ForMAX - a beamline for multiscale and multimodal structural characterization of hierarchical materials.

The ForMAX beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory provides multiscale and multimodal structural characterization of hierarchical materials in the nanometre to millimetre range by combining small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering with full-field microtomography. The modular design of the beamline is optimized for easy switching between different experimental modalities. The beamline has a special focus on the development of novel fibrous materials from forest resources, but it is also well suited for studies within, for example, food science and biomedical research.

Strategy for boron neutron capture therapy against tumor cells with over-expression of the epidermal growth factor-receptor.

PURPOSE: Gliomas, squamous carcinomas and different adenocarcinomas from breast, colon and prostate might have an increased number of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. The receptors are, in these cases, candidates for binding of receptor specific toxic conjugates that might inactivate cellular proliferation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether it is reasonable to try ligand-dextran based conjugates for therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: EGF or TGF alpha were conjugated to dextran and binding, internalization, retention and degradation of eight types of such conjugates were analyzed in EGF-receptor amplified glioma cells. The conjugates were labelled with radioactive nuclides to allow detection and two of the conjugates were carrying boron in the form of carboranyl amino acids or aminoalkyl-carboranes. Comparative binding tests, applying 125I-EGF, were made with cultured breast, colon and prostate adenocarcinoma, glioma and squamous carcinoma cells. Some introductory tests to label with 76Br for positron emission tomography and with 131I for radionuclide therapy were also made. RESULTS: The dextran part of the conjugates did not prevent receptor specific binding. The amount of receptor specific binding varied between the different types of conjugates and between the tested cell types. The dextran part improved intracellular retention and radioactive nuclides were retained for at least 20-24 h. The therapeutical effect improved when 131I was attached to EGF-dextran instead of native EGF. CONCLUSION: The improved cellular retention of the ligand-dextran conjugates is an important property since it gives extended exposure time when radionuclides are applied and flexibility in the choice of time for application of neutrons in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). It is possible that ligand-dextran mediated BNCT might allow, if the applied neutron fields covers rather wide areas around the primary tumor, locally spread cells that otherwise would escape treatment to be inactivated.

New carborane-based compounds for boron neutron capture therapy: binding and toxicity of ANC-1, DAC-1 and B-Et-11-OMe in cultured human glioma and mouse melanoma cells.

The toxicity and binding of the three new carborane based compounds: 2 (1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (12)-1(-yl-methoxy)-2-(3-amino-propyl))-1,3-propanediol, called DAC-1; 7-(3-amino-propyl)-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecarborate (-1) called ANC-1; and rac-1-(9-o-carboranyl)-nonyl-2-methyl-glycero-3- phosphocholine, called B-Et-11-OMe, were analyzed with cultured human glioma cells, U-343MGa, and mouse melanoma cells, B16, as biological models. The previously developed compound di-sodium undecahydro-mercapto-closo-dodecarborate (BSH), which is tested for therapy of malignant gliomas, was analyzed for comparison. In the toxicity tests the cells were exposed to the substances at cell culture medium concentrations in the range 0-50 ppm boron for 1 or 20 h and thereafter analyzed regarding growth. Growth-disturbing effects were seen for the two compounds DAC-1 and B-Et-11-OMe at the concentrations corresponding to 15 and 50 ppm boron, respectively. The compounds ANC-1 and BSH showed no growth-disturbing effects at the tested concentrations. In the binding tests, the cells were incubated for 20 h at about the highest compound concentrations that did not cause growth disturbances. The boron content in the cells was then determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and in some cases ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The most extensive binding was seen for DAC-1 and B-Et-11-OMe, which accumulated boron to about 100 and 60 times, respectively, compared with the concentration in the culture medium. The compound ANC-1 also accumulated boron in the cells but the boron could be easily washed out indicating no or only a weak binding. BSH did not accumulate. Further analysis should be made regarding biological properties such as intracellular compartmentalization, metabolic interference and tumor specificity of the compounds DAC-1 and B-Et-11-OMe.

A method for dental care activities time study using observer monitored counting of frequencies.

In dentistry, there is a need for better understanding of the distribution of the time spent on different activities at dental clinics. In order to investigate these resource aspects, both for the total time and for various categories of personnel and/or patients in dental clinics at the Public Dental Service (PD), Göteborg, Sweden, a time study method was used. The present study reports on the development of the PD's time study method (TSM) and analyses its functionality. The TSM, based on formulated criteria, used a method for an observer-monitored counting of frequencies. Specially trained observers registered the sampled observations for each professional, using a separate code list for each personnel group to which the professional belonged. The observer registered the on-going activity, not the duration of the procedure. Each observer followed several persons working in separated areas of the dental clinic. In 1989, the TSM was tested with the purpose of obtaining mean time values for dental care activities in the PD clinics performing general dental care. This study comprised all personnel categories in the clinic teams. Clinics were randomly selected and stratified according to the amount of dentistry for children in relation to the total time for dental care, reported as the parameter "dentist hours". Eight out of a total of 36 clinics were randomized, two from each strata.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical report on the success of 47 consecutively placed Core-Vent implants followed from 3 months to 4 years.

This report presents the clinical outcome of 47 consecutively placed Core-Vent implants inserted in 35 patients followed for 2 to 4 years by clinical and 3 to 48 months by radiographic examination. The implants were used in mandibles and maxillae to support single crowns, overdentures, and fixed prostheses splinted to natural teeth as recommended by the manufacturer. Of the 47 implants, 43 could be examined. A total of 11 implants was removed, nine because of progressive vertical bone loss and two because of fractures. The vertical bone loss was calculated for the 32 remaining implants. Twenty-eight implants demonstrated a bone loss of more than 2 mm and 16 showed a loss of more than one-third of the implant height. According to the criteria proposed by Schnitman and Shulman in 1979, the total success rate was 37.2%. When using the criteria suggested by Albrektsson et al in 1986, the total success rate was calculated to be 9.3%.