Self-assembly of SbCl3 and 1,4-dioxane: cubic structure connected by very weak bonds.

The self-assembly of SbCl(3) and 1,4-dioxane in a 2:3 ratio leads to an interpenetrating extended cubic structure from X-ray crystallography. The structure is held together by very weak Sb-O bonds ( approximately 7 kcal/mol each), which still maintain strong directionality. Parameterization and subsequent simulation of the system using a reactive force field (ReaxFF) gives us insight into the key interactions necessary for self-assembly from a completely random configuration of molecules into the experimentally observed cubic structure.

Therapeutic vaccination with an interleukin-2-interferon-gamma-secreting allogeneic tumor vaccine in patients with progressive castration-resistant prostate cancer: a phase I/II trial.

Immunotherapy with whole cell cancer vaccines has been tested in various tumor types. This study investigated the safety profile and antitumor activity of an allogeneic prostate carcinoma cell line, LNCaP, expressing recombinant human interleukin-2 and human interferon-gamma. Thirty HLA-A*0201-matched patients with progressive, castration-resistant prostate cancer received four intradermal injections on days 1, 15, 29, and 92, and then every 90 days, as long as no tumor progression occurred.

The influence of retrograde reperfusion on the ischaemia-/reperfusion injury after liver transplantation in the rat.

Dysfunction of the graft after liver transplantation caused by ischaemia-/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious clinical problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different kinds of reperfusion on I/R injury in a rat model. Arterialized orthoptic rat liver treatment was performed on male LEWIS-(RT(1))-rats.

Neoadjuvant gene delivery of feline granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor using magnetofection for the treatment of feline fibrosarcomas: a phase I trial.

Despite aggressive pre- or postoperative treatment, feline fibrosarcomas have high recurrence rates. Immunostimulatory gene therapy is a promising approach in veterinary oncology. This phase I dose-escalation study was performed to determine toxicity and feasibility of gene therapy with feline granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (feGM-CSF) in cats with fibrosarcomas.

GDNF-transduced Schwann cell grafts enhance regeneration of erectile nerves.

Background: Schwann cell-seeded guidance tubes have been shown to promote cavernous nerve regeneration, and the local delivery of neurotrophic factors may additionally enhance nerve regenerative capacity. The present study evaluates whether the transplantation of GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cells may enhance regeneration of bilaterally transected erectile nerves in rats.

Methods: Silicon tubes seeded with either GDNF-overexpressing or GFP-expressing Schwann cells were implanted into the gaps between transected cavernous nerve endings.

Adjuvant immunotherapy of feline fibrosarcoma with recombinant feline interferon-omega.

Background: Recombinant feline interferon-omega (rFeIFN-omega) was tested as a treatment option for cats with fibrosarcoma to assess safety and feasibility.

Hypothesis: Treatment with rFeIFN-omega in cats with fibrosarcoma is safe and feasible.

Animals: Twenty domestic cats.

Vibrational behavior of the -NO2 group in energetic compounds.

The vibrational modes of the -NO2 group in more than fifty energetic compounds containing the C-nitro and N-nitro functionalities were observed and then calculated in optimized structures using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31+G*). The trends in the symmetric and asymmetric stretches and scissor and out-of-plane deformations were explained by these calculations. A previously unreported correlation was found between the nitro group internal bonding angle and its asymmetric stretching frequency.

In vivo analysis of retroviral gene transfer to chondrocytes within collagen scaffolds for the treatment of osteochondral defects.

To examine a retroviral gene transfer to chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo in tissue-engineered cell-collagen constructs articular chondrocytes from rabbits and humans were isolated and transduced with VSV.G pseudotyped murine leukemia virus-derived retroviral vectors. Viral supernatants were generated by transient transfection of 293T cells using the pBullet retroviral vector carrying the nlslacZ gene, a Moloney murine leukemia virus gag/pol plasmid and a VSV.

Successful treatment of acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau with sequential combination of calcipotriol and tacrolimus ointments.

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare type of pustular psoriasis affecting the digits. We report on a 43-year-old female patient who had been suffering from ACH for more than 20 years. Despite the fact that the disease was localized on one finger during the whole period, several topical and systemic treatments resulted in only temporary or partial improvement of the lesion.

Comparative study of three intramuscular anaesthetic combinations (medetomidine/ketamine, medetomidine/fentanyl/midazolam and xylazine/ketamine) in rabbits.

Objective: To compare the quality of surgical anaesthesia and cardiorespiratory effects of three intramuscular (IM) anaesthetic combinations in rabbits.

Study Design: Prospective randomized cross-over experimental study.

Animals: Nineteen adult female chinchilla mixed-bred rabbits weighing 3.

Titanium deposition after peri-implant care with the carbon dioxide laser.

Purpose: Titanium endosseous implants are becoming increasingly important in dentistry because of their excellent long-term results. However, it has been reported that these implants may lead to higher concentrations of titanium, especially in the lungs and kidneys. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine whether CO2 laser-assisted decontamination of exposed implant surfaces is associated with an increase in titanium release.

Focal encephalitis in the Lewis rat induced by intracerebral enterotoxin superantigen and amplified by activated intravenous splenocytes.

The histological response after intracerebral (IC) injection of superantigen (SAg) was investigated in unprimed Lewis rats. The staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) A (SEA), and E, but not B or saline, induced a variable perivascular inflammation in the injected hemisphere (6.7 +/- 6.