Scalable Ir‑Doped NiFe_(2)O_(4)/TiO_(2) Heterojunction Anode for Decentralized Saline Wastewater Treatment and H_(2) Production

Wastewater electrolysis cells(WECs)for decentralized wastewater treatment/reuse coupled with H_(2) production can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation of water,waste,and energy carrier.This study reports Ir-doped NiFe_(2)O_(4)(NFI,~5 at%Ir)spinel layer with TiO_(2) overlayer(NFI/TiO_(2)),as a scalable heterojunction anode for direct electrolysis of wastewater with circumneutral pH in a single-compartment cell.In dilute(0.1 M)NaCl solutions,the NFI/TiO_(2) marks superior activity and selectivity for chlorine evolution reaction,outperforming the benchmark IrO_(2).Robust operation in near-neutral pH was confirmed.Electroanalyses including operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy unveiled crucial roles of TiO_(2) which serves both as the primary site for Cl−chemisorption and a protective layer for NFI as an ohmic contact.Galvanostatic electrolysis of NH4+-laden synthetic wastewater demonstrated that NFI/TiO_(2)not only achieves quasi-stoichiometric NH_(4)^(+)-to-N_(2)conversion,but also enhances H_(2)generation efficiency with minimal competing reactions such as reduction of dissolved oxygen and reactive chlorine.The scaled-up WEC with NFI/TiO_(2)was demonstrated for electrolysis of toilet wastewater.

Activin A receptor type 1C single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk in Chinese population

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)superfamily plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis.Activin A receptor type 1C(ACVR1C)is a TGF-βtype I receptor that is involved in tumorigenesis through binding to dif-ferent ligands.AIM To evaluate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of ACVR1C and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)in Chinese Han population.METHODS In this hospital-based cohort study,1043 ESCC patients and 1143 healthy controls were enrolled.Five SNPs(rs4664229,rs4556933,rs77886248,rs77263459,rs6734630)of ACVR1C were assessed by the ligation detection reaction method.Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test,genetic model analysis,stratified analysis,linkage disequi-librium test,and haplotype analysis were conducted.RESULTS Participants carrying ACVR1C rs4556933 GA mutant had significantly decreased risk of ESCC,and those with rs77886248 TA mutant were related with higher risk,especially in older male smokers.In the haplotype analysis,ACVR1C Trs4664229Ars4556933Trs77886248Crs77263459Ars6734630 increased risk of ESCC,while Trs4664229Grs4556933Trs77886248Crs77263459Ars6734630 was associated with lower susceptibility to ESCC.CONCLUSION ACVR1C rs4556933 and rs77886248 SNPs were associated with the susceptibility to ESCC,which could provide a potential target for early diagnosis and treatment of ESCC in Chinese Han population.

Bioengineering breakthroughs:The impact of stem cell models on advanced therapy medicinal product development

The burgeoning field of bioengineering has witnessed significant strides due to the advent of stem cell models,particularly in their application in advanced therapy medicinal products(ATMPs).In this review,we examine the multifaceted impact of these developments,emphasizing the potential of stem cell models to enhance the sophistication of ATMPs and to offer alternatives to animal testing.Stem cell-derived tissues are particularly promising because they can reshape the preclinical landscape by providing more physiologically relevant and ethically sound platforms for drug screening and disease modelling.We also discuss the critical challenges of reproducibility and accuracy in measurements to ensure the integrity and utility of stem cell models in research and application.Moreover,this review highlights the imperative of stem cell models to align with regulatory standards,ensuring using stem cells in ATMPs translates into safe and effective clinical therapies.With regulatory approval serving as a gateway to clinical adoption,the collaborative efforts between scientists and regulators are vital for the progression of stem cell applications from bench to bedside.We advocate for a balanced approach that nurtures innovation within the framework of rigorous validation and regulatory compliance,ensuring that stem cell-base solutions are maximized to promote public trust and patient health in ATMPs.

Procyanidin A_1 and its digestive products alleviate acrylamide-induced IPEC-J2 cell damage through regulating Keap1/Nrf2 pathway

Our previous study has revealed that procyanidin A_(1)(A_(1))and its simulated digestive product(D-A,)can alleviate acrylamide(ACR)-induced intestine cell damage.However,the underlying mechanism remains unknown.In this study,we elucidated the molecular mechanism for and D-A_(1) to alleviate ACR-stimulated IPEC-J2 cell damage.ACR slightly activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signaling and its target genes,but this activation could not reduce intestine cell damage.A_(1) and D-A_(1) could alleviate ACR-induced cell damage,but the effect was abrogated in cells transiently transfected with Nrf2 small interfering RNA(siRNA).Further investigation confirmed that A_(1) and D-A_(1) interacted with Ketch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keapl),which boosted the stabilization of Nrf2,subsequently promoted the translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus,and further increased the expression of antioxidant proteins,thereby inhibiting glutathione(GSH)consumption,maintaining redox balance and eventually alleviating ACR-induced cell damage.Importantly,there was no difference between A_(1) and D-A_(1) treated groups,indicating that A_(1) can tolerate gastrointestinal digestion and may be a potential compound to limit the toxicity of ACR.

血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平在COPD并发OSAS诊断中的临床价值

目的探究血清肥大细胞羧肽酶(MC-CP)、趋化因子26(CCL26)、诱饵受体3(DcR3)水平在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)并发阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)诊断中的临床价值。方法选取2021年1月至2023年1月河北北方学院附属第一医院收治的COPD患者90例,其中单纯COPD患者48例即为COPD组,COPD合并OSAS患者42例即为COPD-OSAS组。同期选取在河北北方学院附属第一医院体检健康志愿者48例为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平。受试者工作特征(ROC)和曲线下面积(AUC)分析血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平在COPD并发OSAS诊断中的临床价值。多因素Logistic回归分析COPD并发OSAS的影响因素。结果与对照组相比,COPD组和COPD-OSAS组患者吸烟指数、C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞计数(WBC)水平依次显著升高,1秒钟用力呼气容积与用力肺活量的比(FEV1/FVC)依次显著降低(P<0.05);与对照组相比,COPD组和COPD-OSAS组患者MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平依次显著升高(P<0.05);血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR33者联合对COPD并发OSAS诊断的AUC比单独诊断的更高(Z=4.066,P<0.001;Z=2.391,P<0.05;Z=2.353,P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,吸烟指数、MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平是COPD并发OSAS的影响因素(P<0.05)。结论COPD并发OSAS患者血清中MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3表达水平升高,三者联合可提高对COPD并发OSAS的诊断价值。

微纳米Mo_(2)C-C作为高性能微生物燃料电池的阳极电催化剂

通过简单的溶液衍生前驱体和煅烧法成功制备了具有微纳米结构的Mo_(2)C-C复合材料,并用作微生物燃料电池(MFC)的高性能阳极电催化剂。形态和组成表征表明,制备的Mo_(2)C-C复合材料由Mo_(2)C和C组成,具有微/纳米颗粒结构。同时材料表面含有丰富官能团,有助于提高微生物在阳极表面的附着。电化学测试结果表明,Mo_(2)C-C复合材料对阳极/微生物之间的电荷转移具有出色的电催化活性。装有微纳米Mo_(2)C-C/CF阳极的MFC的最大功率密度为1.61 W·m^(-2),明显优于商用碳毡阳极。这项工作为高性能、环保MFC阳极电催化剂提供新思路。

Cell metabolism pathways involved in the pathophysiological changes of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus.Elucidating the pathophysiological metabolic mechanism impels the generation of ideal therapies.However,existing limited treatments for diabetic peripheral neuropathy expose the urgent need for cell metabolism research.Given the lack of comprehensive understanding of energy metabolism changes and related signaling pathways in diabetic peripheral neuropathy,it is essential to explore energy changes and metabolic changes in diabetic peripheral neuropathy to develop suitable treatment methods.This review summarizes the pathophysiological mechanism of diabetic peripheral neuropathy from the perspective of cellular metabolism and the specific interventions for different metabolic pathways to develop effective treatment methods.Various metabolic mechanisms(e.g.,polyol,hexosamine,protein kinase C pathway)are associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy,and researchers are looking for more effective treatments through these pathways.

Dendritic cells derived from pluripotent stem cells:Potential of large scale production

Human pluripotent stem cells(hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells, are promising sources for hematopoietic cells due to their unlimited growth capacity and the pluripotency. Dendritic cells(DCs), the unique immune cells in the hematopoietic system, can be loaded with tumor specific antigen and used as vaccine for cancer immunotherapy. While autologous DCs from peripheral blood are limited in cell number, hPSC-derived DCs provide a novel alternative cell source which has the potential for large scale production. This review summarizes recent advances in differentiating hPSCs to DCs through the intermediate stage of hematopoietic stem cells. Step-wise growth factor induction has been used to derive DCs from hPSCs either in suspension cultureof embryoid bodies(EBs) or in co-culture with stromal cells. To fulfill the clinical potential of the DCs derived from hPSCs, the bioprocess needs to be scaled up to produce a large number of cells economically under tight quality control. This requires the development of novel bioreactor systems combining guided EB-based differentiation with engineered culture environment. Hence, recent progress in using bioreactors for hPSC lineage-specific differentiation is reviewed. In particular, the potential scale up strategies for the multistage DC differentiation and the effect of shear stress on hPSC differentiation in bioreactors are discussed in detail.

Green tea polyphenols inhibit testosterone production in rat Leydig cells

This study investigated the acute effects of green tea extract （GTE） and its polyphenol constituents, （-）-epigallocatechin-3-gallate （EGCG） and （-）-epicatechin （EC）, on basal and stimulated testosterone production by rat Leydig cells in vitro. Leydig cells purified in a Percoll gradient were incubated for 3 h with GTE, EGCG or EC and the testosterone precursor androstenedione, in the presence or absence of either protein kinase A （PKA） or protein kinase C （PKC） activators. The reversibility of the effect was studied by pretreating cells for 15 min with GTE or EGCG, allowing them to recover for 1 h and challenging them for 2 h with human chorionic gonadotropin （hCG）, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone （LHRH）, 22（R）-hydroxycholesterol or androstenedione. GTE and EGCG, but not EC, inhibited both basal and kinase-stimulated testosterone production. Under the pretreatment conditions, the inhibitory effect of the higher concentration of GTE/EGCG on hCG/LHRH-stimulated or 22（R）- hydroxycholesterol-induced testosterone production was maintained, whereas androstenedione-supported testosterone production returned to control levels. At the lower concentration of GTE/EGCG, the inhibitory effect of these polyphenols on 22（R）-hydroxycholesterol-supported testosterone production was reversed. The inhibitory effects of GTE may be explained by the action of its principal component, EGCG, and the presence of a gallate group in its structure seems important for its high efficacy in inhibiting testosterone production. The mechanisms underlying the effects of GTE and EGCG involve the inhibition of the PKA/PKC signalling pathways, as well as the inhibition of P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase function.

Advanced Glycation End Products Promote Differentiation of CD4^+ T Helper Cells toward Pro-inflammatory Response

This study investigated the effect of advanced glycation end products（AGEs） on differentiation of na ve CD4＋T cells and the role of the receptor of AGEs（RAGE） and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors（PPARs） activity in the process in order to gain insight into the mechanism of immunological disorders in diabetes. AGEs were prepared by the reaction of bovine serum albumin（BSA） with glucose. Human na ve CD4＋T cells, enriched from blood of healthy adult volunteers with negative selection assay, were cultured in vitro and treated with various agents including AGEs, BSA, high glucose, PGJ2 and PD68235 for indicated time. In short hairpin（sh） RNA knock-down experiment, na ve CD4＋T cells were transduced with media containing shRNA-lentivirus generated from lentiviral packaging cell line, Lent-XTM293 T cells. Surface and intracellular cytokine stainings were used for examination of CD4＋T cell phenotypes, and real-time PCR and Western blotting for detection of transcription factor mRNA and protein expression, respectively. The suppressive function of regulatory T（Treg） cells was determined by a [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay. The results showed that AGEs induced higher pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 cells differentiated from na ve CD4＋T cells than the controls, whereas did not affect anti-inflammatory Treg cells. However, AGEs eliminated suppressive function of Treg cells. In addition, AGEs increased RAGE mRNA expression in na ve CD4＋T cells, and RAGE knock-down by shRNA eliminated the effect of AGEs on the differentiation of CD4＋T cells and the reduction of suppressive function of Treg cells. Furthermore, AGEs inhibited the mRNA expression of PPARγ, not PPARα; PPARγ agonist, PGJ2, inhibited the effect of AGEs on na ve CD4＋T cell differentiation and reversed the AGE-reduced suppressive function of Treg cells; on the other hand, PPARγ antagonist, PD68235, attenuated the blocking effect of RAGE shRNA on the role of AGEs. It was concluded that AGEs may promote CD4＋T cells development toward pro-inflammatory state, which is associated with increased RAGE mRNA expression and reduced PPARγ activity. ＋

Integrated Manufacturing Cell Formation Technology Orienting Multi-product Type and Variant Volume Production

What is pursued by multi-product type and variant volume（MPTVV） production is rapid response and quick switching,so that structure of transferring line in manufacturing system is no longer unalterable.Cell formation（CF） algorithm is the key technology of cellular manufacturing system（CMS）.Currently,CF methods are mainly extended on the idea of group technology（GT） that covers a lot on analysis of resource capability matching and its algorithm.Various constraints are considered,but seldom utilized comprehensively.Aimed to the problem of manufacturing cell（MC） formation under MPTVV production mode,integrated formation technologies for typical MC as group type of cell（GC）,flow type of cell（FC） and inherited cell（IC） are presented based on technical analysis of CF.Oriented to practical production constraints like delivery time,product batch,equipment ability,key machine,key part and machine sharing,etc,an integrated formation model is constructed and internal interrelations of these constraints are analyzed synthetically.Ulteriorly,formation goals of types of MCs and their formation procedures under joint effect of formation constraints and rules are spread.In case study,three highly balanced GC are formed first;then FC formation are implemented based on the same data which indicate good balancing effect of cell load and flow-style production for key tasks;When task is adjusted,a new scheme is constructed on the result of FC configuration by using IC formation method,and more optimal performance of flow-style production is manifested.The proposed comparative study of different type of cells strongly explains the validation of integrated MC formation in support of rapid manufacturing resource transformation under MPTVV production mode.

HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR PROTECTS AGAINST APOPTOSIS INDUCED BY ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Objective To investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)on vascular endothelial cells apoptosis induced by advanced glycation end products(AGEs)and its possible mechanism. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured in vitro and intervened by different concentrations of AGEs and HGF.The cell inhibitory rates of each group with different culture time(12, 24, 48, and 72 hours)were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay. The early stage apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, morphology of cell apoptosis was observed by hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining, and the expression of apoptosis-associated genes Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting.The activity of caspase-3 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results Morphological observation indicated that high concentration of AGEs induced characteristic apoptotic changes in HUVECs.Within a certain concentration range, HUVECs apoptosis inducing rates by AGEs were in both dose- and time-dependent manners.HGF significantly inhibited the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by AGEs (P< 0.05).AGEs significantly promoted expression of Bax protein, but not Bcl-2.Whereas HGF significantly promoted the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.01)and decreased the activity of caspase-3(P<0.05)without affecting Bax level.Conclusions AGEs can induce the apoptosis of endothelial cells in vitro.HGF may effectively attenuate AGEs-induced endothelial cells apoptosis through upregulating Bcl-2 gene expression and inhibiting caspase-3 activation.

Hydrogen Production with High Evolution Rate and High Yield by Immobilized Cells of Hydrogen-producing Bacteria Strain B49 in a Column Reactor

To improve the hydrogen evolution rate in continuous hydrogen production of a fermentative hydrogen-producing bacteria strain B49 (AF481148 in EMBL), 4% immobilized cells by polyvinyl alcohol-boric acid method, with the addition of a small amount of calcium alginate in a column reactor obtain hydrogen yield of 2.31 mol H2/mol glucose and hydrogen evolution rate of 1435.4 ml/L culture&middoth respectively at medium retention time of 2 h with a medium containing l0 g glucose/L. As the cell density in gel beads is increased to 8%, hydrogen yield and hydrogen evolution rate for l0 g glucose/L are 2.34 mol H2/mol glucose and 2912.4 ml/L culture &middot h respectively at medium retention time of 1 h, and for molasses wastewater COD of 7505.9 mg/L hydrogen production potential of 205.6 ml/g COD and hydrogen evolution rate of 2057.7 ml/L culture&middoth at hydraulic retention time of 0.75 h are observed. In the continuous culture pH value keeps around 3.9 by self regulation.

Gene expression profiling defined pathways correlated with fibroblast cell proliferation induced by Opisthorchis viverrini excretory /secretory product

AIM： To investigate the mechanism of fibroblast cell proliferation stimulated by the Opisthorchis viverrini excretory/secretory （ES） product. METHODS： NIH-3T3, mouse fibroblast cells were treated with O. viverrini ES product by non-contact co-cultured with the adult parasites. Total RNA from NIH-3T3 treated and untreated with O. viverrini was extracted, reverse transcribed and hybridized with the mouse 15K complementary DNA （cDNA） array. The result was analyzed by ArrayVision version 5 and GeneSpring version 5 softwares. After normalization, the ratios of gene expression of parasite treated to untreated NIH-3T3 cells of 2-and more-fold upregulated was defined as the differentially expressed genes. The expression levels of the signal transduction genes were validated by semiquantitative SYBR-based real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS： Among a total of 15 000 genes/ESTs, 239 genes with established cell proliferation-related function were 2 fold-and more-up-regulated by O. viverrini ES product compared to those in cells without exposure to the parasitic product. These genes were classified into groups including energy and metabolism, signal transduction, protein synthesis and translation, matrix and structural protein, transcription control, cell cycle and DNA replication. Moreover, the expressions of serinethreonine kinase receptor, receptor tyrosine kinase and collagen production-related genes were up-regulated by O.viverrini ES product, The expression level of signal transduction genes, pkC, pdgfra, jak 1, eps 8, tgfβ 1/4,strap and h ras measured by real-time RT-PCR confirmed their expression levels to those obtained from cDNA array. However, only the up-regulated expression of pkC,eps 8 and tgfβ3 1/4 which are the downstream signaling molecules of either epidermal growth factor （EGF） or transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） showed statistical significance （P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： O. viverrini ES product stimulates the significant changes of gene expression in several functional categories and these mainly include transcripts related to cell proliferation. The TGF-β and EGF signal transduction pathways are indicated as the possible pathways of O. viverrini-driven cell proliferation.

Role of Protein Kinase C in Advanced Glycation End Products-induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells

The role of protein kinase C （PKC） activation in advanced glycation end products （AGEs）-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells was investigated. HKC cells were divided into three groups： normal group, AGE-BSA group （100 mg/L AGE-BSA） and AGE-BSA＋PKC inhibitor （10 μmol/L chelerythrine chloride） group. PKC activity was measured by PKC assay kit. The expression of Vimentin, and phosphorylated β-catenin was detected by using Western blotting, and the content of TGF-β1 was examined by ELISA method. The intracellular disposition of Vimentin was observed by fluorescence microscopy. As compared with normal group, PKC activity was increased significantly in AGE-BSA group. The expression of Vimentin, phosphorylated β-catenin, and TGF-β1 was enhanced significantly in AGE-BSA group. The expression of Vimentin, phosphorylated β-catenin, and TGF-β1 was significantly blocked by chelerythrine chloride. High expression of Vimentin, phosphorylated β-catenin, and TGF-β1 induced by AGE-BSA may be mediated via the activation of PKC signal transduction pathway.

The effect of the fibre orientation of electrospun scaffolds on the matrix production of rabbit annulus fibrosus-derived stem cells

Annulus fibrosus （AF） tissue engineering has recently received increasing attention as a treatment for intervertebral disc 0VD） degeneration; however, such engineering remains challenging because of the remarkable complexity of AF tissue. In order to engineer a functional AF replacement, the fabrication of cell-scaffold constructs that mimic the cellular, biochemical and structural features of native AF tissue is critical. In this study, we fabricated aligned fibroua polyurethane scaffolds using an electrospinning technique and used them for culturing AF-derived-stem/progenitor cells （AFSCs）. Random fibrous scaffolds, also prepared via electrospinningy were used as a control. We compared the morphology, proliferation, gene expression and matrix production of AFSCs on aligned scaffolds and random scaffolds. There was no apparent difference in the attachment or proliferation of cells cultured on aligned scaffolds and random scaffolds. However, compared to cells on random scaffolds, the AFSCs on aligned scaffolds were more elongated and better aligned, and they exhibited higher gene expression and matrix production of coUagen-I and aggrecan. The gene expression and protein production of coUagen-II did not appear to differ between the two groups. Together, these findings indicate that aligned fibrous scaffolds may provide a favourable microenvironment for the differentiation of AFSCs into cells similar to outer AF cells, which predominantly produce collagen-I matrix.

In vitro cytotoxicity of Indonesian stingless bee products against human cancer cell lines

Objective:To screen crude extracts of propolis,bee pollen and honey from four stingless bee species[Trigona incisa(T.incisa)],Timia apicalis,Trigona fuso-baltata and Trigona filscibasis)native to East Kalimantan.Indonesia for cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines(HepG2,SW620,ChaGo-1,KATO-Ⅲand BT474).Methods:All samples were extracted with methanol,and then subpartitioned with n-hexane and ethyl acetate.Each crude extract was screened at 20μg/mL for in vitro cytotoxicity against the cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Tn addition,four previously shown bioactive components from propolis(apigenin,cafieic acid phenyl ester,kaempferol and naringenin)and two chemotherapeutic drugs(doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil)were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the cell lines.Results:Overall,crude extracts from propolis and honey had higher cytotoxic activities than bee pollen,but the activity was dependent upon the extraction solvent,bee species and cell line.Propolis extracts from T.incisa and Tarda apicalis showed the highest and lowest cytotoxic activity,respectively.Only the HepG2 cell line was broadly sensitive to the honey extracts.For pure compounds,doxorubicin was the most cytotoxic,the four propolis compounds the least,but the ChaGo-I cell line was sensitive to kaempferol at 10μg/mL and KATO-Ⅲwas sensitive to kaempferol and apigenin at 10μg/mL,.All pure compounds were effective against the BT474 cell line.Conclusions:Propolis from f,incisa and Trigona fusco-balteata contain an in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines.Further study is required,including the isolation and characterization of the active antiproliferative agent(s).

Expressions for Entropy Production Rate of Fuel Cells

On the basis of a general model of fuel cells, the entropy production rates of a fuel cell system under different conditions are derived by using theories of electrochemistry and thermodynamics. In order to analyze the influence of the irreversible losses existing in an actual fuel cell, the equivalent circuit of the fuel cell is introduced, so that the irreversible factor of the fuel cell may be determined directly as a function of the internal, leak and load resistances. Moreover, the maximum power output and efficiency of the fuel cell are calculated, the optimal operation of the fuel cell is discussed, and the matching condition of the load resistance is determined.

Impairment of IFN-a production capacity in patients with hepatitis C virus and the risk of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To determine the utility of interferon (IFN) -αproduction capacity in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for the measurement of immunosurveillance potential and for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by investigating the Sendai virus (HVJ) stimulated IFN-α production capacity of patients with HCV infection.METHODS: HVJ stimulated IFN-α production was determined in a large number of patients with HCV infection and the development of HCC was monitored for 3 years in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).RESULTS: IFN-α production capacity decreases gradually with the progression of liver disease from chronic hepatitis (CH) to HCC. A significant correlation between the duration of HCV infection and impaired IFN-α production capacity was observed. IFN-α production in patients who developed HCC within 3 years was significantly lower than that of patients who remained in LC without developing HCC.CONCLUSION: Measurement of IFN-α production in LC patients may be useful for the early detection of HCC.

Microbial Electrolysis Cells for Hydrogen Production

Microbial electrolysis cells(MECs)present an attractive route for energy-saving hydrogen(H2)production along with treatment of various wastewaters,which can convert organic matter into H2 with the assistance of microbial electrocatalysis.However,the development of such renewable technologies for H2 production still faces considerable challenges regarding how to enhance the H2 production rate and to lower the energy and the system cost.In this review,we will focus on the recent research progress of MEC for H2 production.First,we present a brief introduction of MEC technology and the operating mechanism for H2 production.Then,the electrode materials including some typical electrocatalysts for hydrogen production are summarized and discussed.We also highlight how various substrates used in MEC affect the associated performance of hydrogen generation.Finally we presents several key scientific challenges and our perspectives on how to enhance the electrochemical performance.