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In this work, we investigate the diffusion of LiCl electrolytes in 3D-nanoporous graphene structures (3D-NGSs) through molecular dynamics simulations. The diffusion coefficients, D, of water, Li+, and Cl− are calculated in 3D-NGSs with different LiCl concentrations, porosities, and surface charge densities under various temperatures. It is found that the diffusion coefficients follow the Arrhenius Equation and power laws for the dependence on the temperature and porosity, respectively. They decrease with increasing salt concentration. At high surface charge densities, the diffusion coefficients decrease with increasing charge density, which, however, plays a minor role in affecting the diffusion coefficients in the range of 0–0.2 C m−2. The mechanisms are investigated through the potential energy distribution in the 3D-NGSs. General scaling laws for the diffusion coefficients of water, Li+, and Cl− are proposed. The results in this work provide useful information for the design of electrodes and various energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas dehydration plays a critical role in gas refining processes due to the potential problems caused by the presence of water vapor. The inclusion of water vapor can lead to issues such as hydrate formation, pressure drop, and pipeline corrosion. In this research, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) absorbent was employed to absorb water vapor and subsequently, its absorption performance was compared with the absorption of tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) and lithium chloride, the most commonly used absorbents in water vapor separation processes. To do so, the influence of several effective parameters, including the inlet air flow rate, different ratios of choline chloride to urea (ChCl:Urea), the weight percentage of liquid water in the absorbent, and the viscosity of DES were investigated. The results demonstrated that DES is highly efficient for water vapor separation, outperforming both TEG and aqueous lithium chloride solutions. Moreover, increasing the inlet air flow rate was found to decrease absorption recovery due to reduced residence time. Additionally, a ChCl ratio of 1:2 yielded the highest absorption efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Owing to its systemic mode‐of‐action and ease of application, lithium chloride (LiCl) is an ideal varroacide for the control of Varroa destructor infestations in honey bee colonies. To better understand how LiCl functions within a colony, we screened different parts of honey bee anatomy for lithium accumulation. We wanted to elucidate the time‐dependent effects of LiCl on V. destructor and its metabolism within honey bees when they were fed continuous LiCl treatments, as well as evaluate potential adverse effects such as accumulation in the hypopharyngeal glands of nurse bees, which could negatively impact queens and larvae. RESULTS: Cage experiments reveal rapid acaricidal onset, with >95% mite mortality within 48 h of treatment. Bee hemolymph analysis supports these observations, showing a rapid increase in lithium concentration within 12 h of treatment, followed by stabilization at a constant level. Lithium accumulates in the rectum of caged bees (≤475.5 mg kg−1 after 7 days of feeding 50 mm LiCl), reflecting the bees' metabolic and excretion process. Despite concerns about potential accumulation in hypopharyngeal glands, low lithium levels of only 0.52 mg kg−1 suggest minimal risk to the queen and 1st‐ and 2nd‐instar larvae. Cessation of LiCl treatment results in a rapid decline in mite mortality in the first 5 days, which increases again thereafter, resulting in mite mortality of 77–90% after 10 days. CONCLUSION: These findings help optimize LiCl application in colonies to achieve high Varroa mortality without unwanted adverse effects and provide important baseline data for future registration. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lithium ion conducting membrane has been prepared based on cellulose acetate and LiCl using the solution casting method. Amorphous/crystalline nature of the prepared membranes are analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The surface of the prepared membrane is analyzed using SEM. Complexation of cellulose acetate and LiCl is confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the examined membranes is determined through AC impedance measurement. The membrane, comprising 1 g cellulose acetate with 0.8 weight% (wt%) of LiCl, exhibits the highest Li-ion conductivity of 7.1 × 10−3 S cm−1 among all prepared membranes. Thermal stability of the prepared membranes is analyzed using Differential scanning calorimetry and Thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical stability of the highest Li-ion conducting membrane has been analyzed using Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and the potential window was found to be 1.76 V. Using the highest Li-ion conducting membrane, the primary Li-ion conducting battery and coin cell is constructed. Primary Li-ion conducting battery shows an Open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.8 V and its performance has been studied using various loads. The stability of the coin cell is analyzed using the Galvanostatic charge-discharge. The performance of the highest Li-ion conducting membrane as an electrolyte in an electrochemical storage device is analyzed in the present work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transcriptomics studies speed up the basic and applied research on the identification of genes involved in the biosynthesis of medicinally significant primary and secondary metabolites as well as plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The adequate quality and quantity of RNA are essential for successful transcriptomics investigations such as RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and microarrays. It is extremely difficult to isolate RNA from medicinal plants with high levels of polyphenols and polysaccharides, such as Borago officinalis. Moreover, isolating nucleic acids from tissues exposed to stressful conditions of heavy metal toxicity such as cadmium is challenging due to the increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secondary metabolites. Any RNA-seq experiment requires high-quality RNA because the isolated RNA should meet stringent quality control requirements in order to be sequenced on the various platforms. In the present study, we evaluated different RNA extraction methods to obtain an efficient protocol for isolating high-quality total RNA from borage tissue exposed to cadmium stress. Materials and methods: The borage seedlings were grown in hydroponic containers containing half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution in a growth chamber. Borage seedlings were exposed to 162 μM Cd using cadmium nitrate (Cd (NO3)2.4H2O) at 5-6 leaves stage and sampled at 48 h after treatment. The roots and leaves were subjected to five RNA isolation methods, including phenol/chloroform-based method, CTAB-based method, SDS-based method, RNX-plus protocol, and modified RNX-plus method to obtain an efficient protocol for isolating high-quality total RNA. The concentration and purity of the RNAs extracted using the abovementioned protocols were determined using gel electrophoresis and NanoDrop spectrophotometer. The quality and integrity of selected total RNA were approved with cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR, Bioanalyzer System, and transcriptome sequencing. After evaluating the extraction methods, a quick, simple and efficient instruction based on the modified RNX-Plus extraction method was afforded. Results and discussion: The results showed that the modified RNX-plus method was a fast and efficient protocol for the isolation of RNA from the borage leaf and root when compared with other methods. The method overcame the limitations posed by poor quality and low concentration of isolated RNA from borage samples exposed to cadmium stress. The A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios of the RNA extracted using the modified RNX-plus method were 2.1 and 2.07, respectively, revealing its high purity. The key factors in the optimized protocol that resulted in removing the impurities were included the increasing ratio of extraction buffer to the amount of the powdered plant sample, using the optimized volume of chloroform, raising the RNA precipitation time at -20°C, washing RNA with lithium chloride and washing again with ethanol. Also, the yields of 333±15 and 463±43 ng μl-1 of RNA with RNA integrity (RIN) numbers of 8.6 and 9.05 were obtained from roots under cadmium stress and control conditions using the described optimized method, respectively. Conclusion: In general, the results of this study showed that the modified RNX-Plus method is convenient, fast, and effective for the isolation of total RNA from borage root and leaf tissues that contain different levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and secondary metabolites, and no solution is needed to be prepared before, except for ethanol and Lithium chloride. Since the RNA extracted from this procedure was successfully used for cDNA library construction, RT-PCR, and RNA sequencing, it can be considered as a simple and efficient method for the isolation of RNA from medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real‐time monitoring of respiration plays a very important role in human health assessment, especially in monitoring and analyzing respiration during exercise and sleep. However, traditional humidity sensors still have problems in flexibility, sensitivity, and durability, so there is an urgent need to develop humidity sensors with high sensitivity, stretchability, and environmental resistance as respiratory monitoring applications. Here, based on the double network hydrogel structure of polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylamide, a highly sensitive, highly stretchable, and environmentally stable organic hydrogel humidity sensor has been manufactured by using the synergistic effect of lithium chloride and MXene. The hydrogel humidity sensor shows rapid response in the humidity range of 40–85% RH, and has a high sensitivity of −103.4%/% RH. In addition, it exhibits more than 3000% mechanical strain and excellent environmental resistance, which is attributed to the chemical cross‐linking in the hydrogel network and the synergistic effect of multiple hydroxyl groups in glycerol forming rich hydrogen bonds with water and polymer chains. The hydrogel humidity sensor is used for real‐time monitoring of breathing and sleep processes. This work provides a new strategy for preparing high‐performance, extensibility, and environmental stability hydrogel‐based sensors for respiratory monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium, a natural element, has been employed as a mental stabilizer in psychiatric treatments; however, some reports indicate it has an anticancer effect, prompting the consideration of repurposing lithium for cancer treatment. The potential anticancer use of lithium may depend on its form (salt type) and the type of cancer cells targeted. Little is known about the effects of Li2CO3 or LiCl on cancer cells, so we focused on exploring their effects on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle as part of the hallmarks of cancer. Firstly, we established the IC50 values on HeLa, SiHa, and HaCaT cells with LiCl and Li2CO3 and determined by crystal violet that cell proliferation was time-dependent in the three cell lines (IC50 values for LiCl were 23.43 mM for SiHa, 23.14 mM for HeLa, and 15.10 mM for HaCaT cells, while the IC50 values for Li2CO3 were 20.57 mM for SiHa, 11.52 mM for HeLa, and 10.52 mM for HaCaT cells.) Our findings indicate that Li2CO3 and LiCl induce DNA fragmentation and caspase-independent apoptosis, as shown by TUNEL, Western Blot, and Annexin V/IP assay by flow cytometry. Also, cell cycle analysis showed that LiCl and Li2CO3 arrested the cervical cancer cells at the G1 phase. Moreover, lithium salts displayed an anti-migratory effect on the three cell lines observed by the wound-healing assay. All these findings imply the viable anticancer effect of lithium salts by targeting several of the hallmarks of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first heteroditopic [2]rotaxane host systems capable of strong and selective binding of lithium chloride ion-pair species are described. Importantly, a cooperative 'switch on' mechanism was found to operate, in which complexation of a lithium metal cation enhances the halide anion affinity of the rotaxanes via a combination of favourable proximal electrostatic and preorganised allosteric effects. The mechanically bonded rotaxane host design features a macrocycle component possessing a 2,6-dialkoxy pyridyl cation binding motif and an isophthalamide anion binding group, as well as an axle component functionalised with either a halogen bonding (XB) iodotriazole or hydrogen bonding (HB) prototriazole moiety. Extensive quantitative 1H NMR titration studies in CD3CN/CDCl3 solvent mixtures determined enhanced ion-pair binding affinities for lithium halides over the corresponding sodium or potassium halide salts, with the axle prototriazole-containing HB rotaxane in particular demonstrating a marked selectivity for lithium chloride. Solid-state X-ray crystallographic studies and computational DFT investigations provide evidence for a [2]rotaxane host axle-separated ion-pair binding mode, in which complementary cation and anion binding motifs from both the macrocycle and axle components act convergently to recognise each of the charged guest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground: Isoorientin (ISO), a flavone C-glycoside, is a glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) substrate-competitive inhibitor. ISO has potential in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). An excessive activation of GSK3β can lead to neuroinflammation causing neuronal damage. Microglia cells, as resident immune cells of the central nervous system, mediate neuroinflammation. Here, we studied the effects of ISO on microglial activation to alleviate neuroinflammation.Methods: Effects of ISO were observed upon the stimulation of mouse microglia BV2 or SIM-A9 cells by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Lithium chloride (LiCl) was the positive control as a GSK3β inhibitor. The release of TNF-α and NO were analyzed by ELISA and Griess assays, while expressions of COX-2, Iba-1, BDNF, GSK3β, NF-κB p65, IκB, Nrf2 and HO-1 were detected by Western blotting. In the co-culture model of SIM-A9 cells and differentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, effects of ISO on microglia-mediated neuronal damage were evaluated with the MTS assay.Results: ISO significantly inhibited the production of TNF-α (p < 0.01), NO (p < 0.001) and the expression of COX-2 (p < 0.01) and Iba-1 (p < 0.05) induced by LPS, and increased BDNF. The cell viability of SH-SY5Y was inhibited by LPS in the co-culture, which was prevented by ISO pretreatment. ISO increased the expression of p-GSK3β (Ser9), IκB and HO-1 in the cytoplasm, decreased NF-κB p65 and increased Nrf2 in the nucleus compared with the LPS group.Conclusion: ISO attenuated the activation of microglia through regulating the GSK3β, NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways to exert neuroprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkenes are valuable feedstocks in organic synthesis. One effective method for synthesizing organic halides with functional groups in close proximity involves the direct difunctionalization of alkenes via three‐component reactions. This approach not only reduces the number of steps involved in the synthesis process, but also minimizes waste generation and enables the formation of complex molecules from simple starting materials. In this review, we mainly discuss decade developments (2013‐2023) in two categories: (1) halogenation via three‐membered ring intermediates, involving haliranium, thiiranium,seleniranium, aziridinium and epoxide species; (2) halogenation via a radical pathway. Reactions with I2, BiI3, NaI, Bu4N+[I(O2CAr)2]−, NIS, NBS, NCS, DBH, BsNMeBr, HBr, HCl, KI, NH4I, I2O5, Et3N ⋅ 3HF, Selectfluor, CuI, CuBr, CuCl, LiCl, KBr, NaCl, SOCl2, Py ⋅ 9HF, NFSI, TBSCl et al have been recorded and how the added reagents work will be discussed. We hope this review will do help for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution solution-state 1H, 13C, and various 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of cellulose were obtained using cellulose oligomer dissolved in LiCl/dimethyl sulfoxide, which enabled the assignment of all 1H and 13C resonances. The observed resonances were classified into four groups of glucose rings, corresponding to internal residue, non-reducing end, and reducing ends with α- and β-anomeric configurations. This assignment included the OH protons, which are difficult to assign in cellulose using other solvent systems. NMR measurements and assignments were performed using different LiCl concentrations because information on the hydroxy protons is important for understanding the interaction between cellulose and the solvent. The resonances from the OH protons shifted downfield with increasing LiCl concentration, suggesting that LiCl was attracted to the hydroxy groups of cellulose in solution. Moreover, the magnitude of the shifts varied depending on the positions of the hydroxy groups, which indicated the regioselectivity of the interaction between LiCl and the cellulose hydroxy groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apex predators play critical ecological roles, making their conservation a high priority. In tropical Australia, some populations of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) have plummeted by greater than 70% due to lethal ingestion of toxic invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). Laboratory-based research has identified conditioned taste aversion (CTA) as a way to discourage consumption of toads. To translate those ideas into landscape-scale management, we deployed 2395 baits (toad carcasses with toxin removed and containing a nausea-inducing chemical) across four gorge systems in north-western Australia and monitored bait uptake with remote cameras. Crocodile abundance was quantified with surveys. Free-ranging crocodiles rapidly learned to avoid toad baits but continued to consume control (chicken) baits. Toad invasion at our sites was followed by high rates of crocodile mortality (especially for small individuals) at a control site but not at nearby treatment sites. In areas with high connectivity to other waterbodies, repeated baiting over successive years had continuing positive impacts on crocodile survival. In summary, we succeeded in buffering the often-catastrophic impact of invasive cane toads on apex predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Running in an exercise wheel or swimming in a water pool endows rats with a conditioned aversion to a taste substance consumed before the activity. The present study explores the psychophysiological processes underlying these activity‐based taste aversions. Experiment 1 demonstrated that prior experience of running or swimming (i.e., familiarization) hinders subsequent taste aversion learning based on swimming in rats, implying a similar psychophysiological process between running and swimming in establishing taste aversion. Experiment 2 replicated the findings of Experiment 1 with rats obtained from another animal supplier. The running‐to‐swimming cross‐familiarization effect demonstrated in these experiments contrasts with a previous report in which prior swimming had no effect on subsequent running‐based taste aversion learning. Theoretical considerations regarding such asymmetrical cross‐familiarization effects extended to discussions on the similarities and differences in the psychophysiological states induced by running, swimming, and emetic lithium chloride injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic beads can be used to treat surgical infections. In this study, polylactide–polyglycolide (PLGA) was mixed with vancomycin, the osteogenic enhancer lithium chloride (LiCl), and hot compression to form PLGA-vancomycin-LiCl delivery beads to treat bone infection. An elution method was used to characterize in vitro release characteristics of vancomycin and Li over a 42-day period. The release profiles lasted for more than 42 days for vancomycin and 28 days for Li. The concentration of vancomycin in each sample was well above the breakpoint sensitivity. Lithium cotreatment enhanced the bactericidal effect of vancomycin. Released Li and vancomycin increased the mRNA or protein expressions of osteogenic markers of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In vivo, the PLGA delivery systems were implanted into the distal femoral cavities of rabbits, and the cavity fluid content was aspirated and analyzed at each time point. The released Li and vancomycin lasted more than 6 weeks, and the vancomycin concentrations were much greater than the breakpoint sensitivity. Four rabbits in each group were sacrificed at 8 weeks for histological observation. More mature bone tissue was observed in the Li treatment group. This study provides a PLGA drug delivery system to meet the requirements of patients with bone infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: One of the crucial issues related to machine learning potentials is the formation of representative dataset. For multicomponent systems, it is a general methodology to scan the composition range with a certain step. However, there is a lack of information on the compositional transferability of machine learning potentials. In this paper, we extend the knowledge in this area by studying the transferability of deep learning potential over the range of compositions of LiCl–KCl molten mixtures. The training dataset was formed using only the near-eutectic composition of 60% LiCl–40% KCl. Then, we tested the ability of the model to predict physicochemical properties of the melts far from the reference composition. It was found that for the composition range from 0 to 100% of LiCl, the calculated properties concur closely with those of other studies and ab initio calculations. Therefore, the model shows prominent non-intuitive compositional transferability. Moreover, the solid states and solid–liquid coexistence were reproduced. The calculated melting temperatures of LiCl and KCl show the errors of 6.6% and 0.4%, respectively. We argue that such good transferability stems from the local structure configurations that are typical both for pure LiCl and for pure KCl which are implicitly presented in the training dataset because of local fluctuations in composition. Methods: To collect the data for the initial dataset, density functional theory was employed. Then, the DeePMD package was used to train a neural network potential. To calculate the properties of the melts, standard equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular dynamic approaches were utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Molecular Science is the property of Journal of Molecular Science Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The development of fast-responding electrically conductive polymers as actuators activated by low electrical current is now regarded as an urgent matter. Due to their limited electrical conductivity, actuators based on polymeric hydrogels must be activated using a high voltage (up to 200 V) and frequency (up to 500 Hz) when employing AC power. In this work, to improve the electrical conductivity of the hydrogel and decrease the required activation voltage of the hydrogel actuators, lithium chloride (LiCL) was added as a conductive filler to the polymer matrix of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In order to ascertain the deformation of actuators, activation and relaxation times, actuator efficiencies, and generated force under the conditions of activation, linear actuators that can be activated by extension/contraction (swelling/shrinking) cycles were prepared and investigated depending on the LiCl content, applied voltage, and frequency. Under a load of approximately 20 kPa and using a 90 V AC power at a 50 Hz frequency with a 30 wt.% LiCl content, it was found that the actuators' total contraction, reinforced by a woven mesh braided material, was about 20% with a ~2.2 s activation time, while the actuators' total extension, reinforced by a spiral weave material, was about 52% with a ~2.5 s activation time, after applying a 110 V AC at a 50 Hz frequency with a 10 wt.% LiCl content. Furthermore, as the lowest voltage, a 20 V AC power can operate these actuators by increasing the LiCl weight content to the same PVA mass content. Moreover, the PVA/LiCl hydrogels' activation force can be greater than 0.5 MPa. The actuators that have been developed have broad applications in soft robotics, artificial muscles, medicine, and aerospace fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, TiO2 was prepared via a solid-state chemical reaction and used as an anode for magnesium/lithium hybrid-ion batteries. The X-ray diffraction characterization of the synthesized titanium dioxide demonstrated that the material consists of 10% TiO2(B) and 90% anatase phases. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed the lowest charge transfer resistance and the highest capacity for batteries assembled with 9 mM LiCl because of the activation effect of the Cl− anion. In general, TiO2 as anode material in Mg2+/Li+-ion mixed solutions demonstrated sluggish electrochemical kinetics and a rate constant obtained from the EIS data of 1.05 × 10−8 cm s−1. From the cyclic voltammetry measurements, it was found that the capacity of the magnesium-lithium battery has more pseudocapacitance characteristics than the mixed-controlled process, as in other studies. The investigated TiO2||0.05 M Mg(ClO4)2 + 0.009 M LiCl/AN||Mg hybrid-ion battery demonstrated a capacity of approximately 25 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at 35 mA g−1 current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium chloride (LiCl) is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly salt abundant in the ocean. However, the insolubility of LiCl in conventional electrolyte solvents prevents the practical use of LiCl for lithium-ion batteries. Here, we report a novel method to increase the solubility of LiCl in a conventional electrolyte. The solubility of LiCl in ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (1/1, v/v) is about quadrupled by adding a small amount of anion receptor with two urea moieties as recognition sites connecting with an ether chain. Anion receptor is an organic molecule that can associate with anions. Our anion receptor is able to associate with chloride anion. The ionic conductivity of LiCl in EC/DMC increased from 0.023 mS cm−1 (without an anion receptor) to 0.075 mS cm−1 (with a 0.05 M anion receptor). The electrolyte in the presence of a 0.05 M receptor exhibits higher ionic conductivity, rate capability, and cyclability than the electrolyte without the receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. The alteration in the signaling mechanism in diabetes leading to cardiomyopathy remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of tauopathy in myocardial dysfunction observed in T2DM. In that regard, diabetic Sprague Dawley rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of lithium chloride (LiCl), inhibiting tau phosphorylation. Cardiac function was evaluated, and molecular markers of myocardial fibrosis and the TGF-β signaling were analyzed. T2DM rats exhibited a decline in ejection fraction and fractional shortening that revealed cardiac function abnormalities and increased myocardial fibrosis. These changes were associated with tau hyperphosphorylation. Treating diabetic rats with LiCl attenuated cardiac fibrosis and improved myocardial function. Inhibition of GSK-3β leads to the suppression of tau phosphorylation, which is associated with a decrease in TGF-β expression and regulation of the pro-inflammatory markers, suggesting that tau hyperphosphorylation is parallelly associated with fibrosis and inflammation in the diabetic heart. Our findings provide evidence of a possible role of tau hyperphosphorylation in the pathogenesis of DCM through the activation of TGF-β and by inducing inflammation. Targeting the inhibition of tau phosphorylation may offer novel therapeutic approaches to reduce DCM burden in T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polymer Materials Science & Engineering is the property of Sichuan University, Polymer Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The toughness and adhesiveness of composite hydrogels play an important role in the field of wearable sensors, where they are used due to their remarkable flexibility and diverse specialized properties. In this work, a composite hydrogel with strong toughness and high adhesion for human motion detection and wireless sensing was obtained. Polydopamine (PDA)-modified cellulose nanofibers (PCNFs) were introduced into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide (PAM) network, resulting in the fabrication of a PCNF/PVA-PAM composite hydrogel. Lithium chloride served as a crosslinking agent and provided conductive ions, and the PCNFs provided the composite hydrogel with strong toughness and adhesion abilities. The compression strength of the obtained PCNF/PVA-PAM composite hydrogel was 1.1 MPa, and its adhesion strength to glass was 63.8 kPa. Moreover, the composite hydrogel exhibited good anti-freezing properties. The compression sensitivity of the composite hydrogel was 1.29, and it still maintained stability even after 500 testing cycles. The strain-sensing abilities of the composite hydrogel were satisfactory for different human body parts. This composite material holds great promise in the fields of wearable devices and wireless signal transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of heterojunctions is challenging, requiring atomic-level contact and interface matching. Here, we have achieved atomic-level interfacial matching by constructing poly(heptazine imide)/poly(triazine imide) crystalline carbon nitride heterojunctions in an in-situ one-step method. The content of poly(triazine imide) in heterojunctions is positively related to the proportion of lithium chloride in potassium chloride and lithium chloride mixed-salts. The optimized heterojunction achieves an apparent quantum efficiency of 48.34% for photocatalytic hydrogen production at 420 nm, which is at a good level in polymeric carbon nitride photocatalysts. The proposed ion-thermal assisted heterojunction construction strategy contributes to the development of polymeric carbon nitride photocatalysts with high crystallization and high charge separation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline earth (AE) metal complexes have garnered significant interest in various functional fields due to their nontoxicity, low density, and low cost. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation into the structural characteristics and physical properties of AE‐metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). In this research, we synthesized isostructural MOFs consisting of AE4(μ4‐Cl) clusters bridged by benzo‐(1,2;3,4;5,6)‐tris(thiophene‐2′‐carboxylic acid) (BTTC3−) ligands. The resulting structure forms a truncated octahedral cage denoted as [AE4(m4‐Cl)]6(BTTC)8, which further linked to a porous three‐dimensional framework. Among the investigated AE ions (Ca, Sr, and Ba), the Ca4‐MOF demonstrated good chemical stability in water compared to Sr4‐MOF and Ba4‐MOF. The N2 adsorption and solid‐state UV‐vis‐NIR absorption behaviors were evaluated for all AE4‐MOFs, showing similar trends among the different metal ions. Additionally, the proton conduction study revealed that the Ca4‐MOF exhibited ultra‐high proton conductivity, reaching 3.52×10−2 S cm−1 at 343 K and 98 % RH. Notably, the introduction of LiCl via guest exchange resulted in an improved proton conduction of up to 6.36×10−2 S cm−1 under similar conditions in the modified LiCl@Ca4‐MOF. The findings shed light on the regulation of physical properties and proton conductivity of AE‐MOFs, providing valuable insights for their potential applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrosis serves as an arrhythmogenic substrate in atrial fibrillation (AF) and contributes to AF persistence. Treating atrial fibrosis is challenging because atrial fibroblast activity is multifactorial. We hypothesized that the primary cilium regulates the profibrotic response of AF atrial fibroblasts, and explored therapeutic potentials of targeting primary cilia to treat fibrosis in AF. We included 25 patients without AF (non-AF) and 26 persistent AF patients (AF). Immunohistochemistry using a subset of the patients (non-AF: n = 10, AF: n = 10) showed less ciliated fibroblasts in AF versus non-AF. Acetylated α-tubulin protein levels were decreased in AF, while the gene expressions of AURKA and NEDD9 were highly increased in AF patients' left atrium. Loss of primary cilia in human atrial fibroblasts through IFT88 knockdown enhanced expression of ECM genes, including FN1 and COL1A1. Remarkably, restoration or elongation of primary cilia by an AURKA selective inhibitor or lithium chloride, respectively, prevented the increased expression of ECM genes induced by different profibrotic cytokines in atrial fibroblasts of AF patients. Our data reveal a novel mechanism underlying fibrotic substrate formation via primary cilia loss in AF atrial fibroblasts and suggest a therapeutic potential for abrogating atrial fibrosis by restoring primary cilia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the regulatory role of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in the anxiety and depressive-like behavior induced by acute sleep deprivation in mice. Methods Forty eight C57BL/6J mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups: control group (CON), inhibitor group (LiCl), sleep deprivation group (SD), and inhibitor + sleep deprivation group (SD + LiCl), with 12 mice in each group. The model of acute sleep deprivation in mice was established by modified multiple platform method (modified multiple platform method, MMPM), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Open Field Test (OFT), Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) were used to evaluate the behavior of mice. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hippocampal neurons. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 in hippocampal tissues. Results Compared with the CON group, the body weight, hippocampal weight, and hippocampal organ coefficient of the SD group mice were significantly reduced (F = 0.452, P = 0.006; F = 6.553, P = 0.009; F = 1.428, P = 0.001). In OFT, Compared with the CON group, the LiCl group had no significant difference in the number of visits to the center (F = 5. 084, P = 0.744), and the SD group significantly decreased (F = 0.028, P = 0.017). In EPM, the time of entering the open arm in the LiCl group was not significantly shorter than that in the CON group (F = 0.09, P = 0.113), but the SD group was significantly shorter (F = 0.085, P = 0.011). In FST, there was no significant difference in the immobility time between the LiCl group and the CON group (F = 3.422, P = 0.260). In TST, Compared with the CON group, the immobility time of the suspension tail increased in the SD group (F = 11.218, P = 0.005). HE staining results showed, Compared with CON group, pathological changes were found in hippocampus of SD group and SD + LiCl group. RT-PCR showed thatCompared with CON group, the mRNA expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 in LiCl group were not significantly different F = 4. 629, P = 0.147, F = 15. 555, P = 0.107). However, the SD group were significantly increased (F = 6.969, P <0.001, F = 15. 833, P = 0.017). Conclusion NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway may play a regulatory role in the development of SD-induced anxiety-depression-like behavior in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An l-glutamic acid lithium chloride (LGLC) semi-organic nonlinear optical crystal has been grown using a slow evaporation process. Single-crystal XRD investigations confirmed the orthorhombic crystal system of the LGLC crystal. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to find and confirm the presence of important functional groups in the synthesized crystal. A UV–Vis–NIR transmission spectrum in the 200–1100 nm band was used to characterize the crystal. Compared to the standard reference crystal KDP, the LGLC crystal's SHG efficiency was 1.21 times greater. According to the TG–DTA results, the thermal stability of LGLC is 215 °C. A photoluminescence spectroscopy analysis documented the electron excitation in the grown crystal. The grown crystal surface characteristics were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) = 2.154 × 10–8 of LGLC grown crystal was utilized to estimate the values for third-order NLO characteristics and its suitability in NLO applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional lithium hydroxide production techniques, like lithium sulfate and lithium carbonate causticizing methods, suffer from drawbacks including high specific energy consumption, time-consuming processes, and low recovery rates. The conversion of lithium chloride to lithium hydroxide using bipolar membrane electrodialysis is straightforward; however, the influence of operational parameters on bipolar membrane electrodialysis performance have not been investigated. Herein, the impact of the current density (20 mA/cm2~80 mA/cm2), feed concentration (0.5 M~2.5 M), initial feed pH (2.5, 3.5 and 4.5), and the volume ratio of the feed and base solution (1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) on the current efficiency and specific energy consumption in the bipolar membrane electrodialysis was systematically investigated. The bipolar membrane electrodialysis process showed promising results under optimal conditions with a current density of 50 mA/cm2 and an initial lithium chloride concentration of 1.5 M. This process achieved a current efficiency of 75.86% with a specific energy consumption of 3.65 kwh/kg lithium hydroxide while also demonstrating a lithium hydroxide recovery rate exceeding 90% with a purity of about 95%. This work will provide valuable guidance for hands on implementation of bipolar membrane electrodialysis technology in the production of LiOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further develop the commercial use of Melaleuca bracteata (F. Muell), this report studied the extraction of essential oil from Melaleuca bracteata (F. Muell) leaves using ultrasonic pretreatment, cellulase-inorganic salt soaked and combined with microwave-assisted hydrodistillation. To optimize the primary contributing parameters, the Box–Behnken design (BBD) was applied. The optimum yield of essential oil was 9.61 mL/kg DW at a microwave power of 510.77 W, lithium chloride dose of 63.56 μmol, and microwave irradiation period of 46.97 min. The essential oil included a total of 41 compounds, and methyl eugenol (76.53%) and methyl cinnamate (12.62%) were the main compounds. The inhibitory impact was notable when the essential oil concentration was 1.6 mg/mL. Therefore, it has the potential to replace chemical pesticides. When the concentration of the essential oil solution was 1.6 mg/mL, the three pathogenic species of fungus (Pseudocercospora psidii, Colletotrichum eriobotryae, and Colletotrichum siamense) were greatly affected; at this dose, the fungus was unable to develop and its growth diameter was 0 mm. Additionally, the fungus's inhibition rate reached 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) plays a crucial role in advancing state‐of‐the‐art lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for efficient energy storage. The primary source of lithium is lithium‐rich brines, which have complex compositions. Conventional extraction processes from brines involve cumbersome methods that often lead to emissions and/or large volumes of wastewater. To address these environmental challenges, a novel and eco‐friendly lithium extraction process under ambient pressure is necessary. In this project, we developed an electrolytic process utilizing a NASICON‐type solid‐state electrolyte (LATP) to extract lithium chloride from low‐purity sources at a temperature of 380 °C. To reduce the melting points of the lithium sources, ZnCl2 was introduced as a fluxing agent. The electrolytic process effectively separated Li+ from other coexisting ions, but resulted in their mixture with Zn2+. Subsequently, purification and carbonation processes were employed to produce high‐purity Li2CO3 (98.9 %). We also obtained high‐purity Zn(OH)2 (>99.9 %) as a value by‐product. Despite the formation of color centers that caused the LATP disk to change from white to black during the electrolytic process, it exhibited sufficient ionic conductivity for successful lithium extraction. Our environmentally friendly approach offers a promising pathway for efficient and sustainable lithium extraction, contributing to the advancement of LIB technology for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous wound healing is a challenge in plastic and reconstructive surgery. In theory, cells undergoing mesenchymal transition will achieve re‐epithelialization through mesenchymal‐epithelial transition at the end of wound healing. But in fact, some pathological stimuli will inhibit this biological process and result in scar formation. If mesenchymal‐epithelial transition can be activated at the corresponding stage, the ideal wound healing may be accomplished. Two in vivo skin defect mouse models and dermal‐derived mesenchymal cells were used to evaluate the effect of lithium chloride in wound healing. The mesenchymal‐epithelial transition was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. In vivo, differentially expressed genes were analysed by transcriptome analyses and the subsequent testing was carried out. We found that lithium chloride could promote murine cutaneous wound healing and facilitate mesenchymal‐epithelial transition in vivo and in vitro. In lithium chloride group, scar area was smaller and the collagen fibres are also orderly arranged. The genes related to mesenchyme were downregulated and epithelial mark genes were activated after intervention. Moreover, transcriptome analyses suggested that this effect might be related to the inhibition of CXCL9 and IGF2, subsequent assays demonstrated it. Lithium chloride can promote mesenchymal‐epithelial transition via downregulating CXCL9 and IGF2 in murine cutaneous wound healing, the expression of IGF2 is regulated by β‐catenin. It may be a potential promising therapeutic drug for alleviating postoperative scar and promoting re‐epithelialization in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The corrosion behavior of 1018 carbon steel in LiCl/H2O mixtures has been evaluated by using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical noise and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Two different concentrations of LiCl were employed, namely 35 and 40 wt. %, and the testing temperatures included 25, 35 and 70 °C. It was found that the steel showed a passive zone; the corrosion current density value increased with an increase in the solution temperature and concentration. The pitting potential value decreased with an increase in the testing temperature and the solution concentration. The corrosion process was under charge transfer control. This mechanism was unaltered either by the solution temperature or concentration. The charge transfer resistance value decreased with an increase in both the solution temperature and concentration. A localized, pitting type of corrosion dominated the corrosion morphology at 25 and 35 °C, whereas at 70 °C, the main type of attack was a mixed type of corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a "solo-solvent de novo liquid-phase" method of synthesizing a highly-favored sulfide electrolyte (Li6PS5Cl) for developing all-solid-state lithium batteries. The key chemistry for such a successful method is that tetrahydropyrrole enables in situ synthesis of the critical precursor Li2S from cheap and air-stable precursors of lithium chloride and sodium sulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, chitin was chemically extracted from shrimp shell, and then used for the development of a chitin hydrogel-based moisture supporter for hydroponic systems. Here, the chitin hydrogel was prepared at different concentrations of lithium chloride (LiCl), varying from 5 to 9%, in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature. The results revealed that, while most characteristic functional groups of the chitin segment remained intact in all chitin hydrogels, higher levels of LiCl in DMAc led to a reduction in both crystalline index and equilibrium water content in the resulting chitin hydrogel. In a seed germination experiment, it was observed that the chitin hydrogel containing 5% LiCl concentration exhibited superior results in terms of root, stem, and leaf length, compared to other concentrations. Therefore, the chitin hydrogel was an effective moisture-supporter for seed germination and early plant development, compared conventional soil used as control. Moreover, SEM images illustrated that the chitin hydrogel possessed a pliable structure, indicating improved degradation when subjected to composting over a 15-day period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The local structure and molecular interactions of Li+ salt in aqueous solutions is important in many fields. However, whether solvent shared ion pairs and the direct contact ion pairs exist in aqueous LiCl solutions or not, and the details about these ion pairs are still under debate. Here, we proposed a novel IR ratio method. Using this method, the hydration spectra of Cl− in LiCl, NaCl, and KCl aqueous solutions were measured from the diluted concentration to the highly concentrated solution. Hydration number of Cl− from the hydration spectra was determined to be ~ 2 in the aqueous LiCl. These data demonstrated that about 3–4 Li+ replaced some water molecules in the first hydration shell of Cl−. As the concentration of LiCl increased, an abnormal increase in the hydration number was observed. This is because the water molecule that bridges Li+ and Cl− in the solvent-shared ion pair are particularly stable, which was directly proven by the red shift of the hydration spectra of Cl− in the O–H stretching region. All the hydration spectra and hydration numbers not only applied to uncover the solvent shared ion pairs and direct contacted ion pairs in LiCl aqueous solution, but also can be employed to the benchmark of force fields in the classical molecular dynamics simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ivermectin has broad‐spectrum antiviral activities. Despite the failure in clinical application of COVID‐19, it can serve as a lead compound for the development of more effective broad‐spectrum antivirals, for which a better understanding of its antiviral mechanisms is essential. We thus searched for potential novel targets of ivermectin in host cells by label‐free thermal proteomic profiling using Huh‐7 cells. Inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) was found among the proteins with shifted thermal stability by ivermectin. Ivermectin could inhibit IMPase activity and reduce cellular myo‐inositol and phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate levels. On the other hand, inositol could impair the antiviral activity of ivermectin and lithium, an IMPase inhibitor with known antiviral activity. As phosphatidylinositol phosphate is crucial for the replication of many RNA viruses, inhibition of cellular myo‐inositol biosynthesis may be an important antiviral mechanism of ivermectin. Hence, inhibition of IMPase could serve as a potential target for broad‐spectrum antiviral development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present a novel solid biopolymer-based membrane (BPM) with sodium alginate (SA) as host material incorporated with an ionic salt, lithium chloride (LiCl). Solid BPMs are prepared using the solution casting technique and used as an electrolyte in the fabrication of solid-state Li-ion conducting battery and coin cell. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) method has been carried out to analyze the crystalline/amorphous nature of the membrane. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study is done to confirm the complex formation between the host biopolymer and salt. The ionic conductivity of all prepared BPMs is measured using AC impedance analysis, and the membrane with the composition of 15 mol% of SA:85 mol% of LiCl exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 3.06 × 10−2 S/cm. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the prepared BPMs is examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the membrane of 15 mol% of SA:85 mol% of LiCl exhibits a decreased Tg value of 54.33 °C. The thermal stability of the prepared membranes is studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Transference number measurement (TNM) is made to assure that the major charge carriers involved in transportation are ions. Using the highest ion conducting membrane as an electrolyte, a primary Li-ion conducting battery has been fabricated which results in an OCV of 1.91 V, and various loads are connected to observe the corresponding current drawn from the cell. A coin cell is constructed with the configuration of graphite (G) + tannic acid || 15 mol% of SA:85 mol% of LiCl || LiFePO4 + G + pinch of highest ion conducting membrane, and the galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) analysis is carried out to analyze the rechargeable nature of the prepared membrane and the performance of the coin cell, whereas the cell has undergone charge/discharge process for 200 cycles and resulted with an energy density of 13.94 Wh/Kg, power density of 1111.11 W/Kg, and specific capacitance of 100.40 F/g, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous evidence shows that lithium chloride (LiCl), a suppressor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), may enhance bone formation in several medical and dental conditions. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of LiCl on extraction socket repair in rats. Methods: Thirty rats were randomly assigned into a control group (administration of water; n = 15) or a LiCl group (administration of 150 mg/kg of LiCl; n = 15). LiCl and water were given every other day, starting at 7 days before the extraction of upper first molars until the end of each experiment period. Histological sections from five rats per group were obtained at 10, 20, and 30 days post-extractions. Histometrical analysis of newly formed bone (NB) and the levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-stained cells were evaluated at 10, 20, and 30 days post-extractions. Immunohistochemical staining for receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN) was assessed at 10 days post-extractions. Results: The LiCl group had a greater proportion of NB than the control group at 20 days (P < 0.05). At 30 days, the rate of TRAP-stained cells was lower in the LiCl group than in the control group (P < 0.05). At 10 days, the LiCl group presented stronger staining for OPG, BSP, OPN, and OCN, when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Systemic LiCl enhanced extraction socket repair, stimulated an overall increase in bone formation markers, and restricted the levels of TRAP in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intricate architecture of the intestinal epithelium, crucial for nutrient absorption, is constantly threatened by environmental factors. The epithelium undergoes rapid turnover, which is essential for maintaining homeostasis, under the control of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). The central regulator, Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a key role in intestinal integrity and turnover. Despite its significance, the impact of environmental factors on this pathway has been largely overlooked. This study, for the first time, investigates the influence of Cd on the intestinal Wnt signaling pathway using a mouse model. In this study, male BALB/c mice were administered an environmentally relevant Cd dose (0.98 mg/kg) through oral gavage to investigate the intestinal disruption and Wnt signaling pathway. Various studies, including histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, western blotting, ELISA, intestinal permeability assay, and flow cytometry, were conducted to study Cd-induced changes in the intestine. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway experienced significant downregulation as a result of sub-chronic Cd exposure, which caused extensive damage throughout the small intestine. Increased intestinal permeability and a skewed immune response were also observed. To confirm that Wnt signaling downregulation is the key driver of Cd-induced gastrointestinal toxicity, mice were co-exposed to LiCl (a recognized Wnt activator) and Cd. The results clearly showed that the harmful effects of Cd could be reversed, which is strong evidence that Cd mostly damages the intestine through the Wnt/β-catenin signalling axis. In conclusion, this research advances the current understanding of the role of Wnt/β catenin signaling in gastrointestinal toxicity caused by diverse environmental pollutants.

The effect of addition of lithium chloride on the lateral diffusivity and internal motion of lipid in unilamellar dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles was investigated using elastic incoherent neutron scattering, quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry. A shift of the main phase transition to a higher temperature indicated a broader temperature range of the thermodynamic stability of the ordered phase resulting from the salt addition. A universal stiffening effect exerted by lithium chloride on the lipid membrane manifested itself in (1) lower mean-square displacement and (2) decreasing diffusivities, both lateral and localized, in both the ordered gel and the disordered fluid phase state. A strong reduction in the lateral lipid diffusivity was likely primarily due to the strong interaction of Li+ ions with the head group of the zwitterionic DMPC lipid and was consistent with the previous reports of the effect of a salt addition on the self-diffusivity of zwitterionic lipids in a membrane. Besides the whole lipid long-range diffusivity, quasielastic neutron scattering allowed measurements of the local internal motion of the lipid. Despite the weak interaction between the ions and the uncharged lipid tails, in both the ordered and the disordered phase states, the local diffusivity of the lipid tails decreased by a factor of 2.2 in the presence of the salt, which closely correlates with the decrease in the diffusivity (that is, an increase in viscosity) of water in the LiCl salt solution by a factor of 2.4. Regardless of the phase state of the membrane, the decrease in the local diffusivity of the lipid seems to mimic the decrease in the diffusivity (which is inverse of the increase of viscosity) of the solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects the brain structure and function, leading to cognitive impairments. Previous studies have reported putative neuroprotective effects of lithium in certain neurodegenerative disorders. However, the beneficial effects of lithium on improving cognitive impairments and alleviating affective disorders induced by T2DM remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of lithium chloride treatment on cognitive and affective functions in diabetic mice. We found that the diabetic mice exhibited hyperglycemia and cognitive deficits in the novel object recognition test (NORT) and novel object location recognition test (NOLT), increasing anxiety-like behavior and depressive-like behavior. The treatment with lithium chloride normalized the blood glucose level, improved cognitive function in NOLT and alleviated anxiety-like behavior in diabetic mice. Our findings provide added information regarding the therapeutic benefits of lithium against diabetes-associated cognitive and affective impairments.

The escalating demand for lithium has intensified the need to process critical lithium ores into battery-grade materials efficiently. This review paper overviews the transformation processes and cost of converting critical lithium ores, primarily spodumene and brine, into high-purity battery-grade precursors. We systematically examine the study findings on various approaches for lithium recovery from spodumene and brine. Dense media separation (DMS) and froth flotation are the most often used processes for spodumene beneficiation. Magnetic separation (MS) and ore gravity concentration techniques in spodumene processing have also been considered. To produce battery-grade lithium salts, the beneficiated-concentrated spodumene must be treated further, with or without heat, in the presence of acidic or alkaline media. As a result, various pyro and hydrometallurgical techniques have been explored. Moreover, the process of extracting lithium from brine through precipitation, liquid–liquid extraction, and polymer inclusion membrane separation employing different organic, inorganic, and composite polymer sorbents has also been reviewed.