Uniaxial compression tests have been conducted on Oshima granite under various constant axial strain rates ranging from 10−8 to 10−4. The results showed that the strength and the acoustic emission rate increased exponentially with increasing strain rate. The inelastic volumetric strain rate defined by the differentiation with respect to the stress increased with decreasing strain rate. The redistribution of microcracks due to subcritical crack growth was considered theoretically, and the equations derived from the theory were compared with the experimental results. The agreement between the theoretical and experimental results shows that stress corrosion plays not only a major role in the brittle creep under constant load but also dominates the strain rate effects on strength and dilatancy observed in the constant strain rate loadings.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a major role in the initiation and maintenance of joint inflammation and destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The therapeutic success of biologics targeting tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (IL-6R) has broadened the treatment options for RA. These agents have potential overlapping and discriminating biologic effects, as well as different pharmacological features. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes IL-6R, resulting in the inhibition of various IL-6-mediated biological activities, including inflammation-related, immunomodulatory and tissue/matrix remodelling effects. Randomized, double-blind, controlled phase III studies and a number of early clinical observational studies have shown that treatment with TCZ results in rapid and sustained improvement in the signs and symptoms of RA among different patient populations. These studies have established the efficacy and safety of TCZ. Here, we review the pleiotropic functions of IL-6 and how it impinges on many aspects of RA pathogenesis, and highlight the clinical experience to date with TCZ as an emerging new treatment option for RA.

Background/Aim: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an intractable tumor that has a very poor prognosis despite intensive treatment with temozolomide plus radiotherapy. Patients and Methods: Sixteen newly diagnosed patients with high-grade gliomas were enrolled in a phase II study of the α-type-1 DC vaccine. Briefly, DCs obtained from the culture of enriched monocytes in the presence of a cytokine cocktail, were pulsed with a cocktail of 5 synthetic peptides and cryopreserved until injection into patients. Results: The amount of IL-12 produced by activated DCs was higher than that previously reported. Among 15 evaluable patients, 10 showed positive CTL responses to any peptides in an ELISPOT assay. After 6 years of observation, five patients were still alive, and two of these patients were relapse-free. Moreover, a significant survival-prolonging effect was verified in DC-treated glioma patients. Conclusion: Peptide-cocktail-pulsed α-type-1 DC vaccines have a potential therapeutic effect on survival when used in combination with the standard regimen, which is partly based on

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