MedWorm: Materials Science Top 20

Pathologic Complete Response of HER-2 Neu-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Ductal Carcinoma In Situ following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy plus Trastuzumab: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Journal of Nanomaterials — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:27:25 +0100

We report a case of pCR of DCIS associated with invasive carcinoma in an HER-2 + tumor after NC plus trastuzumab despite persistence of malignant-appearing microcalcifications mammographically. A 41-year-old Caucasian female presented with a 4×4 cm mass in the right breast and a 2.5 cm right axillary node. Mammogram showed a 2.5 cm mass and a 12 cm area of linear pleomorphic, suspicious calcifications in the upper part of the breast. Core biopsy revealed invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS associated with calcifications (ER 85%, PR 6%, Her2neu 3+ by IHC). Axillary node FNA was positive for malignancy. The patient received doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) → paclitaxel plus T with complete clinical and radiologic response but no significant cha...

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Compromised Rat Testicular Antioxidant Defence System by Hypothyroidism before Puberty

Journal of Nanomaterials — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:18:07 +0100

The objective of the present study is to investigate the modulation of antioxidant defence status in neonatal persistent hypothyroid rats before their sexual maturation and also to identify the specific testicular cell populations vulnerable to degeneration during neonatal hypothyroidism in immature rats. Hypothyroidism was induced in neonates by feeding the lactating mother with 0.05% 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) through the drinking water. From the day of parturition till weaning (25 day postpartum), the pups received PTU through mother's milk (or) drinking water and then directly from drinking water containing PTU for the remaining period of experimentation. On the 31st day postpartum, the animals were sacrificed for the study. An altered antioxidant defence system marked by el...

Why Did Americans Reject Compulsory Health Insurance after WWI? An Application of the Lifecycle Model

Journal of Nanomaterials — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:27:25 +0100

Progressive reformers failed to gain support to implement compulsory health insurance in the US after WWI. Modeling results presented in this paper, using a lifecycle model with sickness risk and precautionary savings, support the conclusion that existing voluntary insurance plans were adequate and welfare-enhancing in the US, that compulsory health insurance as proposed would not be welfare-enhancing, and that Americans' preference to self-insure during most of their working lives was rational, utility-maximizing behaviour. (Source: Journal of Nanomaterials)

The Methodology of Doppler-Derived Central Blood Flow Measurements in Newborn Infants

Journal of Nanomaterials — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:18:07 +0100

Central blood flow (CBF) measurements are measurements in and around the heart. It incorporates cardiac output, but also measurements of cardiac input and assessment of intra- and extracardiac shunts. CBF can be measured in the central circulation as right or left ventricular output (RVO or LVO) and/or as cardiac input measured at the superior vena cava (SVC flow). Assessment of shunts incorporates evaluation of the ductus arteriosus and the foramen ovale. This paper describes the methodology of CBF measurements in newborn infants. It provides a brief overview of the evolution of Doppler ultrasound blood flow measurements, basic principles of Doppler ultrasound, and an overview of all used methodology in the literature. A general guide for interpretation and normal values with suggested cu...

Multifunctional QD-based co-delivery of siRNA and doxorubicin to HeLa cells for reversal of multidrug resistance and real-time tracking.

Biomaterials — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:33 +0100

In this study, two CdSe/ZnSe QDs modified with β-CD coupled to L-Arg or L-His were used to simultaneously deliver doxorubicin (Dox) and siRNA targeting the MDR1 gene to reverse the multidrug resistance of HeLa cells. In this co-delivery system, Dox was firstly encapsulated into the hydrophobic cavities of β-CD, resulting in bypass of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug efflux. After complex formation of the mdr1 siRNA with Dox-loaded QDs via electrostatic interaction, significant down-regulation of mdr1 mRNA levels and P-gp expression was achieved as shown by RT-PCR and Western blotting experiments, respectively. The number of apoptotic HeLa cells after treatment with the complexes substantially exceeded the number of apoptotic cells induced by free Dox only. The intrinsic fluorescence o...

An Unusual Case of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Journal of Nanomaterials — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:10:59 +0100

A 10-year-old boy presented with a 3-day history of worsening abdominal pain, fever, emesis and melena. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a right upper quadrant mass that was confirmed by computed tomography angiogram (CTA), which showed an 8 cm well-defined retroperitoneal vascular mass. 123Iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine (123MIBG) scan indicated uptake only in the abdominal mass. Subsequent biopsy revealed a paraganglioma that was treated with chemotherapy. This case represents an unusual presentation of a paraganglioma associated with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and highlights the utility of CTA and 123MIBG in evaluation and treatment. (Source: Journal of Nanomaterials)

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Phosphorescent nanoparticles for quantitative measurements of oxygen profiles in vitro and in vivo.

Biomaterials — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:45 +0100

We present the development and characterization of nanoparticles loaded with a custom phosphor; we exploit these nanoparticles to perform quantitative measurements of the concentration of oxygen within three-dimensional (3-D) tissue cultures in vitro and blood vessels in vivo. We synthesized a customized ruthenium (Ru)-phosphor and incorporated it into polymeric nanoparticles via self-assembly. We demonstrate that the encapsulated phosphor is non-toxic with and without illumination. We evaluated two distinct modes of employing the phosphorescent nanoparticles for the measurement of concentrations of oxygen: 1) in vitro, in a 3-D microfluidic tumor model via ratiometric measurements of intensity with an oxygen-insensitive fluorophore as a reference, and 2) in vivo, in mouse vasculature ...

Primary Cutaneous Melanoma Arising in a Long-Standing Irradiated Keloid

Journal of Nanomaterials — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:50:03 +0100

We describe a case in which a primary desmoplastic melanoma arose in a long-standing, previously irradiated keloid. (Source: Journal of Nanomaterials)

Venous Air Embolism Leading to Cardiac Arrest in an Infant with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

Journal of Nanomaterials — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:27:25 +0100

We present a case of gas embolism occurring in the immediate postoperative period in an infant with cyanotic congenital heart disease after palliative cardiac surgery resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest. The embolism was diagnosed by visualization of air within the vessel creating an airlock and occluding pulmonary blood flow. (Source: Journal of Nanomaterials)

Giant Diaphragmatic Angiosarcoma of Adult: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Journal of Nanomaterials — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:29:42 +0100

We present the case of an adult patient who had a primary giant angiosarcoma of the left-sided diaphragm. (Source: Journal of Nanomaterials)

Investigation of Platelet Responses and Clotting Characteristics of in situ Albumin Binding Surfaces

Journal of Biomaterials Applications — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The response of biomaterial surfaces when exposed to blood is in part dependent upon the nature and composition of the adsorbed layer of proteins. Surfaces passivated with albumin have been shown to reduce platelet adhesion and activation. In an attempt to develop surfaces that can selectively and specifically bind albumin, silicon-based surfaces were functionalized with linear peptides and chemical ligands that displayed an affinity for albumin. Peptide functionalized surfaces were observed to preferentially bind albumin when compared to human immunoglobulin and human fibrinogen, which possess low densities of surface adsorbed platelets. The platelet morphology was noted to be discoid on the peptide modified surface. Both the unmodified control and SCL functionalized surfaces had high den...

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Influence of Synthesis Conditions on the Physicochemical Properties and Catalytic Activity of Fe/Cr-Pillared Bentonites

Journal of Nanomaterials — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:18:07 +0100

The synthesis of Fe/Cr-pillared bentonites starting from a 2% clay suspension and also from dry clay using ultrasound treatment for both the aging and the intercalation steps of the pillaring solution considerably reduces the time and the amount of water required compared with the conventional synthesis method. The catalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive system (SEM-EDS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 and CO2-adsorption/desorption, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and the catalytic activity of selected samples was evaluated for the phenol oxidation reaction. The results of XRD analysis showed that delaminated Fe/Cr-pillared bentonite with d001 valu...

Inhibitory Effect of Polyphenol-Rich Fraction from the Bark of Acacia mearnsii on Itching Associated with Allergic Dermatitis

Journal of Nanomaterials — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:10:59 +0100

We examined the inhibitory effect of polyphenol-rich aqueous extract from the bark of Acacia mearnsii (PrA) on itching associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). HR-1 mice were fed a normal diet, special diet (AD group), or special diet containing 3% PrA (PrA group) for 6 weeks. In the AD group, itching frequency and transepidermal water loss increased compared to the control group. In the PrA group, an improvement in atopic dermatitis symptoms was observed. Ceramide expression in the skin decreased in the AD group compared to the control group, but no decrease was observed in the PrA group. mRNA expression of ceramidase decreased in the PrA group compared to the AD group. The results of this study have revealed that PrA inhibits itching in atopic dermatitis by preventing the skin from dr...

Available Bandwidth Estimation in Network-Aware Applications for Wireless Campus e-Learning System

Journal of Nanomaterials — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:20:35 +0100

The constraint of a wireless network has motivated many researchers to develop network-aware applications that can dynamically adjust the users' demand based on network resources. For this to happen, applications need to have some mechanism that can estimate the network bandwidth by simply adjusting their behavior based on the collected network characteristics information. In the past, there have been several proposals that provide passive and active bandwidth estimation approaches for wired and wireless network. However, little effort has been spent to address the crucial issues of reliability and congestion control especially in a wireless network environment, which stay as a sticking point for the success of network-aware application. This paper focuses on providing accurate, low-in...

Lingual Abscess in a Psychiatric Patient: A Case Report

Journal of Nanomaterials — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:20:35 +0100

We present a 46-year-old psychiatric patient presenting with a lingual abscess. This paper covers the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis with a view to assisting emergency physicians in the timely recognition and management of this rare but potentially life-threatening condition. (Source: Journal of Nanomaterials)

Minimization of spectral pattern changes during HRMAS experiments at 37 degrees celsius by prior focused microwave irradiation

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:50:48 +0100

Conclusion We describe here a successful strategy to minimize spectral pattern changes in mouse Gbm samples using a FMW irradiation system. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Research ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10334-012-0303-1Authors Myriam Davila, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Unitat de Bioquímica de Biociències, Edifici Cs, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainAna Paula Candiota, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Unitat de Bioquímica de Biociències, Edifici Cs, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainMartí Pumarola, Murine Pathology Unit, Centre de Biotecnologia Animal i Teràpia Gènica (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallè...

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Classic Dissection of Thoracic Aorta Complicated by Ascending Aortic Intramural Hematoma: Promt Diagnosis and Successful Endovascular Repair

Journal of Nanomaterials — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:20:35 +0100

We reported a case of 68-year-old man, with a previous history of hypertension. Patient was admitted to our institution for evaluation of a severe, constant, tearing anterior chest pain radiated to the neck with suspicion of acute aortic dissection. A multidetector computed tomography scan of thorax and abdomen demonstrated a dissection starting from the middle part of aortic arch and extending downward to the descending aorta till the middle part of the thoracic aorta. The dissection was classified as Stanford A, De Bakey I. Surgical treatment of patient was started with bypass graft from the right common carotid artery to the left common carotid with subsequent revascularization of left subclavian artery. Lower parts of above-mentioned arteries were ligated. At the second stage an emerge...

PTLD Burkitt Lymphoma in a Patient with Remote Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis

Journal of Nanomaterials — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:27:25 +0100

We report the case of a patient with renal transplantation for SLE, who presented, 9 months after renal transplantation, an EBV-associated LG limited to the intracranial structures that recovered completely after adjustment of her immunosuppressive treatment. Nine years later, she developed a second PTLD disorder with central nervous system initial manifestation. Workup revealed an EBV-positive PTLD Burkitt lymphoma, widely disseminated in most organs. In summary, the reported patient presented two lymphoproliferative disorders (LG and Burkitt's lymphoma), both with initial neurological manifestation, at 9 years interval. With careful reduction of the immunosuppression after the first manifestation and with the use of chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy after the second manifestation, ...

Silk protein fibroin from Antheraea mylitta for cardiac tissue engineering.

Biomaterials — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:58 +0100

In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that A. mylitta silk fibroin 3D scaffolds are suitable for the engineering of cardiac patches. PMID: 22240510 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Biomaterials)

Crystalline Transformation of Colloidal Nanoparticles on Graphene Oxide

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:42:34 +0100

ACS Applied Materials & InterfacesDOI: 10.1021/am201666q (Source: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces)