The effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on osmotic fragility of red blood cells and plasma levels of malondialdehyde in patients with breast cancer

Background: Gamma radiation effects on the erythrocyte membrane from three different functional parts, lipid bilayer, cytoskeleton and protein components. When the red cell membrane is exposed to radiation, it loses its integrity and hemoglobin leaks out. In addition, irradiation leads to lipid peroxidation and the products of this process, leading to hemolysis. The aim of the present study was to measure osmotic fragility (OF) of red blood cells and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a marker of oxidative injury in breast cancer patients treated with radiation and chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: The OF test was performed using different concentrations of a salt solution. The measurement of MDA was done with chemical methods.11 The sampling was taken during three stages of treatment: first sample was taken before starting chemotherapy, the second sample was taken before radiation therapy and the third sample was taken after radiotherapy. Results: No statistically significant differences between levels of MDA in these three stages of treatment were observed. However, the comparison of mean levels of MDA showed an increase after radiotherapy. The OF rate did not show significant difference (P > 0.05) during the stages of treatment. Conclusion: In a standard treatment program of radiotherapy and chemotherapy lipid peroxidation level and OF do not significantly increase. © 2014 Greater Poland Cancer Centre

Development of group method of data handling based on genetic algorithm to predict incipient motion in rigid rectangular storm water channel

Sediment transport is a prevalent vital process in uvial and coastalenvironments, and \incipient motion" is an issue inseparably bound to this topic. Thisstudy utilizes a novel hybrid method based on Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH)and Genetic Algorithm (GA) to design GMDH structural (GMDH-GA). Also, SingularValue Decomposition (SVD) was utilized to compute the linear coefficient vectors. Inorder to predict the densimetric Froude number (Fr), the ratio of median diameter ofparticle size to hydraulic radius (d=R) and the ratio of sediment deposit thickness tohydraulic radius (ts=R) are utilized as e ective parameters. Using three di erent sources ofexperimental data and GMDH-GA model, a new equation is proposed to predict incipientmotion. The performance of development equation is compared using GMDH-GA andtraditional equations . The results indicate that the presented equation is more accurate(RMSE= 0:18 andMAPE= 6:48%) than traditional methods. Also, a sensitivityanalysis is presented to study the performance of each input combination in predictingincipient motion (15) Development of Group Method of Data Handling based on Genetic Algorithm to predict incipient motion in rigid rectangular storm water channel

Current approaches and future perspectives on strategies for the development of personalized tissue engineering therapies

Personalized tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) therapies propose patient-oriented effective solutions, considering individual needs. Cell-based therapies, for example, may benefit from cell sources that enable easier autologous set-ups or from recent developments on IPS cells technologies towards effective personalized therapeutics. Furthermore, the customization of scaffold materials to perfectly fit a patientâ s tissue defect through rapid prototyping technologies, also known as 3D printing, is now a reality. Nevertheless, the timing to expand cells or to obtain functional in vitrotissue substitutes prior to implantation prevents advancements towards routine use upon patient´s needs. Thus, personalized therapies also anticipate the importance of creating off-the-shelf solutions to enable immediately available tissue engineered products. This paper reviews the main recent developments and future challenges to enable personalized TERM approaches and to bring these technologies closer to clinical applications.The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology for the post-doctoral grant (SFRH/BPD/111729/2015) and Recognize (UTAP-ICDT/CTM-BIO/0023/2014), and the project RL3 -TECT -NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000020 co-financed by ON.2 (NSRF), through ERDF

Assessment of two emergency contraceptive regimens in Iran: Levonorgestrel versus the Yuzpe

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of two emergency contraception (EC)methods, levonorgestrel versus theYuzpe. In a prospective, randomized, comparative study, we included 122 healthy volunteers who in the observed cycle had had only one act of unprotected intercourse within 72h of treatment. They were randomlyallocated in levonorgestrol group (n=62) andYuzpe (n=60).The levonorgestrel regimen consisted of two pills: 0.75 mg levonorgestrel, taken twice in the 12-h interval within 72h after unprotected intercourse. The Yuzpe method included twoHDcontraceptive pills taken as another regimen.Datawere collected by questionnaire at first and 3weeks later.The differenceswere comparedwithX &Fisher exact tests. There were no significant differences between two groups in any of the observed parameters. The levonorgestrel regimen was found superior to Yuzpe because it's more effectiveness (respectively 100% vs 91%, p=0.026) and fewer side effects. The study showed more effectiveness and safety of the levonorgestrel regimen as emergency contraception. Thus we recommend levonorgestrel as an alternative EC method instead of theYuzpe regimen in Iran or other developing countries in order to decrease unwanted pregnancy.Keywords: Yuzpe, Levonorgestrel, emergency contraceptio

A desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) for periprosthetic joint infection – a Delphi analysis

Background: Treatment outcomes in studies on prosthetic joint infection are generally assessed using a dichotomous outcome relating to treatment success or failure. These outcome measures neither include patient-centred outcome measures including joint function and quality of life, nor do they account for adverse effects of treatment. A desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) measure can include these factors and has previously been proposed and validated for other serious infections. We aimed to develop a novel DOOR for prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Methods: The Delphi method was used to develop a DOOR for PJI research. An international working group of 18 clinicians (orthopaedic surgeons and infectious disease specialists) completed the Delphi process. The final DOOR comprised the dimensions established to be most important by consensus with &gt;75 % of participant agreement. Results: The consensus DOOR comprised four main dimensions. The primary dimension was patient-reported joint function. The secondary dimensions were infection cure and mortality. The final dimension of quality of life was selected as a tie-breaker. Discussion: A desirability of outcome ranking for periprosthetic joint infection has been proposed. It focuses on patient-centric outcome measures of joint function, cure and quality of life. This DOOR provides a multidimensional assessment to comprehensively rank outcomes when comparing treatments for prosthetic joint infection.</p

Is pulmonary function test insensitive to possible pulmonary complications after tangential radiotherapy of breast cancer?

Background: Pulmonary complications of radiation to breast are inevitable, while its incidence and severity are not clear. One of the methods to assess pulmonary complications is spirometry. The influence of radiotherapy on pulmonary function test and the factors affecting it have been assessed in this study. Methods: Breast cancer patients with stage II and III (based on TNM staging), underwent six courses of chemotherapy, and the total mastectomy was included in this study. Smokers, chronic pulmonary patients, cardiac patients, and those who suffered from anatomic chest malformations were excluded. Sample size was 75 and data collection was conducted by the spirometer device. The total tumor dose varied between 4800 to 5040 cGy with fraction of 180 or 200 cGy. Spirometry was performed before and 3 months after radiotherapy; the patients were examined at the same time by a specialist for respiratory complications. The measured parameters were FEV 1(Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) and FVC (Forced Vital capacity) which were normalized by age and sex. Results: The average age of the patients was 45.6±7.92.Average length and widths of tangential fields were determined 18.2±1.8 and 6.7±1.37 respectively. Average central lung distance was measured 2 ±1.07 cm. The mean of FEV1% prior to and following radiotherapy was measured 74.9 ±15.59 and 78.86±12.55 respectively (p=0.09).The mean of FVC% before and after radiation treatment was measured 72.17±14.26 and 74.6±11.36 (p=0.07). No abnormal signs were observed in the patients after radiotherapy. Conclusion: It seems that three months is a short period for appearance of pulmonary changes after radiotherapy with cobalt machine. Moreover, minimizing CLD through planning might lower the probability of pneumonitis due to radiation

Antibacterial Effect of Lactobacillus casei Supernatant and AH Plus Sealer on Enterococcus faecalis

Background and Objective: The growth of residual bacteria within dental root canals is one of the main causes of root canal treatment failure. As a probiotic with antimicrobial properties, Lactobacillus casei has the ability to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this study is to investigate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm effect of Lactobacillus casei probiotic supernatant alone and in combination with AH Plus sealer on Enterococcus faecalis. Methods: Enterococcus faecalis strain ATCC 29212 and Lactobacillus casei strain ATCC 7469 were used in this experimental laboratory study. Enterococcus faecalis strain was revived in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHI BROTH) and Lactobacillus casei strain in De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) Broth under anaerobic conditions. Then, Lactobacillus casei supernatant was prepared. Agar diffusion method was used to investigate the antibacterial properties of the supernatant of Lactobacillus casei and sealer separately and in combination with each other. Furthermore, the anti-biofilm effect of these materials was evaluated using the microtiter plate assay. Findings: According to the results of this study, the mean non-growth halo diameter of Enterococcus faecalis in the presence of Lactobacillus casei supernatant, AH Plus sealer and their combination was 14.66±0.57, 17.16±1.04 and 27.33±1.25 in 24 hours, 14.16±1.04, 15.75±1.08 and 24.66±1.15 in 48 hours and 13.66±1.52, 14.5±1.32 and 24.33±0.76 mm in 72 hours, respectively. The inhibition percentage of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation after treatment with AH Plus sealer, Lactobacillus casei supernatant and their combination was 23%, 17% and 33%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Lactobacillus casei supernatant and AH Plus sealer have antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects on Enterococcus faecalis. Moreover, the combination of Lactobacillus casei supernatant with AH Plus sealer strengthens these effects