18 research outputs found
Chitosan-based microparticles for immobilization of TiO2 nanoparticles and their application for photodegradation of textile dyes
The present paper deals with removal and photocatalytic degradation of the textile dyes by TiO2 nanoparticles immobilized onto chitosan-based microparticles. The microparticles composed of chitosan (Ch) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) were fabricated for the first time by inverse suspension polymerization. They were utilized for colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles immobilization, synthetized by acidic hydrolysis of TiCl4. To evaluate the potential application of Ch/PMA/TiO2 microparticles for treatment of textile wastwaters, their photocatalytic activity was examined by degradation assessment of three different groups of anionic azo dyes in aqueous solutions under solar light simulating source. FTIR analysis revealed that Ch and PMA were incorporated in the polymer network. SEM and optical microscopy confirmed their spherical shape. Under illumination, Ch/PMA/TiO2 microparticles completely removed dyes C.I. Acid Orange 7, C.I. Acid Red 18, C.I. Acid Blue 113, C.I. Reactive Black 5, C.I. Direct Blue 78, while removal degree of C.I. Reactive Yellow 17 was 75%. It was found that pH had significant influence on the photocatalytic activity of Ch/PMA/TiO2 microparticles. Increase of solution pH from acidic to alkaline, lead to decrease in photodegradation rate of C.I. Acid Orange 7 during the first hours of illumination. After three illumination cycles, removal degree of C.I. Acid Orange 7 was maintained at remarkably high level (95% at pH 5.60 and 100% at pH 2.00 and 8.00), indicating that microparticles could be reused without significant loss of photocatalytic efficiency. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p
Mogućnosti primene zrna hibrida kukuruza u proizvodnji hrane za ljude i životinje
The paper examined the suitability of maize hybrids kernels and dried distillers
grains (DDGS), the by-product from the production of bioethanol, as a raw material for
the production of food and feed. The dry matter digestibility of of maize kernels
determined by enzymatic in vitro method was higher than the digestibility of DDGS. As
a high-quality raw materials for the production of food, all investigated hybrids showed
good quality. All DDGS samples showed favorable characteristics regarding the
chemical composition, content of lignocellulosic fibers and energy. Increased content of
NDF and ADF in comparison to maize kernel can have a positive impact on ruminant
nutrition.U radu je ispitivana podobnost zrna ZP hibrida kukuruza i suve kukuruzne
džibre, sporednog produkta iz proizvodnje bioetanola, kao sirovine za proizvodnju
hrane za ljude i životinje. Svarljivost suve materije zrna kukuruza određena enzimskom
in vitro metodom bila je viša od svarljivosti uzoraka suve kukuruzne džibre. Kao
kvalitetna sirovina za proizvodnju hrane za ljudsku ishranu, svi ispitani hibridi su
pokazali odlične karakteristike. Svi uzorci džibre ispitanih hibrida pokazali su povoljne
karakteristike koje se tiču hemijskog sastava, sadržaja lignoceluloznih vlakana i
energije. Povećan sadržaj NDF-a i ADF-a u džibri u odnosu na zrno kukuruza može
pozitivno uticati na ishranu preživara
Y-chromosome haplogroup architecture confers susceptibility to azoospermia factor c microrearrangements: a retrospective study
Aim To assess the association between azoospermia factor
c microrearrangements and semen quality, and between
Y-chromosome background with distinct azoospermia
factor c microrearrangements and semen quality impairment.
Methods This retrospective study, carried out in the Research
Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
“Georgi D. Efremov,” involved 486 men from different ethnic
backgrounds referred for couple infertility from 2002-
2017: 338 were azoospermic/oligozoospermic and 148
were normozoospermic. The azoospermia factor c microrearrangements
were analyzed with sequence tagged
site and sequence family variant markers, quantitative fluorescent
polymerase chain reaction, and multiplex ligation
probe amplification analysis. The Y-haplogroups of all participants
were determined with direct single nucleotide
polymorphism typing and indirect prediction with short
tandem repeat markers.Results Our participants had two types of microdeletions:
gr/gr and b2/b3; three microduplications: b2/b4, gr/gr,
and b2/b3; and one complex rearrangement gr/gr deletion
+ b2/b4 duplication. Impaired semen quality was not
associated with microrearrangements, but b2/b4 and gr/
gr duplications were significantly associated with haplogroup
R1a (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) and b2/b3
deletions with haplogroup E (P = 0.005). There were significantly
more b2/b4 duplication carriers in Albanians than in
Macedonians with haplogroup R1a (P = 0.031).
Conclusion Even though azoospermia factor c partial
deletions/duplications and Y-haplogroups were not associated
with impaired semen quality, specific deletions/
duplications were significantly associated with distinct
haplogroups, implying that the Y chromosome background
may confer susceptibility to azoospermia factor c
microrearrangements
Adverse childhood experiences, childhood relationships and associated substance use and mental health in young Europeans
Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can increase risks of health-harming behaviours and poor health throughout life. While increases in risk may be affected by resilience resources such as supportive childhood relationships, to date few studies have explored these effects. Methods: We combined data from cross-sectional ACE studies among young adults (n = 14 661) in educational institutions in 10 European countries. Nine ACE types, childhood relationships and six health outcomes (early alcohol initiation, problem alcohol use, smoking, drug use, therapy, suicide attempt) were explored. Multivariate modelling estimated relationships between ACE counts, supportive childhood relationships and health outcomes. Results: Almost half (46.2%) of participants reported >= 1 ACE and 5.6% reported >= 4 ACEs. Risks of all outcomes increased with ACE count. In individuals with >= 4 ACEs (vs. 0 ACEs), adjusted odds ratios ranged from 2.01 (95% CIs: 1.70-2.38) for smoking to 17.68 (95% CIs: 12.93-24.17) for suicide attempt. Supportive childhood relationships were independently associated with moderating risks of smoking, problem alcohol use, therapy and suicide attempt. In those with >= 4 ACEs, adjusted proportions reporting suicide attempt reduced from 23% with low supportive childhood relationships to 13% with higher support. Equivalent reductions were 25% to 20% for therapy, 23% to 17% for problem drinking and 34% to 32% for smoking. Conclusions: ACEs are strongly associated with substance use and mental illness. Harmful relationships are moderated by resilience factors such as supportive childhood relationships. Whilst ACEs continue to affect many children, better prevention measures and interventions that enhance resilience to the life-long impacts of toxic childhood stress are required
Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study
Summary
Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally.
Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies
have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of
the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income
countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality.
Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to
hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis,
exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a
minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical
status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary
intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause,
in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status.
We did a complete case analysis.
Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital
diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal
malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome
countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male.
Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3).
Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income
countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups).
Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome
countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries;
p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients
combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11],
p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20
[1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention
(ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety
checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed
(ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of
parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65
[0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality.
Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome,
middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will
be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger
than 5 years by 2030
Multilevel regression modeling for aneuploidy classification and physical separation of maternal cell contamination facilitates the QF-PCR based analysis of common fetal aneuploidies.
BackgroundThe quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) has proven to be a reliable method for detection of common fetal chromosomal aneuploidies. However, there are some technical shortcomings, such as uncertainty of aneuploidy determination when the short tandem repeats (STR) height ratio is unusual due to a large size difference between alleles or failure due to the presence of maternal cell contamination (MCC). The aim of our study is to facilitate the implementation of the QF-PCR as a rapid diagnostic test for common fetal aneuploidies.MethodsHere, we describe an in-house one-tube multiplex QF-PCR method including 20 PCR markers (15 STR markers and 5 fixed size) for rapid prenatal diagnosis of chromosome 13, 18, 21, X and Y aneuploidies. In order to improve the aneuploidy classification of a given diallelic STR marker, we have employed a multilevel logistic regression analysis using "height-ratio" and "allele-size-difference" as fixed effects and "marker" as a random effect. We employed two regression models, one for the 2:1 height ratio (n = 48 genotypes) and another for the 1:2 height ratio (n = 41 genotypes) of the trisomic diallelic markers while using the same 9015 genotypes with normal 1:1 height ratio in both models. Furthermore, we have described a simple procedure for the treatment of the MCC, prior DNA isolation and QF-PCR analysis.ResultsFor both models, we have achieved 100% specificity for the marker aneuploidy classification as compared to 98.60% (2:1 ratio) and 98.04% (1:2 ratio) specificity when using only the height ratio for classification. Treatment of the MCC enables a successful diagnosis rate of 76% among truly contaminated amniotic fluids.ConclusionsAdjustment for the allele size difference and marker type improves the STR aneuploidy classification, which, complemented with appropriate treatment of contaminated amniotic fluids, eliminates sample re-testing and reinforces the robustness of the QF-PCR method for prenatal testing
Application of optimal method for calculation of tractor and combine depreciation
U radu je prikazan obračun amortizacije novog traktora MTZ 952 i
kombajna John Deere T 550. Primenjene su dve vremenske (linearna i degresivna)
i funkcionalna metoda za obračun amortizacije. Nakon eksploatacionog perioda
korišćenja obračunom godišnje amortizacije osnovnih sredstava farmeri mogu
lakše da planiraju nabavku novih mašina. Takođe, rezultati troškova amortizacije
pomažu farmerima u donošenju racionalnih odluka o nabavci nove mehanizacije ili
eventualnom uslužnom angažovanju mašina drugih farmera. Uzimajući u obzir
troškove amortizacije realno se mogu odrediti i cene pruženih usluga
mehanizacijom, pa će na osnovu toga farmeri birati šta im je isplativije.The paper presents depreciation calculation of new MTZ 952 tractor
and John Deere T 550 combine. Two time (linear and degressive) and functional
methods for depreciation calculation were applied. After exploitation period of use,
by calculating the annual depreciation of fixed assets, farmers can more easily plan
the purchase of new machines. Also, the results of depreciation costs help farmers
in making rational decisions on purchase of new machinery, or possible services
engagement machines of other farmers. Taking into account costs of depreciation,
prices of services provided by mechanization can be realistically determined, so
based on that, farmers will choose what is more profitable
Early post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder - case of fatal lymphoma after kidney transplantation
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Mental Health of Adult Population: Serbian National Health Survey
Background: The global burden of mental disorders is rising. In Serbia, anxiety is the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years. Serbia has no mental health survey at the population level. The information on prevalence of mental disorders and related socioeconomic inequalities are valuable for mental care improvement.
Aims: То explore the prevalence of mental health disorders and socioeconomic inequalities in mental health of adult Serbian population, and to explore whether age years and employment status interact with mental health in urban and rural settlements.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: This study is an additional analysis of Serbian Health Survey 2006 that was carried out with standardized household questionnaires at the representative sample of 7673 randomly selected households – 15563 adults. The response rate was 93%. A multivariate logistic regression modeling highlighted the predictors of the 5 item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5), and of chronic anxiety or depression within eight independent variables (age, gender, type of settlement, marital status and self-perceived health, education, employment status and Wealth Index). The significance level in descriptive statistics, chi square analysis and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions was set at p<0.05.
Results: Chronic anxiety or depression was seen in 4.9% of the respondents, and poor MHI-5 in 47% of respondents. Low education (Odds Ratios 1.32; 95% confidence intervals=1.16-1.51), unemployment (1.36; 1.18-1.56), single status (1.34; 1.23-1.45), and Wealth Index middle class (1.20; 1.08-1.32) or poor (1.33; 1.21-1.47) were significantly related with poor MHI-5. Unemployed persons in urban settlements had higher odds for poormMHI-5 than unemployed in rural areas (0.73; 0.59-0.89). Single (1.50; 1.26-1.78), unemployed (1.39; 1.07-1.80) and inactive respondents (1.42; 1.10-1.83) had a higher odds of chronic anxiety or depression than married individuals, or those with partner, and employed persons. Those with perceived good health status had lower odds for poor MHI-5, chronic anxiety or depression than those whose general health was average and poor.
Conclusion: Almost half of the population assessed their mental health as poor and 5% had diagnosed chronic anxiety or depression. Multi-sectoral socioeconomic and female-sensitive policies should be wisely tailored to reduce mental health inequalities contributed by differences in age, education, employment, marriage and the wealth status of the adult population
Effects of age and dexamethasone treatment on glucocorticoid response element and activating protein-1 binding activity in rat brain
The effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated gene expression was examined in the brain of young and aged rats. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that DEX treatment led to an increase of glucocorticoid response element (GRE) binding activity in aged rats, whereas in young animals GRE binding activity was decreased. Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmed that, in aged animals, the GR mRNA and the GR protein levels were increased on DEX treatment. The binding activity of GRE activating protein-1 (AP-1) site and cross-competition analysis demonstrated specific pattern of expression during the ageing and DEX treatment, suggesting that GR modulates the activity of transcription factors AP-1 (Fos/Jun proteins) through protein-protein interaction. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that the composition of transcriptional complexes that bind to GRE and AP-I regulatory elements changes upon DEX treatment in an age-specific manner