Enabled by their size and supramolecular structures, nanoparticles (that is, particles of approximately 10 to 100 nanometers) promise to be particularly capable agents in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. When loaded with chemotherapeutic agents, nanoparticle delivery to cancerous tissues relative to healthy tissues may be favorably biased by size and through the attachment of targeting ligands to the surface of the particle. Nanoparticles may be made from a variety of materials, and in addition to chemotherapeutic payloads, nanoparticles can incorporate non-bioactive elements useful as diagnostic and device agents. For example, the inclusion of iron oxide colloids enables nanoparticle use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, and also, through the application of an alternating magnetic field (AMF), enables the particle to generate enough heat to be used for hyperthermic therapeutic applications. In this report, we also introduce novel Magnetic Nanoparticle Hydro-Gel (MagNaGel TM ) materials comprised of chemotherapeutic agents, iron oxide colloids, and targeting ligands. MagNaGel particles were fabricated in the 20-to 40-nm size range with very narrow size dispersion. These particles demonstrate high (410 wt %) chemotherapeutic loading, tumor-associated biomolecular binding, good magnetic susceptibility, and attractive toxicity and circulation profiles in mouse models. Looking forward, the convergence of drug and device on the nano-scale promises treatment modalities that cannot be practiced through traditionally distinct drug and device combinations. MagNaGel nanoparticles are drug-device hybrids that, when used in conjunction with diagnostic MRI and inductive heating, may play a key role in new and powerful cancer treatment regimens. Drug Dev. Res. 67:70-93, 2006.

The Australian Soil Resources Information System (ASRIS) database compiles the best publicly available information available across Commonwealth, State, and Territory agencies into a national database of soil profile data, digital soil and land resources maps, and climate, terrain, and lithology datasets. These datasets are described in detail in this paper. Most datasets are thematic grids that cover the intensively used agricultural zones in Australia.

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Certain iron-based particle formulations have useful magnetic properties that, when combined with low toxicity and desirable pharmacokinetics, encourage their development for therapeutic applications. This mini-review begins with background information on magnetic particle use as MRI contrast agents and the influence of material size on pharmacokinetics and tissue penetration. Therapeutic investigations, including (1) the loading of bioactive materials, (2) the use of stationary, high-gradient (HG) magnetic fields to concentrate magnetic particles in tissues or to separate material bound to the particles from the body, and (3) the application of high power alternating magnetic fields (AMF) to generate heat in magnetic particles for hyperthermic therapeutic applications are then surveyed. Attention is directed mainly to cancer treatment, as selective distribution to tumors is well-suited to particulate approaches and has been a focus of most development efforts. While magnetic particles have been explored for several decades, their use in therapeutic products remains minimal; a discussion of future directions and potential ways to better leverage magnetic properties and to integrate their use into therapeutic regimens is discussed.

addition of herbicides and carbon black which provides an economic advantage to the user.On the basis of the above-mentioned results and discussion, the mulch films described here contain an adequate balance of the important properties needed for an agricultural mulch film. These properties include (1) good mechanical properties, (2) the ability to retard weed growth without the incorporation of toxic chemicals such as herbicides, (3) degradability, (4) the incorporation of multinutrirional materials that can be released slowly, (5) harmless to the environments, and (6) clarity. ConclusionsVarious types of multinutritional, degradable, and slow-release clear agricultural mulch films containing poly(vlny1 alcohol), urea-formaldehyde, Pz05, K20, and other additives were prepared and coated with different water-resistant coating materials. The mechanical properties and the dissolution rates of these films were studied. The mechanical properties of these films are affected by the type of materials involved and the percentage of moisture present. The results also indicate that the presence of starch, ethylene glycol, and urea improves tensile strength, elongation at break, and dissolution rate of these films. The dissolution rate of the mulch film is affected by the type of coating material and its thickness, types of additives present, the temperature, and the type of water used. This information can be used to design suitable films for any crop duration. It was also found that the prepared mulch films can prevent weed growth despite their clarity. Registry Agency of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Japan Kokai Tokyo Bryzgalov, V. A.; Sakova, T. M.; Zakharova, E. I. Plast. Mussy 1984, Clendinning, R. A. U S . Patent 3 929 937, 1975. Clendinning, R.