Akita University (秋田大学, Akita Daigaku) is a Japanese national university in Akita City, Japan. Established in 1949, it comprises four graduate schools and four undergraduate faculties.
Silicon (Si) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high lithium storage capacity; however, severe volume expansion during charge-discharge cycling causes electrode degradation and rapid capacity fading. While binders are essential for maintaining electrode integrity, high-performance binders are often costly, complex to process, and dependent on organic solvents. Aqueous binders derived from natural polymers therefore represent attractive alternatives in terms of cost, sustainability, and environmental compatibility. Although chemically modified lignin binders are promising for Si electrodes, previous studies have only suggested the existence of two distinct thermal treatment approaches-low- and high-temperature processing-and no study has systematically compared these two methods. Herein, we report a modified kenaf-derived lignin copolymerized with polyacrylamide (KL-PAM) as an aqueous binder for Si electrodes and systematically investigate the effect of thermal treatment temperature on its stabilization mechanisms. Low-temperature-treated KL-PAM electrodes at 200 degrees C accommodated Si volume expansion through binder flexibility and adhesion, whereas high-temperature-treated electrodes were stabilized by carbonization-induced hardening of KL-PAM, which also enhanced electronic conductivity. As a result, high-temperature-treated electrodes at 600 degrees C exhibited superior rate capability, while capacity retention was comparable between the two regimes. Intermediate-temperature treatment was ineffective, leading to binder failure. This study clarifies thermally controlled dual stabilization mechanisms of lignin-based binders and provides guidance for the development of sustainable binders for Si electrodes in lithium-ion batteries.
Background IL-33 levels are elevated in the airways of patients with eosinophilic diseases, and IL-33 receptor expression on eosinophils is upregulated in type 2-high environments. However, the role of IL-33 in the regulation of human eosinophils remains unclear.Objective To elucidate the inflammatory effects of IL-33 on the cellular function of human eosinophils.Methods Blood eosinophils were stimulated with IL-33, TNF-alpha, oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and complement fragments (C3a and C5a). Multi-omics analyses, including transcriptomics and proteomics, were performed. Extracellular trap formation (ETosis) was assessed by SYTOX nucleic acid staining and was visualised by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy.Results Multi-omics analyses revealed an IL-33- and TNF-alpha-induced inflammatory gene signature characterised by the upregulation of cell surface markers (oxLDL receptor 1, CD22, CD4 and ICAM-1) and inflammatory mediators (C3, CCL3/4 and IL1A/B). CD22 upregulation was specific to IL-33 stimulation. Eosinophils derived from nasal polyps exhibited a gene expression profile similar to that of IL-33-stimulated eosinophils. Functional assays demonstrated that oxLDL and complement fragments differentially prolonged eosinophil survival and altered the expression of adhesion molecules. OxLDL- and complement fragment-induced gene signatures were partly detected in eosinophils derived from nasal polyps. Furthermore, IL-33 triggered ETosis via NADPH oxidase, mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways.Conclusions IL-33, in conjunction with oxLDL and the complement cascade, induces inflammatory changes in eosinophils, promoting an ETosis-prone phenotype. These pathways represent potential therapeutic targets in refractory eosinophilic diseases.
Aims Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma/high-grade B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL/HGBCL) with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements (double-hit lymphoma with BCL2, DHL-BCL2) is a mature aggressive B-cell lymphoma that also includes concurrent triple hit with BCL6 translocation (TH). DHL with MYC and BCL6 (DH-BCL6) can also occur. The differences among these three DLBCL/HGBCL subtypes have not yet been definitively determined.Methods and Results This study characterized the clinicopathological features and transcriptomic profiles of a series of 101 cases of DLBCL/HGBCL that were subclassified according to MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 FISH data, including cell-of-origin (COO)-like, molecular high-grade (MHG)-like and double-hit/dark-zone (DHIT/DZsig)-like signatures. DLBCL/HGBCL-DH-BCL2 was characterized by higher HGBCL morphology, CD10 positivity, GCB Hans's, GCB COO and MHG molecular subtype. DLBCL/HGBCL-TH had higher LDH levels and worse overall survival. DLBCL/HGBCL-DH-BCL6 had higher MUM1 expression, non-GCB Hans', ABC/Unclassified COO, non-MHG and low DHIT/DZ signatures. Transcriptomic analysis showed that DLBCL/HGBCL-DH-BCL2 and DLBCL/HGBCL-TH were close but separated from DLBCL/HGBCL-DH-BCL6. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed different levels of enrichment between the subtypes.Conclusions DLBCL/HGBCL-DH-BCL6 differs from the DLBCL/HGBCL-DH-BCL2, and the DLBCL/HGBCL-TH is associated with the worst survival. Analysis of all three genes of MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 is recommended in the context of DLBCL/HGBCL diagnosis.
Intensifying and increasingly complex geopolitical competition over critical minerals has heightened the challenges of ensuring supply security. In response, this study develops an analytical framework to systematically assess geopolitical competition risks. The framework integrates multiple approaches, including game theory, a supply–demand model, logical deduction, and indicator development. The results suggest that three types of strategic behaviors constitute the primary sources of geopolitical competition risk: rent-seeking by geo-peripheral exporters, supply control by geo-core importers, and downstream value capture by geo-core exporters. Such competition may lead to supply disruptions, market volatility, and demand shocks. The framework is applied to a lithium case study. The results indicate that the United States (44
Purpose:Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) offers several clinical advantages compared to total knee arthroplasty, including faster recovery and reduced complication rates. Navigation-assisted UKA has been introduced to improve prosthesis alignment; however, comprehensive evaluations of perioperative complications, particularly in Asian populations, remain scarce. Methods:A nationwide, retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database from 2016 to 2023. A total of 30,724 patients who underwent UKA were included, of whom 8096 (26.3%) received navigation-assisted surgery. After 1:1 propensity score matching for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Charlson Comorbidity Index, anaesthesia type and bilateral procedures, 8056 patients were retained in each group. Perioperative complications, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular events, surgical site infections and periprosthetic fractures, as well as length of hospital stay, were compared between groups. Given the large sample size in our analysis, the significance level was set at p < 0.001. Results:The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was significantly higher in the navigation-assisted group compared to the conventional group (7.8% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression identified navigation assistance (odds ratio [OR]: 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-1.72) and general anaesthesia (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.74-2.67) as independent risk factors for deep vein thrombosis. In contrast, the navigation-assisted group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (21.3 ± 11.4 vs. 23.1 ± 11.1 days, p < 0.0001). Other complications did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion:Navigation-assisted UKA was associated with a higher overall incidence of perioperative complications, largely driven by an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, while length of hospital stay was shorter compared with conventional UKA. These findings suggest that although navigation assistance may facilitate earlier discharge, careful perioperative management-particularly with respect to thromboembolic risk-is warranted. Level of Evidence:Level III.
