Comprehensive lung injury pathology induced by mTOR inhibitors

Molecular Targets in Oncology[Abstract] Interstitial lung disease is a rare side effect of temsirolimus treatment in renal cancer patients. Pulmonary fibrosis is characterised by the accumulation of extracellular matrix collagen, fibroblast proliferation and migration, and loss of alveolar gas exchange units. Previous studies of pulmonary fibrosis have mainly focused on the fibro-proliferative process in the lungs. However, the molecular mechanism by which sirolimus promotes lung fibrosis remains elusive. Here, we propose an overall cascade hypothesis of interstitial lung diseases that represents a common, partly underlying synergism among them as well as the lung pathogenesis side effects of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors

THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 8.4 MW MODULATOR/REGULATOR POWE SYSTEMS FOR THE ELECTRON CYCLOTRON HEATING FACILITY UPGRADE AT DIII-D

The DIII-D National Fusion Facility at General Atomics is completing the upgrade of its electron cyclotron heating (ECH) capability from the previous 3 MW at 110 GHz to 6 MW of generated microwave power. An 8.4 MW modulator/regulator (M/R) power system has been designed and constructed. Surplus hardware that was acquired from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF program) was used as part of the design foundation. The power system, with a nominal output of -80 kV and 80 A, can supply a pair of gyrotrons with up to 10 second long pulses that may or may not be modulated. The modulator/regulator was designed about the BBC CKQ200-4 tetrode, which was the key component acquired from the LLNL program. In order to meet the performance goals of the program, substantial design modifications were needed to be made on the grid driver amplifier and the closed-loop feedback regulator circuits. Also, a newly designed crowbar switch system, featuring a high speed, thyratron-like triggered gas switch, was implemented. The modulator/regulator performance to date has been demonstrated as having <0.06% peak-to-peak ripple and square wave modulation of 50% amplitude at 2 kHz. The key features of the design of the power system and its performance will be presented in this paper

Assessment of Vascular Patency and Inflammation with Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Superficial Femoral Artery Disease Treated with Zilver PTX Stents

Purpose: Zilver PTX nitinol self-expanding drug-eluting stent with paclitaxel coating is effective for treatment of superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease. However, as with any stent, it induces a measure of vascular inflammatory response. The current clinical trial (NCT02734836) aimed to assess vascular patency, remodeling, and inflammatory markers with intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with SFA disease treated with Zilver PTX stents.Methods: Serial OCT examinations were performed in 13 patients at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Variables evaluated included neointimal area, luminal narrowing, thrombus area, stent expansion as well as measures of inflammation including, peri-strut low-intensity area (PLIA), macrophage arc, neovascularization, stent strut apposition and coverage.Results: Percentage of malapposed struts decreased from 10.3 +/- 7.9% post-intervention to 1.1 +/- 2.2% at 12-month follow-up, but one patient showed late-acquired stent malapposition (LASM). The percent of uncovered struts at follow-up was 3.0 +/- 4.5%. Average expansion of stent cross-sectional area from baseline to follow-up was 35 +/- 19%. The average neointimal area was 7.8 +/- 3.8 mm(2). Maximal luminal narrowing was 61.1 +/- 25.0%, and average luminal narrowing was 35.4 +/- 18.2%. Average peri-strut low-intensity area (PLIA) per strut was 0.017 +/- 0.018 mm(2). Average number of neovessels per mm of stent was 0.138 +/- 0.181. Average macrophage angle per frame at follow-upwas 7 +/- 11 degrees. Average thrombus area at follow-upwas 0.0093 +/- 0.0184 mm(2).Conclusion: At 12-month follow-up, OCT analysis of Zilver PTX stent shows outward remodeling and minimal neointimal growth, but evidence of inflammation including PLIA, neovessels, thrombus and macrophages.Summary: Thirteen patients with PAD had paclitaxel-coated stents implanted in their SFAs and were then imaged with OCT at baseline and 12-month follow-up. OCT proxy metrics of inflammation were quantified. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Cardiovascular Aspects of Radiolog

Ocular, Neurologic and Systemic Findings of the Cases with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia

AIM: To describe the associated ocular, neurologic, and systemic findings in a population of children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) and to evaluate the relationship between ocular signs and neurologic findings. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of 53 patients with the diagnosis of ONH seen between December 1998 and September 2012 was performed. All neurodevelopmental anomalies, neuroradiologic findings, endocrinologic and systemic findings were recorded. Poor vision was defined as the visual acuity poorer than logMAR 1.0 or inadequate central steady maintained fixation. RESULTS: Thirty (56.6%) of the 53 children with ONH were boys. Mean age at presentation was 56.2±46.8 months (range; 3 months to 18 years). Poor vision defined for the purpose of this study was found in 47.2% of 53 patients. Thirty-three (62.3%) children had nystagmus. Thirty-four (64.2%) children had strabismus. Thirteen (38.2%) of those with strabismus had esotropia, 20 (58.8%) had exotropia. The total number of the children with neurodevelopmental deficit was 22 (41.5%) in our study. CONCLUSION: The vision of young children with ONH should be monitored at least annually, and any refractive errors should be treated. Neuroimaging of the brain and endocrinologic evaluation is necessary in all cases with ONH