Effects of use of riboflavin and ultraviolet light for pathogen inactivation on quality of platelet concentrates

Background/Aim. Pathogen inactivation in blood and blood products is one of the major means to achieve a zero risk blood supply and improve transfusion safety. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) activated by ultraviolet (UV) light, produces active oxygen which damages cell membrane and prevents replication of the carrier of diseases (viruses, bacteria, protozoa) in all blood products. The aim of this study was to establish the influence of the process of pathogens photoinactivation using riboflavin and UV rays on the biochemical and functional characteristics of platelet concentrates prepared from “buffy coat”. Methods. The examination included 80 platelet concentrates prepared from “buffy coat”, which was separated from whole blood donated by voluntary blood donors around 6 hours from the moment of collection. Concentrates were pooled, filtered and separated unton two groups: one consisted of 10 control units and the other of 10 examined units (pooled platelet concentrates). Examined units of the platelets were treated by riboflavin (35 mL) and UV rays (6.24 J/mL, 265-370 nm) on Mirasol aparature (Caridian BCT Biotechnologies, USA) in approximate duration of 6 min. A total of 35 mL of saline solution was added to the control units. The samples for examining were taken from the control and examined units initially (K0, I0), after the addition of saline (K1) and riboflavin (I1), after illumination (I2), first day of storage (K3, I3) and the fifth day of storage (K4, I4). The following parameters were measured: platelet count and platelet yield, residual erythrocyte and leukocyte count, pH, pO2, pCO2 and bacterial contamination. Results. All the measured parameters showed a statistically significant decrease comparing to K0 and I0; all the results of the first day of platelet storage showed statistically significant decrease comparing to K1 and I1, and all the results of the fifth day of platelet storage (K4, I4) showed a statistically significant decrease comparing to K1 and K3 and to I1 and I3. There was no the mentioned difference in the measured parameters between K4 and I4 (the end of storage - the fifth day). All the platelet units were sterile till the seventh day, when the investigation ended. Conclusion. Platelet concentrates inactivated by riboflavin and UV rays (Mirasol PRT sistem, Caridian BCT, USA) keep all the characteristics assessed by the Guide to the preparation, use and quality assurance of blood components (Council of Europe), during the whole storage period (five days). The obtained data were correlated with existing up to date literature and demonstrated that Mirasol treated platelets were safe and could be incorporated effectively in the routine blood bank and transfusion setting

Sadržaj fluora u zemljištima severnog Pomoravlja

Soil sampling was carried out in the Velika Morava river valley, covering the area from Velika Plana to the mouth of Morava to the Danube. The composite soil samples, representing alluvial soils (22 samples), cambisols (14) and smonitzas (4), were taken from plough layers, based on a regular square grid with intervals set at 5x5 km, covering total area of 100,000 ha. The total and available fluorine contents were determined in the soils samples. The highest average amount of total fluorine was found for alluvial soils (391 mg kg-1), then for smonitzas (348 mg kg-1) and the lowest one for cambisols (285 mg kg-1). These amounts are within normal fluorine content for soils (150-400 mg kg-1), although the maximum found levels were even about 500 mg kg-1. The available fluorine content was very low ( lt 1 mg kg-1), being mostly less than 0.2 % from its total amount, so it could be concluded that there was no danger from fluorine accumulation in the plants. Statistically significant correlation coefficient between total and available fluorine contents was not obtained. The total and available fluorine contents have mostly been in the correlation (with positive sign) with soil pH and the content of mechanical fraction silt+clay. Significant correlation coefficients between total fluorine content and the content of some heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, As) were also found, which indicated their mutual geochemical origin.U dolini reke Velike Morave, u delu od Velike Plane do njenog ušća u Dunav uzeti su reprezentativni uzorci zemljišta iz orničnog sloja, po mreži kvadrata veličine 5x5 km. U njima su odredjeni ukupni i pristupačni sadržaji fluora. Istraživanjem su obuhvaćena aluvijalna zemljišta (22 uzorka) gajnjače (14) i smonice (4), što odgovara površini od 100. 000 ha. Za ukupni fluor najviše srednje vrednosti su nadjene u aluvijumima (391 ppm), zatim u smonicama (348 ppm) i najmanje u gajnjačama (285 ppm). Ove vrednosti se nalaze u granicama normalnih sadržaja za zemljišta (150-400 ppm), mada se maksimalne vrednosti kreću i oko 500 ppm. Pristupačni sadržaj fluora je u ispitivanim zemljištima jako nizak ( lt 1 ppm), što najčešće čini ispod 0,2 % od ukupnog fluora, pa se može zaključiti da ne postoji opasnost od akumulacije fluora u biljkama koje se gaje na ispitivanom području. Nije nadjena korelativna veza ukupnog sa pristupačnim fluorom. Sadržaji ukupnog i pristupačnog fluora su najčešće bili u korelaciji (pozitivnoj) sa pH vrednošću zemljišta, i sadržajem frakcije prah+glina. Nadjene su i korelativne veze ukupnog fluora sa sadržajima nekih teških metala (Cr, Ni Co, Cu, As), što ukazije na njihovo zajedničko geohemijsko poreklo

Snabdevenost važnijih tipova zemljišta Srbije osnovnim alkalnim elementima Ca, Mg, K i Na

In this paper results are presented of agrochemical and mineralogical analyses of 14 types of important soils in Serbia (Vojvodina and Central Serbia) and total content and availability of base alkali elements (Ca, Mg Na, K) are determined. Total element content was as follows: Ca 2.22%; K 1.77%; Na 0.85% and Mg 0.61%. Total content of alkali metals in the soils investigated and their variations within and between the soil types, is in very good/close correlation with contents of primary and secondary minerals as well as their rates of weathering. Taking in account the average availabilities the most abundant is calcium with 947 mg/100 g, whilst the averages of the other elements (Mg, K and Na) are quite similar and are about of 40 mg/100 g of soil. The results obtained have shown that the soils investigated are well to moderate provided with K, Ca and Mg and that their deficit could not be expected in plant nutrition, apart for some plants/cultures in the case of magnesium due to occasionally higher Ca/Mg and K/Mg ratios.U ovom radu je ispitivano 100 reprezentativnih uzoraka 14 tipova zemljišta Srbije (Vojvodina, Šumadija i Severno Pomoravlje) u pogledu ukupnog i pristupačnog sadržaja osnovnih alkalnih metala (Ca, Mg, K i Na). Takođe je prikazan i prosečan mineraloški sastav ispitivanih zemljišta. Nađeni su sledeći srednji ukupni sadržaji ispitivanih elemenata: Ca - 2,25%; K - 1,77% Na - 0,85% i Mg - 0,61%. Ukupni sadržaji ispitivanih alkalnih metala u našim zemljištima i njihova vapipanja između i unutar zemljišnih tipova u uskoj su vezi sa zastupljenošću određenih primarnih i sekundarnih minerala i njihovom otpornošću na raspadanje. Prema srednjim vrednostima za pristupačne sadržaje najviše ima kalcijuma (947 mg/100 g), a srednji sadržaji za ostale baze (Mg K i Na) su vrlo slični i kreću ce oko 40 mg/100 g. Dobijeni rezultati pokazuju da su ispitivana zemljišta dobro i srednje obezbeđena K, Ca i Mg i da se ne mogu očekivati njihovi deficiti za ishranu biljaka, osim za neke kulture u slučaju magnezijuma, zbog ponekad suviše povišenih odnosa Ca/Mg i K/Mg

Sadržaj teških metala u korenu i galenskim proizvodima gencijane (Gentiana lutea L.)

An experimental field for the cultivated production of Gentiana lutea L. was established five years ago at the Suvobor Mountain, Serbia. Soil analysis of this area revealed the occurrence of high pseudo-total (Ni - 1270 mg/kg, Cr - 423 mg/kg, Co - 385 mg/kg) and available (especially Ni - 133 mg/kg) heavy metals contents in the soil. Hence, the aim of this research was to evaluate the quality of Gentiana lutea L. - roots and galenic forms (liquid extract in 70 % ethanol, spissum and siccum) produced from the roots, because, for most plants, heavy metals accumulate in the root tissue. The amounts of Ni and Cr found in the analyzed roots were very high (54 mg/kg and 14 mg/kg, respectively). The efficiency of ethanol in extracting heavy metals from the roots varied depending on the particular element. The highest efficiency was obtained for Ni (41.3 %), then for Cd (39.5 %), Pb (37.0%) and Co (30.4 %). According to this, a potential hazard exists for humans, if gentian's galenic forms are produced from the raw material with high heavy metals contents. It is concluded that quality control of the raw material must be carried out before further utilization of gentian.Eksperimentalna stanica za proizvodnju gencijane (Gentiana lutea L.) zasnovana je na planini Suvobor (Srbija) pre pet godina. Analizom zemljišta sa te lokacije utvrđeni su povišeni pseudo-ukupni (Ni - 1270 mg/kg, Cr - 423 mg/kg, Co - 385 mg/kg) i pristupačni (posebno za Ni - 133 mg/kg) sadržaji teških metala. Stoga je cilj ovog rada bio evaluacija kvaliteta korena gencijane i galenskih proizvoda (tečni ekstrakt u 70 % etanolu, spissum i siccum) dobijenih iz korena, jer se kod većine biljaka teški metali akumuliraju u tkivu korena. U analiziranom korenu utvrđeni su vrlo visoki sadržaji Ni (54 mg/kg) i Cr (14 mg/kg). Efikasnost etanola u ekstrakciji teških metala iz korena varirala je u zavisnosti od elementa. Najveća efikasnost uvrđena je za Ni (41,3 %), zatim za Cd (39,5 %), Pb (37,0 %) i Co (30,4 %). Prema tome, postoji potencijalna opasnost za čoveka pri upotrebi galenskih proizvoda dobijenih iz sirovine sa visokim sadržajem teških metala. Zaključeno je da kontrola kvaliteta sirovinskog materijala mora da se sprovodi pre dalje upotrebe gencijane

The availability of base elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K) in some important soil types in Serbia

In this paper results are presented of agrochemical and mineralogical analyses of 14 types of important soils in Serbia (Vojvodina and Central Serbia) and total content and availability of base alkali elements (Ca, Mg Na, K) are determined. Total element content was as follows: Ca 2.22%; K 1.77%; Na 0.85% and Mg 0.61%. Total content of alkali metals in the soils investigated and their variations within and between the soil types, is in very good/close correlation with contents of primary and secondary minerals as well as their rates of weathering. Taking in account the average availabilities the most abundant is calcium with 947 mg/100 g, whilst the averages of the other elements (Mg, K and Na) are quite similar and are about of 40 mg/100 g of soil. The results obtained have shown that the soils investigated are well to moderate provided with K, Ca and Mg and that their deficit could not be expected in plant nutrition, apart for some plants/cultures in the case of magnesium due to occasionally higher Ca/Mg and K/Mg ratios

Sadržaj i pristupačnost bakra u smonicama Srbije

The soils samples of typical simonitza soils were collected from the plough layers at 10 locations in Serbia. The basic physical and chemical properties, as well as, the total and available Cu content in the soil were determined. The availability of Cu was also evaluated through the pot experiment with oat as a test plant. The regular, geochemical levels of the total Cu were found in our smonitza soils (mean 33.35 ppm, range 17-74 ppm). The available Cu content, determined after the extraction with different reagents (0.1 N HCl, DTPA and acid solution of NaOAc), was in correlation with its total content in the soil. The extraction efficiency of Cu from the soil varied (15.8%, 13.2% and 3.5%) in respect to its total content. The concentration of Cu in oat plants was about 11 ppm, with very low variations. This, as well as the statistically insignificant correlation coefficient between absorbed Cu and its content in the soil, indicates that the investigated smonitzas are well supplied with available Cu.Sa 10 lokacija u Srbiji uzeti su tipični uzorci smonica iz orničnih slojeva uporedo sa površina koje se koriste kao njive ili livade. U njima su utvrđene osnovne hemijske i fizičke karakteristike, ukupni bakar (Cu) i njegovi pristupačni oblici. Pristupačnost Cu iz ovih zemljišta je ocenjivana i preko ogleda u sudovima sa biljkama ovsa. U našim smonicama su nađeni normalni, geohemijski nivoi ukupnog Cu (srednja vrednost 33,35 ppm, sa intervalom 17-74 ppm). Sa njim je u korelaciji bio sadržaj pristupačnog Cu određen raznim metodama (0,1N HCl, DTPA i kiseli rastvor NaOAc), pri čemu je efikasnost ekstrakcije Cu iz zemljišta bila različita: 15,8; 13,2 i 3,5 % prema sadržaju ukupnog Cu. Koncentracija Cu u biljkama ovsa iznosila je približno 11 ppm, uz vrlo mala variranja. To i nepostojanje korelacija usvojenog Cu sa njegovim sadržajem u zemljištu govori o dobroj obezbeđenosti ispitivanih smonica u Srbiji sa pristupačnim Cu za ishranu biljaka

Relationship of adipokine to insulin sensitivity and glycemic regulation in obese women: The effect of body weight reduction by caloric restriction

Bacground/Aim. Visceral fat is highly active metabolic and endocrine tissue which secretes many adipokines that act both on local and systemic level. It is believed that adipokines and "low-grade inflammatory state" represent a potential link between obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Leptin and adiponectin are considered to be the most important adipokines with the potential metabolic and cardiovascular effects. Body weight loss improves insulin sensitivity and decreases risk for most complications associated with obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of moderate loss of body weight on the level of leptin and adiponectin, insulin sensitivity and abnormalities of glycoregulation in obese women, to determine whether and to what extent the secretory products of adipose tissue, leptin and adiponectin contribute to insulin sensitivity, as well as to assess their relationship and influence on glycemia and insulinemia during the period of losing body weight using a calorie restricted diet. Methods. The study involved 90 obese female subjects (BM

Influence of different pore-forming agents on wollastonite microstructures

In this study, highly porous macro- and micro-cellular wollastonite-based ceramics was synthesized. Ceramic precursor, methylhydrocyclosiloxane, together with micro-sized CaCO3, was used as starting material. After 20 min of ultrasound treatment, and calcination at 250 oC for 30 min, different pore-forming agents were added to the as-obtained powders. Differential thermal analysis was used to determine characteristic temperatures of processes occurring within powders during heating. Based on the obtained results, sintering regime was set up. Prepared mixtures were pressed into pallets and sintered at 900 oC. During the sintering regime, highly porous wollastonite-based ceramics was obtained. The phase composition of the sintered samples as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM. Two-phase system was detected in all samples, CaSiO3 wollastonite and Ca2SiO4 larnite, and their ratio varied with each pore-forming agent. It was observed that addition of different pore-forming agent resulted in significantly different microstructures

DIGITAL MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL OF THE THREE TANK SYSTEM BASED ON LAGUERRE FUNCTIONS

The application of the model predictive control (MPC) based on discrete-time Laguerre functions is presented in this paper. A nonlinear three-tank hydraulic system is used as an object to which the proposed algorithm is applied. The paper also presents the method of For the verification of the proposed control method, digital simulations are performed using Matlab.linearization of the nonlinear system, as well as the procedure for the controller design