Amino Acid Requirements in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Treated with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90284/1/phco.28.5.600.pd

Poland's 2011 Online Election Campaign: New Tools, New Professionalism, New Ways to Win Votes

This article analyzes the use of the online environment within the context of the Polish parliamentary election of 2011. Using traditional methods of content analysis, we find that parties tend to adhere to a professionalized model of campaigning, and adapting online tools to suit the objectives of the campaign. There also appears to be a recognition that their most likely visitors to these online presences would be converts, and so they attempt to mobilize supporters rather than convert browsers. New parties and candidates are more likely to target browsers, with the latter offering a more personalized experience to online visitors. Importantly, when analyzing the outcome of the contest, we find that being online matters for candidates when controlling for all other variables. Equally, the reach the candidate has, which may well influence their vote share, is dependent on offering a more personalized, representational image and having a frequently updated online presence that should encourage repeat visits. Cumulatively, we suggest the future of online campaigning must not only focus on having a presence, but on using it in a way that appeals to a range of visitors, encouraging repeat visits, and that this strategy could have a positive impact on election outcomes. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

High-throughput gene discovery in the rat

The rat is an important animal model for human diseases and is widely used in physiology. In this article we present a new strategy for gene discovery based on the production of ESTs from serially subtracted and normalized cDNA libraries, and we describe its application for the development of a comprehensive nonredundant collection of rat ESTs. Our new strategy appears to yield substantially more EST clusters per ESTs sequenced than do previous approaches that did not use serial subtraction. However, multiple rounds of library subtraction resulted in high frequencies of otherwise rare internally primed cDNAs, defining the limits of this powerful approach. To date, we have generated >200,000 3′ ESTs from >100 cDNA libraries representing a wide range of tissues and developmental stages of the laboratory rat. Most importantly, we have contributed to ∼50,000 rat UniGene clusters. We have identified, arrayed, and derived 5′ ESTs from >30,000 unique rat cDNA clones. Complete information, including radiation hybrid mapping data, is also maintained locally at http://genome.uiowa.edu/clcg.html. All of the sequences described in this article have been submitted to the dbEST division of the NCBI

Patient Retention and Adherence to Antiretrovirals in a Large Antiretroviral Therapy Program in Nigeria: A Longitudinal Analysis for Risk Factors

Substantial resources and patient commitment are required to successfully scale-up antiretroviral therapy (ART) and provide appropriate HIV management in resource-limited settings. We used pharmacy refill records to evaluate risk factors for loss to follow-up (LTFU) and non-adherence to ART in a large treatment cohort in Nigeria.We reviewed clinic records of adult patients initiating ART between March 2005 and July 2006 at five health facilities. Patients were classified as LTFU if they did not return >60 days from their expected visit. Pharmacy refill rates were calculated and used to assess non-adherence. We identified risk factors associated with LTFU and non-adherence using Cox and Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) regressions, respectively. Of 5,760 patients initiating ART, 26% were LTFU. Female gender (p < 0.001), post-secondary education (p = 0.03), and initiating treatment with zidovudine-containing (p = 0.004) or tenofovir-containing (p = 0.05) regimens were associated with decreased risk of LTFU, while patients with only primary education (p = 0.02) and those with baseline CD4 counts (cell/ml(3)) >350 and <100 were at a higher risk of LTFU compared to patients with baseline CD4 counts of 100-200. The adjusted GEE analysis showed that patients aged <35 years (p = 0.005), who traveled for >2 hours to the clinic (p = 0.03), had total ART duration of >6 months (p<0.001), and CD4 counts >200 at ART initiation were at a higher risk of non-adherence. Patients who disclosed their HIV status to spouse/family (p = 0.01) and were treated with tenofovir-containing regimens (p < or = 0.001) were more likely to be adherent.These findings formed the basis for implementing multiple pre-treatment visit preparation that promote disclosure and active community outreaching to support retention and adherence. Expansion of treatment access points of care to communities to diminish travel time may have a positive impact on adherence

Active Whey Protein Edible Films and Coatings Incorporating Lactobacillus buchneri for Penicillium nordicum Control in Cheese

Fungal contamination of food is responsible for health issues and food waste. In this work, the incorporation of a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with antifungal properties (Lactobacillus buchneri UTAD104) into whey protein-based films and coatings was tested for the control of an ochratoxigenic fungi (Penicillium nordicum) in a cheese matrix. The incorporation of L. buchneri cells resulted in thicker films with less luminosity than control films and colour alteration. Nevertheless, cells inclusion did not alter moisture content, water vapour permeability, mechanical properties, hydrophobicity and chemical structure of the films. Whey protein films were able to maintain the viability of L. buchneri UTAD104 cells in 105 CFU/mL after 30 days of storage at 25 \textdegreeC. When applied in cheese, films and coatings containing L. buchneri cells prevented fungal contamination for at least 30 days, while control cheeses with films and coatings either without LAB or with Lactobacillus casei UM3 (a strain without antifungal ability) showed fungal contamination during that period. Ochratoxin A was not found in cheeses treated with films and coatings containing L. buchneri UTAD104. Results showed that the inclusion of a LAB with antifungal properties in edible films and coatings can help to reduce or eliminate P. nordicum contamination in cheeses.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Ana Guimarães received support through grant SFRH/BD/103245/2014 from the Portuguese FCT.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trace elements in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hemodialysis patients are at risk for deficiency of essential trace elements and excess of toxic trace elements, both of which can affect health. We conducted a systematic review to summarize existing literature on trace element status in hemodialysis patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All studies which reported relevant data for chronic hemodialysis patients and a healthy control population were eligible, regardless of language or publication status. We included studies which measured at least one of the following elements in whole blood, serum, or plasma: antimony, arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, tellurium, thallium, vanadium, and zinc. We calculated differences between hemodialysis patients and controls using the differences in mean trace element level, divided by the pooled standard deviation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified 128 eligible studies. Available data suggested that levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and vanadium were higher and that levels of selenium, zinc and manganese were lower in hemodialysis patients, compared with controls. Pooled standard mean differences exceeded 0.8 standard deviation units (a large difference) higher than controls for cadmium, chromium, vanadium, and lower than controls for selenium, zinc, and manganese. No studies reported data on antimony, iodine, tellurium, and thallium concentrations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Average blood levels of biologically important trace elements were substantially different in hemodialysis patients, compared with healthy controls. Since both deficiency and excess of trace elements are potentially harmful yet amenable to therapy, the hypothesis that trace element status influences the risk of adverse clinical outcomes is worthy of investigation.</p

The perspectives of hard coal utilization

Węgiel zajmuje główne miejsce spośród pozostałych pierwotnych nośników energii - ropy naftowej i gazu ziemnego. Jego zasoby są olbrzymie i znajdują się we wszystkich regionach geograficznych świata (w ponad 70 krajach). Prognozy opracowane przez światowe agendy energetyczne i instytucje (WEC, IEA, UE) zakładają w najbliższych 30 latach dalszy wzrost zużycia węgla, zwłaszcza w procesach energetycznego spalania do wytwarzania energii elektrycznej. Ceny węglowodorów ciekłych i gazowych będą w dalszym ciągu na rynkach międzynarodowych wzrastać. Wpływ na to będzie miała niestabilna sytuacja polityczna i gospodarcza krajów będących głównymi producentami, a zarazem eksporterami ropy naftowej i gazu ziemnego. Węgiel powinien stabilizować tę sytuację, gdyż zapewniałby stabilizację dostaw, a tym samym gwarantowałby bezpieczeństwo energetyczne świata. Wymagać to będzie jednak uzyskania akceptacji społecznej dzięki zastosowaniu na szeroką skalę tzw. technologii czystego węgla, poprawiających zdecydowanie efektywność energetyczną oraz znacząco ograniczających emisję pyłów i gazów cieplarnianych. Polska posiadająca znaczne zasoby węgla kamiennego i brunatnego może spełniać istotną rolę w zagwarantowaniu bezpieczeństwa energetycznego kraju, jak również Unii Europejskiej. Wymagać to jednak będzie unowocześnienia potencjału produkcyjnego, a także jego rozwoju oraz poprawy konkurencyjności górnictwa węglowego.Coal is the most important primary energy source. It take the first place before oil and natural gas. Hard coal reserves are immense and are located in all geographical regions of the world (over 70 countries). The forecasts worked out by the agencies and institution working worldwide (WEC, IEA, UE) assume that in the nearest 30 years the use of coal will increase, especially in processes of burning for electricity generation. The prices of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons will continue to rise on the international markets. The reason for that is the unstable political and economic position of the countries, being the main producers and exporters of oil and natural gas. Coal should stabilize the situation as its supplies are stable and improve the energy security of the World. To achieve that goal it is necessary to acquire social acceptance through the wide introducing into service so called clean coal technologies, that significantly improve the energy efficiency and reduce particular matter and green-house gases emission. Poland, possessing significant reserves of hard and brown coal, may play the leading role in warranting the energy security not only in the country but also in the European Union. Nevertheless it is necessary to modernize the existing production potential and its development as well as the increase of competitiveness of the Polish coal mining industry

Fossil fuels in the national power sector − problems and challenges

Surowce energetyczne są podstawą dla wytwarzania energii w formie ciepła i prądu na Ziemi. Obecne rozwiązania dotyczące konstrukcji bezpiecznych i ekonomicznych reaktorów jądrowych, jak również proces wykorzystania energii z odnawialnych źródeł energii, ponadto przyszłościowe rozwiązania otrzymywania czystej energii z wodoru, ogniw paliwowych i innych źródeł mają decydujący wpływ na zmianę tego tradycyjnego podejścia. Niemniej jednak, kopalne surowce energetyczne (ropa naftowa, gaz ziemny i węgiel) nie mają obecnie substytutów, które sprostałyby wymaganemu zapotrzebowaniu na energię. W artykule omówiono problemy i wyzwania związane z wykorzystaniem kopalnych paliw w energetyce polskiej. Przybliżono stan zasobów (bilansowych i przemysłowych) pierwotnych nośników energii: węgla kamiennego, węgla brunatnego, ropy naftowej, gazu ziemnego i metanu pokładów węgla. Zwrócono szczególną uwagę, że bardzo duże zasoby węgla kamiennego i brunatnego mogą i powinny być wykorzystywane w gospodarce kraju. Przeszkodą dla długoterminowego wykorzystania tych nośników w energetyce jest polityka energetyczno-klimatyczna Unii Europejskiej, która zdecydowanie zmierza do znaczącej redukcji emisji gazów cieplarnianych. Dokonano również omówienia stanu obecnego krajowej energetyki konwencjonalnej, jak również zarysu jej przyszłości. Zwrócono uwagę, że zapewnienie bezpieczeństwa dostaw energii elektrycznej będzie wymagało znacznego wysiłku inwestycyjnego zarówno w sektorze wytwórczym, jak i sieciowym. Artykuł zwieńcza omówienie problemów i wyzwań związanych z funkcjonowaniem krajowego sektora energii. Należy podkreślić, że nadszedł czas na podjęcie przez rząd strategicznych decyzji, dotyczących kształtowania przyszłej struktury paliwowej systemu wytwarzania energii. Polska musi w dalszym ciągu zmierzać w kierunku gospodarki niskoemisyjnej, a rozwój zaawansowanych technologii ograniczających emisję i podniesienie efektywności energetycznej to właściwy kierunek działań.Energy resources are the basis for generating energy in the form of heat and electricity on Earth. Current solutions for the construction of safe and economical nuclear reactors, as well as the use of renewable energy, and future-oriented solutions for clean energy from hydrogen, fuel cells and other sources have a decisive impact on changing this traditional approach. Nevertheless, fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas and coal) do not currently have substitutes to meet the required energy needs. The paper discusses the problems and challenges related to the use of fossil fuels in the Polish power sector. The amount of documented resources (balance and industrial) of primary energy carriers: hard coal, lignite, crude oil, natural gas and coal seam methane has been discussed. Particular attention has been paid to the fact that very large amounts of hard coal and lignite can and should be used in the economy of the country. The European Union’s energy and climate policy, which is strongly dedicated to a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, is an obstacle to the long-term use of these energy carriers in the power industry. The current state of the conventional power industry as well as the outlook of its future have also been discussed. It has been pointed out that ensuring the security of the electricity supply will require significant investment efforts in both the manufacturing sector and the electricity grid. This article concludes with an overview of the problems and challenges related to the functioning of the national energy sector. It should be emphasized that it is time for the government to make strategic decisions regarding the future shape of the fuel structure of the power generation system. Poland must continue to move towards a low-carbon economy and the development of advanced technologies that reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency is the right direction for growth