Impact of Atorvastatin on Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Activity,Locomotion and Axonal Excitability—Evidence from ApoE-/- Mice

The cardiovascular benefit of statins is well established. However, only 20% of high-risk patients remain adequately adherent after 5 years of treatment. Among reasons for discontinuation, statin associated-muscle pain symptoms are the most prevalent. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of high dose atorvastatin on skeletal muscle mitochondrial activity, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, and axonal excitability in a murine model of atherosclerosis. ApoE^-/- mice were fed 12 weeks a high-fat high-cholesterol diet alone or containing atorvastatin (40 mg/Kg/day). Outcomes were the evaluation of muscle mitochondrial functionality, locomotion, grip test, and axonal excitability (compound action potential recording analysis of Aα motor propioceptive, Aβ mechanoceptive and C nociceptive fibres). Atorvastatin led to a reduction in muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial ATP production. It did not affect muscular strength but led to a time-dependent motor impairment. Atorvastatin altered the responsiveness of mechanoceptive and nociceptive fibres, respectively, the Aβ and C fibres. These findings point out to a mild sensitization on mechanical, tactile and pain sensitivity. In conclusion, although the prevalence of muscular side effects from statins may be overestimated, understanding of the underlying mechanisms can help improve the therapeutic approach and reassure adherence in patients needing-to-be-treated.     

Analysis of trigeneration plants: engine with liquid desiccant cooling and micro gas turbine with absorption chiller

The performances of two natural gas small‐scale trigeneration plants are dealt with in the paper. The two plants are part of a new cogeneration and trigeneration system laboratory at the Politecnico di Torino (Turin, Italy), which will be set up and exploited for scientific and technical purposes. The first plant has 126/220/210 kW electrical, heating and cooling capacities, respectively, and it is characterized by an innovative internal combustion engine (ICE) that has been coupled to a liquid LiCl–water desiccant cooling system. The other plant has 100/145/98 kW electrical, heating and cooling capacities and is composed of a micro gas turbine, coupled to a LiBr–Water absorption chiller. The aim of the paper was comparing the performances of the two plants from an energetic and economic point of view; the Primary Energy Savings are calculated for both installations through a commonly accepted methodology proposed by the European Union, and through another methodology, reported in literature, which seems more suitable to describe the energetic performances of trigeneration plants. The savings calculated with this second procedure result to be lower than those of the European Union methodology; moreover, the ICE installation always denotes higher performances with respect to the microturbine. From the economic point of view, it is evident that a fuel tax reduction for high‐efficiency cogeneration plants is an essential contribution for the support and development of these systems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biochar-containing construction materials for electromagnetic shielding in the microwave frequency region: the importance of water content

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Electromagnetic waves in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz frequency) are used for radar, satellite communication, and, in some countries, for...