Comparing Triflate and Hexafluorophosphate Anions of Ionic Liquids in Polymer Electrolytes for Supercapacitor Applications

Two different ionic liquid-based biopolymer electrolyte systems were prepared using a solution casting technique. Corn starch and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) were employed as polymer and salt, respectively. Additionally, two different counteranions of ionic liquids, viz. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmImPF₆) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (also known as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate) (BmImTf) were used and studied in this present work. The maximum ionic conductivities of (1.47 ± 0.02) × 10⁻⁴ and (3.21 ± 0.01) × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ were achieved with adulteration of 50 wt% of BmImPF₆ and 80 wt% of BmImTf, respectively at ambient temperature. Activated carbon-based electrodes were prepared and used in supercapacitor fabrication. Supercapacitors were then assembled using the most conducting polymer electrolyte from each system. The electrochemical properties of the supercapacitors were then analyzed. The supercapacitor containing the triflate-based biopolymer electrolyte depicted a higher specific capacitance with a wider electrochemical stability window compared to that of the hexafluorophosphate system.     

Histopathological correlates of the napkin-ring sign plaque in coronary CT angiography

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify histologic characteristics of advanced coronary atherosclerotic plaques that are related with the detection of the napkin-ring sign (NRS) in coronary CT angiography (CCTA).MethodsCCTA was performed in 7 human donor hearts. Histological slicing and stainings were performed in 1 mm increments of each major coronary artery. Histology was co-registered with the CT-data and classified according to the modified AHA classification.ResultsAdvanced plaques (types IV–VI) were present in 139 (23%) of 611 cross sections. Of these 33 (24%) demonstrated an NRS in CCTA. NRS plaques were associated with greater non-core plaque area (median 10.2 vs. 6.4 mm², p < 0.01) and larger vessel area (median 17.1 vs. 13.0 mm², p < 0.01). The area of the necrotic/lipid core was larger in plaques with NRS (median 1.1 vs. 0.5 mm², p = 0.05). Angiogenesis tended to be more frequent in plaques with NRS (48% vs. 30%) whereas micro-calcifications tended to be more frequent in plaques without NRS (27% vs. 46%) (p = 0.06 and 0.07 respectively). In a multivariate analysis, necrotic/lipid core area (OR = 1.9), non-core plaque area (OR = 1.6), and total vessel area (OR = 0.9) independently predicted the appearance of the NRS in coronary CT angiography.ConclusionDelineation of NRS in CCTA is independently linked to the size of the necrotic/lipid core, the size of the non-core plaque and to the vessel area as measured in histology of advanced coronary atherosclerotic plaques.     

Roles of hepatic progenitor cells activation, ductular reaction proliferation and notch signaling in morbid obesity

Background/Aims: Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) activation, proliferative ductular reaction (DR), replicative arrest and Notch signaling have been demonstrated in a variety of human liver diseases. The relationships are poorly understood in morbid obesity. We investigated factors responsible for the HPCs/DR, replicative arrest and Notch signaling in non-NASH and NASH groups. Methodology: Cytokeratin 7 (and 19), p21, CD34, Ki67 and different Notch receptors and ligands immunohistochemical stained biopsies from morbid obese patients with non-NASH (n=10) and NASH (n=25) were studied. These results were correlated with clinicopathological variables. Results: NASH patients presented with abnormal liver function tests and had higher HbA1c percentage. Strong association between HPCs and DR was seen (r=0.785, p<0.000). BMI, interface activity and replicative arrest were associated with HPCs expansion and DR in NASH patients. A strong association between CD34 with HPCs and DR was found in non-NASH patients. In NASH group, Notch 3 was important in bile ductular proliferation; whereas Notch 4 was associated with sinusoidal neovessels proliferation and Kupffer cell activation. Conclusions: HPCs and DR played an important role in hepatic regeneration in fatty liver disease of morbid obesity. An altered replication pathway in NASH promotes HPCs activation and DR. Notch-3 and Notch-4 were significantly different between non-NASH and NASH groups.     

Evaluating county-level spatial prevalence and clustering of medicare beneficiaries in Mississippi

Objective

This study seeks to examine how the extent of socioeconomic deprivation, racial and ethnic isolation, and health disadvantage differ among Medicare beneficiaries in Mississippi. Methods: Geographical information system (GIS) mappings are used in conjunction with cluster analysis to examine patterns of disparities in disease distribution, healthcare utilization and socioeconomic well-being among different counties in Mississippi.

Pre-conceptual and prenatal supplementary folic acid and multivitamin intake,behavioral problems,and hyperkinetic disorders: A study based on the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC)

Objective: To evaluate whether early folic acid or multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy prevents diagnosis of hyperkinetic disorders (HKD), treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and ADHD-like behaviors reported by parents participating in the DNBC for children at age 7.

Methods: HKD diagnosis and ADHD medication use data were obtained from the Danish National Hospital, Central Psychiatric and Pharmaceutical registers. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for HKD diagnosis and ADHD medication use and risk ratios (RRs) for parent-reported ADHD behavior collected with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), comparing children whose mothers took folic acid or multivitamin supplements early in pregnancy defined as starting periconceptionally (4 weeks prior to their last menstrual period (LMP)) through 8 weeks after their LMP (4–8 weeks), to children whose mothers indicated no supplement use for the same entire period.

Results: We identified 384 children (1.1%) with a hospital diagnosis for HKD and 642 children (1.8%) treated with ADHD medication. We found no association between risk of HKD diagnosis or intake of ADHD medication and early maternal folic acid use. However, early multivitamin use was associated with an approximately 30% reduction in risk for HKD diagnosis (aHR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.52–0.96) and 21% reduction in treatment with ADHD medication (aHR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.62–0.98). We observed a reduced risk in parent-reported ADHD behaviors, but these results were attenuated after adjustment.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that multivitamin use in early pregnancy may reduce risk for HKD diagnosis and treatment for ADHD in the offspring.