Изменение параметров прокатки при скоростях валков менее 1 м/с

Приведены результаты экспериментальных исследований по влиянию скорости прокатки на контактные касательные напряжения и коэффициент трения в очаге деформации. Опытами установлено, что с увеличением скорости валков от 0,2 до 0,8 м/с при прокатке полос с технологической смазкой опережение и коэффициент трения существенно уменьшаются; при прокатке полос в сухих валках величины опережения и коэффициента трения возрастают с увеличением скорости прокатки v до 0,5 м/с, а при прокатке с v > 0,5 м/с параметры стабилизируются. Дано физическое толкование изменения исследуемых параметров.Наведено результати експериментальних досліджень по впливу швидкості прокатки на контактні дотичні напруження і коефіцієнт тертя в осередку деформації. Дослідами встановлено, що при збільшенні швидкості валків від 0,2 до 0,8 м/с при прокатуванні штаб із технологічним мастилом випередження і коефіцієнт тертя істотно зменшуються; при прокатуванні штаб у сухих валках величини випередження і коефіцієнта тертя зростають при збільшенні швидкості прокатки v до 0,5 м/с, а при прокатуванні з v > 0,5 м/с параметри стабілізуються. Наведено фізичне тлумачення зміни досліджуваних параметрів.The tests investigation results of rolling velocity influence on contact tangents strain and fiction coefficient in the point (site) of deformation are concerned. It was determined by experiments that with increasing of rolls velocity from 0,2 to 0,8 m/s while strips are being rolled with rolling lubricant, the forward creep and friction coefficient are clearly reduction. But while strips are being rolled in dry rolls the value of forward creep and friction coefficient are rising with an increase of rolling velocity to ≈ 0,5 m/s. At the same time when rolling velocity excesses 0,5 m/s, the given parameters are stafilized. Physical explanation of the investigated parameters is given

Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides: A Novel Treatment for Respiratory Infections?

Emerging antimicrobial resistance in respiratory infections requires novel intervention strategies. Non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) are a diverse group of carbohydrates with broad protective effects. In addition to promoting the colonization of beneficial gut microbiota and maintaining the intestinal homeostasis, NDOs act as decoy receptors, effectively blocking the attachment of pathogens on host cells. NDOs also function as a bacteriostatic agent, inhibiting the growth of specific pathogenic bacteria. Based on this fact, NDOs potentiate the actions of antimicrobial drugs. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in characterizing the anti-infective properties of NDOs. This focused review provides insights into the mechanisms by which representative NDOs may suppress respiratory infections by targeting pathogens and host cells. We summarized the most interesting mechanisms of NDOs, including maintenance of gut microbiota homeostasis, interference with TLR-mediated signaling, anti-oxidative effects and bacterial toxin neutralization, bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, and anti-adhesion or anti-invasive properties. A detailed understanding of anti-infective mechanisms of NDOs against respiratory pathogens may contribute to the development of add-on therapy or alternatives to antimicrobials

The Bidirectional Gut-Lung Axis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Epidemiological studies indicate that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with the incidence of changes in intestinal health. Cigarette smoking, as one of the major causes of COPD, can have an impact on the gastrointestinal system and promotes intestinal diseases. This points to the existence of gut-lung interactions, but an overview of the underlying mechanisms of the bidirectional connection between the lungs and the gut in COPD is lacking. The interaction between the lungs and the gut can occur through circulating inflammatory cells and mediators. Moreover, gut microbiota dysbiosis, observed in both COPD and intestinal disorders, can lead to a disturbed mucosal environment, including the intestinal barrier and immune system, and hence may negatively affect both the gut and the lungs. Furthermore, systemic hypoxia and oxidative stress that occur in COPD may also be involved in intestinal dysfunction and play a role in the gut-lung axis. In this review, we summarize data from clinical research, animal models, and in vitro studies that may explain the possible mechanisms of gut-lung interactions associated with COPD. Interesting observations on the possibility of promising future add-on therapies for intestinal dysfunction in patients with COPD are highlighted.</p

Imatinib mesylate does not counteract ovarian tissue fibrosis in postnatal rat ovary

Chemotherapy may result in ovarian atrophy, a depletion of the primordial follicle pool, diminished ovarian weight, cortical and stromal fibrosis. Imatinib mesylate is an anticancer agent that inhibits competitively several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). RTKs play important roles in cell metabolism, proliferation, and apoptosis. In clinic, imatinib mesylate is also known as an anti-fibrotic medicine. In the present study, the impact of imatinib on the ovarian tissue was investigated by assessing ovarian tissue fibrosis in postnatal rat administered with or without imatinib for three days. Fibrosis in the ovarian tissue was determined by histology (Picrosirius and Masson's trichrome staining) and the protein expression of vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). Furthermore, mRNA expression of Forkhead box transcription factor O1 and O3 (FOXO1 and FOXO3), which are markers of cell proliferation was quantified. A short-term exposure to imatinib showed to increase tissue fibrosis in ovaries. This was observed by Masson's trichrome staining. Exposure to imatinib led also to a down-regulation of vimentin protein expression and up-regulation mRNA expression of FOXO3. This may indicate a role of FOXO3 in ovarian tissue fibrosis in postnatal rat ovaries.Peer reviewe

Irrigation system performance in potato production in Northern Algeria : a case study of the portable sprinkler system

This report presents a case study of the performance of the irrigation system commonly used in potato production in Northern Algeria, the portable sprinkler system. The aim is to determine water use, water losses and water distribution uniformity. Furthermore, it is evaluated whether the applied irrigation water can be stored in the root zone, and if irrigation applications match with crop water demand. Based on the findings, some recommendations will be given to improve the system. Algeria is among the countries with the lowest renewable water resources per capita in the world, but currently, data and information on irrigation system performance is lacking. In this study, the portable sprinkler system is evaluated by means of field measurements (catch can test, sprinkler discharge measurement, soil moisture measurements) and modelling (CROPWAT 8.0 model). It was found that water losses due to wind drift and evaporation are rather high (36%) compared to values found in literature, whereas the water distribution uniformity was low (DU 34.6% and CU 51.2%), from which it can be concluded that the system performs poorly. Furthermore, it was found that water applications are too high, especially in the beginning of the growing season. The most important recommendation to improve the performance of the irrigation system is an alternative irrigation schedule, adapting the timing and duration of irrigation events to crop water demand and the water storage capacity of the root zone

Current potato production in Algeria : an explorative research of the current potato production systems in two regions

While Algeria is among the countries with the lowest renewable water resources per capita in the world, agriculture accounts for 70-80% of the total water use and municipal water use is expected to almost double in the next twenty years. As potato is in Algeria the main irrigated crop and the first vegetable crop in terms of area and production, improving the potato production system and rationalizing the use of water is key to sustain the production in the future and to maintain and enhance food safety. Coherent information of the current potato production system is crucial to improve a system and since this is lacking, we research what is the current situation for potato production in two main production areas of Algeria, in a Mediterranean and desert climate. Through interviews with farmers, other stakeholders and field visits in both areas the current systems are described, analysed on main weaknesses, followed by and advice regarding improvement and implementation of the subsequent project which will be a setup of a demonstration farm to introduce a more productive and sustainable system. It was found that the systems have many points for improvement regarding productivity and sustainability. That both regions have a lack of technology and accurate data of 1) the exact inputs applied, and 2) the exact requirements, especially regarding water supply, lies on the basis of most weaknesses, resulting in rough irrigation, fertilizer and pest management. The main recommendation is to elaborate research of the current system with productivity as focal point to make clear what are the economic advantages for a farmer to adapt the new system. Farmer Field Schools are proposed as a practical and hands-on management approach to implement suggested improvement practices and to introduce a new production system

Epithelial integrity, junctional complexes, and biomarkers associated with intestinal functions

An intact intestinal barrier is crucial for immune homeostasis and its impairment activates the immune system and may result in chronic inflammation. The epithelial cells of the intestinal barrier are connected by tight junctions, which form an anastomosing network sealing adjacent epithelial cells. Tight junctions are composed of transmembrane and cytoplasmic scaffolding proteins. Transmembrane tight junction proteins at the apical-lateral membrane of the cell consist of occludin, claudins, junctional adhesion molecules, and tricellulin. Cytoplasmic scaffolding proteins, including zonula occludens, cingulin and afadin, provide a direct link between transmembrane tight junction proteins and the intracellular cytoskeleton. Each individual component of the tight junction network closely interacts with each other to form an efficient intestinal barrier. This review aims to describe the molecular structure of intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins and to characterize their organization and interaction. Moreover, clinically important biomarkers associated with impairment of gastrointestinal integrity are discussed

Galacto-oligosaccharides alleviate lung inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo and in vitro

Introduction: The lack of effective anti-inflammatory therapies for pneumonia represents a challenge for identifying new alternatives. Non-digestible galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are attractive candidates due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects both locally and systemically. Objectives: The anti-inflammatory properties of GOS were investigated in calves with lung infections and in calf primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) and human lung epithelial cells (A549). To delineate the mechanism, the potential capacity of GOS to inhibit the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been investigated. Methods: GOS were administrated orally to calves with naturally occurring lung infections during early life or used as pretreatments in cell cultures exposed to M. haemolytica, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), leukotoxin or ATP. The cell composition, cytokine/chemokine concentrations, and M. haemolytica-LPS lgG levels in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood were investigated, while the M. haemolytica positivity in BALF and bronchial mucosa was detected in vivo. Key markers of NLRP3 inflammasome activation were measured in vivo and in vitro. Results: GOS reduced M. haemolytica positivity and M. haemolytica-LPS lgG levels in calves with lung infections. Regulation of immune function and suppression of inflammatory response by GOS is related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome as observed in bronchial mucosal tissue of infected calves. The M. haemolytica-induced IL-1β production in PBECs was lowered by GOS, which was associated with NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition caused by the decreased reactive oxygen species and ATP production. GOS inhibited leukotoxin-induced ATP production in PBECs. The LPS- and ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in PBECs and A549 cells was suppressed by GOS. Conclusion: GOS exert anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential role for GOS in the prevention of lung infections

The intestinal barrier as an emerging target in the toxicological assessment of mycotoxins

Mycotoxins, the secondary metabolites of fungal species, are the most frequently occurring natural food contaminants in human and animal diets. Risk assessment of mycotoxins focused as yet on their mutagenic, genotoxic and potential carcinogenic effects. Recently, there is an increasing awareness of the adverse effects of various mycotoxins on vulnerable structures in the intestines. In particular, an impairment of the barrier function of the epithelial lining cells and the sealing tight junction proteins has been noted, as this could result in an increased translocation of luminal antigens and pathogens and an excessive activation of the immune system. The current review aims to provide a summary of the available evidence regarding direct effects of various mycotoxins on the intestinal epithelial barrier. Available data, based on different cellular and animal studies, show that food-associated exposure to certain mycotoxins, especially trichothecenes and patulin, affects the intestinal barrier integrity and can result in an increased translocation of harmful stressors. It is therefore hypothesized that human exposure to certain mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol, as the major trichothecene, may play an important role in etiology of various chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, and in the prevalence of food allergies, particularly in children

Repeated exposure of bronchial epithelial cells to particular matter increases allergen-induced cytokine release and permeability

Long term particulate matter (PM) exposure has been associated with an increased incidence of respiratory diseases. Here, an in vitro model was developed to study how long term diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure might predispose to the development of allergic reactions. Airway epithelial (16HBE) cells were exposed to low concentrations of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) for 4 days after which they were challenged with house dust mite (HDM) extract (24 h). Compared to acute exposure (24 h), 4 days DEP exposure to 16HBE cells further reduced the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased CXCL-8 release. DEP pre-exposure aggravated HDM-induced loss of TEER, increased tracer flux across the barrier and reduced CLDN-3 expression in these 16HBE cells. HDM-induced cytokine (IL-6, CCL-22, IL-10 and CXCL-8) release was significantly increased after DEP pre-exposure. In the current study an in vitro model with long term PM exposure was presented, which might be helpful for further understanding the interplay between long term PM exposure and allergic responses