Production of Hydrogen by Superadiabatic Decomposition of Hydrogen Sulfide - Final Technical Report for the Period June 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000

The objective of this program is to develop an economical process for hydrogen production, with no additional carbon dioxide emission, through the thermal decomposition of hydrogen sulfide (H{sub 2}S) in H{sub 2}S-rich waste streams to high-purity hydrogen and elemental sulfur. The novel feature of the process being developed is the superadiabatic combustion (SAC) of part of the H{sub 2}S in the waste stream to provide the thermal energy required for the decomposition reaction such that no additional energy is required. The program is divided into two phases. In Phase 1, detailed thermochemical and kinetic modeling of the SAC reactor with H{sub 2}S-rich fuel gas and air/enriched air feeds is undertaken to evaluate the effects of operating conditions on exit gas products and conversion efficiency, and to identify key process parameters. Preliminary modeling results are used as a basis to conduct a thorough evaluation of SAC process design options, including reactor configuration, operating conditions, and productivity-product separation schemes, with respect to potential product yields, thermal efficiency, capital and operating costs, and reliability, ultimately leading to the preparation of a design package and cost estimate for a bench-scale reactor testing system to be assembled and tested in Phase 2 of the program. A detailed parametric testing plan was also developed for process design optimization and model verification in Phase 2. During Phase 2 of this program, IGT, UIC, and industry advisors UOP and BP Amoco will validate the SAC concept through construction of the bench-scale unit and parametric testing. The computer model developed in Phase 1 will be updated with the experimental data and used in future scale-up efforts. The process design will be refined and the cost estimate updated. Market survey and assessment will continue so that a commercial demonstration project can be identified

Mbd3 Promotes Reprogramming of Primary Human Fibroblasts

Mbd3 (Methyl-CpG binding domain protein), a core member of NuRD (nucleosome remodelling and deacetylation) is essential for embryogenesis. However, its role in reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) remains controversial. Some reports suggest that Mbd3 inhibits pluripotency, whilst others show that it greatly enhances reprogramming efficiency. Our study is the first to assess the role of Mbd3 on reprogramming of primary human fibroblasts using Yamanaka episomal plasmids (Reprogramming factors (RF) under feeder-free conditions. We showed that shRNA-mediated partial depletion of Mbd3 resulted in >5-fold reduction in the efficiency of reprogramming of primary human fibroblasts. Furthermore, iPSC that emerged after knock-down of Mbd3 were incapable of trilineage differentiation even though they expressed all markers of pluripotency. In contrast, over-expression of the Mbd3b isoform along with the Yamanaka episomal plasmids increased the number of fibroblast derived iPSC colonies by at least two-fold. The resulting colonies were capable of trilineage differentiation. Our results, therefore, suggest that Mbd3 appears to play an important role in reprogramming of primary human fibroblasts, which provides further insight into the biology of reprogramming but also has direct implication for translation of iPSC to clinic

Comparison of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein -4 & -5 Promoter Methylation in Patients with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia and Healthy Individuals

Background: DNA methylation patterns are often changed in cancer cells. Many of the tumor inhibitor genes are silenced by methylation, such as CDKN2B, p73, and the suppressor of cytokine signaling in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Secreted frizzled-related protein -4 and -5 (SFRP4, 5) are negative regulators of the Wnt signaling pathway. We aimed to evaluate the methylation status of SFRP4 and SFRP5 genes in patients with AML. Methods: Blood samples were isolated from 60 patients with AML and 30 healthy controls. DNA was exploited, treated with sodium bisulfite, and tested utilizing methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction with specific primers for methylated and unmethylated sequences of the SFRP4 and SFRP5 genes. Results: The frequency of unfit hypermethylation of SFRP4 and SFRP5 genes in patients with AML was characterized to be 50% (30/60) and 40% (24/60), respectively. Moreover, for all the subjects in the control group, methylation of SFRP4 and SFRP5 genes was negative. The spread of SFRP4 and SFRP5 promoter methylation in patients with AML was higher than the control population. Conclusion: Hypermethylation was seen in SFRP4 and SFRP5 genes in patients with AML

Psychometrics properties of the Iranian version of fertility quality of life tool: a cross- sectional study

Background: Clinical measurement of quality of life for assessing reproductive problems should be considered as a standard investigation at the initial and continuing medical consultations with infertile people. Objective: The purpose of this study was comprehensive testing the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of fertility quality of life (FertiQol) as its use could be considerable due to the prevalence of infertility in Iran and the importance of evaluation of QoL in patients with infertility. Method and material: This was a psychometric properties study of 300 women referred to infertility clinic, Hormozgan, Iran. After linguistic validation of the Iranian version of MPCOSQ, a semi-structured interview was conducted to assess face validity. Consequently exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to indicate the scale constructs. Discriminant validity was assessed using the known groups comparison. Convergent validity was evaluated by assessing the correlation between similar content on the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and FertiQol. In addition, reliability analysis was carried out with internal consistency. Results: The reliability of the Iranian version of the FertiQol questionnaire was satisfactory in all dimensions (Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 ). Six factors (emotional, mind/body, relational, social, environmental and tolerability) were extracted from the results of EFA with factor loading of the more than 0.3. Discrimination validity showed that FertiQol can differentiate between female patients with differing duration of infertility and number of children; this indicates favorable discrimination validity. Moreover, the results of convergent validity showed a favorable correlation between the related dimensions of 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (correlation ranging from 0.43 to 0.68 ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(correlation ranging from 0.47 to 0.52 ) and FertiQol. Conclusion: The Iranian version of FertiQol is valid and reliable for assessing infertility problems and the effects of treatment on quality of life of infertile patients referred for diagnosis and treatment at an Iranian infertility clinic. The clinical use of this measure is recommended for Iranian infertility clinics

Theoretical study of hydrogen adsorption in Ti-decorated capped carbon nanotube

We present ab initio study using dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations to investigate the hydrogen interaction with Ti-coated, one end closed, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Our results demonstrate that a single Ti atom binds up to five hydrogen molecules on SWCNT cap top, whereas adsorption of four hydrogen molecules is energetically more favourable. The analyses fromadsorption energy profile, highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap and Mulliken charge distribution show contrast in first hydrogen molecule adsorption compared with the rest of four configurations. This is clearly due to the strongly different bonding nature of first hydrogen adsorption among others, between hydrogen molecules and Ti-coated SWCNT. These results not only support our understanding of adsorption nature of hydrogen in Ti-coated SWCNTs but also suggest new directions for smart storage techniques. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Fosfomycin: Mechanisms and the increasing prevalence of resistance

There are challenges regarding increased global rates of microbial resistance and the emergence of new mechanisms that result in microorganisms becoming resistant to antimicrobial drugs. Fosfomycin is a broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotic effective against Gram-negative and certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococci, that interfere with cell wall synthesis. During the last 40 years, fosfomycin has been evaluated in a wide range of applications and fields. Although numerous studies have been done in this area, there remains limited information regarding the prevalence of resistance. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the available data concerning the mechanisms and increasing resistance regarding fosfomycin. © 2019 The Authors

Genotypic characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a burn centre by using agr, spa and SCCmec typing methods

Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus remain a major global healthcare problem. We aimed to find the common lineages of S. aureus strains circulating in a burn hospital in Tehran. A total of 167 isolates of S. aureus obtained from patients, healthcare workers (HCWs) and environment in Shahid Motahari burn hospital were genotyped by using spa, agr and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by using the disc diffusion method. The frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 64.7 (n = 108), with distribution frequencies among patient, HCW and surface isolates of 64.2 (n = 79), 50 (n = 7) and 73.3 (n = 22), respectively. SCCmec type III (75, n = 81) was found to be the most frequent SCCmec type among MRSA isolates, followed by SCCmec type I (20.4, n = 22) and SCCmec type IV (1.8, n = 2). The remaining MRSA isolates (2.8, n = 3) were nontypeable by this method. About 78.4 (n = 131), 10.2 (n = 17) and 4.8 (n = 8) of all isolates were characterized as agr types I, II and III, respectively, and the other isolates (6.6) were nontypeable. spa types t030 and t037 constituted the first and second most predominant spa types found in 56.4 (n = 57) and 25.6 (n = 26) of isolates, respectively. We also report here a novel spa type, t16471. The most prevalent genotypes of the isolates found among patient, surface and HCW samples were SCCmec type III/t030, t037/agr type I. Continuous tracking of epidemic isolates and better hospital infection control policies are recommended to efficiently prevent the spread of bacteria to inpatients. © 201

Durable Responses and Low Toxicity After Fast Off-Rate CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Therapy in Adults With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

PURPOSE Prognosis for adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is poor, and there are currently no licensed CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapeutics. We developed a novel second-generation CD19-CAR (CAT19-41BB-Z) with a fast off rate, designed for more physiologic T-cell activation to reduce toxicity and improve engraftment. We describe the multicenter phase I ALLCAR19 (NCT02935257) study of autologous CAT19-41BB-Z CAR T cells (AUTO1) in relapsed or refractory (r/r) adult B-ALL. METHODS Patients age ≥ 16 years with r/r B-ALL were eligible. Primary outcomes were toxicity and manufacturing feasibility. Secondary outcomes were depth of response at 1 and 3 months, persistence of CAR-T, incidence and duration of hypogammaglobulinemia and B-cell aplasia, and event-free survival and overall survival at 1 and 2 years. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were leukapheresed, 24 products were manufactured, and 20 patients were infused with AUTO1. The median age was 41.5 years; 25% had prior blinatumomab, 50% prior inotuzumab ozogamicin, and 65% prior allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. At the time of preconditioning, 45% had ≥ 50% bone marrow blasts. No patients experienced ≥ grade 3 cytokine release syndrome; 3 of 20 (15%) experienced grade 3 neurotoxicity that resolved to ≤ grade 1 within 72 hours with steroids. Seventeen of 20 (85%) achieved minimal residual disease–negative complete response at month 1, and 3 of 17 underwent allogeneic stem-cell transplantation while in remission. The event-free survival at 6 and 12 months was 68.3% (42.4-84.4) and 48.3% (23.1%-69.7%), respectively. High-level expansion (Cmax 127,152 copies/µg genomic DNA) and durable CAR-T persistence were observed with B-cell aplasia ongoing in 15 of 20 patients at last follow-up. CONCLUSION AUTO1 demonstrates a tolerable safety profile, high remission rates, and excellent persistence in r/r adult B-ALL. Preliminary data support further development of AUTO1 as a stand-alone treatment for r/r adult B-ALL

Safety and effectiveness of high-dose vitamin C in patients with COVID-19: a randomized open-label clinical trial

Background: Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble nutrient that functions as a key antioxidant and has been proven to be effective for boosting immunity. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of adding high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) to the regimens for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. Methods: An open-label, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted on patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The case and control treatment groups each consisted of 30 patients. The control group received lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine and the case group received HDIVC (6 g daily) added to the same regimen. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups with respect to age and gender, laboratory results, and underlying diseases. The mean body temperature was significantly lower in the case group on the 3rd day of hospitalization (p = 0.001). Peripheral capillary oxygen saturations (SpO2) measured at the 3rd day of hospitalization was also higher in the case group receiving HDIVC (p = 0.014). The median length of hospitalization in the case group was significantly longer than the control group (8.5 days vs. 6.5 days) (p = 0.028). There was no significant difference in SpO2 levels at discharge time, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusions: We did not find significantly better outcomes in the group who were treated with HDIVC in addition to the main treatment regimen at discharge. Trial registration irct.ir (IRCT20200411047025N1), April 14, 2020 © 2021, The Author(s)