The aim of this study was to evaluate tracheal reconstruction by monolayered autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with small intestine submucosa (SIS) in a rabbit model.

Methods: Twelve KU57788 male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: rabbits

with tracheal defects without reconstruction (untreated group, n = 4), rabbits with tracheal defects given porcine small intestine submucosa graft (SIS group, n = 4), and rabbits with tracheal defects that underwent transplantation of monolayered mesenchymal stem cells on SIS (SIS+MSC group, n = 4). Histological and endoscopic analyses were performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), Prussian blue staining and endoscopy.

Results: Tracheal stenosis in the SIS+MSC group was minimal, compared to the untreated group and SIS group. Specimens obtained from the untreated and SIS groups showed severe infiltration of inflammatory

cells and granulation tissue formation into the trachea. In the SIS+MSC group, however, minimal infiltration of the inflammatory cells and granulation tissue formation were observed. Twelve weeks following the operation, regeneration of pseudostratified columnar epithelium was confirmed by H&E staining with minimal inflammatory cell infiltration in the SIS+MSC group. Moreover, Prussian blue staining clearly demonstrated the presence of labeled MSCs in the regenerated tissue of SIS+MSC group.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that tracheal reconstruction by MSCs with SIS is effective in rabbits with tracheal defects with minimal mortality and morbidity, which appears ABT-737 solubility dmso to be a promising strategy GSK126 mechanism in the treatment of tracheal defects. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: To review

available information in the literature about akathisia (inner restlessness) caused by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Data sources: Databases searched included Medline, PsychInfo, the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Google Scholar. Search terms included drug-induced akathisia, psychomotor agitation, drug-induced side effect, movement disorders, and extrapyramidal symptoms. These search terms were cross-referenced with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and each of the currently marketed SSRIs: fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram.

Study selection: Relevant articles were chosen if they specifically mentioned the word akathisia. Case reports were chosen based on a clear view that an SSRI was a contributing or causative agent of akathisia.

Data synthesis: Recognizing akathisia is important because it can be very bothersome and may cause suicidal ideations. Akathisia can be recognized by examining symptoms, looking at predisposing factors, and using the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS).

Vaginal delivery for triplets might be possible just in particular cases, >28 weeks, with future risks for further pregnancies, after thorough consult with the couple and under strict protocol.”
“This study sought to evaluate the effect of low-level laser treatment combined with scaling and root planing (SRP) on gingival tissue levels of TNF-alpha in subjects with periodontal disease. Eighty gingival papilla biopsy samples were obtained from 60 patients diagnosed with chronic advanced periodontitis; randomly assigned to three treatment groups (n = 20), as well as 20 subjects with no periodontal disease (group A). Group B received SRP on a single quadrant/day BAY 73-4506 chemical structure for four consecutive

days. On day 5, all quadrants were rescaled. Groups C and D received the same treatment as group B plus laser application with the low-level diode laser (630-670 nm, 1.875 J/cm(2)) for five and ten consecutive days, respectively. Papilla biopsies were obtained from subjects and evaluated by ELISA for levels of TNF-alpha. The values in the control group were 5.2 +/- 3.21 pg/mg and baseline values for the examined groups were 46.01 +/- 16.69. Significantly decreased level of TNF-alpha for groups C and D was found after treatment, while group BKM120 mouse B demonstrated reduction of TNF-alpha of 31.34%. The results of this study show suppression of TNF-alpha in

gingival tissue after low-level laser treatment as adjunct to SRP. Data may suggest beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of the laser treatment when used as adjunctive periodontal treatment.”
“Background: The lingual split technique is a surgical procedure for extraction of impacted mandibular third molar throughout a lingual approach. The main disadvantage of this technique is the high rate of temporary lingual nerve injury mainly HIF-1 cancer because of the trauma induced by the lingual flap retraction. The purpose of this paper is to suggest the use of piezosurgery in performing the lingual cortical plate osteotomy of the third molar alveolar process.

Methods: Surgical procedure was performed under general anesthesia, and it lasted approximately 60 minutes. After the buccal

and lingual full-thickness flaps were incised and elevated, a piezosurgical device was used for osteotomy. A well-defined bony window was then removed, and it allowed the entire tooth was extracted in a lingual direction. The patient did not show any neurological postoperative complication. Lingual and inferior alveolar nerve functionality was normal before as well as after surgery.

Conclusions: The use of piezoelectric surgery seems to be a good option in removing lower third molars when a lingual access is clearly indicated. The only disadvantage of this technique can be represented by an operating time lengthening possibly because of a lower power cut of the piezoelectric device, to the high mineralization of the mandibular cortical bone and to the use of inserts with a low degree of sharpening.

Moreover it is established that increase in E-c and decrease in P-r are not concomitant, and significant degradation of one or the other of these values strongly depends on whether a static potential, due to charged defects, is present or not at this interface. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3200956]“
“This study examined the association between brain electrical activity, measured using quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), and performance on measures of episodic memory in a sample of nine methamphetamine-dependent individuals who were evaluated after 4 days of monitored abstinence

and 10 non-drug-using comparison subjects. In methamphetamine users, but not in comparison subjects, increased theta power was correlated with poorer performance on the delayed recall subtests of the Rey Ulixertinib cell line Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (p < 0.05). There was no association between alpha, beta, and delta power and performance on the memory tests. These results complement previous findings by demonstrating that the electrophysiological

abnormalities associated with methamphetamine dependence are likely to affect behavior in an observable and important manner (i.e., memory deficits) when users are not intoxicated. (The Journal of Neuropsychiatry GM6001 research buy and Clinical Neurosciences 2009; 21: 254-258)”
“The investigation of boron delta layers by tomographic atom probe (3DAP) is used to demonstrate that a depth profiling resolution of 0.9 nm (full width at half maximum) can be achieved. Results are compared with measurements provided by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The steepness is found to be below 1 nm/decade. In addition, silicon atomic planes are resolved in the real space demonstrating an in-depth spatial resolution of the 3DAP below 0.2 nm. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3186617]“
“The aim of the present study was to investigate the GS-7977 molecular weight presence and distribution of cells containing

orexin A (OXA), and orexin type 1 and 2 receptors (OX1R and OX2R, respectively) in the feline placenta by means of immunohistochemical technique. OXA was identified in several decidual and syncytiotrophoblastic cells present in the lamellar portion of the placenta. In the same placental structures, few decidual and syncytiotrophoblastic cells showed the presence of OX1R-like immunoreactivity. Characteristically, immunopositivity for OX2R, but not for OX1R, was evidenced in the cells of the glandular layer. The orexinic system was not expressed in the uterine structures that were not engaged by the chorion. Our results provide the first evidence of the presence of a placental orexinic system in a mammalian species. Orexin A and both OX1R and OX2R are unequally distributed within the cat placenta.

To evaluate the ability of the different feature-selection methods, they were performed on two data sets. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: The aim of the present community-based study was to evaluate the level of asthma control in patients with mild asthma, regularly treated with inhaled steroids (ICS).

Method: This observational cross-sectional study included patients registered in the general practitioner (GP) database and with at least three prescriptions of ICS in the last 12 months. Patients were asked to refer to the doctor’s office for a standardised interview. The level of asthma control was self-measured by the patients using the Asthma Control Test (ACT)(TM) (Quality Metric, Inc.). Results: The study included 950 VX-809 cell line P5091 manufacturer asthmatic patients, referred by 540 GPs: 54.5% were females, mean age was 51 (+/- 19.1) years; 59.5% were non-smokers, 22.5% were current smokers and 18.0% were former smokers; 81.1% of the patients were on ICS in the last 4 weeks. Only 38.6% of patients had

a spirometry in the last 12 months. According to the ACT, 13.7% of the asthmatic patients were totally controlled, 51.0% well controlled, and 35.3% poorly controlled. Smoking habit, older age (>60) and living in Central or Southern Italy were associated with poorer control. In the last 12 months 4.5% of patients had an asthma-related hospitalisation, 5.3% an emergency visit and 18.9% a specialist visit. Conclusions: More than one of three patients had poor asthma control, despite being considered by their GPs as mild asthmatics and treated with ICS. Asthmatic patients need to be regularly re-evaluated. Treatment is often inadequate and should be targeted to improve control and reduce asthma morbidity (SAM104964).”
“Objective: To determine if pre-operative interventions for hip and knee osteoarthritis provide benefit before and after joint replacement.

Method: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of pre-operative interventions for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis awaiting joint replacement surgery.

Standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated for pain, musculoskeletal

impairment, activity limitation, quality of life, and health service utilisation (length of stay and discharge destination). The GRADE Sapanisertib price approach was used to determine the quality of the evidence.

Results: Twenty-three RCTs involving 1461 participants awaiting hip or knee replacement surgery were identified. Meta-analysis provided moderate quality evidence that pre-operative exercise interventions for knee osteoarthritis reduced pain prior to knee replacement surgery (SMD (95% CI) = 0.43 [0.13, 0.73]). None of the other meta-analyses investigating pre-operative interventions for knee osteoarthritis demonstrated any effect. Meta-analyses provided low to moderate quality evidence that exercise interventions for hip osteoarthritis reduced pain (SMD (95% CI) = 0.52 [0.

1% suspension killed all bacterial and candida isolates within 15 Selleckchem AL3818 seconds of exposure. It killed Fusarium isolates at 60 seconds but was ineffective against Acanthamoeba cysts.”
“Hereditary autoinflammatory syndromes are monogenic disorders with an inborn error of innate immunity, and include periodic fever syndromes such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), pyogenic diseases such as pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne syndrome (PAPAS), and granulomatous diseases such as Blau syndrome. By identifying the genetic abnormalities and subsequent analyses of the molecular

mechanisms underlying these disorders, several critical in vivo pathways for inflammatory processes have been discovered. In this review, three categories of autoinflammatory disorders are discussed: inflammasomopathies, receptor antagonist deficiencies and proteasome disability syndromes. Inflammasomopathies are diseases with dysregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and include CAPS with NLRP3, FMF with MEFV, and PAPAS with PSTPIP1 mutations. Analyses GDC0032 of these diseases have clarified some critical pathways regulating NLRP3 inflammasome signaling. Receptor antagonist deficiencies include the newly defined deficiency for interleukin-1 receptor antagonist resulting

in sterile multifocal osteomyelitis with periostosis and pustulosis, and deficiency for interleukin-36 receptor antagonist resulting in generalized pustular psoriasis. The identification of these genetic abnormalities has revealed a critical 4-Hydroxytamoxifen in vitro role for receptor antagonists of IL-1 family cytokines in regulating

neutrophil activation/recruitment. Finally, proteasome disability syndromes with PSMB8 mutations include Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome and related disorders distributed globally. Analyses of these diseases have unexpectedly shown a critical role of the ubiquitin proteasome system in the regulation or homeostasis of inflammation/metabolism. Since there still remain a number of predicted but undefined hereditary autoinflammatory syndromes, further clinical and genetic approaches are required to discover novel in vivo critical inflammatory pathways. (C) 2012 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: The study aim was to compare somatic development, body composition, insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) serum concentration and serum lipid profile between small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) 7-year-old extremely low birth weight (ELBW) children and full-term (FT) controls.

Materials and methods: Fifty-seven AGA ELBW children [mean birth weight (BW) 850 g and mean gestational age (GA) 26.4 weeks] and 24 SGA ELBW children (mean BW 833 g, mean GA 29.5 weeks) were evaluated. The control group included 37 age- and sex-matched FT children from one outpatient center.

9 [25.1] ms, LBP = 90.2 [42.3] ms, P < 0.001) and took longer to regain postural stability (Control = 460.4 [123.4] ms, LBP = 761.0 [194.2] ms, P < 0.001) after the perturbation.

Conclusion. These data provide further evidence that the quality of balance control is compromised in LBP patients and that this is associated with poor use of spinal motion as a component of the postural strategy.”
“There is clinical and observational evidence to suggest that saturated fatty acids (SFA) increase cardiovascular disease risk compared with polyunsaturated fatty acids from vegetable

oils. Replacing SFA intake has thus been a public GSK461364 health target, but the role of individual SFA in metabolic disease is still incompletely understood. Observational data Indicate that all SFA may not necessarily be detrimental. The cholesterol-raising effect of SFA differs among individual SFA and possibly also with regard

to cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. The impact of dietary SFA on cardiovascular BMS-754807 disease remains somewhat controversial, possibly due to such individual differences. In this article, we will also separately discuss the effects of dairy SFA, including biomarkers, as a means to elucidate these relationships between fatty acids, foodstuffs and cardiometabolic disease.”
“Although willingness, attitudes and beliefs surrounding solid-organ donation have been extensively investigated, much less is known about corneal donation. Despite evidence that a substantial number of families who agree to multiorgan donation also specifically refuse corneal donation, it is unclear why this occurs and what can be done to increase rates of

corneal donation. We conducted a survey of 371 Australian adults regarding their views on corneal donation. Although willingness to donate corneas generally reflected a person’s willingness to donate all of one’s organs, unwillingness to donate corneas appeared to be due to other factors. Specifically, decisions not to donate appear to be driven AS1842856 in vivo by a range of concerns surrounding disfigurement. The survey also provides eye banks with reassurance about the acceptability of whole globe procurement, and recognition that research into blindness is a highly valued part of corneal donation. Finally, the survey identifies that many individuals see benefit in having their family engaged in the decision-making process, suggesting that decisions about donation are more complex than a simple appeal to the autonomy of the deceased.”
“Study Design. Longitudinal cohort study.

Objective. To compare functional outcomes between male and female patients before and after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary of Background Data. There is no clear consensus in the existing literature with respect to sex differences in functional outcomes in the surgical treatment of AIS.

Methods.

“
“The incremental addition of chain transfer agent (CTA) in an emulsion styrene-butadiene polymerization reaction was optimized, using a chemometric approach that involves (a) an experimental design, in which the amount of CTA in each addition were the factors; (b) an artificial neural network modeling to obtain responses for each required processability property

(i.e., Mooney viscosity and number- and weight-average molecular weight); and (c) a simultaneous desirability response, due to several properties had to be optimized at a time. As a result, an 8% increase in productivity was accomplished, and some relationships were derived among CTA additions and polymer evolution, Mooney viscosity and molecular weights. The study was carried www.selleckchem.com/products/jib-04.html out to further apply this strategy in the production plant. The challenge was to keep the quality of the produced polymer, particularly in terms of processability. (C) Epoxomicin concentration 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“We present a 15-week pregnant woman who developed mechanical mitral valve thrombosis on a fixed dose of enoxaparin therapy 60 mg twice daily. No reductions were observed in the thrombus size

or mean mitral gradient on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with 1 week of unfractioned heparin therapy. As the thrombus on TEE imaging was hypermobile and fragile, in addition to a higher dose of enoxaparin (80 mg twice daily), trofiban infusion 0.20 mu g/kg per minute was administered for another 1 week. The thrombus on the valve was reduced in size, mobility and fragility of the thrombus diminished, and mean valve gradient decreased on TEE. As complete thrombus resolution was not

observed and limitation of valve mobility continued, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was given to the patient. A complete thrombus resolution was observed on this therapy. The patient is presented for being the first case in literature whose valvular thrombus reduced with trofiban therapy.”
“To understand the relationship between the metabolism of wogonoside from the rhizome of Scutellaria baicalensis, and its anti-pruritic effect, we anaerobically incubated it with human fecal microflora, identified its metabolite identified, and investigated its anti-pruritic effect in compound 48/80 or histamine-induced Dinaciclib price pruritic mice. Wogonoside was metabolized to wogonin, with metabolic activity of 6.9 +/- 5.1 nmol/h/mg wet weight of fecal microflora. Orally administered wogonoside had more potent anti-scratching behavioral effect in compound 48/80 or histamine-treated mice than intraperitoneally treated one, apart from orally administered its metabolite, wogonin, which was more potent than the orally administered one. Wogonoside showed more potent anti-pruritic effects when administered at 5 h prior to the pruritic agent treatment than when administered at 1 In before.

All MIFC patients remained disease-free or had a recurrence-free status.

In conclusion, both WIFC and MIFC are difficult to diagnose on the basis of preoperative examinations and frozen sections. Patients diagnosed with MIFC had responded positively to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Library supplier the treatment; however, for patients diagnosed with WIFC to become disease-free, early diagnosis and aggressive surgical therapies in combination with (131)I therapy were required. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Trifluralin, a herbicide used to protect many arable and horticultural crops, was evaluated for its potential toxicity on the mammalian ovary. To this end, adult female mice were fed or not (control) with a trifluralin-enriched diet (150 mg/kg body weight/day) during gestation and lactation. After weaning, 3-week-old female mice from either trifluralin-treated or control groups were used to evaluate whether the exposure to this herbicide in utero and during lactation could induce stress responses in the ovary. It was found that trifluralin exposure caused a significantly higher level of p53, but not of pRb, in the whole ovary, Bcl2 inhibitor and in particular in granulosa cells.

TUNEL staining showed that herbicide treatment did not increase the apoptotic index of the somatic compartment. Also oocyte fertilizability was unaffected, as metaphase II oocytes retrieved from treated mice were capable of forming male and female pronuclei after in vitro fertilization as control mice. However, trifluralin determined a slightly higher number of oocytes with cytoplasmic degeneration compared with control animals. In conclusion, our results suggest that exposure to a low trifluralin dose during pregnancy and lactation does Selleckchem GDC-0994 not impair oocyte quality, but can induce a stress response in ovarian somatic cells. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 28: 201-206, 2013.”
“Introduction and objectives. Ventricular

septal defect (VSD) is one of the major forms of congenital heart disease (CHID) in individuals with Homo sapiens chromosome 22q11 (HSA22q11) deletion syndrome. The objective was to identify candidate genes associated with VSD located within HSA22q11 by analyzing loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using microsatellite genotyping and by gene dosage analysis in seven candidate genes.

Methods. The study involved 82 families with CHD, which included 261 individuals (85 patients and 176 siblings and parents). All were screened for LOH in the HSA22q11 region by microsatellite (n=10) genotyping. Bioinformatic strategies were used to characterize seven candidate genes located within this region in greater detail. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the dosages of the seven candidate genes in 16 patients with LOH of HSA22q11.

Results. Overall, 42 out of 85 patients (49.4%) with CHID had at least one LOH in the HSA22q11 region.

Maternal blood plasma was obtained at approximately gestational week 18 and was measured for tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, anthranilic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, xanthurenic acid, and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid.

RESULTS:

Of the 2,936 pregnant women included in this study, 116 (4.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2-4.7) had preeclampsia subsequently diagnosed. The prevalence of preeclampsia was significantly higher among women with plasma Lonafarnib in vivo kynurenic acid concentrations greater than the 95th percentile than among those with concentrations in the 25th-75th percentile (11.0% compared with 3.3%, P<.001; adjusted odds ratio 3.6, 95% CI 1.9-6.8). This association was significantly stronger in women with prepregnancy body mass index of 25 or more (P for interaction=.03; 20.4%

compared with 4.2%; P<.001). No statistically significant associations of preeclampsia with other tryptophan metabolites were found.

CONCLUSION: Elevated maternal plasma kynurenic acid concentrations in early pregnancy are associated with a substantial increased risk of preeclampsia in obese women. (Obstet Gynecol 2012;119:1243-50) DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318255004e”
“Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous amino acid similar to L-arginine and able to inhibit the enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). It is a factor of impaired nitric oxide (NO) AR-13324 in vitro synthesis. Serum levels of ADMA in chronic kidney 4SC-202 in vitro disease (CKD) increase

due to defective inactivation and excretion. High ADMA levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular damage. A linkage between ADMA levels and vascular calcifications of CKD can therefore be hypothesized. This study explores also a possible relation between ADMA and parathyroid hormone (PTH) serum levels, which are known to be linked to increased rates of cardiovascular death.

Methods: The study was carried out in 79 patients on hemodialysis (HD), mean age 59.25 +/- 12 years. In all patients, serum ADMA, PTH, Ca, P, bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), cholesterol and albumin were measured. In addition, the patients were subjected to multislice computed tomography for heart calcification evaluation.

Results: Correlation analysis of ADMA showed a significant relation with total and coronary calcium volumes, HD vintage, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, serum albumin, PTH, natural logarithm of PTH (LnPTH) and BALP. Multiple regression analysis selected HD vintage, albumin and PTH as predictive variables for coronary calcium volume, while ADMA was excluded. With LnPTH as dependent variable, ADMA, serum calcium and BMI were predictive variables with R(2) of 0.37. ADMA as dependent variable was also predicted by PTH, HD vintage, albumin and BMI.

(C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym CCI-779 solubility dmso Sci 119: 1383-1392, 2011″
“The dilated odontome is the most severe form of the dens invaginatus (dens in dente), which is extremely

rare in the mandible, especially in the molar region. A case is reported in a 28-year-old female with an unusual ringlike radiopaque appearance of the mandibular third right molar on panoramic x-ray. CT scan findings were suggestive that the intraosseous circular radiopaque formation was a dilated odontome. The alveotomy of the “”tooth”" was performed, and histopathological analysis of the inner and surrounding soft tissue revealed a diagnosis consistent with a dilated odontome. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: e109-e113)”
“The adsorption behavior of zinc(II) dimethyldithiocarbamate (Ziram) was studied on the surface of a poly-o-toluidine Zr(IV) phosphate nanocomposite

cation exchanger. A spectrophotometric method based on the conversion of Ziram into a copper dimethyldithiocarbamate complex was applied for the study of Ziram at the maximum absorption wavelength of 437 nm. A Ziram-sensitive membrane electrode was fabricated with poly-o-toluidine Zr(IV) phosphate (an electroactive composite material). The sensitivity of Ziram for the composite cation-exchange material was monitored with potentiometric methods. (C) Alvocidib mw 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 1393-1397, 2011″
“Radiation detection demands new scintillators with high quantum efficiency, high energy resolution, and short luminescence lifetimes. Nanocomposites consisting of quantum dots and Ce3+ doped nanophosphors may be able to meet these requirements. Here, we report the luminescence enhancement of LaF3:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites which were synthesized by a wet chemistry method. CdTe quantum dots in LaF3:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites are converted into PF-6463922 mw nanowires,

while in LaF3/CdTe nanocomposites no such conversion is observed. As a result, the CdTe luminescence in LaF3:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites is enhanced about five times, while in LaF3/CdTe nanocomposites no enhancement was observed. Energy transfer, light reabsorption, and defect passivation are the likely reasons for the luminescence enhancement. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3506416]“
“The influence of 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate and benzoyl peroxide on gel content, crystallinity, and mechanical performance of unfilled PP-PE blends, and their composites with wood was investigated. All materials were compounded in a twin screw extruder and then injection molded. Specimens were then exposed to high-humidity and elevated temperature in a humidity chamber to cross-link any unhydrolyzed silane. Adding wood to the PE-PP blends, increased premature cross-linking but also increased gel contents. However, the gel contents of the composites were still low. The PP component did not appear to cross-link well and our gels were almost entirely HDPE.