Abstract This paper shortly introduces the topic of soil microplastics by presenting a comprehensive review current state art in this field. It focuses mainly on role primary microplastics, particularly glitters, due to their large surface-to-volume ratio. From conclusions about challenges and research directions, after analysis crucial “knowledge gaps “, one can point out lack detailed descrip...

Microfluidic devices were developed that integrate the synthesis of well defined block copolymers and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement of their micelle formation. These metal devices were designed to operate in contact with organic solvents and elevated temperatures for long periods, and thus were capable of continuous in-channel atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene ...

In some patients with antibodies against LPS antigen of Chlamydia, specific immunoglobulins G are not present. The findings of isolated anti-LPS IgA/IgM antibodies are to be considered as possibly non-specifically or "false" positive. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is any difference in the level of total immunoglobulins of isotypes IgG and IgG2 in probands with isolated posit...

Reference intervals were established for 10 serum proteins (IgA, IgG, IgM, transferrin, haptoglobin, complement C3, complement C4, alpha 1-acid-glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin) measured by rate nephelometry. The reference individuals - 200 blood donors - were divided into 5 subgroups: men aged 19-39 and 40-60 years, women aged 19-39 and 40-60 years and women aged 19-48 ...

Aptamers are oligonucleotides that can bind to specific target molecules. Most aptamers are generated using random libraries in the standard systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Each random library contains oligonucleotides with a randomized central region and two fixed primer regions at both ends. The fixed primer regions are necessary for amplifying target-bound ...

Mildly increased urinary albumin excretion rates and concentrations, below the quantity normally detected by conventional urinary protein and albumin methods, have prognostic significance for the development of nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. The authors evaluated the automated Behring Nephelometer using Behring reagents for the detection of low level urinary albumin. Within run...

Systemic inflammation in osteoarthritis Several studies have shown that the acute phase response may take place in osteoarthritis (OA), suggesting that low grade systemic inflammation may be present in patients with OA. 1 2 I read with interest the paper by Stürmer et al on high sensitivity C reactive protein (CRP) in relation to the severity and extent of OA. 3 As assessed by high sensitivity ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the changes in anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) following etanercept treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS The study included 90 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who failed treatment with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). All patients were allowed to continue treatment with DMARDs; 52 of...

A small number of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients develop an erosive disease. Some studies have suggested an association between anti-cyclic citrullinated (anti-CCP) antibodies and this pattern of arthritis, but their exact significance in SLE patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anti-CCP antibodies in SLE patients with different subsets ...