Interleukin IL-1B gene polymorphism in Tunisian patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: Association with replication levels.

Approaches based on association studies have proven useful in identifying genetic predictors for many diseases, including susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B. In this study we were interested by the IL-1B genetic variants that have been involved in the immune response and we analyzed their role in the susceptibility to develop chronic hepatitis B in the Tunisian population. IL-1B is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in inflammation of the liver. Polymorphic gene IL-1 (-511, +3954) was analyzed in a total of 476 individuals: 236 patients with chronic hepatitis B from different cities of Tunisia recruited in Pasteur Institute between January 2017 and December 2018 and 240 controls. Genomic DNA was obtained using the standard salting-out method and genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism. For -511C>T polymorphism a significant association was found between patients and controls when comparing the genotypic (P = 0.007; χ2 = 9.74 and odds ratio [OR] = 0.60; confidence interval [CI] = 0.41-0.89) and allelic (P = 0.001; χ2 = 10.60) frequencies. When the viral load was taken into account a highly significant difference was found (P = 9 × 10-4 ; χ2 = 10.89). For +3954C>T polymorphism a significant association was found between patients and controls when comparing genotypic (P = 0.0058; χ2 = 7.60 and OR = 1.67; CI = 1.14-2.46) and allelic (P = 0.0029; χ2 = 8.81) frequencies. T allele can be used as a strong marker for hepatitis B virus disease for both polymorphisms.

Fuel consumption efficiency of an agricultural tractor equipped with continuously variable transmission / Eficiência no consumo de combustível de um trator agrícola equipado com transmissão continuamente variável

ABSTRACT: The correct choice of modern power transmissions can help farmers decrease production costs. The following research aimed to assess fuel consumption efficiency of an agricultural tractor equipped with continuously variable transmission, at different travel speed and load levels applied on the tractor drawbar. Standard procedure has been applied considering six load levels (30; 40; 50; 60; 70 and 80% of Q0) by means of breaking with a dynamometer car instrumented in a concrete test track, at three travel speeds (5.16; 7.29 and 10.48km h-1). Throughout the experiment, engine speed, traction force and hourly fuel consumption were monitored. The results indicated that there was an average increase of 2.67; 2.82; and 2.61L h-1 in the hourly fuel consumption for each 10% increase in the load level on the tractor, for travel speed of 5.16; 7.29 and 10.48km h-1, respectively. In general, the specific fuel consumption of the tractor decreased as the load levels and the travel speeds were increased.

RESUMO: A escolha correta de modernas transmissões de potência pode auxiliar os agricultores a diminuírem os custos de produção. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de consumo de combustível de um trator agrícola equipado com transmissão continuamente variável, em diferentes velocidades de deslocamento e cargas parciais impostas à barra de tração do trator. Para a avaliação utilizou-se procedimento normalizado, com aplicação de seis cargas parciais (30; 40; 50; 60; 70 e 80% de Q0), por meio da frenagem com um carro dinamométrico instrumentado, em pista de concreto, em três velocidades de deslocamento (5,16; 7,29 e 10,58km h-1). Durante a condução do experimento, monitoraram-se a rotação do motor, a força de tração e o consumo horário de combustível. Os resultados indicaram que houve acréscimo, médio, de 2,67; 2,82; e 2,61L h-1 no consumo horário de combustível para o aumento de cada 10% na carga imposta ao trator, para as velocidades de 5,16; 7,29 e 10,48km h-1, respectivamente. Ao considerar o consumo específico do trator, de forma geral, diminuiu à medida que as cargas parciais e as velocidades de deslocamento foram incrementadas.