Interfacial Architecture Constructed Using Functionalized MWNT Resulting in Enhanced EMI Shielding in Epoxy/Carbon Fiber Composites.

In this work, we have attempted to improve electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and mechanical behavior of epoxy/carbon fiber (CF) composite, simultaneously, in the presence of functionalized carbon nanotubes. It is well understood that properties of composite depend on the interface between the filler and matrix. Considering this basic understanding, functionalized carbon nanotubes/epoxy nanocomposites were impregnated into a bidirectional carbon fiber (CF) mat and, further, various mechanical and EMI shielding behaviors were studied. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were functionalized with branched poly(ethyleneimine) (b-MWNT) to tailor the interface of epoxy/CF composites. Laminates with two layers of CF were fabricated with functional MWNT modified epoxy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructure of epoxy/CF laminates. Lap shear test was performed to analyze adhesion between the modified epoxy and carbon fiber. Further dynamic mechanical analysis in the temperature range of 30-160 °C was performed. Thermal degradation of composites was studied using a thermogravimetric analyzer. Electrical conductivity of laminates was measured using a four-point method on an Agilent probe station. EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) was measured for 0.5 mm-thin laminates in the Ku band. The b-MWNT modified epoxy/CF composites showed excellent SET of ca. -60 dB and SEA of ca. -50 dB, which are of commercial importance. Compared to unmodified epoxy/CF, b-MWNTs/epoxy/CF exhibited 200% increment in EMI SET and 35% enhancement in storage modulus due to the improved interface between the epoxy matrix and carbon fiber.

Functional genomics analysis reveals a MYC signature associated with a poor clinical prognosis in liposarcomas.

Liposarcomas, which are malignant fatty tumors, are the second most common soft-tissue sarcomas. Several histologically defined liposarcoma subtypes exist, yet little is known about the molecular pathology that drives the diversity in these tumors. We used functional genomics to classify a panel of diverse liposarcoma cell lines based on hierarchical clustering of their gene expression profiles, indicating that liposarcoma gene expression profiles and histologic classification are not directly correlated. Boolean probability approaches based on cancer-associated properties identified differential expression in multiple genes, including MYC, as potentially affecting liposarcoma signaling networks and cancer outcome. We confirmed our method with a large panel of lipomatous tumors, revealing that MYC protein expression is correlated with patient survival. These data encourage increased reliance on genomic features in conjunction with histologic features for liposarcoma clinical characterization and lay the groundwork for using Boolean-based probabilities to identify prognostic biomarkers for clinical outcome in tumor patients.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule is expressed in a subset of sarcomas and correlates to the degree of cytological atypia in leiomyosarcomas.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a protein involved in cell-to-cell attachment and is considered to be strictly expressed in epithelial tissues and epithelial-derived tumors. Furthermore, EpCAM has been shown to be a negative prognostic marker for several carcinomas. In this study, we performed a genomic meta-analysis of gene expression profiles housed in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia to demonstrate that EpCAM mRNA is expressed at low to moderate levels in certain sarcoma cell lines. We utilized immunohistochemical staining to confirm that the EpCAM protein is expressed in a subset of angiosarcomas and leiomyosarcomas and in all the investigated osteosarcomas. Finally, we conducted a statistical analysis of clinical data to demonstrate that EpCAM protein expression is significantly and directly correlated with the degree of cytological atypia in leiomyosarcomas. In conclusion, this data suggests that, contrary to conventional beliefs, EpCAM is expressed in a subset of sarcomas and is a negative prognostic marker for leiomyosarcomas.