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

A legismertebb termesztett gombafajok környezetkímélő, korszerű táptalajainak kidolgozása = Preparing up-to-date, environment friendly substrates for the best known cultivated mushroom species

A terméshozamok növelése céljából kétféle hőkezeléssel (nedves, száraz) előállított szalma táptalajon dúsítási kísérletet végeztünk négy gombafajjal (Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus bitorquis, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes). A hőkezelt szalmához borsószalmát, szójaszalmát, lucernalisztet, buzakorpát és ProMycelt kevertünk 1, 2 és 3%-ban. A kísérletet petri-csészében laboratóriumban kezdtük. A legjobb eredményt adó dúsítóanyagggal folytattuk tovább 500, 2000, majd 5000 g-ros kiszerelésű zacskóban, két ismétlésben. A vizsgálatok kiterjedtek a táptalaj N-tartalmának a vizsgálatára, az első szedés idejére, a terméshozamra és az éréslefutásra. A nedvesen hőkezelt dúsított táptalajon az első szedés három fajnál (A. bisporus, A. bitorquis, Lentinula edodes) néhány nappal megelőzte a szárazon hőkezelt táptalajról való szedést. A dúsítóanyagok közül a legmagasabb hozamot a nedvesen hőkezelt ProMycel (3%) dúsítóanyaggal kevert táptalajról kaptuk (A. bisporusnál 3400 g, A. bitorquisnál 2300g L. edodesnél 2600 g/10 kg táptalaj). Néhány százalékkal kisebb hozamot értünk el a szárazon hőkezelt táptalajon. A legkevesebb hozamot a kezeletlen tehát a kontroll szalma adta. A terméshozamot kisebb mértékben lehetett növelni lucernaliszttel és búzakorpával is. Az eerdmények azt mutattak, hogy a hőkezelt szalna N-dúsításának nagy jelentősége van a hozamok növelése szempontjából. A vizsgált dúsítóanyagok mindegyike egyedül a Pleurotus ostreatusnál nem okoztak termésnövekedést. | In order to increase yield quantities 4 mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus bitorquis, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edoes) were tested for reaction to enrichment on heat-treated (dry and wet) straw substrate. Pea straw, alfalfa meal, wheat bran and ProMycel were mixed into the heat-treated straw in proportion of 1, 2, 3 per cent. Trials started in the laboratory in Petri dishes and were continued with agents of the best results in bags of 500, 2000 and 5000 g in 2 replications. Tests included the N-content of the substrate, the time of the first harvest and the ripening period. In 3 species (A. bisporus, A. bitorquis, Lentinula edodes) the first flush on wet heat-treated and enriched substrate was some days earlier than on dry heat-treated substrate. Of the enrichment agents 3% ProMycel produced the highest yield on wet heat-treated substrate (in A. bisporus 3400 g, in A. birorquis 2300 g, in L. edodes 2600 g/10 kg substrate). Some per cent lower yield was harvested on the dry heat-treated substrate. The untreated straw control gave the lowest yield. In smaller extent yield could also be improved with alfalfa meal and wheat bran

CODEX-B4C Experiment: Cored Degradation Test With Boron Carbide Control Rod KFKI-2003-01/G (2003)

The CODEX-B4C bundle test has been successfully performed on 25th May 2001 in the framework of the COLOSS project of the EU 5th FWP. The high temperature degradation of a VVER-1000 type bundle with B4C control rod was investigated with electrically heated fuel rods. The experiment was carried out according to a scenario selected in favour of methane formation. Degradation of control rod and fuel bundle took place at temperatures ~2000 oC, cooling down of the bundle was performed in steam atmosphere. The gas composition measurement indicated no methane production during the experiment. High release of aerosols was detected in the high temperature oxidation phase. The on-line measured data are collected into a database and are available for code validation and development

Troponin T-release associates with cardiac radiation doses during adjuvant left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy

Background Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for left-sided breast cancer increases cardiac morbidity and mortality. For the heart, no safe radiation threshold has been established. Troponin T is a sensitive marker of myocardial damage. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of left-sided breast cancer RT on serum high sensitivity troponin T (hscTnT) levels and its association with cardiac radiation doses and echocardiographic parameters. Methods A total of 58 patients with an early stage, left-sided breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who received adjuvant breast RT without prior chemotherapy were included in this prospective, non-randomized study. Serum samples were taken before, during and after RT. An increase of hscTnT >30 % was predefined as significant. A comprehensive 2D echocardiograph and electrocardiogram (ECG) were performed before and after RT. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were generated for different cardiac structures. Results The hscTnT increased during RT from baseline in 12/58 patients (21 %). Patients with increased hscTnT values (group A, N = 12) had significantly higher radiation doses for the whole heart (p = 0.02) and left ventricle (p = 0.03) than patients without hscTnT increase (group B, N = 46). For the left anterior descending artery (LAD), differences between groups A and B were found in volumes receiving 15 Gy (p = 0.03) and 20 Gy (p = 0.03) Furthermore, after RT, the interventricular septum thickened (p = 0.01), and the deceleration time was prolonged (p = 0.008) more in group A than in group B. Conclusions The increase in hscTnT level during adjuvant RT was positively associated with the cardiac radiation doses for the whole heart and LV in chemotherapy-naive breast cancer patients. Whether these acute subclinical changes increase the risk of excessive long-term cardiovascular morbidity or mortality, will be addressed in the follow-up of our patients.BioMed Central open acces

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

The dynamic performance of suspension systems fitted to commercial vehicles

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