Granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors, their receptors and interleukin-3 levels in newborns

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of macrosomia in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) and to analyze its possible correlation with insulin, C-peptide, growth hormone (GH) and IGF-I levels in umbilical cord blood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 58 IDM and 58 control newborns (33 males and 25 females in both groups) was carried out. RESULTS: The incidence of macrosomia was 25.8% in the IDM group and 61.5% in the IIDDM group (infant of insulin-dependent diabetic mother) compared to 5% in the control group. There was a positive correlation between maternal Hgb Alc levels in the third trimester of gestation and insulin and C-peptide levels with newborn weight in the IDM group (especially in the IIDDM group). IGF-I levels were positively correlated with newborn weight in both control and IDM groups. There was no correlation between GH and IGF-I levels in any group.     

Sorption of organic compounds on strong basic macroporous anion exchangers

The behavior of various strong basic type II macroporous anion exchangers against the sorption of some organic acid alkaline salts as follows: natrium benzoate, natrium benzenesulfonate, potassium α-naphthylacetate, natrium β-naphthalenesulfonate, and natrium anthraquinone-2-sulfonate was established. The values of the sorption capacities depend on the morphology of anion exchanger network, the type and the size of organic anion, as well as the type of anion exchanger.     

Electrocoagulation of synthetically prepared waters containing high concentration of NOM using iron cast electrodes

The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the treatability of synthetically prepared water with high concentration of humic substances by electrocoagulation in batch mode using iron cast electrodes. Effects of applied potential, initial humic substance concentration and supporting electrolyte type on humic substance removal efficiency were investigated. NaNO3, Na2SO4 and NaCl were used as supporting electrolyte. Among these supporting electrolytes, Na2SO4 and NaCl have provided high removal efficiencies, whereas in the experiments using NaNO3 as supporting electrolyte have been observed no flock formation. The highest removal rate is obtainable with NaCl as supporting electrolyte. Removal efficiencies for initial humic substance concentration of 500 mg L-1 with NaCl and Na2SO4 equal to 97.95% for 35 min and 92.69% for 70 min, respectively. This behavior of the system has been derived from oxidation products, available in the bulk solution, of chloride ions. When NaCl is used as supporting electrolyte, there is an advantage of providing the disinfection of water, but humic substances and chloride ions are available in the bulk solution with risk of formation undesirable organo-chlorine compounds, so the Na2SO4 is the most favorable supporting electrolyte.     

Intracellular Delivery of Doxorubicin by Iron Oxide-Based Nano-Constructs Increases Clonogenic Inactivation of Ionizing Radiation in HeLa Cells

In this study, we determined the potential of polyethylene glycol-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP_CO) for the intracellular delivery of the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (IONP_DOX) to enhance the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation. The biological effects of IONP and X-ray irradiation (50 kV and 6 MV) were determined in HeLa cells using the colony formation assay (CFA) and detection of γH2AX foci. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. IONP were efficiently internalized by HeLa cells. IONP_CO radiomodulating effect was dependent on nanoparticle concentration and photon energy. IONP_CO did not radiosensitize HeLa cells with 6 MV X-rays, yet moderately enhanced cellular radiosensitivity to 50 kV X-rays (DMF_SF0.1 = 1.13 ± 0.05 (p = 0.01)). IONP_DOX did enhance the cytotoxicity of 6 MV X-rays (DMF_SF0.1 = 1.3 ± 0.1; p = 0.0005). IONP treatment significantly increased γH2AX foci induction without irradiation. Treatment of HeLa cells with IONP_CO resulted in a radiosensitizing effect for low-energy X-rays, while exposure to IONP_DOX induced radiosensitization compared to IONP_CO in cells irradiated with 6 MV X-rays. The effect did not correlate with the induction of γH2AX foci. Given these results, IONP are promising candidates for the controlled delivery of DOX to enhance the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation.     

Multicenter Collaborative Trial Evaluation of a Method for Detection of Human Adenoviruses in Berry Fruit

The qualitative performance characteristics of a qPCR-based method to detect human adenoviruses in raspberries were determined through a collaborative trial involving 11 European laboratories. The method incorporated a sample process control (murine norovirus) and an internal amplification control. Trial sensitivity or correct identification of 25-g raspberry samples artificially contaminated with between 5?×?10² and 5?×?10⁴?PFU was 98.5%; the accordance and concordance were 97.0%. The positive predictive value was 94.2%. The trial specificity or percentage correct identification of non-artificially contaminated samples was 69.7%; the accordance was 80.0% and the concordance was 61.7%. The negative predictive value was 100%. Application of a method for the detection of human adenoviruses in food samples could be useful for routine monitoring for food safety management. It would help to determine if a route of contamination exists from human source to food supply chain which pathogenic viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A virus could follow.     

Carcass measurements and meat quality characteristics of dairy suckling kids compared to an indigenous genotype

Effects of genotype on carcass measurements and meat quality were investigated by using 24 suckling kids from Turkish Saanen, Gokceada and Maltese breeds. Carcass quality characteristics of indigenous kids (Gokceada) were lower than those of dairy type (Turkish Saanen and Maltese) kids. Breed effect on ultimate meat pH, cooking loss, drip loss and Warner Bratzler shear force values were not significant. Meat samples from Turkish Saanen kids had higher redness (at 0, 1 and 24 h) and yellowness (at 24 h) values than Gokceada kids (P < 0.05). Breed had no significant effect on sensory characteristics except flavour intensity. Flavour intensity scores given to meat samples of Maltese kids were higher than those of Turkish Saanen and Gokceada kids (P < 0.01). In conclusion, dairy type breeds should be considered for meat production as well, with meat from Maltese kids potentially offering better colour and flavour intensity than that of Turkish Saanen kids.