Improved spatial modeling by merging multiple secondary data for intrinsic collocated cokriging

There often exist many secondary data that must be considered in geostatistical reservoir modeling. These include multiple seismic attributes, geological trends and structural controls. It is essential that all secondary data are accounted for when estimating a primary variable (e.g., porosity or water saturation) with the precision warranted by that secondary data type. Characterizing the distribution of primary and secondary variables requires multivariate geostatistical techniques. Collocated cokriging is a common technique in geostatistics to account for multiple data types. This technique, however, has a longstanding problem with variance inflation that leads to problems in histogram reproduction. This paper, analyses an alternative method to collocated cokriging. This method, referred to as intrinsic collocated cokriging (ICCK), is equally simple, but ensures histogram reproduction. To improve practical implementation of ICCK in the case of multiple secondary data a novel merged secondary variable approach is developed in this paper. This approach is aimed at merging all secondary data into a single variable, then implementing ICCK with that single variable. It is shown that the proposed technique yields the same results as would be obtained using all multiple secondary variables simultaneously.     

C60 Fullerene Reduces 3-Nitropropionic Acid-Induced Oxidative Stress Disorders and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rats by Modulation of p53, Bcl-2 and Nrf2 Targeted Proteins

C₆₀ fullerene as a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant could be a beneficial means for neurodegenerative disease prevention or cure. The aim of the study was to define the effects of C₆₀ administration on mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress disorders in a 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA)-induced rat model of Huntington’s disease. Animals received 3-NPA (30 mg/kg i.p.) once a day for 3 consecutive days. C₆₀ was applied at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight, i.p. daily over 5 days before (C₆₀ pre-treatment) and after 3-NPA exposure (C₆₀ post-treatment). Oxidative stress biomarkers, the activity of respiratory chain enzymes, the level of antioxidant defense, and pro- and antiapoptotic markers were analyzed in the brain and skeletal muscle mitochondria. The nuclear and cytosol Nrf2 protein expression, protein level of MnSOD, γ-glutamate-cysteine ligase (γ-GCLC), and glutathione-S-transferase (GSTP) as Nrf2 targets were evaluated. Our results indicated that C₆₀ can prevent 3-NPA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through the restoring of mitochondrial complexes’ enzyme activity, ROS scavenging, modulating of pro/antioxidant balance and GSH/GSSG ratio, as well as inhibition of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis through the limitation of p53 mitochondrial translocation and increase in Bcl-2 protein expression. C₆₀ improved mitochondrial protection by strengthening the endogenous glutathione system via glutathione biosynthesis by up-regulating Nrf2 nuclear accumulation as well as GCLC and GSTP protein level.     

Complex Positive Effects of SGLT-2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin in the Liver,Kidney and Adipose Tissue of Hereditary Hypertriglyceridemic Rats: Possible Contribution of Attenuation of Cell Senescence and Oxidative Stress

(1) Background: empagliflozin, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, is an effective antidiabetic agent with strong cardio- and nephroprotective properties. The mechanisms behind its cardio- and nephroprotection are still not fully clarified. (2) Methods: we used male hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (hHTG) rats, a non-obese model of dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction fed standard diet with or without empagliflozin for six weeks to explore the molecular mechanisms of empagliflozin effects. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics; quantitative PCR of relevant genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism, or senescence; glucose and palmitic acid oxidation in isolated tissues and cell lines of adipocytes and hepatocytes were used. (3) Results: empagliflozin inhibited weight gain and decreased adipose tissue weight, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides and increased HDL-cholesterol. It also improved insulin sensitivity in white fat. NMR spectroscopy identified higher plasma concentrations of ketone bodies, ketogenic amino acid leucine and decreased levels of pyruvate and alanine. In the liver, adipose tissue and kidney, empagliflozin up-regulated expression of genes involved in gluconeogenesis and down-regulated expression of genes involved in lipogenesis along with reduction of markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and cell senescence. (4) Conclusion: multiple positive effects of empagliflozin, including reduced cell senescence and oxidative stress, could contribute to its long-term cardio- and nephroprotective actions.     

Polymer-metal complexes as a catalyst for the growth of carbon nanostructures

A universal technique is developed to coat uniform layer of catalyst on any targeted substrate. The technique is based on a novel concept of catalyst deposition by using polymer-metal complexes in the form of invertible polymeric nanostructures through molecular self-assembly. Growth of carbon nanofibres on carbon microfibres was demonstrated to show this technique.     

Effect of Breed on Fatty Acid Composition and Lipogenic Enzyme Abundance in the Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Pigs

This study investigated the role of lipogenic enzyme expression in breed‐specific fat deposition in pigs. Objectives: (i) determine effect of breed on the relative abundance of the key lipogenic enzymes stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD), delta‐6 desaturase (Δ6D), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in pig subcutaneous adipose tissue. (ii) Investigate breed‐specific relationships between lipogenic enzyme abundance and fatty acid composition. Large White × Piétrain, Piétrain, and Duroc × Piétrain pigs were used. Expression of SCD, Δ6D, and FAS was analyzed by Western blotting. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. FAS protein in Large White × Piétrain pigs was similar to the Piétrain breed, but was significantly higher than Duroc × Piétrain. A positive relationship was found between FAS abundance and the saturated fatty acids (SFAs), for Large White × Piétrain pigs, but not for the other breeds. Δ6D was significantly higher in Large White × Piétrain compared with Duroc × Piétrain and Piétrain. This was accompanied by significantly higher total n?3 poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the Large White × Piétrain when compared to the other breeds. Conclusions: (i) increased subcutaneous adipose tissue SFA content in Large White × Piétrain pigs (but not Piétrain and Duroc × Piétrain) is related to increased abundance of FAS protein; (ii) high n?3 PUFA content in Large White × Piétrain pigs is related to activation of Δ6D protein synthesis; (iii) SCD and Δ6D abundance does not contribute to between‐breed differences in MUFA and n?6 PUFA content of pig subcutaneous adipose tissue.     

Datenschutzrecht in der Ukraine

Seit dem 1. Januar 2011 werden personenbezogene Daten in der Ukraine unter einen umfassenderen rechtlichen Schutz gestellt. Das „Gesetz zum Schutz personenbezogener Daten“ wurde im Juni 2010 vom ukrainischen Parlament verabschiedet und trat am 1. Januar 2011 in Kraft. Der nachfolgende Beitrag gibt einen überblick über die früheren fragmentarischen Regelungen im Recht des Datenschutzes und analysiert die derzeit geltende Ausgestaltung des ukrainischen Datenschutzrechts. Hierbei soll die von der Ukraine vorangetriebene Angleichung des nationalen Rechts an Unionsrecht, insbesondere im Hinblick auf die Vorgaben der Datenschutzrichtlinie 95/46/EG, n?her beleuchtet werden.