Molecular Dynamics Simulations on the Effects of Diameter and Chirality on Hydrogen Adsorption in Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We present systematic molecular dynamics simulation studies of hydrogen storage in single walled carbon nanotubes of various diameters and chiralities using a recently developed curvature-dependent force field. Our main objective is to address the following fundamental issues: 1. For a given H2 loading and nanotube type, what is the H2 distribution in the nanotube bundle? 2. For a given nanotube type, what is the maximal loading (H2 coverage)? 3. What is the diameter range and chirality for which H2 adsorption is most energetically favorable? Our simulation results suggest strong dependence of H2 adsorption energies on the nanotube diameter but less dependence on the chirality. Substantial lattice expansion upon H2 adsorption was found. The average adsorption energy increases with the lowering of nanotube diameter (higher curvature) and decreases with higher H2 loading. The calculated H2 vibrational power spectra and radial distribution functions indicate a strong attractive interaction between H2 and nanotube walls. The calculated diffusion coefficients are much higher than what has been reported for H2 in microporous materials such as zeolites, indicating that diffusivity does not present a problem for hydrogen storage in carbon nanotubes.

Post-traumatic stress disorder associated with natural and human-made disasters in the World Mental Health Surveys

BACKGROUND

Research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following natural and human-made disasters has been undertaken for more than three decades. Although PTSD prevalence estimates vary widely, most are in the 20-40% range in disaster-focused studies but considerably lower (3-5%) in the few general population epidemiological surveys that evaluated disaster-related PTSD as part of a broader clinical assessment. The World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys provide an opportunity to examine disaster-related PTSD in representative general population surveys across a much wider range of sites than in previous studies.

METHOD

Although disaster-related PTSD was evaluated in 18 WMH surveys, only six in high-income countries had enough respondents for a risk factor analysis. Predictors considered were socio-demographics, disaster characteristics, and pre-disaster vulnerability factors (childhood family adversities, prior traumatic experiences, and prior mental disorders).

RESULTS

Disaster-related PTSD prevalence was 0.0-3.8% among adult (ages 18+) WMH respondents and was significantly related to high education, serious injury or death of someone close, forced displacement from home, and pre-existing vulnerabilities (prior childhood family adversities, other traumas, and mental disorders). Of PTSD cases 44.5% were among the 5% of respondents classified by the model as having highest PTSD risk.

CONCLUSION

Disaster-related PTSD is uncommon in high-income WMH countries. Risk factors are consistent with prior research: severity of exposure, history of prior stress exposure, and pre-existing mental disorders. The high concentration of PTSD among respondents with high predicted risk in our model supports the focus of screening assessments that identify disaster survivors most in need of preventive interventions.

Maternal cells are widely distributed in murine fetuses in utero

Passage of maternal cells into conceptuses in utero is recognized but poorly defined in species with hemochorial placentation. Despite the potential importance for such a phenomenon in vertical disease transmission, only limited data address the frequency of material to fetal cell trafficking or the developmental stage of its initiation. A murine model system, involving transfer of LacZ-, scid/scid, or wild type (+/+) blastocysts to pseudo-pregnant, LacZ+ transgenic ROSA26 females provided both flow cytometric and in situ information. In 100% of the late-gestation pregnancies studied, nucleated LacZ+ maternal cells crossed to conceptuses. In 90% of scid/scid fetuses, nucleated maternal cells were present in at least one lymphoid organ and often in more than one organ. Thymus was the most frequent site for maternal cell detection while the highest proportions of maternal cells were found in liver. Maternal cells were also visualized in fetal lung, heart, and bone marrow. Maternal cell trafficking into scid/scid fetuses commenced about midgestation, coincident with maturation of a placental circulation. In late-gestation +/+ fetuses, maternal cells were found extensively throughout bone marrow but not in other organs. The presence of maternal cells within primary lymphoid organs of fetuses may influence the repertoire of the developing fetal immune system and may be an underappreciated mechanism for vertical disease transmission.

Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Spreading Oil and Gas Wastewater on Roads

Thirteen states in the United States allow the spreading of O&G wastewaters on roads for deicing or dust suppression. In this study, the potential environmental and human health impacts of this practice are evaluated. Analyses of O&G wastewaters spread on roads in the northeastern, U.S. show that these wastewaters have salt, radioactivity, and organic contaminant concentrations often many times above drinking water standards. Bioassays also indicated that these wastewaters contain organic micropollutants that affected signaling pathways consistent with xenobiotic metabolism and caused toxicity to aquatic organisms like Daphnia magna. The potential toxicity of these wastewaters is a concern as lab experiments demonstrated that nearly all of the metals from these wastewaters leach from roads after rain events, likely reaching ground and surface water. Release of a known carcinogen (e.g., radium) from roads treated with O&G wastewaters has been largely ignored. In Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2014, spreading O&G wastewater on roads released over 4 times more radium to the environment (320 millicuries) than O&G wastewater treatment facilities and 200 times more radium than spill events. Currently, state-by-state regulations do not require radium analyses prior to treating roads with O&G wastewaters. Methods for reducing the potential impacts of spreading O&G wastewaters on roads are discussed.

Genetic Variants in IL-12B and IL-27 in the Polish Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

To investigate the potential association between IL-12B and IL-27 gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we performed a case-control study based on the Polish population. Patients with SLE and healthy individuals were examined for -6415 CTCTAA/GC (rs17860508) and +1188A/C (rs3212227) in IL-12B and -924A/G (rs153109) and 4730T/C (rs181206) in IL-27 gene polymorphisms using the high-resolution melting method, PCR-RFLP method and TaqMan SNP genotyping assay, respectively. An increased frequency of GC/GC genotype as well as GC allele of the IL-12B rs17860508 was found in patients with SLE, as compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.001). We did not find differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-12B rs3212227 and IL-27 rs153109 and rs181206 variants between patients with SLE and controls. IL-27 haplotype rs181206C/rs153109G indicated higher risk for SLE (P = 0.002), whereas haplotype rs181206T/rs153109G indicated reduced risk for SLE (P = 0.005). The IL-12B rs3212227 A/C polymorphism was associated with the mean value of the platelets (PLT), urea and complement C3 level. Furthermore, IL-12B rs17860508 genetic variant showed correlation with PLT, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and alkaline phosphatase. Our results revealed that IL-12B rs17860508 and IL-27 haplotype CG are genetic risk factors for SLE and that both IL-12B rs17860508 and rs3212227 predict disease phenotype.

The experimental squalene encephaloneuropathy in the rat

Accumulation of squalene in the CNS is observed after administration of tellurium and squalene has been proposed to be a mediator of tellurium encephaloneuropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of squalene on the central and peripheral nervous systems in rat at the ultrastructural level. Squalene was administered at a dose of 20 g/kg body weight, once daily for 4 days, and the animals were sacrificed 7 days and 30 days after the initiation of the experiment. After 7 days a mild swelling of mitochondria and dilation of the Golgi complex cisterns in few neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were observed. The swelling of astrocytes and their processes was also seen. Some myelin sheaths in the cerebral white matter were disintegrated. In the peripheral nervous system (the sciatic nerve), a damage of the Schwann cells, a destruction of the myelin sheaths, and lipid-like deposits between myelin lamellae causing a secondary compression of axons were present. Squalene administration caused a stimulation of fibroblast to synthesize collagen and an activation of macrophages in the perineurium. After 30 days, the lipid-like material was present in some neurons as well as in the myelin sheaths in the central nervous system. Endothelial cells were hypertrophic and a few demonstrated features of apoptosis. Endothelial cell hypertrophy caused a narrowing of vessel lumen associated with an aggregation of blood morphological elements. Disturbances in myelination and swelling of astrocytic processes persisted in the central nervous system. In the peripheral nervous system, lipid-like deposits were localized in some fibroblasts and extracellularly between the collagen fibers in the perineurium. In conclusion, our electron microscopic studies indicate that squalene produces characteristic pathological changes both in the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, these alterations differ in some aspects (changes in endothelia, accumulation of lipid-like material) from the known features of tellurium encephaloneuropathy.

CD24 Ala57Val gene polymorphism and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus

It was recently shown that the CD24 Ala57Val (rs 52812045) polymorphism plays a significant role in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Spanish population, which has not been confirmed in other ethnic groups. We investigated the distribution of the CD24 Ala57Val polymorphism in patients with SLE (n = 250) and controls (n = 350) in Poland. The odds ratio (OR) for patients with SLE with the Ala/Val genotype compared with Ala/Ala genotype was 1.490 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.052-2.111, P = 0.0275], and OR for the Val/Val genotype compared with Ala/Ala genotypes was 2.001 (95% CI = 1.154-3.467, P = 0.0154). Moreover, we observed a significant association between the CD24 Val allele and the presence of anti-Scl-70 antibody (Ab) OR = 2.155 (1.438-3.229, P = 0.0002). There was also an association of Val allele with the presence of anti-snRNP Ab OR = 1.984 (1.266-3.110, P = 0.0034) in patients with SLE. We also found that the CD24 Val/Val and Ala/Val genotypes contribute to immunologic manifestations OR = 2.244 (1.323-3.806, P = 0.0037). Our observations indicate that the CD24 Ala57Val polymorphism may predispose to SLE incidence and can be linked to immunologic manifestations and production of autoantibodies in this disease.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of CD40 region and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus

There is one study on the association of the CD40 G > T (rs4810485) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) as a risk factor of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, we studied the prevalence of the CD40 G > T SNP in patients with SLE ( n = 261) and controls ( n = 545) in a Polish population. We did not find significant differences between the CD40 G > T genotype and allele frequency in patients with SLE and healthy individuals. However, the frequency of the CD40 TT and GT genotypes was statistically different between patients with arthritis and neurologic manifestations and patients without these symptoms (OR = 0.2009 (95% CI = 0.07547–0.5348, p = 0.0004, pcorr = 0.0068) and OR = 0.2876 (95% CI = 0.1371–0.6031, p = 0.0005, pcorr = 0.0085) respectively). Our observations indicate that the CD40 T variant might be negatively associated with some clinical disease manifestations in patients with SLE.

The CD3Z 844 T>A polymorphism within the 3'-UTR of CD3Z confers increased risk of incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus

Recently, a family-based association analysis showed that the haplotype carrying a low expression of the variant CD3Z 844 T>A (rs1052231) polymorphism located in the 3'-untranslated region of CD3Z predisposes to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) incidence. We analyzed the prevalence of the CD3Z 844 T>A polymorphism in SLE patients (n = 152) and controls (n = 304) in Poland. We observed that women with the CD3Z AA and CD3Z AT genotypes exhibited a 1.845-fold increased risk of SLE [95% confidence intervals (95% CI) = 1.222-2.787, P = 0.0038]. However, we did not find an increased risk for the homozygous CD3Z AA genotype (odds ratio = 1.204, 95% CI = 0.2838-5.108, P = 1.0000). This observation confers that genetic factors causing a decreased level of CD3-zeta in T cells may predispose to SLE incidence.

Self-assembly of thioether functionalized fullerenes on gold and their activity in electropolymerization of styrene

Fulleropyrrolidine alkylaromatic sulphides were found to form uniform coating on the gold surface through the thioether sulphur anchoring group and can initiate the anionic polymerization of styrene under electrochemical conditions.

Contribution of polymorphism in codon 72 of p53 gene to systemic lupus erythematosus in Poland

The contribution of the p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains controversial. We investigated the frequency of the p53 Arg72Pro genotype in patients with SLE ( n = 155) and in controls ( n = 150) in Poland. We found a weak contribution of the Arg/Arg genotype to the morbidity of SLE. Odds ratio (OR) for patients with SLE and p53 Arg/Arg genotype was 1.875 [95% CI = 1.180—2.979], P = 0.0075 and OR of the Arg/Arg and Arg/Pro genotypes was 1.549 [95% CI = 0.752—3.195], P = 0.2328.

Since the p53Arg variant supports apoptosis better than the p53Pro variant, our findings can be linked to an increase in the number of apoptotic leucocytes in SLE patients. The distinction between various populations may be because of differences in racial composition and/or exposure to distinct environmental factors that have a different impact on SLE incidence along with the changed Argp53Pro genotype. Lupus (2008) 17, 148—151.

The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Self-Management (SPIN-SELF) Program: protocol for a two-arm parallel partially nested randomized controlled feasibility trial with progression to full-scale trial

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma; SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease. We completed an initial feasibility trial of an online self-administered version of the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Self-Management (SPIN-SELF) Program using the cohort multiple randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Due to low intervention offer uptake, we will conduct a new feasibility trial with progression to full-scale trial, using a two-arm parallel, partially nested RCT design. The SPIN-SELF Program has also been revised to include facilitator-led videoconference group sessions in addition to online material. We will test the group-based intervention delivery format, then evaluate the effect of the SPIN-SELF Program on disease management self-efficacy (primary) and patient activation, social appearance anxiety, and functional health outcomes (secondary).

METHODS

This study is a feasibility trial with progression to full-scale RCT, pending meeting pre-defined criteria, of the SPIN-SELF Program. Participants will be recruited from the ongoing SPIN Cohort ( http://www.spinsclero.com/en/cohort ) and via social media and partner patient organizations. Eligible participants must have SSc and low to moderate disease management self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease (SEMCD) Scale score ≤ 7.0). Participants will be randomized (1:1 allocation) to the group-based SPIN-SELF Program or usual care for 3 months. The primary outcome in the full-scale trial will be disease management self-efficacy based on SEMCD Scale scores at 3 months post-randomization. Secondary outcomes include SEMCD scores 6 months post-randomization plus patient activation, social appearance anxiety, and functional health outcomes at 3 and 6 months post-randomization. We will include 40 participants to assess feasibility. At the end of the feasibility portion, stoppage criteria will be used to determine if the trial procedures or SPIN-SELF Program need important modifications, thereby requiring a re-set for the full-scale trial. Otherwise, the full-scale RCT will proceed, and outcome data from the feasibility portion will be utilized in the full-scale trial. In the full-scale RCT, 524 participants will be recruited.

DISCUSSION

The SPIN-SELF Program may improve disease management self-efficacy, patient activation, social appearance anxiety, and functional health outcomes in people with SSc. SPIN works with partner patient organizations around the world to disseminate its programs free-of-charge.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04246528 . Registered on 27 January 2020.

The Scleroderma Patient-Centered Intervention Network Self-Management Program: Protocol for a Randomized Feasibility Trial

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a rare disease that often results in significant disruptions to activities of daily living and can negatively affect physical and psychological well-being. Because there is no known cure, SSc treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and disability and improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Self-management programs are known to increase self-efficacy for disease management in many chronic diseases. The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) developed a Web-based self-management program (SPIN self-management; SPIN-SELF) to increase self-efficacy for disease management and to improve HRQoL for patients with SSc.

OBJECTIVE

The proposed study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the SPIN-SELF program by evaluating the trial implementation processes, required resources and management, scientific aspects, and participant acceptability and usage of the SPIN-SELF program.

METHODS

The SPIN-SELF feasibility trial will be conducted via the SPIN Cohort. The SPIN Cohort was developed as a framework for embedded pragmatic trials using the cohort multiple RCT design. In total, 40 English-speaking SPIN Cohort participants with low disease management self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale score ≤7), who have indicated interest in using a Web-based self-management program, will be randomized with a 3:2 ratio into the SPIN-SELF program or usual care for 3 months. Feasibility outcomes include trial implementation processes, required resources and management, scientific aspects, and patient acceptability and usage of the SPIN-SELF program.

RESULTS

Enrollment of the 40 participants occurred between July 5, 2019, and July 27, 2019. By November 25, 2019, data collection of trial outcomes was completed. Data analysis is underway, and results are expected to be published in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

The SPIN-SELF program is a self-help tool that may improve disease-management self-efficacy and improve HRQoL in patients with SSc. The SPIN-SELF feasibility trial will ensure that trial methodology is robust, feasible, and consistent with trial participant expectations. The results will guide adjustments that need to be implemented before undertaking a full-scale RCT of the SPIN-SELF program.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/16799.

Selective and reversible self-assembly of C60fullerene on a 9,10-bis(S-acetylthiomethyl)anthracene modified gold surface

Synthesized di-S-acetyl anthracene derivative deposited on gold surface allows for selective multi-cycle capture of C₆₀fullerene by reversible forming well-ordered monolayers of C₆₀fullerene–anthracene adduct according to Diels–Alder reaction.

Long noncoding RNA CCAT1 rs67085638 SNP contribution to the progression of gastric cancer in a Polish population

The role of the long noncoding RNA CCAT1 NC_000008.10:g.128220661C > T (rs67085638) in the development of colon cancer has been reported. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of rs67085638 in patients with gastric cancer (GC). We also evaluated the effect of rs67085638 on B-cell-specific Moloney leukaemia virus insertion site 1 (BMI1) transcripts in primary GC and counterpart histopathologically confirmed disease-free margin tissue. Using high-resolution melting analysis, we evaluated rs67085638 frequency in patients with the GC genotype (n = 214) and controls (n = 502) in a Polish Caucasian population. qRT-PCR was used to determine BMI1 transcripts. We observed the trend of rs67085638 association in all patients with GC (p_trend = 0.028), a strong risk of the GC genotype in male (p_trend = 0.035) but not female (p_trend = 0.747) patients, and the association with non-cardia GC (p_trend = 0.041), tumour stages T3 (p_trend = 0.014) and T4 (p_trend = 0.032), differentiation grading G3 (p_trend = 0.009), lymph node metastasis stage N3 (p_trend = 0.0005) and metastasis stage M0 (p_trend = 0.027). We found that significantly increased BMI1 transcripts were associated with the primary GC genotype classified as grade G3 (p = 0.011) and as lymph node metastasis N3 (p = 0.010) and counterpart marginal tissues (p = 0.026, p = 0.040, respectively) from carriers of the T/T versus C/C genotypes. rs67085638 may contribute to increased BMI1 transcripts and the progression and rapid growth of GC.

Randomized feasibility trial of the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Self-Management (SPIN-SELF) Program

BACKGROUND

The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) developed an online self-management program (SPIN-SELF) designed to improve disease-management self-efficacy in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc, or scleroderma). The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility aspects for conducting a full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the SPIN-SELF Program.

METHODS

This feasibility trial was embedded in the SPIN Cohort and utilized the cohort multiple RCT design. In this design, at the time of cohort enrollment, cohort participants consent to be assessed for trial eligibility and randomized prior to being informed about the trial. Participants in the intervention arm are informed and provide consent, but not the control group. Forty English-speaking SPIN Cohort participants from Canada, the USA, or the UK with low disease-management self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale [SEMCD] score ≤ 7) who were interested in using an online self-management program were randomized (3:2 ratio) to be offered the SPIN-SELF Program or usual care for 3 months. Program usage was examined via automated usage logs. User satisfaction was assessed with semi-structured interviews. Trial personnel time requirements and implementation challenges were logged.

RESULTS

Of 40 SPIN Cohort participants randomized, 26 were allocated to SPIN-SELF and 14 to usual care. Automated eligibility and randomization procedures via the SPIN Cohort platform functioned properly, except that two participants with SEMCD scores > 7 (scores of 7.2 and 7.3, respectively) were included, which was caused by a system programming error that rounded SEMCD scores. Of 26 SPIN Cohort participants offered the SPIN-SELF Program, only 9 (35%) consented to use the program. Usage logs showed that use of the SPIN-SELF Program was low: 2 of 9 users (22%) logged into the program only once (median = 3), and 4 of 9 (44%) accessed none or only 1 of the 9 program's modules (median = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study will lead to substantial changes for the planned full-scale RCT of the SPIN-SELF Program that we will incorporate into a planned additional feasibility trial with progression to a full-scale trial. These changes include transitioning to a conventional RCT design with pre-randomization consent and supplementing the online self-help with peer-facilitated videoconference-based groups to enhance engagement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03914781 . Registered 16 April 2019.

[The effect of coenzyme Q10 on lactate acidosis at the beginning of experimental cerebral ischemia in rats after the use of endothelin 1 (preliminary results)]

The aim of the work was to evaluate effect of CoQ10 on the lactate level in the rat brain after administration of Et-1. Fifty-three male Wistar rats (approximately 220-250 g) were used in the experiment. The animals were divided into four groups. 1. control; 2-4 under chloride hydrate anaesthesia, the rats were subjected to stereotaxic injection into right cerebral lateral ventricle: 2. 1 microliter Ringer's solution (control) and i.p. 0.5 ml of soybean oil, 3. 10 pmoles Et-1 diluted in 1 microliter Ringer's solution and i.p. 0.5 ml soybean oil, 4. 10 pmoles Et-1 diluted in 1 microliter Ringer's solution and i.p. 10 mg/kg of the body weight CoQ1O (Sigma). Right and left hemispheres were taken after one hour, 4 and 24 hours and the lactate level was assayed by an enzymatic method. Et-1 evoked a significant increase of lactate level at all experimental time intervals. CoQ10 reduced lactate acidosis after 24 hours from the administration of Et-1. The above phenomenon can be explained among other by an improvement of the cellular respiratory activity. CoQ10 represents very important electron transporter from flavins to cytochromes in the respiratory chain. Therefore CoQ10 can be used for prevention and treatment of ischaemic insult in human cases.