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NiTi dominates the market of shape memory materials due to its optimal combination of mechanical, functional, and biocompatibility properties, which enabled its use for several applications, in particular for the [...]

A kidney-transplanted patient, unvaccinated against yellow fever (YF), developed high fever, progressed rapidly to hepatic insufficiency and coma, and died 8 days later. Real-time polymarase chain reaction for YF virus collected on the seventh day of symptoms was positive. Autopsy showed disseminated infection and midzonal hepatitis with apoptotic hepatocytes and minimal inflammatory reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A derivative UV-vis spectrophotometric procedure for the simultaneous determination of Zofenopril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and Hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, in tablets is developed and applied. The procedure is based on the use of the fourth-derivative ultraviolet spectra, by utilizing the derivative peak amplitude. The calibration graph is found to be linear in the range of 5.0-40 μg mL-1 for Zofenopril and 1.0-20 μg mL-1 for Hydrochlorothiazide. The proposed method is simple, rapid and gives accurate and precise results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction - Rhamnus alpinus L. (Rhamnaceae), a traditional plants in the flora of the Abruzzo region, is known to contain active anthraquinone secondary metabolites. However, the content of anthraquinones varies among R. alpinus samples depending on collection season and site. Thus, using simple, reliable and accurate analytical methods for the determination of anthraquinones in R. alpinus extracts allows comparative study of different methods of extraction. Objective - After a partial validation of an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of five anthraquinones, aloe-emodine, rheine, emodine, chrysophanol and physcione, in the bark of R. alpinus, we compared three different methods of extraction. Methodology - Anthraquinones were extracted from the bark of R. alpinus using different techniques (methanol maceration, ultrasonic and supercritical CO2 extraction). Separation and quantification of anthraquinones were accomplished using a reversed-phase C18 column with the mobile phase of H2O-methanol (40 : 60, v/v, 1% formic acid) at a wavelength of 254 nm. The qualitative analyses were also achieved at wavelength of 435 nm. Results - All calibration curves were linear over the concentration range tested (10-200 mM) with the determination coefficients ≥0.991. The detection limits (S/N = 3) were 5 mM for each analytes. All five anthraquinones were found in the samples tested at concentrations reported in experimental data. Conclusion - The described HPLC method and optimised extraction procedure are simple, accurate and selective for separation and quantification of anthraquinones in the bark of R. alpinus and allow evaluation of the best extraction procedure between the tested assays. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has indicated that corpus callosum atrophy is associated with global cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases, but few studies have investigated specific cognitive functions.Objective: To investigate the role of regional corpus callosum atrophy in mental speed, attention and executive functions in subjects with age-related white matter hyperintensities (WMH).Methods: In the Leukoaraiosis and Disability Study, 567 subjects with age-related WMH were examined with a detailed neuropsychological assessment and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. The relationships of the total corpus callosum area and its subregions with cognitive performance were analysed using multiple linear regression, controlling for volume of WMH and other confounding factors.Results: Atrophy of the total corpus callosum area was associated with poor performance in tests assessing speed of mental processing--namely, trail making A and Stroop test parts I and II. Anterior, but not posterior, corpus callosum atrophy was associated with deficits of attention and executive functions as reflected by the symbol digit modalities and digit cancellation tests, as well as by the subtraction scores in the trail making and Stroop tests. Furthermore, semantic verbal fluency was related to the total corpus callosum area and the isthmus subregion.Conclusions: Corpus callosum atrophy seems to contribute to cognitive decline independently of age, education, coexisting WMH and stroke. Anterior corpus callosum atrophy is related to the frontal-lobe-mediated executive functions and attention, whereas overall corpus callosum atrophy is associated with the slowing of processing speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diaper dermatitis, which is the most common form of contact dermatitis in the newborn and in baby, is a consequence of prolonged contact with urine and feces, mainly affecting the diapered area. A clinical trial was carried out in order to verify whether the distribution of the hydrogel superabsorbents (HS) in the structure of the diaper is able to affect the incidence of dermatitis. The trial was carried out on 200 babies, age range from 1 to 24 months. It was divided into 2 groups. It was concluded that group A babies showed lower incidence of dermatitis in which diapers were containing HS on the cellulose mat surface than group B in which diapers were containing HS blended with the cellulose fluff.

Abstract: The fourth-order derivative spectrum from the alcoholic sample is used. HCT can be determined by a specific peak–trough, of low intensity, at 330–340 nm. For IST evaluation, a peak–trough around 250–310 nm is available, common to both products, whose amplitude increases linearly only for low concentration values, while it decreases at higher values. The most difficult aspect of the analysis lies in how to find the optimal concentration range, so that both signals can be evaluated simultaneously. The best results were achieved by using a linear regression for HCT and a regression plane for IST. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]