Hyperhomocysteinemia and Cardiovascular Disease: Is the Adenosinergic System the Missing Link?

The influence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCy) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. HHCy is associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis, and it is an independent risk factor for CVD, stroke and myocardial infarction. However, homocysteine (HCy)-lowering therapy does not affect the inflammatory state of CVD patients, and it has little influence on cardiovascular risk. The HCy degradation product hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a cardioprotector. Previous research proposed a positive role of H₂S in the cardiovascular system, and we discuss some recent data suggesting that HHCy worsens CVD by increasing the production of H₂S, which decreases the expression of adenosine A_2A receptors on the surface of immune and cardiovascular cells to cause inflammation and ischemia, respectively.     

X-ray Fluorescence Uptake Measurement of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles in Tumor Cell Microsamples

Quantitative cellular in vitro nanoparticle uptake measurements are possible with a large number of different techniques, however, all have their respective restrictions. Here, we demonstrate the application of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) on prostate tumor cells, which have internalized differently functionalized gold nanoparticles. Total nanoparticle uptake on the order of a few hundred picograms could be conveniently observed with microsamples consisting of only a few hundreds of cells. A comparison with mass spectroscopy quantification is provided, experimental results are both supported and sensitivity limits of this XFI approach extrapolated by Monte-Carlo simulations, yielding a minimum detectable nanoparticle mass of just 5 pg. This study demonstrates the high sensitivity level of XFI, allowing non-destructive uptake measurements with very small microsamples within just seconds of irradiation time.     

Lipid and fatty acid composition of turkey liver,skin and depot tissue

Total lipid and phospholipid contents of liver, skin and depot fat from yearling hen turkeys have been studied. Liver lipid averaged 88.5 mg/g wet tissue; skin, 385.0 and depot fat, 753.5. Phospholipids comprised 32.05% of total lipid of liver, but only 0.81% of skin and 0.46% of depot fat. Fatty acids of liver differed from those of skin or depot fat by larger amounts of 16∶0, 18∶0, 20∶4, 22∶0 and 24∶0, and smaller amounts of 16∶1, 18∶1, 18∶2, 18∶3 and 20∶0. Similarity existed between skin and depot fat. Journal Paper No. J-6473 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1696.     

Impact strength and melt viscosity of bisphenol-a polycarbonate and styrene-maleic-anhydride copolymer blends

Mixtures of 90, 80, and 70 percent by weight bisphenol-A-polycarbonate (PC) and 10, 20, and 30 percent by weight styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer were melt-blended in a single screw extruder. Differential scanning calorimetry (DCS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the miscibility of the blends. The viscosity, as a function of shear rate and temperature, was measured by an Instron capillary viscometer. The notched impact strength as a function of temperature was measured by an Izod impact tester. The results of DSC showed two glass transition temperatures which merged slightly towards each other, indicating marginal miscibility of these blends. There was a decrease in viscosity as the fraction of SMA copolymer was increased. The most significant decrease occurred with the initial addition of SMA copolymer. The viscosity also decreased with increases in temperature. The impact strength of the blends was also dependent on SMA copolymer content. The blends showed six to ten times lower impact strengths at room temperature than the 100 percent polycarbonate. SEM analysis helped to determine the reason why the impact strength was lower for the blends. High magnification showed the presence of SMA copolymer inclusions dispersed throughout the PC matrix. These inclusions, which increased in size as SMA copolymer content was increased, acted as defects in the system.     

Shape memory polymers based on uniform aliphatic urethane networks

Aliphatic urethane polymers have been synthesized and characterized, using monomers with high molecular symmetry, to form amorphous networks with very uniform supermolecular structures, which can be used as photo‐thermally actuable shape memory polymers (SMPs). The monomers used include hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), trimethylhexamethylenediamine (TMHDI), N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine (HPED), triethanolamine (TEA), and 1,3‐butanediol (BD). The new polymers were characterized by solvent extraction, NMR, XPS, UV/VIS, DSC, DMTA, and tensile testing. The resulting polymers were found to be single phase amorphous networks with very high gel fraction, excellent optical clarity, and extremely sharp single glass transitions in the range of 34–153°C. Thermomechanical testing of these materials confirms their excellent shape memory behavior, high recovery force, and low mechanical hysteresis (especially on multiple cycles), effectively behaving as ideal elastomers above T_g. We believe these materials represent a new and potentially important class of SMPs, and should be especially useful in applications such as biomedical microdevices. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide with cryptates as counterions: 2

A kinetic study of the anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide has been made in tetrahydrofuran at 20°C, with the cryptate Cs⁺ + [TC] as counterion, [TC] being a spheroidal macrotricyclic ligand. Conductance measurements have been made on THF solutions of ?₄BCs + [TC]. Ionic associations higher than cryptated ion pairs are negligible for living end concentrations lower than 3 × 10^?4 moll^?1. k_± and the alkoxide ion pair dissociation constant K_D were determined from both sets of kinetic data obtained with and without added salt knowing the value of k_? from kinetic data performed with K⁺ + [222] as counterion. Free alkoxide ions are about twenty times more reactive than cryptated caesium ion pairs.     

Effect of Molybdenum on the Structure and on the Crystallization of SiO2–Na2O–CaO–B2O3 Glasses

Crystallization of the poorly durable Na₂MoO₄ phase able to incorporate radioactive cesium must be avoided in SiO₂–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–Na₂O–CaO glasses developed for the immobilization of Mo-rich nuclear wastes. Increasing amounts of B₂O₃ and MoO₃ were added to a SiO₂–Na₂O–CaO glass, and crystallization tendency was studied. Na₂MoO₄ crystallization tendency decreased with the increase of B₂O₃ concentration whereas the tendency of CaMoO₄ to crystallize increased due to preferential charge compensation of BO₄⁻ entities by Na⁺ ions. ²⁹Si MAS NMR showed that molybdenum acts as a reticulating agent in glass structure. Trivalent actinides surrogate (Nd³⁺) were shown to enter into CaMoO₄ crystals formed in glasses.     

Associations between apolipoprotein E genotype and circulating F<Subscript>2</Subscript>-isoprostane levels in humans

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), an important determinant of plasma lipoprotein metabolism, has three common alleles (ε2, ε3, and ε4). Population studies have shown that the risk of diseases characterized by oxidative damage, such as coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, is significantly higher in ɛ4 carriers. We evaluated the association between apoE genotypes and plasma F₂-isoprostane levels, an index of lipid peroxidation, in humans. Two hundred seventy-four healthy subjects (104 males, 170 females; 46.9±13.0 yr; 200 whites, 74 blacks; 81 nonsmokers, 64 passive smokers, and 129 active smokers) recruited for a randomized clinical antioxidant intervention trial were included in this analysis. ApoE genotype was determined by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. Free plasma F₂-isoprostane was measured by GC-MS. Genotype groups were compared using multiple regression analysis with adjustment for sex, age, race, smoking status, body mass index, plasma ascorbic acid, and β-carotene. Subjects with ε3/ε4 and ε4/ε4 genotype (ε4-carriers) and with ε2/ε3 and ε3/ε3 (non-ε4-carriers) were pooled for analysis. In subjects with high cholesterol levels (total cholesterol above 200 mg/dl), plasma F₂-isoprostane levels were 29% higher in ε4 carriers than in non-ε4-carriers (P=0.0056). High-cholesterol subjects that are ε4 carriers have significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidation as assessed by circulating F₂-isoprostane levels.     

The Influence of High Temperature Exposure on the Wear Performance of a Ni Based Alloy PTA Coating

Degradation phenomena like wear and corrosion, may have their effects accelerated as components operate at high temperature. The aim of this work is to make an indirect evaluation of the influence of high temperature exposure on wear behavior of Ni coatings. A Ni-Cr-Mo-W alloy, was deposited with Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) process. An indirect approach based on the Ahrrenius relationship was used to evaluated long time exposures at high temperatures. To simulate longer exposures at lower temperatures, coatings were exposed to higher temperatures for the same time interval. So coatings were soaked in an air furnace at 650℃, 1000℃ and 1200℃. Metal/metal wear behavior was evaluated by pin-on-disc tests. Pins were removed from the coatings by eletrodischarge machining and rubbed against a VC31 quenched and tempered tool steel. Two sets of wear tests were run at 2m/s, for different loads (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0Kg) and for different sliding distances (120, 720, 1080, 1440 and 1800m).Coatings characterization was done by scanning electronic microscopy and Vickers microhardness. Results showed as temperature is increased, coatings wear performance is altered,and this is associated with microstructural changes.