Search

The levels of vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and B6 (pyridoxine) in the main edible parts of five crops in the Amaranthaceae family, namely Amaranthus spp. (amaranth grain), Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. cicla (Swiss chard leaf), B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. conditiva (beet root), Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa grain), and Spinacia oleracea (spinach leaf) were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). This analysis detected both vitamins in all of the samples. The highest content of vitamin B2 was found in spinach leaf (0.439 ± 0.094 µg/g FW). Amaranth grain (0.431 ± 0.023 µg/g FW) and quinoa grain (0.419 ± 0.055 µg/g FW) showed similar vitamin B2 content to that of spinach leaf. The highest content of vitamin B6 was found in quinoa grain (0.321 ± 0.030 µg/g FW), followed by amaranth grain (0.184 ± 0.003 µg/g FW). Taken together, the main edible parts of crops in the Amaranthaceae family, especially quinoa grain, might be a good vegetable source for the consumption of both vitamins, and these results could serve as valuable preliminary data for estimating both vitamin contents of crops in the Amaranthaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bone disorder is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The clinical usefulness of bone mineral density (BMD) in CKD is not well known. Our study shows that low BMD is associated with physical activity and dietary Na/K intake ratio and can predict poor renal outcome in non-dialysis CKD. Purpose: Despite evidence of a link between bone mineral disorders and chronic kidney disease (CKD), the clinical implications of bone mineral density (BMD) in CKD are not well established. We investigated risk factors and renal outcomes of low BMD in CKD. Methods: We analyzed data from the KNOW-CKD. BMD measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was classified by T score: normal (T score ≥ − 1.0), osteopenia (− 1.0 > T score > − 2.5), and osteoporosis (T score ≤ − 2.5) of the lumbar spine, hip, or femoral neck. Logistic regression analysis to assess risk factors of low BMD (T score < − 1.0) and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate risk of incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Results: Low BMD was prevalent (osteopenia 33%; osteoporosis 8%) in 2128 adults with CKD (age 54 ± 12 years; male 61%). Over a median follow-up of 4.3 years, there were 521 cases of incident ESRD. Lower BMD was associated with female sex, older age, low eGFR, low BMI, and lifestyle factors of physical activity (odds ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (0.49–0.77)) and spot urine Na/K ratio (1.07 (1.00–1.15)). In adjusted Cox models, low BMD was associated with increased incident ESRD (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.14 (0.92–1.41) for osteopenia; 1.43 (1.01–2.04) for osteoporosis, P for trend < 0.05) compared with the reference of normal BMD. The association between low BMD and ESRD was similar according to T score discordance classification. Conclusions: Low BMD was associated with modifiable lifestyle factors including low physical activity and high dietary Na/K intake ratio. The presence of low BMD is associated with poor renal outcomes in non-dialysis CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CrMoV steels are used in high temperature and high stress sections of power plant members; their good creep resistance is impaired by welding done during fabrication of assemblies and weld repair of service damaged rotors. Occurrence of a 'softening' ('tempered') region in the grain refined heat-affected zone/intercritical heat-affected zone, has become the limiting factor in the life extension of weld repaired high pressure/ intermediate pressure steam turbine rotors. This study focuses on the effect that multiple thermal cycles have on the development of this softened region. Work was conducted on real weldments and with simulated heat-affected zones produced with the Gleeble thermomechanical simulator and by isothermal furnace heat treatments. The thermal cycle at the softening region in the actual weldment was measured and reproduced during simulation; it was estimated that the peak temperature at this location was just above the intercritical [A.sub.1] temperature. Softening occurred before any changes in microstructure could be detected with the light microscope. Carbide coarsening, shown by limited TEM analysis, and the likely dissolution of some of the carbides, most probable, contributed to reduce the microhardness values. [S1087-1357(00)70202-4]