Conventional 3D staging PET/CT in CT simulation for lung cancer: impact of rigid and deformable target volume alignments for radiotherapy treatment planning

Objective: Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans can improve target definition in radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As staging PET/CT scans are increasingly available, we evaluated different methods for co-registration of staging PET/CT data to radiotherapy simulation (RTP) scans.

Methods: 10 patients underwent staging PET/CT followed by RTP PET/CT. On both scans, gross tumour volumes (GTVs) were delineated using CT (GTVCT) and PET display settings. Four PET-based contours (manual delineation, two threshold methods and a source-to-background ratio method) were delineated. The CT component of the staging scan was co-registered using both rigid and deformable techniques to the CT component of RTP PET/CT. Subsequently rigid registration and deformation warps were used to transfer PET and CT contours from the staging scan to the RTP scan. Dice’s similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to assess the registration accuracy of staging-based GTVs following both registration methods with the GTVs delineated on the RTP PET/CT scan.

Results: When the GTVCT delineated on the staging scan after both rigid registration and deformation was compared with the GTVCT on the RTP scan, a significant improvement in overlap (registration) using deformation was observed (mean DSC 0.66 for rigid registration and 0.82 for deformable registration, p50.008). A similar comparison for PET contours revealed no significant improvement in overlap with the use of deformable registration.

Conclusions: No consistent improvements in similarity measures were observed when deformable registration was used for transferring PET-based contours from a staging PET/CT. This suggests that currently the use of rigid registration remains the most appropriate method for RTP in NSCLC.

Target Structure Induced Suppression of the Ionization Cross Section for Very Low Energy Antiproton-Hydrogen Collisions

Low energy antiprotons have been used previously to give benchmark data for theories of atomic collisions. Here we present measurements of the cross section for single, nondissociative ionization of molecular hydrogen for impact of antiprotons with kinetic energies in the range 2-11 keV, i.e., in the velocity interval of 0.3-0.65 a.u. We find a cross section which is proportional to the projectile velocity, which is quite unlike the behavior of corresponding atomic cross sections, and which has never previously been observed experimentally.

Effect of target slaughter weight on production efficiency, carcass traits and behaviour of restrictively-fed gilts and intact male finisher pigs

The effect of 3 slaughter weights (85.95 or 105 kg) on performance and carcass traits of 481 pigs in single-gender groups of 13 (18 groups of gilts and 19 groups of intact males) was evaluated. Pigs (39.5 +/- 3.3 kg) were fed a liquid diet 3 times daily in a long trough. The behaviour of pigs slaughtered at 105 kg was recorded at 50, 60 and 70 days after the start of the experiment (5 groups of gilts and 4 groups of intact males). Behaviour (active, inactive, feeding) and posture (standing, lying, dog-sitting) of all pigs was recorded at 5-min intervals for 30 min prior to and 1 h after each feeding event. Slaughtering pigs at 95 kg and 105 kg delayed production by 7 and 16 days, respectively, compared to slaughtering at 85 kg (P0.05). Muscle depth increased with increasing slaughter weight (P

Modification of Ag nanoparticles with mixed thiols for improved SERS detection of poorly adsorbing target molecules: detection of MDMA

Here we report an example of a mixed thiol monolayer on the surface of Ag nanoparticles which promotes adsorption and quantitative SERS detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”); the thiols in the mixed monolayers act synergistically since MDMA does not adsorb onto colloids modified with either of the thiols separately.

Early target cells of measles virus after aerosol infection of non-human primates

Measles virus (MV) is highly infectious, and has long been thought to enter the host by infecting epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. However, epithelial cells do not express signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (CD150), which is the high-affinity cellular receptor for wild-type MV strains. We have generated a new recombinant MV strain expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), based on a wild-type genotype B3 virus isolate from Khartoum, Sudan (KS). Cynomolgus macaques were infected with a high dose of rMV(KS)EGFP by aerosol inhalation to ensure that the virus could reach the full range of potential target cells throughout the entire respiratory tract. Animals were euthanized 2, 3, 4 or 5 days post-infection (d.p.i., n?=?3 per time point) and infected (EGFP(+)) cells were identified at all four time points, albeit at low levels 2 and 3 d.p.i. At these earliest time points, MV-infected cells were exclusively detected in the lungs by fluorescence microscopy, histopathology and/or virus isolation from broncho-alveolar lavage cells. On 2 d.p.i., EGFP(+) cells were phenotypically typed as large mononuclear cells present in the alveolar lumen or lining the alveolar epithelium. One to two days later, larger clusters of MV-infected cells were detected in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and in the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes. From 4 d.p.i. onward, MV-infected cells were detected in peripheral blood and various lymphoid tissues. In spite of the possibility for the aerosolized virus to infect cells and lymphoid tissues of the upper respiratory tract, MV-infected cells were not detected in either the tonsils or the adenoids until after onset of viremia. These data strongly suggest that in our model MV entered the host at the alveolar level by infecting macrophages or dendritic cells, which traffic the virus to BALT or regional lymph nodes, resulting in local amplification and subsequent systemic dissemination by viremia.

Quantifying the Energy & carbon emissions implications of a 10% electric vehicles target

EU Directive 2009/28/EC on Renewable Energy requires each Member State to ensure 10% of transport energy (excluding aviation and marine transport) comes from renewable sources by 2020 (10% RES-T target). In addition to the anticipated growth in biofuels, this target is expected to be met by the increased electrification of transport coupled with a growing contribution from renewable energy to electricity generation. Energy use in transport accounted for nearly half of Ireland’s total final energy demand and about a third of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2007. Energy use in transport has grown by 6.3% per annum on average in the period 1990 – 2007. This high share and fast growth relative to other countries highlights the challenges Ireland faces in meeting ambitious renewable energy targets. The Irish Government has set a specific target for Electric Vehicles (EV) as part of its strategy to deliver the 10% RES-T target. By 2020, 10% of all vehicles in its transport fleet are to be powered by electricity. This paper quantifies the impacts on energy and carbon dioxide emissions of this 10% EV target by 2020. In order to do this an ‘EV Car Stock’ model was developed to analyse the historical and future make-up of the passenger car portion of the fleet to 2025. Three scenarios for possible take-up in EVs were examined and the associated energy and emissions impacts are quantified. These impacts are then compared to Ireland’s 10% RES-T target and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets for 2020. Two key findings of the study are that the 10% EV target contributes 1.7% to the 10% RES-T target by 2020 and 1.4% to the 20% reduction in Non-ETS emissions by 2020 relative to 2005.

A study of the 10% electric vehicles target of the single electricity market

In late 2008, the Government of the Republic of Ireland set a specific target that 10% of all vehicles in its transport fleet be powered by electricity by 2020 in order to meet European Union renewable energy targets and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. International there are similar targets. This is a considerable challenge as in 2009, transport accounted for 29% of non-emissions trading scheme greenhouse gas emissions, 32% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, 21% of total greenhouse gas emissions and approximately 50% of energy-related non-emission trading scheme greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper the impacts of 10% electric vehicle charging on the single wholesale electricity market for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is examined. The energy consumed and the total carbon dioxide emissions generated under different charging scenarios is quantified and the results of the charging scenarios are compared to identify the best implementation strategy.

Characterisation of Genome-Wide PLZF/RARA Target Genes

The PLZF/RARA fusion protein generated by the t(11;17)(q23;q21) translocation in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is believed to act as an oncogenic transcriptional regulator recruiting epigenetic factors to genes important for its transforming potential. However, molecular mechanisms associated with PLZF/RARA-dependent leukaemogenesis still remain unclear. We searched for specific PLZF/RARA target genes by ChIP-on-chip in the haematopoietic cell line U937 conditionally expressing PLZF/RARA. By comparing bound regions found in U937 cells expressing endogenous PLZF with PLZF/RARA-induced U937 cells, we isolated specific PLZF/RARA target gene promoters. We next analysed gene expression profiles of our identified target genes in PLZF/RARA APL patients and analysed DNA sequences and epigenetic modification at PLZF/RARA binding sites. We identify 413 specific PLZF/RARA target genes including a number encoding transcription factors involved in the regulation of haematopoiesis. Among these genes, 22 were significantly down regulated in primary PLZF/RARA APL cells. In addition, repressed PLZF/RARA target genes were associated with increased levels of H3K27me3 and decreased levels of H3K9K14ac. Finally, sequence analysis of PLZF/RARA bound sequences reveals the presence of both consensus and degenerated RAREs as well as enrichment for tissue-specific transcription factor motifs, highlighting the complexity of targeting fusion protein to chromatin. Our study suggests that PLZF/RARA directly targets genes important for haematopoietic development and supports the notion that PLZF/RARA acts mainly as an epigenetic regulator of its direct target genes.

User behaviour, best practice and the risks of non-target exposure associated with anticoagulant rodenticide use

Usage of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) is an integral component of modern agriculture and is essential for the control of commensal rodent populations. However, the extensive deployment of ARs has led to widespread exposure of a range of non-target predatory birds and mammals to some compounds, in particular the second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SCARS). As a result, there has been considerable effort placed into devising voluntary best practice guidelines that increase the efficacy of rodent control and reduce the risk of non-target exposure. Currently, there is limited published information on actual practice amongst users or implementation of best practice. We assessed the behaviour of a typical group of users using an on-farm questionnaire survey. Most baited for rodents every year using SGARs. Most respondents were apparently aware of the risks of non-target exposure and adhered to some of the best practice recommendations but total compliance was rare. Our questionnaire revealed that users of first generation anticoagulant rodenticides rarely protected or checked bait stations, and so took little effort to prevent primary exposure of non-targets. Users almost never searched for and removed poisoned carcasses and many baited for prolonged periods or permanently. These factors are all likely to enhance the likelihood of primary and secondary exposure of non-target species. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

In vitro modeling of respiratory syncytial virus infection of pediatric bronchial epithelium, the primary target of infection in vivo

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major viral cause of severe pulmonary disease in young infants worldwide. However, the mechanisms by which RSV causes disease in humans remain poorly understood. To help bridge this gap, we developed an ex vivo/in vitro model of RSV infection based on well-differentiated primary pediatric bronchial epithelial cells (WD-PBECs), the primary targets of RSV infection in vivo. Our RSV/WD-PBEC model demonstrated remarkable similarities to hallmarks of RSV infection in infant lungs. These hallmarks included restriction of infection to noncontiguous or small clumps of apical ciliated and occasional nonciliated epithelial cells, apoptosis and sloughing of apical epithelial cells, occasional syncytium formation, goblet cell hyperplasia/metaplasia, and mucus hypersecretion. RSV was shed exclusively from the apical surface at titers consistent with those in airway aspirates from hospitalized infants. Furthermore, secretion of proinflammatory chemokines such as CXCL10, CCL5, IL-6, and CXCL8 reflected those chemokines present in airway aspirates. Interestingly, a recent RSV clinical isolate induced more cytopathogenesis than the prototypic A2 strain. Our findings indicate that this RSV/WD-PBEC model provides an authentic surrogate for RSV infection of airway epithelium in vivo. As such, this model may provide insights into RSV pathogenesis in humans that ultimately lead to successful RSV vaccines or therapeutics.

IR laser desorption of oligonucleotides A novel gas phase target for radiation damage studies

The desorption of oligonucleotides by 3 mu m laser irradiation has been studied by laser induced fluorescence imaging of the resulting gas phase plumes. Fitting of the plume data has been achieved by using a modified Maxwell Boltzmann distribution which incorporates a range of stream velocities. Spatial density profiles, velocities and temperature variation have been determined from these fits indicating that the oligonucleotide plume only achieves a partial thermal relaxation. This laser desorption technique may provide a means of overcoming the limited mass range of gas phase biomolecules available from thermal evaporation techniques.