Relationship between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and MIA syndrome

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in the general population. Recently, it has been shown that NAFLD is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Ninety‐four hemodialysis (HD) patients were followed for a time period of 18 months or until death. Patient's survival rate was determined in relation to their nutritional and inflammatory state, and the presence of NAFLD. We also investigated the association between the presence of NAFLD and the patients' nutritional and inflammatory state. We did not find any significant association between the clinical parameters of nutritional status and the mortality rate. However, the mortality rate was statistically significantly higher in patients with low serum albumin and high high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels and in those who had NAFLD. Surprisingly, patients who had received enteral nutrition did not have a better survival rate. The severity of liver steatosis was negatively correlated with the serum albumin levels, while it was positively correlated with hs‐CRP values. Furthermore, serum albumin levels showed a negative correlation with hs‐CRP levels. We did not find any significant association between the presence of NAFLD and clinical parameters of nutrition. We have shown that NAFLD could be one more possible example of reverse epidemiology in patients undergoing HD. NAFLD may be the missing link that causally ties malnutrition, inflammation, and atherosclerosis syndrome to the morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing HD.     

The influence of triangular silver nanoplates on antimicrobial activity and color of cotton fabrics pretreated with chitosan

The effect of cotton fabric pretreatment with biopolymer chitosan (CHT) on deposition of colloidal triangular silver nanoplates was studied. Also, the influence of deposited silver nanoparticles on color and antimicrobial activity of cotton fabrics was evaluated. Characterization of colloidal silver nanoparticles as well as silver nanoparticles deposited on cotton fabrics was performed using electron microscopy (TEM and FESEM), XRD analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption, and reflectance spectroscopy. The cotton fabric turned from white to blue color upon deposition of triangular silver nanoplates. Antimicrobial activity of CHT pretreated cotton fabric impregnated with silver nanoparticles was tested against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi Candida albicans. Deposited silver nanoparticles imparted excellent antimicrobial properties to cotton fabric. The standard sterilization procedure of cotton fabric for antimicrobial activity testing resulted in color change of the fabric from blue to yellow. This color change is most likely consequence of transformation of triangular silver nanoplates into nanodiscs and/or their agglomeration into spheroids.     

Multilayer Roll-Bonded Sandwich: Processing,Mechanical Performance,and Bioactive Behavior

Multifunctionality and improving the properties of materials make it necessary to use hybrid systems such as combinations of metals with polymers. Their applications can be found in all areas where light weight and improved and adapted mechanical properties as well as high functionality are needed. Moreover, tailored types of hybrids can be interesting for biomedical applications, as under specific conditions they show, e.g., good strength combined with high elasticity. Herein, we present preliminary tests on the biomimetic behavior of AISI SS316L/polypropylene copolymer/AISI SS316L sandwich. Biomimetic coatings were produced by inducing a calcium phosphate layer in a way similar to the process of natural bone formation. Knowledge of the formability of three-layered sandwich sheets and their biomimetic behavior is presented.     

On changes in bed-material particles from a 550 MWth CFB boiler burning coal, bark and peat

This paper presents our observations on coating build up, morphology and the elemental composition of bed-material particles collected from a 550 MWth CFB boiler burning coal, bark and peat fuel/fuel mixture. The special focus was on the changes of the elemental composition of coating layer on bed-material particles when different fuels were burned. The results were obtained using a scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy depressive X-ray analyser (SEM/EDX). The results clearly show that properties of bed-material particles are a result of complex interaction between the fuels burned previously, and the fuels used at the time of sampling.     

Nonparametric confidence intervals for population variance of one sample and the difference of variances of two samples

Confidence intervals for the population variance and the difference in variances of two populations based on the ordinary t-statistics combined with the bootstrap method are suggested. Theoretical and practical aspects of the suggested techniques are presented, as well as their comparison with existing methods (methods based on Chi-square statistics and F-statistics). In addition, application of presented methods in domain of insurance property data set is described and analyzed. For data from exponential distribution confidence intervals, which are calculated using described methods (based on transformation of the t-statistics and bootstrap technique), give consistent and best coverage in comparison with other methods.     

Hydrothermal/autoclave synthesis of AlPO-5: a prototype space/time study of crystallisation gradients

TEDDI (tomographic energy dispersive diffraction imaging) has been used for in situ time-resolved studies of hydrothermal synthesis of Ge doped AlPO-5. The data for three different levels of Ge doping into AlPO-5 system are presented. Two pathways are observed, the simplest being a direct formation of ALPO-5 accompanied by simultaneous GeO₂ dissolution in the bulk gel, plus a variation in which ALPO-5 acts as an intermediate in the formation of ALPO-18, a related framework structure. The TEDDI approach is able to show that these synthesis pathways and kinetics vary significantly with depth inside the synthesis vessel and possible explanations for this are discussed.     

Gas-phase deposition of titanium coatings on grains of cubic boron nitride

Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya No. 4(340), pp. 40–44, April, 1991.     

Shelf Life of Cold-Pressed Pumpkin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucurbita pepo</Emphasis> L.) Seed Oil Obtained with a Screw Press

The production of cold-pressed oil from nonroasted naked pumpkin seeds by pressing with screw presses started in the Republic of Serbia at the end of 1990s. This oil has the characteristic flavour of raw-dried seeds, and is a specific product of this region. The oil samples were prepared by pressing naked pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seeds with the hulls in a 3:2 ratio using a screw press. The changes of the oil sensory characteristics, basic chemical quality and oxidative stability were followed over a 2-year period. The results obtained showed that the oil sensory quality was stable during the first 12 months of storage, after which the flavour became musty. Although the chemical quality of the oil deteriorated to some extent, both the acid and peroxide values satisfied the legislative minimum during the whole investigation time. The oxidative stability of oil determined by a Rancimat apparatus was good, although the induction period after 2 years decreased by 25–40%. To ensure the use of only the highest quality oil, a 12-month shelf life is recommended.     

Influence of cold stabilisation and chill membrane filtration on volatile compounds of apricot brandy

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of cold stabilisation treatment and chill membrane filtration on apricot brandy's stability and its volatile compounds. Cold stabilisation treatment included exposure of the brandy to the temperature of ?1 °C during 24 h. Membranes with pore sizes of 200, 450 and 800 nm were used in this study. The content of fatty acid esters (ethyl palmitate, ethyl laurate), the main causes of chill haze in strong alcoholic drinks, was efficiently reduced by all tested membranes. Content of alcohols, aldehydes and terpenes (except nerol) was not significantly influenced by applied treatments. All the brandy samples were stable after the re-exposure to lower temperatures. The sample filtered through the 800 nm pore size membrane showed the best sensory characteristics, most similar to the control sample.     

Extraction of free fatty acids from soybean oil using ionic liquids or poly(ethyleneglycol)s

The alternative solvents poly(ethyleneglycol)s (PEGs) with various molar masses and room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) AMMOENG100 and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide (bmimDCA) were studied for the purpose of extraction of linoleic acid from soybean oil. Liquid‐liquid phase equilibrium was measured for binary (PEG + soybean oil), (RTIL + soybean oil) as well as ternary (PEG + soybean oil + linoleic acid), (RTIL + soybean oil + linoleic acid) mixtures, as a function of temperature and composition. The influence on distribution coefficients and separation factor of temperature, initial acid content of the oil and solvent to oil ratio were studied. The effect of molar mass in the case of the PEGs was also examined. The experimental results were modeled using the Peng‐Robinson cubic equation of state coupled with the Mathias‐Klotz‐Prausnitz mixing rule, with good results. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011