Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP): Report of a case manifested as a mediastinal mass and multiple pulmonary nodules and review of literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare plasma cell neoplasm of soft tissue without bone marrow involvement or other systemic characteristics of multiple myeloma</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 42 year-old woman presented with intermittent dry cough of 10 months duration. Her breathing sound was slightly coarse without rales or rhonchi on auscultation. CT scan revealed a right anterior mediastinal shadow with multiple pulmonary nodular lesions. A video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed. Histopathology showed it to be a myeloma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first presentation of EMP with a mediastinal mass with multiple pulmonary nodules.</p

Endothelin-1 as a neuropeptide: neurotransmitter or neurovascular effects?

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an endothelium-derived peptide that also possesses potent mitogenic activity. There is also a suggestion the ET-1 is a neuropeptide, based mainly on its histological identification in both the central and peripheral nervous system in a number of species, including man. A neuropeptide role for ET-1 is supported by studies showing a variety of effects caused following its administration into different regions of the brain and by application to peripheral nerves. In addition there are studies proposing that ET-1 is implicated in a number of neural circuits where its transmitter affects range from a role in pain and temperature control to its action on the hypothalamo-neurosecretory system. While the effect of ET-1 on nerve tissue is beyond doubt, its action on nerve blood flow is often ignored. Here, we review data generated in a number of species and using a variety of experimental models. Studies range from those showing the distribution of ET-1 and its receptors in nerve tissue to those describing numerous neurally-mediated effects of ET-1

Dues tombes romanes a Llafranc

El descobriment de dues inhumacions acompanyades d'ofrenes que van ser recuperades i salvades, permet realitzar un estudi detallat i fixar amb precisió la data dels enterraments que ajuden a precisar la història de la necròpoli romana de Llafran

Frequency-dependent material properties of copper and aluminum alloys

In this paper, the dynamic behavior of copper and aluminum alloys as used in electric drive units is investigated. Isothermal frequency sweeps are performed from 0.1 up to 50 Hz at temperatures of up to 400 °C. An evaluation of the test results at a constant frequency of 1 Hz shows a decrease in the storage modulus and an increase in the material damping. Considering all frequencies, a supplementary frequency dependency related to the material composition is detected. The lower the volume fraction of the alloying elements, the higher the impact of temperature and frequency on the material properties. The variations of the material parameters allow applying the time temperature superposition principle to estimate the dynamic behavior beyond the limited tested frequency range and temperatures by fitting the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation. Additional thermal aging of CU-ETP specimens does not affect the storage modulus, but diminishes the material damping. The findings show that each material has to be tested with regard to its respective application, material composition and manufacturing process. Furthermore, they demonstrate the relevance of considering the frequency-dependent material properties of low-alloyed copper and aluminum, especially in case of temperatures above 100 °C

Analytical prediction of the effective dynamic behaviour and the damping characteristics of laminated steel stacks as used in electric machines

The main objective of this paper is to investigate a detailed, micromechanical model for discontinuous, layered composites like they appear in electric motors. The model is employed in order to calculate the resulting properties of a laminated steel stack from the stator of an electric motor. In particular, the frequency dependency of the elastic behavior and the damping characteristics are of interest. The method is based on a representative unit cell, yet it is still fully analytical, wherefore it accelerates the determination of material data. The results were compared to findings from experiments with stator specimens. The predicted elastic constants as well as the damping behavior were in good accordance with experimental data