The consumption of moderate amounts of cocoa products has been associated with reductions in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. In animal studies, the flavanol (-)-epicatechin (Epi) yields cardioprotection. The effects may be partly due to its capacity to stimulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The sustained activation of eNOS as observed with exercise, can serve as a trigger of muscle angiogenesis via the activation of VEGF related events. Experiments were pursued to examine the potential of Epi to stimulate myocardial angiogenesis and determine the effects that its combined use with exercise (Ex) may trigger. Hearts obtained from a previous study were used for this purpose. Animals received 1 mg/kg of Epi or water (vehicle) via oral gavage (twice daily). Epi and/or Ex (by treadmill) was provided for 15 days. Results indicate that Ex or Epi significantly stimulate myocardial angiogenesis by ~30% above control levels. The use of Epi-Ex lead to further significant increases (to ~50%). Effects were associated with increases in protein levels and/or activation of canonical angiogenesis pathway associated events (HIF1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, PI3K, PDK, AKT, eNOS, NO, cGMP, MMP-2/-9, Src-1 and CD31). Thus, the use of Epi may represent a safe and novel means to stimulate myocardial angiogenesis.
While Malaysia produces about half of the world’s palm oil and is the largest producer and exporter worldwide, oil palm industries generate large amounts of lignocellulosic biomass waste as a sub-product with no economic market value other than feedstock for energy valorisation. With the aim to increase the sustainability of the sector, in this work we prepare new materials for CO2 capture from palm oil residues (empty fruit bunches and kernels). The biochar is obtained through the carbonisation of the residues and is physically and chemically activated to produce porous materials. The resulting microporous samples have similar properties to other commercial activated carbons, with BET surfaces in the 320–880 m2/g range and pore volumes of 0.1–0.3 cm3·g−1. The CO2 uptake at room temperature for physically activated biochar (AC) was 2.4–3.6 mmolCO2/gAC, whereas the average CO2 uptake for chemically activated biochar was 3.36–3.80 mmolCO2/gAC. The amount of CO2 adsorbed decreased at the highest temperature, as expected due to the exothermic nature of adsorption. These findings confirm the high potential of palm oil tree residues as sustainable materials for CO2 capture.
An 89% Cu, 10% Al, 1% Fe alloy was solidified under different cooling conditions in order to obtain different kinds of dendritic structures. The main structural difference observed was the grain size, which varied from 0.017 to 0.57 grains/mm2. The mechanical behavior was determined by tension and hardness test. The fracture surface and microstructure were observed by means of scanning electron microscopy. Other samples were subjected to corrosion tests in a saline solution of a concentration similar to that of seawater; these tests were potentiodynamic and potentiostatic during twelve hours at −50 mV (ECS). The electrolytic solutions were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the Cu, Al, and Fe concentrations.
The tension and hardness tests did not show a significant correlation. The corrosion tests showed a different amount of corrosion, which depends primarily on the morphology and type of solidification structure. Higher dealuminization was found in samples with higher content of γ2 phase. The columnar grain structure showed a lower selective corrosion than the equiaxial structure.
A fine dispersion of the α + β phase in relation to the α+γ2 matrix enhances the dealuminization of the alloy.
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