Comment on "Research on values of GDF-15 level in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer and evaluation of chemotherapeutic effect"

Comment on research on values of GDF-15 level in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer and evaluation of chemotherapeutic effec

Predicting processing parameters in high temperature laser sintering (HT-LS) from powder properties

PublishedThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.There are two other ORE records for this publication: http://hdl.handle.net/10871/21707 and http://hdl.handle.net/10871/36733New materials for laser sintering (LS) are usually developed using a trial and-error approach that consists of a series of builds within LS systems. This strategy is time consuming, costly and focuses only on the optimisation of the processing parameters, ignoring the powder properties of the materials under examination. Being able to predict processing parameters on the basis of the powder material properties would enable a faster development of new materials and new applications, while acknowledging a more in-depth understanding of the mechanisms involved in LS. This paper provides new results into the prediction of processing conditions from the material properties. It is here shown that high temperature polymers such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) and poly aryl ether ketone (PEK) can be successfully used in LS despite the lack of a super-cooling window. The evaluation of the stable sintering region of PEEK 450PF and the application of the energy melt ratio parameter in relation to the mechanical performance of laser sintered PEEK samples are also provided. Lastly, a new method for estimating the powder bed temperature is proposed.The authors wish to acknowledge Victrex [23] and Invibio Biomaterials Solutions [44] for the supply of materials

Predicting processing parameters in high temperature laser sintering (HT-LS) from powder properties

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.There are two other ORE records for this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10871/21707; http://hdl.handle.net/10871/24577New materials for laser sintering (LS) are usually developed using a trial and-error approach that consists of a series of builds within LS systems. This strategy is time consuming, costly and focuses only on the optimisation of the processing parameters, ignoring the powder properties of the materials under examination. Being able to predict processing parameters on the basis of the powder material properties would enable a faster development of new materials and new applications, while acknowledging a more in-depth understanding of the mechanisms involved in LS. This paper provides new results into the prediction of processing conditions from the material properties. It is here shown that high temperature polymers such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) and poly aryl ether ketone (PEK) can be successfully used in LS despite the lack of a super-cooling window. The evaluation of the stable sintering region of PEEK 450PF and the application of the energy melt ratio parameter in relation to the mechanical performance of laser sintered PEEK samples are also provided. Lastly, a new method for estimating the powder bed temperature is proposed

Experiment K-6-03. Gravity and skeletal growth, part 1. Part 2: Morphology and histochemistry of bone cells and vasculature of the tibia; Part 3: Nuclear volume analysis of osteoblast histogenesis in periodontal ligament cells; Part 4: Intervertebral disc swelling pressure associated with microgravity

Bone area, bone electrophysiology, bone vascularity, osteoblast morphology, and osteoblast histogenesis were studied in rats associated with Cosmos 1887. The results suggest that the synchronous animals were the only group with a significantly larger bone area than the basal group, that the bone electrical potential was more negative in flight than in the synchronous rats, that the endosteal osteoblasts from flight rats had greater numbers of transitional Golgi vesicles but no difference in the large Golgi saccules or the alkaline phosphatase activity, that the perioteal vasculature in the shaft of flight rats often showed very dense intraluminal deposits with adjacent degenerating osteocytes as well as lipid accumulations within the lumen of the vessels and sometimes degeneration of the vascular wall (this change was not present in the metaphyseal region of flight animals), and that the progenitor cells decreased in flight rats while the preosteoblasts increased compared to controls. Many of the results suggest that the animals were beginning to recover from the effects of spaceflight during the two day interval between landing and euthanasia; flight effects, such as the vascular changes, did not appear to recover

A Primary Study into Graphene/Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Nanocomposite for Laser Sintering

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.This paper proposes two methods of preparation of graphene/PEEK powders for Laser Sintering (LS) and investigates their behaviour in relation to their microstructure, the powder bed process and their properties. Thin composite films were fabricated in an attempt to replicate the thin layer formation of the powder bed process. Both methods of composite powder preparation (wet and dry) led to enhanced mechanical performance of the composite films at 0.1 and 0.5% graphene nano-platelets (GNP) concentrations. The TEM images show that the GNP act as a nucleation point in crystallisation of PEEK, being at the centre of the spherulites. The hot stage microscopy revealed a 20 second delay in the onset of GNP/PEEK nanocomposite coalescence in comparison with plain PEEK. This is a very important observation for laser sintering, as it will influence the build strategy and specific parameters (e.g. time between layers deposition, multiple exposures). The excellent electrical conductivity properties of graphene were noticeable in the nanocomposite films at concentrations above 1 wt% GNP.The authors would like to thank the UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council for its funding (EPSRC grant no EP/L017318/1-Particle Shape and Flow behaviour in Laser Sintering: from modelling to experimental validation), 2D-Tech for providing the graphene and John Benson for his help with the Raman evaluation

Multimodal approach of advanced gastric cancer: Based therapeutic algorithm

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in both sexes worldwide, with the highest estimated mortality rates in Eastern Asia and the lowest in Northern America. However, the availability of modern treatment has improved the survival and the prognosis is often poor due to biological characteristics of the disease. In oncology, we are living in the "Era" of target treatment and, to know biological aspects, prognostic factors and predictive response informations to therapy in GC is mandatory to apply the best strategy of treatment. The purpose of this review, according to the recently published English literature, is to summarize existing data on prognostic aspects and predictive factors to response to therapy in GC and to analyze also others therapeutic approaches (surgery and radiotherapy) in locally, locally advanced and advanced GC. Moreover, the multidisciplinary approach (chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy) can improve the prognosis of GC

Advance healthcare directives: moving towards a universally recognized right

Advance healthcare directives (AD) are still intensively animating debates in Europe and worldwide, leading to the enactment of different laws, according to the diverse legal, sociocultural, religious and philosophical traditions of each society1 . After a long complicated seemingly ever-lasting process, on the 14th of December 2017 the Italian Parliament finally approved the Law on “Informed consent and Advance healthcare directives” putting Italy on the same level as other European countries, which have previously regulated this complicated matter2 . The most controversial point of the law is represented by AD. Section 4 states that everyone able to make a proper judgment, regarding any possible future inability to self-determine, can, through AD, express their beliefs and preferences concerning health treatments, consent or refusal to any diagnostic or therapeutic choice, including artificial nutrition and hydration. One can also indicate a person of trust to represent him/her in the relationships with doctors and hospitals2 . Furthermore, the same provision specifies that the doctor is obliged to respect the AD, unless: a) the patient requests a treatment opposing the law or medical deontology, or b) the AD is clearly incongruous, or c) new and unpredictable therapies have come into force. Therefore, ADs are binding; conscientious objection is not foreseen. The reference of the law to medical deontology finds its rationale in section 38 of the Italian Code of Medical Ethics, updated in May 2014, where the requirements that AD must meet are stated3 . With this new law2 Italy conforms to the orientation of the other main European countries, obliging the respect of ADs, even if the limits are slightly different, France4 , Germany5 , Spain6 and England7 they are binding. We wish to draw the attention of the whole medical scientific community to this matter, advocating for an open dialogue to discuss the ethical and medical issues concerning AD, thereby facilitating the improvement and implementation of guidelines and policies to safeguard patients together with healthcare providers1 . There has been considerable progress in addressing all the ethical issues regarding AD and as a consequence of the constant innovation in medical science and an increase in life expectancy we can demand more research into this topic