Synthesis and structures of (dialkylsilylene)bis(phosphine)-nickel, palladium, and platinum complexes and (η(6)-arene)(dialkylsilylene)nickel complexes.

A series of dialkylsilylene-group 10 metal complexes (R(H)(2)Si)(Me(3)P)(2)M (M = Ni, Pd, Pt, R(H)(2) = 1,1,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)butane-1,4-diyl) and novel (η(6)-arene)(dialkylsilylene)nickel complexes (η(6)-arene)(R(H)(2)Si)Ni were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. The perpendicular geometry around the Si-M bond and the short Si-M distances of (R(H)(2)Si)(Me(3)P)(2)M complexes indicate the significant back donation from the metal to the silylene ligand.

Congenital anaplastic astrocytoma differentiated into pilocytic astrocytoma: an autopsy case.

We report an autopsy case of congenital astrocytoma and its histopathological changes during 5 years of the patient's development from birth to death. At birth, a right exophthalmic tumor was observed, and MRI revealed that the tumor occupied the right orbital space and had also affected the suprasellar diencephalic structures. The right orbital tumor, which was enucleated at 2 months of age, was a highly cellular tumor with moderate pleomorphism resembling anaplastic astrocytoma.

In vitro efficacy of l-asparaginase in childhood acute myeloid leukaemia.

To explore the potential efficacy of l-asparaginase treatment in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients, we studied the in vitro resistance of French-American-British (FAB) subtypes of childhood AML to l-asparaginase using a methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium assay. We tested leukaemic cells obtained from 177 common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cALL) and 228 AML children at diagnosis. The median 70% lethal dose of l-asparaginase (LD70asp) (U/ml) was 0.

Analysis of the circumstances at the end of life in children with cancer: symptoms, suffering and acceptance.

Background: In an effort to improve the quality of life of children with cancer, this study analyzes the signs and symptoms at the end of life in such children. It is hoped that these data will contribute to the development of appropriate programs to address the challenges faced by these children.

Procedure: Between 1994 and 2000, 28 children died after treatment for cancer at Hamamatsu University Hospital, Japan.

Analysis of the circumstances at the end of life in children with cancer: a single institution's experience in Japan.

Background: With the aim of improving the quality of life of children with cancer, this study presents an analysis of one hospital's experience with terminal care.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2000, 28 children died after treatment for cancer at Hamamatsu University Hospital. The circumstances of their deaths were analyzed through medical records and interviews with 8 sets of bereaved parents.

Two groups of Philadelphia chromosome-positive childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia classified by pretreatment multidrug sensitivity or resistance in in vitro testing.

The development of effective chemotherapy is imperative for children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) because of the poor prognosis of this condition. Initial cellular drug resistance is thought to be an important cause of induction failure and early relapse. We carried out in vitro tests using a methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium assay on bone marrow samples from 274 children with newly diagnosed ALL.