Comparison of 2D and 3D gamma evaluation method in patient specific intensity-modulated radiotherapy quality assurance

Background: In this study we have compared 2D and 3D gamma pass percentage for a variety of acceptance criteria for 40 step-and-shoot IMRT (intensity-modulated radiotherapy) plans. Methods: Treatment planning was done for 40 patient including head and neck, abdomen and pelvis simulated on the Siemens Healthcare GmBH CT simulator with images of 3 mm slice thickness using treatment planning system (TPS) (Monaco Version 5.11.03, Elekta medical system) using Monte Carlo algorithm. The gamma evaluation was done using PTW VeriSoft 8.1 which allowed us to perform 2D and 3D gamma index calculation, slice-by-slice comparison of measured and calculated dose distributions, measured dose was compared against the calculated DICOMRT dose on the OCTAVIUS 3D phantom from TPS. Results: The average 3D and 2D gamma passing in coronal planes were 96.61±0.45% and 96.27±0.78% for 5 mm/5% criteria, 93.74±4.17% and 91.9±4.88% for 3 mm/3% criteria, 85.83±7.58% and 82.41±8.06% for 2 mm/2% criteria and 62.8±9.42% and 59.18±9.52% for 1 mm/1% criteria respectively for all cases. The average gamma passing rate for 3D gamma analysis was 0.35%, 1.97 %, 3.97% and 5.78% higher when compared with 2D coronal planar analyses for 5 mm/5%, 3 mm/3%, 2 mm/2% and 1 mm/1% DTA criteria respectively. Conclusions: It is concluded in the study that 3 D gamma passing rate is higher compared to 2D gamma passing for head and neck, abdomen and pelvis cases

Different hyrax expanders for rapid palatial expansion in adolescents with posterior cross-bite: An original research

The posterior cross bite ranges between 10% and 15%. Hence we aim to compare different hyrax expanders for rapid palatial expansion in adolescents with posterior cross-bite. We compared 30 adolescents aged 11 to 16 years, with posterior crossbite, equally divided to groups, Mini Hyrax group and Hyrax group. Dental effects, Impact on quality of life was assessed with the OHIP-14 questionnaire, VAS were compared. We observed that no significant differences in dentoalveolar effects, OHIP-14, pain perception between groups. Considering intra-group comparison, the reduction in pain perception among adolescents in the Mini Hyrax group was gradual. Among adolescents in the Hyrax group, a statistically significant reduction between 48 and 72 h was observed. We can conclude that there was no significant difference in dental effects, impact on quality of life and pain perception between adolescents wearing Mini Hyrax and Hyrax expanders in rapid palatal expansion

Need for consumer pharmacovigilance in Nepal

In Nepal, reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurs on a voluntary basis by doctors, pharmacists, nurses, health assistants, and other healthcare professionals. The country’s pharmacovigilance program is still in its infancy; it has limited coverage and underreporting is common. This major limitation could be reduced with consumer involvement. This report examines the necessity and benefits of consumer involvement in Nepal’s existing pharmacovigilance program, reflecting on existing examples of consumer pharmacovigilance in different countries to highlight the necessity for such a framework in Nepal

Effect of silver nanoparticle on properties of maxillofacial silicone elastomer material: An original research

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of silver nanoparticle incorporation into maxillofacial silicone material on its hardness tear strength and color stability. Methodology: A total of 90 silicone specimens were fabricated. The control samples were fabricated with- out silver nanoparticles and test samples were fabricated with 20 ppm concentration of silver nanoparticles. Digital shore A hardness tests was used to measure hardness, for tear strength the specimen was placed in the jaws of the universal testing machine and stretched at a rate of 500 ram/rain, for color stability Spectrophotometer had been employed. The independent sample’s “t” test was used to test significant differences. Results: The mean difference for hardness between control and test group was 0.54 and t value was 2.08 and ( p < 0.05).tear strength 0.66 and “t”value was 0.93 and ( p < 0.05) and for color stability it was -0.02 and t value was -0.92 and ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study findings suggest that addition of silver nanoparticles at 20 ppm concentration decreased the hardness of silicone elastomer, and it did not affect tear strength and color stability

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field