A phase I-II study of paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and vinorelbine with filgrastim (rhG-CSF) support in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: We designed a phase I-II trial of three active agents, paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and vinorelbine, in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to: 1) define the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel with filgrastim (G-CSF) support; and 2) determine the overall response rate and median survival of patients treated on this regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated cohorts of patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC with ifosfamide 1.2-1.6 g/m2/day x 3 and vinorelbine 20-25 mg/m2/day x 3 and escalating doses of paclitaxel at 100-175 mg/m2 on day 2 with G-CSF support on a 21-day cycle. One prior experimental single-agent chemotherapy regimen was allowed. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients, were enrolled on this trial: 27 on the phase I portion of the study and an additional 29 at the recommended phase II dose (RPTD). Thirteen patients had received prior chemotherapy. Paclitaxel doses of 175 mg/m2 and 150 mg/m2 produced dose-limiting myelosuppression, and the RPTD was determined to be paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 with ifosfamide 1.2 g/m2/day on days 1-3 and vinorelbine 20 mg/m2/ day on days 1-3 with G-CSF support. The overall response rate was 18%, with a median survival of 6.1 months. Six of 35 patients (17%) treated at the RPTD achieved a partial response to therapy. Grade IV neutropenia was observed in 19 of 35 patients at this dose, with eight patients suffering febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: This non-cisplatin-containing three-drug regimen has substantial toxicity and low activity in advanced NSCLC, and does not seem to improve on prior regimens. It is unclear whether the lack of efficacy relates to an antagonistic reaction between the specific drugs, administration schedule, or to subtherapeutic doses of the individual agents.     

Effect of starting particle size on hot-pressing of magnesium oxide powder prepared by vapour-phase oxidation process

Effect of starting particle size on hot-pressing of magnesium oxide (MgO) powder was examined using seven kinds of MgO powders prepared by a vapour-phase oxidation process; the average primary particle sizes were 11, 25, 32, 44, 57, 107 and 261 nm. These compressed powders (compacts) were hot-pressed at a temperature between 900 and 1300°C. The densifications of these compacts during the hot-pressing proceeded via (i) the sintering of primary particles within secondary particles and the rearrangement of secondary particles/grains (900°C), (ii) the gradual grain growth controlled by the pore migration (900∼1100°C) and (iii) the rapid grain growth due to the active mass transfer (1300°C); the grain sizes of MgO compacts hot-pressed at and below 1100°C were <1 μm, while those at 1300°C attained 20∼30 μm. The transluscent compact with the relative density of 99.7% could be obtained when the compressed powder with the average primary particle size of 44 nm was hot-pressed at a temperature as low as 1100°C for 1 h. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of doping on the electronic structure of (La,Sr)2CuO4

High-statistics (>4 × 10⁸ counts), room-temperature measurements of the electron-positron momentum density of La_2?x Sr _x CuO₄ have been performed for samples with Sr concentrations of x=0.0, 0.1, 0.13, and 0.2. These spectra have been analyzed in conjunction with theoretical calculations of the electron-positron momentum density. The metallic samples show features consistent with the presence of a Fermi surface, but its evolution with increasing Sr concentration does not follow the predictions of band theory. These results may indicate the effects of electron-electron correlation on the electron momentum distribution in the Cu-O plane.     

Psoralen photochemotherapy

Psoralens and sunlight have been used by the Egyptians and Indians for hundreds of years for treating vitiligo. The combination of oral psoralens and artificial ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy was approved for managing severe psoriasis by the Food and Drug Administration in 1982. Since then, PUVA therapy has been an effective modality for treating many cutaneous conditions (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides). However, proper knowledge and administration of PUVA therapy are vital to treatment success and reducing side effects.     

Primary sternal osteomyelitis presenting as a pleural-based mass

Osteomyelitis in uncommon locations can present unusual diagnostic difficulties. A patient with primary sternal osteomyelitis who presented with pain over the right supraclavicular area and a radiologic picture of a pleural-based right upper lung mass is discussed. A triple-phase bone scan was consistent with the diagnosis, and a needle aspiration of the mass revealed a staphylococcal abscess. Percutaneous drainage of the contiguous abscess and a prolonged course of antibiotic therapy cured the infection.     

Synthesis and properties of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenethyloxy)piperidine,an initiator for living free radical styrene polymerization

Summary An initiator for living free radical polymerization may be prepared by trapping the benzylic ethylbenzene radical with the stable 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO) radical. The adduct, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenethyloxy)piperidine (TMPEP), smoothly undergoes thermal fragmentation at temperatures approaching 140° C to afford an active carbon radical capable of initiating polymerization and a passive mediating nitroxyl radical to reversibly cap and preserve the propagating polymer chain.     

Off flavours in large waterbodies: physics, chemistry and biology in synchrony.

The Laurentian Great Lakes of North America are a drinking water source for millions of Canadian and US consumers. These waterbodies have undergone extensive change over the past century as a result of widespread degradation and remediation. Many of the Lakes are prone to taste and odour (T&O), and although these outbreaks have been poorly monitored, evidence suggests that they are increasing in frequency. Tracing and controlling T&O in such large systems presents a challenging task, due to their physical size and complexity. This paper presents an overview of recent investigative and management approaches to T&O in Lake Ontario and its outflow, the St. Lawrence River. We have identified three distinct patterns of T&O in these source-waters, caused by geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol and differing in their planktonic and benthic sources, and temporal and spatial dynamics. Each pattern has required a different approach by scientists and management, in partnership with the water industry. We have shown these T&O outbreaks are caused and moderated by physical, chemical and biological mechanisms over a spectrum of spatial and temporal scales. Canadian municipalities affected by these outbreaks have been key to the investigation of the links between T&O and ecosystem processes with the aim to develop more proactive water treatment and long-term management.