Lower ESR Research Articles

Fabrication of ternary polyaniline‐titanium dioxide‐polypyrrole (PANI‐TiO2‐PPy) nanocomposite as an efficient polymer electrode for supercapacitors

AbstractA facile ternary nanocomposite comprising of polyaniline, titanium dioxide, polypyrrole, that is, PANI‐TiO2‐PPy was synthesized by in‐situ chemical oxidative polymerization method and fabricated as an active electrode material for supercapacitor applications. The phase, morphology, chemical composition, electronic states and thermal behavior of PANI‐TiO2‐PPy were analyzed using XRD, FESEM/EDAX, FTIR, XPS, and TGA techniques. CV profile of PANI‐TiO2‐PPy electrode exhibits the highest specific capacitance (600 F g−1) at 1 mV/s in 1 M KOH electrolyte, which is higher than the PANI (31 F g−1), PPy (120 F g−1), and TiO2 (398 F g−1) electrodes. The charge storage mechanism of PANI‐TiO2‐PPy electrode was also explored in 1 M H2SO4 and 1 M Na2SO4 electrolytes; wherein the capacitive behavior of ternary electrode was found to be superior in alkaline electrolyte compared to acidic and neutral electrolytes. From GCD, the ternary electrode exhibited the longest charge/discharge curve when compared to unary electrodes, which affirms the improved energy storage capacity of PANI‐TiO2‐PPy. The lower ESR value (0.90 Ω) exhibited by ternary electrode in comparison with PANI (1.75 Ω), PPy (1.59 Ω), and TiO2 (2.11 Ω) and 92% of capacitive retention after 2500 charge/discharge cycles suggest that PANI‐TiO2‐PPy could be a suitable active electrode for supercapacitors.

The impact of smoking on response to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

To investigate the impact of smoking on disease activity, treatment retention, and response in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with their first tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi). AS patients who started their first TNFi treatment for the active axial disease (BASDAI ≥ 4) from TURKBIO Registry were included. Treatment response of smoker (current and ex-smokers) and nonsmoker (never smoker) patients were primarily evaluated as achievement of BASDAI50 or improvement in BASDAI at least 20 mm at 3 months and 6 months compared to baseline. There were 322 patients with AS (60% male, 59% smoker, mean age: 38.3 years). The median follow-up time was 2.8 years (Q1- Q3: 1.3-3.8), and disease duration was 3.5 years (Q1-Q3: 0.7-8.2). Smokers had male predominance (p < 0.001), lower ESR (p = 0.03), higher BASDAI (p = 0.02), BASFI (p = 0.05), HAQ-AS (p = 0.007), and ASDAS-CRP (p = 0.04) compared with nonsmokers at baseline. In the multivariate analysis, male gender [OR 2.7 (95%CI 1.4-5), p = 0.002], and concomitant conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use [OR 2.4 (95%CI 1.1-5.2), p = 0.03] were associated with better treatment response. There was an association of male gender [HR 2.4 (95%CI 1.6-3.7), p < 0.001], older age (≥30years) [HR 1.8 (95%CI 1.1-2.8), p = 0.01], and response to treatment [HR 1.8 (95%CI 1.2-2.9), p = 0.008] with better treatment retention. No impact of smoking status was found on treatment retention and response in univariate and multivariate analyses. This study suggested that smoking was associated with poorer patient-reported outcomes in biologic naïve AS patients initiating their first TNFi treatment, but it had no impact on the TNFi treatment response and retention rate.

Impact of gut Microbiome alteration in Ulcerative Colitis patients on disease severity and outcome

BackgroundUlcerative colitis is a heterogeneous disease in terms of disease course, location, and therapeutic response. The current study was done to assess the alteration of the gut microbiome in UC patients and its relationship to severity, response to therapy, and outcome.Patients and methodsThe study included 96 participants who were divided into a case group (n = 48, recent onset, treatment naive ulcerative colitis patients who were subdivided into mild, moderate, and severe subgroups based on Truelove–Witts and endoscopic severity) and a healthy control group (n = 48). All were subjected to a thorough history, clinical examination, colonoscopy, routine laboratory tests, and quantitative real-time PCR to quantify Bacteroides, Lactobacilli, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Veillonella, and Hemophilus in fecal samples at baseline and 6 months after treatment.ResultsBacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed a significant reduction in the phylum Firmicutes in UC patients, with a significant predominance of the phylum Bacteriodetes. F. prausnitzii and lactobacilli were inversely proportional to disease severity, whereas Bacteroides, Hemophilus, and Veillonella were directly proportional to it. Six months after therapy, a statistically significant increase in F. prausnitzii and lactobacilli was observed, with a decrease in the levels of other bacteria. Lower baseline F. praustinizii (< 8.5) increased the risk of relapse; however, lower ESR (< 10), lower post-treatment CRP (< 6), lower Bacteroides (< 10.6) indefinitely protect against relapse.ConclusionThe gut microbiome of recently diagnosed UC showed lower levels of Lactobacilli, Faecalibacterium, and higher levels of Bacteroides and Veillonella, and the change in their levels can be used to predict response to therapy.

The role of polymorphisms rs12218 of the &lt;i&gt;SAA1&lt;/i&gt; gene, rs1205 of the &lt;i&gt;CRP&lt;/i&gt; gene, and rs7574865 of the &lt;i&gt;STAT4&lt;/i&gt; gene in the formation of predisposition to panniculitis in the Russian cohort of patients (pilot study)

Objective: to study the role of SAA1, CRP and STAT4 gene polymorphisms in the development of panniculitis (PN) and their relationship with clinical and laboratory parameters in the Russian cohort of patients.Patients and methods. The study included 74 patients (67 women and 7 men aged 15 to 76 years) with diagnosis of PN. In addition to the general clinical examination, immunological and histological studies, computed tomography of the chest, and tuberculin tests were performed. For genetic study, two groups of patients were formed: with septal PN (SPN, n=26), represented by erythema nodosum (EN) and with lobular PN (LPN, n=48), including predominantly with idiopathic LPN (iLPN, n= 18) and other rare variants (n=30). As a control, the results of DNA genotyping of 142 healthy non-related individuals were used. Genotyping of polymorphisms rs12218 of the SAA1 gene, rs1205 of the CRP gene, and rs7574865 of the STAT4 gene was performed by the allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results and discussion. Significant differences were found between the groups in terms of age and duration of the disease. Patients with SPN were younger than those with LPN (p=0.013), had a shorter duration of the disease (p=0.001), and a lower ESR (p=0.001). Carriers of the TT genotype of the SAA1 gene polymorphism were twice as likely to develop LPN as compared to controls (odds ratio, OR 2.25; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.04–4.87; p=0.038), and this genotype was regarded as a risk factor. For patients with SPN, a significant risk factor was identified in the form of carriage of the mutant TT genotype of the CRP gene polymorphism. This genotype increased the predisposition to the development of EN by 4 times compared with the control (OR 4.39; 95% CI 1.26–14.11; p=0.009). There was a 6-fold increase in the risk of developing EN in carriers of the TT mutant genotype and the T allele of the STAT4 gene polymorphism compared with the control (OR 5.89; 95% CI 1.14–31.75; p=0.016 and OR 2.07; 95 % CI 0.99–4.19, p=0.030, respectively). Comparison of the frequencies of the T allele of the SAA1 gene polymorphism in the groups with EN and with iLPN revealed a higher frequency of the SAA1TT genotype and the SAA1T allele in iLPN than in EN (66.7 and 26.9%, p=0.066; 88.5 and 55.8 %, p=0.016, respectively).Conclusion. The present study confirms the involvement of genetic factors, in addition to generally recognized environmental factors, in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of adipose tissue. Polymorphisms of the SAA1, CRP, and STAT4 genes play a role in the formation of a genetic predisposition to the main clinical phenotypes of PN.

Reversed Apico-Basal Myocardial Relaxation Sequence During Exercise in Long QT Syndrome Mutations Carriers With History of Previous Cardiac Events.

BackgroundRecent echocardiography studies in inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) have shown left ventricular (LV) myocardial relaxation disturbances to follow markedly prolonged and dispersed mechanical contraction.AimWe used speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess disturbances in LV myocardial relaxation sequence during exercise and their relationship to symptoms.MethodsForty seven LQTS patients (45 ± 15 years, 25 female and 20 symptomatic, LVEF: 65 ± 6%) and 35 controls underwent exercise echocardiogram using Bruce protocol. ECG and echo parameters were recorded at rest, peak exercise (p.e.) and recovery.ResultsBetween patients and controls there were no differences in age, gender, HR or LVEF. At p.e, patients had longer time to LV longitudinal ESR (tESR) at all three LV segments; basal (p < 0.0001), mid- cavity (p = 0.03) and apical (p = 0.03) whereas at rest such difference was noted only at base (p = 0.0007). Patients showed reversed apico-basal relaxation sequence (ΔtESRbase–apex) with early relaxation onset occurring later at base than at apex, both at rest (49 ± 43 vs. –29 ± 19 ms, p < 0.0001) and at p.e. (46 ± 38 vs. –40 ± 22 ms, p < 0.0001), particularly in symptomatic patients (69 ± 44 vs. 32 ± 26, p < 0.0007). ΔtESRbase–apex correlated with longer QTc interval, lower ESR and attenuated LV stroke volume.ConclusionLQTS patients show reversed longitudinal relaxation sequence, which worsens with exercise, particularly in those with previous cardiac events.

NeocarbonixTM Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries: Increased $/Kwh Savings and Scalability

Energy storage electrodes are often limited in their electrochemical stability and electrical performance by polymer binders used in the active material layer. Binders are also used to adhere the active material to the current collector. Binders are usually polymeric resins used in electrodes to mechanically hold active material powders together. Active materials may be graphite, silicon-carbon, silicon oxides for anodes, and lithium metal oxides for cathodes in the case of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). They can also be high surface area activated carbons, in the case of EDLCs. The binders are a passive component in energy storage electrodes and they carry limitations in terms of electrical conductivity, thermal stability and chemical stability.Capacity and C-rate capabilities in LIBs and ESR in EDLCs suffer because electrically insulating inactive binder material takes up space within the electrode material. Meanwhile lifetime at temperature and voltage can suffer as the binder material interacts with the internal electrochemical system of the energy storage device. Additionally, thermal stability of the electrode can be limited both by the electrochemical activity of the binder material as well as phase transitions of the binder material. Performance of energy storage systems using conventional electrodes in particularly high power applications may be limited by the thermal stability of the binder as well. Internal heat dissipation in those applications can be a serious concern when combined with ambient temperatures, especially in space-constrained environments or in applications where thermal management is at a premium. Energy density is also limited by the thickness of active materials that a standard coating process with binder-containing slurry can yield. Finally, cost of electrode production is dramatically impacted by the slurry drying step, as strong solvents with high boiling point (e.g. NMP) must be used to dissolve polymer binders, and are difficult to evaporate.Nanoramic has developed an alternate solution - NeocarbonixTM - an electrode platform technology that effectively replaces polymer high molecule binders PVDF. Results have been demonstrated for both LIB cathodes and EDLC electrodes. Nanoramic's Neocarbonix electrodes have significantly lower ESR, better C-rate capabilities, greater active material thickness for improved energy density, while also retaining or improving specific capacity. Lifetime at high temperature is also significantly improved, because of the increased thermal and chemical stability of the electrodes.Electrode production cost is also dramatically reduced, as the Neocarbonix process is solvent-agnostic. The solvent can be selected to speed up the drying process during coating, which dramatically improves the production throughput. Neocarbonix is compatible with standard roll-to-roll manufacturing equipment and is easily recyclable.In this presentation, Nanoramic will present a Neocarbonix Li-ion battery design combining high areal capacity loading (>5.2 mAh/cm2) Neocarbonix NMP/PVDF binder free NMC811 cathode and Si-C dominant anode electrodes which can achieve 350 Wh/kg and 900 Wh/L in energy density, and the cost of manufacturing such battery cell can be reduced from $97-116/kWh to ~$79/kWh, which improves 30% energy density and reduces 20% cost in $/kWh compared with conventional Li-ion battery NMC||Graphite technology as shown in the figure below. The battery cell prototype shows an excellent cycle life of 1000 cycles with 70% energy retention. Figure 1

Reversed apico-basal myocardial relaxation sequence during exercise in related to impaired diastolic function and attenuated stroke volume response in LQTS mutations carriers

Abstract Background Speckle-tracking echocardiography studies in inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) have recently shown myocardial relaxation disturbances at rest in the form of delayed onset of relaxation as a result of prolonged and dispersed mechanical contraction. The aim of this study was to assess disturbances in left ventricular regional myocardial relaxation sequence during exercise. Methods Forty seven (age 45±15 years, 25 female, LVEF: 65±6%, 36 LQT1 and 11 LQT2 whereof 20 symptomatic) patients underwent cardiac exercise test using Bruce protocol. ECG and echo parameters were recorded at rest, during peak exercise (p.e.) and at were compared with 35 healthy individuals. All time intervals were calculated from onset of R wave on superimposed ECG and were corrected to R-R interval. Results LQTS patients had longer QTc interval than controls at all the three exercise phases. LV longitudinal tESR, a reflector of relaxation delay was examined separately in the LV basal, mid and apical segments. At rest, no significant differences were noted between the two groups at the basal (490±59 vs. 486±36, p=0.6) and mid LV cavity regions (488±45 vs. 498±39, p=0.3); whereas in patients were seen more prolonged tESR in the apical regions (467±52 vs. 512±44, p&amp;lt;0.0001). At peak exercise, patients had longer tESR at all three LV segments; basal (394±67 vs. 316±30, p&amp;lt;0.0001), mid cavity (363±64 vs. 340±32, p=0.03) and apical (348±60 vs. 368±28, p=0.03). The apico-basal relaxation dispersion (Δt ESRbase-apex) was significantly more pronounced in patients than in controls both at rest (49±43 vs. −29±19, p&amp;lt;0.0001) and at p.e. (46±38 vs. −40±22, p&amp;lt;0.0001). Moreover, the longitudinal relaxation sequence was reversed in patients (positive values for Δt ESRbase-apex); the early relaxation phase at the base was more delayed than at the apex, opposite to controls in whom the early relaxation onset occurred earlier in LV base than at apex. The magnitude of this apico-basal relaxation dispersion (Δt ESRbase-apex) correlated with longer QTc interval (r=0.9, p&amp;lt;0.0001), lower ESR (r=−0.8, p&amp;lt;0.0001) and attenuated LV stroke volume (r=−0.9, p&amp;lt;0.0001). This difference in Δt ESRbase-apex was more pronounced in symptomatic patients at p.e. than in asymptomatic (69±44 vs. 32±26, p&amp;lt;0.0007). Conclusion Our results showed reversed longitudinal relaxation sequence with more delayed early relaxation contraction phase at LV base than at LV apex in LQTS mutation carriers opposite to controls. These disturbances worsened at peak exercise and were related to longer QTc intervals and symptomatic patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Clinical features and CT findings of Takayasu's arteritis associated pulmonary hypertension

Objective: Takayasu's arteritis involving the pulmonary artery (PTA) is uncommon, and those with pulmonary hypertension (PH) are even rarer. This study investigated the clinical features and CT findings in PTA patients with PH. Methods: A total of 40 PTA patients were retrospective selected in the First Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 2008 to January 2018. There were 14 PTA patients with PH, including 3 male and 11 female cases, aged from 18 to 53 (29.7±9.4) years, as the study group (PTA+PH group). There were 26 PTA patients without PH, including 4 males and 22 females, aged 15-52 (28.9±8.5) years, as the control group (PTA group). The Chi-square or Fisher's test, T test of two independent samples and Mann-Whitney U rank sum test were used to compare the general information, symptoms, signs, laboratory examination data, right ventricular and pulmonary artery measurement data, and pulmonary artery CT findings between the two groups. Results: Compared with the PTA group, the patients in the PTA+PH group had longer disease duration, fewer active cases, more shortness of breath, chest distress and lower limb edema, lower blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) and lower ESR (all P<0.05). The width of right atrium and right ventricle in PTA+PH group was greater than that in PTA group (all P<0.05). The main CT findings of the involved pulmonary artery included lumen stenosis (39 cases, 97.5%), lumen occlusion (16 cases, 40%), wall thickening (9 cases, 22.5%), and lumen dilation (2 cases, 5.0%). Patients in the PTA+PH group had less wall thickening and mild lumen stenosis (<50%), more severe lumen stenosis (≥50%) and occlusion than those in the PTA group (all P<0.05). Conclusions: PTA patients with PH showed certain characteristics in clinical, laboratory and CT findings, which may be correlated to the stage of the disease duration, the severity, and the prognosis.

Introduction to Neocarbonix: Binderless Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Energy storage electrodes are often limited in their electrochemical stability and electrical performance by polymer binders used in the active material layer. Binders are also used to adhere the active material to the current collector. Binders are usually polymeric resins used in electrodes to mechanically hold active material powders together. Active materials may be graphite, silicon-carbon, silicon oxides for anodes, and lithium metal oxides for cathodes in the case of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). They can also be high surface area activated carbons, in the case of EDLCs. The binders are a passive component in energy storage electrodes and they carry limitations in terms of electrical conductivity, thermal stability and chemical stability.Capacity and C-rate capabilities in LIBs and ESR in EDLCs suffer because electrically insulating inactive binder material takes up space within the electrode material. Meanwhile lifetime at temperature and voltage can suffer as the binder material interacts with the internal electrochemical system of the energy storage device. Additionally, thermal stability of the electrode can be limited both by the electrochemical activity of the binder material as well as phase transitions of the binder material. Performance of energy storage systems using conventional electrodes in particularly high power applications may be limited by the thermal stability of the binder as well. Internal heat dissipation in those applications can be a serious concern when combined with ambient temperatures, especially in space-constrained environments or in applications where thermal management is at a premium. Energy density is also limited by the thickness of active materials that a standard coating process with binder-containing slurry can yield. Finally, cost of electrode production is dramatically impacted by the slurry drying step, as strong solvents with high boiling point (e.g. NMP) must be used to dissolve polymer binders, and are difficult to evaporate.Nanoramic has developed an alternate solution - Neocarbonix - an electrode platform technology that effectively replaces polymer binders and primers. Results have been demonstrated for both LIB cathodes and EDLC electrodes. Nanoramic's Neocarbonix electrodes have significantly lower ESR, better C-rate capabilities, greater active material thickness for improved energy density, while also retaining or improving specific capacity. Lifetime at high temperature is also significantly improved, because of the increased thermal and chemical stability of the electrodes.Electrode production cost is also dramatically reduced, as the Neocarbonix process is solvent-agnostic. The solvent can be selected to speed up the drying process during coating, which dramatically improves the production throughput.

Increasing Age, the Existence of Comorbidities, and Corticosteroid Treatment in Combination With Antiviral Therapy Prolongs the Recovery of SARS-COV-2-Infected Patients, Measured as the Conversion From Positive to Negative rtPCR: A 239 Patients' Retrospective Study.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), has become a global pandemic in the past months. An overall defined treatment has not yet been established. Therefore, it is important to summarize and report treatment experiences and identify patient groups that have a significantly higher risk of an adverse clinical outcome.Methods: Two hundred thirty-nine COVID-19 patients were recruited from January 25 to February 15, 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment management, and outcome data obtained from patients' medical records were evaluated.Results: Patients who recovered from PCR positive to negative within 2 weeks had significantly lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels than those recovered post 2 weeks. During antiviral treatment, COVID-19 patients with older age, comorbidities, and corticosteroid treatment required a significantly longer time to turn from PCR positive to negative COVID-19 result.Conclusion: PCR tests are of great importance to evaluate the recovery of COVID-19-positive patients, and ESR could be an indirect indicator to monitor SARS-COV-2 activity. Furthermore, our data suggest that older age, the existence of comorbidities, and corticosteroid treatment of COVID-19 patients during antiviral treatment could prolong the duration of conversion from SARS-COV-2 positive to negative.

THU0624-HPR COMPARISON OF WRIST PROPRIOCEPTION, GRIP STRENGTH AND PINCH STRENGTH IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: PRELIMINARY STUDY

Background:Hand articular damage occurs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and functional ability deteriorates as the disease progresses. Limitation of hand motion, oedema, pain etc. factors contribute to reduce grip strength, pinch strength and joint position sense; this problems contribute to function and disability. Following RA, affecting grip and pinch strength (1) and joint position sense (2) was reported former research. But there is a little knowledge about disabilitiy of hand functions in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Objectives:To compare joint position sense, grip strength and pinch strength in patient with PsA and RA.Methods:In our cross sectional study, 23 RA patients [Mean age; 52.7±12.6, Women:20(87.0%)] who were classified according to the ACR 2010 criteria and 19 PsA patients [Mean age 53.5±12.6, Women:14 (%73.7)] who were classified according to the CASPAR criteria were included.It was recorded demographic and clinical data of patients. Wrist position sense was evaluated by goniometric re-position error test (in 30◦ wrist extansion, 3 repeat). Grip strenght was examined using a hand dynamometer (Lafayette Proffessional Hand Dynamometer, USA) and pinch strength (two point, three point, lateral) was evaluated by pinchmeter (Lafayette,USA).Results:Patients were similar in terms of age, gender, disease duration, morning stiffness duration, pain of hand joints, number of tender and swallen joints and disease activity (p&gt;0.05). RA patients had longer disease duration (p=0.004) and lower ESR levels (p=0.046) compared to PsA. Grip and pinch strength were found similar in both dominant and non-dominant side between RA and PsA patients (Table 1). Wrist joint position error was higher in PsA group in non-dominant side (p=0.011).Table 1.Comparison of Groups for Grip and Pinch Strength and Joint Position SenseVariablesRA(n=23)Median(IQR)PsA(n=19)Median(IQR)p*Grip StrengthDominantNon-dominant20(14/25)20(14/25)25(20/29)21(15/26)0.1090.404Pinch StrengthDominant2 Point3 PointLateralNondominant2 Point3 PointLateral3.1(2.2/3.8)3(2.3/4.0)3.4(3.0/4.2)3(1.9/3.7)2.8(2.3/3.8)2.9(2.5/4.0)3(2.2/3.4)3.4(2.5/4.20)3.5(2.6/4.5)3(2.4/3.7)3.1(2.3/4.2)3.2(2.4/4.2)0.8100.4710.8400.7140.7230.561Joint Position ErrorDominantNon-dominant6(5/7)6(3/8)7(5/9)8(6/11)0.2340.011Data have shown as median (interquartile range 25-75) *Mann Whitney-U TestConclusion:Our study showed that patients with PsA had hand impairment as much as RA patients. We think, hand assessment in patients with PsA rehabilitation programme is essential for clinicians. There is need future studies including asymptomatic healthy group to interpret of results in detailed.

P90 Streamlining primary care referrals to an early inflammatory arthritis (EIA) clinic: distinguishing between patients with osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis

Abstract Background To use biochemical markers and ultrasound to differentiate between inflammatory and noninflammatory diagnoses in the early inflammatory arthritis (EIA) referral setting. Careful patient selection is crucial to ensure timely and efficient use of secondary care resources. Methods A retrospective audit of the EIA pathway was conducted over six months at two partnered district general hospitals in London in 2018. For each of the 75 patients studied, data collected included demographics, biomarkers of disease and inflammation, appointments dates, details of scans requested, and the clinical diagnosis made at the EIA appointment. Statistical tests included pairwise comparisons using Welch’s 2-sample t-test for continuous variables and two-sample chi squared tests for equality of proportions with continuity correction for categorical variables. Logistic regression models were used, incorporating age, inflammatory markers and serostatus. Goodness of fit was evaluated using the log likelihood method and McFadden’s pseudo-R2. Predictive modelling was carried out using the Caret package. Analysis was conducted in R (R v3.5). Results Over half of participants (59%) were diagnosed with non-inflammatory disorders; the most common diagnosis was osteoarthritis (31%). Rheumatoid Arthritis (15%) was most common amongst the 41% of Inflammatory arthritides (IA). Ultrasound confirmed the clinical diagnosis of IA vs non-IA with 70% accuracy. There were no significant differences between those with and without ultrasound evidence of synovitis in terms of age (p 0.25), CRP (p 0.22), ESR (p 0.59), RF (p 0.43) or CCP (p 1) positivity. This null is likely due to a small sample size and lack of statistical power. Comparison of patients with a clinical diagnosis of IA vs non-IA revealed significantly increased CRP (9.5 vs 4.2 p 0.01) and CCP positivity rates (22.5% vs 0%, p 0.003) in the inflammatory group, with no significant differences in age (p 0.45), ESR (p 0.24), or RF positivity rate (p 0.18). In those with a clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis, there were a significantly higher age (55.0 vs 43.5, p 0.0009), lower CRP (3.2 vs 7.8, p 0.005), and lower ESR (9.2 vs 19.7, p 0.006). Neither RF (p 0.73) nor CCP (p 0.16) positivity rates differed significantly between osteoarthritis or other diagnoses. Conclusion It was demonstrated that even in small cohorts, simple predictive variables can be used to risk-stratify and assess the likelihood that a patient will have osteoarthritis rather than IA. It is shown that older age, lower ESR and lower CRP are indicators at differentiating IA from non-IA. Given the national high prevalence of osteoarthritis and the clinical uncertainty in distinguishing osteoarthritis from IA, ultrasound has significant value in the diagnostic work-up. Further research should attempt to predict eventual diagnosis from clinical characteristics alone to help general practitioners distinguish patients with IA from those with non-IA. Disclosures B.M. Jacobs None. N. Sarathchandra None. M. Karela None. L.E. Daniels None. N. Purkayastha None.

Mixtures of acetonitrile and ethyl isopropyl sulfone as electrolytes for electrochemical double layer capacitors

In this work we report about the properties of electrolytes containing the solvent ethyl isopropyl sulfone (EiPS) as well as of mixtures of EiPS and acetonitrile (ACN), and about their use as electrolytes for electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs). These electrolytes display transport and thermal properties suitable for use in EDLCs and their use allows the realization of high voltage devices. The maximum operative voltage achievable with an electrolyte purely based on EiPS is 3.4 V, whereas mixtures of EiPS and ACN (in wt%-ratios of 75:25 and 50:50) were found to allow an operative voltage of 3.0 V. EDLCs containing the mixture EiPS:ACN (75:25) only lose 3% of their initial capacitance after 500 h of float test at 3 V, which is a truly remarkable value. Compared to the pure EiPS electrolyte, this mixture also leads to systems with lower ESR values, which makes it a promising candidate for high energy EDLCs.

Single and multi-frequency impedance characterization of symmetric activated carbon single capacitor cells

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique is used for characterization of single cell symmetric capacitors having different mass loadings of activated carbon (AC). Relevant values of charge storage capacitance (CT) and internal resistance (ESR) were evaluated by the single frequency and multi-frequency analyses of measured impedance spectra. Curve fittings were based on the non-ideal R-C model that takes into account the parasitic inductance, contributions from electrode materials/contacts and the effects of AC porosity. Higher CT and lower ESR values were obtained not only for the cell with higher mass of AC, but also using the single vs. multi-frequency approach. Lower CT and higher values of ESR that are generally obtained using the multi-frequency method and curve fittings should be related to the not ideal capacitive response of porous AC material and too high frequency chosen in applying the single frequency analysis.

Gender Is a Risk Factor for Annual Decline in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients Treated with Biological DMARDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: a Retrospective Observational Study.

BackgroundThis study identified the risk factors of changes in renal function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled patients with RA (n = 293) and AS (n = 125) treated with bDMARDs. The estimated glomerular filter rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation was applied for assessment of annual changes in renal function between initiation and last visit after bDMARD therapy. The annual change in eGFR was used as an indicator for change in renal function. Statistical significance was assessed by Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression analysis.ResultsThe positive annual change in eGFR in women was significantly noted, compared to that in men (P = 0.004). The annual change in eGFR was different between men and women (P = 0.038) in RA, but not in AS patients (P = 0.126). In multivariate linear regression analysis, women patients and increased serum creatinine at baseline were closely associated with positive annual change in eGFR in both RA and AS patients. In RA patients, younger age and lower ESR level were considered risk factors of positive annual change in eGFR (P = 0.013 and P = 0.022, respectively). However, disease duration and duration of bDMARD use were not associated with annual change in eGFR.ConclusionThis study found that gender, especially men, might be responsible for annual decline in eGFR in RA and AS patients treated with bDMARDs.

Gender and Ethnic Disparities in Correlation Between Non-Invasive Inflammatory Markers and Crohnʼs Disease Endoscopic Activity

Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP), ESR and fecal calprotectin are important non-invasive markers that have been evaluated in Crohn's disease (CD). Although both environmental and genetic factors affect these markers, studies investigating gender and racial influences on their patterns among active CD patients is lacking. Methods: A retrospective review of 191 patient charts with CD in our electronic health records database. These patients were divided into 4 groups: white males (WM, n=48), white females (WF, n=61), black males (BM, n=31) and black females (BF, n=51). Age (between 41.6-45.5 years at time of study), BMI, age at diagnosis, CRP, ESR and fecal calprotectin levels were measured at time when endoscopy revealed active disease. The CRP, ESR and fecal calprotectin levels at time of active disease (per endoscopy) were studied in the 4 groups. Results: In our cohort of CD patients, neither patient age, nor BMI were found to differ among groups. When studied in aggregate, CRP was not different among groups (one-way ANOVA), however, when WF were compared with BF, WF had significantly lower CRP levels compared to BF (4.5±0.9 vs. 2.1±0.52, p=0.0347, two-tailed student's t-test). Similarly, aggregate analysis of active ESR was not different, but again WF had highly significantly lower active ESR than BF (43.4±4.05 vs. 24.76±3.8, p=0.006). WM also had lower ESR than BM (40.75±7.4 vs. 18.5±1.76), this did not reach statistical significance, (p=0.1497). Similarly, WF had lower fecal calprotectin compared to BF (411±158 vs. 131±29), but this did not reach significance (p=0.1997). Of these groups BF also had the longest duration of disease (15.8±1.6 years) with BM having the shortest (12.8±1.5, n.s.). Conclusion: Our study highlights a significant difference between levels of CRP, ESR and fecal calprotectin in BF as compared to WF. The comparisons between the male counterpart groups did not meet statistical significance however this could be explained by the lower number of males sampled in this cohort. WF in our study had lowest non-invasive marker levels as described above. Comparing endoscopic disease activity in these different groups is needed to further evaluate this disparity. Reason for this difference is unclear, however socioeconomic status, access to health care and geographic environmental influences could likely play important roles.

Infradiaphragmatic Hodgkin lymphoma: a large series of patients staged with PET-CT

IntroductionInfradiaphragmatic Hodgkin Lymphoma (IDHL) accounts for 3-11% of adult cases of stage I-II Hodgkin Lymphoma and the treatment strategy in IDHL is still heterogeneous. All previous published studies were conducted before the PET-CT era. PET may provide a more accurate evaluation of IDHL stage. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and biological characteristics of IDHL patients staged by CT scan or PET-CT in eight French hematology departments and their impact on outcomes in these patients.MethodsBaseline clinical and biological data and outcomes in patients with a first diagnosis of stage I-II IDHL treated with ABVD +/- radiotherapy were retrospectively collected.ResultsAmong the 99 patients included, 65 (66%) were staged with PET-CT. These patients were older (53 years vs 46 years, p=0.043), had lower ESR (27 vs 58mm, p=0.022), higher hemoglobin level (13.6 vs 12.8g/dL, p=0.015), less frequent Ann Arbor stage II (74% vs 91%) and less central adenopathy involvement (60% vs 82%, p=0.024). Treatment was chemotherapy alone in 55% of patients and the remaining patients received chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). Five-year PFS and OS rates in PET-CT-staged patients were 78% (95% CI 64-87) and 88% (95% CI 73-95), respectively, compared with 65% (p=0.225) and 82% (p=0.352) in CT-staged patients. The CRT strategy was associated with fewer relapses (p=0.027).ConclusionThis study showed that the characteristics of CT-staged IDHL patients were less favorable than those of PET-CT-staged patients and indicated that CRT provided better PFS than did chemotherapy alone.

Morphological enhancement to CuO nanostructures by electron beam irradiation for biocompatibility and electrochemical performance

This paper reports the effect of electron beam irradiation on CuO thin films synthesized by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method on copper foil for supercapacitor and biocompatibility application. Pristine and irradiated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical study. Pristine and irradiated CuO films were pure monoclinic phase, with uniform nanostructures over the whole copper foil. After irradiation, CuO samples had formed innovative nanostructures. Biocompatibility of pristine and irradiated CuO samples suggest that CuO sample is non-toxic and ecofriendly. The specific capacitance of pristine and irradiated CuO strongly depends on surface morphology, and CuO electrodes after irradiation showed superior performance than pristine CuO. The highest specific capacitance of the 20kGy irradiated CuO nanoflowers exceeded 511Fg−1 at 10mVs−1 in 1M KOH electrolyte. Irradiated CuO samples also showed lower ESR, and were superior to other report electrical energy storage materials.

High electrochemical performance of nanoflakes like CuO electrode by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method

Abstract In this paper, we report the effect of annealing on hybrid nanoflower like Cu(OH) 2 /CuO thin film prepared by simple and low-cost successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. As synthesized and annealed sample have been used for the structural characterization by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis techniques. After finding pure phase of CuO sample, we have to use these electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitive properties, like cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results exhibited that, CuO nanoflakes exhibit the higher value specific capacitance 476 F/g. Also, EIS studied to confirm lower ESR value, high power, performance, and excellent rate of CuO nanoflakes. Thus, present-day investigation effectively reports the applicability of facile and inexpensive SILAR method of synthesis of pure CuO nanostructure for the supercapacitor application.

Constructing High Energy and Power Densities Li-Ion Capacitors Using Li Thin Film for Pre-Lithiation

Lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) contains negative electrodes (NEs), positive electrodes (PEs), separator and lithium source for pre-lithiation of NEs. Activated carbon was used as the active materials of PEs, and hard carbon will be chosen as NEs. As we know, the specific capacity of NE is ∼372 mAh/g. The most concerned work for our cells now is the pre-lithiation method. With published data from Cao's group before, pre-lithiation with 99.9% purity Li strips can manufacture cells more efficient and safer than using stabilized lithium metal powder (SLMP). However, even this method may take up to 18 h for electrode to finish the pre-lithiation process. In this paper, five pre-lithiation methods for LICs were evaluated in this work, and strip cells were used as control samples and further provided the base for the whole comparison. This research brought up a new method of using 15∼20 um Li ultra-thin film for pre-lithiation. During tests, both sandwich LIC cells and 200F LICs were fabricated to demonstrate this new method. As supplementary evidence, DC life and cycle life tests were conducted after initial tests. Thus, 200F LICs using 20 μm Li film for pre-lithiation can achieve higher capacitance (246 F) and lower ESR (19 mOhm) than Li strip cells. Higher energy and power densities (26.9 Wh/L and 18.3 kW/L) have also been achieved. Moreover, sandwich cells with 15∼20 μm Li thin film has passed 100,000 charge-discharge cycle tests, and their capacitance and ESR can be maintain stable after 1500 h constantly charging at 3.8 V under 65°C.