The Gersten conjecture for Milnor K-theory

We prove that the n-th Milnor K-group of an essentially smooth local ring over an infinite field coincides with the (n,n)-motivic cohomology of the ring. This implies Levine’s generalized Bloch–Kato conjecture.     

Expansion of analytic functions in q-orthogonal polynomials

A classical result on the expansion of an analytic function in a series of Jacobi polynomials is extended to a class of q-orthogonal polynomials containing the fundamental Askey–Wilson polynomials and their special cases. The function to be expanded has to be analytic inside an ellipse in the complex plane with foci at ±1. Some examples of explicit expansions are discussed.      

Phytotherapy in Integrative Oncology—An Update of Promising Treatment Options

Modern phytotherapy is part of today’s conventional evidence-based medicine and the use of phytopharmaceuticals in integrative oncology is becoming increasingly popular. Approximately 40% of users of such phytopharmaceuticals are tumour patients. The present review provides an overview of the most important plants and nature-based compounds used in integrative oncology and illustrates their pharmacological potential in preclinical and clinical settings. A selection of promising anti-tumour plants and ingredients was made on the basis of scientific evidence and therapeutic practical relevance and included Boswellia, gingko, ginseng, ginger, and curcumin. In addition to these nominees, there is a large number of other interesting plants and plant ingredients that can be considered for the treatment of cancer diseases or for the treatment of tumour or tumour therapy-associated symptoms. Side effects and interactions are included in the discussion. However, with the regular and intended use of phytopharmaceuticals, the occurrence of adverse side effects is rather rare. Overall, the use of defined phytopharmaceuticals is recommended in the context of a rational integrative oncology approach.     

Application of affinity capillary electrophoresis for charge heterogeneity profiling of biopharmaceuticals

Charge heterogeneity profiling is important for the quality control (QC) of biopharmaceuticals. Because of the increasing complexity of these therapeutic entities [1], the development of alternative analytical techniques is needed. In this work, flow‐through partial‐filling affinity capillary electrophoresis (FTPFACE) has been established as a method for the analysis of a mixture of two similar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The addition of a specific ligand results in the complexation of one mAb in the co‐formulation, thus changing its migration time in the electric field. This allows the characterization of the charged variants of the non‐shifted mAb without interferences. Adsorption of proteins to the inner capillary wall has been circumvented by rinsing with guanidine hydrochloride before each injection. The presented FTPFACE approach requires only very small amounts of ligands and provides complete comparability with a standard CZE of a single mAb.     

Modified SBA-15 as the carrier for metoprolol and papaverine: Adsorption and release study

A series of modified SBA-15 materials were applied in drug delivery systems. The internal surface of siliceous hexagonal structure of SBA-15 was modified with different amount of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and oxidized in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The sulfonated material was loaded with metoprolol tartrate or papaverine hydrochloride. Both drugs indicated strong chemical interaction with modified mesoporous surface. The characteristic of the obtained materials was performed with XRD and DRUV-vis spectrometry, themogravimetry and nitrogen adsorption (BET) measurements. The obtained results show that modification of the mesoporous materials leads towards significant decrease of the drug delivery rate.     

Ternäre Halogenide der Seltenen Erden vom Typ A2MX5 (A = K,In, NH4, Rb,Cs; X = Cl,Br, I)

Ternary Rare-Earth Halides of the A₂MX₅ Type (A = K, In, NH₄, Rb, Cs; X = Cl, Br, I) Ternary rare-earth (=M) chlorides, bromides, and iodides In₂MCl₅, (NH₄)₂MCl₅, Rb₂MCl₅, Cs₂MCl₅, CsRbMCl₅, K₂MBr₅, Rb₂MBr₅, K₂MI₅, and Rb₂MI₅ have been synthesized. Single crystals of In₂PrCl₅, Rb₂PrCl₅, K₂PrBr₅, and K₂PrI₅ were grown and the structures refined. The other halides were characterized by x-ray powder patterns. They are isotypic either with K₂PrCl₅(orthorhombic, Pnma, Z = 4, hexagonal arrangement of chains of edge-connected polyhedra [PrX₇]) or with Cs₂DyCl₅ (orthorhombic, Pbnm, Z = 4, hexagonal arrangement of cis-corner-connected octahedra [DyCl₆]) which may be discriminated in structure field diagrams. The thermal expansion was investigated für Cs₂LuCl₅ and Rb₂PrX₅ (X = Cl, Br, I).     

Helicoidal Patterning of Nanorods with Polymer Ligands

Chiral packing of ligands on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs) is of fundamental and practical importance, as it determines how NPs interact with each other and with the molecular world. Herein, for gold nanorods (NRs) capped with end‐grafted nonchiral polymer ligands, we show a new mechanism of chiral surface patterning. Under poor solvency conditions, a smooth polymer layer segregates into helicoidally organized surface‐pinned micelles (patches). The helicoidal morphology is dictated by the polymer grafting density and the ratio of the polymer ligand length to nanorod radius. Outside this specific parameter space, a range of polymer surface structures was observed, including random, shish‐kebab, and hybrid patches, as well as a smooth polymer layer. We characterize polymer surface morphology by theoretical and experimental state diagrams. The helicoidally organized polymer patches on the NR surface can be used as a template for the helicoidal organization of other NPs, masked synthesis on the NR surface, as well as the exploration of new NP self‐assembly modes.     

Analysis of functional groups on the surface of plasma-treated carbon nanofibers

Plasma chemically modified carbon nanofibers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with regard to the content of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and the contribution of carboxylic groups or ester, carbonyl and hydroxylic groups or ether on the surface. Unfortunately, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy only provides an average value of the first 10 to 15 molecular layers. For comparison, depth profiles were measured and wet chemical methods were applied to estimate the thickness of the functionalized layer and the distribution of oxygen-containing functional groups within the near-surface layers. The results indicate that the fiber surface is covered by a monomolecular oxygen-containing layer and that plasma treatment allows a complete oxygen functionalization of the uppermost surface layer. The best conditions for plasma treatment found within the set of parameters applied to generate complete functionalization are: plasma gas O(2)/Ar ratio 1:1, gas pressure 1-1.5 hPa, plasma power 80 W, treatment time >or= 5 min. Additionally, three quick and easy methods are presented to estimate the efficiency of plasma treatment with regard to surface functionalization: pyrolysis, contact angle measurements, and light permeability measurements of aqueous carbon nanofiber suspensions.