Effect of temperature and glass content on crystalline phases in porcelain sintered with recovered automotive glass.

In the pursuit of sustainable porcelain production, this research examines the potential of using recovered automotive glass as a substitute for traditional feldspar, specifically feldspar imported from Spain. Porcelain samples were sintered at different temperatures and with varied proportions of automotive glass. The crystalline phases formed post-sintering were determined through X-ray diffraction and quantified by dissolving the porcelain in concentrated hydrofluoric acid. Results revealed that the inclusion of automotive glass, owing to its dissolved oxide content, accelerated the porcelain melting process and led to an increase in the vitreous phase. Notably, anorthite phases became dominant and mullite formation was evident at 1100 °C, stabilizing in samples G00 and G10, and then increasing at 1200 °C due to the emergence of secondary mullite. This secondary mullite forms from the residual silica after the primary mullite formation and the aluminium in the feldspars, which is about 17 %. For samples G20 and G30, only primary mullite was observed due to the decreased aluminium content resultant from feldspar replacement by glass. These findings underscore the viability of automotive glass in porcelain production, providing a sustainable and effective alternative to feldspar.

Cord blood insulin, IGF-I, IGF-II, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin, and their associations with insulin sensitivity, ß-cell function and adiposity in infancy.

AIM: Vulnerability to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes may originate in early life, but little is known about whether any perinatal biomarkers are predictive of later metabolic health. We sought to assess whether cord blood insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin are associated with metabolic health indicators in infancy. METHODS: In a prospective singleton birth cohort, we assessed cord blood insulin, IGF-I, IGF-II, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin concentrations in relation to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), ß-cell function (HOMA-ß), fasting proinsulin-to-insulin ratio, BMIz-score, and the sum of triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (an indicator of adiposity) in infants at age 1 year (n = 185). RESULTS: Adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, one standard deviation (sd) increase in cord blood adiponectin was associated with an 11.1% (95% confidence interval 1.8-19.5%) decrease in HOMA-ß (P = 0.02) and a 13.6% (1.8-26.8%) increase in proinsulin-to-insulin ratio (P = 0.02), indicating worse ß-cell function in infants at age 1 year. One sd increase in cord blood insulin was associated with a 0.5 (0.1-1.0) mm increase in skinfold thickness (P = 0.01). One sd increase in cord blood ghrelin was associated with a 0.2 (0.02-0.3) decrease in BMIz-score (P = 0.02) and a 0.5 (0.1-0.9) mm decrease (P = 0.02) in skinfold thickness. Cord blood IGF-I and IGF-II were not associated with the observed metabolic health indicators at age 1 year. CONCLUSION: The study is the first to show that cord blood adiponectin may be negatively predictive of ß-cell function, whereas cord blood ghrelin may be negatively predictive of adiposity in infancy.

[Placenta associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A): clinical value in cardiovascular medicine]. / La protéine plasmatique placentaire A (PAPP-A): intérêt clinique en médecine cardiovasculaire.

PAPP-A is high molecular weight metalloproteinase originally identified in the serum of pregnant women. During pregnancy, the concentration of PAPP-A increases in maternal circulation with gestational age. Depressed levels, associated with an abnormal placental function, have formed the basis of the first trimester screening for Down syndrome. The role of PAPP-A in tissue other than placenta has only recently been explored. More recently elevated serum concentrations of PAPP-A have been identified in patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infract. It has thus been proposed as a potential early indicator of acute coronary syndrome.