Reduction of postmortem angiography-induced tissue edema by using polyethylene glycol as a contrast agent dissolver

Postmortem investigation is increasingly supported by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, in which postmortem minimal invasive angiography has become important. The newly introduced approach using an aqueous contrast agent solution provided excellent vessel visualization but was suspected to possibly cause tissue edema artifacts in histological investigations. The aim of this study was to investigate on a porcine heart model whether it is possible to influence the contrast agent distribution within the soft tissue by changing its viscosity by dissolving the contrast agent in polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a matrix medium. High-resolution CT scans after injection showed that viscosities above c. 15 mPa s (65% PEG) prevented a contrast agent distribution within the capillary bed of the left ventricular myocardium. Thereby, the precondition of edema artifacts could be reduced. Its minimal invasive application on human corpses needs to be further adapted as the flow resistance is expected to differ between different tissues.

Photodegradation and photostabilization of weathered wood flour filled polyethylene composites

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) have gained popularity as building materials because of their usefulness in replacing solid wood in a variety of applications. These composites are promoted as being low-maintenance, high-durability products. However, it has been shown that WPCs exposed to weathering may experience a color change and/or loss in mechanical properties. An important requirement for building materials used in outdoor applications is the retention of their aesthetic qualities and mechanical properties during service life. Therefore, it is critical to understand the photodegradation mechanisms of WPCs exposed to UV radiation and to develop approaches to stabilize these composites (both unstabilized and stabilized) as well as the effect of weathering on the color fade and the retention of mechanical properties were characterized. Since different methods of manufacturing WPCs lead to different surface characteristics, which can influence weathering, the effect of manufacturing method on the photodegradation of WPCs was investigated first. Wood flour (WF) filled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composite samples were either injection molded, extruded, or extruded and then planed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the surface chemistry of the manufactured composites. The spectra showed that the surface of planed samples had more wood component than extruded and injection molded samples, respectively. After weathering, the samples were analyzed for color fade, and loss of flexural properties. The final lightness of the composites was not dependent upon the manufacturing method. However the mechanical property loss was dependent upon manufacturing method. The samples with more wood component at the surface (planed samples) experienced a larger percentage of total loss in flexural properties after weathering due to a greater effect of moisture on the samples. The change in surface chemistry of HDPE and WF/HDPE composites after weathering was studied using spectroscopic techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to characterize the occurrence of surface oxidation whereas FTIR spectroscopy was used to monitor the development of degradation products, such as carbonyl groups and vinyl groups, and to determine changes in HDPE crystallinity. Surface oxidation occurred immediately after exposure for both the neat HDPE and WF/HDPE composites. After weathering, the surface of the WF/HDPE composites was oxidized to a greater extent than the neat HDPE after weathering. This suggests that photodegradation is exacerbated by the addition of the carbonyl functional groups of the wood fibers within the HDPE atrix during composite manufacturing. While neat HDPE may undergo cross-linking in the initial stages of accelerated weathering, the WF may physically hinder the ability of the HDPE to cross-link resulting in the potential for HDPE chain scission to dominate in the initial weathering stages of the WF/HDPE composites. To determine which photostabilizers are most effective for WF/HDPE composites, factorial experimental designes were used to determine the effects of adding two hindered amine light stabilizers, an ultraviolet absorber, and a pigment on the color made and mechanical properties of both unweathered and UV weathered samples. Both the pigment and ultraviolet absorber were more effective photostabilizers for WF/HDPE composites than hinder amine light stabilizers. The ineffectiveness of hindered amine light stabilizers in protecting WPCs against UV radiation was attribuated to the acid/base reactions occurring between the WF and hindered amine light stabilizer. The efficiency of an ultraviolet absorber and/or pigment was also examined by incorporating different concentration of an ultraviolet absorber and/or pigment into WF/HDPE composites. Color change and flexural properties were determined after accelerated UV weathering. The lightness of the composite after weathering was influenced by the concentration of both the ultraviolet absorber by masking the bleaching wood component as well as blocking UV light. Flexural MOE loss was influenced by an increase in ultraviolet absorber concentration, but increasing pigment concentration from 1 to 2% had little influence on MOE loss. However, increasing both ultraviolet absorber and pigment concentration resulted in improved strength properties over the unstabilized composites after 3000 h of weather. Finally, the change in surface chemistry due to weathering of WF/HDPE composites that were either unstabilized or stabilized with an ultraviolet absorber and/or pigment was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. The samples were tested for loss in modulus of elasticity, carbonyl and vinyl group formation at the surface, and change in HDPE crystallinity. It was concluded that structural changes in the samples; carbonyl group formation, terminal vinyl group formation, and crystallinity changes cannot reliably be used to predict changes in modulus of elasticity using a simple linear relationship. The effect of cross-linking, chain scission, and crystallinity changes due to ultraviolet exposure as well as the interfacial degradation due to moisture exposure are inter-related factors when weathering HDPE and WF/HDPE composites.

Imaging of pulmonary embolism and t-PA therapy effects using MDCT and liposomal iohexol blood pool agent: preliminary results in a rabbit model.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Polyethylene glycol-coated liposomal blood pool contrast agents maintain contrast enhancement over several hours. This study aimed to evaluate (long-term) imaging of pulmonary arteries, comparing conventional iodinated contrast with a liposomal blood pool contrast agent. Also, visualization of the (real-time) therapeutic effects of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) on pulmonary embolism (PE) was attempted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six rabbits (weight approximately 4 kg) had autologous blood clots injected through the superior vena cava. Imaging was performed using conventional contrast (iohexol, 350 mg I/ml; GE HealthCare, Princeton, NJ) at a dose of 1400 mg I per animal, and after wash-out, animals were imaged using an iodinated liposomal blood pool agent (88 mg I/mL, dose 900 mg I/animal). Subsequently, five animals were injected with 2 mg of t-PA and imaging continued for up to 4(1/2) hours. RESULTS: Both contrast agents identified PE in the pulmonary trunk and main pulmonary arteries in all rabbits. Liposomal blood pool agent yielded uniform enhancement, which remained relatively constant throughout the experiments. Conventional agents exhibited nonuniform opacification and rapid clearance postinjection. Three of six rabbits had mistimed bolus injections, requiring repeat injections. Following t-PA, pulmonary embolus volume (central to segmental) decreased in four of five treated rabbits (range 10-57%, mean 42%). One animal showed no response to t-PA. CONCLUSIONS: Liposomal blood pool agents effectively identified acute PE without need for reinjection. PE resolution following t-PA was quantifiable over several hours. Blood pool agents offer the potential for repeated imaging procedures without need for repeated (nephrotoxic) contrast injections.

Sēfer Naḥalat Ṣevî : ḥibbûr niflā divrê mûsār we-sippûrê maʿaśîm we-han-niglôt hap-pešûṭîm el-lešôn aškenaz ...

hôṣî'ô le-'ôrā ... Hirš Ben- ... Yeraḥmî'ēl miq-Qraqa Ben- ... Yôsî miw-Wînā Ben- ... Avî ʿEzrî Demitqria Zelig ... miq-q"q ...

Sēfer Naḥalat Ṣevî : divrê mûsār mē-haz-zôhār haq-qādôš han-niglôt hap-pešûṭîm bi-lšôn aškenaz ...

hôṣî'ô le-'ôrā ... Hirš Ben- ... Yeraḥmî'ēl miq-Qraqa

Di fesṭzetzung wegin jidn : arois gigebene in Sankṭ Peṭersburg 13 april šenas 1835

Digitalisat der Ausg. Wilna, 1835

Luaḥ ha-peʿalim u-mishḳele ha-shemot oder : Paradigmen der hebräischen Conjugationen und Declinationen

verb. u. mit einer Einl. vers. von R. J. Fürstenthal, Vorsteher einer Schulanstalt

Pe͏̈tr I. Cajkowskij, Brustbild

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F06903

Alexander Siloti, Pe͏̈tr I. Cajkovskij, Doppelbildnis, Brustbild

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F09901

Pe͏̈tr I. Čajkowskij, Kniestück

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F10091

{[N.N.], Szenenfoto, Gruppenbildnis, in: Pe͏̈tr Il Čajkowskij: Jolanthe, Frankfurt a. M.: Opernhaus, ca. 1901

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F11996

Sefer Or le-Yiśraʾel : kolel Torah neviʾim u-khtuvim ; ʿim targum Onḳelos, Tiḳun sofrim, pe. Rashi, beʾur ṿe-targum Ashkenazi ...

ṿe-nosefu ʿalehem heʿarot ... Refaʾel be-r. Y. Firśṭenṭhal ...

Ordenamento territorial em Recife-pe : Os impactos urbanísticos e sociais da realocação de comunidades através do projeto Via Mangue

The logic of territorial ordainment in Recife has been developed mainly through the seclusion of the unwanted and the removal of stilt houses and slums in order to make room and prepare the space for new private enterprises. As an example of ordainment we took the 'Via Mangue' project, which is part of Recife's mobility plan and is one of the main projects aimed at the city's preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. We believe that the project makes use of the 'great social benefits' discourse in order to cover its actual and practical consequences which, taken as whole, lead to the favoring of private sector over the public interest. That being so, the main goal of the present work is to make an analysis of territorial ordainment in Recife through the execution of the Via Mangue project; observing at the same time the urban and social impacts caused by the relocation of communities to the Via Mangue III housing complex, and verifying whether this policy actually promoted substantial improvement of habitability or only a precarious social inclusion of these populations. Our research was conducted and operated at three levels. First, the conceptual reconstitution of territorial ordainment; second, documental and cartographic research on the Via Mangue project; and last, fieldwork with observation of the constructed space and personal interviews with members of the families relocated to the Via Mangue III housing complex. We hope the present work could be a valuable contribution to the comprehension of the complexities involved in the relocation of families to housing complexes built by the government