Low density lipoprotein catabolism is enhanced by the cleaved form of alpha-1-antitrypsin

The frequent occurrence of hypocholesterolaemia following inflammatory processes is well known but unexplained. Elevated plasma levels of serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) and their complexes with target enzymes have been demonstrated in inflammatory, malignant and infectious diseases which are also often accompanied by low plasma cholesterol levels. Under inflammatory conditions, uncomplexed, but cleaved inactive serpins arising from slow deacylation of the serpin-proteinase complex may be present in the circulation. To determine the influence of native and cleaved forms of serpins, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), on lipoprotein metabolism, we investigated the effect of these forms on low density lipoprotein (LDL) catabolism in human HepG2 cell line. We have found that the cleaved form of AAT in concentrations from 125 to 2000 nmol l-1 stimulates LDL binding to the HepG2 cells, by up to 49% with a subsequent increase in LDL uptake and degradation of up to 79 and 65% respectively. Native AAT was also found to increase LDL binding and internalization by 20-25%, independently of the amount of AAT added, an effect most probably due to the cleaved form of AAT produced by local proteolysis of native AAT incubated in the cell culture. Moreover we have shown that the cleaved form of AAT interacts with LDL in vitro, and that such an interaction abolishes AAT ability to stimulate LDL binding and internalization. This study for the first time describes the ability of the cleaved form of AAT to stimulate LDL binding and internalization in HepG2 cell culture, and provides evidence that hypocholesterolaemia occurring during inflammatory processes may be mediated by cleaved forms of serpins.     

Optimizing the service life of drill-collar joints on the basis of fracture mechanics criteria

A method of calculation of the lifetime of fish-mouth collar joints has been proposed that is based on selecting a model and using the criteria of fracture mechanics. By this method it is possible to optimize the design parameters of collar joints as a function of the cyclic crack resistance of steels. It is shown that the lifetime of a collar joint with a fatigue crack can be predicted, and the size of the crack can be estimated for a certain operating time of the collar joint. The critical values of the length of a fatigue crack were calculated for various types and dimensions of collar joints, which is important in fixing the periodicity of crack detection operations.     

Production and properties of micro‐porous glas bubble zinc and aluminium composites

Micro‐porous syntactic foams were produced by means of integration of glass bubbles into aluminium and zinc matrices. Preforms of glass bubbles were pressure infiltrated with the alloys AlSi9Cu9 ans ZnAl4Cu using squeeze casting. The preforms were sintered thermically without the use of bonding agents. Using the combination of different sintering steps syntactic foams with locally different densities could be produced. The mechanical properties of the foams were tested indicating a high compression strength of the foams and a very good compression energy absorption. Furthermore, corrosion behaviour and behaviour at higher temperatures were investigated.     

Effect of biochemical storage on the denitrification potential of acetate in sequencing batch reactors.

This study evaluates the effect biochemical storage on the denitrification potential (N(DP)) of acetate. The fate of bacterial storage is evaluated in a sequencing batch reactor system operated in a sequence of anoxic/aerobic phases, fed with acetate as a pulse and continuously under anoxic conditions. N(DP) is defined based on system stoichiometry both for direct growth and storage on acetate. Experimental results do not support conceptual calculations based on system stoichiometry, yielding a higher denitrification potential, N(DP), for continuous feeding than the N(DP) obtained with pulse feeding, due to partial utilisation of the stored PHB within the anoxic phase. The nitrate, acetate and poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) profiles obtained in the experimental studies were used in model calibrations for two different feeding patterns. Results of model simulations confirm the experimental results and evaluate the effects imposed on the denitrification potential by sludge age and the anoxic volume ratio.     

U(Ⅳ)-U(Ⅵ)同位素交换反应动力学研究 Ⅰ.Fe~(2+)对U(Ⅳ)-U(Ⅵ)同位素交换反应的催化作用

一、前言由于U(IV)-U(VI)同位素交换体系具有相当大的同位素效应和很好的稳定性,并且容易实现两相回流,这对于分离U同位素的工业应用都是十分有利的。但是,U(IV)-U(VI)同位素交换反应速度非常慢,常温下H~+浓度为1.0—4.0 mol/l时,速度常数为1.0×10~(-4)l~2/mol·s。因此要用U(IV)-U(VI)交换体系浓缩铀同位素,必须研究U(IV)-U(VI)交换反应动力学,找到加快交换反应的方法。     

Utilization of Defatted Sesame Flour in Fermented Salami

Fermented salami was prepared containing 0, 9, 18 and 27% defatted sesame flour (DSF). Chemical and sensory analyses were performed on the products. Results indicated that DSF could be used at either the 9 or 18% level without detrimental effect upon sensory attributes but salami containing 27% DSF will have less desirable flavor.     

Temperature resistance coefficient of composite resistive materials in the mixed-structure approximation

A method of calculating the temperature resistance coefficient and its temperature dependence for resistive materials in the approximation of a matrix-statistical structure is outlined.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 477–481, September, 1985.     

Increasing the corrosion resistance of low-alloy and carbon steels for automobile construction by optimizing the metallurgical technology

It is shown that the corrosion resistance of automobile sheet can be improved by ensuring that steels of this type have a low content of corrosion-active nonmetallic inclusions (CANI). The main mechanisms responsible for the formation of CANI in automobile sheet have been established, and recommendations have been developed to reduce their concentration in this product • optimize the deoxidation processes that are used by ensuring that the proportions of the additions made to the steel are consistent with the composition of the ladle slag and that certain key temperature-time parameters of these processes are maintained • control the composition of the ladle slag to prevent the formation of solid phases in the slag and their transfer to the metal; certain conditions must also be observed in the argon blow and the introduction of the addtions. Use of the above recommendations to make automobile sheet and tube steels cleaner with respect to their content of CANI and thus help optimize out-of-furnace treatments at metallurgical and pipe plants will make it possible to improve the corrosion resistance of metal products used in automotive manufacturing. __________ Translated from Metallurg, No. 2, pp. 45–48, February, 2006.