Journal of The Electrochemical Society最新文献

Background: One of the possible adverse outcomes of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) administration for preterm fetal neuroprotection is hypermagnesemia in the newborn. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between antenatal MgSO4 administration for neuroprotection and neonatal serum magnesium levels in the first days of life.

Methods: A single-center retrospective case-control study was conducted on preterm neonates born in our institution between January 2017 and December 2019. Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal parameters were recorded, and demographic information was collected. Comparative analysis between the group of neonates exposed to antenatal MgSO4 and the control group was performed.

Results: A total of 98 patients were enrolled in the study, 49 of them were exposed to antenatal MgSO4 for neuroprotection. The serum magnesium levels in the 5 first days of life were higher in the case group, and higher than the normal range of serum magnesium levels (>2.4 mg/dL), with a statistical significance. The number of days needed to normalize serum magnesium levels was higher in the case group compared to the control group (median of 7 days [1-8] versus 2 days [1-5]).

Conclusions: Our findings show that antenatal administration of MgSO4 is associated with high serum magnesium levels in neonates. This group of patients needs close electrolyte monitoring during the first days of life. Parenteral nutrition supplemented with magnesium should only be considered after evaluation of serum magnesium levels.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common cause of lower extremity wound. Consequently, PAD leads to a cause of leg amputation nowadays, especially in diabetic patients. In general practice (GP), confrontation with PAD prevention is a challenge. In general, ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement can be used as a PAD diagnostic tool, but this takes some time. The tool is not generally available and this need to train healthcare workers to perform. Multiple independent predictors developed the diagnostic prediction model known as clinical decision rules (CDRs) to identify patients with high-risk PAD. This might therefore limit the number of patients (only high-risk patients) to refer for ABI evaluation. This narrative review summarized existing CDRs for PAD.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a waste produced from end-of-life Zinc-air batteries. Recycling of these spent batteries is important to reduce the pressure on primary zinc sources and to mitigate environmental pollution. To address the recyclability of waste ZnO from different sources, here we have studied ZnO dissolution and Zn electrodeposition in deep eutectic solvents (DES) of betaine hydrochloride (Betaine-HCl) and formic acid (FA) using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Additionally, the effect of water in the DES on the dissolution of ZnO and its electrochemical and spectroscopic behaviour was also studied. Solubility of ZnO in DES was found to be 95 g l^-1 which decreased slightly to 85 g l^-1 in the DES containing 10% water. Fourier transform infrared and Raman studies revealed that ZnO dissolved in DES by forming a [ZnCl₃FA]^- complex. Electrochemical studies showed that Zn deposit morphology and structure varied with water content in the DES. A uniform Zn deposit was achieved in ZnO-DES mixture whereas the presence of water gave a porous morphology. Thus, this study revealed an easy and eco-friendly route to recycle ZnO.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a strong oxidizing agent that damages cells by interacting with lipids, nucleic acids, sulfur-containing amino acids, and membrane components. It is an endogenous substance produced by the immune system to protect mammals from pathogens. Previously, we developed an HOCl-generating electrochemical catheter (e-catheter) and demonstrated its ability to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections. The e-catheter is an electrochemical system consisting of two parts - an e-hub and a tube. Working, counter, and reference electrodes are placed in the e-hub, which contains 0.9% NaCl as an electrolyte. Although a prototype of this device has shown activity against pathogens, it is helpful to understand the factors influencing associated electrochemical/chemical processes to optimize design and efficacy. A mathematical model could predict factors influencing HOCl generation and distribution in the catheter and could aid in optimizing these devices. Here, we developed an Electrochemical Hypochlorous Acid Production (EHAP) model to predict factors influencing electrochemical generation and distribution of HOCl in e-catheters, including polarization time, diffusion of HOCl into the e-catheter, operational voltage, working electrode length, and surface area.