Radiosensitivity of mouse lung cells measured using an in vitro colony method

We have detailed a method for the study of mouse lung cell clonogenicity in vitro, in which the average plating efficiency was 9%. When we used this method to study the inherent radiosensitivity of lung cells irradiated either in vivo or in vitro (18 hr after seeding), we found that the radiosensitivity of mouse lung cells was comparable to that of a large number of mammalian cell lines.     

Radiosensitivity of nall human melanoma transplanted into nude mice: Repair,reoxygenation and dose fractionation

Split dose and fractionated γ-rays experiments have been performed on a human melanoma transplanted into nude mice using an in vitro colony assay. Repair of potentially lethal damage observed after a single dose of 20 Gy was found to no longer occur when 7 daily doses of 2.5 Gy were administered. In split-dose experiments, the increase in survival level probably can not be explained by repair of sublethal damage. When a single high dose of radiation is administered a certain reoxygenation is observed; however there is no reoxygenation when low radiation doses are delivered daily.     

Right ventricular pacing and the risk of heart failure in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) pacing in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients may have detrimental effects on morbidity and mortality, in particular by inducing heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether RV pacing increases the risk of HF in an asymptomatic ICD population. METHODS: We evaluated all patients without symptomatic HF who received an ICD. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of HF, which was defined as new HF, hospitalization for HF, or death due to HF. The secondary endpoint was appropriate shocks. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 456 patients with mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40% +/- 13%. Mean follow-up was 31 +/- 22 months. Because of the bimodal distribution of pacing, patients were divided into two groups: paced 50% (median 96%; n = 143). HF occurred more often in the paced >50% group (20% versus 9%; P <.001). Multivariate analysis identified RV pacing >50% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-3.15; P = .03), baseline LVEF <26% (adjusted HR 3.15; 95% CI 1.77-5.59; P <.001), angina pectoris, history of atrial fibrillation, and baseline diuretic use as independent predictors of HF. RV pacing caused more HF events in patients with LVEF <26% (n = 64; 55% of paced >50% patients versus 20% of paced 50% also independently predicted appropriate shocks (adjusted HR 1.50; 95% CI 1.02-2.20; P = .04). CONCLUSION: RV pacing was associated with an increased risk of HF in asymptomatic ICD patients, particularly in those with preexistent left ventricular dysfunction.     

Therapeutic ultrasound-mediated DNA to cell and nucleus: bioeffects revealed by confocal and atomic force microscopy

Therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) has the potential of becoming a powerful nonviral method for the delivery of genes into cells and tissues. Understanding the mechanism by which TUS delivers genes, its bioeffects on cells and the kinetic of gene entrances to the nucleus can improve transfection efficiency and allow better control of this modality when bringing it to clinical settings. In the present study, direct evidence for the role and possible mechanism of TUS (with or without Optison) in the in vitro gene-delivery process are presented. Appling a 1 MHz TUS, at 2 W/cm(2), 30%DC for 30 min was found to achieve the highest transfection level and efficiency while maintaining high cell viability (>80%). Adding Optison further increase transfection level and efficiency by 1.5 to three-fold. Confocal microscopy studies indicate that long-term TUS application localizes the DNA in cell and nucleus regardless of Optison addition. Thus, TUS significantly affects transfection efficiency and protein kinetic expression. Using innovative direct microscopy approaches: atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that TUS exerts bioeffects, which differ from the ones obtained when Optison is used together with TUS. Our data suggest that TUS alone affect the cell membrane in a different mechanism than when Optison is used.     

Acanthosis nigricans in a patient treated with palifermin

Palifermin is a modified human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) given to decrease the incidence and duration of severe oral mucositis in patients receiving myelotoxic chemotherapy followed by a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. We report a case of a 42-year-old man who developed acanthosis nigricans after taking palifermin.     

7‐Chloro‐4‐quinolinyl Hydrazones: A Promising and Potent Class of Antileishmanial Compounds

In this work, we report the antileishmanial evaluation of twenty 7‐chloro‐4‐quinolinyl hydrazone derivatives ( 1 – 20 ). Firstly, the compounds were tested against promastigotes of four different Leishmania species. After that, all derivatives were assayed against L. braziliensis amastigotes and murine macrophages. Furthermore, it was investigated whether the antiamastigote L. braziliensis effect of the compounds could be associated with nitric oxide production. Compounds 6 and 7 showed a strong leishmanicidal activity against intracellular parasite with IC₅₀ in nanogram levels (30 and 20 ng/mL, respectively). Appreciable activity of three compounds tested can be considered an important finding for the rational design of new leads for antileishmanial compounds.     

Luteal phase estrogen is decreased in regularly menstruating older women compared with a reference population of younger women

OBJECTIVE: To compare daily reproductive hormone secretion in regularly menstruating older versus younger women. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. RESULTS: Daily morning urine samples were obtained from 106 women, 28 of whom were aged between 20 and 34 years (mean: 27.8+/-3.7 y) and 78 of whom were aged between 35 and 50 years (mean: 40.3+/-3.7 y). Lower luteal estrone-3-glucuronide levels were seen in the older versus the younger group (82.7 vs 93.5 ng/ml, P=0.035). The pregnanediol-3-glucuronide levels in the older group were lower than those in the younger group throughout the entire cycle. The median length of the follicular phase was shorter in the older versus younger women (13 vs 14.5 d, P=0.005). There was no significant difference in the median luteal phase lengths between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We report the new finding that regularly menstruating older women not only have lower pregnanediol-3-glucuronide levels but also have a significant reduction in luteal phase estrone-3-glucuronide compared with a contemporaneous cohort of younger women. This combined deficit may play a key role during the luteal-follicular transition, potentially affecting follicle recruitment and decreasing fecundity in the subsequent cycle.     

The sexuality discussion: tools for the oncology nurse

Receiving a cancer diagnosis and experiencing the effects of antineoplastic therapies can have a devastating effect on a person's emotional, physical, and psychological well-being and a significant negative effect on sexual desire and function. Oncology nurses are the ideal healthcare professionals to assess the sexual health status of their patients and to intervene to sensitively address sexuality issues. Having this discussion can be uncomfortable for both nurses and patients, but using communication tools can help nurses gain confidence in their abilities to address sexuality concerns in an effective and comfortable manner and to provide patients with useful information and insights.