We examined the association between serum lipoprotein subclasses and the three measures of arterial stiffness, that is, (i) carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), which is a gold standard ...measure of central arterial stiffness, (ii) brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV), which is emerging as a combined measure of central and peripheral arterial stiffness and (iii) femoral-ankle PWV (faPWV), which is a measure of peripheral arterial stiffness. Among a population-based sample of 701 apparently healthy Caucasian, Japanese American and Korean men aged 40-49 years, concentrations of lipoprotein particles were assessed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and the PWV was assessed with an automated waveform analyzer (VP2000, Omron, Japan). Multiple linear regressions were performed to analyse the association between each NMR lipoprotein subclasses and PWV measures, after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and other confounders. A cutoff of P<0.01 was used for determining significance. All PWV measures had significant correlations with total and small low-density lipoprotein particle number (LDL-P) (all P<0.0001) but not LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (all P>0.1), independent of race and age. In multivariate regression analysis, no NMR lipoprotein subclass was significantly associated with cfPWV (all P>0.01). However, most NMR lipoprotein subclasses had significant associations with both baPWV and faPWV (P<0.01). In this study of healthy middle-aged men, as compared with cfPWV, both baPWV and faPWV had stronger associations with particle numbers of lipoprotein subclasses. Our results may suggest that both baPWV and faPWV are related to arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, whereas cfPWV may represent arterial stiffness alone.
Abstract Aims To evaluate the association of serum fructosamine values to lipid profiles and to other indices of glycemia both at baseline and over time in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods ...Forty adults aged 45 or older with T2DM, not taking insulin, and an HbA1c of 6–10% were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial regarding the effects of an 8-week yoga program on glycemia and related cardiovascular disease risk indices in adults with T2DM. Fasting blood was drawn to assess glycemia (HbA1c, glucose, and fructosamine) and dyslipidemia (LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, cholesterol:HDL ratio, LDL:HDL ratio, and triglycerides) pre and post-intervention. Because the relation of fructosamine to other indices of glycemia and to lipid profiles did not differ between treatment groups either at baseline or over time, groups were pooled for analysis. Results Baseline fructosamine values were significantly correlated with HbA1c ( r = 0.77, P < 0.0001), glucose ( r = 0.72, P < 0.0001), LDL:HDL ratio ( r = 0.46, P = 0.01), cholesterol:HDL ratio ( r = 0.55, P = 0.002), and triglycerides ( r = 0.39, P = 0.032), but not to other lipid indices at baseline. Change in fructosamine over 8 weeks was significantly correlated with change in HbA1c ( r = 0.63, P = 0.0001), glucose ( r = 0.39, P = 0.029), cholesterol ( r = 0.65, P < 0.0001), LDL ( r = 0.55, P = 0.001), LDL:HDL ratio ( r = 0.53, P = 0.003), and cholesterol:HDL ratio ( r = 0.52, P = 0.002), and was more strongly related to change in lipid values than were other indices of glycemia. Conclusions Fructosamine was significantly correlated with measures of dyslipidemia and glycemia both at baseline and over time, and may represent a relatively sensitive and low cost index of short to medium term change in both glycemia and certain lipid profiles. However, findings from this small pilot study should be interpreted with caution, and warrant replication in larger prospective studies.
Biomass as a form of energy source may be utilized in two different ways: directly by burning the biomass and indirectly by converting it into solid, liquid or gaseous fuels. Pyrolysis is an indirect ...conversion method, and can be described in simpler terms as a thermal decomposition of biomass under oxygen-depleted conditions to an array of solid, liquid and gaseous products, namely biochar, bio-oil and fuel gas. However, pyrolysis of biomass is a complex chemical process with several operational and environmental challenges. Consequently, this process has been widely investigated in order to understand the mechanisms and kinetics of pyrolysis at different scales, viz. particle level, multi-phase reacting flow, product distribution and reactor performance, process integration and control. However, there are a number of uncertainties in current biomass pyrolysis models, especially in their ability to optimize process conditions to achieve desired product yields and distribution.
The present contribution provides a critical review of the current status of mathematical modelling studies of biomass pyrolysis with the aim to identify knowledge gaps for further research and opportunities for integration of biomass pyrolysis models of disparate scales. Models for the hydrodynamic behaviour of particles in pyrolysis, and their interaction with the reactive flow and the effect on the performance of the reactors have also been critically analyzed. From this analysis it becomes apparent that feedstock characteristics, evolving physical and chemical properties of biomass particles and residence times of both solid and gas phases in reactors hold the key to the desired performance of the pyrolysis process. Finally, the importance of catalytic effects in pyrolysis has also been critically analyzed, resulting in recommendations for further research in this area especially on selection of catalysts for optimal product yields under varying operating conditions.
The breaking silence between the plant roots and microorganisms in the rhizosphere affects plant growth and physiology by impacting biochemical, molecular, nutritional, and edaphic factors. The ...components of the root exudates are associated with the microbial population, notably, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The information accessible to date demonstrates that PGPR is specific to the plant's roots. However, inadequate information is accessible for developing bio-inoculation/bio-fertilizers for the crop in concern, with satisfactory results at the field level. There is a need to explore the perfect candidate PGPR to meet the need for plant growth and yield. The functions of PGPR and their chemotaxis mobility toward the plant root are triggered by the cluster of genes induced by the components of root exudates. Some reports have indicated the benefit of root exudates in plant growth and productivity, yet a methodical examination of rhizosecretion and its consequences in phytoremediation have not been made. In the light of the afore-mentioned facts, in the present review, the mechanistic insight and recent updates on the specific PGPR recruitment to improve crop production at the field level are methodically addressed.
Silicon (Si) is considered a non-essential element similar to cadmium, arsenic, lead, etc., for plants, yet Si is beneficial to plant growth, so it is also referred to as a quasi-essential element ...(similar to aluminum, cobalt, sodium and selenium). An element is considered quasi-essential if it is not required by plants but its absence results in significant negative consequences or anomalies in plant growth, reproduction and development. Si is reported to reduce the negative impacts of different stresses in plants. The significant accumulation of Si on the plant tissue surface is primarily responsible for these positive influences in plants, such as increasing antioxidant activity while reducing soil pollutant absorption. Because of these advantageous properties, the application of Si-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) in agricultural and food production has received a great deal of interest. Furthermore, conventional Si fertilizers are reported to have low bioavailability; therefore, the development and implementation of nano-Si fertilizers with high bioavailability could be crucial for viable agricultural production. Thus, in this context, the objectives of this review are to summarize the effects of both Si and Si-NPs on soil microbes, soil properties, plant growth and various plant pathogens and diseases. Si-NPs and Si are reported to change the microbial colonies and biomass, could influence rhizospheric microbes and biomass content and are able to improve soil fertility.
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