The catalytic properties of bimetallic supported metal catalysts depend not only on the type and proportion of the metallic elements but, in an essential way, also on their alloying behavior. Here, CO was used as a probe molecule to test the electronic properties of a PdAg bimetallic catalyst with different Pd/Ag ratios, supported on NaY zeolite. Although CO does not adsorb on Ag0, changes in IR spectra on addition of Ag to Pd samples provide clear evidence that the two metals form a nanoalloy. Furthermore, addition of Ag stabilizes the Pd clusters.

Skalny, Anatoly V.; Tinkov, Alexey A.; Bohan, Tatiana G.; Shabalovskaya, Marina B.; Terekhina, Olga; Leshchinskaia, Svetlana B.; Agarkova, Lyubov A.; Notova, Svetlana V.; Skalnaya, Margarita G. and Kovas, Yulia. 2018. Toxicological and nutritional status of trace elements in hair of women with in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy and their 9-month-old children. Reproductive Toxicology, 82, pp. 50-56. ISSN 0890-6238 [Article]

The objective of the present study was to perform comparative analysis of hair trace element content in women with natural and in vitro fertilization (IVF)-induced pregnancy. Hair trace element content in 33 women with IVF-induced pregnancy and 99 age- and body mass index-matched control pregnant women (natural pregnancy) was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated that IVF-pregnant women are characterized by significantly lower hair levels of Cu, Fe, Si, Zn, Ca, Mg, and Ba at p < 0.05 or lower. Comparison of the individual levels with the national reference values demonstrated higher incidence of Fe and Cu deficiency in IVF-pregnant women in comparison to that of the controls. IVF pregnancy was also associated with higher hair As levels (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant interrelation between IVF pregnancy and hair Cu, Fe, Si, and As content. Hair Cu levels were also influenced by vitamin/mineral supplementation and the number of pregnancies, whereas hair Zn content was dependent on prepregnancy anthropometric parameters. In turn, planning of pregnancy had a significant impact on Mg levels in scalp hair. Generally, the obtained data demonstrate an elevated risk of copper, iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium deficiency and arsenic overload in women with IVF-induced pregnancy. The obtained data indicate the necessity of regular monitoring of micronutrient status in IVF-pregnant women in order to prevent potential deleterious effects of altered mineral homeostasis.

Background. Trace elements play a significant role in the regulation of human reproduction, while advanced age may have a significant impact on trace element metabolism. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of lifestyle factors on age-related differences in hair trace element content in pregnant women in the third trimester. Material and methods. A total of 124 pregnant women aged 20-29 (n = 72) and 30-39 (n = 52) were examined. Scalp hair trace element content was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at NexION 300D (Perkin Elmer, USA) after microwave digestion. Results. The results showed that the elder pregnant women had 36% (p = 0.009), 14% (p = 0.045), and 45% (p = 0.044) lower hair Zn, V, and Cd content, and 16% (p = 0.044) higher hair B levels-in comparison to the respective younger group values. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the age of the women had a significant influence on hair V and Zn levels. B content was also significantly influenced by age at first intercourse, smoking status, and specific dietary habits. None of the lifestyle factors were associated with hair Cd content in pregnant women. Hair V levels were also affected by following a special diet. Interestingly, alcohol intake did not have a significant impact on hair trace element content. Conclusion. These data indicate that lifestyle factors have a significant influence on age-related changes in hair trace elements during pregnancy that may impact the outcome of pregnancy.

The study is aimed to explore health and attachment to fetus in pregnant women with natural conception (NC) vs. in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Hypotheses. (1) There are average differences in diagnosed health problems between women with IVF pregnancy and women with NC pregnancy; (2) There are average differences in perceived health between women with IVF pregnancy and women with NC pregnancy; (3) There is a moderate association between diagnosed health problems and perceived health; (4) Women with IVF pregnancy on average report greater attachment to fetus than women with NC pregnancy; (5) Diagnosed health problems are negatively related to attachment to the fetus; and this link is partially mediated by perceived health. Methods. The study was a part of an ongoing prospective longitudinal project in Russia, with the sample including 244 women with NC and 105 women with IVF pregnancy. Data were collected from medical records and questionnaires completed during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. The measures included perceived health; a detailed measure of reproductive and general health; and a comprehensive measure of attachment to the fetus. Pregnant women completed the questionnaires during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. In total, 46 questions were related to different health problems. In addition, medical information was obtained from antenatal records stored in the databases of partner clinics. On the bases of combined questionnaire and medical records data, 2 general health indexes were created: Reproductive Health Index (RHI - a measure of reproductive health), Physical Health Index (PHI - a measure of physical health, excluding reproductive). Statistical data analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software package (descriptive statistics, Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman nonparametric correlation criterion, multiple regression analysis). Data were checked for normal distribution using Kolmogorov-Smirnov criterion. Conclusion. Despite the poorer state of health in terms of reproductive and some somatic indicators, the self-rated health of women with induced pregnancy was not worse than perceived health of women whose pregnancy occurred naturally. Attachment to the fetus was slightly greater for women in the IVF group than in the NC group. Diagnosed and perceived heath was not significantly related to attachment to the fetus.

While negative psychological effects of COVID-19 pandemic are actively studied, little is known about the eventual positive reactions to the pandemic including the capacity to see positive opportunities in this situation and about personality resources that may help to cope and to maintain well-being despite lifestyle restrictions. The aim of our study was to reveal positive personality resources that contribute to buffering the negative effects and its consequences on individual lives. 474 adults 18-81 years old from Siberia (Russia) participated in May 2020 in a survey about the impact of the pandemic and self-isolation and also filled out psychometric measures of well-being and psychological resources (PANAS, PWI, Value of Life Scale, MHC, MSTAT-I, LOT, GSE, Hardiness Survey, SOC, Personal Life Position inventory). One in three respondents reported worsening emotional condition through the previous two weeks and poor adherence to governmental self-isolation recommendations, and 43.6% reported increased financial difficulties. Taking into account not only the negative but also positive subjective effect of the pandemic enabled the improved accuracy in prediction of both well-being and adherence to the governmental measures. The less a person mentioned the positive side of the pandemic, the more strongly their adherence to the governmental measures depended on perceived negative effects (worries and threats). Tolerance for ambiguity, the challenge component of hardiness, harmony with life predicted perceived positive effects after adjusting for negative effects. Psychological resources could play a buffering role as regards the vulnerability to negative psychological effects of the pandemic and help to find positive opportunities.

The aim of the present study was to investigate hair essential trace elements and mineral levels in 105 pregnant normal-weight (control) and 55 overweight and obese women in the third trimester of pregnancy, as well as in their children at the age of 9 months. The hair essential trace elements and mineral levels were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Overweight pregnant women had significantly reduced Cr (-24%; p = 0.047) and Zn (-13%; p = 0.008) content, as well as elevated hair Na and K levels as compared to the controls. Children from overweight and obese mothers had lower hair Mo (-18%; p = 0.017), Se (-8%; p = 0.043), and V (-24%; p = 0.028) levels, as well as elevated Sr content (19%; p = 0.025). Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between maternal and child hair levels of Co (r = 0.170; p=0.038), Cu (r = 0.513; p<0.001), Mn (r = 0.240; p=0.003), and Na (r = 0.181; p=0.027) in the whole sample. Pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) positively correlated with maternal hair K (r = 0.336; p<0.001) and Na (r = 0.212; p=0.008), and negatively correlated with V (r =-0.204; p=0.011) and Zn (r =-0.162; p=0.045) levels. The results indicate that impaired trace element and mineral metabolism may play a role in the link between maternal obesity, complications of pregnancy and child's postnatal development. Hypothetically, dietary improvement may be used as a tool to reduce these risks. However, further experimental and clinical studies are required to investigate the relationship between obesity and trace element metabolism in pregnancy.

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