Syndecan-1 and Free Indoxyl Sulfate Levels Are Associated with miR-126 in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of death worldwide and is associated with a high risk for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. In CKD, endothelial dysfunction occurs and uremic toxins accumulate in the blood. miR-126 is a regulator of endothelial dysfunction and its blood level is decreased in CKD patients. In order to obtain a better understanding of the physiopathology of the disease, we correlated the levels of miR-126 with several markers of endothelial dysfunction, as well as the representative uremic toxins, in a large cohort of CKD patients at all stages of the disease. Using a univariate analysis, we found a correlation between eGFR and most markers of endothelial dysfunction markers evaluated in this study. An association of miR-126 with all the evaluated uremic toxins was also found, while uremic toxins were not associated with the internal control, specifically cel-miR-39. The correlation between the expression of endothelial dysfunction biomarker Syndecan-1, free indoxyl sulfate, and total p-cresyl glucuronide on one side, and miR-126 on the other side was confirmed using multivariate analysis. As CKD is associated with reduced endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), our results justify further evaluation of the role of correlated parameters in the pathophysiology of CKD.     

Enhancement of corrosion resistance of a biomedical grade 316LVM stainless steel by potentiodynamic cyclic polarization

The paper discusses the results on the use of a simple cyclic linear potentiodynamic polarization technique as a method of improving corrosion properties of passive oxide films formed on a biomedical-grade 316LVM stainless steel surface in phosphate buffer. The results demonstrate that the modification of 316LVM surface by cyclic potentiodynamic polarization between the potential of hydrogen and oxygen evolution results in the formation of a passive film that offers significantly increased corrosion resistance (both pitting and general) when compared to the naturally grown passive film. The effect of number of cycles and anodic potential limit on the resulting corrosion properties is discussed. The capacitance analysis demonstrates that the major difference between the electrochemically formed and naturally grown passive film is in the type of semiconductivity in the potential region where pitting on the unmodified surface occurs. The XPS analysis shows that this is due to the presence of Cr(VI)-species in the electrochemically formed passive film, which contribute to the increased density of metal vacancies, and thus to the increased pitting corrosion resistance of the passive film.     

Numerical and experimental study of the electrofusion welding process of polyethylene pipes

The electrofusion welding process is widely used to join polyethylene components in gas distribution networks. This article provides experimental and 3D‐finite element tools capable of reproducing the major phenomena that occur during an electrofusion process. A specific version of the 3D‐ finite element model simulation software Forge® has been developed to take into account the fitting parameters such as polyethylene thermal properties (i.e., melting and crystallization kinetics, phase transition, and thermal contact resistance) and the electrical and geometrical settings (i.e., welding input parameters). From a numerical point of view, a well refined highly anisotropic mesh adaptation is applied to well capture the contact condition between the heat source and the polyethylene. The computed results (temperature, melted, and cold areas) were compared with experimental data and gave very good agreement in terms of temperature and liquid phase fraction distribution. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:123–131, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Pharmacological Dissection of the Crosstalk between NaV and CaV Channels in GH3b6 Cells

Thanks to the crosstalk between Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels, Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ homeostasis interplay in so-called excitable cells enables the generation of action potential in response to electrical stimulation. Here, we investigated the impact of persistent activation of voltage-gated Na⁺ (Na_V) channels by neurotoxins, such as veratridine (VTD), on intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in a model of excitable cells, the rat pituitary GH3b6 cells, in order to identify the molecular actors involved in Na⁺-Ca²⁺ homeostasis crosstalk. By combining RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and patch-clamp techniques, we showed that GH3b6 cells predominantly express the Na_V1.3 channel subtype, which likely endorses their voltage-activated Na⁺ currents. Notably, these Na⁺ currents were blocked by ICA-121431 and activated by the β-scorpion toxin Tf2, two selective Na_V1.3 channel ligands. Using Fura-2, we showed that VTD induced a [Ca²⁺]_i increase. This effect was suppressed by the selective Na_V channel blocker tetrodotoxin, as well by the selective L-type Ca_V channel (LTCC) blocker nifedipine. We also evidenced that crobenetine, a Na_V channel blocker, abolished VTD-induced [Ca²⁺]_i elevation, while it had no effects on LTCC. Altogether, our findings highlight a crosstalk between Na_V and LTCC in GH3b6 cells, providing a new insight into the mode of action of neurotoxins.     

Investigation of the Soret effect in binary,ternary and quaternary hydrocarbon mixtures: New expressions for thermodiffusion factors in quaternary mixtures

Thermodiffusion or the Soret effect in binary, ternary and quaternary hydrocarbon mixtures is studied. Using the linear non-equilibrium thermodynamic (LNET) approach, expressions are derived for the estimation of the thermodiffusion coefficients or factors in quaternary mixtures using different approaches. New series of experimental data for binary, ternary and quaternary mixtures are used to evaluate the performance of the Firoozabadi, Kempers (Haase) and our two developed expressions based on the LNET approach. Results show that the model expressions are generally more effective for binary mixtures. In binary mixtures, the Firoozabadi model is preferred, whereas in ternary and quaternary mixtures, our developed expressions based on the LNET and the LNET–Kempers combined approach are superior. Overall, we may conclude that the LNET approach, extended by the authors to ternary and quaternary mixtures, is a reliable model for less-complex systems, such as the linear hydrocarbon mixtures. The LNET approach is also flexible in that provided the required modifications are made, it may be applicable to more complex systems, such as associating mixtures, as well. It is also argued that a thermodiffusion model should be independent of the mass transfer frame of reference, as thermodiffusion coefficients are calculated at the steady state condition, where all fluxes are zero.     

An application of simultaneous stochastic optimisation of an open-pit mining complex with tailings management

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an application of a stochastic framework that simultaneously optimises mining, destination, processing and tailings management decisions for a multi-pit gold mining complex. The application explicitly accounts for supply uncertainty via stochastic orebody simulations. The tailings management component of the case study integrates a capital expenditure investment option to expand the existing tailings storage facility, evaluating its feasibility within the simultaneous stochastic optimisation framework. The results provide a risk-resilient long-term schedule that produces more metal than conventional forecasts and show that the operation has a positive growth outlook beyond its current life-of-mine.     

Ozone in Medicine: Clinical Evaluation and Evidence Classification of the Systemic Ozone Applications,Major Autohemotherapy and Rectal Insufflation,According to the Requirements for Evidence-Based Medicine

Now that indications are clearly defined, applications have mostly become standardized and the active mechanisms have been well confirmed, medical ozone application in the form of the low-dose concept, is established and proven as a complementary medical method in the treatment of chronic inflammations or diseases associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. More than 11,000 systemic ozone treatments in the form of Major Ozone Autohemotherapy (MAH) in 577 patients and ≥ 47,000 Rectal Insufflations (RI) in 716 patients in various clinical studies are subjected to critical clinical assessment and classification according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Statistically significant clinical and/or pharmacological improvements without side-effects or adverse reactions are found in all studies; special attention is drawn to maintaining hygiene when working with blood and to the use of ozone-resistent and biocompatible materials. On summarizing the evidence classification under RCT + CT (Randomized Controlled Trials + Controlled Trials), i.e., Levels Ib and IIa, 12 studies with 657 ozone-treated patients are obtained for MAH and 6 studies with 227 patients for RI. As a result of the evidence here assessed, the two systemic ozone applications, MAH and RI are part of evidence-based medicine. Both applications are effective, safe and economic.     

Assessment of the nutritional status of preschool-age children during the second Intifada in Palestine

BACKGROUND: The Palestinian economy has dramatically deteriorated at all levels since the Al-Aqsa Intifada (uprising) began in 2000, resulting in an unprecedented catastrophe to the livelihoods of the Palestinians residing in the West Bank and Gaza. It was also marked by lack of household physical and financial access to food and health care, which placed children at increased risk of malnutrition and poor health. This prompted a significant increase in food aid from 2002 until the summer of 2003. OBJECTIVES: To assess the nutritional status of children 6 to 59 months of age after 1 year of food assistance. METHODS: In the West Bank and Gaza, a nationally representative sample of children 6 to 59 months of age was randomly selected with a validated multistage clustered design, with the Health Survey 1999 sample used as the sampling frame. The sample was stratified according to governorate, place of residence (urban, nonurban, or refugee camp), locality, and size of locality (number of households). A cross-sectional survey of nutritional status was carried out. Data were collected by interviews with the primary caregivers of the children. Measurements were made of children's weight and height or length. Food-intake data were collected by the 24-hour food-recall method with the use of a booklet of photographs of foods commonly eaten in Palestine. RESULTS: A total of 3,089 children were assessed, of whom 3.1% in the West Bank and 3.9% in the Gaza Strip were suffering from acute malnutrition; the prevalence of chronic malnutrition was 9.2% in the West Bank and 12.7% in the Gaza Strip (p = .02). Sex, refugee status, locality, and maternal education were not significantly associated with acute malnutrition by logistic regression analysis, whereas infants 6 to 23 months of age were significantly at risk. Calorie and protein intakes were generally lower than recommended dietary allowances. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of both acute and chronic malnutrition among children in the West Bank and Gaza are significantly higher than the national Palestinian averages. There is a need to establish nutritional surveillance systems to monitor the nutritional status of children in conflict areas.     

Evaluation of the ratio of the evaporation energy to the activation energy for estimating the thermodiffusion coefficient

Thermodiffusion has an important role in displacements of hydrocarbon reservoir. The ratio of the evaporation energy to the activation energy of viscous flow in pure limits, τ_pure,k, is of a great importance in estimating the thermodiffusion coefficient for non‐associating fluid mixtures. Several methods may be used to estimate τ_pure,k which causes different values for thermodiffusion coefficients. A fixed value for τ_pure,k was considered to predict the thermodiffusion coefficient. In this paper, Abbasi et al.'s [J. Non‐Equilib. Thermodyn. 2010;35:1–14] model and Shukla and Firoozabadi's model have been applied to predict thermodiffusion coefficients for linear chain hydrocarbon binary mixtures. The results show a very good performance of the simple approach in respect to the previous models in estimating thermodiffusion coefficients. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering