Gene deficiency in activating Fcγ receptors influences the macrophage phenotypic balance and reduces atherosclerosis in mice

Immunity contributes to arterial inflammation during atherosclerosis. Oxidized low-density lipoproteins induce an autoimmune response characterized by specific antibodies and immune complexes in atherosclerotic patients. We hypothesize that specific Fcγ receptors for IgG constant region participate in atherogenesis by regulating the inflammatory state of lesional macrophages. In vivo we examined the role of activating Fcγ receptors in atherosclerosis progression using bone marrow transplantation from mice deficient in γ-chain (the common signaling subunit of activating Fcγ receptors) to hyperlipidemic mice. Hematopoietic deficiency of Fcγ receptors significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion size, which was associated with decreased number of macrophages and T lymphocytes, and increased T regulatory cell function. Lesions of Fcγ receptor deficient mice exhibited increased plaque stability, as evidenced by higher collagen and smooth muscle cell content and decreased apoptosis. These effects were independent of changes in serum lipids and antibody response to oxidized low-density lipoproteins. Activating Fcγ receptor deficiency reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression, nuclear factor-κB activity, and M1 macrophages at the lesion site, while increasing anti-inflammatory genes and M2 macrophages. The decreased inflammation in the lesions was mirrored by a reduced number of classical inflammatory monocytes in blood. In vitro, lack of activating Fcγ receptors attenuated foam cell formation, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory gene expression, and increased M2-associated genes in murine macrophages. Our study demonstrates that activating Fcγ receptors influence the macrophage phenotypic balance in the artery wall of atherosclerotic mice and suggests that modulation of Fcγ receptor-mediated inflammatory responses could effectively suppress atherosclerosis

Phase profile analysis of transparent objects through the use of a two windows interferometer based on a one beam splitter configuration

AbstractIn this research we implemented a two windows interferometer based on polarization phase shifting and grating interferometry techniques in order to retrieve the phase data profile of the object in a single capture. The optical configuration has two optical beams with circular polarization in opposite directions, and it is coupled with a 4-f system. An amplitude grid is used as a filter which is placed at the Fourier plane to obtain replicas of each beam which can properly interfere, depending on the separation between beams. The interferometer presents the capability of changing the beam separation in order to make different orders interfere properly. The interference patterns produced can be separately modulated through the operation of linear polarizer's placed on each interference replica. In order to present the capabilities of the system we will select four interferograms result of contiguous orders interference

Extended WKB method, resonances and supersymmetric radial barriers

Semiclassical approximations are implemented in the calculation of position and width of low energy resonances for radial barriers. The numerical integrations are delimited by t/T<<8, with t the period of a classical particle in the barrier trap and T the resonance lifetime. These energies are used in the construction of `haired' short range potentials as the supersymmetric partners of a given radial barrier. The new potentials could be useful in the study of the transient phenomena which give rise to the Moshinsky's diffraction in time.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 3 table

Correction: Russo, B., et al. Assessment of urban flood resilience in barcelona for current and future scenarios. the resccue project. (Sustainability 2020, 12, 5638)

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [1]. The changes are as follows: (1) Replacing Table 4. Reference 1. Russo, B.; Velasco, M.; Locatelli, L.; Sunyer, D.; Yubero, D.; Monjo, R.; Martínez-Gomariz, E.; Forero-Ortiz, E.; Sánchez-Muñoz, D.; Evans, B.; et al. Assessment of Urban Flood Resilience in Barcelona for Current and Future Scenarios. The RESCCUE Project. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5638. [CrossRef]

Evaluación de los impactos en la calidad de la energía por la compensación de potencia reactiva con bancos de condensadores y D-STATCOM

This paper presents an assessment of capacitor banks and Distribution Static Compensator (D-STATCOM) with respect to their impact on energy quality. Tests were done with capacitor banks built with electrolytic capacitors commonly used in industrial applications and a D-STATCOM. Experimental tests were performed for power factor correction in order to reduce the reactive power demanded from the electrical grid for inductive-resistive loads. For comparative purposes, the control of the D-STATCOM was set to operate with similar compensation conditions to that of the capacitor banks. Results show that under the same test conditions capacitor banks produce higher Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) than D-STATCOM.Este artículo presenta una evaluación de los bancos de capacitores y el Compensador Estático de Distribución (D-STATCOM) con respecto a su impacto en la calidad de la energía. Las pruebas fueron hechas con bancos de capacitores construidos con capacitores electrolíticos comúnmente usados en aplicaciones industriales y un D-STATCOM. Las pruebas experimentales fueron realizadas para corrección del factor de potencia, con el fin de reducir la potencia reactiva demandada por la red eléctrica con cargas resistivo-inductivas. Por propósitos comparativos, el control del D-STATCOM se programó para operar en similares condiciones de compensación respecto al banco de capacitores. Los resultados muestran que, bajo las mismas condiciones de prueba, los bancos de capacitores producen mayor Distorsión Armónica Total que el D-STATCOM

Implementation of Sliding Mode Control in a Semi Bridgeless Boost Converter with Power Factor Correction

ABSTRACT: This paper proposes a new sliding surface for controlling a Semi-Bridgeless Boost Converter (SBBC) which simultaneously includes Power Factor Correction (PFC) and DC bus regulation. The proposed sliding surface is composed of three terms: First, a normalized DC voltage error term for controlling DC bus and rejecting DC voltage disturbances, normalization was performed for increasing system robustness during start-up and large disturbances. Second, an AC current error term for implementing a PFC scheme and guarantying fast current stabilization during disturbances. Third, an integral of AC current error term for increasing the stability of the overall system. Also, an Adaptive Hysteresis Band (AHB) is implemented for keeping constant the switching frequency and reducing the THDi. The proposed sliding surface was validated by means of sliding mode conditions and Lyapunov stability criteria. Simulations for comparing performance were performed between: a cascade PI control, a hybrid PI-Sliding Mode Control (PI-SMC), and Sliding Mode Control (SMC) with the proposed surface; additionally, it is presented an stability analysis for the proposed surface in start-up and under large perturbations. It is also presented experimental results for PI-SMC and SMC implemented in a SBBC prototype. The proposed surface implemented in the SMC presents the best dynamic behavior removing DC over voltages and responding faster under DC voltage changes or DC load current perturbations

Psoriasis: from pathogenesis to pharmacological and nano-technological-based therapeutics

Research in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases, such as skin dermatitis and psoriasis, has experienced some relevant breakthroughs in recent years. The understanding of age-related factors, gender, and genetic predisposition of these multifactorial diseases has been instrumental for the development of new pharmacological and technological treatment approaches. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms behind the pathological features of psoriasis, also addressing the currently available treatments and novel therapies that are under clinical trials. Innovative therapies developed over the last 10 years have been researched. In this area, advantages of nanotechnological approaches to provide an effective drug concentration in the disease site are highlighted, together with microneedles as innovative candidates for drug delivery systems in psoriasis and other inflammatory chronic skin diseases.This research was funded by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT/MCT) and European Funds (PRODER/COMPETE), under the project reference UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020, granted to EBS.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dexibuprofen biodegradable nanoparticles: one step closer towards a better ocular interaction study

Ocular inflammation is one of the most prevalent diseases in ophthalmology, which can affect various parts of the eye or the surrounding tissues. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, are commonly used to treat ocular inflammation in the form of eye-drops. However, their bioavailability in ocular tissues is very low (less than 5%). Therefore, drug delivery systems such as biodegradable polymeric PLGA nanoparticles constitute a suitable alternative to topical eye administration, as they can improve ocular bioavailability and simultaneously reduce drug induced side effects. Moreover, their prolonged drug release can enhance patient treatment adherence as they require fewer administrations. Therefore, several formulations of PLGA based nanoparticles encapsulating dexibuprofen (active enantiomer of Ibuprofen) were prepared using the solvent displacement method employing different surfactants. The formulations have been characterized and their interactions with a customized lipid corneal membrane model were studied. Ex vivo permeation through ocular tissues and in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy have also been studied.This work was supported by grant RTI2018-094120-B-I00 from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the European Regional Development Fund. ESL wants to acknowledge the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ART2018 project).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) as a possible biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of vascular risk in asymptomatic patients and the response to medical therapy is a major challenge for prevention of cardiovascular events. Our aim was to identify proteins differentially released by healthy versus atherosclerotic arterial walls, which could be found in plasma and serve as markers of atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have analyzed supernatants obtained from cultured human carotid plaques and healthy arteries by surface-enhanced laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry ProteinChip System. Surface-enhanced laser-desorption/ionization analysis unveiled an 18.4-kDa peak released in lower amount by carotid plaques than normal endarteries. This protein was identified as soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK). To confirm that sTWEAK was the protein of interest, Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed. Both techniques confirmed that sTWEAK levels were decreased in carotid plaque supernatants. Subsequent measurement of sTWEAK in plasma showed a reduced concentration in subjects with carotid stenosis (N=30) compared with healthy subjects matched by sex and age (N=28) (P<0.001). Furthermore, in a test population of 106 asymptomatic subjects, we showed that sTWEAK concentrations negatively correlated with the carotid intima-media thickness (r=-0.4; P<0.001), an index of subclinical atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sTWEAK could be a potential biomarker of atherosclerosis