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Two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb lattices beyond graphene, such as germanene, appear very promising due to their outstanding electronic properties, such as the quantum spin Hall effects. While there have been many claims of germanene monolayers up to now, no experimental evidence of a honeycomb structure has been provided up to now for these grown monolayers. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD), and density functional theory, we have elucidated the Ge-induced (109×109)R±24.5°reconstruction on Ag(111). We demonstrate that a powerful algorithm combining SXRD with STM allows us to solve a giant surface reconstruction with more than a hundred atoms per unit cell. Its extensive unit cell indeed consists of 98 2-fold or 3-fold coordinated Ge atoms, forming a periodic arrangement of pentagons, hexagons, and heptagons, with the inclusion of six dispersed Ag atoms. By analogy, we show that the (77×77)R±19.1°reconstruction obtained by segregation of Ge through an epitaxial Ag/Ge(111) film possesses a similar structure, i.e., Ge pentagons/hexagons/heptagons with a few Ag atoms. Such an organization is more stable than that of pure Ge monolayers and can be assigned to the ground state of epitaxial germanene.

Steel is the most commonly manufactured material in the world. Its performances can be improved by hot-dip coating with the low weight aluminum metal. The structure of the Al∥Fe interface, which is known to contain a buffer layer made of complex intermetallic compounds such as Al5Fe2and Al13Fe4, is crucial for the properties. On the basis of surface X-ray diffraction, combined with theoretical calculations, we derive in this work a consistent model at the atomic scale for the complex Al13Fe4(010)∥Al5Fe2(001) interface. The epitaxial relationships are found to be [130]Al5Fe2∥[010]Al13Fe4and [1 1̅0]Al5Fe2∥[100]Al13Fe4. Interfacial and constrained energies, as well as works of adhesion, calculated for several structural models based on density functional theory, identify the lattice mismatch and the interfacial chemical composition as main factors for the stability of the interface. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest a mechanism of Al diffusion to explain the formation of the complex Al13Fe4and Al5Fe2phases at the Al∥Fe interface.

Ohmic or Schottky contacts in micro- and nanoelectronic devices are formed by metal–semiconductor bilayer systems, based on elemental metals or thermally more stable metallic compounds (germanides, silicides). The control of their electronic properties remains challenging as their structure formation is not yet fully understood. We have studied the phase and microstructure evolution during sputter deposition and postgrowth annealing of Pd/a-Ge bilayer systems with different Pd/Ge ratios (Pd:Ge, 2Pd:Ge, and 4Pd:Ge). The room-temperature deposition of up to 30 nm Pd was monitored by simultaneous, in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, and optical stress measurements. With this portfolio of complementary real-time methods, we could identify the microstructural origins of the resistivity evolution during contact formation: Real-time X-ray diffraction measurements indicate a coherent, epitaxial growth of Pd(111) on the individual crystallites of the initially forming, polycrystalline Pd2Ge[111] layer. The crystallization of the Pd2Ge interfacial layer causes a characteristic change in the real-time wafer curvature (tensile peak), and a significant drop of the resistivity after 1.5 nm Pd deposition. In addition, we could confirm the isostructural interface formation of Pd/a-Ge and Pd/a-Si. Subtle differences between both interfaces originate from the lattice mismatch at the interface between compound and metal. The solid-state reaction during subsequent annealing was studied by real-time X-ray diffraction and complementary UHV surface analysis. We could establish the link between phase and microstructure formation during deposition and annealing-induced solid-state reaction: The thermally induced reaction between Pd and a-Ge proceeds via diffusion-controlled growth of the Pd2Ge seed crystallites. The second-phase (PdGe) formation is nucleation-controlled and takes place only when a sufficient Ge reservoir exists. The real-time access to structure and electronic properties on the nanoscale opens new paths for the knowledge-based formation of ultrathin metal/semiconductor contacts.

Bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) are frontrunners in various fields including heterogeneous catalysis, medicinal applications, and medical imaging. Tailoring their properties requires adequate control over their structure and composition, which still presents a non-trivial endeavor. We present a flexible strategy to deposit phase-controlled BMNPs by vapor-phase “titration” of a secondary metal to a pre-deposited monometallic nanoparticle (NP) host. The strategy is exemplified for archetypal Pt–Sn BMNPs but transferrable to other BMNPs which alloy noble and non-noble metals. When exposing Pt NPs on a SiO2support to discrete TDMASn (tetrakis(dimethylamino)tin) vapor pulses from 150 to 300 °C, TDMASn selectively decomposes on Pt NPs. This leads to saturated infiltration of Sn into Pt NPs through reactive solid-state diffusion, resulting in the formation of Pt–Sn BMNPs with phase/composition control via the substrate temperature. An additional H2pulse after each TDMASn pulse removes the surface ligands and excess Sn on the surface as SnH4, preserving the small sizes of the pre-deposited Pt NPs. This approach provides a single-step, selective “vapor-phase conversion” of Pt NPs into PtxSnyBMNPs with great potential for catalysis. Hereto, a proof of concept is provided by converting wet impregnated Pt NPs into Pt–Sn BMNPs on high surface area supports.

AimsThis study aimed to identify any microscopic features associated with abnormal (membranous/velamentous or marginal) placental cord insertions and to analyse their adverse neonatal outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed the records—including pathological findings, clinical information and pregnancy outcomes—for 1060 singleton pregnancies, involving newborn delivered after 24 weeks of gestation.ResultsMarginal cord insertions were identified in 26.60% of cases and membranous cord insertions in 2.64%. Subchorionic vessel thrombus was more prevalent in marginal or membranous insertions (0.97%) than in normal cord insertions (0.27%) (p=0.129). Intervillous thrombi (13.73% vs 8.41%, p<0.05) and chorioamnionitis (8.53% vs 5.48%, p=0.089) were more prevalent in normal cord insertions. Premature rupture of membranes was significantly more commonly associated with abnormal (marginal 15.25% and membranous 17.86%) than with normal (9.87%) insertions (p<0.05). Pre-eclampsia was more common in the group with membranous cord insertions (7.14%) than in the other groups (marginal 0.35%; normal 0.80%) (p<0.05). Marginal and membranous placental cord insertions were associated with earlier gestational age at delivery and smaller fetuses than in the group with normal insertions. Intrauterine fetal demise, cardiac malformations and pregestational diabetes were also more common among cases of abnormal cord insertions.ConclusionsSubchorionic vessel thrombus and adverse pregnancy-related outcomes were more prevalent in cases of marginal/membranous cord insertion than for normal insertions.

The ammonia oxidation reaction over a PtRh binary alloy has been studied with a surface science approach by operando techniques such as near-ambient pressure X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) and surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD) combined with mass spectrometry. The article will explore the surface evolution across five different oxygen to ammonia ratios in the millibar regime for two different temperatures. The presented data set allows us to link variations in the atomic structures measured by diffraction methods and surface species information from NAP-XPS to reaction products in the gas phase. We will show that NO production coincides with significant changes of the surface structure and the formation of a RhO2surface oxide. It was also observed that the RhO2surface oxide only fully forms when the nitrogen signal in the N1s has disappeared.

A few low-order approximants to decagonal quasicrystals have been shown to provide excellent activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes. It is the case for the Al13Co4compound, for which the catalytic properties of the pseudo-2-fold orientation have been revealed to be among the best. A combination of surface science studies, including surface X-ray diffraction, and calculations based on density functional theory is used here to derive an atomistic model for the pseudo-2-fold o-Al13Co4surface, whose faceted and columnar structure is found very similar to the one of the 2-fold surface of the d-Al–Ni-Co quasicrystal. Facets substantially stabilize the system, with energies in the range 1.19–1.31 J/m2, i.e., much smaller than the ones of the pseudo-10-fold (1.49–1.68 J/m2) and pseudo-2-fold (1.66 J/m2) surfaces. Faceting is also a main factor at the origin of the Al13Co4catalytic performances, as illustrated by the comparison of the pseudo-10-fold, pseudo-2-fold and facet potential energy maps for hydrogen adsorption. This work gives insights toward the design of complex intermetallic catalysts through surface nanostructuration for optimized catalytic performances.

In this Letter, we show how advanced hierarchical structures of topological defects in the so-called smectic oily streaks can be used to sequentially transfer their geometrical features to gold nanospheres. We use two kinds of topological defects, 1D dislocations and 2D ribbon-like topological defects. The large trapping efficiency of the smectic dislocation cores not only surpasses that of the elastically distorted zones around the cores but also surpasses the one of the 2D ribbon-like topological defect. This enables the formation of a large number of aligned NP chains within the dislocation cores that can be quasi-fully filled without any significant aggregation outside of the cores. When the NP concentration is large enough to entirely fill the dislocation cores, the LC confinement varies from 1D to 2D. We demonstrate that the 2D topological defect cores induce a confinement that leads to planar hexagonal networks of NPs. We then draw the phase diagram driven by NP concentration, associated with the sequential confinements induced by these two kinds of topological defects. Owing to the excellent large-scale order of these defect cores, not only the NP chains but also the NP hexagonal networks can be oriented along the desired direction, suggesting a possible new route for the creation of either 1D or 2D highly anisotropic NP networks. In addition, these results open rich perspectives based on the possible creation of coexisting NP assemblies of different kinds, localized in different confining areas of a same smectic film that would thus interact thanks to their proximity but also would interact via the surrounding soft matter matrix.

Replacing noble metal catalysts with inexpensive, environmentally harmless, active, selective, and stable substitutes is a great challenge for the chemical industry. In this paper, the noble metal-free Al5Co2(21̅0) complex intermetallic surface is experimentally identified as active and selective for the semihydrogenation of butadiene. The catalyst surface structure and chemical composition are determined by experimental techniques—surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and scanning tunneling microscopy—combined with ab initio calculations. Theoretical investigations of the adsorption properties under reaction conditions demonstrate that the surface Co atomic density drastically impacts the thermodynamic feasibility of the hydrogenation reaction, and they provide information on the reaction mechanism. This work offers insights into the rational design of Al-based catalysts for hydrocarbon hydrogenation reactions.

In the quest for thinner and more efficient ferroelectric devices, Hf0.5Zr0.5O2(HZO) has emerged as a potential ultrathin and lead-free ferroelectric material. Indeed, when deposited on a TiN electrode, 1–25 nm thick HZO exhibits excellent ferroelectricity capability, allowing the prospective miniaturization of capacitors and transistor devices. To investigate the origin of ferroelectricity in HZO thin films, we conducted a far-infrared (FIR) spectroscopic study on 5 HZO films with thicknesses ranging from 10 to 52 nm, both within and out of the ferroelectric thickness range where ferroelectric properties are observed. Based on X-ray diffraction, these HZO films are estimated to contain various proportions of monoclinic (m-), tetragonal (t-), and polar orthorhombic (polar o-) phases, while only the 11, 17, and 21 nm thick are expected to include a higher amount of polar o-phase. We coupled the HZO infrared measurements with DFT simulations for these m-, t-, and polar o-crystallographic structures. The approach used was based on the supercell method, which combines all possible Hf/Zr mixed atomic sites in the solid solution. The excellent agreement between measured and simulated spectra allows assigning most bands and provides infrared signatures for the various HZO structures, including the polar orthorhombic form. Beyond pure assignment of bands, the DFT IR spectra averaging using a mix of different compositions (e.g., 70% polar o-phase +30% m-phase) of HZO DFT crystal phases allows quantification of the percentage of different structures inside the different HZO film thicknesses. Regarding the experimental data analysis, we used the spectroscopic data to perform a Kramers–Kronig constrained variational fit to extract the optical functions of the films using a Drude–Lorentz-based model. We found that the ferroelectric films could be described using a set of about 7 oscillators, which results in static dielectric constants in good agreement with theoretical values and previously reported ones for HfO2-doped ferroelectric films.

Pt-doped semiconducting metal oxides and Pt metal clusters embedded in an oxide matrix are of interest for applications such as catalysis and gas sensing, energy storage, and memory devices. Accurate tuning of the dopant level is crucial for adjusting the properties of these materials. Here, a novel atomic layer deposition (ALD)-based method for doping Pt into In2O3specifically, and metals in metal oxides in general, is demonstrated. This approach combines alternating exposures of Pt and In2O3ALD processes in a single “supercycle” followed by supercycle repetition leading to multilayered nanocomposites. The atomic-level control of ALD and its conformal nature make the method suitable for accurate dopant control even on high-surface-area supports. The oxidation state, local structural environment, and crystalline phase of the embedded Pt dopants were obtained by means of X-ray characterization methods and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. In addition, this approach allows characterization of the nucleation stages of metal ALD processes by stacking those states multiple times in an oxide matrix. Regardless of experimental conditions, a few Pt ALD cycles lead to the formation of oxidized Pt species due to their highly dispersed nature, as proven by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, show that Pt is evenly distributed in the In2O3matrix without the formation of clusters. For a larger number of Pt ALD cycles, typically >10, the oxidation state gradually evolves toward fully metallic, and metallic Pt clusters are obtained within the In2O3matrix. This work reveals how tuning of the ALD supercycle approach for Pt doping allows controlled engineering of the Pt compositional and structural configurations within a metal oxide matrix.

Synchrotron experiments combining real-time stress, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray reflectivity measurements, complemented by in situ electron diffraction and photon electron spectroscopy measurements, revealed a detailed picture of the interfacial silicide formation during deposition of ultrathin Pd layers on amorphous silicon. Initially, an amorphous Pd2Si interlayer is formed. At a critical thickness of 2.3 nm, this layer crystallizes and the resulting volume reduction leads to a tensile stress buildup. The [111] textured Pd2Si layer continues to grow up to a thickness of ≈3.7 nm and is subsequently covered by a Pd layer with [111] texture. The tensile stress relaxes already during Pd2Si growth. A comparison between the texture formation on SiOxand a-Si shows that the silicide layer serves as a template for the Pd layer, resulting in a surprisingly narrow texture of only 3° after 800 s Pd deposition. The texture formation of Pd and Pd2Si can be explained by the low lattice mismatch between Pd(111) and Pd2Si(111). The combined experimental results indicate a similar interface formation mechanism for Pd on a-Si and c-Si, whereas the resulting silicide texture depends on the Si surface. A new strain relaxation mechanism via grain boundary diffusion is proposed, taking into account the influence of the thickness-dependent crystallization on the material transport through the silicide layer. In combination with the small lattice mismatch, the grain boundary diffusion facilitates the growth of Pd clusters, explaining thus the well-defined thickness of the interfacial silicide layer, which limits the miniaturization of self-organized silicide layers for microelectronic devices.

The first photons delivered by the third generation synchrotron source SOLEIL will be soon available for the scientific community. In this context, this paper presents an overview of the potentialities offered by this new machine for the study of materials. The outstanding brilliance of the SOLEIL source will enable to reduce by several orders of magnitude the data collection time for most of the synchrotron techniques (X-ray absorptionspectroscopy - EXAFS, wide and small angle X-ray scattering - WAXS and SAXS, X-ray diffraction - XRD, photoelectron spectroscopy and microscopy-XPS and PEEM, etc.) thus allowing an operando approach of catalysis processes. The spatial resolution, from a few micrometers to sub micrometer scale, accessible by microdiffraction and microspectroscopy in the wavelength range from the far IR to the hard X-rays, will provide spatial distributions of different elements (atomic and chemical state selectivity) in a material, from the working heterogeneous catalyst to the reservoir rocks. The reactivity of surfaces and nanoparticles exposed to controlled gas fluxes will be studied by several in situ techniques. Finally the combination of different synchrotron techniques (diffraction, absorption and fluorescence X) and the access to complementary information obtained through the simultaneous combination of these techniques with those routinely applied in Materials Science, such as UV-Vis or Raman spectroscopy, will offer enlarged capabilities for the operando characterization of materials.

The strong impact of humidity over the performances of gold colloidal nanoparticle (NP)-based resistive strain gauges is quantified and investigated by coupling electro-mechanical and in situ small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. When the relative humidity increases from 0% to 60%, the electrical resistance at rest of the NP-based sensors increases by 40%, and their sensitivity increases by 50%. This is accompanied by a rise of about 1% to 2% in the center-to-center distance between neighboring NPs and by an increase of the compactness of the NP assembly, possible evidence of a reorganization of the NPs. An encapsulation solution, based on alternating polymer and alumina layers, stabilizes the performances of the NP-based strain gauges for strains up to 0.4%. This approach could be extended to other flexible NP-based devices.

Aim To assess patient perception toward oral chemotherapy for solid tumors, the Italian Association of Medical Oncology performed a large multi-institutional national survey.Methods A 17-item anonymous questionnaire including 7 general and 10 investigational questions with free-text, single-choice, or multiple-choice answers was administered. Analysis of response distribution according to predefined factors was described by summary measures and conducted by χ2test and other nonparametric tests.Results From January to June 2010, 581 patients completed the questionnaire; data of 404 patients constituted the final study sample. Three groups could be distinguished according to treatment: IV chemotherapy (IV group, n = 313), oral chemotherapy (oral group, n = 48), or combined therapy (combined group, n = 43). Thirty-one (72%) patients in the combined group and 187 (60%) in the IV group expressed preference for oral therapy (p = 0.028). Limitations in family and work commitment were more frequently perceived by patients on IV than oral chemotherapy (147 (47%) vs 14 (29%) patients, p<0.05, and 134 (43%) vs 11 (23%) patients, p<0.05). A total of 134 (43%) patients on IV chemotherapy versus 15 (31%) patients in the oral group did not point out any limitation for number of tablets per day (p = 0.004).Conclusions We observed a propensity from the patient perspective in favor of oral chemotherapy that was considered to have a lower impact on family and work commitments than IV chemotherapy. The treatment that patients were taking when the questionnaire was administered likely influenced their perception and related results.

We investigated composite films of gold nanoparticles (NPs)/liquid crystal (LC) defects as a model system to understand the key parameters, which allow for an accurate control of NP anisotropic self-assemblies using soft templates. We combined spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering with calculations of dipole coupling models and soft sphere interactions. We demonstrate that dense arrays of elementary edge dislocations can strongly localize small NPs along the defect cores, resulting in formation of parallel chains of NPs. Furthermore, we show that within the dislocation cores the inter-NP distances can be tuned. This phenomenon appears to be driven by the competition between “soft (nano)sphere” attraction and LC-induced repulsion. We evidence two extreme regimes controlled by the solvent evaporation: (i) when the solvent evaporates abruptly, the spacing between neighboring NPs in the chains is dominated by van der Waals interactions between interdigitated capping ligands, leading to chains of close-packed NPs; (ii) when the solvent evaporates slowly, strong interdigitation between the is avoided, leading to a dominating LC-induced repulsion between NPs associated with the replacement of disordered cores by NPs. The templating of NPs by topological defects, beyond the technological inquiries, may enable creation, investigation, and manipulation of unique collective features for a wide range of nanomaterials.

Aims and background The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the impact of progesterone receptor (PgR) loss on locoregional recurrence in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive primary breast cancer and ER-positive locoregional recurrence.Patients and Methods Eight Italian oncology centers collected data from consecutive patients with ER-positive breast cancer and a subsequent ER-positive locoregional recurrence.Results Data were available for 265 patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 1990 and 2009. Median metastasis-free survival was 111 months in patients with PgR-positive primary tumors and locoregional recurrence (PgRpos), 38 months in patients with PgR-negative primary tumors and locoregional recurrence (PgRneg), and 63 months in patients with PgR-positive primary tumors and PgR-negative locoregional recurrence (PgRloss). In multivariate analysis, PgR status was independently associated with metastasis-free survival, with a hazard ratio of 2.84 (95% CI 1.34-6.00) for PgRnegcompared with PgRpos, and 2.93 (95% CI: 1.51-5.70) for PgRlosscompared with PgRpos.Conclusions PgR absence was found to be a negative prognostic factor in breast cancer patients with ER-positive locoregional recurrence. Thus, PgR status could be a biological marker in ER-positive recurrent breast cancer.

The atomic structure of the pentacene/Cu(110) interface for coverages at and just below one monolayer has been determined by surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD), supported by state-of-the-art density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The in-depth sensitivity of SXRD to atom positions allows tracking the adsorption-induced distortions down to the fifth substrate layer. The main feature of the DFT model, namely, the buckling induced in the substrate, is fully confirmed by the experiment. The considerable atomic displacements which are the same for the two coverages under investigation are a signature of the strong molecule–substrate interaction, indicative of an adsorption mechanism of chemisorption type.

Background Oral anticancer drugs are an attractive treatment option, even if patient-focused education and specific nursing staff are needed to support home care intervention. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of a nurse monitoring program for patients taking oral chemotherapy, and to evaluate the patients' approval of the program.Methods At the beginning of oral chemotherapy treatment, outpatients completed a specific form so that we could assess their comprehension of the information related to therapy. Nurses gave patients a diary to record drug intake and toxicity at home, and phone calls were planned to evaluate toxicity or modification of the treatment plan during the first and second cycles of therapy. Finally, patients were requested to complete a specific form to express their level of agreement with the program.Results Eighty-one patients were included in the analysis. Nurse intervention at the beginning of therapy resulted in an increased proportion of patients having received correct information related to treatment, with a level of confidence rising to more than 90% for all items considered. One hundred ninety-one of 243 planned phone calls were made, corresponding to 78.6% of the planned activity. The diary proved a valid tool for patients and 144 of 153 diaries were completed at home (94%). Only 5 patients (6%) had unplanned hospital admission for toxicity, probably because of early intervention by nursing staff. Only 2 out of 63 patients expressed a negative opinion, while the remaining patients expressed their approval of the program.Conclusion Our model proved practicable and accepted by patients, thus supporting the role of nurse intervention in training and monitoring patients receiving oral chemotherapy.

Triple-negative breast carcinomas represent a tumor group of pivotal clinical importance given the lack of target therapies. The prognostic significance of triple-negative breast carcinomas remains unclear because of their histological and molecular heterogeneity. Currently, neither prognostic nor predictive factors are available for these tumors. Retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway loss has been linked to clinical outcome in various cancer types, including breast cancer. We investigated the association between Rb and p16 protein expression and clinical outcome in no-special-type triple-negative breast carcinomas. Immunohistochemical staining for Rb, p16, p53 and CK5 was carried out on a section from archival specimens of 117 no-special-type triple-negative breast carcinomas. Immunopositive p16 (p16+) and immunonegative Rb (Rb−) staining were seen in 49.5% and in 24.8% of tumors, respectively. There was an inverse correlation between p16+ and Rb− (P<0.001). P16+ was correlated with G3 grade (P<0.001), high Ki-67 (P=0.03), p53 overexpression (P<0.001) and CK5 immunopositivity (P=0.01). Rb− was not associated with any clinicopathologic variable. Follow-up and therapy data were available in 95 patients. In 20 patients treated with surgery only, neither p16+ nor Rb− immunostaining were associated with disease-free survival and overall survival. In 75 patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, p16+ was associated with good response to therapy with significant increased disease-free survival (P=0.001) and showed a trend towards a statistical significance for increased overall survival (P=0.056); Rb− were not associated with disease-free survival and overall survival. In multivariate analysis, p16+ was independently associated with disease-free and overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06–0.51; P=0.001) and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.06–0.74; P=0.015), respectively. In patients with no-special-type triple-negative breast carcinomas, p16+ is related to good response to adjuvant chemotherapy and can be considered the best surrogate marker for Rb pathway loss.

Triple-negative breast carcinomas represent a tumor group of pivotal clinical importance given the lack of target therapies. The prognostic significance of triple-negative breast carcinomas remains unclear because of their histological and molecular heterogeneity. Currently, neither prognostic nor predictive factors are available for these tumors. Retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway loss has been linked to clinical outcome in various cancer types, including breast cancer. We investigated the association between Rb and p16 protein expression and clinical outcome in no-special-type triple-negative breast carcinomas. Immunohistochemical staining for Rb, p16, p53 and CK5 was carried out on a section from archival specimens of 117 no-special-type triple-negative breast carcinomas. Immunopositive p16 (p16+) and immunonegative Rb (Rb−) staining were seen in 49.5% and in 24.8% of tumors, respectively. There was an inverse correlation between p16+ and Rb− (P<0.001). P16+ was correlated with G3 grade (P<0.001), high Ki-67 (P=0.03), p53 overexpression (P<0.001) and CK5 immunopositivity (P=0.01). Rb− was not associated with any clinicopathologic variable. Follow-up and therapy data were available in 95 patients. In 20 patients treated with surgery only, neither p16+ nor Rb− immunostaining were associated with disease-free survival and overall survival. In 75 patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, p16+ was associated with good response to therapy with significant increased disease-free survival (P=0.001) and showed a trend towards a statistical significance for increased overall survival (P=0.056); Rb− were not associated with disease-free survival and overall survival. In multivariate analysis, p16+ was independently associated with disease-free and overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06–0.51; P=0.001) and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.06–0.74; P=0.015), respectively. In patients with no-special-type triple-negative breast carcinomas, p16+ is related to good response to adjuvant chemotherapy and can be considered the best surrogate marker for Rb pathway loss.

Abstract Positive surgical margins (PSMs) in radical prostatectomy specimens are usually considered a negative prognostic parameter. However, their definition and the management of patients with PSMs remain unclear. The aim of the present review is to define pathological features of PSMs, to report their incidence and risk factors and to update PSMs prognostic meaning and possible treatment modalities. The average incidence of PSMs in contemporary series ranges from 6.5% to 32%. The likelihood of PSMs is influenced by pre-operative PSA (total-PSA and PSA-density), tumor features (volume, grade and stage), previous prostatic surgery (open or TURP), patients’ characteristics (BMI and pelvis shape) and surgeons’ skill. Although PSMs are a predictor of biochemical recurrence, their impact on cause specific survival is highly variable and largely influenced by the tumor Gleason Score. Adjuvant radiotherapy is an effective treatment in PSMs patients but early salvage radiotherapy may be an alternative option that guarantees equivalent survival benefits with less side effects. Further studies are required to define the best candidates to adjuvant or early salvage radiation therapy.

Self-assembled vertical epitaxial nanostructures form a new class of heterostructured materials that has emerged in recent years. Interestingly, such kind of architectures can be grown using combinatorial processes, implying sequential deposition of distinct materials. Although opening many perspectives, this combinatorial nature has not been fully exploited yet. This work demonstrates that the combinatorial character of the growth can be further exploited in order to obtain alloy nanowires coherently embedded in a matrix. This issue is illustrated in the case of a fully epitaxial system: CoxNi1–xnanowires in CeO2/SrTiO3(001). The advantage brought by the ability to grow alloys is illustrated by the control of the magnetic anisotropy of the nanowires when passing from pure Ni wires to CoxNi1–xalloys. Further exploitation of this combinatorial approach may pave the way toward full three-dimensional heteroepitaxial architectures through axial structuring of the wires.

Aims and Background When there is little hope of a clinical benefit, too delayed a withdrawal from chemotherapy might be detrimental for a patient's quality of life. We evaluated appropriately timed cessation of chemotherapy in our Oncology Department after integration of a Supportive and Palliative Care Unit.Methods We carried out a review of deceased patients in our department from January 2006 to December 2009. Activities of the Supportive and Palliative Care Unit started in late 2007. We analyzed the characteristics of patients near the end of life and chemotherapy use within 30 days of death as an aggressiveness of cure index.Results During the considered period, 361 hospitalized patients died: 69 in 2006, 77 in 2007, 97 in 2008 and 118 in 2009; 102 never received chemotherapy. Sixty-one of the remaining 259 patients died within 30 days of the last drug administration. The percentage of patients receiving chemotherapy in their last 30 days fell from 19% in 2006 and 20% in 2007, to 16% in 2008 and 14% in 2009.Conclusions Supportive and Palliative Care Unit integration decreased chemotherapy use in the last 30 days of life. A careful evaluation of prognostic factors of advanced cancer patients and provision of appropriate supportive and palliative cares can reduce the use of futile anticancer chemotherapy and preserve a patient's qualify of life.

In eight cats and their offspring the mode of transmission of Toxocara cati following natural and experimental infection was investigated in three experiments. In experiments 1 and 2 the kittens of four cats with a chronic natural infection and of four cats with an acute experimental infection, respectively, were examined. In experiment 3 two queens of experiment 2 were mated again to examine whether in the adult cat “dormant” larvae exist in the tissue, that can be reactivated during pregnancy or lactation to infect the offspring. Additionally, the muscle tissue and organs of two adult cats, one with chronic one with acute infection, were examined for hypobiotic larvae. Pre-natal infections with T. cati did not occur in experiments 1 or 2. In none of the kittens that were examined directly after birth were larvae found. In the offspring of experiment 1 one single larva of T. cati was found 28 days post-partum. Whereas in the kittens of experiment 2 up to 333 larvae were found in one animal. Lactogenic transmission of larvae occurs after acute infection of the queen during late pregnancy but not during chronic natural infection. There is no evidence for the existence of arrested somatic larvae in the adult cat as an important host-finding strategy in the life cycle of T. cati. Following milk-borne infections, the majority of larvae seem to undergo direct development in the intestine without tracheal migration. Only a small number of larvae was found in other organs.

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Unlike silicene, for which the demonstration of its existence has been done through numerous independent studies, the possibility of growing epitaxial germanene remains highly controversial. It has been recently shown by scanning tunneling microscopy that the (3 × 3) surface reconstruction formed upon Ge deposition on Al(111) presents a honeycomb structure, and it was assigned to a pure germanene monolayer. Using quantitative measurements by surface X-ray diffraction compared to density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that this Ge/Al(111) (3 × 3) reconstruction corresponds, in fact, to a mixed Ge–Al honeycomb layer on top of an alloyed interfacial layer. The model of a germanene monolayer on top of the Al(111) surface can be completely excluded.

The objective of this study was the evaluation of the acaricidal efficacy of Imidacloprid 8.8% w/w and Permethrin 44% w/w spot-on against ticks (Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and its adulticidal and larvicidal/development inhibiting efficacy against fleas (C tenocephalides felis) on dogs. A total of forty dogs were allocated to two treatment and two untreated control groups of ten animals each. On day 0 ten tick and ten flea infested dogs received 0.1 ml/kg bodyweight of the test compound a combination of Imidacloprid 8.8%/Permethrin 44% dermal spot-on solution, the other two groups served as untreated controls. Dogs were reinfested weekly with 100 fleas or 50 adult Rhipicephalus + 50 adult Ixodes ticks (sex ratio: 1:1), respectively for a period of five weeks. Flea counts were conducted at 24 and tick counts at 48 hours post treatment/reinfestation.. The flea larvicidal efficacy in the dog’s surroundings was evaluated by a blanket sample incubation method. The efficacy against Rhipicephalus sanguineus was 74.0% (day 2), 94.0% (day 9), 97.6% (day 16), 92.0% (day 23), 95.9% (day 30) and 91.5% (day 37), against Ixodes ricinus was 67.0% (day 2), 100.0% (day 9), 100.0% (day 16), 99.5% (day 23), 98.7% (day 30) and 91.6% (day 37). The adulticidal flea efficacy was 99.4% (day 1), 99.8% (day 8), 99.9% (day 15), 98.8% (day 22), 95.7% (day 29) and 90.4% (day 36). The larvicidal efficacy after 12 hours blanket contact was 99.2% (day +3), 98.2% (day +10), 98.5% (day +17), 85.1% (day +24) and 50.2% (day +30). The combination of imidacloprid and permethrin eliminated the existing flea infestation and prevented the dogs from flea and tick infestation for four weeks.

Since 1995 multiple clinical studies on efficacy of different compounds were performed in France and Germany according to the GCP guidelines. Approximately 3000 cat faecal samples of 44 participating practices were examined. Cats tested positive for nematodes were included into the study. Additionally, the faecal samples sent to the routine diagnostic lab of the Institute of Parasitology were analysed and compared with the study samples. Although both sets of data did not derive from epidemiological studies with representative sample calculation, they represent extensive data with following result: 12% of the samples examined contained endoparasites of different stages. 92% of these positive samples were Toxocara cati, 2.8% - 3.9% stages of either hookworms, Toxascaris leonina, Dipylidium spp. or taeniids. Due to the methods used in these multicenter field studies a detection of protozoa was not applicable. In an additional approach a questionnaire was completed for all positive cases from one of the multicenter studies with information to origin, environment, conditions of animal housing and anthelmintic treatment of the endoparasite positive cats. Approximately 60% of the positive cats live in urban, 40% in rural environment, 20% on agricultural farms. About 20% of the positive cats were housed indoors without any access to outdoor environments. Furthermore the study showed that a frequency of anthelmintic treatment 3-4 times per year reduced the prevalence significantly,.80% of the cats were dewormed less than 3 times per year, only 2% of the more frequent dewormed cats (3-4 times per year of more often) belong to the study included population.