2-D assembly of supramolecular nanoarchitectures on Mg(0001)

In this work, a Mg(0001) single crystal is used as a novel template to grow 2D supramolecular nano-architectures. By using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and high-resolution X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HR-XPS), the formation of either a homo-molecular or metal-organic network is reported for carboxylic or amino functionalized molecules, respectively.

Dynamically resolved self-assembly of S-layer proteins on solid surfaces

By using high-speed and high-resolution Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), it was possible to resolve within a single experiment the kinetic pathway in S-layer self-assembly at the solid-liquid interface, obtaining a model that accounts for the nucleation, growth and structural rearrangements in 2D protein self assembly across time (second to hours) and spatial scales (nm to microns).

The STM bias voltage-dependent polymorphism of a binary supramolecular network

We control complex multicomponent switches by tuning the local electric field at the liquid/solid interface.

[Standards, options and recommendations: Good clinical practice in the dietetic management of cancer patients: hospital catering]

CONTEXT

The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, involves a collaboration between the Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French Regional Cancer Centres, some French public university and general hospitals and private Clinics and medical scientific societies. Its main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on a literature review followed by a critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts to produce the draft guidelines which are then validated by specialists in cancer care delivery.

OBJECTIVES

To develop clinical practice guidelines for hospital catering for cancer patient using the methodology developed by the Standards, Options and Recommendations project.

METHODS

Data were identified by a literature search of Medline and the reference lists of experts in the groups. After the guidelines were drafted, they were validated by independent reviewers.

RESULTS

The main recommendations are: 1) While taking into consideration the specific needs of cancer patients, the dietician is responsible for the hygiene, the sanitary quality of alimentation, the equilibrium and nutritional quality of the hospital catering. 2) Ordering and distribution of meals, and clearing up afterwards contribute to the quality of hospital catering and the personnel who do this should have time and be willing to listen to the patients. 3) The ordering of meals should be adapted to individual patient's requirements and must take into account the patient's medication. 4) The method of transporting the food chosen by the institution (cold or warm method) should be respected. The personnel responsible should receive regular and specific training to use the method correctly. 5) The intake of patients with nutritional follow-up should be reliably and reproducibly evaluated by the personnel after every meal. 6) Patient satisfaction should be assessed once a year and the results of this assessment used to improve the quality of hospital catering. 7) The dietician is the interface between the accounts department, the medical wards, the hospital catering department and the patients.

[Good clinical practice in the dietetic management of cancer patients]

CONTEXT

The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCL CC), the 20 French Cancer Centres and specialists from French Public Universities, General Hospitals and Private Clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feed-back from specialists in cancer care delivery.

OBJECTIVES

To develop clinical practice guidelines according to the definitions of Standards, Options and Recommendations for the dietetic consultation for cancer patient.

METHODS

Data have been identified by literature search wing Medline and the expert groups personal reference lists. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to 74 independent reviewers, and to the medical committees of the 20 French Cancer Centres.

RESULTS

The main recommendations for the referral of cancer patients for dietary advice are: I) in oncology, there are 3 types of dietetic consultation: diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic; 2) the following cancer patients must have a dietetic consultation: i) those with, or at risk of malnutrition, ii) those without malnutrition but in need of counseling and iii) those at risk of treatment-related nutritional side effects; 3) a nutritional assessment is standard at the time of the first dietetic consultation. Patients must be given individualized and written advice; 4) the dietetic opinion and advice should be brought to the attention of medical staff to facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment; 5) patient's relatives should be involved in the dietetic management; 6) the efficacy of dietetic advice can be assessed by monitoring weight, gastrointestinal signs and patient satisfaction.