Filtration Fraction Research Articles

Study on the performance of fuel cell air filter with different carbon content

Fuel cell air filter can absorb harmful impurities and gases to fuel cell and is an important component to ensure the service life of fuel cell. The previous researches mainly focus on the activated carbon and filter paper materials in the laboratory. The object of this paper is the fuel cell air filter product assembly being used by the main engine plant. According to the tests of air filters with different carbon contents, it was found that the adsorption efficiency of current products for NO2 was better than that of C7H8, SO2 and C4H10. Based on the adsorption mechanism of activated carbon for different gases, the adsorption difference was explained. The testes also found that there was no direct relationship between the change of carbon content of products containing activated carbon and the fractional filtration efficiency. The main reason is that the gap between the activated carbon particles is large, which cannot effectively intercept dust particles. The filtering of small size particles still depends on the melt-blown layer material in the air filter element and its electrostatic electret process. It was also found that there was a positive correlation between inlet air resistance and carbon content, and a negative correlation between dust holding capacity and carbon content. This test results can help the main engine factory understand the performance and improvement direction of products.

Garment ageing in a laundry care process under household‐like conditions

AbstractThis study reflects typical consumer textile washing behaviour while taking into account existing standards in the household appliance and garment industries. Two garments were washed repeatedly with artificial dirt and detergent 30 times. The collected washing water was separated using fractional filtration. Textile physical tests were used to follow property changes of the garments, the microplastic release is determined using thermoextraction/desorbtion–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the total organic carbon was measured as a sum parameter for the organic bonded carbon. This article shows the importance of a reality‐based approach when investigating microplastics of textile origin in the laundry care process. Deposits of detergent and dirt on the textiles were detected. The total mass of sieve residues was much higher than the release of synthetic polymers. The cotton content of the garments causes a much higher fibre release than synthetic fibres. Both will lead to false results by purely gravimetric analysis because nonpolymer fibres will be included microplastic mass. The results cannot be generalised only by the main polymer type, knowledge of the textile construction must be included for final evaluation.

Identification of microplastic pathways within a typical European urban wastewater system

AbstractIn recent years, thermoextraction/desorption‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED‐GC/MS) has been developed as a rapid detection method for the determination of microplastics (MP) mass contents in numerous environmentally relevant matrices and, in particular, for the measurement of polymers in water samples without time‐consuming sample preparation. The TED‐GC/MS method was applied to investigate a typical European municipal wastewater system for possible MP masses. Such investigations are important in view of the recent revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Four different representative sampling sites were selected: greywater (domestic wastewater without toilet), combined sewer, and influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). All samples were collected by fractional filtration. Filtration was carried out over mesh sizes of 500, 100, 50, and in some cases, 5 µm. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were detected in all samples, with the PE fraction dominating in all cases. Styrene‐butadiene rubber which serves as an indication of tire abrasion, was only found in the influent of the WWTP. The highest MP mass contents were found in the combined sewer, so MP can become a source of pollution during heavy rain events when the capacity limits of the effluent are reached, and the polluted effluent is released uncontrolled into the environment. Based on the studies, MP retention from the WWTP could be estimated to be approximately 96%. Few trends in polymer type or mass contents were detected within the different fractions of the samples or when comparing samples to each other.

Acute Effects of Insulin Infusion on Kidney Hemodynamic Function in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Normal Kidney Function

Acute Effects of Insulin Infusion on Kidney Hemodynamic Function in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Normal Kidney Function

The Science of Extracorporeal Ultrafiltration: Introducing a Novel Miniaturized Device

Introduction: Fluid overload has been associated with untoward outcomes in a variety of clinical settings. Isolated extracorporeal ultrafiltration (UF) allows for mechanical extraction of excess fluid and optimization of volume status without the established risks associated with use of high-dose diuretics. Conventional machines for renal replacement therapy can be used to perform isolated UF. However, they typically need high blood flow rates with high circuit volumes and the therapy has to be performed by trained nurses. Herein, we describe a novel device, the Artificial Diuresis-1, or AD 1 (Medica S.p.A., Medolla, Italy), which is a portable technology designed to perform extracorporeal UF at bedside. Materials and Methods: The AD 1 uses a polysulfone mini-filter to generate ultrafiltrate with the help of two forces: blood flow (Qb) and gravity (based on the height at which the ultrafiltrate collection bag is placed). In vitro experiments were performed using human blood to evaluate vascular access pressures and ultrafiltrate volumes using various central venous catheters (CVCs; 12 Fr bilume, 10 Fr with 2 separate lumens, pediatric catheter 7 Fr). A variety of combinations were tested with Qb of 20, 35, 50 mL/min and collection bag height at 20, 40, 60 cm, measuring the UF rate per minute while monitoring the pressures in the venous and arterial lines and filtration fraction. Results: The device’s performance was as expected. Regarding the pediatric CVC, it was possible to perform measurements only with a Qb of 20 mL/min due to increased venous pressure. UF rates when lines were directly connected to the blood container as well as for CVC Tesio ranged from 3.7 to 11 mL/min, for the CVC Niagara™ from 4.5 to 12.5 mL/min, and for the CVC 7 Fr from 8.5 to 10 mL/min. The pressures of the vascular accesses were kept within a range of −5/-40 mm Hg for the artery and +10/+70 mm Hg for the vein. The highest venous pressure values were found with the CVC 7 Fr (+80/+100 mm Hg). Conclusions: This novel device allows to treat patients with fluid overload in a variety of settings, from low-intensity department such as long-term care facilities to the intensive care unit. The device is small and portable, has a simple design, and is user friendly. Future studies will be needed to evaluate whether gentle UF and treatment of volume overload will translate into improvement in clinical outcomes such as a reduction in congestion-related hospital admissions.

S-41-5: NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE OPTIMAL ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY IN CKD PATIENTS

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as continuous existence of reduced renal function, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73m2, and/or proteinuria including microalbuminuria. CKD patients are not only prone to progress to renal failure but also at high risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as the concept of cardio-renal syndrome is assumed. As the cause of CKD, diabetic kidney disease and nephrosclerosis are dominating and their progression is promoted by aging and lifestyle-related diseases (LSD) such as hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, in order to maximally prevent renal failure and CVD in CKD patients, aggressive intervention achieving strict control of LSD starting at its earliest stage is important. Renal function is generally evaluated by eGFR, however, the fundamental aspect of renal function is renal blood flow or renal plasma flow (RPF), and the decrease of RPF is compensated by the increase in filtration fraction yielding the maintenance of GFR value. Accordingly, if eGFR is less than 60, it should be recognized that the extent of renal injury is not mild but moderate or worse. However, the measurement of RPF requires laborious and invasive procedure. Albuminuria may reflect the increase in glomerular capillary pressure (glomerular hypertension) elicited by reduced nephron number but the urinary albumin excretion is highly variable and is not necessarily parallel to the degree of renal injury. Among LSD, hypertension plays a pivotal role as the risk factor for renal failure and CVD, and the strict blood pressure control targeting < 130/80mmHg is recommended in the guidelines. As antihypertensive agents, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors such as ARB and ACE inhibitors are preferred because of dilating the efferent arterioles resulting in the alleviation of glomerular hypertension and the reduction in albuminuria. Calcium channel blockers have advantage in preserving RPF and GFR by dilating the afferent arterioles. In addition, recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors retard the GFR decrease in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD patients. Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, now used for hypertension, has also been shown to reduce the risks of GFR decrease and worsening of renal function in heart failure patients. Nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are expected to provide renoprotective effects such as albuminuria reduction with affordable risk of hyperkalemia. Thus, in future strategy of antihypertensive therapy for CKD aiming maximum renal and cardiovascular protection, practical evaluation of renal injuries at early stages and incorporation of drugs with new evidence are the key issues.

Inter-laboratory Comparison between Particle and Bacterial Filtration Efficiencies of Medical Face Masks in the COVID-19 Context

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission lead to the recommendation of mask wearing during the pandemic COVID-19. Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) measurements are used to measure the efficiency of medical face masks in preventing the spread of bioaerosols. Even though these measurements are simple, BFE testing still raise several scientific questions. This paper presents an inter-laboratory comparison between Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) and Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE), in order to better understand and establish an overview of both ways for testing surgical masks. Filtration efficiency of six commercial surgical masks have been measured using such experimental methods, i.e., the BFE and the PFE using 3 µm particles initially developed for community face covering testing. The fractional filtration efficiencies have been measured and compared in order to explain the differences. Recommendations for improving associated EN14683:2019+AC standard are also proposed according to the results.

Modified Media for Fungi Symbiont Sponge <I>Agelas</I> sp. (<I>Fusarium</I> sp.) Cultivation against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Highlight Research Fusarium symbiont Agelas sponge has antibacterial activity against aureus and E. coli Multi Drug Resistant Fusarium can grow on modified media soursop juice (SJ) and ginger juice (GJ) and has different inhibitory abilities against bacteria test Fusarium bioactive compounds were analyzed and purified by HPLC Based on TLC visualization, one of the bioactive compounds contained in Fusarium is a steroid group Abstract Marine symbiont fungi, specifically, are likely to have antibacterial properties. The production of secondary metabolites in cultures is strongly influenced by nutrient availability. This study aimed to study the modified media for the cultivation of Fusarium sp. and its antibacterial bioactivity. Fusarium sp. was isolated from Agelas sp. sponge collected from Riung Sea, East South Nusa, Indonesia. In this study, the modified media was soursop juice (SJ), ginger juice (GJ), and sago (S). The fungal mycelium was cultured and scaled up for 7–14 days until the mycelium achieved maximum growth. A filtration funnel and HPLC were used to purify the bioactive compounds. The diffusion agar method was used to test antibacterial activity against the multi-drug resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results indicated that Fusarium sp. could grow on soursop juice and ginger juice but could not grow on sago media. The inhibition zone produced by the filtration fraction of Fusarium sp. from each media differed. The soursop juice media produced the largest inhibition zone against both S. aureus (11.56 mm ± 0.140) and E. coli (12.16 mm ± 0.094) at 100 μg/disc. The ginger juice (GJ) and soursop juice (SJ) media are promising as alternative culture media for Fusarium sp. The structure of the bioactive compound Fusarium sp. from GJ and MJ media culture can be further investigated using NMR.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for characterization of filtrate portions of blood serum samples of typhoid patients

BackgroundSurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is explored to design a rapid screening method for the characterization and diagnosis of typhoid fever by employing filtrate fractions of blood serum samples obtained by centrifugal filtration with 50 KDa filters. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study, to separate the filtrate portions of blood serum samples in this way contain proteins smaller than 50 kDa and removal of bigger size protein which allows to acquire the SERS spectral features of smaller proteins more effectively which are probably associated with typhoid disease. Disease caused by Salmonella typhi diagnose more effectively by using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and multivariate data analysis tools. MethodsSERS was used as a diagnostic tool for typhoid fever by comparison between healthy and diseased samples. For this purpose, all the samples were analyzed by comparing their SERS spectral features. Over the spectral range of 400-1800cm−1, multivariate data analysis techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) are applied to diagnose and differentiate different filtrate fractions of blood serum samples of patients of typhoid fever and healthy ones. ResultsBy comparing SERS spectra of healthy filtrate with that of filtrate of typhoid sample, the SERS spectral features associated with disease development are identified including PCA is found to be efficient for the qualitative differentiation of all of the samples analyzed. Moreover, PLS-DA successfully identified and classified healthy and typhoid positive blood serum samples with 97 % accuracy, 99 % specificity, 91 % sensitivity and 0.78 area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. ConclusionsSurface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using silver nanoparticles SERS substrate, is found to be useful technique for the quick identification and evaluation of filtrate fractions of the blood serum samples of healthy and typhoid samples for disease diagnosis.

Human FSH Glycoform α-Subunit Asparagine52 Glycans: Major Glycan Structural Consistency, Minor Glycan Variation in Abundance.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), an α/β heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, consists of functionally significant variants resulting from the presence or absence of either one of two FSHβ subunit N-glycans. The two most abundant variants are fully-glycosylated FSH24 (based on 24 kDa FSHβ band in Western blots) and hypo-glycosylated FSH21 (21 kDa band, lacks βAsn24 glycans). Due to its ability to bind more rapidly to the FSH receptor and occupy more FSH binding sites than FSH24, hypo-glycosylated FSH21 exhibits greater biological activity. Endoglycosidase F1-deglycosylated FSH bound to the complete extracellular domain of the FSH receptor crystallized as a trimeric complex. It was noted that a single biantennary glycan attached to FSHα Asn52 might preemptively fill the central pocket in this complex and prevent the other two FSH ligands from binding the remaining ligand-binding sites. As the most active FSH21 preparations possessed more rapidly migrating α-subunit bands in Western blots, we hypothesized that Asn52 glycans in these preparations were small enough to enable greater FSH21 receptor occupancy in the putative FSHR trimer model. Highly purified hFSH oligosaccharides derived from each FSH subunit, were characterized by electrospray ionization-ion mobility-collision-induced dissociation (ESI-IM-CID) mass spectrometry. FSHβ glycans typically possessed core-linked fucose and were roughly one third bi-antennary, one third tri-antennary and one third tetra-antennary. FSHα oligosaccharides largely lacked core fucose and were bi- or tri-antennary. Those αAsn52 glycans exhibiting tetra-antennary glycan m/z values were found to be tri-antennary, with lactosamine repeats accounting for the additional mass. Selective αAsn52 deglycosylation of representative pituitary hFSH glycoform Superdex 75 gel filtration fractions followed by ESI-IM-CID mass spectrometry revealed tri-antennary glycans predominated even in the lowest molecular weight FSH glycoforms. Accordingly, the differences in binding capacity of the same receptor preparation to different FSH glycoforms are likely the organization of the FSH receptor in cell membranes, rather than the αAsn52 oligosaccharide.

Correlation between Sonoelastographic, Doppler and Histopathological Findings in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Tertiary Care Centre

Background Ultrasound (USG) with Doppler examination of intrarenal vessels is the imaging modality of choice employed in patients with renal failure and is commonly performed early in the clinical course. The pulsatility index (PI) and the resistive index (RI) of downstream renal artery have been found to correlate with renal vascular resistance, filtration fraction and effective renal plasma flow in chronic renal failure. Pathological process in any tissues alters their elastic properties which can be assessed non-invasively through newer technique like elastography.
 Objective To correlate the findings obtained by sonoelastographic, doppler and histopathological studies in chronic kidney disease patients.
 Method Study was done in 146 patients referred to Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, TUTH for native renal biopsy. Renal sonographic morphology (length, echogenicity, cortical thickness), Sonoelastography (Young’s modulus) and Doppler parameters (peak systolic velocity, resistive index) were assessed. The grading of estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated based on chronic kidney disease (CKD) criteria.
 Result Among 146 patients, 63 (43.2%) were females and 83 (56.8%) were males. Maximum patients were in age group of 41-50 years (25.3%) followed by age group 51-60 years (24%). Mean age of patient was 42.06±14.70 for males and 39.57±12.54 females. Maximum mean Young’s modulus was seen in eGFR stage G1 with 46.57±19.51 kPa followed by in stage G3a with 36.46±10.01 kPa and observed to be statistically non-significant (p=0.172). However, statistical significance difference was noted between the resistive index and elastographic measurement of Young’s modulus (r=0.462, p=0.0001). Minimum mean cortical thickness was seen in eGFR stage G5 with 4.42±1.48 mm followed by stage G4 with 5.57±1.24 mm (p= 0.0001). Cortical thickness is decreasing as eGFR stage was increasing in our study (p=0.0001). Resistive index is increasing with decrease in renal size (r=-0.202, p=0.015).
 Conclusion Ultrasonography along with doppler study and elastography have limited role in diagnosing the pathology of chronic kidney disease, however, it has significant role in the disease progression.

Composite nonwoven filter media with hierarchically arranged fibres of different geometries for automotive engine intake air filtration

This paper reports the development, characterization, and performance assessment of a series of promisingly designed nonwoven air filter media for automotive engine intake application. Commercially available fibres are processed through a laboratory-based needle-punched nonwoven line to prepare a plurality of composite nonwoven filter media with hierarchically arranged fibres of different sizes or shapes. The filter media are then assessed for their dynamic filtration performance both at cleaned and clogging states by employing testing devices based on gravimetric measurement and particle counting technologies. The composite nonwoven filter media with hierarchically arranged fibres of different geometries display excellent filtration performance and are found to be very promising for commercial engine application. As compared to their homogeneously-mixed counterparts, the composite nonwoven filter media offer higher gravimetric as well as fractional filtration efficiency, higher dust holding capacity, and more delayed rise of pressure drop.

Investigation of natural colloidal particles contained metals in lake water by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

ABSTRACT The existence of inorganic elements in natural water is heterogeneous due to the suspended micro colloidal and nanoparticles. In this work, the signals of Fe, Cu, Cd, Pb content in natural water samples collected from a city lake were examined using the single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) under the time resolved detection mode. Total numbers, data distributions and central values of the detected signals were obtained based on statistical analysis using the Excel and the Origin software. Both fractionation filtration (0.22, 0.45 and 3.0 µm membranes) and centrifugation (2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 rpm rotating speed) have a significant effect on the detection of metals coexisted in the natural colloidal particles (NCPs) in water. Notable number of single-particle signals still presents in the lake water samples even after the pretreatment of 0.22 µm filtration or 8000 rpm centrifugation, which reveals the ubiquitous existence of micro aggregates or colloids in natural water. Sampling with online dilution is proved to be a direct, simple and effective method for the implementation of time resolved analysis of metallic micro NCPs in lake water by ICP-MS, especially for elements with high dissolved concentration. The results enhance the knowledge of how-to evaluation of the quantity and chemical stability of metal-containing aggregates, colloids and nanoparticles that may exist in natural water.

Ion channels and channelopathies in glomeruli.

An essential step in renal function entails the formation of an ultrafiltrate that is delivered to the renal tubules for subsequent processing. This process, known as glomerular filtration, is controlled by intrinsic regulatory systems and by paracrine, neuronal, and endocrine signals that converge onto glomerular cells. In addition, the characteristics of glomerular fluid flow, such as the glomerular filtration rate and the glomerular filtration fraction, play an important role in determining blood flow to the rest of the kidney. Consequently, disease processes that initially affect glomeruli are the most likely to lead to end-stage kidney failure. The cells that comprise the glomerular filter, especially podocytes and mesangial cells, express many different types of ion channels that regulate intrinsic aspects of cell function and cellular responses to the local environment, such as changes in glomerular capillary pressure. Dysregulation of glomerular ion channels, such as changes in TRPC6, can lead to devastating glomerular diseases, and a number of channels, including TRPC6, TRPC5, and various ionotropic receptors, are promising targets for drug development. This review discusses glomerular structure and glomerular disease processes. It also describes the types of plasma membrane ion channels that have been identified in glomerular cells, the physiological and pathophysiological contexts in which they operate, and the pathways by which they are regulated and dysregulated. The contributions of these channels to glomerular disease processes, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and diabetic nephropathy, as well as the development of drugs that target these channels are also discussed.

Identification of peptides with antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase, anti-xanthine oxidase and anti-tyrosinase activities from velvet antler blood

This study aimed to identify novel peptides with antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase (LOX), anti-xanthine oxidase (XOD), and anti-tyrosinase activities from velvet antler blood (VB) treated with simulated gastrointestinal digestion. VB hydrolysate (VBH) was subjected to antioxidant, anti-LOX, anti-XOD, and anti-tyrosinase assay-guided purification using ultrafiltration and Sephadex G-25 gel filtration chromatography. Two-hundred and nineteen different peptide sequences were identified from the most active gel filtration fraction using nano-LC-MS/MS and mainly derived from serum albumin, tyrosine-protein kinase receptor, and adult beta-globin. The length of the identified sequence ranged from 3 to 25 amino acids, and the molecular weight is mainly less than 500 Da. Eight peptides were further screened and synthesized based on confidence score, online database retrieval, and in silico prediction. Hydrolysis significantly improved the antioxidant, anti-LOX, anti-XOD, and anti-tyrosinase activities of VB. Novel peptides LKECCDKPV, EHF, FPH, VGYP, LFP, FSAL, and HHGGEFTPV, which retained activity under in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, might be the major contributors to the health benefits of VB. These results provide new insights and clues for the application of VB and its derived peptides to the functional food, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical industries.

Modifying functional properties of food amyloid-based nanostructures from rice glutelin

Amyloid-based nanostructures from food sources have been received intensive interests recently in material science, biomedicine and especially delivery system. This is due to the ability of protein-based amyloid architecture that proved to be an attractive system to carry drug and nutrition. However, few research focused on the modification of functional properties of different fractions isolated from amyloid fibrils. Hereby, we separated the retentate (RGFs) and filtrate (FGFs) fractions from rice glutelin fibrils (GFs) using centrifugal filtration and then investigated the structural characteristics and functional properties of these fractions. We proved that protein fibrillization would highly improve both emulsifying and antioxidant abilities of protein dispersion. In addition, further processed RGFs with rich β-sheet structures exhibited a similar functional performance to GFs dispersion. By contrast, FGFs dispersion with less β- sheet content, lower molecular weight, interestingly re-assembled into spherical aggregates with weaker interaction, exhibiting better antioxidant and emulsifying properties.

Microstructure and particle filtration behavior of multimodal filter media made of fibers of different shapes for automotive engine intake application

This article describes microstructure of needle-punched nonwoven filter media comprising polyester fibers of different cross-sectional shapes and reports on their dynamic particle filtration behavior both at clean and clogging stages. The multicomponent fibrous filter media were characterized by their mean fiber shapes which were related to those of the individual components weighted by the corresponding mass fractions. In such media, the fibers of different cross-sectional shapes produced a synergistic effect on the gravimetric filtration efficiency at the clean stage. The fractional filtration efficiency was quite accurately expressed as a sum of fractional filtration efficiencies of individual components weighted by their surface area fractions. The evolution of pressure drop was explained in light of drag theory, and the role of fiber shape in determining the drag coefficient was discussed. Overall, the multimodal fibrous filter media prepared with fibers of different cross-sectional shapes showed a high potential for automotive engine intake application.

Brief Early Life Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition Offers Renoprotection in Sheep with a Solitary Functioning Kidney at 8 Months of Age.

Children born with a solitary functioning kidney (SFK) are predisposed to develop hypertension and kidney injury. Glomerular hyperfiltration and hypertrophy contribute to the pathophysiology of kidney injury. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEi) can mitigate hyperfiltration and may be therapeutically beneficial in reducing progression of kidney injury in those with an SFK. SFK was induced in male sheep fetuses at 100 days gestation (term=150 days). Between 4 and 8 weeks of age, SFK lambs received enalapril (SFK+ACEi; 0.5mg/kg per day, once daily, orally) or vehicle (SFK). At 8 months, we examined BP, basal kidney function, renal functional reserve (RFR; GFR response to combined amino acid and dopamine infusion), GFR response to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition, and basal nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability (basal urinary total nitrate and nitrite [NOx]). SFK+ACEi prevented albuminuria and resulted in lower basal GFR (16%), higher renal blood flow (approximately 22%), and lower filtration fraction (approximately 35%), but similar BP, compared with vehicle-treated SFK sheep. Together with greater recruitment of RFR (approximately 14%) in SFK+ACEi than SFK animals, this indicates a reduction in glomerular hyperfiltration-mediated kidney dysfunction. During NOS inhibition, the decrease in GFR (approximately 14%) was greater among SFK+ACEi than among SFK animals. Increased (approximately 85%) basal urinary total NOx in SFK+ACEi compared with SFK animals indicates elevated NO bioavailability likely contributed to improvements in kidney function and prevention of albuminuria. Brief and early ACEi in SFK is associated with reduced glomerular hyperfiltration-mediated kidney disease up to 8 months of age in a sheep model.

Cascade Filtration With PCR Detection and Field-Flow-Fractionation Online With ICP-MS for the Characterization of DNA Interaction With Suspended Particulate Matter.

The variety of applied antibiotics in animal and human medicine results in the release, development, and spread of relevant numbers of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. The majority of ARGs are present in intracellular forms (in bacteria). Neglected aspects are extracellular variants of ARGs (eARGs) and their fragments, which have been detected in surface-water samples and sediments. The stability of eARGs is expected to be low; however, binding to particulate matter is likely to improve their stability and also affect their transport and dissemination behavior. Few studies have investigated DNA particle interactions, mostly via indirect characterization of adduct formation in model systems but not in real environmental matrices. Therefore, our study aims at a novel approach for direct characterization of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) particle interactions using both cascade filtration and field-flow fractionation. Cascade filtration with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection indicated retention of ARGs on filters with much larger pore sizes supporting the hypothesis of ARG-particle interactions. However, artifacts from membrane clogging or DNA–membrane interaction cannot be excluded. Consequently, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation was investigated as an alternative separation technique with the advantage of particle separation in a thin channel, reducing the risk of artifacts. The key method parameters, membrane composition, molecular weight cut off, and carrier composition, were systematically investigated using a calf-thymus DNA-spiked surface-water sample as a model. The results clearly showed a shift in the elution time of clay particles suggesting the presence of DNA–clay adducts. Multi-element detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) enabled monitoring of clay via the Al, Fe, and Si signals and DNA via the P signal. Matching peak profiles for the new fraction in the fractograms of the ARG and DNA-spiked water sample support adduct formation. Further evidence was provided by a novel post-channel filtration approach for the separation of free DNA from DNA–clay adducts.

IS BASAL NITRIC OXIDE ACTIVITY OF THE RENAL VASCULATURE ALTERED? ANALYSIS OF A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL COMPARING TWO COMBINATION THERAPIES

Objective: Recently we demonstrated that a combination therapy with empagliflozin and linagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induce changes in renal hemodynamics. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of basal nitric oxide (NO) activity of the renal vasculature on the described changes of the renal hemodynamic profile. Design and method: In this study patients with T2DM were nalysing to receive either empagliflozin and linagliptin (E+L group, n = 50) or metformin and insulin glargine (M+I group, n = 46), for 3 months. Renal hemodynamics were assessed with constant-infusion input-clearance technique with p-aminohippuric acid for renal plasma flow (RPF) and inulin for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at baseline and after treatment. Due to withdrawal of inulin from the market during the study, GFR and filtration fraction (FF) were measured only in a sub-group of patients (E+L: n = 34; M+I: n = 31). Intraglomerular hemodynamics were calculated according the model established by Gomez. The basal NO activity in the renal circulation has been assessed by nalysing change in RPF in response to intravenously administrated NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (NO inhibitor). Results: After 3 months of treatment, we did not observe any change in basal NO activity compared to baseline in either of the groups. In the E+L group, we found a correlation between basal NO activity of the renal vasculature after 3 months of treatment and change in RPF (r = -0.535, p < 0.001), renal blood flow (r = -0.468, p = 0.001) and renal vascular resistance (r = 0.377, p = 0.007) induced by treatment. Similar correlations with change in FF (r = 0.639, p < 0.001), preglomerular (r = 0.350, p = 0.046) and postglomerular resistance (r = 0.588, p < 0.001) have been found. No such relationships were found in the M+I group after 3 months and with basal NO activity at baseline in both treatment groups. Conclusions: Basal NO emerged as a determinant of the renal hemodynamic response in the combination therapy of empagliflozin and linagliptin, but not in the combination therapy of insulin and metformin.