Magnetization-polarization cross-control near room temperature in hexaferrite single crystals.

Mutual control of the electricity and magnetism in terms of magnetic (H) and electric (E) fields, the magnetoelectric (ME) effect, offers versatile low power consumption alternatives to current data storage, logic gate, and spintronic devices. Despite its importance, E-field control over magnetization (M) with significant magnitude was observed only at low temperatures. Here we have successfully stabilized a simultaneously ferrimagnetic and ferroelectric phase in a Y-type hexaferrite single crystal up to 450 K, and demonstrated the reversal of large non-volatile M by E field close to room temperature. Manipulation of the magnetic domains by E field is directly visualized at room temperature by using magnetic force microscopy. The present achievement provides an important step towards the application of ME multiferroics.

Congestive heart failure after treatment for Wilms' tumor: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study group.

PURPOSE: We determined the frequency of and risk factors for congestive heart failure following treatment for Wilms' tumor that included doxorubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Flow sheets and medical records were reviewed to identify cases of congestive heart failure in a cohort of patients treated on National Wilms' Tumor Studies (NWTS)-1, -2, -3, and -4. The frequency of congestive heart failure was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A case-control study was conducted to determine the relationship among cumulative doxorubicin dose, site(s), total dose of abdominal and thoracic irradiation, sex, and the frequency of congestive heart failure. RESULTS: The cumulative frequency of congestive heart failure was 4.4% at 20 years after diagnosis among patients treated initially with doxorubicin and 17.4% at 20 years after diagnosis among those treated with doxorubicin for their first or subsequent relapse of Wilms' tumor. The relative risk (RR) of congestive heart failure was increased in females (RR = 4.5; P =.004) and by cumulative doxorubicin dose (RR = 3.3/100 mg/m(2); P <.001), lung irradiation (RR = 1.6/10 Gy; P =.037), and left abdominal irradiation (RR = 1.8/10 Gy; P =.013). CONCLUSION: We conclude that congestive heart failure is a risk of treatment with doxorubicin for Wilms' tumor. Additional follow-up of those children treated on NWTS-4 will be necessary to determine if the decrease in dose to 150 mg/m(2) significantly reduces this risk.

Secondary acute myelogenous leukemia in patients previously treated for childhood renal tumors: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group.

PURPOSE: This review characterized cases of secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurring after treatment of renal neoplasms on protocols of the National Wilms Tumor Study Group (NWTSG) between October 1969 and December 1991. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The NWTSG database was reviewed for cases of secondary AML and for WT1 status of the affected patients. Referring institutions were contacted by a confidential letter requesting pathology reports, results of immunophenotyping, cytogenetic, and molecular analyses, and details concerning treatment of AML. RESULTS: Of the 5,278 patients treated during the study period, 43 had second malignant neoplasms, and 7 of these 43 had AML. At the time of diagnosis of Wilms tumor, the median age of the seven patients (4 boys) was 3.2 years. Five of the seven renal neoplasms had favorable histologic characteristics. The most common French-American-British morphology was M5. One patient had bilateral tumors, and two were treated for recurrent Wilms tumor. All patients received chemotherapy regimens that included doxorubicin (6) or etoposide (1), and six were treated with infradiaphragmatic irradiation. The median latency period from initial diagnosis of the renal neoplasm to development of secondary AML was 3 years (range, 1.2-4 yrs). One patient had the translocation t(9:11)(p22;q23); WT1 status was not noted for any of the seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: The development of secondary AML in this subset of patients after treatment of renal neoplasms may reflect the interaction of the effects of treatment and possible genetic predisposition toward cancer.

Acutifolins A-F, a new flavan-derived constituent and five new flavans from Brosimum acutifolium.

Acutifolin A (1), a novel constituent with a bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ene-2,9-dione ring, acutifolins B-F (2-6), five new flavans, and three known flavans were isolated from the bark of Brosimum acutifolium, a Brazilian folk medicine ("Mururé"). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR.

Renal failure in the Denys-Drash and Wilms' tumor-aniridia syndromes.

Nearly 6000 patients enrolled in four clinical trials of the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group during 1969-1995 were followed until death or for a median of 11.0 years of survival for the onset of renal failure (RF). Thirteen of 22 patients with Denys-Drash syndrome and 10 of 46 patients with the Wilms' tumor aniridia syndrome developed RF. The cumulative risks of RF at 20 years from Wilms' tumor diagnosis were 62% and 38%, respectively. Only 21 cases of RF were observed among 5358 patients with unilateral disease who did not have characteristic congenital genitourinary anomalies, and their risk was <1%. Although other explanations cannot be completely excluded, the high rate of RF in patients with the aniridia syndrome challenges the view that nephropathy is associated uniquely with missense mutations in the WT1 gene. It suggests the possibility of a further gradation in the spectrum of phenotypes associated with different WT1 mutations. Patients with Wilms' tumor and aniridia or genitourinary abnormalities should be followed closely throughout life for signs of nephropathy or RF.

Microanalysis of a selective potent anti-Helicobacter pylori compound in a Brazilian medicinal plant, Myroxylon peruiferum and the activity of analogues.

A selective potent anti-Helicobacter pylori isoflavone was isolated from a Brazilian Medicinal Plant, Myroxylon peruiferum. The isolation bioassay-guided and the characterization of an active anti-H. pylori constituent was performed using the methanol extract of plant of minute amount. The active compound was identified as cabreuvin (1), an isoflavone derivative. The structure-activity relationships of several related compounds were also investigated.

Surgery-related factors and local recurrence of Wilms tumor in National Wilms Tumor Study 4.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic factors for local recurrence in Wilms tumor. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Current therapy for Wilms tumor has evolved through four studies of the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. As adverse prognostic factors were identified, treatment of children with Wilms tumor has been tailored based on these factors. Two-year relapse-free survival of children in the fourth study (NWTS-4) exceeded 91%. Factors once of prognostic import for local recurrence may lose their significance as more effective therapeutic regimens are devised. METHODS: Children evaluated were drawn from the records of NWTS-4. A total of 2482 randomized or followed patients were identified. Local recurrence, defined as recurrence in the original tumor bed, retroperitoneum, or within the abdominal cavity or pelvis, occurred in 100 children. Using a nested case-control study design, 182 matched controls were selected. Factors were analyzed for their association with local failure. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, taking into account the matching. RESULTS: The largest relative risks for local recurrence were observed in patients with stage III disease, those with unfavorable histology (especially diffuse anaplasia), and those reported to have tumor spillage during surgery. Multiple regression analysis adjusting for the combined effects of histology, lymph node involvement, and age revealed that tumor spillage remained significant. The relative risk of local recurrence from spill was largest in children with stage II disease. The absence of lymph node biopsy was also associated with an increased relative risk of recurrence, which was largest in children with stage I disease. The survival of children after local recurrence is poor, with an average survival rate at 2 years after relapse of 43%. Survival was dependent on initial stage: those who received more therapy before relapse had a worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that surgical rupture of the tumor must be prevented by the surgeon, because spills produce an increased risk of local relapse. Both local and diffuse spills produce this risk. Stage II children with local spill appear to require more aggressive therapy than that used in NWTS-4. The continued critical importance of lymph node sampling in conjunction with nephrectomy for Wilms tumor is also established. Absence of lymph node biopsy may result in understaging and inadequate treatment of the child and may produce an increased risk of local recurrence.

A new vitamin E (alpha-tocomonoenol) from eggs of the Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus keta.

A novel alpha-tocomonoenol 3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyl-12-tridecenyl )-2H-1- benzopyran-6-ol[ having an unusual methylene unsaturation at the isoprenoid-chain terminus of alpha-tocopherol was isolated from the lipophilic fraction of chum salmon eggs. The structure of this marine-derived tocopherol (MDT) was established by spectral analyses. The peroxyl radical-trapping activities of MDT and alpha-tocopherol were compared in aqueous phosphatidylcholine liposomal suspension and in methanolic solution at 37 degrees C. The antioxidant activity of MDT was found to be identical to that of alpha-tocopherol under the experimental conditions of measurement.

[Separation and identification of the llungianin A and B from the root of Pimpinella thellungiana Wolff].

Two compounds were isolated from the roots of Pimpinella thellungiana wolff. On the basis of spectral analysis (UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR, 1H-1H COSY, 13CNMR, 1H-13C COSY, DEPT), they were identified as 2-(1-ethoxy-2-hydroxy) propyl-4-methoxyphenol(I); 2-(1-ethoxy-2-hydroxy) propyl-4-methoxyphenyl-2-methyl-butyrate (II). They are new compounds named the llungianin A and B. Pharmacological tests showed that they have some hypotensive effects.

Second malignant neoplasms following treatment for Wilm's tumor: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group.

PURPOSE: The study was undertaken to determine the incidence of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) in patients treated for Wilms' tumor and demonstrate how the incidence varied with the initial treatment protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 1969 and December 1991, 5,278 assessable patients were enrolled onto the National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS) and by the end of 1993 had contributed 39,461 person-years to a follow-up study. Expected numbers of second cancers were calculated by applying national incidence rates to person-years classified by age, sex, and calendar year. RESULTS: Forty-three SMNs were observed, whereas only 5.1 were expected (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1 to 11.4). Fifteen years after the Wilms' tumor diagnosis, the cumulative incidence of a SMN was 1.6% and increasing steadily. Abdominal irradiation received as part of the initial therapy increased the risk of a SMN (SIR, 1.43/10 Gy; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.81). Doxorubicin potentiated the radiation effect. Among 234 patients who received doxorubicin and greater than 35 Gy of abdominal radiation, eight SMNs were observed, whereas only 0.22 were expected (SIR, 36; 95% CI, 16 to 72). Treatment for relapse further increased the SMN risk by a factor of 4 to 5. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the importance of current efforts to limit the use of intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which are now applied only to patients with the most aggressive disease. Continuing close surveillance of the great majority of Wilms' tumor patients who become long-term survivors is essential for early diagnosis of SMNs and other late sequelae of therapy.

Management and outcome of inoperable Wilms tumor. A report of National Wilms Tumor Study-3.

METHODS: The authors reviewed 131 children enrolled in National Wilms Tumor Study-3 (NWTS-3) who received preoperative treatment for tumors unable to be resected at surgery or judged inoperable by imaging evaluation. Preoperative biopsies were performed on 103 patients. Patients were assigned a pretreatment stage: stage II (11 patients), stage III (39 patients), stage IV (66 patients), and unknown (15 patients). The chemotherapy regimen included dactinomycin and vincristine (81 patients), dactinomycin, vincristine, and doxorubicin (30 patients), dactinomycin, vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (10 patients), and other (8 patients). Preoperative radiation therapy was started concurrently with chemotherapy (27 patients) or because of lack of response (14 patients). Two patients were given preoperative irradiation without chemotherapy. RESULTS: Response to therapy was assessed after the first trial of chemotherapy. Partial responses were noted in 110 patients (85%), 3 had complete responses, 13 had no response or progression of disease, and 5 patients were not able to be evaluated. There were no significant differences in preoperative response to the different chemotherapy regimens. Median time interval from diagnosis to nephrectomy was 58.5 days. When compared with NWTS-3 patients not receiving preoperative treatment, survival was reduced for patients treated preoperatively (88% vs. 74%, respectively, 4-year survival), which was only partially explained by differences in stage distribution. Median duration of follow-up was 5.9 years. Lack of response to the preoperative treatment was associated with a poor prognosis. Eight children died before removal of the primary tumor. All eight had either progressive disease or no response to the preoperative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The use of preoperative treatment can facilitate subsequent surgical resection in selected patients with inoperable Wilms tumors. Although these very large tumors--judged unable to be resected--have a somewhat worse prognosis, nephrectomy was completed in 93% of patients after preoperative treatment. However, preoperative treatment will lead to less accurate surgical and pathologic staging, and undertreatment should be avoided in these high-risk patients.

Carcinoembryonic antigen mediates in vitro cell aggregation induced by interferon-gamma in a human colon cancer cell line: requirement for active metabolism and intact cytoskeleton.

The homotypic cell aggregation of a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive colon cancer cell line (Colo 205) was induced in vitro by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) treatment. Divalent cations were required for this aggregation, as it was inhibited by EDTA. The partial inhibition by cytochalasin B and the complete inhibition by a mixture of sodium azide and 2-deoxyglucose suggests that the aggregation requires the integrity of cytoskeleton and active metabolism. The expression of CEA was increased in the cytoplasm and on the membrane of Colo 205 by IFN-gamma treatment. Furthermore, this aggregation was inhibited completely by anti-CEA monoclonal antibody (mAb) and partially by mAb against intercellular adhesion molecule-1. This in vitro study suggests that CEA molecule participates in the IFN-gamma induced homotypic adhesion of some CEA positive cancer cells and that IFN-gamma has an important role in the regulation of cell-cell interaction mediated by CEA molecule.

Treatment outcomes in patients less than 2 years of age with small, stage I, favorable-histology Wilms' tumors: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study.

PURPOSE: Retrospective analyses were performed to determine the effect of tumor weight and therapy modifications on outcome in patients less than 2 years of age with stage I favorable-histology Wilms' tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 4-year relapse-free and overall survival percentages for patients randomized to different treatment regimens in National Wilms' Tumor Studies (NWTS)-1, -2, and -3 were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The 4-year relapse-free survival percentages of patients whose specimen weight was less than 550 g were found to be 89.1% on NWTS-1, 96.0% on NWTS-2, and 93.2% on NWTS-3. There was no evidence that the relapse-free survival of these patients had improved over time (P value for trend = .99). The 4-year relapse-free survival percentage for similar age and stage patients whose specimen weight was 550 g or greater was significantly poorer than that of patients with smaller tumors (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Changes in the NWTS treatment regimens over a period of more than 20 years have not improved on the excellent prognosis of patients who are less than 2 years of age at diagnosis and who have a stage I, favorable-histology Wilms' tumor with specimen weight less than 550 g. These data could be used as the basis for a future trial in which a subgroup of such patients is treated with nephrectomy only.

Prognostic factors in nonmetastatic, favorable histology Wilms' tumor. Results of the Third National Wilms' Tumor Study.

A comprehensive statistical analysis of relapses to lung and abdomen and of deaths due to tumor that occurred among 1466 patients with nonmetastatic, favorable histology (FH) Wilms' tumor entered on the Third National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS-3) was undertaken. In addition to lymph node involvement, age at diagnosis and tumor size as measured by the weight of the excised specimen were the most important determinants of outcome. The effects of tumor size were most apparent for patients with localized (Stage I) disease; age effects were found for patients with regional (Stage II or III) disease. The presence of microscopic tumor in the margin of surgical resection was an independent predictor of abdominal recurrence and death in the latter group. Although the report of the surgeon of diffuse soilage of the peritoneal cavity from tumor spilled or cut across in the course of nephrectomy was highly correlated with outcome, it was not possible to establish an independent prognostic role for such a finding after adjustment for the aforementioned factors. Patients with intralobar nephrogenic rests (ILNR) had a favorable survival outlook even after accounting for their generally younger ages and lower stages.

The role of surgical excision in the management of relapsed Wilms' tumor patients with pulmonary metastases: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study.

To determine the effect of surgical excision of pulmonary metastases from Wilms' tumor on postrelapse survival, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical courses of 211 patients with stages I to III, favorable or unfavorable histology Wilms' tumor entered on National Wilms' Tumor Study-1, -2, or -3 whose first recurrence was limited to the lungs. There was no difference in the 4-year postrelapse survival percentage of favorable-histology patients with a solitary pulmonary metastasis who did or did not undergo surgical removal of the metastasis in addition to pulmonary irradiation and chemotherapy. Although histological confirmation of pulmonary relapse is frequently indicated, the present data suggest that therapeutic removal of pulmonary metastases from patients with relapsed Wilms' tumor does not increase the percentage of patients who survive for 4 years postrelapse, compared with treatment with whole-lung irradiation and chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy-related toxicity in infants treated according to the Second National Wilms' Tumor Study.

Babies under 12 months of age have been included in the National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS) series of clinical trials. Undue chemotherapy-related toxicity was encountered early during the course of the second NWTS. The prescribed doses of actinomycin D (AMD), vincristine (VCR), and Adriamycin ([ADR] doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH) were therefore halved. The frequency of severe hematologic toxic episodes was reduced (30 of 64 or 47% for babies receiving full doses [FD], and six of 48 or 13% for those given reduced doses [RD]). Similar reductions in pulmonary and hepatic effects were noted, and treatment-related deaths were reduced from 6% to 0 for the FD and RD samples, respectively. These frequencies among RD babies were similar to those encountered in 530 older children administered FD. Reduction of dose did not compromise therapeutic effectiveness.

Wilms' tumor in the neonate: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study.

Renal neoplasms in the neonate are quite uncommon. Twenty-seven of the 3,340 patients (0.8%) registered on the National Wilms' Tumor Studies from 1969 through April 1984, were 30 days old or less. Of these 27 patients, 18 had mesoblastic nephroma, 1 had a malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, and 4 others had nonneoplastic lesions. The remaining four infants were reviewed in detail. All had favorable histology Wilms' tumors; none had distant metastasis at diagnosis. Treatment ranged from surgery alone to excision plus three-drug therapy for 15 months. All fared well. The patient with Stage I rhabdoid tumor died at eight weeks of age in spite of aggressive four-drug therapy. This review supports the view that Wilms' tumor in the neonate is extremely rare.