Brain-stem tumors in childhood: a prospective randomized trial of irradiation with and without adjuvant CCNU, VCR, and prednisone. A report of the Childrens Cancer Study Group

Seventy-four children with a brain-stem tumor diagnosed between 1977 and 1980 were entered into a prospective study in which exploration and assessment for resection were optional, radiation treatment using standard methods was required, and randomization occurred with regard to the use of adjuvant chemotherapy (1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, vincristine, and prednisone) or no further treatment. The overall 5-year survival rate was 20% and was not improved by the adjuvant chemotherapy program. An increased risk of infection was associated with the adjuvant therapy.

Excess Molar Volumes of Binary Mixtures of Ethyl Acetate and Propyl Acetate With Normal Alkanols

This article reports measurements of VE/m at 298.15 K for binary mixtures of n- alkanols CnH2n+1OH (from n = 2 to n = 10) with ethyl and propyl acetates. All the excess volumes are positive over the entire concentration range, with VE/m increasing with the length of the alkanol chain. Suitable equations have been fitted to the data for each mixture. The results are compared with data previously published.

Study of the main extracted species of cobalt(II) ion with dodecylthioglycolic acid as extractor

The distribution of cobalt(II) between water and an organic extractant (dodecylthioglycolic acid) dissolved in kerosene has been studied using a tracer of 60Co. The aqueous media wee always constituted by buffer solutions (acetic acid – sodium acetate) and the ionic strength was adjusted with sodium nitrate to 1 mol dm−3. The main species of cobalt(II) originating in the organic phase has been isolated and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and ir spectra.

Computed tomography in stage III neuroblastoma

This multicenter study was designed to determine if CT can assess operability in stage III neuroblastoma. Nineteen children (11 boys, eight girls), aged 2-51 months, considered to have, by conventional clinical and radiographic examinations, localized neuroblastoma that crossed the midline were examined by CT. After intravenous and oral contrast media enhancements, CT was able to show the relation of the tumor to the adjacent vital vessels: aorta, celiac axis, and superior mesenteric artery. In all 15 patients, tumors that encased the aorta or its major branches were unresectable. However, three of four tumors crossing the midline but not coming into contact with the aorta or adherent only to one side of the vessel could be resected. Because surgery currently plays the major role in the treatment of neuroblastoma, the relation of the tumor to the aorta and great vessels is a more reliable and important factor in predicting the outcome of these children than the extension and location of the tumor with reference to the midline. CT after intravenous contrast enhancement can establish this relation and assess resectability.

Excess molar volumes of binary mixtures of 2-hexanone with n-alkane at 298.15 K

The excess molar volumes, [Formula: see text], of 2-hexanone (MBK) with n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane, n-undecane, n-dodecane, and n-tridecane have been obtained at 298.15 K from densities measured with a vibrating tube densimeter. The [Formula: see text] are positive over the entire composition range in all mixtures, with the exception of the MBK + n-hexane system, where an inversion of the sign of [Formula: see text] is observed. In other systems, [Formula: see text] increases with increasing size of the alkyl group in n-alkane.

[Intestinal invagination caused by a lymphangiolipoma]

We report a 11 year-old boy with ileo-ileal intussusception due to a pediculated tumor of the bowel wall. This lesion was found to be a lymphangiolipoma in which mature adipose cells were interspersed with dilated lymphatic ressels. Tumorectomy by enterotomy was curative. The ranty of this hamartomatous lesion is pointed out.

Excess Molar Volumes of Butyl Acetate+an n-Alkanol at 298.15 K

Excess molar volumes VEm at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure were calculated over the entire composition range from densities measured with a vibrating-tube digital densimeter for the binary mixtures butyl acetate + methanol, + ethanol, + propan-1-ol, + butan-1-ol, + pentan-1- ol, + hexan-1-ol, + heptan-1-ol, + octan-1-ol, + nonan-1-ol and + decan-1-ol. The excess volumes are positive over the entire composition range for these mixtures except the system butyl acetate + methanol, for which all VEm values are negative. The excess volumes show a consistent trend towards more positive values as the length of the hydrocarbon chain of the alkanol increases. The results suggest the presence of specific interactions.

5-Fluorouracil and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) followed by hydroxyurea, misonidazole, and irradiation for brain stem gliomas: a pilot study of the Brain Tumor Research Center and the Childrens Cancer Group

Twenty-eight evaluable children with the diagnosis of brain stem glioma were treated with 5-fluorouracil and CCNU before posterior fossa irradiation (5500 rads); during irradiation, the children received hydroxyurea and misonidazole. The treatment was well tolerated, and minimal toxicity was produced. The median relapse-free survival was 32 weeks, and the median survival was 44 weeks. Analysis of covariates showed that, in patients between the ages of 2 and 19 years, survival was longest in the older children (P less than 0.02). Tumor histology, sex, extent of operation (if any), Karnofsky score, and radiation dose did not correlate with survival.

Neonatal neuroblastoma metastatic to the iris

A newborn infant was found to have Stage IVS retroperitoneal neuroblastoma. Multiple iris nodules were present at birth and regressed in synchrony with the primary tumor mass as chemotherapy was administered. A summary of the ocular manifestations of neuroblastoma is presented. A discussion of the possible significance of the iris lesions in this case is given. As far as we are aware, this is the first case report of neuroblastoma metastatic to the iris.

Presymptomatic central nervous system therapy in previously untreated childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: comparison of 1800 rad and 2400 rad. A report for Children's Cancer Study Group

The Children's Cancer Study Group has organised two therapeutic clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of various types and doses of CNS prophylaxis in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Of 478 previously untreated patients who subsequently achieved an initial marrow remission, 299 were randomised to receive 2400 rad craniospinal radiation therapy (RT) or 2400 rad cranial RT plus intrathecal methotrexate (i.t. MTX) while the remaining 179 patients were randomised between the same two regimens using a radiation dose of 1800 rad. All patients received identical induction and maintenance chemotherapy. Comparison of the two studies indicated that reduction of the dose of CNS radiation from 2400 rad to 1800 rad did not result in a significant increase in the frequency of CNS relapse, bone marrow relapse, or death. Moreover, no significant differences were observed when analyses were done within prognostic risk groups. Randomised trials with RT doses lower than 1800 rad or with i.t. chemotherapy alone should be considered to determine the most effective and least toxic forms of CNS prophylaxis.

Active components in Perezia roots

The effects produced by perezone, which was isolated from Perezia cuernavacana Rob. et Greenm., and hydroxyperezone monoangelate, from Perezia hebeclada (D.C.) A.Gray, on intestinal motility in vivo and in vitro in animal experiments are reported. It is suggested that hydroxyperezone monoangelate is a laxative principle present in certain species of the Perezia genus, with use in Mexican folk medicine.

Effect of the septal lesion on the non-learned responses of the rat

Effect of septal lesions has been studied in rats to find if they alter aspects of its SSDR. Results may be summarized as follows: 1. Animals with the septal syndrome tried to attack only when about to be caught, while they showed exaggerate freezing and submissive responses once caught. 2. A shock associated situation caused an increase in the freezing behavior and a decrease in the number of boluses excreted. 3. The septal animals never left walls of the open field, and did not explored its internal areas, showed in increase in thigmotaxis. 4. They showed an increase in the emergence time. The results are interpreted as due to an enhancement of the species-specific defence reactions.