The present study indicates that NMN. produces significant beneficial effects by attenuating apoptosis and improving energy metabolism in a cellular model of PD. These results suggest that NMN may become a promising therapeutic drug for PD.”
“Ribosomal Protein L22 (RPL22) encodes a protein that is a component of the 60S subunit of

the ribosome. Variants in this gene have recently been linked to cancer development. Mutations in an A8 repeat in exon 2 were found in a recent study in 52% of microsatellite-unstable endometrial tumors. These tumors are particularly prone to mutations in repeats due to mismatch repair deficiency. We screened this coding repeat in our collection of microsatellite-unstable endometrial tumors (EC) and colorectal Selleck Givinostat tumors (CRC). We found 50% mutation frequency for EC and 77% mutation frequency for CRC. These results confirm the previous study on the involvement of RPL22 in EC and, more importantly, reports for the first time such high mutation frequency in this gene in colorectal cancer. Furthermore, considering the high mutation frequency found,

our data point toward an important role for RPL22 in microsatellite instability carcinogenesis.”
“CENP-A is a centromere-specific histone H3 variant that epigenetically determines centromere identity to ensure kinetochore assembly and proper chromosome segregation, but the precise mechanism of its specific localization within centromeric heterochromatin remains obscure. We have discovered that CUL4A-RBX1-COPS8 E3 ligase activity is required for CENP-A HKI-272 mouse ubiquitylation on lysine 124 (K124) and CENP-A centromere localization. A mutation of CENP-A, K124R, reduces interaction with HJURP (a CENP-A-specific histone

chaperone) and abrogates localization of CENP-A to the centromere. Addition of monoubiquitin is sufficient to restore CENP-A BI 2536 in vitro K124R to centromeres and the interaction with HJURP, indicating that “signaling” ubiquitylation is required for CENP-A loading at centromeres. The CUL4A-RBX1 complex is required for loading newly synthesized CENP-A and maintaining preassembled CENP-A at centromeres. Thus, CENP-A K124R ubiquitylation, mediated by the CUL4A-RBX1-COPS8 complex, is essential for CENP-A deposition at the centromere.”
“Extra-axial ependymomas are exceedingly rare neuroectodermal tumors that arise outside the central nervous system. The majority behave in a benign clinical fashion. In this case, an elderly woman developed an intraperitoneal ependymoma that after surgical excision recurred twice over a period of twenty four years. At each presentation, the tumor demonstrated identical histologic appearances with prominent rosettes as well as perivascular pseudorosettes. Immunohistochemistry showed strong positivity for glial fibrilary acidic protein, estrogen receptors, CAM 5.2 and CD99 with weak staining for pankeratin.

Despite the remarkable responses check details of most patients, a small but significant fraction of

patients develops clinical resistance to the TKIs, some of which is attributed to the BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations affecting TKI binding and activity. The recently approved third-generation TKI ponatinib showed remarkable activity in the patients with multi-TKI-resistant disease. Particularly impressive was its efficacy in patients with T315I mutation that is resistant to all other TKIs. In lieu of the current emphasis on achieving earlier and more profound responses and excellent activity of ponatinib in the refractory setting, its optimal position among the available armamentarium of agents is being established. (C) 2013 AACR.”
“Aims and purpose To identify selleck kinase inhibitor patterns and rates of adherence with travoprost eye drops using the Travatan dosing aid (TDA) and to present a method for graphically presenting adherence data.\n\nMethods A prospective observational cohort study of patients on travoprost (prostaglandin) monotherapy. Patients were dispensed a TDA and followed up after approximately 3 months of usage. Data were downloaded from the TDA into a computer for analysis. Analysis used inter-dose intervals (the time between each dosing) to look at adherence between days 4 and 75.\n\nResults In all,

100 patients were invited to participate, 53 agreed and complete TDA data sets were obtained from 37. In total 23 of the complete data sets showed good adherence (dosing within +/- 4 h of the agreed dosing time on 480% of occasions), 3 patients discontinued usage before 75 days, 4 showed frequent drug GDC-0973 molecular weight holidays (no dosing for >= 8 days) and 7 frequently missed doses with adherence rates of <60%. Of the 16 patients for whom no TDA data was obtained, 5 were lost to follow-up, 4 had faulty/damaged TDAs, 3 changed medication, 3 preferred not to use the TDA, and 1 was hospitalized.\n\nConclusions There were four easily defined patterns of adherence; (1) good adherence; (2) discontinued usage; (3) frequent drug holidays;

and (4) frequent missed doses with low adherence rates. A new method for graphically presenting adherence data helps clinicians identify the pattern of usage and is a valuable aid to the overall management of patients on travoprost therapy. Eye (2010) 24, 1338-1343; doi:10.1038/eye.2010.27; published online 26 March 2010″
“Titania and composite (Ag, Au, W) titania coatings were prepared on glass microscope slides via a sol-gel dip-coating method. The resulting coatings were characterised by X-ray diffraction, Raman, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wavelength dispersive X-ray (WDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and UV-visible absorption techniques. Photocatalytic activity of the coatings was determined by photomineralisation of stearic acid under 254, 365 nm and white light sources monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy.

In the proposed approach the process of search for the best solution Lazertinib is divided into stages, and different search procedures are used at each stage. These procedures use a set of various heuristics (represented by software agents) which run under the cooperation scheme defined separately for each stage. Computational experiment which has been carried out, confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed approach. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V.

All rights reserved.”
“We examined the long-term reproductive consequence of bleaching stress on Caribbean corals in the Orbicella (formerly Montastraea) species complex (O. annularis, O. faveolata, and O. franksi). Over 2000 observations of spawning in 526 tagged corals in Panama were made from 2002 through 2013. Bleaching events were noted in 2005 and 2010. At the population level, a reduction in spawning persisted for several years following each bleaching event. In 2010, (1) the bleaching event did not alter the timing of spawning, nor coral survivorship or tissue loss; (2) both bleached and unbleached corals had a reduced probability of spawning for several years following the bleaching event, and corals that visibly bleached were less likely to spawn than corals that did not visibly bleach; (3) the

species that was affected most by the bleaching event (O. annularis) recovered the ability to spawn in fewer years compared to the species least affected by the bleaching event (O. franksi); and (4) in O. franksi, the species with the widest depth FK228 distribution, recovery in the likelihood

to spawn was not depth related, although individuals at greater depths were less likely to bleach. In sum, corals that recover from bleaching events can experience long-term reduction in reproduction, over time scales that can bridge the interval between subsequent bleaching events. This may be catastrophic for the long-term maintenance of the population.”
“Studies based on the analysis of housekeeping genes indicate that Escherichia coli and all Shigella species, except for Shigella boydii type 13, belong to a single species. This study analysed the OSI-744 ic50 phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 23 E. coli strains isolated in different countries from faecal specimens taken from children with diarrhoea. Strains were identified using the VITEK system and typed with rabbit sera obtained against 186 somatic and 53 flagellar E. coli antigens and against 45 Shigella somatic antigens. Biochemical analysis of these strains showed a typical E. coli profile with a defined reaction against both E. coli 0179 and S. boydii 16 somatic antisera. Agglutination assays for flagellar antigens showed a response against H2 in 7 (30%) strains, H10 in 2 (9%) strains, H32 in 12 (52%) strains and H34 in 2 (9%) strains, demonstrating 4 serotypes associated with this new somatic antigen 64474. A serum against one of these E.

6 to 5.9 per year (P = 0.81). Conclusions: Adherence to a guideline based on 3 or more episodes for elective colectomy increased concurrently with a benchmarking and peer-to-peer messaging initiative. Improving adherence to professional guidelines related to appropriate care is critical and can be facilitated by quality improvement collaboratives.”
“Background and aims. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) often triggers acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent and correlates with higher mortality in such cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate

the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria in the prediction of death in cirrhotic patients after an episode of SBP. Material and methods. Forty-six cirrhotic patients AC220 with SBP were included in a cohort study. Renal injury was estimated by AKIN criteria (grades 1, 2 or 3) to examine the association between AKI severity and mortality. Patients were followed-up for a mean of 13.22 months. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the hazard ratio of mortality by Cox regression model were Volasertib calculated accordingly to the AKIN criteria. Results. The mean age of the included patients was 56.94 +/- 9.49; 29 (63%) were male. Mean MELD score was 19.46 +/- 6.16; 78.3% were Child-Pugh C. AKI occurred in 43.5% of patients (8.7, 17.4 and 17.4% respectively for AKIN criteria 1, 2 and 3). Inpatient mortality for AKIN 1, 2 and 3 was 50, 37.5 and 62.5

vs. 3.8% for patients without renal injury (p = 0.002, 0.001 and smaller than 0.001 respectively). Patients with AKIN grades 1, 2 or 3 had no significant differences regarding MELD score (p = 0.893). The hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of mortality for patients with AKI (AKIN grades 1, 2 and 3 grouped) were 3.41 (1.58-7.36). Conclusions. AKIN criteria are useful to predict mortality in patients with SBP.”
“Moving to music is intuitive and spontaneous, and music is widely used to support movement, most commonly during exercise. Auditory cues

are increasingly Captisol also used in the rehabilitation of disordered movement, by aligning actions to sounds such as a metronome or music. Here, the effect of rhythmic auditory cueing on movement is discussed and representative findings of cued movement rehabilitation are considered for several movement disorders, specifically post-stroke motor impairment, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. There are multiple explanations for the efficacy of cued movement practice. Potentially relevant, non-mutually exclusive mechanisms include the acceleration of learning; qualitatively different motor learning owing to an auditory context; effects of increased temporal skills through rhythmic practices and motivational aspects of musical rhythm. Further considerations of rehabilitation paradigm efficacy focus on specific movement disorders, intervention methods and complexity of the auditory cues.

\n\nResults: Findings of the current study indicated that the size and shape of silver nanoparticles depended on the type of starch. For example for a special type of potato starch the cubic silver nanoparticles this website were obtained whereas for other types of potato starch and corn starch spherical silver nanoparticles were produced. Nanoparticle sizes were mainly

about 20 nm, but ranging from 2-30 nm in different situations. Due to the biocompatibility of starch synthesized silver nanoparticles, this method can be used for medicinal purposes. Both kinds of nanosilver containing starch sources have excellent antibacterial activity.\n\nConclusions: The current study indicated that silver nanoparticles produced using different starches had strong antibacterial activities on the studied standard and pathogenic bacteria including gram positive and gram negative.”
“Trunk phloem necrosis (TPN), a physiological bark disorder of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), is a serious Nutlin-3 inhibitor problem that affects the yield of natural rubber. The resultant bark dryness occurs in up to half of a plantation’s trees in almost every rubber tree plantation region, causing a great annual loss of dry rubber for natural rubber production. Different types of injury and physical damage caused by mechanical activation as well as environmental stresses cause physiological bark disorder in tree. Due to the essential role of miR166, miR393 and miR167

in vascular development and abiotic stress response in diverse plant species, it was interesting to investigate the role of these miRNAs in rubber trees, particularly during

development of a physiological bark disorder. In this study, the expression pattern of miR166, miR393 and miR167; and their target genes, HD-ZIP III; TIR1 and ARF8, respectively; was demonstrated in Selleckchem BVD-523 healthy tree and different TPN trees. Their existence and function in vivo was validated using RNA ligase-mediated 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Taken together, the results suggest a possible dual role of these three miRNAs in maintaining normal bark regeneration in healthy trees, coping with overtapping by affecting the wound healing system leading to abnormal bark regeneration in overtapped-TPN trees, and act as additional forces that enhance the attenuation of vascular development resulting in bark necrosis and cell death in the natural-TPN tree. This is the first study to address the molecular events of miRNAs involved in the physiological bark disorder TPN in rubber tree. Further study will open the possibility to better understanding of physiological and molecular perspectives during TPN development, and lead to improvement of monitoring the exploitation of rubber tree plantations. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.”
“The discovery of three new species of Enyalioides from the tropical Andes in Ecuador and northern Peru is reported. Enyalioides altotambo sp. n.

Discussion: Even when Lp(a) and MS were simultaneously considered, age was the best determinant of CIMT in this population. The mechanism of our results including weak additive effects of Lp(a) learn more and MS among older subjects may be partly throughout aging. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The declining efficacy of artemisinin

derivatives against Plasmodium falciparum in western Cambodia is a major concern. The knowledge gap in the understanding of the mechanisms involved hampers designing monitoring tools. Here, we culture-adapted 20 isolates from Pailin and Ratanakiri (areas of artemisinin resistance and susceptibility in western and eastern Cambodia, respectively) and studied their in vitro response to dihydroartemisinin. No significant difference between the two sets of isolates was observed in the classical isotopic test. However, a 6-h pulse exposure to 700 nM dihydroartemisinin (ring-stage survival assay-RSA]) revealed a MI-503 clear-cut geographic dichotomy. The survival rate of exposed ring-stage parasites (ring stages) was 17-fold higher in isolates from Pailin (median, 13.5%) than in those from Ratanakiri

(median, 0.8%), while exposed mature stages were equally and highly susceptible (0.6% and 0.7%, respectively). Ring stages survived drug exposure by cell cycle arrest and resumed growth upon drug withdrawal. The reduced susceptibility to artemisinin in Pailin appears to be associated with an altered in vitro phenotype of ring stages from Pailin in the RSA.”
“Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu-IIs) modulate hippocampal information processing through several presynaptic actions. We describe a novel postsynaptic inhibitory mechanism mediated by the mGlu2 subtype that activates an inwardly rectifying potassium conductance in the dendrites of DG granule cells of rats and mice. Data from glutamate-uncaging

experiments and simulations indicate that mGlu2-activated potassium conductance uniformly reduces the peak amplitude of synaptic inputs arriving in the distal two-thirds of dendrites, with only minor effects on proximal inputs. This unique www.selleckchem.com/products/riociguat-bay-63-2521.html shunting profile is consistent with a peak expression of the mGlu2-activated conductance at the transition between the proximal and middle third of the dendrites. Further simulations under various physiologically relevant conditions showed that when a shunting conductance was activated in the proximal third of a single dendrite, it effectively modulated input to this specific branch while leaving inputs in neighboring dendrites relatively unaffected. Therefore, the restricted expression of the mGlu2-activated potassium conductance in the proximal third of DG granule cell dendrites represents an optimal localization for achieving the opposing biophysical requirements for uniform yet selective modulation of individual dendritic branches.”
“Background.

e., a sum of nonlinear kernel functions), the objective function is quadratic, and we derive an incremental form for learning this estimator from data. We also show that combining the NEBLS form with its corresponding generalized SURE expression produces a generalization of the score-matching procedure for parametric density estimation. Finally, we have implemented several examples of such estimators, and we show that their performance is comparable to their optimal Bayesian or supervised regression counterparts for moderate to large amounts of data.”
“The development of an alternative synthetic route to a functionalized imidazopyridazine which strategically

streamlines the synthesis and

avoids a number of problematic reagents is Selleck AZD8055 described. Key to the success of this alternative route is the use of two C-H functionalization reactions: a Pd-catalyzed direct benzylation reaction to functionalize a C-H bond with a substituted benzyl group and a V-catalyzed NMO addition reaction to install a benzylic morpholine moiety.”
“A novel actinomycete, strain S10(T), was isolated from rhizosphere soil of wild Vitis selleck inhibitor vinifera in Thinghir, Ouarzazate Province, Southern Morocco. The taxonomic status of this strain was established using a polyphasic approach. Strain S10(T) had white-grey aerial mycelium with long, spiral spore chains bearing smooth surfaced spores and produced a yellow diffusible pigment. Chemotaxonomic analyses showed that the cell wall of strain S10(T) contained LL-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. Phylogenetic analysis based on the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain S10(T) belonged to the Group I streptomycetes, branching off next to Streptomyces marokkonensis LMG 23016(T) from the Streptomyces violaceoruber group. DNA-DNA relatedness and phenotypic data distinguished strain S10(T) from the phylogenetically

closest related type strains. It is therefore proposed that strain S10(T) (=CCMM B35(T) =DSM 41919(T)) represents the type strain of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces thinghirensis sp. nov. is proposed.”
“The prevalence of obesity in America JPH203 has reached epidemic proportions, and obesity among women is particularly concerning. Severe obesity (body mass index =35?kg?m-2) is more prevalent in women than men. Further, women have sex-specific risk factors that must be considered when developing preventive and therapeutic interventions. This review presents personalized medicine as a dynamic approach to obesity prevention, management and treatment for women. First, we review obesity as a complex health issue, with contributing sex-specific, demographic, psychosocial, behavioural, environmental, epigenetic and genetic/genomic risk factors.

Factors uniquely associated with continuation decisions were parents’ socioeconomic status and ethnicity. The studies’ average methodological quality score was 10.6 (SD = 1.67; range, GSK126 supplier 8-14). Findings from this review can be useful in adapting and modifying guidelines for genetic counseling after prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality. Moreover, improving the quality of future studies on this topic may allow clearer understanding of the most influential factors affecting parental decisions.”
“The aim of the

present work is to investigate the anti-dermatophytic and cytotoxic activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using marine actinobacteria isolated from marine salterns soil. AgNPs were synthesized by mixing actinobacteria learn more culture supernatant with 1mM of AgNO3 and incubated at 28 degrees C under dark condition. The synthesized AgNPs are primarily confirmed by using UV, X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by AFM, Particle size analyzer and FESEM. The average

sizes of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using Bragg’s law and confirmed as 13.8 nm. The synthesized AgNPs showed anti-dermatophytic activity on Trichophyton rubrum (27 +/- 0.1 mm) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (21 +/- 0.2 mm) cultures. The results of the MIC test reveal that T. rubrum (100 mu g/mL) is more sensitive to AgNPs than T. mentagrophytes (200 mu g/mL). The cytotoxicity effects of biosynthesized AgNPs were tested by brine shrimps assay and showed 75% of inhibition at the concentration of 25 mu g/mL and complete inhibition observed at high concentration of 50 to 100 mu g/mL.”
“Metabolomic

analysis of feces may provide insights on colorectal cancer (CRC) if assay performance is satisfactory. In lyophilized feces from 48 CRC cases, 102 matched controls, and 48 masked quality control specimens, 1043 small molecules were detected with a commercial platform. Assay reproducibility was good for 527 metabolites [technical intraclass Smoothened Agonist cost correlation coefficient (ICC) bigger than 0.7 in quality control specimens], but reproducibility in 6-month paired specimens was lower for the majority of metabolites (within-subject ICC smaller than = 0.5). In the CRC cases and controls, significant differences (false discovery rate smaller than = 0.10) were found for 41 of 1043 fecal metabolites. Direct cancer association was found with three fecal heme-related molecules [covariate-adjusted 90th versus 10th percentile odds ratio (OR) = 17-345], 18 peptides/amino acids (OR = 3-14), palmitoyl-sphingomyelin (OR = 14), mandelate (OR = 3) and p-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (OR = 4). Conversely, cancer association was inverse with acetaminophen metabolites (OR smaller than 0.1), tocopherols (OR = 0.3), sitostanol (OR = 0.2), 3-dehydrocarnitine (OR = 0.4), pterin (OR = 0.3), conjugated-linoleate-18-2N7 (OR = 0.2), N-2-furoyl-glycine (OR = 0.

This trial was conducted to determine the period of skin photosensitivity in healthy subjects STAT inhibitor given talaporfin sodium and to determine the correlation between photosensitivity and plasma levels of talaporfin sodium.\n\nMethods\n\nTwenty

healthy volunteers were dosed with 0.25-1.0 mg/kg talaporfin sodium and exposed at successive timepoints to a solar simulator applied to a small patch of skin on the back. Photosensitivity was assessed at these sites 24 h later. Duration of photosensitivity and correlation with plasma drug concentration were analyzed.\n\nResults\n\nSkin reactions were generally mild and were classified most commonly as asymptomatic erythema. Photosensitivity subsided in each subject between 1 and 3 weeks after dosing.

Subjects no longer exhibited photosensitivity at plasma drug levels between 600 and 2900 ng/ml find more in each subject. Two subjects in the lowest dose group did not exhibit photosensitivity despite plasma drug levels as high as 4000 ng/ml.\n\nConclusions\n\nThese results indicate that a clinically effective dose of talaporfin sodium was well-tolerated and that cutaneous photosensitivity was mild and resolved relatively rapidly.”
“Purpose. A novel technique using the reversed iliac leg of a Zenith device has been reported. This study reports a complicated isolated iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) using this novel technique and reviews the relative literature to discuss current treatment modalities. Case report. A 46-year-old man presented

with a mass in the left lower quadrant accompanied by abdominal pain for 60 days. Computer tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a complicated IIAA and a massive retroperitoneal hematoma. Percutaneous puncture and drainage at the hematoma was done. Enterococcus faecium was isolated from the hematoma. The infection was controlled after 2 weeks of drainage and anti-infection treatment. The IIAAs were successfully excluded using the novel technique. The 12-month CTA follow-up was unremarkable. BIX 01294 inhibitor Conclusion. Using inverted Zenith device legs is safe and effective even in complicated IIAAs. Further studies are warranted before it can become a widely acceptable definitive treatment option.”
“Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging zoonotic disease in India and requires immediate detection of infection both for preventing further transmission and for controlling the infection. The present study describes development, optimization, and evaluation of a novel molecular beacon-based real-time RT-PCR assay for rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnosis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). The developed assay was found to be a better alternative to the reported TaqMan assay for routine diagnosis of CCHF.

A prototype of HVHFCPS www.selleckchem.com/products/apr-246-prima-1met.html based on voltage feedback and phase-shift control was developed. The experimental results show that the load voltage can be controlled accurately.”
“Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential factor for aerobic growth and oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport system. The biosynthetic pathway for CoQ has been proposed mainly from biochemical and genetic analyses of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae;

however, the biosynthetic pathway in higher eukaryotes has been explored in only a limited number of studies. We previously reported the roles of several genes involved in CoQ synthesis in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Here, we expand these findings by identifying ten genes (dps1, dlp1, ppt1, and coq3-9) that are required for CoQ AZD8186 research buy synthesis. CoQ10-deficient S. pombe coq deletion strains were generated and characterized. All mutant fission yeast strains were sensitive to oxidative stress, produced a large amount of sulfide, required an antioxidant to grow on minimal medium, and did not survive at the stationary phase. To compare the biosynthetic pathway of CoQ in fission yeast with that in higher eukaryotes, the ability of CoQ biosynthetic genes from humans and plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) to functionally complement the S. pombe coq deletion strains was determined. With the exception of COQ9, expression of all other human and plant

COQ genes recovered CoQ10 production by the fission yeast coq deletion strains, although the addition of a mitochondrial targeting sequence was required for human COQ3 and COQ7, as well as A. thaliana COQ6.

In summary, this study describes the functional conservation of CoQ biosynthetic genes between yeasts, humans, and plants.”
“In this article, a novel approach for the surface modification of polymeric biomaterials by the utilization of supramolecules was studied. The supramolecules selected were cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (CICs). The biomaterial selected for surface modification was plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC-P). Results indicate that when the CICs were blended into PVC-P, they tend to migrate and “anchor” on the surface to achieve a remarkable protein-resistant surface, with improved blood compatibility. In comparison C188-9 cell line with a physical mixture of cyclodextrins and a “guest” molecule, such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO)-PEO and PPO-PEO-PPO for PVC-P modification, CICs modified PVC-P are more consistent in processing and achieve reproducible surface characteristics. Based on this study, a novel “anchor modification” was proposed regarding CICs modified surface. This “anchor modification” is likely to reduce plasticizer extraction from PVC-P and also can be utilized for the modification of polymers other than PVC-P. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.