Lipoprotein(a): Role in atherosclerosis and new treatment options

Atherosclerosis is a chronic process characterized by inflammation and the progressive accumulation of inflammatory cells and lipids in the blood vessel wall, resulting in narrowing of the blood vessel’s circumference. Treatment of people with dyslipidemia aims to reduce the risk of developing atherosclerotic disease and prevent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The results of previous studies indicated that lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a critical causal factor in the estimated risk of developing a cardiovascular (CV) incident even after achieving desirable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Lp(a) is a low-density lipoprotein particle, like LDL cholesterol. The levels of Lp(a) in plasma are genetically determined. Lp(a) catabolism is still controversial. The pathogenic potential of Lp(a) can be divided into three categories: promotion of plaque formation, thrombogenicity, and proinflammatory effects. Lp(a) levels above the 75th percentile reduced the risk of aortic valve stenosis and myocardial infarction, whereas higher levels (above 90th percentile) were associated with an increased risk of heart failure. However, no hypolipidemic agents have been approved for targeted use in patients with high Lp(a) levels. There are insufficient randomized controlled trials assessing CV outcomes that would support the evidence that current treatment options, which effectively lower Lp(a) levels, also effectively prevent CV event. However, according to some studies, there is strong evidence that better CV outcome is one of the benefits of such therapy. The results of ongoing clinical trials are eagerly awaited

Draft Genome Sequences of Dickeya sp. Isolates B16 (NIB Z 2098) and S1 (NIB Z 2099) Causing Soft Rot of Phalaenopsis Orchids

The genus Dickeya contains bacteria causing soft rot of economically important crops and ornamental plants. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of two Dickeya sp. isolates from rotted leaves of Phalaenopsis orchid

Monolithically integrated heterodyne optical phase-lock loop with RF XOR phase detector

We present results for an heterodyne optical phase-lock loop (OPLL), monolithically integrated on InP with external phase detector and loop filter, which phase locks the integrated laser to an external source, for offset frequencies tuneable between 0.6 GHz and 6.1 GHz. The integrated semiconductor laser emits at 1553 nm with 1.1 MHz linewidth, while the external laser has a linewidth less than 150 kHz. To achieve high quality phase locking with lasers of these linewidths, the loop delay has been made less than 1.8 ns. Monolithic integration reduces the optical path delay between the laser and photodiode to less than 20 ps. The electronic part of the OPLL was implemented using a custom-designed feedback circuit with a propagation delay of similar to 1 ns and an open-loop bandwidth greater than 1 GHz. The heterodyne signal between the locked slave laser and master laser has phase noise below. 90 dBc/Hz for frequency offsets greater than 20 kHz and a phase error variance in 10 GHz bandwidth of 0.04 rad(2). (C) 2011 Optical Society of Americ

Uric acid level and the presence of metabolic syndrome: experiences from Vojvodina Region in Serbia

Introduction: Uric acid level (UAL) might represent an indirect marker of metabolic syndrome (MS). Study investigates differences in UAL in the overall study group and in separate groups of normal weight, overweight and obese subjects, regarding the presence of MS. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study included 1333 participants. Anthropometrical measurements and relevant blood analysis were performed. For diagnosis of MS we used NCEP ATP III criteria. Results: 50.64% of the participants have fulfilled criteria for MS diagnosis. In the overall study group, participants with MS were older (

Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

Modelling and analysis of soil wetting patterns under surfrace drip irrigation

Knowledge of the horizontal and vertical distances by which water spreads in soils under a point source is essential to the design of cost effective and efficient surface drip irrigation systems. The size of this wetting pattern is influenced by soil properties as well as emitter discharge rate and is a limiting factor determining the minimum number of emitters along drip lines. Numerical simulations were carried out with Hydrus-2D/3D to investigate the effects of volume of water applied, emitter discharge rate and initial soil moisture conditions on the dimension of wetting patterns under point source surface drip irrigation for a series of soils with different textures. In addition, the dimensions of the wetting patterns estimated with Hydrus-2D/3D for three soils and various flow rates were compared those observed with two-dimensional soil tank experiments. Finally, the wetting pattern dimensions obtained numerically were also compared to values estimated using a simple analytical model. Simulation results showed that at a given volume of applied water the wetted radius tended to be larger for fine-textured soils and smaller for coarse-textured soils. Conversely, the wetted depth was larger for coarse-textured soils and smaller for fine-textured soils. The wetted depth increased more than the wetted radius for increasing volumes of applied water. In the coarse-textured soils the wetting pattern was elongated in the vertical direction, but in fine-textured soils the wetting pattern lengths were about the same in both directions. Cont/d

On power system automation: Synchronised measurement technology supported power system situational awareness

This thesis aims to provide insight into the necessary power system operation and control developments to facilitate a sustainable, safe and reliable electric power supply now and in the future. The primary objective is to enhance the interconnected power system situational awareness with the aim of reinforcing the reliability of power systems. First, the thesis elaborates on the existing and emerging operational challenges of modern power systems and identifies the required power system developments to overcome them. Next, it focuses on state-of-the-art Synchronised Measurement Technology (SMT) supported Wide-area Monitoring Protection and Control (WAMPAC) of power systems. In this context, a cyber-physical experimental testbed for online evaluation of the emerging WAMPAC applications under realistic conditions is developed. Following, to fill the scientific gap between the IEEE Std. C37.118-2005 (communication part) and IEEE Std. C37.118.2-2011 specifications and their implementation, the MATLAB supported Synchro-measurement Application Development Framework is developed. Next, to improve situational awareness of power systems, two SMT-supported algorithms are proposed. The first algorithm is suitable for online detection of disturbances, observed as excursions in SMT measurements, in AC and HVDC power grids. Whereas the second algorithm is suitable for online identification of grouping changes of slow coherent generators in an interconnected power system during quasi-steady-state and the electromechanical transient period following a disturbance. Finally, further research directions towards the Control Room of Future are presented.Intelligent Electrical Power Grid