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INTRODUCTION: Personalized and tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing is feasible and allows for molecular residual disease (MRD) identification in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: In this retrospective analysis of commercial cases from multiple US institutions, personalized, tumor-informed, whole-exome sequenced, and germline-controlled ctDNA levels were quantified and analyzed in patients with PDAC. Plasma samples (n = 1329) from 298 clinically validated patients were collected at diagnosis, perioperatively (MRD-window; within 2-12 weeks after surgery, before therapy), and during surveillance (>12 weeks post-surgery if no ACT or starting 4 weeks post-ACT) from November 2019 to March 2023. RESULTS: Of the initially diagnosed patients with stages I-III PDAC who went for resection, the median follow-up time from surgery was 13 months (range 0.1-214). Positive ctDNA detection rates were 29% (29/100) and 29.6% (45/152) during the MRD and surveillance windows, respectively. Positive ctDNA detection was significantly associated with shorter DFS within the MRD window (median DFS of 6.37 months for ctDNA-positive vs 33.31 months for ctDNA-negative patients; HR: 5.45, P

Long-fiber thermoplastic (LFT) composite materials are rapidly expanding in automotive, transportation, and recreational industry. Most of these materials are natural or black in color with a need for secondary painting of the manufactured products. Standard organic pigments and dyes are not stable above 250°C and degrade during processing. Alternatively, inorganic pigments are thermally stable to at least 800°C. High-performance inorganic pigments offer resistance to outdoor weathering, chemicals, and acids. However, in fiber-reinforced composites, the pigment causes fiber attrition and thereby shows reduction in strength. This work explores colored inorganic-pigmented LFT composites. The ability to integrate the color in the manufacturing steps eliminates the need for secondary painting. Pigment variables such as particle size, distribution, chemistry, and coatings have been investigated. The article presents the processing and performance envelopes of colored inorganic-pigmented LFTs in comparison with unpigmented standard LFTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing and characterization of polypropylene/eggshell composites was the main objective of this study. Natural source-derived calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was extracted from waste chicken eggshell and compounded with polypropylene polymer. The compound was molded using the Extrusion Compression Molding (ECM) process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis were conducted on the eggshell to characterize its constituents. The effects of filler loading, 30 wt.% eggshell and 30 wt.% eggshell with 5 wt.% of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) on the mechanical and thermal properties were studied. The addition of a small amount of MAPP during melt extrusion improved the dispersion and bonding of CaCO3 particles in polypropylene. 7.49% decrease in tensile strength, 35.51% enhancement in flexural modulus and 66.05% increase in notched Izod impact energy were obtained by adding 30 wt.% eggshell with 5 wt.% MAPP to polypropylene. Adding 30-wt % of eggshell filler and 5 wt.% MAPP to polypropylene delayed the flame propagation time by 99 seconds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing and characterization of polypropylene/eggshell composites was the main objective of this study. Natural source-derived calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was extracted from waste chicken eggshell and compounded with polypropylene polymer. The compound was molded using the Extrusion Compression Molding (ECM) process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis were conducted on the eggshell to characterize its constituents. The effects of filler loading, 30 wt.% eggshell and 30 wt.% eggshell with 5 wt.% of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) on the mechanical and thermal properties were studied. The addition of a small amount of MAPP during melt extrusion improved the dispersion and bonding of CaCO3 particles in polypropylene. 7.49% decrease in tensile strength, 35.51% enhancement in flexural modulus and 66.05% increase in notched Izod impact energy were obtained by adding 30 wt.% eggshell with 5 wt.% MAPP to polypropylene. Adding 30-wt % of eggshell filler and 5 wt.% MAPP to polypropylene delayed the flame propagation time by 99 seconds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculous pericarditis, one of the rarer extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis, remains a challenge in endemic countries such as India. As the clinical presentation of tuberculous pericarditis is highly variable, the diagnosis is often missed, delayed, or incorrectly diagnosed. Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is one of tuberculous pericarditis's most serious and advanced sequelae. Several invasive and non-invasive diagnostic modalities are crucial to address the challenges of confirming the diagnosis of CP in suspected cases. This study reports the case of an Indian adult female with a past history of previously treated abdominal tuberculosis diagnosed anew with tuberculous calcific constrictive pericarditis., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.