Treatment of advanced colorectal cancer with folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil in combination with cisplatinum

51 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (stage Dukes D) were treated with intravenous (i.v.) infusion on days 1, 3, 5, 8 and 16 with folinic acid (200 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2), and on days 1, 8 and 16 with cisplatinum (25 mg/m2 i.v.); cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. All 51 patients were evaluable for toxicity and response criteria. 26 patients had objective responses (3 complete responses, 5.9%; 23 partial responses, 45.1%), relative risk 51% (95% confidence intervals 36.7-65.0%). Response duration ranged from 4 to 28.0 months (median 16.8). Overall median survival of all patients included was 14.7 months (range 3.0-33.0). Toxicity of WHO grade III, requiring dose reduction, occurred in 9 (18%) patients. The regimen described here appears to be active, safe and well tolerated for treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer.     

The impact of K+ content on the structural transformations and morphological changes during the thermal treatment of α-MnO2 nanorods

The effect of heat treatment on the structure and morphology of α-MnO₂ nanorods with different potassium contents was investigated. These nanorods, prepared by ion exchange, were thermally treated at 500, 800, 1000 and 1100 °C, and characterized with X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The structure and morphology of the starting sample remained preserved up to 500 °C. The first structural and morphological changes were observed when α-MnO₂ nanorods with different potassium contents were heated at 800 °C. The sample with the highest potassium content decomposed only partially to α-Mn₂O₃, while the decomposition of the α-MnO₂ to α-Mn₂O₃ was complete in the sample with the lowest potassium content. Morphologically, both samples were composed of nanorods and grains. When the temperature was increased to 1000 and 1100 °C, both the structure and morphology changed: the α-MnO₂ nanorods completely decomposed to Mn₃O₄ grains. The acidic media in which the ion exchange took place shortened the α-MnO₂ nanorods.     

Synthesis and characterization of Mo6S4.5I4.5 nanowires

We report on the synthesis and characterization of new a nano-wire-like material with chemical formula Mo6S4.5I4.5. The material can be synthesized in a single step reaction from elements in bulk quantities. The material has a fur-like appearance and is composed of nanowires that are weakly bound in bundles. Bundles itself can be dispersed using an ultrasonic bath in various organic solvents and water. Elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (TG, DTA), and electron microscopy were used to characterize the new material in the shape of nanowires. Due to their monodisperse and metallic nature, molybdenum-sulphur-iodine nanowires are an interesting alternative to carbon nanotubes for some applications.     

Selective etching of metallic single-wall carbon nanotubes with hydrogen plasma

We present Raman scattering and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) measurements on hydrogen plasma etched single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Interestingly, both the STM and Raman spectroscopy show that the metallic SWNTs are dramatically altered and highly defected by the plasma treatment. In addition, structural characterizations show that metal catalysts are detached from the ends of the SWNT bundles. For semiconducting SWNTs we observe no feature of defects or etching along the nanotubes. Raman spectra in the radial breathing mode region of plasma-treated SWNT material show that most of the tubes are semiconducting. These results show that hydrogen plasma treatment favours etching of metallic nanotubes over semiconducting ones and therefore could be used to tailor the electronic properties of SWNT raw materials.     

Extracellular Vesicles and Antiphospholipid Syndrome: State-of-the-Art and Future Challenges

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by thromboembolism, obstetric complications, and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a key role in intercellular communication and connectivity and are known to be involved in endothelial and vascular pathologies. Despite well-characterized in vitro and in vivo models of APS pathology, the field of EVs remains largely unexplored. This review recapitulates recent findings on the role of EVs in APS, focusing on their contribution to endothelial dysfunction. Several studies have found that APS patients with a history of thrombotic events have increased levels of EVs, particularly of endothelial origin. In obstetric APS, research on plasma levels of EVs is limited, but it appears that levels of EVs are increased. In general, there is evidence that EVs activate endothelial cells, exhibit proinflammatory and procoagulant effects, interact directly with cell receptors, and transfer biological material. Future studies on EVs in APS may provide new insights into APS pathology and reveal their potential as biomarkers to identify patients at increased risk.     

In diffusion and electronic energy structure in polymer layers on In tin oxide

We have investigated the effect of In diffusion on the electronic structure of a polyethylenedioxythiophene-poly (styrenesulfonate) layer deposited on InSn_xO_1 − x substrate by photoelectron spectroscopy. We observe additional states near the highest occupied molecular orbital of the polymer layer that are generated by In releases from the substrate. Also, we observe that In diffusion continues into an overlayer of a mixture of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester. On the basis of the results of the numerical line shape analysis of In 3d_5/2 core level emission, we rule out the presence of metallic In clusters within the organic layers and suggest instead that In/sulfur compounds are present within the organic layers.     

Aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition control parameters for selective deposition of tungsten oxide nanostructures

Tungsten oxide films were deposited via Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD) from the single-source precursor W(OPh)6. Film morphology and optimum deposition temperatures for formation of quasi-one-dimensional structures is influenced by the solvent 'carrier' used for deposition of the films with bulk porous films and nanostructured needles, hollow tubes and fibres obtained dependent on the solvent used and the deposition temperature. This influence of solvent could be exploited for the synthesis of other nanomaterials, and so provide a new and versatile route to develop and integrate nanostructured materials for device applications.     

Selenium uptake and species distribution in selenium-enriched bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.) seeds obtained by two different cultivations

In this work, bean plants were cultivated in two different ways using two modes of selenium supplementation in the form of sodium selenate. Each group consisted of the same four cultivars. Group A plants were grown in soil and twice foliarly sprayed at an interval of 10 days with an aqueous solution of 10 mg Se L⁻¹ at flowering time. Group B plants were hydroponically cultivated after the maternal seeds were soaked in nutrient solution containing the same Se content as used for foliar fertilisation. Bean seeds obtained from group A plants accumulated much more Se (around 2 μg g⁻¹ dry weight) than those seeds obtained from group B plants (around 0.6 μg g⁻¹ dry weight). No differences in Se content within each group were found. After enzyme hydrolysis, 85±7% of soluble selenium was found in group A and 65±2% of soluble Se in group B with respect to the total Se content in seeds. In bean seed supernatants SeMeSeCys, SeMet and two unknown species were found. These four species together represented 79±8 and 53±9% of the Se mass fraction of group A and group B, respectively. No differences in the presence of selenium species were found between the four cultivars and cultivation conditions.     

Determination of 210Pb and 210Po in Sediments, Water, and Plants in an Area Contaminated with Mine Waste

We compared the activities of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in samples of reeds with the concentrations in sediment and water, and estimated the capability of bioaccumulation of these radionuclides in the reeds. The results showed that there are very high levels of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in sediment from the Boršt stream, where mill tailings were transported. The reeds accumulate ²¹⁰Pb to a slightly higher extent than ²¹⁰Po and in this way help to decontaminate the water, which then flows via a channel into the Todraščica stream. We also observed that the stream possessed a good self-cleaning capability. The Jazbec waste pile, where spoils and lower grade ores were disposed of, is not badly contaminated with ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po, and has little influence on the environment.