Solid-state NMR techniques were used to evaluate the sizes of the dispersed domains and the interface between the minor and the major phase in heterogeneous block copolymer systems with a relatively poor degree of ordering. Proton spin−lattice relaxation measurements and spin diffusion experiments were carried out on five samples of linear and star block copolymers of styrene, styrene-co-indene, and isobutylene. The morphology of the dispersed phase was considered cylindrical for all samples. The diameters of the dispersed cylinders were found to range between 7.9 and 48.5 nm for the linear samples and 22.6 nm for the star block copolymer sample. The thickness of the interface was estimated to be between 1.0 and 1.3 nm for all samples. SAXS measurements were employed to confirm the validity of the NMR data analysis.

Over the last years, a vast majority of serum biomarkers and imaging techniques have been used alone or combined in the diagnosis, management and prognosis of numerous pathologies. This review provides a brief insight into the novelties from the last 6 years (2010-2016) regarding serum and imaging markers in heart failure (HF). New information about natriuretic peptides (NPs), soluble ST2 (Sst2), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), myeloperoxidase (MPO), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), troponins (Tns), myoglobin (Mb), galectin-3 (Gal-3), micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) and long non-coding ribonucleic acids (IncRNAs), copectin and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) measurements were summarized in this review in order to guide the practitioner.

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