Key Role of the Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) within Epoxy Networks on their Ability to Release.

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced nanocomposites represent a unique opportunity in terms of designing advanced materials with mechanical reinforcement and improvements in the electrical and thermal conductivities. However, the toxic effects of these composites on human health have been studied, and very soon, some regulations on CNTs and on composites based on CNTs will be enacted. That is why the release of CNTs during the nanocomposite lifecycle must be controlled.

Familial Mediterranean fever: Penetrance of the p.[Met694Val];[Glu148Gln] and p.[Met694Val];[=] genotypes.

The penetrance of the p.[Met694Val];[Met694Val] genotype of pyrin in adult familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients is close to 100%. Disease penetrance of the p.

Attempts at suppression of amyloidogenesis in a mouse model by a variety of anti-inflammatory agents.

Objective: The mainstay of AA amyloidosis prevention and treatment is suppression of inflammation. In the present study we have tried to determine the efficacy of a variety of anti-inflammatory agents at suppressing AA amyloidosis in a mouse model of the disease.

Methods: AA amyloidosis was induced in Swiss male mice using amyloid enhancing factor and AgNO(3).

Clinical disease among patients heterozygous for familial Mediterranean fever.

Objective: To define the molecular basis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in patients with only 1 mutation in the MEFV gene.

Methods: Genetic analysis was performed in 20 FMF patients, including full sequencing of complementary DNA (cDNA) samples and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis. In patients with first-degree relatives with FMF, haplotype analysis was also performed.

Suppression of amyloidogenesis in a mouse model by corticosteroid intervention.

Steroid treatment of amyloidosis was studied previously in human and murine models of reactive amyloidosis but with limited success and with conflicting results. To determine whether steroids may inhibit amyloidogenesis, and to study factors that may play a role in this effect, the authors induced amyloidosis in Swiss male mice, using the enhanced protocol with a single intravenous injection of amyloid-enhancing factor (AEF) and 3 successive daily subcutaneous AgNO(3) injections. Suppression of amyloid formation by various commonly used steroid preparations was evaluated from the amount of splenic amyloid, using the crush-and-smear technique.