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Four commercial high-performance aerospace aromatic epoxy matrices, CYCOM®890, CYCOM®977-2, PR520, and PRISM EP2400, were cured to a standardised 2 h, 180 °C cure cycle and evaluated in quasi-static uniaxial compression, as well as by dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermoplastic toughened CYCOM®977-2 formulation displayed an overall increase in true axial stress values across the entire stress–strain curve relative to the baseline CYCOM®890 sample. The particle-toughened PR520 sample exhibited an overall decrease in true axial stress values past the yield point of the material. The PRISM EP2400 resin, with combined toughening agents, led to true axial stress values across the entire plastic region of the stress–strain curve, which were in line with the stress values observed with the CYCOM®890 material. Interestingly, for all formulations, the dilation angles (associated with the volume change during plastic deformation), recorded at 0.3 plastic strain, were close to 0°, with the variations reflecting the polymer structure. Compression data collected for this series of commercial epoxy resins are in broad agreement with a selection of model epoxy resins based on di- and tetra-functional monomers, cured with polyamines or dicarboxylic anhydrides. However, the fully formulated resins demonstrate a significantly higher compressive modulus than the model resins, albeit at the expense of yield stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the potential clinical utility of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) as a source of BRAF mutation detection in patients enrolled into a phase II study of AZD6244, a specific MEK1/2 inhibitor, in patients with advanced melanoma.Methods: BRAF mutations were detected using Amplification Refractory Mutation System allele-specific PCR. BRAF mutation status was assessed in serum-derived cfDNA from 126 patients enrolled into the study and from 94 matched tumour samples.Results: Of 94 tumour samples, 45 (47.9%) were found to be BRAF mutation positive (BRAF+). Serum-derived cfDNA was BRAF+ in 33 of 126 (26.2%) samples, including in five samples for which tumour data were unavailable. Of BRAF+ tumours, 25 of 45 (55.6%) were BRAF+ in cfDNA. In three cases in which the tumour was negative, cfDNA was BRAF+. Progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with BRAF+ tumour and cfDNA was not significantly different compared with tumour BRAF+ but cfDNA BRAF-negative patients, indicating that cfDNA BRAF detection is not associated with poorer prognosis on PFS in stage III/IV advanced melanoma.Conclusions: These data demonstrate the feasibility of BRAF mutation detection in cfDNA of patients with advanced melanoma. Future studies should aim to incorporate BRAF mutation testing in cfDNA to further validate this biomarker for patient selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the effects of a PICU hospitalization on critically ill school- age children. Few studies have examined the impact of the PICU experience on children them-selves. A convenience sample was recruited of 21 developmentally appropriate children who were aged 7-12 years and had never been hospitalized. Children were asked open-ended questions related to their PICU experience, frequency and effectiveness of coping strategies was measured, and drawings were used to evaluate anxiety. Although not detailed, most children did have some recollection of their PICU stay. People in the PICU (i.e., nurses, physicians) were remembered as good, while feelings the children had (i.e., tired, didn't like it) were described as what was bad about the PICU. Children's coping strategies scores were very low. Most children had an average level of anxiety based on analysis of their drawings. Children's repertoire of coping strategies may be limited by the PICU, especially while intubated. Nurses should never underestimate the effect their behavior and responsiveness has on children. Feasible coping strategies and use of therapeutic play for PICU children should be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine whether low concentrations of chitosan and benzoate in combination could be used to enhance the antimicrobial action of either compound alone against three spoilage yeasts in saline solutions. Methods and Results: Saccharomyces exiguus , Saccharomycodes ludwigii and Torulaspora delbrueckii were suspended in 0·05 and 0·005% chitosan glutamate and 0·025% sodium benzoate, alone or in combination, in 0·9% saline solutions at pH 6·2 and 4·5. Survivor curves were constructed from viable counts determined periodically for up to 120 min. Chitosan at 0·005% almost doubled the extent of death caused by 0·025% benzoate alone, from about 1–2 log to about 2–4 log cfu ml–1 , depending on pH and target organism. Conclusions: Chitosan (0·005%) and 0·025% sodium benzoate acted synergistically against spoilage yeasts in saline solutions. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results suggest that the natural compound chitosan may be useful as an adjunct in the potentiation of the biocidal efficacy of antimicrobial compounds such as benzoates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eggshells of the cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), domestic fowl (Callus domesticus), gannet (Sula bassana), guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), and shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) have been separated into two groups on the basis of the composition of their outer stratum. In the domestic fowl, guinea fowl and greater flamingo the outer stratum is an organic cuticle while in the sea-birds it is an inorganic cover rich in vaterite. The calcareous deposits on the membranes of eggs of the domestic fowl which are shell-less at oviposition have been shown to consist essentially of the vaterite form of calcium carbonate. Reasons for the occurrence of this polymorph of calcium carbonate are discussed with relation to the physiology of the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-three patients had stopped cemiplimab: 5 due to completion of the stipulated 2 years treatment, 3 due to start of the COVID pandemic, 1 due to death from other cause, 24 (63.2%) due to progressive disease (PD) (2 patients had stopped due to adverse events, but subsequently progressed). The authors acknowledge the patients who have taken part in the NPS scheme who have contributed to the real-world evidence. Out of the 24 who progressed, 3 patients were alive at time of data cut-off. gl Our results are comparable with other real-world studies, although lower compared with the Empower study.3,4 Six patients (15.8%) died within 2 months of commencing therapy and had advanced disease that was treated at a late stage whilst awaiting access to cemiplimab. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study was to develop novel preservation systems for fresh pork sausages based on combinations of chitosan (polymeric β-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine) carnocin (a bacteriocin produced by Carnobacterium piscicola) and low concentrations of sulphite. Two pilot-scale trials showed that 0.6% chitosan combined with low sulphite (170 ppm) retarded the growth of spoilage organisms more effectively (3–4 log cfu/g) than high levels (340 ppm) of sulphite alone at 4 °C for up to 24 days. Microbial counts for frozen sausages showed that the preservative efficacy of the chitosan/sulphite combination was maintained following frozen storage. Carnocin did not protect sausages from spoilage but in a challenge trial, it reduced the numbers of Listeria innocua by up to 2.0 log cfu/g in the first 5 days of chill-storage. Sulphite was degraded rapidly within the first 3 days of storage in all the sausages that contained only this preservative but levels decreased less rapidly and persisted for longer in the presence of chitosan. Results of Quantitative Descriptive Analysis using 31 trained panellists reflected the gradual deterioration of all the sausages during storage. The batch containing chitosan and sulphite deteriorated less rapidly and was judged to be more acceptable for a longer period than all the other batches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background:Obtaining tissue for pancreatic carcinoma diagnosis and biomarker assessment to aid drug development is challenging. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) may represent a potential biomarker to address these unmet needs. We compared prospectively the utility of two platforms for CTC enumeration and characterisation in pancreatic cancer patients in a pilot exploratory study.Patients and methods:Blood samples were obtained prospectively from 54 consenting patients and analysed by CellSearch and isolation by size of epithelial tumour cells (ISET). CellSearch exploits immunomagnetic capture of CTCs-expressing epithelial markers, whereas ISET is a marker independent, blood filtration device. Circulating tumour cell expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers was assessed to explore any discrepancy in CTC number between the two platforms.Results:ISET detected CTCs in more patients than CellSearch (93% vs 40%) and in higher numbers (median CTCs/7.5 ml, 9 (range 0-240) vs 0 (range 0-144)). Heterogeneity observed for epithelial cell adhesion molecule, pan-cytokeratin (CK), E-Cadherin, Vimentin and CK 7 expression in CTCs may account for discrepancy in CTC number between platforms.Conclusion:ISET detects more CTCs than CellSearch and offers flexible CTC characterisation with potential to investigate CTC biology and develop biomarkers for pancreatic cancer patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]