Comparison of two different methods for routine 25(OH)D measurement in paediatric serum samples

Over the last decade interest in automated assays for 25-hydroxy-vitamin D measurement have greatly increased. The presence of different metabolites of vitamin D in the blood influences measurement of its concentration. In paediatric subjects the basic interference is due to the presence of 3-epi-25(OH)D2/D3, which  despite their biological inactivity, influences the total concentration of 25(OH)D. Aim: We assessed the analytical performance and usefulness of two different assays for measurement of total 25(OH)D in children. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in blood samples taken from 100 school-children aged 9–11 years. In all serum samples 25(OH)D total concentration was measured with the use of chemilumi-nescent assay, which is known to show no cross-reactivity with 3-epi-25(OH)D, and with the use of a newly developed enzyme-immunosorbent method. Results: The mean 25(OH)D concentration in children measured with enzyme-immunosorbent assay (EIA) was significantly higher, at 28.06 ng/mL, than with the chemiluminescent assay (CLIA), at 21.13 ng/mL;   < 0.0001. In children with optimal weight the average 25(OH)D was 32.93 ng/ml (EIA) and 21.5 ng/mL (CLIA) (p < 0.0001), respectively, whereas in a subgroup with overweight/obesity the mean concentra-tion of 25(OH)D was similar, at 23.2 ng/ml (EIA) and 20.76 ng/ml (CLIA) (p = 0.15). The nonparametric Spearman’s rank correlation of two methods equalled 0.47; 95%CI (0.11 to 0.60) with a significance level  p < 0.0001. The calculated concordance correlation coefficient between two methods in the whole group was 0.26; 95%CI (0.17 to 0.35). In a subgroup of children with optimal body mass (N = 50) the concor-dance correlation coefficient was 0.18; 95%CI (0.06 to 0.29), whereas in children with overweight/obesity (N = 50) it was 0.44; 95%CI (0.29 to 057). Mean bias for the enzyme-immunosorbent method equalled 18.7%; +/- 1.96 SD (101.3% to -64%). Conclusions: With reference to 25(OH)D measurement in children, Spearman’s correlation coefficient indicated “moderate correlation” between the two compared methods, whereas the strength of agree-ment (concordance) between both methods was characterised as “poor”. The proper selection of assay for accurate assessment of vitamin D status in paediatric samples is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis

Application of labVIEW environment during realization of experimental research in thermal devices

W artykule omówiono możliwości zautomatyzowania archiwizacji wyników pomiarów uzyskiwanych podczas badań eksperymentalnych urządzeń cieplnych. Do tego celu wykorzystano środowisko LabVIEW umożliwiające przygotowanie programu pomiarowego bez konieczności pisania kodu przy wykorzystaniu klasycznych języków programowania. W artykule pokrótce opisano typy czujników pomiarowych, które zwykle wykorzystywane są przy tego typu pomiarach. Ponadto przedstawiono specyfikację sprzętową w postaci układu pomiarowego wymaganego do współpracy z tego typu oprogramowaniem komputerowym. Artykuł przedstawia również metodologię przygotowania programu pomiarowego w środowisku LabVIEW.Paper discussed possibilities of realization of automatic measurements obtained during experimentally research in heating devices. LabVIEW environment was used for this purpose. This software allow to prepare a measurement application without necessity of clasical programming language using. Article presents type of detectors, which are popularly used during realization of this type of measurements. Also a hardware specification was presented, which is required in cooperation with this type of software. Paper also presents a methodology of measurement application preparation for this type of experimental research

Application of labVIEW environment during realization of experimental research in thermal devices

W artykule omówiono możliwości zautomatyzowania archiwizacji wyników pomiarów uzyskiwanych podczas badań eksperymentalnych urządzeń cieplnych. Do tego celu wykorzystano środowisko LabVIEW umożliwiające przygotowanie programu pomiarowego bez konieczności pisania kodu przy wykorzystaniu klasycznych języków programowania. W artykule pokrótce opisano typy czujników pomiarowych, które zwykle wykorzystywane są przy tego typu pomiarach. Ponadto przedstawiono specyfikację sprzętową w postaci układu pomiarowego wymaganego do współpracy z tego typu oprogramowaniem komputerowym. Artykuł przedstawia również metodologię przygotowania programu pomiarowego w środowisku LabVIEW.Paper discussed possibilities of realization of automatic measurements obtained during experimentally research in heating devices. LabVIEW environment was used for this purpose. This software allow to prepare a measurement application without necessity of clasical programming language using. Article presents type of detectors, which are popularly used during realization of this type of measurements. Also a hardware specification was presented, which is required in cooperation with this type of software. Paper also presents a methodology of measurement application preparation for this type of experimental research

Characterization of a poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)- hydrolyzing lipase from Pelosinus fermentans

Certain alpha/beta hydrolases have the ability to hydrolyze synthetic polyesters. While their partial hydrolysis has a potential for surface functionalization, complete hydrolysis allows recycling of valuable building blocks. Although knowledge about biodegradation of these materials is important regarding their fate in the environment, it is currently limited to aerobic organisms. A lipase from the anaerobic groundwater organism Pelosinus fermentans DSM 17108 (PfL1) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21-Gold(DE3) and purified from the cell extract. Biochemical characterization with small substrates showed thermoalkalophilic properties (T (opt) = 50 A degrees C, pH(opt) = 7.5) and higher activity towards para-nitrophenyl octanoate (12.7 U mg(-1)) compared to longer and shorter chain lengths (C14 0.7 U mg(-1) and C2 4.3 U mg(-1), respectively). Crystallization and determination of the 3-D structure displayed the presence of a lid structure and a zinc ion surrounded by an extra domain. These properties classify the enzyme into the I.5 lipase family. PfL1 is able to hydrolyze poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) polymeric substrates. The hydrolysis of PBAT showed the release of small building blocks as detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Protein dynamics seem to be involved with lid opening for the hydrolysis of PBAT by PfL1

Characterization of a poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-hydrolyzing lipase from Pelosinus fermentans

Certain α/β hydrolases have the ability to hydrolyze synthetic polyesters. While their partial hydrolysis has a potential for surface functionalization, complete hydrolysis allows recycling of valuable building blocks. Although knowledge about biodegradation of these materials is important regarding their fate in the environment, it is currently limited to aerobic organisms. A lipase from the anaerobic groundwater organism Pelosinus fermentans DSM 17108 (PfL1) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21-Gold(DE3) and purified from the cell extract. Biochemical characterization with small substrates showed thermoalkalophilic properties (T opt = 50 °C, pHopt = 7.5) and higher activity towards para-nitrophenyl octanoate (12.7 U mg−1) compared to longer and shorter chain lengths (C14 0.7 U mg−1 and C2 4.3 U mg−1, respectively). Crystallization and determination of the 3-D structure displayed the presence of a lid structure and a zinc ion surrounded by an extra domain. These properties classify the enzyme into the I.5 lipase family. PfL1 is able to hydrolyze poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) polymeric substrates. The hydrolysis of PBAT showed the release of small building blocks as detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Protein dynamics seem to be involved with lid opening for the hydrolysis of PBAT by PfL1