Expression of CD11b and ICAM-1 in an in vivo model of transplant arteriosclerosis

Cachexia consists of a constellation of metabolic changes that occur in cancer patients, including the reduction of muscle and fat tissue, asthenia, anorexia, hypoglycemia and hypercalcemia. These syndromes complicate therapeutic intervention and decrease the quality of life of the patient. This review discusses the involvement of cytokines in cancer cachexia and describes the contribution of IL-6 and other cytokines to the wasting of C-26-bearing mice. The neutralization of IL-6 by antibody, or IL-6 receptor antagonism by suramin, significantly reduce the severity of key parameters of cachexia. The participation of several other factors (PGE2, IL-1, IL-10 and TNF-alpha) in the cellular communication between the C-26 tumor cell and tumor-infiltrating macrophages is also described.     

Transesophageal echocardiography

An outstanding image quality and detail resolution are characteristics of the transesophageal echocardiographic approach. Transesophageal echocardiography however, is more expensive than transthoracic echocardiography and semi-invasive. Indeed a restricted use is warranted for situations where the additional information obtained is decisive for further patient management. This is the case in the evaluation of patients with unexplained cerebrovascular events, diseases in the left or right atrium, suspected endocarditis, prior to valvuloplasty or valvular reconstructive surgery, suspected prosthetic valve dysfunction and diseases of the thoracic aorta, especially aortic dissection. In most centers TEE is routinely performed during cardiac surgery. In critically ill patients TEE can be performed safely and provides important information. Future development will include even more detailed image quality, newer imaging methods allowing assessment of myocardial perfusion and especially threedimensional imaging.     

Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of Nylon 66 nanofibrilmat interleaved carbon/epoxy laminates

Carbon/epoxy laminates interleaved with laboratory scale electrospun Nylon 66 nanofibrilmat and spunbonded nonwoven mats were investigated. The effect of the nanoscale fibers on the fracture toughness of the composite under pure Mode I loading was evaluated. It was shown that the nanofibrilmat is responsible for a major interlaminar fracture toughness improvement, as high as 255–322%, compared to a noninterleaved carbon/epoxy reference laminate. We further studied the improvement mechanism of the electrospun nanofibrilmat compared to a commercial spunbonded nonwoven Nylon 66 mat. A combination of two interlayer fracture mechanisms responsible for the toughness improvement is suggested: the first is related to the high energy dissipated by bridged thermoplastic nanofibers and the second is attributed to the generation of a plastic zone near the crack tip. The interlaminar fracture mechanisms of both electrospun nanofibrilmat and the nonwoven mat interleaving was analyzed and discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers