LINC02308 promotes the progression of glioma through activating mTOR/AKT-signaling pathway by targeting miR-30e-3p/TM4SF1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is a common brain malignancy, and the purpose of this study is to investigate the function of LINC02308 in glioma. METHODS: The differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened by microarray. The expression of LINC02308 in glioma tissues and cells was evaluated. The interaction among LINC02308, miR-30e-3p, and TM4SF1 was determined. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated. The expression of mTOR/AKT-signaling and apoptosis-related markers was detected by Western blot. A xenograft tumor mouse model was constructed to investigate the roles of LINC02308. RESULTS: LINC02308 was significantly overexpressed in glioma, and a high LINC02308 level was correlated with a poor prognosis. LINC02308 silencing markedly inhibited proliferation and reduced apoptosis of glioma cells and also suppressed tumor growth in the xenograft tumor mouse model. Finally, we demonstrated that LINC02308 played its oncogenic role through binding to miR-30e-3p so as to relieve miR-30e-3p-induced suppression of TM4SF1. CONCLUSIONS: LINC02308 promoted glioma tumorigenesis as a sponge of miR-30e-3p to upregulate TM4SF1 and activate AKT/mTOR pathway. Graphical Abstract Hypothesis diagram illustrates the function and mechanism of LINC02308 in glioma. A schematic representation of the functional mechanism of LINC02308 in glioma.

Postoperative subdural hematoma as a rare complication of non-traumatic craniotomy: Two cases report.

RATIONALE: Postoperative intracranial hemorrhage is a serious and even fatal complication after non-traumatic craniotomy, in which epidural hematoma and intracerebral hematoma are relatively common. Postoperative subdural hematoma is rare, and its pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. PATIENT CONCERNS: In the present study, we report 2 cases with postoperative subdural hematoma after non-traumatic craniotomy. DIAGNOSES: The diagnosis of acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) was rendered according to the imaging features. INTERVENTIONS: Hematoma evacuation was performed immediately. OUTCOMES: Two months later, the first patient continued to have impaired consciousness and sensorimotor deficiency in the right extremities. And the second one remained unconscious and continued to have sensorimotor disturbance in the right extremities after 6 weeks of rehabilitation. LESSONS: Neurosurgeons should be aware of potential subdural hematoma after non-traumatic craniotomy, since this condition is usually latent and associated with poor prognosis. Early identification and surgical evacuation should be highlighted.

LncRNA TPT1-AS1 Sponges miR-23a-5p in Glioblastoma to Promote Cancer Cell Proliferation.

Background: Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) TPT1-AS1 is an oncogene in ovarian cancer and cervical cancer, while its role in glioblastoma (GBM) is unknown. The bioinformatics analysis in this study showed that miR-23a-5p may bind to TPT1-AS1. This study was performed to investigate the interactions between miR-23a-5p and TPT1-AS1 in GBM. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 GBM patients (40 males and 20 females, 24 to 60 years old, mean age 41.7 ± 7.8 years old) were enrolled at the First Hospital of Jilin University between April 2016 and April 2018. Gene expression levels were determined by qPCR and Western blot. Cell transfections were performed to analyze the interactions between TPT1-AS1, miR-23a-5p, and extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1). Cell proliferation was detected by cell proliferation assay. Results: The authors found miR-23a-5p was downregulated in GBM and TPT1-AS1 was upregulated in GBM, whereas the expression of these two was not significantly correlated. In GBM cells, overexpression of TPT1-AS1 did not affect the expression of miR-23a-5p, but upregulated ECM1. In cell proliferation assay, overexpression of TPT1-AS1 and ECM1 resulted in increased proliferation rate of GBM cells. Overexpression of miR-23a-5p attenuated the effects of overexpressing TPT1-AS1. Conclusions: TPT1-AS1 may sponge miR-23a-5p in GBM to promote cancer cell proliferation by upregulating ECM1.

Neuroprotective effect of resveratrol against radiation after surgically induced brain injury by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through NRf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

The impact of resveratrol (RSV) on radiation (RAD)-induced brain injury in rats' brains was investigated. A total of 40 male Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, RAD, RAD + RSV, and RSV groups, with 10 rats in each group). The results revealed a significant decrease in catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities, as well as glutathione (GSH) content. Further, a significant elevation in malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, interleukin-1-beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, and transforming growth factor-ß1 levels were observed. Furthermore, decreased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), increased Bcl-2-associated X, and tumor necrosis factor-α genes expression, decreased nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1, and increased nuclear factor-κB protein levels were noticed. Also, an apoptosis marker, caspase-3-positive cells, was seen in the hippocampus. Those effects were observed in the RAD group of rats. The treatment of RSV displayed a significant amendment of the studied parameters in the brain tissues of the RAD group of animals. This effect is interrelated to the ability of RSV to scavenge the free radicals, enhance the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, increase GSH contents, and downregulate the inflammatory responses and apoptosis markers in the brain tissues of RAD animals. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities of RSV can improve the antioxidant status and suppress the inflammatory responses and apoptosis in the brain tissues of RAD animals.

Acute non-traumatic subdural hematoma induced by intracranial aneurysm rupture: A case report and systematic review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Intracranial aneurysm with the first manifestation of acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) is rare in the field of neurosurgery. Usually subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracranial hematoma happens after the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, whereas trauma is the primary cause of aSDH. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here, we present the case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with spontaneous aSDH with progressive headache and vomiting. DIAGNOSIS: Urgent head computed tomography (CT) identified an aSHD, but the patient had no history of trauma. CT angiography (CTA) identified the cause of the aSDH as rupture of an intracranial aneurysm in the left middle cerebral artery. INTERVENTIONS: Emergent craniotomy with hematoma evacuation was performed. OUTCOMES: Due to prompt diagnosis and appropriate intervention, the patient recovered fully with no disability. LESSONS: This unique case demonstrates that aSDH caused by intracranial aneurysm rupture requires timely identification and appropriate action to prevent adverse outcomes. We performed a comprehensive systematic literature review to examine the etiology and pathogenesis of non-traumatic aSDH. Furthermore, digital subtraction angiography should be considered in patients diagnosed with an aSDH with no known cause.

Comparative toxicity of a food additive TiO2, a bulk TiO2, and a nano-sized P25 to a model organism the nematode C. elegans.

To help fill the knowledge gap regarding the potential human health impacts of food pigment TiO2, a comparative toxicity study was performed on a food-grade TiO2 (f-TiO2), a bulk TiO2 (b-TiO2), and a nano-sized TiO2 (Degussa P25), and in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Acute phototoxicity and chronic toxicity effects including reproduction, lifespan, and vulval integrity were evaluated. The f-TiO2, b-TiO2, and P25 had a primary particle size (size range) of 149 (53-308) nm, 129 (64-259) nm, and 26 (11-52) nm, respectively. P25 showed the greatest phototoxicity with a 24-h LC50 of 6.0 mg/L (95% CI 5.95, 6.3), followed by the f-TiO2 (LC50 = 6.55 mg/L (95% CI 6.35, 6.75)), and b-TiO2 was the least toxic. All three TiO2 (1-10 mg/L) induced concentration-dependent effects on the worm's reproduction, with a reduction in brood size by 8.5 to 34%. They all caused a reduction of worm lifespan, accompanied by an increased frequency of age-associated vulval integrity defects (Avid). The impact on lifespan and Avid phenotype was more notable for P25 than the f-TiO2 or b-TiO2. Ingestion and accumulation of TiO2 particles in the worm intestine was observed for all three materials by light microscopy. These findings demonstrate that the food pigment TiO2 induces toxicity effects in the worm and further studies are needed to elucidate the human health implication of such toxicities.

Early post-operative cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia: Report of 7 cases.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypovolemia is a common neurosurgical condition, which may be spontaneous or iatrogenic. At our institution, a substantial number of the reported cases of early post-operative CSF hypovolemia were identified to have unintentional or unrecognized post-operative continuous excessive CSF leakage. Cases who presented with post-operative CSF hypovolemia several days after uneventful intracranial surgeries without continuous CSF leakage were rarely reported. A retrospective review of the medical records of these patients was performed to identify those patients who developed early post-operative CSF hypovolemia without the presence of post-operative continuous CSF leakage. A total of 7 patients, 5 of which were males, were identified in this retrospective study. They experienced CSF hypovolemia between days 1 and 7 after emergency or scheduled intracranial surgeries. Ventricular collapse, cisternal effacement and midline shift are the most common radiological observations. With early diagnosis and management, 4 of the patients achieved a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of 5, 1 achieved a GOS score of 4 and the remaining 2 had a GOS score of 3. No mortality was noted in this series. Although rare in incidence, early post-operative CSF hypovolemia may occur without the existence of post-operative continuous CSF leakage. When the diagnosis of CSF hypovolemia is reached, factors that may exacerbate CSF compensation should be promptly terminated. Trendelenburg position and sufficient intravenous hydration are practical and effective managements, and CSF hypovolemia may thereby be reversed in a substantial number of patients.

Efficacy of Reinforced Restriction of Physical Activity on Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Prospective Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common entity in neurosurgical practice. However, as a result of the high rate in recurrence, morbidity, and mortality for surgical management, conservative management of CSDH is emerging as a new treatment strategy. Head trauma is a known risk factor of CSDH and plays as an initiator in the genesis of CSDH. We hypothesized that physical activity might also play an important role in the progression of an asymptomatic CSDH. METHODS: A prospective pilot study aiming to evaluate the efficacy of reinforced restriction of physical activity for the management of asymptomatic or mild symptomatic CSDH was conducted. Twenty-six patients were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: All 26 patients experienced complete resolution of the CSDH ranging from 32 to 182 days (73.1 ± 19.6 days) since the initiation of reinforced restriction of physical activity. Ages ranged from 43 to 84 years old (64.4 ± 9.6 years). No patient experienced recurrence of CSDH during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, physical activity might play a role in the progression of CSDH. Further prospective randomized controlled study is warranted in stable patients without evident intracranial hypertension and impending cerebral herniation.

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage Secondary to Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in Adults without Bleeding Tendency.

BACKGROUND: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a common procedure in daily neurosurgical practice. According to some reports, the rate of intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to VPS in patients with no bleeding tendency can be 43.1%; however, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) secondary to VPS is rare with only sporadic cases reported in adults. To further elucidate the characteristics, mechanism, management, and prognosis of SICH secondary to VPS, we performed a retrospective study in our institution and a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of patients admitted for VPS was performed. We also performed a systematic PubMed search of published studies. RESULTS: Of 5 patients identified at our institution, 3 experienced a favorable recovery. Including our case series, there were 16 (8 female) patients. The time interval from the termination of VPS procedure to SICH was 4 hours to 15 days. All but 1 patient experienced intracerebral hemorrhage adjacent to cannulation. Of 11 patients in whom a Glasgow Outcome Scale score could be obtained, the score was 5 in 4 patients, 4 in 1 patient, 3 in 1 patient, and 1 in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: SICH is a rare complication after VPS in adults without bleeding tendency. The mechanism is obscure, management is challenging, and prognosis is dismal. Future prospective study is anticipated.

Delayed Brainstem Hemorrhage Secondary to Mild Traumatic Head Injury: Report of Case with Good Recovery.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, secondary traumatic brainstem hemorrhage often develops during descending transtentorial herniation due to raised intracranial pressure, which is known as Duret hemorrhage. Although usually considered a fatal and irreversible event, in rare circumstances, victims of Duret hemorrhage could gain favorable outcomes. To our knowledge, secondary brainstem hemorrhage due to mild traumatic head injury without descending transtentorial herniation has never been reported. In this report, we present a case of delayed brainstem hemorrhage secondary to a relatively mild traumatic brain injury that experienced a rapid and favorable recovery. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 48-year-old man was admitted for a motorcycle accident. Head computed tomography 2 hours after the accident revealed mild subarachnoid hemorrhage at the interpeduncular cistern. In the following in-hospital days, he experienced 2 episodes of mental state deterioration and increase of the SAH and hematoma extension to the brainstem. A digital subtraction angiography was performed with no positive finding of vascular anomaly and evident cerebral vasospasm. He experienced a rapid and favorable recovery. His Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 5 at 3 months' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We present a rare case of secondary traumatic brainstem hemorrhage that experienced a rapid and good recovery process. The mechanism is still obscure to us and needs to be further studied. Although traumatic brainstem hemorrhage usually means a fatal event to most of the patients, some patients may experience a favorable recovery. This rare circumstance should be stressed in prognosis consultation and clinical management of these kinds of patients.

MicroRNA­141 inhibits the self­renewal of glioblastoma stem cells via Jagged1.

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most lethal types of brain cancer. With limited success from conventional therapies, the cancer stem cell theory was developed, and investigation into microRNAs (miRs) has facilitated understanding of this theory. The present study demonstrated that miR­141 is suppressed in sorted cluster of differentiation (CD) 133(+) glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) compared with CD133(­) non­glioblastoma stem cells (NSCs) from patient samples. In addition, miR­141 overexpression inhibited the sphere formation ability of GSCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Jagged1 may reverse the effect of miR­141; miR­141 was revealed to target the 3'­untranslated region of Jagged1, thereby inhibiting the stemness of GSCs. Thus, miR­141 may serve as a potent antioncomir targeting cancer stem cells, and may facilitate the development of therapeutic targets to prolong the overall survival of patients with glioblastoma.

A TiO2 nanotube network electron transport layer for high efficiency perovskite solar cells.

The electron transport layer (ETL) plays a critical role in high efficiency perovskite solar cells. In this study, an anodic TiO2 nanotube film was transformed into a TiO2 nanotube network film, which maintained its advantage as an efficient ETL for perovskite solar cells. Compared with the mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticle ETL, the TiO2 nanotube network ETL can increase the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by 26.6%, which is attributed to its superior charge collection property and light trapping ability. The results confirm the importance of optimizing the electron collecting layer and suggest another way to design and fabricate novel perovskite solid state solar cells, potentially by using a TiO2 nanotube network film as an alternative high efficiency electrode.

Transient Acute Hydrocephalus After Spontaneous Intracranial Bleeding in Adults.

BACKGROUND: Acute hydrocephalus (AH) is commonly encountered after spontaneous or traumatic intracranial bleeding in adults. In the setting of AH, external ventricular drainage is usually proposed as the urgent management. But in rare occasions, AH could be transient and resolve spontaneously without invasive management. Although its actual incidence might be higher, only a few case reports on transient AH (TAH) after spontaneous intracranial bleeding in adults have been reported. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of the patients admitted for spontaneous intracranial bleeding was performed at the neurosurgical department of our institution. We also performed a systematic PubMed search of the published studies written in English for patients developing TAH after spontaneous intracranial bleeding. RESULTS: In all there were 10 patients (5 women) including 5 cases in our case series. The time interval from hemorrhagic ictus to AH ranged from 7 hours to 9 days; although the time interval from AH to evident resolution ranged from 50 minutes to 9 days. No patient experienced recurrence of AH or shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: The osmotic and hydrostatic state in the microvessels, lymphatic pathways for the drainage of the interstitial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid, and aquaporins on the astrocytes of the patients might have important roles in the genesis and resolution of TAH. The difficulty at present is to differentiate the patients who would experience TAH from those needing surgical interventions. If surgical intervention could not be carried out temporarily, vigilant monitoring and osmotic diuretics are proposed.

Ocular Movement Nerve Palsy After Mild Head Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Ocular movement nerve (cranial nerve III, IV and VI) palsy (OMNP) is rarely encountered after mild head trauma. As a result of the inconsistent definition of this specific entity in published studies, it is difficult to offer an accurate management strategy and prognosis assessment to affected patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of the patients at the First Hospital of Jilin University combined with a systematic review of published studies was conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (17 females, 55%), including 6 cases in our institution, were identified in this systematic review. Cranial nerves III, IV, and VI were involved in 54.8%, 3.2%, and 45.2% of the patients, respectively. Although all the patients in our case series experienced complete resolution, only 54.6% experienced complete resolution in a time course of 10 days to 13 months. Additional intracranial findings other than traumatic brain injury on imaging modalities that might predispose to OMNP after mild head trauma were identified in 25.8% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: OMNP after mild head trauma is a rare entity in neurosurgical practice. In patients with no positive intracranial finding, observation and follow-up are the mainstay of management. If any underlying intracranial lesions are identified, the management should be focused on the underlying lesions. From the data available, mild trauma does not mean mild injury or favorable recovery in OMNP after mild head trauma.

Clinical outcomes of surgical clipping for intracranial aneurysms in patients with a Hunt and Hess grade 4 or 5.

We retrospectively evaluated the records of 49 grade 4 and 5 patients with 42 intracranial aneurysms treated within 72 h of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In total, 35 patients (71%) were grade 4, and 14 (29%) were grade 5. A total of 42 (85%) patients had one aneurysm, 6 (12%) had two aneurysms, and 1 (3%) had three aneurysms. Out of 49 patients, one technical (2%) and one clinical (2%) complication occurred at surgery. Twenty-one (43%) patients recovered well, including 7 with postoperative hematoma requiring an immediate evacuation of a clot. Fourteen (29%) patients had hydrocephalus and required a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt; 12 patients underwent tracheotomy postoperatively due to coma and pulmonary infection. We found that patients with Hunt and Hess grade 4 and 5 aneurysms can undergo successful neurosurgical clipping of the aneurysms after SAH. However, the morbidity and mortality rates remain high because of their poor clinical condition and a high incidence of vasospasm during treatment.

Clinical outcomes of surgical clipping for intracranial aneurysms in patients with a Hunt and Hess grade 4 or 5 / Desfechos clínicos da clipagem cirúrgica de aneurismas intracranianos de graus 4 e 5 segundo a escala de Hunt & Hess

ABSTRACT We retrospectively evaluated the records of 49 grade 4 and 5 patients with 42 intracranial aneurysms treated within 72 h of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In total, 35 patients (71%) were grade 4, and 14 (29%) were grade 5. A total of 42 (85%) patients had one aneurysm, 6 (12%) had two aneurysms, and 1 (3%) had three aneurysms. Out of 49 patients, one technical (2%) and one clinical (2%) complication occurred at surgery. Twenty-one (43%) patients recovered well, including 7 with postoperative hematoma requiring an immediate evacuation of a clot. Fourteen (29%) patients had hydrocephalus and required a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt; 12 patients underwent tracheotomy postoperatively due to coma and pulmonary infection. We found that patients with Hunt and Hess grade 4 and 5 aneurysms can undergo successful neurosurgical clipping of the aneurysms after SAH. However, the morbidity and mortality rates remain high because of their poor clinical condition and a high incidence of vasospasm during treatment.

RESUMO Avaliamos retrospectivamente os registros de 49 pacientes com 42 aneurismas intracranianos de graus 4 e 5, tratados nas primeiras 72 horas após uma hemorragia subaracnóidea (HSA). Trinta e cinco pacientes (71%) apresentavam grau 4 e catorze (29%) grau 5. Quarenta e dois pacientes (85%) tinham um único aneurisma, seis (12%) tinham dois aneurismas, e um paciente (3%) tinha três aneurismas. Dos 49 pacientes, uma complicação técnica (2%) e uma complicação clínica (2%) ocorreram durante a cirurgia. Vinte e um pacientes (43%) recuperaram-se bem, incluindo sete que tiveram hematomas pós-operatórios que requereram a imediata evacuação do coágulo. Catorze pacientes (29%) tiveram hidrocefalia e submeteram-se à derivação ventrículo-peritoneal; doze pacientes submeteram-se à traqueostomia no pós-operatório, devido a coma e infecção pulmonar. Pacientes com aneurismas de graus 4 e 5, segundo a escala de Hunt & Hess podem submeter-se com sucesso à clipagem dos aneurismas após HSA. Entretanto, as taxas de morbidade e mortalidade ainda são altas, devido à condição clínica precária e à alta incidência de vasoespasmo durante o tratamento.

3D dual-confined sulfur encapsulated in porous carbon nanosheets and wrapped with graphene aerogels as a cathode for advanced lithium sulfur batteries.

Although lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted much attention due to their high theoretical specific energy and low cost, their practical applications have been severely hindered by poor cycle life, inadequate sulfur utilization, and the insulating nature of sulfur. Here, we report a rationally designed Li-S cathode with a dual-confined configuration formed by confining sulfur in 2D carbon nanosheets with an abundant porous structure followed by 3D graphene aerogel wrapping. The porous carbon nanosheets act as the sulfur host and suppress the diffusion of polysulfide, while the graphene conductive networks anchor the sulfur-adsorbed carbon nanosheets, providing pathways for rapid electron/ion transport and preventing polysulfide dissolution. As a result, the hybrid electrode exhibits superior electrochemical performance, including a large reversible capacity of 1328 mA h g(-1) in the first cycle, excellent cycling stability (maintaining a reversible capacity of 647 mA h g(-1) at 0.2 C after 300 cycles) with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency, and a high rate capability of 512 mA h g(-1) at 8 C for 30 cycles, which is among the best reported rate capabilities.

Band gap opening and semiconductor-metal phase transition in (n, n) single-walled carbon nanotubes with distinctive boron-nitrogen line defect.

Band gap opening and modulating are critical in dictating the functionalities of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in a broad array of nano-devices. Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, a class of semiconducting armchair SWCNTs with a distinctive BN line defect are studied, showing a super capacity to open the band gap of (4, 4) SWCNT to as large as 0.86 eV, while the opened band gap are found decreasing with the increasing diameters of SWCNTs. The opened band gap of SWCNTs can also be successfully modulated through both mechanical and electrical approaches by applying compressive uniaxial strain and electric field. This study provides novel insights into the large band gap opening and modulating of SWCNTs and could be useful in facilitating future applications of SWCNTs in electronic, optical and thermoelectric devices.

Life Cycle Assessment of Titania Perovskite Solar Cell Technology for Sustainable Design and Manufacturing.

Perovskite solar cells have attracted enormous attention in recent years due to their low cost and superior technical performance. However, the use of toxic metals, such as lead, in the perovskite dye and toxic chemicals in perovskite solar cell manufacturing causes grave concerns for its environmental performance. To understand and facilitate the sustainable development of perovskite solar cell technology from its design to manufacturing, a comprehensive environmental impact assessment has been conducted on titanium dioxide nanotube based perovskite solar cells by using an attributional life cycle assessment approach, from cradle to gate, with manufacturing data from our laboratory-scale experiments and upstream data collected from professional databases and the literature. The results indicate that the perovskite dye is the primary source of environmental impact, associated with 64.77% total embodied energy and 31.38% embodied materials consumption, contributing to more than 50% of the life cycle impact in almost all impact categories, although lead used in the perovskite dye only contributes to about 1.14% of the human toxicity potential. A comparison of perovskite solar cells with commercial silicon and cadmium-tellurium solar cells reveals that perovskite solar cells could be a promising alternative technology for future large-scale industrial applications.

A multilayered silicon-reduced graphene oxide electrode for high performance lithium-ion batteries.

A multilayered structural silicon-reduced graphene oxide electrode with superior electrochemical performance was synthesized from bulk Si particles through inexpensive electroless etching and graphene self-encapsulating approach. The prepared composite electrode presents a stable charge-discharge performance with high rate, showing a reversible capacity of 2787 mAh g(-1) at a charging rate of 100 mA g(-1), and a stable capacity over 1000 mAh g(-1) was retained at 1 A g(-1) after 50 cycles with a high columbic efficiency of 99% during the whole cycling process. This superior performance can be attributed to its novel multilayered structure with porous Si particles encapsulated, which can effectively accommodate the large volume change during the lithiation process and provide increased electrical conductivity. This facile low-cost approach offers a promising route to develop an optimized carbon encapsulated Si electrode for future industrial applications.