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This report outlines the use of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to treat a nasal tumor in a 10-year-old Welsh Corgi. The dog initially presented with persistent nasal discharge and facial deformity, which led to a diagnosis of nasal hemangiosarcoma. Although initial treatments with radiotherapy and chemotherapy provided temporary relief, the symptoms reappeared 11 months later. As a palliative measure, TACE was administered, utilizing carboplatin as the chemotherapeutic agent and gel foam as the embolic material. The procedure successfully reduced the tumor size and alleviated the dog's symptoms. Follow-up CT scans at 1, 3, 7, and 10 months, demonstrated sustained tumor shrinkage. Interestingly, there was no reperfusion of the embolized vessels, indicating a prolonged therapeutic effect. No significant complications were observed during follow-up. This case highlights the potential of TACE as a palliative option for managing recurrent nasal tumors in dogs, especially when other treatments have limited efficacy. Further research is needed to establish TACE guidelines for treating nasal tumors in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional PP with a linear chain structure is not suitable for foam processing due to its poor rheological properties. In this study, PP was modified with PE through reactive melt blending of maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MA-PP) with a small amount of PE bearing glycidyl groups on its backbone (G-PE), with the aim of enhancing the melt rheological properties of PP to make it suitable for foam processing. An anhydride–epoxy reaction occurred between MA-PP and G-PE during the melt processing, resulting in the formation of a crosslinked polymer network, which was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, a solubility test, and the presence of a rubbery plateau above the melting point. Melt rheological tests demonstrated that the modified PP showed a pronounced shear-thinning effect and higher elasticity compared to pristine PP. Foaming tests using supercritical carbon dioxide as a foaming agent in an autoclave demonstrated that the modified PP could produce a microcellular foam with a closed-cell structure, which was not achievable with neat PP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A covalent adaptable network (CAN) of semicrystalline polyolefin blends with triple-shape memory effects was fabricated by the reactive melt blending of maleated polypropylene (mPP) and maleated polyolefin elastomer (mPOE) (50 wt/50 wt) in the presence of a small amount of a tetrafunctional thiol (PETMP) and 1,5,7-triazabicyclo [4,4,0]dec-5-ene (TBD). The polymer blend formed a chemically crosslinked network via the reaction between the thiol group of PETMP and maleic anhydride of both polymers in the blend, which was confirmed by FTIR, the variation of torque during the melt mixing process, a solubility test, and DMA. DSC analysis revealed that the crosslinked polyolefin blends show two distinct crystalline melting transitions corresponding to each component polymer. Improved tensile strength as well as elongation at break were observed in the crosslinked blend as compared to the simple blend, and the mechanical properties were maintained after repeated melt processing. These results suggest that thermoplastic polyolefin blends can be transformed into a high-performance and value-added material with good recyclability and reprocessability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]