Comparison between autologous bone grafts and acrylic (PMMA) implants - A retrospective analysis of 286 cranioplasty procedures.

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is an accepted surgical technique for reducing life-threatening levels of intracranial pressure. Remodelling the cranial vault following DC can constitute a reconstructive challenge and is known to carry significant morbidity. The aim of our study was to evaluate acrylic versus autologous cranioplasty with regard to specific complication rates.

A mechanism for chromosome segregation sensing by the NoCut checkpoint.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae and HeLa cells, the NoCut checkpoint, which involves the chromosome passenger kinase Aurora B, delays the completion of cytokinesis in response to anaphase defects. However, how NoCut monitors anaphase progression has not been clear. Here, we show that retention of chromatin in the plane of cleavage is sufficient to trigger NoCut, provided that Aurora/Ipl1 localizes properly to the spindle midzone, and that the ADA histone acetyltransferase complex is intact.

Cytokinesis goes polo.

Temporal and spatial coordination of cytokinesis with chromosome segregation is key for successful cell division, but it is poorly understood. A recent article in Science by Pellman and coworkers (Yoshida et. al.

Resonant nano-cluster devices.

The resonance-enhanced absorption (REA) by metal clusters on a surface is an effective technique on which to base bio-optical devices. A four-layer device consisting of a metal mirror, a polymer or glass-type distance layer, a biomolecule interaction layer and a sub-monolayer of biorecognitively bound metal nano-clusters is reported. Experiments indicate a strong influence of the resonator homogeneity on the absorption maximum.

Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity of trifunctional dinuclear platinum complexes: comparison of effects of geometry and polyfunctionality on biological activity.

The synthesis of two new isomeric trifunctional dinuclear platinum complexes of formula [¿PtCl(NH(3))(2)¿micro-NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)-¿PtCl(2)(N H(3))¿](+) (1, 2/c,c and 1,2/t,c) is reported. Their biological activity in selected human tumor cell lines sensitive and resistant to CDDP (cisplatin, cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)Cl(2)]) is described and compared with the profile for their bifunctional analogues, [¿cis/trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)¿(2)micro-NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)](2+ ). The trifunctional dinuclear platinum complexes showed a unique profile of cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, with low resistance factors in A2780, CH1, and 41M cell lines.

Multinuclear metal nucleobase complexes.

Of all properties of metal nucleobase complexes, formation of multinuclear species appears to be an outstanding feature. After a brief introduction into well known polymeric metal nucleobase complexes, three aspects recently Studied in our laboratory will be dealt with in more detail: (i) Heteronuclear complexes derived from trans-[(amine)(2)Pt(1-MeC)(2)](2+) (1-MeC=1-methylcytosine). They form, e.