Search

To preserve food from moisture and oxygen, polymers, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) are used in multilayer structures to provide oxygen barrier, while low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is used for a water vapor barrier. While this material combination is functionally ideal, it may not comply with the new packaging recycling guidelines. Some European markets have implemented rules that limit the weight percentage of EVOH in LDPE films. One way to increase recyclability is by reducing the amount of EVOH in the film structure while maintaining the packaging's oxygen barrier properties. To achieve this, it is necessary to improve the barrier properties of EVOH. With this objective in mind, this study evaluated the incorporation of nanoclays (NC), cellulose microcrystals (MCC), silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2), and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) into an EVOH matrix. The results indicate that NC and MCC facilitate a stable blown film extrusion process and have a better dispersion in the EVOH matrix. Based on this finding, three‐layer films (with an ABA configuration) consisting of LDPE (A) and EVOH (7 μm layer) with 0.5 or 1 wt.% MCC or NC (B) were produced to protect the EVOH from moisture and enable blown film processing. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) values were lowest for 0.5 wt.% NC and 1 wt.% MCC incorporation. Although the films with micro and nanoparticles had increased haze, this did not affect the visibility of the packaged food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayer films are widely used in the food industry because they allow the combination of properties of different materials to increase product shelf life without sacrificing product value. Despite the associated benefits, these films are difficult to recycle due to material immiscibility and difficult layer separation. Thus, the purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility of incorporating recycled plastic material from the multi‐material film industry into extruded films for food packaging. To simulate the thermomechanical recycling, two different post‐industrial polymeric wastes of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) (with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) or with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)), were reprocessed four times in a single‐screw extruder. Moreover, these polymeric wastes were blended with virgin LDPE to improve the extrusion process control and to assess their effect on the blend properties. The extrusion experiments demonstrate that reprocessing of multilayer films and processing of their blends with virgin LDPE is feasible. Moreover, the mechanical and thermal properties of the corresponding films are not negatively affected when compared with those of virgin LDPE films. Nevertheless, the optical properties of recycled EVOH films, were lower than those of virgin LDPE or recycled LLDPE, with high haze and low gloss. Highlights: Two multilayer film scraps were reprocessed and blended with virgin LDPE.Thin film samples were produced by blown film extrusion.Films containing EVOH presented the worst optical properties.The presence of EVOH did not negatively affect the extrusion process.Mechanical and thermal properties were not significantly affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the energy distribution of hard gluons traversing a dense quark‐gluon plasma by comparing various transverse momentum broadening rates q^(t)$$ \hat{q}(t) $$, using a probabilistic perturbative approach. These results were applied to address the thermalization problem in heavy ion collisions. Within the weak coupling model, thermalization follows a "bottom‐up" process: early‐formed high‐energy partons emit low‐energy gluons, leading to their equilibrium formation, creating a thermal bath that facilitates equilibrium in the high‐energy sector. Under this scenario, we model the time dependencies of q^(t)$$ \hat{q}(t) $$ as a power‐law q^(t)∼tn$$ \hat{q}(t)\sim {t}^n $$, and assess the impact of n$$ n $$ on the distribution of hard gluons passing through the medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we analyze nuclear effects in the inclusive production of quarkonium in proton‐nucleus collisions at high energy regime. A theoretical framework that includes initial state effects like nuclear shadowing and gluon density saturation is considered. Numerical results for nuclear modification factor, RpA(y)$$ {R}_{pA}(y) $$, as a function of meson rapidity in proton‐nucleus collisions are presented. The parameter‐free predictions are compared to the available data from the Large Hadron Collider. Discussion on the main theoretical uncertainties is made, with emphasis on the phenomenological models for the nuclear saturation scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the entanglement entropy is examined within the context of deep inelastic scattering in ep$$ ep $$ collisions. The calculation is based on a formalism where the partonic state at small‐x$$ x $$ is maximally entangled, consisting of a large number of micro‐states occurring with equal probabilities. Analytical expressions for the number of gluons, Ngluon$$ {N}_{\mathrm{gluon}} $$, are considered, derived from gluon saturation models for dipole‐target amplitudes within the framework of the Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) color dipole picture. A comparison of the entanglement entropy with thermodynamic entropy measured in pp$$ pp $$ and ep$$ ep $$ collisions at high energies is done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing the color dipole approach in the momentum representation taking into account the nonlinear behavior of the QCD dynamics, we make predictions for the D‐meson differential cross‐section in terms of the transverse momentum and rapidity distributions considering pp collisions at the LHC. Moreover, a comparison between our results and the corresponding experimental measurements provided by the ALICE and LHCb experiments in different rapidity bins is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the Reggeometric Pomeron model for vector meson production which successfully describes the high energy lepton‐nucleon data, we analyze the light meson production in ultra‐peripheral heavy‐ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The rapidity distributions for ρ and ϕ photoproduction in lead–lead, xenon–xenon and oxygen– oxygen collisions are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Low fat‐free mass (FFM) is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and contributes to morbidity and mortality. Few studies have evaluated longitudinal changes in body composition in patients with COPD compared with non‐COPD controls. This study aimed to compare longitudinal changes in total and regional body composition between patients with COPD and non‐COPD controls and investigate predictors of changes in body composition in COPD. Methods: Patients with COPD and non‐COPD controls participating in the Individualized COPD Evaluation in relation to Ageing (ICE‐Age) study, a single‐centre, longitudinal, observational study, were included. Subjects were assessed at baseline and after 2 years of follow‐up. Among other procedures, body composition was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan. The number of exacerbations/hospitalizations 1 year before inclusion and during follow‐up were assessed in patients with COPD. Results: A total of 405 subjects were included (205 COPD, 87 smoking and 113 non‐smoking controls). Patients with COPD and smoking controls presented a significant decline in total FFM (mean [95% CI]: −1173 [−1527/−820] g and −486 [−816/−156] g, respectively) while body composition remained stable in non‐smoking controls. In patients with COPD, the decline in FFM was more pronounced in legs (−174 [−361/14] g) and trunk (−675 [−944/406] g) rather than in arms (54 [−19/126] g). The predictors of changes in total and regional FFM in patients with COPD were gender, number of previous hospitalizations, baseline values of FFM and BMI. Conclusion: Patients with COPD present a significant decline in FFM after 2 years of follow‐up, this decline is more pronounced in their legs and trunk. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present a significant decline in total, leg and trunk low fat‐free mass (FFM), while arms FFM remains stable after 2 years of follow‐up. We identified a subgroup of patients with preserved FFM at baseline and history of previous hospitalizations that present greater decline in total and leg FFM compared to other patients with COPD. See relatedEditorial [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid swell packers are rubber products capable of swelling in (saline) water and hydrocarbon oils, by exploiting the hydrocarbon diffusion properties of an nonpolar elastomer with the osmotic swelling of a water absorbent (WA). In this study, a variety of modified natural and synthetic WAs and mixtures thereof have been screened in a rubber compound with respect to swelling in decalin, demineralized, and saline water, respectively. We aimed at achieving high and fast swelling in all used media. Mixing of the various WAs in an ethylene/propylene/diene monomer (EPDM)/carbon black masterbatch at an addition level of 75 phr did not pose any problems, although it was found that the WAs did affect the sulfur vulcanization. Decalin swelling of the vulcanizates is very fast, reaching high equilibrium swelling within 1.5 days. Swelling in demineralized or saline water is much slower, with up to 300% swelling in water and up to 100% swelling in saline water. Significant leaching of the organic WA from the EPDM vulcanizates to the water phase occurs. Some combinations of WAs show synergetic effects for swelling in water. To our knowledge, such a systematic study of hybrid swelling elastomers constitutes a novelty in the open literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, we compute the total cross section for proton‐proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider in the context of quantum chromo dynamics (QCD) parton saturation models presenting geometric scaling phenomenon. Moreover, prediction for pion‐proton total cross section is also provided for asymptotic energies. The main theoretical uncertainties associated to the calculations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we discuss a scaling function for the cross section in deeply virtual compton scattering (DVCS) and exclusive vector meson production in both γ*p and γ*A processes. Our description relies on the geometric scaling phenomenon in which cross sections are a function of a single variable τ=Q2/Qs2, where Q2 is the photon virtuality and Qs2 represents the saturation scale that drives the energy dependence and nuclear effects. We make a prediction to be tested in future electron–ion colliders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantum chromodynamics (QCD)‐based analysis of the neutrino structure functions xF2, xF3, and ΔxF3 for charged current and neutral neutrino deep inelastic scattering (DIS) is performed focusing on high‐energy and high‐precision neutrino experiments. The investigation is done taking into account the color dipole formalism, considering a wide region of the kinematic variables Bjorken‐x, and boson virtuality Q2. We consider the state of the art on the dipole cross‐section, which describes successfully the deep inelastic inclusive and exclusive production. The theoretical predictions will be compared with the prospects for future experimental projects in the small‐x region, for instance, the neutrino scattering experiments Neutrino Scattering On Glass and Minerva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we compute the corresponding number of events for PeV‐energy neutrinos for typical neutrino telescopes as in the IceCube experiment. We consider different parametrizations for the νN cross‐section, including predictions from the geometric scaling phenomenon. The theoretical uncertainty for the number of events is investigated and compared with usual quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutron stars are characterized by their masses, radii, spinning speeds (associated with their moments of inertia), and degree of deformation. Under the action of an external static tidal quadrupole field ℰij, the neutron star undergoes a deformation measured in terms of the ratio between the quadrupole moment induced in the star and the field ℰij, which defines, in turn, the tidal deformability parameter. In this contribution, we combine our recent predictions for the neutron stars' tidal parameter with recent gravitational wave observations of merging the binary system GW170817 with quasiuniversal relations between the maximum mass of rotating and nonrotating neutron stars. Our results indicate that predictions of the tidal parameter represent a useful constraint of the Equation of State (EoS) of neutron stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of gravitons via two-photon fusion and ZZ fusion processes are considered using the scale of the gravitational interactions around a few TeV. We focus on the expected energies of the proposed electron-positron colliders with a center-of-mass energy at the TeV scale. The number of events is predicted, and the background from the Standard Model is analyzed. The dependence on the effective Planck scale and on the number of extra dimensions is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of coffee in the world, one of the main global commodities. During the processing of coffee beans, rotary drums are used in the drying and roasting phases. This equipment is widely used in many industrial sectors. According to characteristics of the drum, particulate material, and operating conditions, different flow regimes may arise. Such regimes have a direct influence on the performance of these processes and therefore their characterization is of great importance. The present work developed an experimental study about the dynamics of coffee beans, under green and roasted conditions, in a rotary drum. Transitions between rolling, cascading, cataracting, and centrifuging regimes were evaluated, for both green and roasted coffee beans. For the centrifuging regime, a comparison between experimental critical rotation speeds and the ones obtained by correlations found in literature was performed. Additionally, a new expression to predict the centrifuging rotation speed was proposed by the authors. Further analyses regarding the rolling regime were also carried out. For this regime, velocity profiles of the particles were evaluated, as well as the thickness of the active layer for different filling degrees and drum rotation speeds. Great similarity was found between the behaviour of the active region for coffee beans before and after the roasting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental and numerical study on the grinding media dynamics inside a baffled ball mill under different solid-flow regimes, namely, cascading, cataracting, and centrifuging, is described. The Eulerian approach was used for all simulations and the boundary condition at the drum wall was investigated by means of the specularity coefficient parameter. This effort is an important approach in representing the particle-wall interaction in a ball mill. The restitution coefficient of the balls was experimentally measured using a video camera, and its influence was evaluated by comparing the numerical and experimental outcome of flow patterns. The simulations results proved that the specularity and restitution coefficients effects at the drum wall were more evident at high rotational speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To detect cells expressing the stem cell marker ALDH1 (aldehyde dehydrogenase1) in the pulp of human permanent teeth and to investigate the expression of ALDH1 in isolated dental pulp cells. Methodology Pulp tissue was collected and processed for immunohistochemistry to detect ALDH1-, STRO-1- and CD90-positive cells. In addition, cells were isolated and analysed by flow cytometry for ALDH1 activity and for the cell surface markers CD44, CD73, CD90, STRO-1 and CD45. Cells were also examined for multidifferentiation capacity. Within these cells, an ALDH1+ cell subpopulation was selected and evaluated for multidifferentiation capacity. Results The immunohistochemistry analyses showed that ALDH1-, CD90- and STRO-1-positive cells were located mainly in the perivascular areas and nerve fibres of dental pulps. Cells on the fifth passage had high expression for CD44, CD73 and CD90, whereas moderate labelling was observed for STRO-1 and ALDH1 in flow cytometry analysis. On the same passages, cells were able to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages. The ALDH1+ cell subpopulation also demonstrated multilineage differentiation ability. Conclusions Dental pulp stem cells reside in the vicinity of blood vessels and nerve fibres, indicating the possible existence of more than one stem cell niche in dental pulps. Furthermore, ALDH1 was expressed by isolated dental pulp cells, which had mesenchymal stem cell characteristics. Thus, it can be suggested that ALDH1 may be used as a DPSC marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the SNS on hemodynamic, metabolic, and microvascular alterations in a rat model of HFD-induced MS with salt supplementation. Methods In total, 40 adult male Wistar rats were fed normal chow ( n = 10) or a HFD ( n = 30) for 20 weeks. Thereafter, the HFD group received the centrally acting sympatho-modulatory drugs clonidine (0.1 mg/kg) or rilmenidine (1 mg/kg) or vehicle ( n = 10/group) orally by gavage. FCD was evaluated using intravital video microscopy, and the SCD was evaluated using histochemical analysis. Results The pharmacological modulation of the SNS induced concomitant reductions in SBP, HR and plasma catecholamine levels. These effects were accompanied by a reversal of functional and structural capillary rarefaction in the skeletal muscle in both treated groups and an increase in SCD in the left ventricle only in the rilmenidine group. Improvement of the lipid profile and of glucose intolerance was also obtained only with rilmenidine treatment. Conclusions Modulation of sympathetic overactivity results in the reversal of microvascular rarefaction in the skeletal muscle and left ventricle and improves metabolic parameters in an experimental model of MS in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several plasma treatments using argon, oxygen, and nitrogen are studied in order to increase the interfacial adhesion of the polyurethane/Ag:TiN system to be used as biopotential electrodes. The optimized plasma treatments conditions (100 W, 15 min, regardless of the gas) promote a steep decrease of the water contact angle values. The observed chemical and topographic alterations translate into excellent polyurethane/Ag:TiN interfacial adhesion of the plasma treated samples. The in-service validation of the proposed Ag:TiN-coated PU multipin electrodes is performed by acquiring EEG signals in parallel with the standard wet Ag/AgCl electrodes. No considerable differences are found in terms of shape, amplitude, and spectral characteristics of the signals when comparing reference wet and dry electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Poly(vinylidene fluoride- co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PVDF-CTFE) membranes were prepared by solvent casting from dimethylformamide (DMF). The preparation conditions involved a systematic variation of polymer/solvent ratio and solvent evaporation temperature. The microstructural variations of the PVDF-CTFE membranes depend on the different regions of the PVDF-CTFE/DMF phase diagram, explained by the Flory-Huggins theory. The effect of the polymer/solvent ratio and solvent evaporation temperature on the morphology, degree of porosity, β phase content, degree of crystallinity, mechanical, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of the PVDF-CTFE polymer were evaluated. In this binary system, the porous microstructure is attributed to a spinodal decomposition of the liquid-liquid phase separation. For a given polymer/solvent ratio, 20 wt %, and higher evaporation solvent temperature, the β phase content is around 82% and the piezoelectric coefficient, d33, is −4 pC/N © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 761-773 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different anions within the ionic liquid in the characteristics of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on P(VDF-TrFE) has been investigated. 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [C2mim][OAc], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate, [C2mim][(CF3SO3)], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate, [C2mim][Lactate], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate, [C2mim][SNC] and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate [C2mim][HSO4] have been used in SPE prepared by solvent casting. The polymer phase, thermal and electrochemical properties of the SPE have been determined. The thermal and electrical properties of the SPEs strongly depend on the selected IL, as determined by their different interactions with the polymer matrix. The room temperature ionic conductivity increases in the following way for the different anions: [SNC]>[CF3SO3)]>[HSO4]>[Lactate]>[OAc], which is mainly dependent on the viscosity of the ionic liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the role of nuclear receptors (NR) in treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It states that NR pharmacological manipulation showed improving results in animal models. It mentions that farsenoid X receptor (FXR) which is also known as NR1H4 is a sensor of bile acids. It highlights that FXR helps in glucose metabolism.

Background Alcohol consumption promotes hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC). The responsible mechanisms are not well understood. Hepatocarcinogenesis increases with age and is enhanced by factors that impose a demand for liver regeneration. Because alcohol is hepatotoxic, habitual alcohol ingestion evokes a recurrent demand for hepatic regeneration. The alcohol-preferring ( P) rat model mimics the level of alcohol consumption by humans who habitually abuse alcohol. Previously, we showed that habitual heavy alcohol ingestion amplified age-related hepatocarcinogenesis in P rats, with over 80% of alcohol-consuming P rats developing HCCs after 18 months of alcohol exposure, compared with only 5% of water-drinking controls. Methods Herein, we used quantitative real-time PCR and quantitative immunocytochemistry to compare liver tissues from alcohol-consuming P rats and water-fed P rat controls after 6, 12, or 18 months of drinking. We aimed to identify potential mechanisms that might underlie the differences in liver cancer formation and hypothesized that chronic alcohol ingestion would activate Hedgehog ( HH), a regenerative signaling pathway that is overactivated in HCC. Results Chronic alcohol ingestion amplified age-related degenerative changes in hepatocytes, but did not cause appreciable liver inflammation or fibrosis even after 18 months of heavy drinking. HH signaling was also enhanced by alcohol exposure, as evidenced by increased levels of m RNAs encoding HH ligands, HH-regulated transcription factors, and HH target genes. Immunocytochemistry confirmed increased alcohol-related accumulation of HH ligand-producing cells and HH-responsive target cells. HH-related regenerative responses were also induced in alcohol-exposed rats. Three of these processes (i.e., deregulated progenitor expansion, the reverse Warburg effect, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions) are known to promote cancer growth in other tissues. Conclusions Alcohol-related changes in Hedgehog signaling and resultant deregulation of liver cell replacement might promote hepatocarcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-clay nanocomposites are often manufactured using twin-screw extruders. Processing conditions, namely screw speed and feed rate, are known to strongly influence the final dispersion levels attained. The effect of these parameters on the evolution of dispersion along the extruder for a system consisting of polypropylene, polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride, and an organoclay is investigated. Inline near-infrared measurements were performed at various axial locations plus die outlet. At the same positions, local average mass temperature and minimum residence time were also monitored. In addition, samples were quickly removed from the extruder for subsequent offline characterization. Regardless of the processing conditions, dispersion develops rapidly upon melting, with a much slower pace downstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-line diffuse reflectance and on-line transmission near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) measurements are performed at the same location of the barrel of a twin screw extruder during the preparation of a polypropylene/clay nanocomposite. Their performance is evaluated by means of a 7-parameter chemometric model using off-line rheological and structural (FTIR) data obtained from samples prepared under different screw speed, compatibilizer content and clay loading, as well as a process-related thermomechanical index. Despite the higher variability of the diffuse reflectance signal, the two models present analogous high quality indices. The aptness of the reflectance measurements is thus validated, which has direct practical advantages, as this probe can be fixed in any typical melt pressure transducer port. The probe is then used for the real-time in-line monitoring of the production of the same nanocomposite but now using different throughputs, and the chemometric-based predictions are compared with experimental off-line characterization data. The nonlinear effect of throughput is correctly anticipated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid polymer nanocomposites (HPN) with same composition were prepared in an internal mixer and in an extruder at the same temperature. Polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and aluminum isopropoxide were used as organic and inorganic components, respectively. Moreover, the chemical and morphological evolution along the extruder was followed. The HPNs were characterized by several techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared, rheology, X-ray diffraction, gel content, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and transmission electronic microscopy. Chemical and morphological characterization showed that the sol-gel reaction in the extruder was more extensive; the produced nanocomposite exhibited a higher cross-linking level with smaller and more homogeneous nanoparticles. Along the extruder, the nanoparticles', size decreased as the reaction took place. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E732-E740, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21316 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aims: Obesity is a common risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease ( CKD). NAFLD and CKD have been associated in many epidemiological studies. We hypothesize that more severe liver disease, namely nonalcoholic steatohepatitis ( NASH), is related with further renal impairment. We aimed to evaluate if changes in renal function were present in morbid obese patients with NAFLD. Methods Prospective and consecutive recruitment of morbid obese patients with biopsy proven NAFLD obtained during bariatric surgery. Renal function was evaluated with CKD- Epidemiology Collaboration estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR). Plasmatic adiponectin, leptin and active ghrelin concentrations were determined. Results One hundred and forty-eight patients were included of whom 25% had NASH and 75% simple steatosis. NASH patients were older, with higher body mass index and had more frequently metabolic syndrome and lower eGFR (97 ± 22 vs 106 ± 16 ml/min/1.732, P = 0.035). NASH conferred an odds ratio ( OR) 3.0 (1.3-7.0) for eGFR < 90 and OR 9.7 (1.0-96.4) for eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.732. eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.732 associated with aspartate aminotransferase [ OR 2.9 (1.1-7.6)] and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase elevation [ OR 3.0 (1.3-7.2)], NASH [ OR 3.0 (1.3-7.0)], any lobular inflammatory activity [ OR 3.0 (1.3-7.0)] and severe fibrosis [ OR 3.4 (1.1-10.8)]. Neither eGFR nor liver histology was associated with adipokines levels. Conclusions In morbid obese patients, NASH, particularly lobular inflammation and advanced fibrosis, associates with mild decreases in eGFR, suggesting a common inflammatory link between liver and renal lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Although hepatic steatosis (HS) has an association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, an association with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate HS prevalence and risk factors, in HBV infection. Methods: Standard guidelines for performance of meta-analyses were followed. Studies with HS assessed by histology were included. Pooled odd ratios (OR) and standardized mean differences (SMD) were obtained with the random-effects model and DerSimonian-Laid method. Results: Seventeen out of 21 studies were included, comprising 4100 HBV infected patients. Overall HS prevalence was 29.6%. Eight studies also included 945 HCV infected patients, showing decreased risk of HS in HBV versus HCV patients (OR 0.55, 95%CI [0.45-0.67], P < 0.001). In HBV, HS positively associated with male gender (OR 1.74, 95%CI [1.28-2.38], P < 0.001), body mass index (SMD 2.17, 95%CI [1.23, 3.11], P < 0.001), obesity (OR 6.59, 95%CI [3.51-12.257], P = 0.003), diabetes (OR 2.62, 95%CI [1.37-4.00], P = 0.004), glycemia (SMD 0.84, 95%CI [0.00, 1.67], P = 0.049), triglycerides (SMD 1.18, 95%CI [0.48, 1.89], P = 0.001), cholesterol (SMD 0.88, 95%CI [0.31, 1.45], P = 0.003), moderate alcohol consumption (OR 1.54, 95%CI [1.10-2.15], P = 0.011) and negatively with HBV DNA (SMD −74.12, 95%CI [−82.93, −65.31], P < 0.001). HS had no association with aminotransferases, HBeAg, genotype or hepatic histology, necroinflammation or fibrosis. Conclusion: HS in HBV seems to be as frequent as in the general population, and lower than in HCV infected patients, relating to metabolic factors but not with hepatic histology severity. A puzzling strong negative association between viral load and HS, may even suggest a protective effect of the virus on HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

See Article on Page 1450 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the effects of processing conditions on the chemical conversion and morphology evolution of polyamide/polyolefin blends along a twin-screw extruder. Findings suggest that a faster reaction and better dispersion along the extruder is achieved when increasing the screw speed or using more restrictive screw modules at the beginning of the melting zone. Chemical reaction is reported to also take place as soon as melting started.

The article discusses a study aimed at selecting the antistatic agent with the best performance that does not compromise the mechanical properties of the final product. The authors performed a comparative study with different active antistatic agents that include Atmer 7325, Atmer 7105, and Atmer 190. Surface resistivity and charge decay following the standard procedures were measured to asses the efficacy of such agents.

The article presents a study which described the polymerization of ε-caprolactone initiated by titanium phenoxide in both an internal mixer and a twin-screw extruder. Different processing conditions were involved in performing the polymerization including various temperatures and crew speeds. The evolution of the conversion degree with mixing time and with the extruder was examined using size exclusion chromatography and proton nuclear magnetic resonance.

Aims: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a progressive liver disease characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinaemia and a favourable response to immunosuppressive treatment. Although the pathogenesis of type 1 AIH is unknown, disease susceptibility is partially determined by genes linked to the class II region of the major histocompatibility complex. Type 1 AIH has been associated with DRB1*03, DRB1*04 and DRB3 alleles in European and North American Caucasians, with DRB1*0405 in Japanese, with DRB1*0404 in Mexican, and with DRB1*1301 in Argentinean populations. Methods: To analyse the molecular basis of these associations in Venezuela (mestizo population), we examined the frequency of human leucocyte antigens (HLA)-A -B -C, HLA-DQ and HLA-DR genes by low- and high-resolution oligonucleotide typing in a population of 41 type 1 AIH patients and 111 ethnic- and aged-matched healthy subjects. Results: The frequencies of both DRB1*1301 ( P<0.0001) and DRB1*0301 ( P<0.005) were significantly higher in patients than in controls. In addition, patients showed a strong association with the DRB3 allele ( P<0.01). In contrast, the DQB1*04 allele was significantly decreased in the patient group ( P<0.01). The frequencies of haplotypes A*01-B*08-DQB1*02-DRB1*03-DRB3, DQB1*05-DRB1*1301, DQB1*06-DRB1*1301 and A*02-DRB1*1301, B*45-DRB3 were significantly increased in type 1 AIH patients compared with the controls ( P<0.01). Conclusions: In conclusion, our data indicate that type 1 AIH predisposition in a Venezuelan mestizo population of different ethnic backgrounds is associated with DRB1*1301 and DRB1*0301 alleles. In addition, our findings suggest that protection against disease might be conferred by the DQB1*04 allele, with distinct ethnic differences from other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) admit white dwarfs (WDs) with masses as high as 2.3−2.6 M⊙, surpassing in this way the mass limit of WDs established by Chandrasekhar (1.44 M⊙). Within the scope of pseudo-complex general relativity (pc-GR), we investigate a possible mechanism for such a hypothesis, using a very simple model for the WD matter, which consists in our approach of ionized hydrogen and helium nuclei (nucleons) and electrons. In pc-GR, the field equations have an extra term compared to the field equations of Einstein's general relativity. This additional term is associated with the nature of spacetime, of repulsive character, which is believed to halt the gravitational attractive collapse of matter distributions in the evolution process of compact stars. This additional term arises from microscale phenomena due to vacuum fluctuations, which simulate the presence of dark energy in the Universe. In a more conventional theoretical description of a WD, the electron degeneracy pressure ultimately stabilizes the star against collapse. In this paper, we explore the presence of this additional term of pc-GR and study the role of dark energy in the structure of WDs, constituted by nucleons and electrons and held together by the presence of the gravitational interaction, and superimposed on a repulsive background of dark energy. The corresponding versions of the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equations in the pc-GR formalism are solved, and the mass-radius relations as well as the maximum mass of the WD star are determined for different parameter configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on the effect of using anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), in which it can damage the liver. They say that the use of AAS can lead to several side effects including cholestatic jaundice, acute hepatitis, and peliosis hepatis. They also mention the work of P. A. Schwingel and colleagues on the use of AAS as a risk factor for toxicant-associated fatty liver disease (TAFLD) and revealed a possible risk factor for hepatic steatosis.