Genetic polymorphisms and the risk of progressive renal failure in elderly Hungarian patients

The relationship between renal disease progression and genetic polymorphism of enzymes influencing endothelial function remains incompletely understood. We genotyped three cohorts of elderly Hungarian patients: 245 patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) on chronic hemodialysis (HD), 88 patients with mild chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 200 healthy controls. The underlying diagnoses of renal diseases were primary glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and hereditary diseases. We examined genetic polymorphisms of eight candidate genes associated with endothelial function: endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) T‐786C, endothelin‐1 G5727T, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, paraoxonase‐1 Q192R and M55L, angiotensinogen M235T, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) I/D and angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C gene. Six gene polymorphisms were detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction with melting‐point analysis, and two via allele‐specific amplification and gel electrophoresis. Control group patients were in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium for all tested genotypes. In ESRD patients attributed to hypertension, the endothelin gene G5727T GG genotype occurred significantly less but GT genotype more frequently (P < 0.01 for both). In ESRD patients attributed to primary glomerulonephritis, more ACE DD and less ID genotypes were found (P < 0.02 for both) than in the controls. The underlying diagnosis may modify the association of genetic polymorphism and dialysis‐dependent ESRD.     

Producing clean diesel fuel by co-hydrogenation of vegetable oil with gas oil

The goal of our investigation was the production of partially bio-derived fuels in the gas oil boiling point range. Our aim was the production of diesel fuel blending components by co-hydrogenation of mixtures of high-sulphur gas oil (about 1.0%) and vegetable oil raw materials with different vegetable oil contents (0, 5, 15, 25 and 100%). The experiments were carried out on a NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalyst with a targeted composition (T = 300–380°C, P = 60–80 bar, LHSV = 1.0/h and H₂/HC = 600 Nm³/m³). We obtained that both the vegetable oil conversion reactions and the gas oil quality improvement reactions took place. Under the favourable operational conditions (360–380°C, P = 80 bar, LHSV = 1.0/h and H₂/HC = 600 Nm³/m³ and up to 15% vegetable oil content of the feed), the main properties of the high-yield (>90%) products except for the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) value satisfied the requirements of the standard of diesel fuels (EN 590:2009). The amount of vegetable oil higher than 15% reduced the desulphurization efficiency, because of the intake of large quantities of oxygen with the triglyceride molecules of the vegetable oil. The products—depending on the vegetable oil content of the feedstocks—have an increased n- and i-paraffin content, so their combustion properties are very favourable, and the emission of particles is lower.     

Effect of a polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor on the quality of grape and red wine

BACKGROUND: The quality of berries and red wines is influenced by the cultivar. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a polyamine biosynthesis (PA) inhibitor on some red grapevine cultivars with a genetically lower quality of grapes and wines. O‐Phosphoethanolamine was used as a PA inhibitor because of its positive effect on the quality of some small berries. RESULTS: The PA inhibitor at a foliar dose treatment of 7.0 g ha⁻¹ significantly increased the peroxidation inhibition of berries (1.16‐ to 1.56‐fold), the color density (from 1.66% to 69.14%) and the sensory quality of the wines with a lower genetically programmed color quality (André, Saint Laurent and Zweigeltrebe), but not the higher‐quality Alibernet variety. The PA inhibitor predominantly decreased the total phenolic and anthocyanin contents (from 37.0% to 27.5%), and it significantly decreased the contents of free polyamines in all varieties—very dramatically in Saint Laurent grapes (17.16‐ to 1.58‐fold). CONCLUSIONS: Foliar treatment of red grapevine varieties of a low quality, using O‐phosphoethanolamine, can help produce higher‐quality wines. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigation the Effect of Oxygenic Compounds on the Isomerization of Bioparaffins Over Pt/SAPO-11

The production of gas oil blending components which a new application of the Pt/SAPO-11 is introduced, while the effect of oxygenic compounds on the isomerization of paraffin mixtures is highlighted. The experiments were carried out on 0.5% Pt/SAPO-11 catalyst at 300?C380 °C, 30?C80 bar, liquid hourly space velocity = 0.75?C2.0 h^?1 and H₂/hydrocarbon ratio = 400 Nm³/m³, while 0.25?C5.0% oleic acid was added to the feedstock. At the favourable operational parameters the isoparaffins concentration of the products (cetane number: 78?C86, cold filter plugging point: between ?19 and ?10 °C) reached 65?C72%, if the oleic acid content of the feedstock was lower than 0.5%. These isomer contents were significantly decreased by increasing the oleic acid content of the feedstock.     

Biodegradable zinc-based materials with a polymer coating designed for biomedical applications

Over the last decades, biodegradable metals have gained popularity for biomedical applications due to their ability to assist in tissue healing. These materials degrade in vivo, while the corrosion products formed are either absorbed or excreted by the body, and no further surgical intervention is required for removal. Intensive research has been carried out mainly on degradable biomaterials based on Mg and Fe. In recent years, zinc-based degradable biomaterials have been explored by the biomedical community for their intrinsic physiological relevance, desirable biocompatibility, intermediate degradation rate, tuneable mechanical properties and pro-regeneration properties. Since pure Zn does not exhibit sufficient mechanical properties for orthopedic applications, various Zn alloys with better properties are being developed. In this work, the combined effect of minor Fe addition to Zn and a polyethyleneglycol (PEG) coating on the surface morphology, degradation, cytotoxicity and mechanical properties of Zn-based materials was studied. There are several studies regarding the influence of the production of Zn alloys, but the effect of polymer coating on the properties of Zn-based materials has not been reported yet. A positive effect of Fe addition and polymer coating on the degradation rate and mechanical properties was observed. However, a reduction in biocompatibility was also detected.     

Assessment of Slovak population exposure to cadmium from food

Exposure of the Slovak Republic population to cadmium from food and drinks was studied. Calculations were done by means of 1,66,312 food, plant and animal raw materials and drinks sampled within systematic inspection and monitoring of contaminants in 1990–2003. Exposure assessment of average inhabitants to cadmium from actual and model consumption patterns were calculated and compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value. Considering the model consumption, the exposure doses were assessed also for selected demographic groups. The assessed exposure of the population to cadmium has been persistently low with a moderately decreasing tendency especially for the past few years. The assessed real weekly exposure doses of cadmium from foodstuffs and beverages in the last 5 years while using the mean values and median values were 20–14.8% PTWI and 12.6–7.6% PTWI, respectively.     

Proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in a fulminant case of multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease, but in rare fulminant cases rapid progression may lead to death shortly after diagnosis. Currently there is no diagnostic test to predict disease course. The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers/proteins related to rapid progression. We present the case history of a 15-year-old male MS patient. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was taken at diagnosis and at the time of rapid progression leading to the patient's death. Using isobaric tag labeling and nanoflow liquid chromatography in conjunction with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight tandem mass spectrometry we quantitatively analyzed the protein content of two CSF samples from the patient with fulminant MS as well as one relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patient and one control headache patient, whose CSF analysis was normal. Seventy-eight proteins were identified and seven proteins were found to be more abundant in both fulminant MS samples but not in the RR MS sample compared to the control. These proteins are involved in the immune response, blood coagulation, cell proliferation and cell adhesion. In conclusion, in this pilot study we were able to show differences in the CSF proteome of a rapidly progressing MS patient compared to a more typical clinical form of MS and a control subject.     

Microstructure and fracture morphology of thermally sprayed refractory metals and ceramics

The microstructural characteristics such as porosity, splat morphology and grain size of thermally sprayed coatings made of both ceramic and refractory metals are investigated. Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ coatings represent ceramic materials while pure W and Mo coatings represent the refractory metals. The used deposition technology (RF-plasma, gas stabilized or water stabilized DC plasma) was found to influence the coatings microstructure to a great extent by providing different particle impact velocities and temperatures. At the same time the substrate temperature plays an important role as is shown for refractory metal coatings deposited at different substrate temperatures. Generally, all investigated coatings contained intrasplat cracks, intersplat pores and voids, individual splats of different degree of deformation and different degree of intersplat sintering, crystal grains formed inside individual splats or extending through many of them. It is shown that the size and abundance of the above-mentioned microstructural features predetermine the fracture morphology of the coating as well as mechanical properties. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 89–92, January–February, 2008.     

Assessment of Slovak population exposure to lead

Exposure of the Slovak Republic population to lead from food and drinks was studied. Calculations were done using 150,000 food, plant and animal raw materials, and drinks sampled in 1986–2002. Estimates of exposure to lead from actual and model consumption patterns were calculated for an average inhabitant and compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value. Existing knowledge and experience from projects run since 1991, as well as information from the database of the Centre for Evaluation of Contaminant Occurrence, located at the Food Research Institute in Bratislava, were utilized. The estimated exposure of the population to lead seems to be persistently low with a tendency to a slight decrease, especially in recent years. The exposure doses estimated for the last 6 years using the mean and median values show that the weekly intake of lead from food and drinks represents 22.3 to 14.1% PTWI and 12.2 to 7.2% PTWI, respectively.