Brachytherapy: An emblematic example of extreme hypofractionated regimen

In order to provide more convenient irradiation regimens for patient comfort, radiation facility organization and health expenses, new hypofractionated protocols have been evaluated. Moderately (dose/fraction: 2.3 to 3 Gy), then ultra (dose/fraction: 5.2 to 6.1 Gy) hypofractionated irradiations were first validated. The current question is: is it possible to go forward using extreme hypofractionated regimens (EHR) based on 1 to 3 fractions. Different irradiation techniques are under investigation. However, brachytherapy remains the smartest way to deliver a high dose in a small volume. We report prospective and retrospective study results which evaluated EHR for breast and prostate brachytherapy. While oncological outcome and toxicity profile appear extremely encouraging for low-risk breast cancer after a 1 to 4 fractions (6.25 to 20 Gy/fraction), the use of a single fraction of 19 to 23 Gy appears debatable for prostate cancer. Brachytherapy represents an emblematic example of EHR but longer follow-up and more mature results are awaited in order to specify the right indications and refine the EQD2 calculation method including new biological and technical factors.     

高糖饮食对小鼠真菌性角膜炎的影响

目的　探究高糖饮食对小鼠真菌性角膜炎的影响。方法　选取健康无眼疾的雄性C57BL/6J小鼠78只，随机分为高糖饮食组和模型对照组，每组36只，模型对照组给予正常饮用水，高糖饮食组给予含体积分数10%果糖溶液，每2 d测量两组小鼠体质量及血糖，10 d后建立真菌性角膜炎模型。造模后24 h、36 h、48 h、72 h、96 h、120 h、168 h裂隙灯显微镜下对角膜进行临床评分并拍照。处死小鼠后，取角膜组织进行HE染色和PAS染色；测定角膜内中性粒细胞和巨噬细胞浸润体积。利用酶联免疫吸附实验对小鼠角膜内的白细胞介素-1β含量进行测定。结果　造模后 0~14 d，两组小鼠体质量与血糖差异均无统计学意义（均为P>0.05）。造模后24 h、36 h、48 h、120 h、168 h，高糖饮食组小鼠角膜临床评分均明显高于模型对照组，差异均有统计学意义（均为P<0.05）。高糖饮食组小鼠角膜穿孔率79.5%，高于模型对照组的40.9%，差异有统计学意义（P=0.000）。造模后各时间点，高糖饮食组中性粒细胞浸润体积均高于模型对照组，差异均有统计学意义（均为P=0.000）。造模后72 h、96 h、120 h、168 h，高糖饮食组巨噬细胞浸润体积均高于模型对照组（均为P=0.000）。角膜组织病理学检查结果示，高糖饮食组炎症反应更重，角膜组织破坏更早且更为严重。造模后24 h、48 h高糖饮食组白细胞介素-1β含量均明显高于模型对照组（均为P<0.05）。结论　高糖饮食加重了真菌性角膜炎感染的严重程度，增强了中性粒细胞、巨噬细胞的趋化，促进了IL-1β的分泌。     

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and weight status in children: the role of parental feeding practices

Abstract

The study examines Parental Feeding Practices (PFP) in relation to adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and children’s weight status. It’s a cross-sectional study of 402 parents (68.4% mothers), with children aged 2–12 years. Parents completed the Comprehensive Parental Feeding Questionnaire and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED), evaluating children’s adherence to the MD. Logistic regression showed that in children aged 2–<6 years, “emotion regulation/food as reward” and “pressure” decrease MD adherence (OR?=?0.186, p?<?0.0001 and OR?=?0.496, p?=?0.004), and “monitoring” decrease excess body weight (OR?=?0.284, p?=?0.009). In older children (6–12 years), “healthy eating guidance” and “monitoring” increase MD adherence (OR?=?3.262, p?=?0.001 and OR?=?3.147, p?<?0.0001), “child control” decreases MD adherence (OR?=?0.587, p?=?0.049), “pressure” decrease excess body weight (OR?=?0.495, p?<?0.0001) and “restriction” increase excess body weight (OR?=?1.784, p?=?0.015). “Healthy eating guidance” and “monitoring” seem to be the best PFP employed, in terms of children’s MD adherence and weight status.     

简明膳食自评工具在食管癌术后患者中的应用评价

目的将简明膳食自评工具（SDSAT）应用在食管癌术后患者中，评价其信度和效度。 方法本研究通过3个研究分别测量SDSAT的评定者间信度、重测信度和预测效度。研究A选择食管癌术前患者60例，由2位研究者分别进行SDSAT的测量，评价评定者间信度。研究B最终纳入食管癌术后1个月患者30例进行SDSAT的测量，间隔2周复测1次，比较2次结果，评价重测信度。研究C最终共纳入171例食管癌患者通过测量术前、术后1个月和术后3个月3个时间点测量，评价SDSAT对前白蛋白含量的预测程度。 结果评定者间信度是0.854（P<0.01）。 重测信度是0.782（P<0.01）。通过广义预测方程发现SDSAT对患者的前白蛋白含量预测效果好（P<0.01）。结论SDSAT信效度好，适合应用于评价食管癌术后患者的饮食状况。     

2,3-Butanedione monoxime protects mice against the convulsant effect of picrotoxin by facilitating GABA-activated currents

While adult mice receiving picrotoxin (PTX) alone responded with clonic and tonic-clonic seizures, this response was greatly suppressed for mice simultaneously injected with 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM). For example, 60% and 10% of the mice convulsed when injected (i.p.) with 3.0 mg/kg PTX alone or PTX plus 205 mg/kg of BDM, respectively. In contrast, a non-oxime analogue of BDM, 2,3-butanedione (BTD), did not have this anticonvulsant effect. In order to explore the basis for the anticonvulsant effect of BDM, we recorded GABA-activated currents (I_GABA) of frontal cortical as well as ventromedial hypothalamic neurons before, during and after exposure to this oxime. BDM had a biphasic effect on concentrations (100 μM-40 mM) decreased and lower concentrations (0.01 μM–0.001 μM) potentiatedI_GABA; these effects of BDM reversed upon washout of the oxime. In contrast, BTD had no effect onI_GABA. Finally, when 0.001 μM BDM, 10–30 μM PTX and GABA were co-applied the inhibitory effect of the toxin onI_GABA was markedly suppressed. These data suggest that the anticonvulsant effect of oximes involves facilitation of the inhibitory action of GABA.     

Eating to beat breast cancer: Potential role for soy supplements

Background: The study reviews the anticancer properties of naturalisoflavones which occur in especially high concentration in soybeans. Itconsiders the suitability of soybean products for clinical trials aiming toreduce the progression of breast cancer.Methods: Evidence is reviewed that plant isoflavones such asgenistein show cytostatic activity against human mammary cancer cell linesin vitro and can also suppress carcinogen-induced mammary cancer inyoung and mature rats.Results: Plant isoflavones are converted in the bowel to compoundswith potential antioestrogenic and antioxidative properties. These compoundsshow cytostatic activity for both oestrogen receptor-positive and negativehuman mammary cancer cell lines, and also inhibit growth and progress of therat mammary cancer model. The high content of soybean products in the diet ofAsian women has been postulated as one reason for their relatively low breastcancer incidence.Conclusion: Preclinical studies suggest that soybean products begiven priority for clinical trials in breast cancer protection. A pilot studycould test soy protein supplements as long-term adjuvant dietary treatmentafter primary surgery for early breast cancer, looking for a decrease in therisk of recurrence or of second primary tumours.