Highly efficient selective extraction of Li from spent LiNixCoyMnzO2 assisted with activated pyrite in a subcritical water system.

As the strategic importance of Li in the energy sector increases, selective Li extraction technology from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is attracting increasing attention. Current Li extraction processes typically suffer from lengthy procedures, high costs, and low efficiency. To improve the efficiency of Li extraction, a novel approach to achieve efficient Li recovery is proposed in this study, namely, reacting pyrite (FeS2) with LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM) powder in a subcritical water reduction (SWR) system. The reducing solvent environment created by the enhanced reaction of FeS2 with subcritical water converts the high-valent metals in NCM to a low-valent state, causing the collapse of the stable laminar structure and allowing Li+ to be released smoothly. After dual activation through mechanochemical and roasting processes, more than 99 % of Li is preferentially extracted under optimal conditions. Furthermore, Li+ in solution is converted into highly pure Li2CO3, while other metallic elements remain in the residue. Using inexpensive FeS2 for efficient Li extraction without adding additional chemical reagents is a promising approach for recovering spent LIBs.

Structural basis for the activity of the type VII CRISPR-Cas system.

The newly identified type VII CRISPR-Cas candidate system uses a CRISPR RNA-guided ribonucleoprotein complex formed by Cas5 and Cas7 proteins to target RNA1. However, the RNA cleavage is executed by a dedicated Cas14 nuclease, which is distinct from the effector nucleases of the other CRISPR-Cas systems. Here we report seven cryo-electron microscopy structures of the Cas14-bound interference complex at different functional states. Cas14, a tetrameric protein in solution, is recruited to the Cas5-Cas7 complex in a target RNA-dependent manner. The N-terminal catalytic domain of Cas14 binds a stretch of the substrate RNA for cleavage, whereas the C-terminal domain is primarily responsible for tethering Cas14 to the Cas5-Cas7 complex. The biochemical cleavage assays corroborate the captured functional conformations, revealing that Cas14 binds to different sites on the Cas5-Cas7 complex to execute individual cleavage events. Notably, a plugged-in arginine of Cas7 sandwiched by a C-shaped clamp of C-terminal domain precisely modulates Cas14 binding. More interestingly, target RNA cleavage is altered by a complementary protospacer flanking sequence at the 5' end, but not at the 3' end. Altogether, our study elucidates critical molecular details underlying the assembly of the interference complex and substrate cleavage in the type VII CRISPR-Cas system, which may help rational engineering of the type VII CRISPR-Cas system for biotechnological applications.

A risk prediction model based on machine learning algorithm for parastomal hernia after permanent colostomy.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a machine learning-based risk prediction model for postoperative parastomal hernia (PSH) in colorectal cancer patients undergoing permanent colostomy, assisting nurses in identifying high-risk groups and devising preventive care strategies. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 495 colorectal cancer patients who underwent permanent colostomy at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2017 to June 2023, with a 1-year follow-up period. Patients were categorized into PSH and non-PSH groups based on PSH occurrence within 1-year post-operation. Data were split into training (70%) and testing (30%) sets. Variable selection was performed using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, and binary classification prediction models were established using Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Classification (SVC), K Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Random Forest (RF), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XgBoost). The binary classification label denoted 1 for PSH occurrence and 0 for no PSH occurrence. Parameters were optimized via 5-fold cross-validation. Model performance was evaluated using Area Under Curve (AUC), specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and F1-score. Clinical utility was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA), model explanation was enhanced using shapley additive explanation (SHAP), and model visualization was achieved using a nomogram. RESULTS: The incidence of PSH within 1 year was 29.1% (144 patients). Among the models tested, the RF model demonstrated the highest discrimination capability with an AUC of 0.888 (95% CI: 0.881-0.935), along with superior specificity, accuracy, sensitivity, and F1 score. It also showed the highest clinical net benefit on the DCA curve. SHAP analysis identified the top 10 influential variables associated with PSH risk: body mass index (BMI), operation duration, history and status of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prealbumin, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, stoma site, thickness of rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM), C-reactive protein CRP, american society of anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA), and stoma diameter. These insights from SHAP plots illustrated how these factors influence individual PSH outcomes. The nomogram was used for model visualization. CONCLUSION: The Random Forest model demonstrated robust predictive performance and clinical relevance in forecasting colonic PSH. This model aids in early identification of high-risk patients and guides preventive care.

Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion Combined with Posterior Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Internal Fixation: Does Variability in Cage Position Influence Clinical Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: The study investigates how cage positions in oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation (PPSF) affect lumbar canal and foraminal decompression and postoperative outcomes, providing guidance for optimal placement and efficacy assessment. METHODS: This investigation assesses radiologic outcomes and follow-up data in relation to cage position variability among 80 patients who underwent L4/5 single-segment OLIF + PPSF from 2018 to 2022. RESULTS: In the study involving 80 participants, the combination of OLIF and PPSF significantly improved lower back and leg symptoms in patients, leading to positive clinical outcomes during follow-up. The intervertebral disk height increased from an average of 8.10 ± 2.79 mm before surgery to 11.75 ± 2.14 mm after surgery (P < 0.001). Additionally, this surgical technique notably increased the FH (P < 0.001) and expanded the DCSA from 68.81 ± 53.89 mmˆ2 before surgery to 102.91 ± 60.46 mmˆ2 after surgery (P < 0.001). Linear results suggest that changes in the position of the cage do not affect spinal imaging parameters. There is no significant difference in the correction of spinal parameters or prognosis whether the cage is back, middle, ahead. CONCLUSIONS: In the OLIF + PPSF procedure, strict requirements for cage position are not necessary to achieve predetermined spinal biomechanical parameters. The practice of repeated fluoroscopy to adjust cage position postimplantation does not provide added clinical benefits to the patient.

The Role of Ubiquitination and the E3 Ligase Nedd4 in Regulating Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing.

Purpose: Ubiquitination serves as a fundamental post-translational modification in numerous cellular events. Yet, its role in regulating corneal epithelial wound healing (CEWH) remains elusive. This study endeavored to determine the function and mechanism of ubiquitination in CEWH. Methods: Western blot and immunoprecipitation were used to discern ubiquitination alterations during CEWH in mice. Interventions, including neuronally expressed developmentally downregulated 4 (Nedd4) siRNA and proteasome/lysosome inhibitor, assessed their impact on CEWH. In vitro analyses, such as the scratch wound assay, MTS assay, and EdU staining, were conducted to gauge cell migration and proliferation in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). Moreover, transfection of miR-30/200 coupled with a luciferase activity assay ascertained their regulatory mechanism on Nedd4. Results: Global ubiquitination levels were markedly increased during the mouse CEWH. Importantly, the application of either proteasomal or lysosomal inhibitors notably impeded the healing process both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, Nedd4 was identified as an essential E3 ligase for CEWH. Nedd4 expression was significantly upregulated during CEWH. In vivo studies revealed that downregulation of Nedd4 substantially delayed CEWH, whereas further investigations underscored its role in regulating cell proliferation and migration, through the Stat3 pathway by targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Notably, our findings pinpointed miR-30/200 family members as direct regulators of Nedd4. Conclusions: Ubiquitination holds pivotal significance in orchestrating CEWH. The critical E3 ligase Nedd4, under the regulatory purview of miR-30 and miR-200, facilitates CEWH through PTEN-mediated Stat3 signaling. This revelation sheds light on a prospective therapeutic target within the realm of CEWH.

Bombyx mori RPL13 participates in UV-induced DNA damage repair of B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus through interaction with Bm65.

Ribosomal protein L13 (RPL13) is highly conserved in evolution. At present, the properties and functions of RPL13 have not been characterised in insects. In this study, Bombyx mori RPL13 (BmRPL13) was first found to be specifically recruited to the sites of ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA damage and contributed to UV damage repair. Escherichia coli expressing BmRPL13 showed better resistance to UV radiation. After knocking down the expression of BmRPL13 in BmN cells, the repair speed of UV-damaged DNA slowed down. The further results showed that BmRPL13 interacted with B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) ORF65 (Bm65) protein to locate at the UV-induced DNA damage sites of BmNPV and helped repair UV-damaged viral DNA.

Ready for renascence in mosquito: The regulation of gene expression in Plasmodium sexual development.

Malaria remains one of the most perilous vector-borne infectious diseases for humans globally. Sexual gametocyte represents the exclusive stage at which malaria parasites are transmitted from the vertebrate to the Anopheles host. The feasible and effective approach to prevent malaria transmission is by addressing the sexual developmental processes, that is, gametocytogenesis and gametogenesis. Thus, this review will comprehensively cover advances in the regulation of gene expression surrounding the transmissible stages, including epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional control.

Environmental surveillance reveals co-circulation of distinctive lineages of enteroviruses in southwest China's border cities, 2020-2022.

AIMS: Enteroviruses are significant human pathogens associated with a range of mild to severe diseases. This study aims to understand the diversity and genetic characterization of enteroviruses circulated in southwest China's border cities by using environmental surveillance. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 96 sewage samples were collected in three border cities and a port located in Yunnan Province, China from July 2020 to June 2022. After cell culture and VP1 sequencing, a total of 590 enterovirus isolates were identified, belonging to 21 types. All PV strains were Sabin-like with ≤6 nucleotide mutations in the VP1 coding region. Echovirus 6, echovirus 21 (a rare serotype in previous studies), and coxsackievirus B5 were the predominant serotypes, which accounted for 21.19%, 18.31%, and 13.39% of the total isolates, respectively. The prevalence of the common serotypes varied across different border cities and periods. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of multiple evolutionary lineages for E21, E6, and E30, some of which formed distinct branches. CONCLUSIONS: High diversity of enteroviruses and distinct lineages of predominant serotypes circulated in southwest China's border cities.

Fracture Resistant CrSi2-Doped Silicon Nanoparticle Anodes for Fast-Charge Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been developed over the last three decades. Increased amount of silicon (Si) is added into graphite anode to increase the energy density of LIBs. However, the amount of Si is limited, due to its structural instability and poor electronic conductivity so a novel approach is needed to overcome these issues. In this work, the synthesized chromium silicide (CrSi2) doped Si nanoparticle anode material achieves an initial capacity of 1729.3 mAh g-1 at 0.2C and retains 1085 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles. The new anode also shows fast charge capability due to the enhanced electronic conductivity provided by CrSi2 dopant, delivering a capacity of 815.9 mAh g-1 at 1C after 1000 cycles with a capacity degradation rate of <0.05% per cycle. An in situ transmission electron microscopy is used to study the structural stability of the CrSi2-doped Si, indicating that the high control of CrSi2 dopant prevents the fracture of Si during lithiation and results in long cycle life. Molecular dynamics simulation shows that CrSi2 doping optimizes the crack propagation path and dissipates the fracture energy. In this work a comprehensive information is provided to study the function of metal ion doping in electrode materials.

CT and MRI presentation of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis (with a case report).

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis invading the nasopharynx. Early clinical symptoms are atypical, making the condition easy to overlook and misdiagnosed. We retrospectively reviewed the case of a 37-year-old man who visited the clinic in March 2023, presenting with enlarged cervical lymph nodes persisting for over a year. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed the nasopharynx wall was thickened, and cervical multiple enlarged lymph nodes were visible, presenting bead-like appearance. The enhanced scan revealed the lesion uneven enhancement. He was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis based on the images. However, the histopathological examination finally confirmed that the nasopharyngeal and neck mass were tuberculous granulomas. Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is easily misdiagnosed and mistreated, and it is especially difficult to differentiate from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. When diagnosing and treating neck masses, clinicians should consider the possibility of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis in patients with chronic nasopharyngeal symptoms. Nasopharyngoscope biopsy and histopathological examination have great value in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis.

Visible-Light-Driven Iron-Catalyzed Intermolecular Benzylic C(sp3)-H Amination with 1,2,3,4-Tetrazoles.

A visible-light-driven iron-catalyzed C(sp3)-H amination of diphenylmethane derivatives with 1,2,3,4-tetrazoles under mild conditions has been developed. The reaction proceeds with photosensitizer-free conditions and features satisfactory to good yields. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeded via an iron-nitrene intermediate, and H atom abstraction was the rate-determining step. Computational studies showed that the denitrogenation of 1,2,3,4-tetrazole depends on the conversion of the sextet ground state of 1,2,3,4-tetrazole-bounding iron species to the quartet spin state under visible-light irradiation.

Nanoconfinement-triggered oligomerization pathway for efficient removal of phenolic pollutants via a Fenton-like reaction.

Heterogeneous Fenton reaction represents one of the most reliable technologies to ensure water safety, but is currently challenged by the sluggish Fe(III) reduction, excessive input of chemicals for organic mineralization, and undesirable carbon emission. Current endeavors to improve the catalytic performance of Fenton reaction are mostly focused on how to accelerate Fe(III) reduction, while the pollutant degradation step is habitually overlooked. Here, we report a nanoconfinement strategy by using graphene aerogel (GA) to support UiO-66-NH2-(Zr) binding atomic Fe(III), which alters the carbon transfer route during phenol removal from kinetically favored ring-opening route to thermodynamically favored oligomerization route. GA nanoconfinement favors the Fe(III) reduction by enriching the reductive intermediates and allows much faster phenol removal than the unconfined analog (by 208 times in terms of first-order rate constant) and highly efficient removal of total organic carbon, i.e., 92.2 ± 3.7% versus 3.6 ± 0.3% in 60 min. Moreover, this oligomerization route reduces the oxidant consumption for phenol removal by more than 95% and carbon emission by 77.9%, compared to the mineralization route in homogeneous Fe2++H2O2 system. Our findings may upgrade the regulatory toolkit for Fenton reactions and provide an alternative carbon transfer route for the removal of aqueous pollutants.

Foraminoplasty Performed with a Trephine and a New Tool in Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Foraminoplasty is an important step in transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD). A trephine is widely used in foraminoplasty. However, foraminoplasty using a trephine alone sometimes fails to remove the resected bone, resulting in the bone remaining in the foramen or spinal canal, which can potentially cause neurological irritation or injury. The objective of this study is to introduce a self-designed tool, referred to as an anchoring drill, for use with a trephine in foraminoplasty in TELD and to evaluate its advantages. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients who underwent L4-5 TELD between January 2019 to January 2022. Foraminoplasty was performed in all patients. Depending on whether the anchoring drill was used or not, patients were divided into two groups. Surgery-related parameters and complications were reviewed. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were also assessed for all patients. SPSS statistical software was used for statistical calculation. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included (55 in the anchoring drill group and 45 in the trephine group). The incidence of residual bone fragments after foraminoplasty of the anchoring drill group was 9.09%, which was lower than that of the trephine group, at 33.33% (p < 0.05). The mean endoscopic operation time of the anchoring drill group was shorter than that of the trephine group (p < 0.05). The mean fluoroscopy time and duration of foraminoplasty showed no significant differences between the two cohorts. The total perioperative complication incidence was lower in the anchoring drill group, in which the neural irritation incidence showed a significant difference (anchoring drill group: 3.64%, trephine group: 17.78%, p < 0.05). VAS and JOA scores were significantly improved after the operation for all patients (p < 0.001), however, no statistical differences were found between the two groups at each follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: The combination of a trephine with an anchor drill was demonstrated to be safe and effective in foraminoplasty in TELD, improving the success rate of foraminoplasty and reducing neurological complications compared to using trephine alone.

In Situ Constructing of Rigid-Soft Coupling Solid-Electrolyte Interphase on Silicon Electrode toward High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries.

The application of Si anodes is hindered by some critical issues such as large volume changes of bare Si and fragile solid-electrolyte interface (SEI), resulting in low coulombic efficiency and rapid capacity decay. Herein, a multifunctional SEI film with high content of LiF is in situ constructed via the surface grafting of carbon-fluorine functionalized groups on silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) during cycling. Mechanical study demonstrates that the incorporation of LiF with high modulus and unbroken carbon-fluorine groups with highly elastic guarantee the rigid-soft coupling SEI film on Si electrode. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the rigid-soft coupling SEI film can effectively accommodate the volume expansion of Si nanoparticles during lithiation process, with the electrode expanding rate of only 114.16% after 100 cycles (263.87% for bare Si without surface modification). Afterward, with the aid of well-designed rigid-soft coupling SEI, the initial Coulomb efficiency of 89.8% is achieved, showing a reversible capacity of 1477 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 1.2 A g-1 . This work provides a simple and efficient solution that can potentially facilitate the practical application of Si anodes.

Dry and wet experiments reveal diagnostic clustering and immune landscapes of cuproptosis patterns in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Cuproptosis is a new manner of mitochondrial cell death induced by copper. There is evidence that serum copper has a crucial impact on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by copper-induced inflammatory response. However, the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis modulators in AS remain unknown. We aimed to use a bioinformatics-based method to comprehensively investigate cuproptosis-related subtype identification and immune microenvironment infiltration of AS. Additionally, we further verified the results by in vitro experiments, in which peripheral blood and fibroblast cells from AS patients were used to evaluate the functions of significant cuproptosis modulators on AS. Finally, eight significant cuproptosis modulators were identified by analysis of differences between controls and AS cases from GSE73754 dataset. Eight prognostic cuproptosis modulators (LIPT1, DLD, PDHA1, PDHB, SLC31A1, ATP7A, MTF1, CDKN2A) were identified using a random forest model for prediction of AS risk. A nomogram model of the 8 prognostic cuproptosis modulators was then constructed; the model could be beneficial in clinical settings, as indicated by decision curve analysis. Consensus clustering analysis was used to divide AS patients into two cuproptosis subtypes (clusterA & B) according to significant cuproptosis modulators. The cuproptosis score of each sample was calculated by principal component analysis to quantify cuproptosis subtypes. The cuproptosis scores were higher in clusterB than in clusterA. Additionally, cases in clusterA were closely associated with the immunity of activated B cells, Activated CD4 T cell, Type17 T helper cell and Type2 T helper cell, while cases in clusterB were linked to Mast cell, Neutrophil, Plasmacytoid dendritic cell immunity, indicating that clusterB may be more correlated with AS. Notably, key cuproptosis genes including ATP7A, MTF1, SLC31A1 detected by RT-qPCR with peripheral blood exhibited significantly higher expression levels in AS cases than controls; LIPT1 showed the opposite results; High MTF1 expression is correlated with increased osteogenic capacity. In general, this study of cuproptosis patterns may provide promising biomarkers and immunotherapeutic strategies for future AS treatment.

Preferential and efficient extraction of lithium under the combined action of reduction of herb-medicine residue and leaching of oxalic acid.

With the increasing demand for lithium resources, the efficient recovery of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become the focus of social attention. Herein, a combined process of reduction roasting of herb-medicine residue (HMR) and oxalic acid (OA) leaching is proposed to improve the recovery efficiency of lithium. Due to the large amount of reducing gas produced by the pyrolysis of herb-medicine residue, the layered structure of LiNixCoyMnzO2 cathode powder can be destroyed at 650℃ for 10 min, and the cathode powder is converted into Li2CO3, Ni, Co, MnO. Moreover, about 99.6 % of Li in the roasting residue can be selectively extracted by 0.5 mol L-1 oxalic acid for 20 min. Under the combined action of HMR and OA, the extraction efficiency and kinetics of lithium are improved simultaneously. This work achieves synergistic treatment of two types of waste from the perspective of waste management for waste. Meanwhile, it provides an alternative and innovative approach for the difficult problem of low efficiency of lithium recovery from spent LIBs.

Salmonella T3SS-elicited inflammatory innate immune response inhibits type I IFN response in macrophages.

As a gram-negative intracellular bacterial pathogen, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) invades different cell types including macrophages. Its infection in macrophages induces robust innate immune responses that are featured by proinflammatory and type I interferon (IFN) responses. The type III secretion systems (T3SSs) of S. Typhimurium play a crucial role in activating host inflammasome pathways. It has been recognized that the inflammasome pathways inhibit the type I IFN cascade. However, the potential role of T3SS in regulating the type I IFN response and the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we showed that S. Typhimurium infection activated strong proinflammatory, type I IFN and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) expression in macrophages. Furthermore, we showed that T3SS-defective S. Typhimurium mutant ΔinvC elicited attenuated inflammatory response but enhanced type I IFN and ISGs expression. Additionally, the inhibition of caspase-1 by a specific inhibitor VX-765 resulted in increased type I IFN response. Moreover, cell-permeable pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK also enhanced the type I IFN response upon S. Typhimurium infection. Intriguingly, compared with exponential phase S. Typhimurium infection, stationary phase bacteria triggered higher levels of type I IFN responses. Finally, the inhibition of caspase-1 by VX-765 substantially increased the intracellular S. Typhimurium burden. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the proinflammatory response induced by S. Typhimurium T3SS can inhibit the type I IFN response, which provides insight into the role of T3SS in orchestrating innate immunity during S. Typhimurium infection.

Generalized robust loss functions for machine learning.

Loss function is a critical component of machine learning. Some robust loss functions are proposed to mitigate the adverse effects caused by noise. However, they still face many challenges. Firstly, there is currently a lack of unified frameworks for building robust loss functions in machine learning. Secondly, most of them only care about the occurring noise and pay little attention to those normal points. Thirdly, the resulting performance gain is limited. To this end, we put forward a general framework of robust loss functions for machine learning (RML) with rigorous theoretical analyses, which can smoothly and adaptively flatten any unbounded loss function and apply to various machine learning problems. In RML, an unbounded loss function serves as the target, with the aim of being flattened. A scale parameter is utilized to limit the maximum value of noise points, while a shape parameter is introduced to control both the compactness and the growth rate of the flattened loss function. Later, this framework is employed to flatten the Hinge loss function and the Square loss function. Based on this, we build two robust kernel classifiers called FHSVM and FLSSVM, which can distinguish different types of data. The stochastic variance reduced gradient (SVRG) approach is used to optimize FHSVM and FLSSVM. Extensive experiments demonstrate their superiority, with both consistently occupying the top two positions among all evaluated methods, achieving an average accuracy of 81.07% (accompanied by an F-score of 73.25%) for FHSVM and 81.54% (with an F-score of 75.71%) for FLSSVM.

Recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries via zinc powder reduction roasting and cysteine leaching.

With the annual increase in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) disposal, valuable resources are being generated with worrying waste, so it is strategically important to recover the critical metals from them. Individual high temperature or leaching processes do not apparently achieve very satisfactory results. In the present work, the reduction with zinc powder was able to convert the lithium in LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM) to soluble LiOH, while the reduction and ammonia complexation environment generated by the decomposition of cysteine (Cys) achieved an efficient leaching of transition metals without additional additives. The leaching efficiency of Li can reach more than 92 %, while that of Ni/Co/Mn reaches more than 97 % through the regulation of the parameters of each process. In particular, an in-situ redox mechanism is proposed to explain the efficient leaching of transition metals, which further enriches the theory of spent LIBs recycling and provides a promising idea for various hydrometallurgical extraction systems.

Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism caused by compound heterozygosity for two novel mutations in the GNRH1 gene: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is a rare congenital or acquired genetic disorder caused by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency. IHH patients are divided into two major groups, hyposmic or anosmic IHH (Kallmann syndrome) and normosmic IHH (nIHH), according to whether their sense of smell is intact. Here we report a case of novel compound heterozygous mutations in the GNRH1 gene in a 15-year-old male with nIHH. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented typical clinical symptoms of delayed testicular development, with testosterone < 3.5 mmol/L and reduced gonadotropin (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone) levels. Two heterozygous variants of the GNRH1 gene were detected, nonsense variant 1: c.85G > T:p.G29* and variant 2: c.1A > G:p.M1V, which disrupted the start codon. CONCLUSIONS: Two GNRH1 mutations responsible for nIHH are identified in this study. Our findings extend the mutational spectrum of GNRH1 by revealing novel causative mutations of nIHH.