Optimal leaf sequencing with elimination of tongue-and-groove underdosage

The individual leaves of a multileaf collimator (MLC) have a tongue-and-groove or stepped-edge design to minimize leakage radiation between adjacent leaves. This design element has a drawback in that it creates areas of underdosages in intensity-modulated photon beams unless a leaf trajectory is specifically designed such that for any two adjacent leaf pairs, the direct exposure under the tongue-and-groove is equal to the lower of the direct exposures of the leaf pairs. In this work, we present a systematic study of the optimization of a leaf sequencing algorithm for segmental multileaf collimator beam delivery that completely eliminates areas of underdosages due to tongue-and-groove or stepped-edge design of the MLC. Simultaneous elimination of tongue-and-groove effect and leaf interdigitation is also studied. This is an extension of our previous work (Kamath et al 2003a Phys. Med. Biol. 48 307) in which we described a leaf sequencing algorithm that is optimal for monitor unit (MU) efficiency under most common leaf movement constraints that include minimum leaf separation. Compared to our previously published algorithm (without constraints), the new algorithms increase the number of sub-fields by approximately 21% and 25%, respectively, but are optimal in MU efficiency for unidirectional schedules.     

Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in the Rat Colon

This study investigated metabolic and biochemical consequences of colonic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in the rat and evaluated whether antioxidants prevent I/R-induced functional damage in the rat colon. The surgical preparation involved a 10 cm segment of the colon and occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to induce I/R. Arterial blood from the aorta and venous blood from the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) was collected to measure blood gases, lactic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites. Tissue xanthine oxidase (XO) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) derivatives were measured before and after reperfusion. In addition, vascular and mucosal permeability, and the effect of MDL 73404 (a water soluble vitamin E analog) and 5-aminosalicylic acid on LA, AA, XO and TBA was measured. After ischemia, the colon displayed a metabolic shift from aerobic to anaerobic course by increasing lactic acid production in the colon (183% increase in SMV lactate level compared 87% in the SMA; p < 0.03). After 10 minutes of reperfusion, circulating 6-keto-prostaglandin F₁ increased by 3.85 fold (p < 0.001) and thromboxane B₂ increased by 2 to 3 fold. An Ischemia time longer than 60 minutes was required to cause changes in tissue XO levels. Tissue TBA levels showed a good dose response corresponding with I/R time. I/R (60 minutes) caused a three and 16 fold increase (p < 0.01) in vascular and mucosal permeability, respectively. MDL 73404 and 5-aminosalicylic acid significantly inhibited the vascular permeability and decreased LA, AA, XO and TBA. These observations provide the first direct experimental evidence for I/R-induced damage in the colon and some of its effects can be reversed by conventional and novel antioxidants.     

Recurrent diffuse lipomatosis of the neck--a case report

Diffuse lipomatosis is a rare disorder of adipose tissue occurring in young people . It has a predilection for trunk and proximal extremities where it presents as poorly circumscribed overgrowth of fatty tissue. Definite diagnosis is established by histological examination of tumor. Though it attains extensive size and has a high tendency to recur, the clinical course is benign.     

Cervical squamous intra-epithelial changes and human papillomavirus infection in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Pune, India

In view of the dual burden of HIV infection and cervical cancers in India, this study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of Pap smear abnormalities and human papillomavirus infection among HIV-infected women. Consecutive HIV-infected women attending voluntary counseling testing clinics were enrolled. Written informed consent, demographic information, Pap smears, cervical swabs for HPV typing and a blood sample for CD4+ cell count were collected. Treatment for opportunistic and sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections was provided. Women with Pap smear abnormality were referred for further intervention. Between January 2003 and May 2004, 287 HIV-infected women were enrolled. Pap smear abnormalities were seen in 6.3% women and were more common among women aged 30 and above (P=0.042) and those who had suffered from opportunistic infections (P=0.004). In multivariate analysis, Pap smear abnormalities were associated independently with opportunistic infections (P=0.02, AOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2--11.5). Of the 100 random cervical specimens screened for HPV 16 and 18 genotypes, 33% (95 CI 23.9--43.1) were positive for HPV 16/18. Of the 122 patients who returned for a follow-up visit, 5 patients (4.1%) who did not have Pap smear abnormality at baseline, had developed Pap smear abnormality. The incidence of Pap smear abnormalities was 5.5 per 100 person year of follow-up. In order to prevent thousands of deaths due to cervical cancer in India, there is a need for strengthening the Pap smear screening program and HPV vaccine development.     

Additive cytotoxicity of adriamycin and a naturally occurring growth inhibitor extracted from bovine aorta

A factor of nominal molecular weight 6K–10K Daltons, isolated from bovine aorta, has previously been shown to inhibit neovascularization and tumor growth in vivo and the growth of some tumor cells as well as endothelial cells in culture. This factor, termed A-10, was tested alone and in combination with Adriamycin against TA3Ha mammary adenocarcinoma cells in tissue culture. It was found to have cytotoxicity additive to that of Adriamycin in inhibiting the growth of these cells. In vitro and animal studies show that the sequence of Adriamycin A-10 is superior to either agent alone in delaying the appearance of palpable tumors after subcutaneous injection of 10⁵ pre-treated tumor cells in the tail of strain A mice. While the growth rate of the primary tumor was not affected by such treatment, survival was prolonged to a greater degree by the this sequence than by either of these agents used alone. A-10 treatment reduced the number of metastases to the adrenal gland but not to lung, liver, or lymph nodes. It did, however, reduce the size of metastases to para-aortic lymph nodes.     

Short-term impact of COVID-19 on quality of life,perceived stress,and serious psychological distress in an adult population in the midwest United States

Quality of Life Research - This study aimed to investigate changes over time in quality of life, perceived stress, and serious psychological distress for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in an...     

Comparison of renal function after open radical cystectomy,extracorporeal robot assisted radical cystectomy,and intracorporeal robot assisted radical cystectomy

PurposeRenal function outcomes following robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) have not been well established. We sought to compare long-term renal function outcomes between open radical cystectomy, RARC with extracorporeal urinary diversion and intracorporeal urinary diversion at a high volume institution.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed our institutional bladder cancer database for patients who underwent RC from 2010 to 2019 with pre-operative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 45 ml/min/1.73m². Changes in renal function were assessed through locally weighted scatter plot smoothing and comparison of median eGFR between surgical groups. Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3B was defined as eGFR < 45 ml/min/1.73m². Renal function decline was defined as a ≥10 ml/min/1.73m² drop in eGFR. Kaplan Meier method with log-rank was used to compare CKD 3B-free survival and renal function decline. Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to identify predictors of CKD 3B.ResultsSix hundred and forty four patients were included with median follow-up of 32 months (IQR 12–56). Preoperative characteristics were similar among the groups with no differences in median pre-operative eGFR (ORC: 74.6, extracorporeal urinary diversion: 74.3, intracorporeal urinary diversion: 71.6 ml/min/1.73m², P = 0.15). Median postoperative eGFR on follow up was not different between groups (P = 0.56). 33% of patients developed CKD 3B. There were no differences in CKD 3B-free survival by surgical approach (P = 0.23) or urinary diversion (P = 0.09). 64% of patients experienced renal function decline with a median time of 2.4 years (P 0.23). Predictors of CKD were pathologic T3 disease or greater (HR: 1.77, P = 0.01), ureteroenteric anastomotic stricture (HR: 2.80, P < 0.001), preoperative CKD Stage 2 (HR: 1.81, P =0.02), and preoperative CKD Stage 3A (HR: 5.56, P < 0.001).ConclusionRenal function decline is common after RC. Tumor stage, pre-operative eGFR, and ureteral stricture development, not surgical approach, influence renal function decline.