Cardiac lymphatics in health and disease

The lymphatic vasculature, which accompanies the blood vasculature in most organs, is indispensable in the maintenance of tissue fluid homeostasis, immune cell trafficking, and nutritional lipid uptake and transport, as well as in reverse cholesterol transport. In this Review, we discuss the physiological role of the lymphatic system in the heart in the maintenance of cardiac health and describe alterations in lymphatic structure and function that occur in cardiovascular pathology, including atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. We also briefly discuss the role that immune cells might have in the regulation of lymphatic growth (lymphangiogenesis) and function. Finally, we provide examples of how the cardiac lymphatics can be targeted therapeutically to restore lymphatic drainage in the heart to limit myocardial oedema and chronic inflammation.Peer reviewe

The role of sphingosine-1-phosphate and its receptor S1PR1 in inflammation and cancer

Immune cells are key players in several physiological and pathophysiological events such as acute and chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis and cancer. Especially in acute inflammation, macrophages are indispensable for the switch from the acute inflammatory phase to the resolution phase. Not only the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, but especially the surrounding cytokines and mediators are able to switch macrophage polarization from inflammatory- to anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Within this cytokine environment, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) plays an important role for immune cell activation, polarization and migration.Das Immunsystem mehrzelliger Organismen erfüllt eine Vielzahl verschiedener Funktionen, zu denen nicht nur die Abwehr von pathogenen Bakterien und Viren gehört, sondern auch Prozesse wie Wundheilung, Toleranzentwicklung und das Aufrechterhalten der Homöostase. Störungen in Funktion oder Regelkreisen des Immunsystems sind oftmals der Grund von Krankheiten oder Organstörungen wie sie sich bei Autoimmunerkrankungen, Demenz, Morbus Parkinson oder Krebserkrankungen beobachten lassen

Umweltentlastendes Schmier- und Trennverfahren bei der Herstellung von Druckgussteilen aus Magnesium, Aluminium oder Zink Abschlussbericht

SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F01B101 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDeutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, Osnabrueck (Germany)DEGerman

Process Technology, Applications and Thermal Resistivity of Basalt Fiber Reinforced SiOC Composites

Promising lightweight composite materials, bridging the gap between Polymer and Ceramic Matrix Composites, are manufactured as polymer derived ceramics by the use of polysiloxanes and basalt fibers. Such competitive free formable Hybrid Composites are supposed to be capable for lightweight applications in a temperature range between 300 °C and 850 °C and short time exposure up to over 1000 °C, even in oxidative atmosphere. Cheap raw materials like basalt fibers and siloxane resins in combination with performing manufacturing technologies can establish completely new markets for intermediate temperature composites. These attributes enable the Hybrid Composites as ideal material for fire retardant applications in automotive engineering and public transportation, as well as in fire protection systems in electrical and civil engineering applications. In this study, the most prominent fields of application and engineering solutions for Hybrid-CMC are reviewed and the results of the thermal resistivity analysis effectuated on basalt fiber reinforced SiOC samples are presented. This study consisted of several air exposures between 1 h and 50 h and temperatures in the range of 650 °C to 1100 °C. Remaining mechanical resistance was characterized by Impulse Excitation Technique (IET) and Interlaminar Shear Strength (ILSS) tests. Basalt fiber reinforced samples exhibited a decent level of mechanical performance even after the most demanding exposures. Due to the poor oxidation resistance of carbon fibers, Cf/SiOC composites were completely degraded after long-term exposure at 500 °C in air

Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced SiC Composite (C/SiSiC) as an Alternative Material for Endoprosthesis: Fabrication, Mechanical and In-Vitro Biological Properties

Particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis and subsequent aseptic implant loosening are a major cause of compromising the long-term results of total joint replacements. To date, no implant has been able to mirror radically the tribological factors (friction/lubrication/wear) of in vivo tribological pairings. Carbon-Fibre Reinforced SiC-Composites (C/SiSiC), a material primarily developed for brake technology, has the opportunity to fulfil this requirement. Until now, the material itself has not been used in medicine. The aim of this investigation was to test the suitability of C/SiSiC ceramics as a new material for bearing couples in endoprosthetics. After the preparation of the composites flexural strength was determined as well as the Young’s-modulus and the coefficient of friction. To investigate in vitro biological properties, MG 63 and primary human osteoblasts were cultured on C/SiSiC composites. To review the proliferation, the cytotoxicity standardized tests were used. The cell morphology was observed by light microscopy, ESEM, confocal and 3D-laserscanning microscopy. C/SiSiC possesses a high resistance to wear. Cells exhibited no significant alterations in morphology. Vitality was not impaired by contact with the ceramic composite. There was no higher cytotoxicity to observe. Regarding these results, C/SiSiC ceramics seem to be biologically and mechanically appropriate for orthopaedic applications