We have therefore adapted Lactobacillus plantarum to grow well on

We have therefore adapted Lactobacillus plantarum to grow well on glycerol as its main growth substrate.

After prolonged serial dilutions, the growth yield and corresponding fluxes were compared to in silico predictions. Surprisingly, the organism still produced mainly lactate, which was corroborated by FBA to indeed be optimal. To understand these results, constraint-based elementary flux mode analysis was developed that predicted 3 out of 2669 possible flux modes to be optimal under the experimental conditions. These optimal pathways corresponded very closely to the experimentally observed fluxes and explained lactate formation as the result of competition for oxygen by the other selleck chemicals llc flux modes. Hence, these results provide thorough understanding of adaptive evolution, allowing in silico predictions of the resulting flux states, provided that the selective growth conditions favor yield optimization as the winning strategy.”
“ObjectiveMuch is unknown about the influence of dispositional optimism and affective communication on genetic counselling

outcomes. This study investigated the influence of counselees’ optimism on the counselees’ risk perception accuracy and anxiety, while taking into account the affective communication during the first consultation for breast cancer genetic counselling.

MethodsCounselees completed questionnaires measuring optimism, anxiety and the perceived find more risk that hereditary selleckchem breast cancer runs in the family before, and anxiety and perceived risk after the first consultation. Consultations were

videotaped. The duration of eye contact was measured, and verbal communication was rated using the Roter Interaction Analysis System.

ResultsLess-optimistic counselees were more anxious post-visit (=-.29; p=.00). Counsellors uttered fewer reassuring statements if counselees were more anxious (=-.84; p=.00) but uttered more reassurance if counselees were less optimistic (=-.76; p=.01). Counsellors expressed less empathy if counselees perceived their risk as high (=-1.51; p=.04). An increase in the expression of reassurance was related to less post-visit anxiety (=-.35; p=.03). More empathy was related to a greater overestimation of risk (=.92; p=.01).

ConclusionsIdentification of a lack of optimism as a risk factor for high anxiety levels enables the adaptation of affective communication to improve genetic counselling outcomes. Because reassurance was related to less anxiety, beneficial adaptation is attainable by increasing counsellors’ reassurance, if possible. Because of a lack of optimally adapted communication in this study, further research is needed to clarify how to increase counsellors’ ability to adapt to counselees. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“BACKGROUND: Airway anastomotic complications remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation (LT).

The templated CuPc films were found to grow on both the (110) and

The templated CuPc films were found to grow on both the (110) and (102) plane of the alpha-PTCDA layer, indicating the intermolecular pi-pi interaction is strong enough to induce templating even on the underlying layer which is tilted at an angle of 25 degrees from the substrate surface as well as on the surface-parallel SBE-β-CD layer. In contrast to

the large growth exponent (beta) values for other single layer molecular thin films, a significantly small beta value of 0.17 +/- 60.06 was obtained on the PTCDA/CuPc heterolayer thin film system. The XRD and scaling behavior studies suggest that this relatively slow surface roughening can be rationalized by the lack of surface parallel crystalline ordering at the initial stage of CuPc film growth on the

PTCDA layer. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3553884]“
“The authors report an 8-year-old girl with refractory status epilepticus due to hypertensive encephalopathy, secondary to end-stage renal disease. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the acute phase showed striking hyperintensities in the brain stem and medial thalamus along with subtle cortical lesions. After successful control of hypertensive crisis and status epilepticus, the patient recovered to her baseline. Near total resolution of the SNX-5422 cost lesions was noted on follow-up imaging performed 9 days later. Predominant brainstem involvement as a feature of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

due to hypertensive crisis is extremely rare in children and has not been well documented.”
“Purpose: Ionising radiation (IR) can evoke a series of biochemical events inside the cell. However, whether IR can directly induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is not clear. In our previous study, we found that there might be a causative link DZNeP mw between IR and ER stress. In this study, we further characterised the type of ER stress induced by IR.

Materials and methods: Rat intestinal epithelial cells IEC-6 were irradiated at a dose of 10 Gy, and total RNA and proteins were harvested at indicated time points. The mRNA and protein expression of immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) and glucose regulated protein 94 (GRP94) was detected along with proteins associated with ER stress signal pathways.

Results: Our results indicated that IR induced up-regulation of ER stress marker including BiP and GRP94 at protein and mRNA levels in IEC-6 cells.

Prescription medications did not significantly affect changes in

Prescription medications did not significantly affect changes in gene expression.

Conclusions-

Successful

and sustained modulation of gene expression through lifestyle changes may have beneficial effects on the vascular system not apparent from traditional risk factors. Healthy lifestyles may restore homeostasis to the leukocyte transcriptome by downregulating lactoferrin and other genes important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Clinical Trial Registration-

URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01805492″
“Biobased nanocomposites and composite fibers were prepared from organosolv lignin/organoclay mixtures by mechanical mixing and subsequent melt intercalation. Two organically-modified selleck screening library montmorillonite (MMT) clays with different ammonium cations were used. The effect of organoclay varying from 1 to 10 wt % on the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites was studied. Thermal analysis revealed an increased in T(g) for the nanocomposites as compared with the original organosolv lignin. For both organoclays, lignin intercalation into

the silicate layers was observed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The intercalated hybrids exhibited a substantial increase in tensile strength and melt process-ability. In the case of organoclay Cloisite 30B, X-ray analysis indicates the possibility of complete exfoliation SYN-117 at 1 wt % organoclay loading. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 2877-2881, 2010″
“A fundamental question in understanding buy BYL719 neuronal computations is how dendritic events influence the output of the neuron. Different forms of integration

of neighbouring and distributed synaptic inputs, isolated dendritic spikes and local regulation of synaptic efficacy suggest that individual dendritic branches may function as independent computational subunits. In the present paper, we study how these local computations influence the output of the neuron. Using a simple cascade model, we demonstrate that triggering somatic firing by a relatively small dendritic branch requires the amplification of local events by dendritic spiking and synaptic plasticity. The moderately branching dendritic tree of granule cells seems optimal for this computation since larger dendritic trees favor local plasticity by isolating dendritic compartments, while reliable detection of individual dendritic spikes in the soma requires a low branch number. Finally, we demonstrate that these parallel dendritic computations could contribute to the generation of multiple independent place fields of hippocampal granule cells.”
“CE inhibitory activity was studied for different hydrolysates obtained from protein concentrates of chickpea (kabuli and desi) and yellow pea (Golden) using in vitro gastrointestinal simulation, alcalase/flavourzyme, and papain.

Next, we extracted the genes that are differentially expressed ge

Next, we extracted the genes that are differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were extracted using the Rank products

method of the Bioconductor software package. These DEGs were sorted into 8 groups using the hclust function according to gene expression patterns. Three of the groups across which the expression levels progressively increased included 100 genes, while 3 groups across which the levels decreased contained 47 genes. Storage proteins, seed-maturation proteins, some protease inhibitors, and the allergen Gly m Bd 28K were classified into the former groups. Lipoxygenase (LOX) family members were present in both the groups, indicating the multi-functionality with different expression patterns. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights SB273005 reserved.”
“This paper investigates theoretically and numerically local heating effects in plasmon nanofocusing

structures with a particular focus on the sharp free-standing metal wedges. The developed model separates plasmon propagation in the wedge from the resultant heating effects. Therefore, this model is only applicable where the temperature increments in a nanofocusing structure are sufficiently small not to result in significant variations of the metal permittivity in the wedge. The problem is reduced to a one-dimensional heating model with a distributed heat source resulting from plasmon dissipation in the metal wedge. A simple heat conduction equation governing the local heating effects in a nanofocusing structure is derived and solved numerically click here for plasmonic pulses of different lengths and reasonable energies. Both the possibility of achieving substantial local temperature increments in the wedge (with a significant self-influence of the heating plasmonic pulses), and the possibility of relatively weak heating (to ensure the validity of the previously developed nanofocusing theory)

are demonstrated Vorinostat and discussed, including the future applications of the obtained results. Applicability conditions for the developed model are also derived and discussed. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3615843]“
“Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of sclerotherapy of maxillofacial venous malformations by use of absolute ethanol and pingyangmycin (bleomycin A(5) hydrochloride).

Patients and Methods: We treated 23 consecutive patients with maxillofacial venous malformations by sclerotherapy with a combination of absolute ethanol and pingyangmycin under local anesthesia. The size of the lesions ranged from 2 cm x 2 cm to 12 cm x 10 cm. Venography showed the presence of large venous lakes. Venograms were obtained during the first procedure before and after injection of absolute ethanol (0-5-2.5 mL) to confirm the site of the nidus and assess the effect of sclerosis of the nidus and draining veins. Subsequently, 8 to 16 mg of pingyangmycin dissolved in 40 mL of saline solution was infused into the nidus by a dynamic infusion pump at a rate of 1 mL/min.

Respiratory rate, preplacement (PRE) numeric pain scale (NPS) sco

Respiratory rate, preplacement (PRE) numeric pain scale (NPS) scores, and sustained maximal

inspiration (SMI) lung volumes were determined at rest and after coughing. Parameters were repeated 60 minutes Entinostat clinical trial after catheter placement (POST). Hospital LOS comparison was made with historical controls using epidural analgesia.

Results: Over the study period, 102 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 69 (21-96) years, mean injury severity score was 14 (9-16), and the mean number of rib fractures was 5.8 (3-10). Mean NPS improved significantly (PRE NPS at rest = 7.5 vs. POST NPS at rest = 2.6, p < 0.05, PRE NPS after cough = 9.4, POST after cough = 3.6, p < 0.05) which was associated with an increase in the SMI (PRE SMI = 0.4 L and POST SMI = 1.3 L, p < 0.05). Respiratory rate decreased significantly (p < 0.05) and only 2 of 102 required mechanical ventilation. Average LOS for the study population was 2.9 days compared with 5.9 days in the historical control. No procedural or drug-related complications occurred.

Conclusion: Utilization of CINB learn more significantly improved pulmonary function, pain control, and shortens LOS in patients with rib fractures.”
“Predictors of aortic dilatation are not well described in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). This study sought to examine the relationship between proximal aortic dilatation and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and alpha

1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) levels in patients with BAV. All patients

underwent echocardiography using a standard protocol, and aortic measurements were taken in end-diastole. We studied 82 patients with BAV and categorized them into two groups according to aortic dimensions corrected for body surface area and age. The plasma level of alpha 1AT was routinely determined using a BN ProSpec analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany), and that of MMP-9 were determined by ELISA (RayBiotech Inc. Norcross, GA, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software for Windows version 12. This study included patients with BAV with no or mild valvular impairment. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of gender, body surface area, associated hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or smoking. The mean BTSA1 cell line ascending aortic diameter was 4.38 +/- A 0.5 mm in group 1 and 3.34 +/- A 0.35 mm in group 2 (p < 0.001). Plasma concentration of alpha 1AT in patients with ascending aortic dilatation was significantly lower than that in the non-dilated group (1.32 +/- A 0.27 and 1.49 +/- A 0.25 g/l, respectively; p = 0.005). However, no significant difference was found in the MMP-9 level between the two groups (336.49 +/- A 233.11 and 336.39 +/- A 268.072 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.96). We observed a significantly negative correlation between ascending aortic diameter and alpha 1AT level (r = -0.300, p = 0.

Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to determine

Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to determine transcription and cellular distribution of cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) in the equine endometrium during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. Endometrial biopsy and blood samples were collected from cycling mares on days (d) 8, 11, 15 and 18 (oestrus) (Day 0 = Day of ovulation; n = 5 for each day) and from pregnant mares (n = 4) on d15. Except for mares on d18 and some cyclic mares (n = 2) on d15 with low progesterone (P(4)) concentrations (< 3.18 nm), P(4) concentrations were high. Cytosolic PLA2 was mainly localized in the luminal epithelium and stroma was negative. PFTα chemical structure Cytosolic

PLA2 expression was negatively correlated with P(4) concentration (r = -0.75, P < 0.001) and differed according to the stage of the oestrous cycle (P < 0.05). Cytosolic PLA2 expression was high during oestrus and

declined to basal levels on d8 (P < 0.05). Thereafter, there was a trend for increased cPLA2 expression as luteal phase progressed. However, as P(4) dropped below 3.18 nm on d15, cPLA2 expression increased (P < 0.05). In pregnant mares, cPLA2 expression was not different from cyclic mares on d15 with high P(4) concentrations. However, it was lower than cyclic mares with low P(4) concentrations (p < 0.05). In conclusion, cPLA2 isoform, a member of the PLA2 family that controls PGF2 alpha secretion, is highly expressed in the endometrium at the expected time of luteolysis. check details Progesterone may be an inhibitor for cPLA2 expression. During pregnancy, cPLA2 expression may be sufficient to initiate the cascade for PGF2 alpha secretion and does not play a direct role in maternal recognition of pregnancy.”
“The influence of Er:YAG laser irradiation on periodontal tissues along the root

surface and apical region during root canal preparation was histologically evaluated using experimentally infected root canals of rats. Eighty experimentally mesial infected root canals of mandibular first molars in rats were divided into four groups. In three groups, root canals were irradiated using an Er: YAG laser at 2 Hz with 34, 68, or 102 mJ/pulse for 30 s. Non-irradiated MEK phosphorylation canals served as controls. The influence of laser irradiation on periodontal tissues along the root surface and apical area was evaluated histologically under light microscopy at 0 (immediately after), 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after irradiation. At all periods, no inflammation or resorption on the root surfaces caused by laser irradiation was observed in any cases in the control or 34 mJ/pulse-irradiated groups. However, mild to severe inflammation with resorption of root surfaces was observed in some cases in the 68- and 102-mJ/pulse-irradiated groups. No significant difference was apparent between control and laser-irradiated groups at the apical area for all experimental periods (p>0.05).

0001), whole grapes (68%; 51%; 2 2; <0 0001), nuts (73%; 66%;

0001), whole grapes (68%; 51%; 2.2; <0.0001), nuts (73%; 66%; 2.47; <0.0001), chunks of peanut butter (45%; 79%; 2.55; 0.0003), sticky candy (79%; 80%; 2.16; <0.0033), gum (72%; 84%; 1.75; 0.028), seeds (65%; 87%; 1.4; 0.247), 76% always supervise meals, 57% always cut food, 62% know CPR.

Knowledge of non-food hazards: Coins (97%), marbles (94%), small batteries (93%), small toy parts (93%), dice (92%), pen caps (92%), safety pins (85%), balloons (84%), syringes (40%). Sources of choking hazard knowledge: find more physicians (67%), family/friends (52%),

books/magazines (40%), and the Internet (25%).

Conclusions: Parental knowledge of CHF is incomplete. The consumption of CHF in children under 4 is significantly associated with decreased parental knowledge. Therefore, more parental education is needed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“For the first time 2-carboxyethenylation was performed with butyl acrylate in the presence of palladium catalysts of bromine derivatives of polychlorobiphenyls obtained by bromination of polychlorobiphenyls. The haloderivatives of the butyl phenylcinnamate are readily hydrolyzed and hydrodehalogenized affording a mixture of phenylhydrocinnamic acids.”
“In this study, 7,8-dihydroxy-3-(4-methylphenyl) coumarin (DHMPC), a new coumarin derivative, was tested for the first time to determine whether it had any antioxidant and lipid lowering effects. Hypercholesterolernia BTSA1 purchase was induced

by feeding rats with a high cholesterol diet for 17 days. The lipid lowering and antioxidant effects of DHMPC were compared with those of hesperidin

(CAS 520-26-3) and rutin (CAS 153-18-4), which have been pharmacologically determined as potential lipid lowering and antioxidant agents. DHMPC significantly decreased serum total cholesterol levels but not as efficient as hesperidin. When the ratios of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) to total cholesterol were evaluated, the most significant changes were observed in DHMPC 10058-F4 manufacturer and rutin treatments. The results of serum triglyceride levels indicate that DHMPC and hesperidin did not significantly decrease triglyceride level when compared to rutin group but prevented it to rise. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased as expected in high cholesterol diet groups but no significant decrease was observed for serum MDA levels in all treated groups. In contrast to serum MDA levels, liver homogenates MDA levels decreased in all treated groups but a considerable decrease was not observed for DHMPC treated group. Liver homogenates glutathione (GSH) levels drastically decreased in hyperlipidemic group and increased in all treated groups. As a conclusion DHMPC displayed both antioxidant and lipid lowering effects and can be a candidate drug for further studies.”
“The longer durations of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times remain the disadvantages of robotic or minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

In contrast, knowledge of lipid deacylating enzymes remains limit

In contrast, knowledge of lipid deacylating enzymes remains limited. Lipid acyl hydrolases (LAH) are able to hydrolyse both fatty acid moieties of polar lipids. They differ from phospholipases A(1) or A(2) (PLA) acting on sn-1 or sn-2 positions of phospholipids, respectively, as well as from lipases

which de-esterify triacylglycerols. selleck chemical The free polyunsaturated fatty acids generated by deacylating enzymes can be used in the biosynthesis of oxylipins and the lysophospholipids, provided by PLAs, are also bioactive molecules. In the four decades that have passed since the first description of LAH activities in plants some enzymes have been purified. In recent years, the widespread use of molecular approaches together with the attention paid to lipid signalling has contributed to a renewed interest in LAH and has led to the identification of different gene families and the characterization of new enzymes. Additionally, several proteins with putative lipase/esterase signatures have been identified. In the present paper we review currently available data on LAHs, PLAs, triacylglycerol lipases and other putative deacylating enzymes. The roles of lipid

deacylating enzymes in plant growth, development and stress responses are discussed in the context of their involvement in membrane deterioration, lipid turnover and cellular signalling. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“Colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC) is exceedingly rare in the pediatric JNK-IN-8 nmr population (fewer than 2 cases per 1 million children).

There are 2 major categories of pediatric colorectal adenocarcinoma syndromes: polyposis-related and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, also known as Lynch syndrome. Germ line mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes (eg, MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, MSH6) have been established as the molecular genetic basis of Lynch syndrome. Another prognostic factor selleck chemicals in adult CRAC is the reduced expression of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), which has been associated with poor outcome in some adult CRAC cases; however, its role in predicting prognoses in pediatric cases remains unclear. Seven pediatric patients with primary CRAC were reviewed. Available molecular genetic test results were evaluated, and immunohistochemical labeling for MMR proteins and E-cadherin were performed on 5 patients. Four of the 5 patients in our study with available paraffin blocks showed loss of MMR protein expression, consistent with Lynch syndrome. In cases stained for E-cadherin, 3 were strongly positive and 2 were weakly positive; however, with the small sample size and the relatively short follow-up period, an accurate correlation between E-cadherin and prognosis cannot be reached with any degree of certainty.

PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched from the incept

PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched from the inception of each database to May 2012 to identify all studies

using multi-dimensional PRO instruments with children who are overweight or obese. The most common generic and all obesity-specific instruments were analyzed according to the study objectives.

From 4,226 articles identified by our search, 70 articles used 6 generic and 4 obesity-specific PRO instruments. While the most commonly used PRO instrument was the generic PedsQL 4.0 (used in 53 studies), many health domains were found in the obesity-specific instruments that are not measured by the PedsQL 4.0. Summary of the development and psychometric properties of the generic and obesity PROs identified that no one instrument meets Compound C ic50 all the guideline criteria for instrument development and validation, e.g., only one instrument included qualitative input from children with obesity in the content development phase.

This comprehensive

review provides information to aid in selecting multi-dimensional PRO instruments in children with obesity according to various aspects of content as well as psychometric properties. The conceptual analysis shows that the reviewed PRO instruments contain inconsistencies in their conceptual approaches. Also, certain relevant health domains to children and youth with obesity were not included in the most commonly used generic instrument. The obesity-specific instruments require further validation

before they can be used in intervention studies.”
“BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used in advanced Epigenetics inhibitor heart failure patients. DMH1 Despite proven efficacy, optimal timing of LVAD implantation is not well defined.

METHODS: Patients receiving an LVAD were prospectively recorded. Laboratory and clinical data were extracted and used to calculate the predicted survival with medical therapy using the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM). This was compared with observed survival, hospital length of stay and timeliness of discharge.

RESULTS: We identified 104 patients. Survival with an LVAD vs SHFM predicted survival was 69% vs 11% at 1 year, corresponding to a hazard ratio of 0.17 (p < 0.0001). SHFM-estimated 1-year survival with medical therapy increased from 4% in 1997 to 2004 to 25% in 2007-2008 (p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis of higher vs lower risk LVAD patients showed observed 1-year survival of 83% vs 57% (p = 0.04). The lower risk group had a shorter length of stay (46 vs 75 days, p = 0.03), along with higher rates of discharge prior to transplant (88% vs 61%, p = 0.01) and discharge within 60 days of LVAD placement (77% vs 52%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: The SHFM allows prediction of important features of a patient’s hospital course post-operatively, including length of stay and 1-year survival.

Amorphous powders have been synthesized by cryo-SPEX milling melt

Amorphous powders have been synthesized by cryo-SPEX milling melt-spun ribbons at 77 K. Transmission electron microscopy reveals cryomilled magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with a mean diameter of 4.2 nm to form agglomerates similar to 30 nm in size. Vibrating sample magnetometer and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry of amorphous powders reveal a specific magnetization, sigma(s), of 104 emu/g at 4 K in a 300 mT field and a T(c) of 335 K. Nanoparticles were suspended in ferrofluids by ultrasonication with a Pluronic F127 surfactant to stabilize them in aqueous solution. Ferrofluids of varying MNP concentration were rf heated in a 27.2

mT field at 267 kHz. For 1.24 vol % of MNPs in the ferrofluid, a solution reached temperatures >50 degrees click here C in similar to 70 s, and showed Curie-limiting temperature behavior at similar to 75 degrees C. These results demonstrate self-limited heating of FeCoCr MNPs at 75 degrees C which may have application in polymer curing. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3349043]“
“Intrauterine device (IUD) application has been used for over 30 years and is a widely accepted contraception method among women because of Birinapant mouse its low-complication rates. The use of intrauterine devices may cause complications but migration of the IUD into an adjacent organ

is rarely encountered.

In the present report, we present a 26-year-old patient to whom IUD

had been applied 2 years ago and whose examination performed due to pain and urinary complaints revealed migration of the uterine device into the bladder.

Patients with pelvic pain and chronic irritative urinary symptoms whose vaginal examination and ultrasonography reveal a dislocated IUD should be carefully examined for the migration of the IUD Sapanisertib datasheet into the bladder. In order to avoid this rare complication, patient should be evaluated physically and ultrasonographically for uterine position, thinness of the uterine wall and inflammatory disease before the insertion. The patient should be evaluated with sonography immediately after insertion and periodically.”
“In this study, wool fibers arc modified by low frequency plasma polymerization of acrylic acid regarding to its’ hydrophobic character due to cuticular cells at their surfaces. Variables of the plasma glow discharge processes were power (40-100 W) and exposure time (5-45 min). The effect of plasma modification in the performance properties of wool were investigated on the basis of hydrophilicity of wool, average wrinkle recovery angle, and breaking strength. The surface chemical structures of fabrics were examined with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophobic wool fabric became hydrophilic after all plasma treatments except one (40W-5 min). Average wrinkle recovery angle of the treated fabrics were between 157 and 178, while that of untreated fabric was 180.