Interfacial memristors in Al–LaNiO3heterostructures

Self-assembled interfacial memristive systems in Al–LaNiO₃heterostructures.

Quantitative Study of Interface/Interphase in Epoxy/Graphene-Based Nanocomposites by Combining STEM and EELS

A quantitative study of the interphase and interface of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)/epoxy and graphene oxide (GO)/epoxy was carried out by combining scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). The interphase regions between GNPs and epoxy matrix were clearly identified by the discrepancy of the plasmon peak positions in the low energy-loss spectra due to different valence electron densities. The spectrum acquisitions were carried out along lines across the interface. An interphase thickness of 13 and 12.5 nm was measured for GNPs/epoxy and GO/epoxy, respectively. The density of the GNPs/epoxy interphase was 2.89% higher than that of the epoxy matrix. However, the density of the GO/epoxy interphase was 1.37% lower than that of the epoxy matrix. The interphase layer thickness measured in this work is in good agreement with the transition layer theory, which proposed an area with modulus linearly varying across a finite width. The results provide an insight into the interphase for carbon-based polymer composites that can help to design the functionalization of nanofillers to improve the composite properties.

Integrated assessment of emerging science and technologies as creating learning processes among assessment communities

Emerging science and technologies are often characterised by complexity, uncertainty and controversy. Regulation and governance of such scientific and technological developments needs to build on knowledge and evidence that reflect this complicated situation. This insight is sometimes formulated as a call for integrated assessment of emerging science and technologies, and such a call is analysed in this article. The article addresses two overall questions. The first is: to what extent are emerging science and technologies currently assessed in an integrated way. The second is: if there appears to be a need for further integration, what should such integration consist in? In the article we briefly outline the pedigree of the term 'integrated assessment' and present a number of interpretations of the concept that are useful for informing current analyses and discussions of integration in assessment. Based on four case studies of assessment of emerging science and technologies, studies of assessment traditions, literature analysis and dialogues with assessment professionals, currently under-developed integration dimensions are identified. It is suggested how these dimensions can be addressed in a practical approach to assessment where representatives of different assessment communities and stakeholders are involved. We call this approach the Trans Domain Technology Evaluation Process (TranSTEP).

The development of synthetic biology: a patent analysis

In the past decades, synthetic biology has gained interest regarding research and development efforts within the biotechnology domain. However, it is unclear to what extent synthetic biology has matured already into being commercially exploitable. By means of a patent analysis, this study shows that there is an increasing trend regarding synthetic biology related patent applications. The majority of retrieved patents relates to innovations facilitating the realisation of synthetic biology through improved understanding of biological systems. In addition, there is increased activity concerning the development of synthetic biology based applications. When looking at potential application areas, the majority of synthetic biology patents seems most relevant for the medical, energy and industrial sector. Furthermore, the analysis shows that most activity has been carried out by the USA, with Japan and a number of European countries considerably trailing behind. In addition, both universities and companies are major patent applicant actor types. The results presented here form a starting point for follow-up studies concerning the identification of drivers explaining the observed patent application trends in synthetic biology.

Shaping the science-industry-policy interface in synthetic biology

Current advances in the emerging field of synthetic biology and the improvements in key technologies promise great impacts, not only on future scientific development, but also on the economy. In this paper we will adopt the triple helix concept for analyzing the early stages of a new field of science and innovation, namely synthetic biology. Synthetic biology is based on the creation and assembly of parts in order to create new and more complex structures and functions. These features of synthetic biology raise questions related to standardization and intellectual property, but also to security and public perception issues that go beyond the classical biotechnology discussions. These issues concern all involved actors in the synthetic biology field and affect the interrelationship between science, industry and policy. Based on the results of the recently finished EU FP-6 funded project TESSY (http://www.tessy-europe.de), the article analyzes these issues. Additionally, it illustrates the setting of clear framework conditions for synthetic biology research and development and the identification and definition of common goals for the future development of the field which will be needed for efficient science–industry–policy interaction. It was shown that it will be crucial to develop approaches that consider the needs of science and industry, on the one hand, and comply with the expectations of society, on the other hand. As synthetic biology is a global activity, the involvement of national decision-makers in international initiatives will further stimulate the development of the field.

Successful treatment with voriconazole of Aspergillus brain abscess in a boy with medulloblastoma

Invasive aspergillosis is an increasing problem in immuno-incompetent patients after prolonged steroid therapy, cancer radio-chemotherapy, and bone marrow or solid organ transplantation. Cerebral aspergillosis is a well-described complication of the invasive aspergillosis but only in rare cases, the brain is the sole site of infection. Despite increasing availability of antifungal drugs, the prognosis of cerebral aspergillosis is poor. We report on an 11-year-old boy with medulloblastoma in the area of the fourth ventricle. Following tumor surgery and radio-chemotherapy, several abscess-like structures occurred in the operating field. After incomplete abscess, resection histology and culture confirmed a localized Aspergillus fumigatus infection. The initial treatment of the Aspergillus fumigatus infection with conventional amphotericin B failed, and treatment with the triazole voriconazole was started. Intravenous treatment with voriconazole resulted in a reduction of the Aspergillus fumigatus abscess. After switching to oral ambulatory therapy, the Aspergillus fumigatus abscess increased in size. To improve treatment, voriconazole dosage was adapted to reach drug concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) above the minimal fungicidal concentration and plasma specimens. During the concentration-controlled voriconazole therapy for a period of 18 months, a complete response was achieved.

Single-dose aprepitant vs ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a randomized, double-blind phase III trial in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

The neurokinin(1) antagonist aprepitant is effective for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. We compared aprepitant with ondansetron for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

METHODS

Nine hundred and twenty-two patients receiving general anaesthesia for major abdominal surgery were assigned to receive a single preoperative dose of oral aprepitant 40 mg, oral aprepitant 125 mg, or i.v. ondansetron 4 mg in a randomized, double-blind trial. Vomiting episodes, use of rescue therapy, and nausea severity (verbal rating scale) were documented for 48 h after surgery. Primary efficacy endpoints were complete response (no vomiting and no use of rescue therapy) 0-24 h after surgery and no vomiting 0-24 h after surgery. The secondary endpoint was no vomiting 0-48 h after surgery.

RESULTS

Aprepitant at both doses was non-inferior to ondansetron for complete response 0-24 h after surgery (64% for aprepitant 40 mg, 63% for aprepitant 125 mg, and 55% for ondansetron, lower bound of 1-sided 95% CI > 0.65), superior to ondansetron for no vomiting 0-24 h after surgery (84% for aprepitant 40 mg, 86% for aprepitant 125 mg, and 71% for ondansetron; P < 0.001), and superior for no vomiting 0-48 h after surgery (82% for aprepitant, 40 mg, 85% for aprepitant, 125 mg, and 66% for ondansetron; P < 0.001). The distribution of peak nausea scores was lower in both aprepitant groups vs ondansetron (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Aprepitant was non-inferior to ondansetron in achieving complete response for 24 h after surgery. Aprepitant was significantly more effective than ondansetron for preventing vomiting at 24 and 48 h after surgery, and in reducing nausea severity in the first 48 h after surgery. Aprepitant was generally well tolerated.

The biotech equipment and supplies sector in Europe-is it European?

Socio-economic research on biotechnology is dealing mainly with the sectors of biopharmaceuticals, agro-food or environmental technologies. In contrast, the equipment and supplies sector seems to be largely ignored. This is surprising because this sector provides important input in terms of technology and material for the development of biotechnology in general. Our comparative analysis of the sector in eight countries indicates that there exists no specific science base for the sector and that it is largely neglected by public research funding. Commercial activities are concentrated in countries with a large general science base in biotechnology and strong multinational pharmaceutical or chemical companies. There is a rather broad diversity in the way the sector has developed in the eight countries. Our data support the notion that national peculiarities seem dominant for explaining this picture. We anticipate growing business opportunities for European firms to step into large markets of equipment and supplies for functional genomics and protein analyses where Europe maintains a strong science base.

In vivo laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy of pig liver with a temperature-controlled diode laser and MRI correlation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of a new temperature-controlled Diode laser to generate in vivo tissue coagulations with laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) in pig liver and MRI-correlation of these necroses.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Each of four animal subjects received eight treatments at four different constant temperatures (70, 80, 90, and 100 degrees C) and at two out of three different intervals (3, 6, 9 minutes), resulting in a total of 32 lesions. After sacrificing, the liver was examined in an open MRI (0.35T). Tissue necrosis was measured macroscopically and compared with the size measured by MRI.

RESULTS

The size of the necrosis was energy dependent with the largest extent at 100 degrees C at 9 minutes (2.1 cm). The correlation between macroscopic lesion size and MRI findings was significant (P > 0.036). Histological workup excluded carbonization in every case.

CONCLUSIONS

LITT carried out with the Diode laser provides reproducible necroses of pig liver in vivo. MR-imaging results compared favorably with those obtained by pathologic specimens.

Drug discovery of the future: the implications of the human genome project

The elucidation of the 3.2-gigabase human genome will have various impacts on drug discovery. The number of drug targets will increase by at least one order of magnitude and target validation will become a high-throughput process. To benefit from these opportunities, a theory-based integration of the vast amount of new biological data into models of biological systems is called for. The skills and knowledge required for genome-based drug discovery of the future go beyond the traditional competencies of the pharmaceutical industry. Cooperation with biotechnology firms and research institutions during drug discovery and development will become even more important.

[Improved results in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia - Results of study AML-BFM-93 in East Germany with comparisons to the preceding studies AML-I-82 and AML-II-87]

BACKGROUND

Three multicenter studies were conducted in East Germany on the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia in children. The latest of the three studies (AML-BFM-93-OST) was part of the common German study AML-BFM-93.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The total number of registered patients was 262. The number and dosage of administered chemotherapeutic agents was elevated with each new study.

RESULTS

Both the remission rate (85 %) and the likelihood of an event free survival (52 % after 5 years) could be improved significantly in study AML-BFM-93-OST. The results of the common German study AML-BFM-93 were identical to those of the East German part AML-BFM-93-OST. Compared with international studies it was one of the most successful treatment strategies in children with AML. Patients who showed toxic side effects to heart, liver, kidneys, skin or nervous system during the chemotherapy had a significantly lower risk of relapse, once they overcame the intensive therapy. During the five years of study AML-BFM-93-OST, treatment results could be improved despite an unchanged therapy strategy. This may partly be due to the modernisations and restorations that were carried out in many East German hospitals in this time.

CONCLUSIONS

The therapy regimen of study AML-BFM-93 allowed a substantial improvement in the treatment of children with AML. Further intensification of chemotherapy should only be undertaken in accordance to the individual sensitivity of each patient.

The European biotechnology funding map

Biotechnology is an industry with very strong links to basic science. Therefore, the commercialisation of biotechnology draws heavily on public funded research. All European countries have developed policies to support biotechnology. This contribution gives an overview of public funding activities in all European member states during the 90s and identifies the biotechnology areas which received funding in the different countries. About 50% of all funds were channelled to biomedical research. Plant biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and the cell factory were other important targets of public funding. Other fields such as animal biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, and non-technical areas of biotechnology were largely ignored by public funding in most European countries. Future funding trends indicate that this pattern will be mainly preserved.

[Multiplication of chromosomes and primary leucocyte number in childhood ALL and hyperdiploid karyotype]

In the blast cells of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) more than 50 chromosomes can be observed in a quarter of cases. As a rule these children have a good prognosis. However, some of these patients develop a relapse of their basic disease. There is only poor information about the significance of distinct additional chromosomes for the prognosis. The white blood cell count (WBC) at the time of diagnosis is a further very important prognostic factor in childhood ALL. Therefore we compared the relation between trisomy of distinct chromosomes and the initial white blood cell count of 41 children with common ALL and hyperdiploid karyotype. The modal chromosome number ranged from 50 to 60 chromosomes. Most frequently, the chromosomes X, 4, 6, 8, 10, 17, 18 and 21 were multiplied. Additionally, in 25 of the 41 cases structural chromosome aberrations were observed. The average WBC was estimated as 9.6 Gpt/l with a range from 1.8 to 41.5 Gpt/l. The initial WBC was slightly increased in patients with the additional chromosome X, 6, 11, 12 or 19 and distinctly decreased in children with the additional chromosome 8 or 9 in their hyperdiploid blast cells. No patient with an additional Chromosome 9 showed a WBC higher than 10 Gpt/l and only 2 out of the 12 children with an additional chromosome 8 revealed an initial WBC higher than 10 Gpt/l. Additional structural chromosome aberrations were without influence on the WBC.

Single dose pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of MK-0476, a new leukotriene D4-receptor antagonist, in healthy volunteers

MK-4076 or sodium 1-(1(R)-(3-(2-(7-chloro-2-quinolinyl)-(E)- ethenyl)phenyl) 3-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)phenyl)propyl)thio)methyl) cycloproprane) acetate is a novel, potent, and specific LTD4-receptor antagonist. The safety, tolerability and plasma drug profiles of single oral doses of MK-0476 (capsules) were evaluated in 18 healthy male volunteers assigned to one of the two parallel 9-subject panels. Under fasting conditions, increasing single doses of 20 to 800 mg were administered in a first part of the study and in a second part, 200 mg MK-0476 was given either as a solution, under fasting conditions, or as capsules, after a standard breakfast. All volunteers completed the study. Side effects, reported by the investigator to be related to study drug, were mild and transient. No laboratory abnormalities were noted. In the evaluated dose range of MK-0476 (20 to 800 mg) the median value of tmax ranged from 2 to 4 h, while the apparent t1/2 value averaged 4 to 5 h. The median tmax value of the 200 mg capsule dose was not significantly different from the median tmax of the 200 mg oral solution dose indicating that neither disintegration nor dissolution is a rate-limiting step for the absorption of MK-0476 from capsules. There was a statistically significant increase in the AUC (geometric mean ratio of fed/fast was 2.52 with 95% confidence interval of 1.25, 5.06) and in Cmax (geometric mean ratio of fed/fast was 1.36 with 95% confidence interval of 0.60, 3.04) when MK-0476 was given together with a breakfast, suggesting an increase in bioavailability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Acute hepatotoxicity with intermediate-dose methotrexate in children with leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

In the period of 1.1.1988 to 1.5.1992 49 children, 28 boys and 21 girls, were treated with 219 MTX infusions. The acute hepatotoxicity was investigated from day--1 to day 5 of treatment duration. 30 patients suffered of a ALL, 6 of a relapse of a ALL, 3 of a ANLL and 10 of a NHL. We studied the MTX dosage and the infusion time. At all patients the determination of the activity of the liver enzymes ASAT, ALAT and GGTP in the serum took place according to the treatment protocol. The increase of enzymes activity correlated with the intensity and kind of hepatocellular damage. Partly the extreme increase of lesion parameters is not the expression of an irreversible cytonecrosis. Beside the ALAT also the GGPT is a sensitive predictor of hepatocellular lesion. The high enzyme activity before the MTX application is a indicator of a preexistent cell damage of the liver. The hepatotoxicity measured in the serum was highly correlated with the AUC.

Characterization of transcriptionally active DNA-protein complexes from chloroplasts and etioplasts of mustard (Sinapis alba L.)

DNA-protein complexes that are capable of RNA synthesis in vitro (transcriptionally active chromosomes) were isolated from both chloroplasts and etioplasts of mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings. Analyses of the polypeptide pattern of these complexes indicate that they comprise a specific subset of plastid proteins, distinct from the overall pattern of either the soluble or membrane-bound plastic proteins. DNA-protein complexes from the two plastid types have polypeptides in common. However, at least several polypeptides are highly enriched in either the chloroplast or the etioplast DNA-protein complex. The EcoRI restriction endonuclease fragments of the DNA associated with the complexes from either plastid type are the same. They are identical with the fragments obtained from highly purified chloroplast DNA. The transcriptional activity of the chloroplast complex is more than ten times higher than the activity of the etioplast complex. However, the complexes from either plastid type are capable of transcribing DNA regions containing genes for both the plastid rRNAs and for plastid proteins. In vitro transcripts were found to hybridize not only to DNA regions for mature in vivo RNA but also to adjacent regions, indicating synthesis of precursor RNA sequences by the transcriptionally active chromosomes.

Morphological effects of natural retinoids on human mammary carcinoma cell lines in monolayer culture

The morphological effects of treatment with the natural retinoids were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) utilizing both secondary electron imaging and backscatter electron imaging. Three human cell lines originally isolated from metastatic infiltrating adenocarcinomas of the breast and one cell line isolated from human milk were treated with various concentrations of retinol and retinoic acid. Growth inhibition curves showed that all three malignant cell lines were moderately to extremely sensitive to treatment with both retinoids. The nontumorigenic cell line, HBL-100, derived from human milk was only slightly or not affected by treatment. Morphological changes with retinoid treatment varied with the cell lines examined. Two tumorigenic cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and CaMa-15, showed alteration in cell shape. CaMa-15 and MCF-7 showed a loss in number of surface microvilli while MDA-MB-231 gained microvilli. HBL-100 cells exhibited an increased number of pits or lacunae on the cell surfaces with treatment. These findings suggest that treatment with retinoids does not result in uniform morphological changes and that the changes observed vary with the cell line examined.