No abstract

We evaluated the predictive role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection by targeted deep sequencing in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with immune checkpoint blockades (ICB). To determine the feasibility of ctDNA detection in our panel encompassing 40 genes, we collected 10 ml of blood from 20 patients at the time of radical nephrectomy. We analyzed somatic mutations in primary tumors and ctDNA samples from these patients. We finally collected 10 ml of blood before and after 1 month of treatment, respectively, from four patients with mRCC who received first-line ICB treatment. Variants were detected in primary tumors of 15 patients (75%) and ctDNA was detected in the plasma of 9 patients (45%). We examined the predictive role of ctDNA in four patients who received first-line ICB therapy. In two patients showing partial response, ctDNA levels decreased after 1 month of ICB treatment. However, in one patient who showed disease progression, ctDNA levels increased after 1 month of ICB treatment. Taken together, ctDNA detection in plasma by targeted deep sequencing was feasible in patients with RCC. Moreover, the levels of ctDNA could be an early predictor of treatment response in patients with mRCC who receive ICB therapy.

The large volume expansion of a silicon (Si) anode causes severe mechanical failure, limiting its use in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Using functional polymers as a binder material is an approach to this issue. We explore the applicability of the water-soluble natural polysaccharide lambda carrageenan (CGN) as a binder for Si nanoparticles in LIBs. The characteristic binder properties of commercial (CGN-com) and custom (ext-CGN) CGNs are investigated. CGN binders exhibit excellent mechanical characteristics, remarkable interfacial adhesion, and strong cohesion. The high density of sulfonyl groups in CGN improves the lithium-ion transport kinetics; CGN effectively buffers the volume expansion of Si during alloying, enhancing cycling and rate performance. After 300 cycles at 0.5 C, the Si@CGN electrode delivers a reversible capacity of 1623.75 mAh g–1 and a rate capability of 2143.72 mAh g–1 at 5 C. The electrochemical performance of Si@CGN-ext is about 91% of that of Si@CGN-com. Under all test conditions, both outperformed Si anodes made with traditional binders. When paired with the commercial NCM811 cathode, full cells using Si@CGN-com and Si@CGN-ext have capacities of 79.96 and 75.68 mAh g–1, respectively, and superior stability for 50 cycles. This study reveals the potential of CGN as a low-cost, sustainable binder for Si anodes.

To evaluate the in vivo effects of low-dose-rate (0.7 mGy h(-1)) gamma radiation, abnormal shapes of sperm in the caudal epidydimus of Apodemus agrarius coreae (A. a. coreae) were used. The six categories of abnormal forms (amorphous heads, blunt hooks, excessive hooks, two heads and tails, folded tails and short tails) of sperm were observed eight days after gamma irradiation (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 Gy) with a high dose rate (0.8 Gy min(-1)) and a low dose rate. The frequency of total abnormal sperm gradually increased starting from 0.5 Gy after high-dose-rate radiation. Blunt hooks and short tails shaped sperm, in particular, were gradually increasing in the high-dose-rate irradiated mice. Dose rate reduction effects for the frequency of abnormal sperms in low-dose-rate irradiated mice to high-dose-rate irradiated mice were 1 at 0.5 Gy, 0.7 at 1 Gy and 0.5 at 2 Gy. Our results indicate that low-dose-rate radiation is not detrimental to spermatogenic cells.