Myocardial perfusion imaging with 99 mTc - tetrofosmin SPECT in breast cancer patients that received postoperative radiotherapy: a case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>To evaluate the cardiac toxicity of radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer (BC) patients employing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with Tc-99 m Tetrofosmin - single photon emission computer tomography (T-SPECT).</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>We studied 46 BC female patients (28 patients with left and 18 patients with right BC) treated with postoperative RT compared to a control group of 85 age-matched females. The median time of RT to SPECT was 40 months (6-263).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Abnormalities in the summed stress score (SSS) were found in 54% of left BC patients, 44.4% of right BC patients, and 32.9% of controls. In left BC patients there were significantly more SSS abnormalities compared to controls (4.0 ± 3.5 vs 2.6 ± 2.0, p = 0.05) and possible trend of increased abnormalities of right BC patients (3.7 ± 3.0 vs 2.6 ± 2.0, p = 0.14). Multiple regression analysis showed more abnormalities in the MPI of left BC patients compared to controls (SSS, p = 0.0001); Marginal toxicity was also noted in right BC patients (SSS, p = 0.045). No additional toxicity was found in patients that received adjuvant cardiotoxic chemotherapy. All T-SPECT abnormalities were clinically silent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study suggests that radiation therapy to BC patients result in MPI abnormalities but without apparent clinical consequences.</p

Consensus Report : 2nd European Workshop on Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation for Oral Health Professionals

Tobacco use has been identified as a major risk factor for oral disorders such as cancer and periodontal disease. Tobacco use cessation (TUC) is associated with the potential for reversal of precancer, enhanced outcomes following periodontal treatment, and better periodontal status compared to patients who continue to smoke. Consequently, helping tobacco users to quit has become a part of both the responsibility of oral health professionals and the general practice of dentistry. TUC should consist of behavioural support, and if accompanied by pharmacotherapy, is more likely to be successful. It is widely accepted that appropriate compensation of TUC counselling would give oral health professionals greater incentives to provide these measures. Therefore, TUC-related compensation should be made accessible to all dental professionals and be in appropriate relation to other therapeutic interventions. International and national associations for oral health professionals are urged to act as advocates to promote population, community and individual initiatives in support of tobacco use prevention and cessation (TUPAC) counselling, including integration in undergraduate and graduate dental curricula. In order to facilitate the adoption of TUPAC strategies by oral health professionals, we propose a level of care model which includes 1) basic care: brief interventions for all patients in the dental practice to identify tobacco users, assess readiness to quit, and request permission to re-address at a subsequent visit, 2) intermediate care: interventions consisting of (brief) motivational interviewing sessions to build on readiness to quit, enlist resources to support change, and to include cessation medications, and 3) advanced care: intensive interventions to develop a detailed quit plan including the use of suitable pharmacotherapy. To ensure that the delivery of effective TUC becomes part of standard care, continuing education courses and updates should be implemented and offered to all oral health professionals on a regular basis

Badanie związków międzymetalicznych w bezołowiowych stopach lutowniczych Sn-Cu-Ni

Interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMC) play an important role in Sn-Cu lead-free soldering. The size and morphology of the intermetallic compounds formed between the lead-free solder and the Cu substrate have a significant effect on the mechanical strength of the solder joint. In the soldering process of Sn-Cu alloys, Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compounds are formed. The complex structural behaviour of Cu6Sn5 IMC is temperature- and composition-dependent and it is long since subject to scientific research. The Cu6Sn5 phase basically exists in two crystal structures: hexagonal η-Cu6Sn5 (at temperatures above 186°C) and monoclinic η’-Cu6Sn5 (at lower temperatures). In the presence of Ni in the solder, the η-η’ transformation does not occur, therefore, the η-Cu6Sn5 phase remains stable. In this study the role of Ni in the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 intermetallic compound in Sn-Cu lead-free solders was examined. Sn-Cu alloys with different Cu content (0.5 to 1 mass%) were modified through Ni addition. The morphology of the intermetallic compounds of the modified Sn-Cu alloys was investigated by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the IMC phases were examined with X-ray diffraction method (XRD)

Investigation of Multicomponent Lead-Free Solders

According to the directives (RoHS and WEEE) adopted by the European Union, lead has been banned from the manufacturing processes because of its health and environmental hazards. Therefore, the development of lead-free solders is one of the most important research areas of the electronic industry. This paper investigates multicomponent Sn-Ag-Cu based lead-free solders with different compositions. The properties of the six-component Innolot (SAC+BiSbNi) and two low-Ag containing alloys were compared with the widespread used SAC307 solder. Microstructure investigations and X-ray diffraction measurements were performed to analyze and identify the formed phases, furthermore, tensile tests and microhardness measurements were executed to determine the mechanical properties of the examined solders

Investigation of Multicomponent Lead-Free Solders

According to the directives (RoHS and WEEE) adopted by the European Union, lead has been banned from the manufacturing processes because of its health and environmental hazards. Therefore, the development of lead-free solders is one of the most important research areas of the electronic industry. This paper investigates multicomponent Sn-Ag-Cu based lead-free solders with different compositions. The properties of the six-component Innolot (SAC+BiSbNi) and two low-Ag containing alloys were compared with the widespread used SAC307 solder. Microstructure investigations and X-ray diffraction measurements were performed to analyze and identify the formed phases, furthermore, tensile tests and microhardness measurements were executed to determine the mechanical properties of the examined solders

Fluctuation of synapse density in the arcuate nucleus during the estrous cycle

The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus integrates different hormonal and neural signals to control neuroendocrine events, feeding, energy balance and reproduction. Previous studies have shown that in adult female rats the arcuate nucleus undergoes a cyclic fluctuation in the number of axo-somatic synapses during the estrous cycle, in parallel to the variation of ovarian hormone levels in plasma. In the present study we have used an unbiased stereological analysis in conjunction with postembedding immunocytochemistry to assess whether the synaptic remodeling during the estrous cycle in rats is specific for certain types of synapses. Our findings indicate that there is a significant decrease in the number of GABAergic axo-somatic synapses on proestrus afternoon and estrus day compared with other days of the estrous cycle. This decrease in GABAergic synapses is accompanied by an increase in the number of dendritic spine synapses. The synaptic density appears to cycle back to proestrus morning values on metestrus day. In contrast, the number of synapses on dendritic shafts does not change during the cycle. These results indicate that a rapid and selective synaptic turnover of arcuate synapses occurs in physiological circumstances. © 2006 IBRO.Peer Reviewe