Wide-temperature electrochemical behaviors of sulfolane (SL) with lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiODFB) are studied using dimethyl sulfite (DMS) and diethyl sulfite (DES) as mixed solvents, respectively. In LiFePO4/Li cells, LiODFB-SL/DMS and LiODFB-SL/DES electrolytes always exert several advantages over a wide temperature range, such as stable cycling performance and good rate performance. Besides, in Li/mesophase carbon microbead cells, these novel electrolytes respectively exhibit excellent film-forming characteristics at both +60 and -20 °C, such as the formation of a stable and conductive SEI layer. It suggests that LiODFB-SL/DMS and LiODFB-SL/DES electrolytes are alterative candidate electrolytes for wide-temperature-range lithium-ion batteries.

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Acute pyelonephritis is a common invasive infection frequently caused by E. coli that possess P-fimbriae and secrete hemolysin. We have examined the role of P fimbriae and hemolysin in the killing of putative target cells of acute pyelonephritis, that is, human renal epithelial cells (HRPTEC). Cultures of HRPTEC were overlaid with (1) a prototypic pyelonephritogenic E. coli (CFT073) which expresses both P fimbriae and hemolysin; (2) its hemolysin-negative isogenic mutant (CFT073hlyD::TnphoA); or (3) a prototypic nonpyelonephritogenic fecal E. coli (FN414) which is negative for both P fimbriae and hemolysin. CFT073 and CFT073hlyD::TnphoA but not FN414 adhered to HRPTEC, as demonstrated by electron microscopy and direct counting. Adherence was diminished by antisera directed against P fimbriae and by a monoclonal antibody recognizing the epithelial receptor for P fimbriae. CFT073 was significantly more cytolethal for HRPTEC than its hemolysin-negative mutant. The bacteria-free filtrate of CFT073 was both hemolytic and cytolethal whereas that of CFT073hyD::TnphoA was not hemolytic and was significantly less cytolethal. Finally, we demonstrated that CFT073 passed through monolayers of HRPTEC at a higher rate than CFT073hlyD::TnphoA, indicating that hemolysin damages HRPTEC, facilitating passage of bacteria through the epithelial barrier. With HRPTEC and a pyelonephritogenic strain of E. coli we have reproduced in vitro bacterial attachment and toxin delivery by P fimbriae and hemolysin, factors epidemiologically associated with acute pyelonephritis in patients.

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This therapeutic method may be an appropriate choice for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

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