The effect of low-flux and high-flux dialysis membrane on plasma concentrations of cardiac troponin I

Aim: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration stability during dialysis have not been fully elucidated. The aim is to evaluate the effect of a single dialysis session on plasma cTnI. Patients & methods: From 122 consecutive anuric adult patients (75 [61.5%] men, age 27–86 years, median 67) on chronic hemodialysis blood samples for cTnI measurement were taken before and after a dialysis. Results: Dialysis had no effect on high-flux membranes (geometric means ratio = 0.99, 0.94–1.05, df 119, t = -0.19, multiplicity adjusted p = 0.847), but cTnI levels were higher after dialysis in patients on low-flux membranes (geometric means ratio = 1.14, 1.02–1.27, df 119, t = 2.59, adjusted p = 0.021). Conclusion: Dialysis session using low-flux membranes might increase the plasma cTnI.

Preparation of Liposomes from Soy Lecithin Using Liquefied Dimethyl Ether

We investigated a method to prepare liposomes; soy lecithin was dissolved in liquefied dimethyl ether (DME) at 0.56 MPa, which was then injected into warm water. Liposomes can be successfully prepared at warm water temperatures above 45 °C. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the obtained liposomes, size distribution, ζ-potential measurements by dynamic light scattering and the amount of residual medium were compared by gas chromatography using the conventional medium, diethyl ether. The size of the obtained liposomes was approximately 60–300 nm and the ζ-potential was approximately −57 mV, which was almost the same as that of the conventional medium. Additionally, for the conventional media, a large amount remained in the liposome dispersion even after removal by depressurization and dialysis membrane treatment; however, liquefied DME, owing to its considerably low boiling point, was completely removed by depressurization. Liquefied DME is a very attractive medium for the preparation of liposomes because it does not have the toxicity and residue problems of conventional solvents or the hazards of ethanol addition and high pressure of supercritical carbon dioxide; it is also environmentally friendly.

Utilization of Conventional Treatments and Agricultural Wastes as Low-Cost Adsorbents for Removal of Lead Ions from Wastewater

This study reviewed the most common methods for removing lead ions from industrial wastewater and municipal wastewater. Most of the research done was reviewed using traditional methods such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, oxidation, evaporation, electric-dialysis, membrane filtration, and solvent extraction. These operations were related to several restrictions, that comprised the treatments to be limited to a definite concentration of the Lead (II) ions. Similarly, disadvantages complicated the production of huge quantities of dangerous waste although very high costs. This means these operations were very costly. For these reasons, to utilize the agricultural waste and low-cost adsorbents operation can be considered as eco-friendly. Currently, agricultural waste and natural materials are present in a huge quantity, and that is very damaging to the environment. Therefore, adsorption is an alternate operation for eliminating Lead (II) ions. According to the increased quality of adsorption operations, like the properties of improved adsorptive, increase availability, and cost-effectiveness, the operation is economical option for eliminating Lead(II) ions.

Statin-Associated Necrotizing Myopathy Leading to Acute Kidney Injury: A Case Report

Statins or 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors are a mainstay of cardiovascular disease therapy. In addition to their lipid-lowering capabilities, they exhibit several pleiotropic effects. Their adverse reactions such as myalgias are not uncommon, but in rare cases, the resulting rhabdomyolysis can be fatal. Recently, more insight has been brought into the pathogenesis of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis, and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathies are diagnosed more frequently. We present a case of a female patient who was on chronic rosuvastatin therapy and developed necrotizing myopathy. The disease progressed to acute kidney and liver injury. We discontinued the drug, started supportive measures, and initiated renal replacement therapy with a high cutoff dialysis membrane once. Her recovery was prompt, with a normal control electromyography 2 weeks after discharge.

SPECTRAL AND LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES OF CARBON QUANTUM DOTS FUNCTIONALIZED WITH N- AND S-CONTAINING GROUPS

In the presented work, carbon quantum dots were obtained by microwave synthesis based on citric acid and Lcysteine. The resulting particles were characterized by electron and probe microscopy, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The spectral and luminescent properties were investigated for the initial solution of carbon quantum dots, as well as solutions obtained as a result of dialysis of the synthesized product. It is shown that all samples exhibit the same optical properties. At the same time, the measurement of quantum yields showed that carbon dots that have passed through the dialysis membrane have the best fluorescent ability.

Efficient Amino Donor Recycling in Amination Reactions: Development of a New Alanine Dehydrogenase in Continuous Flow and Dialysis Membrane Reactors

Transaminases have arisen as one of the main biocatalysts for amine production but despite their many advantages, their stability is still a concern for widespread application. One of the reasons for their instability is the need to use an excess of the amino donor when trying to synthesise amines with unfavourable equilibria. To circumvent this, recycling systems for the amino donor, such as amino acid dehydrogenases or aldolases, have proved useful to push the equilibria while avoiding high amino donor concentrations. In this work, we report the use of a new alanine dehydrogenase from the halotolerant bacteria Halomonas elongata which exhibits excellent stability to different cosolvents, combined with the well characterised CbFDH as a recycling system of L-alanine for the amination of three model substrates with unfavourable equilibria. In a step forward, the amino donor recycling system has been co-immobilised and used in flow with success as well as re-used as a dialysis enclosed system for the amination of an aromatic aldehyde.