Effect of insulin versus sulfonylurea therapy on cardiovascular risk factors and fibrinolysis in type II diabetes

1. The synthesis and release of nitric oxide may play a role in the pathogenesis of peripheral vasodilatation and hyperdynamic circulation observed in liver cirrhosis. In this work, we analysed the synthesis of nitric oxide by the lympho-mononuclear cells of peripheral blood from patients with chronic alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease and we identified the isoform of nitric oxide synthase involved in the increased nitric oxide synthesis. 2. Patients were classified following clinical and histological criteria in non-alcoholic cirrhotic, alcoholic cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic chronic liver disease. We studied clinical and analytical characteristics, haemodynamic parameters and endotoxin levels in these patients. 3. Cirrhotic patients showed an increase of cardiac output and a decrease of peripheral vascular resistance. These patients had higher levels of plasma endotoxin than those observed in the control group. N omega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-inhibitable nitrite production from mononuclear lymphocyte cells was higher in patients than in the control group, the highest levels being in non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients, and the lowest levels in patients with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease. 4. Immunocytochemistry studies revealed a positive immunoreactivity for the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase in lympho-mononuclear cells that was more evident in non-alcoholic than in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. By Northern blot, inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression was observed only in lymphomononuclear cells from non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients. 5. Our patients show a correlation between nitric oxide synthesis, endotoxin levels and haemodynamic parameters. 6. These findings indicate that lympho-mononuclear cell stimulation may play a role in elevated nitric oxide production in hepatic cirrhosis. Thus, this increased nitric oxide synthesis could be implicated in the pathogenesis of the haemodynamic disturbances frequently found in cirrhotic patients. This increase seems to be induced, at least in part, by activation of an inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase.     

Cardiovascular effects of conventional sulfonylureas and glimepiride

Sulfonylureas have, in the past, been reported to have adverse cardiovascular effects. Glimepiride is a new sulfonylurea. In spite of stimulating less insulin secretion, it has, depending on the species, equal or higher blood glucose decreasing activity and according to preliminary studies less cardiovascular activity than glibenclamide. Further studies were performed to confirm the lower cardiovascular activity of glimepiride. The IC50 for inhibition of rilmakalim-activated KATP channel currents in isolated ventricular myocytes was 31.6 nM for glimepiride and 6.8 nM for glibenclamide. In endotoxin shock-rats at a dose of 1 x 2 mg/kg i.v., glibenclamide induced a significantly higher blood pressure increase than glimepiride. At two i.v. doses of 20 mg/kg 4 min apart, in normal rats, glibenclamide produced signs of ischemia in the ECG in nearly all animals, glimepiride almost none, in diabetic rats, glibenclamide produced in all animals a lethal cardiogenic shock preceeded by serious ECG changes, glimepiride only in one fifth of the animals. In open-chest dogs, on intracoronary infusion of equieffective blood glucose-lowering doses, glibenclamide, gliclazide and glimepiride all reduced coronary blood flow, increased coronary resistance, depressed the mechanical activity of the heart, enhanced myocardial O2-extraction, reduced the serum potassium level and induced a moderate endocardial ST-segment elevation, but glimepiride to a significantly less extent than glibenclamide and gliclazide. The presented data confirm that glimepiride at equivalent blood glucose decreasing doses has less cardiovascular activity than conventional sulfonylureas.     

A resource-saving technology for manufacturing unfired articles for bottom casting of steel

Basic parameters of a resource-saving technology for manufacturing unfired articles for bottom steel casting that was developed under laboratory conditions are presented. Industrial tests of an experimental batch of unfired bottom tubes produced by the suggested technology have shown high performance properties for them and applicability of them for bottom casting of steel.Translated from Ogneupory i Tekhnicheskaya Keramika, No. 8, pp. 27–29, August, 1996.     

A study of reinforced refractory concretes

Results of a laboratory study of the properties of corundum concrete with metallic fibers of five compositions are presented. It is shown that some of the fibers affect favorably the strength and heat resistance of the concrete. Industrial tests of parts made of the suggested reinforced concrete have proved these conclusions.Translated from Ogneupory i Tekhnicheskaya Keramika, No. 11, pp. 22–24, November, 1996.     

Instron texture profile of buffalo milk cheddar cheese as influenced by composition and ripening changes

Buffalo milk Cheddar cheese samples of different ages were analysed for compositional attributes (CA), ripening indices (RI) and Instron Textural Profile (ITP). All samples were compositionally alike, except for pH and salt-in-moisture (SM) contents. RI showed significant variations. CA and RI showed highly significant correlations within themselves and with each other, except for moisture with pH, SM with moisture, MNFS, Fat and FDM and Fat with MNFS. The ITPs of cheeses showed significant variations and had highly significant intercorrelations indicating their interdependence. CA (except moisture and MNFS) and RI showed a highly significant correlationship with ITPs. Moisture content showed a highly significant correlationship with all ITPs, except cohesiveness and springiness, where it was significant. MNFS content showed significant correlations only with hardness and brittleness. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that MI was the most predominant factor influencing cheese texture, followed by pH, SM, FDM and TVFA. Knowing Ca and RI, the textural properties of cheeses can be forecast through mathematical equations. Similarly the age of cheese can also be predicted if RI and/or textural properties are known.     

Mechanisms governing tribochemical reduction of metals and non-metals from their oxides

The paper describes the physical and chemical mechanisms governing the tribochemical reduction of metals and non-metals from their oxides. The reduction was started by a tribochemical activation of initial constituents in a vibrating mill used as a reactor. Powders of oxides of copper, iron, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, titanium and boron and also such chemically pure metals as magnesium, aluminium and titanium were used as reaction constituents. The triboactivation energy contribution needed to start the explosive mechanism reduction is found to increase as the heat of reaction decreases and the heat of formation of the associated product rises. Introducing oxygen into the reactor during the tribochemical activation of powders of oxides together with magnesium causes the intense oxidation of magnesium and stimulates the reduction process. To increase the yield of tungsten monocarbide from tungsten concentrate, the reduction process should be implemented in an atmosphere of hydrogen or hydrocarbons.