Embedded layer of Ag nanoparticles prepared by a combined PECVD/PVD process producing SiOxCy-Ag nanocomposite thin films.

Structural properties of SiO(x)C(y)-Ag nanocomposite thin films prepared by a dual process PVD-PECVD in the same reactor have been investigated. The experimental results have demonstrated the influence of a PECVD process carried out at room temperature for the growth of a dielectric matrix on the size and the distribution density of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) deposited beforehand by magnetron sputtering. The plasma during the growth of the encapsulation SiO(x)C(y) layer caused a diffusion of silver from NPs through the SiO(x)C(y) matrix associated with a decrease in the average size of nanoparticles and an increase of their distribution density.

Breast cancer associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a single center series of 10 cases.

The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and breast cancer and discuss the relationship between these two diseases. Ten patients treated for breast cancer and presenting with ITP were screened for this study. The diagnosis of breast cancer was confirmed by biopsy or surgical sample.

Proliferation markers predictive of the pathological response and disease outcome of patients with breast carcinomas treated by anthracycline-based preoperative chemotherapy.

The cell proliferation rate has been correlated to the response of breast carcinomas to preoperative chemotherapy (CT) and to disease outcome. However, this parameter is not yet used to select which tumours should be treated with preoperative CT. Furthermore, there is no consensus in the method used to evaluate cell proliferation.

HER2 status in patients with breast carcinoma is not modified selectively by preoperative chemotherapy and is stable during the metastatic process.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether HER2 expression levels in breast carcinomas were modified by chemotherapy or during the metastatic process.

Methods: HER2 expression was analyzed on sequential tissue specimens taken from the primary tumor before patients received preoperative chemotherapy (CT) and from post-CT residual breast tumor or at a metastatic site. The first group of patients included 59 women who presented with T2-T4,N1-N2 breast carcinoma and were treated by preoperative anthracycline-based CT and then underwent surgery.