Effects of the Lipid Profile,Type 2 Diabetes and Medication on the Metabolic Syndrome—Associated Gut Microbiome

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is a major health problem affecting approximately 25% of the worldwide population. Since the gut microbiota is highly connected to the host metabolism, several recent studies have emerged to characterize the role of the microbiome in MetSyn development and progression. To this end, our study aimed to identify the microbiome patterns which distinguish MetSyn from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We performed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on a cohort of 70 individuals among which 40 were MetSyn patients. The microbiome of MetSyn patients was characterised by reduced diversity, loss of butyrate producers (Subdoligranulum, Butyricicoccus, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) and enrichment in the relative abundance of fungal populations. We also show a link between the gut microbiome and lipid metabolism in MetSyn. Specifically, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) display a positive effect on gut microbial diversity. When interrogating the signature of gut microbiota in a subgroup of patients harbouring both MetSyn and T2DM conditions, we observed a significant increase in taxa such as Bacteroides, Clostridiales, and Erysipelotrichaceae. This preliminary study shows for the first time that T2DM brings unique signatures of gut microbiota in MetSyn patients. We also highlight the impact of metformin treatment on the gut microbiota. Metformin administration was linked to changes in Prevotellaceae, Rickenellaceae, and Clostridiales. Further research focusing on the microbiome-metabolome patterns is needed to clarify the exact association of various gut microbial communities with the progression of T2DM and the occurrence of various complications in MetSyn patients.     

Emissions of a diesel engine using B20 and effects of hydrogen addition

The blended biodiesel with up to 20% biodiesel in petroleum diesel (B20) is considered nowadays as available in production. Previous studies investigating the effect of B20 on engine emissions led to some contradictory results. The present study continued the investigation on B20, 20% biodiesel (rapeseed methyl esters) blend effects and was also extended on B20 enriched with hydrogen. It was conducted on a conventional tractor diesel engine running alternatively with B20 and petroleum diesel at various speeds and full load and then, with the same fuels enriched with hydrogen, at 60% load and two speeds.     

The study of the vapor-liquid interfacial polycondensation of the cyclohexylphosphonic dichloride with bisphenol AThe influence of temperature, reaction time, base concentration and molar ratio on yield, inherent viscosity and molecular weight

Summary Polyphosphonate esters of molecular weights ∼ 10⁴ were synthesized by base promoted liquid-vapor polycondensation of cyclohexylphosphonic dichloride with bisphenol A. The effect of temperature, reaction time, base concentration and molar ratio of reagents on yield, inherent viscosity and molecular weight of the obtained polymer was studied. A second order, central composite, rotatable experimental design was used to find domain experimental field for optimal yields and high inherent viscosities. Received: 4 August 2000/Revised version: 14 February 2001/Accepted: 5 March 2001     

ITO thin films deposited by advanced pulsed laser deposition

Indium tin oxide thin films were deposited by computer assisted advanced PLD method in order to obtain transparent, conductive and homogeneous films on a large area. The films were deposited on glass substrates. We studied the influence of the temperature (room temperature (RT)-180 °C), pressure (1-6 × 10^− 2 Torr), laser fluence (1-4 J/cm²) and wavelength (266-355 nm) on the film properties. The deposition rate, roughness, film structure, optical transmission, electrical conductivity measurements were done. We deposited uniform ITO thin films (thickness 100-600 nm, roughness 5-10 nm) between RT and 180 °C on a large area (5 × 5 cm²). The films have electrical resistivity of 8 × 10^− 4 Ω cm at RT, 5 × 10^− 4 Ω cm at 180 °C and an optical transmission in the visible range, around 89%.     

Structural and spectroscopic effects of Ag–Eu3+ codoping of TeO2–PbO glass ceramics

Structural and spectroscopic behavior of TeO₂–PbO–Eu₂O₃ glass ceramics containing small amounts of Ag₂O (0.5 mol%) or metallic Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) (0.33 mol%) have been studied by varying their Eu₂O₃ content (0–10 mol%). The structural behavior of these samples was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The average unit-cell parameters, crystallites size, and the quantitative ratio of the crystallographic phases in the samples were evaluated based on XRD data. FTIR spectroscopy data revealed that the TeO₃ and TeO₄ are the main structural units of these glass ceramics and their ratio, TeO₃/TeO₄, changes as function of the europium oxide content and the codoping of the samples. Luminescence spectroscopy measurements evidenced the important peaks located at 438, 550, and 722 nm due to the Pb²⁺ ions and at 589 and 611 nm due to the Eu³⁺ ions present in the studied samples. The presence of AgNPs in the studied glass ceramics determines a considerable enhancement of the luminescence bands of Eu³⁺ ions from 589 and 611 nm.     

Prediction of Total Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit Juices Using FTIR Spectroscopy and PLS Regression

The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of 23 fruit juice samples was determined using the TEAC assay, and also, it was predicted by FTIR–PLS, the plot of measured and predicted values showing a good correlation (R = 0.97). Thus, FTIR spectroscopy is a promissory technique for rapid screening of TAC of fruit juices.     

Two improved nyquist filters with piece-wise rectangular-polynomial frequency characteristics

In this article a novel method for constructing a family of improved Nyquist filters is provided, as well as some guidelines on how the inter-symbol interference (ISI) problem can be approached. The proposed solution for the design of Nyquist pulses is based on a piece-wise rectangular-polynomial frequency characteristic using second and third degree polynomials. The characteristic property of the novel family of ISI-free pulses generated by the proposed filters is the asymptotic decay rate of t⁻². By introducing this approach, comparable or better results are obtained in terms ISI performance as compared to several recently proposed pulses.     

Mycophenolatemofetil in ocular immunological disorders. A survey of the literature with 3 case reports

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the sperm migration test (SMT) as a discriminator in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 261 couples underwent 797 IUI treatment cycles involving gonadotropin stimulation in the three year period. All had a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. All male partners underwent a repeat standard seminal analysis and SMT prior to the female partner undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. RESULTS: Despite apparently normal seminal analyses before referral, in 22 samples the sperm concentration, motility or morphology were abnormal (WHO criteria). Of these, 20 couples underwent 109 cycles and achieved 2 pregnancies giving a pregnancy rate of 1.8% per cycle and a cumulative pregnancy rate of 10% per couple. From the remaining couples with normal seminal analyses, 71 had an SMT <5 million/mL and 168 had an SMT >5 million/mL. The suboptimal SMT group underwent 276 cycles (3.89 cycles per couple) and achieved 18 pregnancies giving a pregnancy rate of 6.5% per cycle and a cumulative pregnancy rate of 25.4%. The normal SMT group underwent 412 cycles (2.45 cycles per couple) and achieved 60 pregnancies giving a pregnancy rate of 14.6% per cycle and a cumulative pregnancy rate of 35.7%. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that abnormal seminal analysis leads to poor pregnancy rates with IUI. However, an SMT <5 million/mL despite normal seminal analysis (WHO criteria) also leads to significantly worse pregnancy rates. We would recommend that prior to IUI, couples are screened using the SMT.     

Parabolic and hyperbolic flexure hinges: flexibility, motion precision and stress characterization based on compliance closed-form equations

The parabolic and hyperbolic flexure hinges are introduced as new rotation joints to be utilized in two-dimensional monolithic mechanisms. Closed-form equations are formulated for compliances to characterize both the active rotation and all other in- and out-of-plane parasitic motions. The stress levels are also evaluated in terms of compliances. Checked against finite element analysis and experimental measurement data, the model predictions are within 8% error margins. Further simulation is performed to compare geometrically-equivalent parabolic and hyperbolic flexure hinges. The results indicate that the parabolic flexures are more rotation-compliant and induce less stress, while the hyperbolic flexures are less sensitive to parasitic effects.     

DeltaE effect for polycrystalline ferromagnetic rods.

We performed experimental and computational studies of the acoustic transfer power coefficient for carbon steel cylindric bars placed in axial magnetic field. By experiment, the transmission coefficients of velocity were measured for ferromagnetic bars during the first magnetization curve below saturation. Using the magnetic and magnetostriction material measurements we obtained the profile of the magnetostriction along the distance for a ferromagnetic cylindrical rod placed in a magnetic field parallel with its axis. The data were compared with numerical results obtained by computer simulation, under the assumption of spatial dependent acoustic impedance and phase velocity, leading to the conclusion that the Young modulus is affected by the magnetoelastic interaction according to a linear decrease.