10 research outputs found
Modular Flow Reactors for Valorization of Kraft Lignin and Low???Voltage Hydrogen Production
Recent studies have found that green hydrogen production and biomass utilization technologies can be combined to efficiently produce both hydrogen and value-added chemicals using biomass as an electron and proton source. However, the majority of them have been limited to proof-of-concept demonstrations based on batch systems. Here the authors report the design of modular flow systems for the continuous depolymerization and valorization of lignin and low-voltage hydrogen production. A redox-active phosphomolybdic acid is used as a catalyst to depolymerize lignin with the production of aromatic compounds and extraction of electrons for hydrogen production. Individual processes for lignin depolymerization, byproduct separation, and hydrogen production with catalyst reactivation are modularized and integrated to perform the entire process in the serial flow. Consequently, this work enabled a one-flow process from biomass conversion to hydrogen gas generation under a cyclic loop. In addition, the unique advantages of the fluidic system (i.e., effective mass and heat transfer) substantially improved the yield and efficiency, leading to hydrogen production at a higher current density (20.5 mA cm???2) at a lower voltage (1.5 V) without oxygen evolution. This sustainable eco-chemical platform envisages scalable co-production of valuable chemicals and green hydrogen for industrial purposes in an energy-saving and safe manner
Risk factors associated with adverse events during endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue sampling.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is commonly used to obtain tissue external to the gastrointestinal tract. EUS-FNA is relatively safe, but occasionally adverse events have been reported. There is scarcity of data on risk factors of adverse events. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors associated with EUS-FNA.In this multicenter case-control study, we retrospectively reviewed 4,097 cases between 2009 and 2012 at 15 hospitals in Korea. Among the patients there were 104 cases (2.5%) who had adverse events of which 12 (0.29%) were severe. We matched 520 controls (1:5 ratios) stratified by hospital to analyze the potential risk factors.The most common adverse events were pancreatitis (45/104, 43.3%) and infection (46/104, 44.2%). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on the same day was a risk factor of all adverse events [OR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.41, 4.12)], pancreatitis [OR = 2.31, 95% CI (1.02, 5.25)], and infection [OR = 2.75, 95% CI (1.31, 5.78)]. More than 15 to-and-fro movements during puncture increased the risk of pancreatitis [OR = 2.30, 95% CI (1.11, 4.77)] and infection [OR = 3.65, 95% CI (1.55, 8.59)]. A higher number of punctures was positively correlated with pancreatitis [OR = 1.34, 95% CI (1.08, 1.67)] but negatively correlated with infection [OR = 0.66, 95% CI (0.48, 0.89)].EUS-FNA is a safe procedure in which serious adverse events are rare. We define some risk factors of adverse events during EUS-FNA, including ERCP on the same day, a higher number of punctures, and more than 15 to-and-fro movements
Dual Roles of Graphene Oxide To Attenuate Inflammation and Elicit Timely Polarization of Macrophage Phenotypes for Cardiac Repair
Development of localized
inflammatory environments by M1 macrophages
in the cardiac infarction region exacerbates heart failure after myocardial
infarction (MI). Therefore, the regulation of inflammation by M1 macrophages
and their timely polarization toward regenerative M2 macrophages suggest
an immunotherapy. Particularly, controlling cellular generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause M1 differentiation, and
developing M2 macrophage phenotypes in macrophages propose a therapeutic
approach. Previously, stem or dendritic cells were used in MI for
their anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potentials and showed
inflammation modulation and M2 macrophage progression for cardiac
repair. However, cell-based therapeutics are limited due to invasive
cell isolation, time-consuming cell expansion, labor-intensive and
costly <i>ex vivo</i> cell manipulation, and low grafting
efficiency. Here, we report that graphene oxide (GO) can serve as
an antioxidant and attenuate inflammation and inflammatory polarization
of macrophages <i>via</i> reduction in intracellular ROS.
In addition, GO functions as a carrier for interleukin-4 plasmid DNA
(IL-4 pDNA) that propagates M2 macrophages. We synthesized a macrophage-targeting/polarizing
GO complex (MGC) and demonstrated that MGC decreased ROS in immune-stimulated
macrophages. Furthermore, DNA-functionalized MGC (MGC/IL-4 pDNA) polarized
M1 to M2 macrophages and enhanced the secretion of cardiac repair-favorable
cytokines. Accordingly, injection of MGC/IL-4 pDNA into mouse MI models
attenuated inflammation, elicited early polarization toward M2 macrophages,
mitigated fibrosis, and improved heart function. Taken together, the
present study highlights a biological application of GO in timely
modulation of the immune environment in MI for cardiac repair. Current
therapy using off-the-shelf material GO may overcome the shortcomings
of cell therapies for MI
Risk factors among patients with EUS-FNA to the pancreas<sup>†</sup> (Adjusted).
<p>Risk factors among patients with EUS-FNA to the pancreas<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0189347#t004fn001" target="_blank"><sup>†</sup></a> (Adjusted).</p
Factors associated with EUS-FNA adverse events (Unadjusted).
<p>Factors associated with EUS-FNA adverse events (Unadjusted).</p
Characteristics of the study population (<i>N</i> = 624).
<p>Characteristics of the study population (<i>N</i> = 624).</p
Prevalence of clonorchiasis in patients with gastrointestinal disease: A Korean nationwide multicenter survey
AIM: To investigate prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, and the relation of the infection to hepatobiliary diseases in 26 hospitals in Korea