Surface oxidation study of single wall carbon nanotubes.

Functionalization of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is desirable to enhance their ability to be incorporated into polymers and enhance their bonding with the matrix. One approach to carbon nanotube functionalization is by oxidation via a strong oxidizing agent or refluxing in strong acids. However, this approach can damage the nanotubes, leading to the introduction of defects and/or shorter nanotubes. Such damage can adversely affect the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. A more benign approach to nanotube functionalization has been developed involving photo-oxidation. Chemical analysis by XPS revealed that the oxygen content of the photo-oxidized SWCNTs was 11.3 at.% compared to 6.7 at.% for SWCNTs oxidized by acid treatment. The photo-oxidized SWCNTs produced by this method can be used directly in various polymer matrices or can be further modified by additional chemical reactions.

[Axillary dissection in the surgical management of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal female patients]. / Axilárna disekcia v manazmente chirurgickej liecby invazívneho karcinómu prsníka u postmenopauzálnych pacientok.

The breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer mortality of women over 55 years of age. It is associated with more favorable tumor biology in erderly women, as indicated by increased hormone sensitivity, lower grades of proliferative activity and attenuated HER-2/neu receptor overexpression. The progress of breast cancer is less aggressive in erderly women and the response to the adjuvant therapy is different too. According to the retrospective analysis the authors discussed the up-to-date role of axillary dissection in selected groups of postmenopauzal women with the early breast cancer (T1N0M0) and its impact on postoperative quality of everyday life.