Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare and aggressive disease that requires multidisciplinary treatment with the use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Our retrospective study aimed to analyze the ...prognostic factors and treatment results in different age groups of patients. Between 1998 and 2018, 569 patients with ES were treated in two referral centers. The patients were divided into four age groups (≤10 years; 11–18 years; 19–25, and >25). The treatment results and prognostic factors were assessed for each group. For statistical analyses, we used the Chi2 test, the Kaplan–Meier estimator with a log-rank test, and the multivariate Cox model. Five-year overall survival (OS) rate was 56%. In the age subgroups: ≤10 years, 11–18 years, 19–25 years, and >25 years, the 5-year OS rates were 75%, 58%, 41%, and 52%, respectively. Favorable prognostic factors: female gender (p = 0.024), non-axial localization (p = 0.005), VIDE regimen (p < 0.001), and surgery as a local treatment (p < 0.001) dominated in the group ≤10 years. In multivariate analysis, male (HR = 1.53), axial localization (HR = 1.46), M1 status at presentation (HR = 2.64), and age > 10 years (HR = 2.29) were associated with shorter OS. The treatment results in ES are significantly better in children aged ≤10 years; the challenge is to provide therapy for adolescents and young adults. The diagnostics and treatment of ES patients must be provided in referral centers.
Although the Svalbard Archipelago is located at a high latitude, far from potential contaminant sources, it is not free from anthropogenic impact. Towards the Fuglebekken catchment, in the southern ...part of Spitsbergen, north of Hornsund fjord, contaminants can be transported from mainland pollution sources. In the precipitation and surface water collected in the catchment, the following elements were detected and quantified: Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Cs, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Tl, U, V and Zn. Additionally, pH, electrical conductivity and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined in those samples. The acidic reaction of precipitation waters was identified as an important factor intensifying the metal migration in this Arctic tundra environment. The air mass trajectory, surprisingly, explained the variability of only a small fraction of trace elements in precipitation water. The air mass origin area was correlated only with the concentrations of As, V and Cr. Wind directions were helpful in explaining the variability of Mn, U and Ba concentrations (east-north-easterly wind) and the contents of B, As, Rb, Se, Sr and Li in precipitation (south-westerly wind), which may indicate the local geological source of those. Atmospheric deposition was found to play a key role in the transport of contaminants into the Fuglebekken catchment; however, the surface water composition was modified by its pH and TOC content.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare type of soft tissue sarcomas. The localized disease is usually treated with surgery along with perioperative chemo- or radiotherapy. However, ...up to 70% of patients can develop distant metastases. The study aimed to evaluate the modes and outcomes of systemic treatment of patients with diagnosed MPNST treated in a reference center. In total, 115 patients (56 female and 59 male) diagnosed with MPNST and treated due to unresectable or metastatic disease during 2000–2019 were included in the retrospective analysis. Schemes of systemic therapy and the outcomes—progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)—were evaluated. The median PFS in the first line was 3.9 months (95% CI 2.5–5.4). Doxorubicin-based regimens were the most commonly used in the first line (50.4% of patients). There were no significant differences in PFS between chemotherapy regimens most commonly used in the first line (p = 0.111). The median OS was 15.0 months (95% CI 11.0–19.0) and the one-year OS rate was 63%. MPNST are resistant to the majority of systemic therapies, resulting in poor survival in advanced settings. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide is associated with the best response and longest PFS. Future studies and the development of novel treatment options are necessary for the improvement of treatment outcomes.
The montane glades in the Polish Carpathians were created centuries ago and have lasted mainly as a result of mowing and grazing. The observed abandonment of traditional methods of tillage in the ...last century led to adverse changes in vegetation cover, including a decrease in floristic diversity and the disappearance of many plant species and associations. One of a rare mountain taxa in Poland is the alpine globeflower Trollius altissimus Crantz. The investigations were carried out between June and September 2014 in the Hala DÅuga glade (Gorce Mts.) at two 36 m² plots: extensively grazed (P1) and unmanaged (P2). Light intensity, abundance and density of individuals and ramet clusters were significantly greater in the extensively grazed plot, whereas height of plant canopy, length of basal leaf petioles, width of leaf lamina, number and length of generative stems, number of flowers and follicles achieved higher values in the unmanaged plot. The structure of developmental stages and number of basal leaves did not differ remarkably between the studied sites. Also, the soil properties in both plots were very similar.The studies show that extensive sheep grazing has a positive influence on Trollius altissimus. In the studied locality such management contributes to the gradual spreading of this species. However, too intensive pasturage might eliminate this species as it has never been observed in any of the permanently grazed patches in the vicinity.
Introduction: Synovial sarcoma (SaSy) is a high-grade, malignant soft tissue sarcoma (STS) accounting for 5–9% of STS. The aim of this study was to analyse outcomes of patients with localised SaSy ...treated in a single institution with a uniform neo- and adjuvant-combined therapy protocol. Methods: 171 patients with stage II/III SaSy were treated between 1997 and 2014. Chemotherapy consisted of 4 cycles of ifosfamide 12 g/m2 and two cycles of a doxorubicin-based regimen 75 mg/m2. With the exception of patients who underwent amputation, all patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Results: Median age was 33 years (range 17–69). Tumours larger than 5 cm in size were found in 70% of patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) rates were 75%, 80% and 60%, respectively. In multivariate Cox’s regression, age > 35 years, male sex, larger tumour size and histology other than monophasic were associated with worse OS. Conclusions: In adult patients with localised SaSy, long-term survival can be achieved in a significant proportion of cases with intensive combined therapy. The multivariate analysis identified age, sex, disease stage and histology subtype as independent prognostic factors of OS.
The investigations presented here were carried out in years 2013-14, in a Molinietum caeruleae meadow with interrupted plant cover caused by animal activity (patch I); abandoned Molinietum caeruleae ...meadows with untouched plant canopy, dominated by species with considerable height of the above-ground parts (patches II-VI); as well as the edge (patch VII) and the interior (patch VIII) of a birch woodlot. The height of standing vegetation and soil moisture increased in subsequent patches, whereas the light availability at ground level showed inverse tendency. The abundance of Trollius europaeus subpopulations in all studied patches was rather low. In patch I, juvenile individuals dominated, while in other stands - flowering adults prevailed. The lack of temporal variability in the number of basal leaves observed in patches III, IV, V, VI and VII might be due to lack of available area necessary for clonal proliferation of ramets, while the increase of basal leaves number in other sites might suggest unlimited iterative growth. The dimensions of basal leaves in consecutive years were constant in majority of subpopulations, while they showed strong spatial variability increasing gradually from patch I to patch VII and, subsequently, decreasing in patch VIII. The substantial dimensions of basal leaves may enable better light capture in sites with great level of lateral shade, while smaller dimensions in patches located within a woodlot may be due to shade from above created by trees. Lack of temporal variability and presence of substantial spatial variability in the number and height of generative stems, as well as flower production might enhance chances for successful pollination in a competitive environment. Significant changes of follicle number in time and space suggest successful process of pollination in all patches excluding patch VIII. The weak condition of the ramet clusters in patch I is not compensated by considerable seedling recruitment, whereas the satisfactory state of the ramet clusters in patches II-VIII may not suffice for the long-term maintenance of populations in colonized areas.
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