A dicarbonate solvent electrolyte for high performance 5 V-Class Lithium-based batteries.

Rechargeable lithium batteries using 5 V positive electrode materials can deliver considerably higher energy density as compared to state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. However, their development remains plagued by the lack of electrolytes with concurrent anodic stability and Li metal compatibility. Here we report a new electrolyte based on dimethyl 2,5-dioxahexanedioate solvent for 5 V-class batteries. Benefiting from the particular chemical structure, weak interaction with lithium cation and resultant peculiar solvation structure, the resulting electrolyte not only enables stable, dendrite-free lithium plating-stripping, but also displays anodic stability up to 5.2 V (vs. Li/Li+), in additive or co-solvent-free formulation, and at low salt concentration of 1 M. Consequently, the Li | |LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cells using the 1 M LiPF6 in 2,5-dioxahexanedioate based electrolyte retain >97% of the initial capacity after 250 cycles, outperforming the conventional carbonate-based electrolyte formulations, making this, and potentially other dicarbonate solvents promising for future Lithium-based battery practical explorations.

Development and validation of a novel nomogram predicting clinically significant prostate cancer in biopsy-naive men based on multi-institutional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) is essential to select biopsy-naive patients for prostate biopsy. This study was to develop and validate a nomogram based on clinicodemographic parameters and exclude csPCa using prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) stratification. METHODS: Independent predictors were determined via univariate and multivariate logistic analysis and adopted for developing a predictive nomogram, which was assessed in terms of discrimination, calibration, and net benefit. Different PSAD thresholds were used for deciding immediate biopsies in patients with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3 lesions. RESULTS: A total of 932 consecutive patients who underwent ultrasound-guided transperineal cognitive biopsy were enrolled in our study. In the development cohort, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.075; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.036-1.114), PSAD (OR, 6.003; 95% CI, 2.826-12.751), and PI-RADS (OR, 3.419; 95% CI, 2.453-4.766) were significant predictors for csPCa. On internal and external validation, this nomogram showed high areas under the curve of 0.943, 0.922, and 0.897, and low Brier scores of 0.092, 0.102, and 0.133 and insignificant unreliability tests of 0.713, 0.490, and 0.859, respectively. Decision curve analysis revealed this model could markedly improve clinical net benefit. The probability of excluding csPCa was 98.51% in patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions and PSAD <0.2 ng/ml2 . CONCLUSION: This novel nomogram including age, PSAD, and PI-RADS could be applied to accurately predict csPCa, and 44.08% of patients with equivocal imaging findings plus PSAD <0.2 ng/ml2 could safely forgo biopsy.

Efficacy of peripheral electrical nerve stimulation on improvements of urodynamics and voiding diary in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral electrical nerve stimulation is a routinely recommended treatment for non-neurogenic overactive bladder but has not been approved for patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). This systematic review and meta-analysis was to elucidate the efficacy and safety of electrostimulation and thus provide firm evidence for treating NLUTD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically performed the literature search through PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases in March 2022. The eligible studies were identified across the inclusion criteria and the data on urodynamic outcomes, voiding diary parameters, and safety was collected to quantitatively synthesize the pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were subsequently used to investigate the possible heterogeneity. This report was achieved in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies involving 464 subjects and 8 studies with 400 patients were included for systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The pooled effect estimates indicated that electrostimulation could significantly improve urodynamic outcomes, including maximum cystometric capacity (MD=55.72, 95% CI 15.73, 95.72), maximum flow rate (MD=4.71, 95% CI 1.78, 7.65), maximal detrusor pressure (MD=-10.59, 95% CI -11.45, -9.73), voided volume (MD=58.14, 95% CI 42.97, 73.31), and post-void residual (MD=-32.46, 95% CI -46.63, -18.29); for voiding diary parameters, patients undergoing electrostimulation showed lower MDs of incontinence episodes per 24 h (MD=-2.45, 95% CI -4.69, -0.20) and overactive bladder symptom score (MD=-4.46, 95% CI -6.00, -2.91). In addition to surface redness and swelling, no stimulation-related severe adverse events were reported else. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence demonstrated that peripheral electrical nerve stimulation might be effective and safe for managing NLUTD, whereas more reliable data from large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to strengthen this concept.

Identification of an immune subtype-related prognostic signature of clear cell renal cell carcinoma based on single-cell sequencing analysis.

Background: There is growing evidence that immune cells are strongly associated with the prognosis and treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Our aim is to construct an immune subtype-related model to predict the prognosis of ccRCC patients and to provide guidance for finding appropriate treatment strategies. Methods: Based on single-cell analysis of the GSE152938 dataset from the GEO database, we defined the immune subtype-related genes in ccRCC. Immediately afterwards, we used Cox regression and Lasso regression to build a prognostic model based on TCGA database. Then, we carried out a series of evaluation analyses around the model. Finally, we proved the role of VMP1 in ccRCC by cellular assays. Result: Initially, based on TCGA ccRCC patient data and GEO ccRCC single-cell data, we successfully constructed a prognostic model consisting of five genes. Survival analysis showed that the higher the risk score, the worse the prognosis. We also found that the model had high predictive accuracy for patient prognosis through ROC analysis. In addition, we found that patients in the high-risk group had stronger immune cell infiltration and higher levels of immune checkpoint gene expression. Finally, cellular experiments demonstrated that when the VMP1 gene was knocked down, 786-O cells showed reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion ability and increased levels of apoptosis. Conclusion: Our study can provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ccRCC.

Dual closed loop AUV trajectory tracking control based on finite time and state observer.

The three-dimensional trajectory tracking of AUV is an important basis for it to complete its task. Due to many uncertain disturbances such as wind, wave and current on the sea, it is easy to cause problems such as slow convergence speed of the controller and saturation of the controller output in the three-dimensional trajectory tracking control of AUV. And the dynamic uncertainty of AUV's own model will have a great negative impact on AUV's trajectory tracking control. In order to solve the problem of slow convergence speed of the above controller, the finite time control method is introduced into the designed position controller. In order to solve the problem of AUV controller output saturation, an auxiliary dynamic system is designed to compensate the system control output saturation. In order to solve the uncertainty of AUV model, a reduced order extended observer is designed in the dynamic controller. It can observe the motion parameters of AUV at any time, and compensate the uncertainty of model uncertainty and external environment disturbance in real time. The control method in this paper is simulated in a three-dimensional model. The experimental results show that the convergence speed, control accuracy, robustness and tracking effect of AUV are higher than those of common trajectory tracker. The algorithm is loaded into the "sea exploration Ⅱ" AUV and verified by experiments in Suzhou lake. The effect of AUV navigation basically meets the task requirements, in which the mean value of pitch angle and heading angle error is less than 8 degrees and the mean value of depth error is less than 0.1M. The trajectory tracker can better meet the trajectory tracking control needs of the AUV.

Neoadjuvant Chemohormonal Therapy in Prostate Cancer Before Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy (NCHT) on patients with prostate cancer (PCa) before radical prostatectomy (RP) and attempt to provide meaningful evidence. Methods: A systematic search was performed using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases in February 2022 based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The relevant studies were critically screened and we extracted the data of demography, postoperative pathology, and survival to calculate the pooled effect sizes. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Results: Six identified studies involving 1717 subjects were included according to the selection criteria. There was no significant difference between NCHT plus RP and RP alone groups regarding lymph node involvement (risk ratio [RR]=1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-1.87, P=0.92). However, NCHT prior to RP significantly decreased the rates of positive surgical margin (PSM, RR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.22-0.55, P<0.0001) and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI, RR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.65-0.95, P=0.01), and increase pathological downstaging (RR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.17-2.29, P=0.004). Additionally, biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly prolonged under the administration of NCHT (HR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.34-0.85, P=0.008 and HR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.94, P=0.02, respectively). Conclusions: Compared to the RP alone group, patients with NCHT plus RP showed significant improvements in PSM, SVI, pathological downstaging, BRFS, and OS, whereas further multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to consolidate this concept.

Combined Signature of the Urinary Microbiome and Metabolome in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a clinical syndrome characterized by frequency, urgency, and bladder pain or pelvic pain; however, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and diagnostic markers are unknown. In this study, microbiome and metabolome analysis were used to explain the urine signatures of IC patients. Urine samples from 20 IC patients and 22 control groups were analyzed by using 16S rRNA sequence and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Four opportunistic pathogen genera, including Serratia, Brevibacterium, Porphyromonas, and Citrobacter, were significantly upregulated in IC group. The altered metabolite signatures of the metabolome may be related to sphingosine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Meanwhile, the associations were observed between different metabolites and microbiomes of IC. The present study suggests that the combined signatures of IC in urine microbiome and metabolome may become its prospective diagnostic markers.

Impact of CO2 activation on the structure, composition, and performance of Sb/C nanohybrid lithium/sodium-ion battery anodes.

Antimony (Sb) has been regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for both lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and attracted much attention in recent years. Alleviating the volumetric effect of Sb during charge and discharge processes is the key point to promote Sb-based anodes to practical applications. Carbon dioxide (CO2) activation is applied to improve the rate performance of the Sb/C nanohybrid anodes caused by the limited diffusion of Li/Na ions in excessive carbon components. Based on the reaction between CO2 and carbon, CO2 activation can not only reduce the excess carbon content of the Sb/C nanohybrid but also create abundant mesopores inside the carbon matrix, leading to enhanced rate performance. Additionally, CO2 activation is also a fast and facile method, which is perfectly suitable for the fabrication system we proposed. As a result, after CO2 activation, the average capacity of the Sb/C nanohybrid LIB anode is increased by about 18 times (from 9 mA h g-1 to 160 mA h g-1) at a current density of 3300 mA g-1. Moreover, the application of the CO2-activated Sb/C nanohybrid as a SIB anode is also demonstrated, showing good electrochemical performance.

The Long Non-Coding RNA IDH1-AS1 Promotes Prostate Cancer Progression by Enhancing IDH1 Enzyme Activity.

PURPOSE: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the development of various tumors including prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore the function of a natural antisense RNA, IDH1-AS1, exerting potential carcinogenic effects in prostate cancer through a novel molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GEPIA and CCLE databases were searched to identify alterations in the expression of IDH1-AS1, which were then verified by RT-qPCR in 20 pairs of matched tumor and normal tissue samples. Subsequently, CCK-8, EdU, and transwell assays were conducted to investigate the carcinogenic effect of IDH1-AS1. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) enzyme activity assays were used to explore the functional relationship between IDH1-AS1 and its sense gene IDH1. RESULTS: IDH1-AS1 expression was found to be significantly increased in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. IDH1-AS1 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells. Interestingly, RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed that IDH1-AS1 did not significantly affect the expression of IDH1 mRNA or protein but was involved in the regulation of IDH1 enzyme activity in prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Our experiments revealed that the carcinogenic effects of IDH1-AS1 in prostate cancer may depend on a new molecular mechanism, which directly alters IDH1 enzyme activity. Our findings indicate that IDH1-AS1 is a novel candidate target for prostate cancer treatment.

Primary bladder mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Primary bladder mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare tumor. To date, the PubMed database contains only 39 English articles covering 63 cases of primary bladder MALT lymphoma. Herein, we report a case of this disease and review the current literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 77-year-old woman presented with frequent urination, urinary urgency, and dysuria for 3 years. In the past 3 years, the patient's symptoms recurred and progressively worsened, and she was admitted to the hospital. DIAGNOSIS: A histopathological examination revealed the bladder mass as a tumor with high proliferation of atypical B-lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed positive results for CD20, PAX-5, Ki-67, BCL-2, and CD21 and negative results for CD10, MUM1, TDT, and cyclin D1. These data supported the diagnosis of primary bladder MALT lymphoma. INTERVENTIONS: A transurethral resection of bladder tumor was performed to treat the disease. OUTCOMES: The patient was alive and healthy at the 15-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Primary bladder MALT lymphoma is a rare disease and can be easily missed or misdiagnosed before achieving a histological confirmation. Surgery may be the best choice for both diagnosis and treatment.