Impact of Obesity on Target Organ Damage in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetSy) is characterized by the presence of obesity, hypertension, altered glucose metabolism, and/or increased non-HDL cholesterol. This study aimed at elucidating the association between obesity with subclinical target organ damage and biochemical parameters included in MetSy pathogenesis. METHODS: This study included 130 apparently healthy subjects. Plasma levels of oxidized-LDL-cholesterol (ox-LDL-Chol), nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured. Non-invasive assessment of liver disease included fatty liver index (FLI) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score. Carotid artery plaques were assessed by color Doppler imaging. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients with MetSy were included in the MetSy group, while 65 without MetSy entered the control group. Ox-LDL-Chol levels were higher in the MetSy group compared to the control group, regardless of obesity. Levels of NO metabolites were similar in obese and non-obese patients with MetSy, but lower than in the control group. Obese patients with MetSy had higher iNOS values compared to non-obese ones, with similar PAI-1 levels. NAFLD was present in all obese patients with MetSy compared to 70% of non-obese subjects. Hypertension, higher values of waist-to-hip ratio, PAI-1, and remnant cholesterol were associated with NAFLD. Finding of asymptomatic carotid plaques was associated with patients' age, hypertension, and higher waist-to-hip ratio. CONCLUSION: MetSy and obesity significantly alter the levels of NO metabolites, iNOS, ox-LDL-Chol, and PAI-1. High prevalence of NAFLD in obese patients with MetSy requires active screening and treatment of potential risk factors.

Hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.

In the initial stage, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is adaptive, but in time, it transforms to maladaptive LVH which is specific for the development of various phenotypes that cause heart failure, initially with preserved, but later with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Pathophysiological mechanisms, which are characteristic for remodeling procedure, are numerous and extremely complex, and should be subjected to further research with the aim of making a comprehensive overview of hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and discovering new options for preventing and treating HHD. The contemporary methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and computed tomography (CT) provide very accurate morphological and functional information on HHD. The objective of this review article is to summarize the available scientific information in terms of prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnostics, prevention, contemporary therapeutic options, as well as to present potential therapeutic solutions based on the research of pathological mechanisms which are at the core of HHD.

Comparative physicochemical analysis of galvanic sludge wastes.

The paper provides the physicochemical analysis of galvanic sludge to determine the presence and concentration of toxic metals. Two sludges sampled from the same factory, but from different technological processes, alkaline galvanic sludge obtained from galvanizing process and acidic sludge generated from the chromium plating process were analyzed. Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) revealed increased concentrations of toxic heavy metal ions Zn2+, Cr3+, Ni2+ and Pb2+ in the sludge from the galvanizing process and Cr3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ from the chroming process. Moreover, the sludges were further physicochemically characterized by Reflectance Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectrometry (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy Analysis (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results of ICP-OES were corroborated by FTIR. Analysis of FTIR spectra revealed the specific bands indicating the existence of metal oxides in the analyzed sludges, as well as the presence of organic substances, i.e. solvents and surfactants, used in the electroplating process. The analysis was accomplished following international norms and confirmed the increased concentrations of heavy metal ions from both sludges. In line with the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the results proved the hypothesis that galvanic sludge is hazardous waste.

Less Known but Clinically Relevant Comorbidities of Atrial Fibrillation: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: The important risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population are not always equally important in specific and relatively prevalent diseases. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this narrative review is to focus attention on the presence and the relationship of AF with several important diseases, such as cancer or sepsis, in order to: 1) stimulate further research in the field, and 2) draw attention to this relationship and search for AF in clinical practice. METHODS: We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Elsevier, Wiley, Springer, Oxford Journals, Cambridge, SAGE, and Google Scholar for less-known comorbidities of AF. The search was limited to publications in English. No time limits were applied. RESULTS: AF is widely represented in cardiovascular and other important diseases, even in those in which AF is rarely mentioned. In some specific clinical subsets of AF patients (e.g., patients with sepsis or cancer), the general risk factors for AF may not be so important. Patients with new-onset AF have a several-fold increase in relative risk of cancer, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: AF presence, prognosis, and optimal therapeutic approach are insufficiently recognised in several prevalent diseases, including life-threatening ones. There is a need for a better search for AF in PTE, pulmonary oedema, aortic dissection, sepsis, cancer and several gastrointestinal diseases. Improved AF detection would influence treatment and improve outcomes.

Sustainable Alkaline Hydrolysis of Polyester Fabric at Low Temperature.

High crystallinity leads to low hydrophilicity of fabric made of (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) fibers (PET) causing problems in finishing, washing, and dyeing processes. To improve these properties, the surface of PET fibers is usually modified by hydrolysis. Alkaline hydrolysis is a conventional process usually performed at a temperature higher than 100 °C for more than 1 h. However, the use of strong alkali and high processing temperatures (>100 °C) can lead to fabric damage and a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, in this paper, the possibility of hydrolysis of the PET fibers in the fabric in a sustainable, energy-efficient process was researched. The influence of low temperature (60-100 °C) and an accelerator (a cationic surfactant HDTMAC) to PET alkaline hydrolysis was studied through weight loss, the loss in breaking force, and fiber morphology. The kinetics of PET dissolution in 1.5 mol cm-3 NaOH at low temperature with and without the addition of HDTMAC was determined and the activation energy was calculated according to the theoretical model. It has been confirmed that PET hydrolysis can be carried out in 1.5 mol cm-3 NaOH with the addition of HDTMAC as an accelerator at 80 °C for 10 min. This process is more economically and energetically acceptable than the conventional process, and is therefore more sustainable.

Synthesis of Corn Starch Derivatives and Their Application in Yarn Sizing.

The use of synthesized natural starches for the sizing process in fabric production is primarily an environmental contribution. Synthesized corn starch is environmentally friendly and productive, showing good results in cotton yarn sizing. Acrylamide (AA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were applied for the grafting process of corn starch, and the initiators azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), potassium persulfate (KPS), and benzoyl peroxide (BP) were chosen to form the grafted monomers more effectively. The application of synthesized corn starch has been confirmed, especially with the AIBIN initiator in the grafting process of HEMA onto starch. The FTIR analysis confirmed that new and efficient products for sizing cotton yarns based on natural raw material (corn) were developed. The research showed that the synthesized corn starch improved physical-mechanical yarn properties and abrasion resistance and reduced yarn surface hairiness. Ultrasonic desizing of yarn and the use of a lower size concentration led to better results than desizing by washing, and the Tegewa numbers confirmed that the desizing process was successful.

Influence of Washing and Sterilization on Properties of Polyurethane Coated Fabrics Used in Surgery and for Wrapping Sterile Items.

The objective of this work was to determine the influence of washing and sterilization under real hospital conditions on properties of microbial barrier offered by polyurethane coated fabrics used in surgery and for wrapping sterile items. Emphasis was put on the change of surface polyurethane coating by using FTIR analysis. The permeability and durability of the microbial barrier were determined after 0, 10, and 20 washing and sterilization procedures according to previously developed methods. Bacterial endospores of the apathogenic species of the genus Bacillus Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus were used. Mechanical damage to medical textiles in the washing and sterilization process was determined according to standard HRN EN ISO 13914-1:2008 and associated with changes in physical and mechanical properties. Chemical changes of PU coatings were determined using FTIR analysis. The results showed an exceptionally efficient microbial barrier and its durability in all samples after 0, 10 and 20 washing and sterilization procedures and for a period of one, two and three months.

Synthetized Potato Starch-A New Eco Sizing Agent for Cotton Yarns.

The objective of this research was to verify the feasibility of the use of newly synthesized biopolymer materials for sizing cotton yarns based on the basic principles of chemical modification. Research included acid hydrolysis of potato starch up to controlled molar masses together with graft-polymerization and methacrylic acid onto hydrolyzed starch to improve hydrophilicity and solubility, to increase the capability of film forming, to increase adhesive potential and to avoid retrogradation phenomena. Research objectives were primarily focused on finding an appropriate, environmentally-friendly and productive sizing agent for cotton yarns via the analysis and systematization of a large number of synthesis methods in conjunction with the characterization and properties of graft-copolymers. The research results showed that potassium persulfate initiator was most efficient in grafting of methacrylic acid onto hydrolyzed starch, while azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBIN) initiator was most efficient in grafting of acrylic acid (AC). FTIR analysis confirmed that new and efficient products for sizing cotton yarns from synthetized potato starch were obtained. Research on rheological properties of copolymers shows a higher viscosity of grafted products indicating the good stability of potential starches. Ecological improvements have been established through high desizing degree as well as improvements in physical-mechanical properties of yarn, abrasion resistance and decrease in yarn surface hairiness were noticed. The use of new derivatives of potato starch, especially of hydrolyzed starch grafted with methacrylic acid (MAA), potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator, was confirmed. Anova statistical analysis determined the influence of the entire sizing process on individual yarn parameters.

[Evaluation of myocardial function in the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy in athletes and hypertensive patients].

INTRODUCTION: Myocardial hypertrophy of the left ventricle may be of physiological or pathological nature. Distinction of these two types of hypertrophy is sometimes not easy and represents a diagnostic challenge. The aim of the study was to assess global diastolic and regional systolic and diastolic myocardial function in the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy in athletes and hypertensive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 18 male hypertensive patients and 14 male athletes global diastolic left ventricular function and regional systolic and diastolic myocardial function of septum and posterior wall were investigated by pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging. RESULTS: Ejection fraction and left ventricle mass index did not differ significantly between two groups. Hypertensive patients were found to have diastolic dysfunction while athletes had normal left ventricular diastolic function (the difference between the groups was P < 0.00001). Index of regional diastolic function of septum as well as of the posterior wall was significantly less in hypertensive patients than in athletes (P < 0.00001 for both). In spite of the normal global systolic function the regional systolic function of septum and posterior wall was significantly less in hypertensive patients than in athletes (P < 0.02 for both). CONCLUSION: The present results show significantly less global and regional diastolic function of hypertrophied myocardium in hypertensive patients than in athletes. In the presence of preserved left ventricular systolic function, the quantification of myocardial velocity revealed significantly lower regional systolic function of septum and posterior wall in hypertensive patients than in athletes.