Mcculloughmassey9794

Pulsed micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in a strongly alkaline electrolyte (pH > 13), consisting of Na2SiO3⋅9H2O and NaOH, was used to form a thin porous oxide coating consisting of two layers differing in chemical and phase composition. The unique procedure, combining MAO and removal of the outer layer by blasting, enables to prepare a coating suitable for application in temporary traumatological implants. A bilayer formed in an alkaline electrolyte environment during the application of MAO enables the formation of a wear-resistant layer with silicon incorporated in the oxide phase. Following the removal of the outer rutile-containing porous layer, the required coating properties for traumatological applications were determined. The prepared surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. Cytocompatibility was evaluated using human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. The newly-developed surface modifications of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy performed satisfactorily in all cellular tests in comparison with MAO-untreated alloy and standard tissue culture plastic. High cell viability was supported, but the modifications allowed only relatively slow cell proliferation, and showed only moderate osseointegration potential without significant support for matrix mineralization. Materials with these properties are promising for utilization in temporary traumatological implants.Bezafibrate (BzF) is eliminated by renal excretion and dosage must be reduced in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is a concern that BzF causes a further deterioration in renal function in patients with CKD. This study assessed whether BzF discontinuation or dose reduction in CKD patients improves renal function. 117 CKD patients treated with BzF between 2009 and 2014 were studied for demographics, comorbid conditions and laboratory variables. Data compared 2 groups an intervention group of 64 patients where recommendations regarding BzF administration was implemented and a control group of 37 patients. Follow-up was maintained for 12 months. In the intervention group, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased from 38 to 42 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.01); blood urea levels decreased from 81 to 77 mg/dL (p = 0.04). Serum creatinine decreased by more than 0.2 mg/dL in 45% of the intervention group, as compared to 19% of the control group (p  less then  0.01). Improvement in eGFR was seen exclusively in patients who stopped BzF completely (eGFR increased from 38 to 44 mL/min/1.73 m2). In the intervention group, TG level increased from 183 to 220 mg/dL (p  less then  0.001). BzF cessation in approximately 50% of patients with CKD was associated with an increase in eGFR.Low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) is one of the main problems of acidic soil that limit the crop growth. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the response of crop yield and PUE to the long-term application of fertilizers and quicklime (CaO) in the acidic soil under wheat-maize rotation system. Treatments included, CK (no fertilization), NP (inorganic nitrogen and P fertilization), NPK (inorganic N, P and potassium fertilization), NPKS (NPK + straw return), NPCa (NP + lime), NPKCa (NPK + lime) and NPKSCa (NPKS + lime). Results showed that, fertilizer without lime treatments, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased soil pH and crop yield, compared to the fertilizer with lime treatments during the period of 2012-2018. Average among years, compared to the CK treatment, wheat grain yield increased by 138%, 213%, 198%, 547%, 688% and 626%, respectively and maize yield increased by 687%, 1887%, 1651%, 2605%, 5047% and 5077%, respectively, under the NP, NPK, NPKS, NPCa, NPKCa and NPKSCa treatments. Lime application significantly increased soil exchangeable base cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) and decreased Al3+ cation. find more Compared to the NP treatment, phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) increased by 220%, 212%, 409%, 807% and 795%, respectively, under the NPK, NPKS, NPCa, NPKCa and NPKSCa treatments. Soil pH showed significant negative relationship with exchangeable Al3+ and soil total N. While, soil pH showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) positive relationship with exchangeable Ca2+, PUE and annual crop yield. PUE was highly negatively correlated with soil exchangeable Al3+. In addition, soil exchangeable Ca2+, pH, exchangeable Al3+ and available N were the most influencing factors of crop yield. Therefore, we concluded that lime application is an effective strategy to mitigate soil acidification and to increase PUE through increasing exchangeable base cations and reducing the acidic cations for high crop yield in acidic soil.Our main aim was to investigate the diversity, origin and biogeographical affiliations of freshwater gammarids inhabiting the Aegean Islands by analysing their mtDNA and nDNA polymorphism, thereby providing the first insight into the phylogeography of the Aegean freshwater gammarid fauna. The study material was collected from Samothraki, Lesbos, Skyros, Evia, Andros, Tinos and Serifos islands as well as from mainland Greece. The DNA extracted was used for amplification of two mitochondrial (COI and 16S) and two nuclear markers (28S and EF1-alpha). The multimarker time-calibrated phylogeny supports multiple origins and different diversification times for the studied taxa. Three of the sampled insular populations most probably represent new, distinct species as supported by all the delimitation methods used in our study. Our results show that the evolution of freshwater taxa is associated with the geological history of the Aegean Basin. The biogeographic affiliations of the studied insular taxa indicate its continental origin, as well as the importance of the land fragmentation and the historical land connections of the islands. Based on the findings, we highlight the importance of studying insular freshwater biota to better understand diversification mechanisms in fresh waters as well as the origin of studied Aegean freshwater taxa.