Perspectives in Implementing Radiogenomics to Radiotherapy

Genomics is the study of all nucleotide sequences, including structural genes, regulatory sequences and noncoding DNA segments, in the chromosomes of an organism. Radiogenomics focuses on the underlying genetic causes of cellular responses to radiation and its applications to radiation oncology practice. The purpose of this review is to introduce the technology behind radiogenomics and discuss how it may impact radiotherapy practice for practitioners. A literature search was conducted on PubMed using the key words genomics, genes, pharmacogenomics, radiogenomics, dose painting and dose sculpting. A review of the literature shows much promise for future radiation oncology health care practices. Current findings from radiogenomics research require much work in translational research via rigorous testing, evaluation and validation to corroborate data and research methodologies. This review consolidates the theoretical basis of radiogenomics research and discusses the considerations of genomics technology in the context of how it will impact radiotherapy practice. The promise of radiogenomics applications holds a future role in identifying tissue-specific radiation resistance and tolerance by identifying genes responsible for radiobiological response.     

Racial grouping and women''s experience of giving birth in hospital

An interview study of women's experience of giving birth in hospital was undertaken to compare the views of Caucasian, Afro-Caribbean and Asian women. A total of 89 women from Nottingham took part. The vast majority of all women were satisfied with the medical and midwifery care and attention they had received during labour, birth and post-partum. There were few areas in which the experience reported by women differed according to racial grouping. Asian women were however more likely than others to have difficulties with communication and to need the services of an interpreter. Afro-Caribbean women were less happy than others to be subjected to technical measurements, such as fetal monitoring, during labour and would have liked more relief from pain during delivery. The service was found where possible to accommodate differing cultural traditions associated with birthing. It would appear that the hospitals in this study were successful in meeting the majority of the needs of black and white women during childbirth.     

Central retinal vein occlusion in pseudoexfoliation of the lens capsule

In surveying an extensive group of patients with unilateral pseudoexfoliation of the lens capsule certain interesting points emerged, particularly on the incidence of central retinal vein occlusion in this condition,and perhaps in glaucoma also. A total of 284 patients with unilateral pseudo-exfoliation of the lens capsule were examined clinically after an ophthalmic and general history were taken. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 30.9 mmHg in the affected eye and 18.1 mmHg in the unaffected eye. Central retinal vein occlusion occurred in 10 affected eyes but no unaffected eyes and always in affected eyes with a rise in IOP. Average IOP in the affected eye with central retinal vein occlusion was 37.5 mmHg (range 26-54 mmHg);in the unaffected fellow eye it was 18.0 mmHg (range 11-28 mmHg). Although the process involved in producing pseudo-exfoliation of the lens capsule may contribute to the precipitation of central retinal vein occlusion, these findings suggest the rise in IOP is the more important cause. This may also be so in other forms of glaucoma.     

Coronary and systemic hemodynamic effects of sildenafil citrate: from basic science to clinical studies in patients with cardiovascular disease

Sildenafil citrate is the first oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The wide use of sildenafil by patients with erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease has resulted in a considerable number of independent studies investigating the cardiovascular safety and functional role of the phosphodiesterase type 5-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-nitric oxide pathway in the cardiovascular system. Endothelial dysfunction, defined as a reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide, is associated with many of the common risk factors for cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil has been demonstrated to improve the vasomotor aspect of endothelial dysfunction in patients with heart failure and diabetes. Hemodynamic studies suggest that sildenafil is a modest vasodilator with the potential to increase coronary blood flow and coronary flow reserve. In patients with ischemic heart disease, sildenafil is associated with reductions in mean arterial and pulmonary pressure with little effect on heart rate, cardiac output, and systemic or pulmonary vascular resistance. The absence of an effect on cardiac output supports the lack of an inotropic effect of sildenafil. This is consistent with the finding that sildenafil has no effect on cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in the vasculature. Finally, exciting reports have emerged from clinical experience with the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in patients with pulmonary hypertension.     

Local recurrence in head and neck cancer: relationship to radiation resistance and signal transduction.

PURPOSE: Locoregional recurrence is the dominant form of treatment failure in head and neck (H&N) cancer. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently amplified in this disease (相似文献   

Liquid chromatographic determination of FP-21399 in plasma of patients with HIV infection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis method for the novel anti-HIV drug FP-21399 in human plasma was developed. The method employed the combination of organic solvent extraction and solid phase extraction. Analysis of FP 21399 and two major metabolites was achieved within 18 min using a reverse phase Puresil Cl 8 analytical column (4.6 x 150 mm, 5 microm, Waters) with a mobile phase of water-acetonitrile containing 20 mM triethylamine acetate (apparent pH 7.0). Linear gradient of mobile phase was applied as water-acetonitrile from 78:22 (v/v) to 55:45 over 8 min, and held at this ratio for the next 4 min. An ultraviolet-visible detector was operated at 265 mn from 0 to 8 min and at 600 mn from 8 min and after. The retention time of FP-21399 was 8.8 min and a linear response was observed over the concentration range 0.01 100 microg ml(-1) (r = 0.994). Lower limit of quantitation was found to be 0.01 microg ml(-1). Intra- and inter-assay precision varied in the range of 0.2 to 8% and 1-12%, respectively. The bias ranged from -17-3% for all analyses. A series of clinical plasma specimens were successfully analyzed using this method. The strategies for the method optimization on HIPLC separation and extraction procedure are discussed as well.