Multiple H-Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Solid-Solid Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage and Management

Solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) are considered among the most promising candidates for thermal energy storage and management. However, the application of SSPCMs is consistently hindered by the canonical trade-off between high TES capacity and mechanical robustness. In addition, they suffer from poor recyclability due to chemical cross-linking. Herein, a straightforward but effective strategy for fabricating supramolecular SSPCMs with high latent heat and mechanical strength is proposed. The supramolecular polymer employs multiple H-bonding interactions as robust physical cross-links. This enables SSPCM with a high enthalpy of phase transition (142.5 J g-1 ), strong mechanical strength (36.9 MPa), and sound shape stability (maintaining shape integrity at 120 °C) even with a high content of phase change component (97 wt%). When SSPCM is utilized to regulate the operating temperature of lithium-ion batteries, it significantly diminishes the battery working temperature by 23 °C at a discharge rate of 3 C. The robust thermal management capability enabled through solid-solid phase change provides practical opportunities for applications in fast discharging and high-power batteries. Overall, this study presents a feasible strategy for designing linear SSPCMs with high latent heat and exceptional mechanical strength for thermal management.

Neuroendocrine differentiation predicts the therapeutic efficacy of abiraterone and docetaxel as first-line therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

PURPOSE

We aim to explore the predictive value of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) receiving abiraterone or docetaxel as first-line therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of 262 mCRPC patients receiving abiraterone or docetaxel as first-line mCRPC treatment. NED was evaluated using prostate biopsy samples at the time of mCRPC by immunohistochemical staining. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were used to assess the association between NED and treatment outcomes including PSA progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

NED was confirmed in 100/262 (38.2%) mCRPC patients, with 76/100 (76.0%) and 24/100 (24.0%) men harboring NED < 10% and NED ≥ 10%, respectively. 203/262 (77.5%) and 59/262 (22.5%) patients received abiraterone and docetaxel, respectively. In abiraterone treatment, NED was associated with a significantly shorter median PSA-PFS (mPSA-PFS, 7.5 vs. 10.3-Mo, P < 0.001), median rPFS (mrPFS, 15.9 vs. 19.5-Mo, P = 0.010), and median OS (mOS, 23.2 vs. 34.3-Mo, P = 0.014)). Likewise, for mCRPC patients receiving docetaxel, the positive detection of NED also predicted shorter mPSA-PFS (3.8 vs. 5.9-Mo, P = 0.052), mrPFS (8.4 vs. 20.4-Mo, P = 0.016) and mOS (13.6 vs. 29.0-Mo, P = 0.033). The adverse prognostic trait of NED is consistent in most subgroups. Additionally, patients' survival outcomes deteriorated as the NED proportion grew in both therapies. After propensity score matching, NED-positive patients showed comparable prognosis in abiraterone and docetaxel therapy.

CONCLUSION

For mCRPC patients receiving abiraterone or docetaxel, NED and its proportion were critical predictive factors. NED detection at mCRPC might aid in predicting patients' outcomes and optimizing treatment decisions.