Thirty patients with cervical LCH were diagnosed in the past 10 years. Biopsy was routinely performed to establish the final diagnosis before treatment. Immobilization this website was usually the first choice. Low-dose radiotherapy was suggested for cases with solitary marked bony erosion and/or soft tissue extension, and chemotherapy for cases with multiple lesions. Surgery was preserved for suspected malignancy, neurologic deficits, severe deformity, and/or instability.

Results. The mean age at diagnosis was 14.2 (range: 1.5-41) years old. Neck pain (96.7%) was the most common symptom, followed by restricted motion (70%), neurologic symptoms (36.7%), and torticollis (30%). Four cases had multiple lesions.

Fourteen cases had atlantoaxial lesion and 16 cases were subaxial. The lesion extended to paravertebral soft tissue in 40% cases, to epidural space in 30%, to pedicle and/or transverse process in 56.3%.

One case had endplate destruction. The accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy under CT guidance was 91.2%. Eighteen patients had conservative treatment and 12 underwent operation. Three cases involving C2 vertebral body had fixed atlantoaxial anterior dislocation. Another 3 cases with atlantoaxial lateral mass destruction had spontaneous fusion. Eighteen patients had conservative treatment (1 only by immobilization, 13 by radiotherapy, 2 by chemotherapy, and 2 by combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and 12 underwent operation. All the initial symptoms were resolved, and there was no recurrence. From retrospective view, the surgical procedure might be avoided in 60% cases. Twenty-five cases find more had an average 61.6-month follow-up. In cases with severe bony collapse, the vertebral height ratio increased from 20.0% to 44.9% and the lateral mass height ratio from 22.2% to 56.8%.

Conclusion. Cervical LCH lesions often extend to paravertebral soft tissue, epidural space, pedicles, and even to the endplate and lamina. Needle biopsy under CT guidance is safe and effective. The prognosis of cervical LCH is generally fair. Conservative treatment

is usually enough and surgery RG-7388 price should be reserved for major neurologic defects like myelopathy or monoparesis.”
“The high pressure inverse gas chromatography technique was used to study the effect of carbon dioxide on the solubility and diffusivity of dichloromethane in polyetherimide. CO(2) was used as the carrier gas with pressures from 0.7 to 3.5 MPa and temperatures between 100 and 175 degrees C. Similar data were obtained for the dichloromethane-polyetherimide system using helium as the inert carrier gas. As a result of less favorable thermodynamic interactions between the polymer and solvent, the solubility of the dichloromethane was found to be decreased appreciably in the presence of CO(2). The increased free volume in the polymer provided by the dissolved CO(2) significantly increased the diffusion coefficient.

Dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid steroid) has been reported to induce apoptosis and increase the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) (Youdim et al. 1989). MAO is an enzyme for the degradation of aminergic neurotransmitters; dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin and dietary amines and MAO inhibitors are classical antidepressant drugs. In this study, we have compared the ability of rasagiline (Azilect) and its main metabolite, R-aminoindan with selegiline (Deprenyl) in prevention of dexamethasone-induced brain cell death employing human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and glioblastoma 1242-MG cells. Dexamethasone reduced cell viability as measured by MTT

test, but rasagiline, selegiline, and 1-R-aminoindan could significantly prevent dexamethasone-induced brain cell death. Among three drugs, rasagiline had the highest neuroprotective this website effect. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of these drugs on MAO B catalytic activity and on apoptotic DNA damage (TUNEL staining) were examined. Rasagiline exhibited highest inhibition on MAO B enzymatic activity and prevention on DNA damage as compared to selegiline and 1-R-aminoindan. In summary, the greater neuroprotective effect of rasagiline may be associated with buy MS-275 the combination of the parent drug and its metabolite 1-R-aminoindan.”
“Background: Chordoma is the most common primary

malignant tumor of the spine. It is extremely rare and has been studied primarily in single-institution case series. Using data from a large, population-based cancer registry, we designed the present study to examine the outcome for patients with chordoma and to determine relevant prognostic factors.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the California Cancer Registry database was performed to identify patients with a diagnosis of chordoma in the years 1989 to 2007. Comparisons examined differences in demographics, disease characteristics, treatment, and survival. Survival analyses were performed with use of the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: Four hundred and nine patients

with chordoma were identified; 257 (62.8%) were male and 152 (37.2%) were female. With regard to racial or ethnic distribution, 266 patients Danusertib solubility dmso (65%) were white; ninety-three (22.7%), Hispanic; forty-three (10.5%), Asian or other; and seven (1.7%), black. The site of presentation was the head in 202 patients (49.4%), spine in 106 patients (25.9%), and pelvis and/or sacrum in 101 patients (24.7%). Hispanic race (p = 0.0002), younger age (less than forty years; p < 0.0001), and female sex (p = 0.009) were associated with cranial presentation, whereas older age (forty years or older; p < 0.0001) was associated with pelvic presentation. After adjustment for clinically relevant factors, a significantly decreased risk of death for chordoma-specific survival was seen for Hispanic race (hazard ratio = 0.51, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.

0001). Interestingly LGE was a significant predictor when all cause mortality was analyzed as the only endpoint.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that LGE assessed by CMR is a robust independent non-invasive marker of prognosis in stable CAD patients. INCB018424 LGE can integrate the available metrics to substantially improve risk stratification.”
“Background: Conflicting data exist regarding optimal glycemic control in critically ill trauma patients. We therefore compared glucose parameters and outcomes among three different glycemic control regimens in a single trauma intensive care unit (ICU), hypothesizing that a moderate regimen would yield optimal avoidance of

hyper- and hypoglycemia with equivalent outcomes when compared with a more aggressive approach.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed

1,422 trauma patients with at least 3-day ICU stay and five glucose measurements from May 2001 to January 2010, spanning three nonoverlapping, sequential glucose control protocols: “”relaxed,”" SNS-032 “”aggressive,”" and “”moderate.”" For each, we extracted mean blood glucose, hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic event frequency, and glucose variability and investigated their association with outcomes.

Results: Mortality was associated with elevated mean glucose (135.6 mg/dL vs. 126.2 mg/dL), more frequent hypoglycemic (2.67 +/- 7 vs. 1.28 +/- 5) and hyperglycemic (30.6 +/- 28 vs. 16.0 +/- 22 per 100 patient-ICU days) events, and higher glucose variability (37.1 +/- 20 vs. 29.4 +/- 20; all p < 0.001). Regression identified hyperglycemic episodes (p < 0.05) as an independent predictor of mortality. The “”moderate”" regimen had rare hyperglycemia, low glucose variability, and intermediate mean blood glucose range and frequency of hypoglycemia. Multiorgan failure and mortality did not differ between groups.

Conclusions: Hyperglycemic events (glucose >180 mg/dL) most strongly predicted mortality. Of glucose control protocols analyzed, the “”moderate”" protocol had fewest hyperglycemic events. As outcomes were

otherwise equivalent between “”moderate”" and “”aggressive”" protocols, we conclude that hyperglycemia can be safely avoided using a moderate glycemic control PLX4032 protocol without inducing hypoglycemia.”
“Patients with spontaneous cervicocranial dissection (SCCD) may experience new or recurrent ischemic events despite antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. Treatment with stent placement is an available option; however, the literature on patient selection is limited. Thus, identifying patients at high risk for neurologic deterioration after SCCD is of critical importance. The present study examined the rate of neurologic deterioration in medically treated patients with SCCD and evaluated demographic, clinical, and radiologic factors affecting this deterioration.

Phenotypic, sire and dam correlations between body weights and hot standard carcass weight and rib eye

muscle area were positive and moderate to high from birth to feedlot period. Management variation accounted for the largest proportion of total variation in both growth and carcass traits. Management correlations between carcass traits were high, except between rump fat depth and intramuscular fat (r = 0.26). Management correlations between body weight and carcass traits during the pre-weaning period were positive except for intramuscular fat. The correlations were low from birth to weaning, then increased dramatically P005091 ic50 and were high during the feedlot period.”
“The objectives of this research were to prepare and characterize inclusion complexes of clonazepam with beta-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and to study the effect of complexation on the dissolution rate of clonazepam, a water-insoluble lipid-lowering drug. The phase-solubility profiles with both cyclodextrins were classified as A(P)-type, indicating the formation of 2: 1 stoichiometric inclusion complexes. Gibbs free energy

(Delta G(tr)degrees) values were all negative, indicating the spontaneous nature of clonazepam solubilization, and they decreased with increase in the cyclodextrins concentration, demonstrating that the reaction conditions became more favorable as the concentration of cyclodextrins AS1842856 datasheet increased. MLN2238 Complexes of clonazepam were prepared with cyclodextrins by various methods such as kneading, coevaporation, and physical mixing. The complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies. These studies indicated that complex prepared kneading and coevaporation methods showed successful inclusion of the clonazepam molecule into the cyclodextrins cavity. The complexation resulted in a marked improvement in the solubility and wettability of clonazepam. Among all the samples, complex prepared with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin by kneading method showed highest improvement in in vitro

dissolution rate of clonazepam. Mean dissolution time of clonazepam decreased significantly after preparation of complexes and physical mixture of clonazepam with cyclodextrins. Similarity factor indicated significant difference between the release profiles of clonazepam from complexes and physical mixture and from plain clonazepam. Tablets containing complexes prepared with cyclodextrins showed significant improvement in the release pro. le of clonazepam as compared to tablet containing clonazepam without cyclodextrins.”
“Atraumatic osteonecrosis has been associated with a variety of clinical conditions including corticosteroid usage, alcoholism, infections, hyperbaric events, storage disorders, marrow-infiltrating diseases, coagulation defects, and some autoimmune diseases.

The production of anti-donor-Mi-HAg antibodies was totally prevented in mice

treated with anti-CD154 during skin grafting, suggesting a critical role for the CD154:CD40 pathway in B-cell reactivity to Mi-HAg. Moreover, anti-CD154 treatment promoted BM engraftment to 100% in recipients previously sensitized to donor Mi-HAg. Taken together, Mi-HAg sensitization poses a significant barrier in BMT and can be overcome with CD154:CD40 costimulatory blockade.”
“Structure and magnetic properties of melt-spun Ni(x)(Fe(0.5)Co(0.5))(73.5-x)Si(13.5)B(9)Nb(3)Cu alloys (x = 5,10,15,20,25,30) annealed at different temperatures were investigated. Microstructure has been analyzed from XRD patterns. Magnetic properties were mainly studied by the evolution of initial permeability from room temperature to 740

degrees C. All the 500 degrees C-annealed samples gave rise to an ultrafine structure composed of a residual amorphous matrix and alpha-FeCoNi(Si) crystals (tens of nanometers Selleck FRAX597 in size). It was found that Ni content had a significant impact on the Curie temperature of amorphous phase T(c)(am) and initial permeability mu(i). There was a general reduced tendency of T(c)(am) with Ni content increasing. For higher Ni content alloys (x >= 25) annealed at 500 degrees C, the mu(i) can be enhanced to the order of 10(4), which is much higher than that of Ni-free FeCo-based Bucladesine ic50 Finemet-type alloys. The reason for the enhancement in mu(i) was systematically analyzed in terms of the effective anisotropy model. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3559267]“
“Small residual liver volume after massive hepatectomy or partial liver transplantation is a major cause of subsequent liver dysfunction. We hypothesize that the abrupt regenerative response of small remnant liver is responsible for subsequent deleterious outcome. To slow down the regenerative speed, NS-398 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) or PD98059 (selective MEK inhibitor) was administered after 70% SIS3 or 90% partial hepatectomy (PH). The effects of regenerative speed on liver morphology, portal

pressure and survival were assessed. In the 70% PH model, NS-398 treatment suppressed the abrupt replicative response of hepatocytes during the early phase of regeneration, although liver volume on day 7 was not significantly different from that of the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis for CD31 (for sinusoids) and AGp110 (for bile canaliculi) revealed that lobular architectural disturbance was alleviated by NS-398 treatment. In the 90% PH model, administration of NS-398 or PD98059, but not hepatocyte growth factor, significantly enhanced survival. The abrupt regenerative response of small remnant liver is suggested to be responsible for intensive lobular derangement and subsequent liver dysfunction. The suppression of MEK/ERK signaling pathway during the early phase after hepatectomy makes the regenerative response linear, and improves the prognosis for animals bearing a small remnant liver.

This is not the case in other chickens such as the broiler breeder hen that has excessive follicle development and lower reproductive efficiency. Although management practices can optimize egg production in less productive breeds of chickens, the factors that contribute to this difference are not known. Interactions between the oocyte and surrounding somatic cells are believed to be involved in promoting follicle selection. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) Citarinostat Epigenetics inhibitor has been shown to have a role in regulating rate of follicle

development in mammals. In hens, the expression of AMH is restricted to the growing population of follicles and, similar to mammals, is markedly decreased at around the time of follicle selection. The oocyte factors, growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), have been identified in the hen, and their expression pattern has been characterized. Anti-Mullerian hormone expression in hens is decreased by a protein factor from the oocyte (not GDF9) and is also decreased by vitamin D. Associated with the decrease in AMH expression by vitamin D, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA is increased. These data suggest that information about AMH regulation may enhance our understanding

of follicle Smoothened Agonist selection, particularly in birds with aberrant follicle development.”
“Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and antitumour activity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) blend microspheres were investigated in chemically induced colorectal cancer in albino male Wistar rats and compared with pristine 5-FU given as a suspension. The microspheres were characterised for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release and in vitro cytotoxicity on human HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Spherical particles with TPX-0005 concentration a mean size of 44 +/- 11 mm were obtained that showed sustained release of 5-FU. A high concentration

of 5-FU was achieved in colonic tissues and significant reduction in tumour volume and multiplicity were observed in animals treated with 5-FU-loaded microspheres. The decreased levels of plasma albumin, creatinine, leucocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in animals for 5-FU microspheres compared to the standard 5-FU formulation. The results suggest the extended release of 5-FU from the PHB-CAP blend microspheres in colonic region to enhance the antitumour efficacy.”
“A dose of 60 units (U) of botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) has been confirmed to have efficacy for patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. However, the effectiveness of this dose is limited in severe cases defined as sweat production of 2 mg/cm(2) per min or more (measured by the ventilated capsule method) and a Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) grade of 3 or 4. An increased dose of 90 U of BT-A was found to reduce sweating for approximately 7 months.

Elderly patients differed significantly in terms of presence of symptoms (p<0.001), including thoracic pain (p=0.003), dyspnea (p<0.001), cough (p<0.001) and fatigue

(p<0.001), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) 2-3 (p<0.001), and histological type (more commonly diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.002) and less frequently with adenocarcinoma). Although elderly patients had significantly higher rates of PS 2-3, they had significantly better median time to disease progression (TTP) compared to the younger counterpart MG132 (6.4 versus 4.3 months p=0.047). Overall survival (OS) was not significantly different between elderly and young patients (median OS 11.8 versus 11.5 months; p=0.6), but platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy were variables associated favorably with TTP and Linsitinib mw survival in the elderly. This large retrospective series presents strong evidence that NSCLC constitutes a similar clinicopathologic entity in elderly and young individuals with discretely differing biological behavior and that elderly symptomatic patients should be considered for effective anticancer treatment whenever

possible.”
“The incidence of fentanyl-induced cough (FIC) occurs frequently during induction of general anesthesia, and methods to prevent it are needed. In this study, we hypothesized that premedication with intravenous dexmedetomidine-midazolam can suppress FIC effectively.

A total of 440 patients of ASA I or II, aged 18-65 years, weighing

41-90 kg, undergoing elective surgery were randomized into four groups of 110 each, using computer-generated random numbers. Group S + S: normal saline 0.15 ml/kg + normal saline 0.06 ml/kg; Group S + M: normal saline 0.15 ml/kg + midazolam 0.06 mg/kg; Group D + S: dexmedetomidine 0.6 mu g/kg + normal saline 0.06 ml/kg; Group D + M: dexmedetomidine 0.6 mu g/kg + midazolam 0.06 mg/kg. After receiving the above-mentioned drugs, all patients received i.v. fentanyl (3 mu g/kg). After fentanyl administration, the onset time and the severity of cough for 1 min were recorded. Severity of coughing was graded as AR-13324 in vitro mild (1-2), moderate (3-5) and (> 5) based on the number of cough per minute.

Forty-five (40.9%) patients had cough in Group S + S, 70 (63.6%) in Group S + M and 25 (22.7%) in Group D + S. None of the patients in Group D + M had any cough. The total incidence of cough was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Group S + M in comparison to that in other groups. The onset time of cough was significantly shorter in Group S + M (13.8 +/- A 3.8 s) than in Group S + S (18.7 +/- A 3.9 s, P < 0.01) or Group D + S. (18.2 +/- A 3.2 s, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference among groups in cough severity.

The addition of these clays to this epoxy resin enhanced the T(g) value of the resulting composites and greatly enhanced the storage moduli versus the pure epoxy resin by 1.6-1.8 times LB-100 at 135 degrees C. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 2430-2441, 2011″
“RNA viruses may be particularly capable of contributing to the increasing biomedical problem of infectious disease emergence. Empirical studies and epidemiological models are informative for the understanding of evolutionary processes that promote pathogen emergence, but rarely are these approaches combined in the same study. Here, we used an epidemiology model containing observations of pathogen productivity in

reservoirs, as a means to predict which pathogens should be most prone to emerge in a primary host such as humans. We employed as a model system a collection of

vesicular stomatitis virus populations that had previously diverged in host-use strategy: specialists, directly selected generalists and indirectly selected (fortuitous) generalists. Using data from experiments where these viral strategists were challenged to grow on unencountered novel hosts in vitro, logistic growth models determined that the directly selected generalist viruses tended to grow MK-8931 ic50 best on model reservoirs. Furthermore, when we used the growth data to estimate average reproductive rate across secondary reservoirs, we showed that the combined approach could be used to estimate relative success of the differing virus strategists when encountering a primary host. Our study suggests that synergistic approaches combining epidemiological modelling with empirical data from experimental evolution may be useful for developing efforts to predict which types of pathogens pose the greatest probability of emerging in the future.”
“Study Design. In vitro biomechanical study investigating hypoxia-inducible factor pathway L4-L5 kinematics and intradiscal pressure (IDP) with a facet replacement system.

Objective. To assess the influence of the Auxiliary Facet System (AFS).

Summary of Background Data. Posterior dynamic systems are used in the treatment of low back

pain to avoid adjacent segment degeneration. Facet replacement systems are supposed to stabilize a lumbar segment after facetectomy and neural decompression, and to provide an intersegmental range of motion (ROM).

Methods. The AFS is fixed by 4 pedicle screws, linked by 2 angulated rods, a polyaxial connector, and a cross link. Flexibility tests were conducted on 6 human cadaver specimens (L3-S1) using a load testing device and the Polaris system. The specimens were loaded by steps of 1 Nm to 10 Nm in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The following configurations were investigated: intact segment, instrumented, instrumented plus medial facetectomy, and facetectomy alone. The sagittal mean center of rotation (MCR) was calculated, and IDPs were measured in flexion/extension.

“
“Background and aims: Tepehuanos Indians, a traditional Mexican ethnic group, followed a vegetarian diet exhibiting a tow Galunisertib mouse prevalence of obesity and the absence of diabetes. However, from the year 2000 the traditional diet of the Tepehuanos was modified by the introduction of western food. In this study we examine the changes in their customary diet and its impact on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this group.

Methods and results: Individuals from 12 Tepehuanos communities were randomly enrolled during 1995-1996 and 2006-2007.

Using a 64-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire macronutrient intakes were calculated from values of Mexican food-composition tables. Cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia were determined.

The median (25, 75 percentile) of total caloric intake (1476 [1083, 1842]-2100 [1366,

2680] kcal/day, p < 0.001) as well as the percentage of energy consumed from saturated fat (3.0 [2.7,4.1]-7.2 [3.9,7.4], p < 0.0001) and protein (8.2 [7.8,8.9]-16.8 [16.3,17.1], p < 0.0001) increased, whereas the percentage of total calorie intake from carbohydrates (66.4 [61.3,69.5]-61.3 [61,68.8], p < Fer-1 price 0.0001), polyunsaturated fat (11.2 [10.3,12.1]-4.0 [3.9,4.3], p < 0.0001), and the polyunsaturated: saturated fat ratio (3.84-0.53%, p < 0.0001) decreased during the period of study. The prevalence of obesity (11.1-21.9%, p = 0.04), impaired fasting glucose (5.9-14.9%, p = 0.04), diabetes (0.0-0.88%, p = 0.48), hypertension (1.7-3.4%, p = 0.43), triglycerides (2.6-16.7%, p = 0.0006), and tow HDL-cholesterol (10.2-71.1%, p < 0.0001) increased.

Conclusions: Changes in the customary diet introduced in the Tepehuanos communities are related to the increase of cardiovascular risk Cell Cycle inhibitor factors. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Study Design. A three-dimensional, nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to predict the in situ contact

interaction of prosthesis components of the Prodisc- L in a multisegmental lumbar model following total disc replacement (TDR).

Objective. Efforts were made to investigate how the TDR implant contact characteristics could affect the 3-dimensional kinematics, facet loads of the lumbar spine following TDR.

Summary of Background Data. Although spinal motion analyses of human lumbar cadaveric models after Prodisc TDR have been widely studied, the interaction of the disc prosthesis, particularly its in situ contact mechanics, is never known.

Methods. A validated intact multisegmental lumbar finite element model L2-L4 was altered to accommodate the TDR prosthesis through anterior approach. At L3-L4 disc space, the Prodisc- L of 6 lordosis angle was implanted centrally.

However, the sensitivity and specificity of discography are matters of debate. Pressure-controlled discographies have been reported to reduce the number of false-positive discs using low pressure criteria. Preliminary data indicated a transfer of pressure from an injected Nocodazole to an adjacent

disc during discography. Pressure transmission in vivo during lumbar discography, not reported before might, if clinically present, contribute to a false-positive diagnosis.

Methods. Thirty-six lumbar discs in 9 adolescent pigs were investigated. Intradiscal pressure was recorded during contrast injection, using a 0.36/0.25 mm fiber-optic pressure transducer inserted into the nucleus pulposus via a 22 G needle. The pressure was measured simultaneously in 2 adjacent discs during contrast injection into 1 of the discs at pressures up to 8 bar. Transmitted pressure was recorded both in noninjected discs and in discs that were prefilled with contrast.

Results. Thirty-three discs were successfully examined.

During contrast injection, there was an intradiscal pressure rise in the adjacent disc with a median value of 16.0% (range, 3.2-37.0) over baseline pressure. There was no significant Nutlin3 difference in pressure increase between the noninjected and prefilled discs (P < 0.68).

Conclusion. Discography of porcine discs induces a pressure increase in adjacent discs. A similar pressure transfer during human clinical discography might elicit false-positive pain reactions.”
“In this article, kinetics of neat poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its blends with triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and/or talc crystallized isothermally in the temperature range of 113-128 degrees C was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and described by the Avrami equation. The results showed that the average value of Avrami exponents n is around 2.0 for neat PLA and the PLA/15TPP blend, and around 3.0 for the PLA/1.2Talc blend and the PLA/15TPP/1.2Talc blend. The crystallization rate BVD-523 in vivo constants k for neat PLA and its blends were increased in the following order: the PLA/15TPP blend, neat

PLA, the PLA/15TPP/1.2Talc blend, and PLA/1.2Talc blend. The half-time of crystallization t(1/2) was increased with an increase of crystallization temperature T-c and the presence of TPP, and was decreased sharply with the incorporation of talc. Further investigation into crystallization activation energy Delta E-a of neat PLA and its blends with 15 wt % TPP and/or 1.2 wt % talc showed that the values of Delta E-a were increased with the incorporation of TPP and/or talc compared to that of neat PLA. It was verified by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) that neat PLA and its blends with TPP and/or talc crystallized isothermally in the temperature range of 113-128 degrees C, and all formed the alpha-form crystal after enough annealing time. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.