Recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries for a sustainable future: recent advancements.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used as power storage systems in electronic devices and electric vehicles (EVs). Recycling of spent LIBs is of utmost importance from various perspectives including recovery of valuable metals (mostly Co and Li) and mitigation of environmental pollution. Recycling methods such as direct recycling, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, bio-hydrometallurgy (bioleaching) and electrometallurgy are generally used to resynthesise LIBs. These methods have their own benefits and drawbacks. This manuscript provides a critical review of recent advances in the recycling of spent LIBs, including the development of recycling processes, identification of the products obtained from recycling, and the effects of recycling methods on environmental burdens. Insights into chemical reactions, thermodynamics, kinetics, and the influence of operating parameters of each recycling technology are provided. The sustainability of recycling technologies (e.g., life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis) is critically evaluated. Finally, the existing challenges and future prospects are presented for further development of sustainable, highly efficient, and environmentally benign recycling of spent LIBs to contribute to the circular economy.

Two new chlorinated sesquiterpenes from Sigesbeckia orientalis.

Two new chlorinated guaianane-type sesquiterpenes (named chlosigesolides A and B) together with eight known compounds were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Sigesbeckia orientalis. Their structures were determined by analysis of HR-ESI-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectral data as well as comparison with the literature. Absolute configurations of new compounds were elucidated by NOESY and ECD methods. Chlosigesolide A inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 value of 10.9 ± 0.8 µM. Other compounds exhibited inhibitory activity at IC50 in range of 26.5 to 49.7 µM.

Clinical changes and hepatic functional disorders in patients with acute hepatitis B

A study aimed to compare some clinical features and hepatic functional tests in patients with common acute hepatitis B and patients with long-lasting acute hepatitis B from which to find factors that contributing to prognosis of hepatitis B. 101 patients with ages of 16-30 in the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Tropical Diseases during 9/1997 -10/1998 participated to the study have shown that the most of patients had a moderate disease and disease's symptoms were improved within 6 weeks. The disease occurred in men higher than in women. The duration of before jaundice in patients with common acute hepatitis was shorter than this in patients with long-lasting acute hepatitis B. The clinical symptoms in patients with the long-lasting acute hepatitis B were tired, small liver, edema in limbs, ascities and hepatic coma.

Follow up the changes of hepatitis B viral makers in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis

Makers of HBV were investigated in the groups of acute and chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis patients, using radioimmunological assays. 170 patients were followed up and treated in the Clinical Medicine Institute for Tropical Diseases during 1997 and 1998. Changes in HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc and IgG markers were followed up.

Anti-nuclear antibodies in some arthropathy

Testing for antinuclear antibodies are useful in evaluation of autoimmune disorders. Anti-nuclear antibodies are detected by a variety of techniques including indirect immuno-fluorescence, enzyme immuno-fluorescence, enzyme immunocytochemistry, and ELISA. In this study, anti-n-DAN quick test was performed on 127 patients who are treated at Rheumatology Department of Bach Mai Hospital from December 1997 to February 1999. Diagnosis in each of these disorders was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR). The results shown that, anti-n-nDNA was positive in 84.6% patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 24.4% patients with systemic sclerosis and only 8.3% patients with rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. Anti-n-DNA quick test is simply and easy to perform but specificity and sensitivity of this method are still limited to compare with others.