Test of Electric Charge Conservation with Borexino

Borexino is a liquid scintillation detector located deep underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS, Italy). Thanks to the unmatched radio purity of the scintillator, and to the well understood detector response at low energy, a new limit on the stability of the electron for decay into a neutrino and a single monoenergetic photon was obtained. This new bound, τ≥6.6×10^{28}  yr at 90% C.L., is 2 orders of magnitude better than the previous limit.

Optimization of in vitro inhibition of HT-29 colon cancer cell cultures by Solanum tuberosum L. extracts

Secondary metabolites in potato have been reported to possess bioactive properties, including growth inhibition of cancer cells. Because potatoes are widely consumed globally, potential health benefits may have broad application. Thus we investigated growth inhibition of HT-29 colon cancer cell cultures by extracts from 13 diverse genetic breeding clones. Extracts from three pigmented selections (CO97226-2R/R, CO97216-1P/P, CO04058-3RW/RW) inhibited growth of in vitro HT-29 cell cultures more effectively than other clones tested. While inhibition was highest from pigmented selections and pigmented tuber tissue sectors, not all pigmented breeding lines tested had appreciable inhibitory properties. Thus, inhibition was not uniquely linked to pigmentation. Immature tubers had the highest inhibitory properties, and in most cases mature tubers retained very low inhibition properties. Flowers and skins inhibited strongly at lower extract concentrations. An extract consisting of 7.2 mg mL⁻¹ cell culture medium was the lowest effective concentration. While raw tuber extracts inhibited most effectively, a few clones at higher concentrations retained inhibition after cooking. Heated whole tubers retained higher inhibition than heated aqueous extracts. While all aqueous extracts from the two tuber selections (CO97216-1P/P and CO97226-2R/R) inhibited HT-29 cell cultures, inhibition was significantly enhanced in purple pigmented tubers of CO97216-1P/P prepared cryogenically as liquid nitrogen powders compared to extracts from freeze dried samples. Upregulation of caspase-3 protease activity, indicative of apoptosis, was highest among the most inhibitory clone samples. The unique sectorial red pigment expressing selection (CO04058-3RW/RW) provided a model system that isolated expression in pigmented sectors, and thus eliminated developmental, environmental and genetic confounding.

Methylated Ammonium and Hydrazinium Salts of 5,5′-Azotetrazolate

Salts of the 5,5′-azotetrazolate dianion with methylated ammonium and hydrazinium cations were prepared. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, vibrational (IR, Raman) and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 14N). The crystal structures of the di[ammonium], the bis[dimethylammonium] and the bis[trimethylhydrazinium] 5,5′-azo­ tetrazolate salts were determined. The thermal, shock and friction sensitivities of these com­ pounds were investigated and their explosion products were analysed.

New Hydrazinium Salts of 5,5'-Azotetrazolate

Salts of the 5,5′-azotetrazolate dianion with several different hydrazinium cations were pre­ pared. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman) and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 14 N). The crystal structures of the di-tert-butylhydrazinium, the ethylenedihydrazinium, the diguanidinium and the bis-triamino-guanidinium azotetrazolate were determined. The thermal, shock and friction sensitivities of all compounds were investigated and their explosion products were analysed. For the 5,5′-azotetr-azolate dianion the structure was calculated with density functional theory (B3-LYP). An NBO analysis was performed for the 5,5′-azotetrazolate dianion in order to understand the charge distribution of the dianion.

Design and properties of a cryogenic dip-stick scanning tunneling microscope with capacitive coarse approach control

We present the design, setup, and operation of a new dip-stick scanning tunneling microscope. Its special design allows measurements in the temperature range from 4.7 K up to room temperature, where cryogenic vacuum conditions are maintained during the measurement. The system fits into every (4)He vessel with a bore of 50 mm, e.g., a transport dewar or a magnet bath cryostat. The microscope is equipped with a cleaving mechanism for cleaving single crystals in the whole temperature range and under cryogenic vacuum conditions. For the tip approach, a capacitive automated coarse approach is implemented. We present test measurements on the charge density wave system 2H-NbSe2 and the superconductor LiFeAs which demonstrate scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy data acquisition with high stability, high spatial resolution at variable temperatures and in high magnetic fields.

Toxicological, toxicokinetic and gastroprotective evaluation of the benzaldehyde semicarbazone

Benzaldehyde semicarbazone (BS) has presented positive results in several pharmacological models, including anticonvulsivant and anti-inflammatory models. The present study evaluated the preclinical toxicity (acute and subchronic), as well as the toxicokinetic and gastroprotective effects of BS against ethanol lesions. Oral doses of 300 and 2000mg/kg were used in the preclinical acute toxicity study; 100, 200, and 300mg/kg were used in both the subchronic toxicity evaluation and the gastric study; and 300mg/kg was used in the toxicokinetic study. No impact from the dose of 300mg/kg could be identified; while, one animal died at 2000mg/kg in the acute toxicity test. In the subchronic toxicity test, changes in the biochemical parameters of the liver, as well as in the histopatological evaluation, demonstrated that BS is a hepatotoxic drug. BS proved to be effective for moderate and severe gastric lesions. In the toxicokinetics study, BS presented a low concentration and rapid plasma disappearance. Several results also indicate that BS is likely to be mostly eliminated from the liver and may well undergo a first-pass effect after oral absorption. It was impossible to estimate the noobserved-adverse-effect-levels (NOAEL) and lowest-observed-adverse-effect-levels (LOAEL) due to the presence of hepatotoxicity in all tested doses.

Novel renal replacement strategies for the elimination of serum free light chains in patients with kappa light chain nephropathy

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy with excessive production of monoclonal proteins. At disease presentation 30% of MM patients have significant renal impairment which may progress to renal failure requiring dialysis. Besides chemotherapy extracorporeal elimination procedures such as plasma exchange have been applied as adjuvant strategies to eliminate free light chains from circulating blood, however the efficacy was poor with older techniques. We report about a highly efficient method to eliminate serum free light chain (sFLC) using a newly designed protein leaking membrane in patients suffering from sFLC induced acute renal failure. The protein leaking membrane (HCO 1100) is characterized by increased pore size facilitating elimination of middle molecules such as sFLC kappa (22.5 kD). The HCO 1100 membrane was applied in a hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration mode and compared to standard procedures (high flux hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and plasma exchange). Hemodiafiltration with the protein leaking membrane HCO 1100 was superior to all other extracorporeal replacement strategies in eliminating sFLC-kappa from circulating blood. A median blood reduction rate of 40.8% (range 13.9% - 66.4%) was achieved during hemodiafiltration. The corresponding peak clearance rate was 25 ml/min. Importantly, the poorest elimination rate was achieved by plasma exchange followed by standard high flux hemodialysis. Extracorporeal elimination strategies with the protein leaking membrane HCO 1100 may be a promising adjuvant treatment strategy for patients with sFLC nephropathy requiring dialysis. Hemodiafiltration and to lesser extend also hemodialysis with the HCO 1100 hemofilter are able to eliminate substantial amounts of sFLC kappa in MM patients.

Insulin aspart has a shorter duration of action than human insulin over a wide dose-range

AIMS

Regular human insulin (RHI) at high doses shows prolongation of its duration of action potentially leading to late postprandial hypoglycaemia. This study compared late metabolic activity (4-12 and 6-12 h post-dosing) and duration of action (time to reach late half-maximal activity) over a range of doses between insulin aspart (IAsp) and RHI.

METHODS

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of subcutaneous IAsp and RHI (6, 12 and 24 (I)U) were compared in 16 healthy subjects in this double-blind, randomized, six-way crossover glucose clamp study.

RESULTS

With increasing doses of both insulins, metabolic activity, insulin exposure, maximum metabolic effect and maximum serum insulin concentration increased linearly. Late metabolic activity was lower for IAsp than RHI at all doses, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05) for 12 and 24 (I)U. Likewise, IAsp had a shorter duration of action at all doses (p < 0.01) and reached time to 80% of total metabolic activity earlier at doses of 12 and 24 (I)U (p < 0.05). IAsp, compared with RHI, showed a higher maximum metabolic effect at 12 and 24 (I)U (p < 0.0001) and a stronger early metabolic activity for all three doses (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IAsp showed a shorter duration of action and, particularly with doses of 12 and 24 (I)U, less late metabolic activity than RHI. These properties might contribute to the lower incidence of hypoglycaemia observed with IAsp versus RHI in clinical trials as lower late metabolic activity should decrease the risk of late postprandial hypoglycaemia.

[Once daily insulin detemir in patients with type 2 diabetes: results of German centers in a 6-month international observational study (SOLVE)]

BACKGROUND

Hypoglycemic risk and improved glycemic control have to be weightened when a decision on intensification of treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus with basal insulin is made. Findings from randomized studies are available in this respect, and should be complemented by data from routine treatment.

METHODS

The international, prospective, open-label, observational study SOLVE (Study of Once-Daily Levemir) investigated add-on treatment with basal insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus using once daily insulin detemir in patients currently receiving oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD). Data were collected between initiation of insulin treatment and the final visit after approximately 24 weeks. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of serious adverse drug reactions (SADR), including major hypoglycemic events.

RESULTS

In Germany, 2,090 patients were eligible for the full analysis set and 1,671 patients for the effectiveness analysis set. The mean age was 64.9 years, mean duration of diabetes 9.36 years, and mean duration of OAD treatment 7.29 years. Three patients (0.14%) experienced a SADR (1 fall resulting in death, 2 major hypoglycemic events). At the final visit, there was a significant reduction in major hypoglycemic events if compared with the period before starting insulin treatment (0.002 versus 0.120 events per patient year, p < 0.001), as were minor hypoglycemic events (0.880 versus 1.588 events per patient year, p = 0.006). The mean body weight and BMI decreased by -0.9 kg (p < 0.001) and-0.35 kg/m2 (p < 0.001) respectively and the mean HbA(1c) level improved from 8.45 +/- 1.19% to 7.30 +/- 0.92% (-1.15 +/- 1.08%; p < 0.001). The mean fasting plasma glucose level and plasma glucose variability were significantly reduced.

CONCLUSION

Baseline data of the study underline the need for earlier intensification of antidiabetic therapy in type 2 diabetes in Germany. Study results show that within the German diabetes care system, initiation of basal insulin therapy with insulin detemir is able to result in significant HbA(1c) improvements without increased risk of hypoglycemia and/or weight gain.