Hematopoetic stem cell transplantation for solid tumors in Europe

Background: Hematopoetic stem cell transplants (HSCT) are discussed as treatment options for patients with solid tumors. Transplant numbers have changed substantially over the last decade, few controlled studies are available and different opinions prevail. Objective information on current practice is needed. Patients and methods: Data from 27 902 HSCT for solid tumors (2% allogeneic, 98% autologous), collected by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) activity survey from 1991 to 2002 were used to assess trends, transplant rates and coefficient of variation of transplant rates in Europe. Results: Transplant numbers increased from 536 in 1991 to 4154 in 1997 and decreased to 1913 in 2002. Indications were neuroblastoma (2504 HSCT; 9%), glioma (662 HSCT; 2%), soft tissue sarcoma (1253 HSCT; 4%), germ cell cancer (3291 HSCT; 12%), breast cancer (13 524 HSCT; 48%), Ewing's sarcoma (1896 HSCT; 7%), lung cancer (387 HSCT; 1%), ovarian cancer (845 HSCT; 3%) and other solid tumors (3540 HSCT; 14%). Allogeneic cells were used in <20 cases up to 1997; since then allogeneic HSCT increased to 159 in 2002, mainly for renal cell carcinoma. Low coefficients of variation in transplant rates (<60%) are observed for Ewing's sarcoma (<56.5%), suggesting consensus for this indication. Conclusions: These data give an overview on current practice of HSCT for solid tumors in Europe. They provide objective information for health-care providers and patient counsellin

Second-line high-dose chemotherapy in patients with mediastinal and retroperitoneal primary non-seminomatous germ cell tumors: the EBMT experience

Background: Results of second-line chemotherapy in patients with extragonadal non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) appear inferior to results in testicular NSGCT. Patients with retroperitoneal NSGCT achieve a comparable long-term survival rate of 30%, but the salvage rates of patients with mediastinal primary are less than 10%. We conducted a retrospective analysis on patients with mediastinal and retroperitoneal NSGCT treated with second-line high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) registered with the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). Patients and methods: Between 1987 and 1999, 59 registered patients with retroperitoneal (n=37) and mediastinal (n=22) primary NSGCT, median age 28 years (range 18-60), were treated with second-line HDCT. All had received cisplatin-containing chemotherapy as first-line treatment. Results: Toxic death occurred in three cases (5%). With a median follow-up of 58 months (range 14-114), 18/59 patients (30%) continue to be disease-free. Of three patients who had a disease recurrence after HDCT, one patient achieved a disease-free status with further chemotherapy and surgery. In total, 19 patients (32%) are currently disease-free. Sixteen of 37 patients (43%) with retroperitoneal NSGCT, and three of 22 patients (14%) with mediastinal NSGCT are currently alive and disease-free. Conclusions: Second-line HDCT might represent a possible option for patients with retroperitoneal primary NSGCT. New salvage strategies are needed for patients with mediastinal NSGC

Seismic data reveal eastern Black Sea Basin structure

Rifted continental margins are formed by progressive extension of the lithosphere. The development of these margins plays an integral role in the plate tectonic cycle, and an understanding of the extensional process underpins much hydrocarbon exploration.A key issue is whether the lithosphere extends uniformly, or whether extension varies with depth. Crustal extension may be determined using seismic techniques. Lithospheric extension may be inferred from the waterloaded subsidence history, determined from the pattern of sedimentation during and after rifting. Unfortunately, however, many rifted margins are sediment‐starved, so the subsidence history is poorly known

Synthesis, Structure, and Bonding Analysis of Lewis Base and Lewis Acid/Base‐Stabilized Phosphanylgallanes

Phosphanylgallane with hydrogen and halogen substituents (RXGa PHR, R=organic substituent, X=halogen/hydrogen) are regarded as putative suitable precursors for accessing Ga=P doubly bonded species. Herein, we report on the synthesis, structure, and bonding analysis of a series of Lewis base- and Lewis acid/base-stabilized phosphanylgallane bearing P H and Ga Cl/H substitution. To avoid oligomerization, the treatment of IDip.GaCl3 and (IDip)GaH2Cl (IDip=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl) imidazole-2-ylidene) with LiPHR or LiPHR(BH3) (R=Ph, Tip, Mes, NiPr2, NCy2) affords the corresponding Lewis base and Lewis acid/base coordinated H,Cl-functionalized monomeric phosphanylgallane, respectively. The structure of these derivatives were determined by spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The observed Ga P bond lengths are comparable to those previously reported phosphanylgallane analogues. The nature of the CIDip-Ga coordination bond was assessed with Energy Decomposition Analysis, suggesting a relatively stable adduct. Reactions of the phosphanylgallane with Brønsted bases were investigated

Nutritional problems of Cardinal grapes grown in Canakkale, Turkey

The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional status of the Cardinal grapes that are grown in Canakkale. Leaf and soil samples were taken from 18 different vineyards to ensure a uniform sampling area. Although all of the soil samples contained suitable pH values for grapes, levels of organic matter content were found to be low. Lime (CaCO3) content was at an insufficient level in 72% of the soils at 0-30 cm depth and in 61% of the soils at 30-60 cm depth. Phosphorous (P) content was at low and medium levels in 94% of the soils. Potassium (K) was found to be insufficient in 50% of the soils. In both depths, the iron (Fe) content of 33% of soils was lower than the critical level. Manganese (Mn) content was at an insufficient level in 22% of the soils. There were no nutritional problems with respect to zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the soils. Nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) contents of leaf blades were higher than those of leaf petioles. Potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) contents of leaf petioles were higher than those of leaf blades. There were no differences between zinc (Zn) contents in leaf blades and leaf petioles. The N content of 89% of the leaf blades and P content of 61% of the leaf blades was higher than the critical level. There were no nutritional problems with respect to K in leaf blades. The Ca contents of leaf blades and leaf petioles were found to be at insufficient levels. The Mg contents of leaf blades and leaf petioles were found to be sufficient. There were no nutritional problems in leaf blades and leaf petioles with respect to Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu

A study to determine fertility status in the Canakkale-Lapseki agricultural areas, Turkey

International Conference on the Future of the Mediterranean Rural Environment -- 2000 -- MENEMEN, TURKEYThis research was conducted on the high-quality agricultural land between the towns of Lapseki and Umurbey in the Canakkale region of Turkey, where total agricultural land covers 353,589ha. Soil samples, representing a total area of 66 10 ha, where mostly cherry, peach, sour cherry, kiwi and vegetables are grown, were taken within the depths of 0-30 and 30-60 cm. Soil samples were collected from 123 different points in the sampled area. Two samples were taken at every point, making a total of 246 soil samples, which were analysed to determine their physical and chemical properties. The results show the productivity characteristics of these agricultural soils. The results indicate that the soils are highly calcareous, with high pH, low levels of organic matter and phosphorous, and very rich in potassium. The sampled soils are deficient in zinc and iron (approximately 70% of the samples), manganese (50-55% of the samples), but have an excess copper content (approximately 95% of the samples). (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd.Cranfield Univ,Turkish Gen Directorate rural Ser

Effect of different types and doses of nitrogen fertilizers on yield and quality characteristics of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing) cultivated on wheat straw compost

The most important prerequisite for a successful mushroom production is a high-quality compost substrate. For the present study wheat straw was used as bulk ingredient for the compost substrate preparation. In order to improve the C/N ratio and to accelerate the composting process, all substrate formulas need the addition of nitrogen-rich supplements at the outset of composting. Besides organic nitrogen sources, inorganic nitrogen supplements are also applied, when high-carbohydrate bulk ingredients are used. In the present work four different nitrogen fertilizers (urea (46 % N), ammonium nitrate (33.5 % N), calcium ammonium nitrate (26 % N) and ammonium sulfate (21 % N)) in three doses were applied as nitrogen sources and the effect on yield and some quality characteristics (cap weight, stalk weight, cap diameter, stalk diameter and stalk length) was investigated. The fertilizer application had only an unimportant effect on the cape diameter, which is an important characteristic for the classification of mushrooms, but had a stronger effect on the stalk length, which is also important for the classification. The highest dose of calcium ammonium nitrate produced the significant highest yield at the same time this variant also resulted in good results regarding the investigated quality characteristics

Evidence of AlII Radical Addition to Benzene

Electrophilic AlIII species have long dominated the aluminum reactivity towards arenes. Recently, nucleophilic low-valent AlI aluminyl anions have showcased oxidative additions towards arenes C C and/or C H bonds. Herein, we communicate compelling evidence of an AlII radical addition reaction to the benzene ring. The electron reduction of a ligand stabilized precursor with KC8 in benzene furnishes a double addition to the benzene ring instead of a C H bond activation, producing the corresponding cyclohexa-1,3 (orl,4)-dienes as Birch-type reduction product. X-ray crystallographic analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT results suggest this reactivity proceeds through a stable AlII radical intermediate, whose stability is a consequence of a rigid scaffold in combination with strong steric protection