Model Approach to Thermal Conductivity in Hybrid Graphene-Polymer Nanocomposites.

The thermal conductivity of epoxy nanocomposites filled with self-assembled hybrid nanoparticles composed of multilayered graphene nanoplatelets and anatase nanoparticles was described using an analytical model based on the effective medium approximation with a reasonable amount of input data. The proposed effective thickness approach allowed for the simplification of the thermal conductivity simulations in hybrid graphene@anatase TiO nanosheets by including the phenomenological thermal boundary resistance. The sensitivity of the modeled thermal conductivity to the geometrical and material parameters of filling particles and the host polymer matrix, filler's mass concentration, self-assembling degree, and Kapitza thermal boundary resistances at emerging interfaces was numerically evaluated.

The predictive capability of aortic stiffness index for aortic dissection among dilated ascending aortas.

Objective: We created a finite element model to predict the probability of dissection based on imaging-derived aortic stiffness and investigated the link between stiffness and wall tensile stress using our model.

Methods: Transthoracic echocardiogram measurements were used to calculate aortic diameter change over the cardiac cycle. Aortic stiffness index was subsequently calculated based on diameter change and blood pressure.

Nickel-Fullerene Nanocomposites as Thermoelectric Materials.

Nickel films with nanovoids filled with fullerene molecules have been fabricated. The thermoelectric properties of the nanocomposites have been measured from room temperature down to about 30 K. The main idea is that the phonon scattering can be enhanced at the C/matrix heterointerface.

Chemically Synthesized, Self-Assembling Small Interfering RNA-Prohead RNA Molecules Trigger Dicer-Independent Gene Silencing.

RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes is a powerful therapeutic modality, but the translation of siRNAs from the bench into clinical application has been hampered by inefficient delivery in vivo. An innovative delivery strategy involves fusing siRNAs to a three-way junction (3WJ) motif derived from the phi29 bacteriophage prohead RNA (pRNA). Chimeric siRNA-3WJ molecules are presumed to enter the RNAi pathway through Dicer cleavage.

Inosine Substitutions in RNA Activate Latent G-Quadruplexes.

It is well-accepted that gene expression is heavily influenced by RNA structure. For instance, stem-loops and G-quadruplexes (rG4s) are dynamic motifs in mRNAs that influence gene expression. Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is a common chemical modification of RNA which introduces a nucleobase that is -structural with guanine, thereby changing RNA base-pairing properties.

Frequency-Dependent Sonochemical Processing of Silicon Surfaces in Tetrahydrofuran Studied by Surface Photovoltage Transients.

The field of chemical and physical transformations induced by ultrasonic waves has shown steady progress during the past decades. There is a solid core of established results and some topics that are not thoroughly developed. The effect of varying ultrasonic frequency is among the most beneficial issues that require advances.

Labeling microRNA precursors for Dicer assays.

Excision of the terminal loop of precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNA) by Dicer generates miRNA duplexes, comprising 5p and 3p strands. Dicer often cleaves the RNA at more than one site, producing mature miRNAs with heterogeneous 3' and 5' ends. As pre-miRNAs are most conveniently labeled at their 5' ends, standard in vitro Dicer assays usually assay only 5p miRNA strands.

Immunogenic properties of chimeric potato virus X particles displaying the hepatitis C virus hypervariable region I peptide R9.

The immunogenic properties of chimeric potato virus X (PVX) particles engineered to display the synthetic R9 peptide have been evaluated. The R9 peptide is a consensus sequence derived from diverse variants of the hypervariable region 1 from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein E2. Two different constructs were designed, with the R9 peptide expressed either as an indirect fusion via the ribosomal skip 2A (PVX(R9-2A)CP) sequence or as a direct PVX coat protein fusion (PVX(R9)CP).

Anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protecting effects of an intra-articularly injected anti-TNF{alpha} single-chain Fv antibody (ESBA105) designed for local therapeutic use.

Objectives: (1) To show that a single-chain Fv antibody (scFv) against tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) (ESBA105) has efficacy comparable to a full length anti-TNFalpha IgG (infliximab); (2) to evaluate whether ESBA105 has all the properties required for the local treatment of arthritis; and (3) to investigate its discriminative tissue penetration properties.

Methods: In vivo efficacy was measured in arthritis of the knee joint induced by the intra-articular injection of recombinant human TNFalpha (rhTNFalpha) in Lewis rats. Cartilage penetration of scFv (ESBA105) and full length IgG (infliximab) were studied in bovine cartilage specimens ex vivo.

Clinical molecular imaging in intestinal graft-versus-host disease: mapping of disease activity, prediction, and monitoring of treatment efficiency by positron emission tomography.

Gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Noninvasive tests for assessment of GVHD activity are desirable but lacking. In the present study, we were able to visualize intestinal GVHD-associated inflammation in an allogeneic murine transplantation model by (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in vivo.

Differential requirement for a cellular type-1 immune response in tumor-associated versus alloantigen-targeted GvT effects.

Background: The major obstacles that impair successful outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for hematologic malignancies remain graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and tumor relapse. Improved survival after allogeneic HSCT therefore requires more effective control of GvHD while preserving graft-versus-tumor (GvT) effects.

Methods: Allogeneic parent-into-F1 murine transplant models (BALB/c or C57BL/6 --> F1[BALB/cxC57BL/6]) were used to evaluate the interrelation of GvHD and GvT effects targeting tumor-specific antigens or alloantigens on MethA tumor cells.

Hydrogel-coated textile scaffolds as candidate in liver tissue engineering: II. Evaluation of spheroid formation and viability of hepatocytes.

In this study we evaluate the performance of primary rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells on chitosan-collagen hydrogel-coated textile scaffolds. Light microscopy and electron microscopic observations showed attachment and aggregate formation tendency of hepatocytes on the scaffolds. As tested by the tetrazolium reduction (MTT) assay it was evident that cells had preserved mitochondrial functionality.

Photodynamic effects in vitro in fresh gynecologic tumors analyzed with a bioluminescence method.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative method for clinical cancer treatment. In the present study, cells from four breast carcinomas, seven ovarian carcinomas of various stages of differentiation, and ascites from a diffuse metastatic tumor were treated by PDT in vitro. Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)-chlorin (m-THPC) was used as the photosensitizer.

[Surgical therapy of chronic traumatic aortic aneurysm].

Rupture of the aorta that usually occurs with major blunt trauma of the chest is associated with a high mortality, and only 2% of the patients survive long enough to develop a false aneurysm. Although symptom-free latent period is not rare, there is evidence of progression. Since 1970 we operated on 28 patients (24 male and 4 female, mean age 41.

[Initial clinical experiences with endovascular stent-grafts for treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm].

With a series of 34 transluminal stent-graft procedures, we assessed the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of a new stent-graft for the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). We treated 34 male patients (mean age 71 years) with straight of bifurcated nitinol stents covered with woven Dacron graft material for infrarenal excentric saccular AAA (n = 3) or AAA involving the bifurcation and the common iliac arteries (n = 31). The 18-F delivery system was advanced via a surgical arteriotomy and the stent-graft was placed under fluoroscopic control.

[Endoluminal therapy of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms: a new interventional technique].

Purpose: With a series of 31 transluminal stent-graft procedures, we assessed the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of a new stent-graft for the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Methods: We treated the patients (male; mean age 71 years) with straight or bifurcated nitinol stents covered with woven dacron graft material for infrarenal eccentric saccular AAA (n = 4) or AAA involving the bifurcation and the common iliac arteries (n = 27). The 18-F delivery system was advanced via a surgical arteriotomy and the stent-graft was placed under fluoroscopic control.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms: preliminary technical and clinical results with transfemoral placement of endovascular self-expanding stent-grafts.

Purpose: To evaluate treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with a new endoluminal stent-graft.

Materials And Methods: In 26 male patients, straight or bifurcated nitinol stents covered with woven Dacron graft material were implanted to treat eccentric saccular AAA (n = 3) or AAA involving the bifurcation and common iliac arteries (n = 23), with follow-up from 8 days to 8 1/2 months.

Results: Implantation was technically successful in all but one of the 26 (96%) patients (leak of the stent-graft for more than 3 months necessitated implantation of an additional covered stent).

Diltiazem provides anti-ischemic and anti-arrhythmic protection in patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting.

In 91 patients undergoing elective coronary bypass grafting, the anti-ischemic and anti-arrhythmic efficacy of a 24-hour infusion of either the calcium antagonist diltiazem (0.1 mg/kg per h, n = 44) or nitroglycerin (1 micrograms/kg per min, n = 47) were compared. Myocardial ischemia was diagnosed by Holter monitoring and the repeated assessment of 12-lead ECG and serum enzyme levels and defined as a transient ischemic event, transient coronary spasm or myocardial infarction.

Growth of "new" coronary vascular structures by angiogenetic growth factors.

The efficacy of the human angiogenetic heparin-binding growth factor I (HBGF-I) to initiate site-directed growth of new blood vessels from the aorta into the myocardium was studied. First, manipulated Escherichia coli bacteria, which had received the human mRNA-transcript for HBGF I into their genetic material, were cultivated. The growth factor derived was purified using heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography.

[Accusation of malpractice in cardiovascular surgery].

The reproach of malpractice in cardio vascular surgery seems to be up to now quite seldom in comparison with other While in cardiac surgery the acknowledgement was found extremely seldom in vascular surgery acknowledgement of malpractice reproach must be expected in about 50%. In cardiac surgery mainly new neurological deficits are content of malpractice reproach; in vascular surgery artery injuries and surgical procedures to correct varicose veins are most often involved. In order to prevent or to minimise those malpractice reproaches an optimal communication between the surgeon and the patient, an extensive informed consent and a very strict medical indication for surgery are imperative.

Imaging in cardiac mass lesions.

In 26 patients with cardiac mass lesions confirmed by surgery, diagnostic imaging was performed preoperatively by means of two-dimensional echocardiography (26 patients), angiography (12 patients), correlative computed tomography (CT, 8 patients), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 3 patients). Two-dimensional echocardiography correctly identified the cardiac masses in all patients. Angiography missed two of 12 cardiac masses; CT missed one of eight.

Added hospital stay due to wound infections following cardiac surgery.

To determine the prolongation of hospital stay due to postoperative wound infections following cardiac surgery, a prospective cohort study was performed by matching multiple control patients without infection to each infected patient (= case). Out of 22 cases, no patient died. No case had to be excluded from the matching process because of a lack of suitable control patients.