Outcome after first relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - lessons from the United Kingdom R2 trial

A retrospective analysis of children with first relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), treated on the UKALL R2 protocol at four different hospitals, between June 1995 and December 2002 was performed. Of the 150 children 139 (93%) achieved a second complete remission. The overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) for the whole group was 56% and 47% respectively. The duration of first complete remission and immunophenotype, but not sites of relapse, were predictive for survival. Using the Berlin–Frankfürt–Münster risk stratification for relapsed ALL, the OS and EFS for standard, intermediate (IR) and high risk (HR) groups were 92% and 92%, 64% and 51%, and 14% and 15%, respectively; P < 0·0001 for both OS and EFS. In the IR group, those with a very early isolated central nervous system relapse also had a significantly worse outcome (P = 0·0001). Given the poor outcome of a second relapse, clear strategies are required to identify those in the IR group who will most benefit from stem cell transplantation (SCT). A higher proportion (16%) of induction failures in the HR group suggest the need for novel agents during this phase of treatment, but SCT was associated with a lower relapse rate and better outcome than those treated with chemotherapy alone

Organic residue, limestone, gypsum, and phosphorus adsorption by lowland soils Resíduo orgânico, calcário e gesso e a adsorção de fósforo por solos de várzea

Organic residue application is a low cost alternative to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers and correctives. In order to study the effect of organic residues, limestone and gypsum application on phosphorus adsorption by lowland soils, four experiments were carried out. A Mesic Organosol (OY), a Melanic Gleysol (MG), a Haplic Gleysol (GX), and a Fluvic Neosol (RU) were used in a completely randomized design and factorial scheme (3 x 2), with five replicates: three soil amendment practices (limestone, gypsum and no corrective) and two levels of organic residue (with and without corral manure). Soil samples were incubated for 60 days, with and without organic residue incorporation. After this period, we applied the corrective and incubated the soil for 30 days, then P and basic fertilization (macro and micronutrients) were applied and the soil was incubated for additional 60 days. Equilibrium phosphorus, maximum phosphate adsorption capacity, pH, exchangeable Al and phosphorus-buffering index were measured. Organic residue and limestone application increased soil pH and reduced exchangeable Al, decreasing P adsorption. Gypsum application did not increase the pH but reduced exchangeable Al and P adsorption.<br>A aplicação de resíduo orgânico é uma alternativa de baixo custo para reduzir a aplicação de fertilizantes inorgânicos e corretivos. Com objetivo de estudar a relação da aplicação de resíduo orgânico, calcário e gesso com adsorção de fósforo em solos de várzea conduziram-se simultaneamente quatro experimentos com os solos Organossolo Mésico (OY), Gleissolo Melânico (GM), Gleissolo Háplico (GX) e Neossolo Flúvico (RU). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x2, com cinco repetições, sendo três práticas de correção do solo (calcário, gesso e sem corretivo) e dois níveis de resíduo orgânico com e sem esterco de curral curtido. Amostras dos solos foram incubadas por 60 dias com e sem incorporação do resíduo orgânico; após este período, por mais 30 dias com os corretivos e em seguida por 60 dias com o fósforo e uma adubação básica com macro e micronutrientes. Determinaram-se o fósforo remanescente, capacidade máxima de adsorção de fósforo, pH, Al trocável e índice tampão de fósforo. A aplicação de resíduo orgânico, calcário - pela elevação do pH e redução dos teores de Al trocável - e gesso - pela redução de Al trocável - reduzem a adsorção de fósforo nos solos de várzea estudados

Magnetic properties of a family of quinternary oxalates

We report on the magnetic properties of four isomorphous compounds of a family of quinternary oxalates down to 60 mK. In all these materials, the magnetic Fe(II) ions with a strong magneto-crystalline anisotropy form a distorted kagome lattice, topologically equivalent to a perfect kagome one if nearest-neighbor interactions only are considered. All the compounds order at low temperature in an antiferromagnetic arrangement with magnetic moments at 120◦. A remarkable magnetic behavior emerges below the Neel temperature in three compounds (with inter-kagome-layer Zr, Sn, Fe but not with Al): the spin anisotropy combined with low exchange path network connectivity lead to domain walls intersecting the kagome planes through strings of free spins. These produce an unfamiliar slow spin dynamics in the ordered phase observed by AC susceptibility, evolving from exchange-released spin-flips towards a cooperative behavior on decreasing the temperature