To predict the T stage of nonrectal colon cancer using contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography.
Sixty-one patients with 67 nonrectal colon cancers consecutively underwent contrast-enhanced ...computed tomography colonography after an incomplete colonoscopy. Two readers evaluated wall deformity and perilesional fat abnormality on three-dimensional double contrast enema-like views and multiplanar reconstructions. Pathology was used as the standard of reference. McNemar, Fisher, and Cohen κ statistics were used.
At pathologic examination, we found the following stages: T1 (n = 5), T2 (n = 10), T3 (n = 41), T4a (n = 6), and T4b (n = 5). Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities were almost perfect for wall deformity (κ = 1.00 and κ = 0.88, respectively), substantial for perilesional fat abnormality (κ = 0.79 and κ = 0.74, respectively). Using the results of the more experienced reader, accuracy of wall deformity ≥50% (apple-core) alone for T ≥ 3 was 62 of 67 (0.93, 95% confidence interval CI 0.83-0.97) and that of perilesional fat abnormality alone was 37 of 67 (0.55, 95% CI 0.43-0.67) (P < .001). Predictive value for ≥ T3 of the association wall deformity ≥50% with perilesional fat abnormality was 22 of 22 (1.00, 95% CI 0.85-1.00), higher, but not significantly, than that of wall deformity ≥50% with normal perilesional fat 29 of 33 (0.88, 95% CI 0.72-0.97) (P = .148, Fisher exact test).
The presence of apple-core wall deformity, regardless of perilesional fat abnormality, is highly predictive of stage T3 or higher.
We report on the preparation and properties of soy protein isolate (SPI)‐sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐polycaprolactone‐triol (PCL‐T) films obtained by solvent casting from solutions containing ...variable amounts of SDS or SDS/PCL‐T. It is shown that the mechanical and thermal properties, and the morphology of SPI‐based biofilms can be easily controlled by changing SDS, PCL‐T, and moisture contents, enabling the fabrication of rigid and flexible materials as pure SPI films Young's modulus ∼ 1 400 MPa, elongation at break (E) ∼ 2%, and glass transition temperature (Tg) ∼ 150 °C and SPI/SDS/PCL‐T films with PCL‐T ≥ 18% (Young's modulus ∼ 50 MPa, E ∼ 90%, and Tg ∼ 135 °C), respectively. Micrographs taken at the cross‐section of biofilms whose PCL‐T ≥ 18% revealed the occurrence of a porous matrix, whereas a dense bulk phase was otherwise observed (pure SPI, SPI/SDS, and SPI/SDS/PCL‐T films with PCL‐T < 18%).
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Blood polyamines (spermidine and spermine) and LH levels have been studied after acute GnRH injection both in obese and normal weight children. In both groups LH values significantly increased after ...stimulation but reached higher peaks in normal children than in obese ones (P less than 0.05). On the contrary, polyamine levels increased significantly only in the normal weight children. LH peaked at 30 min and polyamines at 60 min after GnRH injection. On the basis of the proposed role of polyamines in hormone action and of our results, we suggest that polyamines may play a pivotal role in hormone responsiveness of hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis.
The thermal degradation of N-(o-carboxybenzoyl)-l-phenylalanine (NCBPh), N-(o-carboxybenzoyl)-l-leucine (NCBL) and N-(o-carboxybenzoyl)-l-valine (NCBV) were studied by thermogravimetry and infrared ...spectroscopy. The results suggested that the loss of mass occurred by two main events which were defined as the imide formation and sublimation. The values of the activation energy (E) for the imide formation, considering both systems, were at the range 170–60kJ mol−1 and the results indicate that thermal stability obeys the order: NCBPh>NCBV>NCBL. The apparent activation energies obtained for the sublimation process are consistent with the structure of the imides N-Phthaloylphenylalanine (PhtPh), N-phthaloylvaline (PhtV) and N-phthaloylleucine (PhtL). The values of E are in the order PhtPh>PhtV>PhtL. This higher energy for the sublimation of the phenylalanine derivative, may be associated to the presence of the phenyl group, which favours the crystalline packing. In a sealed tube at higher temperature, we detected the degradation of the imide, with the concurrent appearance of CO2 (2370 and 2340cm−1), CO (2200–2100cm−1).
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Independently of the age of the European sea bass, putrescine and spermidine are much higher in liver and brain than in muscles, while spermine concentrations are more similar to one another. The ...polyamine concentrations are higher in 2 years old sea bass than in 1 year old fish except for heart spermidine and liver spermine. Lowering in water temperature causes a decrease in the concentration of spermidine and spermine in all tissues examined. Putrescine, however, increases in heart, caudal muscle, liver and brain and it is unchanged in red and dorsal muscles.
Background: Little is known about the therapeutic role of intravenous interferon-beta in chronic hepatitis C patients unresponsive to a previous treatment with interferon-alpha. Methods: Two hundred ...interferon-alpha non-responders were randomized to receive either intravenous recombinant interferon-beta or interferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin for 12 weeks. The responders in both groups were followed up for a further 48 weeks. Results: At week 12 a biochemical and virologic response was documented in 42% of the patients treated with interferon-beta and in 22% of the patients treated with combination therapy. A sustained response was observed in 21% of the patients treated with interferon-beta and in 13% of those treated with combination therapy, with similar differences on intention-to-treat analysis. Conclusions: Short-term treatment with intravenous interferon-beta seems to offer a chance for sustained response in a subset of interferon-alpha non-responders. The role of long-term therapy in these patients still remains to be explored.
Poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer that has been used to obtain polymer-based drug carriers. However, due to the high crystallinity degree of this polymer, ...drug release from P(3HB) microspheres frequently occurs at excessive rates. In this study, two strategies for prolonging ibuprofen release from P(3HB)-based microspheres were tested: blending with poly(D,L-lactide)-b-polyethylene glycol (mPEG-PLA); and obtaining composite particles with gelatin (GEL). SEM micrographs showed particles that were spherical and had a rough surface. A slight decrease of the crystallinity degree of P(3HB) was observed only in the DSC thermogram obtained from unloaded-microspheres prepared from 1:1 P(3HB):mPEG-PLA blend. For IBF-loaded microspheres, a reduction of around 10 °C in the melting temperature of P(3HB) was observed, indicating that the crystalline structure of the polymer was affected in the presence of the drug. DSC studies also yielded evidence of the presence of a molecular dispersion coexisting with a crystalline dispersion in the drug in the matrix. Similar results were obtained from X-ray diffractograms. In spite of 1:1 mPEG-PLA:P(3HB) blends having contributed to the reduction of the burst effect, a more controlled drug release was provided by the use of the 3:1 P(3HB):mPEGPLA blend. This result indicated that particle hydration played an important role in the drug release. On the other hand, the preparation of P(3HB):GEL composite microspheres did not allow control of the IBF release.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
20.
Thermal degradation of natural polymers VILLETTI, M. A; CRESPO, J. S; SOLDI, M. S ...
Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry,
2002, Volume:
67, Issue:
2
Conference Proceeding
Peer reviewed
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
