-
Advances in Radiation Oncology Jul 2024Ultrahypofractionated (UHF) radiation therapy (RT) has become a treatment alternative for patients with localized prostate cancer. In more advanced cases, seminal...
Ultrahypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Including Seminal Vesicles in the Target Volume: A Treatment-planning Study Based on the HYPO-RT-PC Fractionation Schedule.
PURPOSE
Ultrahypofractionated (UHF) radiation therapy (RT) has become a treatment alternative for patients with localized prostate cancer. In more advanced cases, seminal vesicles (SVs) are routinely included in the target volume. The Scandinavian HYPO-RT-PC trial, which compared 42.7 Gy in 7 fractions (fr) to conventional fractionation (CF), did not include SVs in the clinical target volume. The primary objective of the present work was to implement a ultrahypofractionated-simultaneous integrated boost (UHF-SIB) for prostate cancer RT, incorporating SVs into the target volume based on this fractionation schedule. A secondary objective was to analyze the unintentional dose coverage of SVs from state-of-the-art volumetric modulated arc therapy treatments to the prostate gland only.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Two different equieffective UHF-SIB treatment schedules to SVs were derived based on the CF clinical schedule (50.0 Gy/25 fr to elective SVs and 70.0 Gy/35 fr to verified SV-invasion (SVI)) using the linear quadric model with α/β = 2 Gy and 3 Gy. The dose to the prostate was 42.7 Gy/7 fr in both schedules, with 31.2 Gy/37.8 Gy (α/β = 2 Gy) and 32.7 Gy/40.1 Gy (α/β = 3 Gy) to elective SV/verified SVI. Volumetric modulated arc therapy plans to the proximal 10 mm and 20 mm were optimized, and dose-volume metrics for target volumes and organs at risk were evaluated.
RESULTS
Dose metrics were overall lower for UHF-SIB compared with CF. QUANTEC-based volume criteria were 2% to 7% lower for the rectum and 2% to 4% lower for the bladder in the UHF-SIB. The D to elective SV was 7 to 12 Gy lower with UHF-SIB, and the corresponding data for verified SVI were approximately 2 to 3 Gy. The SV(10 mm) V for prostate-only treatments (42.7 Gy) were as follows: median (IQR), 99% (87-100) and 78% (58-99) for the clinical target volume and planning target volume, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
UHF RT based on the HYPO-RT-PC fractionation schedule, with a SIB technique, to the prostate and the base of the SV can be planned with lower doses (EQD2) to organs at risk, compared with CF. The unintentional dose to the proximal parts of SVs in prostate-only treatment can be substantial.
PubMed: 38883997
DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2024.101531 -
Journal of Materials Chemistry. C Jun 2024Pyroelectricity in a recently developed all-organic composite electret with a polar polynorbornene-based filler and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix has been studied...
Pyroelectricity in a recently developed all-organic composite electret with a polar polynorbornene-based filler and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix has been studied with the help of thermal and dielectric techniques. Measurement of the pyroelectric coefficient using a quasi-static periodic temperature variation at RT shows a non-linear dependence with the applied poling field, which is uncharacteristic of amorphous materials. Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) and the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) technique reveal that this behaviour can be attributed to Maxwell-Wagner interface (MWI) polarization that occurs at the filler-matrix interface. These charges released during the onset of dipolar and relaxations of the filler particles contribute majorly to the observed pyroelectricity at RT. The saturation of both MWI TSDC shoulders and spontaneous polarization at higher electric fields correlates with the coefficient value reaching a plateau at these applied fields. A maximum coefficient of 0.54 μC m K is calculated for a poling field of 30 V μm.
PubMed: 38882549
DOI: 10.1039/d4tc00791c -
Digital Health 2024Pain is a common adverse event in survivors of breast cancer (sBCs). As there is no gold standard to assess pain experience predominantly related to central...
INTRODUCTION
Pain is a common adverse event in survivors of breast cancer (sBCs). As there is no gold standard to assess pain experience predominantly related to central sensitization (CS) symptoms, we designed the , which includes an algorithm to report whether patients are under predominant CS pain mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess the reliability of the to estimate whether sBC pain experience is predominantly related to CS symptoms.
METHODS
An observational, descriptive reliability design was employed to assess the inter- and intrarater reliability of the This app includes an algorithm that considers the number of painful body parts and some questionnaires related to pain, such as the Numeric Pain-Rating Scale the Brief Pain Inventory, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI).
RESULTS
A total of 21 sBCs with persistent pain were recruited. We observe a general trend of close agreement between the paper-based and app-based formats (ICCs ranged between 0.802 and 0.972; Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.797 and 0.971). Test-retest reliabilities were moderate to excellent (ICCs ranged between 0.510 and 0.941; Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.499 and 0.938). The agreement between the categorization of the CS algorithm and the CSI (cut-off point ≥ 40 for CS symptoms) was 95.24%.
CONCLUSION
The emerges as a robust tool for evaluating pain experience predominantly related to CS and pain-related symptoms in sBCs. Its demonstrated reliability not only bolsters its utility but also signifies its potential as a valuable asset for healthcare professionals engaged in pain education programs.
PubMed: 38882256
DOI: 10.1177/20552076241260150 -
Translational Cancer Research May 2024Despite the promise of concurrent radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy in head and neck cancer (HNC), multiple randomized trials of this combination have had...
Despite the promise of concurrent radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy in head and neck cancer (HNC), multiple randomized trials of this combination have had disappointing results. To evaluate potential immunologic mechanisms of RT resistance, we compared pre-treatment HNCs that developed RT resistance to a matched cohort that achieved curative status. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that a pre-treatment pro-immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME), including type II interferon [interferon gamma (IFNγ)] and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) signaling, predicted cure while type I interferon [interferon alpha (IFNα)] enrichment was associated with an immunosuppressive TME found in tumors that went on to recur. We then used immune deconvolution of RNA sequencing datasets to evaluate immunologic cell subset enrichment. This identified M2 macrophage signaling associated with type I IFN pathway expression in RT-recurrent disease. To further dissect mechanism, we then evaluated differential gene expression between pre-treatment and RT-resistant HNCs from sampled from the same patients at the same anatomical location in the oral cavity. Here, recurrent samples exhibited upregulation of type I IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) including members of the IFN-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFIT) and IFN-induced transmembrane (IFITM) gene families. While several ISGs were upregulated in each recurrent cancer, IFIT2 was significantly upregulated in all recurrent tumors when compared with the matched pre-RT specimens. Based on these observations, we hypothesized sustained type I IFN signaling through ISGs, such as IFIT2, may suppress the intra-tumoral immune response thereby promoting radiation resistance.
PubMed: 38881922
DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-2104 -
Thoracic Cancer Jun 2024Limited literature exists on the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) techniques with hyperfractionated regimens for...
BACKGROUND
Limited literature exists on the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) techniques with hyperfractionated regimens for patients with lung cancer. This study aims to assess whether the SABR technique with hyperfractionation can potentially reduce lung toxicity.
METHODS
We utilized the linear-quadratic model to find the optimal fraction to maximize the tumor biological equivalent dose (BED) to normal-tissue BED ratio. Validation was performed by comparing the SABR plans with 50 Gy/5 fractions and hyperfractionationed plans with 88.8 Gy/74 fractions with the same tumor BED and planning criteria for 10 patients with early-stage lung cancer. Mean lung BED, Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), critical volume (CV) criteria (volume below BED of 22.92 and 25.65 Gy, and mean BED for lowest 1000 and 1500 cc) and the percentage of the lung receiving 20Gy or more (V20) were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
RESULTS
The transition point occurs when the tumor-to-normal tissue ratio (TNR) of the physical dose equals the TNR of α/β in the BED dose-volume histogram of the lung. Compared with the hypofractionated regimen, the hyperfractionated regimen is superior in the dose range above but inferior below the transition point. The hyperfractionated regimen showed a lower mean lung BED (6.40 Gy vs. 7.73 Gy) and NTCP (3.50% vs. 4.21%), with inferior results concerning CV criteria and higher V20 (7.37% vs. 7.03%) in comparison with the hypofractionated regimen (p < 0.01 for all).
CONCLUSIONS
The hyperfractionated regimen has an advantage in the high-dose region of the lung but a disadvantage in the low-dose region. Further research is needed to determine the superiority between hypo- and hyperfractionation.
PubMed: 38881388
DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15335 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024The effect of inhibiting retrogradation and changes in chain length distribution by AG and BE, which are texture-modifying enzymes, has been clarified. To ascertain in...
The effect of inhibiting retrogradation and changes in chain length distribution by AG and BE, which are texture-modifying enzymes, has been clarified. To ascertain in which part of the rice grain retrogradation occurs and which enzymes is most effective, the degree of retrogradation in each part of the rice grain was measured from the surface to the core of the same rice grain using a synchrotron radiation X-ray beam with a beam size of 100 μm. Retrogradation was effectively suppressed at all measurement sites by enzyme addition, although the effect of enzymes was greater at the surface. Rice grain sections were stained with iodine and eosin. A starch layer that does not easily form a complex with iodine was observed inside the protein layer at the surface of cooked rice. A starch layer with a long molecular chain that forms complexes with iodine was observed inside the rice grain.
PubMed: 38878545
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140049 -
JDR Clinical and Translational Research Jun 2024Previous studies have shown that a calcium prerinse can increase intraoral fluoride retention from a fluoride rinse. To explore the potential of this approach to control...
INTRODUCTION
Previous studies have shown that a calcium prerinse can increase intraoral fluoride retention from a fluoride rinse. To explore the potential of this approach to control root caries, we assessed intraoral fluoride bioavailability after a calcium prerinse in older adults with normal to low salivary flow rates.
METHODS
In a 2-period crossover trial (NCT04239872), 20 participants (65-80 y old), with low or normal salivary flow rate, rinsed for 1 min with a 0.05% NaF mouth rinse (226 ppm F, F only) or with this rinse immediately after a 1-min rinse with 150 mM calcium lactate (Ca→F). Dental biofilm and saliva samples were collected before and up to 2 h after the rinse(s). Fluoride concentrations in saliva (whole and clarified) and dental biofilm (fluid and solid phases) were blindly determined. Data were statistically analyzed by a mixed-effects model for the effect of treatment, time, and their interaction ( = 5%).
RESULTS
The Ca→F group resulted in significantly higher fluoride concentrations in all variables analyzed, for almost all of the collection time points. The effect was greater in the biofilm solids and whole saliva (compatible with the formation of calcium fluoride deposits) and still significant ( < 0.001) after 2 h in the biofilm fluid and clarified saliva, suggesting that fluoride stored in insoluble particles was released, increasing free fluoride.
CONCLUSION
The use of a calcium prerinse before a fluoride rinse was able to prolong intraoral fluoride bioavailability in older adults.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT
A calcium prerinse increased intraoral fluoride bioavailability in older individuals. This approach could be used to improve root caries control without the need to increase the fluoride concentration in dental products.
PubMed: 38877716
DOI: 10.1177/23800844241252816 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Oct 2024While the extensive utilization of disposable plastic straws has resulted in significant environmental issues such as microplastics and soil and ocean pollution, the...
While the extensive utilization of disposable plastic straws has resulted in significant environmental issues such as microplastics and soil and ocean pollution, the quest for alternative straws for versatile use remains a formidable challenge. Here, drawing inspiration from naturally water-resistant materials such as bones and sea urchins, we have developed seaweed-based straws with significantly improved water resistance and mechanical strength via in-situ mineralization of CaCO on their surfaces. Specifically, the COO groups on the G (α-L-guluronate) blocks of alginate were employed to establish a robust cross-linked network, while the COO groups on the M (β-D-mannuronate) blocks attracted free Ca through electrostatic forces, thereby promoting CaCO nucleation. This effectively prevents COOH groups from hydrating, reducing swelling, and results in the fabrication of nano- to micron-sized CaCO particles that reinforce the structure without compromising the cross-linked network. Compared with the control group, the S5% sample (prepared with 5 % NaCO solution) exhibited a 102 % increase in water contact angle, a 35 % decrease in swelling degree, and a 35.5 % and 37.5 % increase in ultimate flexural and tensile stress, respectively. Furthermore, the potential use of these straws as a waste for heavy metal adsorption was investigated, addressing environmental concerns while demonstrating economic feasibility.
Topics: Calcium Carbonate; Seaweed; Tensile Strength; Alginates; Surface Properties; Water
PubMed: 38876717
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122347 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Oct 2024This work reports on the possibility of using polydopamine (PDA) as a tool to immobilize bromoisobutyryl moieties at the surface of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and...
This work reports on the possibility of using polydopamine (PDA) as a tool to immobilize bromoisobutyryl moieties at the surface of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and initiate Surface Intitiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (SI-ATRP) reactions from these sites. Two different strategies based on i) the stepwise modification of the CNCs with dopamine (DA) and α-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BiBB) (Protocol 1) and ii) the one-step treatment of the CNCs with a mixture of DA and BiBB-modified DA (Protocol 2), were compared. Only the CNC particles treated according to Protocol 1 guaranteed efficient anchoring of the SI-ATRP initiating sites in our experimental conditions (with limited impact on the CNCs crystalline structure), the coated layer being leached out by certain solvents in the case of Protocol 2. The brominated particles displaying the best performances were subsequently tested as potential ATRP macroinitiators, using methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) as model monomers. Polymer-grafted particles were successfully obtained, with a grafting density twice as high for Sty as for MMA, demonstrating the validity of this strategy.
PubMed: 38876716
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122346 -
Environmental Research Jun 2024Renewable energy research is burgeoning with the anticipation of finding neat liquid fuel. Ultra sonification assisted biodiesel was derived from red algae...
Renewable energy research is burgeoning with the anticipation of finding neat liquid fuel. Ultra sonification assisted biodiesel was derived from red algae Cyanidioschyzon merolae, with BD yield of 98.9%. The results of GC MS of the prepared biodiesel showed higher concentration of methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, and stearate. This composition is appreciable, as this plays significant in desirable pour & cloud point properties. NMR spectrum revealed the ester linkages, presence of olefins, and α methyl position in olefins. Mixture of 30wt% of biodiesel in diesel exhibited work efficiency at low pour point and, lower viscosity of biodiesel was observed. CeO and FeO nano particles were bio reduced, and were added as nano additive in biodiesel. 1:1 ratio of CeO and FeO added to biodiesel maximised the oxygen storage capacity of CeO, and improved the combustion reactions of FeO. Further, this combination produced a satisfactory Calorific value. Imbalanced ratios disrupted the catalytic and oxygen storage effects, reduced the overall energy release and calorific value of the biodiesel blend. Pour point and cetane number value of A/F/C-1 was around -7 C and 53 respectively, and was better than other compositions. 1:1 mass ratio of NP blended with 30wt% BD in diesel showed tremendous increase in BTE, torque, and power. HC, NO, and SO emissions were reduced by 42.8%, 19.3%, and 57% respectively. CeO favourably improved the oxygen storage capacity of the fuel, whereas FeO showed decrease in formation of gums and sediments in biodiesel.
PubMed: 38876416
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119352