[A rare cause of multiple cavitary lung lesions].

We report on a 32-year-old woman with multiple, progressive cavitary lung lesions. Lung cavities may occur in the context of various diseases and, thus, represent a huge diagnostic challenge. The spectrum of diseases comprises infections, systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, and malignancies.

Structure-Dependent Stability of Lipid-Based Polymer Amphiphiles Inserted on Erythrocytes.

Cell-based therapies have the potential to transform the treatment of many diseases. One of the key challenges relating to cell therapies is to modify the cell surface with molecules to modulate cell functions such as targeting, adhesion, migration, and cell-cell interactions, or to deliver drug cargos. Noncovalent insertion of lipid-based amphiphilic molecules on the cell surface is a rapid and nontoxic approach for modifying cells with a variety of bioactive molecules without affecting the cellular functions and viability.

Influence of Nanoscale Surface Roughness on Colloidal Force Measurements.

Forces between colloidal particles determine the performances of many industrial processes and products. Colloidal force measurements conducted between a colloidal particle AFM probe and particles immobilized on a flat substrate are valuable in selecting appropriate surfactants for colloidal stabilization. One of the features of inorganic fillers and extenders is the prevalence of rough surfaces-even the polymer latex particles, often used as model colloidal systems including the current study, have rough surfaces albeit at a much smaller scale.

Early tranexamic acid administration: A protective effect on gut barrier function following ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: The mucus barrier is a critical component of the gut barrier and may be disrupted by pancreatic enzymes following trauma/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS). Luminal strategies against pancreatic enzyme activation or contact with the intestine are protective of the mucus layer and gut barrier integrity following T/HS. There is increasing evidence the use of tranexamic acid (TA) attenuates inflammatory responses in cardiac surgery and is readily absorbed from the gut.

Estrogen modulates intestinal mucus physiochemical properties and protects against oxidant injury.

Background: The intestinal epithelial barrier and the intestinal mucus layer may be protective against trauma/hemorrhage shock-induced injury in females. This effect is related to estradiol (E₂) concentrations and varies with the menstrual cycle. We examined the ability of E₂ to impact the physiochemical properties of intestinal mucus and to protect against oxidant-related injury to the mucus and underlying intestinal epithelial barrier in an in vitro model.