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A novel environmentally friendly recycling method is developed for large carbon-fibers reinforced-polymers composite panels whose efficiency is demonstrated through a proof-of-concept fabrication of a new composite part based on recycled fibers. The recycling process relies on formic acid as separation reagent at room temperature and atmospheric pressure with efficient recycling potential of the separating agent. Electron microscopy and thermal analysis indicate that the recycled fibers are covered by a thin layer of about 10wt.% of residual resin, alternating with few small particles, as compared to the smooth virgin fibers. The recycled composites show promising shear strength and compression after impact strength, with up to 93% retention of performance depending on the property as compared to the reference. The recycled carbon fibers can thus be reused for structural applications requiring moderate to high performances. The loss of properties is attributed to a lower adhesion between fresh epoxy resin and recycled carbon fibers due to the absence of sizing, partly compensated by a good interface between fresh and residual cured epoxy thanks to mechanical anchoring as well as chemical reactions. The room temperature and atmospheric pressure operating conditions combined to the recyclability of the forming acid contribute to the sustainability of the entire approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This pilot study evaluated the imaging performance of pretargeted immunological positron emission tomography (immuno-PET) using an anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) recombinant bispecific monoclonal antibody (BsMAb), TF2 and the [68Ga]Ga-labelled HSG peptide, IMP288, in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Patients and methods: Patients requiring diagnostic workup of CRC metastases or in case of elevated CEA for surveillance were prospectively studied. They had to present with elevated CEA serum titre or positive CEA tumour staining by immunohistochemistry of a previous biopsy or surgical specimen. All patients underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), chest-abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT), abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET). For immuno-PET, patients received intravenously 120 nmol of TF2 followed 30 h later by 150 MBq of [68Ga]Ga-labelled IMP288, both I.V. The gold standard was histology and imaging after 6-month follow-up. Results: Eleven patients were included. No adverse effects were reported after BsMAb and peptide injections. In a per-patient analysis, immuno-PET was positive in 9/11 patients. On a per-lesion analysis, 12 of 14 lesions were positive with immuno-PET. Median SUVmax, MTV and TLG were 7.65 [3.98–13.94, SD 3.37], 8.63 cm3 [1.98–46.64; SD 14.83] and 37.90 cm3 [8.07–127.5; SD 43.47] respectively for immuno-PET lesions. Based on a per-lesion analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value and negative-predictive value were, respectively, 82%, 25%, 82% and 25% for the combination of EUS/CT/MRI; 76%, 67%, 87% and 33% for FDG-PET; and 88%, 100%, 100% and 67% for immuno-PET. Immuno-PET had an impact on management in 2 patients. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that pretargeted immuno-PET using anti-CEA/anti-IMP288 BsMAb and a [68Ga]Ga-labelled hapten was safe and feasible, with promising diagnostic performance. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02587247 Registered 27 October 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorption in excess of 90% is induced over a 22 GHz bandwidth by the combination of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) dispersed in a polymer matrix. This performance is achieved by a stack of polymer films showing a concentration gradient of mixed CNTs and GNPs from layer to layer, having a total thickness of only 0.76 λ / 4. Excellent agreement is observed from 18 to 40 GHz between the predicted and measured reflectivity and the resulting high absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinear deformation and fracture of RTM6 epoxy resin is characterized as a function of strain rate and temperature under various loading conditions involving uniaxial tension, notched tension, uniaxial compression, torsion, and shear. The parameters of the hardening law depend on the strain-rate and temperature. The pressure-dependency and hardening law, as well as four different phenomenological failure criteria, are identified using a subset of the experimental results. Detailed fractography analysis provides insight into the competition between shear yielding and maximum principal stress driven brittle failure. The constitutive model and a stress-triaxiality dependent effective plastic strain based failure criterion are readily introduced in the standard version of Abaqus, without the need for coding user subroutines, and can thus be directly used as an input in multi-scale modeling of fibre-reinforced composite material. The model is successfully validated against data not used for the identification and through the full simulation of the crack propagation process in the V-notched beam shear test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic impact of F-fluorocholine (FCH) PET/CT in biochemical recurrent prostate cancer (PC) and to investigate the value of quantitative FCH PET/CT parameters in predicting progression-free survival (PFS). Methods: This retrospective study included 172 consecutive patients with PC who underwent FCH PET/CT for biochemical recurrence. Mean rising PSA was 10.7 ± 35.0 ng/ml. Patients with positive FCH PET were classified into three groups: those with uptake only in the prostatic bed, those with locoregional disease, and those with distant metastases. Referring physicians were asked to indicate the hypothetical therapeutic strategy with and without the FCH PET/CT results. Clinical variables and PET parameters including SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, total lesion choline kinase activity (TLCKA) and standardized added metabolic activity (SAM) were recorded and a multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors independently predicting PFS. Results: In 137 of the 172 patients, the FCH PET/CT scan was positive, and of these, 29.9 % (41/137) had prostatic recurrence, 42.3 % (58/137) had pelvic lymph node recurrence with or without prostatic recurrence, and 27.7 % (38/137) had distant metastases. The FCH PET/CT result led to a change in treatment plan in 43.6 % (75/172) of the 172 patients. Treatment was changed in 49.6 % (68/137) of those with a positive FCH PET/CT scan and in 20 % (7/35) of those with a negative FCH PET/CT scan. After a median follow-up of 29.3 months (95 % CI 18.9 - 45.9 months), according to multivariate analysis age <70 years, SAM ≥23 and SUVmean ≥3 were parameters independently predicting PFS. A nomogram constructed using the three parameters showed 49 months of PFS in patients with the best scores (0 or 1) and only 11 months in patients with a poor score (score 3). Conclusion: This study indicates that a positive FCH PET result in PC patients with biochemical recurrence predicts a shorter PFS and confirms the major impact of the FCH PET result on the management of biochemical recurrent PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy remains mainly used for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, in the past 3 decades limited progress has been achieved in improving the long-term disease-free survival. Therefore the development of more effective drugs for AML represents a high level of priority. F14512 combines an epipodophyllotoxin core targeting topoisomerase II with a spermine moiety introduced as a cell delivery vector. The polyamine moiety facilitates F14512 selective uptake by tumour cells via the polyamine transport system, a machinery overactivated in cancer cells. F14512 has been characterized as a potent drug candidate and is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Here, we demonstrated marked survival benefit and therapeutic efficacy of F14512 treatments in a series of human AML models, established either from AML cell lines or from patient AML samples. Furthermore, we reported in vitro synergistic anti-leukemic effects of F14512 in combination with cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), doxorubicin, gemcitabine, bortezomib or SAHA. In vivo combination of suboptimal doses of F14512 with Ara-C also resulted in enhanced anti-leukemic activity. We further showed that F14512 triggered both senescence and apoptosis in vivo in primary AML models, but not autophagy. Overall, these results support the clinical development in onco-hematology of this novel promising drug candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apoptosis, type-I of programmed cell death (PCD-I), is not restricted to multicellular organisms since many apoptotic features have been described in different trypanosomatids, including Trypanosoma cruzi. Our present aim was to monitor, by different morphological markers, the occurrence of apoptosis-like death in amastigotes and trypomastigotes of T.cruzi (Y strain) during the infection of heart culture cells. We documented the differential occurrence of PCD-I in amastigotes and trypomastigotes, with distinct death rates noticed between these two parasite-distinct forms. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis using different hall markers of apoptosis (phosphatidylserine exposure, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation) showed that amastigotes present higher levels of apoptosis-like cell death as compared to trypomastigotes. It is possible that the higher levels of PCD-I in these highly multiplicative forms may contribute to the control of the parasite burden within the host cells. On the other hand, the apoptosis-like occurrence in the infective but non-proliferative stage of the parasite (trypomastigotes) may play a role in parasite evasion mechanisms as suggested for other parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) are typically resistant against apoptosis induced by standard chemotherapy. We evaluated the effects of the two potential antitumor agents of the lamellarin class on a highly apoptosis-resistant NSCLC cell line. Both the marine alkaloid lamellarin-D and its synthetic amino derivative PM031379 induced the activation of Bax, the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), as well as the activation of caspase-3. However, only PM031379 triggered cell death and sign of nuclear apoptosis coupled to the nuclear translocation of AIF. Depletion of AIF with small interfering RNA or microinjection of a neutralizing anti-AIF antibody largely prevented PM031379-induced cytotoxicity, underscoring the essential contribution of AIF to NSCLC killing. Using NSCLC cells lacking mitochondrial DNA, we showed that the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) was crucial for the PM031379-induced translocation of AIF to the nucleus and subsequently cell death. Pretreatment of NSCLC cells with menadione, a mitochondrial ROS generator, was able to restore the deficient chemotherapy-induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Altogether, these data suggest that mitochondrial ROS generation is crucial for overriding the chemoresistance of NSCLC cells. Moreover, this study delineates the unique mechanism of action of lamellarins as potential anticancer agents.Oncogene (2008) 27, 1981–1992; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210833; published online 1 October 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkanolamines such as diethanolamine (DEA) andN-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) are used in desulfurization processes in crude oil refineries. These compounds may be found in process waters following an accidental contamination. The analysis of alkanolamines in refinery process waters is very difficult due to the high ammonium concentration of the samples. This paper describes a method for the determination of DEA in high ammonium concentration refinery process waters by using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with indirect UV detection. The same method can be used for the determination of MDEA. Best results were achieved with a background electrolyte (BGE) comprising 10 mM histidine adjusted to pH 5.0 with acetic acid. The development of this electrolyte and the analytical performances are discussed. The quantification was performed by using internal standardization, by which triethanolamine (TEA) was used as internal standard. A matrix effect due to the high ammonium content has been highlighted and standard addition was therefore used. The developed method was characterized in terms of repeatability of migration times and corrected peak areas, linearity, and accuracy. Limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) obtained were 0.2 and 0.7 ppm, respectively. The CE method was applied to the determination of DEA or MDEA in refinery process waters spiked with known amounts of analytes and it gave excellent results, since uncertainties obtained were 8 and 5%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical HPLC methods using derivatized cellulose and amylose chiral stationary phases were developed for the separation of the enantiomers of homocamptothecin (hCPT) derivatives which constitute a promising series of potent anticancer agents targeting DNA topoisomerase I. The resolutions were performed using a normal phase methodology with two silica-based celluloses tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralcel OD-H) and tris-methylbenzoate (Chiralcel OJ) or two amyloses tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralpak AD) and tris-( S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate (Chiralpak AS). The mobile phase and the chiral stationary phase were varied to achieve the best resolution. Different types and concentration of aliphatic alcohols in the mobile phase were also tested along with the temperature dependence. An optimal baseline separation ( Rs > 1.5) was readily obtained in most cases. The different columns gave complementary results in term of resolution. The limits of detection and quantification were between 0.08–0.40 μM and 0.24–1.80 μM, respectively and the enantiomeric purity was superior to 99.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of cell death which occurs during Chagas' cardiopathy is disputed. To address this issue we analyzed the molecular pathways implicated in the death of cardiomyocytes during T. cruzi invasion and found that they undergo apoptosis during both in vitro and in vivo infections. However, the death rates and onset were related to the parasite stocks belonging to different biodemes, which can be correlated to the different histological inflammation findings that have already been reported. Our in vitro data provide additional support for this hypothesis since higher levels and earlier apoptosis induction were noted during the interaction with the Dm28c (type I) as compared to the Y and CL stocks (type II). Modifications of the surface carbohydrates of the infected cardiomyocytes were observed and these molecular events may be acting as "eat me" tags for their final engulfment by macrophages and/or other non-professional phagocytes. The analysis of other host cell types showed that the in vitro infection of fibroblasts did not result in host apoptosis even when a highly infective stock was used. Conversely, infected macrophages undergo apoptosis but at a higher degree than cardiomyocytes. Apoptotic intracellular parasites were observed to varied extents depending on the T. cruzi stock, which was related to the parasite invasion and proliferation. In summary, our results show that during T. cruzi infection, the extent of apoptosis varies according to the host cell type and the parasite stocks. The apoptosis of both host and T. cruzi can contribute to the silent spreading and persistence of the parasite without triggering an exacerbated inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional treatment of high-grade glioma includes maximal surgical resection followed by external radiation therapy. Despite this treatment, the prognosis for patients is poor. High doses of chemotherapy might be another way to increase the response rate and median survival. Increasing doses of BCNU might be more effective, but also provokes unacceptable myelotoxicity. This dose-limiting toxicity can be circumvented by using autologous blood stem cell rescue. We report our experience of high-dose BCNU followed by transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells in 114 patients with high-grade gliomas. Of the 114 gliomas, 78 were glioblastoma multiforme (GM) (68%), 24 anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) (21%), and 12 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (OD) (11%). Complete surgical resection was performed for 22 patients (18 GM and 4 AA). The median age was 44 years (range 17-65). A total of 84 patients received autologous hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow harvest, while 30 patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor followed by apheresis and received peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). High dose of BCNU (800?mg/m2) was given at least 1 month after neurosurgery. Bone marrow or PBPC was transplanted 48-72?h after chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was started approximately 40 days after transplantation to a total of 60?Gy. Median follow-up was 89 months (19-163). The overall survival (OS) was, respectively, 12 months for GM, 37 months for OD and 81 months for AA. Histological type appeared to be the main discriminating factor, with a worse prognosis for GM. Within the GM population, age, completeness of surgery, and response appeared to be one important prognostic factors. The AA and OD populations were small to reliably assess prognostic factors. On multivariate analysis, the main prognostic factors were histologic type, quality of surgery, and age (P<0.005). Five of 114 patients had lethal complications from the procedure. Four of... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that examined patients with malignant ovarian tumors who underwent allogeneic transplantation. Disadvantages of allogeneic stem cell transplantation; Background on ovarian carcinomas; Analysis of uses of allogeneic cells; Example of immunotherapy agents.

Studies the treatment strategies for endometrial cancer in women of France. Use of hysteroscopy and transvaginal ultrasonography for initial examination; Application of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of the disease.

Studies the treatment for the disease cutaneous melanoma. Clinical diagnosis and histopathological assessment of the disease; Need for removal of cutaneous lesion instead of a biopsy; Description of therapeutic strategies followed for the disease.

The effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on transepithelial Na, Cl, K, Ca and Mg transport was investigated in isolated perfused cortical thick ascending limbs (cTAL) and that of human calcitonin (hCT) was tested in both cortical and medullary thick ascending limbs (mTAL) of the mouse nephron. The transepithelial ion net fluxes ( J) were determined by electron probe analysis of the perfused and collected fluids. Simultaneously, the transepithelial voltage (PD) and resistance ( R) were recorded. In cTAL segments, PTH and hCT significantly stimulated the reabsorption of Na, Cl, Ca and Mg. hCT generated a net K secretion towards the lumen and PTH tended to exert the same effect. Neither PD nor R were significantly altered by either PTH or hCT. However, in the post-experimental period a significant decrease in PD was noted. Time control experiments carried out under similar conditions revealed a significant decrease in PD with time, which could have masked the hormonal response. In mTAL segments, Mg and Ca transport was close to zero. hCT did not exert any detectable effect on either PD or J, J J, J and J in these segments. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that PTH and hCT stimulate NaCl reabsorption as well as Mg and Ca reabsorption in the cTAL segment of the mouse. These data are in agreement with and extend data obtained in vivo in the rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of glucagon on transepithelial Na, Cl, K, Ca and Mg net fluxes were investigated in isolated perfused cortical (cTAL) and medullary (mTAL) thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop of the mouse nephron. Transepithelial ion net fluxes ( J, J, J, J, J) were determined by electron probe analysis of the collected tubular fluid. Simultaneously the transepithelial voltage (PD) and the transepithelial resistance ( R) were recorded. In cTAL-segments ( n=8), glucagon (1.2×10 mol · l) stimulated significantly the reabsorption of Na, Cl, Ca and Mg∶ J increased from 204±20 to 228±23 pmol · min · mm, J from 203±18 to 234±21 pmol · min · mm, J from 0.52±0.13 to 1.34±0.30 pmol · min · mm and J from 0.51±0.08 to 0.84±0.08 pmol · min · mm. J remained unchanged: 3.2±1.3 versus 4.0±1.9 pmol · min · mm. Neither PD (16.3±1.5 versus 15.9±1.4 mV) nor R (22.5±3.0 versus 20.3±2.6 Ωcm) were changed significantly by glucagon. However, in the post-experimental periods a significant decrease in PD and increase in R were noted. In mTAL-segments ( n=9), Mg and Ca transports were close to zero and glucagon elicited no significant effect. The reabsorptions of Na and Cl, however, were strongly stimulated: J increased from 153±17 to 226±30 pmol · min · mm and J from 151±23 to 243±30 pmol · min · mm. The rise in NaCl transport was accompanied by an increase in PD from 10.3±1.1 to 12.3±1.2 mV and a decrease in R from 19.1±2.7 to 17.8±2.0 Ωcm. No net K movement was detectable either in the absence or in the presence of glucagon. A micropuncture study carried out in hormone-deprived rats indicated that glucagon stimulates Na, Cl, K, Mg and Ca reabsorptions in the loop of Henle. In conclusion our data demonstrate that glucagon stimulates NaCl reabsorption in the mTAL segment and to a lesser extent in the cTAL segment whereas it stimulates Ca and Mg reabsorptions only in the cortical part of the thick ascending limb of the mouse nephron. These data are in good agreement with, and extend, those obtained in vivo on the rat with the hormone-deprived model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of antidiuretic hormone (arginine vasopressin, AVP) on transepithelial Na, Cl, K, Ca and Mg net transports was investigated in medullary (mTAL) and cortical (cTAL) segments of the thick ascending limb (TAL) of mouse nephron, perfused in vitro. Transepithelial net fluxes ( J, J, J, J, J) were determined by electron probe analysis of the collected tubular fluid. Transepithelial potential difference (PD) and transepithelial resistance (R) were measured simultaneously. cTAL segments were bathed and perfused with isoosmolal, HCO containing Ringer solutions, mTAL segments were bathed and perfused with isoosmolal HCO free Ringer solutions. In cTAL segments, AVP (10 mol·l) significantly increased J and J from 0.39±0.08 to 0.58±0.10 and from 0.86±0.13 to 1.19±0.15 pmol·min mm respectively. Neither J nor J, ( J: 213±30 versus 221±28 pmol·min mm, J: 206±30 versus 220±23 pmol·min mm) nor PD (13.4±1.3 mV versus 14.1±1.9 mV) or R (24.6±6.5Ω cm versus 22.6±6.4Ω cm) were significantly changed by AVP. No significant effect of AVP on net K transport was observed. In mTAL segments, Mg and Ca net transports were close to zero and AVP (10 mol·l) elicited no effect. However NaCl net reabsorption was significantly stimulated by the hormone, J increased from 107±33 to 148±30 and J from 121±33 to 165±32 pmol·min mm. The rise in J was accompanied by an increase in PD from 9.0±0.7 to 13.5±0.9 mV and a decrease in R from 14.4±2.0 to 11.2±1.7 Ω cm. No K net transport was detected, either under control conditions or in the presence of AVP. To test for a possible effect of HCO on transepithelial ion fluxes, mTAL segments were bathed and perfused with HCO containing Ringer solutions. With the exception of J which was significantly different from zero ( J: 0.26±0.06 pmol·min mm), net transepithelial fluxes of Na, Cl, K and Mg were unaffected by HCO. In the presence of AVP, J and J were unaltered whereas J was stimulated to the same extent as observed in the absence of HCO. In conclusion our results indicate heterogeneity of response to AVP in cortical and medullary segments of the TAL segment, since AVP stimulates Ca and Mg reabsorption in the cortical part and Na and Cl reabsorption in the medullary part of this nephron segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of glucagon and PTH on electrolyte reabsorption in the distal tubule were investigated in rats deprived of vasopressin, calcitonin, PTH, and glucagon. Micropunctures of distal tubule, at a late and an early site of a same nephron, have been performed in 23 rats, nine control, seven infused with glucagon (5 ng·min·100 g b.w.) and seven with PTH (5 mU·min·100 g b.w.). The Ca and Mg reabsorptive capacity of the distal segment was increased by glucagon and by PTH. Moreover, fractional Na and Cl reabsorption was significantly higher than in control during PTH administration. A K secretion appeared during the administration of both hormones. No phosphate net transport was observed in any group. Finally, the data presented here, together with those previously reported, indicate that the increase of Ca and Mg renal reabsorption observed with glucagon and PTH results from an effect located in both Henle's loop, where the bulk of Ca and Mg is reabsorbed, and the distal tubule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the feasibility and clinical usefulness of immunocytochemical detection of bone marrow metastases in neuroblastoma, we studied bone marrow samples from patients undergoing intensive therapy, followed in the majority of cases by autologous bone marrow rescue. Two monoclonal antibodies were used in an indirect immunoenzymatic assay to test 384 samples collected from multiple bone marrow sites during 79 staging procedures in 48 patients. Of 578 immunocytochemical tests, 59 (10%) yielded non-evaluable results. Analysis by individual bone marrow sites showed an agreement between cytological and immunocytochemical examinations in 276 of 309 (89%) evaluable tests with 5 A7 and in 179 of 210 (85%) with UJ 13 A. Infiltration by neuroblastoma cells was reported in 9% of samples by cytology, in 6% by immunochemistry with 5 A7 and in 16% with 13 A. Analysis of results by staging demonstrated agreement between cytological examination and immunocytochemical detection with both monoclonal antibodies in 60 of 75 (80%) evaluable stagings. Bone marrow metastasis was detected by cytology in 22% of stagings, by immunochemistry with 5 A7 in 23%, with UJ 13 A in 25%. Detailed analysis of discordant results revealed that they were related partly to bone marrow sampling variability associated with focal and minimal metastasis of neuroblastoma cells. These data suggest the clinical usefulness of immunocytochemical detection as a complementary test to cytological examination for accurate evaluation of bone marrow infiltration in patients with disseminated neuroblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]