Experimental Research on Wolfram Inert Gas AA1050 Aluminum Alloy Tailor Welded Blanks Processed by Single Point Incremental Forming Process.

The present paper aims to study the behavior of tailor welded blanks subjected to a single point incremental forming (SPIF) process from an experimental point of view. This process was chosen to deform truncated cone shapes of AA1050 aluminum alloy with different thicknesses. A uniaxial tensile test was performed to determine the mechanical characteristics of the alloy. Initial experimental tests implicated the use of variable wall angle parts which were processed on unwelded sheet blanks for determination of the behavior of the material and the forming forces. Afterwards, the wolfram inert gas (WIG) welding technique was used for joining two sheet blanks with different thicknesses either through one pass on one side, or by one pass on both sides. The conclusion of this paper indicates that one-sided welded blanks cannot be deformed successfully without fracture. In case of two-sided welded blanks, the results showed that the desired depth of 25 mm can be reached successfully. In case of the SPIF process, if welded blanks must be deformed, then the suitable method is to weld the blanks on both sides.

The Influence of Cardiovascular Medications on Iron Metabolism in Patients with Heart Failure.

Background and objectives: The etiology of anemia associated with heart failure is not fully understood, but there are data suggesting the involvement of multiple mechanisms, including various drug therapies used in patients with heart failure. Our primary objective was to evaluate the impact of beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and calcium-channel blockers on iron metabolism in patients with heart failure. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study that included patients diagnosed with heart failure and iron deficiency (defined by ferritin <100 µg/L, or 100-300 µg/L with transferrin saturation <20%). Patients with anemia secondary to a known cause were excluded. Results: We found a statistically significant correlation between beta-blocker treatment and ferritin values (p = 0.02). Iron, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were significantly lower in the patients using calcium-channel blockers than those who were not. We also found a statistically significant indirect correlation (p = 0.04) between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and hematocrit levels. Conclusion: The contribution of our study arises from the additional data regarding the drug-induced etiology of iron deficiency. Practitioners should be aware of the potential impact of therapeutic recommendations and this should imply a close monitoring of the biochemical parameters of iron deficiency in this category of patients.

Imidazoline receptor antagonists idazoxan and efaroxan enhance locomotor functions in rats.

UNLABELLED: Discovered in 1984, imidazoline receptors (I1, I2, I3) are located centrally and peripherally being involved in various physiologic and pathophysiologic processes in the body. Experimental and clinical investigations have suggested the interrelations between imidazoline, adrenergic, dopaminergic, glutamatergic and opioid systems, which may explain the influence of different substances acting on imidazoline receptors in cognitive disorders, behavioral disturbances and motor diseases pathways. AIM: To investigate the effects of two imidazoline receptor antagonists on locomotor activity and endurance capacity in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out with white male Wistar rats (200-250 g) divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each, treated intraperitonealy with the same volume of solution as follows: Group I (Control): distilled water 0.3 ml/100 g body weight; Group II (IDZ): idazoxan 3 mg/kbw; Group III (EFR): efaroxan 1 mg/kbw. Exercise capacity was evaluated using a locomotor PanLAB treadmill test. The data were presented as mean +/- standard deviation and significance was tested by SPSS Statistics for Windows version 17.0 and ANOVA method. Experimental protocol was implemented according to recommendations of the Gr.T. Popa" University Committee for Research and Ethical Issues. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of idazoxan and efarox- an resulted in a significant increase in running distance compared with the control group (p < 0.05). At the same time a reduction in the number and time of electric shocks delivered to motivate the animal to keep running was observed. In this experimental behavioral model the effects of idazoxan on the evaluated parameters were more intense than those of efaroxan. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental conditions we demonstrated the ability of imidazoline receptor antagonists idazoxan and efaroxan to improve fatigue resistance during forced running in rats.

Effects of two serotoninergic agents on the behavioral manifestations in rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of two serotonin receptor antagonists on spontaneous behavior in rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The experiment was carried out on white male Wistar rats (150-200g) divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each, treated intraperitoneally with the same volume of solution as follows: Group I (Control): saline solution 0.1 ml/10 g weight; Group II (SB-269970): SB-269970 1 mg/kbw; Group III (NAN-190): NAN-190 1 mg/kbw. The effects of serotonin receptor antagonists on the spontaneous psychomotor skills of rats were tested in Actimeter LE-8811 (PanLab). The data were presented as mean +/- standard deviation and significance was tested by SPSS Statistics for Windows version 17.0 and ANOVA method. The experimental protocol was implemented according to the guidelines for handling and use of experimental animals of the Research Ethics Committee of the Iasi "Grigore T. Popa" University and ethical standards of the European Community. RESULTS: The 5HT1 serotonin receptor antagonist NAN-190 determined a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.01) in both horizontal and vertical movements as compared with the control group, whereas the 5HT7 serotonin receptor antagonist SB269970 had no influence on rat behavioral manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental conditions 1 mg/kbw NAN-190 decreased the total escape attempts, corresponding to a significant diminution of exploratory and self-maintenance spontaneous behavior in this experimental animal model. These manifestations may be correlated with the anxiolytic effect of 5HT1 serotonin receptor antagonist NAN-190 in rats. The administration of 5HT7 serotonin receptor antagonist SB-269970 did not alter the spontaneous activity in this behavioral experimental model in rats.

Effects of some dopamine antagonists on spatial memory performance in rats--experimental research.

UNLABELLED: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter with an important role in forming long-lasting memories for some time, especially in episodic memory. Literature data show that dopamine receptor stimulation may be detrimental to spatial working memory functions in lab animals. (R)-(+)-7-Chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride derivative--SCH-23390 is a synthetic compound that acts as a selective, high-affinity antagonist of D1 receptors. Experimental studies suggest that SCH 23390 may prevent the spatial working memory disturbances induced by the active substances of marijuana. Melperone is an atypic antipsychotic drug presenting also dopaminergic D2 and 5-HT2A receptor antagonistic activity. This neuroleptic agent is used in the treatment of some types of schizophrenia. AIM: Experimental research on the effects of two dopamine receptor antagonists on spatial memory performance in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out in white Wistar rats (200-250g), divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each, treated intraperitoneally with the same volume of solution for 14 days, as follows: Group I (Control): saline solution 0.1 ml/10g kbw; Group II (coded SCH): SCH-23390 0.3 mg/kbw; Group III (coded MLP): melperone 2 mg/kbw. The dopaminergic agent spatial memory performance was assessed by recording spontaneous alternation behavior in a single session in Y-maze. Each animal was placed at the end of one arm and allowed to move freely through the maze during an 8 min session. Alternation was defined as a consecutive entry in three different arms. The alternation percentage was computed with the following formula: number of alternations divided by total number of arm visits minus 2. Data were presented as +/- standard deviation and significance was tested by SPSS Statistics for Windows version 13.0 and ANOVA method. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant compared to those in the control group. Experimental researches were carried out in compliance with the regulations of our University Committee for Research and Ethical Issues. RESULTS: SCH-23390 (0.3 mg/kbw) and melperone (2 mg/kbw) intraperitoneal injection for 14 days determined a statistically significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) increase in spontaneous alternation rate (compared to controls in Y-maze test). CONCLUSIONS: Our research revealed that the 14 consecutive days administration of these two dopamine receptor antagonists was associated with the improvement of short-term memory in rats, more intense for SCH-23390 compound.

Effects of some dopamine agents on modulation of memory processes performance in rats.

UNLABELLED: Apomorphine is a potent dopamine receptor agonist which has been used as a neuro-protective agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. SCH-23390 is a synthetic compound that presents selective D1 dopamine receptors antagonist activity and possesses pharmacologic effects similar to standard antipsychotics. AIM: Experimental researches on the effects of two substances acting on dopamine receptors on the cognitive processes in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out on white male Wistar rats (150-200 g) divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each, treated intraperitonealy with the same volume of solution as follows: Group I (Control): saline solution 0.3 ml; Group II (coded APO): apomorphine 2 mg/kbw; Group III (coded SCH): SCH-23390 0.3 mg/kbw. Working memory was assessed using the radial-arm maze. The following measures were recorded: the number of entering an arm containing food, but previously entered (working memory errors); the number of entering an arm that was not baited (reference memory errors); time taken to consume all five baits and the number of arms entered until a repeat entry was made (entries to repeat). The data were presented as mean +/- standard deviation and significance was tested by SPSS Statistics for Windows version 17.0 and ANOVA method. Experimental protocol was implemented according to the recommendations of the "Grigore T. Popa" University Committee for Research and Ethical Issues. RESULTS: In our experimental conditions dopamine agonist apomorphine produced significantly (p < 0.05) more novel choices in the first eight-arm entries than the saline vehicle. The animals treated with apomorphine entered significantly (P < 0.05) more arms compared to the control group. D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 induced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the number of working memory errors (elements relevant for short-time memory quantification) and average time taken to consume all five baits (p < 0.05), but did not modify the number of reference memory errors (for long-time memory quantification) compared to the control group, suggesting a short-time memory retention enhancement and an improvement of discriminative spatial learning. SCH-23390 administration resulted in a not quite significant increase in the number of entries to repeat compared to control rats. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of apomorphine also increased the search efficiency in total arm entries, suggesting that it facilitates the response in the test session of secondary reinforcement, more than rewarding, effect combined with a lack of discrimination. Our research revealed that D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 influenced short-time memory, without affecting long-time memory of experimented animals.

[Why do doctors smoke?]. / De ce fumeaza doctorii?

Smoking prevalence is decreasing in developed countries in the last decades. Nevertheless, there is a constant increase of morbidity and mortality of smoking-related diseases (COPD, asthma, respiratory infections, cardiac diseases, cancer). Then why do doctors smoke? Because they experimented in adolescence and college and the addiction developed fast, while information about smoking risks arrived too late. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed to 100 doctors and 400 students between March-April 2009; 50% were returned from the doctors and 90.5% from the students. We analyzed comparative the smoking status (60% non-smoking doctors and 56.9% non-smoking students. Mean age was 25.05 for doctors and 24.2 for smoking students. Mean starting age was 17.13 years, 17.78 respectively. They were asked about major components of cigarettes, main diseases induced by smoking, the effects of nicotine addiction, known laws and projects, the need for introducing in the university curricula of anti-smoking modules. 20% of the doctors and 14.5% of the students had a smoking-related disease. 52% of doctors and 57% of students supported forbidding smokingin public spaces, 13.7% of doctors and 88.9% of students supported the increase of cigarettes price, and only 48% of doctors and 47% of students suggested the need of help for smoking cessation. We noticed there are flaws in knowledge of extra pulmonary diseases in students as well as doctors. Most respondents had lacking, non-systematic information and 96% of doctors and only 69.6% of students consider useful tabaccology lectures. For stopping epidemic morbidity and mortality due to smoking related diseases, there is need for involving all those working in health programmes. For this, medical schools should do better in preparing specialists. We also consider it is time that all medical specialties should consider smoking cessation a priority, while the pneumologists should sustain a systematic and routine activity against smoking.

Ilarie Mitrea (1842-1904), a Romanian physician in Mexico

It traces the presence of the Romanian physician Ilarie Mitrea in Mexico, aiming at elucidating its merit for the culture of the country of origin as well as for the Mexican one and the possible consequences of the established contacts.(AU)