Localized Induction Heating of Cu-Sn Layers for Rapid Solid-Liquid Interdiffusion Bonding Based on Miniaturized Coils

Considering the demand for low temperature bonding in 3D integration and packaging of microelectronic or micromechanical components, this paper presents the development and application of an innovative inductive heating system using micro coils for rapid Cu-Sn solid-liquid interdiffusion (SLID) bonding at chip-level. The design and optimization of the micro coil as well as the analysis of the heating process were carried out by means of finite element method (FEM). The micro coil is a composite material of an aluminum nitride (AlN) carrier substrate and embedded metallic coil conductors. The conductive coil geometry is generated by electroplating of 500 µm thick copper into the AlN carrier. By using the aforementioned micro coil for inductive Cu-Sn SLID bonding, a complete transformation into the thermodynamic stable ε-phase Cu₃Sn with an average shear strength of 45.1 N/mm² could be achieved in 130 s by applying a bond pressure of 3 MPa. In comparison to conventional bonding methods using conduction-based global heating, the presented inductive bonding approach is characterized by combining very high heating rates of about 180 K/s as well as localized heating and efficient cooling of the bond structures. In future, the technology will open new opportunities in the field of wafer-level bonding.

Static High Voltage Actuation of Piezoelectric AlN and AlScN Based Scanning Micromirrors

Piezoelectric micromirrors with aluminum nitride (AlN) and aluminum scandium nitride (Al_0.68Sc_0.32N) are presented and compared regarding their static deflection. Two chip designs with 2 × 3 mm² (Design 1) and 4 × 6 mm² (Design 2) footprint with 600 nm AlN or 2000 nm Al_0.68Sc_0.32N as piezoelectric transducer material are investigated. The chip with Design 1 and Al_0.68Sc_0.32N has a resonance frequency of 1.8 kHz and a static scan angle of 38.4° at 400 V DC was measured. Design 2 has its resonance at 2.1 kHz. The maximum static scan angle is 55.6° at 220 V DC, which is the maximum deflection measurable with the experimental setup. The static deflection per electric field is increased by a factor of 10, due to the optimization of the design and the research and development of high-performance piezoelectric transducer materials with large piezoelectric coefficient and high electrical breakthrough voltage.

2D Scanning Micromirror with Large Scan Angle and Monolithically Integrated Angle Sensors Based on Piezoelectric Thin Film Aluminum Nitride

A 2D scanning micromirror with piezoelectric thin film aluminum nitride (AlN), separately used as actuator and sensor material, is presented. For endoscopic applications, such as fluorescence microscopy, the devices have a mirror plate diameter of 0.7 mm with a 4 mm2 chip footprint. After an initial design optimization procedure, two micromirror designs were realized. Different spring parameters for x- and y-tilt were chosen to generate spiral (Design 1) or Lissajous (Design 2) scan patterns. An additional layout, with integrated tilt angle sensors, was introduced (Design 1-S) to enable a closed-loop control. The micromirror devices were monolithically fabricated in 150 mm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. Si (111) was used as the device silicon layer to support a high C-axis oriented growth of AlN. The fabricated micromirror devices were characterized in terms of their scanning and sensor characteristics in air. A scan angle of 91.2° was reached for Design 1 at 13 834 Hz and 50 V. For Design 2 a scan angle of 92.4° at 12 060 Hz, and 123.9° at 13 145 Hz, was reached at 50 V for the x- and y-axis, respectively. The desired 2D scan patterns were successfully generated. A sensor angle sensitivity of 1.9 pC/° was achieved.

A MEMS nanoindenter with an integrated AFM cantilever gripper for nanomechanical characterization of compliant materials

This work presents the development of a MEMS nanoindenter that uses exchangeable AFM probes for quasi-static nanomechanical characterization of compliant and ultra-compliant materials. While the electrostatic micro-force transducer of the MEMS nanoindenter provides a maximum indentation depth up to 9.5 µm with a maximum output force of 600 µN, experimental investigations reveal that it can achieve a depth and force resolution better than 4 pm Hz^-1/2 and 0.3 nN Hz^-1/2, in air for f≥ 1 Hz. A passive AFM probe gripper is integrated into the MEMS nanoindenter, allowing the nanoindenter to utilize various AFM probes as an indenter for material testing. A proof-of-principle experimental setup has been built to investigate the performance of the MEMS nanoindenter prototype. In proof-of-principle experiments, the prototype with a clamped diamond AFM probe successfully identified an atomic step (∼0.31 nm) within a Si < 111 > ultraflat sample using the scanning probe microscopy mode. The nanomechanical measurement capability of the MEMS nanoindenter prototype has been verified by means of measurements of reference polymer samples using a silicon AFM probe and by means of measurements of the elastic properties of a PDMS sample using a spherical diamond-coated AFM probe. Owing to its compact and low-cost but high-resolution capacitive readout system, this MEMS nanoindenter head can be further applied for in-situ quantitative nanomechanical measurements in AFMs and SEMs.

Nanomechanical Characterization of Vertical Nanopillars Using an MEMS-SPM Nano-Bending Testing Platform

Nanomechanical characterization of vertically aligned micro- and nanopillars plays an important role in quality control of pillar-based sensors and devices. A microelectromechanical system based scanning probe microscope (MEMS-SPM) has been developed for quantitative measurement of the bending stiffness of micro- and nanopillars with high aspect ratios. The MEMS-SPM exhibits large in-plane displacement with subnanometric resolution and medium probing force beyond 100 micro-Newtons. A proof-of-principle experimental setup using an MEMS-SPM prototype has been built to experimentally determine the in-plane bending stiffness of silicon nanopillars with an aspect ratio higher than 10. Comparison between the experimental results and the analytical and FEM evaluation has been demonstrated. Measurement uncertainty analysis indicates that this nano-bending system is able to determine the pillar bending stiffness with an uncertainty better than 5%, provided that the pillars’ stiffness is close to the suspending stiffness of the MEMS-SPM. The MEMS-SPM measurement setup is capable of on-chip quantitative nanomechanical characterization of pillar-like nano-objects fabricated out of different materials.

Rheological properties of fresh and reconstituted milk protein concentrates under standard and processing conditions

As the processability of fresh and reconstituted milk protein concentrates crucially depends on their rheological properties, a considerable amount of studies focuses on this topic. By means of a direct comparison, we are the first to clearly show that distinct rheological differences can exist between fresh and reconstituted milk protein concentrates under standard and processing conditions. We show that reconstituted milk protein concentrates made from commercial milk protein powders exhibit higher viscosities than fresh ones. Furthermore, we found that during intense shearing, the reconstituted milk protein concentrates undergo a loss of structure, which manifests itself in a significant viscosity decrease. The inverse effect can be observed for fresh milk protein concentrates. Besides these differences, the reconstituted milk protein concentrates exhibit gel-like properties above a certain protein content. We attribute these observations to protein-protein interactions in the milk protein powder, which are induced by manufacturing and/or storing conditions. Our results demonstrate that rheological properties of fresh and reconstituted milk protein concentrates are quantitatively not invariably interchangeable. Thus, the purpose of this article is to emphasize the necessity for researchers and engineers to take into account the rheological particularities of different milk protein concentrates prior to usage.

Light-induced magnetoresistance in solution-processed planar hybrid devices measured under ambient conditions

We report light-induced negative organic magnetoresistance (OMAR) measured in ambient atmosphere in solution-processed 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS-pentacene) planar hybrid devices with two different device architectures. Hybrid electronic devices with trench-isolated electrodes (HED-TIE) having a channel length of ca. 100 nm fabricated in this work and, for comparison, commercially available pre-structured organic field-effect transistor (OFET) substrates with a channel length of 20 µm were used. The magnitude of the photocurrent as well as the magnetoresistance was found to be higher for the HED-TIE devices because of the much smaller channel length of these devices compared to the OFETs. We attribute the observed light-induced negative magnetoresistance in TIPS-pentacene to the presence of electron-hole pairs under illumination as the magnetoresistive effect scales with the photocurrent. The magnetoresistance effect was found to diminish over time under ambient conditions compared to a freshly prepared sample. We propose that the much faster degradation of the magnetoresistance effect as compared to the photocurrent was due to the incorporation of water molecules in the TIPS-pentacene film.

HED-TIE: A wafer-scale approach for fabricating hybrid electronic devices with trench isolated electrodes

Organic-inorganic hybrid electronic devices (HEDs) offer opportunities for functionalities that are not easily obtainable with either organic or inorganic materials individually. In the strive for down-scaling the channel length in planar geometry HEDs, the best results were achieved with electron beam lithography or nanoimprint lithography. Their application on the wafer level is, however, cost intensive and time consuming. Here, we propose trench isolated electrode (TIE) technology as a fast, cost effective, wafer-level approach for the fabrication of planar HEDs with electrode gaps in the range of 100 nm. We demonstrate that the formation of the organic channel can be realized by deposition from solution as well as by the thermal evaporation of organic molecules. To underline one key feature of planar HED-TIEs, namely full accessibility of the active area of the devices by external stimuli such as light, 6,13-bis (triisopropylsilylethynyl) (TIPS)-pentacene/Au HED-TIEs are successfully tested for possible application as hybrid photodetectors in the visible spectral range.

Note: Nanomechanical characterization of soft materials using a micro-machined nanoforce transducer with an FIB-made pyramidal tip

The quantitative nanomechanical characterization of soft materials using the nanoindentation tech-nique requires further improvements in the performances of instruments, including their force resolution in particular. A micro-machined silicon nanoforce transducer based upon electrostatic comb drives featuring the force and depth resolutions down to ∼1 nN and 0.2 nm, respectively, is described. At the end of the MEMS transducer's main shaft, a pyramidal tip is fabricated using a focused ion beam facility. A proof-of-principle setup with this MEMS nanoindenter has been established to measure the mechanical properties of soft polydimethylsiloxane. First measurement results demonstrate that the prototype measurement system is able to quantitatively characterize soft materials with elastic moduli down to a few MPa.

Oligosaccharide in Eryngiumarten

Aus Wurzeln von Eryngium planum L. wurde ein nichtreduzierendes Trisaccharid isoliert, das sich als 1-Kestose erwies. Dieses Trisaccharid wurde damit erstmalig in Umbelliferen nachgewiesen. Es wird auch in anderen Organen und Eryngiumarten neben einem weiteren, noch nicht identifizierten Oligosaccharid sowie Saccharose, Glucose und Fructose angetroffen.

Implementation of a low temperature wafer bonding process for acceleration sensors

The paper describes a low temperature bond process based on an oxygen plasma pretreatment followed by 200°C and 400°C annealing which was to be integrated in our technological process flow to produce micromechanical devices in bulk and surface micromachining like acceleration sensors, gyroscopes and mirror arrays [1]. The results of infrared transmission and the measured bond strengths of the prepared test wafers will be presented in dependence on various pre-treatments and annealing times as well as temperatures. First die separation tests as well as additional detailed investigations showed that the bonding process has the potential to replace an anodic bonding process. During the development of the low temperature bond process it was shown that it is possible to reach a bond strength between 1.5 J/m2 and 2.8 J/m2 depending on the annealing conditions. To optimize the necessary size of the bond frame and to quantify the bond strength limits of the process a test pattern was designed with different arrangements of sensor structures like bond frames, spaces and chevron notch structures. The investigation showed the achieved bond yield in dependence on different sensor structures and bond conditions.

A device for on-line electromigration measurements of radioelements in free electrolytes

An electromigration device has been developed for the on-line measurement of absolute individual ion mobilities of radioactive species in free electrolytes. The device is composed of a migration cell, a γ-radiation scanning unit and a data processing system. The performance of two BGO-scintillators as scanning unit and the reliability of an on-line data processing system were studied with calibrated radioactive sources of given velocities. The system was found to work with a high reproducibility rate. The migration velocities were determined with an accuracy better than 1%.

Application of MS and NMR to the structure elucidation of complex sugar moieties of natural products: exemplified by the steroidal saponin from Yucca filamentosa L

An approach, using well characterized procedures, is presented that should be of general applicability for the structural elucidation of complex sugar moieties of natural products. The methods used are exemplified by the structure elucidation of a new gitogenin-based steroidal saponin that has a strong leishmanicidal activity similar to preparations used in clinical practice and has been isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of Yucca filamentosa L. leaves. The saponin has been characterized as 3-O-((beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)- beta-D-glucopyranosy-(1-->2))(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3))-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-25R,5alpha-spirostan-2alpha,3beta-diol.

Cytotoxicity of triterpenoid saponins. Part 2: Relationships between the structures of glycosides of polygalacic acid and their activities against pathogenic Candida species

Glycosides of polygalacic acid (2 beta,3 beta,16 alpha,23-tetrahydroxy-olean-12-ene-28-oic acid) is isolated from the aerial parts of Solidago virgaurea L. subsp. virgaurea, Heteropappus altaicus (Willd.) Novopokr. and Heteropappus biennis (Ldb.) Tamamsch. or produced by degradation of these genuine saponins were tested against humanpathogenic strains of Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis using a micro-dilution assay. The antifungal action can be influenced the variation of the etherglycosidically bonded carbohydrate units at C-3 as well as of the acylglycosidically bonded oligosaccharide at C-28 of the aglycone.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of the cytotoxic triterpenoid glycoside virgaureasaponin 1

The cytotoxic compound, virgaureasaponin 1, was converted using several optimized enzymecatalysed hydrolyses to the 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranoside (2), and the 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranoside (3) and 28-O-beta-D-xylyopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2) - beta-D-fucopyranoside (4) both lacking the glucose moiety at C-3 of the aglycone. The terminal rhamnose of the acylglycosidic bonded tetrasaccharide was cleaved by naringinase to give compound 2. The new acylglycosides 3 and 4 were obtained with the help of a relatively crude beta-glucuronidase preparation, but the cleavage of the sapogenin bonded glucose was impossible using several beta-glucosidase preparations directly. These derivatives were used for the investigation of the relationship between the saponin carbohydrate structure and their cytotoxic activity.

New saponins from the seeds of Agrostemma githago var. githago

Two new saponins were isolated from the seeds of Agrostemma githago L. var. githago. On the basis of chemical and spectral evidence their structures were determined to be 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta- D- glucuronopyranosylgypsogenin-28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- D-4-O-acetylfucopyranoside and 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)- [beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-gyp sogenin- 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D- 4-O-acetylfucopyranoside.

Saniculoside R-1: a new triterpenoid saponin from Sanicula europaea

A new acylated triterpenoid saponin was obtained from the leaves of Sanicula europaea. The structure has been elucidated from NMR and MS data, and by chemical derivatisation as 21-O-[2-methylbutanoyl]-3 beta, 15 alpha, 16 alpha, 21 beta, 22 alpha, 28-hexahydroxyolean-12-ene 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)] beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside.

Immunomodulatory and antitumoral effects of triterpenoid saponins

Genuine saponins of Solidago virgaurea L., Heteropappus altaicus (Willd.) Novopokr., Heteropappus biennis (Ldb.) Tamamsch. and Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae) as well as related carbohydrate modified glycosides of polygalacic acid and echinocystic acid and some commercial available triterpenoid saponins were investigated in view of their immunomodulating and antitumoral effects. Mitogeneic effects on murine spleen and thymus cells, as well on human mononuclear cells in vitro could be demonstrated. The activity of murine bone marrow macrophages was stimulated in a chemoluminescence assay, and further an induction of cytotoxic macrophages and a TNF alpha release from murine macrophages was observed. The mitogeneic and TNF alpha releasing virgaureasaponin E (1) showed in vivo antitumoral effects in the allogeneic sarcoma 180 tumor model and in the syngeneic DBA/2-MC.SC-1 fibrosarcoma tumor model. In mice, treated with 1, phagocytosis of bone marrow cells and proliferation of spleen and bone marrow cells were stimulated in an ex vivo assay whereby the TNF alpha concentration in blood considerably increased compared to the control group.

Enzymatic degradation of the triterpenoid saponin helianthoside 2

Helianthoside 2 (1), the main bisdesmosidic saponin of Helianthus annuus L. was converted to the products 2, 3 and 4 by several, optimized enzymatic hydrolysis methods. Monosaccharide units of the acylglycosidic at C-28 of the sapogenin bonded, linear chain oligosaccharide were cleaved, but the branched trisaccharide at C-3 of the aglycone are stable under the conditions used. Compounds 2 and 3 are new triterpenoid glycosides, which were characterized as 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (2) and 28-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (3) of 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)][beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)] beta-D-glucopyranoside of 3 beta,16 alpha-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid.

Tumor-associated proteolytic factors uPA and PAI-1 in endometrial carcinoma

The levels of plasminogen activator urokinase (uPA) and of its inhibitor (PAI-1) were measured by use of ELISA in the cytosol of tissue homogenates obtained from endometrial carcinomas and the marginal, tumor-free endometrium of postmenopausal patients (n = 64). Significantly higher median levels of uPA and PAI-1 were found in malignant endometrium (uPA 1.89 ng/mg, PAI-1 3.04 ng/mg) compared to tumor-free endometrium (uPA 0.84 ng/mg, PAI-1 1.01 ng/mg). Concerning uPA, no significant differences were found in dependence on histomorphological prognostic factors (staging, grading), but the median level of PAI-1 was significantly higher in G2/G3 carcinomas compared to G1 tumors (5.08 ng/mg vs 2.19 ng/mg). Because of the good prognosis of operated patients with endometrial carcinomas, the prognostic value of uPA and PAI-1 can only be decided by a larger number of patients and a long observation time.

Triterpenoid saponins from Aster bellidiastrum

Seven triterpenoid saponins were isolated from both the aerial and the underground parts of Aster bellidiastrum. Five of the compounds were common to both parts. The structures were elucidated mainly from their NMR and mass spectral data, and showed significant similarity to the corresponding data for the saponins from plants of the Bellis genus. Two of the saponins are novel compounds with the structures 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-2 beta,3 beta, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2 beta,3 beta,16 alpha, 23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-be ta- D-fucopyranoside.

Triterpenoid saponins from Bellis bernardii

Nine saponins were isolated from the deacylated saponin mixture obtained from the whole plants of Bellis bernardii. Their structures have been elucidated from NMR and MS data and by chemical derivatization. Three were glycosides of the recently reported bellisonic acid (2 beta, 3 beta,-23-trihydroxy-16-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid), with the major compounds being related glycosides of polygalacic acid (2 beta, 3 beta, 16 alpha, 23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid). In addition, a saponin of bayogenin (2 beta, 3 beta, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) was obtained and is the first acyl glycoside of this aglycon with a free hydroxyl group at C-3.

Application of MS-MS for the rapid, comparative analysis of saponin mixtures as exemplified by the deacylated and partially deacylated triterpenoid saponins of Bellis annua

While most species of the Bellis genus are characterized by saponins in concentrations of ca.4% dry weight, Bellis annua only contains ca.0.3% saponins. Hence positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, including MS-MS analysis, has been used extensively for the rapid identification of the saponins of B. annua obtained after mild alkaline hydrolysis. The saponin composition is similar to that of other Bellis species and, in addition, glycosides of the rare bellisonic acid, which has recently been found in B. bernardii, have been identified.

Cytotoxicity of triterpenoid saponins. Part 1: Activities against tumor cells in vitro and hemolytical index

Genuine saponins from Solidago virgaurea L., Heteropappus altaicus (Willd.) Novopokr., H. biennis (Ldb.) Tamamsch., and Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae) as well as related carbohydrate modified glycosides of polygalacic acid and echinocystic acid were investigated in view of their structure related cytotoxicity in the YAC-1- and in the P-815-tumor cell model. The cytotoxic activities are influenced by both, the O-glycosylation pattern at carbon atom 3 and 28 of the sapogenin. The IC50-values of bisdesmosides of polygalacic acid are lower than those of the corresponding prosapogenins. The acylglycosidic carbohydrate sequence 1-fucose-2 <-- 1-rhamnose-4 <-- 1-xylose-3 <-- 1-rhamnose of these bisdesmosides showed the highest cytotoxic effect. One etherglycosidic linked glucose unit at C-3 of the aglycone is essential, a difference in activity to the disaccharide laminaribiose at the same position cannot be observed. In the case of echinocystic acid glycosides the acylglycosidic carbohydrate sequence 1-arabinose-2 <-- 1-rhamnose-4 <-- 1-glucose seems to influence the rate of the cytotoxic effects. By comparing the concentration of the saponins with the complete hemolysis time it is possible to determine the hemolytical index in a very short time. Cytotoxicity against tumor cells correlated with the basic structure of the saponins are in accordance with the hemolytical effect. Sugar moieties play an important role for the hemolytical index.

Triterpenoid saponins from Bellis sylvestris. 2. Structures of partially deacylated saponins

Four saponins have been isolated from the herbal parts of Bellis sylvestris and the same, together with three further compounds, from the underground parts. The structures were elucidated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, including tandem mass spectrometry, and by 1D and 2D homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. Two of the compounds are new saponins with the structures 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2 beta, 3 beta, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)]-beta-D- glucopyranoside and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2 beta, 3 beta,16 alpha, 23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en- 28-oic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-[(E)-2-butenoic acid (1-->3)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside. Taxonomically these data provide significant evidence of a link between the Bellis genus and Bellium bellidioides.

Triterpenoid saponins from Bellium bellidioides. Structures of the minor deacylsaponins

A new deacylsaponin of polygalacic acid, desacylbellidioside B4, was obtained from the whole plants of Bellium bellidioides L. The structure has been elucidated by a general strategy involving mass spectrometry (ESI-MS, including tandem MS, and GC-MS) and high-field one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR, COSY-45, HMQC, HMBC) as 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-2 beta, 3 beta, 16 alpha, 23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-fucopyran oside. Moreover, bellissaponin BS2 and besysaponin C12 have also been isolated, demonstrating the close chemical relationship of B. bellidioides to the Bellis genus.

Triterpenoid saponins from the aerial parts of Aster bellidiastrum

Four major triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the aerial parts of Aster bellidiastrum. The structures were elucidated from their NMR and mass spectral data, and from derivatization. One is a new compound with the structure 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2 beta,3 beta,16 alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28- oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta- D-fucopyranoside, while the three others have been previously identified in extracts from various Bellis species.

The main saponins from the aerial parts and the roots of Solidago virgaurea subsp. virgaurea

Two new (3, 4) and two known (1, 2) genuine acylated bisdesmosidic triterpenoid glycosides of polygalacic acid (2 beta, 3 beta, 16 alpha, 23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) were isolated from the aerial parts, as well as from the roots, of Solidago virgaurea L. subsp. virgaurea. The structures of these esters were elucidated as 4-O-fucopyranosyl-acylated compounds (1, 2, 3, 4) of 28-[O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl- (1-->4)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl]-glycosid es of 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-polygalacic acid (5), and 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]- polygalacic acid (6).

[Discriminant analytic model for prognostic assessment of pregnancies at risk for premature labor]

We examined 114 women with preterm labor using discriminance analysis to assess predictive values in terms of prolongation of gestational age and gestational age at the time of delivery. We used parameters like medical history, clinical features, infections, Doppler sonography and cardiotocography. Maternal temperature, cardiotocographic findings, premature rupture of membranes, number of abortions and pregnancy terminations and cervical dilatation at the time of admission contribute significantly to predict prolongation of pregnancy (< or = as well as > 7 days). Our results from this analysis showed sensitivity and specificity of 0.70 and 0.97 and positive and negative predictive values of 0.89 and 0.91, respectively. We observed significant differences concerning parameters like preterm rupture of membranes, cervical dilatation, pathological bacteria in the vagina and pathological Doppler values between subsequent preterm and term deliveries in pregnancies with a prolongation of > 7 days was. Upon reclassifying our results, we obtained sensitivity and specificity of 0.69 and 0.89 and positive and negative predictive values of 0.78 and 0.84, respectively. Early prognostic assessment of preterm labor can be made with discriminance analysis. The results inspire us to perform a prospective examination of the therapy plan that we have obtained.

Structure elucidation of a glycoside of 2 beta, 3 beta, 23-trihydroxy-16-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid from Bellis bernardii using mass spectrometry for the sugar sequence determination

The structure of a novel saponin, possessing an unusual aglycone named bellisonic acid and isolated from whole plants of Bellis bernardii, has been elucidated by modern ms and nmr techniques as 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-2 beta, 3 beta, 23-trihydroxy-16-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranoside [1]. Ms procedures of general applicability allowed unambiguous sugar sequence determination from very small amounts of material.

Triterpenoid saponins from Bellis sylvestris, I. Structures of the major deacylsaponins

Two major saponins from Bellis sylvestris have been isolated and their structures determined, mainly by high-field nmr spectroscopy. One of these [2] was identical with bellissaponin BS1 from Bellis perennis, while the second is a new triterpenoid saponin [1], named besysaponin C12, and identified as 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-2 beta,3 beta,16 alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- fucopyranoside.

Triterpenoid saponins from Bellium bellidioides

A new acylated triterpenoid saponin carrying the rare 2,3-branched glucose at C-28 of the aglycone bayogenin (2 beta, 3 beta, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) was isolated from the whole plants of Bellium bellidioides. The structure was elucidated mainly by high field NMR experiments (1H and 13C NMR, HMBC, HMQC, COSY-45 at 600/150 MHz) as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-[2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-6-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-23-O-acetylbayogenin . Additionally, three acylated derivatives of the known bellissaponin BS1 were obtained.

Glandular inclusions in lymph nodes: pattern of distribution and metaplastic transformation

Pelvic and paraaortal lymph nodes of 499 gynecologic cancer patients were screened for the occurrence of metaplastic changes and their topographic pattern. Glandular inclusions in lymph nodes were distributed evenly across all lymphatic areas and there was no correlation to the extent and the kind of carcinoma. In most cases the benign nature of these inclusions was obvious even in the presence of metaplasias and there was no difficulty in differentiating them from metastases.