Spin probe study of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and polymethacrylate functional prepolymers

The motional transition and heterogeneity of semi‐interpenetrating networks (SIPNs) based on polyurethane (PU) with carboxylic groups and methacrylic copolymer (PM) with tertiary amine groups were studied by the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin probe method. The concentration of functional groups in both prepolymers varied from 0 to 0.45 mmol g^?1. Spin‐probed SIPNs show that the temperature‐dependent spectra are sensitive to polymer interactions imposed by functional groups. These interactions determine the free volume distribution in the matrix and temperature at which motional transition takes place. The fraction of free volume increases with functional group concentration and reaches its maximum at 0.25 mmol g^?1. Further increases in the functional group concentration reduce the free volume. The results of the networks with strong interactions are discussed in terms of the interference of the plasticizing effect of the PU component and the formation of possible cluster cross‐links, which restricts segmental motions. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Indomethacin reduces contraction of isolated non-pregnant human uterine artery induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha

The purpose of this study was to explore whether cyclooxygenase products derived from endothelium or vascular smooth muscle participate in the response of human uterine artery to prostaglandin F2 alpha. Experiments were performed using human uterine arterial rings. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (0.4 nM-1 microM) induced contraction of human uterine arteries with both intact and denuded endothelium with similar potency and efficacy (pD2 values: 7.93 +/- 0.01 and 8.07 +/- 0.03 for vessels with and without endothelium respectively; maximal response values: 89.1 +/- 4.7% and 92.3 +/- 3.8% for vessels with and without endothelium respectively). Indomethacin (10 microM) significantly suppressed the maximum effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha and induced a shift towards the right of the prostaglandin F2 alpha concentration-response curves, regardless of the endothelial condition. On the other hand, in both types of preparations, OKY-046 (10 microM), an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, did not affect prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contraction of human uterine arteries. It is concluded that in human uterine artery prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contraction is mediated, at least in part, through constrictor prostanoid(s) of vascular smooth muscle origin that is not thromboxane A2.     

Rigid osteosynthesis with the AO plate and Phemister''s spongioplasty in secondary treatment of diaphyseal gunshot fractures

To clarify the histogenesis and differentiation potential of central neurocytoma, a pathological investigation of seven tumors from three patients was conducted using immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural analysis in addition to systematic in vitro studies. Six tumors were studied immunohistochemically and five were examined ultrastructurally. All cases that were immunostained were positive for synaptophysin in nuclear-free neuropil islands. In five tumors, a few tumor cells, in addition to reactive astrocytes, were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Vimentin staining was also positive in a few tumor cells of five specimens. Neurofilament staining was always negative. All cases for which ultrastructure was examined showed various synaptic abnormalities. Cultured cells were subdivided into three distinct tumor cell types: neuronal cells which stained for neurofilament proteins with neurosecretory granules; small flat undifferentiated cells with a high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and scant cytoplasmic organelles; and small round or multipolar astrocytic cells with 10-nm intermediate filaments which stained for GFAP. Our tissue culture studies disclosed that cultured neurocytoma cells form a cellular mosaic similar to subependymal plate layers that are composed of mitotically active cells, neurons and glia.     

The influence of selenium and neuroleptics on the rat brain nuclear regulatory mechanism in carcinogenesis

alpha-Crystallins possess molecular chaperone properties and are one of the most abundant of the lenticular proteins. Posttranslational modifications of these proteins have been implicated as a possible etiology of human cataracts. This article will review current knowledge concerning the effects of known posttranslational modifications upon the molecular chaperone properties and aggregation behavior of alpha-A and alpha-B crystallin. Based upon these effects, experimental approaches will be discussed that may be useful in the development of reagents that may selectively inhibit the cataractogenic process in the aging human lens.     

Morphometric and some immunohistochemical characteristics of human choroids plexus stroma and psammoma bodies

Psammoma bodies (PBs) are one of many choroids plexus aging changes. The aim of our research was to perform the quantification of PBs' presence in human choroids plexus stroma, as well as to evaluate the characteristics of choroids plexus stroma in cases in which PBs were present. Afterwards, the observations of the histochemical analysis would be confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Choroid plexuses of 30 cadavers were used for the histochemical and, choroids plexuses of 15 cadavers in which PBs' presence was confirmed during the histochemical analysis, were used as material for the immunohistochemical analysis. Light microscopy, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and morphometric method were applied during the study. Classification of the cases was performed by cluster analysis. We observed increase of choroids plexus PBs' presence during the aging process. But this increase is not linear. Their presence is the largest in the second cluster that is younger than the third and older than the first. Nuclear morphometric parameters of the stroma in these cases showed that the cellular composition in this cluster is different than in other two and, that contain larger number of lymphoid cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed PBs' positive reaction on vimentin, CD45R0, and LCA markers, while in their vicinity, as well as inside them, numerous T-cells were observed. So, the presence of CD45R0 and LCA-positive T cells, PBs' positive reaction on the same markers, indirectly connect these cells with PBs' formation process.     

Synchronization of diffusively-coupled limit cycle oscillators

We develop analytical and numerical conditions to determine whether limit cycle oscillations synchronize in diffusively coupled systems. We examine two classes of systems: reaction–diffusion PDEs with Neumann boundary conditions, and compartmental ODEs, where compartments are interconnected through diffusion terms with adjacent compartments. In both cases the uncoupled dynamics are governed by a nonlinear system that admits an asymptotically stable limit cycle. We provide two-time scale averaging methods for certifying stability of spatially homogeneous time-periodic trajectories in the presence of sufficiently small or large diffusion and develop methods using the structured singular value for the case of intermediate diffusion. We highlight cases where diffusion stabilizes or destabilizes such trajectories.     

Modelling of V–Hz and vector controlled ASDs in PSCAD/EMTDC for voltage sag studies

This paper deals with modelling and performance of adjustable speed drives (ASDs) subjected to voltage disturbances in electric supply. The aim of this study was to develop appropriate models of typical ASD and investigate their sensitivity to voltage disturbances under various practical modes of operation and control. Accordingly, scalar controlled open and closed loop volts–hertz (V–Hz) and vector controlled closed loop ASDs are modelled in PSCAD/EMTDC environment, and their performance in the presence of voltage disturbances is investigated under typical operating and loading conditions.     

Algorithm for tissue ischemia estimation based on electrical impedance spectroscopy

The purpose of this paper is to present an algorithm developed for real-time estimation of skeletal muscle ischemia, based on parameters extracted from in vivo obtained electrical impedance spectra. A custom impedance spectrometer was used to acquire data sets: complex impedance spectra measured at 27 frequencies in the range of 100 Hz-1 MHz, and tissue pH. Twenty-nine in vivo animal studies on rabbit anterior tibialis muscle were performed to gather data on the behavior of tissue impedance during ischemia. An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to quantitatively describe the relationship between the parameters of complex tissue impedance spectra and tissue ischemia via pH. The ANN was trained on 1249, and tested on 946 ischemic tissue impedance data sets. A correlation of 94.5% and a standard deviation of 0.15 pH units was achieved between the ANN estimated pH and measured tissue pH values.