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Background/objective Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) may involve the kidney, respiratory tract, skin, or central and peripheral nervous system. Reports of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in AAV (AAV-ILD) have been increasing. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all patients with AAV-ILD between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017, and compared their pulmonary involvement to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Results We identified 24 patients with AAV-ILD: 14 with microscopic polyangiitis, 8 with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and 2 with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Perinuclear or myeloperoxidase ANCA was present in 16 cases (66.7%), whereas cytoplasmic or proteinase 3 ANCA was positive in 8 (33.3%). Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) was seen in 11 (45.8%), probable UIP in 1 (4.2%), indeterminate UIP in 2 (8.3%), and an alternate diagnosis in 10 (41.7%), and was further characterized as chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis-like pattern seen in 6 (25%), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia-like pattern in 3 (12.5%), and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia-like pattern in 1 (4.2%). Forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity declined over time in patients with AAV-ILD. When compared with the IPF cohort, patients with AAV-ILD had intermediate survival and speed of lung function decline (3-year survival in AAV-ILD group was 94% vs 69% in IPF). Conclusions Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis ILD is a progressive and potentially fatal condition. Although most cases in the literature are associated with p-ANCA and positive myeloperoxidase, we found that a third of patients had c-ANCA or granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Our cohort adds experience in this rare manifestation of AAV.

Case Presentation A 64-year-old man presented for consideration for lung transplant. He had a history of previous tobacco use, OSA on CPAP therapy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He worked as a design engineer. The patient had a 4-year history of dyspnea on exertion, followed with periodic CT scan of the chest. Nine months prior to his evaluation for lung transplant, the patient developed worsening of dyspnea, dry cough, poor appetite, and weight loss. At times, the cough was violent and associated with chest pressure. He was prescribed systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics without improvement. Four months later, the patient noted sudden onset of severe chest pain and worsening dyspnea. A CT scan of the chest demonstrated extensive pneumomediastinum in addition to changes consistent with pulmonary fibrosis. An esophagogram showed thickening of the distal esophagus, but no signs of perforation. He was prescribed supplemental oxygen and advised to stop the use of CPAP. The patient sought a second opinion. A CT scan of the chest showed improvement of the pneumomediastinum and extensive fibrotic lung disease. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were consistent with a restrictive pattern, decreased diffusing capacity (Dlco), and a preserved residual volume over total lung capacity ratio. The patient was prescribed systemic corticosteroids with no improvement of his symptoms. Repeat PFTs showed further decline of Dlco, and he was referred for lung transplant evaluation.

Lung involvement in connective tissue diseases is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, most commonly in the form of interstitial lung disease, and can occur in any of these disorders. Patterns of interstitial lung disease in patients with connective tissue disease are similar to those seen in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It may be difficult to distinguish between the 2 ailments, particularly when interstitial lung disease presents before extrapulmonary manifestations of the underlying connective tissue disease. There are important clinical implications in achieving this distinction. Given the complexities inherent in the management of these patients, a multidisciplinary evaluation is needed to optimize the diagnostic process and management strategies. The aim of this article was to summarize an approach to diagnosis and management based on the opinion of experts on this topic.

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Clinical History: A 70-year-old white woman with a remote history of smoking and mild gastroesophageal reflux disease presented with complaints of a dry cough and shortness of breath, present for some time but worsening over the previous 8 months. No hemoptysis was noted and the patient did not complain of chest pain. No history of syncope was noted. Physical examination was largely unremarkable and the patient’s oxygen saturation was 86% on room air, 90% on 4 L/m by mask. The patient’s vital signs were within normal limits. Laboratory evaluation was unremarkable. Quantiferon testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative, and testing for coccidioidomycosis was unrevealing. Enhanced thoracic CT (Figure 1) was performed. Which of the following statements regarding the thoracic CT is most accurate? 1. The thoracic CT shows advanced destructive emphysema 2. The thoracic CT shows bilateral, basal and subpleural predominant reticulation associated with ground-glass opacity, architectural distortion, and traction …

Dyspnea, cough, sputum production, and recurrent respiratory infections are frequently encountered clinical concerns leading patients to seek medical care. It is not unusual for a well-defined etiology to remain elusive or for the therapeutics of a presumed etiology to be incompletely effective. Either scenario should prompt consideration of central airway pathology as a contributor to clinical manifestations. Over the past decade, recognition of dynamic central airway collapse during respiration associated with multiple respiratory symptoms has become more commonly appreciated. Expiratory central airway collapse may represent the answer to this diagnostic void. Expiratory central airway collapse is an underdiagnosed disorder that can coexist with and mimic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis. Awareness of expiratory central airway collapse and its spectrum of symptoms is paramount to its recognition. This review includes clear definitions, diagnostics, and therapeutics for this challenging condition. We performed a narrative review through the PubMed (MEDLINE) database using the following MeSH terms: airway collapse, tracheobronchomalacia, tracheomalacia, and bronchomalacia. We include reports from systematic reviews, narrative reviews, clinical trials, and observational studies from 2005 to 2020. Two reviewers evaluated potential references. No systematic reviews were found. A total of 28 references were included into our review. Included studies report experience in the diagnosis and/or treatment of dynamic central airway collapse; case reports and non-English or non-Spanish studies were excluded. We describe the current diagnostic dilemma, highlighting the role of dynamic bronchoscopy and tracheobronchial stent trial; outline the complex therapeutic options (eg, tracheobronchoplasty); and present future directions and challenges.

Pathology of Vaping-Associated Lung Injury This letter describes findings in 17 patients with a history of vaping who had lung biopsies after presenting with symptoms and bilateral pulmonary opacit...

Mestrado em Gestão e Estratégia Industrial Ao longo dos anos, a manufatura aditiva tem estado em constante desenvolvimento e tem mostrado ser verdadeiramente uma tecnologia de produção. No entanto, embora não seja uma tecnologia nova, ainda carece de investigação e, portanto, com a sua crescente aceitação torna-se relevante estender a literatura sobre o tema, daí o objetivo deste estudo exploratório ser a análise da adoção da manufatura aditiva em empresas portuguesas. Os resultados parecem mostrar que as motivações para a adoção da manufatura aditiva são influenciadas maioritariamente por fatores estratégicos e tecnológicos, e que o principal desafio é a falta geral de conhecimento sobre a tecnologia. Os resultados também mostram que todas as empresas entrevistadas experienciaram benefícios em capacidade de autonomia, curto tempo de colocação no mercado de novos produtos, flexibilidade de produção, liberdade de design, capacidade de alto nível de customização, aumento da competitividade da empresa, aumento na inovação de produtos e processos, capacidade de alcançar novos clientes e envolvimento dos clientes no processo de criação. Quanto às limitações, as identificadas por todas as empresas foram a baixa taxa de produção oferecida pela tecnologia e a falta geral de conhecimento. No que respeita às perspetivas para o futuro, os resultados indicam que todas as empresas reconheceram que o potencial da tecnologia é imensurável, contudo mostra-se ainda necessário aumentar a oferta de educação e formações em manufatura aditiva, elevar a consciencialização acerca desta tecnologia, melhorar a velocidade e a qualidade da impressão, progredir no desenvolvimento de tecnologias híbridas e aumentar a certificação. Throughout the years, additive manufacturing has been in constant development and has been proving itself to be a true production technology. However, even though it is not a new technology, it still lacks research, and therefore, with its increased acceptance it becomes relevant to enlarge academic literature on the theme, hence the purpose of this exploratory study being the research on the adoption of additive manufacturing in Portuguese companies. The findings appear to show that motivations for additive manufacturing adoption are mostly influenced by strategic and technological factors, and that the main challenge is the general lack of knowledge about the technology. The findings also show that all interviewed companies have experienced benefits in autonomous abilities, short time-to- market of new products, production flexibility, design freedom, capabilities of high-level customization, increase in the company's competitiveness, boost in product and processes' innovation, capability of reaching new customers and customer involvement in the creation process. As for limitations, the ones identified by all companies were the short production rate offered by the technology and the general lack of knowledge. Regarding prospects for the future, findings show that all companies recognized that the technology's potential is unmeasurable, however there is still a need to increase the offer in additive manufacturing education and trainings, spread awareness of this technology, improve printing speed and quality, progress in the development of hybrid technologies and increase certification. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have recurring or continuous obstruction of bronchial airflow. The disease is usually characterized by progressive chronic airway inflammation that results from smooth muscle hypertrophy, airway ciliary dysfunction, and excessive mucous production, which ultimately increases airway resistance and hyperactivity. Parenchymal destruction associated with emphysema increases lung compliance, which further decreases expiratory airflow. COPD exacerbation can be precipitated by several factors, but the most common causes are respiratory tract infections (viral or bacterial).

Background Patients with ANCA-positive vasculitis may develop interstitial lung disease (ILD), it is an uncommon but increasingly recognised manifestation. Clinical characteristics and prognosis are not well known in these patients. The largest report to date is from East Asia describing microscopic polyangitis (MPA) as the most common association with ILD. Objectives To describe the cliniccal manifestatiions and response to therapy of patients with AAV and ILd compared with patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) Methods We conducted a retrospective 10 year chart review at the Mayo Clinic Florida, including patients with confirmed diagnoses of both AAV and ILD done by expert rheumatology and pulmonology clinical evaluations. Clinical characteristics of ANCA-ILD in 24 patients were compared to 29 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 22 patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), which were confirmed by applying the IPF diagnostic criteria based on the most recent ATS guidelines and IPAF criteria defined by Fischer and colleagues, respectively. Results We identified 24 ANCA-ILD patients. 14 patients had MPA, 12 patients had granulomatosis with polyangitis (GPA), and 2 patients had eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis (EGPA). 54% were female and mean age was 70. In half of the ANCA-ILD patients, vasculitis presented prior to ILD, mainly MPA, 36% of patients presented with ILD first, most of them with GPA. The rest presented with ILD and vasculitis at the same time. Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) was the most common radiographic pattern. Honeycombing was more common in MPA compared to GPA patients. Ground glass opacity was present in 5 (63%) of GPA and in 5 (36%) of MPA patients. Most MPA patients had positive anti-MPO antibody and p-ANCA. Only one GPA patient had positive anti-MPO antibody and two were p-ANCA positive. The majority of the GPA patients were positive for anti-proteinase-3 antibody and c-ANCA. The mainstay of treatment was corticosteroids. Rituximab was used in 14 patients. The decline in functional vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity (DLCO) was most marked in IPF group, followed by ANCA-ILD and then the IPAF group (Δ FVC, −0.5,–0.5, and 0.3 L/s; Δ DLCO, −3.7,–3.6, and −0.1, respectively). In a similar manner, survival was poorest in IPF, followed by ANCA-ILD and was best in the IPAF group. Conclusions This is, to our knowledge, the largest case series of clinically confirmed AAV with ILD in North America. Sizable number of GPA with c-ANCA positive patients presenting concomitant ILD is a novel observation for the clinical characteristics of ANCA-ILD that contradicts previous epidemiology of ANCA-ILD. Our data is also of value by adding prognostic information in an era of newer therapeutics, such as rituximab. In addition, the intermediate prognosis of ANCA-ILD, between IPF and IPAF, is very interesting especially after the new classification IPAF. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Interstitial lung disease is a common and often life-threatening manifestation of different connective tissue disorders, often affecting its overall prognosis. Systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease, although all unique diseases, can have lung manifestations as an important part of these conditions. This article reviews the different pulmonary manifestations seen in these 3 systemic rheumatologic conditions.

Objectives To describe the effect of implementing a contemporary perioperative pulmonary hypertension (PH)-targeted protocol in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) undergoing noncardiac surgery (NCS). Methods The data of consecutive patients with PAH diagnosed by right heart catheterization who underwent NCS between January 1, 2006 and February 9, 2016 were reviewed. Patient demographics, etiology of PAH, clinical features, diagnostic data, utilization of PH-specific medications, and trend of perioperative complications rate were recorded during the study period. Results In the base cohort of 375 patients, 37 had NCS. The mean age at surgery was 62 years. Most patients were women (78%) classified in group 1 PAH. At the time of the surgery, 86% were New York Heart Association functional class III/IV and 97% had American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications 3 and 4. A larger proportion of patients displayed lower PAH risk scores between 2006 and 2011 (P = 0.045). Conversely, a higher percentage of patients exhibited moderately high to very high PAH risk scores between 2012 and 2016 (P = 0.003). Perioperative and anesthetic-related morbidity was 27%, and no difference was observed between either period (P = 0.944). Most of the complications (70%) were related to general anesthesia. Two deaths (5%) occurred in our study group, both during the 2006-2011 period. Conclusions The combination of a multidisciplinary perioperative approach, utilization of novel pulmonary vascular disease-targeted therapy, adequate perioperative optimization, and thoughtful selection of anesthetic technique seems to be a potential strategy to at least maintain similar perioperative outcomes among higher- and lower-risk patients with PAH undergoing NCS.

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is an immune-mediated systemic disorder characterised by serum autoantibodies against U1-ribonucleoprotein and diverse multisystemic clinical manifestations. Approximately 50% of patients with MCTD develop a radiologic pattern of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Our single centre, cross-sectional study sought to identify clinical and serologic associations of ILD in patients with MCTD which may serve as predictors of lung disease and prognosis.Patients who met validated criteria for diagnosis of MCTD were included in the study, and were further differentiated into study and control groups based on presence or absence of ILD.Multivariate logistic regression showed an association of two clinical variables: dysphagia with an R2 value of 0.33 (p-value0.001) and Raynaud's phenomenon with R2 value of 0.28 (p-value0.001).An association of dysphagia with the development of ILD in our study is in harmony with the existing literature. There are primarily case reports, suggesting an association of Raynaud's phenomenon with development of ILD in patients with undifferentiated CTD. To our knowledge, this is the first study highlighting the association of Raynaud's phenomenon with development of ILD in patients with MCTD. The mechanistic aspects of the association between Raynaud's phenomenon and ILD remain unexplored. The association of easily elicited historical and clinical features of MCTD with subtle, but worrisome, pulmonary pathology carries the promise of sensitising the unsuspecting clinician about the entity of ILD in MCTD.

A 40-year-old woman (a nonsmoker) with history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and a platelet count > 90,000 cells/μL without specific medication was referred to pulmonary clinic for evaluation of multiple pulmonary nodules. The patient presented to an outside hospital with fatigue, lack of energy, and dyspnea on exertion for 2 years. She denied fever, cough, chest pain, or weight loss. An initial chest radiograph showed bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules. A chest CT scan revealed multiple nodular lesions, varying in size, in all lobes of both lungs. There was no mediastinal lymphadenopathy or pleural effusion. There was no significant hypermetabolic activity on a subsequent fluorodeoxyglucose PET scan/CT scan, and there had been no significant change. She underwent CT scan-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy and bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies, all of which were inconclusive. An open lung biopsy was considered.

This article focuses on the properties of paper samples made using foam-laid technology. The effects of three surfactants, namely sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), sodium alkyl ether sulphate (SAES), and linear chain alkyl polyglucoside (C8/C10-Gluc), on properties of foam formed paper samples were studied, using chemithermo-mechanical (CTMP) spruce pulp and bleached kraft pulp. The results show that the type of surfactant used in foam forming has significant effects on the mechanical properties and quality of paper. In the presence of ionic polymers, the charge of surfactant has a significant effect on the formation of the paper sample. It was also shown that at AKD dosages ≥ 3 kg/t, the water absorbency of water formed paper samples was greater than that of foam-formed samples made using C8/C10-Gluc. Foam-forming also produced greater dryness after forming and wet-pressing than the water forming method. The type and dosage of surfactant had a significant impact on dewatering. Filler retention of foam-formed samples was significantly higher when using a non-ionic surfactant instead of an anionic surfactant. The effect of the strength additive (cationic starch) in increasing the strength of foam-formed samples was less in the presence of anionic surfactants than with non-ionic surfactants.

The preparation of oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsions stabilized with silica nanoparticle sols has been investigated. The emulsification was performed using a high shear homogenizer (Microfluidizer TM processor, Microfluidics, USA). The effect of different processing conditions on the droplet size distribution and stability was investigated in emulsions prepared using different types of oils, oil concentration and particle/oil ratios. It was the ability of the particles to attach to, and stabilize the newly created interface, rather than their ability to lower the interfacial tension, what proved important for the drop size of the resulting emulsions. Changes in drop size distribution with time, attributed to Ostwald ripening effects, were observed for the more soluble oils, while stable nanoemulsions with droplet size of ∼100–200 nm could be produced using a virtually water-insoluble oil such as squalene.

The use of metachromatic dye-based formulations for the preparation of inkjettable prototype indicators suitable for the detection of charged macromolecules, surfactants or other low molecular weight molecules was investigated. Such indicators were based on the use of metachromatic o-toluidine blue (OTB) that undergoes a characteristic change in color (from blue to pink) upon interaction with anionic macromolecules. When applied onto absorbing substrates such as paper and paperboard, solutions containing OTB and the same dye in the presence of potassium polyvinyl sulfate (KPVS), proved to indicate negatively charged polymers and cationic surfactants. The colorimetric responses suggest a detection limit and sensitivity both are in the order of 1 mM of charged species but can be further improved. Interactions between active species in the indicators and some of the additives in inkjettable formulations (surfactant and humectants) interfered with the mechanism by which an OTB/KVPS-based system work only to a minor degree and could be overcome by priming the substrate. An OTB-based system was formulated into an inkjettable formulation that, once applied to a substrate, was showed to indicate charged polymers and surfactants. This concept has the potential for sensing/indication of other charged macromolecules, such as carboxylates and polyphosphates, which are relevant in biomedical (e.g. fouling due to microbial activity), packaging applications (e.g. migration or release of compounds, food spoilage), microfluidic devices or a simple dipstick application to indicate the presence of charged components.

Emulsion stabilization by native cellulose has been mainly hampered because of its insolubility in water. Chemical modification is normally needed to obtain water-soluble cellulose derivatives. These modified celluloses have been widely used for a range of applications by the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutic, paint and construction industries. In most cases, the modified celluloses are used as rheology modifiers (thickeners) or as emulsifying agents. In the last decade, the structural features of cellulose have been revisited, with particular focus on its structural anisotropy (amphiphilicity) and the molecular interactions leading to its resistance to dissolution. The amphiphilic behavior of native cellulose is evidenced by its capacity to adsorb at the interface between oil and aqueous solvent solutions, thus being capable of stabilizing emulsions. In this overview, the fundamentals of emulsion formation and stabilization by biomolecules are briefly revisited before different aspects around the emerging role of cellulose as emulsion stabilizer are addressed in detail. Particular focus is given to systems stabilized by native cellulose, either molecularly-dissolved or not (Pickering-like effect). Financially support by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, FCT, via the projects PTDC/AGR-TEC/4814/2014, PTDC/ASP-SIL/30619/2017 and researcher grant IF/01005/2014. RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB and PERFORM, a competence platform in Formulation Science at RISE, are acknowledged for additional financing. This research has been supported by Treesearch.se. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The foaming properties of typical chemithermo-mechanical (CTMP) and kraft pulp paper making formulations in the presence of a series of surfactants were investigated using a lab-scale foaming set up. Foamability, foam stability, and bubble size distribution of the generated foam-fibre systems were measured. The foaming behaviour of the fibre/surfactant systems was found to be dependent on the surfactant concentration. Foams fulfilling the target requirements of air content (ca. 65% v/v air) and average bubble size (25 to 75 µm in radius) were obtained with all the seven surfactants tested. Three of the surfactants were found to allow for a rapid foaming in the system, namely sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), a commercial mixture of alkyl and ethoxylated alkyl sulphates, (MixSAES) and a commercial mixture of short chain alkyl glucosides (C8/C10Gluc). The rapid foaming is believed to be an intrinsic property of mixtures of surfactants with the right molecular structures and in the right proportion with respect to each other. On the other hand, the minimum surfactant concentrations required to reach the target foam volumes were lowest for surfactants with an anionic character. Further, the type of pulp fibre and the presence of GCC in the surfactant/pulp formulation were found to have very little effect on the foaming performance of the suspensions.

Hydrocephalus is an uncommon presentation of neurosarcoidosis. We discuss the case of a 67‐year‐old woman with a prior diagnosis of hypothyroidism, systemic hypertension, and lung sarcoidosis who presented with a 1‐month history of progressive impairment of consciousness leading to prostration and loss of sphincter control. At admission, patient was febrile with altered speech and without focalization. Laboratory results showed leucocytosis and mild anaemia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was characterized by mild elevated protein level, increased cell count, normal glucose and adenosine deaminase (ADA), negative cytology, and no bacterial isolations. Electroencephalogram showed toxic‐metabolic encephalopathy. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain revealed hydrocephalus without structural damage, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated non‐specific diffuse meningeal enhancement and periventricular changes supporting normal pressure hydrocephalus. Chest X‐ray showed mediastinal adenopathy and parenchymatous lesions, consistent with stage II lung sarcoidosis. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was installed, and the patient experienced rapid improvement in her symptoms.

The replacement of flexible polyolefin barrier layers with novel, thin, functional polymer coatings in the production of paperboard packaging involves the risk of deteriorated barrier and mechanical properties during the converting process. Local defects or cracks in the protective barrier layer can arise because of the stress induced in creasing and folding operations. In this study, the incorporation of microencapsulated self-healing agents in coating formulations applied both by spot- and uniform-coating techniques was studied. The preparation process of microcapsules with a hydrophobic core surrounded by a hydrophobically modified polysaccharide membrane in aqueous suspension was developed to obtain capsules fulfilling both the criteria of small capsule size and reasonably high solids content to match the requirements set on surface treatment of paperboard for enhancement of packaging functionality. The survival of the microcapsules during application and their effectiveness as self-healing agents were investigated. The results showed a reduced tendency for deteriorated barrier properties and local termination of cracks formed upon creasing. The self-healing mechanism involves the rupture of microcapsules local to the applied stress, with subsequent release of the core material. Crack propagation is hindered by plasticization of the underlying coating layer, while the increased hydrophobicity helps to maintain the barrier properties. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The location and penetration patterns of two fluorescently labelled, surface active molecules into normal and waxy wheat starch granules prior, during and after the temperature-induced gelatinization were studied by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Amphiphilic dyes were found to have a tendency to penetrate wheat starch granules in aqueous suspension. The penetration patterns were however found to be dependent on the contact time, type of starch and the chain length (C 12 vs. C 16 ) of the amphiphilic dye. The penetration of amphiphilic dyes through the starch granule matrix proved to be less restricted in waxy than in normal wheat starch. For a given type of starch, the penetration of the longer chain dye was more constrained than that of the shorter chain one. The extent to which the dye diffuses into the granule matrix as it gelatinizes is also affected by the chain length of the dye, diffusion of the shorter chain dye occurring more profusely and at lower temperatures than for the longer chain one. These differences are suggested to be related to the dissociation temperature of the AM-amphiphilic dye complexes.

Pasting and calorimetric studies of normal and waxy wheat starch were performed in the presence of a series of ionic (sulphates, trimethyl ammonium bromides) and non-ionic (monoglycerides, maltos ...

Systematic studies were performed on the effect of the surfactant alkyl chain length (10–16 carbon atoms) and the head group charge/structure (anionic, cationic, nonionic) on the pasting properties of wheat flour and starch aqueous suspensions by means of a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). An excellent agreement was observed between the effect of surfactants on the onset temperature of the pasting process (PT) and the time to reach peak viscosity (tpeak) of wheat flour and wheat starch suspensions. Moreover, a correlation was found between the effect of different surfactants on these two parameters. With the exception of the cationic surfactants (alkyl trimethyl ammonium bromides), the effect of surfactants (alkyl sulfates, maltosides, monoglycerides, and sucrose esters) was found to be strongly dependent on the surfactant chain length. Shorter chain surfactants (C10–C12) induced an earlier pasting, while longer chain surfactants (C14–C16) had the opposite effect. The effect of surfactants on PT and t...

The catastrophic emulsion inversion from abnormal to normal morphology is produced in different conditions, as far as the experimental protocol is concerned. Far from optimum formulation, the inversion is found to take place when the fraction of the dispersed phase, which may be a single phase or an inner emulsion of a multiple emulsion, reaches a critical packing value. Near optimum formulation, a so-called low-tension streaming-bicontinuity regime is found to happen instead of an emulsion morphology. The phenomenology is used to interpret the emulsification of viscous oil phases in industrial processes.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the trachea is rare. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman with a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the trachea and review the existing literature. This case highlights the importance of including intraluminal lesions in the differential diagnosis when a variable degree of obstruction is seen on pulmonary function testing.

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a known complication after catheter ablation of arrhythmias. Surprisingly, little information is available on its manifestations in the lung. We describe the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented from an outside hospital with worsening shortness of breath after catheter ablation of pulmonary veins for atrial fibrillation. After an initial diagnosis of pneumonia and its nonimprovement with antibiotics, a surgical lung biopsy was done and interpreted as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) with vascular changes consistent with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Later, she was admitted to our institution where a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and subsequent computed tomography (CT) angiogram of the heart showed severe stenosis of all four pulmonary veins. The previous lung biopsy was rereviewed and reinterpreted as severe parenchymal congestion mimicking NSIP. Our case demonstrates that PVS is an underrecognized complication of catheter ablation, and increased awareness among both clinicians and pathologists is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis.

Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases have diverse etiology and treatment often requires individualization taking into consideration comorbidities. Pulmonary hypertension represents one such comorbidity which, when present, worsens prognosis and confounds approach to treatment. Sildenafil is a pulmonary vasodilator, which has recently generated considerable interest for use in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease and concomitant pulmonary hypertension. We wondered whether acute administration of oral sildenafil affects the diffusion capacity measurement, which is a tool for serially monitoring patients with diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. Methods: 15 patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease and pulmonary hypertension (WHO Class III) had diffusion capacity measurements and 6 minute walk test performed before and after receiving sildenafil 20 mg orally. CT scans of the chest were scored to determine burden of interstitial lung disease. Results: The mean change in DLCO after administration of oral sildenafil was -0.26 ± 0.94 ml/min/mmHg (p=0.30) and -0.41 ± 2.84 % predicted (p=0.58). The average 6 minute walk distance at baseline was 363.28 ± 141 meters. After oral administration of sildenafil, 6 minute walk distance was 369 ± 116 meters (p=0.63). No correlation was observed between composite radiology scores and DLCO measurements or change in DLCO and radiology scores (p=0.43 and p=0.17 respectively). Conclusion: We found no acute change in diffusion capacity after a single dose of oral sildenafil in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.

The stirring intensity has a complex effect on the catastrophic inversion of emulsions in the direction of change from abnormal to normal morphology. At both low and high stirring energy, the inversion takes place early, after a low amount of the internal phase is added and through the occurrence of a multiple emulsion. At some intermediate stirring energy, the inversion appears to be delayed and it takes place without the occurrence of multiple emulsions.

The research work on why and how distribution bimodality tends to reduce the viscosity of a particulate suspension is reviewed. The transfer of the corresponding concepts to emulsions requires some statistical tools, and becomes particularly easy with probability scale plotting which is reviewed. Viscosity reduction can be attained for different kinds of fine and coarse emulsion associations. The results are shown to depend on the characteristics of the base emulsions as well as on the way they are mixed.

A 40-year-old woman (a nonsmoker) with history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and a platelet countgt; 90,000 cells/μL without specific medication was referred to pulmonary clinic for evaluation of multiple pulmonary nodules. The patient presented to an outside hospital with fatigue, lack of energy, and dyspnea on exertion for 2 years. She denied fever, cough, chest pain, or weight loss. An initial chest radiograph showed bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules. A chest CT scan revealed multiple nodular lesions, varying in size, in all lobes of both lungs. There was no mediastinal lymphadenopathy or pleural effusion. There was no significant hypermetabolic activity on a subsequent fluorodeoxyglucose PET scan/CT scan, and there had been no significant change. She underwent CT scan-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy and bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies, all of which were inconclusive. An open lung biopsy was considered.