Prealbumin is a more sensitive marker than albumin to assess the nutritional status in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and to evaluate a more sensitive marker to assess the nutritional status in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective study included 51 (mean age of 57.6 ±11.2 years) patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer. Malnutrition was defined as weight loss > 5% of baseline. RESULTS: Forty-six (90.2%) of 51 patients were male. Malnutrition developed in 33 (64.7%) patients during RT. Mean prealbumin level was significantly lower in patients with malnutrition than in those without malnutrition (17 ±5 g/dl vs. 22 ±5 g/dl, respectively, p = 0.004). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of other nutrition parameters including total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose (p > 0.05). The percentage of weight loss negatively correlated with prealbumin (r = –0.430, p = 0.002), but not with other nutrition parameters including total protein, albumin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and glucose (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malnutrition was high in patients with head and neck cancer. Prealbumin was a more sensitive marker than albumin to assess the nutritional status in these patients

Autonomous car parking system with various trajectories

In this study, an algorithm presents a solution to 4-wheel-car parking. This algorithm is suitable for parallel parking between two objects or two cars. Firstly the system verifies whether enough space. After finding a valid parking space, system makes the suitable movements for a perfect parking. This parking operation is tested in a simulation environment using MatLab-Simulink

Primary Calvarial Osteosarcoma: A Case Report

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin and composed of osteoid tissue or immature bone production. OS of the skull is exceedingly rare and devastating tumors. The overall prevalence of primary craniofacial OS is around 2-9% in published series, while the prevalence of pure cranial localization is 1-2%. It usually develops secondary to preexisting bone diseases or after the radiation therapy. Local recurrence rates are 26-69% and five-year survival rate is 25-37%. Amongst primary craniofacial OS, skull lesions appear the have the worst prognosis. In this report, the clinical, radiologic, pathological features, recommended treatment and prognosis of a 26-year-old female patient diagnosed with primary calvarial osteosarcoma has been discussed

Effect of Radiotherapy Dose Rates on Early Intestinal Toxicity

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Effectiveness of Palosuran in Bleomycin-Induced Experimental Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by skin and internal organ involvement. There is progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components in the skin and involved organs. Tissue fibrosis is the prominent reason for mortality, and still, there is no satisfactory treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of urotensin-II (U-II) antagonist palosuran in an animal model of scleroderma. We also planned to measure U-II, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) levels, as well as the association of these levels with dermal thickness. Twenty-four male mice were included in this study and they were divided into three groups-group 1: control group, group 2: fibrosis group, and group 3: fibrosis + palosuran treatment group. Fibrosis + palosuran treatment in group 3 reduced ET-1, U-II, and TGF-beta 1 levels. In total, the diminished values were statistically significant in the ET-1 and TGF-beta 1 levels (p 0.05). It is believed that U-II is an important mediator in SSc, and its antagonism with palosuran could be a new treatment choice in SSc

Zoledronic acid concurrent with either high- or reduced-dose palliative radiotherapy in the management of the breast cancer patients with bone metastases: a phase IV randomized clinical study

WOS: 000277942800005PubMed ID: 19484483In this prospective study, the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy combined with zoledronic acid was evaluated. Breast cancer patients with painful bone metastases were randomized to either high- or reduced-dose radiotherapy. All patients received zoledronic acid (4 mg) every 28 days from the beginning of radiotherapy. Analgesic and pain scores in addition to visual analog score (VAS) for treatment satisfaction and whole-body bone scintigraphy were evaluated. No significant differences could be found in analgesic or pain scores and bone scintigraphy results between the groups. Our results suggest that reduced-dose radiotherapy produces similar response rates and response durations when used concomitantly with zoledronic acid