Method for determination of stable carbon isotope ratio of methylnitrophenols in atmospheric particulate matter

A technique for the measurement of the stable isotope ratio of methylnitrophenols in atmospheric particulate matter is presented. Atmospheric samples from rural and suburban areas were collected for evaluation of the procedure. Particulate matter was collected on quartz fibre filters using dichotomous high volume air samplers. Methylnitrophenols were extracted from the filters using acetonitrile. The sample was then purified using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and solid phase extraction. The final solution was then divided into two aliquots. To one aliquot, a derivatising agent, Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, was added for Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. The second half of the sample was stored in a refrigerator. For samples with concentrations exceeding 1 ng μl<sup>−1</sup>, the second half of the sample was used for measurement of stable carbon isotope ratios by Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. <br><br> The procedure described in this paper provides a method for the analysis of methylnitrophenols in atmospheric particulate matter at concentrations as low as 0.3 pg m<sup>−3</sup> and for stable isotope ratios with an accuracy of better than ±0.5‰ for concentrations exceeding 100 pg m<sup>−3</sup>. <br><br> In all atmospheric particulate matter samples analysed, 2-methyl-4-nitrophenol was found to be the most abundant methylnitrophenol, with concentrations ranging from the low pg m<sup>−3</sup> range in rural areas to more than 200 pg m<sup>−3</sup> in some samples from a suburban location

Hydrological assessment and monitoring of wetlands

The physical and chemical characteristics which favour wetland plant communities, primarily high soil water levels and anaerobic soil chemistry, are related directly to the hydrology/hydrogeology of the wetland and often its surrounding catchment. Appreciation and successful management of a wetland therefore almost always requires an understanding of its hydrological functioning, including the influences on hydrological functioning which often lie beyond the designated boundary of the sit

Characterization of ovarian follicle reserve depletion in Ames dwarf mice.

Publicado: Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society (SBTE); Gramado, RS, Brazil, August 20th to 23rd, 2015, and 31st Meeting of the European Embryo Transfer Association (AETE); Ghent, Belgium, September 11th and 12th, 2015. Abstracts

464 Lupus low disease activity state: prevalence and effect on damage accrual in a monocentric cohort of 293 sle patients

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S1D:4 Testing different definitions of remission in a monocentric caucasian cohort of sle patients

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of different definitions of remission and their effect on damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Design and method We considered 293 caucasian SLE patients followed-up for 7 years (2009–2015): 253 (86.3%) were female, mean ±SD disease duration 11.1±7.8 years. Disease activity was assessed by clinical SLEDAI-2K (c-SLEDAI) and damage by SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI). We evaluate the effect of different definitions of remission (c-SLEDAI=0; c-SLEDAI ≤1; c-SLEDAI=0 and prednisone ≤5 mg/day; c-SLEDAI ≤1 and prednisone ≤5 mg/day; c-SLEDAI=0 and PGA Results Frequency of remission achieved during the 7 year follow-up are reported in table 1 according to the different definitions. The mean increase in SDI and the percentage of patients with increased of SDI from the baseline to the end of follow-up were significantly higher in unremitted and 1 year remitted patients compared with patients with 2-, 3-, 4- and ≥5 year remission, irrespective of the definition of remission. 5 year remitted patients had lower damage compared with 2 year (p Conclusions The inclusion of PG

S7A:7 Administration of serpinb3 delays glomerulonephritis and attenuates the lupus-like disease in lupus murine models by an immunomodulatory effect

Background Abnormal apoptosis and clearance of cellular debris concur to development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SERPINS (serin-protease inhibitors) are ancient molecules regulating immune homeostasis. SERPINB3 modulates apoptosis and is hypoexpressed on SLE B cells. Aim To explore the effects of SERPINB3 administration in murine lupus models, focusing on glomerulonephritis. Methods NZB/W F1 and MRL/lpr mice were used. 40 NZB/W F1 mice were divided into 4 groups of 10 mice each and intraperitoneally injected twice a week starting before occurrence of proteinuria traces (group 1 and 2, prophylactic approach) or after development of proteinuria 30 mg/dl (group 3 and 4, therapeutic approach) with hrSERPINB3 (7.5 µg/0.1 mL prophylactic approach, or 15 µg/0.1 mL therapeutic approach) or PBS (0.1 mL). 20 MRL/lpr mice were injected with hrSERPINB3 (group 5, n=10) or PBS (group 6, n=10) with a prophylactic approach. We assessed time of occurrence and titers of anti-dsDNA and anti-C1q antibodies by ELISA; proteinuria and serum creatinine; overall- and proteinuria-free survival. Six NZB/W F1 mice were sacrificed at week 27, while 10 MRL/lpr mice at week 13 and another 10 at 16/18 weeks for histological kidneys comparison. Flow-cytometry was performed on MRL/lpr splenocytes. Non parametric tests were performed for statistics; proteinuria-free ( Results Levels of autoantibodies were significantly decreased and delayed in group 1 vs group 2, group 3 vs group 4, and group 5 vs group 6 (p Conclusions Administration of SERPINB3 significantly improves disease and delays the onset of severe glomerulonephritis in lupus-prone mice. SERPINB3 may influence immune-cell function through immunoregulatory effects involving promotion of Treg

Early and Late Response and Glucocorticoid-Sparing Effect of Belimumab in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Joint and Skin Manifestations: Results from the Belimumab in Real Life Setting Study—Joint and Skin (BeRLiSS-JS)

Aim. To assess the efficacy of belimumab in joint and skin manifestations in a nationwide cohort of patients with SLE. Methods. All patients with skin and joint involvement enrolled in the BeRLiSS cohort were considered. Belimumab (intravenous, 10 mg/kg) effectiveness in joint and skin manifestations was assessed by DAS28 and CLASI, respectively. Attainment and predictors of DAS28 remission (<2.6) and LDA (≥2.6, ≤3.2), CLASI = 0, 1, and improvement in DAS28 and CLASI indices ≥20%, ≥50%, and ≥70% were evaluated at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Results. DAS28 < 2.6 was achieved by 46%, 57%, and 71% of patients at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. CLASI = 0 was achieved by 36%, 48%, and 62% of patients at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Belimumab showed a glucocorticoid-sparing effect, being glucocorticoid-free at 8.5%, 15.4%, 25.6%, and 31.6% of patients at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Patients achieving DAS-LDA and CLASI-50 at 6 months had a higher probability of remission at 12 months compared with those who did not (p = 0.034 and p = 0.028, respectively). Conclusions. Belimumab led to clinical improvement in a significant proportion of patients with joint or skin involvement in a real-life setting and was associated with a glucocorticoid-sparing effect. A significant proportion of patients with a partial response at 6 months achieved remission later on during follow-up