bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ionic Channels in Leukocytes
Authors: Gallin Elaine K
Published: January 2018

In the past several years, with the advent of the patch clamp technique, the field of leukocyte electrophysiology has grown considerably. With the exceptions of the neutrophil and the eosinophil, electrophysiological and biochemical techniques have been used to characterize a number of types of voltage- or ligand-gated ionic channels in the different classes of leukocytes. This article reviews each of the ionic channels described in leukocytes and their functional relevance. It should be emphasized that this is by no means a final listing of the ionic channels in leukocytes, but merely a summary of the studies to date. It is highly likely that there are many other ionic channels in leukocytes with important functional implications that have not yet been discovered.
Local Proliferation and Extrahepatic Recruitment of Liver Macrophages (Kupffer Cells) in Partial-Body Irradiated Rats
Authors: Bouwens L , Knook D L , Wisse E
Published: January 2018

The relative significance of local proliferation and extrahepatic recruitment of Kupffer cells was investigated by partial-body irradiation before the induction of macrophage hyperplasia by zymosan. There was no difference in growth of the Kupffer cells population between nonirradiated rats and rats irradiated with the liver shielded, whereas irradiation of the liver with the rest of the body (bone marrow) shielded resulted in strong inhibition of growth (–61%). Splenectomy combined with bone marrow irradiation inhibited growth to a lesser extent as compared to liver irradiation (–38%). Monocyte and other leukocyte numbers were strongly reduced in peripheral blood and their accumulation in the liver was completely prevented by bone marrow irradiation. Our results demonstrate that local proliferation of resident Kupffer cells represents the predominant source for their increased number during hyperplasia.
Accumulation of Activated Mononuclear Phagocytes in the Liver Following Lipopolysaccharide Treatment of Rats
Authors: Pilaro Anne M , Laskin Debra L
Published: January 2018

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a toxic bacterial cell wall component that is rapidly cleared from the portal circulation by Kupffer cells. To determine if interaction with LPS causes the accumulation and activation of mononuclear phagocytes (MNP) in the liver, we compared the morphological and functional characteristics of MNP obtained from livers of rats treated with LPS (5 mg/kg, intravenously [IV]) with normal resident Kupffer cells. MNP were isolated from rat livers by combined collagenase/pronase perfusion, selective digestion, and differential centrifugation on a metrizamide gradient. MNP obtained from livers of LPS-treated rats were found to display morphologic and functional characteristics of activated macrophages. These cells were generally larger than resident cells, were highly vacuolated, and adhered to culture dishes more rapidly. Both cell types phagocytized sheep red blood cells (sRBC) in a time-dependent manner, reaching a maxium after 60–75 min incubation with sRBC. However, MNP from livers of LPS-treated rats phagocytized 10–15 times more sRBC than resident Kupffer cells from untreated animals. Employing the Boyden chamber technique, both cell types were also found to be chemotactic to a number of stimuli including the complement fragment, C5a, the tumor promoter, 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and collagenous peptides related to tissue breakdown products. MNP from livers of LPS-treated rats were generally 10–15 times more responsive to the chemoattractants than resident Kupffer cells. In addition, both resident Kupffer cells and MNP from LPS-treated rats were found to release superoxide anion in response to stimulation by C5a and TPA. Taken together these results suggest that LPS treatment of rats leads to the recruitment and activation of MNP in the liver.
Effects of Cigarette Smoke Fractions on the Chemotaxis of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
Authors: Bridges Raymond B , Hsieh Lily
Published: January 2018

The effects of cigarette smoking fractions on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis were determined using the 51Cr-assay. Water-soluble fractions (WSF) of cigarette smoke produced from several tobacco types differed in inhibitory potencies (i.e., flue cured ≥ Maryland ≥ blended > Burley ≥ Turkish) corresponding to the respective unsaturated aldehyde content of the smoke from these tobaccos. Fractionation of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) demonstrated that the more polar fractions were potent inhibitors of chemotaxis whereas those containing nicotine and the polycyclic hydrocarbons were weak inhibitors of chemotaxis. Unlike the inhibitory effects of WSFs, CSC fractions did not inhibit random migration and their inhibition of chemotaxis could not be completely prevented by reduced glutathione. These data suggest that while the α,β-unsaturated aldehydes present in the vapor phase of smoke are among the most potent inhibitors of in vitro PMN chemotaxis, other polar, nonvolatile constituents of cigarette smoke also inhibit chemotaxis and by a mechanism which differs from that of the unsaturated aldehydes.
Identification and Quantitation of Cells That Process Immune Complexes in Nephritic Rats Induced With Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Kawasaki Katsutoshi , Miyazaki Shigeru , Yamamoto Tadashi , Kihara Itaru
Published: January 2018

A lightmicroscopic autoradiography was used to determine which cell types positively disposed of the daily circulating immune complexes produced in rats with experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis. Our results indicated that polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) remove large quantities of immune complexes in the livers, spleens, and lungs of these rats. Semiquantitative autoradiography indicated further that the function of mononuclear phagocyte system decreased late in the course of glomerulonephritis; whereas, in compensation, the role of PMNs appeared to increase.

Our data uncovered a significant role for PMNs in the disposition of immune complexes during the induction of experimental immune complex nephritis.
The Follicle-Associated Epithelium in the Bursa of Fabricius Cell Origin Studied by Means of Quail-Chick Chimeras and Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Houssaint Elisabeth , Hallet Marie-Martine
Published: January 2018

The cell origin of the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of the bursa of Fabricius was studied by two different technical approaches. Precolonized quail bursal rudiments were grafted into chick embryos and the grafts were recovered 2 wk after hatching of the recipients. By taking advantage of the distinct nuclear characteristics of chick and quail cells, it could be shown that the specialized FAE consists of a mixture of epithelial cells, with special features, among which hemopoietic cells, originating from the host, are dispersed. Staining of chicken bursas with different monoclonal antibodies reacting either with the epithelial component (BEP-1) or with the hemopoietic cells of the bursa (L22, L17) confirmed that hemopoietic cells, presumably macrophages, are mixed with the epithelial cells at the level of FAE.
Factors Secreted by Untreated and Hydrocortisone-Treated Monocytes That Modulate Neutrophil Function
Authors: Frank Dagmar E , Roth James A
Published: January 2018

When incubated for 1.0 hr with neutrophils isolated from bovine peripheral blood, hydrocortisone (0.05, 0.5, or 5.0 μg/ml) had no significant effect on their ability to ingest Staphylococcus aureus, to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) or iodinate protein, or to mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against chicken erythrocytes. Random migration was significantly enhanced by the highest concentration of hydrocortisone (HC) but was unaffected by the lower concentrations. Resting bovine monocytes were incubated for 24 hr in medium with or without added hydrocortisone (0.05,0.5, or 5.0 μg/ml). Purified bovine neutrophils were then incubated for 1.0 hr with the resulting monocyte supernatant (MS). The MS from untreated monocytes significantly enhanced neutrophil ADCC but did not affect the other neutrophil functions evaluated. Supernatants from monocytes incubated wtih 0.5 or 5.0 μg/ml hydrocortisone (HC-treated MS) failed to enhance neutrophil ADCC but did enhance neutrophil random migration under agarose. The other parameters of neutrophil function were unaffected. Production of the factors in MS was reduced by inhibition of protein synthesis in monocytes. Their activity was reduced by exposure of MS to proteolytic enzymes, suggesting that the monocyte factors were polypeptides or proteins. Protein synthesis by the neutrophil was not necessary for its response to the monocyte-produced ADCC-enhancing factor but was necessary for its response to the HC-induced monocyte factor. The results suggest that the antiinflammatory effects of glucocorticoids may be partially mediated by factors released by monocytes.
Polyanionic Agents as Inhibitors of Phagosome-Lysosome Fusion in Cultured Macrophages: Evolution of an Alternative Interpretation
Authors: Goren Mayer B , Vatter Albert E , Rscus Judith
Published: January 2018

Various natural and synthetic substances classified as polyanlonics have been Implicated in antagonizing phagosome-lysosome fusion in cultured macrophages. The phenomsnon has been Judged by comparing the transfer of selected markera from secondary lysosomes to phagosomes in control and in “polyanion” cells. Our earlier studies showed that use of one of the markers, the membrane per mealing acridine orange, was plagued with artifacts that were especially misleading in the presence of polyanionic agents. We now question the validity of data obtained by the alternative technique, electron microscopy. Our present evidence shows that nonionic hydrocolloids of sufficiently high molecular weight prevent the transfer of various colloidal electron-opaque markers from lysosomes to phagosomes in the same manner as does the powerful polyanionic “fusion inhibitor” dextran sulfate. Both kinds of hydrocolloids, however, allow delivery of lysosomal, low-molecular-weight highly charged non-permeant fluorescent markera to phagosomes, probably by a fusion process. We propose that neither type of hydrocolloid inhibits fusion; instead, when sufficiently concentrated, they trap particulate electron-opaque markers in a gelatinous matrix, which may move only slowly out of lysosomes. The potyanionics trap the electron-opaque markers physically and acridine orange ionically. Hence, the semblance of “fusion inhibition.”
Relationship of Glucocorticoid Suppression of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism to Alteration of Neutrophil Function
Authors: Webb Deborah S A , Roth James A
Published: January 2018

The row of arachidonic acid metabolism in glucocorticold-inducod suppression of neutrophil function was investigated. In vivo treatment of cattle with doxamethasone decreased the production of lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism (leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and H-5-hvdroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid [5-HETE]) in neutrophils. We previously reported that in vivo dexamethasone treatment resulted in alteration of in vitro neutrophil oxidative metabolism, iodination, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and random migration. To determine if the decrease in production of LTB4 and 5-HETE were responsible for the changes in neutrophil function, neutrophils were treated In vitro with inhibitors of the lipoxygenase enzyme (BW755c and nordihydroguaiaretic acid), and their function was evaluated. A decrease in neutrophil oxidative metabolism and iodinstion was observed, but there was no effect on neutrophil random migration or ADCC. The results suggest that in vivo trealment with glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil oxidative metabolism and iodination by decreasing the formation of lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism but after neutrophil random migration and ADCC by a mechanism independent of arechidonic add metabolism.
Immunophenotypic and functional characterization of human tonsillar mast cells
Authors: Füreder Wolfgang , Bankl Hans Christian , Toth Josef , Walchshofer Sabine , Sperr Wolfgang , Agis Hermine , Semper Hans , Sillaber Christian , Lechner Klaus , Valent Peter
Published: January 2018

Mast cells (MC) are proinflammatory immune cells residing in various organs. Tissue-specific heterogeneity of MC has been described. The aim of this study was to establish the phenotype and functional profile of human tonsillar mast cells (ToMC) and to compare ToMC with lung-, skin-, and uterus MC. Tonsillar tissue was obtained from 23 patients suffering from hyperplastic tonsils and dispersed by enzymatic digestion. With the use of a combined toluidine blue/immunofluorescence staining technique, isolated ToMC were found to react with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to immunoglobulin E, CD9, CD43, CD44, CD46, CD54, CD55, and CD59, as well as mAb to stem cell factor (SCF) receptor (CD117/c-kit). ToMC were not recognized by mAb to other cytokine receptors or mAb to CD3, CD11b, CD14, CDw17, the skin MC marker CD88 (C5aR) or CD89 (FcαR). Activation of ToMC by recombinant human (rh) SCF or anti-IgE resulted in histamine secretion, whereas no effects were seen with rhC5a, rh granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or rh interleukin-1 through -10. In summary, ToMC exhibit functional and phenotypic properties similar to lung- or uterus MC. Unlike skin MC, ToMC lack C5aR and are unresponsive to rhC5a.
CSF-1 signal transduction
Authors: Hamilton John A
Published: January 2018

Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) or macrophage-CSF (M-CSF) is a growth factor involved in the proliferation, differentiation, and activation of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Its receptor is the homodimeric, tyrosine kinase product of the c-fms proto-oncogene, which contains a so-called kinase insert domain. This review focuses mainly on recent studies of signal transduction events that are initiated on interaction of CSF-1 and its receptor. A summary is given of the tyrosine autophosphorylation sites on c-Fms identified to date, including their interaction with various substrates and their possible significance for signal transduction and cellular function. In addition, the signal transduction pathways that have been identified to lie downstream of activated c-Fms are reviewed. Although it is apparent that there have been many recent significant developments in our understanding of CSF-1 signaling, a number of examples are mentioned of significant discrepancies in the literature, some possible reasons for which can sometimes be offered. It is also apparent that any particular biochemical response or signal transduction pathway, even though widespread in other ligand receptor/cellular systems, including those with similar receptor structures to c-Fms, may not be relevant to CSF-1 signaling. The relevance of any potentially important molecular signaling pathway activated by CSF-1 in cells in vitro will ultimately have to be related to the functions of monocytes/macrophages in vivo.
The CD28-B7 costimulatory pathway and its role in autoimmune disease
Authors: Daikh David , Wofsy David , Imbodent John B
Published: January 2018

The activation of naive CD4+ T cells requires two discrete signals: a signal delivered by the T cell receptor following recognition of antigen and an accessory signal transduced when costimulatory receptors interact with their ligands. Particularly important in the development of an immune response to foreign antigens is the T cell molecule CD28, which delivers a potent costimulus when engaged by ligands, B7-1 and B7-2, on antigen-presenting cells. It is interesting that blockade of B7 molecules, which disrupts interactions with CD28 and prevents delivery of the CD28 costimulus, also alters the immune responses to self antigens and prevents the development of clinical disease in murine models of systemic and organ-specific autoimunity. Herein we review the roles of CD28 and its B7 ligands in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, discuss efforts to treat animal models of autoimmunity by modifying the CD28 signal, and consider the mechanisms by which manipulation of the CD28 signal alters the course of experimental autoimmune disease.
Leukotriene B4-activated human endothelial cells promote transendothelial neutrophil migration
Authors: Nohgawa Masaharu , Sasada Masataka , Maeda Akinori , Asagoe Kohsuke , Harakawa Nari , Takano Kuniko , Yamamoto Kokichi , Okuma Minoru
Published: January 2018

We explored the effect of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on endothelial cells in LTB4-induced transendothelial migration (TEM) of neutrophils as an in vitro model of neutrophil extravasation. Chemotactic response of human neutrophils to LTB4 was significantly lower than that in response to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), whereas the extent of TEM in response to LTB4 was significantly higher than that to fMLP. The study on random migration induced by LTB4 and fMLP also showed similar results, which indicated that LTB4 might affect the human umbilical cord vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) barrier. Neutrophil TEM was induced by pretreatment of HUVEC monolayer with LTB4 but not with fMLP. Treatment of endothelial cells by ONO-4057, a LTB4 receptor antagonist, abolished the effect of LTB4 almost completely whereas neutrophils treated with ONO-4057 could transmigrate through HUVEC treated with LTB4. These findings indicated that LTB4 could induce neutrophil TEM by acting on HUVEC.
Oral administration of unsaturated fatty acids: effects on human peripheral blood T lymphocyte proliferation
Authors: Rossetti Ronald G , Seiler Christina M , DeLuca Pamela , Laposata Michael , Zurier Robert B
Published: January 2018

Oils enriched in certain polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress joint pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Because T lymphocyte activation is important to propagation of joint tissue injury in patients with RA, we examined the effects of fatty acids administered by mouth in vivo on proliferation of human lymphocytes activated through the T cell receptor complex. T cell proliferation was reduced after oral administration of 2.4 g gammalinolenic acid in capsules of borage seed oil. Oral administration of oils enriched in linoleic acid, the parent n-6 fatty acid, and alpha linolenic acid, the parent n-3 fatty acid, did not influence growth of stimulated cells. Fatty acid analyses indicated that suppression of lymphocyte proliferation after gammalinolenic acid administration was associated with increased plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell concentrations of gammalinolenic acid and dihomogammalinolenic acid.
Increased monocyte TNF-α message stability contributes to trauma patients' increased TNF production
Authors: Furse Robert Kyle , Kodys Karen , Zhu Di , Miller-Graziano Carol L
Published: January 2018

Post-trauma elevation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) appears to be critical in mediating many symptoms of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), resulting in late mortality. Although increased monocyte (mø) TNF-α production plays a pivotal role in this TNF-α elevation, the molecular mechanisms leading to increased mø TNF-α production have yet to be elucidated. We demonstrate that, although TNF-α mRNA levels are increased in all trauma patients' mø, which produce elevated levels of TNF-α protein, in the majority of patients, these increased TNF-α mRNA levels are under normal transcriptional and posttranscriptional control. Consequently, the increased TNF-α production by these patients' mø is probably due to preactivation of these mø by trauma-released mediators. However, a small minority of patients, whose mortality rate was 57%, produce TNF-α of primarily the membrane-associated type. The mø TNF-α mRNA accumulation of these patients in response to in vitro stimulation is significantly augmented. All of these patients experienced SIRS. In this subset of patients' mø, TNF-α mRNA stability was aberrantly increased. Such an increase in TNF-α mRNA stability could lead to devastatingly prolonged production of TNF-α protein. This demonstration of increased TNF-α mRNA stability in post-trauma mø represents a novel correlation of elevated membrane-associated TNF-α protein, increased mortality, and a mechanism for this occurrence.
Cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions mediate chemokine expression: an important component of the inflammatory lesion
Authors: Smith R E , Hogaboam C M , Strieter R M , Lukacs N W , Kunkel S L
Published: January 2018

Although many studies have characterized soluble factors that stimulate or inhibit chemokine secretion, in this review we focus on the event of cellular adhesion as a novel mechanism for stimulating chemokine expression. Recent work has demonstrated chemokine expression following cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix adhesion. The specificity of this finding was demonstrated utilizing various techniques that illustrate that adhesion, and not a soluble stimulus, is in some cases responsible for initiating or augmenting chemokine expression. For example, co-cultures of peripheral blood monocytes and endothelial cells secreted elevated levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 compared with either cell type alone. When co-cultured in transwells, this effect was significantly attenuated. In other experiments, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to various adhesion molecules inhibited chemokine expression. The effects of adhesion were not limited to leukocytes. Both immune and non-immune cell types were evaluated as potential sources of adhesion-mediated chemokine expression. Not suprisingly, expression of some chemokines was associated with adhesion, whereas others were not, supporting the notion that adhesion differentially signals chemokine secretion during the inflammatory response. We hypothesize that as a recruited leukocyte encounters different adhesion substrates such as endothelial cells, basement membrane, extracellular matrix, and fibroblasts, the expression of chemokines from both the leukocyte and the substrate may be initiated, inhibited, or augmented. Careful characterization of the contribution of adhesion to regulation of chemokine expression will provide insight into the pathogenesis of many human diseases where chemokines have a central role.
Novel lymphocyte-specific CC chemokines and their receptors
Authors: Yoshie Osamu , Imai Toshio , Nomiyama Hisayuki
Published: January 2018

By using a cloning method termed the signal sequence trap as well as by searching for chemokine homologous sequences in the database of expressed sequence tags, cDNA fragments potentially encoding novel CC chemokines were initially identified. Using these sequences, we have cloned five novel human CC chemokines termed TARC, LARC, ELC, SLC, and PARC. These chemokines are constitutively expressed especially in some lymphoid tissues with individually unique expression patterns. The recombinant proteins are all found to be selectively chemotactic for lymphocytes but not for monocytes or neutrophils. Each chemokine appears to interact with a class of receptors on lymphocytes that is not shared by any other chemokines so far tested. Furthermore, we have identified CCR4 as the specific receptor for TARC, GPR-CY4/DRY6/CKR-L3/STRL22 as that for LARC (CCR6), and EBI1/BLR2 as that for ELC (CCR7). Only the gene for PARC is mapped to the traditional CC chemokine gene cluster at chromosome 17q11.2, whereas those for TARC, LARC, ELC, and SLC are localized at different loci. Collectively, these five CC chemokines may constitute a new category of CC chemokines that are involved in trafficking and homing of particular subsets of lymphocytes in particular lymphoid tissue microenvironments.
LCST‐Type Hyperbranched Poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) with Thermo‐ and CO2‐Responsive Backbone
Authors: Cao Gaixia , Li Guo , Yang Qi , Liu Zhaotie , Liu Zhongwen , Jiang Jinqiang
Published: January 2018

A novel hyperbranched lower critical solution temperature (LCST) polymer with sharp temperature and CO2‐responsive behaviors is presented in this study. The target polymer of hyperbranched poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) (HBPOEG) is constructed using POEG as the backbone and tertiary amines as branch points. Phase transition of HBPOEG in aqueous solution is investigated by heating and cooling the system; the results indicate that HBPOEG in aqueous solution has a concentration‐dependent phase transition behavior with excellent repeatability. Moreover, LCST of HBPOEG can be tuned by bubbling CO2 into the solution, as the tertiary amines can be protonated and the solubility of the polymer would increase by bubbling CO2 into the system, leading to an increase of LCST of the polymer. Further bubbling N2 to remove CO2 can reversibly turn back the LCST to its original value. This backbone‐based hyperbranched LCST polymer with both CO2 and temperature responsiveness can be applied in application areas like drug delivery, gene transfection, functional coatings, etc.
Selected health and lifestyle factors, cytosine‐adenine‐guanine status, and phenoconversion in Huntington's disease
Authors: Tanner Caroline , Marder Karen , Eberly Shirley , Biglan Kevin , Oakes David , Shoulson Ira ,   on behalf of the Huntington Study Group Prospective Huntington At‐Risk Observational Study Investigators
Published: January 2018

Background: In Huntington's disease, 60% of the variance in onset age is not explained by the huntingtin gene mutation. Huntington's disease onset was earlier in caffeine users.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of lifestyle factors with motor phenoconversion among persons at risk for Huntington's disease.

Methods: The associations of motor phenoconversion and exposure to selected lifestyle and health factors were examined using Cox proportional hazards analyses adjusted for age, gender, and repeat length.

Results: Of 247 participants, 36 (14.6%) phenoconverted. Mean follow‐up was 4.2 years. Greater caffeinated soda use was associated with an increased hazard of phenoconversion: moderate use hazard ratio 2.26 (95% confidence interval 0.59‐8.71), high use hazard ratio 4.05 (95% confidence interval 1.18‐13.96).

Conclusions: Huntington's disease onset was earlier among consumers of caffeinated soda, but not other caffeinated beverages. This finding may be spurious or not related to caffeine. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Technical Note: The impact of deformable image registration methods on dose warping
Authors: Qin An , Liang Jian , Han Xiao , O'Connell Nicolette , Yan Di
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical‐relevant discrepancy between doses warped by pure image based deformable image registration (IM‐DIR) and by biomechanical model based DIR (BM‐DIR) on intensity‐homogeneous organs.

Methods and materials

Ten patients (5Head&Neck, 5Prostate) were included. A research DIR tool (ADMRIE_v1.12) was utilized for IM‐DIR. After IM‐DIR, BM‐DIR was carried out for organs (parotids, bladder, and rectum) which often encompass sharp dose gradient. Briefly, high‐quality tetrahedron meshes were generated and deformable vector fields (DVF) from IM‐DIR were interpolated to the surface nodes of the volume meshes as boundary condition. Then, a FEM solver (ABAQUS_v6.14) was used to simulate the displacement of internal nodes, which were then interpolated to image‐voxel grids to get the more physically plausible DVF. Both geometrical and subsequent dose warping discrepancies were quantified between the two DIR methods. Target registration discrepancy(TRD) was evaluated to show the geometry difference. The re‐calculated doses on second CT were warped to the pre‐treatment CT via two DIR. Clinical‐relevant dose parameters and γ passing rate were compared between two types of warped dose. The correlation was evaluated between parotid shrinkage and TRD/dose discrepancy.

Result

The parotid shrunk to 75.7% ± 9% of its pre‐treatment volume and the percentage of volume with TRD>1.5 mm) was 6.5% ± 4.7%. The normalized mean‐dose difference (NMDD) of IM‐DIR and BM‐DIR was −0.8% ± 1.5%, with range (−4.7% to 1.5%). 2 mm/2% passing rate was 99.0% ± 1.4%. A moderate correlation was found between parotid shrinkage and TRD and NMDD. The bladder had a NMDD of −9.9% ± 9.7%, with BM‐DIR warped dose systematically higher. Only minor deviation was observed for rectum NMDD (0.5% ± 1.1%).

Conclusion

Impact of DIR method on treatment dose warping is patient and organ‐specific. Generally, intensity‐homogeneous organs, which undergo larger deformation/shrinkage during treatment and encompass sharp dose gradient, will have greater dose warping uncertainty. For these organs, BM‐DIR could be beneficial to the evaluation of DIR/dose‐warping uncertainty.
A simple model for transit dosimetry based on a water equivalent EPID
Authors: Deshpande S. , Blake S. J. , Xing A. , Metcalfe P. E. , Holloway L. C. , Vial P.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to demonstrate a new model for implementing a transit dosimetry system as a means of in vivo dose verification with a water equivalent electronic portal imaging device (WE‐EPID) and a conventional treatment planning system (TPS).

Method and materials

A standard amorphous silicon (a‐Si) EPID was modified to a WE‐EPID configuration by replacing the metal‐plate/phosphor screen situated above the photodiode detector with a 3 cm thick water equivalent plastic x ray converter material. A clinical TPS was used to calculate dose to the WE‐EPID in its conventional EPID position behind the phantom/patient. The “extended phantom” concept was used to facilitate dose calculation at the EPID position, which is outside the CT field of view (FOV). The CT images were manipulated from 512 × 512 into 1024 × 1024 and padded pixels were assigned the density of air before importing to the TPS. The virtual WE‐EPID was added as an RT structure of water density at the EPID plane. The accuracy of TPS dose calculations at the EPID plane in transit geometry was first evaluated for different field sizes and thickness of object in the beam by comparison with the dose measured using a 2D ion chamber array (ICA) and the WE‐EPID. Following basic dose response tests, clinical fields including direct single fields (open and wedged) and modulated fields (integrated or control point by control point doses for VMAT) were measured for 6 MV photons with varying of solid water thickness or an anthropomorphic phantom present in beam. The EPID images were corrected for dark signal and pixel sensitivity and converted to dose using a single dose calibration factor. The 2D dose evaluation was conducted using 3%/3 and 2%/2 mm gamma‐index criteria.

Results

The measured dose–response with the ICA and WE‐EPID for all basic dose–response tests agreed with TPS dose calculations to within 1.5%. The maximum difference in dose profiles for the largest measured field size of 25 × 25 cm2 was 2.5%. Gamma evaluation showed at least 94% (3%/3 mm criteria) and 90% (2%/2 mm) agreement in both integrated and control‐point doses for all clinical fields acquired by the WE‐EPID and ICA when compared with TPS‐calculated portal dose images.

Conclusion

A new approach to transit dose verification has been demonstrated utilizing a water equivalent EPID and a commercial TPS. The accuracy of dose calculations at the EPID plane using a commercial TPS beam model was experimentally confirmed. The model proposed in this study provides an accurate method to directly verify doses delivered during treatment without the additional uncertainties inherent in modelling the complex dose–response of standard EPIDs.
Water equivalent PRESAGE® for synchrotron radiation therapy dosimetry
Authors: Gagliardi Frank M. , Day Liam , Poole Christopher M. , Franich Rick D. , Geso Moshi
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Synchrotron Radiation Therapy techniques are currently being trialed and commissioned at synchrotrons around the world. The patient treatment planning systems (TPS) developed for these treatments use simulated data of the synchrotron x‐ray beam to produce the dosimetry in the treatment plan. The purpose of this study was to investigate a water equivalent PRESAGE® dosimeter capable of 3D dosimetry over an energy range suitable for synchrotron x‐ray beams.

Methods

Water equivalent PRESAGE® dosimeters were fabricated with a radiological effective atomic number similar to water over an energy range of 10 keV to 10 MeV. The dosimeters were irradiated at various energies, scanned using optical CT (OCT) scanning and compared to ion chamber measurements. Percentage depth dose and beam profiles of the synchrotron beam were compared to Monte Carlo (MC) model simulations.

Results

The PDD profiles of the water equivalent PRESAGE® agreed with ion chamber measurements and MC calculations within 2% for all keV energies investigated. The PRESAGE® also showed good agreement to the MC model for depths below 5 mm of the synchrotron beam where ion chamber data do not exist. The spatial resolution of the OCT was not sufficient to accurately measure the penumbra of the synchrotron beams compared to MC calculations or EBT3 film; however, the water equivalent PRESAGE® was able to verify dose profile characteristics of the MC model.

Conclusions

The radiological response of a water equivalent PRESAGE® dosimeter has been validated for synchrotron x‐ray beam energies along with the ability to independently verify dose distributions of a MC model.
Protocol for Moving On: a randomized controlled trial to increase outcome expectations and exercise among breast cancer survivors
Authors: Hirschey Rachel , Kimmick Gretchen , Hockenberry Marilyn , Shaw Ryan , Pan Wei , Lipkus Isaac
Published: January 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and fidelity of an intervention, Moving On, aimed to increase outcome expectations OEs (i.e. what one expects to obtain or avoid as a result of a behaviour) and exercise among breast cancer survivors.

Design

Randomized controlled trial

Methods

Intervention arm participants will be given a theory‐guided booklet that was co‐created by the research team and three physically active breast cancer survivors who exercise to manage late and long‐term treatment effects. Attention control arm participants will be given a similar booklet focused on diet. Participants will have 1 week to complete reading, writing and reflecting activities in the booklets. Study outcomes will be measured through online surveys; exercise will also be measured objectively with a Fitbit®. Four weeks postintervention, participants’ thoughts about the usefulness, strengths and weakness of the intervention booklet will be assessed. OEs and exercise will be measured at baseline, 4‐, 8‐ and 12‐week postintervention.
SIOP PODC Adapted treatment guidelines for low grade gliomas in low and middle income settings
Authors: Hessissen Laila , Parkes Jeannette , Amayiri Nisreen , Mushtaq Naureen , Sirachainan Nongnuch , Anacak Yavuz , Mitra Dipayan , Figaji Anthony , Schouten‐van Meeteren Antoinette , Sullivan Michael , Burger Hester , Davidson Alan , Bouffet Eric , Bailey Simon
Published: January 2018

Effective treatment of children with low grade glioma (LGG) requires a functioning multi‐disciplinary team with adequate neurosurgical, neuroradiological, pathological, radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities and personnel. In addition, the treating centre should have the capacity to manage a variety of LGG and treatment‐associated complications. These requirements have made it difficult for many centers in low and middle‐income countries (LMIC) to offer effective treatment and follow up. This article provides management recommendations for children with LGG according to the level of facilities available.
Luminescent Glass‐Ceramics Based on Nanoparticles of BaxRE1‐xF2+x and PbxRE1‐xF2+x Solid Solutions into Fluoroborate
Authors: Petrova Olga , Sevostjanova Tatjana , Khomyakov Andrew , Avetissov Igor
Published: January 2018

Lead‐barium fluoroborate glasses doped with RE are synthesized. Using the heat‐treatment (HT) glass‐ceramics in which RE3+ (Eu3+ or Er3+) ions are building into fluoride crystalline nanoparticles homogeneously distributed in the borate glass matrix are made. The changes in the structural and optical properties of the glass‐ceramics comparatively to initial glasses and polycrystalline fluoride containing Pb, Ba, and RE are revealed by X‐ray diffraction and luminescence spectroscopy of RE ions.
Novel Pentadecyl Phenol‐Tagged L‐Tryptophan Molecules: Synthesis, Self‐ Assembly and Liquid Crystalline Properties
Authors: Parappurath Akhil , Abraham Jancy Nixon
Published: January 2018

The paper describes the self‐assembly and liquid crystalline properties of pentadecylphenol tagged L‐tryptophan molecules having ester and amide functionality. We have synthesized a series of molecules having mono and ditryptophan moieties attached to pentadecylphenol through amide or ester linkage. The fluorescence properties of the Boc‐L‐tryptophan‐pentadecylphenol molecules were measured in methanol and found to aggregate beyond the critical aggregation concentration and self‐assembled to give spherical structures. Upon deprotection of Boc group, the amine end group got involved in extended hydrogen bonding and fibril like structures were developed. These molecules also showed liquid crystalline behavior in hydrogen bonding solvents such as benzyl alcohol and showed needle like crystals in tert‐butanol, as analyzed by polarized optical light microscopy.
Obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound curriculum and competency assessment in residency training programs: consensus report
Authors: Abuhamad A. , Minton K. K. , Benson C. B. , Chudleigh T. , Crites L. , Doubilet P. M. , Driggers R. , Lee W. , Mann K. V. , Perez J. J. , Rose N. C. , Simpson L. L. , Tabor A. , Benacerraf B. R.
Published: January 2018

Ultrasound imaging has become integral to the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. With increasing educational demands and limited hours in residency programs, dedicated time for training and achieving competency in ultrasound has diminished substantially. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine assembled a multi‐Society Task Force to develop a consensus‐based, standardized curriculum and competency assessment tools for obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound training in residency programs. The curriculum and competency‐assessment tools were developed based on existing national and international guidelines for the performance of obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound examinations and thus are intended to represent the minimum requirement for such training. By expert consensus, the curriculum was developed for each year of training, criteria for each competency assessment image were generated, the pass score was established at or close to 75% for each, and obtaining a set of five ultrasound images with pass score in each was deemed necessary for attaining each competency. Given the current lack of substantial data on competency assessment in ultrasound training, the Task Force expects that the criteria set forth in this document will evolve with time. The Task Force also encourages use of ultrasound simulation in residency training and expects that simulation will play a significant part in the curriculum and the competency‐assessment process. Incorporating this training curriculum and the competency‐assessment tools may promote consistency in training and competency assessment, thus enhancing the performance and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound examination in obstetrics and gynecology. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Diffusion of solar PV in East Africa: What can be learned from private sector delivery models?
Authors: Muchunku Charles , Ulsrud Kirsten , Palit Debajit , Jonker‐Klunne Wim
Published: January 2018

Solar photovoltaic (PV) will play the leading role in addressing off‐grid electricity access; it can be applied almost anywhere and used in a wide range of applications for households, businesses, institutions and communities. However, to fully exploit this opportunity, off‐grid markets that need these solutions need to be effectively penetrated. This article focuses on delivery models for off‐grid solar PV solutions and how they address barriers such as awareness, acceptance, access and affordability. It is based on a survey of 13 solar PV businesses in East Africa, supported by the Energy and Environment Partnership Programme and implementing the following delivery models: Retail, Pay‐As‐You‐Go (PAYG), Consumer financing, Mini‐grid and Fee‐for‐service. The survey is complemented by supporting literature and incorporates experiences from a University of Oslo research project on a village scale energy access model in Kenya and case studies of solar PV mini‐grids in Senegal and India. Experiences from implementation of the different models are analyzed and generic descriptions provided. The models are compared to illustrate their suitability and effectiveness for delivering different levels of energy access. Retail and PAYG models are identified as effective at reaching scale, while the mini‐grid and fee‐for‐service models demonstrate good potential to affordably and sustainably deliver a wider range of electricity access. The limitations of conventional rural electrification strategies are also discussed and the potential to incorporate some delivery models into electrification programs assessed.

This article is categorized under:

Photovoltaics > Economics and Policy

Photovoltaics > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy and Development > Economics and Policy

Solar Heating and Cooling > Economics and Policy
Deaths in Incorrectly Identified Low‐Surgical‐Risk Patients
Authors: Jones C. R. , McCulloch G. A. J. , Ludbrook G. , Babidge W. J. , Maddern G. J.
Published: January 2018

Background

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical classification system was developed for assessing anaesthetic risk, but is often also used to estimate surgical death risk. Patients with low ASA grades (ASA 1 or 2) are expected to have better surgical outcomes than patients with higher ASA grades (ASA ≥ 4). This study examined the course to death in patients classified as ASA 1 or 2 was examined, to investigate possible factors in unexpected deaths, in addition to evaluating the use of ASA grades by clinicians.

Methods

Patient data from the national surgical mortality audit of Australian hospitals were examined. The patient group was listed as ASA grade 1 or 2 by surgeons. Patients over 60 or under 20 were excluded in the final analysis, as were cases from New South Wales due to data not being available. A total of 357 cases were examined. Assessor summaries of the cases were examined, and ASA score reassessed to determine accuracy.

Results

More than 95% (n = 339) of cases listed as ASA 1 or 2 were found to have an incorrectly low grade, with 17.6% (n = 63) of cases listed as “expected” deaths.

Conclusion

ASA grades appear to be misunderstood in the reporting of patient surgical risk. Many patient summaries list patients with severe systemic disease or expected deaths as ASA 1 or 2, contrary to the intended use of this classification system. Improved education on the use of the ASA grading system would be beneficial to clinicians.
Transcriptome assembly and expression profiling of the molecular responses to cadmium toxicity in cerebral ganglia of wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae)
Authors: Yang Huilin , Peng Yuande , Shi Yixue , Tian Jianxiang , Wang Juan , Peng Xianjin , Xie Chunliang , Xu Xiang , Song Qisheng , Wang Zhi , Lv Zhiyue
Published: January 2018

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that can cause irreversible toxicity to animals, and is an environmental pollutant in farmlands. Spiders are considered to be an excellent model for investigating the impacts of heavy metals on the environment. To date, the changes at the molecular level in the cerebral ganglia of spiders are poorly understood. Cd exposure leads to strong damage in the nervous system, such as apoptosis and necrosis of nerve cells, therefore we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of Pardosa pseudoannulata cerebral ganglia under Cd stress to profile differential gene expression (DGE). We obtained a total of 123,328 assembled unigenes, and 1441 Cd stress-associated DEGs between the Cd-treated and control groups. Expression profile analysis demonstrated that many genes involved in calcium signaling, cGMP—PKG signaling, tyrosine metabolism, phototransduction–fly, melanogenesis and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis were up-regulated under Cd stress, whereas oxidative phosphorylation-related, nervous disease-associated, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-associated, and ribosomal-associated genes were down-regulated. Here, we provide a comprehensive set of DEGs influenced by Cd stress, and heavy metal stress, and provide new information for elucidating the neurotoxic mechanisms of Cd stress in spiders.
To decentralize or to continue on the centralization track: The cases of authoritarian regimes in Russia and Kazakhstan
Authors: Busygina Irina , Filippov Mikhail , Taukebaeva Elmira
Published: January 2018

Decisions on decentralization versus centralization come as a result of strategic choices made by politicians after weighing their costs and benefits. In authoritarian regimes, the highest-priority political task is that of restraining political competition and securing power in the hands of the incumbent. This task incentivizes politicians to restrict political decentralization (or at least block reforms promoting such decentralization). At the same time, external economic pressures (e.g. globalization) place the task of national competitiveness in the global markets on the agenda, and increase incentives for fiscal and administrative decentralization. Thus, political and economic pressures create contradicting incentives, and in weighing costs and benefits, politicians in different authoritarian regimes make different choices that lead to variation in the form, degree and success of decentralization/centralization policies. In this article we compare authoritarian decentralization in Russia and Kazakhstan.
Chaotic whale optimization algorithm
Authors: Kaur Gaganpreet , Arora Sankalap
Published: January 2018

The Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is a recently developed meta-heuristic optimization algorithm which is based on the hunting mechanism of humpback whales. Similarly to other meta-heuristic algorithms, the main problem faced by WOA is slow convergence speed. So to enhance the global convergence speed and to get better performance, this paper introduces chaos theory into WOA optimization process. Various chaotic maps are considered in the proposed chaotic WOA (CWOA) methods for tuning the main parameter of WOA which helps in controlling exploration and exploitation. The proposed CWOA methods are benchmarked on twenty well-known test functions. The results prove that the chaotic maps (especially Tent map) are able to improve the performance of WOA.

Highlights Chaos has been introduced into WOA to improve its performance. Ten chaotic maps have been investigated to tune the key parameter ‘ p’ of WOA. The proposed CWOA is validated on a set of twenty benchmark functions. The proposed CWOA is validated on a set of twenty benchmark functions. Statistical results suggest that CWOA has better reliability of global optimality.