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Common practices associated with the use of cryopreserved hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) include measuring the viability of the thawed cells from a sample derived from the thawed product, and thawing cells at the patient's bedside out of concern for possible toxicity of DMSO in the post-thaw liquid cell suspension. The former practice carries the risk of discovering excess cell death when it is too late to correct, and the concomitant risk of non-engraftment. The latter practice carries all of the risks associated with manipulating cells in a non-controlled environment including risk of contamination and lack of suitable containment in the event of failure of a cryostorage container. In an effort to reduce risks associated with cell cryostorage, we are currently examining the validity of measuring CD34 viability from cells frozen in retention vials concomitantly with product freezing. We are also examining the stability of HPC being held in cryostorage medium from 1 to 24 hours post thaw. We present here our results from a pilot study performed on six bags of cells, previously identified for discard due to death of the intended recipients. Six bags of HPC and associated retention vials, frozen for 5 to 12 years, were selected at random from the pool of discarded products and de-identified per guidelines for discard of medical waste. CD34+ cells were identified using a modification of the ISHAGE method, and dead cells were identified by infiltration with the fluorochrome dye 7-AAD. CD34+ cells stored in retention vials were 94±11 percent viable, and CD34+ cells stored in bags were 96±7 percent viable. A Wilcoxan matched pairs test yielded p=0.6, indicating that these results were not different. Percent viable CD34+ cell recovery, relative to the known number of CD34+ cells per mL originally frozen, was determined immediately following thawing, and following 1, 2, 4 and 24 hours remining in thawed cryostorage medium, with recoveries (mean ± std. dev.) of 88 ± 31, 76 ± 33, 62 ± 28, 88 ± 41, and 49 ± 26 percent respectively. These preliminary results suggest that viable CD34 percent as measured from a retention vial may serve as a predictor of viability at thawing of it's associated product, and also that HPC held in cryostorage medium post thaw retain viability for at least four hours post thawing. Based on these results we are continuing these studies.

A series of Cr(III) dimers were synthesized from a parent compound [Cr 2 (μ-oxo) 2 (μ 1,2 -C 4 O 4 ) 2 (H 2 O) 4 ]·2H 2 O ( I ) by ligand substitution. The compounds have been analyzed using variable frequency EPR (9–110 GHz) and magnetic susceptibility as a function of field (0–9 T) and temperature (1.9–300 K) to obtain their electronic g -values, exchange energies, and zero-field parameters. The parent compound exhibits a broad maximum around 34 K characteristic of a dimer with antiferromagnetic coupling that fit the Van Vleck susceptibility model well. It was found that the maxima could be tuned from 34 to 80 K by ligand substitution of the waters. Each compound possesses a characteristic color spanning the range of teal to pink. The g -value of each compound was found to be ∼1.98 using spectral simulation. The DMSO derivative is water soluble and has a high LC 50 for PC3 cancer cells, suggesting its use as a magnetic resonance imaging agent. X-ray crystal structure of the DMSO derivative [Cr 2 (μ-oxo) 2 (μ 1,2 -C 4 O 4 ) 2 (C 2 H 6 SO) 4 ]·2H 2 O ( II ) revealed that the DMSO ligands are equatorial, and the squarate groups bridge the two chromiums. This is in contrast to the previously proposed structure of the parent compound where the water ligands were axial and the equatorial squarate groups did not bridge the chromiums. These compounds are interesting because of their ease of synthesis, and their wide range of magnetic behavior. The compounds are good probes into antiferromagnetic dimer exchange by controlling the ligand field surrounding the superexchange pathway present in the molecule.

State purchasing data can provide valuable information, in combination with a systematic ranking methodology, for prioritizing environmentally preferable purchasing efforts. A team of researchers developed and applied a priority-setting tool for the State of California's Procurement Division, which considers purchase volume, environmental impacts, potential for improvement, and institutional factors such as existing state policies and upcoming contract renewals. Using state purchasing data, this method produced a ranked list of 58 product classes, divided into four general priority groups. The State of California selected three priority product classes for further analysis by the research team, leading to a list of recommended product brands. The process for developing a list of recommended general-purpose cleaners is described as an example.

Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) remains a therapeutic challenge to the medical oncologists. We evaluated the triplet combination of paclitaxel (175 mg/m 2 over 1 h), ifosfamide (2.5 gm/m 2 over 1 h) and carboplatin (AUC=6 over 0.5 h) (PIC) all given on day 1 of a 21 day schedule. Thirty-five patients were entered with a median age of 59 years (range 40–79). The ECOG PS was 0–1 in 86%. A median of 6 cycles were delivered (range 1–6). The principal toxicity was neutropenia with 66% of patients experiencing grade 4 neutropenia. Only 9% of patients experienced febrile neutropenia. One treatment-related death (3%) due to neutropenic sepsis occurred. Non-hematologic toxicity was minimal. The overall response rate was 71% (15% complete response, 56% partial responses). Quality of life appeared to be stable across time. The median survival time was 9.5 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 6.7–13.2 months) with a 1- and 2-year survival rates of 43% (95% CI, 26–59%) and 16% (95% CI, 2–30%). PIC has activity in ES-SCLC and is associated with a response rate and survival profile similar to other combinations in this disease setting. This regimen has a tolerable toxicity profile and a favorable and convenient administration schedule.

The algorithms described in this paper use estimates of the sensitivities in a gradient-based stochastic approximation procedure for adaptive control. Learning rates are kept constant for adaptability reasons. For these procedures, the control processes do not converge almost surely, but in distribution. For a flexible machine where the control parameter is a probability vector, a new sensitivity estimator is described, generalizing the Phantom RPA to multi-valued decisions. Several updating schemes are built based on the weak convergence theory to ensure asymptotic optimality. Results show that weak convergence yields a dramatic improvement in the rate of convergence, in addition to the capability of tracking.

The theoretical basis, laboratory trials, and early clinical experience with photodynamic therapy are discussed. Current photosensitizers and activating lasers are carefully reviewed. Attention is directed to initial therapy of limited cancer as well as intraoperative phototherapy. The concepts of multiple drug phototherapy and combined chemotherapy and phototherapy are introduced.

Currently the best prognostic indicator of cancer response is that of staging by the American Joint Commission Staging System. This system is most helpful in state I and in stage IV patients as a prognosticator. Caution must be exercised in oral cavity stage I cancers which tend to be more threatening and where further staging techniques should be used. The major need for careful prognostic indicators beyond simple staging is clearly evident in the stage II and stage III group. In this group, the histologic criteria of Jakobsson, the nuclear criteria suggested by Holm, and the immunologic staging parameters discussed here will hopefully better predict survival, and more importantly, guide therapy. Finally, the role of induction chemotherapy as a prognostic indicator itself has great potential and is currently being heavily investigated.

Forty-three women underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy for metastatic breast cancer. Endocrine tests (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin, prolactin and growth hormone) were done in 28 patients to evaluate the completeness of the procedure. Response of the metastatic breast cancer and duration of survival after hypophysectomy were determined and statistically compared with the posthypophysectomy hormone levels. Only one patient had an endocrinologically complete hypophysectomy, but the objective remission rate (32 percent) is comparable to the 30 to 40 percent objective remission rate reported in other studies that claim to have achieved complete hypophysectomy. No statistically significant associations were found between the levels of the hormones measured and the type of response (objective, subjective or none) to hypophysectomy. However, objective responders survived longer than nonresponders (p = 0.01). When analyzing the associations of the various hormone levels with the duration of survival after hypophysectomy, a positive correlation (p less than 0.05) of peak thyrotropin levels with duration of survival was found. Our data indicate that the clinical benefit advanced breast cancer patients received from an endocrinologically incomplete hypophysectomy is probably as great as that received from an endocrinologically complete hypophysectomy. It appears that a nonspecific disturbance of the hormonal milieu may adversely affect the growth of breast cancer. More studies are needed to elucidate the nature of the endocrine disturbance produced by hypophysectomy and its effects on hormone-sensitive tumors.