Layered Perovskite Oxychloride Bi₄NbO₈Cl: A Stable Visible Light Responsive Photocatalyst for Water Splitting

Mixed anion compounds are expected to be a photocatalyst for visible light-induced water splitting, but the available materials have been almost limited to oxynitrides. Here, we show that an oxychrolide Bi₄NbO₈Cl, a single layer Sillen–Aurivillius perovskite, is a stable and efficient O₂-evolving photocatalyst under visible light, enabling a Z-scheme overall water splitting by coupling with a H₂-evolving photocatalyst (Rh-doped SrTiO₃). It is found that the valence band maximum of Bi₄NbO₈Cl is unusually high owing to highly dispersive O-2p orbitals (not Cl-3p orbitals), affording the narrow band gap and possibly the stability against water oxidation. This study suggests that a family of Sillen–Aurivillius perovskite oxyhalides is a promising system to allow a versatile band level tuning for establishing efficient and stable water-splitting under visible light

Mac‐2‐binding protein glycan isomer predicts all malignancies after sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C

Abstract Despite reports of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after achieving sustained virological response (SVR), only few studies have demonstrated the incidence of other (non‐HCC) malignancies. This study aimed to clarify the incidence, survival probability, and factors associated with malignancy, especially non‐HCC malignancies, in patients with chronic HCV infection after achieving SVR. In this retrospective study, records of 3580 patients with chronic HCV infection who achieved SVR following direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment were analyzed. The cumulative post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies was 0.9%, 3.1%, and 6.8% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The survival probability for patients with non‐HCC malignancies was 99.1%, 78.8%, and 60.2% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and the rate was significantly lower than that for patients with HCC. The Cox proportional hazards regression model identified Mac‐2‐binding protein glycan isomer (M2BPGi) cutoff index (COI) ≥ 1.90 at baseline and ≥ 1.50 at 12 weeks following DAA treatment as significant and independent factors associated with the post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies. Furthermore, patients with either M2BPGi COI ≥ 1.90 at baseline or M2BPGi COI ≥ 1.50 at SVR12 had a significantly higher risk of post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies than of HCC. Conclusion: M2BPGi measurements at baseline and SVR12 may help predict the post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies in patients with chronic HCV infection who achieved SVR following DAA treatment. Early identification of these patients is critical to prolong patient survival

Autoimmune Pancreatitis with Extreme Elevation of DUPAN-2

An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with complaints of jaundice and liver dysfunction. She was found to have a high titer of serum IgG4, positive rheumatoid factor and marked elevation of DUPAN-2 (11,148 U/ml). Computed tomography showed swelling of the pancreas, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed diffuse irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, which are typical findings of autoimmune pancreatitis. There was no evidence of malignancy. Administration of 30 mg/day of prednisolone was started. Computed tomography showed significant regression in the size of the pancreas, and the stenosis of the main pancreatic duct was improved on ERCP. The serum level of DUPAN-2 was also markedly decreased after the treatment