Targeted therapies in colorectal cancer: an integrative view by PPPM

In developed countries, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy, but it is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death. Clinicians are still faced with numerous challenges in the treatment of this disease, and future approaches which target the molecular features of the disorder will be critical for success in this disease setting. Genetic analyses of many solid tumours have shown that up to 100 protein-encoding genes are mutated. Within CRC, numerous genetic alterations have been identified in a number of pathways. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathology of CRC may present information on potential routes for treatment and may also provide valuable prognostic information. This will be particularly pertinent for molecularly targeted treatments, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies and anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody therapy. KRAS and BRAF mutations have been shown to predict response to anti-EGFR therapy. As EGFR can also signal via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) kinase pathway, there is considerable interest in the potential roles of members of this pathway (such as PI3K and PTEN) in predicting treatment response. Therefore, a combined approach of new techniques that allow identification of these biomarkers alongside interdisciplinary approaches to the treatment of advanced CRC will aid in the treatment decision-making process and may also serve to guide future therapeutic approaches

The nature of chemisorbates formed from ammonia on gold and palladium electrodes as discerned from surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The chemisorbates formed from ammonia-containing alkaline electrolyte on gold and palladium electrodes have been identified using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). On gold, a potential-dependent band at ca. 365-385 cm(-1) is observed, consistent with the metal-nitrogen stretch for molecular adsorbed ammonia on the basis of the frequency redshift observed upon deuteration. A similar feature is also observed on palladium. at 440-455 cm(-1). again consistent with chemisorbed ammonia on the basis of the HID shift. On palladium. but not on gold, however. transfer of the electrode to ammonia-free electrolyte yielded a vibrational band at 455- 465 cm(-1). The near-zero H/D frequency shift obtained for this irreversibly adsorbed component indicates the formation of chemisorbed atomic nitrogen on palladium. This finding is discussed in terms of the mechanism for ammonia electro- oxidation

Measuring how risk tradeoffs adjust with income

Value of a statistical life, Risk aversion, Consumption commitment, Labor supply, Q51, D01, J26,

Electrocatalytic and SERS activity of Pt rich Pt-Pb nanostructures formed via the utilisation of in-situ underpotential deposition of lead

The controlled synthesis of nanostructured materials remains an ongoing area of research, especially as the size, shape and composition of nanomaterials can greatly influence their properties and applications. In this work we present the electrodeposition of highly dendritic platinum rich platinum-lead nanostructures, where lead acetate acts as an inorganic shape directing agent via underpotential deposition on the growing electrodeposit. It was found that these nanomaterials readily oxidise at potentials below monolayer oxide formation, which significantly impacts on the methanol electrooxidation reaction and correlates with the incipient hydrous oxide adatom mediator (IHOAM) model of electrocatalysis. Additionally these materials were tested for their surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, where the high density of sharp tips provides promise for their application as SERS substrates