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Medical Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021Melanoma accounts for 1.7% of global cancer diagnoses and is the fifth most common cancer in the US. Melanoma incidence is rising in developed, predominantly... (Review)
Review
Melanoma accounts for 1.7% of global cancer diagnoses and is the fifth most common cancer in the US. Melanoma incidence is rising in developed, predominantly fair-skinned countries, growing over 320% in the US since 1975. However, US mortality has fallen almost 30% over the past decade with the approval of 10 new targeted or immunotherapy agents since 2011. Mutations in the signaling-protein BRAF, present in half of cases, are targeted with oral BRAF/MEK inhibitor combinations, while checkpoint inhibitors are used to restore immunosurveillance likely inactivated by UV radiation. Although the overall 5-year survival has risen to 93.3% in the US, survival for stage IV disease remains only 29.8%. Melanoma is most common in white, older men, with an average age of diagnosis of 65. Outdoor UV exposure without protection is the main risk factor, although indoor tanning beds, immunosuppression, family history and rare congenital diseases, moles, and obesity contribute to the disease. Primary prevention initiatives in Australia implemented since 1988, such as education on sun-protection, have increased sun-screen usage and curbed melanoma incidence, which peaked in Australia in 2005. In the US, melanoma incidence is not projected to peak until 2022-2026. Fewer than 40% of Americans report practicing adequate protection (sun avoidance from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and regular application of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF > 30). A 2-4-fold return on investment is predicted for a US sun-protection education initiative. Lesion-directed skin screening programs, especially for those at risk, have also cost-efficiently reduced melanoma mortality.
Topics: Acrylonitrile; Aged; Aniline Compounds; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Incidence; Melanoma; Monitoring, Immunologic; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Skin Neoplasms; Sunscreening Agents; United States
PubMed: 34698235
DOI: 10.3390/medsci9040063 -
Polymers Nov 2022The review summarizes recent advances in the production of carbon fiber precursors based on melt-spun acrylonitrile copolymers. Approaches to decrease the melting point... (Review)
Review
The review summarizes recent advances in the production of carbon fiber precursors based on melt-spun acrylonitrile copolymers. Approaches to decrease the melting point of polyacrylonitrile and acrylonitrile copolymers are analyzed, including copolymerization with inert comonomers, plasticization by various solvents and additives, among them the eco-friendly ways to use the carbon dioxide and ionic liquids. The methods for preliminary modification of precursors that provides the thermal oxidative stabilization of the fibers without their melting and the reduction in the stabilization duration without the loss of the mechanical characteristics of the fibers are discussed. Special attention is paid to different ways of crosslinking by irradiation with different sources. Examples of the carbon fibers preparation from melt-processable acrylonitrile copolymers are considered in detail. A patent search was carried out and the information on the methods for producing carbon fibers from precursors based on melt-spun acrylonitrile copolymers are summarized.
PubMed: 36501614
DOI: 10.3390/polym14235222 -
American Journal of Epidemiology Apr 2020
Topics: Acrylonitrile; Cohort Studies; Follow-Up Studies; Humans
PubMed: 31566210
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwz205 -
Respiratory Medicine Dec 2022Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are associated with adverse respiratory outcomes at high occupational exposures. However, whether exposure levels found in the general...
BACKGROUND
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are associated with adverse respiratory outcomes at high occupational exposures. However, whether exposure levels found in the general population have similar effects is unknown.
METHODS
We analyzed data on 1342 adult participants in the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey aged ≥18 years old who had urinary VOC metabolites and spirometry measurements available. Linear regression models adjusting for covariates were fitted to estimate the associations of VOC exposures levels and spirometry outcomes, while accounting for survey design and sampling weights to generate nationally representative estimates.
RESULTS
The urinary metabolites for xylene, acrylamide, acrolein, 1,3-butadiene, cyanide, toluene, 1-bromopropane, acrylonitrile, propylene oxide, styrene, ethylbenzene, and crotonaldehyde in our analysis were all detected in >75% of participants. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio % was lower with urinary metabolites of acrylamide (β: -2.65, 95% CI: -4.32, -0.98), acrylonitrile (β: -1.02, 95% CI: -2.01, -0.03), and styrene (β: -3.13, 95% CI: -5.35, -0.90). FEV% predicted was lower with the urinary metabolites of acrolein (β: -7.77, 95% CI: -13.29, -2.25), acrylonitrile (β: -2.05, 95% CI: -3.77, -0.34), propylene oxide (β: -2.90, 95% CI: -5.50, -0.32), and styrene (β: -4.41, 95% CI: -6.97, -1.85).
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study of a representative sample of the U.S. adult population to reveal associations of acrylonitrile, propylene oxide, and styrene urinary metabolites with reduced lung function at non-occupational exposures. Results also support previous evidence of acrylamide and acrolein's association with adverse respiratory outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Volatile Organic Compounds; Nutrition Surveys; Acrylamide; Styrene; Lung
PubMed: 36399896
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.107053 -
Nefrologia 2019Chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer and haematological diseases share areas of reciprocal influence. Cancer can affect the kidney either as glomerular lesions or as a... (Review)
Review
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer and haematological diseases share areas of reciprocal influence. Cancer can affect the kidney either as glomerular lesions or as a result of the toxic effects of medication or radiation with acute (thrombotic microangiopathy, acute kidney injury, interstitial nephropathies among others) or chronic processes (worsening of CKD after nephrectomy due to renal cancer, interstitial fibrosis, hydroelectrolytic disorders). On the other hand, patients who require renal replacement therapy with dialysis and particularly with kidney transplantation are at high risk of onset of cancer due to the immunosuppression situation that they generate. In addition to conventional chemotherapy, innovative treatments have been developed: target agents against growth factors and their receptor; anti-angiogenic drugs; immunoregulatory proteins; cell cycle regulators; and enzyme inhibitors. Other immunotherapeutic approaches have also been developed, such as vaccines, adoptive cell therapy (CAR T cells) or development of antibodies. All these therapeutic advances will improve the outcomes against cancer and haematological diseases, but they are not free from secondary renal problems. Onco-Nephrology is already an important area for the Spanish Society of Nephrology with a large number of inter-consultations. Nephrologists need a better understanding of rapidly evolving areas of cancer biology and its treatment in order to become valued members of the cancer care team and to provide the best nephrology care possible.
Topics: Acrylonitrile; Acute Kidney Injury; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Aniline Compounds; Antineoplastic Agents; Biomarkers; Contrast Media; Creatinine; Cyclins; ErbB Receptors; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Humans; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Kidney; Kidney Neoplasms; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Nephrectomy; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; Postoperative Complications; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Referral and Consultation; Renal Dialysis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
PubMed: 30929891
DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2018.10.016 -
Analytica Chimica Acta May 2022As a result of their favorable physical and chemical characteristics, thermoplastics have garnered significant interest in the area of microfluidics. The moldable nature... (Review)
Review
As a result of their favorable physical and chemical characteristics, thermoplastics have garnered significant interest in the area of microfluidics. The moldable nature of these inexpensive polymers enables easy fabrication, while their durability and chemical stability allow for resistance to high shear stress conditions and functionalization, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive examination several commonly used thermoplastic polymers in the microfluidics space including poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), cyclic olefin polymer (COP) and copolymer (COC), polycarbonates (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyester. We describe various biofunctionalization strategies applied within thermoplastic microfluidic platforms and their resultant applications. Lastly, emerging technologies with a focus on applying recently developed microfluidic and biofunctionalization strategies into thermoplastic systems are discussed.
Topics: Microfluidics; Plastics; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Polymers; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Polystyrenes
PubMed: 35569863
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339283 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021Olives' consumption produces copious agricultural byproducts that have accompanied humanity for millennia, but the increasing worldwide production complicates its... (Review)
Review
Olives' consumption produces copious agricultural byproducts that have accompanied humanity for millennia, but the increasing worldwide production complicates its management. Most wastes are generated during olive oil production in form of olive stones and other lignocellulosic derivatives. Industrial processes of chemical or physical nature to recover economically compounds from biomass residues are costly, difficult, and non-environmentally friendly. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin biopolymers are the principal components of olive stones, which present interesting qualities as lignocellulosic fillers in polymeric composites. This review will summarize examples of composites based on thermoplastic polymers, such as polystyrene (PS), polylactide (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polycaprolactone (PCL); thermosetting resins (phenol-formaldehyde, unsaturated polyesters, and epoxy) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/devulcanized waste rubber (NBR/DWR) blends focusing on the fabrication procedures, characterization, and possible applications. Finally, thanks to the wide disparity in polymer matrix types, the variability in applications is important, from adsorption to mechanical enhancement, showing the easiness and benefit of olive stone integration in many materials.
PubMed: 33578872
DOI: 10.3390/ma14040845 -
Heliyon Dec 2022Ethylene-propylene grafted-maleic anhydride (EPR-g-MA) and a pure maleic anhydride (MA) were separately used to compound carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene-rubber...
Ethylene-propylene grafted-maleic anhydride (EPR-g-MA) and a pure maleic anhydride (MA) were separately used to compound carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene-rubber (XNBR) together with reduced graphene oxide (G) to form nanocomposites, by using melt compounding technique. The G-sheets in the presence of MA (GA samples) or EPR-g-MA (GB samples) generally increased the physico-mechanical properties including; crosslinking density, tensile strength and thermal degradation resistance etc., when compared with sample without MA or EPR-g-MA (GAO) and the virgin matrix. For the thermal degradation resistance measured by the char residue (%), by using thermal gravimetric analysis technique; GA1 (0.1 ph G and 0.5 ph MA) was 106.4% > XNBR and 58% > GAO (0.1 ph G) while that of GB1 (0.1 ph G and 0.5 ph EPR-g-MA) was 60% > XNBR and 22.2% > GAO respectively. Although, homogeneous dispersions of the G-sheets assisted by MA or EPR-g-MA was a factor, but the strong bonding (covalent, hydrogen and physical entanglements) occurring in GA and GB was observed to be the main contributing factor for these property enhancements. Thus, these nanostructured materials have exhibited multifunctional capabilities and could be used for advanced applications including high temperature (heat sinks), flame retardants, and structural applications.
PubMed: 36478802
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11974 -
Bioengineered Dec 2021The problem of plastic prevalence and associated pollution has grasped the entire planet drastically, putting all fields of science on the stake seeking remedies to this... (Review)
Review
The problem of plastic prevalence and associated pollution has grasped the entire planet drastically, putting all fields of science on the stake seeking remedies to this global havoc. To address this crisis, with a single remediation strategy is often found to be baseless, thereby much interest has been evoked in the development of multidisciplinary approaches - involving physico-chemical and biological strategies to nullify the aftermath of plastic pollution in all possible means. Even amidst, the availability of different approaches, the use of biological methods to combat plastic degradation has gained momentum. The most frequently used plastics appear in wide forms such as polyethylene plastic bags, polypropylene-based bottles, polyvinyl chloride pipes and polystyrene styrene cups. Plastic nicknamed as one of the toughest polymers viz. polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and Polydicyclopentadiene; quite often are called so as they resist degradation in normal environmental strategies. They are often degraded in non-hostile and harsh environments of pH, temperature, radiation etc. However, not always it is possible to create such harsh environments for plastic degradation. In such a scenario, the use of gut microbes that can withstand the harsh atmosphere of gut environment could serve as promising candidates for plastic biodegradation. The current article envisages the various gut microbes of various biological agents and their role in plastic remediation. The current review compiles the techniques available for plastic remediation, the microbial prospects of plastic remediation, its challenges, and possible breakthroughs to effective plastic remediation.
Topics: Bacteria; Biodegradable Plastics; Biodegradation, Environmental; Bioprospecting; Environmental Pollution; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans
PubMed: 33769197
DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1902173 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023A series of 2-(1-indol-2-yl)-3-acrylonitrile derivatives, -, , -, -, -, and , were synthesized as potential antitumor and antimicrobial agents. The structures of the...
A series of 2-(1-indol-2-yl)-3-acrylonitrile derivatives, -, , -, -, -, and , were synthesized as potential antitumor and antimicrobial agents. The structures of the prepared compounds were evaluated based on elemental analysis, IR, H- and NMR, as well as MS spectra. X-ray crystal analysis of the representative 2-(1-indol-2-yl)-3-acrylonitrile showed that the acrylonitrile double bond was -configured. All compounds were screened at the National Cancer Institute (USA) for their activities against a panel of approximately 60 human tumor cell lines and the relationship between structure and in vitro antitumor activity is discussed. Compounds of interest and - showed significant growth inhibition potency against various tumor cell lines with the mean midpoint GI values of all tests in the range of 0.38-7.91 μM. The prominent compound with remarkable activity (GI = 0.0244-5.06 μM) and high potency (TGI = 0.0866-0.938 μM) against some cell lines of leukemia (HL-60(TB)), non-small cell lung cancer (NCI-H522), colon cancer (COLO 205), CNS cancer (SF-539, SNB-75), ovarian cancer ((OVCAR-3), renal cancer (A498, RXF 393), and breast cancer (MDA-MB-468) was 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-2-(1-methyl-1-indol-2-yl)acrylonitrile (). Moreover, the selected 2-(1-indol-2-yl)-3-acrylonitriles - and - were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens as well as . Among them, 2-(1-indol-2-yl)-3-(1-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylonitrile () showed the most potent antimicrobial activity and therefore it can be considered as a lead structure for further development of antimicrobial agents. Finally, molecular docking studies as well as drug-likeness and ADME profile prediction were carried out.
PubMed: 37513830
DOI: 10.3390/ph16070918