Identification and manipulation of tumor associated macrophages in human cancers

Evading immune destruction and tumor promoting inflammation are important hallmarks in the development of cancer. Macrophages are present in most human tumors and are often associated with bad prognosis. Tumor associated macrophages come in many functional flavors ranging from what is known as classically activated macrophages (M1) associated with acute inflammation and T-cell immunity to immune suppressive macrophages (M2) associated with the promotion of tumor growth. The role of these functionally different myeloid cells is extensively studied in mice tumor models but dissimilarities in markers and receptors make the direct translation to human cancer difficult. This review focuses on recent reports discriminating the type of infiltrating macrophages in human tumors and the environmental cues present that steer their differentiation. Finally, immunotherapeutic approaches to interfere in this process are discussed

Thermoluminescence properties of fluorescent materials used in commercial lamps

The dosimetric properties of eight different fluorescent materials (FM) used in production of commercial fluorescent lamps were studied by thermoluminescence (TL). Taking into account the criteria for TL phosphors to be useful for radiation dosimetry, radiation sensitivity, thermal stability, shape of the glow curves, and effect of incandescence, UV and daylight on irradiated and non irradiated material were investigated. It was observed that most of the material can be used for radiation doses from 10 mu Gy to 1 kGy. The radiation induced signal is found to be thermally very stable. The calcium halophosphates doped with Sb and Sb:Mn having a similar mineral phase as teeth and bone may be used for dosimetry in radiation therapy and diagnostics. The strontium borophosphates and barium magnesium aluminate doped with Eu were found to be sensitive to light and may be used in solar energy research

European Hernia Society guidelines on prevention and treatment of parastomal hernias.

International guidelines on the prevention and treatment of parastomal hernias are lacking. The European Hernia Society therefore implemented a Clinical Practice Guideline development project