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Stage IV colorectal cancer treatment includes targeted therapy depending on RAS status. During disease progression, loss or gain of RAS mutations could happen, supporting the hypothesis of the evolutionary pressure of therapy. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are nucleic acids released to the bloodstream by the tumor during its development and may be detected by liquid biopsy. The Idylla© Biocartis, a fully automated real-time-PCR-based molecular diagnostic system, was used in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer with a NRAS mutation in progression after several therapeutic lines. The ctDNA mutational analysis was performed and revealed the absence of mutations in the KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF genes. The patient started the third line of palliative chemotherapy with irinotecan + cetuximab and achieved a partial response for the first time. The authors describe a case in which liquid biopsy determined the higher progression-free survival achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ternary aluminium oxynitride (AlN x O y ) system offers the possibility to obtain a wide range of properties by tailoring the ratio between pure Al, AlN x and AlO y and therefore opening a significant number of possible applications. In this work the thermal behaviour of AlN x O y thin films was analysed by modulated infrared radiometry (MIRR), taking as reference the binary AlO y and AlN x systems. MIRR is a non-contact and non-destructive thermal wave measurement technique based on the excitation, propagation and detection of temperature oscillations of very small amplitudes. The intended change of the partial pressure of the reactive gas (N 2 and/or O 2 ) influenced the target condition and hence the deposition characteristics which, altogether, affected the composition and microstructure of the films. Based on the MIRR measurements and their qualitative and quantitative interpretation, some correlations between the thermal transport properties of the films and their chemical/physical properties have been found. Furthermore, the potential of such technique applied in this oxynitride system, which present a wide range of different physical responses, is also discussed. The experimental results obtained are consistent with those reported in previous works and show a high potential to fulfil the demands needed for the possible applications of the systems studied. They are clearly indicative of an adequate thermal response if this particular thin film system is aimed to be applied in small sensor devices or in electrodes for biosignal acquisition, such as those for electroencephalography or electromyography as it is the case of the main research area that is being developed in the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work Au: $$\text{ TiO}_{2}$$ thin films prepared by dc reactive magnetron sputtering were studied. The thin films, with an amount of gold of about 15 at %, were subsequently annealed at constant temperatures between $$200\,^{\circ }\text{ C}$$ and $$800\,^{\circ }\text{ C}$$, are here analyzed with respect to their thermal behavior. The changes of the material properties with increasing annealing temperature from initially amorphous to a gradually increasing crystalline structure and the formation of nanoclusters and gold nanoparticles of increasing size, from 5 nm to 17 nm, are analyzed with the help of the phase lag signals measured by modulated IR radiometry. The obtained results seem to indicate the formation of strong subsurface heat sources, which can be explained with the help of the surface plasmon resonance effect and which can be described by the theory of semitransparent coatings, with effects of semi-transparency both in the visible and the infrared spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Searching for other alternative sources, which are not part of the food chain, and which are able to supply the biofuel market is a promising option. In this context, it has been searched to investigate the oiticica oil, approaching its availability to the biodiesel synthesis, as well as its thermal stability. Few works retreat parameters such as: the optimization of the biodiesel synthesis, its physical-chemical properties, and thermal parameters etc. The characterization results revealed that the oil showed very high kinematic viscosity, and acidity value around 13 mg KOH/g, requiring a pre-treatment. To reduce the acid in the oil, it has been done the esterification of oil, which was studied in different molar ratios oiticica oil/ethanol (1:9) and 2.0% catalyst, in order to get the best reduction the index of acidity. The lowest level of acidity of the oil obtained after the esterification was 4.4 mg KOH/g. The reaction rate for the synthesis of biodiesel, compared to the initial mass of oiticica oil ester was 85%. This income can be overcome by pursuing an even smaller reduction of acid value of biodiesel oiticica. The acid value of biodiesel was 1.8 mg KOH/g. The results have revealed that the oiticica oil and biodiesel are stable at 224 and 179 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The thermal properties of (TiSi)N thin films deposited by dc reactive magnetron sputtering on steel have been measured using contactless modulated IR radiometry. To interpret the measured IR signals, a two-layer model has been applied, and to describe surface roughness effects related to the coatings'' growth process, a three-layer model has been developed. Empirical correlations have been found between thermal transport properties and structural–physical parameters, e.g. the grain size and surface roughness of the coatings, and first correlations have additionally been found with the deposition conditions, e.g. the bias voltage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The principles of non-destructive, non-contact characterization of coatings by means of photothermal measuring techniques are briefly explained. A method of quantitative interpretation is presented, which relies on the relative extrema of the calibrated thermal wave phase lags measured as a function of the heating modulation frequency for coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering. The application potential of this interpretation method with respect to the on-line control of coating deposition processes is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The thermal contact resistance of polymer-based carbon fiber composites was calculated from experimental thermal conductivity values. Thermal conductivity of the composites increases as the fiber content increases. In order to explain the variation with size and volume fraction of the conductive inclusions in the composite, an effective medium model, which includes the effect of interfacial thermal resistance, was applied. Two different geometries for the fiber distribution in the matrix were considered. The calculated thermal contact resistance obtained from the effective medium models is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. Once tested and validated, these models can also contribute to evaluate the best choice of materials for composite production, as maximum values for the thermal conductivity can be estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optically active Au : TiO2 nanocomposite thin films with an amount of gold of about 15 at% were prepared by dc reactive magnetron sputtering. After the deposition, the samples were annealed in vacuum at different constant temperatures between 200 and 800 °C. Depending on the annealing temperature, considerable changes have been found in the films' crystalline structure and for the number, the shape and the dimensions of the Au clusters. Modulated IR Radiometry (MIRR), a non-contact, non-destructive modulation-frequency-dependent photothermal measurement technique, was used for the characterization of the thermo-optical depth profiles of the as-deposited and annealed samples. Based on the results of MIRR, it was possible to establish correlations of the measured thermo-optical depth profiles with various effects: the heat treatment induced progress of crystallization of the TiO2 matrix, the evolution of Au nanoparticles and strong subsurface heat sources related to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect. For the annealing temperature of 800 °C, a diffusion and accumulation of gold just at the surface was found, which contributes to limit the subsurface heat sources and the SPR effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit-bearing food products are controlled by phytosanitary regulatory mechanisms. Among the existing pests of economic interest, Cetatitis capitata (medfly) can be highlighted, which can infest from 250 to 400 vegetable varieties. Vicilins, constitutive proteins of chitin-binding seeds, are potentially candidates to fight this pest. Vicillin-rich fractions of Erythrina veluntina (mulungu), Canavalia ensiformis (pork beans) and Phaseolus vulgaris (common beans), isolated by affinity chromatography on a chitin column, were tested on adults of C. capitata, in laboratory and semi-laboratory bioassays. field. All were able to bind chitin, have acidic characteristics and association with carbohydrates. E. velutina vicilin was the only one to present a high lethality (100 %) in a 15 % diet (w/w). In semi-field it was observed that 10 and 15 % (w/w) of vicilin added to the diet were lethal. For TL50, death of half the population in days were 3.5 (10 %) and 3 (15 %). These results showed that vicilins are potential bioinsecticides in the control of C. capitata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CaSiO 3 doped with Eu, at various amounts in ppm, has been produced by the devitrification method. • 1000 ppm of Eu doped CaSiO 3 display dosimetric capability to very high gamma radiation dose (kGy). • The largest contribution of the TL response comes from photons with wavelengths between 400 and 440 nm. • PL measurements show the presence of both Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions in the CaSiO 3 :Eu matrix. • O− ion and two different F+ centers have been identified in the gamma-irradiated CaSiO 3 : Eu phosphor. CaSiO 3 doped at different ppm of Eu were synthesized by the devitrification method. Polycrystals exhibit a prominent high-temperature TL peak that increases in intensity and shifts toward higher temperatures with increasing amounts of dopant. TL emission spectrum of CaSiO 3 : Eu displays two very broad bands centered at 400 and 440 nm corresponding to the temperatures of 229.5 and 373.5 °C, respectively. PL measurements indicate the presence of Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions. EPR spectrum arises from two defect centers. One of the centers with principal g -values 2.016, 2.0091, and 2.0051 is attributed to O− ion and the center correlates with the TL peak at 236 °C. Center II with an isotropic g -value of 2.0018 is attributed to an F+ center and the center relates to the TL peak at 120 °C. Center III is also tentatively identified as the F+ center which is associated with the TL peak at 365 °C. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving meat production traits has increased its importance in sheep breeding. We report novel associations of SNP present in genes related to lipid metabolism and growth with several carcass traits in purebred Texel lambs. Expected progeny differences (EPD) predictions from 461 animals from the Central Progeny Testing of Texel breed in Uruguay were used for the association analysis. Live weights at different stages, ultrasound and post-mortem traits were analyzed. Markers in several genes were associated with growth, carcass and meat quality traits. Among others: PPARGC1A with valuable cuts weight, hot carcass weight and carcass fatness; DGAT1 with live weights, fat thickness, rib-eye area and shoulder weight; CAST with birth weight and fat thickness; GHR with birth weight and carcass fatness, and GHRHR with live weights and fat thickness. Genotypic effects ranged from 0.035 to 0.923 ( DGAT1 vs. weaning weight) units of phenotypic SD. Most of the associations described are novel in sheep breeding, deserving further analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noble metal powders containing gold and silver have been used for many centuries, providing different colours in the windows of the medieval cathedrals and in ancient Roman glasses. Nowadays, the interest in nanocomposite materials containing noble nanoparticles embedded in dielectric matrices is related with their potential use for a wide range of advanced technological applications. They have been proposed for environmental and biological sensing, tailoring colour of functional coatings, or for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Most of these applications rely on the so-called localised surface plasmon resonance absorption, which is governed by the type of the noble metal nanoparticles, their distribution, size and shape and as well as of the dielectric characteristics of the host matrix. The aim of this work is to study the influence of the composition and thermal annealing on the morphological and structural changes of thin films composed of Ag metal clusters embedded in a dielectric TiO 2 matrix. Since changes in size, shape and distribution of the clusters are fundamental parameters for tailoring the properties of plasmonic materials, a set of films with different Ag concentrations was prepared. The optical properties and the thermal behaviour of the films were correlated with the structural and morphological changes promoted by annealing. The films were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering and in order to promote the clustering of the Ag nanoparticles the as-deposited samples were subjected to an in-air annealing protocol. It was demonstrated that the clustering of metallic Ag affects the optical response spectrum and the thermal behaviour of the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the thermal stability of TiAg x thin films, deposited by magnetron sputtering, was evaluated, envisaging their application in biomedical devices, namely as electrodes for biosignal acquisition. Based on the composition and microstructural characterization, a set of four representative TiAg x thin films was selected in order to infer whether they are thermally stable in terms of functional properties. In order to achieve this purpose, the structural and morphological evolution of the films with annealing temperature was correlated with their electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. Two distinct zones were identified and two samples from each zone were extensively analysed. In the first zone (zone I), Ti was the main component (Ti-rich zone) while in the second, zone II, the Ag content was more significant. The selected samples were annealed in vacuum at four different temperatures up to 500 °C. For the samples produced within zone I, small microstructural changes were observed due to the recrystallization of the Ti structure and grain size increment. Also, no significant changes were observed with annealing temperature regarding the films' functional properties, being thermally stable up to 500 °C. For higher Ag contents (zone II) the energy supplied by thermal treatments was sufficient to activate the crystallization of Ti–Ag intermetallic phases. A strong increase of the grain size of these phases was also reported. The structural and morphological organization proved to be determinant for the physical responses of the TiAg x system. The hardness and Young's modulus were significantly improved with the formation of the intermetallic phases. The silver addition and annealing treatments also played an important role in the electrical conductivity of the films, which was once again improved by the formation of Ti–Ag phases. The thermal diffusivity of the films was practically unchanged with the heat-treatment. This set of results shows that this intermetallic-like thin film system has good thermal stability up to high temperatures (as high as 500 °C), which in case of the highest Ag content zone is particularly evident for electrical and mechanical properties, showing an important improvement. Hardness increases about three times, while resistivity values become half of those from the lowest Ag content zone. These sets of characteristics are consistent with the targeted applications, namely in terms of biomedical sensing devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to compare Doppler flows pulsatility index (PI) and resistance indexes (RI) of uterine and internal iliac arteries during pregnancy in low risk women and in those with stage-1 essential hypertension. From January 2010 and December 2012, a longitudinal and prospective study was carried out in 103 singleton uneventful pregnancies (72 low-risk pregnancies and 31 with stage 1 essential hypertension)at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Multiple linear regression models, fitted using generalized least squares and whose errors were allowed to be correlated and/or have unequal variances, were employed; a model for the relative differences of both arteries impedance was utilized. In both groups, uterine artery PI and RI exhibited a gestational age related decreasing trend whereas internal iliac artery PI and RI increased. The model testing the hemodynamic adaptation in women with and without hypertension showed similar trend. Irrespective of blood pressure conditions, the internal iliac artery resistance pattern contrasts with the capacitance pattern of its immediate pelvic division, suggesting a pregnancy-related regulatory mechanism in the pelvic circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Several naturalized sheep breeds in the South American continent have little objective information available and as population size is becoming smaller the need for this information becomes more critical. The objective of this study was to differentiate between naturalized breeds in Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia using morphological descriptors and compare them with commercial breeds. The amount of 928 morphometric measurements and 2918 weights were collected. Phenotypic characterization was carried out using size, weight, colour and conformation of the animals, as well as 16 morphometric measurements of the animals. Phenotypic data were analysed using PROC GLM, CORR and PRINCOMP of Statistical Analysis System (SAS®). The distance between breeds was carried out using morphometric and morphological data using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method Arithmetic Mean) method to create a dendrogram. Phenotypic characterization was shown to be an accessible and easy to use tool in conservation and breeding programs. The breed was the most important factor to differentiate between the animals measured, and adult weight most influenced by the environment. Commercial breeds were larger and Santa Inês animals from the Center-west and Southwest closer to Bergamasca than in other regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mucositis induced by anti-neoplastic drugs is an important, dose-limiting and costly side effect of cancer therapy. To evaluate the effect of oral glutamine and alanyl-glutamine, a more stable glutamine derivative, on 5-FU-induced oral mucositis in hamsters. Oral mucositis was induced by two intraperitoneal (i.p) administrations of 5-FU on the first and second days of the experiment (60 and 40 mg/kg, respectively) followed by mechanical trauma on the fourth day in male hamsters. Animals received saline, glutamine or alanyl-glutamine suspension (100 mM) 1 h before the injections of 5-FU and daily until sacrifice, on the 10th or 14th day. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were evaluated and graded. Tissues from the cheek pouches were harvested for measurement of myeloperoxidase activity and glutathione stores. For investigation of serum concentration of glutamine, blood was obtained by heart puncture from anesthetized animals before sacrifice, on day 10. Treatment with glutamine and alanyl-glutamine reduced macroscopic and histological parameters of oral mucositis, and reduced the myeloperoxidase activity on day 14, but not on day 10. The 5-FU-induced oral mucositis significantly decreased the serum glutamine levels as well as the cheek pouch glutathione stores observed on day 10. Glutamine or alanyl-glutamine administration reversed the 5-FU effects, restoring serum glutamine levels and cheek pouch glutathione stores, observed on day 10, but did not prevent oral mucositis on the tenth day. Glutamine or alanyl-glutamine accelerated the mucosal recovery increasing mucosal tissue glutathione stores, reducing inflammatory parameters and speeding reepithelization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucositis induced by antineoplastic drugs is an important, dose-limiting, and costly side effect of cancer therapy. Aim: To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) on the pathogenesis of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced oral mucositis. Oral mucositis was induced by two intraperitoneal (i.p) administrations of 5-FU on the first and second days of the experiment (60 and 40 mg/kg, respectively) in male hamsters. Animals were treated subcutaneously with saline (0.4 ml), 1,400 W (1 mg/kg), aminoguanidine (5 or 10 mg/kg) or N ϕ-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) 1 h before the injections of 5-FU and daily until sacrifice, on the tenth day. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were evaluated and graded. Tissues from the cheek pouches were harvested for measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, nitrite level, and immunohistochemistry for induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Treatment with 1,400 W or aminoguanidine reduced macroscopic and histological parameters of oral mucositis, and reduced the inflammatory cell infiltration as detected by histopathology and by MPO activity. In contrast, the administration of L-NAME did not significantly reverse the inflammatory alterations induced by experimental mucositis. Increased NOS activity, nitrite level and immunostaining for iNOS were detected on the check pouch tissue of animals submitted to 5-FU-induced oral mucositis on the tenth day. These results suggest an important role of NO produced by iNOS in the pathogenesis of oral mucositis induced by 5-FU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor films, deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on glass substrates, have been analyzed with the help of laser modulated optical reflectance. The results are discussed with respect to the thermal and charge carrier transport properties. Charge carrier surface recombination at the front surface and at the interface between semiconductor film and glass substrate have been identified both for microcrystalline and amorphous films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulated Infrared Radiometry is a photothermal technique which allows thermal characterization of coatings, whose properties are determined by applying the "Extremum Method". The objective of this work is to apply this method on a set of films where all the parameters influencing the model are adjusted systematically in a matrix of 36 different samples. Thus, Zr-O-N films were deposited by sputtering varying three factors: i) composition/bonding of the film: metallic Zr, crystalline metallic-type Zr-O-N and disordered Zr-O-N (films deposited in the metallic, reactive and poisoned regimes of the hysteresis curve, respectively); ii) each film was deposited simultaneously on three different substrates: steel, glass and silicon; iii) in each batch, four different thicknesses were grown. Each type of film was deposited with 4 different thicknesses, on top of 3 different substrates, in the same batch, maximizing their similarity. In general, the results allow to discriminate among films and are consistent regardless the type of substrate, although some dispersion of data is observed. The trends of the thermal parameters depending on the thickness were explained in terms of the films' microstructural/chemical characteristics, and the influence of each substrate. The values of the thermal parameters agree with those found in literature, reflecting the nature of the films. • Determination of thermal properties of Zr-O-N thin films using Modulated Infrared Radiometry and Extremum Method. • Validation of the method for different types of Zr-O-N films, deposited on different substrates with different thicknesses. • Lower dispersion of values of the thermal parameters for the disordered ceramic Zr-O-N films. • Thermal parameters are in agreement with results from literature, and in line with the chemical nature of the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to construct reference ranges for the uterine artery (UtA) mean pulsatility (PI) and resistance (RI) indices from 1-8 weeks postpartum. A prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study was performed with 320 healthy women from week 1 through week 8 postpartum. UtAs were examined transvaginally using colour and pulsed Doppler imaging, and the means of the right and left values of the PI and RI, as well as the presence or absence of a bilateral protodiastolic notch, were recorded. The 5th, 50th and 95th reference percentile curves for the UtA-PI and UtA-RI were derived using regression models. The adjusted reference intervals uncovered a convergence trend at the week 8 time-point, although impedance was lower at the week 1 time-point in multiparous women compared with primiparous women. The notching prevalence was 22.5% (9/40) at week 1 and 95.0% (38/40) at week 8. The study revealed consistent evidence of a progressive increase of postpartum uterine impedance and provided new average UtA-PI and UtA-RI reference charts for weeks 1 through 8. Multiparity does not change the trend but does impart a lower rate of increase, likely as a consequence of previous vascular structural and functional differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]