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The set definition of distal cholangiocarcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the pancreatic head is challenged by their close anatomical relation, similar growth pattern, and corresponding therapeutic outcome. They show a mutual development during embryologic organ formation and share phenotypic characteristics. This review will highlight the similarities with regard to the common origin of their primary organs, histopathological similarities, and modern clinical management. Thus, we propose to subsume those entities under a common superfamily.

Graphitic electrodes find widespread use throughout electrochemistry; understanding their fundamental electrochemical properties is imperative. It is widely thought that graphite edge plane sites exhibit faster rates of electron transfer as compared to basal plane sites. Hitherto the different rates of electron transfer at the edge and basal sites have been inferred indirectly using diffusional systems. To avoid possible complications we alternatively study a surface-bound system to simplify the interpretation. The voltammetric response of graphitic-surface-bound anthraquinone monosulfonate (AQMS) with varying pH, reveals two distinct voltammetric responses, ascribed as being due to the basal and edge plane sites; where the pK(a)  s associated with the reduced anthraquinone are found to differ for the two sites. Through modelling of the system based upon a "scheme of squares" mechanism it is possible to conclude that both the thermodynamics and kinetics of the species differ in the two environments in which the rate of electron transfer at the basal plane site is shown to be 2-3 orders of magnitude slower than that of the edge plane site. This work provides the first example of a voltammetric response which is purely due to electron transfer at a basal plane site. Further, we believe this is the first time a full "scheme of squares" model has been used for the quantitative analysis of a diffusionless 2H(+)2e(-) system.

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Purpose Adequate patient allocation is pivotal for optimal resource management in strained healthcare systems, and requires detailed knowledge of clinical and virological disease trajectories. The purpose of this work was to identify risk factors associated with need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), to analyse viral kinetics in patients with and without IMV and to provide a comprehensive description of clinical course. Methods A cohort of 168 hospitalised adult COVID-19 patients enrolled in a prospective observational study at a large European tertiary care centre was analysed. Results Forty-four per cent (71/161) of patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Shorter duration of symptoms before admission (aOR 1.22 per day less, 95% CI 1.10–1.37, p < 0.01) and history of hypertension (aOR 5.55, 95% CI 2.00–16.82, p < 0.01) were associated with need for IMV. Patients on IMV had higher maximal concentrations, slower decline rates, and longer shedding of SARS-CoV-2 than non-IMV patients (33 days, IQR 26–46.75, vs 18 days, IQR 16–46.75, respectively, p < 0.01). Median duration of hospitalisation was 9 days (IQR 6–15.5) for non-IMV and 49.5 days (IQR 36.8–82.5) for IMV patients. Conclusions Our results indicate a short duration of symptoms before admission as a risk factor for severe disease that merits further investigation and different viral load kinetics in severely affected patients. Median duration of hospitalisation of IMV patients was longer than described for acute respiratory distress syndrome unrelated to COVID-19.