Polymorphism in the genes of Toll-like receptors type 2 and type 4 (TLR-2 and TLR-4) and the risk of premature rupture of the membranes – preliminary study

Introduction: Toll-like receptors (TLR) -2 and -4 are a part of basic defence mechanism protecting against bacterial infections. They recognize microbial products and increase immune response of the host organism. The relationship between the expression of TLR receptors and the occurrence of intraamniotic infection (IAI) as well as preterm labour was demonstrated. Therefore, a relationship between TLR-2 and -4 genes polymorphism, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), intraamniotic infection and preterm labour is claimed to exist. Aim: The aim of the following study was to evaluate the frequency of two genetic polymorphisms: Arg753Gln (G20877A) in TLR-2 and Thr399Ile (C8993T) in TLR-4 genes in a group of pregnant women with preterm rupture of membranes and preterm labour. Material and methods: 33 pregnant women with the diagnosis of preterm – between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation – rupture of membranes (study group), and 60 healthy pregnant women (controls) were enrolled into the study. To analyse Arg753Gln polymorphism of TLR-2 gene and Thr399Ile polymorphism of TLR-4 gene, polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) were used. Results: For G20877A polymorphism in TLR-2 gene, the frequency of heterozygous GA genotype in the study group was 9.1% and was comparable with the control group (8.3%, p=ns). Moreover, frequency mutated G allele was comparable in both examined groups (4.6% in the study group and 4.2% in the control group, p=ns). For C8993T polymorphism in TLR-4 gene, heterozygous CT genotype was less frequent in the study group in comparison with the control group (9.1 vs. 16.7%). The homozygous CC genotype was more frequent in the study group (90.0 vs 83.3%, p=ns), with relatively high value of the odds ratio (OR=2,0). Similar observations were conducted by analysing the frequencies of the alleles in both examined groups. Conclusion: Overrepresentation of heterozygous CT genotype and mutated T allele of C8993T polymorphism in TLR-4 gene in the control group may indicate that, possibly, it plays a protective role against PROM. However, this hypothesis requires further investigation on a larger group of patients with premature rupture of membranes

Study on electrochemical absorption of hydrogen in palladium and its alloys using limited volume electrodes

The review summarizes the results of the electrochemical studies on hydrogen absorption in Pd and Pd alloys prepared in the form of thin deposits on a hydrogen -neutral matrix. This kind of electrodes, called Limited Volume Electrodes (LVE), enables to limit and control the amount of absorbed hydrogen inside a Pd sample and makes it possible to study the process of hydrogen absorption under electrochemical conditions. The amount of absorbed hydrogen, phase transition potentials, hysteresis effect and the rate of hydrogen absorption/desorption can be determined using cyclic voltammetric, chronoamperometric and chronopotentiometric techniques. The mechanism of the interactions of hydrogen with Pd-LVE is presented. The influence of electrode potential, temperature and Pd layer thickness on the process of hydrogen absorption is discussed. The behavior of Pd alloys towards hydrogen is summarized. The interrelation between hydrogen absorption and surface processes is described. The examples of the use of LVE in applied electrochemistry are given

Jakość formowania redlin agregatem z biernymi i aktywnymi elementami roboczymi

The paper presents a prototype of a combined aggregate for forming ridges, developed under the target oriented project, in collaboration Industrial Institute of Agricultural Engineering in Poznan with the BOMET Węgrów company. The results of prototype tests are shown, with regard to the quality of forming ridges in various versions of aggregate.Przedstawiono prototyp kombinowanego agregatu do formowania redlin, opracowany w ramach projektu celowego, we współpracy Przemysłowego Instytutu Maszyn Rolniczych w Poznaniu z firmą BOMET Węgrów. Omówiono wyniki badań prototypu w zakresie jakości formowania redlin agregatem w różnych wersjach roboczych

Multispectral interferometer for length measurements of long gauge blocks class K

Przedstawiony niżej tekst opisuje problem pomiaru długości długich płytek wzorcowych klasy K, o długości do 1000 mm, przy wykorzystaniu interferometru multispektralnego. W artykule przedstawiono wymagania, założenia i koncepcję interferometru multispektralnego opartego na układzie Twymana-Greena z automatyczną analizą obrazów prążkowych, wykorzystującego promieniowanie o długości fali: λ₁ = 632,8 nm i λ₂ = 543 nm.The paper is dedicated to a problem of long gauge blocks, class K, length measurements. The main concept, requirements and asumptions concerning the multispectral interferometer based on the Twyman-Green setup with automatic fringe pattern analysis, working with the laser wavelengths λ₁= 632.8 nm and λ₂ = 543 nm were presented

Zastosowanie fali Raylegha do diagnostyki degradacji historycznych materiałów konstrukcyjnych

Paper presents results of degradation modelling of historical construction materials based on Rayleigh surface wave velocity (CR) measurement for two marbles widely used as the structural and decorative material in historical constructions. Environmental loading is modelled by freezing and thawing cycles performed in laboratory. Rayleigh wave measurement method does not need any coupling medium between the stone and ultrasonic probe and is 100% non-destructive. It is shown that exponential law can be used to model the proces of degradation of elastic properties of the tested materials.Praca przedstawia wyniki modelowania degradacji historycznych materiałów konstrukcyjnych na podstawie pomiarów prędkości fali Rayleigha dla dwóch marmurów szeroko stosowanych w zabytkowych budowlach jako materiał konstrukcyjny i dekoracyjny. Obciążenia środowiskowe modelowane są cyklami zamrażania i rozmrażania przeprowadzonymi w laboratorium. Metoda pomiaru fali Rayleigha nie wymaga żadnego ośrodka sprzęgającego pomiędzy materiałem a sondą ultradźwiękową i jest w 100% nieniszcząca. Wykazano, że proces degradacji właściwości sprężystych badanych materiałów dobrze modeluje prawo wykładnicze