β-diketonate versus β-ketoiminate:the importance of a ferrocenyl moiety on improving the anticancer potency

Herein we present a library of fully characterized beta-diketonate and beta-ketoiminate compounds that are functionalized with a ferrocenyl moiety. Their cytotoxic potential has been determined by screening against human breast adenocarcinomas (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), human colorectal carcinoma p53 wild type (HCT116 p53(+/+)) and normal human prostate (PNT2) cell lines. The ferrocenyl beta-diketonate compounds are more than 18 times more cytotoxic than the ferrocenyl beta-ketoiminate analogues. Against MCF-7, compounds functionalized at the meta position are up to nine times more cytotoxic than when functionalized at the para position. The ferrocenyl beta-diketonate compounds have increased selectivity towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, with several complexes having selectivity index (SI) values that are more than nine times (MCF-7) and more than six times (MDA-MB-231) that of carboplatin. The stability of these compounds in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) has been assessed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry studies, and the compounds show no oxidation of the iron center from Fe-II to Fe-III. Cytotoxicity screening was performed in both DMSO and DMF, with no significant differences observedin their potency

An Examination Of Differences Between Low- And Average-Achieving Middle Readers On A Set Of Informal Reading Measures

This study examined reading-related differences between 82 low- and average-performing middle school students across a battery of informal reading measures. The study also explored reading-related differences within the low-performing group of students (n = 52). Lastly, the study sought to develop a shortened informal reading assessment that would yield diagnostic information to inform placement and instructional decisions for older struggling readers. Results showed that there were clear reading-related differences between the two groups of students, specifically in the area of print processing. In addition, an analysis of the low-performing group revealed that they were a heterogeneous lot with various reading strengths and weaknesses. The most remarkable differences in the low group were found to be in the area of reading rate. Finally, a shortened informal reading inventory was developed in order to aid middle school teachers in efficiently collecting information about the needs of their struggling readers. The major findings in the study validated past research showing that many older readers still struggle with poor print-processing skills that can inhibit their ability to read and comprehend grade-level materials. The shortened passage-reading assessment may prove helpful to teachers in assessing and intervening on behalf of older struggling readers

Perceived community environment and physical activity involvement in a northern-rural Aboriginal community

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Accountancy and academic/professional inter-dependency (or mutual exclusivity?)

This paper is a report on an Accounting Education Symposium held during the 2009 Annual Congress of the EAA in Tampere, Finland. This was the fourth occasion on which there has been an Accounting Education Symposium (or similar) within an EAA Annual Congress. Previous events were as follows: 2005 (Gotenburg, Sweden) EAA Accounting Educators\u27 Forum 2006 (Dublin, Ireland) \u27Universities and Professional Bodies: Complementary or Colliding Roles in Educating and Training Future Accounting Practitioners?\u27 (sponsored by the Irish Accountancy Educational Trust) 2008 (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) \u27Accounting Education: The Common Content Project\u27 (sponsored by Royal NIVRA). <br /

Comparative absorption of curcumin formulations

BACKGROUND: The potential health benefits of curcumin are limited by its poor solubility, low absorption from the gut, rapid metabolism and rapid systemic elimination. The purpose of this study was the comparative measurement of the increases in levels of curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin) and the metabolite tetrahydrocurcumin after oral administration of three different curcumin formulations in comparison to unformulated standard. METHODS: The relative absorption of a curcumin phytosome formulation (CP), a formulation with volatile oils of turmeric rhizome (CTR) and a formulation of curcumin with a combination of hydrophilic carrier, cellulosic derivatives and natural antioxidants (CHC) in comparison to a standardized curcumin mixture (CS) was investigated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover human study in healthy volunteers. Samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. RESULTS: Total curcuminoids appearance in the blood was 1.3-fold higher for CTR and 7.9-fold higher for CP in comparison to unformulated CS. CHC showed a 45.9-fold higher absorption over CS and significantly improved absorption over CP (5.8-fold) and CTR (34.9-fold, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A formulation of curcumin with a combination of hydrophilic carrier, cellulosic derivatives and natural antioxidants significantly increases curcuminoid appearance in the blood in comparison to unformulated standard curcumin CS, CTR and CP

End-of-life experiences of mothers with advanced cancer: perspectives of widowed fathers

Despite the importance of parenting-related responsibilities for adult patients with terminal illnesses who have dependent children, little is known about the psychological concerns of dying parents and their families at the end of life (EOL). The aim of this study was to elicit widowed fathers’ perspectives on how parental status may have influenced the EOL experiences of mothers with advanced cancer