Effect of captopril on serum lipid levels and cardiac mitochondrial oxygen consumption in experimentally-induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are widely used in therapy of cardiovascular diseases. However, the consensus on effects of these inhibitors in control of myocardial oxygen consumption during the process of experimental hypercholesterolemia and under the condition of endothelial dysfunction has not been reached. Here we examined effects of captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, on serum lipid levels and oxygen consumption rate in mitochondria isolated from heart of rabbits treated by hypercholesterolemic diet. During the twelve-week period, the Chinchilla male rabbits were daily treated by saline (controls); 1 % cholesterol diet; 5 mg/kg/day captopril or 1 % cholesterol + 5 mg/kg/day captopril. Total- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were measured spectrophotometricly. The left ventricle mitochondrial fraction was isolated and myocardial oxygen consumption was measured by Biological Oxygen Monitor. Mitochondria isolated from hearts of rabbits exposed to hypercholesterolemic diet showed significantly reduced respiration rates (state 3 and state 4) with altering adenosine diphosphate/oxygen ratio, whereas the respiratory control ratio was not affected when compared to controls. Mitochondria from cholesterol/captopril-treated animals showed significantly reduced respiration rates without altering adenosine diphosphate/oxygen ratio index or respiratory control ratio. Although captopril did not exert the favorable effect on serum lipid levels in cholesterol-treated animals, it restored the mitochondrial oxygen consumption. Further studies should be performed to define the underlying physiological and/or pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications

The Low Temperature Aerosol Synthesis of YAG:Ce3+ Nanostructures: comparative Study of XRPD Microstructural Parameters

Poster presented at the 8th Conference of Yugoslav Materials Research Society – YUCOMAT 2006, Herceg Novi, Montenegro, September 4-8, 200

Repair of a damaged turbocharger

The turbocharger is among the highest quality assemblies for modern internal combustion engines. Its contribution to engine operation is immeasurable – it increases the power output of the engine while indirectly reducing fuel consumption. Like all devices, turbochargers require quality maintenance as they are susceptible to failure. Faulty turbochargers are either repaired or replaced with new ones. Repair ensures substantial financial savings. The paper presents the consequences of damage to the turbocharger and the process of its repair

Craniovertebral anomalies associated with pituitary gland duplication

Background: An extremely rare occurrence of the pituitary gland duplication inspired us to examine in detail the accompanying craniovertebral congenital anomalies in a patient involved. Materials and methods: T1-wighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, as well as the multislice computerised tomography (MSCT) and MSCT angiography in our patient, as well as in a control group of 10 healthy subjects. Results: In a 20-year-old male a double pituitary gland was identified, as well as hypothalamic enlargement, tuberomamillary fusion and hamartoma. In addition, the patient also showed a duplicated hypophyseal fossa and posterior clinoid processes, notch of the upper sphenoid, prominent inner relief of the skull, inverse shape of the foramen magnum, third occipital condyle, partial aplasia of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas with a left arcuate foramen, duplication of the odontoid process and the C2 body, and fusion of the C2–C4 and T12–L1 vertebrae. The MSCT angiography presented a segmental dilatation of both vertebral arteries and the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery, as well as a duplication of the basilar artery. Conclusions: This patient is unique due to complex craniovertebral congenital anomalies associated with a duplication of the pituitary gland

Repair of a damaged turbocharger

The turbocharger is among the highest quality assemblies for modern internal combustion engines. Its contribution to engine operation is immeasurable – it increases the power output of the engine while indirectly reducing fuel consumption. Like all devices, turbochargers require quality maintenance as they are susceptible to failure. Faulty turbochargers are either repaired or replaced with new ones. Repair ensures substantial financial savings. The paper presents the consequences of damage to the turbocharger and the process of its repair

Facile synthesis of hydrophilic polymer-capped upconverting NaYF4:Yb,Er particles

Over the last decade, solvothermal decomposition of organometallic compounds has been indicated as one of the most convenient method for the synthesis of monodisperse lanthanide doped upconverting fluorides. Due to their hydrophobic nature such particles could not be used for a conjugation of the molecular targeting agents which is necessary for optical imaging of biological tissues. In this work, hydrophilic NaYF4:Yb,Er (17 mol% Yb; 3mol% Er) nanoparticles were synthesized by facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis performed with a help of chitosan (CS) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Obtained powders were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The obtained results implied that particle size, shape and surface characteristics are dependent on the polymer choice. Although both powders crystallize in the same crystal arrangement (cubic, Fm-3m) more intense red emission, assigned to the Er3+ 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 electronic transitions, characterize spherical NaYF4:Yb,Er@CS particles. To asses a biological safety of their use, viability of the human gingival fibroblasts (HFG) was additionally tested by a colorimetric MTT assay

Anatomy and radiology of the variations of aortic arch branches in 1,266 patients

Background: The most reliable data about arterial variations, which are very important in surgery and radiology, can be obtained from a large series of patients.Materials and methods: We examined angiographic and multislice computerised tomography (MSCT) images in a group of 1,265 patients and in 1 dissected specimen.Results: While in 946 (74.72%) of the patients a normal vascular pattern (type I) was noticed, in the remaining 320 (25.28%) patients variations of the branchesof the aortic arch were found, which were classified into types II through VIII and a few subtypes. Type II (2.84%) comprised a common origin of the left commoncarotid and subclavian arteries. Type III (15.56%) was related to an origin of the left subclavian artery from the brachiocephalic trunk. Type IV (0.55%) includedthe aortic origin of both common carotid and subclavian arteries, with the rightsubclavian artery having a retroesophageal course. Type V (0.24%) included thesame 4 supra-aortic branches, which, however, arose from a double or a right--sided aortic arch. Type VI (3.63%) comprised the aortic origin of the left vertebralartery, type VII (0.24%) the same origin of the right vertebral artery, and type VIII(2.22%) the aortic origin of the thyroideaima artery. A corresponding embryological background and clinical implications of the described aberrant vessels were presented.Conclusions: In more than one quarter of the cases, the branching pattern of the examined arteries did not follow the classical pattern. Detailed knowledge of aortic branch variations is of great significance in anatomy, embryology, andclinical medicine, especially in radiology and thoracic surgery

Facile synthesis of hydrophilic polymer-capped upconverting NaYF4:Yb,Er particles

Over the last decade, solvothermal decomposition of organometallic compounds has been indicated as one of the most convenient method for the synthesis of monodisperse lanthanide doped upconverting fluorides. Due to their hydrophobic nature such particles could not be used for a conjugation of the molecular targeting agents which is necessary for optical imaging of biological tissues. In this work, hydrophilic NaYF4:Yb,Er (17 mol% Yb; 3mol% Er) nanoparticles were synthesized by facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis performed with a help of chitosan (CS) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Obtained powders were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The obtained results implied that particle size, shape and surface characteristics are dependent on the polymer choice. Although both powders crystallize in the same crystal arrangement (cubic, Fm-3m) more intense red emission, assigned to the Er3+ 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 electronic transitions, characterize spherical NaYF4:Yb,Er@CS particles. To asses a biological safety of their use, viability of the human gingival fibroblasts (HFG) was additionally tested by a colorimetric MTT assay

Facile synthesis of hydrophilic polymer-capped upconverting NaYF4:Yb,Er particles

Over the last decade, solvothermal decomposition of organometallic compounds has been indicated as one of the most convenient method for the synthesis of monodisperse lanthanide doped upconverting fluorides. Due to their hydrophobic nature such particles could not be used for a conjugation of the molecular targeting agents which is necessary for optical imaging of biological tissues. In this work, hydrophilic NaYF4:Yb,Er (17 mol% Yb; 3mol% Er) nanoparticles were synthesized by facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis performed with a help of chitosan (CS) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Obtained powders were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The obtained results implied that particle size, shape and surface characteristics are dependent on the polymer choice. Although both powders crystallize in the same crystal arrangement (cubic, Fm-3m) more intense red emission, assigned to the Er3+ 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 electronic transitions, characterize spherical NaYF4:Yb,Er@CS particles. To asses a biological safety of their use, viability of the human gingival fibroblasts (HFG) was additionally tested by a colorimetric MTT assay