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

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

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

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

Effect of Ice Massage on Hoku Point for Reduction of Labor Pain

Introduction: One the most anxious moments for mothers and families is labor pain and various methods for its relief have an effect on labor management, patient satisfaction and labor outcome. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used to relieve labor pain, but in recently years, researchers have focused their attention to non-pharmacological methods for reduction of labor pain. Acupressure is one of the pain relieving methods that can be used for labor pain, but there have been few studies to date. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of Hoku point ice massage on labor pain. Methods: Participants of this clinical trial study were 60 pregnant women having the inclusive criteria. Participants were randomly divided to two groups of thirty, each. (Control Group=only touch of Hoku point, Case group= ice massage of Huko point). This procedure was done for thirty minutes. Labor pain of subjects was measured by visual analog scale before and after the procedure. Results: There was no statistical difference between the gestational age, parity and age of the two groups. Results showed that reduction of labor pain by ice massage of Huko point was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Acupressure is a noninvasive, simple and cheap method of relieving pain and our study confirms its effect on reduction of labor pain. This method is therefore applicable in delivery rooms

Long-term functional outcomes of resected tarsal coalitions

BACKGROUND: There are few long-term studies evaluating tarsal coalition resections. The purpose of this study was to compare patient outcomes following resection of calcaneonavicular (CN) and talocalcaneal (TC) bars and to determine the relationship between the extent of a coalition and the outcome of resection. METHODS: Patients younger than 18 years receiving resection for symptomatic tarsal coalition (1991-2004 inclusive) were eligible to participate. Follow-up evaluation included clinical examination to assess range of motion and self-reported functional outcome questionnaires. Two validated functional scales were used: the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Foot and Ankle Module, and the Foot Function Index (FFI). Twenty-four patients with 32 tarsal coalition resections (19 CN and 13 TC feet) were included in this study. For CN and TC patients, the mean age at the time of surgery was 11.8 ± 1.1 and 11.9 ± 2.5 years, and the mean age at follow-up was 27.1 ± 1.1 and 25.0 ± 2.5 years, respectively. RESULTS: Inversion and eversion were significantly less for TC feet when compared with CN (P = .03 and P = .01, respectively). No difference was noted between the CN and TC groups with respect to outcome scores. Furthermore, no association was noted between the size of TC coalition or hindfoot valgus angle with respect to outcome scores. CONCLUSION: Resected CN and TC bars behaved similarly in the long term in terms of function and patient satisfaction. Favorable results were attained when resections were performed on TC coalitions that were greater than 50% of the posterior facet and hindfoot valgus angles greater than 16 degrees. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study