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While valuable chemicals can be obtained from biomass electro-oxidation, the mechanisms can be challenging to discern. Here, authors show that explicit control of electrochemical dehydrogenation mechanisms enables selective secondary alcohol oxidation of glycerol to produce 1,3-dihydroxyacetone.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel strain of coronavirus that has caused illness in over 6 million people worldwide as of June 2020. Patients with severe illness are treated with invasive mechanical ventilation, as such, tracheostomy has become a topic of interest. Traditional schema employed during independent breathing trials in patients with tracheostomies employ the use of a collar mask attached to flexible corrugated tubing with humidified oxygen from a wall source. One drawback of this arrangement is the creation of an open circuit with the potential for viral aerosolization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We adapted high flow oxygen (HFO) therapy to patient’s tracheostomy tube and devised a rapid decannulation protocol for patients recovering from Covid-19. Corrugated flexible tubing with a heating element is attached to the HFO meter-blender/heated humidifier apparatus and then connected directly to one end of a Y-adapter. An in-line suction kit specified for tracheostomy patients is also placed. Humidified air is delivered to the patient using the heating element of the HFO system obviating the need for a heat moisture exchanger. A second corrugated tube is attached to the free end of the Y-adapter and a non-conductive viral particle filter is attached to its free end to limit viral aerosolization. RESULTS: The mean time to tracheostomy placement is 18 days from initiation of mechanical ventilation (5-39 days). To date 20/52 (38%) patients have undergone tracheostomy tube removal, and of those 13 have been discharged. The mean time to decannulation is 15 days (8-32 days). Three patients failed decannulation requiring repeat endotracheal intubation (5.7%). SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in 22/24 patients undergoing repeat polymerase chain reaction testing on day 45 after initial positive test. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing HFO to tracheostomy scheme creates a closed circuit theoretically reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure, while also helping patients breathe independently. This schema coupled with a rapid decannulation protocol is a reasonable alternative in select patients recovering from severe COVID-19.

(Photo)electrochemical cells that produce fuels have often relied on water oxidation to complete the redox cycle. Here, the authors discuss alcohol oxidation as an alternative reaction and consider general mechanistic features of oxidation electrocatalysts.