Maintaining the production capacity of aging coke batteries at OAO MMK

Experience in maintaining the production capacity of nine coke batteries with a mean age of 35 years is outlined.     

Aggregate structure of “single-nano buckydiamond” in gel and dried powder by differential scanning calorimetry and nitrogen adsorption

Gels and dried powders of the single-nano buckydiamond (SNBD) have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gas adsorption methods. Nanophase of water (NPhW) was confirmed in SNBD hydrogel by DSC, wherein the characteristic feature at 265 K was observed and attributed to melting of NPhW. No such feature was observed in commercial agglutinate samples of detonation nanodiamond. The parameters of the DSC peak were independent on the method of the material preparation and reproducible to serve as a fingerprint of SNBD material itself. The same nanophase was found in dried powders of SNBD after they were equilibrated with water vapor in isopiestic experiments. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms of the dried powder demonstrated the presence of nano voids. The characteristic size and volume of the nano voids were almost equal to those of NPhW. Gels and dried powders were easily converted back into SNBD water dispersions. Based on DSC and adsorption data it was concluded that SNBD material, though originally divided into individual diamond crystals (d = 5.2 nm) in the water dispersion, forms stable porous networks as gel and dried powder. Formation of such networks could be explained in terms of Van der Waals or Coulombic interaction between the SNBD particles.     

Chemical interaction of the Ti<Subscript>90</Subscript>Mg<Subscript>10</Subscript> alloy with ammonia

We have studied the chemical interaction of the Ti₉₀Mg₁₀ alloy with ammonia in the presence of NH₄Cl at temperatures from 150 to 500°C and identified conditions for the formation of fine-particle hydrides and nanocrystalline nitrides of titanium and magnesium.     

Diagnosis of respiratory-syncytial viral disease in adults

A method developed by the authors is described that consists in a quantitative test for the evaluation of the reactivity of the microvessels judging by the degree of changes in the resorption speed of isotopes from a tissue depot. In patients with essential hypertension an increased vascular reactivity was revealed with reference to angiotensin, noradrenalin and serotonin, as well as an increased duration of the effect of angiotensin. The highest vascular reactivity was noted in patients with stage II hypertension who have retained a hyperkinetic type of circulation.     

Renin response and angiotensinogen control during graded hemorrhage and shock in the dog

Hemorrhage and hemorrhagic hypotension have been shown to be potent stimulators of renin release. However, the relationship between angiotensinogen consumption and angiotensinogen production has yet to be completely defined during this type of circulatory stress. Peripheral renin activity increased progressively as the blood pressure was decreased stepwise by hemorrhage to 50 mmHg and remained elevated throughout the shock phase of the experiment. Angiotensinogen did not change from control (809 ng/ml) throughout hemorrhabic hypotension and shock. During hemorrhagic hypotension, with the infusion of the angiotensin antagonist, [1-sarcosine, 8-alanine]angiotensin II, angiotensinogen concentration fell progressively from 693 to 208 ng/ml at 50 mmHg. Intravenous angiotensin II infused continuously after the mean blood pressure reached 50 mmHg significantly elevated plasma angiotensinogen concentration. In conclusion, during hemorrhagic hypotension and shock, the kidney and the liver appeared capable of maintaining elevated plasma renin activity and adequate plasma renin substrate, angiotensinogen, respectively. The mechanism responsible for the maintenance of plasma angiotensinogen is suggested to involve a positive-feedback effect of angiotensin II on the liver.     

Effect of thyrotropic hormone on the ultrastructure of the endothelium of thyroid gland perifolicular capillaries

Under study was the alteration in the ultrastructure of the thyroid epithelium and endothelium of perifollicular capillaries influenced by exogenous thyrotropic hormone. The results obtained show that there is a direct relationship between the dosage of the injected thyrotopic hormone, the degree of the ultrastructural changes in the time of their appearance. It has been established that the alterations in the perifollicular capillary endothelium ultrastructure make their appearance and become maximum practically simulataneously with the alterations in the thyroid epithelium ultrastructure. The increased functional activity of the endothelium, thinner walls of capillaries and the appearnace of a greater amount of fenestrations against the background of the thyroid stimulation are likely to be factors contributing to penetration of non-hormonal iodine products (iodine tyrosines and products of incomplete hydrolysis of thyroglobulins) into the circulation, which can be observed under certain pathological conditions accompanied by increased thyrotropic stimulation--such as diffused toxic goiter and diffuse non-toxic goiter.     

TNF-R55-specific form of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces collagenase gene expression by human skin fibroblasts

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent inhibitor of connective tissue formation. The cellular effects of TNF-alpha are mediated by two distinct cell-surface receptors, TNF-R55 and TNF-R75, both present on various types of cells, including fibroblasts. In this study we wanted to elucidate the role of TNF-R55 as a mediator of the connective tissue effects of TNF-alpha by using a mutant, TNF-R55-specific form of human TNF-alpha. This mutant TNF-alpha markedly induced collagenase and stromelysin-1 gene expression in dermal fibroblasts, the maximal activation (up to 42-fold) being 65%-89% of that noted with wild-type human TNF-alpha. In addition, TNF-R55-specific TNF-alpha suppressed type I collagen mRNA levels as potently as wild-type TNF-alpha (by 60%). The enhancement of collagenase gene expression by TNF-R55-specific TNF-alpha was augmented by simultaneous treatment of normal and scleroderma skin fibroblasts with interferon-gamma, indicating specific enhancement of TNF-R55 signaling pathway by interferon-gamma. These results show that stimulation of the TNF-R55 signaling pathway is sufficient for the inhibitory effects of TNF-alpha on extracellular matrix formation by dermal fibroblasts. It is conceivable that due to reduced systemic toxicity, TNF-R55-specific forms of human TNF-alpha may prove to be feasible in the therapy of fibrotic disorders.     

Antibodies to Bacillus megaterium H glycoprotein in patients with lung diseases

Enzyme immunoassay performed in patients with malignant and benign affections of the lungs determined antibodies (Abs) to glycoprotein isolated from saprophyte microorganism Bacilus megaterium H. In pulmonary tuberculosis and nonspecific pulmonary inflammation the above Abs occurred in patients with fibrous-proliferative changes and associated neoplastic conditions. In lung cancer the Abs were detected in well and moderately differentiated tumors. Nondifferentiated and poorly differentiated variants did not exhibit any rise in Abs to glycoprotein.