Francisco Chong Villarreal

The problem of line-hoppng in a short cavity, slab waveguide CO2 laser is studied by modeling of the laser signature and the experimental determination of laser spectra. It is shown that small increments of resonator length, less than 100 µm, significantly change the number of lines in the spectra and at a specific resonator length near 408.7 mm there is the possibility of single line operation. To reduce line-hopping and lock the laser to the 10P20 line, a 10th order, dimensional grating has been laser engraved on one surface of the planar waveguide.

Summary form only given. This paper explores methods of improving the glass machining capabilities of sealed-off, pulsed RF, slab waveguide CO2 lasers. Such devices offer a wide range of pulse durations (τp), pulse repetition frequencies (PRF's) and peak powers. In quartz and soda lime glass, the 10.6 μm laser wavelength has an absorption depth of a few microns and a

Summary form only given. Planar waveguide CO2 lasers have become the preferred technology for many material processing applications because of their practical advantages in terms of high average power levels, pulsed operation at high repetition rates, excellent beam quality, ultracompact, scaled device construction and ease of computer control. We describe the performance of a planar waveguide laser, which is designed

In the present paper, we report substantial enhancements of planar waveguide pulse waveform performance through energy scaling in the ultra super-pulse mode. We have investigated energy and power scaling in the ultra super-pulse mode with laser structures up to 2.5 times the electrode area in compact sealed devices. Considerable flexibility has been demonstrated in the selection of the pulse waveforms

We review progress in the development of a novel mode of operation of the planar waveguide carbon dioxide laser (referred to as the ultra-super-pulse or USP mode), which is capable of delivering, at high efficiency, up to ten times higher peak power and up to ten times shorter pulse duration than the `conventional" planar waveguide laser. These enhanced bream properties extend the range of applications to the micro-processing of materials with higher machining threshold and/or low absorption coefficients and with the added advantage of producing reduced heat affected zone.

An experimental investigation has been conducted of the propagation characteristics of several types of optical fibres which are candidates for use in optical beam delivery systems for carbon monoxide lasers. Both solid core (chalcogenide) fibres and hollow core (with dielectric or dielectric coated metal) waveguides have been investigated. Such experiments have included an assessment of both the power transmission characteristics,

Summary. An interbank payment system (IPS) is defined as the set of rules, institutions and technical mechanisms by which the transfer of funds between banks is carried out. Traditional models of IPS assume complete awareness of the economic agents of their ...

A comprehensive investigation of the main parameters that determine the effective power scaling of diffusion cooled annular CO2 lasers in the 3kW region is presented. Aspects such as RF excited discharge characteristics; small signal gain, free ...

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been implicated in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. While recent in vivo and in vitro studies performed in cultured cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts support this role for Ang II, the mechanisms of Ang II action at the cellular level remain unclear. In the present study, we postulated that Ang II action in adult cardiac fibroblasts may stimulate the autocrine production and release of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), a known regulator of cardiac fibroblast and myocyte function. We examined the ability of Ang II to regulate the gene expression, biological activity, and protein production of TGF-beta 1 in cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts. Treatment of fibroblast cultures with Ang II (10(-9) M) induced a two-fold increase in TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels within 4 h that was sustained through 24 h (P < 0.01). TGF-beta 1-like activity in Ang II-treated cultures was significantly increased compared with control as measured by bioassay (P < 0.001). Specificity for TGF-beta 1-like activity was confirmed through its neutralization with a TGF-beta 1 specific antibody (100 micrograms/ml). Total concentration of TGF-beta 1 (latent plus active forms) in conditioned media from Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts was also found to be greater than control (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that the effects of Ang II in the adult myocardium may be mediated in part by autocrine/paracrine mechanisms, including the production and release of TGF-beta 1 by cardiac fibroblasts.

We report enhanced peak power and gain for pulses in the 10-100 μsec range, with specific peak power to 240 kW m-2 of electrode area at frequencies to 4 kHz. Pulsed small signal gain is increased by a factor of 7 relative to cw/long pulse excitation

Since their inaugural discovery in the early 1960s, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to mediate multiple physiological and pathological processes. In addition to their canonical function in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, research in the last decade has highlighted new MMP functions, including proteolysis of novel substrates beyond ECM proteins, MMP localization to subcellular organelles, and proteolysis of susceptible intracellular proteins in those subcellular compartments. This review will provide a comparison of the extracellular and intracellular roles of MMPs, illustrating that MMPs are far more interesting than the one-dimensional view originally taken. We focus on the roles of MMP-2 in cardiac injury and repair, as this is one of the most studied MMPs in the cardiovascular field. We will highlight how understanding all dimensions, such as localization of activity and timing of interventions, will increase the translational potential of research finding...

There is evidence implicating oxidative stress (OS) as the cause of the deleterious effects of aging. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of the flavanol (-)-epicatechin (Epi) to reduce aging-induced OS and restore mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as, structural and functional endpoints in aged mice. Senile (S; 26-month-old) C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to receive either water (vehicle) or 1mg/kg of Epi via oral gavage (twice daily) for 15 days. Young (Y; 6-month-old) mice were used as controls. In S brain, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle (compared with Y animals) an increase in OS was observed as evidenced by increased protein-free carbonyls and decreased reduced glutathione levels as well as sirtuin 3, superoxide dismutase 2, catalase, thioredoxin and glutathione peroxidase protein levels. Well-recognized factors (eg, sirtuin 1) that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial structure- and/or function-related endpoints (eg, mitofilin and citrate synt...

The ability of minocycline to be transported into cardiac cells, concentrate in normal and ischemic myocardium, and act as a cardioprotector in vivo was examined. We also determined minocycline's capacity to act as a reducer of myocardial oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. The identification of compounds with the potential to reduce myocardial ischemic injury is of great interest. Tetracyclines are antibiotics with pleiotropic cytoprotective properties that accumulate in normal and diseased tissues. Minocycline is highly lipophilic and has shown promise as a possible cardioprotector. However, minocycline's potential as an in vivo cardioprotector as well as the means by which this action is attained are not well understood. Rats were subjected to 45 min of ischemia and 48 h of reperfusion. Animals were treated 48 h before and 48 h after thoracotomy with either vehicle or 50 mg/kg/day minocycline. Tissue samples were used for biochemical assays and cultured cardiac cells for minocycline uptake experiments. Minocycline significantly reduced infarct size (approximately 33%), tissue MMP-9 activity, and oxidative stress. Minocycline was concentrated approximately 24-fold in normal (0.5 mmol/l) and approximately 50-fold in ischemic regions (1.1 mmol/l) versus blood. Neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts, myocytes, and adult fibroblasts demonstrated a time- and temperature-dependent uptake of minocycline to levels that approximate those of normal myocardium. Given the high intracellular levels observed and results from the assessment of in vitro antioxidant and MMP inhibitor capacities, it is likely that minocycline acts to limit myocardial ischemic injury via mass action effects.

The consumption of cacao-derived products, particularly in the form of dark chocolate is known to provide beneficial cardiovascular effects in normal individuals and in those with vascular dysfunction (reduced nitric oxide [NO] bioavailability and/or synthesis). Upstream mechanisms by which flavonoids exert these effects are poorly understood and may involve the participation of cell membrane receptors. We previously demonstrated that the flavanol (-)-epicatechin (EPI) stimulates NO production via Ca(+2)-independent eNOS activation/phosphorylation. We wished to investigate the plausible participation of a cell surface receptor using a novel cell-membrane impermeable EPI-Dextran conjugate (EPI-Dx). Under Ca(2+)-free conditions, human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were treated for 10min with EPI or EPI-Dx at equimolar concentrations (100nM). Results demonstrate that both EPI and EPI-Dx induced the phosphorylation/activation of PI3K, PDK-1, AKT and eNOS. Interestingly, EPI-Dx effects were significantly higher in magnitude than those of EPI alone. The capacity of EPI-Dx to stimulate cell responses supports the existence of an EPI cell membrane receptor mediating eNOS activation.

Impaired mitochondrial function represents an early manifestation of endothelial dysfunction and likely contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The stimulation of mitochondrial function and/or biogenesis is seen as a means to improve the bioenergetic and metabolic status of cells and thus, reduce CVD. In this study we examined the capacity of the flavanol (-)-epicatechin and two novel derivatives to enhance mitochondrial function and protein levels in cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells. As nitric oxide production by endothelial cells is suspected in mediating mitochondria effects (including biogenesis), we also examined the dependence of responses on this molecule using an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Results indicate that the flavanol (-)-epicatechin and derivatives are capable of stimulating mitochondrial function as assessed by citrate synthase activity as well as induction of structural (porin, mitofilin) and oxidative phosporylation protein levels (complex I and II). Effects were blocked by the use of the chemical inhibitor of the synthase thus, evidencing a role for nitric oxide in mediating these effects. The results observed indicate that the three agents are effective in enhancing mitochondria function and protein content. The effects noted for (-)-epicatechin may serve to explain the healthy effects on cardiometabolic risk ascribed to the consumption of cocoa products.