Alpha-Decay in Isotopes of Atomic Number Less Than 83

Some time ago we started work in an attempt to observe alpha-particle decay in isotopes of atomic number less than 83. In the first experiments, thin targets of gold leaf were bombarded with 190-Mev deuterons in the 184-inch cyclotron. Two alpha-decay periods were observed in these targets; one of 0.7 minutes half-life and another of 4.3 minutes half-life. The alpha-particle energies were 5.7 and 5.2 Mev, respectively. Chemical separations proved that the 4.3-minute period is due to a gold isotope and suggested that the 0.7-minute period is due to a mercury isotope. The mass numbers of these new isotopes have not been determined. However, the results of excitation-functions in the production of the gold isotope by bombarding gold and platinum with protons suggest that its mass number lies in the range 185-188. The work on this isotope indicates that the alpha to electron capture branching ratio is of the order of magnitude of 10{sup -4}, and that positron activity accompanies the 4.3-minute alpha-period

Primary chemotherapy with adriamycin, cisplatin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide in locally advanced thymomas: a single institution experience

From 1990 to 1997, 16 consecutive patients with stage III and IVa invasive thymoma were treated in a single institution with primary chemotherapy consisting in adriamycin (40 mg m–2), cisplatin (50 mg m–2) administered intravenously on day 1, vincristine (0.6 mg m–2) on day 2 and cyclophosphamide (700 mg m–2) on day 4 (ADOC). The courses were repeated every 3 weeks. The aim was to evaluate the impact of this cytotoxic regimen with respect to response rate, per cent of patients radically resected, time to progression and overall survival. Two complete responses (one clinical and one pathological) and 11 partial responses were observed (overall response rate 81.2%); two patients had stable disease and one progressed. Toxicity was mild as only two patients developed grade III/IV neutropenia and one patient grade III nausea/vomiting. Nine patients were radically resected (five out of ten with stage III, and four out of six with stage IVa). Median time to progression and overall survival was 33.2 and 47.5 months respectively. Three patients were alive and disease free after more than 5 years. The ADOC scheme is highly active and manageable in the treatment of locally advanced thymoma. As a preoperative approach it should be offered to patients not amenable to surgery or to those surgically resectable but with a great deal of morbidity. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Nuclear chemistry and geochemistry research. Progress report, 1972--1973

A separate abstract was prepared for each section of the report. (DHM