Mechanism of the reaction of sodium hydroxide and nitrobenzyl sulphones

Aqueous sodium hydroxide reacts with [[[4-nitrogphenyl] methyl] sulphonyl]]-acetic acid [1] to give 4, 4[']-diformylazoxy-benzene and 4, 4[']--dicarboxyazoxybenzene as the main products, while in 50 percent water-dioxane medium the products are 4, 4[']--dihydroxmyethylazoxybenzene, 4, 4[']--dicarboxyazoxybenzene besides 4-carboxy, 4[']--hydroxymethylazoxybenzene and its isomer. 4-Nitrosobenzaldehyde is an intermediate in this reaction which via a Cannizzaro reaction gives the reaction products. Other 2-, 3-and 4-nitrobenzyl sulphones are studied

Half body irradiation [HBI] in metastatic carcinoma

Twenty eight patients with distressing pain due to widespread bony metastases have been treated by systemic radiation therapy. Ten patients received upper half body irradiation to a dose of 600 cGy, uncorrected for lung transmission, while 14 patients received lower half body irradiation to a dose of 800 cGy. Four patients received both upper and lower half body irradiation. Patients with multiple myeloma received 300 cGy for both halves. The response rate was 78% and the relief of pain occurred within 24-48 hours. The treatment was well tolerated and heamatologically safe