Utjecaj toplinske obrade na fizikalna i mehanička svojstva te na svojstva lijepljenih spojeva drva kalabrijskog bora (Pinus brutia Ten.)

In this study, the effects of heat treatment on some physical, mechanical, wettability and bonding properties of Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) were investigated. Specimens were exposed to heat under atmospheric pressure at four different temperatures (120, 150, 180, 210 °C) and three different time levels (2, 5, 8 hours). Weight loss, bending strength (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) in bending, Young’s modulus in compression, compression strength parallel to grain, contact angle, and bonding performance using shear tests were evaluated. All of the properties of the specimens tested were affected by heat treatment of different intensity. As a result, softer treatments yielded some increase in mechanical properties, but increase of time and temperature resulted in significant decrease in mechanical properties with decreasing mass loss. Contact angle measurements before and after treatment indicated a significant increase in wood hydrophobicity. Shear strength of the specimens were diminished when time and temperature of heat treatment were increased.U radu su prikazani rezultati istraživanja učinaka toplinske obrade na neka fizikalna i mehanička svojstva, sposobnost kvašenja i svojstva lijepljenih spojeva drva kalabrijskog bora (Pinus brutia Ten.). Uzorci su izloženi utjecaju topline pod atmosferskim tlakom pri četiri različite temperature (120, 150, 180 i 210 °C) i tri različita vremena izlaganja (2, 5 i 8 sati). Primjenom smičnih testova određeni su gubitak mase, čvrstoća na savijanje (MOR), modul elastičnosti (MOE) pri savijanju, Youngov modul pri tlačnom opterećenju, tlačna čvrstoća paralelno s vlakancima, kontaktni kut i svojstva lijepljenog spoja. Toplinska obrada drva utjecala je na sva istraživana svojstva uzoraka kalabrijskog bora, ali je taj utjecaj bio različitog intenziteta. Rezultati su pokazali da blaži uvjeti toplinske obrade neznatno pridonose povećanju vrijednosti mehaničkih svojstava, a porast vremena i temperature toplinske obrade rezultirali su značajnim smanjenjem vrijednosti mehaničkih svojstava i smanjenjem gubitka mase. Mjerenje kontaktnog kuta na površini uzoraka prije i nakon toplinske obrade pokazalo je značajan porast hidrofobnosti drva. Pri povećanju vremena i temperature toplinske obrade smanjila se smična čvrstoća uzoraka

B-mode ultrasound assessment of carotid artery structural features in patients with normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism

Introduction: Normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism is a condition first defined in 2008, characterized by normal serum calcium and high parathormone levels. Although normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism is considered to have a milder clinical picture compared to asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism, recent studies have shown that it may be associated with osteoporosis, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk factors. Considering that normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism may pose a cardiovascular risk in the setting of carotid atherosclerosis, we sought to examine the structural features of the carotid artery in patients with normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism compared to a control group. Material and methods: After excluding patients with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia (other factors contributing to atherosclerosis), 37 (32 females, 5 males) patients with normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism with a mean age of 51.2 ± 8 (min: 32, max: 66) years and 40 controls (31 females, 9 males) with a mean age of 49.3 ± 7.5 (min: 34, max: 64) years with normal serum albumin-corrected calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were included in the study. Structural features of the carotid artery including intima-media thickness (mean and maximum), lumen diameter, and the presence of plaque were assessed using B-mode ultrasound. Results: On ANCOVA analysis corrected for atherosclerotic factors (body mass index, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, serum cholesterol, lipid, and blood pressure), greater mean intima-media thickness was found in patients with normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism than in controls (0.65 mm vs. 0.59 mm, respectively) (p = 0.023). Maximum carotid intima-media thickness was also greater in patients with normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism compared to controls (0.80 mm vs. 0.75 mm, respectively) (p = 0.044). The study groups did not show a significant difference in lumen diameter and the presence of carotid plaque. In addition, a negative correlation was found between parathormone (PTH) level and lumen diameter. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that as with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism, normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk by predisposing to atherosclerosis

TURKISH JOURNAL of ONCOLOGY Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis in a Krukenberg Tumor Associated with Signet Ring Cell Gastric Cancer

SUMMARY Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LCM) is a rare complication of gastric cancer. It usually occurs late in advanced stage of disease and is sometimes misdiagnosed as toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Here we report a rare case of gastric cancer that developed LCM in follow-up. A 28-year-old woman with signet ring cell gastric cancer associated with Krukenberg tumor was admitted with persistent headache, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and diplopia. Linear appearance of contrast enhancement in cerebellar fissures and around cranial nerves was seen in magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid was hypercellular with numerous carcinoma cells. LMC was confirmed and treated with intrathecal methotrexate and additional whole-brain irradiation. LCM is a rare complication, but occurs more often than expected and is often misdiagnosed. If patient who is being treated for gastric cancer presents with neurological symptoms, LCM should be kept in mind. Clinical improvement can be achieved with current treatment modalities, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or targeted molecules

Multiple Myeloma Treatment in Real-world Clinical Practice : Results of a Prospective, Multinational, Noninterventional Study

Funding Information: The authors would like to thank all patients and their families and all the EMMOS investigators for their valuable contributions to the study. The authors would like to acknowledge Robert Olie for his significant contribution to the EMMOS study. Writing support during the development of our report was provided by Laura Mulcahy and Catherine Crookes of FireKite, an Ashfield company, a part of UDG Healthcare plc, which was funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and Janssen Global Services, LLC. The EMMOS study was supported by research funding from Janssen Pharmaceutical NV and Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Funding Information: The authors would like to thank all patients and their families and all the EMMOS investigators for their valuable contributions to the study. The authors would like to acknowledge Robert Olie for his significant contribution to the EMMOS study. Writing support during the development of our report was provided by Laura Mulcahy and Catherine Crookes of FireKite, an Ashfield company, a part of UDG Healthcare plc, which was funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and Janssen Global Services, LLC. The EMMOS study was supported by research funding from Janssen Pharmaceutical NV and Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Funding Information: M.M. has received personal fees from Janssen, Celgene, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi, Novartis, and Takeda and grants from Janssen and Sanofi during the conduct of the study. E.T. has received grants from Janssen and personal fees from Janssen and Takeda during the conduct of the study, and grants from Amgen, Celgene/Genesis, personal fees from Amgen, Celgene/Genesis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, and Glaxo-Smith Kline outside the submitted work. M.V.M. has received personal fees from Janssen, Celgene, Amgen, and Takeda outside the submitted work. M.C. reports honoraria from Janssen, outside the submitted work. M. B. reports grants from Janssen Cilag during the conduct of the study. M.D. has received honoraria for participation on advisory boards for Janssen, Celgene, Takeda, Amgen, and Novartis. H.S. has received honoraria from Janssen-Cilag, Celgene, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, and Takeda outside the submitted work. V.P. reports personal fees from Janssen during the conduct of the study and grants, personal fees, and nonfinancial support from Amgen, grants and personal fees from Sanofi, and personal fees from Takeda outside the submitted work. W.W. has received personal fees and grants from Amgen, Celgene, Novartis, Roche, Takeda, Gilead, and Janssen and nonfinancial support from Roche outside the submitted work. J.S. reports grants and nonfinancial support from Janssen Pharmaceutical during the conduct of the study. V.L. reports funding from Janssen Global Services LLC during the conduct of the study and study support from Janssen-Cilag and Pharmion outside the submitted work. A.P. reports employment and shareholding of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) during the conduct of the study. C.C. reports employment at Janssen-Cilag during the conduct of the study. C.F. reports employment at Janssen Research and Development during the conduct of the study. F.T.B. reports employment at Janssen-Cilag during the conduct of the study. The remaining authors have stated that they have no conflicts of interest. Publisher Copyright: © 2018 The AuthorsMultiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease, with little information available on its management in real-world clinical practice. The results of the present prospective, noninterventional observational study revealed great diversity in the treatment regimens used to treat MM. Our results also provide data to inform health economic, pharmacoepidemiologic, and outcomes research, providing a framework for the design of protocols to improve the outcomes of patients with MM. Background: The present prospective, multinational, noninterventional study aimed to document and describe real-world treatment regimens and disease progression in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Patients and Methods: Adult patients initiating any new MM therapy from October 2010 to October 2012 were eligible. A multistage patient/site recruitment model was applied to minimize the selection bias; enrollment was stratified by country, region, and practice type. The patient medical and disease features, treatment history, and remission status were recorded at baseline, and prospective data on treatment, efficacy, and safety were collected electronically every 3 months. Results: A total of 2358 patients were enrolled. Of these patients, 775 and 1583 did and did not undergo stem cell transplantation (SCT) at any time during treatment, respectively. Of the patients in the SCT and non-SCT groups, 49%, 21%, 14%, and 15% and 57%, 20%, 12% and 10% were enrolled at treatment line 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4, respectively. In the SCT and non-SCT groups, 45% and 54% of the patients had received bortezomib-based therapy without thalidomide/lenalidomide, 12% and 18% had received thalidomide/lenalidomide-based therapy without bortezomib, and 30% and 4% had received bortezomib plus thalidomide/lenalidomide-based therapy as frontline treatment, respectively. The corresponding proportions of SCT and non-SCT patients in lines 2, 3, and ≥ 4 were 45% and 37%, 30% and 37%, and 12% and 3%, 33% and 27%, 35% and 32%, and 8% and 2%, and 27% and 27%, 27% and 23%, and 6% and 4%, respectively. In the SCT and non-SCT patients, the overall response rate was 86% to 97% and 64% to 85% in line 1, 74% to 78% and 59% to 68% in line 2, 55% to 83% and 48% to 60% in line 3, and 49% to 65% and 36% and 45% in line 4, respectively, for regimens that included bortezomib and/or thalidomide/lenalidomide. Conclusion: The results of our prospective study have revealed great diversity in the treatment regimens used to manage MM in real-life practice. This diversity was linked to factors such as novel agent accessibility and evolving treatment recommendations. Our results provide insight into associated clinical benefits.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Radiation-induced signals of gypsum crystals analysed by ESR and TL techniques applied to dating

Natural crystals of terrestrial gypsum were investigated concerning the radiation effects on Electron spin resonance (ESR) and Thermoluminescence (TL) properties and their application for geological dating. ESR signals of Fe3+, Mn2+, G1 (SO3-, g = 2.003) and G2 (SO4-, g(parallel to) = 2.018 g(perpendicular to) = 2.009) centers were observed. The thermal stability and dose response of the ESR signals were found to be suitable for an age determination using a signal at g = 2.009. The intensity of this center increased with gamma-radiation and the additive dose method for this ESR center yielded accumulated dose GD of 67.4 +/- 10.1 Gy. Using U, Th and K contents plus the cosmic-ray contribution, a dose rate of 1.92 +/- 0.22 mGy/year has been obtained. We have determined the ESR age of the gypsums to be (35 +/- 4) x 10(3) years. TL peaks at 157 and 278 degrees C were observed. By using initial rise method the thermal activation energy of 278 degrees C TL peak was found to be underestimated, probably due to the thermal quenching. Activation energies and frequency factors obtained by the method of varying the heating rate indicate lifetime of 4.09 x 10(7) years (at 15 degrees C) for 278 degrees C peak. The additive dose method applied to this TL peak yielded GD of 75 +/- 11 Gy. The corresponding TL age using the 278 degrees C TL peak was found to be (39 +/- 5) x 10(3) years for gypsum sample. The TL age of this sample is consistent with the ESR age within experimental error limits. The obtained ESR and TL ages are not consistent with the expectations of geologists. This contradiction is probably due to the repeatedly recrystallisation of gypsum samples under the environmental conditions after their formation in the upper Miocene-Pliocene Epoch. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Electron spin resonance study of gamma-irradiated Anatolian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In this study, an electron spin resonance (ESR) investigation on gamma-irradiated chickpea cultivated in Turkey is reported in detail. ESR spectra of unirradiated (control) chickpea were composed of an equally spaced sextet originating from the presence of Mn2+ ions and a single weak resonance signal both centered at g = 2.0054 +/- 0.0006. Although irradiation was found to have no effect on the Mn2+ signals, it caused a noteworthy increase in free radical signal intensity of chickpea in the studied dose range of (0.1-4.5 kGy). In addition, the ESR spectrum of irradiated chickpea recorded at low scan range (10 mT) showed that there were more than one radical species, having different spectral features, contributing to the central resonance signal. From this point of view, we focussed on the free radical signal in the present study. The area under the ESR absorption curve which is related to the free radical concentration was determined from the experimental spectra recorded throughout the study, and its variation with microwave power, radiation dose, storage time and temperature was investigated in detail. Free radical concentration was observed to decay very fast within the first 15 days after the irradiation cessation and little thereafter. At the end of the storage period (60 days), the free radical concentration is still higher than that of the control (unirradiated) sample. The decay of free radical concentration at room and high temperatures were described well by the sum of three second-order decay functions representing three different radical species (A, B and C). The activation energies of these radicals, evaluated by Arrhenius analysis, are in the order E-C > E-B > E-A. Simulation calculations have shown that three radical species (A, B and C) of different spectral parameters were found to best explain the experimental values