Impact and relationship of anterior commissure and time-dose factor on the local control of T1N0 glottic cancer treated by 6 MV photons

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate prognostic factors that may influence local control (LC) of T1N0 glottic cancer treated by primary radiotherapy (RT) with 6 MV photons.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 433 consecutive patients with T1N0 glottic cancer treated between 1983 and 2005 by RT in our institution. All patients were treated with 6 MV photons. One hundred and seventy seven (41%) patients received 52.5 Gy in 23 fractions with 2.5 Gy/fraction, and 256 (59%) patients received 66 Gy in 33 fractions with 2 Gy/fraction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median follow-up time was 10.5 years. The 10-year LC rates were 91% and 87% for T1a and T1b respectively. Multivariate analysis showed LC rate was adversely affected by poorly differentiated histology (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 7.5, <it>p </it>= 0.035); involvement of anterior commissure (HR: 2.34, <it>p </it>= 0.011); fraction size of 2.0 Gy (HR: 2.17, <it>p </it>= 0.035) and tumor biologically effective dose (BED) < 65 Gy₁₅(HR: 3.38, <it>p </it>= 0.017).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The negative impact of anterior commissure involvement could be overcome by delivering a higher tumor BED through using fraction size of > 2.0 Gy. We recommend that fraction size > 2.0 Gy should be utilized, for radiation schedules with five daily fractions each week.</p

Association of high complement and low immunoglobulins with the clinical symptoms of patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disease characterized by chronic widespread pain concomitant with various symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety. Although chronic inflammation has been implicated in the immunological abnormalities of FM, there are few human studies on complement and immunoglobulins. In this study, we investigated the immunological characteristics of FM patients and the association between their clinical symptoms and immunological indices, including complement and immunoglobulins. Methods 1) The serum 50% hemolytic complement activity (CH50), C3, C4, IgG, IgM, and hsCRP of 36 FM patients and 30 healthy sex- and age-matched controls (HC) were measured and compared. 2) Data from the Brief Pain Inventory (pain intention and pain interference subscales), the visual analog scale (VAS) (low back pain, knee pain, and fatigue), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (anxiety and depression), and CH50, IgG, and hsCRP as immunological indices were acquired for 41 FM patients. Correlation analysis was done of the clinical symptom and immunological indices. Results 1) The FM group had significantly higher CH50 and lower IgG and IgM than the HC group after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). 2) Correlation analysis of immunological indices and clinical symptoms showed a positive, partial correlation between CH50 and fatigue and trait anxiety after adjusting for sex, age, and BMI. Conclusions FM patients had higher CH50 and lower immunoglobulin levels than HCs. CH50 was also associated with the fatigue and trait anxiety of FM patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether changes in these immunological indices can be used as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for FM

School Readiness for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Critical Gaps and Call for Research

Students who enter kindergarten without school readiness skills are more likely to demonstrate academic, behavioral, and social struggles during school. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are particularly at risk for underdeveloped school readiness skills, which can undermine academic achievement and result in poor long-term outcomes. The purpose of this article is to synthesize literature that aligns with a widely used Office of Head Start’s model of school readiness, applied to children with ASD, and to present critical gaps in research and opportunities for practice that may improve school readiness in this population. Research in this area may ultimately help to enhance service delivery that improves preparation for school and, therefore, later academic and long-term life outcomes for students with ASD. </jats:p

An intravenous replenishment of salivary components decrease water intake and increases feed intake in freely drinking large-type goats fed on dry forage

This research utilized two treatments to investigate if feed intake is reduced by changes in humoral factors induced by dry forage feeding in large-type goats given free access to water. In the control treatment (NI), a solution was not infused. The artificial parotid saliva i.v. infusion (ASI) treatment consisted of an i.v. infusion of artificial parotid saliva in order to replenish NaHCO3 and fluids lost from the blood to the rumen due to increased saliva secretion volume during initial stages of dry forage feeding. The ASI treatment significantly mitigated the decreases in circulating plasma volume caused by saliva secretion. Thirst was lower in the ASI-treated group, as indicated by the lower water intake (NI, 3894 mL 2 h-1; ASI, 3100 mL 2 h-1). Decreases with time in dry forage intake were significantly reduced by the ASI treatment (2134g 2 h-1) compared with the NI control (1756 g 2 h-1). These results indicate that under free drinking conditions, dry forage intake of large-type goats may likely be suppressed by the decrease in plasma volume and increase in water intake following saliva secretion during the initial stages of feeding. Key words: Dry forage intake, water intake, large-type goat </jats:p