'Internet of things' security introduction for EMS leaders

A cybersecurity expert offers a soup-to-nuts IoT security guide for every organization, individual and device with confidential data to protect

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Commentary on a case of body pushing and radiation exposure in screening of body packing

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Harnessing the DNA Dye-triggered Side Population Phenotype to Detect and Purify Cancer Stem Cells from Biological Samples

Methods allowing the characterization and isolation of stem cell populations from biological samples are critical for the advance of stem cell-targeted treatments in cancer and beyond. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for cancer stem cell isolation using the dye-triggered side population phenotype.

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Dosimetric advantage of volumetric modulated arc therapy in the treatment of intraocular cancer

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the dosimetric advantages of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in the treatment of intraocular cancer by comparing it directly with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods

CRT plan, 7f-IMRT plan, and one-arc VMAT plan were generated for 14 intraocular cancer patients. Dosimetric and biological quality indices for target volume and organs at risks (OARs) were evaluated and compared.

Results

The target coverage presented by V95 for CRT, IMRT and VMAT were 95.02% ± 0.67%, 95.51% ± 2.25%, and 95.92% ± 3.05%, respectively. The homogeneity index (HI) for CRT, IMRT and VMAT were 0.15 ± 0.05, 0.23 ± 0.05, and 0.23 ± 0.06, respectively. IMRT and VMAT greatly decreased the dose to ipsilateral lens compared with CRT with a D1 of 2972.66 ± 1407.12 cGy, 3317.82 ± 915.28 cGy and 4809.54 ± 524.60 cGy for IMRT, VMAT and CRT, respectively. Similar results were observed for ipsilateral eyeballs. IMRT and VMAT also spared better on brainstem, optical nerves and optical chiasm compared CRT. However, CRT achieved lower dose to the eyeballs compared with IMRT and VMAT. VMAT and IMRT showed mixed results on target coverage and OAR sparing. The average MUs and delivery time of IMRT and VMAT were 531.25 ± 81.21 vs. 400.99 ± 61.49 and 5.05 ± 0.53 vs.1.71 ± 0.69 min, respectively.

Conclusions

Although no clear distinction on PTV coverage among CRT, IMRT and VMAT plans was observed in the treatment of intraocular cancer, VMAT and IMRT achieved better homogeneity and conformity for target volume, and delivered fewer doses to ipsilateral lens and eyeballs compared with CRT. However, VMAT and IMRT increased the low dose volume to the contralateral OARs. Although VMAT and IMRT showed mixed results on target coverage and OAR sparing, VMAT decreased MU and delivery time significantly compared with IMRT. VMAT is a promising and feasible external beam radiotherapy technique in the treatment of intraocular cancer patients.

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Diagnostic and treatment modalities for patients with cervical lymph node metastases of unknown primary site – current status and challenges

Abstract

Background and Purpose

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature and elucidate open questions for future clinical trials concerning diagnostics and treatment modalities for cervical cancer of unknown primary (CUP).

Methods

A literature search for head and neck CUP was performed with focus on diagnostics and therapies as well as molecular markers.

Results

High level evidence on CUP is limited. However, it seems that a consensus exists regarding the optimal diagnostic procedures. The correct implementation of biomarkers for patient stratification and treatment remains unclear. An even greater dispute dominates about the ideal treatment with publications ranging from sole surgery to surgery with postoperative bilateral radiotherapy with inclusion of the mucosa and concomitant chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Cervical CUP represents a very heterogeneous malignant disease. On this account many aspects concerning treatment optimization remain unclear, despite a considerable number of publications in the past. Future research in form of prospective randomized trials is needed in order to better define patient stratification criteria and enable tailored treatment.

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Hematological and serum biochemical alterations in buffalo with some digestive disorders

Abstract

Hematological and serum biochemical reference intervals are essential laboratory variables for optimal diagnostic purposes. The present study was delineated to provide an insight into the hemato-biochemical alterations as well as the measurement of selected acute phase proteins in buffaloes showing some digestive disorders. The present study included 40 native breed water buffalo showing various symptoms of digestive troubles. Based on competent case history, clinical and laboratory findings, the diseased buffaloes were allocated into four equal sized groups, namely stomatitis, acute traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), acute rumen impaction, and enteritis. Ten apparently healthy buffaloes were randomly selected from the same animal population and considered as control group. Blood samples were drawn from all investigated animals for hematologic examination and measurements of a panel of serum biochemical variables. All diseased buffaloes showed statistically significant high values of total leucocytes (P ≤ 0.05) with significantly low values of total erythrocytes and hemoglobin concentration compared with controls (P ≤ 0.05). Serum magnesium, sodium, and iron showed a statistically (P ≤ 0.05) lower values in all studied buffaloes than those of controls; while serum calcium levels were significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in buffaloes showing stomatitis and those with TRP compared with controls. Serum hepatic enzyme activities beside serum haptoglobin and C-reactive protein were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in all diseased buffaloes than those of controls. The results herein concluded that diseased buffalo were associated with marked hematological and elemental alterations besides a distinct inflammatory reaction. Further studies are needed to explore the potential ameliorative value of using supplementary agents to help mitigate the associated biochemical and inflammatory reactions in buffaloes exhibiting digestive disorders.

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Effects of Salvia officinalis L. on 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced breast cancer in rats and mouse mammary carcinoma cells (4T1)

Abstract

The toxicity of Salvia officinalis L. on different cancer cell lines has been reported extensively, but an in vivo evaluation on breast cancer has not been conducted. Therefore, in vivo and in vitro studies of are evaluated in this study. The hydro-alcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis L. was studied in female Wistar rats in three groups: one control (Con) group (n = 7) and two 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene cancer-induced groups (CI) that were gavaged either with distilled water (Con-CI) or 30 mg/kg sage hydro-alcoholic extract (SHE-CI) for 30 days (n = 34). A mammary gland whole mount was prepared, and the number of alveolar buds and lobules were scored. Histomorphometrical changes and apoptosis were examined in mammary gland sections. Chromatin condensation, cell viability, apoptosis, and toxicity induction were monitored in 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cells treated by different doses of SHE. IC₅₀ of the 4T1 cell-treated SHE were examined by MTT assay. A decrease in alveolar buds, number of ducts and lobules, ductal diameters, and epithelial cells was observed in whole mount and histological sections of mammary glands in SHE-CI compared to the Con-CI group. Apoptotic cells were increased in SHE-CI compared to the Con-CI group. A decrease in cell viability and increase in chromatin condensation were observed in a dose-dependent manner in SHE-treated cultures. MTT assay revealed IC₅₀ of the 4T1 cell-treated SHE reduced significantly compared to the NIH cell line from the fibroblast as a normal cell. Salvia officinalis might prevent breast cancer under both in vivo and in vitro conditions.

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