The application of winning key metrics in a metallurgical firm

This article is focused on creating a system of metrics and its application in a metallurgical firm. Its aim is to highlight the dangers associated with the creation and application of an effective system of metrics. Its objective is also to demonstrate the process (initial steps) in the development of this system in the real family metallurgical firm. In the experimental part an example of causal links among key metrics in the chosen metallurgical firm is presented. Risks associated with the selection of appropriate metrics are presented for discussion

The application of winning key metrics in a metallurgical firm

This article is focused on creating a system of metrics and its application in a metallurgical firm. Its aim is to highlight the dangers associated with the creation and application of an effective system of metrics. Its objective is also to demonstrate the process (initial steps) in the development of this system in the real family metallurgical firm. In the experimental part an example of causal links among key metrics in the chosen metallurgical firm is presented. Risks associated with the selection of appropriate metrics are presented for discussion

Prevalence of positivity for diabetes-associated autoantibodies in individuals with type 2 diabetes and their further characterisation: cross-sectional study from Slovakia

Background Individuals initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) might exhibit positivity for diabetes-associated autoantibodies (DAA +). We investigated the prevalence of DAA positivity in a group of individuals with T2D who were referred to a tertiary diabetes centre within a pre-specified period of time. We aimed to identify characteristics linked with DAA positivity by comparing DAA + individuals with their DAA-negative counterparts. Methods This was a cross-sectional study into which all T2D patients referred to the National Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Ľubochňa, Slovakia, between 1 January and 30 June 2016 were included. Data on > 70 participants’ characteristics, including antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD65), insulinoma-associated antigen IA-2 (IA-2A) and insulin (IAA), were collected. Results Six hundred and ninety-two individuals (387, 55.6% female) with a median (range) age of 62 (24–83) years, HbA1c of 8.9 (5.0–15.7)% [74 (31–148 mmol/mol)] and diabetes duration of 13.0 (0–42) years were analysed. One hundred and forty-five (145/692, 21.0%) tested positive for at least one DAA; 136/692 (19.7%) were positive for anti-GAD65, 21/692 (3.0%) were positive for IA-2A and 9/692 (1.3%) were positive for IAA. Only 84.9% of the DAA + individuals aged > 30 years at the time of diabetes diagnosis met the current diagnostic criteria for latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). DAA + differed from DAA − individuals in multiple characteristics, including the incidence of hypoglycaemia. Conclusion Several pathological processes linked with distinct types of diabetes can develop in parallel, including insulin resistance and autoimmune insulitis. In this single-centre cross-sectional study from Slovakia, we report a higher than previously published prevalence of DAA positivity in a group of individuals with a formal diagnosis of T2D

Biological and structural characterization of theMycobacterium smegmatis nitroreductase NfnB, and its rolein benzothiazinone resistance

Tuberculosis is still a leading cause of death in developing countries, for which there is an urgent need for new pharmacological agents. The synthesis of the novel antimycobacterial drug class of benzothiazinones (BTZs) and the identification of their cellular target as DprE1 (Rv3790), a component of the decaprenylphosphoryl-b-D-ribose 2'-epimerase complex, have been reported recently. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a novel resistance mechanism to BTZ in Mycobacterium smegmatis. The overexpression of the nitroreductase NfnB leads to the inactivation of the drug by reduction of a critical nitro-group to an amino-group. The direct involvement of NfnB in the inactivation of the lead compound BTZ043 was demonstrated by enzymology, microbiological assays and gene knockout experiments. We also report the crystal structure of NfnB in complex with the essential cofactor flavin mononucleotide, and show that a common amino acid stretch between NfnB and DprE1 is likely to be essential for the interaction with BTZ. We performed docking analysis of NfnB-BTZ in order to understand their interaction and the mechanism of nitroreduction. Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis seems to lack nitroreductases able to inactivate these drugs, our findings are valuable for the design of new BTZ molecules, which may be more effective in vivo

Spheroids as 3D Cell Models for Testing of Drugs

Cell lines are an important tool for scientific research and clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Cells are isolated from animal tissues and can be expanded in culture to study cell biology and disease. The isolated cells can be used to produce antibodies, proteins, and vaccines. Immortalized cell lines can grow in vitro and are commonly used as models for complex biology. The most frequently used type of cell culture for scientific research and clinical and pharmaceutical applications is the two-dimensional (2D) model, but recently, the popularity of the three-dimensional (3D) cultivation method is growing

Laboratory investigations applied to wood dust emmited by electrical hand-held belt sander

Aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of grit size and wood species on mass concentration and size distribution of wood dust produced by hand-held belt sander. Experimental study was designed as 2x2 full factorial experiments. Experimental parameters and their levels were abrasive grain size (P80, P120) and wood species (European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies)).The mass concentration of emitted wood dust was measured using aerosol monitor (TSI Inc., DustTrak DRX 8533). Sampler head was sited in place representing breathing zone of operator of sander. The results was analysed employing the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with 5% of significance level. Real-time measurements demonstrated that spruce wood generated higher dust concentrations than beech wood due to difference in abrasion durability. Compared to sanding belt with P80 grit size, approximately 16%-32% higher dust concentration was generated when the sanding belt with P120 grit size was used