The Role of Genetic Variation Near Interferon-Kappa in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by increased type I interferons (IFNs) and multiorgan inflammation frequently targeting the skin. IFN-kappa is a type I IFN expressed in skin. A pooled genome-wide scan implicated the IFNK locus in SLE susceptibility. We studied IFNK single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 3982 SLE cases and 4275 controls, composed of European (EA), African-American (AA), and Asian ancestry. rs12553951C was associated with SLE in EA males (odds ratio = 1.93, P = 2.5 × 10−4), but not females. Suggestive associations with skin phenotypes in EA and AA females were found, and these were also sex-specific. IFNK SNPs were associated with increased serum type I IFN in EA and AA SLE patients. Our data suggest a sex-dependent association between IFNK SNPs and SLE and skin phenotypes. The serum IFN association suggests that IFNK variants could influence type I IFN producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells in affected skin

Vaccination of healthcare workers to protect patients at increased risk of acute respiratory disease: summary of a systematic review

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens and may transmit infection to vulnerable patients. This study summarises a recent systematic review, which aimed to assess evidence that influenza or pneumococcal vaccination of HCWs provides indirect protection for those patients most at risk of severe or complicated acute respiratory infection. A number of healthcare databases and sources of grey literature were searched using a predefined strategy, and citations screened for eligibility in accordance with specified inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using validated tools and results summarised qualitatively. Twenty papers were included in the final review, all of which considered influenza vaccination of HCW. As such, planned subanalysis of pneumococcal vaccination was discarded. The majority of primary research studies included (11/14) were conducted in long-term care facilities, but there was marked heterogeneity in terms of the population, intervention/exposure and outcomes considered. Consistency in the direction of effect was observed across several different outcome measures, suggesting that influenza vaccination of HCWs is likely to offer some protection. Further evidence is, however, required from acute care settings

Remote sensing data exploiration for geologic characterization of difficult targets : Laboratory Directed Research and Development project 38703 final report.

Characterizing the geology, geotechnical aspects, and rock properties of deep underground facility sites can enhance targeting strategies for both nuclear and conventional weapons. This report describes the results of a study to investigate the utility of remote spectral sensing for augmenting the geological and geotechnical information provided by traditional methods. The project primarily considered novel exploitation methods for space-based sensors, which allow clandestine collection of data from denied sites. The investigation focused on developing and applying novel data analysis methods to estimate geologic and geotechnical characteristics in the vicinity of deep underground facilities. Two such methods, one for measuring thermal rock properties and one for classifying rock types, were explored in detail. Several other data exploitation techniques, developed under other projects, were also examined for their potential utility in geologic characterization

A new approach for sealing crude oil leakage through wellbore cement fracture

Wellbores provide access beneath the ground for a multitude of operations, including fluid storage, waste disposal, and oil/gas exploration. Wellbores typically consist of a steel casing surrounded by cement to create a seal between the host formation and casing. Because wellbores often leak through cement fractures, pressurized fluids (gas or liquid) can leak upward and cause contamination of overlying water-bearing zones and/or cause safety issues at the surface (e.g., explosions). Current state-of-the-practice technologies for repairing wellbores are very expensive and are not always successful, especially in small but leaky fractures. We have developed a technique that effectively and inexpensively seals fractures by injecting a fluid into the wellbore that mainly contains asphaltene and resin, large organic molecules available in crude oil. Flow paths are plugged as these molecules aggregate into large structures referred to as micelles. These micelles form a gunky semi-solid that is deposited along the fracture surface and effectively seals the fracture. We encourage the formation of micelle formation and deposition by applying a small potential difference across the wellbore system (electrokinesis). This affordable technique will also ensure that flowable fluids will return to the storage cavern instead of leaking out to the environment, during the repair work

Model calculations of flow through shaft seals in the Rustler Formation /

"Printed April 1988."Prepared by Sandia National Laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy.Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-39).Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy under contract ;Mode of access: Internet

Small-scale seal performance test series "A" thermal/structural data through the 180th day /

"Printed May 1987."Prepared by Sandia National Laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy.Includes bibliographical references (page 48).Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy under contract ;Mode of access: Internet