Ion-sensing using chemically-modified ISFETs

Synthetic macrocyclic polyether ion receptors are the active components for the selective and sensitive detection of potassium ions in chemical sensors based on modified ISFETs.\ud \ud Covalent chemical anchoring of the sensing membrane to the gate oxide of the ISFET is essential in order to increase the lifetime of the sensor system to more than three months

Catalyst system based on polymer compounds comprising silasesquioxane-metal complexes

Catalyst systems based on a polymer compound having a molecular weight Mn of greater than 1000 g/mol, and comprising at least one silasesquioxane-metal complex, especially useful for the oxidation and oximation of organic compounds using peroxides; processes for preparation of such catalytic systems; and processes for use of such catalytic systems

Oligomeric silasesquioxanes and a process for preparing oligomeric silasesquioxanes

Oligomeric silasesquioxanes having the formula R6Si6O9 wherein R is alkyl, cycloalkyl other than cyclohexyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, and/or heteroaryl, and the structure I; processes for preparing oligomeric silasesquioxanes of formula R6Si6O9 wherein R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, and/or heteroaryl; processes of using such oligomeric silasesquioxanes; and products obtained thereby

WNT4 Expression in Primary and Secondary Kidney Diseases: Dependence on Staging

Background/Aims: WNT4 protein is important for kidney development. Its expression was found to be altered in experimental models of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the expression of the WNT4 gene has yet not been studied in human renal biopsy samples from patients with broad spectrum of glomerular disease and at different stages of CKD. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the WNT4 gene expression in renal biopsies of 98 patients using the real-time PCR technique. Materials: In order to assess the relative amounts of mRNA, in samples of patients with manifestation of different renal diseases and separately at different stages of CKD, by QPCR, total RNA was isolated from human kidney tissues collected during renal biopsies. Results of blood and urine samples assessment were used to calculate the correlations of biochemical parameters with WNT4 gene expression in both studied groups. Results: After pathomorphological evaluation, 49 patients were selected as presenting the most common cases in the studied group. Among the patients who developed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS; n = 13), IgA nephropathy (IgAN; n = 10), IgAN with morphological presentation of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (IgAN/FSGS; n = 8), membranous nephropathy (MN; n = 12), and lupus nephritis (LN; n = 6) were included in the analysis. We found that the level of WNT4 mRNA was higher in kidney specimens obtained from patients with MN as compared to those diagnosed with LN or IgAN. A correlation between WNT4 gene expression and serum albumin and cholesterol levels was observed in patients with FSGS, while WNT4 mRNA levels correlated with plasma sodium in patients diagnosed with LN. After consideration of 98 patients, based on the KDIGO classification of CKD, 20 patients were classified as CKD1 stage, 23 as stage 2, 13 as stage 3a, 11 as stage 3b, 13 as stage 4, and 18 as stage 5. WNT4 gene expression was lower in the CKD patients in stage 2 as compared to CKD 3a. Correlations of WNT4 mRNA level at different stages of CKD with indices of kidney function and lipid metabolism such as serum levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol, TG, urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium were also found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that altered WNT4 gene expression in patients with different types of glomerular diseases and patients at different stages of CKD may play a role in kidney tissue disorganization as well as disease development and progression