Thermal Diffusivity Characteristics of the IN718 Alloy Tested with the Modified Pulse Method

The article presents the use of the modified pulse method (MPM) to determine the temperature characteristics of the thermal diffusivity of alloy 718. The experiment was carried out in the temperature range of 20–900 °C during the double heating of the sample with an interval of two weeks. The results of our own research showed a good correlation in the temperature range of 300–500 °C, during the first heating of the sample, with the recommended changes in thermal diffusivity by NPL & ASM and data from the MPDB database. On the other hand, clear deviations in the results occurred in the range of temperature changes up to about 300 °C, most likely responsible for the electron component of the conductivity of this alloy, and in the range above 700 °C, where there is a clear minimum that may be caused by the δ phase precipitation phenomenon.     

Postpartum depression: Identifying associations with bipolarity and personality traits. Preliminary results from a cross-sectional study in Poland

The goals of this study have been to determine the prevalence of the bipolar spectrum features in the population of women with postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms, as well as to analyze the personality differences between putative ‘unipolar’ and ‘bipolar’ PPD subjects. The sample enrolled into the cross-sectional study consisted of 344 women at 6–12 weeks postpartum. The authors used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; cut-off score: 13 pts.) for the assessment of the PPD symptoms, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ; cut-off scores: 7 or 8 pts.) for diagnosing the bipolar features, and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) for the assessment of personality traits. The EPDS-positive subjects were more likely to score positively on the MDQ, as compared to the EPDS-negative ones. The EPDS-positive subjects who also scored ≥8 pts. on the MDQ were characterized by higher index of neuroticism, as compared to those who scored positively on the EPDS only. The results suggest that the presence of PPD symptoms is related to significantly higher scores of bipolarity and neuroticism. The more robust trait of neuroticism might be a marker of the ‘bipolar’ PPD, as compared to the ‘unipolar’ form of the disorder.     

The relation between cerebral blood flow velocities as measured by TCD and the incidence of delayed ischemic deficits. A prospective study after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Patients (n = 127) with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were examined by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) in a prospective study to follow the time course of the posthemorrhagic blood flow velocity in both the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Results were analysed to reveal their relationship and predictive use with respect to the occurrence of delayed ischemic deficits. Mean flow velocities (MFV) higher than 120 cm sec(-1) in MCA and 90 cm sec(-1) in ACA were interpreted as indicative for significant vasospasm. In 20 of our 127 patients (16%) a delayed ischemic deficit (DID) was subsequently diagnosed clinically (DID+ group). Patients in the DID+ group can be characterized as those individuals who presented early during the observation period post-SAH with highest values of MFV, a faster increase and longer persistence of pathologically elevated MFV-values (exceeding 120 cm sec(-1) in MCA and 90 cm sec(-1) in ACA). They also show a greater difference in MFV-values if one compares the operated to the nonoperated side. Differences in MFV-values obtained in MCA or ACA were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for DID+ and DID- patients. The daily maximal increase of MFV was found between days 9 and 11 after SAH. In the DID+ group, the maximal MFV was 181 +/- 26 cm sec(-1) in MCA and 119 +/- 14 cm sec(-1) in ACA. In contrast to this, patients in the DID- group were found to present with MFV of 138 +/- 11 cm sec(-1) in MCA and 100 +/- 7 cm sec(-1) in ACA respectively. Delayed ischemic deficits appeared three times more often in DID+ patients than in patients with MFV < 120 cm sec(-1), if they showed a MFV > 120 cm sec(-1) in MCA. If pathological values were obtained in ACA, this ratio increases to about four times, if DID + patients presented with MFV > 90 cm sec(-1) versus patients with MFV < 90 cm sec(-1). Daily monitoring of vasospasm using TCD examination is thus helpful to identify patients at high risk for delayed ischemic deficits. This should allow us to implement further preventive treatment regimens.     

Relationship between tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and vascular endothelial growth factor in human multiple myeloma patients

Tumour necrosis factor‐alfa (TNF‐α) is an inflammatory cytokine with a wide spectrum of biological activity, including angiogenesis. Tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), which belongs to the TNF family of proteins, plays a role in the regulation of vascular responses, but its effect on the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) is unclear. We analysed TRAIL concentrations in parallel with pro‐angiogenic cytokines in serum and their expression in trephine biopsy (TB) in 56 patients with newly diagnosed IgG MM and 24 healthy volunteers. The study showed statistically higher concentrations of TRAIL and TNF‐α, as well as of VEGF and its receptor, in MM patients compared to healthy volunteers and patients in advanced stages of the disease. Furthermore, we observed a significant decrease in all studied pro‐angiogenic cytokines and significant increase of TRAIL concentration after anti‐angiogenic therapy, with meaningful differences between responders (at least partial remission) and patients with progression during the induction treatment. It was also established that TRAIL correlated statistically and negatively with pro‐angiogenic cytokines such as VEGF with its receptor and expression of VEGF and syndecan‐1 in TB. In summary, our data indicate that in MM patients, both clinical course and treatment responsiveness are associated with dynamic yet corresponding changes of levels of TRAIL parallel pro‐angiogenic mediators such as VEGF with its receptor and expression of VEGF and syndecan‐1 in TB. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Association analysis of serotonin 2A receptor gene T102c polymorphism and schizophrenia.

The serotonin neurotransmitter has been associated with the pathogenesis of mood disorders and schizophrenia. Serotonin receptors genes may therefore be candidate genes for the study of the genetics of these disorders. In this study, patients with schizophrenia (n=235) and controls (n=344) were analysed to determine the correlation between the 5HT(2A) receptor gene T102C polymorphism and schizophrenia. No association was found between the studied polymorphism and schizophrenia (p=0.854 for alleles and p=0.945 for genotypes). Results were also not significant when analysed by gender (for male p=0.861-allele frequency and p=0.467-genotype frequency, for female p=0.857-allele frequency and p=0.833-genotype frequency). Subgroups with regard to schizophrenia subtypes, age of onset and clinical course of schizophrenia were analysed with negative results.     

Changes of percentages in immune cells phenotypes and cytokines production during two-year IFN-β-1a treatment in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract. Objective: The aim of the study was to find out whether INF--1a influences the immune profile of peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes in MS patients. Method: We have studied 20 patients with relapsing-remitting form of MS treated with INF--1a using twocolor cytometry. We determined immune cells phenotypes and production of some cytokines: IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-, before drug administration and after starting the treatment. Results: In MS patients an increased percentage of CD14⁺CD86⁺ cells and CD3⁺CD25⁺ cells was noticed after 6, 9 and 12 months of INF--1a therapy. Among cytokine-producing cells we noted an increased fraction of CD3⁺IL-4, CD14⁺IL-10 and CD14⁺IL-12 cells after 12 months, which decreased to the level observed before treatment after 24-month therapy. Conclusions: IFN--1a treatment was associated with significant changes in immune response. This effect was mostly evident within the first year of treatment.     

Conducting a national survey of women's perinatal experiences in Canada: sampling challenges

In 1999, the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System of Health Canada decided to undertake a national survey of Canadian women's experiences of their pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. The challenges encountered in selecting a representative sampling frame and developing a sound methodology for conducting a survey of Canadian women at six months after birth are addressed. We considered the advantages and disadvantages of six different sampling options. A sample based on the Census emerged as the optimal approach for providing the most reliable and representative sample.     

Antioxidant properties of newly synthesized N-propargylamine derivatives of nitroxyl: a comparison with deprenyl

In our search for novel, low-toxic, cell-penetrable and neuroprotective antioxidants, we have designed a number of novel N-propargylamine derivatives of nitroxyl, named "JSAKs". The reactivity and antioxidative potency of two selected JSAKs and their parent nitroxyl against reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined in vitro, in a cell-free gamma-radiolysis and in model Fenton-type reaction systems and compared with those of deprenyl, the investigated member of adjunct therapies in clinical neurology. The efficiency of JSAKs to suppress the oxidative degradation of a model target (deoxyribose), deprenyl and dopamine, caused by hydroxyl radical (*OH) was also investigated. The data demonstrated that the novel compounds, JSAKs, can act as promising antioxidants and protectors of targets against ROS toxicity, thus, providing a sound chemical basis for further comparative investigations of their activity in vivo. The findings were discussed from a mechanistic point of view as well as in terms of the structure-dependent, comprehensive properties of JSAKs as dual-function compounds: antioxidants and anti-apoptotic propargylamines. The novel class of N-propargylamine nitroxyls, JSAKs, may have potential implications for the experimental therapies of Parkinson's disease, where ROS mediate deleterious effects, because these compounds have an ability to either block or reduce the progression of neurotoxic cascade of brain damage.     

Translocations t(X;7) and t(7;14) in a synovial sarcoma.

Cytogenetic analysis of a metastatic biphasic synovial sarcoma showed two structural abnormalities: t(X;7)(q11 or 12;q32) and t(7;14)(q22;q11.2). This is the first report of a synovial sarcoma without the involvement of either Xp11 or 18q11.