Endocardial Endothelial Dysfunction and Unknown Polymorphic Composite Accumulation in Heart Failure

The accumulation of unknown polymorphic composites in the endocardium damages the endocardial endothelium (EE). However, the composition and role of unknown polymorphic composites in heart failure (HF) progression remain unclear. Here, we aimed to explore composite deposition during endocardium damage and HF progression. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two HF groups—angiotensin II-induced HF and left anterior descending artery ligation-induced HF. Heart tissues from patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (non-HF) and those with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) were collected. EE damage, polymorphic unknown composite accumulation, and elements in deposits were examined. HF progression reduced the expression of CD31 in the endocardium, impaired endocardial integrity, and exposed the myofibrils and mitochondria. The damaged endocardial surface showed the accumulation of unknown polymorphic composites. In the animal HF model, especially HF caused by myocardial infarction, the weight and atomic percentages of O, Na, and N in the deposited composites were significantly higher than those of the other groups. The deposited composites in the human HF heart section (DCM) had a significantly higher percentage of Na and S than the other groups, whereas the percentage of C and Na in the DCM and ICM groups was significantly higher than those of the control group. HF causes widespread EE dysfunction, and EndMT was accompanied by polymorphic composites of different shapes and elemental compositions, which further damage and deteriorate heart function.

Experimental Researches Regarding the Manufacturing of New Thermoplastic Materials Used in Additive Technologies

The article presents the process of manufacturing by adding solid state material (thermoplastic extrusion) in order to achieve new composite deposition materials and to provide new models, raw materials and functional prototypes with superior mechanical features and characteristics. The authors describe the extrusion device as well as the parts manufactured of thermoplastic material.

Electrodeposition Kinetics of Ni/Nano-Y2O3 Composite Coatings

Ni/nano-Y2O3 composite films were successfully prepared by electrochemical deposition using an acid sulfamate bath. The influence of solid particles added to electrolyte on electrodeposition was investigated by electrochemical measurement methods. The linear sweep voltammetry test showed that the composite deposition took place at a greater potential than that of nickel, and the presence of nano-Y2O3 decreased cathodic polarization. Chronoamperometry studies indicated that the nucleation model of both deposits similarly approached the theoretical instantaneous nucleation mode based on the Scharifker–Hills model. The Y2O3 particles adsorbed on the cathodic surface were shown to facilitate the nucleation/growth of the nickel matrix which is consistent with the deposition kinetics parameters calculated by non-linear fitting experimental curves. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the presence of Y2O3 particles in a bath is beneficial for the decrease in charge transfer resistance in the deposition. The atomic force microscopy observations of both deposits obtained in the initial electrodeposition stage confirmed that the Ni-Y2O3 composite had a higher grain number and finer mean grain size.