Role of Impaired Mitochondrial Dynamics Processes in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction is now recognized as a contributing factor to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mitochondria are signaling organelles with a variety of functions ranging from energy production to the regulation of cellular metabolism, energy homeostasis, and response to stress. The successful functioning of these complex processes is critically dependent on the accuracy of mitochondrial dynamics, which includes the ability of mitochondria to change shape and position in the cell, which is necessary to maintain proper function and quality control, especially in polarized cells such as neurons. There has been much evidence to suggest that the disruption of mitochondrial dynamics may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AD. This review highlights aspects of altered mitochondrial dynamics in AD that may contribute to the etiology of this debilitating condition. We also discuss therapeutic strategies to improve mitochondrial dynamics and function that may provide an alternative treatment approach.     

Phenotype Diversity of Macrophages in Osteoarthritis: Implications for Development of Macrophage Modulating Therapies

Chronic inflammation is implicated in numerous human pathologies. In particular, low-grade inflammation is currently recognized as an important mechanism of osteoarthritis (OA), at least in some patients. Among the signs of the inflammatory process are elevated macrophage numbers detected in the OA synovium compared to healthy controls. High macrophage counts also correlate with clinical symptoms of the disease. Macrophages are central players in the development of chronic inflammation, pain, cartilage destruction, and bone remodeling. However, macrophages are also involved in tissue repair and remodeling, including cartilage. Therefore, reduction of macrophage content in the joints correlates with deleterious effects in OA models. Macrophage population is heterogeneous and dynamic, with phenotype transitions being induced by a variety of stimuli. In order to effectively use the macrophage inflammatory circuit for treatment of OA, it is important to understand macrophage heterogeneity and interactions with surrounding cells and tissues in the joint. In this review, we discuss functional phenotypes of macrophages and specific targeting approaches relevant for OA treatment development.     

Human calorimetry in sealed hermetic enclosures

The paper gives the results of an experimental assessment of personal biocalorimeter and calorimetric garment. The paper is addressed to biologists, physiologists and physicians investigating heat exchange and thermal regulation of the human body as well as to thephysicists developing calorimetric theories and methods. It presents theoretical concepts underlying direct calorimetry of a suited man and contains a block-diagram of the biocalorimeter that was used to examine energy parameters of the human body, including metabolic rate, heat production, heat release and heat balance. The data obtained were statistically treated and heat effects were characterized by empiric expressions. It was for the first time in medical practice that the personal calorimeter and calorimetric garment made it possible to accumulate information on the thermal state of the human body. This information helps to diagnose the health condition of man, to standardise environmental parameters in aviation, space and such like suits and to automatize their maintenance in experimental and real life situations.     

Contemporary heat-resistant and cast alloys for gas turbine blades

VIAM. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 7, pp. 32–35, July, 1993.     

Preparation of Crystalline Hydrates for Low-Temperature Physics

A number of crystalline hydrates, including two new compounds, RbNiCl₃ · H₂O and RbNiBr₃ · 6H₂O, were prepared through spontaneous crystallization in aqueous solutions by evaporating the solvent and were characterized by x-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. The lattice parameters of CsMnCl₃ · 2H₂O were found to depend on the CsCl : MnCl₂ ratio in the solution. It is shown that even a small (3%) amount of water sorbed by a dry mixture of NH₄Cl and MgCl₂ · 6H₂O is sufficient for carnallite formation to reach completion during long-term storage of powder compacts at room temperature.__________Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 611–618.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Petrov, Orekhov, Bagryanskaya, Sharvin.     

Theoretical and experimental study of combustion synthesis of microgradient ULTRA high-temperature ceramics in Zr-Ta-Si-B system

The macrokinetic features and phase and structure formation mechanisms are investigated in the Zr-Ta-Si-B system in the framework of the fractal theory of combustion. The reaction mechanisms are explored using ab initio grand potential modeling and Ellingham diagrams and then verified via direct in situ time-resolved XRD and quenching of combustion fronts in a copper block. The tendency of the Zr-TaSi-B system to form tantalum boride Ta₃B₄ and a transient tantalum silicide Ta₅Si₃ and release elemental Si and Zr in the combustion front is suggested based on the developed models and verified using a quenched combustion front and timeresolved XRD analysis. Investigation of hot-pressed combustion products shows that despite slightly higher relative density, TaSi₂-rich ceramics have relatively lower mechanical properties and oxidation resistance under plasma torch as compared to single-phase (Zr,Ta)B₂ solid solution.