Novel composites are gained with outstanding mechanical properties and high temperature resistance, so the combine toughening by silicone rubber and PC is an ideal toughening system owing to the synergistic effect. In addition, the PA66/PC/silicone rubber/OMMT composite exhibits better flexile strength and flexile modulus without weakening other mechanical properties. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 2964-2971, 2010″
“Purpose: To validate proposed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of Crohn disease activity against a histopathologic reference.

Materials and Methods: Ethical permission was given by the University College London hospital ethics committee,

and informed written consent was obtained from all participants. Preoperative MDV3100 concentration Smoothened Agonist Stem Cells & Wnt inhibitor MR imaging was performed in 18 consecutive patients with Crohn disease undergoing elective small-bowel resection. The Harvey-Bradshaw index, the C-reactive protein level, and disease chronicity were recorded. The resected bowel was retrospectively identified

at preoperative MR imaging, and wall thickness, mural and lymph node/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal intensity ratios on T2-weighted fat-saturated images, gadolinium-based contrast material uptake, enhancement pattern, and mesenteric signal intensity on T2-weighted fat-saturated images were recorded. Precise histologic matching was achieved by imaging the ex vivo surgical specimens. Histopathologic grading of acute inflammation with the acute inflammatory LB-100 cell line score (AIS) (on the basis of mucosal ulceration, edema, and quantity and depth of neutrophilic infiltration) and the degree of fibrostenosis was performed at each site, and results were compared with MR imaging features. Data were analyzed by using linear regression with robust standard errors of the estimate.

Results: AIS was positively correlated with mural thickness and mural/CSF signal intensity ratio on T2-weighted fat-saturated images (P < .001 and P = .003, respectively) but not with

mural enhancement at 30 and 70 seconds (P = .50 and P = .73, respectively). AIS was higher with layered mural enhancement (P < .001), a pattern also commonly associated with coexisting fibrostenosis (75%). Mural/CSF signal intensity ratio on T2-weighted fat-saturated images was higher in histologically edematous bowel than in non-edematous bowel (P = .04). There was no correlation between any lymph node characteristic and AIS.

Conclusion: Increasing mural thickness, high mural signal intensity on T2-weighted fat-saturated images, and a layered pattern of enhancement reflect histologic features of acute small-bowel inflammation in Crohn disease. (C) RSNA, 2009″
“Background: Recent studies have broadened the potential use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) in patients with systolic heart failure after cardiovascular hospitalization.