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Low-molar ratio UF resin was used in bonding veneers of five wood species. Significantly different bonding strengths were observed among the used wood species. Much higher bonding strengths were found for cherry, sapele mahogany and black walnut, which would be attributed to their natural roughness that allows formation of more mechanical interlockings. After 60s Gliding Arc Discharge (GAD) plasma treatment of wood surface, the wet bonding performance was significantly improved for most of the wood species. The SEM images of wood surface indicated that the roughening, micrometer-scale peeling or etching effects of GAD plasma treatment would be related to the improved bonding performance. XPS characterizations showed that plasma treatment resulted in remarkable increase of O/C ratio for all wood species. Detailed analysis of C1s spectra revealed that drastic oxidation induced by plasma generated high content of oxygen-containing groups, while degradation led to exposure of more oxygen-containing components like cellulose and hemicellulose. In contrast to untreated surface, stronger interactions can be formed between highly polar wood surface and UF resin. GAD plasma appeared to be an efficient tool in both physical and chemical modifications of wood surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjuvant chemotherapy of leucovorin‐modulated 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU/LV), capecitabine, and adding oxaliplatin to 5‐FU/LV or capecitabine (FLOX/OX) have been standard regimens for high‐risk stage II or III colon cancer (CC). We aimed to evaluate their patterns of use, association with survival, and rate of emergency room visit (ER) or hospitalization during the treatment period. High‐risk stage II or III patients aged >65 years diagnosed between 2007 and 2015, underwent colectomy, and received any of these three regimens were selected from SEER and Texas Cancer Registry (TC) linked with Medicare data. Chi‐square test, Kaplan–Meier survival curves, Cox regression, and logistic regression were used in data analysis. A total of 5621 (1080 stage II and 4541 stage III) patients with median age of 72 years were included in this study. For stage II, 24.4% used 5‐FU/LV, 31.2% used capecitabine, and 44.4% used FLOX/OX; the respective numbers for stage III were 13.8%, 17.9%, and 68.3%. Patients aged <70 years, not in the West region, not in Medicare state‐buy‐in program, and with no comorbidity were more likely to use FLOX/OX. FLOX/OX was associated with improved overall survival (OS) in stage II and III patients and improved cancer‐specific survival in stage III patients compared with 5‐FU/LV. The survival benefit of FLOX/OX was sustained in stage III patients aged ≥70 years. Capecitabine had the lowest ER/hospitalization rate with 19.2% in stage II and 28.9% in III. The use of FLOX/OX was associated with improved survival compared with 5‐FU/LV among CC patients. Capecitabine was associated with the lowest ER/hospitalization rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The comparative effectiveness (CE) of endoscopic screening (versus no screening) for Barrett’s esophagus (BE) in patients with GERD symptoms, or among different endoscopic surveillance strategies in patients with BE, for the early detection of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) is unknown. Furthermore, it is unclear if patients or providers have or will adopt any of these strategies (screening only, screening and surveillance, vs. none), irrespective of their effectiveness. Endoscopic screening and surveillance is expensive and can be risky. Therefore, it is imperative to establish the CE and acceptability about the risks and outcomes related to these practices to better inform expert recommendations and provider-patient decisions. Methods/Results We propose a mixed methods study which will involve: (1) an analysis of secondary databases (VA and VA-Medicare linked datasets for 2004–09) to examine CE of endoscopic screening and surveillance in an observational study cohort (an estimated 680,000 patients with GERD; 25,000–30,000 with BE; and 3,000 with EA); (2) a structured electronic medical record (EMR) review on a national sample of patients using VA EMRs to verify all EA cases, identify cancer stage, cancer-targeted therapy, and validate the screening and surveillance endoscopy; and (3) qualitative in depth interviews with patients and providers to elicit preferences, norms, and behaviors to explain clinical contexts of these findings and address gaps arising from the CE study. Conclusion This study will compare clinical strategies for detecting and monitoring BE, a pre-cancerous lesion. Additionally, by eliciting acceptability of these strategies for patients and providers, we will be able to propose effective and feasible strategies that are likely to be implemented in routine use. Findings will inform recommendations for clinical practice guidelines. Our innovative approach is consistent with the methodological standards of patient-centered outcomes research, and our findings will offer a significant contribution to the literature on cancer surveillance. Trial Registration Not applicable