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ABSTRACT: The limited supply of fossil fuels towards carbon neutrality has prompted massive efforts to replace fossil fuel vehicles with electric vehicles. This research investigates the recovery of lithium in leaching solutions through solvent extraction experiments using several experimental parameters such as ratio, extraction time, solvent concentration, type of diluent and stirring speed. Lithium leaching in Sidoarjo mud has been carried out using a hydrometallurgical process followed by solvent extraction. The solvent used is Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) with Kerosene and vegetable oil as diluents. The Taghuchi L8 orthogonal arrangement was carried out to identify process parameters that influence the concentration of lithium extract. The influence of parameters was examined by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) through contribution percentages. Investigation of optimized lithium extraction is a ratio of 1:1, extraction time of 30 min, solvent concentration of 1 M, type of vegetable oil diluent and stirring speed of 300 rpm. Thus, the results show that ratio is the most influential factor with a Lithium contribution percentage of 67.22 %.

Background: Bipolar Disorder (BD) is associated with alterations of circadian rhythms of activity (CRA). Experimental research suggests that lithium (Li) modifies CRA, but this has been rarely explored in BD using actigraphy. Methods: The sample comprised 88 euthymic BD-I cases with 3 weeks of actigraphy. We used a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to generate CRA dimensions. We then used linear regression analyses to compare these dimensions between groups of individuals defined according to prescribed mood stabilizers: Li monotherapy (“Li” group, n = 28), anticonvulsant or atypical antipsychotic monotherapy (“AC or AAP” group, n = 27) or combined treatments (“Li+AC or Li+AAP” group, n = 33). Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders (gender, age, body mass index, depressive symptoms, co-prescribed benzodiazepines and antidepressants, smoking status and past alcohol use disorder). Results: The PCA identified two dimensions: “robust CRA” (high amplitude and interdaily stability, with low intradaily variability) and “late chronotype”. Univariate analyses showed higher scores for “robust CRA” in the “Li” versus the “AC or AAP” (p = 0.021) or “Li+AC or Li+AAP” groups (p = 0.047). These findings remained significant after adjustments (respectively p = 0.010 and p = 0.019). Post-hoc analyses suggested lower variability, higher stability and higher amplitude of CRA in the “Li” group. Medication groups were similar for the “late chronotype” dimension (p = 0.92). Conclusions: This actigraphy study is the first to show more favorable CRA in BD-I individuals receiving a Li monotherapy when compared with those receiving other classes or combinations of mood stabilizers. Replications in larger samples are required. Prospective studies are also warranted to elucidate whether the introduction of Li or other mood stabilizers might influence CRA in BD-I.

Abstract: The strong increase in global demand for lithium, driven by the ion battery market and the use of this non-metallic mineral in various economic sectors such as mining (as a non-metallic and non-renewable mineral), health, technology, and geopolitical issues, has fueled the development of disruptive innovation, with new products linked to knowledge creation. These developments have included, among other things, the use of new processing techniques, the creation of new high-capacity cathode materials, the investigation of new sources of lithium, and increased recycling of lithium-ion batteries. This article's primary goal is to assess how this knowledge gap is related with innovation issues using the analysis of the scholar as a case study. Additionally, the examination of public policy related to the lithium business will be continued and updated in this publication. This study uses computerized bibliometric analysis based on the R program and Biblioshiny, a web interface for Bibliometrix analysis. One of the earliest studies to examine the discrepancy between lithium production and consumption based on innovation is this one. The research's contribution is to highlight the disparities and gaps in knowledge generation between producer and consumer countries, which creates a great opportunity to develop better public policies that use existing knowledge and promote collaborations between mining and technology companies for the development of a more sustainable, efficient, effective and competitive industry with future societies.

Global efforts to tackle climate change and the rise in popularity of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices have engendered a demand explosion for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Effectuated by the green and digital revolution, this exponential rise in the demand for LIBs raises a host of logistical and environmental concerns centered around raw materials, such as metals lithium and cobalt, indispensable to its production. Exclusive reliance on mining to provide raw materials for LIB production introduces a supply risk and exacerbates the negative implications of mining operations. The long-term solution to avoid bottlenecks in LIB production is the creation of a circular economy by consolidating the LIB value chain with recycling, regeneration and upcycling operations. This paper presents a perspective on circular economies and explores the need to incorporate its principles for a sustainable lithium-powered future. The challenges impeding the development of a fully realized circular economy for LIBs and the ongoing research endeavors to overcome these challenges are also addressed.

This study investigates the effects of inositol (INO) supplementation on cardiac changes caused by Li in mice. The study involved 4 groups of C57BL6 mice (n=10 each): (i) mice orally administered with Li2CO3 for 8 weeks, then 4 additional weeks without (Li_group) or (ii) with INO supplementation (Li_INOdelayed_group) (total of 12 weeks); (iii) mice given Li2CO3 and INO supplementation concurrently for 12 weeks (Li+INO_group); (iv) one group left untreated (C–group). The INO was administered as a mixture of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol (80:1) in drinking water. The mice were characterised for heart morphology, function, electrical activity, arrhythmogenic susceptibility, and multiorgan histopathology (heart, liver and kidney). Cardiomyocyte size, protein expression of key signalling pathways related to hypertrophy, and transcription levels of ion channel subunits and hypertrophy markers were evaluated in the ventricle tissue. The study found that INO supplementation reduced the Li-induced cardiac adverse effects, including systolic impairment and increased susceptibility to arrhythmias. The positive effect on arrhythmias might be attributed to the restored expression levels of the potassium channel subunit Kv 1.5. Additionally, INO improved cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, possibly by inhibiting the Li-induced activation of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway and by restoring the normal expression level of BNP, and alleviated injury in the liver and kidney. The effect was preventive if INO supplementation was taken concurrently with Li and therapeutic if INO was administered after Li-induced cardiac impairments were established. These results provide new insights into the cardioprotective effect of INO and suggest a potential treatment approach for Li-induced cardiac disease.

In the southern part of the Siberian platform, a new genetic type of lithium mineralization was discovered in the Lower Cambrian halogen-carbonate formation of the Angara-Lena marginal trough, which arose as a result of the introduction of a fluid-saturated solution into the sedimentary cover of the platform. Focal hydrothermal development of halogen-carbonate deposits along deep faults led to the formation of lithium-bearing mineralization. A gradual reduction in tectonic activity within the Angara-Lena marginal trough was accompanied by the subsidence of hydrothermal-sedimentary deposits. In this case, the precipitated substance was dispersed and later transformed into layers. It has been established that the main lithium minerals are hectorite and lithiophorite. The results of a study of lithological and geochemical associations of rare earth elements in sections of Early Cambrian deposits of the studied lithium mineralization are presented.

The development of renewable and low-carbon energy sources means that strategic elements such as lithium (Li) are increasingly being used. The data available on the effects of Li on aquatic organisms are relatively scarce. The copepod Eurytemora affinis, widely distributed in the brackish estuarine waters of the northern hemisphere, is a species of choice in ecotoxicology but in fact constitutes a cryptic species complex, composed of at least six cryptic species. Cryptic diversity can lead to misinterpretation and alter the reproducibility of routine ecotoxicological tests. In the present study, two cryptic species of the E. affinis complex from the Seine (European clade) and the St. Lawrence (North-Atlantic clade) estuaries were used to assess Li toxicity and to compare their differential sensitivity. Larvae were exposed to different concentrations of Li (0.4, 4.39, 35.36 and 80.83 mg L−1) under semi-static conditions for 96 h. Larval development stages were determined and log-logistic functions were fitted to evaluate mortality (LC50) and growth (EC50) parameters. After 96 h of exposure, the results showed that the European and North-Atlantic clades had LC50 values of 55.33 and 67.81 mg L−1 and EC50 values of 28.94 and 41.45 mg L−1, respectively. A moderate difference in sensitivity to Li between the European and North-Atlantic clades of the E. affinis complex was observed. Thus, the cryptic species diversity should be considered using E. affinis to avoid bias in the interpretation of the data. Despite environmental concentrations of Li are expected to increase over the next years, EC50 and LC50 found for E. affinis cryptic species are largely higher than Li environmental concentrations to provoke extreme effects.

Lithium (Li)recovery is significant due to an increasing need for Li in diverse applications, particularly in the energy storage domain. In this study, a synthesized adsorbent was developed and utilized to efficiently recover Li. Therefore, this research aims to assess the effectiveness of using the synthesized adsorbent LiHMO to recover Li from the aqueous solution. The surface area and characteristics of the synthesized adsorbent were subjected to analysis utilizing different methods and techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The findings indicated that the synthesized adsorbent demonstrated exceptional adsorption capabilities for Li recovery. Characterization analysis revealed a well-defined porous structure and functional groups on the adsorbent's surface, facilitating adsorption. The surface area of the adsorbent was determined to be 25.54 m²/g, providing a substantial active surface for adsorption processes. The Box-Behnken response surface method (RSM) was utilized to optimize the recovery process for key factors such as pH, adsorbent dose, time, and concentration. The critical operating parameters identified included a pH of 4, initial concentration of 900 mg/L, contact time of 460 min, and adsorbent dosage of 1300 mg/L. The obtained data were analyzed using a quadratic model, yielding an R² value of 0.9538, indicating that the adsorbent is effective in Li adsorption. The optimal conditions for maximizing Li recovery were found to be 95 % and 89 % for maximum and minimum recovery, respectively. The amount of adsorbate adsorbed (qe) was determined to be 6.2 mg g-1. Various kinetic models and isotherms were utilized to conform to these parameters. The Freundlich isotherm and the intraparticle diffusion model showed strong fits, as evidenced by their R² results of 0.9876 and 0.9862, respectively. The kinetic study suggested that the intraparticle-diffusion model best explained the adsorption process, indicating chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. The equilibrium data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm, suggesting multilayer adsorption with heterogeneous surface energies. Furthermore, the study assessed the adsorbent's regeneration potential, finding that the first cycle of regeneration achieved 91.9 % efficiency, while the fifth cycle maintained a high efficiency of 89.7 %, indicating good reusability of the adsorbent. The study's findings showcase the efficiency of the synthesized adsorbent LiHMO in Li recovery from aqueous solutions, offering valuable information about the best conditions for the adsorption process. As a result of its superior sorption capacity and high recovery of adsorbed Li, the LiHMO adsorbent was selected as the optimal choice for Li recovery from aqueous solutions.

Recent calculations of the lithium vapor box divertor using SOLPS have demonstrated that far Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) baffling and the corresponding far SOL lithium evaporation are unnecessary for divertor performance. The plasma, acting as a virtual baffle, is sufficient to block the neutral lithium from escaping the divertor region in a configuration known as the lithium vapor “cave.” Here, extensions of this PFC design simplification are presented which show that significantly less obtrusive PFCs can provide similar divertor performance. Differences in upstream concentration are predicted depending on the depth and size of the lithium emitting aperture, the shape of the private flux region (PFR) structure, and the location within the PFR of the deuterium puff. SOLPS predictions for (nLi/ne)LCFS vary between 0.020 and 0.049. For the first time, the effect of E×B drifts on predictions for a lithium vapor box divertor is also examined, with the resulting solutions having lower inner divertor heat flux but higher outer divertor heat flux for a given lithium evaporation rate. The differences between the PFC designs are minimized with drifts enabled, indicating design flexibility. The increased PFC design flexibility reported here, along with improved SOLPS modeling with drifts, are important steps towards a final design.

Lithium is a key medication for the treatment of psychiatric disorders and is also used in various industrial applications (including battery production and recycling). Here, we review published data on the endocrine-disrupting potential of lithium, with a particular focus on the thyroid hormone system. To this end, we used PubMed and Scopus databases to search for, select and review primary research addressing human and animal health endpoints during or after lithium exposure at non-teratogenic doses. Given the key role of thyroid hormones in neurodevelopmental processes, we focused at studies of the neural effects of developmental exposure to lithium in humans and animals. Our results show that lithium meets the World Health Organization’s definition of a thyroid hormone system disruptor – particularly when used at therapeutic doses. When combined with knowledge of adverse outcome pathways linking molecular initiating events targeting thyroid function and neurodevelopmental outcomes, the neurodevelopmental data reported in animal experiments prompt us to suggest that lithium influences neurodevelopment. However, we cannot rule out the involvement of additional modes of action (i.e. unrelated to the thyroid hormone system) in the described neural effects.Given the increasing use of lithium salts in new technologies, attention must be paid to this emerging pollutant – particularly with regard to its potential effects at environmental doses on the thyroid hormone system and potential consequences on the developing nervous system.

Background: Studies attempting to distinguish suicide attempters from ideators have found that impulsivity is consistently associated with attempts across the spectrum of suicidal behavior from self-harm to lethal suicidal behavior. Impulsivity is readily assessed using complementary clinical and laboratory measures, making it a viable target for pharmacological strategies to prevent suicide risk. Lithium reduces suicidal behavior across diagnoses, and has been implicated in the reduction of impulsivity triggered by stress mediated phosphatidylinositol turnover. We used a placebo controlled cross-over design to study the effects of repeated lithium dosing on risk factors predisposing to suicidal behavior. Methods: 15 patients with a recent (past year) medically severe suicide attempt (MSSA) (37.5% male, 40.13 ± 13.66 years) received lithium carbonate and matching pill placebo separately in a randomized double-blind crossover design administered six weeks apart. To test the effect of lithium on measures of impulsivity and arousal, participants completed the Immediate Memory Task (IMT), Internal State Scale (ISS), and the Time Perception Task (TPT). We conducted separate analyses for each variable using repeated measures analysis of covariance. Results: Lithium dosing was associated with increased IMT response latency (p = .017, pη2 = 0.23), and decision bias (p = .048, pη2 = 0.21). Lithium did not significantly alter time perception or activation. Conclusions: Our results suggest that lithium may reduce risk in MSSA survivors by increasing the response latency and increasing conservative response bias during decision-making. Future studies should conduct long-term follow-ups with adjunct behavioral therapy with lithium on factors contributing to suicidal behavior.

Lithium, a vital element in lithium-ion batteries, is pivotal in the global shift towards cleaner energy and electric mobility. The relentless demand for lithium-ion batteries necessitates an in-depth exploration of lithium extraction methods. This literature review delves into the historical evolution, contemporary practices, and emerging technologies of lithium extraction. It scrutinizes environmental and economic impacts, identifies research gaps, and underscores sustainable extraction’s imperative. It examines conventional methods like spodumene mining and brine extraction, highlighting their advantages and challenges. Emerging technologies, particularly Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and geothermal brine recovery, are evaluated for their potential to revolutionize the industry. Environmental considerations, including water usage, chemical disposal, and habitat disruption, are assessed alongside economic implications. The review also identifies critical research gaps, beckoning the scientific community to develop solutions that meet lithium’s surging demand while safeguarding the environment. In conclusion, this literature review emphasizes the need for sustainable lithium extraction to facilitate a future powered by cleaner energy sources and sustainable transportation.

In this study we investigated the potential synergistic effects of moderate interval training (MIT) and lithium on spatial learning and memory. Forty-two male Wistar males were classified into six groups including I: Control, II: 10 mg/kg/day IP lithium (Li10), III: MIT, IV: Li10 + MIT, V: 40 mg/kg/day IP lithium (Li40), and VI: Li40 + MIT. Then, the rats underwent Morris Water Maze (MWM) test to assess their spatial memory and learning ability. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) density was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of PGC1 and SIRT3 were assessed via qRT-PCR. The results show that MIT improves both memory and spatial learning; but lithium alone, does not cause this. Additionally, those exposed to a combination of exercise and lithium also had improved spatial learning and memory. Finally, we observed a positive role of BDNF protein, and PGC1 gene on the effects of exercise and lithium.

We present a case of lithium-induced chronic renal disease in a 69-year-old female with past medical history of hypertension, and bipolar disorder, treated with long-term lithium-causing chronic renal disease.

Osteonecrosis is a devastating orthopedic disease in clinic that generally occurs in the femoral head associating with corticosteroid use up to 49 % in patients. In particular, glucocorticoids induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head is closely related to the local immune response that characterized by abnormal macrophage activation and inflammatory cell infiltration at the necrotic site, forming a pro-inflammatory microenvironment dominated by M1 macrophages, and thus leads to failure of bone repair and regeneration. Here, we report a bone regeneration strategy that constructs an immune regulatory biomaterial platform using an injectable thiolated hyaluronic acid hydrogel with lithium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite (Li-nHA@Gel) delivery for osteonecrosis treatment. Li-nHA@Gel achieved a sustain and longterm release of Li ions, which might enhance M2 macrophage polarization through the activation of the JAK1/STAT6/STAT3 signaling pathway, and the following induced pro-repair immune microenvironment mediated the enhancement of the osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation. Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that Li-nHA@Gel enhanced M2 macrophage polarization, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis, and thus promoted the bone and blood vessel formation. Taken together, this novel bone immunomodulatory biomaterial platform that promotes bone regeneration by enhancing M2 macrophage polarization, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis could be a promising strategy for osteonecrosis treatment.

Background: Lithium has a wide range of neuroprotective actions, has been effective in Parkinson’s disease (PD) animal models and may account for the decreased risk of PD in smokers. Methods: This open-label pilot clinical trial randomized 16 PD patients to “high-dose” (n = 5, lithium carbonate titrated to achieve serum level of 0.4–0.5 mmol/L), “medium-dose” (n = 6, 45 mg/day lithium aspartate) or “low-dose” (n = 5, 15 mg/day lithium aspartate) lithium therapy for 24-weeks. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) mRNA expression of nuclear receptor-related-1 (Nurr1) and superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) were assessed by qPCR in addition to other PD therapeutic targets. Two patients from each group received multi-shell diffusion MRI scans to assess for free water (FW) changes in the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus and nucleus basalis of Meynert, which reflect cognitive decline in PD, and the posterior substantia nigra, which reflects motor decline in PD. Results: Two of the six patients receiving medium-dose lithium therapy withdrew due to side effects. Medium-dose lithium therapy was associated with the greatest numerical increases in PBMC Nurr1 and SOD1 expression (679% and 127%, respectively). Also, medium-dose lithium therapy was the only dosage associated with mean numerical decreases in brain FW in all three regions of interest, which is the opposite of the known longitudinal FW changes in PD. Conclusion: Medium-dose lithium aspartate therapy was associated with engagement of blood-based therapeutic targets and improvements in MRI disease-progression biomarkers but was poorly tolerated in 33% of patients. Further PD clinical research is merited examining lithium’s tolerability, effects on biomarkers and potential disease-modifying effects.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) remains one of the most popular materials for various biomedical applications and its fields of application have been expanding. Lithium (Li+) is a promising candidate for modifying the biological behavior of HA. Li+ is present in trace amounts in the human body as an alkaline and bioelectric material. At the same time, the introduction of Li+ into the HA structure required charge balance compensation due to the difference in oxidation degree, and the scheme of this compensation is still an open question. In the present work, the results of the theoretical and experimental study of the Li+-doped HA synthesis are presented. According to X-ray diffraction data, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as the combination of electron paramagnetic resonance methods, the introduction of Li+ in the amount up to 0.05 mol% resulted in the preservation of the HA structure. Density functional theory calculations show that Li+ preferentially incorporates into the Ca (1) position with a small geometry perturbation. The less probable positioning in the Ca (2) position leads to a drastic perturbation of the anion channel.

Serious environmental concerns are associated with lithium and nanoplastics. Batteries of electronic devices use a considerable quantity of lithium, while nanoplastics (

In the search for cutting-edge energy storage technologies, alkali ion batteries (AIBs) development has accelerated significantly. Due to its outstanding qualities, indium sulfide (In2S3) has emerged as a potential contender among the many anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). This review paper thoroughly examines In2S3-based materials for AIBs, placing particular emphasis on their importance in the context of environmentally friendly energy storage technologies. We explore In2S3's distinctive characteristics, such as its high theoretical capacity, improved rate capability, cyclability, adjustable bandgap features, and environmental friendliness, which make it suited for AIBs. The development in material engineering, nanostructuring, composite materials, and novel electrode topologies is also highlighted as we discuss current developments in In2S3-based electrodes. In2S3-based materials provide a compelling path towards a cleaner and greener energy future, opening the way for scalable and sustainable energy storage systems thanks to their outstanding features and continuous advances. Further material engineering, improved knowledge of degradation mechanisms, exploring synergistic composite materials, and cutting-edge characterization techniques are all part of the future outlook for In2S3-based materials in AIBs. Due to their large theoretical capacity and advantageous electrochemical characteristics, materials based on In2S3 have demonstrated promise as anodes in AIBs. Researchers can maximize the performance of In2S3 in AIBs by concentrating on these factors, which will progress the development of effective and environmentally friendly energy storage technologies.

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of native and invasive plant species for the uptake and accumulation of lithium (Li) and strontium (Sr) along the Sava River, focusing on their bioindication and phytoremediation capabilities. Sampling was carried out in riparian zones exposed to different pollution sources in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia. Plant samples of native (Salix alba, Populus alba, Populus nigra, Ulmus glabra, Juglans regia) and invasive (Amorpha fruticosa, Reynoutria japonica, Solidago canadensis, Impatiens glandulifera) species were collected. The content of Li and Sr was analyzed in the soils, roots, and leaves of the selected plants, as well as physical and chemical soil properties. Both Li and Sr content in the soils increased from the source to the mouth of the Sava River. The native species showed significant potential for Li and Sr accumulation based on the metal accumulation index. The highest Sr accumulation was measured in the leaves of Salix alba and the roots of Juglans regia, while the highest Li accumulation was measured in Ulmus glabra. Native species, especially Salix alba, proved to be better bioindicators of Li and Sr. Invasive species, especially Amorpha fruticosa and Impatiens glandulifera, showed a remarkable ability to translocate Sr and Li, respectively, to leaves. These results provide valuable insight into the suitability of plants for biomonitoring soil contamination and potential applications in phytoremediation strategies. In summary, the study shows the importance of native species in the context of the accumulation and bioindication of soil pollution.

Lithium compounds, a classic class of metal complex medicine that target GSK 3β and are widely known as mood-stabilizer, have recently been reported as potential anti-tumor drugs. The objective of this investigation was to explore the anticancer potential of lithium chloride (LiCl) and elucidate its mode of action in pancreatic cancer cells. The MTT, colony formation, and Edu assay were used to evaluate the impact of LiCl on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Various methods were employed to investigate the anti-tumor activity of LiCl and its underlying mechanisms. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis detection assays were utilized for in vitro experiments, while the orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of LiCl treatment in vivo. Furthermore, the impact of LiCl on the proliferation of patient-derived organoids was also studied. The results demonstrated that LiCl inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells, induced G2/M phase arrest, and activated apoptosis. Notably, the triggering of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by LiCl was observed, leading to the activation of the PERK/CHOP/GADD34 pathway, which subsequently promoted apoptosis in PC cells. In the future, Lithium compounds could become an essential adjunct in the treatment of human pancreatic cancer.

Liquid lithium wettability has been investigated on novel zirconium-alloyed porous tungsten fabricated by the place-holder spark plasma sintering technique. This paper investigates the wetting properties of liquid lithium on the substrates by in vacuo contact angle measurements of lithium droplets at Penn State’s IGNIS-2 facility. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy analysis was performed on the samples to investigate the role of the surface chemistry in the contact angle behavior of lithium on the substrates. It was seen that hydrated and hydroxylated states of the surface play a key role in affecting the lithium affinity of the surface.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) are the most prevalent diseases globally. While several risk factors for MI are well assessed, the influence of trace elements on MI has not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to evaluate lithium (Li) and zinc (Zn) levels in MI patients and healthy control and assess their relationship with oxidative stress (OS) parameters, such as nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Methods: This case-control study was performed on 182 patients with MI and 83 healthy subjects at Shafa Hospital in Kerman, Iran. MI patients were divided into two groups based on the angiography results: those with coronary artery block above 50 % (CAB >50 %, n = 92) and those with coronary artery block below 50 % (CAB 50 % and CAB 50 % group. In the Zn levels evaluation, higher concentration was seen in the CAB >50 % group compared to the CAB 50 % (Li

The demand of lithium for electric vehicles and energy storage devices is increasing rapidly, thus new sources of lithium (such as seawater and natural or industrial brines), as well as sustainable methods for its recovery, will need to be explored/developed soon. This work presents a novel electromembrane process, called Lithium Membrane Flow Capacitive Deionization (Li-MFCDI), which was tested to recover lithium from a synthetic geothermal brine containing a much higher mass concentration of sodium than lithium (more than 650 times). Specifically, a ceramic lithium-selective membrane was integrated into a flow capacitive deionization (FCDI) cell, which was specifically designed, and 3D printed, to allow simultaneous charging and regeneration of the employed flow electrodes. Despite the extremely high Na+/Li+ mass ratio in the feed stream, 99.98% of the sodium was rejected and the process selectivity for lithium over other monovalent cations was 141 ± 5.85 for Li+/Na+ and 46 ± 1.46 for Li+/K+. The Li-MFCDI process exhibited a stable behaviour over a 7-day test period, and the estimated energy consumption was 16.70 ± 1.63 kWh/kg of Li+ recovered in the draw solution. These results demonstrate promising potential of the Li-MFCDI for the sustainable lithium recovery from saline streams.

The development of surface modification techniques has brought about a major paradigm shift in the clinical applications of bone tissue regeneration. Biofabrication strategies enable the creation of scaffolds with specific microstructural environments and biological components. Lithium (Li) has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, osteogenic, and chondrogenic properties by promoting several intracellular signaling pathways. Currently, research focuses on fabricating scaffolds with simultaneous dual bioactivities to enhance osteochondral regeneration. In this study, we modified the surface of calcium silicate (CS) scaffolds with Li using a simple immersion technique and evaluated their capabilities for bone regeneration. The results showed that Li ions could be easily coated onto the surfaces of CS scaffolds without affecting the microstructural properties of CS itself. Furthermore, the modifications did not affect the printing capabilities of the CS, and porous scaffolds could be fabricated via extrusion. Moreover, the presence of Li improved the surface roughness and hydrophilicity, thus leading to enhanced secretion of osteochondral-related regeneration factors, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and collagen II (Col II) proteins. Subsequent in vivo studies, including histological and micro-CT analyses, confirmed that the Li-modified CS scaffolds promoted osteochondral regeneration. The transcriptome analysis suggested that the enhanced osteochondrogenic capabilities of our scaffolds were influenced by paracrine exosomes. We hope this study will inspire further research on osteochondral regeneration.

The demand for lithium (Li) has greatly escalated during the past decade and is predicted to increase continuously with the market growth of the electrified transportation and renewable energy, given that Li-ion batteries are the major energy storage method for these sectors. In spite of the urgent need of satisfying the increasing demand of Li, sources of global Li production have been limited in continental brines and pegmatites. In the line with the effort to enhance and diversify the sources of Li supply, this study seeks to predict the production potential of Li from a new source—petroleum source rock brines—and evaluate the most influential factors affecting it. This subject matter is addressed by basin-scale numerical simulation combined with local sensitivity analysis. The numerical simulation with a conceptual model of petroleum source rock system addresses the accumulation of Li in various locations, by taking account for the release of Li from kerogen decomposition reaction in organic-rich source rock, and fate and transport of expelled Li as interacting with reservoir rock. In combination with the numerical simulations, the impacts of various parameters on the Li mass fraction in brines at various observation points are quantified, by conducting local sensitivity analysis. It elucidates the relative sensitivity of Li production potential to the parameters of Li stoichiometry in kerogen decomposition reaction, Na–Li equilibrium coefficient, Na–clay mass fraction in solid phase, Li–clay mass fraction in solid phase, and Na ion mass fraction in brines. Our results provide the conceptual information of most important parameters to be investigated to quantitatively predict the Li production potential from brines at various locations in the petroleum source rock systems that can be used to contribute to the enhancement and diversification of the Li supply.

Artificial graphite (AG), in contrast to natural graphite, has received much attention due to its superior rate capabilities and stability under high current density. Although the rate capabilities can be enhanced by employing artificial graphite, there is room for improvement in the cycle retention characteristics of artificial graphite. In particular, further optimization on the binder type on anodes is necessary, as commercially used polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) has limitations in long-term cycling stability. Furthermore, PVdF is dissolved in N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), which is not environmentally- and eco-friendly. In this work, we have introduced a water-soluble binder based on deacetylated kondagogu gum (KG) for AG anodes, which are derived from the gum tree. Upon deacetylation, kondagogu gum can be dissolved in water, which can be directly used together with active materials and conductive agents in a slurry. Replacing a PVdF binder with a KG binder results in an enhanced cycle retention and comparable rate capabilities, without the changes in the overall redox reactions with Li+. Postmortem analysis reveals that the improved electrochemical performance of the AG anode contributed to the excellent structural integrity of the KG binder compared with the PVdF binder.

Background and purpose: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the main treatment for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and are also used as immunosuppressive therapy for patients with organ transplantation. However, these treatments have several side effects, including metabolic disorders. Indeed, cortico-therapy may induce insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, disrupted insulin and glucagon secretion, excessive gluconeogenesis, leading to diabetes in susceptible individuals. Recently, lithium has been shown to alleviate deleterious effects of GCs in various diseased conditions. Experimental approach: In this study, using two rat models of GC-induced metabolic disorders, we investigated the effects of Lithium Chloride (LiCl) in the mitigation of deleterious effects of GCs. Rats were treated either with corticosterone or dexamethasone, and with or without LiCl. Animals were then assessed for glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, in vivo and ex vivo glucose-induced insulin secretion and hepatic gluconeogenesis. Key results: We showed that in rats chronically treated with corticosterone, lithium treatment markedly reduced insulin resistance. In addition, in rats treated with dexamethasone, lithium administration improved glucose tolerance, associated with enhanced insulin secretion in vivo. Moreover, liver gluconeogenesis was reduced upon LiCl treatment. The improvement of insulin secretion in vivo appeared to be due to an indirect regulation of β cell function, since the ex vivo assessment of insulin secretion and β cell mass in islets from animals treated with LiCl revealed no difference compared to untreated animals. Conclusion and Implications: Collectively, our data provide evidences for the beneficial effects of lithium to mitigate the adverse metabolic effects of chronic cortico-therapy.

Background: Cardiometabolic disease is becoming a main cause of death worldwide with over ten million fatalities annually. Lithium (Li) has been reported to be one of the major causes of cardiometabolic disorders due to its narrow therapeutic index. Sodium butyrate (NaB) which is a short chain fatty acid is implicated to possess an amazing therapeutic effect against cardiometabolic disorders. As a result, the current study aims to evaluate sodium butyrate impact on lithium-induced cardiometabolic disorders. Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats weighing between 230 and 250 g were used for the experiment. They were grouped into control and treated groups respectively as (CTR; normal chow), Lithium only (Li; 5 mg/kg, po), Sodium butyrate only (NaB) (200 mg/kg, po) and NaB +Lithium (Li; 5 mg/kg +NaB; 200 mg/kg, po) for six weeks, after a week of acclimation; n=5. The animals were anesthetized using sodium pentobarbital at a dose of 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and cardiac tissue homogenates were measured for plasma Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), plasma Insulin, Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase (PI3K), Nitric oxide (NO), Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), Malonyladehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and Adenosine deaminase /Xanthine oxidase /uric acid (ADA/XO/UA) using respective ELISA kits. Results: The results showed that lithium significantly increased fasting blood sugar (FBS), plasma insulin, GPx, CAT, SOD, and MDA while causing a statistical reduction in plasma and cardiac concentration of NADPH, G6PDH, PI3K, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and Nitric Oxide (NO) in comparison with the control. However, butyrate attenuated plasma GPx, CAT, SOD, MDA, FBS, plasma insulin and significantly elevated plasma and cardiac PI3K, eNOS, NO, plasma NADPH and G6PDH levels in relation to control. Also no change was observed in the plasma and cardiac ADA/XO/UA following sodium butyrate. Conclusion: Therefore, butyrate has a remarkable therapeutic potential in ameliorating lithium induced cardiometabolic disorders through glucometabolic control.

Lithium's (Li) ubiquitous distribution in the environment is a rising concern due to its rapid proliferation in the modern electronic industry. Li enigmatic entry into the terrestrial food chain raises many questions and uncertainties that may pose a grave threat to living biota. We examined the leverage existing published articles regarding advances in global Li resources, interplay with plants, and possible involvement with living organisms, especially humans and animals. Globally, Li concentration (1.5 mM in serum) induces thyroid, stomach, kidney, and reproductive system dysfunctions in humans and animals. However, there is a serious knowledge gap regarding Li regulatory standards in environmental compartments, and mechanistic approaches to unveil its consequences are needed. Furthermore, aggressive efforts are required to define optimum levels of Li for the normal functioning of animals, plants, and humans. This review is designed to revitalize the current status of Li research and identify the key knowledge gaps to fight back against the mountainous challenges of Li during the recent digital revolution. Additionally, we propose pathways to overcome Li problems and develop a strategy for effective, safe, and acceptable applications.

The growing need for Lithium (Li) chemicals for industrial application demands finding affordable and environmentally friendly ways of producing them beyond conventional land mining. Adsorption is a promising technique for Li recovery as it selectively extracts Li from aqueous resources at a low cost and with minimal energy requirements. The use of adsorption for Li recovery is important for promoting a circular economy and decreasing natural Li in the environment. Thus, this study aim to assess the efficiency of aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) as an adsorbent for Li recovery from aqueous solution by adjusting the amount of adsorbent, time, Li concentration, and pH. The use of Al(OH)3 provides selective separation of Li ions and can be used as a simple and cost-effective method for purifying Li-containing solutions. The optimal conditions for the adsorption process were determined using the Box-Behnken in response surface methodology (RSM). The findings revealed that the highest removal was anticipated with a 1150 mg/L adsorbent dose, 4.5 pH, 1150 mg/L initial concentration, and 255 minutes contact time. The outcome of the finding supports the use of Al (OH)3 as a suitable choice for recovering Li due to its greater capacity for sorption and higher percentage of Li absorbed. The analysis of the isotherm and kinetic experiment results showed that the Temkin isotherm and the pseudo-first-order model were well-fitting, with R2 values of 0.998 and 0.999, respectively. This study emphasizes the effectiveness of Al(OH)3 in recovering Li and details the optimal adsorption process. As a result, Al(OH)3 has been presumed to be the most suitable choice for Li recovery because it outperforms other available adsorbents with high sorption ability.

Lithium-Boron Composite Material (LBCM) is presented as a plasma-facing material with a lot of promise from the perspective of liquid metal first wall. LBCM consists of ∼ 20 w.% boron and ∼ 80 w.% lithium, arranged in the form of a Li5B4 matrix filled with metal lithium, similar to capillary porous systems (CPS) already used as plasma-facing elements. The characteristic matrix cell size is approximately 5 µm. LBCM was subjected to electron flux and helium plasma in a linear PR-2 device. LBCM maintained physical integrity up to T > 900 °C. Boron didn’t evaporate from LBCM under electron irradiation, but was sputtered during helium bombardment. CPS-like properties, wherein Li from the whole of the LBCM sample was transported to the area of the highest thermal load were observed.

The clean wall condition in tokamak devices can be achieved by utilizing the active chemical property of lithium (Li). This also exposes Li to air contamination even when protected by inert gas. To determine whether air contamination affects the retention of hydrogen isotopes in Li, the desorption performances of deuterium (D2) in liquid Li with D/Li ratios of 4.1 mol.%, 2.5 mol.%, and 0.6 mol.% were compared. At a D/Li ratio as low as 0.6 mol.%, the results revealed a significant change in the desorption temperature of D2 by Li contaminants. The ratio of contaminants to D2 in Li was discovered to be important. In this regard, the influence of N2, O2, and H2O (accounting for 15 mol.% of D2) on the desorption performance of D2 in liquid Li was discussed. Both H2O and N2 preabsorbed in liquid Li could react with D2, leading to the changed desorption temperature of D2. Notably, the H2O present in Li consumed all of D2 via reaction, whereas the same amount of N2 as H2O could only react with a part of D2. However, the effect of O2 on the desorption temperature and the effect of impurities on the desorption amount of D2 were not obvious. The impacts of the findings of this work on the retention and extraction of hydrogen isotopes in Li may be further explored to prompt the application of Li in fusion devices.

Lithium induced cardiotoxicity is associated with several electrocardiographic (ECG) findings. The most commonly observed cardiac effects include QT prolongation, Twave abnormalities, and to lesser extent SA node dysfunction and ventricular arrythmias. We present a case of a 13-year-old female with acute lithium overdose whodeveloped Mobitz I, a manifestation of lithium associated cardiotoxity not previously reported. The patient had no significant past medical history and presented to the emergency department 1 h after intentional overdose of 10 tablets of unknown drug. Parents reported that the patient had visited her grandmother, who “regularly took many different kinds of medications,” earlier that same evening. On physical examination the patient had reassuring vital signs, was in no acute distress,cardiopulmonary examination was normal, had clear sensorium, and no evidence of a toxidrome. On serological examination complete blood count, chemistries panel, and liver function tests did not show significant derangements. 4 h post-ingestion acetaminophen concentration was 28 mcg/ml and below indication for n-acetylcysteine antidote therapy. During her ED course she showed evidence of Mobitz I (Wenckebach) on 12-lead ECG. No prior ECGs were available for comparison. Medical toxicology was consulted at that time given concern for potential cardiotoxicity from an unknown xenobiotic. Serum dioxin and lithium concentrations were subsequently requested. Serum digoxin concentration was undetectable. Serum lithium concentrations was 1.7 mEq/L (0.6–1.2 mEq/L therapeutic range). The patient was treated with intravenous hydration at twice maintenance rate. Repeat lithium concertation 14 h post-ingestion was undetectable. During her admission, the patient remained hemodynamically stable and asymptomatic despite occasional episodes of Mobitz I, lasting seconds to minutes. Repeat 12-lead ECG obtained 20 h post-ingestion showed normal sinus rhythm. Cardiology recommendations included ambulatory Holter monitoring upon discharge and follow-up in clinic within two weeks. The patient was medically cleared after 36 h of monitoring and discharged after psychiatric evaluation. Our case demonstrates that patients who develop a new Mobitz I atrioventricular block of unclear etiology in the setting of acute ingestion should be screened for lithium exposure, even if otherwise free of more typical manifestations of lithium toxicity

Mesoporous phosphate bioactive glasses (MPBGs) are novel and attractive biomaterials for biomedical applications. Here we report the sol-gel processing of P2O5-CaO and P2O5-CaO-Li2O MPBGs using Pluronic P123 as the surfactant. Our results showed that P123 could act as a crystallization inhibitor, thus extending the composition range of MPBGs. The concentration of CaO from 40 to 55 mol% in P2O5-CaO MPBGs did not affect the phosphate chain structure and mesoporous morphology. However, the specific surface area and pore volume were slightly enhanced with the increased CaO concentration. In ternary P2O5-CaO-Li2O MPBGs, the increase in Li2O concentration (from 5 to 20 mol%) did not alter the phosphate chain structure and mesoporous morphology. However, 20 mol% Li2O incorporation induced crystallization. Binary and ternary MPBGs showed relatively low acellular bioactivity as indicated by the slow formation of hydroxyapatite in physiological fluids. Sol-gel processing is a feasible strategy for synthesizing P2O5-CaO and P2O5-CaO-Li2O MPBGs.

SOLPS calculations of lithium vapor box divertor designs on NSTX-U are presented. Predictive high power simulations (Pheat=10 MW, qpeakunmitigated∼65 MW/m2) are used to compare and contrast two divertor designs. Specifically a baffled “box” divertor, where a region of neutral density is allowed to build up, is compared to a more typical slot divertor geometry. It is found that significant differences in lithium containment lead to profoundly different viability of the two designs. These differences are seen to be due to far SOL flow patterns that change based on the presence of baffling as well differences in efficiency of the lithium evaporator. Outer-midplane (OMP) separatrix lithium content is found to be strongly detrimental to upstream temperature when nLi/ne>0.1 is reached. This regime of high upstream contamination is avoided via baffling. The reduction in upstream lithium allows access to low heat flux solutions below 5 MW/m2 with very little reduction to upstream temperature from the unmitigated, 65 MW/m2 solution. The slot is able to reach sub-10 MW/m2 heat fluxes though raising the evaporation rate much further reduces the upstream temperature, such that the range of stable evaporation rates with low heat flux to the target is small. Higher performance solutions (low heat flux and low upstream lithium content) are accessible by controlling recycling coefficients of deuterium on the walls above the box.

Composite scintillation screens on a base of Gd1.2Y1.8Ga2.5Al2.5O12:Ce (GYAGG) scintillator have been evaluated for neutron detection. Besides the powdered scintillator, the composite includes 6LiF particles; both are merged with a binder and deposited onto the light-reflecting aluminum substrate. Results obtained demonstrates that screens are suitable for use with a silicon photomultiplier readout to create a prospective solution for a compact and low-cost thermal neutron sensor. Composite GYAGG/6LiF scintillation screen shows a pretty matched sensitivity and γ-background rejection with a widely used ZnS/6LiF screens however, possesses forty times faster response.

Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare illness of recurrent episodes of hypersomnia associated with hyperphagia, cognitive dysfunctions and behavioural abnormalities. KLS, a disorder often reported in young males has been described in fewer females. It is rare in patients with age beyond second decade. We report a case of a female in early thirties who presented with recurrent episodes of excessive sleepiness and hyperphagia with cognitive dysfunctions. Her eating and subsequent weight gain was so prominent that she was referred to addiction treatment centre. She was managed with Lithium and Modafinil.

Coal fly ash has gained much attention as a potential alternative source for extracting critical metals such as Li, Ga, Nb, and lanthanides and yttrium (REY). This study investigates their distribution characteristics and modes of occurrence in alumina-rich fly ashes from the Togtoh Power Plant in Inner Mongolia, using various analytical methods. The objective was to provide a reference for the pre-enrichment of critical metals in fly ash. Lithium is primarily present in the glass phase, and its concentration is extremely low in the crystalline phases. Lithium is mainly concentrated in "pure" aluminosilicate glass, and is present but at a low level in Ca-rich aluminosilicate glass. Gallium is primarily present in the glass phase and in corundum, while Nb mainly exists in submicron zircon particles surrounded by Si-Al-Ca glass. Lanthanides and yttrium primarily occur in the glass phase and in crystalline phases, including an intermediate phase composed of the three end-member minerals of the gorceixite-crandallite-florencite series, as well as in monazite, crystalline forms of iron oxides and REY oxides. The Li concentrations in the alumina-rich fly ashes range from 562 to 894 μg/g for Li 2 O, from 43.9 to 81.9 μg/g for Ga, from 58.7 to 70.6 μg/g for Nb 2 O 5 , and from 258 to 450 μg/g for REY oxides, respectively, indicating their substantial potential for resource recovery. Especially, the 2nd row fly ash has the highest contents of these metals, allowing for direct extraction without the necessity for complex pre-processing. Physical separation can further enrich Li, Ga, Nb, and REY in the fly ash. In particular, particle size separation enriches these elements in the < 20 μm size range and magnetic separation enriches Li, Ga, Nb, and REY (except Ce) in the non-magnetic fraction. However, Ce is significantly enriched in the magnetic fraction compared to the original fly ash., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Owing to the crucial role of lithium (Li) in green technology and energy storage, the global demand for Li is constantly increasing. This article provides a new strategy for recovering Li using ternary hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (HDES). The novel HDES was composed of 2-thiophenyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA), trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), and N,N-diethyldecanamide (DDA), and exhibited high efficiency and selectivity for extracting Li from aqueous solutions. This study systematically evaluated the effect of the initial aqueous pH on the Li extraction efficiency, revealing the stable performance of HDES in the pH range 3-13. Compared to the highly alkaline environment required for Li extraction, the pH characteristics of the HDES provide a wider range of applications and a more environmentally friendly alternative. The HDES exhibited rapid extraction kinetics, achieving equilibrium within 10 min and maintaining phase stability without emulsification. The main mechanism of selective Li extraction is the electrostatic interaction between Li(I) and TTA. The interactions between Li(I) and both TOPO and DDA were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thereby improving the selectivity and extraction efficiency. The countercurrent extraction process demonstrated an impressive Li extraction rate of 98.704 % and a Li(I)/Na(I) separation factor of 10643.14 with industrial Li 2 CO 3 mother liquor, highlighting the application potential of the ternary HDES. The excellent performance of the HDES over a wide pH range provides more opportunities for its application, and its high efficiency, selectivity, and environmental characteristics may promote Li recovery., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that can influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Lithium and mood stabilizers are considered effective augmentation agents of antidepressants for treatment-resistant depression. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the network structure of depression symptom criteria among unipolar depression patients with mood stabilizers, using data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for mood stabilizers (REAP-MS). We estimated a network of the 9 depression symptom criteria among 411 unipolar depression patients in Asia. Each of the depression symptom criteria was considered to be a dichotomous categorical variable. Suicidality (suicidal ideation or attempt) was the most centrally situated within the network of depression symptoms, followed by depressed mood, loss of energy, anhedonia and weight loss or gain. Contrastingly, concentration problem was the least interconnected. The depression symptom criteria were organized into 4 clusters by the community detection method. The findings suggest that suicidality may be one of the significant therapeutic target symptoms in unipolar depression patients with mood stabilizers., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Seon-Cheol Park, an editorial board member of the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, was not involved in the evaluation of or decision to publish this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Li + based drugs have been used for the treatment of psychiatric disorders due to their mood stabilizing role for decades. Recently, several studies reported the protective effect of Li + against severe neuropathologies such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's disease. Surprisingly, despite a broad range of Li + effects on neurological conditions, little is known about its molecular mechanism. In this study, we propose that neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS1), can be an effective molecular target for Li + action. Here we show that the EF-hands in ApoNCS1 have submillimolar affinity for Li + with K d  = 223 ± 19 μM. Li + binding to ApoNCS1 quenches Trp emission intensity, suggesting distinct Trp sidechains environment in Li + NCS1 compared to ApoNCS1 and Ca 2+ NCS1. Li + association also stabilizes the protein α-helical structure, in a similar way to Ca 2+ . Li + association does not promote NCS1 dimerization. Association of Li + increases NCS1 affinity for the D2R receptor binding peptide, in a similar way to Ca 2+ , however, the affinity of NCS1 for chlorpromazine is reduced with respect to Ca 2+ NCS1, possibly due to a decrease in solvent exposed hydrophobic area on the NCS1 surface in the presence of Li + . MD simulation data suggests that Li + ions are coordinated by four oxygens from Asp and Glu sidechains and one carbonyl oxygen, in a similar way as reported previously for Li + binding to DREAM. Overall, the data shows that Li + binds to EF-hands of NCS1 and Li + NCS1 interactions may be involved in the potential neuroprotective role of Li + against psychotic disorders., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:, (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Rapid-eye movement (REM) stage of sleep serves a critical role in processing cognitive and behavioral functions. Evidence shows that REM sleep deprivation (REM SD) strongly affects the mood state and cognitive abilities. However, there are many inconsistent reports. Although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying REM SD effects have not well been discovered, however, molecular factors including those affected synaptic plasticity and mood state may be involved. There are two important molecular factors that have not been well studied: synaptophysin and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3beta). The present study aimed to investigate the role of synaptophysin and GSK-3beta in the modulation of memory and behavioral changes induced by REM SD and lithium (as a potent GSK-3beta inhibitor and mood stabilizer). Multiple platform apparatus was used to induce REM SD for 48 h. Lithium was injected at the dose of 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.). Locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, pain threshold, novel object recognition memory, and synaptophysin and GSK-3beta level in the prefrontal cortex were evaluated. Results showed REM SD increased locomotor activity, decreased pain threshold, impaired novel object recognition memory, decreased synaptophysin and increased GSK-3beta levels. Lithium reversed these effects. Anxiety-like behavior was unaffected. For the first time, the present study showed that GSK-3beta and synaptophysin may be involved in the modulation of behavior and cognition induced by REM SD and lithium. In conclusion, we suggested that GSK-3beta upregulation and synaptophysin downregulation may underlie the deleterious effects of REM SD, while lithium may counteract REM SD effects via restoring the level of both., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lithium (Li), because of its widespread and increasing use in Li-ion batteries, is an element of vital importance to the energy transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable energy (green energy). Extraction and refining operations, as well as utilisation in a growing number of applications, are expanding and thus increasing the environmental releases of Li. In order to evaluate consequences of such releases, and to risk assess the accumulation of Li in aquatic ecosystems, environmental quality standards (EQS) are needed so that measured concentrations can be evaluated. Satisfactory EQS for Li are yet to be established and therefore derivation of Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNECs), or interim EQS, are vital for environmental protection. This study compiled Li freshwater ecotoxicology data from global literature, screened and evaluated it, and then employed it to derive PNECs for short term exposures (i.e. concentrations unlikely to cause harm if their duration is short) and PNECs for standard condition exposures (i.e. concentrations unlikely to cause harm if their duration is continuous) in freshwater ecosystems. The generated dataset comprised 194 individual ecotox endpoints from 31 reference sources, spanning 28 species from 10 separate taxonomic groups (broad organism types). The derived PNECs recommended for consideration in environmental regulation are 0.622 mg/L for short term exposures and 15.2 μg/L for standard condition exposures, but with potential adjustment for site specific water conditions incorporating water hardness, dissolved organic carbon concentration and pH., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The development of renewable and low-carbon energy sources means that strategic elements such as lithium (Li) are increasingly being used. The data available on the effects of Li on aquatic organisms are relatively scarce. The copepod Eurytemora affinis, widely distributed in the brackish estuarine waters of the northern hemisphere, is a species of choice in ecotoxicology but in fact constitutes a cryptic species complex, composed of at least six cryptic species. Cryptic diversity can lead to misinterpretation and alter the reproducibility of routine ecotoxicological tests. In the present study, two cryptic species of the E. affinis complex from the Seine (European clade) and the St. Lawrence (North-Atlantic clade) estuaries were used to assess Li toxicity and to compare their differential sensitivity. Larvae were exposed to different concentrations of Li (0.4, 4.39, 35.36 and 80.83 mg L -1 ) under semi-static conditions for 96 h. Larval development stages were determined and log-logistic functions were fitted to evaluate mortality (LC 50 ) and growth (EC 50 ) parameters. After 96 h of exposure, the results showed that the European and North-Atlantic clades had LC 50 values of 55.33 and 67.81 mg L -1 and EC 50 values of 28.94 and 41.45 mg L -1 , respectively. A moderate difference in sensitivity to Li between the European and North-Atlantic clades of the E. affinis complex was observed. Thus, the cryptic species diversity should be considered using E. affinis to avoid bias in the interpretation of the data. Despite environmental concentrations of Li are expected to increase over the next years, EC 50 and LC 50 found for E. affinis cryptic species are largely higher than Li environmental concentrations to provoke extreme effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Understanding compositional and microstructural changes in functional intermetallic coatings is of great importance for fusion energy and nuclear materials applications. Tritium (3H) and lithium (6Li, 7Li) transport within a neutron irradiated target rod employing an aluminide-coated austenitic stainless-steel cladding was investigated using state-of-the-art multimodal imaging. Specifically, a scanning electron microscope augmented with focused ion beam (SEM-FIB) was used to prepare lift-out samples of the irradiated coating for microanalysis. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) was used to acquire atomic-scale information on the coating surface microstructure, morphology, and composition. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine lift-out dimensions nondestructively. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) revealed the presence of carbonaceous species and unexpected lithium isotopic distributions in the irradiated tubing, suggesting light isotope mobility between internal target components during irradiation. SIMS chemical mapping of aluminide coatings at core midplane and lower core locations of the cladding shows that light isotopic (e.g., 3H, 6Li, 7Li) distributions are different in the irradiated coating. Advance correlative imaging results suggest lithium transport during the tritium production process and give new insights into the fundamental transport mechanism within the target during irradiation and non-equilibrium conditions.

Dust has been collected and characterized by various methods during the 2021 first experimental campaign in EAST tokamak. It was found that the weight of the in-vessel dust collected at the mid-plane port varied from about 265 mg to about 966 mg. And the dust appeared mainly in the shape of spheroids, flakes, stripes and irregular-shaped particles with the sizes ranging from micrometers to several millimeters. The dust consisted of different elements, which was from the wall-conditioning, erosion of plasma-facing materials (PFMs) as well as the flaking of deposits. The dust collected from the lower port K contained different elements from those collected from the in-vessel port K, with more Fe in the lower port and more Li in the vacuum vessel. The ferromagnetic dust with different shape has been found, and different shape has different O content and size. By using the diagnostic observation window, dust was firstly collected during the campaign and the local dust production rate is calculated, which is found to decrease as the plasma operation goes.

Shells of the fast-growing bivalve Pecten maximus serve as a geochemical archive for the reconstruction of past phytoplankton dynamics. Specifically, high-resolution, temporally accurately aligned molar barium-to-calcium (Ba/Cashell), molybdenum-to-calcium (Mo/Cashell) and lithium-to-calcium ratios (Li/Cashell) of the shell calcite revealed distinct peaks which are closely linked to phytoplankton dynamics. Yet, the development and applicability of these geochemical proxies is still at an early stage and needs further calibration. In this study, we examined the relationship between the timing and magnitude of Ba/Cashell, Mo/Cashell and Li/Cashell peaks of P. maximus and the occurrence of various phytoplankton species (diatoms and dinoflagellates) from a statistical perspective. Studied shell samples (three specimens per calendar year) as well as detailed phytoplankton observation data were derived from the well-studied costal ecosystem of the Bay of Brest (France) over three years (2011, 2012 and 2019). An algorithm-based pseudo-random sampling simulation technique was established that analyzed the complex phytoplankton datasets with respect to the profiles of Ba/Cashell, Mo/Cashell and Li/Cashell to identify potential patterns between phytoplankton and trace element time-series. The simulation results indicate that the timing and magnitude of Ba/Cashell, Mo/Cashell and Li/Cashell peaks agreed best with the occurrence of specific phytoplankton blooms that developed ca. one to two weeks earlier. The data suggest that the formation of transient Ba/Cashell peaks had a plurispecific origin, i.e., potentially linked to blooms of ingestible diatom, dinoflagellate and flagellate species enriched in Ba that occurred 8 to 12 days earlier. Observed peaks in Mo/Cashell profiles demonstrably followed the timing and intensity of blooms of the dominant dinoflagellate genus Gymnodinium spp. after a short time lag of around 8 days, potentially linked to an enhanced enzyme activity of nitrate reductase that requires the presence of Mo in the dinoflagellate cells. In addition, Mo/Cashell peaks agreed with periods of diatom aggregate formation which were hypothesized to induce the formation of Mo/Cashell peaks in scallop shells. Li/Cashell profiles revealed similar patterns as large blooms of the diatom Chaetoceros spp. as well as to neurotoxin producing diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia when considering a short time lag of 8 to 12 days. These findings highlight the great potential of using Ba/Cashell, Mo/Cashell and Li/Cashell chronologies in P. maximus shells as proxies of past phytoplankton dynamics.