Compositional and functional changes of low-density lipoprotein during hemodialysis in patients with ESRD

BACKGROUND: This study focused on the effects of hemodialysis on the atherogenic properties of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The impact of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activity and lipolysis on LDL composition, particularly the changes during hemodialysis, was investigated. METHODS: Blood was drawn from 15 normotriglyceridemic (NTG) and 15 hypertriglyceridemic patients [HTG; triglycerides (TG) < 2.2 mmol/liter] before hemodialysis, during (1.5 hr after the beginning of anticoagulation) and at the end of treatment. In each sample, lipid values and CETP activity were measured. LDL was prepared and characterized by its components and diameters (2 to 16% PAGGE). To investigate the functional properties of LDL, fractions obtained from NTG and HTG patients were incubated with human skin fibroblasts and a cell line of murine macrophages (P388), and cholesterol ester formation rates were measured. RESULTS: In comparison to LDL from NTG patients at baseline, HTG-LDL were enriched in triglycerides (P < 0.02), depleted in cholesterol proportion (P < 0.01) and small in size (P < 0.001). These LDL induced the cholesterol esterification rates (50 micrograms/mL LDL-protein) in a twofold greater unsaturation in macrophages when compared to LDL from NTG patients (P < 0.04). The rates in fibroblasts were reduced by approximately half (P < 0.05). During hemodialysis, LDL were decreased in size (P < 0.001) and depleted in TG (P < 0.01), particularly in the hypertriglyceridemic state. Although CETP activity increased during hemodialysis (P < 0.001), the cholesterol content remained unchanged. When HTG-LDL obtained during hemodialysis were incubated with cells, esterification rates particularly in macrophages were markedly accelerated in comparison to the unmodified lipoprotein at baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LDL from HTG patients with ESRD was TG-enriched, CH-depleted and smaller in size. As the intracellular esterification rates induced by LDL were related to the cellular uptake, these LDL were a superior substrate for murine macrophages with the tendency of intracellular accumulation, and an inferior substrate for fibroblasts suggesting a decreased uptake by the specific receptor pathway. TG-depletion of LDL during hemodialysis, particularly in HTG patients due to a lipase-mediated TG-hydrolysis, increased these effects in macrophages. We suggest that the alterations of LDL that occur during repeated hemodialysis in vivo could contribute to the high prevalence of premature atherosclerosis found in HTG patients with ESRD.     

Compositional and microstructural changes which attend reheating and grain coarsening in steels containing niobium

This work describes the effect of temperature on both the microstructure and composition of microalloyed steel austenite in the as-reheated condition. Four laboratory steels of similar C levels were analyzed in this investigation. Three steels had different Nb concentrations at con-stant N levels, and the fourth exhibited a difference in N concentration. The average prior-austenite grain size was determined using quantitative metallographic techniques as a function of reheat temperature. The corresponding amount of Nb in solution in austenite was determined from atom probe analysis. Results from this investigation indicate that at elevated temperatures, representative of typical reheating practice, a smaller amount of Nb is soluble in austenite than what would have been predicted from any existing solubility relation for NbC_x in austenite. The solubility of Nb and C in austenite for the low-N steels is described by the relation: Log [Nb][C] = 2.06 - 6700/T. Additionally, it is shown that undissolved NbC_x particles are present in austenite approximately 125 ‡C above the grain-coarsening temperature.     

Compositional constraints in the extremely GC-poor genome of Plasmodium falciparum

We have analyzed the compositional properties of coding (protein encoding) and non-coding sequences of Plasmodium falciparum, a unicellular parasite characterized by an extremely AT-rich genome. GC% levels, base and dinucleotide frequencies were studied. We found that among the various factors that contribute to the properties of the sequences analyzed, the most relevant are the compositional constraints which operate on the whole genome.     

Compositional and Thermal Characterization of Potential Nano-Carbon Copper Composite

Covetic materials have been claimed to be new types of metal matrix nano-composite materials. These materials are formed from face-centered-cubic metals which are alleged to be super-saturated with up to ~?10 wt pct of activated nano-carbon. The focus of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of copper covetic materials of varying nano-carbon concentrations, and characterize the thermal properties of these materials in order to determine if these materials exhibit enhanced material properties.     

Compositional Dependence of Normal Spectral Emissivity of Molten Cu-Fe Alloy

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - Normal spectral emissivity of molten Cu-Fe alloy with different compositions was measured at the wavelength of 807&nbsp;nm using an electromagnetic...     

Compositional Fragmentation Model for the Oxidation of Sulfide Particles in a Flash Reactor

A mathematical model to predict the size distribution and chemical composition of a cloud of sulfide particles during high-temperature oxidation in a flash reactor is presented. The model incorporates the expansion and further fragmentation of the reacting particles along their trajectories throughout the reaction chamber. A relevant feature of the present formulation is its flexibility to treat a variety of flash reacting systems, such as the flash smelting and flash converting processes. This is accomplished by computing the chemical composition of individual particles and the size distribution and overall composition of the particle cloud in separate modules, which are coupled through a database of particle properties previously stored on disk. The flash converting of solid copper mattes is considered as an example. The model predictions showed good agreement with the experimental data collected in a large laboratory reactor in terms of particle size distribution and sulfur remaining in the population of particles. The cumulative contribution and distribution coefficients are introduced to quantify the relationship between specific particle sizes in the feed and those in the reacted products upon oxidation, the latter of which has practical implications on the amount and chemical composition of dust particles produced during the industrial operation.     

Compositional analysis of the icosahedral phase in rapidly quenched Al-Mn and Al-V alloys

The formation ranges and alloy compositions of icosahedral phases in rapidly quenched Al-Mn and Al-V alloys containing 12.5 to 25 at. pct Mn and V, respectively, were examined by X-ray diffractometry and analytical transmission electron microscopy. The icosahedral phase was found to appear in a wide range of compositions below about 23 at. pct Mn and below about 18 at. pct V, but the formation of the icosahedral single phase was limited only in the vicinity of about 22.5 at. pct Mn. The analytical solute concentration in the icosahedral phase is not always constant and increases continuously from about 17 to 23 at. pct Mn and about 18 to 21 at. pct V with increasing nominal solute concentration. Thus, the icosahedral phase in rapidly quenched Al-Mn and Al-V alloys can be approximately formulated to be Al₄Mn and A1₄V with a maximum deviation of about 3 at. pct Mn or 2 at. pct V from the stoichiometric ratio.     

Compositional diversity and the research productivity of PhD graduates.

Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the relationship between the compositional diversity in 20 academic programs in a Research Extensive college of education and the research productivity of 275 PhD graduates of these programs. Compositional diversity in terms of race and ethnicity was operationalized with Chang's (1999) diversity index; cumulative number of refereed articles and chapters published within two years of graduation was the measure of research productivity. Results showed that, after controlling for individual differences in Graduate Record Examination scores, greater compositional diversity was related to the increased research productivity for African American and International PhD graduates but not to the research productivity of Asian American, Latina/Latino, or White PhD graduates. Because compositional diversity was unrelated to the research productivity of White students, the findings suggest compositional diversity may have its effects by reducing the stereotype threat for African American and International PhD graduates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Compositional dependence of mechanical and wear properties of electroconductive ceramics

Some experimental works carried out at the Research Institute for Ceramics Technology (IRTEC) and National Physics Laboratory (NPL) on electroconductive ceramics are reviewed. The tests were mainly devoted to characterize mechanical and wear properties of electroconductive particulate composites based on silicon nitride and alumina matrices with reinforcement of nitrides, carbides, and borides. The focus of the study was to ascertain the influence of the sintering techniques and the amount and quality of particle reinforcement on the mechanical and wear performances of the composites with respect to the matrix. The experimental results indicate that,besides the electroconductivity, some mechanical properties can be greatly enhanced by the introduction of a specific amount of intermetallic particles. Unfortunately, the refractoriness of the starting matrix is at the same time reduced, making the composites more sensitive to the temperature effects. Research Institute for Ceramics Technology, National Research Council, Italy. Published in Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4(406), pp. 32–41, March–April, 1999.     

Compositional mapping of cholesteryl ester droplets in the fatty streaks of human aorta

Frozen sections prepared from human aortic tissue containing fatty streak lesions were examined on a thermally controlled stage with a polarizing light microscope. Distinct birefringent droplets, 0.5-5 mum in diameter, were observed, many apparently aggregated into clusters. The clusters were about 20 X 20 mum in diameter (the approximate size of foam cells). Upon being heated, each smectic droplet exhibited a sudden change of birefringence, indicating a change of state. The transition temperatures were compared to assess compositional distributions in the tissue. We found that for 52% of the clusters the standard deviation of the cluster's droplet melting point distribution was less than half that observed in the surrounding microscopic field. If clusters were intracellular lipid inclusions, this observation indicates that the lipid composition within a foam cell is more homogeneous than that of the overall field. However, using statistical methods, we compared droplet melting populations from cluster to cluster and found significant heterogeneity. The observations can be interpreted to suggest that many foam cells modify the cholesteryl ester fatty acid composition of their accumulations be selective uptake, temporal sampling, or chemical reaction. Furthermore, the intercellular heterogeneity suggests that different cells in the lesion may have different metabolic and transport enzyme affinities or be in different states.     

CaF2渣系与成分变化的试验研究

 采用CaF2—CaO—Al2O3—SiO2—MgO渣系,通过测定渣池的失重量,建立二次回归正交设计模型,借此研究了含氟化钙熔渣的失重率与CaF2含量的关系以及渣系中其它氧化物对渣池失重的影响。研究发现：渣系中氧化物与氟化物反应造成了熔渣的失重,而且在相同的实验条件下,干燥的SiO2、Al2O3和MgO均可提高氟化钙渣系的失重率,但随着CaO含量的增加,熔渣的失重率降低。另外,渣池温度、氧化物组元在熔渣中的活度对渣系的失重都有影响。     

基于成分数据分析的广西三次产业结构分析与预测

利用2000～2009年广西三次产业结构比重序列数据,运用logratio变换,消除成分数据中的冗余维度,建立成分数据预测回归模型,主要相关过称和结果通过软件Eviews6.0计算后,对2010～2013年广西三次产业的结构变化趋势进行预测,结果表明,广西经济结构发展整体未来趋势是第一产业比重逐步降低,第二产业比重显著提高,第三产业比重基本保持平衡状态.     

Compositional mapping of mouse chromosomes and identification of the gene-rich regions

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) cytokines stimulate the synthesis of degradative enzymes in joint tissues and may play a role in the pathological joint destruction in osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we have used immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis to identify IL-1 in human OA cartilage. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were evident in chondrocytes at the articular surface, as well as distributed throughout the cartilage. In many specimens, IL-1 beta but not IL-1 alpha was detected as a diffuse staining of the extracellular matrix especially surrounding superficial zone chondrocytes. Although chondrocyte-associated IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were detected in most specimens, cartilages exhibiting early osteoarthritic changes had the highest intensity of staining and the highest frequency of positive cells. Western blot analysis revealed intense immunoreactive bands corresponding to the 35 kDa precursor form of IL-1 alpha in all four chondrocyte lysates tested. The processed 18 kDa IL-1 beta species was present in only one of four chondrocyte lysates, and there was no clear evidence of precursor form within these cells. The results of this study indicate increased IL-1 alpha in cartilage showing early degenerative changes, suggesting an autocrine/paracrine role for this cytokine in OA pathogenesis.     

Compositional effects on the creep ductility of a low alloy steel

The role which P plays in determining the creep ductility of 2.25Cr-1Mo steel is examined by notched bar creep rupture tests on high purity material selectively doped with combinations of Mn, Si and P. The impurity concentrations, hardness and grain size were carefully controlled. The ductility of as-tempered samples containing dopants was found to be higher than those without dopants; however the ductility of step cooled samples containing Mn and P was found to be lower than as-tempered samples. It is suggested that P, when segregated to the prior austenite grain boundaries, enhances the nucleation of grain boundary cavities while retarding their growth. Mechanisms for each process are proposed. Formerly a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania formerly a Visiting Scientist at the University of Pennsylvania Formerly a Graduate Student at the University of Pennsylvania     

Compositional Optimum Design and Experimental Investigation of Rare Earth Containing Ceramic Composite

Based on the Al2O3/(W,Ti) C ceramic material, optimum design of the material compositions were carried out, which includes the theoretical calculation of the critical volume fraction of the reinforcement phase, and the optimum design based on the impact resistance, thermal shock resistance and wear resistance, etc. It is found that the optimum volume fraction of (W,Ti)C is 31.2%, 32.8% and 34%, respectively, which is corresponding with the best impact resistance, thermal shock resistance and wear resistance. After comprehensive consideration, the optimum volume fraction of (W,Ti)C in Al2O3/( W, Ti)C ceramic material is finally determined to be 30%. Then, effects of the content of rare earth yttrium on the mechanical property of the Al2O3/30vol% (W,Ti)C ceramic material were investigated experimentally. It indicates that when the content of yttrium is 0.25% ～ 0.5%, both flexural strength and fracture toughness of the rare earth containing ceramic material are further improved with the increment of approximately 10% ～16%.