This paper details the characteristics of pure cellulose and wood fibers when associated with thermoplastic matrices for composite applications. Chemical modification of the cellulose is performed to allow a good compatibilization, and the most efficient compatibilizing agents must possess: (i) a function highly reactive with the OH groups of the cellulose and (ii) a non‐polar chain with preferably a polymeric structure. Polypropylenes grafted with maleic anhydride are thus efficient agents. Smaller compatibilizing agents, especially if reacted with cellulose in swelling media, react with the bulk of the fiber and lead to dimensional stability. All treatments, even when performed with low degrees of grafting or small alkyl chains, significantly modify the hydrophilicity of the cellulose surface and play a role in a better wettability of the fiber by the matrix leading to improved adherence. The global mechanical properties are then improved, but the effect is preferably studied at the scale of a single filament composite. The morphology of the matrix in the vicinity of the non‐treated fiber shows that, in some cases, the fiber acts as a nucleating agent involving the formation of a transcrystalline phase. Aging in moisture is generally detrimental to the mechanical properties. This phenomenon is limited by the chemical treatment performed on the fibers.

Regardless of what interpretative criteria are used for assessing lung scans in PE, the frequency of silent PE is 40% to 50% in patients with DVT. A baseline lung scan may easily detect PE in these patients but is not useful for predicting early thromboembolic recurrences that may occur during therapy.

BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are common malignancies caused by carcinogens, including tobacco and alcohol, or infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) pathway are effective against unresectable recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. Here, we explored the safety and efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy in at-risk resectable HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC in the neoadjuvant setting.MethodsThe phase I/II CheckMate 358 trial in virus-associated cancers assessed neoadjuvant nivolumab in patients with previously untreated, resectable HPV-positive or HPV-negative HNSCC. Patients received nivolumab 240 mg intravenously on days 1 and 15, with surgery planned by day 29. Safety/tolerability (primary endpoint) was assessed by monitoring adverse events (AEs) and surgical delays. Radiographic response was measured before surgery using RECIST v1.1, adapted for a single post-nivolumab evaluation. Pathologic specimens were examined for treatment response using immune-based criteria.ResultsFrom November 2015 to December 2017, 52 patients with AJCC (seventh edition) stage III–IV resectable HNSCC received neoadjuvant nivolumab (26 HPV-positive, 26 HPV-negative). Any-grade treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) occurred in 19 patients (73.1%) and 14 patients (53.8%) in the HPV-positive and HPV-negative cohorts, respectively; grade 3–4 TRAEs occurred in five (19.2%) and three patients (11.5%), respectively. No patient had a protocol-defined TRAE-related surgical delay (>4 weeks). Thirty-eight patients were reported as undergoing complete surgical resection, 10 had a planned post-nivolumab biopsy instead of definitive surgery due to a protocol misinterpretation, and four did not undergo surgery or biopsy, including two with tumor progression. Radiographic response rates in 49 evaluable patients were 12.0% and 8.3% in the HPV-positive and HPV-negative cohorts, respectively. There were no complete pathologic responses by site or central review in operated patients. Among 17 centrally evaluable HPV-positive tumors, one (5.9%) achieved major pathological response and three (17.6%) achieved partial pathologic response (pPR); among 17 centrally evaluable HPV-negative tumors, one (5.9%) achieved pPR.ConclusionsNeoadjuvant nivolumab was generally safe and induced pathologic regressions in HPV-positive (23.5%) and HPV-negative (5.9%) tumors. Combinatorial neoadjuvant treatment regimens, and continued postoperative therapy for high-risk tumors, are warranted in future trials to enhance the efficacy of this approach.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov NCT02488759; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02488759.