A Systematic Study of Vinyl Ether-Based Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Side-Chain Polymer Electrolytes

Herein, we report on the synthesis of a systematic library of vinyl ether-based poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side-chain copolymers in order to reduce the crystallization of PEO. The influence of different grafted PEO side chain lengths, the grafting density, and the [Li+]:[EO] ratio after mixing with LiTFSI on the glass transition temperature (Tg), the crystallinity, and the resulting ionic conductivity was examined. Copolymers bearing longer PEO side chains and higher grafting densities show higher crystallization tendencies while their Tg is reduced at the same time. Furthermore, the addition of LiTFSI reduces crystallization but increases Tg. Because these effects are directly impacting the ionic conductivity, we demonstrate that the different parameters need to be carefully adjusted in order to balance their influence. In this way, a fundamental view that shows the potential of PEO side-chain copolymers for their applications as polymer electrolytes is provided

Currently known risk factors for hypertrophic skin scarring : A review

SummaryObjective The study aims to provide an overview of risk factors for hypertrophic scarring. Background Hypertrophic skin scarring remains a major concern in medicine and causes considerable morbidity. Despite extensive research on this topic, the precise mechanism of excessive scarring is still unknown. In addition, the current literature lacks an overview of the possible risk factors in the development of hypertrophic scars. Methods PubMed searches were performed on risk factors for hypertrophic scar (HTS) formation. Results Eleven studies suggesting nine factors associated with HTS formation were found. Studies concerning chemotherapy, age, stretch, infection, and smoking have a moderate to high strength of evidence, but some other factors have not been studied in a convincing manner or are still disputed. Conclusions Risk factors for HTS formation are young age, bacterial colonization, and skin subjected to stretch. Chemotherapy, statins, and smoking seem to play a protective role in HTS formation

Currently known risk factors for hypertrophic skin scarring : A review

SummaryObjective The study aims to provide an overview of risk factors for hypertrophic scarring. Background Hypertrophic skin scarring remains a major concern in medicine and causes considerable morbidity. Despite extensive research on this topic, the precise mechanism of excessive scarring is still unknown. In addition, the current literature lacks an overview of the possible risk factors in the development of hypertrophic scars. Methods PubMed searches were performed on risk factors for hypertrophic scar (HTS) formation. Results Eleven studies suggesting nine factors associated with HTS formation were found. Studies concerning chemotherapy, age, stretch, infection, and smoking have a moderate to high strength of evidence, but some other factors have not been studied in a convincing manner or are still disputed. Conclusions Risk factors for HTS formation are young age, bacterial colonization, and skin subjected to stretch. Chemotherapy, statins, and smoking seem to play a protective role in HTS formation

Prognostic tools for hypertrophic scar formation based on fundamental differences in systemic immunity

Unpredictable hypertrophic scarring (HS) occurs after approximately 35% of all surgical procedures and causes significant physical and psychological complaints. Parallel to the need to understanding the mechanisms underlying HS formation, a prognostic tool is needed. The objective was to determine whether (systemic) immunological differences exist between patients who develop HS and those who develop normotrophic scars (NS) and to assess whether those differences can be used to identify patients prone to developing HS. A prospective cohort study with NS and HS groups in which (a) cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and (b) the irritation threshold (IT) after an irritant (sodium lauryl sulphate) patch test was evaluated. Univariate regression analysis of PBMC cytokine secretion showed that low MCP-1, IL-8, IL-18 and IL-23 levels have a strong correlation with HS (P <.010-0.004; AUC = 0.790-0.883). Notably, combinations of two or three cytokines (TNF-a, MCP-1 and IL-23; AUC: 0.942, Nagelkerke R2: 0.727) showed an improved AUC indicating a better correlation with HS than single cytokine analysis. These combination models produce good prognostic results over a broad probability range (sensitivity: 93.8%, specificity 86.7%, accuracy 90,25% between probability 0.3 and 0.7). Furthermore, the HS group had a lower IT than the NS group and an accuracy of 68%. In conclusion, very fundamental immunological differences exist between individuals who develop HS and those who do not, whereas the cytokine assay forms the basis of a predictive prognostic test for HS formation, the less invasive, easily performed irritant skin patch test is more accessible for daily practice

Low intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and high 5T4 expression on tumor cells correlate with reduced disease-free survival in colorectal carcinoma patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), leukocyte function antigen 3 (LFA-3), human leukocyte differentiation antigen (HLA)-ABC, HLA- DR, and 5T4 with regard to disease-free survival in Dukes' B and C colorectal carcinoma patients. Forty-one patients (28 Dukes' B and 13 Dukes' C) were entered into this study. Immunocytochemistry was performed on cytospin preparations of enzymatically digested colorectal carcinoma cell suspensions. The frequency of metastases and the duration of disease-free survival were compared between the 25% lowest expressers and the 75% remaining patients for ICAM-1, LFA-3, HLA-ABC, and HLA-DR, and between the 25% highest expressers and the 75% remaining patients for 5T4. Low numbers of ICAM-1-expressing tumor cells were associated with a shorter disease-free survival (P < 0.001), independent of Dukes' stage. High numbers of 5T4-expressing tumor cells were associated with shorter disease-free survival in Dukes' B patients (P = 0.04). Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that low numbers of ICAM- 1+ and high numbers of 5T4+ cells were independent prognostic factors with relative risks of 13.0 (P = 0.0002) and 4.7 (P = 0.02), respectively. The combination of 5T4 and ICAM-1 marker information identified subgroups of patients with a good (high ICAM-1) or poor (low ICAM-1/high 5T4) prognosis. Neither a lack of HLA-ABC and LFA-3 expression nor the presence of HLA-DR on the tumor cells gave additional prognostic information. These findings demonstrate that low ICAM-1 and high 5T4 expression on tumor cells are prognostic markers, additional to Dukes' stage, for reduced disease-free survival in Dukes' B and C colorectal carcinoma patients

Prognostic tools for hypertrophic scar formation based on fundamental differences in systemic immunity

Unpredictable hypertrophic scarring (HS) occurs after approximately 35% of all surgical procedures and causes significant physical and psychological complaints. Parallel to the need to understanding the mechanisms underlying HS formation, a prognostic tool is needed. The objective was to determine whether (systemic) immunological differences exist between patients who develop HS and those who develop normotrophic scars (NS) and to assess whether those differences can be used to identify patients prone to developing HS. A prospective cohort study with NS and HS groups in which (a) cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and (b) the irritation threshold (IT) after an irritant (sodium lauryl sulphate) patch test was evaluated. Univariate regression analysis of PBMC cytokine secretion showed that low MCP-1, IL-8, IL-18 and IL-23 levels have a strong correlation with HS (P <.010-0.004; AUC = 0.790-0.883). Notably, combinations of two or three cytokines (TNF-a, MCP-1 and IL-23; AUC: 0.942, Nagelkerke R2: 0.727) showed an improved AUC indicating a better correlation with HS than single cytokine analysis. These combination models produce good prognostic results over a broad probability range (sensitivity: 93.8%, specificity 86.7%, accuracy 90,25% between probability 0.3 and 0.7). Furthermore, the HS group had a lower IT than the NS group and an accuracy of 68%. In conclusion, very fundamental immunological differences exist between individuals who develop HS and those who do not, whereas the cytokine assay forms the basis of a predictive prognostic test for HS formation, the less invasive, easily performed irritant skin patch test is more accessible for daily practice