Application of zeolites as fillers in mix asphalt

The aim of this paper is estimation of the effect of zeolites addition on properties of asphalt and examination of possible application of zeolites in mix asphalt as a filler. The addition of zeolites to the mix asphalt is one of the ways used for reduction of technological temperatures by asphalt foaming. At the same time the zeolite material replaces the filler. The paper presents the results of studies on the synthetic zeolite NaP1, natural zeolite- clinoptilolite and mineral filled

Expression of Deinococcus geothermalis trehalose synthase gene in Escherichia coli and its enzymatic properties

A novel trehalose synthase gene from Deinococcus geothermalis (DSMZ 11300) containing 1692 bp reading-frame encoding 564 amino acids was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The gene was ligated into pET30Ek/LIC vector and expressed after isopropyl β-D-thiogalactopyranoside induction in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysS. The recombinant trehalose synthase (DgeoTreS) containing a His6 tag at the C-terminus was purified by metal affinity chromatography and characterized. The expressed enzyme is a homodimer with deduced molecular mass of 64.69 kDa for each subunit, and exhibits the highest activity at pH and temperature of 7.6 and 40°C, respectively. The activity of DgeoTreS was almost unchanged after 8 h preincubation at 40°C and pH 7.6, and retained about 57% of maximal value after 8 h of incubation at 55°C. The DgeoTreS was highly inhibited by Cu2+, Hg2+ and 10 mM Tris as well as by EDTA when its concentration exceeded 1 mM, but slightly activated by 1 mM dithiotreitol. The Km and kcat values of maltose conversion were 254 mM and 31.86 s-1, respectively.Keywords: Trehalose synthase, Deinococcus geothermalis, transglucosylation, gene expression, Escherichia col

Interdyscyplinarne problemy w ciąży: rak jelita grubego u ciężarnej

Rak jelita grubego jest jednym z najczęstszych złośliwych nowotworów występujących u ciężarnych. Objawy nowotworu, takie jak niedokrwistość, krwawienia z dolnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego czy zmiana rytmu wypróżnień, mogą również występować w przebiegu ciąży niepowikłanej, co znacznie utrudnia i opóźnia diagnostykę. W artykule omówiono zagadnienia dotyczące postępowania diagnostyczno-terapeutycznego w przypadkach podejrzenia oraz rozpoznania raka jelita grubego u kobiety w ciąży

Exploring Subcellular Responses of Prostate Cancer Cells to X-Ray Exposure by Raman Mapping

Understanding the response of cancer cells to ionising radiation is a crucial step in modern radiotherapy. Raman microspectroscopy, together with Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) analysis has been shown to be a powerful tool for monitoring biochemical changes of irradiated cells on the subcellular level. However, to date, the majority of Raman studies have been performed using a single spectrum per cell, giving a limited view of the total biochemical response of the cell. In the current study, Raman mapping of the whole cell area was undertaken to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the changes induced by X-ray radiation. On the basis of the collected Raman spectral maps, PLSR models were constructed to elucidate the time-dependent evolution of chemical changes induced in cells by irradiation, and the performance of PLSR models based on whole cell averages as compared to those based on average Raman spectra of cytoplasm and nuclear region. On the other hand, prediction of X-ray doses for individual cellular component showed that cytoplasmic and nuclear regions should be analysed separately. Finally, the advantage of the mapping technique over single point measurements was verified by a comparison of the corresponding PLSR models

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts long-term all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5

Introduction: A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to be a strong biomarker of infl ammation. Aim: We sought to evaluate the impact of NLR on long-term all-cause and cardio-vascular (CV) mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Material and Methods: A total of 84 chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 patients with 54 of them on HD, with a median age of 61.5 (51.3-74.8) years were enrolled. The association between NLR and clinical biomarkers was investigated. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to find significant predictors of all-cause and CV mortality at follow-up. Results: The median NLR (interquartile range) was 3.0 (2.1-4.1). Patients with NLR ≥3.9 (the highest tertile) had higher fi ve-year all-cause mortality then remaining patients (53.6% vs. 30.4%; p = 0.039). On the contrary, only a trend towards increased CV mortality was observed (25.0% vs. 42.9%; p = 0.10). NLR ≥3.9 was a significant predictor of all-cause mortality at five years [hazard ratio (95%CI): 2.23 (1.10- 4.50); p = 0.025] in Cox regression model adjusted for age, gender, and diabetes status. Similarly, while using NLR as continuous variable a significant association between NLR and all-cause mortality was confirmed even after adjustment for covariates [hazard ratio per 1 unit increase (95%CI): 1.26 (1.06–1.51); p = 0.009] with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.64. Correlations between NLR and WBC, concentration of fi brinogen, albumin were observed. Conclusions: Asymptomatic inflammation measured by NLR showed an association with long-term all-cause mortality in stage 5 CKD patients, even while white blood cell count was in the normal range

Zastosowanie modeli wyceny aktywów CAPM, market timing i DLM do oceny inwestycji w spółki innowacyjne

The aim of this article is to verify whether investment innovation managers, due to their specificity, should in particular have the ability to sense short-term trends and how this affects the effectiveness and risk of such investments.Empirical research was based on the use of asset valuation models of the classic CAPM, MT (market timing) model, and DLM (dynamic models with distributed delays), the parameters of which were estimated using the Classical Least Squares Methods, based on logarithmic rates of return of companies listed on the WSE in the period from 1st February 2015 to 2nd February 2020.The significantly negative value of the MNK — the estimator of parameter of the MT model, means that managers do not have the ability to sense short-term changes in the market regardless of the sector in which they operate. Furthermore, the impact of delays on market rates of return has been observed. The presented results may constitute recommendations for managers in terms of valuation of MT’s assets and skills and their impact on the effectiveness and risk of innovative investments.The aim of this article is to verify whether investment innovation managers, due to their specificity, should in particular have the ability to sense short-term trends and how this affects the effectiveness and risk of such investments.Empirical research was based on the use of asset valuation models of the classic CAPM, MT (market timing) model, and DLM (dynamic models with distributed delays), the parameters of which were estimated using the Classical Least Squares Methods, based on logarithmic rates of return of companies listed on the WSE in the period from 1st February 2015 to 2nd February 2020.The significantly negative value of the MNK — the estimator of parameter of the MT model, means that managers do not have the ability to sense short-term changes in the market regardless of the sector in which they operate. Furthermore, the impact of delays on market rates of return has been observed. The presented results may constitute recommendations for managers in terms of valuation of MT’s assets and skills and their impact on the effectiveness and risk of innovative investments