Defects in von Willebrand factor, a crucial protein in haemostasis, lead to the most common inherited coagulopathy in man, von Willebrand disease. To date, over 350 mutations and 170 single nucleotide polymorphisms of VWF gene have been reported. In the present study, the distribution of two linked VWF gene variants, rs1063856 and rs1063857 have been assessed. The proportional frequency of rs1063856 (2365A/G) and rs1063857 (2385T/C) in healthy individuals were 0.70/0.30. Frequency of polymorphisms was in agreement with predicted geographical distribution. von Willebrand disease was more common in subjects with 2365A and 2385T alleles (odds ratio=1.35), although the difference was not statistically significant (p-values>0.05). The perfect correlation between these two single nucleotide polymorphisms supports their joint contribution in von Willebrand factor biology.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare condition characterized by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and cytopenia, and widespread accumulation of lymphocytes and histiocytes, sometimes with hemophagocytosis, primarily involving the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and liver. HLH can either occur sporadically (secondary HLH) or as part of a familial syndrome (primary HLH), including familial HLH and the distinct immunodeficiency syndromes. Herein the authors report 6 Iranian patients with primary HLH and their outcome from a single tertiary-care center.

We use constant energy, constant volume (NVE) molecular dynamics simulations to study the dissociation of the fully occupied structure I methane hydrate in a confined geometry between two hydroxylated silica surfaces between 34 and 40 Å apart, at initial temperatures of 283, 293 and 303 K. Simulations of the two phase hydrate/water system are performed in the presence of silica, with and without a 3 Å thick buffering water layer between the hydrate phase and silica surfaces. Faster decomposition is observed in the presence of silica where the hydrate phase is prone to decomposition from four surfaces, as compared to only two sides in the case of the hydrate/water simulations. The existence of the water layer between the hydrate phase and the silica surface stabilizes the hydrate phase relative to the case where the hydrate is in direct contact with silica. Hydrates bound between the silica surfaces dissociate layer-by-layer in a shrinking core manner with a curved decomposition front which extends over a 5-8 Å thickness. Labeling water molecules shows that there is exchange of water molecules between the surrounding liquid and intact cages in the methane hydrate phase. In all case, decomposition of the methane hydrate phase lead to the formation of methane nanobubbles in the liquid water phase.

Plastic packaging for food and non-food applications is non-biodegradable, and also uses up valuable and scarce non-renewable resources like petroleum. With the current focus on exploring alternatives to petroleum and emphasis on reduced environmental impact, research is increasingly being directed at development of biodegradable food packaging from biopolymer-based materials. The proposed paper will present a review of recent developments in biopolymer-based food packaging materials including natural biopolymers (such as starches and proteins), synthetic biopolymers (such as poly lactic acid), biopolymer blends, and nanocomposites based on natural and synthetic biopolymers. The paper will discuss the various techniques that have been used for developing cost-effective biodegradable packaging materials with optimum mechanical strength and oxygen and moisture barrier properties. This is a timely review as there has been a recent renewed interest in research studies, both in the industry and academia, towards development of a new generation of biopolymer-based food packaging materials with possible applications in other areas.

Nanocomposites of starch, poly vinyl alcohol (PVOH) and laponite RD (LRD) were produced by solution mixing and cast into films. In general, increase in LRD content (0-20%) enhanced tensile strength and decreased water vapor permeability, irrespective of the relative humidity (50% and 75% RH). Tensile strength (TS) of starch/PVOH/LRD films ranged from 6.51 to 13.3 MPa. At 75% RH, TS was up to 65% higher as compared to films with sodium montmorillonite as filler. The most striking results were obtained with respect to elongation at break (E%), which ranged from 144-312%. Contrary to other polymer/clay nanocomposites, E% increased on addition of 5-20% LRD and was up to 175% higher than the control without clay. Nanocomposite structure and interactions were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Results indicated that LRD was a compatibilizer and cross-linking agent between polymers, and has the potential for use in biodegradable packaging films with good mechanical performance even in high humidity conditions.

Molecular insights into the roles of amine functionalization and cooperative CO(2) interactions into enhancing (and diminishing) CO(2) binding by metal-organic frameworks are shown both experimentally and computationally. Contrary to popular thinking, higher amination decreases CO(2) binding in this system. This loss is compensated by cooperativity between CO(2) triads that enhances binding by over 7 kJ mol(-1).

Soybean hulls were subjected to thermo-mechanical extrusion pretreatment at various in-barrel moisture contents and screw speeds. Extrusion degraded the lignocellulosic structure and enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean hulls, with up to 155% increase in glucose yield as compared to untreated substrate. Greater glucose yields were observed at higher in-barrel moistures (45% and 50%) and lower screw speed (280 and 350 rpm). Maximum 74% cellulose to glucose conversion resulted from using a two-enzyme cocktail consisting of cellulase and β-glucosidase. Conversion increased to 87% when a three-enzyme cocktail having a cell wall degrading enzyme complex was used for hydrolysis. Fermentation inhibitors, such as furfural, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde (HMF), and acetic acid, were found in the extrusion pretreated soybean hulls and hydrolysate. However, their concentrations were below the known thresholds for inhibition. Fermentation of hydrolysate by Saccharomyces cerevisiae led to high yields of ethanol, with concentration ranging from 13.04 to 15.44 g/L.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) infections in HIV-positive patients suspected to have pulmonary and extrapulmonary mycobacterial co-infection using PCR technique. METHODS Totally 50 samples comprising sputum, pleural fluid and CSF taken from HIV positive patients suspected to have mycobacterial infection, were processed. The demographic information and results of acid fast staining and culture were recorded for each patient. The PCR for detecting of M. tuberculosis comprised of specific primers targeting IS6110 gene sequence. For detecting of M. avium, PCR with primers that amplifies the mig gene were used. RESULTS From 50 samples processed, 45 were sputum (90%), 3 pleural fluid (6%) and 2 CSF (4%). In total, 8 (16%) were culture positive, 7 had positive acid fast staining (14 %) and 13 samples (26%) were positive using PCR technique. All the positive samples were sputum and belonged to patients with pulmonary infection. Of these, 9 were positive for M. tuberculosis (69.2%) and 4 were identified as M. avium (30.8%), which 2 out of 13 positive samples showed mixed infections by both mycobacteria. CONCLUSIONS The PCR shows the highest detection rate (26%) of mycobacteria compared with culture and acid fast staining. The majority of infections were with M. tuberculosis (18%) and this shows the importance of this mycobacterial co-infection in HIV positive patients in the region of study.

Engineering of the membrane-like tissue structures to be utilized in highly dynamic loading environments such as the cardiovascular system has been a challenge in the past decade. Scaffolds are critical components of the engineered tissue membranes and allow them being formed in vitro and remain secure in vivo when implanted in the body. Several approaches have been taken to develop scaffolds for tissue membranes. However, all methods entail limitations due to structural vulnerability, short-term functionality, and mechanical properties of the resulted membrane constructs. To overcome these issues, we have developed a novel hybrid scaffold made of an extra thin layer of metal mesh tightly enclosed by biological matrix components. This approach retains all the advantages of using biological scaffolds while developing a strong extracellular matrix that can stand various types of loads after implantation inside the body.