MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma cfDNA levels were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR at six different time-points (before treatment, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks) in 18 metastatic cRCC patients receiving sorafenib, as assessed by CT examination according to RECIST 1.1.

RESULTS: A significantly lower plasma cfDNA level, measured this website from 8 weeks to 24 weeks, was found in patients with remission or stable disease than in those with progression. Higher levels in plasma cfDNA levels during

the course of treatment indicated poor outcome. For predicting progression, a sensitivity of 66.7% was achieved at 100% specificity using cfDNA levels at 8 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of plasma cfDNA levels during the course of sorafenib therapy could identify metastatic cRCC patients who are likely to exhibit a poor response at an early stage.”
“In this study, a polar conductive filler [carbon black (CB)], a nonpolar polymer [polypropylene (PP)], and a polar polymer [nylon 6 (PA6)] were chosen to fabricate electrically conductive polymer composites by melt blending and compression molding. The morphological developments of these composites selleck inhibitor were studied.

Scanning electron microscopy results showed that in a CB-filled PP/PA6 (CPA) composite, CB particles were selectively dispersed in PA6 phases and could make the dispersed particles exist as microfiber particles, which could greatly improve the electrical conductivity. The PA6 and CB contents both could affect the morphologies of these composites. The results of electrical resistivity

measurements of these composites proved the formation of conductive networks. The resistivity-temperature behaviors of these composites were also studied. For CB-filled PP (CP) composites, there were apparent positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effects and an unrepeatable resistivity-temperature characteristic. However, for CPA composites, there were no PTC or NTC effects from room temperature to 180 degrees C, and the resistivity-temperature selleck compound behavior showed a repeatable characteristic; this proved that CB particles were selectively dispersed in the PA6 phase from another point of view. All experimental results indicated that the addition of PA6 to a CP composite could lead to an expected morphological structure and improve the electrical conductivity of the CP composite. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 1848-1855, 2009″
“Semiconductors doped with magnetic ion, the so-called diluted magnetic semiconductors, are promising candidates for spintronics. Herein, we report on magnetic anisotropy in Mn:Ge diluted magnetic semiconductor nanowires. We grew single crystal Mn:Ge nanowires vertically on a Ge substrate and found the anisotropy in ratios of orbital to spin magnetic moments in the angle-dependent x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements.