Facile synthesis of Fe2O3, Fe2O3@CuO and WO3 nanoparticles: characterization, structure determination and evaluation of their biological activity

Due to their high specific surface area and its characteristic's functionalized nanomaterials have great potential in medical applications specialty, as an anticancer. Herein, functional nanoparticles (NPs) based on iron oxide Fe2O3, iron oxide modified with copper oxide Fe2O3@CuO, and tungsten oxide WO3 were facile synthesized for biomedical applications. The obtained nanomaterials have nanocrystal sizes of 35.5 nm for Fe2O3, 7 nm for Fe2O3@CuO, and 25.5 nm for WO3. In addition to octahedral and square nanoplates for Fe2O3, and WO3; respectively. Results revealed that Fe2O3, Fe2O3@CuO, and WO3 NPs showed remarked anticancer effects versus a safe effect on normal cells through cytotoxicity test using MTT-assay. Notably, synthesized NPs e.g. our result demonstrated that Fe2O3@CuO exhibited the lowest IC50 value on the MCF-7 cancer cell line at about 8.876 µg/ml, compared to Fe2O3 was 12.87 µg/ml and WO3 was 9.211 µg/ml which indicate that the modification NPs Fe2O3@CuO gave the highest antiproliferative effect against breast cancer. However, these NPs showed a safe mode toward the Vero normal cell line, where IC50 were monitored as 40.24 µg/ml for Fe2O3, 21.13 µg/ml for Fe2O3@CuO, and 25.41 µg/ml for WO3 NPs. For further evidence. The antiviral activity using virucidal and viral adsorption mechanisms gave practiced effect by viral adsorption mechanism and prevented the virus from replicating inside the cells. Fe2O3@CuO and WO3 NPs showed a complete reduction in the viral load synergistic effect of combinations between the tested two materials copper oxide instead of iron oxide alone. Interestingly, the antimicrobial efficiency of Fe2O3@CuO NPs, Fe2O3NPs, and WO3NPs was evaluated using E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans pathogens. The widest microbial inhibition zone (ca. 38.45 mm) was observed with 250 mg/ml of WO3 NPs against E. coli, whereas using 40 mg/ml of Fe2O3@CuO NPS could form microbial inhibition zone ca. 32.86 mm against S. aureus. Nevertheless, C. albicans was relatively resistant to all examined NPs. The superior biomedical activities of these nanostructures might be due to their unique features and accepted evaluations.

Treatment of mature landfill leachate in tropical climate using membrane bioreactors with different configurations

This study describes the collection of landfill leachate from seven sites in different climatic zones of Sri Lanka and characterizes the landfills through the analyses of leachate quality. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) with different configurations were employed to treat some of those leachates. An aerobic MBR (AMBR) system was operated in three Phases. In the first Phase, an AMBR alone, in the second Phase an anaerobic reactor followed by an anoxic reactor and an AMBR and in the third Phase an anoxic reactor followed by an AMBR were operated. In Phases I and II, the sludge retention time (SRT) and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) were kept at infinite (as no intentional wasting of sludge was made) and 96 h; in Phase III, the SRT was varied from 60, 30, 20 to 10 days and under each SRT, the HRT was varied from 96, 48, 24 and 12 h. The optimum operating conditions for the configuration used in Phase III was established through extensive experiments which had a SRT. The three MBR configurations removed more than 93%, 64.8% and 59% of BOD₅, COD and total nitrogen respectively. They also removed large amounts of slowly biodegradable substances and nitrogenous compounds other than NH₄⁺, NO₃^- and NO₂^-. Relationships between SRT and MLSS as well as SRT and fouling rate of membrane have been found. The study illustrates the capabilities of MBR in treating landfill leachate.

The prevalence of Schmorl's nodes in osteoporotic vs normal patients: a Middle Eastern population study

The study was conducted to establish the association of Schmorl's nodes and osteoporosis in a Middle Eastern cohort. The prevalence of SN in this sample was 41.1%. It was most frequent in the lumbar spine typically solitary central lesions. Over 88% Schmorl's node cases were osteoporotic/osteopenic and only 11.6% normal.

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to identify the prevalence of Schmorl's nodes (SNs) in a cohort of Omani nationals, and also to determine any relation between osteoporosis and Schmorl's nodes.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted on Omani nationals. One thousand three hundred and forty-eight DEXA scan patients were included. Of these, 545 patients had complete X-rays and MRI scans that would help determine the SN status. The X-rays and sagittal, coronal, and axial T2-weighted MR images were used to identify the presence and exact location of the Schmorl nodes by one orthopedic trainee and confirmed by the senior author. The correlation of each parameter with the presence of SN was analyzed by the independent-samples T test and one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of SN in this population sample appeared to be 41.1%. Over 88% of the SN-positive cases were either osteopenic or frankly osteoporotic by the WHO definition. Vast majority of SNs (87.1%) occurred in the lumbar spine and were central in location and mostly solitary. Statistical analysis of the data revealed significant correlation between osteopenia or osteoporosis and the presence of SNs.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of SN in the sample of Omanis studied was 41.1% and was most frequently seen in older men in the lumbar spine. It is strongly associated with osteoporosis/osteopenia (88.4%) and frequently presents as solitary central lesions.

The implications and management of complex biliary injuries at a tertiary hepatobiliary specialty center

Injuries of the biliary tract and complex injuries involving vascular and parenchymal tissue can be detrimental despite the improved use of laparoscopy. Complex biliary injuries are variable depending on the type of injury as well as patient and surgeon factors. We present four cases of complex biliary injuries at our tertiary referral center with hepatobiliary expertise: biliary stenosis with obstruction, double duct system anatomy, combined right hepatic arterial transection and biliary duct injury, and a complete pedicle injury. Early identification and specialized repair of complex biliary injuries is essential to minimize patient morbidity. Notably, consulting a specialist intraoperatively in case of difficult dissection and visualization or a suspected injury and considering bail-out strategies such as a subtotal cholecystectomy or conversion are safe approaches to minimize complex biliary injuries. Earlier recognition and repair of complex biliary injuries improves outcomes when immediate intraoperative repair can be performed rather than delayed postoperatively.

OP0096 EXPOSURE TO DENGUE INFECTION DO NOT RAISE RISK OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: FINDINGS FROM THE MALAYSIAN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (MYEIRA) CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Background:

Dengue infection is associated with joints pain mimicking disease onset symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is lack of epidemiological studies on exposure to dengue infection and risk of future RA.

Objectives:

We investigated the relationship between exposure to dengue infection and risk of developing different subsets of RA, defined by the presence of anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) in the multi-ethnic Malaysian population.

Methods:

Serum samples from 1,235 RA cases (i.e. 516 Malay, 254 Chinese, 405 Indians and 60 others/mixed-ethnicity) and 1,624 epidemiological matched population-based controls (i.e. 1,023 Malay, 208 Chinese, 297 Indians and 96 others/mixed-ethnicity) were assayed for presence of dengue IgG antibody using World Health Organization recommended ELISA kits. Positive results of dengue IgG antibodies indicates previous exposure to dengue infection(s). We performed chi-square and Mann-Whitney U analysis to determine the association of ever-exposed dengue infection with ACPA-positive/ACPA-negative RA and to investigate the antibody frequency and levels among the studied populations.

Results:

We observed high occurrence of dengue IgG antibody in the overall RA cases (79.7%) and matched controls (77.3%), with no significant differences detected between the ACPA subsets of RA. Ethnicity stratification analysis revealed a decrease risk of developing ACPA-positive RA in the Indian patients with positive dengue IgG antibody (OR=0.59, 95% CI=0.37-0.94, p=0.03), and in particular patients with elevated level of dengue IgG antibody (OR=0.44, 95% CI=0.25-0.78, p<0.05). On the other hand, the significant decrease mean levels of dengue IgG antibody were observed in the ACPA-positive RA subset for all three major ethnic groups (i.e. Malay, p<0.0001, Chinese, p<0.01 and Indian<0.05) (Figure 1). No association was observed between presence of dengue IgG antibody and ACPA-negative RA subset.

Figure 1.

Comparison of mean dengue IgG antibody level between ever-exposed dengue infection RA cases, stratified by ACPA status. Comparison of median dengue IgG antibody level between the ever-exposed dengue infection ACPA-positive RA and normal controls in the four ethnic groups. The red line indicates the mean level of dengue IgG antibody level

Conclusion:

Our findings demonstrated that exposure to dengue infection do not increase the risk of developing future RA in the multi-ethnic Malaysian population. The inverse associations observed in the Indian ethnic group are in line with the other studies investigating exposure to viral infection and risk of RA.

References:

[1]Sherina et al (2017) Low levels of antibodies against common viruses associate with anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive rheumatoid arthritis; implications for disease aetiology. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2017, 19:2169

[2]Gissel García et. al. (2011) Long-term persistence of clinical symptoms in dengue-infected persons and its association with immunological disorders. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 15 (2011) e38–e43

Acknowledgements:

The authors would like to thank the Director General of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia for supporting this study. The authors are also indebted to participants for their kind participation. This study was financially supported by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (JPP-IMR 17-025) and the short-term research grant by UniKL RCMP (str16037).

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge with cellulose, protein, and lipids: Role of rheology and digestibility

Rheology is known to have an impact on the performance of digesters, but the effect of additional substrates (co-digestion) is poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the addition of cellulose, protein and lipids to substrates on the rheological behaviour and biogas production of the mixture of primary sludge (PS) and waste-activated sludge (WAS) in a batch system. A mixture of PS and WAS to form the main substrate was anaerobically co-digested with different types of organic matter (cellulose, protein and lipids) as co-substrates at different co-substrate to main substrate ratios of 2-8 (wt%) under mesophilic conditions and below ammonia inhibition levels. Yield stress (τ_y) and the flow consistency index (k) of the combined feed in the case of cellulose and protein were significantly dependent on the amount of co-substrate added, while there was an insignificant impact on these properties when lipids were added. Cellulose significantly increased τ_y and k in the feed, which resulted in poor fluidity and the improper homogenisation of the digester content, and consequently decreased the biogas yield. In contrast, the biogas yield was improved through the addition of 2% to 6% protein despite an increase in τ_y and k of the feed, but the methane yield decreased at 7% and 8% levels of protein concentration. This observation indicates that the threshold for τ_y and k of the digester media depends on the organic nature and digestibility of the substrate. There was no significant impact on the flow properties of the initial mixture when lipids were added, and their addition increased the biogas yield. A first-order kinetic reaction model was used for predicting the yield of methane from these digesters. The rate constant values revealed an increasing trend, with the highest for protein then lipids then cellulose.

Impact of rheological properties of substrate on anaerobic digestion and digestate dewaterability: New insights through rheological and physico-chemical interaction

Mesophilic batch anaerobic digesters fed by different substrates were set up to identify the role of substrate rheology in anaerobic digestion performance while operating below the toxic level. Five substrates of different rheological behaviour but at the same amount of organic matters were prepared by addition of different amount of an inert material (0, 0.03, 0.07, 0.11, and 0.20 g) per g of waste activated sludge (WAS). To gain a comprehensive insight, the interactive relationship between substrate rheology, physico-chemical properties and biogas production as well as digestate dewaterability was investigated. The results proved that better access of microorganisms to organic matters improved the digester performance and led to 19.29% and 12.5% increase in biogas yield and VS removal efficiency, respectively. Moreover, the statistical analysis showed that consistency index and loss modulus of sludge could be employed as promising indications for biogas yield while yield stress could predict dewaterability of digestate as far as the other physico-chemical properties remained unchanged. During digestion measurement of consistency index and loss modulus of digestate could be performed as a reliable tool to monitor biogas production.

[Psychiatric care of refugees in Africa and the Middle East : Challenges and solutions]

Violence, flight, famine, and natural disasters as well as the absence of a psychosocial healthcare system are major psychological burdens for refugees. The level of provision of mental healthcare is particularly low in developing countries. Internally displaced people and refugees place high demands on the healthcare system because they often suffer from psychiatric disorders, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. We present first initiatives to improve psychiatric care in refugee camps in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan. Moreover, we provide first insights into a project based in Northern Iraq and Germany aimed at the treatment of people who were severely traumatized by the terror regime of the so-called Islamic State (IS).

Physiological adaptations to specific endurance training in professional female handball players

Several Hungarian and foreign researchers have already studied the cardiorespiratory parameters of elite handball players. There are only a few studies though, which would separately review the changes in the functions of different organ systems. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an intervention (physical activity) on the cardiorespiratory system. In this study, 16 elite female handball players participated, whose body compositions were measured and took two vita maxima tests. During the analysis, each cardiorespiratory parameter was monitored for every 20 s. Between the two examinations, 6 weeks passed and an intervention took place. There was a significant decrease in relative body fat and a significant increase in relative muscle mass. Remarkable positive changes occurred in the values of ventilation, oxygen pulse, and in both absolute and relative aerobic capacities as well. The mean values of the team developed as expected, but the individual changes in body composition and cardiorespiratory parameters are just as important. First, we chose four players, who had the most outstanding changes. Second, we analyzed such parameters, which were expected to show adequate results in terms of the apparatus(es) functioning.

Chromatic numbers and indices of the optimised degree six 3-modified chordal ring network topology

Graph colouring is the labelling of the elements of a graph subject to certain constraints. It is divided into vertex and edge colouring. In both cases, the assignment of labels, traditionally called colours is such that two vertices or edges must not have the same colour. This has various applications, especially in parallel computing. This paper introduces the degree six 3-modified chordal ring, CHR6o3, a parallel network interconnection topology model, and discusses its node and link colouring. Despite its asymmetry, the chromatic number of CHR6o3 cannot be generalised and must be determined specifically based on the combination of chords in each case. Cases where the chromatic index of CHR6o3 is its degree and where it is its one colour more than its degree were generalised and proven. Chromatic numbers are important in minimising the completion times of processes in parallel processing by reducing points of synchronisation, and link colouring aids processor scheduling.

Some graph properties of the optimised degree six 3-modified chordal ring network

The interconnection topology of a parallel or distributed network is pivotal in ensuring good system performance. It can be modelled by a graph, where its edges represent the links between processor nodes represented by vertices. One such graph model that has gained attention by researchers since its founding is the chordal ring, based on an undirected circulant graph. This paper discusses the degree six 3-modified chordal ring, CHR6o3, and presents its graph theoretical properties of symmetry and Hamiltonicity. CHR6o3 is shown to be asymmetric, and can be decomposed into similar subgraphs, each consisting of only one type of node in its class if ring links are ignored. These properties aid both the development of a routing scheme and also determining lower bounds for its chromatic number. Conditions for the existence of a Hamiltonian Circuit within CHR6o3 are also discussed. The existence of a Hamiltonian Circuit within a network simplifies parallel processing as the processors can be arranged to work on a task in a linear array. An Eulerian Circuit was shown to exist in CHR6o3. The existence of an Eulerian Circuit plays a role in routing in optical networks.

An Integrated Reservoir Simulation-Geomechanical Study on Feasibility of CO2 Storage in M4 Carbonate Reservoir, Malaysia

Abstract

The M4 Field is located north of Central Luconia Province in the Sarawak Basin, East Malaysia. The reservoir is approximately 2000 m below sea-level where the water depth is approximately 120m. An integrated geomechanical study for CO2 geological storage has been conducted to evaluate the feasibility of injecting and storing CO2 in the M4 depleted carbonate gas reservoir. The storage feasibility of M4 reservoir is impacted by interaction of the reservoir rock with carbonic acid formed by dissolution of injected CO2 in the water which has risen close to the cap-rock. The geomechanical study needs to assess the risk of CO2 leakage from the reservoir due to degradation of the integrity of the cap-rock by the injection operations, and interaction of the injected CO2 and carbonic acid with the cap and reservoir rocks.

A scope of work incorporating data review and integration, downhole log and image interpretation, 1-D in-situ stress and pore pressure analyses, rock property determination and 3-D coupled reservoir geomechanical modeling was conducted. In addition, laboratory rock mechanics tests and petrophysical measurements were conducted on core samples before and after injection of CO2 saturated brine solution, and the results were used to develop material strength, elastic and petrophysical property degradation models due to carbonic acid-carbonate interaction. A coupled geomechanical modeling was subsequently performed, which incorporates reservoir pressure and CO2 saturation from dynamic simulation, and subsequent changes in effective stress and the associated changes in porosity and permeability are calculated by a geomechanical modeler which were then passed back to the dynamic reservoir simulation. In addition, modifications were also made to geomechanical and petrophysical rock properties based on the carbonic acid-carbonate interaction degradation models.

The paper describes the staged works from 1-D Mechanical Earth Model construction to comprehensive laboratory rock mechanics testing, 3-D geomechanical model construction, pre-production stress modeling and various injection scenario predictions. Examples of key results and utilization of the results and findings from the geomechanical study to develop recommendations for optimizing the CO2 injection and storage in the M4 Field in order to achieve optimal geological storage management and direct cost savings will be presented and discussed.

Introduction

Along with capacity and injectivity of CO2, containment is a primary function in geological storage performance. Controlling the trapping of CO2 in the subsurface, i.e. storage containment, is of fundamental importance for safe geological storage of CO2. Rock formations can be impervious enough to act as flow barriers to CO2 over geological periods of time. Delineating such a seal, safeguarding its integrity under operational conditions, and verifying its isolation effectiveness are key objectives in achieving a successful CO2 storage project.

Standardization of thromboelastography: a report from the TEG-ROTEM working group

Laboratory evaluation of bleeding disorders has been performed with the standard clotting assays such as the PT and PTT for several decades. Our improved understanding of the process of blood coagulation has now revealed the important role played by the cellular elements such as platelets, monocytes and red blood cells. The need for a test that can assess clotting in a more 'global' manner, beyond the initiation of clot formation, has led to greater interest in assays such as thrombin generation and thromboelastography. Even though there are several publications using thromboelastography it remains a research tool as the methodology is not standardized. In an attempt to show reproducibility and consistency using thromboelastography, a group of investigators from different countries joined hands to form the TEG-ROTEM Working Group. Two studies were performed using PRP and FVIII deficient plasma and an intrinsic pathway activator. This article summarizes the results of the first international effort at standardization of thromboelastography. Both of the instruments using this technology (TEG(®) and ROTEM(®)) were used. Nine laboratories from countries around the globe participated in this effort. The results showed a significant inter-laboratory variance with CV's greater than 10%. Although these results were not satisfactory, this has been the first effort to standardize this methodology and significant work remains to be done to improve reliability and reproducibility. These studies were performed on PRP and the results may be more reliable when preformed on whole blood samples. We believe that it is important to continue this work so that we may investigate the usefulness and potential applications of thromboelastography in the evaluation of bleeding and thrombosis.

Immunoglobulin isotypes and functional anti-FVIII antibodies in response to FVIII treatment in Balb/c and C57BL/6 haemophilia A mice

Previous studies have demonstrated that genetic factors play an important role in determining the likelihood of formation of anti-factor VIII (FVIII) antibodies in haemophilia A patients. We were interested in characterizing the spectrum of FVIII antibody formation and the primary and secondary immune responses after FVIII administration in two different exon 16-disrupted haemophilia A mouse strains, Balb/c and C57BL/6. Balb/c and C57BL/6 E16 haemophilia A mice were used in all experiments. Total FVIII antibodies and FVIII inhibitors were measured using ELISA and Bethesda assays respectively. T- and B-cell cytokines were quantified using ELISA and flow cytometry. FVIII antibodies, but not functional inhibitors were detectable 1 week after the first FVIII treatment in both strains. These antibodies mainly belonged to the IgM and IgA isotypes. After the fourth FVIII treatment, neutralizing anti-FVIII antibodies were detected in both mouse strains: Balb/c (mean inhibitory titer 58 BU) and C57BL/6 (mean inhibitory titer 82 BU). IgG1 levels were similar in both strains but the IgG2A and IgG2B subclasses were higher in C57BL/6 mice. The results of intracellular cytokine staining of T cells indicated that the FVIII-treated C57BL/6 mice produced more IL10 and Th1 cytokines than the FVIII-treated Balb/c mice. These studies show that C57BL/6 mice develop a stronger immune response towards FVIII than Balb/c mice. We propose that the enhanced Th1 and IL10 cytokine micro-environment induced in C57BL/6 mice is responsible for this difference. Therefore, genetic strain-dependent differences must be considered when evaluating immunological outcomes in mouse models of haemophilia A.

Repeated inspiratory occlusions in anesthetized rats acutely increase blood coagulability as assessed by thromboelastography

Many of the components contributing to coagulability are enhanced by repeated episodes of hypoxia, as occurs in obstructive sleep apnea, but no one has yet measured the global hemostatic properties of blood in an animal model of this disease. Using thromboelastography, a hemostatic assay, we measured hemostasis in six pentobarbital-anesthetized rats before and after 3h of repeated inspiratory occlusions lasting 30s applied every 2 min and compared the results to those in six identically prepared rats before and after 3h of resting breathing. Rats subjected to occlusions displayed faster onset of clotting (p<0.031) and more rapid coagulation (p<0.031). Thus, repeated inspiratory occlusions acutely cause hypercoagulability in rats. Thromboelastography, a simple test of hemostasis, may help evaluate the factors responsible for this increase and, in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the risk of future cardiovascular disease.

Modification of a conventional anaerobic digester for improving the effluent and sludge characteristics

The aim of this study was to enrich the composition of anaerobic digester sludge in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus by struvite (MgNH4PO4) formation. Waste activated sludge was anaerobically digested in batch reactors under the conditions that the minimum stoichiometric requirement for struvite formation was satisfied in all reactors. For this purpose, different amounts of magnesium (Mg2+) and phosphate (PO4(3-)) ions were added initially to the batch reactors. The results showed the effects of adding Mg2+ and PO4(3-) ions on the performance of anaerobic digestion and on the amounts of ammonium (NH4+) and PO4(3-) ions released during digestion. The results indicated that the performance of the anaerobic digestion in chemical oxygen demand removal changed between -4.0% and 15.4% for a Mg2+ concentration range of 277.2 to 529.3 mg/L and a PO4(3-) concentration range of 377.4 to 2372.4 mg/L. There was an increase in the concentration of NH4+ in all reactors during digestion, but the extent of concentration increase could be controlled by increasing the initial concentrations of Mg2+ and PO4(3-). The maximum removal of NH4+ ions (33.7%) was observed in the reactor dosed initially by Mg2+ and PO4(3-) concentrations of 467.2 and 2123.3 mg/L, respectively. The concentration of PO4(3-) ion was lower than its initial concentration in all reactors, indicating considerable fixation of PO4(3-) as it was released, by struvite and other solid species formation. The decrease in the concentration of Mg2+ ions similar to PO4(3-) was accepted as evidence for the formation of solid species composed of Mg2+ and PO4(3), in addition to struvite. Water

Thromboelastography reflects global hemostatic variation among severe haemophilia A dogs at rest and following acute exercise

The heterogeneity among severe haemophilia A patients reflects on variable tendencies for bleeding and also variable responses to FVIII therapy. This variability cannot be detected or predicted by routine coagulation tests. Thromboelastography (TEG) has recently been evaluated for assessing hemostatic patterns in haemophiliacs and proved valuable in monitoring therapy and/or prophylaxis, however, usually only in limited small case series. Exercise is an important component of overall haemophilia care, however, in severe haemophiliacs there is an increased risk of bleeding. The availability of a validated hemostatic test to evaluate the influence of exercise would be advantageous. This study has used TEG analysis to evaluate the global hemostatic status of a group of severe haemophilia A dogs at rest and after a standardized period of exercise. The study demonstrated significant inter and intra-individual variations based on TEG patterns at rest and following acute exercise as well as significant improvement of global hemostasis after exercise in the majority of tested dogs. The study supports the utilization of TEG in assessment of the hemostatic pattern in severe haemophilia A and provides a potential for utilizing TEG evaluation in managing exercise regimens for haemophilia care.

Reduction of the immune response to factor VIII mediated through tolerogenic factor VIII presentation by immature dendritic cells

BACKGROUND

The development of neutralizing antibodies to factor FVIII (FVIII) represents the most serious complication in the treatment of hemophilia A.

OBJECTIVE

We have explored the potential of using immature dendritic cells (iDCs) to present FVIII in a tolerogenic manner to T cells.

METHODS

The iDCs were isolated from hemophilic murine bone marrow and pulsed with canine cFVIII (cFVIII-iDCs) in the presence or absence of the NFkappaB pathway blocking compound Andrographolide (Andro-cFVIII-iDCs). Three weekly intravenous infusions of one million cFVIII pulsed-iDCs were administered to a group of five hemophilic Balb/c mice. Anti-FVIII antibody levels were monitored by functional Bethesda assay after four weekly intravenous challenges with 2 IU of cFVIII.

RESULTS

We have shown that cFVIII in the presence or absence of Andro is efficiently taken up by iDCs and that this process does not result in the maturation of DCs or the activation of co-cultured T cells. Following repeated infusion of the cFVIII-iDCs and Andro-cFVIII-iDCs into hemophilic mice, which were subsequently challenged with cFVIII, long-term reductions of FVIII inhibitors of 25% and 40%, respectively, were documented. Studies of cytokine release and T-cell phenotypes indicate that the mechanisms responsible for reducing immunologic responsiveness to cFVIII appear to involve an expansion of Foxp3 T regulatory cells in the case of cFVIII-iDC infusion and the elaboration of the immunosuppressive cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta following andrographolide-treated cFVIII-iDCs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that tolerogenic presentation of cFVIII to the immune system can significantly reduce immunogenicity of the protein.

Probiotics for preventing preterm labour

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth causes 60% to 80% of neonatal deaths. Survivors can experience life-long complications. The risk of preterm labour in the presence of maternal infection is thought to be 30% to 50%. Probiotics are defined as live micro-organisms which, when administered in an adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host. They have been shown to displace and kill pathogens and modulate the immune response by interfering with the inflammatory cascade that leads to preterm labour and delivery. During pregnancy, local treatment restoring normal vaginal flora and acidity without systemic effects could be preferable to other treatment in preventing preterm labour.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of probiotics for preventing preterm labour and birth.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (June 2006).

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials assessing the prevention of preterm birth in pregnant women and women planning pregnancy through the use of probiotics to treat or prevent urogenital infections.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We extracted data using the prepared form and analysed with the Review Manager software.

MAIN RESULTS

We assessed four trials for inclusion in the review. One trial started in February 2005 and is still ongoing. We excluded one trial because there were no data to be extracted from the article. Of the two trials included in the review, one enrolled women after 34 weeks of pregnancy using oral fermented milk as probiotic, while the other study utilised commercially available yogurt to be used vaginally by women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis in early pregnancy. Reduction in genital infection was the only prespecified clinical outcome for which the data were available; pooled results showed an 81% reduction in the risk of genital infection with the use of probiotics (risk ratio 0.19; 95% confidence interval 0.08 to 0.48).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Although the use of probiotics appears to treat vaginal infections in pregnancy, there are currently insufficient data from trials to assess impact on preterm birth and its complications.

Contributing to the sustainable use of stormwater: the role of pervious pavements

The city of Melbourne, Australia is experiencing a water crisis with potable water storage reservoirs at an all time low. With increasing urbanisation there is an ever increasing need to research and explore sustainable water management initiatives. There is potential to minimise the negative impacts of stormwater runoff and augment dwindling supplies of potable water through adoption of pervious paving technology. The traditional approach to stormwater management has focused on constructing drainage networks to carry stormwater away from developed areas as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of flooding. The main aim of this research project was to establish relationships between rainfall intensity, infiltration rate and pervious pavement runoff and to examine the improvement to stormwater quality after infiltrating through pervious pavements. This paper describes the laboratory experiment set-up to determine the infiltration patterns and stormwater quality improvement for simulated storms precipitating on pervious pavements. Next, the scaling-up of the experimental rig to a field-based trial is explained. Preliminary results from this work are presented to demonstrate the potential benefits of pervious pavements in the Australian landscape.

Clonal analysis of adult human olfactory neurosphere forming cells

Olfactory neuroepithelium (ONe) is unique because it contains progenitor cells capable of mitotic division that replace damaged or lost neurons throughout life. We isolated populations of ONe progenitors from adult cadavers and patients undergoing nasal sinus surgery that were heterogeneous and consisted of neuronal and glial progenitors. Progenitor lines have been obtained from these cultures that continue to divide and form nestin positive neurospheres. In the present study, we used clonal and population analyses to probe the self-renewal and multipotency of the neurosphere forming cells (NSFCs). NSFCs plated at the single cell level produced additional neurospheres; dissociation of these spheres resulted in mitotically active cells that continued to divide and produce spheres as long as they were subcultured. The mitotic activity of clonal NSFCs was assessed using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. Lineage restriction of the clonal cultures was determined using a variety of antibodies that were characteristic of different levels of neuronal commitment: ss-tubulin isotype III, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and microtubule associated protein (MAP2), or glial restriction: astrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); and oligodendrocytes, galactocerebroside (GalC). Furthermore, nestin expression, a marker indicative of progenitor nature, decreased in defined medium compared to serum-containing medium. Therefore, adult human ONe-derived neural progenitors retain their capacity for self-renewal, can be clonally expanded, and offer multipotent lineage restriction. Therefore, they are a unique source of progenitors for future cell replacement strategies in the treatment of neurotrauma and neurodegenerative diseases.

Immunomagnetic separation of adult human olfactory neural progenitors

Olfactory neuroepithelium (ONe) has lifelong regenerative capacity owing to the presence of mitotically active progenitors. The accessibility of ONe makes it a unique source of progenitors for cell replacement strategies in the CNS. We have established lines of neurosphere forming cells (NSFCs) from adult postmortem ONe and patients undergoing nasal sinus surgery by endoscopic biopsy. These heterogeneous lines are composed primarily of an immature neuronally restricted and a small glial restricted subpopulation. More homogeneous subpopulations of the NSFCs are essential for detailed study of factors influencing their lineage restriction. Immunomagnetic bead separation using an antibody against tyrosine kinase (Trk) receptors (Trk-pan, which recognizes Trk-A, B, C) resulted in viable, enriched positive and negative subpopulations that could be analyzed immunocytochemically. The positive cells remained positive for the first week after which the number of Trk-pan expressing cells decreased. The negative subpopulation began to express Trk-pan immunoreactivity after five days in vitro. Both subpopulations reverted to the heterogeneous composition after two weeks. Furthermore, most NSFCs were positive for Trk-B, a few for Trk-A, while no reactivity was observed for Trk-C. Because NSFCs produce brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and express Trk B, the specific receptor for BDNF, it is likely that population dynamics are under a paracrine and/or autocrine regulatory mechanism. Lineage restriction analysis demonstrated that the isolated subpopulation had a restriction potential equivalent to the original heterogeneous population. These studies characterize further the NSFCs and support the future potential therapeutic use of ONe-derived progenitors for CNS injury and neurodegenerative disorders.

Gene expression signatures and biomarkers of noninvasive and invasive breast cancer cells: comprehensive profiles by representational difference analysis, microarrays and proteomics

We have characterized comprehensive transcript and proteomic profiles of cell lines corresponding to normal breast (MCF10A), noninvasive breast cancer (MCF7) and invasive breast cancer (MDA-MB-231). The transcript profiles were first analysed by a modified protocol for representational difference analysis (RDA) of cDNAs between MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The majority of genes identified by RDA showed nearly complete concordance with microarray results, and also led to the identification of some differentially expressed genes such as lysyl oxidase, copper transporter ATP7A, EphB6, RUNX2 and a variant of RUNX2. The altered transcripts identified by microarray analysis were involved in cell-cell or cell-matrix interaction, Rho signaling, calcium homeostasis and copper-binding/sensitive activities. A set of nine genes that included GPCR11, cadherin 11, annexin A1, vimentin, lactate dehydrogenase B (upregulated in MDA-MB-231) and GREB1, S100A8, amyloid beta precursor protein, claudin 3 and cadherin 1 (downregulated in MDA-MB-231) were sufficient to distinguish MDA-MB-231 from MCF7 cells. The downregulation of a set of transcripts for proteins involved in cell-cell interaction indicated these transcripts as potential markers for invasiveness that can be detected by methylation-specific PCR. The proteomic profiles indicated altered abundance of fewer proteins as compared to transcript profiles. Antisense knockdown of selected transcripts led to inhibition of cell proliferation that was accompanied by altered proteomic profiles. The proteomic profiles of antisense transfectants suggest the involvement of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, Raf kinase inhibitor and 80 kDa protein kinase C substrate in mediating the inhibition of cell proliferation.

Ultrastructural characteristics of synovial effusion cells in some arthropathies

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the range of activation changes of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and the ratio of apoptosis and necrosis in synovial effusions of patients with various arthropathies, and to reveal possible correlations with clinical variants of joint inflammation.

METHODS

Synovial effusions were aspirated from the knee joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 28 cases), and seronegative spondyloarthritides (SSA): Reiter's disease (RD, 9 cases), peripheral form of the ankylosing spondyloarthritis (6 cases) and psoriatic arthritis (6 cases); and primary osteoarthritis (OA, 9 cases). Cytospin preparations were processed for transmission electron microscopy and assessed for the incidence of apoptosis, necrosis, and cytophagocytic cells (CPC) in the synovial fluid (SF). The range of activation changes of the neutrophil granulocytes, the dominating cell population in the arthritic SF, was evaluated.

RESULTS

In all arthropathies under investigation most of the synovial effusion cells had intact ultrastructure with a certain amount of apoptotic cells dominating over the cells with signs of necrosis, and a few CPC. The highest rate of apoptosis was discovered in the synovial effusions of patients with RA, the lowest in those with OA, while the rate of CPC among the inflammatory joint diseases was the lowest in RA. In RA the current disease activity correlated with the incidence of apoptotic cells and CPC, while the clinical stage was related only to the CPC rate. These data suggest that in RA, despite exposure to the anti-apoptotic signals, apoptosis of the synovial effusion PMN is maintained at a significantly higher level than in non-rheumatoid arthropathies, both inflammatory (SSA) and degenerative (OA), providing elimination of the neutrophils accumulating in the joint cavity and thus stimulating resolution of the joint inflammation.

Age-dependent prevalence of mutations at the GLC1A locus in primary open-angle glaucoma

PURPOSE

To screen a population with primary open-angle glaucoma for mutations in the gene that encodes the trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response protein (TIGR), also known as myocilin (MYOC).

METHODS

Ophthalmologic information was collected for study subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma and their relatives. Mutation screening of 74 primary open-angle glaucoma probands was conducted by sequencing TIGR/MYOC coding sequence and splice sites.

RESULTS

In 23 families we detected 13 nonsynonymous sequence changes, nine of which appear to be mutations likely to cause or contribute to primary open-angle glaucoma. Two mutations, Arg272Gly and Ile499Ser, and one nonsynonymous sequence variant, Asn57Asp, are novel. We found mutations in nine of 25 juvenile glaucoma probands (36%) and two of 49 adult-onset glaucoma probands (4%). Age classification of families rather than individual probands revealed mutations in three of nine families with strictly juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma (33%), and no mutations in 39 families with strictly adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (0%). In families with mixed-onset primary open-angle glaucoma containing both juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma and adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma cases, we found mutations in eight of 26 families (31%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that Gly252Arg, Arg272Gly, Glu323Lys, Gln368STOP, Pro370Leu, Thr377Met, Val426Phe, Ile477Asn, and Ile499Ser are likely to play roles that cause or contribute to the etiology of autosomal dominant primary open-angle glaucoma. Our finding of more TIGR/MYOC mutations in families with mixed-onset primary open-angle glaucoma than in the families with strictly adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma implies that the presence of relatives with juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma in a family could be used as a basis for identifying a subset of the population with adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma with higher prevalence of TIGR/MYOC mutations. To address this issue, and to refine estimations of mutation prevalence in these age-defined subpopulations, prospective study of a larger population ascertained entirely through adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma probands will be needed.

Humoral response of Meriones libycus to experimental infection with Leishmania major

The humoral responses of laboratory-reared jirds (Meriones libycus) to inoculation with various doses of Leishmania major were determined. The animals were inoculated intradermally with 10(2), 10(3), 10(5) or 10(7) promastigotes of a strain of L. major originally isolated from a Jordanian patient. The jirds were then bled at various intervals throughout the 26 weeks of the study, and the sera checked, by IFAT, for antibodies to homologous parasites. There were no detectable humoral responses in the animals inoculated with 10(2) promastigotes each or in parasite-free controls but a positive response was apparent in each of the other jirds. The animals given 10(3) promastigotes each required 3 months to become IFAT-positive whereas those given 10(5) and 10(7) parasites only needed 4 and 2 weeks, respectively. More than 50% of the animals inoculated with 10(3) parasites each developed strongly positive sera 2 months post-infection, whereas > 50% of the animals inoculated with 10(5) or 10(7) parasites each had strongly or very strongly positive sera 4 and 2 weeks post-inoculation, respectively. The data indicate that, in M. libycus inoculated with L. major, the time required for the humoral response to develop and its intensity are both dose-related.

Heart response to horizontal impulse

Lumped body parameters linear and nonlinear models have been developed and used for the analysis of the response of the heart in a seated human body due to impulsive horizontal inputs at various body segments. The acceleration transfer magnitude and phase due to impulsive inputs at various body segments are reported. Time histories of the heart acceleration transfer were obtained for both linear and nonlinear models. The results indicate that the largest acceleration transfer occurs at 2-3 Hz frequency. Inputs at the upper body segments excite a second peak and in the acceleration transfer at 10-12 Hz. The nonlinear model shows large attenuation at the high frequency range (larger than 10 Hz) and less attenuation at the 1-5 Hz frequency range.

Human body model response to mechanical impulse

Despite our understanding of the importance of falling, previous studies have ignored the effects of falls from standing height. In this article, lumped parameter linear and nonlinear models of a standing human have been used to simulate the impact response of the body segments due to inputs at the shoes. The acceleration transfer and frequency response were determined. The effect of nonlinear damping was simulated. Nonlinear effects were found to be most significant when the input amplitude increases. Frequency response attenuation was significant, resulting in almost a shift in the magnitude plots in the range (0.1-100 Hz) of frequency. When the input amplitude was reduced, the nonlinear effects became apparent only in the medium frequency range. In the case simulating a human subject exposed to impulse at the foot, a large amount of energy is dissipated in the joints due to the friction resulting in a joint disorder. This is most significant at the medium frequency range that is expected to be induced by a running human subject.

Juvenile glaucoma linked to the GLC1A gene on chromosome 1q in a Panamanian family

PURPOSE

To characterize clinically and genetically autosomal dominant juvenile-onset primary open-angle glaucoma in a Panamanian family.

METHODS

Twenty members of a six-generation family underwent ophthalmologic examination and genetic screening with markers near the GLC1A gene on chromosome 1q.

RESULTS

Linkage analysis disclosed evidence linking primary open-angle glaucoma in this family to the GLC1A gene on chromosome 1q, with a maximum lod score of 3.75 for marker D1S431 at an estimated recombination fraction of 0.00.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of a Panamanian family in which primary open-angle glaucoma is linked to the GLC1A gene on chromosome 1q.

Anaemia during pregnancy in rural Kelantan

A retrospective study of anaemia in pregnancy in rural Kelantan was conducted. The study sample consist of 9,860 mothers who had antenatal care at one of the 102 rural health clinics selected and had delivered a live baby. Anaemia in pregnancy was determined by reviewing the antenatal records for the haemoglobin level recorded at the first and last antenatal visit. Estimation of haemoglobin was done either by photocalorimetric methods or the Sahli's method in these rural clinics. At the time of booking, 47.5% of the mothers were anaemic by WHO criteria (Hb < 11.0 g/dl), with 1.9% having less than 9.0 g/dl. Age of mother, parity and late gestational age at the first antenatal visit were associated with anaemia during pregnancy at the time of booking. However, practise of contraception by the mother did not show any association with anaemia in pregnancy. There were 594 mothers (6.0%) who delivered a baby weighing less than 2.5 kg. There was no association between the low birth weight of the child and the status of anaemia in the mother at the last antenatal visit.

Juvenile glaucoma linked to GLCIA in a Panamanian family

PURPOSE

To carry out clinical and genetic characterization of juvenile-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in a Panamanian family.

METHODS

Twenty-two members of a six-generation Panamanian family underwent an ophthalmologic evaluation. Blood samples were collected from 20 of these individuals for preparation of DNA for use in screening of microsatellite repeat genetic markers via polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Eleven living family members covering 4 generations were diagnosed as affected with open-angle glaucoma of primarily juvenile onset. Four of 6 other at-risk individuals examined and enrolled were characterized as unaffected and two as indeterminate. Two additional individuals were not included in this study because they were too young to characterize or to provide a blood sample. Three spouses of affected family members were also examined and found not to have glaucoma. Of clinical importance was the finding of markedly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in 2 affected brothers, both of whom were advised to have urgent filtration surgery; the finding of elevated IOP in the only seeing eye of the mother of these brothers, causing us to advise her to pursue more aggressive treatment; and the finding of early signs of glaucoma in a previously undiagnosed 9-year-old family member. Linkage analysis using selected microsatellite repeat markers in the 1q21-q31 region revealed strong evidence for linkage to the GLC1A gene with a maximum lod score of 3.75 for marker D1S431 at a recombination fraction of 0.00.

CONCLUSIONS

The most likely interpretation of our data is that a mutation in the GLC1A gene is responsible for juvenile-onset POAG in this Panamanian family, thus expanding the countries of origin where this gene has been found to exist. The numbers of families with GLC1A glaucoma now reported from only a few centers worldwide raise questions about whether this disease may be more common than once thought. Evaluation of treatment histories and clinical outcomes in members of this and other previously reported families indicates that ophthalmologists need to understand the necessity for urgent filtration surgery in most cases of GLC1A glaucoma if vision is to be preserved.

ECG response of the human body subjected to vibrations

In this paper, the ECG response of the human body subjected to vibrations is investigated. Measurements relied on recording the ECG and then computing the normalized difference of the ECG power spectrum density. Ten subjects aged 20-22 years old were exposed for 15 min to vertical vibrations in the frequency range 5-30 Hz. Results show either depression or elevation of the ST segment indicating heart muscle fatigue. The power spectrum density normalized difference also shows that the maximum difference takes place at 8 Hz vibrations frequency which is thought to be around the resonance frequency of the heart.