These findings indicate that the withdrawal of digoxin carries considerable risks for patients with chronic heart failure and impaired systolic function who have remained clinically stable while receiving digoxin and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors.

Next-generation DNA sequencing is currently limited by an inability to accurately count the number of input DNA molecules. Molecular counting is particularly needed when accurate quantification is required for diagnostic purposes, such as in single gene non-invasive prenatal testing (sgNIPT) and liquid biopsy. We developed Quantitative Counting Template (QCT) molecular counting to reconstruct the number of input DNA molecules using sequencing data. We then used QCT molecular counting to develop sgNIPTs of sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, alpha-thalassemia, and beta-thalassemia. The analytical sensitivity and specificity of sgNIPT was >98% and >99%, respectively. Validation of sgNIPTs was further performed with maternal blood samples collected during pregnancy, and sgNIPTs were 100% concordant with newborn follow-up.

This study represents a notable step toward a potentially carbon neutral energy storage solution based on formic acid as a hydrogen/ energy carrier. A catalytic system derived from IrCl 3 and 1,3-bis(2′-pyridylimino)-isoindoline (IndH) in the presence of aqueous sodium formate showed high selectivity and robustness for hydrogen generation from formic acid (FA) at 90−100 °C under both high and moderate pressure conditions suppressing the formation of CO impurity. Being a solid substance, the catalyst can be recovered by a simple filtration, if necessary. Furthermore, addition of neat formic acid is sufficient to reuse the catalyst and maintain a constant flow of H 2 and CO 2 mixture and the stable performance of a coupled fuel cell. The easy to recycle catalyst did not show any loss of activity after 20 days of continuous use, and similar activity was observed even a year after the original preparation. The reactor for formic acid decomposition provided a one to one ratio of a H 2 /CO 2 mixture that was coupled to a hydrogen/air proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell to demonstrate a stable and continuous conversion of chemical energy to electricity. This integrated system embodies the first example of an indirect formic acid fuel cell, which can function, without the requirement of applying inert conditions and feed gas purification, for extended periods of time.

No abstract

No abstract