Magnetic properties of pulsed laser deposition-fabricated isotropic Fe–Pt film magnets

A high-speed pulsed laser deposition method with the deposition rate of several tens of microns per 1 h enabled us to obtain isotropic Fe-Pt thick film magnets. Increase in the laser power enabled us to obtain as-deposited films with L10 ordered phase due to the heat radiation from a target, which means that a substrate heating system and a post-annealing process are not required to achieve hard magnetic properties in the process. Use of an Fe-rich target enhanced the magnetic properties, and as a result (BH)max value exceeded 100 kJ/m3 in an isotropic Fe-Pt film fabricated at the power of 3 W, which was comparable to those of isotropic Fe-Pt thick film magnets prepared by a sputtering method

In support of descriptive studies; relevance to translational research

The contemporary scientific establishment equates hypothesis testing to good science. This stance bypasses the preliminary need to identify a worthwhile hypothesis through rigorous observation of natural processes. If alleviation of human suffering is claimed as the goal of a scientific undertaking, it would be unfair to test a hypothesis whose relevance to human disease has not been satisfactorily proven. Here, we argue that descriptive investigations based on direct human observation should be highly valued and regarded essential for the selection of worthwhile hypotheses while the pursuit of costly scientific investigations without such evidence is a desecration of the cause upon which biomedical research is grounded

What parameters affect left ventricular diastolic flow propagation velocity? in vitro studies using color m-mode doppler echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Insufficient data describe the relationship of hemodynamic parameters to left ventricular (LV) diastolic flow propagation velocity (Vp) measured using color M-mode Doppler echocardiography. METHODS: An in vitro LV model used to simulate LV diastolic inflow with Vp measured under conditions of varying: 1) Stroke volume, 2) heart rate (HR), 3) LV volume, 4) LV compliance, and 5) transmitral flow (TMF) waveforms (Type 1: constant low diastasis flow and Type 2: no diastasis flow). RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed excellent correlations of Vp with stroke volume (r = 0.98), LV compliance (r = 0.94), and HR with Type 1 TMF (r = 0.97). However, with Type 2 TMF, HR was not associated with Vp. LV volume was not related to Vp under low compliance, but inversely related to Vp under high compliance conditions (r = -0.56). CONCLUSION: These in vitro findings may help elucidate the relationship of hemodynamic parameters to early diastolic LV filling

Glutathione-Related Antioxidant Defense System in Elderly Patients Treated for Hypertension

The purpose of this study was to analyze glutathione antioxidant defense system in elderly patients treated for hypertension. Studies were carried out in the blood collected from 18 hypertensive and 15 age- and sex-matched controls, all subjects age over 60. Hypertensives were on their usual antihypertensive treatment at the time of blood collection. The concentration of glutathione (GSH) in whole blood and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1), glutathione transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR) in erythrocytes were measured. The data from patients and controls were compared using independent-samples t test. P value of 0.05 and less was considered statistically significant. We observed increased glutathione-related antioxidant defense in treated hypertensive elderly patients (HT) when compared with healthy controls (C). Mean GSH concentration was significantly higher in HT when compared with C: 3.1 ± 0.29 and 2.6 ± 0.25 mmol/L, respectively, P < 0.001. Mean activity of GR was significantly higher in HT group if compared with C: 83.4 ± 15.25 U/g Hb versus 64.2 ± 8.26 U/g Hb, respectively, P < 0.001. Mean activity of GST was significantly higher in HT group compared with C: 3.0 ± 0.60 mmol CDNB-GSH/mgHb/min and 2.6 ± 0.36 mmol CDNB-GSH/mgHb/min, respectively, P < 0.05. No difference in GPx activity was observed between two groups. These results show that glutathione-related antioxidant defense system was enhanced in elderly hypertensive patients treated for their conditions. This suggests important role of glutathione system in blood pressure regulation. Alterations in concentration and activity of antioxidants observed during antihypertensive medication are likely to be related to the effect of the treatment on NO bioavailability

Increased Systemic Th17 Cytokines Are Associated with Diastolic Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents with Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diastolic dysfunction suggestive of diabetic cardiomyopathy is established in children with T1DM, but its pathogenesis is not well understood. We studied the relationships of systemic inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and cardiac function in 17 children with T1DM during and after correction of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Twenty seven of the 39 measured cytokines/chemokines were elevated at 6–12 hours into treatment of DKA compared to values after DKA resolution. Eight patients displayed at least one parameter of diastolic abnormality (DA) during acute DKA. Significant associations were present between nine of the cytokine/chemokine levels and the DA over time. Interestingly, four of these nine interactive cytokines (GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-12p40, IL-17) are associated with a Th17 mediated cell response. Both the DA and CCL7 and IL-12p40, had independent associations with African American patients. Thus, we report occurrence of a systemic inflammatory response and the presence of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in a subset of young T1DM patients during acute DKA