Summary. Previous studies have suggested that nontransferrin-bound plasma iron (NTBI) is present in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, and that this may exacerbate untoward organ damage and increase the risk of bacterial infections following chemotherapy. However, the source of NTBI during myelosuppressive chemotherapy is controversial. In this study we have examined the kinetics of the appearance and disappearance of NTBI with chemotherapy. NTBI was present in only two out of 24 patients prior to chemotherapy but, following chemotherapy, was present in 19 patients, with peak NTBI levels at 5 d after onset of chemotherapy (mean 3 . 06 mM). Thereafter levels fell, but were still detectable in seven patients 14 d after the end of chemotherapy. The appearance of NTBI was associated with a sudden rise in transferrin saturation, but NTBI was detected on four occasions in the absence of full transferrin saturation. We have also established that daunorubicin cannot itself liberate NTBI from serum. There was no relationship between induced NTBI levels and serum iron or ferritin levels, previous or current blood transfusions, disease stage, or the type of chemotherapy given. The appearance of NTBI following chemotherapy was inverserely related to the fall in reticulocytes and serum transferrin receptor (TfR) levels, suggesting that NTBI formation is a consequence of suspension of erythropoietic activity.

This paper describes the development of a graphite/epoxy wing skin configuration capable of sustaining limit load following damage from a 23-mm high-explosive (HE) projectile impact. The skin configuration incorporates information learned in sawcut and ballistic fracture testing, and consists of a ±45 graphite/epoxy laminate with integral spanwise and chordwise crack-arresting pads formed by adding 0-deg glass/epoxy between the plies of graphite/epoxy. The ±45-ply orientation provides enhanced battle damage tolerance because of its higher residual strain-to-fracture capability relative to quasi-isotropic 0/±45/90 laminates. This permits developing the full load-carrying capability of the spar chords before unstable crack propagation can occur in the damaged skin. The 0-deg glass/epoxy was added to further enhance this capability, and concentrated into pads to avoid undesirable ballistic damage augmentation caused by the glass fibers, and to provide a controlled failure mode under blast pressures. The optimum graphite-to-glass ratio and the required width of the crack-arresting pads were determined using a new analysis method for predicting fracture in laminates containing high-strength 0-deg fibers. The effectiveness of the damage tolerance concept was demonstrated by firing a 23-mm HEI projectile into the tension surface of a full-scale wing-box test component loaded in combined bending and torison. Following damage, limit load was achieved as a result of successful crack arrestment.