Atomic positional versus electronic order in semiconducting ZnSe nanoparticles

Size-controlled ZnSe nanoparticles with high extents of atomic positional order are shown to exhibit large size-dependent variations in their local electronic environments. Solid-state ;{77}Se and ;{67}Zn NMR spectra reveal increasingly broad distributions of ;{77}Se and ;{67}Zn environments with decreasing nanoparticle sizes, in contrast with high degrees of atomic positional order established by transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. First-principles calculations of NMR parameters distinguish between atomic positional and electronic disorder that propagate from the nanoparticle surfaces and yield insights on the order and disorder present.

Phase I trial of recombinant platelet factor 4 (rPF4) in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Recombinant platelet factor 4 (rPF4) is a naturally occurring protein found in platelet alpha granules that can inhibit angiogenesis.

METHODS

In this Phase I trial, 9 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had failed 5-FU treatment received rPF4 at doses ranging from 0.3 to 3.0 mg/kg via 30-minute infusion. Three additional patients were treated with the 3 mg/kg dose over a 6-hour period of infusion.

RESULTS

The only toxicity encountered was mild leg twitching in 2/3 patients treated with the 6-hour infusion. One patient with a history of phlebitis developed a lower extremity deep venous thrombosis after the first dose of rPF4. A mild rise in fibrinogen level was noted in several patients. Of the 11 evaluable patients, there were no clinical responses to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

rPF4 is well tolerated at the doses and schedules tested. No clinical responses were observed. Prolonged infusion schedules should be investigated.