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Highlights: [•] Aqua regia extracted elements (45) were predicted by mid-infrared using 4130 soils. [•] The concentration of 30 elements (e.g. Al, Ca, Ga, Mg, etc.) was successfully predicted. [•] The concentration of 15 elements (e.g. As, Ba, La, etc.) was not successfully predicted. [•] Correlation of non-infrared active elements with Al/Fe responsible for predictions. [•] Mid-infrared is rapid, hand-held adaptable and allows for multiple predictions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop partial least-squares (PLS) regression models using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for the prediction of the concentration of elements in soil determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). A total of 4130 soils from the GEMAS European soil sampling program (geochemical mapping of agricultural soils and grazing land of Europe) were used for the development of models to predict concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hf, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sc, Si, Sr, Th, Ti, V, Y, Zn and Zr in soil using MIR spectroscopy. The results were compared with those obtained where MIR models were developed with the same soils but using the concentration of elements extracted with aqua regia (AR). The PLS models were cross-validated against the experimental log-transformed XRF values of all the elements. The calibration models were derived from a set of 1000 randomly selected calibration samples. The rest of the samples (3130) were used as an independent validation set. According to the residual predictive deviation (RPD), predictions were classified as follows: “Good quality”, Ca (2.9), Mg (2.5), Al (2.3), Fe (2.2), Ga (2.2), Si (2.1), Na (2.0); “Indicator quality”, V (1.9), Ni (1.9), Sc (1.9), K (1.8), Ti (1.8), Rb (1.8), Zn (1.7), Co (1.7), Zr (1.6), Cr (1.6), Sr (1.6), Y (1.6), Nb (1.6), Ba (1.5), Mn (1.5), As (1.5), Ce (1.5); “Poor quality”, Cs (1.4), Th (1.4), P (1.4), Cu (1.4), Pb (1.3), La (1.2), Hf (1.1). Good agreement was observed between the RPD values obtained for the elements analysed in this study and those from the AR study. Despite the different elemental concentrations determined by the XRF method compared to the AR method, MIR spectroscopy was still capable of predicting elemental concentrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction Renalase may degrade catecholamines and regulate sympathetic tone and blood pressure. The aim of this study was to assess dopamine, norepinephrine, and renalase in 80 heart transplant recipients and 22 healthy volunteers and their correlations with heart rate, blood pressure control, type of hypotensive therapy, and renal function. Patients and Methods Renalase, dopamine, and norepinephrine were studied by using commercially available assays. Results Renalase levels were higher in heart transplant recipients compared with healthy volunteers, and noradrenaline levels were lower in the studied cohort patients than in the healthy volunteers. Noradrenaline was correlated with white blood cell count ( r = −0.21, P < .05), copeptin ( r = 0.41, P < .01), and left ventricular diameter ( r = −0.29, P < .05), whereas dopamine was correlated in univariate analysis with white blood cell count ( r = −0.22, P < .05), posterior wall of left ventricular diameter ( r = 0.58, P < .01), and left atrium diameter ( r = −0.31, P < .05). Neither noradrenaline nor dopamine was correlated with heart rate, blood pressure, kidney function, or New York Heart Association class. Noradrenaline was significantly higher in patients with elevated diastolic blood pressure (>90 mm Hg) compared with those with normal diastolic blood pressure ( P < .05). Renalase was related to kidney function but was unrelated to catecholamines. Conclusions Elevated renalase levels in heart transplant patients were related to kidney function but not linked to the sympathetic nervous system activity in this study population. In heart transplant recipients, these findings might suggest that sympathetic denervation and the modulation of β-receptors persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 is one of the most recently discovered FGFs. This phosphaturic hormone produced in bones is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and thus mortality. Klotho is an essential coreceptor for FGF23 and at the same time it is known as a “longevity” hormone. There are no data considering FGF23 and Klotho roles in heart transplant (HT) recipients. The aim of this study was to assess Klotho and FGF23 serum concentration in heart transplant recipients depending on immunosuppressive therapy regimen and comorbidities. Methods Eighty-four stable heart transplant recipients were enrolled in the study; 22 healthy volunteers served as control subjects. FGF23 and Klotho protein concentration, markers of renal function, such as cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), and heart failure markers, such as copeptine and N-termiinal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), were evaluated. Results FGF23 concentration was significantly higher in the HT group whereas Klotho protein was significantly lower. FGF23 correlated with creatinine level ( r = 0.72; P < .001), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; r = −0.32; P < .01), cystatin C ( r = 0.36; P < .01), NGAL ( r = 0.51; P < .001), hemoglobin ( r = −0.39; P < .001), NT-proBNP ( r = 0.51; P < .001), high-density lipoprotein (HDL; r = 0.27; P < .05), intraventricular septum thickness ( r = 0.42; P < .01) and right ventricular systolic pressure ( r = 0.34; P < .05). Klotho protein correlated only with age ( r = −0.21; P < .05), creatinine ( r = −0.21; P < .05), and eGFR ( r = −0.31; P < .01). FGF23 concentration was significantly higher in patients with eGFR <60 mL/min whereas Klotho protein was significantly lower. FGF23 predictors were renal function (creatinine concentration; β = 0.45; P = .0001), HDL (β = 0.33; P = .003), intraventricular septum thickness (β = 0.38; P = .0003), and right ventricular systolic pressure (β = 0.34; P = .003), explaining 70% of FGF23 variability. Conclusions FGF23/Klotho system disorders in HT recipients are related to cardiovascular system function and kidney failure and could cause increased risk of cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Cardiac transplantation is the definitive therapy for eligible patients with end-stage heart failure. Hypertension is a widely accepted risk factor for its outcome. Patients and Methods We analyzed 169 heart transplant recipients. The diagnosis of hypertension was made on the basis of information gathered at 3 consecutive visits. Complete blood count, urea, serum lipids, fasting glucose, creatinine, and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide were also studied. Results In the orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) population, 11% had diabetes and 68% had chronic kidney disease. Hypertension was diagnosed and treated in 68% of the OHT patients. Hypertensive patients were significantly older, with a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and higher serum creatinine and erythrocyte count. Thirty-three percent of patients did not achieve target blood pressure despite optimal medical treatment. Patients treated with tacrolimus had similar systolic blood pressure compared with those treated with cyclosporine (with a tendency to have lower values). Patients treated with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors had similar systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared with those treated without these inhibitors. In the group of patients given steroids, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower than in the group not treated with steroids. In addition, steroid-treated patients had a significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin, and erythrocyte count and higher serum creatinine, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide, and New York Heart Association class. Chronic kidney disease was also more prevalent in this group. Blood pressure was not related to the kidney function. Conclusions Despite polytherapy, optimal blood pressure control was not achieved in the majority of patients. OHT patients have a high prevalence of hypertension, which should be treated adequately. More efforts should be made to optimize blood pressure control, particularly when other comorbidities are present. Blood pressure was not related to patient kidney function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The effects of tacrolimus (Tac) and cyclosporine (CsA) on lipid profile is well known; however, little is known about the changes in fatty acids (FA) of phosholipids fraction (PL) in heart transplant patients after treatment with these immunosuppressants. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Tac and CsA on serum FA of PL in heart transplant patients. Methods The study included 23 patients after heart transplantation on Tac ( n = 14; group II) or CsA ( n = 9; group I). Eleven healthy persons served as a control group. Serum FA of PL were extracted, separated on Sep-Pak NH 2 , methylated, and measured with the use of gas chromatography. Chemstation software was used to analyze the data. Results No differences between the studied groups and control were noted for saturated FA, monounsaturated FA, polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), total FA, and PUFA n-6. The mean value of PUFA n-3 was significantly higher in the CsA group compared with the Tac group ( P < .015) and control ( P < .002) as well as in the Tac group compared with control ( P < .001). For individual FA, higher mean concentration, compared with control, was found for C24, C20:2, C20:4, and C22:6 ( P < .001 in all cases) and lower for C18:2 cis ( P < .001 in both groups) and for C18:3 in the Tac group. The mean values of PUFA n-6 to PUFA n-3 ratios were lower than in control (both P < .001). Conclusions Different pattern of FA of PL may indicate the different FA metabolism in heart transplant patients treated by different immunosuppressants. This should be taken into account when FA supplementation in these patients is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics was used in an attempt to classify commercial Riesling wines from different countries (Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany). Commercial Riesling wines (n =50) were scanned in the VIS and NIR regions (400–2500nm) in a monochromator instrument, in transmission mode. Principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SLDA) based on PCA scores were used to classify Riesling wines according to their country of origin. Full cross validation (leave-one-out) was used as the validation method when classification models were developed. PLS-DA models correctly classified 97.5%, 80% and 70.5% of the Australian, New Zealand and European (France and Germany) Riesling wines, respectively. SLDA calibration models correctly classified 86%, 67%, 67% and 87.5% of the Australian, New Zealand, French and German Riesling wines, respectively. These results demonstrated that the VIS and NIR spectra contain information that when used with chemometrics allow discrimination between wines from different countries. To further validate the ability of VIS–NIR to classify white wine samples, a larger sample set will be required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]