Littoral cell angioma of the spleen: A study of 10 cases case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Current study aimed to investigate the clinical characterization, differential diagnosis, and treatment of splenic littoral cell angioma (LCA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 10 LCA cases admitted to Huzhou Central Hospital from 2007 to 2023, for clinical manifestations, hematological tests, imaging features, pathological features, treatment methods, and prognosis along with the relevant literature was also reviewed. RESULTS: During examinations, no specific clinical manifestations and hematological abnormalities were seen in all 10 cases of LCA. Imaging observations depicted single or even multiple spherical lesions in the spleen. Plains shown by computed tomography (CT) were found somewhat equal or slightly lower in density. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plain scans viz. T1 weighted image showed equal low and mixed signals while T2-weighted showed high and low mixed signals. Moreover, punctate low signals could be seen in high signals named "freckle sign" in MRI scans. On contrast-enhanced CT scans, the enhancement of the lesions was not obvious in the arterial phase, and some of the lesions showed edged ring-like enhancements and "filling lake" progressive enhancement during the venous phase and delayed phase. In multiple lesions, the number of enhanced scan lesions showed a variable changing pattern "less-more-less." MRI-enhanced scan showed the characteristics of "fast in and slow out." Microscopic examinations identified tumor tissue actually composed of sinus-like lacunae that anastomosed with each other in the form of a network. Furthermore, cystic expansion and pseudopapillary protrusions were also seen in the dilated sinus cavity which was lined with single-layer endothelial cells having conspicuous cytoplasmic hemosiderin. High immunophenotypic expressions of vascular endothelial cell phenotype (CD31, CD34, FVIII) and tissue cell phenotype (CD68) were also seen. Total and partial splenectomy were performed in 8 and 2 patients, respectively, and follow-up examinations showed survival in all patients with no recurrence. CONCLUSION: LCA is a rare splenic benign lesion with atypical clinical manifestations. CT and MRI imaging are important tools in preoperative diagnosis based on pathomorphological and immunohistochemical examinations. Splenectomy is a superior therapeutic choice with significant impacts and prognosis.

LiMgPO4 -Coating-Induced Phosphate Shell and Bulk Mg-Doping Enables Stable Ultra-High-Voltage Cycling of LiCoO2 Cathode.

Stable cycling of LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode at high voltage is extremely challenging due to the notable structural instability in deeply delithiated states. Here, using the sol-gel coating method, LCO materials (LMP-LCO) are obtained with bulk Mg-doping and surface LiMgPO4 /Li3 PO4 (LMP/LPO) coating. The experimental results suggest that the simultaneous modification in the bulk and at the surface is demonstrated to be highly effective in improving the high-voltage performance of LCO. LMP-LCO cathodes deliver 149.8 mAh g-1 @4.60 V and 146.1 mAh g-1 @4.65 V after 200 cycles at 1 C. For higher cut-off voltages, 4.70 and 4.80 V, LMP-LCO cathodes still achieve 144.9 mAh g-1 after 150 cycles and 136.8 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 1 C, respectively. Bulk Mg-dopants enhance the ionicity of CoO bond by tailoring the band centers of Co 3d and O 2p, promoting stable redox on O2- , and thus enhancing stable cycling at high cut-off voltages. Meanwhile, LMP/LPO surface coating suppresses detrimental surface side reactions while allowing facile Li-ion diffusion. The mechanism of high-voltage cycling stability is investigated by combining experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations. This study proposes a strategy of surface-to-bulk simultaneous modification to achieve superior structural stability at high voltages.

A 10-miRNA risk score-based prediction model for pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive tumors breast cancer usually experience a relatively low pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Here, we derived a 10-microRNA risk score (10-miRNA RS)-based model with better performance in the prediction of pCR and validated its relation with the disease-free survival (DFS) in 755 HR-positive breast cancer patients (273, 265, and 217 in the training, internal, and external validation sets, respectively). This model, presented as a nomogram, included four parameters: the 10-miRNA RS found in our previous study, progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and volume transfer constant (Ktrans). Favorable calibration and discrimination of 10-miRNA RS-based model with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.865, 0.811, and 0.804 were shown in the training, internal, and external validation sets, respectively. Patients who have higher nomogram score (>92.2) with NAC treatment would have longer DFS (hazard ratio=0.57; 95%CI: 0.39-0.83; P=0.004). In summary, our data showed the 10-miRNA RS-based model could precisely identify more patients who can attain pCR to NAC, which may help clinicians formulate the personalized initial treatment strategy and consequently achieves better clinical prognosis for patients with HR-positive breast cancer.

Thiotetrelates Li2ZnXS4 (X = Si, Ge, and Sn) As Potential Li-Ion Solid-State Electrolytes.

A novel inorganic solid-state electrolyte (ISSE) with high ionic conductivity is a crucial part of all-solid-state lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries (ASSLBs). Herein, we first report on Li2ZnXS4 (LZXS, X = Si, Ge, and Sn) semiconductor-based ISSEs, crystallizing in the corner-sharing tetrahedron orthorhombic space group, to provide valuable insights into the structure, defect chemistry, phase stability, electrochemical stability, H2O/CO2 chemical stability, and Li-ion conduction mechanisms. A key feature for the Li-ion transport and low migration barrier is the interconnected and corner-shared [LiS4] units along the a-axis, which allows Li-ion transport via empty or occupied tetrahedron sites. A major finding is the first indication that Li-ion migration in Li2ZnSiS4 (LZSiS) has lower energy barriers (∼0.24 eV) compared to Li2ZnGeS4 (LZGS) and Li2ZnSnS4 (LZSnS), whether through vacancy migration or interstitial migration. However, LZGS and LZSnS exhibit greater H2O/CO2 stability compared to LZSiS. The novel framework of LZXS with relatively low Li-ion migration barriers and moderate electrochemical stability could benefit the ASSLB communities.

Potential Solid-State Electrolytes with Good Balance between Ionic Conductivity and Electrochemical Stability: Li5-xM1-xMx'O4 (M = Al and Ga and M' = Si and Ge).

Exploring new solid-state electrolyte (SSE) materials with good electrochemical stability and high Li-ion conductivity for all-solid-state Li-ion batteries is vital for the development of technologies. Herein, we employ two lithium aluminates, α- and ß-Li5AlO4 (α- and ß-LAO), as the model framework, which have an orthorhombic crystal structure and isolated AlO4 tetrahedron units connected in lithium atoms, exhibiting large band gaps, low migration barriers (0.30-0.40 eV), fast Li-ion conductivity (LIC, in a magnitude of 10-4 S/cm), and a good electrochemical stability window (ESW, [0.01-3.20 V] vs Li+/Li). We tabulate the expected decomposition products at the interface, while considering cathodes in combination with the LAO electrolyte to discuss their compatibility. We also examine the electrochemical stability, H2O/CO2 stability, and Li-ion mobility of Li4.6Al0.6Si0.4O4 (LASO), Li5GaO4 (LGaO), and Li4.6Ga0.6Ge0.4O4 (LGaGeO) compounds. In general, there is usually a trade-off between the LIC and the ESW; however, LAO features a good balance between an outstanding LIC and a wide ESW, making the compound a promising candidate for next-generation SSE materials.

Tuning Site Energy by XO6 Units in LiX2(PO4)3 Enables High Li Ion Conductivity and Improved Stability.

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with high ion conductivity are necessary for all-solid-sate lithium ion batteries. Here, a less studied NASICON-type LiZr2(PO4)3 (LZP) is screened out from seven LXP compounds (LiX2(PO4)3, X = Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Hf, and Mo), which combines the electrochemical stability with high Li conductivity. The bond valence site energy (BVSE), climbing image nudged elastic band (Cl-NEB) method, and electrochemical phase diagram prove LZP has a lower Li migration barrier and the largest electrochemical stability window. The underlying reason for high Li conductivity is analyzed from the structural features to the electronic structures. Furthermore, the XO6 unit mixed frameworks Li1.667Ca0.333Zr1.667(PO4)3 (LCZP) and Li1.667Mg0.333Zr1.667(PO4)3 (LMZP) exhibit high Li ion conductivity associated with a very low Li migration barrier (∼0.20 eV). This work opens a new avenue of broad compositional spaces in LXP for SSEs.

Specimen number based diagnostic yields of suspicious axillary lymph nodes in core biopsy in breast cancer: clinical implications from a prospective exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) is widely applied in the pathological diagnosis of suspicious axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) in breast cancer. However, the number of specimens removed during biopsy is currently based on the preference of the individual radiologist. This study aims to analyze the specimen number based diagnostic yields of US guided CNB of suspicious ALNs in breast cancer. METHODS: Core biopsy specimens of suspicious lymph nodes were prospectively obtained from breast cancer patients treated at our hospital between November, 2018, and July, 2019. Four specimens were obtained from each patient and labeled 1-4 in the order they were removed. Each specimen underwent pathological evaluation to determine whether metastasis had occurred. The diagnostic yields of the specimens were calculated and differences in diagnostic accuracy according to the number of specimens were evaluated by McNemar's test. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients were enrolled, and 139 (83.2%) cases were identified as metastasis by CNB. The diagnostic yields were: 74.2% (specimen 1), 87.8% (specimens 1-2), 91.2% (specimens 1-3), and 94.6% (specimens 1-4). The increases in diagnostic yield from specimen 1 to 1-2 and from specimens 1-2 to 1-4 were significant; however, no significant differences were detected between specimens 1-3 and the first two, or between specimens 1-4 and the first three in this sample size. The lower diagnostic abilities for the first two specimens were associated with shorter long- and short-axis lengths of lymph nodes on US. CONCLUSIONS: Although the second specimen contributed significant diagnostic yield of suspicious axillary lymph nodes in core biopsy in breast cancer, a minimum number cannot be determined by this study. Additional specimens may improve diagnostic yield particularly in patients with small nodes.

Improving the capacity of zinc-ion batteries through composite defect engineering.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIB) are favored because of their low cost and high safety. However, as the most widely used cathodes, the rate performance and long-term cycle performance of manganese-based oxides are very worrying, which greatly affects their commercialization. Here, MnO2 with composite defects of cation doping and oxygen vacancies was synthesized for the first time. Cation doping promoted the diffusion and transport of H+ and oxygen vacancies weakened the zinc-oxygen bond, allowing more electrons to be added to the charge and discharge process. The combination of these makes α-MnO2 obtain a specific capacity of up to 346 mA h g-1. This inspired us to use different combinations of defect engineering strategies on the materials which can be implemented as a potential method to improve performance for the modification of ZIB cathode materials, such as cation vacancies and anion doping.

Prognostic and predictive value of the combination of TOP2A and HER2 in node-negative tumors 2 cm or smaller (T1N0) breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: We aim to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of TOP2A and HER2 expression in T1N0 breast cancer patients. METHODS: 299 cases with T1N0 breast cancer were obtained from the Oncomine database (Cohort 1) and 963 of T1N0 breast cancer patients from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital (Cohort 2) were retrospectively enrolled. Kaplan-Meier product was applied to estimate survival curve. Cox proportional hazard models was used to identify prognostic factors. We used PSM (propensity score matching) to balance clinicopathologic characteristics among four groups of different HER2/TOP2A status. Survival between groups and chemotherapy regimens were analyzed, before and after PSM. RESULTS: In Cohort 1, we found that the group with HER2+ and higher expression of TOP2A mRNA was associated with poor breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) compared to the group of HER2- with lower expression of TOP2A mRNA. In Cohort 2, HER2+ patients with higher TOP2A protein expression had greater risk of recurrence and distant recurrence compared to HER2- patients with lower expression of TOP2A protein. Among the patients who developed both HER2+ and higher expression of TOP2A protein and received chemotherapy, patients who received an anthracycline-based regimen had a significantly better recurrence-free survival (RFS) than those with a non-anthracycline-based regime. CONCLUSION: Patients with both HER2+ and high expression level of TOP2A protein predicts poor prognosis in T1N0 breast cancer patients. Patients with double positive for TOP2A protein and HER2 may benefit from anthracycline-based regimens.