Lung function in our aging population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aims of investigation</p> <p>The chronological age of the Caucasian population and their anthropometrical data have significantly changed within the last five decades. Therefore the question arises whether or not the commonly used reference values of the European Community (ECCS) for lung function may still be accepted today. Since these values were obtained in the 1960s from subjects in a limited age range. For the elderly, the measured values are deduced by extrapolation beyond the range of reference equations which had been obtained in a different population. Therefore decisions concerning elderly and smaller subjects concerning remuneration due to impaired lung function after industrial exposure on the basis of EGKS values are questionable.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Lung function tests were performed by pneumotachography, recording static lung volumes and flow-volume-curves in 262 asymptomatic non smoking males, aged 20 to 90 years. Measurements were performed with the MasterLab, or Pneumo-Screen systems (CareFusion, Höchberg). Results were compared to the reference values of ECCS, SAPALDIA and LuftiBus.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For simplicity analysis of age and height dependence of investigated respiratory parameters (VC, FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁%FVC, PEF, MEF_75,50,25) can be described by linear functions (y = a * height - b * age + c). The forced expiratory vital capacity, FVC, was calculated by FVC = 0.0615*H - 0.0308*A - 4.673; r = 0.78. Mean FVC for younger subjects was found to be 104.7 ± 10.7% of the ECCS reference values and 96.5 ± 11.8% in older subjects. For most parameters investigated linear regressions on age were steeper than described by the ECCS reference values. The regression of lung function to height largely follows the ECCS prescriptions.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Bochum lung function values of younger healthy subjects were higher compared to the reference values of the ECCS and showed a steeper age descent. The alternatively discussed reference values of the SAPALDIA-, or LuftiBus-Study are higher, but do not cover all necessary parameters and/or the age range. A multi centre study for contemporary reference values is recommended.</p

Molecular mechanisms of cell death: recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2018.

Over the past decade, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) has formulated guidelines for the definition and interpretation of cell death from morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Since the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple cell death pathways are unveiled, we propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines focusing on mechanistic and essential (as opposed to correlative and dispensable) aspects of the process. As we provide molecularly oriented definitions of terms including intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, we discuss the utility of neologisms that refer to highly specialized instances of these processes. The mission of the NCCD is to provide a widely accepted nomenclature on cell death in support of the continued development of the field

Hypertonicity counteracts MCL 1 and renders BCL XL a synthetic lethal target in head and neck cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive and difficult‐to‐treat cancer entity. Current therapies ultimately aim to activate the mitochondria‐controlled (intrinsic) apoptosis pathway, but complex alterations in intracellular signaling cascades and the extracellular microenvironment hamper treatment response. On the one hand, proteins of the BCL‐2 family set the threshold for cell death induction and prevent accidental cellular suicide. On the other hand, controlling a cell's readiness to die also determines whether malignant cells are sensitive or resistant to anticancer treatments. Here, we show that HNSCC cells upregulate the proapoptotic BH3‐only protein NOXA in response to hyperosmotic stress. Induction of NOXA is sufficient to counteract the antiapoptotic properties of MCL‐1 and switches HNSCC cells from dual BCL‐XL/MCL‐1 protection to exclusive BCL‐XL addiction. Hypertonicity‐induced functional loss of MCL‐1 renders BCL‐XL a synthetically lethal target in HNSCC, and inhibition of BCL‐XL efficiently kills HNSCC cells that poorly respond to conventional therapies. We identify hypertonicity‐induced upregulation of NOXA as link between osmotic pressure in the tumor environment and mitochondrial priming, which could perspectively be exploited to boost efficacy of anticancer drugs

Multiple wheat flour allergens and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants bind IgE in baker's asthma

10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02636.xAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology6691208-1215LLRG

Сleaning gas emissions from CO[2] through trifluoroacetic acid in oil and gas production

Актуальность проблемы выбросов в атмосферу диоксида углерода в настоящее время не подвергается сомнению. Крупными источниками выбросов в атмосферу диоксида углерода являются объекты горной и нефтегазовой промышленности. Одной из особенностей диоксида углерода является его химически устойчивая молекула, которая может сохраняться в неизменном виде в атмосфере длительное время. Наиболее рациональным решением утилизации диоксида углерода из продуктов горения углеводородов является его поглощение с получением новых продуктов, которые могут найти применение в химической промышленности. Основными недостатками существующих на сегодняшний день способов удаления диоксида углерода являются невысокая конверсия очищаемых газов, высокая стоимость проведения процесса, а также реализуемость процесса при больших количествах очищаемых газов в отходящих. Цель: определение оптимальных параметров каталитического улавливания СО[2] из отходящих газов горной и нефтегазовой промышленности в растворах трифторуксусной кислоты. Объекты: диоксид углерода, растворы трифторуксусной кислоты различной концентраций, концентрированная трифторуксусная кислота. Методы. Очистка продуктов горения углеводородов от CO[2] проводилась путем пропускания его через раствор трифторуксусной кислоты, отработанная кислота регенерировалась кислородом воздуха. Исследовались абсорбционные способности растворов трифторуксусной кислоты в зависимости от концентраций растворов и значения pH. Абсорбцию CO[2] в растворах трифторуксусной кислоты определяли при стандартных условиях. Непоглотившийся CO[2] абсорбировали раствором щелочи, кислотность которого постоянно фиксировали потенциометром. Количество абсорбированного диоксида углерода определяли потенциометрическим титрованием содержимого ловушки. Результаты. Показано, что каталитическая очистка дымовых газов от CO[2] при использовании растворов трифторуксусной кислоты протекает при стандартных условиях с полным улавливанием диоксида углерода.The relevance of the problem of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is not currently in doubt. Mining and oil and gas facilities are a major source of carbon dioxide emissions. One of the features of carbon dioxide is its chemically stable molecule, which can remain unchanged in the atmosphere for a considerable amount of time. The most rational solution for carbon dioxide utilization from the products of combustion of hydrocarbons is its absorption with the receipt of new products that may find application in chemical industry. The main disadvantages of the carbon dioxide removal methods available today are the low conversion of the cleaned gases, the significant cost of the process, and the feasibility of the process with large amounts of cleaned gases in the exhaust. The aim of the research is to determine the optimal parameters of catalytic CO[2] capture from the exhaust gases of the mining and oil and gas industries in trifluoroacetic acid solutions. The objects of research are carbon dioxide, trifluoroacetic acid solutions of various concentrations, concentrated trifluoroacetic acid. Methods. Purification of combustion products of hydrocarbons from CO[2] was carried out by passing it through a solution of trifluoroacetic acid, the spent acid was regenerated with air oxygen. The absorption capacities of trifluoroacetic acid solutions were investigated depending on the concentrations of the solutions and the pH value. CO[2] absorption in trifluoroacetic acid solutions was determined under standard conditions. Unabsorbed CO[2] was absorbed with a solution of alkali, the acidity of which was constantly fixed with a potentiometer. The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed was determined by potentiometric titration of the trap. Results. The paper shows that catalytic purification of flue gases from CO[2] when using trifluoroacetic acid solutions proceeds under standard conditions with complete trapping of carbon dioxide. Key words: Ecology, industrial gases, catalytic removal of CO[2], trifluoroacetic acid, catalys