Sorafenib delivery nanoplatform based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles magnetically targets hepatocellular carcinoma

Currently,sorafenib is the only systemic therapy capable of increasing overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.Unfortunately,its side effects,particularly its overall toxicity,limit the therapeutic response that can be achieved.Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are very attractive for drug delivery because they can be targeted to specific sites in the body through application of a magnetic field,thus improving intratumoral accumulation and reducing adverse effects.Here,nanoformulations based on polyethylene glycol modified phospholipid micelles,loaded with both SPIONs and sorafenib,were successfully prepared and thoroughly investigated by complementary techniques.This nanovector system provided effective drug delivery,had an average hydrodynamic diameter of about 125 nm,had good stability in aqueous medium,and allowed controlled drug loading.Magnetic analysis allowed accurate determination of the amount of SPIONs embedded in each micelle.An in vitro system was designed to test whether the SPION micelles can be efficiently held using a magnetic field under typical flow conditions found in the human liver.Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells were selected as an in vitro system to evaluate tumor cell targeting efficacy of the superparamagnetic micelles loaded with sorafenib.These experiments demonstrated that this delivery platform is able to enhance sorafenib's antitumor effectiveness by magnetic targeting.The magnetic nanovectors described here represent promising candidates for targeting specific hepatic tumor sites,where selective release of sorafenib can improve its efficacy and safety profile.     

Construct validation of the Rorschach Reality-Fantasy Scale in alexithymia.

The study applies Winnicott's conceptualization of potential space to the alexithymia construct by using a new Rorschach index, the Reality-Fantasy Scale (RFS). The scale uses variables derived from the Rorschach Comprehensive System (Exner, 2000, 2001) to detect different types of psychopathological manifestations conceptualized as forms of collapse of potential space. Following previous research, the present study further evaluates the construct validity of the RFS in a sample of 92 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, categorized on the basis of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) as alexithymic, indeterminate alexithymia, and nonalexithymic groups. As hypothesized, the RFS significantly correlated with the TAS-20, discriminated among the 3 groups, and showed incremental validity in detecting alexithymia over isolated Rorschach markers. The study supports the exploration of psychoanalytic ideas by empirical, statistically based methods. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Chemical cleaning of potable water membranes: The cost benefit of optimisation

A study of the variability in chemical cleaning factors on permeability recovery for potable water microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) systems has been carried out employing a cost model simulating plant fouling and cleaning regimes. The impact of a range of operating and cleaning factors on operating cost variation was computed using algorithms describing operational and cleaning factor relationships with permeability recovery data measured from bench scale tests on fibres sampled from full-scale operational plants.The model proceeded through sequencing of the cleaning and backwashing operations to generate transmembrane pressure (TMP), and so head loss, transients. A number of cleaning scenarios were considered for each plant, based on employing either a threshold TMP or fixed chemical cleaning intervals. The resulting TMP profiles were then converted to operational costs. The effect of the variability in permeability recovery on annual operating costs was calculated for each of the simulations. It was evident that significant operating cost reductions were possible from optimisation of the cleaning protocol. Cost benefit varied according to facets of plant design and operation; the innate variability in permeability recovery precluded the correlation of cleaning efficacy with fouling characteristics.     

Ethylene Oxidation—Exploratory Research

The steps involved in developing commercially successful catalysts and the ways in which the techniques and technologies utilized have changed over time are described, primarily from the standpoint of the author's experiences during 20 years at Halcon/Scientific Design. The discussion is limited to the direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide in the vapor phase over catalysts containing silver.     

Lipoprotein(a) and the cardiovascular risk during estrogen-progestin replacement therapy in postmenopause

A homogeneous group of 37 patients, aged between 52 and 61 years was considered in relationship to the metabolic response during hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). A free endocrinological-metabolic pathology control group, formed by 40 patients, who were not treated with any therapy, was also considered. Study-trial was comprehensive of a 123 months follow-up, with some periods of study at 0, +6, +12 months. Metabolic responses of lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein A and B during the different follow-up steps were determined. Total and fractioned cholesterol and triglycerides were also determined. Significant correlations were shown between Lipo(a) and Apo B and also between Lipo(a) and LDL in both groups considered Lipoprotein(a) was determined by ELISA methodic and turbidimetric methodic. The aim of our study was to verify the importance of the new markers of the atheromatous risk. The reduction of lipoproteins middle value observed in the HRT group shows a little, but however present, estrogens action to the Lipo(a) itself. This fact testifies to the benefit of the use of HRT in post-menopause also as reg ards an evaluated cardiovascular risk inhibition.     

Partitioning experiments in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell: volatile content in the Earth's core

The present state of the Earth evolved from energetic events that were determined early in the history of the Solar System. A key process in reconciling this state and the observable mantle composition with models of the original formation relies on understanding the planetary processing that has taken place over the past 4.5Ga. Planetary size plays a key role and ultimately determines the pressure and temperature conditions at which the materials of the early solar nebular segregated. We summarize recent developments with the laser-heated diamond anvil cell that have made possible extension of the conventional pressure limit for partitioning experiments as well as the study of volatile trace elements. In particular, we discuss liquid-liquid, metal-silicate (M-Sil) partitioning results for several elements in a synthetic chondritic mixture, spanning a wide range of atomic number-helium to iodine. We examine the role of the core as a possible host of both siderophile and trace elements and the implications that early segregation processes at deep magma ocean conditions have for current mantle signatures, both compositional and isotopic. The results provide some of the first experimental evidence that the core is the obvious replacement for the long-sought, deep mantle reservoir. If so, they also indicate the need to understand the detailed nature and scale of core-mantle exchange processes, from atomic to macroscopic, throughout the age of the Earth to the present day.     

Applying discrete event simulation to the design of a service delivery system in the aerospace industry: a case study

This paper presents the results of a simulation study concerned with the design of a service delivery system. In particular, it shows how discrete event simulation can be used at the point of signing a long-term service contract to assess whether a service delivery system will be able to comply with the contractual terms over time. This study also proposes a methodology based on the Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the service demand in a context where the installed base evolves dynamically over time. Such a methodology has been used to verify the discrete event simulation model. This research is based on real data from a leading global supplier of human to machine electronic controls operating in the aerospace industry. This supplier has recently signed a major contract for the provision of several devices and related services. These devices will be installed on aircrafts progressively entering service over the next seven years.