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In order to improve the corrosion resistance of die-cast AZ91D magnesium alloy in simulated physiological solution, two cerium-based coatings were synthesized. The coatings were electrodeposited from solutions containing Ce(NO3)3, H2O2 and C6H8O7 or C4H4O6Na2. The influence of the presence of sodium tartrate and citric acid in the preparation solution on the morphology, composition and anticorrosive performance of the generated coatings was evaluated. The corrosion properties were examined in Ringer solution by polarization studies, open circuit measurements and faradaic impedance spectroscopy. Results showed that the incorporation of additives improves the anticorrosive properties of the films formed without sodium tartrate or citric acid. The coating formed in the presence of sodium tartrate showed the best anticorrosive performance. Subsequently, the possibility of forming duplex coatings employing the cerium-based films as inner layers and polypyrrole as top coating was evaluated. At this point, it was found that polypyrrole can be electropolymerized on top of the formed cerium-based film modified with sodium tartrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) can ideally provide long-term remission in advanced lymphoma patients by capturing a graft-vs-tumor (GVT) effect. On the basis of a murine model, we attempted to optimize a GVT effect through nonmyeloablative therapy and HLA-matched related donor HSCT with intentional induction of mixed chimerism followed by prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion. A total of 26 advanced lymphoma patients were separated into an early and late full-donor chimerism (FDC) group using a median of 45 days post-HSCT as the defining point for FDC. Upon generating these groups, analysis by Student's t-test demonstrated that they were statistically distinct in time to develop FDC (P<0.01). There was a trend toward improved CR rates in the late group relative to the early group (62 vs 31%; P=0.12). A trend toward improved progression-free survival at 5 years was also observed in the late compared to the early group by Kaplan–Meier analysis (38 vs 8%; P=0.081). However, this did not correlate to a significant overall survival benefit. In conclusion, these data support the observation from our mouse models that the most potent GVT effect occurs in mixed chimeras with late chimerism conversion.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2008) 42, 329–335; doi:10.1038/bmt.2008.167; published online 30 June 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical response of Al–Zn–Ga alloy in chloride medium was studied. For this purpose, linear sweep voltammetry and open circuit potential (OCP) measurements were employed and surface characterisation was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The presence of Ga whether as alloyed element in the ternary alloy or deposited from the electrolyte solution onto pure Al or onto Al–Zn alloy causes a displacement of the onset of the process of dissolution towards more negative potential in a chloride solution. The anodic behaviour of the Al–Zn–Ga alloy can be interpreted in terms of an amalgam mechanism, where the homogeneously distribution of Ga in the alloy assures the formation of a superficial Ga–Al amalgam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study to examine the outcomes in 54 patients with hematologic malignancies who received an HLA-matched related donor bone marrow (BM, n=42) or GCSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC, n=12) following identical nonmyeloablative conditioning with the intention of induction of mixed chimerism (MC) followed by prophylactic donor leukocyte infusion (pDLI) to convert MC to full donor chimerism (FDC) and capture a graft-versus-tumor effect without clinical graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Neutrophil and platelet recovery were faster and transfusion requirement was less in PBSC recipients (P<0.05). A total of 48% of BMT recipients achieved FDC with a median conversion time of 84 days, including 13 following pDLI. In contrast, 83% (P=0.04) in the PBSC group had spontaneous FDC at a median of 14 days, precluding the administration of pDLI. There was no significant difference in the incidences of acute or chronic GVHD, though the rates of chronic GVHD were considerably higher in PBSC group than in the BM group (6/7, 86% vs 10/24, 42%). CD4 and CD8 T-cell recovery was faster in PBSC recipients. In PBSC recipients, a higher number of CD34+ cells was associated with increased rates of severe, grade III–IV acute GVHD.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2007) 40, 19–27; doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705688; published online 30 April 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallium electrodeposition onto vitreous carbon was studied in chloride solution using potentiostatic and potentiodynamic techniques. The morphology and composition of the deposits were analysed by SEM/EDX. The effects of solution pH, applied potential and the hydrodynamic conditions on the electroreduction process were investigated. Results indicate that the reduction to Ga+1 species takes place at the lower overpotentials, while at high overpotentials gallium deposition occurs through progressive nucleation and growth under diffusion control. The influence of the simultaneous hydrogen evolution reaction on the electrodeposition process is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc and indium were deposited from sulphate and chloride electrolytes onto aluminium electrodes under potentiostatic conditions. The role of the anion, pH, cation concentration, cathodic potential and agitation were investigated. The deposit morphology and composition were studied by SEM and EDX. Potentiodynamic and galvanostatic techniques were also applied for product characterization. Once a critical amount of Zn was deposited preferred In deposition began without agitation. But under rotation or at low cathodic potentials Zn2+ discharge became the prevalent reaction. The results support the earlier hypothesis of the preferential adsorption of Zn ions [1]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the study of the cathodic and active behaviour of aluminium in acid chloride solutions containing indium and zinc ions. The cathodic behaviour was studied using potentiostatic and potentiodynamic techniques, complemented by SEM and EDX. During cathodization, preferential adsorption of zinc ions occurs, compared to that of H+ and In3+ ions. Once a critical amount of zinc is deposited, preferred indium deposition begins. The synergistic interaction between zinc and indium ions and aluminium leads to its activation in chloride media. This can be explained by displacement reactions that produce an indium accumulation and preferential zinc dissolution. This situation produces a new interface, quasi-free of Zn but rich in In, which favours Cl− ion adsorption at more negative potentials than aluminium, leading to its activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A technique for the isolation of human intrahepatic bile ductular epithelium, and the establishment of primary cultures using a serum- and growth-factor-supplemented medium combined with a connective tissue substrata is described. Initial cell isolates and monolayer cultures display phenotypic characteristics of biliary epithelial cells (low molecular weight prekeratin positive; albumin, alphafetoprotein, and Factor VIII-related antigen negative). Ultrastructural features of the cultured cells show cell polarization with surface microvilli, numerous interepithelial junctional complexes and cytoplasmic intermediate prekeratin filaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A B-cell line was established from the liver of an 11-yr-old boy with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). The cells were morphologically heterogenous, CD10 (CALLA) negative, and expressed several B-cell antigens, including CD23, in a manner reminiscent of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) reported in the literature. However, the cells also showed expression of the CD77 antigen, carried a 14q32+ chromosomal anomaly, and showed IgM-kappa immunoglobulin isotype restriction immediately after their outgrowth in culture. These latter properties are typically associated with Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines rather than LCLs. Aberrant expression of the L60 antigen on these B-cells was found as additional evidence of altered growth regulation in these cells. EBV infection was demonstrated by the abundant expression of EBNA-2 and LMP viral antigens in culture. The cell line described should be useful in planning in vitro experiments designed to understand the factors that modulate the growth of PTLD in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]