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Low Cost
Does this mean the DGU will sale for $2 million? Not a bad deal and within reach of most MUSH organizations.
EXHIBITORS
•Embertec USA, LLC
•Energy Focus
•Fermilab
•FPI Environmental
•Frontline Aerospace, Inc.
•G4 Synergetics, Inc.
•Horizon Energy Systems
•IAP Worldwide Services
•Jameson & Co., CPAs
•Mide' Technologies
•MobileSmith
•Modula S
•Northrop Grumman
•NovaCentrix
•Saft
•Sandia National Laboratories
•Solace Power Inc.
•Solar Stik
•Solid Power, Inc.
•Southwest Research Institute
•Terragon Environmental Technologies
•The Australian National University
•ThermAvant Technologies
Something to look at.
NSTXL is pleased to host the 2015 Defense Innovation Challenges, delivering transformational technologies to our National Defense.
http://defenseinnovation.us/dag2015.html
Northrop will be there... Not sure at what area...
DGU to the government is moving forward; just at a snails pace...Just like everything else in the government...
How quickly we all forget?
Are we Ready? This solicitation is a sources sought...
Scope: This solicitation is a sources sought, and there is no guarantee that a contract will be
issued. NAVFAC EXWC is seeking vendors who have developed waste-to-energy equipment
with a capacity between 0.25 to 2 tons/day that is suitable for expeditionary purposes.
Acceptable technologies include incineration and gasification. The equipment should be able to
fully process solid wastes typically found at expeditionary facilities and produce energy from
waste destruction. Additionally, the technology should significantly reduce the volume of the
waste and alter it in such a way that the conversion residuals (air, water, and solids) do not
present health hazards for operators or surrounding personnel. The environmental conditions
include extreme cold and heat, extreme low and high humidity levels, rugged terrain, sand
storms, and intense rainfall.
NAVFAC EXWC is looking for the following criteria in the proposed equipment:
1. Ability to operate with no or very limited external power supplies.
2. Net energy production at least slightly positive with energy output as electricity.
3. Capable of operating in parallel with localized generator “grids.”
4. Capable of performing any required material preprocessing, presorting, and removal of
any free liquids.
5. Capable of being operated unattended or with minimal personnel with limited English
speaking operators.
6. Able to withstand extreme cold and heat, extreme low and high humidity levels, rugged
terrain, sand storms, and intense rainfall.
7. Ability to process solid waste in the following composition(by dry weight) range:
a. 20 - 40% plastic
b. 20 - 40% paper
c. 20 - 40% cardboard
d. 0 - 5% metal
e. 0 - 10% wood
f. 0 - 35% organics including food waste
2. Handle up to 30% moisture
3. Fit into standard 20 foot long ISO shipping containers, or 10 foot long ISO shipping
containers (BICON) or a 6' 5 & 1/2" length ISO shipping containers (TRICON). The
preference is for equipment fitting within a TRICON. No single component can weigh
more than 10,000 lbs.
4. Allow for setup without construction of concrete pads, proprietary equipment, or skilled
personnel in less than 3 days. (e.g. plug-and-play)
Two types of Waste to Energy end items are unlikely to be selected for expeditionary use: (1)
plasma-assisted gasification and (2) biological driven processes. Plasma assisted gasification
uses too much energy and may require 4 or more gallons of cooling water. Biological driven
processes depend on microorganisms, which cannot survive in the extreme military operation or
military transport temperatures.
In your submission, include the following information:
? Model name
? Intellectual property owner/developer
? Description
? Type of technology e.g. gasifier
? DoD technology readiness level (TRL)
? Hours waste processed/day
? Container size and number of containers
? Loading capacity (lbs/batch)
? Load interval (hours between batches)
? External fuel or power used per day
? Footprint (ft2)
? Ash production (% weight of total waste input)
? Electricity/gas/heat output noting maximum, minimum and average
? Types of waste that can/cannot be handled
? Allowable water content
? Setup labor hours, number of people and duration
? Operating labor hours, number of people and duration
? Takedown operating labor hours, number of people and duration
Until 30 October 2015, providers can submit their technology by responding to Sources Sought -
at FEDBIZOPS https://www.fbo.gov/ or NECO https://www.neco.navy.mil/ [click on Synopsis
and type in solicitation number]. Responses received after this deadline may not be considered.
Since this is a sources sought announcement, no evaluation letters will be issued to the
participants. Respondents do not need to provide information already provided to the Joint
Deployable Waste to Energy (JDW2E) Working Group (WG). However, respondents are
encouraged to provide updated information with respect to that provided to the JDW2E WG. In
addition, respondents do not need to provide information on significant RDT&E DoD waste-toenergy
end item efforts within the last 10 years.
https://community.apan.org/jdw2e_government_presentations/m/mediagallery/149699.aspx
Link at the bottom of the post.
Until 30 October 2015, providers can submit their technology by responding to Sources Sought
How quickly we all forget?
Are we Ready? This solicitation is a sources sought...
Scope: This solicitation is a sources sought, and there is no guarantee that a contract will be
issued. NAVFAC EXWC is seeking vendors who have developed waste-to-energy equipment
with a capacity between 0.25 to 2 tons/day that is suitable for expeditionary purposes.
Acceptable technologies include incineration and gasification. The equipment should be able to
fully process solid wastes typically found at expeditionary facilities and produce energy from
waste destruction. Additionally, the technology should significantly reduce the volume of the
waste and alter it in such a way that the conversion residuals (air, water, and solids) do not
present health hazards for operators or surrounding personnel. The environmental conditions
include extreme cold and heat, extreme low and high humidity levels, rugged terrain, sand
storms, and intense rainfall.
NAVFAC EXWC is looking for the following criteria in the proposed equipment:
1. Ability to operate with no or very limited external power supplies.
2. Net energy production at least slightly positive with energy output as electricity.
3. Capable of operating in parallel with localized generator “grids.”
4. Capable of performing any required material preprocessing, presorting, and removal of
any free liquids.
5. Capable of being operated unattended or with minimal personnel with limited English
speaking operators.
6. Able to withstand extreme cold and heat, extreme low and high humidity levels, rugged
terrain, sand storms, and intense rainfall.
7. Ability to process solid waste in the following composition(by dry weight) range:
a. 20 - 40% plastic
b. 20 - 40% paper
c. 20 - 40% cardboard
d. 0 - 5% metal
e. 0 - 10% wood
f. 0 - 35% organics including food waste
2. Handle up to 30% moisture
3. Fit into standard 20 foot long ISO shipping containers, or 10 foot long ISO shipping
containers (BICON) or a 6' 5 & 1/2" length ISO shipping containers (TRICON). The
preference is for equipment fitting within a TRICON. No single component can weigh
more than 10,000 lbs.
4. Allow for setup without construction of concrete pads, proprietary equipment, or skilled
personnel in less than 3 days. (e.g. plug-and-play)
Two types of Waste to Energy end items are unlikely to be selected for expeditionary use: (1)
plasma-assisted gasification and (2) biological driven processes. Plasma assisted gasification
uses too much energy and may require 4 or more gallons of cooling water. Biological driven
processes depend on microorganisms, which cannot survive in the extreme military operation or
military transport temperatures.
In your submission, include the following information:
? Model name
? Intellectual property owner/developer
? Description
? Type of technology e.g. gasifier
? DoD technology readiness level (TRL)
? Hours waste processed/day
? Container size and number of containers
? Loading capacity (lbs/batch)
? Load interval (hours between batches)
? External fuel or power used per day
? Footprint (ft2)
? Ash production (% weight of total waste input)
? Electricity/gas/heat output noting maximum, minimum and average
? Types of waste that can/cannot be handled
? Allowable water content
? Setup labor hours, number of people and duration
? Operating labor hours, number of people and duration
? Takedown operating labor hours, number of people and duration
Until 30 October 2015, providers can submit their technology by responding to Sources Sought -
at FEDBIZOPS https://www.fbo.gov/ or NECO https://www.neco.navy.mil/ [click on Synopsis
and type in solicitation number]. Responses received after this deadline may not be considered.
Since this is a sources sought announcement, no evaluation letters will be issued to the
participants. Respondents do not need to provide information already provided to the Joint
Deployable Waste to Energy (JDW2E) Working Group (WG). However, respondents are
encouraged to provide updated information with respect to that provided to the JDW2E WG. In
addition, respondents do not need to provide information on significant RDT&E DoD waste-toenergy
end item efforts within the last 10 years.
https://community.apan.org/jdw2e_government_presentations/m/mediagallery/149699.aspx
Quick Question:
Does anybody know how we count "treatments"? The 8,000 treatments, are they actual human treatments or are they "annual minimum guaranteed order" sales?
Not a basher, not reloading, I still have my core...
Did that help?
Are we Ready? This solicitation is a sources sought...
Scope: This solicitation is a sources sought, and there is no guarantee that a contract will be
issued. NAVFAC EXWC is seeking vendors who have developed waste-to-energy equipment
with a capacity between 0.25 to 2 tons/day that is suitable for expeditionary purposes.
Acceptable technologies include incineration and gasification. The equipment should be able to
fully process solid wastes typically found at expeditionary facilities and produce energy from
waste destruction. Additionally, the technology should significantly reduce the volume of the
waste and alter it in such a way that the conversion residuals (air, water, and solids) do not
present health hazards for operators or surrounding personnel. The environmental conditions
include extreme cold and heat, extreme low and high humidity levels, rugged terrain, sand
storms, and intense rainfall.
NAVFAC EXWC is looking for the following criteria in the proposed equipment:
1. Ability to operate with no or very limited external power supplies.
2. Net energy production at least slightly positive with energy output as electricity.
3. Capable of operating in parallel with localized generator “grids.”
4. Capable of performing any required material preprocessing, presorting, and removal of
any free liquids.
5. Capable of being operated unattended or with minimal personnel with limited English
speaking operators.
6. Able to withstand extreme cold and heat, extreme low and high humidity levels, rugged
terrain, sand storms, and intense rainfall.
7. Ability to process solid waste in the following composition(by dry weight) range:
a. 20 - 40% plastic
b. 20 - 40% paper
c. 20 - 40% cardboard
d. 0 - 5% metal
e. 0 - 10% wood
f. 0 - 35% organics including food waste
2. Handle up to 30% moisture
3. Fit into standard 20 foot long ISO shipping containers, or 10 foot long ISO shipping
containers (BICON) or a 6' 5 & 1/2" length ISO shipping containers (TRICON). The
preference is for equipment fitting within a TRICON. No single component can weigh
more than 10,000 lbs.
4. Allow for setup without construction of concrete pads, proprietary equipment, or skilled
personnel in less than 3 days. (e.g. plug-and-play)
Two types of Waste to Energy end items are unlikely to be selected for expeditionary use: (1)
plasma-assisted gasification and (2) biological driven processes. Plasma assisted gasification
uses too much energy and may require 4 or more gallons of cooling water. Biological driven
processes depend on microorganisms, which cannot survive in the extreme military operation or
military transport temperatures.
In your submission, include the following information:
? Model name
? Intellectual property owner/developer
? Description
? Type of technology e.g. gasifier
? DoD technology readiness level (TRL)
? Hours waste processed/day
? Container size and number of containers
? Loading capacity (lbs/batch)
? Load interval (hours between batches)
? External fuel or power used per day
? Footprint (ft2)
? Ash production (% weight of total waste input)
? Electricity/gas/heat output noting maximum, minimum and average
? Types of waste that can/cannot be handled
? Allowable water content
? Setup labor hours, number of people and duration
? Operating labor hours, number of people and duration
? Takedown operating labor hours, number of people and duration
Until 30 October 2015, providers can submit their technology by responding to Sources Sought -
at FEDBIZOPS https://www.fbo.gov/ or NECO https://www.neco.navy.mil/ [click on Synopsis
and type in solicitation number]. Responses received after this deadline may not be considered.
Since this is a sources sought announcement, no evaluation letters will be issued to the
participants. Respondents do not need to provide information already provided to the Joint
Deployable Waste to Energy (JDW2E) Working Group (WG). However, respondents are
encouraged to provide updated information with respect to that provided to the JDW2E WG. In
addition, respondents do not need to provide information on significant RDT&E DoD waste-toenergy
end item efforts within the last 10 years.
https://community.apan.org/jdw2e_government_presentations/m/mediagallery/149699.aspx
What do we know about
Green Energy Machine (GEM)
?Demo at Edwards AFB
?2-3 ton/day
?Unsorted MSW
?Downdraft gasifier
circa. Sept 2014
http://islandsconnect.com/program/pdf/Amina.pdf
Want a good read?
The Department of Defense (DOD) has a strong interest and focused need to reduce the logistics tail associated with forward operations.
Activities associated with mission sustainment at forward operating bases (FOBs) and combat outposts (COPs) present significant
challenges with respect to fuel and water supply, and waste footprint management. Waste to energy conversion (WEC) systems present a
promising option for managing waste burdens while providing supplemental energy/heat. While a number of gasification and pyrolysis-based
WEC systems are currently under evaluation by the DOD, no system has been demonstrated to meet PM Force Sustainment Systems’ (PM
FSS) desire for a compact (8’x8’x20’), efficient (50% net chemical energy recovery), and robust (field-worthy, minimal operator interface)
WEC system. To address the current need, Infoscitex Corporation (IST) proposed the development of a downdraft gasification system
capable of processing shredded waste into clean-burning syngas. The overall objective of the proposed effort was to design, fabricate, and
demonstrate a gasifier capable of reliably and efficiently converting shredded (single-stage), co-mingled (paper, food, plastic, wood) waste
into syngas suitable for use in either a spark ignition or diesel cycle generator set.
Start here...
https://www.serdp-estcp.org/content/search?cqp=Standard&SearchText=deployable+gasification&x=0&y=0
This may be tied up in the reorg of the many small LLC companies yet to be folded in.
Entity Name ID Number
Type
CIRQUE BIOMASS HOLDINGS, LLC
E64083 Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC
E1726H Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE ENERGY II, LLC
D7050K Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE ENERGY III, INC.
60781U Corporation
CIRQUE ENERGY, INC.
60781U True Name In Home State
CIRQUE ENERGY, LLC
D3039N Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE GASIFICATION SYSTEMS, LLC
E6401U Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE GROUP LLC
E2383Y Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE LLC
B34164 Limited Liability Company
Not sure all belong under the umbrella...
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/rs_corp.asp?s_button=sword&v_search=cirque&hiddenField=&search=Search
Not so concerned with the tax bill, but the fact Cirque let it go to judgment is concerning. Couple that with late filings after they spent the time cleaning up the books and the lack of info on DGU testing just puts a lump in the stomach. With that said I hold many shares at a DCA of $.0094 and been here awhile. Not bashing just concerned.
Concerning?
Judgment Lien Detail
Processed Thru 09/14/2015
To determine if a writ of execution on a final judgment was docketed with a sheriff prior to October 1, 2001, view the filing image.
Filing Information
Document Number
J15000807129
Status ACTIVE
Case Number 1000000688432
Name of Court BROWARD
File Date 07/29/2015
Date of Entry 07/22/2015
Expiration Date 07/29/2035
Amount Due $ 660.00
Interest Rate For interest rate info, call (800) 352-3671
Name And Address of Judgment Creditor (Plaintiff)
STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
OUT OF STATE COLLECTIONS UNIT
1401 W US HIGHWAY 90 STE 100
LAKE CITY FL320556123
Name And Address of Judgment Debtor(s) (Defendant(s))
CIRQUE ENERGY INC.
PO BOX 214981
AUBURN HILLS, MI 483214981 US
Document Number: P98000062582
FEI/EIN Number: 650855736
Events
There are no events for this filing.
From Schwab:
Current Quarter vs. Prior Year:
For the fourth quarter 2014, analysts estimate CTSO will generate revenues of $1.7M, an increase of 96.82% over the prior year fourth quarter results.
+92.2%Annualized 1 Year growth rate
Entity Name ID Number Type
CIRQUE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC
E1726H Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE ENERGY II, LLC
D7050K Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE ENERGY, INC.
580663 Filing Pending
CIRQUE ENERGY, LLC
D3039N Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE GROUP LLC
E2383Y Limited Liability Company
CIRQUE LLC
B34164 Limited Liability Company
Modulation of chemokine gradients by apheresis redirects leukocyte trafficking
Crit Care. 2014 Jul 3;18(4):R141. doi: 10.1186/cc13969.
Modulation of chemokine gradients by apheresis redirects leukocyte trafficking to different compartments during sepsis, studies in a rat model.
Peng ZY, Bishop JV, Wen XY, Elder MM, Zhou F, Chuasuwan A, Carter MJ, Devlin JE, Kaynar AM, Singbartl K, Pike F, Parker RS, Clermont G, Federspiel WJ, Kellum JA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Prior work suggests that leukocyte trafficking is determined by local chemokine gradients between the nidus of infection and the plasma. We recently demonstrated that therapeutic apheresis can alter immune mediator concentrations in the plasma, protect against organ injury, and improve survival. Here we aimed to determine whether the removal of chemokines from the plasma by apheresis in experimental peritonitis changes chemokine gradients and subsequently enhances leukocyte localization into the infected compartment, and away from healthy tissues.
METHODS:
In total, 76 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 400 g to 600 g were included in this study. Eighteen hours after inducing sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture, we randomized these rats to apheresis or sham treatment for 4 hours. Cytokines, chemokines, and leukocyte counts from blood, peritoneal cavity, and lung were measured. In a separate experiment, we labeled neutrophils from septic donor animals and injected them into either apheresis or sham-treated animals. All numeric data with normal distributions were compared with one-way analysis of variance, and numeric data not normally distributed were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS:
Apheresis significantly removed plasma cytokines and chemokines, increased peritoneal fluid-to-blood chemokine (C-X-C motif ligand 1, ligand 2, and C-C motif ligand 2) ratios, and decreased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid-to-blood chemokine ratios, resulting in enhanced leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity and improved bacterial clearance, but decreased recruitment into the lung. Apheresis also reduced myeloperoxidase activity and histologic injury in the lung, liver, and kidney. These Labeled donor neutrophils exhibited decreased localization in the lung when infused into apheresis-treated animals.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results support the concept of chemokine gradient control of leukocyte trafficking and demonstrate the efficacy of apheresis to target this mechanism and reduce leukocyte infiltration into the lung.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24992991
Link to Cytosorbents:
Treatment with an immune modulating device restores cytokine
gradients between infected tissue and systemic circulation.
Leukocytes are redirected toward the infection and away from healthy tissue.
SEPsIS: Systems Engineering of a Pheresis Intervention for Sepsis
PI: John A. Kellum, MD
Co-Investigators: Vincent Capponi, MS; Phil Chan, MD; Steven Chang, MD; Gilles Clermont, MD; William Federspiel, PhD; Lan Kong, PhD; Robert Parker, PhD; Kai Singbartl, MD; Yoram Vodovotz, PhD; William Wagner, PhD; Lisa Weissfeld, PhD
Funding: NIH R01HL080926
www.sepsisbrp.org
Sepsis kills more than a quarter of a million patients per year in the US alone. Treatments are limited primarily to supportive care. Our project seeks to develop a device to treat sepsis by reprogramming the immune response and redirecting immune effector cells to the nidus of infection and away from healthy tissue.
http://www.ccm.pitt.edu/research/projects/sepsis-systems-engineering-pheresis-intervention-sepsis
Study on Cytokine variations and mood disorders: IL-6 and TNF-a cytokines as they relate to mood disorders and many others. possibility of a new subject area for Cytosorbents, I read somewhere they were looking into PTSD and IL-6 in the past as part of the DARPA stuff.
Not the whole study just the end:
Concluding Comments Regarding Cytokine Involvement in Depression and its Comorbidities
The specificity of cytokine disturbances to depression has frequently been questioned. In this regard, it was demonstrated that despite the overlap that exists with respect to the symptoms of IFN-a-induced and idiopathic depression, there are differences between the two, leading to the suggestion that cytokines preferentially affect neural circuits associated with psychomotor activity, but have less of an effect on the processes that govern cognitive distortions concerning self-appraisal (Capuron et al., 2009). Furthermore, increased inflammatory activity has been reported in a variety of stress-related disorders, including bipolar disorder (Modabbernia et al., 2013), schizophrenia (Altamura et al., 1999), and post-traumatic stress disorder (Lindqvist et al., 2014), and has been associated with a number of chronic diseases including cancers, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and obesity, auto-immune illnesses, disorders of the digestive system (i.e., inflammatory bowel disease), and neurodegenerative disorders (Anisman et al., 2008). In essence, it is possible that altered cytokine functioning might create a general milieu that favors the development of pathology, but the specific disturbance that is expressed depends on the presence of still other factors being affected. This said, as most of these conditions are often comorbid with depression, it has been suggested that increased inflammation might be a common denominator underlying depressive symptoms across many neuropsychiatric and physical/medical conditions. Indeed, the link between depression and the development of illnesses, such as heart disease, is sufficiently strong to have prompted the suggestion that the presence of depression ought to be viewed as a marker for later physical illnesses (Hayley and Anisman, 2013). Just as stressful events, particularly those that involve social challenges, promote cytokine variations and several pathological conditions, social support has been effective in attenuating these outcomes. Considerable evidence indicates that the effectiveness of support depends on whom the support comes from, and the individual's social identity and social connectedness may be involved in the resolution of depression (Cruwys et al., 2013, 2014). It remains to be determined whether the positive effects of social identity and connectedness in attenuating depression operate through inflammatory processes.
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnins.2014.00416/full
A quick thought on the deal with Fresenius Medical Care
It will take some time to develop the distribution approvals in the countries of record. Marketing strategies need to be developed, government registrations need to be approved, sales teams need to be trained etc… This should be relatively easy for a company the size of Fresenius Medical Care, with the exception of registrations; Cytosorbents gave them 6 months to complete this. Personally I think it will be much quicker to complete than six months.
With this stated think about this:
Fresenius Medical Care owns a lot of hospitals and clinics in Germany. Cytosorbents is handling the distribution in Germany in house. Don’t think for a moment that Fresenius will hinder their hospitals from using the filters in their hospitals, in fact they will demand their use companywide for all indications possible. This relationship will make Cytosorbents job much easier in the Fresenius establishments. This could be going on as we speak; sales could ramp up very quickly…
Agreed, I have been here for a long time waiting for this progression.
Might be Betasorb product line.
Uremic toxins are toxins accumulating in chronic renal failure patients treated with standard dialysis. These toxins show various cytotoxic activities in the serum, have different molecular weights and some of them are bound to other proteins, primarily to albumin. Such toxic protein bound substances are receiving the attention of scientists who are interested in improving the standard chronic dialysis procedures used today.
The UT research will focus on nanoporous sorbents that can be integrated within a membrane for blood purification of uremic toxins... Follow the "Link" Group to Germany Universities... Fresenius Medical Care does a lot of research through the universities... I am looking for more direct links. I am hoping maybe somebody like Ping might be able to fill in some holes...
"The Link"
Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT (project coordinator) – GERMANY
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is Europe’s largest applied research organisation, with over 60 institutes located throughout Germany. The Fraunhofer ICT in Pfinztal (near Karlsruhe) has around 550 employees, and carries out research and development in the areas of polymer engineering, environmental engineering, energetic materials and systems and applied electrochemistry.
Imperial College London – UK
Consistently rated amongst the world’s best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Founded in 1907, it offers 242 different taught courses to 15000 students from 126 different countries. Imperial comprises a business school and the faculties of Engineering, Natural Sciences and Medicine. The research programme TheLink involves the Departments of Physics, Materials, Chemistry and Aeronautical Engineering.
Foundation for Research & Technology (FORTH) – GREECE
The Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (FORTH/ICE-HT) was established in 1984 and is one of the seven Institutes of FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas). The RTD activities of ICE-HT lie in three major fields: Nanotechnology & Materials, Energy & Environment, Biosciences & Biotechnology. The number of staff members and research associates of ICE-HT exceeds 150, of which 11 are researchers and 19 are collaborating faculty members from several departments of the University of Patras (Chemical Engineering, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Pharmaceutics, and Medicine). ICE-HT produces ~130 publications per year and its publications receive more than 4000 citations per year.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – GERMANY
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a higher education and research organisation that was established in 2009 as merger of Universität Karlsruhe (founded in 1825), one of Germany’s leading research universities, and Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (founded in 1956), one of the largest research centres in the Helmholtz Association. Within KIT, the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Electronics (IPQ) focuses on micro- and nanooptics, integrated photonics, optical communications and optical metrology. The IPQ is an internationally acknowledged research institute in these fields, regularly contributing to the largest relevant conferences with regular and postdeadline papers. The IMT is a leading research institute in the fields of microstructure and microsystem technology, nanotechnology, and micro- and nanophotonics.
Bayer MaterialScience AG – GERMANY
Bayer MaterialScience is among the world’s leading manufacturers of polymers and high-performance plastics. Our innovative developments in polycarbonates, polyurethanes, coating, adhesive and specialty raw materials enhance the design and functionality of products in a wide variety of markets.
Key customers include the automotive and construction industries, the electrical and electronics sector, manufacturers of sport and leisure goods, and representatives of the healthcare and medical technology sectors. With approximately 14,300 employees at 30 locations around the world, the company generated total sales of € 11.2 billion in 2013.
Avanzare Innovacion Tecnologica SL – SPAIN
AVANZARE is a small enterprise which develops and produces nanomaterials and additives based on ready-to-use nanointermediates (solid and liquid dispersions of nanoparticles) for their application in surface or bulk in the materials industry. Avanzare is the global reference in the application of added-value nanointerimediates. Moreover, Avanzare is the European leader in graphene and other artificial 2D nanomaterials such as magnesium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide and double layered hydroxides. The firm also produces other nanoparticles such as silver, copper, silica and zinc oxide.
Avanzare produces cost-effective nanomaterials and formulations for multiple industries: automotive, aeronautic, fabric, wood, paper, rubber and building industries, wire & cable sector and manufacturers of household appliances and packaging applications.
GVS S.P.A. – ITALY
GVS Filter Technology is a market-leading business-to-business high-quality-filter manufacturing company. The company was started in 1979 in Bologna, Italy, to exploit a breakthrough technology related to the manufacture of plastic filters by insert-molding. Since then GVS has invested constantly to strengthen its production capacity and to expand sales at international level by implementing technological innovation and by supporting the development of human resources. GVS manufactures filters and filter component for the healthcare, automotive, life science, appliance, building filtration, safety and carbon filtration sectors. The company employs about 1600 people in 23 locations around the world.
University of Minho – PORTUGAL
Founded in 1973, the University of Minho is renowned for the competence and quality of its teachers and for the level of excellence in research as well as the wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses offered. The University has two campus: one in the city of Braga and another at Guimarães. Braga is the third largest Portuguese city, born from the ancient Roman town of Bracara Augusta. Classified as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, Guimarães is known as the “cradle of the nation.”
UMinho has all the necessary infrastructures and support services for students’ academic success and well-being. From libraries and computer labs, to wireless broadband Internet access and copy centres, banks, bookstores, cafeterias, canteens and well-priced restaurants, 3 sport halls, 4 halls of residence, students can find everything they need on campus.
University of Twente – NETHERLANDS
High Tech, Human Touch. That is the University of Twente. Some 3,300 scientists and other professionals working together on cutting-edge research, innovations with real-world relevance and inspiring education for more than 9,000 students. The Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology (BST) belongs to the Faculty of Science and Technology and to the research institute MIRA of biomedical engineering and technical medicine. The BST department aims to excel in research on polymer-based biomaterials and medical devices. A stimulating entrepreneurial environment for research and teaching is created, through which significant contributions to the well-being of our society can be achieved.
Promolding BV – NETHERLANDS
Promolding is an innovative company that creates industrialized products from high performance polymer technology. Promolding combines product development, injection moulding, tool making and research. This way Promolding offers its customers the whole sequence from product development, via (new) materials and process development, to manufacturing, supported by a wide variety of people: industrial designers, mechanical engineers, project managers, polymer researchers, process technologists, toolmakers and injection moulders. We do this for markets such as aerospace, medical devices and high-tech systems.
Promolding has worked (and still works) together in many national and EU-funded research programs, among which several on conductive material development, such as Polycond, Contact and Nanomaster.
http://academicpositions.eu/employer/project-partners-thelink-network/
Any Thoughts?
Nano structured polymers are high tech materials with many promising applications. Within a new EU Marie-Sklodowska-Curie programme, scientists of UT's MIRA Institute will cooperate with partners in industry and science across Europe, to speed up the development of these materials. The UT research will focus on developing nanoporous materials for blood treatment.
Thanks to structures on a nano scale, polymers can get exceptional new properties: some polymers have these structures themselves, in other cases nanostructured materials are added for new functionality. For developing these new materials, the European research network 'TheLink' is now formed: fifteen researchers at ten institutes and companies will work on the whole development chain: from design to actual production and experiments.
Within this network, Professor Dimitrios Stamatialis of the MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine will lead a research project on special nanoporous membranes and sorbents for blood treatment. One PhD student will work at the Biomaterials Science and Technology group at UT, another at the filter company GVS S.p.A. in Italy. The UT research will focus on nanoporous sorbents that can be integrated within a membrane for blood purification of uremic toxins. The researcher in Italy will work on new polymers, for blood treatment as well. The new materials will be tested in vitro, and for computer simulations of the new materials, the researchers can rely on other colleagues within the network.
Provided by University of Twente
This Phys.org Science News Wire page contains a press release issued by an organization mentioned above and is provided to you “as is” with little or no review from Phys.Org staff.
http://phys.org/wire-news/180350850/nanoporous-materials-for-blood-purification.html
"Extracorporeal Device Evaluations"
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
A cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient, depending upon the specific heart problem or disease. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success of the program.
The goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to help the patient return to the highest level of function and independence possible, while improving the overall quality of life - physically, emotionally, and socially. These goals are often met by:
•decreasing cardiac symptoms and complications.
•encouraging independence through self-management.
•reducing hospitalizations.
•stabilizing or reversing atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the blood vessels).
•improving social, emotional, and vocational status.
"Interventional Echocardiography for mitra-clip procedures, adult and pediatric congenital heart disease interventions, transcutaneous aortic valve replacement, and left ventricular assist device and extracorporeal device evaluations[color=red][/color]"
http://www.nebraskamed.com/heart/cardiac-imaging
Clinical Investigation and Reports
Plasma Concentration of Interleukin-6 and the Risk of Future Myocardial Infarction Among Apparently Healthy Men
Paul M. Ridker, MD; Nader Rifai, MD; Meir J. Stampfer, MD; Charles H. Hennekens, MD
+ Author Affiliations
From the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (P.M.R.) and the Divisions of Preventive Medicine (P.M.R., C.H.H.), Cardiovascular Diseases (P.M.R.), and the Channing Laboratory (M.J.S.), Brigham and Women’s Hospital; the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention (C.H.H.); and the Children’s Hospital Medical Center (N.R.), all at the Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Correspondence to Paul M. Ridker, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail pridker@partners.org
Next SectionAbstract
Background—Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a central role in inflammation and tissue injury. However, epidemiological data evaluating the role of IL-6 in atherogenesis are sparse.
Methods and Results—In a prospective study involving 14 916 apparently healthy men, we measured baseline plasma concentration of IL-6 in 202 participants who subsequently developed myocardial infarction (MI) and in 202 study participants matched for age and smoking status who did not report vascular disease during a 6-year follow-up. Median concentrations of IL-6 at baseline were higher among men who subsequently had an MI than among those who did not (1.81 versus 1.46 pg/mL; P=0.002). The risk of future MI increased with increasing quartiles of baseline IL-6 concentration (P for trend <0.001) such that men in the highest quartile at entry had a relative risk 2.3 times higher than those in the lowest quartile (95% CI 1.3 to 4.3, P=0.005); for each quartile increase in IL-6, there was a 38% increase in risk (P=0.001).This relationship remained significant after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors, was stable over long periods of follow-up, and was present in all low-risk subgroups, including nonsmokers. Although the strongest correlate of IL-6 in these data was C-reactive protein (r=0.43, P<0.001), the relationship of IL-6 with subsequent risk remained after control for this factor (P<0.001).
Conclusions—In apparently healthy men, elevated levels of IL-6 are associated with increased risk of future MI. These data thus support a role for cytokine-mediated inflammation in the early stages of atherogenesis.
Discussion
These data indicate that baseline levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 are significantly elevated among apparently healthy men at risk for future myocardial infarction. The relationship between IL-6 level and risk was not altered in analyses that adjusted for baseline differences in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of premature coronary artery disease, alcohol use, or exercise frequency; it was stable over the 6-year follow-up period and was present even among all low-risk subgroups evaluated, including nonsmokers.
Prior data evaluating the role of IL-6 among healthy individuals at risk for future coronary events are sparse. In the setting of acute ischemia, however, it has recently been shown that IL-6 levels increase with the acute-phase response and that these elevations may be a marker for plaque instability.24 25 26 However, because blood samples in the present study were collected at baseline, we can exclude the possibility that acute ischemia was a cause of IL-6 elevation in these data. Thus, if an enhanced inflammatory response is present among individuals with a propensity for acute plaque rupture,33 then our data indicate that such effects are present and can be clinically detected many years in advance of first myocardial infarction.
Elevated levels of IL-6 have previously been observed in several autoimmune disorders, including arthritis, Castleman syndrome, psoriasis, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.2 In this regard, the current data provide support for the hypothesis that atherosclerosis represents, at least in part, a fundamentally inflammatory condition.27
The strongest correlates of IL-6 in these data were C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, a finding that would be expected because IL-6 is a primary stimulant for hepatic production of acute-phase proteins.6 7 In our data, the effects of IL-6 on subsequent risk remained statistically significant after we controlled for these latter factors. Thus, the current data also help to explain why several acute-phase proteins, such as C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, albumin, and fibrinogen, have been associated with increased vascular risk.34
Limitations of these data should be considered. We relied on a single baseline blood sample and thus cannot take into account any variation of IL-6 that may occur over time. Furthermore, because our baseline blood samples were not obtained at a uniform time of day, our data may be limited by any diurnal variation in IL-6 that might exist, a potential issue because both glucocorticoids and catecholamines increase IL-6 levels, and the plasma half-life of IL-6 is <6 hours. It is important to recognize, however, that both of these potential limitations would tend to increase random misclassification in our data, an effect that, if anything, would lead to an underestimation of true effects. Finally, because our samples were stored at -80°C, we cannot exclude the possibility of protein degradation. Such an effect is unlikely, however, because the distribution of IL-6 in our study was quite similar to that observed in studies that used fresh blood samples. Furthermore, even if such an effect were present, it would not affect the validity of our results, because both case and control samples were handled identically and in a blinded fashion throughout the study. In addition, because all our study participants were taking oral aspirin at the time of blood sampling, any effect of this agent on IL-6 levels could not have affected our main results.35
Stimuli underlying IL-6 production in apparently healthy men at risk for future myocardial infarction are uncertain. It is possible, for example, that preclinical atherosclerosis is itself an inflammatory stimulus and that IL-6 is a marker rather than a cause of disease. On the other hand, because monocyte-derived macrophages are abundant in atherosclerotic plaque and IL-6 gene transcripts are expressed in human atheroma, it is also possible that increased IL-6 production from endothelium and vascular smooth muscle has direct effects on plaque proliferation and stability.27 28 IL-6 levels also increase with infection,1 2 36 and it has been hypothesized that infection might aggravate atherogenesis.37 In this cohort, however, baseline IgG titers directed against Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, herpes simplex virus, and cytomegalovirus were not associated with increased vascular risk or with increased levels of inflammatory markers.38 39
Together, these prospective epidemiological data support a fundamental role for cytokine-mediated inflammation in the early stages of atherogenesis, data that corroborate and extend the recent finding that IL-6 levels are associated with increased mortality in the elderly.40 As such, we believe these data support the possibility that anti-inflammatory therapies might provide a new approach to cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/101/15/1767.full
Sepsis lethality via exacerbated tissue infiltration and TLR-induced cytokine production by neutrophils is integrin a3ß1-dependent.
Introduction
Severe sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response to infections associated with acute organ dysfunction, is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality among children and adults and has been one of the most significant challenges in critical care.1,2 Pro-inflammatory signals arise at the early stage of sepsis and allow circulating neutrophils to access sites of inflammation and to phagocytose foreign pathogens and necrotic/apoptotic cells. Although these inflammatory mediators are important for the host defense, they also participate in endothelial and extravascular host tissue damage.3 Thus, in uncontrolled inflammatory conditions, such as sepsis, during which many neutrophils become activated at the endothelial interface and in the underlying tissue, excessive inflammatory activities lead to further microvascular dysfunction and tissue damage.4
Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane receptors that play a critical role in cell migration.5,6 Although ß2/CD18 integrins play an important role in intravascular leukocyte migration processes such as initial endothelial adhesion and vascular transmigration of leukocytes during inflammation, the ß1/CD29 and ß3/CD51 integrins mediate cell–matrix adhesion and promote leukocyte motility in the perivascular space and extracellular matrix (ECM) area.7?-9 Integrins not only mediate cell–cell and cell–matrix interaction, but also influence differentiation, proliferation, and functioning of cells in the interstitial spaces.10 During inflammation, integrins are upregulated on leukocytes in response to various cytokines and chemokines and influence progression and prognosis of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as cancers.8,11?-13
In this study, we report that, unlike other ECM binding integrins, only a3ß1 (VLA-3; CD49c/CD29) expression on neutrophils becomes dramatically increased in both human and mouse sepsis. Blocking or genetic ablation of a3ß1 results in improvement to the host’s innate immune response, such as reduced neutrophil tissue infiltration and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-induced cytokine response, and increases survival in septic animals. Therefore, we conclude that selective targeting of a3ß1 on neutrophils could represent a new therapeutic approach in sepsis treatm
Results
Integrin a3ß1 expression is upregulated on human and mouse neutrophils during sepsis
Neutrophils express several cell-surface integrins that can bind to ECM proteins.15 To determine which ECM-binding integrin is important for neutrophil trafficking during sepsis, circulating neutrophils were harvested from patients with severe sepsis, patients with noninfectious severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and healthy volunteers (donor information summarized in supplemental Table 1). Unlike other ECM-binding integrins, the surface expression levels of a3ß1 (VLA-3; CD49c/CD29) on neutrophils from patients with severe sepsis were significantly elevated compared with the healthy control subjects. Interestingly, upregulation of a3ß1 was not observed in subjects with severe noninfectious SIRS (Figure 1A), suggesting that a3ß1 is a novel cell surface marker that can discriminate sepsis from SIRS. The increases in messenger RNA (mRNA) and cell-surface levels of a3ß1 were further investigated in neutrophils isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy subjects and incubated with various stimuli. Neutrophil activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and LPS induced significant increases in both the mRNA and protein levels of a3ß1 within 1 and 3 hours of stimulation (Figure 1B). Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) stimulation significantly increased cell surface level of a3ß1 within 1 hour (Figure 1B).
http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/124/24/3515?sso-checked=true
" a silver bullet.”
Any waste-to-energy plan, however, must overcome a major hurdle: the wild inconsistency of the waste stream. “Until you’ve demonstrated that you can handle it all, nobody’s interested,” Mr. Hart said. “I can understand it; they’ve heard similar promises before. We’ve got 150 cities, communities and businesses lined up to be Serial No. 2. Nobody wants to be No. 1.”
NOBODY, that is, except the Pentagon. The Defense Department is the country’s largest single consumer of energy, spending $15 billion a year just on fuel.
The appeal of Mr. Hart’s Pathfinder system is that it would produce fuel on site, eliminating the need to truck in fuel to dangerous military outposts. It would also reduce the need for trash-burning on bases, which creates pollution and noxious odors that have contributed to locals’ distaste for the American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, United States forces in Afghanistan are working to close burn pits.
Ms. Burke added, “Something for military operations has to be really rugged, deployable, simple to use — all of those things.” Consultants and municipal sanitation officials who’ve looked at the FastOx say it meets those criteria.
“Waste is a problem,” Ms. Burke said. “So if we could dispose of waste and create energy at the same time, that would be a silver bullet.”
normativenarratives.com/tag/renewable-energy/
The United States, alone, creates over 250 million tons of waste each year. Landfills are exceeding their capacities all over the world. Not only that, they are major emitters of greenhouse gases and sources of harmful environment contamination. No one has found a way to cleanly and profitably convert all of this waste. Until now.
FastOx Gasification leverages the centuries-old blast furnace, as an efficient and scalable means to convert nearly any form of waste into renewable energy. This technology has several advantages:
Waste Flexibility
Because FastOx Gasifiers utilize pure oxygen injection, Sierra Energy can target complex segments of the waste market. These markets include hazardous waste, MSW, industrial waste, medical waste, and construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
Thorough Waste Conversion
FastOx Gasifiers can thoroughly convert waste without creating toxic products that require additional disposal.
Simple Design
The straightforward design of the blast furnace provides FastOx Gasifiers with several maintenance and operation advantages, including the lack of moving or complicated parts and minimal maintenance or down-time.
Massive Size and Scalability
FastOx Gasifiers can scale from 5 to well over 10,000 tons per day in a single unit.
Retrofit Opportunities
Sierra Energy can convert existing, idled blast furnaces into a commercially-viable FastOx Gasifier, saving millions in initial capital investment.
Global Support
FastOx Gasifiers can leverage the global support industry that already exists to service blast furnaces.
http://www.sierraenergycorp.com/innovation/fastox-waste-gasifier/
I will agree that everyone is trying to read tea leaves, we will see how this shakes out. I have made my adjustment so to speak, now lets move forward. The "blocks" are being cast and positioned for growth. We need to get through the demo in November and build out in the first quarter. Lets look forward to these items.
when you tie your LOC to issued share(after the registration), the total OS count increases. In most cases with small companies who need the cash flow, they will transfer all they can. with the maximum 10% holding requirement these newly minted shares will be dumped on the market. Like I said I hold a large position and have been here awhile just watching and researching. I have gone through this several times in the past, it is necessary and good for the company just know dilution is coming.
Like I said before, I think this is a good thing for the company. They need the capital resources to move ahead with their plans and projects. That being said, they just increased their potential shares by 250 million at todays price point, that's a lot. They need to do something to increase their share price or "we" as share holders get diluted significantly. One can argue "if" they will use the LOC, but the fact remains the same, access to the money is the same as spending the money and at this share price that's a whole lot of dilution.
Is this RECESS?
Association between red blood cell storage duration and clinical outcome in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a retrospective study...
Received: 4 June 2014
Accepted: 14 October 2014
Published: 21 October 2014
Abstract
Background
Prolonged storage of red blood cells (RBCs) leads to fundamental changes in both the RBCs and the storage media. We retrospectively evaluated the relationship between the RBC age and in-hospital and long-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass.
Methods
The electronic medical records of 1,072 OPCAB patients were reviewed and information on the transfused RBCs and clinical data were collected. The effects of RBCs age (mean age, oldest age of transfused RBCs, any RBCs older than 14 days) on various in-hospital postoperative complications and long-term major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events over a mean follow-up of 31 months were investigated. Correlations between RBCs age and duration of intubation, intensive care unit, or hospital stay, and base excess at the first postoperative morning were also analyzed.
Results
After adjusting for confounders, there was no relationship between the RBCs age and in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes except for postoperative wound complications. A significant linear trend was observed between the oldest age quartiles of transfused RBCs and the postoperative wound complications (quartile 1 vs. 2, 3 and 4: OR, 8.92, 12.01 and 13.79, respectively; P for trend?=?0.009). The oldest transfused RBCs showed significant relationships with a first postoperative day negative base excess (P?=?0.021), postoperative wound complications (P?=?0.001), and length of hospital stay (P?=?0.008).
Conclusions
In patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass, the oldest age of transfused RBCs were associated with a postoperative negative base excess, increased wound complications, and a longer hospital stay, but not with the other in-hospital or long-term outcomes.
Keywords: RBC storage age; Old stored RBC; Postoperative outcome; Wound complication; Cardiac surgery
Background
Prolonged storage of red blood cells (RBCs) alters them and their storage media, causing changes referred to as ‘storage lesions’. Over time, intracellular adenosine triphosphate within the stored RBCs decreases, rendering the RBC membrane fragile and less deformable [1]. The breakdown of fragile RBCs releases free hemoglobin and microparticles which reduce nitric oxide bioavailability, leading to vasoconstriction, thrombosis, and inflammation [2,3]. Moreover, depleted 2,3 DPG decreases oxygen delivery to organs [4]. Numerous studies on various patient populations have investigated the clinical impact of RBC storage lesions. However, their impact is still debatable.
Several studies on cardiac surgery patients have investigated the association between clinical outcomes and the storage time of RBCs [5-9]. However, previous studies used heterogeneous populations that included patients who received open heart surgery for valvular heart disease or an on-pump coronary artery bypass. Valvular heart diseases have various cardiac pathophysiologies according to the disease type and severity. Moreover, cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermia is associated with inflammatory, metabolic, and hematologic responses and various organ injuries, making elucidation of the effects of old stored blood in such patient populations more complex [10]. Although a few studies have investigated the clinical effects of transfusions of old stored blood in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with regard to vasoconstrictive, thrombotic, and inflammatory effects [3,5,7-9,11], to our knowledge, the effects of stored RBCs have not been investigated exclusively in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery.
Although the transfusion rate of RBCs in off-pump CABG surgery was lower than that in on-pump surgery, more than half of the OPCAB patients still needed RBCs transfusion [12]. In patients with coronary arterial disease, RBCs transfusion is essential for adequate oxygen delivery. Meanwhile, old blood transfusion is a concern in such patients because of the possible harmful vascular effects [2,3].
We hypothesized that prolonged storage of RBCs may be associated with adverse in-hospital and long-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing OPCAB. To evaluate this hypothesis, we retrospectively studied the relationship between the RBC storage duration and in-hospital clinical outcomes and long-term postoperative major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCEs) in patients undergoing OPCAB.
Methods
The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board of our hospital (IRB No. 1302-052-465, Seoul National University Hospital). As this was a retrospective study using electronic medical records, individual informed consent was waived. We screened the computerized medical records of 1,113 patients who underwent OPCAB between December 2005 and May 2012 and identified patients who received RBC transfusions during their hospital stay. A total of 41 patients who had not received RBC transfusions were excluded. Therefore, the final study population included 1,072 patients.
Data collection
The electronic medical records of enrolled patients were reviewed and pre-, intra-, and postoperative data were collected by researchers who were not aware of the RBC transfusion information. The clinical follow-up concluded in September 2012, with a mean follow-up duration of 31 (inter-quartile range [IQR], 11–51) months.
To determine the quantity and age of RBCs, information about all RBC units transfused to enrolled patients during their hospital stay was obtained from the computerized database of our institutional blood bank with the aid of the hospital’s Medical Information Department. The storage time (in days) of RBCs was analyzed in three ways: (1) the mean age of transfused RBCs units, (2) the oldest age of transfused RBCs units, and (3) any transfusion of RBCs units older than 14 days as a categorical variable.
All RBCs units were provided by the Korean Red Cross Blood Services. The RBCs were stored in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA)-1 and the storage temperature was 2–6°C. RBCs units in our institution’s blood bank are discarded after 35 days of storage. The perioperative coagulation management strategy was as follows: all patients took aspirin until the day of the surgery and resumed it as soon as possible after the surgery, usually one day postoperatively. During the surgery, the patients were given an initial dose of heparin (1.5 mg/kg) and periodic supplemental doses to maintain an ACT >300 sec. Heparin was neutralized at the end of the surgery to only one-third of the required protamine dose. The perioperative target hemoglobin level was 10 g/dl.
Study end points and definition
The primary endpoint was the in-hospital and long-term MACCEs, defined as a composite of death from cardiac causes, myocardial infarction (MI), coronary revascularization, and stroke. The long-term follow-up was initiated after hospital discharge and concluded in September 2012. The mean follow-up period was 31 months, with the range 0 to 80 months (median 29, inter-quartile range [IQR], 11–51 months). Other study endpoints were in-hospital postoperative adverse outcomes including all-cause mortality, new renal failure, respiratory complications, postoperative wound complications, a new arrhythmia requiring treatment, bleeding-related reoperations, and the length of ICU and hospital stay. Definitions of each in-hospital postoperative outcome are as follows; Death was considered to be of cardiac origin if attributed to myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia, or heart failure caused primarily by a cardiac problem. MI or stroke diagnosis and coronary revascularization were confirmed by reviewing hospital records. Respiratory complications included prolonged ventilator support (>48 h) or postoperative pneumonia. The diagnosis of pneumonia was based on a combination of physical signs and a chest X-ray and often confirmed by microbiological tests. Postoperative new renal failure was defined as an increase of >50% in serum creatinine from the preoperative value or the requirement for new renal replacement therapy regardless of serum creatinine level. Postoperative wound complication was defined as any sternal wound complication after surgery such as superficial and deep sternal wound including mediastinitis. Arrhythmias other than atrial fibrillation were defined as a postoperative new arrhythmia requiring treatment, including frequent multifocal premature ventricular contractions, ventricular bigemini or quadrigemini, junctional rhythm, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and asystole. Bleeding-related reoperation was confirmed by reviewing hospital records.
Statistical analysis
Continuous variables are presented as the mean (SD) and categorical variables as numbers and percentages. Linearity assumptions in the continuous variables were examined using restricted cubic splines. After checking for violation of the proportional hazard assumption, Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify the univariate and multivariable covariates associated with long-term MACCEs. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each factor using Cox proportional hazards analysis. To assess the independent impact of each risk factor on various postoperative outcomes, univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed.
Variables that included as risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes were as follows: total number of transfused RBCs, patient’s age, sex, body mass index, presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, previous history of myocardial infarction, previous history of stroke, presence of renal failure, left ventricular dysfuction (LV ejection fraction less than 35%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiac reoperation, perioperative IABP insertion, emergency operation and the duration of surgery. In the Cox regression model for MACCEs, perioperative use of statin, anesthetic agent, lowest values of intraoperative hemodynamic variables and lowest hematocrit were also included as covariates.
All adjusted models were constructed using the forward variable selection method and a forward selection criterion for model fit of P =0.1 was used. To determine the effect of RBC age on in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes, we constructed each adjusted model including each RBC age as a covariate after forward variable selection although they showed insignificant results in the univariate analysis.
Pearson’s correlation or Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used as appropriate to analyze the relationships between RBC transfusion amount and some continuous variables such as postoperative base excess, total bilirubin, length of ICU and hospital stay. Partial correlation analyses were used to remove the effects of the number of transfused RBCs in the relationships between the three ages of RBCs and those continuous variables. A P value of <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Analyses were performed using SPSS 19.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL).
Results
Baseline and operative characteristics of the 1,072 patients studied are shown in Table 1. Although there was a male dominance (71.6%), there was no sex-related difference in the transfused RBCs amounts. A total of 7,480 allogenic, non-leukoreduced RBC units were transfused in the 1,072 patients. The mean storage time of the transfused RBCs was 11.7 (5.2) days (range, 0–35 days); the distribution of the storage time of all transfused RBCs units is shown in Figure 1. The average number of transfused RBCs per patient was 7 (8) units and the distribution of the number of transfused RBCs and the average values of RBCs age according to the number of transfused RBCs units are shown in Figure 2. In all, 473 patients (44%) received at least one RBC unit that was older than 14 days.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2253/14/95
You may be correct, however I just went through this on another one of my stocks. Like I said before this needs to happen to provide the necessary funds. The outlook is great for this company, I still have a major position in this company, but if this is like the others, dilution is coming, it has to.
Heart surgery patients who received newly donated blood have significantly fewer post-operative complications than those who received blood that had been donated more than two weeks before their surgery, a study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress has shown.
Related Articles
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?Plastic surgery
?Blood transfusion
?Surgery
?Laparoscopic surgery
?Robotic surgery
?Vein
The study examined records at the New Brunswick Heart Centre (NBHC) in Saint John for non-emergency heart surgeries performed over almost nine years, from January 2005 to September 2013, on patients who received red blood cells either during their surgery or afterwards and who stayed in hospital less than 30 days.
Of 2,015 patients, just over half (1,052) received only "new" blood, donated within 14 days of the transfusion, while the rest had received only or some "old" blood, donated more than 14 days before. Canadian protocols allow blood to be stored and used up to six weeks after it is donated.
After adjusting for differences in age, sex and other health conditions between the two groups of patients, the study found those given only new blood had fewer in-hospital complications such as re-operation for bleeding, ventilation longer than 24 hours, infection, renal failure and death. Overall the patients who received new blood fared significantly better than those who received some or all old blood.
"The findings show that we need to pay attention to the age of the blood we give cardiac surgery patients," says Dr. Ansar Hassan of the department of cardiac surgery at NBHC, the study's senior author.
Given the benefits to patients of timely cardiac surgery, Dr. Hassan believes surgeries should not be postponed if new blood is not available. "Perhaps more importantly, we need new studies to determine what is driving this relationship between the age of blood and the outcomes we are seeing."
Dr. Hassan notes that previous non-Canadian studies have reached contradictory conclusions on this subject, which was a reason this study was undertaken. The question is important to cardiac surgeons because their work is one of the foremost users of blood products, with 30 to 50 per cent of cardiac surgery patients requiring transfusions. The average cardiac surgery requires five pints of blood.
Heart disease and stroke is the leading cause of hospitalization in Canada, accounting for almost 17 per cent of total hospitalizations. More than 25,000 cardiac surgeries are performed in Canada each year. These procedures -- including coronary artery bypasses, valve replacements and heart transplants -- save and extend the lives of thousands of Canadians every year.
"Cardiac surgery creates heart disease survivors," says Dr. Beth Abramson, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson, author of Heart Health for Canadians. "We need to ensure outcomes are as successful as possible. This study is an important reminder for Canadians to donate blood so that blood products are available for these surgeries."
She reminds all Canadians that 80 per cent of premature heart disease can be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices. "It is possible to reduce our risks with changes to five controllable behaviours: physical inactivity, smoking, stress, poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141027085434.htm
The real reason this is going down...massive dilution coming.
I think this is a step forward, but tou have to remember this company is not investing in EWRL, they are providing a flow of capital. They cannot own more than 10% of the shares so they must sell off the shares to keep the credit line open. With our low market cap, they will be selling alot of shares. This is necessary to get the working capital we need to continue and build out the power plants. That is why there ia a large section of the 8k dealing with dilution.
SIMS Hospital renders 360 degree advanced tertiary healthcare services with multi-super speciality and very soon a state of the art multi-organ transplant service. With the finest combination of experience, expertise, state-of-the art technology and well-coordinated patient centric team work, every step is aimed at ensuring excellence in patient care. The vision at SIMS is to offer advanced full range of primary and speciality care medical care services as well as enabling cross speciality consultation for unmatched patient experience...
The dialysis centre is now ready to provide RRT for critically ill patients in ICU/ICCU with multi-organ failure, where peritoneal or routine hemodialysis not possible for various reasons. It has the latest version of Gambro’s Prismaflux Plus capable of performing various advanced extra corporeal continuous renal replacement therapy techniques including CVVH (Continuous Veno-Venous hemofiltration), CVVHD (Continuous Veno-Venous hemodialysis) and CVVHDF (Continuous Veno-Venous hemodiafiltration). In addition to this, the unit provides extra corporeal therapy for septic patients including Cytosorb or Toraymyxinhemadsorption in septic patients. Not only kidney, but even liver function can be bridged temporarily with the extra corporeal systems till liver transplantation or till recovery with liver dialysis systems like SPAD, MARS and CVVHDF
To complement the dialysis services this specialized unit at SIMS also has an active peritoneal dialysis program and a vibrant transplant program offering both live donor and cadaveric renal transplant services. The SIMS Hospital Nephrology unit is among the best to provide comprehensive renal care to all patients with kidney diseases.
SIMS - SRM Institutes for Medical Science
No.1, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai
(100 Feet Road), Vadapalani
Chennai – 600 026, Tamilnadu, India
fast-paced, bioanalytical laboratory
Research Scientist
About the Job
Research Scientist
Cytosorbents, Inc.
CytoSorbents, Inc., a publicly-traded medical device company in Monmouth Junction, NJ, is currently seeking a skilled and highly motivated Research Scientist to work in a fast-paced, bioanalytical laboratory dedicated to the development of a novel hemoperfusion technology for removing toxins from the blood associated with sepsis, kidney disease and other diseases.The individual will work in a multidisciplinary team environment including analytical and polymer chemists and biologists. This opportunity is a direct/full time hire.
Duties and Responsibilities
The individual will be responsible for performing in vitro assays and/or experiments following established procedures or protocols. This individual will also be responsible for the development and implementation of new test methods and procedures. The individual must be able toaccurately perform, document, and report experiments in a timely manner. This position requires a highly flexible individual with the ability to switch tasks easily as a result of changing priorities.
Minimum Requirements:
BS in biochemistry, immunology, or other biological science with 3- 5 or more years of laboratory experience
Advanced (MS or PhD) degree preferred
Experience in independently performing ELISA assays required
Ability and willingness to work with human and animal blood and blood products
Familiarity with blood borne pathogen regulations and standards
Experience in maintaining a laboratory notebook
Demonstrated ability to work well in a team or matrix environment
Excellentinterpersonal andcommunication skills and established proficiency in MS applications (Word, Excel)
Specifically, the following experience is desired:
In depth understanding of experimental design and assay development
Multi-plex immunoassay (Bioplex) experience is a plus
Experience with coagulation assays/thrombogenic techniques
Ability to performanalytical methodologies including:
UV-Vis spectroscopy
General chemistry and protein science techniques
Ability to troubleshoot analytical instrumentation