Structural Analysis of Mitochondrial Dynamics—From Cardiomyocytes to Osteoblasts: A Critical Review

Mitochondria play a crucial role in cell physiology and pathophysiology. In this context, mitochondrial dynamics and, subsequently, mitochondrial ultrastructure have increasingly become hot topics in modern research, with a focus on mitochondrial fission and fusion. Thus, the dynamics of mitochondria in several diseases have been intensively investigated, especially with a view to developing new promising treatment options. However, the majority of recent studies are performed in highly energy-dependent tissues, such as cardiac, hepatic, and neuronal tissues. In contrast, publications on mitochondrial dynamics from the orthopedic or trauma fields are quite rare, even if there are common cellular mechanisms in cardiovascular and bone tissue, especially regarding bone infection. The present report summarizes the spectrum of mitochondrial alterations in the cardiovascular system and compares it to the state of knowledge in the musculoskeletal system. The present paper summarizes recent knowledge regarding mitochondrial dynamics and gives a short, but not exhaustive, overview of its regulation via fission and fusion. Furthermore, the article highlights hypoxia and its accompanying increased mitochondrial fission as a possible link between cardiac ischemia and inflammatory diseases of the bone, such as osteomyelitis. This opens new innovative perspectives not only for the understanding of cellular pathomechanisms in osteomyelitis but also for potential new treatment options.     

采用单独碳化室压力调节系统减少焦炉排放

PROven(R)系统的开发为了减少焦炉的排放,过去已进行了多种技术的开发.但是从焦炉炉门、装料孔边缘等处逸散物的减少,已受到工艺技术的制约.一个基本的制约因素是,在集气总管内的压力和联接到总管的所有碳化室内的压力之间有着密不可分的关系.     

Integrated starter generator

Various types of electric machines can be considered for an application to integrated starter generator (ISG). Permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines present interesting performances; nevertheless, it remains difficult to reach a significant constant power zone under good efficiency conditions and power factor. The loss of control of electronics at high-speed operations may lead to high-terminal voltages, which can become dangerous for the whole vehicle. In this study, we examine the main advantages and drawbacks of the induction machine, reluctant, and PM machine. Then we present more precisely the wound rotor synchronous machine (WRSM) performances for ISG applications. All these machines must follow strict rules and specifications (low length, high torque, speed, and efficiency). Different kinds of machines have already been evaluated.     

Einflu? des Erhitzens auf L?slichkeit und Elektrophoreseverhalten der Sarkoplasmaproteine von Rind- und Schweinefleisch

Zusammenfassung Die Hitzestabilität der Sarkoplasmaproteine bei Rind- und Schweinefleisch wurde anhand der Löslichkeit und der Proteinmuster nach elektrophoretischer Auftrennung untersucht. Als Untersuchungsmethoden kamen die Proteinbestimmung nach Bradford und die isoelektrische Focussierung in rehydratierbaren Polyacrylamidgelen zur Anwendung. Die focussierten Proteine wurden mit Hilfe der Silberfärbung sichtbar gemacht. Die Gesamtproteinkonzentrationen der Extrakte verringerten sich bis zu einer Temperatur von 80°C mit zunehmender Höhe und Dauer der Hitzebelastung. Bei den auf 100°C erhitzten Proben nahmen die Proteinkonzentrationen wieder geringfügig zu. Die Intensität der Proteinbanden nahm allgemein mit steigender Temperatur und Erhitzungszeit ab. Die deutlichsten Änderungen der Bandenmuster zeigten sich im untersuchten Temperaturbereich bei dem auf 100°C erhitzten Fleisch. Durch eine Nacherhitzung der Fleischproben konnten erhitzungsbedingte Unterschiede in den Bandenmuster ausgeglichen werden. Auf diese Weise ist eine elektrophoretische Tierartenidentifizierung bei erhitztem Fleisch unabhängig von der Kenntnis der Erhitzungsbedingungen möglich.

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Influence of heat on solubility and electrophoretic behaviour of sarcoplasmic proteins of beef and pork

Summary The heat stability of sarcoplasmic proteins of beef and pork was investigated by means of their solubility and their protein patterns after electrophoretic separation. The method of determination of proteins described by Bradford and isoelectric focusing in rehydratable polyacrylamide gels were used for these investigations. The electrofocused proteins were visualized by silver staining. The concentration of total protein of the extracts decreased with increase in temperature and heating time (up to a temperature of 80° C). However the protein concentration increased in samples heated to 100° C. The intensity of the protein bands decreased with increasing temperature and heating time. In the investigated range of temperature, variations in protein patterns were most significant in meat heated to 100° C. Differences of protein pattern caused by different heating conditions could be equalized by a second heating of the samples. In this way it is possible to identify meat species without knowing the heating conditions.

     

Nanohybrid Materials with Tunable Birefringence via Cation Exchange in Polymer Films

In this work, a nanohybrid material based on a freestanding polymeric liquid crystal network capable of postmodification via cation exchange to tune birefringence is proposed. The smectic liquid crystal films can be infiltrated with a variety of cations, thereby changing the refractive indices (n_e and n_o) and the effective birefringence (Δn) of the nanohybrid material, with reversible cation infiltration occurring within minutes. Birefringence could be tuned between values of 0.06 and 0.19, depending on the cation infiltrated into the network. Upon infiltration, a decrease in the smectic layer spacing is found with layer contraction independent of the induced change in birefringence. Potential applications are in the field of specialty optical devices, such as flexible, retunable reflective filters.     

A superconducting X-ray spectrometer with a tantalum absorber andlateral trapping

We report the development of Nb-Ta-Al-Al₂O₃-Al superconducting tunnel junction structures for high energy resolution and high efficiency X-ray detection. These devices utilize a Ta X-ray absorber with superconductor “bandgap engineered” quasiparticle trapping to improve charge collection. Experimental results at 0.3 K are presented, showing energy resolution of 102 eV full-width-half-maximum for 6 keV X-rays. Collected charge is in excess of 5×10⁶ electrons. The absorption efficiency is better than 35%. Devices thermally cycle with no change in characteristics     

Spiral-CT-based assessment of tracheal stenoses using 3-D-skeletonization

PURPOSE: Demonstration of a technique for three-dimensional (3-D) assessment of tracheal-stenoses, regarding site, length and degree, based on spiral computed tomography (S-CT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: S-CT scanning and automated segmentation of the laryngo-tracheal tract (LTT) was followed by the extraction of the LTT medial axis using a skeletonization algorithm. Orthogonal to the medial axis the LTT 3-D cross-sectional profile was computed and presented as line charts, where degree and length was obtained. Values for both parameters were compared between 36 patients and 18 normal controls separately. Accuracy and precision was derived from 17 phantom studies. RESULTS: Average degree and length of tracheal stenoses was found to be 60.5% and 4.32 cm in patients compared with minor caliber changes of 8.8% and 2.31 cm in normal controls (p < 0.0001). For the phantoms an excellent correlation between the true and computed 3-D cross-sectional profile was found (p < 0.005) and an accuracy for length and degree measurements of 2.14 mm and 2.53% respectively could be determined. The corresponding figures for the precision were found to be 0.92 mm and 2.56%. CONCLUSION: LTT 3-D cross-sectional profiles permit objective, accurate and precise assessment of LTT caliber changes. Minor LTT caliber changes can be observed even in normals and, in case of an otherwise normal S-CT study, can be regarded as artifacts.