Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum Volume 2013 Issue 1

Associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms(rs2383207) on chromosome 9p21 with coronary artery diseases in Qatar

Assessment of Parylene C Thin Films for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering

The idea of deploying multiple wireless sensors around the human body to enable ubiquitous healthcare by measuring continuously all the physiological data of interest has received considerable attention. Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a promising communication technology for short-range communication scenarios like body-centric wireless network (BCWN) (i.e, in the area of medical healthcare). UWB is characterized by low-power which makes it suitable for human body exposure and extends the life of the system. UWB is a high data rate technology that provides immunity to multipath interference, which facilitates the compatibility of such technology in body-centric applications. High data-rate wireless communications, nearing 1 Gb/s transmission rates, are of greater interest in emerging wireless technologies. The demand for higher data rate is increasing with the passage of time. To achieve higher data rates, greater than 50 Mb/s, multiple transmit and multiple receive antennas (MIMO) is recommended in IEEE 802.11n. To reach the target of 1 Gb/s, more advanced techniques like Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology combined with MIMO is an attractive research area now-a-days [1]. For BCWN, the use of multiple antennas at transmitter and receiver can simply be considered as a tool to further increase the signal to noise/interference ratio and additional diversity against fading. BCWN mainly experience fading due to relative movements of body parts, polarisation mismatch, shadowing, diffraction, and scattering from the body parts and surrounding environments. Multiple antennas can be used to combat fading and multipath effects. There has been an increasing interest in diversity and multiple-input, multiple output (MIMO) techniques for enhanced mobile and wireless communications in recent years. There are some studies presented in the open literature, where the benefits of multiple antenna techniques for body-centric communications in narrow-band systems have been investigated. The aim of this work is to investigate channel characterization (i.e having comprehensive radio channel knowledge and accurate channel model) and improve channel capacity provided by a UWB MIMO antenna system in body centric communication systems. The work will specifically investigate how UWB radio signals are affected by body shadowing and what kind for of improvement can be achieved in terms of channel capacity by using MIMO technology for BCWN. This is done by incorporating two different models on the measured data in an indoor environment (Fig. 1 shows the MIMO antenna position during measurements), and calculating various parameters like Rician factor, average received power, shadowing deviation, polarization loss for each spatial sub-channel. In addition, water filling is used in place of uniform distribution which provides higher capacity even at low SNR.

Whole genome sequencing provides a rich and unprecedented collection of the existing genetic variation in a genome. The development of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has enabled a rapid and relatively inexpensive method for whole genome sequencing. The current archive of genetic variations in the horse is mostly based on the Thoroughbred mare used to generate the reference sequence (EquCab2.0). Therefore, we have used Illumina paired-end NGS technology to sequence three horse genomes from diverse breeds; an Arabian, a Percheron and an American Miniature Horse. Our objective is to catalog newly identified variations within these three individuals and in comparison to the reference. After filtering the reads, we used BWA to align them to the reference and the Genome Analysis Tool Kit (GATK) HaplotypeCaller to call Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletion polymorphisms (In/Dels). We also used ControlFreec to obtain regions predicted to contain copy number variations on each of the three genomes. Finally, we used BreakDancer to detect structural variations like inversions and translocations. These newly detected variations will enrich the database of genetic variations in the horse and could potentially have a phenotypic impact related to the biology of each of the three horse breeds. Here we will be presenting preliminary findings on our analysis and highlight the important steps in our pipeline.

Investigating the Function and Substrate Specificity of Histone Deacetylase Enzymes:New Synthetic Tools to Investigate the Role of HDACs in Cancer

Adult neurogenesis exists in two brain regions: the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the hippocampal dentate gyrus. In schizophrenia, hippocampal neurogenesis has been widely characterized, however no evidence exists for whether SVZ neurogenesis might be involved in the disease. This is particularly interesting since antipsychotic drugs were already shown to increase SVZ neurogenesis in rats [1, 2]. Here, I have investigated adult neurogenesis in three mouse models of schizophrenia: transgenic mice overexpressing neuregulin-1 type 1 (NRG1type1-tg); Snap-25 mutant (SNAP25+/-) mice and dysbindin-1 mutant or Sandy (Sdy-/-) mice. Using immunohistochemistry, I found no quantitative change in the number of proliferative cells that were positive for phosophohistone (PHi3) in the SVZ, rostral migratory stream (RMS) and hippocampus in both the NRG1type1-tg and SNAP25+/- mice. Similarly, I found no significant change in the surface area of migrating neuroblasts (doublecortin, Dcx+ cells) in the RMS of NRG1type1-tg and SNAP25+/- mice. The third model, Sdy-/- mice, were systemically injected with either saline or a viral mimic, polyI:C, from postnatal day 5 (P5) to P9 and this model represents gene vs. environment interactions in schizophrenia. Interestingly, I found a significant reduction in the number of proliferative (PHi3+) cells in the medial and subcallosal SVZ of Sdy-/- mice after inflammation. Also, I have found a decrease in the surface area of migratory (Dcx+) cells in the RMS of Sdy-/- (+polyI:C). Furthermore, I sought to find whether neonatal stress causes morphological changes in astroyctosis (i.e. GFAP) and microglia activation (i.e. Iba1) in the SVZ of Sdy-/- mice but found no apparent differences in comparison to wild-type (WT) littermates. Our collaborators from Prof. Lalit Srivastava's laboratory (McGill University) have shown that these observations in Sdy-/- mice (+polyI:C) were correlated with behavioural abnormalities, such as prepulse inhibition (PPI), reduced locomotor activity and object-recognition deficit although the latter was not statistically significant. In conclusion, I have shown here that a combination of both neonatal inflammation and mutation in a gene relevant to schizophrenia was important for triggering long-term effects in SVZ neurogenesis that was also correlated with behavioural deficits. Future studies will further examine SVZ neurogenesis in postnatal Sandy mice and will also look at brain integrity and cytokine infiltration in both postnatal and adult Sandy mice following neonatal inflammation. Functional studies will determine whether knocking-down toll-like receptor-3 (TLR3), which is the receptor for polyI:C, might rescue SVZ neurogenesis in postnatal Sandy mice after inflammation. 1. Kippin, T.E., S. Kapur, and D. van der Kooy, Dopamine specifically inhibits forebrain neural stem cell proliferation, suggesting a novel effect of antipsychotic drugs. J Neurosci, 2005. 25(24): p. 5815-23. 2. Wakade, C.G., et al., Atypical neuroleptics stimulate neurogenesis in adult rat brain. J Neurosci Res, 2002. 69(1): p. 72-9.

The purpose of this project was to further investigate the characteristic properties of an inorganic-organic hybrid material with respect to its potential application in the field of tissue engineering. The organic component chosen for this project was a co-polymer 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 3-trimethoxysilyl propylmethacrylate (TMSPMA), able to crosslink the polymer to the silica network via hydrolysis and condensation of the alkoxysilane functional group. Copolymers of HEMA-TMSPMA were made by the process of free radical polymerization (FRP), using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a thermal initiator. Hybrid monoliths were then produced by the sol-gel process with hydrolysed tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and HCL solution as the inorganic precursor. The HEMA:TMSPMA ratios used for this study were 200:1, 100:1, 50:1, 20:1 and pure HEMA, at a concentration of 60wt% organic, to allow for comparison on the effect of crosslinking on the hybrids properties. Characterization of the copolymer and hybrid monoliths determined their chemical and physical properties. Characterisation techniques included Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HNMR), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), dissolution study in TRIS solution and which was analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), compressive strength testing and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). These methods were used to determine the molecular composition, mechanical properties and characteristic degradation of the copolymers and monoliths. HNMR showed that the FRP process produced highly polymerised copolymers. The sol-gel process produced successful crack-free monoliths with an average gelation/drying period of 3weeks and average of 4 crack free monoliths from samples of 10 for the optimised sol-gel process. The 3 week dissolution study showed a reduction in silica ions release rate and plateaued at a lower concentration with increasing TMSPMA content and hence a higher degree of cross-linking, with a plateau of Si release between week 2 and 3. XRD shows that no crystalline structures formed on the surface of the hybrids, which is expected as TRIS doesn't contain phosphorus or calcium meaning that no precipitates are expected. Mechanical testing shows that the 200:1 HEMA-TMSPMA monoliths have the highest compressive strength, and Pure HEMA monoliths are the most brittle as expected by the materials natural character, with values of 134.6 ± 19.80 MPa and 42.6 ± 17.39 MPa respectively.

Engineered wetland (EWL) is a land treatment system that utilizes natural processes to improve water quality. The EWL system consists of vegetation, aquatic organisms, soils and the associated microbes designed to assist in improving water quality through phytoremediation. Engineered wetlands are commonly utilized to improve municipal wastewater quality however, such technology is not common in treating industrial wastewater (IWW) from oil and gas operations and further, EWL technology has not been tested or implemented in Qatar. EWL technology is promising for Qatar due to land availability, hardy native plant species and suitable climate. The efficiency and sustainability of EWL is highly influenced by its treatment media. A joint project between ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) and the Environmental Studies Center of Qatar University (ESC) is carried out to investigate the abilities of native and/or cultivated plant species to improve IWW quality through phytoremediation. Experiments using selected plants were conducted using soil cultures and sand cultures in the first stage of the project, while the second stage will be expanded to include water cultures. The change in the microbial flora in sand cultures and soil cultures at the rhizosphere was also monitored during the course of the growth of plants. This presentation will report results for the effectiveness of the the native plants potential in removing, degrading and eliminating constituents from IWW. Results indicate that IWW had detrimental impact on all plants studied in the sand culture. On the other hand, the results of soil culture indicate that only barley was negatively affected by IWW. The results also showed that common reed (Phragmites Australis) could be a promising aquatic native plant in any phytoremediation project in the future.

The huge economic impact of the corrosion of metallic structures is a very important issue for all modern societies. Reports on the corrosion failures of bridges, buildings, aircrafts, automobiles, and gas and oil pipelines are not unusual. It is estimated that corrosion and its consequences cost developed nations between 3% and 5% of their gross domestic product. The process involving hexavalent chromates is the most effective and most widely used conversion coatings for corrosion protection for many metals and alloys. However, the carcinogenic effect and environmental waste due to chromates are well documented. The concept of 'self-healing', 'self-repairing' or 'smart' materials has in recent years been developed experimentally in new types of manufactured materials creating a new class of multifunctional materials of self healing properties. Such properties add functionality to the materials to heal themselves automatically after mechanical, physical or chemical damages caused, for example, by scratch, impact, abrasion, erosion, friction, corrosion, wear, fire, ice, etc. The development of active corrosion protection systems for steels, Al and Mg substrates is an issue of prime importance in key industries, including petroleum, chemicals, transportation. The present work provides new insights towards the development of new protective systems with self-healing functionality. The proposed coatings characterize with the self-healing ability, ease of application at low cost and safety. When the new chromate-free surface treatments are applied prior to Fluoropolymer top coating, the coatings exceed 2000-hour salt spray tests. The approach described herein can be used in many industrial applications where active corrosion protection of materials is required.

The ultimate composition of the CO2 stream captured from fossil fuel power plants or other CO2 intensive industries and transported to a storage site using high pressure pipelines will be governed by safety, environmental and economic considerations. So far, most of the studies performed on this topic have been limited in scope, primarily focusing on investigating the impact of the CO2 stream impurities on each part of the Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) chain in isolation. This is a significant drawback given the markedly different sensitivities of the pipeline, well bore materials and storage sites to the various impurities. For example, given the risk of water table contamination, trace elements such as Lead, Mercury and Arsenic in the CO2 stream are of far greater concern in an aquifer storage site than compared to the pipeline. On the other hand, even small concentrations of water in the CO2 stream are detrimental to the pipeline due to corrosion, but of benefit even at high concentrations during storage given the immobilisation effect of water on CO2. 'What is good for the pipeline is not necessarily good for storage'. It is clear that the optimum composition and concentration of the impurities in the captured CO2 stream involves a delicate balance between the different requirements within the CCS chain, spanning capture, transportation and storage, with cost and safety implications being the over-arching factor. Pivotal to these considerations is an understanding of the impact of the impurities on the physico-chemical properties of CO2 and its hazard profile. This paper presents and overview of the current FP7 European Commission CO2QUEST project involving the collaboration of 12 industry and academic partners in Europe, China and Canada aimed at addressing fundamentally important and urgent issues regarding the impact of the typical CO2 streams impurities captured from fossil fuel power plants on its safe and economic transportation and storage. The work programme, spanning 36 months, focuses on the development of state-of-the-art mathematical models, backed, by laboratory and industrial-scale experimentation using unique EC-funded test facilities to perform a comprehensive techno-economic, risk-based assessment of the impact of the CO2 stream impurities on the phase behaviour and the physico-chemical reactions governing the pipeline and storage site integrities. The above involves the determination of the important CO2 mixtures that have the most profound impact upon the pipeline pressure drop, compressor power requirements, pipeline propensity to ductile and brittle facture propagation, corrosion of the pipeline and well bore materials, geochemical interactions within the well bore and storage site, and the ensuing health and environmental hazards. Based on a cost/benefit analysis and whole system approach, the results will in turn be used to provide recommendations for tolerance levels, mixing protocols and control measures for pipeline networks and storage infrastructure thus contributing to the development of relevant standards for the safe design and operation of CCS. Acknowledgement: The CO2QUEST project has received funding from the European Union 7th Framework Programme FP7-ENERGY-2012-1-2STAGE under grant agreement number 309102.