Cocaine Induces Cytoskeletal Changes in Cardiac Myocytes: Implications for Cardiac Morphology

Cocaine is one of the most widely abused illicit drugs worldwide and has long been recognised as an agent of cardiac dysfunction in numerous cases of drug overdose. Cocaine has previously been shown to up-regulate cytoskeletal rearrangements and morphological changes in numerous tissues; however, previous literature observes such changes primarily in clinical case reports and addiction studies. An investigation into the fundamental cytoskeletal parameters of migration, adhesion and proliferation were studied to determine the cytoskeletal and cytotoxic basis of cocaine in cardiac cells. Treatment of cardiac myocytes with cocaine increased cell migration and adhesion (p < 0.05), with no effect on cell proliferation, except with higher doses eliciting (1–10 μg/mL) its diminution and increase in cell death. Cocaine downregulated phosphorylation of cofilin, decreased expression of adhesion modulators (integrin-β3) and increased expression of ezirin within three hours of 1 μg/mL treatments. These functional responses were associated with changes in cellular morphology, including alterations in membrane stability and a stellate-like phenotype with less compaction between cells. Higher dose treatments of cocaine (5–10 μg/mL) were associated with significant cardiomyocyte cell death (p < 0.05) and loss of cellular architecture. These results highlight the importance of cocaine in mediating cardiomyocyte function and cytotoxicity associated with the possible loss of intercellular contacts required to maintain normal cell viability, with implications for cardiotoxicity relating to hypertrophy and fibrogenesis.     

Design of tailored biodegradable implants: The effect of voltage on electrodeposited calcium phosphate coatings on pure magnesium

Magnesium, as a biodegradable metal, offers great potential for use as a temporary implant material, which dissolves in the course of bone tissue healing. It can sufficiently support the bone and promote the bone healing process. However, the corrosion resistance of magnesium implants must be enhanced before its application in clinical practice. A promising approach of enhancing the corrosion resistance is deposition of bioactive coating, which can reduce the corrosion rate of the implants and promote bone healing. Therefore, a well-designed substrate-coating system allowing a good control of the degradation behavior is highly desirable for tailored implants for specific groups of patients with particular needs. In this contribution, the influence of coating formation conditions on the characteristics of potentiostatically electrodeposited CaP coatings on magnesium substrate was evaluated. Results showed that potential variation led to formation of coatings with the same chemical composition, but very different morphologies. Parameters that mostly influence the coating performance, such as the thickness, uniformity, deposits size, and orientation, varied from produced coating to coating. These characteristics of CaP coatings on magnesium were controlled by coating formation potential, and it was demonstrated that the electrodeposition could be a promising coating technique for production of tailored magnesium-CaP implants.     

Model for a Complex Analysis of Intelligent Built Environment

The purpose of intelligent built environment is to improve inhabitant's quality of life and to satisfy inhabitants by replacing routine work with smart devices and robots. Smart devices and robots can interpret changes in the built environment and respond appropriately. The problem is how to define a rational intelligent built environment when many various stakeholders are involved, projects have thousands of alternative versions and the quality of life and economical efficiency changes with alterations in micro and macro environmental conditions and the constituent parts of the process in question. Moreover, the realization of some objectives seems more rational from the economic perspective though their significance is varied from other perspectives. The formalized Model for Complex Analysis of Intelligent Built Environment and the Multiple Criteria Decision Support System of Intelligent Built Environment developed by the authors of this paper show how changes in project alternatives and the extent to which the goals of various stakeholders are satisfied cause respective changes in the value and utility degree of a project. To achieve the above-mentioned aims new multiple criteria analysis methods were developed.     

Synthesis and properties of new derivatives of poly[9‐(2,3‐epoxypropyl)carbazole]

BACKGROUND: Carbazole derivatives are well known to exhibit interesting electro‐ and photo‐active properties due to their hole‐transporting ability, strong absorption in the ultraviolet spectral region and blue‐light emission. One of the most widely studied materials among carbazole‐containing oligomers is poly[9‐(2,3‐epoxypropyl)carbazole] (PEPK). The main field of application of this oligomer is electrophotographic microfilming. It is also used for the manufacture of multicolour slides and in the photothermoplastic recording of information. Unfortunately, due to its high ionization potential, which reaches 5.86 eV, the possibilities of application of this compound in optoelectronic devices are rather limited. RESULTS: PEPK‐based charge transporting oligomers, incorporating hydrazone moieties, are reported. The oligomers were prepared by chemical modification of PEPK. The materials obtained were examined using various techniques including differential scanning calorimetry and ultraviolet, infrared and NMR spectroscopy. Electron photoemission spectra of layers of the synthesized oligomers showed ionization potentials (I_p) in the range 5.4–5.5 eV. CONCLUSION: The synthesized oligomers possess a larger π‐conjugated system and show ionization potentials of ca 5.4 eV. Therefore, they are more suitable for use in optoelectronic devices with quicker photoresponse than unmodified PEPK. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Light-dependent effects of alpha-terthienyl in eggs,larvae, and pupae of mosquitoAedes aegypti

Alpha-terthienyl is toxic toAedes aegypti larvae in the dark, but its activity is much enhanced in the presence of ultraviolet light. The development of first-instar larvae treated with alpha-terthienyl and ultraviolet light was followed until the emergence of adults. The LC₅₀ value for first instars was about 0.002 ppm. Practically all the larvae which survived 24 hr reached adulthood. Fourth-instar larvae were also sensitive to photochemical treatment. When their development into adults was followed, the LC₅₀ value was 0.45 ppm. Contrary to earlier reports, alpha-terthienyl was also phototoxic in pupae, but not when the adults were about to emerge. The LC₅₀ value was ca. 0.06 ppm for pupae which were 1 or 2 days old. This is the first example where the activity of a photoinsecticide has been demonstrated in pupae. Alpha-terthienyl did not affect the hatching of eggs.     

Delayed phototoxic effects of 8-methoxypsoralen,khellin, and sphondin inAedes aegypti

At concentrations up to 6.7 ppm, 8-methoxypsoralen, sphondin, and khellin are not toxic to first-instar larvae of the mosquitoAedes aegypti. The irradiation of sensitized larvae with long-wavelength ultraviolet light did not always produce any immediate toxicity enhancement, but delayed effects were clearly visible. These were observed over the development of the organisms from first-instar larvae to adults. No adverse effects were noted when larvae were irradiated in the absence of sensitizers, or when they were placed in solutions of sensitizers which had been previously irradiated with the same light sources. 8-Methoxypsoralen was slightly more phototoxic than its isomer sphondin. Khellin, recently reported to undergo photoinduced cyclization with DNA components, showed minimal phototoxicity in the concentration range used.     

Application of LANDSAT imagery to studies of structural geology and geomorphology of the Mentese region of southwestern Turkey

LANDSAT (ERTS-1) multispectral scanner band 5 (0.6–0.7 μm) and band 7 (0.8–1.1 μm) images have been visually interpreted to prepare geologic, tectonic and geomorphologic maps of the Mentese region of southwestern Turkey. Band 7 was most valuable for identifying geologic formations, tectonic fault lines and geomorphologic slope contrast. Band 5 supplemented the information obtained from band 7, by providing information on rock-soil boundaries, tectonic relationships between vegetation and structure, and vegetational tonal differences between steep slopes and flat surfaces.