Electrochemical manipulation of adhesion strength of polybenzoxazines on metal surfaces: from strong adhesion to dismantling

A novel electrochemical redox process for the manipulation of adhesion of polybenzoxazine thermosets on metal surfaces is reported. The method pertains to the electrochemically driven hydroquinone-quinone redox couple. Several antraquinone based bisbenzoxazines possessing phenyl, benzyl and methyl furfuryl substituents were synthesized and characterized. The antraquinone bisbenzoxazines were shown to readily undergo thermally activated ring-opening polymerization in the absence of a catalyst forming cross-linked networks on metal surfaces. The substituent effect on thermal curing behaviour and thermal stability of the cured polymers were investigated. The strong binding affinities of phenolic hydroxyl groups of the anthraquinone moiety in the cured polymers promote adhesion on the metal surface. Electrochemical oxidation converts hydroquinone groups into quinone moieties resulting in the dismantling of the coated films. The generality of this electrochemical method is demonstrated by initial results on platinum electrodes as well as steel plates

A retrospective analysis on first-line bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab-containing regimens in patients with ras-wild metastatic colorectal cancer: A collaborative study by Turkish oncology group (tog)

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and adverse effect profiles of the first-line treatment of patients with KRAS wild type metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) in Turkey who were treated based on regimens including bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab. Methods: This retrospective multicenter observational study involved a total of 238 patients who received chemotherapy in combination with either bevacizumab or cetuximab or panitumumab as first-line therapy for KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients with full medical records having pathological diagnosis of CRC adenocarcinoma were included in the study. The demographic, laboratory, histopathological and clinical characteristics of the patients were determined, and three groups were compared based on the study variables. Results: The mean age of the entire sample (n=238) was 58±11 years, 64% of which were male. The most frequent tumor localization was the rectum (37%) and G2 was the most common tumor grade (59.7%). About 63% of the patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis, with the most common site of metastasis being lung (14.7%) and liver (52.5%). Overall survival (OS) was 63.9%, while 1-, 3- And 5-year survival rates were 91.7, 56.6 and 36.9%, respectively. The expected mean survival was 49.1 months (95% CI, 42.9-55.3). The 1-, 3- And 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates following first-line treatment were 65.3, 26.1 and 5.6%, respectively, while disease free survival (DFS) in patients without metastasis at diagnosis was 68.5%. An analysis carried out disregarding which treatment the patients received (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) revealed that a panitumumab-containing combination resulted in poorer prognosis compared to bevacizumab or cetuximab-containing combination (p<0.001). With regard to the adverse effect profile, the most common adverse effects were neuropathy and neutropenia in patients receiving FOLFOX-bevacizumab; neutropenia and perforation in patients receiving FOLFIRI-bevacizumab; rash and pustular infection in patients receiving FOLFIRI-cetuximab; and diarrhea in patients who received FOLFIRI-panitumumab combination. Conclusion: is the first multicenter study performed in Turkey evaluating the response to treatment and adverse effects in patients with KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. © 2019 Zerbinis Publications. All Rights Reserved

Lymphoma: Does It Affect the Progression and Tissue Involvement?

Objective: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among adults and is characterized by heterogeneous clinical, immunophenotypic, and genetic features. Different mechanisms deregulating cell cycle and apoptosis play a role in the pathogenesis of DLBCL. Growth arrest DNA damage-inducible 45 (GADD45 gamma) is an important gene family involved in these mechanisms. The aims of this study are to determine the frequency of GADD45 gamma methylation, to evaluate the correlation between GADD45 gamma methylation and protein expression, and to investigate the relation between methylation status and clinicopathologic parameters in DLBCL tissues and reactive lymphoid node tissues from patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six tissue samples of DLBCL and 40 nonmalignant reactive lymphoid node tissues were analyzed in this study. Methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting analysis was used for the determination of GADD45 gamma methylation status. The GADD45 gamma protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results: GADD45 gamma methylation was frequent (50.0%) in DLBCL. It was also significantly higher in advanced-stage tumors compared with early-stage (p=0.041). In contrast, unmethylated GADD45 gamma was associated with nodal involvement as the primary anatomical site (p=0.040).Conclusion: The results of this study show that, in contrast to solid tumors, the frequency of GADD45 gamma methylation is higher and this epigenetic alteration of GADD45 gamma may be associated with progression in DLBCL. In addition, nodal involvement is more likely to be present in patients with unmethylated GADD45 gamma

Relation between sarcopenia and dose-limiting toxicity in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who received regorafenib

BackgroundSarcopenia is related to poor prognosis and drug toxicities in solid tumors. The aim of our study is to investigate the predisposition of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma who started regorafenib treatment to sarcopenia and prolonged survival.MethodsPatients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma who receives regorafenib were search retrospectively. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as dose reduction or toxicity requiring drug withdrawal. Sarcopenia evaluation was made with computed tomography performed within a month before treatment. Progression-free survival and overall survival were estimated.ResultsThirty-six patients were found as suitable for the study. 63.9% of patients were found as basally sarcopenic. Dose-limiting toxicity occured 13 of 23 patients (56.5%) with basal sarcopenia, whereas only 1 of 13 patients (7.6%) with no sarcopenia exhibited dose-limiting toxicity (p=0.005). Three patients suffered from grade 3-4 toxicity. Hand-foot syndrome, hypertension, and mucosal rash were the most seen side effects. Mean regorafenib treatment duration was 3.36 months. There was no significant difference in the progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) between sarcopenic patients and patients with no sarcopenia. Durations were as OS 24.2 weeks in patients with sarcopenia (95% CI 16.7-31.7), 28.1 weeks in patients with no sarcopenia (95% CI 20.5-35.7) (p=0.36), and as PFS 14.2 weeks in patients with sarcopenia (95% CI 12.1-16.4), 14.8 weeks in patients with no sarcopenia (95% CI 9.7-20.1) (p=0.65).ConclusionDose-limiting toxicity was significantly higher in basally sarcopenic patients who were started regorafenib as treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma. There was no significant relationship between overall survival and progression-free survival with sarcopenia

A Novel Blue to Transparent Polymer for Electrochromic Supercapacitor Electrodes

Electrochromic supercapacitors may alert the user on the remaining capacity of the devices. The color change indicating the remaining capacity can be simply and rapidly recognized by the human eye or by optical instruments. A rapid indication of charged state may extend device service life and prevent overcharging, which would otherwise result in electrode aging and decomposition. In this study, a blue to the transmissive electrochromic polymer, poly(4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-B][1,4]dioxin-5-YI)-2-(2-octyldodecyl)-2H-benzo[D][1,2,3]triazole) (P1C), was used in nanocomposite form with transparent silver nanowire (Ag NW) network current collectors for the fabrication of electrochromic supercapacitor electrodes. Highly conductive and transparent Ag NW networks have an important role in the realization of electrochromic supercapacitors using P1C. Fabricated Ag NW/P1C nanocomposite electrodes had a specific capacitance of 65.0Fg(-1) at a current density of 0.1Ag(-1). Nanocomposite electrode showed excellent stability (capacity retention of>98%) after 11000cycles associated with a resistance decrease associated with charge transfer

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, POST-TREATMENT ASSESSMENT AND PROGNOSTIC

Introduction: During the last three decades, major advances have been made in the therapy of Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, despite these advances, Hodgkin's lymphoma has a poor prognosis in the elderly. The proportion of Hodgkin's lymphoma patients aged > 60 ranges in the different reports between 15% and 35%. This study aimed to examine clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognostic factors affecting patient survival in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients aged 65 years or older.Material methods: Hodgkin's lymphoma patients at 65 years of age and older managed within last 5 years in a total of 5 centers in Turkey were retrospectively assessed.Results: The median age of a total of 32 patients was 71 (65-83) years. Elderly patients presented more frequently with B symptoms, elevated sedimentation rate, mixed cellularity histologic subtype and comorbid disease. Less frequent were bulky disease, bone marrow involvement, and the application of autologous stem cell transplantation. The nodular lymphocyte predominant subtype and lymphocyte rich subtype were not observed at all. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, ferritin, total protein, and histological type were significant predictors affecting survival (p<0.05).Conclusions: Hodgkin's lymphoma is a more fatal disease in 65 years of age or older, when compared to the young population. Tumor biology, older age itself, and other factors related to comorbidity probably contribute to the worse outcome of elderly patients. Further large-scale studies are needed to better investigate the factors that were significant predictors of patient survival

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, POST-TREATMENT ASSESSMENT AND PROGNOSTIC

Introduction: During the last three decades, major advances have been made in the therapy of Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, despite these advances, Hodgkin's lymphoma has a poor prognosis in the elderly. The proportion of Hodgkin's lymphoma patients aged > 60 ranges in the different reports between 15% and 35%. This study aimed to examine clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognostic factors affecting patient survival in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients aged 65 years or older.Material methods: Hodgkin's lymphoma patients at 65 years of age and older managed within last 5 years in a total of 5 centers in Turkey were retrospectively assessed.Results: The median age of a total of 32 patients was 71 (65-83) years. Elderly patients presented more frequently with B symptoms, elevated sedimentation rate, mixed cellularity histologic subtype and comorbid disease. Less frequent were bulky disease, bone marrow involvement, and the application of autologous stem cell transplantation. The nodular lymphocyte predominant subtype and lymphocyte rich subtype were not observed at all. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, ferritin, total protein, and histological type were significant predictors affecting survival (p<0.05).Conclusions: Hodgkin's lymphoma is a more fatal disease in 65 years of age or older, when compared to the young population. Tumor biology, older age itself, and other factors related to comorbidity probably contribute to the worse outcome of elderly patients. Further large-scale studies are needed to better investigate the factors that were significant predictors of patient survival