Association of Erythropoietin, Adiponectin and Leptin levels with Anemia in uremic diabetic patients (Under hemodialysis):

Background: End stage renal disease in patients with diabetes mellitus has been called a medical catastrophe of worldwide dimensions .It was recognized that anemia is a complication of diabetes, particularly in patients with diabetic kidney diseases. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether erythropoietin, adiponectin, and leptin levels correlate with anemia in uremic diabetic patients (under hemodialysis). Patients and Methods: The studied groups were comprised of (30) diabetic patients(9 patients with type1 and 21 type2 diabetes) with renal failure (group2) who had been under hemodialysis compared with (30) healthy controls (group1). Blood film was obtained in addition to blood tests include fasting serum glucose (FSG), glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c), insulin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum erythropoietin (EPO), Adiponectin (ADPN),and leptin. Results: It was found that uremic diabetic patients in group2(G2) had higher FSG, A1c, insulin and higher levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid and lower levels of eGFR when compared to healthy controls (P <0.05). Anemia was confirmed in the diabetic patients by Hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) that were lower than healthy control (group1) (G1) (P<0.05).EPO, ADPN levels were increased in uremic diabetic patients as compared to control subjects (P <0.05). While, leptin levels were higher in type2 diabetes when compared to type1 diabetes and control subjects (group1) (P <0.05). There were positive significant correlations between (FSG and A1c), (Hb and Hct), (EPO and leptin), (EPO and Hct), (ADPN and urea). In addition there were significant negative correlations between (FSG and EPO), (A1c and leptin), (ADPN and leptin).Creatinine was negatively associated with Hb and Hct. ADPN was negatively associated with Hb in uremic diabetics. Conclusions: Anemia is a common accompaniment to diabetes, particularly in those with renal failure or under hemodialysis .Adipocytokines like leptin and adiponectin may involved with anemia in these patients. Leptin in the present study was positively associated with EPO levels (the hormone that stimulates red blood cells production in the bone marrow). ADPN was negatively associated with Hb. These elevated levels of ADPN may antagonize EPO and leptin to increase the hemopoiesis rate and Hb levels in uremic diabetic patients in addition to other factors involved with diabetes

Dopamine D4 Receptor Gene Associated with Fairness Preference in Ultimatum Game

In experimental economics, the preference for reciprocal fairness has been observed in the controlled and incentivized laboratory setting of the ultimatum game, in which two individuals decide on how to divide a sum of money, with one proposing the share while the second deciding whether to accept. Should the proposal be accepted, the amount is divided accordingly. Otherwise, both would receive no money. A recent twin study has shown that fairness preference inferred from responder behavior is heritable, yet its neurogenetic basis remains unknown. The D4 receptor (DRD4) exon3 is a well-characterized functional polymorphism, which is known to be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and personality traits including novelty seeking and self-report altruism. Applying a neurogenetic approach, we find that DRD4 is significantly associated with fairness preference. Additionally, the interaction among this gene, season of birth, and gender is highly significant. This is the first result to link preference for reciprocal fairness to a specific gene and suggests that gene × environment interactions contribute to economic decision making

Smart surfaces for architectural heritage: Preliminary results about the application of TiO2-based coatings on travertine

none5The development and application of self-cleaning treatments on historical and architectural stone surfaces could be a significant improvement in conservation, protection and maintenance of Cultural Heritage. In this paper, a TiO2-based coating has been investigated in order to evaluate its possible use as a self-cleaning treatment. This coating was obtained by a sol-gel and a hydrothermal (134 ◦C) processes and then it was applied on travertine (a limestone often used in historical and monumental buildings) in two ways, obtaining a single-layer and a three-layer treatment, respectively. In order to verify its potential use in the field of Cultural Heritage, the maintenance of appearance properties of the treated travertine surfaces was monitored by colour and gloss analyses. Besides, de-pollution and soiling removal tests were carried out under ultraviolet-light exposure to evaluate photo-induced effects and self-cleaning efficiency. Results seem to allow the use of TiO2-based treatments on historical and architectural surfaces made up by travertine, where de-pollution and self-cleaning photo-induced effects are well evident, maintaining their original visual appearance. Anyway, before applying TiO2-based coatings as conservative treatments, further tests are needed especially on their durability, that is mandatory for Cultural Heritage applications. On-site test in an urban environment and accelerated test by weatherometer are currently under way.Quagliarini E.; Bondioli F.; Goffredo G.B.; Licciulli A.; Munafò P.Quagliarini, Enrico; Bondioli, F.; Goffredo, G. B.; Licciulli, A.; Munafo', Placid

Self-cleaning and de-polluting stone surfaces: TiO2 nanoparticles for limestone

To evaluate the self-cleaning and de-polluting properties of a transparent titania coating, in this investigationa titanium dioxide based suspension was deposited by spray coating on travertine, a porous limestonelargely used as building material. To assess compatibility with stone substrates, microstructureanalysis, color and gloss measurements, static contact angle analysis and two different water absorptiontests were carried out. Self-cleaning and de-polluting activities were assessed by the use of rhodamine Bdecoloration and NOx degradation tests. The results showed good compatibility with stone surfaces andevident efficiency, allowing the use of titania coatings for real outdoor applications

Self-cleaning titania coatings for better preservation of architectural heritage

The development and application of self-cleaning treatments on historical and architectural stone surfaces could bring a significant improvement in conservation, protection and maintenance of Cultural Heritage. The aim of this investigation is the application of titanium dioxide based coating on historical and architectural surfaces to evaluate its possible use as a self-cleaning treatment.Titanium dioxide based coating was obtained by sol-gel and hydrothermal (134 \ub0C) processes and then the TiO2 sol was applied on travertine (a limestone largely used in historical buildings of Mediterranean area) by spray coating in two different ways, obtaining a single-layer and a three-layer coating.In order to verify the potential use of TiO2 based coating in the field of Architectural Heritage, the maintenance of appearance properties of treated surfaces was monitored by colour and gloss analyses. Static contact angle and wettability were monitored to assess possible changes in surface properties of treated stones and to evaluate photo-induced hydrophilicity. Static contact angle analysis, water adsorption, de-pollution and soiling removal tests were carried out under UV-light exposure to evaluate photo-induced effects and self-cleaning efficiency.Obtained results show that analyzed TiO2 based treatments modify the aestethic aspect of the treated surfaces in a negligible way, while without UV-light exposure there are no evident changes in static contact angle, capillary rise and wettability of treated surfaces. The trasparency of the coatings and the absence of significant changes in the morphology of the limestones seem to allow the use of these coatings on historical and architectural surfaces made up by travertine.Photo-induced effects (hydrophilicity, nitrogen oxide and soiling degradation) are very evident. Treated surfaces show hydrophilic behaviour during UV-light exposure, but this increase in wettability does not seem to lead to higher values of water adsorption, since water creates a film on solid surface without being adsorbed. The analyzed TiO2 coatings are able to effectively photo-degrade NO under UV-light exposure and to accelerate the degradation process of deposited dye. The combination of these properties may lead to an actual self-cleaning effect.The deposited amount of TiO2 through spray coating does not seem to increase photo-induced properties, since just outer layer is in contact with UV-light and external materials to be degraded, like NO (as well as other polluting substances) and deposited soiling

Superfici smart per i beni culturali: applicazione di film fotocatalitici di TiO2 su travertino

In questo lavoro si riportano i risultati relativi all'utilizzo di un film sottile fotocatalitico al biossido di titanio per il trattamento di beni architettonici in travertino. Lo sviluppo e l\u2019applicazione di un trattamento fotocatalitico ed autopulente per superfici storiche e architettoniche potrebbe portare, ad un significativo miglioramento della conservazione, protezione e manutenzione dei Beni Culturali. La sospensione di titania applicata \ue8 stata ottenuta attraverso un processo sol-gel seguito da cristallizzazione idrotermale (134\ub0C) ed applicata mediante spray coating. L\u2019applicazione di film a diverso spessore \ue8 stata condotta in modo da studiare l\u2019effetto dello spessore del coating sulle propriet\ue0 funzionali. Le superfici sono state attentamente caratterizzate per valutare, in termini di brillantezza e colore, le eventuali variazioni delle caratteristiche visive della pietra trattata. L\u2019attivit\ue0 fotocatalitica \ue8 stata valutata seguendo la normativa di riferimento relativa agli inquinanti solidi e gassosi. Gli incoraggianti risultati di laboratorio ottenuti sono stati di supporto per progettare l\u2019applicazione sulla Chiesa di Sant\u2019Andrea Apostolo ad Ascoli Piceno