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Acrylic rubber (ACM) nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared and the properties were characterized. CNCs were produced by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose powder and used without further chemical modification of the surfaces. The CNCs were already aggregated in aqueous suspension. However, their aggregated sizes and uniform distribution in the ACM did not change with increase in the concentration of CNC. This result suggested good compatibility of the CNC with ACM. Fourier-transform infrared/attenuated total reflection spectroscopy revealed that the good compatibility could be attributed to attractive interactions between CNC and ACM. The good compatibility led to an increase in breaking stress of the ACM/CNC nanocomposites, up to about 10 MPa at a high concentration of 24 phr of CNC. Thermal decomposition of the nanocomposites occurred due to first the CNC followed by the ACM. More weight residues of the nanocomposites were found above 400 °C with increase in the concentration of CNC. The char produced by the decomposition of CNC is suggested the act as a flame retardant for ACM. In addition, the swelling ratio of the ACM/CNC nanocomposites against hydrophobic solvents decreased with increase in the concentration of CNC. The hydrophilic properties of the unmodified CNC from the surface hydroxyl groups increased the oil-resistant properties of the ACM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Young infants with influenza virus infection are frequently hospitalized, and are at risk of serious complications including death. With the emergence of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009, oseltamivir was approved for use in Europe and the USA, including use in infants aged < 3 months. However, few data are available regarding the safety of oseltamivir treatment for influenza in infants aged < 3 months. Methods: The clinical data from Japanese infants aged < 3 months with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections, who were treated with oseltamivir between October 2009 and April 2011, were collected and analyzed. Results: Forty-four infants were included in the study. The median age was 1 month (range 4 days to 2 months) and median body weight was 4.5 kg (range 2.6-7.6 kg). Thirty-eight infants (86%) had no underlying diseases. The most common presenting symptom was fever (42 infants, 95%). There were no cases of influenza-associated encephalopathy or myocarditis. The median time between the onset of influenza symptoms and initiation of oseltamivir treatment was 0 days (range 0-7 days), with treatment initiated within 1 day in 40 infants (91%). The oseltamivir dose was 1.5-2 mg/kg twice daily in 98% of infants. No serious adverse events were identified during treatment. All infants recovered completely. Conclusions: Treatment of influenza with oseltamivir 1.5-2 mg/kg twice daily may be safe in infants aged < 3 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although various methods for collagen gel-based cell invasion assays have been described, there continues to be a need for a simpler and more objective assay. Here, we describe an easy-to-prepare double-layered collagen gel hemisphere (DL-CGH) system that satisfies these requirements, and we demonstrate the advantages of this new system for visualizing cell movements during invasion. DL-CGH consists of a central core collagen layer surrounded by an outer cover collagen layer. A droplet of collagen I solution (containing cells to be examined) naturally forms a small hemisphere on the bottom of the culture dish. After this central core layer gels, a second droplet is placed atop the first gel, encapsulating it completely. The hemisphere is submerged in the medium and cultured. The invasive activity of cells that infiltrate from the inner to the outer layer can be evaluated optically. Using this in vitro system, we measured the inhibitory effect of E-cadherin expression on cancer cell invasion. DL-CGH also allowed visualization of interactions between invading cancer cells and the stroma. Cancer cells, which lack the proteases required for direct entrance into the three-dimensional collagen matrix, were seen to slip like amoebas through matrix gaps generated by the pericellular proteolytic activity of fibroblasts. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Cell Communication and Adhesion for the following free supplemental resources: Movies 1-3; 4a and b]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]