Mechanical Reinforcement in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposite Incorporated with Polydopamine Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelet

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites incorporated with polydopamine functionalized graphene nanoplatelet (PDA-GNP) were prepared by in situ polymerization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated that the addition of PDA-GNP could promote the formation of hydrogen bonding and microphase separation. The microstructure obtained from small-angle neutron scattering indicated that the addition of PDA-GNP increased the number while significantly it decreased the size of hard microdomains. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that PDA-GNP exhibited strong interfacial interactions with TPU matrix. In particular, the tensile strength, strain at break, and toughness of TPU/PDA-GNP with as low as 0.5 wt % PDA-GNP increased by 313, 16, and 279%, respectively. This individualized phenomenon was attributed to the abundant covalent bonding between PDA-GNP and TPU resulting in strong interfacial interactions and good compatibility specifically associated with the changes of TPU microstructure

The Study of an Alcoholysis Reaction of Silicon Tetrafluoride with Alcohols and Magnesium to Prepare Tetraalkoxysilanes and Magnesium Fluoride

<div><p>GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT</p><p></p></div

Could the Extent of Lymphadenectomy Be Modified by Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Cervical Cancer? A Large-Scale Retrospective Study

<div><p>Background</p><p>The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on topographical distribution patterns of lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer was unknown.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Patients with FIGO stage IB1-IIB who underwent radical surgery with or without NACT were enrolled (3527 patients). A matched-case comparison design was used to compare the effects of NACT on lymph node metastasis.</p><p>Results</p><p>We analyzed groups of 167 and 140 patients who were diagnosed with lymph node metastasis in the matched primary surgery group and NACT group, respectively, and no significant difference was observed (p = 0.081). The incidence of lymph node metastasis was significantly decreased in the NACT-responsive group compared to the non-responsive group (18.4% vs. 38.6%, P<0.001). The metastatic rates for every lymph node group also declined in the NACT-responsive group except for the deep inguinal and the para-aortic lymph node groups. Clinical response, deep stromal, parametrial and lymph vascular invasions were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in the NACT group. Furthermore, deep stromal invasion and lymph vascular invasion, but not the response to NACT, were independently associated with upper LNM. The number of lymph nodes involved, response to NACT, tumor histology and a positive vaginal margin were independent prognostic factors affecting DFS or OS rates in node-positive patients treated with NACT plus radical surgery.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The frequency and topographic distribution of LNM are not modified by NACT, and clinical non-responders showed more involved LNs. A systemic and extensive lymphadenectomy should be performed in patients treated with NACT plus surgery regardless of the response to NACT.</p></div

Overall survival and disease-free survival of patients in the primary NACT group by the number of lymph nodes involved (A, B) and the number of lymph node groups involved (C, D).

<p>Overall survival and disease-free survival of patients in the primary NACT group by the number of lymph nodes involved (A, B) and the number of lymph node groups involved (C, D).</p

Identified glycosyl transferases and hydrolases by the shotgun glycopeptide capture approach.

<p>Identified glycosyl transferases and hydrolases by the shotgun glycopeptide capture approach.</p

Overall survival and disease-free survival of patients in the primary NACT group by the site of lymph nodes involved.

<p>(A-B) negative lymph nodes, lower and upper positive lymph nodes; (C-D) negative lymph nodes, unilateral and bilateral positive lymph nodes.</p

Multivariate analyses of risk factors for lymph node metastasis and upper lymph node metastasis in patients who had received NACT.

<p>Multivariate analyses of risk factors for lymph node metastasis and upper lymph node metastasis in patients who had received NACT.</p

Comparison of incidence and distribution of LNM between the matched NACT and PST group (A-B), clinical responders and clinical non-responders (C-D).

<p>Comparison of incidence and distribution of LNM between the matched NACT and PST group (A-B), clinical responders and clinical non-responders (C-D).</p

Comparison of incidence of LNM between matched NACT group and PST group, primary NACT group with clinical response and with clinical non-response, respectively, stratified by tumor size, FIGO stage, and histology.

<p>Comparison of incidence of LNM between matched NACT group and PST group, primary NACT group with clinical response and with clinical non-response, respectively, stratified by tumor size, FIGO stage, and histology.</p

Multivariate analyses of prognostic factors for patients with lymph node metastasis who had received NACT (n = 176).

<p>The following factors were selected by univariate analysis for survival analysis: age of patient, FIGO stage, histology, tumour grade, LVSI status, tumour size, adjuvant treatment after surgery, deep stromal invasion status, parametrial invasion status, presence of a positive surgical margin, presence of enlarged LNM, clinical response to NACT, the number of metastatic lymph nodes involved, unilateral/bilateral lymph node metastasis, involvement of upper/lower lymph node and the number of metastatic lymph node sites involved.</p><p>Multivariate analyses of prognostic factors for patients with lymph node metastasis who had received NACT (n = 176).</p