Treatment planning and dosimetric comparison study on two different volumetric modulated arc therapy delivery techniques

Aim

To compare and evaluate the performance of two different volumetric modulated arc therapy delivery techniques.

Background

Volumetric modulated arc therapy is a novel technique that has recently been made available for clinical use. Planning and dosimetric comparison study was done for Elekta VMAT and Varian RapidArc for different treatment sites.

Materials and methods

Ten patients were selected for the planning comparison study. This includes 2 head and neck, 2 oesophagus, 1 bladder, 3 cervix and 2 rectum cases. Total dose of 50 Gy was given for all the plans. All plans were done for RapidArc using Eclipse and for Elekta VMAT with Monaco treatment planning system. All plans were generated with 6 MV X-rays for both RapidArc and Elekta VMAT. Plans were evaluated based on the ability to meet the dose volume histogram, dose homogeneity index, radiation conformity index, estimated radiation delivery time, integral dose and monitor units needed to deliver the prescribed dose.

Results

RapidArc plans achieved the best conformity (CI_95% = 1.08 ± 0.07) while Elekta VMAT plans were slightly inferior (CI_95% = 1.10 ± 0.05). The in-homogeneity in the PTV was highest with Elekta VMAT with HI equal to 0.12 ± 0.02 Gy when compared to RapidArc with 0.08 ± 0.03. Significant changes were observed between the RapidArc and Elekta VMAT plans in terms of the healthy tissue mean dose and integral dose. Elekta VMAT plans show a reduction in the healthy tissue mean dose (6.92 ± 2.90) Gy when compared to RapidArc (7.83 ± 3.31) Gy. The integral dose is found to be inferior with Elekta VMAT (11.50 ± 6.49) × 10⁴ Gy cm³ when compared to RapidArc (13.11 ± 7.52) × 10⁴ Gy cm³. Both Varian RapidArc and Elekta VMAT respected the planning objective for all organs at risk. Gamma analysis result for the pre-treatment quality assurance shows good agreement between the planned and delivered fluence for 3 mm DTA, 3% DD for all the evaluated points inside the PTV, for both VMAT and RapidArc techniques.

Conclusion

The study concludes that a variable gantry speed with variable dose rate is important for efficient arc therapy delivery. RapidArc presents a slight improvement in the OAR sparing with better target coverage when compared to Elekta VMAT. Trivial differences were noted in all the plans for organ at risk but the two techniques provided satisfactory conformal avoidance and conformation.     

Phytoremediation of 1,4-Dioxane-Containing Recovered Groundwater

The results of a pilot-scale phytoremediation study are reported in this paper. Small plots of trees established on a closed municipal waste landfill site were irrigated with recovered groundwater containing 1,4-dioxane (dioxane) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plots were managed to minimize the leaching of irrigation water, and leaching was quantified by the use of bromide tracer. Results indicated that the dioxane (2.5 μg/L) was effectively removed, probably via phytovolatilization, and that a full-scale phytoremediation system could be used. A system is now in place at the site in which the recovered groundwater can be treated using two different approaches. A physical treatment system (PTS) will be used during the winter months, and a 12 ha phytoremediation system (stands of coniferous trees) will be used during the growing season. The PTS removes VOCs using an air-stripper, and destroys dioxane using a photo-catalytic oxidation process. Treated water will be routed to the local sewer system. The phytoremediation system, located on the landfill, will be irrigated with effluent from the PTS air-stripper containing dioxane. Seasonal use of the phytoremediation system will reduce reliance on the photo-catalytic oxidation process that is extremely energy consumptive and expensive to operate.     

Conformationally Restricted 2-Substituted Wyosine Derivatives. 1H, 13C,and 15N NMR Study

Abstract

It was found by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR study that substitution of 4,9-dihydro-4, 6-dimethyl-9-oxo-3-(2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) imidazo [1,2-a]purine (wyosine triacetate, 1) at C2 position with electronegative groups CH₃O and C₆H₅CH₂O results in a noticeable electron distribution disturbance in the “left-hand” imidazole ring and a significant increase in the North conformer population of the sugar moiety.     

Identification of ABCG2 Dysfunction as a Major Factor Contributing to Gout

The ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, member 2 gene ABCG2/BCRP locates in a gout-susceptibility locus (MIM 138900) on chromosome 4q. Recent genome-wide association studies also showed that the ABCG2 gene relates to serum uric acid levels and gout. Since ABCG2 is also known as a transporter of nucleotide analogs that are structurally similar to urate, and is an exporter that has common polymorphic reduced functionality variants, ABCG2 could be a urate secretion transporter and a gene causing gout. To find candidate mutations in ABCG2, we performed a mutation analysis of the ABCG2 gene in 90 Japanese patients with hyperuricemia and found six non-synonymous mutations. Among the variants, ATP-dependent urate transport was reduced or eliminated in five variants, and two out of the five variants (Q126X and Q141K) were frequently detected in patients. Haplotype frequency analysis revealed that there is no simultaneous presence of Q126X and Q141K in one haplotype. As Q126X and Q141K are a nonfunctional and half-functional haplotype, respectively, their genotype combinations are divided into four estimated functional groups. The association study with 161 male gout patients and 865 male controls showed that all of those who had dysfunctional ABCG2 had an increased risk of gout, and that a remarkable risk was observed in those with ≤1/4 function (OR, 25.8; 95% CI, 10.3–64.6; p = 3.39 × 10^?21). In 2,150 Japanese individuals, the frequency of those with dysfunctional ABCG2 was more than 50%. Our function-based clinicogenetic analysis identified the combinations of dysfunctional variants of ABCG2 as a major contributing factor in Japanese patients with gout.     

Evolution of 1, 3, 5-trisubstituted bipyrazole scaffold based platinum(II) complexes as a biological active agent

Abstract

Square planar mononuclear platinum(II) complexes having general formula [Pt(Lⁿ)Cl₂], (where, Lⁿ?=?L^1–4) were synthesized with neutral bidentate heterocyclic 1,3,5-trisubstituted bipyrazole based ligands. The synthesized compounds were characterized by physicochemical method such as TGA, molar conductance, micro-elemental analysis and magnetic moment, and spectroscopic method such as, FT-IR, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry. Biological applications of the compounds were carried out using in vitro brine shrimp lethality bioassay, in vitro antimicrobial study against five different pathogens, and cellular level cytotoxicity against Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. Pombe) cells. Pt(II) complexes were tested for DNA interaction activities using electronic absorption titration, viscosity measurements study, fluorescence quenching technique and molecular docking assay. Binding constants (K_b) of ligands and complexes were observed in the range of 0.23–1.07?×?10⁵?M^?1 and 0.51–3.13?×?10⁵?M^?1, respectively. Pt(II) complexes (I–IV) display an excellent binding tendency to biomolecule (DNA) and possess comparatively high binding constant (K_b) values than the ligands. The DNA binding study indicate partial intercalative mode of binding in complex-DNA. The gel electrophoresis activity was carried out to examine DNA nuclease property of pUC19 plasmid DNA.     

Switching from usual brand cigarettes to a tobacco-heating cigarette or snus: Part 2. Biomarkers of exposure

Abstract

A randomized, multi-center study of adult cigarette smokers switched to tobacco-heating cigarettes, snus or ultra-low machine yield tobacco-burning cigarettes (50/group) was conducted, and subjects’ experience with the products was followed for 24 weeks. Differences in biomarkers of tobacco exposure between smokers and never smokers at baseline and among groups relative to each other and over time were assessed. Results indicated reduced exposure to many potentially harmful constituents found in cigarette smoke following product switching. Findings support differences in exposure from the use of various tobacco products and are relevant to the understanding of a risk continuum among tobacco products.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02061917.     

Operation of an aerobic granular pilot scale SBR plant to treat swine slurry

A pilot-scale Sequencing Batch Reactor was operated during 307 days in order to treat swine slurry characterized by its high variable composition: organic and nitrogen applied loading rates and C/N ratio were 1.4–6.3 kg COD_s/(m³ d), 0.5–2.5 kg N/(m³ d) and 1.9–9.4 g COD_s/(g N), respectively. Aerobic granules successfully developed in the reactor and their physical properties remained rather stable despite the feeding composition variability. Organic and ammonia removal efficiency reached 61–73% and 56–77%, respectively, however ammonia was mainly oxidized to nitrite. The reactor had a good biomass retention capacity to select for granular biomass. However, its efficiency to retain the solids present in the feeding was low. Aerobic granulation in SBR systems appears as an interesting alternative to treat slurry in small livestock facilities where the implementation of anaerobic digestion systems is not a feasible option or the removal of nitrogenous compounds is required.     

Responses of serum chemokines to dramatic changes of air pollution levels,a panel study

Abstract

Background: Despite the in vitro and in vivo evidence, studies are limited in evaluating whether chemokines are potential inflammatory mediators in response to air pollution exposure in humans.

Methods: We conducted a panel study coinciding with the Beijing Olympics, when temporary air pollution controls were implemented. We measured a suite of serum chemokines among healthy adults before, during and after the Olympics, respectively. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate changes in chemokine levels over the three time periods.

Results: In response to the 50% drop in air pollution levels during the games, levels of RANTES, MCP-2, and TARC decreased by 25.8%, 20.9% and 35.3%, respectively (p?<?0.001) from pre-Olympics, and then increased by 45.8%, 34.9% and 61.5%, respectively (p?<?0.001) after the games when air pollution levels went up again. Similar patterns were observed in subgroup analyses by sex, age, smoking and body mass index. GRO-α and IL-8 decreased significantly during the games (22.5% and 30.4%), and increased non-significantly after the games. Eotaxin-1 only increased significantly from during- to post-games.

Conclusions: The strongest associations with air pollution levels were observed among RANTES, TARC and MCP-2. Those chemokines may play important roles in the air pollution-induced inflammatory pathway.     

The New Perspectives on Genetic Studies of Type 2 Diabetes and Thyroid Diseases

Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the discovery of hundreds of susceptibility loci that are associated with complex metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and hyperthyroidism. The majority of the susceptibility loci are common across different races or populations; while some of them show ethnicity-specific distribution. Though the abundant novel susceptibility loci identified by GWAS have provided insight into biology through the discovery of new genes or pathways that were previously not known, most of them are in introns and the associated variants cumulatively explain only a small fraction of total heritability. Here we reviewed the genetic studies on the metabolic disorders, mainly type 2 diabetes and hyperthyroidism, including candidate genes-based findings and more recently the GWAS discovery; we also included the clinical relevance of these novel loci and the gene-environmental interactions. Finally, we discussed the future direction about the genetic study on the exploring of the pathogenesis of the metabolic diseases.