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Different chemically modified (including treatments with alkali alone and a combination of alkali and silane coupling agent) corn fibers (CFs) have been used as reinforcements in polylactic acid (PLA) matrix to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the CF/PLA composites. A comparative study has been made to find out how the two treatments affect the mechanical and thermal properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strengths and glass transition temperature (Tg), crystallinity, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of the CF/PLA composites. Scanning electron microscopy analyses have been conducted to evaluate the fiber–matrix adhesion. It has been observed that the treatment with a combination of alkali and silane is more efficient in strengthening fiber–matrix bonding, and thus more significantly improving the tensile and flexural strengths, crystallinity, Tg, and HDT of the CF/PLA composites than the treatment with alkali alone. However, alkali treatment produces the optimal impact strength. Mechanisms have been proposed to interpret the observed changes in mechanical and thermal properties as a result of fiber treatments. It is inferred that the surface treatment of CFs with a combination of alkali and silane may also be applied in other CF–polymer composite systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3499–3507, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

BackgroundComplete resection of pelvic bone tumors, especially recurrent and metastatic ones, is often impossible to achieve using conventional surgery. This study aimed to assess the benefits and adverse effects of computed tomography (CT)-guided radioiodine (125I) brachytherapy for inoperable recurrent and metastatic bone tumors of the pelvis.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 22 patients with confirmed pelvic bone tumors (10 females and 12 males; 15–84 years; 21 with primary pelvic tumor and one with pelvic metastasis). CT-guided 125I brachytherapy was performed using 9–21 125I seeds (radioactivity of 0.5–0.7 mCi). Seed implantation was validated by postoperative CT scanning. Complications, pain, survival, and CT-estimated tumor size were carried out to evaluate the therapeutic benefits.ResultsPostoperative CT scans revealed satisfactory 125I seed implantation, and the radiation dose delivered to 90% of the target area (D90) was higher than the prescription dose (PD). No obvious complications were observed. Pain was reported by 19 of 22 patients, but 17 reported pain relief after implantation. Follow-up ranged 8–27 (median, 19) months. Tumor size was reduced in 11 patients within 1 month after surgery, nine patients showed no change, and tumor size increased in two patients. Finally, 1- and 2-year survival was 81.8 and 45.5%, respectively; 1- and 2-year local tumor control rates were 59.1 and 36.4%, respectively.Conclusions 125I seed implantation significantly reduced bone tumor size and relieved pain, with a low complication rate. These findings suggest that 125I brachytherapy treatment could be a useful palliative approach for pelvic bone tumor treatment.