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A mesoscale boundary-layer model (BLM) is used for running 12-h low-level wind forecasts for the La Plata River region. Several experiments are performed with different boundary conditions that include operational forecasts of the Eta/CPTEC model, local observations, as well as a combination of both. The BLM wind forecasts are compared to the surface wind observations of five weather stations during the period November 2003–April 2004. Two accuracy measures are used: the hit rate or percentage of cases with agreement in the wind direction sector, and the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of the horizontal wind components. The BLM surface wind forecasts are always more accurate, since its averaged hit rate is three times greater and its averaged RMSE is one half smaller than the Eta forecasts. Despite the large errors in the surface winds displayed by the Eta forecasts, its 850 hPa winds and surface temperature forecasts are able to drive the BLM model to obtain surface winds forecasts with smaller errors than the Eta model. An additional experiment demonstrates that the advantage of using the BLM model for forecasting low-level winds over the La Plata River region is the result of a more appropriate definition of the land–river surface temperature contrast. The particular formulation that the BLM model has for the geometry of the river coasts is fundamental for resolving the smaller scale details of the low-level local circulation. The main conclusion of the study is that operational low-level wind forecasts for the La Plata River region can be improved by running the BLM model forced by the Eta operational forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M-VEC (methotrexate, vinblastine, epidoxorubicin and cisplatin), a new combined drug regimen in which epidoxorubicin has been substituted to adriamycin to reduce the toxicity of the original M-VAC chemotherapy, has been tested in 23 patients with locally advanced transitional cell bladder cancer (TCBC) (stage T2-T4 N M). After two to four courses, an objective response was observed in 19 patients, with 13 clinical complete responses. Seven patients underwent cystectomy after chemotherapy: one patient had no residual tumor on bladder specimens, five patients had a surgical eradication of the disease, while one patient had only a partial resection. Eight relapses of bladder carcinoma were observed, three among the surgically treated patients and five among patients who did not undergo cystectomy, with a median time-to-relapse of 9.7 months. Progression-free survival at 24 months was 52.3%. M-VEC regimen appears to be effective in locally advanced TCBC, with acceptable toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient cardiac constriction is an unusual complication of purulent pericarditis. It should be suspected in the presence of clinical and haemodynamic deterioration when signs of activity have abated. Features of cardiac constriction were observed in a 4-year-old boy 2 weeks after surgical drainage. The patient was managed conservatively without surgery and the outcome was good. Follow up 2 years later showed a healthy boy with a normal cardiological examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Boundary-Layer Meteorol" that was published in the February 20, 2009 is presented.