143 research outputs found
Anti-viral organic coatings for high touch surfaces based on smart-release, Cu2+ containing pigments
Viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can remain viable on solid surfaces for up to one week, hence fomites are a potential route of exposure to infectious virus. Copper has well documented antiviral properties that could limit this problem, however practical deployment of copper surfaces has been limited due to the associated costs and the incompatibility of copper metal in specific environments and conditions. We therefore developed an organic coating containing an intelligent-release Cu2+ pigment based on a cation exchange resin. Organic coatings containing a 50 % weight or higher loading of smart-release pigment were capable of completely inactivating (>6 log reduction in titre) SARS-CoV-2 within 4 h of incubation. Importantly these organic coatings demonstrated a significantly enhanced ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 compared to metallic copper and un-pigmented material. Furthermore, the presence of contaminating proteins inhibited the antiviral activity of metallic copper, but the intelligent-release Cu2+ pigment was unaffected. The approach of using a very basic paint system, based on a polymer binder embedded with āsmart releaseā pigment containing an anti-viral agent which is liberated by ion-exchange, holds significant promise as a cost effective and rapidly deployed coating to confer virus inactivating capability to high touch surfaces
Improving the Corrosion Performance of Organically Coated Steel Using a SolāGel Overcoat
Organically coated steels are widely used in applications in which they are subjected to the natural environment and therefore require excellent corrosion resistance. Organic clearcoats are typically employed as a barrier that improves the overall corrosion resistance; however, they are typically derived from fossil fuel-based feedstock. A more sustainable alternative could be possible using solāgel coatings. The application of a simple tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)-based solāgel was applied to polyurethane-coated steels using a spray coater. The concentration of TEOS was altered to produce coatings containing either 2.5% or 10%. The 10% TEOS resulted in dense, homogeneous coatings that offered a significant improvement in corrosion resistance compared to an uncoated substrate. Whereas the 2.5% TEOS coatings were inhomogeneous and porous, which indicated a limitation of concentration required to produce a uniform coating. The successful demonstration of using a simple TEOS-based coating to improve the corrosion resistance of organically coated steel highlights the potential for further investigation into the use of solāgels for these applications
Anti-viral organic coatings for high touch surfaces based on smart-release, Cu2+ containing pigments
Viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can remain viable on solid surfaces for up to one week, hence fomites are a potential route of exposure to infectious virus. Copper has well documented antiviral properties that could limit this problem, however practical deployment of copper surfaces has been limited due to the associated costs and the incompatibility of copper metal in specific environments and conditions. We therefore developed an organic coating containing an intelligent-release Cu2+ pigment based on a cation exchange resin. Organic coatings containing a 50 % weight or higher loading of smart-release pigment were capable of completely inactivating (>6 log reduction in titre) SARS-CoV-2 within 4 h of incubation. Importantly these organic coatings demonstrated a significantly enhanced ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 compared to metallic copper and un-pigmented material. Furthermore, the presence of contaminating proteins inhibited the antiviral activity of metallic copper, but the intelligent-release Cu2+ pigment was unaffected. The approach of using a very basic paint system, based on a polymer binder embedded with āsmart releaseā pigment containing an anti-viral agent which is liberated by ion-exchange, holds significant promise as a cost effective and rapidly deployed coating to confer virus inactivating capability to high touch surfaces
Molecular genetic contributions to socioeconomic status and intelligence
Education, socioeconomic status, and intelligence are commonly used as predictors of health outcomes, social environment, and mortality. Education and socioeconomic status are typically viewed as environmental variables although both correlate with intelligence, which has a substantial genetic basis. Using data from 6815 unrelated subjects from the Generation Scotland study, we examined the genetic contributions to these variables and their genetic correlations. Subjects underwent genome-wide testing for common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). DNA-derived heritability estimates and genetic correlations were calculated using the āGenome-wide Complex Trait Analysesā (GCTA) procedures. 21% of the variation in education, 18% of the variation in socioeconomic status, and 29% of the variation in general cognitive ability was explained by variation in common SNPs (SEsĀ ~Ā 5%). The SNP-based genetic correlations of education and socioeconomic status with general intelligence were 0.95 (SE 0.13) and 0.26 (0.16), respectively. There are genetic contributions to intelligence and education with near-complete overlap between common additive SNP effects on these traits (genetic correlationĀ ~Ā 1). Genetic influences on socioeconomic status are also associated with the genetic foundations of intelligence. The results are also compatible with substantial environmental contributions to socioeconomic status
Sacubitril/valsartan versus valsartan in regressing myocardial fibrosis in hypertension: a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint clinical trial protocol
BackgroundDiffuse interstitial myocardial fibrosis is a key common pathological manifestation in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) progressing to heart failure (HF). Angiotensin receptorāneprilysin inhibitors (ARNi), now a front-line treatment for HF, confer benefits independent of blood pressure, signifying a multifactorial mode of action beyond hemodynamic regulation. We aim to test the hypothesis that compared with angiotensin II receptor blockade (ARB) alone, ARNi is more effective in regressing diffuse interstitial myocardial fibrosis in HHD.MethodsRole of ARNi in Ventricular Remodeling in Hypertensive LVH (REVERSE-LVH) is a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) clinical trial. Adults with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) according to Asian sex- and age-specific thresholds on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging are randomized to treatment with either sacubitril/valsartan (an ARNi) or valsartan (an ARB) in 1:1 ratio for a duration of 52 weeks, at the end of which a repeat CMR is performed to assess differential changes from baseline between the two groups. The primary endpoint is the change in CMR-derived diffuse interstitial fibrosis volume. Secondary endpoints include changes in CMR-derived left ventricular mass, volumes, and functional parameters. Serum samples are collected and stored to assess the effects of ARNi, compared with ARB, on circulating biomarkers of cardiac remodeling. The endpoints will be analyzed with reference to the corresponding baseline parameters to evaluate the therapeutic effect of sacubitril/valsartan vs. valsartan.DiscussionREVERSE-LVH will examine the anti-fibrotic potential of sacubitril/valsartan and will offer mechanistic insights into the clinical benefits of sacubitril/valsartan in hypertension in relation to cardiac remodeling. Advancing the knowledge of the pathophysiology of HHD will consolidate effective risk stratification and personalized treatment through a multimodal manner integrating complementary CMR and biomarkers into the conventional care approach.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier, NCT03553810
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Electrocardiogram for Heart Failure With Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction
Current heart failure (HF) guidelines recommend electrocardiography (ECG) as an essential initial investigation in a patient's workup. 1 However, these recommendations were based on studies primarily including patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). 1 , 2 , 3 Guidelines do not distinguish HFrEF from HF with preserved and mid-range ejection fraction (HFpEF and HFmrEF) in their ECG recommendations. We hypothesized that a normal ECG does not exclude HFpEF and has a considerably lower sensitivity for diagnosing HFpEF than HFrEF
Effect of dehydration, produced by mercupurin, on the plasma volume of normal persons
1. 1. Plasma volume, serum protein concentration, hematocrit value, arterial and venous blood pressures, and body weight were determined in ten normal subjects before, and twenty-four hours after, the injection of 2 c.c. of mercupurin.2. 2. There was a fall in plasma volume in every case, averaging 544 +/- 87.7 c.c., or 15.7 +/- 2.4 per cent of the control determination; an average rise in serum proteins of 0.74 +/- 0.14 Gm., or 11.5 +/- 2.6 per cent; and an average rise in hematocrit of 2.9 +/- 0.6, or 6.9 +/- 1.8 per cent.3. 3. A diuresis was experienced in every case; the mean was 1.73 +/- 0.3 kg., or 2.6 +/- 0.5 per cent of the body weight.4. 4. Associated with the diuresis and decrease in plasma volume, there was a fall in venous pressure and pulse pressure.5. 5. In some instances, the subjects exhibited weakness, apathy, dizziness, and faintness, suggesting a diminution in cardiac output.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32575/1/0000704.pd
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