Changes in digestible energy values of some agricultural residues treated with gamma irradiation

The effects of different doses of gamma irradiation (0, 5, 20, 50, 100 and 150 kGy) on gross energy (GE), in vitro apparent organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and digestible energy (IVDE), have been evaluated in barley straw, sorghum straw, wheat chaffs and maize cobs. The results indicate that, there were significant (P<0.05) increases in IVOMD and IVDE values, especially, at the dose of 150 kGy. The increases in IVOMD were 22, 21 and 23% for barley straw, sorghum straw and wheat chaffs, respectively; whereas, such an increase was 12% for maize cobs. Digestible energy values increased over the control by 1165, 1621, 1540 and 1130 kJ/kg dry matter for barley straw, sorghum straw, wheat chaffs and maize cobs, respectively. There was no significant effect of gamma irradiation on GE values for the studied agricultural residues.     

Irradiance dependence of the conduction block of an in vitro cardiomyocyte wire

BackgroundTo obtain therapeutic condition precisely by in vitro experiment, we studied the irradiance dependence of the electrical conduction blockage caused by a photodynamic reaction using a high extracellular concentration of talaporfin sodium on a novel in vitro cardiomyocyte electrical conduction wire.MethodsThe cardiomyocyte wires were constructed on patterned cultivation cover glass, which had cultivation areas 60 μm in width, and a maximum length of 10 mm. The talaporfin sodium concentration was set to 20 μg/mL. The photodynamic reaction with a high extracellular photosensitizer concentration was performed with a short time interval (approximately 15 min) between photosensitizer exposure and irradiation. A 663-nm laser was applied to the cardiomyocyte wire, and the irradiance was varied between 3 and 120 mW/cm². The cardiomyocyte electrical conduction was evaluated using the cross-correlation function of intracellular Ca²⁺ probe fluorescence brightness from an upper and lower section outside the laser irradiation area of a wire every 10 s, which lasted up to 600 s.ResultsThe onset of electrical conduction blockage was defined by an 85% decrease in the cross-correlation function, compared with its initial value. The time for the electrical conduction blockage decreased from 600 to 300 s as the irradiance was increased. Also, the probability of electrical conduction blockage was found to increase with increasing irradiance.ConclusionsWe found a strong dependence on the irradiance for the time and probability of electrical conduction blockage.     

Thermoluminescent characterization of HfO2:Tb3+ synthesized by hydrothermal route

Thermo and photoluminescent properties of nanoparticles (NPs) of hafnium oxide (HfO₂), both intrinsic and doped with terbium (Tb³⁺) are reported. The NPs of HfO₂ were synthesized by hydrothermal route, using hafnium tetrachloride (HfCl₄) and terbium chloride hexahydrated (TbCl₃∙6H₂O) as precursors and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to adjust the pH. Deionized water was used as solvent in all cases. The synthesis was carried out at different dopant concentrations from 0 to 20 at% of terbium with respect to the amount of hafnium in the precursor solution. The temperature of hydrothermal treatment was 200 °C and 80 min of reaction time. X-ray diffraction results show that at terbium concentrations higher than 15 at% the HfO₂ nanoparticles have a crystalline structure corresponding to the tetragonal phase. Thermoluminescent (TL) characterization was performed after 5 min irradiation of the samples with ultraviolet light of 200 nm wavelength. The highest TL emission was observed on samples with 7 at% of Tb, with the TL peak centered at 128 °C. Thermoluminescence analysis shows behavior associated with second-order kinetics with activation energy of 0.49 eV. Photoluminescent spectrum present the characteristics ⁵D₄→⁷FJ (J=3–6) terbium ion electronic transitions lines centered on 489 nm, 543 nm, 584 nm and 622 nm.     

Correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion MR parameters and MR nodular grade of parotid glands in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome: A pilot study

PurposeTo explore the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance (MR) parameters and MR nodular grade of parotid glands in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS).Materials and methodsA total of 31 consecutive patients with SS and 28 gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers underwent bilateral parotid 3.0T MR examination including the IVIM sequence (9 b values, 0–800 s/mm²). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), diffusion coefficient D, pseudo-diffusion coefficient D^*, and perfusion fraction f of bilateral parotid glands were obtained, and the nodular grade of each parotid gland was evaluated according to the MR morphological appearance.ResultsSixty-two parotid glands in 31 patients with SS consisted of 32, 14, 8, and 8 parotid glands at MR nodular grades 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In parotid glands of grade 0, 1, 2, 3 and healthy volunteers, the ADC values were (1.13 ± 0.25, 1.11 ± 0.17, 1.05 ± 0.24, 0.89 ± 0.04 and 1.00 ± 0.21) × 10⁻³ mm²/s, D values were (0.92 ± 0.13, 0.90 ± 0.19, 0.90 ± 0.03, 0.67 ± 0.03, 0.81 ± 0.03) × 10⁻³ mm²/s, f values were 0.20 ± 0.04, 0.18 ± 0.02, 0.15 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.01, 0.15 ± 0.06, and D^*values were (53.89 ± 28.26, 41.78 ± 16.35, 51.24 ± 18.69, 31.83 ± 18.03, 36.83 ± 16.14) × 10⁻³ mm²/s respectively. The ADC, D, f, and D^* values of parotid glands in patients with SS at grade 0 were significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers (all P < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in the D and f values of parotid glands in patients with SS among different grades (P = 0.003, < 0.001, respectively). The IVIM parameters (D, f) of parotid glands at early (grades 0–1) and advanced (grades 2–3) stages in patients with SS were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than those in healthy volunteers (all P < 0.05). The D and f values inversely correlated with MR nodular grades significantly (r = − 0.297, P = 0.019; r = − 0.653, P < 0.001, respectively)ConclusionThe parotid glands with different MR nodular grades in patients with SS showed different IVIM parameters, reflecting different pathophysiological characteristics of parotid glands at different stages.     

Epidemiological trends of suicide and attempted suicide by poisoning in the US: 2000–2008

In the US the suicide rate on a population basis has risen and fallen over time between approximately 10 and 12 per 100,000 population. The recent trend toward an increased rate has been paralleled by an increase in emergency department visits for attempted suicide. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in suspected suicide (SS) cases reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS), over a 9-year period (2000–2008).MethodsData were obtained from NPDS, for all human patients between the years 2000 and 2008 with the reason for poisoning exposure recorded as “Intentional – Suspected Suicide” (ISS). Additionally, population sizes were obtained from the US Census Bureau as single annual counts by age and sex bands for the 2000–2008.ResultsThere were 1,672,324 human exposures reported to substances with the reason of SS. Sixty-five percent (1,084,669) were female. The average age of a patient was 30 years with the age groups 13–19 and 20–29 years reporting the highest SS events, 26.4% and 25.7%, respectively. From 2000 to 2008, the estimated rate of SS increased from 72.6 to 82.8 per 1000 human exposure cases. On a population basis, the estimated rate of SS increased from 55.8 to 67.9 per 100,000 population (p for trend <0.001). The relative risk of human exposures for reason of SS compared to human exposures for any other reason being reported to the NPDS is 1.13 (95% CI: [1.122–1.135], p < 0.001) for every 10 years. The relative risk for females vs. males was 1.82 for having SS as a reason for exposure (p < 0.001). However, females were also 0.82 times less likely to experience a severe medical outcome (SMO) compared to males (95% CI: [0.81–0.83], p < 0.001). We noted an increasing risk of a SMO or fatality increasing with age.ConclusionsBased on the total human exposure cases reported to the NPDS, there was a suggested trend of an increase in SS rates of 13% in the next 10 years. There was a greater incidence of SS in females and younger age groups. However, the odds of a SMO or fatality were higher for males and increased with increasing age.     

Hair analysis of an unusual case of Chloroquine intoxication

A dead body of middle aged man was exhumed from 6.5 month earth-grave. Autopsy findings were non-specific as the body was completely putrefied. Deceased’s scalp hair and kidney was sent for toxicological analysis. Hair sample (50 mg) was incubated with 1 M NaOH (2 ml). Chloroquine was detected in hair and kidney during basic drug screen performed on GC/MS. For confirmation and quantitation, chloroquine was extracted using Hypersep verify CX SPE cartridges while mass detector was operated in SIM mode using the ions of m/z 245.0, 290.1, 319.0 for chloroquine while ions of m/z 260 and 455 were monitored for nalorphine (internal standard). Chloroquine was present in high concentration in hair (211 ng/mg) as well as in kidney (37.3 mg/kg). Moreover, chloroquine was not detected in the wash solvents, suggesting ingestion of the drug rather than an external contamination of hair. These findings strongly suggested the acute exposure of higher doses of chloroquine to the deceased before death.     

Clinical outcome of pathologic Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma after intravaginal brachytherapy alone

PurposeWe studied the impact of different prognostic factors on the clinical outcome for the patients with pathologic Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma who had surgical staging (SS) and received adjuvant high-dose-rate intravaginal brachytherapy (IVB) alone.Methods and MaterialsSixty-one patients with Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma were retrospectively studied. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to study prognostic factors.ResultsAll the patients underwent SS between July 1994 and December 2005. The median age was 64 years (range, 46–71 years). The median number of lymph nodes sampled was 8 (range, 7–12). All the patients received adjuvant IVB to doses of 35–36 Gy in four to five fractions prescribed to the surface. The myometrial invasion was <50% in 33 patients and ≥50% for 28 patients. The lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and the lower uterine segment involvement were identified in 18% and 61%, respectively. At a median followup of 64 months (range, 8–153 months), there were 7 patients who developed recurrences. On univariate analysis, the only factor significantly predictive for locoregional recurrence was LVI (p = 0.01). In regard to overall survival (OS), factors that were significantly predictive on univariate analysis were LVI (p = 0.03), tumor grade (p = 0.04), and depth of myometrial invasion (p = 0.04). The 5-year rates of vaginal and pelvic recurrences were 1.7% and 8.2%, respectively. The 5-year local control and OS rates were both 87%.ConclusionsOur results suggest excellent local control with adjuvant IVB alone for selected patients with Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma. The patients with positive LVI and deep myometrial invasion have a worse locoregional control and OS despite SS and adjuvant IVB.     

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of association of chlorhexidine to photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy in root canals infected by Enterococcus faecalis

IntroductionThe aim of the present study was to evaluate, in vitro, the influence of the addition of chlorhexidine to photosensitiser in the antimicrobial activity of photodynamic therapy in root canals infected by Enterococcus faecalis.MethodsThe root canals of 50 single-rooted human extracted teeth were enlarged up to a file F3 of Pro-Taper system, autoclaved, inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and incubated for 14 days. The samples were divided into five groups (n = 10) according to the protocol of decontamination: G1 (control group) − no procedure was performed; G2–photosensitiser (0.01% methylene blue); G3–2% chlorhexidine gel; G4–photodynamic therapy; and G5–photodynamic therapy with photosensitiser modified by chlorhexidine. Microbiological test (CFU counting) was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed treatments. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Tukey test (α=0.05).ResultsGroup 3 (CHX) showed the lowest mean contamination (2.03 log₁₀ CFU/mL), being statistically different from all other all groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups 4 (PDT) and 5 (PDT + CHX) (p < 0.05), being more effectives against E. faecalis when compared to groups 1 (NT) and 2 (MB), and less effective when compared to group 2 (CHX).ConclusionsThe addition of chlorhexidine to photosensitiser did not result in a better decontamination potential of photodynamic therapy alone over root canals infected by E. faecalis.     

Long-term outcomes with high-dose-rate brachytherapy for the management of base of tongue cancer

PurposeTo report the long-term results of a prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial using high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) for the management of base of the tongue (BOT) tumors.Methods and MaterialsBetween January 1992 and June 2011, 60 patients (mean age, 57 years; range, 36–78 years) with T1–T4 and N0-3 carcinoma of BOT were treated. Fifty-six patients (93%) had advanced (Stage III-IV) disease. HDR BT boost (mean dose, 17 Gy; range, 12–30 Gy) was delivered after 50–70 Gy (mean 62 Gy) locoregional external beam irradiation. Seventeen patients (28%) received radiochemotherapy (RCT) with cisplatin.ResultsThe 5-year actuarial rate of local tumor control, locoregional tumor control, overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 57%, 50%, 47%, and 61%, respectively. OS was significantly better in patients (n = 17) receiving RCT (69% vs. 39%; p = 0.005). Delayed soft-tissue ulceration occurred in seven patients (12%). Only one patient (<2%) developed osteoradionecrosis. In univariate analysis, the tumor size (T1–T2–T3 vs. T4) was found to have a significant effect on CSS (p = 0.043), whereas the nodal status (N0 vs. N+) affected locoregional tumor control (p = 0.042), OS (p = 0.002), and CSS (p = 0.015). Low histologic grade (1–2) was associated with better CSS (p = 0.020), whereas RCT significantly improved OS (p = 0.012).ConclusionsExternal beam irradiation combined with interstitial HDR BT boost results in good local tumor control with an acceptable rate of late side effects in patients with BOT carcinoma. RCT improves OS. Our results are similar to those reported with traditional low-dose-rate BT implants.     

The in vitro effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with indocyanine green on Enterococcus faecalis: Influence of a washing vs non-washing procedure

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of washing and non-washing of indocyanine green (ICG) as photosensitizer (PS) on bacterial count, biofilm formation, development and degradation of Enterococcus faecalis.MethodsThe anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm formation, anti-biofilm development and biofilm degradation of anti-microbial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against E. faecalis was determined at concentrations of 3 to 2000 μg/mL of ICG, subject to 18 J/cm² dose of diode laser (808 nm) in washing and non-washing producers. Bacterial viability measurements and biofilm assays were evaluated by broth microdilution method and crystal violet assays, respectively.ResultsICG-mediated aPDT, using 25 to 2000 μg/mL and 50 to 2000 μg/mL showed significant reduction in E. faecalis growth when compared to the control in non-washing and washing producers, respectively (P < 0.05). Also, ICG-mediated aPDT showed a significantly inhibitory effect on biofilm formation of E. faecalis in concentration of 6 to 2000 μg/mL and 100 to 2000 μg/mL in non-washing and washing groups (P < 0.05). The biofilm development was inhibited by concentrations of 12 to 2000 μg/mL and 100 to 2000 μg/mL in non-washing and washing groups. The biofilm degradation increased from concentrations of 12 to 2000 μg/mL and 250 to 2000 μg/mL in non-washing and washing groups, respectively.ConclusionThis study shows that the application of ICG should be accompanied by laser irradiation without being washed out to achieve better result for bacterial count reduction and anti-biofilm effects.     

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on Streptococcus mutans is altered by glucose in the presence of methylene blue and red LED

BackgroundDental caries are a multifactorial disease that progressively produces tooth destruction as a result of bacterial colonization of enamel surface, especially Streptococcus mutans. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of glucose in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on S. mutans.MethodsS. mutans ATCC 25175 were cultured on microaerophilia at 37 °C for 48 h, and we tested aPDT in the presence of 50 mM glucose. Bacterial suspension was used to investigate aPDT with 100 μM methylene blue (MB) under LED emitting radiation at ʎ = 660 nm and parameters as following (P = 473 mW; I = 166.8 mW/cm², and doses of 5, 10 and 20 J/cm²). A seventy-two hours biofilm was grown on 96 flat buttoned well-plate and irradiation was performed from 10 to 80 J/cm² at similar conditions.ResultsThere was no dark toxicity nor bacterial death regarding LED irradiation on suspension and on biofilm. Nevertheless, aPDT presented expressive bacterial inactivation following 1 and 2 min of irradiation on cell suspension. On the other hand, there was no inactivation in the presence of glucose under the same conditions. Biofilm was completely inactivated by MB-mediated aPDT after 6 min of irradiation. However, the presence of glucose delayed the complete inactivation of the biofilm.ConclusionThe presence of glucose in the suspension drastically delayed the effect of aPDT on S. mutans and this effect is more pronounced in bacterial suspension than on biofilm.     

Evaluation of hepatic perfusion and function with modified hepatobiliary scintigraphy

The quantitative relationship between changes in portal vein pressure and the perfusion index was studied, and hepatocellular function was evaluated. A modified protocol of hepatobiliary dynamic scintigraphy with Tc-99m-labeled ethylene hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (EHIDA) was performed in 37 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and 12 healthy controls. In 18 patients, the portal vein pressure (PVP) was measured intra-operatively during the portal vein bypass procedure. The portal vein perfusion index (PVI) was obtained by a two-compartment model of hepatic perfusion. A three-compartment model was applied in the hepatocellular extracted and excreted time-radioactivity curves, and the hepatic functional index was calculated including the hepatic uptake index (UI), the mean residual index (MRI), the uptake speed index (UsI), the descent speed index (DsI), the peak uptake (PU), and the peak time (PT) of hepatic uptake. These function indices in the cirrhotic patients were compared to the indices in the healthy controls with a two-sided t-test; specifically, the PU (18.94 ± 6.80 vs. 29.67 ± 18.98, P < 0.01), UI (0.84 ± 5.99 vs. 18.41 ± 13.87, P < 0.05), and UsI (0.58 ± 0.39 vs. 1.23 ± 0.81, P < 0.01) were slower in patients with hepatic cirrhosis compared with the healthy controls. The PT (16.83 ± 4.89 vs. 10.95 ± 2.79, P < 0.001) and MRI (5.93 ± 2.96 vs. 2.74 ± 0.97, P < 0.001) were more prolonged and the DsI (0.07 ± 0.09 vs. 0.18 ± 0.14, P < 0.01) was less compared to controls. The PVI were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls (46.17 ± 7.83 vs. 29.07 ± 5.71, P < 0.001), and the PVI correlated to the PVP (r = 0.79, P < 0.01).In conclusion, modified quantitative hepatobiliary dynamic scintigraphy can evaluate the changes of portal vein blood flow and monitor hepatocellular function, in which the portal vein blood flow can estimate portal vein pressure.     

Radioiodinated peptide probe for selective detection of oxidized low density lipoprotein in atherosclerotic plaques

IntroductionDespite the significant effort in developing radioprobes for atherosclerosis, few have low molecular weight. Oxidized LDL (OxLDL), a highly proinflammatory and proatherogenic factor that is abundant in atherosclerotic plaques, plays a pivotal role in plaque destabilization, which makes OxLDL a relevant probe target. We developed a radioiodinated short peptide, AHP7, as a low molecular weight probe for specific OxLDL imaging and evaluated its utility using myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits (WHHLMI).Methods[¹²⁵I]AHP7 was designed and synthesized based on the sequence of Asp-hemolysin, an OxLDL binding protein extracted from Aspergillus fumigatus. In vitro binding studies with OxLDL having varying degrees of oxidation were performed. Radioactivity accumulation in the aorta was measured 30 min post-administration in rabbits. Autoradiography and histological studies were performed using serial aorta sections. A radioiodinated scrambled peptide ([¹²⁵I]AHP scramble) was used as a negative control.Results[¹²⁵I]AHP7 bound to OxLDL in proportion to the degree of oxidation (R = 0.91, P < 0.0001) and was inhibited by unlabeled AHP7 in a concentration-dependent manner. The aorta accumulation level and aorta/blood and aorta/muscle ratios of [¹²⁵I]AHP7 in WHHLMI were 2.8-, 1.3- and 1.8-fold higher, respectively, than those in control rabbits (P < 0.001). Co-administration of AHP7 significantly reduced [¹²⁵I]AHP7 radioactivity in aorta sections (P < 0.0001). Regional radioactivity levels in the aorta sections showed nonuniformity but similarity to the immunohistochemical OxLDL density.ConclusionsThe potential of radioiodinated AHP7 for selectively imaging OxLDL was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.     

Dual-modal computer-assisted evaluation of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients on both real-time elastography and B-mode ultrasound

PurposeTo propose a computer-assisted method for quantifying the hardness of an axillary lymph node on real-time elastography (RTE) and its morphology on B-mode ultrasound; and to combine the dual-modal features for differentiation of metastatic and benign axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients.Materials and methodsA total of 161 axillary lymph nodes (benign, n = 69; metastatic, n = 92) from 158 patients with breast cancer were examined with both B-mode ultrasound and RTE. With computer assistance, five morphological features describing the hilum, size, shape, and echogenic uniformity of a lymph node were extracted from B-mode, and three hardness features were extracted from RTE. Single-modal and dual-modal features were used to classify benign and metastatic nodes with two computerized classification approaches, i.e., a scoring approach and a support vector machine (SVM) approach. The computerized approaches were also compared with a visual evaluation approach.ResultsAll features exhibited significant differences between benign and metastatic nodes (p < 0.001), with the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.803 and the highest accuracy (ACC) of 75.2% for a single feature. The SVM on dual-modal features achieved the largest AUC (0.895) and ACC (85.7%) among all methods, exceeding the scoring (AUC = 0.881; ACC = 83.6%) and the visual evaluation methods (AUC = 0.830; ACC = 84.5%). With the leave-one-out cross validation, the SVM on dual-modal features still obtained an ACC as high as 84.5%.ConclusionDual-modal features can be extracted from RTE and B-mode ultrasound with computer assistance, which are valuable for discrimination between benign and metastatic lymph nodes. The SVM on dual-modal features outperforms the scoring and visual evaluation methods, as well as all methods using single-modal features. The computer-assisted dual-modal evaluation of lymph nodes could be potentially used in daily clinical practice for assessing axillary metastasis in breast cancer patients.     

Synthesis of [11C]PBR170, a novel imidazopyridine,for imaging the translocator protein with PET

The translocator protein (TSPO) ligand 2-(6,8-dichloro-2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)–N-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)–N-methylacetamide (PBR170), is a novel imidazopyridineacetamide with high affinity (2.6 nm) and selectivity for the TSPO. The synthesis of [¹¹C]PBR170 was accomplished by N-methylation of the corresponding desmethyl precursor with [¹¹C]methyl iodide in the presence of sodium hydroxide in dimethylformamide. [¹¹C]PBR170 was produced in 30–45% radiochemical yield (decay-corrected, based on [¹¹C]methyl iodide) with a radiochemical purity >98% and a specific activity of 90–190 GBq/μmol after 35 min of synthesis time.     

A comparison of the antibacterial activity of the two methods of photodynamic therapy (using diode laser 810 nm and LED lamp 630 nm) against Enterococcus faecalis in extracted human anterior teeth

BackgroundFailure of endodontic treatment is usually due to an inadequate disinfection of the root canal system. Enterococcus faecalis has been widely used as a valuable microbiological marker for in-vitro studies because of its ability to colonize in a biofilm like style in root canals, invading dentinal tubules and resistance to some endodontic treatments.The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effects of two methods of photodynamic therapy using a light emitting diode lamp (LED lamp, 630 nm) and a diode laser (810 nm) on E. faecalis biofilms in anterior extracted human teeth.MethodsFifty six single-rooted extracted teeth were used in this study. After routine root canal cleansing, shaping and sterilization, the teeth were incubated with E. faecalis for a period of two weeks. Teeth were then divided into two experimental groups (nu = 23) and two control groups (nu = 5). Teeth in one experimental group were exposed to a diode laser (810 nm), and in the other group samples were exposed to a LED lamp (630 nm). Intracanal bacterial sampling was done, and bacterial survival rate was then evaluated for each group.ResultsThe Colony Forming Unit (CFU) in LED group (log 10 CFUs = 4.88 ± 0.82) was significantly lower than the laser group (log CFUs = 5.49 ± 0.71) (p value = 0.021). CFUs in positive control group (Log 10 CFUs = 10.96 ± 0.44) were significantly higher than the treatment group (p ˂ 0.001). No bacterial colony was found in negative control group.ConclusionThe results of this research show that photodynamic therapy could be an effective supplement in root canal disinfection. PDT using LED lamp was more effective than diode laser 810 nm in reducing CFUs of E. faecalis in human teeth.     

Focal liver lesion detection and characterization: Comparison of non-contrast enhanced and SPIO-enhanced diffusion-weighted single-shot spin echo echo planar and turbo spin echo T2-weighted imaging

PurposeTo compare lesion conspicuity and image quality between single-shot spin echo echo planar imaging (SS SE-EPI) before, immediately and 5 min after intravenous (IV) injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) for detecting and characterizing focal liver lesions (FLLs).Materials and methodsTwenty-five patients suspected for colorectal liver metastases were prospectively included. Lesion detection and characterization were compared between all SS SE-EPI and T2-weighted turbo spin echo (T2w TSE) sets (two-sided Fisher’s exact test). Image quality and lesion conspicuity were compared for SS SE-EPI sets using rank order statistic (RIDIT). Reference standard comprised of surgery, biopsy and/or follow-up.ResultsReference standard demonstrated 18 benign and 43 malignant FLLs. Best lesion detection (p < 0.05) was achieved with non-contrast-enhanced SS SE-EPI. Lesion characterization was best using all T2w TSE sequences. Best image quality and lesion conspicuity (p < 0.05) was achieved with non-contrast-enhanced SS SE-EPI.ConclusionNon-contrast-enhanced SS SE-EPI was best for lesion detection. SS SE-EPI sequences were not useful for lesion characterization (differentiation between benign and malignant lesions). Unenhanced SS SE-EPI did not allow differentiation especially as many benign FLLs were hyperintense on the highest b-value images. Combining unenhanced and SPIO-enhanced SS SE-EPI performed better but still was not clinically useful due to variable degree of uptake and vascular pooling of SPIO for (especially) benign FLLs. T2w TSE with SPIO-enhancement was needed for characterization.     

Impact of margin status on outcomes following accelerated partial breast irradiation using single-lumen balloon-based brachytherapy

PurposeTo examine the impact of margin status on clinical outcomes for patients enrolled in the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) MammoSite^® Registry Trial.Methods and MaterialsOne thousand four hundred forty-nine cases of early-stage breast cancer underwent breast-conserving therapy with a single-lumen balloon-based applicator used to deliver adjuvant accelerated partial breast irradiation (34 Gy in 10, bid fractions). One thousand two hundred fifty-five cases (87%) had invasive breast cancer (median size = 10 mm) and 194 cases (13%) had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; median size = 8 mm).ResultsPatients were stratified by margin status into negative (n = 1326), close (<2mm; n = 110), and positive (n = 13) margins. One hundred twenty-three cases (8.5%) had close or positive margins. Overall, no statistical difference in the 6-year rate of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) was noted for close margins compared with that of margin-negative patients (8.7% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.10) or for positive margins compared with that of margin-negative patients (14.3% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.41). In patients with DCIS, there was a statistically significant increase in IBTR with close margins (17.6% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.004) and when close and positive margins were pooled (15.7% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.01 with a nonsignificant reduction in disease-free survival for DCIS patients with close margins (82.4% vs. 90.8%, p = 0.12). The increase in IBTR for close and close/positive patients was secondary to statistically significant increases in elsewhere failures rather than true recurrences/marginal misses.ConclusionNonsignificant increases in the rates of IBTR were noted with close and positive margins for invasive cancer with further data required to validate these findings.     

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy with curcumin and Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract against Streptococcus mutans

BackgroundBacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional antibacterial chemotherapy. This has prompted the application of antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in bacteria-related diseases due to its excellent biocide effects. However, few studies have attempted to develop a novel photosensitizer based on natural components. The aim of the present study was to compare the aPDT effects of curcumin and Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract (CXE) against Streptococcus mutans.MethodsA planktonic suspension containing an S. mutans strain was treated in three separate groups: aPDT with curcumin, CXE, and a mixture of curcumin and CXE (ratio= 1:1) at concentrations of 0, 10, 10², 10³, and 10⁴ ng/ml. Light irradiation with a center wavelength of 405 nm was applied using an LED (power density of 84.5 mW for 300 s at an energy density of 25.3 J/cm²). The phototoxicity of photosensitizers against S. mutans was investigated using a colony-forming-unit assay. Percentage logarithmic reductions [log₁₀(CFU/ml) values] were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (p < 0.05) and Student’s independent t-test.ResultsThe viability of S. mutans in the presence of curcumin, CXE, and a mixture of these two components was substantially reduced during irradiation with 405 nm light. The phototoxicity of the photosensitizer varied with its solubility and concentration.ConclusionThese preliminary in vitro findings imply that combining curcumin and CXE with a 405 nm LED may be a novel method of applying aPDT. This could be advantageous in preventing and treating dental caries using devices that are readily available in clinics.     

Streptococcus mutans photoinactivation using a combination of a high potency photopolymerizer and rose bengal

BackgroundLong treatment periods to reach a substantial inactivation of microorganisms are one of the critical challenges in the photodynamic therapy field.MethodsPlanktonic suspensions of Streptococcus mutans were treated in different groups: presence of rose bengal (RB at 2 μM) and light exposure by a new high potency photopolymerizer (L at wavelength = 440–480 nm; dosimetry = 96 J/cm² – 40 s of irradiation; potency density = 1200 mW/cm²; dosage = 48 J) – RB+L+ (PDT), just with dye – RB+L−, just with light – RB−L+ and absence of light and dye RB−L− (control group). Aliquots of each group were transferred to Petri dishes to colony counting (CFU/mL) with the data transformed in log₁₀. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test at 5%.ResultsPDT group presented total eradication of microorganisms showing statistical difference with all the other groups (5.82 log reduction ≅ 99%).ConclusionThe high potency photopolymerizer in pulsed emission at an extra short irradiation and low concentration of rose bengal could be considered as a progressive alternative to the control of S. mutans suspensions.