Soil [N] modulates soil C cycling in CO2-fumigated tree stands: a meta-analysis

Under elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentrations, soil carbon (C) inputs are typically enhanced, suggesting larger soil C sequestration potential. However, soil C losses also increase and progressive nitrogen (N) limitation to plant growth may reduce the CO(2) effect on soil C inputs with time. We compiled a data set from 131 manipulation experiments, and used meta-analysis to test the hypotheses that: (1) elevated atmospheric CO(2) stimulates soil C inputs more than C losses, resulting in increasing soil C stocks; and (2) that these responses are modulated by N. Our results confirm that elevated CO(2) induces a C allocation shift towards below-ground biomass compartments. However, the increased soil C inputs were offset by increased heterotrophic respiration (Rh), such that soil C content was not affected by elevated CO(2). Soil N concentration strongly interacted with CO(2) fumigation: the effect of elevated CO(2) on fine root biomass and -production and on microbial activity increased with increasing soil N concentration, while the effect on soil C content decreased with increasing soil N concentration. These results suggest that both plant growth and microbial activity responses to elevated CO(2) are modulated by N availability, and that it is essential to account for soil N concentration in C cycling analyses.

[Vitrectomy surgery for the treatment of the vitreo-retinal complications of the pars planitis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of pars plana vitrectomy in the management of patients with pars planitis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the clinical course, post-operative complications and recurrent uveal inflammation following pars plana vitrectomy in patients with pars planitis.

RESULTS

The study included 22 eyes of 19 patients. The mean follow-up was 55.7 (± 39.6) months (range 7 - 144 months). The surgical indications were, persistent vitreous opacities in 10 eyes, vitreous haemorrhage in 9 eyes, and epiretinal membrane in 3 eyes. There was an improvement in the clinical course of the uveitis in 19 of the 22 eyes (86.4%), allowing the suspension of the systemic treatment in 16 patients. An improvement of the visual acuity was observed in 20 eyes (90.9%). The most common post-operative complications were, lens opacities in 9 eyes (40.9%), and glaucoma in 4 eyes (18.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that pars plana vitrectomy has a beneficial effect on the course and visual function of patients with vitreo-retinal complications associated with pars planitis.

How to follow up advanced-stage borderline tumours? Mode of diagnosis of recurrence in a large series stage II-III serous borderline tumours of the ovary

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe how recurrences were diagnosed in the largest series of patients treated for an advanced-stage serous borderline ovarian tumour.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1973 to 2006, 45 patients with a serous borderline tumour and peritoneal implants relapsed among 162 patients with a follow-up exceeding 1 year. Data concerning recurrences and the mode of diagnosis were reviewed.

RESULTS

The median follow-up interval was 8.2 years (range 19-286 months). The mode of diagnosis of recurrences was imaging (n = 19), clinical symptoms (n = 8), cancer antigen (CA) 125 elevation (n = 7), secondary surgery (n = 5) and unknown (n = 6). The median time to recurrence was 31 months (range 4-242 month). The type of recurrence was invasive low-grade serous carcinoma in 14 patients. Five patients died of recurrent tumour. Among the 39 patients with a known mode of diagnosis of recurrence, the most frequent diagnostic method for invasive recurrences was blood CA 125 elevation (6 of 13) and the majority of noninvasive recurrences were diagnosed by imaging (16 of 23).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that ultrasound is the most relevant follow-up procedure in this context. Nevertheless, the blood CA 125 test is of particular interest for detecting invasive recurrent disease, which is the most crucial event.

[Clinical features of ocular toxoplasmosis in an inmigrant population in the Barcelona area: Study of 22 patients]

PURPOSE

To report the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic features of ocular toxoplasmosis in an immigrant population in the Barcelona area.

METHODS

A retrospective non-comparative observational study was conducted on a case series of 22 immigrant patients diagnosed with ocular toxoplasmosis by ophthalmoscopic and serological findings. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were analysed under baseline conditions. The minimum follow-up was 6 months.

RESULTS

Bilateral involvement was observed in five of the 22 patients (22.7%), a total of 27 eyes being affected by active lesions and old scars. Atypical presentations, including multiple or large necrotizing lesions, were observed in 5 eyes (25%). In 15 eyes (75%) the retinal lesions were associated with intraocular inflammation. Vitreoretinal complications were observed in eight eyes (29.6%), with 22.7% of them requiring vitreous surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In immigrant patients from our area in Barcelona, ocular toxoplasmosis has specific clinical and prognostic features, including high rates of atypical presentations, frequent intraocular inflammation, and vitreoretinal complications, requiring surgery in most of the cases.

Impact of adjuvant treatment modalities on the management of patients with stages I-II endometrial stromal sarcoma

PURPOSE

To explore whether adjuvant treatment options may impact on the prognosis in localized endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESSs; stages I and II). The historical options usually discussed in addition to hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy (BSO) are active surveillance, pelvic radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, alone or in combination.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Among 84 consecutive patients treated for ESS at a single referral center, 54 with localized stage disease were identified. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were estimated and patterns of recurrences described. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 58 months, only one patient had died. None of the 23 patients who had received adjuvant therapy relapsed compared with 13 of 31 patients who had not received any adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant treatments were hormonal therapy (n = 10) and brachytherapy with/without pelvic radiotherapy (n = 13). Almost the majority of relapses were local (92%) and extra-pelvic metastasis was observed in nearly half of the patients (46%). In the multivariate analysis, the major determinants of relapse-free survival were adjuvant treatment, myometrial invasion (P = 0.005) and no BSO (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, adjuvant treatment of localized ESSs was associated with the absence of recurrence.

Selectivity of hydrogen peroxide decomposition towards hydroxyl radicals in catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) over Fe/AC catalysts

Two Fe/AC catalysts prepared with different iron precursors (iron nitrate and iron pentacarbonyl) and the same AC support have been tested in H(2)O(2) decomposition in presence and absence of methanol, a known strong scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, to investigate the selectivity towards .OH formation in this reaction and their behavior in the CWPO of phenol. The catalyst prepared with iron nitrate, with the most oxidized surface and the highest Fe surface content, seems to favor a higher selectivity towards .OH formation in CWPO allowing for complete phenol conversion and a significant TOC removal, with the highest mineralization degree at 50 degrees C and atmospheric pressure. Fe/AC catalysts were more efficient in the CWPO of phenol than in methanol presence due to a better use of the oxidant since adsorbed phenol on catalyst surface minimizes inefficient H(2)O(2) decomposition to H(2)O and O(2)(g). The influence of the initial H(2)O(2) concentration on phenol oxidation with this catalyst was also studied. A theoretical stoichiometric amount of H(2)O(2) for complete oxidation of phenol was chosen as the best starting concentration since auto-scavenging reactions can be minimized and it is sufficient for oxidizing phenol and the aromatic intermediates.

Outcomes after conservative treatment of advanced-stage serous borderline tumors of the ovary

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of the largest series of patients treated conservatively for a stage II or III serous borderline ovarian tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1969 to 2006, 41 patients were treated conservatively for an advanced-stage serous borderline ovarian tumor. Patient outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Twenty patients had undergone a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, 18 a unilateral cystectomy and two bilateral cystectomy (unknown for one patient). Three patients had invasive implants. The median duration of follow-up was 57 months (range 4-235). The recurrence rate was high (56%), but overall survival remained excellent (100% at 5 years, 92% at 10 years). One death had occurred due to an invasive ovarian recurrence. Eighteen pregnancies (nine spontaneous) were observed in 14 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that spontaneous pregnancies can be achieved after conservative treatment of advanced-stage borderline ovarian tumors (with noninvasive implants) but the recurrence rate is high. Nevertheless, this high rate has no impact on survival. Conservative surgery can be proposed to patients with a borderline tumor of the ovary and noninvasive peritoneal implants. Should infertility persist following treatment of the borderline tumor, an in vitro fertilization procedure can be cautiously proposed.

Final results of a FNCLCC French Sarcoma Group multicenter randomized phase II study of gemcitabine (G) versus gemcitabine and docetaxel (G+D) in patients with metastatic or relapsed leiomyosarcoma (LMS)

10527

Background: An objective response rate (RR) of 8% and 17% with G and G+D were respectively reported in metastatic soft tissue sarcomas (Maki, J Clin Oncol. 2007). We previously reported a 5% RR in 41 evaluable patients (pts) with ‘non uterus‘ LMS randomized to each arm of this randomized phase II study (Duffaud, ASCO. 2008). We present here the results of G vs G+D in uterine and all LMS. Methods: Patients had histologically proven metastatic or unresectable LMS, one prior anthracycline- based regimen, age ≥18, measurable disease (RECIST), PS ≤ 2. Treatment was G 1,000 mg/m2(over 100 minutes, d1+d8+d15) q28 days (d) or G 900 mg/m2(over 90 min, d1+d8) and docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (over 60 min, d8) q21 days; in the G+D arm, pts received lenograstim d9–15, 25% dose reductions were employed for prior pelvic radiation. The primary endpoint was the objective RR (CR+PR), evaluated every 2 cycles. Stratification was by primary tumor location (uterus vs. non-uterus). The Simon method was used: for “uterus” study, 20 pts per arm for a 74% probability of selecting the arm with a real RR of 50%, expected baseline RR was 40%; for the “non-uterus” study, 20 pts per arm for a 92% probability of selecting the arm with a real RR of 40%, expected baseline RR was 20%. Results: From 02/06 to 12/08, 44 pts were enrolled in the “non-uterus” study, 40 pts in the “uterus” study. Currently 76/82 pts are evaluable for response (41/44 in the “non uterus” and 35/38 in the “uterus” study) and 80/84 for toxicity. In the uterus group the median age is 57 (range 41–80), 24 pts received prior pelvic radiotherapy, the median number of cycles was 5 (range 0–8) and dose received/dose planned (%) were 69% in G arm, 88% of G and 86% of D in G+D arm. No differences in toxicity were observed between both LMS locations: in the G arm, toxicity was moderate except for one pulmonary gr4; in the G+D arm one toxic death was related to gr5 thrombocytopenia and there were 2 non-haemathologic gr4 toxicities; 11 pts stopped for intolerable toxicity (3 in G and 8 in G+D arm) and 1 pt for hypersensitivity (G+D arm). Conclusions: Final tumor response for uterine LMS and updated toxicity and PFS data for all the LMS will be presented during the meeting.

[Table: see text]

Postoperative morbidity after completion surgery in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervical carcinoma

5595

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morbidity rate in patients undergoing completion surgery after homogeneous chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for locally advanced stage cervical cancer. Methods: Patients fulfilling following inclusion criteria were studied: 1. Stage IB2-IVA cervical carcinoma; 2. Tumor confined radiologically initially to the pelvic cavity; 3. Pelvic external radiation therapy with delivery of 45 Gy in pelvic cavity with concomitant chemotherapy (cisplatin 40 mg/m2/week) followed by utero-vaginal brachytherapy; 4. Completion surgery after the end of radiation therapy including at least a hysterectomy. Modalities of this completion surgery depended on the presence, location and size of residual disease. Results: One-hundred and fifty patients treated between 1998 and 2007 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Modalities of hysterectomy performed were: extrafascial hysterectomy in 106 (71%) patients and radical hysterectomy in 44 (29%). Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed in 131 (87%) patients and pelvic lymphadenectomy in 34 (23%) patients. Thirty-four (23%) patients had macroscopic (> 1 cm) residual disease on pathologic examination. Twenty-five (23%) patients had post-operative complications (in whom 17 severe morbidity requiring surgical or radiological treatment). Presence of residual disease was the only factor associated with overall morbidity rate in univariate and multivariate analysis. The use of radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy increased significantly the rate of severe morbidity (particularly bowel and urinary tract morbidity). Conclusions: In the present study involving a large number of patients undergoing completion surgery after homogeneous CRT in locally advanced cervical carcinoma the morbidity rate is important. Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy increase the rate of severe morbidity. The interest on the survival of this completion surgery should be evaluated in prospective trial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic factors of patients with advanced stage serous borderline tumors of the ovary

5573

Background: The aim of this study was to determine prognostic factors in a large series of patients with stage II or III serous low malignant potential ovarian tumor (LMPOT) and peritoneal implants. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with a serous LMPOT and peritoneal implants treated or referred in our institution. The slides of ovarian tumors and peritoneal implants were reviewed by the same pathologist. Prognostic factors were studied. Results: From 1969 to 2006, 168 patients were reviewed, 21 of whom had invasive implants. Tumors exhibited a micropapillary pattern in 56 patients. Adjuvant treatment had been administered to 61 patients. The median duration of follow-up was 57 (range, 1–437) months. Forty-four patients had relapsed and 10 patients had died. 5-year overall survival of patients was 98%. Among patients with noninvasive and invasive implants, 8% and 10%, respectively, relapsed at 5 years in the form of invasive disease (p = 0.08). Prognostic factors for recurrence in the univariate analysis were: a laparoscopic approach, conservative treatment and positive second-look surgery. In the multivariate analysis the use of conservative treatment was the only prognostic factors for recurrence. Conclusions: The prognosis of serous LMPOT with peritoneal implants remains good. The strongest prognostic factor in patients with an advanced-stage borderline tumor is the use of conservative surgery. In this series, a micropapillary pattern and implant subtypes (invasive vs. noninvasive) were not prognostic factors.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Massive low gastrointestinal bleeding due to a Dieulafoy rectal lesion

Massive low gastrointestinal bleedings are often difficult diagnostically and in terms of management. Sometimes, it is not possible to identify the bleeding point after performing diverse diagnostic tests and the patient undergoes a blind subtotal colectomy. With rectal bleeding, this form of surgery is completely useless, as it will not solve the cause of the haemorrhage. The Dieulafoy lesion has been widely described in the stomach, but in the rectum is a very rare entity that can cause massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In the literature, there are only 25 described cases of rectal Dieulafoy lesion.