Shape optimization for tumor location

In non-invasive thermal diagnostics, accurate correlations between the thermal image at skin surface and interior human physiology are desired. In this work, an estimation methodology to determine unknown geometrical parameters of an embedded tumor is proposed. We define a functional that represents the mismatch between a measured experimental temperature profile, which may be obtained by infrared thermography on the skin surface, and the solution of an appropriate boundary problem. This functional is related to the geometrical parameters through the solution of the boundary problem, in such a way that finding the minimum of this functional form also means finding the unknown geometrical parameters of the embedded tumor. Sensitivity analysis techniques coupled with the adjoint method were considered to compute the shape derivative of the functional. Then, a nonmonotone spectral projected gradient method was implemented to solve the optimization problem of finding the optimal geometric parameters.     

Curing behavior of a novolac‐type phenolic resin analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry

Curing of a novolac‐type phenolic resin was studied by DSC. The kinetic analysis was performed by means of the dynamic Ozawa method at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min. This analysis was used to determine the kinetic parameters of the curing process. The activation energy was found to be 144 kJ/mol. It was found that the Ozawa exponent values decreased with increasing reaction temperature from 3.5 to 1, suggesting a change in the reaction mechanism from microgel growth to diffusion‐controlled reaction. The reaction rate constant was found to range from 123.0 to 33.6 (°C/min)ⁿ. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1678–1682, 2003     

Properties of chimeric (tissue-type/urokinase-type) plasminogen activators obtained by fusion at the plasmin cleavage site

Two hybrid plasminogen activators (K2tu-PA and FK2tu-PA), linking the kringle 2 domain or the finger plus the kringle 2 domains of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) to the catalytic domain of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) were studied. At variance with similar constructs previously reported, they were obtained by fusion of the t-PA and scu-PA derived portions at their plasmin cleavage site (between Arg275 of t-PA and Ile159 of scu-PA), thus eliminating from scu-PA the two peptide bonds (Glu143-Leu144 and Arg156-Phe157) that lead to low molecular weight scu-PA and to thrombin-inactivated tcu-PA. The specific activities of K2tu-PA and FK2tu-PA, as measured by fibrin plate were 2.5 x 10(6) and 1.0 x 10(6) t-PA equivalent units/mg, respectively. Activation of plasminogen by hybrid PAs was stimulated by both CNBr-digested fibrinogen (40- and 80-fold) and Des-A-fibrin monomers (6- and 12-fold). The relatively weak stimulation of chimeric PAs by minimally degraded fibrin monomers was consistent with their reduced fibrin binding capacity. Like scu-PA, the chimeric PAs, in the single-chain form, were insensitive to inhibition, as they retained full activity after prolonged incubation in plasma and did not interact with SDS-reactivated recombinant PAI-1. The concentration producing 50% lysis of blood clots in 3 h was 0.5 microgram/ml for K2tu-PA and 1 microgram/ml for FK2tu-PA, as compared to 0.5 microgram/ml and > 2 micrograms/ml for t-PA and scu-PA, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Utility of an integrated clinical, echocardiographic, and venous ultrasonographic approach for triage of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism

The potential role of ultrasound techniques in diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has been investigated in severe cases with hemodynamic compromise, but is still unclear for the whole clinical spectrum of patients with suspected PE. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of an integrated bedside evaluation for PE based on the combination of a clinical score, 2-dimensional echocardiography, and color venous duplex scanning. A group of 117 consecutive patients with suspected PE was assessed using a clinical likelihood score, echocardiography, and venous duplex scanning in order to obtain a preliminary diagnosis of PE, which was subsequently compared with the final diagnosis obtained by lung perfusion scintigraphy and angiography. A preliminary diagnosis of PE was made in 70 patients; a final diagnosis of PE was made in 63 patients, of which 56 had and 7 did not have a preliminary diagnosis of PE. The preliminary diagnosis therefore showed 89% sensitivity and 74% specificity, with a total accuracy of 82%. In patients with massive PE, sensitivity and negative predictive values of the preliminary diagnosis were 97% and 98%, respectively. Echocardiography was poorly sensitive (51%) but highly specific (87%) for PE. Thus, the integration of clinical likelihood, echocardiography, and venous duplex scanning provides a practical approach to patients with suspected PE, allows the rapid implementation of appropriate management strategies, and may reduce or postpone the need for further instrumental evaluation of more limited access.     

Molecular Classification and Pharmacogenetics of Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia: An Initial Approach toward Precision Medicine

Primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) is a rare and aggressive variant of multiple myeloma (MM) which may represent a valid model for high-risk MM. This disease is associated with a very poor prognosis, and unfortunately, it has not significantly improved during the last three decades. New high-throughput technologies have allowed a better understanding of the molecular basis of this disease and moved toward risk stratification, providing insights for targeted therapy studies. This knowledge, added to the pharmacogenetic profile of new and old agents in the analysis of efficacy and safety, could contribute to help clinical decisions move toward a precision medicine and a better clinical outcome for these patients. In this review, we describe the available literature concerning the genomic characterization and pharmacogenetics of plasma cell leukemia (PCL).     

Osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells cultured on poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate), poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffolds

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine - A thin endocrown restoration was often applied in endodontically treated teeth with vertical bite height loss or inadequate clinical crown...     

Investigation of fracture resistance of natural rubber/clay nanocomposites by J-testing

The present work is aimed at studying the fracture behavior of a series of vulcanized natural rubber/organoclay samples obtained by melt blending. A fracture mechanics approach based on J-testing was adopted to evaluate the material resistance to crack initiation and propagation from a J-resistance curve as experimentally obtained by a single specimen procedure. The basis of the method and the experimental procedure adopted are described. Further, the effect of the organoclay content within the elastomeric matrix on the fracture properties is analyzed. It is found that the capability of the organoclay to improve fracture resistance is rate dependent indicating the viscoelastic character of the fracture process in such filled systems.     

Hybrid biocomposites with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties for structural applications

The current work focuses on enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of sisal fiber reinforced composites that were previously used in developing interior automotive trims. In order to extend their use in other structural applications, two hybrid biocomposites with the combination of sisal (SF) and glass fiber (GF)‐SF20/GF10 and SF10/GF20 were blended with polypropylene via extrusion and injection molding process. Critical material properties such as density, fogging, acoustic, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties were evaluated and results were analyzed using ANOVA. Hybridization of SF and GF enhanced flexural strength and thermal properties of the biocomposites by 33 and 19%, respectively, while no significant change in acoustic, impact and rheological properties were observed. The properties of the hybrid biocomposites were compared with the material specification of a battery tray and it was found that these hybrid biocomposites could be better alternative materials in structural applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42452.