Assessment of rheumatoid arthritis patients' knowledge about foot problems related to their illness and foot care practice

INTRODUCTION

Foot problems are very common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Podiatric intervention through therapeutic education of RA patients on the different potential foot problems could improve patients' knowledge and management of their foot problems. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of RA patients on podiatric problems related to their illness and foot care practices.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including patients diagnosed with RA and aged older than 18 years. Sociodemographic data, disease characteristics, and therapeutic data were collected. RA foot problems knowledge and foot care practice were assessed using a questionnaire combining questions developed from the literature search and a pretested validated questionnaire.

RESULTS

Overall, 103 patients were included of whom 94 were female. The mean age was 56 years (±10 years) and the mean disease duration was 15 years (±10 years). Over 77% of patients reported never having received foot-health-related education. With regard to their knowledge about RA foot involvement, patients were aware that RA can affect the feet similarly to the hands (83%), lead to deformation of the foot (86%), lead to walking difficulties and falling (68%), and produce skin lesions of the foot (31%). Regarding participant's knowledge of appropriate footwear, 65% agreed that it would be beneficial to wear quality standard sports shoes. However, less than one-third of patients know the podiatrist's skills.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed an awareness of the repercussions of RA on feet but a lack of knowledge on proper foot care, thus identifying a need for foot health therapeutic education.

A mouse model suggests two mechanisms for thyroid alterations in infantile cystinosis: decreased thyroglobulin synthesis due to endoplasmic reticulum stress/unfolded protein response and impaired lysosomal processing

Thyroid hormones are released from thyroglobulin (Tg) in lysosomes, which are impaired in infantile/nephropathic cystinosis. Cystinosis is a lysosomal cystine storage disease due to defective cystine exporter, cystinosin. Cystinotic children develop subclinical and then overt hypothyroidism. Why hypothyroidism is the most frequent and earliest endocrine complication of cystinosis is unknown. We here defined early alterations in Ctns(-/-) mice thyroid and identified subcellular and molecular mechanisms. At 9 months, T4 and T3 plasma levels were normal and TSH was moderately increased (∼4-fold). By histology, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of most follicles preceded colloid exhaustion. Increased immunolabeling for thyrocyte proliferation and apoptotic shedding indicated accelerated cell turnover. Electron microscopy revealed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dilation, apical lamellipodia indicating macropinocytic colloid uptake, and lysosomal cystine crystals. Tg accumulation in dilated ER contrasted with mRNA down-regulation. Increased expression of ER chaperones, glucose-regulated protein of 78 kDa and protein disulfide isomerase, associated with alternative X-box binding protein-1 splicing, revealed unfolded protein response (UPR) activation by ER stress. Decreased Tg mRNA and ER stress suggested reduced Tg synthesis. Coordinated increase of UPR markers, activating transcription factor-4 and C/EBP homologous protein, linked ER stress to apoptosis. Hormonogenic cathepsins were not altered, but lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 immunolabeling disclosed enlarged vesicles containing iodo-Tg and impaired lysosomal fusion. Isopycnic fractionation showed iodo-Tg accumulation in denser lysosomes, suggesting defective lysosomal processing and hormone release. In conclusion, Ctns(-/-) mice showed the following alterations: 1) compensated primary hypothyroidism and accelerated thyrocyte turnover; 2) impaired Tg production linked to ER stress/UPR response; and 3) altered endolysosomal trafficking and iodo-Tg processing. The Ctns(-/-) thyroid is useful to study disease progression and evaluate novel therapies.

Crystal structure, vibrational studies and optical properties of a new organic-inorganic hybrid compound (C₁₀H₂₈N₄)CuCl₅Cl⋅4H₂O

A new organic-inorganic hybrid material, 1,4-bis(3-ammoniumpropyl) piperazinium pentachloridocuprate(II) chloride tetrahydrate [(C₁₀H₂₈N₄)CuCl₅Cl⋅4H₂O], has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible absorption, Infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and Pnma space group with a=8.18 (3)Å, b=10.96 (5)Å, c=21.26 (9)Å, V=2254.3 (15)Å(3). In this structure, the Cu(2+) ion, surrounded by five chlorides, adopts the square pyramidal coordination geometry. The structure of this compound consists of tetraprotonated 1,4-bis(3-ammoniumpropyl) piperazinium cations and the anionic sublattice is built up of isolated, square pyramid [CuCl₅](3)(-) units, chloride ion Cl(-) and water molecules connected with each other by hydrogen bonds. Organic and inorganic entities are interconnected by means of hydrogen bonding contacts [NH⋯O(Cl), O(W)H⋯Cl and O(W)H⋯O]. Furthermore, the room temperature IR and Raman spectra of the title compound were recorded and analyzed on the basis of literature data. The optical study was also investigated by UV-Vis absorption. In fact, the organic-inorganic hybrid crystal thin film can be easily prepared by spin-coating method from the ethanol solution of the (C₁₀H₂₈N₄)CuCl₅Cl⋅4H₂O hybrid compound and it showed absorptions characteristics of CuCl based layered compounds centered at 275 and 374 nm.

Synthesis, crystal structure, vibrational spectroscopy, optical properties and theoretical studies of a new organic-inorganic hybrid material: [((CH3)2NH2)(+)]6·[(BiBr6)(3-)]2

A new organic-inorganic hybrid material, [((CH3)2NH2)(+)]6·[(BiBr6)(3-)]2, has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and UV-Visible absorption. The studied compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1¯ with the following parameters: a=8.4749(6)(Å), b=17.1392(12)(Å), c=17.1392(12)(Å), α=117.339(0)°, β=99.487(0)°, γ=99.487(0)° and Z=2. The crystal lattice is composed of a two discrete (BiBr6)(3-) anions surrounded by six ((CH3)2NH2)(+) cations. Complex hydrogen bonding interactions between (BiBr6)(3-) and organic cations from a three-dimensional network. Theoretical calculations were performed using density functional theory (DFT) for studying the molecular structure, vibrational spectra and optical properties of the investigated molecule in the ground state. The full geometry optimization of designed system is performed using DFT method at B3LYP/LanL2DZ level of theory using the Gaussian03. The optimized geometrical parameters obtained by DFT calculations are in good agreement with single crystal XRD data. The vibrational spectral data obtained from FT-IR and Raman spectra are assigned based on the results of the theoretical calculations. The energy and oscillator strength calculated by Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) results complements with the experimental findings. The simulated spectra satisfactorily coincide with the experimental UV-Visible spectrum. The results show good consistent with the experiment and confirm the contribution of metal orbital to the HOMO-LUMO boundary.

Crystal structure, vibrational studies, optical properties and DFT calculation of bis 2-aminobenzothiazolium tetrachloridocuprate

The zero dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid compound (C7H7N2S)2CuCl4 was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption, Raman spectroscopy scattering and optical transmission measurements. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P21/c space group. The unit cell parameters are a=7.060 (5) Å, b=9.748 (5) Å, c=14.037 (5) Å, β=98.520 (5)° and Z=2. The copper (II) ion has square planar coordination environment and the structure is built up from isolated [CuCl4](2)(-) anion surrounded by organic cations connected together via N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding. Room temperature IR and Raman spectra of the title compound were recorded and analyzed. The theoretical geometrical parameters in the ground state have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP/LanL2DZ level of theory. The organic-inorganic hybrid crystal thin film can be easily prepared by spin-coating method from the ethanol solution of the (C7H7N2S)2CuCl4 compound and it showed characteristic absorptions of Cu-Cl based layered perovskite centered at 288 and 400 nm.

Vibrational spectra and non linear optical proprieties of L-histidine oxalate: DFT studies

This paper presents the results of our calculations on the geometric parameters, vibrational spectra and hyperpolarizability of a nonlinear optical material L-histidine oxalate. Due to the lack of sufficiently precise information on geometric structure in literature, theoretical calculations were preceded by re-determination of the crystal X-ray structure. Single crystal of L-histidine oxalate has been growing by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. The compound crystallizes in the non-Centro symmetric space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) of orthorhombic system. The FT-IR and Raman spectra of L-histidine oxalate were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wave numbers were examined theoretical with the aid of Gaussian98 package of programs using the DFT//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The data obtained from vibrational wave number calculations are used to assign vibrational bands obtained in IR and Raman spectroscopy of the studied compound. The geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with the values of similar structures. To investigate microscopic second order non-linear optical NLO behaviour of the examined complex, the electric dipole μ(tot), the polarizability α(tot) and the hyperpolarizability β(tot) were computed using DFT//B3LYP/6-31G(d) method. According to our calculation, the title compound exhibits non-zero β(tot) value revealing microscopic second order NLO behaviour.

The one-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid: catena-poly[bis-[1-(3-ammonio-prop-yl)-1H-imidazolium] [[iodidoplumbate(II)]-tri-μ-iodido-plumbate(II)-tri-μ-iodido-[iodidoplumbate(II)]-di-μ-iodido]]

The organic-inorganic hybrid, {(C(6)H(13)N(3))(2)[Pb(3)I(10)]}(n), was obtained by the reaction of 1-(3-ammonio-prop-yl)imidazolium triiodide and PbI(2) at room temperature. The structure contains one-dimensional {[Pb(3)I(10)](4-)}(n) polymeric anions spreading parallel to [001], resulting from face-face-edge association of PbI(6) distorted octa-hedra. One of the Pb(II) cations is imposed at an inversion centre, whereas the second occupies a general position. N-H⋯I hydrogen bonds connect the organic cations and inorganic anions.

Molecular structure, vibrational spectra and nonlinear optical properties of orthoarsenic acid-tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane DFT study

In this work, we report a theoretical study on molecular structure, vibrational spectra and nonlinear optical properties of orthoarsenic acid-tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (OATA). The theoretical geometrical parameters in the ground state have been investigated by density functional method (B3LYP and BLYP) with 6-311G(d,p) basis set. The influence of intermolecular interactions effects on molecular properties has been considered by calculation performed on (OATA) dimer. The optimized geometric bond lengths and bond angles are in well agreement with the experimental data. As compared to theoretical frequencies of the monomer, the calculated values obtained for (OATA) dimer are in much better agreement with the experiment. All experimental vibrational bands have been discussed and assigned to normal modes on the basis of our theoretical calculations. B3LYP method has shown better fit to experimental ones than BLYP in calculation vibrational frequencies. To investigate nonlinear optical behaviour, the electric dipole moment mu, the polarizability alpha and the hyperpolarizability beta were computed using DFT//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) method.

Crystal studies, vibrational spectra and non-linear optical properties of L-histidine chloride monohydrate

This paper presents the results of our calculations on the geometric parameters, vibrational spectra and hyperpolarizability of a non-linear optical material L-histidine chloride monohydrate. Due to the lack of sufficiently precise information on geometric parameters available in literature, theoretical calculations were preceded by re-determination of the crystal X-ray structure. Single crystal of L-histidine chloride monohydrate has been growing by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. The compound crystallizes in the non-Centro-symmetric space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) of orthorhombic system. IR spectrum has been recorded in the range [400-4000 cm(-1)]. All the experimental vibrational bands have been discussed and assigned to normal mode or to combinations on the basis of our calculations. The optimized geometric bond lengths and bond angles obtained by using DFT//B3LYP/6-31G (d) method show a good agreement with the experimental data. The calculated vibrational spectra are in well agreement with the experimental one. To investigate microscopic second-order non-linear optical NLO behavior of the examined complex, the electric dipole mu, the polarizability alpha and the hyperpolarizability beta were computed using DFT//B3LYP/6-31G (d) method. The time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) was employed to descript the molecular electron structure of the title compound using the B3LYP/6-31G (d) method. According to our calculations, L-histidine chloride monohydrate exhibits non-zero beta value revealing microscopic second-order NLO behavior.

The one-dimensional organic inorganic hybrid compound poly[(diethyl-ene-triamine)tetra-μ-iodido-dilead(II)]

A new organic–inorganic hybrid, [Pb₂I₄(C₄H₁₃N₃)]_n, was obtained by the reaction of C₄N₃H₁₀ and PbI₂ at room temperature. The structure is a three-dimensional polymer resulting from the association of PbI₆ octa­hedra and a mixed lead organic–inorganic PbI₄(C₄N₃H₁₃) coordination polyhedron. Both Pb atoms, two I atoms and one N atom lie on a mirror plane. N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds further connect the organic unit and some I atoms.

Vibrational study of phase transition in N-benzyl methyl ammonium dihydrogenmonophosphate monohydrate

Raman spectra (100-3200 cm(-1)) of polycrystalline samples of C(6)H(5)CH(2)NH(2)CH(3)H(2)PO(4).H(2)O were studied at temperature ranging from 77 to 350 K. By comparison with homologue compounds and calculated wavenumbers, an assignment of the observed bands is proposed. The thermal evolution of Raman spectra reveals an order-disorder phase transition at about 120 K involving the hydrogen bonds coupled with the distortion of the organic cations. The line at 244 cm(-1)assigned to tau(CH(3)) shows a remarkable evolution across the transition. Therefore, a careful analysis of the thermal evolution of this mode was performed using Porto model. The activation energy, obtained from the plot of Deltanu(1/2) versus temperature, is E(a)=1.27 kcal mol(-1). This value is of the same order of magnitude as the one found for homologue hydrogen bonded compounds.

HF, MP2 and DFT calculations and spectroscopic study of the vibrational and conformational properties of N-diethylendiamine

The conformational stability and vibrational modes of the N-diethylendiamine organic cation (N-DD(2+)) were studied by experimental (Raman) spectroscopy combined with theoretical calculations. Various ab initio theories were used: Hartree-Fock (HF) theory, Möller-Plesset second-order perturbation (MP2) theory and density functional theory (DFT). Three stable conformers of N-DD(2+), trans-trans, gauche-gauche and gauche-trans were calculated. A comparison between the computed structural parameters of the conformers at both levels of theory and the X-ray data was made. It is demonstrated that the N-DD(2+) cation adopts more probably the gauche-gauche conformation at room temperature. In order to make a more detailed interpretation of the low temperature phase transition of N-DDHP, the Raman spectra of N-DDHP were recorded at room and low temperature in the 200-3400 cm(-1) region. The vibrational frequencies of the different conformers of N-DD(2+) were also calculated using the DFT/B3LYP (6-31G(d)) level of theory. By comparison between the experimental and theoretical results, the conformational dynamic of the N-DD(2+) organic cation was confirmed. It is shown that the N-DD(2+) cation configuration changes from gauche-gauche conformer to gauche-trans conformer when decreasing the temperature.

The molecular structure and vibrational spectra of 3-acetyl-4-[N-(2'-aminopyridinyl)-3-amino]-3-buten-2-one by Hartree-Fock and density functional theory calculations

The molecular structure and vibrational spectra of 3-acetyl-4-[N-(2'-aminopyridinyl)-3-amino]-3-buten-2-one (C(11)H(13)N(3)O(2)) in the ground state have been investigated by Hartree-Fock and density functional method (B3LYP and BLYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. The optimized geometric bond lengths and bond angles obtained by using HF and DFT show the best agreement with the experimental data. Comparison of the observed fundamental vibrational frequencies of title compound and calculated results by HF and DFT methods indicate that B3LYP is superior to the scaled HF approach for molecular problems.

Structural, vibrational and ab initio studies of L-histidine oxalate

Single crystals of L-histidine oxalate were obtained by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. The grown crystals have been subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared, and Raman spectroscopy. The title compound crystallises in the non-centrosymmetric space group P2(1)2(1)2(1,) the crystal cohesion is achieved by relatively strong hydrogen bonds, so that the NH3 groups show significant distortion with respect to the tetrahedral symmetry. Raman and infrared spectra of the title compound were recorded in the frequency range 300-3200 and 400-4000 cm-1, respectively. To obtain a reliable assignment of the observed spectral lines, we have calculated the geometry and the frequencies of the vibrational modes of histidine cation and the oxalate anion using the semi empirical PM3 method.