Effect of well-dispersed surface-modified silica nanoparticles on crystallization behavior of poly (lactic acid) under compressed carbon dioxide

The final publication is available at Elsevier via https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2016.06.019. © 2016. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/In this work, the crystallization behavior of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/amine-modified silica nano- composites at different loadings of amine-modified silica (1, 2, and 8 wt %) under isothermal, non- isothermal, and isothermal under compressed CO2 is studied. A significant improvement in crystalliza- tion rate was observed after introduction of the nanoparticles. A modified Hoffman-Lauritzen nucleation theory was utilized to explain the facilitation and acceleration of the crystallization process of nano- composites with introducing the surface energy of the nanoparticles and interfacial energy between polymer/nanoparticle into the rate equation. After incorporation of the nanoparticles, three-dimensional spherulites formed sporadically in the PLA matrix based on the prediction of the Avrami exponents of the nanocomposites. High-pressure DSC results also showed an increase in the crystallization rate at 15 bar compared with the atmospheric pressure condition. However, an increase in pressure up to 21 bar had no significant effect on the crystallization rate. The PLA nanocomposites with lower molecular weights and D-content also showed a significant increase in the crystallization rate but with no change in the crys- tallization mechanism.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada || Network for Innovative Plastic Materials and Manufacturing Processes (NIPMMP) || Ontario Centers of Excellence || Canada Research Chairs (CRC)

Low levels of cathepsin D are associated with a poor prognosis in endometrial cancer

Total cytosolic cathepsin D (Cat D) levels were estimated by an immunoradiometric assay in a series of 156 consecutive patients with surgical stages I–III primary endometrial adenocarcinoma. Simultaneously, the tissue content of both oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors, and p185HER-2/neu, DNA content (ploidy), and the fraction of S-phase cells (S-phase) were also estimated. Tumoral Cat D content ranged from 0 to 243 pmol mg−1 protein (median 44 pmol mg−1 protein) and was not associated with any of the established clinicopathological and biological prognostic variables, with the exception of a weak positive correlation with the tumoral p185HER-2/neu levels. Univariable analysis performed on a subset of 97 patients, followed for a minimum of 2 years or until death, showed that patient age at diagnosis, high histological grade, advanced surgical stage, vascular invasion, positive peritoneal cytology, low levels of Cat D, negative ER and PR status, aneuploidy, and high S-phase were predictive of the presence of persistent or recurrent disease. However, multivariable analysis revealed that only histological grade, surgical stage, Cat D and PR were significantly associated with the patient's outcome. From these findings, we conclude that Cat D is an independent prognostic factor in endometrial adenocarcinoma, its low levels being associated with a worse clinical outcome. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Assessing the Impact of Mailing Self-Sampling Kits for Human Papillomavirus Testing to Unscreened Non-Responder Women in Manitoba

Background: CervixCheck, Manitoba’s cervical cancer screening program, conducted a pilot study to assess whether screening participation could be improved in unscreened women by offering a mailed self-sampling kit for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing instead of a Pap test. Methods: In a prospective cohort study design, a sample of unscreened women (n = 1052) who had been sent an invitation letter from CervixCheck in the past but who did not respond were randomized to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received a mailed HPV self-sampling kit; the control group received no additional communication. Returned HPV self-sampling swabs were analyzed by a provincial laboratory. After 6 months, screening participation in the two study groups was compared using a logistic regression model adjusted for age and area of residence (urban or rural). Secondary outcomes included HPV positivity, specimen inadequacy, compliance with follow-up, and time to colposcopy. Results: Screening participation was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (n = 51, 9.6%, vs. n = 13, 2.5%; odds ratio: 4.7; 95% confidence interval: 2.56 to 8.77). Geographic area of residence (urban or rural) and age were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that HPV self-sampling kits can enhance screening participation in unscreened non-responder women in the setting of an organized screening program. Next steps should include additional research to determine the best implementation strategy for HPV self-sampling in Manitoba