Do solitary pancreatic metastases of renal-cell carcinoma indicate an indolent disease with a strong indication for aggressive local treatment? A case report with literature review

Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) most often metastasizes to the lungs, liver, and brain. Metastases of RCC to the pancreas are very rare. In the last decade, only a few cases of metachronous metastasis of kidney cancer to the pancreas have been reported in the literature. This article presents a case report of a 75-year-old female patient with a 16-year history of treatment of clear-cell carcinoma of the kidney, in whom pancreatic metastases were detected twice. Renal-cell carcinoma may have an indolent course with late relapse or may show dissemination. It is important to establish new recommendations for long-term follow-up in patients after radical treatment

Solid state interconversion of cages and coordination networks via conformational change of a semi-rigid ligand

The reaction of silver(I) perchlorate with the semi-rigid ligand 1,4-bis((3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)methyl) benzene (bisox) in methanol gives a triply-interpenetrated sheet structure, but a structure containing both interpenetrated sheets and Ag-2(bisox)(3) cages is formed on recrystallisation from acetonitrile-diethyl ether. Rearrangement of the cages into sheets occurs on heating under vacuum, a process which involves a solid state change in conformation of the bisox ligands

Effect of Long-Term Zinc Pollution on Soil Microbial Community Resistance to Repeated Contamination

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of stress (contamination trials) on the microorganisms in zinc-polluted soil (5,018 mg Zn kg−1 soil dry weight) and unpolluted soil (141 mg Zn kg−1 soil dw), measured as soil respiration rate. In the laboratory, soils were subjected to copper contamination (0, 500, 1,500 and 4,500 mg kg−1 soil dw), and then a bactericide (oxytetracycline) combined with a fungicide (captan) along with glucose (10 mg g−1 soil dw each) were added. There was a highly significant effect of soil type, copper treatment and oxytetracycline/captan treatment. The initial respiration rate of chronically zinc-polluted soil was higher than that of unpolluted soil, but in the copper treatment it showed a greater decline. Microorganisms in copper-treated soil were more susceptible to oxytetracycline/captan contamination. After the successive soil contamination trials the decline of soil respiration was greater in zinc-polluted soil than in unpolluted soil

Polymer nanofilms with enhanced microporosity by interfacial polymerization

Highly permeable and selective membranes are desirable for energy-efficient gas and liquid separations. Microporous organic polymers have attracted significant attention in this respect owing to their high porosity, permeability, and molecular selectivity. However, it remains challenging to fabricate selective polymer membranes with controlled microporosity which are stable in solvents. Here we report a new approach to designing crosslinked, rigid polymer nanofilms with enhanced microporosity by manipulating the molecular structure. Ultra-thin polyarylate nanofilms with thickness down to 20 nm were formed in-situ by interfacial polymerisation. Enhanced microporosity and higher interconnectivity of intermolecular network voids, as rationalised by molecular simulations, are achieved by utilising contorted monomers for the interfacial polymerisation. Composite membranes comprising polyarylate nanofilms with enhanced microporosity fabricated in-situ on crosslinked polyimide ultrafiltration membranes show outstanding separation performance in organic solvents, with up to two orders of magnitude higher solvent permeance than membranes fabricated with nanofilms made from noncontorted planar monomers

A review of the current treatment methods for posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus of infants

Posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a major problem for premature infants, generally requiring lifelong care. It results from small blood clots inducing scarring within CSF channels impeding CSF circulation. Transforming growth factor – beta is released into CSF and cytokines stimulate deposition of extracellular matrix proteins which potentially obstruct CSF pathways. Prolonged raised pressures and free radical damage incur poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. The most common treatment involves permanent ventricular shunting with all its risks and consequences

Molecular cloning and sequencing of partial cDNA of tumor necrosis factor and p75 tumor necrosis factor receptor of Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with the use of universal primers.

In this study we cloned and analysed partial cDNA of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and p75 TNF-R receptor of Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). We obtained a 382-bp sequence of TNF and a 148-bp sequence coding for p75 TNF-R. The primers used for the cloning were designed on the basis of inter-species homology, thus presumably can be used for cloning and analysis of TNF and p75 TNF-R genes of other mammals

Molecular cloning and sequencing of partial cDNA of tumor necrosis factor and p75 tumor necrosis factor receptor of Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with the use of universal primers.

In this study we cloned and analysed partial cDNA of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and p75 TNF-R receptor of Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). We obtained a 382-bp sequence of TNF and a 148-bp sequence coding for p75 TNF-R. The primers used for the cloning were designed on the basis of inter-species homology, thus presumably can be used for cloning and analysis of TNF and p75 TNF-R genes of other mammals