A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Pharmacogenetic Studies in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important global public health problem due to its high prevalence and morbidity. Although the treatment of nephrology patients has changed considerably, ineffectiveness and side effects of medications represent a major issue. In an effort to elucidate the contribution of genetic variants located in several genes in the response to treatment of patients with CKD, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available pharmacogenetics studies. The association between genotype distribution and response to medication was examined using the dominant, recessive, and additive inheritance models. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity was also performed. In total, 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis, which examined the association of 11 genes (16 polymorphisms) with the response to treatment regarding CKD. Among the 29 studies, 18 studies included patients with renal transplantation, 8 involved patients with nephrotic syndrome, and 3 studies included patients with lupus nephritis. The present meta-analysis provides strong evidence for the contribution of variants harbored in the ABCB1, IL-10, ITPA, MIF, and TNF genes that creates some genetic predisposition that reduces effectiveness or is associated with adverse events of medications used in CKD.     

Volatile fraction of commercial thyme honeys produced in Mediterranean regions and key volatile compounds for geographical discrimination: A chemometric approach

The aim of the present study was to investigate the volatile fraction and discriminate 34 commercial thyme honeys from Morocco, Egypt, Spain, and Greece according to geographical origin, using key volatile compounds in combination with chemometrics. Sixty-two volatile compounds belonging to different classes were identified and semi-quantified using headspace solid phase micro-extraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). Applying chemometric analyses to 17 volatiles (p < 0.05), honeys were successfully discriminated according to geographical origin. Correct classification rate was 88.2% using the cross-validation method. Volatile compounds proved to be a powerful tool for discriminating commercial thyme honeys from different countries.     

Effects of chromium (VI) addition on the activated sludge process

The effect of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), addition on various operating parameters of activated sludge process was evaluated. To accomplish this, two parallel lab-scale continuous-flow activated sludge plants were operated. One was used as a control plant, while the other received Cr(VI) concentrations equal to 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 mgl(-1). Cr(VI) concentrations of 0.5 mgl(-1) caused significant inhibition of the nitrification process (up to 74% decrease in ammonia removal efficiency). On the contrary, the effect of Cr(VI) on organic substrate removal was minor for concentrations up to 5 mgl(-1), indicating that heterotrophic microorganisms are less sensitive to Cr(VI) than nitrifiers. Activated sludge floc size and structure characterization showed that Cr(VI) concentrations higher than 1 mgl(-1) reduced the filaments abundance, causing the appearance of pin-point flocs and free-dispersed bacteria. Additionally, the variability of protozoa and rotifers was reduced. As a result of disperse growth, effluent quality deteriorated, since significant amounts of suspended solids escaped with the effluent. Termination of Cr(VI) addition led to a partial recovery of the nitrification process (up to 57% recovery). Similar recovery signs were not observed for activated sludge floc size and structure. Finally, shock loading to the control plant with 5 mgl(-1) Cr(VI) for 2 days resulted in a significant inhibition of the nitrification process and a reduction in filamentous microorganisms abundance.     

Prospective environmental life cycle assessment of nanosilver T-shirts

A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to compare nanosilver T-shirts with conventional T-shirts with and without biocidal treatment. For nanosilver production and textile incorporation, we investigate two processes: flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) and plasma polymerization with silver co-sputtering (PlaSpu). Prospective environmental impacts due to increased nanosilver T-shirt commercialization are estimated with six scenarios. Results show significant differences in environmental burdens between nanoparticle production technologies: The "cradle-to-gate" climate footprint of the production of a nanosilver T-shirt is 2.70 kg of CO(2)-equiv (FSP) and 7.67-166 kg of CO(2)-equiv (PlaSpu, varying maturity stages). Production of conventional T-shirts with and without the biocide triclosan has emissions of 2.55 kg of CO(2)-equiv (contribution from triclosan insignificant). Consumer behavior considerably affects the environmental impacts during the use phase. Lower washing frequencies can compensate for the increased climate footprint of FSP nanosilver T-shirt production. The toxic releases from washing and disposal in the life cycle of T-shirts appear to be of minor relevance. By contrast, the production phase may be rather significant due to toxic silver emissions at the mining site if high silver quantities are required.     

Does the presence of desert dust modify the effect of PM10 on mortality in Athens, Greece?

Recent reports investigate whether windblown desert dust may exacerbate the short-term health effects associated with particulate pollution in urban centers. We have tested this hypothesis by using daily air pollution and mortality data for Athens, Greece during the period 2001-2006.We investigated the effects of exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 0 μg/m³ (PM₁₀) on total and cause specific mortality, during days with and without windblown desert dust, for all ages, stratified by age groups and by sex. We identified 141 dust days between 2001 and 2006. We used Poisson regression models with penalized splines to control for possible confounding by season, meteorology, day of the week and holiday effect.A 10 μg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ was associated with a 0.71% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42% to 0.99%) increase in all deaths. The effects for total and cause specific mortality were greater for those ≥ 75 years of age, while for total mortality higher effects were observed among females. The main effect of desert dust days and its interaction with PM₁₀ concentrations were significant in all cases except for respiratory mortality and cardiovascular mortality among those < 75 years. The negative interaction pointed towards lower particle effects on mortality during dust events.We found evidence of modification of the adverse health effects of PM₁₀ on mortality in Athens, Greece with desert dust events: the particle effects were significantly higher during non-desert dust days. Our analyses indicate that traffic related particles, which prevail on non-desert dust days, have more toxic effects than the ones originating from long-range transport, such as Sahara dust.     

Regulation of Metastatic Tumor Dormancy and Emerging Opportunities for Therapeutic Intervention

Cancer recurrence and metastasis, following successful treatment, constitutes a critical threat in clinical oncology and are the leading causes of death amongst cancer patients. This phenomenon is largely attributed to metastatic tumor dormancy, a rate-limiting stage during cancer progression, in which disseminated cancer cells remain in a viable, yet not proliferating state for a prolonged period. Dormant cancer cells are characterized by their entry into cell cycle arrest and survival in a quiescence state to adapt to their new microenvironment through the acquisition of mutations and epigenetic modifications, rendering them resistant to anti-cancer treatment and immune surveillance. Under favorable conditions, disseminated dormant tumor cells ‘re-awake’, resume their proliferation and thus colonize distant sites. Due to their rarity, detection of dormant cells using current diagnostic tools is challenging and, thus, therapeutic targets are hard to be identified. Therefore, unraveling the underlying mechanisms required for keeping disseminating tumor cells dormant, along with signals that stimulate their “re-awakening” are crucial for the discovery of novel pharmacological treatments. In this review, we shed light into the main mechanisms that control dormancy induction and escape as well as emerging therapeutic strategies for the eradication of metastatic dormant cells, including dormancy maintenance, direct targeting of dormant cells and re-awakening dormant cells. Studies on the ability of the metastatic cancer cells to cease proliferation and survive in a quiescent state before re-initiating proliferation and colonization years after successful treatment, will pave the way toward developing innovative therapeutic strategies against dormancy-mediated metastatic outgrowth.     

Addition of yogurt to wort for the production of spirits: Evaluation of the spirit aroma over a two-year period

Triggered by the development of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during the production of Scotch whisky, this study examined the influence of yeast and LAB inoculation on whisky flavor. Four new spirits were produced using the same process. LAB were added as a form of a Greek yogurt's live culture. In each category (barley and rye), one sample was fermented with Greek yogurt while the other was fermented without it. The spirits were matured and analyzed at five different points. Results from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed basic volatile compounds, along with some important extra compounds with yogurt culture. The most obvious differences were observed in the concentration of butanoic acid, a characteristic acid in spirits undergoing lactic acid fermentation: to identify esters such as ethyl butanoate, ethyl isobutanoate, isoamyl butanoate, and 2-phenylethyl butanoate, they are not typical compounds in whisky.     

Sensory Threshold Studies of Picrocrocin,the Major Bitter Compound of Saffron

This study is part of a wider project on the bitter taste of saffron and its preparations. A deeper knowledge on the taste perception of picrocrocin is necessary in order to develop products that satisfy consumer senses and provide them with adequate amounts of saffron major constituents, also appreciated for bioactivity. A systematic approach on the bitterness of picrocrocin, the major responsible compound, was conducted. A panel was trained specifically for the determination of taste detection and recognition thresholds of picrocrocin, which were found to be 5.34 and 7.26 mg/L, respectively, using the Ascending Forced Choice of Limits methodology. The threshold values were examined in water in absence and presence of other saffron constituents and ethanol and were found to decrease when served hot (61 ± 4 °C). Bitterness was enhanced in 40% (v/v) aqueous ethanol. In both aqueous and ethanol extracts, the presence of saffron volatiles improved bitterness perception. The usefulness of the study was tested in the case of commercial saffron based infusions.     

Study of physicochemical properties of two current commercial dental self‐curing resin composites

The aim of the present work is the study of some physicochemical properties of two current commercial dental self‐curing two component composites, i.e., of Concise? (3M?, Dental Products, St. Paul, USA), and Alfacomp (VOCO GmbH, Germany). Based on their filler type Concise is characterized as “conventional” or “macrofilled” composite and Alfacomp as “hybrid.” The resin matrix of Concise is a copolymer of 2‐bis[4‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐(methacryloxy)‐propyl]phenyl propane (Bis‐GMA)/triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, while that of Alfacomp a homopolymer of Bis‐GMA. The composites were prepared in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions by mixing equal amounts of the two components at room temperature. The degree of conversion of double bonds of resin matrix during curing was determined in thin film of composites using FTIR transmission spectroscopy. The degree of conversion of Concise and Aflacomp was found to be correspondingly (73.63 ± 4.33)% and (47.75 ± 1.80)% after a day‐polymerization. Sorption, solubility, and volumetric change were determined after storage of composites in water or ethanol/water solution 75 vol % at 37°C (a good food/oral simulating fluid) for 30 days. These properties for both composites were higher in ethanol/water solution than in water. Also these properties for Concise were lower than those for Alfacomp in both liquids. Thermal stability of composites was studied by thermogravimetric analysis which performed in air atmosphere from 50 to 800°C. This analysis of composites showed the degradation of their resin matrix in three steps. The organic resin content of Concise was found to be 18.0% w/w and that of Alfacomp 20.1% w/w. Concise showed generally better properties than Alfacomp. This behavior must due to the differences in the chemical structure of the organic resin matrix and the type of inorganic filler. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012