Redox Parameters in Blood of Thyroid Cancer Patients After the Radioiodine Ablation

The radioactive iodine (I-131) ablation is a well-accepted treatment modality for differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Unfortunately, the radiation induces the oxidative stress and damages cells and tissues, simultaneously activating the mechanisms of antioxidative defense. Since the mechanisms of those processes are not completely known, we wanted to examine the changes in the most important reactive oxygen species and antioxidative components, as well as their correlation and significance for lipid peroxidation. Our results showed that the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was increased during the first 30 days after the radiotherapy. Among antioxidant components, superoxide dismutase was increased in the 3rd and 30th day; catalase in 7th and reduced glutathione in 3rd and 7th day after the radiotherapy. As regards the prooxidants, the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was recorded in 7th and 30th day, and superoxide anion radical (O-2(center dot-)) was unchanged after the exposure to I-131. These results indicate that differentiated thyroid cancer patients are under constant oxidative stress despite the observed increase in antioxidative and reduction in prooxidative parameters. The understanding of these early processes is important since their progress determines the latter effects of I-131 therapy

EFOMP policy statement 18: Medical physics education for the non-physics healthcare professions

Although Medical Physics educators have historically contributed to the education of the non-physics healthcare professions, their role was not studied in a systematic manner. In 2009, EFOMP set up a group to research the issue. In their first paper, the group carried out an extensive literature review regarding physics teaching for the non-physics healthcare professions. Their second paper reported the results of a pan-European survey of physics curricula delivered to the healthcare professions and a Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) audit of the role. The group's third paper presented a strategic development model for the role, based on the SWOT data. A comprehensive curriculum development model was subsequently published, whilst plans were laid to develop the present policy statement. This policy statement presents mission and vision statements for Medical Physicists teaching non-physics users of medical devices and physical agents, best practices for teaching non-physics healthcare professionals, a stepwise process for curriculum development (content, method of delivery and assessment), and summary recommendations based on the aforementioned research studies

Innovative optical method for sensing the nutritional stress in hydroponically cultivated plants

Well-balanced nutrition is important for the successful cultivation of healthy plants. In this paper, we demonstrate a nondestructive optical method that can sense a deficiency of certain nutrients. The setup was tested on hydroponically grown Ocimum basilicum. The plants were subjected to nutrient deficiency by the exclusion of one of the essential elements (Fe, Mg, P, N) from the hydroponic solution. A control group of plants, fed by the balanced hydroponic solution, was also grown under the same conditions. The proposed method tracks and records the optical transmittance of the plants' leaves. All groups exhibit clearly defined day-night Circadian rhythms. When compared to the control group, the treated plants exhibited modified circadian rhythms of the optical transmission, suggesting an early indicator of the plants' stress. The condition of the plants under test was also assessed by the more common (destructive) methods such as: measurements of the determination of the photosynthetic pigment content, dray weight determination and the efficiency of PSII. Several biological parameters were observed, calculated and compared to the graphs of optical transmission dependence in real time. Presented results have demonstrated a significant potential of the proposed optical method for the early detection of plants' stress in hydroponic cultivation

Influence of Short Central PEO Segment on Hydrolytic and Enzymatic Degradation of Triblock PCL Copolymers

Hydrolytic, enzymatic degradation and composting under controlled conditions of series of triblock PCL/PEO copolymers, PCEC, with central short PEO block (M (n) 400 g/mol) are presented and compared with homopolymer (PCL). The PCEC copolymers, synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone, were characterized by H-1 NMR, quantitative C-13 NMR, GPC, DSC and WAXS. The introduction of the PEO central segment ( lt 2 wt%) in PCL chains significantly affected thermal degradation and crystallization behavior, while the hydrophobicity was slightly reduced as confirmed by water absorption and moisture uptake experiments. Hydrolytic degradation studies in phosphate buffer after 8 weeks indicated a small weight loss, while FTIR analysis detected changes in crystallinity indexes and GPC measurements revealed bulk degradation. Enzymatic degradation tested by cell-free extracts containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 confirmed high enzyme activity throughout the surface causing morphological changes detected by optical microscopy and AFM analysis. The changes in roughness of polymer films revealed surface erosion mechanism of enzymatic degradation. Copolymer with the highest content of PEO segment and the lowest molecular weight showed better degradation ability compared to PCL and other copolymers. Furthermore, composting of polymer films in a model compost system at 37 A degrees C resulted in significant degradation of the all synthesized block copolymers