Evaluating the Cost-Effectiveness of Hydrogel Rectal Spacer in Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy

Purpose

A hydrogel rectal spacer (HRS) is a medical device that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to increase the separation between the prostate and rectum. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of HRS use for reduction in radiation therapy (RT) toxicities in patients with prostate cancer (PC) undergoing external beam RT (EBRT).

A benchmark dose study of prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and behavioral problems in children

IntroductionPrenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been reported to be associated with adverse effects on neurodevelopment that yield behavior syndromes in young children with an estimated median exposure lower than the currently recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) and reference dose (RfD).ObjectivesOur aim was to derive the benchmark dose for prenatal exposure to DEHP for the neurodevelopmental health in children.MethodsA total of 122 mother-child pairs from the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study were analyzed for the dose-response relationship between maternal exposure to DEHP and children's behavioral syndromes evaluated at 8 years (n = 122, 2009), 11 years (n = 96, 2012), and 14 years (n = 78, 2015) of age. We employed a multivariate regression model to assess the statistical associations between the estimated maternal average daily intake of DEHP and child's individual CBCL scores for boys and girls at each separate age, followed by a mixed model for all the children across three ages accounting for individual variations. We then employed structural equation models by combining the children's specific behavioral problem scores at different ages and obtained a simulated overall latent score in relation to maternal exposure. Based on the established dose-response relationship, we derived the benchmark dose (BMD) and the lower limit (BMDL).ResultsAssociations of maternal DEHP exposure (median 4.54$\mu g/kg\_bw/day$) with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores were all significant, except for somatic complaints, adjusting for child's age, gender, IQ, and family income. The BMDL, given a benchmark response of 0.10 (0.05) and a background response of 0.05, was 6.01 (2.16) $\mu g/kg\_bw/day$for an integrated CBCL score.ConclusionsThe current TDI (RfD) of 50 (20) $\mu g/kg\_bw/day$ for DEHP might not protect pregnant women for their children from behavioral problems. There remains the lack of comparable toxicological data. Further investigations are needed.     

Proposition de délinéation des volumes cibles tumoraux et sélection des aires ganglionnaires des cancers de la glande parotide

Salivary glands tumours are uncommon tumours showing a large diversity of histological types. This article presents a synthesis of patterns and paths of invasion of parotid glands tumours in order to propose an approach of the delineation of primary tumour clinical target volumes and of the selection of lymph nodes target volumes. This article does not discuss treatment indications but defines clinical target volumes to treat if radiotherapy is indicated. Postoperative situation being the most frequent, the delineation of primary tumour clinical target volume is based on an anatomical approach.     

丹参F3'5'H基因克隆及其序列分析

目的:为了验证丹参类黄酮-3′,5′-羟基化酶(Flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase,F3′5′H)基因与丹参花色表型的相关性,本研究克隆并分析了紫花丹参99-3株系和一些白花丹参中的F3′5′H基因。方法:本研究通过提取紫花丹参和白花丹参中的总RNA,再将其反转录得到cDNA,以此cDNA为模板,利用PCR方法扩增获得F3′5′H基因全长序列。再利用生物信息学分析方法,分析了该基因编码蛋白质的理化性状、结构域、系统进化等特点,并预测了该蛋白质的亚细胞定位、跨膜区等;利用实时定量PCR方法检测了该基因的表达特异性;利用毛状根遗传转化方法获得了该基因的过表达阳性毛状根株系。结果:F3′5′H基因全长1551 bp,编码516个氨基酸,相对分子质量为57.4 kDa。该基因在丹参花中高丰度表达。在42份(紫花25份;白花17份)丹参样品中发现一个单核苷酸多态性(Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms,SNP)位点在紫花和白花丹参中呈现与花色相关的稳定变化。系统发育分析表明丹参F3′5′H与美女樱的F3′5′H具有较高序列同源性。获得了过表达F3′5′H的毛状根株系。结论:本研究在丹参中克隆到F3′5′H基因,对其序列进行了分析,为进一步研究丹参F3′5′H基因的功能奠定基础。     

Acsl4在浸润性乳腺癌组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨Acsl4在浸润性乳腺癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法:采用免疫组织化学法检测108例浸润性乳腺癌组织中Acsl4的表达。结果:108例浸润性乳腺癌组织中,33例(30.6%)阳性表达,75例(69.4%)阴性表达。组织学G3级的乳腺癌组织中Acsl4阳性率为42.3%(22/52),高于G1+G2级的阳性率(19.6%,11/56),差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。ER阳性组织的Acsl4的阳性率15.8%(6/38),低于ER阴性的病例(38.6%,27/70),差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Acsl4的表达与患者年龄、肿瘤大小、淋巴结是否转移、HER2、PR、p53、Ki67的表达情况无统计学意义的相关性(P均>0.05)。结论:Acsl4在浸润性乳腺癌组织中存在异常表达,其阳性表达与乳腺癌患者组织学分级较高及ER阴性表达密切相关。