Diminazene Aceturate Stabilizes Atherosclerotic Plaque and Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis in apoE-Knockout Mice by Influencing Macrophages Polarization and Taurine Biosynthesis

Atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western countries. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) with its two main opposing effectors, i.e., angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang-(1–7), is widely recognized as a major regulator of cardiovascular function and body metabolic processes. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) by breaking-down Ang II forms Ang-(1–7) and thus favors Ang-(1–7) actions. Therefore, the aim of our study was to comprehensively evaluate the influence of prolonged treatment with ACE2 activator, diminazene aceturate (DIZE) on the development of atherosclerotic lesions and hepatic steatosis in apoE^−/− mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We have shown that DIZE stabilized atherosclerotic lesions and attenuated hepatic steatosis in apoE^−/− mice fed an HFD. Such effects were associated with decreased total macrophages content and increased α-smooth muscle actin levels in atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, DIZE changed polarization of macrophages towards increased amount of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in the atherosclerotic lesions. Interestingly, the anti-steatotic action of DIZE in the liver was related to the elevated levels of HDL in the plasma, decreased levels of triglycerides, and increased biosynthesis and concentration of taurine in the liver of apoE^−/− mice. However, exact molecular mechanisms of both anti-atherosclerotic and anti-steatotic actions of DIZE require further investigations.     

Therapies Targeted at Non-Coding RNAs in Prevention and Limitation of Myocardial Infarction and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling—Current Experience and Perspectives

Myocardial infarction is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide and is a main cause of heart failure. This disease appears as a final point of atherosclerotic plaque progression, destabilization, and rupture. As a consequence of cardiomyocytes death during the infarction, the heart undergoes unfavorable cardiac remodeling, which results in its failure. Therefore, therapies aimed to limit the processes of atherosclerotic plaque progression, cardiac damage during the infarction, and subsequent remodeling are urgently warranted. A hopeful therapeutic option for the future medicine is targeting and regulating non-coding RNA (ncRNA), like microRNA, circular RNA (circRNA), or long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). In this review, the approaches targeted at ncRNAs participating in the aforementioned pathophysiological processes involved in myocardial infarction and their outcomes in preclinical studies have been concisely presented.     

PAN‐based fibers modified with two‐component ceramic nanoparticles

The authors determined conditions for manufacturing PAN precursor fibers containing a system of two nanoadditives, montmorillonite (MMT), and hydroxyapatite (HAp) in their structure. The PAN precursor fibers thus obtained are characterized by a tenacity of more than 30 cN/tex and a total volume of pores at the level of 0.29 cm³/g. Furthermore, it was found that the use of nanoadditives entails the remodeling of the paracrystalline structure of PAN fibers into a strictly crystalline one. This is accompanied by a decrease in spacing between MMT layers combined with their partial exfoliation. The fibers thus obtained, after being carbonized, will be used for medical applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Theoretical and experimental investigations into dieless drawing

Some experimental and theoretical results are presented for the dieless drawing method. Because of the absence of a rigid die considerable flexibility is reached by this method. For example it is possible to achieve very high strains in one pass. Unlike in conventional drawing it is possible to produce parts with variable cross‐sections along the length by varying the drawing velocity appropriately. This is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally. To model this process a simple one‐dimensional disk model is suggested. The resultant temperature distribution is compared with previous calculations.     

Beckmann's Studio Computers Specified for Early Computer Art

When the pioneers of computer art started to produce their works by programming mainframes, using plotters for output, the Austrian sculptor Otto Beckmann took a different path. He used a special computer constructed by his son Oskar Beckmann. This article describes the technical context of early computer art, Beckmann's interdisciplinary team ars intermedia, and the development of nonconventional studio computers.     

Performance of carbon-carbon supercapacitors based on organic, aqueous and ionic liquid electrolytes

Properties of capacitors working with the same carbon electrodes (activated carbon cloth) and three types of electrolytes: aqueous, organic and ionic liquids were compared. Capacitors filled with ionic liquids worked at a potential difference of 3.5 V, their solutions in AN and PC were charged up to the potential difference of 3 V, classical organic systems to 2.5 V and aqueous to 1 V. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charging/discharging and impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize these capacitors. The highest specific energy was recorded for the device working with ionic liquids, while the highest power is characteristic for the device filled with aqueous H₂SO₄ electrolyte. Aqueous electrolytes led to energy density an order of magnitude lower in comparison to that characteristic of ionic liquids.     

Versuchsmethodik für Laboruntersuchungen zum Zusammenhang zwischen Herstellungsbedingungen,Gefüge und Werkstoffeigenschaften

Wegen ihrer großen Bedeutung unter den heutigen Herstellungsverfahren wurden thermomechanische Behandlungen durch Warmflachstauchversuche mit dem Warmumformsimulator (Wumsi) des Max-Planck-Instituts für Eisenforschung durchgeführt. Die gegenüber anderen Simulationsverfahren vergleichsweise großen Wumsi-Proben erlaubten erstmalig mit aus ihnen entnommenen 1/2 CT-Proben auch die Durchführung von Bruchmechanikversuchen an im Labor thermomechanisch behandeltem Stahl. Hierbei wurden die Meßwerte mit einem Laborrechnersystem für die spätere Auswertung gespeichert. Die beschriebene Versuchsmethodik wird exemplarisch mit Versuchsergebnissen an dem Vergütungsstahl 50 CrMo 4 illustriert. Neben einer thermomechanischen Behandlung mit vier simulierten Walzstichen wurde eine konventionelle Vergleichsvariante erzeugt; die Proben wurden bei verschiedenen Temperaturen angelassen. Sowohl bei den Ergebnissen der Zug- und Kerbschlagbiegeversuche, als auch bei den bruchmechanischen Kennwerten Rißzähigkeit K_Ic und J_R-Rißwiderstandskurven zeigte sich die Verbesserung der Werkstoffeigenschaften durch die thermomechanische Behandlung gegenüber denen nach der konventionellen Behandlung.     

Farbmessungen auf dem Gebiete der Lebensmitteluntersuchung

Ohne Zusammenfassungbedeutet mit Abbildungen.