LAPONITE® nanodisk-"decorated" FeO nanoparticles: a biocompatible nano-hybrid with ultrafast magnetic hyperthermia and MRI contrast agent ability.

Magnetic FeO nanoparticles "decorated" by LAPONITE® nanodisks have been materialized utilizing the Schikorr reaction following a facile approach and tested as mediators of heat for localized magnetic hyperthermia (MH) and as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents. The synthetic protocol involves the interaction between two layered inorganic compounds, ferrous hydroxide, Fe(OH), and the synthetic smectite LAPONITE® clay Na[(SiMgLi)O(OH)], towards the formation of superparamagnetic FeO nanoparticles, which are well decorated by the diamagnetic clay nanodisks. The latter imparts high negative -potential values (up to -34.

Chemical and isotopic characterization of the thermal fluids emerging along the North-Northeastern Greece.

Hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics of fluids from major geothermal fields of middle/low temperature in N/NE Greece are examined [basins: Strymon River (SR), Nestos River Delta (ND), Xanthi-Komotini (XK), Loutros-Feres-Soufli (LFS) and Rhodope Massif]. The geodynamic context is reflected to isotopic/chemical composition of fluids, heat flow values and elevated CO concentrations in emitted fluids. B and Li are derived from leaching of the geothermal systems hosting rocks.

Isotopic Traceability (C and O) of Greek Olive Oil.

In recent years, isotopic analysis has been proven a valuable tool for the determination of the origin of various materials. In this article, we studied the O and C isotopic values of 210 olive oil samples that were originated from different regions in Greece in order to verify how these values are affected by the climate regime. We observed that the δO isotopic values range from 19.

The Role of Titanium Dioxide on the Hydration of Portland Cement: A Combined NMR and Ultrasonic Study.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) is an excellent photocatalytic material that imparts biocidal, self-cleaning and smog-abating functionalities when added to cement-based materials. The presence of TiO influences the hydration process of cement and the development of its internal structure. In this article, the hydration process and development of a pore network of cement pastes containing different ratios of TiO were studied using two noninvasive techniques (ultrasonic and NMR).

The peculiar size and temperature dependence of water diffusion in carbon nanotubes studied with 2D NMR diffusion-relaxation - spectroscopy.

It is well known that water inside hydrophobic nano-channels diffuses faster than bulk water. Recent theoretical studies have shown that this enhancement depends on the size of the hydrophobic nanochannels. However, experimental evidence of this dependence is lacking.

Structural, static and dynamic magnetic properties of dextran coated γ-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles studied by (57)Fe NMR, Mössbauer, TEM and magnetization measurements.

The structural and magnetic properties and spin dynamics of dextran coated and uncoated γ-Fe(2)O(3) (maghemite) nanoparticles have been investigated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), (57)Fe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Mössbauer spectroscopy and dc magnetization measurements. The HRTEM observations indicated a well-crystallized system of ellipsoid-shaped nanoparticles, with an average size of 10 nm. The combined Mössbauer and magnetic study suggested the existence of significant interparticle interactions not only in the uncoated but also in the dextran coated nanoparticle assemblies.

Rapid magnetic heating treatment by highly charged maghemite nanoparticles on Wistar rats exocranial glioma tumors at microliter volume.

One of the most significant challenges implementing colloidal magnetic nanoparticles in medicine is the efficient heating of microliter quantities by applying a low frequency alternating magnetic field. The ultimate goal is to accomplish nonsurgically the treatment of millimeter size tumors. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis, characterization, and the in vitro as well as in vivo efficiency of a dextran coated maghemite (gamma-Fe(2)O(3)) ferrofluid with an exceptional response to magnetic heating.

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP): stapling the mesh is not mandatory.

Background: This report reviews our experience with 104 transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repairs, using a selective staple-free technique, over the period April 2003 to July 2007 (50 months).

Materials And Methods: Ninety-one patients underwent TAPP repair (13 bilateral). Eighty-one were males and 10 females.

Is inflammation a significant predictor of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Background: Bile duct injuries (BDI) have been reported to occur more frequently during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) compared to open cholecystectomy (OC). Several studies have demonstrated various potential predisposing factors for BDI. However, there is a controversy as to whether gallbladder inflammation is a significant predictor for BDI.

Low temperature charge and orbital textures in La0.875Sr0.125MnO3.

By using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques we show that for T<30 K the La0.875Sr0.125MnO3 compound displays a nonuniform charge distribution, comprised of two interconnected Mn ion subsystems with different spin, orbital, and charge couplings.

Hexanuclear iron(III) salicylaldoximato complexes presenting the [Fe6(mu3-O)2(mu2-OR)2]12+ core: syntheses, crystal structures, and spectroscopic and magnetic characterization.

The use of salicylaldehyde oxime (H2salox) in iron(III) carboxylate chemistry has yielded two new hexanuclear compounds [Fe6(mu3-O)2(O2CPh)10(salox)2(L)2].xMeCN.yH2O [L = MeCONH2, x = 6, y = 0 (1); L = H2O, x = 2, y = 3 (2)].

CLIP-170/tubulin-curved oligomers coassemble at microtubule ends and promote rescues.

Background: CLIP-170 is a microtubule binding protein specifically located at microtubule plus ends, where it modulates their dynamic properties and their interactions with intracellular organelles. The mechanism by which CLIP-170 is targeted to microtubule ends remains unclear today, as well as its precise effect on microtubule dynamics.

Results: We used the N-terminal part of CLIP-170 (named H2), which contains the microtubule binding domains, to investigate how it modulates in vitro microtubule dynamics and structure.

Purification and analysis of authentic CLIP-170 and recombinant fragments.

We have purified authentic CLIP-170 (cytoplasmic linker protein of 170 kDa) and fragments comprising functional domains of the protein to characterize the structural basis of the function of CLIP-170. Analysis of authentic CLIP-170 and the recombinant fragments by electron microscopy after glycerol spraying/low angle rotary metal shadowing reveals CLIP-170 as a thin, 135-nm-long molecule with two kinks in its central rod domain, which are approximately equally spaced from the two ends of the protein. The central domain consisting of heptad repeats, which is alpha-helical in nature and forms a 2-stranded coiled-coil, mediates dimerization of CLIP-170.

CLIP-170 highlights growing microtubule ends in vivo.

A chimera with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) has been constructed to visualize the dynamic properties of the endosome-microtubule linker protein CLIP170 (GFP-CLIP170). GFP-CLIP170 binds in stretches along a subset of microtubule ends. These fluorescent stretches appear to move with the growing tips of microtubules at 0.

Dynamic localization of CLIP-170 to microtubule plus ends is coupled to microtubule assembly.

CLIP-170 is a cytoplasmic linker protein that localizes to plus ends of microtubules in vivo. In this study, we have characterized the microtubule-binding properties of CLIP-170, to understand the mechanism of its plus end targeting. We show that the NH2-terminal microtubule-interacting domain of CLIP-170 alone localizes to microtubule plus ends when transfected into cells.

[Various metabolic effects in total parenteral feeding using a carbohydrate combination and amino-acid solution in the pre- and postoperative phase].

Ten metabolically healthy patients who had undergone gastric resection were fed intravenously from the preoperative to the 5th postoperative day. After the 24-hour preoperative infusion period the concentration of cholesterol, free fatty acids and alkaline phosphatase dropped significantly. So did the concentration of uric acid.

[Metabolic behavior in pre, intra, and postoperative total parenteral feeding with a carbohydrate combination and amino acid solution].

Ten metabolically healthy patients who had undergone gastric resection were fed intravenously from the preoperative to the 5th postoperative day. No metabolic alternations were observed by using a low dosis of 0.12 mg/kg.

[Spontaneous cholecysto-gastric fistula with massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic diagnosis and concrement extraction].

A case of spontaneous cholecysto-gastric fistula is reported with penetration of a gallstone into the stomach leading to massive haemorrhage of gastric mucosa. The gallstone was removed endoscopically, the immanent complication of gallstone ileus could be eliminated. Mucosal bleeding was stopped by conservative methods, and thus enough time was won for optimal preparation for the ensuing operation.

[Coronary-angiographic demonstration of the dilating effect of dipyridamole on coronary arteries and its inhibition by caffeine (author's transl)].

Selective coronary cineangiographies are performed repeatedly in 13 mongrel dogs. The contrast medium itself has no demonstrable dilating effect upon the vessels. After the first injection of 0.

[Electric and mechanic gastric activity under insulin, penta-gastrin, carbachol and food ingestion in the wakeful dog].

The effect of insulin, pentagastrin, carbachol and feeding on the electrical and mechanical activity of the stomach was examined in the conscious dog. In these experiments vagal stimulation, a gastric hormone, a parasympathetic agent and distention elecited a similar stimulation of electrical and mechanical activity. The activation occurred in case of insulin only after sufficient lowering of the blood glucose level, in case of the other tested stimulants after a few minutes.