Rheological behavior of thermoreversible kappa-carrageenan/nanosilica gels.

The rheological behavior of silica/kappa-carrageenan nanocomposites has been investigated as a function of silica particle size and load. The addition of silica nanoparticles was observed to invariably impair the gelation process, as viewed by the reduction of gel strength and decrease of gelation and melting temperatures. This weakening effect is seen, for the lowest particle size, to become slightly more marked as silica concentration (or load) is increased and at the lowest load as particle size is increased.

Lactate favours the dissociation of skeletal muscle 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase tetramers down-regulating the enzyme and muscle glycolysis.

For a long period lactate was considered as a dead-end product of glycolysis in many cells and its accumulation correlated with acidosis and cellular and tissue damage. At present, the role of lactate in several physiological processes has been investigated based on its properties as an energy source, a signalling molecule and as essential for tissue repair. It is noteworthy that lactate accumulation alters glycolytic flux independently from medium acidification, thereby this compound can regulate glucose metabolism within cells.

In situ synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles in carrageenan gels.

Magnetite nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized in the presence of carrageenan polysaccharides using an in situ coprecipitation method. Iron coordination to the sulfate groups of the polysaccharide was confirmed by FTIR. The polysaccharide type (kappa, iota, or lambda) and concentration have been varied and their effects on particle morphology and chemical stability of the resultant nanocomposite investigated.

Laparoscopic ileocystoplasty: an experimental study in pigs.

Background And Purpose: Bladder dysfunction may lead to urinary incontinence and progressive kidney deterioration. When clinical treatment fails, bladder augmentation is the operation of choice in most cases. The purpose of this study was the standardization of the technique of videolaparoscopic ileocystoplasty in a porcine model and demonstration of a tutor-supervised learning curve.

Thrombotic microangiopathy with acquired deficiency in ADAMTS 13 activity in lung transplant recipients.

Background: Thrombotic microangiopathy may develop after solid organ transplantation, but it is usually not associated with severe deficiency in von Willebrand factor-cleaving metalloprotease (ADAMTS 13) activity.

Methods: We present the cases of two lung transplant recipients who experienced a thrombotic microangiopathy associated with an acquired severe (<5%) deficiency in ADAMTS 13 activity.

Results: A major feature of both cases was the occurrence of a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.