High circulating N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in mixed cryoglobulinemia

AIM: To evaluate serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in a large series of patients with hepatitis C associated with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC+HCV).METHODS: Serum NTproBNP and TNF-alpha levels were assayed in 50 patients with MC+HCV, and in 50 sex- and age-matched controls.RESULTS: Cryoglobulinemic patients showed significantly higher mean NTproBNP and TNF-alpha levels than controls (P < 0.001; Mann-Whitney U test). By defining high NTproBNP level as a value higher than 125 pg/mL (the single cut-off point for outpatients under 75 years of age), 30% of MC+HCV and 6% of controls had high NTproBNP (c2, P < 0.01). With a cut-off point of 300 pg/mL (used to rule out heart failure (HF) in patients under 75 years of age), 8% of MC+HCV and 0 controls had high NTproBNP (c2, P < 0.04). With a cut-off point of 900 pg/mL (used for ruling in HF in patients aged 50-75 years; such as the patients of our study), 6% of MC+HCV and 0 controls had high NTproBNP (c2, P = 0.08).CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates high levels of circulating NTproBNP and TNF-alpha in MC+HCV patients. The increase of NTproBNP may indicate the presence of a subclinical cardiac dysfunctio

Investigation of Different Forms of Potassium as a Function of Clay Mineralogy and Soil Evolution in Some Soils of Fars Province

Introduction: The optimum and sustainable use of soil is only possible with a correct and complete understanding of its properties. Potassium (K+) is an essential element for plant growth and is a dynamic ion in the soil system and its importance in agriculture is well recognized. According to increasing order of plant availability, soil K exists in four forms: mineral (5000-25000 ppm), nonexchangeable (50-750 ppm), exchangeable (40-600 ppm), and solution (1-10 ppm). K cycling or transformations among the K forms in soils are dynamic. The objectives of the present research were to study the relationship between different forms of potassium and clay mineralogy as well as soil evolution of 14 surface soil samples from some selected locations of Fars Province. Materials and methods: Fars provinces, with an area of 122000 km2 located in southern Iran. The elevation varies from 500 m to 4400 m above mean sea level. Mean annual precipitation ranges from about 350 mm to 850 mm. Mean annual temperature ranges from 10°C to 24°C. According to Soil Moisture and Temperature Regime Map of Iran, the soils comprise xeric, and ustic moisture regimes along with mesic, thermic and hyperthemic temperature regimes. Based on the previous soil survey maps of Fars province, 14 surface soil samples were collected. Routine physicochemical analyses and clay mineralogy were performed on soil samples. Soil reaction, texture, electrical conductivity, calcium carbonate, and gypsum were identified. Soluble potassium, exchangeable potassium, non exchangeable potassium, and mineral potassium were measured. The amounts of K forms in each sample were determined. Total K was determined following digestion (110°C) of soil with 48 % HF and 6 M HCl. Water soluble K was measured in the saturated extract. Exchangeable K was extracted with 20 ml 1.0 M NH4OAc (pH 7.0) for 5 min. Nitric acid-extractable K was measured by extraction of a soil sample with boiling 1.0 M HNO3 for 1 h. Potassium was measured on all filtrated extracts by flame photometer. The content of clay minerals was determined semi-quantitatively, using peak areas on the diffractograms of ethylene glycol solvated specimens. Results and discussion: The soils are all calcareous (average of 43% calcium carbonate equivalent) with relatively high clay contents (average of 34 %). The different forms of K including water soluble, exchangeable, HNO3-extractable, and mineral K are also relatively high in the studied soils. Mineralogical analysis indicated that smectite, illite, palygorskite and chlorite, were the major minerals in the clay fractions. The results also showed that exchangeable, non-exchangeable and total potassium were in the range of 230 to 436, 282 to 1235, and 2312 to 9201 mg/kg-1, respectively. The soils categorized into three groups based on the soil evolution, clay mineralogy, and total potassium. Well developed soils (Alfisols), slightly developed soils (Aridsols and Inceptisols), and non developed soils (Entisols), were categorized in groups of1, 2, and3. Except for soluble K, maximum of the other potassium forms were observed in group 1. Moreover, there was a high correlation between allpotassium forms andillite content, except for soluble potassium. Mineralogical results revealed that smectite and illite were the major clay minerals in Alfisols resulting high amount of available potassium. The differences among the soil groups in terms of clay percentages may be the results of differences in parent material. K concentration is greater in soils with higher content of calcium carbonate and this is resulted in the greater leaching of K in these soils. This is in consistent with the finding of the other authors, who concluded that calcite and gypsum have a positive effect on the concentration of K in soil solution and leaching of this element from soil. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the arid and semiarid soils of southern Iran have a relatively high content of K pools. Exchangeable and HNO3-extractable K exist in equilibrium with each other, but the exchangeability of HNO3-extractable K is greater in soils dominated with illite and montmorrilonite than other soils dominated with chlorite and palygorskite. It found that calcium carbonate content had a negative effect on different soil K pools except for water soluble K. The relationship obtained in this study will be allowed determination of soil K pools from clay mineralogy and chemical and physical properties such as exchangeable K, clay content and calcium carbonate content

Gas Injection for Enhancement of Condensate Recovery in a Gas Condensate Reservoir

Gas condensate reservoirs suffer losses in well productivity due to near wellbore condensate dropout when the flowing bottom-hole pressure declines below the dew point pressure. Pressure maintenance and gas cycling are the common practices used in the oil and gas field to alleviate this problem and develop gas condensate reservoirs. The injection of dry gas into a retrograde gas condensate reservoir helps in vaporizing the condensate and increases its dew point. This article investigates the situation of one of the reservoirs located in southern Iran in Zagros area. First, based on the reservoir composition, the phase diagram has been plotted. Peng-Robinson equation of state for the equilibrium calculations and Lee-Kesler characterization of heavy fractions are used in this software. After that the effect of nitrogen, pure methane, a composition of ethane and methane, and carbon dioxide injections on reservoir recovery has been investigated and compared to a natural depletion scheme. The full system, including two separators and a stock tank, are simulated simultaneously and the effect of each type of injection on the liquid and gas production is investigated. Full mixing has been assumed in all of the injections studied. By comparing between the results it is concluded that in an injection process, required injection rate to maintain reservoir pressure above dew point pressure and avoid liquid formation in the reservoir for pure methane, a composition of ethane and methane, pure nitrogen and carbon dioxide, and liquid recovery in all cases are investigated. According to the results, with increasing ethane mole percent in the injecting gas a lower injecting rate for the same liquid recovery is needed. Because with increasing heavy components mole percent in injecting gas, average molecular weight of injecting gas, and reservoir gas becomes closer and there will be a better mixing between them and, therefore, liquid recovery will be improved. Thus, a composition of ethane and methane with more ethane mole percent is better than others. © 2015 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Serum concentrations of interleukin 1beta, CXCL10, and interferon-gamma in mixed cryoglobulinemia associated with hepatitis C infection

OBJECTIVE: Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is a systemic vasculitis of small and medium-size vessels, often associated with the hepatitis C virus. Research has shown an emerging role for chemokines and type 1 cytokines in the pathophysiology of this vasculitis. Interleukin 1 (IL-1) plays a role in initiating the cascade of immunoinflammatory responses, and levels of the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inducible chemokine CXCL10 have been shown to be significantly associated with the presence of active vasculitis in patients with MC. We evaluated serum levels of IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, and CXCL10 in a series of patients with hepatitis C-related MC (MC+HCV), and correlated these measurements with clinical disease features.METHODS: Serum IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, and CXCL10 were assayed in 54 patients with MC+HCV, in 54 sex- and age-matched patients with type C chronic hepatitis without cryoglobulinemia (HCV+), and in 54 controls.RESULTS: MC+HCV patients showed significantly higher mean IL-1beta and CXCL10 serum levels than controls (p < 0.01) or HCV+ patients (p < 0.01). CXCL10 was significantly increased in 14 cryoglobulinemic patients with active vasculitis (necrotizing vasculitis or vasculitic skin ulcers) compared to those without (p < 0.001); IL-1beta was increased in cryoglobulinemic patients with active vasculitis (p = 0.06). No differences were observed for serum IFN-gamma levels.CONCLUSION: Serum levels of IL-1beta and CXCL10 were high in patients with MC+HCV. Increased CXCL10 and IL-1beta levels were associated with the presence of active vasculitis in MC+HCV patients

Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in mixed cryoglobulinemia

OBJECTIVE: No single previous study has evaluated serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in patients with hepatitis C virus-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia (HCV-MC). This study was undertaken to evaluate serum levels of these cytokines in patients with HCV-MC.METHODS: Serum IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha were assayed in 43 patients with HCV-MC, in 43 sex- and age-matched patients with chronic HCV without cryoglobulinemia, and in 43 sex- and age-matched controls.RESULTS: HCV-MC patients showed significantly higher mean IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha levels than did the controls (P&lt;0.01) or the HCV patients (

High interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha serum levels in hepatitis C infection associated or not with mixed cryoglobulinemia.

The objective of this study is to evaluate serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) in a series of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related mixed cryoglobulinemia (HCV-MC) and to correlate these parameters with the clinical features of the disease. Serum IL-6 and TNF-a were assayed in 61 patients with HCV-MC, in 61 sex- and age-matched patients with HCV chronic hepatitis without cryoglobulinemia (HCV+), and in 61 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. HCV-MC patients showed significantly higher mean IL-6 levels than controls (p=0.005) or HCV+ patients (p = 0.02). Moreover, IL-6 was increased in cryoglobulinemic patients with active vasculitis, even if the statistical significance was not reached (p=0.056). Serum TNF-a levels were significantly higher in HCV-MC than in HCV+ or in controls (p<0.01). The study demonstrates high IL-6 and TNF-a serum levels in HCV-MC patients; moreover, IL-6 levels tended to be higher in HCV-MC patients in presence of active vasculitis

Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in mixed cryoglobulinemia.

OBJECTIVE:No single previous study has evaluated serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in patients with hepatitis C virus-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia (HCV-MC). This study was undertaken to evaluate serum levels of these cytokines in patients with HCV-MC. METHODS:Serum IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha were assayed in 43 patients with HCV-MC, in 43 sex- and age-matched patients with chronic HCV without cryoglobulinemia, and in 43 sex- and age-matched controls. RESULTS:HCV-MC patients showed significantly higher mean IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha levels than did the controls (P<0.01) or the HCV patients (P<or=0.04). Serum levels of IL-6 and TNFalpha were significantly higher in HCV patients than in controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Our findings demonstrate elevated serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha in patients with HCV-MC. If the importance of IL-1beta and IL-6 in the pathogenesis of MC is confirmed, these results will open the way for the evaluation of new therapies for MC

High circulating levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and interleukin 6 in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Many patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and chronic HCV infection experience symptoms, such as dyspnea, which sometimes do not seem to indicate the involvement of the liver but rather the symptoms of heart failure. To our knowledge, there has been no other study evaluating the serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) in such patients. Serum NTproBNP and IL-6 were assayed in 54 patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and chronic HCV infection, and in 54 sex- and age-matched controls. Cryoglobulinemic-patients showed significantly higher mean NTproBNP and IL-6 levels than the controls (P=0.005). By defining a high NTproBNP level as a value higher than 125 pg/ml (the single cut-off point for patients under 75 years of age), 30% of patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and chronic HCV infection and 7% of controls had high NTproBNP (chi-square; P<0.003). With a cut-off point of 300 pg/ml (used to rule out heart failure in patients under 75 years of age), 5/49 patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and chronic HCV infection and 0/54 controls had high NTproBNP (chi-square; P<0.04). With a cut-off point of 900 pg/ml (used for including heart failure in patients aged between 50 and 75, such as the patients in this study) 3/51 of patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and chronic HCV infection and 0/54 controls had high NTproBNP (chi-square; P=0.07). The study revealed high levels of circulating NTproBNP and IL-6 in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and chronic HCV infection. The increase in NTproBNP could indicate the presence of a subclinical cardiac dysfunction. J. Med. Virol. 82: 297-303, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Interferon-alpha, -beta and -gamma induce CXCL9 and CXCL10 secretion by human thyrocytes: modulation by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists.

It has been hypothesized that interferon (IFN) alpha and beta cause autoimmune thyroid dysfunctions by changing the Th1/Th2 balance, but the mechanisms involved are not yet known. The aims of this study were: (a) to test the effect of IFNalpha, IFNbeta and IFNgamma on the secretion of the Th1 chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10, in "primary cultures of human thyroid follicular cells" (TFC); (b) to assess the effect of PPARgamma activation on CXCL9 and CXCL10 secretion. In TFC, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were undetectable in the supernatant. IFNgamma, IFNalpha and IFNbeta, dose dependently induced CXCL9 and CXCL10 release. TNFalpha alone had no effect. The combination of each of the IFNs with TNFalpha had a significant synergistic effect on CXCL9 and CXCL10 secretion. Treatment of TFC with rosiglitazone dose dependently inhibited the IFNs-stimulated CXCL9 and CXCL10 release. Compared with IFNalpha and IFNbeta, IFNgamma was the most potent stimulus of CXCL9 and CXCL10 secretion. In conclusion, IFNalpha, IFNbeta, IFNgamma and TNFalpha (synergistically with IFNs) dose-dependently induce the release of CXCL9 and CXCL10 by TFC, suggesting that this process may be related, at least in part, to the appearance of thyroid dysfunction during IFNs therapy. Furthermore, PPARgamma activation partially inhibits this process. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved