Fifth Ovarian Cancer Consensus Conference of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup: first-line interventions

The consensus statements regarding first-line therapies in women with ovarian cancer, reached at the Fifth Ovarian Cancer Consensus Conference held in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2015 are reported. Three topics were reviewed and the following statements are recommended: (i) Surgery: the subgroups that should be considered in first-line ovarian cancer clinical trials should be (a) patients undergoing primary debulking surgery and (b) patients receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The amount of residual disease following surgery should further stratify patients into those with absent gross residual disease and others. (ii) Control arms for chemotherapy: for advanced stage ovarian cancer the standard is intravenous 3-weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel. Acceptable alternatives, which should be stratified variables in trials when more than one regimen is offered, include weekly paclitaxel plus 3-weekly carboplatin, the addition of bevacizumab to 3-weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel, and intraperitoneal therapy. (iii) Trial Endpoints: overall survival is the preferred primary endpoint for first-line clinical trials with or without a maintenance component. Progression-free survival (PFS) is an alternative primary endpoint, but if PFS is chosen overall survival must be measured as a secondary endpoint and PFS must be supported by additional endpoints, including predefined patient reported outcomes and time to first or second subsequent therapy. For neoadjuvant therapy, additional ‘window of opportunity’ endpoints should be included

Critical area planting in the United States of America

The importance of vegetation on disturbed or critical areas of the United States of America has long been evident. A wide range of climatic, soil and environmental conditions has resulted in a search for suitable grass species and methods for their establishment. Plant material centres have done considerable work in evaluating and selecting both indigenous and imported grasses and forbs that will assist in the conservation of soil on these critical areas.Keywords: plantings|vegetation|disturbed habitats|climatic influences|soil conditions|environmental conditions|grass species|methods|establishments|suitable plants|plant materials|evaluations|indigenous species|alien species|forbes|grasses|soils|conservation|minin

An assessment of current methods for stabilising steep cut slopes by establishing vegetation.

The stabilising of cut slopes in civil engineering projects has been the major problem since the commencement of early construction procedures. This problem has been made more acute where erodable soils exist and rainfall intensities result in excessive run-off. Engineers have over a period of time independently devised and adapted certain methods with varying degrees of success. This paper examines the various current methods that are being used throughout South Africa and assesses the merits of such methods. Furthermore, factors that have an overriding influence on the success of a particular method in a certain set of circumstances are analysed. Cost comparisons are produced to assist in judging the economic feasibility of the different methods.Keywords: cut slopes; engineering; rainfall; run-off; slope; slope stabilisation; soils; south africa; stabilizatio

A further investigation into the treatments for adapting difficult slopes for grassing

Major earthworks often expose sloped areas where soil conditions are unfavourable for grass growth. Because of the excessive costs of protecting these relatively steep areas from erosion with physical structures, specialized treatments have been developed to aid the establishment of a protective vegetative cover. These methods are described, together with a break-down of costs. The final choice of method will depend on local objectives, agronomic factors and direct and indirect costs.Keywords: grass cover|earthworks|costs|factor analyses|methods|vegetation|vegetative cover|establishments|physical geography|erosion|investigations|slopes|rehabilitation patches|grasses|treatments|growth|exposed site

An economic study of the need for turfgrass research.

During the past decade the increased demand for improved turfgrass surfaces for sport, recreation, environmental and aesthetic reasons has resulted in an unprecedented expansion in all aspects of the turfgrass industry except research. The amount of money spent on research should be in direct proportion to the value of the industry and in order to establish this proportion the grassland industry has been used for comparative purposes. While grassland production can be evaluated by the measurement and value of the yield the unharvested turfgrass crop can only be valued by the amount of money the nation is prepared to spend on the industry. On financial considerations alone the facts justify the priority that must now be given to turfgrass research.Keywords: botany; grass; grassland; production; research; south africa; turfgrass; yiel

The establishment of vegetation in civil engineering work

Wherever civil engineering construction is carried out soil is denuded of vegetation. To prevent soil erosion these areas must be revegetated in the shortest possible time. Recently advances have been made with methods of spraying seed into steep banks - called hydroseeding, and with soil stabilizing materials. Plastics are playing an important role here. There is a need for further research into the selection of suitable grass species for revegetating steep slopes. This work is challenging because of the many problems that have to be overcome before a suitable grass cover is established.Keywords: hydroseeding (ill)|grass species|slopes|grass cover|engineering|vegetation|rehabilitation patches|stabilising materials|rehabilitations|seeds|spraying|methods|erosion|soils|civil engineering|constructions|establishments|seedin