Transcription factors NFIA and NFIB induce cellular differentiation in high-grade astrocytoma

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Malignant astrocytomas are composed of heterogeneous cell populations. Compared to grade IV glioblastoma, low-grade astrocytomas have more differentiated cells and are...     

Dietary Changes and Its Impact on Quality of Life among Malay Breast and Gynaecological Cancer Survivors in Malaysia

Objective: Fear of cancer recurrent, side effects of treatment and belief in food taboos encourage cancer survivors to make changes in their dietary practices after diagnosis of cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of dietary changes on quality of life (QoL) among Malay breast and gynaecological cancer survivors. Methods: Questionnaire of dietary changes was modified from WHEL study and adapted to typical Malay’s food intake in Malaysia. A total of 23 items were listed and categorized by types of food and cooking methods.  Four categories of changes “increased”, “decreased”, “no changes” or “stopped” were used to determine the changes in dietary practices. Score one (+1) is given to positive changes by reference to WCRF/AICR and Malaysia Dietary Guideline healthy eating recommendations. Malay EORTC QLQ-C30 were used to determine the QoL. Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and anthropometric measurement were also collected. Results: The mean age of the subjects (n=77) was 50.7±7.8 years old with duration of survivorship 4.0±3.1 years. Subjects mean BMI was 27.8±4.9 kg/m2 which indicate subjects were 31.2% overweight and 32.5% obese. The percentage score of positive dietary changes was 34.7±16.4%. Positive dietary changes were increased intake of green leafy vegetable (49.4%), cruciferous vegetable (46.8%) and boiling cooking methods (45.5%). Subjects reduced their intake of red meat (42.9%), sugar (53.2%) and fried cooking method (44.2%). Subjects stopped consuming milk (41.6%), c 2008-5862 heese (33.8%) and sweetened condensed milk (33.8%). With increasing positive dietary changes, there was a significant improvement on emotional function (rs=0.27; p=0.016) and reduced fatigue symptoms (rs=-0.24; p=0.033). Conclusion: Positive changes in dietary intake improved emotional function and reduced fatigue symptoms after cancer treatment. By knowing the trend of food changes after cancer treatment, enables the formation of healthy food intervention implemented more effective.     

Evaluation of the systematic set-up errors using electronic portal image device in the radiotherapy procedures

Objective： The aim of this work was to quantify the extent of set-up errors to conduct a quality assurance （QA） aspect of treatment delivery, verification of the treatment field＇s position on different days using electronic portal. Methods： This study was carried out on 12 patients, treated for pelvis tumor; and total of 240 images obtained by electronic portal image device （EPID） were analyzed. The EPIs acquire using EPID attached to the Siemens linear accelerator. The anatomy match- ing software （Theraview） was used and displacement in two dimensions were noted for each treatment field to study patient setup errors. Results： The percentages of mean deviations less than 5 mm in X direction were 65% ＆ 92%, from 5-10 mm were 31% ＆ 19% and more than 10 mm were 11% ＆ 9% forNP and lateral direction respectively. The percentages of mean deviations less than 5 mm in Y direction were 65% ＆ 63%, from 5-10 mm were 33% ＆ 28% and more than 10 mm were 22% ＆ 29%. The mean deviations in 2D-vector errors were 〈 5 mm in 47% and 46%, 5-10 mm in 36% and 37% and 〉 10 mm in 37% and 37% of images in the NP and lateral direction respectively. Conclusion： The results revealed that the ranges of set up errors are immobilization method to improve reproducibility. The observed variations were not within the limits..     

Preparation of chemically stable allergen‐specific sublingual immunotherapy from Egyptian allergens

BackgroundThe term “allergen extracts” refers to solutions of proteins or glycoproteins extracted from source raw materials.ObjectivesThis study was planned to prepare chemically stable sublingual immunotherapy from different allergens in Egypt.MethodsAllergen extraction from raw materials. The concentrated aqueous extract of each allergen was mixed with an equal volume of glycerol. The protein content of the preparations was determined using the modified Lowry assay method. The prepared allergens were stored for 9 months at 2–4°C. Samples were analyzed periodically (0, 3, 6, and 9 months of intervals) adopting the Lowry Assay method. Levels of specific IgE to Chenopodium album antigens were measured in patients’ sera by ELISA.ResultsThe concentration of all prepared allergens, as indicated by the concentration of the protein content, was found to decrease exponentially with time, implying first‐order kinetics of degradation. From the values of the slopes of the log plot for each allergen, the half‐life time (t _1/2) and (t _1/4) values were calculated. The expiration date was considered as the time after which the allergen loses 25% of its potency. The obtained values of t _1/4% vary according to the type of vaccine. The most stable one is that of Chenopodium album pollens (2.4 years) and the least stable is that of house dust Mites (9 months). The immunological characters of Chenopodium album extract were stable for at least 6 months.ConclusionDifferences exist among allergen extracts made by multiple manufacturers. So, developments in studies on allergen preparation and characterization in a different locality are necessary.     

Survey study of the etiology of non-traumatic altered consciousness in the Emergency Department at Suez Canal University Hospital in Egypt

BACKGROUND Disorders of consciousness including coma in non-trauma patients can be caused by a wide variety of pathologies affecting the central nervous system. They represent a frequent challenge in emergency medicine and are combined with a very high in-hospital mortality. Hence, early treatment of these patients is vital and increases the likelihood of a good outcome.AIM To identify the causes of altered consciousness presentation to the Emergency Department at Suez Canal University Hospital....     

Contribution of Interfacial Bonding towards Geopolymers Properties in Geopolymers Reinforced Fibers: A Review

There is a burgeoning interest in the development of geopolymers as sustainable construction materials and incombustible inorganic polymers. However, geopolymers show quasi-brittle behavior. To overcome this weakness, hundreds of researchers have focused on the development, characterization, and implementation of geopolymer-reinforced fibers for a wide range of applications for light geopolymers concrete. This paper discusses the rapidly developing geopolymer-reinforced fibers, focusing on material and geometrical properties, numerical simulation, and the effect of fibers on the geopolymers. In the section on the effect of fibers on the geopolymers, a comparison between single and hybrid fibers will show the compressive strength and toughness of each type of fiber. It is proposed that interfacial bonding between matrix and fibers is important to obtain better results, and interfacial bonding between matrix and fiber depends on the type of material surface contact area, such as being hydrophobic or hydrophilic, as well as the softness or roughness of the surface.