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The demand for lithium resources is growing rapidly due to the continuous development of the lithium‐ion battery, which plays an important part in the renewable energy industry. Global sources of lithium are ores and brine, of which 59% are distributed in saline brine. However, the significant lithium resources in saline brine have not been fully utilized. The electrochemical deintercalation method (EDM) for lithium extraction from saline brine is a promising technique because of its environmental friendliness, high selectivity, and cost‐effectiveness. Nevertheless, the application of EDM is greatly limited by the easy dissolution of electrode materials like LiMn2O4 and the cost of mass production. Also, there are a few existing review articles on the EDM for lithium extraction. To address this gap, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current methods for lithium extraction from saline brine, systematically summarizes the technical status of the EDM, and pays special attention to the preparation method and modification of electrode materials. This review gives new insight into the mechanism of EDM and provides a new design strategy for the evaluation methods of EDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia (eNO3RR) is a green and appealing method for ammonia synthesis, but is hindered by the multistep chemical reaction and competitive hydrogen generation. Herein, the synthesis of 2D SnS nanosheets with tailored interlayer spacing is reported, including both expansion and compression, through the active diatomic Pt‐Ce pairs. Taking together the experimental results, in situ Raman spectra, and DFT calculations, it is found that the compressed interlayer spacing can tune the electron density of localized p‐orbital in Sn into its delocalized states, thus enhancing the chemical affinity towards NO3− and NO2− but inhibiting hydrogen generation simultaneously. This phenomenon significantly facilitates the rate‐determining step (*NO3→*NO2) in eNO3RR, and realizes an excellent Faradaic efficiency (94.12%) and yield rate (0.3056 mmol cm−2 h−1) for NH3 at −0.5 V versus RHE. This work provides a powerful strategy for tailoring flexible interlayer spacing of 2D materials and opens a new avenue for constructing high‐performance catalysts for ammonia synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The choice between endoscopic surgery and re‐radiotherapy as the main treatment modality in patients with advanced recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC) remains controversial. Therefore, in this study, we compared the efficacies of endoscopic surgery and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with rNPC. Methods: All patients with advanced rNPC (T3 and T4) who underwent salvage treatment were enrolled from January 2009 to December 2020. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using a log‐rank analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses of OS were performed using a Cox regression model. Common treatment‐related complications of endoscopic surgery were compared with those of IMRT. Results: The numbers of patients with T3 and T4 tumors were 163 (64.2%) and 91 (35.8%), respectively; 192 patients underwent endoscopic surgery, 51 received IMRT, and 11 received three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT). The 3‐year OS of patients treated with endoscopic surgery was 59.3%, which was significantly higher than that of patients treated with IMRT (34.7%, p < 0.001) or 3D‐CRT (43.6%, p = 0.012). Multivariate analyses showed that IMRT was an independent risk factor for OS compared with endoscopic surgery (hazard ratio, 2.068; 95% confidence interval, 1.395–3.069, p < 0.001). Complications of aural fullness (p = 0.001), nasopharyngeal necrosis (p = 0.004), nasopharyngeal hemorrhage (p = 0.004), dysphagia (p < 0.001), and cerebral infarction (p = 0.030) were significantly lower in the endoscopic surgery group than in the IMRT group. Conclusion: Endoscopic surgery may be a more promising salvage treatment than IMRT to maximize survival and minimize treatment‐related complications in advanced rNPC. These results will be significant in deciding the optimal treatment for patients with advanced rNPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) rT staging have great clinical impracticality. The aim of the present study was to establish a new rT staging to guide endoscopic surgery for the treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). Methods: This surgical rT staging (named Fudan rT staging) was constructed using two significant risk factors: the distance from the tumor margin to the internal carotid artery, and dural invasion. Log‐rank and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate its effectiveness. Results: Fudan rT staging can effectively separate the overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) of patients with rNPC according to the different rT stages (p < 0.05). In addition, ROC analysis showed that the Fudan rT staging exhibited enhanced prognostic value for OS and PFS compared with the AJCC/UICC rT staging. Conclusions: The innovative Fudan rT staging has a better predictive value for the survival of patients with rNPC than AJCC/UICC rT staging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Five novel heterodimers of cytochalasan and ergosterol, ergochaeglobosins A—E, were isolated from an endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum P2‐2‐2. Ergochaeglobosin A (1) possesses an unprecedented 5/6/13/6/5/6/6/6 fused octacyclic ring system, and ergochaeglobosins B (2) and C (3) form a unique 5/6/13/6/6/6/6/5 fused octacyclic ring system, whereas ergochaeglobosins D (4) and F (5) are the first cytochalasan heterodimers formed via a N‐1′/C‐3′′ single bond. Their structures with absolute configurations were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and ECD calculations. The plausible biogenetic pathway of 1—5 was postulated. Compound 1 exhibited inhibitory effects against ConA‐induced T cells and LPS‐induced B cells proliferation with IC50 values of 19.2 and 14.1 μmol/L, respectively. Co‐treatment of 3 (20 μmol/L) with TRAIL (150 ng/mL) could significantly decrease the cell viability of A549 by 24.9% comparing with monotherapy of 3 (20 μmol/L). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy and safety of internal carotid artery (ICA) embolization as a treatment strategy in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC) patients with tumors invading the ICA remain unclear. Methods: We enrolled all rNPC patients with tumors invading the ICA, who underwent salvage endoscopic surgery. Using propensity scores to adjust for specific potential prognostic factors, a well‐balanced cohort of 42 patients with limited rNPC was formed by matching each patient who underwent ICA embolization (study group) with one who did not (control group). The survival rates and common treatment‐related complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The cohort included patients with the following tumor stages: rT2 (n = 3), rT3 (n = 24), and rT4 (n = 15). During a median follow‐up of 15 (range, 2‐63) months, the 2‐year overall survival and progression‐free survival rates were significantly higher in the ICA embolization group than in the ICA nonembolization group (90.5% vs 53.3% and 71.3% vs 33.0%, respectively; and p = 0.022 and p = 0.006, respectively). In addition, the incidence of treatment‐related complications, such as nasal obstruction, nasopharyngeal hemorrhage, and nasopharyngeal necrosis, was significantly lower in the ICA embolization group than in the nonembolization group (p = 0.001, p = 0.014, and p = 0.038, respectively). Conclusion: The innovative application of ICA embolization in endoscopic surgery in patients with rNPC invading the ICA significantly improved patient survival and reduced the risk of treatment‐related complications. Therefore, this may be a safe and effective method with the potential to improve outcomes in rNPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant epithelial tumor of the nasopharyngeal mucosa with a high incidence rate in southern China and Southeast Asia and an evident ethnic and geographical distribution. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single‐stranded noncoding RNAs with covalent, closed‐loop structures. They are characterized by high stability and abundance, are evolutionarily conserved, and exhibit tissue/developmental stage specificity. Previous studies have shown that circRNAs are associated with the occurrence and development of various malignant tumors. However, the expression patterns and clinical significance of circRNAs in NPC remain ambiguous. Hence, the present review focuses on the biogenesis and regulation of circRNAs, and the functional roles of abnormally expressed circRNAs in NPC. In addition, the current review discusses the possibility of utilizing circRNAs as potential clinical biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was to establish and validate a nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM). Methods: A novel nomogram was constructed using 863 patients with LNM‐positive NPC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Significant prognostic factors in the nomograms were determined using multivariate Cox risk analysis. The predictive capability was evaluated using calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: Multivariate analysis identified seven factors that could be used to construct the nomogram: age, pathological type, T stage, M stage, surgery of primary site, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The calibration curves and DCA demonstrated optimal agreement. Based on the nomogram, all patients could be stratified into three risk groups: low, middle, and high. Conclusions: The novel nomogram demonstrated its potential as an individualized tool to predict OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to discuss the efficacy and safety of bioabsorbable steroid‐impregnated implants following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched for studies comparing the experimental group (bioabsorbable steroid‐impregnated implants) with the control group (bioabsorbable nonsteroid‐impregnated implants). Lund‐Kennedy scores, Perioperative Sinus Endoscopy (POSE) scores, polyp change, significant adhesion, middle turbinate lateralization, and adverse events were extracted from the final eligible studies. RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials were included in our analysis. The experimental group showed no significant differences from the control group in Lund‐Kennedy scores (weighted mean difference (WMD) −0.40; 95% confidence interval [confidence interval (CI)] −1.05 to −0.62; P = 0.23). The experimental group had lower POSE scores compared with the control group, and there was a significant difference (WMD −1.88; 95% CI −2.32 to −1.43, P < 0.00001). The pooled results also demonstrated significant differences in polyp change, significant adhesion, and middle turbinate lateralization between the two groups. In addition, there was no significant difference with respect to adverse events between the two groups (odds ratio (OR) 0.38; 95% CI: 0.07 to 2.03; P = 0.26). Conclusion: Bioabsorbable steroid‐impregnated implants following ESS are effective in improving the endoscopic appearance of the healing process, and the safety profile appears to be favorable for the treatment of CRS patients. Level of Evidence: 1A Laryngoscope, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare, vascular‐centric, and vessel‐destroying lymphoproliferative disease that hardly involves the pulmonary arteries. Herein, we report a case with severe right heart failure and pulmonary arterial stenosis caused by pulmonary artery lymphomatoid granulomatosis. This case was diagnosed by percutaneous transluminal pulmonary artery biopsy and was effectively treated with stent implantation and steroid administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) with small particle size has the problem of easy agglomeration, which seriously worsens electrochemical performance but hasn't been yet attracted enough attention. This is one of the biggest challenges in the practical application of LTO. Herein, LTO is modified with tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) to generate inorganic‐organic wrapped LTO anode under simple hydrolysis process. The X‐ray diffraction, fourier transformation infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show the existence of modifying layer, which not only could promote dispersion, but also improve the electrochemical performance. The LTO modified with 0.5 wt.% TBT displays good dispersion with homogeneous particle size distribution and stable viscosity. Moreover, it exhibits excellent cycling properties over 200 cycles at 5 C (153.4 mAh g−1). These results are assigned to the synergetic effect of the inorganic and organic modifying layer, which could be beneficial to the dispersion and electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composites of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) modified with LiMg0.5Mn1.5O4 (LMgMO) named LNMO@LMgMO as cathode materials for lithium ion battery that can withstand high voltage and high temperature were prepared by a sol‐gel self‐combustion method. The results of physical characterization show that the LMgMO layer was effectively coated on the surface of LNMO, and the Mg2+ was also doped into the lattice of LNMO. Electrochemical tests reveal that the LNMO@LMgMO composites deliver excellent electrochemical performance, especially for LNMO@LMgMO‐1%, including great capacity retention (91.4% for 500 cycles at 25 °C and 90.4% for 100 cycles at 55 °C at 2 C in the 3.5‐5.2 V) and superior rate capability (95.6 mAh g−1 under 10 C). Moreover, the synergetic effect of LMgMO coating and Mg2+ doping could alleviate the impedance rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) has a high recurrence rate after surgery. Cofilin overexpression is associated with increased tumor cell metastasis, and progression of various human cancers. However, studies on cofilin expression in JNA are rare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of cofilin in a tissue microarray (TMA) of JNA specimens. In addition, we also analyzed its correlation with clinicopathological features and recurrence. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect cofilin expression in a TMA of samples from 70 JNA patients and 10 control subjects. The association between clinicopathological variables and cofilin immunostaining was analyzed using Pearson's chi‐square test. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the disease‐free survival rate, and investigate the effect of cofilin expression on time to recurrence (TTR) in JNA patients. The Cox regression model was used for multivariate survival analysis. Results: Cofilin was detected in irregular smooth muscle cells, pericytes, less differentiated stromal cells, and plump cells, but not in inactive fibroblasts and mature vascular endothelial cells of JNA specimens. The presence of cofilin in JNA was correlated with tumor stage (p = 0.012) and volume of intraoperative hemorrhage (p < 0.001). JNA patients with high cofilin expression had a higher recurrence rate than those with low cofilin expression (p = 0.012). Cofilin expression and patient's age were significant predictors of TTR, and cofilin was a better predictor for disease recurrence (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC; 0.711; p = 0.005) than other clinicopathological features. Conclusion: Cofilin is an independent prognostic marker for JNA patients who have undergone surgical treatment and may represent a novel therapeutic target for extensive JNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we innovatively applied the coil embolization technique to rNPC invading the internal carotid artery and achieved good survival rates and less treatment-related complications, which provided the opportunity of surgical treatment for these advanced patients. Authors' reply We thank Mathew Geltzeiler and Kyaw Zin Thein for their comments on our recent Article in The International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.1 We are glad that Geltzeiler and Thein recognize our team's experience in the surgical treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). In this way, we can further identify the treatment mode of rNPC invading the internal carotid artery, which may provide the most appropriate treatment options for these patients. [Extracted from the article]

The spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) material, especially because of the small particle sizes of LTO, has a high tendency toward adhesion and aggregation of particles due to the large cohesive forces, thereby deteriorating its electrochemical performance. To overcome this drawback, LTO is modified with epoxy‐functionalized silane KH560 by a simple hydrolysis method. This process successfully achieves the KH560 modifying layer. Specifically, the effects of KH560 on the dispersion and electrochemical performance of LTO are investigated. The results show that KH560–LTO (0.5 wt%) can be stabilized and evenly dispersed, thus narrowing the particle size distribution, distributing the particles homogeneously in the electrode sheet, and reducing the viscosity change of the slurry. From the electrochemical measurements, KH560–LTO (0.5 wt%) exhibits higher initial discharge capacity (168.3 mAh g−1 at 2 C) and better rate capability (133.2 mAh g−1 at 10 C). In addition to this, the specific capacity of the KH560–LTO (0.5 wt%) sample remains at 149.2 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 5 C. This excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the fact that the KH560 modifying layer can effectively promote the dispersion of particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]