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2,2,7-Trimethyloct-6-en-3-one is formed by decomposition of two tetrahydropyran derivatives derived from cineole. A rational synthesis of this ketone from 3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one and 1-bromo-3-methylbut-2- ene is also reported.

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The article focuses on the emergence of clay tennis court facilities in Australia. It notes that players tend to use clay courts when developing their game. Scott Draper, National Academy manager at Tennis Australia, states that young players training on clay courts earn development lessons such as point structure, variety and movement. It discusses the work done by the Clay Court Research Centre in Sydney, New South Wales in the monitor and maintenance of various types of clay courts.

A letter to the editor is presented commenting on a chance meeting with Chris Maida of "American Iron Magazine" during Daytona Bike Week 2012.

A letter to the editor is presented recalling a reunion trip with a friend and reminiscing about the pleasurable days of riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

A letter to the editor is presented about the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle of an enthusiast which is a 2009 Dyna Super Glide.

According to the EBMT activity survey in 2005 autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation - AHCT was performed in 24.4% out of 3573 AML patients treated with HCT, and a similar proportion of 20,1% is reported by CIBMTR. However, the role of AHCT in AML remains controversial. The recent trials focused on efficacy of AHCT in comparison to allotransplantation or chemotherapy in general demonstrate advantage of AHCT versus chemotherapy in disease free survival (DFS) and prove the feasibility of AHCT even in patients >60 y. The transplant related mortality - TRM is about 5%. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of AHCT in adult AML and to see weather the quality of the results improved with time. Among over 1700 patients treated in our department with HCT between 1991 and 2007 there were 335 AML patients; 194 allografted (66 from URD) and 141 treated using auto-transplantation. This analysis concerns AML patients treated with AHCT; age 16–61 y (median 38), M/F =73/68, 125 in CR 1 and 16 in CR >1. In 124 cases the conditioning regimen was BuCy 4+2, in 3 with additional AraC and in 14 the CAV protocol. The median numbers of transplanted cells (cryopreserved, unpurged) were following: NC 2,3 (0,4–20) x10e8/kg; CD34+ 2,1 (0,5–13) x 10e6/kg. Results. The median regeneration time of granulocytes up to >0.5 G/l and of platelets to >50 G/l equaled 20 (10–59) and 53 (11–374) days respectively. In CR1 patients at median observation time of 6.5 y the probability of 10 y OS and DFS equalled 47% and 43% respectively and the 100 day TRM was 6.3%. In the CR>1 group the corresponding values were 10%, 17% and 6%. The results obtained with CAV conditioning were distinctly worse if compared to BuCy. The TRM was related to oral Bu + Cy regimen toxicity and subsequent infections. The analysis of AML patients transplanted before and after 2000 y revealed that the proportion of autologous transplantation’s decreased in these time periods from 61% to 29% in favour of allografts. Patients auto-transplanted after 2000 were older with median age 48 y (16–61) versus 29 y (16–58) <0,000001, and were more frequently transplanted with peripheral blood cells than with bone marrow 83% vs. 23% p<0,00001. The results obtained in 57 patients treated using AHCT after 2000 were in spite of older age better if compared to 84 patients auto-grafted earlier; the TRM decreased from 8.3% to 3.5%, whereas the probability of OS improved from 37% (27–47) to 57% (42–71), p = 0,03 and DFS from 33% (23–43) to 49% (35–63), p=0,09. The multivariate analysis revealed two independent factors influencing OS: CR1 versus CR2 status (HR=2,1, p=0,02) and the transplantation period 2000y (HR=0,6, p=0,04) whereas only CR status influenced the DFS (HR=2,2, p=0,003). Our observation demonstrates that AHCT is an effective and well tolerated option for patients not eligible for allotransplantation because of age, co-morbidity or lack of the donor and the results of this procedure improved in the last decade. Clinical trials evaluating AHCT in subgroups stratified according to the new molecular risk criteria’s, introduction of less toxic conditioning and development of post-transplant treatments preventing from relapses are keys for AHCT to become still more effective treatment.

Intensification of post-remission therapy in patients with AML increases the rate of long-term remissions. High-dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation have therefore been shown to be promising strategy in the management of AML. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcome and risk of relapse in patients with low mobilizing capacity. Materials and methods: Patients from 3 Haematology Departments in Poland were treated according to 3+7 or 3+7+Cladribine protocols. Progenitor cell collection was conducted usually following the 2nd consolidation cycle. Mobilization was conducted in 238 patients in CR. PB was a main source of progenitor cells. The potential influence of recognized prognostic factors (age, WBC, cytogenetics), the number of chemotherapy cycles conducted prior to achieving CR, time elapsed from CR to mobilization, duration of aplasia following chemotherapy (<21 days) and the number of CD34+cells in mobilized material (0, <1, 1–2×106/kg CD34+), on the mobilization capacity, the clinical outcome and the risk of a relapse, was assessed. Results: AutoHSCT was conducted in 199 patients. In 39 cases it was not possible to obtain an adequate number of cells for transplantation (<2×106/kg CD34+) (16,4%). Within that group, maintenance therapy was conducted in 17 (43,6%), auto+alloHSCT was conducted in 19 cases (48,7%), alloHSCT was conducted in 3 cases (7,7%). A relapse occurred in 20 patients (51,3%). Initial WBC, age, CD34+ immunophenotype, morphological subtype, number of induction cycles, duration of cytopenia and the treatment method following ineffective mobilization (mainenance therapy vs. autoSCT, vs. alloSCT) have been shown to have no influence on mobilization capacity and the risk of relapse. Cytogenetics was obtained only in 35% of the cases for the reason that the influence of this factor on the mobilization and the risk of relapse had not been assessed. None of the following parameters; ie. number of MNC, CD34+, CFU-GM, BFU-E cells affected the risk of relapse. However it is likely, having compared a group of patients who did not undergo transplantation with a group of patients who underwent transplantation, that the low number of CD34+ cells is a factor that does not negatively affect the duration of CR. Conclusions: AutoHSCT results obtained are comparable to those achieved in other centres (3ys LFS of 50%). We have found a high percentage of “poor mobilizers”. None of the examined prognostic factors proved to be beneficial in the assessment of the risk of ineffective mobilization of progenitor cells. The lack or poor mobilization of progenitor cells has not been shown to be a negative prognostic factor in patients with AML, as regards clinical outcome and risk of relapse. New prognostic factors, that would allow the isolation of a group of patients with AML, for whom autoHSCT would be the therapy of choice, should be investigated.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a recognised option of post-consolidation therapy for adults with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) not having a donor. G-CSF-stimulated peripheral blood SCT results in faster recovery compared to cryopreserved bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and is currentlly used by the majority of centres. In the current study we analyze the feasibility of a new technique of autologous BMT, which does not require cryopreservation. 115 adult patients (median age 24.5 (16–53) years) with high-risk ALL in first complete remission (CR) were treated with autologous BMT between 1991–2004 in a single center using uniform standard operating procedures. Immune phenotype was as follows: proB 17%, preB 9%, common 44%, mature B 1%, preT 9%, mature T 19%. Initial WBC was >30 G/l in 30% of patients. 8% of patients were bcr/abl(+), 38% required >1 course of induction to achieve CR. Bone marrow was collected in general anaesthesia and further stored for 72 hours in 4degC without any processing and reinfused 24 hours after completion of myeloablative therapy. Conditioning regimen (CAV) consisted of cytarabine 2x1000 mg/m2 d. −3, −2, −1, etoposide 800 mg/m2 d. −3, −2, cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg d. −3, −2. Median NC dose was 2.0 (0.9–10.8)x10e8, CD34+cell dose − 1.6 (0.4–15)x10e6/kg. Median recovery of ANC>0.5 G/l equaled 16(11–45) days, PLT>50 G/l – 16(10–53) days (11% patients received cytokines to stimulate NC recovery). Median duration of hospital stay since the date of BMT was 19(13–51) days. The OS rate at 10 years (median follow-up 6.5 years) equaled 57% (+/−5%), LFS rate − 47% (+/−5%). Three patients died within 100 days after ABMT of septic infections (non-relapse mortality rate − 2.6%). None of the analysed factors (age, WBC at diagnosis, immonophenotype, time to achieve CR) was found to influence the long-term outcome. We conclude that autologous transplantation of non-cryopreserved bone marrow after CAV conditioning is feasible for adults with high-risk ALL. The method is characterized by fast recovery, short hospital stay and low non-relapse mortality, and may constitute good alternative to autologous PBSCT.

The impingement of deep basin eddies on the shelf in the Gulf of Alaska has been implicated as an important mechanism for cross‐shelf exchange. The influence of eddies on biological processes has been confirmed with data from the Sea‐viewing Wide Field‐of‐view Sensor showing elevated chlorophyll associated with eddies. Altimetry data suggest that an eddy formed in the winter of 2003 near Yakutat, Alaska, and propagated along the shelf break, reaching the head of the gulf by spring. This eddy was sampled during May and September of 2003. The eddy core water was warm, salty, and high in nitrate relative to basin water of the same density but was similar to historical water properties from the shelf near Yakutat. This suggests a shelf origin for the eddy core water.

To identify the factors influencing hematopoetic cell collection we performed an analysis of a group of patients with uniform diagnosis treated in single center. Patients and methods: For this study we selected out of 1205 transplantation procedures performed in our department a group of 80 patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL): M/F 42/38, median age 38,5, 17–66 y, who underwent peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) harvest and autologous hematopoetic cell transplantation. The histological NHL subtypes were as follows: -follicular (n=13), -mantle cell (n=2), -small lymphocytic (n=9), -diffuse large B-cell (n=23), -lymphoblastic (n=11), -anaplastic (n=11) and other subtypes (n=11). The involvement of bone marrow at diagnosis or in relapse was proved in 27 patients. Most patients were heavily pretreated: the median time from diagnosis to mobilization was 12,5 months (3,7–70,8). The median number of different chemotherapy regimens was 2 (1–7) and the med. no. of chemotherapy cycles equaled to 9 (3–30). 34 patients received in addition radiation therapy. At the time of PBPC mobilization, 30 patients were in 1st remission (CR), 7 were in ≥2nd CR; 41 patients were in PR and 2 in relapse. Mobilization and harvesting procedures. In 27 patients pre-mobilization chemotherapy consisted of a single high dose of cyclophosphamide - 4,g/m2, 40 patients received IVE (Ifosfamide 3g/m2/d 1–3, Etoposide 0,2g/m2/d 1–3, epirubicine 0,05g/m2/d 1) and 10 patients were given other regimens: Cladribine, COP, F-MACHOP, Mtx, DHAP. Five days after the last chemotherapy dose G-CSF was started at 10mg/kg/day sc and continued until the last day of collection. Apheresis was performed using CS 3000 cell separators. The goal of this study was to determine factor associated with poor number of collected CD34+ cells. The following end-points were taken into account: <1.0x106 CD34+ cells/kg collected on the first day of harvest, <1.0x106 CD34+ cells/kg after two days of harvest, <1.0, <2.5, <5.0x106 CD34+ cells/kg after one entire harvesting procedure. Following variables were analyzed for their impact on the harvest efficacy: sex, age, histological subtype, bone marrow involvement, number of different chemotherapy regimens, number of chemotherapy cycles, adjuvant radiation therapy, chemotherapy scoring system (Drake M), scoring system of myelotoxic chemotherapy (Vantelon JM), time from diagnosis to mobilization, disease status at mobilization and mobilization regimen. Results: Univariate analysis selected the factors associated with unsuccessful harvest (p<0.05) as follows: bone marrow involvement at any time prior to mobilization, diagnosis of low grade lymphoma, a high number of chemotherapy regimens and cycles, additional radiation therapy, type of mobilization regimen (others vs IVE). The subsequent multivariate analysis identified following adverse risk factors: low grade NHL (p 0.01–0.004), bone marrow involvement at any time of treatment (p=0.01–0.002), B line NHL (p=0.04–0.009), number of therapy regimens >2 (p=0.03–0.0001), radiation therapy (p=0.01–0.02), scoroing system of myelotoxic chemotherapy (p=0.02–0.03), mobilization other then IVE (p=0.02–0.0007). Like in our earlier study IVE was found the most effective pre-mobilization regimen Conclusions: The factors associated with poor mobilization of peripheral blood progenitors in this study were: low grade lymphoma, bone marrow involvement, heavy pretreatment and mobilization regimen other then IVE.

In a number of studies on Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), autologous transplantation of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (autoPBSCT) was proved to result in faster hematopoietic recovery compared to bone marrow transplantation (autoBMT), however, no difference regarding long-term outcome has been demonstrated so far. In Katowice transplant centre we developed a new method of autoBMT with bone morrow not-cryopreserved but stored for 3 days in 40C and reinfused 24 hours after completion of CBV conditioning. In this study we analyzed outcome of 40 HL patients treated with this method in comparison with 125 patients given autoPBSCT between 1993–2004. In this setting patients were treated with CBV (n=32), BEAM+/− procarbazine (n=63) or other preparative regimens (n=30). In the autoBMT group patients were transplanted in high-risk CR1 (achieved after >1 line of therapy) (25%), CR>=2 (22.5%), PR1 (35%), PR>=2 (5%), and primary or secondary refractoriness (12.5%). The indications for autoPBSCT were comparable. As well, both groups did not differ in terms of age, histological subtype, disease stage at diagnosis, organ involvement or preceding therapy. At six years, the overall- and progression-free survival for autoBMT and autoPBSCT group equaled 88% vs. 72% (p=0.1) and 69% vs. 54% (p=0.08), respectively. The relapse incidence was significantly lower for patients given autoBMT compared with autoPBSCT (23% vs. 41%, p=0.03). In a univariate analysis, among other analyzed factors (age, disease stage at diagnosis and at transplantation, organ involvement, histological subtype, conditioning regimen, preceding therapy), the only factor influencing the risk of relapse was disease status at transplantation (CR or PR vs. NR - 32% vs. 62%, p=0.001). In a multivariate analysis the impact of both disease status (p=0.001) and the source of stem cells (p=0.04) remained statistically significant. The 100 days incidence of non-relapse mortality equaled 2.5% for autoBMT and 1% for autoPBSCT (p=NS). The neutrophil >0.5 G/L recovery was faster in the autoPBSCT group compared with autoBMT (14.7 vs. 17 d., p=0.006) whereas the difference regarding platelet >50 G/L recovery was not significant (17.5 vs. 19 d., p=NS). Both procedures did not differ in terms of severe adverse events as well as the need for blood products substitution, iv antibiotic therapy, cytokine tharapy or the time of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: AutoBMT without cryopreservation results in lower relapse rate in high-risk HL patients compared with autoPBSCT. Although the neutrophil recovery is longer by 2.5 days, the toxicity of both procedures as well as the need for supportive treatment is comparable.

The application of high pressure in bioscience and biotechnology has become an intriguing field in un/refolding and misfolding processes of proteins. NMR spectroscopy is the only generally applicable method to monitor pressure–induced structural changes at the atomic level in solution. Up to now the application of most of the multidimensional NMR experiments is impossible due to the restricted volume of the high pressure glass cells which causes a poor signal–to–noise ratio. Here we present high strength single crystal sapphire cells which double the signal–to–noise ratio. This increased signal–to–noise ratio is necessary to perform, for example, phophorus NMR spectroscopy under variable pressures. To understand the effect of pressure on proteins, we need to know the pressure dependence of 1H chemical shifts in random coil model tetrapeptides. The results allow distinguishing structural changes from the pressure dependence of the chemical shifts. In addition, the influence of pressure on the buffer system was investigated. Since high pressure was shown to populate intermediate amyloidogenic states of proteins the investigation of pressure effects on proteins involved in protein conformational disorders like Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) is of keen interest. 1H–15N–TROSY–spectra were acquired to study the effects of pressure and temperature on chemical shifts and signal volumes of the human prion protein. These measurements show identical pressure sensitivity of huPrP(23–230) and huPrP(121–230). First results suggest a folding intermediate for the human prion protein which can be populated by high hydrostatic pressure.