Solvothermal synthesis of soluble, surface modified anatase and transition metal doped anatase hybrid nanocrystals

Titanium dioxide, or titania, is perhaps the most well-known and widely studied photocatalytic material, with myriad applications, due to a high degree of tunability achievable through the incorporation of dopants and control of phase composition and particle size. Many of the applications of titanium dioxide require particular forms, such as gels, coatings, or thin films, making the development of hybrid solution processable nanoparticles increasingly attractive. Here we report a simple solvothermal route to highly dispersible anatase phase titanium dioxide hybrid nanoparticles from amorphous titania. Solvothermal treatment of the amorphous titania in trifluoroacetic acid leads to the formation of anatase phase nanoparticles with a high degree of size control and near complete surface functionalisation. This renders the particles highly dispersible in simple organic solvents such as acetone. Dopant ions may be readily incorporated into the amorphous precursor by co-precipitation, with no adverse effect on subsequent crystallisation and surface modification.

Electrochemotherapy and Ablative Therapies in Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

Although surgery and radiotherapy remain the most commonly used treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer, there are a variety of alternatives. Here we discuss the use of electrochemotherapy and ablative treatments and examine the evidence for their effectiveness against a number of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Prognostic markers in clinically localised prostate cancer

The prognostic value of immunohistochemical staining of P53, BCL-2, p27kip1, PSA, AR and MIB-1 was compared with that of established prognostic variables (Gleason score, surgical margins, tumour volume) following radical prostatectomy. Five groups were selected: negative margins with stable serum PSA (n=11), negative margins with rising serum PSA (n=7), positive margins with stable serum PSA (n=7), positive margins with rising serum PSA (6) and patients with micrometastatic disease diagnosed in lymph nodes removed during radical prostatectomy (n=8). Gleason score and tumour volume were of prognostic significance and immunohistochemical staining for MIB-1 and BCL-2 showed added independent prognostic significance in multivariate analysis.

Complete remission of extensive metastatic renal cancer following immunotherapy

The authors describe the case history of a 54-year-old female patient, who presented with breathlessness, deteriorating general health and a 12 kg weight loss due to extensive metastatic renal cancer. Pulmonary emboli complicated the presentation. The patient entered a remarkable complete radiological remission by 18 weeks following the introduction of interleukin-2/alpha-interferon immunotherapy. The possibility of immediate nephrectomy or warfarin contributing to the augmentation of the effects of the immunotherapy is discussed.