Morphology control and interlayer pillaring of swellable Na-taeniolite mica crystals

Na-taeniolite (NaMg2LiSi4O10F2) mica crystals were synthesized from nonstoichiometric raw batches containing NaCl as a flux, in order to control the morphology of mica crystals. Swellable Na-taeniolite was obtainable from both stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric batches although small amounts of different products were coprecipitated, depending on the composition of the raw batches. Samples obtained from raw batches containing <= 1 mol NaCl consisted of a single-phase swellable mica. The addition of a small amount of NaCl was effective in controlling the morphology of the mica crystals. Raw batches containing 1 mol NaCl yielded mica crystals having a hexagonal, plate-like morphology with a larger aspect ratio. Alumina-pillared micas prepared from host micas thus obtained from raw batches containing NaCl had larger specific surface areas than those obtained from stoichiometric batches. This suggests that the swellability of mica crystals is also affected by the addition of NaCl

Effect of beta-blockers on circulating levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

AbstractOBJECTIVESThis study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effect of beta-blockers on circulating cytokine levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).BACKGROUNDElevated circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines have been reported in patients with DCM. However, alterations of the levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in association with beta-blocker therapy are unknown.METHODSWe studied 32 patients with idiopathic DCM who had been treated with digitalis, diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. In addition to this combination therapy, beta-blockers were started in all patients. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-R1 and R2) were measured at baseline and 12 weeks after the initiation of beta-blocker therapy. We also measured plasma levels of neurohumoral factors, as well as left ventricular (LV) size and function. Ten age-matched subjects with no cardiac disease served as the control group.RESULTSBaseline levels of IL-10, TNF-alpha and sTNF-R2 were significantly higher in patients with DCM than in control subjects (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels (r = 0.545, p = 0.029). The TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratio correlated well with plasma epinephrine levels (r = 0.677, p = 0.025), and the level of sTNF-R2 was closely related to LV size. Serum levels of IL-10, TNF-alpha and sTNF-R2 were significantly decreased during beta-blocker therapy (p < 0.005).CONCLUSIONSOur findings indicate that beta-blockers have an important immunoregulatory role in modifying the dysregulated cytokine network in DCM. This effect of beta-blockers may be partly responsible for the efficacy of therapeutic drugs for heart failure