LaNi0.6Fe0.2Cu0.2O3–δ and LaNi0.6Fe0.3Cr0.1O3–δ compositions were selected as air-side contact materials candidates for reversible solid oxide fuel cells (RSOFCs) electrodes based on their structural ...features and electrical properties. These perovskites were synthesized through a combustion method. Neutron powder diffraction was performed to examine structural modifications of the phases over a wide range of temperatures (from room temperature to 900 °C). Both materials exhibit a rhombohedra (R-3c) structure in the measured temperature range. A noticeable oxygen deficiency is observed at the application temperature in RSOFCs (i.e., 800 °C), with a refined stoichiometry of oxygen of 2.71(1) and 2.90(1) per formula unit in LaNi0.6Fe0.2Cu0.2O3–δ and LaNi0.6Fe0.3Cr0.1O3–δ at 900 °C, respectively. An electrical conductivity (σ) of 234 S cm−1 was measured for LaNi0.6Fe0.2Cu0.2O3–δ at 800 °C, while a slightly higher σ value was achieved for LaNi0.6Fe0.3Cr0.1O3–δ perovskite (277 S cm−1 at 800 °C). An average thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of ≈13 × 10−6 K−1 (25–900 °C, air) was measured for both compositions. Furthermore, we confirm compatibility of the synthesized materials with RSOFC stack components: the electrodes (La0.3Ca0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3-δ) and interconnects (Crofer 22 APU).
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•A detailed study aimed at understanding the structure, electrical, and electrochemical properties of LaNi0.6Fe0.2Cu0.2O3-δ and LaNi0.6Fe0.3Cr0.1O3-δ perovskites material for application as contact paste in reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) is presented.•Emphasis is placed on optimizing the compositions, considering the electrical conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient and chemical compatibility with La0.3Ca0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3-δ (LCFCr) electrodes and Crofer 22 APU interconnect.•Neutron powder diffraction analysis reveal a rhombohedral R-3c structure for both candidates with a refined composition of LaNi0.59(2)Fe0.20(3)Cu0.20(3)O2.87(1) and LaNi0.63(2)Fe0.27(2)Cr0.10(1)O2.96(1) at room temperature.
Introduction Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe long-term ...consequences in victims. This study implements an intervention comprising two psychotherapeutic approaches recommended by the WHO and international clinical guidelines for addressing short-, medium-, and long-term posttraumatic symptomatology: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are adapted from group formats for implementation in small online groups via Zoom. Methods The impact of both therapeutic approaches on trauma improvement was assessed in a sample of 19 women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse through a Randomized Clinical Trial comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy after a baseline period. Intra and inter comparison were made using statistics appropriate to the sample. Results Both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced symptomatology across various evaluated variables, suggesting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for these individuals. Following CBT-FT treatment, patients exhibited enhanced emotional regulation, reduced reexperiencing, and avoidance. The EMDR group, utilizing the G-TEP group protocol, significantly improved dissociation, along with other crucial clinical variables and the perception of quality of life. Discussion Although the limitations of this study must be taken into account due to the size of the sample and the lack of long-term follow-up, the results align with existing scientific literature, underscoring the benefits of trauma-focused psychological treatments. The online group format appears promising for enhancing the accessibility of psychological treatment for these women. Furthermore, the differential outcomes of each treatment support recent research advocating for the inclusion of both approaches for individuals with trauma-related symptomatology. Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valencian International University (VIU) (Valencia, Spain) (Ref. CEID2021_07). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the scientific community. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813224 , identifier NCT04813224.
The recent discovery of CALR mutations in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) patients without JAK2/MPL mutations has emerged as a relevant finding for the molecular ...diagnosis of these myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). We tested the feasibility of high-resolution melting (HRM) as a screening method for rapid detection of CALR mutations.
CALR was studied in wild-type JAK2/MPL patients including 34 ET, 21 persistent thrombocytosis suggestive of MPN and 98 suspected secondary thrombocytosis. CALR mutation analysis was performed through HRM and Sanger sequencing. We compared clinical features of CALR-mutated versus 45 JAK2/MPL-mutated subjects in ET.
Nineteen samples showed distinct HRM patterns from wild-type. Of them, 18 were mutations and one a polymorphism as confirmed by direct sequencing. CALR mutations were present in 44% of ET (15/34), 14% of persistent thrombocytosis suggestive of MPN (3/21) and none of the secondary thrombocytosis (0/98). Of the 18 mutants, 9 were 52 bp deletions, 8 were 5 bp insertions and other was a complex mutation with insertion/deletion. No mutations were found after sequencing analysis of 45 samples displaying wild-type HRM curves. HRM technique was reproducible, no false positive or negative were detected and the limit of detection was of 3%.
This study establishes a sensitive, reliable and rapid HRM method to screen for the presence of CALR mutations.
Perovskite La0.3Ca0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3-δ (LCFCr) is a mixed ionic and electronic conductor (MIEC) that can be employed as an electrode material in reversible solid oxide fuel cells (RSOFCs). In this work, ...an ultra-fast (15 min) one-step microwave (MW)-assisted combustion synthesis route has been developed to obtain phase pure and highly crystalline LCFCr powder. The synthesized powders exhibited a sponge-like microstructure with increased electrochemical reaction sites. Neutron thermodiffraction analysis revealed a structural transition above 500 °C from the room temperature (RT) orthorhombic Pnma to a rhombohedral R3c perovskite phase. The oxygen vacancy concentration was found to increase from δ = 0.272(7) at RT to δ = 0.333(5) at 900 °C. Furthermore, a 3-dimensional G-type antiferromagnetic structure was detected at RT. MW-sintering of pressed green ceramic pellets was carried out at 950 °C for 1 h, using a MW-transparent quartz fiber crucible or alternatively a SiC crucible acting as a MW-absorber. Impedance spectroscopy data on sintered ceramic pellets revealed electronic inhomogeneity as demonstrated by the occurrence of three dielectric relaxation processes associated with two grain boundary (GB)-like contributions and one bulk. The dielectric inhomogeneity encountered may be restricted to the extrinsic GB areas, which may be rather thin. More homogeneous dielectric properties of the GBs were found in the pellet that was sintered in the SiC crucible.
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•La0.3Ca0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3-δ perovskite was prepared by a microwave-combustion route.•Sintering of pressed green ceramics was carried out in 2 different microwave modes.•Neutron Powder Diffraction study reveals a structural transition from Pnma to R3c.•3-dimensional G-type antiferromagnetic structure was resolved (at room temperature).•Clear correlation between the electronic properties and structural transition.
is among the most prevalent causes of candidiasis. Unlike
, it is not capable of changing morphology between yeast and hyphal forms but instead has developed other virulence factors. An important ...feature is its unprecedented large repertoire of predicted cell wall adhesins, which are thought to enable adherence to a variety of surfaces under different conditions. Here, we analyzed the wall proteome of PEU1221, a high biofilm-forming clinical strain isolated from an infected central venous catheter, under biofilm-forming conditions. This isolate shows increased incorporation of putative adhesins, including eight proteins that were not detected in walls of reference strain ATCC 2001, and of which Epa22, Awp14, and Awp2e were identified for the first time. The proteomics data suggest that cluster III adhesin Awp14 is relatively abundant in PEU1221. Phenotypic studies with
deletion mutants showed that Awp14 is not responsible for the high biofilm formation of PEU1221 onto polystyrene. However,
mutant cells in PEU1221 background showed a slightly diminished binding to chitin and seemed to sediment slightly slower than the parental strain suggesting implication in fungal cell-cell interactions. By structural modeling, we further demonstrate similarity between the ligand-binding domains of cluster III adhesin Awp14 and those of cluster V and VI adhesins. In conclusion, our work confirms the increased incorporation of putative adhesins, such as Awp14, in high biofilm-forming isolates, and contributes to decipher the precise role of these proteins in the establishment of
infections.
The pathogenic yeast Pichia kudriavzevii, previously known as Candida krusei, is more distantly related to Candida albicans than clinically relevant CTG-clade Candida species. Its cell wall, a ...dynamic organelle that is the first point of interaction between pathogen and host, is relatively understudied, and its wall proteome remains unidentified to date. Here, we present an integrated study of the cell wall in P. kudriavzevii. Our comparative genomic studies and experimental data indicate that the general structure of the cell wall in P. kudriavzevii is similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and C. albicans and is comprised of β-1,3-glucan, β-1,6-glucan, chitin, and mannoproteins. However, some pronounced differences with C. albicans walls were observed, for instance, higher mannan and protein levels and altered protein mannosylation patterns. Further, despite absence of proteins with high sequence similarity to Candida adhesins, protein structure modeling identified eleven proteins related to flocculins/adhesins in S. cerevisiae or C. albicans. To obtain a proteomic comparison of biofilm and planktonic cells, P. kudriavzevii cells were grown to exponential phase and in static 24-h cultures. Interestingly, the 24-h static cultures of P. kudriavzevii yielded formation of floating biofilm (flor) rather than adherence to polystyrene at the bottom. The proteomic analysis of both conditions identified a total of 33 cell wall proteins. In line with a possible role in flor formation, increased abundance of flocculins, in particular Flo110, was observed in the floating biofilm compared to exponential cells. This study is the first to provide a detailed description of the cell wall in P. kudriavzevii including its cell wall proteome, and paves the way for further investigations on the importance of flor formation and flocculins in the pathogenesis of P. kudriavzevii.
Background:
The consequences of infectious toxicity of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) on overall survival (OS) of patients diagnosed with high-risk myeloid neoplasms have not been thoroughly ...investigated.
Objectives:
We aimed to evaluate whether infectious events (IEs) negatively influenced the results of HMA treatment in a real-world setting.
Design:
Observational study.
Methods:
We obtained data from 412 non-selected consecutive patients from 23 Spanish hospitals who were diagnosed with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or acute myeloid leukemia and were treated with HMA. HMAs received after chemotherapy or stem cell transplant were excluded. All IEs were recorded. Outcomes included OS, modifications to the pre-planned treatment, incidence and characteristics of IEs, hospitalization, red blood cell transfusions, and factors associated with infection.
Results:
The rate of infection was 1.2 per patient/year. Next-cycle delay (p = 0.001) and hospitalizations (p = 0.001) were significantly influenced by IEs. Transfusion requirements during each cycle were significantly higher after infection compared with cycles without infection (coefficient = 1.55 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26–1.84, p < 0.001). The median number of cycles was lower in patients experiencing any infection during the first four cycles (5 3–8 versu 8 5–16, p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, factors associated with lower OS were having any infection during the first four cycles (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.43 95% CI = 1.09–1.88, p = 0.01), bone marrow blasts ⩾30% (HR = 2.13 95% CI = 1.14–3.96, p = 0.01), adverse cytogenetics (HR = 1.70 95% CI = 1.30–2.24, p < 0.001), and platelet count <50 × 109/l (HR = 1.69 95% CI = 1.3–2.2, p < 0.001). BM blasts >20% (HR = 1.57 95% CI = 1.19–2.01, p < 0.001) and adverse cytogenetics (HR = 1.7 95% CI = 1.35–2.14, p < 0.001) were associated with infection, whereas hemoglobin >9 g/dl (HR = 0.65 95% CI = 0.51–0.82, p < 0.001) and higher platelet count (HR = 0.997 95% CI = 0.996–0.998, p = 0.016) protected from it.
Conclusion:
HMA infectious toxicity worsens OS, hinders the adherence to antineoplastic treatment and results in significant morbidity. Preventive strategies are fundamental in vulnerable patients.
The development of thrombotic events is common among patients with polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). We studied the influence of pathogenic ...mutations frequently associated with myeloid malignancies on thrombotic events using next-generation sequencing (NGS) in an initial cohort of 68 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). As expected, the presence of mutations in
and
(DTA genes) was positively associated with age for the whole cohort (
= 0.025, OR: 1.047, 95% CI: 1.006-1.090). Also, while not related with events in the whole cohort, DTA mutations were strongly associated with the development of vascular events in PV patients (
= 0.028). To confirm the possible association between the presence of DTA mutation and thrombotic events, we performed a case-control study on 55 age-matched patients with PV (including 12 PV patients from the initial cohort, 25 with event vs. 30 no event). In the age-matched case-control PV cohort, the presence of ≥1 DTA mutation significantly increased the risk of a thrombotic event (OR: 6.333,
= 0.0024). Specifically, mutations in
were associated with thrombotic events in the PV case-control cohort (OR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.15-11.83,
= 0.031). Our results suggest that pathogenic DTA mutations, and particularly
mutations, may be an independent risk factor for thrombosis in patients with PV. However, the predictive value of
and DTA mutations in ET and PMF was inconclusive and should be determined in a larger cohort.
Introduction: Most victims of sexual abuse have symptoms that may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aims to offer evidence-based psychological treatment to women who have been ...sexually abused earlier in life and currently have sequelae from that trauma. With this treatment, each of the women in the study will hopefully improve their overall quality of life and, more specifically, it is expected that post-traumatic stress symptoms will decrease, as found in recent studies, as well as strengthening their security, confidence, and coping with the situations they have experienced. Methods and analysis: The effect of two therapeutic approaches focused on the improvement of trauma will be evaluated in a sample of 30–50 women victims of childhood sexual abuse, with a randomized clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. According to the literature reviewed, both approaches will considerably improve self-esteem when the appropriate number of sessions are conducted, significantly reducing general psychiatric symptoms and depression. Furthermore, the effects are sustained over time. It should be noted that this study will be carried out comparing both therapies, analyzing both the differential benefit of each and the cumulative effect of receiving both treatments and in which order. It is also intended to demonstrate that implementing the protocols presented in this study will help improve the quality of life of the women who benefit from them, and after this study, it will be possible to replicate this program in other people with the same problems. Each of the therapeutic benefits of each of them will be analyzed, and clinical and logistical guidance will be provided to implement both, including a session-by-session protocol.
Abstract Renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in the bone marrow is related to proliferation and cellular differentiation. We investigated the effect of ACE inhibitors (ACEI) captopril (>1 mM) and ...trandolapril (>0.05 mM) and losartan (0.2 mM) on K562 cell line and K562 transfected with c-myc, bcl-x and bcl-2 (KmycB, Kbclx and Kbcl2 respectively). RAS components, proliferation, apoptosis and c-myc expression were analyzed. ACEI and losartan inhibited cell growth, decreased c-myc expression and increased apoptosis. These effects seem to be associated to angiotensin II-induced Smad activation. This work offers a new possible line of treatment for some acute myeloid leukemias and a new area of clinical research.
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