Functionalization of Partially Bio-Based Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) by Blending with Fully Bio-Based Poly(Amide) 10,10 and a Glycidyl Methacrylate-Based Compatibilizer.

This work shows the potential of binary blends composed of partially bio-based poly(ethyelene terephthalate) (bioPET) and fully bio-based poly(amide) 10,10 (bioPA1010). These blends are manufactured by extrusion and subsequent injection moulding and characterized in terms of mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties. To overcome or minimize the immiscibility, a glycidyl methacrylate copolymer, namely poly(styrene-ran-glycidyl methacrylate) (PS-GMA; Xibond™ 920) was used.

Review on the Processing and Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites and Nanocoatings and Their Applications in the Packaging, Automotive and Solar Energy Fields.

For the last decades, nanocomposites materials have been widely studied in the scientific literature as they provide substantial properties enhancements, even at low nanoparticles content. Their performance depends on a number of parameters but the nanoparticles dispersion and distribution state remains the key challenge in order to obtain the full nanocomposites' potential in terms of, e.g.

Toxic effects of a modified montmorillonite clay on the human intestinal cell line Caco-2.

The incorporation of the natural mineral clay montmorillonite into polymeric systems enhances their barrier properties as well as their thermal and mechanical resistance, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, e.g., in the food industry.

Circulating endothelial cells and procoagulant microparticles in patients with glioblastoma: prognostic value.

Aim: Circulating endothelial cells and microparticles are prognostic factors in cancer. However, their prognostic and predictive value in patients with glioblastoma is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential prognostic value of circulating endothelial cells and microparticles in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with standard radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide.

In vitro toxicological assessment of clays for their use in food packaging applications.

Montmorillonite based clays have a wide range of applications that are going to contribute to increase human exposure to these materials. One of the most promising uses of clays is the development of reinforced food contact materials that results in nanocomposites with improved barrier properties. Different organoclays have been developed introducing modifiers in the natural clay which is commercially available.

Development of active polyvinyl alcohol/β-cyclodextrin composites to scavenge undesirable food components.

Active food packaging systems based on the incorporation of agents into polymeric package walls are being designed to purposely release or retain compounds to maintain or even increase food quality. The objective of this work was to develop polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH)/β-cyclodextrin (βCD) composite films that can be applied to reduce undesirable component content such as cholesterol in foods through active retention of the compounds in the package walls during storage. Cyclodextrins were added to PVOH in a proportion of 1:1 and cross-linked with glyoxal under acidic media to reduce its water-soluble character.

Neoadjuvant cisplatin and etoposide, with or without tamoxifen, prior to radiotherapy in high-grade gliomas: a single-center experience.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT), prior to radical radiotherapy (RT), in the treatment of high-grade gliomas may offer several advantages over standard adjuvant CT. The addition of tamoxifen, which can circumvent P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated chemo-resistance, also merits attention. We have evaluated the neoadjuvant regimen of cisplatin and etoposide after surgery of grade III-IV gliomas and prior to radical RT, with regard to response rates (RRs), overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP).