An increasing number of devices can provide mechanical circulatory support (MCS) to patients with acute hemodynamic compromise and chronic end-stage heart failure. These devices work by different pumping mechanisms, have various flow capacities, are inserted by different techniques, and have different sites from which blood is withdrawn and returned to the body. These factors result in differen...

The pathogenesis of tendon degeneration and tendinopathy is still partially unclear. However, an active role of metalloproteinases (MMP), growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and a crucial role of inflammatory elements and cytokines was demonstrated. Mechanical stimulation may play a role in regulation of inflammation. In vitro studies demonstrated that both pulsed ...

Introduction: Antithrombin or antithrombin III is a vitamin K-independent, natural anticoagulant that is the major inhibitor of thrombin. With the binding of heparin, a conformational change in antithrombin occurs that increases the inactivation of thrombin by antithrombin by 4000-fold. Antithrombin deficiency can be hereditary or acquired; the acquired form is frequently encountered in patient...

AIMS We hypothesized that chronic heart failure as a model of systemic hypoxia may result in systemic inflammation. The signs of a systemic inflammatory response should disappear after successful mechanical circulatory support using biventricular assist device systems. METHODS AND RESULTS Plasma levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) and soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM, sE-, sL-, sP-Se...

In response to various stress stimuli, heat shock genes are induced to express heat shock proteins (Hsps). Previous studies have revealed that expression of heat shock genes is regulated both at transcriptional and posttranscriptional level, and the rapid transcriptional induction of heat shock genes involves activation of the specific transcription factor, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). Furthermo...

A non-equilibrium molecular dynamics method is employed to study the mechanical response of soda-lime glass (a material commonly used in transparent armor applications) when subjected to the loading conditions associated with the generation and propagation of planar shock waves. Specific attention is given to the identification and characterization of various (inelastic-deformation and energy-d...

Introduction. Knowledge of the dynamic response of planetary minerals such as H2O ice is required to model and interpret mutual collisions and impact craters. The Hugoniot of H2O ice describes the dynamic strength and possible shock-compressed states, which determine the mechanical and thermodynamic work done during an impact event. Previous studies [1, and references within] of the shock prope...

Heat shock protein levels are increased in cells as a result of exposure to stress. To determine whether heat shock protein regulation could be used to evaluate stress in cells during spaceflight, the response of Jurkat cells to spaceflight and simulated space shuttle launch vibration was investigated by evaluating hsp70 and hsp27 gene expression. Gene expression was assessed by reverse transcr...

Agglutinins for Bacterium pullorum in hens' eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493 Alexander, Harry I., Larsen, Ntis P , Haigh, A. V. R., and Paddock, Royce. The failure of peptone to protect against anaphylactic shock and allergic conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409 Alexande...