GBM radiosensitizers: dead in the water…or just the beginning?

The finding that most GBMs recur either near or within the primary site after radiotherapy has fueled great interest in the development of radiosensitizers to enhance local control. Unfortunately, decades of clinical trials testing a wide range of novel therapeutic approaches have failed to yield any clinically viable radiosensitizers. However, many of  the previous radiosensitizing strategies were not based on clear pre-clinical evidence, and in many cases blood-barrier penetration was not considered. Furthermore, DNA repair inhibitors have only recenly arrived in the clinic, and likely represent potent agents for glioma radiosensitization. Here, we present recent progress in the use of small molecule DNA damage response inhibitors as GBM radiosensitizers. In addition, we discuss the latest progress in targeting hypoxia and oxidative stress for GBM radiosensitization

Influence of various training systems on yield and quality of Muscat Hamburg grapes

Effect of different training systems on the performance of Muscat Hamburg was studied as regards yield and quality for six years. Although the space allotted and fertilizer applied per vine were the same, the vines trained on bower system gave yields five times as high (9.0 kg/vine) as those trained on head system (1.8 kg/vine). Unilateral Kniffin, unilateral telephone, bilateral telephone and bilateral Kniffin gave yields of 5.4, 5.6, 5.8 and 6.7 kg/vine, respectively. There was no measurable effect on quality of fruit.Der Einfluß verschiedener Erziehungssysteme auf Ertrag und Qualität der RebsorteMuskat HamburgIn einem sechsjährigen Versuch wurde der Einfluß verschiedener Erziehungssysteme auf die Ertrags- und Qualitätsleistung von Muskat Hamburg verfolgt. Obwohl die Fläche und die Düngergabe je Rebe durchweg gleich waren, erbrachten die Reben bei Pergolaerziehung im Durchschnitt den fünffachen Ertrag wie bei Kopferziehung (9,0 kg/Rebe gegenüber 1,8 kg). Bei einseitiger Kniffin-, einseitiger „Telephon"-, zweiseitiger „Telephon"- bzw. zweiseitiger Kniffin-Erziehung wurden Durchschnittserträge von 5,4, 5,6, 5,8 bzw. 6,7 kg/Rebe erzielt. Ein meßbarer Einfluß der Erziehungsform auf die Beerenqualität lag nicht vor

Effect of plant density on vine growth, yield, fruit quality and nutrient status in Perlette grapevines

Studies on the effect of plant density on vine growth, nutrient status, yield and quality of the grape cv. Perlette were carried out during 1980, 1981 and 1982. Vine growth measured in terms of shoot length, trunk girth and pruning weight as weil as the level of the nutrient elements N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and carbohydrates were highest at the maximum spacing i. e. 3.0 x 3.0 m and decreased with an increase in the plant density. Most of the nutrients were high either in early spring or during the rainy season. The average yields per vine and per ha were highest at 3.0 x 3.0 m and 2.0 x 2.0 m spacing, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the various quality parameters of the fruit under various plant densities. Under the prevailing agro-climatic conditions optimum yield per ha of Perlette grapes trained on head system can be obtained by planting the vines at 2.0 x 2.0 m spacing

Reproductive Patterns of Captive Lesser Bandicoot Rat (Bandicota Bengalensis Gray) in the Punjab

Author Institution: Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural UniversityDevelopment of the lesser bandicoot rats was studied under caged conditions. Early development of both sexes was similar. Walking started (14 days) at about the time sensory organs became functional. Body weight in males continued to increase for about 9 months. After about 5 months, weights of females fluctuated with pregnancies. Sexual maturity was attained by 60 days in females, slightly earlier in males (51 days). A female might produce 9 litters annually; mean litter size was 5.4 Sex ratio was 41% males

The Effect of Curvature on lnterfacial Tension in Liquid Systems Measured by Homogeneous Nucleation

Interfacial tensions were measured as a function of the curvature of the interface in liquid ternary, two-phase systems at 25 °c. The systems were chosen so that the phase on the concave side of the interface ( = the inner phase = the droplet) consisted mainly of one of the components. When this compound is a nonpolar or polar, non-hydrogen bonding liquid the interfacial tension is almost independent of curvature, but when the inner phase is a hydrogen bonding liquid the interfacial tension a varies with the radius of curvature. The experimental method consisted in determining the time taken for a supersaturated solution to become turbid, this time being of the order of 1 millisecond

Effects of package and storage conditions on the keeping quality of Perlette grapes

Einfluß der Verpackungs- und Lagerungsbedingungen auf die Haltbarkeit von Perlette-TraubenUm die Verluste zwischen Ernte und Verkauf von Perlette-Trauben zu verringern, wurde jeweils 1/4 eines SO2-Spenders („Dual Release" SO2 generator) in die 2 kg Trauben fassenden Polyäthylenbeutel gelegt; die Verpackungsbeutel waren mit Perforationen versehen, die 0,56; 0,84; 1,12; 1,40 und 1,68 % der Folienfläche ausmachten. Die gefüllten Beutel wurden bei 5, 15, 25, 30 und 35 °C (Freilandtemperatur) in belüftete 2-kg-Kartons aus Wellpappe verpackt und 60 d lang kühl gelagert (0-3 °C). Bei der Verkostung wurden die Trauben mit einer Verpackungstemperatur von 35 °C und 1,12%iger Perforation der Verpackungsqeutel am besten beurteilt. Die niedrigste Verpackungstemperatur (5 °C) und der niedrigste Perforationsgrad (0,56 %) verringerten beide den physiologischen Gewichtsverlust (PLW) und das Abfallen der Beeren am stärksten. PLW nahm mit der Dauer der Lagerung zu. Bis zu einer Lagerungsdauer von 40 d in zu 0,56 %, 0,85 % und 1,12 % perforierten Beuteln trat keine Beerenfäulnis auf; diese war jedoch auch bei erhöhter Perforation noch zu vernachlässigen. Die höchsten Mostgewichte wurden bei Verpakkungstemperaturen von 30 oder 35 °C nach 40tägiger Lagerung festgestellt; danach nahm das Mostgewicht ab. Die höchsten Säurewerte wurden bei Verpackungstemperaturen von 25 und 35 °C nach einer Lagerungsdauer von 40 d, bei 15 und 30 °C nach 60 d ermittelt. Demzufolge können PerletteTrauben durch beigepackte SO2-Spender in Folienbeuteln, die zu 1,12 % perforiert sind und Verpacken bei 35 °C bis zu 40 d erfolgreich gelagert werden

Seasonal changes in carbohydrate and mineral composition of overvigorous and devitalized Anab-e-Shahi grapevines in relation to uniruitiulness

Total carbohydrates in shoots, canes and old wood were higher in fruitful vines than in overvigorous or devitalized ones. The highest percentage of total carbohydrates was observed from December to February in all three types of vines. The minimum values for total carbohydrates in shoots of bearing vines were recorded in May. Total sugars were highest in bearing vines, followed by overvigorous and devitalized ones, respectively. Non-bearing (overvigorous and devitalized) vines had maximum sugar content in February, while bearing vines reached the maximum in January. Non-reducing sugars were practically absent in all vines from March to September. The first evidence of their presence was obtained in October.Nitrogen concentration was higher in overvigorous vines, followed by bearing and devitalized ones, respectively. Its level in devitalized vines was very low throughout the year. Also the nttrogen status of devitalized vineyard was very low, as observed in soil analysis. In bearing and overvigorous vines the percentage nitrogen was higher in shoots than in old wood. There was no significant difference in the phosphorus levels of bearing and overvigorous vines. Potassium level of overvigorous vines was slightly higher than that of bearing and devitalized vines.Overvigorous vines had low carbohydrates and very high ni,trogen, bearing vines had moderate carbohydrates and moderate nitrogen, while the devitalized vines had low carbohydrates and very low nitrogen level.Die jahreszeitlichen Veränderungen der Kohlenhydrat- und Mineralstoffzusammensetzung bei luxurierenden und kümmernden Anab-e-Shahi-Reben in Beziehung zu ihrer UnfruchtbarkeitDer Gesamtkohlenhydratgehalt in grünen Trieben, Tragruten und altem Holz war bei fruchttragenden Anab-e-Shahi-Reben größer als bei luxurierenden oder kümmernden Reben. Die höchste Konzentration der Gesamtkohlenhydrate wurde bei allen drei Rebtypen von Dezember bis Februar beobachtet; in den Trieben der traubentragenden Reben wurden im Mai die niedrigsten Werte festgestellt. Die Gesamtzuckerkonzentration nahm in der Reihenfolge fruchttragende, luxurierende, kümmernde Reben ab. Bei nicht-traubentragenden (luxurierenden und kümmernden) Reben war der Zuckergehalt im Februar am größten; traubentragende Reben erreichten ihr Zuckermaximum schon im Januar. Nichtreduzierende Zucker fehlten bei allen Reben von März bis September praktisch vollständig und waren erst von Oktober an nachzuweisen.Luxurierende Reben zeigten einen höheren Stickstoffgehalt als traubentragende und kümmernde Reben. Die letzteren wiesen das ganze Jahr über sehr niedrige Stickstoffkonzentrationen auf. Bodenanalysen ergaben, daß auch ihre Parzelle sehr schwach mit Stickstoff versorgt war. Bei fruchttragenden und luxurierenden Reben enthielten die grünen Triebe prozentual mehr Stickstoff als das alte Holz. Zwischen eiern Phosphorgehalt normaler und luxurierender Reben bestand kein signifikanter Unterschied. Bei den luxurierenden Reben war der Kaliumgehalt etwas höher als bei den traubentragenden und kümmernden Reben.Luxurierende Reben besaßen wenig Kohlenhydrate und sehr viel Stickstoff, traubentragende Reben wiesen mittlere Kohlenhydrat- und Stickstoffkonzentrationen auf, während die kümmernden Reben einen niedrigen Kohlenhydrat- und einen sehr geringen Stickstoffgehalt zeigten

Microwave Absorption Characteristics Of Substituted Ba 0.5Sr 0.5M xFe (12-2x)O 19 (M = Co ²⁺-Zr 4+ And Co 2+-Ti 4+) Sintered Ferrite At X-band

The microwave reflection loss (RL) of four series of synthesized ferrites, Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxZrxFe(12 - 2x)O19 and Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxTixFe(12 - 2x)O19, have been measured using network analyzer in the frequency range from 8.2 to 12.4 GHz. The comprehensive analysis of RL is carried out as a function of substitution, frequency, and thickness. The various models contributing to large RL are described. The composition accompanying maximum microwave absorption is suggested. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Conversion Rates Two Decades Later

Male patients greater than 50 years of age and cases performed by low-volume surgeons were found to have a higher rate of conversion to open procedures

A self-medicating scale and questionnaire based drug use survey and the effect of educational intervention among healthcare professional students

Background: Due to an array of reasons like easy accessibility and awareness about the available drugs, self-medication has steeply increased the already existent drug misuse. As the health professional students are exposed to all the information of drugs, it would be worthwhile to survey if this knowledge is misused to self-medicate. The present study was aimed at determining the impact of educational intervention on the prevalent attitudes and pattern of self-medication among medical, dental and nursing students as they constitute a vulnerable group for such practices.Methods: A total of 360 health professional students participated in the study. A validated questionnaire and self-medication scale (SMS) were used for the survey, before and after the educational workshop.Results: Of the 360 students 70% were females. 93.89% reported practicing self-medication, which reduced to 78.63% after the educational workshops. Average number of self-medication encounters before the workshop was 4.03±0.30. Analgesics were most commonly used. The modified SMS scores were significantly reduced (p<0.0001) after interventional workshops indicating that the enhanced knowledge, increased the reluctance to self-medicate and make students think twice before self-medicating so as to reduce such harmful, casual drug use habits.  Educational workshops statistically (p<0.0001) enhanced the participants knowledge of ADRs, OTC drugs, expiry date, package inserts etc. 77.78% nursing students were habituated to at least one drug which was significantly higher (χ2=20.45, p<0.0001) than that of medical and dental students taken together.Conclusions: Educational intervention reduces the evil of self-medication and enhances safe drug use habits among healthcare professional students