Self-Healing and reprocessable oleic acid-based elastomer with dynamic S-S bonds as solvent-free reusable adhesive on copper surface

In the last decade, the application of dynamic covalent chemistry in the field of polymeric materials has become the subject of an increasing number of studies, gaining applicative relevance. This is due to the fact that polymers containing dynamic functions possess a structure that affords reprocessability, recyclability and peculiar self-healing properties inconceivable for “classic” polymer networks. Consequently, the synthesis of a dynamic covalent chemistry-based polymer and its chemical, thermal, and mechanical characterizations are reported in the present research. In particular, oleic acid has been used as starting material to follow the founding principles of the circular economy system and, thanks to the aromatic disulfide component, which is the foundation of the material dynamic characteristics, the obtained polymer resulted as being reprocessable and self-healable. Moreover, the polymer can strongly interact with copper surfaces through the formation of stable Cu-S bonds. Then, the application of the polymer as a solvent-free reusable adhesive for copper was investigated by lap joint shear tests and comparisons with the properties of an analogous material, devoid of the disulfide bonds, were conducted

Genetic control of renal tumorigenesis by the mouse Rtm1 locus

BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of susceptibility to renal tumorigenesis has not yet been established in mouse strains. Mouse lines derived by bidirectional phenotypic selection on the basis of their maximal (AIRmax) or minimal (AIRmin) acute inflammatory responsiveness differ widely in susceptibility to spontaneous and urethane-induced renal tumorigenesis. To map the functional loci modulating renal tumor susceptibility in these mice, we carried out a genome-wide genetic linkage study, using SNP arrays, in an (AIRmax x AIRmin)F2 intercross population treated with a single urethane dose at 1 week of age and phenotyped for renal tumors at 35 weeks of age. RESULTS: AIRmax mice did not develop renal tumors spontaneously nor in response to urethane, whereas in AIRmin mice renal tumors formed spontaneously (in 52% of animals) and after urethane induction (89%). The tumors had a papillary morphology and were positive for alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase and negative for CD10. By analysis of 879 informative SNPs in 662 mice, we mapped a single quantitative trait locus modulating the incidence of renal tumors in the (AIRmax x AIRmin)F2 intercross population. This locus, which we named Renal tumor modifier QTL 1 (Rtm1), mapped to chromosome 17 at 23.4 Mb (LOD score = 15.8), with SNPs rs3696835 and rs3719497 flanking the LOD score peak. The A allele of rs3719497 from AIRmin mice was associated with a 2.5-fold increased odds ratio for renal tumor development. The LOD score peak included the Tuberous sclerosis 2 (Tsc2) gene which has already been implicated in kidney disease: loss of function by germline retroviral insertion is associated with spontaneous renal tumorigenesis in the Eker rat, and heterozygous-null Tsc2((+/-)) mice develop renal cystadenomas. CONCLUSIONS: We mapped Rtm1 as a single major locus modulating renal tumorigenesis in a murine intercross population. Thus, the AIR mouse lines can be considered a new genetic model for studying the role of germline and somatic molecular alterations in kidney neoplastic disease

Multicenter Validation of Histopathologic Tumor Regression Grade After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Carcinoma

Response classification after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma is based on the TNM stage at radical cystectomy. We recently showed that histopathologic tumor regression grades (TRGs) add prognostic information to TNM. Our aim was to validate the prognostic significance of TRG in muscle-invasive bladder cancer in a multicenter setting. We enrolled 389 patients who underwent cisplatin-based chemotherapy before radical cystectomy in 8 centers between 2010 and 2016. Median follow-up was 2.2 years. TRG was determined in radical cystectomy specimens by local pathologists. Central pathology review was conducted in 20% of cases, which were randomly selected. The major response was defined as ≤pT1N0. The remaining patients were grouped into partial responders (≥ypT2N0-3 and TRG 2) and nonresponders (≥ypT2N0-3 and TRG 3). TRG was successfully determined in all cases, and interobserver agreement in central pathology review was high (κ=0.83). After combining TRG and TNM, 47%, 15%, and 38% of patients were major, partial, and nonresponders, respectively. Combination of TRG and TNM showed significant prognostic discrimination of overall survival (major responder: reference; partial responder: hazard ratio 3.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.8-6.8]; nonresponder: hazard ratio 6.1 [95% confidence interval: 3.6-10.3]). This discrimination was superior compared with TNM staging alone, supported by 2 goodness-of-fit criteria (P=0.041). TRG is a simple, reproducible histopathologic measurement of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Integrating TRG with TNM staging resulted in significantly better prognostic stratification than TNM staging alone

The Leydig cell tumor Scaled Score (LeSS) A method to distinguish benign from malignant cases, with additional correlation with MDM2 and CDK4 amplification

The aim was to investigate the morphological and molecular characteristics of Leydig cell tumors of the testis (LCT) for the identification of cases that may metastasize

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background: Benign nodular hepatic regenerating lesions such as focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) have been reported as rare complications of the antineoplastic therapy received during infancy. Little is known about the risk factors associated with the onset of these lesions and their diagnostic management. Methods: We have analyzed a series of benign hepatic nodular lesions occurring in children previously treated for malignant tumors in our institution in a period of 11 years. An extensive description of the imaging presentation of the lesions has been provided to facilitate the differential diagnosis, and a risk factor analysis has been conducted. Results: A total of 14 diagnoses (10 FNH and 4 hemangiomas) of benign nodular hepatic lesions have been found. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the most important statistically independent risk factor associated with the development of these lesions, especially for FNH. No malignant transformation of nodules has been recorded during a median follow-up time of 4 years. Conclusions: In our experience, FNH is the most frequent benign nodular hepatic lesions occurring after treatment for childhood cancer. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the most important risk factor to be taken in account. After a secure diagnosis of these benign lesions, only a close imaging follow-up is recommended

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver after intensive treatment for pediatric cancer: is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation a risk factor?

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign hepatic lesion very rarely described in the pediatric population. It has been reported more frequently in patients treated for pediatric cancers with chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The use of high dosage of alkylating agents, the occurrence of venous occlusive disease, graft-versus-host disease, and other variables linked to the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation procedure can represent risk factors for the development of FNH in the pediatric age. The discovery of hepatic nodules in the follow-up of patients treated for malignancies suggests recurrence of disease and raises a diagnostic dilemma. Here we describe possible risk factors, clinical and radiological findings of eight pediatric patients who developed focal nodular hyperplasia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The aim of this report is to provide useful diagnostic tools to facilitate accurate diagnosis of FNH and suggest a correct management of this benign lesion during postcancer follow-up. © 2011 Springer-Verlag