrolytes in human serum or plasma. Graphical Abstract Certified reference materials for K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl and Li in human serum (GBW09124-09126).

Effects of Nanosized Lithium Carbonate Particles on the Functional Activity of Macrophages During Development of Hepatocarcinoma 29.

The functional activity of macrophages in response to injection of nanosized lithium carbonate particles after initiation of hepatocarcinoma 29 in male CBA mice was evaluated by the production of NO, arginase activity, and absorption of zymosan granules. In intact animals, NO production by peritoneal macrophages increased by 4 times and arginase activity 3.1 times in response to a single injection of nanosized particles into the hip muscle. The level of NO production by macrophages remained high after 4 and 5 injections, while arginase activity returned to normal. The level of phagocytic peritoneal macrophages increased by 1.4 times after 5 injections of the particles. The level of NO production by macrophages gradually increased in animals with hepatocarcinoma developing in the hip muscle: by 1.6 times on day 3, 3.2 times on day 7, and by 2.6 times on day 13 in comparison with the corresponding parameters in intact animals. The increase of NO production by peritoneal macrophages after tumor process initiation was not paralleled by changes in arginase activity and absorption of zymosan granules. The results indicated that injection of nanosized lithium carbonate particles after inoculation of hepatocarcinoma 29 cells in the right hip muscle tissue was inessential for the function of peritoneal macrophages by the studied parameters.

Synthesis of HCV replicase inhibitors: base-catalyzed synthesis of protected α-hydrazino esters and selective aerobic oxidation with catalytic Pt/Bi/C for synthesis of imidazole-4,5-dicarbaldehyde.

A robust convergent synthesis of the prodrugs of HCV replicase inhibitors 1-5 is described. The central 5H-imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine core was formed from acid-catalyzed cyclocondensation of an imidazole-4,5-dicarbaldehyde (20) and a α-hydrazino ester, generated in situ from the bis-BOC-protected precursors 25 and 33. The acidic conditions not only released the otherwise unstable α-hydrazino esters but also were the key to avoid facile decarboxylation to the parent drugs from the carboxylic ester prodrugs 1-5. The bis-BOC α-hydrazino esters 25 and 33 were prepared by addition of ester enolates (from 23 and 32) to di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate via catalysis with mild inorganic bases, such as Li2CO3. A selective aerobic oxidation with catalytic 5% Pt-Bi/C in aqueous KOH was developed to provide the dicarbaldehyde 20 from the diol 27.

Push-pull osmotic pump for zero order delivery of lithium carbonate: development and in vitro characterization.

Lithium carbonate, a drug with narrow therapeutic index, needs therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adjustment to maintain lithium level within the therapeutic window. Conventional formulations of lithium carbonate exhibit immediate drug release causing swing/fluctuations in the plasma concentration of lithium, consequently leading to unfavorable side-effects and make dose adjustment difficult. The push-pull osmotic pump has been developed for zero order delivery of lithium carbonate for a period of 24 h. The effect of various formulation variables on bilayer core tablet and its semi permeable coating along with orifice diameter have been investigated and optimized for desired drug release profile. Drug release was found to be inversely proportional to the membrane thickness but directly related to the amount of pore formers in the semipermeable membrane. Images from a scanning electron microscope confirmed the presence of pores in the semipermeable membrane which facilitated the required water penetration. No distortion or change in orifice shape was noticed prior to and after the dissolution study. Drug release from the developed formulation was found to be independent of pH, agitation intensity and agitation mode but depended on osmotic pressure of dissolution media.

The application of atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of residual active pharmaceutical ingredients in cleaning validation samples.

The objective of this work was the development and validation of atomic absorption spectrometric (AAS) methods for the determination of residual active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in rinse samples for cleaning validation. AAS as an indirect method for the determination of API in rinse samples can be applied when it is in the form of salt with metal ions or when the metal ion is a part of the API's structure. The electrothermal AAS methods (aqueous and ethanol medium) for the determination of magnesium in esomeprazole magnesium and the flame AAS method for the determination of lithium in lithium carbonate in rinse samples were developed. Various combinations of solvents were tested and a combination of 1% aqueous or ethanol solution of nitric acid for esomeprazole magnesium and 0.1% aqueous solution of nitric acid for lithium carbonate were found to be the most suitable. The atomization conditions in the graphite furnace and in the flame were carefully studied to avoid losses of analyte and to achieve suitable sensitivity. The cleaning verification methods were validated with respect to accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection, and quantification. In all the cases, the limits of detection were at the microgram level. The methods were successfully applied for the determination of esomeprazole magnesium and lithium carbonate in rinse samples from cleaning procedures.

Old drugs, new tricks: the effect of molecule-ion interactions on the precipitation-dissolution equilibrium of lithium carbonate in aqueous solution and on the chiral recognition of cyclodextrins to D-,L-tryptophan.

In the present work, the influence of molecule-ion interactions on the precipitation-dissolution equilibrium of a typical inorganic drug, lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), in water and on the chiral recognition behaviors and binding abilities of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (CD) to D- and L-tryptophan (Trp) was investigated. Our results revealed that the solubility of Li2CO3 was increased to a large extent and the phase solubility diagram of Li2CO3 belonged to the AN type. This finding provided a new insight into the link between molecule-ion interactions and precipitation-dissolution equilibriums of poorly dissolving inorganic salts. Furthermore, despite having a negative effect on the isomer recognition behaviors, the molecule-ion interaction between CDs and Li2CO3 effectively increased the binding abilities of these CDs to both D- and L-Trp synchronously. The observation gave an important implication that buffer solutions consisting of inorganic salts are used with caution in molecular recognition fields between host and guest or between acceptor and donor. Further analyses confirmed the interaction among Li2CO3, beta-CD, and L-Trp using an electrospray ionization mass spectrum.

Lithium carbonate in the management of cannabis withdrawal in humans: an open-label study.

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance in the world. Estimates suggest that approximately 10-20% of cannabis users meet criteria for cannabis dependence and a significant proportion experience withdrawal discomfort on cessation of use. To date, there has been an absence of any clinically validated treatments to manage withdrawal. The current study is an open-label trial exploring the utility of lithium carbonate for the management of cannabis withdrawal symptoms in treatment seeking adult humans. In total, 20 participants were recruited to the study (19 men). All met DSM-IV cannabis-dependence criteria and had been smoking cannabis daily or almost daily for a mean 9 years. Participants were admitted to an inpatient detoxification facility and prescribed lithium 500 mg b.d. for 7 days. Cannabis withdrawal was assessed daily with the Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist (MWC). Two participants were withdrawn from the trial because of possible adverse effects. Sixty percent of participants completed the 7-day treatment program. Follow-up was conducted at a mean of 107 days following treatment. The mean percentage of days abstinent in the period between treatment cessation and follow-up was 87.57%. Twenty-nine percent of participants (n=5) reported continuous abstinence that was biochemically verified at follow-up. Agreement between self-reported cannabis use and urinalysis at follow-up was moderate (kappa=0.47). Significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety and cannabis-related problems were also reported. This study provides evidence for the potential clinical utility and safety of lithium in the management of cannabis withdrawal. A randomised, placebo-controlled trial is recommended.

Room temperature ICl-induced dehydration/iodination of 1-acyl-5-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles. a selective route to substituted 1-acyl-4-iodo-1H-pyrazoles.

A number of new functionally substituted 1-acyl-5-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles have been prepared in moderate to excellent yields from the corresponding 2-alkyn-1-ones. The resulting dihydropyrazoles undergo dehydration and iodination in the presence of ICl and Li2CO3 at room temperature to provide 1-acyl-4-iodo-1H-pyrazoles.

Alkali-silica reactions of mortars produced by using waste glass as fine aggregate and admixtures such as fly ash and Li2CO3.

Use of waste glass or glass cullet (GC) as concrete aggregate is becoming more widespread each day because of the increase in resource efficiency. Recycling of wastes is very important for sustainable development. When glass is used as aggregate in concrete or mortar, expansions and internal stresses occur due to an alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Furthermore, rapid loss in durability is generally observed due to extreme crack formation and an increase in permeability. It is necessary to use some kind of chemical or mineral admixture to reduce crack formation. In this study, mortar bars are produced by using three different colors of glass in four different quantities as fine aggregate by weight, and the effects of these glass aggregates on ASR are investigated, corresponding to ASTM C 1260. Additionally, in order to reduce the expansions of mortars, 10% and 20% fly ash (FA) as mineral admixture and 1% and 2% Li(2)CO(3) as chemical admixture are incorporated by weight in the cement and their effects on expansion are examined. It is observed that among white (WG), green (GG) and brown glass (BG) aggregates, WG aggregate causes the greatest expansion. In addition, expansion increases with an increase in amount of glass. According to the test results, it is seen that over 20% FA and 2% Li(2)CO(3) replacements are required to produce mortars which have expansion values below the 0.2% critical value when exposed to ASR. However, usages of these admixtures reduce expansions occurring because of ASR.

[Optimatization of pellet preparation is CF-granulator with factorial design]. / CF-granulátorral történo pelletkészítés optimalizálása kísérlettervezéssel.

Lithium carbonate-containing pellets were made in a laboratory-scale centrifugal granulator in order to investigate the effects of the process parameters (rotor rotation speed, slit airflow rate and spray air rate) on the pellet shape and size distribution. The size distribution and the shape parameters (roundness, roughness, rectangularity and sphericity) of the pellets were measured, and an optimization parameter was then calculated from these shape parameters. The experiment was carried out and evaluated according to a 2(3) full factorial design. All three variables were found to exert a significant effect on the pellet shape. With use of the signs and magnitudes of the coefficients of the variables in the fitted linear model, the direction of the gradient was determined; two control measurements were made. These proved the accuracy of the applied model and the direction of the gradient. Overall, a high rotor rotation speed and low slit airflow rate and spray air rate furnished the best value of the optimization parameter.

Bioaccumulation of Lithium (Li2CO3) in Mycelia of the Culinary-Medicinal Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus (Agaricomycetes).

Pleurotus ostreatus is a white-rot mushroom that bioaccumulates metals in basidiocarps and vegetative mycelia. This fungus has been used in soil and water bioremediation of several heavy metals; however, there are few studies of lithium mycelial bioaccumulation for pharmacological use. The aim of this study was to evaluate lithium bioaccumulation in P. ostreatus mycelia grown in a liquid malt extract cultivation medium with Li2CO3 or LiCl. Each lithium source was added to the medium to obtain a concentration of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 100, or 200 mg · L-1 lithium. The highest bioaccumulation of lithium in mycelia was 1575.29 µg · g-1 upon treatment with 40 mg · L-1 Li2CO3. P. ostreatus mycelia produce biomass and bioaccumulate both lithium sources, but more lithium bioaccumulates when in the form of Li2CO3. This study provides a prospective for the development of biotechnological products with high aggregate values and alternative ways to deliver lithium and eventually other salts for pharmacological use.

Lithium entrapped chitosan nanoparticles to reduce toxicity and increase cellular uptake of lithium.

Lithium carbonate is an effective drug against bipolar disorders. Direct use of lithium carbonate has been reported to result in lithium toxication and pulmonary complications. With chitosan micro and nanoparticles gaining attention for their protein absorption, drug targeting and improved dissolution rate of sparingly water-soluble drugs, this work has focused on chitosan loaded Li as a possible alternative to Li alone for cellular uptake. Well standardized ionic gelation technique employed in this study resulted in Li loaded chitosan nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameter below 300 nm and zeta potential of + 30 mV and oval morphology. Through various techniques electrostatic interaction as well as Claritin dependent endocytic pathway is suggested as facilitating 1.3 times increase in cell proliferation in lithium carbonate loaded chitosan nanoparticles treated PC12 cells. A controlled Li release to the extent of less than 50% in 48 h from the nanoparticle was observed. This observation has very high significance as it ensures that the lithium toxicity can be avoided. These results indicated that chitosan is a promising carrier for lithium carbonate and may improve its therapeutic efficacy and also overcome toxicity during its use in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Release of lithium from 3D printed polycaprolactone scaffolds regulates macrophage and osteoclast response.

The immunomodulatory effects of lithium have been reported across a range of models and contexts. Lithium appears to have a positive effect on osteogenesis in vivo, while in vitro outcomes throughout the literature are varied. Tissue engineering approaches have rarely targeted local lithium delivery within a regenerative setting. We hypothesized that part of the positive effects of lithium in vivo may be due to an immunomodulatory effect manifesting in a local environment. To achieve a sustained lithium release from scaffold constructs, we blended lithium carbonate, a soluble salt of lithium, with the biomaterial polymer polycaprolactone (PCL). We printed constructs of PCL alone, and with 5% (5Li) and 10% (10Li) lithium carbonate. Mechanical testing revealed that mechanical properties were largely retained with lithium carbonate incorporation, and we measured a consistent release of the ion over a 7 day period. The efficacy of our construct system was then assessed using a primary mouse macrophage culture, and a differentiated osteoclast culture. We found that the lithium released from constructs had a great effect on macrophage polarization, resulting in pronounced upregulation of immunomodulatory (M2) genes, and a decrease in pro-inflammatory (M1) genes. This was reflected in cytokine expression, and illustrated through immunofluorescent staining. Osteoclast activity was greatly suppressed by the lithium incorporation, with a marked effect on gene expression and actin ring formation. Our work demonstrated an effective system for local lithium delivery, confirmed the pronounced effects that lithium has on macrophage and osteoclast response, and sets the stage for further innovations in ion release for targeted tissue engineering.

Lithium aspirinate hemihydrate.

The title compound {systematic name: catena-poly[lithium(I)-mu3-acetylsalicylato-hemi-mu2-aqua]}, {[Li(C9H7O4)] x 0.5 H2O}n, is the hemihydrate of the lithium salt of aspirin. The carboxylate groups and water molecules bridge between Li atoms to form a one-dimensional coordination chain composed of two distinct ring types. The water O atom lies on a twofold axis. Hydrogen bonding between water donors and carbonyl acceptors further links the coordination chains to form a sheet structure.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Epitaxial LiCoO2 Thin Films on SrTiO3(001) via On-Substrate Sintering of Li2CO3 and CoO by Pulsed Laser Deposition.

High-quality single-phase epitaxial LiCoO2 thin films are synthesized on 0.5 wt % Nb-doped SrTiO3(001) substrates by nanoscale alternate deposition of Li2CO3 and CoO as Li and Co sources, respectively, using a combinatorial pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The formation of LiCoO2 thin films from these two sources results from the sintering reaction between Li2CO3 and CoO, which is commonly used in a bulk ceramics process, but simultaneously takes place on the substrate during the deposition at a temperature of 550 °C. Electrochemical characterization reveals that the charge/discharge property of LiCoO2 thin films as a cathode is severely sensitive to the nominal Li:Co composition ratio. The best-quality film shows an excellent discharge capacity comparable with the characteristic capacity of LiCoO2.

Efficiency of the Genius batch hemodialysis system with low serum solute concentrations: the case of lithium intoxication therapy.

BACKGROUND: The Genius batch system consists of a 90-L closed reservoir, from which fresh dialysate is extracted at the top and to which spent dialysate is returned at the bottom. It was shown in long-term hemodialysis patients that almost the entire amount of unspent dialysate can be used before contamination of fresh with spent dialysate occurs. Separation is caused by differences in density, partly because of the presence of uremic solutes in spent dialysate. The question is raised whether this separation can be maintained during dialysis of patients who experience an intoxication without renal failure. METHODS: A patient intoxicated with lithium was dialyzed using the Genius system, prepared at 37 degrees C, during 300 minutes. With dialysate flow set at 300 mL/min (5 mL/s) and in the absence of mixing, urea is not expected at the inlet dialysate tubing before minute 300. RESULTS: In the dialysate inlet tubing, an abrupt increase in lithium and urea concentrations was observed 210 minutes after the start of the session, reflecting contamination of fresh with spent dialysate. At minute 210, only 60.9 L of 90 L of dialysate had crossed the dialyzer. In a control dialysis treatment in a patient with marked renal failure, this mixing occurred only at 300 minutes. CONCLUSION: In the present observation, it is shown that during Genius dialysis in a patient without renal failure, an earlier contamination of fresh with spent dialysate can occur, compared to conditions of renal failure.

Lithium carbonate Li 2 CO 3 as a material for thermal neutron fluence measurements.

A possibility to use the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal of neutron-irradiated lithium carbonate for thermal neutron fluence measurements has been investigated. The following aspects of the system have been studied: peak-to-peak signal amplitude as a function of thermal neutron fluence, signal fading, signal repeatability, sample batch homogeneity, and zero-fluence response of the probes. It has been concluded that lithium carbonate can be used as a material sensitive to thermal neutron fluences.