Determination of lethal concentration (LC50) values of Cinnamomum zeylanicum hydrosol on carp fish

In this study, lethal concentration (LC50) values of cinnamon hydrosol (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) on carp (Cyprinus carpio) were investigated. In practice, experimental setup was constituted 30 fish (a total of 180 fish with 30 control fish) to be placed in three replicates. Hydrosol was added into aquariums at the doses of 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10% and determined mortality times of carp exposed to these concentrations. Percentage death of fish calculated in these concentrations. Mortality was observed at all treatments exception of dose of 0.5 %. The results indicate that the hydrosol had swimming changes, lethargy, lack of breath and leaning to the depth of the aquariums at all of the concentrations. The results of regression analysis indicated that the mortality rate (Y) is positively correlated the concentration (X) having a regression coefficient (R) close to one in each case. While the 1 h LC50 value (with 95% confidence limits) of the safe dose of C. zeylanicum hydrosol was estimated at LC50=4.39%, 2 h LC50 value=2.629%, and 12 h LC50 value= 1.027%

A multimodality localization technique for radio-guided surgery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intraoperative localization of image or endoscopy-detected lesions occasionally pose surgical challenges due to the small lesion size and/or difficult anatomic exposure. Identification of such lesions can be facilitated using a hand-held gamma probe with utilization of Tc-99m macroaggregate albumen (MAA) localization technique. The radiopharmaceutical injection can be performed using ultrasound (US) or endoscopy guidance.</p> <p>Case presentations</p> <p>The clinical use of the Tc-99m MAA protocol gamma probe-guided surgery was discussed in three representative cases. Surgical indication was diagnostic exploration in two patients with suspicious lymphadenopathy, and determination of extent of surgical resection in a patient with polyposis. Lesion localization with 100 microcurie (3.7 MBq) Tc-99m MAA prior to surgical exploration resulted in definitive localization of lesions intraoperatively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use Tc-99m MAA deposition technique at the site of surgical target is a highly efficient radio-guided surgery technique with definitive impact on the success of surgical exploration in selected indications.</p

PET probe-guided surgery: applications and clinical protocol

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

CENGO: a web-based serious game to increase the programming knowledge levels of computer engineering students

In recent years, games are used to increase the level of knowledge and experience of individuals working in different domains. Especially in the education field, there are several different serious games to teach the subjects of the lectures or other educational materials to students in an enjoyable way. Hence, this study proposes a quantitative research approach to increase the programming knowledge levels of the first-year undergraduate students at computer engineering departments. For this aim, a responsive web platform was developed to teach the syntax and logic of C programming language by using some game elements. Therefore, the students have a chance to repeat the topics related to C programming language continuously since the platform is always accessible. To figure out the efficiency of the designed environment, 10 first-year computer engineering students were selected. According to the results obtained from the user tests, this game can be used as an educational tool, which supports the traditional training methods, to increase the knowledge levels of students about the syntax and logic of C programming language

Preoperative Y-90 microsphere selective internal radiation treatment for tumor downsizing and future liver remnant recruitment: a novel approach to improving the safety of major hepatic resections

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extended liver resections are being performed more liberally than ever. The extent of resection of liver metastases, however, is restricted by the volume of the future liver remnant (FLR). An intervention that would both accomplish tumor control and induce compensatory hypertrophy, with good patient tolerability, could improve clinical outcomes.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 53-year-old woman with a history of cervical cancer presented with a large liver mass. Subsequent biopsy indicated poorly differentiated carcinoma with necrosis suggestive of squamous cell origin. A decision was made to proceed with pre-operative chemotherapy and Y-90 microsphere SIRT with the intent to obtain systemic control over the disease, downsize the hepatic lesion, and improve the FLR. A surgical exploration was performed six months after the first SIRT (three months after the second). There was no extrahepatic disease. The tumor was found to be significantly decreased in size with central and peripheral scarring. The left lobe was satisfactorily hypertrophied. A formal right hepatic lobectomy was performed with macroscopic negative margins.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Selective internal radiation treatment (SIRT) with yttrium-90 (Y-90) microspheres has emerged as an effective liver-directed therapy with a favorable therapeutic ratio. We present this case report to suggest that the portal vein radiation dose can be substantially increased with the intent of inducing portal/periportal fibrosis. Such a therapeutic manipulation in lobar Y-90 microsphere treatment could accomplish the end points of PVE with avoidance of the concern regarding tumor progression.</p

Prevalence of a healthy lifestyle among individuals with cardiovascular disease in high-, middle- and low-income countries: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study

Importance: Little is known about adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors among individuals with a coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke event in communities across a range of countries worldwide. Objective: To examine the prevalence of avoidance or cessation of smoking, eating a healthy diet, and undertaking regular physical activities by individuals with a CHD or stroke event. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) was a large, prospective cohort study that used an epidemiological survey of 153 996 adults, aged 35 to 70 years, from 628 urban and rural communities in 3 high-income countries (HIC), 7 upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), 3 lower-middle-income countries (LMIC), and 4 low-income countries (LIC), who were enrolled between January 2003 and December 2009. Main Outcome: Measures smoking status (current, former, never), level of exercise (low, 600 metabolic equivalent task [MET]-min/wk; moderate, 600-3000 MET-min/wk; high, 3000 MET-min/wk), and diet (classified by the Food Frequency Questionnaire and defined using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index). Results: Among 7519 individuals with self-reported CHD (past event: median, 5.0 [interquartile range {IQR}, 2.0-10.0] years ago) or stroke (past event: median, 4.0 [IQR, 2.0-8.0] years ago), 18.5% (95% CI, 17.6%-19.4%) continued to smoke; only 35.1% (95% CI, 29.6%-41.0%) undertook high levels of work- or leisure related physical activity, and 39.0% (95% CI, 30.0%-48.7%) had healthy diets; 14.3% (95% CI, 11.7%-17.3%) did not undertake any of the 3 healthy lifestyle behaviors and 4.3% (95% CI, 3.1%-5.8%) had all 3. Overall, 52.5% (95% CI, 50.7%-54.3%) quit smoking (by income country classification: 74.9% [95% CI, 71.1%-78.6%] in HIC; 56.5% [95% CI, 53.4%-58.6%] in UMIC; 42.6% [95% CI, 39.6%-45.6%] in LMIC; and 38.1% [95% CI, 33.1%-43.2%] in LIC). Levels of physical activity increased with increasing country income but this trend was not statistically significant. The lowest prevalence of eating healthy diets was in LIC (25.8%; 95% CI, 13.0%-44.8%) compared with LMIC (43.2%; 95% CI, 30.0%- 57.4%), UMIC (45.1%, 95% CI, 30.9%-60.1%), and HIC (43.4%, 95% CI, 21.0%- 68.7%). Conclusion and Relevance: Among a sample of patients with a CHD or stroke event from countries with varying income levels, the prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviors was low, with even lower levels in poorer countries.IS

Exploring the Utilisation of Natural Biosorbents for Effective Methylene Blue Removal

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the adsorbent capacity of five distinctly different biosorbents derived from untreated biomasses. The optimal adsorption capacity of seaweed (Laminaria digitata), horse chestnut husk, hazelnut husk, rapeseed residue, and whitewood to remove methylene blue (MB) dye was assessed by analysing the effects of particle size, pH, temperature, and initial dye concentrations. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and adsorption thermodynamics were investigated. The results showed that relatively high MB adsorption capacity was achieved by Laminaria digitata (~180 mg/g), in addition to a reasonable MB adsorption capacity of horse chestnut husk (~130 mg/g), hazelnut husk (~110 mg/g), and rapeseed residue (~80 mg/g). However, whitewood provides a relatively low adsorption capacity of below 20 mg/g. The best fit with experimental results regardless of biosorbent type was a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with the lowest mean absolute percentage error (ε, MAPE &lt; 2.5%) and the highest correlation coefficients (R2 &gt; 0.99). Although the pseudo-second-order kinetic model is often associated with chemisorption, the low enthalpy values (&lt;29.30 kJ/mol) typically suggest that the adsorption process is more characteristic of physisorption, which involves weaker van der Waals forces rather than the stronger covalent bonds of chemisorption. This proposed a multi-step adsorption process involving both physisorption and chemisorption. The adsorption isotherm of Langmuir showed superior fitting results for Laminaria digitata and hazelnut husk. In contrast, rapeseed residue and horse chestnut husk fit better with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The Langmuir adsorption isotherms showed a maximum adsorption capacity of ~500 mg/g for Laminaria digitata, followed by horse chestnut husk (~137 mg/g), hazelnut husk (~120 mg/g), and rapeseed residue (~85 mg/g). The Gibbs free energy was negative for Laminaria digitata &lt; horse chestnut husk &lt; hazelnut husk &lt; 0, which suggests that the removal of MB is thermodynamically favourable, as the adsorption process occurs spontaneously. The results of the study indicate that MB dye removal using untreated biomasses has the potential to be a low-cost valorisation option in the holistic whole life cycle valorisation pathway for Laminaria digitata, horse chestnut husk, and hazelnut husk

Multimodality approach of perioperative 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, intraoperative 18F-FDG handheld gamma probe detection, and intraoperative ultrasound for tumor localization and verification of resection of all sites of hypermetabolic activity in a case of occult recurrent metastatic melanoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of diagnostic ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging for the staging, restaging, and treatment monitoring of melanoma patients has become a well-recognized standard of care. It plays a key role in detecting sites of occult disease and is widely utilized in the medical and surgical planning of such patients. In the current report, we describe an innovative multimodality approach of perioperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging, intraoperative ¹⁸F-FDG handheld gamma probe detection, and intraoperative ultrasound for tumor localization and verification of resection of all sites of hypermetabolic tumor foci in a case of occult recurrent metastatic melanoma.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>This report discusses a case of occult recurrent metastatic melanoma, isolated to three separate sites within the subcutaneous tissues of the left thigh region, which was not clinically apparent but was found on diagnostic restaging whole body ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scan utilizing an intravenous injection of 14.8 mCi ¹⁸F-FDG. Then, on the day of surgery, the patient received an intravenous injection of 12.8 mCi ¹⁸F-FDG. A multimodality approach of intraoperative handheld gamma probe detection, intraoperative ultrasound tumor localization, specimen PET/CT imaging, and postoperative PET/CT imaging was utilized for accomplishing and verifying the excision of all three sites of occult recurrent metastatic melanoma within the left thigh region.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This innovative multimodality approach of perioperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging, intraoperative ¹⁸F-FDG handheld gamma probe detection, and intraoperative ultrasound is promising combined technology for aiding in tumor localization and verification of excision and may ultimately impact positively upon long-term outcome of selected patients.</p

Combined approach of perioperative 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging and intraoperative 18F-FDG handheld gamma probe detection for tumor localization and verification of complete tumor resection in breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has become an established method for detecting hypermetabolic sites of known and occult disease and is widely used in oncology surgical planning. Intraoperatively, it is often difficult to localize tumors and verify complete resection of tumors that have been previously detected on diagnostic PET/CT at the time of the original evaluation of the cancer patient. Therefore, we propose an innovative approach for intraoperative tumor localization and verification of complete tumor resection utilizing ¹⁸F-FDG for perioperative PET/CT imaging and intraoperative gamma probe detection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two breast cancer patients were evaluated. ¹⁸F-FDG was administered and PET/CT was acquired immediately prior to surgery. Intraoperatively, tumors were localized and resected with the assistance of a handheld gamma probe. Resected tumors were scanned with specimen PET/CT prior to pathologic processing. Shortly after the surgical procedure, patients were re-imaged with PET/CT utilizing the same preoperatively administered ¹⁸F-FDG dose.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One patient had primary carcinoma of breast and a metastatic axillary lymph node. The second patient had a solitary metastatic liver lesion. In both cases, preoperative PET/CT verified these findings and demonstrated no additional suspicious hypermetabolic lesions. Furthermore, intraoperative gamma probe detection, specimen PET/CT, and postoperative PET/CT verified complete resection of the hypermetabolic lesions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Immediate preoperative and postoperative PET/CT imaging, utilizing the same ¹⁸F-FDG injection dose, is feasible and image quality is acceptable. Such perioperative PET/CT imaging, along with intraoperative gamma probe detection and specimen PET/CT, can be used to verify complete tumor resection. This innovative approach demonstrates promise for assisting the oncologic surgeon in localizing and verifying resection of ¹⁸F-FDG positive tumors and may ultimately positively impact upon long-term patient outcomes.</p