Copper electrocatalysts have been shown to selectively reduce carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons. Nevertheless, the absence of a systematic study based on time-resolved spectroscopy renders the functional agent-either metallic or oxidative Copper-for the selectivity still undecidable. Herein, we develop an operando seconds-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy to uncover the chemical state evolution of working catalysts. An oxide-derived Copper electrocatalyst is employed as a model catalyst to offer scientific insights into the roles metal states serve in carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO 2 RR). Using a potential switching approach, the model catalyst can achieve a steady chemical state of half-Cu(0)and-half-Cu(I) and selectively produce asymmetric C 2 products-C 2 H 5 OH. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis reveals that a surface composed of Cu-Cu(I) ensembles can have dual carbon monoxide molecules coupled asymmetrically, which potentially enhances the catalyst's CO 2 RR product selectivity toward C 2 products. Our results offer understandings of the fundamental chemical states and insights to the establishment of selective CO 2 RR.

Alveolar epithelial cells of neonates are directly exposed to aspirated meconium during meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). This study was designed to investigate the influence of quantity and time of meconium exposure on the cell viability and caspase activity in type II human alveolar epithelial cells. Human alveolar epithelial cells were incubated with human meconium suspension at different concentrations and for different times. Cell viability and DNA fragmentation were investigated together with caspases activity and the amount of Bcl-2 protein present. We found that cell viability was significantly lower in cells exposed to a higher concentration of meconium. This was also true for cells exposed to meconium for longer. Significantly higher DNA fragmentation, an approximately two- to fivefold increase, was observed in cells that had been exposed to higher (5% and 10%) concentration of meconium compared to those treated with lower (0.1% and 1%) concentrations (P < 0.05). The activity of most apoptotic initiators (caspase 2, 8, 9, 10) and effectors (caspase 3, 6) were found to be significantly higher in cells subject to greater meconium exposure compared to cells with no or minor meconium exposure. The level of Bcl-2 was also found to be significantly decreased in meconium-exposed cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, human meconium would seem to induce direct cell death as well as caspase-dependent apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells; the amount and period of exposure to meconium are crucial factors in this process. Thus, removing aspirated meconium should alleviate lung cell damage in neonates and improve the outcome with MAS.

Hypertension is an uncommon but significant problem in high-risk neonates and infants, and the spectrum of potential causes is broad. Here, we describe an extremely premature infant (birth weight, 728 g; gestational age, 27 weeks) with multiple complications and hypertension. During admission, umbilical artery catheters were used for a period of time, and he suffered from respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, pericardial effusion, heart failure, repeated sepsis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, chronic lung disease, and progressive liver damage. He was treated with multiple medications, including erythropoietin, indomethacin, epinephrine, dopamine, aminophylline, multiple antibiotics, amphotericin B, and total parenteral nutrition. Hypertension was first noted when he was 41 days old, with spontaneous remission. It then recurred, reaching higher than 100 mmHg when he was almost 4 months old. After stopping erythropoietin, hypertension subsided for a short period of time and went up again. Multiple factor-related hypertension in this premature infant was considered. Related literature on hypertension in premature infants is reviewed. In conclusion, multiple factors can influence blood pressure and may induce hypertension in high-risk premature infants. Thus, blood pressure should be closely monitored in high-risk premature infants. Judicious use of all medications and interventions are crucial to decrease the incidence of hypertension in high-risk premature infants.