Decreased levels of histidine-rich glycoprotein in advanced lung cancer : association with prothrombotic alterations

Background. Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) displays anticoagulant and antifibrinolytic properties in animal models, but its effects in humans are unclear. We investigated serum HRG levels and their associations with the disease stage and prothrombotic alterations in lung cancer (LC) patients. Methods. In 148 patients with advanced LC prior to anticancer therapy (87 non-small-cell LC and 61 small-cell LC) versus 100 well-matched controls, we measured HRG levels in association with clot permeability (Ks), clot turbidimetry (lag phase and maximum absorbance), and clot lysis time (CLT). Results. Compared to controls, LC patients had 45.9% lower HRG levels with no associations with demographics and comorbidities. Decreased HRG, defined as the 90th percentile of control values (<52.7 μg/ml), was 16 times more common in subjects with than without LC (OR = 16 4, 95% CI 9.2-23.5, p < 0 01). HRG < 38 μg/ml discriminated stage IIIAB/limited disease from IV/extensive disease (ED) LC. In LC patients, HRG correlated inversely with CLT (r = −0 41, p < 0 001), but not with other fibrin variables. Among stage IV/ED LC, HRG correlated significantly with Ks and lag phase (r = 0 28 and r = 0 33, respectively, both p < 0 001). LC patients with low Ks (10th percentile of control values) combined with prolonged CLT (90th percentile of control values) had reduced HRG levels compared to the remainder (p = 0 003). No such observations were noted in controls. Conclusions. Our study is the first to show that decreased HRG levels occur in advanced LC and are associated with the disease stage and hypofibrinolysis

Altered fibrin clot properties in advanced lung cancer : impact of chemotherapy

Background: Faster formation of dense and poorly lyzable fibrin networks have been reported in patients at risk of thromboembolism, including cancer patients. We sought to investigate whether chemotherapy affects plasma fibrin clot properties and their determinants in lung cancer patients. Methods: In this observational study we enrolled 83 consecutive patients with advanced inoperable lung cancer. Plasma fibrin clot permeability (Ks), turbidimetric analysis of clot formation, clot lysis time (CLT), microparticle-associated tissue factor (MP-TF) activity, and thrombin generation parameters were investigated at enrolment and 3–4 months after standard chemotherapy. Results: Lung cancer patients after 4 (range, 4–5) cycles of chemotherapy had 35.6% higher D dimer, 22.1% lower MP-TF activity, and unaltered fibrinogen compared with baseline. Chemotherapy resulted also in 7.5% increased Ks, 8.6% prolonged lag phase, and 5.4% shortened CLT, while thrombin generation was unchanged. Chemotherapy-related differences in clot structure were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy images. Fibrin clot properties after chemotherapy did not differ among histological types of lung cancer, cancer stages or chemotherapy regimens. Interestingly, never smoking (n=13, 16%) was associated with looser post-treatment fibrin structure as reflected by 12.3% higher Ks. Multiple linear regression showed that more advanced cancer stage, higher peak thrombin generation, and higher white blood cell count determined post-treatment change in Ks, while active smoking was associated with change in CLT. Conclusions: Three-month chemotherapy in lung cancer patients improves clot properties despite unaffected thrombin generation, suggesting that anticancer treatment might quickly produce antithrombotic actions

Cutting wedge wear examination during turning of duplex stainless steel

Rad se bavi analizom topografskih karakteristika karbidne površine reznog alata. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćena detaljna analiza mehanizma trošenja rezne oštrice i prednje površine alata u procesu tokarenja duplex nehrđajućeg čelika. U stabilnom režimu uočeno je trošenje oba analizirana dijela reznog alata. Dokazana je pojava različitih mehanizama trošenja, primjerice abrazijskog trošenja. Trošenje površine analizirano je s pomoću elektronske pretražne mikroskopije (SEM) i optičkog uređaja Infinite Focus za trodimenzijsko mjerenje površina.The purpose of the study was to determine the coated carbide tool surface topography. The study included determining detailed identification of wear mechanisms occurring on the rake face and major flank in the process of turning the DSS. The results of wear occurring on the tool both points were compared for the period of the steady-state wear of the tool point. Occurrence of various mechanisms, such as abrasive wear, was proven. Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM and Infinite Focus optical device for 3D surface measurement were used for the wear analysis

Microwave sintering of porous Ti-Nb-HA composite with high strength and enhanced bioactivity for implant applications

In the present study, high order porous Ti-Nb(50-x)-HA(x) (x=0,10,20 wt. %) composites have been fabricated for orthopedic application by using powder metallurgical route consisting temporary space alloying and rapid microwave sintering process. Structural porosity, elastic modulus, compressive strength, corrosion resistance, and in-vitro bioactivity of as-sintered TiNb-HA composites were studied. Results showed that the reinforcement of the HA assists in the formation of structural porosity, which reduced the elastic modulus. Porous Ti-Nb (with HA 10- 20% content) composite possessed 40-60% structural porosity with a pore size of 150-260 μm and exhibited elastic modulus in the range of 12.5 – 29 GPa (near to human bone 8-20 GPa), which overcome the problem of stress shielding. The as-sintered composite not only possessed low elastic modulus but also exhibit high compressive strength (205-395 MPa). The alloying of HA improved the corrosion resistance and the protective efficiency of Ti-40Nb-10HA and Ti- 30Nb-20HA composites was measured 40% and 72%, respectively higher than the Ti-Nb composite. In-vitro biological evaluation tests confirmed that the developed composites are noncytotoxic and porous structure provides a vehicle for cell adhesion and growth. Moreover, various biocompatible phases such as Ca3(PO4)2 (known as TCP), Ti5P3 and CaO were developed, which helped in cell proliferation and differentiation. High biological activities were found on the Ti-30Nb-20HA composite have when compared with the Ti-Nb and Ti-40Nb-10HA composite and could be used as a potential biomaterial for the various possible orthopedic applications

Assessment of Reliability of Mixing Process in Diverse Mixers

Homogeneity of fodder blends is one of the primary fodder blend quality criteria. Inadequate mixing of fodder ingredients may cause insufficient growth of livestock and unsuccessful medical treatment in the case of healing fodder. Majority of fodder producers make use of the information contained in the fodder blend technical dossier for the purpose of target mixing parameters. However, average mixing time, that is very often specified, does not reflect the specific nature of a given fodder blend. Apart from the fodder blend construction parameters, physical properties of raw materials used for production purposes, in particular disintegration degree, fodder blend discharge manner, filling degree have an impact upon the homogeneity of mixing. The research on the homogeneity of mixing in various fodder producers has proven the necessity to control this stage of production

Phase change material heat storage performance in the solar thermal storage structure employing experimental evaluation

One of the most investigated and broadly used mediums in the solar thermal storage systems is using phase change materials. In this research, a comprehensive performance test bench for solar thermal utilization system using a controllable heater to substitute different levels of solar input was established. The test bench is not limited by the weather and equipped with alternative heat storage tanks for different PCMs. The heat storage structure and the performance of paraffin in low temperature system was examined using numerical simulation method. The results showed that the heating power received by PCM was stable at 6–8 kW under the heating condition of 85 °C. At the stage of incompletely melting, the temperature difference between the inside and outside was as high as 31.6, which can reduce the loss of heat to a great extent

Measuring liquid droplet size in two-phase nozzle flow employing numerical and experimental analyses

The flavoring process ensures the quality of cigarettes by endowing them with special tastes. In this process, the flavoring liquid is atomized into particles by a nozzle and mixed with the tobacco in a rotating drum. The particle size of the flavoring liquid has great influence on the atomization effect; however, limited research has addressed the quantitation of the liquid particle size in two-phase nozzle flow. To bridge this research gap, the authors of this study employed numerical and experimental techniques to explore the quantitative analysis of particle size. First, a simulation model for the flavoring nozzle was established to investigate the atomization effect under different ejection pressures. Then, an experimental test is carried out to compare the test results with the simulation results. Lastly, the influencing factors of liquid particle size in two-phase nozzle flow were analyzed to quantify particle size. The analysis results demonstrated that there was a cubic correction relationship between the simulation and experiment particle size. The findings of this study may provide a reliable reference when evaluating the atomization effect of flavoring nozzles

An insight into the effect surface morphology, processing, and lubricating conditions on tribological properties of Ti6Al4V and UHMWPE pairs

The effects of surface topography, processing, and environment conditions during tribological contact between Ti6Al4V titanium alloy and UHMWPE friction pairs were systematically evaluated. Hence, in this research the polyethylene samples (blocks) having a constant surface roughness were rubbed against counter-bodies (rollers) made of titanium alloy with different roughness of surfaces. The counter-samples were manufactured using either dry machining and/or minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) conditions. Such cutting conditions are harmless to humans and the environment. Simulated body fluid (SBF) and distilled water was used to simulate the tribological trials. We have noted that the lubricant applied to protect the integrity of machined parts, the rollers, have only minor impact on the tribological features of the friction pairs tested. Further, the samples produced with dry machining demonstrated a slightly lower momentary friction coefficient and temperature. In contrast, the MQL method enable reduced friction surface and significant wear accumulation. Further, it was found that the minimum and maximum values of the Sa texture parameter associated to tribological parameters do not exceed 21% and 4%, when is used dry and MQL methods, respectively. Nevertheless, the distilled water revealed a much better wear resistance when comparing to SBF, and the later one trigger as well as an accentuated wear progress with different patterns. The results of the study are important in the design of new biomedical components produced by finish turning

A reconnaissance-scale GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis to support sustainable biochar use: Poland as a case study

Although increasing numbers of research papers regarding biochar are being published worldwide, in some countries growing interest in biochar has only recently been observed; this is true of Poland. We analysed information on biochar research in Poland alongside lessons learned elsewhere in order to identify the significant opportunities and risks associated with biochar use. This data fed into a GIS-based multicriteria analysis to identify areas where biochar application could deliver greatest benefit. We found that 21.8% of agricultural land in Poland has at least moderate indication for biochar use (soil organic matter below 2% and pH below 5.5), while 1.5% was categorized as a priority as it also exhibited contamination. Potential barriers identified included biomass availability and associated risks of indirect land-use change due to possible national and transnational biomass production displacement. Biochar use could have positive global consequences as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly relevant in a country with limited alternatives. Scaling up a mitigation technology that is viable on account of its co-benefits might be cost-effective, which could, in turn, adjust national perspectives and stronger involvement in developing mitigation policies at the regional level. Biochar has much promise in temperate conditions and further research should therefore be assigned to explore biochar’s environmental and socio-economic impacts