Unassisted Photoelectrochemical H2O2 Production with In Situ Glycerol Valorization Using α-Fe2O3.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) H2O2 production via two-electron O2 reduction is promising for H2O2 production without emitting CO2. For PEC H2O2 production, α-Fe2O3 is an ideal semiconductor owing to its earth abundance, superior stability in water, and an appropriate band gap for efficient solar light utilization. Moreover, its conduction band is suitable for O2 reduction to produce H2O2. However, a significant overpotential for water oxidation is required due to the poor surface properties of α-Fe2O3. Thus, unassisted solar H2O2 production is not yet possible. Herein, we demonstrate unassisted PEC H2O2 production using α-Fe2O3 for the first time by applying glycerol oxidation, which requires less bias compared with water oxidation. We obtain maximum Faradaic efficiencies of 96.89 ± 0.6% and 100% for glycerol oxidation and H2O2 production, respectively, with high stability for 25 h. Our results indicate that unassisted and stable PEC H2O2 production is feasible with in situ glycerol valorization using the α-Fe2O3 photoanode.

Intrahepatic neutrophil accumulation and extracellular trap formation are associated with posthepatectomy liver failure.

BACKGROUND: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) represents a life-threatening complication with limited therapeutic options. Neutrophils play a critical and dynamic role during regeneratory processes, but their role in human liver regeneration is incompletely understood, especially as underlying liver disease, detectable in the majority of patients, critically affects hepatic regeneration. Here we explored intrahepatic neutrophil accumulation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in patients with PHLF and validated the functional relevance of NETs in a murine partial hepatectomy (PHx) model. METHODS: We investigated the influx of neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells and the presence of their respective extracellular traps in liver biopsies of 35 patients undergoing hepatectomy (10 patients with PHLF) before and after the initiation of liver regeneration by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, NET formation and neutrophil activation were confirmed by plasma analysis of 99 patients (24 patients with PHLF) before and up to 5 days after surgery. Furthermore, we inhibited NETs via DNase I in a murine PHx model of mice with metabolically induced liver disease. RESULTS: We detected rapid intrahepatic neutrophil accumulation, elevated levels of myeloperoxidase release, and NET formation in regenerating human livers, with a significantly higher increase of infiltrating neutrophils and NETs in patients with PHLF. Circulating markers of neutrophil activation, including elastase, myeloperoxidase, and citrullinated histone H3, correlated with markers of liver injury. In a murine PHx model, we showed that the inhibition of NET accelerated hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PHLF showed accelerated intrahepatic neutrophil infiltration and NET formation, which were associated with liver damage. Further, we identified postsurgical myeloperoxidase levels as predictive markers for adverse outcomes and observed that blocking NETs in a murine PHx model accelerated tissue regeneration.

Development of a method and an assessment construct for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales.

Background: With the number of people with dementia dramatically increasing over time and dementia becoming a major health concern worldwide, scales have been developed to assess the stigma socially attached to this neurodegenerative disorder. There are, however, almost no available methods and assessment constructs for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales. Objective: To develop such a method and such an assessment construct by translating the Dementia Public Stigma Scale (DPSS) into standard written Chinese. Methods: We translated the DPSS following three major steps: (1) literal translation and mistranslation identification; (2) panel discussions of items with problematic translations; and (3) the final checking of the translated scale. Informed by the translation and adaptation process, we then developed a method for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales. Based on this method and our panel discussions, we finally proposed a tripartite assessment construct for quality evaluation of the translation of dementia public stigma scales. Results: Forward and backward translation did not work sufficiently in dementia public stigma scale translation. Mistranslations were induced by three major causes, including confusion caused by multiple Chinese meanings of the immediate Chinese direct translation, the lack of immediate Chinese direct translation because of varying positive/negative emotions attached to multiple translations, and the lack of culture-specific idioms in Chinese. Based on these factors, we proposed a tripartite dementia translation assessment construct. Following this assessment tool, we determined the best Chinese version that could further be tested for its psychometric properties among the public. Conclusion: A method and an assessment construct for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales were developed. Such a method and such an assessment construct could be followed in the translation of dementia public stigma scales and the translation evaluation of such scales.

The Ratio of Activin A and Follistatin-Like 3 Is Associated With Posthepatectomy Liver Failure and Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Liver Resection.

Background and Aims: Activin A is a key regulator in liver regeneration, but data evaluating its role in humans after hepatic surgery are limited. In this study we explore the predictive role of circulating activin A, its antagonist follistatin-like 3 (FSTL-3), and their ratio for posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and monitor their levels after surgery, to evaluate their role in human liver regeneration. Methods: Activin A and FSTL-3 levels were assessed in 59 patients undergoing liver surgery. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, we evaluated the predictive potential of activin A, FSTL-3, and their ratio. Results: While perioperative dynamics of activin A and FSTL3 were significantly affected by hepatic resection (activin A P = .045, FSTL-3 P = .005), their functionally relevant ratio did not significantly change (P = .528). Neither activin A nor FSTL-3 alone but only their ratio exhibited a significant predictive potential for PHLF (area under the curve: 0.789, P = .038). Patients with low preoperative activin A/FSTL-3 ratio were found to more frequently suffer from PHLF (0.017) and morbidity (0.005). Conclusion: Activin A/FSTL-3 ratio predicts PHLF and morbidity. Its significance in preoperative patient assessment needs to be further validated in larger, independent cohorts.