Differences in the Electrochemical Performance of Pt-Based Catalysts Used for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells in Liquid Half- and Full-Cells.

A substantial amount of research effort has been directed toward the development of Pt-based catalysts with higher performance and durability than conventional polycrystalline Pt nanoparticles to achieve high-power and innovative energy conversion systems. Currently, attention has been paid toward expanding the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of catalysts and increase their intrinsic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, despite innumerable efforts having been carried out to explore this possibility, most of these achievements have focused on the rotating disk electrode (RDE) in half-cells, and relatively few results have been adaptable to membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in full-cells, which is the actual operating condition of fuel cells. Thus, it is uncertain whether these advanced catalysts can be used as a substitute in practical fuel cell applications, and an improvement in the catalytic performance in real-life fuel cells is still necessary. Therefore, from a more practical and industrial point of view, the goal of this review is to compare the ORR catalyst performance and durability in half- and full-cells, providing a differentiated approach to the durability concerns in half- and full-cells, and share new perspectives for strategic designs used to induce additional performance in full-cell devices.

Membrane/Electrode Interface Design for Effective Water Management in Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells.

The recent development of ultrathin anion exchange membranes and optimization of their operating conditions have significantly enhanced the performance of alkaline-membrane fuel cells (AMFCs); however, the effects of the membrane/electrode interface structure on the AMFC performance have not been seriously investigated thus far. Herein, we report on a high-performance AMFC system with a membrane/electrode interface of novel design. Commercially available membranes are modified in the form of well-aligned line arrays of both the anode and cathode sides by means of a solvent-assisted molding technique and sandwich-like assembly of the membrane and polydimethylsiloxane molds. Upon incorporating the patterned membranes into a single-cell system, we observe a significantly enhanced performance of up to ∼35% compared with that of the reference membrane. The enlarged interface area and reduced membrane thickness from the line-patterned membrane/electrode interface result in improved water management, reduced ohmic resistance, and effective utilization of the catalyst. We believe that our findings can significantly contribute further advancements in AMFCs.

Treatment of Psoriasis With Biologics and Apremilast in Patients With a History of Malignancy: A Retrospective Chart Review

Introduction: Biologics have transformed the management of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The risk of developing a malignancy during treatment is an important consideration, and many studies have been conducted to determine the magnitude of this risk. However, there is little research on the use of biologic treatment in psoriasis patients with a history of established malignancy. Methods: We preformed a retrospective chart review of patients with psoriasis and a history of malignancy that were treated with biologics or apremilast. A list was created containing the 690 patients with psoriasis who were treated in our clinic with biologics or apremilast between January 1st, 2012 and May 31, 2018. The charts were examined, and 16 patients were found to have a history of malignancy excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. Results: Sixteen patients met criteria to be included in this review. The average time from cancer diagnosis to initiation of biologics or apremilast was 4.7 years, and 9 patients (56%) started treatment within five years. Three patients (19%) received concurrent cancer therapy during biologic treatment. None of the 16 patients had recurrence or progression of their cancer noted clinically or radiographically during biologic or apremilast treatment. Most patients had improvement of their psoriasis. Discussion: The data reviewed here show successful treatment on biologics despite concurrent malignancy, though confirmatory research is needed. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(4):387-390.

Response to ustekinumab in three pediatric patients with alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is relatively common and can have a significant impact on quality of life, especially in a pediatric population. Currently available treatments are often ineffective or have poor safety profiles. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the Th1 pathway in the pathogenesis of AA, suggesting ustekinumab as a treatment modality for this disease. We present three pediatric AA patients who demonstrated hair regrowth after initiating ustekinumab.

Adhesion Regulating Molecule 1 Mediates HAP40 Overexpression-Induced Mitochondrial Defects.

Striatal neuron death in Huntington's disease is associated with abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and functions. However, the mechanisms for this mitochondrial dysregulation remain elusive. Increased accumulation of Huntingtin-associated protein 40 (HAP40) has been shown to be associated with Huntington's disease. However, the link between increased HAP40 and Huntington's disease remains largely unknown. Here we show that HAP40 overexpression causes mitochondrial dysfunction and reduces cell viability in the immortalized mouse striatal neurons. HAP40-associated mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with reduction of adhesion regulating molecule 1 (ADRM1) protein. Consistently, depletion of ADRM1 by shRNAs impaired mitochondrial functions and increased mitochondrial fragmentation in mouse striatal cells. Moreover, reducing ADRM1 levels enhanced activity of fission factor dynamin-related GTPase protein 1 (Drp1) via increased phosphorylation at serine 616 of Drp1 (Drp1Ser616). Restoring ADRM1 protein levels was able to reduce HAP40-induced ROS levels and mitochondrial fragmentation and improved mitochondrial functions and cell viability. Moreover, reducing Drp1 activity by Drp1 inhibitor, Mdivi-1, ameliorates both HAP40 overexpression- and ADRM1 depletion-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Taken together, our studies suggest that HAP40-mediated reduction of ADRM1 alters the mitochondrial fission activity and results in mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial dysfunction.

B7-mediated costimulation of CD4 T cells constrains cytomegalovirus persistence.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) utilizes multiple strategies to modulate immunity and promote lifelong, persistent/latent infection, including suppressing T cell activation pathways. Here we examined the role of B7 costimulatory ligands in establishing immune détente from both the host and virus perspectives. Mice lacking both B7.1 and B7.2 showed reduced early expansion of CMV-specific CD4 T cells, consequently allowing for enhanced levels of persistent virus replication. In turn, a CMV mutant lacking expression of the m138 and m147.5 gene products, which restrict B7.1 and B7.2 expression in infected antigen-presenting cells, induced a more robust CD4 T cell response and showed decreased persistence. Together, these data reveal a requirement for B7-mediated signaling in regulating the CMV-specific CD4 T cell response and establishing host-virus equilibrium.

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Urticarial vasculitis is characterized clinically by urticarial skin lesions and histologically by leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis is associated with connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of urticarial vasculitis that preceded manifestations of SLE.

Cutting edge: the mechanism of invariant NKT cell responses to viral danger signals.

Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells influence the response to viral infections, although the mechanisms are poorly defined. In this study we show that these innate-like lymphocytes secrete IFN-gamma upon culture with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide-stimulated dendritic cells (DCs) from mouse bone marrow. This requires TLR9 signaling and IL-12 secretion by the activated DCs, but it does not require CD1d expression. iNKT cells also produce IFN-gamma in response to mouse CMV infection. Their mechanism of mouse CMV detection is quite similar to that of CpG, requiring both TLR9 signaling and IL-12 secretion, while the need for CD1d expression is relatively minor. Consequently, iNKT cells have the ability to respond to a variety of microbes, including viruses, in an Ag-independent manner, suggesting they may play a broad role in antipathogen defenses despite their limited TCR repertoire.

Successful treatment of acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia with cyclosporine in adult onset Still's disease.

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (AAT) is a rare disorder, characterized by severe thrombocytopenia and selective, marked decrease or absence of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. We describe a 29-year-old female with adult onset Still's disease preceding a diagnosis of AAT and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, which was successfully treated with cyclosporine. This is the first case of AAT in a patient with adult onset Still's disease.

Femoral bone mineral density is associated with vertebral fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between vertebral fractures and clinical, laboratory, and radiological variables in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Sixty-eight men with AS and 91 sex- and age-matched controls were consecutively enrolled. Vertebral fractures were assessed according to a visual semiquantitative grading system using plain radiographs of the lumbar spine obtained from patients with AS. Disease activity variables including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, finger-to-ground distance score, Schober's Index score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index for the spine (BASRI-s) score, and syndesmophyte score were identified. Assessments of bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and the femur in patients and controls were performed using an anteroposterior dual energy x-ray absorptiometry technique. RESULTS: Eleven patients (16.2%) out of the total of 68 patients with AS had vertebral fractures; these were identified as wedge deformities (n = 5) or biconcave (n = 6) deformities. BMD levels of the lumbar spine and femur in patients were significantly reduced compared with those of age-matched controls. There were significant differences in the Schober's Index scores, finger-to-ground distance scores, BASRI scores of the lumbar spine, syndesmophyte scores, and intertrochanter values of BMD among AS patients both with and without vertebral fractures. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that intertrochanteric BMD values also were independently associated with vertebral fractures in AS (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated evidence of a correlation between low femoral BMD levels and risk of vertebral fractures in patients with AS, especially at the intertrochanteric area. Longitudinal studies in a large population are required to determine the diagnostic implications of femur BMD for increased risk of vertebral fractures in AS.

Cyclooxygenase-2 polymorphisms and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Koreans.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key regulatory enzyme in the synthesis of prostanoids associated with trauma and inflammation. Upregulation of COX-2 in human lupus T cells resists anergy and apotosis. We investigated the COX-2 gene for functional variants that may influence susceptibility, clinical outcomes and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Korean population. The study included 345 patients with SLE and 400 unrelated healthy controls. Genotyping for the -765G --> C polymorphism of COX-2 was performed by PCR-RFLP analysis. No difference in the distribution of the genotype frequencies between patients and controls was found. COX-2 genotypes were not associated with clinical features except hematologic abnormalities and anti-RNP antibody. We did not detect any association between COX-2 genotype and disease severity in SLE patients. These results suggest that the -765G --> C polymorphism of COX-2 does not play a significant role in the development of SLE in a Korean population. A possible protective effect of the low activity C allele against the production of anti-RNP antibodies merits further investigation.