The technique implemented at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has the particularity of being able

to operate in high magnetic fields of up to 7 T. The Gd3N@C80 shows a paramagnetic Apoptosis inhibitor behavior and we find a spin transition of the Gd3N structure at 1.2 K. We perform quantum mechanical simulations, which indicate that one of the Gd ions changes from a S-8(7/2) state (L-0, S-7/2) to a F-7(6) state (L-S-3, J-6), likely due to a charge transfer between the C-80 cage and the ion. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3536514]“
“Very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE) was compounded with polypropylene (PP) to improve its impact strength. VLDPE was modified by grafting 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate silane (MS) to VLDPE to prepare mVLDPE. PP was melt-mixed either with VLDPE or mVLDPE together with Cloisite (R) 20A (C20A). The composites exhibited a phase-separated morphology, irrespective of whether the VLDPE had been modified with the silane compounds or not. Incorporation of C20A decreased the domain size of the dispersed VX-770 datasheet phases of both PP/VLDPE and PP/mVLDPE blends. The tensile strength and elongation at break of PP/VLDPE and PP/mVLDPE were improved by the addition of C20A. In contrast, their impact strengths were reduced

by the clay. However, the decrease in impact strength was less significant in PP/mVLDPE/C20A than in PP/VLDPE/C20A. The superior mechanical properties of PP/mVLDPE/C20A AZD7762 purchase over PP/VLDPE/C20A were attributed to enhanced interfacial interactions originating from chemical reactions between silane residues on mVLDPE and the silanol groups of C20A. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 35473552, 2011″
“Purpose: To measure the width of the zone of transition (ZOT) between nonaerated solid tumor and surrounding nonneoplastic lung parenchyma and determine the extent to which ZOT influences computer-derived

estimates of tumor volume based on computed tomographic (CT) images.

Materials and Methods: This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional research board. The histologic slide containing the maximum tumor area was digitized for 20 consecutive patients with solid adenocarcinoma. The outer border of the tumor (A2) was marked; it included all lung parenchyma having any tumor cells. The inner border of the tumor (A1) was marked; it included only solid tumor where lung parenchyma was no longer preserved. Assuming two circles with areas of A2 and A1, the corresponding two radii, R2 and R1, were calculated. The average width of the ZOT was defined as R2 minus R1. The relationship between ZOT and tumor diameter on the CT images prior to surgery was assessed by using regression analysis. The relationship between ZOT and tumor volume was assessed by using a theoretical model of idealized spheres with varying diameters.

Results: The mean width of the ZOT was 0.78 mm (median, 0.48 mm).

The review of the literature revealed 4 reports with a total of 9 patients who received TCZ for PMR. In 7 of these 9 patients, PMR was associated with giant cell arteritis. Including our patients, 5 patients received TCZ alone and 6 TCZ plus GC. A good response to TCZ treatment was observed in all patients reported in the literature without any major adverse events.

Conclusions: TCZ both as monotherapy and in association with GC appears to be mostly effective and safe to treat patients with PMR. However,

larger controlled studies are required to confirm these favorable data. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma(ESS) is a rare uterine malignancy which often metastasizes several years after initial diagnosis. Thoracic spine is a rare ESS metastatic site ACY-1215 inhibitor and its proper management is still not a consensus. We discuss the histopathological features and the management strategies through an illustrative case of a 77 year-old woman with metastasis to the thoracic spine 13 years after total hysterectomy for ESS.

Methods: Review of

the literature and identification of 5 patients, including our present case, with ESS involving the spinal cord. We discuss the outcomes achieved after each therapy. In our case, the 4EGI-1 patient presented a mass involving the thoracic spinal canal constricting the spinal cord at T7 level. A two-level decompression laminectomy was performed and the lesion was partially excised.

Results: The histopathological along with the immunohistochemical profile mitotic rate indicated the endometrial stromal cells origin of the tumor, confirming the diagnosis of a low-grade ESS metastasis. The patient was managed with surgery in combination with postoperative radiation therapy.

Conclusions: selleckchem The small number of published cases precludes definitive conclusions regarding standard

management. However, it seems that treatment of metastatic ESS to the spine matches the same general concepts of spine metastasis, namely surgery followed by radiation therapy, due to clinical improvement and long-term disease control of the reported cases. Hormonal therapy may be considered in recurrent disease with strong expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors. However, these findings need confirmation in larger studies. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Magnetic hysteresis loss and refrigerant capacity of the NaZn13-type La0.5Pr0.5Fe11.5-xCoxSi1.5 (0 <= x <= 1.0) compounds have been investigated. The substitution of Co in the La0.5Pr0.5Fe11.5Si1.5 causes the order of phase transition at T-C to change from first order to second order at x=0.6. Although the magnetic entropy change decreases with increasing Co concentration, the hysteresis loss at T-C also reduces remarkably from 94.8 J/kg for x=0 to 1.8 J/kg for x=0.4 because an increase in Co content can weaken the itinerant electron metamagnetic transition.

From optical transmittance measurements, the absorption edge of 0.768 eV was determined for the 1 mu m a-plane film, consistent

with the expected Burstein-Moss effect. Photoluminescence spectra exhibited a lower energy peak at 0.631 eV, suggesting defect-related transitions.”
“The present study aimed to evaluate the persistent efficacy of a 3.5% doramectin* (700 mu g/kg) formulation compared to 3.15% ivermectin** (630 mu g/kg) treatment, administered subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mL/50 kg body weight in cattle experimentally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Seventy-two male crossbred Holstein cattle that were negative for helminth infection were divided into nine groups. Treatments of 3.5% doramectin (Groups 2, 4, 6 and and 3.15% ivermectin (Groups 3, 5, 7 and 9) were selleck chemicals administered on days 49, Duvelisib mw 42, 35 and 28 prior to challenge with infectious nematode larvae (L3). Animals in the control group (Group 1) received saline solution on day 49 before challenge. Beginning on day zero, each animal received 50 mL orally of a mixed culture containing approximately 3,000 third stage larvae (13) of Haemonchus (60%), Oesophagostomum (20%), Cooperia (15%) and Trichostrongylus (5%) for seven consecutive days, resulting in a total challenge of 21,000 larvae/animal.

Due to the large number of cattle, autopsies were performed between days 28 and 35 after the last day of inoculation. The formulation containing doramectin (700 mcg/kg) achieved persistent efficacy against H. placei and C. punctata for 49 and 35 days, respectively. The persistent efficacy of ivermectin (630 mcg/kg) against H. placei lasted for 49 days, but this treatment was ineffective against C punctata. Both formulations demonstrated persistent efficacy against T. axe! for 49 days. The persistent efficacy of doramectin (700 mcg/kg) and ivermectin (630 mcg/kg) lasted for 49 and 42 days against O. radiatum,

respectively. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All LY2835219 research buy rights reserved.”
“Gas gangrene of the breast is a rare infection and potentially mortal.

We report a case of a fast extension of a painful right breast erythema whose starting point was a right parasternal cutaneous abscess. A diagnosis of gas gangrene of the right breast was made. A right mammectomy was carried out in Emergency and an antibiotherapy adapted to the germs was given.

Mixed anaerobic and aerobic florae are often responsible for the infection. Its medico-surgical management is an emergency.”
“Modulational instability of a high power laser radiation in a homogeneous unmagnetized piezoelectric semiconductor plasma has been investigated analytically.

1 tract of a chromosome 16. Array-CGH analysis unravelled a partial 16q21q22.1 monosomy, localised in the rearranged chromosome

16.

Conclusions: The comparison of the present case to other 16q21q22 monosomies contributed to narrow down the critical region for cardiac anomalies in the 16q22 deletion syndrome. However, more cases, well characterised both for phenotypic signs and genomic details, are needed to further restrict candidate regions for phenotypic signs in 16q deletions. The present case also provided evidence that a very complex rearrangement, possibly caused by a chromothripsis event, might be hidden behind a classical phenotype that is specific for a syndrome.”
“Arabidopsis Prexasertib price wax components containing CH5183284 concentration secondary functional groups were examined (i) to test the biosynthetic relationship between secondary alcohols and ketols and (ii) to determine the regiospecificity and substrate preference of the enzyme involved in ketol biosynthesis. The stem wax of Arabidopsis wild type contained homologous series of C(27) to C(31) secondary alcohols (2.4 mu g cm(-2)) and C(28) to C(30) ketones (6.0 mu g cm(-2)) dominated by C(29) homologues. In addition, compound classes containing two secondary functional groups were identified as C(29) diols (similar to 0.05 mu g cm(-2)) and ketols (similar to 0.16 mu g cm(-2)). All four compound

classes showed characteristic isomer distributions, with functional groups located between C-14 and C-16. In the mah1 mutant stem wax, diols and ketols could not be detected, while the amounts of secondary alcohols and ketones were drastically reduced. In two MAH1-overexpressing lines, equal amounts of C(29) and C(31) secondary alcohols were detected. Based on the comparison of homologue and isomer compositions between the different genotypes, it can be concluded that biosynthetic pathways Selleck Galunisertib lead

from alkanes to secondary alcohols, and via ketones or diols to ketols. It seems plausible that MAH1 is the hydroxylase enzyme involved in all these conversions in Arabidopsis thaliana.”
“The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy and systemic toxicity of chitosan-based plumbagin microspheres in comparison to free plumbagin. The optimized formulation had a mean particle size of 106.35 mu m with an encapsulation efficiency of 80.12%. Pharmacokinetic studies showed a 22.2-fold increase in elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of plumbagin from chitosan microspheres as compared to free plumbagin. Administration of plumbagin microspheres resulted in a significant tumor growth inhibition and reduced systemic toxicity. These results suggest that chitosan-based microspheres could be a promising strategy for the systemic delivery of anti-cancer agents like plumbagin.</.”
“Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) is a climacteric fruit that ripens after harvest, prior to human consumption.

Significant differences among fractions and crude extracts were found in total phenolic content (Folin Ciocalteu), antioxidant capacity by scavenging hydroxyl and DPPH radical assays. Purified fractions SRT1720 manufacturer showed antihypertensive effects inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme and cardioprotection inhibiting low density lipoprotein oxidation. The HPLC profile displayed phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, catechin, gallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, rutin, and luteolin that may explain these antioxidant and biological properties. Mesquite leaves can be a source of bioactive phenolics as nutraceutical

ingredients. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Epidermolytic acanthoma is an uncommon benign tumor with a predilection https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pf-562271.html for the anogenital region, that is characterized histologically by epidermolytic

hyperkeratosis. Most reported cases are asymptomatic while some are pruritic. Treatment of this condition is challenging and not well studied. We report a 55-year-old man with pruritic anogenital epidermolytic acanthomas that persisted despite various topical and ablative therapies, and whose pruritus was not relieved with emollients and antihistamines. He was given 0.1% tacrolimus ointment twice daily and experienced a marked improvement in his pruritus within 2 weeks. At 1 month, there was marked improvement in itch score from 8 to 3.5 (maximum of 10), itch frequency from 20 times a day to once every 4 days, sleep score from 5 to 1 (maximum of 5), and Dermatology Life Quality Index score from 15 to 5 (maximum of 30). Apart from a transient burning sensation, no other adverse effects were noted. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the effective use of a topical calcineurin inhibitor in relieving the intractable find more itch associated with epidermolytic acanthoma.”
“Background/Aims: Long-term memory requires fine-tuning regulation of gene expression

in specific neural circuits of the brain. Transcriptional regulation of gene programs is a key mechanism for memory storage and its deregulation may contribute to synaptic and cognitive dysfunction in memory disorders. The molecular mechanisms underlying changes on activity-dependent gene expression in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are largely unknown. Methods: We analyzed the expression of activity-dependent genes regulated by the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and activation of CREB and its coactivator CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) in control and mutant beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP(Sw,Ind); Swedish and Indiana mutations) transgenic mice. Results: Gene expression analyses revealed specific downregulation of a subset of well-known activity-induced CREB-dependent genes, including c-fos, Bdnf and Nr4a2, in the hippocampus of memory-impaired APP(Sw,Ind) transgenic mice.

“
“Polycrystalline PrCuMn6O12 sample has been successfully synthesized. It has been characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetic and magnetotransport measurements at ambient pressure, and transport property measurements under pressures. From the refinements Selleck MK-4827 of XRD data, a cubic phase and a trigonal phase with charge ordering state were identified at higher and lower temperatures, respectively. The temperature dependence of the resistance indicates that the phase transition is a first-order transition. Both effective

paramagnetic moments of the trigonal and cubic phases can be explained by orbital moment freezing theory. The transport property of the trigonal phase has been Vorinostat concentration fitted with Mott’s law for variable range hopping. Though the magnetoresistance value is not large, the pressure-induced resistance value change of PrCuMn6O12 is positive and achieves 264.8%. The cubic phase is suppressed under pressure and transformed to the trigonal phase at 15 kbar, indicating favor of the charge ordering state under pressure. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3294608]“
“Purpose: The aim of the work is to evaluate the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the decrease in

myotube formation induced by ionizing radiation. Materials and methods: We induced C2C12 cells to a myogenic linage following X-ray irradiation at 2 and 4Gy. Myogenic differentiation was estimated using immnocytochemical staining with anti-myosin antibody, and the anti-myosin antibody positive areas, the total number of nuclei, the number of nuclei included in multinucleated myotubes per field, and the myotube formation ratio were analyzed. Results: In the myogenic differentiation in the presence of IGF-1, the decrease in anti-myosin antibody positive

areas, the nuclei included in myotubes, and the myotube formation ratio induced by X-ray irradiation at 2Gy was restored to control levels. Conclusions: The addition of IGF-1 protected against the decrease myotube formation induced by X-ray irradiation at 2Gy. Since X-ray irradiation at 2Gy is usually used for multi-fractionated irradiation in radiotherapy, our findings suggest that IGF-1 could be useful to protect check details against impairment of muscle repair induced by therapeutic dose radiation.”
“Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) and the formation of calcium oxalate urolithiasis (COU). Methods: Renal cortex samples were obtained from patients undergoing nephrectomy and divided into 3 groups: (1) urolithiasic group (n = 44); (2) hydronephrosis-without-stone group (control group A, n = 6), and (3) normal control group (control group B, n = 21). Immunohistochemical technique was established to study the location of GGCX in renal tissues.

Here, Affymetrix GeneChips (R) were used to examine the S. aureus responses to inorganic acid and alkaline shock and to assess whether stress-dependent changes in mRNA turnover are likely to facilitate the organism’s ability to tolerate

a pH challenge. The results indicate that S. aureus adapts to pH shock by eliciting responses expected of cells coping with pH alteration, including neutralizing cellular pH, DNA repair, amino acid biosynthesis, and virulence factor expression. Further, the S. aureus response to alkaline conditions is strikingly similar to that of stringent response-induced cells. Indeed, we show that alkaline shock stimulates the accumulation of the stringent response activator (p)ppGpp. The results also revealed that pH shock significantly Acalabrutinib in vitro alters the mRNA properties of the cell. A comparison of the mRNA degradation properties of transcripts whose titers either increased or decreased in response to a

sudden pH change revealed that alterations in mRNA degradation may, in part, account for the changes in the mRNA ABT-263 ic50 levels of factors predicted to mediate pH tolerance. A set of small stable RNA molecules were induced in response to acid- or alkaline-shock conditions and may mediate adaptation to pH stress.”
“Background: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase gene completely overlaps with the envelope gene. In the present study we aimed to monitor the prevalence and pattern of the typical mutations for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) escape, and concomitantly nucleos(t)ide analog (NUC) resistance mutations, in Turkish patients undergoing different antiviral therapies and in treatment-naive

patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: The investigation was undertaken between March 2007 and August 2009 and involved a total of 142 patients under NUC therapy (88 males; mean age 42 years (range 13-68); hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negativity in 94 patients; HBV DNA median log 4.3 log(10) IU/ml (range 2.0->6.0); alanine aminotransferase (ALT) median level 76.1 IU/ml (range 12-1082)) and 185 treatment-naive CHB patients (120 males; mean age 39 years (range 1-76 years); HBeAg negativity in 132 patients; MLN4924 mouse HBV DNA median log 3.5 log(10) IU/ml (range 2.0-6.0); ALT median level 60.7 IU/l (range 8-874)).

Results: The overall prevalence of typical HBsAg escape mutations found in the CHB patients was 8.3% (27/327). In the NUC therapy group the prevalence was 8.5% (12/142), with the following patterns: sY100C + sI110V, sL109I, sP120T, sP127T, sG130R + sG145X, sS132A + sY134N, sY134N + sG145R, sC137G, sD144E, sG145R. In the treatment-naive group the prevalence was 8.1% (15/185), with the following patterns: sL109I, sI110V, sS117INST, sP120T, sP127T, sM133I, sC137L + sG145R, sS143L. However, NUC resistance mutations were found in 7.7% (11/142) of the patients on NUC therapy and 3.8% (7/185) of the treatment-naive group patients.

Twenty-two (41%) patients had fixed FPH (defined as pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR] >3 Wood units and resistant to pulmonary vasodilators) prior to VAD implant (FPH group) and were compared with 32 patients without FPH (NoFPH group). Baseline characteristics, pre- and post-transplant pulmonary pressures, incidence of complications and post-transplant survival were analyzed.

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar except that patients in the FPH group were older (46 +/- 11 years vs 39 +/- 13 years in the NoFPH group, p < 0.05). The mean pre-VAD PVR was 4.3 +/- 1.7

Wood units in the FPH group and 1.7 +/- 0.5 Wood units in the NoFPH group (p < 0.001). Pulmonary pressures were higher in the FPH group immediately prior to VAD implant, but they were comparable immediately pre-transplant and during the first year post-transplant. Nutlin-3 research buy The incidence of post-transplant RV failure was not significantly different between groups. Post-transplant selleck products survival was similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: VAD therapy successfully decreases pulmonary hypertension, even in patients with “”fixed”" FPH, allowing candidacy for heart transplantation. Among bridge-to-transplant

candidates, the presence of FPH does not reduce post-transplant survival. J Heart Lung Transplant 2010;29:1253-8 (C) 2010 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.”
“Objectives. The aim was to evaluate whether patients with calcifications in the carotid region detectable by panoramic radiograph differ in the prevalence of risk factors for stroke development compared with those without calcifications.

Study design. Forty consecutive individuals suffering from proven carotid artery see more atherosclerotic occlusive disease were submitted to carotid endarterectomy. Seventeen patients were symptomatic at the time of referral, having suffered at least 1 episode of ischemic cerebral event during the preceding 6 months,

mainly transient ischemic attacks or amaurosis fugax, and the remaining 23 patients were asymptomatic and the diagnosis was reached during a thorough investigation of coexisting coronary or peripheral vascular disease. Preoperatively, all patients had undergone panoramic radiograph examination, as the presurgical protocol commanded. Based on the panoramic radiograph results, patients in whom calcifications were detected either unilaterally (n = 10) or bilaterally (n = 18) constituted group A (n = 28) and patients in whom no calcifications were detected constituted group B (n = 12) of this study.

Results. Univariate analysis among several risk factors for stroke development between the 2 groups of patients disclosed a stastistically significant lower incidence of diabetes mellitus (P = .005) but a higher incidence of symptomatic plaques (P < .030) in the group of patients with detectable calcifications in the panoramic radiograph.

Conclusion.

We suggest that multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors cooperatively induce EMT in lung cancer. Intrinsic factors include oncogenic genetic changes such as mutant K-RAS. Extrinsic factors are associated with a tumour microenvironment that is inflammatory and hypoxic. The induction of EMT is primarily mediated by various EMT-inducing transcription factors that suppress E-cadherin expression, including SLUG and ZEB1. miR-200 family expression can reverse EMT by suppressing EMT- inducing transcription factors. Obviously,

more data demonstrating the clinical relevance HIF inhibitor of EMT in lung cancer are required, and further elucidation of how EMT is regulated in lung cancer will enable us to develop novel therapeutics selleck inhibitor that specifically target molecules with critical roles in EMT.”
“Given the important role of insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and in light of common barriers to insulin use, new strategies for insulin delivery by routes other than intravenous and subcutaneous injection have been investigated since the discovery of insulin in the 1920s. Most companies researching and developing pulmonary administration systems for the use of insulin announced the termination

of product development following the failure of the first US FDA-approved inhaled insulin product, Exubera(R). One company in particular continued their pursuit of a useful inhaled insulin product. MannKind Corporation has developed a powder formulation of insulin that allows for a high percentage of the administered insulin to be absorbed via the lung. Their product, AFREZZA(TM) (Technosphere(R) insulin), is currently under review by the FDA for

use in patients with diabetes. Technosphere(R) insulin appears to overcome some of the barriers that contributed to the market withdrawal of Exubera(R) by the manufacturer. Studies with Technosphere(R) insulin have shown it to be a unique insulin formulation in that it is very rapid acting, has a relatively short duration of action, and is efficacious in terms of improved glycemic control I-BET-762 without contributing to increased weight gain or the incidence of hypoglycemia when compared with other prandial insulin products. Additionally, Technosphere(R) insulin has demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile in clinical studies to date.”
“The pleural cavity constitutes the most frequent extra-abdominal metastatic site in ovarian carcinoma (OC). In patients with OC and pleural effusions, a positive fluid cytology is required for a stage IV diagnosis. Unfortunately, about 30% of malignant pleural effusions exhibit false-negative cytological pleural fluid results. In those circumstances, exploratory video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) serves as a diagnostic, staging and even therapeutic modality.

Of these, Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach), despite its attractiveness, supported minimal survival of the pests’ immature stages. Plants that repelled stemborer pests, notably molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv., and forage legumes in the genus Desmodium, selleckchem were selected as intercrops (push). Desmodium intercrops suppress Striga hermonthica

(Del.) Benth. through an allelopathic mechanism. Their root exudates contain novel flavonoid compounds, which stimulate suicidal germination of S. hermonthica seeds and dramatically inhibit its attachment to host roots. The companion crops provide valuable forage for farm animals while the leguminous intercrops also improve soil fertility and moisture retention.

The system is appropriate as it is based on locally available plants, not expensive external inputs, and fits well with traditional mixed cropping systems in Africa. To date it has been adopted by more than 30 000 smallholder farmers in East Africa where maize yields have increased from similar to 1 t ha(-1) to 3.5 t ha(-1). Y-27632 datasheet Future directions for semiochemical delivery by plants including biotechnological opportunities are discussed.”
“A novel biodegradable aliphatic polycarbonate, poly(propylene carbonate maleate) (PPCMA) was synthesized by terpolymerization of carbon dioxide, propylene oxide, and maleic anhydride (MA), using a polymer supported bimetallic complex as catalyst. The utility of PPCMA to encapsulate and Bafilomycin A1 control the release of drug pazufloxacin mesilate (PZFX), via microcapsules, was investigated. PPCMA microcapsules containing PZFX were elaborated by solvent evaporation

method based on the formation of double W/O/W emulsion. The manufacturing parameters such as the volume ratio of V(PPCMA) : V(PZFX), the concentration of stabilizer gelatin in outer aqueous phase played major roles on microcapsule characters, and were altered to optimize the process parameters. The PPCMA-PZFX microcapsules were obtained with smooth and spherical surface under optimum condition, the mean diameter of microcapsules was similar to 2 mu m, and the drug loading and drug encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules were 22.9 +/- 1.05% and 82.1 +/- 2.03%, respectively. PZFX released from PPCMA microcapsules was found to reach 89.8 +/- 2.89% after 36d in a pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered solution, and the release profile obeyed the Higuchi equation. The results suggest that the new polymer PPCMA provides an alternative to degradable matrix polymers for long-term sustained releasing drug delivery systems. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 3248-3254, 2011″
“Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is an important entity, the significance of which is increasingly recognized. This report examines the available evidence regarding the role, significance, and mechanisms of DHF.