Growth changes induced by gamma radiation on Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848)

Doses of 60Co gamma radiation with 2.5; 5; 7.5; 10; 15; 20; 25; 30; 35; 40; 45; 50; 55; 60; 80; 160; 320 and 640 Gy were applied to 1,080 snails Biomphalaria straminea, an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, divided in groups containing 30 mollusks. In addition, 60 non irradiated snails were kept as control. Fifty percent of the population was kept in colonies (allowing cross fertilization) while the other half was maintained in sexual isolation (allowing self fertilization) and during one month their growth was observed through the daily measurement of the shell diameter. Results showed that after 20 Gy doses the growth in shell diameter of irradiated snails was greater than that of the control group after 30 days. At this dose the snail size was the greatest, among all isolated groups. The 80 Gy doses also induced the final shell diameter of isolated snails to be greater then that observed in the control groups. As this effect was most evident among the isolated snails, a possible hormonal role may have been involved in the observed phenomena, which is under investigation with the objective of identifying any future applications that this could have to schistosomiasis control.

Helical tomotherapy or intensity-modulated radiation therapy in the treatment of anal cancer: experience of Geneva and Lausanne

Background: To assess the early clinical outcomes and toxicities in patients treated with high precision radiation therapy (RT) consisting of helical tomotherapy (HT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for anal cancer. Materials and Methods: Since March 2006, 30 patients with stage I-IIIB anal squamous-cell carcinoma were treated curatively by IMRT or HT alone (n = 2) or by concomitant chemotherapy and IMRT or HT (n = 28). Median age was 59 years (range, 36−83 years) and the female/male ratio was 2.3 (21/9). Primary tumor site was anal canal, anal margin, or both in 26, 1, and 3 patients, respectively. Anal tumor, pelvic and inguinal nodes were irradiated with a median dose of 36 Gy using HT, or 5- or 7-field IMRT in 18 and 12 patients, respectively; After a planned gap of 1−2 weeks (median 1 week), a median boost dose of 23.4 Gwas delivered to the tumor and/or involved nodes using 3DRT (n = 24) or HT/IMRT (n = 6). The total delivered dose ranged between 59.4 and 64.8 Gy (median, 59.4 Gy). Concomitant chemotherapy consisted of mitomycin C alone (n = 1), mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil (n = 17) or capecitabin (n = 10) in 28 patients. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 scale was used to score acute and late toxicities. Results: All but one patient, who developed progressive local and distant disease at the end of RT, achieved a complete response. Twelve months following RT, one patient had a recurrence at the primary tumor site, salvaged with brachytherapy. After a median follow-up of 7.5 months (range, 1−35 months), no deaths were observed. The 2-year actuarial locoregional control and probability of disease control without colostomy rates were 82% and 79%, respectively. RT was well tolerated without any unplanned treatment interruptions. Grade 1 or 2 acute adverse events consisted of skin toxicity in 8 and 22 patients, diarrhea in 18 and 3 patients, and cystitis in 9 and 2 patients; respectively. Only one patient developed grade 3 mucosal necrosis at the end of the treatment, requiring diverting colostomy. No difference in terms of acute toxicity was observed between patients treated with HT or IMRT. None of the 22 patients with a follow-up of more than 3 months developed grade 3 or more late toxicity. Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that HT or IMRT combined with concomitant chemotherapy for anal cancer is effective, and associated with favorable rates of toxicity compared with historical series. Further follow-up is warranted to assess late toxicity.

Hybridisation and diversification in the adaptive radiation of clownfishes.

BackgroundThe importance of hybridisation during species diversification has long been debated among evolutionary biologists. It is increasingly recognised that hybridisation events occurred during the evolutionary history of numerous species, especially during the early stages of adaptive radiation. We study the effect of hybridisation on diversification in the clownfishes, a clade of coral reef fish that diversified through an adaptive radiation process. While two species of clownfish are likely to have been described from hybrid specimens, the occurrence and effect of hybridisation on the clade diversification is yet unknown.ResultsWe generate sequences of three mitochondrial genes to complete an existing dataset of nuclear sequences and document cytonuclear discordance at a node, which shows a drastic increase of diversification rate. Then, using a tree-based jack-knife method, we identify clownfish species likely stemming from hybridisation events. Finally, we use molecular cloning and identify the putative parental species of four clownfish specimens that display the morphological characteristics of hybrids.ConclusionsOur results show that consistently with the syngameon hypothesis, hybridisation events are linked with a burst of diversification in the clownfishes. Moreover, several recently diverged clownfish lineages likely originated through hybridisation, which indicates that diversification, catalysed by hybridisation events, may still be happening.

EORTC Radiation Oncology Group quality assurance platform: establishment of a digital central review facility.

OBJECTIVE: Quality assurance (QA) in clinical trials is essential to ensure treatment is safely and effectively delivered. As QA requirements have increased in complexity in parallel with evolution of radiation therapy (RT) delivery, a need to facilitate digital data exchange emerged. Our objective is to present the platform developed for the integration and standardization of QART activities across all EORTC trials involving RT. METHODS: The following essential requirements were identified: secure and easy access without on-site software installation; integration within the existing EORTC clinical remote data capture system; and the ability to both customize the platform to specific studies and adapt to future needs. After retrospective testing within several clinical trials, the platform was introduced in phases to participating sites and QART study reviewers. RESULTS: The resulting QA platform, integrating RT analysis software installed at EORTC Headquarters, permits timely, secure, and fully digital central DICOM-RT based data review. Participating sites submit data through a standard secure upload webpage. Supplemental information is submitted in parallel through web-based forms. An internal quality check by the QART office verifies data consistency, formatting, and anonymization. QART reviewers have remote access through a terminal server. Reviewers evaluate submissions for protocol compliance through an online evaluation matrix. Comments are collected by the coordinating centre and institutions are informed of the results. CONCLUSIONS: This web-based central review platform facilitates rapid, extensive, and prospective QART review. This reduces the risk that trial outcomes are compromised through inadequate radiotherapy and facilitates correlation of results with clinical outcomes.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy in stage I inoperable lung cancer: from palliative to curative options.

Surgery has historically been the standard of care for operable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, nearly one-quarter of patients with stage I NSCLC will not undergo surgery because of medical comorbidity or other factors. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is the new standard of care for these patients. SABR offers high local tumour control rates rivalling the historical results of surgery and is generally well tolerated by patients with both peripheral and centrally located tumours. This article reviews the history of SABR for stage I NSCLC, summarises the currently available data on efficacy and toxicity, and describes some of the currently controversial aspects of this treatment.

Thermal Constant of an Experimental Population of Muscina stabulans (Fallén 1817) (Diptera:Muscidae) in the Laboratory

A study was conducted to investigate the thermal constant in an experimental population of Muscina stabulans (Fallén 1817). A natural population was obtained from a livestock and their F1 generations were maintained at four constant temperatures (16°C, 20°C, 26°C and 31°C). The thermal constant was calculated by the hyperbole method using the base temperature, tb = 4.4°C and the thermal constant K = 35.3 GD. Ricker's geometric regression, considering tb = 7.8°C and K = 28.9 GD was also calculated.

The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland

The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland The provision of a high quality radiation oncology service is one of the cornerstones of a modern treatment programme for cancer patients. Timely and equitable access to a radiation oncology service of the highest international standard should be available to all cancer patients in Ireland and it was the achievement of this goal that guided and motivated the group in producing this report and its accompanying recommendations. Click here to download PDF 46kb

The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland

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Effect of gamma radiation on the activity of hemocytes and on the course of Schistosoma mansoni infection in resistant Biomphalaria tenagophila snails

High doses of gamma radiation (10 Krad) in Biomphalaria tenagophila snails (Taim strain), which have been found to be resistant to Schistosoma mansoni, were not sufficient to impair their resistance to the parasite. The number of hemocytes, as well as their phagocytic activity, were not affected by irradiation, thus showing resemblance with mammal macrophages, which are resistant to gamma irradiation also.

Phenotypic divergence but not genetic distance predicts assortative mating among species of a cichlid fish radiation.

The hypothesis of ecological divergence giving rise to premating isolation in the face of gene flow is controversial. However, this may be an important mechanism to explain the rapid multiplication of species during adaptive radiation following the colonization of a new environment when geographical barriers to gene flow are largely absent but underutilized niche space is abundant. Using cichlid fish, we tested the prediction of ecological speciation that the strength of premating isolation among species is predicted by phenotypic rather than genetic distance. We conducted mate choice experiments between three closely related, sympatric species of a recent radiation in Lake Mweru (Zambia/DRC) that differ in habitat use and phenotype, and a distantly related population from Lake Bangweulu that resembles one of the species in Lake Mweru. We found significant assortative mating among all closely related, sympatric species that differed phenotypically, but none between the distantly related allopatric populations of more similar phenotype. Phenotypic distance between species was a good predictor of the strength of premating isolation, suggesting that assortative mating can evolve rapidly in association with ecological divergence during adaptive radiation. Our data also reveals that distantly related allopatric populations that have not diverged phenotypically, may hybridize when coming into secondary contact, e.g. upon river capture because of diversion of drainage systems.

Decreased local control following radiation therapy alone in early-stage glottic carcinoma with anterior commissure extension.

PURPOSE: To assess the patterns of failure in the treatment of early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1983-2000, 122 consecutive patients treated for early laryngeal cancer (UICC T1N0 and T2N0) by radical radiation therapy (RT) were retrospectively studied. Male-to-female ratio was 106 : 16, and median age 62 years (35-92 years). There were 68 patients with T1a, 18 with T1b, and 36 with T2 tumors. Diagnosis was made by biopsy in 104 patients, and by laser vaporization or stripping in 18. Treatment planning consisted of three-dimensional (3-D) conformal RT in 49 (40%) patients including nine patients irradiated using arytenoid protection. A median dose of 70 Gy (60-74 Gy) was given (2 Gy/fraction) over a median period of 46 days (21-79 days). Median follow-up period was 85 months. RESULTS: The 5-year overall, cancer-specific, and disease-free survival amounted to 80%, 94%, and 70%, respectively. 5-year local control was 83%. Median time to local recurrence in 19 patients was 13 months (5-58 months). Salvage treatment consisted of surgery in 17 patients (one patient refused salvage and one was inoperable; total laryngectomy in eleven, and partial laryngectomy or cordectomy in six patients). Six patients died because of laryngeal cancer. Univariate analyses revealed that prognostic factors negatively influencing local control were anterior commissure extension, arytenoid protection, and total RT dose < 66 Gy. Among the factors analyzed, multivariate analysis (Cox model) demonstrated that anterior commissure extension, arytenoid protection, and male gender were the worst independent prognostic factors in terms of local control. CONCLUSION: For early-stage laryngeal cancer, outcome after RT is excellent. In case of anterior commissure extension, surgery or higher RT doses are warranted. Because of a high relapse risk, arytenoid protection should not be attempted.

Second cranio-facial malignancies in hereditary retinoblastoma survivors previously treated with radiation therapy: clinic and radiologic characteristics and survival outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary retinoblastoma survivors have an increased risk for cranio-facial second primary tumours (SPT), especially after treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). This multicentre study evaluates the clinical and imaging characteristics and outcomes of cranio-facial SPTs in irradiated retinoblastoma survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical and radiological data of 42 hereditary retinoblastoma patients with 44 second and third malignancies were reviewed. Radiological data included anatomic location and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics. Cox regression and likelihood ratio chi-square test were used to evaluate differences in patients' survival rates. RESULTS: Cranio-facial SPTs were diagnosed at a median age of 13 years. Histological types included osteosarcomas (43%), rhabdomyosarcomas (20%) (57% embryonal, 43% alveolar) and a variety of other types of SPT (37%). Predilection sites were: temporal fossa (39%), ethmoid sinus (23%), orbit (18%), maxillary sinus (16%) and intracranial dura mater (4%). Most of the osteosarcomas (78%) and rhabdomyosarcomas (80%) occurred in patients treated with EBRT in the first year-of-life. Treatment of SPTs with a microscopically complete surgical resection led to a significantly better 5-year overall survival (OS) (P=0.017) and event-free survival (EFS) (P=0.012) compared to patients treated without surgery or incomplete resection (OS: 83% versus 52%; EFS: 80% versus 47%). CONCLUSIONS: Osteosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas are the most common cranio-facial SPTs in irradiated hereditary retinoblastoma survivors, which develop in specific locations and occur predominantly in patients irradiated in their first year-of-life. Microscopically complete surgical resection of SPTs is a major prognostic factor, suggesting the potential benefit of early detection by imaging.

Traitement non chirurgical des rectites postactiniques ou radiques chroniques [Non-surgical treatment of acute and late radiation proctitis]

Pelvic external radiotherapy with or without brachytherapy plays an important role in the management of pelvic cancers. Despite recent technical innovations including conformal three-dimensional (3D) external beam radiotherapy and more recently intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), local side effects can occur secondary to normal tissue damage caused by ionising radiation. Morbidity depends on the anatomic position of the rectum within the pelvis and the fast turnover rate of the mucosa, as well as the characteristics of the radiation treatment and patient co-morbidities. Medical management is sometimes complex and merits herein a short review.

Water-filtered infrared-A radiation (wIRA) is not implicated in cellular degeneration of human skin

Rapport de synthèse : Introduction : le vieillissement cutané est un processus biologique complexe auquel participe une exposition excessive au rayonnement ultraviolet du soleil. En particulier, les longueurs d'onde des rayons ultraviolets A et B (UV-A et UV-B) peuvent induire une augmentation de la synthèse de protéases, comme la métalloprotéinase matricielle 1 (MMP-1), qui est impliquée dans le processus de vieillissement. La thermothérapie par infrarouges, dont les longueurs d'onde sont plus longues que celles des UV, est largement utilisée à des fins thérapeutiques ou cosmétiques. Or, il a été démontré que les infrarouges en filtration aqueuse (IRFA) pouvaient induire une augmentation de la production de MMP-1 et par conséquent être nocifs. Il serait donc intéressant d'évaluer les effets des IRFA au niveau cellulaire et moléculaire. But Expérimental : étudier les effets des lampes à infrarouges en filtration aqueuse utilisées en clinique sur des fibroblastes cutanés humains en culture, afin d'analyser l'expression du gène codant pour la protéine MMP-1. Méthode : des fibroblastes cutanés humain ont été irradiés d'une part avec approximativement 88% d'IRFA (780-1400 nm) et 12% de lumière rouge (LR, 665-780 nm) avec 380 mW/cm2 IRFA(+LR) (333 mW/cm2 IRFA) et d'autre part avec des UV-A comme contrôle. Des courbes de survie cellulaire ont été établies après une exposition allant de 15 minutes à 8 heures au IRFA(+LR) (340-10880 J/cm2 wIRA(+RL), 300-9600 J/cm2 wIRA) ou de 15 à 45 minutes aux UV-A(+BL) (25-75 J/cm2 UV-A(+BL). L'induction de l'ARNm du gène de la MMP-1 a été analysé dans les fibroblastes cutanés humain à deux températures physiologiques (30°C et 37°C) lors d'expositions uniques de 15 à 60 minutes aux IRFA(+LR) (340-1360 J/cm2 IRFA(+LR), 300-1200 J/cm2 IRFA) ou de 30 minutes aux UV-A(+BL) (50 J/cm2 UVA(+BL)). De plus, nous avons effectué des irradiations répétées, une a chaque passage cellulaire jusqu'au passage. 10 de 15 minutes d'IRFA(+LR) 340 J/cm2 IRFA(+LR), 300 J/cm2 IRFA) . Résultats : une exposition unique aux UV-A (+BL) entraîne chez des fibroblastes cutanés humains une augmentation de la mort cellulaire, ainsi qu'une forte augmentation de l'expression du gène codant pour la MMP-1. L'augmentation mise en évidence pour cet ARNm varie en fonction de la technique utilisée : elle est de 11 ± 1 fois par RT-PCR classique, de 76 ± 2 fois par RT-PCR quantitative à 30°C, et de 75 ± 1 fois par RT-PCR quantitative à 37°C. Par contre, une exposition unique ou répétée aux IRFA (+LR) n'induit aucune augmentation de la mort cellulaire, ni de l'expression de l'ARNm de la MMP-1 chez ces fibroblastes. Conclusions : les résultats de cette étude montrent que, contrairement aux rayons ultraviolets, les IRFA (+LR) ne semblent impliqués ni dans le vieillissement, ni dans la mort cellulaire, même utilisés à des doses très élevées. Ces résultats sont en accord avec certaines investigations in vivo montrant une induction de MMP-1 par des UV et non des infrarouges. Ces dernières études suggèrent d'ailleurs plutôt un rôle protecteur des IRFA (+LR).

Evaluation of high frequency jet ventilation in patients undergoing percutaneous thermal ablation

Purpose: To evaluate the use of high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) in patients undergoing percutanous thermal ablation procedures.Materials: From may to september 2011 patients with lung, liver or kidney tumors suitable for percutanous thermal ablation were prospectively enrolled to be treated under general anesthesia using HFJV instead of conventional positive pressure ventilation (PPV). Our primary endpoint was feasability of HFJV during percutanous ablation, our secondary endpoints were assessment of breathing related movements by image fusion (CT/US), precision and ease of needle placement by number of CT aquisition/needle reposition and procedure related complications.Results: Twenty-nine patients (21 males, 8 females mean age 66.2 years) with 30 liver tumors, 1 kidney tumors and 6 lung tumors were included. Tumor ablation was performed by radiofrequency (RFA) in 26 cases, microwaves ( MWA) in 2 and cryoablation (CRA) in 1. The ablation procedure could be completed under HFJV in 22 patients. In 2 patients HFVJ had to be stopped in favor of PPV because the tumor was better seen under PPV. HFJV was not performed in 5. Breathing related movements of the target lesion in the cranio-caudal direction as estimated by image fusion were always inferior to 5mm compared to 20mm when patients are under PPV. Needle placement was straightforward under CT as well as US. No patient needed needle repositionning before ablation. We did not observe any HFJV related complications.Conclusions: HFJV significantly reduces breathing movements of target lesion during percutaneous ablation procedures. It does not seem to cause any particular complication. However in some cases such as tumors located at the base of the lungs or in the dome of the liver, the target may be best seen under PPV.