Experimental versus theoretical rates for photoassociation and forformation of ultracold molecules

We report on the spectra of the long-range attractive molecular states of the Cs₂ dimer below the dissociation limits 6s+6p _1/2 and 6s+6p_3/2 which are accessible by molecular photoassociation of cold Cs atoms. For the states O_u⁺ and O_g^-(6s+6p_3/2), we have performed trap-loss measurements, which are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations, performed in a perturbative approach. For the O_g^- and 1_u(6s+6p_3/2) states, we observe, after spontaneous decay of the electronically excited molecules, the formation of translationally cold molecules. A rate of formation of cold molecules of the order of ~10⁶ molecules per second is obtained in the case of the state O_g^$     

Discovery of new hexagonal supramolecular nanostructures formed by squalenoylation of an anticancer nucleoside analogue

In this study, the dynamically folded conformation of squalene (SQ) is taken advantage of to link this natural compound to the anticancer nucleoside analogue gemcitabine (gem) in order to achieve the spontaneous formation of nanoassemblies (SQgem) in water. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy examination reveals particles (104 nm) with a hexagonal or multifaceted shape that display an internal structure made of reticular planes, each particle being surrounded by an external shell. X-ray diffraction evidences the hexagonal molecular packing of SQgem, resulting from the stacking of direct or inverse cylinders. The respective volumes of the gem and SQ molecules as well as molecular modeling of SQgem suggest the stacking of inverse hexagonal phases, in which the central aqueous core, consisting of water and gem molecules, is surrounded by SQ moieties. These SQgem nanoassemblies also exhibit impressively greater anticancer activity than gem against a solid subcutaneously grafted tumor, following intravenous administration. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of hexagonal phase organization with a SQ derivative.     

Squalenoyl nanomedicines as potential therapeutics

Nucleoside analogues display significant anticancer or antiviral activity by interfering with DNA synthesis. However, there are some serious restrictions to their use, including their rapid metabolism and the induction of resistance. We have discovered that the linkage of nucleoside analogues to squalene leads to amphiphilic molecules that self-organize in water as nanoassemblies of 100-300 nm, irrespective of the nucleoside analogue used. The squalenoyl gemcitabine exhibited superior anticancer activity in vitro in human cancer cells and gemcitabine-resistant murine leukemia cells, and in vivo in experimental leukemia both after intravenous and oral administration. The squalenoylation of other antiretroviral nucleosides also led to more potent drugs when tested in primary cultures of HIV-infected lymphocytes. Thus, the squalenoylation is an original technology platform for generating more potent anticancer and antiviral nanomedicines.     

Effect of microcrystalline cellulose on characteristics of cassava starch-based bioplastic

ABSTRACT

The vast consumption of conventional plastics has a significant effect on the environment that encourages the utilization of natural resources as the raw materials to substitute the petroleum-based plastics. Poor mechanical and moisture barrier properties of starch-based bioplastics causing the development of modified starch-based bioplastics by incorporating reinforcing material. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a filler of thermoplastic starch shows strong reinforcing ability and high surface area besides its renewability, biodegradability, and affordability compared to nanocellulose. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MCC on the physical, mechanical, and biodegradability properties of starch-based bioplastic. Bioplastic was prepared by melt-mixing starch and glycerol (3:1, w/w) with MCC (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, w/w). Density and water contact angle of bioplastic increased with the increase of MCC concentration. Conversely, the moisture content decreased with the increase of MCC concentration. Mechanical properties evaluation showed that bioplastic with the addition of MCC had higher tensile strength than that without MCC where 20% MCC exhibited the highest tensile strength of 16.7 MPa with elongation of 1.31% and Young’s modulus of 1.5 GPa. In addition, the decomposition temperature of bioplastic with MCC slightly increased which indicated the higher stability. Cross-section micrograph after tensile test showed that the visible inhomogeneous starch granules decreased with the increase of MCC concentration. FTIR spectra exhibited that the intermolecular interaction in bioplastics occurred through C-H, C = O, C-O-C, C-O-H, and O-H groups. In addition, biodegradability tests of bioplastic showed that the growth of microbes increased in the presence of MCC and microbes covered the bioplastic more than 60% in 21 days. The results showed that MCC performed an important role to enhance the physical, mechanical, and biodegradability properties of starch-based bioplastic.     

Final report of a phase II study of chemotherapy with bleomycin, epirubicin, and cisplatin for locally advanced and metastatic/recurrent undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal type

PURPOSE: This article presents an assessment of the combination of bleomycin, epirubicin, and cisplatin as induction chemotherapy before radiotherapy in the treatment of undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal type in patients with recurrent/metastatic disease (group A), and in previously untreated patients with locoregionally advanced disease (UICC-AJCC 87, N2-3, M0) (group B) in terms of toxicity, antitumoral activity, and therapeutic efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1987 to September 1990, 111 consecutive patients with histologically proven UCNT were treated with six cycles of intravenous cisplatin (100 mg/m2 day 1) epirubicin (80 mg/m2 day 1), and bleomycin (15 mg bolus day 1), followed by 16 mg/m2/day continuous infusion for 5 days, repeated every 21 days for three cycles. Three further cycles without bleomycin were given to 44 patients in group A. In group B (67 patients), only three cycles of the same protocol were given, with a slightly lower dose of epirubicin (70 mg/m2), followed by conventional radiotherapy (70 Gy/7 weeks). RESULTS: Of 44 patients entered in group A, 38 were evaluable for response. We observed 9 (20%) complete responses and 11 (25%) partial responses, for a 45% overall response rate. In 12 patients not previously given chemotherapy, there were 4 complete responses, compared to 5 complete responses in 32 patients previously treated with chemotherapy. Four patients are alive with no evidence of disease after 53+, 60+, 61+, and 72+ months. In group B the overall response rate to chemotherapy was 98% with 42 complete (62%) and 24 partial responses (36%). Three months after the end of radiotherapy, the overall complete response rate was 94% (63 patients). After a median follow-up time of 77 months (range, 53-94), the 4-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates for this group are 66% and 60%, respectively. The median disease-free survival has not been reached at 90 months. CONCLUSION: The results of the BEC combination trial are very encouraging in metastatic and recurrrent UCNT, with durable remissions in this poor-prognosis population. The results in patients with locally advanced disease have motivated prospective phase III testing of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy approach to evaluate its impact on locoregionally advanced disease (> or =N2MO UICC-AJCC 87).     

IPTV QoS adaptation for multi-homed mobile terminals in a new IMS based architecture

With the emergence of multimedia applications that have real constraints, ensuring a satisfying quality of service to mobile users presents a big challenge in heterogeneous wireless networks. In such environment, the asymmetry of the available resources as well as user’s mobility can cause offered QoS degradation. In this paper, we propose the use of the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) within a QoS adaptive IPTV services in a novel IMS architecture. The multi-homing feature and the partial reliability extension allow improving the network performance and increasing the user satisfaction. In addition, we have proposed an mSCTP based mobility scheme to guarantee service continuity during handover to IPTV users over IMS. The handover decision includes Perceived QoS (PQoS) measurement reflecting the user satisfaction and Media Independent Handover (MIH) information. An analytical study of the time required to perform IPTV adaptation, show that our approach improves the performance by minimizing the delay and maximizing the user satisfaction.