Search

The aim of this study is to evaluate which dysregulated angiomiRs compose the specific proangiogenic microRNA signature of advanced laryngeal cancer and review the literature. Thirty-six samples from twelve patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma were collected. Total RNA was extracted and microRNA global profiling was performed using Agilent Technologies Microarray Kit. Fifty-nine microRNAs were found to have significantly different expression levels. Eleven microRNAs from the whole group were sorted as regulators of tumor angiogenesis (angiomiRs): seven were up-regulated—miR-1246, miR-181b 5p, miR-18a 5p, miR-21 3p, miR-210 3p, miR-503 5p, miR-93 5p and four were down-regulated—miR148a 5p, miR-145 5p, miR-204 5p, miR-125b 5p. For none of those microRNAs we found heterogeneity in tumor tissue. We are the first to report the specific proangiogenic microRNA signature in advanced laryngeal carcinoma and we confirm and amplify findings from previous studies that expand our perception of a specific "molecular state" of angiogenesis that is distinctive only for laryngeal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the physico chemical properties of Fe–based amorphous alloys containing critical raw materials (CRM) were investigated in order to reuse them for photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes. The iron-based metallic glasses were prepared by melt spinning method. Their chemical composition is: Fe67B14Co18Si, Fe78B15Mo2Si5 and Fe40B16Ni40Mo4. Characterization of the ribbons was done using combination of analytical methods. Studied materials were heated in inert atmosphere and in air at temperature of 1000 °C. Crystallization processes of investigated Fe–based amorphous alloys depending on their chemical composition were registered using thermal analysis. The changes of material phase composition and crystallinity degree were studied using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). The thermal treatment in inert atmosphere above the crystallization temperature of studied amorphous alloys result in rearrangement of iron neighbours and formation of multiphase crystalline structure, which strongly depends on the additive elements (Co, Ni, Mo). Heating of ribbons in air affects significantly the kinetic of crystallization and registered products in comparison to annealing in inert (argon) atmosphere. Investigation of thermal stability of ribbon metallic glasses and formation of different intermediate and product compounds is very important for practical application of damaged amorphous alloys, their further reuse and recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct correlators in the W Toda 2d conformal field theory for a particular class of representations and demonstrate a relation to a W (Virasoro) theory with different central charge. The relevance of the classical limits of the constructed 3-point functions and braiding matrices to problems in 4d conformal theories is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main object of investigations in this work is the chicken eggshells. The effective high-energy milling (HEM) treatment and utilization of chicken eggshells (ES) as a bio-waste waste have been investigated in environmental and economic interest. The composition of the ES includes mainly inorganic (94 % calcium carbonate as calcite, 1 % calcium phosphate and 1 % magnesium carbonate) as well as organic matter (4 %). During HEM, the mechanical activation process takes place, which leads to improvement of materials properties. The HEM-activated ES samples were characterized by thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The decarbonization was carried out using the thermal methods with Ar flow gas. We established that the thermal properties of the ES samples change considerably due to HEM treatment. The changes appear as: (1) shifting of decarbonization temperature of HEM-activated samples to lower temperature of about 30 °C; (2) decrease in mass losses and temperatures of decomposition with the increasing milling time; and (3) decrease in DTA peak areas for the all HEM-activated samples. As was shown earlier, the HEM treatment has a beneficial effect on the application of the ES. They can be used as: sorbents and soil improvers (separately or as mixtures with apatite minerals or appropriate technogenic wastes, containing main for the plants nutrients-N, P, K, S, Ca et al.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Areview of the notion, properties and the use of topological defects in 2d conformal field theories is presented. An emphasis is made on the recent interpretation of such operators in non-rational theories, as describing Wilson-'t Hooft loop operators of N = 2 supersymmetric 4d topological theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastases, and not the primary tumor from which they originate, are the main reason for mortality from carcinoma. Although the molecular mechanisms behind metastasis are poorly understood, it is clear that epigenetic dysregulation at the level of microRNA expression is a key characteristic of the metastatic process that can be exploited for therapy. Here, we describe an miRNA-targeted therapeutic approach for the prevention and arrest of lymph node metastasis. Therapy relies on the inhibition of the pro-metastatic microRNA-10b. It is delivered to primary and lymph node metastatic tumor cells using an imaging-capable nanodrug that is designed to specifically home to these tissues. Treatment of invasive human breast tumor cells (MDA-MB-231) with the nanodrug in vitro downregulates miR-10b and abolishes the invasion and migration of the tumor cells. After intravenous delivery to mice bearing orthotopic MDA-MB-231-luc-D3H2LN tumors, the nanodrug accumulates in the primary tumor and lymph nodes. When treatment is initiated before metastasis to lymph nodes, metastasis is prevented. Treatment after the formation of lymph node metastases arrests the metastatic process without a concomitant effect on primary tumor growth raising the possibility of a context-dependent variation in miR-10b breast oncogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IR spectroscopy and viscometry data have shown that poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid) form complexes with agar-agar in aqueous solutions as they do with other polysaccharides. The polyacid-agar-agar complexes are typical hydrogels. The swelling index of hydrogels based on the poly(methacrylic acid)-agar-agar complex has been found to be markedly lower than that of poly(acrylic acid)-agaragar complex. The hydrogels based on the complex of cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) with agar-agar can be of practical interest as polymeric carriers for drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three types of cementitious composites based on (i) white Portland cement and sand (cement-to-aggregate 1:3, and water-to-cement 0.50), (ii) white Portland cement and marble powder (cement-to-aggregate 1:2, and water-to-cement 0.60), and (iii) white Portland cement and marble powder with polycarboxylate-based admixture (HRWR) (cement-to-aggregate 1:2, and water-to-cement 0.40 + HRWR) were studied. Their states after 28 and 120 days of water curing were evaluated by measurement of physical-mechanical properties, such as density, compressive strength and porosity. Thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to identify the crystal phases and their morphology. The experimental data show that the white cement mortars with higher water content exhibit larder variety of newly formed phases, like hydration products of the C-S-H type. The structure of mortars with polycarboxylate-based admixture is so dense that there is no possibility of crystal hydrates development at late curing ages. The use of marble as filler leads to a partial inclusion of carbonate ions in the newly formed hydrated phases (carbo-aluminates). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-compacting cement mortars and concretes are characterized with an excellent workability and with high early strengths, which makes them suitable for elements in pre-cast concrete. Both the dense structure and the non-defected surface of self-compacting mixes are achieved by the incorporation of relatively large amounts of fine mineral additives and use of polycarboxylate admixtures. All these advantages determine the great potential for manufacturing of architectural elements and details. However, there exist many features in the structure-formation and the hardening of these systems. The authors investigate in this study the evolution of the process of curing and the crystal formation up to the 120th days of water-curing. Moreover, the effects of replacement of 10 wt% white cement with natural zeolite are studied. Special attention is paid to the thermal analysis through which one determines the effects of dehydration of the new-formed crystal hydrates, de-carbonization of carbonate-containing phases, and zeolite incorporation. Differences in the thermal behaviour of self-compacting mortars are compared with two types of referent samples. The thermal experiments were complemented with physical-mechanical and structural measurements, including mercury intrusion porosimetry, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Experiments and analysis, both determining the development of the microstructure, indicate the formation of a dense structure of white self-compacting mortars. This is achieved at the early age impeding the growth of new crystals. The incorporation of zeolite increases the early strengths of samples, thus making the structure denser, and completely blocking the water permeability. As the zeolite is a soft and ductile mineral, it can be expected that the volume deformations of microstructure of the zeolite-containing mortars, are reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeSO·HO and FeSO represent the second valence of iron sulphates. Number of studies has been done to understand formation of intermediate sulphates like FeOHSO and FeO(SO), representing the oxidation of Fe to Fe. At selected temperatures, both the thermo-dynamical equilibrium in the Fe-S-O system and the formation of the crystal structures in the solid phase are controlled by the partial pressure of water vapour and oxygen in the gas phase. The effects of the temperature and the partial pressure of gas components on the solid-phase content are demonstrated by phase diagrams. The study puts the accent on the influence of oxygen content in gas environment on processes of thermal decomposition of FeSO·HO and FeSO. At three quantities of oxygen content-0% (100% Ar), 21% (dry air) and 100% (pure O) the processes of oxidation and formatting metastable iron sulphates were examined by several experimental techniques. The thermal decomposition of samples was investigated by TG-DTG-DTA method in the temperature range 293-1400 K. Partial pressure of water vapour was determined by the quantity of water released from dehydration process of FeSO·HO. Infrared spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-Ray powder diffraction method were used for identification of the new formed solid structures and for characterization of the content of the iron sulphates with different valencies of iron. The experimental data and their analyses give the possibility to determine the different stages of decomposition, related to the formation of intermediates. Depending on gas environment, the basic relationships for reaction kinetics is drawn. It is demonstrated on that correlation exists between the kinetic's parameters and the content of oxygen in the gas phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical tribo- and thermo-chemical methods applied for remodeling phosphate raw materials manifest a number of advantages over the conventional technologies. They are related to the reduction of soil contamination and minimization of the released gas emissions in the environment and generate solid wastes. In this work, natural and NH-exchanged clinoptilolite are used for increasing the transition of PO into assimilated by plants form during tribochemical activation (TCA). Better nutrients assimilation as well as green production could be achieved by applying such a treatment based on the ion-exchange reactions taking place in the soil. The occurring upon TCA structural changes and phase transformations of the used Tunisian phosphorite, natural and NH-exchanged clinoptilolite as well as their mixtures are investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The thermal method gives evidence for solid phase reactions and increased reactivity as a result of the tribochemical treatment. This treatment leads also to minimization of the size of crystallites, amorfization of the samples, and increasing amount of hydroxyl and carbonate ions in the apatite structure. Treated samples are highly soluble. In addition, conditions for almost complete solubility of PO were found. This study shows that some of the produced compositions are suitable for fertilizers or soil conditioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase transformations of Syrian phosphorite upon mechanochemical activation are examined in the present work. The latter is carried out in planetary mill equipped with 20 mm steel milling bodies and duration from 30 to 300 min. The established by means of DTA, DTG, TG analyses transformation of non-activated carbonate fluorine apatite type B into the carbonate hydroxyl fluorine apatite (COHFAp) mixed type A2-B leads to substantial changes in the properties of the activated samples expressed in lowering the degree of crystallinity, strong defectiveness of the structure, and increase of the citric solubility. The thermal analysis gives evidence for the decomposition of the carbonate-containing component within the phosphorite, as from the positions placed in the vicinity of the hexagonal 63 axis (type A2), as well as from the positions of the phosphate ion (type B), and from the free carbonates. The data from the thermal analysis, the powder X-ray analysis and the infrared spectroscopy give also evidence for phase transformations of the activated apatite (with admixtures of quartz and calcite) into Ca10FOH(PO4)6, β-Ca3(PO4)2, Ca4P2O9, Ca3(PO4)2 · Ca2SiO4 and for that one of the quartz—into larnite and wollastonite. The influence of the α-quartz as a concomitant mineral is considered to be positive. The α-quartz forms Si–O–Si–OH bonds retaining humidity in the solid phase thus facilitating the isomorphous substitution OH− → F− with the subsequent formation of partially substituted COHFAp. Calcium silicophosphate and Ca4P2O9 are obtained upon its further heating. The presented here results settle a perspective route for processing of low-grade phosphate raw materials by means of tribothermal treatment aiming at preparation of condensed phosphates suitable for application as slowly acting fertilizer components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses two main questions: the direct medical costs and the clinical effectiveness of the hospital treatment with insulin of pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GD). A prospective study that includes 50 women with GD is performed. The pregnant women are divided into 2 groups: Group I ( n=30) — pregnant women treated only with a diet; and Group II ( n=20) — pregnant women treated with diet and insulin. We found that the metabolite compensation degree is improved after the applied treatment with insulin. The coefficient cost/effectiveness is 6954 lv./100 women. The analysis decision tree confirms in a very convenient way the fact that insulin treatment is a clinically more effective and financially more profitable strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stability of mineral mixed fertilizers processed by effective mixing and compaction, using extrusion technology, is a subject of this study. As new products there is a need to learn the possible changes in the phase ratios and caking processes during long term storage. 7 samples with different nutrient components ratios are investigated after one year kept in a storage facility without conditioning. Applying TG-DTA, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods samples are studied, recording thermal effects and mass losses, type of crystal structures and phase content in the sample. On the base of the results obtained the relationships are discussed and conclusions made about the possibility to safety storage and visible application of the new products as fertilizers in the agriculture for nut ratio of different plant. It is confirmed that the investigated samples, produced on the base of low grade phosphates are stable during long term storage and they could be successfully recommended for practical use in agriculture, using traditional or individual method of fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to adapt and test an educational programme for type 2 diabetes patients. The sample consisted of 24 individuals with type 2 diabetes between 31 and 75 years of age that did not require insulin, without severe complications of diabetes. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was applied in the beginning and at the end of the survey. A five-month education was conducted on: hypo- and hyperglycaemia, nourishing and physical activity, feet care, eye care and possible adverse drug reaction. The costs of the education and the pharmacological treatment were calculated. Improvement was observed in patients’ diabetes knowledge and there was a decrease in the frequency of hypo- and hyperglycaemic incidents (about 60% less). At the end of the programme no incidents were matched, saving €10/patient. The benefit to cost ratio is about 1:1 (€140:€142.80). The patients’ quality of life improved by about 5% according to the Diabetes Questionnaire (IMG). The educational approach has the potential to decrease diabetes complications and therefore the economic cost of type 2 diabetes. Introduction of the programme will benefit diabetes patients, promote pharmacies as a source of independent drug information and recognise pharmacists as competent healthcare providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compute the bulk three- and four-point tachyon correlators in the 2d Liouville gravity with a nonrational matter central charge c < 1, using and comparing two approaches. The continuous CFT approach exploits the action on the tachyons of the ground-ring generators deformed with Liouville and matter screening charges. We derive a general formula for the matter three-point OPE structure constants as a by-product. The discrete formulation of the theory is a generalization of the ADE string theories, in which the target space is the semi-infinite chain of points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal decomposition of nanosize ammonium sulfate obtained as a by-product in a new electron-beam technology cleaning up waste gases from thermal power stations was studied. DTA-TG-DTG curves were used to characterize thermal properties of the new products obtained under different technological conditions. High quality of ammonium sulfate from Merck was used as a reference material. Ammonium sulfate was the main component in all the products and their thermal behavior was similar to that of the reference. Only the solid product obtained with the highest norm of ammonia contained about 3.2% ammonium nitrate. Thermoanalytical methods can successfully be applied for control the quality of the by-products from E-beam desulfurization technology. It was found that the thermal stability of the nanosize ammonium sulfate was the same as that of the reference ammonium sulfate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After mechanochemical treatment of multicomponent mixtures complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur (NPKS) with higher water capacity were obtained. As raw materials some solid wastes and ammonia and potassium sulfates were used. Due to the different ratio used, new solid phases in the mixtures are formed. New solid phases are confirmed by the stages and rate of mass changes and also by the thermal effects at different temperature ranges. New phases are also confirmed by using X-ray diffraction method. On the base of data obtained mechanism of chemical transformations is proposed. It was found that the kinetics of mechanical activated mixtures decomposition is significantly influenced by the time of treatment and proceeds in few stages. The results have shown that the soluble nutrients forms ratio and sorption capacity could be controlled by the initial components ratios and treatment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal behavior of Tunisia phosphorite and ammonium sulfate mixtures are examined by non-isothermal thermogravimetry in air atmosphere. It has been shown that the thermal stability of mixtures have different behavior after mechano-chemical treatment due to phase changes in the mixtures. New solid phases are confirmed by the stages and rate of mass changes and also by the heat effects observed. New phases are also confirmed by using X-ray diffraction method. Based on the data obtained by the mechanism of chemical transformations is proposed. The kinetics of mechano-activated mixtures decomposition is significantly influenced by the time of treatment and proceeds in few stages. Stage I is attributed to the effect of partially ammonia releasing, when the next stages are associated with the decomposition of apatite structures. Because of the interfacial interactions during mechano-chemical treatment insoluble phosphorous forms from apatite structures are transformed to the soluble forms suitable for plants nutrition. The results have shown that the soluble form can be controlled by the initial components ratio and conditions of treatment on the way to obtain slow releasing nutrition products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations on the thermal decomposition of FeSO4·H2O-BaO2 mixtures were carried out under isothermal conditions by using simultaneously solid electrolyte cell (EMF-method). Evoked interactions producing oxygen in the temperature range 553-673 K were established by means of a solid electrolyte oxygen analyzer. Based on Mössbauer spectroscopy data and X-ray analysis it was proved that these reactions were associated with the release of oxygen from barium peroxide, oxidation of ferrosulphate-monohydrate to FeOHSO4, and formation of barium ferrites such as BaFe2O4 and BaFe12O19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a commutative ring with identity which extends the ring of characters of finite dimensional representations of sl(3). It is generated by characters with values in the group ring of the extended affine Weyl group of at . The “quantised” version at rational level k+3=3/ p realises the fusion rules of a WZW conformal field theory based on admissible representations of . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermochemical decomposition of pyrite in air-gas medium has been studied by means of MOM-Q 1500D Derivatograph. The derivatograms have been obtained at a heating rate of 5 K min-1 and air flowrate of 25 1 h-1 to final temperatures of 833, 933 and 1273 K, chosen on the basis of the stepwise oxidation of pyrite. The solid product is analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction and Mössbauer spectrometer techniques. The formation of nonstoichiometric sulfides (pyrrhotines) as intermediates has been confirmed. The second stage of decomposition is the oxidation of these pyrrhotines to hematite. The recorded weight losses are lower than the theoretically possible because of the formed nonstoichiometric iron sulfides. The complicated structure of the intermediate products has been confirmed by means of other techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal decomposition of FeS2 and BaO2 mixtures (mol ratio from 2 to 8) was studied in oxygen containing gas medium using dynamic heating rate. The solid decomposition products have been investigated with X-ray power diffraction and Mössbauer spectrometer. The thermal process has two main stages. In the presence of BaO2 the mixtures have a lower initial temperature of iron sulfide burning. The same time by the increasing of BaO2 content in the mixtures the diffusion difficulties are withdrawn in higher temperature ranges. It is proved that as intermediates BaSO4, nonstoichiometric sulfide, barium ferrites and Fe2O3 are formed. The content of many solid phases in the final product is in relationship with the initial ratio of BaO2 and FeS2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New NPS-fertilisers are investigated using TG-DTA systems and other techniques to determine their thermal stability and properties. The main component is ammonium sulphate by-product from clean-up technologies. Acidic reaction of ammonium sulphate (AS) is compensated by adding treated or untreated phosphates. Some samples are additionally mechanochemically activated. Tribochemical effects are confirmed. Distribution and conversion of harmful impurities are also studied. The results clearly show that the histories of components, additional treatment and the initial content of impurities affect the thermal properties of the new fertilisers. The mass component's ratio influences the thermal fertiliser's stability and their solubility. It is shown that the by-product from electron beam technology is the most suitable component, because of high-activity. The results obtained confirmed that TG and DTA techniques could be successfully used for products quality control. Most of the simultaneous TG, DTG and DTA curves may have a practical application for future studies and comparative analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard SU(2) lattice gauge theory model without fermions may be considered as a Z model with monopoles and fluctuating coupling constants. At low temperatures β (=small bare coupling constant) the monopoles are confined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physically important multiplets of indecomposable representations of the conformal superalgebra su(2, 2/ N) are constructed and classified adapting results of Kac. Each multiplet exhausts, in particular, all superfields partially equivalent to a given one together with some invariant operators intertwining the superfields. Known examples of the linearized supergauge conformal theories are accommodated in this scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six-point families of topological reducible (indecomposable) representations of the conformal group of space-time M are studies. The structure of invariant subspaces is analysed and the full set of equivalence relations among the suprepresentations is derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isothermal studies were conducted on mixtures of Fe2SO4·H2O in BaO2 in molar ratios of n=4, 2 and 1 at temperatures of 573 and 1073 K, in a closed crucible, in air as gas medium. The solid products of decomposition were investigated by means of X-ray analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy and electron spectroscopy. The experiments revealed that the mechanism of the process is connected with the formation of different quantities of barium ferrites (BaFeO3, BaFe2O4 and BaFe12O19), as well as BaSO4 and Fe2O3, depending on the quantity of BaO2 in the initial mixture, the partial pressure of the gas components and temperature. Differences were found in the mechanism of the process for the same mixtures under dynamic temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal decomposition of different inorganic sulphates are presented. A number of techniques, but mainly TG and DTA, are used to prove the mechanism and kinetics of CaSO4, BaSO4, FeSO4·xH2O, Al2(SO4)3·xH2O under various gas atmospheres. It is shown how the partial pressure of gas components and heating rate may effect the mechanism and kinetic parameters. There are also examples on the effects of some additives and initial treatment on the thermal processes. On the base of the results obtained some recommendations are given concerning the precautions to be taken into account in the thermal decomposition studies and the sulphur recovering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A formulation of massless QED is studied with a non-singular Lagrangian and conformal invariant equations of motion. It makes use of non-decomposable representations of the conformal group G and involves two dimensionless scalar fields (in addition to the conventional charged field and electromagnetic potential) but gauge invariant Green functions are shown to coincide with those of standard (massless) QED. Assuming that the (non-elementary) representation of G for the 5-potential which leaves the equations of motion invariant and leads to the free photon propagator of Johnson-Baker-Adler (JBA) conformal QED remains unaltered by renormalization, we prove that consistency requirements for conformal invariant 2-, 3-, and 4-point Green functions satisfying (renormalized) equations of motion and standard Ward identities lead to either a trivial solution (with eψ=0) or to a subcanonical dimension d=1/2 for the charged field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]