AMS-C14 analysis of graphite obtained with an Automated Graphitization Equipment (AGE III) from aerosol collected on quartz filters

AMS-14C applications often require the analysis of small samples. Such is the case of atmospheric aerosols where frequently only a small amount of sample is available. The ion beam physics group at the ETH, Zurich, has designed an Automated Graphitization Equipment (AGE III) for routine graphite production for AMS analysis from organic samples of approximately 1 mg. In this study, we explore the potential use of the AGE III for graphitization of particulate carbon collected in quartz filters. In order to test the methodology, samples of reference materials and blanks with different sizes were prepared in the AGE III and the graphite was analyzed in a MICADAS AMS (ETH) system. The graphite samples prepared in the AGE III showed recovery yields higher than 80% and reproducible 14C values for masses ranging from 50 to 300 lg. Also, reproducible radiocarbon values were obtained for aerosol filters of small sizes that had been graphitized in the AGE III. As a study case, the tested methodology was applied to PM10 samples collected in two urban cities in Mexico in order to compare the source apportionment of biomass and fossil fuel combustion. The obtained 14C data showed that carbonaceous aerosols from Mexico City have much lower biogenic signature than the smaller city of Cuernavaca.

Bevacizumab continuation versus no continuation after first-line chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomized phase III non-inferiority trial (SAKK 41/06)

BACKGROUND Chemotherapy plus bevacizumab is a standard option for first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. We assessed whether no continuation is non-inferior to continuation of bevacizumab after completing first-line chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS In an open-label, phase III multicentre trial, patients with mCRC without disease progression after 4-6 months of standard first-line chemotherapy plus bevacizumab were randomly assigned to continuing bevacizumab at a standard dose or no treatment. CT scans were done every 6 weeks until disease progression. The primary end point was time to progression (TTP). A non-inferiority limit for hazard ratio (HR) of 0.727 was chosen to detect a difference in TTP of 6 weeks or less, with a one-sided significance level of 10% and a statistical power of 85%. RESULTS The intention-to-treat population comprised 262 patients: median follow-up was 36.7 months. The median TTP was 4.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1-5.4] months for bevacizumab continuation versus 2.9 (95% CI 2.8-3.8) months for no continuation; HR 0.74 (95% CI 0.58-0.96). Non-inferiority could not be demonstrated. The median overall survival was 25.4 months for bevacizumab continuation versus 23.8 months (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.63-1.1; P = 0.2) for no continuation. Severe adverse events were uncommon in the bevacizumab continuation arm. Costs for bevacizumab continuation were estimated to be ∼30,000 USD per patient. CONCLUSIONS Non-inferiority could not be demonstrated for treatment holidays versus continuing bevacizumab monotheray, after 4-6 months of standard first-line chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. Based on no impact on overall survival and increased treatment costs, bevacizumab as a single agent is of no meaningful therapeutic value. More efficient treatment approaches are needed to maintain control of stabilized disease following induction therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00544700.

How often parametrial involvement leads to post-operative adjuvant treatment in locally advanced cervical cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and type C radical hysterectomy?

OBJECTIVE Parametrial involvement (PMI) is one of the most important factors influencing prognosis in locally advanced stage cervical cancer (LACC) patients. We aimed to evaluate PMI rate among LACC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), thus evaluating the utility of parametrectomy in tailor adjuvant treatments. METHODS Retrospective evaluation of consecutive 275 patients affected by LACC (IB2-IIB), undergoing NACT followed by type C/class III radical hysterectomy. Basic descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analyses were applied in order to identify factors predicting PMI. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox models. RESULTS PMI was detected in 37 (13%) patients: it was associated with vaginal involvement, lymph node positivity and both in 10 (4%), 5 (2%) and 12 (4%) patients, respectively; while PMI alone was observed in only 10 (4%) patients. Among this latter group, adjuvant treatment was delivered in 3 (1%) patients on the basis of pure PMI; while the remaining patients had other characteristics driving adjuvant treatment. Considering factors predicting PMI we observed that only suboptimal pathological responses (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.22) and vaginal involvement (OR: 1.29 (95%) CI: 1.17, 1.44) were independently associated with PMI. PMI did not correlate with survival (HR: 2.0; 95% CI: 0.82, 4.89); while clinical response to NACT (HR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.59, 7.04), vaginal involvement (HR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.02) and lymph nodes positivity (HR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.62, 7.41), independently correlated with worse survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that PMI had a limited role on the choice to administer adjuvant treatment, thus supporting the potential embrace of less radical surgery in LACC patients undergoing NACT. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Ueber den derzeitigen Stand der gesetzlichen Schutzbewegung zu Gunsten der Alpenflora unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Tätigkeit des "Vereins zum Schutze und zur Pflege der Alpenpflanzen" : Nachtrag III.

von C. Schmolz

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 99 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Siegfried Kracauer und Alexander Mitscherlich (p. III 8, 213-408)

4 Briefe mit Antwort von Kohlhammer Verlag an Max Horkheimer, 1953, 1957; 12 Briefe mit Antwort und Beialge von Professor Hans Kohn an Max Horkheimer, 1953-1958; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Hans Kohn an Theodor W. Adorno, 1957-1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Hans Kohn an Helmut Viebrock, 1958; 1 Brief von Theodor W. Adorno an Helmut Vriebrock, 1957; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort zwischen Rudolph Kolisch und Max Horkheimer, 1957; 1 Telegram von Professor Rudolph Kolisch an R. K., 1956; 1 Brief von Max Horkheiemr an den Kölner Universitäts-Verlag, 1957; 1 Drucksache von der Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie, 1953; 1 Drucksache von dem Kongress für Internationale Wissenschaftsgeschichte, 1951; 1 Brief mit Beilage von dem Königsteiner Kreis an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Drucksache mit Beilage von der Zeitschrift "Konkret", 1958; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort zwischen Sekretärin Mathilde Koppen und Max Horkheimer, 1951, 1956; 2 Telegramme von Fritz Kortner an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 4 Briefe mit Antwort von Siegfried Kracauer an Max Horkheimer, 1951-1956; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Professor Alexander Mitscherlich, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Hildegard Krämer an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort von Dr. Rudolf Krämer-Badoni an Max Horkheimer, 1950, 1951; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Julius Kraft an Max Horkheimer, 1956, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Präsident d. LVA Heinrich Kraft, 1955; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Werner Kraft an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief von Angelo Kramer an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 2 Briefe von dem Architekt Ferdinand C. A. F. Kramer an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von dem evangelischen Studentenpfarrer Dr. Rudolf Krapp an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von dem Rechtsreferendar Heinz Kraus, 1956; 1 Drucksache von dem Frankfurter Studentenlied, 1956; 1 Aktennotiz von Professor Otto F. Kraushaar, 1953; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Regierungspräsident Wiesbaden,1952; 1 Aktennotiz von Klaus Kremer, 1958; 1 Brief von Dr. Stephanie Krenn an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Aktennotiz von Dean Krasomil, 1952; 1 Brief mit Beilage von Anneliese Kreutz an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 1 Brief von Anneliese Kreutz an Professor Wilhelm Sturmfels, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von Robert H. Kreutzer an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Hans Hermann Kritzinger an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von dem Betriebspsychologe Ludwig Kroeber-Keneth an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von Professor Oswald Kroh an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Todesanzeige von Professor Oswald Kroh, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Wilhelm Kromphardt an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Zirkus Krone, 1956; 1 Gutachten über Hans Joachim Krüger, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Melitta Krüger an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von dem Privatdozent Otto Kühne an Max Horkheimer, 1954, 1957; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Ministerialrat Dr. Dr. Kühn, 1953; 1 Vermählungsanzeige von Walter Kühn, 1957; 1 Aktennotiz von dem Rundfunk Dr. Kuhnert, ohne Jahr; 1 Brief von P. W. Krüger an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Vermählungsanzeige mit Antwort von Hans K. Kullmer, 1953; 3 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich Küntzel an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Professor Fritz Baade an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 3 Breife mit Antwort von dem Verlag Walter de Gruyter an Max Horkheimer, 1954, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Kürschners Deutscher Gelehrten-Kalender, 1954; 2 Drucksachen von der Sektkellerei Kupferberg & Co, 1956; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von dem Reisebüro Kuoni an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an das Kurhaus "Zur Rose" Bad Meinberg, 1956; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von der Kurhessische Gesellschaft für Kunst und Wissenschaft an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Gutachten von Thomas Gabor Kürthy, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Generaldirektor Dr. Kuss, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Joseph J. Kwiat an Max Horkheimer, 1955;

Aramaic papyri of the fifth century B. C.

ed. with transl. and notes by A. Cowley

Post-biblical history of the Jews : from the close of the Old Testament, about the year 420 B.C.E. till the destruction of the second temple, in the year 70 C.E. ; in two volumes

by Morris J. Raphall

Gedächtnisrede gehalten bei der Trauerfeier für Seine Majestät den höchstseligen Kaiser Friedrich III am 24. Juni 1888 in der Hauptsynagoge zu Mainz

von S. Salfeld

Worte, zum Gedächtnisse des Hochseligen Königes Friedrich Wilhelm III. Majestät, in der Synagoge zu Königsberg am 19. Juli 1840 gesprochen

von Joseph Levin Saalschütz

Zum Denkmal im Tempel des Herrn ... : Rede, dem theuern Andenken seiner Majestät unseres ... am 7. Juni 1840 ... dahingeschiedenen Königs und Landesvaters Friedrich Wilhelm III.

gesprochen ... und ... hrsg. von Salomon Plessner

Alpha C protein of group B Streptococcus as a potential vaccine candidate

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of life-threatening infection in neonates and young infants, pregnant women, and non-pregnant adults with underlying medical conditions. Immunization has theoretical potential to prevent significant morbidity and mortality from GBS disease. Alpha C protein (α C), found in 70% of non-type III capsule polysaccharide group B Streptococcus, elicits antibodies protective against α C-expressing strains in experimental animals and is an appealing carrier for a GBS conjugate vaccine. We determined whether natural exposure to α C elicits antibodies in women and if high maternal α C-specific serum antibody at delivery is associated with protection against neonatal disease. An ELISA was designed to measure α C-specific IgM and IgG in human sera. A case-control design (1:3 ratio) was used to match α C-expressing GBS colonized and non-colonized women by age and compare quantified serum α C-specific IgM and IgG. Sera also were analyzed from bacteremic neonates and their mothers and from women with invasive GBS disease. Antibody concentrations were compared using t-tests on log-transformed data. Geometric mean concentrations of α C-specific IgM and IgG were similar in sera from 58 α C strain colonized and 174 age-matched non-colonized women (IgG 245 and 313 ng/ml; IgM 257 and 229 ng/ml, respectively). Delivery sera from mothers of 42 neonates with GBS α C sepsis had similar concentrations of α C-specific IgM (245 ng/ml) and IgG (371 ng/ml), but acute sera from 13 women with invasive α C-expressing GBS infection had significantly higher concentrations (IgM 383 and IgG 476 ng/ml [p=0.036 and 0.038, respectively]). Convalescent sera from 5 of these women 16-49 days later had high α C-specific IgM and IgG concentrations (1355 and 4173 ng/ml, respectively). In vitro killing of α C-expressing GBS correlated with total α C-specific antibody concentration. Invasive disease but not colonization elicits α C-specific IgM and IgG in adults. Whether α C-specific IgG induced by vaccine would protect against disease in neonates merits further investigation. ^